A VOYAGE TO _Brasil_, and the _West-Indies._

From Cape _Lopez_ (parting with the Coast) we came in sight of

the Island _Annabona_, the Breezes small at South, and Calms

alternatively; hereabout we cruised three or four days, for our

Consort the _Swallow_, that some how or other was separated; and

missing her, bore away for _Brasil_.

In the Passage it may be first observed, that when we had sailed

ninety Leagues to the Westward, and got into 3°° S. the Winds that

were at South veered, so as to become a true S E. _Trade_, that

carried us four or five _Knots_.——And still as we advanced farther

Westward, it blew fresher at E S E. 7, 8, and 9 _Knots_ constantly,

with neither Thunder nor Lightning. _Quære_, whether this distance

is not a proper Medium to allow for the Attraction of all Exhalations

by the Land; at least that they considerably abate after that length

from all Shores, allowing for Latitude, and as they are Montainous or

Plain. We see within this Dimension, (plainly) that it takes off the

Influence of the Sun, and varys the _Trade_ Wind towards itself: Nor

is it so astonishing, since Animals themselves obey; several sorts of

Fish and Fowl have a periodical return to such and such places, and

not so of those inhabiting the more stable Element of Land: Wherefore

it is highly rational to think, that as the fluid Elements they live

in yield _to the attractive Power of the Earth and Planets_, so also

their Inhabitants have their Instinct more sensibly fated by them.

_Secondly_, in this _Trade_-Wind sailing, we are every day diverted

with flying Fish, Bonetos, and Sea-Fowl; the Sails require little

labour in _trimming_, the Ship goes steady, and the Bowl unslung; so

that at leaving such a Country we might cheerfully sing,

_How happy were we, when the Wind blew abaft!_

One of these cheerful Evenings, eleven at night, the full Moon became

totally eclipsed, a Darkness surprizing, as it was unexpected; when

she had recovered her Light, we repeated our Sacrifice in Bowls, and

fell into Reflections and Admiration of that Power which supports the

Regularity of the planetary Motions, and the Sublimity of that Art

which can so exactly calculate them: They demonstrate the Sphericity

of the Earth, because Countries, as they are farther East or West,

observe them hours sooner or later, according to their Longitude,

which could not be on a Plain, but visible to all at once.

This Longitude therefore in a general View, is the same thing as

Time, the difference of it being the distance East and West of any

two places, allowing 15 Degrees, or 300 Leagues to an Hour; the whole

24 being lost or gained in a Circum-navigation of the Globe, West or

Eastward.

A natural, tho’ hitherto incorrect way of estimating the Parts of

Longitude _in those Runs_, till Instruments and Rules are discovered,

is, I think, _First_, to make exact Tables of the Sun’s Risings and

Settings, at Places commonly departed from, and those we go to for

every day in the year: and then, _Secondly_, to carry two proved

Watches of equal Goodness, kept in equal Warmth, and freest from

Motion and Weather, to measure the difference of time where you are,

by the same edge of the Sun the Tables were made from; the Minutes

sooner or later, according as you go East or West, is so many

Leagues of Longitude for that day. I would insinuate by this only my

Opinion, that those literal _Improvers_ of Time, the Watch Makers,

bid as fair for the Discovery of Longitude as the Astronomer; for if

Watches can be made not to err above two or three Minutes in the time

a Ship is running 1000 Leagues, or if they do err more, a Rule could

be found how much, (like as an Azimuth corrects the common Compass;)

or if any _Movement_ could be depended on only from Observation to

Observation, then the Error would be no greater than what is met

in different Quadrants, observing Latitude. As it is, it seems a

proper Method to correct or assist the present Rules of calculating

meridional Distance.

We made this Passage of 8 or 900 Leagues to _Brasil_ in three Weeks;

but having elsewhere given my Observations on the Country, I shall

only take notice that the _Trade_ blowing very fresh, and bringing in

a great Swell, we hastened from the Coast to our intended Ports in

the _West-Indies_.

In our Progress thither, a Remark or two: _First_, that in the

Navigation from _Brasil_, we crossed the Æquinoctial, two or three

Degrees W. of Cape _Roque_, keeping on with a pleasant S E. _Trade_

that gradually lessened, and in 4°° North Latitude, left us in Calms,

Rains, and uncertain Squalls, (varying round the Compass;) That this

continued for several days, till we drew in or near the Parallel

of _Barbados_, and then we as gradually had obtained the _Trade_

to Northward of the East, running 150 Leagues with it, that is, to

_Barbados_.

_Secondly_, The reason of Calms, and Rains met in Latitudes between

4°° and 11°° N. (with a little Variation, as the Sun is of this or

that side the Equinoctial) is probably from a Contest between the N

E. and S E. _Trade_; but whether the passing them be more favourable

far to the Eastward or Westward, I am uncertain.

[Illustration: (decorative banner)]

_BARBADOS._

_Barbados_ was discovered by Sir _William Carter_, in King _James_

I’s time, planted to little purpose until 1627; since which, the

Crops have been so advantageous, as to have raised the Price of

Ground thirty fold.

We anchored here in _Carlisle-Bay_ the beginning of _August_, the

resort of most Shipping who load at this Island. The Bay is made

by _Needham and Pelican Points_; the Anchorage 20 Fathom, so clear

Water that you may see to the bottom; but so foul and rocky, that

the Cables are always buoy’d up with Cask. In the bottom of the

Bay stands _Bridgetown_, the principal of the Island, and is the

Residence of the Governor, Factors, and Merchants, who transact their

Business here and at their Plantations alternately. There is only one

large Church, with an Organ, and about twenty Chappels at different

parts of the Island, all Episcopal, there having been no _Dissenters_

these many years. The People are for the most part polite and

well-bred, promoting Trade by a magnificent way of living; the chief

of them are Colonels, or Captains of Militia, and in the Assembly are

divided into a Party-Interest, on the civil Affairs of the Island,

their chief Distinction; murmuring, or elate, just as they are in or

out of the Governor’s Favour, who can abate in the Customs, or imploy

in the Application: (tho’ by the way the fewer Officers, and those

Menials, the better advantage to him.)

The whole is a _sweet_ Spot of Earth, not a Span hardly uncultivated

with Sugar-Canes; all sides bend with an easy Declivity to the

Sea, and is ever green: This delight to the Planter has its

Inconveniencies, that there is no Recreation out of Business, but in

Drinking or Gaming.

The Propriety was given by King _James_ I. to the Earl of _Carlisle_;

and _Anno_ 1661, King _Charles_ II. purchased it back of Lord

_Kinoul_, that Earl’s Heir, allowing him 1000_l._ _per Ann._

Acknowledgment.

_Anno_ 1663, an Act passed by the President (who acts as Governor

in their absence) the Council and Assembly, for 4½ in Specie Duty

of all Commodities, the Produce of the Island, which it’s computed

will amount to 10000_l._ _per Annum._—_Madeira_ Wines imported, at

4_l._ 10_s._ _per_ Pipe, raises 7000_l._ and this, with one Pound of

Gunpowder _per_ Tun on each Ship, is appropriated for Stores, and

Repairs to Forts.

The Governor is appointed by the King, his Salary formerly used

to arise at an uncertain Sum of 4 or 5000_l._ _per Ann._ from

Presents and Perquisites, since fixed at 1200_l._, 2000_l._ and now

is 6000_l._ And as the Council, _a part of their Constitution_,

is in a manner of his own Nomination, being appointed by Letters

of _Mandamus_, as they have Power to make Demands on ancient

Perquisites, and sway in the Application of the publick Money; there

are various ways of obliging, and his Party will always be uppermost

in the _Legislature_, which consists of him, the Council of twelve,

and an Assembly of twenty two, chose at the several Parishes by a

Majority of Votes.

One Law is, _That no Inhabitant shall be carried off the Island

without Leave; whoever engages in the Project, is liable to the

Debts_; so that when a Family sees Ruin approaching, (a frequent

Case of late years) their Remedy is stealing away in Boats to some

other Place of Subsistence; and if they cannot this way escape a hard

_Creditor_, they comfort themselves in dying, that it may be their

Lot next. Those who depart fairly, are obliged to give publick notice

at the Secretary’s Office; and no body objecting in twenty one days,

are at liberty.

Another Act in 1676, passed against the Industry of the Quakers,

whose Conversion of the Negroes, it was pretended, hazarded the

Safety of the Island. They are computed at 80 or 90000, and are

countenanced in Polygamy; yet not dangerous, because no Mountains to

fly to, Detections and Executions would soon follow their Rebellions.

The _English_ are reckoned 20000, the Women among them most _Scotch_

and _Irish_, very homely, and great Swearers. The Men, contrarily,

are very gay, clean, and handsome, from mean Originals, often

succeeding with rich Widows; it being but Justice to link a fat

Plantation to the truely nauseous Draught of Matrimony.

The way of feeding such a Multitude, and providing Necessaries in

an Island yielding little besides Sugar, is principally by their

Fisheries and Importations.

The Sea gives them great plenty of flying Fish, Dolphins, Barricuda

and King Fish, particularly the first; they bait with their own

Specie, which thrown about, the Fish fly in such numbers to the

Boats, that they take them up with Dip-nets, and sometimes the

Dolphins with them; the Season goes off at the Autumnal Equinox.

Their Importations by Ships from _England_, _Ireland_, _New-England_,

_Pensylvania_, _Carolina_, or _New-York_, constantly supplying any

Defect of Food or Necessaries, every Vessel bringing them something

or other of this kind, which the Merchants keep in store and sell the

Planters occasionally, who give their Sugars, Rum, and Molosses in

return. The Price in what I was acquainted is, _viz._

Bought,

Rum at 1_s._ 2_d._ per Gallon.

Citron Water 40 0

Pickled Pepper 10 0

Preserved Ginger 5 0 _per lb._

Sugar, twenty Shillings a hundred; and before

our Improvements (says _Gee_) the _Portuguese_

sold for 7 and 8_l._ a hundred.

Cocoa, 3 or 4_l._

Aloes 4_d._ _per lb._

Sold,

Salt Beef and Pork, 40 Shillings for a Cask of 2 _Cwt._

Bisket, 17_s._ _per_ hundred

Candles, 6½ _per lb._ &c.

Exchange 30 _per Cent._ or more.

I have heard that the Custom-house Books had one year 35000

Hogsheads of Sugar entred, which at 10_l._ _per_ Hogshead, amounts

to 350000_l._ Every Acre was supposed 10_s._ a year Profit to the

national Stock of _England_, besides what the Planter got, and

Mouths fed by it; but I must observe, the Crops of late years have

very much failed, and put many of them under great Necessities. The

Soil fertile in the Age past, seems now growing old, and past its

teeming-time; they endeavour to mend this by a few Cattle kept for

the sake of Manure; _few_, I say, because Land imploy’d this way,

gives not 1/10 its Value. Wherefore when a thoughtless Man has joined

to unlucky Events and Seasons an inadvertent way of living, he falls

a Prey to the more astronomical Heads of Factors, who supply him

with Food and Necessaries. The Hardships of many Planters at this

time, through such Inclemencies, cannot be better laid open to the

Reader, than in transcribing part of a Sermon, that I am informed was

preached by Command of his Excellency the Governor, _May_ 1734.

A Charity SERMON at _Bridgetown_, for the two Parishes, _St.

Philip_, and _Christ-Church_.

“Here I should have left off, but I am _commanded_ by his Excellency

the Governor, to exhort you to that Charity, the Necessity of which

has been laid before ye.

“Remember therefore, that one of the ways observed of seeking God is,

by obeying the Dictates of his Holy Spirit, that Humanity and Charity

undepraved Nature feels towards all that are poor and distressed.

“What an excellent Grace of Christianity this is, _St. Paul_ from

the Spirit of God teacheth, (1 _Cor._ xiii.) saying, that when the

Gift of Tongues, of Prophecies, of Miracles shall cease, _a greater_,

even that of Charity, shall never cease in the Church militant, never

in the Church triumphant; nor can there be any greater Inducements

to provoke us to Charity, than _first_, it covers a Multitude of

Sins, and _next_, bringeth God himself (as he is pleased to esteem

it) in debt to us; _for he who giveth to the Poor lendeth to the

Lord, and look, what he layeth out shall be paid him again_; paid in

Blessings here, and hereafter eternal Life, if no mortal Sin continue

in the Giver, to hinder these blessed Effects.—I need say no more

to ye who read the Bible, how dear to God those Christians are, who

according to their Ability are liberal to poor Persons and Families;

so that what remains for me to say, is to expatiate a little upon

the miserable State of the Poor of these two Parishes, and leave the

whole to your pious Consideration.

“In one of these, _St. Philip_’s, mine Eyes beheld all the Signs of

an approaching Famine; the Face of the Earth appeared as it were

a dry Crust, burnt up and gaping for its watry Nutriment; hardly

any thing green appeared, and I am told, the Face of the Country is

much the same in _Christ-Church_ Parish. Now how miserable must it

be with the single Poor, and with Families! I assure you, several

are come into ours, and others are gone farther Leeward to seek for

Work and Food. You who are tender Parents, consider how terrible it

must be for Families with nothing in their House, nothing growing on

their Land, not a grain of any thing to support themselves and dear

helpless Children: No Money, and no Credit, no Relief from without,

and no Bread, nor Water either, hardly within or without. I have

heard of poor Men going about for Work, to sustain their own Bodies,

forced to leave Wife and Children at home to starve; sure your Hearts

must relent, and every one of you give according as you are able,

with a free Mind, and willing Heart. But here some may object, Why

should I give to those two Parishes, when our own Poor may be in as

great Want? I answer, some may be so; but the Calamity (blessed be

God) is not so general here; it is not so bad with us in that one

necessary Article of Water. Thirst is terrible, let us then pity our

poor Brethren, their Wives and Children, who go so far for Water

that they have not due time to get their Bread, were there Work for

them to earn it by.

“I believe, you know we have here poor Families in great want, and I

could wish our Vestry would meet, particularly to consider it; but

in the mean time, let us not forget the poorer People of these two

Parishes, as now perishing for want of Food; yea, his L——p and the

Council’s Belief is, (you hear) that some have already died for want

of Bread.

“What Christian Man or Woman then in Affluence and Plenty, can have

an Heart so hard as not to bestow liberally on so great, so sad, so

calamitous a Necessity and Misery? and what poorer Christian, who has

somewhat, tho’ little above his daily Wants, but will fling his Mite

to stop so dread an Evil?

“What Christian Woman, who has young and helpless Children of her

own, and Bread to give them, but whose Bowels must yearn and Heart

ake to hear, that in these two Parishes are many Infants crying at

the empty Breasts of their Mothers, and their Mothers weeping and

languishing at the same time for Bread to sustain themselves.

“What compassionate Fathers or Brothers but must grieve to

understand, that grown Children too young to work, are now starving

in these Parishes, and their Parents and Brothers nothing to relieve

them.

“What good Children but must bleed at heart to see their Parents

starving? yet such is the Fate of some in these Parishes.

“Christians consider, that one way of keeping Famine from us of this

Parish, is to bestow our Charity in a Proportion to their Wants, and

our Ability: That is the likeliest Method to move God to give us

fruitful Seasons, to renew our Springs, and bring a cheerful Green

over the Face of our Plants and Seeds.

“_May the blessed Spirit_, &c.”

* * * * *

The Consequence of this Distress now among the _Barbadians_, is

shifting their old Habitations; several impelled by Necessity, and

Wants, (stronger Motives than Religion;) are stealing away to mend it

where they can.

The Sufferings of these Islanders, I think, will carry some

Similitude to larger Countries; where the remarkable Decay, or

Loss of one single Branch of Trade, it’s observed, will sensibly

affect Multitudes, not only those immediately concerned in the

retailing, who must change Trades, infringing on others, or seek

other Countries, but also those not concerned; because as an

extraordinary Trade stamps an extraordinary Value on Land, and that

on Provisions, when the one fails, or changes hands, as it has and

will do, (_Venice_, the _Hans Towns_, _Antwerp_, _Holland_, and

which by the way, shews all Countries bordering on the Sea, within

50°° of Latitude, equally advantageous for Trade) the other ought to

give way for the lowering of Provisions, and Charge of Subsistence

to the Poor, (some ways of it being supposed now to be cut off or

curtailed:) and if Landlords do it slowly, the Law should oblige;

because, as publick Virtue is no private Man’s Profession, he will

take his Lands into his own hands, tho’ with Loss, rather than submit

to the Reduction of his Rents; and because he can afford it, will

hoard, and suffer Grain to decay and spoil, before he will fall the

Price.

In our Plantations, the inferior sort of Merchants are not unlike

Sharpers in Gaming; they by a better Skill, know how to prey on the

Wants, the Weakness, and Passions of their Customers (the Planters

and Artificers) chaining them down by degrees to their Service; many

of the Inconsiderate being ruined without knowing it, till the very

Day they want Victuals.

[Illustration: (decorative banner)]

_SUGAR-CANES._

In the Wars between _Holland_ and _Portugal_ in _Brasil_, a

_Dutch-Man_ arrived here from thence, who taught them the way of

Planting and making Sugars. They are set out between _August_ and

_December_, six Inches deep, and do not come to Maturity until one

year and a quarter: when ripe, which is known by their Colour, they

cut them up with a Bill, and send them to the Wind-mills, which

presses out the Juice so clean, the Canes by being an hour or two in

the Sun, become fit for Fuel.

The Liquor must not remain in the Cistern above a day, for fear

of souring; it is therefore by a Gutter conveyed to the Copper or

Boyler, and in the boiling, the Filth scummed off; thence it’s

conveyed into the second and third, and in the last, called the

_Tack_, is boiled to a Consistency, and turned into a Grain by

throwing in of _Temper_, which is only the Infusion of Lime and Water

made strong according to the Goodness of the Cane. Nine Pounds of

Juice makes one of Muscovado, and one of Molossus.

From hence it is carried to the cooling Cistern, till fit to put in

Pots, which have Holes at Bottom to drain off the Molossus.

Of these Molossus again, they sometimes make another worse Sugar,

called _Paneels_. Of the Scum, coarse Molossus, Washings of the

Boilers and Pots, fermented together, is made _Rum_.

To refine Sugar, is to boil it over again, and clarify with the

same Lime-Water and Eggs, reckoned better than the clayed Sugars

of this Region, made by putting a clayey Earth mixed with Water

to the thickness of a Batter upon them, and repeated three or four

times according to the degree of Whiteness design’d; both ways carry

the Treacle and Molossus downwards, but the former most esteemed,

as mixing less, and purging to better purpose. Lime refines from

Impurities, and imparts a softer Taste, experienced in throwing it

into Wells of hard Water; the best refin’d in Loaves comes back to

the Sugar-Colonies from _England_, sell at 50 or 100 _per Cent._

Advance, and are of common Use; they must be kept dry, a hot and

moist Air dissolving them.

From Molossus, Distillers make a clean Brandy, and it gives a pretty

tasted Spirit to Malt Liquors, boiled and worked in the Tun.

Besides Rum and Sugars, they have Quantities of Ginger, Aloes,

Tamarinds, Citron, Cassia, Coloquintida, Cassava, Limes, Oranges,

Guavas, Pine-Apples, Mastick, Cedar, Cotton and Palmeto Trees,

prickled Pear; but our Apples and Pears, nor any of our Shrub-Fruits,

Goose-berry or Currant, will thrive. Of the Potato they make a brisk

Small-beer, called _Mobby_.

About two or three years ago, the low Price of Sugars, that had

reduced and beggar’d the Planters, brought on a Complaint, and

Bill in Parliament in their favour. They urged, according to the

best of my Remembrance, that the northern Colonies, especially

_New-England_, being suffered to trade with the _French_ Islands, was

in a great part the Occasion of this, and a Loss to the Nation; for

they took off all the _French_ Molossus, which before they had no use

for, but sold it our Islands at very low Prices.

The _French_ therefore were helped by this Sale, to afford their

Sugars cheaper, and still more enabled by _a nearer Way of Living;

by the Customs being taken off, allowing them to go thence to any

Market, and other Encouragements_ to undersell, and take the foreign

Markets from _us_, who were clogged with all those Inconveniencies.

The _New-England_ People alledged, their Trade seemed the least

essential Article in the Injury complained of; for unless our Islands

found means to take off the other Impediments, and bring their Sugars

to as cheap, or cheaper Price than the _French_ and _Dutch_, they

would be the same in respect to foreign Markets; and if new Grounds

are better, or more wanted in Plantations, there are enough at

_Jamaica_, _St. Christopher’s_, &c. to redress the Evil. But this is

not in their View, say they; the more Lands are employed, the less

will be the Value of the present Estates, an impolitick Reduction

of all prodigal Expences; for every Island singly, reckon their

Happiness in part, not from the flourishing Condition of another, but

from Casualties, and bad Seasons; _the less quantity there is to

answer the Demand, the higher the Price_.

_Barbados_ formerly used to buy the _French_ and _Dutch_ Sugars,

making all that Trade go through their own hands, till in 1715,

laying a Duty turned the Channel, and they would now make up that

oversight by imposing their own Price on us.

The Northern Colonies deserve Favour, they think, as vastly superior

in Number and Trade, take off more of the Manufactures of _England_

for themselves, and their Trade with the _Indians_, who exchange

Furrs and Pelfry to make Hats; for the same Reason, they want more

Molossus to manufacture among themselves, than our Islands can sell,

or if they could, cannot take off one quarter of the Lumber, Horses,

and refuse Fish, with which we trade with the _French_, not only for

Rum and Molossus (which may as well come to us this way, as through

their hands) but sometimes also Money; and without which we have no

means of purchasing, nor could get rid of our Produce and Industry,

which is very unreasonable.

To lay a Tax of six-pence a Gallon on _French_ Molossus, is the same

as a Prohibition, which their Country cannot so easily bear. They

take 20000 Hogsheads a year (each 100 Gallons) from the _Dutch_ and

_French_, which is 50000_l._ whereas they have no Specie to pay it,

their Currency being all Paper, and that but 30000_l_. Besides, it

would be the first Tax on a charter’d Colony from _England_, where

they have no Representatives.

_Lastly_, it was said, the _French_ buy their Negroes, and

Sugar-Materials (Mills, Coppers, &c.) 40 _per Cent._ dearer than us;

therefore for our Islands to say they cannot afford as cheap, is

to say, they will not abate of their Pride and Luxury, but help to

maintain it by a Tax on our more humble Industry.

[Illustration: (decorative banner)]

_The WEST-INDIES._

For a general Idea of the _West-Indies_, we may understand by that

Term, all the Continent, Sea, and Islands, from _Terra Firma_ to

_Florida_, or from near the Equinoctial to 28°° of N. Latitude; and

if you include _Bermudas_, to 32°°. The main Land in this Circuit

divided into _Spanish_ Provinces, is more peculiarly called the

_Spanish West-Indies_, they possessing all, unless to the Southward

in _Guiana_ and _Paria_, where there are a few _English_, _Dutch_,

and _French_, interspersed on the Rivers and Coast of _Oronoko_,

_Surinam_, and _Amazons_.

They import hence to _Europe_, besides Rum and Sugars, great

quantities of Cocoa, Indigo, Cotton, Logwood, Ginger, Lignum-vitæ,

Cochineel, Snuff, Cassia, Aloes, Pimento, Tortoise-shell, Dyers, and

other Wood, a Variety of Drugs, and above all, prodigious Quantities

of Plate, and some Gold.

The Islands in this Sea are the _Charibbees_, _Sotovento_,

_Antilles_, and _Bahama_.

_Charibbees_ were the lesser _Antilles_, about 30 in number, whereof

the _French_ have _Martinico_, _St. Lucia_, _Bartholomew_, _Deseada_,

_Granada_, _Marigalant_, _Guadalupe_, and _Santa Cruz_. To the

_Dutch_ belong in whole or part, _Saba_, _Eustatia_, _St. Vincent_,

and _Tobago_, or _Tobacco Island_; so called, from the Plenty of

that Weed there, or the Weed so called, as first transplanted

thence. The rest are _English_, and of them _Barbados_ is chief.

Others next of Note are _Antegoa_, _Nevis_, _St. Christopher’s_,

and _Montserrat_; which have a separate Governor, stiled General

of the Leeward Islands, their principal Produce with us, is Rum

and Sugars; but the _French_, besides these, cultivate Cocoa, and

Indigo: and as the managing of more Lands naturally gives Plenty, and

makes room for an Increase of People, the _French_ Policy of late

years has considerably increased their Colonies at _Martinico_ and

_Hispaniola_; some say 40000 settled there at the _French_ King’s

Expence, with the Addition of a year’s Maintenance, to countenance

their _Mississipi_ Settlements, and these further Views of drawing

over Men’s Affections, by affording _Europeans_ the _West-India_

Commodities, at the cheapest rate, and strengthning themselves

against the Resentment of any who dislike it.

In some are found large Caves that run half a Mile under ground,

supposed the Dwelling-places of the old Natives, who quickly forsook

them to the new Inmates; tho’ _Dampier_ says, he met some of these

_Charibbees_ at _St. Lucia_, and _St. Vincent_, and others say the

like of _Curasao_: The Name imports _Cannibals_, an Inhumanity

charged on them at the Discovery, as a proper Accusation for

Dispossessors.

_Sotovento Isles_ lie E S E. and W N W. along the _Terra Firma_,

called so because the _Spaniards_ in their Voyages to _Mexico_,

make them one after another _sub vento_ (to Leeward.) Of these, the

_Dutch_ have _Curasao_, _Oruba_, and _Berraire_. The _Spaniard_ the

others, (_La Trinidad_, and _Margarita_, chief;) from whence, and

the _Antilles_, they have of late years very much infested this

Navigation, with their _Guard le Costas_, confiscating the _English_

Effects in Reprisal, it is supposed, for the Loss of their Fleet near

_Messina_, 1718.

_The greater Antilles_ are, _Cuba_, _Hispaniola_, _Portorico_, and

_Jamaica_; the three former, _Spanish_.

_Cuba_ is principal; a very pleasant and flourishing Island, the

_Spaniard_ building and improving for Posterity, without dreaming,

as the _English_ Planters do, of any other Home. They make the best

Sugars in the _West-Indies_. It was from this Island, (_Velasquez_

Governor,) that _Cortez_ in 1518, made his Expedition and Conquest of

_Mexico_.

The _Havana_, its chief Port and Town, is esteemed the richest in

_America_; for besides its own valuable Produce, the _Spanish_

Fleets from all parts on the _Main_, make up here in their return to

_Europe_.

The Islands on the South Side of it, and the _Camaines_, are resorted

to for the largest and best _Turtle_.

_Porto-Rico_, and _Hispaniola_ (the diminutive of _Hispania_) are

Islands we make, in our Passage to _Jamaica_, famous of late for

their _Guard le Costas_. These Privateering Fellows, when they are

not acting by lawful Commission, they know the Governor’s Mind,

and bring in Ships on a pretence they are trading with the King of

_Spain_’s Subjects in a clandestine and prohibited manner; if they

find any Pieces of Eight, it is a Condemnation; an Encouragement in

searching a Ship, to deposite some there themselves: Or if this Trick

fails, they are yet detained, and on various Pretences lengthned

out with Law-suits, till ruined. We called, after weighing from

_Barbados_, at _Sancto Domingo_, the chief Town of _Hispaniola_,

where we found three _English_ Masters of Ships under these

Hardships. They had got the better in Law, but with such Charge and

Delay, that it had spoiled their Ships and Voyages; and lest that

should not do it effectually, their Damages are against the Captains

of the Privateers, who are perhaps the Governor’s servile Dependants,

and not worth a Groat.

_Sancto Domingo_ Harbour has 15 Fathom Water at the Bar, and the

Entrance defended by several Batteries. The Town is the Residence

of an Arch-Bishop, and a President from _Spain_, who lives in a

House that is said to have been built and occupied by _Christopher

Columbus_ himself. To this Officer (on account of its prior

Settlement) Appeals come from all the _Spanish West-India_ Islands,

whose Sentence is definitive, unless called by a particular

Commission to _Old Spain_. They buy their Places, it seems, and

consequently execute them oppressively.

The Island is diminished of its Inhabitants, for this, or a securer

and better Settlement on the Continent; so that the _French_ now,

about _Petit Guavas_, equal, if not outnumber them, tho’ both

together are vastly short of what its Extent and Fertility deserves.

A Soil that produces any thing; their Sea and Rivers full of Fish,

and the Country spread with Forests of Cabbage and Palm-Trees,

in which are prodigious Numbers of wild Hog and Beef, which the

_Hunters_ of different Nations at certain Seasons shoot, the latter

for their Hides; and the Pork, they _jerk_ (as they call it) that is,

strip it from the Bones, and then salting the Flesh a little, dry it

in the Sun.

_Bahamas_, so called from the Principal, or _Lucayes_ from _Lucayone_

(new _Providence_, the largest of them) where the _English_ have a

Governor: They are noted for a dangerous and rapid Chanel, commonly

called the Gulph of _Florida_, through which the _Spanish_ Fleets

always take their Passage to _Europe_, and are frequently shipwrecked.

The Pyrates often take their rise here, or if not, seldom fail in the

Course of their Adventures to visit these Seas. There are Multitudes

of little Islands and Kays, besides this Division above, that afford

Refreshments of wild Hog, Cow, Goat, Sheep, Parrots, Guanas, Turtle,

and Fish; many of them uninhabited, and seldom visited but on that

account, whereby they are a natural and good Security. The Sailor,

when he would express the Intricacy of any Path-way, stiling it the

_Caribbees_.

They commonly make their Beginning here after this manner; when any

_Spanish_ Ship is wrecked in _Florida_, the _Jamaicans_ fit out

Vessels to fish upon her, (the best I believe, being always pleas’d

with going shares in such Voyages, which may be judged of by their

Treatment of the Galleon cast away on _Jamaica_, a very few Years

ago) and dispute a Right of Plunder with the _Spaniard_ himself,

who is also fitted from the _Havana_ on these Accidents, to recover

what they can; the Contest therefore is with various Fortune, and

sometimes turns to a bad account.

Our Logwood-Cutters from _Campechy_ and _Honduras_, who have been

unfortunate by the frequent Visits of the _Spaniards_ to destroy that

Trade, remove hither, or those to them, to consult of Reparations

to their broken Fortunes. Saunterers also, who are turtling from

different Parts, do all together make a considerable Resort

sometimes, and being prompted to Revenge for the Injuries sustained,

they combine and furnish out a little Sloop perhaps _against them at

first_, who finding little come by confining their _Ways and Means_

to the _Spaniards_ only, who sail in Fleets, they fall at last on any

Nation; the Transition being easy from a Buccanier to a Pyrate; from

plundering for others, to do it for themselves.

These Logwood-Cutters, (since mentioned) I must observe, were

originally settled at the Bay of _Campechy_, but with a contested

Right that made it hazardous, the _Spaniard_ opposing the Legality,

and when uppermost, treating them as Pyrates, which our People have

frequently returned again with Interest. It was taken 1659, by Sir

_Christopher Mins_. In 1678 again, by the _English_ and _French_

Privateers; and what Licence the Peace of _Utrecht_ gave, I am

uncertain, but they are since drove out, and now support themselves

with their Arms at the Bay of _Honduras_.

They are about 500 (Merchants and Slaves,) and have taken up their

Residence at a Place called _Barcaderas_, about 40 Miles up a narrow

River full of Alligators; and what is a greater Inconvenience

against transporting their Effects, is a strong Current in it from

the Freshes up Land, and the Banks being covered with Shrubs, that

makes it difficult to walk and tow the Boats; covered also with

infinite Numbers of Sand-Flies, and Muskitos. They live in Pavilions;

a Servant at their time of lying down to rest, shaking them till

cleared of these Vermin, that are an unsufferable Plague and

Impediment to Sleep.

At the Season (once a year) they move their Pavilions from the

pleasurable Spots, the better to attend the Logwood cutting, which

carries them sometimes many Miles from this principal Residence, to

follow the Wood, which runs in a Line or Vein (like Minerals in the

Earth) of some Miles perhaps, and then as many, without a Stick of

it. They cut it into large Pieces, and leave it on the Ground till

the Land-Flood favours their bringing it into the River, and then

Canoos are laden away with it, to lay in store at _Barcaderas_, where

the Chief are still left residing.

They have all good Arms, and knowing the _Spanish_ Clemency, defend

themselves desperately, if attacked; which has happened seldomer than

at _Campechy_, and always by Sea.

A Servant, which is the first Step with Seamen into the Trade, is

hired at a Tun of Logwood _per_ Month, and has one Day in seven for

himself, making together about 10_l._ a Month to him; hence, if

thoughtful and sober, they in time become Masters, join Stock, and

trade independently. They have a King, chose from among their Body,

and his Consort is stiled Queen, agreeing to some Laws by common

Consent, as a Guide to them.

The Ships that come into the Bay, are on their Guard also, fetch it

down in flat-bottomed Boats, each Crew being allowed on the Voyage,

a Bottle of Rum and some Sugar, and row generally in the Night, as

freest from those stinging Flies, and rest in the Day.

The Exchange with Ships is for Money, Beer, Flower, or any sort of

Provisions and Necessaries; these, the cunningest reserve in Store

against the Wants and Demands of the Inconsiderate, and so make

extraordinary Returns.

It may not be improper to conclude this Head with an Observation or

two on the Channel and Current of _Florida_, which I submit to the

more Skilful.

This Gulph is as dangerous a Navigation as any known; the _Spaniards_

often experience it, because it’s an Addition to the Danger, that

they have unwieldy Ships, and lubberly Seamen. We commit Errors, I

imagine, by our common Charts, which lay down the Channel double the

Breadth it is; the most intelligent in the Passage having assured me,

it is not above 16 or 18 Leagues over; and therefore when a Storm

happens, build on a false Supposition.

The _Spaniard_ is likewise over-careful to be safe; the nicer

Observations made on Shoals, Currents, or Winds, either here or in

the Bay, when and how to make them advantageous, are from an imagined

Security against any maritime Power, committed only to their Admiral

(according to common Report) whose Light the Fleet are to follow;

and for their better Recovery of any shipwrecked Cargo in the Gulph,

(frequent in losing the Admiral,) they have a Garrison at _St.

Augustine_, on the _Florida_ Shore, a barren Spot where they are

almost starved, and which would not be worth keeping but for this.

Ships and Vessels may, and often have sailed through this Channel

from the N End to _Cuba_, or the Bay of _Mexico_, notwithstanding the

common Opinion, on account of the Current, that is against it. They

keep the _Bahama_ shore aboard, Shoals of a great Extent, sprinkled

with rocky Islands so low, there is very little Safety to those

unhappy Men who are cast away upon them; yet at several, there are

anchoring Places, and fresh Water found.

They meet the Wind in Summer, for the greatest part of the Channel,

Easterly; which with a counter Current in shore, pushes them through

easily; much the better way for any sudden Attack upon the _Havana_

(a glorious Attempt in time of War) because they cannot discover you,

like as in the other Path from _Jamaica_, where by Beacons, they can

gain an Intelligence of 150 Leagues in a very short Space of time,

and so be the better prepared.

In order to the laying down my Sentiment on the _Florida_ Current, I

shall premise the Facts and Observations of our Pilots in relation to

this Gulph, and that of _Mexico_, which have a Dependency as to the

Cause of it, with each other.

1. This Stream goes constantly out to the Northward in mid Channel,

its Force having some respect (like Tides in other Channels) to

the Moon and to the Winds; with a counter Current, or at least a

Stillness of the Water in shore, that will enable a Ship to turn

through, be the middle Stream never so strong; the same as in the

Strait of _Gibraltar_, where tho’ the Current is continually into

the _Mediterranean_, Ships may work through, keeping the Shore aboard.

2. The Current which goes out here, sets for the most part into

the Gulph of _Mexico_, between the two Capes of _Corientes_ and

_Catoche_, with counter Currents in shore; tho’ not always so, the

Pilots having observed them strong to the East, new, and full Moons.

3. As to the Bay of _Mexico_ it self, there are every where Currents

round it various and uncertain, as to the Point they run on, or time

of Continuance, especially on the _Apalachian_ Side where it is

safest stopping in the Night, and up Anchor only, in the Day. That

these Currents are less discernible the farther from shore, and for

the most part, bend to the Trend of the Lands; that is, when you have

rounded Cape _Catoche_, it sets Westward, open with _Campechy_ Bay to

the Southward: From _Vera Cruz_ in 19°° to the Latitude of 28°° it

runs to the Northward, and thence round the Bay to the Eastward; more

perceptible, I say, the nearer shore, because bounded, and makes the

Tides in the Rivers.

4. The Rivers of _Georgia_, and _Carolina_ (next Coast to _Florida_

Northward) have as regular Tides as the _Thames_. So again, in the

Bay of _Honduras_ Southward, whose Reflux, it must be taken notice,

makes a Northern Current.

Now to sum up all, in order to account for the Current of _Florida_,

which seems to me only this, that more of the Flood is propagated

into the Bay of _Mexico_, by that Passage made from the West End of

_Cuba_, and Shore of _Yucatan_; and more of the Ebb by the Chanel of

_Florida_, and for these Reasons.

The Gulph of _Mexico_ receives many and large Rivers, whose Mouths

together carry some proportion with the Chanel of _Florida_; and

consider’d as a little _Mediterranean_ Sea, the Flood in it must

have a more remarkable and strong Ebb: which shews it self rather

here, _first_, because the Make of the Lands gives a freer Opening

and Tendency of the Waters that way. _Second_, The Length and

Contraction of the Channel, makes it more visible and constant, and

is the Continuance of those River-Streams (that disembogue in the

Bay) even till it meets with the Tide to the Northward, which checks,

like as at them, and produces a counter Current along shore: for

we may observe, that altho’ the Current goes constantly out in the

Channel, yet at the Isle of _Providence_ contiguous to it almost, the

Tides are alternate and regular. _Third_, The Winds at East are more

favourable to the Exit than the _Trade_, which sets in directly at

the other Passage, and while it helps the Flood there, is at the same

time an Obstacle to its Return; to which assists also that Northern

Current from the Bay of _Honduras_; nor will it be so perceptible

there, because what Reflux is, opens to a wider Sea immediately, and

probably had been the same at _Florida_, if the Gulph of _Mexico_ had

open’d without such Restraint to the main Ocean directly.

On this Supposition, the Variety and Uncertainty of Currents in the

Bay, and the greater or less Rapidity in the Chanel, will depend much

on the Winds without; and as they are dry or wet Seasons at Land, new

and full Moons should influence the Strength of the Stream; and hard

Gales concurring at N. or N E. among the _Bahamas_, should slacken it

there, and promote an Eastern Current at the other Passage.

[Illustration: (decorative banner)]

_JAMAICA._

_Jamaica_, called _St. Jago_ by _Columbus_, and was altered by King

_James_ II. it being a Compound of his Name, and _Ca_ an Island.

The chief Town is called _St. Jago de la Vega_ (by the _English_,

_Spanish-Town_.) Here the Governor resides; Courts are held, and the

Assembly (chose as at _Barbados_) meet to enact Laws for the civil

Government of the Island; which consequently draws the greatest

Resort of People, on account either of Business or Pleasure.

It was built about 1590, plunder’d by some _English_ Privateers under

one _Jackson_, in 1638, and in 1657 the whole Island was reduced

by _Pen_ and _Venables_: The favourite Families of those Days,

(_Bradshaws_, _Iretons_, _Axtells_,) I believe, sharing the Estates;

so warm a Climate with Hurricanes, Earthquakes, and dry Belly-achs,

was a due Preparation. This Town of _St. Jago_ is irregular, and low

built, to secure it against Storms; even the Governor’s, or what they

call the King’s House, is but a Ground Floor, and makes one side of a

Quadrangle, with a Parade, where all Gentlemen meet to transact their

Business; the Merchants and Factors for distant Planters, and the

Officers civil and military, do together make a considerable Number,

dividing in the Evenings to Parties of Dancing, Gaming, or Drinking,

and generally to a publick House, to avoid the Obligation of Returns

and Treats, very costly in this Country.

_Kingston_, at the upper End of _Port-Royal_ Harbour, the Place of

lading and unlading almost all Ships to and from the Island; is in

my eye, preferable to the former. The Streets are wide, and more

regular, to face the Sea-Breezes, and the cross Streets at right

Angles, that the Air may have as little Interruption as possible; a

Convenience that cannot be too much meditated in so hot a Climate:

for the Land-Breezes failing betimes in the Morning, you have it

excessively hot; all Creatures languish and faint till the Sea one

succeeds, which will not be till ten a clock, sometimes eleven, or

later, and may be esteemed the Life of the Island, dispelling those

impure Vapors, continually exhaled from the Mountains, and refreshing

and rowsing the animal Nature, from Backgammon or Loitering, to

Business.

The Harbour is spacious here, and the Ships lie _Land-locked_; but

the Peninsula that covers them from the Sea being low and narrow,

they are not so safe against Storms as one would imagine.

From hence to _Spanish-Town_, when called on any Law-suit or

Business, they take Boat to _Passage-Fort_ on the other side, a small

River at the Bottom of the Harbour, where are three or four Houses

that furnish Passengers for the Journey (6 Miles) at 20_s._ a Coach,

or 5_s._ a Horse, and are rarely without Customers; the Calls in

Traffick are so frequent.

_Port-Royal_, which makes up with the former two, all the Towns

of Note on the whole Island, is on the Starboard Entrance of the

Harbour. The Road before it is reckoned good holding Ground, and

fenced from Southerly Winds, by sandy Kays without. The Town it self

stands on such a sandy Kay, not much above the Surface of the Water,

and contains no more Ground than holds the Buildings, and the Fort

contiguous with it on the outer Point; which, with a Line, or Rampart

of Guns to the Sea, (together about 100) is their chief Defence.

Under the Fort is a little Nook, or Bay, called _Chocolato Hole_,

where we have a Hulk lies for cleaning Ships.

_Port-Royal_ has suffered remarkably every ten years, for thirty

past. In 1692, an Earthquake sunk above half the Town; the Rubbish of

those Buildings being still seen under Water, in the shallow Channel

that now continues to divide it from the Main. In 1702, it was burnt

down. In 1712, _August_ 28th, happened a dreadful Hurricane. And now,

_August_ 28th, 1722, a more dreadful one, that besides the Damage

it spread over most parts of the Island, did here in particular

split the Castle, lay the Church and two thirds of the Town flat,

burying three or four hundred People in the Ruins; but the Terror and

Desolation may deserve a more particular Description.

_Forsan hæc olim meminisse juvabit._

[Illustration: (decorative flower)]

[Illustration: (decorative banner)]

_HURRICANES:_

The _West-Indians_ agree, that _August_ and _September_ is the Season

to expect them. They are incredible Tempests of Wind, whose Fury,

neither Ships, Masts, Trees, or Buildings can resist. They come a Day

or two before the full or new Moon next the Autumnal Equinox, and

give Warning by a preceding unusual Swell of Water. They are of no

great Extent, but blow within a Chanel as it were, one Island feeling

it, when the next (within 20 Leagues perhaps) has no Share; and are,

if not peculiar, rarely met with out of the _West-Indies_.

The Cause, as guessed at, is Plenty of elastic Vapors on the _Terra

Firma_ (whence they all blow) with which conspire at this time of

year, the united Force of the Sun and Moon, to give their Explosion a

greater Force; to this also may contribute, subterraneous Heats and

Mountains: and if such different Effluvias as constitute the Matter

of a Hurricane, can be supplied to the Chanel it blows in, _crescit

eundo_.

This Opinion seems confirmed, _first_, from the Points of the Compass

they blow on (S E. and S S E.) and never without side the Continent

at Cape _Roque_; for that Length the uninterrupted _Trade-Wind_ is

a Barrier, and from which these Storms, by the Position of Lands

and Mountains, are necessarily a Deflection. _Second_, Æquinoctial

Gales, we know, are every where observed to happen, and ascribed

to the greater Agitation of Air, by Heat in a greater Orb; when

therefore the Northern Suns have so long together been attracting,

and at the same time chopping, and opening the Earth for a freer

Emission of nitrous, sulphurous, and elastic Particles, no wonder the

conjoined Forces of the Planets there, should now and then put them

in execution.

The present Hurricane was a Week after our Arrival; began at eight in

the Morning, two Days before the Change of the Moon, gave at least 48

Hours notice, by a noisy breaking of the Waves upon the Kays, very

disproportioned to the Breeze, a continued Swell, without Reflux

of the Water; and the two Nights preceding, prodigious Lightnings

and Thunder; which all the old experienced Men foretold would be a

Hurricane; or that one already had happened at no great distance.

I was ashore at _Port-Royal_, and found all the Pilots returned from

the Windward part of the Island, (where they customarily attend the

coming down of Ships,) and observing upon the unusual Intumescence

of the Water, so great the Day before, and beat so high, that our

Boats could not possibly put on shore at _Gun Kay_ to take the Men

off that were set there, to the Number of twenty, for trimming up

our Cask; themselves making Signals not to attempt it. Betimes next

Morning, the Wind began in Flurrys at N E. and flew quickly round to

S E. and S S E. where it continued the Stress of the Storm, bringing

such Quantities of Water, that our little Island was overflowed 4

foot at least; so that what with the fierce driving of Shingles

(wooden Staves used instead of Tiling upon their Houses) about our

Ears, and the Water floating their Boats, empty Hogsheads, and Lumber

about the Streets, those without doors were every Moment in danger of

being knocked on the Head, or carried away by the Stream. Within it

was worse, for the Waters sapping the Foundations, gave continual and

just Apprehensions of the Houses falling, as in effect half of them

did, and buried their Inhabitants: Nor indeed after the Storm had

began, was it safe to open a Door, especially such as faced the Wind,

lest it should carry the Roofs off; and escaping thence, there was no

place of Retreat, we remaining in a very melancholly Scituation both

from Wind and Water. _The Perils of false Brethren was nothing to it._

It may be worth notice, what became of the Purser in this common

Danger; I was regardless at first, as suspecting more of Timidity in

the People, till finding my self left alone Proprietor of a shaking

old House, the Streets full of Water and Drift, with Shingles flying

about like Arrows; I began to meditate a little more seriously

upon my Safety, and would have compounded all my _Credit_ in the

Victualling, my Hoops, and Bags, for one Acre (as _Gonzalo_ says in

the _Tempest_) _of barren Ground, long Heath, or brown Furze_, to

have trod dry upon.

Our Neighbours had retreated towards the Church, as the strongest

Building, and highest Ground, which I was luckily too late to

recover; but endeavouring to stem upwards for a safer Station, was

taken into a House in the lower Street, with an old Woman wading in

the same manner from her ruined Habitation.

We were no sooner in, but new Fears of this also falling, thrust us

into the Yard (the Water then at eleven a clock, breast high) where

we helped one another upon a low Brick-built Out-house, that being

more out of the Wind, and surrounded with others, kept the Waters

still. The unhappiness of those who suffered in stronger, was their

facing the Wind, which brought the Sea upon them with violence. A

Platform of one and twenty Guns and Mortars were drove some of them

to the Market-place; the two Lines of Houses next the Sea, with

the Church, were undermined and levelled with the Torrent, and in

their ruin was our Safety; for altho’ we had a greater Depth, they

were by such a Bank made motionless. The whole Rise of the Water was

computed at 16 or 18 foot, very admirable at a Place where it is not

ordinarily observed to flow above one or two.

At 5 in the Evening the Waters abated, and with so quick a Retreat as

to leave the Streets dry before 6; when every one was congratulating

his own Safety in Condolancies upon the Loss of their Friends. Of 50

Sail in this Harbour, only 4 Men-of-War and 2 Merchant-Ships rid it

out, but with all their Masts and Booms blown away. All the Men we

left at _Gun Kay_ were washed off and perished, except one _Indian_

that drove into Harbour upon a broken Gallows that had been there

erected. Wrecks, and drowned Men were every where seen along shore;

general Complaints of Loss at Land (least at _St. Jago_) which made

it a melancholy Scene, and to finish the Misfortune, the Slackness of

the Sea-Breezes, Calms, and Lightning, stagnating Waters, Broods of

Insects thence, and a Shock or two of Earthquake that succeeded to

the Hurricane, combined to spread a baneful Influence, and brought

on a contagious Distemper, fatal for some Months through the Island.

There being no Volcanos, the Earthquakes felt here are always after

great Rains, on a parched Earth that admits their Penetration; and

possibly nigher the Coast, as at _Port-Royal_, may be from the Sea

in a long Process of time undermining in some manner a loose Earth,

or finding in its deep Recesses new Caverns; or subterranean Heats

working towards them, the dreadful Contest shocks.

In _December_ following, for we were detained some Months in the

Repair of Damages received, another or two Shocks were felt; and

at the End of the Month, as their proper Season, came on what they

call _fiery Breezes_, strong Gales from Sea, that hold out often

against the _Land-Breezes_, six or seven Days together; they are

pre-signified by a hazy Horizon, and portentous of a wholesome Season.

_Norths_, are counter to these; they blow at uncertain Periods,

strong and cool from the Mountains; the People shut their Doors,

and button up close against it, and the Impurities the Air has been

experienced to be loaded with from that Quarter. We had one of these

Gales the latter End of _September_, and two Days after, quick

Shocks of Thunder and Lightning, which split a Sloop’s Mast, and the

_Flag-Staff_ at the Castle in pieces.

On _Christmas-Day_ we had a Meteor in this Horizon, that appeared to

be a Ball of Fire, trailed along to a quarter of the Compass, from N

N E. dropping Balls in the Track, that were suddenly extinguished.

The same I believe we call Falling-Stars, unless larger, and a more

transverse Descent. Astronomers suppose them sulphurous Bodies, set

on fire by the Sun, tho’ eclipsed till he is set.

To Return to the Island: The _English_ Gentlemen are preferable to

the Women; for the most part, of a genteel Education, and emulous in

a Magnificence of Living, but true Republicans in the Disposition; a

Stranger unconcerned in Business, very difficultly tasting any other

Hospitality than his Landlady’s.

_Bitts_ of 7½_d_

Dinner 5

A Bottle of Small-Beer 1

A Bottle of Ale 4

Coffee _per_ Dish 1

A Quart of Rum Punch 4

Lodging _per_ Night 8

Ordinaries are filled with a Mixture of Land and Seafaring People,

who have three or four sorts of Cookery at Dinner, and each a

Pint of _Madeira_, with a Desart of Guavas, and other insipid or

ill-tasted Fruit. One of our Dishes is frequently _Turtle_, much

esteemed in this part of the World, and are supplied to the Market

here by Sloops, and sold at a _Bitt_ a Pound, like other Flesh; now

also increased to a tolerable Plenty, by the Planters having set

apart Servants, Pens, and Pasture-Grounds, for rearing up all kinds

of Domestick Animals, in which of late Years they have found their

account; our Ships Companies being victualled here twice a Week with

fresh Beef, during a stay of 6 Months; and an Hospital on shore

provided with lighter Food.

_Bartering_ is the easiest way of Living on shore; or rather, no Man

can live long without it: _Madeira_ Wines, refined Sugars, Linnens,

and Necessaries of almost all kinds, selling from 100_l._ to 150

_per Cent._ Advance. Their Rum to you, 3 _Bitts_ _per_ Gallon;

Sugars, from 4 to 7 _Dollars_ a hundred, both superior to _Barbados_.

Other Commodities are Ginger, Piemento, Cocoa, Indigo, Cotton,

Tortoise-shell, Dyers Wood, Cedar, Mohogany, and Manchineel-woods,

and allow 35 _per Cent._ Advance on Money.

The _Cræoles_ (those born here) which are properly the Natives of the

Island, the ancient ones being all extirpated, or fled the Cruelty

of the _Spaniard_, before our Possession, are a spurious Race; the

first Change by a Black and White, they call _Mulatto_; the second a

_Mustee_, and the third a _Castee_; the Faces, like a Coat of Arms,

discovering their Distinction. They are half _Negrish_ in their

Manners, proceeding from the promiscuous and confined Conversation

with their Relations, the Servants at the Plantations, and have a

Language equally pleasant, a kind of Gypsy Gibberish, that runs

smoothest in Swearing.

The _English_ Subjects are computed at 7 or 8000, the _Negroes_ at

80000; a Disproportion, that together with the Severity of their

Patrons, renders the whole Colony unsafe; many hundreds of them have

at different times run to the Mountains, where they associate and

commit little Robberies upon the defenceless and nearest Plantations;

and which I imagine they would not have done, but for the Cruelty

of their Usage, because they subsist very hard and with Danger, by

reason of Parties continually sending out by the Government against

them, who have 5_l._ a Head for every one killed, and their Ears are

a sufficient Warrant, for the next Justice to pay it; if the _Negro_

be brought in a Prisoner, he is tormented and burnt alive. Our latest

Advices from _Jamaica_ concerning them is, that they have chose a

King, daily increase, have some inaccessible Places of Retreat, and

are suspected of being encouraged and supplied with Powder and Arms

from _Cuba_.

The natural Remedy against this Evil, is an Increase of Hands. They

have large Savannahs both on the North and South Sides, supposed

formerly to have been Fields of _Indian_ Wheat, that afford good

Pasturage, and breed up a great number of Cattle with a great

Waste of Land, still left capable of large Improvements into

Sugar Plantations or Tillage; but here lies the Objection to any

further Encouragement. If the present Proprietors can export 11000

Hogsheads of Sugar annually, and the Price with that number is kept

low at Market, whoever contributes towards making 11000 more, is

depreciating his own Estate, lending a Hand to ruin himself. Tillage

and Grazing, tho’ not employing the Land to 1/10 Part its Value in

such Colonies, would yet interfere with the present Interest also,

by lowering the Price of Provisions; wherefore the Security from

such Augmentation of People (the Merchants being Judges) give place

to Profit, a Neglect that must be reaped in the End, by Undertakers

of more generous Sentiments. This convinces me, that altho’ Trade

be Wealth and Power to a Nation, yet if it cannot be put under

Restrictions, controlled by a superior and disinterested Power,

that Excess and Irregularity will be an Oppression to many, and

counter-balance the publick Advantages by increasing the Difficulties

of Subsistence, and with it, Men’s Dissaffection.

Here is a distant Evil; the Cure of which lies in an Expence that no

body likes; nor for such Dislike will ever blame himself in time of

Danger. The Merchant and Planter think, if less Sugars were made,

it would be better, provided (every one means) the bad Crop do not

happen upon their own Plantations, and this for the same Reason, the

_Dutch_ and other Companies burn their Spice, _India_ Goods, Tobacco,

_&c._ _viz._ _to keep up a Price_; for rendering things common or

cheap, or assisting towards the same Liberty, would border too much

on the christian Precepts.

The Sloop-Trade hence to the _Spanish West-Indies_, under the

Protection of our Men-of-War, has been reckoned at 200000_l._ _per

Ann._ In 1702, Orders came to the Governor to hinder it, on account

of a Treaty between us and the _Dutch_ for that purpose, who have

since gone into it themselves from _Curisao_; and in 1716, a yet

greater Obstruction was put, by the peculiar Privileges of the

_Assiento_ Factors; however, they continue on, and complain of no

other Illegalities, than the _Spanish_ Seizures, of late years very

frequent, and together with the Decay of this Branch of Trade, their

Want of _Spanish_ Wrecks, Privateering, and Fall of Sugars, makes the

Island not so flourishing as in times past.

Sir _Nicholas Laws_ a _Cræole_, gives way as Governor, to the Duke

of _Portland_, who arrived in that Quality (with his Dutchess and

Family) about the middle of _January_ this Year. He had put in to

_Barbadoes_ in the Passage, and met a generous Reception.

Here they have doubled the Salary, a Compliment to his Nobility, and

that too little, it’s said, for his splendid and magnificent way of

Living. His Table singly, has already rise the Price of Fowls, from 4

to 6 _Bitts_.

The _Jamaica_ Chronology.

_A. D._

_Columbus_ discovered the Island _May_ 3d. 1494

Sir _Anth. Shirley_ routed the Spaniard 1596

_Pen_ and _Venables_ did the same 1655

Geo. _Fortescue Sedwick Doyley_ 1660

Ld. _Windsor_, Governor 1662

Sir _Charles Littleton_ 1663

Sir _Thomas Muddiford_ 1664

Col. _Thomas Linch_, President 1671

Lord _Vaughan_, Governor 1675

E. of _Carlisle_ 1679

Sir _Henry Morgan_ 1680

Sir _Thomas Linch_ 1682

_Hender Molesworth_ 1684

D. of _Albemarle_ 1687

Sir _Francis Watson_, President 1688

E. of _Inchiquin_, Governor 1690

Earthquake _June_ 7th 1692

_John White_, President 1692

Col. _John Bowden_ 1692

Sir _William Beeston_, Governor 1693

_French_ landed at _Withy-Wood_ 1694

_William Selwin_, Governor 1702

Col. _Peter Beckford_, President 1703

Col. _Tho. Handaside_, Governor 1704

Ld. _Archibald Hamilton_ 1711

A Hurricane, _August_ 28th 1712

_Peter Haywood_, Governor 1716

Sir _Nicholas Laws_ 1718

A Hurricane _August_ 28th 1722

D. of _Portland_, Governor 1722

The _Pelican_ is a great Curiosity among their Birds, as the

_Alligator_ in their watry Tribe; it is a common Water-Fowl, that is

all day picking up his Living at Sea, and roosts at Night on high

Rocks and Clifts, sitting with his Head to the Wind; his Body when

skinned, is as large as an ordinary Goose, the Wings will extend to

7 or 8 feet, a short Tail, the Bill 14 Inches long, very hard, and

increasing broader towards the End, where it crooks like a Parrot’s;

their Necks are a foot and half, with a bay-colour’d Hair instead of

Feathers on the back side of them, and from about half way there are

membranous Bags or Pouches, which stretch thence to the Extremities

of their under Bills, capable, when separated, of holding a couple of

Pounds of Tobacco: in these they reserve their Prey when gorged with

eating, and in these they are said to transport their young ones,

when Danger or Instinct prompts them to change Places. They appear

slow and heavy Birds flying, but have a piercing Sight to discern

their Prey (the little fishy Fry below) from a considerable Height in

Air, whence they fall like a Stone, and catch, or dive after them.

We killed three or four, and in opening their Bodies, met the same

Observations, _viz._

1. They had double Ventricles, that together reached the length of

their Bodies; to the Bottom of which, were connected the Small-Guts,

about twice as thick as a Goose-quill.

2. In the first Ventricle or Craw, the Fish they had swallowed (70,

80, or 100) the Bigness of smaller Sprats, lay whole and unaltered.

3. In the lower Ventricle, those little Fish changing to a paler

Colour, were nigh the _Fund_ of it mashed and macerated, and (what

was principally meant by reciting any Observations) here also

the Mass or Pulp _had an intimate Mixture of numbers of slender,

lively Worms in it_; which to me, was a Matter of Speculation, for

finding no such Insects in the small Fish above, which I suspected

at first might have been their Prey, I concluded it here to be the

common Accident of Concoction, a certain Consequence of Heat and

Putrefaction, which are conquered by farther Digestion, and pass into

insensibility again; for the Small-guts, after a little Distance from

the Stomach, had none, or rather made part of a yellow, chylous

Substance.

_Quære?_ whether other, or all Creatures have not such a Principle

of Concoction, more or less discernible in some, than others, there;

tho’ imperceptible, and differently shaped and coloured, as is the

Nature of the Food swallowed, and the Strength and Heat of the

Animal swallowing. _Vercellonius_ supposes the _Thyroide Gland_ in

Man, to be a little _Nidus_ of verminous Eggs, generated there, and

transmitted through subtle Ducts to the _Oesophagus_ and Stomach, to

impart a vital Character to the Chyle.

I should have proceeded here to some other natural Curiosities, but

omit it, as being already more accurately done by Sir _Hans_ _Sloan_,

in 2 Vol. _4to_.

The _Weymouth_ and _Swallow_ having now fixed their Jury-masts, and

finished their Repairs, weighed from _Port-Royal_ on _New-year’s

Day_, anchoring out at the _Kays_, where we stayed till the 7th of

_February_, and then left the Island.

There are two Passages used for returning hence to _Europe_; heavy

Sailers, and Fleets, use the Gulph of _Florida_, because assisted by

a constant Current to the Northward, (already spoke to;) lighter, and

well-manned Ships, that called the _Windward Passage_; _First_, as

the safest and shortest Navigation, all the Difficulty being, plying

to the East End of _Jamaica_; for which, _Secondly_, there succeeds

generally a Windward Current, on new or full Moons; or a Course of

fiery Breezes, bringing in a fuller Sea, and therefore the Reflux

more perceptible. _Thirdly_, keeping nigh shore, the Land-breezes

sometimes favour the Design.

We chose this way in our Return home, and with half Masts worked to

Windward of _Port Morant_, in six or seven Days, a Distance of 12

Leagues, where the Passage is in a manner gained, because the _Lee_

of _Hispaniola_ makes a smooth Water, and deflects the _Trade-Wind_

often, in Flaws to advantage. We indeed met Calms for three or four

Days, but on the 17th, got sight of the little Island _Navasia_,

which the _Jamaicans_ use in Boats, to kill _Guanas_, an amphibious

Creature that breed in abundance at the Roots of old Trees, some of

them 3 foot long, a _Lizard_ Shape, with sharp, black, and green

Scales; the Flesh firm, white, and as Sailors say, makes good Broth.

The same Evening we anchored in _Donna Maria_ Bay, at the West End of

_Hispaniola_, the usual Stop, especially of the King’s Ships in those

Parts, for Wood and Water: We filled our Cask at a Valley, a Mile

Southward of the two _brown Clifts_, very good Water, but on some

Winds the Sea gets over the Bar. There are two other Places used,

nigher those _Clifts_, and not so easily overflown. Here we bought

some jerked Hog’s Flesh from two or three _French_ Hunters, belonging

to _Petit Guavas_.

At leaving the Bay, a strong S W. Wind soon set us between the Capes

_St. Nicholas_ and _Maize_; when we came into small Winds, and a

Current in our favour, the old _Bahama Strait_, and Islands dispers’d

here, showing _this_ wherever they contract the Waters, and lessens

again, as we open to a larger Sea.

The 26th, nigh the Island of _Heneago_, recovered the true

_Trade-Wind_, E. half N. The 28th, saw the Rocks called _Hogstys_

by our Observations in 21°° 38 something farther to the Northward

than they are set down in the Charts. At Noon, came round _Aclin’s

Kays_ (pretty high out of the Water) and before Night, made _Crooked_

or _Well-Island_. The last, and from which we took our Departure,

was _Watlin’s Kay_, 24°° N. where we may farther remark, that the

_Trade-Wind_ continued with us to the Latitude of 32°° but faint

and weak, from 27°°; caused, I presume, from the Contest between

the Variable and that, as I have already guessed the N E. and S E.

_Trade_ does in other Places.

From 26 to 37°° Degrees of Latitude, (as far N. as _Virginia_) we

found every Day large Quantities of what they call _Gulph-weed_,

floating about the Ship, and lessening in proportion to the Distance;

it is so called, from a Conviction of its being thrown from the

Shoals of _Florida_; and by being found three or four hundred Leagues

N E. a-trend with the Continent, argues I think, a Continuance (tho’

insensible) of some Current, or that it is longer, or more to the

Northward than Southward in those Latitudes; and contrarily, in

higher North Latitudes the Seas nigh the Continent have a Tendency

Southward, demonstrated in those Islands of Ice, that drive all

Summer from the North West, along the Coast of _Newfoundland_, even

as far as _New-England_.

To the Northward of _Bermudas_, the Winds grew variable, and as we

advanced, stronger; A never-failing Gale (N W. to S W.) blowing from

the _American_ Coast at this Length and onward, to 60°° of Latitude,

and tho’ not invariable like the _Trade_, yet a Constancy of ¾ or

4/5 of the year, shews it on the same Principle with them; Ours was

a very hard Gale at N W. which put us to a reefed Fore-sail for a

Fortnight, so great a Sea following, that we could not help dipping

it up by Tuns sometimes at our Stern. We arrived in _England_,

_April_, 1723.

_FINIS._

[Illustration: (decorative banner)]

AN ABSTRACT Of the foregoing VOYAGE.

_A. Anchored, or arrived at._

_W. Weighed, or went from._

[Sidenote: 1720/1]

[Sidenote: _Feb. 5th_.]

_W._ From _Spithead_, about the same time with Commadore

_Matthews_, who commanded a Squadron of 4 Sail to _India_, on the

like Service; _the Suppression of Pyrates_.

[Sidenote: _Mar. 10._]

_A._ At _Madeira_. In our Approach to the Island (for 30 or 40

Leagues) met abundance of Sea-weed floating; here also we overtook

Commadore _Matthews_; two of his Squadron by hard Gales of Wind,

had damaged their Masts, and left him at Sea.

[Sidenote: _Mar. 18._]

_W._ _Thence_; and presently at Sea, found the _Trade-Wind fresh_.

[Sidenote: _27._]

We made the Cape _De Verd_ Islands, and on the 30th, parted with

the _Weymouth_, bound in with the Governor and Factors for _Gambia_

River. Meeting after this, Calms, or small Breezes, (common near

this Land) we took up several _Turtle_, who love sleeping on a

smooth Surface.

[Sidenote: 1721.]

[Sidenote: _April 7._]

_A._ At _Sierraleon_, the next noted River and Factory from

_Gambia_; and on the 18th, visited _Seignior Joseph_, a generous

and good-natur’d christian _Negro_, who had lately removed his

People some Miles up the River. With his old Buildings wooded our

Ship.

[Sidenote: _28._]

_W._ _Sierraleon_. The Winds 2 or 3 Points within the Land, always

favourable for sailing to the Westward, which is therefore called

_down the Coast_.

[Sidenote: _May 10._]

_A._ Off the Mouth of _Sesthos_ River; a Bar before it, but

commodious enough for watering. Here may be purchased considerable

Quantities of Rice; the River abounds with Fish; and you are

tolerably supplied with Goats and Fowls, or you imagine so from the

great Scarcity that appears at most other Places, from _Sierraleon_

to _Whydah_.

[Sidenote: _May 18._]

_W._ _Thence_, and sailed several Days along the Coast, low like

_Holland_, anchoring now and then. The 30th, came before _Bassam_

or _Bassau_. The 31st, before Assinee, passing by that unfathomable

Place called the _Bottomless Pit_[38]; the Natives every where

appearing shy of Correspondence, until we came upon the Gold Coast.

[Sidenote: _June 2._]

_A._ _Cape Appollonia_, the Land grows higher here, and the Natives

more alert and prompt at Trade.

[Sidenote: _6._]

_A._ _Axim_, the first _European_ Factory, belonging to the _Dutch_.

[Sidenote: _7._]

_A._ Cape _Tres Puntas_; the Fort formerly was the

_Brandenburghers_, who deserting it, it’s now in the possession

of a _Negro_, called _John Conny_. Ships constantly stop here

to water, as the most convenient Place for taking in any large

Quantity, and pay, each Ship, an Ounce of Gold for the Privilege.

[Sidenote: _14._]

_W._ _Thence_, and anchored the 15th at _Dixcove_, an _English_

Factory. This, _Succonda_, _Anamaboo_, and others, tho’ called

Factories, are the Residence only of two or three People from the

principal one at Cape _Corso_, who have Commission over and above

their Salary, for what Trade they transact.

[Sidenote: _16._]

_W._ _Dixcove_, and anchored next Day before _Cape Corso Castle_,

our _African_ Company’s chief Fort; the Residence of their

Governor, stiled _Director General_; two Merchants, a Secretary,

Chaplain, Surgeon, Factors, Writers, Artificers, and a Company of

Soldiers; with Buildings and Conveniencies inside, for themselves

or Slaves.

[Sidenote: _June 26._]

_A._ _Anamaboo_ (just below it) a noted Place of stopping, for all

our Windward trading Ships, to compleat their Slave Cargoes.

[Sidenote: _28._]

_A._ and _W._ _Montford_; the 30th, _Barkee_, and then _Shallo_.

Through the whole from _Sierraleon_, it may be observed, that

Wood, Candles, or any other Ships Necessaries are hard to get; the

former, not from a Want in the Country (it being over-run) but

an impassable Beach, where there is no navigable River, and the

Diffidence of the _Negroes_, where it might be best supplied; and

the other, because Merchant-Ships do not expect a Trade of that

sort, and therefore unprovided.

[Sidenote: _July 4._]

_A._ _Whydah._ The whole Coast runs in a strait Line (without

Gulphs or Bays) is thick set with Trees, a Tendency of the Sea with

the Wind, and every where a very rough and turbulent Beach.

[Sidenote: _20._]

_W._ _Whydah_, and arrived the 28th at the Island of _Princes_,

belonging to the _Portuguese_. In our Approach, saw every Day

abundance of Whale, Thresher, and Petrel.——Cleaned our Ships,

heaving down by one another, but became exceeding sickly by the

Fatigue, each burying three and four Men a Day, for six Weeks

together.

[Sidenote: _Sep. 20._]

_W_ _Princes_, both having purchased their Anchors with difficulty.

[Sidenote: _28._]

_A_ _St. Thomas’s_, another _Portuguese_ Island (the principal of

three) on this Coast, abounding with fresh Provisions, especially

Hogs and Fowls, exchanged like other Places of Poverty, at very

easy Rates.

[Sidenote: _Oct. 5._]

_W_ _Hence_, and stretched with our Starboard Tacks to the

Westward, designing to reach as far to Windward as possible, that

if any Pyrates should be on the Coast, we might have them under our

Lee. The 20th we fell in with _Cape Apollonia_, went from thence

the 23d, and anchored at _Axim_.

[Sidenote: _24._]

_W_ _Axim_, and came to Cape _3 Points_, where neglecting to pay

_John Conny_ his Duties for Water, he _panyarr’d_ some of our Men,

till satisfied.

[Sidenote: _30._]

Left Cape _3 Points_, and arrived next Day in Cape _Corso_ Road

again; it being every where confirmed to us in this Return down, that

the Pyrates in _August_ last (the time we were at _Princes_) had

committed great Ravages upon the Merchant Ships.

[Sidenote: _Nov. 10._]

_W._ Cape _Corso_ Road, leaving the _Weymouth_, (now too disabled

to weigh her Anchor,) and plying to Windward, fell in with

_Succonda_ the 15th, repeating our Visits in a Month’s Cruise, to

_Dixcove, cquedah_, Cape _3 Points_, _Axim_, Cape _Apollonia_,

_Assinee_, _Bassam_, _Jaque a Jaques_, &c. our Purpose in it being

to secure Trade, air a sickly Ship, be in the way of Intelligence,

and impress Men from the Merchant-Ships. Many prevented this

indeed, by escaping to us themselves from ill Treatment (they said)

bad or short Diet; but then, as more again on the same Pretence

took on with the Pyrates, it shews Caprice and Humour to be the

principal Point that determines Seamen to this or that Service.

[Sidenote: 1721/2]

[Sidenote: _Jan. 6._]

_A_ _De Elmina_, the _Dutch African_ Company’s principal Fort, of

great Trade, there being seldom less than 5 or 6 Sail of _Dutch_

Ships in the Road, often more.

[Sidenote: _7._]

_A._ Cape _Corso_ Road, and left it the 10th in pursuit of the

Pyrates; the Governor here, having received two or three Expresses,

that they had chased and taken a Ship nigh _Axim_, a Place we had

just come from.

[Sidenote: _11._]

_A_ _Apong_ to Leeward, not following too fast lest we over-shot

them, but after certain Intelligence that the Rogues had passed

this Road (off at Sea) we followed.

[Sidenote: _12._]

_A_ _Accra_, a considerable trading Place, (for Salt particularly)

and where the _Dane_, the _Dutch_, and _English_, have a Castle.

[Sidenote: _Jan 15._]

_A_ _Whydah_, and learned that the Pyrates had plundered and

ransomed 11 Sail of Ships, and left the Place two Days before, on

the Report of our following them.

[Sidenote: _19._]

_W._ Thence, and followed the Pursuit, coming before the Isle of

_Princes_ the 29th, and found the _Portuguese_ Strangers to the

News.

[Sidenote: _Feb. 1._]

_A._ The Mouth of the River _Gabone_, a snug Harbor we thought, for

their Reception, the Navigation being difficult; but finding by our

Boats we had missed them, left it the 3d, and continued our Search

to Cape _Lopez_.

Made the Cape, and soon after discovered the three Pyrate Ships at

Anchor in that Bay. One of them upon the _Heel_, righted at sight

of us, slipped her Cable and chased, bending some of her Sails as

she came out, by which we judged the Rashness of our Enemy, who

fell a Prize to us before Night.

[Sidenote: _10._]

Recovered the Cape again, and found the Prize’s Consorts (according

to expectation) very easy in the Bay, and stayed so long that we

doubted whether they would stir for us; but at length, as their

Eyes cleared in our nearer Advance, all mad and frightned, they cut

their Cable, set their Sails, up went the black Flag, and down

their Courage; they continued a running Fight, while only our chace

Guns could play upon them, and struck presently when our Broadside

reached, without the least Damage done to us.

[Sidenote: _Feb. 12._]

_A._ Cape _Lopez Bay_, seizing there the third Pyrate Ship, that

had been deserted for a better Escape or Defence in the other.

[Sidenote: _18._]

_W._ Thence, having wooded and watered, bound with our Prizes and

Prisoners to Cape _Corso_; the General, and chief Merchants there,

being in the Commission, (brought out of _England_ with us) for the

Tryal of them. Stopped at _Princes_, from the 21st to the 24th.

[Sidenote: _Mar. 15._]

_A._ Cape _Corso_ Road; the Pyrates in this Passage were very

troublesome to us, from a Project or two they had formed for their

Deliverance, and hoped by the Weakness of our Ship’s Company, would

have succeeded.

[Sidenote: 1722]

[Sidenote: _May 1._]

_W._ Cape _Corso_, the General’s Daughter of the Coast taking a

Passage with us to _England_, a fair, flaxen-hair’d, young Lady,

tho’ born of a _Mulatto_.

I shall here observe at leaving the _Center_, that in respect to

Trade, _Guinea_ needs only this threefold Division, _viz._ the

_Gold_, the _Ivory_, and the _Slave-Coast_; all to Windward of

this, might be called the one, and all to Leeward the other; not

because either of these Parts of Trade would be entirely wanted

in such respective Division, but each abounds more under that

Denomination.

[Sidenote: _May 3._]

_A_ _Whydah_, and left it the 5th, arriving at Cape _Lopez_ the

26th, where both Ships wooded, watered, and purchased Wax for

making Candles, now exceeding scarce; and is the most convenient

Place for Ships of War, at leaving the Country.

[Sidenote: _June 5._]

_W._ Cape _Lopez_, and after a few Days at Sea, by foggy Weather

lost Company with our Consort the _Swallow_.

[Sidenote: _July 1._]

Made Cape _Augustine_ in _Brasil_, a _Portuguese_ Colony, and

anchored the 4th in _Pernambuca_ Road, the next great Port of Trade

in this Province, to _Bahia_.

[Sidenote: _12._]

_W_ _Brasil_, having found the _Trade-Winds_ blow home, and

increased in their Strength to this Continent, bringing a dangerous

Swell into the Road.

[Sidenote: _August 3._]

_A_ _Barbados_, took in a Supply of Rum and Provisions, and left it

the 9th.

[Sidenote: _23._]

_A_ _Port-Royal_ in _Jamaica_, where we found the _Swallow_ had

arrived, a Week before.

[Sidenote: _Aug. 28._]

A _Hurricane_[39] that drove the _Prize_ ashore, blew away all our

Masts, with other Damages that detained us here 6 Months to repair.

[Sidenote: 1722/3]

[Sidenote: _Jan. 1._]

_W_ _Port-Royal_, and anchored at the _Kays_.

[Sidenote: _Feb. 7._]

_W._ The _Kays_, bound for _England_.

[Sidenote: _19._]

_A_ _Donna Maria Bay_ in _Hispaniola_ (the Windward Passage) to

water, _&c._

[Sidenote: _22._]

_W._ Thence, and arrived at _Spithead, April 8th_, whence we were

ordered to _Woolwich_, and paid off _May_ 11th, 1723.

_FINIS._

[Illustration: (decorative banner)]

_ERRATA._

P. line

32 19 for to r. too.

67 22 for he r. they.

72 27 After r. Aft.

75 24 and will be paid not only _&c._

115 4 Ch. x.

115 5 Ezion

125 16 r. some other Parts.