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+Project Gutenberg's History of the Buccaneers of America, by James Burney
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: History of the Buccaneers of America
+
+Author: James Burney
+
+Release Date: August 17, 2011 [EBook #37116]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Julia Miller, Henry Gardiner and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ * * * * *
+
+Transcriber's Note:
+
+This is a faithful reproduction of the original work with the exception of
+changes listed at the end. Also:
+
+Notation: Words in italics are indicated _like this_. But the publisher
+also wanted to emphasize names in sentences already italicized, so he
+printed them in the regular font which is indicated here with: _The
+pirates then went to =Hispaniola=._ Superscripts are indicated like this:
+S^{ta} Maria. Footnotes are located near the end of the work.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+
+
+
+ HISTORY
+
+ OF
+
+ THE BUCCANEERS
+
+ OF
+
+ AMERICA.
+
+ By JAMES BURNEY, F.R.S.
+
+ CAPTAIN IN THE ROYAL NAVY.
+
+
+ London:
+
+ _Printed by Luke Hansard & Sons, near Lincoln's-Inn Fields;_
+
+ FOR PAYNE AND FOSS, PALL-MALL.
+
+ 1816.
+
+
+
+
+ CONTENTS.
+
+
+ CHAPTER I.
+
+ _Considerations on the Rights acquired by the Discovery of
+ Unknown Lands, and on the Claims advanced by the Spaniards._
+
+
+ CHAP. II.
+
+ _Review of the Dominion of the =Spaniards= in =Hayti= or
+ =Hispaniola=._
+
+ Page
+ Hayti, or Hispaniola, the Land on
+ which the Spaniards first settled in
+ America 7
+ Government of Columbus 9
+ Dogs made use of against the Indians 10
+ Massacre of the Natives, and Subjugation
+ of the Island 11
+ Heavy Tribute imposed 12
+ City of Nueva Ysabel, or Santo
+ Domingo 14
+ Beginning of the Repartimientos 16
+ Government of Bovadilla _ib._
+ The Natives compelled to work the
+ Mines 17
+ Nicolas Ovando, Governor _ib._
+ Working the Mines discontinued 18
+ The Natives again forced to the Mines 19
+ Insurrection in Higuey 20
+ Encomiendas established _ib._
+ Africans carried to the West Indies 21
+ Massacre of the People of Xaragua 22
+ Death of Queen Ysabel 23
+ Desperate condition of the Natives 24
+ The Grand Antilles 26
+ Small Antilles, or Caribbee Islands _ib._
+ Lucayas, or Bahama Islands _ib._
+ The Natives of the Lucayas betrayed to
+ the Mines 27
+ Fate of the Natives of Porto Rico 28
+ D. Diego Columbus, Governor _ib._
+ Increase of Cattle in Hayti. Cuba 29
+ De las Casas and Cardinal Ximenes
+ endeavour to serve the Indians 30
+ Cacique Henriquez _ib._
+ Footnotes
+
+
+ CHAP. III.
+
+ _Ships of different European Nations frequent the =West Indies=.
+ Opposition experienced by them from the Spaniards. Hunting of
+ Cattle in =Hispaniola=._
+
+ Adventure of an English Ship 32
+ The French and other Europeans resort
+ to the West Indies 33
+ Regulation proposed in Hispaniola, for
+ protection against Pirates _ib._
+ Hunting of Cattle in Hispaniola 34
+ Matadores _ib._
+ Guarda Costas 35
+ Brethren of the Coast 36
+
+
+ CHAP. IV.
+
+ _Iniquitous Settlement of the Island =Saint Christopher= by the
+ =English= and =French=. =Tortuga= seized by the Hunters.
+ Origin of the name =Buccaneer=. The name =Flibustier=. Customs
+ attributed to the =Buccaneers=._
+
+ The English and French settle on
+ Saint Christopher 38
+ Are driven away by the Spaniards 40
+ They return 41
+ Tortuga seized by the Hunters 41
+ Whence the Name Buccaneer 42
+ the Name Flibustier 43
+ Customs attributed to the Buccaneers 45
+
+
+ CHAP. V.
+
+ _Treaty made by the Spaniards with Don =Henriquez=. Increase of
+ English and French in the =West Indies=. =Tortuga= surprised
+ by the Spaniards. Policy of the English and French Governments
+ with respect to the Buccaneers. =Mansvelt=, his attempt to
+ form an independent Buccaneer Establishment. French West-India
+ Company. =Morgan= succeeds =Mansvelt= as Chief of the
+ Buccaneers._
+
+ Cultivation in Tortuga 48
+ Increase of the English and French
+ Settlements in the West Indies _ib._
+ Tortuga surprised by the Spaniards 49
+ Is taken possession of for the Crown
+ of France 51
+ Policy of the English and French
+ Governments with respect to the
+ Buccaneers 52
+ The Buccaneers plunder New Segovia 53
+ The Spaniards retake Tortuga _ib._
+ With the assistance of the Buccaneers
+ the English take Jamaica 54
+ The French retake Tortuga _ib._
+ Pierre le Grand, a French Buccaneer _ib._
+ Alexandre 55
+ Montbars, surnamed the Exterminator _ib._
+ Bartolomeo Portuguez _ib._
+ L'Olonnois, and Michel le Basque,
+ take Maracaibo and Gibraltar 55
+ Outrages committed by L'Olonnois _ib._
+ Mansvelt, a Buccaneer Chief, attempts
+ to form a Buccaneer Establishment 56
+ Island S^{ta} Katalina, or Providence;
+ since named Old Providence _ib._
+ Death of Mansvelt 57
+ French West-India Company _ib._
+ The French Settlers dispute their authority 58
+ Morgan succeeds Mansvelt; plunders
+ Puerto del Principe _ib._
+ Maracaibo again pillaged 59
+ Morgan takes Porto Bello: his Cruelty _ib._
+ He plunders Maracaibo and Gibraltar 60
+ His Contrivances to effect his Retreat 61
+
+
+ CHAP. VI.
+
+ _Treaty of =America=. Expedition of the Buccaneers against
+ =Panama=. Exquemelin's History of the American Sea Rovers.
+ Misconduct of the European Governors in the =West Indies=._
+
+ Treaty between Great Britain and Spain 63
+ Expedition of the Buccaneers against
+ Panama 64
+ They take the Island S^{ta}. Katalina 65
+ Attack of the Castle at the River Chagre _ib._
+ Their March across the Isthmus 66
+ The City of Panama taken 67
+ And burnt 68
+ The Buccaneers depart from Panama 69
+ Exquemelin's History of the Buccaneers
+ of America 71
+ Flibustiers shipwrecked at Porto Rico;
+ and put to death by the Spaniards 73
+
+
+ CHAP. VII.
+
+ _=Thomas Peche.= Attempt of =La Sound= to cross the =Isthmus of
+ America=. Voyage of =Antonio de Vea= to the =Strait of
+ Magalhanes=. Various Adventures of the Buccaneers, in the
+ =West Indies=, to the year 1679._
+
+ Thomas Peche 75
+ La Sound attempts to cross the Isthmus _ib._
+ Voyage of Ant. de Vea 76
+ Massacre of the French in Samana 77
+ French Fleet wrecked on Aves 77
+ Granmont _ib._
+ Darien Indians 79
+ Porto Bello surprised by the Buccaneers _ib._
+
+
+ CHAP. VIII.
+
+ _Meeting of Buccaneers at the =Samballas=, and =Golden Island=.
+ Party formed by the English Buccaneers to cross the =Isthmus=.
+ Some Account of the Native Inhabitants of the =Mosquito
+ Shore=._
+
+ Golden Island 81
+ Account of the Mosquito Indians 82
+
+
+ CHAP. IX.
+
+ _Journey of the Buccaneers across the =Isthmus of America=._
+
+ Buccaneers commence their March 91
+ Fort of S^{ta} Maria taken 95
+ John Coxon chosen Commander 96
+ They arrive at the South Sea 97
+
+
+ CHAP. X.
+
+ _First Buccaneer Expedition in the =South Sea=._
+ In the Bay of Panama 98
+ Island Chepillo _ib._
+ Battle with a small Spanish Armament _ib._
+ Richard Sawkins 99
+ Panama, the new City 100
+ Coxon returns to the West Indies 101
+ Richard Sawkins chosen Commander _ib._
+ Taboga; Otoque 102
+ Attack of Pueblo Nuevo 103
+ Captain Sawkins is killed _ib._
+ Imposition practised by Sharp 104
+ Sharp chosen Commander 105
+ Some return to the West Indies _ib._
+ The Anchorage at Quibo _ib._
+ Island Gorgona 106
+ Island Plata 107
+ Adventure of Seven Buccaneers _ib._
+ Ilo 109
+ Shoals of Anchovies _ib._
+ La Serena plundered and burnt _ib._
+ Attempt of the Spaniards to burn the
+ Ship of the Buccaneers _ib._
+ Island Juan Fernandez 110
+ Sharp deposed from the Command 111
+ Watling elected Commander _ib._
+ William, a Mosquito Indian, left on the
+ Island Juan Fernandez 112
+ Island Yqueque; Rio de Camarones 113
+ They attack Arica _ib._
+ Are repulsed; Watling killed 114
+ Sharp again chosen Commander 115
+ Huasco; Ylo _ib._
+ The Buccaneers separate 116
+ Proceedings of Sharp and his Followers _ib._
+ They enter a Gulf 118
+ Shergall's Harbour 119
+ Another Harbour _ib._
+ The Gulf is named the English Gulf _ib._
+ Duke of York's Islands 120
+ A Native killed by the Buccaneers 121
+ Native of Patagonia carried away _ib._
+ Passage round Cape Horn 122
+ Appearance like Land, in 57 deg. 50' S. _ib._
+ Ice Islands _ib._
+ Arrive in the West Indies 123
+ Sharp, and others, tried for Piracy _ib._
+
+
+ CHAP. XI.
+
+ _Disputes between the French Government and their West-India
+ Colonies. =Morgan= becomes Deputy Governor of =Jamaica=. =La
+ Vera Cruz= surprised by the Flibustiers. Other of their
+ Enterprises._
+
+ Prohibitions against Piracy disregarded
+ by the French Buccaneers 125-6
+ Sir Henry Morgan, Deputy Governor
+ of Jamaica 126
+ His Severity to the Buccaneers _ib._
+ Van Horn, Granmont, and De Graaf,
+ go against La Vera Cruz 127
+ They surprise the Town by Stratagem 127
+ Story of Granmont and an English Ship 128
+ Disputes of the French Governors with
+ the Flibustiers of Saint Domingo 130
+
+
+ CHAP. XII.
+
+ _Circumstances which preceded the Second Irruption of the
+ Buccaneers into the =South Sea=. Buccaneers under =John Cook=
+ sail from =Virginia=; stop at the =Cape de Verde Islands=; at
+ =Sierra Leone=. Origin and History of the Report concerning
+ the supposed Discovery of =Pepys Island=._
+
+ Circumstances preceding the Second
+ Irruption of the Buccaneers into the
+ South Sea 132
+ Buccaneers under John Cook 134
+ Cape de Verde Islands 135
+ Ambergris; The Flamingo _ib._
+ Coast of Guinea 136
+ Sherborough River 137
+ John Davis's Islands _ib._
+ History of the Report of a Discovery
+ named Pepys Island _ib._
+ Shoals of small red Lobsters 140
+ Passage round Cape Horne _ib._
+
+
+ CHAP. XIII.
+
+ _Buccaneers under =John Cook= arrive at =Juan Fernandez=.
+ Account of =William=, a Mosquito Indian, who had lived there
+ three years. They sail to the =Galapagos Islands=; thence to
+ the Coast of =New Spain=. =John Cook= dies. =Edward Davis=
+ chosen Commander._
+
+ The Buccaneers under Cook joined by
+ the Nicholas of London, John Eaton 141
+ At Juan Fernandez 142
+ William the Mosquito Indian _ib._
+ Juan Fernandez first stocked with Goats
+ by its Discoverer 143
+ Appearance of the Andes _ib._
+ Islands Lobos de la Mar _ib._
+ At the Galapagos Islands 145
+ Duke of Norfolk's Island _ib._
+ Cowley's Chart of the Galapagos 146
+ King James's Island _ib._
+ Mistake by the Editor of Dampier _ib._
+ Concerning Fresh Water and Herbage
+ at the Galapagos _ib._ & 147
+ Land and Sea Turtle 148
+ Mammee Tree _ib._
+ Coast of New Spain; Cape Blanco 149
+ John Cook, Buccaneer Commander, dies _ib._
+ Edward Davis chosen Commander _ib._
+
+
+ CHAP. XIV.
+
+ _=Edward Davis= Commander. On the Coast of =New Spain= and
+ =Peru=. Algatrane, a bituminous earth. =Davis= is joined by
+ other Buccaneers. =Eaton= sails to the =East Indies=.
+ =Guayaquil= attempted. =Rivers of St. Jago=, and =Tomaco=. In
+ the Bay of =Panama=. Arrivals of numerous parties of
+ Buccaneers across the =Isthmus= from the =West Indies=._
+
+ Caldera Bay 150
+ Volcan Viejo 151
+ Ria-lexa Harbour _ib._
+ Bay of Amapalla 152
+ Davis and Eaton part company 154
+ Tornadoes near the Coast of New Spain 155
+ Cape San Francisco _ib._
+ Eaton's Description of Cocos Island _ib._
+ Point S^{ta} Elena 156
+ Algatrane, a bituminous Earth _ib._
+ Rich Ship wrecked on Point S^{ta} Elena 157
+ Manta; Rocks near it, and Shoal _ib._
+ Davis is joined by other Buccaneers _ib._
+ The Cygnet, Captain Swan _ib._
+ At Isle de la Plata 159
+ Cape Blanco, near Guayaquil; difficult
+ to weather _ib._
+ Payta burnt 160
+ Part of the Peruvian Coast where it
+ never rains _ib._
+ Lobos de Tierra, and Lobos de la Mar _ib._
+ Eaton at the Ladrones 161
+ Nutmeg Island, North of Luconia 163
+ Davis on the Coast of Peru _ib._
+ Slave Ships captured _ib._
+ The Harbour of Guayaquil 164
+ Island S^{ta} Clara: Shoals near it 164
+ Cat Fish 165
+ The Cotton Tree and Cabbage Tree 166
+ River of St. Jago _ib._
+ Island Gallo; River Tomaco 167
+ Island Gorgona _ib._
+ Pearl Oysters 168
+ Galera Isle _ib._
+ The Pearl Islands 169
+ Arrival of fresh bodies of Buccaneers
+ from the West Indies 170
+ Grogniet and L'Escuyer _ib._
+ Townley and his Crew 171
+ Pisco Wine 172
+ Port de Pinas; Taboga 173
+ Chepo 174
+
+
+ CHAP. XV.
+
+ _=Edward Davis= Commander. Meeting of the Spanish and Buccaneer
+ Fleets in the =Bay of Panama=. They separate without fighting.
+ The Buccaneers sail to the Island =Quibo=. The English and
+ French separate. Expedition against the City of =Leon=. That
+ City and =Ria Lexa= burnt. Farther dispersion of the
+ Buccaneers._
+
+ The Lima Fleet arrives at Panama 176
+ Meeting of the two Fleets 177
+ They separate 180
+ Keys of Quibo: The Island Quibo 181
+ Rock near the Anchorage _ib._
+ Serpents; The Serpent Berry 182
+ Disagreements among the Buccaneers _ib._
+ The French separate from the English 183
+ Knight, a Buccaneer, joins Davis _ib._
+ Expedition against the City of Leon 184
+ Leon burnt by the Buccaneers 186
+ Town of Ria Lexa burnt 187
+ Farther Separation of the Buccaneers _ib._
+
+
+ CHAP. XVI.
+
+ _Buccaneers under =Edward Davis=. At =Amapalla= Bay; =Cocos
+ Island=; The =Galapagos= Islands; Coast of =Peru=. Peruvian
+ Wine. =Knight= quits the =South Sea=. Bezoar Stones. Marine
+ Productions on Mountains. =Vermejo=. =Davis= joins the French
+ Buccaneers at =Guayaquil=. Long Sea Engagement._
+
+ Amapalla Bay 188
+ A hot River _ib._
+ Cocos Island 189
+ Effect of Excess in drinking the Milk
+ of the Cocoa-nut 190
+ At the Galapagos Islands _ib._
+ On the Coast of Peru 191
+ Peruvian Wine like Madeira _ib._
+ At Juan Fernandez 192
+ Knight quits the South Sea _ib._
+ Davis returns to the Coast of Peru _ib._
+ Bezoar Stones 193
+ Marine Productions found on Mountains;
+ Vermejo _ib._
+ Davis joins the French Buccaneers at
+ Guayaquil 195
+ They meet Spanish Ships of War 196
+ A Sea Engagement of seven days _ib._
+ At the Island de la Plata 198
+ Division of Plunder 199
+ They separate, to return home by different
+ Routes 200
+
+
+ CHAP. XVII.
+
+ _=Edward Davis=; his Third visit to the =Galapagos=. One of
+ those Islands, named =Santa Maria de l'Aguada= by the
+ Spaniards, a Careening Place of the Buccaneers. Sailing thence
+ Southward they discover Land. Question, whether Edward Davis's
+ Discovery is the Land which was afterwards named =Easter
+ Island=? =Davis= and his Crew arrive in the =West Indies=._
+
+ Davis sails to the Galapagos Islands 201
+ King James's Island 202
+ The Island S^{ta} Maria de l'Aguada 203
+ Davis sails from the Galapagos to the
+ Southward 205
+ Island discovered by Edward Davis 206
+ Question whether Edward Davis's Land
+ and Easter Island are the same Land 207
+ At the Island Juan Fernandez 210
+ Davis sails to the West Indies 211
+
+
+ CHAP. XVIII.
+
+ _Adventures of =Swan= and =Townley= on the Coast of =New Spain=,
+ until their Separation._
+
+ Bad Water, and unhealthiness of Ria
+ Lexa 213
+ Island Tangola 214
+ Guatulco; El Buffadore 215
+ Vinello, or Vanilla, a Plant 216
+ Island Sacrificio _ib._
+ Port de Angeles _ib._
+ Adventure in a Lagune 217
+ Alcatraz Rock; White Cliffs 218
+ River to the West of the Cliffs _ib._
+ Snook, a Fish _ib._
+ High Land of Acapulco 219
+ Sandy Beach, West of Acapulco _ib._
+ Hill of Petaplan 220
+ Chequetan _ib._
+ Estapa _ib._
+ Hill of Thelupan 221
+ Volcano and Valley of Colima _ib._
+ Salagua 222
+ Report of a great City named Oarrah _ib._
+ Coronada Hills 223
+ Cape Corrientes _ib._
+ Keys or Islands of Chametly form a
+ convenient Port _ib._
+ Bay and Valley de Vanderas 225
+ Swan and Townley part company 226
+
+
+ CHAP. XIX.
+
+ _The =Cygnet= and her Crew on the Coast of =Nueva Galicia=, and
+ at the =Tres Marias Islands=._
+
+ Coast of Nueva Galicia 227
+ Point Ponteque _ib._
+ White Rock, 21 deg. 51' N 228
+ Chametlan Isles, 23 deg. 11' N _ib._
+ The Penguin Fruit _ib._
+ Rio de Sal, and Salt-water Lagune _ib._
+ The Mexican, a copious Language 229
+ Mazatlan _ib._
+ Rosario, an Indian Town; River Rosario;
+ Sugar-loaf Hill; Caput Cavalli;
+ Maxentelbo Rock; Hill of Xalisco 230
+ River of Santiago 230
+ Town of S^{ta} Pecaque 231
+ Buccaneers defeated and slain by the
+ Spaniards 233
+ At the Tres Marias 234
+ A Root used as Food 235
+ A Dropsy cured by a Sand Bath _ib._
+ Bay of Vanderas 236
+
+
+ CHAP. XX.
+
+ _The =Cygnet=. Her Passage across the =Pacific Ocean=. At the
+ =Ladrones=. At =Mindanao=._
+
+ The Cygnet quits the American Coast 237
+ Large flight of Birds _ib._
+ Shoals and Breakers near Guahan _ib._
+ Bank de Santa Rosa 238
+ At Guahan _ib._
+ Flying Proe, or Sailing Canoe 239
+ Bread Fruit 241
+ Eastern side of Mindanao, and the
+ Island St. John 241
+ Sarangan and Candigar 243
+ Harbour or Sound on the South Coast
+ of Mindanao _ib._
+ River of Mindanao 244
+ City of Mindanao _ib._
+
+
+ CHAP. XXI.
+
+ _The =Cygnet= departs from =Mindanao=. At the =Ponghou Isles=.
+ At the =Five Islands=. =Dampier's= Account of the =Five
+ Islands=. They are named the =Bashee Islands=._
+
+ South Coast of Mindanao 249
+ Among the Philippine Islands _ib._
+ Pulo Condore _ib._
+ In the China Seas 250
+ Ponghou Isles 250
+ The Five Islands _ib._
+ Dampier's Description of them 250-256
+
+
+ CHAP. XXII.
+
+ _The =Cygnet=. At the =Philippines=, =Celebes=, and =Timor=. On
+ the Coast of =New Holland=. End of the =Cygnet=._
+
+ Island near the SE end of Mindanao 257
+ Candigar, a convenient Cove there _ib._
+ Low Island and Shoal, SbW from the
+ West end of Timor 258
+ NW Coast of New Holland _ib._
+ Bay on the Coast of New Holland 258
+ Natives 259
+ An Island in Latitude 10 deg. 20' S 261
+ End of the Cygnet _ib._
+
+
+ CHAP. XXIII.
+
+ _French Buccaneers =under Francois Grogniet= and =Le Picard=, to
+ the Death of =Grogniet=._
+
+ Point de Burica; Chiriquita 263
+ Unsuccessful attempt at Pueblo Nuevo 265
+ Grogniet is joined by Townley _ib._
+ Expedition against the City of Granada 266
+ At Ria Lexa 269
+ Grogniet and Townley part company _ib._
+ Buccaneers under Townley _ib._
+ Lavelia taken, and set on fire 270
+ Battle with Spanish armed Ships 274
+ Death of Townley 277
+ Grogniet rejoins company 278
+ They divide, meet again, and reunite 279
+ Attack on Guayaquil 280
+ At the Island Puna 282
+ Grogniet dies _ib._
+ Edward Davis joins Le Picard 283
+
+
+ CHAP. XXIV.
+
+ _Retreat of the =French Buccaneers= across =New Spain= to the
+ =West Indies=. All the =Buccaneers= quit the =South Sea=._
+
+ In Amapalla Bay 286
+ Chiloteca; Massacre of Prisoners _ib._
+ The Buccaneers burn their Vessels 287
+ They begin their march over land 288
+ Town of New Segovia 289
+ Rio de Yare, or Cape River 291
+ La Pava; Straiton; Le Sage 294
+ Small Crew of Buccaneers at the Tres
+ Marias. Their Adventures 295
+ Story related by Le Sieur Froger _ib._
+ Buccaneers who lived three years on
+ the Island Juan Fernandez 296
+
+
+ CHAP. XXV.
+
+ _Steps taken towards reducing the =Buccaneers= and =Flibustiers=
+ under subordination to the regular Governments. War of the
+ Grand Alliance against =France=. Neutrality of the =Island St.
+ Christopher= broken._
+
+ Reform attempted in the West Indies 298
+ Campeachy burnt _ib._
+ Danish Factory robbed 300
+ The English driven from St. Christopher 301
+ The English retake St. Christopher 302
+
+
+ CHAP. XXVI.
+
+ _Siege and Plunder of the City of =Carthagena= on the =Terra
+ Firma=, by an Armament from =France= in conjunction with the
+ =Flibustiers= of =Saint Domingo=._
+
+ Armament under M. de Pointis 303
+ His Character of the Buccaneers 304
+ Siege of Carthagena by the French 307
+ The City capitulates 309
+ Value of the Plunder 313
+
+
+ CHAP. XXVII.
+
+ _Second Plunder of =Carthagena=. Peace of =Ryswick=, in 1697.
+ Entire Suppression of the =Buccaneers= and =Flibustiers=._
+
+ The Buccaneers return to Carthagena 316
+ Meet an English and Dutch Squadron 319
+ Peace of Ryswick 320
+ Causes which led to the Suppression of
+ the Buccaneers _ib._
+ Providence Island 322
+ CONCLUSION 323
+
+
+
+
+ HISTORY
+
+ OF
+
+ THE BUCCANEERS
+
+ OF
+
+ AMERICA.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAPTER I.
+
+ _Considerations on the Rights acquired by the Discovery of
+ Unknown Lands, and on the Claims advanced by the =Spaniards=._
+
+
+The accounts given by the Buccaneers who extended their enterprises to the
+_Pacific Ocean_, are the best authenticated of any which have been
+published by that class of Adventurers. They are interspersed with
+nautical and geographical descriptions, corroborative of the events
+related, and more worth being preserved than the memory of what was
+performed. The materials for this portion of Buccaneer history, which it
+was necessary should be included in a History of South Sea Navigations,
+could not be collected without bringing other parts into view; whence it
+appeared, that with a moderate increase of labour, and without much
+enlarging the bulk of narrative, a regular history might be formed of
+their career, from their first rise, to their suppression; and that such a
+work would not be without its use.
+
+No practice is more common in literature, than for an author to endeavour
+to clear the ground before him, by mowing down the labours of his
+predecessors on the same subject. To do this, where the labour they have
+bestowed is of good tendency, or even to treat with harshness the
+commission of error where no bad intention is manifest, is in no small
+degree illiberal. But all the Buccaneer histories that hitherto have
+appeared, and the number is not small, are boastful compositions, which
+have delighted in exaggeration: and, what is most mischievous, they have
+lavished commendation on acts which demanded reprobation, and have
+endeavoured to raise miscreants, notorious for their want of humanity, to
+the rank of heroes, lessening thereby the stain upon robbery, and the
+abhorrence naturally conceived against cruelty.
+
+There is some excuse for the Buccaneer, who tells his own story. Vanity,
+and his prejudices, without any intention to deceive, lead him to magnify
+his own exploits; and the reader naturally makes allowances.
+
+The men whose enterprises are to be related, were natives of different
+European nations, but chiefly of _Great Britain_ and _France_, and most of
+them seafaring people, who being disappointed, by accidents or the enmity
+of the Spaniards, in their more sober pursuits in the _West Indies_, and
+also instigated by thirst for plunder as much as by desire for vengeance,
+embodied themselves, under different leaders of their own choosing, to
+make predatory war upon the Spaniards. These men the Spaniards naturally
+treated as pirates; but some peculiar circumstances which provoked their
+first enterprises, and a general feeling of enmity against that nation on
+account of their American conquests, procured them the connivance of the
+rest of the maritime states of _Europe_, and to be distinguished first by
+the softened appellations of Freebooters and Adventurers, and afterwards
+by that of Buccaneers.
+
+_Spain_, or, more strictly speaking, _Castile_, on the merit of a first
+discovery, claimed an exclusive right to the possession of the whole of
+_America_, with the exception of the _Brasils_, which were conceded to the
+Portuguese. These claims, and this division, the Pope sanctioned by an
+instrument, entitled a Bull of Donation, which was granted at a time when
+all the maritime powers of _Europe_ were under the spiritual dominion of
+the See of _Rome_. The Spaniards, however, did not flatter themselves that
+they should be left in the sole and undisputed enjoyment of so large a
+portion of the newly-discovered countries; but they were principally
+anxious to preserve wholly to themselves the _West Indies_: and, such was
+the monopolising spirit of the Castilians, that during the life of the
+Queen Ysabel of _Castile_, who was regarded as the patroness of Columbus's
+discovery, it was difficult even for Spaniards, not subjects born of the
+crown of _Castile_, to gain access to this _New World_, prohibitions being
+repeatedly published against the admission of all other persons into the
+ships bound thither. Ferdinand, King of _Arragon_, the husband of Ysabel,
+had refused to contribute towards the outfit of Columbus's first voyage,
+having no opinion of the probability that it would produce him an adequate
+return; and the undertaking being at the expence of _Castile_, the
+countries discovered were considered as appendages to the crown of
+_Castile_.
+
+If such jealousy was entertained by the Spaniards of each other, what must
+not have been their feelings respecting other European nations? 'Whoever,'
+says Hakluyt, 'is conversant with the Portugal and Spanish writers, shall
+find that they account all other nations for pirates, rovers, and thieves,
+which visit any heathen coast that they have sailed by or looked on.'
+
+_Spain_ considered the _New World_ as what in our law books is called
+Treasure-trove, of which she became lawfully and exclusively entitled to
+take possession, as fully as if it had been found without any owner or
+proprietor. _Spain_ has not been singular in her maxims respecting the
+rights of discoverers. Our books of Voyages abound in instances of the
+same disregard shewn to the rights of the native inhabitants, the only
+rightful proprietors, by the navigators of other European nations, who,
+with a solemnity due only to offices of a religious nature, have
+continually put in practice the form of taking possession of Countries
+which to them were new discoveries, their being inhabited or desert making
+no difference. Not unfrequently has the ceremony been performed in the
+presence, but not within the understanding, of the wondering natives; and
+on this formality is grounded a claim to usurp the actual possession, in
+preference to other Europeans.
+
+Nothing can be more opposed to common sense, than that strangers should
+pretend to acquire by discovery, a title to countries they find with
+inhabitants; as if in those very inhabitants the right of prior discovery
+was not inherent. On some occasions, however, Europeans have thought it
+expedient to acknowledge the rights of the natives, as when, in disputing
+each other's claims, a title by gift from the natives has been pretended.
+
+In uninhabited lands, a right of occupancy results from the discovery; but
+actual and _bona fide_ possession is requisite to perfect appropriation.
+If real possession be not taken, or if taken shall not be retained, the
+right acquired by the mere discovery is not indefinite and a perpetual bar
+of exclusion to all others; for that would amount to discovery giving a
+right equivalent to annihilation. Moveable effects may be hoarded and kept
+out of use, or be destroyed, and it will not always be easy to prove
+whether with injury or benefit to mankind: but the necessities of human
+life will not admit, unless under the strong hand of power, that a right
+should be pretended to keep extensive and fertile countries waste and
+secluded from their use, without other reason than the will of a
+proprietor or claimant.
+
+Particular local circumstances have created objections to the occupancy of
+territory: for instance, between the confines of the Russian and Chinese
+Empires, large tracts of country are left waste, it being held, that their
+being occupied by the subjects of either Empire would affect the security
+of the other. Several similar instances might be mentioned.
+
+There is in many cases difficulty to settle what constitutes occupancy. On
+a small Island, any first settlement is acknowledged an occupancy of the
+whole; and sometimes, the occupancy of a single Island of a group is
+supposed to comprehend an exclusive title to the possession of the
+remainder of the group. In the _West Indies_, the Spaniards regarded their
+making settlements on a few Islands, to be an actual taking possession of
+the whole, as far as European pretensions were concerned.
+
+The first discovery of Columbus set in activity the curiosity and
+speculative dispositions of all the European maritime Powers. King Henry
+the VIIth, of _England_, as soon as he was certified of the existence of
+countries in the Western hemisphere, sent ships thither, whereby
+_Newfoundland_, and parts of the continent of _North America_, were first
+discovered. _South America_ was also visited very early, both by the
+English and the French; 'which nations,' the Historian of _Brasil_
+remarks, 'had neglected to ask a share of the undiscovered World, when
+Pope Alexander the VIth partitioned it, who would as willingly have drawn
+two lines as one; and, because they derived no advantage from that
+partition, refused to admit its validity.' The _West Indies_, however,
+which doubtless was the part most coveted by all, seem to have been
+considered as more particularly the discovery and right of the Spaniards;
+and, either from respect to their pretensions, or from the opinion
+entertained of their force in those parts, they remained many years
+undisturbed by intruders in the _West Indian Seas_. But their
+homeward-bound ships, and also those of the Portuguese from the _East
+Indies_, did not escape being molested by pirates; sometimes by those of
+their own, as well as of other nations.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. II.
+
+ _Review of the Dominion of the =Spaniards= in =Hayti= or
+ =Hispaniola=._
+
+
+[Sidenote: 1492-3. Hayti, or Hispaniola, the first Settlement of the
+Spaniards in America.] The first settlement formed by the Castilians in
+their newly discovered world, was on the Island by the native inhabitants
+named _Hayti_; but to which the Spaniards gave the name of _Espanola_ or
+_Hispaniola_. And in process of time it came to pass, that this same
+Island became the great place of resort, and nursery, of the European
+adventurers, who have been so conspicuous under the denomination of the
+Buccaneers of _America_.
+
+The native inhabitants found in _Hayti_, have been described a people of
+gentle, compassionate dispositions, of too frail a constitution, both of
+body and mind, either to resist oppression, or to support themselves under
+its weight; and to the indolence, luxury, and avarice of the discoverers,
+their freedom and happiness in the first instance, and finally their
+existence, fell a sacrifice.
+
+Queen Ysabel, the patroness of the discovery, believed it her duty, and
+was earnestly disposed, to be their protectress; but she wanted resolution
+to second her inclination. The Island abounded in gold mines. The natives
+were tasked to work them, heavier and heavier by degrees; and it was the
+great misfortune of Columbus, after achieving an enterprise, the glory of
+which was not exceeded by any action of his contemporaries, to make an
+ungrateful use of the success Heaven had favoured him with, and to be the
+foremost in the destruction of the nations his discovery first made known
+to _Europe_.
+
+[Sidenote: Review of the Dominion of the Spaniards in Hispaniola.] The
+population of _Hayti_, according to the lowest estimation made, amounted
+to a million of souls. The first visit of Columbus was passed in a
+continual reciprocation of kind offices between them and the Spaniards.
+One of the Spanish ships was wrecked upon the coast, and the natives gave
+every assistance in their power towards saving the crew, and their effects
+to them. When Columbus departed to return to _Europe_, he left behind him
+thirty-eight Spaniards, with the consent of the Chief or Sovereign of the
+part of the Island where he had been so hospitably received. He had
+erected a fort for their security, and the declared purpose of their
+remaining was to protect the Chief against all his enemies. Several of the
+native Islanders voluntarily embarked in the ships to go to _Spain_, among
+whom was a relation of the _Hayti_ Chief; and with them were taken gold,
+and various samples of the productions of the _New World_.
+
+Columbus, on his return, was received by the Court of _Spain_ with the
+honours due to his heroic achievement, indeed with honours little short of
+adoration: he was declared Admiral, Governor, and Viceroy of the Countries
+that he had discovered, and also of those which he should afterwards
+discover; he was ordered to assume the style and title of nobility; and
+was furnished with a larger fleet to prosecute farther the discovery, and
+to make conquest of the new lands. The Instructions for his second
+expedition contained the following direction: 'Forasmuch as you,
+Christopher Columbus, are going by our command, with our vessels and our
+men, to discover and subdue certain Islands and Continent, our will is,
+that you shall be our Admiral, Viceroy, and Governor in them.' This was
+the first step in the iniquitous usurpations which the more cultivated
+nations of the world have practised upon their weaker brethren, the
+natives of _America_.
+
+[Sidenote: 1493. Government of Columbus.] Thus provided and instructed,
+Columbus sailed on his second voyage. On arriving at _Hayti_, the first
+news he learnt was, that the natives had demolished the fort which he had
+built, and destroyed the garrison, who, it appeared, had given great
+provocation, by their rapacity and licentious conduct. War did not
+immediately follow. Columbus accepted presents of gold from the Chief; he
+landed a number of colonists, and built a town on the North side of
+_Hayti_, which he named after the patroness, _Ysabel_, and fortified.
+[Sidenote: 1494.] A second fort was soon built; new Spaniards arrived; and
+the natives began to understand that it was the intention of their
+visitors to stay, and be lords of the country. The Chiefs held meetings,
+to confer on the means to rid themselves of such unwelcome guests, and
+there was appearance of preparation making to that end. The Spaniards had
+as yet no farther asserted dominion, than in taking land for their town
+and forts, and helping themselves to provisions when the natives neglected
+to bring supplies voluntarily. The histories of these transactions affect
+a tone of apprehension on account of the extreme danger in which the
+Spaniards were, from the multitude of the heathen inhabitants; but all the
+facts shew that they perfectly understood the helpless character of the
+natives. A Spanish officer, named Pedro Margarit, was blamed, not
+altogether reasonably, for disorderly conduct to the natives, which
+happened in the following manner. He was ordered, with a large body of
+troops, to make a progress through the Island in different parts, and was
+strictly enjoined to restrain his men from committing any violence against
+the natives, or from giving them any cause for complaint. But the troops
+were sent on their journey without provisions, and the natives were not
+disposed to furnish them. The troops recurred to violence, which they did
+not limit to the obtaining food. If Columbus could spare a detachment
+strong enough to make such a visitation through the land, he could have
+entertained no doubt of his ability to subdue it. But before he risked
+engaging in open war with the natives, he thought it prudent to weaken
+their means of resisting by what he called stratagem. _Hayti_ was divided
+into five provinces, or small kingdoms, under the separate dominion of as
+many Princes or Caciques. One of these, Coanabo, the Cacique of _Maguana_,
+Columbus believed to be more resolute, and more dangerous to his purpose,
+than any other of the chiefs. To Coanabo, therefore, he sent an Officer,
+to propose an accommodation on terms which appeared so reasonable, that
+the Indian Chief assented to them. Afterwards, relying on the good faith
+of the Spaniards, not, as some authors have meanly represented, through
+credulous and childish simplicity, but with the natural confidence which
+generally prevails, and which ought to prevail, among mankind in their
+mutual engagements, he gave opportunity for Columbus to get possession of
+his person, who caused him to be seized, and embarked in a ship then ready
+to sail for _Spain_. The ship foundered in the passage. [Sidenote: 1495.]
+The story of Coanabo, and the contempt with which he treated Columbus for
+his treachery, form one of the most striking circumstances in the history
+of the perfidious dealings of the Spaniards in _America_. [Sidenote: Dogs
+used in Battle against the Indians.] On the seizure of this Chief, the
+Islanders rose in arms. Columbus took the field with two hundred foot
+armed with musketry and cross-bows, with twenty troopers mounted on
+horses, and with twenty large dogs[1]!
+
+It is not to be urged in exculpation of the Spaniards, that the natives
+were the aggressors, by their killing the garrison left at _Hayti_.
+Columbus had terminated his first visit in friendship; and, without the
+knowledge that any breach had happened between the Spaniards left behind,
+and the natives, sentence of subjugation had been pronounced against
+them. This was not to avenge injury, for the Spaniards knew not of any
+committed. Columbus was commissioned to execute this sentence, and for
+that end, besides a force of armed men, he took with him from _Spain_ a
+number of blood-hounds, to prosecute a most unrighteous purpose by the
+most inhuman means.
+
+Many things are justifiable in defence, which in offensive war are
+regarded by the generality of mankind with detestation. All are agreed in
+the use of dogs, as faithful guards to our persons as well as to our
+dwellings; but to hunt men with dogs seems to have been till then unheard
+of, and is nothing less offensive to humanity than cannibalism or feasting
+on our enemies. Neither jagged shot, poisoned darts, springing of mines,
+nor any species of destruction, can be objected to, if this is allowed in
+honourable war, or admitted not to be a disgraceful practice in any war.
+
+It was scarcely possible for the Indians, or indeed for any people naked
+and undisciplined, however numerous, to stand their ground against a force
+so calculated to excite dread. The Islanders were naturally a timid
+people, and they regarded fire-arms as engines of more than mortal
+contrivance. Don Ferdinand, the son of Columbus, who wrote a History of
+his father's actions, relates an instance, which happened before the war,
+of above 400 Indians running away from a single Spanish horseman.
+[Sidenote: Massacre of the Natives, and Subjugation of the Island.] So
+little was attack, or valiant opposition, apprehended from the natives,
+that Columbus divided his force into several squadrons, to charge them at
+different points. 'These faint-hearted creatures,' says Don Ferdinand,
+'fled at the first onset; and our men, pursuing and killing them, made
+such havock, that in a short time they obtained a complete victory.' The
+policy adopted by Columbus was, to confirm the natives in their dread of
+European arms, by a terrible execution. The victors, both dogs and men,
+used their ascendancy like furies. The dogs flew at the throats of the
+Indians, and strangled or tore them in pieces; whilst the Spaniards, with
+the eagerness of hunters, pursued and mowed down the unresisting
+fugitives. Some thousands of the Islanders were slaughtered, and those
+taken prisoners were consigned to servitude. If the fact were not extant,
+it would not be conceivable that any one could be so blind to the infamy
+of such a proceeding, as to extol the courage of the Spaniards on this
+occasion, instead of execrating their cruelty. Three hundred of the
+natives were shipped for _Spain_ as slaves, and the whole Island, with the
+exception of a small part towards the Western coast, which has since been
+named the _Cul de Sac_, was subdued. [Sidenote: Tribute imposed.] Columbus
+made a leisurely progress through the Island, which occupied him nine or
+ten months, and imposed a tribute generally upon all the natives above the
+age of fourteen, requiring each of them to pay quarterly a certain
+quantity of gold, or 25 lbs. of cotton. Those natives who were discovered
+to have been active against the Spaniards, were taxed higher. To prevent
+evasion, rings or tokens, to be produced in the nature of receipts, were
+given to the Islanders on their paying the tribute, and any Islander found
+without such a mark in his possession, was deemed not to have paid, and
+proceeded against.
+
+Queen Ysabel shewed her disapprobation of Columbus's proceedings, by
+liberating and sending back the captive Islanders to their own country;
+and she moreover added her positive commands, that none of the natives
+should be made slaves. This order was accompanied with others intended for
+their protection; but the Spanish Colonists, following the example of
+their Governor, contrived means to evade them.
+
+In the mean time, the Islanders could not furnish the tribute, and
+Columbus was rigorous in the collection. It is said in palliation, that
+he was embarrassed in consequence of the magnificent descriptions he had
+given to Ferdinand and Ysabel, of the riches of _Hispaniola_, by which he
+had taught them to expect much; and that the fear of disappointing them
+and losing their favour, prompted him to act more oppressively to the
+Indians than his disposition otherwise inclined him to do. Distresses of
+this kind press upon all men; but only in very ordinary minds do they
+outweigh solemn considerations. Setting aside the dictates of religion and
+moral duty, as doubtless was done, and looking only to worldly advantages,
+if Columbus had properly estimated his situation, he would have been
+resolute not to descend from the eminence he had attained. The dilemma in
+which he was placed, was simply, whether he would risk some diminution of
+the favour he was in at Court, by being the protector of these Islanders,
+who, by circumstances peculiarly calculated to engage his interest, were
+entitled in an especial manner to have been regarded as his clients; or,
+to preserve that favour, would oppress them to their destruction, and to
+the ruin of his own fame.
+
+[Sidenote: Despair of the Natives.] The Islanders, finding their inability
+to oppose the invaders, took the desperate resolution to desist from the
+cultivation of their lands, to abandon their houses, and to withdraw
+themselves to the mountains; hoping thereby that want of subsistence would
+force their oppressors to quit the Island. The Spaniards had many
+resources; the sea-coast supplied them with fish, and their vessels
+brought provisions from other islands. As to the natives of _Hayti_, one
+third part of them, it is said, perished in the course of a few months, by
+famine and by suicide. The rest returned to their dwellings, and
+submitted. All these events took place within three years after the
+discovery; so active is rapacity.
+
+Some among the Spaniards (authors of that time say, the enemies of
+Columbus, as if sentiments of humanity were not capable of such an effort)
+wrote Memorials to their Catholic Majesties, representing the disastrous
+condition to which the natives were reduced. [Sidenote: 1496.]
+Commissioners were sent to examine into the fact, and Columbus found it
+necessary to go to _Spain_ to defend his administration.
+
+So great was the veneration and respect entertained for him, that on his
+arrival at Court, accusation was not allowed to be produced against him:
+and, without instituting enquiry, it was arranged, that he should return
+to his government with a large reinforcement of Spaniards, and with
+authority to grant lands to whomsoever he chose to think capable of
+cultivating them. Various accidents delayed his departure from _Spain_ on
+his third voyage, till 1498.
+
+[Sidenote: City of Nueva Ysabel founded, 1496.] He had left two of his
+brothers to govern in _Hispaniola_ during his absence; the eldest,
+Bartolome, with the title of Adelantado; in whose time (A. D. 1496) was
+traced, on the South side of the Island, the plan of a new town intended
+for the capital, the land in the neighbourhood of the town of _Ysabel_,
+before built, being poor and little productive. [Sidenote: Its name
+changed to Santo Domingo.] The name first given to the new town was _Nueva
+Ysabel_; this in a short time gave place to that of _Santo Domingo_, a
+name which was not imposed by authority, but adopted and became in time
+established by common usage, of which the original cause is not now
+known[2].
+
+Under the Adelantado's government, the parts of the Island which till then
+had held out in their refusal to receive the Spanish yoke, were reduced to
+subjection; and the conqueror gratified his vanity with the public
+execution of one of the Hayti Kings.
+
+Columbus whilst he was in _Spain_ received mortification in two instances,
+of neither of which he had any right to complain. In October 1496, three
+hundred natives of _Hayti_ (made prisoners by the Adelantado) were landed
+at _Cadiz_, being sent to _Spain_ as slaves. At this act of disobedience,
+the King and Queen strongly expressed their displeasure, and said, if the
+Islanders made war against the Castilians, they must have been constrained
+to do it by hard treatment. Columbus thought proper to blame, and to
+disavow what his brother had done. The other instance of his receiving
+mortification, was an act of kindness done him, and so intended; and it
+was the only shadow of any thing like reproof offered to him. In the
+instructions which he now received, it was earnestly recommended to him to
+prefer conciliation to severity on all occasions which would admit it
+without prejudice to justice or to his honour.
+
+[Sidenote: 1498.] It was in the third voyage of Columbus that he first saw
+the Continent of _South America_, in August 1498, which he then took to be
+an Island, and named _Isla Santa_. He arrived on the 22d of the same month
+at the City of _San Domingo_.
+
+The short remainder of Columbus's government in _Hayti_ was occupied with
+disputes among the Spaniards themselves. A strong party was in a state of
+revolt against the government of the Columbuses, and accommodation was
+kept at a distance, by neither party daring to place trust in the other.
+[Sidenote: 1498-9.] Columbus would have had recourse to arms to recover
+his authority, but some of his troops deserted to the disaffected, and
+others refused to be employed against their countrymen. In this state, the
+parties engaged in a treaty on some points, and each sent Memorials to the
+Court. The Admiral in his dispatches represented, that necessity had made
+him consent to certain conditions, to avoid endangering the Colony; but
+that it would be highly prejudicial to the interests of their Majesties
+to ratify the treaty he had been forced to subscribe.
+
+[Sidenote: Beginning of the Repartimientos.] The Admiral now made grants
+of lands to Spanish colonists, and accompanied them with requisitions to
+the neighbouring Caciques, to furnish the new proprietors with labourers
+to cultivate the soil. This was the beginning of the _Repartimientos_, or
+distributions of the Indians, which confirmed them slaves, and
+contributed, more than all former oppressions, to their extermination.
+Notwithstanding the earnest and express order of the King and Queen to the
+contrary, the practice of transporting the natives of _Hayti_ to _Spain_
+as slaves, was connived at and continued; and this being discovered, lost
+Columbus the confidence, but not wholly the support, of Queen Ysabel.
+
+[Sidenote: 1500. Government of Bovadilla.] The dissensions in the Colony
+increased, as did the unpopularity of the Admiral; and in the year 1500, a
+new Governor General of the _Indies_, Francisco de Bovadilla, was sent
+from _Spain_, with a commission empowering him to examine into the
+accusations against the Admiral; and he was particularly enjoined by the
+Queen, to declare all the native inhabitants free, and to take measures to
+secure to them that they should be treated as a free people. How a man so
+grossly ignorant and intemperate as Bovadilla, should have been chosen to
+an office of such high trust, is not a little extraordinary. His first
+display of authority was to send the Columbuses home prisoners, with the
+indignity to their persons of confining them in chains. He courted
+popularity in his government by shewing favour to all who had been
+disaffected to the government or measures of the Admiral and his brothers,
+the natives excepted, for whose relief he had been especially appointed
+Governor. To encourage the Spaniards to work the mines, he reduced the
+duties payable to the Crown on the produce, and trusted to an increase in
+the quantity of gold extracted, for preserving the revenue from
+diminution. [Sidenote: All the Natives compelled to work the Mines.] This
+was to be effected by increasing the labour of the natives; and that these
+miserable people might not evade their servitude, he caused muster-rolls
+to be made of all the inhabitants, divided them into classes, and made
+distribution of them according to the value of the mines, or to his desire
+to gratify particular persons. The Spanish Colonists believed that the
+same facilities to enrich themselves would not last long, and made all the
+haste in their power to profit by the present opportunity.
+
+By these means, Bovadilla drew from the mines in a few months so great a
+quantity of gold, that one fleet which he sent home, carried a freight
+more than sufficient to reimburse _Spain_ all the expences which had been
+incurred in the discovery and conquest. The procuring these riches was
+attended with so great a mortality among the natives as to threaten their
+utter extinction.
+
+Nothing could exceed the surprise and indignation of the Queen, on
+receiving information of these proceedings. The bad government of
+Bovadilla was a kind of palliation which had the effect of lessening the
+reproach upon the preceding government, and, joined to the disgraceful
+manner in which Columbus had been sent home, produced a revolution of
+sentiment in his favour. The good Queen Ysabel wished to compensate him
+for the hard treatment he had received, at the same time that she had the
+sincerity to make him understand she would not again commit the Indian
+natives to his care. All his other offices and dignities were restored to
+him.
+
+[Sidenote: 1501-2. Nicolas Ovando, Governor.] For a successor to Bovadilla
+in the office of Governor General, Don Nicolas Ovando, a Cavalero of the
+Order of _Alcantara_, was chosen; a man esteemed capable and just, and who
+entered on his government with apparent mildness and consideration. But in
+a short time he proved the most execrable of all the tyrants, 'as if,'
+says an historian, 'tyranny was inherent and contagious in the office, so
+as to change good men to bad, for the destruction of these unfortunate
+Indians.'
+
+[Sidenote: Working the Mines discontinued by Orders from Spain.] In
+obedience to his instructions, Ovando, on arriving at his government,
+called a General Assembly of all the Caciques or principal persons among
+the natives, to whom he declared, that their Catholic Majesties took the
+Islanders under their royal protection; that no exaction should be made on
+them, other than the tribute which had been heretofore imposed; and that
+no person should be employed to work in the mines, except on the footing
+of voluntary labourers for wages.
+
+[Sidenote: 1502.] On the promulgation of the royal pleasure, all working
+in the mines immediately ceased. The impression made by their past
+sufferings was too strong for any offer of pay or reward to prevail on
+them to continue in that work. [The same thing happened, many years
+afterwards, between the Chilese and the Spaniards.] A few mines had been
+allowed to remain in possession of some of the Caciques of _Hayti_, on the
+condition of rendering up half the produce; but now, instead of working
+them, they sold their implements. In consequence of this defection, it was
+judged expedient to lower the royal duties on the produce of the mines,
+which produced some effect.
+
+Ovando, however, was intent on procuring the mines to be worked as
+heretofore, but proceeded with caution. In his dispatches to the Council
+of the _Indies_, he represented in strong colours the natural levity and
+inconstancy of the Indians, and their idle and disorderly manner of
+living; on which account, he said, it would be for their improvement and
+benefit to find them occupation in moderate labour; that there would be no
+injustice in so doing, as they would receive wages for their work, and
+they would thereby be enabled to pay the tribute, which otherwise, from
+their habitual idleness, many would not be able to satisfy. He added
+moreover, that the Indians, being left entirely their own masters, kept at
+a distance from the Spanish habitations, which rendered it impossible to
+instruct them in the principles of Christianity.
+
+This reasoning, and the proposal to furnish the natives with employment,
+were approved by the Council of the _Indies_; and the Court, from the
+opinion entertained of the justice and moderation of Ovando, acquiesced so
+far as to trust making the experiment to his discretion. In reply to his
+representations, he received instructions recommending, 'That if it was
+necessary to oblige the Indians to work, it should be done in the most
+gentle and moderate manner; that the Caciques should be invited to send
+their people in regular turns; and that the employers should treat them
+well, and pay them wages, according to the quality of the person and
+nature of the labour; that care should be taken for their regular
+attendance at religious service and instruction; and that it should be
+remembered they were a free people, to be governed with mildness, and on
+no account to be treated as slaves.'
+
+[Sidenote: 1502-3. The Natives again forced to the Mines.] These
+directions, notwithstanding the expressions of care for the natives
+contained in them, released the Governor General from all restriction.
+This man had recently been appointed Grand Master of the order of
+_Calatrava_, and thenceforward he was most generally distinguished by the
+appellation or title of the Grand Commander.
+
+A transaction of a shocking nature, which took place during Bovadilla's
+government, caused an insurrection of the natives; but which did not break
+out till after the removal of Bovadilla. A Spanish vessel had put into a
+port of the province of _Higuey_ (the most Eastern part of _Hayti_) to
+procure a lading of _cassava_, a root which is used as bread. The
+Spaniards landed, having with them a large dog held by a cord. Whilst the
+natives were helping them to what they wanted, one of the Spaniards in
+wanton insolence pointed to a Cacique, and called to the dog in manner of
+setting him on. The Spaniard who held the cord, it is doubtful whether
+purposely or by accident, suffered it to slip out of his hand, and the dog
+instantly tore out the unfortunate Cacique's entrails. The people of
+_Higuey_ sent a deputation, to complain to Bovadilla; but those who went
+could not obtain attention. [Sidenote: Severities shewn to the people of
+Higuey.] In the beginning of Ovando's government, some other Spaniards
+landed at the same port of _Higuey_, and the natives, in revenge for what
+had happened, fell upon them, and killed them; after which they took to
+arms. This insurrection was quelled with so great a slaughter, that the
+province, from having been well peopled, was rendered almost a desert.
+
+[Sidenote: 1503. Encomiendas established.] Ovando, on obtaining his new
+instructions, followed the model set by his predecessors. He enrolled and
+classed the natives in divisions, called _Repartimientos_: from these he
+assigned to the Spanish proprietors a specified number of labourers, by
+grants, which, with most detestable hypocrisy, were denominated
+_Encomiendas_. The word _Encomienda_ signifies recommendation, and the
+employer to whom the Indian was consigned, was to have the reputation of
+being his patron. The _Encomienda_ was conceived in the following
+terms:--'_I recommend to =A. B.= such and such Indians =(listed by name)=
+the subjects of such Cacique; and he is to take care to have them
+instructed in the principles of our holy faith._'
+
+Under the enforcement of the _encomiendas_, the natives were again dragged
+to the mines; and many of these unfortunate wretches were kept by their
+hard employers under ground for six months together. With the labour, and
+grief at being again doomed to slavery, they sunk so rapidly, that it
+suggested to the murderous proprietors of the mines the having recourse to
+_Africa_ for slaves. [Sidenote: African Slaves carried to the West
+Indies.] Ovando, after small experience of this practice, endeavoured to
+oppose it as dangerous, the Africans frequently escaping from their
+masters, and finding concealment among the natives, in whom they excited
+some spirit of resistance.
+
+The ill use made by the Grand Commander of the powers with which he had
+been trusted, appears to have reached the Court early, for, in 1503, he
+received fresh orders, enjoining him not to allow, on any pretext, the
+natives to be employed in labour against their own will, either in the
+mines or elsewhere. Ovando, however, trusted to being supported by the
+Spanish proprietors of the mines within his government, who grew rich by
+the _encomiendas_, and with their assistance he found pretences for not
+restraining himself to the orders of the Court.
+
+In parts of the Island, the Caciques still enjoyed a degree of authority
+over the natives, which rested almost wholly on habitual custom and
+voluntary attachment. To loosen this band, Ovando, assuming the character
+of a protector, published ordonnances to release the lower classes from
+the oppressions of the Caciques; but from those of their European
+taskmasters he gave them no relief.
+
+Some of the principal among the native inhabitants of _Xaragua_, the
+South-western province of _Hayti_, had the hardiness openly to express
+their discontent at the tyranny exercised by the Spaniards established in
+that province. The person at this time regarded as Cacique or Chief of
+_Xaragua_ was a female, sister to the last Cacique, who had died without
+issue. The Spanish histories call her Queen of _Xaragua_. This Princess
+had shewn symptoms of something like abhorrence of the Spaniards near her,
+and they did not fail to send representations to the Grand Commander,
+with the addition, that there appeared indications of an intention in the
+Xaraguans to revolt. On receiving this notice, Ovando determined that
+_Xaragua_, as _Higuey_ had before, should feel the weight of his
+displeasure. Putting himself at the head of 370 Spanish troops, part of
+them cavalry, he departed from the city of _San Domingo_ for the devoted
+province, giving out publicly, that his intention was to make a progress
+into the West, to collect the tribute, and to visit the Queen of
+_Xaragua_. He was received by the Princess and her people with honours,
+feastings, and all the demonstrations of joy usually acted by terrified
+people with the hopes of soothing tyranny; and the troops were regaled
+with profusion of victuals, with dancing, and shows. [Sidenote: 1503-4.]
+After some days thus spent, Ovando invited the Princess, her friends and
+attendants, to an entertainment which he promised them, after the manner
+of _Spain_. A large open public building was the chosen place for holding
+this festival, and all the Spanish settlers in the province were required
+to attend. A great concourse of Indians, besides the bidden guests,
+crowded round, to enjoy the spectacle. [Sidenote: Massacre of the people
+of Xaragua.] As the appointed time approached, the Spanish infantry
+gradually appeared, and took possession of all the avenues; which being
+secured, this Grand Commander himself appeared, mounted at the head of his
+cavalry; and on his making a signal, which had been previously concerted,
+which was laying his hand on the Cross of his Order, the whole of these
+diabolical conquerors fell upon the defenceless multitude, who were so
+hemmed in, that thousands were slaughtered, and it was scarcely possible
+for any to escape unwounded. Some of the principal Indians or Caciques, it
+is said, were by the Commander's order fastened to the pillars of the
+building, where they were questioned, and made to confess themselves in a
+conspiracy against the Spanish government; after which confession the
+building was set on fire, and they perished in the flames. The massacre
+did not stop here. Detachments of troops, with dogs, were sent to hunt and
+destroy the natives in different parts of the province, and some were
+pursued over to the Island _Gonave_. The Princess was carried bound to the
+city of _San Domingo_, and with the forms of law was tried, condemned, and
+put to death.
+
+The purposes, besides that of gratifying his revenge for the hatred shewn
+to his government, which were sufficient to move Ovando to this bloody
+act, were, the plunder of the province, and the reduction of the Islanders
+to a more manageable number, and to the most unlimited submission.
+[Sidenote: 1504.] Some of the Indians fled to the mountains. 'But,' say
+the Spanish Chronicles of these events, 'in a short time their Chiefs were
+taken and punished, and at the end of six months there was not a native
+living on the Island who had not submitted to the dominion of the
+Spaniards.'
+
+[Sidenote: Death of Queen Ysabel.] Queen Ysabel died in November 1504,
+much and universally lamented. This Princess bore a large share in the
+usurpations practised in the New World; but it is evident she was carried
+away, contrary to her real principles and disposition, which were just and
+benevolent, and to her own happiness, by the powerful stream of general
+opinion.
+
+In _Europe_, political principles, or maxims of policy, have been in
+continual change, fashioned by the nature of the passing events, no less
+than dress has been by caprice; causes which have led one to deviate from
+plain rectitude, as the other from convenience. One principle,
+covetousness of the attainment of power, has nevertheless constantly
+predominated, and has derided and endeavoured to stigmatize as weakness
+and imbecility, the stopping short of great acquisitions, territorial
+especially, for moral considerations. Queen Ysabel lived surrounded by a
+world of such politicians, who were moreover stimulated to avarice by the
+prospect of American gold; a passion which yet more than ambition is apt
+to steel the heart of man against the calls of justice and the distresses
+of his fellow creatures. If Ysabel had been endued with more than mortal
+fortitude, she might have refused her sanction to the usurpations, but
+could not have prevented them. On her death bed she earnestly recommended
+to King Ferdinand to recall Ovando. Ovando, however, sent home much gold,
+and Ferdinand referred to a distant time the fulfilment of her dying
+request.
+
+Upon news of the death of Queen Ysabel, the small wages which had been
+paid the Indians for their labour, amounting to about half a piastre _per_
+month, were withheld, as being too grievous a burthen on the Spanish
+Colonists; and the hours of labour were no longer limited. [Sidenote:
+1506.] In the province of _Higuey_, the tyranny and licentiousness of the
+military again threw the poor natives into a frenzy of rage and despair,
+and they once more revolted, burnt the fort, and killed the soldiers.
+Ovando resolved to put it out of the power of the people of _Higuey_ ever
+again to be troublesome. A strong body of troops was marched into the
+province, the Cacique of _Higuey_ (the last of the _Hayti_ Kings) was
+taken prisoner and executed, and the province pacified.
+
+The pecuniary value of grants of land in _Hayti_ with _encomiendas_,
+became so considerable as to cause them to be coveted and solicited for by
+many of the grandees and favourites of the Court in _Spain_, who, on
+obtaining them, sent out agents to turn them to account. [Sidenote:
+Desperate condition of the Natives.] The agent was to make his own fortune
+by his employment, and to satisfy his principal. In no instance were the
+natives spared through any interference of the Grand Commander. It was a
+maxim with this bad man, always to keep well with the powerful; and every
+thing respecting the natives was yielded to their accommodation. Care,
+however, was taken that the Indians should be baptised, and that a head
+tax should be paid to the Crown; and these particulars being complied
+with, the rest was left to the patron of the _encomienda_. Punishments and
+tortures of every kind were practised, to wring labour out of men who were
+dying through despair. Some of the accounts, which are corroborated by
+circumstances, relate, that the natives were frequently coupled and
+harnessed like cattle, and driven with whips. If they fell under their
+load, they were flogged up. To prevent their taking refuge in the woods or
+mountains, an officer, under the title of _Alguazil del Campo_, was
+constantly on the watch with a pack of hounds; and many Indians, in
+endeavouring to escape, were torn in pieces. The settlers on the Island,
+the great men at home, their agents, and the royal revenue, were all to be
+enriched at the expence of the destruction of the natives. It was as if
+the discovery of _America_ had changed the religion of the Spaniards from
+Christianity to the worship of gold with human sacrifices. If power were
+entitled to dominion between man and man, as between man and other
+animals, the Spaniards would remain chargeable with the most outrageous
+abuse of their advantages. In enslaving the inhabitants of _Hayti_, if
+they had been satisfied with reducing them to the state of cattle, it
+would have been merciful, comparatively with what was done. The labour
+imposed by mankind upon their cattle, is in general so regulated as not to
+exceed what is compatible with their full enjoyment of health; but the
+main consideration with the Spanish proprietors was, by what means they
+should obtain the greatest quantity of gold from the labour of the natives
+in the shortest time. By an enumeration made in the year 1507, the number
+of the natives in the whole Island _Hayti_ was reckoned at 60,000, the
+remains of a population which fifteen years before exceeded a million. The
+insatiate colonists did not stop: many of the mines lay unproductive for
+want of labourers, and they bent their efforts to the supplying this
+defect.
+
+[Sidenote: The Grand Antilles.] The Islands of the _West Indies_ have been
+classed into three divisions, which chiefly regard their situations; but
+they are distinguished also by other peculiar circumstances. The four
+largest Islands, _Cuba_, _Hayti_, _Jamaica_, and _Porto Rico_, have been
+called the _Grand Antilles_. When first discovered by Europeans, they were
+inhabited by people whose similarity of language, of customs, and
+character, bespoke them the offspring of one common stock. [Sidenote:
+Small Antilles, or Caribbee Islands.] The second division is a chain of
+small Islands Eastward of these, and extending South to the coast of
+_Paria_ on the Continent of _South America_. They have been called
+sometimes the _Small Antilles_; sometimes after the native inhabitants,
+the _Caribbee Islands_; and not less frequently by a subdivision, the
+Windward and Leeward Islands. The inhabitants on these Islands were a
+different race from the inhabitants of the _Grand Antilles_. They spoke a
+different language, were robust in person; and in disposition fierce,
+active, and warlike. Some have conjectured them to be of Tartar
+extraction, which corresponds with the belief that they emigrated from
+_North America_ to the _West Indies_. It is supposed they drove out the
+original inhabitants from the _Small Antilles_, to establish themselves
+there; but they had not gained footing in the large Islands. [Sidenote:
+Lucayas, or Bahama Islands.] The third division of the Islands is the
+cluster which are situated to the North of _Cuba_, and near _East
+Florida_, and are called the _Lucayas_, of whose inhabitants mention will
+shortly be made.
+
+The Spanish Government participated largely in the wickedness practised to
+procure labourers for the mines of _Hispaniola_. Pretending great concern
+for the cause of humanity, they declared it legal, and gave general
+license, for any individual to make war against, and enslave, people who
+were cannibals; under which pretext every nation, both of the American
+Continent and of the Islands, was exposed to their enterprises. Spanish
+adventurers made attempts to take people from the small _Antilles_,
+sometimes with success; but they were not obtained without danger, and in
+several expeditions of the kind, the Spaniards were repulsed with loss.
+This made them turn their attention to the _Lucayas Islands_.
+
+[Sidenote: 1508.] The inhabitants of the _Lucayas_, an unsuspicious and
+credulous people, did not escape the snares laid for them. Ovando, in his
+dispatches to _Spain_, represented the benefit it would be to the holy
+faith, to have the inhabitants of the _Lucayas_ instructed in the
+Christian religion; for which purpose, he said, 'it would be necessary
+they should be transported to _Hispaniola_, as Missionaries could not be
+spared to every place, and there was no other way in which this abandoned
+people could be converted.' [Sidenote: The Natives of the Lucayas betrayed
+to the Mines;] King Ferdinand and the Council of the Indies were
+themselves so abandoned and destitute of all goodness, as to pretend to
+give credit to Ovando's representation, and lent him their authority to
+sacrifice the Lucayans, under the pretext of advancing religion. Spanish
+ships were sent to the Islands on this business, and the natives were at
+first inveigled on board by the foulest hypocrisy and treachery. Among the
+artifices used by the Spaniards, they pretended that they came from a
+delicious country, where rested the souls of the deceased fathers,
+kinsmen, and friends, of the Lucayans, who had sent to invite them.
+[Sidenote: and the Islands wholly unpeopled.] The innocent Islanders so
+seduced to follow the Spaniards, when, on arriving at _Hispaniola_, they
+found how much they had been abused, died in great numbers of chagrin and
+grief. Afterwards, when these impious pretences of the Spaniards were no
+longer believed, they dragged away the natives by force, as long as any
+could be found, till they wholly unpeopled the _Lucayas Islands_. The
+Buccaneers of _America_, whose adventures and misdeeds are about to be
+related, may be esteemed saints in comparison with the men whose names
+have been celebrated as the Conquerors of the NEW WORLD.
+
+In the same manner as at the _Lucayas_, other Islands of the _West
+Indies_, and different parts of the Continent, were resorted to for
+recruits. A pearl fishery was established, in which the Indians were not
+more spared as divers, than on the land as miners.
+
+_Porto Rico_ was conquered at this time. [Sidenote: Fate of the native
+Inhabitants of Porto Rico.] Ore had been brought thence, which was not so
+pure as that of _Hayti_; but it was of sufficient value to determine
+Ovando to the conquest of the Island. The Islanders were terrified by the
+carnage which the Spaniards with their dogs made in the commencement of
+the war, and, from the fear of irritating them by further resistance, they
+yielded wholly at discretion, and were immediately sent to the mines,
+where in a short time they all perished. In the same year with _Porto
+Rico_, the Island of _Jamaica_ was taken possession of by the Spaniards.
+
+[Sidenote: 1509. D. Diego Columbus, Governor of Hispaniola.] Ovando was at
+length recalled, and was succeeded in the government of _Hispaniola_ by
+Don Diego Columbus, the eldest son and inheritor of the rights and titles
+of the Admiral Christopher. To conclude with Ovando, it is related that he
+was regretted by his countrymen in the _Indies_, and was well received at
+Court.
+
+Don Diego did not make any alteration in the _repartimientos_, except that
+some of them changed hands in favour of his own adherents. During his
+government, some fathers of the Dominican Order had the courage to inveigh
+from the pulpit against the enormity of the _repartimientos_, and were so
+persevering in their representations, that the Court of _Spain_ found it
+necessary, to avoid scandal, to order an enquiry into the condition of the
+Indians. In this enquiry it was seriously disputed, whether it was just or
+unjust to make them slaves.
+
+[Sidenote: 1511. Increase of Cattle in Hayti.] The Histories of
+_Hispaniola_ first notice about this time a great increase in the number
+of cattle in the Island. As the human race disappeared, less and less land
+was occupied in husbandry, till almost the whole country became pasturage
+for cattle, by far the greater part of which were wild. An ordonnance,
+issued in the year 1511, specified, that as beasts of burthen were so much
+multiplied, the Indians should not be made to carry or drag heavy loads.
+
+[Sidenote: Cuba.] In 1511, the conquest of _Cuba_ was undertaken and
+completed. The terror conceived of the Spaniards is not to be expressed.
+The story of the conquest is related in a Spanish history in the following
+terms: 'A leader was chosen, who had acquitted himself in high employments
+with fortune and good conduct. He had in other respects amiable qualities,
+and was esteemed a man of honour and rectitude. He went from _S. Domingo_
+with regular troops and above 300 volunteers. He landed in _Cuba_, not
+without opposition from the natives. In a few days, he surprised and took
+the principal Cacique, named Hatuey, prisoner, and _made him expiate in
+the flames the fault he had been guilty of in not submitting with a good
+grace to the conqueror_.' This Cacique, when at the stake, being
+importuned by a Spanish priest to become a Christian, that he might go to
+Heaven, replied, that if any Spaniard was to be met in Heaven, he hoped
+not to go there.
+
+[Sidenote: 1514.] The Reader will be detained a very little longer with
+these irksome scenes. In 1514, the number of the inhabitants of _Hayti_
+was reckoned 14,000. A distributor of Indians was appointed, with powers
+independent of the Governor, with intention to save the few remaining
+natives of _Hayti_. The new distributor began the exercise of his office
+by a general revocation of all the _encomiendas_, except those which had
+been granted by the King; and almost immediately afterwards, in the most
+open and shameless manner, he made new grants, and sold them to the
+highest bidder. [Sidenote: 1515.] He was speedily recalled; and another
+(the Licentiate Ybarra) was sent to supply his place, who had a high
+character for probity and resolution; but he died immediately on his
+arrival at _Santo Domingo_, and not without suspicion that he was
+poisoned.
+
+[Sidenote: Bart. de las Casas, and Cardinal Ximenes; their endeavours to
+serve the Indians. The Cardinal dies.] The endeavours of the
+Dominican Friars in behalf of the natives were seconded by the Licentiate
+Bartolomeo de las Casas, and by Cardinal Ximenes when he became Prime
+Minister of _Spain_; and, to their great honour, they were both resolute
+to exert all their power to preserve the natives of _America_. The
+Cardinal sent Commissioners, and with them las Casas, with the title of
+Protector of the Indians. But the Cardinal died in 1517; after which all
+the exertions of las Casas and the Dominicans could not shake the
+_repartimientos_.
+
+[Sidenote: 1519.] At length, among the native Islanders there sprung up
+one who had the courage to put himself at the head of a number of his
+countrymen, and the address to withdraw with them from the gripe of the
+Spaniards, and to find refuge among the mountains. [Sidenote: Cacique
+Henriquez.] This man was the son, and, according to the laws of
+inheritance, should have been the successor, of one of the principal
+Caciques. He had been christened by the name of Henriquez, and, in
+consequence of a regulation made by the late Queen Ysabel of _Castile_, he
+had been educated, on account of his former rank, in a Convent of the
+Franciscans. He defended his retreat in the mountains by skilful
+management and resolute conduct, and had the good fortune in the
+commencement to defeat some parties of Spanish troops sent against him,
+which encouraged more of his countrymen, and as many of the Africans as
+could escape, to flock to him; and under his government, as of a sovereign
+prince, they withstood the attempts of the Spaniards to subdue them.
+Fortunately for Henriquez and his followers, the conquest and settlement
+of _Cuba_, and the invasion of _Mexico_, which was begun at this time,
+lessened the strength of the Spaniards in _Hispaniola_, and enabled the
+insurgents for many years to keep all the Spanish settlements in the
+Island in continual alarm, and to maintain their own independence.
+
+During this time, the question of the propriety of keeping the Islanders
+in slavery, underwent grave examinations. It is related that the
+experiment was tried, of allowing a number of the natives to build
+themselves two villages, to live in them according to their own customs
+and liking; and that the result was, they were found to be so improvident,
+and so utterly unable to take care of themselves, that the _encomiendas_
+were pronounced to be necessary for their preservation. Such an experiment
+is a mockery. Before the conquest, and now under Don Henriquez, the people
+of _Hayti_ shewed they wanted not the Spaniards to take care of them.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. III.
+
+ _Ships of different European Nations frequent the =West Indies=.
+ Opposition experienced by them from the =Spaniards=. Hunting
+ of Cattle in =Hispaniola=._
+
+
+[Sidenote: 1518. Adventure of an English Ship.] In the year 1517 or 1518,
+some Spaniards in a caravela going from _St. Domingo_ to the Island _Porto
+Rico_, to take in a lading of cassava, were surprised at seeing a ship
+there of about 250 tons, armed with cannon, which did not appear to belong
+to the Spanish nation; and on sending a boat to make enquiry, she was
+found to be English. The account given by the English Commander was, that
+two ships had sailed from _England_ in company, with the intention to
+discover the country of the Great Cham; that they were soon separated from
+each other by a tempest, and that this ship was afterwards in a sea almost
+covered with ice; that thence she had sailed southward to _Brasil_, and,
+after various adventures, had found the way to _Porto Rico_. This same
+English ship, being provided with merchandise, went afterwards to
+_Hispaniola_, and anchored near the entrance of the port of _San Domingo_,
+where the Captain sent on shore to demand leave to sell their goods. The
+demand was forwarded to the _Audiencia_, or superior court in _San
+Domingo_; but the Castellana, or Governor of the Castle, Francisco de
+Tapia, could not endure with patience to see a ship of another nation in
+that part of the world, and, without waiting for the determination of the
+_Audiencia_, ordered the cannon of the fort to be fired against her; on
+which she took up her anchor and returned to _Porto Rico_, where she
+purchased provisions, paying for what she got with wrought iron, and
+afterwards departed for _Europe_[3]. When this visit of an English ship to
+the _West Indies_ was known in _Spain_, it caused there great inquietude;
+and the Governor of the Castle of _San Domingo_, it is said, was much
+blamed, because he had not, instead of forcing the ship to depart by
+firing his cannon, contrived to seize her, so that no one might have
+returned to teach others of their nation the route to the Spanish Indies.
+
+[Sidenote: The French and other Europeans resort to the West Indies;] The
+English were not the only people of whom the Spaniards had cause to be
+jealous, nor those from whom the most mischief was to be apprehended. The
+French, as already noticed, had very early made expeditions to _Brasil_,
+and they now began to look at the _West Indies_; so that in a short time
+the sight of other European ships than those of _Spain_ became no novelty
+there. Hakluyt mentions a Thomas Tyson, an Englishman, who went to the
+_West Indies_ in 1526, as factor to some English merchants. [Sidenote: Are
+regarded as Interlopers by the Spaniards. 1529. Regulation proposed by the
+Government in Hispaniola, for protection against Pirates.] When the
+Spaniards met any of these intruders, if able to master them, they made
+prisoners of them, and many they treated as pirates. The new comers soon
+began to retaliate. In 1529, the Governor and Council at _San Domingo_
+drew up the plan of a regulation for the security of their ships against
+the increasing dangers from pirates in the _West Indies_. In this, they
+recommended, that a central port of commerce should be established in the
+_West Indies_, to which every ship from _Spain_ should be obliged to go
+first, as to a general rendezvous, and thence be dispatched, as might suit
+circumstances, to her farther destination; also, that all their ships
+homeward bound, from whatsoever part of the _West Indies_, should first
+rendezvous at the same port; by which regulation their ships, both outward
+and homeward bound, would form escorts to each other, and have the
+benefit of mutual support; and they proposed that some port in
+_Hispaniola_ should be appointed for the purpose, as most conveniently
+situated. This plan appears to have been approved by the Council of the
+_Indies_; but, from indolence, or some other cause, no farther measures
+were taken for its adoption.
+
+The attention of the Spaniards was at this time almost wholly engrossed by
+the conquest and plunder of the American Continent, which it might have
+been supposed would have sufficed them, according to the opinion of
+Francisco Preciado, a Spanish discoverer, who observed, that _there was
+country enough to conquer for a thousand years_. The continental pursuits
+caused much diminution in the importance of the _West India Islands_ to
+the Spaniards. The mines of the Islands were not comparable in richness
+with those of the Continent, and, for want of labourers, many were left
+unworked. [Sidenote: Hunting of Cattle in Hispaniola.] The colonists in
+_Hispaniola_, however, had applied themselves to the cultivation of the
+sugar-cane, and to manufacture sugar; also to hunting cattle, which was
+found a profitable employment, the skins and the suet turning to good
+account. [Sidenote: Matadores.] The Spaniards denominated their hunters
+Matadores, which in the Spanish language signifies killers or
+slaughterers.
+
+That the English, French, and Hollanders, in their early voyages to the
+_West Indies_, went in expectation of meeting hostility from the
+Spaniards, and with a determination therefore to commit hostility if they
+could with advantage, appears by an ingenious phrase of the French
+adventurers, who, if the first opportunity was in their favour, termed
+their profiting by it '_se dedomager par avance_.'
+
+Much of _Hispaniola_ had become desert. There were long ranges of coast,
+with good ports, that were unfrequented by any inhabitant whatever, and
+the land in every part abounded with cattle. These were such great
+conveniencies to the ships of the interlopers, that the Western coast,
+which was the most distant part from the Spanish capital, became a place
+of common resort to them when in want of provisions. Another great
+attraction to them was the encouragement they received from Spanish
+settlers along the coast; who, from the contracted and monopolizing spirit
+of their government in the management of their colonies, have at all times
+been eager to have communication with foreigners, that they might obtain
+supplies of European goods on terms less exorbitant than those which the
+royal regulations of _Spain_ imposed. [Sidenote: Guarda-Costas.] The
+government at _San Domingo_ employed armed ships to prevent clandestine
+trade, and to clear the coasts of _Hispaniola_ of interlopers, which ships
+were called _guarda costas_; and it is said their commanders were
+instructed not to take prisoners. On the other hand, the intruders formed
+combinations, came in collected numbers, and made descents on different
+parts of the coast, ravaging the Spanish towns and settlements.
+
+In the customary course, such transactions would have come under the
+cognizance of the governments in _Europe_; but matters here took a
+different turn. The Spaniards, when they had the upper hand, did not fail
+to deal out their own pleasure for law; and in like manner, the English,
+French, and Dutch, when masters, determined their own measure of
+retaliation. The different European governments were glad to avoid being
+involved in the settlement of disorders they had no inclination to
+repress. In answer to representations made by _Spain_, they said, 'that
+the people complained against had acted entirely on their own authority,
+not as the subjects of any prince, and that the King of _Spain_ was at
+liberty to proceed against them according to his own pleasure.' Queen
+Elizabeth of _England_, with more open asperity answered a complaint made
+by the Spanish ambassador, of Spanish ships being plundered by the English
+in the _West Indies_, 'That the Spaniards had drawn these inconveniencies
+upon themselves, by their severe and unjust dealings in their American
+commerce; for she did not understand why either her subjects, or those of
+any other European prince, should be debarred from traffic in the
+_Indies_. That as she did not acknowledge the Spaniards to have any title
+by the donation of the Bishop of _Rome_, so she knew no right they had to
+any places other than those they were in actual possession of; for that
+their having touched only here and there upon a coast, and given names to
+a few rivers or capes, were such insignificant things as could no ways
+entitle them to a propriety further than in the parts where they actually
+settled, and continued to inhabit[4].' A warfare was thus established
+between Europeans in the _West Indies_, local and confined, which had no
+dependence upon transactions in _Europe_. [Sidenote: Brethren of the
+Coast.] All Europeans not Spaniards, whether it was war or peace between
+their nations in _Europe_, on their meeting in the _West Indies_, regarded
+each other as friends and allies, knowing then no other enemy than the
+Spaniards; and, as a kind of public avowal of this confederation, they
+called themselves _Brethren of the Coast_.
+
+The first European intruders upon the Spaniards in the _West Indies_ were
+accordingly mariners, the greater number of whom, it is supposed, were
+French, and next to them the English. Their first hunting of cattle in
+_Hayti_, was for provisioning their ships. The time they began to form
+factories or establishments, to hunt cattle for the skins, and to cure the
+flesh as an article of traffic, is not certain; but it may be concluded
+that these occupations were began by the crews of wrecked vessels, or by
+seamen who had disagreed with their commander; and that the ease, plenty,
+and freedom from all command and subordination, enjoyed in such a life,
+soon drew others to quit their ships, and join in the same occupations.
+The ships that touched on the coast supplied the hunters with European
+commodities, for which they received in return hides, tallow, and cured
+meat. The appellation of _Boucanier_ or _Buccaneer_ was not invented, or
+at least not applied to these adventurers, till long after their first
+footing in _Hayti_. At the time of Oxnam's expedition across the _Isthmus
+of America_ to the _South Sea_, A. D. 1575, it does not appear to have
+been known.
+
+There is no particular account of the events which took place on the
+coasts of _Hispaniola_ in the early part of the contest between the
+Spaniards and the new settlers. It is however certain, that it was a war
+of the severest retaliation; and in this disorderly state was continued
+the intercourse of the English, French, and Dutch with the _West Indies_,
+carried on by individuals neither authorized nor controlled by their
+governments, for more than a century.
+
+In 1586, the English Captain, Francis Drake, plundered the city of _San
+Domingo_; and the numbers of the English and French in the _West Indies_
+increased so much, that shortly afterwards the Spaniards found themselves
+necessitated to abandon all the Western and North-western parts of
+_Hispaniola_.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. IV.
+
+ _Iniquitous Settlement of the Island =Saint Christopher= by the
+ =English= and =French=. =Tortuga= seized by the Hunters.
+ Origin of the name =Buccaneer=. The name =Flibustier=. Customs
+ attributed to the =Buccaneers=._
+
+
+The increase of trade of the English and French to the _West Indies_, and
+the growing importance of the freebooters or adventurers concerned in it,
+who, unassisted but by each other, had begun to acquire territory and to
+form establishments in spite of all opposition from the Spaniards,
+attracted the attention of the British and French governments, and
+suggested to them a scheme of confederacy, in which some of the principal
+adventurers were consulted. The project adopted by them was, to plant a
+royal colony of each nation, on some one island, and at the same time; by
+which a constant mutual support would be secured. In as far as regarded
+the concerns of Europeans with each other, this plan was unimpeachable.
+
+The Island chosen by the projectors, as the best suited to their purpose,
+was one of the _Small Antilles_ or _Caribbee Islands_, known by the name
+of _St. Christopher_, which is in length about seven leagues, and in
+breadth two and a half.
+
+[Sidenote: 1625. The Island Saint Christopher settled by the English and
+French.] Thus the governments of _Great Britain_ and _France_, like
+friendly fellow-travellers, and not like rivals who were to contend in a
+race, began their West-Indian career by joint consent at the same point
+both in time and place. In the year 1625, and on the same day, a colony of
+British and a colony of French, in the names and on the behalf of their
+respective nations, landed on this small island, the division of which
+had been settled by previous agreement.
+
+The Island _St. Christopher_ was at that time inhabited by Caribbe
+Indians. The Spaniards had never possessed a settlement on it, but their
+ships had been accustomed to stop there, to traffic for provisions and
+refreshments. The French and English who came to take possession, landed
+without obtaining the consent of the native Caribbe inhabitants; and,
+because danger was apprehended from their discontent, under pretence that
+the Caribbs were friends to the Spaniards, these new colonists fell upon
+them by surprise in the night, killed their principal leaders, and forced
+the rest to quit the Island and seek another home. De Rochefort, in his
+_Histoire Morale des Isles Antilles_ (p. 284.) mentions the English and
+French killing the Caribb Chiefs, in the following terms: '_Ils se
+defirent en une nuit de tous les plus factieux de cette nation!_' Thus in
+usurpation and barbarity was founded the first colony established under
+the authority of the British and French governments in the _West Indies_;
+which colony was the parent of our African slave trade. When accounts of
+the conquest and of the proceedings at _Saint Christopher_ were
+transmitted to _Europe_, they were approved; West-India companies were
+established, and licences granted to take out colonists. De Rochefort has
+oddly enough remarked, that the French, English, and Dutch, in their first
+establishments in the _West Indies_, did not follow the cruel maxims of
+the Spaniards. True it is, however, that they only copied in part. In
+their usurpations their aim went no farther than to dispossess, and they
+did not seek to make slaves of the people whom they deprived of their
+land.
+
+The English and French in a short time had disagreements, and began to
+make complaints of each other. The English took possession of the small
+Island _Nevis_, which is separated only by a narrow channel from the
+South end of _St. Christopher_. P. Charlevoix says, 'the ambition of the
+English disturbed the good understanding between the colonists of the two
+nations; but M. de Cusac arriving with a squadron of the French King's
+ships, by taking and sinking some British ships lying there, brought the
+English Governor to reason, and to confine himself to the treaty of
+Partition.' [Sidenote: 1629. The English and French driven from Saint
+Christopher by the Spaniards.] After effecting this amicable adjustment,
+De Cusac sailed from _St. Christopher_; and was scarcely clear of the
+Island when a powerful fleet, consisting of thirty-nine large ships,
+arrived from _Spain_, and anchored in the Road. Almost without opposition
+the Spaniards became masters of the Island, although the English and
+French, if they had cordially joined, could have mustered a force of
+twelve hundred men. Intelligence that the Spaniards intended this attack,
+had been timely received in _France_; and M. de Cusac's squadron had in
+consequence been dispatched to assist in the defence of _St. Christopher_;
+but the Spaniards being slow in their preparations, their fleet did not
+arrive at the time expected, and De Cusac, hearing no news of them,
+presumed that they had given up their design against _St. Christopher_.
+Without strengthening the joint colony, he gave the English a lesson on
+moderation, little calculated to incline them to co-operate heartily with
+the French in defence of the Island, and sailed on a cruise to the _Gulf
+of Mexico_. Shortly after his departure, towards the end of the year 1629,
+the Spanish fleet arrived. The colonists almost immediately despaired of
+being able to oppose so great a force. Many of the French embarked in
+their ships in time to effect their escape, and to take refuge among the
+islands northward. The remainder, with the English, lay at the disposal of
+the Spanish commander, Don Frederic de _Toledo_. At this time _Spain_ was
+at war with _England_, _France_, and _Holland_; and this armament was
+designed ultimately to act against the Hollanders in _Brasil_, but was
+ordered by the way to drive the English and the French from the Island of
+_Saint Christopher_. Don Frederic would not weaken his force by leaving a
+garrison there, and was in haste to prosecute his voyage to _Brasil_. As
+the settlement of _Saint Christopher_ had been established on regular
+government authorities, the settlers were treated as prisoners of war. To
+clear the Island in the most speedy manner, Don Frederic took many of the
+English on board his own fleet, and made as many of the other colonists
+embark as could be crowded in any vessels which could be found for them.
+He saw them get under sail, and leave the Island; and from those who
+remained, he required their parole, that they would depart by the earliest
+opportunity which should present itself, warning them, at the same time,
+that if, on his return from _Brasil_, he found any Englishmen or Frenchmen
+at _Saint Christopher_, they should be put to the sword. [Sidenote: 1630.
+They return.] After this, he sailed for _Brasil_. As soon, however, as it
+was known that the Spanish fleet had left the West-Indian sea, the
+colonists, both English and French, returned to _Saint Christopher_, and
+repossessed themselves of their old quarters.
+
+The settlement of the Island _Saint Christopher_ gave great encouragement
+to the hunters on the West coast of _Hispaniola_. Their manufactories for
+the curing of meat, and for drying the skins, multiplied; and as the value
+of them increased, they began to think it of consequence to provide for
+their security. [Sidenote: The Island Tortuga seized by the English and
+French Hunters.] To this end they took possession of the small Island
+_Tortuga_, near the North-west end of _Hispaniola_, where the Spaniards
+had placed a garrison, but which was too small to make opposition. There
+was a road for shipping, with good anchorage, at _Tortuga_; and its
+separation from the main land of _Hispaniola_ seemed to be a good
+guarantee from sudden and unexpected attack. They built magazines there,
+for the lodgement of their goods, and regarded this Island as their head
+quarters, or place of general rendezvous to which to repair in times of
+danger. They elected no chief, erected no fortification, set up no
+authorities, nor fettered themselves by any engagement. All was voluntary;
+and they were negligently contented at having done so much towards their
+security.
+
+[Sidenote: Whence the Name Buccaneer.] About the time of their taking
+possession of _Tortuga_, they began to be known by the name of Buccaneers,
+of which appellation it will be proper to speak at some length.
+
+The flesh of the cattle killed by the hunters, was cured to keep good for
+use, after a manner learnt from the Caribbe Indians, which was as follows:
+The meat was laid to be dried upon a wooden grate or hurdle (_grille de
+bois_) which the Indians called _barbecu_, placed at a good distance over
+a slow fire. The meat when cured was called _boucan_, and the same name
+was given to the place of their cookery. Pere Labat describes _Viande
+boucannee_ to be, _Viande seche a petit feu et a la fumee_. The Caribbes
+are said to have sometimes served their prisoners after this fashion,
+'_Ils les mangent apres les avoir bien boucannee, c'est a dire, rotis bien
+sec_[5].' The boucan was a very favourite method of cooking among these
+Indians. A Caribbe has been known, on returning home from fishing,
+fatigued and pressed with hunger, to have had the patience to wait the
+roasting of a fish on a wooden grate fixed two feet above the ground, over
+a fire so small as sometimes to require the whole day to dress it[6].
+
+The flesh of the cattle was in general dried in the smoke, without being
+salted. The _Dictionnaire de Trevoux_ explains _Boucaner_ to be '_faire
+sorer sans sel_,' to dry red without salt. But the flesh of wild hogs, and
+also of the beeves when intended for keeping a length of time, was first
+salted. The same thing was practised among the Brasilians. It was remarked
+in one of the earliest visits of the Portuguese to _Brasil_, that the
+natives (who were cannibals) kept human flesh salted and smoked, hanging
+up in their houses[7]. The meat cured by the Buccaneers to sell to
+shipping for sea-store, it is probable was all salted. The process is thus
+described: 'The bones being taken out, the flesh was cut into convenient
+pieces and salted, and the next day was taken to the _boucan_.' Sometimes,
+to give a peculiar relish to the meat, the skin of the animal was cast
+into the fire under it. The meat thus cured was of a fine red colour, and
+of excellent flavour; but in six months after it was boucanned, it had
+little taste left, except of salt. The boucanned hog's flesh continued
+good a much longer time than the flesh of the beeves, if kept in dry
+places.
+
+From adopting the boucan of the Caribbes, the hunters in _Hispaniola_, the
+Spaniards excepted, came to be called Boucaniers, but afterwards,
+according to a pronunciation more in favour with the English,
+Buccaneers[8]. Many of the French hunters were natives of _Normandy_;
+whence it became proverbial in some of the sea-ports of _Normandy_ to say
+of a smoky house, _c'est un vrai Boucan_.
+
+[Sidenote: The name Flibustier.] The French Buccaneers and Adventurers
+were also called Flibustiers, and more frequently by that than by any
+other name. The word Flibustier is merely the French mariner's mode of
+pronouncing the English word Freebooter, a name which long preceded that
+of Boucanier or Buccaneer, as the occupation of cruising against the
+Spaniards preceded that of hunting and curing meat. Some authors have
+given a derivation to the name _Flibustier_ from the word Flyboat,
+because, say they, the French hunters in _Hispaniola_ bought vessels of
+the Dutch, called Flyboats, to cruise upon the Spaniards. There are two
+objections to this derivation. First, the word _flyboat_, is only an
+English translation of the Dutch word _fluyt_, which is the proper
+denomination of the vessel intended by it. Secondly, it would not very
+readily occur to any one to purchase Dutch fluyts, or flyboats, for
+chasing vessels.
+
+Some have understood the Boucanier and Flibustier to be distinct both in
+person and character[9]. This was probably the case with a few, after the
+settlement of _Tortuga_; but before, and very generally afterwards, the
+occupations were joined, making one of amphibious character. Ships from
+all parts of the _West Indies_ frequented _Tortuga_, and it continually
+happened that some among the crews quitted their ships to turn Buccaneers;
+whilst among the Buccaneers some would be desirous to quit their hunting
+employment, to go on a cruise, to make a voyage, or to return to _Europe_.
+The two occupations of hunting and cruising being so common to the same
+person, caused the names Flibustier and Buccaneer to be esteemed
+synonimous, signifying always and principally the being at war with the
+Spaniards. The Buccaneer and Flibustier therefore, as long as they
+continued in a state of independence, are to be considered as the same
+character, exercising sometimes one, sometimes the other employment; and
+either name was taken by them indifferently, whether they were employed on
+the sea or on the land. But a fanciful kind of inversion took place,
+through the different caprices of the French and English adventurers. The
+greater part of the first cattle hunters were French, and the greater
+number of the first cruisers against the Spaniards were English. The
+French adventurers, nevertheless, had a partiality for the name of
+Flibustier; whilst the English shewed a like preference for the name of
+Buccaneer, which, as will be seen, was assumed by many hundred seamen of
+their nation, who were never employed either in hunting or in the boucan.
+
+[Sidenote: Customs attributed to the Buccaneers.] A propensity to make
+things which are extraordinary appear more so, has caused many peculiar
+customs to be attributed to the Buccaneers, which, it is pretended, were
+observed as strictly as if they had been established laws. It is said that
+every Buccaneer had his chosen and declared comrade, between whom property
+was in common, and if one died, the survivor was inheritor of the whole.
+This was called by the French _Matelotage_. It is however acknowledged
+that the _Matelotage_ was not a compulsatory regulation; and that the
+Buccaneers sometimes bequeathed by will. A general right of participation
+in some things, among which was meat for present consumption, was
+acknowledged among them; and it is said, that bolts, locks, and every
+species of fastening, were prohibited, it being held that the use of such
+securities would have impeached the honour of their vocation. Yet on
+commencing Buccaneer, it was customary with those who were of respectable
+lineage, to relinquish their family name, and assume some other, as a _nom
+de guerre_. Their dress, which was uniformly slovenly when engaged in the
+business of hunting or of the boucan, is mentioned as a prescribed
+_costume_, but which doubtless was prescribed only by their own negligence
+and indolence; in particular, that they wore an unwashed shirt and
+pantaloons dyed in the blood of the animals they had killed. Other
+distinctions, equally capricious, and to little purpose, are related,
+which have no connexion with their history. Some curious anecdotes are
+produced, to shew the great respect some among them entertained for
+religion and for morality. A certain Flibustier captain, named Daniel,
+shot one of his crew in the church, for behaving irreverently during the
+performance of mass. Raveneau de Lussan (whose adventures will be
+frequently mentioned) took the occupation of a Buccaneer, because he was
+in debt, and wished, as every honest man should do, to have wherewithal to
+satisfy his creditors.
+
+In their sea enterprises, they followed most of the customs which are
+generally observed in private ships of war; and sometimes were held
+together by a subscribed written agreement, by the English called
+Charter-party; by the French _Chasse-partie_, which might in this case be
+construed a Chasing agreement. Whenever it happened that _Spain_ was at
+open and declared war with any of the maritime nations of _Europe_, the
+Buccaneers who were natives of the country at war with her, obtained
+commissions, which rendered the vessels in which they cruised, regular
+privateers.
+
+The English adventurers sometimes, as is seen in Dampier, called
+themselves Privateers, applying the term to persons in the same manner we
+now apply it to private ships of war. The Dutch, whose terms are generally
+faithful to the meaning intended, called the adventurers _Zee Roovers_;
+the word _roover_ in the Dutch language comprising the joint sense of the
+two English words rover and robber.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. V.
+
+ _Treaty made by the Spaniards with Don =Henriquez=. Increase of
+ English and French in the =West Indies=. =Tortuga= surprised
+ by the Spaniards. Policy of the English and French Governments
+ with respect to the Buccaneers. =Mansvelt=, his attempt to
+ form an independent Buccaneer Establishment. French West-India
+ Company. =Morgan= succeeds =Mansvelt= as Chief of the
+ Buccaneers._
+
+
+[Sidenote: 1630.] The Spanish Government at length began to think it
+necessary to relax from their large pretensions, and in the year 1630
+entered into treaties with other European nations, for mutual security of
+their West-India possessions. In a Treaty concluded that year with _Great
+Britain_, it was declared, that peace, amity, and friendship, should be
+observed between their respective subjects, in all parts of the world. But
+this general specification was not sufficient to produce effect in the
+_West Indies_.
+
+[Sidenote: 1633.] In _Hispaniola_, in the year 1633, the Government at
+_San Domingo_ concluded a treaty with Don Henriquez; which was the more
+readily accorded to him, because it was apprehended the revolted natives
+would league with the Brethren of the Coast. By this treaty all the
+followers of Don Henriquez who could claim descent from the original
+natives, in number four thousand persons, were declared free and under his
+protection, and lands were marked out for them. But, what is revolting to
+all generous hopes of human nature, the negroes were abandoned to the
+Spaniards. Magnanimity was not to be expected of the natives of _Hayti_;
+yet they had shewn themselves capable of exertion for their own relief;
+and a small degree more of firmness would have included these, their most
+able champions, in the treaty. This weak and wicked defection from
+friends, confederated with them in one common and righteous cause, seems
+to have wrought its own punishment. The vigilance and vigour of mind of
+the negro might have guarded against encroachments upon the independence
+obtained; instead of which, the wretched Haytians in a short time fell
+again wholly into the grinding hands of the Spaniards: and in the early
+part of the eighteenth century, it was reckoned that the whole number
+living, of the descendants of the party of Don Henriquez, did not quite
+amount to one hundred persons.
+
+[Sidenote: Cultivation in Tortuga.] The settlement of the Buccaneers at
+_Tortuga_ drew many Europeans there, as well settlers as others, to join
+in their adventures and occupations. They began to clear and cultivate the
+grounds, which were before overgrown with woods, and made plantations of
+tobacco, which proved to be of extraordinary good quality.
+
+[Sidenote: Increase of the English and French Settlements in the West
+Indies.] More Europeans, not Spaniards, consequently allies of the
+Buccaneers, continued to pour into the _West Indies_, and formed
+settlements on their own accounts, on some of the islands of the small
+_Antilles_. These settlements were not composed of mixtures of different
+people, but were most of them all English or all French; and as they grew
+into prosperity, they were taken possession of for the crowns of _England_
+or of _France_ by the respective governments. Under the government
+authorities new colonists were sent out, royal governors were appointed,
+and codes of law established, which combined, with the security of the
+colony, the interests of the mother-country. But at the same time these
+benefits were conferred, grants of lands were made under royal authority,
+which dispossessed many persons, who, by labour and perilous adventure,
+and some who at considerable expence, had achieved establishments for
+themselves, in favour of men till then no way concerned in any of the
+undertakings. In some cases, grants of whole islands were obtained, by
+purchase or favour; and the first settlers, who had long before gained
+possession, and who had cleared and brought the ground into a state for
+cultivation, were rendered dependent upon the new proprietary governors,
+to whose terms they were obliged to submit, or to relinquish their tenure.
+Such were the hard accompaniments to the protection afforded by the
+governments of _France_ and _Great Britain_ to colonies, which, before
+they were acknowledged legitimate offsprings of the mother-country, had
+grown into consideration through their own exertions; and only because
+they were found worth adopting, were now received into the parent family.
+The discontents created by this rapacious conduct of the governments, and
+the disregard shewn to the claims of the first settlers, instigated some
+to resistance and rebellion, and caused many to join the Buccaneers. The
+Caribbe inhabitants were driven from their lands also with as little
+ceremony.
+
+The Buccaneer colony at _Tortuga_ had not been beheld with indifference by
+the Spaniards. [Sidenote: 1638.] The Buccaneers, with the carelessness
+natural to men in their loose condition of life, under neither command nor
+guidance, continued to trust to the supineness of the enemy for their
+safety, and neglected all precaution. [Sidenote: Tortuga surprised by the
+Spaniards.] In the year 1638, the Spaniards with a large force fell
+unexpectedly upon _Tortuga_, at a time when the greater number of the
+settlers were absent in _Hispaniola_ on the chace; and those who were on
+the Island, having neither fortress nor government, became an easy prey to
+the Spaniards, who made a general massacre of all who fell into their
+hands, not only of those they surprised in the beginning, but many who
+afterwards came in from the woods to implore their lives on condition of
+returning to _Europe_, they hanged. A few kept themselves concealed, till
+they found an opportunity to cross over to their brethren in _Hispaniola_.
+
+It happened not to suit the convenience of the Spaniards to keep a
+garrison at _Tortuga_, and they were persuaded the Buccaneers would not
+speedily again expose themselves to a repetition of such treatment as they
+had just experienced; therefore they contented themselves with destroying
+the buildings, and as much as they could of the plantations; after which
+they returned to _San Domingo_. In a short time after their departure, the
+remnant of the Hunters collected to the number of three hundred, again
+fixed themselves at _Tortuga_, and, for the first time, elected a
+commander.
+
+As the hostility of the Buccaneers had constantly and solely been directed
+against the Spaniards, all other Europeans in the _West Indies_ regarded
+them as champions in the common cause, and the severities which had been
+exercised against them created less of dread than of a spirit of
+vengeance. The numbers of the Buccaneers were quickly recruited by
+volunteers of English, French, and Dutch, from all parts; and both the
+occupations of hunting and cruising were pursued with more than usual
+eagerness. The French and English Governors in the _West Indies_,
+influenced by the like feelings, either openly, or by connivance, gave
+constant encouragement to the Buccaneers. The French Governor at _St.
+Christopher_, who was also Governor General for the French West-India
+Islands, was most ready to send assistance to the Buccaneers. This
+Governor, Monsieur de Poincy, an enterprising and capable man, had formed
+a design to take possession of the Island _Tortuga_ for the crown of
+_France_; which he managed to put in execution three years after, having
+by that time predisposed some of the principal French Buccaneers to
+receive a garrison of the French king's troops. [Sidenote: Tortuga taken
+possession of for the Crown of France.] This appropriation was made in
+1641; and De Poincy, thinking his acquisition would be more secure to
+_France_ by the absence of the English, forced all the English Buccaneers
+to quit the Island. The French writers say, that before the interposition
+of the French Governor, the English Buccaneers took advantage of their
+numbers, and domineered in _Tortuga_. The English Governors in the _West
+Indies_ could not at this time shew the same tender regard for the English
+Buccaneers, as the support they received from home was very precarious,
+owing to the disputes which then subsisted in _England_ between King
+Charles and the English Parliament, which engrossed so much of the public
+attention as to leave little to colonial concerns.
+
+The French Commander de Poincy pushed his success. In his appointment of a
+Governor to _Tortuga_, he added the title of Governor of the West coast of
+_Hispaniola_, and by degrees he introduced French garrisons. This was the
+first footing obtained by the Government of _France_ in _Hispaniola_. The
+same policy was observed there respecting the English as at _Tortuga_, by
+which means was effected a separation of the English Buccaneers from the
+French. After this time, it was only occasionally, and from accidental
+circumstances, or by special agreement, that they acted in concert. The
+English adventurers, thus elbowed out of _Hispaniola_ and _Tortuga_, lost
+the occupation of hunting cattle and of the boucan, but they continued to
+be distinguished by the appellation of Buccaneers, and, when not cruising,
+most generally harboured at the Islands possessed by the British.
+
+Hitherto, it had rested in the power of the Buccaneers to have formed
+themselves into an independent state. Being composed of people of
+different nations, the admission of a Governor from any one, might easily
+have been resisted. Now, they were considered in a kind of middle state,
+between that of Buccaneers and of men returned to their native allegiance.
+It seemed now in the power of the English and French Governments to put a
+stop to their cruisings, and to furnish them with more honest employment;
+but politics of a different cast prevailed. The Buccaneers were regarded
+as profitable to the Colonies, on account of the prizes they brought in;
+and even vanity had a share in their being countenanced. [Sidenote: Policy
+of the English and French Governments with respect to the Buccaneers.] The
+French authors call them _nos braves_, and the English speak of their
+'unparalleled exploits.' The policy both of _England_ and of _France_ with
+respect to the Buccaneers, seems to have been well described in the
+following sentence: _On laissoit faire des Avanturiers, qu'on pouvoit
+toujours desavouer, mais dont les succes pouvoient etre utiles_: _i. e._
+'they connived at the actions of these Adventurers, which could always be
+disavowed, and whose successes might be serviceable.' This was not
+esteemed _friponnerie_, but a maxim of sound state policy. In the
+character given of a good French West-India governor, he is praised, for
+that, 'besides encouraging the cultivation of lands, he never neglected to
+encourage the _Flibustiers_. It was a certain means of improving the
+Colony, by attracting thither the young and enterprising. He would
+scarcely receive a slight portion of what he was entitled to from his
+right of bestowing commissions in time of war[10]. And when we were at
+peace, and our Flibustiers, for want of other employment, would go
+cruising, and would carry their prizes to the English Islands, he was at
+the pains of procuring them commissions from _Portugal_, which country was
+then at war with _Spain_; in virtue of which our _Flibustiers_ continued
+to make themselves redoubtable to the Spaniards, and to spread riches and
+abundance in our Colonies.' This panegyric was bestowed by Pere Labat; who
+seems to have had more of national than of moral or religious feeling on
+this head.
+
+It was a powerful consideration with the French and English Governments,
+to have at their occasional disposal, without trouble or expence, a well
+trained military force, always at hand, and willing to be employed upon
+emergency; who required no pay nor other recompense for their services and
+constant readiness, than their share of plunder, and that their piracies
+upon the Spaniards should pass unnoticed.
+
+[Sidenote: 1644.] Towards the end of 1644, a new Governor General for the
+French West-India possessions was appointed by the French Regency (during
+the minority of Louis XIV.); but the Commander de Poincy did not choose to
+resign, and the colonists were inclined to support him. Great discontents
+prevailed in the French Colonies, which rendered them liable to being
+shaken by civil wars; and the apprehensions of the Regency on this head
+enabled De Poincy to stand his ground. He remained Governor General over
+the French Colonies not only for the time, but was continued in that
+office, by succeeding administrations, many years.
+
+[Sidenote: 1654. The Buccaneers plunder New Segovia.] About the year 1654,
+a large party of Buccaneers, French and English, joined in an expedition
+on the Continent. They ascended a river of the _Mosquito shore_, a small
+distance on the South side of _Cape Gracias a Dios_, in canoes; and after
+labouring nearly a month against a strong stream and waterfalls, they left
+their canoes, and marched to the town of _Nueva Segovia_, which they
+plundered, and then returned down the river.
+
+[Sidenote: The Spaniards retake Tortuga. 1655. With the assistance of the
+Buccaneers, the English take Jamaica: 1660; And the French retake
+Tortuga.] In the same year, the Spaniards took _Tortuga_ from the French.
+
+In the year following, 1655, _England_ being at war with _Spain_, a large
+force was sent from _England_ to attempt the conquest of the Island
+_Hispaniola_. In this attempt they failed; but afterwards fell upon
+_Jamaica_, of which Island they made themselves masters, and kept
+possession. In the conquest of _Jamaica_, the English were greatly
+assisted by the Buccaneers; and a few years after, with their assistance
+also, the French regained possession of _Tortuga_.
+
+On the recovery of _Tortuga_, the French Buccaneers greatly increased in
+the Northern and Western parts of _Hispaniola_. _Spain_ also sent large
+reinforcements from _Europe_; and for some years war was carried on with
+great spirit and animosity on both sides. During the heat of this contest,
+the French Buccaneers followed more the occupation of hunting, and less
+that of cruising, than at any other period of their history.
+
+The Spaniards finding they could not expel the French from _Hispaniola_,
+determined to join their efforts to those of the French hunters, for the
+destruction of the cattle and wild hogs on the Island, so as to render the
+business of hunting unproductive. But the French had begun to plant; and
+the depriving them of the employment of hunting, drove them to other
+occupations not less contrary to the interest and wishes of the Spaniards.
+The less profit they found in the chase, the more they became cultivators
+and cruisers.
+
+[Sidenote: Pierre le Grand, a French Buccaneer.] The Buccaneer Histories
+of this period abound with relations: of daring actions performed by them;
+but many of which are chiefly remarkable for the ferocious cruelty of the
+leaders by whom they were conducted. Pierre, a native of _Dieppe_, for his
+success received to his name the addition of _le grand_, and is mentioned
+as one of the first Flibustiers who obtained much notoriety. In a boat,
+with a crew of twenty-eight men, he surprised and took the Ship of the
+Vice-Admiral of the Spanish galeons, as she was sailing homeward-bound
+with a rich freight. He set the Spanish crew on shore at _Cape Tiburon_,
+the West end of _Hispaniola_, and sailed in his prize to _France_.
+[Sidenote: Alexandre.] A Frenchman, named Alexandre, also in a small
+vessel, took a Spanish ship of war.
+
+[Sidenote: Montbars, surnamed the Exterminator.] It is related of another
+Frenchman, a native of _Languedoc_, named Montbars, that on reading a
+history of the cruelty of the Spaniards to the Americans, he conceived
+such an implacable hatred against the Spaniards, that he determined on
+going to the _West Indies_ to join the Buccaneers; and that he there
+pursued his vengeance with so much ardour as to acquire the surname of the
+Exterminator.
+
+[Sidenote: Bartolomeo Portuguez.] One Buccaneer of some note was a native
+of _Portugal_, known by the name of Bartolomeo Portuguez; who, however,
+was more renowned for his wonderful escapes, both in battle, and from the
+gallows, than for his other actions.
+
+[Sidenote: L'Olonnois, a French Buccaneer, and Michel le Basque, take
+Maracaibo and Gibraltar.] But no one of the Buccaneers hitherto named,
+arrived at so great a degree of notoriety, as a Frenchman, called Francois
+L'Olonnois, a native of part of the French coast which is near the sands
+of _Olonne_, but whose real name is not known. This man, and Michel le
+Basque, both Buccaneer commanders, at the head of 650 men, took the towns
+of _Maracaibo_ and _Gibraltar_ in the _Gulf of Venezuela_, on the _Tierra
+Firma_. The booty they obtained by the plunder and ransom of these places,
+was estimated at 400,000 crowns. The barbarities practised on the
+prisoners could not be exceeded. [Sidenote: Outrages committed by
+L'Olonnois.] Olonnois was possessed with an ambition to make himself
+renowned for being terrible. At one time, it is said, he put the whole
+crew of a Spanish ship, ninety men, to death, performing himself the
+office of executioner, by beheading them. He caused the crews of four
+other vessels to be thrown into the sea; and more than once, in his
+frenzies, he tore out the hearts of his victims, and devoured them. Yet
+this man had his encomiasts; so much will loose notions concerning glory,
+aided by a little partiality, mislead even sensible men. Pere Charlevoix
+says, _Celui de tous, dont les grandes actions illustrerent davantage les
+premieres annees du gouvernement de M. d'Ogeron, fut l'Olonnois. Ses
+premiers succes furent suivis de quelques malheurs, qui ne servirent qu'a
+donner un nouveau lustre a sa gloire._ The career of this savage was
+terminated by the Indians of the coast of _Darien_, on which he had
+landed.
+
+[Sidenote: Mansvelt, a Buccaneer Chief; his Plan for forming a Buccaneer
+Establishment. 1664.] The Buccaneers now went in such formidable numbers,
+that several Spanish towns, both on the Continent and among the Islands of
+the _West Indies_, submitted to pay them contribution. And at this time, a
+Buccaneer commander, named Mansvelt, more provident and more ambitious in
+his views than any who preceded him, formed a project for founding an
+independent Buccaneer establishment. Of what country Mansvelt was native,
+does not appear; but he was so popular among the Buccaneers, that both
+French and English were glad to have him for their leader. The greater
+number of his followers in his attempt to form a settlement were probably
+English, as he fitted out in _Jamaica_. A Welshman, named Henry Morgan,
+who had made some successful cruises as a Buccaneer, went with him as
+second in command. [Sidenote: Island S^{ta} Katalina, or Providence; since
+named Old Providence.] The place designed by them for their establishment,
+was an Island named _S^{ta} Katalina_, or _Providence_, situated in
+latitude 13 deg. 24' N, about 40 leagues to the Eastward of the _Mosquito
+shore_. This Island is scarcely more than two leagues in its greatest
+extent, but has a harbour capable of being easily fortified against an
+enemy; and very near to its North end is a much smaller Island. The late
+Charts assign the name of _S^{ta} Katalina_ to the small Island, and give
+to the larger Island that of _Old Providence_, the epithet _Old_ having
+been added to distinguish this from the _Providence_ of the _Bahama
+Islands_. At the time Mansvelt undertook his scheme of settlement, this
+_S^{ta} Katalina_, or _Providence Island_, was occupied by the Spaniards,
+who had a fort and good garrison there. Some time in or near the year
+1664, Mansvelt sailed thither from _Jamaica_, with fifteen vessels and 500
+men. He assaulted and took the fort, which he garrisoned with one hundred
+Buccaneers and all the slaves he had taken, and left the command to a
+Frenchman, named Le Sieur Simon. At the end of his cruise, he returned to
+_Jamaica_, intending to procure there recruits for his Settlement of
+_S^{ta} Katalina_; but the Governor of _Jamaica_, however friendly to the
+Buccaneers whilst they made _Jamaica_ their home, saw many reasons for
+disliking Mansvelt's plan, and would not consent to his raising men.
+
+[Sidenote: Death of Mansvelt.] Not being able to overcome the Governor's
+unwillingness, Mansvelt sailed for _Tortuga_, to try what assistance he
+could procure there; but in the passage he was suddenly taken ill, and
+died. For a length of time after, Simon remained at _S^{ta} Katalina_ with
+his garrison, in continual expectation of seeing or hearing from Mansvelt;
+instead of which, a large Spanish force arrived and besieged his fort,
+when, learning of Mansvelt's death, and seeing no prospect of receiving
+reinforcement or relief, he found himself obliged to surrender.
+
+[Sidenote: French West-India Company.] The government in _France_ had
+appointed commissioners on behalf of the French West-India Company, to
+take all the Islands called the _French Antilles_, out of the hands of
+individuals, subjects of _France_, who had before obtained possession, and
+to put them into the possession of the said Company, to be governed
+according to such provisions as they should think proper. [Sidenote:
+1665.] In February 1665, M. d'Ogeron was appointed Governor of _Tortuga_,
+and of the French settlements in _Hispaniola_, or _St. Domingo_, as the
+Island was now more commonly called. [Sidenote: The French settlers
+dispute their authority.] On his arrival at _Tortuga_, the French
+adventurers, both there and in _Hispaniola_, declared that if he came to
+govern in the name of the King of _France_, he should find faithful and
+obedient subjects; but they would not submit themselves to any Company;
+and in no case would they consent to the prohibiting their trade with the
+Hollanders, 'with whom,' said the Buccaneers, 'we have been in the
+constant habit of trading, and were so before it was known in _France_
+that there was a single Frenchman in _Tortuga_, or on the coast of _St.
+Domingo_.'
+
+[Sidenote: 1665-7.] M. d'Ogeron had recourse to dissimulation to allay
+these discontents. He yielded consent to the condition respecting the
+commerce with the Dutch, fully resolved not to observe it longer than till
+his authority should be sufficiently established for him to break it with
+safety; and to secure the commerce within his government exclusively to
+the French West-India Company, who, when rid of all competitors, would be
+able to fix their own prices. It was not long before M. d'Ogeron judged
+the opportunity was arrived for effecting this revocation without danger;
+but it caused a revolt of the French settlers in _St. Domingo_, which did
+not terminate without bloodshed and an execution; and so partial as well
+as defective in principle were the historians who have related the fact,
+that they have at the same time commended M. d'Ogeron for his probity and
+simple manners. In the end, he prevailed in establishing a monopoly for
+the Company, to the injury of his old companions the French Buccaneers,
+with whom he had at a former period associated, and who had been his
+benefactors in a time of his distress.
+
+[Sidenote: Morgan succeeds Mansvelt; plunders Puerto del Principe.] On the
+death of Mansvelt, Morgan was regarded as the most capable and most
+fortunate leader of any of the _Jamaica_ Buccaneers. With a body of
+several hundred men, who placed themselves under his command, he took and
+plundered the town of _Puerto del Principe_ in _Cuba_. A quarrel happened
+at this place among the Buccaneers, in which a Frenchman was
+treacherously slain by an Englishman. The French took to arms, to revenge
+the death of their countryman; but Morgan pacified them by putting the
+murderer in irons, and promising he should be delivered up to justice on
+their return to _Jamaica_; which was done, and the criminal was hanged.
+But in some other respects, the French were not so well satisfied with
+Morgan for their commander, as they had been with Mansvelt. Morgan was a
+great rogue, and little respected the old proverb of, Honour among
+Thieves: this had been made manifest to the French, and almost all of them
+separated from him.
+
+[Sidenote: 1667. Maracaibo again pillaged. 1668. Morgan takes Porto Bello:
+Exercises great Cruelty.] _Maracaibo_ was now a second time pillaged by
+the French Buccaneers, under Michel le Basque.
+
+Morgan's next undertaking was against _Porto Bello_, one of the principal
+and best fortified ports belonging to the Spaniards in the _West Indies_.
+He had under his command only 460 men; but not having revealed his design
+to any person, he came on the town by surprise, and found it unprepared.
+Shocking cruelties are related to have been committed in this expedition.
+Among many others, that a castle having made more resistance than had been
+expected, Morgan, after its surrendering, shut up the garrison in it, and
+caused fire to be set to the magazine, destroying thereby the castle and
+the garrison together. In the attack of another fort, he compelled a
+number of religious persons, both male and female, whom he had taken
+prisoners, to carry and plant scaling ladders against the walls; and many
+of them were killed by those who defended the fort. The Buccaneers in the
+end became masters of the place, and the use they made of their victory
+corresponded with their actions in obtaining it. Many prisoners died under
+tortures inflicted on them to make them discover concealed treasures,
+whether they knew of any or not. A large ransom was also extorted for the
+town and prisoners.
+
+This success attracted other Buccaneers, among them the French again, to
+join Morgan; and by a kind of circular notice they rendezvoused in large
+force under his command at the _Isla de la Vaca_ (by the French called
+_Isle Avache_) near the SW part of _Hispaniola_.
+
+A large French Buccaneer ship was lying at _la Vaca_, which was not of
+this combination, the commander and crew of which refused to join with
+Morgan, though much solicited. Morgan was angry, but dissembled, and with
+a show of cordiality invited the French captain and his officers to an
+entertainment on board his own ship. When they were his guests, they found
+themselves his prisoners; and their ship, being left without officers, was
+taken without resistance. The men put by Morgan in charge of the ship,
+fell to drinking; and, whether from their drunkenness and negligence, or
+from the revenge of any of the prisoners, cannot be known, she suddenly
+blew up, by which 350 English Buccaneers, and all the Frenchmen on board
+her, perished. _The History of the Buccaneers of America_, in which the
+event is related, adds by way of remark, 'Thus was this unjust action of
+Captain Morgan's soon followed by divine justice; for this ship, the
+largest in his fleet, was blown up in the air, with 350 Englishmen and all
+the French prisoners.' This comment seems to have suggested to Voltaire
+the ridicule he has thrown on the indiscriminate manner in which men
+sometimes pronounce misfortune to be a peculiar judgment of God, in the
+dialogue he put into the mouths of Candide and Martin, on the wicked Dutch
+skipper being drowned.
+
+[Sidenote: 1669. Maracaibo and Gibraltar plundered by Morgan.]
+From _Isla de la Vaca_ Morgan sailed with his fleet to _Maracaibo_ and
+_Gibraltar_; which unfortunate towns were again sacked. It was a frequent
+practice with these desperadoes to secure their prisoners by shutting them
+up in churches, where it was easy to keep guard over them. This was done
+by Morgan at _Maracaibo_ and _Gibraltar_, and with so little care for
+their subsistence, that many of the prisoners were actually starved to
+death, whilst their merciless victors were rioting in the plunder of their
+houses.
+
+Morgan remained so long at _Gibraltar_, that the Spaniards had time to
+repair and put in order a castle at the entrance of the _Lagune of
+Maracaibo_; and three large Spanish ships of war arrived and took stations
+near the castle, by which they hoped to cut off the retreat of the
+pirates. [Sidenote: His Contrivances in effecting his Retreat.] The
+Buccaneer Histories give Morgan much credit here, for his management in
+extricating his fleet and prizes from their difficult situation, which is
+related to have been in the following manner. He converted one of his
+vessels into a fire-ship, but so fitted up as to preserve the appearance
+of a ship intended for fighting, and clumps of wood were stuck up in her,
+dressed with hats on, to resemble men. By means of this ship, the rest of
+his fleet following close at hand, he took one of the Spanish ships, and
+destroyed the two others. Still there remained the castle to be passed;
+which he effected without loss, by a stratagem which deceived the
+Spaniards from their guard. During the day, and in sight of the castle, he
+filled his boats with armed men, and they rowed from the ships to a part
+of the shore which was well concealed by thickets. After waiting as long
+as might be supposed to be occupied in the landing, all the men lay down
+close in the bottom of the boats, except two in each, who rowed them back,
+going to the sides of the ships which were farthest from the castle. This
+being repeated several times, caused the Spaniards to believe that the
+Buccaneers intended an assault by land with their whole force; and they
+made disposition with their cannon accordingly, leaving the side of the
+castle towards the sea unprovided. When it was night, and the ebb tide
+began to make, Morgan's fleet took up their anchors, and, without setting
+sail, it being moonlight, they fell down the river, unperceived, till they
+were nigh the castle. They then set their sails, and fired upon the
+castle, and before the Spaniards could bring their guns back to return the
+fire, the ships were past. The value of the booty made in this expedition
+was 250,000 pieces of eight.
+
+Some minor actions of the Buccaneers are omitted here, not being of
+sufficient consequence to excuse detaining the Reader, to whom will next
+be related one of their most remarkable exploits.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. VI.
+
+ _Treaty of =America=. Expedition of the Buccaneers against
+ =Panama=. Exquemelin's History of the American Sea Rovers.
+ Misconduct of the European Governors in the =West Indies=._
+
+
+[Sidenote: 1670.] In July 1670, was concluded a Treaty between _Great
+Britain_ and _Spain_, made expressly with the intention of terminating the
+Buccaneer war, and of settling all disputes between the subjects of the
+two countries in _America_. It has been with this especial signification
+entitled the Treaty of _America_, and is the first which appears to have
+been dictated by a mutual disposition to establish peace in the _West
+Indies_. The articles particularly directed to this end are the
+following:--
+
+[Sidenote: Treaty between Great Britain and Spain, called the Treaty of
+America.] Art. II. There shall be an universal peace and sincere
+friendship, as well in _America_, as in other parts, between the Kings of
+_Great Britain_ and _Spain_, their heirs and successors, their kingdoms,
+plantations, &c.
+
+III. That all hostilities, depredations, &c. shall cease between the
+subjects of the said Kings.
+
+IV. The two Kings shall take care that their subjects forbear all acts of
+hostility, and shall call in all commissions, letters of marque and
+reprisals, and punish all offenders, obliging them to make reparation.
+
+VII. All past injuries, on both sides, shall be buried in oblivion.
+
+VIII. The King of _Great Britain_ shall hold and enjoy all the lands,
+countries, &c. he is now possessed of in _America_.
+
+IX. The subjects on each side shall forbear trading or sailing to any
+places whatsoever under the dominion of the other, without particular
+licence.
+
+XIV. Particular offences shall be repaired in the common course of
+justice, and no reprisals made unless justice be denied, or unreasonably
+retarded.
+
+When notice of this Treaty was received in the _West Indies_, the
+Buccaneers, immediately as of one accord, resolved to undertake some grand
+expedition. Many occurrences had given rise to jealousies between the
+English and the French in the _West Indies_; but Morgan's reputation as a
+commander was so high, that adventurers from all parts signified their
+readiness to join him, and he appointed _Cape Tiburon_ on the West of
+_Hispaniola_ for the place of general rendezvous. In consequence of this
+summons, in the beginning of December 1670, a fleet was there collected
+under his command, consisting of no less than thirty-seven vessels of
+different sizes, and above 2000 men. Having so large a force, he held
+council with the principal commanders, and proposed for their
+determination, which they should attempt of the three places,
+_Carthagena_, _Vera Cruz_, and _Panama_. _Panama_ was believed to be the
+richest, and on that City the lot fell.
+
+A century before, when the name of Buccaneer was not known, roving
+adventurers had crossed the _Isthmus of America_ from the _West Indies_ to
+the _South Sea_; but the fate of Oxnam and his companions deterred others
+from the like attempt, until the time of the Buccaneers, who, as they
+increased in numbers, extended their enterprises, urged by a kind of
+necessity, the _West Indies_ not furnishing plunder sufficient to satisfy
+so many men, whose modes of expenditure were not less profligate than
+their means of obtaining were violent and iniquitous.
+
+[Sidenote: Expedition of the Buccaneers against Panama.] The rendezvous
+appointed by Morgan for meeting his confederates was distant from any
+authority which could prevent or impede their operations; and whilst they
+remained on the coast of _Hispaniola_, he employed men to hunt cattle, and
+cure meat. He also sent vessels to collect maize, at the settlements on
+the _Tierra Firma_. Specific articles of agreement were drawn up and
+subscribed to, for the distribution of plunder. Morgan, as commander in
+chief, was to receive one hundredth part; each captain was to have eight
+shares; provision was stipulated for the maimed and wounded, and rewards
+for those who should particularly distinguish themselves. [Sidenote:
+December. They take the Island S^{ta} Katalina.] These matters being
+settled, on December the 16th, the whole fleet sailed, from _Cape
+Tiburon_; on the 20th, they arrived at the Island _S^{ta} Katalina_, then
+occupied by the Spaniards, who had garrisoned it chiefly with criminals
+sentenced to serve there by way of punishment. Morgan had fully entered
+into the project of Mansvelt for forming an establishment at _S^{ta}
+Katalina_, and he was not the less inclined to it now that he considered
+himself as the head of the Buccaneers. The Island surrendered upon
+summons. It is related, that at the request of the Governor, in which
+Morgan indulged him, a military farce was performed; Morgan causing cannon
+charged only with powder to be fired at the fort, which returned the like
+fire for a decent time, and then lowered their flag.
+
+Morgan judged it would contribute to the success of the proposed
+expedition against _Panama_, to make himself master of the fort or castle
+of _San Lorenzo_ at the entrance of the _River Chagre_. For this purpose
+he sent a detachment of 400 men under the command of an old Buccaneer
+named Brodely, and in the mean time remained himself with the main body of
+his forces at _S^{ta} Katalina_, to avoid giving the Spaniards cause to
+suspect his further designs.
+
+[Sidenote: Attack of the Castle at the River Chagre.] The Castle of
+_Chagre_ was strong, both in its works and in situation, being built on
+the summit of a steep hill. It was valiantly assaulted, and no less
+valiantly defended. The Buccaneers were once forced to retreat. They
+returned to the attack, and were nearly a second time driven back, when a
+powder magazine in the fort blew up, and the mischief and confusion
+thereby occasioned gave the Buccaneers opportunity to force entrance
+through the breaches they had made. The Governor of the castle refused to
+take quarter which was offered him by the Buccaneers, as did also some of
+the Spanish soldiers. More than 200 men of 314 which composed the garrison
+were killed. The loss on the side of the Buccaneers was above 100 men
+killed outright, and 70 wounded.
+
+[Sidenote: 1671. January. March of the Buccaneers across the Isthmus.] On
+receiving intelligence of the castle being taken, Morgan repaired with the
+rest of his men from _S^{ta} Katalina_. He set the prisoners to work to
+repair the Castle of _San Lorenzo_, in which he stationed a garrison of
+500 men; he also appointed 150 men to take care of the ships; and on the
+18th of January 1671[11], he set forward at the head of 1200 men for
+_Panama_. One party with artillery and stores embarked in canoes, to mount
+the _River Chagre_, the course of which is extremely serpentine. At the
+end of the second day, however, they quitted the canoes, on account of the
+many obstructions from trees which had fallen in the river, and because
+the river was at this time in many places almost dry; but the way by land
+was also found so difficult for the carriage of stores, that the canoes
+were again resorted to. On the sixth day, when they had expended great
+part of their travelling store of provisions, they had the good fortune to
+discover a barn full of maize. They saw many native Indians, who all kept
+at a distance, and it was in vain endeavoured to overtake some.
+
+On the seventh day they came to a village called _Cruz_, the inhabitants
+of which had set fire to their houses, and fled. They found there,
+however, fifteen jars of Peruvian wine, and a sack of bread. The village
+of _Cruz_ is at the highest part of the _River Chagre_ to which boats or
+canoes, can arrive. It was reckoned to be eight leagues distant from
+_Panama_.
+
+On the ninth day of their journey, they came in sight of the _South Sea_;
+and here they were among fields in which cattle grazed. Towards evening,
+they had sight of the steeples of _Panama_. In the course of their march
+thus far from the Castle of _Chagre_, they lost, by being fired at from
+concealed places, ten men killed; and as many more were wounded.
+
+_Panama_ had not the defence of regular fortifications. Some works had
+been raised, but in parts the city lay open, and was to be won or defended
+by plain fighting. According to the Buccaneer account, the Spaniards had
+about 2000 infantry and 400 horse; which force, it is to be supposed, was
+in part composed of inhabitants and slaves.
+
+[Sidenote: 27th. The City of Panama taken.] January the 27th, early in the
+morning, the Buccaneers resumed their march towards the city. The
+Spaniards came out to meet them. In this battle, the Spaniards made use of
+wild bulls, which they drove upon the Buccaneers to disorder their ranks;
+but it does not appear to have had much effect. In the end, the Spaniards
+gave way, and before night, the Buccaneers were masters of the city. All
+that day, the Buccaneers gave no quarter, either during the battle, or
+afterwards. Six hundred Spaniards fell. The Buccaneers lost many men, but
+the number is not specified.
+
+[Sidenote: The City burnt.] One of the first precautions taken by Morgan
+after his victory, was to prevent drunkenness among his men: to which end,
+he procured to have it reported to him that all the wine in the city had
+been poisoned by the inhabitants; and on the ground of this intelligence,
+he strictly prohibited every one, under severe penalties, from tasting
+wine. Before they had well fixed their quarters in _Panama_, several
+parts of the city burst out in flames, which spread so rapidly, that in a
+short time many magnificent edifices built with cedar, and a great part of
+the city, were burnt to the ground. Whether this was done designedly, or
+happened accidentally, owing to the consternation of the inhabitants
+during the assault, has been disputed. Morgan is accused of having
+directed some of his people to commit this mischief, but no motive is
+assigned that could induce him to an act which cut off his future prospect
+of ransom. Morgan charged it upon the Spaniards; and it is acknowledged
+the Buccaneers gave all the assistance they were able to those of the
+inhabitants who endeavoured to stop the progress of the fire, which
+nevertheless continued to burn near four weeks before it was quite
+extinguished. Among the buildings destroyed, was a factory-house belonging
+to the Genoese, who then carried on the trade of supplying the Spaniards
+with slaves from _Africa_.
+
+The rapacity, licentiousness, and cruelty, of the Buccaneers, in their
+pillage of _Panama_, had no bounds. 'They spared,' says the narrative of a
+Buccaneer named Exquemelin, 'in these their cruelties no sex nor condition
+whatsoever. As to religious persons and priests, they granted them less
+quarter than others, unless they procured a considerable sum of money for
+their ransom.' Morgan sent detachments to scour the country for plunder,
+and to bring in prisoners from whom ransom might be extorted. Many of the
+inhabitants escaped with their effects by sea, and went for shelter to the
+Islands in the _Bay of Panama_. Morgan found a large boat lying aground in
+the Port, which he caused to be lanched, and manned with a numerous crew,
+and sent her to cruise among the Islands. A galeon, on board which the
+women of a convent had taken refuge, and in which money, plate, and other
+valuable effects, had been lodged, very narrowly escaped falling into
+their hands. They made prize of several vessels, one of which was well
+adapted for cruising. This opened a new prospect; and some of the
+Buccaneers began to consult how they might quit Morgan, and seek their
+fortunes on the _South Sea_, whence they proposed to sail, with the
+plunder they should obtain, by the _East Indies_ to _Europe_. But Morgan
+received notice of their design before it could be put in execution, and
+to prevent such a diminution of his force, he ordered the masts of the
+ship to be cut away, and all the boats or vessels lying at _Panama_ which
+could suit their purpose, to be burnt.
+
+[Sidenote: Feb. 24th. The Buccaneers depart from Panama.] The old city of
+_Panama_ is said to have contained 7000 houses, many of which were
+magnificent edifices built with cedar. On the 24th of February, Morgan and
+his men departed from its ruins, taking with them 175 mules laden with
+spoil, and 600 prisoners, some of them carrying burthens, and others for
+whose release ransom was expected. Among the latter were many women and
+children. These poor creatures were designedly caused to suffer extreme
+hunger and thirst, and kept under apprehensions of being carried to
+_Jamaica_ to be sold as slaves, that they might the more earnestly
+endeavour to procure money to be brought for their ransom. When some of
+the women, upon their knees and in tears, begged of Morgan to let them
+return to their families, his answer to them was, that 'he came not there
+to listen to cries and lamentations, but to seek money,' Morgan's thirst
+for money was not restrained to seeking it among his foes. He had a hand
+equally ready for that of his friends. Neither did he think his friends
+people to be trusted; for in the middle of the march back to _Chagre_, he
+drew up his men and caused them to be sworn, that they had not reserved or
+concealed any plunder, but had delivered all fairly into the common stock.
+This ceremony, it seems, was not uncustomary. 'But Captain Morgan having
+had experience that those loose fellows would not much stickle to swear
+falsely in such a case, he commanded every one to be searched; and that it
+might not be esteemed an affront, he permitted himself to be first
+searched, even to the very soles of his shoes. The French Buccaneers who
+had engaged on this expedition with Morgan, were not well satisfied with
+this new custom of searching; but their number being less than that of the
+English, they were forced to submit.' On arriving at _Chagre_, a division
+was made. The narrative says, 'every person received his portion, or
+rather what part thereof Captain Morgan was pleased to give him. For so it
+was, that his companions, even those of his own nation, complained of his
+proceedings; for they judged it impossible that, of so many valuable
+robberies, no greater share should belong to them than 200 pieces of eight
+_per_ head. But Captain Morgan was deaf to these, and to many other
+complaints of the same kind.'
+
+As Morgan was not disposed to allay the discontents of his men by coming
+to a more open reckoning with them, to avoid having the matter pressed
+upon him, he determined to withdraw from his command, 'which he did
+without calling any council, or bidding any one adieu; but went secretly
+on board his own ship, and put out to sea without giving notice, being
+followed only by three or four vessels of the whole fleet, who it is
+believed went shares with him in the greatest part of the spoil.'
+
+The rest of the Buccaneer vessels soon separated. Morgan went to
+_Jamaica_, and had begun to levy men to go with him to the Island _S^{ta}
+Katalina_, which he purposed to hold as his own, and to make it a common
+place of refuge for pirates; when the arrival of a new Governor at
+_Jamaica_, Lord John Vaughan, with orders to enforce the late treaty with
+_Spain_, obliged him to relinquish his plan.
+
+[Sidenote: Exquemelin's History of the Buccaneers of America.] The
+foregoing account of the destruction of _Panama_ by Morgan, is taken from
+a History of the Buccaneers of America, written originally in the Dutch
+language by a Buccaneer named Exquemelin, and published at Amsterdam in
+1678, with the title of _De Americaensche Zee Roovers_. Exquemelin's book
+contains only partial accounts of the actions of some of the principal
+among the Buccaneers. He has set forth the valour displayed by them in the
+most advantageous light; but generally, what he has related is credible.
+His history has been translated into all the European languages, but with
+various additions and alterations by the translators, each of whom has
+inclined to maintain the military reputation of his own nation. The
+Spanish translation is entitled _Piratas_, and has the following short
+complimentary Poem prefixed, addressed to the Spanish editor and
+emendator:--
+
+ De Agamenon canto la vida Homero
+ Y Virgilio de Eneas lo piadoso
+ Camoes de Gama el curso presurosso
+ Gongora el brio de Colon Velero.
+
+ Tu, O Alonso! mas docto y verdadoro,
+ Descrives del America ingenioso
+ Lo que assalta el Pirata codicioso:
+ Lo que defiende el Espanol Guerrero.
+
+The French translation is entitled _Les Avanturiers qui se sont signalez
+dans les Indes_, and contains actions of the French Flibustiers which are
+not in Exquemelin. The like has been done in the English translation,
+which has for title _The Bucaniers of America_. The English translator,
+speaking of the sacking of _Panama_, has expressed himself with a strange
+mixture of boasting and compunctious feeling. This account, he says,
+contains the unparalleled and bold exploits of Sir Henry Morgan, written
+by one of the Buccaneers who was present at those tragedies.
+
+It has been remarked, that the treaty of _America_ furnishes an apology
+for the enterprises of the Buccaneers previous to its notification; it
+being so worded as to admit an inference that the English and Spaniards
+were antecedently engaged in a continual war in _America_.
+
+[Sidenote: 1671.] The new Governor of _Jamaica_ was authorized and
+instructed to proclaim a general pardon, and indemnity from prosecution,
+for all piratical offences committed to that time; and to grant 35 acres
+of land to every Buccaneer who should claim the benefit of the
+proclamation, and would promise to apply himself to planting; a measure
+from which the most beneficial effects might have been expected, not to
+the British colonists only, but to all around, in turning a number of able
+men from destructive occupations to useful and productive pursuits, if it
+had not been made subservient to sordid views. The author of the _History
+of Jamaica_ says, 'This offer was intended as a lure to engage the
+Buccaneers to come into port with their effects, that the Governor might,
+and which he was directed to do, take from them the tenths and fifteenths
+of their booty as the dues of the Crown [and of the Colonial Government]
+for granting them commissions.' Those who had neglected to obtain
+commissions would of course have to make their peace by an increased
+composition. In consequence of this scandalous procedure, the Jamaica
+Buccaneers, to avoid being so taxed, kept aloof from _Jamaica_, and were
+provoked to continue their old occupations. Most of them joined the French
+Flibustiers at _Tortuga_. Some were afterwards apprehended at _Jamaica_,
+where they were brought to trial, condemned as pirates, and executed.
+
+[Sidenote: 1672.] A war which was entered into by _Great Britain_ and
+_France_ against _Holland_, furnished for a time employment for the
+Buccaneers and Flibustiers, and procured the Spaniards a short respite.
+
+[Sidenote: 1673. Flibustiers shipwrecked at Porto Rico;] In 1673, the
+French made an attempt to take the Island of _Curacao_ from the Dutch, and
+failed. M. d'Ogeron, the Governor of _Tortuga_, intended to have joined in
+this expedition, for which purpose he sailed in a ship named l'Ecueil,
+manned with 300 Flibustiers; but in the night of the 25th of February, she
+ran aground among some small islands and rocks, near the North side of the
+Island _Porto Rico_. The people got safe to land, but were made close
+prisoners by the Spaniards. After some months imprisonment, M. d'Ogeron,
+with three others, made their escape in a canoe, and got back to
+_Tortuga_. The Governor General over the French West-India Islands at that
+time, was a M. de Baas, who sent to _Porto Rico_ to demand the deliverance
+of the French detained there prisoners. The Spanish Governor of _Porto
+Rico_ required 3000 pieces of eight to be paid for expences incurred. De
+Baas was unwilling to comply with the demand, and sent an agent to
+negociate for an abatement in the sum; but they came to no agreement. M.
+d'Ogeron in the mean time collected five hundred men in _Tortuga_ and
+_Hispaniola_, with whom he embarked in a number of small vessels to pass
+over to _Porto Rico_, to endeavour the release of his shipwrecked
+companions; but by repeated tempests, several of his flotilla were forced
+back, and he reached _Porto Rico_ with only three hundred men.
+
+[Sidenote: And put to death by the Spaniards.] On their landing, the
+Spanish Governor put to death all his French prisoners, except seventeen
+of the officers. Afterwards in an engagement with the Spaniards, D'Ogeron
+lost seventeen men, and found his strength not sufficient to force the
+Spaniards to terms; upon which he withdrew from _Porto Rico_, and returned
+to _Tortuga_. The seventeen French officers that were spared in the
+massacre of the prisoners, the Governor of _Porto Rico_ put on board a
+vessel bound for the _Tierra Firma_, with the intention of transporting
+them to _Peru_; but from that fate they were delivered by meeting at sea
+with an English Buccaneer cruiser. Thus, by the French Governor General
+disputing about a trifling balance, three hundred of the French
+Buccaneers, whilst employed for the French king's service under one of his
+officers, were sacrificed.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. VII.
+
+ _=Thomas Peche=. Attempt of =La Sound= to cross the =Isthmus of
+ America=. Voyage of =Antonio de Vea= to the =Strait of
+ Magalhanes=. Various Adventures of the Buccaneers, in the
+ =West Indies=, to the year 1679._
+
+
+[Sidenote: 1673. Thomas Peche.] In 1673, Thomas Peche, an Englishman,
+fitted out a ship in _England_ for a piratical voyage to the _South Sea_
+against the Spaniards. Previous to this, Peche had been many years a
+Buccaneer in the _West Indies_, and therefore his voyage to the _South
+Sea_ is mentioned as a Buccaneer expedition; but it was in no manner
+connected with any enterprise in or from the _West Indies_. The only
+information we have of Peche's voyage is from a Spanish author, _Seixas y
+Lovera_; and by that it may be conjectured that Peche sailed to the
+_Aleutian Isles_.[12]
+
+[Sidenote: 1675.] About this time the French West-India Company was
+suppressed; but another Company was at the same time erected in its stead,
+and under the unpromising title of _Compagnie des Fermiers du domaine
+d'Occident_.
+
+[Sidenote: La Sound attempts to cross the Isthmus.] Since the plundering
+of _Panama_, the imaginations of the Buccaneers had been continually
+running on expeditions to the _South Sea_. This was well known to the
+Spaniards, and produced many forebodings and prophecies, in _Spain_ as
+well as in _Peru_, of great invasions both by sea and land. The alarm was
+increased by an attempt of a French Buccaneer, named La Sound, with a
+small body of men, to cross over land to the _South Sea_. La Sound got no
+farther than the town of _Cheapo_, and was driven back. Dampier relates,
+'Before my going to the _South Seas_, I being then on board a privateer
+off _Portobel_, we took a packet from _Carthagena_. We opened a great many
+of the merchants' letters, several of which informed their correspondents
+of a certain prophecy that went about _Spain_ that year, the tenor of
+which was, _That the English privateers in the West Indies would that year
+open a door into the South Seas_.'
+
+[Sidenote: Voyage of Ant. de Vea to the Strait of Magalhanes.] In 1675, it
+was reported and believed in _Peru_, that strange ships, supposed to be
+Pirates, had been seen on the coast of _Chili_, and it was apprehended
+that they designed to form an establishment there. In consequence of this
+information or rumour, the Viceroy sent a ship from _Peru_, under the
+command of Don Antonio de Vea, accompanied with small barks as tenders, to
+reconnoitre the _Gulf de la Santissima Trinidada_, and to proceed thence
+to the West entrance of the _Strait of Magalhanes_. De Vea made
+examination at those places, and was convinced, from the poverty of the
+land, that no settlement of Europeans could be maintained there. One of
+the Spanish barks, with a crew of sixteen men, was wrecked on the small
+Islands called _Evangelists_, at the West entrance of the _Strait_. De Vea
+returned to _Callao_ in April 1676[13].
+
+[Sidenote: 1676.] The cattle in _Hispaniola_ had again multiplied so much
+as to revive the business of hunting and the _boucan_. In 1676, some
+French who had habitations in the _Peninsula of Samana_ (the NE part of
+_Hispaniola_) made incursions on the Spaniards, and plundered one of their
+villages. Not long afterwards, the Spaniards learnt that in _Samana_ there
+were only women and children, the men being all absent on the chace; and
+that it would be easy to surprise not only the habitations, but the
+hunters also, who had a boucan at a place called the _Round Mountain_.
+[Sidenote: Massacre of the French in Samana.] This the Spaniards
+executed, and with such full indulgence to their wish to extirpate the
+French in _Hispaniola_, that they put to the sword every one they found at
+both the places. The French, in consequence of this misfortune,
+strengthened their fortifications at _Cape Francois_, and made it their
+principal establishment in the Island.
+
+[Sidenote: 1678. French Fleet wrecked on the Isles de Aves.] In 1678, the
+French again undertook an expedition against the Dutch Island _Curacao_,
+with a large fleet of the French king's ships, under the command of
+Admiral the Count d'Etrees. The French Court were so earnest for the
+conquest of _Curacao_, to wipe off the disgrace of the former failure,
+that the Governor of _Tortuga_ was ordered to raise 1200 men to join the
+Admiral d'Etrees. The king's troops within his government did not exceed
+300 men; nevertheless, the Governor collected the number required, the
+Flibustiers willingly engaging in the expedition. Part of them embarked on
+board the king's ships, and part in their own cruising vessels. By mistake
+in the navigation, d'Etrees ran ashore in the middle of the night on some
+small Isles to the East of _Curacao_, called _de Aves_, which are
+surrounded with breakers, and eighteen of his ships, besides some of the
+Flibustier vessels, were wrecked. The crews were saved, excepting about
+300 men.
+
+The _Curacao_ expedition being thus terminated, the Flibustiers who had
+engaged in it, after saving as much as they could of the wrecks, went on
+expeditions of their own planning, to seek compensation for their
+disappointment and loss. [Sidenote: Granmont.] Some landed on _Cuba_, and
+pillaged _Puerto del Principe_. One party, under Granmont, a leader noted
+for the success of his enterprises, went to the Gulf of _Venezuela_, and
+the ill-fated towns _Maracaibo_ and _Gibraltar_ were again plundered; but
+what the Buccaneers obtained was not of much value. In August this year,
+_France_ concluded a treaty of peace with _Spain_ and _Holland_.
+
+The Government in _Jamaica_ had by this time relapsed to its former
+propensities, and again encouraged the Buccaneers, and shared in their
+gains. One crew of Buccaneers carried there a vessel taken from the
+Spaniards, the cargo of which produced for each man's share to the value
+of 400_l._ After disposing of the cargo, they burnt the vessel; and
+'having paid the Governor his duties, they embarked for _England_, where,'
+added the author, 'some of them live in good reputation to this day[14].'
+
+As long as the war had lasted between _France_ and _Spain_, the French
+Buccaneers had the advantage of being lawful privateers. An English
+Buccaneer relates, 'We met a French private ship of war, mounting eight
+guns, who kept in our company some days. Her commission was only for three
+months. We shewed him our commission, which was for three years to come.
+This we had purchased at a cheap rate, having given for it only ten pieces
+of eight; but the truth of the thing was, that our commission was made out
+at first only for three months, the same date as the Frenchman's, whereas
+among ourselves we contrived to make it that it should serve for three
+years, for with this we were resolved to seek our fortunes.' Whenever
+_Spain_ was at war with another European Power, adventurers of any country
+found no difficulty in the _West Indies_ in procuring commissions to war
+against the Spaniards; with which commission, and carrying aloft the flag
+of the nation hostile to _Spain_, they assumed that they were lawful
+enemies. Such pretensions did them small service if they fell into the
+hands of the Spaniards; but they were allowed in the ports of neutral
+nations, which benefited by being made the mart of the Buccaneer prize
+goods; and the Buccaneers thought themselves well recompensed in having a
+ready market, and the security of the port.
+
+[Sidenote: 1678. Darien Indians.] The enterprises of the Buccaneers on the
+_Tierra Firma_ and other parts of the American Continent, brought them
+into frequent intercourse with the natives of those parts, and produced
+friendships, and sometimes alliances against the Spaniards, with whom each
+were alike at constant enmity. But there sometimes happened disagreements
+between them and the natives. The Buccaneers, if they wanted provisions or
+assistance from the Indians, had no objection to pay for it when they had
+the means; nor had the natives objection to supply them on that condition,
+and occasionally out of pure good will. The Buccaneers nevertheless, did
+not always refrain from helping themselves, with no other leave than their
+own. Sometime before Morgan's expedition to _Panama_, they had given the
+Indians of _Darien_ much offence; but shortly after that expedition, they
+were reconciled, in consequence of which, the Darien Indians had assisted
+La Sound. In 1678, they gave assistance to another party of Flibustiers
+which went against _Cheapo_, under a French Captain named Bournano, and
+offered to conduct them to a place called _Tocamoro_, where they said the
+Spaniards had much gold. Bournano did not think his force sufficient to
+take advantage of their offer, but promised he would come again and be
+better provided.
+
+[Sidenote: 1679. Porto Bello surprised by the Buccaneers.] In 1679, three
+Buccaneer vessels (two of them English, and one French) joined in an
+attempt to plunder _Porto Bello_. They landed 200 men at such a distance
+from the town, that it occupied them three nights in travelling, for
+during the day they lay concealed in the woods, before they reached it.
+Just as they came to the town, they were discovered by a negro, who ran
+before to give intelligence of their coming; but the Buccaneers were so
+quickly after him, that they got possession of the town before the
+inhabitants could take any step for their defence, and, being
+unacquainted with the strength of the enemy, they all fled. The Buccaneers
+remained in the town collecting plunder two days and two nights, all the
+time in apprehension that the Spaniards would; 'pour in the country' upon
+their small force, or intercept their retreat. They got back however to
+their ships unmolested, and, on a division of the booty, shared 160 pieces
+of eight to each man.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. VIII.
+
+ _Meeting of Buccaneers at the =Samballas=, and =Golden Island=.
+ Party formed by the English Buccaneers to cross the =Isthmus=.
+ Some account of the Native Inhabitants of the =Mosquito
+ Shore=._
+
+
+Immediately after the plundering of _Porto Bello_, a number of Buccaneer
+vessels, both English and French, on the report which had been made by
+Captain Bournano, assembled at the _Samballas_, or _Isles of San Blas_,
+near the coast of _Darien_. One of these vessels was commanded by
+Bournano. The Indians of _Darien_ received them as friends and allies, but
+they now disapproved the project of going to _Tocamoro_. The way thither,
+they said, was mountainous, and through a long tract of uninhabited
+country, in which it would be difficult to find subsistence; and instead
+of _Tocamoro_, they advised going against the city of _Panama_. [Sidenote:
+1680. Golden Island.] Their representation caused the design upon
+_Tocamoro_ to be given up. The English Buccaneers were for attacking
+_Panama_; but the French objected to the length of the march; and on this
+difference, the English and French separated, the English Buccaneers going
+to an Island called by them _Golden Island_, which is the most eastern of
+the _Samballas_, if not more properly to be said to the eastward of all
+the _Samballas_.
+
+Without the assistance of the French, _Panama_ was too great an
+undertaking. They were bent, however, on crossing the _Isthmus_; and at
+the recommendation of their Darien friends, they determined to visit a
+Spanish town named _Santa Maria_, situated on the banks of a river that
+ran into the _South Sea_. The Spaniards kept a good garrison at _Santa
+Maria_, on account of gold which was collected from mountains in its
+neighbourhood.
+
+The Buccaneers who engaged in this expedition were the crews of seven
+vessels, of force as in the following list:
+
+ Guns Men
+ A vessel of 8 and 97 commanded by John Coxon.
+ -- 25 - 107 ---- Peter Harris.
+ -- 1 - 35 ---- Richard Sawkins.
+ -- 2 - 40 ---- Bart. Sharp.
+ -- 0 - 43 ---- Edmond Cook.
+ -- 0 - 24 ---- Robert Alleston.
+ -- 0 - 20 ---- ---- Macket.
+
+It was settled that Alleston and Macket, with 35 men, themselves included,
+should be left to guard the vessels during the absence of those who went
+on the expedition, which was not expected to be of long continuance. These
+matters were arranged at _Golden Island_, and agreement made with the
+Darien Indians to furnish them with subsistence during the march.
+
+William Dampier, a seaman at that time of no celebrity, but of good
+observation and experience, was among these Buccaneers, and of the party
+to cross the _Isthmus_; as was Lionel Wafer, since well known for his
+_Description of the Isthmus of Darien_, who had engaged with them as
+surgeon.
+
+[Sidenote: Account of the Mosquito Indians.] In this party of Buccaneers
+were also some native Americans, of a small tribe called Mosquito Indians,
+who inhabited the sea coast on each side of _Cape Gracias a Dios_, one way
+towards the river _San Juan de Nicaragua_, the other towards the _Gulf of
+Honduras_, which is called the _Mosquito Shore_. If Europeans had any plea
+in justification of their hostility against the Spaniards in the _West
+Indies_, much more had the native Americans. The Mosquito Indians,
+moreover, had long been, and were at the time of these occurrences, in an
+extraordinary degree attached to the English, insomuch that voluntarily of
+their own choice they acknowledged the King of _Great Britain_ for their
+sovereign. They were an extremely ingenious people, and were greatly
+esteemed by the European seamen in the _West Indies_, on account of their
+great expertness in the use of the harpoon, and in taking turtle. The
+following character of them is given by Dampier: 'These Mosquito Indians,'
+he says; 'are tall, well made, strong, and nimble of foot; long visaged,
+lank black hair, look stern, and are of a dark copper complexion. They are
+but a small nation or family. They are very ingenious in throwing the
+lance, or harpoon. They have extraordinary good eyes, and will descry a
+sail at sea, farther than we. For these things, they are esteemed and
+coveted by all privateers; for one or two of them in a ship, will
+sometimes maintain a hundred men. When they come among privateers, they
+learn the use of guns, and prove very good marksmen. They behave
+themselves bold in fight, and are never seen to flinch, or hang back; for
+they think that the white men with whom they are, always know better than
+they do, when it is best to fight; and be the disadvantage never so great,
+they do not give back while any of their party stand. These Mosquito men
+are in general very kind to the English, of whom they receive a great deal
+of respect, both on board their ships, and on shore, either in _Jamaica_,
+or elsewhere. We always humour them, letting them go any where as they
+will, and return to their country in any vessel bound that way, if they
+please. They will have the management of themselves in their striking
+fish, and will go in their own little canoe, nor will they then let any
+white man come in their canoe; all which we allow them. For should we
+cross them, though they should see shoals of fish, or turtle, or the like,
+they will purposely strike their harpoons and turtle-irons aside, or so
+glance them as to kill nothing. They acknowledge the King of England for
+their sovereign, learn our language, and take the Governor of _Jamaica_ to
+be one of the greatest princes in the world. While they are among the
+English, they wear good cloaths, and take delight to go neat and tight;
+but when they return to their own country, they put by all their cloaths,
+and go after their own country fashion.'
+
+In Dampier's time, it was the custom among the Mosquito Indians, when
+their Chief died, for his successor to obtain a commission, appointing him
+Chief, from the Governor of _Jamaica_; and till he received his commission
+he was not acknowledged in form by his countrymen[15].
+
+How would Dampier have been grieved, if he could have foreseen that this
+simple and honest people, whilst their attachment to the English had
+suffered no diminution, would be delivered by the British Government into
+the hands of the Spaniards; which, from all experience of what had
+happened, was delivering them to certain destruction.
+
+Before this unhappy transaction took place, and after the time Dampier
+wrote, the British Government took actual possession of the Mosquito
+Country, by erecting a fort, and stationing there a garrison of British
+troops. British merchants settled among the Mosquito natives, and
+magistrates were appointed with authority to administer justice. Mosquito
+men were taken into British pay to serve as soldiers, of which the
+following story is related in Long's History of _Jamaica_; 'In the year
+1738, the Government of _Jamaica_ took into their pay two hundred Mosquito
+Indians, to assist in the suppression of the Maroons or Wild Negroes.
+During a march on this service, one of their white conductors shot a wild
+hog. The Mosquito men told him, that was not the way to surprise the
+negroes, but to put them on their guard; and if he wanted provisions, they
+would kill the game equally well with their arrows. They effected
+considerable service on this occasion, and were well rewarded for their
+good conduct; and when a pacification took place with the Maroons, they
+were sent well satisfied to their own country.'
+
+In the year 1770, there resided in the _Mosquito Country_ of British
+settlers, between two and three hundred whites, as many of mixed blood,
+and 900 slaves. On the breaking out of the war between _Great Britain_ and
+_Spain_, in 1779, when the Spaniards drove the British logwood cutters
+from their settlements in the _Bay of Honduras_, the Mosquito men armed
+and assisted the British troops of the line in the recovery of the logwood
+settlements. They behaved on that occasion, and on others in which they
+served against the Spaniards, with their accustomed fidelity. An English
+officer, who was in the _West Indies_ during that war, has given a
+description of the Mosquito men, which exactly agrees with what Dampier
+has said; and all that is related of them whilst with the Buccaneers,
+gives the most favourable impression of their dispositions and character.
+It was natural to the Spaniards to be eagerly desirous to get the Mosquito
+Country and people into their power; but it was not natural that such a
+proposition should be listened to by the British. Nevertheless, the matter
+did so happen.
+
+When notice was received in the _West Indies_, that a negociation was on
+foot for the delivery of the _Mosquito Shore_ to _Spain_, the Council at
+_Jamaica_ drew up a Report and Remonstrance against it; in which was
+stated, that 'the number of the Mosquito Indians, so justly remarkable for
+their fixed hereditary hatred to the Spaniards, and attachment to us, were
+from seven to ten thousand.' Afterwards, in continuation, the Memorial
+says, 'We beg leave to state the nature of His Majesty's territorial
+right, perceiving with alarm, from papers submitted to our inspection,
+that endeavours have been made to create doubts as to His Majesty's just
+claims to the sovereignty of this valuable and delightful country. The
+native Indians of this country have never submitted to the Spanish
+Government. The Spaniards never had any settlement amongst them. During
+the course of 150 years they have maintained a strict and uninterrupted
+alliance with the subjects of _Great Britain_. They made a free and formal
+cession of the dominion of their country to His Majesty's predecessors,
+acknowledging the King of _Great Britain_ for their sovereign, long before
+the American Treaty concluded at _Madrid_ in 1670; and consequently, by
+the eighth Article of that Treaty, our right was declared[16].' In one
+Memorial and Remonstrance which was presented to the British Ministry on
+the final ratification (in 1786) of the Treaty, it is complained, that
+thereby his Majesty had given up to the King of _Spain_ 'the Indian
+people, and country of the _Mosquito Shore_, which formed the most secure
+West-Indian Province possessed by _Great Britain_, and which we held by
+the most pure and perfect title of sovereignty.' Much of this is
+digression; but the subject unavoidably came into notice, and could not be
+hastily quitted.
+
+Some mercantile arrangement, said to be advantageous to _Great Britain_,
+but which has been disputed, was the publicly assigned motive to this act.
+It has been conjectured that a desire to shew civility to the Prime
+Minister of _Spain_ was the real motive. Only blindness or want of
+information could give either of these considerations such fatal
+influence.
+
+The making over, or transferring, inhabited territory from the dominion
+and jurisdiction of one state to that of another, has been practised not
+always with regard for propriety. It has been done sometimes unavoidably,
+sometimes justly, and sometimes inexecusably. Unavoidably, when a weaker
+state is necessitated to submit to the exactions of a stronger. Justly,
+when the inhabitants of the territory it is proposed to transfer, are
+consulted, and give their consent. Also it may be reckoned just to
+exercise the power of transferring a conquered territory, the inhabitants
+of which have not been received and adopted as fellow subjects with the
+subjects of the state under whose power it had fallen.
+
+The inhabitants of a territory who with their lands are transferred to the
+dominion of a new state without their inclinations being consulted, are
+placed in the condition of a conquered people.
+
+The connexion of the Mosquito people with _Great Britain_ was formed in
+friendship, and was on each side a voluntary engagement. That it was an
+engagement, should be no question. In equity and honour, whoever permits
+it to be believed that he has entered into an engagement, thereby becomes
+engaged. The Mosquito people were known to believe, and had been allowed
+to continue in the belief, that they were permanently united to the
+British. The Governors of _Jamaica_ giving commissions for the instalment
+of their chief, the building a fort, and placing a garrison in the
+country, shew both acceptance of their submission and exercise of
+sovereignty.
+
+Vattel has described this case. He says, 'When a nation has not sufficient
+strength of itself, and is not in a condition to resist its enemies, it
+may lawfully submit to a more powerful nation on certain conditions upon
+which they shall come to an agreement; and the pact or treaty of
+submission will be afterwards the measure and rule of the rights of each.
+For that which submits, resigning a right it possessed, and conveying it
+to another, has an absolute power to make this conveyance upon what
+conditions it pleases; and the other, by accepting the submission on this
+footing, engages to observe religiously all the clauses in the treaty.
+
+When a nation has placed itself under the protection of another that is
+more powerful, or has submitted to it with a view of protection; if this
+last does not effectually grant its protection when wanted, it is manifest
+that by failing in its engagements it loses the rights it had acquired.'
+
+The rights lost or relinquished by _Great Britain_ might possibly be of
+small import to her; but the loss of our protection was of infinite
+consequence to the Mosquito people. Advantages supposed or real gained to
+_Great Britain_, is not to be pleaded in excuse or palliation for
+withdrawing her protection; for that would seem to imply that an
+engagement is more or less binding according to the greater or less
+interest there may be in observing it. But if there had been no
+engagement, the length and steadiness of their attachment to _Great
+Britain_ would have entitled them to her protection, and the nature of the
+case rendered the obligation sacred; for be it repeated, that experience
+had shewn the delivering them up to the dominion of the Spaniards, was
+delivering them to certain slavery and death. These considerations
+possibly might not occur, for there seems to have been a want of
+information on the subject in the British Ministry, and also a want of
+attention to the remonstrances made. The Mosquito Country, and the native
+inhabitants, the best affected and most constant of all the friends the
+British ever had, were abandoned in the summer of 1787, to the Spaniards,
+the known exterminators of millions of the native Americans, and who were
+moreover incensed against the Mosquito men, for the part they had always
+taken with the British, by whom they were thus forsaken. The British
+settlers in that country found it necessary, to withdraw as speedily as
+they had opportunity, with their effects.
+
+If the business had been fully understood, and the safety of _Great
+Britain_ had depended upon abandoning the Mosquito people to their
+merciless enemies, it would have been thought disgraceful by the nation to
+have done it; but the national interest being trivial, and the public in
+general being uninformed in the matter, the transaction took place without
+attracting much notice. A motion, however, was made in the British House
+of Lords, 'that the terms of the Convention with _Spain_, signed in July
+1786, did not meet the favourable opinion of this House;' and the noble
+Mover objected to that part of the Convention which related to the
+surrender of the British possessions on the _Mosquito Shore_, that it was
+a humiliation, and derogating from the rights of _Great Britain_. The
+first Article of the Treaty of 1786 says, 'His Britannic Majesty's
+subjects, and the other Colonists, who have hitherto enjoyed the
+protection of _England_, shall evacuate the Country of the Mosquitos, as
+well as the Continent in general, and the Islands adjacent, without
+exception, situated beyond the line hereafter described, as what ought to
+be the extent of territory granted by his Catholic Majesty to the
+English.'
+
+In the debate, rights were asserted for _Spain_, not only to what she then
+possessed on the Continent of _America_, but to parts she had never
+possessed. Was this want of information, or want of consideration? The
+word 'granted' was improperly introduced. In truth and justice, the claims
+of _Spain_ to _America_ are not to be acknowledged rights. They were
+founded in usurpation, and prosecuted by the extermination of the lawful
+and natural proprietors. It is an offence to morality and to humanity to
+pretend that _Spain_ had so clear and just a title to any part of her
+possessions on the Continent of _America_, as _Great Britain_ had to the
+_Mosquito_ Country. The rights of the Mosquito people, and their claims to
+the friendship of _Great Britain_, were not sufficiently made known; and
+the motion was negatived. It might have been of service in this debate to
+have quoted Dampier.
+
+In conclusion, the case of the Mosquito people deserves, and demands the
+reconsideration of _Great Britain_. If, on examination, it shall be proved
+that they have been ungenerously and unjustly treated, it may not be too
+late to seek to make reparation, which ought to be done as far as
+circumstances will yet admit. The first step towards this would be, to
+institute enquiry if there are living any of our forsaken friends, or of
+their posterity, and what is their present condition. If the Mosquito
+people have been humanely and justly governed since their separation from
+_Great Britain_, the enquiry will give the Spaniards cause for triumph,
+and the British cause to rejoice that evil has not resulted from their
+act. On the other hand, should it be found that they have shared in the
+common calamities heaped upon the natives of _America_ by the Spaniards,
+then, if there yet exist enough of their tribe to form a nation, it would
+be right to restore them, if practicable, to the country and situation of
+which their fathers were deprived, or to find them an equivalent; and at
+any price or pains, to deliver them from oppression. If only few remain,
+those few should be freed from their bondage, and be liberally provided
+with lands and maintenance in our own _West-India Islands_.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. IX.
+
+ _Journey of the Buccaneers across the =Isthmus of America=._
+
+
+[Sidenote: 1680. April 5th, Buccaneers land on the Isthmus.] On the 5th of
+April, 1680, three hundred and thirty-one Buccaneers, most of them
+English, passed over from _Golden Island_, and landed in _Darien_, 'each
+man provided with four cakes of bread called dough-boys, with a fusil, a
+pistol, and a hanger.' They began their journey marshalled in divisions,
+with distinguishing flags, under their several commanders, Bartholomew
+Sharp and his men taking the lead. Many Darien Indians kept them company
+as their confederates, and supplied them with plantains, fruit, and
+venison, for which payment was made in axes, hatchets, knives, needles,
+beads, and trinkets; all which the Buccaneers had taken care to come well
+provided with. Among the Darien Indians in company were two Chiefs, who
+went by the names of Captain Andreas and Captain Antonio.
+
+[Sidenote: The First Day's March.] The commencement of their march was
+through the skirt of a wood, which having passed, they proceeded about a
+league by the side of a bay, and afterwards about two leagues directly up
+a woody valley, where was an Indian house and plantation by the side of a
+river. Here they took up their lodging for the night, those who could not
+be received in the house, building huts. The Indians were earnest in
+cautioning them against sleeping in the grass, on account of adders. This
+first day's journey discouraged four of the Buccaneers, and they returned
+to the ships. Stones were found in the river, which on being broken, shone
+with sparks of gold. These stones, they were told, were driven down from
+the neighbouring mountains by torrents during the rainy season[17].
+
+[Sidenote: Second Day's Journey.] The next morning, at sunrise, they
+proceeded in their journey, labouring up a steep hill, which they
+surmounted about three in the afternoon; and at the foot on the other
+side, they rested on the bank of a river, which Captain Andreas told them
+ran into the _South Sea_, and was the same by which the town of _Santa
+Maria_ was situated. They marched afterwards about six miles farther, over
+another steep hill, where the path was so narrow that seldom more than one
+man could pass at a time. At night, they took up their lodging by the side
+of the river, having marched this day, according to their computation,
+eighteen miles.
+
+[Sidenote: 7th. Third Day's Journey.] The next day, April the 7th, the
+march was continued by the river, the course of which was so serpentine,
+that they had to cross it almost at every half mile, sometimes up to their
+knees, sometimes to their middle, and running with a very swift current.
+About noon they arrived at some large Indian houses, neatly built, the
+sides of wood of the cabbage-tree, and the roofs of cane thatched over
+with palmito leaves. The interior had divisions into rooms, but no upper
+story; and before each house was a large plantain walk. Continuing their
+journey, at five in the afternoon, they came to a house belonging to a son
+of Captain Andreas, who wore a wreath of gold about his head, for which he
+was honoured by the Buccaneers with the title of King Golden Cap.
+[Sidenote: 8th.] They found their entertainment at King Golden Cap's house
+so good, that they rested there the whole of the following day.
+Bartholomew Sharp, who published a Journal of his expedition, says here,
+'The inhabitants of _Darien_ are for the most part very handsome,
+especially the female sex, who are also exceeding loving and free to the
+embraces of strangers.' This was calumny. Basil Ringrose, another
+Buccaneer, whose Journal has been published, and who is more entitled to
+credit than Sharp, as will be seen, says of the Darien women, 'they are
+generally well featured, very free, airy, and brisk; yet withal very
+modest.' Lionel Wafer also, who lived many months among the Indians of the
+_Isthmus_, speaks highly of the modesty, kindness of disposition, and
+innocency, of the Darien women.
+
+[Sidenote: 9th. Fourth Day's Journey.] On the 9th, after breakfast, they
+pursued their journey, accompanied by the Darien Chiefs, and about 200
+Indians, who were armed with bows and lances. They descended along the
+river, which they had to wade through between fifty and sixty times, and
+they came to a house 'only here and there.' At most of these houses, the
+owner, who had been apprised of the march of the Buccaneers, stood at the
+door, and as they passed, gave to each man a ripe plantain, or some sweet
+cassava root. If the Buccaneer desired more, he was expected to purchase.
+Some of the Indians, to count the number of the Buccaneers, for every man
+that went by dropped a grain of corn. That night they lodged at three
+large houses, where they found entertainment provided, and also canoes for
+them to descend the river, which began here to be navigable.
+
+[Sidenote: 10th. Fifth Day's Journey.] The next morning, as they were
+preparing to depart, two of the Buccaneer Commanders, John Coxon and Peter
+Harris, had some disagreement, and Coxon fired his musket at Harris, who
+was about to fire in return, but other Buccaneers interposed, and effected
+a reconciliation. Seventy of the Buccaneers embarked in fourteen canoes,
+in each of which two Indians also went, who best knew how to manage and
+guide them down the stream: the rest prosecuted their march by land. The
+men in the canoes found that mode of travelling quite as wearisome as
+marching, for at almost every furlong they were constrained to quit their
+boats to lanch them over rocks, or over trees that had fallen athwart the
+river, and sometimes over necks of land. At night, they stopped and made
+themselves huts on a green bank by the river's side. Here they shot
+wild-fowl.
+
+[Sidenote: 11th. Sixth Day's Journey.] The next day, the canoes continued
+to descend the river, having the same kind of impediments to overcome as
+on the preceding day; and at night, they lodged again on the green bank of
+the river. The land party had not kept up with them. Bartholomew Sharp
+says, 'Our supper entertainment was a very good sort of a wild beast
+called a _Warre_, which is much like to our English hog, and altogether as
+good. There are store of them in this part of the world: I observed that
+the navels of these animals grew upon their backs.' Wafer calls this
+species of the wild hog, _Pecary_[18]. In the night a small tiger came,
+and after looking at them some time, went away. The Buccaneers did not
+fire at him, lest the noise of their muskets should give alarm to the
+Spaniards at _S^{ta} Maria_.
+
+[Sidenote: 12th. Seventh Day's Journey.] The next day, the water party
+again embarked, but under some anxiety at being so long without having any
+communication with the party marching by land. Captain Andreas perceiving
+their uneasiness, sent a canoe back up the river, which returned before
+sunset with some of the land party, and intelligence that the rest were
+near at hand.
+
+[Sidenote: 13th.] Tuesday the 13th, early in the day, the Buccaneers
+arrived at a beachy point of land, where another stream from the uplands
+joined the river. This place had sometimes been the rendezvous of the
+Darien Indians, when they collected for attack or defence against the
+Spaniards; and here the whole party now made a halt, to rest themselves,
+and to clean and prepare their arms. They also made paddles and oars to
+row with; for thus far down the river, the canoes had been carried by the
+stream, and guided with poles: but here the river was broad and deep.
+
+[Sidenote: 14th.] On the 14th, the whole party, Buccaneers and Indians,
+making nearly 600 men, embarked in 68 canoes, which the Indians had
+provided. At midnight, they put to land, within half a mile of the town of
+_S^{ta} Maria_. [Sidenote: 15th.] In the morning at the break of day, they
+heard muskets fired by the guard in the town, and a 'drum beating _a
+travailler_[19].' [Sidenote: Fort of S^{ta} Maria taken.] The Buccaneers
+put themselves in motion, and by seven in the morning came to the open
+ground before the Fort, when the Spaniards began firing upon them. The
+Fort was formed simply with palisadoes, without brickwork, so that after
+pulling down two or three of the palisadoes, the Buccaneers entered
+without farther opposition, and without the loss of a man; nevertheless,
+they acted with so little moderation or mercy, that twenty-six Spaniards
+were killed, and sixteen wounded. After the surrender, the Indians took
+many of the Spaniards into the adjoining woods, where they killed them
+with lances; and if they had not been discovered in their amusement, and
+prevented, not a Spaniard would have been left alive. It is said in a
+Buccaneer account, that they found here the eldest daughter of the King of
+_Darien_, Captain Andreas, who had been forced from her father's house by
+one of the garrison, and was with child by him; which greatly incensed the
+father against the Spaniards.
+
+The Buccaneers were much disappointed in their expectations of plunder,
+for the Spaniards had by some means received notice of their intended
+visit in time to send away almost all that was of value. A Buccaneer says,
+'though we examined our prisoners severely, the whole that we could
+pillage, either in the town or fort, amounted only to twenty pounds weight
+of gold, and a small quantity of silver; whereas three days sooner, we
+should have found three hundred pounds weight in gold in the Fort.'
+
+[Sidenote: John Coxon chosen Commander.] The majority of the Buccaneers
+were desirous to proceed in their canoes to the _South Sea_, to seek
+compensation for their disappointment at _S^{ta} Maria_. John Coxon and
+his followers were for returning; on which account, and not from an
+opinion of his capability, those who were for the _South Sea_, offered
+Coxon the post of General, provided he and his men would join in their
+scheme, which offer was accepted.
+
+It was then determined to descend with the stream of the river to the
+_Gulf de San Miguel_, which is on the East side of the _Bay of Panama_.
+The greater part of the Darien Indians, however, separated from them at
+_S^{ta} Maria_, and returned to their homes. The Darien Chief Andreas, and
+his son Golden Cap, with some followers, continued with the Buccaneers.
+
+Among the people of _Darien_ were remarked some white, 'fairer than any
+people in Europe, who had hair like unto the finest flax; and it was
+reported of them that they could see farther in the dark than in the
+light[20].'
+
+The River of _S^{ta} Maria_ is the largest of several rivers which fall
+into the _Gulf de San Miguel_. Abreast where the town stood, it was
+reckoned to be twice as broad as the _River Thames_ is at _London_. The
+rise and fall of the tide there was two fathoms and a half[21].
+
+[Sidenote: April 17th.] April the 17th, the Buccaneers and their remaining
+allies embarked from _S^{ta} Maria_, in canoes and a small bark which was
+found at anchor before the town. About thirty Spaniards who had been made
+prisoners, earnestly entreated that they should not be left behind to fall
+into the hands of the Indians. 'We had much ado,' say the Buccaneers, 'to
+find boats enough for ourselves: the Spaniards, however, found or made
+bark logs, and it being for their lives, made shift to come along with
+us.' [Sidenote: 18th, They arrive at the South Sea.] At ten that night it
+was low water, and they stopped on account of the flood tide. The next
+morning they pursued their course to the sea.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. X.
+
+ _First Buccaneer Expedition in the =South Sea=._
+
+
+[Sidenote: 1680. April 19th. In the Bay of Panama. 22d. Island Chepillo.]
+On the 19th of April, the Buccaneers, under the command of John Coxon,
+entered the _Bay of Panama_; and the same day, at one of the Islands in
+the _Bay_, they captured a Spanish vessel of 30 tons, on board of which
+130 of the Buccaneers immediately placed themselves, glad to be relieved
+from the cramped and crowded state they had endured in the canoes. The
+next day another small bark was taken. The pursuit of these vessels, and
+seeking among the Islands for provisions, had separated the Buccaneers;
+but they had agreed to rendezvous at the Island _Chepillo_, near the
+entrance of the River _Cheapo_. Sharp, however, and some others, wanting
+fresh water, went to the _Pearl Islands_. The rest got to _Chepillo_ on
+the 22d, where they found good provision of plantains, fresh water, and
+hogs; and at four o'clock that same afternoon, they rowed from the Island
+towards _Panama_.
+
+By this time, intelligence of their being in the _Bay_ had reached the
+city. Eight vessels were lying in the road, three of which the Spaniards
+hastily equipped, manning them with the crews of all the vessels, and the
+addition of men from the shore; the whole, according to the Buccaneer
+accounts, not exceeding 230 men, and not more than one-third of them being
+Europeans; the rest were mulattoes and negroes.
+
+[Sidenote: 23d. Battle with a small Spanish Armament. The Buccaneers
+victorious.] On the 23d, before sunrise, the Buccaneers came in sight of
+the city; and as soon as they were descried, the three armed Spanish ships
+got under sail, and stood towards them. The conflict was severe, and
+lasted the greater part of the day, when it terminated in the defeat of
+the Spaniards, two of their vessels being carried by boarding, and the
+third obliged to save herself by flight. The Spanish Commander fell, with
+many of his people. Of the Buccaneers, 18 were killed, and above 30
+wounded. Peter Harris, one of their Captains, was among the wounded, and
+died two days after.
+
+One Buccaneer account says, 'we were in all 68 men that were engaged in
+the fight of that day.' Another Buccaneer relates, 'we had sent away the
+Spanish bark to seek fresh water, and had put on board her above one
+hundred of our best men; so that we had only canoes for this fight, and in
+them not above 200 fighting men.' The Spanish ships fought with great
+bravery, but were overmatched, being manned with motley and untaught
+crews; whereas the Buccaneers had been in constant training to the use of
+their arms; and their being in canoes was no great disadvantage, as they
+had a smooth sea to fight in. [Sidenote: Richard Sawkins.] The valour of
+Richard Sawkins, who, after being three times repulsed, succeeded in
+boarding and capturing one of the Spanish ships, was principally
+instrumental in gaining the victory to the Buccaneers. It gained him also
+their confidence, and the more fully as some among them were thought to
+have shewn backwardness, of which number John Coxon, their elected
+Commander, appears to have been. The Darien Chiefs were in the heat of the
+battle.
+
+[Sidenote: The New City of Panama, four miles Westward of the Old City.
+The Buccaneers take several Prizes.] Immediately after the victory, the
+Buccaneers stood towards _Panama_, then a new city, and on a different
+site from the old, being four miles Westward of the ruins of the city
+burnt by Morgan. The old city had yet some inhabitants. The present
+adventurers did not judge their strength sufficient for landing, and they
+contented themselves with capturing the vessels that were at anchor near
+the small Islands of _Perico_, in the road before the city. One of these
+vessels was a ship named the Trinidad, of 400 tons burthen, in good
+condition, a fast sailer, and had on board a cargo principally consisting
+of wine, sugar, and sweetmeats; and moreover a considerable sum of money.
+The Spanish crew, before they left her, had both scuttled and set her on
+fire, but the Buccaneers took possession in time to extinguish the flames,
+and to stop the leaks. In the other prizes they found flour and
+ammunition; and two of them, besides the Trinidad, they fitted up for
+cruising. Two prize vessels, and a quantity of goods which were of no use
+to them, as iron, skins, and soap, which the Spaniards at _Panama_ refused
+to ransom, they destroyed. Besides these, they captured among the Islands
+some small vessels laden with poultry. Thus in less than a week after
+their arrival across the _Isthmus_ to the coast of the _South Sea_, they
+were provided with a small fleet, not ill equipped; and with which they
+now formed an actual and close blockade by sea, of _Panama_, stationing
+themselves at anchor in front of the city.
+
+[Sidenote: Panama, the new City.] This new city was already considerably
+larger than old _Panama_ had ever been, its extent being in length full a
+mile and a half, and in breadth above a mile. The churches (eight in
+number) were not yet finished. The cathedral church at the Old Town was
+still in use, 'the beautiful building whereof,' says Ringrose, 'maketh a
+fair show at a distance, like unto the church of St. Paul's at _London_.
+Round the city for the space of seven leagues, more or less, all the
+adjacent country is what they call in the Spanish language, _Savana_, that
+is to say, plain and level ground, as smooth as a sheet; only here and
+there is to be seen a small spot of woody land. And every where, this
+level ground is full of _vacadas_, where whole droves of cows and oxen are
+kept. But the ground whereon the city standeth, is damp and moist, and of
+bad repute for health. The sea is also very full of worms, much
+prejudicial to shipping, for which reason the king's ships are always
+kept near _Lima_. We found here in one night after our arrival, worms of
+three quarters of an inch in length, both in our bed-cloaths and other
+apparel.'
+
+[Sidenote: Coxon and his Men return to the West Indies.] Within two or
+three days after the battle with the Spanish Armadilla, discord broke out
+among the Buccaneers. The reflections made upon the behaviour of Coxon and
+some of his followers, determined him and seventy men to return by the
+River of _S^{ta} Maria_ over the _Isthmus_ to the _North Sea_. Two of the
+small prize vessels were given them for this purpose, and at the same
+time, the Darien Chiefs, Captain Andreas and Captain Antonio, with most of
+their people, departed to return to their homes. Andreas shewed his
+goodwill towards the Buccaneers who remained in the _South Sea_, by
+leaving with them a son and one of his nephews.
+
+[Sidenote: Richard Sawkins chosen Commander.] On the departure of Coxon,
+Richard Sawkins was chosen General or Chief Commander. They continued ten
+days in the road before _Panama_, at the end of which they retired to an
+Island named _Taboga_, more distant, but whence they could see vessels
+going to, or coming from, _Panama_. At _Taboga_ they stopped nearly a
+fortnight, having had notice that a rich ship from _Lima_ was shortly
+expected; but she came not within that time. Some other vessels however
+fell into their hands, by which they obtained in specie between fifty and
+sixty thousand dollars, 1200 packs of flour, 2000 jars of wine, a quantity
+of brandy, sugar, sweetmeats, poultry, and other provisions, some
+gunpowder and shot, besides various other articles of merchandise. Among
+their prisoners, were a number of negro slaves, which was a temptation to
+the merchants of _Panama_, to go to the ships whilst they lay at _Taboga_,
+who purchased part of the prize goods, and as many of the negroes as the
+Buccaneers would part with, giving for a negro two hundred pieces of
+eight; and they also sold to the Buccaneers such stores and commodities
+as they were in need of. [Sidenote: May.] Ringrose relates, that in the
+course of this communication, a message was delivered to their Chief from
+the Governor of _Panama_, demanding, "why, during a time of peace between
+_England_ and _Spain_, Englishmen should come into those seas, to commit
+injury? and from whom they had their commission so to do?" To which
+message, Sawkins returned answer, 'that he and his companions came to
+assist their friend the King of _Darien_, who was the rightful Lord of
+_Panama_, and all the country thereabouts. That as they had come so far,
+it was reasonable they should receive some satisfaction for their trouble;
+and if the Governor would send to them 500 pieces of eight for each man,
+and 1000 for each commander, and would promise not any farther to annoy
+the Darien Indians, their allies, that then the Buccaneers would desist
+from hostilities, and go quietly about their business.'
+
+By the Spaniards who traded with them, Sawkins learnt that the Bishop of
+_Panama_ was a person whom he had formerly taken prisoner in the _West
+Indies_, and sent him a small present as a token of regard; the Bishop
+sent a gold ring in return.
+
+[Sidenote: Island Taboga.] Sawkins would have waited longer for the rich
+ship expected from _Peru_; but all the live stock within reach had been
+consumed, and his men became impatient for fresh provisions. 'This
+_Taboga_,' says Sharp, 'is an exceeding pleasant island, abounding in
+fruits, such as pine-apples, oranges, lemons, pears, mammees, cocoa-nuts,
+and others; with a small, but brave commodious fresh river running in it.
+The anchorage is also clear and good.'
+
+[Sidenote: 15th. Island Otoque.] On the 15th of May, they sailed to the
+Island _Otoque_, at which place they found hogs and poultry; and, the same
+day, or the day following, they departed with three ships and two small
+barks, from the Bay of _Panama_, steering Westward for a Spanish town
+named _Pueblo Nuevo_.
+
+In this short distance they had much blowing weather and contrary winds,
+by which both the small barks, one with fifteen men, the other with seven
+men, were separated from the ships, and did not join them again. The crew
+of one of these barks returned over the _Isthmus_ with Coxon's party. The
+other bark was taken by the Spaniards.
+
+[Sidenote: At Quibo.] About the 21st, the ships anchored near the _Island
+Quibo_; from the North part of which, to the town of _Pueblo Nuevo_ on the
+main land, was reckoned eight leagues. [Sidenote: Attack of Pueblo Nuevo.]
+Sawkins, with sixty men, embarked on board the smallest ship, and sailed
+to the entrance of a river which leads to the town. He there left the ship
+with a few men to follow him, and proceeded with the rest in canoes up the
+river by night, having a negro prisoner for pilot. Those left with the
+care of the ship, 'entered the river, keeping close by the East shore, on
+which there is a round hill. Within two stones cast of the shore there was
+four fathoms depth; and within the point a very fine and large river
+opens. But being strangers to the place, the ship was run aground nigh a
+rock which lieth by the Westward shore; for the true channel of this river
+is nearer to the East than to the West shore. The Island _Quibo_ is SSE
+from the mouth of this river[22].'
+
+[Sidenote: Captain Sawkins is killed, and the Buccaneers retreat.] The
+canoes met with much obstruction from trees which the Spaniards had felled
+across the river; but they arrived before the town during the night. The
+Spaniards had erected some works, on which account the Buccaneers waited
+in their canoes till daylight, and then landed; when Richard Sawkins,
+advancing with the foremost of his men towards a breastwork, was killed,
+as were two of his followers. Sharp was the next in command, but he was
+disheartened by so unfortunate a beginning, and ordered a retreat. Three
+Buccaneers were wounded in the re-embarkation.
+
+In the narrative which Sharp himself published, he says, 'we landed at a
+_stockado_ built by the Spaniards, where we had a small rencounter with
+the enemy, who killed us three men, whereof the brave Captain Sawkins was
+one, and wounded four or five more; besides which we got nothing, so that
+we found it our best way to retreat down the river again.'
+
+The death of Sawkins was a great misfortune to the Buccaneers, and was
+felt by them as such. One Buccaneer relates, 'Captain Sawkins landing at
+_Pueblo Nuevo_ before the rest, as being a man of undaunted courage, and
+running up with a small party to a breastwork, was unfortunately killed.
+And this disaster occasioned a mutiny amongst our men; for our Commanders
+were not thought to be leaders fit for such hard enterprises. Now Captain
+Sharp was left in chief, and he was censured by many, and the contest grew
+to that degree that they divided into parties, and about 70 of our men
+fell off from us.'
+
+[Sidenote: Imposition practised by Sharp.] Ringrose was not in _England_
+when his Narrative was published; and advantage was taken of his absence,
+to interpolate in it some impudent passages in commendation of Sharp's,
+valour. In the printed Narrative attributed to Ringrose, he is made to
+say, 'Captain Sawkins in running up to the breastwork at the head of a few
+men was killed; a man as valiant and courageous as any could be, and, next
+unto Captain Sharp, the best beloved of all our company, or the most part
+thereof.'
+
+Ringrose's manuscript Journal has been preserved in the Sloane Collection,
+at the _British Museum_ (No. 3820[23] of Ayscough's Catalogue) wherein,
+with natural expression of affection and regard, he says, 'Captain Sawkins
+was a valiant and generous spirited man, and beloved above any other we
+ever had among us, which he well deserved.'
+
+[Sidenote: May. Sharp chosen Commander.] In their retreat down the river
+of _Pueblo Nuevo_, the Buccaneers took a ship laden with indigo, butter,
+and pitch; and burnt two other vessels. When returned to _Quibo_, they
+could not agree in the choice of a commander. Bartholomew Sharp had a
+greater number of voices than any other pretender, which he obtained by
+boasting that he would take them a cruise whereby he did not at all doubt
+they would return home with not less than a thousand pounds to each man.
+Sharp was elected by but a small majority. [Sidenote: Some separate, and
+return to the West Indies.] Between 60 and 70 men who had remained after
+Coxon quitted the command, from attachment to Captain Sawkins, would not
+stay to be commanded by Sharp, and departed from _Quibo_ in one of the
+prize vessels to return over the _Isthmus_ to the _West Indies_; where
+they safely arrived. All the Darien Indians also returned to the
+_Isthmus_. One hundred and forty-six Buccaneers remained with Bartholomew
+Sharp.
+
+[Sidenote: The Anchorage at Quibo.] 'On the SE side of the Island _Quibo_
+is a shoal, or spit of sand, which stretches out a quarter of a league
+into the sea[24].' Just within this shoal, in 14 fathoms depth, the
+Buccaneer ships lay at anchor. The Island abounded in fresh rivers, this
+being the rainy season. They caught red deer, turtle, and oysters.
+Ringrose says, 'here were oysters so large that we were forced to cut them
+into four pieces, each quarter being a good mouthful.' Here were also
+oysters of a smaller kind, from which the Spaniards collected pearls. They
+killed alligators at _Quibo_, some above 20 feet in length; 'they were
+very fearful, and tried to escape from those who hunted them.' Ringrose
+relates, that he stood under a manchineal tree to shelter himself from the
+rain, but some drops fell on his skin from the tree, which caused him to
+break out all over in red spots, and he was not well for a week
+afterwards.
+
+[Sidenote: June.] June the 6th, Sharp and his followers, in two ships,
+sailed from _Quibo_ Southward for the coast of _Peru_, intending to stop
+by the way at the _Galapagos Islands_; but the winds prevented them.
+[Sidenote: Island Gorgona.] On the 17th, they anchored on the South side
+of the _Island Gorgona_, near the mouth of a river. '_Gorgona_ is a high
+mountainous Island, about four leagues in circuit, and is distant about
+four leagues from the Continent. The anchorage is within a pistol-shot of
+the shore, in depth from 15 to 20 fathoms. At the SW of _Gorgona_ is a
+smaller Island, and without the same stands a small rock[25].' There were
+at this time streams of fresh water on every side of the Island.
+
+_Gorgona_ being uninhabited, was thought to be a good place of
+concealment. The Island supplied rabbits, monkeys, turtle, oysters, and
+birds; which provision was inducement to the Buccaneers, notwithstanding
+the rains, to remain there, indulging in idleness, till near the end of
+July, when the weather began to be dry. They killed a snake at _Gorgona_,
+eleven feet long, and fourteen inches in circumference.
+
+[Sidenote: July.] July the 25th, they put to sea. Sharp had expressed an
+intention to attack _Guayaquil_; but he was now of opinion that their long
+stay at _Gorgona_ must have occasioned their being discovered by the
+Spaniards, 'notwithstanding that he himself had persuaded them to stay;'
+their plan was therefore changed for the attack of places more Southward,
+where they would be less expected. [Sidenote: Island Plata.] The winds
+were from the Southward, and it was not till August the 13th, that they
+got as far as the _Island Plata_.
+
+[Sidenote: August.] The only landing at _Plata_ at this time, was on the
+NE side, near a deep valley, where the ships anchored in 12 fathoms. Goats
+were on this Island in such numbers, that they killed above a hundred in a
+day with little labour, and salted what they did not want for present use.
+Turtle and fish were in plenty. They found only one small spring of fresh
+water, which was near the landing place, and did not yield them more than
+20 gallons in the 24 hours. There were no trees on any part of the Island.
+
+[Sidenote: On the Coast of Peru.] From _Plata_ they proceeded Southward.
+The 25th, near _Cape St. Elena_, they met a Spanish ship from _Guayaquil_
+bound to _Panama_, which they took after a short action in which one
+Buccaneer was killed, and two others were wounded. In this prize they
+found 3000 dollars. They learnt from their prisoners, that one of the
+small buccaneer tenders, which had been separated from Sawkins in sailing
+from the _Bay of Panama_, had been taken by the Spaniards, after losing
+six men out of seven which composed her crew. [Sidenote: Adventure of a
+small Crew of Buccaneers.] Their adventure was as follows. Not being able
+to join their Commander Sawkins at _Quibo_, they sailed to the Island
+_Gallo_ near the Continent (in about 2 deg. N.) where they found a party of
+Spaniards, from whom they took three white women. A few days afterwards,
+they put in at another small Island, four leagues distant from _Gallo_,
+where they proposed to remain on the lookout, in hopes of seeing some of
+their friends come that way, as Sawkins had declared it his intention to
+go to the coast of _Peru_. Whilst they were waiting in this expectation, a
+Spaniard whom they had kept prisoner, made his escape from them, and got
+over to the main land. This small buccaneer crew had the imprudence
+nevertheless to remain in the same quarters long enough to give time for a
+party of Spaniards to pass over from the main land, which they did
+without being perceived, and placed themselves in ambuscade with so much
+advantage, that at one volley they killed six Buccaneers out of the seven:
+the one remaining became their prisoner.
+
+Sharp and his men divided the small sum of money taken in their last
+prize, and sunk her. Ringrose relates, 'we also punished a Friar and shot
+him upon the deck, casting him overboard while he was yet alive. I
+abhorred such cruelties, yet was forced to hold my tongue.' It is not said
+in what manner the Friar had offended, and Sharp does not mention the
+circumstance in his Journal.
+
+One of the two vessels in which the Buccaneers cruised, sailed badly, on
+which account she was abandoned, and they all embarked in the ship named
+the Trinidad.
+
+[Sidenote: September.] On the 4th of September they took a vessel from
+_Guayaquil_ bound for _Lima_, with a lading of timber, chocolate, raw
+silk, Indian cloth, and thread stockings. It appears here to have been a
+custom among the Buccaneers, for the first who boarded an enemy, or
+captured vessel, to be allowed some extra privilege of plunder. Ringrose
+says, 'we cast dice for the first entrance, and the lot fell to the
+larboard watch, so twenty men belonging to that watch, entered her.' They
+took out of this vessel as much of the cargo as they chose, and put some
+of their prisoners in her; after which they dismissed her with only one
+mast standing and one sail, that she should not be able to prosecute her
+voyage Southward. [Sidenote: October.] Sharp passed _Callao_ at a distance
+from land, being apprehensive there might be ships of war in the road.
+October the 26th, he was near the town of _Arica_, when the boats manned
+with a large party of Buccaneers departed from the ship with intention to
+attack the town; but, on coming near the shore, they found the surf high,
+and the whole country appeared to be in arms. [Sidenote: 28th. Ilo.] They
+returned to the ship, and it was agreed to bear away for _Ilo_, a small
+town on the coast, in latitude about 17 deg. 40' S. Their stock of fresh water
+was by this time so reduced, that they had come to an allowance of only
+half a pint for a man for the day; and it is related that a pint of water
+was sold in the ship for 30 dollars. They succeeded however in landing at
+_Ilo_, and obtained there fresh water, wine, fruits, flour, oil,
+chocolate, sugar, and other provisions. The Spaniards would give neither
+money nor cattle to have their buildings and plantations spared, and the
+Buccaneers committed all the mischief they could.
+
+[Sidenote: December. Shoals of Anchovies.] From _Ilo_ they proceeded
+Southward. December the 1st, in the night, being in latitude about 31 deg.,
+they found themselves in white water, like banks or breakers, which
+extended a mile or more in length; but they were relieved from their alarm
+by discovering that what they had apprehended to be rocks and breakers was
+a large shoal of anchovies.
+
+[Sidenote: On the Coast of Peru. La Serena plundered and burnt.] December
+the 3d, they landed at the town of _La Serena_, which they entered without
+opposition. Some Spaniards came to negociate with them to ransom the town
+from being burnt, for which they agreed to pay 95,000 pieces of eight; but
+the money came not at the time appointed, and the Buccaneers had reason to
+suspect the Spaniards intended to deceive them. [Sidenote: Attempt of the
+Spaniards to burn the Ship.] Ringrose relates, that a man ventured to come
+in the night from the shore, on a float made of a horse's hide blown up
+like a bladder. 'He being arrived at the ship, went under the stern and
+crammed oakum and brimstone and other combustible matter between the
+rudder and the stern-post. Having done this, he fired it with a match, so
+that in a small time our rudder was on fire, and all the ship in a smoke.
+Our men, both alarmed and amazed with this smoke, ran up and down the
+ship, suspecting the prisoners to have fired the vessel, thereby to get
+their liberty and seek our destruction. At last they found out where the
+fire was, and had the good fortune to quench it before its going too far.
+After which we sent the boat ashore, and found both the hide
+afore-mentioned, and the match burning at both ends, whereby we became
+acquainted with the whole matter.'
+
+By the _La Serena_ expedition they obtained five hundred pounds weight of
+silver. One of the crew died in consequence of hard drinking whilst on
+shore. They released all their prisoners here, except a pilot; after
+which, they stood from the Continent for _Juan Fernandez_. In their
+approach to that Island, it is remarked by Ringrose, that they saw neither
+bird, nor fish; and this being noticed to the pilot, he made answer, that
+he had many times sailed by _Juan Fernandez_, and had never seen either
+fish or fowl whilst at sea in sight of the Island.
+
+[Sidenote: Island Juan Fernandez.] On Christmas day, they anchored in a
+Bay at the South part of _Juan Fernandez_; but finding the winds SE and
+Southerly, they quitted that anchorage, and went to a Bay on the North
+side of the Island, where they cast anchor in 14 fathoms, so near to the
+shore that they fastened the end of another cable from the ship to the
+trees; being sheltered by the land from ESE round by the South and West,
+and as far as NbW[26]. Their fastenings, however, did not hold the ship
+against the strong flurries that blew from the land, and she was twice
+forced to sea; but each time recovered the anchorage without much
+difficulty.
+
+[Sidenote: 1681. January.] The shore of this bay was covered with seals
+and sea lions, whose noise and company were very troublesome to the men
+employed in filling fresh water. The seals coveted to lie where streams of
+fresh water ran into the sea, which made it necessary to keep people
+constantly employed to beat them off. Fish were in the greatest plenty;
+and innumerable sea birds had their nests near the shore, which makes the
+remark of Ringrose on approaching the Island the more extraordinary.
+Craw-fish and lobsters were in abundance; and on the Island itself goats
+were in such plenty, that, besides what they eat during their stay, they
+killed about a hundred for salting, and took away as many alive.
+
+[Sidenote: Sharp deposed from the Command. Watling elected Commander.]
+Here new disagreements broke out among the Buccaneers. Some wished to sail
+immediately homeward by the _Strait of Magalhanes_; others desired to try
+their fortune longer in the _South Sea_. Sharp was of the party for
+returning home; but in the end the majority deposed him from the command,
+and elected for his successor John Watling, 'an old privateer, and
+esteemed a stout seaman.' Articles were drawn up in writing between
+Watling and the crew, and subscribed.
+
+One Narrative says, 'the true occasion of the grudge against Sharp was,
+that he had got by these adventures almost a thousand pounds, whereas many
+of our men were scarce worth a groat; and good reason there was for their
+poverty, for at the _Isle of Plate_ and other places, they had lost all
+their money to their fellow Buccaneers at dice; so that some had a great
+deal, and others, just nothing. Those who were thrifty sided with Captain
+Sharp, but the others, being the greatest number, turned Sharp out of his
+command; and Sharp's party were persuaded to have patience, seeing they
+were the fewest, and had money to lose, which the other party had not.'
+Dampier says Sharp was displaced by general consent, the company not being
+satisfied either with his courage or his conduct.
+
+Watling began his command by ordering the observance of the Sabbath. 'This
+day, January the 9th,' says Ringrose, 'was the first Sunday that ever we
+kept by command since the loss and death of our valiant Commander Captain
+Sawkins, who once threw the dice overboard, finding them in use on the
+said day.'
+
+[Sidenote: 11th. 12th. They sail from Juan Fernandez.] The 11th, two boats
+were sent from the ship to a distant part of the Island to catch goats. On
+the following morning, the boats were seen returning in great haste, and
+firing muskets to give alarm. When arrived on board, they gave information
+that three sail, which they believed to be Spanish ships of war, were in
+sight of the Island, and were making for the anchorage. In half an hour
+after this notice, the strange ships were seen from the Bay; upon which,
+all the men employed on shore in watering, hunting, and other occupations,
+were called on board with the utmost speed; and not to lose time, the
+cable was slipped, and the ship put to sea. [Sidenote: William, a Mosquito
+Indian, left on the island.] It happened in this hurry of quitting the
+Island, that one of the Mosquito Indians who had come with the Buccaneers,
+and was by them called William, was absent in the woods hunting goats, and
+heard nothing of the alarm. No time could be spared for search, and the
+ship sailed without him. This it seems was not the first instance of a
+solitary individual being left to inhabit _Juan Fernandez_. Their Spanish
+pilot affirmed to them, that 'many years before, a ship had been cast away
+there, and only one man saved, who lived alone upon the Island five years,
+when another ship coming that way, took him off.'
+
+The three vessels whose appearance caused them in such haste to quit their
+anchorage, were armed Spanish ships. They remained in sight of the
+Buccaneer ship two days, but no inclination appeared on either side to try
+the event of a battle. The Buccaneers had not a single great gun in their
+ship, and must have trusted to their musketry and to boarding.
+
+[Sidenote: 13th.] On the evening of the 13th after dark, they resigned the
+honour of the field to the Spaniards, and made sail Eastward for the
+American coast, with design to attack _Arica_, which place they had been
+informed contained great riches.
+
+[Sidenote: January 26th. Island Yqueque. River de Camarones.] The 26th,
+they were close to the small Island named _Yqueque_, about 25 leagues to
+the South of _Arica_, where they plundered a small Indian village of
+provisions, and took two old Spaniards and two Indians prisoners. This
+Island was destitute of fresh water, and the inhabitants were obliged to
+supply themselves from the Continent, at a river named _De Camarones_, 11
+Spanish leagues to the North of _Yqueque_. The people on _Yqueque_ were
+the servants and slaves of the Governor of _Arica_, and were employed by
+him to catch and dry fish, which were disposed of to great profit among
+the inland towns of the Continent. The Indians here eat much and often of
+certain leaves 'which were in taste much like to the bay leaves in
+England, by the continual use of which their teeth were dyed of a green
+colour.'
+
+[Sidenote: 27th.] The 27th, Watling examined one of the old Spaniards
+concerning the force at _Arica_; and being offended at his answers,
+ordered him to be shot, which was done. The same morning they took a small
+bark from the River _Camarones_, laden with fresh water.
+
+[Sidenote: On the Coast of Peru.] In the night of the 28th, Watling with
+one hundred men departed from the ship in the small prize bark and boats
+for _Arica_. They put ashore on the mainland about five leagues to the
+South of _Arica_, before it was light, and remained concealed among rocks
+all day. [Sidenote: 30th. They attack Arica.] At night, they again
+proceeded, and at daylight (on the 30th) Watling landed with 92 men, four
+miles from the town, to which they marched, and gained entrance, with the
+loss of three men killed, and two wounded. There was a castle or fort,
+which for their own security they ought immediately to have attacked; but
+Watling was only intent on making prisoners, until he was incommoded, with
+more than could be well guarded. This gave the inhabitants who had fled,
+time to recover from their alarm, and they collected in the Fort. To
+complete the mistake, Watling at length advanced to attack the fort, where
+he found resistance more than he expected. [Sidenote: Are Repulsed.]
+Watling put in practice the expedient of placing his prisoners in front of
+his own men; but the defenders of the fort were not a whit deterred
+thereby from firing on the Buccaneers, who were twice repulsed. The
+Spaniards without, in the mean time, began to make head from all parts;
+and in a little time the Buccaneers, from being the assailants, found
+themselves obliged to look to their defence. [Sidenote: Watling killed.]
+Watling their chief was killed, as were two quarter-masters, the
+boatswain, and some others of their best men; and the rest thought it
+necessary to retreat to their boats, which, though harassed the whole way
+by a distant firing from the Spaniards, they effected in tolerable order,
+and embarked.
+
+In this attack, the Buccaneers lost in killed, and taken prisoners by the
+Spaniards, 28 men; and of those who got back to the ship, eighteen were
+wounded. Among the men taken by the Spaniards were two surgeons, to whose
+care the wounded had been committed. 'We could have brought off our
+doctors,' says Ringrose, 'but they got to drinking whilst we were
+assaulting the fort, and when we called to them, they would not come with
+us.' The Spaniards gave quarter to the surgeons, 'they being able to do
+them good service in that country: but as to the wounded men taken
+prisoners, they were all knocked on the head.'
+
+The whole party that landed at _Arica_ narrowly escaped destruction; for
+the Spaniards learnt from the prisoners they took, the signals which had
+been agreed upon with the men left in charge of the boats; of which
+information they made such use, that the boats had quitted their station,
+and set sail to run down to the town; but some Buccaneers who had been
+most speedy in the retreat, arrived at the sea side just in time to call
+them back.
+
+[Sidenote: Sharp again chosen Commander.] This miscarriage so much
+disheartened the whole Buccaneer crew, that they made no attempt to take
+three ships which were at anchor in the road before _Arica_. Sharp was
+reinstated in the command, because he was esteemed a leader of safer
+conduct than any other; and every one was willing to quit the _South Sea_,
+but which it was now proposed they should do by re-crossing the _Isthmus_.
+[Sidenote: March. Huasco.] They did not, however, immediately steer
+Northward; but continued to beat up against the wind to the Southward,
+till the 10th of March, when they landed at _Guasco_ or _Huasco_ (in lat.
+about 28-1/2 deg.) from which place they carried off 120 sheep, 80 goats, 200
+bushels of corn, and filled their jars with fresh water.
+
+From _Huasco_ they stood to the North. On the 27th, they passed _Arica_.
+The Narrative remarks, 'our former entertainment had been so very bad,
+that we were no ways encouraged to stop there again.' [Sidenote: Ylo.]
+They landed at _Ylo_, of which Wafer says, 'the _River Ylo_ is situated in
+a valley which is the finest I have seen in all the coast of _Peru_, and
+furnished with a multitude of vegetables. A great dew falls here every
+night.'
+
+[Sidenote: April.] April the 16th, they were near the Island _Plata_. By
+this time new opinions and new projects had been formed. Many of the crew
+were again willing to try their fortune longer in the _South Sea_; but one
+party would not continue under the command of Sharp, and others would not
+consent to choosing a new commander. As neither party would yield, it was
+determined to separate, and agreed upon by all hands, 'that which party
+soever upon polling should be found to have the majority, should keep the
+ship.' The other party was to have the long-boat and the canoes. On coming
+to a division, Sharp's party proved the most numerous. The minority
+consisted of forty-four Europeans, two Mosquito Indians, and a Spanish
+Indian. [Sidenote: Another Party of the Buccaneers return across the
+Isthmus.] On the forenoon of the 17th, the party in the boats separated
+from the ship, and proceeded for the _Gulf de San Miguel_, where they
+landed, and returned over the _Isthmus_ back to the _West Indies_. In this
+party were William Dampier, and Lionel Wafer the surgeon. Dampier
+afterwards published a brief sketch of the expedition, and an account of
+his return across the _Isthmus_, both of which are in the 1st volume of
+his Voyages. Wafer met with an accidental hurt whilst on the _Isthmus_,
+which disabled him from travelling with his countrymen, and he remained
+some months living with the Darien Indians, of whom he afterwards
+published an entertaining description, with a Narrative of his own
+adventures among them.
+
+[Sidenote: Further Proceedings of Sharp and his Followers.] Sharp and his
+diminished crew sailed in their ship from the Island _Plata_ Northward to
+the _Gulf of Nicoya_, where they met with no booty, nor with any adventure
+worth mentioning.
+
+[Sidenote: July.] They returned Southward to the Island _Plata_, and in
+the way took three prizes: the first, a ship named the San Pedro, from
+_Guayaquil_ bound for _Panama_, with a lading of cocoa-nuts, and 21,000
+pieces of eight in chests, and 16,000 in bags, besides plate. The money in
+bags and all the loose plunder was divided, each man receiving for his
+share 234 pieces of eight; whence it may be inferred that their number was
+reduced to about 70 men. The rest of the money was reserved for a future
+division. Their second prize was a packet from _Panama_ bound for
+_Callao_, by which they learnt that in _Panama_ it was believed all the
+Buccaneers had returned overland to the _West Indies_. The third was a
+ship named the _San Rosario_, which did not submit to them without
+resistance, nor till her Captain was killed. She was from _Callao_, laden
+with wine, brandy, oil, and fruit, and had in her as much money as yielded
+to each Buccaneer 94 dollars. One Narrative says a much greater booty was
+missed through ignorance. 'Besides the lading already mentioned, we found
+in the San Rosario 700 pigs of plate, which we supposed to be tin, and
+under this mistake, they were slighted by us all, especially by the
+Captain, who would not by persuasions used by some few be induced to take
+them into our ship, as we did most of the other things. Thus we left them
+in the _Rosario_, which we turned away loose into the sea. This, it should
+seem, was plate, not thoroughly refined and fitted for coin, which
+occasioned our being deceived. We took only one pig of the seven hundred
+into our ship, thinking to make bullets of it; and to this effect, or what
+else our seamen pleased, the greatest part of it was melted and squandered
+away. Afterwards, when we arrived at _Antigua_, we gave the remaining part
+(which was about one-third thereof) to a _Bristol_ man, who knew presently
+what it was; who brought it to _England_, and sold it there for 75_l._
+sterling. Thus we parted with the richest booty we got in the whole
+voyage, through our own ignorance and laziness[27].'
+
+The same Narrative relates, that they took out of the Rosario 'a great
+book full of sea charts and maps, containing an accurate and exact
+description of all the ports, soundings, rivers, capes, and coasts, of the
+_South Sea_, and all the navigation usually performed by the Spaniards in
+that ocean. This book was for its novelty and curiosity presented unto His
+Majesty on the return of some of the Buccaneers to _England_, and was
+translated into English by His Majesty's order[28].'
+
+[Sidenote: August.] August the 12th, they anchored at the Island _Plata_,
+whence they departed on the 16th, bound Southward, intending to return by
+the _Strait of Magalhanes_ or _Strait le Maire_, to the _West Indies_.
+
+The 28th, they looked in at _Paita_; but finding the place prepared for
+defence, they stood off from the coast, and pursued their course
+Southward, without again coming in sight of land, and without the
+occurrence of any thing remarkable, till they passed the 50th degree of
+latitude.
+
+[Sidenote: October 12th. By the Western Coast of America, in 50 deg. 50' S.]
+October the 11th, they were in latitude 49 deg. 54' S, and estimated their
+distance from the American coast to be 120 leagues. The wind blew strong
+from the SW, and they stood to the South East. On the morning of the 12th,
+two hours before day, being in latitude by account 50 deg. 50' S, they
+suddenly found themselves close to land. The ship was ill prepared for
+such an event, the fore yard having been lowered to ease her, on account
+of the strength of the wind. 'The land was high and towering; and here
+appeared many Islands scattered up and down.' They were so near, and so
+entangled, that there was no possibility of standing off to sea, and, with
+such light as they had, they steered, as cautiously as they could, in
+between some Islands, and along an extensive coast, which, whether it was
+a larger Island, or part of the Continent, they could not know. [Sidenote:
+They enter a Gulf.] As the day advanced, the land was seen to be
+mountainous and craggy, and the tops covered with snow. Sharp says, 'we
+bore up for a harbour, and steered in Northward about five leagues. On the
+North side there are plenty of harbours[29].' [Sidenote: Shergall's
+Harbour.] At 11 in the forenoon they came to an anchor 'in a harbour, in
+45 fathoms, within a stone's cast of the shore, where the ship was
+landlocked, and in smooth water. As the ship went in, one of the crew,
+named Henry Shergall, fell overboard as he was going into the spritsail
+top, and was drowned; on which account this was named _Shergall's
+Harbour_.'
+
+The bottom was rocky where the ship had anchored; a boat was therefore
+sent to look for better anchorage. They did not however shift their birth
+that day; and during the night, strong flurries of wind from the hills,
+joined with the sharpness of the rocks at the bottom, cut their cable in
+two, and they were obliged to set sail. [Sidenote: Another Harbour.] They
+ran about a mile to another bay, where they let go another anchor, and
+moored the ship with a fastening to a tree on shore.
+
+They shot geese, and other wild-fowl. On the shores they found large
+muscles, cockles like those in _England_, and limpets: here were also
+penguins, which were shy and not taken without pursuit; 'they padded on
+the water with their wings very fast, but their bodies were too heavy to
+be carried by the said wings.'
+
+[Sidenote: 15th.] The first part of the time they lay in this harbour,
+they had almost continual rain. On the night of the 15th, in a high North
+wind, the tree to which their cable was fastened gave way, and came up by
+the root, in consequence of which, the stern of the ship took the ground
+and damaged the rudder. They secured the ship afresh by fastening the
+cable to other trees; but were obliged to unhang the rudder to repair.
+
+[Sidenote: 18th.] The 18th was a day of clear weather. The latitude was
+observed 50 deg. 40' S. The difference of the rise and fall of the tide was
+seven feet perpendicular: the time of high water is not noted. [Sidenote:
+The Gulf is named the English Gulf. Duke of York's Islands.] The arm of
+the sea, or gulf, in which they were, they named the _English Gulf_; and
+the land forming the harbour, the _Duke of York's Island_; 'more by guess
+than any thing else; for whether it were an Island or Continent was not
+discovered,' Ringrose says, 'I am persuaded that the place where we now
+are, is not so great an Island as some Hydrographers do lay it down, but
+rather an archipelago of smaller Islands. Our Captain gave to them the
+name of the _Duke of York's Islands_. Our boat which went Eastward, found
+several good bays and harbours, with deep water close to the shore; but
+there lay in them several sunken rocks, as there did also in the harbour
+where the ship lay. These rocks are less dangerous to shipping, by reason
+they have weeds lying about them.'
+
+[Sidenote: Sharp's English Gulf, the Brazo de la Concepcion of Sarmiento.]
+From all the preceding description, it appears, that they were at the
+South part of the Island named _Madre de Dios_ in the Spanish Atlas, which
+Island is South of the Channel, or Arm of the Sea, named the _Gulf de la
+S^{ma} Trinidada_; and that Sharp's _English Gulf_ is the _Brazo de la
+Concepcion_ of Sarmiento.
+
+Ringrose has drawn a sketch of the _Duke of York's Islands_, and one of
+the _English Gulf_; but which are not worth copying, as they have neither
+compass, meridian line, scale, nor soundings. He has given other plan's in
+the same defective manner, on which account they can be of little use. It
+is necessary however to remark a difference in the plan which has been
+printed of the _English Gulf_, from the plan in the manuscript. In the
+printed copy, the shore of the _Gulf_ is drawn as one continued line,
+admitting no thoroughfare; whereas, in the manuscript plan, there are
+clear openings leaving a prospect of channels through.
+
+[Sidenote: Natives.] Towards the end of October, the weather settled fair.
+Hitherto they had seen no inhabitants; but on the 27th, a party went from
+the ship in a boat, on an excursion in search of provisions, and unhappily
+caught sight of a small boat belonging to the natives of the land.
+[Sidenote: One of them killed by the Buccaneers.] The ship's boat rowed in
+pursuit, and the natives, a man, a woman, and a boy, finding their boat
+would be overtaken, all leapt overboard and swam towards shore. This
+villainous crew of Buccaneers had the barbarity to shoot at them in the
+water, and they shot the man dead; the woman made her escape to land; the
+boy, a stout lad about eighteen years of age, was taken, and with the
+Indian boat, was carried to the ship.
+
+The poor lad thus made prisoner had only a small covering of seal skin.
+'He was squint-eyed, and his hair was cut short. The _doree_, or boat, in
+which he and the other Indians were, was built sharp at each end and flat
+bottomed: in the middle they had a fire burning for dressing victuals, or
+other use. They had a net to catch penguins, a club like to our bandies,
+and wooden darts. This young Indian appeared by his actions to be very
+innocent and foolish. He could open large muscles with his fingers, which
+our Buccaneers could scarcely manage with their knives. He was very wild,
+and would eat raw flesh.'
+
+[Sidenote: November.] By the beginning of November the rudder was repaired
+and hung. Ringrose says, 'we could perceive, now the stormy weather was
+blown over, much small fry of fish about the ship, whereof before we saw
+none. The weather began to be warm, or rather hot, and the birds, as
+thrushes and blackbirds, to sing as sweetly as those in England.'
+
+[Sidenote: Native of Patagonia carried away.] On the 5th of November, they
+sailed out of the _English Gulf_, taking with them their young Indian
+prisoner, to whom they gave the name of Orson. As they departed, the
+natives on some of the lands to the Eastward made great fires. At six in
+the evening the ship was without the mouth of the _Gulf_: the wind blew
+fresh from NW, and they stood out SWbW, to keep clear of breakers which
+lie four leagues without the entrance of the _Gulf_ to the South and SSE.
+Many reefs and rocks were seen hereabouts, on account of which, they kept
+close to the wind till they were a good distance clear of the land.
+
+Their navigation from here to the _Atlantic_ was, more than could have
+been imagined, like the journey of travellers by night in a strange
+country without a guide. The weather was stormy, and they would not
+venture to steer in for the _Strait of Magalhanes_, which they had
+purposed to do for the benefit of the provision which the shores of the
+_Strait_ afford of fresh water, fish, vegetables, and wood. They ran to
+the South to go round the _Tierra del Fuego_, having the wind from the NW,
+which was the most favourable for this navigation; but they frequently lay
+to, because the weather was thick. [Sidenote: Passage round Cape Horn.] On
+the 12th, they had not passed the _Tierra del Fuego_. The latitude
+according to observation that day was 55 deg. 25', and the course they steered
+was SSE. [Sidenote: 14th. Appearance like Land. Latitude observed, 57 deg. 50'
+S.] On the 14th, Ringrose says, 'the latitude was observed 57 deg. 50' S, and
+on this day we could perceive land, from which at noon we were due West.'
+They steered EbS, and expected that at daylight the next morning they
+should be close in with the land; but the weather became cloudy with much
+fall of snow, and nothing more of it was seen. No longitude or meridian
+distance is noticed, and it must remain doubtful whether what they took
+for land was floating ice; or their observation for the latitude
+erroneous, and that they saw the _Isles of Diego Ramirez_.
+
+[Sidenote: Ice Islands.] Three days afterwards, in latitude 58 deg. 30' S,
+they fell in with Ice Islands, one of which they reckoned to be two
+leagues in circumference. A strong current set here Southward. They held
+on their course Eastward so far that when at length they did sail
+Northward, they saw neither the _Tierra del Fuego_ nor _Staten Island_.
+
+[Sidenote: December.] December the 5th, they divided the plunder which had
+been reserved, each man's share of which amounted to 328 pieces of eight.
+Their course was now bent for the _West Indies_.
+
+[Sidenote: 1682. January.] January the 15th, died William Stephens, a
+seaman, whose death was attributed to his having eaten three manchineal
+apples six months before, when on the coast of _New Spain_, 'from which
+time he wasted away till he became a perfect skeleton.'
+
+[Sidenote: Arrive in the West Indies.] January the 28th, 1682, they made
+the Island of _Barbadoes_, but learnt that the Richmond, a British
+frigate, was lying in the road. Ringrose and his fellow journalists say,
+'we having acted in all our voyage without a commission, dared not be so
+bold as to put in, lest the said frigate should seize us for pyrateering,
+and strip us of all we had got in the whole voyage.' They next sailed to
+_Antigua_; but the Governor at that Island, Colonel Codrington, would not
+give them leave to enter the harbour, though they endeavoured to soften
+him by sending a present of jewels to his lady, which, however, were not
+accepted. Sharp and his crew grew impatient at their uneasy situation, and
+came to a determination to separate. Some of them landed at _Antigua_;
+Sharp and others landed at _Nevis_, whence they got passage to _England_.
+Their ship, which was the Trinidad captured in the _Bay of Panama_, was
+left to seven men of the company who had lost their money by gaming. The
+Buccaneer journals say nothing of their Patagonian captive Orson after the
+ship sailed from his country; and what became of the ship after Sharp
+quitted her does not appear.
+
+[Sidenote: Bart. Sharp and some of his men tried for Piracy.] Bartholomew
+Sharp, and a few others, on their arrival in _England_, were apprehended,
+and a Court of Admiralty was held at the _Marshalsea_ in _Southwark_,
+where, at the instance of the Spanish Ambassador, they were tried for
+committing acts of piracy in the _South Sea_; but from the defectiveness
+of the evidence produced, they escaped conviction. One of the principal
+charges against them was for taking the Spanish ship Rosario, and killing
+the Captain and another man belonging to her; 'but it was proved,' says
+the author of the anonymous Narrative, who was one of the men brought to
+trial, 'that the Spaniards fired at us first and it was judged that we
+ought to defend ourselves.' Three Buccaneers of Sharp's crew were also
+tried at _Jamaica_, one of whom was condemned and hanged, 'who,' the
+narrator says, 'was wheedled into an open confession: the other two stood
+it out, and escaped for want of witnesses to prove the fact against them.'
+Thus terminated what may be called the First Expedition of the Buccaneers
+in the _South Sea_; the boat excursion by Morgan's men in the _Bay of
+Panama_ being of too little consequence to be so reckoned. They had now
+made successful experiment of the route both by sea and land; and the
+Spaniards in the _South Sea_ had reason to apprehend a speedy renewal of
+their visits.
+
+Carlos Enriquez Clerck, who went from _England_ with Captain Narbrough,
+was at this time executed at _Lima_, on a charge of holding correspondence
+with the English of _Jamaica_; which act of severity probably is
+attributable more to the alarm which prevailed in the Government of
+_Peru_, than to any guilty practices of Clerck.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XI.
+
+ _Disputes between the French Government and their West-India
+ Colonies. =Morgan= becomes Deputy Governor of =Jamaica=. =La
+ Vera Cruz= surprised by the Flibustiers. Other of their
+ Enterprises._
+
+
+[Sidenote: 1680. Proceedings of the Buccaneers in the West Indies.
+Prohibitions against Piracy by the French Government;] Whilst so many of
+the English Buccaneers were seeking plunder in the _South Sea_, the French
+Flibustiers had not been inactive in the _West Indies_, notwithstanding
+that the French government, after the conclusion of the war with _Spain_,
+issued orders prohibiting the subjects of _France_ in the _West Indies_
+from cruising against the Spaniards. A short time before this order
+arrived, a cruising commission had been given to Granmont, who had
+thereupon collected men, and made preparation for an expedition to the
+_Tierra Firma_; and they did not choose that so much pains should be taken
+to no purpose. The French settlers generally, were at this time much
+dissatisfied on account of some regulations imposed upon them by the
+Company of Farmers, whose privileges and authority extended to fixing the
+price upon growth, the produce of the soil; and which they exercised upon
+tobacco, the article then most cultivated by the French in _Hispaniola_,
+rigorously requiring the planters to deliver it to the Company at the
+price so prescribed. Many of the inhabitants, ill brooking to live under
+such a system of robbery, made preparations to withdraw to the English and
+Dutch settlements; but their discontent on this account was much allayed
+by the Governor writing a remonstrance to the French Minister, and
+promising them his influence towards obtaining a suppression of the
+farming tobacco. Fresh cause of discontent soon occurred, by a monopoly of
+the French African Slave Trade being put into the hands of a new company,
+which was named the _Senegal_ Company.
+
+[Sidenote: Disregarded by the French Buccaneers.] Granmont and the
+Flibustiers engaged with him, went to the coast of _Cumana_, where they
+did considerable mischief to the Spaniards, with some loss, and little
+profit, to themselves.
+
+[Sidenote: 1680-1. Sir Henry Morgan, Deputy Governor of Jamaica. His
+Severity to the Buccaneers.] In the autumn of this same year, the Earl of
+Carlisle, who was Governor of _Jamaica_, finding the climate did not agree
+with his constitution, returned to _England_, and left as his Deputy to
+govern in _Jamaica_, Morgan, the plunderer of _Panama_, but who was now
+Sir Henry Morgan. This man had found favour with King Charles II. or with
+his Ministers, had been knighted, and appointed a Commissioner of the
+Admiralty Court in _Jamaica_. On becoming Deputy Governor, his
+administration was far from being favourable to his old associates, some
+of whom suffered the extreme hardship of being tried and hanged under his
+authority; and one crew of Buccaneers, most of them Englishmen, who fell
+into his hands, he sent to be delivered up (it may be presumed that he
+sold them) to the Spaniards at _Carthagena_. Morgan's authority as
+Governor was terminated the following year, by the arrival of a Governor
+from _England_[30].
+
+The impositions on planting and commerce in the French settlements, in the
+same degree that they discouraged cultivation, encouraged cruising, and
+the Flibustier party so much increased, as to have little danger to
+apprehend from any Governor's authority. [Sidenote: 1683.] The matter
+however did not come to issue, for in 1683, war again broke out between
+_France_ and _Spain_. But before the intelligence arrived in the _West
+Indies_, 1200 French Flibustiers had assembled under Van Horn (a native
+of _Ostend_), Granmont, and another noted Flibustier named Laurent de
+Graaf, to make an expedition against the Spaniards.
+
+[Sidenote: Van Horn, Granmont, and de Graaf, go against La Vera Cruz.] Van
+Horn had been a notorious pirate, and for a number of years had plundered
+generally, without shewing partiality or favour to ships of one nation
+more than to those of another. After amassing great riches, he began to
+think plain piracy too dangerous an occupation, and determined to reform,
+which he did by making his peace with the French Governor in _Hispaniola_,
+and turning Buccaneer or Flibustier, into which fraternity he was admitted
+on paying entrance.
+
+The expedition which he undertook in conjunction with Granmont and de
+Graaf, was against _La Vera Cruz_ in the _Gulf of Mexico_, a town which
+might be considered as the magazine for all the merchandise which passed
+between _New Spain_ and _Old Spain_, and was defended by a fort, said to
+be impregnable. The Flibustiers sailed for this place with a fleet of ten
+ships. They had information that two large Spanish ships, with cargoes of
+cacao, were expected at _La Vera Cruz_ from the _Caraccas_; and upon this
+intelligence, they put in practice the following expedient. [Sidenote:
+They surprise the Town by Stratagem.] They embarked the greater number of
+their men on board two of their largest ships, which, on arriving near _La
+Vera Cruz_, put aloft Spanish colours, and ran, with all sail set,
+directly for the port like ships chased, the rest of the Buccaneer ships
+appearing at a distance behind, crowding sail after them. The inhabitants
+of _La Vera Cruz_ believed the two headmost ships to be those which were
+expected from the _Caraccas_; and, as the Flibustiers had contrived that
+they should not reach the port till after dark, suffered them to enter
+without offering them molestation, and to anchor close to the town, which
+they did without being suspected to be enemies. In the middle of the
+night, the Flibustiers landed, and surprised the fort, which made them
+masters of the town. The Spaniards of the garrison, and all the
+inhabitants who fell into their hands, they shut up in the churches, where
+they were kept three days, and with so little care for their subsistence
+that several died from thirst, and some by drinking immoderately when
+water was at length given to them. With the plunder, and what was obtained
+for ransom of the town, it is said the Flibustiers carried away a million
+of piastres, besides a number of slaves and prisoners.
+
+Van Horn shorty after died of a wound received in a quarrel with De Graaf.
+The ship he had commanded, which mounted fifty guns, was bequeathed by him
+to Granmont, who a short time before had lost a ship of nearly the same
+force in a gale of wind.
+
+Some quarrels happened at this time between the French Flibustiers and the
+English Buccaneers, which are differently related by the English and the
+French writers. The French account says, that in a Spanish ship captured
+by the Flibustiers, was found a letter from the Governor of _Jamaica_
+addressed to the Governor of the _Havannah_, proposing a union of their
+force to drive the French from _Hispaniola_. [Sidenote: Story of Granmont
+and an English Ship.] Also, that an English ship of 30 guns came cruising
+near _Tortuga_, and when the Governor of _Tortuga_ sent a sloop to demand
+of the English Captain his business there, the Englishman insolently
+replied, that the sea was alike free to all, and he had no account to
+render to any one. For this answer, the Governor sent out a ship to take
+the English ship, but the Governor's ship was roughly treated, and obliged
+to retire into port. Granmont had just returned from the _La Vera Cruz_
+expedition, and the Governor applied to him, to go with his fifty gun ship
+to revenge the affront put upon their nation. 'Granmont,' says the
+Narrator, 'accepted the commission joyfully. Three hundred Flibustiers
+embarked with him in his ship; he found the Englishman proud of his late
+victory; he immediately grappled with him and put all the English crew to
+the sword, saving only the Captain, who he carried prisoner to _Cape
+Francois_.' On the merit of this service, his disobedience to the royal
+prohibitory order in attacking _La Vera Cruz_ was to pass with impunity.
+The English were not yet sufficiently punished; the account proceeds, 'Our
+Flibustiers would no longer receive them as partakers in their
+enterprises, and even confiscated the share they were entitled to receive
+for the _La Vera Cruz_ expedition.' Thus the French account.
+
+If the story of demolishing the English crew is true, the fact is not more
+absurd than the being vain of such an exploit. If a fifty gun ship will
+determine to sink a thirty gun ship, the thirty gun ship must in all
+probability be sunk. The affront given, if it deserves to be called an
+affront, was not worthy being revenged with a massacre. The story is found
+only in the French histories, the writers of which it may be suspected
+were moved to make Granmont deal so unmercifully with the English crew, by
+the kind of feeling which so generally prevails between nations who are
+near neighbours. To this it may be attributed that Pere Charlevoix, both a
+good historian and good critic, has adopted the story; but had it been
+believed by him, he would have related it in a more rational manner, and
+not with exultation.
+
+English writers mention a disagreement which happened about this time
+between Granmont and the English Buccaneers, on account of his taking a
+sloop belonging to _Jamaica_, and forcing the crew to serve under him; but
+which crew found opportunity to take advantage of some disorder in his
+ship, and to escape in the night[31]. This seems to have been the whole
+fact; for an outrage such as is affirmed by the French writers, could not
+have been committed and have been boasted of by one side, without
+incurring reproach from the other.
+
+The French Government was highly offended at the insubordination and
+unmanageableness of the Flibustiers in _Hispaniola_, and no one was more
+so than the French King, Louis XIV. Towards reducing them to a more
+orderly state, instructions were sent to the Governors in the _West
+Indies_ to be strict in making them observe Port regulations; the
+principal of which were, that all vessels should register their crew and
+lading before their departure, and also at their return into port; that
+they should abstain from cruising in times of peace, and should take out
+regular commissions in times of war; and that they should pay the dues of
+the crown, one _item_ of which was a tenth of all prizes and plunder.
+
+[Sidenote: Disputes of the French Governors with the Flibustiers of Saint
+Domingo.] The number of the French Flibustiers in 1684, was estimated to
+be 3000. The French Government desired to convert them into settlers. A
+letter written in that year from the French Minister to the Governor
+General of the French West-India Islands, has this remarkable expression:
+'His Majesty esteems nothing more important than to render these vagabonds
+good inhabitants of _Saint Domingo_.' Such being the disposition of the
+French Government, it was an oversight that they did not contribute
+towards so desirable a purpose by making some abatement in the impositions
+which oppressed and retarded cultivation, which would have conciliated the
+Colonists, and have been encouragement to the Flibustiers to become
+planters. But the Colonists still had to struggle against farming the
+tobacco, which they had in vain attempted to get commuted for some other
+burthen, and many cultivators of that plant were reduced to indigence. The
+greediness of the French chartered companies appears in the _Senegal_
+Company making it a subject of complaint, that the Flibustiers sold the
+negroes they took from the Spaniards to whomsoever they pleased, to the
+prejudice of the interest of the Company. It was unreasonable to expect
+the Flibustiers would give up their long accustomed modes of gain,
+sanctioned as they had hitherto been by the acquiescence and countenance
+of the French Government, and turn planters, under circumstances
+discouraging to industry. Their number likewise rendered it necessary to
+observe mildness and forbearance in the endeavour to reform them; but both
+the encouragement and the forbearance were neglected; and in consequence
+of their being made to apprehend rigorous treatment in their own
+settlements, many removed to the British and Dutch Islands.
+
+The French Flibustiers were unsuccessful at this time in some enterprises
+they undertook in the _Bay of Campeachy_, where they lost many men: on the
+other hand, three of their ships, commanded by De Graaf, Michel le Basque,
+and another Flibustier named Jonque, engaged and took three Spanish ships
+which were sent purposely against them out of _Carthagena_.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XII.
+
+ _Circumstances which preceded the Second Irruption of the
+ Buccaneers into the =South Sea=. Buccaneers under =John Cook= sail
+ from =Virginia=; stop at the =Cape de Verde Islands=; at =Sierra
+ Leone=. Origin and History of the Report concerning the
+ supposed Discovery of =Pepys Island=._
+
+
+The Prohibitions being enforced, determined many, both of the English
+Buccaneers and of the French Flibustiers, to seek their fortunes in the
+_South Sea_, where they would be at a distance from the control of any
+established authority. This determination was not a matter generally
+concerted. The first example was speedily followed, and a trip to the
+_South Sea_ in a short time became a prevailing fashion among them.
+Expeditions were undertaken by different bodies of men unconnected with
+each other, except when accident, or the similarity of their pursuits,
+brought them together.
+
+[Sidenote: Circumstances preceding the Second Irruption of the Buccaneers
+into the South Sea.] Among the Buccaneers in the expedition of 1680 to the
+_South Sea_, who from dislike to Sharp's command returned across the
+_Isthmus of Darien_ at the same time with Dampier, was one John Cook, who
+on arriving again in the _West Indies_, entered on board a vessel
+commanded by a Dutchman of the name of Yanky, which was fitted up as a
+privateer, and provided with a French commission to cruise against the
+Spaniards. Cook, being esteemed a capable seaman, was made Quarter-Master,
+by which title, in privateers as well as in buccaneer vessels, the officer
+next in command to the Captain was called. Cook continued Quarter-Master
+with Yanky till they took a Spanish ship which was thought well adapted
+for a cruiser. Cook claimed to have the command of this ship, and,
+according to the usage among privateers in such cases, she was allotted to
+him, with a crew composed of men who volunteered to sail with him. Dampier
+was of the number, as were several others who had returned from the _South
+Sea_; division was made of the prize goods, and Cook entered on his new
+command.
+
+[Sidenote: 1683.] This arrangement took place at _Isla Vaca_, or _Isle a
+Vache_, a small Island near the South coast of _Hispaniola_, which was
+then much resorted to by both privateers and Buccaneers. It happened at
+this time, that besides Yanky's ship, some French privateers having legal
+commissions, were lying at _Avache_, and their Commanders did not
+contentedly behold men without a commission, and who were but Buccaneers,
+in the possession of a finer ship than any belonging to themselves who
+cruised under lawful authority. The occasion being so fair, and
+remembering what Morgan had done in a case something similar, after short
+counsel, they joined together, and seized the buccaneer ship, goods, and
+arms, and turned the crew ashore. A fellow-feeling that still existed
+between the privateers and Buccaneers, and probably a want of hands,
+induced a Captain Tristian, who commanded one of the privateers, to
+receive into his ship ten of the Buccaneers to be part of his crew. Among
+these were Cook, and a Buccaneer afterwards of greater note, named Edward
+Davis. Tristian sailed to _Petit Guaves_, where the ship had not been long
+at anchor, before himself and the greatest part of his men went on shore.
+Cook and his companions thought this also a fair occasion, and accordingly
+they made themselves masters of the ship. Those of Tristian's men who were
+on board, they turned ashore, and immediately taking up the anchors,
+sailed back close in to the _Isle a Vache_, where, before notice of their
+exploit reached the Governor, they collected and took on board the
+remainder of their old company, and sailed away. They had scarcely left
+the _Isle a Vache_, when they met and captured two vessels, one of which
+was a ship from _France_ laden with wines. Thinking it unsafe to continue
+longer in the _West Indies_, they directed their course for _Virginia_,
+where they arrived with their prizes in April 1683.
+
+[Sidenote: August, 1683. Buccaneers under John Cook sail for the South
+Sea.] In _Virginia_ they disposed of their prize goods, and two vessels,
+keeping one with which they proposed to make a voyage to the _South Sea_,
+and which they named the Revenge. She mounted 18 guns, and the number of
+adventurers who embarked in her, were about seventy, the major part of
+them old Buccaneers, some of whose names have since been much noted, as
+William Dampier, Edward Davis, Lionel Wafer, Ambrose Cowley, and John Cook
+their Captain. August the 23d, 1683, they sailed from the _Chesapeak_.
+
+Dampier and Cowley have both related their piratical adventures, but with
+some degree of caution, to prevent bringing upon themselves a charge of
+piracy. Cowley pretended that he was engaged to sail in the Revenge to
+navigate her, but was kept in ignorance of the design of the voyage, and
+made to believe they were bound for the _Island Hispaniola_; and that it
+was not revealed to him till after they got out to sea, that instead of to
+the _West Indies_, they were bound to the coast of _Guinea_, there to seek
+for a better ship, in which they might sail to the _Great South Sea_.
+William Dampier, who always shews respect for truth, would not stoop to
+dissimulation; but he forbears being circumstantial concerning the outset
+of this voyage, and the particulars of their proceedings whilst in the
+_Atlantic_; supplying the chasm in the following general terms; "August
+the 23d, 1683, we sailed from _Virginia_ under the command of Captain
+Cook, bound for the _South Seas_. I shall not trouble the reader with an
+account of every day's run, but hasten to the less known parts of the
+world."
+
+[Sidenote: Cape de Verde Islands.] Whilst near the coast of _Virginia_
+they met a Dutch ship, out of which they took six casks of wine; and other
+provisions; also two Dutch seamen, who voluntarily entered with them.
+[Sidenote: September.] Some time in September they anchored at the _Isle
+of Sal_, where they procured fish and a few goats, but neither fruits nor
+good fresh water. Only five men lived on the Island, who were all black;
+but they called themselves Portuguese, and one was styled the Governor.
+[Sidenote: Ambergris.] These Portuguese exchanged a lump of ambergris, or
+what was supposed to be ambergris, for old clothes. Dampier says, 'not a
+man in the ship knew ambergris, but I have since seen it in other places,
+and am certain this was not the right; it was of a dark colour, like
+sheep's dung, very soft, but of no smell; and possibly was goat's dung.
+Some I afterwards saw sold at the _Nicobars_ in the _East Indies_, was of
+lighter colour, and very hard, neither had that any smell, and I suppose
+was also a cheat. Mr. Hill, a surgeon, once shewed me a piece of
+ambergris, and related to me, that one Mr. Benjamin Barker, a man I have
+been long well acquainted with, and know to be a very sober and credible
+person, told this Mr. Hill, that being in the _Bay of Honduras_, he found
+in a sandy bay upon the shore of an Island, a lump of ambergris so large,
+that when carried to _Jamaica_, it was found to weigh upwards of 100
+_lbs._ When he found it, it lay dry above the mark of the sea at high
+water, and in it were a great multitude of beetles. It was of a dusky
+colour, towards black, about the hardness of mellow cheese, and of a very
+fragrant smell. What Mr. Hill shewed me was some of it, which Mr. Barker
+had given him[32].'
+
+[Sidenote: The Flamingo.] There were wild-fowl at _Sal_; and Flamingos, of
+which, and their manner of building their nests, Dampier has given a
+description. The flesh of the Flamingo is lean and black, yet good meat,
+'tasting neither fishy nor any way unsavory. A dish of Flamingos' tongues
+is fit for a Prince's table: they are large, and have a knob of fat at the
+root which is an excellent bit. When many of them stand together, at a
+distance they appear like a brick wall; for their feathers are of the
+colour of new red brick, and, except when feeding, they commonly stand
+upright, exactly in a row close by each other.'
+
+[Sidenote: Cape de Verde Islands.] From the Isle of _Sal_ they went to
+other of the _Cape de Verde Islands_. At _St. Nicholas_ they watered the
+ship by digging wells, and at _Mayo_ they procured some provisions. They
+afterwards sailed to the Island _St. Jago_, but a Dutch ship was lying at
+anchor in _Port Praya_, which fired her guns at them as soon as they came
+within reach of shot, and the Buccaneers thought it prudent to stand out
+again to sea.
+
+[Sidenote: November. Coast of Guinea.] They next sailed to the coast of
+_Guinea_, which they made in the beginning of November, near _Sierra
+Leone_. A large ship was at anchor in the road, which proved to be a Dane.
+On sight of her, and all the time they were standing into the road, all
+the Buccaneer crew, except a few men to manage the sails, kept under deck;
+which gave their ship the appearance of being a weakly manned
+merchant-vessel. When they drew near the Danish ship, which they did with
+intention to board her, the Buccaneer Commander, to prevent suspicion,
+gave direction in a loud voice to the steersman to put the helm one way;
+and, according to the plan preconcerted, the steersman put it the
+contrary, so that their vessel seemed to fall on board the Dane through
+mistake. By this stratagem, they surprised, and, with the loss of five
+men, became masters of a ship mounting 36 guns, which was victualled and
+stored for a long voyage. This achievement is related circumstantially in
+Cowley's manuscript Journal[33]; but in his published account he only
+says, 'near Cape _Sierra Leone_, we alighted on a new ship of 40 guns,
+which we boarded and carried her away.'
+
+[Sidenote: Sherborough River.] They went with their prize to a river South
+of the _Sierra Leone_, called the _Sherborough_, to which they were safely
+piloted through channels among shoals, by one of the crew who had been
+there before. At the River _Sherborough_ there was then an English
+factory, but distant from where they anchored. Near them was a large town
+inhabited by negroes, who traded freely, selling them rice, fowls,
+plantains, sugar-canes, palm-wine, and honey. The town was skreened from
+shipping by a grove of trees.
+
+The Buccaneers embarked here all in their new ship, and named her the
+Batchelor's Delight. Their old ship they burnt, 'that she might tell no
+tales,' and set their prisoners on shore, to shift as well as they could
+for themselves.
+
+They sailed from the coast of Guinea in the middle of November, directing
+their course across the _Atlantic_ towards the _Strait of Magalhanes_.
+[Sidenote: January, 1684.] On January the 28th, 1684, they had sight of
+the Northernmost of the Islands discovered by Captain John Davis in 1592,
+(since, among other appellations, called the _Sebald de Weert Islands_.)
+From the circumstance of their falling in with this land, originated the
+extraordinary report of an Island being discovered in the _Southern
+Atlantic Ocean_ in lat. 47 deg. S, and by Cowley named _Pepys Island_; which
+was long believed to exist, and has been sought after by navigators of
+different European nations, even within our own time. The following are
+the particulars which caused so great a deception.
+
+[Sidenote: History of the Report of a Discovery named Pepys Island.]
+Cowley says, in his manuscript Journal, 'January 1683: This month we were
+in latitude 47 deg. 40', where we espied an Island bearing West of us, and
+bore away for it, but being too late we lay by all night. The Island
+seemed very pleasant to the eye, with many woods. I may say the whole
+Island was woods, there being a rock above water to the Eastward of it
+with innumerable fowls. I sailed along that Island to the Southward, and
+about the SW side of the Island there seemed to me to be a good place for
+ships to ride. The wind blew fresh, and they would not put the boat out.
+Sailing a little further, having 26 and 27 fathoms water, we came to a
+place where we saw the weeds ride, and found only seven fathoms water and
+all rocky ground, therefore we put the ship about: but the harbour seemed
+a good place for ships to ride in. There seemed to me harbour for 500 sail
+of shipping, the going in but narrow, and the North side of the entrance
+shallow that I could see: but I think there is water enough on the South
+side. I would have had them stand upon a wind all night; but they told me
+they did not come out to go upon discovery. We saw likewise another Island
+by this, which made me to think them the _Sibble D'wards_[34].'
+
+The latitude given by Cowley is to be attributed to his ignorance, and to
+this part of his narrative being composed from memory, which he
+acknowledges, though it is not so stated in the printed Narrative. His
+describing the land to be covered with wood, is sufficiently accounted for
+by the appearance it makes at a distance, which in the same manner has
+deceived other voyagers. Pernety, in his Introduction to M. de
+Bougainville's Voyage to the _Malouines_ (by which name the French
+Voyagers have chosen to call _John Davis's Islands_) says, 'As to wood, we
+were deceived by appearances in running along the coast of the
+_Malouines_: we thought we saw some, but on landing, these appearances
+were discovered to be only tall bulrushes with large flat leaves, such as
+are called corn flags[35].'
+
+The Editor of Cowley's Journal, William Hack, might possibly believe from
+the latitude mentioned by Cowley, that the land seen by him was a new
+discovery. To give it a less doubtful appearance, he dropped the 40
+minutes of latitude, and also Cowley's conjecture that the land was the
+_Sebald de Weerts_; and with this falsification of the Journal, he took
+occasion to compliment the Honourable Mr. Pepys, who was then Secretary of
+the Admiralty, by putting his name to the land, giving as Cowley's words,
+'In the latitude of 47 deg., we saw land, the same being an Island not before
+known. I gave it the name of _Pepys Island_.' Hack embellished this
+account with a drawing of _Pepys Island_, in which is introduced an
+_Admiralty Bay_, and _Secretary's Point_.
+
+The account which Dampier has given of their falling in with this land,
+would have cleared up the whole matter, but for a circumstance which is
+far more extraordinary than any yet mentioned, which is, that it long
+escaped notice, and seems never to have been generally understood, that
+Dampier and Cowley were at this time in the same ship, and their voyage
+thus far the same.
+
+Dampier says, 'January the 28th (1683-4) we made the _Sebald de Weerts_.
+They are three rocky barren Islands without any tree, only some bushes
+growing on them. The two Northernmost lie in 51 deg. S, the other in 51 deg. 20'
+S. We could not come near the two Northern Islands, but we came close by
+the Southern; but we could not obtain soundings till within two cables'
+length of the shore, and there found the bottom to be foul rocky
+ground[36].' In consequence of the inattention, or oversight, in not
+perceiving that Dampier and Cowley were speaking of the same land, Hack's
+ingenious adulation of the Secretary of the Admiralty flourished a full
+century undetected; a _Pepys Island_ being all the time admitted in the
+charts.
+
+[Sidenote: Shoals of small red Lobsters.] Near these Islands the variation
+was observed 23 deg. 10' Easterly. They passed through great shoals of small
+red lobsters, 'no bigger than the top of a man's little finger, yet all
+their claws, both great and small, were like a lobster. I never saw,' says
+Dampier, 'any of this sort of fish naturally red, except here.'
+
+The winds blew hard from the Westward, and they could not fetch the
+_Strait of Magalhanes_. [Sidenote: February.] On February the 6th, they
+were at the entrance of _Strait le Maire_, when it fell calm, and a strong
+tide set out of the _Strait_ Northward, which made a short irregular sea,
+as in a race, or place where two tides meet, and broke over the waist of
+the ship, 'which was tossed about like an egg-shell.' [Sidenote: They sail
+by the East end of Staten Island; and enter the South Sea.] A breeze
+springing up from the WNW, they bore away Eastward, and passed round the
+East end of _Staten Island_; after which they saw no other land till they
+came into the _South Sea_. They had much rain, and took advantage of it to
+fill 23 casks with fresh water.
+
+[Sidenote: March.] March the 17th, they were in latitude 36 deg. S, standing
+for the _Island Juan Fernandez_. Variation 8 deg. East.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XIII.
+
+ _Buccaneers under =John Cook= arrive at =Juan Fernandez=.
+ Account of =William=, a Mosquito Indian, who had lived there
+ three years. They sail to the =Galapagos Islands=; thence to
+ the Coast of =New Spain=. =John Cook= dies. =Edward Davis=
+ chosen Commander._
+
+
+[Sidenote: 1684. March 19th.] Continuing their course for _Juan
+Fernandez_, on the 19th in the morning, a strange ship was seen to the
+Southward, standing after them under all her sail. The Buccaneers were in
+hopes she would prove to be a Spaniard, and brought to, to wait her coming
+up. The people on board the strange vessel entertained similar
+expectations, for they also were English, and were come to the _South Sea_
+to pick up what they could. This ship was named the Nicholas; her
+Commander John Eaton; she fitted out in the River _Thames_ under pretence
+of a trading, but in reality with the intention of making a piratical
+voyage.
+
+[Sidenote: Joined by the Nicholas of London, John Eaton Commander.] The
+two ships soon joined, and on its being found that they had come on the
+same errand to the _South Sea_, Cook and Eaton and their men agreed to
+keep company together.
+
+It was learnt from Eaton that another English ship, named the Cygnet,
+commanded by a Captain Swan, had sailed from _London_ for the _South Sea_;
+but fitted out by reputable merchants, and provided with a cargo for a
+trading voyage, having a licence from the Duke of York, then Lord High
+Admiral of _England_. The Cygnet and the Nicholas had met at the entrance
+of the _Strait of Magalhanes_, and they entered the _South Sea_ in
+company, but had since been separated by bad weather.
+
+[Sidenote: March 22d.] March the 22d, the Batchelor's Delight and the
+Nicholas came in sight of the Island _Juan Fernandez_.
+
+[Sidenote: At Juan Fernandez. William the Mosquito Indian.] The reader may
+remember that when the Buccaneers under Watling were at _Juan Fernandez_
+in January 1681, the appearance of three Spanish ships made them quit the
+Island in great haste, and they left behind a Mosquito Indian named
+William, who was in the woods hunting for goats. Several of the Buccaneers
+who were then with Watling were now with Cook, and, eager to discover if
+any traces could be found which would enable them to conjecture what was
+become of their former companion, but with small hope of finding him still
+here, as soon as they were near enough for a boat to be sent from the
+ship, they hastened to the shore. Dampier was in this first boat, as was
+also a Mosquito Indian named Robin; and as they drew near the land, they
+had the satisfaction to see William at the sea-side waiting to receive
+them. Dampier has given the following affecting account of their meeting:
+'Robin, his countryman, was the first who leaped ashore from the boats,
+and running to his brother _Moskito_ man, threw himself flat on his face
+at his feet, who helping him up and embracing him, fell flat with his face
+on the ground at Robin's feet, and was by him taken up also. We stood with
+pleasure to behold the surprise, tenderness, and solemnity of this
+interview, which was exceedingly affectionate on both sides: and when
+their ceremonies were over, we also that stood gazing at them, drew near,
+each of us embracing him we had found here, who was overjoyed to see so
+many of his old friends, come hither as he thought purposely to fetch him.
+He was named Will, as the other was Robin; which names were given them by
+the English, for they have no names among themselves, and they take it as
+a favour to be named by us, and will complain if we do not appoint them
+some name when they are with us.'
+
+William had lived in solitude on _Juan Fernandez_ above three years. The
+Spaniards knew of his being on the Island, and Spanish ships had stopped
+there, the people belonging to which had made keen search after him; but
+he kept himself concealed, and they could never discover his retreat. At
+the time Watling sailed from the Island, he had a musket, a knife, a small
+horn of powder, and a few shot. 'When his ammunition was expended, he
+contrived by notching his knife, to saw the barrel of his gun into small
+pieces, wherewith he made harpoons, lances, hooks, and a long knife,
+heating the pieces of iron first in the fire, and then hammering them out
+as he pleased with stones. This may seem strange to those not acquainted
+with the sagacity of the Indians; but it is no more than what the Moskito
+men were accustomed to in their own country.' He had worn out the clothes
+with which he landed, and was not otherwise clad than with a skin about
+his waist. He made fishing lines of the skins of seals cut into thongs.
+'He had built himself a hut, half a mile from the sea-shore, which he
+lined with goats' skins, and slept on his couch or _barbecu_ of sticks
+raised about two feet from the ground, and spread with goats' skins.' He
+saw the two ships commanded by Cook and Eaton the day before they
+anchored, and from their manoeuvring believing them to be English, he
+killed three goats, which he drest with vegetables; thus preparing a treat
+for his friends on their landing; and there has seldom been a more fair
+and joyful occasion for festivity.
+
+[Sidenote: Stocked with Goats by its Discoverer.] Dampier reckoned two
+bays in _Juan Fernandez_ proper for ships to anchor in; 'both at the East
+end, and in each there is a rivulet of good fresh water.' He mentions (it
+may be supposed on the authority of Spanish information) that this Island
+was stocked with goats by Juan Fernandez, its discoverer, who, in a second
+voyage to it, landed three or four of these animals, and they quickly
+multiplied. Also, that Juan Fernandez had formed a plan of settling here,
+if he could have obtained a patent or royal grant of the Island; which was
+refused him[37].
+
+The Buccaneers found here a good supply of provisions in goats, wild
+vegetables, seals, sea-lions, and fish. Dampier says, 'the seals at _Juan
+Fernandez_ are as big as calves, and have a fine thick short fur, the like
+I have not taken notice of any where but in these seas. The teeth of the
+sea-lion are the bigness of a man's thumb: in Captain Sharp's time, some
+of the Buccaneers made dice of them. Both the sea-lion and the seal eat
+fish, which I believe is their common food.'
+
+[Sidenote: Coast of Peru.] April the 8th, the Batchelor's Delight and
+Nicholas sailed from _Juan Fernandez_ for the American coast, which they
+made in latitude 24 deg. S, and sailed Northward, keeping sight of the land,
+but at a good distance. [Sidenote: May.] On May the 3d, in latitude 9 deg. 40'
+S, they took a Spanish ship laden with timber.
+
+[Sidenote: Appearance of the Andes.] Dampier remarks that 'from the
+latitude of 24 deg. S to 17 deg., and from 14 deg. to 10 deg. S, the land within the coast
+is of a prodigious height. It lies generally in ridges parallel to the
+shore, one within another, each surpassing the other in height, those
+inland being the highest. They always appear blue when seen from sea, and
+are seldom obscured by clouds or fogs. These mountains far surpass the
+_Peak of Teneriffe_, or the land of _Santa Martha_.'
+
+[Sidenote: Islands Lobos de la Mar.] On the 9th, they anchored at the
+Islands _Lobos de la Mar_. 'This _Lobos_ consists of two little Islands
+each about a mile round, of indifferent height, with a channel between fit
+only for boats. Several rocks lie on the North side of the Islands. There
+is a small cove, or sandy bay, sheltered from the winds, at the West end
+of the Easternmost Island, where ships may careen. There is good riding
+between the Easternmost Island and the rocks, in 10, 12, or 14 fathoms;
+for the wind is commonly at S, or SSE, and the Easternmost Island lying
+East and West, shelters that road. Both the Islands are barren, without
+fresh water, tree, shrub, grass, or herb; but sea-fowls, seals, and
+sea-lions were here in multitudes[38].'
+
+On a review of their strength, they mustered in the two ships 108 men fit
+for service, besides their sick. They remained at the _Lobos de la Mar_
+Isles till the 17th, when three vessels coming in sight, they took up
+their anchors and gave chace. They captured all the three, which were
+laden with provisions, principally flour, and bound for _Panama_. They
+learnt from the prisoners that the English ship Cygnet had been at
+_Baldivia_, and that the Viceroy on information of strange ships having
+entered the _South Sea_, had ordered treasure which had been shipped for
+_Panama_ to be re-landed. [Sidenote: They sail to the Galapagos Islands.]
+The Buccaneers, finding they were expected on the coast, determined to go
+with their prizes first to the _Galapagos Islands_, and afterwards to the
+coast of _New Spain_.
+
+They arrived in sight of the _Galapagos_ on the 31st; but were not enough
+to the Southward to fetch the Southern Islands, the wind being from SbE,
+which Dampier remarks is the common trade-wind in this part of the
+_Pacific_. Many instances occur in _South Sea_ navigations which shew the
+disadvantage of not keeping well to the South in going to the _Galapagos_.
+
+[Sidenote: Duke of Norfolk's Island.] The two ships anchored near the
+North East part of one of the Easternmost Islands, in 16 fathoms, the
+bottom white hard sand, a mile distant from the shore.
+
+It was during this visit of the Buccaneers to the _Galapagos_, that the
+chart of these Islands which was published with Cowley's voyage was made.
+Considering the small opportunity for surveying which was afforded by
+their track, it may be reckoned a good chart, and has the merit both of
+being the earliest survey known of these Islands, and of having continued
+in use to this day; the latest charts we have of the _Galapagos_ being
+founded upon this original, and (setting aside the additions) varying
+little from it in the general outlines.
+
+Where Cook and Eaton first anchored, appears to be the _Duke of Norfolk's
+Island_ of Cowley's chart. They found there sea turtle and land turtle,
+but could stop only one night, on account of two of their prizes, which
+being deeply laden had fallen too far to leeward to fetch the same
+anchorage.
+
+[Sidenote: June. King James's Island.] The day following, they sailed on
+to the next Island Westward (marked _King James's Island_ in the chart)
+and anchored at its North end, a quarter of a mile distant from the shore,
+in 15 fathoms. Dampier observed the latitude of the North part of this
+second Island, 0 deg. 28' N, which is considerably more North than it is
+placed in Cowley's chart. The riding here was very uncertain, 'the bottom
+being so steep that if an anchor starts, it never holds again.'
+
+[Sidenote: Mistake made by the Editor of Dampier's Voyages.] An error has
+been committed in the printed Narrative of Dampier, which it may be useful
+to notice. It is there said, 'The Island at which we first anchored hath
+water on the North end, falling down in a stream from high steep rocks
+upon the sandy bay, where it may be taken up.' Concerning so essential an
+article to mariners as fresh water, no information can be too minute to
+deserve attention. [Sidenote: Concerning Fresh Water at King James's
+Island.] In the manuscript Journal, Dampier says of the first Island at
+which they anchored, 'we found there the largest land turtle I ever saw;
+but the Island is rocky and barren, without wood or water.' At the next
+Island at which they anchored, both Dampier and Cowley mention fresh water
+being found. Cowley says, 'this Bay I called _Albany Bay_, and another
+place _York Road_. Here is excellent sweet water.' Dampier also in the
+margin of his written Journal where the second anchorage is mentioned, has
+inserted the note following: 'At the North end of the Island we saw water
+running down from the rocks.' The editor or corrector of the press has
+mistakenly applied this to the first anchorage.
+
+[Sidenote: Herbage on the North end of Albemarle Island.] Cowley, after
+assigning names to the different Islands, adds, 'We could find no good
+water on any of these places, save on the _Duke of York's_ [_i. e. King
+James's_] _Island_. But at the North end of _Albemarle Island_ there were
+green leaves of a thick substance which we chewed to quench our thirst:
+and there were abundance of fowls in this Island which could not live
+without water, though we could not find it[39].'
+
+Animal food was furnished by the _Galapagos Islands_ in profusion, and of
+the most delicate kind; of vegetables nothing of use was found except the
+mammee, the leaves just noticed and berries. The name _Galapagos_ which
+has been assigned to these Islands, signifies Turtle in the Spanish
+language, and was given to them on account of the great numbers of those
+animals, both of the sea and land kind, found there. Guanoes, an
+amphibious animal well known in the _West Indies_, fish, flamingoes, and
+turtle-doves so tame that they would alight upon the men's heads, were
+all in great abundance; and convenient for preserving meat, salt was
+plentiful at the _Galapagos_. Some green snakes were the only other
+animals seen there.
+
+[Sidenote: Land Turtle.] The full-grown land turtle were from 150 to 200
+_lbs._ in weight. Dampier says, 'so sweet that no pullet can eat more
+pleasantly. They are very fat; the oil saved from them was kept in jars,
+and used instead of butter to eat with dough-boys or dumplings.'--'We lay
+here feeding sometimes on land turtle, sometimes on sea turtle, there
+being plenty of either sort; but the land turtle, as they exceed in
+sweetness, so do they in numbers: it is incredible to report how numerous
+they are.'
+
+[Sidenote: Sea Turtle.] The sea turtle at the _Galapagos_ are of the
+larger kind of those called the Green Turtle. Dampier thought their flesh
+not so good as the green turtle of the _West Indies_.
+
+Dampier describes the _Galapagos Isles_ to be generally of good height:
+'four or five of the Easternmost Islands are rocky, hilly, and barren,
+producing neither tree, herb, nor grass; but only a green prickly shrub
+that grows 10 or 12 feet high, as big as a man's leg, and is full of sharp
+prickles in thick rows from top to bottom, without leaf or fruit. In some
+places by the sea side grow bushes of Burton wood (a sort of wood which
+grows in the _West Indies_) which is good firing. [Sidenote: Mammee Tree.]
+Some of the Westernmost of these Islands are nine or ten leagues long,
+have fertile land with mold deep and black; and these produce trees of
+various kinds, some of great and tall bodies, especially the Mammee. The
+heat is not so violent here as in many other places under the Equator. The
+time of year for the rains, is in November, December, and January.'
+
+At _Albany Bay_, and at other of the Islands, the Buccaneers built
+storehouses, in which they lodged 5000 packs of their prize flour, and a
+quantity of sweetmeats, to remain as a reserved store to which they might
+have recourse on any future occasion. Part of this provision was landed at
+the Islands Northward of _King James's Island_, to which they went in
+search of fresh water, but did not find any. They endeavoured to sail back
+to the _Duke of York's Island_, Cowley says, 'there to have watered,' but
+a current setting Northward prevented them.
+
+[Sidenote: 12th. They sail from the Galapagos.] On June the 12th, they
+sailed from the _Galapagos Islands_ for the Island _Cocos_, where they
+proposed to water. The wind at this time was South; but they expected they
+should find, as they went Northward, the general trade-wind blowing from
+the East; and in that persuasion they steered more Easterly than the line
+of direction in which _Cocos_ lay from them, imagining that when they came
+to the latitude of the Island, they would have to bear down upon it before
+the wind. Contrary however to this expectation, as they advanced Northward
+they found the wind more Westerly, till it settled at SWbS, and they got
+so far Eastward, that they crossed the parallel of _Cocos_ without being
+able to come in sight of it.
+
+[Sidenote: July. Coast of New Spain. Cape Blanco.] Missing _Cocos_, they
+sailed on Northward for the coast of _New Spain_. In the beginning of
+July, they made the West Cape of the _Gulf of Nicoya_. 'This Cape is about
+the height of _Beachy Head_, and was named _Blanco_, on account of two
+white rocks lying about half a mile from it, which to those who are far
+off at sea, appear as part of the mainland; but on coming nearer, they
+appear like two ships under sail[40].'
+
+[Sidenote: John Cook, Buccaneer Commander, dies. Edward Davis chosen
+Commander.] The day on which they made this land, the Buccaneer Commander,
+John Cook, who had been some time ill, died. Edward Davis, the
+Quarter-Master, was unanimously elected by the company to succeed in the
+command.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XIV.
+
+ _=Edward Davis= Commander. On the coast of =New Spain= and
+ =Peru=. Algatrane, a bituminous earth. =Davis= is joined by
+ other Buccaneers. =Eaton= sails to the East Indies.
+ =Guayaquil= attempted. Rivers of =St. Jago=, and =Tomaco=. In
+ the Bay of =Panama=. Arrivals of numerous parties of
+ Buccaneers across the =Isthmus= from the =West Indies=._
+
+
+[Sidenote: 1684. July. Coast of New Spain. Caldera Bay.] Dampier describes
+the coast of _New Spain_ immediately westward of the _Cape Blanco_ last
+mentioned, to fall in to the NE about four leagues, making a small bay,
+which is by the Spaniards called _Caldera_[41]. Within the entrance of
+this bay, a league from _Cape Blanco_, was a small brook of very good
+water running into the sea. The land here is low, making a saddle between
+two small hills. The ships anchored near the brook, in good depth, on a
+bottom of clean hard sand; and at this place, their deceased Commander was
+taken on shore and buried.
+
+The country appeared thin of inhabitants, and the few seen were shy of
+coming near strangers. Two Indians however were caught. Some cattle were
+seen grazing near the shore, at a Beef _Estancian_ or Farm, three miles
+distant from where the ships lay. Two boats were sent thither to bring
+cattle, having with them one of the Indians for a guide. They arrived at
+the farm towards evening, and some of the Buccaneers proposed that they
+should remain quiet till daylight next morning, when they might surround
+the cattle and drive a number of them into a pen or inclosure; others of
+the party disliked this plan, and one of the boats returned to the ships.
+Twelve men, with the other boat, remained, who hauled their boat dry up on
+the beach, and went and took their lodgings for the night by the farm.
+When the morning arrived, they found the people of the country had
+collected, and saw about 40 armed men preparing to attack them. The
+Buccaneers hastened as speedily as they could to the sea-side where they
+had left their boat, and found her in flames. 'The Spaniards now thought
+they had them secure, and some called to them to ask if they would be
+pleased to walk to their plantations; to which never a word was answered.'
+Fortunately for the Buccaneers, a rock appeared just above water at some
+distance from the shore, and the way to it being fordable, they waded
+thither. This served as a place of protection against the enemy, 'who only
+now and then whistled a shot among them.' It was at about half ebb tide
+when they took to the rock for refuge; on the return of the flood, the
+rock became gradually covered. They had been in this situation seven
+hours, when a boat arrived, sent from the ships in search of them. The
+rise and fall of the tide here was eight feet perpendicular, and the tide
+was still rising at the time the boat came to their relief; so that their
+peril from the sea when on the rock was not less than it had been from the
+Spaniards when they were on shore.
+
+From _Caldera Bay_, they sailed for _Ria-lexa_. [Sidenote: Volcan Viejo.
+Ria-lexa Harbour.] The coast near _Ria-lexa_ is rendered remarkable by a
+high peaked mountain called _Volcan Viejo_ (the Old Volcano.) 'When the
+mountain bears NE, ships may steer directly in for it, which course will
+bring them to the harbour. Those that go thither must take the sea wind,
+which is from the SSW, for there is no going in with the land wind. The
+harbour is made by a low flat Island about a mile long and a quarter of a
+mile broad, which lies about a mile and a half from the main-land. There
+is a channel at each end of the Island: the West channel is the widest and
+safest, yet at the NW point of the Island there is a shoal of which ships
+must take heed, and when past the shoal must keep close to the Island on
+account of a sandy point which strikes over from the main-land. This
+harbour is capable of receiving 200 sail of ships. The best riding is near
+the main-land, where the depth is seven or eight fathoms, clean hard sand.
+Two creeks lead up to the town of _Ria-lexa_, which is two leagues distant
+from the harbour[42].'
+
+The Spaniards had erected breastworks and made other preparation in
+expectation of such a visit as the present. The Buccaneers therefore
+changed their intention, which had been to attack the town; and sailed on
+for the _Gulf of Amapalla_.
+
+[Sidenote: Bay of Amapalla.] 'The Bay or Gulf of _Amapalla_ runs eight or
+ten leagues into the country. On the South side of its entrance is _Point
+Casivina_, in latitude 12 deg. 40' N; and on the NW side is _Mount San
+Miguel_. There are many Islands in this Gulf, all low except two, named
+_Amapalla_ and _Mangera_, which are both high land. These are two miles
+asunder, and between them is the best channel into the Gulf[43].'
+
+The ships sailed into the _Gulf_ through the channel between _Point
+Casivina_ and the Island _Mangera_. Davis went with two canoes before the
+ships, and landed at a village on the Island _Mangera_. The inhabitants
+kept at a distance, but a Spanish Friar and some Indians were taken, from
+whom the Buccaneers learnt that there were two Indian towns or villages on
+the _Island Amapalla_; upon which information they hastened to their
+canoes, and made for that Island. On coming near, some among the
+inhabitants called out to demand who they were, and what they came for.
+Davis answered by an interpreter, that he and his men were Biscayners
+sent by the King of _Spain_ to clear the sea of Pirates; and that their
+business in _Amapalla Bay_, was to careen. No other Spaniard than the
+Padre dwelt among these Indians, and only one among the Indians could
+speak the Spanish language, who served as a kind of Secretary to the
+Padre. The account the Buccaneers gave of themselves satisfied the
+natives, and the Secretary said they were welcome. The principal town or
+village of the Island _Amapalla_ stood on the top of a hill, and Davis and
+his men, with the Friar at their head, marched thither.
+
+At each of the towns on _Amapalla_, and also on _Mangera_, was a handsome
+built church. The Spanish Padre officiated at all three, and gave
+religious instruction to the natives in their own language. The Islands
+were within the jurisdiction of the Governor of the Town of _San Miguel_,
+which was at the foot of the _Mount_. 'I observed,' says Dampier, 'in all
+the Indian towns under the Spanish Government, that the Images of the
+Virgin Mary, and of other Saints with which all their churches are filled,
+are painted of an Indian complexion, and partly in an Indian dress: but in
+the towns which are inhabited chiefly by Spaniards, the Saints conform to
+the Spanish garb and complexion.'
+
+The ships anchored near the East side of the _Island Amapalla_, which is
+the largest of the Islands, in 10 fathoms depth, clean hard sand. On other
+Islands in the Bay were plantations of maize, with cattle, fowls,
+plantains, and abundance of a plum-tree common in _Jamaica_, the fruit of
+which Dampier calls the large hog plum. This fruit is oval, with a large
+stone and little substance about it; pleasant enough in taste, but he says
+he never saw one of these plums ripe that had not a maggot or two in it.
+
+The Buccaneers helped themselves to cattle from an Island in the Bay which
+was largely stocked, and which they were informed belonged to a Nunnery.
+The natives willingly assisted them to take the cattle, and were content
+on receiving small presents for their labour. The Buccaneers had no other
+service to desire of these natives, and therefore it must have been from
+levity and an ambition to give a specimen of their vocation, more than for
+any advantage expected, that they planned to take the opportunity when the
+inhabitants should be assembled in their church, to shut the church doors
+upon them, the Buccaneers themselves say, 'to let the Indians know who we
+were, and to make a bargain with them.' In executing this project, one of
+the buccaneers being impatient at the leisurely movements of the
+inhabitants, pushed one of them rather rudely, to hasten him into the
+church; but the contrary effect was produced, for the native being
+frightened, ran away, and all the rest taking alarm 'sprang out of the
+church like deer.' As they fled, some of Davis's men fired at them as at
+an enemy, and among other injury committed, the Indian Secretary was
+killed.
+
+Cowley relates their exploits here very briefly, but in the style of an
+accomplished Gazette writer. He says, 'We set sail from _Realejo_ to the
+_Gulf of St. Miguel_, where we took two Islands; one was inhabited by
+Indians, and the other was well stored with cattle.'
+
+[Sidenote: September. Davis and Eaton part Company.] Davis and Eaton here
+broke off consortship. The cause of their separating was an unreasonable
+claim of Davis's crew, who having the stouter and better ship, would not
+agree that Eaton's men should share equally with themselves in the prizes
+taken. Cowley at this time quitted Davis's ship, and entered with Eaton,
+who sailed from the _Bay of Amapalla_ for the Peruvian coast. Davis also
+sailed the same way on the day following (September the 3d), first
+releasing the Priest of _Amapalla_; and with a feeling of remorse
+something foreign to his profession, by way of atonement to the
+inhabitants for the annoyance and mischief they had sustained from the
+Buccaneers, he left them one of the prize vessels, with half a cargo of
+flour.
+
+[Sidenote: Tornadoes near the Coast of New Spain.] Davis sailed out of the
+Gulf by the passage between the Islands _Amapalla_ and _Mangera_. In the
+navigation towards the coast of _Peru_, they had the wind from the NNW and
+West, except during tornadoes, of which they had one or more every day,
+and whilst they lasted the wind generally blew from the South East; but as
+soon as they were over, the wind settled again, in the NW. Tornadoes are
+common near the _Bay of Panama_ from June to November, and at this time
+were accompanied with much thunder, lightning, and rain.
+
+[Sidenote: Cape San Francisco.] When they came to _Cape San Francisco_,
+they found settled fair weather, and the wind at South. On the 20th, they
+anchored by the East side of the _Island Plata_. The 21st, Eaton's ship
+anchored near them. Eaton had been at the _Island Cocos_, and had lodged
+on shore there 200 packages of flour.
+
+[Sidenote: Eaton's Description of Cocos Island.] According to Eaton's
+description, _Cocos Island_ is encompassed with rocks, 'which make it
+almost inaccessible except at the NE end, where there is a small but
+secure harbour; and a fine brook of fresh water runs there into the sea.
+The middle of the Island is pretty high, and destitute of trees, but looks
+green and pleasant with an herb by the Spaniards called _Gramadiel_. All
+round the Island by the sea, the land is low, and there cocoa-nut trees
+grow in great groves.'
+
+[Sidenote: Coast of Peru.] At _La Plata_ they found only one small run of
+fresh water, which was on the East side of the Island, and trickled slowly
+down from the rocks. The Spaniards had recently destroyed the goats here,
+that they might not serve as provision for the pirates. Small sea turtle
+however were plentiful, as were men-of-war birds and boobies. The tide was
+remarked to run strong at this part of the coast, the flood to the South.
+
+Eaton and his crew would willingly have joined company again with Davis,
+but Davis's men persisted in their unsociable claim to larger shares: the
+two ships therefore, though designing alike to cruise on the coast of
+_Peru_, sailed singly and separately, Eaton on the 22d, and Davis on the
+day following.
+
+[Sidenote: Point S^{ta} Elena.] Davis went to _Point S^{ta} Elena_. On its
+West side is deep water and no anchorage. In the bay on the North side of
+the Point is good anchorage, and about a mile within the Point was a small
+Indian village, the inhabitants of which carried on a trade with pitch,
+and salt made there. The _Point S^{ta} Elena_ is tolerably high, and
+overgrown with thistles; but the land near it is sandy, low, and in parts
+overflowed, without tree or grass, and without fresh water; but
+water-melons grew there, large and very sweet. When the inhabitants of the
+village wanted fresh water, they were obliged to fetch it from a river
+called the _Colanche_, which is at the innermost part of the bay, four
+leagues distant from their habitations. The buccaneers landed, and took
+some natives prisoners. A small bark was lying in the bay at anchor, the
+crew of which set fire to and abandoned her; but the buccaneers boarded
+her in time to extinguish the fire. A general order had been given by the
+Viceroy of _Peru_ to all ship-masters, that if they should be in danger of
+being taken by pirates, they should set fire to their vessels and betake
+themselves to their boats.
+
+[Sidenote: Algatrane, a bituminous Earth.] The pitch, which was the
+principal commodity produced at _S^{ta} Elena_, was supplied from a hot
+spring, of which Dampier gives the following account. 'Not far from the
+Indian village, and about five paces within high-water mark, a bituminous
+matter boils out of a little hole in the earth. It is like thin tar; the
+Spaniards call it _Algatrane_. By much boiling, it becomes hard like
+pitch, and is used by the Spaniards instead of pitch. It boils up most at
+high water, and the inhabitants save it in jars[44].'
+
+[Sidenote: A rich Ship formerly wrecked on Point S^{ta} Elena.] A report
+was current here among the Spaniards, 'that many years before, a rich
+Spanish ship was driven ashore at _Point S^{ta} Elena_, for want of wind
+to work her; that immediately after she struck, she heeled off to seaward,
+and sunk in seven or eight fathoms water; and that no one ever attempted
+to fish for her, because there falls in here a great high sea[45].'
+
+[Sidenote: Manta.] Davis landed at a village named _Manta_, on the
+main-land about three leagues Eastward of _Cape San Lorenzo_, and due
+North of a high conical mountain called _Monte Christo_. The village was
+on a small ascent, and between it and the sea was a spring of good water.
+[Sidenote: Sunken Rocks near it.] 'About a mile and a half from the shore,
+right opposite the village, is a rock which is very dangerous, because it
+never appears above water, neither does the sea break upon it. A mile
+within the rock is good anchorage in six, eight or ten fathoms, hard sand
+and clear ground. [Sidenote: And Shoal.] A mile from the road on the West
+side is a shoal which runs out a mile into the sea[46].'
+
+The only booty made by landing at _Manta_, was the taking two old women
+prisoners. From them however, the Buccaneers obtained intelligence that
+many of their fraternity had lately crossed the _Isthmus_ from the _West
+Indies_, and were at this time on the _South Sea_, without ships, cruising
+about in canoes; and that it was on this account the Viceroy had given
+orders for the destruction of the goats at the Island _Plata_.
+
+[Sidenote: October. Davis is joined by other Buccaneers.] Whilst Davis and
+his men, in the Batchelor's Delight, were lying at the Island _Plata_,
+unsettled in their plans by the news they had received, they were, on
+October the 2d, joined by the Cygnet, Captain Swan, and by a small bark
+manned with a crew of buccaneers, both of which anchored in the road.
+
+[Sidenote: The Cygnet, Captain Swan.] The Cygnet, as before noticed, was
+fitted out from _London_ for the purpose of trade. She had put in at
+_Baldivia_, where Swan, seeing the Spaniards suspicious of the visits of
+strangers, gave out that he was bound to the _East Indies_, and that he
+had endeavoured to go by the _Cape of Good Hope_; but that meeting there
+with storms and unfavourable winds, and not being able to beat round that
+_Cape_, he had changed his course and ran for the _Strait of Magalhanes_,
+to sail by the _Pacific Ocean_ to _India_. This story was too improbable
+to gain credit. Instead of finding a market at _Baldivia_, the Spaniards
+there treated him and his people as enemies, by which he lost two men and
+had several wounded. He afterwards tried the disposition of the Spaniards
+to trade with him at other places, both in _Chili_ and _Peru_, but no
+where met encouragement. He proceeded Northward for _New Spain_ still with
+the same view; but near the _Gulf of Nicoya_ he fell in with some
+buccaneers who had come over the _Isthmus_ and were in canoes; and his men
+(Dampier says) forced him to receive them into his ship, and he was
+afterwards prevailed on to join in their pursuits. Swan had to plead in
+his excuse, the hostility of the Spaniards towards him at _Baldivia_.
+These buccaneers with whom Swan associated, had for their commander Peter
+Harris, a nephew of the Peter Harris who was killed in battle with the
+Spaniards in the _Bay of Panama_, in 1680, when the Buccaneers were
+commanded by Sawkins and Coxon. Swan stipulated with them that ten shares
+of every prize should be set apart for the benefit of his owners, and
+articles to that purport were drawn up and signed. Swan retained the
+command of the Cygnet, with a crew increased by a number of the new
+comers, for whose accommodation a large quantity of bulky goods belonging
+to the merchants was thrown into the sea. Harris with others of the
+buccaneers established themselves in a small bark they had taken.
+
+On their meeting with Davis, there was much joy and congratulation on all
+sides. They immediately agreed to keep together, and the separation of
+Eaton's ship was now much regretted. They were still incommoded in Swan's
+ship for want of room, therefore (the supercargoes giving consent)
+whatever part of the cargo any of the crews desired to purchase, it was
+sold to them upon trust; and more bulky goods were thrown overboard. Iron,
+of which there was a large quantity, was kept for ballast; and the finer
+goods, as silks, muslins, stockings, &c. were saved. [Sidenote: At Isle de
+la Plata.] Whilst they continued at _La Plata_, Davis kept a small bark
+out cruising, which brought in a ship from _Guayaquil_, laden with timber,
+the master of which reported that great preparations were making at
+_Callao_ to attack the pirates. This information made a re-union with
+Eaton more earnestly desired, and a small bark manned with 20 men was
+dispatched to search along the coast Southward as far as to the _Lobos
+Isles_, with an invitation to him to join them again. The ships in the
+mean time followed leisurely in the same direction.
+
+[Sidenote: Cape Blanco, near Guayaquil; difficult to weather.] On the
+30th, they were off the _Cape Blanco_ which is between _Payta_ and the
+_Bay of Guayaquil_. Southerly winds prevail along the coast of _Peru_ and
+_Chili_ much the greater part of the year; and Dampier remarks of this
+_Cape Blanco_, that it was reckoned the most difficult to weather of any
+headland along the coast, the wind generally blowing strong from SSW or
+SbW, without being altered, as at other parts of the coast, by the land
+winds. Yet it was held necessary here to beat up close in with the shore,
+because (according to the accounts of Spanish seamen) 'on standing out to
+sea, a current is found setting NW, which will carry a ship farther off
+shore in two hours, than she can run in again in five.'
+
+[Sidenote: November. Payta burnt.] November the 3d, the Buccaneers landed
+at _Payta_ without opposition, the town being abandoned to them. They
+found nothing of value, 'not so much as a meal of victuals being left
+them.' The Governor would not pay ransom for the town, though he fed the
+Buccaneers with hopes till the sixth day, when they set it on fire.
+
+At most of the towns on the coast of _Peru_, the houses are built with
+bricks made of earth and straw kneaded together and dried in the sun; many
+houses have no roof other than mats laid upon rafters, for it never rains,
+and they endeavour to fence only from the sun. From the want of moisture,
+great part of the country near the coast will not produce timber, and most
+of the stone they have, 'is so brittle that any one may rub it into sand
+with their finger.'
+
+_Payta_ had neither wood nor water, except what was carried thither. The
+water was procured from a river about two leagues NNE of the town, where
+was a small Indian village called _Colan_. [Sidenote: Part of the Peruvian
+Coast where it never rains.] Dampier says, 'this dry country commences
+Northward about _Cape Blanco_ (in about 4 deg. S latitude) whence it reaches
+to latitude 30 deg. S, in which extent they have no rain that I could ever
+observe or hear of.' In the Southern part of this tract however (according
+to Wafer) they have great dews in the night, by which the vallies are
+rendered fertile, and are well furnished with vegetables.
+
+Eaton had been at _Payta_, where he burnt a large ship in the road, but
+did not land. He put on shore there all his prisoners; from which
+circumstance it was conjectured that he purposed to sail immediately for
+the _East Indies_; and such proved to be the fact.
+
+The vessel commanded by Harris, sailed badly, and was therefore quitted
+and burnt. [Sidenote: Lobos de Tierra. Lobos de la Mar.] On the 14th, the
+other Buccaneer vessels, under Davis, anchored near the NE end of _Lobos
+de Tierra_, in four fathoms depth. They took here penguins, boobies, and
+seals. On the 19th, they were at _Lobos de la Mar_, where they found a
+letter left by the bark sent in search of Eaton, which gave information
+that he had entirely departed from the American coast. The bark had sailed
+for the Island _Plata_ expecting to rejoin the ships there.
+
+[Sidenote: Eaton sails for the East Indies; Stops at the Ladrones.] Eaton
+in his route to the _East Indies_ stopped at _Guahan_, one of the _Ladrone
+Islands_, where himself and his crew acted towards the native Islanders
+with the utmost barbarity, which Cowley relates as a subject of merriment.
+
+On their first arrival at _Guahan_, Eaton sent a boat on shore to procure
+refreshments; but the natives kept at a distance, believing his ship to be
+one of the Manila galeons, and his people Spaniards. Eaton's men served
+themselves with cocoa-nuts, but finding difficulty in climbing, they cut
+the trees down to get at the fruit. The next time their boat went to the
+shore, the Islanders attacked her, but were easily repulsed; and a number
+of them killed. By this time the Spanish Governor was arrived at the part
+of the Island near which the ship had anchored, and sent a letter
+addressed to her Commander, written in four different languages, to wit,
+in Spanish, French, Dutch, and Latin, to demand of what country she was,
+and whence she came. Cowley says, 'Our Captain, thinking the French would
+be welcomer than the English, returned answer we were French, fitted out
+by private merchants to make fuller discovery of the world. The Governor
+on this, invited the Captain to the shore, and at their first conference,
+the Captain told him that the Indians had fallen upon his men, and that we
+had killed some of them. He wished we had killed them all, and told us of
+their rebellion, that they had killed eight Fathers, of sixteen which were
+in a convent. He gave us leave to kill and take whatever we could find on
+one half of the Island where the rebels lived. We then made wars with
+these infidels, and went on shore every day, fetching provisions, and
+firing upon them wherever we saw them, so that the greatest part of them
+left the Island. The Indians sent two of their captains to us to treat of
+peace, but we would not treat with them[47].'--'The whole land is a
+garden. The Governor was the same man who detained Sir John Narbrough's
+Lieutenant at _Baldivia_. Our Captain supplied him with four barrels of
+gunpowder, and arms.'
+
+Josef de Quiroga was at this time Governor at _Guahan_, who afterwards
+conquered and unpeopled all the Northern Islands of the _Ladrones_.
+Eaton's crew took some of the Islanders prisoners: three of them jumped
+overboard to endeavour to escape. It was easy to retake them, as they had
+been bound with their hands behind them; but Eaton's men pursued them with
+the determined purpose to kill them, which they did in mere wantonness of
+sport[48]. At another time, when they had so far come to an accommodation
+with the Islanders as to admit of their approach, the ship's boat being on
+shore fishing with the seine, some natives in canoes near her were
+suspected of intending mischief. Cowley relates, 'our people that were in
+the boat let go in amongst the thickest of them, and killed a great many
+of their number.' It is possible that thus much might have been necessary
+for safety; but Cowley proceeds, 'the others, seeing their mates fall, ran
+away. Our other men which were on shore, meeting them, saluted them also
+by making holes in their hides.'
+
+From the _Ladrones_ Eaton sailed to the North of _Luconia_, and passed
+through among the Islands which were afterwards named by Dampier the
+_Bashee Islands_. The account given by Cowley is as follows: 'There being
+half a point East variation, till we came to latitude 20 deg. 30' N, where we
+fell in with a parcel of Islands lying to the Northward of _Luconia_. On
+the 23d day of April, we sailed through between the second and third of
+the Northernmost of them. We met with a very strong current, like the
+_Race of Portland_. [Sidenote: Nutmeg Island, North of Luconia.] At the
+third of the Northernmost Islands, we sent our boat on shore, where they
+found abundance of nutmegs growing, but no people. They observed abundance
+of rocks and foul ground near the shore, and saw many goats upon the
+Island.'
+
+Cowley concludes the narrative of his voyage with saying that he arrived
+home safe to _England_ through the infinite mercy of God.
+
+[Sidenote: Coast of Peru. Davis attempts Guayaquil. Slave Ships captured.]
+To return to Edward Davis: At _Lobos de la Mar_, the Mosquito Indians
+struck as much turtle as served all the crews. Shortly after, Davis made
+an attempt to surprise _Guayaquil_, which miscarried through the cowardice
+of one of his men, and the coldness of Swan to the enterprise. In the _Bay
+of Guayaquil_ they captured four vessels; one of them laden with woollen
+cloth of _Quito_ manufacture; the other three were ships coming out of the
+_River of Guayaquil_ with cargoes of Negroes.
+
+The number of Negroes in these vessels was a thousand, from among which
+Davis and Swan chose each about fifteen, and let the vessels go. Dampier
+entertained on this occasion different views from his companions. 'Never,'
+says he, 'was put into the hands of men a greater opportunity to enrich
+themselves. We had 1000 Negroes, all lusty young men and women, and we had
+200 tons of flour stored up at the _Galapagos Islands_. With these Negroes
+we might have gone and settled at _Santa Maria_ on the _Isthmus of
+Darien_, and have employed them in getting gold out of the mines there.
+All the Indians living in that neighbourhood were mortal enemies to the
+Spaniards, were flushed by successes against them, and for several years
+had been the fast friends of the privateers. Add to which, we should have
+had the _North Sea_ open to us, and in a short time should have received
+assistance from all parts of the _West Indies_. Many thousands of
+Buccaneers from _Jamaica_ and the French Islands would have flocked to us;
+and we should have been an overmatch for all the force the Spaniards could
+have brought out of _Peru_ against us.'
+
+The proposal to employ slaves in the mines leaves no cause to regret that
+Dampier's plan was not adopted; but that was probably not an objection
+with his companions. They naturally shrunk from an attempt which in the
+execution would have required a regularity and order to which they were
+unaccustomed, and not at all affected.
+
+[Sidenote: Description of the Harbour of Guayaquil.] The Harbour of
+_Guayaquil_ is the best formed port in _Peru_. In the river, three or four
+miles short of the town, stands a low Island about a mile long, on either
+side of which is a fair channel to pass up or down. The Western Channel is
+the wildest: the other is as deep. 'From the upper part of the Island to
+the town is about a league, and it is near as much from one side of the
+river to the other. In that spacious place ships of the greatest burthen
+may ride afloat; but the best place for ships is near that part of the
+land on which the town stands. The country here is subject to great rains
+and thick fogs, which render it very unwholesome and sickly, in the
+vallies especially; _Guayaquil_ however is not so unhealthy as _Quito_ and
+other towns inland; but the Northern part of Peru pays for the dry weather
+which they have about _Lima_ and to the Southward.'
+
+[Sidenote: Island S^{ta} Clara. Shoals near its North Side.] 'Ships bound
+into the river of _Guayaquil_ pass on the South side of the Island _Santa
+Clara_ to avoid shoals which are on the North side, whereon formerly ships
+have been wrecked. A rich wreck lay on the North side of _Santa Clara_ not
+far from the Island, and some plate which was in her was taken up: more
+might have been saved but for the cat-fish which swarm hereabouts.
+
+[Sidenote: Cat Fish.] 'The Cat-fish is much like a whiting; but the head
+is flatter and bigger. It has a wide mouth, and certain small strings
+pointing out on each side of it like cats' whiskers. It hath three fins;
+one on the back, and one on either side. Each of these fins hath a sharp
+bone which is very venemous if it strikes into a man's flesh. Some of the
+Indians that adventured to search this wreck lost their lives, and others
+the use of their limbs, by these fins. Some of the cat-fish weigh seven or
+eight pounds; and in some places there are cat-fish which are none of them
+bigger than a man's thumb; but their fins are all alike venemous. They are
+most generally at the mouths of rivers (in the hot latitudes) or where
+there is much mud and ooze. The bones in their bodies are not venemous,
+and we never perceived any bad effect in eating the fish, which is very
+sweet and wholesome meat[49].'
+
+The 13th, Davis and Swan with their prizes sailed from the _Bay of
+Guayaquil_ to the Island _Plata_, and found there the bark which had been
+in quest of Eaton's ship.
+
+From _Plata_, they sailed Northward towards the _Bay of Panama_, landing
+at the villages along the coast to seek provisions. They were ill provided
+with boats, which exposed them to danger in making descents, by their not
+being able to land or bring off many men at one time; and they judged that
+the best places for getting their wants in this respect supplied would be
+in rivers of the Continent, in which the Spaniards had no settlement,
+where from the native inhabitants they might obtain canoes by traffic or
+purchase, if not otherwise. Dampier remarks that there were many such
+unfrequented rivers in the Continent to the Northward of the _Isle de la
+Plata_; and that from the Equinoctial to the _Gulf de San Miguel_ in the
+_Bay of Panama_, which is above eight degrees of latitude, the coast was
+not inhabited by the Spaniards, nor were the Indians who lived there in
+any manner under their subjection, except at one part near the Island
+_Gallo_, 'where on the banks of a Gold River or two, some Spaniards had
+settled to find gold.'
+
+[Sidenote: The Land Northward of Cape San Francisco. The Cotton Tree and
+Cabbage Tree.] The land by the sea-coast to the North of _Cape San
+Francisco_ is low and extremely woody; the trees are of extraordinary
+height and bigness; and in this part of the coast are large and navigable
+rivers. The white cotton-tree, which bears a very fine sort of cotton,
+called silk cotton, is the largest tree in these woods; and the
+cabbage-tree is the tallest. Dampier has given full descriptions of both.
+He measured a cabbage-tree 120 feet in length, and some were longer. 'It
+has no limbs nor boughs except at the head, where there are branches
+something bigger than a man's arm. The cabbage-fruit shoots out in the
+midst of these branches, invested or folded in leaves; and is as big as
+the small of a man's leg, and a foot long. It is white as milk, and sweet
+as a nut if eaten raw, and is very sweet and wholesome if boiled.'
+
+[Sidenote: River of St. Jago.] The Buccaneers entered a river with their
+boats, in or near latitude 2 deg. N, which Dampier, from some Spanish
+pilot-book, calls the _River of St. Jago_. It was navigable some leagues
+within the entrance, and seems to be the river marked with the name
+_Patia_ in the late Spanish charts, a name which has allusion to spreading
+branches.
+
+Davis's men went six leagues up the river without seeing habitation or
+people. They then came in sight of two small huts, the inhabitants of
+which hurried into canoes with their household-stuff, and paddled upwards
+against the stream faster than they could be pursued. More houses were
+seen higher up; but the stream ran here so swift, that the Buccaneers
+would not be at the labour of proceeding. [Sidenote: Island Gallo.] They
+found in the two deserted huts, a hog, some fowls and plantains, which
+they dressed on the spot, and after their meal returned to the ships,
+which were at the _Island Gallo_.
+
+'The Island _Gallo_ is clothed with timber, and here was a spring of good
+water at the NE end, with good landing in a small sandy bay, and secure
+riding in six or seven fathoms depth[50].'
+
+[Sidenote: River Tomaco.] They entered with their boats another large
+river, called the _Tomaco_, the entrance of which is but three leagues
+from the _Island Gallo_. This river was shoal at the mouth, and navigable
+for small vessels only. A little within, was a village called _Tomaco_,
+some of the inhabitants of which they took prisoners, and carried off a
+dozen jars of good wine.
+
+[Sidenote: 1685. January.] On the 1st of January, they took a packet-boat
+bound for _Lima_, which the President of _Panama_ had dispatched to hasten
+the sailing of the Plate Fleet from _Callao_; the treasure sent from
+_Peru_ and _Chili_ to _Old Spain_ being usually first collected at
+_Panama_, and thence transported on mules to _Portobello_. The Buccaneers
+judged that the _Pearl Islands_ in the _Bay of Panama_ would be the best
+station they could occupy for intercepting ships from _Lima_.
+
+On the 7th, they left _Gallo_, and pursued their course Northward. An
+example occurs here of Buccaneer order and discipline. 'We weighed,' says
+Dampier, 'before day, and all got out of the road except Captain Swan's
+tender, which never budged; for the men were all asleep when we went out,
+and the tide of flood coming on before they awoke, we were forced to stay
+for them till the following tide.'
+
+[Sidenote: Island Gorgona.] On the 8th, they took a vessel laden with
+flour. The next day they anchored on the West side of the _Island
+Gorgona_, in 38 fathoms depth clear ground, a quarter of a mile from the
+shore. _Gorgona_ was uninhabited; and like _Gallo_ covered with trees. It
+is pretty high, and remarkable by two saddles, or risings and fallings on
+the top. It is about two leagues long, one broad, and is four leagues
+distant from the mainland. It was well watered at this time with small
+brooks issuing from the high land. At its West end is another small
+Island. The tide rises and falls seven or eight feet; and at low water
+shell-fish, as periwinkles, muscles, and oysters, may be taken. At
+_Gorgona_ were small black monkeys. 'When the tide was out, the monkeys
+would come down to the sea-shore for shell-fish. Their way was to take up
+an oyster and lay it upon a stone, and with another stone to keep beating
+of it till they broke the shell[51].' [Sidenote: Pearl Oysters.] The pearl
+oyster was here in great plenty: they are flatter than other oysters, are
+slimy, and taste copperish if eaten raw, but were thought good when
+boiled. The Indians and Spaniards hang the meat of them on strings to dry.
+'The pearl is found at the head of the oyster, between the meat and the
+shell. Some have 20 or 30 small seed-pearl, some none at all, and some one
+or two pretty large pearls. The inside of the shell is more glorious than
+the pearl itself[52].'
+
+[Sidenote: Bay of Panama. Galera Isle.] They put some of their prisoners
+on shore at _Gorgona_, and sailed thence on the 13th, being six sail in
+company; that is to say, Davis's ship, Swan's ship, three tenders, and
+their last prize. The 21st, they arrived in the _Bay of Panama_, and
+anchored at a small low and barren Island named _Galera_.
+
+On the 25th, they went from _Galera_ to one of the Southern _Pearl
+Islands_, where they lay the ships aground to clean, the rise and fall of
+the sea at the spring tides being ten feet perpendicular. The small barks
+were kept out cruising, and on the 31st, they brought in a vessel bound
+for _Panama_ from _Lavelia_, a town on the West side of the _Bay_, laden
+with Indian corn, salt beef, and fowls.
+
+Notwithstanding it had been long reported that a fleet was fitting out in
+_Peru_ to clear the _South Sea_ of pirates, the small force under Davis,
+Swan, and Harris, amounting to little more than 250 men, remained several
+weeks in uninterrupted possession of the _Bay of Panama_, blocking up
+access to the city by sea, supplying themselves with provisions from the
+Islands, and plundering whatsoever came in their way.
+
+[Sidenote: The Pearl Islands.] The _Pearl Islands_ are woody, and the soil
+rich. They are cultivated with plantations of rice, plantains, and
+bananas, for the support of the City of _Panama_. Dampier says, 'Why they
+are called the _Pearl Islands_ I cannot imagine, for I did never see one
+pearl oyster about them, but of other oysters many. It is very pleasant
+sailing here, having the mainland on one side, which appears in divers
+forms, beautified with small hills clothed with woods always green and
+flourishing; and on the other side, the _Pearl Islands_, which also make a
+lovely prospect as you sail by them.'
+
+The Buccaneers went daily in their canoes among the different Islands, to
+fish, fowl, or hunt for guanoes. One man so employed and straggling from
+his party, was surprised by the Spaniards, and carried to _Panama_.
+
+[Sidenote: February.] In the middle of February, Davis, who appears to
+have always directed their movements as the chief in command, went with
+his ships and anchored near the City of _Panama_. He negociated with the
+Governor an exchange of prisoners, and was glad by the release of forty
+Spaniards to obtain the deliverance of two Buccaneers; one of them the
+straggler just mentioned; the other, one of Harris's men.
+
+A short time after this exchange, as the Buccaneer ships were at anchor
+near the Island _Taboga_, which is about four leagues to the South of
+_Panama_, they were visited by a Spaniard in a canoe, who pretended he was
+a merchant and wanted to traffic with them privately. He proposed to come
+off to the ships in the night with a small vessel laden with such goods as
+the Buccaneers desired to purchase. This was agreed to, and he came with
+his vessel when it was dark; but instead of a cargo of goods, she was
+fitted up as a fire-ship with combustibles. The Buccaneers had suspected
+his intention and were on their guard; but to ward off the mischief, were
+obliged to cut from their anchors and set sail.
+
+In the morning they returned to their anchorage, which they had scarcely
+regained when a fresh cause of alarm occurred. Dampier relates, [Sidenote:
+Arrival of fresh bodies of Buccaneers from the West Indies.] 'We were
+striving to recover the anchors we had parted from, but the buoy-ropes,
+being rotten, broke, and whilst we were puzzling about our anchors, we saw
+a great many canoes full of men pass between the Island _Taboga_ and
+another Island, which at first put us into a new consternation. We lay
+still some time, till we saw they made directly towards us; upon which we
+weighed and stood towards them. When we came within hail, we found that
+they were English and French privateers just come from the _North Sea_
+over the _Isthmus of Darien_. We presently came to an anchor again, and
+all the canoes came on board.'
+
+[Sidenote: Grogniet and L'Escuyer.] This new arrival of Buccaneers to the
+_South Sea_ consisted of 200 Frenchmen and 80 Englishmen, commanded by two
+Frenchmen named Grogniet and L'Escuyer. Grogniet had a commission to war
+on the Spaniards from a French West-India Governor. The Englishmen of this
+party upon joining Davis, were received into the ships of their
+countrymen, and the largest of the prize vessels, which was a ship named
+the San Rosario, was given to the Frenchmen.
+
+From these new confederates it was learnt, that another party, consisting
+of 180 Buccaneers, commanded by an Englishman named Townley, had crossed
+the _Isthmus_, and were building canoes in the _Gulf de San Miguel_; on
+which intelligence, it was determined to sail to that Gulf, that the whole
+buccaneer force in this sea might be joined. Grogniet in return for the
+ship given to the French Buccaneers, offered to Davis and Swan new
+commissions from the Governor of _Petit Goave_, by whom he had been
+furnished with spare commissions with blanks, to be filled up and disposed
+of at his own discretion. Davis accepted Grogniet's present, 'having
+before only an old commission which had belonged to Captain Tristian, and
+which, being found in Tristian's ship when she was carried off by Cook,
+had devolved as an inheritance to Davis.' The commissions which, by
+whatever means, the Buccaneers procured, were not much protection in the
+event of their falling into the hands of the Spaniards, unless the nation
+of which the Buccaneer was a native happened to be then at war with
+_Spain_. Instances were not uncommon in the _West Indies_ of the Spaniards
+hanging up their buccaneer prisoners with their commissions about their
+necks. But the commissions were allowed to be valid in the ports of other
+powers. Swan however refused the one offered him, and rested his
+justification on the orders he had received from the Duke of York; in
+which he was directed, neither to give offence to the Spaniards, nor to
+submit to receive affront from them: they had done him injury in killing
+his men at _Baldivia_, and he held his orders to be a lawful commission to
+do himself right.
+
+[Sidenote: March. Townley and his Crew.] On the 3d of March, as they
+approached the _Gulf de San Miguel_ to meet the Buccaneers under Townley,
+they were again surprised by seeing two ships standing towards them. These
+proved to be Townley and his men, in two prizes they had already taken,
+one laden with flour, the other with wine, brandy, and sugar; both
+designed for _Panama_. [Sidenote: Pisco Wine.] The wine came from _Pisco_,
+'which place is famous for wine, and was contained in jars of seven or
+eight gallons each. Ships which lade at _Pisco_ stow the jars one tier on
+the top of another, so artificially that we could hardly do the like
+without breaking them: yet they often carry in this manner 1500 or 2000,
+or more, in a ship, and seldom break one.'
+
+On this junction of the Buccaneers, they went altogether to the _Pearl
+Islands_ to make arrangements, and to fit their prize vessels as well as
+circumstances would admit, for their new occupation. Among the
+preparations necessary to their equipment, it was not the last which
+occurred, that the jars from _Pisco_ were wanted to contain their sea
+stock of fresh water; for which service they were in a short time rendered
+competent.
+
+The 10th, they took a small bark in ballast, from _Guayaquil_. On the
+12th, some Indians in a canoe came out of the River _Santa Maria_,
+purposely to inform them that a large body of English and French
+Buccaneers were then on their march over the _Isthmus_ from the _North
+Sea_. This was not all; for on the 15th, one of the small barks which were
+kept out cruising, fell in with a vessel in which were six Englishmen, who
+were part of a crew of Buccaneers that had been six months in the _South
+Sea_, under the command of a William Knight. These six men had been sent
+in a canoe in chase of a vessel, which they came up with and took; but
+they had chased out of sight of their own ship, and could not afterwards
+find her. Davis gave the command of this vessel to Harris, who took
+possession of her with a crew of his own followers, and he was sent to the
+River _Santa Maria_ to look for the buccaneers, of whose coming the
+Indians had given information.
+
+This was the latter part of the dry season in the _Bay of Panama_.
+Hitherto fresh water had been found in plenty at the _Pearl Islands_; but
+the springs and rivulets were now dried up. The Buccaneers examined within
+_Point Garachina_, but found no fresh water. [Sidenote: Port de Pinas.
+25th. Taboga Isle.] They searched along the coast Southward, and on the
+25th, at a narrow opening in the mainland with two small rocky Islands
+before it, about seven leagues distant from _Point Garachina_, which
+Dampier supposed to be _Port de Pinas_, they found a stream of good water
+which ran into the sea; but the harbour was open to the SW, and a swell
+set in, which rendered watering there difficult and hazardous: the fleet
+(for they were nine sail in company) therefore stood for the Island
+_Taboga_, 'where,' says Dampier, 'we were sure to find a supply.'
+
+[Sidenote: April.] Their boats being sent before the ships, came
+unexpectedly upon some of the inhabitants of _Panama_ who were loading a
+canoe with plantains, and took them prisoners. One among these, a Mulatto,
+had the imprudence to say he was in the fire-ship which had been sent in
+the night to burn the Buccaneer ships; upon which, the Buccaneers
+immediately hanged him.
+
+They had chocolate, but no sugar; and all the kettles they possessed,
+constantly kept boiling, were not sufficient to dress victuals for so many
+men. Whilst the ships lay at _Taboga_, a detachment was sent to a
+sugar-work on the mainland, from which they returned with sugar and three
+coppers.
+
+[Sidenote: More Buccaneers arrive.] On the 11th of April, they went from
+_Tabogo_ to the _Pearl Islands_, and were there joined by the Flibustiers
+and Buccaneers of whose coming they had been last apprised, consisting of
+264 men, commanded by Frenchmen named Rose, Le Picard, and Des-marais. Le
+Picard was a veteran who had served under Lolonois and Morgan. In this
+party came Raveneau de Lussan, whose Journal is said to be the only one
+kept by any of the French who were in this expedition.
+
+Lussan's Narrative is written with much misplaced gaiety, which comes
+early into notice, and shews him to have been, even whilst young and
+unpractised in the occupation of a Buccaneer, of a disposition delighting
+in cruelty. In the account of his journey overland from the _West Indies_,
+he relates instances which he witnessed of the great dexterity of the
+monkeys which inhabited the forests, and among others the following: '_Je
+ne puis me souvenir sans rire de l'action que je vis faire a un de ces
+animaux, auquel apres avoir tire plusieurs coups de fusil qui lui
+emportoient une partie du ventre, en sorte que toutes ses tripes
+sortoient; je le vis se tenir d'une de ses pates, ou mains si l'on veut, a
+une branche d'arbre, tandis que de l'autre il ramassoit ses intestins
+qu'il se refouroit dans ce qui lui restoit de ventre[53]._'
+
+Ambrose Cowley and Raveneau de Lussan are well matched for comparison,
+alike not only in their dispositions, but in their conceptions, which made
+them imagine the recital of such actions would be read with delight.
+
+The Buccaneers in the _Bay of Panama_ were now nearly a thousand strong,
+and they held a consultation whether or not they should attack the city.
+They had just before learnt from an intercepted packet that the Lima Fleet
+was at sea, richly charged with treasure; and that it was composed of all
+the naval force the Spaniards in _Peru_ had been able to collect: it was
+therefore agreed not to attempt the city at the present, but to wait
+patiently the arrival of the Spanish fleet, and give it battle. [Sidenote:
+Chepo.] The only enterprise they undertook on the main-land in the mean
+time, was against the town of _Chepo_, where they found neither opposition
+nor plunder.
+
+The small Island _Chepillo_ near the mouth of the river which leads to
+_Chepo_, Dampier reckoned the most pleasant of all the Islands in the
+_Bay of Panama_. 'It is low on the North side, and rises by a small ascent
+towards the South side. The soil is yellow, a kind of clay. The low land
+is planted with all sorts of delicate fruits.' The Islands in the Bay
+being occupied by the Buccaneers, caused great scarcity of provision and
+distress at _Panama_, much of the consumption in that city having usually
+been supplied from the Islands, which on that account and for their
+pleasantness were called the Gardens of _Panama_.
+
+In this situation things remained till near the end of May, the Buccaneers
+in daily expectation of seeing the fleet from _Lima_, of which it is now
+time to speak.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XV.
+
+ _=Edward Davis= Commander. Meeting of the Spanish and Buccaneer
+ Fleets in the =Bay of Panama=. They separate without fighting.
+ The Buccaneers sail to the Island =Quibo=. The English and
+ French separate. Expedition against the City of =Leon=. That
+ City and =Ria Lexa= burnt. Farther dispersion of the
+ Buccaneers._
+
+
+[Sidenote: 1685. May. Bay of Panama.] The Viceroy of _Peru_ judged the
+Fleet he had collected, to be strong enough to encounter the Buccaneers,
+and did not fear to trust the treasure to its protection; but he gave
+directions to the Commander of the Fleet to endeavour to avoid a meeting
+with them until after the treasure should be safely landed. In pursuance
+of this plan, the Spanish Admiral, as he drew near the _Bay of Panama_,
+kept more Westward than the usual course, and fell in with the coast of
+_Veragua_ to the West of the _Punta Mala_. Afterwards, he entered the
+_Bay_ with his fleet keeping close to the West shore; and to place the
+treasure out of danger as soon as possible, he landed it at _Lavelia_,
+thinking it most probable his fleet would be descried by the enemy before
+he could reach _Panama_, which must have happened if the weather had not
+been thick, or if the Buccaneers had kept a sharper look-out by stationing
+tenders across the entrance of the _Bay_. [Sidenote: The Lima Fleet
+arrives at Panama.] In consequence of this being neglected, the Spanish
+fleet arrived and anchored before the city of _Panama_ without having been
+perceived by them, and immediately on their arrival, the crews of the
+ships were reinforced with a number of European seamen who had purposely
+been sent over land from _Porto Bello_. Thus strengthened, and the
+treasure being placed out of danger, the Spanish Admiral took up his
+anchors, and stood from the road before _Panama_ towards the middle of the
+Bay, in quest of the Buccaneers.
+
+[Sidenote: 28th.] May the 28th, the morning was rainy: the Buccaneer fleet
+was lying at anchor near the Island _Pacheca_, the Northernmost of the
+_Pearl Islands_. At eleven o'clock in the forenoon, the weather cleared
+up, when the Spanish fleet appeared in sight about three leagues distant
+from them to the WNW. The wind was light from the Southward, and they were
+standing sharp trimmed towards the Buccaneers.
+
+[Sidenote: Meeting of the two Fleets.] Lussan dates this their meeting
+with the Spanish Fleet, to be on June the 7th. Ten days alteration of the
+style had taken place in _France_ three years before, and no alteration of
+style had yet been adopted in _England_.
+
+[Sidenote: Force of the Buccaneer.] The Buccaneer fleet was composed of
+ten sail of vessels, of different sizes, manned with 960 men, almost all
+Europeans; but, excepting the Batchelor's Delight and the Cygnet, none of
+their vessels had cannon. Edward Davis was regarded as the Admiral. His
+ship mounted 36 guns, and had a crew of 156 men, most of them English; but
+as he was furnished with a French commission, and _France_ was still at
+war with _Spain_, he carried aloft a white flag, in which was painted a
+hand and sword. Swan's ship had 16 guns, with a crew of 140 men, all
+English, and carried a Saint George's flag at her main-topmast head. The
+rest of their fleet was well provided with small-arms, and the crews were
+dexterous in the use of them. Grogniet's ship was the most powerful,
+except in cannon, her crew consisting of 308 men.
+
+[Sidenote: Force of the Spanish Fleet.] The Spanish fleet numbered
+fourteen sail, six of which were provided with cannon; six others with
+musketry only, and two were fitted up as fire-ships. The buccaneer
+accounts say the Spanish Admiral had 48 guns mounted, and 450 men; the
+Vice-Admiral 40 guns, and men in proportion; the Rear-Admiral 36 guns,
+one of the other ships 24, one 18, and one 8 guns; and that the number of
+men in their fleet was above 2500; but more than one half of them Indians
+or slaves.
+
+When the two fleets first had sight of each other, Grogniet's ship lay at
+anchor a mile to leeward of his confederates, on which account he weighed
+anchor, and stood close upon a wind to the Eastward, intending to turn up
+to the other ships; but in endeavouring to tack, he missed stays twice,
+which kept him at a distance all the fore part of the day. From the
+superiority of the Spaniards in cannon, and of the buccaneer crews in
+musketry, it was evident that distant fighting was most to the advantage
+of the Spaniards; and that the Buccaneers had to rest their hopes of
+success on close fighting and boarding. Davis was fully of this opinion,
+and at three o'clock in the afternoon, the enemy's fleet being directly to
+leeward and not far distant, he got his vessels under sail and bore right
+down upon them, making a signal at the same time to Grogniet to board the
+Spanish Vice-Admiral, who was some distance separate from the other ships
+of his fleet.
+
+Here may be contemplated the Buccaneers at the highest pitch of elevation
+to which they at any time attained. If they obtained the victory, it would
+give them the sole dominion of the _South Sea_; and Davis, the buccaneer
+Commander, aimed at no less; but he was ill seconded, and was not
+possessed of authority to enforce obedience to his commands.
+
+The order given to Grogniet was not put in execution, and when Davis had
+arrived with his ship within cannon-shot of the Spaniards, Swan shortened
+sail and lowered his ensign, to signify he was of opinion that it would be
+best to postpone fighting till the next day. Davis wanting the support of
+two of the most able ships of his fleet, was obliged to forego his
+intention, and no act of hostility passed during the afternoon and
+evening except the exchange of some shot between his own ship and that of
+the Spanish Vice-Admiral.
+
+When it was dark, the Spanish fleet anchored, and at the same time, the
+Spanish Admiral took in his light, and ordered a light to be shewn from
+one of his small vessels, which he sent to leeward. The Buccaneers were
+deceived by this artifice, believing the light they saw to be that of the
+Spanish Admiral, and they continued under sail, thinking themselves secure
+of the weather-gage. [Sidenote: 29th.] At daylight the next morning the
+Spaniards were seen well collected, whilst the buccaneer vessels were much
+dispersed. Grogniet and Townley were to windward of the Spaniards; but all
+the rest, contrary to what they had expected, were to leeward. At sunrise,
+the Spanish fleet got under sail and bore down towards the leeward
+buccaneer ships. The Buccaneers thought it not prudent to fight under such
+disadvantages, and did not wait to receive them. They were near the small
+Island _Pacheca_, on the South side of which are some Islands yet smaller.
+Among these Islands, Dampier says, is a narrow channel in one part not
+forty feet wide. Townley, being pressed by the Spaniards and in danger of
+being intercepted, pushed for this passage without any previous
+examination of the depth of water, and got safe through. Davis and Swan,
+whose ships were the fastest sailing in either fleet, had the credit of
+affording protection to their flying companions, by waiting to repulse the
+most advanced of the Spaniards. Dampier, who was in Davis's ship, says,
+she was pressed upon by the whole Spanish force. 'The Spanish Admiral and
+the rest of his squadron began to play at us and we at them as fast as we
+could: yet they kept at distant cannonading. They might have laid us
+aboard if they would, but they came not within small-arms shot, intending
+to maul us in pieces with their great guns.' After a circuitous chace and
+running fight, which lasted till the evening, the Buccaneers, Harris's
+ship excepted, which had been forced to make off in a different direction,
+anchored by the Island _Pacheca_, nearly in the same spot whence they had
+set out in the morning.
+
+[Sidenote: 30th.] On the 30th, at daylight, the Spanish fleet was seen at
+anchor three leagues to leeward. The breeze was faint, and both fleets lay
+quiet till ten o'clock in the forenoon. The wind then freshened a little
+from the South, and the Spaniards took up their anchors; but instead of
+making towards the Buccaneers, they sailed away in a disgraceful manner
+for _Panama_. Whether they sustained any loss in this skirmishing does not
+appear. The Buccaneer's had only one man killed outright. In Davis's ship,
+six men were wounded, and half of her rudder was shot away.
+
+[Sidenote: The two Fleets separate.] It might seem to those little
+acquainted with the management of ships that it could make no material
+difference whether the Spaniards bore down to engage the Buccaneers, or
+the Buccaneers bore down to engage the Spaniards; for that in either case
+when the fleets were closed, the Buccaneers might have tried the event of
+boarding. But the difference here was, that if the Buccaneers had the
+weather-gage, it enabled them to close with the enemy in the most speedy
+manner, which was of much consequence where the disparity in the number of
+cannon was so great. When the Spaniards had the weather-gage, they would
+press the approach only near enough to give effect to their cannon, and
+not near enough for musketry to do them mischief. With this view, they
+could choose their distance when to stop and bring their broadsides to
+bear, and leave to the Buccaneers the trouble of making nearer approach,
+against the wind and a heavy cannonade. Dampier, who has related the
+transactions of the 28th and 29th very briefly, speaks of the weather-gage
+here as a decisive advantage. He says, "In the morning (of the 29th)
+therefore, when we found the enemy had got the weather-gage of us, and
+were coming upon us with full sail, we ran for it."
+
+On this occasion there is no room for commendation on the valour of either
+party. The Buccaneers, however, knew, by the Spanish fleet coming to them
+from _Panama_, that the treasure must have been landed, and therefore they
+could have had little motive for enterprise. The meeting was faintly
+sought by both sides, and no battle was fought, except a little
+cannonading during the retreat of the Buccaneers, which on their side was
+almost wholly confined to the ship of their Commander. Both Dampier and
+Lussan acknowledge that Edward Davis brought the whole of the buccaneer
+fleet off safe from the Spaniards by his courage and good management.
+
+[Sidenote: June.] On June the 1st, the Buccaneers sailed out of the _Bay
+of Panama_ for the Island _Quibo_. They had to beat up against SW winds,
+and had much wet weather. In the middle of June, they anchored on the East
+side of _Quibo_, where they were joined by Harris.
+
+[Sidenote: Keys of Quibo. The Island Quibo.] _Quibo_ and the smaller
+Islands near it, Dampier calls collectively, the Keys of _Quibo_. They are
+all woody. Good fresh water was found on the great Island, which would
+naturally be the case with the wet weather; and here were deer, guanoes,
+and large black monkeys, whose flesh was esteemed by the Buccaneers to be
+sweet and wholesome food.
+
+[Sidenote: Rock near the Anchorage.] A shoal which runs out from the SE
+point of _Quibo_ half a mile into the sea, has been already noticed: a
+league to the North of this shoal, and a mile distant from the shore, is a
+rock which appears above water only at the last quarter ebb. Except the
+shoal, and this rock, there is no other danger; and ships may anchor
+within a quarter of a mile of the shore, in from six to twelve fathoms
+clear sand and ooze[54].
+
+They stopped at _Quibo_ to make themselves canoes, the trees there being
+well suited for the purpose, and some so large that a single trunk
+hollowed and wrought into shape, would carry forty or fifty men. Whilst
+this work was performing, a strong party was sent to the main-land against
+_Pueblo Nuevo_, which town was now entered without opposition; but no
+plunder was obtained.
+
+[Sidenote: Serpents. The Serpent Berry.] Lussan relates that two of the
+Buccaneers were killed by serpents at _Quibo_. He says, 'here are serpents
+whose bite is so venemous that speedy death inevitably ensues, unless the
+patient can have immediate recourse to a certain fruit, which must be
+chewed and applied to the part bitten. The tree which bears this fruit
+grows here, and in other parts of _America_. It resembles the almond-tree
+in _France_ in height and in its leaves. The fruit is like the sea
+chestnut (_Chataines de Mer_) but is of a grey colour, rather bitter in
+taste, and contains in its middle a whitish almond. The whole is to be
+chewed together before it is applied. It is called (_Graine a Serpent_)
+the Serpent Berry.'
+
+[Sidenote: July. Disagreements among the Buccaneers.] The dissatisfaction
+caused by their being foiled in the _Bay of Panama_, broke out in
+reproaches, and produced great disagreements among the Buccaneers. Many
+blamed Grogniet for not coming into battle the first day. On the other
+hand, Lussan blames the behaviour of the English, who, he says, being the
+greater number, lorded it over the French; that Townley, liking Grogniet's
+ship better than his own, would have insisted on a change, if the French
+had not shewn a determination to resist such an imposition. Another cause
+of complaint against the English was, the indecent and irreverent manner
+in which they shewed their hatred to the Roman Catholic religion. Lussan
+says, 'When they entered the Spanish churches, it was their diversion to
+hack and mutilate every thing with their cutlasses, and to fire their
+muskets and pistols at the images of the Saints.' [Sidenote: The French
+separate from the English.] In consequence of these disagreements, 330 of
+the French joined together under Grogniet, and separated from the English.
+
+[Sidenote: Knight, a Buccaneer Commander, joins Davis.] Before either of
+the parties had left _Quibo_, William Knight, a Buccaneer already
+mentioned, arrived there in a ship manned with 40 Englishmen and 11
+Frenchmen. This small crew of Buccaneers had crossed the _Isthmus_ about
+nine months before; they had been cruising both on the coast of _New
+Spain_ and on the coast of _Peru_; and the sum of their successes amounted
+to their being provided with a good vessel and a good stock of provisions.
+They had latterly been to the Southward, where they learnt that the _Lima_
+fleet had sailed against the Buccaneers before _Panama_, which was the
+first notice they received of other Buccaneers than themselves being in
+the _South Sea_. On the intelligence, they immediately sailed for the _Bay
+of Panama_, that they might be present and share in the capture of the
+Spaniards, which they believed would inevitably be the result of a
+meeting. On arriving in the _Bay of Panama_, they learnt what really had
+happened: nevertheless, they proceeded to _Quibo_ in search of their
+friends. The Frenchmen in Knight's ship left her to join their countrymen:
+Knight and the rest of the crew, put themselves under the command of
+Davis.
+
+The ship commanded by Harris, was found to be in a decayed state and
+untenantable. Another vessel was given to him and his crew; but the whole
+company were so much crowded for want of ship room, that a number remained
+constantly in canoes. One of the canoes which they built at _Quibo_
+measured 36 feet in length, and between 5 and 6 feet in width.
+
+Davis and the English party, having determined to attack the city of
+_Leon_ in the province of _Nicaragua_, sent an invitation to the French
+Buccaneers to rejoin them. The French had only one ship, which was far
+from sufficient to contain their whole number, and they demanded, as a
+condition of their uniting again with the English, that another vessel
+should be given to themselves. The English could ill spare a ship, and
+would not agree to the proposition; the separation therefore was final.
+Jean Rose, a Frenchman, with fourteen of his countrymen, in a new canoe
+they had built for themselves, left Grogniet to try their fortunes under
+Davis.
+
+In this, and in other separations which subsequently took place among the
+Buccaneers, it has been thought the most clear and convenient arrangement
+of narrative, to follow the fortunes of the buccaneer Commander Edward
+Davis and his adherents, without interruption, to the conclusion of their
+adventures in the _South Sea_; and afterwards, to resume the proceedings
+of the other adventurers.
+
+[Sidenote: Proceedings of Edward Davis. August. Expedition against the
+City of Leon.] On the 20th of July, Davis with eight vessels and 640 men,
+departed from the Island _Quibo_ for _Ria Lexa_, sailing through the
+channel between _Quibo_ and the main-land, and along the coast of the
+latter, which was low and overgrown with thick woods, and appeared thin of
+inhabitants. August the 9th, at eight in the morning, the ships being then
+so far out in the offing that they could not be descried from the shore,
+Davis with 520 men went away in 31 canoes for the harbour of _Ria Lexa_.
+They set out with fair weather; but at two in the afternoon, a tornado
+came from the land, with thunder, lightning, and rain, and with such
+violent gusts of wind that the canoes were all obliged to put right before
+it, to avoid being overwhelmed by the billows. Dampier remarks generally
+of the hot latitudes, as Lussan does of the _Pacific Ocean_, that the sea
+there is soon raised by the wind, and when the wind abates is soon down
+again. _Up Wind Up Sea, Down Wind Down Sea_, is proverbial between the
+tropics among seamen. The fierceness of the tornado continued about half
+an hour, after which the wind gradually abated, and the canoes again made
+towards the land. At seven in the evening it was calm, and the sea quite
+smooth. During the night, the Buccaneers, having the direction of a
+Spanish pilot, entered a narrow creek which led towards _Leon_; but the
+pilot could not undertake to proceed up till daylight, lest he should
+mistake, there being several creeks communicating with each other.
+
+[Sidenote: Leon.] The city of _Leon_ bordered on the Lake of _Nicaragua_,
+and was reckoned twenty miles within the sea coast. They went only a part
+of this distance by the river, when Davis, leaving sixty men to guard the
+canoes, landed with the rest and marched towards the city, two miles short
+of which they passed through an Indian town. _Leon_ had a cathedral and
+three other churches. It was not fortified, and the Spaniards, though they
+drew up their force in the Great Square or Parade, did not think
+themselves strong enough to defend the place. About three in the
+afternoon, the Buccaneers entered, and the Spaniards retired.
+
+All the Buccaneers who landed did not arrive at _Leon_ that same day.
+According to their ability for the march, Davis had disposed his men into
+divisions. The foremost was composed of all the most active, who marched
+without delay for the town, the other divisions following as speedily as
+they were able. The rear division being of course composed of the worst
+travellers, some of them could not keep pace even with their own division.
+They all came in afterwards except two, one of whom was killed, and the
+other taken prisoner. The man killed was a stout grey-headed old man of
+the name of Swan, aged about 84 years, who had served under Cromwell, and
+had ever since made privateering or buccaneering his occupation. This
+veteran would not be dissuaded from going on the enterprise against
+_Leon_; but his strength failed in the march; and after being left in the
+road, he was found by the Spaniards, who endeavoured to make him their
+prisoner; but he refused to surrender, and fired his musket amongst them,
+having in reserve a pistol still charged; on which he was shot dead.
+
+The houses in _Leon_ were large, built of stone, but not high, with
+gardens about them. 'Some have recommended _Leon_ as the most pleasant
+place in all _America_; and for health and pleasure it does surpass most
+places. The country round is of a sandy soil, which soon drinks up the
+rains to which these parts are much subject[55].'
+
+[Sidenote: Leon burnt by the Buccaneers.] The Buccaneers being masters of
+the city, the Governor sent a flag of truce to treat for its ransom. They
+demanded 300,000 dollars, and as much provision as would subsist 1000 men
+four months: also that the Buccaneer taken prisoner should be exchanged.
+These demands it is probable the Spaniards never intended to comply with;
+however they prolonged the negociation, till the Buccaneers suspected it
+was for the purpose of collecting force. Therefore, on the 14th, they set
+fire to the city, and returned to the coast. The town of _Ria Lexa_
+underwent a similar fate, contrary to the intention of the Buccaneer
+Commander.
+
+[Sidenote: Ria Lexa. Town of Ria Lexa burnt.] _Ria Lexa_ is unwholesomely
+situated in a plain among creeks and swamps, 'and is never free from a
+noisome smell.' The soil is a strong yellow clay; in the neighbourhood of
+the town were many sugar-works and beef-farms; pitch, tar, and cordage
+were made here; with all which commodities the inhabitants carried on a
+good trade. The Buccaneers supplied themselves with as much as they wanted
+of these articles, besides which, they received at _Ria Lexa_ 150 head of
+cattle from a Spanish gentleman, who had been released upon his parole,
+and promise of making such payment for his ransom; their own man who had
+been made prisoner was redeemed in exchange for a Spanish lady, and they
+found in the town 500 packs of flour; which circumstances might have put
+the Buccaneers in good temper and have induced them to spare the town;
+'but,' says Dampier, 'some of our destructive crew, I know not by whose
+order, set fire to the houses, and we marched away and left them burning.'
+
+[Sidenote: Farther Separation of the Buccaneers.] After the _Leon_
+expedition, no object of enterprise occurred to them of sufficient
+magnitude to induce or to enable them to keep together in such large
+force. Dispersed in small bodies, they expected a better chance of
+procuring both subsistence and plunder. By general consent therefore, the
+confederacy which had been preserved of the English Buccaneers was
+relinquished, and they formed into new parties according to their several
+inclinations. Swan proposed to cruise along the coast of _New Spain_, and
+NW-ward, as far as to the entrance of the _Gulf of California_, and thence
+to take his departure for the _East Indies_. Townley and his followers
+agreed to try their fortunes with Swan as long as he remained on the coast
+of New _Spain_; after which they proposed to return to the _Isthmus_. In
+the course of settling these arrangements, William Dampier, being desirous
+of going to the _East Indies_, took leave of his commander, Edward Davis,
+and embarked with Swan. Of these, an account will be given hereafter.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XVI.
+
+ _Buccaneers under =Edward Davis=. At =Amapalla= Bay; =Cocos=
+ Island; The =Galapagos= Islands; Coast of =Peru=. Peruvian
+ Wine. =Knight= quits the =South Sea=. Bezoar Stones. Marine
+ productions on Mountains. =Vermejo.= =Davis= joins the French
+ Buccaneers at =Guayaquil=. Long Sea Engagement._
+
+
+[Sidenote: 1685. August.] With Davis there remained the vessels of Knight
+and Harris, with a tender, making in all four sail. August the 27th, they
+sailed from the harbour of _Ria Lexa_, and as they departed Swan saluted
+them with fifteen guns, to which Davis returned eleven.
+
+[Sidenote: Proceedings of the Buccaneers under Edw. Davis. Amapalla Bay.]
+A sickness had broken out among Davis's people, which was attributed to
+the unwholesomeness of the air, or the bad water, at _Ria Lexa_. After
+leaving the place, the disorder increased, on which account Davis sailed
+to the _Bay of Amapalla_, where on his arrival he built huts on one of the
+Islands in the Bay for the accommodation of his sick men, and landed them.
+Above 130 of the Buccaneers were ill with a spotted fever, and several
+died.
+
+Lionel Wafer was surgeon with Davis, and has given a brief account of his
+proceedings. Wafer, with some others, went on shore to the main land on
+the South side of _Amapalla Bay_, to seek for provisions. They walked to a
+beef farm which was about three miles from their landing. [Sidenote: A hot
+River.] In the way they crossed a hot river in an open savannah, or plain,
+which they forded with some difficulty on account of its heat. This river
+issued from under a hill which was not a volcano, though along the coast
+there were several. 'I had the curiosity,' says Wafer, 'to wade up the
+stream as far as I had daylight to guide me. The water was clear and
+shallow, but the steams were like those of a boiling pot, and my hair was
+wet with them. The river reeked without the hill a great way. Some of our
+men who had the itch, bathed themselves here, and growing well soon after,
+their cure was imputed to the sulphureousness or other virtue of this
+water.' Here were many wolves, who approached so near and so boldly to
+some who had straggled from the rest of their party, as to give them great
+alarm, and they did not dare to fire, lest the noise of their guns should
+bring more wolves about them.
+
+[Sidenote: Cocos Island.] Davis remained some weeks at _Amapalla Bay_, and
+departed thence for the Peruvian coast, with the crews of his ships
+recovered. In their way Southward they made _Cocos Island_, and anchored
+in the harbour at the NE part, where they supplied themselves with
+excellent fresh water and cocoa-nuts. Wafer has given the description
+following: 'The middle of _Cocos Island_ is a steep hill, surrounded with
+a plain declining to the sea. This plain is thick set with cocoa-nut
+trees: but what contributes greatly to the pleasure of the place is, that
+a great many springs of clear and sweet water rising to the top of the
+hill, are there gathered as in a deep large bason or pond, and the water
+having no channel, it overflows the verge of its bason in several places,
+and runs trickling down in pleasant streams. In some places of its
+overflowing, the rocky side of the hill being more than perpendicular, and
+hanging over the plain beneath, the water pours down in a cataract, so as
+to leave a dry space under the spout, and form a kind of arch of water.
+The freshness which the falling water gives the air in this hot climate
+makes this a delightful place. [Sidenote: Effect of Excess in drinking the
+Milk of the Cocoa-nut.] We did not spare the cocoa-nuts. One day, some of
+our men being minded to make themselves merry, went ashore and cut down a
+great many cocoa-nut trees; from which they gathered the fruit, and drew
+about twenty gallons of the milk. They then sat down and drank healths to
+the King and Queen, and drank an excessive quantity; yet it did not end in
+drunkenness: but this liquor so chilled and benumbed their nerves that
+they could neither go nor stand. Nor could they return on board without
+the help of those who had not been partakers of the frolick, nor did they
+recover under four or five days' time[56].'
+
+Here Peter Harris broke off consortship, and departed for the _East
+Indies_. The tender sailed at the same time, probably following the same
+route.
+
+[Sidenote: At the Galapagos Islands.] Davis and Knight continued to
+associate, and sailed together from _Cocos Island_ to the _Galapagos_. At
+one of these Islands they found fresh water; the buccaneer Journals do not
+specify which Island, nor any thing that can be depended upon as certain
+of its situation. Wafer only says, 'From _Cocos_ we came to one of the
+_Galapagos Islands_. At this Island there was but one watering-place, and
+there we careened our ship.' Dampier was not with them at this time; but
+in describing the _Galapagos_ Isles, he makes the following mention of
+Davis's careening place. 'Part of what I say of these Islands I had from
+Captain Davis, who was there afterwards, and careened his ship at neither
+of the Islands that we were at in 1684, but went to other Islands more to
+the Westward, which he found to be good habitable Islands, having a deep
+fat soil capable of producing any thing that grows in those climates: they
+are well watered, and have plenty of good timber. Captain Harris came
+hither likewise, and found some Islands that had plenty of mammee-trees,
+and pretty large rivers. They have good anchoring in many places, so that
+take the _Galapagos Islands by and large_, they are extraordinary good
+places for ships in distress to seek relief at[57].'
+
+Wafer has not given the date of this visit, which was the second made by
+Davis to the _Galapagos_; but as he stopped several weeks in the _Gulf of
+Amapalla_ for the recovery of his sick, and afterwards made some stay at
+_Cocos Island_, it must have been late in the year, if not after the end,
+when he arrived at the _Galapagos_, and it is probable, during, or
+immediately after, a rainy season.
+
+The account published by Wafer, excepting what relates to the _Isthmus_ of
+_Darien_, consists of short notices set down from recollection, and
+occupying in the whole not above fifty duodecimo pages. He mentions a tree
+at the Island of the _Galapagos_ where they careened, like a pear-tree,
+'low and not shrubby, very sweet in smell, and full of very sweet gum.'
+
+Davis and Knight took on board their ships 500 packs or sacks of flour
+from the stores which had formerly been deposited at the _Galapagos_. The
+birds had devoured some, in consequence of the bags having been left
+exposed.
+
+[Sidenote: 1686. On the Coast of Peru.] From the _Galapagos_, they sailed
+to the coast of _Peru_, and cruised in company till near the end of 1686.
+They captured many vessels, which they released after plundering; and
+attacked several towns along the coast. They had sharp engagements with
+the Spaniards at _Guasco_, and at _Pisco_, the particulars of which are
+not related; but they plundered both the towns. [Sidenote: Peruvian Wine
+like Madeira.] They landed also at _La Nasca_, a small port on the coast
+of _Peru_ in latitude about 15 deg. S, at which place they furnished
+themselves with a stock of wine. Wafer says, 'This is a rich strong wine,
+in taste much like Madeira. It is brought down out of the country to be
+shipped for _Lima_ and _Panama_. Sometimes it is kept here many years
+stopped up in jars, of about eight gallons each: the jars were under no
+shelter, but exposed to the scorching sun, being placed along the bay and
+between the rocks, every merchant having his own wine marked.' It could
+not well have been placed more conveniently for the Buccaneers.
+
+They landed at _Coquimbo_, which Wafer describes 'a large town with nine
+churches.' What they did there is not said. Wafer mentions a small river
+that emptied itself in a bay, three miles from the town, in which, up the
+country, the Spaniards get gold. 'The sands of the river by the sea, and
+round the whole Bay, are all bespangled with particles of gold; insomuch
+that in travelling along the sandy bays, our people were covered with a
+fine gold-dust, but too fine for any profit, for it would be an endless
+work to pick it up.'
+
+Statistical accounts of the Viceroyalty of _Peru_, which during a
+succession of years were printed annually at the end of the _Lima_
+Almanack, notice the towns of _Santa Maria de la Perilla_, _Guasca_,
+_Santiago de Miraflores_, _Canete_, _Pisco_, _Huara_, and _Guayaquil_,
+being sacked and in part destroyed by pirates, in the years 1685, 1686,
+and 1687.
+
+[Sidenote: At Juan Fernandez.] Davis and Knight having made much booty
+(Lussan says so much that the share of each man amounted to 5000 pieces of
+eight), they went to the Island _Juan Fernandez_ to refit, intending to
+sail thence for the _West Indies_: but before they had recruited and
+prepared the ships for the voyage round the South of _America_, Fortune
+made a new distribution of their plunder. Many lost all their money at
+play, and they could not endure, after so much peril, to quit the _South
+Sea_ empty handed, but resolved to revisit the coast of _Peru_. [Sidenote:
+Knight quits the South Sea.] The more fortunate party embarked with Knight
+for the _West Indies_.
+
+[Sidenote: Davis returns to the Coast of Peru.] The luckless residue,
+consisting of sixty Englishmen, and twenty Frenchmen, with Edward Davis at
+their head, remained with the Batchelor's Delight to begin their work
+afresh. They sailed from _Juan Fernandez_ for the American coast, which
+they made as far South as the Island _Mocha_. By traffic with the
+inhabitants, they procured among other provisions, a number of the Llama
+or Peruvian sheep. [Sidenote: Bezoar Stones.] Wafer relates, that out of
+the stomach of one of these sheep he took thirteen Bezoar stones of
+several forms, 'some resembling coral, some round, and all green when
+first taken out; but by long keeping they turned of an ash colour.'
+
+[Sidenote: Marine Productions found on Mountains.] In latitude 26 deg. S,
+wanting fresh water, they made search for the River _Copiapo_. They landed
+and ascended the hills in hopes of discovering it. According to Wafer's
+computation they went eight miles within the coast, ascending mountain
+beyond mountain till they were a full mile in perpendicular height above
+the level of the sea. They found the ground there covered with sand and
+sea-shells, 'which,' says Wafer, 'I the more wondered at, because there
+were no shell-fish, nor could I ever find any shells, on any part of the
+sea-coast hereabouts, though I have looked for them in many places.' They
+did not discover the river they were in search of; but shortly afterwards,
+they landed at _Arica_, which they plundered; and at the River _Ylo_,
+where they took in fresh water. At _Arica_ was a house full of Jesuits'
+bark. [Sidenote: Vermejo.] Wafer relates, 'We also put ashore at
+_Vermejo_, in 10 deg. S latitude. I was one of those who landed to see for
+water. We marched about four miles up a sandy bay, which we found covered
+with the bodies of men, women, and children. These bodies to appearance,
+seemed as if they had not been above a week dead; but if touched, they
+proved dry and light as a sponge or piece of cork. We were told by an old
+Spanish Indian whom we met, that in his father's time, the soil there,
+which now yielded nothing, was well cultivated and fruitful: that the city
+of _Wormia_ had been so numerously inhabited with Indians, that they could
+have handed a fish from hand to hand until it had come to the Inca's hand.
+But that when the Spaniards came and laid siege to their city, the
+Indians, rather than yield to their mercy, dug holes in the sand and
+buried themselves alive. The men as they now lie, have by them their
+broken bows; and the women their spinning-wheels and distaffs with cotton
+yarn upon them. Of these dead bodies I brought on board a boy of about ten
+years of age with an intent to bring him to _England_; but was frustrated
+of my purpose by the sailors, who had a foolish conceit that the compass
+would not traverse right whilst there was a dead body on board, so they
+threw him overboard to my great vexation[58].'
+
+[Sidenote: April.] Near this part of the coast of _Peru_, in April 1687,
+Davis had a severe action with a Spanish frigate, named the Katalina, in
+which the drunkenness of his crew gave opportunity to the Spanish
+Commander, who had made a stout defence, to run his ship ashore upon the
+coast. They fell in with many other Spanish vessels, which, after
+plundering, they dismissed.
+
+Shortly after the engagement with the Spanish frigate Katalina, Davis made
+a descent at _Payta_, to seek refreshments for his wounded men, and
+surprised there a courier with dispatches from the Spanish Commander at
+_Guayaquil_ to the Viceroy at _Lima_, by which he learnt that a large body
+of English and French Buccaneers had attacked, and were then in possession
+of, the town of _Guayaquil_. [Sidenote: May.] The Governor had been taken
+prisoner by the Buccaneers, and the Deputy or next in authority, made
+pressing instances for speedy succour, in his letter to the Viceroy,
+which, according to Lussan, contained the following passage: '_The time
+has expired some days which was appointed for the ransom of our prisoners.
+I amuse the enemy with the hopes of some thousands of pieces of eight, and
+they have sent me the heads of four of our prisoners: but if they send me
+fifty, I should esteem it less prejudicial than our suffering these
+ruffians to live. If your Excellency will hasten the armament to our
+assistance, here will be a fair opportunity to rid ourselves of them._'
+
+[Sidenote: Davis joins other Buccaneers at Guayaquil.] Upon this news, and
+the farther intelligence that Spanish ships of war had been dispatched
+from _Callao_ to the relief of _Guayaquil_, Davis sailed for that place,
+and, on May the 14th, arrived in the _Bay of Guayaquil_, where he found
+many of his old confederates; for these were the French Buccaneers who had
+separated from him under Grogniet, and the English who had gone with
+Townley. Those two leaders had been overtaken by the perils of their
+vocation, and were no more. But whilst in their mortal career, and after
+their separation from Davis, though they had at one time been adverse
+almost to hostility against each other, they had met, been reconciled, and
+had associated together. Townley died first, of a wound he received in
+battle, and was succeeded in the command of the English by a Buccaneer
+named George Hout or Hutt. At the attack of _Guayaquil_, Grogniet was
+mortally wounded; and Le Picard was chosen by the French to succeed him in
+the command. _Guayaquil_ was taken on the 20th of April; the plunder and a
+number of prisoners had been conveyed by the Buccaneers to their ships,
+which were at anchor by the Island _Puna_, when their unwearied good
+fortune brought Davis to join them.
+
+The taking of _Guayaquil_ by the Buccaneers under Grogniet and Hutt will
+be more circumstantially noticed in the sequel, with other proceedings of
+the same crews. When Davis joined them, they were waiting with hopes,
+nearly worn out, of obtaining a large ransom which had been promised them
+for the town of _Guayaquil_, and for their prisoners.
+
+[Sidenote: Near the Island Puna.] The information Davis had received made
+him deem it prudent, instead of going to anchor at _Puna_, to remain with
+his ship on the look-out in the offing; he therefore sent a prize-vessel
+into the road to acquaint the Buccaneers there of his being near at hand,
+and that the Spaniards were to be expected shortly.
+
+The captors of _Guayaquil_ continued many days after this to wait for
+ransom. They had some hundreds of prisoners, for whose sakes the Spaniards
+sent daily to the Buccaneers large supplies of provisions, of which the
+prisoners could expect to receive only the surplus after the Buccaneers
+should be satisfied. At length, the Spaniards sent 42,000 pieces of eight,
+the most part in gold, and eighty packages of flour. The sum was far short
+of the first agreement, and the Buccaneers at _Puna_, to make suitable
+return, released only a part of the prisoners, reserving for a subsequent
+settlement those of the most consideration.
+
+[Sidenote: 26th. Meeting between Spanish Ships of War and the Buccaneers.]
+On the 26th, they quitted the road of _Puna_, and joined Davis. In the
+evening of the same day, two large Spanish ships came in sight. Davis's
+ship mounted 36 guns; and her crew, which had been much diminished by
+different engagements, was immediately reinforced with 80 men from Le
+Picard's party. Besides Davis's ship, the Buccaneers had only a small ship
+and a _barca-longa_ fit to come into action. Their prize vessels which
+could do no service, were sent for security into shallow water.
+
+[Sidenote: A Sea Engagement of seven days.] On the morning of the 27th,
+the Buccaneers and Spaniards were both without the Island _S^{ta} Clara_.
+The Spaniards were the farthest out at sea, and had the sea-breeze first,
+with which they bore down till about noon, when being just within the
+reach of cannon-shot, they hauled upon a wind, and began a distant
+cannonade, which was continued till evening: the two parties then drew
+off to about a league asunder, and anchored for the night. On the morning
+of the 28th, they took up their anchors, and the day was spent in distant
+firing, and in endeavours to gain or to keep the wind of each other. The
+same kind of manoeuvring and distant firing was put in practice on each
+succeeding day, till the evening of the 2d of June, which completed the
+seventh day of this obstinate engagement. The Spanish Commander, being
+then satisfied that he had fought long enough, and hopeless of prevailing
+on the enemy to yield, withdrew in the night. [Sidenote: June. The
+Spaniards retire.] On the morning of the 3d, the Buccaneers were
+surprised, and not displeased, at finding no enemy in sight.
+
+During all this fighting, the Buccaneers indulged their vanity by keeping
+the Governor of _Guayaquil_, and other prisoners of distinction, upon
+deck, to witness the superiority of their management over that of the
+Spaniards. It was not indeed a post of much danger, for in the whole seven
+days battle, not one Buccaneer was killed, and only two or three were
+wounded.
+
+It may be some apology for the Spanish Commander, that in consequence of
+Davis's junction with the captors of _Guayaquil_, he found a much greater
+force to contend with than he had been taught to expect. Fortune had been
+peculiarly unfavourable to the Spaniards on this occasion. Three ships of
+force had been equipped and sent in company against the Buccaneers at
+_Guayaquil_. One of them, the Katalina, by accident was separated from the
+others, and fell in with Davis, by whom she was driven on the coast, where
+she stranded. The Spanish armament thus weakened one-third, on arriving in
+the _Bay of Guayaquil_, found the buccaneer force there increased, by this
+same Davis, in a proportion greater than their own had been diminished.
+[Sidenote: At the Island De la Plata.] Davis and Le Picard left the choice
+of distance to the Spaniards in this meeting, not considering it their
+business to come to serious battle unless forced. They had reason to be
+satisfied with having defended themselves and their plunder; and after the
+enemy disappeared, finding the coast clear, they sailed to the Island _De
+la Plata_, where they stopped to repair damages, and to hold council.
+
+They all now inclined homewards. The booty they had made, if it fell short
+of the expectations of some, was sufficient to make them eager to be where
+they could use or expend it; but they were not alike provided with the
+means of returning to the _North Sea_. Davis had a stout ship, and he
+proposed to go the Southern passage by the _Strait of Magalhanes_, or
+round _Cape Horne_. No other of the vessels in the possession of the
+Buccaneers was strong enough for such a voyage. All the French therefore,
+and many of the English Buccaneers, bent their thoughts on returning
+overland, an undertaking that would inevitably be attended with much
+difficulty, encumbered as they were with their plunder, and the Darien
+Indians having become hostile to them.
+
+Almost all the Frenchmen in Davis's ship, left her to join their
+countrymen, and many of the English from their party embarked with Davis.
+All thoughts of farther negociation with the Spaniards for the ransom of
+prisoners, were relinquished. Le Picard had given notice on quitting the
+_Bay of Guayaquil_, that payment would be expected for the release of the
+remaining prisoners, and that the Buccaneers would wait for it at _Cape
+Santa Elena_; but they had passed that _Cape_, and it was apprehended that
+if they returned thither, instead of receiving ransom, they might find the
+Spanish ships of war, come to renew the attack on them under other
+Commanders. On the 10th, they landed their prisoners on the Continent.
+
+[Sidenote: Division of Plunder.] The next day they shared the plunder
+taken at _Guayaquil_. The jewels and ornaments could not well be divided,
+nor could their value be estimated to general satisfaction: neither could
+they agree upon a standard proportion between the value of gold and
+silver. Every man was desirous to receive for his share such parts of the
+spoil as were most portable, and this was more especially of importance to
+those who intended to march overland. The value of gold was so much
+enhanced that an ounce of gold was received in lieu of eighty dollars, and
+a Spanish pistole went for fifteen dollars; but these instances probably
+took place in settling their gaming accounts. In the division of the
+plunder these difficulties were obviated by a very ingenious and
+unobjectionable mode of distribution. The silver was first divided: the
+other articles were then put up to auction, and bid for in pieces of
+eight; and when all were so disposed of, a second division was made of the
+silver produced by the sale.
+
+Davis and his company were not present at the taking of _Guayaquil_, but
+the services they had rendered, had saved both the plunder and the
+plunderers, and gave them a fair claim to share. Neither Wafer nor Lussan
+speak to this point, from which it may be inferred that every thing
+relating to the division was settled among them amicably, and that Davis
+and his men had no reason to be dissatisfied. Lussan gives a loose
+statement of the sum total and of the single shares. 'Notwithstanding that
+these things were sold so dearly, we shared for the taking of _Guayaquil_
+only 400 pieces of eight to each man, which would make in the whole about
+fifteen hundred thousand _livres_.' The number of Buccaneers with Grogniet
+and Hutt immediately previous to the attack of _Guayaquil_, was 304.
+Davis's crew at the time he separated from Knight, consisted of eighty
+men. He had afterwards lost men in several encounters, and it is probable
+the whole number present at the sharing of the plunder of _Guayaquil_ was
+short of three hundred and fifty. Allowing the extra shares to officers to
+have been 150, making the whole number of shares 500, the amount of the
+plunder will fall short of Lussan's estimate.
+
+[Sidenote: They separate to return home by different Routes.] On the 12th,
+the two parties finally took leave of each other and separated, bound by
+different routes for the _Atlantic_.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XVII.
+
+ _=Edward Davis=; his Third visit to the =Galapagos=. One of
+ those Islands, named =Santa Maria de l'Aguada= by the
+ Spaniards, a Careening Place of the Buccaneers. Sailing thence
+ Southward they discover Land. Question, whether Edward Davis's
+ Discovery is the Land which was afterwards named =Easter
+ Island=? =Davis= and his Crew arrive in the =West Indies=._
+
+
+[Sidenote: 1687. Davis sails to the Galapagos Islands.] Davis again sailed
+to the _Galapagos Islands_, to victual and refit his ship. Lionel Wafer
+was still with him, and appears to have been one of those to whom fortune
+had been most unpropitious. Wafer does not mention either the joining
+company with the French Buccaneers, or the plunder of _Guayaquil_; and
+particularises few of his adventures. He says, 'I shall not pursue all my
+coasting along the shore of _Peru_ with Captain Davis. We continued
+rambling about to little purpose, sometimes at sea, sometimes ashore, till
+having spent much time and visited many places, we were got again to the
+_Galapagos_; from whence we were determined to make the best of our way
+out of these seas.'
+
+At the _Galapagos_ they again careened; and there they victualled the
+ship, taking on board a large supply of flour, curing fish, salting flesh
+of the land turtle for sea store; and they saved as much of the oil of the
+land turtle as filled sixty jars (of eight gallons each) which proved
+excellent, and was thought not inferior to fresh butter.
+
+[Sidenote: King James's Island.] Captain Colnet was at the _Galapagos
+Isles_ in the years 1793 and 1794, and found traces, still fresh, which
+marked the haunts of the Buccaneers. He says, 'At every place where we
+landed on the Western side of _King James's Isle_, we might have walked
+for miles through long grass and beneath groves of trees. It only wanted a
+stream to compose a very charming landscape. This Isle appears to have
+been a favourite resort of the Buccaneers, as we found seats made by them
+of earth and stone, and a considerable number of broken jars scattered
+about, and some whole, in which the Peruvian wine and liquors of the
+country are preserved. We also found daggers, nails, and other implements.
+The watering-place of the Buccaneers was at this time (the latter part of
+April or beginning of May) entirely dried up, and there was only found a
+small rivulet between two hills running into the sea; the Northernmost of
+which hills forms the South point of _Fresh Water Bay_. There is plenty of
+wood, but that near the shore is not large enough for other use than
+fire-wood. In the mountains the trees may be larger, as they grow to the
+summits. I do not think the watering-place we saw is the only one on the
+Island, and I have no doubt, if wells were dug any where beneath the
+hills, and not near the lagoon behind the sandy beach, that fresh water
+would be found in great plenty[59].'
+
+Since Captain Colnet's Voyage, Captain David Porter of the American United
+States' frigate Essex, has seen and given descriptions of the _Galapagos_
+Islands. He relates an anecdote which accords with Captain Colnet's
+opinion of there being fresh water at _King James's Island_. He landed, on
+its West side, four goats (one male and three female) and some sheep, to
+graze. As they were tame and of their own accord kept near the
+landing-place, they were left every night without a keeper, and water was
+carried to them in the morning. 'But one morning, after they had been on
+the Island several days and nights, the person who attended them went on
+shore as usual to give them water, but no goats were to be found: they had
+all as with one accord disappeared. Several persons were sent to search
+after them for two or three days, but without success.' Captain Porter
+concluded that they had found fresh water in the interior of the Island,
+and chose to remain near it. 'One fact,' he says, 'was noticed by myself
+and many others, the day preceding their departure, which must lead us to
+believe that something more than chance directed their movements, which
+is, that they all drank an unusual quantity of water on that day, as
+though they had determined to provide themselves with a supply to enable
+them to reach the mountains[60].'
+
+Davis and his men had leisure for search and to make every kind of
+experiment; but no one of his party has given any description or account
+of what was transacted at the _Galapagos_ in this his third visit. Light,
+however, has been derived from late voyages.
+
+[Sidenote: The Island S^{ta} Maria de l'Aguada, a Careening Place of the
+Buccaneers.] It has been generally believed, but not till lately
+ascertained, that Davis passed most of the time he was amongst the
+_Galapagos_, at an Island which the Spaniards have designated by the name
+of _S^{ta} Maria de l'Aguada_, concerning the situation of which the
+Spaniards as well as geographers of other countries have disagreed. A
+Spanish pilot reported to Captain Woodes Rogers that _S^{ta} Maria de
+l'Aguada_ lay by itself, (i. e. was not one of a groupe of Islands) in
+latitude 1 deg. 20' or 1 deg. 30' S, was a pleasant Island, well stocked with
+wood, and with plenty of fresh water[61]. Moll, DeVaugondy, and others,
+combining the accounts given by Dampier and Woodes Rogers, have placed a
+_S^{ta} Maria de l'Aguada_ several degrees to the Westward of the whole of
+Cowley's groupe. Don Antonio de Ulloa, on the contrary, has laid it down
+as one of the _Galapagos Isles_, but among the most South-eastern of the
+whole groupe. More consonant with recent information, Pascoe Thomas, who
+sailed round the world with Commodore Anson, has given from a Spanish
+manuscript the situations of different Islands of the _Galapagos_, and
+among them that of _S^{ta} Maria de l'Aguada_. The most Western in the
+Spanish list published by Thomas is named _S^{ta} Margarita_, and is the
+same with the _Albemarle Island_ in Cowley's chart. The _S^{ta} Maria de
+l'Aguada_ is set down in the same Spanish list in latitude 1 deg. 10' S, and
+19 minutes in longitude more East than the longitude given of _S^{ta}
+Margarita_, which situation is due South of Cowley's _King James's
+Island_.
+
+Captain Colnet saw land due South of _King James's Island_, which he did
+not anchor at or examine, and appears to have mistaken for the _King
+Charles's Island_ of Cowley's chart. On comparing Captain Colnet's chart
+with Cowley's, it is evident that Captain Colnet has given the name of
+_Lord Chatham's Isle_ to Cowley's _King Charles's Island_, the bearings
+and distance from the South end of _Albemarle Island_ being the same in
+both, i. e. due East about 20 leagues. It follows that the _Charles
+Island_ of Colnet's chart was not seen by Cowley, and that it is the
+_S^{ta} Maria de l'Aguada_ of the Spaniards. It has lately been frequented
+by English and by American vessels employed in the South Sea Whale
+Fishery, who have found a good harbour on its North side, with wood and
+fresh water; and marks are yet discoverable that it was formerly a
+careening place of the buccaneers. Mr. Arrowsmith has added this harbour
+to Captain Colnet's chart, on the authority of information communicated by
+the master of a South Sea whaler.
+
+From Captain David Porter's Journal, it appears that the watering-place at
+_S^{ta} Maria de l'Aguada_ is three miles distant from any part of the
+sea-shore; and that the supply it yields is not constant. On arriving a
+second time at the _Galapagos_, in the latter part of August, Captain
+Porter sent a boat on shore to this Island. Captain Porter relates, 'I
+gave directions that our former watering-places there should be examined,
+but was informed that they were entirely dried up.'
+
+[Illustration: GALLAPAGOS ISLANDS, _Described by_ Ambrose Cowley _in
+1684_.]
+
+Cowley's chart, being original, a buccaneer performance, and not wholly
+out of use, is annexed to this account; with the insertion, in unshaded
+outline, of the _S^{ta} Maria de l'Aguada_, according to its situation
+with respect to _Albemarle Island_, as laid down in the last edition of
+Captain Colnet's chart, published by Mr. Arrowsmith. This unavoidably
+makes a difference in the latitude equal to the difference between
+Cowley's and Captain Colnet's latitude of the South end of _Albemarle
+Island_. In Captain Colnet's chart, the North end of _S^{ta} Maria de
+l'Aguada_ is laid down in 1 deg. 15' S.
+
+The voyage of the Essex gives reasonable expectation of an improved chart
+of the _Galapagos Isles_, the Rev. Mr. Adams, who sailed as Chaplain in
+that expedition, having employed himself actively in surveying them.
+
+[Sidenote: 1687. Davis sails from the Galapagos to the Southward.] When
+the season approached for making the passage round _Cape Horne_, Davis and
+his company quitted their retreat. The date of their sailing is not given.
+Wafer relates, 'From the _Galapagos Islands_ we went again for the
+Southward, intending to touch no where till we came to the Island _Juan
+Fernandez_. In our way thither, being in the latitude of 12 deg. 30' S, and
+about 150 leagues from the main of _America_, about four o'clock in the
+morning, our ship felt a terrible shock, so sudden and violent that we
+took it for granted she had struck upon a rock. When the amazement was a
+little over, we cast the lead and sounded, but found no ground, so we
+concluded it must certainly be some earthquake. The sea, which ordinarily
+looks green, seemed then of a whitish colour; and the water which we took
+up in the buckets for the ship's use, we found to be a little mixed with
+sand. Some time after, we heard that at that very time, there was an
+earthquake at _Callao_, which did mischief both there and at _Lima_.'
+
+[Sidenote: Island discovered by Edw. Davis.] 'Having recovered our fright,
+we kept on to the Southward. We steered SbE 1/2 Easterly, until we came
+to the latitude of 27 deg. 20' S, when about two hours before day, we fell in
+with a small low sandy Island, and heard a great roaring noise, like that
+of the sea beating upon the shore, right ahead of the ship. Whereupon,
+fearing to fall foul upon the shore before day, the ship was put about. So
+we plied off till day, and then stood in again with the land, which proved
+to be a small flat Island, without the guard of any rocks. We stood in
+within a quarter of a mile of the shore, and could see it plainly, for it
+was a clear morning. To the Westward, about twelve leagues by judgement,
+we saw a range of high land, which we took to be Islands, for there were
+several partitions in the prospect. This land seemed to reach about 14 or
+16 leagues in a range, and there came thence great flocks of fowls. I, and
+many of our men would have made this land, and have gone ashore at it, but
+the Captain would not permit us. The small Island bears from _Copiapo_
+almost due East [West was intended] 500 leagues, and from the _Galapagos_
+under the line is distant 600 leagues[62].'
+
+Dampier was not present at this discovery; but he met his old Commander
+afterwards, and relates information he received concerning it in the
+following words. 'Captain Davis told me lately, that after his departing
+from us at _Ria Lexa_, he went, after several traverses, to the
+_Galapagos_, and that standing thence Southward for wind to bring him
+about the _Tierra del Fuego_, in the latitude of 27 deg. S, about 500 leagues
+from _Copayapo_ on the coast of _Chili_, he saw a small sandy Island just
+by him; and that they saw to the Westward of it a long tract of pretty
+high land, tending away toward the NW out of sight[63].'
+
+[Sidenote: Question whether Edward Davis's Land and Easter Island are the
+same Land, or different.] The two preceding paragraphs contain the whole
+which either in Wafer or Dampier is said concerning this land. The
+apprehension of being late in the season for the passage round _Cape
+Horne_ seems to have deterred Davis from making examination of his
+discovery. The latitude and specified distance from _Copiapo_ were
+particulars sufficient to direct future search; and twenty-five years
+afterwards, Jacob Roggewein, a Dutch navigator, guided by those marks,
+found land; but it being more distant from the American Continent than
+stated by Davis or Wafer, Roggewein claimed it as a new discovery. A more
+convenient place for discussing this point, which has been a lasting
+subject of dispute among geographers, would be in an account of
+Roggewein's voyage; but a few remarks here may be satisfactory.
+
+Wafer kept neither journal nor reckoning, his profession not being that of
+a mariner; and from circumstances which occur in Davis's navigation to the
+_Atlantic_, it may reasonably be doubted whether a regular reckoning or
+journal was kept by any person on board; and whether the 500 leagues
+distance of the small Island from the American coast mentioned by Davis
+and Wafer, was other than a conjectured distance. They had no superior by
+whom a journal of their proceedings would be required or expected. If a
+regular journal had really been kept, it would most probably have found
+its way to the press.
+
+Jacob Roggewein, the Dutch Admiral, was more than any other navigator,
+willing to give himself the credit of making new discoveries, as the
+following extracts from the Journal of his expedition will evince. 'We
+looked for _Hawkins's Maiden Land_, but could not find it; but we
+discovered an Island 200 leagues in circuit, in latitude 52 deg. S, about 200
+leagues distant to the East of the coast of _South America_, which we
+named _Belgia Austral_.' That is as much as to say, Admiral Roggewein
+could not find _Hawkins's Maiden Land_; but he discovered land on the same
+spot, which he named _Belgia Austral_. Afterwards, proceeding in the same
+disposition, the Journal relates, 'We directed our course from _Juan
+Fernandez_ towards _Davis's Land_, but to the great astonishment of the
+Admiral (Roggewein) it was not seen. I think we either missed it, or that
+there is no such land. We went on towards the West, and on the anniversary
+of the Resurrection of our Saviour, we came in sight of an Island. We
+named it _Paaschen_ or _Oster Eylandt_ (i. e. Easter Island).'
+
+_Paaschen_ or _Easter Island_ according to modern charts and observations,
+is nearly 690 leagues distant from _Copiapo_, which is in the same
+parallel on the Continent of _America_. The statement of Davis and Wafer
+makes the distance only 512 leagues, which is a difference of 178 leagues.
+It is not probable that Davis could have had good information of the
+longitudes of the _Galapagos Islands_ and _Copiapo_; but with every
+allowance, so large an error as 178 leagues in a run of 600 leagues might
+be thought incredible, if its possibility had not been demonstrated by a
+much greater being made by the same persons in this same homeward passage;
+as will be related. In the latitude and appearance of the land, the
+descriptions of Davis and Wafer are correct, _Easter Island_ being a
+mountainous land, which will make partitions in the distant prospect and
+appear like a number of Islands.
+
+Roggewein's claim to _Paaschen_ or _Easter Island_ as a new discovery has
+had countenance and support from geographers, some of the first eminence,
+but has been made a subject of jealous contest, and not of impartial
+investigation. If Roggewein discovered an Island farther to the West of
+the American coast than _Davis's Land_, it must follow that Davis's land
+lies between his discovery and the Continent; but that part of the _South
+Sea_ has been so much explored, that if any high land had existed between
+_Easter Island_ and the American coast, it could not have escaped being
+known. There is not the least improbability that ships, in making a
+passage from the _Galapagos Isles_ through the South East trade-wind,
+shall come into the neighbourhood of _Easter Island_.
+
+Edward Davis has generally been thought a native of _England_, but
+according to Lussan, and nothing appears to the contrary, he was a native
+of _Holland_. The majority of the Buccaneers in the ship, however, were
+British. How far to that source may be traced the disposition to refuse
+the Buccaneers the credit of the discovery, and how much national
+partialities have contributed to the dispute, may be judged from this
+circumstance, that _Easter Island_ being _Davis's Land_ has never been
+doubted by British geographers, and has been questioned only by those of
+other nations.
+
+The merit of the discovery is nothing, for the Buccaneers were not in
+search of land, but came without design in sight of it, and would not look
+at what they had accidentally found. And whether the discovery is to be
+attributed to Edward Davis or to his crew, ought to be esteemed of little
+concern to the nations of which they were natives, seeing the discoverers
+were men outlawed, and whose acts were disowned by the governments of
+their countries.
+
+Passing from considerations of claims to consideration of the fact;--there
+is not the smallest plea for questioning, nor has any one questioned the
+truth of the Buccaneers having discovered a high Island West of the
+American coast, in or near the latitude of 27 deg. S. If different from
+_Easter Island_, it must be supposed to be situated between that and the
+Continent. But however much it has been insisted or argued that _Easter
+Island_ is not _Davis's Land_, no chart has yet pretended to shew two
+separate Islands, one for Edward Davis's discovery, and one for
+Roggewein's. The one Island known has been in constant requisition for
+double duty; and must continue so until another Island of the same
+description shall be found.
+
+[Sidenote: 1687. At the Island Juan Fernandez.] Davis arrived at _Juan
+Fernandez_ 'at the latter end of the year,' and careened there. Since the
+Buccaneers were last at the Island, the Spaniards had put dogs on shore,
+for the purpose of killing the goats. Many, however, found places among
+precipices, where the dogs could not get at them, and the Buccaneers shot
+as many as served for their daily consumption. Here again, five men of
+Davis's crew, who had gamed away their money, 'and were unwilling to
+return out of these seas as poor as they came in,' determined on staying
+at _Juan Fernandez_, to take the chance of some other buccaneer ship, or
+privateer, touching at the Island. A canoe, arms, ammunition, and various
+implements were given to them, with a stock of maize for planting, and
+some for their immediate subsistence; and each of these gentlemen had a
+negro attendant landed with him.
+
+From _Juan Fernandez_, Davis sailed to the Islands _Mocha_ and _Santa
+Maria_, near the Continent, where he expected to have procured provisions,
+but he found both those Islands deserted and laid waste, the Spaniards
+having obliged the inhabitants to remove, that the Buccaneers might not
+obtain supply there. The season was advanced, therefore without expending
+more time in searching for provisions, they bent their course Southward.
+They passed round _Cape Horne_ without seeing land, but fell in with many
+Islands of ice, and ran so far Eastward before they ventured to steer a
+Northerly course, that afterwards, when, in the parallel of the _River de
+la Plata_, they steered Westward to make the American coast, which they
+believed to be only one hundred leagues distant, they sailed 'four hundred
+and fifty leagues to the West in the same latitude,' before they came in
+sight of land; whence many began to apprehend they were still in the
+_South Sea_[64], and this belief would have gained ground, if a flight of
+locusts had not alighted on the ship, which a strong flurry of wind had
+blown off from the American coast.
+
+[Sidenote: 1688. Davis sails to the West Indies.] They arrived in the
+_West Indies_ in the spring of the year 1688, at a time when a
+proclamation had recently been issued, offering the King's pardon to all
+Buccaneers who would quit that way of life, and claim the benefit of the
+proclamation.
+
+It was not the least of fortune's favours to this crew of Buccaneers, that
+they should find it in their power, without any care or forethought of
+their own, to terminate a long course of piratical adventures in quietness
+and security. Edward Davis was afterwards in _England_, as appears by the
+notice given of his discovery by William Dampier, who mentions him always
+with peculiar respect. Though a Buccaneer, he was a man of much sterling
+worth; being an excellent Commander, courageous, never rash, and endued in
+a superior degree with prudence, moderation, and steadiness; qualities in
+which the Buccaneers generally have been most deficient. His character is
+not stained with acts of cruelty; on the contrary, wherever he commanded,
+he restrained the ferocity of his companions. It is no small testimony of
+his abilities that the whole of the Buccaneers in the _South Sea_ during
+his time, in every enterprise wherein he bore part, voluntarily placed
+themselves under his guidance, and paid him obedience as their leader; and
+no symptom occurs of their having at any time wavered in this respect, or
+shewn inclination to set up a rival authority. It may almost be said, that
+the only matter in which they were not capricious was their confidence in
+his management; and in it they found their advantage, if not their
+preservation.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XVIII.
+
+ _Adventures of =Swan= and =Townley= on the Coast of =New Spain=,
+ until their Separation._
+
+
+[Sidenote: Swan and Townley.] The South Sea adventures of the buccaneer
+Chief Davis being brought to a conclusion, the next related will be those
+of Swan and his crew in the Cygnet, they being the first of the Buccaneers
+who after the battle in the _Bay of Panama_ left the _South Sea_. William
+Dampier who was in Swan's ship, kept a Journal of their proceedings, which
+is published, and the manuscript also has been preserved.
+
+[Sidenote: 1685. August.] Swan and Townley, the reader may recollect, were
+left by Edward Davis in the harbour of _Ria Lexa_, in the latter part of
+August 1685, and had agreed to keep company together Westward towards the
+entrance of the _Gulf of California_.
+
+[Sidenote: Bad Water, and Unhealthiness of Ria Lexa.] They remained at
+_Ria Lexa_ some days longer to take in fresh water, 'such as it was,' and
+they experienced from it the same bad effects which it had on Davis's men;
+for, joined to the unwholesomeness of the place, it produced a malignant
+fever, by which several were carried off.
+
+[Sidenote: September. On the Coast of New Spain.] On September the 3d,
+they put to sea, four sail in company, i. e. the Cygnet, Townley's ship,
+and two tenders; the total of the crews being 340 men.
+
+[Sidenote: Tornadoes.] The season was not favourable for getting Westward
+along this coast. Westerly winds were prevalent, and scarcely a day passed
+without one or two violent tornadoes, which were accompanied with
+frightful flashes of lightning, and claps of thunder, 'the like,' says
+Dampier, 'I did never meet with before nor since.' These tornadoes
+generally came out of the NE, very fierce, and did not last long. When
+the tornado was passed, the wind again settled Westward. On account of
+these storms, Swan and Townley kept a large offing; but towards the end of
+the month, the weather became settled. On the 24th, Townley, and 106 men
+in nine canoes, went on Westward, whilst the ships lay by two days with
+furled sails, to give them time to get well forward, by which they would
+come the more unexpectedly upon any place along the coast.
+
+[Sidenote: October.] Townley proceeded, without finding harbour or inlet,
+to the Bay of _Tecuantepeque_, where putting ashore at a sandy beach, the
+canoes were all overset by the surf, one man drowned, and some muskets
+lost. Townley however drew the canoes up dry, and marched into the
+country; but notwithstanding that they had not discovered any inlet on the
+coast, they found the country intersected with great creeks not fordable,
+and were forced to return to their canoes. A body of Spaniards and Indians
+came to reconnoitre them, from the town of _Tecuantepeque_, to seek which
+place was the chief purpose of the Buccaneers when they landed. 'The
+Spanish books,' says Dampier, 'mention a large river there, but whether it
+was run away at this time, or rather that Captain Townley and his men were
+shortsighted, I know not; but they did not find it.'
+
+October the 2d, the canoes returned to the ships. The wind was fresh and
+fair from the ENE, and they sailed Westward, keeping within short distance
+of the shore, but found neither harbour nor opening. They had soundings
+all the way, the depth being 21 fathoms, a coarse sandy bottom, at eight
+miles distance from the land. [Sidenote: Island Tangola.] Having run about
+20 leagues along the coast, they came to a small high Island called
+_Tangola_, on which they found wood and water; and near it, good
+anchorage. 'This Island is about a league distant from the main, which is
+pretty high, and savannah land by the sea; but within land it is higher
+and woody.'---- [Sidenote: Guatulco. El Buffadore, a spouting Rock.] 'We
+coasted a league farther, and came to _Guatulco_, in latitude 15 deg. 30',
+which is one of the best ports in this Kingdom of _Mexico_. Near a mile
+from the mouth of the harbour, on the East side, is a little Island close
+by the main-land. On the West side of the mouth of the harbour, is a great
+hollow rock, which by the continual working of the sea in and out, makes a
+great noise, and may be heard a great way; every surge that comes in,
+forces the water out at a little hole at the top, as out of a pipe, from
+whence it flies out just like the blowing of a whale, to which the
+Spaniards liken it, and call it _El Buffadore_. Even at the calmest
+seasons, the beating of the sea makes the waterspout out at the hole, so
+that this is always a good mark to find the harbour of _Guatulco_ by.
+[Sidenote: The Harbour of Guatulco.] The harbour runs in NW, is about
+three miles deep, and one mile broad. The West side of the harbour is the
+best for small ships to ride in: any where else you are open to SW winds,
+which often blow here. There is clean ground any where, and good gradual
+soundings from 16 to 6 fathoms: it is bounded by a smooth sandy shore,
+good for landing; and at the bottom of the harbour is a fine brook of
+fresh water running into the sea. The country is extraordinary pleasant
+and delightful to behold at a distance[65].'
+
+There appeared to be so few inhabitants at this part of the coast, that
+the Buccaneers were not afraid to land their sick. A party of men went
+Eastward to seek for houses and inhabitants, and at a league distance from
+_Guatulco_ they found a river, named by the Spaniards _El Capalita_, which
+had a swift current, and was deep at the entrance. They took a few Indians
+prisoners, but learnt nothing of the country from them. [Sidenote:
+Vinello, or Vanilla, a Plant.] On the 6th, Townley with 140 men marched
+fourteen miles inland, and in all that way found only one small Indian
+village, the inhabitants of which cultivated and cured a plant called
+_Vinello_, which grows on a vine, and is used to perfume chocolate, and
+sometimes tobacco.
+
+The 10th, the canoes were sent Westward; and on the 12th, the ships
+followed, the crews being well recovered of the _Ria Lexa_ fever. 'The
+coast (from _Guatulco_) lies along West and a little Southerly for 20 or
+30 leagues[66].' [Sidenote: Island Sacrificio.] On account of a current
+which set Eastward, they anchored near a small green Island named
+_Sacrificio_, about a league to the West of _Guatulco_, and half a mile
+from the main. In the channel between, was five or six fathoms depth, and
+the tide ran there very swift.
+
+[Sidenote: Port de Angeles.] They advanced Westward; but slowly. The
+canoes were again overset in attempting to land near _Port de Angeles_, at
+a place where cattle were seen feeding, and another man was drowned.
+Dampier says, 'We were at this time abreast of _Port de Angeles_, but
+those who had gone in the canoes did not know it, because the Spaniards
+describe it to be as good a harbour as _Guatulco_. It is a broad open bay
+with two or three rocks at the West side. There is good anchorage all over
+the bay in depth from 30 to 12 fathoms, but you are open to all winds till
+you come into 12 fathoms, and then you are sheltered from the WSW, which
+is here the common trade-wind. Here always is a great swell, and landing
+is bad. The place of landing is close by the West side, behind a few
+rocks. Latitude 15 deg. N. The tide rises about five feet. The land round
+_Port de Angeles_ is pretty high, the earth sandy and yellow, in some
+places red.' The Buccaneers landed at _Port de Angeles_, and supplied
+themselves with cattle, hogs, poultry, maize, and salt; and a large party
+of them remained feasting three days at a farm-house. The 27th, they
+sailed on Westward.
+
+Some of their canoes in seeking _Port de Angeles_ had been as far Westward
+as _Acapulco_. In their way back, they found a river, into which they
+went, and filled fresh water. Afterwards, they entered a _lagune_ or lake
+of salt water, where fishermen had cured, and stored up fish, of which the
+Buccaneers took away a quantity.
+
+[Sidenote: Adventure in a Lagune.] On the evening of the 27th, Swan and
+Townley anchored in 16 fathoms depth, near a small rocky Island, six
+leagues Westward of _Port de Angeles_, and about half a mile distant from
+the main land. The next day they sailed on, and in the night of the 28th,
+being abreast the lagune above mentioned, a canoe manned with twelve men
+was sent to bring off more of the fish. The entrance into the lagune was
+not more than pistol-shot wide, and on each side were rocks, high enough
+and convenient to skreen or conceal men. The Spaniards having more
+expectation of this second visit than they had of the first, a party of
+them, provided with muskets, took station behind these rocks. They waited
+patiently till the canoe of the Buccaneers was fairly within the lagune,
+and then fired their volley, and wounded five men. The buccaneer crew were
+not a little surprised, yet returned the fire; but not daring to repass
+the narrow entrance, they rowed to the middle of the lagune, where they
+lay out of the reach of shot. There was no other passage out but the one
+by which they had entered, which besides being so narrow was a quarter of
+a mile in length, and it was too desperate an undertaking to attempt to
+repass it. Not knowing what else to do, they lay still two whole days and
+three nights in hopes of relief from the ships.
+
+It was not an uncommon circumstance among the Buccaneers, for parties sent
+away on any particular design, to undertake some new adventure; the long
+absence of the canoe therefore created little surprise in the ships, which
+lay off at sea waiting without solicitude for her return; till Townley's
+ship happening to stand nearer to the shore than the rest, heard muskets
+fired in the lagune. He then sent a strong party in his canoes, which
+obliged the Spaniards to retreat from the rocks, and leave the passage
+free for the hitherto penned-up Buccaneers. Dampier gives the latitude of
+this lagune, 'about 16 deg. 40' N.'
+
+[Sidenote: November. Alcatraz Rock. White Cliffs. River to the West of the
+Cliffs.] They coasted on Westward, with fair weather, and a current
+setting to the West. On November the 2d, they passed a rock called by the
+Spaniards the _Alcatraz_ (Pelican.) 'Five or six miles to the West of the
+rock are seven or eight white cliffs, which are remarkable, because there
+are none other so white and so thick together on all the coast. A
+dangerous shoal lies SbW from these cliffs, four or five miles off at sea.
+Two leagues to the West of these cliffs is a pretty large river, which
+forms a small Island at its mouth. The channel on the East side is shoal
+and sandy; the West channel is deep enough for canoes to enter.' The
+Spaniards had raised a breastwork on the banks of this channel, and they
+made a show of resisting the Buccaneers; but seeing they were determined
+on landing, they quitted the place; on which Dampier honestly remarks,
+'One chief reason why the Spaniards are so frequently routed by us, though
+much our superiors in number, is, their want of fire-arms; for they have
+but few unless near their large garrisons.'
+
+[Sidenote: Snook, a Fish.] A large quantity of salt intended for salting
+the fish caught in the lagune, was taken here. Dampier says, 'The fish in
+these lagunes were of a kind called Snooks, which are neither sea-fish nor
+fresh-water fish; it is about a foot long, round, and as thick as the
+small of a man's leg, has a pretty long head, whitish scales, and is good
+meat.'
+
+[Sidenote: November 7th. High Land of Acapulco.] A Mulatto whom they took
+prisoner told them that a ship of twenty guns had lately arrived at
+_Acapulco_ from _Lima_. Townley and his crew had long been dissatisfied
+with their ship; and in hopes of getting a better, they stood towards the
+harbour of _Acapulco_. On the 7th, they made the high land over
+_Acapulco_, 'which is remarkable by a round hill standing between two
+other hills, both higher, the Westernmost of which is the biggest and the
+highest, and has two hillocks like two paps at the top.' Dampier gives the
+latitude of _Acapulco_ 17 deg. N[67].
+
+This was not near the usual time either of the departure or of the arrival
+of the Manila ships, and except at those times, _Acapulco_ is almost
+deserted on account of the situation being unhealthy. _Acapulco_ is
+described hot, unwholesome, pestered with gnats, and having nothing good
+but the harbour. Merchants depart from it as soon as they have transacted
+their business. Townley accordingly expected to bring off the _Lima_ ship
+quietly, and with little trouble. In the evening of the 7th, the ships
+being then so far from land that they could not be descried, Townley with
+140 men departed in twelve canoes for the harbour of _Acapulco_. They did
+not reach _Port Marques_ till the second night; and on the third night
+they rowed softly and unperceived by the Spaniards into _Acapulco
+Harbour_. They found the _Lima_ ship moored close to the castle, and,
+after reconnoitring, thought it would not be in their power to bring her
+off; so they paddled back quietly out of the harbour, and returned to
+their ships, tired and disappointed.
+
+[Sidenote: Sandy Beach, West of Acapulco. Hill of Petaplan.] Westward from
+the Port of _Acapulco_, they passed a sandy bay or beach above twenty
+leagues in length, the sea all the way beating with such force on the
+shore that a boat could not approach with safety. 'There was clean
+anchoring ground at a mile or two from the shore. At the West end of this
+Bay, in 17 deg. 30' N, is the Hill of _Petaplan_, which is a round point
+stretching out into the sea, and at a distance seems an Island[68].' This
+was reckoned twenty-five leagues from _Acapulco_. A little to the West of
+the hill are several round white rocks. They sailed within the rocks,
+having 11 fathoms depth, and anchored on the NW side of the hill. Their
+Mosquito men took here some small turtle and small jew-fish.
+
+They landed, and at an Indian village took a Mulatto woman and her
+children, whom they carried on board. They learnt from her that a caravan
+drawn by mules was going with flour and other goods to _Acapulco_, but
+that the carrier had stopped on the road from apprehension of the
+Buccaneers.
+
+[Sidenote: Chequetan.] The ships weighed their anchors, and ran about two
+leagues farther Westward, to a place called _Chequetan_, which Dampier
+thus describes: 'A mile and a half from the shore is a small Key (or
+Island) and within it is a very good harbour, where ships may careen: here
+is also a small river of fresh water, and wood enough.'
+
+[Sidenote: 14th. Estapa.] On the 14th, in the morning, about a hundred
+Buccaneers set off in search of the carrier, taking the woman prisoner for
+a guide. They landed a league to the West of _Chequetan_, at a place
+called _Estapa_, and their conductress led them through a wood, by the
+side of a river, about a league, which brought them to a savannah full of
+cattle; and here at a farm-house the carrier and his mules were lodged. He
+had 40 packs of flour, some chocolate, small cheeses, and earthenware. The
+eatables, with the addition of eighteen beeves which they killed, the
+Buccaneers laid on the backs of above fifty mules which were at hand, and
+drove them to their boats. A present of clothes was made to the woman, and
+she, with two of her children, were set at liberty; but the other child, a
+boy seven or eight years old, Swan kept, against the earnest intreaties of
+the mother. Dampier says, 'Captain Swan promised her to make much of him,
+and was as good as his word. He proved afterwards a fine boy for wit,
+courage, and dexterity.'
+
+[Sidenote: 21st. Hill of Thelupan.] They proceeded Westward along the
+coast, which was high land full of ragged hills, but with pleasant and
+fruitful vallies between. The 25th, they were abreast a hill, 'which
+towered above his fellows, and was divided in the top, making two small
+parts. It is in latitude 18 deg. 8' N. The Spaniards mention a town called
+_Thelupan_ near this hill.'
+
+The 26th, the Captains Swan and Townley went in the canoes with 200 men,
+to seek the city of _Colima_, which was reported to be a rich place: but
+their search was fruitless. They rowed 20 leagues along shore, and found
+no good place for landing; neither did they see house or inhabitant,
+although they passed by a fine valley, called the _Valley of Maguella_,
+except that towards the end of their expedition, they saw a horseman, who
+they supposed had been stationed as a sentinel, for he rode off
+immediately on their appearance. They landed with difficulty, and followed
+the track of the horse on the sand, but lost it in the woods.
+
+[Sidenote: 28th. Volcano of Colima. Valley of Colima.] On the 28th, they
+saw the Volcano of _Colima_, which is in about 18 deg. 36' N latitude, five or
+six leagues from the sea, and appears with two sharp points, from each of
+which issued flames or smoke. The _Valley of Colima_ is ten or twelve
+leagues wide by the sea: it abounds in cacao-gardens, fields of corn, and
+plantain walks. The coast is a sandy shore, on which the waves beat with
+violence. Eastward of the Valley the land is woody. A river ran here into
+the sea, with a shoal or bar at its entrance, which boats could not pass.
+On the West side of the river was savannah land.
+
+[Sidenote: December. Salagua.] December the 1st, they were near the Port
+of _Salagua_, which Dampier reckoned in latitude 18 deg. 52' N. He says, 'it
+is only a pretty deep bay, divided in the middle with a rocky point, which
+makes, as it were, two harbours[69]. Ships may ride secure in either, but
+the West harbour is the best: the depth of water is 10 or 12 fathom, and a
+brook of fresh water runs into the sea there.'
+
+[Sidenote: Report of a great City named Oarrah.] Two hundred Buccaneers
+landed at _Salagua_, and finding a broad road which led inland, they
+followed it about four leagues, over a dry stony country, much overgrown
+with short wood, without seeing habitation or inhabitant; but in their
+return, they met and took prisoners two Mulattoes, who informed them that
+the road they had been travelling led to a great city called _Oarrah_,
+which was distant as far as a horse will travel in four days; and that
+there was no place of consequence nearer. The same prisoner said the
+_Manila_ ship was daily expected to stop at this part of the coast to land
+passengers; for that the arrival of the ships at _Acapulco_ from the
+_Philippines_ commonly happened about Christmas, and scarcely ever more
+than eight or ten days before or after.
+
+Swan and Townley sailed on for Cape _Corrientes_. Many among the crews
+were at this time taken ill with a fever and ague, which left the patients
+dropsical. Dampier says, the dropsy is a disease very common on this
+coast. He was one of the sufferers, and continued ill a long time; and
+several died of it.
+
+[Sidenote: The Land near Cape Corrientes. Coronada Hills. Cape
+Corrientes.] The coast Southward of _Cape Corrientes_, is of moderate
+height, and full of white cliffs. The inland country is high and barren,
+with sharp peaked hills. Northward of this rugged land, is a chain of
+mountains which terminates Eastward with a high steep mountain, which has
+three sharp peaks and resembles a crown; and is therefore called by the
+Spaniards _Coronada_. On the 11th they came in sight of _Cape Corrientes_.
+When the _Cape_ bore NbW, the _Coronada_ mountain bore ENE[70].
+
+On arriving off _Cape Corrientes_, the buccaneer vessels spread, for the
+advantage of enlarging their lookout, the Cygnet taking the outer station
+at about ten leagues distance from the _Cape_. Provisions however soon
+became scarce, on which account Townley's tender and some of the canoes
+were sent to the land to seek a supply. The canoes rowed up along shore
+against a Northerly wind to the _Bay de Vanderas_; but the bark could not
+get round _Cape Corrientes_. [Sidenote: 18th.] On the 18th, Townley
+complained he wanted fresh water, whereupon the ships quitted their
+station near the Cape, and sailed to some small Islands called the _Keys
+of Chametly_, which are situated to the SE of _Cape Corrientes_, to take
+in fresh water.
+
+The descriptions of the coast of _New Spain_ given by Dampier, in his
+account of his voyage with the Buccaneers, contain many particulars of
+importance which are not to be found in any other publication. Dampier's
+manuscript and the printed Narrative frequently differ, and it is
+sometimes apparent that the difference is not the effect of inadvertence,
+or mistake in the press, but that it was intended as a correction from a
+reconsideration of the subject. [Sidenote: Keys or Islands of Chametly.]
+The printed Narrative says at this part, 'These _Keys_ or _Islands_ of
+_Chametly_ are about 16 or 18 leagues to the Eastward of _Cape
+Corrientes_. They are small, low, woody, and environed with rocks. There
+are five of them lying in the form of a half moon, not a mile from the
+shore of the main, and between them and the main land is very good riding
+secure from any wind[71].' In the manuscript it is said, 'the Islands
+_Chametly_ make a secure port. They lie eight or nine leagues from _Port
+Navidad_.'
+
+It is necessary to explain that Dampier, in describing his navigation
+along the coast of _New Spain_, uses the terms Eastward and Westward, not
+according to the precise meaning of the words, but to signify being more
+or less advanced along the coast from the _Bay of Panama_. By Westward, he
+invariably means more advanced towards the _Gulf of California_; by
+Eastward, the contrary.
+
+[Sidenote: Form a convenient Port.] The ships entered within the _Chametly
+Islands_ by the channel at the SE end, and anchored in five fathoms depth,
+on a bottom of clean sand. They found there good fresh water and wood, and
+caught plenty of rock-fish with hook and line. No inhabitants were seen,
+but there were huts, made for the temporary convenience of fishermen who
+occasionally went there to fish for the inhabitants of the city of _La
+Purificacion_. These Islands, forming a commodious port affording fresh
+water and other conveniencies, from the smallness of their size are not
+made visible in the Spanish charts of the coast of _New Spain_ in present
+use[72]. Whilst the ships watered at the _Keys_ or _Isles of Chametly_, a
+party was sent to forage on the main land, whence they carried off about
+40 bushels of maize.
+
+On the 22d, they left the _Keys of Chametly_, and returned to their
+cruising station off _Cape Corrientes_, where they were rejoined by the
+canoes which had been to the _Bay de Vanderas_. Thirty-seven men had
+landed there from the canoes, who went three miles into the country, where
+they encountered a body of Spaniards, consisting both of horse and foot.
+The Buccaneers took benefit of a small wood for shelter against the
+attack of the horse, yet the Spaniards rode in among them; but the Spanish
+Captain and some of their foremost men being killed, the rest retreated.
+Four of the Buccaneers were killed, and two desperately wounded. The
+Spanish infantry were more numerous than the horse, but they did not join
+in the attack, because they were armed only with lances and swords;
+'nevertheless,' says Dampier, 'if they had come in, they would certainly
+have destroyed all our men.' The Buccaneers conveyed their two wounded men
+to the water side on horses, one of which, when they arrived at their
+canoes, they killed and drest; not daring to venture into the savannah for
+a bullock, though they saw many grazing.
+
+[Sidenote: 1686. January. Bay de Vanderas.] Swan and Townley preserved
+their station off _Cape Corrientes_ only till the 1st of January, 1686,
+when their crews became impatient for fresh meat, and they stood into the
+_Bay de Vanderas_, to hunt for beef. The depth of water in this Bay is
+very great, and the ships were obliged to anchor in 60 fathoms.
+
+[Sidenote: Valley of Vanderas.] 'The _Valley of Vanderas_ is about three
+leagues wide, with a sandy bay against the sea, and smooth landing. In the
+midst of this bay (or beach) is a fine river, into which boats may enter;
+but it is brackish at the latter part of the dry season, which is in
+March, and part of April. The Valley is enriched with fruitful savannahs,
+mixed with groves of trees fit for any use; and fruit-trees grow wild in
+such plenty as if nature designed this place only for a garden. The
+savannahs are full of fat bulls and cows, and horses; but no house was in
+sight.'
+
+Here they remained hunting beeves, till the 7th of the month. Two hundred
+and forty men landed every day, sixty of whom were stationed as a guard,
+whilst the rest pursued the cattle; the Spaniards all the time appearing
+in large companies on the nearest hills. The Buccaneers killed and salted
+meat sufficient to serve them two months, which expended all their salt.
+Whilst they were thus occupied in the pleasant valley of _Vanderas_, the
+galeon from _Manila_ sailed past _Cape Corrientes_, and pursued her course
+in safety to _Acapulco_. This they learnt afterwards from prisoners; but
+it was by no means unexpected: on the contrary, they were in general so
+fully persuaded it would be the consequence of their going into the _Bay
+de Vanderas_, that they gave up all intention of cruising for her
+afterwards.
+
+[Sidenote: Swan and Townley part company.] The main object for which
+Townley had gone thus far Northward being disposed of, he and his crew
+resolved to return Southward. Some Darien Indians had remained to this
+time with Swan: they were now committed to the care of Townley, and the
+two ships broke off consortship, and parted company.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XIX.
+
+ _The =Cygnet= and her Crew on the Coast of =Nueva Galicia=, and
+ at the =Tres Marias Islands=._
+
+
+[Sidenote: 1686. January. Coast of Nuevo Galicia.] Swan and his crew
+determined before they quitted the American coast, to visit some Spanish
+towns farther North, in the neighbourhood of rich mines, where they hoped
+to find good plunder, and to increase their stock of provisions for the
+passage across the _Pacific_ to _India_.
+
+[Sidenote: Point Ponteque.] January the 7th, the Cygnet and her tender
+sailed from the _Valley of Vanderas_, and before night, passed _Point
+Ponteque_, the Northern point of the _Vanderas Bay_. _Point Ponteque_ is
+high, round, rocky, and barren: at a distance it makes like an Island.
+Dampier reckoned it 10 leagues distant, in a direction N 20 deg. W, from _Cape
+Corrientes_; the variation of the compass observed near the _Cape_ being
+4 deg. 28' Easterly[73].
+
+A league West from _Point Ponteque_ are two small barren Islands, round
+which lie scattered several high, sharp, white rocks. The Cygnet passed on
+the East side of the two Islands, the channel between them and _Point
+Ponteque_ appearing clear of danger. 'The sea-coast beyond _Point
+Ponteque_ runs in NE, all ragged land, and afterwards out again NNW,
+making many ragged points, with small sandy bays between. The land by the
+sea is low and woody; but the inland country is full of high, sharp,
+rugged, and barren hills.'
+
+Along this coast they had light sea and land breezes, and fair weather.
+They anchored every evening, and got under sail in the morning with the
+land-wind. [Sidenote: January 14th. White Rock, 21 deg. 51' N.] On the 14th,
+they had sight of a small white rock, which had resemblance to a ship
+under sail. Dampier gives its latitude 21 deg. 51' N, and its distance from
+_Cape Corrientes_ 34 leagues. It is three leagues from the main, with
+depth in the channel, near the Island, twelve or fourteen fathoms.
+
+[Sidenote: 15th. 16th.] The 15th, at noon, the latitude was 22 deg. 11' N. The
+coast here lay in a NNW direction. The 16th, they steered 'NNW as the land
+runs.' At noon the latitude was 22 deg. 41' N. The coast was sandy and
+shelving, with soundings at six fathoms depth a league distant. The sea
+set heavy on the shore. They caught here many cat-fish.
+
+[Sidenote: 20th. Chametlan Isles, 23 deg. 11' N.] On the 20th, they anchored a
+league to the East of a small groupe of Isles, named the _Chametlan
+Isles_, after the name of the District or Captainship (_Alcaldia mayor_)
+in the province of _Culiacan_, opposite to which they are situated.
+Dampier calls them the _Isles of Chametly_, 'different from the _Isles_ or
+_Keys of Chametly_ at which we had before anchored. These are six small
+Islands in latitude 23 deg. 11' N, about three leagues distant from the
+main-land[74], where a salt lake has its outlet into the sea. Their
+meridian distance from _Cape Corrientes_ is 23 leagues [West.] The coast
+here, and for about ten leagues before coming abreast these Islands, lies
+NW and SE.'
+
+[Sidenote: The Penguin Fruit.] On the _Chametlan Isles_ they found
+guanoes, and seals; and a fruit of a sharp pleasant taste, by Dampier
+called the Penguin fruit, 'of a kind which grows so abundantly in the _Bay
+of Campeachy_ that there is no passing for their high prickly leaves.'
+
+[Sidenote: Rio de Sal, and Salt-water Lagune, 23 deg. 30' N.] In the
+main-land, six or seven leagues NNW from the _Isles of Chametlan_, is a
+narrow opening into a _lagune_, with depth of water sufficient for boats
+to enter. This _lagune_ extends along the back of the sea-beach about 12
+leagues, and makes many low Mangrove Islands. The latitude given of the
+entrance above-mentioned is 23 deg. 30' N, and it is called by the Spaniards
+_Rio de Sal_.
+
+Half a degree Northward of _Rio de Sal_ was said to be the River
+_Culiacan_, with a rich Spanish town of the same name. Swan went with the
+canoes in search of it, and followed the coast 30 leagues from abreast the
+_Chametlan Isles_, without finding any river to the North of the _Rio de
+Sal_. All the coast was low and sandy, and the sea beat high on the shore.
+[Sidenote: 30th.] The ships did not go farther within the _Gulf_ than to
+23 deg. 45' N, in which latitude, on the 30th, they anchored in eight fathoms
+depth, three miles distant from the main-land; the meridian distance from
+_Cape Corrientes_ being 34 leagues West, by Dampier's reckoning.
+
+[Sidenote: The Mexican, a copious Language.] In their return Southward,
+Swan with the canoes, entered the _Rio de Sal Lagune_, and at an
+_estancian_ on the Western side, they took the owner prisoner. They found
+in his house a few bushels of maize; but the cattle had been driven out of
+their reach. Dampier relates, 'The old Spanish gentleman who was taken at
+the _Estancian_ near the _Rio de Sal_ was a very intelligent person. He
+had been a great traveller in the kingdom of _Mexico_, and spoke the
+Mexican language very well. He said it is a copious language, and much
+esteemed by the Spanish gentry in those parts, and of great use all over
+the kingdom; and that many Indian languages had some dependency on it.'
+
+[Sidenote: Mazatlan.] The town of _Mazatlan_ was within 5 leagues of the
+NE part of the _lagune_, and Swan with 150 men went thither. The
+inhabitants wounded some of the Buccaneers with arrows, but could make no
+effectual resistance. There were rich mines near _Mazatlan_, and the
+Spaniards of _Compostella_, which is the chief town in this district,
+kept slaves at work in them. The Buccaneers however found no gold here,
+but carried off some Indian corn.
+
+[Sidenote: February 2d. Rosario, an Indian Town.] February the 2d, the
+canoes went to an Indian town called _Rosario_, situated on the banks of a
+river and nine miles within its entrance. '_Rosario_ was a fine little
+town of 60 or 70 houses, with a good church.' The river produced gold, and
+mines were in the neighbourhood; but here, as at _Mazatlan_, they got no
+other booty than Indian corn, of which they conveyed to their ships
+between 80 and 90 bushels.
+
+[Sidenote: 3d. River Rosario, 22 deg. 51' N. Sugar-loaf Hill. Caput Cavalli.]
+On the 3d, the ships anchored near the _River Rosario_ in seven fathoms
+oozy ground, a league from the shore; the latitude of the entrance of the
+river 22 deg. 51' N. A small distance within the coast and bearing NEbN from
+the ship, was a round hill like a sugar-loaf; and North Westward of that
+hill, was another 'pretty long hill,' called _Caput Cavalli_, or the
+_Horse's Head_.
+
+[Sidenote: 8th.] On the 8th, the canoes were sent to search for a river
+named the _Oleta_, which was understood to lie in latitude 22 deg. 27' N; but
+the weather proving foggy they could not find it.
+
+[Sidenote: 11th. Maxentelbo Rock. Hill of Xalisco.] On the 11th, they
+anchored abreast the South point of the entrance of a river called the
+_River de Santiago_, in seven fathoms soft oozy bottom, about two miles
+from the shore; a high white rock, called _Maxentelbo_, bore from their
+anchorage WNW, distant about three leagues, and a high hill in the
+country, with a saddle or bending, called the _Hill Xalisco_, bore SE.
+[Sidenote: River of Santiago, 22 deg. 15' N.] 'The _River St. Iago_ is in
+latitude 22 deg. 15' N, the entrance lies East and West with the _Rock
+Maxentelbo_. It is one of the principal rivers on this coast: there is ten
+feet water on the bar at low-water; but how much the tide rises and falls,
+was not observed. The mouth of the river is nearly half a mile broad, with
+very smooth entering. Within the entrance it widens, for three or four
+rivers meet there, and issue all out together. The water is brackish a
+great way up; but fresh water is to be had by digging two or three feet
+deep in a sandy bay just at the mouth of the river. Northward of the
+entrance, and NEbE from _Maxentelbo_, is a round white rock.'
+
+'Between the latitudes 22 deg. 41' and 22 deg. 10' N, which includes the _River de
+Santiago_, the coast lies NNW and SSE[75].'
+
+No inhabitants were seen near the entrance of the _River St. Iago_, but
+the country had a fruitful appearance, and Swan sent seventy men in four
+canoes up the river, to seek for some town or village. After two days
+spent in examining different creeks and rivers, they came to a field of
+maize which was nearly ripe, and immediately began to gather; but whilst
+they were loading the canoes, they saw an Indian, whom they caught, and
+from him they learnt that at four leagues distance from them was a town
+named _S^{ta} Pecaque_. With this information they returned to the ship;
+and the same evening, Swan with eight canoes and 140 men, set off for
+_S^{ta} Pecaque_, taking the Indian for a guide. This was on the 15th of
+the month.
+
+[Sidenote: 16th.] They rowed during the night about five leagues up the
+river, and at six o'clock in the morning, landed at a place where it was
+about a pistol-shot wide, with pretty high banks on each side, the country
+plain and even. Twenty men were left with the canoes, and Swan with the
+rest marched towards the town, by a road which led partly through
+woodland, and partly through savannas well stocked with cattle. They
+arrived at the town by ten in the forenoon, and entered without
+opposition, the inhabitants having quitted it on their approach.
+
+[Sidenote: Town of S^{ta} Pecaque.] The town of _Santa Pecaque_ was small,
+regularly built after the Spanish mode, with a Parade in the middle, and
+balconies to the houses which fronted the parade. It had two churches. The
+inhabitants were mostly Spaniards, and their principal occupation was
+husbandry. It is distant from _Compostella_ about 21 leagues.
+_Compostella_ itself was at that time reckoned not to contain more than
+seventy white families, which made about one-eighth part of its
+inhabitants.
+
+There were large storehouses, with maize, salt-fish, salt, and sugar, at
+_Santa Pecaque_, provisions being kept there for the subsistence of some
+hundreds of slaves who worked in silver mines not far distant. The chief
+purpose for which the Cygnet had come so far North on this coast was to
+get provisions, and here was more than sufficient to supply her wants. For
+transporting it to their canoes, Swan divided the men into two parties,
+which it was agreed should go alternately, one party constantly to remain
+to guard the stores in the town. The afternoon of the first day was passed
+in taking rest and refreshment, and in collecting horses. [Sidenote:
+17th.] The next morning, fifty-seven men, with a number of horses laden
+with maize, each man also carrying a small quantity, set out for the
+canoes, to which they arrived, and safely deposited their burthens. The
+Spaniards had given some disturbance to the men who guarded the canoes,
+and had wounded one, on which account they were reinforced with seven men
+from the carrying party; and in the afternoon, the fifty returned to
+_Santa Pecaque_. Only one trip was made in the course of the day.
+
+[Sidenote: 18th.] On the morning of the 18th, the party which had guarded
+the town the day before, took their turn for carrying. They loaded 24
+horses, and every man had his burthen. This day they took a prisoner, who
+told them, that nearly a thousand men, of all colours, Spaniards, Indians,
+Negroes, and Mulattoes, were assembled at the town of _Santiago_, which
+was only three leagues distant from _Santa Pecaque_. This information made
+Captain Swan of opinion, that separating his men was attended with much
+danger; and he determined that the next morning he would quit the town
+with the whole party. In the mean time he employed his men to catch as
+many horses as they could, that when they departed they might carry off a
+good load.
+
+[Sidenote: February 19th.] On the 19th, Swan called his men out early, and
+gave order to prepare for marching; but the greater number refused to
+alter the mode they had first adopted, and said they would not abandon the
+town until all the provision in it was conveyed to the canoes. Swan was
+forced to acquiesce, and to allow one-half of the company to go as before.
+They had fifty-four horses laden; Swan advised them to tie the horses one
+to another, and the men to keep in two bodies, twenty-five before, and the
+same number behind. His directions however were not followed: 'the men
+would go their own way, every man leading his horse.' The Spaniards had
+before observed their careless manner of marching, and had prepared their
+plan of attack for this morning, making choice of the ground they thought
+most for their advantage, and placing men there in ambush. The Buccaneer
+convoy had not been gone above a quarter of an hour when those who kept
+guard in the town, heard the report of guns. Captain Swan called on them
+to march out to the assistance of their companions; but some even then
+opposed him, and spoke with contempt of the danger and their enemies, till
+two horses, saddled, with holsters, and without riders, came galloping
+into the town frightened, and one had at its side a carabine newly
+discharged. [Sidenote: Buccaneers defeated and slain by the Spaniards.] On
+this additional sign that some event had taken place which it imported
+them to know, Swan immediately marched out of the town, and all his men
+followed him. When they came to the place where the engagement had
+happened, they beheld their companions that had gone forth from the town
+that morning, every man lying dead in the road, stripped, and so mangled
+that scarcely any one could be known. This was the most severe defeat the
+Buccaneers suffered in all their _South Sea_ enterprises.
+
+The party living very little exceeded the number of those who lay dead
+before them, yet the Spaniards made no endeavour to interrupt their
+retreat, either in their march to the canoes, or in their falling down the
+river, but kept at a distance. 'It is probable,' says Dampier, 'the
+Spaniards did not cut off so many of our men without loss of many of their
+own. We lost this day fifty-four Englishmen and nine blacks; and among the
+slain was my ingenious friend Mr. Ringrose, who wrote that part of the
+_History of the Buccaneers_ which relates to Captain Sharp. He had engaged
+in this voyage as supercargo of Captain Swan's ship.'--'Captain Swan had
+been forewarned by his astrologer of the great danger they were in; and
+several of the men who went in the first party had opposed the division of
+their force: some of them foreboded their misfortune, and heard as they
+lay down in the church in the night, grievous groanings which kept them
+from sleeping[76].'
+
+Swan and his surviving crew were discouraged from attempting any thing
+more on the coast of _New Galicia_, although they had laid up but a small
+stock of provisions. On the 21st, they sailed from the _River of St. Jago_
+for the South Cape of _California_, where it was their intention to careen
+the ship; but the wind had settled in the NW quarter, and after struggling
+against it a fortnight, on the 7th of March, they anchored in a bay at the
+East end of the middle of the _Tres Marias Islands_, in eight fathoms
+clean sand. [Sidenote: March. At the Middle Island of the Tres Marias.]
+The next day, they took a birth within a quarter of a mile of the shore;
+the outer points of the bay bearing ENE and SSW.
+
+None of the _Tres Marias Islands_ were inhabited. Swan named the one at
+which he had anchored, _Prince George's Island_. Dampier describes them of
+moderate height, and the Westernmost Island to be the largest of the
+three. 'The soil is stony and dry, producing much of a shrubby kind of
+wood, troublesome to pass; but in some parts grow plenty of straight large
+cedars. [Sidenote: A Root used as Food.] The sea-shore is sandy, and
+there, a green prickly plant grows, whose leaves are much like the penguin
+leaf; the root is like the root of the _Sempervive_, but larger, and when
+baked in an oven is reckoned good to eat. The Indians of _California_ are
+said to have great part of their subsistence from these roots. We baked
+some, but none of us greatly cared for them. They taste exactly like the
+roots of our English Burdock boiled.'
+
+At this Island were guanoes, raccoons, rabbits, pigeons, doves, fish,
+turtle, and seal. They careened here, and made a division of the store of
+provisions, two-thirds to the Cygnet and one-third to the Tender, 'there
+being one hundred eaters in the ship, and fifty on board the tender.' The
+maize they had saved measured 120 bushels.
+
+[Sidenote: A Dropsy cured by a Sand Bath.] Dampier relates the following
+anecdote of himself at this place. 'I had been a long time sick of a
+dropsy, a distemper whereof many of our men died; so here I was laid and
+covered all but my head in the hot sand. I endured it near half an hour,
+and then was taken out. I sweated exceedingly while I was in the sand, and
+I believe it did me much good, for I grew well soon after.'
+
+This was the dry season, and they could not find here a sufficient supply
+of fresh water, which made it necessary for them to return to the
+Continent. Before sailing, Swan landed a number of prisoners, Spaniards
+and Indians, which would have been necessary on many accounts besides that
+of the scantiness of provisions, if it had been his design to have
+proceeded forthwith Westward for the _East Indies_; but as he was going
+again to the American coast, which was close at hand, the turning his
+prisoners ashore on a desolate Island, appears to have been in revenge
+for the disastrous defeat sustained at _S^{ta} Pecaque_, and for the
+Spaniards having given no quarter on that occasion.
+
+[Sidenote: Bay of Vanderas.] They sailed on the 26th, and two days after,
+anchored in the _Bay of Vanderas_ near the river at the bottom of the bay;
+but the water of this river was now brackish. Search was made along the
+South shore of the bay, and two or three leagues towards _Cape
+Corrientes_, a small brook of good fresh water was found; and good
+anchorage near to a small round Island which lies half a mile from the
+main, and about four leagues NEastward of the Cape. Just within this
+Island they brought the ships to anchor, in 25 fathoms depth, the brook
+bearing from them E-1/2N half a mile distant, and _Point Ponteque_ NWbN
+six leagues.
+
+The Mosquito men struck here nine or ten jew-fish, the heads and finny
+pieces of which served for present consumption, and the rest was salted
+for sea-store. The maize and salted fish composed the whole of their stock
+of eatables for their passage across the _Pacific_, and at a very
+straitened allowance would scarcely be sufficient to hold out sixty days.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XX.
+
+ _The =Cygnet=. Her Passage across the =Pacific Ocean=. At the
+ =Ladrones=. At =Mindanao=._
+
+
+[Sidenote: 1686. March. The Cygnet quits the American Coast.] March the
+31st, they sailed from the American coast, steering at first SW, and
+afterwards more Westerly till they were in latitude 13 deg. N, in which
+parallel they kept. 'The kettle was boiled but once a day,' says Dampier,
+'and there was no occasion to call the men to victuals. All hands came up
+to see the Quarter-master share it, and he had need to be exact. We had
+two dogs and two cats on board, and they likewise had a small allowance
+given them, and they waited with as much eagerness to see it shared as we
+did.' [Sidenote: Large flight of Birds. Lat. 13 deg. N. Long. 180 deg.] In this
+passage they saw neither fish nor fowl of any kind, except at one time,
+when by Dampier's reckoning they were 4975 miles West from _Cape
+Corrientes_, and then, numbers of the sea-birds called boobies were flying
+near the ships, which were supposed to come from some rocks not far
+distant. Their longitude at this time may be estimated at about 180
+degrees from the meridian of Greenwich[77].
+
+[Sidenote: May 21st.] Fortunately, they had a fresh trade-wind, and made
+great runs every day. 'On May the 20th, which,' says Dampier, 'we begin to
+call the 21st, we were in latitude 12 deg. 50' N, and steering West.
+[Sidenote: Shoals and Breakers SbW-1/2W 10 or 11 leagues from the S end of
+Guahan. Bank de Santa Rosa.] At two p. m. the bark tender being two
+leagues ahead of the Cygnet, came into shoal water, and those on board
+plainly saw rocks under her, but no land was in sight. They hauled on a
+wind to the Southward, and hove the lead, and found but four fathoms
+water. They saw breakers to the Westward. They then wore round, and got
+their starboard tacks on board and stood Northward. The Cygnet in getting
+up to the bark, ran over a shoal bank, where the bottom was seen, and fish
+among the rocks; but the ship ran past it before we could heave the lead.
+Both vessels stood to the Northward, keeping upon a wind, and sailed
+directly North, having the wind at ENE, till five in the afternoon, having
+at that time run eight miles and increased our latitude so many minutes.
+We then saw the Island _Guam_ [_Guahan_] bearing NNE, distant from us
+about eight leagues, which gives the latitude of the Island (its South
+end) 13 deg. 20' N. We did not observe the variation of the compass at _Guam_.
+At _Cape Corrientes_ we found it 4 deg. 28' Easterly, and an observation we
+made when we had gone about a third of the passage, shewed it to be the
+same. I am inclined to think it was less at _Guam_[78].'
+
+The shoal above mentioned is called by the Spaniards the _Banco de Santa
+Rosa_, and the part over which the Cygnet passed, according to the extract
+from Dampier, is about SbW-1/2W from the South end of _Guahan_, distant
+ten or eleven leagues.
+
+[Sidenote: At Guahan.] An hour before midnight, they anchored on the West
+side of _Guahan_, a mile from the shore. The Spaniards had here a small
+Fort, and a garrison of thirty soldiers; but the Spanish Governor resided
+at another part of the Island. As the ships anchored, a Spanish priest in
+a canoe went on board, believing them to be Spaniards from _Acapulco_. He
+was treated with civility, but detained as a kind of hostage, to
+facilitate any negociation necessary for obtaining provisions; and Swan
+sent a present to the Spanish Governor by the Indians of the canoe.
+
+No difficulty was experienced on this head. Both Spaniards, and the few
+natives seen here, were glad to dispose of their provisions to so good a
+market as the buccaneer ships. Dampier conjectured the number of the
+natives at this time on _Guahan_ not to exceed a hundred. In the last
+insurrection, which was a short time before Eaton stopped at the
+_Ladrones_, the natives, finding they could not prevail against the
+Spaniards, destroyed their plantations, and went to other Islands. 'Those
+of the natives who remained in _Guahan_,' says Dampier, 'if they were not
+actually concerned in that broil, their hearts were bent against the
+Spaniards; for they offered to carry us to the Fort and assist us to
+conquer the Island.'
+
+Whilst Swan lay at _Guahan_, the Spanish Acapulco ship came in sight of
+the Island. The Governor immediately sent off notice to her of the
+Buccaneer ships being in the road, on which she altered her course towards
+the South, and by so doing got among the shoals, where she struck off her
+rudder, and did not get clear for three days. The natives at _Guahan_ told
+the Buccaneers that the Acapulco ship was in sight of the Island, 'which,'
+says Dampier, 'put our men in a great heat to go out after her, but
+Captain Swan persuaded them out of that humour.'
+
+[Sidenote: Flying Proe, or Sailing Canoe.] Dampier praises the ingenuity
+of the natives of the _Ladrone Islands_, and particularly in the
+construction of their sailing canoes, or, as they are sometimes called,
+their flying proes, of which he has given the following description.
+'Their Proe or Sailing Canoe is sharp at both ends; the bottom is of one
+piece of good substance neatly hollowed, and is about 28 feet long; the
+under, or keel part is made round, but inclining to a wedge; the upper
+part is almost flat, having a very gentle hollow, and is about a foot
+broad: from hence, both sides of the boat are carried up to about five
+feet high with narrow plank, and each end of the boat turns up round very
+prettily. But what is very singular, one side of the boat is made
+perpendicular like a wall, while the other side is rounding as other
+vessels are, with a pretty full belly. The dried husks of the cocoa-nuts
+serve for oakum. At the middle of the vessel the breadth aloft is four or
+five feet, or more, according to the length of the boat. The mast stands
+exactly in the middle, with a long yard that peeps up and down like a
+ship's mizen yard; one end of it reaches down to the head of the boat,
+where it is placed in a notch made purposely to keep it fast: the other
+end hangs over the stern. To this yard the sail is fastened, and at the
+foot of the sail is another small yard to keep the sail out square, or to
+roll the sail upon when it blows hard; for it serves instead of a reef to
+take up the sail to what degree they please. Along the belly side of the
+boat, parallel with it, at about seven feet distance, lies another boat or
+canoe very small, being a log of very light wood, almost as long as the
+great boat, but not above a foot and a half wide at the upper part, and
+sharp like a wedge at each end. The little boat is fixed firm to the other
+by two bamboos placed across the great boat, one near each end, and its
+use is to keep the great boat upright from oversetting. They keep the flat
+side of the great boat against the wind, and the belly side, consequently,
+with its little boat, is upon the lee[79]. The vessel has a head at each
+end so as to be able to sail with either foremost: they need not tack as
+our vessels do, but when they ply to windward and are minded to make a
+board the other way, they only alter the setting of the sail by shifting
+the end of the yard, and they take the broad paddle with which they steer
+instead of a rudder, to the other end of the vessel. I have been
+particular in describing these their sailing canoes, because I believe
+they sail the best of any boats in the world. I tried the swiftness of one
+of them with our log: we had twelve knots on our reel, and she ran it all
+out before the half-minute glass was half out. I believe she would run 24
+miles in an hour. It was very pleasant to see the little boat running so
+swift by the other's side. I was told that one of these proes being sent
+express from _Guahan_ to _Manila_, [a distance above 480 leagues]
+performed the voyage in four days.'
+
+[Sidenote: Bread Fruit.] Dampier has described the Bread-fruit, which is
+among the productions of the _Ladrone Islands_. He had never seen nor
+heard of it any where but at these Islands. Provisions were obtained in
+such plenty at _Guahan_, that in the two vessels they salted above fifty
+hogs for sea use. The friar was released, with presents in return for his
+good offices, and to compensate for his confinement.
+
+[Sidenote: June.] June the 2d, they sailed from _Guahan_ for the Island
+_Mindanao_. The weather was uncertain: 'the Westerly winds were not as yet
+in strength, and the Easterly winds commonly over-mastered them and
+brought the ships on their way to _Mindanao_.'
+
+[Sidenote: Eastern side of Mindanao, and the Island St. John.] There is
+much difference between the manuscript Journal of Dampier and the
+published Narrative, concerning the geography of the East side of
+_Mindanao_. The Manuscript says, 'We arrived off _Mindanao_ the 21st day
+of June; but being come in with the land, knew not what part of the Island
+the city was in, therefore we run down to the Northward, between
+_Mindanao_ and _St. John_, and came to an anchor in a bay which lieth in
+six degrees North latitude.'
+
+In the printed Narrative it is said, 'The 21st day of June, we arrived at
+the _Island St. John_, which is on the East side of _Mindanao_, and
+distant from it 3 or 4 leagues. It is in latitude about 7 deg. or 8 deg. North.
+This Island is in length about 38 leagues, stretching NNW and SSE, and is
+in breadth about 24 leagues in the middle of the Island. The Northernmost
+end is broader, and the Southern narrower. This Island is of good height,
+and is full of small hills. The land at the SE end (where I was ashore) is
+of a black fat mould; and the whole Island seems to partake of the same,
+by the vast number of large trees that it produceth, for it looks all over
+like one great grove. As we were passing by the SE end, we saw a canoe of
+the natives under the shore, and one of our boats went after to have
+spoken with her, but she ran to the shore, and the people leaving her,
+fled to the woods. We saw no more people here, nor sign of inhabitant at
+this end. When we came aboard our ship again, we steered away for the
+Island _Mindanao_, which was fair in sight of us, it being about 10
+leagues distant from this part of _St. John's_. The 22d day, we came
+within a league of the East side of _Mindanao_, and having the wind at SE,
+we steered towards the North end, keeping on the East side till we came
+into the latitude of 7 deg. 40' N, and there we anchored in a small bay, a
+mile from the shore, in 10 fathoms, rocky foul ground; _Mindanao_ being
+guarded on the East side by _St. John's Island_, we might as reasonably
+have expected to find the harbour and city on this side as any where else;
+but coming into the latitude in which we judged the city might be, we
+found no canoes or people that indicated a city or place of trade being
+near at hand, though we coasted within a league of the shore[80].'
+
+This difference between the manuscript and printed Journal cannot well be
+accounted for. The most remarkable particular of disagreement is in the
+latitude of the bay wherein they anchored. At this bay they had
+communication with the inhabitants, and learnt that the _Mindanao City_
+was to the Westward. They could not prevail on any Mindanao man to pilot
+them; the next day, however, they weighed anchor, and sailed back
+Southward, till they came to a part they supposed to be the SE end of
+_Mindanao_, and saw two small Islands about three leagues distant from it.
+
+[Sidenote: Sarangan and Candigar.] There is reason to believe that the two
+small Islands here noticed were _Sarangan_ and _Candigar_; according to
+which, Dampier's _Island St. John_ will be the land named _Cape San
+Augustin_ in the present charts. And hence arises a doubt whether the land
+of _Cape San Augustin_ is not an Island separate from _Mindanao_.
+Dampier's navigation between them does not appear to have been far enough
+to the Northward to ascertain whether he was in a Strait or a Gulf.
+
+[Sidenote: July. Harbour or Sound on the South Coast of Mindanao.] The
+wind blew constant and fresh from the Westward, and it took them till the
+4th of July to get into a harbour or sound a few leagues to the NW from
+the two small Islands. This harbour or sound ran deep into the land; at
+the entrance it is only two miles across, but within it is three leagues
+wide, with seven fathoms depth, and there is good depth for shipping four
+or five leagues up, but with some rocky foul ground. On the East side of
+this Bay are small rivers and brooks of fresh water. The country on the
+West side was uncultivated land, woody, and well stocked with wild deer,
+which had been used to live there unmolested, no people inhabiting on
+that side of the bay. Near the shore was a border of savanna or meadow
+land which abounded in long grass. Dampier says, 'the adjacent woods are a
+covert for the deer in the heat of the day; but mornings and evenings they
+feed in the open plains, as thick as in our parks in England. I never saw
+any where such plenty of wild deer. We found no hindrance to our killing
+as many as we pleased, and the crews of both the ships were fed with
+venison all the time we remained here.'
+
+They quitted this commodious Port on the 12th; the weather had become
+moderate, and they proceeded Westward for the River and City of
+_Mindanao_. The Southern part of the Island appeared better peopled than
+the Eastern part; they passed many fishing boats, 'and now and then a
+small village.'
+
+[Sidenote: River of Mindanao.] On the 18th, they anchored before the
+_River of Mindanao_, in 15 fathoms depth, the bottom hard sand, about two
+miles distant from the shore, and three or four miles from a small Island
+which was without them to the Southward. The river is small, and had not
+more than ten or eleven feet depth over the bar at spring tides. Dampier
+gives the latitude of the entrance 6 deg. 22' N.
+
+[Sidenote: City of Mindanao.] The buccaneer ships on anchoring saluted
+with seven guns, under English colours, and the salute was returned with
+three guns from the shore. 'The City of _Mindanao_ is about two miles from
+the sea. It is a mile long, of no great breadth, winding with the banks of
+the river, on the right hand going up, yet it has many houses on the
+opposite side of the river.' The houses were built upon posts, and at this
+time, as also during a great part of the succeeding month, the weather was
+rainy, and 'the city seemed to stand as in a pond, so that there was no
+passing from one house to another but in canoes.'
+
+The Island _Mindanao_ was divided into a number of small states. The port
+at which the Cygnet and her tender now anchored, with a large district of
+country adjacent, was under the dominion of a Sultan or Prince, who
+appears to have been one of the most powerful in the Island. The Spaniards
+had not established their dominion over all the _Philippine Islands_, and
+the inhabitants of this place were more apprehensive of the Hollanders
+than of any other Europeans; and on that account expressed some discontent
+when they understood the Cygnet was not come for the purpose of making a
+settlement. On the afternoon of their arrival, Swan sent an officer with a
+present to the Sultan, consisting of scarlet cloth, gold lace, a scymitar,
+and a pair of pistols; and likewise a present to another great man who was
+called the General, of scarlet cloth and three yards of silver lace. The
+next day, Captain Swan went on shore and was admitted to an audience in
+form. The Sultan shewed him two letters from English merchants, expressing
+their wishes to establish a factory at _Mindanao_, to do which he said the
+English should be welcome. A few days after this audience, the Cygnet and
+tender went into the river, the former being lightened first to get her
+over the bar. Here, similar to the custom in the ports of _China_, an
+officer belonging to the Sultan went on board and measured the ships.
+
+Voyagers or travellers who visit strange countries, generally find, or
+think, it necessary to be wary and circumspect: mercantile voyagers are on
+the watch for occasions of profit, and the inquisitiveness of men of
+observation will be regarded with suspicion; all which, however
+familiarity of manners may be assumed, keeps cordiality at a distance, and
+causes them to continue strangers. The present visitors were differently
+circumstanced and of different character: their pursuits at _Mindanao_
+were neither to profit by trade nor to make observation. Long confined
+with pockets full of money which they were impatient to exchange for
+enjoyment, with minds little troubled by considerations of economy, they
+at once entered into familiar intercourse with the natives, who were
+gained almost as much by the freedom of their manners as by their
+presents, and with whom they immediately became intimates and inmates. The
+same happened to Drake and his companions, when, returning enriched with
+spoil from the _South Sea_, they stopped at the Island _Java_; and we read
+no instance of Europeans arriving at such sociable and friendly
+intercourse with any of the natives of _India_, as they became with the
+people of _Java_ during the short time they remained there, except in the
+similarly circumstanced, instance of the crew of the Cygnet among the
+Mindanayans.
+
+By the length of their stay at _Mindanao_, Dampier was enabled to enter
+largely into descriptions of the natives, and of the country, and he has
+related many entertaining particulars concerning them. Those only in which
+the Buccaneers were interested will be noticed here.
+
+The Buccaneers were at first prodigal in their gifts. When any of them
+went on shore, they were welcomed and invited to the houses, and were
+courted to form particular attachments. Among many nations of the East a
+custom has been found to prevail, according to which, a stranger is
+expected to choose some individual native to be his friend or comrade; and
+a connexion so formed, and confirmed with presents, is regarded, if not as
+sacred, with such high respect, that it is held most dishonourable to
+break it. The visitor is at all times afterwards welcome to his comrade's
+house. The _tayoship_, with the ceremony of exchanging names, among the
+South Sea islanders, is a bond of fellowship of the same nature. The
+people of _Mindanao_ enlarged and refined upon this custom, and allowed to
+the stranger a _pagally_, or platonic friend of the other sex. The wives
+of the richest men may be chosen, and she is permitted to converse with
+her pagally in public. 'In a short time,' says Dampier, 'several of our
+men, such as had good clothes and store of gold, had a comrade or two, and
+as many pagallies.' Some of the crew hired, and some purchased, houses, in
+which they lived with their comrades and pagallies, and with a train of
+servants, as long as their means held out. 'Many of our Squires,'
+continues Dampier, 'were in no long time eased of the trouble of counting
+their money. This created a division of the crew into two parties, that is
+to say, of those who had money, and those who had none. As the latter
+party increased, they became dissatisfied and unruly for want of action,
+and continually urged the Captain to go to sea; which not being speedily
+complied with, they sold the ship's stores and the merchants' goods to
+procure arrack.' Those whose money held out, were not without their
+troubles. The Mindanayans were a people deadly in their resentments.
+Whilst the Cygnet lay at _Mindanao_, sixteen Buccaneers were buried, most
+of whom, Dampier says, died by poison. 'The people of _Mindanao_ are
+expert at poisoning, and will do it upon small occasions. Nor did our men
+want for giving offence either by rogueries, or by familiarities with
+their women, even before their husbands' faces. They have poisons which
+are slow and lingering; for some who were poisoned at _Mindanao_, did not
+die till many months after.'
+
+Towards the end of the year they began to make preparation for sailing. It
+was then discovered that the bottom of the tender was eaten through by
+worms in such a manner that she would scarcely swim longer in port, and
+could not possibly be made fit for sea. The Cygnet was protected by a
+sheathing which covered her bottom, the worms not being able to penetrate
+farther than to the hair which was between the sheathing and the main
+plank.
+
+[Sidenote: January, 1687.] In the beginning of January (1687), the Cygnet
+was removed to without the bar of the river. Whilst she lay there, and
+when Captain Swan was on shore, his Journal was accidentally left out, and
+thereby liable to the inspection of the crew, some of whom had the
+curiosity to look in it, and found there the misconduct of several
+individuals on board, noted down in a manner that seemed to threaten an
+after-reckoning. This discovery increased the discontents against Swan to
+such a degree, that when he heard of it he did not dare to trust himself
+on board, and the discontented party took advantage of his absence and got
+the ship under sail. Captain Swan sent on board Mr. Harthope, one of the
+Supercargoes, to see if he could effect a reconciliation. The principal
+mutineers shewed to Mr. Harthope the Captain's Journal, 'and repeated to
+him all his ill actions, and they desired that he would take the command
+of the ship; but he refused, and desired them to tarry a little longer
+whilst he went on shore and communed with the Captain, and he did not
+question but all differences would be reconciled. They said they would
+wait till two o'clock; but at four o'clock, Mr. Harthope not having
+returned, and no boat being seen coming from the shore, they made sail and
+put to sea with the ship, leaving their Commander and 36 of the crew at
+_Mindanao_.' Dampier was among those who went in the ship; but he
+disclaims having had any share in the mutiny.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XXI.
+
+ _The =Cygnet= departs from =Mindanao=. At the =Ponghou Isles=.
+ At the =Five Islands=. =Dampier's= Account of the =Five
+ Islands=. They are named the =Bashee Islands=._
+
+
+[Sidenote: 1687. January. South Coast of Mindanao.] It was on the 14th of
+January the Cygnet sailed from before the _River Mindanao_. The crew chose
+one John Reed, a Jamaica man, for their Captain. They steered Westward
+along the coast of the South side of the Island, 'which here tends WbS,
+the land of a good height, with high hills in the country.' The 15th, they
+were abreast a town named _Chambongo_ [in the charts _Samboangan_] which
+Dampier reckoned to be 30 leagues distant from the _River of Mindanao_.
+The Spaniards had formerly a fort there, and it is said to be a good
+harbour. 'At the distance of two or three leagues from the coast, are many
+small low Islands or Keys; and two or three leagues to the Southward of
+these Keys is a long Island stretching NE and SW about twelve
+leagues[81].'
+
+[Sidenote: Among the Philippine Islands.] When they were past the SW part
+of _Mindanao_, they sailed Northward towards _Manila_, plundering the
+country vessels that came in their way. What was seen here of the coasts
+is noticed slightly and with uncertainty. They met two Mindanao vessels
+laden with silks and calicoes; and near _Manila_ they took some Spanish
+vessels, one of which had a cargo of rice.
+
+[Sidenote: March. Pulo Condore.] From the _Philippine Islands_ they went
+to the Island _Pulo Condore_, where two of the men who had been poisoned
+at _Mindanao_, died. 'They were opened by the surgeon, in compliance with
+their dying request, and their livers were found black, light, and dry,
+like pieces of cork.'
+
+[Sidenote: In the China Seas.] From _Pulo Condore_ they went cruising to
+the _Gulf of Siam_, and to different parts of the _China Seas_. What their
+success was, Dampier did not think proper to tell, for it would not admit
+of being palliated under the term Buccaneering. Among their better
+projects and contrivances, one, which could only have been undertaken by
+men confident in their own seamanship and dexterity, was to search at the
+_Prata Island and Shoal_, for treasure which had been wrecked there, the
+recovery of which no one had ever before ventured to attempt. In pursuit
+of this scheme, they unluckily fell too far to leeward, and were unable to
+beat up against the wind.
+
+[Sidenote: July. Ponghou Isles. The Five Islands.] In July they went to
+the _Ponghou Islands_, expecting to find there a port which would be a
+safe retreat. On the 20th of that month, they anchored at one of the
+Islands, where they found a large town, and a Tartar garrison. This was
+not a place where they could rest with ease and security. Having the wind
+at SW, they again got under sail, and directed their course to look for
+some Islands which in the charts were laid down between _Formosa_ and
+_Luconia_, without any name, but marked with the figure 5 to denote their
+number. These Buccaneers, or rather pirates, had no other information
+concerning the _Five Islands_ than seeing them on the charts, and hoped to
+find them without inhabitants.
+
+Dampier's account of the _Five Islands_ would lose in many respects if
+given in any other than his own words, which therefore are here
+transcribed.
+
+[Sidenote: Dampier's Description of the Five Islands.] 'August the 6th, We
+made the _Islands_; the wind was at South, and we fetched in with the
+Westernmost, which is the largest, on which we saw goats, but could not
+get anchor-ground, therefore we stood over to others about three leagues
+from this, and the next forenoon anchored in a small Bay on the East side
+of the Easternmost Island in fifteen fathoms, a cable's length from the
+shore; and before our sails were furled we had a hundred small boats
+aboard, with three, four, and some with six men in them. [Sidenote: August
+7th.] There were three large towns on the shore within the distance of a
+league. Most of our people being aloft (for we had been forced to turn in
+close with all sail abroad, and when we anchored, furled all at once) and
+our deck being soon full of Indian natives, we were at first alarmed, and
+began to get our small-arms ready; but they were very quiet, only they
+picked up such old iron as they found upon our deck. At last, one of our
+men perceived one of them taking an iron pin out of a gun-carriage, and
+laid hold of him, upon which he bawled out, and the rest leaped into their
+boats or overboard, and they all made away for the shore. But when we
+perceived their fright, we made much of him we had in hold, and gave him a
+small piece of iron, with which we let him go, and he immediately leaped
+overboard and swam to his consorts, who hovered near the ship to see the
+issue. Some of the boats came presently aboard again, and they were always
+afterward very honest and civil. We presently after this, sent our canoe
+on shore, and they made the crew welcome with a drink they call Bashee,
+and they sold us some hogs. We bought a fat goat for an old iron hoop, a
+hog of 70 or 80 _lbs._ weight for two or three pounds of iron, and their
+bashee drink and roots for old nails or bullets. Their hogs were very
+sweet, but many were meazled. We filled fresh water here at a curious
+brook close by the ship.
+
+'We lay here till the 12th, when we weighed to seek for a better
+anchoring place. We plied to windward, and passed between the South end of
+this Island and the North end of another Island South of this. These
+Islands were both full of inhabitants, but there was no good riding. We
+stopped a tide under the Southern Island. The tide runs there very strong,
+the flood to the North, and it rises and falls eight feet. It was the 15th
+day of the month before we found a place we might anchor at and careen,
+which was at another Island not so big as either of the former.
+
+[Illustration: Map of the BASHEE Islands.]
+
+'We anchored near the North East part of this smaller Island, against a
+small sandy bay, in seven fathoms clean hard sand, a quarter of a mile
+from the shore. We presently set up a tent on shore, and every day some of
+us went to the towns of the natives, and were kindly entertained by them.
+Their boats also came on board to traffic with us every day; so that
+besides provision for present use, we bought and salted 70 or 80 good fat
+hogs, and laid up a good stock of potatoes and yams.
+
+[Sidenote: Names given to the Islands. Orange Island.] 'These Islands lie
+in 20 deg. 20' N.[82] As they are laid down in the charts marked only with a
+figure of 5, we gave them what names we pleased. The Dutchmen who were
+among us named the Westernmost, which is the largest, the _Prince of
+Orange's Island_. It is seven or eight leagues long, about two leagues
+wide, and lies almost North and South. _Orange Island_ was not inhabited.
+It is high land, flat and even at the top, with steep cliffs against the
+sea; for which reason we could not go ashore there, as we did on all the
+rest.
+
+[Sidenote: Grafton Island.] 'The Island where we first anchored, we called
+the _Duke of Grafton's Isle_, having married my wife out of his Dutchess's
+family, and leaving her at Arlington House at my going abroad. _Grafton
+Isle_ is about four leagues long, stretching North and South, and one and
+a half wide.
+
+[Sidenote: Monmouth Island.] 'The other great Island our seamen called the
+_Duke of Monmouth's Island_. It is about three leagues long, and a league
+wide.
+
+[Sidenote: Goat Island. Bashee Island. The Drink called Bashee.] 'The two
+smaller Islands, which lie between _Monmouth_, and the South end of
+_Orange Island_; the Westernmost, which is the smallest, we called _Goat
+Island_, from the number of goats we saw there. The Easternmost, at which
+we careened, our men unanimously called _Bashee Island_, because of the
+plentiful quantity of that liquor which we drank there every day. This
+drink called Bashee, the natives make with the juice of the sugar-cane, to
+which they put some small black berries. It is well boiled, and then put
+into great jars, in which it stands three or four days to ferment. Then it
+settles clear, and is presently fit to drink. This is an excellent liquor,
+strong, and I believe wholesome, and much like our English beer both in
+colour and taste. Our men drank briskly of it during several weeks, and
+were frequently drunk with it, and never sick in consequence. [Sidenote:
+The whole group named the Bashee Islands.] The natives sold it to us very
+cheap, and from the plentiful use of it, our men called all these Islands
+the _Bashee Islands_.
+
+[Sidenote: Rocks or small Islands North of the Five Islands.] 'To the
+Northward of the Five Islands are two high rocks.' [These rocks are not
+inserted in Dampier's manuscript Chart, and only one of them in the
+published Chart; whence is to be inferred, that the other was beyond the
+limit of the Chart.]
+
+[Sidenote: Natives described.] 'These Islanders are short, squat, people,
+generally round visaged with thick eyebrows; their eyes of a hazel colour,
+small, yet bigger than those of the Chinese; they have short low noses,
+their teeth white; their hair black, thick, and lank, which they wear
+short: their skins are of a dark copper colour. They wear neither hat,
+cap, nor turban to keep off the sun. The men had a cloth about their
+waist, and the women wore short cotton petticoats which reached below the
+knee. These people had iron; but whence it came we knew not. The boats
+they build are much after the fashion of our Deal yawls, but smaller, and
+every man has a boat, which he builds himself. They have also large boats,
+which will carry 40 or 50 men each.
+
+'They are neat and cleanly in their persons, and are withal the quietest
+and civilest people I ever met with. I could never perceive them to be
+angry one with another. I have admired to see 20 or 30 boats aboard our
+ship at a time, all quiet and endeavouring to help each other on occasion;
+and if cross accidents happened, they caused no noise nor appearance of
+distaste. When any of us came to their houses, they would entertain us
+with such things as their houses or plantations would afford; and if they
+had no bashee at home, would buy of their neighbours, and sit down and
+drink freely with us; yet neither then nor sober could I ever perceive
+them to be out of humour.
+
+'I never observed them to worship any thing; they had no idols; neither
+did I perceive that one man was of greater power than another: they seemed
+to be all equal, only every man ruling in his own house, and children
+respecting and honouring their parents. Yet it is probable they have some
+law or custom by which they are governed; for whilst we lay here, we saw a
+young man buried alive in the earth, and it was for theft, as far as we
+could understand from them. There was a great deep hole dug, and abundance
+of people came to the place to take their last farewell of him. One woman
+particularly made great lamentations, and took off the condemned person's
+ear-rings. We supposed her to be his mother. After he had taken leave of
+her, and some others, he was put into the pit, and covered over with
+earth. He did not struggle, but yielded very quietly to his punishment,
+and they crammed the earth close upon him, and stifled him.
+
+[Sidenote: Situations of their Towns.] _Monmouth_ and _Grafton Isles_ are
+very hilly with steep precipices; and whether from fear of pirates, of
+foreign enemies, or factions among their own clans, their towns and
+villages are built on the most steep and inaccessible of these precipices,
+and on the sides of rocky hills; so that in some of their towns, three or
+four rows of houses stand one above another, in places so steep that they
+go up to the first row with a ladder, and in the same manner ascend to
+every street upwards. _Grafton_ and _Monmouth Islands_ are very thick set
+with these hills and towns. [Sidenote: Bashee Islands.] The two small
+Islands are flat and even, except that on _Bashee Island_ there is one
+steep craggy hill. The reason why _Orange Island_ has no inhabitants,
+though the largest and as fertile as any of these Islands, I take to be,
+because it is level and exposed to attack; and for the same reason, _Goat
+Island_, being low and even, hath no inhabitants. We saw no houses built
+on any open plain ground. Their houses are but small and low, the roofs
+about eight feet high.
+
+The vallies are well watered with brooks of fresh water. The fruits of
+these Islands are plantains, bananas, pine-apples, pumpkins, yams and
+other roots, and sugar-canes, which last they use mostly for their bashee
+drink. Here are plenty of goats, and hogs; and but a few fowls. They had
+no grain of any kind.
+
+[Sidenote: September. 26th.] 'On the 26th of September, our ship was
+driven to sea, by a strong gale at NbW, which made her drag her anchors.
+Six of the crew were on shore, who could not get on board. The weather
+continued stormy till the 29th. [Sidenote: October.] The 1st of October,
+we recovered the anchorage from which we had been driven, and immediately
+the natives brought on board our six seamen, who related that after the
+ship was out of sight, the natives were more kind to them than they had
+been before, and tried to persuade them to cut their hair short, as was
+the custom among themselves, offering to each of them if they would, a
+young woman to wife, a piece of land, and utensils fit for a planter.
+These offers were declined, but the natives were not the less kind; on
+which account we made them a present of three whole bars of iron.'
+
+Two days after this reciprocation of kindness, the Buccaneers bid farewell
+to these friendly Islanders.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XXII.
+
+ _The =Cygnet=. At the =Philippines=, =Celebes=, and =Timor=. On
+ the Coast of =New Holland=. End of the =Cygnet=._
+
+
+[Sidenote: 1687. October.] From the _Bashee Islands_, the Cygnet steered
+at first SSW, with the wind at West, and on that course passed 'close to
+the Eastward of certain small Islands that lie just by the North end of
+the Island _Luconia_.'
+
+[Sidenote: Island near the SE end of Mindanao. Candigar.] They went on
+Southward by the East of the _Philippine Islands_. On the 14th, they were
+near a small low woody Island, which Dampier reckoned to lie East 20
+leagues from the SE end of _Mindanao_. The 16th, they anchored between the
+small Islands _Candigar_ and _Sarangan_; but afterwards found at the NW
+end of the Eastern of the two Islands, a good and convenient small cove,
+into which they went, and careened the ship. They heard here that Captain
+Swan and those of the crew left with him, were still at the _City of
+Mindanao_.
+
+[Sidenote: December. 27th. Near the SW end of Timor.] The Cygnet and her
+restless crew continued wandering about the Eastern Seas, among the
+_Philippine Islands_, to _Celebes_, and to _Timor_. December the 27th,
+steering a Southerly course, they passed by the West side of _Rotte_, and
+by another small Island, near the SW end of _Timor_. Dampier says, 'Being
+now clear of all the Islands, and having the wind at West and WbN, we
+steered away SSW,[83] intending to touch at _New Holland_, to see what
+that country would afford us.'
+
+The wind blew fresh, and kept them under low sail; sometimes with only
+their courses set, and sometimes with reefed topsails. [Sidenote: 31st.]
+The 31st at noon, their latitude was 13 deg. 20' S. About ten o'clock at
+night, they tacked and stood to the Northward for fear of a shoal, which
+their charts laid down in the track they were sailing, and in latitude
+13 deg. 50' S. [Sidenote: 1688. January. Low Island and Shoal, SbW from the
+West end of Timor.] At three in the morning, they tacked again and stood
+SbW and SSW. As soon as it was light, they perceived a low Island and
+shoal right ahead. This shoal, by their reckoning, is in latitude 13 deg. 50',
+and lies SbW from the West end of _Timor_.[84] 'It is a small spit of sand
+appearing just above the water's edge, with several rocks about it eight
+or ten feet high above water. It lies in a triangular form, each side in
+extent about a league and a half. We could not weather it, so bore away
+round the East end, and stood again to the Southward, passing close by it
+and sounding, but found no ground. [Sidenote: NW Coast of New Holland.]
+This shoal is laid down in our drafts not above 16 or 20 leagues from _New
+Holland_; but we ran afterwards 60 leagues making a course due South,
+before we fell in with the coast of _New Holland_, which we did on January
+the 4th, in latitude 16 deg. 50' S.' Dampier remarks here, that unless they
+were set Westward by a current, the coast of _New Holland_ must have been
+laid down too far Westward in the charts; but he thought it not probable
+that they were deceived by currents, because the tides on that part of the
+coast were found very regular; the flood setting towards the NE.
+
+[Sidenote: In a Bay on the NW Coast of New Holland.] The coast here was
+low and level, with sand-banks. The Cygnet sailed along the shore NEbE 12
+leagues, when she came to a point of land, with an Island so near it that
+she could not pass between. A league before coming to this point, that is
+to say, Westward of the point, was a shoal which ran out from the
+main-land a league. Beyond the point, the coast ran East, and East
+Southerly, making a deep bay with many Islands in it. On the 5th, they
+anchored in this bay, about two miles from the shore, in 29 fathoms. The
+6th, they ran nearer in and anchored about four miles Eastward of the
+point before mentioned, and a mile distant from the nearest shore, in 18
+fathoms depth, the bottom clean sand.
+
+People were seen on the land, and a boat was sent to endeavour to make
+acquaintance with them; but the natives did not wait. Their habitations
+were sought for, but none were found. The soil here was dry and sandy, yet
+fresh water was found by digging for it. They warped the ship into a small
+sandy cove, at a spring tide, as far as she would float, and at low water
+she was high aground, the sand being dry without her half a mile; for the
+sea rose and fell here about five fathoms perpendicularly. During the neap
+tides, the ship lay wholly aground, the sea not approaching nearer than
+within a hundred yards of her. Turtle and manatee were struck here, as
+much every day as served the whole crew.
+
+Boats went from the ship to different parts of the bay in search of
+provisions. [Sidenote: Natives.] For a considerable time they met with no
+inhabitants; but at length, a party going to one of the Islands, saw there
+about forty natives, men, women, and children. 'The Island was too small
+for them to conceal themselves. The men at first made threatening motions
+with lances and wooden swords, but a musket was fired to scare them, and
+they stood still. The women snatched up their infants and ran away
+howling, their other children running after squeaking and bawling. Some
+invalids who could not get away lay by the fire making a doleful noise;
+but after a short time they grew sensible that no mischief was intended
+them, and they became quiet.' Those who had fled, soon returned, and some
+presents made, succeeded in rendering them familiar. Dampier relates, 'we
+filled some of our barrels with water at wells, which had been dug by the
+natives, but it being troublesome to get to our boats, we thought to have
+made these men help us, to which end we put on them some old ragged
+clothes, thinking this finery would make them willing to be employed. We
+then brought our new servants to the wells, and put a barrel on the
+shoulders of each; but all the signs we could make were to no purpose, for
+they stood like statues, staring at one another and grinning like so many
+monkies. These poor creatures seem not accustomed to carry burthens, and I
+believe one of our ship-boys of ten years old would carry as much as one
+of their men. So we were forced to carry our water ourselves, and they
+very fairly put off the clothes again and laid them down. They had no
+great liking to them at first, neither did they seem to admire any thing
+that we had.'
+
+'The inhabitants of this country are the most miserable people in the
+world. The Hottentots compared with them are gentlemen. They have no
+houses, animals, or poultry. Their persons are tall, straight-bodied,
+thin, with long limbs: they have great heads, round foreheads, and great
+brows. Their eyelids are always half closed to keep the flies out of their
+eyes, for they are so troublesome here that no fanning will keep them from
+one's face, so that from their infancy they never open their eyes as other
+people do, and therefore they cannot see far, unless they hold up their
+heads as if they were looking at something over them. They have great
+bottle noses, full lips, wide mouths: the two fore-teeth of their upper
+jaw are wanting in all of them: neither have they any beards. Their hair
+is black, short, and curled, and their skins coal black like that of the
+negroes in _Guinea_. Their only food is fish, and they constantly search
+for them at low water, and they make little weirs or dams with stones
+across little coves of the sea. At one time, our boat being among the
+Islands seeking for game, espied a drove of these people swimming from
+one Island to another; for they have neither boats, canoes, nor bark-logs.
+We always gave them victuals when we met any of them. But after the first
+time of our being among them, they did not stir for our coming.'
+
+It deserves to be remarked to the credit of human nature, that these poor
+people, in description the most wretched of mankind in all respects, that
+we read of, stood their ground for the defence of their women and
+children, against the shock and first surprise at hearing the report of
+fire-arms.
+
+[Sidenote: March.] The Cygnet remained at this part of _New Holland_ till
+the 12th of March, and then sailed Westward, for the West coast of
+_Sumatra_.
+
+[Sidenote: 28th. An Island in Lat. 10 deg. 20' S.] On the 28th, they fell in
+with a small woody uninhabited Island, in latitude 10 deg. 20' S, and, by
+Dampier's reckoning, 12 deg. 6' of longitude from the part of _New Holland_ at
+which they had been. There was too great depth of water every where round
+the Island for anchorage. A landing-place was found near the SW point, and
+on the Island a small brook of fresh water; but the surf would not admit
+of any to be taken off to the ship. Large craw-fish, boobies, and
+men-of-war birds, were caught, as many as served for a meal for the whole
+crew.
+
+[Sidenote: April. End of the Cygnet.] April the 7th, they made the coast
+of _Sumatra_. Shortly after, at the _Nicobar Islands_, Dampier and some
+others quitted the Cygnet. Read, the Captain, and those who yet remained
+with him, continued their piratical cruising in the Indian Seas, till,
+after a variety of adventures, and changes of commanders, they put into
+_Saint Augustine's_ Bay in the Island of _Madagascar_, by which time the
+ship was in so crazy a condition, that the crew abandoned her, and she
+sunk at her anchors. Some of the men embarked on board European ships, and
+some engaged themselves in the service of the petty princes of that
+Island.
+
+Dampier returned to _England_ in 1691.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XXIII.
+
+ _French Buccaneers under =Francois Grogniet= and =Le Picard=, to
+ the Death of =Grogniet=._
+
+
+[Sidenote: The French Buccaneers, from July 1685.] Having accompanied the
+Cygnet to her end, the History must again be taken back to the breaking up
+of the general confederacy of Buccaneers which took place at the Island
+_Quibo_, to give a connected narrative of the proceedings of the French
+adventurers from that period to their quitting the _South Sea_.
+
+[Sidenote: Under Grogniet.] Three hundred and forty-one French Buccaneers
+(or to give them their due, privateers, war then existing between _France_
+and _Spain_) separated from Edward Davis in July 1685, choosing for their
+leader Captain Francois Grogniet.
+
+They had a small ship, two small barks, and some large canoes, which were
+insufficient to prevent their being incommoded for want of room, and the
+ship was so ill provided with sails as to be disqualified for cruising at
+sea. They were likewise scantily furnished with provisions, and necessity
+for a long time confined their enterprises to the places on the coast of
+_New Spain_ in the neighbourhood of _Quibo_. The towns of _Pueblo Nuevo_,
+_Ria Lexa_, _Nicoya_, and others, were plundered by them, some more than
+once, by which they obtained provisions, and little of other plunder,
+except prisoners, from whom they extorted ransom either in provisions or
+money.
+
+[Sidenote: November.] In November, they attacked the town of _Ria Lexa_.
+Whilst in the port, a Spanish Officer delivered to them a letter from the
+Vicar-General of the province of _Costa Rica_, written to inform them that
+a truce for twenty years had been concluded between _France_ and _Spain_.
+The Vicar-General therefore required of them to forbear committing farther
+hostility, and offered to give them safe conduct over land to the _North
+Sea_, and a passage to _Europe_ in the galeons of his Catholic Majesty to
+as many as should desire it. This offer not according with the
+inclinations of the adventurers, they declined accepting it, and, without
+entering into enquiry, professed to disbelieve the intelligence.
+
+[Sidenote: Point de Burica.] November the 14th, they were near the _Point
+Burica_. Lussan says, 'we admired the pleasant appearance of the land, and
+among other things, a walk or avenue, formed by five rows of cocoa-nut
+trees, which extended in continuation along the coast 15 leagues, with as
+much regularity as if they had been planted by line.'
+
+[Sidenote: 1686. January. Chiriquita.] In the beginning of January 1686,
+two hundred and thirty of these Buccaneers went in canoes from _Quibo_
+against _Chiriquita_, a small Spanish town on the Continent, between
+_Point Burica_ and the Island _Quibo_. _Chiriquita_ is situated up a
+navigable river, and at some distance from the sea-coast. 'Before this
+river are eight or ten Islands, and shoals on which the sea breaks at low
+water; but there are channels between them through which ships may
+pass[85].'
+
+The Buccaneers arrived in the night at the entrance of the river,
+unperceived by the Spaniards; but being without guides, and in the dark,
+they mistook and landed on the wrong side of the river. They were two days
+occupied in discovering the right way, but were so well concealed by the
+woods, that at daylight on the morning of the third day they came upon the
+town and surprised the whole of the inhabitants, who, says Lussan, had
+been occupied the last two days in disputing which of them should keep
+watch, and go the rounds.
+
+Lussan relates here, that himself and five others were decoyed to pursue a
+few Spaniards to a distance from the town, where they were suddenly
+attacked by one hundred and twenty men. He and his companions however, he
+says, played their parts an hour and a half '_en vrai Flibustiers_,' and
+laid thirty of the enemy on the ground, by which time they were relieved
+by the arrival of some of their friends. They set fire to the town, and
+got ransom for their prisoners: in what the ransom consisted, Lussan has
+not said.
+
+[Sidenote: At Quibo.] Their continuance in one station, at length
+prevailed on the Spaniards to collect and send a force against them. They
+had taken some pains to instil into the Spaniards a belief that they
+intended to erect fortifications and establish themselves at _Quibo_.
+Their view in this it is not easy to conjecture, unless it was to
+discourage their prisoners from pleading poverty; for they obliged those
+from whom they could not get money, to labour, and to procure bricks and
+materials for building to be sent for their ransom. On the 27th of
+January, a small fleet of Spanish vessels approached the Island _Quibo_.
+The buccaneer ship was without cannon, and lay near the entrance of a
+river which had only depth sufficient for their small vessels. The
+Buccaneers therefore took out of the ship all that could be of use, and
+ran her aground; and with their small barks and canoes took a station in
+the river. [Sidenote: February.] The Spaniards set fire to the abandoned
+ship, and remained by her to collect the iron-work; but they shewed no
+disposition to attack the French in the river; and on the 1st of February,
+they departed from the Island.
+
+The Buccaneers having lost their ship, set hard to work to build
+themselves small vessels. In this month of February, fourteen of their
+number died by sickness and accidents.
+
+[Sidenote: March.] They had projected an attack upon _Granada_ but want of
+present subsistence obliged them to seek supply nearer, and a detachment
+was sent with that view to the river of _Pueblo Nuevo_. Some vessels of
+the Spanish flotilla which had lately been at _Quibo_, were lying at
+anchor in the river, which the Flibustiers mistook for a party of the
+English Buccaneers. [Sidenote: Unsuccessful attempt at Pueblo Nuevo.] In
+this belief they went within pistol-shot, and hailed, and were then
+undeceived by receiving for answer a volley of musketry. They fired on the
+Spaniards in return, but were obliged to retreat, and in this affair they
+lost four men killed outright, and between 30 and 40 were wounded.
+
+Preparatory to their intended expedition against _Granada_, they agreed
+upon some regulations for preserving discipline and order, the principal
+articles of which were, that cowardice, theft, drunkenness, or
+disobedience, should be punished with forfeiture of all share of booty
+taken.
+
+On the evening of the 22d, they were near the entrance of the _Gulf of
+Nicoya_, in a little fleet, consisting of two small barks, a row-galley,
+and nine large canoes. A tornado came on in the night which dispersed them
+a good deal. At daylight they were surprised at counting thirteen sail in
+company, and before they discovered which was the strange vessel, five
+more sail came in sight. [Sidenote: Grogniet is joined by Townley.] They
+soon joined each other, and the strangers proved to be a party of the
+Buccaneers of whom Townley was the head.
+
+Townley had parted company from Swan not quite two months before. His
+company consisted of 115 men, embarked in a ship and five large canoes.
+Townley had advanced with his canoes along the coast before his ship to
+seek provisions, he and his men being no better off in that respect than
+Grogniet and his followers. On their meeting as above related, the French
+did not forget Townley's former overbearing conduct towards them: they,
+however, limited their vengeance to a short triumph. Lussan says, 'we now
+finding ourselves the strongest, called to mind the ill offices he had
+done us, and to shew him our resentment, we made him and his men in the
+canoes with him our prisoners. We then boarded his ship, of which we made
+ourselves masters, and pretended that we would keep her. We let them
+remain some time under this apprehension, after which we made them see
+that we were more honest and civilized people than they were, and that we
+would not profit of our advantage over them to revenge ourselves; for
+after keeping possession about four or five hours, we returned to them
+their ship and all that had been taken from them.' The English shewed
+their sense of this moderation by offering to join in the attack on
+_Granada_, which offer was immediately accepted.
+
+[Sidenote: April. Expedition against the City of Granada.] The city of
+_Granada_ is situated in a valley bordering on the _Lake of Nicaragua_,
+and is about 16 leagues distant from _Leon_. The Buccaneers were provided
+with guides, and to avoid giving the Spaniards suspicion of their design,
+Townley's ship and the two barks were left at anchor near _Cape Blanco_,
+whilst the force destined to be employed against _Granada_ proceeded in
+the canoes to the place at which it was proposed to land, directions being
+left with the ship and barks to follow in due time.
+
+[Sidenote: 7th.] The 7th of April, 345 Buccaneers landed from the canoes,
+about twenty leagues NW-ward of _Cape Blanco_, and began their march,
+conducted by the guides, who led them through woods and unfrequented ways.
+They travelled night and day till the 9th, in hopes to reach the city
+before they were discovered by the inhabitants, or their having landed
+should be known by the Spaniards.
+
+The province of _Nicaragua_, in which _Granada_ stands, is reckoned one of
+the most fertile in _New Spain_. The distance from where the Buccaneers
+landed, to the city, may be estimated about 60 miles. Yet they expected
+to come upon it by surprise; and in fact they did travel the greater part
+of the way without being seen by any inhabitant. Such a mark of the state
+of the population, corresponds with all the accounts given of the wretched
+tyranny exercised by the Spaniards over the nations they have conquered.
+
+The Buccaneers however were discovered in their second day's march, by
+people who were fishing in a river, some of whom immediately posted off
+with the intelligence. The Spaniards had some time before been advertised
+by a deserter that the Buccaneers designed to attack _Granada_; but they
+were known to entertain designs upon so many places, and to be so
+fluctuating in their plans, that the Spaniards could only judge from
+certain intelligence where most to guard against their attempts.
+
+[Sidenote: 9th.] On the night of the 9th, fatigue and hunger obliged the
+Buccaneers to halt at a sugar plantation four leagues distant from the
+city. One man, unable to keep up with the rest, had been taken prisoner.
+[Sidenote: 10th.] The morning of the 10th, they marched on, and from an
+eminence over which they passed, had a view of the _Lake of Nicaragua_, on
+which were seen two vessels sailing from the city. These vessels the
+Buccaneers afterwards learnt, were freighted with the richest moveables
+that at short notice the inhabitants had been able to embark, to be
+conveyed for security to an Island in the Lake which was two leagues
+distant from the city.
+
+_Granada_ was large and spacious, with magnificent churches and well-built
+houses. The ground is destitute of water, and the town is supplied from
+the Lake; nevertheless there were many large sugar plantations in the
+neighbourhood, some of which were like small towns, and had handsome
+churches. _Granada_ was not regularly fortified, but had a place of arms
+surrounded with a wall, in the nature of a citadel, and furnished with
+cannon. The great church was within this inclosed part of the town.
+[Sidenote: The City of Nueva Granada taken;] The Buccaneers arrived about
+two o'clock in the afternoon, and immediately assaulted the place of arms,
+which they carried with the loss of four men killed, and eight wounded,
+most of them mortally. The first act of the victors, according to Lussan,
+was to sing _Te Deum_ in the great church; and the next, to plunder.
+Provisions, military stores, and a quantity of merchandise, were found in
+the town, the latter of which was of little or no value to the captors.
+[Sidenote: 11th.] The next day they sent to enquire if the Spaniards would
+ransom the town, and the merchandise. It had been rumoured that the
+Buccaneers would be unwilling to destroy _Granada_, because they proposed
+at some future period to make it their baiting place, in returning to the
+_North Sea_, and the Spaniards scarcely condescended to make answer to the
+demand for ransom. [Sidenote: And Burnt.] The Buccaneers in revenge set
+fire to the houses. 'If we could have found boats,' says Lussan, 'to have
+gone on the lake, and could have taken the two vessels laden with the
+riches of _Granada_, we should have thought this a favourable opportunity
+for returning to the _West Indies_.'
+
+[Sidenote: 15th.] On the 15th, they left _Granada_, to return to the
+coast, which journey they performed in the most leisurely manner. They
+took with them a large cannon, with oxen to draw it, and some smaller guns
+which they laid upon mules. The weather was hot and dry, and the road so
+clouded with dust, as almost to stifle both men and beasts. Sufficient
+provision of water had not been made for the journey, and the oxen all
+died. The cannon was of course left on the road. Towards the latter part
+of the journey, water and refreshments were procured at some villages and
+houses, the inhabitants of which furnished supplies as a condition that
+their dwellings should be spared.
+
+On the 26th, they arrived at the sea and embarked in their vessels, taking
+on board with them a Spanish priest whom the Spaniards would not redeem
+by delivering up their buccaneer prisoner. Most of the men wounded in the
+Granada expedition died of cramps.
+
+[Sidenote: 28th, At Ria Lexa. May.] The 28th, they came upon _Ria Lexa_
+unexpectedly, and made one hundred of the inhabitants prisoners. By such
+means, little could be gained more than present subsistence, and that was
+rendered very precarious by the Spaniards removing their cattle from the
+coast. It was therefore determined to put an end to their unprofitable
+continuance in one place; but they could not agree where next to go. All
+the English, and one half of the French, were for sailing to the _Bay of
+Panama_. The other half of the French, 148 in number, with Grogniet at
+their head, declared for trying their fortunes North-westward. Division
+was made of the vessels and provisions. The whole money which the French
+had acquired by their depredations amounted to little more than 7000
+dollars, and this sum they generously distributed among those of their
+countrymen who had been lamed or disabled.
+
+[Sidenote: Grogniet and Townley part Company. Buccaneers under Townley.]
+May the 19th, they parted company. Those bound for the _Bay of Panama_, of
+whom Townley appears to have been regarded the head, had a ship, a bark,
+and some large canoes. Townley proposed an attack on the town of _Lavelia_
+or _La Villia_, at which place the treasure from the Lima ships had been
+landed in the preceding year, and this proposal was approved.
+
+[Sidenote: June.] Tornadoes and heavy rains kept them among the _Keys of
+Quibo_ till the middle of June. On the 20th of that month, they arrived
+off the _Punta Mala_, and during the day, they lay at a distance from the
+land with sails furled. At night the principal part of their force made
+for the land in the canoes; but they had been deceived in the distance.
+Finding that they could not reach the river which leads to _Lavelia_
+before day, they took down the sails and masts, and went to three leagues
+distance from the land, where they lay all the day of the 21st. Lussan,
+who was of this party of Buccaneers, says that they were obliged to
+practise the same manoeuvre on the day following. In the middle of the
+night of the 22d, 160 Buccaneers landed from the canoes at the entrance of
+the river. [Sidenote: 23d. Lavelia taken.] They were some hours in
+marching to _Lavelia_, yet the town was surprised, and above 300 of the
+inhabitants made prisoners. This was in admirable conformity with the rest
+of the management of the Spaniards. The fleet from _Lima_, laden with
+treasure intended for _Panama_, had, more than a year before, landed the
+treasure and rich merchandise at _Lavelia_, as a temporary measure of
+security against the Buccaneers, suited to the occasion. The Government at
+_Panama_, and the other proprietors, would not be at the trouble of
+getting it removed to _Panama_, except in such portions as might be
+required by some present convenience; and allowed a great part to remain
+in _Lavelia_, a place of no defence, although during the whole time
+Buccaneers had been on the coast of _Veragua_, or _Nicaragua_, to whom it
+now became an easy prey, through indolence and a total want of vigilance,
+as well in the proprietors as in those whom they employed to guard it.
+
+Three Spanish barks were riding in the river, one of which the crews sunk,
+and so dismantled the others that no use could be made of them; but the
+Buccaneers found two boats in serviceable condition at a landing-place a
+quarter of a league below the town. The riches they now saw in their
+possession equalled their most sanguine expectations, and if secured, they
+thought would compensate for all former disappointments. The merchandise
+in _Lavelia_ was estimated in value at a million and a half of piastres.
+The gold and silver found there amounted only to 15,000 piastres.
+
+The first day of being masters of _Lavelia_, was occupied by the
+Buccaneers in making assortments of the most valuable articles of the
+merchandise. The next morning, they loaded 80 horses with bales, and a
+guard of 80 men went with them to the landing-place where the two boats
+above mentioned were lying. In the way, one man of this escort was taken
+by the Spaniards. The two prize boats were by no means large enough to
+carry all the goods which the Buccaneers proposed to take from _Lavelia_;
+and on that account directions had been dispatched to the people in the
+canoes at the entrance of the river to advance up towards the town. These
+directions they attempted to execute; but the land bordering the river was
+woody, which exposed the canoes to the fire of a concealed enemy, and
+after losing one man, they desisted from advancing. For the same cause, it
+was thought proper not to send off the two loaded boats without a strong
+guard, and they did not move during this day. The Buccaneers sent a letter
+to the Spanish Alcalde, to demand if he would ransom the town, the
+merchandise, and the prisoners; but the Alcalde refused to treat with
+them. [Sidenote: The Town set on fire.] In the afternoon therefore, they
+set fire to the town, and marched to the landing-place where the two boats
+lay, and there rested for the night.
+
+[Sidenote: River of Lavelia.] The river of _Lavelia_ is broad, but
+shallow. Vessels of forty tons can go a league and a half within the
+entrance. The landing-place is yet a league and a half farther up, and the
+town is a quarter of a mile from the landing-place[86].
+
+[Sidenote: 25th.] On the morning of the 25th, the two boats, laden as deep
+as was safe, began to fall down the river, having on board nine men to
+conduct them. The main body of the Buccaneers at the same time marched
+along the bank on one side of the river for their protection. A body of
+Spaniards skreened by the woods, and unseen by the Buccaneers, kept pace
+with them on the other side of the river, at a small distance within the
+bank. The Buccaneers had marched about a league, and the boats had
+descended as far, when they came to a point of land on which the trees and
+underwood grew so thick as not to be penetrated without some labour and
+expence of time, to which they did not choose to submit, but preferred
+making a circuit which took them about a quarter of a mile from the river.
+The Spaniards on the opposite side were on the watch, and not slow in
+taking advantage of their absence. They came to the bank, whence they
+fired upon the men in the laden boats, four of whom they killed, and
+wounded one; the other four abandoned the boats and escaped into the
+thicket. The Spaniards took possession of the boats, and finding there the
+wounded Buccaneer, they cut off his head and fixed it on a stake which
+they set up by the side of the river at a place by which the rest of the
+Buccaneers would necessarily have to pass.
+
+The main body of the Buccaneers regained the side of the river in
+ignorance of what had happened; and not seeing the boats, were for a time
+in doubt whether they were gone forward, or were still behind. The first
+notice they received of their loss was from the men who had escaped from
+the boats, who made their way through the thicket and joined them.
+
+Thus did this crew of Buccaneers, within a short space of time, win by
+circumspection and adroitness, and lose by negligence, the richest booty
+they had ever made. If quitting the bank of the river had been a matter of
+necessity, and unavoidable, there was nothing but idleness to prevent
+their conveying their plunder the remainder of the distance to their boats
+by land.
+
+In making their way through the woods, they found the rudder, sails, and
+other furniture of the Spanish barks in the river; the barks themselves
+were near at hand, and the Buccaneers embarked in them; but the flood
+tide making, they came to an anchor, and lay still for the night.
+
+[Sidenote: June 26th.] The next morning, as they descended the river, they
+saw the boats which they had so richly freighted, now cleared of their
+lading and broken to pieces; and near to their wreck, was the head which
+the Spaniards had stuck up. This spectacle, added to the mortifying loss
+of their booty, threw the Buccaneers into a frenzy, and they forthwith cut
+off the heads of four prisoners, and set them on poles in the same place.
+In the passage down the river, four more of the Buccaneers were killed by
+the firing of the Spaniards from the banks.
+
+[Sidenote: 27th.] The day after their retreat from the river of _Lavelia_,
+a Spaniard went off to them to treat for the release of the prisoners, and
+they came to an agreement that 10,000 pieces of eight should be paid for
+their ransom. Some among them who had wives were permitted to go on shore
+that they might assist in procuring the money; but on the 29th, the same
+messenger again went off and acquainted them that the _Alcalde Major_
+would not only not suffer the relations of the prisoners to send money for
+their ransom, but that he had arrested some of those whom the Buccaneers
+had allowed to land. On receiving this report, these savages without
+hesitation cut off the heads of two of their prisoners, and delivered them
+to the messenger, to be carried to the _Alcalde_, with their assurance
+that if the ransom did not speedily arrive, the rest of the prisoners
+would be treated in the same manner. The next day the ransom was settled
+for the remaining prisoners, and for one of the captured barks; the
+Spaniards paying partly with money, partly with provisions and
+necessaries, and with the release of the Buccaneer they had taken. In the
+agreement for the bark, the Spaniards required a note specifying that if
+the Buccaneers again met her, they should make prize only of the cargo,
+and not of the vessel.
+
+After the destruction of _Lavelia_, it might be supposed that the
+perpetrators of so much mischief would not be allowed with impunity to
+remain in the _Bay of Panama_; but such was the weakness or negligence of
+the Spaniards, that this small body of freebooters continued several
+months in this same neighbourhood, and at times under the very walls of
+the City. On another point, however, the Spaniards were more active, and
+with success; for they concluded a treaty of peace and alliance with the
+Indians of the _Isthmus_, in consequence of which, the passage overland
+through the Darien country was no longer open to the Buccaneers; and some
+small parties of them who attempted to travel across, were intercepted and
+cut off by the Spaniards, with the assistance of the natives.
+
+[Sidenote: July.] The Spaniards had at _Panama_ a military corps
+distinguished by the appellation of Greeks, which was composed of
+Europeans of different nations, not natives of _Spain_. Among the
+atrocities committed by the crew under Townley, they put to death one of
+these Greeks, who was also Commander of a Spanish vessel, because on
+examining him for intelligence, they thought he endeavoured to deceive
+them; and in aggravation of the deed, Lussan relates the circumstance in
+the usual manner of his pleasantries, 'we paid him for his treachery by
+sending him to the other world.'
+
+[Sidenote: August.] On the 20th of August, as they were at anchor within
+sight of the city of _Panama_, they observed boats passing and repassing
+between some vessels and the shore, and a kind of bustle which had the
+appearance of an equipment. [Sidenote: Battle with Spanish armed Ships.]
+The next day, the Buccaneers anchored near the Island _Taboga_; and there,
+on the morning of the 22d, they were attacked by three armed vessels from
+_Panama_. The Spaniards were provided with cannon, and the battle lasted
+half the day, when, owing to an explosion of gunpowder in one of the
+Spanish vessels, the victory was decided in favour of the Buccaneers. Two
+of the three Spanish vessels were taken, as was also one other, which
+during the fight arrived from _Panama_ as a reinforcement. In the last
+mentioned prize, cords were found prepared for binding their prisoners in
+the event of their being victorious; and this, the Buccaneers deemed
+provocation sufficient for them to slaughter the whole crew. This battle,
+so fatal to the Spaniards, cost the Buccaneers only one man killed
+outright, and 22 wounded. Townley was among the wounded.
+
+Two of the prizes were immediately manned from the canoes, the largest
+under the command of Le Picard, who was the chief among the French of this
+party.
+
+They had many prisoners; and one was sent with a letter to the President
+of _Panama_, to demand ransom for them; also medicines and dressings for
+the wounded, and the release of five Buccaneers who they learnt were
+prisoners to the Spaniards. The medicines were sent, but the President
+would not treat either of ransom, or of the release of the buccaneer
+prisoners. The Buccaneers dispatched a second message to the President, in
+which they threatened that if the five Buccaneers were not immediately
+delivered to them, the heads of all the Spaniards in their possession,
+should be sent to him. The President paid little attention to this
+message, not believing that such a threat would be executed; but the
+Bishop of _Panama_, regarding what had recently happened at _Lavelia_ as
+an earnest of what the Buccaneers were capable, was seriously alarmed. He
+wrote a letter to them which he sent by a special messenger, in which he
+exhorted them in the mildest terms not to shed the blood of innocent men,
+and promised if they would have patience, to exert his influence to
+procure the release of the buccaneer prisoners. His letter concluded with
+the following remarkable paragraph, which shews the great hopes
+entertained by the Roman Catholics respecting _Great Britain_ during the
+Reign of King James the IId. '_I have information_,' says the Bishop,
+'_to give you, that the English are all become Roman Catholics, and that
+there is now a Catholic Church at Jamaica_.'
+
+The good Prelate's letter was pronounced by the Buccaneers to be void of
+truth and sincerity, and an insult to their understanding. They had
+already received the price of blood, shed not in battle nor in their own
+defence; and now, devoting themselves to their thirst for gain, they would
+not be diverted from their sanguinary purpose, but came to the resolution
+of sending the heads of twenty Spaniards to the President, and with them a
+message purporting that if they did not receive a satisfactory answer to
+all their demands by the 28th of the month, the heads of the remaining
+prisoners should answer for it. Lussan says, 'the President's refusal
+obliged us, though with some reluctance, to take the resolution to send
+him twenty heads of his people in a canoe. This method was indeed a little
+violent, but it was the only way to bring the Spaniards to reason[87].'
+
+What they had resolved they put into immediate execution. The President of
+_Panama_ was entirely overcome by their inhuman proceedings, and in the
+first shock and surprise, he yielded without stipulation to all they had
+demanded. On the 28th, the buccaneer prisoners (four Englishmen and one
+Frenchman) were delivered to them, with a letter from the President, who
+said he left to their own conscience the disposal of the Spanish prisoners
+yet remaining in their hands.
+
+To render the triumph of cruelty and ferocity more complete, the
+Buccaneers, in an answer to the President, charged the whole blame of what
+they had done to his obstinacy; in exchange for the five Buccaneers, they
+sent only twelve of their Spanish prisoners; and they demanded 20,000
+pieces of eight as ransom of the remainder, which demand however, they
+afterwards mitigated to half that sum and a supply of refreshments. On the
+4th of September, the ransom was paid, and the prisoners were released.
+
+[Sidenote: September. Death of Townley.] September the 9th, the buccaneer
+commander, Townley, died of the wound he received in the last battle. The
+English and French Buccaneers were faithful associates, but did not mix
+well as comrades. In a short time after Townley's death, the English
+desired that a division should be made of the prize vessels, artillery,
+and stores, and that those of their nation should keep together in the
+same vessels: and this was done, without other separation taking place at
+the time.
+
+[Sidenote: November.] In November, they left the _Bay of Panama_, and
+sailed Westward to their old station near the _Point de Burica_, where, by
+surprising small towns, villages, and farms, a business at which they had
+become extremely expert, they procured provisions; and by the ransom of
+prisoners, some money.
+
+[Sidenote: 1687. January.] In January (1687) they intercepted a letter
+from the Spanish Commandant at _Sonsonnate_ addressed to the President of
+_Panama_, by which they learnt that Grogniet had been in _Amapalla Bay_,
+and that three of his men had been taken prisoners. The Commandant
+remarked in his letter, that the peace made with the _Darien_ Indians,
+having cut off the retreat of the Buccaneers, would drive them to
+desperation, and render them like so many mad dogs; he advised therefore
+that some means should be adopted to facilitate their retreat, that the
+Spaniards in the _South Sea_ might again enjoy repose. '_They have
+landed_,' he says, '_in these parts ten or twelve times, without knowing
+what they were seeking; but wheresoever they come, they spoil and lay
+waste every thing_.'
+
+A few days after intercepting this letter, they took prisoner a Spanish
+horseman. Lussan says, 'We interrogated him with the usual ceremonies,
+that is to say, we gave him the torture, to make him tell us what we
+wanted to know.'
+
+Many such villanies were undoubtedly committed by these banditti, more
+than appear in their Narratives, or than they dared to make known. Lussan,
+who writes a history of his voyage, not before the end of the second year
+of his adventures in the _South Sea_, relates that they put a prisoner to
+the torture; and it would have appeared as an individual instance, if he
+had not, probably through inadvertence, acknowledged it to have been their
+established practice. Lussan on his return to his native land, pretended
+to reputation and character; and he found countenance and favour from his
+superiors; it is therefore to be presumed, that he would suppress every
+transaction in which he was a participator, which he thought of too deep a
+nature to be received by his patrons with indulgence. A circumstance which
+tended to make this set of Buccaneers worse than any that had preceded
+them, was, its being composed of men of two nations between which there
+has existed a constant jealousy and emulation. They were each ambitious to
+outdo the other in acts of daringness, and were thereby instigated to
+every kind of excess.
+
+[Sidenote: Grogniet rejoins them.] On the 20th, near _Caldera Bay_, they
+met Grogniet with sixty French Buccaneers in three canoes. Grogniet had
+parted from Townley at the head of 148 men. They had made several descents
+on the coast. At the _Bay of Amapalla_, they marched 14 leagues within the
+coast to a gold-mine, where they took many prisoners, and a small quantity
+of gold. Grogniet wished to return overland to the West-Indian Sea, but
+the majority of his companions were differently inclined, and 85 quitted
+him, and went to try their fortunes towards _California_. Grogniet
+nevertheless persevered in the design with the remainder of his crew, to
+seek some part of the coast of _New Spain_, thin of inhabitants, where
+they might land unknown to the Spaniards, and march without obstruction
+through the country to the shore of the _Atlantic_, without other guide
+than a compass. The party they now met with, prevailed on them to defer
+the execution of this project to a season of the year more favourable, and
+in the mean time to unite with them.
+
+[Sidenote: February. They divide.] In February, they set fire to the town
+of _Nicoya_. Their gains by these descents were so small, that they agreed
+to leave the coast of _New Spain_ and to go against _Guayaquil_; but on
+coming to this determination, the English and the French fell into high
+dispute for the priority of choice in the prize vessels which they
+expected to take, insomuch that upon this difference they broke off
+partnership. [Sidenote: Both Parties sail for the Coast of Peru.] Grogniet
+however, and about fifty of the French, remained with the English, which
+made the whole number of that party 142 men, and they all embarked in one
+ship, the canoes not being safe for an open sea navigation. The other
+party numbered 162 men, all French, and embarked in a small ship and a
+_Barca longa_. The most curious circumstance attending this separation
+was, that both parties persevered in the design upon _Guayaquil_, without
+any proposal being made by either to act in concert. They sailed from the
+coast of _New Spain_ near the end of February, not in company, but each
+using all their exertions to arrive first at the place of destination.
+[Sidenote: They meet again, and reunite.] They crossed the Equinoctial
+line separately, but afterwards at sea accidentally fell in company with
+each other again, and at this meeting they accommodated their differences,
+and renewed their partnership.
+
+[Sidenote: April.] April the 13th, they were near _Point Santa Elena_, on
+the coast of _Peru_, and met there a prize vessel belonging to their old
+Commander Edward Davis and his Company, but which had been separated from
+him. She was laden with corn and wine, and eight of Davis's men had the
+care of her. They had been directed in case of separation, to rendezvous
+at the Island _Plata_; but the uncertainty of meeting Davis there, and the
+danger they should incur if they missed him, made them glad to join in the
+expedition against _Guayaquil_, and the provisions with which the vessel
+was laden, made them welcome associates to the Buccaneers engaged in it.
+
+[Sidenote: Attack on Guayaquil.] Their approach to the City of _Guayaquil_
+was conducted with the most practised circumspection and vigilance. On
+first getting sight of _Point Santa Elena_, they took in their sails and
+lay with them furled as long as there was daylight. In the night they
+pursued their course, keeping at a good distance from the land, till they
+were to the Southward of the _Island Santa Clara_. [Sidenote: 15th.] Two
+hundred and sixty men then (April the 15th) departed from the ships in
+canoes. They landed at _Santa Clara_, which was uninhabited, and at a part
+of the _Island Puna_ distant from any habitation, proceeding only during
+the night time, and lying in concealment during the day.
+
+[Sidenote: 18th.] In the night of the 17th, they approached the _River
+Guayaquil_. At daylight, they were perceived by a guard on watch near the
+entrance, who lighted a fire as a signal to other guards stationed farther
+on; by whom, however, the signal was not observed. The Buccaneers put as
+speedily as they could to the nearest land, and a party of the most alert
+made a circuit through the woods, and surprised the guard at the first
+signal station, before the alarm had spread farther. They stopped near the
+entrance till night. [Sidenote: 19th. 20th.] All day of the 19th, they
+rested at an Island in the river, and at night advanced again. Their
+intention was to have passed the town in their canoes, and to have landed
+above it, where they would be the least expected; but the tide of flood
+with which they ascended the river did not serve long enough for their
+purpose, and on the 20th, two hours before day, they landed a short
+distance below the town, towards which they began to march; but the
+ground was marshy and overgrown with brushwood. Thus far they had
+proceeded undiscovered; when one of the Buccaneers left to guard the
+canoes struck a light to smoke tobacco, which was perceived by a Spanish
+sentinel on the shore opposite, who immediately fired his piece, and gave
+alarm to the Fort and Town. This discovery and the badness of the road
+caused the Buccaneers to defer the attack till daylight. The town of
+_Guayaquil_ is built round a mountain, on which were three forts which
+overlooked the town. [Sidenote: The City taken.] The Spaniards made a
+tolerable defence, but by the middle of the day they were driven from all
+their forts, and the town was left to the Buccaneers, detachments of whom
+were sent to endeavour to bring in prisoners, whilst a chosen party went
+to the Great Church to chant _Te Deum_.
+
+Nine Buccaneers were killed and twelve wounded in the attack. The booty
+found in the town was considerable in jewels, merchandise, and silver,
+particularly in church plate, besides 92,000 dollars in money, and they
+took seven hundred prisoners, among whom were the Governor and his family.
+Fourteen vessels lay at anchor in the Port, and two ships were on the
+stocks nearly fit for launching.
+
+On the evening of the day that the city was taken, the Governor (being a
+prisoner) entered into treaty with the Buccaneers, for the City, Fort,
+Shipping, himself, and all the prisoners, to be redeemed for a million
+pieces of eight, to be paid in gold, and 400 packages of flour; and to
+hasten the procurement of the money, which was to be brought from _Quito_,
+the Vicar General of the district, who was also a prisoner, was released.
+
+[Sidenote: 21st.] The 21st, in the night, by the carelessness of a
+Buccaneer, one of the houses took fire, which communicated to other
+houses with such rapidity, that one third of the city was destroyed
+before its progress was stopped. It had been specified in the treaty, that
+the Buccaneers should not set fire to the town; 'therefore,' says Lussan,
+'lest in consequence of this accident, the Spaniards should refuse to pay
+the ransom, we pretended to believe it was their doing.'
+
+Many bodies of the Spaniards killed in the assault of the town, remained
+unburied where they had fallen, and the Buccaneers were apprehensive that
+some infectious disorder would thereby be produced. [Sidenote: 24th. At
+the Island Puna.] They hastened therefore to embark on board the vessels
+in the port, their plunder and 500 of their prisoners, with which, on the
+25th, they fell down the River to the _Island Puna_, where they proposed
+to wait for the ransom.
+
+[Sidenote: May. Grogniet dies.] On the 2d of May, Captain Grogniet died of
+a wound he received at _Guayaquil_. Le Picard was afterwards the chief
+among the French Buccaneers.
+
+The 5th of May had been named for the payment of the ransom, from which
+time the money was daily and with increasing impatience expected by the
+Buccaneers. It was known that Spanish ships of war were equipping at
+_Callao_ purposely to attack them; and also that their former Commander,
+Edward Davis, with a good ship, was near this part of the coast. They were
+anxious to have his company, and on the 4th, dispatched a galley to seek
+him at the Island _Plata_, the place of rendezvous he had appointed for
+his prize.
+
+The 5th passed without any appearance of ransom money; as did many
+following days. The Spaniards, however, regularly sent provisions to the
+ships at _Puna_ every day, otherwise the prisoners would have starved; but
+in lieu of money they substituted nothing better than promises. The
+Buccaneers would have felt it humiliation to appear less ferocious than on
+former occasions, and they recurred to their old mode of intimidation.
+They made the prisoners throw dice to determine which of them should die,
+and the heads of four on whom the lot fell were delivered to a Spanish
+officer in answer to excuses for delay which he had brought from the
+Lieutenant Governor of _Guayaquil_, with an intimation that at the end of
+four days more five hundred heads should follow, if the ransom did not
+arrive.
+
+[Sidenote: 14th.] On the 14th, their galley which had been sent in search
+of Davis returned, not having found him at the Island _Plata_; but she
+brought notice of two strange sail being near the Cape _Santa Elena_.
+[Sidenote: Edward Davis joins Le Picard.] These proved to be Edward
+Davis's ship, and a prize. Davis had received intelligence, as already
+mentioned, of the Buccaneers having captured _Guayaquil_, and was now come
+purposely to join them. He sent his prize to the Buccaneers at _Puna_, and
+remained with his own ship in the offing on the look-out.
+
+The four days allowed for the payment of the ransom expired, and no ransom
+was sent; neither did the Buccaneers execute their sanguinary threat. It
+is worthy of remark, that intreaty or intercession made to this set of
+Buccaneers, so far from obtaining remission or favour, at all times
+produced the opposite effect, as if reminding them of their power,
+instigated them to an imperious display of it. The Lieutenant Governor of
+_Guayaquil_ was in no haste to fulfil the terms of the treaty made by the
+Governor, nor did he importune them with solicitations, and the whole
+business for a time lay at rest. The forbearance of the Buccaneers may not
+unjustly be attributed to Davis having joined them.
+
+[Sidenote: 23d.] On the 23d, the Spaniards paid to the Buccaneers as much
+gold as amounted in value to 20,000 pieces of eight, and eighty packages
+of flour, as part of the ransom. The day following, the Lieutenant
+Governor sent word, that they might receive 22,000 pieces of eight more
+for the release of the prisoners, and if that sum would not satisfy them,
+they might do their worst, for that no greater would be paid them. Upon
+this message, the Buccaneers held a consultation, whether they should cut
+off the heads of all the prisoners, or take the 22,000 pieces of eight,
+and it was determined, not unanimously, but by a majority of voices, that
+it was better to take a little money than to cut off many heads.
+
+Lussan, his own biographer and a young man, boasts of the pleasant manner
+in which he passed his time at _Puna_. 'We made good cheer, being daily
+supplied with refreshments from _Guayaquil_. We had concerts of music; we
+had the best performers of the city among our prisoners. Some among us
+engaged in friendships with our women prisoners, who were not hard
+hearted.' This is said by way of prelude to a history which he gives of
+his own good fortune; all which, whether true or otherwise, serves to
+shew, that among this abandoned crew the prisoners of both sexes were
+equally unprotected.
+
+[Sidenote: 26th.] On the 26th, the 22,000 pieces of eight were paid to the
+Buccaneers, who selected a hundred prisoners of the most consideration to
+retain, and released the rest. The same day, they quitted their anchorage
+at _Puna_, intending to anchor again at Point _Santa Elena_, and there to
+enter afresh into negociation for ransom of prisoners: but in the evening,
+two Spanish Ships of War came in sight.
+
+The engagement which ensued, and other proceedings of the Buccaneers,
+until Edward Davis parted company to return homeward by the South of
+_America_, has been related. [Sidenote: See pp. 196 to 200.] It remains to
+give an account of the French Buccaneers after the separation, to their
+finally quitting the _South Sea_.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XXIV.
+
+ _Retreat of the =French Buccaneers= across =New Spain= to the
+ =West Indies=. All the =Buccaneers= quit the =South Sea=._
+
+
+[Sidenote: 1687. June. Le Picard and Hout.] The party left by Davis
+consisted of 250 Buccaneers, the greater number of whom were French, the
+rest were English, and their leaders Le Picard and George Hout. They had
+determined to quit the _South Sea_, and with that view to sail to the
+coast of _New Spain_, whence they proposed to march over land to the shore
+of the _Caribbean Sea_.
+
+[Sidenote: July. On the Coast of New Spain.] About the end of July, they
+anchored in the _Bay of Amapalla_, and were joined there by thirty French
+Buccaneers. These thirty were part of a crew which had formerly quitted
+Grogniet to cruise towards _California_. Others of that party were still
+on the coast to the North-West, and the Buccaneers in _Amapalla Bay_ put
+to sea in search of them, that all of their fraternity in the _South Sea_
+might be collected, and depart together.
+
+In the search after their former companions, they landed at different
+places on the coast of _New Spain_. Among their adventures here,
+they took, and remained four days in possession of, the Town of
+_Tecoantepeque_, but without any profit to themselves. At _Guatulco_, they
+plundered some plantations, and obtained provisions in ransom for
+prisoners. Whilst they lay there at anchor, they saw a vessel in the
+offing, which from her appearance, and manner of working her sails, they
+believed to contain the people they were seeking; but the wind and sea set
+so strong on the shore at the time, that neither their vessels nor boats
+could go out to ascertain what she was; and after that day, they did not
+see her again.
+
+[Sidenote: December. In Amapalla Bay.] In the middle of December they
+returned to the _Bay of Amapalla_, which they had fixed upon for the place
+of their departure from the shores of the _South Sea_. Their plan was, to
+march by the town of _Nueva Segovia_, which had before been visited by
+Buccaneers, and they now expected would furnish them with provisions.
+According to Lussan's information, the distance they would have to travel
+by land from _Amapalla Bay_, was about 60 leagues, when they would come to
+the source of a river, by which they could descend to the _Caribbean Sea_,
+near to _Cape Gracias a Dios_.
+
+Whilst they made preparation for their march, they were anxious to obtain
+intelligence what force the Spaniards had in their proposed route, but the
+natives kept at a distance. On the 18th, seventy Buccaneers landed and
+marched into the country, of which adventure Lussan gives the account
+following. They travelled the whole day without meeting an inhabitant.
+They rested for the night, and next morning proceeded in their journey,
+but all seemed a desert, and about noon, the majority were dissatisfied
+and turned back. Twenty went on; and soon after came to a beaten road, on
+which they perceived three horsemen riding towards them, whom they
+way-laid so effectually as to take them all. [Sidenote: Chiloteca.] By
+these men they learnt the way to a small town named _Chiloteca_, to which
+they went and there made fifty of the inhabitants prisoners. [Sidenote:
+Massacre of Prisoners.] They took up their quarters in the church, where
+they also lodged their prisoners, and intended to have rested during the
+night; but after dark, they heard much bustle in the town, which made them
+apprehensive the Spaniards were preparing to attack them, and the noise
+caused in the prisoners the appearance of a disposition to rise; upon
+which, the Buccaneers slew them all except four, whom they carried away
+with them, and reached the vessels without being molested in their
+retreat.
+
+The prisoners were interrogated; and the accounts they gave confirmed the
+Buccaneers in the opinion that they had no better chance of transporting
+themselves and their plunder to the _North Sea_, than by immediately
+setting about the execution of the plan they had formed. [Sidenote: The
+Buccaneers burn their Vessels.] To settle the order of the march, they
+landed their riches and the stores necessary for their journey, on one of
+the Islands in the Bay; and that their number might not suffer diminution
+by the defection of any, it was agreed to destroy the vessels, which was
+executed forthwith, with the reserve of one galley and the canoes, which
+were necessary for the transport of themselves and their effects to the
+main land. They made a muster of their force, which they divided into four
+companies, each consisting of seventy men, and every man having his arms
+and accoutrements. Whilst these matters were arranging, a detachment of
+100 men were sent to the main land to endeavour to get horses.
+
+They had destroyed their vessels, and had not removed from the Island,
+when a large Spanish armed ship anchored in _Amapalla Bay_; but she was
+not able to give them annoyance, nor in the least to impede their
+operations. [Sidenote: 1688. January.] On the 1st of January, 1688, they
+passed over, with their effects, to the main land, and the same day, the
+party which had gone in search of horses, returned, bringing with them
+sixty-eight, which were divided equally among the four companies, to be
+employed in carrying stores and provisions, as were eighty prisoners, who
+besides being carriers of stores, were made to carry the sick and wounded.
+Every Buccaneer had his particular sack, or package, which it was required
+should contain his ammunition; what else, was at his own discretion.
+
+Many of these Buccaneers had more silver than themselves were able to
+carry. There were also many who had neither silver nor gold, and were
+little encumbered with effects of their own: these light freighted gentry
+were glad to be hired as porters to the rich, and the contract for
+carrying silver, on this occasion, was one half; that is to say, that on
+arriving at the _North Sea_, there should be an equal division between the
+employer and the carrier. Carriage of gold or other valuables was
+according to particular agreement. Lussan, who no doubt was as sharp a
+rogue as any among his companions, relates of himself, that he had been
+fortunate at play, and that his winnings added to his share of plunder,
+amounted to 30,000 pieces of eight, the whole of which he had converted
+into gold and jewels; and that whilst they were making ready for their
+march, he received warning from a friend that a gang had been formed by
+about twenty of the poorer Buccaneers, with the intention to waylay and
+strip those of their brethren, who had been most fortunate. On considering
+the danger and great difficulty of having to guard against the
+machinations of hungry conspirators who were to be his fellow-travellers
+in a long journey, and might have opportunities to perpetrate their
+mischievous intentions during any fight with the Spaniards, Lussan came to
+the resolution of making a sacrifice of part of his riches to insure the
+remaining part, and to lessen the temptation to any individual to seek his
+death. To this end he divided his treasure into a number of small parcels,
+which he confided to the care of so many of his companions, making
+agreement with each for the carriage.
+
+[Sidenote: Retreat of the Buccaneers over land to the West Indian Sea.]
+January the 2d, in the morning, they began their march, an advanced guard
+being established to consist of ten men from each company, who were to be
+relieved every morning by ten others. At night they rested at four leagues
+distance, according to their estimation, from the border of the sea.
+
+The first part of Lussan's account of this journey has little of adventure
+or description. The difficulties experienced were what had been foreseen,
+such as the inhabitants driving away cattle and removing provisions,
+setting fire to the dry grass when it could annoy them in their march; and
+sometimes the Buccaneers were fired at by unseen shooters. They rested at
+villages and farms when they found any in their route, where, and also by
+making prisoners, they obtained provisions. When no habitations or
+buildings were at hand, they generally encamped at night on a hill, or in
+open ground. Very early in their march they were attended by a body of
+Spanish troops at a small distance, the music of whose trumpets afforded
+them entertainment every morning and evening; 'but,' says Lussan, 'it was
+like the music of the enchanted palace of Psyche, which was heard without
+the musicians being visible.'
+
+On the forenoon of the 9th, notwithstanding their vigilance, the
+Buccaneers were saluted with an unexpected volley of musketry which killed
+two men; and this was the only mischance that befel them in their march
+from the Western Sea to _Segovia_, which town they entered on the 11th of
+January, without hindrance, and found it without inhabitants, and cleared
+of every kind of provisions.
+
+[Sidenote: Town of New Segovia.] 'The town of _Segovia_ is situated in a
+vale, and is so surrounded with mountains that it seems to be a prisoner
+there. The churches are ill built. The place of arms, or parade, is large
+and handsome, as are many of the houses. It is distant from the shore of
+the _South Sea_ forty leagues: The road is difficult, the country being
+extremely mountainous.'
+
+On the 12th, they left _Segovia_ and without injuring the houses, a
+forbearance to which they had little accustomed themselves; but present
+circumstances brought to their consideration that if it should be their
+evil fortune to be called to account, it might be quite as well for them
+not to add the burning of _Segovia_ to the reckoning.
+
+The 13th, an hour before sunset, they ascended a hill, which appeared a
+good station to occupy for the night. When they arrived at the summit,
+they perceived on the slope of the next mountain before them, a great
+number of horses grazing (Lussan says between twelve and fifteen hundred),
+which at the first sight they mistook for horned cattle, and congratulated
+each other on the near prospect of a good meal; but it was soon discovered
+they were horses, and that a number of them were saddled: intrenchments
+also were discerned near the same place, and finally, troops. This part of
+the country was a thick forest, with deep gullies, and not intersected
+with any path excepting the road they were travelling, which led across
+the mountain where the Spaniards were intrenched. On reconnoitring the
+position of the Spaniards, the road beyond them was seen to the right of
+the intrenchments. The Buccaneers on short consultation, determined that
+they would endeavour under cover of the night to penetrate the wood to
+their right, so as to arrive at the road beyond the Spanish camp, and come
+on it by surprise.
+
+This plan was similar to that which they had projected at _Guayaquil_, and
+was a business exactly suited to the habits and inclinations of these
+adventurers, who more than any other of their calling, or perhaps than the
+native tribes of _North America_, were practised and expert in veiling
+their purpose so as not to awaken suspicion; in concealing themselves by
+day and making silent advances by night, and in all the arts by which even
+the most wary may be ensnared. Here, immediately after fixing their plan,
+they began to intrench and fortify the ground they occupied, and made all
+the dispositions which troops usually do who halt for the night. This
+encampment, besides impressing the Spaniards with the belief that they
+intended to pass the night in repose, was necessary to the securing their
+baggage and prisoners.
+
+Rest seemed necessary and due to the Buccaneers after a toilsome day's
+march, and so it was thought by the Spanish Commander, who seeing them
+fortify their quarters, doubted not that they meant to do themselves
+justice; but an hour after the close of day, two hundred Buccaneers
+departed from their camp. The moon shone out bright, which gave them light
+to penetrate the woods, whilst the woods gave them concealment from the
+Spaniards, and the Spaniards kept small lookout. Before midnight, they
+were near enough to hear the Spaniards chanting Litanies, and long before
+daylight were in the road beyond the Spanish encampment. They waited till
+the day broke, and then pushed for the camp, which, as had been
+conjectured, was entirely open on this side. Two Spanish sentinels
+discovered the approach of the enemy, and gave alarm; but the Buccaneers
+were immediately after in the camp, and the Spanish troops disturbed from
+their sleep had neither time nor recollection for any other measure than
+to save themselves by flight. They abandoned all the intrenchments, and
+the Buccaneers being masters of the pass, were soon joined by the party
+who had charge of the baggage and prisoners. In this affair, the loss of
+the Buccaneers was only two men killed, and four wounded.
+
+In the remaining part of their journey, they met no serious obstruction,
+and were not at any time distressed by a scarcity of provisions. Lussan
+says they led from the Spanish encampment 900 horses, which served them
+for carriage, for present food, and to salt for future provision when they
+should arrive at the sea shore.
+
+[Sidenote: Rio de Yare, or Cape River.] On the 17th of January, which was
+the 16th of their journey, they came to the banks of a river by which they
+were to descend to the _Caribbean Sea_. This river has its source among
+the mountains of _Nueva Segovia_, and falls into the sea to the South of
+_Cape Gracias a Dios_ about 14 leagues, according to D'Anville's Map, in
+which it is called _Rio de Yare_. Dampier makes it fall into the sea
+something more to the Southward, and names it the _Cape River_.
+
+The country here was not occupied nor frequented by the Spaniards, and was
+inhabited only in a few places by small tribes of native Americans. The
+Buccaneers cut down trees, and made rafts or catamarans for the conveyance
+of themselves and their effects down the stream. On account of the falls,
+the rafts were constructed each to carry no more than two persons with
+their luggage, and every man went provided with a pole to guide the raft
+clear of rocks and shallows.
+
+In the commencement of this fresh-water navigation, their maritime
+experience, with all the pains they could take, did not prevent their
+getting into whirlpools, where the rafts were overturned, with danger to
+the men and frequently with the loss of part of the lading. When they came
+to a fall which appeared more than usually dangerous, they put ashore,
+took their rafts to pieces, and carried all below the fall, where they
+re-accommodated matters and embarked again. The rapidity of the stream
+meeting many obstructions, raised a foam and spray that kept every thing
+on the rafts constantly wet; the salted horse flesh was in a short time
+entirely spoilt, and their ammunition in a state not to be of service in
+supplying them with game. Fortunately for them the banks of the river
+abounded in banana-trees, both wild and in plantations.
+
+When they first embarked on the river, the rafts went in close company;
+but the irregularity and violence of the stream, continually entangled and
+drove them against each other, on which account the method was changed,
+and distances preserved. This gave opportunity to the desperadoes who had
+conspired against their companions to commence their operations, which
+they directed against five Englishmen, whom they killed and despoiled. The
+murderers absconded in the woods with their prey, and were not afterwards
+seen by the company.
+
+[Sidenote: February, 1688.] The 20th of February they had passed all the
+falls, and were at a broad deep and smooth part of the river, where they
+found no other obstruction than trees and drift-wood floating. As they
+were near the sea, many stopped and began to build canoes. Some English
+Buccaneers who went lower down the river, found at anchor an English
+vessel belonging to _Jamaica_, from which they learnt that the French
+Government had just proclaimed an amnesty in favour of those who since the
+Peace made with _Spain_ had committed acts of piracy, upon condition of
+their claiming the benefit of the Proclamation within a specified time. A
+similar proclamation had been issued in the year 1687 by the English
+Government; but as it was not clear from the report made by the crew of
+the _Jamaica_ vessel, whether it yet operated, the English Buccaneers
+would not embark for _Jamaica_. They sent by two Mosquito Indians, an
+account of the news they had heard to the French Buccaneers, with notice
+that there was a vessel at the mouth of the river capable of accommodating
+not more than forty persons. Immediately on receiving the intelligence,
+above a hundred of the French set off in all haste for the vessel, every
+one of whom pretended to be of the forty. Those who first arrived on
+board, took up the anchor as speedily as they could, and set sail, whilst
+those who were behind called loudly for a decision by lot or dice; but the
+first comers were content to rest their title on possession.
+
+The English Buccaneers remained for the present with the Mosquito Indians
+near _Cape Gracias a Dios_, 'who,' says Lussan, 'have an affection for the
+English, on account of the many little commodities which they bring them
+from the Island of _Jamaica_.' The greater part of the French Buccaneers
+went to the French settlements; but seventy-five of them who went to
+_Jamaica_, were apprehended and detained prisoners by the Duke of
+Albemarle, who was then Governor, and their effects sequestrated. They
+remained in prison until the death of the Duke, which happened in the
+following year, when they were released; but neither their arms nor
+plunder were returned to them.
+
+The _South Sea_ was now cleared of the main body of the Buccaneers. A few
+stragglers remained, concerning whom some scattered notices are found, of
+which the following are the heads.
+
+[Sidenote: La Pava.] Seixas mentions an English frigate named _La Pava_,
+being wrecked in the _Strait of Magalhanes_ in the year 1687; and that her
+loss was occasioned by currents[88]. By the name being Spanish (signifying
+the Hen) this vessel must have been a prize to the Buccaneers.
+
+[Sidenote: Captain Straiton.] In the Narrative of the loss of the Wager,
+by Bulkeley and Cummins, it is mentioned that they found at _Port Desire_
+cut on a brick, in very legible characters, "Captain Straiton, 16 cannon,
+1687." Most probably this was meant of a Buccaneer vessel.
+
+[Sidenote: Le Sage.] At the time that the English and French Buccaneers
+were crossing the _Isthmus_ in great numbers from the _West Indies_ to the
+_South Sea_, two hundred French Buccaneers departed from _Hispaniola_ in a
+ship commanded by a Captain Le Sage, intending to go to the _South Sea_ by
+the _Strait of Magalhanes_; but having chosen a wrong season of the year
+for that passage, and finding the winds unfavourable, they stood over to
+the coast of _Africa_, where they continued cruising two years, and
+returned to the _West Indies_ with great booty, obtained at the expence
+of the Hollanders.
+
+[Sidenote: Small Crew of Buccaneers at the Tres Marias.] The small crew of
+French Buccaneers in the _South Sea_ who were a part of those who had
+separated from Grogniet to cruise near _California_, and for whom Le
+Picard had sought in vain on the coast of _New Spain_, were necessitated
+by the smallness of their force, and the bad state of their vessel, to
+shelter themselves at the _Tres Marias Islands_ in the entrance of the
+_Gulf of California_. [Sidenote: Their Adventures, and Return to the West
+Indies.] It is said that they remained four years among those Islands, at
+the end of which time, they determined, rather than to pass the rest of
+their lives in so desolate a place, to sail Southward, though with little
+other prospect or hope than that they should meet some of their former
+comrades; instead of which, on looking in at _Arica_ on the coast of
+_Peru_, they found at anchor in the road a Spanish ship, which they took,
+and in her a large quantity of treasure. The Buccaneers embarked in their
+prize, and proceeded Southward for the _Atlantic_, but were cast ashore in
+the _Strait of Magalhanes_. Part of the treasure, and as much of the wreck
+of the vessel as served to construct two sloops, were saved, with which,
+after so many perils, they arrived safe in the _West Indies_.
+
+[Sidenote: Story related by Le Sieur Froger.] Le Sieur Froger, in his
+account of the Voyage of M. de Gennes, has introduced a narrative of a
+party of French Buccaneers or Flibustiers going from _Saint Domingo_ to
+the _South Sea_, in the year 1686; which is evidently a romance fabricated
+from the descriptions which had been given of their general courses and
+habits. These _proteges_ of Le Sieur Froger, like the Buccaneer crew from
+the _Tres Marias Islands_ just mentioned, were reduced to great
+distress,--took a rich prize afterwards on the coast of _Peru_,--were
+returning to the _Atlantic_, and lost their ship in the _Strait of
+Magalhanes_. They were ten months in the _Strait_ building a bark, which
+they loaded with the best of what they had saved of the cargo of their
+ship, and in the end arrived safe at _Cayenne_[89]. Funnel also mentions a
+report which he heard, of a small crew of French Buccaneers, not more than
+twenty, whose adventures were of the same cast; and who probably were the
+_Tres Marias_ Buccaneers.
+
+It has been related that five Buccaneers who had gamed away their money,
+unwilling to return poor out of the _South Sea_, landed at the Island
+_Juan Fernandez_ from Edward Davis's ship, about the end of the year 1687,
+and were left there. In 1690, the English ship Welfare, commanded by
+Captain John Strong, anchored at _Juan Fernandez_; of which voyage two
+journals have been preserved among the MSS in the Sloane Collection in the
+British Museum, from which the following account is taken.
+
+The Farewell arrived off the Island on the evening of October the 11th,
+1690. In the night, those on board were surprised at seeing a fire on an
+elevated part of the land. Early next morning, a boat was sent on shore,
+which soon returned, bringing off from the Island two Englishmen. These
+were part of the five who had landed from Davis's ship. They piloted the
+Welfare to a good anchoring place.
+
+[Sidenote: Buccaneers who lived three years on the Island Juan Fernandez.]
+In the three years that they had lived on _Juan Fernandez_, they had not,
+until the arrival of the Welfare, seen any other ships than Spaniards,
+which was a great disappointment to them. The Spaniards had landed and had
+endeavoured to take them, but they had found concealment in the woods; one
+excepted, who deserted from his companions, and delivered himself up to
+the Spaniards. The four remaining, when they learnt that the Buccaneers
+had entirely quitted the _South Sea_, willingly embarked with Captain
+Strong, and with them four servants or slaves. Nothing is said of the
+manner in which they employed themselves whilst on the Island, except of
+their contriving subterraneous places of concealment that the Spaniards
+should not find them, and of their taming a great number of goats, so that
+at one time they had a tame stock of 300.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XXV.
+
+ _Steps taken towards reducing the =Buccaneers= and =Flibustiers=
+ under subordination to the regular Governments. War of the
+ Grand Alliance against =France=. The Neutrality of the =Island
+ Saint Christopher= broken._
+
+
+Whilst these matters were passing in the _Pacific Ocean_, small progress
+was made in the reform which had been begun in the _West Indies_. The
+English Governors by a few examples of severity restrained the English
+Buccaneers from undertaking any enterprise of magnitude. With the French,
+the case was different. The number of the Flibustiers who absented
+themselves from _Hispaniola_, to go to the _South Sea_, alarmed the French
+Government for the safety of their colonies, and especially of their
+settlements in _Hispaniola_, the security and defence of which against the
+Spaniards they had almost wholly rested on its being the place of
+residence and the home of those adventurers. To persist in a rigorous
+police against their cruising, it was apprehended would make the rest of
+them quit _Hispaniola_, for which reason it was judged prudent to relax in
+the enforcement of the prohibitions; the Flibustiers accordingly continued
+their courses as usual.
+
+[Sidenote: 1686.] In 1686, Granmont and De Graaf prepared an armament
+against _Campeachy_. M. de Cussy, who was Governor of _Tortuga_ and the
+French part of _Hispaniola_, applied personally to them to relinquish
+their design; but as the force was collected, and all preparation made,
+neither the Flibustiers nor their Commanders would be dissuaded from the
+undertaking, and De Cussy submitted. [Sidenote: Campeachy burnt.]
+_Campeachy_ was plundered and burnt.
+
+A measure was adopted by the French Government which certainly trenched on
+the honour of the regular military establishments of _France_, but was
+attended with success in bringing the Flibustiers more under control and
+rendering them more manageable. This was, the taking into the King's
+service some of the principal leaders of the Flibustiers, and giving them
+commissions of advanced rank, either in the land service or in the French
+marine. [Sidenote: Granmont.] A commission was made out for Granmont,
+appointing him Commandant on the South coast of _Saint Domingo_, with the
+rank of Lieutenant du Roy. But of Granmont as a Buccaneer, it might be
+said in the language of sportsmen, that he was game to the last. Before
+the commission arrived, he received information of the honour intended
+him, and whilst yet in his state of liberty, was seized with the wish to
+make one more cruise. He armed a ship, and, with a crew of 180 Flibustiers
+in her, put to sea. This was near the end of the year 1686; and what
+afterwards became of him and his followers is not known, for they were not
+again seen or heard of.
+
+[Sidenote: 1687.] In the beginning of 1687, a commission arrived from
+_France_, appointing De Graaf Major in the King's army in the _West
+Indies_. He was then with a crew of Flibustiers near _Carthagena_. In this
+cruise, twenty-five of his men who landed in the _Gulf of Darien_, were
+cut off by the Darien Indians. De Graaf on his return into port accepted
+his commission, and when transformed to an officer in the King's army,
+became, like Morgan, a great scourge to the Flibustiers and _Forbans_.
+
+[Sidenote: Proclamation against Pirates.] In consequence of complaints
+made by the Spaniards, a Proclamation was issued at this time, by the King
+of _Great Britain_, James the IId, specified in the title to be 'for the
+more effectual reducing and suppressing of Pirates and Privateers in
+_America_, as well on the sea as on the land, who in great numbers have
+committed frequent robberies, which hath occasioned great prejudice and
+obstruction to Trade and Commerce.'
+
+[Sidenote: 1688.] A twenty years truce had, in the year 1686, been agreed
+upon between _France_ and _Spain_, but scarcely a twentieth part of that
+time was suffered to elapse before it was broken in the _West Indies_.
+[Sidenote: Danish Factory robbed by the Buccaneers.] The Flibustiers of
+_Hispaniola_ did not content themselves with their customary practice: in
+1688 they plundered the Danish Factory at the Island _St. Thomas_, which
+is one of the small Islands called _the Virgins_, near the East end of
+_Porto Rico_. This was an aggression beyond the limits which they had
+professed to prescribe to their depredatory system, and it is not shewn
+that they had received injury at the hands of the Danes. Nevertheless, the
+French West-India histories say, 'Our Flibustiers (_nos Flibustiers_), in
+1688, surprised the Danish Factory at _St. Thomas_. The pillage was
+considerable, and would have been more if they had known that the chief
+part of the cash was kept in a vault under the hall, which was known to
+very few of the house. They forgot on this occasion their ordinary
+practice, which is to put their prisoners to the torture to make them
+declare where the money is. It is certain that if they had so done, the
+hiding-place would have been revealed to them, in which it was believed
+there was more than 500,000 livres.' Such remarks shew the strong
+prepossession which existed in favour of the Buccaneers, and an eagerness
+undistinguishing and determined after the extraordinary. Qualities the
+most common to the whole of mankind were received as wonderful when
+related of the Buccaneers. One of our Encyclopedias, under the article
+Buccaneer, says, 'they were transported with an astonishing degree of
+enthusiasm whenever they saw a sail.'
+
+In this same year, 1688, war broke out in Europe between the French and
+Spaniards, and in a short time the English joined against the French.
+
+[Sidenote: 1689. July.] _England_ and _France_ had at no period since the
+Norman conquest been longer without serious quarrel. On the accession of
+William the IIId. to the crowns of _Great Britain_, it was generally
+believed that a war with _France_ would ensue. [Sidenote: The English
+driven from St. Christopher.] The French in the _West Indies_ did not wait
+for its being declared, but attacked the English part of _St.
+Christopher_, the Island on which by joint agreement had been made the
+original and confederated first settlements of the two Nations in the
+_West Indies_. [Sidenote: See p. 38.] The English inhabitants were driven
+from their possessions and obliged to retire to the Island _Nevis_, which
+terminated the longest preserved union which history can shew between the
+English and French as subjects of different nations. In the commencement
+it was strongly cemented by the mutual want of support against a powerful
+enemy; that motive for their adherence to each other had ceased to exist:
+yet in the reigns of Charles the IId. and James the IId. of _England_, an
+agreement had been made between _England_ and _France_, that if war should
+at any time break out between them, a neutrality should be observed by
+their subjects in the _West Indies_.
+
+This war continued nearly to the end of King William's reign, and during
+that time the English and French Buccaneers were engaged on opposite
+sides, as auxiliaries to the regular forces of their respective nations,
+which completely separated them; and it never afterwards happened that
+they again confederated in any buccaneer cause. They became more generally
+distinguished by different appellations, not consonant to their present
+situations and habits; for the French adventurers, who were frequently
+occupied in hunting and at the _boucan_, were called the Flibustiers of
+_St. Domingo_, and the English adventurers, who had nothing to do with
+the _boucan_, were called the Buccaneers of _Jamaica_.
+
+[Sidenote: 1690. July. The English retake St. Christopher.] The French had
+not kept possession of _St. Christopher_ quite a year, when it was taken
+from them by the English. This was an unfortunate year for the French, who
+in it suffered a great defeat from the Spaniards in _Hispaniola_. Their
+Governor De Cussy, and 500 Frenchmen, fell in battle, and the Town of
+_Cape Francois_ was demolished.
+
+The French Flibustiers at this time greatly annoyed _Jamaica_, making
+descents, in which they carried off such a number of negroes, that in
+derision they nicknamed _Jamaica 'Little Guinea_.' The principal
+transactions in the _West Indies_, were, the attempts made by each party
+on the possessions of the other. In the course of these services, De Graaf
+was accused of misconduct, tried, and deprived of his commission in the
+army; but though judged unfit for command in land service, out of respect
+to his maritime experience he was appointed Captain of a Frigate.
+
+No one among the Flibustiers was more distinguished for courage and
+enterprise in this war than Jean Montauban, who commanded a ship of
+between 30 and 40 guns. He sailed from the _West Indies_ to _Bourdeaux_ in
+1694. In February of the year following, he departed from _Bourdeaux_ for
+the coast of _Guinea_, where in battle with an English ship of force, both
+the ships were blown up. Montauban and a few others escaped with their
+lives. This affair is not to be ranked among buccaneer exploits, _Great
+Britain_ and _France_ being at open War, and Montauban having a regular
+commission.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XXVI.
+
+ _Seige and Plunder of the City of =Carthagena= on the =Terra
+ Firma=, by an Armament from =France= in conjunction with the
+ =Flibustiers= of =Saint Domingo=._
+
+
+[Sidenote: 1697.] In 1697, at the suggestion of M. le Baron de Pointis, an
+officer of high rank in the French Marine, a large armament was fitted out
+in _France_, jointly at the expence of the Crown, and of private
+contributors, for an expedition against the Spaniards in the _West
+Indies_. The chief command was given to M. de Pointis, and orders were
+sent out to the Governor of the French Settlements in _Hispaniola_ (M. du
+Casse) to raise 1200 men in _Tortuga_ and _Hispaniola_ to assist in the
+expedition. The king's regular force in M. du Casse's government was
+small, and the men demanded were to be supplied principally from the
+Flibustiers. The dispatches containing the above orders arrived in
+January. It was thought necessary to specify to the Flibustiers a
+limitation of time; and they were desired to keep from dispersing till the
+15th of February, it being calculated that M. de Pointis would then, or
+before, certainly be at _Hispaniola_. [Sidenote: March.] De Pointis,
+however, did not arrive till the beginning of March, when he made _Cape
+Francois_, but did not anchor there; preferring the Western part of
+_Hispaniola_, 'fresh water being better and more easy to be got at _Cape
+Tiburon_ than at any other part.' M. du Casse had, with some difficulty,
+kept the Flibustiers together beyond the time specified, and they were
+soon dissatisfied with the deportment of the Baron de Pointis, which was
+more imperious than they had been accustomed to from any Commander.
+
+[Sidenote: Character of the Buccaneers by M. de Pointis.] M. de Pointis
+published a history of his expedition, in which he relates that at the
+first meeting between him and M. du Casse, he expressed himself
+dissatisfied at the small number of men provided; 'but,' says he, 'M. du
+Casse assured me that the Buccaneers were at this time collected, and
+would every man of them perform wonders. It is the good fortune of all the
+pirates in these parts to be called Buccaneers. These freebooters are, for
+the most part, composed of those that desert from ships that come upon the
+coast: the advantage they bring to the Governors, protects them against
+the prosecution of the law. All who are apprehended as vagabonds in
+_France_, and can give no account of themselves, are sent to these
+Islands, where they are obliged to serve for three years. The first that
+gets them, obliges them to work in the plantations; at the end of the term
+of servitude, somebody lends them a gun, and to sea they go a
+buccaneering.' It is proper to hint here, that when M. de Pointis
+published his Narrative, he was at enmity with the Buccaneers, and had a
+personal interest in bringing the buccaneer character into disrepute. Many
+of his remarks upon them, nevertheless, are not less just than
+characteristic. He continues his description; 'They were formerly
+altogether independent. Of late years they have been reduced under the
+government of the coast of _St. Domingo_: they have commissions given
+them, for which they pay the tenth of all prizes, and are now called the
+King's subjects. The Governors of our settlements in _Saint Domingo_ being
+enriched by them, do mightily extol them for the damages they do to the
+Spaniards. This infamous profession which an impunity for all sorts of
+crimes renders so much beloved, has within a few years lost us above six
+thousand men, who might have improved and peopled the colony. At present
+they are pleased to be called the King's subjects; yet it is with so much
+arrogance, as obliges all who are desirous to make use of them, to court
+them in the most flattering terms. This was not agreeable to my
+disposition, and considering them as his Majesty's subjects which the
+Governor was ordered to deliver to me, I plainly told them that they
+should find me a Commander to lead them on, but not as a companion to
+them.'
+
+The expedition, though it was not yet made known, or even yet pretended to
+be determined, against what place it should be directed, was expected to
+yield both honour and profit. The Buccaneers would not quarrel with a
+promising enterprise under a spirited and experienced commander, for a
+little haughtiness in his demeanour towards them; but they demanded to
+have clearly specified the share of the prize money and plunder to which
+they should be entitled, and it was stipulated by mutual agreement 'that
+the Flibustiers and Colonists should, man for man, have the same shares of
+booty that were allowed to the men on board the King's ships.' As so many
+men were to embark from M. du Casse's government, he proposed to go at
+their head, and desired to know of M. de Pointis what rank would be
+allowed him. M. du Casse was a mariner by profession, and had the rank of
+Captain in the French Navy. De Pointis told him that the highest character
+he knew him in, was that which he derived from his commission as
+_Capitaine de Vaisseau_, and that if he embarked in the expedition, he
+must be content to serve in that quality according to his seniority.
+
+M. du Casse nevertheless chose to go, though it was generally thought he
+was not allowed the honours and consideration which were his due as
+Governor of the French Colonies at _St. Domingo_, and Commander of so
+large a portion of the men engaged in the expedition. It was settled, that
+the Flibustiers should embark partly in their own cruising vessels, and
+partly on board the ships of M. de Pointis' squadron, and should be
+furnished with six weeks provisions. A review was made, to prevent any but
+able men of the Colony being taken; negroes who served, if free, were to
+be allowed shares like other men; if slaves and they were killed, their
+masters were to be paid for them.
+
+Two copies of the agreement respecting the sharing of booty were posted up
+in public places at _Petit Goave_, and a copy was delivered to M. du
+Casse, the Governor. M. de Pointis consulted with M. du Casse what
+enterprise they should undertake, but the determination wholly rested with
+M. de Pointis. 'There was added,' M. de Pointis says, 'without my
+knowledge, to the directions sent to Governor du Casse, that he was to
+give assistance to our undertaking, without damage to, or endangering, his
+Colony. This restriction did in some measure deprive me of the power of
+commanding his forces, seeing he had an opportunity of pretending to keep
+them for the preservation of the Colony.' M. du Casse made no pretences to
+withhold, but gave all the assistance in his power. He was an advocate for
+attacking the City of _San Domingo_. This was the wish of most of the
+colonists, and perhaps was what would have been of more advantage to
+_France_ than any other expedition they could have undertaken. But the
+armament having been prepared principally at private expence, it was
+reasonable for the contributors to look to their own reimbursement. To
+attack the City of _San Domingo_ was not approved; other plans were
+proposed, but _Carthagena_ seems to have been the original object of the
+projectors of the expedition, and the attack of that city was determined
+upon. Before the Flibustiers and other colonists embarked, a disagreement
+happened which had nearly made them refuse altogether to join in the
+expedition. The officers of De Pointis' fleet had imbibed the sentiments
+of their Commander respecting the Flibustiers or Buccaneers, and followed
+the example of his manners towards them. The fleet was lying at _Petit
+Goave_, and M. de Pointis, giving to himself the title of General of the
+Armies of _France_ by Sea and by Land in _America_, had placed a guard in
+a Fort there. M. du Casse, as he had received no orders from _Europe_ to
+acknowledge any superior within his government, might have considered such
+an exercise of power to be an encroachment on his authority which it
+became him to resist; but he acted in this, and in other instances, like a
+man overawed. The officer of M. de Pointis who commanded the guard on
+shore, arrested a Flibustier for disorderly behaviour, and held him
+prisoner in the fort. The Flibustiers surrounded the fort in a tumultuous
+manner to demand his release, and the officer commanded his men to fire
+upon them, by which three of the Flibustiers were killed. It required some
+address and civility on the part of M. de Pointis himself, as well as the
+assistance of M. du Casse, to appease the Flibustiers; and the officer who
+had committed the offence was sent on board under arrest.
+
+The force furnished from M. du Casse's government, consisted of nearly 700
+Flibustiers, 170 soldiers from the garrisons, and as many volunteer
+inhabitants and negroes as made up about 1200 men. The whole armament
+consisted of seven large ships, and eleven frigates, besides store ships
+and smaller vessels; and, reckoning persons of all classes, 6000 men.
+
+[Sidenote: April. Siege of Carthagena by the French.] The Fleet arrived
+off _Carthagena_ on April the 13th, and the landing was effected on the
+15th. It is not necessary to relate all the particulars of this siege, in
+which the Buccaneers bore only a part. That part however was of essential
+importance.
+
+M. de Pointis, in the commencement, appointed the whole of the
+Flibustiers, without any mixture of the King's troops, to a service of
+great danger, which raised a suspicion, of partiality and of an intention
+to save the men he brought with him from _Europe_, as regarding them to be
+more peculiarly his own men. An eminence about a mile to the Eastward of
+the City of _Carthagena_, on which was a church named _Nuestra Senora de
+la Poupa_, commands all the avenues and approaches on the land side to the
+city. 'I had been assured,' says M. de Pointis, 'that if we did not seize
+the hill _de la Poupa_ immediately on our arrival, all the treasure would
+be carried off. To get possession of this post, I resolved to land the
+Buccaneers in the night of the same day on which we came to anchor, they
+being proper for such an attempt, as being accustomed to marching and
+subsisting in the woods.' M. de Pointis takes this occasion to accuse the
+Buccaneers of behaving less heroically than M. du Casse had boasted they
+would, and that it was not without murmuring that they embarked in the
+boats in order to their landing. It is however due to them on the score of
+courage and exertion, to remark, though in some degree it is anticipation,
+that no part of the force under M. de Pointis shewed more readiness or
+performed better service in the siege than the Buccaneers.
+
+There was uncertainty about the most proper place for landing, and M. de
+Pointis went himself in a boat to examine near the shore to the North of
+the city. The surf rolled in heavy, by which his boat was filled, and was
+with difficulty saved from being stranded on a rock. The proposed landing
+was given up as impracticable, and M. de Pointis became of opinion that
+_Carthagena_ was approachable only by the lake which makes the harbour,
+the entrance to which, on account of its narrowness, was called the
+_Bocca-chica_, and was defended by a strong fort.
+
+The Fleet sailed for the _Bocca-chica_, and on the 15th some of the ships
+began to cannonade the Fort. The first landing was effected at the same
+time by a corps of eighty negroes, without any mixture of the King's
+troops. This was a second marked instance of the Commander's partial
+attention to the preservation of the men he brought from _France_. M. de
+Pointis despised the Flibustiers, and probably regarded negroes as next to
+nothing. He was glad however to receive them as his companions in arms,
+and it was an honour due from him to all under his command, as far as
+circumstances would admit without injury to service, to share the dangers
+equally, or at least without partiality.
+
+The 16th, which was the day next after the landing, the Castle of
+_Bocca-chica_ surrendered. This was a piece of good fortune much beyond
+expectation, and was obtained principally by the dexterous management of a
+small party of the Buccaneers; which drew commendation even from M. de
+Pointis. 'Among the chiefs of these Buccaneers,' he says, 'there may be
+about twenty men who deserve to be distinguished for their courage; it not
+being my intention to comprehend them in the descriptions which I make of
+the others.'
+
+[Sidenote: May. The City capitulates.] De Pointis conducted the siege with
+diligence and spirit. The _Nuestra Senora de la Poupa_ was taken
+possession of on the 17th; and on the 3d of May, the City capitulated. The
+terms of the Capitulation were,
+
+That all public effects and office accounts should be delivered to the
+captors.
+
+That merchants should produce their books of accounts, and deliver up all
+money and effects held by them for their correspondents.
+
+That every inhabitant should be free to leave the city, or to remain in
+his dwelling. That those who retired from the city should first deliver up
+all their property there to the captors. That those who chose to remain,
+should declare faithfully, under penalty of entire confiscation, the gold,
+silver, and jewels, in their possession; on which condition, and
+delivering up one half, they should be permitted to retain the other half,
+and afterwards be regarded as subjects of _France_.
+
+That the churches and religious houses should be spared and protected.
+
+The French General on entering the Town with his troops, went first to the
+cathedral to attend the _Te Deum_. He next sent for the Superiors of the
+convents and religious houses, to whom he explained the meaning of the
+article of the capitulation promising them protection, which was, that
+their houses should not be destroyed; but that it had no relation to money
+in their possession, which they were required to deliver up. Otherwise, he
+observed, it would be in their power to collect in their houses all the
+riches of the city. He caused it to be publicly rumoured that he was
+directed by the Court to keep possession of _Carthagena_, and that it
+would be made a French Colony. To give colour to this report, he appointed
+M. du Casse to be Governor of the City. He strictly prohibited the troops
+from entering any house until it had undergone the visitation of officers
+appointed by himself, some of which officers it was supposed, embezzled
+not less than 100,000 crowns each. A reward was proclaimed for informers
+of concealed treasure, of one-tenth of all treasure discovered by them.
+'The hope of securing a part, with the fear of bad neighbours and false
+friends, induced the inhabitants to be forward in disclosing their riches,
+and Tilleul who was charged with receiving the treasure, was not able to
+weigh the specie fast enough.'
+
+M. du Casse, in the exercise of what he conceived to be the duties of his
+new office of Governor of _Carthagena_, had begun to take cognizance of
+the money which the inhabitants brought in according to the capitulation;
+but M. de Pointis was desirous that he should not be at any trouble on
+that head. High words passed between them, in consequence of which, Du
+Casse declined further interference in what was transacting, and retired
+to a house in the suburbs. This was quitting the field to an antagonist
+who would not fail to make his advantage of it; whose refusal to admit
+other witnesses to the receipt of money than those of his own appointment,
+was a strong indication, whatever contempt he might profess or really feel
+for the Flibustiers, that he was himself of as stanch Flibustier
+principles as any one of the gentry of the coast. Some time afterwards,
+however, M. du Casse thought proper to send a formal representation to the
+General, that it was nothing more than just that some person of the colony
+should be present at the receipt of the money. The General returned
+answer, that what M. du Casse proposed, was in itself a matter perfectly
+indifferent; but that it would be an insult to his own dignity, and
+therefore he could not permit it.
+
+The public collection of plunder by authority did not save the city from
+private pillage. In a short time all the plate disappeared from the
+churches. Houses were forcibly entered by the troops, and as much violence
+committed as if no capitulation had been granted. M. de Pointis, when
+complained to by the aggrieved inhabitants, gave orders for the prevention
+of outrage, but was at no pains to make them observed. It appears that the
+Flibustiers were most implicated in these disorders. Many of the
+inhabitants who had complied with the terms of the capitulation, seeing
+the violences every where committed, hired Flibustiers to be guards in
+their houses, hoping that by being well paid they would be satisfied and
+protect them against others. Some observed this compact and were faithful
+guardians; but the greater number robbed those they undertook to defend.
+For this among other reasons, De Pointis resolved to rid the city of them.
+On a report, which it is said himself caused to be spread, that an army
+of 10,000 Indians were approaching _Carthagena_, he ordered the
+Flibustiers out to meet them. Without suspecting any deception, they went
+forth, and were some days absent seeking the reported enemy. As they were
+on the return, a message met them from the General, purporting, that he
+apprehended their presence in the city would occasion some disturbance,
+and he therefore desired them to stop without the gates. On receiving this
+message, they broke out into imprecations, and resolved not to delay their
+return to the city, nor to be kept longer in ignorance of what was passing
+there. When they arrived at the gates they found them shut and guarded by
+the King's troops. Whilst they deliberated on what they should next do,
+another message, more conciliating in language than the former, came to
+them from M. de Pointis, in which he said that it was by no means his
+intention to interdict them from entering _Carthagena_; that he only
+wished they would not enter so soon, nor all at one time, for fear of
+frightening the inhabitants, who greatly dreaded their presence. The
+Flibustiers knew not how to help themselves, and were necessitated to take
+up their quarters without the city walls, where they were kept fifteen
+days, by which time the collection of treasure from the inhabitants was
+completed, the money weighed, secured in chests, and great part embarked.
+De Pointis says, 'as fast as the money was brought in, it was immediately
+carried on board the King's ships.' The uneasiness and impatience of the
+Flibustiers for distribution of the booty may easily be imagined. On their
+re-admission to the city, the merchandise was put up to sale by auction,
+and the produce joined to the former collection; but no distribution took
+place, and the Flibustiers were loud in their importunities. M. de Pointis
+assigned as a reason for the delay, that the clerks employed in the
+business had not made up the accounts. He says in his Narrative, 'I was
+not so ill served by my spies as not to be informed of the seditious
+discourses held by some wholly abandoned to their own interest, upon the
+money being carried on board the King's ships.' To allay the ferment, he
+ordered considerable gratifications to be paid to the Buccaneer captains,
+also compensations to the Buccaneers who had been maimed or wounded, and
+rewards to be given to some who had most distinguished themselves during
+the siege;--and he spoke with so much appearance of frankness of his
+intention, as soon as ever he should receive the account of the whole, to
+make a division which should be satisfactory to all parties, that the
+Buccaneers were persuaded to remain quiet.
+
+[Sidenote: Value of the Plunder.] The value of the plunder is variously
+reported. Much of the riches of the city had been carried away on the
+first alarm of the approach of an enemy. De Pointis says 110 mules laden
+with gold went out in the course of four days. 'Nevertheless, the honour
+acquired to his Majesty's arms, besides near eight or nine millions that
+could not escape us, consoled us for the rest.' Whether these eight or
+nine millions were crowns or livres M. de Pointis' account does not
+specify. It is not improbable he meant it should be understood as livres.
+Many were of opinion that the value of the booty was not less than forty
+millions of livres; M. du Casse estimated it at above twenty millions,
+besides merchandise.
+
+M. de Pointis now made known that on account of the unhealthiness of the
+situation, he had changed his intention of leaving a garrison and keeping
+_Carthagena_, for that already more Frenchmen had died there by sickness
+than he had lost in the siege. He ordered the cannon of the _Bocca-chica
+Castle_ to be taken on board the ships, and the Castle to be demolished.
+On the 25th of May, orders were issued for the troops to embark; and at
+the same time he embarked himself without having given any previous notice
+of his intention so to do to M. du Casse, from whom he had parted but a
+few minutes before. The ships of the King's fleet began to take up their
+anchors to move towards the entrance of the harbour, and M. de. Pointis
+sent an order to M. du Casse for the Buccaneers and the people of the
+Colony to embark on board their own vessels.
+
+M. du Casse sent two of his principal officers to the General to demand
+that justice should be done to the Colonists. Still the accounts were said
+not to be ready; but on the 29th, the King's fleet being ready for sea, M.
+du Pointis sent to M. du Casse the Commissary's account, which stated the
+share of the booty due to the Colonists, including the Governor and the
+Buccaneers, to be 40,000 crowns.
+
+What the customary manner of dividing prize money in the French navy was
+at that time, is not to be understood from the statement given by De
+Pointis, which says, 'that the King had been pleased to allow to the
+several ships companies, a tenth of the first million, and a thirtieth
+part of all the rest.' Here it is not specified whether the million of
+which the ships companies were to be allowed one-tenth, is to be
+understood a million of _Louis_, a million crowns, or a million livres.
+The difference of construction in a large capture would be nearly as three
+to one. It requires explanation likewise what persons are meant to be
+included in the term 'ships companies.' Sometimes it is used to signify
+the common seamen, without including the officers; and for them, the
+one-tenth is certainly not too large a share. That in any military
+service, public or private, one-tenth of captures or of plunder should be
+deemed adequate gratification for the services of all the captors,
+officers included, seems scarcely credible. In the _Carthagena_ expedition
+it is also to be observed, that the dues of the crown were in some
+measure compromised by the admission of private contributions towards
+defraying the expence. The Flibustiers had contributed by furnishing their
+own vessels to the service.
+
+Du Casse when he saw the account, did not immediately communicate it to
+his Colonists, deterred at first probably by something like shame, and an
+apprehension that they would reproach him with weakness for having yielded
+so much as he had all along done to the insulting and imperious
+pretensions of De Pointis. Afterwards through discretion, he delayed
+making the matter public until the Colonists had all embarked and their
+vessels had sailed from the city. He then sent for the Captains, and
+acquainted them with the distribution intended by M. de Pointis, and they
+informed their crews.
+
+
+
+
+ CHAP. XXVII.
+
+ _Second Plunder of =Carthagena=. Peace of =Ryswick, in 1697=.
+ Entire Suppression of the =Buccaneers= and =Flibustiers=._
+
+
+[Sidenote: 1697. May.] The share which M. de Pointis had allotted of the
+plunder of _Carthagena_ to the Buccaneers, fell so short of their
+calculations, and was felt as so great an aggravation of the contemptuous
+treatment they had before received, that their rage was excessive, and in
+their first transports they proposed to board the Sceptre, a ship of 84
+guns, on board which M. de Pointis carried his flag. This was too
+desperate a scheme to be persevered in. After much deliberation, one among
+them exclaimed, 'It is useless to trouble ourselves any farther about such
+a villain as De Pointis; let him go with what he has got; he has left us
+our share at _Carthagena_, and thither we must return to seek it.' The
+proposition was received with general applause by these remorseless
+robbers, whose desire for vengeance on De Pointis was all at once
+obliterated by the mention of an object that awakened their greediness for
+plunder. They got their vessels under sail, and stood back to the devoted
+city, doomed by them to pay the forfeit for the dishonesty of their
+countryman.
+
+The matter was consulted and determined upon without M. du Casse being
+present, and the ship in which he had embarked was left by the rest
+without company. When he perceived what they were bent upon, he sent
+orders to them to desist, which he accompanied with a promise to demand
+redress for them in _France_; but neither the doubtful prospect of distant
+redress held out, nor respect for his orders, had any effect in
+restraining them. M. du Casse sent an officer to M. de Pointis, who had
+not yet sailed from the entrance of _Carthagena Harbour_, to inform him
+that the Buccaneers, in defiance of all order and in breach of the
+capitulation which had been granted to the city, were returning thither to
+plunder it again; but M. de Pointis in sending the Commissary's account
+had closed his intercourse with the Buccaneers and with the Colonists, at
+least for the remainder of his expedition. M. du Casse's officer was told
+that the General was so ill that he could not be spoken with. The Officer
+went to the next senior Captain in command of the fleet, who, on being
+informed of the matter, said, 'the Buccaneers were great rogues, and ought
+to be hanged;' but as no step could be taken to prevent the mischief,
+without delaying the sailing of the fleet, the chief commanders of which
+were impatient to see their booty in a place of greater security, none was
+taken, and [Sidenote: June.] on the 1st of June the King's fleet sailed
+for _France_, leaving _Carthagena_ to the discretion of the Buccaneers. M.
+de Pointis claims being ignorant of what was transacting. 'On the 30th of
+May,' he says, 'I was taken so ill, that all I could do, before I fell
+into a condition that deprived me of my intellect, was to acquaint Captain
+Levi that I committed the care of the squadron to him.'
+
+If M. de Pointis acted fairly by the people who came from _France_ and
+returned with him, it must be supposed that in his sense of right and
+wrong he held the belief, that 'to rob a rogue is no breach of honesty.'
+But it was said of him, '_Il etoit capable de former un grand dessein, et
+de rien epargner pour le faire reussir_;' the English phrase for which is,
+'he would stick at nothing.'
+
+On the 1st of June, M. du Casse also sailed from _Carthagena_ to return to
+_St. Domingo_. Thus were the Flibustiers abandoned to their own will by
+all the authorities whose duty it was to have restrained them.
+
+The inhabitants of _Carthagena_ seeing the buccaneer ships returning to
+the city, waited in the most anxious suspense to learn the cause. The
+Flibustiers on landing, seized on all the male inhabitants they could lay
+hold of, and shut them up in the great church. They posted up a kind of
+manifesto in different parts of the city, setting forth the justice of
+their second invasion of _Carthagena_, which they grounded on the perfidy
+of the French General De Pointis ('_que nous vous permettons de charger de
+toutes les maledictions imaginables_,') and on their own necessities.
+Finally, they demanded five millions of livres as the price of their
+departing again without committing disorder. It seems strange that the
+Buccaneers could expect to raise so much money in a place so recently
+plundered. Nevertheless, by terrifying their prisoners, putting some to
+the torture, ransacking the tombs, and other means equally abhorrent, in
+four days time they had nearly made up the proposed sum. It happened that
+two Flibustiers killed two women of _Carthagena_ in some manner, or under
+some circumstances, that gave general offence, and raised indignation in
+the rest of the Flibustiers, who held a kind of trial and condemned them
+to be shot, which was done in presence of many of the inhabitants. The
+Buccaneer histories praise this as an act of extraordinary justice, and a
+set-off against their cruelties and robberies, such as gained them the
+esteem even of the Spaniards. The punishment, however merited, was a
+matter of caprice. It is no where pretended that they ever made a law to
+themselves to forbid their murdering their prisoners; in very many
+instances they had not refrained, and in no former instance had it been
+attended with punishment. The putting these two murderers to death
+therefore, as it related to themselves, was an arbitrary and lawless act.
+If the women had been murdered for the purpose of coming at their money,
+it could not have incurred blame from the rest. These remarks are not
+intended in disapprobation of the act, which was very well; but too highly
+extolled.
+
+Having almost completed their collection, they began to dispute about the
+division, the Flibustiers pretending that the more regular settlers of the
+colony (being but landsmen) were not entitled to an equal share with
+themselves, when a bark arrived from _Martinico_ which was sent expressly
+to give them notice that a fleet of English and Dutch ships of war had
+just arrived in the _West Indies_. This news made them hasten their
+departure, and shortened or put an end to their disputes; for previous to
+sailing, they made a division of the gold and silver, in which each man
+shared nearly a thousand crowns; the merchandise and negroes being
+reserved for future division, and which it was expected would produce much
+more.
+
+The Commanders of the English and Dutch squadrons, on arriving at
+_Barbadoes_, learnt that the French had taken _Carthagena_. They sailed on
+for that place, and had almost reached it, when they got sight of De
+Pointis' squadron, to which they gave chase, but which escaped from them
+by superior sailing.
+
+[Sidenote: An English and Dutch Squadron fall in with the Buccaneers.] On
+the 3d or 4th of June, the Flibustiers sailed from _Carthagena_ in nine
+vessels, and had proceeded thirty leagues of their route towards
+_Hispaniola_, when they came in sight of the English and Dutch fleet. They
+dispersed, every one using his best endeavours to save himself by flight.
+The two richest ships were taken; two were driven on shore and wrecked,
+one of them near _Carthagena_, and her crew fell into the hands of the
+Spaniards, who would have been justified in treating them as pirates; but
+they were only made to work on the fortifications. The five others had the
+good fortune to reach _Isle Avache_. To conclude the history of the
+Carthagena expedition, a suit was instituted in _France_ against M. de
+Pointis and the _armateurs_, in behalf of the Colonists and Flibustiers,
+and a decree was obtained in their favour for 1,400,000 livres; but the
+greater part of the sum was swallowed up by the expenses of the suit, and
+the embezzlements of agents.
+
+The Carthagena expedition was the last transaction in which the
+Flibustiers or Buccaneers made a conspicuous figure. It turned out to
+their disadvantage in many respects; but chiefly in stripping them of
+public favour. [Sidenote: September. Peace of Ryswick.] In September 1697,
+an end was put to the war, by a Treaty signed at _Ryswick_. By this
+treaty, the part of the Island _St. Christopher_ which had belonged to the
+French was restored to them.
+
+In earlier times, peace, by releasing the Buccaneers from public demands
+on their services, left them free to pursue their own projects, with an
+understood license or privilege to cruise or form any other enterprise
+against the Spaniards, without danger of being subjected to enquiry; but
+the aspect of affairs in this respect was now greatly altered. [Sidenote:
+Causes which led to the suppression of the Buccaneers.] The Treaty of 1670
+between _Great Britain_ and _Spain_, with the late alliance of those
+powers against _France_, had put an end to buccaneering in _Jamaica_; the
+scandal of the second plunder of _Carthagena_ lay heavy on the Flibustiers
+of _St. Domingo_; and a circumstance in which both _Great Britain_ and
+_France_ were deeply interested, went yet more strongly to the entire
+suppression of the cruisings of the Buccaneers, and to the dissolution of
+their piratical union; which was, the King of _Spain_, Charles the IId.
+being in a weak state of health, without issue, and the succession to the
+crown of _Spain_ believed to depend upon his will. On this last account,
+the kings of _Great Britain_ and _France_ were earnest in their endeavours
+to give satisfaction to _Spain_. Louis XIV. sent back from _France_ to
+_Carthagena_ the silver ornaments of which the churches there had been
+stripped; and distinction was no longer admitted in the French Settlements
+between Flibustier and Pirate. The Flibustiers themselves had grown tired
+of preserving the distinction; for after the Peace of _Ryswick_ had been
+fully notified in the _West Indies_, they continued to seize and plunder
+the ships of the English and Dutch, till complaint was made to the French
+Governor of _Saint Domingo_, M. du Casse, who thought proper to make
+indemnification to the sufferers. Fresh prohibitions and proclamations
+were issued, and _encouragement_ was given to the adventurers to become
+planters. The French were desirous to obtain permission to trade in the
+Spanish ports of the _Terra Firma_. Charlevoix says, 'the Spaniards were
+charmed by the sending back the ornaments taken from the churches at
+_Carthagena_, and it was hoped to gain them entirely by putting a stop to
+the cruisings of the Flibustiers. The commands of the King were strict and
+precise on this head; that the Governor should persuade the Flibustiers to
+make themselves inhabitants, and in default of prevailing by persuasion,
+to use force.'
+
+Many Flibustiers and Buccaneers did turn planters, or followed their
+profession of mariner in the ships of merchants. Attachment to old habits,
+difficulties in finding employment, and being provided with vessels fit
+for cruising, made many persist in their former courses. The evil most
+grievously felt by them was their proscribed state, which left them no
+place in the _West Indies_ where they might riot with safety and to their
+liking, in the expenditure of their booty. Not having the same inducement
+as formerly to limit themselves to the plundering one people, they
+extended their scope of action, and robbed vessels of all nations. Most of
+those who were in good vessels, quitted the West Indian Seas, and went
+roving to different parts of the world. Mention is made of pirates or
+buccaneers being in the _South Sea_ in the year 1697, but their particular
+deeds are not related; and Robert Drury, who was shipwrecked at
+_Madagascar_ in the year 1702, relates, 'King Samuel's messenger then
+desired to know what they demanded for me? To which, Deaan Crindo sent
+word that they required two _buccaneer_ guns.'
+
+At the time of the Peace of _Ryswick_, the Darien Indians, having
+quarrelled with the Spaniards, had become reconciled to the Flibustiers,
+and several of the old Flibustiers afterwards settled on the _Isthmus_ and
+married Darien women.
+
+[Sidenote: Providence Island.] One of the _Lucayas_, or _Bahama Islands_,
+had been settled by the English, under the name of _Providence Island_. It
+afforded good anchorage, and the strength of the settlement was small,
+which were conveniencies to pirates that induced them to frequent it; and,
+according to the proverbial effect of evil communication, the inhabitants
+were tempted to partake of their plunder, and assist in their robberies,
+by purchasing their prize goods, and supplying them with all kinds of
+stores and necessaries. This was for several years so gainful a business
+to the Settlement, as to cause it to be proverbial in the _West Indies_;
+that 'Shipwrecks and Pirates were the only hopes of the _Island
+Providence_.'
+
+[Sidenote: 1700-1. Accession of Philip Vth. to the Throne of Spain.] In
+three years after the Peace of _Ryswick_, Charles the IId of Spain died,
+and a Prince of the House of Bourbon mounted the Spanish Throne, which
+produced a close union of interests between _France_ and _Spain_. The
+ports of Spanish America, both in the _West Indies_ and in the _South
+Sea_, were laid open to the merchants of _France_. The _Noticia de las
+Expediciones al Magalhanes_ notices the great resort of the French to the
+_Pacific Ocean_, 'who in an extraordinary manner enriched themselves
+during the war of the Spanish succession.' In the French Settlements in
+the _West Indies_ the name of Flibustier, because it implied enmity to the
+Spaniards, was no longer tolerated.
+
+On the breaking out of the war between _Great Britain_ and _France_ which
+followed the Spanish succession, the English drove the French out of _St.
+Christopher_, and it has since remained wholly to _Great Britain_. M. le
+Comte de Gennes, a Commander in the French Navy, who a few years before
+had made an unsuccessful voyage to the _Strait of Magalhanes_, was the
+Governor of the French part of the Island at the time of the
+surrender[90].
+
+During this war, the Governors of _Providence_ exercised their authority
+in granting commissions, or _letters of reprisal_; and created Admiralty
+Courts, for the _condemnation_ of captured vessels: for under some of the
+Governors no vessels brought to the adjudication of the Court escaped that
+sentence. These were indirect acts of piracy.
+
+The last achievement related of the Flibustiers, happened in 1702, when a
+party of Englishmen, having commission from the Governor of _Jamaica_,
+landed on the _Isthmus_ near the _Samballas Isles_, where they were joined
+by some of the old Flibustiers who lived among the Darien Indians, and
+also by 300 of the Indians. They marched to some mines from which they
+drove the Spaniards, and took 70 negroes. They kept the negroes at work in
+the mines twenty-one days; but in all this exploit they obtained no more
+than about eighty pounds weight of gold.
+
+Here then terminates the History of the Buccaneers of _America_. Their
+distinctive mark, which they undeviatingly preserved nearly two
+centuries, was, their waging constant war against the Spaniards, and
+against them only. Many peculiarities have been attributed to the
+Buccaneers in other respects, some of which can apply only to their
+situation as hunters of cattle, and some existed rather in the writer's
+fancy than in reality. Mariners are generally credited for being more
+eccentric in their caprices than other men; which, if true, is to be
+accounted for by the circumstances of their profession; and it happens
+that they are most subjected to observation at the times when they are
+fresh in the possession of liberty and money, earned by long confinement
+and labour.
+
+It may be said of the Buccaneers that they were, in general, courageous
+according to the character of their leader; often rash, alternately
+negligent and vigilant, and always addicted to pleasure and idleness. It
+will help to illustrate the manners and qualifications of the Buccaneers
+in the _South Sea_, to give an extract from the concluding part of
+Dampier's manuscript journal of his Voyage round the World with the
+Buccaneers, and will also establish a fact which has been mentioned before
+only as a matter surmised[91]. Dampier says,
+
+[Sidenote: Extract from Dampier.] 'September the 20th, 1691, arrived in
+the _Downs_ to my great joy and satisfaction, having in my voyage ran
+clear round the Globe.--I might have been master of the ship we first
+sailed in if I would have accepted it, for it was known to most men on
+board that I kept a Journal, and all that knew me did ever judge my
+accounts were kept as correct as any man's. Besides, that most, if not all
+others who kept journals in the voyage, lost them before they got to
+_Europe_, whereas I preserved my writing. Yet I see that some men are not
+so well pleased with my account as if it came from any of the Commanders
+that were in the _South Sea_, though most of them, I think all but
+Captain Swan, were incapable of keeping a sea journal, and took no account
+of any action, neither did they make any observations. But I am only to
+answer for myself, and if I have not given satisfaction to my friends in
+what I have written, the fault is in the meanness of my information, and
+not in me who have been faithful as to what came to my knowledge.'
+
+Countenanced as the Buccaneers were, it is not in the least surprising
+that they became so numerous. With the same degree of encouragement at the
+present time, the Seas would be filled with such adventurers. It was
+fortunate for the Spaniards, and perhaps for the other maritime Nations of
+_Europe_, that the Buccaneers did not make conquest and settlement so much
+their object as they did plunder; and that they took no step towards
+making themselves independent, whilst it was in their power. Among their
+Chiefs were some of good capacity; but only two of them, Mansvelt and
+Morgan, appear to have contemplated any scheme of regular settlement
+independent of the European Governments, and the time was then gone by.
+Before _Tortuga_ was taken possession of for the Crown of _France_, such a
+project might have been undertaken with great advantage. The English and
+French Buccaneers were then united; _England_ was deeply engaged and fully
+occupied by a civil war; and the jealousy which the Spaniards entertained
+of the encroachments of the French in the _West Indies_, kept at a
+distance all probability of their coalescing to suppress the Buccaneers.
+If they had chosen at that time to have formed for themselves any regular
+mode of government, it appears not very improbable that they might have
+become a powerful independent State.
+
+In the history of so much robbery and outrage, the rapacity shewn in some
+instances by the European Governments in their West-India transactions,
+and by Governors of their appointment, appears in a worse light than that
+of the Buccaneers, from whom, they being professed ruffians, nothing
+better was expected. The superior attainments of Europeans, though they
+have done much towards their own civilization, chiefly in humanising their
+institutions, have, in their dealings with the inhabitants of the rest of
+the globe, with few exceptions, been made the instruments of usurpation
+and extortion.
+
+After the suppression of the Buccaneers, and partly from their relicks,
+arose a race of pirates of a more desperate cast, so rendered by the
+increased danger of their occupation, who for a number of years preyed
+upon the commerce of all nations, till they were hunted down, and, it may
+be said, exterminated. Of one crew of pirates who were brought before a
+Court of Justice, fifty-two men were condemned and executed at one time,
+in the year 1722.
+
+
+ FINIS.
+
+
+
+
+ FOOTNOTES:
+
+
+[1] _Lebreles de pressa._
+
+[2] The name _Saint Domingo_ was afterwards applied to the whole Island by
+the French, who, whilst they contested the possession with the Spaniards,
+were desirous to supersede the use of the name _Espanola_ or _Hispaniola_.
+
+[3] _Historia General de las Indias_, por _Gonc. Hernandez de Oviedo_,
+lib. 19. cap. 13. Also _Hakluyt_, vol. iii. p. 499, edit. 1600.
+
+[4] _Camden's Elizabeth_, A. D. 1680.
+
+[5] _Hist. des Antilles, par P. du Tertre._ Paris, 1667. Tome I. p. 415.
+
+[6] _La Rochefort, sur le Repas des Carribes._
+
+[7] _History of Brasil, by Robert Southey_, p. 17.
+
+[8] In some of the English accounts the name is written _Bucanier_; but
+uniformity in spelling was not much attended to at that time. Dampier
+wrote _Buccaneer_, which agrees with the present manner of pronouncing the
+word, and is to be esteemed the best authority.
+
+[9] The French account says, that after taking possession of _Tortuga_,
+the Adventurers divided into three classes: that those who occupied
+themselves in the chase, took the name of Boucaniers; those who went on
+cruises, the name of Flibustiers; and a third class, who cultivated the
+soil, called themselves _Habitans_ (Inhabitants.) See _Histoire des
+Avanturiers qui se sont signalez dans les Indes. Par. Alex. Ol. Oexmelin_.
+Paris 1688, vol. i. p. 22.
+
+[10] The Governor or Admiral, who granted the commission, claimed one tenth
+of all prizes made under its authority.
+
+[11] It is proper to mention, that an erroneously printed date, in the
+English edition of the _Buccaneers of America_, occasioned a mistake to be
+made in the account given of Narbrough's Voyage, respecting the time the
+Buccaneers kept possession of _Panama_. See Vol. III. of _Voyages and
+Discoveries in the South Sea_, p. 374.
+
+[12] _Theatro Naval Hydrographico._ Cap. xi. See also of Peche, in Vol.
+III. of _South Sea Voyages and Discoveries_, p. 392.
+
+[13] _Not. de las Exp. Magal._ p. 268, of _Ult. Viage al Estrecho_.
+
+[14] _Buccaneers of America_, Part III. Ch. xi.
+
+[15] 'They never forfeit their word. The King has his commission from the
+Governor of _Jamaica_, and at every new Governor's arrival, they come over
+to know his pleasure. The King of the Mosquitos was received by his Grace
+the Duke of Portland (Governor of _Jamaica_, A. D. 1722-3) with that
+courtesy which was natural to him, and with more ceremony than seemed to
+be due to a Monarch who held his sovereignty by commission.'--'The
+Mosquito Indians had a victory over the Spanish Indians about 30 years
+ago, and cut off a number; but gave a Negro who was with them, his life
+purely on account of his speaking English.' _History of Jamaica._ London
+1774. Book i. Ch, 12. And _British Empire in America_, Vol. II. pp. 367 &
+371.
+
+[16] _Case of His Majesty's Subjects upon the Mosquito Shore, most humbly
+submitted_, &c. London, 1789.
+
+[17] _Narrative by Basil Ringrose_, p. 5.
+
+[18] _De Rochfort_ describes this animal under the name _Javaris_. _Hist.
+Nat. des Isles Antilles_, p. 138, edit. 1665. It is also described by
+_Pennant_, in his _Synopsis of Quadrupeds_, Art. _Mexican Wild Hog_.
+
+[19] _Ringrose._ _Buccaneers of America_, Part IV. p. 10. The early
+morning drum has, in our time, been called the _Reveiller_. Either that or
+_a travailler_ seems applicable; for according to _Boyer_, _travailler_
+signifies to trouble, or disturb, as well as to work; and it is probable,
+from the age of the authority above cited, that the original term was _a
+travailler_.
+
+[20] _Narrative by Basil Ringrose_, p. 3.
+
+[21] _Ringrose_, p. 11.
+
+[22] _Ringrose_, Chap. ix.
+
+[23] No. 48 in the same collection is a manuscript copy of Ringrose's
+Journal, but varied in the same manner from the Original as the printed
+Narrative.
+
+[24] _Ringrose_, p. 44.
+
+[25] _Ringrose_ and _Sharp_.
+
+[26] _Sharp's Journal_, p. 72.
+
+[27] _Buccaneers of America_, Part III, p. 80.
+
+[28] Nos. 239. and 44. in the _Sloane Collection of Manuscripts_ in the
+_British Museum_, are probably the charts and translation spoken of above.
+No. 239. is a book of Spanish charts of the sea-coast of _New Spain_,
+_Peru_, and _Chili_, each chart containing a small portion of coast, on
+which is drawn a rude likeness of the appearance of the land, making it at
+the same time both landscape and chart. They are generally without
+compass, latitude, or divisions of any kind by lines, and with no
+appearance of correctness, but apparently with knowledge of the
+coast.--No. 44. is a copy of the same, or of similar Spanish charts of the
+same coast, and is dedicated to King Charles II. by Bartholomew Sharp.
+
+[29] _Sharp's Manuscript Journal. Brit. Mus._
+
+[30] Morgan continued in office at _Jamaica_ during the remainder of the
+reign of King Charles the IId.; but was suspected by the Spaniards of
+connivance with the Buccaneers, and in the next reign, the Court of
+_Spain_ had influence to procure his being sent home prisoner from the
+_West Indies_. He was kept three years in prison; but without charge being
+brought forward against him.
+
+[31] _British Empire in America_, Vol. II. p. 319.
+
+[32] _Dampier_, Vol. I, p. 73.
+
+[33] In the Sloane Collection, _Brit. Mus._
+
+[34] _Cowley's MS. Journal. Sloane Collection_, No. 54.
+
+[35] See also _Pernety's Journal_, p. 179, English translation.
+
+[36] _Dampier's Manuscript Journal_, No. 3236, _Sloane Collection, British
+Museum_.
+
+[37] The writer of Commodore Anson's Voyage informs us that Juan Fernandez
+resided some time on the Island, and afterwards abandoned it.
+
+[38] _Dampier's Voyages_, Vol. I, Chap. 5.
+
+[39] The latter part of the above extract is from Cowley's
+Manuscript.--Captain Colnet when at the _Galapagos_ made a similar remark.
+He says, 'I was perplexed to form a conjecture how the small birds which
+appeared to remain in one spot, supported themselves without water; but
+some of our men informed me that as they were reposing beneath a prickly
+pear-tree, they observed an old bird in the act of supplying three young
+ones with drink, by squeezing the berry of a tree into their mouths. It
+was about the size of a pea, and contained a watery juice of an acid and
+not unpleasant taste. The bark of the tree yields moisture, and being
+eaten allays the thirst. The land tortoise gnaw and suck it. The leaf of
+this tree is like that of the bay-tree, the fruit grows like cherries; the
+juice of the bark dies the flesh of a deep purple.' _Colnet's Voyage to
+the South Sea_, p. 53.
+
+[40] _Dampier_, Vol. I, p. 112.
+
+[41] _Dampier_, Vol. I, Chap. 5. This description does not agree with the
+Spanish Charts; but no complete regular survey appears yet to have been
+made of the Coast of _New Spain_.
+
+[42] _Dampier_, Vol. I, Chap. 5.
+
+[43] _Ibid._
+
+[44] _Dampier_, Vol. I, Chap. 6.
+
+[45] _Dampier_, Vol. I, Chap. 6. To search for this wreck with a view to
+recover the treasure in her, was one of the objects of an expedition from
+_England_ to the _South Sea_, which was made a few years subsequent to
+this Buccaneer expedition.
+
+[46] _Dampier_, Vol. I, Chap. 6.
+
+[47] _Manuscript Journal in the Sloane Collection._
+
+[48] See _Cowley's Voyage_, p. 34. Also, Vol. III. of _South Sea
+Discoveries_, p. 305.
+
+[49] _Dampier_, Vol. I, Chap. 6.
+
+[50] Dampier.
+
+[51] _Wafer's Voyages_, p. 196.
+
+[52] _Dampier_, Vol. I, Chap. 7.
+
+[53] _Journal du Voyage au Mer du Sud, par Rav. de Lussan_, p. 25.
+
+[54] _Dampier_, Vol. I, Chap. 8.
+
+[55] _Dampier._
+
+[56] _Voyage and Description_, &c. _by Lionel Wafer_, p. 191, and seq.
+London, 1699.
+
+[57] _Dampier. Manuscript Journal._
+
+[58] _Wafer's Voyages_, p. 208.
+
+[59] _Colnet's Voyage to the Pacific_, pp. 156-7.
+
+[60] _Journal of a Cruize to the Pacific Ocean, by Captain David Porter,
+in the years 1812-13 & 1814._
+
+[61] _Cruising Voyage round the World, by Captain Woodes Rogers, in the
+years 1708 to 1711_, pp. 211 and 265, 2d edition. London, 1718.
+
+[62] _Wafer's Voyages_, p. 214 & seq.
+
+[63] _Dampier_, Vol. I. Chap. 13, p. 352.
+
+[64] _Wafer's Voyages_, p. 220.
+
+[65] _Dampier_, Vol. I, Chap. 8.
+
+[66] _Dampier_, Vol. I, Chap. 9.
+
+[67] Late Observations place _Acapulco_ in latitude 16 deg. 50' 41'' N, and
+longitude 100 deg. 0' West of _Greenwich_.
+
+[68] _Dampier._
+
+[69] See Chart in Spilbergen's Voyage.
+
+[70] _Dampier's Manuscript Journal._
+
+[71] _Dampier_, Vol. I, p. 257.
+
+[72] In some old manuscript Spanish Charts, the _Chametly Isles_ are laid
+down SE-1/2S about 12 leagues distant from _Cape Corrientes_.
+
+[73] According to Captain Vancouver, _Point Ponteque_ and _Cape
+Corrientes_ are nearly North and South of each other. Dampier was nearest
+in-shore.
+
+[74] The Manuscript says, the farthest of the _Chametlan Isles_ from the
+main-land is not more than four miles distant.
+
+[75] _Dampier_, Vol. I, Chap. 9.
+
+[76] _Manuscript Journal._
+
+[77] Dampier's Reckoning made the difference of longitude between _Cape
+Corrientes_ and the _Island Guahan_, 125 degrees; which is 16 degrees more
+than it has been found by modern observations.
+
+[78] _Dampier._ _Manuscript Journal_, and Vol. I, Chap. 10. of his printed
+Voyages.
+
+[79] The Ladrone flying proa described in Commodore Anson's voyage, sailed
+with the belly or rounded side and its small canoe to windward; by which
+it appears that these proas were occasionally managed either way, probably
+according to the strength of the wind; the little parallel boat or canoe
+preserving the large one upright by its weight when to windward, and by
+its buoyancy when to leeward.
+
+[80] _Dampier_, Vol. I, Chap. 11.
+
+[81] _Dampier_, Vol. I, Chap. 14. The long Island is named _Basseelan_ in
+the charts; but the shape there given it does not agree well with
+Dampier's description.
+
+[82] M. de Surville in 1769, and much more lately Captain A. Murray of the
+English E. I. Company's Service, found the South end of _Monmouth Island_
+to be in 20 deg. 17' N.
+
+[83] _Manuscript Journal._
+
+[84] In the printed Voyage, the shoal is mistakenly said to lie SbW from
+the East end of _Timor_. The Manuscript Journal, and the track of the ship
+as marked in the charts to the 1st volume of _Dampier's Voyages_, agree in
+making the place of the shoal SbW from the West end of _Timor_; whence
+they had last taken their departure, and from which their reckoning was
+kept.
+
+[85] _A Voyage by Edward Cooke_, Vol. I, p. 371. London, 1712.
+
+[86] _Raveneau de Lussan_, p. 117.
+
+[87] _'Ce moyen etoit a la verite un peu violent, mais c'etoit l'unique
+pour mettre les Espagnols a la raison.'_
+
+[88] _Theatro Naval._ fol. 61, 1.
+
+[89] _Relation du Voyage de M. de Gennes_, p. 106. Paris, 1698.
+
+[90] Pere Labat relates a story of a ridiculous effort in mechanical
+ingenuity, in which M. de Gennes succeeded whilst he was Governor at
+_Saint Christopher_. 'He made an Automaton in the likeness of a soldier,
+which marched and performed sundry actions. It was jocosely said that M.
+de Gennes might have defended his government with troops of his own
+making. His automaton soldier eat victuals placed before it, which he
+digested, by means of a dissolvent,'--_P. Labat_, Vol. V. p. 349.
+
+[91] See p. 207, near the bottom.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+Transcriber's Note: Illustrations have been moved. Some sidenotes have
+been moved, separated or merged. Some repetitive sidenotes have been
+deleted. The following changes were made in the transcription of this
+work:
+
+ to settle what constitues[constitutes] occupancy.
+ recommended to King Ferdinand to recal[recall] Ovando.
+ Pere[Pere] Labat describes
+ first cruisers againt[against] the Spaniards were English
+ ['Camoes de Gama': Macron on e in Camoes is now omitted.]
+ Vattel has decribed[described] this case.
+ during a time of peace betwen[between]
+ apppearance[appearance] of the land
+ and was no[not] otherwise clad than
+ the rest of his sqadron[squadron]
+ The fruit is like the sea chesnut[chestnut]
+ The same kind of maoeuvring[manoeuvring]
+ of the _S[ta] Maria de l'Aguada_
+ and it was in[an] honour due from him
+ who granted the commisson[commission]
+ at _Saint Christopher_. [']He made an Automaton
+ by means of a dissolvent,[']--_P. Labat_,
+ [oe ligatures: ligature now omitted.]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of History of the Buccaneers of America, by
+James Burney
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