Part 5

The Rape of the Lock, an heroick comical Poem, in 5 Canto’s, with 6 Copper Plates, by Mr. Pope. pr. 1 s.

The Works of Monsieur de Moliere, translated, in 6 Vols. 12s. printed on fine Paper and new Elziver Letter.

The Clergy-man’s Recreation, shewing the Pleasure and Profit of the Art of Gard’ning. By John Lawrence. A. M. Rector of Yelvertost in Northamptonshire, and sometime Fellow of Clare-Hall in Cambridge.

Miscellaneous Poems and Translations by several Hands, particularly, the first Book of Statius his Thebais translated. The Fable of Vertumnus and Pomoua, from the 14th Book of Ovid’s Metamorphosis. To a young Lady; with the Works of Voiture. On Silence. To the Author of a Poem entitled Successio. The Rape of the Lock. An Ode for Musick on St. Cecilia’s Day. Windsor Forest. To the Right Honourable George Ld. Lansdown. An Essay on Criticism. An Epigram upon Two or Three. All written by Mr. Pope.

AN HISTORICAL JOURNAL OF THE Late Monsieur _de la Sale’s_ LAST VOYAGE INTO North America To Discover the River _MISSISIPI_.

[Sidenote: _It is Mr._ Joutel _that speaks in this Journal_.]

At the Time when Monsieur _de la Sale_ was preparing for his last Voyage into _North America_, I happen’d to be at _Roan_, the Place where he and I were both born, being return’d from the Army, where I had serv’d sixteen or seventeen Years.

The Reputation gain’d by Monsieur _de la Sale_, the Greatness of his Undertaking, the Natural Curiosity which all men are possess’d with, and my Acquaintance with his Kindred, and with several of the Inhabitants of that City, who were to bear him Company, easily prevail’d with me to make one of the Number, and I was admitted as a volunteer.

[Sidenote: _July 1684_]

Our Rendezvous was appointed at _Rochel_, where we were to imbark. Messieurs _Cavelier_, the one Brother, the other Nephew to Monsieur _de la Sale_,[29] Messieurs _Chedeville_, _Planteroze_, _Thibault_, _Ory_, some others and I, repair’d thither in _July 1684_.

[Sidenote: _Departure from_ Rochel.]

Monsieur _de la Sale_ having provided all Things necessary for his Voyage, surmounted all the Difficulties laid in his Way by several ill-minded Persons, and receiv’d his Orders from Monsieur _Arnoult_, the Intendant at _Rochel_, pursuant to those he had receiv’d from the King, we sail’d on the _24th of July, 1684_,[30] being twenty four Vessels, four of them for our Voyage, and the others for the Islands and _Canada_.

[Sidenote: _Persons that went._]

The four Vessels appointed for Monsieur _de la Sale’s_ Enterprize, had on Board about two hundred and eighty persons, including the Crews; of which Number there were one hundred Soldiers, with their Officers, one _Talon_, with his _Canada_ Family, about thirty Volunteers, some young Women, and the rest hired People and Workmen of all Sorts, requisite for making of a Settlement.

[Sidenote: _Ships._]

The first of the four Vessels was a Man of War, call’d _le Joly_, of about thirty six or forty Guns, commanded by Monsieur _de Beaujeu_, on which Monsieur _de la Sale_, his Brother the Priest, two Recolet Fryars, Messieurs _Dainmaville_ and _Chedeville_, Priests, and I imbark’d. The next was a little Frigate, carrying six Guns, which the King had given to Monsieur _de la Sale_, commanded by two Masters; a Flyboat of about three hundred Tuns Burden, belonging to the Sieur _Massiot_, Merchant at _Rochel_, commanded by the Sieur _Aigron_, and laden with all the Effects Monsieur _de la Sale_ had thought necessary for his Settlement, and a small Ketch, on which Monsieur _de la Sale_ had imbark’d thirty Tuns of Ammunition, and some Commodities design’d for _Santo Domingo_.[31]

[Sidenote: _Boltsprit lost._]

All the Fleet, being under the Command of Monsieur _de Beaujeu_, was order’d to keep together as far as _Cape Finisterre_, whence each was to follow his own Course; but this was prevented by an unexpected Accident. We were come into 45 Degrees 23 Minutes of North Latitude, and about 50 Leagues from _Rochel_, when the Boltsprit of our Ship, the _Joly_, on a sudden, broke short, which oblig’d us to strike all our other Sails, and cut all the Rigging the broken Boltsprit hung by.

[Sidenote: _Return to_ Rochfort.]

[Sidenote: _Aug. 1684_]

Every man reflected on this Accident according to his Inclination. Some were of Opinion it was a Contrivance; and it was debated in Council, Whether we should proceed to _Portugal_, or return to _Rochel_, or _Rochfort_; but the latter Resolution prevail’d. The other Ships design’d for the Islands and _Canada_, parted from us, and held on their Course. We made back for the River of _Rochfort_, whither the other three Vessels follow’d us, and a Boat was sent in, to acquaint the Intendant with this Accident. The Boat returned some Hours after, towing along a Boltsprit, which was soon set in its Place, and after Monsieur _de la Sale_ had confer’d with the Intendant, he left that Place on the first of _August, 1684_.

[Sidenote: Cape Finisterre.]

[Sidenote: Madera.]

We sail’d again, steering _W._ and by _S._ and on the 8th of the same Month weather’d _Cape Finisterre_, which is in 43 Degrees of North Latitude, without meeting any Thing remarkable. The 12th, we were in the Latitude of _Lisbon_, or about 39 Degrees North. The 16th, we were in 36 Degrees, the Latitude of the _Streights_, and the 20th, discover’d the Island _Madera_, which is in 32 Degrees, and where Monsieur _de Beaujeu_ propos’d to Monsieur _de la Sale_ to anchor, and take in Water and some Refreshments.

[Sidenote: _Difference between the Commanders._]

Monsieur _de la Sale_ was not of that Mind, on Account that we had been but twenty one Days from _France_, had sufficient Store of Water, ought to have taken aboard Refreshments enough, and it would be a Loss of eight or ten Days[32] to no Purpose; besides, that our Enterprize requir’d Secrecy, whereas the _Spaniards_ might get some Information, by Means of the People of that Island, which was not agreeable to the King’s Intention.

This Answer was not acceptable to Monsieur _de Beaujeu_, or the other Officers, nor even to the Ships Crew, who mutter’d at it very much, and it went so far, that a Passenger, call’d _Paget_, a _Hugonet_ of _Rochel_, had the Insolence to talk to Monsieur _de la Sale_ in a very passionate and disrespectful Manner, so that he was fain to make his Complaint to Monsieur _de Beaujeu_, and ask of him, Whether he had given any Incouragement to such a Fellow to talk to him after that Manner. Monsieur _Beaujeu_ made him no Satisfaction. These Misunderstandings, with some others which happen’d before, being no Way advantageous to his Majesty’s Service, laid the Foundation of[33] those tragical Events, which afterwards put an unhappy End to Monsieur _de la Sale’s_ Life and Undertaking, and occasion’d our Ruin.

[Sidenote: _Flying Fish._]

[Sidenote: _Sept. 1684_]

However, it was resolv’d not to come to an Anchor at that Island, whereupon Monsieur _de Beaujeu_ said, That since it was so, we should put in no where but at the Island of _Santo Domingo_. We held on our Course, weather’d the Island of _Madera_, and began to see those little flying Fishes, which to escape the _Dorados_, or Gilt-Heads, that pursue them, leap out of the Water, take a little Flight of about a Pistol Shot, and then fall again into the Sea, but very often into Ships, as they are sailing by. That Fish is about as big as a Herring, and very good to eat.

[Sidenote: _Trade Wind._]

On the 24th, we came into the Trade Wind, which continually blows from East to West, and is therefore call’d by some Authors _Ventus subsolanus_, because it follows the Motion of the Sun. The 28th, we were in 27 Degrees 44 Minutes[34] of North Latitude, and in 344 of Longitude. The 30th, we had a Storm, which continu’d violent for two Days, but being right astern of us, we only lost Sight of the Ketch, for want of good Steering, but she join’d us again a few Days after.

[Sidenote: _Ducking._]

The 6th of _September_, we were under the Tropic of _Cancer_, in 23 Degrees 30 Minutes of North Latitude and 319 of Longitude. There Mons. _de la Sale’s_ Obstructing the Ceremony the Sailors call Ducking, gave them Occasion to mutter again, and render’d himself privately odious. So many have given an Account of the Nature of that Folly, that it would be needless to repeat it here; it may suffice to say, that there are three things to authorize it, 1. Custom. 2. The Oath administer’d to those who are duck’d, which is to this Effect, _That they will not permit any to pass the Tropics or the Line, without obliging them to the same Ceremony_. And 3, which is the most prevailing Argument, the Interest accruing to the Sailors upon that Occasion, by the Refreshments, Liquors or Money given them by the Passengers to be excus’d from that Ceremony.

Monsr. _de la Sale_, being inform’d that all Things were preparing for that Impertinent Ceremony of Ducking, and that a Tub full of Water was ready on the Deck (_the French Duck in a great Cask of Water, the English in the Sea, letting down the Person at the Yard Arm_)[35] sent Word, that he would not allow such as were under his Command to be subject to that Folly, which being told to Monsr. _de Beaujeu_, he forbid putting of it in Execution, to the great Dissatisfaction of the inferior Officers and Sailors, who expected a considerable Sum of Money and Quantity of Refreshments, or Liquors, because there were many Persons to Duck, and all the Blame was laid upon Monsr. _de la Sale_.

[Sidenote: Hispaniola _Island_.]

On the 11th of _September_, we were in the Latitude of the Island of _Santa Domingo_, or _Hispaniola_, being 20 Degrees North, and the Longitude of 320 Degrees. We steer’d our Course West, but the Wind flatting, the ensuing Calm quite stopp’d our Way. That same Day Monsr. _Dainmaville_, the Priest,[36] went aboard the Bark _la Belle_, to administer the Sacraments to a Gunner, who died a few Days after. Monsr. _de la Sale_ went to see him, and I bore him Company.

The 21st,[37] the Ketch, which we had before lost sight of, join’d us again; and some Complaints being made to Monsr. _de la Sale_, by several private Persons that were aboard the Flyboat, he order’d me to go thither to accomodate those Differences, which were occasion’d only by some Jealousies among them.

[Sidenote: Sombrero _Island_.]

The 16th, we sail’d by the Island _Sombrero_, and the 18th had hard blowing Weather, which made us apprehensive of a Hurracan. The foul Weather lasted two Days, during which Time, we kept under a main Course and lost Sight of the other Vessels.

A Council was call’d aboard our Ship, the _Joly_, to consider whether we should lie by for the others, or hold on our Course, and it was resolv’d, that, considering our Water began to fall short, and there were above five Persons[38] sick aboard, of which Number Monsr. _de la Sale_ and the Surgeon[39] were, we should make all the Sail we could, to reach the first Port[40] of the Island _Hispaniola_, being that call’d _Port de Paix_, or Port Peace, which Resolution was accordingly register’d.

[Sidenote: _Cape_ Samana.]

The 20th, we discover’d the first Land of _Hispaniola_, being Cape _Samana_, lying in 19 Degrees of North Latitude, and of Longitude 308. The 25th we should have put into _Port de Paix_, as had been concerted, and it was not only the most convenient Place for us to get Refreshments, but also the Residence of Monsr. _de Cussy_, Governor of the Island _Tortuga_, who knew that Monsr. _de la Sale_ carried particular Orders for him to furnish such Necessaries as he stood in Need of.

[Sidenote: Tortuga _Island_.]

Notwithstanding these cogent Reasons, Mr. _de Beaujeu_ was positive to pass further on in the Night, weathering the Island _Tortuga_, which is some Leagues distant from _Port de Paix_ and the Coast of _Hispaniola_. He also pass’d Cape St. _Nicolas_, and the 26th[41] of the said Month, we put into the Bay of _Jaguana_, coasting the Island _Guanabo_, which is in the Middle of that Great Bay or Gulph, and in Conclusion, on the 27th we arriv’d at _Petit Gouave_, having spent 58 Days in our Passage from the Port of _Chef de Bois_, near _Rochel_.

This Change of the Place for our little Squadron to put into, for which no Reason could be given, prov’d very disadvantageous; and it will hereafter appear, as I have before observ’d, that those misunderstanding among the Officers insensibly drew on the Causes from whence our Misfortune proceeded.

[Sidenote: _Oct. 1684._]

As soon as we had dropt Anchor, a _Piragua_, or great Sort of _Canoe_, came out from the Place, with Twenty Men, to know who we were, and hail’d us. Being inform’d that we were _French_, they acquainted us, that Monsieur _de Cussy_ was at _Port de Paix_ with the Marquis _de St. Laurent_, Lieutenant General of the _American_ Islands, and Monsieur _Begon_ the Intendant, which very much troubled Monsieur _de la Sale_, as having Affairs of the utmost Consequence to concert with them; but there was no remedy, and he was oblig’d to bear it with Patience.

The next Day, being the 28th, we sang _Te Deum_, in Thanksgiving for our prosperous Passage. Monsieur _de la Sale_ being somewhat recover’d of his Indisposition, went Ashore with several of the Gentlemen of his Retinue, to buy some Refreshments for the Sick, and to find Means to send Notice of his Arrival, to Messieurs _de St. Laurent_, _de Cussy_, and _Begon_, and signify to them, how much he was concern’d that we had not put into _Port de Paix_. He writ particularly to Monsieur _de Cussy_, to desire he would come to him, if possible, that he might be assisting to him, and take the necessary Measures for rendering his Enterprize successful, that it might prove to the King’s Honour and Service.

In the mean Time, the Sick suffering very much Aboard the Ships,[42] by Reason of the Heat, and their being too close together, the Soldiers were put Ashore, on a little Island, near _Petit Gouaves_, which is the usual Burial-Place of the People of the pretended Reformed Religion,[43] where they had fresh Provisions, and Bread baked on Purpose, distributed to them. As for the Sick, I was order’d by Monsieur _de la Sale_, to provide a House for them, whither they were carry’d, with the Surgeons, and supply’d with all that was requisite for them.

[Sidenote: _Nov. 1684_]

Some Days after, Monsieur _de la Sale_ fell dangerously ill, most of his Family were also sick. A violent Fever, attended with Lightheadedness, brought him almost to Extremity. The Posture of his Affairs, Want of Money, and the Weight of a mighty Enterprize, without knowing whom to trust with the Execution of it, made him still more sick in Mind, than he was in his Body, and yet his Patience and Resolution surmounted all those Difficulties. He pitch’d upon Monsieur _le Gros_ and me to act for him, caus’d some Commodities he had Aboard the Ships to be sold, to raise Money; and through our Care, and the excellent Constitution of his Body, he recover’d Health.

[Sidenote: _Ketch taken by the Spaniards._]

Whilst he was in that Condition, two of our Ships, which had been separated from us on the 18th of _September_, by the stormy Winds, arriv’d at _Petit Gouave_ on the 2d of _October_. The Joy conceiv’d on Account of their Arrival, was much allay’d by the News they brought of the Loss of the Ketch, taken by two _Spanish Piraguas_; and that Loss was the more grievous, because that Vessel was laden with Provisions, Ammunition, Utensils and proper Tools for the settling of our new Colonies; a Misfortune which would not have happen’d, had Monsieur _de Beaujeu_ put into _Port de Paix_, and Messieurs _de St. Laurent_, _de Cussy_, and _Begon_ who arrived at the same Time, to see Monsieur _de la Sale_ did not spare to signify as much to him, and to complain of that Miscarriage.

Monsieur _de la Sale_ being recover’d had several Conferences with these Gentlemen, relating to his Voyage. A Consult of Pilots was called to resolve where he should touch before we came upon the Coast of _America_, and it was resolved to steer directly for the Western Point of the Island of _Cuba_, or for _Cape_ St. _Antony_, distant about 300 Leagues from _Hispaniola_, there to expect the proper Season, and a fair Wind to enter the Gulph or Bay, which is but Two hundred Leagues over.

The next Care was to lay in Store of other Provisions, in the Room of those which were lost, and Monsieur _de la Sale_ was the more pressing for us to imbark, because most of his Men deserted, or were debauch’d by the Inhabitants of the Place; and the Vessel call’d _l’ Aimable_, being the worst Sailer of our little Squadron, it was resolv’d that should carry the Light, and the others to follow it. Monsieur _de la Sale_, Monsieur _Cavelier_ his Brother, the Fathers _Zenobius_[44] and _Anastasius_, both Recolets, Monsieur _Chedeville_ and I imbark’d on the said _Aimable_ and all sail’d the 25th of _November_.

We met with some Calms, and some violent Winds, which nevertheless carry’d us in Sight of the Island of _Cuba_, on the 30th of the same Month, and it then bore from us _N. W._ There we alter’d our Course and steer’d _W._ and by _N._ The 31st, the Weather being somewhat close, we lost Sight of that Island, then stood _W. N. W._ and the Sky clearing up, made an Observation at Noon, and found we were in 19 Degrees, 45 Minutes of North Latitude: by which we judg’d that the Currents had carry’d us off to Sea from the Island of _Cuba_.

[Sidenote: _Dec. 1684_]

[Sidenote: Cayman _Island_.]

[Sidenote: _Island of_ Pines.]

On the first of _December_ we discovered the Island _Cayman_. The 2d we steer’d _N. W._ and by _W._ in order to come up with the Island of _Cuba_ in the Northern Latitude of 20 Degrees 32 Minutes. The 3d we discovered the little Island of _Pines_, lying close to _Cuba_. The 4th, we weather’d a Point of that Island, and the Wind growing scant, were forc’d to ply upon a Bowling, and make several Trips till the 5th at Night, when we anchor’d in a Creek, in 15 Fathom Water, and continued there till the 8th.

During that short Stay, Monsieur _de la Sale_ went Ashore with several Gentlemen of his Retinue on the Island of _Pines_, shot an Alligator dead, and returning Aboard, perceiv’d he had lost two of his Voluntiers, who had wander’d into the Woods, and perhaps lost their Way. We fired several Musquet Shots to call them, which they did not hear, and I was order’d to expect them ashore, with 30 Musquetiers to attend me. They return’d the next Morning with much Trouble.

[Sidenote: _Alligator eaten._]

[Sidenote: _Wild Swine._]

In the mean Time, our Soldiers, who had good Stomachs, boil’d and eat the Alligator, Monsieur _de la Sale_ had kill’d. The flesh of it was white and had a Taste of Musk, for which Reason I could not eat it. One of our Hunters kill’d a wild Swine, which the Inhabitants of those Islands call _Maron_. There are of them in the Island of _Santo Domingo_, or _Hispaniola_, they are of the Breed of those the _Spaniards_ left in the Islands when they first discover’d them, and run wild in the Woods. I sent it to Monsieur _de la Sale_, who presented the one Half to Monsieur _de Beaujeu_.

[Sidenote: _Island of_ Pines.]

That Island is all over very thick wooded, the Trees being of several Sorts, and some of them bear a Fruit resembling the Acorn, but harder. There are Abundance of Parrots, larger than those at _Petit Gouave_, a great Number of Turtle Doves and other Birds, and a Sort of Creatures resembling a Rat, but as big as a Cat, their Hair reddish. Our Men kill’d many of them and fed heartily on them, as they did on a good Quantity of Fish, wherewith that Coast abounds.

[Sidenote: _The Capes_ Corrientes _and St._ Antony.]

We imbark’d again, as soon as the two Men who had stray’d were return’d, and on the 8th; being the Feast of the _Conception_ of the Blessed Virgin, sail’d in the Morning, after having heard Mass, and the Wind shifting were forc’d to steer several Courses. The 9th we discover’d Cape _Corrientes_, of the Island of _Cuba_; where we were first becalm’d; and then follow’d a stormy Wind, which carried us away five Leagues to the Eastward. The 10th we spent the Night, making several Trips. The 11th, the Wind coming about, we weather’d Cape _Corrientes_, to make that of St. _Antony_; and at length, after plying a considerable Time, and sounding, we came to an Anchor the 12th, upon good Ground, in fifteen Fathom Water, in the Creek form’d by that Cape, which is in 22 Degrees of North Latitude and 288 Degrees 35 Minutes of Longitude.

We stay’d there only till next Day, being the 13th,[45] when the Wind seem’d to be favourable to enter upon the Bay of _Mexico_. We made ready and sail’d, steering _N. W._ and by _N._ and _N. N. W._ to weather the said Cape and prosecute our Voyage: But by that Time we were five Leagues from the Place of our Departure, we perceiv’d the Wind shifted upon us, and not knowing which Way the Currents sate, we stood _E._ and by _N._ and held that Course till the 14th, when Monsieur _de Beaujeu_, who was aboard the _Joly_, join’d us again, and having confer’d with Monsieur _de la Sale_ about the Wind’s being contrary, proposed to him to return to Cape St. _Antony_, to which Monsieur _de la Sale_ consented, to avoid giving him any Cause to complain, tho’ there was no great Occasion for so doing, and accordingly we went and anchor’d in the Place from whence we came.

The next Day, being the 15th, Monsieur _de la Sale_ sent some Men ashore, to try whether we could fill some Casks with Water. They brought Word, they had found some in the Wood, which was not much amiss, but that there was no Conveniency for rowling of the Casks; for which Reason Rundlets were sent, and as much Water brought in them, as fill’d six or seven of our Water Casks.

[Sidenote: _Mistake in Monsieur_ Tonti’s _Account of the Voyage_.]

The same Men reported, that they had found a glass Bottle, and in it a little Wine, or some other Liquor, almost dead. This was all the Provision we found in that Place, by which it appears, how much Monsieur _Tonti_ was misinform’d, since in his Book, _Pag._ 242, he says, we found in that Island several Tun of _Spanish_ Wine, good Brandy and _Indian_ Wheat, which the _Spaniards_ had left or abandon’d; and it is a meer Invention without any Thing of Truth.

The 16th, the Weather being still Calm, the Men went ashore again for five or six more Casks of Water. I was to have gone with them, had not an Indisposition, which I first felt in the Island of _Pines_, and afterwards turn’d to a tertian Ague, prevented me. Therefore I can give no Account of that Island, any further than what I could see from the Ships, which was Abundance of that Sort of Palm-Trees, in French call’d _Lataniers_, fit for nothing but making of Brooms, or scarce any other Use. That day we saw some Smoaks, far within the Island, and guess’d they might be a Signal of the Number of our Ships, or else made by some of the Country Hunters, who had lost their Way.

The next Night preceding the 17th, the Wind freshning from the _N. W._ and starting up all on a sudden, drove the Vessel call’d _la Belle_ upon her Anchor, so that she came foul of the Boltsprit of the _Aimable_, carrying away the Spritsail-Yard and the Spritsail-Top-Sail-Yard, and had not they immediately veer’d out the Cable of the _Aimable_, the Vessel _la Belle_ would have been in danger of perishing, but escap’d with the Loss of her Mizen, which came by the Board, and of about a hundred Fathoms of Cable and an Anchor.