_French Buccaneers under =Francois Grogniet= and =Le Picard=, to
the Death of =Grogniet=._
[Sidenote: The French Buccaneers, from July 1685.] Having accompanied the
Cygnet to her end, the History must again be taken back to the breaking up
of the general confederacy of Buccaneers which took place at the Island
_Quibo_, to give a connected narrative of the proceedings of the French
adventurers from that period to their quitting the _South Sea_.
[Sidenote: Under Grogniet.] Three hundred and forty-one French Buccaneers
(or to give them their due, privateers, war then existing between _France_
and _Spain_) separated from Edward Davis in July 1685, choosing for their
leader Captain Francois Grogniet.
They had a small ship, two small barks, and some large canoes, which were
insufficient to prevent their being incommoded for want of room, and the
ship was so ill provided with sails as to be disqualified for cruising at
sea. They were likewise scantily furnished with provisions, and necessity
for a long time confined their enterprises to the places on the coast of
_New Spain_ in the neighbourhood of _Quibo_. The towns of _Pueblo Nuevo_,
_Ria Lexa_, _Nicoya_, and others, were plundered by them, some more than
once, by which they obtained provisions, and little of other plunder,
except prisoners, from whom they extorted ransom either in provisions or
money.
[Sidenote: November.] In November, they attacked the town of _Ria Lexa_.
Whilst in the port, a Spanish Officer delivered to them a letter from the
Vicar-General of the province of _Costa Rica_, written to inform them that
a truce for twenty years had been concluded between _France_ and _Spain_.
The Vicar-General therefore required of them to forbear committing farther
hostility, and offered to give them safe conduct over land to the _North
Sea_, and a passage to _Europe_ in the galeons of his Catholic Majesty to
as many as should desire it. This offer not according with the
inclinations of the adventurers, they declined accepting it, and, without
entering into enquiry, professed to disbelieve the intelligence.
[Sidenote: Point de Burica.] November the 14th, they were near the _Point
Burica_. Lussan says, 'we admired the pleasant appearance of the land, and
among other things, a walk or avenue, formed by five rows of cocoa-nut
trees, which extended in continuation along the coast 15 leagues, with as
much regularity as if they had been planted by line.'
[Sidenote: 1686. January. Chiriquita.] In the beginning of January 1686,
two hundred and thirty of these Buccaneers went in canoes from _Quibo_
against _Chiriquita_, a small Spanish town on the Continent, between
_Point Burica_ and the Island _Quibo_. _Chiriquita_ is situated up a
navigable river, and at some distance from the sea-coast. 'Before this
river are eight or ten Islands, and shoals on which the sea breaks at low
water; but there are channels between them through which ships may
pass[85].'
The Buccaneers arrived in the night at the entrance of the river,
unperceived by the Spaniards; but being without guides, and in the dark,
they mistook and landed on the wrong side of the river. They were two days
occupied in discovering the right way, but were so well concealed by the
woods, that at daylight on the morning of the third day they came upon the
town and surprised the whole of the inhabitants, who, says Lussan, had
been occupied the last two days in disputing which of them should keep
watch, and go the rounds.
Lussan relates here, that himself and five others were decoyed to pursue a
few Spaniards to a distance from the town, where they were suddenly
attacked by one hundred and twenty men. He and his companions however, he
says, played their parts an hour and a half '_en vrai Flibustiers_,' and
laid thirty of the enemy on the ground, by which time they were relieved
by the arrival of some of their friends. They set fire to the town, and
got ransom for their prisoners: in what the ransom consisted, Lussan has
not said.
[Sidenote: At Quibo.] Their continuance in one station, at length
prevailed on the Spaniards to collect and send a force against them. They
had taken some pains to instil into the Spaniards a belief that they
intended to erect fortifications and establish themselves at _Quibo_.
Their view in this it is not easy to conjecture, unless it was to
discourage their prisoners from pleading poverty; for they obliged those
from whom they could not get money, to labour, and to procure bricks and
materials for building to be sent for their ransom. On the 27th of
January, a small fleet of Spanish vessels approached the Island _Quibo_.
The buccaneer ship was without cannon, and lay near the entrance of a
river which had only depth sufficient for their small vessels. The
Buccaneers therefore took out of the ship all that could be of use, and
ran her aground; and with their small barks and canoes took a station in
the river. [Sidenote: February.] The Spaniards set fire to the abandoned
ship, and remained by her to collect the iron-work; but they shewed no
disposition to attack the French in the river; and on the 1st of February,
they departed from the Island.
The Buccaneers having lost their ship, set hard to work to build
themselves small vessels. In this month of February, fourteen of their
number died by sickness and accidents.
[Sidenote: March.] They had projected an attack upon _Granada_ but want of
present subsistence obliged them to seek supply nearer, and a detachment
was sent with that view to the river of _Pueblo Nuevo_. Some vessels of
the Spanish flotilla which had lately been at _Quibo_, were lying at
anchor in the river, which the Flibustiers mistook for a party of the
English Buccaneers. [Sidenote: Unsuccessful attempt at Pueblo Nuevo.] In
this belief they went within pistol-shot, and hailed, and were then
undeceived by receiving for answer a volley of musketry. They fired on the
Spaniards in return, but were obliged to retreat, and in this affair they
lost four men killed outright, and between 30 and 40 were wounded.
Preparatory to their intended expedition against _Granada_, they agreed
upon some regulations for preserving discipline and order, the principal
articles of which were, that cowardice, theft, drunkenness, or
disobedience, should be punished with forfeiture of all share of booty
taken.
On the evening of the 22d, they were near the entrance of the _Gulf of
Nicoya_, in a little fleet, consisting of two small barks, a row-galley,
and nine large canoes. A tornado came on in the night which dispersed them
a good deal. At daylight they were surprised at counting thirteen sail in
company, and before they discovered which was the strange vessel, five
more sail came in sight. [Sidenote: Grogniet is joined by Townley.] They
soon joined each other, and the strangers proved to be a party of the
Buccaneers of whom Townley was the head.
Townley had parted company from Swan not quite two months before. His
company consisted of 115 men, embarked in a ship and five large canoes.
Townley had advanced with his canoes along the coast before his ship to
seek provisions, he and his men being no better off in that respect than
Grogniet and his followers. On their meeting as above related, the French
did not forget Townley's former overbearing conduct towards them: they,
however, limited their vengeance to a short triumph. Lussan says, 'we now
finding ourselves the strongest, called to mind the ill offices he had
done us, and to shew him our resentment, we made him and his men in the
canoes with him our prisoners. We then boarded his ship, of which we made
ourselves masters, and pretended that we would keep her. We let them
remain some time under this apprehension, after which we made them see
that we were more honest and civilized people than they were, and that we
would not profit of our advantage over them to revenge ourselves; for
after keeping possession about four or five hours, we returned to them
their ship and all that had been taken from them.' The English shewed
their sense of this moderation by offering to join in the attack on
_Granada_, which offer was immediately accepted.
[Sidenote: April. Expedition against the City of Granada.] The city of
_Granada_ is situated in a valley bordering on the _Lake of Nicaragua_,
and is about 16 leagues distant from _Leon_. The Buccaneers were provided
with guides, and to avoid giving the Spaniards suspicion of their design,
Townley's ship and the two barks were left at anchor near _Cape Blanco_,
whilst the force destined to be employed against _Granada_ proceeded in
the canoes to the place at which it was proposed to land, directions being
left with the ship and barks to follow in due time.
[Sidenote: 7th.] The 7th of April, 345 Buccaneers landed from the canoes,
about twenty leagues NW-ward of _Cape Blanco_, and began their march,
conducted by the guides, who led them through woods and unfrequented ways.
They travelled night and day till the 9th, in hopes to reach the city
before they were discovered by the inhabitants, or their having landed
should be known by the Spaniards.
The province of _Nicaragua_, in which _Granada_ stands, is reckoned one of
the most fertile in _New Spain_. The distance from where the Buccaneers
landed, to the city, may be estimated about 60 miles. Yet they expected
to come upon it by surprise; and in fact they did travel the greater part
of the way without being seen by any inhabitant. Such a mark of the state
of the population, corresponds with all the accounts given of the wretched
tyranny exercised by the Spaniards over the nations they have conquered.
The Buccaneers however were discovered in their second day's march, by
people who were fishing in a river, some of whom immediately posted off
with the intelligence. The Spaniards had some time before been advertised
by a deserter that the Buccaneers designed to attack _Granada_; but they
were known to entertain designs upon so many places, and to be so
fluctuating in their plans, that the Spaniards could only judge from
certain intelligence where most to guard against their attempts.
[Sidenote: 9th.] On the night of the 9th, fatigue and hunger obliged the
Buccaneers to halt at a sugar plantation four leagues distant from the
city. One man, unable to keep up with the rest, had been taken prisoner.
[Sidenote: 10th.] The morning of the 10th, they marched on, and from an
eminence over which they passed, had a view of the _Lake of Nicaragua_, on
which were seen two vessels sailing from the city. These vessels the
Buccaneers afterwards learnt, were freighted with the richest moveables
that at short notice the inhabitants had been able to embark, to be
conveyed for security to an Island in the Lake which was two leagues
distant from the city.
_Granada_ was large and spacious, with magnificent churches and well-built
houses. The ground is destitute of water, and the town is supplied from
the Lake; nevertheless there were many large sugar plantations in the
neighbourhood, some of which were like small towns, and had handsome
churches. _Granada_ was not regularly fortified, but had a place of arms
surrounded with a wall, in the nature of a citadel, and furnished with
cannon. The great church was within this inclosed part of the town.
[Sidenote: The City of Nueva Granada taken;] The Buccaneers arrived about
two o'clock in the afternoon, and immediately assaulted the place of arms,
which they carried with the loss of four men killed, and eight wounded,
most of them mortally. The first act of the victors, according to Lussan,
was to sing _Te Deum_ in the great church; and the next, to plunder.
Provisions, military stores, and a quantity of merchandise, were found in
the town, the latter of which was of little or no value to the captors.
[Sidenote: 11th.] The next day they sent to enquire if the Spaniards would
ransom the town, and the merchandise. It had been rumoured that the
Buccaneers would be unwilling to destroy _Granada_, because they proposed
at some future period to make it their baiting place, in returning to the
_North Sea_, and the Spaniards scarcely condescended to make answer to the
demand for ransom. [Sidenote: And Burnt.] The Buccaneers in revenge set
fire to the houses. 'If we could have found boats,' says Lussan, 'to have
gone on the lake, and could have taken the two vessels laden with the
riches of _Granada_, we should have thought this a favourable opportunity
for returning to the _West Indies_.'
[Sidenote: 15th.] On the 15th, they left _Granada_, to return to the
coast, which journey they performed in the most leisurely manner. They
took with them a large cannon, with oxen to draw it, and some smaller guns
which they laid upon mules. The weather was hot and dry, and the road so
clouded with dust, as almost to stifle both men and beasts. Sufficient
provision of water had not been made for the journey, and the oxen all
died. The cannon was of course left on the road. Towards the latter part
of the journey, water and refreshments were procured at some villages and
houses, the inhabitants of which furnished supplies as a condition that
their dwellings should be spared.
On the 26th, they arrived at the sea and embarked in their vessels, taking
on board with them a Spanish priest whom the Spaniards would not redeem
by delivering up their buccaneer prisoner. Most of the men wounded in the
Granada expedition died of cramps.
[Sidenote: 28th, At Ria Lexa. May.] The 28th, they came upon _Ria Lexa_
unexpectedly, and made one hundred of the inhabitants prisoners. By such
means, little could be gained more than present subsistence, and that was
rendered very precarious by the Spaniards removing their cattle from the
coast. It was therefore determined to put an end to their unprofitable
continuance in one place; but they could not agree where next to go. All
the English, and one half of the French, were for sailing to the _Bay of
Panama_. The other half of the French, 148 in number, with Grogniet at
their head, declared for trying their fortunes North-westward. Division
was made of the vessels and provisions. The whole money which the French
had acquired by their depredations amounted to little more than 7000
dollars, and this sum they generously distributed among those of their
countrymen who had been lamed or disabled.
[Sidenote: Grogniet and Townley part Company. Buccaneers under Townley.]
May the 19th, they parted company. Those bound for the _Bay of Panama_, of
whom Townley appears to have been regarded the head, had a ship, a bark,
and some large canoes. Townley proposed an attack on the town of _Lavelia_
or _La Villia_, at which place the treasure from the Lima ships had been
landed in the preceding year, and this proposal was approved.
[Sidenote: June.] Tornadoes and heavy rains kept them among the _Keys of
Quibo_ till the middle of June. On the 20th of that month, they arrived
off the _Punta Mala_, and during the day, they lay at a distance from the
land with sails furled. At night the principal part of their force made
for the land in the canoes; but they had been deceived in the distance.
Finding that they could not reach the river which leads to _Lavelia_
before day, they took down the sails and masts, and went to three leagues
distance from the land, where they lay all the day of the 21st. Lussan,
who was of this party of Buccaneers, says that they were obliged to
practise the same manoeuvre on the day following. In the middle of the
night of the 22d, 160 Buccaneers landed from the canoes at the entrance of
the river. [Sidenote: 23d. Lavelia taken.] They were some hours in
marching to _Lavelia_, yet the town was surprised, and above 300 of the
inhabitants made prisoners. This was in admirable conformity with the rest
of the management of the Spaniards. The fleet from _Lima_, laden with
treasure intended for _Panama_, had, more than a year before, landed the
treasure and rich merchandise at _Lavelia_, as a temporary measure of
security against the Buccaneers, suited to the occasion. The Government at
_Panama_, and the other proprietors, would not be at the trouble of
getting it removed to _Panama_, except in such portions as might be
required by some present convenience; and allowed a great part to remain
in _Lavelia_, a place of no defence, although during the whole time
Buccaneers had been on the coast of _Veragua_, or _Nicaragua_, to whom it
now became an easy prey, through indolence and a total want of vigilance,
as well in the proprietors as in those whom they employed to guard it.
Three Spanish barks were riding in the river, one of which the crews sunk,
and so dismantled the others that no use could be made of them; but the
Buccaneers found two boats in serviceable condition at a landing-place a
quarter of a league below the town. The riches they now saw in their
possession equalled their most sanguine expectations, and if secured, they
thought would compensate for all former disappointments. The merchandise
in _Lavelia_ was estimated in value at a million and a half of piastres.
The gold and silver found there amounted only to 15,000 piastres.
The first day of being masters of _Lavelia_, was occupied by the
Buccaneers in making assortments of the most valuable articles of the
merchandise. The next morning, they loaded 80 horses with bales, and a
guard of 80 men went with them to the landing-place where the two boats
above mentioned were lying. In the way, one man of this escort was taken
by the Spaniards. The two prize boats were by no means large enough to
carry all the goods which the Buccaneers proposed to take from _Lavelia_;
and on that account directions had been dispatched to the people in the
canoes at the entrance of the river to advance up towards the town. These
directions they attempted to execute; but the land bordering the river was
woody, which exposed the canoes to the fire of a concealed enemy, and
after losing one man, they desisted from advancing. For the same cause, it
was thought proper not to send off the two loaded boats without a strong
guard, and they did not move during this day. The Buccaneers sent a letter
to the Spanish Alcalde, to demand if he would ransom the town, the
merchandise, and the prisoners; but the Alcalde refused to treat with
them. [Sidenote: The Town set on fire.] In the afternoon therefore, they
set fire to the town, and marched to the landing-place where the two boats
lay, and there rested for the night.
[Sidenote: River of Lavelia.] The river of _Lavelia_ is broad, but
shallow. Vessels of forty tons can go a league and a half within the
entrance. The landing-place is yet a league and a half farther up, and the
town is a quarter of a mile from the landing-place[86].
[Sidenote: 25th.] On the morning of the 25th, the two boats, laden as deep
as was safe, began to fall down the river, having on board nine men to
conduct them. The main body of the Buccaneers at the same time marched
along the bank on one side of the river for their protection. A body of
Spaniards skreened by the woods, and unseen by the Buccaneers, kept pace
with them on the other side of the river, at a small distance within the
bank. The Buccaneers had marched about a league, and the boats had
descended as far, when they came to a point of land on which the trees and
underwood grew so thick as not to be penetrated without some labour and
expence of time, to which they did not choose to submit, but preferred
making a circuit which took them about a quarter of a mile from the river.
The Spaniards on the opposite side were on the watch, and not slow in
taking advantage of their absence. They came to the bank, whence they
fired upon the men in the laden boats, four of whom they killed, and
wounded one; the other four abandoned the boats and escaped into the
thicket. The Spaniards took possession of the boats, and finding there the
wounded Buccaneer, they cut off his head and fixed it on a stake which
they set up by the side of the river at a place by which the rest of the
Buccaneers would necessarily have to pass.
The main body of the Buccaneers regained the side of the river in
ignorance of what had happened; and not seeing the boats, were for a time
in doubt whether they were gone forward, or were still behind. The first
notice they received of their loss was from the men who had escaped from
the boats, who made their way through the thicket and joined them.
Thus did this crew of Buccaneers, within a short space of time, win by
circumspection and adroitness, and lose by negligence, the richest booty
they had ever made. If quitting the bank of the river had been a matter of
necessity, and unavoidable, there was nothing but idleness to prevent
their conveying their plunder the remainder of the distance to their boats
by land.
In making their way through the woods, they found the rudder, sails, and
other furniture of the Spanish barks in the river; the barks themselves
were near at hand, and the Buccaneers embarked in them; but the flood
tide making, they came to an anchor, and lay still for the night.
[Sidenote: June 26th.] The next morning, as they descended the river, they
saw the boats which they had so richly freighted, now cleared of their
lading and broken to pieces; and near to their wreck, was the head which
the Spaniards had stuck up. This spectacle, added to the mortifying loss
of their booty, threw the Buccaneers into a frenzy, and they forthwith cut
off the heads of four prisoners, and set them on poles in the same place.
In the passage down the river, four more of the Buccaneers were killed by
the firing of the Spaniards from the banks.
[Sidenote: 27th.] The day after their retreat from the river of _Lavelia_,
a Spaniard went off to them to treat for the release of the prisoners, and
they came to an agreement that 10,000 pieces of eight should be paid for
their ransom. Some among them who had wives were permitted to go on shore
that they might assist in procuring the money; but on the 29th, the same
messenger again went off and acquainted them that the _Alcalde Major_
would not only not suffer the relations of the prisoners to send money for
their ransom, but that he had arrested some of those whom the Buccaneers
had allowed to land. On receiving this report, these savages without
hesitation cut off the heads of two of their prisoners, and delivered them
to the messenger, to be carried to the _Alcalde_, with their assurance
that if the ransom did not speedily arrive, the rest of the prisoners
would be treated in the same manner. The next day the ransom was settled
for the remaining prisoners, and for one of the captured barks; the
Spaniards paying partly with money, partly with provisions and
necessaries, and with the release of the Buccaneer they had taken. In the
agreement for the bark, the Spaniards required a note specifying that if
the Buccaneers again met her, they should make prize only of the cargo,
and not of the vessel.
After the destruction of _Lavelia_, it might be supposed that the
perpetrators of so much mischief would not be allowed with impunity to
remain in the _Bay of Panama_; but such was the weakness or negligence of
the Spaniards, that this small body of freebooters continued several
months in this same neighbourhood, and at times under the very walls of
the City. On another point, however, the Spaniards were more active, and
with success; for they concluded a treaty of peace and alliance with the
Indians of the _Isthmus_, in consequence of which, the passage overland
through the Darien country was no longer open to the Buccaneers; and some
small parties of them who attempted to travel across, were intercepted and
cut off by the Spaniards, with the assistance of the natives.
[Sidenote: July.] The Spaniards had at _Panama_ a military corps
distinguished by the appellation of Greeks, which was composed of
Europeans of different nations, not natives of _Spain_. Among the
atrocities committed by the crew under Townley, they put to death one of
these Greeks, who was also Commander of a Spanish vessel, because on
examining him for intelligence, they thought he endeavoured to deceive
them; and in aggravation of the deed, Lussan relates the circumstance in
the usual manner of his pleasantries, 'we paid him for his treachery by
sending him to the other world.'
[Sidenote: August.] On the 20th of August, as they were at anchor within
sight of the city of _Panama_, they observed boats passing and repassing
between some vessels and the shore, and a kind of bustle which had the
appearance of an equipment. [Sidenote: Battle with Spanish armed Ships.]
The next day, the Buccaneers anchored near the Island _Taboga_; and there,
on the morning of the 22d, they were attacked by three armed vessels from
_Panama_. The Spaniards were provided with cannon, and the battle lasted
half the day, when, owing to an explosion of gunpowder in one of the
Spanish vessels, the victory was decided in favour of the Buccaneers. Two
of the three Spanish vessels were taken, as was also one other, which
during the fight arrived from _Panama_ as a reinforcement. In the last
mentioned prize, cords were found prepared for binding their prisoners in
the event of their being victorious; and this, the Buccaneers deemed
provocation sufficient for them to slaughter the whole crew. This battle,
so fatal to the Spaniards, cost the Buccaneers only one man killed
outright, and 22 wounded. Townley was among the wounded.
Two of the prizes were immediately manned from the canoes, the largest
under the command of Le Picard, who was the chief among the French of this
party.
They had many prisoners; and one was sent with a letter to the President
of _Panama_, to demand ransom for them; also medicines and dressings for
the wounded, and the release of five Buccaneers who they learnt were
prisoners to the Spaniards. The medicines were sent, but the President
would not treat either of ransom, or of the release of the buccaneer
prisoners. The Buccaneers dispatched a second message to the President, in
which they threatened that if the five Buccaneers were not immediately
delivered to them, the heads of all the Spaniards in their possession,
should be sent to him. The President paid little attention to this
message, not believing that such a threat would be executed; but the
Bishop of _Panama_, regarding what had recently happened at _Lavelia_ as
an earnest of what the Buccaneers were capable, was seriously alarmed. He
wrote a letter to them which he sent by a special messenger, in which he
exhorted them in the mildest terms not to shed the blood of innocent men,
and promised if they would have patience, to exert his influence to
procure the release of the buccaneer prisoners. His letter concluded with
the following remarkable paragraph, which shews the great hopes
entertained by the Roman Catholics respecting _Great Britain_ during the
Reign of King James the IId. '_I have information_,' says the Bishop,
'_to give you, that the English are all become Roman Catholics, and that
there is now a Catholic Church at Jamaica_.'
The good Prelate's letter was pronounced by the Buccaneers to be void of
truth and sincerity, and an insult to their understanding. They had
already received the price of blood, shed not in battle nor in their own
defence; and now, devoting themselves to their thirst for gain, they would
not be diverted from their sanguinary purpose, but came to the resolution
of sending the heads of twenty Spaniards to the President, and with them a
message purporting that if they did not receive a satisfactory answer to
all their demands by the 28th of the month, the heads of the remaining
prisoners should answer for it. Lussan says, 'the President's refusal
obliged us, though with some reluctance, to take the resolution to send
him twenty heads of his people in a canoe. This method was indeed a little
violent, but it was the only way to bring the Spaniards to reason[87].'
What they had resolved they put into immediate execution. The President of
_Panama_ was entirely overcome by their inhuman proceedings, and in the
first shock and surprise, he yielded without stipulation to all they had
demanded. On the 28th, the buccaneer prisoners (four Englishmen and one
Frenchman) were delivered to them, with a letter from the President, who
said he left to their own conscience the disposal of the Spanish prisoners
yet remaining in their hands.
To render the triumph of cruelty and ferocity more complete, the
Buccaneers, in an answer to the President, charged the whole blame of what
they had done to his obstinacy; in exchange for the five Buccaneers, they
sent only twelve of their Spanish prisoners; and they demanded 20,000
pieces of eight as ransom of the remainder, which demand however, they
afterwards mitigated to half that sum and a supply of refreshments. On the
4th of September, the ransom was paid, and the prisoners were released.
[Sidenote: September. Death of Townley.] September the 9th, the buccaneer
commander, Townley, died of the wound he received in the last battle. The
English and French Buccaneers were faithful associates, but did not mix
well as comrades. In a short time after Townley's death, the English
desired that a division should be made of the prize vessels, artillery,
and stores, and that those of their nation should keep together in the
same vessels: and this was done, without other separation taking place at
the time.
[Sidenote: November.] In November, they left the _Bay of Panama_, and
sailed Westward to their old station near the _Point de Burica_, where, by
surprising small towns, villages, and farms, a business at which they had
become extremely expert, they procured provisions; and by the ransom of
prisoners, some money.
[Sidenote: 1687. January.] In January (1687) they intercepted a letter
from the Spanish Commandant at _Sonsonnate_ addressed to the President of
_Panama_, by which they learnt that Grogniet had been in _Amapalla Bay_,
and that three of his men had been taken prisoners. The Commandant
remarked in his letter, that the peace made with the _Darien_ Indians,
having cut off the retreat of the Buccaneers, would drive them to
desperation, and render them like so many mad dogs; he advised therefore
that some means should be adopted to facilitate their retreat, that the
Spaniards in the _South Sea_ might again enjoy repose. '_They have
landed_,' he says, '_in these parts ten or twelve times, without knowing
what they were seeking; but wheresoever they come, they spoil and lay
waste every thing_.'
A few days after intercepting this letter, they took prisoner a Spanish
horseman. Lussan says, 'We interrogated him with the usual ceremonies,
that is to say, we gave him the torture, to make him tell us what we
wanted to know.'
Many such villanies were undoubtedly committed by these banditti, more
than appear in their Narratives, or than they dared to make known. Lussan,
who writes a history of his voyage, not before the end of the second year
of his adventures in the _South Sea_, relates that they put a prisoner to
the torture; and it would have appeared as an individual instance, if he
had not, probably through inadvertence, acknowledged it to have been their
established practice. Lussan on his return to his native land, pretended
to reputation and character; and he found countenance and favour from his
superiors; it is therefore to be presumed, that he would suppress every
transaction in which he was a participator, which he thought of too deep a
nature to be received by his patrons with indulgence. A circumstance which
tended to make this set of Buccaneers worse than any that had preceded
them, was, its being composed of men of two nations between which there
has existed a constant jealousy and emulation. They were each ambitious to
outdo the other in acts of daringness, and were thereby instigated to
every kind of excess.
[Sidenote: Grogniet rejoins them.] On the 20th, near _Caldera Bay_, they
met Grogniet with sixty French Buccaneers in three canoes. Grogniet had
parted from Townley at the head of 148 men. They had made several descents
on the coast. At the _Bay of Amapalla_, they marched 14 leagues within the
coast to a gold-mine, where they took many prisoners, and a small quantity
of gold. Grogniet wished to return overland to the West-Indian Sea, but
the majority of his companions were differently inclined, and 85 quitted
him, and went to try their fortunes towards _California_. Grogniet
nevertheless persevered in the design with the remainder of his crew, to
seek some part of the coast of _New Spain_, thin of inhabitants, where
they might land unknown to the Spaniards, and march without obstruction
through the country to the shore of the _Atlantic_, without other guide
than a compass. The party they now met with, prevailed on them to defer
the execution of this project to a season of the year more favourable, and
in the mean time to unite with them.
[Sidenote: February. They divide.] In February, they set fire to the town
of _Nicoya_. Their gains by these descents were so small, that they agreed
to leave the coast of _New Spain_ and to go against _Guayaquil_; but on
coming to this determination, the English and the French fell into high
dispute for the priority of choice in the prize vessels which they
expected to take, insomuch that upon this difference they broke off
partnership. [Sidenote: Both Parties sail for the Coast of Peru.] Grogniet
however, and about fifty of the French, remained with the English, which
made the whole number of that party 142 men, and they all embarked in one
ship, the canoes not being safe for an open sea navigation. The other
party numbered 162 men, all French, and embarked in a small ship and a
_Barca longa_. The most curious circumstance attending this separation
was, that both parties persevered in the design upon _Guayaquil_, without
any proposal being made by either to act in concert. They sailed from the
coast of _New Spain_ near the end of February, not in company, but each
using all their exertions to arrive first at the place of destination.
[Sidenote: They meet again, and reunite.] They crossed the Equinoctial
line separately, but afterwards at sea accidentally fell in company with
each other again, and at this meeting they accommodated their differences,
and renewed their partnership.
[Sidenote: April.] April the 13th, they were near _Point Santa Elena_, on
the coast of _Peru_, and met there a prize vessel belonging to their old
Commander Edward Davis and his Company, but which had been separated from
him. She was laden with corn and wine, and eight of Davis's men had the
care of her. They had been directed in case of separation, to rendezvous
at the Island _Plata_; but the uncertainty of meeting Davis there, and the
danger they should incur if they missed him, made them glad to join in the
expedition against _Guayaquil_, and the provisions with which the vessel
was laden, made them welcome associates to the Buccaneers engaged in it.
[Sidenote: Attack on Guayaquil.] Their approach to the City of _Guayaquil_
was conducted with the most practised circumspection and vigilance. On
first getting sight of _Point Santa Elena_, they took in their sails and
lay with them furled as long as there was daylight. In the night they
pursued their course, keeping at a good distance from the land, till they
were to the Southward of the _Island Santa Clara_. [Sidenote: 15th.] Two
hundred and sixty men then (April the 15th) departed from the ships in
canoes. They landed at _Santa Clara_, which was uninhabited, and at a part
of the _Island Puna_ distant from any habitation, proceeding only during
the night time, and lying in concealment during the day.
[Sidenote: 18th.] In the night of the 17th, they approached the _River
Guayaquil_. At daylight, they were perceived by a guard on watch near the
entrance, who lighted a fire as a signal to other guards stationed farther
on; by whom, however, the signal was not observed. The Buccaneers put as
speedily as they could to the nearest land, and a party of the most alert
made a circuit through the woods, and surprised the guard at the first
signal station, before the alarm had spread farther. They stopped near the
entrance till night. [Sidenote: 19th. 20th.] All day of the 19th, they
rested at an Island in the river, and at night advanced again. Their
intention was to have passed the town in their canoes, and to have landed
above it, where they would be the least expected; but the tide of flood
with which they ascended the river did not serve long enough for their
purpose, and on the 20th, two hours before day, they landed a short
distance below the town, towards which they began to march; but the
ground was marshy and overgrown with brushwood. Thus far they had
proceeded undiscovered; when one of the Buccaneers left to guard the
canoes struck a light to smoke tobacco, which was perceived by a Spanish
sentinel on the shore opposite, who immediately fired his piece, and gave
alarm to the Fort and Town. This discovery and the badness of the road
caused the Buccaneers to defer the attack till daylight. The town of
_Guayaquil_ is built round a mountain, on which were three forts which
overlooked the town. [Sidenote: The City taken.] The Spaniards made a
tolerable defence, but by the middle of the day they were driven from all
their forts, and the town was left to the Buccaneers, detachments of whom
were sent to endeavour to bring in prisoners, whilst a chosen party went
to the Great Church to chant _Te Deum_.
Nine Buccaneers were killed and twelve wounded in the attack. The booty
found in the town was considerable in jewels, merchandise, and silver,
particularly in church plate, besides 92,000 dollars in money, and they
took seven hundred prisoners, among whom were the Governor and his family.
Fourteen vessels lay at anchor in the Port, and two ships were on the
stocks nearly fit for launching.
On the evening of the day that the city was taken, the Governor (being a
prisoner) entered into treaty with the Buccaneers, for the City, Fort,
Shipping, himself, and all the prisoners, to be redeemed for a million
pieces of eight, to be paid in gold, and 400 packages of flour; and to
hasten the procurement of the money, which was to be brought from _Quito_,
the Vicar General of the district, who was also a prisoner, was released.
[Sidenote: 21st.] The 21st, in the night, by the carelessness of a
Buccaneer, one of the houses took fire, which communicated to other
houses with such rapidity, that one third of the city was destroyed
before its progress was stopped. It had been specified in the treaty, that
the Buccaneers should not set fire to the town; 'therefore,' says Lussan,
'lest in consequence of this accident, the Spaniards should refuse to pay
the ransom, we pretended to believe it was their doing.'
Many bodies of the Spaniards killed in the assault of the town, remained
unburied where they had fallen, and the Buccaneers were apprehensive that
some infectious disorder would thereby be produced. [Sidenote: 24th. At
the Island Puna.] They hastened therefore to embark on board the vessels
in the port, their plunder and 500 of their prisoners, with which, on the
25th, they fell down the River to the _Island Puna_, where they proposed
to wait for the ransom.
[Sidenote: May. Grogniet dies.] On the 2d of May, Captain Grogniet died of
a wound he received at _Guayaquil_. Le Picard was afterwards the chief
among the French Buccaneers.
The 5th of May had been named for the payment of the ransom, from which
time the money was daily and with increasing impatience expected by the
Buccaneers. It was known that Spanish ships of war were equipping at
_Callao_ purposely to attack them; and also that their former Commander,
Edward Davis, with a good ship, was near this part of the coast. They were
anxious to have his company, and on the 4th, dispatched a galley to seek
him at the Island _Plata_, the place of rendezvous he had appointed for
his prize.
The 5th passed without any appearance of ransom money; as did many
following days. The Spaniards, however, regularly sent provisions to the
ships at _Puna_ every day, otherwise the prisoners would have starved; but
in lieu of money they substituted nothing better than promises. The
Buccaneers would have felt it humiliation to appear less ferocious than on
former occasions, and they recurred to their old mode of intimidation.
They made the prisoners throw dice to determine which of them should die,
and the heads of four on whom the lot fell were delivered to a Spanish
officer in answer to excuses for delay which he had brought from the
Lieutenant Governor of _Guayaquil_, with an intimation that at the end of
four days more five hundred heads should follow, if the ransom did not
arrive.
[Sidenote: 14th.] On the 14th, their galley which had been sent in search
of Davis returned, not having found him at the Island _Plata_; but she
brought notice of two strange sail being near the Cape _Santa Elena_.
[Sidenote: Edward Davis joins Le Picard.] These proved to be Edward
Davis's ship, and a prize. Davis had received intelligence, as already
mentioned, of the Buccaneers having captured _Guayaquil_, and was now come
purposely to join them. He sent his prize to the Buccaneers at _Puna_, and
remained with his own ship in the offing on the look-out.
The four days allowed for the payment of the ransom expired, and no ransom
was sent; neither did the Buccaneers execute their sanguinary threat. It
is worthy of remark, that intreaty or intercession made to this set of
Buccaneers, so far from obtaining remission or favour, at all times
produced the opposite effect, as if reminding them of their power,
instigated them to an imperious display of it. The Lieutenant Governor of
_Guayaquil_ was in no haste to fulfil the terms of the treaty made by the
Governor, nor did he importune them with solicitations, and the whole
business for a time lay at rest. The forbearance of the Buccaneers may not
unjustly be attributed to Davis having joined them.
[Sidenote: 23d.] On the 23d, the Spaniards paid to the Buccaneers as much
gold as amounted in value to 20,000 pieces of eight, and eighty packages
of flour, as part of the ransom. The day following, the Lieutenant
Governor sent word, that they might receive 22,000 pieces of eight more
for the release of the prisoners, and if that sum would not satisfy them,
they might do their worst, for that no greater would be paid them. Upon
this message, the Buccaneers held a consultation, whether they should cut
off the heads of all the prisoners, or take the 22,000 pieces of eight,
and it was determined, not unanimously, but by a majority of voices, that
it was better to take a little money than to cut off many heads.
Lussan, his own biographer and a young man, boasts of the pleasant manner
in which he passed his time at _Puna_. 'We made good cheer, being daily
supplied with refreshments from _Guayaquil_. We had concerts of music; we
had the best performers of the city among our prisoners. Some among us
engaged in friendships with our women prisoners, who were not hard
hearted.' This is said by way of prelude to a history which he gives of
his own good fortune; all which, whether true or otherwise, serves to
shew, that among this abandoned crew the prisoners of both sexes were
equally unprotected.
[Sidenote: 26th.] On the 26th, the 22,000 pieces of eight were paid to the
Buccaneers, who selected a hundred prisoners of the most consideration to
retain, and released the rest. The same day, they quitted their anchorage
at _Puna_, intending to anchor again at Point _Santa Elena_, and there to
enter afresh into negociation for ransom of prisoners: but in the evening,
two Spanish Ships of War came in sight.
The engagement which ensued, and other proceedings of the Buccaneers,
until Edward Davis parted company to return homeward by the South of
_America_, has been related. [Sidenote: See pp. 196 to 200.] It remains to
give an account of the French Buccaneers after the separation, to their
finally quitting the _South Sea_.