The Project Gutenberg eBook ofOf Captain MissionThis ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.Title: Of Captain MissionAuthor: Daniel DefoeRelease date: March 1, 2005 [eBook #7779]Most recently updated: May 1, 2013Language: EnglishCredits: Text file produced by David Starner, Deirdre Menchaca, Ted Garvinand the Online Distributed Proofreading TeamHTML file produced by David Widger*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OF CAPTAIN MISSION ***
This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.
Title: Of Captain MissionAuthor: Daniel DefoeRelease date: March 1, 2005 [eBook #7779]Most recently updated: May 1, 2013Language: EnglishCredits: Text file produced by David Starner, Deirdre Menchaca, Ted Garvinand the Online Distributed Proofreading TeamHTML file produced by David Widger
Title: Of Captain Mission
Author: Daniel Defoe
Author: Daniel Defoe
Release date: March 1, 2005 [eBook #7779]Most recently updated: May 1, 2013
Language: English
Credits: Text file produced by David Starner, Deirdre Menchaca, Ted Garvinand the Online Distributed Proofreading TeamHTML file produced by David Widger
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OF CAPTAIN MISSION ***
Richard C. Boys,University of MichiganRalph Cohen,University of California, Los AngelesVinton A. Dearing,University of California, Los AngelesLawrence Clark Powell,Clark Memorial Library
W. Earl Britton,University of Michigan
Emmett L. Avery,State College of WashingtonBenjamin Boyce,Duke UniversityLouis Bredvold,University of MichiganJohn Butt,University of EdinburghJames L. Clifford,Columbia UniversityArthur Friedman,University of ChicagoLouis A. Landa,Princeton UniversitySamuel H. Monk,University of MinnesotaErnest C. Mossner,University of TexasJames Sutherland,University College, LondonH.T. Swedenberg, Jr.,University of California, Los Angeles
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
Edna C. Davis,Clark Memorial Library
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
Bibliographical Note
Notes to the Introduction
THE HISTORY OF THE PYRATES. VOL. II.
OF CAPTAIN MISSON.
Defoe has been recognized as the author ofA General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pyratessince 1932 when John Robert Moore suggested that the supposed author, Captain Charles Johnson, like Andrew Moreton, Kara Selym or Captain Roberts, was merely another mask for the creator ofRobinson Crusoe. Although most of the first volume is of minor literary importance, the second section which appeared in 1728 asThe History of the Pyratescommenced with a life "Of Captain Misson and His Crew," one of Defoe's most remarkable and neglected works of fiction. In much the same manner and at the same time that John Gay was satirizing Walpole's government inThe Beggar's Opera, Defoe began to use his pirates as a commentary on the injustice and hypocrisy of contemporary English society. Among Defoe's gallery of pirates are Captain White, who refused to rob from women and children; Captain Bellamy, the proletarian revolutionist; and captain North, whose sense of justice and honesty was a rebuke to the corruption of government under Walpole. But the fictional Captain Misson, the founder of a communist utopia, is by far the most original of these creations.
If we were to accept the view of nineteenth-century critics, that Defoe was one of the earliest exponents oflaissez faire, his creation of a communist utopia would seem remarkable indeed. But paradoxes fascinated Defoe, and his ideas can seldom be reduced to unambiguous platitudes. He was especially fascinated by the comparison between businessmen and thieves. In 1707 he urged the government to pardon the Madagascar pirates if they agreed to stop their crimes, pay a large sum of money and "become honest Freeholders, as others of ourWest-IndiaPyrates,Merchants I should have said, have done before them." And he noted that "it would make a sad Chasm on theExchange of London, if all the Pyrates should be taken away from the Merchants there."1Twelve years later just before the start of the South Sea Bubble, Defoe attacked stock-jobbing as "a Branch of Highway Robbing."2
Although these attacks were directed mainly at "trade thieves" and corruptions in business practices, they reflect Defoe's growing concern with problems of poverty and wealth in England. In his preface to the first volume of theGeneral History of the Pyrates, Defoe argued that the unemployed seaman had no choice but to "steal or starve." When the pirate, Captain Bellamy, boards a merchant ship from Boston, he attacks the inequality of capitalist society, the ship owners, and most of all, the Captain:
damn ye, you are a sneaking Puppy, and so are all those who will submit to be governed by Laws which rich Men have made for their own Security, for the cowardly Whelps have not the Courage otherwise to defend what they get by their Knavery; but damn ye altogether: Damn them for a Pack of crafty Rascals, and you, who serve them, for a Parcel of hen-hearted Numskuls. They villify us, the Scoundrels do, when there is only this Difference, they rob the Poor under the Cover of Law, forsooth, and we plunder the Rich under the Protection of our own Courage.3
Bellamy asks the crew of the captured ship to abandon the slavery of working for low wages under severe captains for the complete economic and political equality of life on a pirate ship.
Government on Captain Misson's ship, theVictoire, and in the colony of Libertalia is partially an idealization of the pirate's creed. But two other elements which must be considered are, first, the concept of government in the state of nature, and secondly, the ideal of the socialist utopia. Most political theorists of Defoe's time postulated a state of nature in which man lived either entirely free from government or under loose patriarchal control, from which he was removed either by the invention of money, the discovery of agriculture or by some crime. To a certain extent, Misson's pirate government may be regarded as a stage in the evolution of government. InThe Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, Defoe showed how government evolved from the anarchy of the state of nature. Both Crusoe's colony and Libertalia are eventually forced to establish government, private property and criminal laws, but Libertalia, which retains its egalitarian and democratic character, is overthrown by its failure to account for human evil and crime.
A second influence on Captain Misson's ideology is Plutarch's description of the laws of Sparta and Rome. Even during the "Anti-Communist Period" which followed the Glorious Revolution, the well-regulated state of the Lacedemonians remained the norm for Utopias. The influence of Plutarch pervades the biographies in theGeneral History of the Pyrates.Lycurgus' laws echo throughout Misson's attacks on luxury and the unequal distribution of wealth, while Plutarch's study of Spartacus, which is mentioned in Defoe's preface, may well have been the model for his hero.
But neither the desire to regain the purity of the state of nature nor an admiration for Spartan simplicity entirely explain Misson's vigorous demand for freedom and his attacks on the corruption of the ruling class. By refusing to fly the pirate flag, Misson dramatizes the growing revolt of the poor against a useless nobility. The crew of theVictoireare, prophetically enough, French. Their aspiration is for a society following the precepts ofla carrière ouverte aux talents; their revolt is that of a few courageous men unafraid to engage in the pirate's "war against mankind" while those of lesser courage "dance to the Musick of their Chains."
Defoe's study of Misson is different from the Utopias of More, Bacon or Campanella in so far as there is no discovery of an ideal civilization. Libertalia is a Utopia which reflects a direct reaction to the abuses of the time—abuses of economic, political and religious freedom. Anticipating Beccaria's criticism of the death penalty by almost forty years, Carracioli argues that since man's right to life is inalienable, no government can have the power of capital punishment.4Misson's belief in equality is extended to include the negro slaves theVictoiretakes at sea as well as the natives of Madagascar. After asking the negroes to join his crew, Misson tells his men that the Trading for those of our own Species, could 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 Crimace...: For his Part 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.
Slavery is banished from Misson's ship, and the negroes are schooled in the principles of freedom.
Perhaps the most difficult problem in discussing the principles of Misson and Carracioli is to attempt an explanation of why Defoe, a Presbyterian, should have made his protagonists into deists. Defoe attacks Carracioli's deistic arguments through his narrator, Captain Johnson, who remarks that such ideas are pernicious only to "weak Men who cannot discover their Fallacy." But since similar ideas appear in RobertDrury's Journalpublished a year later, it may be assumed that the arguments of the deists held a certain fascination for Defoe at this time. Carracioli's deism also has a dramatic function in the story. That on a voyage to Rome a young man like Misson should be converted to deism by a disillusioned "lewd" priest was in harmony with the traditional English belief in the dangers of Italy.5That Carracioli should combine the rebellion against organized religion with the revolt against monarchy is indicative of Defoe's keen apprehension of the future course of history.
Considered as a short novel, the history "Of Captain Misson and his Crew" reveals many of the same techniques which Defoe used in his longer works. To gain a sense of verisimilitude the narrator pretends to be working from a manuscript, a device which Defoe also employed in hisMemoirs of a Cavalier. As inColonel Jackreal historical figures and events from the War of the Spanish Succession are woven into the adventures of theVictoire. Captain Misson and his crew sink the Winchelsea, an English ship lost in the West Indies at the end of August, 1707, and they barely escape from Admiral Wager's fleet which fought a famous battle there in 1708. Even the name of Misson's ship, theVictoire; was undoubtedly familiar to Defoe as the vessel commanded by the famous French corsair, Cornil Saus.6So convincing is Defoe that although his hero is shown meeting a real freebooter, Captain Tew, ten years after Tew's death, Misson is still included in the histories of piracy.7
Also typical of Defoe's fiction is the relationship between Captain Misson, the leader, and his intellectual mentor, Carracioli. Colonel Jack and his tutor, Moll Flanders and her Governess and particularly, Captain Singleton and William Walters form similar groups. Just as William Walters, a Quaker, reminds Captain Singleton and the crew that their business is not fighting but making money, so Carracioli addresses lengthy speeches to the crew, converting everyone on theVictoireto democracy and deism. Misson's Libertalia takes root in Madagascar, where Singleton wanted to establish a colony, while both Carracioli and Walters adapt the secular aspects of their religion to piracy. But whereas Walters eventually converts Singleton into an honest Christian, Carracioli leads Misson into piracy.
In the history "Of Captain Misson and his Crew," Defoe decided to pursue the same method of third person narrative as in his brief biographies of real pirates. The result is that he merely provides a sketch of political theories rather than a study of human beings. Of course there are good reasons for this. Defoe was more interested in dramatizing proletarian utopian ideals than in developing the inner workings of Misson's mind. The novelette is unified by its epic theme, not by its study of character or its episodic plot.
Although Defoe toyed with radical notions throughoutThe History of the Pyrates, he had little faith in their practicality. Libertalia must be understood as Defoe's best expression of political and social ideals which he admired but considered unworkable. The continuation of Misson's career in the section "Of Captain Tew" depicts the decline and fall of the utopia and the hero's tragic death as a disillusioned idealist. This, however, is another story, a story which suggested that private property was necessary, equality impossible and slavery a useful expedient for colonization. It was a far more comforting message for the Augustan Age, but it could not silence the tocsins of the French Revolution which sound throughout the speeches of Misson and Carracioli.
Maximillian E. Novak University of Michigan
The text of "Of Captain Misson and His Crew" has been reproduced from the Henry E. Huntington Library's first edition copy of the second volume ofA General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pyrateswhich appeared under the titleThe History of the Pyrates.
1 (return)[ Daniel Defoe,A Review of the Affairs of France, ed. A. W. Secord (New York, 1938), IV, 424a.]
2 (return)[The Anatomy of Exchange—Alley(London, 1719), p. 8.]
3 (return)[A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pyrates(London, 1728), II, 220.]
4 (return)[ See Cesare Beccaria,An Essay on Crimes and Punishments(Stanford, 1953), pp. 97-99.]
5 (return)[ In the previous year Defoe had written that "it was the most dangerous thing in the World for a young Gentleman, sober and virtuous, to venture intoItaly, till he was thoroughly grounded in Principle, ... for that nothing was more ordinary, than for such either to be seduc'd, by the Subtlety of the Clergy, to embrace a false Religion, or by the Artifice of a worse Enemy, to give up all Religion, and sink intoScepticismandDeism, or, perhaps,Atheism."A New Family Instructor(London, 1727), p. 17.]
6 (return)[ See Ruth Bourne,Queen Anne's Navy in the West Indies(New Haven, 1939), pp. 63, 169-172; andManuscripts of the House of Lords, New Series (London, 1921), VII, 117-119.]
7 (return)[ See Philip Gosse,The History of Piracy(New York, 1934), p. 194; and Patrick Pringle,Jolly Roger(London, 1953), pp. 136-138.]
We can be somewhat particular in the Life of this Gentleman, because, by very great Accident, we have got into our Hands aFrenchManuscript, in which he himself gives a Detail of his Actions. He was born inProvence, of an ancient Family; his Father, whose true Name he conceals, was Master of a plentiful Fortune; but having a great Number of Children, our Rover had but little Hopes of other Fortune than what he could carve out for himself with his Sword. His Parents took Care to give him an Education equal to his Birth. After he had passed his Humanity and Logick, and was a tolerable Mathematician, at the Age of Fifteen he was sent toAngiers, where he was a Year learning His Exercises. His Father, at his Return home, would have put him into the Musketeers; but as he was of a roving Temper, and much affected with the Accounts he had read in Books of Travels, he chose the Sea as a Life which abounds with more Variety, and would afford him an Opportunity to gratify his Curiosity, by the Change of Countries Having made this Choice, his Father, with Letters of Recommendation, and every Thing fitting for him, sent him Voluntier on board theVictoire, commanded by MonsieurFourbin, his Relation. He was received on Board with all possible Regard by the Captain, whose Ship was atMarseilles, and was order'd to cruise soon afterMisson'sArrival. Nothing could be more agreeable to the Inclinations of our Voluntier than this Cruize, which made him acquainted with the most noted Ports of theMediterranean, and gave him a great Insight into the practical Part of Navigation. He grew fond of this Life, and was resolved to be a compleat Sailor, which made him always one of the first on a Yard Arm, either to Hand or Reef, and very inquisitive in the different Methods of working a Ship: His Discourse was turn'd on no other Subject, and he would often get the Boatswain and Carpenter to teach him in their Cabbins the constituent Parts of a Ship's Hull, and how to rigg her, which he generously paid 'em for; and tho' he spent a great Part of his Time with these two Officers, yet he behaved himself with such Prudence that they never attempted at a Familiarity, and always paid the Respect due to his Family. The Ship being atNaples, he obtained Leave of his Captain to go toRome, which he had a great Desire to visit. Hence we may date his Misfortunes; for, remarking the licentious Lives of the Clergy (so different from the Regularity observ'd among theFrenchEcclesiasticks,) the Luxury of the Papal Court, and that nothing but Hulls of Religion was to be found in the Metropolis of the Christian Church, he began to figure to himself that all Religion was no more than a Curb upon the Minds of the Weaker, which the wiser Sort yielded to, in Appearance only. These Sentiments, so disadvantageous to Religion and himself, were strongly riveted by accidentally becoming acquainted with a lewd Priest, who was, at his Arrival (by meer Chance) his Confessor, and after that his Procurer and Companion, for he kept him Company to his Death. One Day, having an Opportunity, he toldMisson, a Religious was a very good Life, where a Man had a subtle enterprising Genius, and some Friends; for such a one wou'd, in a short Time, rise to such Dignities in the Church, the Hopes of which was the Motive of all the wiser Sort, who voluntarily took upon them the sacerdotal Habit. That the ecclesiastical State was govern'd with the same Policy as were secular Principalities and Kingdoms; that what was beneficial, not what was meritorious and virtuous, would be alone regarded. That there were no more Hopes for a Man of Piety and Learning in the Patrimony of St.Peter, than in any other Monarchy, nay, rather less; for this being known to be real, that Man's rejected as a Visionary, no way fit for Employment; as one whose Scruples might prove prejudicial; for its a Maxim, that Religion and Politicks can never set up in one House. As to our Statesmen, don't imagine that the Purple makes 'em less Courtiers than are those of other Nations; they know and pursue theReggione del Stato(a Term of Art which means Self-Interest) with as much Cunning and as little Conscience as any Secular; and are as artful where Art is required, and as barefaced and impudent when their Power is great enough to support 'em, in the oppressing the People, and aggrandizing their Families. What their Morals are, you may read in the Practice of their Lives, and their Sentiments of Religion from this Saying of a certain Cardinal,Quantum Lucrum ex ista fabula Christi!which many of 'em may say, tho' they are not so foolish. For my Part, I am quite tir'd of the Farce, and will lay hold on the first Opportunity to throw off this masquerading Habit; for, by Reason of my Age, I must act an under Part many Years; and before I can rise to share the Spoils of the People, I shall, I fear, be too old to enjoy the Sweets of Luxury; and, as I am an Enemy to Restraint, I am apprehensive I shall never act up to my Character, and carry thro' the Hypocrite with Art enough to rise to any considerable Post in the Church. My Parents did not consult my Genius, or they would have given me a Sword instead of a Pair of Beads.
Missonadvised him to go with him Voluntier, and offer'd him Money to cloath him; the Priest leap'd at the Proposal, and a Letter coming toMissonfrom his Captain, that he was going toLeghorn, and left to him either to come toNaples, or go by Land; he chose the latter, and theDominican, whom he furnish'd with Money, clothing himself very Cavalierly, threw off his Habit, and preceeded him two Days, staying atPisaforMisson; from whence they went together toLeghorn, where they found theVictoire, and SignorCaraccioli, recommended by his Friend, was received on Board. Two Days after they weigh'd from hence, and after a Week's Cruize fell in with twoSallyMen, the one of twenty, the other of twenty four Guns; theVictoirehad but thirty mounted, though she had Ports for forty. The Engagement was long and bloody, for theSallyMan hop'd to carry theVictoire; and, on the contrary, CaptainFourbin, so far from having any Thoughts of being taken, he was resolutely bent to make Prize of his Enemies, or sink his Ship. One of theSallyMen was commanded by aSpanishRenegade, (though he had only the Title of a Lieutenant) for the Captain was a young Man who knew little of Marine Affairs.
This Ship was called theLyon; and he attempted, more than once, to board theVictoire, but by a Shot betwixt Wind and Water, he was obliged to sheer off, and running his Guns, &c. on one Side, bring her on the careen to stop his Leak; this being done with too much Precipitation, she overset, and every Soul was lost: His Comrade seeing this Disaster, threw out all his small sails, and endeavour'd to get off, but theVictoirewrong'd her, and oblig'd her to renew the Fight, which she did with great Obstinacy, and made MonsieurFourbindespair of carrying her if he did not board; he made Preparations accordingly. SigniorCaraccioliandMissonwere the two first on board when the Command was given; but they and their Followers were beat back by the Despair of theSallyMen; the former received a Shot in his Thigh, and was carried down to the Surgeon. TheVictoirelaid her on board the second time, and theSallyMen defended their Decks with such Resolution, that they were cover'd with their own, and the dead Bodies of their Enemies.Missonseeing one of 'em jump down the Main-Hatch with a lighted Match, suspecting his Design, resolutely leap'd after him, and reaching him with his Sabre, laid him dead the Moment he going to set Fire to the Powder. TheVictoirepouring in more Men, theMahometansquitted the Decks, finding Resistance vain, and fled for Shelter to the Cook Room, Steerage and Cabbins, and some run between Decks. TheFrenchgave 'em Quarters, and put the Prisoners on board theVictoire, the Prize yielding nothing worth mention, except Liberty to about fifteen Christian Slaves; she was carried into and sold with the Prisoners at[text unreadable]. The Turks lost a great many Men, theFrenchnot less than 35 in boarding, for they lost very few by the great Shot, theSallyMen firing mostly at the Masts and Rigging, hoping by disabling to carry her. The limited Time of their Cruize being out, theVictoirereturned toMarseilles, from whenceMisson, taking his Companion, went to visit his Parents, to whom the Captain sent a very advantageous Character, both of his Courage and Conduct. He was about a Month at home when his Captain wrote to him, that his Ship was ordered toRochelle, from whence he was to sail for theWest-Indieswith some Merchant Men. This was very agreeable toMissonand SigniorCaraccioli, who immediately set out forMarseilles. This Town is well fortified, has four Parish Churches, and the Number of Inhabitants is computed to be about 120,0000; the Harbour is esteemed the safest in theMediterranean, and is the common Station for theFrenchGallies.
Leaving this Place, they steer'd forRochelle, where theVictoirewas dock'd, the Merchant Ships not being near ready.Misson, who did not Care to pass so long a Time in Idleness, proposed to his Comrade the taking a Cruize on board theTriumph, who was going into theEnglish Channel; theItalianreadily contented to it.
Between the Isle ofGuernseyand theStart Pointthey met with theMayflower, CaptainBalladineCommanded, a Merchant Ship of 18 Guns, richly laden, and coming fromJamaica. The Captain of theEnglishmade a gallant resistance, and fought his Ship so long, that theFrenchcould not carry her into Harbour, wherefore they took the Money, and what was most valuable, out of her; and finding she made more Water than the Pumps could free, quitted, and saw her go down in less than four Hours after. Monsieurle Blanc, theFrenchCaptain, received CaptainBalladinevery civilly, and would not suffer either him or his Men to be stripp'd, saying,None but Cowards ought be treated after that Manner; that brave Men ought to treat such, though their Enemies, as Brothers; and that to use a gallant Man (who does his Duty) ill, speaks a Revenge which cannot proceed but from a Coward Soul.He order'd that the Prisoners should leave their Chests; and when some of his Men seem'd to mutter, he bid 'em remember the Grandeur of the Monarch they serv'd; that they were neither Pyrates nor Privateers; and, as brave Men, they ought to shew their Enemies an Example they would willingly have follow'd, and use their Prisoners as they wish'd to be us'd.
They running up theEnglishChannel as high asBeachy Head, and, in returning, fell in with three fifty Gun Ships, which gave Chace to theTriumph; but as she was an excellent Sailor, she run 'em out of Sight in seven Glasses, and made the best of her Way for theLands-Endthey here cruized eight Days, then doubling CapeCornwall, ran up theBristolChannel, near as far asNash Point, and intercepted a small Ship fromBarbadoes, and stretching away to the Northward, gave Chase to a Ship they saw in the Evening, but lost her in the Night. TheTriumphstood then towardsMilfordand spying a Sail, endeavour'd to cut her off the Land, but found it impossible; for she got into the Haven, though they came up with her very fast, and she had surely been taken, had the Chase had been any thing longer.
CaptainBalladine, who took the Glass, said it was thePort Royal, aBristolShip which leftJamaicain Company with him and theCharles. They now return'd to their own Coast, and sold their Prize atBrest, where, at his Desire, they left CaptainBalladine, and Monsieurle Blancmade him a Present of Purse with 40Louis'sfor his Support; his Crew were also left here.
At the Entrance into this Harbour theTriumphstruck upon a Rock, but receiv'd no Damage: This Entrance, calledGenlet, is very dangerous on Account of the Number of Rocks which lie on each Side under Water, though the Harbour is certainly the best inFrance. The Mouth of the Harbour is defended by a strong Castle; the Town is well fortified, and has a Citadel for its farther Defence, which is of considerable Strength. In 1694 theEnglishattempted a Descent, but did not find their Market, for they were beat off with the Loss of their General, and a great many Men. From hence theTriumphreturn'd toRochel, and in a Month after our Voluntiers, who went on board theVictoire, took their Departure forMartinecoandGuadalupe; they met with nothing in their Voyage thither worth noting.
I shall only observe, that SigniorCaraccioli, who was as ambitious as he was irreligious, had, by this Time, made a perfect Deist ofMisson, and thereby convinc'd him, that all Religion was no other than human Policy, and shew'd him that the Law ofMoseswas no more than what were necessary, as well for the Preservation as the Governing of the People; for Instance, said he, theAfricanNegroes never heard of the Institution of Circumcision, which is said to be the Sign of the Covenant made between God and this People, and yet they circumcise their Children; doubtless for the same Reason theJewsand other Nations do, who inhabit the Southern Climes, the Prepuce consolidating the perspired Matter, which is of a fatal Consequence. In short, he ran through all the Ceremonies of theJewish, Christian andMahometanReligion, and convinced him these were, as might be observed by the Absurdity of many, far from being Indications of Men inspired; and thatMoses, in his Account of the Creation, was guilty of known Blunders; and the Miracles, both in the New and Old Testament, inconsistent with Reason. That God had given us this Blessing, to make Use of for our present and future Happiness, and whatever was contrary to it, notwithstanding their School Distinctions ofcontraryandaboveReason, must be false. This Reason teaches us, that there is a first Cause of all Things, anEns Entium, which we call God, and our Reason will also suggest, that he must be eternal, and, as the Author of every Thing perfect, he must be infinitely perfect.
If so, he can be subject to no Passions, and neither loves nor hates; he must be ever the fame, and cannot rashly do to Day what he shall repent to Morrow. He must be perfectly happy, consequently nothing can add to an eternal State of Tranquillity, and though it becomes us to adore him, yet can our Adorations neither augment, nor our Sins take from this Happiness.
But his Arguments on this Head are too long, and too dangerous to translate; and as they are work'd up with great Subtlety, they may be pernicious to weak Men, who cannot discover their Fallacy; or, who finding 'em agreeable to their Inclinations, and would be glad to shake off the Yoke of the Christian Religion, which galls and curbs their Passions, would not give themselves the Trouble to examine them to the Bottom, but give into what pleases, glad of finding some Excuse to their Consciences. Though as his Opinion of a future State has nothing in it which impugns the Christian Religion, I shall set it down in few Words.
That reasoning Faculty, says he, which we perceive within us, we call the Soul, but what that Soul is, is unknown to us. It may die with the Body, or it may survive. I am of Opinion its immortal; but to say that this Opinion is the Dictate of Reason, or only the Prejudice of Education, would, I own, puzzle me. If it is immortal, it must be an Emanation from the Divine Being, and consequently at its being separated from the Body, will return to its first Principle, if not contaminated. Now, my Reason tells me, if it is estranged from its first Principle, which is the Deity, all the Hells of Man's Invention can never yield Tortures adequate to such a Banishment.
As he had privately held these Discourses among the Crew, he had gained a Number of Proselytes, who look'd upon him as a new Prophet risen up to reform the Abuses in Religion; and a great Number beingRochellers, and, as yet, tainted withCalvinism, his Doctrine was the more readily embrac'd. When he had experienced the Effects of his religious Arguments, he fell upon Government, and shew'd, that every Man was born free, and had as much Right to what would support him, as to the Air he respired. A contrary Way of arguing would be accusing the Deity with Cruelty and Injustice, for he brought into the World no Man to pass a Life of Penury, and to miserably want a necessary Support; that the vast Difference between Man and Man, the one wallowing in Luxury, and the other in the most pinching Necessity, was owing only to Avarice and Ambition on the one Hand, and a pusillanimous Subjection on the other; that at first no other than a Natural was known, a paternal Government, every Father was the Head, the Prince and Monarch of his Family, and Obedience to such was both just and easy, for a Father had a compassionate Tenderness for his Children; but Ambition creeping in by Degrees, the stronger Family set upon and enslaved the Weaker; and this additional Strength over-run a third, by every Conquest gathering Force to make others, and this was the first Foundation of Monarchy. Pride encreasing with Power, Man usurped the Prerogative of God, over his Creatures, that of depriving them of Life, which was a Privilege no one had over his own; for as he did not come into the World by his own Election, he ought to stay the determined Time of his Creator: That indeed, Death given in War, was by the Law of Nature allowable, because it is for the Preservation of our own Lives; but no Crime ought to be thus punished, nor indeed any War undertaken, but in Defence of our natural Right, which is such a Share of Earth as is necessary for our Support.
These Topicks he often declaimed on, and very often advised withMissonabout the setting up for themselves; he was as ambitious as the other, and as resolute.CaraccioliandMissonwere by this expert Mariners, and very capable of managing a Ship:Caracciolihad founded a great many of the Men on this Subject, and found them very inclineable to listen to him. An Accident happen'd which gaveCaracciolia fair Opportunity to put his Designs in Execution, and he laid Hold of it; they went offMartinicoon a Cruize, and met with theWinchelsea, anEnglishMan of War of 40 Guns, commanded by CaptainJones; they made for each other, and a very smart Engagement followed, the first Broadside killed the Captain, second Captain, and the three Lieutenants, on Board theVictoireand left only the Master, who would have struck, but Misson took up the Sword, order'dCaracciolito act as Lieutenant, and encouraging the Men fought the Ship six Glasses, when by some Accident, theWinchelseablew up, and not a Man was saved but LieutenantFranklin, whom theFrenchBoats took up, and he died in two Days. None ever knew before this Manuscript fell into my Hands how theWinchelseawas lost; for her Head being driven ashore atAntegoa, and a great Storm having happend a few Days before her Head was found, it was concluded, that she founder'd in that Storm. After this Engagement,Caracciolicame to Misson and saluted him Captain, and desired to know if he would chuse a momentary or a lasting Command, that he must now determine, for at his Return toMartinicoit would be too late; and he might depend upon the Ship he fought and saved being given to another, and they would think him well rewarded if made a Lieutenant, which Piece of Justice he doubted: That he had his Fortune in his Hands, which he might either keep or let go; if he made Choice of the latter, he must never again expect she would court him to accept her Favours: That he ought to let before his Eyes his Circumstances, as a younger Brother of a good Family, but nothing to support his Character; and the many Years he must serve at the Expence of his Blood before he could make any Figure in the World; and consider the wide Difference between the commanding and being commanded: That he might with the Ship he had under Foot, and the brave Fellows under Command, bid Defiance to the Power ofEurope, enjoy every Thing he wish'd, reign Sovereign of the Southern Seas, and lawfully make War on all the World, since it would deprive him of that Liberty to which he had a Right by the Laws of Nature: That he might in Time, become as great asAlexanderwas to thePersians; and by encreasing his Forces by his Captures, he would every Day strengthen the Justice of his Cause, for who has Power is always in the Right. ThatHarrythe Fourth andHarrythe Seventh, attempted and succeeded in their Enterprizes on the Crown ofEngland, yet their Forces did not equal his.Mahometwith a few Camel Drivers, founded theOttomanEmpire andDarius, with no more than six or seven Companions got Possession on of that ofPersia.
In a Word he said so much thatMissonresolved to follow his Advice, and calling up all Hands, he told them, 'That a great Number of them had resolved with him upon a Life of Liberty, and had done him the Honour to create him Chief: That he designed to force no Man, and be guilty of that Injustice he blamed in others; therefore, if any were averse to the following his Fortune, which he promised should be the same to all, he desired they would declare themselves, and he would set them ashore, whence they might return with Conveniency;' having made an End, they one and all cryed,Vive le CapitainMissonet son Lieutenant le SeavantCaraccioli, God bless Capt.Missonand his learned LieutenantCaraccioli.Missonthanked them for the Honour they conferr'd upon him, and promised he would use the Power they gave for the publick Good only, and hoped, as they had the Bravery to assert their Liberty, they would be as unanimous in the preserving it, and stand by him in what should be found expedient for the Good of all; that he was their Friend and Companion, and should never exert his Power, or think himself other than their Comrade, but when the Necessity of Affairs should oblige him.
They shouted a second Time,vive le Capitain; he, after this, desired they would chuse their subaltern Officers, and give them Power to consult and conclude upon what might be for the common Interest, and bind themselves down by an Oath to agree to what such Officers and he should determine: This they readily gave into. The School-Master they chose for second Lieutenant,Jean Besacethey nominated for third, and the Boatswain, and a Quarter-Master, namedMatthieu le Tondu, with the Gunner, they desired might be their Representatives in Council.
The Choice was approved, and that every Thing might pass methodically, and with general Approbation, they were called into the great Cabbin, and the Question put, what Course they should steer? The Captain proposed theSpanishCoast as the most probable to afford them rich Prizes: This was agreed upon by all. The Boatswain then asked what Colours they should fight under, and advised Black as most terrifying; butCaraccioliobjected, that they were no Pyrates, but Men who were resolved to assert that Liberty which God and Nature gave them, and own no Subjection to any, farther than was for the common Good of all: That indeed, Obedience to Governors was necessary, when they knew and acted up to the Duty of their Function; were vigilant Guardians of the Peoples Rights and Liberties; saw that Justice was equally distributed; were Barriers against the Rich and Powerful, when they attempted to oppress the Weaker; when they suffered none of the one Hand to grow immensely rich, either by his own or his Ancestors Encroachments; nor on the other, any to be wretchedly miserable, either by falling into the Hands of Villains, unmerciful Creditors, or other Misfortunes. While he had Eyes impartial, and allowed nothing but Merit to distinguish between Man and Man; and instead of being a Burthen to the People by his luxurious life, he was by his Care for, and Protection of them, a real Father, and in every Thing acted with the equal and impartial Justice of a Parent: But when a Governor, who is the Minister of the People, thinks himself rais'd to this Dignity, that he may spend his Days in Pomp and Luxury, looking upon his Subjects as so many Slaves, created for his Use and Pleasure, and therefore leaves them and their Affairs to the immeasurable Avarice and Tyranny of some one whom he has chosen for his Favourite, when nothing but Oppression, Poverty, and all the Miseries of Life flow from such an Administration; that he lavishes away the Lives and Fortunes of the People, either to gratify his Ambition, or to support the Cause of some neighbouring Prince, that he may in Return, strengthen his Hands should his People exert themselves in Defence of their native Rights; or should he run into unnecessary Wars, by the rash and thoughtless Councils of his Favourite, and not able to make Head against the Enemy he has rashly or wantonly brought upon his Hands, and buy a Peace (which is the present Case ofFrance, as every one knows, by supporting KingJames, and afterwards proclaiming his Son) and drain the Subject; should the Peoples Trade be wilfully neglected, for private Interests, and while their Ships of War lie idle in their Harbours, suffer their Vessels to be taken; and the Enemy not only intercepts all Commerce, but insults their Coasts: It speaks a generous and great Soul to shake off the Yoak; and if we cannot redress our Wrongs, withdraw from sharing the Miseries which meaner Spirits submit to, and scorn to yield to the Tyranny. Such Men are we, and, if the World, as Experience may convince us it will, makes War upon us, the Law of Nature empowers us not only to be on the defensive, but also on the offensive Part. As we then do not proceed upon the same Ground with Pyrates, who are Men of dissolute Lives and no Principles, let us scorn to take their Colours: Ours is a brave, a just, an innocent, and a noble Cause; the Cause of Liberty. I therefore advise a white Ensign, with Liberty painted in the Fly, and if you like the Motto,a Deo a Libertate, for God and Liberty, as an Emblem of our Uprightness and Resolution.
The Cabbin Door was left open, and the Bulk Head which was of Canvas rowled up, the Steerage being full of Men, who lent an attentive Ear, they cried,Liberty, Liberty; we are free Men: Vivethe brave CaptainMissonand the noble LieutenantCaraccioli. This short Council breaking up, every Thing belonging to the deceased Captain, and the other Officers, and Men lost in the Engagement, was brought upon Deck and over-hawled; the Money ordered to be put into a Chest, and the Carpenter to clap on a Padlock for, and give a Key to, every one of the Council: Misson telling them, all should be in common, and the particular Avarice of no one should defraud the Publick.
When the Plate MonsieurFourbinhad, was going to the Chest, the Men unanimously cried out avast, keep that out for the Captain's Use, as a Present from his Officers and Fore-mast Men.Missonthanked them, the Plate was returned to the great Cabbin, and the Chest secured according to Orders: Misson then ordered his Lieutenants and other Officers to examine who among the Men, were in most Want of Cloaths, and to distribute those of the dead Men impartially, which was done with a general Content and Applause of the whole Crew: All but the wounded being upon Deck.Missonfrom the Baracade, spoke to the following Purpose, 'That since they had unanimously resolved to seize upon and defend their Liberty, which ambitious Men had usurped, and that this could not be esteemed by impartial Judges other than a just and brave Resolution, he was under an Obligation to recommend to them a brotherly Love to each other; the Banishment of all private Piques and Grudges, and a swift Agreement and Harmony among themselves: That in throwing off the Yoak of Tyranny of which the Action spoke an Abhorrence, he hoped none would follow the Example of Tyrants, and turn his Back upon Justice; for when Equity was trodden under Foot, Misery, Confusion, and mutual Distrust naturally followed.'—He also advised them to remember there was a Supream; the Adoration of which, Reason and Gratitude prompted us, and our own Interests would engage us (as it is best to be of the surest Side, and after-Life was allowed possible) to conciliate.—That he was satisfied Men who were born and bred in Slavery, by which their Spirits were broke, and were incapable of so generous a Way of thinking, who, ignorant of their Birth-Right, and the Sweets of Liberty, dance to the Musick of their Chains, which was, indeed, the greater Part of the Inhabitants of the Globe, would brand this generous Crew with the insidious Name of Pyrates, and think it meritorious, to be instrumental in their Destruction.—Self-Preservation therefore, and not a cruel Disposition, obliged him to declare War against all such as should refuse him the Entry of their Ports, and against all, who should not immediately surrender and give up what their Necessities required; but in a more particular Manner against allEuropeanShips and Vessels, as concluded implacable Enemies.And I do now,said he,declare such War, and, at the same time, recommend to you my Comrades a humane and generous Behaviour towards your Prisoners; which will appear by so much more the Effects of a noble Soul, as we are satisfied we should not meet the same Treatment should our ill Fortune, or more properly our Disunion, or want of Courage, give us up to their Mercy.
After this, he required a Muster should be made, and there were able Hands two Hundred, and thirty five sick and wounded; as they were muster'd they were sworn. After Affairs were thus settled, they shaped their Course theSpanish West-Indies,but resolved, in the Way, to take a Week or ten Days Cruize in the Windward Passage fromJamaica,because most Merchant Men, which were good Sailors and did not slay for Convoy, took this as the shorter Cut forEngland.
Off St.Christophersthey took anEnglishSloop becalmed, with their Boats; they took out of her a couple of Puncheons of Rum, and half a dozen Hogsheads of Sugar (she was aNew EnglandSloop, bound forBoston) and without offering the least Violence to the Men, or stripping them, they let her go. The Master of the Sloop wasThomas Butler,who owned, he never met with so candid an Enemy as theFrenchMan of War, which took him the Day he left St.Christophers;they met with no other Booty in their Way, till they came upon their Station, when after three Days, they saw a Sloop which had the Impudence to give them Chace; CaptainMissonasked what could be the Meaning that the Sloop stood for them? One of the Men, who was acquainted with theWest-Indies,told him, it was aJamaicaPrivateer, and he should not wonder, if he clapp'd him aboard. I am, said he, no Stranger to their Way of working, and this despicable Fellow, as those who don't know aJamaicaPrivateer may think him, it is ten to one will give you some Trouble. It now grows towards Evening, and you'll find as soon as he has discovered your Force, he'll keep out of the Reach of your Guns till the 12 a-Clock Watch is changed at Night, and he'll then attempt to clap you aboard, with Hopes to carry you in the Hurry: Wherefore Captain, if you will give me Leave to advise you, let every Man have his small Arms; and at twelve, let the Bell ring as usual; and rather more Noise than ordinary be made, as if the one Watch was turning in, and the other out, in a Confusion and Hurry, and I'll engage he will venture to enter his Men. The Fellow's Advice was approved and resolved upon, and the Sloop work'd, as he said she would, for upon coming near enough to make distinctly the Force of theVictoire, on her throwing outFrenchColours, she, the Sloop, clapp'd upon a Wind, theVictoiregave Chace, but without Hopes of gaining upon her; she went so well to Windward, that she cou'd spare the Ship some Points in her Sheet, and yet wrong her: At Dusk of the Even, theFrenchhad lost Sight of her, but about Eleven at Night, they saw her hankering up their Windward Bow, which confirmed the Sailors Opinion, that she would attempt to board them, as she did at the pretended Change of the Watch; there being little or no Wind, she lashed to the Bow-Sprit of theVictoireand enter'd her Men, who were very quietly taken, as they enter'd and tumbled down the Forehatch, where they were received by others, and bound without Noise, not one of the Privateers killed, few hurt, and only oneFrenchmanwounded. TheVictoirethe better Part of the Sloop's Men secured, they boarded in their Turn, when the Privateer's suspecting some Stratagem, were endeavouring to cut their Lashing and get off:
Thus the Englishman caught a Tartar. The Prisoners being all secured, the Captain charged his Men not to discover, thro' a Desire of augmenting their Number, the Account they were upon.
The next Morning MonsieurMissoncalled 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 wasHarry Ramsey, and what he had on Board were Rags, Powder, Ball, and some few half Anchors of Rum.Ramseywas 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 CaptainMissontold 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 SideRamseybegg'd MonsieurMissonwould 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 indeedRamseydid. Some of his Men had found it more to their Advantage to have been as religious.
At parting Ramsey gave the Ship three Chears, andMissonhad the Complaisance to return one, whichRamseyanswering with three more, made the best of his Way forJamaica, and at the East End of the Island met with theDiana, who, upon Advice, turn'd back.
TheVictoiresteer'd forCarthagene, off which Port they cruised some Days, but meeting with nothing in the Seas, they made forPorto Bello; in their Way they met with twoDutchTraders, who had Letters of Mart, and were just come upon the Coast, the one had 20, the other 24 Guns;Missonengaged 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 theDutch, 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, whenMisson, 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 theDutchShip, 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 theDutchperceiving, and terrified with the unhappy Fate of their Comrade, thought a farther Resistance vain, and immediately struck.Missongave 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, andOsnabrughs.
A Consultation being held, it was resolved CaptainMissonshould take the Name ofFourbin, and returning toCarthagene, dispose of his Prize, and set his Prisoners ashoar. Accordingly they ply'd to the Eastward, and came to an Anchor betweenBoca ChiecaFort, and the Town, for they did not think it expedient to enter the Harbour. The Barge was manned, andCaraccioli, with the Name ofD'Aubigny, the first lieutenant, who was killed in the Engagement with theWinchelsea, and his Commission in his Pocket, went ashore with a Letter to the Governor, sign'dFourbin, 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 theEnglishinfested his Coast, he was come in search of 'em, and had met twoDutchMen, 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 theDutchInvoice. DonJoseph 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 theVictoire, 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 theDutchInvoice, which the Merchant of the Prize affirmed was genuine. I shall observe, by the by, that theVictoirewas theFrenchMan of War which AdmiralWagersent theKingstonin 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 theSevernup to Windward, to assist theKingston, which had like to have prov'd very fatal; for these twoEnglishMen of War, commanded by CaptainTrevorand CaptainPadnor, meeting in the Night, had prepared to engage, each taking the other for the Enemy. TheKingston'sMen not having a good Look-out, which must be attributed to the Negligence of the Officer of the Watch, did not see theSeverntill 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 theKingstonin such Confusion, that when theSevernhal'd, no answer was retun'd, for none heard her. She was got under theKingston'sStern, and CaptainPadnorordered to hale for the third and last Time, and if no answer was return'd, to give her a Broadside. The Noise onboard theKingstonwas now a little ceas'd, and Captain Trevor, who was on the poop with a speaking Trumpet to hale theSevern, by good Luck heard her hale him, answering theKingston, 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 toJamaica, as I shall to my Subject, begging Pardon for this, as I thought, necessary Digression.
DonJuan de la Zevdatold the Captain in a Letter, that the St.Joseph, a Gallion of seventy Guns, was then lying atPort 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 theHavana; 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.Missonreturn'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 ofPearls, and CapeGratias 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. DonJoseph, 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 ofCarthagene'sExpectation, and, this Advice CaptainMissonhad from the Boat, which returning with an Answer, saw theVictoirein the Offin, and spoke to her. It was then resolved to follow theSt. Joseph, and accordingly they steer'd for theHavanna, but by what Accident they did not overtake her is unknown.
I forgot to tell my Reader, on Board theDutchShip were fourteenFrenchHugonots, whomMissonthought fit to detain, when they were at Sea.Missoncalled '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 theHavanna, 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 theSt. Joseph, and this Offer of Liberty greatly contributed.
At the Entrance of the Gulph they spied and came with a large Merchant Ship bound forLondonfromJamaica; 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. MonsieurMissontook 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 toEuropetwelveFrenchPrisoners, two of which were necessary Hands, being a Carpenter and his Mate. They were ofBourdeaux, from whence they came with thePomechatraine, which was taken by theMaremaidoffPetit Guavers, after an obstinate Resistance, in which they lost forty Men; but they were of Opinion theMaremaidcould 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 theGuernseycome up, they thought of boarding and carrying theMaremaid. These Men very willingly came into CaptainMisson'sMeasures.
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 theseFrenchshould 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.
ThoughMisson'sShip pass'd for aFrenchMan of War, yet his Generosity in letting the Prize go, gave theEnglishGrounds 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 ofCuba, and theVictoiregrowing 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 andCaraccioliwere for stretching over to theAfrican, and the others for theNew-EnglandCoast, 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 theEnglishSettlement ofCarolina, they might either on that or the Coast ofVirginia, Maryland, Pensylvania, New-York, orNew-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. CaptainMissoncalled 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 ofGuiney, 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 theEast-IndiaShips, and he need not tell them, that the outward bound dreinedEuropeof 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 theNieuwstadtofAmsterdam, 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 theVictoire, they were Forty three in Number, they leftAmsterdamwith 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.
TheNieuwstadthad 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 theBarbariansin 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 theEuropeansby 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.