the Shore, and having little Wind she drove most part of the Night, that
she might be near us in the Morning. We sent our Pinnace, and brought
the Men aboard, who told us, that their new Acquaintance were grown very
familiar, but were the poorest Wretches in Nature, and had no manner of
Refreshment for us. They came freely aboard to eat some of our Victuals;
and by Signs invited our Men ashore; the _Indians_ swam a-shore in the
Water to guide the Bark Logs, that our Men were on, there being too much
Sea to land out of our Boat: After they got safe on Shore the _Indians_
led each of our Men betwixt two of ’em, up the Bank, where there was an
old naked Gentleman with a Deer-skin spread on the Ground, on which they
kneeled before our People, who did the like, and wip’d the Water off
their Faces, without a Cloth; those that led them from the Water-side,
took the same Care of ’em for a quarter of a Mile, and led them very
slowly thro’ a narrow Path to their Hutts, where they found a dull
Musician rubbing two jagged Sticks a-cross each other, and humming to
it, to divert and welcome their new Guests. After the Ceremonies were
over, our People sat on the
[Illustration: WOODES ROGERS LANDING ON THE COAST OF CALIFORNIA
_From a print in the Macpherson Collection_.]
[Sidenote: _Cruising off Cape St. Lucas._]
Ground with them, eat broil’d Fish, and were attended back in the same
manner, with the _Indian_ Musick. The Savages brought a Sample of every
thing they had except their Women, Children, and Arms, which we find are
not common to Strangers: Their Knives made of Sharks Teeth, and a few
other of their Curiosities, our People brought aboard to me, which I
have preserved to shew what Shifts may be made.
_Nov. 21._ Last Night we saw a Fire ashore, which we interpreted to be a
Signal from the Inhabitants, that they had got something extraordinary
for us; and we wanting Refreshments, sent our Bark and Boat this Morning
with one of our Musicians, to shew that we could at least equal them in
Musick.
_Nov. 22._ Our Boat return’d and brought an Account, that they had found
a very good Bay, with a fresh Water River, and that they saw near 500
_Indians_, who lived there in small Hutts, but had no Recruit for us,
besides a little Fish. They met them as customary, and pilotted the Bark
to that Place, which we suppose was the same that Sir _Thomas Cavendish_
recruited at in Queen _Elizabeth’s_ Time, _Anno_ 1588.
_Nov. 23._ Our main Top-Gallant-Mast being broke, we got up another, but
the Rope breaking the Mast fell down upon the Deck, amongst the Men, but
by God’s Providence hurt no body. At 8 last Night our Ship sprung a
Leak; so that we were forced to keep one Pump a going.
_Nov. 25._ Capt. _Courtney_ came aboard in his Yawl, and complain’d his
Stock of Water was almost spent; I agreed with him to send in our
Pinnace, and a Bark, to supply them with Water.
_Nov. 26._ This Morning our Pinnace return’d from Shore, brought 3
Barrels of Water, and 2 very large Fish from the _Indians_, which serv’d
most of the Ships Company. Those that came from the Shore observed the
_Indians_ were not so friendly to our Men as customary.
_Nov. 27._ They refus’d to let them come ashore after it was Night,
which could not be to prevent their thieving, because the miserable
Wretches had nothing to lose; yet they are jealous to keep what they
have; and though they make no Use of their Land, might be afraid of
Rivals.
_Nov. 28._ Yesterday in the Afternoon we heard the _Marquiss_ fire a
Gun, which was answer’d by the _Dutchess_, who had the middle Birth. We
tackt immediately, and made all possible Sail, supposing they had seen a
Stranger; the _Marquiss_ stood to us towards the Shore, and we soon met
her; by 4 a Clock I was aboard them, and enquiring into the Cause of the
Alarm, was surpriz’d to hear they took us for the _Manila_ Ship, and the
Gun they fired was to alarm the _Dutchess_ to give chase, as she had
done all the day, tho’ not regarded by us, who knew the _Marquiss_, and
admir’d they could mistake the _Duke_. Immediately each Ship return’d to
his Station; soon after our Main-tye gave way, and our Main-yard came
down at once, but did no other Damage. This Morning we saw the Bark
coming off Shore, where she had been becalm’d; being longer wanting than
usual, we were afraid they were cut off by the _Indians_. We got our
Bale Goods up from abaft to see for the Leak, but all to no purpose; we
found some of the Bales that had receiv’d old Damages, which we dry’d
and re-pack’d, and sold what was damaged among the Ship’s Company.
_Nov. 29._ Last Night our Lazareto[139] Door being broke open, and
losing Bread and Sugar, this Morning I order’d a Search, and found the
Thief; I blam’d the Steward for his Remisness; he told me he lay next
the Door, with the Key fastned to his Privy Parts, because he had it
once stoln out of his Pocket, I suppose by the same Thief, who was so
dextrous to get it now without disturbing him; but not being ingenious
enough to fasten it to the same Place, he was discover’d. His Mess-mate
was also guilty, but knowing his Friends in _Bristol_, I was unwilling
to punish him, tho’ Provisions being scarce, it makes the Crime the
greater, for we expect no Recruit till we get to the _East Indies_. I
order’d the first to be severely whipt at the Geers,[140] and the other
and a _Dutchman_ to be afterwards left with him in Irons.
_Dec. 9._ Mr. _Duck_ the Master of the Bark came aboard, and presented
me with some Dolphins he had from the _Indians_. I order’d our Master to
go with him, and endeavour, if possible, to discover the Shore along to
the Northward, to find out a better Harbour than that where the
_Indians_ lived, and if they met with the _Dutchess_, to tell Capt.
_Courtney_, I thought it convenient for one of the Ships to go into the
Bay we had already discover’d, and there to take in Water and Wood,
_&c._ so to fit our Ships by turns to save time, and consequently
Provisions, which begin to grow short with us. We were now something
dubious of seeing the _Manila_ Ship,
[Sidenote: _Cruising off Cape St. Lucas._]
because it’s near a Month after the time they generally fall in with
this Coast.
_Dec. 14._ Yesterday I went aboard the _Dutchess_, where ’twas agreed
the _Marquiss_ should go into the Harbour and refit with all manner of
Dispatch. In the mean time we to keep the outer Birth, and the
_Dutchess_ to be betwixt us and the Shore, and to cruize but 8 Days
longer, without we had a Prospect of the _Manila_ Ship, because our
Provisions grow short.
_Dec. 20._ Having compar’d our Stock of Bread, and of what would serve
to prolong it, we agreed that a Committee should be held, and that every
one should give his Opinion in Writing, whether we should attempt taking
a Town to victual us, and so continue the Cruize for some time longer;
or to make all possible Dispatch to refit, and sail hence for the Island
_Guam_, one of the _Ladrones_, and there if possible to get a fresh
Recruit. My Opinion was as follows.
On board the Ship _Duke_, cruising off Cape _St._ Lucas _in_ California,
this 19_th_ of _December_, 1709.
_Eight Days ago I was with Capts._ Courtney _and_ Cooke, _and
computed what Bread there might be left aboard the 3 Ships; and we
all agreed there might be 64 Days Bread of all sorts for each Ship,
when equally divided_.
_Since which Time there is 8 Days spent, }
so that there should be left no more } _56 Days Bread_,
than_ }
_But on a Rumage of both Ships_ Duke }
_and_ Dutchess, _and strictly computing }
every thing that will help prolong } _14 Days more Bread_,
our Bread, we hope to make_ }
_Which may be in all 70 Days Bread to come_,
_We must expect before we can get fitted }
hence to spend at least 9 Days, and }
add to that our Passage to_ Guam, } _59 Days Bread_,
_which we can’t think will be less than }
50 Days, is_ }
----
11
_By this Account, which is the utmost,--11 Days Bread will be left
when we come to_ Guam.
_I am of opinion now we have search’d each others Ships to prevent
Frauds, that there can be no more than 11 Days Bread left when we
come to_ Guam, _as above, except we shorten our Allowance very
much, which we can’t do till driven to the last Extremity, our
Allowance being very small already; but if we should have an
unexpected long Passage from hence to_ Guam, _it will go hard with
us at the present Allowance, besides we are not certain of a
Recruit at_ Guam.
* * * * *
_By the foregoing Account it’s plain what Flower and Bread-kind we
have left, and the risque we must now run to get to the_
East-Indies, _with so mean a Stock. This I doubt not will be full
Satisfaction to our Imployers, that we have prolonged our Cruize to
the utmost Extent, in hopes to meet the Rich_ Manila _Ship: But
since Fortune has not favour’d us, we must think of other Methods
to promote our Safety and Interest. Except we resolve to take a
Town here to victual us, ’tis evident we can’t cruize, and ’tis my
Opinion, that now our Time is so far spent, we ought to attempt
nothing more in these Seas, lest our too long Stay might be the
Loss of all, because the Worm has already entred our Sheathing, For
these and other Reasons, I think it highly necessary, that from
this Instant we make all manner of Dispatch to fit, and sail hence
for the Island of_ Guam, _one of the_ Ladrones _Islands, and there,
if possible, to get a fresh Recruit, and consult how farther to
proceed for the Interest of our Imployers, and our own Advantage
and Reputation. This I give as my Opinion aboard the_ Dutchess,
_this_ 20th _of_ December, 1709.
Woodes Rogers.
This my Opinion being perused with the rest, we came to the following
Resolve.
_We the Officers present in a Committee on board the_ Dutchess,
_having farther considered our short Store of Bread and Bread-kind,
and finding it too little to continue our Cruize longer here for
the_ Manila _Ship, do therefore now agree to get a Harbour, and
there to recruit with the utmost dispatch, and sail for the Island
of_ Guam, _or any other Place where we can revictual. We design to
consult farther of our next Proceedings, when in Harbour. This is
our present Opinion. Witness our Hands this_ 20th _of_ December,
1709.
Signed by the Officers of the Committee.
[Sidenote: _The Manilla Ship._]
At signing this in the Committee we all looked very melancholy and
dispirited, because so low in Provisions, that if we should not reach
_Guam_ in the limited Time, or accidentally miss it, we shall not have
enough till we arrive at any other Place.
Necessity forces us to design from hence to _Guam_, and thence to the
_East Indies_; for if we had Provisions to go back round Cape _Horne_,
and to stop in _Brazil_, and there to sell our _Europe_ Prize Goods, it
might be much more for our Advantage, and be sooner at _Great Britain_.
_Dec. 21._ Pursuant to Yesterday’s Agreement we made the best of our Way
into the Harbour call’d by Sir _Tho. Cavendish_ Port _Segura_, where the
_Marquiss_ was refitting; but having Calms most part of the Afternoon,
and a Current setting to Leeward, we rather lost than got ground.
Towards Morning there sprung up a Gale, and we found our selves to
Leeward of the Port, tho’ we took all Advantages of the Wind: But to our
great and joyful Surprize, about 9 a Clock the Man at Mast-head cry’d
out he saw a Sail besides the _Dutchess_ and Bark, bearing West half
South of us, distant about 7 Leagues. We immediately hoisted our Ensign,
and bore away after her, the _Dutchess_ soon did the same; but it
falling calm, I order’d the Pinnace to be mann’d and arm’d, and sent her
away to make what she was: Some were of opinion ’twas the _Marquiss_
come out of the Harbour, and to confirm this, said they could discern
the Sail to have no Foretop mast; so the Boat being not out of call,
return’d back, and we put a Cap[141] in her for the _Marquiss_, then
sent her away again, by which time it was Noon. The Cape then bore
N.N.E. of us, distant about 5 Leagues.
_Dec. 22._ We had very little Wind all Yesterday Afternoon; so that we
near’d the Ship very slowly, and the Boat not returning kept us in a
languishing Condition, and occasion’d several Wagers, whether ’twas the
_Marquiss_ or the _Acapulco_ Ship. We kept sight of our Boat, and could
not perceive her to go aboard the Ship, but made towards the
_Dutchess_’s Pinnace, who was rowing to them; they lay together some
time, then the _Dutchess_’s Boat went back to their Ship again, and ours
kept dogging the Stranger, tho’ at a good distance, which gave us great
hopes that ’twas the _Manila_ Ship. I sent Mr. _Frye_ aboard the
_Dutchess_ in our Yawl, to know what News, and if the Ship was not the
_Marquiss_, to agree how to engage her. We then hoisted a _French_
Ensign, and fired a Gun, which the Stranger answer’d. Mr. _Frye_
[Sidenote: _At Anchor on the Coast of California._]
return’d with the joyful News that it was the Ship we had so impatiently
waited for, and despair’d of seeing her. We agreed the 2 Pinnaces should
tend her all Night, and keep showing false Fires, that we might know
whereabouts they and the Chase was; and if we were so fortunate to come
up with her together, agreed to board her at once. We made a clear Ship
before Night, had every thing in a Readiness to engage her at Day-break,
and kept a very good Look-out all Night for the Boat’s false Fires,
which we saw and answer’d frequently. At Day-break we saw the Chase upon
our Weather-Bow, about a League from us, the _Dutchess_ a-head of her to
Leeward near about half as far. Towards 6 our Boat came aboard, having
kept very near the Chase all Night, and receiv’d no Damage, but told us
the _Dutchess_ pass’d by her in the Night, and she fired 2 Shot at them,
but they return’d none. We had no Wind, but got out 8 of our Ships Oars,
and rowed above an Hour; then there sprung up a small Breeze. I order’d
a large Kettle of Chocolate to be made for our Ship’s Company (having no
spiritous Liquor to give them;) then we went to Prayers, and before we
had concluded were disturb’d by the Enemy’s firing at us. They had
Barrels hanging at each Yard-Arm, that look’d like Powder Barrels, to
deter us from boarding ’em. About 8 a Clock we began to engage her by
our selves, for the _Dutchess_ being to Leeward, and having little Wind,
did not come up. The Enemy fired her Stern Chase upon us first, which we
return’d with our Fore Chase several times, till we came nearer, and
when close aboard each other, we gave her several Broadsides, plying our
Small Arms very briskly, which they return’d as thick a while, but did
not ply their great Guns half so fast as we. After some time we shot a
little a-head of them, lay thwart her Hawse close aboard, and plyed them
so warmly, that she soon struck her Colours two thirds down. By this
time the _Dutchess_ came up, and fired about 5 Guns, with a Volley of
Small Shot, but the Enemy having submitted, made no Return. We sent our
Pinnace aboard, and brought the Captain with the Officers away, and
having examin’d ’em, found there was another Ship came out of _Manila_
with them, of a bigger Burthen, having about 40 Brass Guns mounted, and
as many Patereroes; but they told us they lost her Company 3 Months ago,
and reckon’d she was got to _Acapulco_ before this time, she sailing
better than this Ship. This Prize was call’d by the long Name of _Nostra
Seniora de la Incarnacion Disenganio_, Sir _John Pichberty_ Commander;
she had 20 Guns, 20 Patereroes, and 193 Men aboard, whereof 9 were
kill’d, 10 wounded, and several blown up and burnt with Powder. We
engag’d ’em about 3 Glasses, in which time we had only my self and
another Man wounded. I was shot thro’ the Left Cheek, the Bullet struck
away great part of my upper Jaw, and several of my Teeth, part of which
dropt down upon the Deck, where I fell; the other, _Will._ _Powell_, an
_Irish_ Land-man, was slightly wounded in the Buttock. They did us no
great Damage in our Rigging, but a shot disabled our Mizen Mast. I was
forced to write what I would say, to prevent the Loss of Blood, and
because of the Pain I suffer’d by speaking.
_Dec. 23._ After we had put our Ships to rights again, we stood in for
the Harbour, which bore N.E. of us, distant about 7 Leagues. Our
Surgeons went aboard the Prize to dress the wounded Men.
_Dec. 24._ About 4 Yesterday Afternoon we got to an Anchor in Port
_Segura_ in 25 Fathom Water, found the _Marquiss_ in a sailing Posture,
and all the Company much overjoy’d at our unexpected good Fortune. In
the Night I felt something clog my Throat, which I swallow’d with much
Pain, and suppose it’s a part of my Jaw Bone, or the Shot, which we
can’t yet give an account of, I soon recover’d my self; but my Throat
and Head being very much swell’d, have much ado to swallow any sort of
Liquids for Sustenance. At 8 the Committee met aboard us, and agreed
that the _Dutchess_ and _Marquiss_ should immediately go out, and cruize
8 Days for the other Ship, being in hopes she had not pass’d us; in the
mean time we and the Prize to stay and refit, and dispatch the Prisoners
away in the Bark, and if we could get Security from the _Guiaquil_
Hostages for the Payment of the Remainder of the Ransom, to let ’em go
likewise. We lie land-lockt from the E. by N. to the S. S. E. distant
from the Eastermost Point about 4 Mile, from the Southermost Rock about
half a Mile, and near the same Distance off Shore. The Committee we held
resolv’d as follows.
On board the _Duke_ riding in Port _Segura_ on the Coast of
_California_, _Dec. 24. 1709_.
_Having Information from the Prisoners taken on board the Prize the
22d instant, bound from_ Manila _to_ Acapulco, _that they came out
in company with another Ship bound for the same Port from which
they parted in Lat. 35._ N. _It is resolved that Capt._ Courtney
_in the_ Dutchess, _and Capt._ Cooke _in the_ Marquiss, _do
forthwith go out upon a Cruise for 8 Days, to look after the said
Ship_.
Signed by the Majority of the Council.
Capt. _Courtney_, _Cooke_, and their Officers of the Council, would not
agree that the _Duke_ and _Dutchess_ should go out as I desir’d, with
most of the Men belonging to the _Marquiss_ divided between them, in
order to cruise for the biggest _Acapulco_ Ship, which we were in hopes
had not passed us; and by being thus well mann’d, might if they meet her
carry her by boarding at once, and that in the mean time the _Marquiss_
with a very small number of Men might be sufficient to stay in the Port,
and send off the Bark with the Prisoners.
But there having been some Reflections amongst the Sailors because the
_Dutchess_ did not engage this Prize before the _Duke_ came up, it made
them obstinate to cruize for her without us, and the Officers of our
Consorts being agreed, made the Majority of our Council; so that
according to the foregoing Committee we were obliged to stay in the
Harbour against our Will.
_Dec. 25._ Last Night the _Dutchess_ and _Marquiss_ went out: We put 10
good Hands aboard the _Dutchess_, that if they should be so fortunate as
to see the Great Ship, they might be the better able to attack her. In
the Morning we began to put part of the Goods aboard the Bark into the
Prize, in order to send the Prisoners away. Capt. _Dover_ and Mr.
_Stretton_, who were aboard the Prize, came to me, and we all agreed to
send off the _Guiaquil_ Hostages, the Captain of the _Manila_ Ship (who
was a _French_ Chevalier) having given us 5 Bills of Exchange for the
same, payable in _London_ for 6000 Dollars, being 2000 more than the
Ransom Money, for which we allow’d him the Benefit of the Bark and
Cargo, the Captain and Hostages giving us Certificates, that it was a
Bargain concluded at their own Requests, and very much to their
advantage. Sir _John_ _Pichberty_ being, we hope, a Man of Honour, will
not suffer his Bills to be protested, since we have so generously
trusted him, tho’ a Prisoner, without a Hostage, which is always
demanded for less Sums.
_Dec. 25._ We plac’d two Centries to keep a good Lookout upon the Top of
a Hill, with Orders if they saw 3 Sail in the Offing, to make 3
Waffs[142] with their Colours.
_Dec. 26._ Yesterday Afternoon the Centrys made 3 Waffs,
[Sidenote: _Cruising off Cape St. Lucas._]
and we immediately sent the Yawl to them for better Satisfaction, and
found there were 3 Sail out at Sea; upon which we immediately put all
the Prisoners aboard the Bark, taking away her Sails, and fetched our
Men aboard, leaving only 22 Hands belonging to us, aboard the Prize, to
help refit and look after her. The Prisoners, who were about 170, being
secur’d aboard our Bark, without Arms, Rudder, Sails, or a Boat, and
moar’d near a Mile from our Prize, a few more of our Men than was
sufficient to give them Victuals and Drink, might have guarded them very
safely; yet for the more Security, we left a Lieutenant of each Ship,
and the above Men well arm’d aboard our Prize, and immediately weigh’d
in order to go and assist our Consorts to attack the great Ship, which
then came in sight. Capt. _Dover_ thought fit to go on board the Prize,
and exchange Posts with one of the Lieutenants that guarded the
Prisoners, and sent him to us in his stead. I was in so weak a
Condition, and my Head and Throat so much swell’d, that I yet spoke in
great Pain, and not loud enough to be heard at any distance; so that all
the rest of the chief Officers, and our Surgeons, would have perswaded
me to stay in the Harbour in Safety aboard our Prize. We weigh’d our
Anchors, and got under Sail by 7 a Clock: We saw Lights several times in
the Night, which we took to be our Consorts Boats making false Fires. In
the Morning at Day-break we saw 3 Sail to Windward of us, but were so
far distant, that we could not make which were our Consorts, and which
the Chase, till about 9 a Clock, when we saw the _Dutchess_ and Chase
near together, and the _Marquiss_ standing to them with all the Sail she
could crowd. We made what Sail we could, but were to Leeward of them 3
or 4 Leagues, and having a scant Wind, made little Way. At Noon they
bore S.E. of us, being right to Windward about 3 Leagues.
[Sidenote: _Engaging the bigger Manila Ship._]