Part 22

_June 9._ Yesterday in the Afternoon our Boats return’d and brought the Prize with them, being a small Bark of about 35 Tuns, call’d the _Golden Sun_; she belong’d to a Creek within this Island, on the Main, and was bound for _Guiaquil_, _Andros Enriques_ Master, with 10 _Spaniards_ and _Indians_, and some _Negroes_; no Cargo but a very little Gold Dust, and a large Gold Chain, together about 500 _l._ value, which were secur’d aboard the _Dutchess_. The Prize design’d to purchase Salt and Brandy with ’em. The Prisoners said they had no Notice of us, so that News does not spread in this Country so fast as we believ’d, especially this Way; the Land being, as I am informed, full of Woods and Rivers, and bad for Travellers or Posts. About 6 in the Evening there was a Consultation on board the _Dutchess_, with some of my Officers, Capt. _Dover_ and others; being discompos’d I was not with them, but resolved to act in consortship, according to their Agreement. After they had examin’d the Prisoners, they resolved to go to _Malaga_, an Island which had a Rode, where we design’d to leave our Ships, and with our Boats row up the River, for the rich Gold Mines of _Barbacore_, call’d also by the _Spaniards_, the Mines of St. _Juan_, from a Village about two Tides up the River of that Name; there we design’d to surprize Canoes, as fitter than our Boats to go against the Stream; for this Time of the Year being subject to great Rains, which makes a strong Fresh down the River, our Pilot, an old _Spaniard_, did not propose to get up to the Mines in less than 12 Days. I had often before suspected his Knowledge, but according to their Resolutions on board the _Dutchess_ we came to sail about 12 a Clock at Night, and steer’d N. E. for the Place. In the Morning I discours’d Captain _Morrel_, as I had done several Times before, and all the rest of the Prisoners, who agreed that this Island, call’d _Malaga_, was an unfrequented Place, and not fit for Ships, that ever they heard of. I had also 2 Prisoners aboard, that were taken in the last Prize, who had been at the said Island very lately; I examin’d ’em separately, and they agreed, that a Ship could not be safe there, and the Place being so narrow, ’twas impossible to get in, but with the Tide, which ran very strong; that the Entrance was full of Shoals, and had not Water enough, but at Spring Tides, for our Ships to get out or in; besides that if a Ship gets loose (as we must moar Head and Stern) she would turn all adrift, and very much endanger the whole; they added that the River was so narrow before we could get to the Mines, that the _Indians_ and _Spaniards_ might fell Trees a cross, and cut off our Retreat, there being thick Woods on the Banks of the River, from whence the _Indians_ would gall us with their poison’d Arrows; for those about the Mines were in Amity with the _Spaniards_, and a bold and a very numerous People. Upon this Information I was surpriz’d that the Council had not inform’d themselves better before they resolved on going to this Place, and immediately sent Mr. _White_ our Linguist with the two Prisoners, on board the _Dutchess_, to undeceive Capt. _Courtney_ and his Officers, and to desire his Company with some of the rest without Loss of Time, that we might agree how to act for our Safety and Interest, and not to proceed farther on this hazardous Enterprize.

_June 10._ Yesterday Afternoon Capt. _Courtney_ and Capt. _Cook_ came aboard us. We immediately agreed to return to _Gorgona_, to refit our Prizes, and that there we would come to a final Resolution. We saw the Island at 6 in the Evening, bearing S. W. Distance about 8 Leagues. In the Night, we had much Rain with Lightning and Squalls of Wind, by which the _Havre de Grace_ lost her main Top-mast. This Morning died _Jonathan Smyth_, a Smith by Trade, and Armourer’s Mate of our Ship. I went on board the _Havre de Grace_ and _Dutchess_, and lent them what was necessary for their Assistance. Our Men being very much fatigued, many of them sick, and several of our Good Sailors dead, we are so weak, that should we meet an Enemy in this Condition, we could make but a mean Defence. Every thing looks dull and discouraging, but it’s in vain to look back or repine in these Parts.

_June 11._ We had good Soundings, but came no nearer the Shore than 36 Fathom Water, it being uncertain Soundings, and dangerous for Ships to venture within that Depth here.

_June 12._ Had rainy Weather, with little or no Wind. At 8 this Morning saw the Island of _Gorgona_; bore S. half W. distant about 9 Leagues. We impatiently long to be there again, at an Anchor, being in an ordinary Condition to keep the Sea, tho’ when there, we are open to all Advantages against us, if the Enemy is out after us, which we expect, and that this is a Place they will search, but having no other Place so convenient, we must run the Risque of it.

_June 13._ About 4 in the Morning we came to an Anchor again at _Gorgona_, in 40 Fathom Water, and most of both Ships Officers having some Thoughts of Careening[134] here. We held the following Committee:

_GORGONA_: 13 June, 1709. At a Committee held on Board the _Duke_.

_We have agreed on Mr._ Lancelot Appleby _to succeed Mr._ Samuel Hopkins, _and Mr._ Robert Knowlesman _to succeed Mr._ John Rogers, _who being deceased, these we approve as the fittest Men to be Members of a Committee in their Places; and having at the same time consider’d the Necessity of cleaning our Ships, we do desire Capt._ Courtney _to use all manner of Dispatch to get ready for a Careen, and that the Men and Officers assist him as much as possible, and then he to assist the_ Duke, _as soon as his Ship is compleated, and off the Careen, because one Ship_

[Sidenote: _At Gorgona._]

_ought to be in a Readiness to protect the other, whilst on a Careen, in case we be attack’d by the Enemy._

Tho. Dover, _Pres._ Wm. Stratton, Woodes Rogers, Cha. Pope, Step. Courtney, Tho. Glendall, Wm. Dampier, John Connely, Edw. Cooke, John Bridge. Rob. Frye,

While we were together, we agreed to fit out the _Havre de Grace_ with twenty Guns, and put Men out of each Ship aboard her, under Captain _Cook_’s Command, resolving to carry her home with us, and to make a third Ship to cruise in our Company, whilst in these Seas.

_June 14._ I proposed before, we should careen at Port _a Penees_, because it was an unfrequented Place, and good Harbour, where we might lie sometime undiscover’d, and from thence go to the Bay of _Panama_, when ready; but considering our present Condition, every body seem’d most inclinable to stay here, which I the more readily agreed to, because it was pleasing to the rest, and that, if any Casualty happen’d, I might not be reflected on, if I had over-perswaded them to go elsewhere. We began, according to agreement, to careen the _Dutchess_ first, and I to lye on the Guard the mean while, in case of being attack’d, which we had reason to fear, having been so long from _Guiaquil_. The _Dutchess_ began to make ready for a Careen. Captain _Courtney_ and I went a fishing together, and had pretty good Luck, Fish being plenty here.

_June 15._ We had indifferent fair Weather, but very sultry. We put all our sick Men, with our Consort’s on board the Galeon, being about 70 in Number, besides sick Officers, whom we put on board the _Havre de Grace_.

_June 16._ We built a Tent a-shore for the Armourer and Cooper; set several Men to cutting of Wood, and clearing a Place for the sick Mens Tents.

Nothing remarkable pass’d from the 16th, but that we had frequent Thunder, Lightning and Rain, which retarded our Careening the _Dutchess_, till the 21st that we finish’d her, and began upon our Ship: We were forc’d to carry most of our Stores ashore, for want of Barks, which are full of the _Dutchess_’s Provisions and Materials. We seldom miss catching good Fish daily, and keep a Boat and Men imploy’d for that purpose, there being very little Refreshment in the Island. We spent till the 25th in careening; the Sea swelling into the Road hinder’d us heaving our Keel wholly out; however we clean’d within less than 2 Streaks of the Keel; and being upright again,

_June 28._ We got our Provisions aboard, and mounted all our Guns; so that in 14 Days we had calk’d our Ships all round, careen’d, rigg’d and stow’d them again, both fit for the Sea; which was great Dispatch, considering what we had to do was in an open Place, with few Carpenters, and void of the usual Conveniencies for careening. The _Spaniards_ our Prisoners being very dilatory Sailors, were amazed at our Expedition, and told us, they usually take 6 Weeks or 2 Months to careen one of the King’s Ships at _Lima_, where they are well provided with all Necessaries, and account it good Dispatch.

_June 29._ Yesterday in the Afternoon we built a Tent ashore for the Sick, who are now much better than when we came to the Island, neither the Weather nor the Air here being half so bad as the _Spaniards_ represented, which made us think ’twould be worse than we found it. This Morning we got the sick Men into their Tents, and put the Doctors ashore with them: We unloaded the _Havre de Grace_, and chose a Place very easy to lay her ashore, to clean her Bottom. A clear Sand about a Mile and half from the Place where we rode, near the South End of the Island.

_June 30._ I went to her this Morning, and left Capts. _Courtney_ and _Cooke_, with the Carpenters, _&c._ to grave her Bottom, whilst I took the most experienced Prisoners, and walked through the Island (which is every where full of Wood) to look out Masts for her. The _Spaniards_ knew best what Wood was most fit for this Purpose here. We found one Tree proper to be a Fore-mast, having before that cut down a great Tree big enough, but a wrong sort of Wood. All the Timber here is too heavy, but we must use it, her old Masts and Yards being unserviceable, her Sails rotten, and very little of her Cordage fit to be us’d; so that it’s near equal to rigging out a-new. She is a very sharp Ship, but lies easy on soft red Sand, which is dry at little more than half Tide. The Worms had not much damag’d her Bottom, but her Rudder and Cut-water[135] were eaten to pieces. It flows 15 Foot at Spring Tides.

_July 1._ We have Men imploy’d in our Tents ashore, to prepare the Rigging as fast as possible; a Rope-maker at work to make twice-laid Cordage, and a Smith, Block-maker

[Sidenote: _At Gorgona in Peru._]

and Sail-maker at the same time; so that we want no Tradesmen to fit her out. Necessity makes us of all Trades on this occasion.

The Natives of Old _Spain_ are accounted but ordinary Mariners, but here they are much worse; all the Prizes we took being rather cobled than fitted out for the Sea: So that had they such Weather as we often meet with in the _European_ Seas in Winter, they could scarce ever reach a Port again, as they are fitted, but they sail here hundreds of Leagues. The _French_ us’d her as a Victualling Ship, and sold her at _Lima_, as they have done several others, for 4 times the Money they cost in _Europe_. ’Tis certainly a good Method they took at first trading hither, to bring a Victualling Ship with no other Goods but Provisions and Stores along with ’em. Generally one of these small Ships comes out with two Traders, and since in six, nine, or 12 Months time, which they stay in these Seas, they expend their Provisions, and lessen their Men by Mortality or Desertion, they sell their Victualling Ship, and being recruited with Men and Provisions out of her, they return well victualled and mann’d to _France_. But now they put into _Chili_, where they sell the remaining Part of their Cargo, and salt up a new Stock of Provisions for their homeward bound Passage, so that they need bring no more Victuallers.

_July 2._ We had Showers of Rain, with Thunder and Lightning last Night, and few Nights are without Rain, but ’tis pretty dry in the day-time. This day I got a fine Tree for the Main-mast; the Island is so cover’d with Trees, that we are forced to clear a Place for a Yard to work in. The Wood that we us’d for Masts and Yards is 3 sorts, but the best is _Maria_ Wood, of the Colour and Grain of our _English_ Oak, all of the Cedar Kind, good Timber, but very heavy. There are several other sorts fit for Masts, but Care must be taken not to use any that is short-grain’d, or soft and white when green.

_July 3._ The Prize Flower we took in Bags being much damag’d by the Rats, I order’d the Coopers to put it up in 36 Casks: The little _English_ Bread we have left is eaten as hollow as a Honeycomb, and so full of Worms, that it’s hardly fit for Use. Last Night we met aboard our Ship to consult of the quickest Method for Dispatch, and the Officers agreed each to take his Share of looking after the Ships, and forwarding the several Workmen: So that most of our little Commonwealth being ashore very busy, ’twas a Diversion for me to oversee the several Companies at work in our Yard, from Break of Day till Night, which otherwise in this hot Country would have been very burthensome to me.

We were imploy’d till the 9_th_ in refitting the _Havre de Grace_, and when finish’d call’d her the _Marquis_. We saluted each of the other Ships with 3 Huzzas from on board her, distributed Liquor among the Company, drank her Majesty’s and our Owners Healths, and to our own good Success. The Ship look’d well, so that we all rejoic’d in our new Consort to cruize with us. The next thing we did was to clear Mr. _Selkirk’s_ Bark to carry our Prisoners to the Main, who being 72 in Number, were very chargeable to maintain; but we could not discharge them sooner, lest they should have allarm’d the Country, and inform’d the _French_ and _Spanish_ Men of War where to find us. But being now almost ready to depart, we call’d a Committee, and came to the following Resolutions.

At a Committee held on board the Duke, riding at Anchor in the Road of _Gorgona_, _July 9, 1709_.

_We think it convenient to turn all our Prisoners ashore, in a Bark already provided for that purpose, and at the same time to Plunder the Settlements on the Main opposite to this Island, and do desire Capt._ Thomas Dover, _Mr._ Robert Fry, _and Mr._ William Stratton _to command the Bark and 45 Men on the same Expedition, and to make what Dispatch they can, and return hither with such Refreshments, &c. as they can get for our sick Men_.

Tho. Dover, _Pres._ William Stratton, Woodes Rogers, Cha. Pope, Stephen Courtney, John Connely, William Dampier, John Ballett, Edw. Cooke, John Bridge, Robert Frye, Lan. Appleby.

After this we gave them the following Instructions.

_Capt._ Tho. Dover, _Mr._ Robert Frye, _Mr. W._ Stratton, Gorgona, 9 July, 1709.

_Gentlemen_,

[Sidenote: _At Gorgona._]

_We having agreed with you in a Committee, That you take a Bark under your Care, and transport our Prisoners to the Main, and having order’d about 45 Men under your Command to proceed with you, and attempt the Plundering where you judge convenient: We only recommend the utmost Dispatch, and that you keep in mind, we hope to be ready in 8 Days, and shall earnestly expect you as much as possible within that Time. Other things relating to this you’ll know better how to act than we can here direct._

_Should a powerful Enemy attempt us in your Absence, we’ll be certain to leave a Glass Bottle buried at the Root of the Tree whence the Fore-mast was cut, to acquaint you, then_ Quibo _is the Place we will wait for you at, if we are well, and you must leave a Glass Bottle at this Place in case we return hither again: But this we don’t expect, if once chas’d away._

Woodes Rogers, Tho. Glendall, Stephen Courtney, John Connely, William Dampier, Geo. Milbourne, Edward Cooke, John Bridge, William Bath, John Ballett, Cha. Pope,

_July 10._ Early this Morning we put our 72 Prisoners aboard the Bark. We had several times discours’d our Prisoners, the two _Morells_, and _Don Antonio_ about ransoming the Goods, and were in hopes of selling them to advantage, but deferr’d coming to Particulars, till now that we plainly saw, unless they could have the Cargoes under a quarter Value, they would not deal with us. I propos’d going to _Panama_, and to lie 6 Days as near it as they pleas’d, till they brought the Money we should agree for at a moderate Rate; provided they left a Hostage aboard us, whom on failure we would carry to _England_. To this they would have agreed, provided we would take 60000 Pieces of Eight for all the Prize Goods. Then I propos’d their ransoming the Galleon, and putting good part of the Goods aboard her, provided one of them three and another they could procure would be Hostages for the Sum. They answer’d, That neither of them would go Hostage to _England_ for the World. Then I propos’d delivering the Galleon and Cargo to them here, provided 2 of them would be Ransomers to pay us the Money at any other Place but _Panama_ or _Lima_, in Six Days, if they would give us 120000 Pieces of Eight, being the lowest Price we could take for all the Prizes and Goods, Negroes, _&c._ They told us that Trade with Strangers, especially the _English_ and _Dutch_, was so strictly prohibited in those Seas, that they must give more than the prime Cost of the Goods in Bribes, to get a License to deal with us: So that they could not assure us of Payment, unless we sold the Goods very cheap; therefore not finding it worth our Time, and knowing the Danger we must run in treating with them, we desisted, and order’d them all ashore, still hoping that this would necessitate the _Morells_ and _Navarre_ to get Money for us, and prevent our burning the Ships, and what we can’t carry away. Every one now wish’d we had kept some others of the topping Prisoners, to have try’d whether they had a better Foundation and Method to trade; the Goods being of little value to us here, and we must fill our Ships so full, that we fear ’twill spoil our sailing.

_July 11._ Yesterday our Bark and 2 Pinnaces sail’d with our chief Prisoners. _Don Antonio_, the _Fleming_, Sen. _Navarre_, and the _Morells_, who did not expect to part with us so suddenly, but by continuing with us, and knowing we could not carry away all the Prizes and Goods, they hop’d we should of course have freely given them what we could not keep. We apprehended that was the principal Reason of their not closing with our Terms, which were advantageous to them. Besides, should we have been attack’d, they believ’d we must then put them in possession of their Ships, which were of no use for fighting. But to obviate all their Hopes of benefiting themselves at this easy Rate, without our participating of their Money, the Magnet that drew us hither, I made them sensible at parting, that as we had treated them courteously like generous Enemies, we would sell them good Bargains for whatever Money they could bring us in 10 Days time, but that we would burn what we did not so dispose of or carry away. They beg’d we would delay burning the Ships, and promis’d to raise what Money they could, and return within the time to satisfy us.

One of the chief Prisoners we now parted with was _Don Juan Cardoso_, design’d Governor of _Baldivia_, a brisk Man of about 35 Years of Age; he had serv’d as a Collonel in _Spain_, had the Misfortune to be taken in the North Seas by an _English_ Privateer near _Portobello_, and carried to _Jamaica_, from whence he was sent back to _Portobello_: He complain’d heavily of the Usage he met with from the _Jamaica_ Privateer; but we parted very good Friends, and he returned us his hearty Thanks, and a Stone Ring for a Present to one of the Dutchess’s Lieutenants that had lent him his Cabbin while he was sick on board.

[Sidenote: _In Gorgona Road._]

We allow’d Liberty of Conscience on board our floating Commonwealth to our Prisoners, for there being a Priest in each Ship, they had the Great Cabbin for their Mass, whilst we us’d the Church of _England_ Service over them on the Quarter-deck, so that the Papists here were the Low Churchmen.

_July 13._ This Morning our Vessels return’d from landing our Prisoners, and brought off 7 small Black Cattle, about 12 Hogs, 6 Goats, some Limes and Plaintains, which were very welcome to us; they met with little else of Value in the Village they were at, and the others being far up the River, they did not think it worth while to visit them. The Country where they landed was so poor, that our Men gave the Prisoners and Negroes, some Bays, Nails, _&c._ to purchase themselves Subsistance. The Inhabitants ashore had notice of our taking _Guiaquil_, and were jealous of our being at this Island, because they heard our Guns, when we fired in order to scale them after careening. This Place bears S.E. about 7 Leagues from the Body of _Gorgona_, is low Land and full of Mangrove Trees; but within the Country the Land is very high. The River is hard to be found without a Pilot, and has Shole Water for above 2 Leagues from Shore, There are some poor Gold Mines near it, but the Inhabitants agree that those of _Barbacore_ are very rich, tho’ difficult to be attempted, as we were informed before.