Part 4
Don _Juan de la Zerda_ 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 _Havanna_; 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 Coasts 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. _Blaes_, 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 of 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, 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.
He had two Ships well mann'd with resolute Fellows; they now doubled the Cape, and made the South End of _Madagascar_, and one of the _English_ Men telling Captain _Misson_, that the _European_ Ships bound for _Surat_ commonly touch'd at the Island of _Johanna_, he sent for Captain _Caraccioli_ on Board, and it was agreed to cruize off that Island. They accordingly sailed on the West-Side of _Madagascar_ and off the Bay _de Diego_. About half Seas over between that Bay and the Island of _Johanna_, they came up with an _English East-India_ Man, which made Signals of Distress as soon as she spy'd _Misson_ and his Prize; they found her sinking by an unexpected Leak, and took all her Men on Board, though they could get little out of her before she went down. The _English_, who were thus miraculously saved from perishing, desired to be set on Shoar at _Johanna_, where they hop'd to meet with either a _Dutch_ or _English_ Ship in a little Time, and the mean while they were sure of Relief.
They arrived at _Johanna_, and were kindly received by the Queen-Regent and her Brother, on account of the _English_ on the one Hand, and of their Strength on the other, which the Queen's Brother, who had the Administration of Affairs, was not able to make Head against, and hoped they might assist him against the King of _Mohila_, who threaten'd him with a Visit.
This is an Island which is contiguous, in a manner, to _Johanna_, and lies about N. W. and by N. from it. _Caraccioli_ told _Misson_ he might make his Advantage in widening the Breach between these two little Monarchies, and, by offering his Assistance to that of _Johanna_, in a manner rule both, for these would court him as their Protector, and those come to any Terms to buy his Friendship, by which Means he would hold the Ballance of Power between them. He followed this Advice, and offered his Friendship and Assistance to the Queen, who very readily embraced it.
I must advise the Reader, that many of this Island speak _English_, and that the _English_ Men who were of _Misson_'s Crew, and his Interpreters, told them, their Captain, though not an _Englishman_, was their Friend and Ally, and a Friend and Brother to the _Johanna_ Men, for they esteem the _English_ beyond all other Nations.
They were supplied by the Queen with all Necessaries of Life, and _Misson_ married her Sister, as _Caraccioli_ did the Daughter of her Brother, whose Armory, which consisted before of no more than two rusty Fire-Locks, and three Pistols, he furnish'd with thirty Fuzils, as many Pair of Pistols, and gave him two Barrels of Powder, and four of Ball.
Several of his Men took Wives, and some required their Share of the Prizes, which was justly given them, they designing to settle in this Island, but the Number of these did not exceed ten, which Loss was repaired by thirty of the Crew (they had saved from perishing) coming in to him.
While they past their Time in all manner of Diversions the Place would afford them, as hunting, feasting, and visiting the Island, the King of _Mohila_ made a Descent, and alarm'd the whole Country. _Misson_ advised the Queen's Brother not to give him any Impediment, but let him get into the Heart of the Island, and he would take Care to intercept their Return; but the Prince answered, should he follow his Advice the Enemy would do him and the Subjects an irreparable Damage, in destroying the Cocoa Walks, and for that Reason he must endeavour to stop his Progress. Upon this Answer he asked the _English_ who were not under his Command, if they were willing to join him in repelling the Enemies of their common Host, and one and all consenting, he gave them Arms, and mixed them with his own Men, and about the same Number of _Johannians_, under the Command of _Caraccioli_ and the Queen's Brother, and arming out all his Boats, he went himself to the Westward of the Island, where they made their Descent. The Party which went by Land, fell in with, and beat the _Mohilians_ with great Ease, who were in the greatest Consternation, to find their Retreat cut off by _Misson_'s Boats. The _Johannians_, whom they had often molested, were so enraged, that they gave Quarter to none, and out of 300 who made the Descent, if _Misson_ and _Caraccioli_ had not interposed, not a Soul had escaped; 113 were taken Prisoners by his Men, and carried on Board his Ships. These he sent safe to _Mohila_, with a Message to the King, to desire he would make Peace with his Friend and Ally the King of _Johanna_; but that Prince, little affected with the Service done him in the Preservation of his Subjects, sent him Word he took Laws from none, and knew when to make War and Peace without his Advice, which he neither asked nor wanted. _Misson_, irritated by this rude Answer, resolved to transfer the War into his own Country, and accordingly set sail for _Mohila_, with about 100 _Johanna_ Men. The Shoar, on Sight of the Ships, was filled with Men to hinder a Descent if intended, but the great Guns soon dispersed this Rabble, and under their Cover he landed the _Johannians_, and an equal Number of _French_ and _English_. They were met by about 700 _Mohilians_, who pretended to stop their Passage, but their Darts and Arrows were of little avail against _Misson_'s Fuzils; the first Discharge made a great Slaughter, and about 20 Shells which were thrown among them, put them to a confus'd Flight. The Party of _Europeans_ and _Johannians_ then marched to their Metropolis, without Resistance, which they reduced to Ashes, and the _Johannians_ cut down all the Cocoa Walks that they could for the Time, for towards Evening they returned to their Ships, and stood off to Sea.
At their Return to _Johanna_ the Queen made a Festival, and magnified the Bravery and Service of her Guests, Friends, and Allies. This Feast lasted four Days, at the Expiration of which Time the Queen's Brother proposed to Captain _Misson_ the making another Descent, in which he would go in Person, and did not doubt subjecting the _Mohilians_; but this was not the Design of _Misson_, who had Thoughts of fixing a Retreat on the North West Side of _Madagascar_, and look'd upon the Feuds between these two Islands advantageous to his Views, and therefore no way his Interest to suffer the one to overcome the other; for while the Variance was kept up, and their Forces pretty much upon a Level, it was evident their Interest would make both Sides caress him; he therefore answer'd, that they ought to deliberate on the Consequences, for they might be deceived in their Hopes, and find the Conquest less easy than they imagined. That the King of _Mohila_ would be more upon his Guard, and not only intrench himself, but gall them with frequent Ambuscades, by which they must inevitably lose a Number of Men; and, if they were forced to retire with Loss, raise the Courage of the _Mohilians_, and make them irreconcilable Enemies to the _Johannians_, and intirely deprive him of the Advantages with which he might now make a Peace, having twice defeated them: That he could not be always with them, and at his leaving _Johanna_ he might expect the King of _Mohila_ would endeavour to take a bloody Revenge for the late Damages. The Queen gave intirely into _Misson_'s Sentiments.