Chapter 3

The next Morning Monsieur _Misson_ called for the Captain of the Privateer, he told him, he could not but allow him a brave Fellow, to venture upon a Ship of his Countenance, and for that Reason he should meet Treatment which Men of his Profession seldom afforded the Prisoners they made. He asked him how long he had been out, what was his Name, and what he had on Board? He answered he was but just come out, that he was the first Sail he had met with, and should have thought himself altogether as lucky not to have spoke with him' that his Name was _Harry Ramsey_, and what he had on Board were Rags, Powder, Ball, and some few half Anchors of Rum. _Ramsey_ was ordered into the Gun-Room, and a Council being held in the publick Manner aforesaid, the Bulk Head of the great Cabbin rowled up. On their Conclusion, the Captain of the Privateer was called in again, when Captain _Misson_ told him, he would return him his Sloop, and restore him and his Men to their Liberty, without stripping or plundering of any Thing, but what Prudence obliged him to, their Ammunition and Small-Arms, if he would give him his Word and Honour, and his Men to take an Oath, not to go out on the Privateer Account in six Months after they left him: That he did not design to continue that Station above a Week longer, at the Expiration of which Time he would let them go.

_Ramsey_, who had a new Sloop, did not expect this Favour, which he thanked him for, and promised punctually to comply with the Injunction, which his Men as readily swore to, tho' they had no Design to keep the Oath. The Time being expired, he and his Men were put on Board their own Sloop. At going over the Ship's Side _Ramsey_ begg'd Monsieur _Misson_ would allow him Powder for a salute, by way of Thanks; but he answered him, the Ceremony was needless, and he expected no other Return than that of keeping his Word, which indeed _Ramsey_ did. Some of his Men had found it more to their Advantage to have been as religious.

At parting Ramsey gave the Ship three Chears, and _Misson_ had the Complaisance to return one, which _Ramsey_ answering with three more, made the best of his Way for _Jamaica_, and at the East End of the Island met with the _Diana_, who, upon Advice, turn'd back.

The _Victoire_ steer'd for _Carthagene_, off which Port they cruised some Days, but meeting with nothing in the Seas, they made for _Porto Bello_; in their Way they met with two _Dutch_ Traders, who had Letters of Mart, and were just come upon the Coast, the one had 20, the other 24 Guns; _Misson_ engaged them, and they defended themselves with a great Deal of Resolution and Gallantry; and as they were mann'd a Peak, he darst not venture to board either of them, for fear of being at the same Time boarded by the other. His Weight of Mettal gave him a great Advantage over the _Dutch_, though they were two to one; besides, their Business, as they had Cargoes, was to get off, if possible, wherefore they made a running Fight, though they took Care to stick close to one another.

They maintained the Fight for above six Hours, when _Misson_, enraged at this Obstinacy, and fearing, if by Accident they should bring a Mast, or Top-Mast, by the board, they would get from him. He was resolved to sink the larger Ship of the two, and accordingly ordered his Men to bring all their Guns to bear a Midship, then running close along Side of him, to raise their Mettal; his Orders being punctually obey'd, he pour'd in a Broad Side, which open'd such a Gap in the _Dutch_ Ship, that she went directly to the Bottom, and every Man perish'd.

He then mann'd his Bowsprit, brought his Sprit-sail Yard fore and aft, and resolved to board the other, which the _Dutch_ perceiving, and terrified with the unhappy Fate of their Comrade, thought a farther Resistance vain, and immediately struck. _Misson_ gave them good Quarters, though he was enraged at the Loss of 13 Men killed outright, beside 9 wounded, of which 6 died. They found on board a great Quantity of Gold and Silver Lace, brocade Silks, Silk Stockings, Bails of Broad-Cloath, bazes of all Colours, and _Osnabrughs_.

A Consultation being held, it was resolved Captain _Misson_ should take the Name of _Fourbin_, and returning to _Carthagene_, dispose of his Prize, and set his Prisoners ashoar. Accordingly they ply'd to the Eastward, and came to an Anchor between _Boca Chieca_ Fort, and the Town, for they did not think it expedient to enter the Harbour. The Barge was manned, and _Caraccioli_, with the Name of _D'Aubigny_, the first lieutenant, who was killed in the Engagement with the _Winchelsea_, and his Commission in his Pocket, went ashore with a Letter to the Governor, sign'd _Fourbin_, whose Character, for fear of the worst, was exactly counterfeited. The Purport of his Letter was, that having discretionary Orders to cruize for three Months, and hearing the _English_ infested his Coast, he was come in search of 'em, and had met two _Dutch_ Men, one of which he had sunk, the other he made Prize of. That his limited Time being near expired, he should be obliged to his Excellency, if he would send on board him such Merchants as were willing to take the Ship and Cargoe off his Hands, of which he had lent the _Dutch_ Invoice. Don _Joseph de la Zerda_, the then Governor, received the Lieutenant (who sent back the Barge at landing) very civilly, and agreed to take the Prisoners ashoar, and do every Thing was required of him; and ordering fresh Provisions and Sallading to be got ready as a Present for the Captain, he sent for some Merchants who were very ready to go on board, and agree for the Ship and Goods; which they did, for two and fifty thousand Pieces of Eight. The next Day the Prisoners were set ashoar; a rich Piece of Brocade which was reserv'd, sent to the Governor for a Present, a Quantity of fresh Provision bought and brought on board, the Money paid by the Merchants, the Ship and Goods deliver'd, and the _Victoire_, at the Dawn of the following Day, got under Sail. It may be wonder'd how such Dispatch could be made, but the Reader must take Notice, these Goods were sold by the _Dutch_ Invoice, which the Merchant of the Prize affirmed was genuine. I shall observe, by the by, that the _Victoire_ was the _French_ Man of War which Admiral _Wager_ sent the _Kingston_ in search of, and being afterwards falsly inform'd, that she was join'd by another of seventy Guns; and that they cruiz'd together between the Capes, order'd the _Severn_ up to Windward, to assist the _Kingston_, which had like to have prov'd very fatal; for these two _English_ Men of War, commanded by Captain _Trevor_ and Captain _Padnor_, meeting in the Night, had prepared to engage, each taking the other for the Enemy. The _Kingston's_ Men not having a good Look-out, which must be attributed to the Negligence of the Officer of the Watch, did not see the _Severn_ till she was just upon them; but, by good Luck, to Leeward, and plying up, with all the Sail she could crowd, and a clear Ship. This put the _Kingston_ in such Confusion, that when the _Severn_ hal'd, no answer was retun'd, for none heard her. She was got under the _Kingston's_ Stern, and Captain _Padnor_ ordered to hale for the third and last Time, and if no answer was return'd, to give her a Broadside. The Noise onboard the _Kingston_ was now a little ceas'd, and Captain Trevor, who was on the poop with a speaking Trumpet to hale the _Severn_, by good Luck heard her hale him, answering the _Kingston_, and asking the Name of the other ship, prevented the Damage.

They cruised together some time, and meeting nothing which answer'd their Information, return'd to _Jamaica_, as I shall to my Subject, begging Pardon for this, as I thought, necessary Digression.

Don _Juan de la Zevda_ told the Captain in a Letter, that the St. _Joseph_, a Gallion of seventy Guns, was then lying at _Port a Bello_, and should be glad he could keep her Company till she was off the Coast. That she would sail in eight or ten Days for the _Havana_; and that, if his Time would permit him, he would send an Advice-Boat. That she had on board the Value of 800,000 Pieces of Eight in Silver and Bar Gold. _Misson_ return'd Answer, that he believ'd he should be excus'd if he stretched his Orders, for a few Days; and that he would cruize off the Isle of _Pearls_, and Cape _Gratias a Dios_, and give for Signal to the Gallion, his spreading a white Ensign in his Fore-Top-Mast Shrouds, the cluing up his Fore-sail, and the firing one Gun to Windward, and two to Leeward, which he should answer by letting run and hoisting his Fore-Top-Sail three times, and the firing as many Guns to Leeward. Don _Joseph_, extreamly pleased with this Complaisance, sent a Boat express to advise the St. _Joseph_, but she was already sailed two Days, contrary to the Governor of _Carthagene's_ Expectation, and, this Advice Captain _Misson_ had from the Boat, which returning with an Answer, saw the _Victoire_ in the Offin, and spoke to her. It was then resolved to follow the _St. Joseph_, and accordingly they steer'd for the _Havanna_, but by what Accident they did not overtake her is unknown.

I forgot to tell my Reader, on Board the _Dutch_ Ship were fourteen _French_ Hugonots, whom _Misson_ thought fit to detain, when they were at Sea. _Misson_ called 'em up, and proposed to 'em their taking on; telling them at the same Time, he left it to their Choice, for he would have no forc'd Men; and that if they all, or any of them, disapproved the Proposal, he would either give 'em the first Vessel he met that was fit for 'em, or set 'em ashoar on some inhabited Coast; and therefore bid 'em take two Days for Consideration before they returned an Answer; and, to encourage 'em, he called all Hands up, and declar'd, that if any Man repented him of the Course of Life he had chosen, his just Dividend should be counted to him, and he would set him on Shoar, either near the _Havanna_, or some other convenient Place; but not one accepted the Offer, and the fourteen Prisoners unanimously resolved to join in with 'em; to which Resolution, no doubt, the Hopes of a good Booty from the _St. Joseph_, and this Offer of Liberty greatly contributed.

At the Entrance of the Gulph they spied and came with a large Merchant Ship bound for _London_ from _Jamaica_; she had 20 Guns, but no more than 32 Hands, that its not to be wonder'd at she made no Resistance, besides, she was deep laden with Sugars. Monsieur _Misson_ took out of her what Ammunition she had, about four thousand Pieces of Eight, some Puncheons of Rum, and ten Hogsheads of Sugar; and, without doing her any further Damage, let her proceed her Voyage. What he valued most in this Prize was the Men he got, for she was carrying to _Europe_ twelve _French_ Prisoners, two of which were necessary Hands, being a Carpenter and his Mate. They were of _Bourdeaux_, from whence they came with the _Pomechatraine_, which was taken by the _Maremaid_ off _Petit Guavers_, after an obstinate Resistance, in which they lost forty Men; but they were of Opinion the _Maremaid_ could not have taken 'em, having but four Guns less than she had, which was made amends for, by their having about thirty Hands. On the contrary, had not the _Guernsey_ come up, they thought of boarding and carrying the _Maremaid_. These Men very willingly came into Captain _Misson's_ Measures.

These Men, who had been stripp'd to the Skin, begg'd Leave to make Reprisals, but the Captain would not suffer them, though he told the Master of the Prize, as he protected him and his Men, he thought it reasonable these _French_ should be cloathed: Upon this the Master contributed of his own, and every Man bringing up his Chest, thought themselves very well off in sharing with them one half.

Though _Misson's_ Ship pass'd for a _French_ Man of War, yet his Generosity in letting the Prize go, gave the _English_ Grounds to suspect the Truth, neither the Ship nor Cargoe being of Use to such as were upon the grand Account.

When they had lost all Hopes of the St. _Joseph_, they coasted along the North-Side of _Cuba_, and the _Victoire_ growing now foul, they ran into a Landlock'd Bay on the East North-East Point, where they hove her down by Boats and Guns, though they could not pretend to heave her Keel out; however, they scraped and tallowed as far as they could go; they, for this Reason, many of them repented they had let the last Prize go, by which they might have careened.

When they had righted the Ship, and put every Thing on Board, they consulted upon the Course they should steer. Upon this the Council divided. The Captain and _Caraccioli_ were for stretching over to the _African_, and the others for the _New-England_ Coast, alledging, that the Ship had a foul Bottom, and was not fit for the Voyage; and that if they met with contrary Winds, and bad Weather, their Stock of Provision might fall short; and that as they were not far from the _English_ Settlement of _Carolina_, they might either on that or the Coast of _Virginia, Maryland, Pensylvania, New-York_, or _New-England_, intercept ships which traded to the Islands with Provisions, and by that Means provide themselves with Bread, Flower, and other Necessaries. An Account of the Provisions were taken, and finding they had Provisions for four Months. Captain _Misson_ called all Hands upon Deck, and told them, as the Council differed in the Course they should steer, he thought it reasonable to have it put to the Vote of the whole Company. That for his Part, he was for going to the Coast of _Guiney_, where they might reasonably expect to meet with valuable Prizes; but should they fail in their Expectation one Way, they would be sure of having it answered another; for they could then throw themselves in that of the _East-India_ Ships, and he need not tell them, that the outward bound dreined _Europe_ of what Money they drew from America. He then gave the Sentiments of those who were against him, and their Reasons, and begg'd that every one would give his Opinion and Vote according as he thought most conducive to the Good of all. That he should be far from taking it ill if they should reject what he had proposed, since he had no private Views to serve. The Majority of Votes fell on the Captain's Side, and they accordingly shaped their Course for the Coast of Guiney, in which Voyage nothing remarkable happened. On their Arrival on the Gold-Coast, they fell in with the _Nieuwstadt_ of _Amsterdam_, a Ship of 18 Guns, commanded by Capt. _Blacs_, who made a running Fight of five Glasses: This Ship they kept with them, putting on Board 40 Hands, and bringing all the Prisoners on Board the _Victoire_, they were Forty three in Number, they left _Amsterdam_ with Fifty six, seven were killed in the Engagement, and they had lost six by Sickness and Accidents, one falling overboard, and one being taken by a Shark going overboard in a Calm.

The _Nieuwstadt_ had some Gold-Dust on Board, to the Value of about 2000 l. Sterling, and a few Slaves to the Number of Seventeen, for she had but begun to Trade; the Slaves were a strengthening of their Hands, for the Captain order'd them to be cloathed out of Dutch Mariners Chests, and told his Men, 'That the Trading for those of our own Species, cou'd never be agreeable to the Eyes of divine Justice: That no Man had Power or the Liberty of another; and while those who profess'd a more enlightened Knowledge of the Deity, sold Men like Beasts; they prov'd that their Religion was no more than Grimace, and that they differ'd from the _Barbarians_ in Name only, since their Practice was in nothing more humane: For his Part, and he hop'd, he spoke the Sentiments of all his brave Companions, he had not exempted his Neck from the galling Yoak of Slavery, and asserted his own Liberty, to enslave others. That however, these Men were distinguish'd from the _Europeans_ by their Colour, Customs, or religious Rites, they were the Work of the same omnipotent Being, and endued with equal Reason: Wherefore, he desired they might be treated like Freemen (for he wou'd banish even the Name of Slavery from among them)' and divided into Messes among them, to the End they might the sooner learn their Language, be sensible of the Obligation they had to them, and more capable and zealous to defend that Liberty they owed to their Justice and Humanity.

This Speech of _Misson_'s was received with general Applause, and the Ship rang with _vive le Capitain_ Misson. Long live Capt. _Misson_.--The Negroes were divided among the _French_, one to a Mess, who, by their Gesticulations, shew'd they were gratefully sensible of their being delivered from their Chains. Their Ship growing very foul, and going heavily through the Water, they run into the River of _Lagoa_, where they hove her down, taking out such Planks as had suffer'd most by the Worms, and substituting new in their Room.

After this they careened the Prize, and so put out to Sea, steering to the Southward, and keeping along the Coast, but met with Nothing. All this while, the greatest Decorum and Regularity was observed on Board the _Victoire_; but the _Dutch_ Prisoners Example began to lead 'em into Swearing and Drunkenness, which the Captain remarking, thought it was best to nip these Vices in the Bud; and calling both the _French_ and _Dutch_ upon Deck, he address'd himself to the former, desiring their Captain, who spoke French excellently well, to interpret what he said to those who did not understand him. He told them, 'before he had the Misfortune of having them on Board, his Ears were never grated with hearing the Name of the great Creator prophaned, tho' he, to his Sorrow, had often since heard his own Men guilty of that Sin, which administer'd neither Profit nor Pleasure, and might draw upon them a severe Punishment: That if they had a just Idea of that great Being, they wou'd never mention him, but they wou'd immediately reflect on his Purity and their own Vileness. That we so easily took Impression from our Company, that the _Spanish_ Proverb says, _let a Hermit and a Thief live together, the Thief wou'd become Hermit, or the Hermit Thief_: That he saw this verified in his Ship, for he cou'd attribute the Oaths and Curses he had heard among his brave Companions, to nothing but the odious Example of the _Dutch_: That this was not the only Vice they had introduced, for before they were on Board, his Men were Men, but he found by their beastly Pattern they were degenerated into Brutes, by drowning that only Faculty, which distinguishes between Man and Beast, _Reason_. That as he had the Honour to command them, he could not see them run into these odious Vices without, a sincere Concern, as he had a paternal Affection for them; and he should reproach himself as neglectful of the common Good, if he did not admonish them; and as by the Post which they had honour'd him, he was obliged to have a watchful Eye over their general Interest; he was obliged to tell them his Sentiments were, that the _Dutch_ allured them to a dissolute Way of Life, that they might take some Advantage over them: Wherefore, as his brave Companions, he was assured, wou'd be guided by Reason, he gave the _Dutch_ Notice, that the first whom he catch'd either with an Oath in his Mouth or Liquor in his Head, should be brought to the Geers, whipped and pickled, for an Example to the rest of his Nation: As to his Friends, his Companions, his Children, those gallant, those generous, noble, and heroick Souls he had the Honour to command, he entreated them to allow a small Time for Reflection, and to consider how little Pleasure sure, and how much Danger, might flow from imitating the Vices of their Enemies; and that they would among themselves, make a Law for the Suppression of what would otherwise estrange them from the Source of Life, and consequently leave them destitute of his Protection.'

It is not to be imagined what Efficacy this Speech had on both Nations: The _Dutch_ grew continent in Fear of Punishment, and the _French_ in Fear of being reproach'd by their good Captain, for they never mentioned him without this Epithet. Upon the Coast of _Angola_, they met with a second Dutch Ship, the Cargo of which consisted of Silk and Woolen Stuffs, Cloath, Lace, Wine, Brandy, Oyl, Spice, and hard Ware; the Prize gave Chase and engaged her, but upon the coming up of the _Victoire_ she struck. This Ship opportunely came in their Way, and gave full Employ to the Taylors, who were on Board, for the whole Crew began to be out at Elbows: They plundered her of what was of Use to their own Ship, and then sunk her.

The Captain having about ninety Prisoners on Board, proposed the giving them the Prize, with what was necessary for their Voyage, and sending them away; which being agreed to, they shifted her Ammunition on Board the _Victoire_, and giving them Provision to carry them to the Settlements the Dutch have on the Coast, _Misson_ called them up, told them what was his Design, and ask'd if any of them was willing to share his Fortune: Eleven _Dutch_ came into him, two of which were Sail-makers, one an Armourer, and one a Carpenter, necessary Hands; the rest he let go, not a little surprised at the Regularity, Tranquillity, and Humanity, which they found among these new fashioned Pyrates.

They had now run the Length of _Soldinia_ Bay about ten Leagues to the Northward of _Table_ Bay. As here is good Water, safe Riding, plenty of Fish and fresh Provision, to be got of the Natives for the Merchandize they had on Board, it was resolved to stay here some little Time for Refreshments. When they had the Bay open, they spied a tall Ship, which instantly got under sail, and hove out _English_ Colours. The _Victoire_ made a clear Ship, and hove out her _French_ Ensign, and a smart Engagement began. _The English_ was a new Ship built for 40 Guns, though she had but 32 mounted, and 90 Hands. _Misson_ gave Orders for boarding, and his Number of fresh Men he constantly poured in, after an obstinate Dispute obliged the _English_ to fly the Decks, and leave the _French_ Masters of their Ship, who promised, and gave them, good Quarters, and stripp'd not a Man.

They found on Board the Prize some Bales of _English_ Broad-Cloath, and about 60000 l. in _English_ Crown Pieces, and _Spanish_ Pieces of Eight. The _English_ Captain was killed in the Engagement, and 14 of his Men: The _French_ lost 12, which was no small Mortification, but did not, however provoke them to use their Prisoners harshly. Captain _Misson_ was sorry for the Death of the Commander, whom he buried on the Shoar, and one of his Men being a Stone-Cutter, he raised a Stone over his Grave with these Words, _Icy gist un brave Anglois_, Here lies a gallant _English_ Man; when he was buried he made a tripple Discharge of 50 small Arms, and fired Minute Guns.

The _English_, knowing whose Hands they were fallen into, charm'd with _Misson_'s Humanity, 30 of them, in 3 Days Space, desired to take on with him. He accepted 'em, but at the same Time gave 'em to understand, that in taking on with him they were not to expect they should be indulged in a dissolute and immoral Life. He now divided his Company between the two Ships, and made _Caraccioli_ Captain of the Prize, giving him Officers chosen by the publick Suffrage. The 17 Negroes began to understand a little _French_, and to be useful Hands, and in less than a Month all the _English_ Prisoners came over to him, except their Officers.