last Night our Boat came off, and brought but 3 out of 10, 7 having run
away into the Woods: Immediately we dispatch’d several Men round the
Island with Arms, to endeavour to catch ’em when they come down out of
the Woods to get Food at the Sea-side. These Negroes had an Antipathy
against _Michael Kendall_ the _Jamaica_ Negro, and design’d to have
kill’d him, had not one of those that came aboard given him timely
Notice of it. A Negro amongst the Runaways could write well, which made
me get our Ransomers to write 3 _Spanish_ Papers of Encouragement to
incline the Fugitives upon sight of ’em to return, promising that Negro
his Freedom and every thing else he or the rest of them could reasonably
desire. These Papers we nail’d up against Trees by the Brook side, where
they will be sure to see them. My Reason for so doing was to prevent
these Fellows from giving notice of us on the Coast, if they reach’d the
Main on Bark Logs, which they could make with the Hatchets they had to
cut Wood for us. If this Method fails of Success, ’tis in vain to hope
for finding them by searching the Island, every part of it being full of
thick Woods and Prickles, which make it unpassable. On the sandy Shore
we began to imploy our Rope-makers to spin Twine for the _Dutchess_ and
_Marquiss_, who complain their Stock is short. Our people found another
Spring of excellent Water on the other side of the Island.
[Sidenote: _At Anchor at St. Marias Islands._]
_Octob. 13._ Yesterday Afternoon the _Dutchess_ came in sight, with the
Bark in Tow, and soon after we saw the _Marquiss_. We kept a Light out,
that they might the better find us. In the Morning we saw them at Anchor
between the 2 Islands. I weigh’d in their sight, and put out our Ensign
for ’em to follow us to the Watering Place on the other side of the
Island, which they did accordingly. The Wind continues Northerly, with a
Lee Current.
_Octob. 14._ Yesterday in the Afternoon we came to an Anchor in 16
Fathom Water off the N. E. Side of the Island. I went immediately in our
Pinnace aboard the _Dutchess_, that was then under Sail with the Bark in
Tow, 2 Leagues from us. About 4 they and the _Marquiss_ came to an
Anchor; I told them of our Negroes deserting us, which had prevented our
getting a good Stock of Wood in their Absence, and we agreed to keep all
our Negroes on board the Ships, and narrowly watch ’em to prevent their
Desertion for the future.
Mr. _Duck_, who was Master of the Bark, told me the Day they lost sight
of us their Water was expended, and two of the Bark’s Crew in a very
small Canoe left her almost out of sight of Land, and being smooth calm
Weather, fortunately got aboard the _Marquiss_ to acquaint Capt. _Cooke_
they had no Water, upon which he bore down to them, and took her in
Towe. Had he not done this, the Bark must have run for the Main Land to
get Water, which might have alarm’d the Enemy, and endanger’d the Loss
of the Vessel and Men. They were not above 8 Leagues off the Island, but
it being hazey Weather, and having little Wind, and a Lee Current, they
could not get in, or see us.
_Octob. 15._ We could not get to the Watering Place near the N. W.
Corner of the Island, till 7 last Night, when we anchor’d in 7 Fathom
Water, clean sandy Ground, about half a Mile from the Shore; the
Westermost Point bore W. by N. about 3 Miles, and the Eastermost E. by
S. 6 Miles. The Body of the Westermost Island bore N. W. distant 4
Leagues. This Morning we got our empty Casks ashore, and began filling
Water. Had we not very fair Weather at this Season, and little Wind,
this Place would be but an ordinary Road.
_Octob. 16._ Capt. _Courtney_ sent me word, that the _Marquiss_, who has
been again missing, was well moored at the S. E. Side of the Island, and
could not easily turn it hither; so we agreed she should lie there, and
we would water her from hence with our Boats.
_Octob. 18._ Lieutenant _Fry_ went in the Pinnace last Night to view the
Weather Island, and he returned this Morning, and told me there was a
Road, but not very good and that he could find no Water.
_Octob. 19._ We hal’d the Sain [Sein], and caught some Fish. This
Morning we found some Bail Goods damaged, which we believe they received
before we had ’em; we unpack’d and dry’d ’em, and sold what was most
damaged amongst the Ships Company, repacking and stowing away the rest.
Very hot Weather, and a little Air of Wind North.
_Octob. 23._ We began this Morning to take aboard our Turtle, and the
Remainder of our Wood and Water, designing in the Evening to return, and
anchor on the S. E. Side of the Island, to join the _Marquiss_, and
agree on a Station to cruize for the _Manila_ Ship. Our Men shot a Snake
ashore, and brought it aboard dead; I saw it measured 15 Inches round,
and near 10 Foot long; some of ’em are much larger; this was of a hazle
colour, and spotted, called by the _Spaniards_ here a Leopard Serpent.
_Octob. 24._ All the Officers met aboard the _Dutchess_, and sign’d a
Duplicate of every Conclusion in all Committees since we have been in
these Seas. Many of the Resolutions wrote on board this Ship were in my
Custody, and others wrote aboard the _Dutchess_ in Capt. _Courtney’s_;
but it was thought advisable that each of us should have all the Copies
signed alike. While we were together, we agreed on a Station to lie for
the _Manila_ Ship; but I lately proposed parting, and to meet again at
Cape _Corientes_, or any other appointed Station, and for us in the
_Duke_ to cruize off the same Place where Capt. _Dampier_ met the
_Manila_ Ship in the _St. George_, or else the _Marquiss_ and _Dutchess_
to take that Station, and I would go to Cape _St. Lucas_; since by
either Method we should have 2 Chances for the Prize, and get
Provisions, which we begin to want very much. This Method might prove
much better than to be at one Place, where we could not be supply’d with
Provisions; but the Officers of the _Dutchess_ and _Marquiss_ seeming
unwilling to part Companies, and the Majority thinking Cape _St. Lucas_
the properest Place to lie for the _Manila_ Ship bound for _Acapulco_, I
drew up our Resolution, which was signed by the whole Council, who on
this Occasion were altogether.
At a Committee held on board the _Dutchess_ at the Islands _Tres
Marias, October 24. 1709_.
[Sidenote: _Description of Tres Marias._]
_We whose Names are hereunto subscribed, being Members of a
Committee appointed to manage the Affairs of the_ Duke, Dutchess
_and_ Marquiss, _having recruited our Ships at these Islands, and
being in a readiness to put to Sea again; We have examin’d the
Opinion of Capt._ Dampier, _appointed Pilot by the Owners of the
Ships_ Duke _and_ Dutchess _in_ Bristol, _and have been well
informed from all the Intelligences we have frequently had from
Prisoners since our being in the_ South Seas, _and do now finally
determine to cruize off Cape_ St. Lucas, _the Southermost Cape of_
California, _in such Methods, and with such Signals to each other,
as shall be agreed on in our next Committee._
_We resolve with the utmost Care and Diligence to wait here the
coming of the_ Manila _Ship belonging to the_ Spaniards, _and bound
for_ Acapulco; _whose Wealth on board her we hope will prompt every
Man to use his utmost Conduct and Bravery to conquer. This is our
Opinion the Day above._
Tho. Dover, _Pres._ John Connely,
Woodes Rogers, William Bath,
Stephen Courtney, Tho. Glendall,
Edw. Cooke, Geo. Milbourne,
William Dampier, Robert Knowlman,
Robert Frye, John Bridge,
William Stratton, John Ballett,
Cha. Pope, Lan. Appleby.
Being all supply’d with Wood, Water, and Turtle, we came to sail at
Eleven this Forenoon, Wind at N. by W. a fine Gale; but e’er I proceed
with my Journal, I will give a short Description of these Islands.
The Islands of _Tres Marias_ lie N. W. in a Range at equal Distances
from each other, about 4 Leagues asunder: The largest Island is the
Westermost, appears to be high double Land, and about 5 Leagues in
Length; the middle Island about 3 Leagues the longest way, and the
Eastermost scarce 2 Leagues; these are also middling high Lands, and
full of Trees. Near the least Island are 2 or 3 small broken white
Islands, one of the outermost of these appear’d so much like a Ship
under Sail at a distance, that we gave the usual Signal for a Chase, but
soon found our Mistake.
These Islands have abundance of different sorts of Parrots, Pigeons,
Doves, and other Land Birds, of which we kill’d great Numbers, with
excellent Hares, but much less than ours. We saw abundance of Guanas,
and some Raccoons; the latter bark’d and snarl’d at us like Dogs, but
were easily beat off with Sticks.
I think the Water more worthy of Remark than any thing we saw here,
because we found but two good Springs, which ran down in large Streams
near others, that were very bitter and disagreeable, which I suppose
might proceed from Shrubs and Roots that grow in the Water, or from some
Mineral.
The Turtle here is very good, but of a different Shape from any I have
seen; and tho’ vulgarly there’s reckon’d but 3 sorts of Turtle, we have
seen 6 or 7 different sorts at several Times, and our People have eat of
them all, except the very large hooping or logger-head Turtle (as they
are call’d) found in _Brazil_ in great plenty, and some of them above
500 _l._ Weight. We did not eat of that sort, because then our
Provisions were plentiful, which made those Turtles to be slighted as
coarse and ordinary Food. Those at the _Gallapagos_ Islands, both He’s
and She’s, I observed came ashore in the Day-time, and not in the Night,
quite different from what I have seen or heard of the rest.
All that we caught in this Island was by turning ’em in the Night, and
were She’s, which came ashore to lay their Eggs, and bury them in the
dry Sand: One of these had at least 800 Eggs in its Belly, 150 of which
were skin’d, and ready for laying at once. I could not imagine that
Turtle were 6 Weeks in hatching, as some Authors write, considering the
Sun makes the Sand so very hot wherever these Eggs are found, and
instead of a Shell they have nothing but a very thin Film. In order
therefore to be better informed, I order’d some of our Men ashore to
watch carefully for one, and suffer her to lay her Eggs without
disturbance, and to take good notice of the Time and Place. Accordingly
they did so, and assur’d me they found the Eggs addled in less than 12
Hours, and in about 12 more they had young ones in ’em, compleatly
shap’d, and alive. Had we staid a little longer, I might have given my
self and others a thorough Satisfaction in this quick Production of
Nature. From hence I am inclinable to credit the Report of divers of our
Sailors, who assert, that where they have found Eggs in the Sand, and
look’d for ’em 3 Days after in the same place, they found nothing but
Films; this shews that the young ones are hatch’d within that time. They
assured me also, that they had observed oftener than once, that the
young Brood run out of the Sand every day directly for the Sea in great
Numbers, and quicker than the old ones.
[Sidenote: _At Anchor at Tres Marias._]
At this time here was little Fish about the Shores of this Island, and
of the same sorts mention’d at other Places in these Seas; but the
Plenty of Turtle at this time supplies that Defect. We the chief
Officers fed deliciously here, being scarce ever without Hares, Turtle
Doves, Pigeons, and Parrots of various Sizes and Colours, many had
white or red Heads, with Tufts of Feathers on their Crowns. I wish
’twould hold, but ’tis in vain to tantalize our selves; for we must soon
fare otherwise, and take to our old Food of almost decay’d Salt Pork and
Beef, which we must prize, and heartily wish we had more on’t. We found
good Anchor Ground about this middle Island, and gradual Soundings from
20 to 4 Fathom Water close by the Shore. Between this and the least
Island ’tis about the same Depth; where we were between them I found no
Shole, but what was visible, as a Rock off the S. W. Point, and a Shole
off the N. E. Point of the same, with another at a greater distance from
that Point off the least Island, but neither runs above half a Mile from
the Shore. I know no Danger about them, but what with Care might be
easily avoided.
Where we rode we could see Spots of high Land, which I suppose was the
Continent join’d by low Land between it; the Northermost bore N. by E.
half E. about 16 Leagues distance: I take it to be the Starboard
Entrance into the Gulph or Strait of _California_; the nearest Land to
us bore E.N.E. about 12 Leagues, and the Southermost E. S. E. at least
17 Leagues, very high, which I believe is the next Headland to the
Northward of Cape _Corientes_. I had but two Opportunities to see it
just at Sun-rising, because ’twas very hazey during our Stay here, so
that I might err in the Distance; but the best Directions for these
Islands is thus: We account the nearest bears N.N.W. from Cape
_Corientes_ 28 Leagues, and that it lies in the Lat. 21°. 15´´. N. and
Longit. 111°. 40´´. West from _London_. I return to my Journal.
_Octob. 28._ At 6 this Evening the Westermost Island bore E.N.E. 15
Leagues. The Wind has been very little, and veerable, with a great Swell
out of the N.W. I sent our Yawl with a Lieutenant aboard the _Dutchess_
and _Marquiss_, with whom we agreed to spread as we ran to the
Northward, that the _Acapulco_ Ship might not pass us, if they should
arrive sooner than we expected: We agreed to be to the Leeward, the
_Marquiss_ to Windward, and the _Dutchess_ between us, and all to keep
in sight of each other. I order’d our Surgeons and Mr. _Vanbrugh_ to see
the Inside of the Physick Chest that Capt. _Dover_ left us, and take an
Inventory of what was in it. We saw no more of the Islands.
_Octob. 29._ Still easy Gales, and sometimes quite calm, and extream
hot. We can hardly keep our Ground against the Current, that runs strong
to the Southward. We are in the same Latitude, and I judge about the
same Place we were 2 Days ago.
_Octob. 30._ This Morning one of our Negro Women cry’d out, and was
deliver’d of a Girl of a tawny Colour; Mr. _Wasse_ our chief Surgeon was
forced to discharge the Office of a Midwife in a close Cabbin provided
for that Purpose; but what we most wanted was good Liquor, to keep up,
or imitate the Womens laudable Custom of a refreshing Cup, on such an
Occasion. I accidentally found a Bottle of thick strong _Peru_ Wine, a
good Part of which was given to the sick Woman, who desir’d more than we
could spare her. She had not been full 6 Months amongst us, so that the
Child could belong to none of our Company. But to prevent the other
she-Negro (call’d _Daphne_) from being debauch’d in our Ship, I gave her
a strict Charge to be modest, with Threats of severe Punishment, if she
was found otherwise. One of the _Dutchess_’s black Nymphs having
transgressed this Way, was lately whip’d at the Capston. This I mention
to satisfy the censorious, that we don’t countenance Lewdness, and that
we took those Women aboard, only because they spoke _English_, and
begg’d to be admitted for Landresses, Cooks and Semstresses.
_Nov. 1._ This Day we saw high Land, being the Point of _California_. By
Noon the Westermost in sight bore W. by N. 8 Leagues, and the
Northermost N. half W. about 10 Leagues. We had an Observation Lat. 22°.
55´´. Long. 113°. 38´´. W. from _London_.
_Nov. 2._ The Westermost Land we set yesterday Noon, we make to be Cape
St. _Lucas_, the Southermost Head-land of _California_. We agreed on
Signals and Stations; and to spread S.W. into the See, off of this Cape
that now bore N. by W. from us.
[Sidenote: _Cruising off Cape St. Lucas._]
_Nov. 3._ Our Stations being concluded, I was to be the outermost Ship,
the _Dutchess_ in the middle, and the _Marquiss_ next the Land; with the
Bark to ply and carry Advice from Ship to Ship: The nearest Ship to be 6
Leagues at least, and 9 at most from the Land: By this Agreement, we
could spread 15 Leagues, and see any thing that might pass us in the
Day, within 20 Leagues of the Shore. And to prevent the Ships passing in
the Night, we were to ply to Windward all Day, and drive at Night.
Whilst we were together, we at last settled the Form of our Agreement
for each Ship; that all the Ships Companies might sign it, for every one
to give an Account of all Plunder he has received, that he may be
charged with what’s more than his Share; and those (now or for the
future suspected or accus’d of Concealment) when demanded shall give
their Oaths before the Commanders, to the Truth of their Accounts, and
if any one was found to conceal above the Value of half a Piece of 8. he
is to be severely punished, and fined 20 Times its Value: This we did to
deter every one from fraudulent Practices, which if we should happily
take this Ship, might also prevent Disorders.
_Nov. 4._ I order’d a Sailor into Irons, for threatning the Cooper; and
one _Peter Clark_, an ill abusive Fellow, I order’d to have the like
Punishment, because he had wished himself aboard a Pirate, and said he
should be glad that an Enemy, who could over-power us, was a-long-side
of us.
_Nov. 5._ Yesterday in the Afternoon the _Dutchess_ being near, I sent
our Yawl aboard with Lieut. _Glendall_, to agree more exactly on some
remarkable Land, that each of us knowing the same Land Mark, might the
better keep our Stations. We agreed also, that the _Marquiss_ should now
be in the middle, and the _Dutchess_ next the Shore, as being the
properest Stations. This Morning we put all manner of Lumber and Chests
down, designing to keep all as clear as possible, that we might not be
in a Hurry if near the _Acapulco_ Ship.
_Nov. 6._ This Day ended our Stock of Turtle we had at the _Marias_;
being all Shes, with Eggs in them, they would not keep so long as those
we had at the _Gallapagos_ Islands: We have for some Days thrown more
dead Turtle overboard than we kill’d for eating.
_Nov. 7._ Yesterday I went aboard the _Marquiss_, and desir’d them to
tell Capt. _Courtney_, when he came off the Shore, that we would take
the inner Birth, and exchange again for the same Number of Days, that we
might have equal Chances for seeing the _Manila_ Ship; because I now
think the inner Birth the likeliest. Sir _Thomas Cavendish_, in Queen
_Elizabeth_’s Time, took the _Manila_ Ship in this Place on the 4th of
_November_.
_Nov. 12._ Yesterday Afternoon, all our Ships Company sign’d the
before-mention’d Agreement, finally to settle Plunder. At the same time
we sign’d another Agreement, to prevent gaming and wagering: some of our
Crews having already lost most of their Clothes, and what else they
could make away with. To prevent those loose and dissolute Courses, we
sign’d both Agreements as follows.
_We the Officers, Seamen and Landmen belonging to the Ship_ Duke,
_having made several former Agreements concerning the equal sharing
of Plunder, do now desire and agree, That each Man give an exact
Account of all Clothes, Goods of Value, or Necessaries of any kind
he had, over and above his Dividend deliver’d him at_ Gorgona, _or
had purchased of others since, to be rightly charged to him in his
Account of Plunder, by the Agents appointed; and to restore
whatever he had taken without the Agents Knowledge, and to prevent
any Persons detaining and concealing any Goods or Riches of any
kind, now or for the future, more than their respective Shares, in
order to a right Distribution of Plunder, except Arms, Chests,
Knives_, Roman _Relicks, Scizzars, Tobacco, loose Books, Pictures,
and worthless Tools and Toys, and Bedding in use, which are not
included in this Agreement; and those that have already only things
of this kind, are not liable to a Penalty: We do voluntarily sign
this, and offer our selves to be obliged firmly by these Presents,
to be under the Penalty of 20 Shillings for every Shilling value
taken hid or conceal’d by any of us, or removed out of any Prize
without written Orders from the Commanders publickly; and that none
but the Agents already named, or to be named hereafter, shall
detain in Possession any Plunder; but whatever is found conceal’d
shall be valued, and the Persons that hid it to be fin’d as
aforesaid, which Penalty we acknowledge to be laid on us by our own
Desire, Consent, and Approbation, over and above the former Penalty
agreed on, That any Person shall loose his share of every Prize or
Purchase taken, whether Cargo or Plunder, that conceals of either
the Value of half a Piece of 8. and this to remain in Force, to the
End of the Voyage._
_And to encourage Discoveries of such Concealments, what-ever
Person discovers the Fraud of any, who shall be so imprudent as to
detain more than his due, in any Goods that has not been shar’d
before as Plunder, or purchas’d of the Owners Agent or Commanders;
the Informer of such Fraud shall have one Half given him gratis,
out of the Offenders Shares and Wages; the other Half for the use
of the Ships Company as Plunder; which Information shall be
encouraged by the Commanders of each Ship, in order to prevent
Frauds, as long as this Voyage holds; and that ever hereafter
Accounts shall be made up, and the Plunder immediately adjudg’d to
prevent Confusion._
[Sidenote: _Cruising off Cape St. Lucas._]
_We likewise agree, That if any of us hereafter shall without
farther Proof be accus’d of concealing Plunder or Goods of Value,
belonging to any Prize, he shall, on request, before a Committee of
all or either of the Ships Commanders and chief Officers,
voluntarily make Affidavit to answer fully and satisfactorily to
such Questions as shall then and there be demanded of him, in
order to prevent fraudulent Concealments, and on his Refusal,
agrees to be punish’d or degraded, and to be subject to such
Penalty as a general Committee shall think fit to inflict on him or
them. Every one hereunto subscribed is within 3 Days from the Date
hereof to settle his Account of Plunder; after which time, this
Instrument is in full Force and not before._
Sign’d by the Officers and Men
of each Ship.
The Agreement to prevent Gaming was as follows.
_We the Ship’s Company belonging to the Ship_ Duke _now in the_
South Seas, _being Adventurers so far to improve our Fortunes in a
private Man of War, under the Command of Capt._ Woodes Rogers, _who
has a lawful Commission from his Royal Highness Prince_ George _of_
Denmark,[138] _and considering the apparent Hazard of our Lives in
these remote Parts; do mutually agree to prevent the growing Evil
now arising amongst us, occasion’d by frequent Gaming, Wagering,
and abetting at others Gaming, so that some by chance might thus
too slightly get Possession of what his Fellow-Adventurers have
dangerously and painfully earn’d. To prevent this intolerable
Abuse, we shall forbear and utterly detest all Practices of this
kind for the future during the whole Voyage, till our safe Arrival
in_ Great Britain, _where good Laws of this kind take place, and
designing effectually to confirm this our Desire and Agreement, We
do jointly remit all sorts of Notes of Hand, Contracts, Bills, or
Obligations of any kind whatsoever, that shall any ways pass,
directly or indirectly, sign’d by either of us after the Date
hereof, provided the Sum in each Note be for Gaming, Wagering, or
Abetting any way whatsoever by any of us; and to prevent our being
misled for the future, all manner of Obligations of this kind, and
for this Consideration, shall be wholly invalid, and unlawful here,
and in_ Great Britain _or_ Ireland; _And throughly to secure this
Method, we farther jointly agree, that no Debt from this Time
forward shall be lawfully contracted from Man to Man amongst us,
unless by the Commanders Attestation, and enter’d on the Ship’s
Book, it shall appear done publickly and justly to prevent each
others Frauds being conniv’d at amongst us; And that none of us may
fraudulently do ill things of this kind for the future, and make a
Pretence to Ignorance, We have all publickly and voluntarily set
our Hands, desiring the true Intent and Meaning hereof may take
place without the least Evasion, it being (as we very well know)
for our common Interest and publick good, that not one of us
employ’d on this dangerous and remote Undertaking, might be so
unhappy to arrive at his wish’d for Country and Habitation poor and
dejected: And being throughly sensible of the Necessity of this
Agreement, we have set our Hands._
Sign’d by all the Officers and Men in each Ship in sight of
_California_, Nov. 11. 1709.
_Nov. 13._ The Water being discolour’d, and we near the Shore, we hove
the Lead but found no Ground.
_Nov. 17._ Yesterday we sent the Bark to look for Water on the Main, and
this Morning they return’d, having seen wild _Indians_ who padled to
them on Bark Logs; they were fearful of coming near our People at first,
but were soon prevail’d with to accept of a Knife or two and some Bays,
for which they return’d 2 Bladders of Water, a Couple of live Foxes, and
a dear Skin. Till now we thought the _Spaniards_ had Missionaries among
those People, but they being quite naked, having no sign of _European_
Commodities, nor the least Word of _Spanish_; we conclude they are quite
savage. We dispatch’d the Bark and Boat a second Time with odd Trifles,
in hopes to get some Refreshment from ’em.