Hopkins, _and Mr._ Robert Knowlesman _to succeed Mr._ John Rogers,
_who being deceased, these we approve as the fittest Men to be
Members of a Committee in their Places; and having at the same time
consider’d the Necessity of cleaning our Ships, we do desire Capt._
Courtney _to use all manner of Dispatch to get ready for a Careen,
and that the Men and Officers assist him as much as possible, and
then he to assist the_ Duke, _as soon as his Ship is compleated,
and off the Careen, because one Ship_
[Sidenote: _At Gorgona._]
_ought to be in a Readiness to protect the other, whilst on a
Careen, in case we be attack’d by the Enemy._
Tho. Dover, _Pres._ Wm. Stratton,
Woodes Rogers, Cha. Pope,
Step. Courtney, Tho. Glendall,
Wm. Dampier, John Connely,
Edw. Cooke, John Bridge.
Rob. Frye,
While we were together, we agreed to fit out the _Havre de Grace_ with
twenty Guns, and put Men out of each Ship aboard her, under Captain
_Cook_’s Command, resolving to carry her home with us, and to make a
third Ship to cruise in our Company, whilst in these Seas.
_June 14._ I proposed before, we should careen at Port _a Penees_,
because it was an unfrequented Place, and good Harbour, where we might
lie sometime undiscover’d, and from thence go to the Bay of _Panama_,
when ready; but considering our present Condition, every body seem’d
most inclinable to stay here, which I the more readily agreed to,
because it was pleasing to the rest, and that, if any Casualty happen’d,
I might not be reflected on, if I had over-perswaded them to go
elsewhere. We began, according to agreement, to careen the _Dutchess_
first, and I to lye on the Guard the mean while, in case of being
attack’d, which we had reason to fear, having been so long from
_Guiaquil_. The _Dutchess_ began to make ready for a Careen. Captain
_Courtney_ and I went a fishing together, and had pretty good Luck, Fish
being plenty here.
_June 15._ We had indifferent fair Weather, but very sultry. We put all
our sick Men, with our Consort’s on board the Galeon, being about 70 in
Number, besides sick Officers, whom we put on board the _Havre de
Grace_.
_June 16._ We built a Tent a-shore for the Armourer and Cooper; set
several Men to cutting of Wood, and clearing a Place for the sick Mens
Tents.
Nothing remarkable pass’d from the 16th, but that we had frequent
Thunder, Lightning and Rain, which retarded our Careening the
_Dutchess_, till the 21st that we finish’d her, and began upon our Ship:
We were forc’d to carry most of our Stores ashore, for want of Barks,
which are full of the _Dutchess_’s Provisions and Materials. We seldom
miss catching good Fish daily, and keep a Boat and Men imploy’d for that
purpose, there being very little Refreshment in the Island. We spent
till the 25th in careening; the Sea swelling into the Road hinder’d us
heaving our Keel wholly out; however we clean’d within less than 2
Streaks of the Keel; and being upright again,
_June 28._ We got our Provisions aboard, and mounted all our Guns; so
that in 14 Days we had calk’d our Ships all round, careen’d, rigg’d and
stow’d them again, both fit for the Sea; which was great Dispatch,
considering what we had to do was in an open Place, with few Carpenters,
and void of the usual Conveniencies for careening. The _Spaniards_ our
Prisoners being very dilatory Sailors, were amazed at our Expedition,
and told us, they usually take 6 Weeks or 2 Months to careen one of the
King’s Ships at _Lima_, where they are well provided with all
Necessaries, and account it good Dispatch.
_June 29._ Yesterday in the Afternoon we built a Tent ashore for the
Sick, who are now much better than when we came to the Island, neither
the Weather nor the Air here being half so bad as the _Spaniards_
represented, which made us think ’twould be worse than we found it. This
Morning we got the sick Men into their Tents, and put the Doctors ashore
with them: We unloaded the _Havre de Grace_, and chose a Place very easy
to lay her ashore, to clean her Bottom. A clear Sand about a Mile and
half from the Place where we rode, near the South End of the Island.
_June 30._ I went to her this Morning, and left Capts. _Courtney_ and
_Cooke_, with the Carpenters, _&c._ to grave her Bottom, whilst I took
the most experienced Prisoners, and walked through the Island (which is
every where full of Wood) to look out Masts for her. The _Spaniards_
knew best what Wood was most fit for this Purpose here. We found one
Tree proper to be a Fore-mast, having before that cut down a great Tree
big enough, but a wrong sort of Wood. All the Timber here is too heavy,
but we must use it, her old Masts and Yards being unserviceable, her
Sails rotten, and very little of her Cordage fit to be us’d; so that
it’s near equal to rigging out a-new. She is a very sharp Ship, but lies
easy on soft red Sand, which is dry at little more than half Tide. The
Worms had not much damag’d her Bottom, but her Rudder and Cut-water[135]
were eaten to pieces. It flows 15 Foot at Spring Tides.
_July 1._ We have Men imploy’d in our Tents ashore, to prepare the
Rigging as fast as possible; a Rope-maker at work to make twice-laid
Cordage, and a Smith, Block-maker
[Illustration: CAPTAIN WOODES ROGERS, WITH HIS SON AND DAUGHTER, 1729
_From the engraving by W. Skelton, after the painting by Hogarth._]
[Sidenote: _At Gorgona in Peru._]
and Sail-maker at the same time; so that we want no Tradesmen to fit her
out. Necessity makes us of all Trades on this occasion.
The Natives of Old _Spain_ are accounted but ordinary Mariners, but here
they are much worse; all the Prizes we took being rather cobled than
fitted out for the Sea: So that had they such Weather as we often meet
with in the _European_ Seas in Winter, they could scarce ever reach a
Port again, as they are fitted, but they sail here hundreds of Leagues.
The _French_ us’d her as a Victualling Ship, and sold her at _Lima_, as
they have done several others, for 4 times the Money they cost in
_Europe_. ’Tis certainly a good Method they took at first trading
hither, to bring a Victualling Ship with no other Goods but Provisions
and Stores along with ’em. Generally one of these small Ships comes out
with two Traders, and since in six, nine, or 12 Months time, which they
stay in these Seas, they expend their Provisions, and lessen their Men
by Mortality or Desertion, they sell their Victualling Ship, and being
recruited with Men and Provisions out of her, they return well
victualled and mann’d to _France_. But now they put into _Chili_, where
they sell the remaining Part of their Cargo, and salt up a new Stock of
Provisions for their homeward bound Passage, so that they need bring no
more Victuallers.
_July 2._ We had Showers of Rain, with Thunder and Lightning last Night,
and few Nights are without Rain, but ’tis pretty dry in the day-time.
This day I got a fine Tree for the Main-mast; the Island is so cover’d
with Trees, that we are forced to clear a Place for a Yard to work in.
The Wood that we us’d for Masts and Yards is 3 sorts, but the best is
_Maria_ Wood, of the Colour and Grain of our _English_ Oak, all of the
Cedar Kind, good Timber, but very heavy. There are several other sorts
fit for Masts, but Care must be taken not to use any that is
short-grain’d, or soft and white when green.
_July 3._ The Prize Flower we took in Bags being much damag’d by the
Rats, I order’d the Coopers to put it up in 36 Casks: The little
_English_ Bread we have left is eaten as hollow as a Honeycomb, and so
full of Worms, that it’s hardly fit for Use. Last Night we met aboard
our Ship to consult of the quickest Method for Dispatch, and the
Officers agreed each to take his Share of looking after the Ships, and
forwarding the several Workmen: So that most of our little Commonwealth
being ashore very busy, ’twas a Diversion for me to oversee the several
Companies at work in our Yard, from Break of Day till Night, which
otherwise in this hot Country would have been very burthensome to me.
We were imploy’d till the 9_th_ in refitting the _Havre de Grace_, and
when finish’d call’d her the _Marquis_. We saluted each of the other
Ships with 3 Huzzas from on board her, distributed Liquor among the
Company, drank her Majesty’s and our Owners Healths, and to our own good
Success. The Ship look’d well, so that we all rejoic’d in our new
Consort to cruize with us. The next thing we did was to clear Mr.
_Selkirk’s_ Bark to carry our Prisoners to the Main, who being 72 in
Number, were very chargeable to maintain; but we could not discharge
them sooner, lest they should have allarm’d the Country, and inform’d
the _French_ and _Spanish_ Men of War where to find us. But being now
almost ready to depart, we call’d a Committee, and came to the following
Resolutions.
At a Committee held on board the Duke, riding at Anchor in the Road
of _Gorgona_, _July 9, 1709_.
_We think it convenient to turn all our Prisoners ashore, in a Bark
already provided for that purpose, and at the same time to Plunder
the Settlements on the Main opposite to this Island, and do desire
Capt._ Thomas Dover, _Mr._ Robert Fry, _and Mr._ William Stratton
_to command the Bark and 45 Men on the same Expedition, and to make
what Dispatch they can, and return hither with such Refreshments,
&c. as they can get for our sick Men_.
Tho. Dover, _Pres._ William Stratton,
Woodes Rogers, Cha. Pope,
Stephen Courtney, John Connely,
William Dampier, John Ballett,
Edw. Cooke, John Bridge,
Robert Frye, Lan. Appleby.
After this we gave them the following Instructions.
_Capt._ Tho. Dover,
_Mr._ Robert Frye,
_Mr. W._ Stratton, Gorgona, 9 July, 1709.
_Gentlemen_,
[Sidenote: _At Gorgona._]
_We having agreed with you in a Committee, That you take a Bark
under your Care, and transport our Prisoners to the Main, and
having order’d about 45 Men under your Command to proceed with
you, and attempt the Plundering where you judge convenient: We only
recommend the utmost Dispatch, and that you keep in mind, we hope
to be ready in 8 Days, and shall earnestly expect you as much as
possible within that Time. Other things relating to this you’ll
know better how to act than we can here direct._
_Should a powerful Enemy attempt us in your Absence, we’ll be
certain to leave a Glass Bottle buried at the Root of the Tree
whence the Fore-mast was cut, to acquaint you, then_ Quibo _is the
Place we will wait for you at, if we are well, and you must leave a
Glass Bottle at this Place in case we return hither again: But this
we don’t expect, if once chas’d away._
Woodes Rogers, Tho. Glendall,
Stephen Courtney, John Connely,
William Dampier, Geo. Milbourne,
Edward Cooke, John Bridge,
William Bath, John Ballett,
Cha. Pope,
_July 10._ Early this Morning we put our 72 Prisoners aboard the Bark.
We had several times discours’d our Prisoners, the two _Morells_, and
_Don Antonio_ about ransoming the Goods, and were in hopes of selling
them to advantage, but deferr’d coming to Particulars, till now that we
plainly saw, unless they could have the Cargoes under a quarter Value,
they would not deal with us. I propos’d going to _Panama_, and to lie 6
Days as near it as they pleas’d, till they brought the Money we should
agree for at a moderate Rate; provided they left a Hostage aboard us,
whom on failure we would carry to _England_. To this they would have
agreed, provided we would take 60000 Pieces of Eight for all the Prize
Goods. Then I propos’d their ransoming the Galleon, and putting good
part of the Goods aboard her, provided one of them three and another
they could procure would be Hostages for the Sum. They answer’d, That
neither of them would go Hostage to _England_ for the World. Then I
propos’d delivering the Galleon and Cargo to them here, provided 2 of
them would be Ransomers to pay us the Money at any other Place but
_Panama_ or _Lima_, in Six Days, if they would give us 120000 Pieces of
Eight, being the lowest Price we could take for all the Prizes and
Goods, Negroes, _&c._ They told us that Trade with Strangers, especially
the _English_ and _Dutch_, was so strictly prohibited in those Seas,
that they must give more than the prime Cost of the Goods in Bribes, to
get a License to deal with us: So that they could not assure us of
Payment, unless we sold the Goods very cheap; therefore not finding it
worth our Time, and knowing the Danger we must run in treating with
them, we desisted, and order’d them all ashore, still hoping that this
would necessitate the _Morells_ and _Navarre_ to get Money for us, and
prevent our burning the Ships, and what we can’t carry away. Every one
now wish’d we had kept some others of the topping Prisoners, to have
try’d whether they had a better Foundation and Method to trade; the
Goods being of little value to us here, and we must fill our Ships so
full, that we fear ’twill spoil our sailing.
_July 11._ Yesterday our Bark and 2 Pinnaces sail’d with our chief
Prisoners. _Don Antonio_, the _Fleming_, Sen. _Navarre_, and the
_Morells_, who did not expect to part with us so suddenly, but by
continuing with us, and knowing we could not carry away all the Prizes
and Goods, they hop’d we should of course have freely given them what we
could not keep. We apprehended that was the principal Reason of their
not closing with our Terms, which were advantageous to them. Besides,
should we have been attack’d, they believ’d we must then put them in
possession of their Ships, which were of no use for fighting. But to
obviate all their Hopes of benefiting themselves at this easy Rate,
without our participating of their Money, the Magnet that drew us
hither, I made them sensible at parting, that as we had treated them
courteously like generous Enemies, we would sell them good Bargains for
whatever Money they could bring us in 10 Days time, but that we would
burn what we did not so dispose of or carry away. They beg’d we would
delay burning the Ships, and promis’d to raise what Money they could,
and return within the time to satisfy us.
One of the chief Prisoners we now parted with was _Don Juan Cardoso_,
design’d Governor of _Baldivia_, a brisk Man of about 35 Years of Age;
he had serv’d as a Collonel in _Spain_, had the Misfortune to be taken
in the North Seas by an _English_ Privateer near _Portobello_, and
carried to _Jamaica_, from whence he was sent back to _Portobello_: He
complain’d heavily of the Usage he met with from the _Jamaica_
Privateer; but we parted very good Friends, and he returned us his
hearty Thanks, and a Stone Ring for a Present to one of the Dutchess’s
Lieutenants that had lent him his Cabbin while he was sick on board.
[Sidenote: _In Gorgona Road._]
We allow’d Liberty of Conscience on board our floating Commonwealth to
our Prisoners, for there being a Priest in each Ship, they had the
Great Cabbin for their Mass, whilst we us’d the Church of _England_
Service over them on the Quarter-deck, so that the Papists here were the
Low Churchmen.
_July 13._ This Morning our Vessels return’d from landing our Prisoners,
and brought off 7 small Black Cattle, about 12 Hogs, 6 Goats, some Limes
and Plaintains, which were very welcome to us; they met with little else
of Value in the Village they were at, and the others being far up the
River, they did not think it worth while to visit them. The Country
where they landed was so poor, that our Men gave the Prisoners and
Negroes, some Bays, Nails, _&c._ to purchase themselves Subsistance. The
Inhabitants ashore had notice of our taking _Guiaquil_, and were jealous
of our being at this Island, because they heard our Guns, when we fired
in order to scale them after careening. This Place bears S.E. about 7
Leagues from the Body of _Gorgona_, is low Land and full of Mangrove
Trees; but within the Country the Land is very high. The River is hard
to be found without a Pilot, and has Shole Water for above 2 Leagues
from Shore, There are some poor Gold Mines near it, but the Inhabitants
agree that those of _Barbacore_ are very rich, tho’ difficult to be
attempted, as we were informed before.
_July 16._ Yesterday about Noon came aboard one _Michael Kendall_, a
free Negro of _Jamaica_, who had been sold a Slave to the Village we
plunder’d; but not being there when our People were ashore, he follow’d
them privately in a small Canoe; and the Account he gave of himself was,
that when the last War was declared at _Jamaica_, he embark’d under the
Command of one Capt. _Edward Roberts_, who was join’d in Commission from
the Governour of _Jamaica_ with Capts. _Rash_, _Golding_ and
_Pilkington_; they had 106 Men, and design’d to attempt the Mines of
_Jaco_ at the Bottom of the Gulph of _Darien_: There were more
Commanders and Men came out with them, but did not join in this Design.
They had been about 5 Months out, when they got near the Mines
undiscover’d; they sail’d 15 Days up the River in Canoes, and travel’d
10 Days by Land afterwards. By this time the _Spaniards_ and _Indians_
being alarm’d, laid Ambushes in the Woods, and shot many of them. The
Enemy having assembled at least 500 Men, and the _English_ being
diminish’d to about 60, including the Wounded; the _Spaniards_ sent them
a Flag of Truce, and offer’d them their Lives after a small Skirmish,
wherein the _English_ lost 4, and the Enemy about 12 Men. The _English_
being in want of Provisions, quite tir’d out, and not knowing their Way
back, agreed to deliver their Arms, on condition to be us’d as Prisoners
of War. Having thus yielded, the _Spaniards_ and _Indians_ carried them
in Canoes 3 Days up the River, that leads to the same Mines they
design’d to attempt, treated them very well, and gave them the same Food
that they eat themselves; but the 4_th_ Day, when they came to a Town
beyond the Mines, and thought all Danger had been past, an Order came
from the chief _Spanish_ Officer to cut them all off, which the
_Indians_ and _Spanish_ Troops did, as those poor disarm’d Wretches sat
at Victuals; so that in this barbarous manner they were all massacred in
a few Minutes, except a _Scots_, a _French_, and an _English_ Boy, with
12 free Negroes, which at the Intercession of a Priest they kept for
Slaves. This Man being one of ’em, happen’d to be sold, first to the
Mines, where he says he clear’d at least 3 Pieces of Eight a day for his
Master, and from thence he was sold to this Place. By this we may see
what a mighty Advantage the _Spaniards_ make of their Slaves to imploy
at these Mines, which are accounted the richest in _New Spain_. The rest
of the free Negroes being farther up the Country, could have no
Opportunity to escape. This is enough to shew what merciless and
cowardly Enemies we have to deal with in these Parts of the World. I
have heard of many such Cruelties in the _Spanish_ Parts of _America_,
to the eternal Scandal of those who encourage or connive at them.
_July 17._ About 10 this Morning, the two _Morells_, Mr. _Navarre_, and
his Son in law, our old Prisoners came in a large Canoe, with some Money
to ransom what they could of us: We told them of the Barbarity of their
Countrymen, and of the different Treatment they met with from us; and
that we had reason to apprehend, that if we became Prisoners here, that
few of us would ever return to our native Country.
[Sidenote: _In Gorgona Road._]
_July 18._ A Negro belonging to the _Dutchess_ was bit by a small brown
speckl’d Snake, and died within 12 Hours, notwithstanding the Doctor
us’d his utmost Endeavours to save him. There’s abundance of Snakes on
this Island, and the _Spaniards_ say some are as thick as the Middle of
a Man’s Thigh. I saw one as big as my Leg, and above 3 Yards long; their
Bite proves generally mortal. Yesterday in the Afternoon we had a
Consultation, and agreed that the small Bark we took belonging to the
Main right against this Island, should be given the Lieutenant’s
Brother that we plunder’d, and who came over with our Bark; for being a
Man in some Authority ashore, we hope this Favour will have some
Influence on ’em to trade with us whilst we are here. This Morning Mr.
_Morell_ and _Navarre_ went a second time in our Bark for Money. One of
the same sort of Snakes that kill’d the Negro was found on our
Forecastle this Morning, and kill’d by our Men; we suppose it came
aboard on the Cable, they being often seen in the Water.
_July 19._ We continued discharging the Galleon, and lading the
_Marquiss_, and put a Part aboard of us and the _Dutchess_. We found in
the _Marquiss_ near 500 Bales of Pope’s Bulls, 16 Reams in a Bale. This
took up abundance of Room in the Ship; we throw’d most of them overboard
to make room for better Goods, except what we used to burn the Pitch of
our Ships Bottoms when we careen’d ’em. These Bulls are imposed upon the
People, and sold here by the Clergy from 3 Ryals to 50 Pieces of Eight
a-piece, according to the Ability of the Purchaser. Once in two Years
they are rated, and all the People obliged to buy them against Lent;
they cannot be read, the Print looking worse than any of our old
Ballads, yet the Vulgar are made believe it’s a mortal Sin to eat Flesh
in Lent, without being licensed by one of these Bulls, the Negro Slaves
not being exempted. This is one of the greatest Branches of Income the
King of _Spain_ has in this Country, being a free Gift from the Pope to
him, as the _Spaniards_ and Natives told us. We should have made
something of them, if we had taken the Bishop before mentioned; but now
they are of no use to us.
_July 20._ At Noon _Navarre_ return’d with a little more Money, some
Limes, Fowls, _&c._ He told us he had left Mr. _Morell_ to get more, and
that he would be soon with us.
_July 21._ We sent aboard the _Marquiss 2_ of our Main Deck Guns, and
the _Dutchess_ did the like, which with 4 we took at _Guiaquil_, and 12
taken in the same Ship, make 20 good ones. The Carriages are all new, or
very much repair’d, and as good and strong as if mounted in _England_.
Another Canoe came with Limes, Guavas, and other Fruit, and brought a
little Money to trade with us. The Main here is a poor Country, and I
believe we might have pick’d up a good Quantity of Money any where else
on this Coast, notwithstanding their severe Orders against trading with
us.
_July 22._ Two of our Negroes, and three of the _Dutchess_’s ran into
the Woods to hide themselves, and go to the _Spaniards_ after we are
gone: We caught one of ’em to day, and punish’d him severely.
_July 23._ At 6 last Night our Stream Cable broke, and we lost our
Anchor: The Ground here is a black Mud, which in all hot Countries rots
Cables in a very little time. We have often Thunder, Rain and Lightning
all the Night, tho’ clear dry Days. This is accounted by the _Spaniards_
the worst part of all the Coast for wet dirty Weather. We have had
enough of it, but God be thank’d are now pretty well, there not being
above 30 Persons in all our Ships unhealthy.
_July 24._ We caught our Negroes that ran away, and one of the
_Dutchess_’s, Hunger having brought ’em out of the Woods.
_July 25._ I put 35 Men aboard the _Marquiss_, and Capt. _Courtney_ 26,
so that her Complement will be 61 White Men, and 20 Negroes. Captain
_Edward Cooke_ Commander, and our Second Lieutenant, Mr. _Charles Pope_,
his Second. We design to agree, that the Captain with his Officers and
Men shall have equal Wages with others in the like Posts, to encourage
them.
_July 26._ Last Night the _Marquiss_ sprung a Leak, and made 8 Inches
Water in an Hour; but the Carpenters stopt it. A Canoe came from the
Main, and bought some Negroes of us.
_July 27._ At 8 this Morning, the Canoe return’d, with Mr. _John
Morell_, who desir’d he might go ashore to his Brother, and forward his
getting of more Money to deal with us for Goods, since he saw that we
were resolved to leave nothing of Value behind us.
[Sidenote: _In Gorgona Road._]