Part 27

Where we rode we could see Spots of high Land, which I suppose was the Continent join’d by low Land between it; the Northermost bore N. by E. half E. about 16 Leagues distance: I take it to be the Starboard Entrance into the Gulph or Strait of _California_; the nearest Land to us bore E.N.E. about 12 Leagues, and the Southermost E. S. E. at least 17 Leagues, very high, which I believe is the next Headland to the Northward of Cape _Corientes_. I had but two Opportunities to see it just at Sun-rising, because ’twas very hazey during our Stay here, so that I might err in the Distance; but the best Directions for these Islands is thus: We account the nearest bears N.N.W. from Cape _Corientes_ 28 Leagues, and that it lies in the Lat. 21°. 15´´. N. and Longit. 111°. 40´´. West from _London_. I return to my Journal.

_Octob. 28._ At 6 this Evening the Westermost Island bore E.N.E. 15 Leagues. The Wind has been very little, and veerable, with a great Swell out of the N.W. I sent our Yawl with a Lieutenant aboard the _Dutchess_ and _Marquiss_, with whom we agreed to spread as we ran to the Northward, that the _Acapulco_ Ship might not pass us, if they should arrive sooner than we expected: We agreed to be to the Leeward, the _Marquiss_ to Windward, and the _Dutchess_ between us, and all to keep in sight of each other. I order’d our Surgeons and Mr. _Vanbrugh_ to see the Inside of the Physick Chest that Capt. _Dover_ left us, and take an Inventory of what was in it. We saw no more of the Islands.

_Octob. 29._ Still easy Gales, and sometimes quite calm, and extream hot. We can hardly keep our Ground against the Current, that runs strong to the Southward. We are in the same Latitude, and I judge about the same Place we were 2 Days ago.

_Octob. 30._ This Morning one of our Negro Women cry’d out, and was deliver’d of a Girl of a tawny Colour; Mr. _Wasse_ our chief Surgeon was forced to discharge the Office of a Midwife in a close Cabbin provided for that Purpose; but what we most wanted was good Liquor, to keep up, or imitate the Womens laudable Custom of a refreshing Cup, on such an Occasion. I accidentally found a Bottle of thick strong _Peru_ Wine, a good Part of which was given to the sick Woman, who desir’d more than we could spare her. She had not been full 6 Months amongst us, so that the Child could belong to none of our Company. But to prevent the other she-Negro (call’d _Daphne_) from being debauch’d in our Ship, I gave her a strict Charge to be modest, with Threats of severe Punishment, if she was found otherwise. One of the _Dutchess_’s black Nymphs having transgressed this Way, was lately whip’d at the Capston. This I mention to satisfy the censorious, that we don’t countenance Lewdness, and that we took those Women aboard, only because they spoke _English_, and begg’d to be admitted for Landresses, Cooks and Semstresses.

_Nov. 1._ This Day we saw high Land, being the Point of _California_. By Noon the Westermost in sight bore W. by N. 8 Leagues, and the Northermost N. half W. about 10 Leagues. We had an Observation Lat. 22°. 55´´. Long. 113°. 38´´. W. from _London_.

_Nov. 2._ The Westermost Land we set yesterday Noon, we make to be Cape St. _Lucas_, the Southermost Head-land of _California_. We agreed on Signals and Stations; and to spread S.W. into the See, off of this Cape that now bore N. by W. from us.

[Sidenote: _Cruising off Cape St. Lucas._]

_Nov. 3._ Our Stations being concluded, I was to be the outermost Ship, the _Dutchess_ in the middle, and the _Marquiss_ next the Land; with the Bark to ply and carry Advice from Ship to Ship: The nearest Ship to be 6 Leagues at least, and 9 at most from the Land: By this Agreement, we could spread 15 Leagues, and see any thing that might pass us in the Day, within 20 Leagues of the Shore. And to prevent the Ships passing in the Night, we were to ply to Windward all Day, and drive at Night. Whilst we were together, we at last settled the Form of our Agreement for each Ship; that all the Ships Companies might sign it, for every one to give an Account of all Plunder he has received, that he may be charged with what’s more than his Share; and those (now or for the future suspected or accus’d of Concealment) when demanded shall give their Oaths before the Commanders, to the Truth of their Accounts, and if any one was found to conceal above the Value of half a Piece of 8. he is to be severely punished, and fined 20 Times its Value: This we did to deter every one from fraudulent Practices, which if we should happily take this Ship, might also prevent Disorders.

_Nov. 4._ I order’d a Sailor into Irons, for threatning the Cooper; and one _Peter Clark_, an ill abusive Fellow, I order’d to have the like Punishment, because he had wished himself aboard a Pirate, and said he should be glad that an Enemy, who could over-power us, was a-long-side of us.

_Nov. 5._ Yesterday in the Afternoon the _Dutchess_ being near, I sent our Yawl aboard with Lieut. _Glendall_, to agree more exactly on some remarkable Land, that each of us knowing the same Land Mark, might the better keep our Stations. We agreed also, that the _Marquiss_ should now be in the middle, and the _Dutchess_ next the Shore, as being the properest Stations. This Morning we put all manner of Lumber and Chests down, designing to keep all as clear as possible, that we might not be in a Hurry if near the _Acapulco_ Ship.

_Nov. 6._ This Day ended our Stock of Turtle we had at the _Marias_; being all Shes, with Eggs in them, they would not keep so long as those we had at the _Gallapagos_ Islands: We have for some Days thrown more dead Turtle overboard than we kill’d for eating.

_Nov. 7._ Yesterday I went aboard the _Marquiss_, and desir’d them to tell Capt. _Courtney_, when he came off the Shore, that we would take the inner Birth, and exchange again for the same Number of Days, that we might have equal Chances for seeing the _Manila_ Ship; because I now think the inner Birth the likeliest. Sir _Thomas Cavendish_, in Queen _Elizabeth_’s Time, took the _Manila_ Ship in this Place on the 4th of _November_.

_Nov. 12._ Yesterday Afternoon, all our Ships Company sign’d the before-mention’d Agreement, finally to settle Plunder. At the same time we sign’d another Agreement, to prevent gaming and wagering: some of our Crews having already lost most of their Clothes, and what else they could make away with. To prevent those loose and dissolute Courses, we sign’d both Agreements as follows.

_We the Officers, Seamen and Landmen belonging to the Ship_ Duke, _having made several former Agreements concerning the equal sharing of Plunder, do now desire and agree, That each Man give an exact Account of all Clothes, Goods of Value, or Necessaries of any kind he had, over and above his Dividend deliver’d him at_ Gorgona, _or had purchased of others since, to be rightly charged to him in his Account of Plunder, by the Agents appointed; and to restore whatever he had taken without the Agents Knowledge, and to prevent any Persons detaining and concealing any Goods or Riches of any kind, now or for the future, more than their respective Shares, in order to a right Distribution of Plunder, except Arms, Chests, Knives_, Roman _Relicks, Scizzars, Tobacco, loose Books, Pictures, and worthless Tools and Toys, and Bedding in use, which are not included in this Agreement; and those that have already only things of this kind, are not liable to a Penalty: We do voluntarily sign this, and offer our selves to be obliged firmly by these Presents, to be under the Penalty of 20 Shillings for every Shilling value taken hid or conceal’d by any of us, or removed out of any Prize without written Orders from the Commanders publickly; and that none but the Agents already named, or to be named hereafter, shall detain in Possession any Plunder; but whatever is found conceal’d shall be valued, and the Persons that hid it to be fin’d as aforesaid, which Penalty we acknowledge to be laid on us by our own Desire, Consent, and Approbation, over and above the former Penalty agreed on, That any Person shall loose his share of every Prize or Purchase taken, whether Cargo or Plunder, that conceals of either the Value of half a Piece of 8. and this to remain in Force, to the End of the Voyage._

_And to encourage Discoveries of such Concealments, what-ever Person discovers the Fraud of any, who shall be so imprudent as to detain more than his due, in any Goods that has not been shar’d before as Plunder, or purchas’d of the Owners Agent or Commanders; the Informer of such Fraud shall have one Half given him gratis, out of the Offenders Shares and Wages; the other Half for the use of the Ships Company as Plunder; which Information shall be encouraged by the Commanders of each Ship, in order to prevent Frauds, as long as this Voyage holds; and that ever hereafter Accounts shall be made up, and the Plunder immediately adjudg’d to prevent Confusion._

[Sidenote: _Cruising off Cape St. Lucas._]

_We likewise agree, That if any of us hereafter shall without farther Proof be accus’d of concealing Plunder or Goods of Value, belonging to any Prize, he shall, on request, before a Committee of all or either of the Ships Commanders and chief Officers, voluntarily make Affidavit to answer fully and satisfactorily to such Questions as shall then and there be demanded of him, in order to prevent fraudulent Concealments, and on his Refusal, agrees to be punish’d or degraded, and to be subject to such Penalty as a general Committee shall think fit to inflict on him or them. Every one hereunto subscribed is within 3 Days from the Date hereof to settle his Account of Plunder; after which time, this Instrument is in full Force and not before._

Sign’d by the Officers and Men of each Ship.

The Agreement to prevent Gaming was as follows.

_We the Ship’s Company belonging to the Ship_ Duke _now in the_ South Seas, _being Adventurers so far to improve our Fortunes in a private Man of War, under the Command of Capt._ Woodes Rogers, _who has a lawful Commission from his Royal Highness Prince_ George _of_ Denmark,[138] _and considering the apparent Hazard of our Lives in these remote Parts; do mutually agree to prevent the growing Evil now arising amongst us, occasion’d by frequent Gaming, Wagering, and abetting at others Gaming, so that some by chance might thus too slightly get Possession of what his Fellow-Adventurers have dangerously and painfully earn’d. To prevent this intolerable Abuse, we shall forbear and utterly detest all Practices of this kind for the future during the whole Voyage, till our safe Arrival in_ Great Britain, _where good Laws of this kind take place, and designing effectually to confirm this our Desire and Agreement, We do jointly remit all sorts of Notes of Hand, Contracts, Bills, or Obligations of any kind whatsoever, that shall any ways pass, directly or indirectly, sign’d by either of us after the Date hereof, provided the Sum in each Note be for Gaming, Wagering, or Abetting any way whatsoever by any of us; and to prevent our being misled for the future, all manner of Obligations of this kind, and for this Consideration, shall be wholly invalid, and unlawful here, and in_ Great Britain _or_ Ireland; _And throughly to secure this Method, we farther jointly agree, that no Debt from this Time forward shall be lawfully contracted from Man to Man amongst us, unless by the Commanders Attestation, and enter’d on the Ship’s Book, it shall appear done publickly and justly to prevent each others Frauds being conniv’d at amongst us; And that none of us may fraudulently do ill things of this kind for the future, and make a Pretence to Ignorance, We have all publickly and voluntarily set our Hands, desiring the true Intent and Meaning hereof may take place without the least Evasion, it being (as we very well know) for our common Interest and publick good, that not one of us employ’d on this dangerous and remote Undertaking, might be so unhappy to arrive at his wish’d for Country and Habitation poor and dejected: And being throughly sensible of the Necessity of this Agreement, we have set our Hands._

Sign’d by all the Officers and Men in each Ship in sight of _California_, Nov. 11. 1709.

_Nov. 13._ The Water being discolour’d, and we near the Shore, we hove the Lead but found no Ground.

_Nov. 17._ Yesterday we sent the Bark to look for Water on the Main, and this Morning they return’d, having seen wild _Indians_ who padled to them on Bark Logs; they were fearful of coming near our People at first, but were soon prevail’d with to accept of a Knife or two and some Bays, for which they return’d 2 Bladders of Water, a Couple of live Foxes, and a dear Skin. Till now we thought the _Spaniards_ had Missionaries among those People, but they being quite naked, having no sign of _European_ Commodities, nor the least Word of _Spanish_; we conclude they are quite savage. We dispatch’d the Bark and Boat a second Time with odd Trifles, in hopes to get some Refreshment from ’em.

_Nov. 19._ Before Sun set last Night we could perceive our Bark under the Shore, and having little Wind she drove most part of the Night, that she might be near us in the Morning. We sent our Pinnace, and brought the Men aboard, who told us, that their new Acquaintance were grown very familiar, but were the poorest Wretches in Nature, and had no manner of Refreshment for us. They came freely aboard to eat some of our Victuals; and by Signs invited our Men ashore; the _Indians_ swam a-shore in the Water to guide the Bark Logs, that our Men were on, there being too much Sea to land out of our Boat: After they got safe on Shore the _Indians_ led each of our Men betwixt two of ’em, up the Bank, where there was an old naked Gentleman with a Deer-skin spread on the Ground, on which they kneeled before our People, who did the like, and wip’d the Water off their Faces, without a Cloth; those that led them from the Water-side, took the same Care of ’em for a quarter of a Mile, and led them very slowly thro’ a narrow Path to their Hutts, where they found a dull Musician rubbing two jagged Sticks a-cross each other, and humming to it, to divert and welcome their new Guests. After the Ceremonies were over, our People sat on the

[Sidenote: _Cruising off Cape St. Lucas._]

Ground with them, eat broil’d Fish, and were attended back in the same manner, with the _Indian_ Musick. The Savages brought a Sample of every thing they had except their Women, Children, and Arms, which we find are not common to Strangers: Their Knives made of Sharks Teeth, and a few other of their Curiosities, our People brought aboard to me, which I have preserved to shew what Shifts may be made.

_Nov. 21._ Last Night we saw a Fire ashore, which we interpreted to be a Signal from the Inhabitants, that they had got something extraordinary for us; and we wanting Refreshments, sent our Bark and Boat this Morning with one of our Musicians, to shew that we could at least equal them in Musick.

_Nov. 22._ Our Boat return’d and brought an Account, that they had found a very good Bay, with a fresh Water River, and that they saw near 500 _Indians_, who lived there in small Hutts, but had no Recruit for us, besides a little Fish. They met them as customary, and pilotted the Bark to that Place, which we suppose was the same that Sir _Thomas Cavendish_ recruited at in Queen _Elizabeth’s_ Time, _Anno_ 1588.

_Nov. 23._ Our main Top-Gallant-Mast being broke, we got up another, but the Rope breaking the Mast fell down upon the Deck, amongst the Men, but by God’s Providence hurt no body. At 8 last Night our Ship sprung a Leak; so that we were forced to keep one Pump a going.

_Nov. 25._ Capt. _Courtney_ came aboard in his Yawl, and complain’d his Stock of Water was almost spent; I agreed with him to send in our Pinnace, and a Bark, to supply them with Water.

_Nov. 26._ This Morning our Pinnace return’d from Shore, brought 3 Barrels of Water, and 2 very large Fish from the _Indians_, which serv’d most of the Ships Company. Those that came from the Shore observed the _Indians_ were not so friendly to our Men as customary.

_Nov. 27._ They refus’d to let them come ashore after it was Night, which could not be to prevent their thieving, because the miserable Wretches had nothing to lose; yet they are jealous to keep what they have; and though they make no Use of their Land, might be afraid of Rivals.

_Nov. 28._ Yesterday in the Afternoon we heard the _Marquiss_ fire a Gun, which was answer’d by the _Dutchess_, who had the middle Birth. We tackt immediately, and made all possible Sail, supposing they had seen a Stranger; the _Marquiss_ stood to us towards the Shore, and we soon met her; by 4 a Clock I was aboard them, and enquiring into the Cause of the Alarm, was surpriz’d to hear they took us for the _Manila_ Ship, and the Gun they fired was to alarm the _Dutchess_ to give chase, as she had done all the day, tho’ not regarded by us, who knew the _Marquiss_, and admir’d they could mistake the _Duke_. Immediately each Ship return’d to his Station; soon after our Main-tye gave way, and our Main-yard came down at once, but did no other Damage. This Morning we saw the Bark coming off Shore, where she had been becalm’d; being longer wanting than usual, we were afraid they were cut off by the _Indians_. We got our Bale Goods up from abaft to see for the Leak, but all to no purpose; we found some of the Bales that had receiv’d old Damages, which we dry’d and re-pack’d, and sold what was damaged among the Ship’s Company.

_Nov. 29._ Last Night our Lazareto[139] Door being broke open, and losing Bread and Sugar, this Morning I order’d a Search, and found the Thief; I blam’d the Steward for his Remisness; he told me he lay next the Door, with the Key fastned to his Privy Parts, because he had it once stoln out of his Pocket, I suppose by the same Thief, who was so dextrous to get it now without disturbing him; but not being ingenious enough to fasten it to the same Place, he was discover’d. His Mess-mate was also guilty, but knowing his Friends in _Bristol_, I was unwilling to punish him, tho’ Provisions being scarce, it makes the Crime the greater, for we expect no Recruit till we get to the _East Indies_. I order’d the first to be severely whipt at the Geers,[140] and the other and a _Dutchman_ to be afterwards left with him in Irons.

_Dec. 9._ Mr. _Duck_ the Master of the Bark came aboard, and presented me with some Dolphins he had from the _Indians_. I order’d our Master to go with him, and endeavour, if possible, to discover the Shore along to the Northward, to find out a better Harbour than that where the _Indians_ lived, and if they met with the _Dutchess_, to tell Capt. _Courtney_, I thought it convenient for one of the Ships to go into the Bay we had already discover’d, and there to take in Water and Wood, _&c._ so to fit our Ships by turns to save time, and consequently Provisions, which begin to grow short with us. We were now something dubious of seeing the _Manila_ Ship,

[Sidenote: _Cruising off Cape St. Lucas._]

because it’s near a Month after the time they generally fall in with this Coast.

_Dec. 14._ Yesterday I went aboard the _Dutchess_, where ’twas agreed the _Marquiss_ should go into the Harbour and refit with all manner of Dispatch. In the mean time we to keep the outer Birth, and the _Dutchess_ to be betwixt us and the Shore, and to cruize but 8 Days longer, without we had a Prospect of the _Manila_ Ship, because our Provisions grow short.

_Dec. 20._ Having compar’d our Stock of Bread, and of what would serve to prolong it, we agreed that a Committee should be held, and that every one should give his Opinion in Writing, whether we should attempt taking a Town to victual us, and so continue the Cruize for some time longer; or to make all possible Dispatch to refit, and sail hence for the Island _Guam_, one of the _Ladrones_, and there if possible to get a fresh Recruit. My Opinion was as follows.

On board the Ship _Duke_, cruising off Cape _St._ Lucas _in_ California, this 19_th_ of _December_, 1709.

_Eight Days ago I was with Capts._ Courtney _and_ Cooke, _and computed what Bread there might be left aboard the 3 Ships; and we all agreed there might be 64 Days Bread of all sorts for each Ship, when equally divided_.

_Since which Time there is 8 Days spent, } so that there should be left no more } _56 Days Bread_, than_ }

_But on a Rumage of both Ships_ Duke } _and_ Dutchess, _and strictly computing } every thing that will help prolong } _14 Days more Bread_, our Bread, we hope to make_ }

_Which may be in all 70 Days Bread to come_,

_We must expect before we can get fitted } hence to spend at least 9 Days, and } add to that our Passage to_ Guam, } _59 Days Bread_, _which we can’t think will be less than } 50 Days, is_ } ---- 11

_By this Account, which is the utmost,--11 Days Bread will be left when we come to_ Guam.

_I am of opinion now we have search’d each others Ships to prevent Frauds, that there can be no more than 11 Days Bread left when we come to_ Guam, _as above, except we shorten our Allowance very much, which we can’t do till driven to the last Extremity, our Allowance being very small already; but if we should have an unexpected long Passage from hence to_ Guam, _it will go hard with us at the present Allowance, besides we are not certain of a Recruit at_ Guam.

* * * * *

_By the foregoing Account it’s plain what Flower and Bread-kind we have left, and the risque we must now run to get to the_ East-Indies, _with so mean a Stock. This I doubt not will be full Satisfaction to our Imployers, that we have prolonged our Cruize to the utmost Extent, in hopes to meet the Rich_ Manila _Ship: But since Fortune has not favour’d us, we must think of other Methods to promote our Safety and Interest. Except we resolve to take a Town here to victual us, ’tis evident we can’t cruize, and ’tis my Opinion, that now our Time is so far spent, we ought to attempt nothing more in these Seas, lest our too long Stay might be the Loss of all, because the Worm has already entred our Sheathing, For these and other Reasons, I think it highly necessary, that from this Instant we make all manner of Dispatch to fit, and sail hence for the Island of_ Guam, _one of the_ Ladrones _Islands, and there, if possible, to get a fresh Recruit, and consult how farther to proceed for the Interest of our Imployers, and our own Advantage and Reputation. This I give as my Opinion aboard the_ Dutchess, _this_ 20th _of_ December, 1709.

Woodes Rogers.

This my Opinion being perused with the rest, we came to the following Resolve.