Part 11
THIS being the great crisis of captain _Shelvocke_’s voyage, I shall be more particular in relating the affair of this last prize, which will open the most notorious scene of villany and deceit that has appeard yet, p. 371. The ship was called the _Conception_, _Don Stephen de Recova_ commander bound from _Callao_ to _Panama_ having on board several persons of distinction, particularly the _Conde de la Rosa_ a _Spanish_ nobleman who had been sometime governer of _Pisco_ and was now going home to _Spain_: “laden with flower, sugar, marmalade, peaches, grapes, limes, _etcætera_.” Now, _Be it known to_ ALL MEN, _That, that_ et cætera _was A hundred and eight thousand six hundred and thirty six pieces of eight_: and _Shelvocke_ little thought when he took this prize or compiled his book, that I of all men should have this exact state of the affair. He often said, he would never give the gentlemen Owners a fair account; and I have often promised in this treatise to prove that he did say so; and now we have both made our words good. I have not only an authentic account; but I’ll declare also how I got it. When I was taken and carried prisoner to _Lima_, I had leisure enough to reflect on my misfortunes: how likely I was to be ruind, and the Owners to be cheated. So that to prepare them in defense of their rights, I wrote over to one of them the substance of what had occurrd to me: how _Shelvocke_ had mismanaged; how arbitrarily he had acted in defiance of their articles, and what his private intentions were in the future part of the voyage. As soon as I came to _London_, which was in _October 1721_, I confirmd the purport of my letter with several new circumstances. For all which performance of my duty, I do suppose my name has met with so much accusation and reproach in captain _Shelvocke_’s book. But beside my advices, the gentlemen had many proofs from other prisoners and other people. Eleven months after, being _August_, captain _Shelvocke_ himself arrived, and waits immediately on the said gentleman to compound in the lump for all his transactions; not owning any thing of this prize, which he had unlawfully shared, and every thing else among three and thirty of them. Instead of compromising the matter, the gentleman read him my letter, secured him, and the same day had him confined in _Wood-street_ counter. A few days after his pupil _Stewart_ arrives at _Dover_, and was seized by the honest warden of the castle according to directions; who faithfully secured his book of accounts and brought it with the prisoner to the Owners, from whom I had the book and copyd the dividend, which is as follows.
+---------------------+-------------+----------+-----------+---------------+ | Names. | Quality | Number |Dollars. | English Money.| | | |of Shares.| | | +---------------------+-------------+----------+-----------+---------------+ |_George Shelvocke_ |Commander | 6 | 11325 2642 10 00 | |_Samuel Randal_ |Lieutenant | 2½ | 4718 } | |_John Rayner_ |Capt. Marines| 2½ | 4718 } 1100 17 4 | |_Blowfield Coldsea_ |Master | 2½ | 4718 } each. | |_Nicholas Adams_ |Surgeon | 2½ | 4718 } | |_Matthew Stewart_ |First Mate | 2 | 3775 } | |_Monsieur Laporte_ |2 Mate | 2 | 3775 } 880 16 8 | |_George Henshal_ |Boatswain | 2 | 3775 } each. | |_Robert Davenport_ |Carpenter | 2 | 3775 } | |_William Clark_ |Gunner | 2 | 3775 } | |_James Daniel_ |Midshipman | 1½ | 2830 } | |_David Griffith_ |Ditto | 1½ | 2830 } | |_Christop. Hawkins_ |Ditto | 1½ | 2830 } | |_Oliver Lefevre_ |Sail Maker | 1½ | 2830 } | |_John Doydge_ |Surgeons Mt. | 1½ | 2830 } 660 00 00 | |_William Morgan_ |Ditto | 1½ | 2830 } each. | |_John Popplestone_ |Armourer | 1½ | 2830 } | |_James Moyet_ |Cooper | 1½ | 2830 } | |_John Pearson_ |Carpent. Mt. | 1½ | 2830 } | |_Geo. Shelvocke jun._|Nothing | 1½ | 2830 } | |_William Clement_ |Able Seaman | 1 | 1887¼ } | |_John Norris_ |Ditto | 1 | 1887¼ } | |_James Moulville_ |Ditto | 1 | 1887¼ } | |_George Gill_ |Ditto | 1 | 1887¼ } 440 7 2 | |_Peter Fero_ |Ditto | 1 | 1887¼ } each. | |_John Smith_ |Ditto | 1 | 1887¼ } | |_Edward Atcocks_ |Ditto | 1 | 1887¼ } | |_John Theobald_ |Barber | 1 | 1887¼ } | |_William Burrows_ |Ord. Seaman | ¾ | 1415¾ } | |_Daniel mac Donald_ |Ditto | ¾ | 1415¾ } 330 6 10 | |_Richard Croft_ |Ditto | ¾ | 1415¾ } each. | |_John Robins_ |Grommet | ½ | 943¾ } 220 04 02 | |_Benedict Harry_ |Cook | ½ | 943¾ } each. | +---------------------+-------------+----------+-----------+---------------+ | 33 | | 52¼ | 98604¾ | 23007 15 6 | +---------------------+-------------+----------+---------------------------+
Here the reader perceives the sum total of this dividend to be short of what I said the capture amounted to: but in order to set that matter right, there is a secret article of 627 quadruples of gold, which _Shelvocke_ graciously shared among private friends; each of which quadruple or double doubloon is worth sixteen dollars or pieces of eight,
_dollars_ _l._ _s._ _d._ And makes in } { which at 4 s. and } the whole } 10032 { 8 d. each, makes } 2340 16 00
which being } added to the } 98604¾ ---- or ---- 23007 15 06 ---------- ---------------- makes 108636¾ ---- or ---- 25348 11 06
All which money _Shelvocke_ has the prodigious modesty to conceal; and only says the prize was laden with flower, sugar, fruit, _&c._ _Stewart_’s book mentions the 627 doubloons, but not a word how they were divided. So that we must imagine them to be sunk among both the _Shelvockes_ and _Stewart_: perhaps _Adams_ came in for a little. For as _Stewart_ was agent, cashier and paymaster, it was an easy matter to hide a bag of gold from the public, and dispose of it afterwards in a committee of two or three.
When _Shelvocke_ orderd me upon that expedition in the lighter, as I gave my fortune over for lost, so I judged my person to be in a very precarious condition: and thinking my money safer in the _Speedwel_, I deliverd it to Mr. _Hendrie_ the former agent, being about 350 dollars: for I little dreamd of the scheme that _Shelvocke_ had formd, to lose the ship and seize all for himself; but that if my money came to _England_ I should have it some time or other. However, all these effects were shared at _Fernandes_, as aforementioned. So among other things I left a wig with _John Theobald_ the barber on the list, who sold it afterwards to _Coldsea_ the master for ten dollars: but as soon as _Theobald_ found me out in _London_, he honestly came and paid me the money, and told me his share of this prize was as it stands in the account: but he knew nothing of the second dividend.
By the above account it’s plain _Shelvocke_’s dividend of the silver taken in the _Conception de Recova_ came to 2642 l. 10 s. of which he afterwards made thirty _per cent._ in _China_, reckoning at a medium; for sometimes it is there at forty, but never under twenty five. The gold he doubtless brought home, being there less than value. He sold the ship for about 650 pound; but says, p. 457. he paid twice that sum for port charges: and therefore I don’t place it to account; tho’ I know very well he had wit enough to make all his people contribute. And, as there is no minding what he says, it was certainly for his purpose when he writ the book, to lessen that money he sold his ship for, and to swell the sum he paid for anchorage. For why should he pay 2166 pound port charges, and _Clipperton_ but 396, as _Taylor_’s journal mentions, when we all know _Shelvocke_’s was but a merchant ship, and _Clipperton_’s a warlike ship, carrying forty guns and above three times the number of hands! This great disparity, and the reason I just now mentiond, makes my captain strongly suspected: but however, as I am not certain, I shall reckon nothing for it. Add to this the amount of the St. _Fermin_ and other prizes taken on the coast of _Chili_, which was at least 2000 pound, all shared as before, tho’ not set down. Then lastly, the ship’s cargo is unaccounted for, which he gently slips over, and forgets he ownd, p. 313, it was a valuable one. This is intirely his own perquisit and pocket-money; for as no soul but himself can now tell what that value was, or what he made of it: I can only remain an unhappy, ignorant, injured sufferer; and wonder that so much baseness and treachery can appear, and yet live unpunisht.
From all which particulars it is evident captain _Shelvocke_ has secured to himself and brought to _England_ a great sum of money, being neither his merit, nor his due: and tho’ he is probably possest of much more than we can make out, yet even _Stewart_ himself assured me, that _Shelvocke_ could not be less than seven thousand pound gainer by the voyage.
P. 371, he says this was the second of those warlike merchant ships that was fitted out in an extraordinary manner and commissiond to take him. This is another instance of his vain-glory and absurdity, and is sufficiently answerd by referring to what I said about the other ship calld _The Holy Family_, which he also said was commissiond to take him. But how particularly silly it appears in this case, let any one judge that reads it. Can it be believed or imagined that the _Conde de la Rosa_, whose property this money chiefly was, would venture so great a sum aboard a ship that was commissiond to take a privatier? I never heard, nor the oldest man alive, that a ship fitted out for warlike enterprize, was stored with money instead of ammunition. Suppose two or three honest fellows were equipt to take a highwayman that had long infested the roads and plagued the country; can any one believe they would furnish their pockets with half crowns instead of a pair of pistols? Sure _Shelvocke_ must take his reader for an _Ignoramus_; and having lost all morals himself, thinks other people have lost their senses.
After this, I think, I need not be very studious to prove captain _Shelvocke_ a sad fellow. I have hitherto labourd diligently; but now I believe his and my readers will come easily on my side. This fact is too flagrant to be denyd: ’tis self-evident and known to every body. All the anteceding circumstances of his voyage are mean dishonest actions, tending to this one perfidious end: and whoever reads his preface after seeing this account, must read it with indignation. What pretense has he there to talk of reputation, truth and integrity? P. 31, he councils all those who may hereafter subscribe for another cruising expedition, to regulate well their articles; and look out for a commander of strict _honour_ and _honesty_: which advice from captain _Shelvocke_ can be of no other use, than that it certainly excludes him for life. And how black soever he appears, he may thank himself: for tho’ his transactions were never so foul and unjust, I should perhaps have lived and died a private sufferer; and not given my self the excessive trouble of being public defendent, had not _Shelvocke_ turnd public author, and added folly to his villainy, by putting it in print. But it’s high time to disabuse mankind, when an author not content with doing private injuries, shall print and publish whatever his wicked heart can invent, and thus indeavour to make his poison universal.
P. 378, he says, “he took out of the _Conception_ twelve months provision of bread, flower, sugar and sweatmeats; with a like proportion for the _Success_, which he expected to find at _Tres Marias_, being then a stranger to _Clipperton_’s faithless desertion.” Not to mention the falshood of his expecting to meet _Clipperton_, who never promised to meet him, ’tis a piece of barefaced hypocrisy to say he put up any provision for the _Success_. _Shelvocke_ knew better what to do with his money and time, than to venture the loss of both to look for a man whom he always shund and hated for having the chief command: besides he speaks immediately of going to _Asia_; for being well supplyd with money and necessaries, their thoughts of surrendering were laid aside, and all their despair vanishd. He twice calls it a hazardous experiment going over to _Asia_; and gives us some trifling reasons, but the others he says he will keep a secret, being needless there to mention, p. 380: one of which I have lately unfolded for him; which was really a fear lest he and all his money should be seized at _China_.
Any one acquainted with the story may discover all his thin disguises, and easily perceive that every word he says from p. 381 to 385 makes plainly against him. He talks of cakes of virgin silver found in the prize, moulded into marmalade boxes to defraud the king of _Spain_ of his fifths; while he, at the same time, appears much more guilty to defraud the gentlemen Owners, and us prisoners, and imposing now this notorious sham upon his disinterested readers. Does so much fruit, marmalade and passengers aboard, prove that the ship was commissiond to take him? or why does _Shelvocke_ talk so much of sweatmeats, except the money run in his head. Twenty five thousand pounds and upwards, besides rich plunder, is a fine box of marmalade truly.
P. 382. He fairly says every thing taken out of the _Conception_ was divided according to the new articles made at _Fernandes_; which I believe to be mighty true, because it is the genuine account which I copyd from his own steward’s book; tho’ _Shelvocke_ then little thought that _Betagh_ would have it here to produce against him. He complains he had no more than six shares. I have proved already at the beginning of this section, that six, according to his last arbitrary scheme, are much better than sixty by the first articles with the Owners. But how in the name of sense could _Shelvocke_ expect sixty out of two and fifty? for it’s plain by the account there are no more. Thou art a very unconscionable fellow indeed to have more than your due, and yet complain you have not more than all. This is neither _Scotch_, _English_, nor _Irish_: ’Tis the devil! and if _Shelvocke_ can make sixty out of two and fifty, he must be more than a devil.
The next page or two he is very fearful of falling into the hands of the _Spaniards_, tho’ he talkd of nothing but surrendering just before this prize happend. This may look odd to a reader, who thinks he has nothing to lose beside flower and fruit; but after this discovery of the money it seems natural enough to be afraid to lose it. And why does he by way of caution speak of a rich prize that was formerly retaken from captain _Clipperton_ by venturing too near the shore, if the circumstances were not similar and parallel to his own case?
But I need not trouble my self any longer to expose the wretched shifts he makes to cover his guilt. ’Tis like a schoolboy who has been tardy and robbd an orchard: he first tells a lye to hide the roguery, and then invents twenty more to patch that up.
_Shelvocke_ having now done his business, steers away for _California_, in order to wood and water and clean his ship, that he might hasten to _China_ and make a good market of his silver: for the natives there are so fond of it, that by changing any species of silver into gold, a man may make 30 or 40 _per_ cent.
Accordingly in _August 1721_, he arrives at _California_; and gives his readers a description of the natives in the comical stile, thinking to make amends for the rest of his stupid incoherent romance. He would fain give us great ideas of the good breeding and gentility of those salvages, tho’ they have no intercourse with any other part of the world: but as I don’t take _Shelvocke_ to be a judge of good manners, I look upon what he says as a fable. He has the vanity to dwell upon that idle story of the king of the _Indians_ delivering him his sceptre, which he says was done in a very handsome manner; but he immediately returnd it, and doubtless with much grace and majesty: and yet he says he could not tell whether he was a king or no, only he had a black stick in his hand; which as it was the best thing the poor creature had, he gives it to _Shelvocke_, expecting no doubt a spoon or knife for it, which they are always glad of. And _Shelvocke_ will have it that this fellow was a king, and this black stick was a sceptre; which as he deliverd, it is pity _Shelvocke_ did not keep it, and make himself king of the country: for it’s plain the _Indian_ resignd his sovereignty by parting with the stick.
There’s none can forbear laughing who reads his daily manner of feasting these _Californian_ gentry with vast quantities of hasty-pudding: or his grave way of telling how respectfully and ceremoniously they returnd his civilities, keeping a constant equipage for the captain and his men, whenever they came ashore. In short, after all the country rung of _Shelvocke_’s fame and came in daily to view him, he concludes this ridiculous farce by telling ye the manner of his taking leave.
Page 398. When he loosed his topsails, having a mind to appear awful, he saluted the king and court with five guns, which mightily frighted them: but when they understood he was going away, the men were sadly cast down, and the women all fell a crying; which was a sure proof of their being in love, tho’ _Shelvocke_ is modest and don’t own it.
His saying he had a mind to appear very awful at parting, agrees well with the adoration which he says they paid him at first reception, p. 389: if wild ranting and frolicking can be calld adoration.
His pretended natural history of _California_ is all dull and tasteless, except just that which is taken from captain _Rogers_ who was there in 1710. _Shelvocke_ p. 399. it begins with the same words as he does p. 317. _Shelvocke_ says p. 390, “The rocks as you enter the harbour are like the needles of the isle of _Wight_.” _Rogers_ the same words, p. 317. The description of the men, p. 404, is verbally the same as the other p. 314. Their grinding a black seed which they eat for bread, is stolen from his journal. _Shelvocke_ says their language is guttural and harsh, p. 409. _Rogers_ p. 314, word for word the same. Their manner of living amicably and in common, is a transcript from the same author. Their bows and arrows, and their wonderful manner of diving is all the same.
_Shelvocke_ says, p. 408, A late navigator represents the _Californians_ as idle, lazy and jealous of their women; and that he never could have a sight of any but such as were old. Which _Shelvocke_ indeavours to be merry upon, by saying, “he could not tell how that gentleman treated them; but that he himself succeded so well in his addresses as to have them by hundreds every day young and old.” And after the frumety kettle had been boyling for them all day, it’s no wonder if some of them gave him their company all night: for he often says they were very civil and complaisant, and used to be concernd at the mens taking snuff for fear it should kill them.
The navigator here meant is the aforesaid author; whose accounts being universally commended, there’s no room to admit _Shelvocke_’s impertinence: but after a man has made himself so notorious a plagiary as I have just now proved him, ’tis a very stupid blunder in him to find fault with that only which signifies nothing. _Rogers_ his words are p. 316. “They appear to be very idle, and seem to look after no more than a present subsistence.”--This is confirmd of all _Indians_ who having no traffic, or knowledge but what is natural, must needs be indolent and idle: therefore I see no occasion there was to contradict this, when he had stole all the rest; except his ill breeding is so natural to him, that he can’t forbear it.
As for his being freer with the women, I don’t dispute that; neither is it for any man’s honour to confute him: only I can’t help remarking _Shelvocke_’s words at the close of this page 408. “I may venture to say, quoth he, that we ingaged them so far by trifling presents and entertainments, that no body upon those terms need want their assistance for the future.” The plain _English_ of which is, that any man may lye with the women for a rusty knife, or a porringer of thick milk.
Captain _Rogers_ has given us a handsome concise description of the people and the coast: and if a mariner who comes after can make no additional discoveries, he is a thief to print for his own another man’s observations, and a blockhead to trouble the world with his own schoolboy remarks; such as his conceited notions of a king and sceptre; he and his dirty crew having adoration paid them, and his foolish tales of ceremonious equipage and hasty pudding.
Captain _George Shelvocke_ having here finish’d his wise observations, prepares to cross the western ocean from _Mexico_ to _China_; and with a hypocritical sigh laments the absence of _Clipperton_, whom he partly came hither to meet with: but says he had the inward comfort of having added this instance of his indeavours to the advantage of the expedition in general, p. 433.
Now I leave the reader to judge whether ’tis likely he came here to seek _Clipperton_, or was sorry for the disappointment, after having so long shund him, blinded the world with a false relation of his acquisition, conceald all the money, and divided it among three and thirty of them? and yet this man has the calm assurance to talk of his indeavours for the advantage of the expedition!
In two or three days sail he says he discoverd land, which he takes the liberty of naming _Shelvocke_’s island. Vain creature! dost thou expect any one after reading this narrative of your actions shall mention the word _Shelvocke_ without ridicule? much less shall an island where you never set foot ashore be calld after your unworthy name. Had you been there sacrificed for your avarice and tyranny, as _Peter Baldivia_ was at the place which bears his name, you might ever remain, like him, unrivald in your title; and your son _George_ might have wrote your epitaph.
In _Shelvocke_’s passage over to _Guam_ nothing material happens but the death of seven or eight more of his men; some of whose shares, I have reason to believe, became his perquisit: for two of their widows have assured me, that after much painful application they could get no relief. On his arrival at _Guam_ he makes this cunning observation, that he found it one hundred leagues short of captain _Rogers_ his account: but I don’t wonder at that; because this later kept a public regular journal, and has printed each day’s run; which book _Shelvocke_ would never let his people look into, or keep a true reckoning themselves.