6 Leagues from the Main, full of Wood and tall Trees, one of ’em call’d
_Palma Maria_, of which the _Spaniards_ make Masts, and use a Balsam
that flows from it for several Diseases. The Island appears at a
distance indifferent high, and in 3 Hummocks. There is Riding for Ships
all over against the North East Side; but in some places foul Ground,
and shoal’d near the Shore, particularly on the South East Side, and
near the South West End, where there’s a small Island almost joining,
with Shoal Ground, and Breakers near a Mile to the Eastward from that
End. Capt. _Dampier_ has been here several times, but never rode where
we did, which is the best and only good Road in the Island. The
_Spaniards_ told us of strange Storms and heavy Turnadoes of Wind about
this Island; but we found it otherwise, and had only frequent Showers
and Thunder: But in the time of Breezes, which the _Spaniards_ call our
Winter Months, and in Spring, till the Beginning of _May_, here are now
and then Northerly strong Breezes of Wind, and then I believe the Road
must be shifted to the other Side of the Island, which may be at that
time the best Riding; but this we had no Time to try, neither do I think
it half so bad as these puny Mariners tell us. About this Island are
several remarkable Rocks, at the South West End there’s one looks like a
Sail half a Mile off shore; at the North East End there are several high
ones, round and steep, near a Cable’s Length off Shore, where the
Sea-Fowls breed. The Beasts and Insects, we saw in this Island are
Monkeys, Guinea Pigs, Hares, Lizards, Lion Lizards, which change their
Colours, and are fine Creatures to look at, several Species of great and
small Snakes, and so numerous, that ’tis dangerous for a Man to walk the
Island, for fear of treading on them. There’s great Variety of Plants
and Trees peculiar to these hot Climates, and little or nothing
resembling what we have in _Great Britain_; but it being out of my Road
to describe such things, I refer ’em to such whose Talents lie that way.
Here are also several sorts of Fish unknown in our Seas, besides Mullets
in great Plenty, but hard to be caught with Hook and Line, which I
suppose is occasion’d by the Clearness of the Water, so that they easily
see the Hook and avoid it. Here’s also some white Coral, and abundance
of Oysters, and as I am told by the Prisoners, good Pearls in them. We
caught an ugly Creature here, which I suppose may be of the Monkey Kind,
because it look’d like one of the middling sort, but with this
difference; his Hair was thicker and longer, his Face, Eyes and Nose
less, and more wrinkled and deformed; his Head of the same Shape, but
his Ears not so large; his Teeth longer and sharper, his hinder Parts
more clumsey, and his Body thicker in proportion, with a very short
Tail, and instead of 5 Claws like Fingers as a Monkey has, he had only
3 on each Paw, with the Claws longer and sharper. We let one of ’em go
at the lower part of the Mizon Shrowds, and it was about 2 Hours getting
to the Mast Head, which a Monkey would have performed in less than half
a Minute; he mov’d as if he had walk’d by Art, keeping an equal and slow
Pace, as if all his Movements had been directed by Clock-work, within
him. The _Spaniards_ call it a _Sloth_, and not improperly; they say it
feeds on the Leaves of a certain lofty Tree, and when it has clear’d
one, before it can get down and walk a little Way to find and climb
another, would grow lean and be almost starved.
I saw no Land Birds here; because I suppose the Monkeys destroy their
Nests and Eggs: We shot many of them, and made Fricassees and Broth for
our sick Men; none of our Officers would touch them, Provisions being
not yet so scarce; but Capt. _Dampier_, who had been accustomed to such
Food, says he never eat any thing in _London_ that seemed more delicious
to him than a Monkey or Baboon in these Parts.
_August 9._ I propos’d sending the _Marquiss_ to _India_, and thence to
_Brazil_; and then we could add to our own Stock of Bread and salt
Provisions, and if she got well to _Brazil_, would vend her Goods at an
extraordinary Rate, to the Advantage of the Voyage, and we two should be
strong enough to wait for the _Manila_ Ship, but Capts. _Dover_ and
_Courtney_ did not think it reasonable.
_August 10._ We got to wind-ward very slowly, here being a constant
Current, which runs down to Leward into the Bay of _Panama_.
[Sidenote: _From Gorgona towards Manta, in Peru._]
_August 11._ Yesterday Afternoon I went aboard the _Dutchess_, and
carried with me Doctor _Dover_; we discoursed about parting with Capt.
_Cooke_, and giving him only a Sailing Crew to go for _Brazil_, and sell
his Cargo; but finding the Majority against my Proposition, I dropt it,
tho’ I fear we shall repent it, were there no other Reasons but to save
Provisions. Capt. _Cooke_ came to us a-board the _Dutchess_, to put in
Execution the Order of the 8th instant, where we agreed as before to
throw 2 of the heaviest Guns over-board he had out of the _Dutchess_,
being less valuable than the Goods between Decks, and what Lumber they
had besides, which he did, and we perceive his Ship much stiffer, and
sails better; our Consort, Capt. _Courtney_ and his Officers, with some
of mine, are uneasie at parting with the Bark, so that if we come up
with her, we must take to her again for Peace sake.
_August 12._ Yesterday Evening, the Island of _Gorgona_ was in sight,
and bore E. half S. about 13 Leagues. At 6 this Morning, we met with the
Bark, and put Mr. _Selkirk_ aboard her, with his Crew. At 9 this
Morning, we sent our Boat for Capt. _Courtney_ and Capt. _Cooke_, when
we had a second Consultation, which again concluded with keeping the
_Marquiss_ and Bark: Tho’ I was of Opinion, they’d be rather a Detriment
than Furtherance to us in any thing, so long as the _Marquiss_ sails so
heavily, besides the Benefit of more Provisions that would have been
left for us that must stay behind.
_August 13._ In the Evening last Night, we saw the Island of _Gallo_,
bearing S. by E. distant 6 Leagues. We have a strong Current runs to
Leward, so that we lost Ground, and at 8 this Morning was again in sight
of _Gorgona_, bearing N. E. by E. distant about 12 Leagues; had rainy
Weather all Night, with Thunder and Lightning, but indifferent fair in
the Morning. Wind veerable in the S. W. Quarter. This Coast is more
subject to hot Weather than any other Part of _Peru_.
_August 15_. We sounded several Times in the Night, and had Ground in
about 50 Fathom Water, not above two Leagues off Shore.
_August 16._ This Day I muster’d our Negroes aboard the _Duke_, being
about 35 lusty Fellows; I told them, That if we met the _Spaniards_ or
_French_, and they would fight, those that behav’d themselves well
should be free Men; 32 of ’em immediately promis’d to stand to it, as
long as the best _Englishman_, and desired they might be improv’d in the
Use of Arms, which some of them already understood; and that if I would
allow ’em Arms and Powder, these would teach the rest. Upon this, I made
_Michael Kendall_, the _Jamaica_ free Negro, who deserted from the
_Spaniards_ to us at _Gorgona_, their Leader, and charged him to be
continually exercising them, because I did not know how soon we might
meet an Enemy: I took down the Names of those that had any, and such as
wanted I bestow’d Names on them, and to confirm our Contract made them
drink a Dram all round to our good Success; at the same time I gave ’em
Bays for Clothes, and told them they must now look upon themselves as
_Englishmen_, and no more as Negro Slaves to the _Spaniards_, at which
they express’d themselves highly pleas’d: I promise my self good
Assistance from them, if need be, having this Proverb on their Side,
that Those who know nothing of Danger fear none; and for our own Parts,
we must not submit to be Prisoners, tho’ forced to engage at the
greatest Disadvantage, but every one resolve to stand to the last, for
if taken we shall be worse than Slaves.
_August 18._ At 6 this Morning we saw a Sail, which bore W. N. W. of us;
we and the _Dutchess_ gave Chace, and took her in about an Hour. The
_Dutchess_ had kept her Company ever since 12 at Night, and thought her
to be our Bark. She was a Vessel of about 70 Tun, bound from _Panama_ to
_Lima_, but was to stop at _Guiaquil_. They had very little aboard
besides Passengers, for they knew of our being in these Seas: The best
of her Cargo was about 24 Negroes, Men and Women. I sent our Agent
aboard, to examine the Prize.
_August 19._ After Dinner aboard the _Dutchess_, we examin’d the
Prisoners; they could tell us little News from _Europe_, but said there
came Advices by a Packet to _Portobell_ from _Spain_, and by a _French_
Ship from _France_, not long before they came out of _Panama_; that all
was kept private, only they heard in _Panama_, that his Royal Highness
Prince _George_ of _Denmark_ was dead,[136] which we were not willing to
believe, but drank his Health at Night, which can do him no Hurt if he
is dead. We read several Letters from _Panama_, by which we understood,
that when they heard of our taking _Guiaquil_, they kept their Gates
shut Day and Night for above a Week, and that the Inhabitants kept Guard
on their Walls, being afraid we should attack them next, and by what I
can guess, we might have taken that Town as well as _Guiaquil_, had we
but double our Number of Men. They had various Conjectures about us when
at _Panama_, and were continually allarm’d, not knowing where to expect
us.
_August 20._ At 10 in the Morning we bore down to the _Dutchess_, who
had _Spanish_ Colours flying, to make a sham Fight to exercise our Men
and the Negroes in the Use of our great Guns and small Arms. Here I must
not forget a _Welchman_ that came to me, and told me, He took the Ship
we were going to engage for the _Dutchess_, till he saw the _Spanish_
Colours, and that being over-joyed with the Hopes of a good Prize, he
had loaded his Musket with Shot, and design’d to fire amongst the
thickest of ’em, which he would certainly have done, had he not been
forbid. By this it appears, that blundering Fools may have Courage.
During this sham
[Sidenote: _In Tecames Road._]
Engagement, every one acted the same Part he ought to have done, if in
earnest, firing with Ball excepted. Our Prisoners were secured in the
Hold by the Surgeons, who had their Instruments in order, and to imitate
Business for them, I order’d red Lead mixt with Water to be thrown upon
two of our Fellows, and sent ’em down to the Surgeons, who, as well as
the Prisoners in the Hold of the Ship, were very much surpriz’d,
thinking they had been really wounded, and the Surgeons actually went
about to dress them, but finding their Mistake, it was a very agreeable
Diversion.
_August 23._ Yesterday, at one in the Afternoon, we tack’d and stood for
the Shore, but at two we drew near discolour’d Water, and sounded, had
but 8 Fathom, and very near an ugly Shoal, which the _Spaniards_ tell me
runs off about 2 Leagues from the Shore, off a high white Cliff, 3
Leagues to the N. of _Tecames_. At 6 last Night, Cape St. _Francisco_
bore S. by W. distant about 6 Leagues. We sounded again, and had 40
Fathom Water. We stood off at Night, and at 6 in the Morning tack’d for
the Shore. The Wind is here always more Southerly, as we draw near the
Equinox.
_August 24._ At 10 this Morning, I went with Captain _Dover_ aboard the
_Dutchess_, where we agreed to send the Bark into _Tecames_, being now
under our Lee, and we to follow them. We order’d our Linguist to buy
Provisions of the _Indians_ there, and put several Men well arm’d
a-board, to keep the Bark till our Ship could arrive near enough to
protect her, if occasion, in Case of an Attack.
_August 25._ About 2 Yesterday in the Afternoon we bore away for
_Tecames_, after the Barks. I went aboard the _Dutchess_, and found our
Pilot, and most of the _Spaniards_, who are generally ignorant,
uncertain whether it was the Port under our Lee, tho’ I never saw more
remarkable Land; this made us the more timerous, and me in particular,
because Capt. _Dampier_, who was here last Voyage, and said he had
pass’d near it very often, was full as dubious as our selves, that never
saw it: This occasion’d me to hurry aboard our own Ship to secure her;
for I doubted our being near Shoals, because the Water was very thick
and white. Capt. _Courtney_ sent his Pinnace a Head sounding, and we
follow’d, he having then all the Pilots aboard. We kept the Lead
sounding from 40 to 13 Fathom Water, very uneven Depths, till we came
within 2 Leagues of the Anchoring place. We had every Cast about 14
Fathom Water, and saw the Houses by the Water-side; then I was easy and
satisfied. Before we got in, the Barks were at Anchor, and our
Linguist, Mr. _White_, without Orders, ventur’d a-shore with a _Spanish_
Prisoner; we design’d that the Prisoner alone should discourse the
_Indians_, and try to trade for a Refreshment: It was Night as they
landed, just against the Houses where the _Indians_ lay in Ambush, with
Fire-Arms, Bows, Arrows, and Lances, among the Trees, and fir’d several
Times at our Boats, tho’ they told the _Indians_ in _Spanish_, that they
were Friends, and call’d to them often to forbear firing. Our Men having
the good Luck to escape being shot, they hid themselves all Night,
whilst we feared they were either kill’d or taken; but at Day-light they
call’d again to the _Indians_, and prevail’d with them to trade for what
we wanted, provided their Padre would give Consent, he lived about 6
Leagues off, and they promis’d to send and ask his Leave. Our Linguist
told them we had a Padre aboard, whom we esteemed, and he would absolve
them, if they traded with us: Upon this, they desired we would permit
him to come a-shoar, which we granted.
[Sidenote: _In Tecames Road._]
_August 26._ The Padre aboard, who was zealous to conclude this Treaty
with the _Indians_ to our Content, went this Morning a-shore, and
return’d a-board in the Evening; while he was a-shore, he writ a Letter
to the Priest of the place in our Favour, earnestly recommending a
Trade, and expressing the many Civilities we shewed to him and the other
_Spanish_ Prisoners, beyond their Expectation, adding that we were
sensible of the smallest Favours, and would not fail of making very
grateful Returns. He convinc’d the Inhabitants ashore, and also inform’d
the Padre, how easily we could land, and burn the Church and Houses, and
lay waste all the adjacent Parts; but that we were full of Charity, and
very kind to those in our Power. This wrought so well on the People,
that they promis’d faithfully they would only wait till to morrow, and
if the Padre did not consent, would notwithstanding trade with us. They
brought with them a naked _Indian_, who like a Savage view’d very
narrowly every Part of our Ship; he was wonderfully taken with the Great
Cabbin, where he lay on his Side, scarce satisfy’d after an Hour’s
gazing wildly about him, till giving him a Dram of Brandy, and a few
Toys to be rid of this Visitant, I obligingly led the Gentleman out, and
giving him old Bays for Clothing, our Yall carried him ashore, to
influence the rest by our kind Usage of him. At the same time all the
rest of our Boats full of Casks, with the Men well arm’d, went up the
Creek between us and the Village, for fresh Water, where they
accidentally met one of the chief _Indians_ painted, and armed with Bows
and Arrows: He came friendly, and advised them to go higher up the
River, otherwise the Water would be brackish: They offer’d him a Dram
out of a Quart Bottle of strong Brandy; he drank the major Part of it at
once, and went away extreamly pleas’d, telling them we should be
supply’d with what we wanted from the Village.
_August 27._ Last Night the Boats came from the Village Laden with
Water, and brought a Letter from the _Tecames_ Padre, assuring us he
would not obstruct our Trade. The Inhabitants also told us, that Cattle,
Hogs and Plantains would be ready for us, and desir’d we should bring
ashore Bays and other Goods to pay for ’em, which we did, and this
Morning our Boats return’d with Black Cattle and Hogs, leaving Capt.
_Navarre_, one of our chief Prisoners, and Mr. _White_ our Linguist, to
deal with the _Indians_. This Morning we began to heel and clean our
Ships Bottoms, and sent several of our best Sailors, and two Carpenters,
to assist the _Marquiss_. Ashore our Men keep one half at Arms, while
the rest load the Boats, left the _Indians_, who are generally
treacherous, should watch an Opportunity to fall on ’em. Our People that
came off the Shore took particular notice, that the red Paint with which
the _Indians_ were at first daub’d, was a Declaration of War, and after
we had amicably treated with them, they rub’d it off, but still kept
their Arms. We sent them 3 large Wooden _Spanish_ Saints, that we had
out of _Morell_’s Ship, to adorn their Church, which they accounted a
great Present; and I sent a feather’d Cap to the chief _Indian’s_ Wife,
which was likewise very well accepted, and I had a Present of Bows and
Arrows in requital.
_August 28._ Yesterday in the Afternoon we made an end of heeling and
cleaning our Ship; our Boats brought from the Shore at several times
Water, Plantains, and other Provisions, with Hogs, and 2 Black Cattle.
Our Linguist and Prisoner manage their Business beyond Expectation,
selling very ordinary Bays at 1 Piece of Eight and half _per_ Yard, and
other things in proportion, so that we have Provisions very cheap.
_August 29._ Capt. _Cooke_ buried one _John Edwards_, a Youth, who died
of a Complication of Scurvey and the Pox, which he got from a loathsome
Negro, whom we afterwards gave to the Prisoners, that she might do no
further Mischief on board.
In the Afternoon we concluded how to proceed from this Place as
follows.
At a Committee held on board the _Duke_ the _29th_ of _August, 1709_. in
_Tecames_ Road.
_We have consider’d our mean Stock of Provisions, and that our Time is
far spent; therefore do think it for the good of the Voyage to part with
several Negroes, besides those taken in the last Prize, and to make as
good a Contract as we can with two or more of the substantial Prisoners,
and to return their Produce to Alderman_ Batcheller _and Company, our
Owners in_ Bristol, _in the best manner we can, having no other Method
to make an advantage of them; we now being design’d to cruize for the_
Manila _Ship: But if any Accident parts us, then our Place of Rendevouz
is in the Latitude of Cape_ Corientes _in sight of Land. It is likewise
agreed to sell the Hull of the last Prize, to carry the small Bark with
us, and to turn one of the_ Guiaquil _Prisoners ashore here, in order to
save Provisions._
Tho. Dover, _Pres._ William Stratton,
Woodes Rogers, Tho. Glendall,
Stephen Courtney, John Connely,
William Dampier, John Bridge,
Edw. Cooke, John Ballett,
Robert Frye, Lan. Appleby.
Cha. Pope,
Then we found it necessary to agree as follows.
August 29. 1709.
_In consideration of the great Risque that Capt._ Edward Cooke _and
Capt._ Robert Frye _ran in attacking the_ Marquiss, _when in the Hands
of the_ Spaniards, _we do in behalf of the Owners agree to give Capt._
Cooke _the Black Boy_ Dublin, _and Capt._ Frye _the Black Boy_ Emanuel
_of_ Martineco, _as a free Gift._
Tho. Dover, _Pres._ Charles Pope,
Woodes Rogers, John Connely,
Stephen Courtney, John Bridge,
William Dampier, John Ballet,
William Stratton, Lan. Appleby.
[Sidenote: In Tecames Road.]
_August 30._ Yesterday _Peter Harry_ a _Frenchman_, and _Lazarus Luke_ a
_Portuguese_, both good Sailors, ran from our Yall ashore. This _Peter
Harry_ was he who shot a Centinel at _Guiaquil_ as beforemention’d. We
did not punish him, because he was a Foreigner, and did not well
understand _English_, but suppose he was afraid of a Prosecution in
_England_. Yesterday Evening at the abovemention’d Committees aboard
our Ship, after a long dispute, some Measures were agreed on contrary to
my Expectations. If we had not grown irresolute since we left _Gorgona_,
but continued our Design to put our old Ransomer ashore at _Manta_, and
part with our Clog the _Marquiss_, which I so earnestly press’d the
_9th_ instant, by this time in all human probability we should have made
good our Bargain to the advantage of the Voyage, besides getting
Provisions and Necessaries that we shall mightily want. The Goods that
we might have vended there for ready Money, I fear will rot before we
get the like Opportunity, Time being now so far spent, we must proceed
as we agreed for the _Gallapagos_ to get Turtle to lengthen our
Provisions, and then for the Coast of _Mexico_ to look for the _Manila_
Ship bound for _Acapulca_. The 2 Negroes given to Capt. _Cooke_ and Mr.
_Frye_ in the Committee yesterday, is not an equivalent Gratuity for the
Risques they voluntarily ran when they attack’d the _Havre de Grace_,
now call’d the _Marquiss_. Such Actions ought sometimes to be
particularly rewarded among us, else we may lose great Opportunities of
Advantage, for want of due Encouragement to personal Bravery, and in
this Action where there was but a few concerned, ’twas a fit and cheap
way of encouraging the rest, without Offence to any. We put our young
Padre ashore, and gave him, as he desir’d, the prettiest young Female
Negro we had in the Prize, with some Bays, Linnen, and other things, for
his good Services in helping to promote our Trade for Provisions here.
We sent also a _Male_ Negro and Piece of Bays to the _Tecames_ Padre, in
acknowledgment of his Kindness. The young Padre parted with us extremely
pleas’d, and leering under his Hood upon his black Female Angel, we
doubt he will crack a Commandment with her, and wipe off the Sin with
the Church’s Indulgence. The _Indians_ ashore promise to bring our Men
to us, if they can find ’em, we having offer’d ’em a large Gratuity to
do it.
_August 31._ Yesterday in the Afternoon we put ashore our useless
Negroes, I having concluded with Sen. _Navarre_, and taken the best
Methods we could to be paid at _Jamaica_ for them, he had also 4 Bales
of Bays, and one Piece of Camlet, and became obliged to our Owners for
3500 Pieces of Eight, to be remitted by way of _Portobello_, with the
_English_ trading Sloops to _Jamaica_; which if he do, ’tis much better
than to turn the Negroes ashore as Prisoners of War, as otherwise we
must have done to save Provisions. Capt. _Courtney_ took one Obligation,
and I the other, he having sign’d a Duplicate to us. We had the best
Opinion of this Man’s Honesty and Ability, which made us trust him
solely. In the Evening we clear’d our Prisoners, and put them all aboard
the Prize, which we left in the Road with only one ordinary Anchor and
Hawser, and no Rigging, except what belong’d to the Fore-sail and
Fore-yard, which we left them to run the Vessel at High Water into the
River. We turn’d ashore here our least responsible Hostage for
_Guiaquil_, resolving to keep but two, which must be carried home.
According to the last Conclusion in a Committee of the _29th_ instant,
we came to sail at 6 this Morning. Capt. _Cooke_ lost 2 _Spanish_
Negroes, which he supposed swam ashore from his Ship in the Night. A
fresh Gale at S. S. W. At Noon Cape _St. Francisco_ bore S. by W. 1/2 W.
distant about 6 Leagues.
[Sidenote: _Description of Tecames._]