Captain Morgan takes the city of Maracaibo on the coast of
Neuva Venezuela--Piracies committed in those seas--Ruin of
three Spanish ships, set forth to hinder the robberies of
the pirates.
Not long after their arrival at Jamaica, being that short time they
needed to lavish away all the riches above mentioned, they concluded
on another enterprise to seek new fortunes: to this effect Captain
Morgan ordered all the commanders of his ships to meet at De la Vacca,
or the Cow Isle, south of Hispaniola, as is said. Hither flocked to
them great numbers of other pirates, French and English; the name of
Captain Morgan being now famous in all the neighbouring countries for
his great enterprises. There was then at Jamaica an English ship newly
come from New England, well mounted with thirty-six guns: this vessel,
by order of the governor of Jamaica, joined Captain Morgan to
strengthen his fleet, and give him greater courage to attempt mighty
things. With this supply Captain Morgan judged himself sufficiently
strong; but there being in the same place another great vessel of
twenty-four iron guns, and twelve brass ones, belonging to the French,
Captain Morgan endeavoured also to join this ship to his own; but the
French not daring to trust the English, denied absolutely to consent.
The French pirates belonging to this great ship had met at sea an
English vessel; and being under great want of victuals, they had taken
some provisions out of the English ship, without paying for them,
having, perhaps, no ready money aboard: only they gave them bills of
exchange for Jamaica and Tortuga, to receive money there. Captain
Morgan having notice of this, and perceiving he could not prevail with
the French captain to follow him, resolved to lay hold on this
occasion, to ruin the French, and seek his revenge. Hereupon he
invited, with dissimulation, the French commander, and several of his
men, to dine with him on board the great ship that was come to
Jamaica, as is said. Being come, he made them all prisoners,
pretending the injury aforesaid done to the English vessel.
This unjust action of Captain Morgan was soon followed by Divine
punishment, as we may conceive: the manner I shall instantly relate.
Captain Morgan, presently after he had taken these French prisoners,
called a council to deliberate what place they should first pitch upon
in this new expedition. Here it was determined to go to the isle of
Savona, to wait for the flota then expected from Spain, and take any
of the Spanish vessels straggling from the rest. This resolution being
taken, they began aboard the great ship to feast one another for joy
of their new voyage, and happy council, as they hoped: they drank many
healths, and discharged many guns, the common sign of mirth among
seamen. Most of the men being drunk, by what accident is not known,
the ship suddenly was blown up, with three hundred and fifty
Englishmen, besides the French prisoners in the hold; of all which
there escaped but thirty men, who were in the great cabin, at some
distance from the main force of the powder. Many more, it is thought,
might have escaped, had they not been so much overtaken with wine.
This loss brought much consternation of mind upon the English; they
knew not whom to blame, but at last the accusation was laid on the
French prisoners, whom they suspected to have fired the powder of the
ship out of revenge, though with the loss of their own lives: hereupon
they added new accusations to their former, whereby to seize the ship
and all that was in it, by saying the French designed to commit piracy
on the English. The grounds of this accusation were given by a
commission from the governor of Barracoa, found aboard the French
vessel, wherein were these words, “that the said governor did permit
the French to trade in all Spanish ports,” &c. “As also to cruise on
the English pirates in what place soever they could find them, because
of the multitudes of hostilities which they had committed against the
subjects of his Catholic Majesty in time of peace betwixt the two
crowns.” This commission for trade was interpreted as an express order
to exercise piracy and war against them, though it was only a bare
licence for coming into the Spanish ports; the cloak of which
permission were those words, “that they should cruise upon the
English.” And though the French did sufficiently expound the true
sense of it, yet they could not clear themselves to Captain Morgan nor
his council: but in lieu thereof, the ship and men were seized and
sent to Jamaica. Here they also endeavoured to obtain justice, and the
restitution of their ship, but all in vain; for instead of justice,
they were long detained in prison, and threatened with hanging.
Eight days after the loss of the said ship, Captain Morgan commanded
the bodies of the miserable wretches who were blown up to be searched
for, as they floated on the sea; not to afford them Christian burial,
but for their clothes and attire: and if any had gold rings on their
fingers, these were cut off, leaving them exposed to the voracity of
the monsters of the sea. At last they set sail for Savona, the place
of their assignation. There were in all fifteen vessels, Captain
Morgan commanding the biggest, of only fourteen small guns; his number
of men was nine hundred and sixty. Few days after, they arrived at the
Cabo de Lobos, south of Hispaniola, between Cape Tiburon and Cape
Punta de Espada: hence they could not pass by reason of contrary winds
for three weeks, notwithstanding all the utmost endeavours Captain
Morgan used to get forth; then they doubled the cape, and spied an
English vessel at a distance. Having spoken with her, they found she
came from England, and bought of her, for ready money, some provisions
they wanted.
Captain Morgan proceeded on his voyage till he came to the port of
Ocoa; here he landed some men, sending them into the woods to seek
water and provisions, the better to spare such as he had already on
board. They killed many beasts, and among others some horses. But the
Spaniards, not well satisfied at their hunting, laid a stratagem for
them, ordering three or four hundred men to come from Santo Domingo
not far distant, and desiring them to hunt in all the parts thereabout
near the sea, that so, if the pirates should return, they might find
no subsistence. Within few days the same pirates returned to hunt, but
finding nothing to kill, a party of about fifty straggled farther on
into the woods. The Spaniards, who watched all their motions, gathered
a great herd of cows, and set two or three men to keep them. The
pirates having spied them, killed a sufficient number; and though the
Spaniards could see them at a distance, yet they could not hinder them
at present; but as soon as they attempted to carry them away, they set
upon them furiously, crying, “Mata, mata,” _i.e._, “Kill, kill.” Thus
the pirates were compelled to quit the prey, and retreat to their
ships; but they did it in good order, retiring by degrees, and when
they had opportunity, discharging full volleys on the Spaniards,
killing many of their enemies, though with some loss.
The Spaniards seeing their damage, endeavoured to save themselves by
flight, and carry off their dead and wounded companions. The pirates
perceiving them flee, would not content themselves with what hurt they
had already done, but pursued them speedily into the woods, and killed
the greatest part of those that remained. Next day Captain Morgan,
extremely offended at what had passed, went himself with two hundred
men into the woods to seek for the rest of the Spaniards, but finding
nobody, he revenged his wrath on the houses of the poor and miserable
rustics that inhabit those scattering fields and woods, of which he
burnt a great number: with this he returned to his ships, somewhat
more satisfied in his mind for having done some considerable damage to
the enemy, which was always his most ardent desire.
The impatience wherewith Captain Morgan had waited a long while for
some of his ships not yet arrived, made him resolve to sail away
without them, and steer for Savona, the place he always designed.
Being arrived, and not finding any of his ships come, he was more
impatient and concerned than before, fearing their loss, or that he
must proceed without them; but he waiting for their arrival a few days
longer, and having no great plenty of provisions, he sent a crew of
one hundred and fifty men to Hispaniola to pillage some towns near
Santo Domingo; but the Spaniards, upon intelligence of their coming,
were so vigilant, and in such good posture of defence, that the
pirates thought not convenient to assault them, choosing rather to
return empty-handed to Captain Morgan, than to perish in that
desperate enterprise.
At last Captain Morgan, seeing the other ships did not come, made a
review of his people, and found only about five hundred men; the ships
wanting were seven, he having only eight in his company, of which the
greatest part were very small. Having hitherto resolved to cruise on
the coasts of Caraccas, and to plunder the towns and villages there,
finding himself at present with such small forces, he changed his
resolution by advice of a French captain in his fleet. This Frenchman
having served Lolonois in the like enterprises, and at the taking of
Maracaibo, knew all the entries, passages, forces, and means, how to
put in execution the same again in company of Captain Morgan; to whom
having made a full relation of all, he concluded to sack it the second
time, being himself persuaded, with all his men, of the facility the
Frenchman propounded. Hereupon they weighed anchor, and steered
towards Curasao. Being come within sight of it, they landed at another
island near it, called Ruba, about twelve leagues from Curasao to the
west. This island, defended by a slender garrison, is inhabited by
Indians subject to Spain, and speak Spanish, by reason of the Roman
Catholic religion, here cultivated by a few priests sent from the
neighbouring continent.
The inhabitants exercise commerce or trade with the pirates that go or
come this way: they buy of the islanders sheep, lambs, and kids, which
they exchange for linen, thread, and like things. The country is very
dry and barren, the whole substance thereof consisting in those three
things, and in a little indifferent wheat. This isle produces many
venemous insects, as vipers, spiders, and others. These last are so
pernicious, that a man bitten by them dies mad; and the manner of
recovering such is to tie them very fast both hands and feet, and so
to leave them twenty-four hours, without eating or drinking anything.
Captain Morgan, as was said, having cast anchor before this island,
bought of the inhabitants sheep, lambs, and wood, for all his fleet.
After two days, he sailed again in the night, to the intent they might
not see what course he steered.
Next day they arrived at the sea of Maracaibo, taking great care not
to be seen from Vigilia, for which reason they anchored out of sight
of it. Night being come, they set sail again towards the land, and
next morning, by break of day, were got directly over against the bar
of the said lake. The Spaniards had built another fort since the
action of Lolonois, whence they now fired continually against the
pirates, while they put their men into boats to land. The dispute
continued very hot, being managed with great courage from morning till
dark night. This being come, Captain Morgan, in the obscurity thereof,
drew nigh the fort, which having examined, he found nobody in it, the
Spaniards having deserted it not long before. They left behind them a
match lighted near a train of powder, to have blown up the pirates and
the whole fortress as soon as they were in it. This design had taken
effect, had not the pirates discovered it in a quarter of an hour; but
Captain Morgan snatching away the match, saved both his own and his
companions’ lives. They found here much powder, whereof he provided
his fleet, and then demolished part of the walls, nailing sixteen
pieces of ordnance, from twelve to twenty-four pounders. Here they
also found many muskets and other military provisions.
Next day they commanded the ships to enter the bar, among which they
divided the powder, muskets, and other things found in the fort: then
they embarked again to continue their course towards Maracaibo; but
the waters being very low, they could not pass a certain bank at the
entry of the lake: hereupon they were compelled to go into canoes and
small boats, with which they arrived next day before Maracaibo, having
no other defence than some small pieces which they could carry in the
said boats. Being landed, they ran immediately to the fort De la
Barra, which they found as the precedent, without any person in it,
for all were fled into the woods, leaving also the town without any
people, unless a few miserable folks, who had nothing to lose.
As soon as they had entered the town, the pirates searched every
corner, to see if they could find any people that were hid, who might
offend them unawares; not finding anybody, every party, as they came
out of their several ships, chose what houses they pleased. The church
was deputed for the common corps du guard, where they lived after
their military manner, very insolently. Next day after they sent a
troop of a hundred men to seek for the inhabitants and their goods;
these returned next day, bringing with them thirty persons, men,
women, and children, and fifty mules laden with good merchandise. All
these miserable people were put to the rack, to make them confess
where the rest of the inhabitants were, and their goods. Among other
tortures, one was to stretch their limbs with cords, and then to beat
them with sticks and other instruments. Others had burning matches
placed betwixt their fingers, which were thus burnt alive. Others had
slender cords or matches twisted about their heads, till their eyes
burst out. Thus all inhuman cruelties were executed on those innocent
people. Those who would not confess, or who had nothing to declare,
died under the hands of those villains. These tortures and racks
continued for three whole weeks, in which time they sent out daily
parties to seek for more people to torment and rob, they never
returning without booty and new riches.
Captain Morgan having now gotten into his hands about a hundred of the
chief families, with all their goods, at last resolved for Gibraltar,
as Lolonois had done before: with this design he equipped his fleet,
providing it sufficiently with all necessaries. He put likewise on
board all the prisoners, and weighing anchor, set sail with resolution
to hazard a battle. They had sent before some prisoners to Gibraltar,
to require the inhabitants to surrender, otherwise Captain Morgan
would certainly put them all to the sword, without any quarter.
Arriving before Gibraltar, the inhabitants received him with continual
shooting of great cannon bullets; but the pirates, instead of fainting
hereat, ceased not to encourage one another, saying, “We must make one
meal upon bitter things, before we come to taste the sweetness of the
sugar this place affords.”
Next day very early they landed all their men, and being guided by the
Frenchman abovesaid, they marched towards the town, not by the common
way, but crossing through woods, which way the Spaniards scarce
thought they would have come; for at the beginning of their march they
made as if they intended to come the next and open way to the town,
hereby to deceive the Spaniards: but these remembering full well what
Lolonois had done but two years before, thought it not safe to expect
a second brunt, and hereupon all fled out of the town as fast as they
could, carrying all their goods and riches, as also all the powder;
and having nailed all the great guns, so as the pirates found not one
person in the whole city, but one poor innocent man who was born a
fool. This man they asked whither the inhabitants were fled, and where
they had hid their goods. To all which questions and the like, he
constantly answered, “I know nothing, I know nothing:” but they
presently put him to the rack, and tortured him with cords; which
torments forced him to cry out, “Do not torture me any more, but come
with me, and I will show you my goods and my riches.” They were
persuaded, it seems, he was some rich person disguised under those
clothes so poor, and that innocent tongue; so they went along with
him, and he conducted them to a poor miserable cottage, wherein he had
a few earthen dishes and other things of no value, and three pieces of
eight, concealed with some other trumpery underground. Then they asked
him his name, and he readily answered, “My name is Don Sebastian
Sanchez, and I am brother unto the governor of Maracaibo.” This
foolish answer, it must be conceived, these inhuman wretches took for
truth: for no sooner had they heard it, but they put him again upon
the rack, lifting him up on high with cords, and tying huge weights to
his feet and neck. Besides which, they burnt him alive, applying
palm-leaves burning to his face.
The same day they sent out a party to seek for the inhabitants, on
whom they might exercise their cruelties. These brought back an honest
peasant with two daughters of his, whom they intended to torture as
they used others, if they showed not the places where the inhabitants
were hid. The peasant knew some of those places, and seeing himself
threatened with the rack, went with the pirates to show them; but the
Spaniards perceiving their enemies to range everywhere up and down the
woods, were already fled thence farther off into the thickest of the
woods, where they built themselves huts, to preserve from the weather
those few goods they had. The pirates judged themselves deceived by
the peasant, and hereupon, to revenge themselves, notwithstanding all
his excuses and supplication, they hanged him on a tree.
Then they divided into parties to search the plantations; for they
knew the Spaniards that were absconded could not live on what the
woods afforded, without coming now and then for provisions to their
country houses. Here they found a slave, to whom they promised
mountains of gold and his liberty, by transporting him to Jamaica, if
he would show them where the inhabitants of Gibraltar lay hid. This
fellow conducted them to a party of Spaniards, whom they instantly
made prisoners, commanding this slave to kill some before the eyes of
the rest; that by this perpetrated crime, he might never be able to
leave their wicked company. The negro, according to their orders,
committed many murders and insolencies upon the Spaniards, and
followed the unfortunate traces of the pirates; who eight days after
returned to Gibraltar with many prisoners, and some mules laden with
riches. They examined every prisoner by himself (who were in all about
two hundred and fifty persons), where they had hid the rest of their
goods, and if they knew of their fellow-townsmen. Such as would not
confess were tormented after a most inhuman manner. Among the rest,
there happened to be a Portuguese, who by a negro was reported, though
falsely, to be very rich; this man was commanded to produce his
riches. His answer was, he had no more than one hundred pieces of
eight in the world, and these had been stolen from him two days before
by his servant; which words, though he sealed with many oaths and
protestations, yet they would not believe him, but dragging him to the
rack, without any regard to his age of sixty years, they stretched him
with cords, breaking both his arms behind his shoulders.
This cruelty went not alone; for he not being able or willing to make
any other declaration, they put him to another sort of torment more
barbarous; they tied him with small cords by his two thumbs and great
toes to four stakes fixed in the ground, at a convenient distance, the
whole weight of his body hanging on those cords. Not satisfied yet
with this cruel torture, they took a stone of above two hundred
pounds, and laid it upon his belly, as if they intended to press him
to death; they also kindled palm leaves, and applied the flame to the
face of this unfortunate Portuguese, burning with them the whole skin,
beard, and hair. At last, seeing that neither with these tortures, nor
others, they could get anything out of him, they untied the cords, and
carried him half dead to the church, where was their corps du garde;
here they tied him anew to one of the pillars thereof, leaving him in
that condition, without giving him either to eat or drink, unless very
sparingly, and so little that would scarce sustain life for some days;
four or five being past, he desired one of the prisoners might come to
him, by whose means he promised he would endeavour to raise some money
to satisfy their demands. The prisoner whom he required was brought to
him, and he ordered him to promise the pirates five hundred pieces of
eight for his ransom; but they were deaf and obstinate at such a small
sum, and instead of accepting it, beat him cruelly with cudgels,
saying, “Old fellow, instead of five hundred, you must say five
hundred thousand pieces of eight; otherwise you shall here end your
life.” Finally, after a thousand protestations that he was but a
miserable man, and kept a poor tavern for his living, he agreed with
them for one thousand pieces of eight. These he raised, and having
paid them, got his liberty; though so horribly maimed, that it is
scarce to be believed he could survive many weeks.
Other tortures, besides these, were exercised upon others, which this
Portuguese endured not: some were hanged up by the testicles, or
privy-members, and left till they fell to the ground, those parts
being torn from their bodies: if with this they minded to show mercy
to those wretches, thus lacerated in the most tender parts, their
mercy was, to run them through with their swords; otherwise they used
to lie four or five days under the agonies of death, before they died.
Others were crucified by these tyrants, and with kindled matches burnt
between the joints of their fingers and toes: others had their feet
put into the fire, and thus were left to be roasted alive. Having used
these and other cruelties with the white men, they began to practise
the same with the negroes, their slaves, who were treated with no less
inhumanity than their masters.
Among these slaves was one who promised Captain Morgan to conduct him
to a river of the lake, where he should find a ship and four boats,
richly laden with goods of the inhabitants of Maracaibo: the same
discovered likewise where the governor of Gibraltar lay hid, with the
greatest part of the women of the town; but all this he revealed, upon
great menaces to hang him, if he told not what he knew. Captain Morgan
sent away presently two hundred men in two settees, or great boats, to
this river, to seek for what the slave had discovered; but he himself,
with two hundred and fifty more, undertook to go and take the
governor. This gentleman was retired to a small island in the middle
of the river, where he had built a little fort, as well as he could,
for his defence; but hearing that Captain Morgan came in person with
great forces to seek him, he retired to the top of a mountain not far
off, to which there was no ascent but by a very narrow passage, so
straight, that whosoever did attempt to gain the ascent, must march
his men one by one. Captain Morgan spent two days before he arrived at
this little island, whence he designed to proceed to the mountain
where the governor was posted, had he not been told of the
impossibility of ascent, not only for the narrowness of the way, but
because the governor was well provided with all sorts of ammunition:
beside, there was fallen a huge rain, whereby all the pirates’ baggage
and powder was wet. By this rain, also, they lost many men at the
passage over a river that was overflown: here perished, likewise, some
women and children, and many mules laden with plate and goods, which
they had taken from the fugitive inhabitants; so that things were in a
very bad condition with Captain Morgan, and his men much harassed, as
may be inferred from this relation: whereby, if the Spaniards, in that
juncture, had had but fifty men well armed, they might have entirely
destroyed the pirates. But the fears the Spaniards had at first
conceived were so great, that the leaves stirring on the trees they
often fancied to be pirates. Finally, Captain Morgan and his people,
having upon this march sometimes waded up to their middles in water
for half, or whole miles together, they at last escaped, for the
greatest part; but the women and children for the major part died.
Thus twelve days after they set forth to seek the governor they
returned to Gibraltar, with many prisoners: two days after arrived
also the two settees that went to the river, bringing with them four
boats, and some prisoners; but the greatest part of the merchandise in
the said boats they found not, the Spaniards having unladed and
secured it, having intelligence of their coming; who designed also,
when the merchandise was taken out, to burn the boats: yet the
Spaniards made not so much haste to unlade these vessels, but that
they left in the ship and boats great parcels of goods, which the
pirates seized, and brought a considerable booty to Gibraltar. Thus,
after they had been in possession of the place five entire weeks, and
committed an infinite number of murders, robberies, rapes, and
such-like insolencies, they concluded to depart; but first they
ordered some prisoners to go forth into the woods and fields, and
collect a ransom for the town, otherwise they would certainly burn it
down to the ground. These poor afflicted men went as they were sent,
and having searched the adjoining fields and woods, returned to
Captain Morgan, telling him they had scarce been able to find anybody,
but that to such as they had found they had proposed his demands; to
which they had answered, that the governor had prohibited them to give
any ransom for the town, but they beseeched him to have a little
patience, and among themselves they would collect five thousand pieces
of eight; and for the rest, they would give some of their own townsmen
as hostages, whom he might carry to Maracaibo, till he had received
full satisfaction.
Captain Morgan having now been long absent from Maracaibo, and knowing
the Spaniards had had sufficient time to fortify themselves, and
hinder his departure out of the lake, granted their proposition, and
made as much haste as he could for his departure: he gave liberty to
all the prisoners, first putting every one to a ransom; yet he
detained the slaves. They delivered him four persons agreed on for
hostages of what money more he was to receive, and they desired to
have the slave mentioned above, intending to punish him according to
his deserts; but Captain Morgan would not deliver him, lest they
should burn him alive. At last, they weighed anchor, and set sail in
all haste for Maracaibo: here they arrived in four days, and found all
things as they had left them; yet here they received news from a poor
distressed old man, whom alone they found sick in the town, that three
Spanish men-of-war were arrived at the entry of the lake, waiting the
return of the pirates: moreover, that the castle at the entry thereof
was again put into a good posture of defence, well provided with guns
and men, and all sorts of ammunition.
This relation could not choose but disturb the mind of Captain Morgan,
who now was careful how to get away through the narrow entry of the
lake: hereupon he sent his swiftest boat to view the entry, and see if
things were as they had been related. Next day the boat came back,
confirming what was said; assuring him, they had viewed the ships so
nigh, that they had been in great danger of their shot: hereunto they
added, that the biggest ship was mounted with forty guns, the second
with thirty, and the smallest with twenty-four. These forces being
much beyond those of Captain Morgan, caused a general consternation in
the pirates, whose biggest vessel had not above fourteen small guns.
Every one judged Captain Morgan to despond, and to be hopeless,
considering the difficulty of passing safe with his little fleet
amidst those great ships and the fort, or he must perish. How to
escape any other way, by sea or land, they saw no way. Under these
necessities, Captain Morgan resumed new courage, and resolving to show
himself still undaunted, he boldly sent a Spaniard to the admiral of
those three ships, demanding of him a considerable ransom for not
putting the city of Maracaibo to the flames. This man (who was
received by the Spaniards with great admiration of the boldness of
those pirates) returned two days after, bringing to Captain Morgan a
letter from the said admiral, as follows:--
_The Letter of Don Alonso del Campo y Espinosa, Admiral of the
Spanish Fleet, to Captain Morgan, Commander of the Pirates._
“Having understood by all our friends and neighbours, the
unexpected news that you have dared to attempt and commit
hostilities in the countries, cities, towns, and villages
belonging to the dominions of his Catholic Majesty, my
sovereign lord and master; I let you understand by these
lines, that I am come to this place, according to my
obligation, near that castle which you took out of the hands
of a parcel of cowards; where I have put things into a very
good posture of defence, and mounted again the artillery
which you had nailed and dismounted. My intent is, to
dispute with you your passage out of the lake, and follow
and pursue you everywhere, to the end you may see the
performance of my duty. Notwithstanding, if you be contented
to surrender with humility all that you have taken, together
with the slaves and all other prisoners, I will let you
freely pass, without trouble or molestation; on condition
that you retire home presently to your own country. But if
you make any resistance or opposition to what I offer you, I
assure you I will command boats to come from Caraccas,
wherein I will put my troops, and coming to Maracaibo, will
put you every man to the sword. This is my last and absolute
resolution. Be prudent, therefore, and do not abuse my
bounty with ingratitude. I have with me very good soldiers,
who desire nothing more ardently than to revenge on you, and
your people, all the cruelties, and base infamous actions,
you have committed upon the Spanish nation in America. Dated
on board the royal ship named the _Magdalen_, lying at
anchor at the entry of the lake of Maracaibo, this 24th of
April, 1669.
“DON ALONSO DEL CAMPO Y ESPINOSA.”
As soon as Captain Morgan received this letter, he called all his men
together in the market-place of Maracaibo, and after reading the
contents thereof, both in French and English, asked their advice and
resolution on the whole matter, and whether they had rather surrender
all they had got to obtain their liberty, than fight for it.
They answered all, unanimously, they had rather fight to the last drop
of blood, than surrender so easily the booty they had got with so much
danger of their lives. Among the rest, one said to Captain Morgan,
“Take you care for the rest, and I will undertake to destroy the
biggest of those ships with only twelve men: the manner shall be, by
making a brulot, or fire-ship, of that vessel we took in the river of
Gibraltar; which, to the intent she may not be known for a fire-ship,
we will fill her decks with logs of wood, standing with hats and
montera caps, to deceive their sight with the representation of men.
The same we will do at the port-holes that serve for the guns, which
shall be filled with counterfeit cannon. At the stern we will hang out
English colours, and persuade the enemy she is one of our best
men-of-war going to fight them.” This proposition was admitted and
approved by every one; howbeit, their fears were not quite dispersed.
For, notwithstanding what had been concluded there, they endeavoured
the next day to come to an accommodation with Don Alonso. To this
effect, Captain Morgan sent to him two persons, with these
propositions: First, that he would quit Maracaibo, without doing any
damage to the town, or exacting any ransom for the firing thereof.
Secondly, that he would set at liberty one half of the slaves, and all
the prisoners, without ransom. Thirdly, that he would send home freely
the four chief inhabitants of Gibraltar, which he had in his custody
as hostages for the contributions those people had promised to pay.
These propositions were instantly rejected by Don Alonso, as
dishonourable: neither would he hear of any other accommodation, but
sent back this message: “That if they surrendered not themselves
voluntarily into his hands, within two days, under the conditions
which he had offered them by his letter, he would immediately come,
and force them to do it.”
No sooner had Captain Morgan received this message from Don Alonso,
than he put all things in order to fight, resolving to get out of the
lake by main force, without surrendering anything. First, he commanded
all the slaves and prisoners to be tied, and guarded very well, and
gathered all the pitch, tar, and brimstone, they could find in the
whole town, for the fire-ship above-mentioned: then they made several
inventions of powder and brimstone with palm leaves, well anointed
with tar. They covered very well their counterfeit cannon, laying
under every piece many pounds of powder; besides, they cut down many
outworks of the ship, that the powder might exert its strength the
better; breaking open, also, new port-holes, where, instead of guns,
they placed little drums used by the negroes. Finally, the decks were
handsomely beset with many pieces of wood, dressed up like men with
hats, or monteras, and armed with swords, muskets, and bandeleers.
The fire-ship being thus fitted, they prepared to go to the entry of
the port. All the prisoners were put into one great boat, and in
another of the biggest they placed all the women, plate, jewels, and
other rich things: into others they put the bales of goods and
merchandise, and other things of bulk: each of these boats had twelve
men aboard, very well armed; the brulot had orders to go before the
rest of the vessels, and presently to fall foul with the great ship.
All things being ready, Captain Morgan exacted an oath of all his
comrades, protesting to defend themselves to the last drop of blood,
without demanding quarter; promising withal, that whosoever behaved
himself thus, should be very well rewarded.
With this courageous resolution they set sail to seek the Spaniards.
On April 30, 1669, they found the Spanish fleet riding at anchor in
the middle of the entry of the lake. Captain Morgan, it being now late
and almost dark, commanded all his vessels to an anchor, designing to
fight even all night if they forced him to it. He ordered a careful
watch to be kept aboard every vessel till morning, they being almost
within shot, as well as within sight of the enemy. The day dawning,
they weighed anchor, and sailed again, steering directly towards the
Spaniards; who seeing them move, did instantly the same. The fire-ship
sailing before the rest fell presently upon the great ship, and
grappled her; which the Spaniards (too late) perceiving to be a
fire-ship, they attempted to put her off, but in vain: for the flame
seizing her timber and tackling, soon consumed all the stern, the fore
part sinking into the sea, where she perished. The second Spanish ship
perceiving the admiral to burn, not by accident, but by industry of
the enemy, escaped towards the castle, where the Spaniards themselves
sunk her, choosing to lose their ship rather than to fall into the
hands of those pirates. The third, having no opportunity to escape,
was taken by the pirates. The seamen that sunk the second ship near
the castle, perceiving the pirates come towards them to take what
remains they could find of their shipwreck (for some part was yet
above water), set fire also to this vessel, that the pirates might
enjoy nothing of that spoil. The first ship being set on fire, some of
the persons in her swam towards the shore; these the pirates would
have taken up in their boats, but they would not ask or take quarter,
choosing rather to lose their lives than receive them from their
hands, for reasons which I shall relate.
The pirates being extremely glad at this signal victory so soon
obtained, and with so great an inequality of forces, conceived greater
pride than they had before, and all presently ran ashore, intending to
take the castle. This they found well provided with men, cannon, and
ammunition, they having no other arms than muskets, and a few hand
granadoes: their own artillery they thought incapable, for its
smallness, of making any considerable breach in the walls. Thus they
spent the rest of the day, firing at the garrison with their muskets,
till the dusk of the evening, when they attempted to advance nearer
the walls, to throw in their fire-balls: but the Spaniards resolving
to sell their lives as dear as they could, fired so furiously at them,
that they having experimented the obstinacy of the enemy, and seeing
thirty of their men dead, and as many more wounded, they retired to
their ships.
The Spaniards believing the pirates would next day renew the attack
with their own cannon, laboured hard all night to put things in order
for their coming; particularly, they dug down, and made plain, some
little hills and eminences, when possibly the castle might be
offended.
[Illustration: JOHAN MORGAN,
_gebooren in de Provincie van Walles, in Engelandt
Generaal van der Roovere of Iamaica._
HENRY MORGAN.
(_From the Portrait in “De Americaensche Roovers.”_)]
But Captain Morgan intended not to come again, busying himself next
day in taking prisoners some of the men who still swam alive, hoping
to get part of the riches lost in the two ships that perished. Among
the rest, he took a pilot, who was a stranger, and who belonged to the
lesser ship of the two, of whom he inquired several things; as, What
number of people those three ships had in them? Whether they expected
any more ships to come? From what port they set forth last, when they
came to seek them out? He answered, in Spanish, “Noble sir, be pleased
to pardon and spare me, that no evil be done to me, being a stranger
to this nation I have served, and I shall sincerely inform you of all
that passed till our arrival at this lake. We were sent by orders from
the Supreme Council of State in Spain, being six men-of-war well
equipped, into these seas, with instructions to cruise upon the
English pirates, and root them out from these parts by destroying as
many of them as we could.
“These orders were given, upon the news brought to the court of Spain
of the loss and ruin of Puerto Bello, and other places; of all which
damages and hostilities committed here by the English, dismal
lamentations have often been made to the catholic king and council, to
whom belongs the care and preservation of this new world. And though
the Spanish court hath many times by their ambassadors complained
hereof to the king of England; yet it hath been the constant answer of
his Majesty of Great Britain, that he never gave any letters patent,
nor commissions, for acting any hostility against the subjects of the
king of Spain. Hereupon the catholic king resolved to revenge his
subjects, and punish these proceedings: commanded six men-of-war to be
equipped, which he sent under the command of Don Augustine de Bustos,
admiral of the said fleet. He commanded the biggest ship, named _N. S.
de la Soleda_, of forty-eight great guns, and eight small ones. The
vice-admiral was Don Alonso del Campo y Espinosa, who commanded the
second ship called _La Conception_, of forty-four great guns, and
eight small ones; beside four vessels more, whereof the first was
named the _Magdalen_, of thirty-six great guns, and twelve small ones,
with two hundred and fifty men. The second was called _St. Lewis_,
with twenty-six great guns, twelve small ones, and two hundred men.
The third was called _La Marquesa_, of sixteen great guns, eight small
ones, and one hundred and fifty men. The fourth and last, _N. S. del
Carmen_, with eighteen great guns, eight small ones, and one hundred
and fifty men.
“Being arrived at Carthagena, the two greatest ships received orders
to return to Spain, being judged too big for cruising on these coasts.
With the four ships remaining, Don Alonso del Campo y Espinosa
departed towards Campechy to seek the English: we arrived at the port
there, where, being surprised by a huge storm from the north, we lost
one of our ships, being that which I named last. Hence we sailed for
Hispaniola, in sight of which we came in a few days, and steered for
Santo Domingo: here we heard that there had passed that way a fleet
from Jamaica, and that some men thereof had landed at Alta Gracia; the
inhabitants had taken one prisoner, who confessed their design was to
go and pillage the city of Caraccas. On this news, Don Alonso
instantly weighed anchor, and, crossing over to the continent, we came
in sight of the Caraccas: here we found them not, but met with a boat,
which certified us they were in the lake of Maracaibo, and that the
fleet consisted of seven small ships, and one boat.
“Upon this we came here, and arriving at the entry of the lake, we
shot off a gun for a pilot from the shore. Those on land perceiving we
were Spaniards, came willingly to us with a pilot, and told us the
English had taken Maracaibo, and that they were now at the pillage of
Gibraltar. Don Alonso, on this news, made a handsome speech to his
soldiers and mariners, encouraging them to their duty, and promising
to divide among them all they should take from the English: he ordered
the guns we had taken out of the ship that was lost to be put into the
castle, and mounted for its defence, with two eighteen-pounders more,
out of his own ship. The pilots conducted us into the port, and Don
Alonso commanded the people on shore to come before him, whom he
ordered to repossess the castle, and reinforce it with one hundred men
more than it had before its being taken. Soon after, we heard of your
return from Gibraltar to Maracaibo, whither Don Alonso wrote you a
letter, giving you an account of his arrival and design, and exhorting
you to restore what you had taken. This you refusing, he renewed his
promises to his soldiers and seamen, and having given a very good
supper to all his people, he ordered them not to take or give any
quarter, which was the occasion of so many being drowned, who dared
not to crave quarter, knowing themselves must give none. Two days
before you came against us, a negro came aboard Don Alonso’s ship,
telling him, ‘Sir, be pleased to have great care of yourself; for the
English have prepared a fire-ship, with design to burn your fleet.’
But Don Alonso not believing this, answered, ‘How can that be? Have
they, peradventure, wit enough to build a fire-ship? Or what
instruments have they to do it withal?’”
This pilot having related so distinctly these things to Captain
Morgan, was very well used by him, and, after some kind proffers made
to him, remained in his service. He told Captain Morgan, that, in the
ship which was sunk, there was a great quantity of plate, to the value
of forty thousand pieces of eight; which occasioned the Spaniards to
be often seen in boats about it. Hereupon, Captain Morgan ordered one
of his ships to remain there, to find ways of getting out of it what
plate they could; meanwhile, himself, with all his fleet, returned to
Maracaibo, where he refitted the great ship he had taken, and chose it
for himself, giving his own bottom to one of his captains.
Then he sent again a messenger to the admiral, who was escaped ashore,
and got into the castle, demanding of him a ransom of fire for
Maracaibo; which being denied, he threatened entirely to consume and
destroy it. The Spaniards considering the ill-luck they had all along
with those pirates, and not knowing how to get rid of them, concluded
to pay the said ransom, though Don Alonso would not consent.
Hereupon, they sent to Captain Morgan, to know what sum he demanded.
He answered, that on payment of 30,000 pieces of eight, and five
hundred beeves, he would release the prisoners and do no damage to the
town. At last they agreed on 20,000 pieces of eight, and five hundred
beeves to victual his fleet. The cattle were brought the next day,
with one part of the money; and, while the pirates were busied in
salting the flesh, they made up the whole 20,000 pieces of eight, as
was agreed.
But Captain Morgan would not presently deliver the prisoners, as he
had promised, fearing the shot of the castle at his going forth out of
the lake. Hereupon he told them he intended not to deliver them till
he was out of that danger, hoping thus to obtain a free passage. Then
he set sail with his fleet in quest of the ship he had left, to seek
for the plate of the vessel that was burnt. He found her on the place,
with 15,000 pieces of eight got out of the work, beside many pieces of
plate, as hilts of swords, and the like; also a great quantity of
pieces of eight melted and run together, by the force of the fire.
Captain Morgan scarce thought himself secure, nor could he contrive
how to avoid the shot of the castle: hereupon he wished the prisoners
to agree with the governor to permit a safe passage to his fleet,
which, if he should not allow, he would certainly hang them all up in
his ships. Upon this the prisoners met, and appointed some of their
fellow-messengers to go to the said governor, Don Alonso: these went
to him, beseeching and supplicating him to have compassion on those
afflicted prisoners, who were, with their wives and children, in the
hands of Captain Morgan; and that to this effect he would be pleased
to give his word to let the fleet of pirates freely pass, this being
the only way to save both the lives of them that came with this
petition, as also of those who remained in captivity; all being
equally menaced with the sword and gallows, if he granted them not
this humble request. But Don Alonso gave them for answer a sharp
reprehension of their cowardice, telling them, “If you had been as
loyal to your king in hindering the entry of these pirates, as I shall
do their going out, you had never caused these troubles neither to
yourselves nor to our whole nation, which hath suffered so much
through your pusillanimity. In a word, I shall never grant your
request, but shall endeavour to maintain that respect which is due to
my king, according to my duty.”
Thus the Spaniards returned with much consternation, and no hopes of
obtaining their request, telling Captain Morgan what answer they had
received: his reply was, “If Don Alonso will not let me pass, I will
find means how to do it without him.” Hereupon he presently made a
dividend of all they had taken, fearing he might not have an
opportunity to do it in another place, if any tempest should rise and
separate the ships, as also being jealous that any of the commanders
might run away with the best part of the spoil, which then lay much
more in one vessel than another. Thus they all brought in according to
their laws, and declared what they had, first making oath not to
conceal the least thing. The accounts being cast up, they found to the
value of 25,000 pieces of eight, in money and jewels, beside the huge
quantity of merchandise and slaves, all which purchase was divided to
every ship or boat, according to their share.
The dividend being made, the question still remained how they should
pass the castle, and get out of the lake. To this effect they made use
of a stratagem, as follows: the day before the night wherein they
determined to get forth, they embarked many of their men in canoes,
and rowed towards the shore, as if they designed to land: here they
hid themselves under branches of trees that hang over the coast
awhile, laying themselves down in the boats; then the canoes returned
to the ships, with the appearance of only two or three men rowing them
back, the rest being unseen at the bottom of the canoes: thus much
only could be perceived from the castle, and this false landing of
men, for so we may call it, was repeated that day several times: this
made the Spaniards think the pirates intended at night to force the
castle by scaling it. This fear caused them to place most of their
great guns on the land side, together with their main force, leaving
the side towards the sea almost destitute of defence.
Night being come, they weighed anchor, and by moonlight, without
setting sail, committed themselves to the ebbing tide, which gently
brought them down the river, till they were near the castle; being
almost over against it, they spread their sails with all possible
haste. The Spaniards perceiving this, transported with all speed their
guns from the other side, and began to fire very furiously at them;
but these having a very favourable wind, were almost past danger
before those of the castle could hurt them; so that they lost few of
their men, and received no considerable damage in their ships. Being
out of the reach of the guns, Captain Morgan sent a canoe to the
castle with some of the prisoners, and the governor thereof gave them
a boat to return to their own homes; but he detained the hostages from
Gibraltar, because the rest of the ransom for not firing the place was
yet unpaid. Just as he departed, Captain Morgan ordered seven great
guns with bullets to be fired against the castle, as it were to take
his leave of them, but they answered not so much as with a musket
shot.
Next day after, they were surprised with a great tempest, which forced
them to cast anchor in five or six fathom water: but the storm
increasing, compelled them to weigh again, and put to sea, where they
were in great danger of being lost; for if they should have been cast
on shore, either into the hands of the Spaniards or Indians, they
would certainly have obtained no mercy: at last, the tempest being
spent, the wind ceased, to the great joy of the whole fleet.
While Captain Morgan made his fortune by these pillagings, his
companions, who were separated from his fleet at the Cape de Lobos, to
take the ship spoken of before, endured much misery, and were
unfortunate in all their attempts. Being arrived at Savona, they found
not Captain Morgan there, nor any of their companions, nor had they
the fortune to find a letter which Captain Morgan at his departure
left behind him in a place where in all probability they would meet
with it. Thus, not knowing what course to steer, they concluded to
pillage some town or other. They were in all about four hundred men,
divided into four ships and one boat: being ready to set forth, they
constituted an admiral among themselves, being one who had behaved
himself very courageously at the taking of Puerto Bello, named Captain
Hansel. This commander attempted the taking of the town of Commana, on
the continent of Caraccas, nigh sixty leagues to the west of the Isle
de la Trinidad. Being arrived there, they landed their men, and killed
some few Indians near the coast; but approaching the town, the
Spaniards having in their company many Indians, disputed the entry so
briskly, that, with great loss and confusion, they were forced to
retire to the ships. At last they arrived at Jamaica, where the rest
of their companions, who came with Captain Morgan, mocked and jeered
them for their ill success at Commana, often telling them, “Let us see
what money you brought from Commana, and if it be as good silver as
that which we bring from Maracaibo.”