Part 7
As to my being an officer in the king of _Spain_’s service, ’tis mere scandal and nonsense; for if I had acted in that station in a time of war between the two crowns, ’tis very improbable I would venture home so soon, being the first of the prisoners who appear’d in _England_. Indeed we all, except _Hatley_, had our passage to _Cales_ in a _Spanish_ advice-boat, call’d the _Flying-fish_. Mr. _Pressick_ our surgeon’s mate, acted as surgeon in her, receiving wages; and so did all our men, being releas’d from prison to help navigate the vessel home. For my part, as I was well treated, I would not eat the bread of idleness, but kept my watch as other officers did; and pray where’s the harm of all this; tho’ _Shelvocke_ and his blunderbuss of a son, have had the stupidity to call it treason? And it must appear a very malicious charge, as well as an ignorant one, that after a man has been driven amongst the enemy, he must be call’d a traytor for being us’d kindly and accepting his passage back again; that because I was not murdered there, I ought to be executed at home. This is _Shelvocke_’s great christianity and good conscience.
Lastly, he accuses me of being of a nation and religion which the _Spaniards_ are fond of.
In the first place, captain _Shelvocke_ is very ill bred, to make any national reflexions at all; and then very ignorant not to know, they are never allow’d as argument. If he means I am an _Irishman_, I am well enough pleased to own it: not forgeting that his Majesty has many loyal subjects of that kingdom, in the state, church, navy and army. If by the other reflexion he means my religion to be of the _Romish_ church; I shall make this answer to it. That it certainly is the religion my parents design’d I should be of: but when I came to riper years and better understanding, I made use of that liberty which God has given all mankind, to make such confession of faith as is most agreeable to holy scripture and right reason.
Thus determin’d, I took the oaths above twenty years ago; by which I quitted the _Romish_ faith, and abjur’d all papal authority in these kingdoms: I did all that is requir’d in those cases, and therefore ’tis needless to say more. Consequent to this I had the imployment of a purser in the navy, which I held some years; having before that served in several other inferiour capacities. I have continued ever since a lawful member of the church of _England_; What pretense then can _Shelvocke_ have to persecute me in this unjust public manner, and charge me with the popish religion; especially after he has cruelly forc’d me among the most rigid professors of it?
But if he means by this accusation to make me appear as a disaffected person, I hope he will be mistaken: for I never drank the _Pretender_’s health, tho’ _Shelvocke_ made a constant practice of it, and every tenth of _June_ proposed it in an open manner; constraining some to do it, and using others ill who had spirit enough to refuse it. In what light then shall I place this _Shelvocke_, to make his infamy truly appear? A man who hath solemnly taken the oaths of allegiance, abjuration and supremacy, with king _George_’s commission in his pocket, commander of above a hundred men, to whom he should appear an example of goodness and loyalty, and in a public time of war to drink the _Pretender_’s health, and command his men to do the same, is an instance of such perjur’d villainy, as can never be exceded! Considering I am a seafaring man, ’tis for my credit that _Shelvocke_ will allow me to be of any religion: and I am really sorry I cannot return him the complement; but he has made such an abandon’d wretch of himself, that I am persuaded mankind will say ’tis better to have some religion than none at all. For after a man has broke thro’ oaths, which I call sacred ingagements, and violated all moral virtues, by which he was bound to promote the interest of us and our owners; what idea can we have of him? when thus he stands guilty of treachery, cruelty, perjury, ill-nature and ill-manners; you cannot call him a _christian_, and he is far short of a _mahometan_ both in faith and practice.
Here I take leave of my noble captain _Shelvocke_, being quite separated from him, as he intended; and now forced to submit to the _Spaniard_, which however prov’d the fairer enemy of the two. Henceforth therefore, I must trace him by the help of _Taylor_’s journal, and the concurring evidence of those whose hard lot it was to remain under his command: while I go back to captain _Clipperton_, whom I shall, in as brief a manner as possible, bring to the end of his voyage, which also ended his life. He staid his month for _Shelvocke_ at _Fernandes_, as I observed before: the account of his progress and actions after that, I will impartially transcribe from _Taylor_’s journal, as I find it.
SECTION II.
_Success Oct. 20, 1719._
“This day a paper was fixt upon the main-mast, declaring what should and should not be deemed plunder.
“The man who first spys a sail, proving a prize, to have five dollars for every hundred ton the prize measures.
“Every man aboard a prize found drunk, or in any indecent act with a white or black woman, to be punished according to the nature of his offense.
“Every man, of whatsoever degree, concealing any money, or other thing above the value of half a dollar, shall forfeit his share of such prize, and twenty dollars out of his share in the next that shall be taken. The variation by an amplitude taken this day in latitude 15 39 S. is 9″ : 20 N. E.”
25. “We this day arrive in the latitude of _Lima_, our cruising station; where we brought to, and lay under our topsails till four in the morning: then made sail, and at seven chased a small vessel, which we came up with at eleven, being a snow of about forty ton, laden with sand and rubbish for manure. She was navigated by seven _Indians_ and two _Nigros_: her master was left sick ashore. They would not give us any intelligence. We found nothing aboard her worth the trouble of carrying away, except two jarrs of eggs, two of molosses, and a couple of dollars.”
28. “At one afternoon make a sail. At two are a long-side of her, being a ship of about 150 ton, call’d the St. _Vincent_, with wood from _Guiaquil_. There are two fryars, sixteen _Indians_ and four _Nigros_ aboard.”
30. “At four afternoon made a good sail, which we came not up with till eleven at night: she is a pretty large ship, of at least 400 ton, from _Panama_ for _Lima_, having a good many passengers aboard. She is called the _Trinity_, and was taken by captain _Rogers_ when he plunder’d _Guiaquil_, 1709.”
_Nov. 2._ “This afternoon at one saw a sail: at three came up with her, being a vessel of about seventy ton, bound from _Lima_ to _Panama_; she has on board the countess of _Laguna_, and several other passengers, a good deal of ready money, and at least 400 jars of wine and brandy, being two articles we much wanted. Our captain asks the lady whether she will come aboard the _Success_, or remain in the prize. She chuses the later. He sends a marine officer with a guard to take care she be not molested by any of our men, and that none enter her cabin but her own domestics, or such as she allows of. Mr. _Godfrey_, our agent, went aboard the prizes, carrying to each a couple of jars of wine and brandy, which was a very acceptable present.”
18. “At seven this morning we saw a sail: at eleven she became our prize, proving to be a _London_ built pink of about 200 ton from _Panama_ for _Lima_, with wood, of little value: but they tell us of two rich ships from _Lima_ coming this way; and that there are two _Spanish_ men of war of fifty and thirty guns, fitted out in quest of us.”
This being the prize that was run away with by stratagem _Nov. 20_, I need not repeat it. Turn back to p. 91 and 95.
24. “This afternoon we took a prize call’d the _Cayetan_, of about 200 tons, laden with wood from _Panama_ for _Lima_: she has aboard forty _Nigros_ and thirty _Spaniards_, most of them passengers.”
27. “Anchor at the isle of _Plate_ with our three prizes. Our captain being now under some apprehensions of the enemy’s men of war, which we know are clean, and fitted out on purpose to destroy or bring us in; begins to think that his cruising without a second, will turn but to little account: resolves therefore to make the most of what he has got; which consisteth chiefly of _European_ goods found in the prizes already taken. And being well assured the _Spaniards_ dare not purchase them by reason of a strict prohibition from the king of _Spain_, he puts a handsome cargo of ten thousand pound or upwards, aboard the lady’s bark now call’d the _Chichly_; and appoints captain _Mitchel_ commander of her, and to dispose of them to the best advantage on the coast of _Brasil_. He mounts her with eight guns, puts aboard thirteen _Englishmen_ and ten _Nigros_, with what provision and other necessaries he can spare him. Captain _Mitchel_ at parting gave us three cheers, which was answer’d by the _Success_. Here our captain discharges the other two prizes after rummaging them of all we wanted, and gave them to the _Spaniards_; reserving the _Nigros_, and the captain of one of them for our pilot. We ply to windward again to come into our station.”
_Decemb._ 12th. 1719. “We saw a sail about five in the evening, and at seven took her. She is called the _Rose_, bound from _Cheripe_ for _Panama_, laden with provisions. Our launch and pinnace were all day imploy’d in bringing on board the flower, and other provisions in order to discharge her. Having got as much flower out of her as we could well stow away, we cut her mainmast by the board, lest she should overset, and so let her go. These prisoners inform us, that our men who were taken by the _Spaniards_ were sent to _Lima_ by land. Here we continue to cruise, standing off all day, and towards the shore at night: but nothing happens till
27th. “Anchor in _Guanchaco Bay_ in nine fathom clay ground, and find two ships at anchor. We fire a shot at each: but they make no return: send our boats aboard: but found them abandon’d, and could discover that all the loading had just been taken out, and nothing left aboard, except some bread, and a few jars of water. We hung out a flag of truce, and fired two guns at half an hour’s interval, hoping they would come aboard to ransom their ships. They answer’d us from shore; but seeing no boat coming to us, we fired again, and remain here till next day, when seeing it was in vain to wait any longer, and that they would neither ransom nor beg their ships, we pull’d down the flag, and set the ships a fire. At eight forenoon, the church of _Guanchaco_ bore E. 3 leagues, from whence I take my departure, latitude 8 : 10 S. designing for the _Gallipagos_. The currents here set much to the northward.”
_January_ 9th. 1720. “Arrive at duke of York’s island being one of the _Gallipagos_. Here we scrub and clean our ship, and refresh our selves with tortoise: after visiting some more of these islands, we steer away to the northward.”
21. Made a’sail: sent our pinnace a head to keep sight of the chase, by making false fires: at eleven at night came up with her, and on our firing a gun she brought to, being a ship from _Panama_, having on board the marquiss _de Villa Roche_ president at _Panama_, and his family bound for _Lima_, called the _Prince Eugene_. This is the same ship in which captain _Clipperton_ was circumvented and taken in his late voyage in these seas, when he received but indifferent treatment from the said marquiss at _Panama_, before whom he was carry’d.”
22. “Mr. _Davison_ our first lieutenant was sent to command the prize; and I was order’d his assistant. At eight in the morning the pinnace came aboard to search for treasure: at eleven returned, carrying the marquiss, and what else they found most valuable. Nothing remarkable happens till,
_February_ 26th. “We are plying to windward in our cruising station with the last mention’d prize. A _Spaniard_ who was accidentally wounded at the taking of her, dying last night of his wound, his countrymen desired he might he bury’d after their custom and formalities; which was granted them. When they ended their prayers, the corpse which lay ready on a gratin with a good bag of ballast ty’d at the feet, was thrown over board: but to the admiration of every one, the body floated, and continued so till we sailed quite from the sight of it. The marquiss _de Villa Roche_ being present said, it was very portentous, and that some surprizing accident must be the consequence.”
“Upon throwing the corpse into the water, the _Spanish_ custom is to cry aloud _Bon Viaje_ three times, that is, a good voyage. This day took an observation in latitude 11 : 50 N: the current here sets very strong to windward.”
_March 8._ “We made the island of _Port Velas_ latitude 10 : 30 N: the next day anchor’d in thirty fathom. We find here a good watering place. The _padre_ and boatswain of the _Prince Eugene_ come aboard to be examined, as likewise the marquiss to dine: the father and boatswain being desirous to go ashore, they have leave, on condition they will indeavour to persuade the people to drive some cattle to the shore, and spare what provision they can in exchange for what we have aboard.”
_March_ 13th. “Our launch being near the shore, where runs a great sea, she was hove along, soon fill’d and sunk. By this accident we lost two men, _John Trumbal_ serjeant of marines, and _Roger Pengelly_ gunner’s mate. And here the wonderful perfection of the _Nigros_ is most remarkable: all the rest of the men got ashore, when one of our _Nigros_ stripping himself, takes a rope’s end, dived, and slung the boat: after which we hawld her up and towd her aboard, very little damaged.”
_March_ 16th. “The _padre_ and countermaster return with some natives, bringing four head of black cattle, some fowl, and fruit, as a present for the marquiss; but told our captain, that their _alcalde_ or governer could not allow us to trade with him. They give us an account of captain _Mitchel_, who put in here to water, and say that his men shot some of their young bulls: but that 200 of the inhabitants appearing under arms, he thought it best to go away. We doubt not of his being here, because we have seen some shirts and wearables of _Mitchel_’s men. The next day the marquiss writes letters ashore privately, to stir up the people to surprize our men at the watering, and secure the boats. These with other mischievous letters wrote to _Lima_ were stopp’d by Mr. _Godfrey_ our owners agent, who finding them in an _Indian_’s hand ashore, sent them to captain _Clipperton_, who now debars the marquiss the use of pen and paper, and uses him but roughly. The _Indians_ who were yesterday aboard, and to whom our captain made a few presents for themselves, the church and the governer, return this morning with some good fresh beef. After this, captain _Clipperton_ treats with the marquiss about ransoming the prize; but not agreeing, he orders the timber with which she was laden to be thrown overboard, saving as much for firing as we could stow: after which we rummage the cabin, taking away all the clothes and equipage.”
_March_ 20th. “The marquiss and his lady dine aboard the _Success_: after which they go ashore for recreation, leaving their only child aboard as a pledge. They send off a good bull, and some fowl: there being no oxen on this continent. On the 26th, the governer sends us two bulls more; and on the 31st, the marquiss sends a present of fruit to his child, to bring which there are seven _Indians_ a horseback: they left two letters hanging on a stick in the sand. Nothing happens to the 4th of _April_, but more presents from the marquiss, attended as before.”
_April_ 4th. “This evening the marquiss and his lady, with the governer and others came aboard. Nothing is said of the marquiss his plot; but all chearful company. The bargain of ransoming goes on so far, that all the _Spanish_ prisoners are orderd ashore, except those who had rather stay in the prize: but no talk of money in the case: On the 8th and 9th, the marchioness and the child are carried ashore, and we salute ’em with three guns; the marquiss remaining with us till the performance of articles, which were signed. The governer has a quantity of indigo delivered him, and he sends us a handsom present of beef, which we are all very glad of. We weighd; leaving the prize to the _Spanish_ captain, and are now plying to windward with moderate gales till
_April_ 20th. “We anchor in the gulph of _Amapala_ in 17 fathom: send the pinnace to find a watering: the _Spaniards_ oppose their landing, but suffer them to put on shore a _Spaniard_ and _Indian_ belonging to the marquiss, who are going to _Rio Lexos_ to fetch the ransom money: but it is my opinion we are all bit. Not being able to get water at _Amapala_, the pinnace is sent to the isle of _Tigris_; where they find very good water, and the _Indian_ who guided them is rewarded with some clothes. Our men meet with abundance of game on the island, killing a good number of deer. Here is also a great plenty of boobys, which are better eating than those catch’d at sea. Here we stay till the 10th of _May_, much longer than we intended, in expectation of the ransom money; but having little reason to believe the _Spaniards_ will be punctual and faithful, we unbent our sheet anchor and stow’d it, taking our departure from hence, latitude 12 : 36. N.
_May_ 20th. “This day, the books, instruments and clothes of lieutenant _Serjeantson_ were sold at the mast: being run ashore in the _Rosary_ pink with his men as aforesaid. Here I find a strong current to the N. About this time the cloathing, linen and other necessaries taken in our prizes were distributed, being deem’d fair plunder.”
_June_ 4th. “We arrive next at _Gorgona_, latitude 2 : 35 N. The current sets to the eastward. Here is wood and water, and great plenty of fish; but they wont take the hook, and we have no seine. From hence we ply to windward, and nothing happens till
_July_ 25th. “We spy a sail, and come up with her: she struck to us, being the St. _Vincent_ which we took once before, now commanded by Don _Clement de Andrado_, laden with timber and cocoa nuts from _Guiaquil_ for _Lima_. We keep to windward with our prize, and
_August_ 11th. “Anchor at _Lobos la mar_: the distance from this island, and _Lobos la tierra_ is 10 leagues. Our chief imployment here is to catch seal for the company. Our men have tents on shore, working in their several stations. Here we scrub and clean our ship, taking out of the prize what is most valuable. Our men, tho’ fatigued with work, live well and look well, and are now ready for another cruise. Nothing happens till
_Sept._ 6th. “A plot is discovered among the men, wherein the conspirators had form’d a design to seize the captain and officers, and run away with the ship: all who were secured, to be put ashore at the small desolate isle of _Lobos_, but the opposers to be shot. After discovery, the two principal actors, _Joseph Maynard_ boatswain’s mate, and _James Roch_ the ship’s corporal were severely punish’d, besides being put in irons: the rest were pardoned.”
“The cause of this uneasiness among the men, was their despair of making a good voyage, having no hope of the _Speedwel_’s joyning them, which had brought them into great straits and difficulties; so that they did not much care what happen’d.”
_Sept._ 15th. “Our design of coming down again to the northward, was to look into _Cheripe_, if we could see any ships there; but chance to fall to the leeward of it, by reason the currents set us much to the northward, tho’ we have already made allowance for the same: we soon beat up again, finding the coast alarm’d, and seeing no ship.”
_Sept._ 17th. “This day sent our pinnace well arm’d to chase a small vessel which she came up with, being a fishing boat that has used to make up her fish on the isle of _Lobos_, where we found a good parcel ready split and salted; besides a handsome quantity of fresh fish in the boat. We anchor again at _Lobos_, in 38 fathom, and find the S. _Vincent_, which we left here, was drove ashore and sunk. We clear the fishing boat, and send her away with 38 _Spanish_ prisoners: after which we weigh again and ply to windward, being in latitude 7 : 00 S. Here the currents set pretty much to the southward: no prize, nor any thing occurs, only the burying four or five of our hands; we hold our course for the bay of _Conception_ where we arrive.”
_November_ 1st. “Going into the bay we spy three sail of ships at anchor: the fort fired a signal gun: we hoisted _Spanish_ colours, and kept plying up till ten at night: being moon light, we discover a fourth ship standing in after us: we bore down upon her: she haled us in _Spanish_; we answer’d her with our guns; but the wind failing, and she being clean, gained a head of us. In the morning the pinnace and launch were sent after her: but soon left chasing, she being got almost out of sight. However, we really lost the substance for the shadow, our captain now steering for _Coquimbo_.”
5. “We came up with another sail, which upon our firing a gun struck her colours: she is call’d the _Solidad_: she hath a cargo of tobacco, sugar, and cloth enough to purchase her loading of wheat at _Coquimbo_, whither she is bound from _Lima_. They inform us that our last chase had much such another cargo; and that the two _Spanish_ men of war fitted out in quest of us and our consort, were returned to _Callao_ to be victual’d afresh: and had orders from the viceroy to cruise on the coast of _Chili_, not only upon us, but all the _French_ interloping traders.”
6. “The greatest part these 24 hours fresh gales of wind and hazy weather, with a great southern swell. At one this afternoon, coming open with the harbour of _Coquimbo_, we saw three sail of men of war at anchor, with their topsails loose in their tops; who, immediately on seeing us, slipt or cut their cables and stood after us, we hawling close upon a wind, our prize doing the same: but she being the windward-most, and at much the greatest distance from the enemy, they judged it necessary to send the best sailer among them after her: at three the headmost ship came up with our prize, and fired at her: upon which she struck: but after she had so done, the man of war fired several guns more into her, the reason of which we could not ghess: the other two ships crowded all the sail they could after us till four, when the biggest carryed away her mizentop-mast: he then fired a gun, tacked, and stood in for the shore again, which we were not very sorry for: one of them carrying 50, one 40, and the other 26 guns, all clean ships, _French_ built and sailed well. It pleased God the wind favour’d us whilst they continued the chase; so that we weather’d _Isla de pajeros_, i. e. the island of birds which lay just in our way: for if we had been forced to tack, we must have been taken.
“We have on board us the captain of the prize, and eight seamen, besides twelve _Nigros_. There were taken with her, twelve of our men, besides Mr. _Milne_ our third lieutenant who commanded her. However, we had the good luck to ease her of 97 pound weight of wrought silver, when she first became our prize.”