At Guiaquil.
In the Towns and the whole Province theSpaniardscompute at least 10000 Inhabitants; but I believe there are many more. They are distinguish’d by themselves into 11 Classes or Sorts, which being particular, and worth remarking,I shall add a Description of them, for the Information of such as have not been in those Parts.
The first and chief is the originalSpaniards, never yet mix’d with other People (at least as they pretend) and these are most respected.
2. TheMustees, begot bySpaniardsonIndianWomen.
3.Fino Mustees, their Children married again with theSpaniards.
4.Terceroons de Indies, their Children again mix’d with theSpaniards.
5.Quarteroons de Indies, their Posterity again mix’d with theSpaniards. These last are allowed to be PrimitiveSpaniardsagain.
6.Mullattoes, begot by aSpaniard, or anyEuropean, on a Negro Woman.
7.Quarteroon de Negroes, again mixt with theSpaniards, and esteem’d no better thanMullattoes.
8.Terceroon de Negroes, a third Mixture with theSpaniards, still call’dMullattoes, because they will not allow ’em the Privilege or Title ofSpaniardafter once debas’d with the Negro Breed, tho’ some of ’em are as white as themselves; but they can’t get off the ugly Name ofMullatto, unless they hide their Descent, which is no hard Task, if they remove their Abode to another Place where they are not known, which is often practis’d and conniv’d at by the Fathers of the Church, to increase the Number of good CatholickSpaniards.
9. The 9th Sort isIndians, who are all of a dark Olive-tawny Colour; these (tho’ the true and antient Proprietors of the Country) are placed a Class below the worst of theSpanishDescendants, which are generally begot without Marriage on their Servants and Slaves.
10.Negroes.
11. All the Species and Breeds between theNegroesandIndiansare call’dSambos, tho’ by mixing their Breed as they do, they commonly differ little or nothing to the Eye from theSpanishmix’d Descendants.
These 11 are the common Sorts, tho’ some of ’em seem not very regularly distinguish’d: But they have rung Changes so often in those Peals of Generation, that there is no End of their Distinctions. TheSpaniardsare the fewest by far of all the Inhabitants; and were it not for those Mixtures, which the Fathers of the Church keep united, theIndiansmight again take possession of their Country, for theSpaniardswould be too few to keep it, and much more uncapable of peopling it. Few of those Prisoners that fell into our hands were healthy and sound; near half of theSpaniardsdiscover’d publickly to our Doctors their Malady, in order to get Physick from them against theFrenchDisease, which is so common here, that they reckon it no Scandal to be deep in the Powdering Tub; and the Heat of the Country facilitating the Cure, they make very light of it. All theSpaniardsI discours’d allow that this rich Country is not a tenth peopled, nor are half theIndiansfar within Land civilized, tho’ they affirm their King has in theWest Indiesmore Subjects of several Colours, than in allSpain, or the rest of his Dominions inEurope(which may be true) and I believe they are such Subjects, as no Christian King can boast of; for the King ofSpainis able to match the Skins of hisAmericansto any Colour, with more Variety and Exactness than a Draper can match his Cloth and Trimming.
The Account that theFrenchBuccaneers,aliasPirates, gave of this Place, is so false, that there’s not the least Truth in it; so that by their Description it would not appear to be the same Place, had they not left infamous Marks of their being here: For when they took the Town ofGuiaquilabout 22 Years ago, they discover’d little or no Bravery in the Attack (tho’ they lost a great many Men) and committed a great deal of Brutishness and Murther after they had the Place in their Power, which was above a Month here and atPuna. The Seasons here are improperly call’d Winter and Summer; the Winter is reckon’d from the Beginning ofDecemberto the last ofMay, and all that Season is sultry hot, wet and unhealthy. From the latter End ofMaytoDecember’tis serene, dry and healthy, but not so violently hot as what they call Winter.
TheirCocoais ripe, and mostly gather’d betweenJuneandAugust, and of the other Fruits natural to these Climates, some are ripe and others green all the Year. But I return to my Journal, and the Account of our Voyage to theGallapagoesIslands.
From Guiaquil towards the Gallapagos.
May 11.A fresh Gale at S.S.W. We had upwards of 20 Men that fell ill within these 24 Hours, and our Consort near 50, of a malignant Fever, contracted as I suppose atGuiaquil, where I was informed, that about a Month or 5 Weeks before we took it, a contagious Disease which raged there swept off 10 or 12 Persons every Day for a considerable time; so that the Floors of all the Churches (which are theirusual Burial Places) were fill’d so fast, that they were obliged to dig a large and deep Hole of about a Rod square, close by the great Church, where I kept Guard; and this Hole was almost fill’d with Corps half putrified. The Mortality was so very great, that many of the People had left the Town, and our lying so long in the Church surrounded with such unwholsom Scents, was enough to infect us too.
Capt.Courtneywas taken ill, and Capt.Doverwent on board theDutchessto prescribe for him.
May 14.This Day we saw a great many Albacores in pursuit of Flying Fish, and a very large Albacore[131]leap’d into one of our Boats. We have now about 50 Men down, and theDutchessupwards of 70; but I hope the Sea Air (which is very fresh) will make the Climate more healthy.
May 15.At 6 last Night Mr.Samuel Hopkins, Dr.Dover’sKinsman and Assistant, died; he read Prayers once a Day ever since we pass’d the Equinox in the North Sea: He was a very good temper’d sober Man, and very well beloved by the whole Ship’s Company.
May 17.This Morning we saw the Land bearing S. S. W. about 10 Leagues distant. It seems a large Island, and high Land: We tack’d and stood E. by S. Wind at S. by E. to turn up to Windward for the Island. Our Men in both Ships continue very ill; we have near 60 sick, and theDutchessupwards of 80. We had a good Observation, Lat. 00°. 37´´. S.
May 18.At 6 last Night the End of the Island bore S. by E. distant about 5 Leagues.Edward Downedied at 12 at Night. When Day broke we were within 4 Leagues of 2 large Islands almost joining together, having passed the other that we saw yesterday. We sent our Boat ashore to look for Water, and agreed with our Consort where to meet in case of Separation. They turn’d towards an Island we saw to Windward, and left us to try this Island for Water: All our Prizes were to stay near us under Sail by a remarkable Rock.
May 19.Yesterday in the Afternoon the Boat return’d with a melancholy Account, that no Water was to be found. The Prizes we expected would have lain to Windward for us by the Rock, about 2 Leagues off Shore; but Mr.Hatleyin a Bark, and theHavre de Grace, turn’d to Windward afterour Consort theDutchess; so that only the Galleon and the Bark that Mr.Selkirkwas in staid for us. We kept plying to Windward all Night with a Light out, which they follow’d. At 5 in the Morning we sent our Boat ashore again to make a further Search in this Island for Water. About 10 in the MorningJames Danielour Joiner died. We had a good Observation, Lat. 00° 32´´. S.
May 20.Yesterday in the Evening our Boat return’d, but found no Water, tho’ they went 3 or 4 Miles up into the Country: They tell me the Island is nothing but loose Rocks, like Cynders, very rotten and heavy, and the Earth so parch’d, that it will not bear a Man, but breaks into Holes under his Feet, which makes me suppose there has been a Vulcano here; tho’ there is much shrubby Wood, and some Greens on it, yet there’s not the least Sign of Water, nor is it possible, that any can be contain’d on such a Surface. At 12 last Night we lost sight of our Galleon; so that we have only one Bark with us now.
May 21.Yesterday in the Afternoon came down theDutchessand theFrenchPrize. TheDutchess’s Bark had caught several Turtle and Fish, and gave us a Part, which was very serviceable to the sick Men, our fresh Provisions that we got on the main Land being all spent. They were surpriz’d as much as we at the Galleon, andHatley’s Bark being out of Sight, thinking before they had been with us. We kept Lights at our Top-mast’s Head, and fir’d Guns all Night, that they might either see or hear how to join us, but to no Purpose.
Capt.Courtneybeing not yet quite recover’d, I went on board theDutchess, and agreed with him and his Officers, to stay here with theHavre de Graceand Bark, whilst I went in quest of the missing Prizes. At 6 in the Morning we parted, and stood on a Wind to the Eastward, judging they lost us that way. Here are very strange Currents amongst these Islands, and commonly run to the Leeward, except on the Full Moon I observed it ran very strong to Windward; I believe ’tis the same at Change.
May 22.Yesterday at 3 in the Afternoon we met with the Galleon under the East Island, but heard nothing of Mr.Halley’sBark. At 9 last NightJacob ScronderaDutch-man, and very good Sailor, died. We kept on a Wind in the Morning to look under the Weather Island for Mr.Hatley, and fired a Gun for the Galleon to bear away for the Rendevouz Rock, which she did.
At the Gallapagos Islands.
May 23.Yesterday at 3 in the Afternoon we saw the Weather Island near enough, and no Sail about it. We bore away in sight of the Rock, and saw none but our Galleon; we were in another Fright what became of our Consort, and the 2 Prizes we left behind; but by 5 we saw ’em come from under the Shore to the Leeward of the Rock. We spoke with ’em in the Evening; we all bewail’d Mr.Hatley,[132]and were afraid he was lost: We fir’d Guns all Night, and kept Lights out, in hopes he might see or hear us, and resolved to leave these unfortunate Islands, after we had view’d two or three more to Leeward. We pity’d our 5 Men in the Bark that is missing, who if in being have a melancholy Life without Water, having no more but for 2 Days, when they parted from us. Some are afraid they run on Rocks, and were lost in the Night, others that the 2 Prisoners and 3 Negroes had murder’d ’em when asleep; but if otherwise, we had no Water, and our Men being still sick, we could stay little longer for them. Last Night diedLaw. Carneyof a malignant Fever. There is hardly a Man in the Ship, who had been ashore atGuiaquil, but has felt something of this Distemper, whereas not one of those that were not there have been sick yet. Finding that Punch did preserve my own Health, I prescribed it freely among such of the Ships Company as were well, to preserve theirs. Our Surgeons make heavy Complaints for want of sufficient Medicines, with which till now I thought we abounded, having a regular Physician, an Apothecary, and Surgeons enough, with all sorts of Medicines on board. Our Owners believed so too, and did often at home set forth the uncommon Advantage we had in being so carefully provided for this tedious Voyage; but now we found it otherwise, and had not sufficient Medicines to administer for the Recovery of our sick Men, which so many being sick in both Ships, makes it a melancholy Time with us.
May 21.Yesterday at 5 in the Afternoon we ran to the Northward, and made another Island, which bore N. W. by W. distant 5 Leagues; and this Morning we sent our Boat ashore, to see for the lost Bark, Water, Fish or Turtle. This DayTho. Hughesa very good Sailor died, as did Mr.George Underhill, a good Proficient in most parts of the Mathematicks and other Learning, tho’ not much above 21 Years old: He was of a very courteous Temper, and brave, was in the Fight where my Brother was kill’d, and served as Lieutenant in my Company atGuiaquil. About the same time another young Man, call’dJohn English, died aboard theHaver de Grace, and we have many still sick. If we had staid in the Harbour, we should in all probability have lost near half of our Men. We had a good Observation, Lat. 00°. 14´´. N.
May 25.Yesterday at 6 in the Evening our Boat return’d from the Island without finding any Water, or seeing the Bark. About 4 in the Morning we stood to another Island, that bore about N. E. distant 4 Leagues, and theDutchesswent to view another to the S. W. of it. Last NightPeter Marshala good Sailor died. This Morning our Boat with Mr.Selkirk’sBark went to another Island to view it. We had an Observation, Lat. 00°. 35´´. N.
May 26.Last Night our Boat and Bark return’d, having rounded the Island, found no Water, but Plenty of Turtle and Fish. This Morning we join’d theDutchess, who had found no Water. About 12 a Clock we compar’d our Stocks of Water, found it absolutely necessary to make the best of our way to the Main for some, then to come off again; and so much the rather, because we expected that 2FrenchShips, one of 60, and another of 40 Guns, with someSpanishMen of War, would suddenly be in quest of us.
May 27.At 6 last Night the Body of the Eastermost Island bore S. E. by S. distant 4 Leagues, from whence we took our Departure for the Main. Last Night diedPaunceford Wall, a Land-man. A fresh Gale at S. E. with cloudy Weather.
From the Gallapagos Islands towards Peru.
May 30.Fair Weather with moderate Gales from the S. S. E. to the S. by E. We are forced to water the Bark and Galleon every Day with our Yall: ’Tis a very great Trouble to hoist our Boat out daily; now that our Men are so very weak. SeniorMorell, and the other Prisoners, tell us, that it frequently proves Calm between these Islands and theTerra firma, at this time of the Year, which if it should now happen, but for a few Days, would very much incommode us for Want of Water. Had we supplied our selves well at PointArena, we should, no doubt, have had time enough to find the IslandS. Maria de l’Aquada, reported to be one of theGallapagos, where there is Plenty of goodWater, Timber, Land and Sea Turtle, and a safe Road for Ships. This was the Place we intended for, and would have been very suitable to our Purpose, which was to lie some Time concealed. It’s probable there is such an Island, because one Capt.Davis,[133]anEnglishman, who was a buccaneering in these Seas, above 20 Years ago, lay some Months and recruited here to Content: He says, that it had Trees fit for Masts; but these sort of Men, and others I have convers’d with, or whose Books I have read, have given very blind or false Relations of their Navigation, and Actions in these Parts, for supposing the Places too remote to have their Stories disprov’d, they imposed on the Credulous, amongst whom I was one, till now I too plainly see, that we cannot find any of their Relations to be relied on: Therefore I shall say no more of these Islands, since by what I saw of ’em, they don’t at all answer the Description that those Men have given us.
Nothing more remarkable happen’d till the 6th ofJune, but thatThomas Morgan, aWelchLand-man, died the 31st ofMay;George Bishop, another Land-man, the 4th ofJune; and that we had Advice from some of our Men on board the Galeon, that the Prisoners and Blacks there had form’d a Plot to murder theEnglish, and run away with the Ship in the Night. We examin’d theSpaniardswho positively denied it; yet some of the Blacks own’d there had been such a Discourse betwixt some Negroes andIndians, but they did not believe they were in earnest: So we contented our selves to disperse those Prisoners into several Ships, as the best Way to break the Cabal.
June 6.Yesterday at 4 a Clock in the Afternoon we spied a Sail, and at the same time saw the Land, theDutchessbeing a Mile a Head, gave chase first, we followed, and about 7 in the Evening theDutchesstook her; we immediately sent our Boat aboard, and took out some of the Prisoners. She was a Vessel of about 90 Tun, bound fromPanamatoGuiaquil, call’d the St.Thomas de Villa novaand St.Demas,Juan Navarro NavaretCommander. There were about 40 People aboard, including 11 Negro-Slaves, but little ofEuropeanGoods, except some Iron and Cloth. CaptainCourtneysent to tell me, the Prisoners he had knew nothing of our being in these Seas, and brought no News fromEurope, but confirm’d the Story that they expected the Arrival of a Squadron fromEngland, my LordPeterborough, Admiral and General, by Sea and Land, which was dreaded every Day, and that they were inform’d he design’d to secure some Port in the North Sea, and send part of his Squadron to the South Sea. They had a Passenger of Note on board, call’d DonJuan Cardoso, he was going to be Governour ofBaldivia, and said he had been taken not long before in the North Sea, byJamaicaCruisers. We bore away by Agreement for the IslandGorgona. This Morning we sawGallo, near the Shore, a small Island, and the Main to the North of it, which by the Shore is low Land. Our late Prize ran aboard theHavre de Grace, and lost her Main Top-mast, but did little Damage to the other Ship. TheDutchesstook the Prize into a Tow. We had a good Observation. Lat. 2°. 00´´. N.
June 7.Yesterday at 2 in the Afternoon we made the Island ofGorgona; about 4 the Body bore E. N. E. 5 Leagues.
June 8.Yesterday at 4 in the Afternoon we got to an Anchor, about a good Cable’s Length from the Shore in 30 Fathom Water, on the East side of the Island; the Southermost point of it in sight bore S. E. about 3 Miles, and the Rocks off the North Point bore N. half W. a Mile and a half.
June 8.At 8 this Morning we spied a Sail to the Southward of the Island, between it and the Main; our Pinnace being a-shore for Water, theDutchess’s Boat went first after her, ours followed on the other side of the Island, that if the Prize bore away, she might meet her on the West Side. In the mean time I took in Water from the Island.
In Gorgona Road.
June 9.Yesterday in the Afternoon our Boats return’d and brought the Prize with them, being a small Bark of about 35 Tuns, call’d theGolden Sun; she belong’d to a Creek within this Island, on the Main, and was bound forGuiaquil,Andros EnriquesMaster, with 10SpaniardsandIndians, and someNegroes; no Cargo but a very little Gold Dust, and a large Gold Chain, together about 500l.value, which were secur’d aboard theDutchess. The Prize design’d to purchase Salt and Brandy with ’em. The Prisoners said they had no Notice of us, so that News does not spread in this Country so fast as we believ’d, especially this Way; the Land being, as I am informed, full of Woods and Rivers, and bad for Travellers or Posts. About 6 in the Evening there was a Consultation on board theDutchess, with some of my Officers, Capt.Doverand others; being discompos’d I was not with them, but resolved to act in consortship, accordingto their Agreement. After they had examin’d the Prisoners, they resolved to go toMalaga, an Island which had a Rode, where we design’d to leave our Ships, and with our Boats row up the River, for the rich Gold Mines ofBarbacore, call’d also by theSpaniards, the Mines of St.Juan, from a Village about two Tides up the River of that Name; there we design’d to surprize Canoes, as fitter than our Boats to go against the Stream; for this Time of the Year being subject to great Rains, which makes a strong Fresh down the River, our Pilot, an oldSpaniard, did not propose to get up to the Mines in less than 12 Days. I had often before suspected his Knowledge, but according to their Resolutions on board theDutchesswe came to sail about 12 a Clock at Night, and steer’d N. E. for the Place. In the Morning I discours’d CaptainMorrel, as I had done several Times before, and all the rest of the Prisoners, who agreed that this Island, call’dMalaga, was an unfrequented Place, and not fit for Ships, that ever they heard of. I had also 2 Prisoners aboard, that were taken in the last Prize, who had been at the said Island very lately; I examin’d ’em separately, and they agreed, that a Ship could not be safe there, and the Place being so narrow, ’twas impossible to get in, but with the Tide, which ran very strong; that the Entrance was full of Shoals, and had not Water enough, but at Spring Tides, for our Ships to get out or in; besides that if a Ship gets loose (as we must moar Head and Stern) she would turn all adrift, and very much endanger the whole; they added that the River was so narrow before we could get to the Mines, that theIndiansandSpaniardsmight fell Trees a cross, and cut off our Retreat, there being thick Woods on the Banks of the River, from whence theIndianswould gall us with their poison’d Arrows; for those about the Mines were in Amity with theSpaniards, and a bold and a very numerous People. Upon this Information I was surpriz’d that the Council had not inform’d themselves better before they resolved on going to this Place, and immediately sent Mr.Whiteour Linguist with the two Prisoners, on board theDutchess, to undeceive Capt.Courtneyand his Officers, and to desire his Company with some of the rest without Loss of Time, that we might agree how to act for our Safety and Interest, and not to proceed farther on this hazardous Enterprize.
June 10.Yesterday Afternoon Capt.Courtneyand Capt.Cookcame aboard us. We immediately agreed to return toGorgona, to refit our Prizes, and that there we would come toa final Resolution. We saw the Island at 6 in the Evening, bearing S. W. Distance about 8 Leagues. In the Night, we had much Rain with Lightning and Squalls of Wind, by which theHavre de Gracelost her main Top-mast. This Morning diedJonathan Smyth, a Smith by Trade, and Armourer’s Mate of our Ship. I went on board theHavre de GraceandDutchess, and lent them what was necessary for their Assistance. Our Men being very much fatigued, many of them sick, and several of our Good Sailors dead, we are so weak, that should we meet an Enemy in this Condition, we could make but a mean Defence. Every thing looks dull and discouraging, but it’s in vain to look back or repine in these Parts.
June 11.We had good Soundings, but came no nearer the Shore than 36 Fathom Water, it being uncertain Soundings, and dangerous for Ships to venture within that Depth here.
June 12.Had rainy Weather, with little or no Wind. At 8 this Morning saw the Island ofGorgona; bore S. half W. distant about 9 Leagues. We impatiently long to be there again, at an Anchor, being in an ordinary Condition to keep the Sea, tho’ when there, we are open to all Advantages against us, if the Enemy is out after us, which we expect, and that this is a Place they will search, but having no other Place so convenient, we must run the Risque of it.
June 13.About 4 in the Morning we came to an Anchor again atGorgona, in 40 Fathom Water, and most of both Ships Officers having some Thoughts of Careening[134]here. We held the following Committee:
GORGONA: 13 June, 1709.At a Committee held on Board theDuke.WE have agreed on Mr.Lancelot Applebyto succeed Mr.Samuel Hopkins,and Mr.Robert Knowlesmanto succeed Mr.John Rogers,who being deceased, these we approve as the fittest Men to be Members of a Committee in their Places; and having at the same time consider’d the Necessity of cleaning our Ships, we do desire Capt.Courtneyto use all manner of Dispatch to get ready for a Careen, and that the Men and Officers assist him as much as possible, and then he to assist theDuke,as soon as his Ship is compleated, and off the Careen, because one Ship
GORGONA: 13 June, 1709.At a Committee held on Board theDuke.
WE have agreed on Mr.Lancelot Applebyto succeed Mr.Samuel Hopkins,and Mr.Robert Knowlesmanto succeed Mr.John Rogers,who being deceased, these we approve as the fittest Men to be Members of a Committee in their Places; and having at the same time consider’d the Necessity of cleaning our Ships, we do desire Capt.Courtneyto use all manner of Dispatch to get ready for a Careen, and that the Men and Officers assist him as much as possible, and then he to assist theDuke,as soon as his Ship is compleated, and off the Careen, because one Ship
At Gorgona.
ought to be in a Readiness to protect the other, whilst on a Careen, in case we be attack’d by the Enemy.Tho. Dover,Pres.Wm. Stratton,Woodes Rogers,Cha. Pope,Step. Courtney,Tho. Glendall,Wm. Dampier,John Connely,Edw. Cooke,John Bridge.Rob. Frye,
ought to be in a Readiness to protect the other, whilst on a Careen, in case we be attack’d by the Enemy.
While we were together, we agreed to fit out theHavre de Gracewith twenty Guns, and put Men out of each Ship aboard her, under CaptainCook’s Command, resolving to carry her home with us, and to make a third Ship to cruise in our Company, whilst in these Seas.
June 14.I proposed before, we should careen at Porta Penees, because it was an unfrequented Place, and good Harbour, where we might lie sometime undiscover’d, and from thence go to the Bay ofPanama, when ready; but considering our present Condition, every body seem’d most inclinable to stay here, which I the more readily agreed to, because it was pleasing to the rest, and that, if any Casualty happen’d, I might not be reflected on, if I had over-perswaded them to go elsewhere. We began, according to agreement, to careen theDutchessfirst, and I to lye on the Guard the mean while, in case of being attack’d, which we had reason to fear, having been so long fromGuiaquil. TheDutchessbegan to make ready for a Careen. CaptainCourtneyand I went a fishing together, and had pretty good Luck, Fish being plenty here.
June 15.We had indifferent fair Weather, but very sultry. We put all our sick Men, with our Consort’s on board the Galeon, being about 70 in Number, besides sick Officers, whom we put on board theHavre de Grace.
June 16.We built a Tent a-shore for the Armourer and Cooper; set several Men to cutting of Wood, and clearing a Place for the sick Mens Tents.
Nothing remarkable pass’d from the 16th, but that we had frequent Thunder, Lightning and Rain, which retarded our Careening theDutchess, till the 21st that we finish’d her, and began upon our Ship: We were forc’d to carry most of our Stores ashore, for want of Barks, which are full of theDutchess’s Provisions and Materials. We seldom miss catching good Fish daily, and keep a Boat and Men imploy’d for that purpose, there being very little Refreshment in theIsland. We spent till the 25th in careening; the Sea swelling into the Road hinder’d us heaving our Keel wholly out; however we clean’d within less than 2 Streaks of the Keel; and being upright again,
June 28.We got our Provisions aboard, and mounted all our Guns; so that in 14 Days we had calk’d our Ships all round, careen’d, rigg’d and stow’d them again, both fit for the Sea; which was great Dispatch, considering what we had to do was in an open Place, with few Carpenters, and void of the usual Conveniencies for careening. TheSpaniardsour Prisoners being very dilatory Sailors, were amazed at our Expedition, and told us, they usually take 6 Weeks or 2 Months to careen one of the King’s Ships atLima, where they are well provided with all Necessaries, and account it good Dispatch.
June 29.Yesterday in the Afternoon we built a Tent ashore for the Sick, who are now much better than when we came to the Island, neither the Weather nor the Air here being half so bad as theSpaniardsrepresented, which made us think ’twould be worse than we found it. This Morning we got the sick Men into their Tents, and put the Doctors ashore with them: We unloaded theHavre de Grace, and chose a Place very easy to lay her ashore, to clean her Bottom. A clear Sand about a Mile and half from the Place where we rode, near the South End of the Island.
June 30.I went to her this Morning, and left Capts.CourtneyandCooke, with the Carpenters,&c.to grave her Bottom, whilst I took the most experienced Prisoners, and walked through the Island (which is every where full of Wood) to look out Masts for her. TheSpaniardsknew best what Wood was most fit for this Purpose here. We found one Tree proper to be a Fore-mast, having before that cut down a great Tree big enough, but a wrong sort of Wood. All the Timber here is too heavy, but we must use it, her old Masts and Yards being unserviceable, her Sails rotten, and very little of her Cordage fit to be us’d; so that it’s near equal to rigging out a-new. She is a very sharp Ship, but lies easy on soft red Sand, which is dry at little more than half Tide. The Worms had not much damag’d her Bottom, but her Rudder and Cut-water[135]were eaten to pieces. It flows 15 Foot at Spring Tides.
July 1.We have Men imploy’d in our Tents ashore, to prepare the Rigging as fast as possible; a Rope-maker at work to make twice-laid Cordage, and a Smith, Block-maker
Image unavailable: CAPTAIN WOODES ROGERS, WITH HIS SON AND DAUGHTER, 1729 From the engraving by W. Skelton, after the painting by Hogarth.CAPTAIN WOODES ROGERS, WITH HIS SON AND DAUGHTER, 1729From the engraving by W. Skelton, after the painting by Hogarth.
At Gorgona in Peru.
and Sail-maker at the same time; so that we want no Tradesmen to fit her out. Necessity makes us of all Trades on this occasion.
The Natives of OldSpainare accounted but ordinary Mariners, but here they are much worse; all the Prizes we took being rather cobled than fitted out for the Sea: So that had they such Weather as we often meet with in theEuropeanSeas in Winter, they could scarce ever reach a Port again, as they are fitted, but they sail here hundreds of Leagues. TheFrenchus’d her as a Victualling Ship, and sold her atLima, as they have done several others, for 4 times the Money they cost inEurope. ’Tis certainly a good Method they took at first trading hither, to bring a Victualling Ship with no other Goods but Provisions and Stores along with ’em. Generally one of these small Ships comes out with two Traders, and since in six, nine, or 12 Months time, which they stay in these Seas, they expend their Provisions, and lessen their Men by Mortality or Desertion, they sell their Victualling Ship, and being recruited with Men and Provisions out of her, they return well victualled and mann’d toFrance. But now they put intoChili, where they sell the remaining Part of their Cargo, and salt up a new Stock of Provisions for their homeward bound Passage, so that they need bring no more Victuallers.
July 2.We had Showers of Rain, with Thunder and Lightning last Night, and few Nights are without Rain, but ’tis pretty dry in the day-time. This day I got a fine Tree for the Main-mast; the Island is so cover’d with Trees, that we are forced to clear a Place for a Yard to work in. The Wood that we us’d for Masts and Yards is 3 sorts, but the best isMariaWood, of the Colour and Grain of ourEnglishOak, all of the Cedar Kind, good Timber, but very heavy. There are several other sorts fit for Masts, but Care must be taken not to use any that is short-grain’d, or soft and white when green.
July 3.The Prize Flower we took in Bags being much damag’d by the Rats, I order’d the Coopers to put it up in 36 Casks: The littleEnglishBread we have left is eaten as hollow as a Honeycomb, and so full of Worms, that it’s hardly fit for Use. Last Night we met aboard our Ship to consult of the quickest Method for Dispatch, and the Officers agreed each to take his Share of looking after the Ships, and forwarding the several Workmen: So that most of our little Commonwealth being ashore very busy, ’twas a Diversionfor me to oversee the several Companies at work in our Yard, from Break of Day till Night, which otherwise in this hot Country would have been very burthensome to me.
We were imploy’d till the 9thin refitting theHavre de Grace, and when finish’d call’d her theMarquis. We saluted each of the other Ships with 3 Huzzas from on board her, distributed Liquor among the Company, drank her Majesty’s and our Owners Healths, and to our own good Success. The Ship look’d well, so that we all rejoic’d in our new Consort to cruize with us. The next thing we did was to clear Mr.Selkirk’sBark to carry our Prisoners to the Main, who being 72 in Number, were very chargeable to maintain; but we could not discharge them sooner, lest they should have allarm’d the Country, and inform’d theFrenchandSpanishMen of War where to find us. But being now almost ready to depart, we call’d a Committee, and came to the following Resolutions.
At a Committee held on board the Duke, riding at Anchor in the Road ofGorgona,July 9, 1709.WE think it convenient to turn all our Prisoners ashore, in a Bark already provided for that purpose, and at the same time to Plunder the Settlements on the Main opposite to this Island, and do desire Capt.Thomas Dover,Mr.Robert Fry,and Mr.William Strattonto command the Bark and 45 Men on the same Expedition, and to make what Dispatch they can, and return hither with such Refreshments, &c. as they can get for our sick Men.Tho. Dover,Pres.William Stratton,Woodes Rogers,Cha. Pope,Stephen Courtney,John Connely,William Dampier,John Ballett,Edw. Cooke,John Bridge,Robert Frye,Lan. Appleby.
At a Committee held on board the Duke, riding at Anchor in the Road ofGorgona,July 9, 1709.
WE think it convenient to turn all our Prisoners ashore, in a Bark already provided for that purpose, and at the same time to Plunder the Settlements on the Main opposite to this Island, and do desire Capt.Thomas Dover,Mr.Robert Fry,and Mr.William Strattonto command the Bark and 45 Men on the same Expedition, and to make what Dispatch they can, and return hither with such Refreshments, &c. as they can get for our sick Men.
After this we gave them the following Instructions.
Capt.Tho. Dover,Mr.Robert Frye,Mr. W.Stratton,Gorgona, 9 July, 1709.Gentlemen,At Gorgona.WE having agreed with you in a Committee, That you take a Bark under your Care, and transport our Prisoners to the Main, and having order’d about 45 Men under your Command toproceed with you, and attempt the Plundering where you judge convenient: We only recommend the utmost Dispatch, and that you keep in mind, we hope to be ready in 8 Days, and shall earnestly expect you as much as possible within that Time. Other things relating to this you’ll know better how to act than we can here direct.Should a powerful Enemy attempt us in your Absence, we’ll be certain to leave a Glass Bottle buried at the Root of the Tree whence the Fore-mast was cut, to acquaint you, thenQuibois the Place we will wait for you at, if we are well, and you must leave a Glass Bottle at this Place in case we return hither again: But this we don’t expect, if once chas’d away.Woodes Rogers,Tho. Glendall,Stephen Courtney,John Connely,William Dampier,Geo. Milbourne,Edward Cooke,John Bridge,William Bath,John Ballett,Cha. Pope,
Gentlemen,
At Gorgona.
WE having agreed with you in a Committee, That you take a Bark under your Care, and transport our Prisoners to the Main, and having order’d about 45 Men under your Command toproceed with you, and attempt the Plundering where you judge convenient: We only recommend the utmost Dispatch, and that you keep in mind, we hope to be ready in 8 Days, and shall earnestly expect you as much as possible within that Time. Other things relating to this you’ll know better how to act than we can here direct.
Should a powerful Enemy attempt us in your Absence, we’ll be certain to leave a Glass Bottle buried at the Root of the Tree whence the Fore-mast was cut, to acquaint you, thenQuibois the Place we will wait for you at, if we are well, and you must leave a Glass Bottle at this Place in case we return hither again: But this we don’t expect, if once chas’d away.
July 10.Early this Morning we put our 72 Prisoners aboard the Bark. We had several times discours’d our Prisoners, the twoMorells, andDon Antonioabout ransoming the Goods, and were in hopes of selling them to advantage, but deferr’d coming to Particulars, till now that we plainly saw, unless they could have the Cargoes under a quarter Value, they would not deal with us. I propos’d going toPanama, and to lie 6 Days as near it as they pleas’d, till they brought the Money we should agree for at a moderate Rate; provided they left a Hostage aboard us, whom on failure we would carry toEngland. To this they would have agreed, provided we would take 60000 Pieces of Eight for all the Prize Goods. Then I propos’d their ransoming the Galleon, and putting good part of the Goods aboard her, provided one of them three and another they could procure would be Hostages for the Sum. They answer’d, That neither of them would go Hostage toEnglandfor the World. Then I propos’d delivering the Galleon and Cargo to them here, provided 2 of them would be Ransomers to pay us the Money at any other Place butPanamaorLima, in Six Days, if they would give us 120000 Pieces of Eight, being the lowest Price we could take for all the Prizes and Goods, Negroes,&c.They told us that Trade with Strangers, especially theEnglishandDutch, was so strictly prohibited in those Seas, that they must give more than the prime Cost of the Goods in Bribes, to get a License to deal with us: So that they could notassure us of Payment, unless we sold the Goods very cheap; therefore not finding it worth our Time, and knowing the Danger we must run in treating with them, we desisted, and order’d them all ashore, still hoping that this would necessitate theMorellsandNavarreto get Money for us, and prevent our burning the Ships, and what we can’t carry away. Every one now wish’d we had kept some others of the topping Prisoners, to have try’d whether they had a better Foundation and Method to trade; the Goods being of little value to us here, and we must fill our Ships so full, that we fear ’twill spoil our sailing.
July 11.Yesterday our Bark and 2 Pinnaces sail’d with our chief Prisoners.Don Antonio, theFleming, Sen.Navarre, and theMorells, who did not expect to part with us so suddenly, but by continuing with us, and knowing we could not carry away all the Prizes and Goods, they hop’d we should of course have freely given them what we could not keep. We apprehended that was the principal Reason of their not closing with our Terms, which were advantageous to them. Besides, should we have been attack’d, they believ’d we must then put them in possession of their Ships, which were of no use for fighting. But to obviate all their Hopes of benefiting themselves at this easy Rate, without our participating of their Money, the Magnet that drew us hither, I made them sensible at parting, that as we had treated them courteously like generous Enemies, we would sell them good Bargains for whatever Money they could bring us in 10 Days time, but that we would burn what we did not so dispose of or carry away. They beg’d we would delay burning the Ships, and promis’d to raise what Money they could, and return within the time to satisfy us.
One of the chief Prisoners we now parted with wasDon Juan Cardoso, design’d Governor ofBaldivia, a brisk Man of about 35 Years of Age; he had serv’d as a Collonel inSpain, had the Misfortune to be taken in the North Seas by anEnglishPrivateer nearPortobello, and carried toJamaica, from whence he was sent back toPortobello: He complain’d heavily of the Usage he met with from theJamaicaPrivateer; but we parted very good Friends, and he returned us his hearty Thanks, and a Stone Ring for a Present to one of the Dutchess’s Lieutenants that had lent him his Cabbin while he was sick on board.
In Gorgona Road.
We allow’d Liberty of Conscience on board our floating Commonwealth to our Prisoners, for there being a Priest ineach Ship, they had the Great Cabbin for their Mass, whilst we us’d the Church ofEnglandService over them on the Quarter-deck, so that the Papists here were the Low Churchmen.
July 13.This Morning our Vessels return’d from landing our Prisoners, and brought off 7 small Black Cattle, about 12 Hogs, 6 Goats, some Limes and Plaintains, which were very welcome to us; they met with little else of Value in the Village they were at, and the others being far up the River, they did not think it worth while to visit them. The Country where they landed was so poor, that our Men gave the Prisoners and Negroes, some Bays, Nails,&c.to purchase themselves Subsistance. The Inhabitants ashore had notice of our takingGuiaquil, and were jealous of our being at this Island, because they heard our Guns, when we fired in order to scale them after careening. This Place bears S.E. about 7 Leagues from the Body ofGorgona, is low Land and full of Mangrove Trees; but within the Country the Land is very high. The River is hard to be found without a Pilot, and has Shole Water for above 2 Leagues from Shore, There are some poor Gold Mines near it, but the Inhabitants agree that those ofBarbacoreare very rich, tho’ difficult to be attempted, as we were informed before.
July 16.Yesterday about Noon came aboard oneMichael Kendall, a free Negro ofJamaica, who had been sold a Slave to the Village we plunder’d; but not being there when our People were ashore, he follow’d them privately in a small Canoe; and the Account he gave of himself was, that when the last War was declared atJamaica, he embark’d under the Command of one Capt.Edward Roberts, who was join’d in Commission from the Governour ofJamaicawith Capts.Rash,GoldingandPilkington; they had 106 Men, and design’d to attempt the Mines ofJacoat the Bottom of the Gulph ofDarien: There were more Commanders and Men came out with them, but did not join in this Design. They had been about 5 Months out, when they got near the Mines undiscover’d; they sail’d 15 Days up the River in Canoes, and travel’d 10 Days by Land afterwards. By this time theSpaniardsandIndiansbeing alarm’d, laid Ambushes in the Woods, and shot many of them. The Enemy having assembled at least 500 Men, and theEnglishbeing diminish’d to about 60, including the Wounded; theSpaniardssent them a Flag of Truce, and offer’d them their Lives after a small Skirmish, wherein theEnglishlost 4, and the Enemy about 12Men. TheEnglishbeing in want of Provisions, quite tir’d out, and not knowing their Way back, agreed to deliver their Arms, on condition to be us’d as Prisoners of War. Having thus yielded, theSpaniardsandIndianscarried them in Canoes 3 Days up the River, that leads to the same Mines they design’d to attempt, treated them very well, and gave them the same Food that they eat themselves; but the 4thDay, when they came to a Town beyond the Mines, and thought all Danger had been past, an Order came from the chiefSpanishOfficer to cut them all off, which theIndiansandSpanishTroops did, as those poor disarm’d Wretches sat at Victuals; so that in this barbarous manner they were all massacred in a few Minutes, except aScots, aFrench, and anEnglishBoy, with 12 free Negroes, which at the Intercession of a Priest they kept for Slaves. This Man being one of ’em, happen’d to be sold, first to the Mines, where he says he clear’d at least 3 Pieces of Eight a day for his Master, and from thence he was sold to this Place. By this we may see what a mighty Advantage theSpaniardsmake of their Slaves to imploy at these Mines, which are accounted the richest inNew Spain. The rest of the free Negroes being farther up the Country, could have no Opportunity to escape. This is enough to shew what merciless and cowardly Enemies we have to deal with in these Parts of the World. I have heard of many such Cruelties in theSpanishParts ofAmerica, to the eternal Scandal of those who encourage or connive at them.
July 17.About 10 this Morning, the twoMorells, Mr.Navarre, and his Son in law, our old Prisoners came in a large Canoe, with some Money to ransom what they could of us: We told them of the Barbarity of their Countrymen, and of the different Treatment they met with from us; and that we had reason to apprehend, that if we became Prisoners here, that few of us would ever return to our native Country.