_Dutchess_ both sides by us, we had a great deal of Wood cut, caught
excellent Fish with our Lines, and had several Canoes from the Town,
which inform’d us of a Brigantine at an anchor in the Entrance where we
came in. I sent our Pinnace mann’d and arm’d to know what she was, and
found her a _Portuguese_ laden with Negroes for the Gold Mines. Our Boat
return’d and brought a Present, being a Roove[97] of fine Sugar and a
Pot of Sweet-meats from the Master, who spoke a little _English_, and
had formerly sail’d with ’em. The Way that leads to these Gold Mines is
not far from this Place by Water, but the _Portuguese_ say they lie
several days Journy up in the Country; and some will tell you ’tis ten
or fifteen days, others a month’s Travel from the Town of _Sanetas_,
which is the Sea-Port; for they are cautious how they discover the
Truth: but there is certainly abundance of Gold found in this Country.
They told us, the _French_ often surprize their Boats, and that at one
time when the _French_ staid to water, which could not exceed a month,
they took of Gold above 1200 _l._ weight (in Boats from the Mines bound
to _Rio-Janero_, because the Way is not good by Land.)
_Nov. 24._ Yesterday in the Afternoon we clean’d one side by the
_Dutchess_, and this Morning the other side, gave the Ships great Lists;
and having Men enough, whilst our Ship was cleaning, we let the Pinnace
with Capt. _Dover_, Mr. _Vanbrugh_, and others, go to take their
pleasure, but to return by twelve a clock, when we should want our Boat.
When they return’d, they brought with them a monstrous Creature which
they had kill’d, having Prickles or Quills like a Hedghog, with Fur
between them, and the Head and Tail resembled those of a Monkey. It
stunk intolerably, which the _Portuguese_ told us was only the Skin;
that the Meat of it is very delicious, and they often kill’d them for
the Table. But our Men being not yet at very short Allowance, none of
’em had Stomach good enough to try the Experiment: so that we were
forc’d to throw it overboard, to make a sweet Ship. Soon after came
several Canoes with _Portuguese_ in ’em, whom we treated very civilly.
_Nov. 25._ This Day was fair, but very hot. We had three or four Canoes
aboard, one of which had three Fathers belonging to the _Franciscan_
Convent at _Angre de Reys_. We had got a great deal of Water and Wood
aboard, with new Trusle-Trees fix’d to the head of the Fore-Mast.
[Sidenote: _At the Isle of Grande._]
_Nov. 26._ Yesterday Afternoon we rigg’d the Fore-Mast again, and got
almost all our Water on board. Last night one _Michael Jones_ and _James
Brown_, two _Irish_ Landmen, run into the Woods, thinking to get away
from us; tho two such Sparks run away the 25_th_ from the _Dutchess_,
and in the night were so frighted with Tygers, as they thought, but
really by Monkeys and Baboons, that they ran into the water, hollowing
to the Ship till they were fetch’d aboard again. About four this Morning
the Watch on the Quarter-Deck spy’d a Canoe, and call’d her to come on
board; but they not answering, and trying to get away, made us suspect
they had either got our Men that run away last Evening, or were coming
by Agreement to fetch ’em off the Island, which was uninhabited. We
immediately sent the Pinnace and Yall after ’em; the Pinnace coming up
near the Canoe, fir’d to stay ’em, but to no purpose; at last they
wounded one of the _Indians_ that row’d in the Canoe. He that own’d and
steer’d her was a Fryar, and had a Quantity of Gold which he got at the
Mines, I suppose by his Trade of confessing the Ignorant. The Fryar had
just ran the Canoe ashore on a little Island full of Wood as our Boats
landed, and afterwards told us he hid some Gold there. A _Portuguese_
that would not run away with the Father, because he had no Gold to hide,
knew our People to be _English_, and call’d the Father back. The Man
that was wounded could not move, and was brought by our Men, with the
Father and several Slaves that row’d the large Canoe, on board our Ship,
where our Surgeon dress’d the wounded _Indian_, who died in two hours
time. I made the Father as welcome as I could, but he was very uneasy at
the Loss of his Gold and the Death of his Slave, and said he would seek
for Justice in _Portugal_ or _England_.
_Nov. 27._ Yesterday in the Afternoon the _Dutchess_ weigh’d, and tow’d
out of the Cove about a mile, and came to anchor to wait for us: Their
Boats returning to the Cove to fetch what was left, they spy’d two Men
waiting under the side of a Wood by the Shore, for a _Portuguese_ Canoe
to get ’em off; but our Boats landed on each side of the Point, where
they were not seen, found ’em to be the Men that left us the Evening
before, and brought ’em to us. I order’d ’em both to be severely whip’d,
and put in Irons.
This Morning Capt. _Courtney_ and I, with most of our Officers, except
those which we left to do what little remain’d unfinish’d on board the
Ships, went in our Boat to _Angre de Reys_, it being the Day kept for
the Conception of the Virgin _Mary_, and a high Day of Procession
amongst these People. The Governour Signior _Raphael de Silva Lagos_, a
_Portuguese_, receiv’d us very handsomly. He ask’d us if we would see
the Convent and Procession: we told him our Religion differ’d very much
from his. He answer’d we were welcome to see it, without partaking in
the Ceremony. We waited on him in a Body, being ten of us, with two
Trumpets and a Hautboy, which he desir’d might play us to Church, where
our Musick did the Office of an Organ, but separate from the Singing,
which was by the Fathers well perform’d. Our Musick play’d, _Hey Boys up
go we!_[98] and all manner of noisy paltry Tunes: and after Service our
Musicians, who were by that time more than half drunk, march’d at the
head of the Company, next to them an old Father and two Fryars carrying
Lamps of Incense with the Host, next came the Virgin _Mary_ on a Bier
carry’d on four Mens shoulders, and dress’d with Flowers and
Wax-Candles, _&c._ After her came the Padre Guardian of the Convent, and
then about forty Priests, Fryars, _&c._ Next was the Governour of the
Town, my self, and Capt. _Courtney_, with each of us a long Wax-Candle
lighted: Next follow’d the rest of our Officers, the chief Inhabitants,
and junior Priests, with every one a lighted Wax-Candle. The Ceremony
held about two hours, after which we were splendidly entertain’d by the
Fathers of the Convent, and then by the Governour at the Guard-House,
his Habitation being three Leagues off. It’s to be noted, they kneel’d
at every Crossway, and turning, walk’d round the Convent, and came in at
another Door, kneeling and paying their Devotion to the Image of the
Virgin and her Wax-Candles. They unanimously told us, they expected
nothing from us but our Company, and they had no more but our Musick.
The Town consists of about sixty low Houses built of Mud, cover’d with
Palmetto Leaves, and meanly furnish’d. They told us they had been
plunder’d by the _French_, or perhaps they hid their Plate and other
best Movables, because they were in doubt whether we were Friends or
Enemies. They have two Churches and a _Franciscan_ Monastery tolerably
decent, but not rich in Ornaments: They have also a Guard-house, where
there are about 20 Men commanded by the Governour, a Lieutenant, and
Ensign. The Monastery had some black Cattel belonging to it, but the
Fathers would sell us none.
The Fish we saw in the Road were Sharks, so well known that I need not
describe them. 2. Pilot-Fishes, so call’d because they commonly attend
the Sharks, find out their Prey for ’em, and are never devour’d by ’em.
3. The Sucking-Fish, so call’d because of a Sucker about two inches long
on the top of their Heads, by the Slime of which they stick so fast to
Sharks and other large Fish, that they are not easily pull’d off. 4.
Parrot-Fish, so nam’d because their Mouths resemble the Beak of a
Parrot. 5. A Rock-Fish, which is very good, and much like our Cod. 6.
Silver-Fish in great plenty: ’tis a deep-body’d bright Fish, from 12 to
18 inches long, and very good Meat: But there are so many sorts of good
Fish here, that we can’t describe ’em all.
[Sidenote: _At the Isle of Grande_]
_Nov. 28._ Yesterday in the Afternoon we left _Angre de Reys_; when we
got aboard, we found the Main-Mast rigg’d, with every thing ready. This
Morning we got our Ship out by our Consort, and the Wind being out of
the way, and but little, we went with our Boat to the Town, to get
Liquors for the Voyage, and bring the Gentlemen of the Town aboard our
Ships, where we treated ’em the best we could. They were very merry, and
in their Cups propos’d the Pope’s Health to us; but we were quits with
’em, by toasting that of the Archbishop of _Canterbury:_ to keep up the
Humour, we also propos’d _William Pen’s_ to them; and they lik’d the
Liquor so well, that they refus’d neither. We made the Governour and the
Fathers of the Convent a handsom Present of Butter and Cheese from both
Ships, in consideration of the small Presents and yesterday’s Favours
from ’em, and as a farther Obligation on ’em to be careful of our
Letters, which we took this opportunity to deliver into their own hands.
I shall say no more of our Letters, but that they contain’d every thing
material since my coming out, with two Postscripts wrote by Capt.
_Dover_ and Capt. _Courtney_, to put it out of doubt amongst all those
concern’d, that we join’d heartily in prosecuting our long Undertaking,
and that our Officers behav’d themselves to satisfaction; which may
clear up some Difficulties started amongst the Gentlemen at home before
we sail’d, that were a great Hindrance and Discouragement to us in the
beginning, because Mismanagement and Misunderstanding amongst the
Officers never fail of ill Effects to the Voyage, and of spoiling the
Men; which is an irrecoverable Loss.
_Nov. 29._ Yesterday in the Afternoon our Yall went to Town to get
Necessaries for our next long Voyage, because we were to run near 2000
Leagues before we could expect any Recruit of Liquors, unless by
extraordinary good fortune. In the Evening it came on blowing with thick
Showers of Rain, which prevented the Governour and the rest from going
ashore that night. This Morning the Governour and Company were carry’d
ashore: at parting we saluted ’em with a Huzza from each Ship, because
we were not overstock’d with Pouder. After which all the Officers of the
Committee met on board the _Dutchess_, where we enquir’d into the true
Cause of the aforesaid _Indian’s_ Death, and protested against Mr.
_Vanbrugh_ (who was the Occasion) for commanding our Ships Pinnace as he
did in chase of the Canoe unknown to me, and without my Order. At the
same time I desir’d to have the Committee’s Hands, if they approv’d what
I had transacted since my leaving the _Canary Islands_, which they very
readily sign’d, as also the Protest against Mr. _Vanbrugh’s_ unadvis’d
Management; for I was sensible that good Order and Discipline in
Privateers was the only Method to support my self and the other
Officers, and keep up our Authority, which is so essential towards
acting with Success and Vigour on all occasions. This made it highly
necessary in the Infancy of our Undertaking to prevent Innovations in
Command, which inevitably confound the most promising Designs. Therefore
I thought it a fit time now to resent ignorant and wilful Actions
publickly, and to shew the Vanity and Mischief of ’em, rather than to
delay or excuse such Proceedings; which would have made the Distemper
too prevalent, and brought all to remediless Confusion, had we indulg’d
conceited Persons with a liberty of hazarding the fairest Opportunities
of Success. The above-mention’d Resolves of the Committee follow.
At a Committee held on board the _Dutchess_ riding at the Island
_Grande_ on the Coast of _Brazile_, by Request of Capt. _Tho.
Dover_ President, Capt. _Woodes Rogers_, and Capt. _Stephen
Courtney_, _29 Novemb. 1708_.
_WE have examin’d, and do approve of all the Proceedings and
Transactions since our being at the_ Canary Islands, _both as to the
punishing of Offenders, and acting in all cases for the best of our
intended Voyage, and that we found it actually necessary to sell part of
the Goods taken in the Prize amongst the_ Canary Islands _here, to
purchase some Liquor and other Necessaries for our Men as they go about
Cape_ Horn, _they being very meanly clothed, and ill provided to endure
the Cold; and we have and do hereby desire the Agent of each Ship to
take particular Cognizance of what such Goods are sold and dispos’d of
for; and agree that all possible Dispatch hath been made both here and
at_ St. Vincent. _In acknowledgment of which we have set our Hands the
Day and Year above-written._
Tho. Dover, _Pres._ William Stratton,
Woodes Rogers, William Bath,
Stephen Courtney, Charles Pope,
William Dampier, John Rogers,
Edward Cook, John Connely,
Robert Frye, Geo. Milbourne,
Carleton Vanbrugh, John Ballet.
[Sidenote: _At the Isle of Grande._]
Memorandum, _That on the 26th Day of_ November, 1708. _a little
before break of Day, a Canoe coming near the Ship_ Duke, _as she
rode at Anchor at the Island of_ Grande _on the Coasts of_ Brazile;
_they hal’d her, she not answering, they fir’d at her; upon which
she row’d away, and the Captain order’d the Boat to get ready and
pursue her: And Mr._ Carleton Vanbrugh, _Agent of the said Ship,
putting off the Boat, without the Order of his Captain, or before
any Commanding Officer was in pursuit of her, fir’d, or order’d to
be fir’d, at her several Muskets at a distance: But coming nearer,
he order’d the Men to fire into the Boat; and the Corporal firing,
as we have reason to believe, kill’d an_ Indian, _and took the
Canoe, and sent her away with two of the_ Duke’s _Men, the Corporal
and a Padre, and afterwards brought the rest of the People in the
Ship’s Pinnace; since which time we are inform’d by the Padre,
Master of the dead_ Indian, _that he lost a quantity of Gold to the
Value of_ 200 l. _which he says he carry’d ashore, and hid in hopes
to preserve (he taking them for_ Frenchmen _by their firing and
chasing) which could not afterwards be found, altho, he says, he
does verily believe it was not taken by any of the Ships People,
but alledges it was lost by means of their chasing and surprizing
him. Whatever Damages may arise from the above-mention’d Action on
the account of killing the_ Indian, _or Loss of the Gold that the
Padre says he has lost, We the Commanders and Officers of Ship_
Duke _and_ Dutchess _Consorts, do in behalf of our selves, and the
rest of the Ships Company, protest against the unadvis’d Actions of
the aforesaid Mr._ Carleton Vanbrugh, _for proceeding without any
Order from the Captain of the same Ship, and acting contrary to
what he was ship’d for. In witness whereof we have set our Hands
the 29th day of_ November, 1708.
Tho. Dover, _Pres._ William Stratton,
Woodes Rogers, William Bath,
Steph. Courtney, John Rogers,
Will. Dampier, Thomas Glendal,
Edward Cook, John Connely,
Robert Frye, Geo. Milbourne,
Charles Pope, John Ballet.
_Nov. 30._ The Wind continuing out of the way, last night we held a
Committee on board the _Dutchess_, and agreed to remove Mr. _Carleton
Vanbrugh_ from the Ship _Duke_; which Agreement is as follows:
Memorandum, _This 30th of_ Novemb. 1708. _We the underwritten
Officers belonging to the Ships_ Duke _and_ Dutchess, _appointed as
a Committee by the Owners of both Ships, do find it necessary for
the Good of our intended Voyage, to remove Mr._ Carleton Vanbrugh
_from being Agent of the_ Duke _Frigate, to be Agent of the_
Dutchess, _and to receive Mr._ William Bath _Agent of the_ Dutchess
_in his Place. This is our Opinion and Desire, in acknowledgment of
which we have hereunto set our Hands in the Port of the Island of_
Grande _on the Coast of_ Brazile, _the Day above-written_.
Tho. Dover, _Pres._ Robert Frye,
Woodes Rogers, Charles Pope,
Stephen Courtney, Tho. Glendall,
William Dampier, John Bridge.
Edward Cooke,
_Nov. 30._ About ten this morning we both weigh’d, in order to go out on
the other side of _Grande_, which I think is the fairest Outlet, tho
they are both very large, bold and good. We went out E S E. the Wind at
N E. and in two hours came to an Anchor again, it proving calm, and a
Current against us.
_Dec. 1._ Yesterday at two in the Afternoon we weigh’d again, with a
Breeze at N E. but at five a Gale came up at S S W. and blew very strong
with Rain, insomuch that we were forc’d to bear away, and come to an
Anchor close under the Island of _Grande_, in fourteen Fathom Water. It
rain’d hard all night, but towards morning little Wind. About ten this
morning we weigh’d Anchor, and steer’d away S W. At twelve it was calm,
and we anchor’d again. Just before we anchor’d, we spy’d a small Vessel
close under the Shore, near the West-end of _Grande_. We sent our Boat
to examine her, and found it to be the same Brigantine our Boats were
aboard of six days before, and from whence I had the Present. I gave the
Master an Half-hour Glass, and other small things of little Value, for
which he was very thankful.
_Dec. 2._ I wrote a long Letter to my Owners, which Captain _Dover_ and
Captain _Courtney_ also underwrote, and gave it the Master of this
Brigantine, who promis’d to forward it by the first Conveyance for
_Portugal_; so that now I had sent by four Conveyances. At ten this
morning we sail’d, Wind at W N W. row’d and tow’d till twelve, and came
to an Anchor to the Southward of _Grande_, our Men continuing healthy.
[Sidenote: _Description of Grande._]
_Dec. 3._ Yesterday in the afternoon we sail’d with a brisk Gale of Wind
at E by N. At six a clock in the Evening, the S W Point of _Grande_ bore
W N W. distant five Leagues. The small Three-_Hummock_ Island without
_Grande_, which is seen as you go in both ways to it, bore N E 1/2 N.
dist. 5 Ls. the Westermost Point of the Main bore W by S. dist. 9 Ls.
from whence we departed for the Island of _Juan Fernandez_. The rest of
these 24 hours a good Gale from E by N. to the E S E. This I observ’d
when we came from Cape _Frio_ to _Grande_, more than I have yet noted:
About 13 Leagues to the Eastward of the Isle of _Grande_ is a high round
Rock, a good League without the Land, as it appear’d to us; within it is
high mountainous Land, which we are inform’d is the Entrance to
_Rio-Janeiro_: and as we came to the Westward, we open’d a sandy Bay
with low sandy Land in the middle, and high Land on each side clear to
the Points; it’s about 3 Leagues over, and deep. Next to this Bay, as
we came to the Westward, open’d another low sandy Bay, not quite so
deep, but above twice as wide. The Westermost Point is indifferent high,
and full of Trees, which makes the Eastermost Point as we enter’d
_Grande_; from whence it runs in West and Northerly about 4 Ls. There is
no such Bay to the Eastward as _Rio-Janeiro_ between that and Cape
_Frio_. This is a certain Mark not to miss _Grande_, which might easily
be done by a Stranger, the Latitude being near the same for 40 Leagues
within Cape _Frio_; but _Grande_ lies out near two Points farther
Southerly, as you come to it from the Eastward, than any other Land
between that and Cape _Frio_. We kept but an indifferent Account of the
Ship’s Way from Cape _Frio_, being nothing but fluttering Weather; but
the _Portuguese_ Master told me it is not less than 34 Ls. We kept
continual Soundings, and had always Ground from one League to ten off
the Shore, from 20 to 50 Fathom Water: Very even and gradual Soundings,
with soft blue clayish Sand, till we got the Length of _Grande_; then we
had harder Ground, mix’d with small Stones and red Sand. The Shore runs
hither nearest West.
The Island _Grande_ is remarkable high Land, with a small Notch, and a
Tip standing up on one side in the middle of the highest Land, easy to
be seen if clear; and there’s a small Island to the Southward without
it, which rises in three little Hummocks; the nearest Hummock to the
Island _Grande_ is the least. As we came in and out, we saw it, and it
appears alike on both sides: there is also a remarkable round white Rock
that lies on the Larboard side nearest to _Grande_, between it and the
Main at the Entrance going in. On the Starboard side there are several
Islands, and the Main is much like Islands, till you get well in. The
best way, when you open the Coves that are inhabited on the Starboard
side going in, is to get a Pilot to carry you to the watering Cove
within _Grande_; otherwise send in a Boat to the fresh-water Cove, which
lies round the inner Westermost Point of the Island, and near a League
in: the Passage is between small Islands, but room enough and bold; it’s
the second Cove under the first high Mount and round, behind the first
Point you see when you are in between the two Islands. This is the Cove
where we water’d. There are two other Coves very good, with some
Shoal-Banks between them, but no Shoal-Ground before we come to this
Cove. We sounded all the Passage in, and seldom found less than ten
Fathom Water, but had not time to know or sound the rest of the Coves.
The Town bears N E. about 3 Ls. dist. from this Cove. The Island of
_Grande_ is near about 9 Ls. long high Land, and so is the Main within
it. All you see near the Water-side is thick covered with Wood. The
Island abounds with Monkeys and other wild Beasts, has plenty of good
Timber, Fire-wood, and excellent Water, with Oranges and Lemons, and
Guavas growing wild in the Woods. The Necessaries we got from the Town
were Rum, Sugar, and Tobacco, which they sell very dear, tho not good to
smoke, ’tis so very strong. We had also Fowls and Hogs, but the latter
are scarce; Beef and Mutton are cheap, but no great quantity to be had;
_Indian_ Corn, Bonanoes, Plantanes, Guavas, Lemons, Oranges, and
Pine-Apples they abound with; but have no Bread except Cassado (the same
sort as is eaten in our _West-Indies_) which they call _Farana depau_,
_i.e._ Bread of Wood. They have no kind of Salleting. We had fine
pleasant Weather most of the time we were here, but hot like an Oven,
the Sun being right over us. The Winds we did not much observe, because
they were little and veerable; but commonly between the North and the
East.
We clear’d an ordinary _Portuguese_ here, call’d _Emanuel de Santo_, and
shipt another, whose Name was _Emanuel Gonsalves_.
I had _Newhoff’s_[99] Account of _Brazile_ on board, and by all the
Enquiry and Observation I could make, found his Description of the
Country, its Product and Animals, to be just; particularly of that
Monster call’d _Liboya_, or the Roebuck-Serpent, which I enquir’d after,
thinking it incredible till the _Portuguese_ Governour told me there are
some of them 30 foot long, as big as a Barrel, and devour a Roebuck at
once, from whence they had their name. I was also told that one of these
Serpents was kill’d near this place a little before our Arrival. Tygers
are very plenty here on the Continent, but not so ravenous as those in
_India_.
The Product of _Brazile_ is well known to be Red Wood, Sugars, Gold,
Tobacco, Whale-Oil, Snuff, and several sorts of Drugs. The _Portuguese_
build their best Ships here: The Country is now become very populous,
and the People delight much in Arms, especially about the Gold Mines,
where those of all sorts resort, but mostly Negroes and Molattoes. ’Tis
[Sidenote: _Account of Brazile._]
but four years since they would be under no Government, but now they
have submitted: some Men of Repute here told me the Mines increase very
fast, and that Gold is got much easier at these Mines than in any other
Country.