intelligence, that the Galleons with Plate, I then mentioned to be at
_Carthagena_ bound for_ Spain_, were cast away by a _Hirecane_; and an
evident token thereof, the _Burmudans_, our Informants, being in a
small Shallop, brought in hither about Twenty thousand pieces of
_Eight_, which they had taken in the Rack. And according to my former
to the Committee for _Jamaica_, having by a Prisoner notice, that
about Five hundred of the Enemy were landed here, and that the
Governour _Don Christopher Arnaldo Sasser_ [_sic_] was fortifying
himself at St. _Anne_ about Thirty-five miles from us, I was resolved
to give him time to fortifie so much, that he might think himself
secure enough to stand us (that we might not perpetually be put to the
toyl of hunting them in the Woods), and yet so that he might not be
able to give us any strong resistance: which accordingly being done, I
sent a Party of Stout, Well and Willing men, under the command of
Major _Richard Steevens_ to whom about Sixty of our Officers joyned,
Volunteers, exceedingly desirous of action (after so long a cessation)
who advanced to the place, very strongly situated on a Rock; as soon
as the Enemies Centinels discovered them, they threw down their Arms,
gave the Allarm to the Governour, who with the rest fled to the Woods,
leaving behinde them all their Arms and Ammunition; so, finding the
vanity of following them in the Woods and Mountains, we left them.
Before our Party came in, our Ships brought in a _Portugal_, running
into _Cuba_, who examined, told me that there were Five hundred landed
about the middle of _July_, that they had marched up the Countrey, and
finding the scarcity of provisions (contrary to what was told them)
were almost starved, had endeavoured to mutiny; and that about Three
hundred of them were by the _Spanish_ Commanders returned to a place
called the _Chareras_, in the _North_, over against _Cuba_, where they
first landed, where was their Magazine and Provisions, and more men
and Provisions dayly expected, where likewise they were fortified and
received their relief, which he had twice carried them.
Upon this intelligence, I met the Party coming home, and dismissing
about a hundred to their plantations (which wanted them) I shipped the
rest under the same command, on board the _Indian_, and went myself
with them for the better carrying on and expediting the business.
The 24 of _October_ we set sail from Cagway Point, and the thirty
stood over against the place. Early in the morning we spied a Sail
from _Cuba_ running into the place we were bound for, who had come
with relief, but told them he could not unlade himself because he saw
Ships at Sea. Our Party landed Six miles below the place intended,
there being no place nearer, and marcht on; who ere they had marched
Two miles, were saluted with a round Volley out of a wood, at which
ours, prepared for before by their Orders, never made stand, but fired
in boldly at the Ambuscade, in which the Enemy had Four wounded, we
One; the Captain with the rest made hast to their Fort, and ours so
fast after them, that onely the Captain and Four of the forty could
get in.
Our Party found them very well prepared with Matches lighted in the
Stockadoes (for that is the manner of their fortification, with great
Trees and Flankers) ours leaving a Third for a reserve, without any
gradual approaches, presently ran up to their Work, and with their
Musquets possest as much advantage, as the Enemy (the Work being not
at all Lined) between whom for the Space of near Three quarters of an
hour was a stiff dispute, till some of ours with the help of Hatchets
(which they were ordered to carry) made a Breach and entred; as soon
as the Enemy saw that, they betook themselves to run over the Rocks,
leaping into the Sea, and shifting for themselves (though the Officers
endeavoured to rally them) yet made not such hast, but that they left
One hundred and twenty, or thereabouts dead on the place, and many
wounded, amongst whom were most of the Officers; _the Mastre del Campe
Don Francis De Prencia_, by means of a Prisoner of ours, whom he kept
by him, got quarter, and some others whom we found in the Rocks whom
(though we had received barbarous usage from them) we could not kill
in cold blood.
We took here Thirty-three barrels of Powder, with Match and Bullet
proportionable, and good Store of Bread and Salt, and likewise their
Musters, their Commissaries book; which Powder, and what we took
before from the Governour, within less than Two Barrels did ballance
the Commissaries Accompt, so that they were wholly deprived of that.
And that which did more indear our Success; we had onely Four men
killed, and about Ten wounded, some whereof I have sent home, and
humbly and earnestly desire they may be provided for.
After I had refresht the men, I put them aboard again, and with small
Parties in several little Boats, Scoured all the Coast, and left them
that fled neither Boats nor time to get away; since which time some
are come in to us almost starved. The _Negroes_ formerly their Slaves,
using them roughly, and denying them Provisions, so that I saw a
Letter from _Don Francis de Liva_, the Deputy-Governor, to one of his
former Slaves, wofully bemoaning the condition of his Majesties
Infantry, and giving him the title of Worship at every word; to such a
necessity are they reduced, and we have not been idle to pursue them
in all quarters, though we now lie still for want of Shooes, if there
should any more of the Enemy come, which we have reason to expect; for
that I find by Letters, that the Governour of _Cuba_ _Don Peter de
Bayona_ being an old Souldier in _Italy_, doth not onely heartilie
solicite it, but makes a great benefit by it, having received money
from the _Vice Roy_, for the payment of Three Moneths to the
Souldiers, according to their Kings express command, whereof they
never received any; and since that, hath received Twenty thousand
pieces of _Eight_ from the _Vice Roy_ for levying more men. I shall
not fail in my endeavours to prepare for their coming, and doubt not,
but that the King of Spains lessening his Garrisons, may in time
produce good effect to our Nation.
I have sent the _Mastre del Campe_, the Colours, some Paper and
Letters; he is the onely man hereabouts, and hath chiefly advised in
this relief, and therefore I hope shall not be released till we are
better settled. I had almost forgot to acquaint your Honour that the
enemy at their first coming, sent a Lieutenant and two more, to
scatter Papers amongst our Souldiers signifying that who would come to
them, should have fair quarter and transport; who being met withall by
some of our Hunters, were all kil’d, and so that hopefull design of
theirs had no effect: And that the Governour of _Porto Rico_, having
set One hundred men to demand some _English_, living in new _Turtola_,
a Coloney of the _Dutch_, being refused to have them delivered up, was
in his return cast away by the _Hericane_, one onely _Mulatto_
escaped. The King of Spains Affairs do very much fail in these parts,
and his Trade is almost brought to nothing, by the many private Men of
War of _English_ and _French_ and ours are still abroad to annoy them.
All I have more is, onely to intreat your Honour, and all our Friends
with us, to magnifie the goodness of God, who hath given yett by his
glimmering, some hopes, that he altogether hath not forgotten us, but
doth, and will at length continue to own his Servants, who trust in
him, and to subscribe myself,
Your most Obedient and
Faithfull Servant,
EDWARD DOYLEY.
_Cagway, Feb. 3, 1657._
In spite of the fact that Doyley felt aggrieved at having been twice
superseded by Cromwell in military command (by Sedgwick and by Brayne,
both avowed followers of Cromwell) and at not being appointed actual
governor, and showed his resentment by asking to be allowed to return
home, he loyally did his best for the infant colony which fate had more
than once entrusted to his care; and it was owing to the wise and prompt
methods he pursued that the last serious attempt made by the Spaniards
to retake Jamaica was frustrated.
In the May of 1658, Spanish reinforcements of troops from Spain,
consisting of thirty small companies making in all about one thousand
men, landed at the mouth of the =Rio Novo= in St. Mary, where they
erected a fort of some strength on a rocky eminence near the sea and not
far from the west bank of the river.
The account of the occurrence given by Long, which is relied on by later
historians, is taken from the letter which Doyley sent home; and it is
better, therefore, to give the description in Doyley’s own words, which,
though not printed in the “Calendar of State Papers,” are given by
Thurloe:
Right Honourable,
[Illustration:
RIO NOVO
]
The 8th of May last the Spaniards made good my intelligence to your
honour, by landing thirty captaines, thirty alferes, and thirty
companyes of foote, at a place called Rio Nova, in the north of this
island, who were there about 12 days, before they were discovered; at
which tyme our ships playing up and downe, saw three sayle of Spanish
in that bay, and made an attempt to have boarded them; but being
becalmed could not effect it. That night the Spaniards stole away, and
a ship came out to acquaint me therewith. I immediately called a
counsell of warr, as the affair did importune; and we debated, whether
it were most advantageous to assault them presently, or let them
partake of the distemper and want of the country; and when sickness
had weakened them, to attempt them then, though much might have beene
and was urged, how invaders were to be used with delayes, &c., the
exceeding desire of the officers and soldiers to be doing with them,
cut of all debates, and termed a sudden resolution to fall on them,
before they were fortified; so I comanded out 750 officers and
souldiers; and on the 11th of June last, wee set sayle from this
harbour towards them, and on the 22d in the morning wee attempted the
landing on a bay, which was defended by 2 companies and 2 captains
within half shott of their cannon playing from their fort. Our
forelorne went on with such gallantry, and kept into the water with so
much chearfullness, that perswaded the enemy they would not be denyed
entrance, and so they ranne, leaving one of their captaines and about
23 slaine; the other were took wounded, who dyed since. Then we made
all the hast, and in a hour landed our men, their cannon playing all
the while with little successe. That day we spent in playing upon
their fort from our ships, though the place being of so vast an
height, they could bear to doe them little harme. The next day
understanding their numbers to be more than ours, we were at a stand
how to attempt them, having fortified themselves and having 6 pieces
of ordnance, and a river to passe, the depth whereof we knew not.
Wherefore after our ladders were made, and other things fitted as well
as we could, in the evening I sent a drummer, partly to discover the
depth of the river he was to passe, with this summons:
Sir, being here with the forces of the mighty prince, the protector of
England and the dominions thereunto belonging, I doe, in his name and
for his use, require and summon you to deliver up the fort of Rio
Novo, with the ordnance and amunition therein; assuring you honourable
termes and transport to your country; which, if you shall refuse, I
shall be acquitted of the bloud shall be shed. I expect the returne of
my drummer in an hower, and am,
Your very humble servant,
E. D.
For Don Christopher Arnoldo Sasi,
Commander in chiefe of the Spanish Forces.
Who was very civilly treated; the generall gave him twenty-five pieces
of eight, and sent me a jarr of sweate meates, and this answere:
Lord generall don Christopher Arnoldo & Sasi, Governor for his
majestie the king of Spayne, my lord of the island of Jamaica,
answering to your letter, wherein you require me to deliver the fort
of Rio nova, and what else is therein, I say, that his majestie, whom
God preserve, hath appointed me for governor of this island, being his
owne property, and hath remitted me unto it a regiment of Spanish
infantry, and twenty foote companies to defend it. The forts and
castles of his majestie are not yielded with so much facility
hitherto. I have received noe batteries, nor have you made any
advance. I want noe powder, ball, provisions, nor gallant men, that
know how to dye before they be overcome. God keepe your honour many
years in those commands that you desire.
Don Christopher Sasi Arnoldo.
To the generall Mons. Doyley,
governor of the forces of England, these.
Wee made noe more demurrs, but resolved to march the morrow morning:
soe I ordered two of our vessels to set sayle leeward, to perswade
them. We intended to stand on that side of them; the other ships to
warpe as neere as they could, and play in them, while wee fell on the
other side. Wee marcht as so’on as it was light, haveing two arches to
goe being through a wood on the back side of them. About a quarter of
a mile from their fort wee mett a party on a worke on a high hill,
prepared to obstruct our goeing over the river, who onely gave us a
fruitless volley, rann to their fort, and told them all the world was
comeing. Wee clymed that hill with much adoe, refreshed our weariness
and advanced. When wee came in sight of their fort, we found, to our
exceeding joy, that the work on that side was not finished to that
height, as that to the leeward. Wee ordered our business with our
forlorne ladders and handgranades, and without any further dispute
received their shott, and rann up to their flankers, which in a
quarter of an hower wee gained. Many of them made shift to runn out of
the works, and ours followed their chase about three or four miles,
doeing execution. The seamen likewise seeing of them runn along the
rocks, came out with their boats, and killed many of them.
In this fort, wee took about ten double barrels of powder, shott great
store, six peices of ordnance, great store of provisions, wyne,
brandy, salt, oyle, and other provisions for eight months, as they
termed it. There was slayne about three hundred persons, diverse
captaines, two priests, and their serjeant-major, about one hundred
taken, and six captaines, which we have sent home; the king of Spayn’s
standard and ten collours. The rest, especially the strangers, that
are in the woods, must of necessity perish. Though this mercy was very
great, yet our joy had some abatement, by the losse of capt. Wiseman,
capt. Meers, capt. lieutenant Walker, capt. lieutenant Robinson, and
ensign Ferror, men for their gallantry rather to be admired than
comended, about some twenty-three private souldiers killed, and
thirty-fower wounded, whereof some are since dead; some other of our
officers slightly wounded with stones. Thus hath the Lord made knowne
his salvation. His righteousness hath He openly shewed in the sight of
the heathen. I have sent this short narration, because it comes by
colonell Barry, who was an eye witness, and principal actor herein,
and rest
Your honour’s faithful servant,
EDW. DOYLEY.
Cagway in Jamaica the 12 July, 1658.
To the Colonel Barry, the first name mentioned in the list of Doyley’s
first Council elected in 1661, reference has been made in the chapter
dealing with Kingston.
In this action we can imagine that the soldiers played their part.
William Burough, the steward-general, wrote home on July 15, 1659: “The
ships in his Highness’s service here are the _Marston Moor_, _Grantham_,
_Cagway_, _Blackmore_, _Hector_, _Pearl_ and _Dolphin_, with upwards of
650 men all in good health. Three were slain in their late expedition to
Rio Novo. Their stay aboard was near six weeks, the soldiers about 700,
who made a great hole in the stores.”
On the 16th he wrote:
This comes by the _Martin_ to communicate our good news which he
desires may be kept from the press well knowing the Commander-in-Chief
sends a fuller account. Several letters of private persons here have
been inserted in the weekly prints “which is judged to be popularity
and a matter of great offence here.” Has seen a great deal of bloody
work in his time both by land and sea, but never saw any action
carried on with so much cheerfulness as this was, the
Commander-in-Chief, Colonel D’Oyley, telling the soldiers that a great
deal of England’s glory lay at stake, and therefore hoped they would
consider it and carry themselves accordingly, going himself from party
to party, and following the rear of the forlorn in a very signal
habit. His gallant behaviour was answered both by officers and
soldiers with a silent cheerful obedience, and through God’s gracious
goodness there was found such a joint unanimous willingness to the
work that the truth is it was of God and it hath exceedingly endeared
us one to another since we came here.
Doyley evidently had difficulty in beating round Port Morant, for he
mentions incidentally (on another occasion) that the Nevis settlers
there quartered 400 men for a week _en route_.
Among those who took part in the expedition was Captain Sibada, who had
joined Penn’s fleet from Antigua, and acted as pilot of the flagship.
The army evidently had to do its work on short commons. Burough wrote
home in November: “Stores almost spent, occasioned by entertainment of
soldiers on board the fleets in two expeditions, one to Rio Nuevo with
700 men, equal to the number of the fleet for six weeks, and 300 men in
the late expedition to find out the Spanish fleet, ten weeks. If they
had not pinched the army the fleet and garrison on the island must have
been starved.”
Hickeringill tells us that Doyley at Rio Novo made amends for the loss
of British honour at Hispaniola:
to whom our Nation in some measures stands indebted for the Reprizal
of the Honour at Rio Novo which was so shamefully Lost under the
Debauch’d conduct of General Venables in Hispaniola: the Spaniards
till then having so mean and despicable Thoughts of English Courage,
that upon the Onset at Rio Novo they upbraided our Men with the
opprobrious mention of Sancto Domingo, till the repeated Assay of
their Valour, disicplin’d them into better manners.
For though the number of the Spanish Forces at Rio Novo doubled the
English (being sent from Cuba to reinforce and settle the Island) and
those strongly Entrenched, yet such was the enraged earnestness of the
Soldiery to redeem their wounded Honours, that (regardless of all odds
and disadvantages) they storm’d them in their Trenches with a
resolution as undaunted as the success was prosperous. Hereby not only
retrieving the Prestine Fame of their Country-men; but also hitherto
frustrating all hopes in the Spaniards of further Attempts to regain
the Island.
Sir Hans Sloane, in his account of his visit to the north side of
Jamaica in 1688, says: “I went from St. _Anns_ towards St. _Georges_,
where I crossed the river called _Rio Nuevo_. I saw the old _Spanish_
Fortifications, whither the Spaniards retreated and kept themselves till
they were carried to _Cuba_, where they, for the most part, settled
about a place called _St. Jago_. Colonel _Ballard_, who was present at
the taking of the Island, assured me that the _Spaniards_ (who inhabited
the Island to the number of Five thousand, with as many Blacks) retired
to the North-side, where Seven hundred fortified themselves very well,
but were beat in their Forts by so many _English_. The Governour was an
old decrepid Man, who was brought to them in an _Hamaca_, his name was
_Don Juan Ramires de Arellano Cavalero del Habito de S. Jago_. They held
it out in this North-side for some time.”
In the beginning of the year 1660, Long tells us, Doyley was informed by
the friendly negroes that his old opponent Sasi, unwilling to resign his
pretensions to the government so long as he could maintain the least
party or show of authority, was lying _perdu_ on the north side of the
island. Doyley ordered out a detachment under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel Tyson, consisting of eighty officers and soldiers,
and twenty-one of the revolted Spanish blacks; which, after a tedious
march across the mountains, found Sasi in a swampy place, now part of
=Shaw Park=, with one hundred and thirty-three men. Sasi himself was
then old and infirm, but his second in command was an experienced
soldier, who had served in Spain and had engaged in this new service in
consideration of double pay, and a promise of succeeding to the chief
command after the governor’s death.
The English advanced upon them with intrepidity, and at the first onset
the Spanish lieutenant-general received a lance-wound, of which he died
in two hours. On the loss of this able leader, upon whom all their hopes
had been fixed, the whole of the little army was panic-stricken. Sasi
was one of the first to retreat, and “ran so nimbly as to save himself
from being taken.” Several, however, were made prisoners, and about
fifty officers and soldiers slain on the part of the Spaniards, without
any loss to the victorious side. The negroes were extremely active and
dexterous in catching the fugitives. Long goes on to say:
The unfortunate old Governor, being now reduced to the last extremity,
and studious only for the preservation of life, sent commissioners to
treat on his behalf; and was permitted to retire to Cuba.
After this exploit the English proceeded to Chereiras Bay, where a
vessel lay at anchor, which the Spaniards had formerly taken and
employed to bring them monthly supplies of provision from Cuba, such
as cassada-bread, sweet-meats, chocolate and other conveniences. The
better to secure her from being surprised they kept several scouts at
some distance from the shore, to reconnoitre the country, and give the
alarm upon the approach of any enemy. Colonel Tyson had intelligence
of this caution; and disposing his men on different ambuscades, found
means to secure all the scouts one after another; after which he
concerted his measures so well as to make himself master of the
vessel, on board of which he found twenty officers and soldiers, who
were all taken prisoners.
The few remaining Spaniards who had eluded the search of the English
forces, embraced the first convenient opportunity of making their
escape from the Island, leaving about thirty of their negro slaves
behind, who secreted themselves in the mountains and afterwards
entered into alliance with other unsubdued banditti.
It is to be regretted that Tyson, who acquitted himself so nobly on this
occasion, shortly afterwards gave occasion to Doyley to have him shot,
as has been described in the chapter dealing with St. Catherine.
In his account Bridges says that “The British troops pursued him [Sasi]
to a little bay about eight miles to the westward of the ruins of
Seville; thence he escaped in a Canoe and ended his days in the bosom of
peace and Christianity, by retiring to a monastery in Spain.” The spot
from whence he embarked still retains the name of =Runaway Bay=.
In Modyford’s “View” of 1664 there is no reference to St. Ann. It first
appears in the same governor’s “Survey” of 1670; the other new parishes
being St. George, St. Mary, St. Elizabeth and St. James.
The parish is said to have been named after Anne Hyde, wife of James
Duke of York. If Roby is right in this, the correct spelling of the name
of the parish would be St. Anne, as indeed Long and others spell it.
Not more than a mile to the west of St. Ann’s Bay is the site of the
first capital of the island, =Sevilla Nueva=, or “Sevilla d’Oro,” as it
was afterwards called. This town was founded by Juan d’Esquivel, the
first Spanish governor of Jamaica, he having been commissioned and sent
over by Diego Columbus (Christopher’s son), the hereditary viceroy of
the New World, to establish a colony there. Esquivel arrived in Jamaica
in November 1509, accompanied by a number of the viceroy’s friends.
“Bringing with them the refinements of taste and the means of displaying
it, they assisted in the foundation of Sevilla Nueva, whose fame long
attested its superiority over every other town which has since been
built here.” The town contained many buildings worthy of note, amongst
which were a monastery, a cathedral, a theatre and many palaces. Sevilla
did not long, however, continue the capital, having been abandoned for
St. Jago de la Vega. The reason for the change is not quite agreed upon;
some say that it was owing to the Spanish inhabitants of Sevilla having
in their wars with the natives been suddenly and entirely cut off, and
others assigned the desertion to “a visitation of innumerable ants” that
destroyed all the provision grounds of the people and compelled them to
find a home elsewhere. Bridges, however, attributes the abandonment to
the depredations of the French filibusters, and states that “the
northern coast of Jamaica afforded frequent spoils to this bold band of
corsairs.”