Part 1
A
VOYAGE
ROUND THE
WORLD.
Being an ACCOUNT of a
Remarkable Enterprize,
BEGUN
In the Year 1719, chiefly to cruise on the _Spaniards_ in the great _South Ocean_.
Relating the True historical Fasts of that whole Affair:
Testifyd by many imployd therein; and confirmd by Authorities from the Owners.
By _WILLIAM BETAGH_, Captain of Marines in that Expedition.
_LONDON_: Printed for T. COMBES at the _Bible_ and _Dove_ in _Pater-noster Row_, J. LACY at the _Ship_ near _Temple Bar_, and J. CLAKE at the _Bible_ under the _Royal Exchange_. MDCCXXVIII.
To the Right Honorable
GEORGE Vicount TORRINGTON, Admiral and Commander in Chief of his Majesty’s Fleet, and Knight of the Most Honorable Order of the _Bath_.
JOHN COKBURNE, Esq;
Sir JOHN NORRIS, Knt.
Sir CHARLES WAGER, Knt.
Sir THOMAS LYTTLETON, Bart.
The Right Honorable GEORGE Vicount MALPAS, Knt. of the _Bath_; and
SAMUEL MOLYNEUX, Esq;
LORDS COMMISSIONERS for executing the Office of High Admiral of _Great Britain, &c._
* * * * *
_My Lords,_
_Your Lordships are intrusted by the greatest and best of Kings, with the important Office of directing the whole Navy of_ Great-Britain; _the strongest safe-guard to all we possess and injoy. Since therefore all maritime affairs are under your influence and authority, I trust your Lordships will not refuse to accept the answer of one, whose accusation in print hath already been addrest to your Honorable Board. I had the happiness of being several years a purser in the Navy, tho afterwards unfortunately ingaged under the command of captain_ Shelvocke _in this cruising expedition. As his pretended narrative is intirely a deception, and his whole conduct an indignity to his country, I thought it my duty to give your Lordships a genuine account of the man as well as our voyage; which I have done truly and impartially, not without hopes it may prove entertaining. If, my Lords, I am never to meet with any recompense for my hardships, I have yet the satisfaction of asserting the honor of his Majesty’s commission, defending the cause of some of his injured subjects; and being devoted to his perpetual interest, to subscribe my self_,
Your Lordships most humble and most faithful servant,
WILLIAM BETAGH.
ERRATA.
Page 80. line 7. read _marine_. p. 145. l. 17. r. _coco-nuts_. p. 149. l. 12. for _twenty four_ r. _two of our_. p. 160. l. 24. r. _made a sail_. p. 286. l. 21. r. _after taking off_. p. 311. l. 3. r. _Glocester_.
CONTENTS.
SECTION I.
_The undertaking, outset and instructions._ 4-11
_Separation of the Ships._ 13
_Captain_ Clipperton _at the_ Canaries. ib.
_---- ---- at St._ Vincent._ 22
_Captain_ Shelvocke_’s contempt of his owners and officers._ 16-20
_---- ---- his son_ George _an interloper._ 20
_---- ---- arrival at the_ Canaries. 21
_---- ---- conceals the places of rendevous._ 22
_---- ---- consumes the liquors designd for both ships._ 23
_Hipsy, a liquor, its virtues._ ib.
_The_ Emperor’_s colors a protection for pyracy._ 25
_Bad masters how used by pyrates._ 26
_A busker, what._ 27
Shelvocke_’s great generosity._ 31
_---- his artful management and innovations at St._ Katherine_’s, where he makes himself owners agent._ 35-43
_Occurrences there._ 42-51
_---- his trifling accusation of_ Betagh. 52-54
_---- his mean shifts to excuse himself._ 55-57
_---- his passage round cape_ Horne _and dangers at_ Narbrough_’s island and_ Chiloe. 57-61
_---- his whimsical discipline._ 62
_---- his manifest design to destroy some of his people._ 65
_---- his zele for the public._ 68-69
_---- his arrival in the bay of_ Conception. 70
_Grenadiers cap, a joke upon the mitre._ 72
_Privatier’s ambassador described._ ib.
Hatley _in danger from the enemy._ 73
_Five men killd thro_ Shelvocke_’s folly._ 74
Clipperton _in the streights of_ Magellan, _and observations there._ 76-85
_---- his confutation of a pretended_ French _discovery._ 86
_---- at_ Fernandes _island: his low condition and stay there._ 87-90
_---- takes several prizes, one of which the_ Spaniards _regain by stratagem._ 91-95
Shelvocke_’s not keeping company the ruin of the voyage._ 92-97
_Viceroy of_ Peru _is informd of the expedition._ 97
Shelvocke _burns two good ships._ 98
_---- his injustice to_ Betagh _and_ Brooks. 98-100
_---- his wild attack upon_ Arica. 102
_---- gets rid of fifteen of his people._ 104-108
_---- fights the_ Peregrine. 110
Indian _swiming remarkable._ 102
_Comical article in a_ Scotch _journal._ 104
Shelvocke_’s malice to_ Betagh_--which is well answered._ 112-119
SECTION II.
_Success’s_ Journal_._
_Regulations aboard the_ Success. 121
Clipperton _takes several prizes and the Marquis_ de Villa Roche _prisoner._ 122-128
Mitchel _with thirteen_ English_, and ten_ Nigros _sent to dispose of some of the effects._ 124
_An odd instance of a corpse floating._ 128
Indians _diving wonderful._ 129
_News of capt._ Mitchel _at_ Velas. 130
_A plot of the Marquiss to betray_ Clipperton. 130
_---- Treats about his and his family’s ransom._ 131-133
_Isle of_ Tigers _described._ 133
_A plot among the men, despairing to meet with_ Shelvocke. 134
Clipperton _takes more prizes._ 134-135
_A mistake in his conduct._ 136
_---- narrowly escapes the men of war, and some of his men taken prisoners._ 138
Spaniards _behave generously._ 139
Clipperton _chases the_ Flying fish _which had some of the_ English _prisoners aboard._ 141, 142
_---- his men reduced to one small meal in twentyfour hours._ 143, 144
_---- are much refresht at the isle of_ Cocos. 146
_---- meets with captain_ Shelvocke _after two years parting._ 147
_The particulars of their interview, with the reasons of their second separation._ 147-151
Clipperton _crosses over to_ Asia, _and arrives at_ Guam. 151
_The governer makes him a handsom present._ 152
Clipperton _over-reacht by him and the_ Marquis. 153
_---- finds his error and takes to drinking._ 154
_---- his ship runs aground: lieutenant_ Davison _is killd, and the ship almost sunk by the enemy._ 154-156
_The ship at last floats in a wretched condition, and makes for_ China. 156
_Anchors in the gulf of_ Amoy. 161
Clipperton_’s men grow mutinous for their prize-money._ ib.
_---- he is forced by the_ Chinese _to divide the spoil: the amount thereof._ 162-165
_---- his account of the owners moiety._ 165
_---- his arrival at_ Macao. 166
_What became of his people and the ship._ 166-169
SECTION III.
Shelvocke _resolves to lose the_ Speedwel _and cruise in a new bottom._ 170
_The manner how he did it, with the proofs, and his new model of government._ 171-178
_---- celebrates the 10th of_ June _at_ Fernandes. 179
_---- launches the new bark, some of the men staying behind._ 180, 181
_---- fights the_ Margarita; _but wants resolution to board her._ 181-183
_---- heartily attacks another ship._ 183
_---- changes his bark for a good prize._ 184
_---- his account of a very strange sort of hogs._ 186
_---- meets with_ Clipperton _after two years separation._ 187
_Some account of poor_ Mitchel _and his men._ 188
_Missing the_ Acapulco _ship intirely_ Shelvocke_’s fault._ 190
_---- takes another prize and is informed of a truce._ 193, 194
_---- rids himself of six men more._ 195
_A story of_ David Griffith. 197
Shelvocke _extremely reduced, is on the point of surrendering upon the coast._ 198, 199
_Four of his men murderd._ 200
_His wise observations thereon._ 201, 202
_The main crisis of_ Shelvocke_’s project: his taking a rich prize, and dividing the money into particular shares tho all conceald in his book._ 202-207
_An account of his own profits._ 207-209
_His indeavours to palliate the story._ 209-214
_He arrives at_ California; _his reception there; his gallant way of life, and manner of treating the black gentry._ 215-220
_---- arrives at_ China: _his stay and behaviour there; with remarks upon him._ 221-227
_Some of his_ blunderrata _as an author._ 227, 228
_A full account of him since his return to_ England: _with the procedings against him at law; his imprisonment and escape._ 228-233
_A list of his men disperst and lost._ 234
_A final account of captain_ Clipperton. 236
SECTION IV.
Hatley _and others sent a cruising in the_ Mercury: _they fall in with the_ Brilliant _man of war._ 242
_---- would have escaped by a trick; but through the obstinacy of_ John Sprake _are taken._ 243
Betagh _and two more sent to_ Piura _forty mile up the coast:_ Hatley _and the rest sent prisoners to_ Lima _four hundred Mile further._ 244
_The manner of travelling to_ Piura; _with_ Betagh_’s friendly reception and entertainment there._ 245-248
_Description of_ Payta, _and the pedlers in_ Peru. 248-250
_The civility of the admiral and capt._ De Grange. 251
Betagh _carried to_ Lima, where _he, capt._ Hatley, _and his men are likely to suffer as pyrates._ 252
_But through the viceroy’s goodness they all get off, the fact being_ Shelvocke_’s._ ib.
_Sailors of both ships new christend._ 253
_---- drink punch and quarel, and are put in the inquisition._ 255
_---- they are pardond: a good story of ’em after that._ 256
Lima _city described._ 257
_Different mixtures of people distinguisht._ 259
_Their habit, convents and riches._ 260
_Good remark upon the law._ 264
_Climate, earthquakes,_ &c. 266
_Why it never rains thereabouts._ 268
_How they make butter in_ Chili. 269
_Women and pastimes at_ Lima _described._ 270
_Story of a lady who killd her lover._ 273
_Story of two_ Englishmen _who fought a prize there._ 275
_An attempt to find_ Solomon_’s island._ 276
_Full account of the mines of_ Chili _and_ Peru. 279
_None but_ Indians _work in them._ 281
_The discoverer has one half, the king the other._ 282
_Grinding-mills described._ 283
_Gold purifyd sooner than silver._ 284
_Vast quantities of mercury used._ 287
_Silver ore; the different names thereof._ 288
_Mine countries very cold and dry._ 290
_An observation thereon._ 291
Lavaderos _or washing places very remarkable._ 292-296
_Fine scituation of_ Coquimbo, _or_ Serena. 294
_Good account of the creation of metals._ 297-301
Frezier_’s notion about giants._ 301-305
_An opinion about the_ Mosaic _history, and religion of the_ Indians. 307
Chap. 5. _Being a new account of Capt._ Martinet_’s expedition; with remarks on the trade to_ Chili. 308
_French interlopers destroyd: they and the_ Spaniards _disagree._ 313
_The_ Ruby _which met_ Shelvocke _at St._ Catherine, _a very rich ship but then unknown._ 316 _and_ 50
_Some observations conclude the voyage._ 317-324
_The Jesuits settlement in_ Paraguay, _curious and entertaining, translated from the_ French. 325
_Two remarks omitted._ 340
A
VOYAGE
ROUND THE
WORLD,
By Way of the GREAT
_SOUTH SEA_.
Voyages have been always well receiv’d, and especially by _Englishmen_. They seem to sute the genius of the _British_ nation, whose people are particularly distinguish’d for the curiosity of their temper, and the many great exploits of their shipping in all parts of the world. ’Tis true, this sort of history is often writ by unskilful hands; and a fact sometimes loses credit for want of method in telling it: but if the reader meets with something new and authentic, he is generally satisfied: the greatest pleasure of the mind being an addition to our knowledge.
The following book is a united journal of two ships, written chiefly to undeceive mankind in the spurious account of a voyage round the world, publish’d by captain _George Shelvocke_: which account is not only injurious to me, but is intirely the most absurd and false narrative that was ever deliver’d to the publick. And surely a man may be excus’d for setting the world right in any public affair; much more in an enterprise, where the credit and dignity of his country are concern’d. And if our resentments are allow’d to be equal to injuries receiv’d, what must mine be, when stript of property and good name? Both which the said _Shelvocke_ has done his utmost to accomplish: And though some of this treatise is to obviate his many abuses and forgeries, yet I have endeavoured to make even that part entertaining; to avoid giving the reader a mere dry story of his wickedness.
Beside our sea journal, I have collected the observations I made while in the kingdoms of _Chili_ and _Peru_, concerning the _Spanish_ dominions in _America_. The trade, customs, luxury, and gallantry of the _Creolians_. To which I have added an account of their gold and silver mines, their manner of separating the mineral from the ore, and many other things; all which together, I need not doubt, will prove an agreeable history of this voyage.
In the proceding of our two ships I have the pleasure to be well assisted; having procured the original journal of Mr. _George Taylor_, chief mate to captain _Clipperton_, who commanded this expedition, which I shall make use of to invalidate captain _Shelvocke_’s false accounts: which journal will at once let the reader into the most material transactions of _Clipperton_, and convince mankind of his faithful intentions, tho’ _Shelvocke_ has taken such mighty pains to vilify him.
Besides which, I have the concurring evidence of many who were aboard the _Speedwell_; some of which are now in _London_ ready to speak the truth: and tho I am thorowly satisfyd our story will speak it self, yet some of the chief facts are already sworn to; the affidavits being filed in Chancery, and to be seen at the office in _Chancery-lane_.
In the year 1718, during the war between their _Imperial_ and _Catholic_ Majesties, and while a rupture was daily expected between _Great Britain_ and _Spain_; some persons of distinction, and merchants of the city of _London_ agreed upon a subscription, to fit out two private ships of war, under the Emperor’s commission, to cruise upon the _Spaniards_ in the _South Seas_. The chief motives for such an expedition were the desire of being better acquainted with the navigation of that part of the world, to put their seafaring friends into a promising imployment, and the many views they had of a prosperous return from so well concerted an undertaking. But tho the said breach between _Great Britain_ and _Spain_ was known to be unavoidable, yet, upon the delay of actual hostilities, the aforesaid gentlemen were desirous to take the advantage of the war between the _Emperor_ and the king of _Spain_: and in order to have their ships in the _South Sea_ before the season was far advanced, they obtained his _Imperial_ Majesty’s commission, and mand their ships with a good number of his subjects. They named their first ship the _Prince Eugene_, and the other the _Starenberg_. Of this armament _George Shelvocke_ was appointed to be commander in chief, who had sometime serv’d as a lieutenant in the _British_ navy. Whereupon he was forthwith order’d to _Ostend_, there to receive the _Flemish_ officers, the seamen and commission aboard the _Starenberg_: and among other things, receiv’d orders not to fire any guns, or hoist any colours, while in that port; and to take aboard no more than sixty _Flemings_, with three officers; and when he had got his men, wine, and brandy, to proceed directly to the _Downs_.
In the mean time the _Prince Eugene_ arrived in the _Downs_, having been fitted and man’d in the river. Three of the owners went to _Deal_, expecting to meet with both the ships; but were uneasy to find captain _Shelvocke_ was not yet come. However upon his arrival, they inquir’d into the cause of his delay, and were surprised to find he had idly neglected joining his consort as early as he ought; had broke thro’ his orders, made entertainments, hoisted Imperial colours, brought over ninety _Flemings_ and six officers, fir’d away five barrels of powder, began upon his wine and brandy which the owners had put aboard him, and was design’d as the whole stock for both ships, to comfort them in their long and hazardous voyage. And in short so ill did he behave, as to bring his owners to change the command, and in his room appoint _John Clipperton_ captain of the larger ship, and commander in chief, who had made two voyages to the _South Sea_ before. Besides, the _Flemings_ were so many in number, and so ill chosen, that the _British_ seamen grew uneasy. The former having their own officers, seem’d to over-value themselves upon their sovereign’s commission, which was not relished by the _Englishmen_. It occasion’d a mix’d command, and produc’d frequent animosities; so that it was judged impracticable for them to go the voyage together. At length the war being begun between _Great Britain_ and _Spain_ in the _Mediterranean_, the owners agreed to get his Majesty King _George_’s commission, and to send over the foreign commission, men and officers to _Flanders_, paying their charges, and allowing two months wages to the men. After which the owners order’d their ships, being now called the _Success_ and _Speedwel_, to _Plymouth_, to be there recruited in their provision, and get their complement of men.
_Clipperton_ being thus appointed commander in chief, had also the biggest ship, the _Success_, of thirty six guns and 180 men. _Shelvocke_ had the _Speedwel_, twenty four guns, and one hundred and six men, under whose command I was appointed captain of marines. The ships lay near three months at _Plymouth_ for a wind; in which time _Shelvocke_ continually shewed his resentment at the change of command, in such a manner that there was a faction fermented from the captains to the cabin boys.[1] And tho’ he did endeavour to curb his restless spirit, yet was it so publickly apparent, that one of the owners, who was chief director of this affair, wrote to him to mind him of his conduct, and warn him of his duty: to which very man this _Shelvocke_ owes his having the _Speedwel_, being the second command in this undertaking. The same gentleman has also assur’d me, that, when _Shelvocke_ apply’d by letter to him for employment, his circumstances were so low, that he did not scruple to declare he had no bread to eat; nor a friend in the world except him, to expect any favour from. Whereupon the said gentleman having served with him in the navy aboard the same ship, generously invited _Shelvocke_ to his country house, where he made him a present of a twenty pound note on his goldsmith, till he could effectually provide for him, having then this enterprise in view. When he first told him he should command one of these ships, _Shelvocke_ was so throughly pleas’d with the news, that he vow’d it was greatly beyond his expectation; and rather than not go the voyage at all, he would content himself to be boatswain’s mate.
[1] See pag. 28. of his preface, where he says he stifled his resentment, not suffering it to break out into an open flame.