row our Boat-Loads of empty Butts ashoar; and we could do but little to
Wooding and Watering, till this morning we were forc’d to get a Rope
from the Ship to the watering-place, which is a good half-mile from our
anchoring-place, and so haul’d our empty Casks ashore by Boat-loads, in
order to have ’em burnt and clean’d in the Inside, being Oil-Casks; and
for want of cleaning, our Water stunk insufferably. I borrow’d a Cooper
from the _Dutchess_, and having five of my own, made quick dispatch.
_Octob. 3._ We sent our Boat over to _St. Antonio_, with _Joseph
Alexander_, a good Linguist, and a respectful Letter to the Governour,
who accounts himself a Great Man here, tho very poor, to get in Truck
for our Prize-Goods what we wanted; they having plenty of Cattel, Goats,
Hogs, Fowls, Melons, Potatoes, Limes, ordinary Brandy, Tobacco, Indian
Corn, _&c._ Our People were very meanly stock’d with Clothes, and the
_Dutchess’s_ Crew much worse; yet we are both forc’d to watch our Men
very narrowly, and punish several of ’em, to prevent their selling what
Clothes they have for Trifles to the Negroes, that came over with little
things from _St. Antonio’s_. The People at all these Islands rather
chuse Clothing or Necessaries of any sort than Mony, in return for what
they sell. The Letter sent by the Linguist to the Governour of _St.
Antonio’s_, Senior _Joseph Rodriges_, was as follows:
_Honourable Sir_,
‘The Bearer hereof is one of our Officers, whom we have sent to wait
upon your Honour with our due Respects, and to acquaint you with our
Arrival in the Bay of _St. Vincent_; and further, that being Subjects
and Servants of her Majesty the Queen of _Great Britain_, a High Ally
and Confederate of his Sacred Majesty the King of _Portugal_, and
having several Necessaries which we suppos’d the Inhabitants of your
Island may want, and supposing they can accommodate us _per contra_, we
are desirous of an immediate Traffick with them. We arriv’d three days
ago, but being Strangers were unacquainted in these parts, and not
sooner inform’d of your Honour’s Residence in the neighbouring Islands;
else we had been earlier with our Respects: and if not too great a
Favour, we should be proud to see your Honour on board. Our Stay cannot
exceed two days more, so that Dispatch is necessary. We have Mony or
Goods of several kinds, to pay or exchange for what they bring. The
Bearer can inform your Honour of the publick Occurrences of _Europe_,
and the great Successes of the Confederate Arms against the _French_ and
_Spaniards_; which, no doubt must soon be follow’d with a lasting Peace,
which God grant. We subscribe our selves with much Respect,
Your Honour’s most Obedient
Humble Servants,
_Woodes Rogers_,
_Stephen Courtney_.
_Octob. 4._ Our Boat return’d this Morning; but the Landing-place being
far from the inhabitable part of _St. Antonio_, they brought nothing but
a few Limes and Fowls, and left our Linguist behind to get what we
wanted. We struck two of our Gun-room Guns into the Hold, being useless
in their place, and the Ship having too much top-weight, and not very
stiff. We had plenty of Fish here, but not very good. Wind at N N E.
_Octob. 5._ Our Boat went to _St. Antonio_ to see for our Linguist,
according to appointment. We heel’d and clean’d our Ships, and got a
great deal of Wood and Water aboard. Wind at N E. fine Weather.
_Octob. 6._ Our Boat return’d with nothing but Limes and Tobacco, and no
News of our Linguist. But soon after there came another Boat belonging
to that part of the Island where the Governour lives, with his
Deputy-Governour, a Negro, who brought Limes, Tobacco, Oranges, Fowls,
Potatoes, Hogs, Bonanoes, Musk and Water-Melons, and Brandy, which we
bought of him, and paid in such Prize-Goods as we had left of the Bark’s
Cargo cheap enough. They are poor People, and will truck at any Price
for what they want, in such Payments as they can make.
[Sidenote: _In the Bay of St. Vincent._]
_Octob. 7._ We sent our Boat at Three this Morning to see if our
Linguist was return’d. The Deputy-Governour told us he promis’d him to
wait at the Water-side all that night where we put him ashore, and that
there were Cattel for us if we would fetch ’em. We were ready to sail: A
good Wind at N E. and a fresh Gale.
_Octob. 8._ Our Boat return’d yesterday in the Afternoon with two good
black Cattel, one for each Ship, but no News of our Linguist; upon which
we consulted with the Officers of both Ships, and all unanimously
agreed, that we had better leave him behind, than to wait with two Ships
for one Man that had not follow’d his Orders. We held a Committee on
board the _Dutchess_ to prevent Embezlements in Prizes, and to hinder
Feuds and Disorders amongst our Officers and Men for the future, because
the small Prize had shew’d us, that without a Method to be strictly
observ’d in Plunder, it might occasion the worst of Consequences to both
Ships, and such Quarrels as would not easily be laid. So with the
Consent and Approbation of the Officers appointed for a Committee, we
unanimously agreed on it, to prevent those Mutinies and Disorders
amongst the Men of both Ships, who were not yet reconcil’d since the
taking the small _Canary_-Prize. They all insisted there was never any
Privateer’s Crew hinder’d from Plunder, so that we were forc’d to agree
on the following Instrument of a Dividend, when we should meet with any
Prize. And that the things we deem’d to be Plunder, according to custom
in Privateering, should tend as little as possible to the disadvantage
of the Owners, we did for that end take care by the second Article in
the said Instrument and Agreement with the Men, to reserve the Power of
adjudging what should be deem’d Plunder, unto the superior Officers and
Agents exclusive of the Crew, _&c._ For we found it would be next to a
miracle to keep the Men in both Ships under Command, and willing to
fight resolutely on occasion, if we held ’em to the Letter of Agreement
with the Owners, which was not duly consider’d of at home. We had a
particular Regard however to the Sentiments of the Owners, deliver’d on
this head in Discourses at several times with divers of the Committee,
as my self, Capt. _Dover_, Capt. _Courtney_, Mr. _Robert Frye_, and Mr.
_Carleton Vanbrugh_; and particularly in _Kingroad_ to the Men, at the
time of signing of their Instrument. By all which we judg’d that the
Owners could not but approve of the Measures that we took on this
occasion, and that the good effects of ’em would abundantly answer our
Intentions. Altho the Officers and Men did voluntarily allow Capt.
_Courtney_ and me 5 _per Cent._ each, out of the Value of all Plunder,
it was much less than our Due; and we would have been glad to have let
all alone, provided we could with the Advice of our chief Officers in
both Ships have contriv’d any other Method to be safe in the Prosecution
of our Designs with our Men, and have kept them to their Duty on all
occasions, at so great a distance from home: without their being easy,
we must unavoidably have run into such continual Scenes of Mischief and
Disorder, as have not only tended to the great Hindrance, but generally
to the total Disappointment of all Voyages of this nature, that have
been attempted so far abroad in the Memory of Man. The Agreement we made
was as follows.
At a Committee held on board the _Dutchess_ the 8_th of October_,
1708. it is agreed by the Officers and Men of both Ships to the
sundry Particulars following.
Impr. _That all Plunder on board each Prize we take by either Ship,
shall be equally divided between the Company of both Ships, according to
each Man’s respective whole Share, as ship’d by the Owners or their
Orders._
2. _That what is Plunder shall be adjudg’d by the superior Officers and
Agents in each Ship._
3. _That if any Person on board either Ship do conceal any Plunder
exceeding one Piece of Eight in value_, 24 _hours after the Capture of
any Prize, he shall be severely punish’d, and lose his Shares of the
Plunder. The same Penalty to be inflicted for being drunk in time of
Action, or disobeying his superior Officer’s Commands, or concealing
himself, or deserting his Post in Sea or Land-Service; except when any
Prize is taken by Storm in Boarding, then whatsoever is taken shall be
his own, as followeth: A Sailor or Landman_ 10 l. _Any Officer below the
Carpenter_ 20 l. _A Mate, Gunner, Boatswain, and Carpenter_ 40 l. _A
Lieutenant or Master_ 70 l. _And the Captains_ 100 l. _over and above
the Gratuity promis’d by the Owners to such as shall signalize
themselves._
4. _That publick Books of Plunder are to be kept in each Ship attested
by the Officers, and the Plunder to be apprais’d by Officers chosen, and
divided as soon as possible after the Capture. Also every Person to be
sworn and search’d so soon as they shall come aboard, by such Persons as
shall be appointed for that purpose: The Person or Persons refusing,
shall forfeit their shares of the Plunder as above._
[Sidenote: _In the Bay of St. Vincent._]
5. _In consideration that Capt._ Rogers _and Capt._ Courtney, _to make
both Ships Companies easy, have given the whole Cabin-Plunder (which in
all probability is the major part) to be divided as aforesaid; we do
voluntarily agree, that they shall have_ 5 _per Cent. each of ’em, over
and above their respective Shares, as a Consideration for what is their
Due of the Plunder aforesaid._
6. _That a Reward of twenty Pieces of Eight shall be given to him that
first sees a Prize of good Value, or exceeding_ 50 _Tuns in Burden._
7. _That such of us who have not sign’d already to the Articles of
Agreement indented with the Owners, do hereby oblige our selves to the
same Terms and Conditions as the rest of the Ships Company have done;
half Shares and half Wages_, &c.
_To which Articles of Agreement we have set our Hands, as our full
Intent and Meaning, without any Compulsion._
Sign’d by the Officers and Men of both Ships.
_Octob. 8._ At seven in the Evening (after having put the
Deputy-Governour ashore, where he must lie in a Hole of the Rocks, there
being no House on that part of the Island) we came to sail: our Consort
got before us, and lay with a Light for us. There were several Negroes
on the Island, that came from _St. Nicholas_ and _St. Antonio_ to make
Oil of Turtle, there being very good green Turtle at this time of the
Year, which I sometimes gave our Men to eat. They have likewise wild
Goats, but in no great plenty; wild Asses, _Guinea_-Hens and Kerlews,
and abundance of Sea-Fowls. Capt. _Dampier_, and others aboard each
Ship, that had formerly stopt at _St. Jago_, another of these Cape _de
Verd_ Islands, told us, that tho this Island is not often frequented by
Ships, yet it is preferable to _St. Jago_ for stopping outward, because
’tis a much better Road for Ships, and more convenient for Water and
Wood, and has better Landing. The Island is mountainous and barren, the
plainest part lies against this sandy Bay where we rode. The Wood that
grows in it is short, and for no use but Firing. They have very large
Spiders here, which weave their Webs so strong betwixt the Trees, that
’tis difficult to get thro ’em. Where we water’d, there’s a little
Stream that flows down the Hill from a Spring, and is very good, but in
other parts ’tis brackish. This Island was formerly inhabited, and had a
Governor, but is now only frequented in the Season for catching
Tortoises by the Inhabitants of the other Islands, who are for the most
part Negroes and Mulattoes, and very poor. The Stock of wild Goats in
this Island is almost destroy’d by the People of _St. Nicholas_ and _St.
Antonio_. The Heats are excessive to us who came newly from _Europe_, so
that several of our Men began to be sick, and were blooded. Some of our
Officers that went ashore a hunting, could meet no Game but a wild Ass,
which after a long Chase they got within shot and wounded; yet he
afterwards held out so as to tire them, and they return’d weary and
empty-handed.
These Islands are so well known, that I need not say much of ’em. They
are ten in number, of which _St. Jago_, _St. Nicholas Bonavist_, _St.
Antonio_, _Brava Mayo_, and _Fuego_ are inhabited: The latter is so
nam’d from a _Volcano_. _St. Jago_ is much the largest and best, and the
Seat of the chief Governour. It produces a small matter of Indico, Sugar
and Tobacco; which, with their Goat-Skins and others, they send to
_Lisbon_. The Capital is of the same Name, and the See of a Bishop.
There is also a Town call’d _Ribera Grande_, which is said to consist of
500 Houses, and has a good Harbour towards the West. The Air of this
Island is not very wholesom, and the Soil uneven. Their Valleys produce
some Corn and Wine. Their Goats are fat and good Meat, and the she ones
are said to bring three or four Kids at a time once in four months. _St.
Nicholas_ is the best peopled next to _St. Jago_. The Island _Mayo_ has
a great deal of Salt naturally made by the Sun from the Sea-Water, which
is left from time to time in Pits on shore: It’s known they load many
Ships with that Commodity in a Year, and are able to furnish some
thousands, had they Vent for it. The fine _Marroquin_ Leather is made of
their Goats-Skins. The other inhabited Islands afford more or less of
Provisions. They have their Name from Cape _Verd_ on the _African_
Coast, from whence they lie about 160 Leagues to the Westward. The
_Portuguese_ settled here in 1572. We had very hot Weather here. On the
8_th_ a brisk Gale at E N E. At nine last night _St. Antonio’s_ bore N W
by N. dist. 3 Ls. from whence we took our Departure for the Isle of
_Grande_ in _Brazile_.
_Octob. 9._ Fair Weather, brisk Gale of Wind at N E. We saw abundance of
flying Fish. At 12 a clock being near the Lat. 14 N. we hal’d up S E. by
S. to get well to the Eastward, expecting as usual to meet with
Southerly Winds, when near the Equinoctial. Had an Observ. Lat. 12. 53.
_Octob. 10._ Fair Weather, moderate Gales of Wind at N E by E. These 24
hours we met with several great Riplings as if a Current, which had it
been calm we would have try’d.
[Sidenote: _From St. Antonio to the Southward._]
_Octob. 11._ Wind and Weather as before till seven last night, when we
had much Lightning follow’d by a hard Shower of Rain, and a Calm ensu’d.
Such Weather is customary as we draw near the Line.
_Octob. 14._ Cloudy Weather, with moderate Gales from the S S W. to the
S W. by W. all last night; but this morning cloudy Weather, with hard
Showers of Rain. This day we put up the Smith’s Forge, and he began to
work on such things as we wanted.
_Octob. 21._ Yesterday I din’d on board Captain _Courtney_. Nothing
remarkable happen’d since the 14_th_, but veerable Winds and frequent
Showers of Rain, with Calms. We agreed with our Consort, if possible, to
stop at the Isle _Trinidado_, and not to water and refresh at _Brazile_,
for fear of our Mens deserting, and losing our time.
_Octob. 22._ Close cloudy Weather all night, with Squalls of Rain. At
ten this morning it clear’d up: Capt. _Courtney_ came aboard of us, and
sent back his Boat for Capt. _Cook_, with Orders to bring Mr. _Page_,
second Mate, with him, to be in the room of Mr. _Ballett_, that we
exchang’d out of our Ship. _Page_ disobeying Command, occasion’d Capt.
_Cook_, being the superior Officer aboard, to strike him; whereupon
_Page_ struck him again, and several Blows past: but at last _Page_ was
forc’d into the Boat, and brought on board of us. And Capt. _Cook_ and
others telling us what Mutiny had pass’d, we order’d _Page_ on the
Fore-Castle into the Bilboes.[94] He begg’d to go into the Head to ease
himself; under that pretence the Corporal and the rest left him for a
while: upon which he leapt over board, thinking to swim back to the
_Dutchess_, it being near calm, and the Captains out of the Ship.
However, the Boat being along side, we soon overtook him, and brought
him on board again. For which and his abusive Language he was lash’d to
the Main-Geers[95] and drub’d; and for inciting the Men to Mutiny, was
afterward confin’d in Irons aboard the _Duke_.
_Octob. 28._ At five last night we were on the Equinoctial, and spy’d a
Sail about 4 Leagues dist. to Windward, bearing S. by E. and thinking
she had not seen us, we lay by in her way from six a clock till half an
hour past ten, hoping to meet her if bound to the _West-Indies_; but it
growing dark, and she having, as we suppose, seen us before night, and
alter’d her Course, we saw no more of her. This day we began to read
Prayers in both Ships Mornings or Evenings, as Opportunity would permit,
according to the Church of _England_, designing to continue it the Term
of the Voyage. Cloudy Weather, moderate Gales at S E by S.
_Octob. 29._ This Morning I let Mr. _Page_ out of Irons on his humble
Submission, and acknowledging his Fault, with Promises of Amendment.
Fair pleasant Weather, with a fresh Gale.
_Novemb. 1._ This Morning between one and four a clock the Sea seem’d to
be in a Breach as far as we could see, being a Moon-light Night. The
Watch being surpriz’d, call’d me up; for they suppos’d it to be
something extraordinary, and hove the Lead: but finding no Ground, were
all easy, and afterwards believ’d that it was the Spawn of Fish floating
on the Water. Fair Weather, with moderate Gales.
_Novemb. 2._ This Morning two Persons being accus’d of concealing a
Peruke of the Plunder in the _Canary_ Bark, two Shirts, and a Pair of
Stockings; and being found guilty, I order’d them into the Bilboes:
After which they begg’d pardon, promis’d Amendment, and were discharg’d.
Pleasant Weather and moderate Gales of Wind from E S E to S E by S. Had
an Observ. Lat. 7. 50. S.
_Nov. 4._ Yesterday about four in the Afternoon we spoke with our
Consort, and agreed to bear away for the Island of _Grande_ in
_Brazile_, it being uncertain to fetch the Island of _Trinidado_; and
besides, by the time we could get the length of it, being generally
close Weather, and the Sun in the Zenith, we might miss so small an
Island; which would prove a great loss of time to us. Close Weather,
with a fresh Gale of Wind at S E by E.
_Nov. 13._ Nothing remarkable since the fourth. We have had the Winds
very veerable. Now we draw near the Land, the Wind veers to the
Northward, and often strong Gales with hazy Weather. About eleven last
night we made a Signal to our Consort, and both lay by, thinking our
selves to be near the Land. This morning came on moderate Weather, and
we made sail again. Wind at N by E.
_Nov. 14._ This Morning at five we made the Land of _Brazile_ very
plain, bearing N W. We had several Soundings on the Sand call’d in the
Maps _Bonfunda_, from 28 to 50 Fathom Water; brown fair Sand, with grey
Stones amongst it. We had several Showers of Rain with very little Wind
from N N E. to N by W. Lat. 22. 9. S.
[Sidenote: _Make the Land of Brazile._]
_Nov. 15._ At ten a clock last night we had a heavy Turnado with
Lightning, which fell as if it had been liquid. While this Storm held,
which was not above an hour, we had all our Sails furl’d; yet the Ship
lay along very much. Wind at S W. but afterwards calm, and little Wind.
The Sun being near the Zenith here at this time, occasions such Weather.
As soon as Day appear’d, we saw the Land bearing West about 7 Ls. dist.
a small Breeze at N N W. We stood in with it, but could not be certain
what Land it was: we had sundry Soundings from 40 to 50 Fathom Water,
coarse Sand.
_Nov. 16._ Yesterday Evening having a brave Breeze at E. we stood in
with the Land, and suppos’d it to be the Island of Cape _Frio_. It makes
the Southermost Land of several other Islands; is high and uneven. This
Island appears in two Hills to the Southward: The least looks like a
Saddle, and appears at a distance like two Islands, but as you draw near
it, you see that it joins.
_Nov. 17._ This Morning, the Weather being calm, our Pinnace went ashore
with Capt. _Dampier_ into a sandy Bay about two Leagues off; they
brought aboard a large Tortoise which our People eat. The Tortoises on
this Coast have a strong Taste. Foggy Weather, and very little Wind from
the East to the S W. sometimes calm.
_Nov. 19._ Yesterday in the Afternoon we came to an anchor in 22 Fathom
Water. The East End of the large Island, which we took to be _Grande_,
bore W S W dist. about 4 Ls. and there’s a high woody Point at the West
end of the low sandy Bay, which at last we run by, about one League and
a half from us. We sent our Pinnace ashore well-mann’d to this Point,
with Capt. _William Dampier_, in order to be certain whether it was the
Entrance of _Grande_ between the two Lands. The Boat return’d about ten
a clock at night, with a Confirmation that it was the Island of
_Grande_, as we had suppos’d: So we immediately weigh’d with a small
Breeze; but it soon falling calm, we came to anchor again: then weigh’d
with another small Breeze, and row’d and tow’d; by the help of which, at
twelve a clock we came to an anchor in the middle of the Entrance of the
Island of _Grande_ in 11 Fathom water. The Entrance goes in W by S. a
remarkable white Rock on the Larboard side of the Bay bore S E. about a
mile and a half. ’Tis a long Entrance near 5 Leagues from the place we
anchor’d at.
_Nov. 20._ Yesterday at one a clock in the Afternoon we sent our Boats
in, with a Lieutenant in one Boat, and Capt. _Dampier_ in the other, to
sound all the way to our watering-place, and see if no Enemy lay there.
I borrow’d the _Dutchess_ Yall, and kept her a-head sounding; but having
a Breeze against us, we got little ground. This morning at four we
weigh’d again with the Wind at N E. and got both into the Bay on the
West side of the Isle of _Grande_, but could not reach the Cove where we
design’d to water: heavy Showers of Rain took us. At eleven we row’d and
tow’d into the Cove, where our Consort had been an hour before us: A
_Portuguese_ Boat came from a small Cove on our Starboard side as we
came in, and told us they had been rob’d by the _French_ not long
before.
_Nov. 21._ Yesterday Afternoon it rain’d so hard that our Men could not
work. At four a clock Capt. _Courtney_ put eight of his Men in Irons for
disobeying Command; and knowing ’em to be Ringleaders, was willing to
secure them whilst here, where they could run away. About six a clock it
began to clear up, and our Pinnace with Capt. _Cook_ and Lieutenant
_Pope_ went to _Angre de Reys_, as it’s call’d in Sea-Draughts, but the
_Portuguese_ call it _Nostra Seniora de La Conception_, a small Village
about three Leagues distant, to wait on the Governour, and acquaint him
with our Arrival, with a Present of Butter and Cheese, to procure his
Friendship if any of our Men should run away. The Boat return’d at
twelve at night, and told us that when they came near the Town it was
almost dark; that the People suspecting they were _French_, fir’d on ’em
several times, but did no hurt, and when they came ashore begg’d their
pardon. The Fryars invited them to the Convent, and told ’em they were
often plunder’d by the _French_, or they should not have been so ready
to fire at ’em. The Governour was gone to _Riojanero_, a City about 12
Ls. distant, but expected back every day. This morning our Men went in
our Boat to hall our Fishing-Net, and caught some very good Fish much
better than those at _St. Vince_.
_Nov. 22._ Yesterday Afternoon we got our empty Casks ashore, and sent
our Carpenter with a _Portuguese_ to look out Wood for Trusle-Trees,[96]
our Main and Fore Trusle-Trees being both broke: but the Weather prov’d
so wet and sultry, that we could do little or nothing. Here are
abundance of
[Sidenote: _At the Isle of Grande in Brazile._]
Graves of dead Men; and the _Portuguese_ tell us, that two great
_French_ Ships homeward bound from the _South Seas_, that water’d in
this same place about nine months before, had bury’d near half their Men
here; but God be thank’d ours are very healthy. At this place the
_French South-Sea_ Ships generally water both out and homewards. This
Morning we had several Canoes from the Town, with Limes, Fowls, _Indian_
Corn, _&c._ to exchange for such things as we could spare. We treated
’em all very civilly, and offer’d a Gratuity to such as would secure our
Men if any of ’em run away: they all promis’d to give us good
Information, and assist us in searching after ’em.