Before I enter on the adventures of this pirate I must take notice to
the reader of the reasons which made me not continue the life of Misson.
In reading the notes, which I have by me, relating to Capt. Tew, I found
him joined with Misson; and that I must be either guilty of repetition,
or give an account of Tew in Misson’s life, which is contrary to the
method I proposed, that of giving a distinct relation of every pirate
who has made any figure: and surely Tew, in point of gallantry, was
inferior to none, and may justly claim a particular account of his
actions. However, before I enter on the life of this pirate, I shall
continue that of Misson to the time that these two commanders met.
The blacks seeing them so much on their guard, brought out boiled rice
and fowls, and after they had satisfied their hunger, the chief made
signs that they were the same who had carried a negro to their ships,
and sent for the axe and piece of baize they had given him. While this
passed, the very negro came from hunting, who seemed overjoyed to see
them. The chief made signs that they might return, and ten negroes
coming to them, laden with fowls and kids, he gave them to understand,
they should accompany them to their ships with these presents. They
parted very amicably, and in hopes of settling a good correspondence
with these natives. All the houses were neatly framed and jointed, not
built from any foundation, but so made, that half a dozen men could lift
and transport them from place to place. The hunters, returning to their
ships, with these presents and negroes, were joyfully received; and the
negroes were not only caressed, but laden with baize, iron kettles, and
rum, besides the present of a cutlass for the chief.
While the negroes stayed, which was the space of three days, they
examined and admired the forts and growing town, in which all hands were
busied, and not even the prisoners excused.
As Misson apprehended no danger from the land, his fort, though of wood,
being, he thought, a sufficient defence to his infant colony, he took
160 hands, and went a second time on the coast of Zanguebar, and off
Quiloa he gave chase to a large ship which lay by for him. She proved an
over-match for the Victoire, which engaged her, with great loss of men,
near eight glasses; but finding he was more likely to be taken, than to
make a prize, by the advice of his officers and men, endeavoured to
leave the Portuguese, which was a 50 gun ship, and had 300 men on board;
but he found this attempt vain, for the Portuguese sailed as well as the
Victoire, and her commander, who was a resolute and brave man, seeing
him endeavour to shake him off, clapped him on board, but lost most of
the men he entered. Misson’s crew, not used to be attacked, and
expecting no quarter, fought so desperately, that they not only
thoroughly cleared their decks, but some of them followed the
Portuguese, who leaped into their own ship; which Misson seeing, hoped
to make an advantage of their despair, and crying out, _Elle est a nous,
a l’abordage_—_She’s our own, board, board her_—so many of his men
followed the few, that hardly were there enough left to work the ship.
Misson, observing the resolution of his men, grappled the Portuguese
ship, and leaped on board himself, crying out, _la mort, ou la
victoire_—_death or victory_. The Portuguese, who thought themselves in
a manner conquerors, seeing the enemy not only drive off those who
entered them, but board with such resolution, began to quit the decks in
spite of their officers. The captain and Misson met, as he was
endeavouring to hinder the flight of his men. They engaged with equal
bravery with their cutlasses: but Misson striking him on the neck, he
fell down the main hatch, which put an end to the fight, for the
Portuguese seeing their captain fall, threw down their arms, and called
for quarters, which was granted; and all the prisoners without
distinction being ordered between decks, and the powder rooms secured,
he put 35 men on board the prize, and made the best of his way to
Libertatia. This was the dearest prize he ever made, for he lost 56 men.
She was vastly rich in gold, having near £200,000 sterling on board,
being her own and the cargo of her companion, which was lost upon the
coast, of whose crew she had saved one hundred men out of 120, the rest
being lost by endeavouring to swim ashore. This was the reason that the
prize was so well manned, and proved so considerable.
Being within sight of Madagascar, they spied a sloop which stood for
them, and when in gun shot, threw out black colours, and fired a gun to
windward. Misson brought too, fired another to leeward, and hoisted out
his boat, which the sloop perceiving, lay by for. Misson’s lieutenant
went on board, and was received very civilly by Capt. Tew, who was the
commander, to whom the lieutenant gave a short account of their
adventures and new settlement, inviting him very kindly on board Capt.
Misson. Tew told him, he could not consent to go with him till he had
the opinion of his men. In the mean while, Misson coming along side,
hailed the sloop, and invited the captain on board, desiring his
lieutenant would stay as a hostage, if they were in the least jealous of
him, which they had no reason to be, since he was of force so much
superior, that he need not employ stratagem. This determined the company
on board the sloop, who advised their captain to go with the lieutenant,
whom they would not suffer to stay behind, to show the greater
confidence in their new friends.
My reader may be surprised that a single sloop should venture to give
chase to two ships of such countenance as were the Victoire and her
prize; but this wonder will cease, when he is acquainted with the
sequel.
Capt. Tew, after being handsomely regaled on board the Victoire, and
thoroughly satisfied, returned on board his sloop, gave an account of
what he had learned, and his men consenting, he gave orders to steer the
same course with Misson, whose settlement it was agreed to visit. I
shall here leave them to give an account of Capt. Tew.
Mr. Richier, governor of Bermuda, fitted out two sloops on the privateer
account, commanded by Capt. George Drew, and Capt. Thomas Tew, with
instructions to make the best of their way to the river Gambia, in
Africa, and there, with the advice and assistance of the agent for the
royal African company, to attempt the taking the French factory of Goree
on that coast.
The above commanders having their commissions and instructions from the
governor, took their departure from Bermuda, and kept company some time;
but Drew springing his mast, and a violent storm coming upon them, they
lost each other.
Tew being separated from his consort, thought of providing for his
future ease, by making one bold push; and accordingly, calling all hands
on deck, he spoke to them to this purpose.
“That they were not ignorant of the design with which the governor
fitted them out: the making and destroying the French factory; that he,
indeed, readily agreed to take a commission to this end, though contrary
to his judgment, because it was for the sake of being employed; but that
he thought it a very injudicious expedition, which, did they succeed in,
would be of no use to the public, and only be of advantage to a private
company of men, from whom they could expect no reward for their bravery;
that he could see nothing but danger in the undertaking, without the
least prospect of booty; that he could not suppose any man fond of
fighting for fighting’s sake; and few ventured their lives, but with
some view either of particular interest or public good: but here was not
the least appearance of either. Wherefore, he was of opinion, that they
should turn their thoughts on what might better their circumstances; and
if they were so inclined, he would undertake to shape a course which
should lead them to ease and plenty, in which they might pass the rest
of their days. That one bold push would do their business, and they
might return home, not only without danger, but even with reputation.”
The crew finding he expected their resolution, cried one, and all, “_A
gold chain or a wooden leg—we’ll stand by you_.”
Hearing this, he desired they would choose a quarter-master, who might
consult with him for the common good; which was accordingly done.
I must acquaint the reader, that on board the West-India privateers and
free-booters, the quarter-master’s opinion is like the Mufti’s among the
Turks: the captain can undertake nothing which the quarter-master does
not approve. We may say the quarter-master is a humble imitation of the
Roman tribune of the people; he speaks for, and looks after the interest
of the crew.
Tew, now, instead of proceeding on his voyage to Gambia, shaped his
course for the Cape of Good Hope, which doubling, he steered for the
straits of Babelmandel, entering into the Red Sea, where they came up
with a lofty ship bound from the Indies to Arabia; she was richly laden,
and as she was to clear the coasts of rovers, five more, extremely rich
(one especially in gold) being to follow her, she had 300 soldiers on
board, besides her seamen.
Tew, on making this ship, told his men she carried their fortunes, which
they would find no difficulty to take possession of; for though he was
satisfied she was full of men, and was mounted with a great number of
guns, they wanted the two things necessary, skill and courage: and,
indeed, so it proved, for he boarded and carried her without loss, every
one taking more care to run from danger, than to exert himself in the
defence of his goods.
In rummaging this prize, the pirates threw over a great many rich bales,
to search for gold, silver and jewels; and having taken what they
thought proper, together with the powder, part of which (as being more
than they could handsomely stow) they threw into the sea, they left her,
sharing £3000 sterling a man.
Encouraged by this success, Capt. Tew proposed going in quest of the
other five ships, of which he had intelligence from the prize; but the
quarter-master opposing him. He was obliged to drop the design, and
steer for Madagascar.
Here the quarter-master finding this island productive of all the
necessaries of life; and the air was wholesome, soil fruitful, and the
sea abounding with fish, proposed settling; but only three and twenty of
the crew came into the proposal: the rest stayed with Captain Tew, who
having given the new settlers their share of plunder, designed to return
to America, as they afterwards did; but spying, the Victoire and her
prize, he thought he might, by their means, return somewhat richer, and
resolved to speak with them, as I have already said.
Tew and his company having taken the above resolution of visiting
Monsieur Misson’s colony, arrived with him, and was not a little
surprised to see his fortifications.
When they came under the first fort, they saluted it with nine guns, and
were answered by an equal number. All the prisoners, at their coming to
an anchor, were suffered to come up, a privilege they had never before
granted them, on account of the few hands left them, except two or three
at a time.
[Illustration: The Victoire engages a Portuguese Ship. Page 78.]
The joy those ashore expressed at the sight of so considerable a prize
as they judged her at first sight, was vastly allayed, when they heard
how dear a purchase she had proved to them. However, the reinforcement
of the sloop made some amends. Capt. Tew was received by Caraccioli and
the rest, with great civility and respect, who did not a little admire
his courage, both in attacking the prize he made, and afterwards in
giving chase to Misson. He was called to the council of officers, which
was immediately held, to consider what methods should be taken with the
prisoners, who were, by 190 brought in by this new prize, near as
numerous as those of his own party, though Tew joined them with 70 men.
It was therefore resolved to keep them separate from the Portuguese and
English, who were before taken, to make them believe they were in amity
with a prince of the natives, who was very powerful, and to propose to
them, at their choice, the assisting the new colony in their works, or
being sent prisoners up the country, if they rejected entering in with
them. Seventy-three took on, and the rest desired they might be any way
employed rather than be sent up the country; 117 then were set to work
upon a dock, which was laid out about half a mile above the mouth of the
harbour, and the other prisoners were forbid to pass such bounds as were
prescribed then on pain of death; lest they, knowing their own strength,
should revolt; for I must acquaint the reader, that on the arrival of
the Victoire, both their loss and the number of Portuguese they brought
in, was known to none but themselves, and the number of those who came
over, magnified; besides, the Johanna men were all armed and
disciplined, and the Bijoux lay as a guard-ship, where the last
prisoners were set to work; but while they provided for their security,
both within and without, they did not neglect providing also for their
support, for they dug and sowed a large plat of ground with Indian and
European corn, and other seeds which they found on board their prizes.
In the mean while, Caraccioli, who had the art of persuasion, wrought on
many of the Portuguese, who saw no hopes of returning home to join them.
Misson, who could not be easy in an inactive life, would have taken
another cruise; but fearing the revolt of the prisoners, durst not
weaken the colony by the hands he must necessarily take with him.
Wherefore, he proposed giving the last prize to, and sending away the
prisoners. Caraccioli and Capt. Tew were against it, saying, that it
would discover their retreat, and cause their being attacked by the
Europeans, who had settlements along the continent, before they were
able to defend themselves. Misson replied, he could not bear to be
always diffident of those about him; that it was better to die at once,
than live in continual apprehensions of death: that the time was come
for sending away the Johanna men, and that they could not go without a
ship; neither durst he trust a ship out, not well manned, nor man her
while so many prisoners were with him. Wherefore there was a necessity
of sending them off, or of putting them all to the sword; a barbarity by
which he would not purchase his security. A council was called, and what
Capt. Misson had proposed, agreed to. The prisoners were then summoned,
and he told them, in few words, that he knew the consequence of giving
them liberty; that he expected to be attacked as soon as the place of
his retreat was known, and had it in his hands by putting them to death,
to avoid the doubtful fate of war; but his humanity would not suffer him
to entertain a thought so cruel, and his alliances with the natives, he
hoped, would enable him to repel his assailants; but he required an oath
of every one, that he should not serve against him. He then inquired
into the circumstances of every particular man, and what they had lost,
all which he returned, telling the company it should be reckoned as part
of his share; and the prisoners, that he did not make war with the
oppressed, but the oppressors. The prisoners were charmed with this mark
of generosity, and wished he might never meet a treatment unworthy of
that he gave them. The ship victualled for a voyage to the coast of
Zanguebar, all her guns and ammunition taken out with the spare sails,
and spare rigging, all were ordered to be gone; and 137 departed, highly
applauding the behaviour of their enemies. All this while they had heard
nothing from the natives, nor had the hunting parties met with any of
them, which made Misson suspect they were afraid of his being their
neighbour, and had shifted their quarters; but as the Johanna men were
upon going away, there came about 50 negroes to them, driving about 100
head of black cattle, 20 negro men bound, and 25 women, for which cattle
and prisoners they bartered rum, hatchets, baize, and beads; some
hogsheads of which last commodity they had taken on the coast of Angola.
Here the negroes belonging to Misson were provided with wives: the
natives were caressed, and to the slaves signs made that their liberty
was given them; they were immediately clothed and put under the care of
as many whites, who, by all possible demonstrations, endeavoured to make
them understand that they were enemies to slavery. The natives stayed
ten days, which retarded the departure of the Johanna men; but, upon
their retiring, the Bijoux sailed with 100 of them on board, under the
command of Caraccioli’s lieutenant, who excused the keeping them longer
than was promised, and not bringing them at once, having no more than
two ships. The Portuguese ship, which was unrigged, being made a hulk,
the ten men of Misson’s company who had settled at Johanna, being
desirous to return, were brought to Libertatia with their wives (of
which they had two or three a piece) and their children. The Bijoux, at
two more voyages, carried over the rest of the Johannians.
Misson hove down the Bijoux, and resolving on a cruise on the coast of
Guinea, to strengthen his colony by the capture of some slaving ship, he
gave the command of her to Capt. Tew, and he and Caraccioli pressed the
work of the dock. He gave him also 200 hands, of which 40 were
Portuguese, 37 negroes, 17 of them expert sailors, 30 English, and the
rest French. Tew met with nothing in his way, till he came to the
northward of the Cape of Good Hope, when he fell in with a Dutch
East-India galley of 18 guns, which he took after a small resistance,
and with the loss of one man only. On the coast of Angola he took an
English Guinea-man with 240 slaves, men, women, and boys. The negroes
who had been before taken on this coast, found among these a great many
of their acquaintance, and several of their relations, to whom they
reported their unexpected change of fortune, the great captain (for so
they now called Misson) having humanely knocked off their chains, and of
slaves made them free men, and sharers in his fortunes: that the same
good fortune had attended them in their falling into his hands, for he
abhorred even the name of slavery. Tew, following the orders and
acquainted with the policy of Misson, ordered the fetters and handcuffs
to be taken off, upon his negro sailors assuring him they would not
revolt, and were sensible of their happiness in falling into his hands.
Content with these prizes, he made the best of his way home to
Libertatia where he arrived without any sinister accident; but I forgot
to tell my reader, that he set his Dutch prisoners (nine excepted, who
took on with him) ashore, about 30 miles to the northward of the Cape of
Saldanha Bay, where had been buried, by Capt. Misson, the English
commander. He found a great quantity of English crowns on board his
Dutch prize, which were carried into the common treasury; money being of
no use where every thing was in common, and no hedge bounded any
particular man’s property. The slaves he had released in this last
cruise were employed in perfecting the dock, and treated on the footing
of free people. They were not ignorant of the change of their condition,
and were therefore extremely diligent and faithful. A white man, or one
of the old standing negroes, wrought with every four, and made them
understand the French words (by often repetition, and the help of their
countrymen’s interpreting) used in their works Misson ordered a couple
of sloops to be built in a creek, of eighty tons each, which he mounted
with eight guns a piece, out of a Dutch prize. These were perfected in a
little time, and proved not only shapely vessels, but excellent sailers.
The officers of these sloops were chosen by balloting, and as their
first design was only to discover and lay down a chart of the coast,
sands, shoals, and depth of water round the island of Madagascar, the
schoolmaster being sent with the command of one, Tew desired and had the
other. They were manned, each sloop with 50 white and 50 black men:
which voyage round the island was of vast advantage in giving the new
released Angola negroes a notion of working a vessel;—and they were very
industrious both in endeavouring to learn the French language, and to be
useful. These sloops, the one of which was called the Childhood, and the
other the Liberty, were near four months on this expedition. In the mean
while, a few of the natives had come often to the settlement, and began
to speak a little French, mixed with the other European languages, which
they heard among Misson’s people, and six of the native families fixed
among them, which was of vast use to the planters of this colony; for
they made a very advantageous report to their countrymen of the
regularity and harmony they observed in them. The sloops having
returned, and an exact chart taken of the coast, Caraccioli had a mind
for a cruise. He proposed visiting all the neighbouring islands, and
accordingly went out to Mascarenhas, and the other islands near it,
taking one half of his crew of negroes, and returned with a Dutch prize,
which he took off the above mentioned island where they were about
fixing a colony. This prize, as it had on board all sorts of European
goods, and necessaries for settling, was more valuable than if it had
been vastly richer. The negroes growing useful hands, Misson resolved on
a cruise to the northward, encouraged by Tew’s success; and with all the
blacks, which he divided between the two ships, one of which Capt. Tew
commanded set out with 500 men. Off the coast of Arabia Felix they fell
in with a ship belonging to the Great Mogul, bound for Zidon, with
pilgrims to Mecca, who, with Moor mariners, made up the number of 1600
souls. This ship carried 110 guns, but made a very poor defence, being
encumbered with the goods and number of passengers they carried. The two
adventurers did not think it their business to cannonade, they therefore
boarded as soon as they came up with her, and the Moors no sooner saw
them entered, but they discharged one volley of small arms at random, we
may suppose, because no execution was done, and fled the decks. Being
masters of this ship, which did not cost them a single man, they
consulted what they should do with her, and the prisoners, and it was
resolved to set them ashore between Ain and Aden.
They now made the best of their way for Madagascar, putting 200 hands on
board the prize, which proved a very heavy sailer, and retarded them
very much. Off the Cape Guarde Fin they were overtaken with a cruel
storm, which was near wrecking them on the island called Irmanos; but
the wind coming about due north, they had the good luck to escape this
danger. Though the fury of the wind abated, yet it blew so hard for
twelve days together, that they could only carry their coursers reefed.
They spied a sail in their passage, but the weather would not permit
their endeavouring to speak with her. In a word, they returned to
Libertatia with their prize, without any other accident; but the captors
could make no estimate of her value, she having on board a vast quantity
of diamonds, besides rich silks, raw silks, spices, carpets, wrought and
bar gold. The prize was taken to pieces, as she was of no use; her
cordage and knee timber preserved, with all the bolts, eyes, chains, and
other iron work, and her guns planted on two points of the harbour,
where they raised batteries, so that they were now so strongly fortified
they apprehended no danger from any number of shipping which could be
brought into those seas to attack them. They had, by this time, cleared,
sown, and enclosed a good parcel of ground, and taken in a quantity of
pasturage, where they had above 300 head of black cattle, bought of the
natives. The dock was now finished, and the Victoire growing old and
unfit for a long voyage, and the last storm having shook, and loosened
her very much, she was pulled to pieces and rebuilt, keeping the same
name. She was rigged, victualled, and fit to go to sea, and was to sail
to the coast of Guinea for more negroes, when one of the sloops came in,
which had been sent out rather to exercise the negroes, than with any
view of making a prize, and brought word that five lofty ships chased
her into the bay, and stood for their harbour; that she judged them to
be Portuguese by their built, and 50 gun ships, full of men. This proved
the real truth. The alarm was given, the forts and batteries manned, and
every man stood to his arms. Misson took upon him the command of 100
negroes, who were well disciplined, (for every morning they had been
used to perform their exercise, which was taught them by a French
serjeant, one of their company, who belonged to the Victoire) to be
ready where his assistance should be required, Tew commanded all the
English. They had hardly ordered their affairs when these ships hove in
sight, and stood directly for the harbour with Portuguese colours. They
were warmly received by the two forts, which did not stop them, though
it brought one of them on the careen. They entered the harbour, and
thought they had done their business, but were saluted so warmly from
the forts, batteries, sloops, and ships, that two of them sunk
downright, and a great many men were drowned, though some got on board
the other ships. The Portuguese, who did not imagine they had been so
well fortified, and thought in passing the two forts they should without
difficulty land their men, and easily root out this nest of pirates,
found now their mistake, for they durst not venture to hoist out a boat.
They had wisely, however, contrived to enter just before the turn of the
tide. Finding the attempt vain, and that they had lost a great many men,
they clapped upon a wind, and with the help of the tide of ebb, made
more haste out than they did to get in, leaving two of their ships sunk
in the harbour; but they did not get off so cheaply, for no sooner were
they clear of the forts, but Misson, manning with the utmost expedition
both the ships and sloops, gave them chase, and engaged them at the
mouth of the bay. The Portuguese defended themselves with a great deal
of gallantry, and one of them beat off the Libertatians twice, who
boarded them from the two sloops; two of them, finding themselves hard
pressed made a running fight, and got off, and left the third to shift
as well as she could. The Bijoux and Victoire finding the Portuguese
endeavoured to clear themselves and knowing there was little to be got
by the captures, gave over the chase, and fell upon the third, who
defended himself till his decks swam with blood, and the greater number
of his men killed; but finding all resistance vain, and that he was left
to an unequal fight by his companions, he called for quarter, and good
quarter was given, both to himself and men. This prize yielded them a
great quantity of powder and shot, and, indeed, they expected nothing of
value out of her. None of the prisoners were stripped, and the officers,
Misson, Caraccioli, and Tew invited to their tables, treating them very
civilly, and extolling the courage they had shown in their defence.
Unhappily two prisoners were found on board, who had been released, and
had sworn never to serve against them; these were clapped in irons, and
publicly tried for their perjury. The Portuguese officers being present,
the witnesses proved them the very discharged men, and they were
condemned to be hanged at the point of each fort; which execution was
performed the next morning after their condemnation, with the assistance
of the Portuguese chaplain, who attended, confessed, and absolved them.
This was the engagement with the pirates, which made so much noise in
the Lisbon Gazette, and these the men whom the English ignorantly took
for Avery; who, we had a notion here in London, had 32 sail of men of
war, and had taken upon himself the state and title of king.
This execution seeming to impugn the maxims of the chiefs, Caraccioli
made an harangue, in which he told them, “that there was no rule could
be laid down which did not allow exceptions: that they were all sensible
how tender the Commodore Monsieur Misson was in shedding blood; and that
it was a tenet of his faith, that none had power over the life of
another, but God alone who gave it; but notwithstanding,
self-preservation sometimes made it absolutely necessary to take away
the life of another, especially an avowed and obliged enemy, even in
cold blood. As to the blood shed in a lawful war, in defence of that
liberty they had generously asserted, it was needless to say any thing,
but he thought it proper to lay before them reasons for the execution of
the criminals, and the heinousness of their crimes. They had not only
received their lives from the bounty of the Libertatians, but their
liberty, and had every thing restored them which they laid claim to;
consequently their ingratitude rose in proportion to the generous
treatment they had met with: that indeed, both he and Capt. Misson would
have passed by the perjury and ingratitude which they had been guilty
of, with a corporeal punishment, which had not extended to the
deprivation of life, but their gallant friend and companion, the English
commander, Capt. Tew, used such cogent reasons for an exemplary
punishment, to deter others from the like crimes, that they must have
been enemies to their own preservation in not following his advice: that
the lives of their whole body ought to be preferred to those of declared
and perjured enemies, who would not cease to endeavour their ruin; and,
as they were well acquainted with their settlement, might be fatal
instruments of it, if they were again restored to that liberty which
they had already abused: that he was obliged to do Capt. Tew the
justice, to acknowledge he was inclined to the side of mercy, till he
was thoroughly informed of the blackness of their ingratitude, and then
he thought it would be cruelty to themselves to let those miscreants
experience a second time their clemency. Thus an absolute necessity had
obliged them to act contrary to their declared principles; though, to
state the case rightly, these men, not the Libertarians, were the
authors of their own deaths.” Here the assembly crying out, “_their
blood is on their own heads, they sought their deaths, and hanging is
too good for them_;” Caraccioli gave over, and every one returned
satisfied to his private or the public affairs.
Some difference arising between Misson’s and Tew’s men, on a national
quarrel, which the latter began, Capt. Tew proposed their deciding the
quarrel by the sword; but Caraccioli was entirely against it, alleging,
that such decision must necessarily be a damage to the public, since the
brave men who fell, would be weakening of their colony. He therefore
desired Capt. Tew to interpose the authority he had over his crew, and
he and Misson would endeavour to bring their men to an amicable
agreement; and for the future, as this accident proved the necessity,
wholesome laws should be made, and a form of government entered upon.
Both parties were therefore called, and Caraccioli showed them the
necessity of their living in unity among themselves, who had the whole
world for enemies; and as he had a persuasive and insinuating way of
argument, with the assistance of Capt. Tew, this affair was ended to the
satisfaction of both parties.
The next day the whole colony was assembled, and the three commanders
proposed a form of government as necessary to their conservation; for
where there was no coercive laws, the weakest would always be the
sufferers, and every thing must tend to confusion: that men’s passions,
blinding them to justice, and making them ever partial to themselves,
they ought to submit the differences which might rise to calm and
disinterested persons who could examine with temper, and determine
according to reason and equity: that they looked upon a democratical
form, where the people were themselves the makers and judges of their
own laws, the most agreeable; and therefore, desired they would divide
themselves into companies of ten men, and every such company choose one
to assist in settling a form of government, and in making wholesome laws
for the good of the whole: that the treasure and cattle they were
masters of should be equally divided, and such lands as any particular
man would enclose, should, for the future, be deemed his property, which
no other should lay any claim to, if not alienated by a sale.
This proposal was received with applause, and they decimated themselves
that very day, but put off the meeting of the states till a house was
built, which they set about very cheerfully, and finished it in about a
fortnight; it being of framed timber, and they having among them a great
number who understood the handling of an axe.
When this body of politicians met, Caraccioli opened the sessions with a
handsome speech, showing the advantage flowing from order; and then
spoke to the necessity of lodging a supreme power in the hands of one
who should have that of rewarding brave and virtuous actions, and of
punishing the vicious, according to the laws which the state should
make; by which he was to be guided: that such a power, however, should
not be for life, nor be hereditary, but determine at the end of three
years, when a new choice should be made by the state, or the old
confirmed for three years longer; by which means, the ablest men would
always be at the head of affairs, and their power being of short
duration, none would dare to abuse it: that such a chief should have the
title of _Lord Conservator_, and all the ensigns of royalty to attend
him.
This was approved _nem. con._ and Misson was chosen conservator, with
power to create great officers, &c. and with the title of _Supreme
Excellence_.
A law was then made for the meeting of the State once every year at
least, but oftener, if the conservator and his council thought it
necessary for the common good to convene them; and that nothing of
moment should be undertaken without the approbation of the State.
In a word their first session lasted ten days; and a great many
wholesome laws were enacted, registered in the state book, and dispersed
among the crews.
Capt. Tew, the conservator honoured with the title of Admiral, and
Caraccioli was made Secretary of State. He chose a council of the ablest
among them, without distinction of nation or colour; and the different
languages began to be incorporated, and one made out of the many. An
equal division was made of their treasure and cattle, and every one
began either to enclose land for himself, or his neighbour who would
hire his assistance.
Admiral Tew proposed building an arsenal, and augmenting their naval
force. The first was agreed to be proposed to the State at the next
convention; but the latter was thought unnecessary, till the number of
inhabitants was augmented; for, should they all be employed in the sea
service, the husbandry would be neglected, which would be of fatal
consequence to the growing colony.
The Admiral then proposed the fetching in those Englishmen who had
followed the quarter-master; but the council rejected this, alleging,
that as they deserted their captain, it was a mark of a mutinous temper,
and they might infect others with a spirit of disorder; that, however,
they might have notice given them of the settlement, and if they made it
their earnest entreaty to be admitted, and would desert the
quarter-master, it should be granted as a particular favour done them,
at the instance of the Admiral, and upon his engaging his parole of
honour for their quiet behaviour.
The Admiral then desired he might take a cruise; that he hoped to meet
with some East-India ships, and bring in some volunteers, for the number
of subjects being the riches of a nation, he thought the colony stood
more in need of men, than of any thing else; that he would lie in the
way of the Cape, and did not question doing good service; and as he went
to the northward, would call upon his own men.
The Victoire was according to the Admiral’s desire fitted out, and in a
few days he sailed with 300 men on board. He came to an anchor at the
settlement his men had made, hoisted an English ensign in his fore
shrouds, and fired a gun; but after he had waited some time, perceiving
no signal from the shore, he landed and sent back his boat. Soon after
the boat returned towards the ship, two of his men came up to him, to
whom he gave an account of Misson’s settlement. They invited him into
the wood to see that of theirs, and to advise with their companions,
about the proposed migration. The governor, alias quarter-master,
received him mighty civilly, but told him, that he could see no
advantage to themselves in changing their present situation, though they
might prove a great one to the new colony, by adding to their force so
many brave fellows: that they there enjoyed all the necessaries of life;
were free and independent of all the world; and it would be madness
again to subject themselves to any government, which, however mild,
still exerted some power. That he was governor for three months, by the
choice of his companions; but his power extended no farther than to the
judging in matters of small difference which might arise, which he hoped
to do impartially while his authority continued; that they had agreed
among themselves, and confirmed that agreement by oath to support the
decrees of the governor for the time, that their tranquility might not
be disturbed by the humour of any one man: and that this power of
determining, was to devolve at the expiration of three months, to him on
whom the lot should fall by balloting, provided he had not before
enjoyed the honour, for such a one was not to draw; by which agreement,
every one would be raised, in time, to the supreme command, which
prevented all canvassing and making interest for votes, as when
determined by suffrage; left no opening for making divisions and
parties, and was a means to continue to them that repose inseparable
from an unity among themselves. However, continued he, “if you will go
to America or Europe, and show the advantage which may accrue to the
English, by fixing a colony here, out of that love we bear our country,
and to wipe away the odious appellation of pirates, with pleasure we
will submit to any who shall come with a commission from a lawful
government; but it is ridiculous to think we will become subjects to
greater rogues than ourselves.”
Capt. Tew finding the quarter-master spoke the sentiments of his
companions, took leave, and returned to his ship: but went on shore
again in the evening, the wind not serving to weigh, it blowing due
west. He asked the governor how he got acquainted with the natives? He
answered, by meeting them a hunting, and using them well: that he
wheedled one of them down to their huts, the fellow being alone, and
they three in company, he supposed, thought it best to go with seeming
willingness. After him several came, and they lived very friendly with
them. The captain, had brought ashore with him some rum and brandy, and
they were drinking a bowl of punch, when on a sudden, a violent storm
arose. Capt. Tew ran to the shore, and made a signal for his boat to
carry him off, but the sea ran too high to venture out of the ship. The
storm all the while increased, and the Victoire, in less than two hours,
parting her cables, was driven ashore where it was very steep, and
perished, with all her men, in Capt. Tew’s sight.
The captain stayed with his old companions, without knowing which way to
return to his friends he had left with Misson, not one of whom was
(luckily for them,) on board the ship. At the end of three months they
saw a large ship, which Tew believed was the Bijoux; but she took no
notice of the fires they made. As he expected she would return after a
short cruise, he, and his companions, made large fires every night on
the shore, and visited the coast very often. About a month after this,
as they came early to the sea-side, they were surprised at the sight of
two sloops which lay at anchor, about a cannon shot from the shore. They
had not been long looking upon them, when a canoe was hoisted out of
one, and made to them, with six men who rowed, and one sitter.
Tew soon knew him to be Capt. Misson. He came ashore, and embracing the
former, told him, all their proposed happiness was vanished; for without
the least provocation given, in the dead of the night, the natives came
down upon them in two great bodies, and made a great slaughter, without
distinction of age or sex, before they could put themselves in a posture
of defence; that Caraccioli (who died in the action) and he, got what
men together they could, to make a stand; but finding all resistance
vain against such numbers, he made a shift to secure a considerable
quantity of rough diamonds and bar gold, and to get on board the two
sloops with 45 men: that the Bijoux being gone to cruise, and the number
of men he had carried with him in the Victoire, had weakened the colony,
and given the natives the boldness to attack them, but for what reason
he could not imagine.
Tew gave him an account of the disaster which had happened, and after
having mutually condoled their misfortunes, Tew proposed their going to
America, where Misson might, with the riches he had, pass his life
unknown, and in a comfortable manner. Misson answered he could not yet
take any resolution, though he had thoughts of returning to Europe, and
privately visiting his family, if any were alive, and then retire from
the world. They dined with the quarter-master, who pressed their return
to America, to procure a commission for the settling a colony. Misson
told Tew, he should have one of the sloops, and what volunteers would
keep him company, for his misfortunes had erased all thoughts of future
settlements; that what riches they had saved, he would distribute
equally, nay, he would be content, if he had only a bare support left
him. On this answer, four of the quarter-master’s company offered to
join Capt. Tew.
In the afternoon they visited both sloops, and Misson putting the
question to the men, 30 went on board of one sloop, though they parted
with great reluctance from their old commander; and 15 stayed with
Misson. The four men who joined Tew made the number of his crew 34: they
stayed about a week, in hopes of the Bijoux’s return upon the coast; but
she not appearing, they set sail, Captain Misson having first shared the
treasure, with Tew and his other friends and companions, hoping to meet
the Bijoux on the Guinea coast, for which they shaped their course. Off
Cape Infantes, they were overtaken with a storm, in which the unhappy
Misson’s sloop went down, within musket shot of Capt. Tew, who could
give him no assistance.
Tew continued his course for America, and arrived at Rhode-Island
without any accident. His men dispersed themselves, as they thought fit,
and Tew sent to Bermuda for his owner’s account, fourteen times the
value of their sloop; and not being questioned by any, lived in great
tranquillity. The French belonging to Misson, took different routes, one
of whom dying at Rochelle, the French manuscript of Misson’s life was
found among his papers, and transmitted to me by a friend and
correspondent.
Capt. Tew lived unquestioned. He had an easy fortune, and designed to
live quietly at home; but those of his men, who lived near him, having
squandered their shares, were continually soliciting him to take another
trip. He withstood their request a considerable time; but they having
got together (by the report they made of the vast riches to be acquired)
a number of resolute fellows, they, in a body, begged him to head them
but for one voyage. They were so earnest in their desire, that he could
not refuse complying. They prepared a small sloop, and made the best of
their way to the straits entering the Red Sea, where they met with, and
attacked a ship belonging to the Great Mogul in the engagement, a shot
carried away the rim of Tew’s belly, who held his bowels with his hands
some small space. When he dropped, it struck such a terror in his men,
that they suffered themselves to be taken, without further resistance.