Part 7
‘We have yours, and observe its Contents; but having no Instructions given us with our Commission relating to _Spanish_ Vessels trading amongst these Islands, we can’t justify the parting with this Bark on your single Opinions. It was Mr. _Vanbrugh’s_ misfortune to go ashore; and if he is detain’d, we can’t help it. To have convinc’d us satisfactorily of what you say, you ought to have sent us a Copy of her Majesty’s Orders or Proclamation; but we doubt there’s no such thing in this case. If Mr. _Vanbrugh_ is unjustly detain’d, we’ll carry the Prisoners we have on board to the Port we are bound to, let the Consequence be what it will. We are requir’d to be accountable no farther than we are oblig’d by our Instructions, which we have given sufficient Security already to follow, and don’t fear a _Premunire_ when we comply with them. We know Fishing-Boats are excus’d on both sides, and all trading Vessels from _Rio la Hache_ to the River of _Chagre_ in the _Spanish West-Indies_. We admire the Master and Passengers should be so ignorant of a thing so necessary to be known by ’em, for we never had the least word or intimation from them of what you write. The Example you give us of a Trade here allow’d by the _French_ King and Duke of _Anjou_, we don’t admire at, because it is for the Benefit of the _Spaniards_; and we know the _English_ Ships are protected no farther than in Anchor-Ground: and since we took this Vessel at Sea, we shan’t part with her unless on our own Terms. If you are positive in what you wrote us, and conscious what detriment it will be to the _English_ Trade, you have no way to prevent it, but immediately to ransom this Bark; and if it be her Majesty of _Great Britain’s_ Pleasure, and we are better inform’d in _England_, then we can justify our Conduct to the Gentlemen that imploy’d us, and you will be again reimbursed. We shall wait but a short time for an Answer, having Water and Provisions for our selves and Prisoners to the _English_ Settlements, where we are bound. We are apprehensive you are oblig’d to give us this Advice to gratify the _Spaniards_; and with Respect are,
Gentlemen, Your Humble Servants, _Woodes Rogers_, _Stephen Courtney_.
[Sidenote: _Amongst the Canary Isles._]
‘If you send us Mr. _Vanbrugh_, and the Man with him, we’ll send you the Prisoners; but we’ll not part from the Bark, unless ransom’d: tho the Value is not much, we will not be impos’d on. We desire you to use all manner of Dispatch without loss of time, which we can’t allow, nor answer it to our Employers.
_Sept. 21._ At six last night the _Spanish_ Boat came again to us with dilatory Answers to our last, insisting on behalf of the _Spaniards_, that the Goods should be return’d ’em, tho they consented to ransom the Bark. To which we immediately return’d an Answer; for we were angry at their Tediousness and our ill Treatment, our time being precious, because we were inform’d that they expected every hour a small Privateer that usually cruis’d off of _Madera_, as also a _Spanish_ Ship from the _West-Indies_ design’d for _Santa Cruz_: So that it look’d like a Design, to keep us here in suspence till these Ships might get safely in, on the other side of the Island. Our Answer was to this effect: That had it not been out of respect to our Officer on shore, we would not have staid one minute, but would now stay till Morning for their Answer, and take a Cruise among the Islands some time longer than we intended, in order to make a Reprisal; and tho we could not land our Men, would visit the Town with our Guns by eight next morning: adding, that we hop’d to meet with the Governor’s Frigat, and should repay his Civility in his own way, but wonder’d that they being _Englishmen_ should trifle with us. The Letter had its effect; for this Morning at eight a clock we stood in close to the Town, and spy’d a Boat coming off, which prov’d to be one Mr. _Crosse_ an _English_ Merchant, and Mr. _Vanbrugh_ our Agent with him, with Wine, Grapes, Hogs, and other Necessaries, for the Ransom of the Bark. Upon his coming up, we immediately went to work, discharg’d the Bark, and parted the small Cargo between our two Ships. We treated Mr. _Crosse_ as well as we could, and at his desire gave the Prisoners back as much as we could find of what belong’d to their Persons; particularly to the Fryars their Books, Crucifixes, and Reliques. We presented the old _Padre_ Guardian with a Cheese, and such as were strip’d, with other Clothes. So that we parted, very well satisfy’d on all sides. Mr. _Crosse_ told us the _Spaniards_ ashore were very inquisitive whither we were bound; and understanding by the Prisoners that our Ships were sheath’d, and so full of Provisions, they suspected we design’d for the _South-Sea_: and he inform’d us that four or five _French_ Ships from 24 to 50 Guns sail’d thence about a month before on the same Voyage. But we did not think fit to own there, that we were bound to any other place than the _English West-Indies_. These Islands being so well known, I need not add any Description of them. We saw the Pike of _Teneriff_ plain but once while there, it being generally clouded; you may often see the Top above the Clouds, when the rest is all cover’d with them. Now we are indifferently well stock’d with Liquor, and shall be the better able to endure the Cold when we get the Length of Cape _Horn_, which we are inform’d has always very cold bad Weather near it.
_Sept. 22._ Last night just as we had finish’d with Mr. _Crosse_, and deliver’d the _Spaniards_ their Bark, we spy’d a Sail to the Westward of the Island between three and four in the Evening. We immediately made what Sail we could, and steer’d W by N. along the Shore. At eight a clock we were in sight of _Gomera_ bearing S S W. distant three Leagues, _Palma_ W by N. distant five Leagues. We lost sight of the Sail before Night, spoke with our Consort, and agreed to keep between _Palma_ and _Gomera_ in our Voyage; it being uncertain to meet with the Chase the next day, since last night she was near five Leagues from us, so that we believ’d she might get into a place of safety, if an Enemy, before we could see her. Besides, there came on a stiff Gale, which put us quite out of hopes of seeing her again to advantage. Fair Weather, fresh Gales at N E by N.
_Sept. 23._ About five yesterday in the afternoon, when at least 36 Leagues distant, we saw the _Pico Teneriff_ very plain. Fine pleasant Weather, fresh Gales with smooth Water, Wind at N E by E.
_Sept. 24._ We sent our Boat for Capt. _Courtney_, Capt. _Cook_, Mr. _Stratton_, and Mr. _Bath_ their Agent, who staid and din’d with us; and whilst they were aboard, we held a Council, the Result of which was as follows.
At a Committee by Desire of Capt. _Woodes Rogers_, Capt. _Thomas Dover_, and Capt. _Stephen Courtney_, held on board the _Duke_.
[Sidenote: _Differences with Mr. Carleton Vanbrugh._]
_We have examin’d all Letters and Proceedings that happen’d at and after the taking the_ Spanish _Bark, and the Reason of both Ships Stay off of_ Teneriff, _and amongst the_ Canary _Islands; and we do approve of all that was transacted and wrote: the major part of us having at the time when ’twas done advis’d the Commanders to it. Witness our Hands_,
Tho. Dover, _Pres._ William Stratton, Steph. Courtney, Robert Frye, Woodes Rogers, Charles Pope, Will. Dampier, Thomas Glendal, Edward Cook, John Bridge, Carl. Vanbrugh, John Ballet. William Bath,
Whilst the Committee were together, Mr. _Vanbrugh_ complain’d I had not treated him as I ought: upon which I offer’d to refer it to all present, that we might not have needless Misunderstandings at the beginning of our Voyage; and they came to the following Resolution.
_Whereas there has been some Difference between Capt._ Woodes Rogers _and Mr._ Carleton Vanbrugh _the Ship’s Agent; it being refer’d to the Council, we adjudg’d the said Mr._ Vanbrugh _to be much in the wrong. In witness whereof, we have set our Hands, the_ 24_th of_ Sept. 1708.
Tho. Dover, _Pres._ William Bath, Stephen Courtney, Charles Pope, William Dampier, Thomas Glendal, Edward Cook, John Bridge, Robert Frye, John Ballet. William Stratton,
_Sept. 25._ This day, according to custom, we duck’d[92] those that had never pass’d the Tropick before. The manner of doing it was by a Rope thro a Block from the Main-Yard, to hoist ’em above half way up to the Yard, and let ’em fall at once into the Water; having a Stick cross thro their Legs, and well fastned to the Rope, that they might not be surpriz’d and let go their hold. This prov’d of great use to our fresh-water Sailors, to recover the Colour of their Skins which were grown very black and nasty. Those that we duck’d after this manner three times, were about 60, and others that would not undergo it, chose to pay Half a Crown Fine; the Money to be levy’d and spent at a publick Meeting of all the Ships Companys, when we return to _England_. The _Dutch_ Men and some _English_ Men desir’d to be duck’d, some six, others eight, ten, and twelve times, to have the better Title for being treated when they come home. Wind N W by W. and veering to the Northward and Eastward.
_Sept. 26._ Yesterday in the Afternoon we sold the loose Plunder of the Bark amongst the Sailors by Auction. Fair Weather, moderate Gales at N N E. had a very good Observ. Lat. 21. 33. N.
_Sept. 29._ Betwixt nine and ten at night, a Sailor going up to furl the Main-Top-Gallant Sail, fell suddenly without any noise from the Main-Top over board, occasion’d as I suppos’d by a Fit. At nine this morning we saw Land, and suppos’d it to be _Sal_ one of the Cape _De Verd_ Islands, bearing S E by S. distant about 12 Ls.[93] At twelve a clock at noon it bore E S E. dist. 4 Ls. fair Weather, smooth Water, fresh Gales at N E. Lat. 17. 5. N. Long. W. from _London_, 23. 16.
_Sept. 30._ After being satisfy’d the Island was _Sal_, we stood from it W and W by N. for _St. Vincent_. At four a clock _Sal_ bore E by S. 1/4 S. dist. 10 Ls. At six _St. Nicholas_ bore S W by W. dist. 8 Ls. We went with an easy Sail till four this Morning, and lay by to make the Islands, because we had none aboard either Ship that was acquainted with ’em. When day broke, we saw the Islands all in a range, much as is laid down in the Draughts. At ten a clock we anchored in the Bay of _St. Vincent_ in five fathom Water. ’Tis a fine Bay: The Northmost Point bore North near a mile dist. and the Westermost Point bore West dist. about two miles: _Monk’s_ Rock, which is like a Sugar-Loaf, high and round, and bold on every side, lies almost in the Entrance of this fine sandy Bay on the West-side of the Island: But nearest the North Point of the Bay, Sailors must be careful as they come in, not to run too near under the high Land of the North Point, for fear of being becalm’d, and sudden Flaws coming every way upon ’em. There being a small Shoal about three Ships length almost without the Point, but giving it a small birth it’s bold enough. We ran within two Cables length of the first round Point, next to the long sandy Bay, and came to an anchor in clean sandy Ground. _Monk’s_ Rock bore N W by N. dist. 3/4 Mile; the Body of the Island _St. Antonio_ bore N W 1/2 N. dist. nine Miles.
[Sidenote: _Arival at St. Vincent._]
This is a fine Bay and good Landing, but the best at the Northermost Point. The Wood lies in the middle of the sandy Bay, and the Water between the North Point and the place where we anchor’d. There is good Anchoring all over the Bay, and the _Monks_-Rock will direct any Stranger into it, there being no other like it about this Island on the side opposite to _St. Antonio_. It blows here a constant Trade-Wind betwixt the E by N. and the N N E. except in the Months of _October_, _November_, _December_, and _January_, it sometimes blows Southerly with Tornadoes and Rain.
_October 1._ We clear’d our Ship yesterday, but it blow’d too hard to row our Boat-Loads of empty Butts ashoar; and we could do but little to Wooding and Watering, till this morning we were forc’d to get a Rope from the Ship to the watering-place, which is a good half-mile from our anchoring-place, and so haul’d our empty Casks ashore by Boat-loads, in order to have ’em burnt and clean’d in the Inside, being Oil-Casks; and for want of cleaning, our Water stunk insufferably. I borrow’d a Cooper from the _Dutchess_, and having five of my own, made quick dispatch.
_Octob. 3._ We sent our Boat over to _St. Antonio_, with _Joseph Alexander_, a good Linguist, and a respectful Letter to the Governour, who accounts himself a Great Man here, tho very poor, to get in Truck for our Prize-Goods what we wanted; they having plenty of Cattel, Goats, Hogs, Fowls, Melons, Potatoes, Limes, ordinary Brandy, Tobacco, Indian Corn, _&c._ Our People were very meanly stock’d with Clothes, and the _Dutchess’s_ Crew much worse; yet we are both forc’d to watch our Men very narrowly, and punish several of ’em, to prevent their selling what Clothes they have for Trifles to the Negroes, that came over with little things from _St. Antonio’s_. The People at all these Islands rather chuse Clothing or Necessaries of any sort than Mony, in return for what they sell. The Letter sent by the Linguist to the Governour of _St. Antonio’s_, Senior _Joseph Rodriges_, was as follows:
_Honourable Sir_,
‘The Bearer hereof is one of our Officers, whom we have sent to wait upon your Honour with our due Respects, and to acquaint you with our Arrival in the Bay of _St. Vincent_; and further, that being Subjects and Servants of her Majesty the Queen of _Great Britain_, a High Ally and Confederate of his Sacred Majesty the King of _Portugal_, and having several Necessaries which we suppos’d the Inhabitants of your Island may want, and supposing they can accommodate us _per contra_, we are desirous of an immediate Traffick with them. We arriv’d three days ago, but being Strangers were unacquainted in these parts, and not sooner inform’d of your Honour’s Residence in the neighbouring Islands; else we had been earlier with our Respects: and if not too great a Favour, we should be proud to see your Honour on board. Our Stay cannot exceed two days more, so that Dispatch is necessary. We have Mony or Goods of several kinds, to pay or exchange for what they bring. The Bearer can inform your Honour of the publick Occurrences of _Europe_, and the great Successes of the Confederate Arms against the _French_ and _Spaniards_; which, no doubt must soon be follow’d with a lasting Peace, which God grant. We subscribe our selves with much Respect,
Your Honour’s most Obedient Humble Servants, _Woodes Rogers_, _Stephen Courtney_.
_Octob. 4._ Our Boat return’d this Morning; but the Landing-place being far from the inhabitable part of _St. Antonio_, they brought nothing but a few Limes and Fowls, and left our Linguist behind to get what we wanted. We struck two of our Gun-room Guns into the Hold, being useless in their place, and the Ship having too much top-weight, and not very stiff. We had plenty of Fish here, but not very good. Wind at N N E.
_Octob. 5._ Our Boat went to _St. Antonio_ to see for our Linguist, according to appointment. We heel’d and clean’d our Ships, and got a great deal of Wood and Water aboard. Wind at N E. fine Weather.
_Octob. 6._ Our Boat return’d with nothing but Limes and Tobacco, and no News of our Linguist. But soon after there came another Boat belonging to that part of the Island where the Governour lives, with his Deputy-Governour, a Negro, who brought Limes, Tobacco, Oranges, Fowls, Potatoes, Hogs, Bonanoes, Musk and Water-Melons, and Brandy, which we bought of him, and paid in such Prize-Goods as we had left of the Bark’s Cargo cheap enough. They are poor People, and will truck at any Price for what they want, in such Payments as they can make.
[Sidenote: _In the Bay of St. Vincent._]
_Octob. 7._ We sent our Boat at Three this Morning to see if our Linguist was return’d. The Deputy-Governour told us he promis’d him to wait at the Water-side all that night where we put him ashore, and that there were Cattel for us if we would fetch ’em. We were ready to sail: A good Wind at N E. and a fresh Gale.
_Octob. 8._ Our Boat return’d yesterday in the Afternoon with two good black Cattel, one for each Ship, but no News of our Linguist; upon which we consulted with the Officers of both Ships, and all unanimously agreed, that we had better leave him behind, than to wait with two Ships for one Man that had not follow’d his Orders. We held a Committee on board the _Dutchess_ to prevent Embezlements in Prizes, and to hinder Feuds and Disorders amongst our Officers and Men for the future, because the small Prize had shew’d us, that without a Method to be strictly observ’d in Plunder, it might occasion the worst of Consequences to both Ships, and such Quarrels as would not easily be laid. So with the Consent and Approbation of the Officers appointed for a Committee, we unanimously agreed on it, to prevent those Mutinies and Disorders amongst the Men of both Ships, who were not yet reconcil’d since the taking the small _Canary_-Prize. They all insisted there was never any Privateer’s Crew hinder’d from Plunder, so that we were forc’d to agree on the following Instrument of a Dividend, when we should meet with any Prize. And that the things we deem’d to be Plunder, according to custom in Privateering, should tend as little as possible to the disadvantage of the Owners, we did for that end take care by the second Article in the said Instrument and Agreement with the Men, to reserve the Power of adjudging what should be deem’d Plunder, unto the superior Officers and Agents exclusive of the Crew, _&c._ For we found it would be next to a miracle to keep the Men in both Ships under Command, and willing to fight resolutely on occasion, if we held ’em to the Letter of Agreement with the Owners, which was not duly consider’d of at home. We had a particular Regard however to the Sentiments of the Owners, deliver’d on this head in Discourses at several times with divers of the Committee, as my self, Capt. _Dover_, Capt. _Courtney_, Mr. _Robert Frye_, and Mr. _Carleton Vanbrugh_; and particularly in _Kingroad_ to the Men, at the time of signing of their Instrument. By all which we judg’d that the Owners could not but approve of the Measures that we took on this occasion, and that the good effects of ’em would abundantly answer our Intentions. Altho the Officers and Men did voluntarily allow Capt. _Courtney_ and me 5 _per Cent._ each, out of the Value of all Plunder, it was much less than our Due; and we would have been glad to have let all alone, provided we could with the Advice of our chief Officers in both Ships have contriv’d any other Method to be safe in the Prosecution of our Designs with our Men, and have kept them to their Duty on all occasions, at so great a distance from home: without their being easy, we must unavoidably have run into such continual Scenes of Mischief and Disorder, as have not only tended to the great Hindrance, but generally to the total Disappointment of all Voyages of this nature, that have been attempted so far abroad in the Memory of Man. The Agreement we made was as follows.
At a Committee held on board the _Dutchess_ the 8_th of October_, 1708. it is agreed by the Officers and Men of both Ships to the sundry Particulars following.
Impr. _That all Plunder on board each Prize we take by either Ship, shall be equally divided between the Company of both Ships, according to each Man’s respective whole Share, as ship’d by the Owners or their Orders._
2. _That what is Plunder shall be adjudg’d by the superior Officers and Agents in each Ship._
3. _That if any Person on board either Ship do conceal any Plunder exceeding one Piece of Eight in value_, 24 _hours after the Capture of any Prize, he shall be severely punish’d, and lose his Shares of the Plunder. The same Penalty to be inflicted for being drunk in time of Action, or disobeying his superior Officer’s Commands, or concealing himself, or deserting his Post in Sea or Land-Service; except when any Prize is taken by Storm in Boarding, then whatsoever is taken shall be his own, as followeth: A Sailor or Landman_ 10 l. _Any Officer below the Carpenter_ 20 l. _A Mate, Gunner, Boatswain, and Carpenter_ 40 l. _A Lieutenant or Master_ 70 l. _And the Captains_ 100 l. _over and above the Gratuity promis’d by the Owners to such as shall signalize themselves._
4. _That publick Books of Plunder are to be kept in each Ship attested by the Officers, and the Plunder to be apprais’d by Officers chosen, and divided as soon as possible after the Capture. Also every Person to be sworn and search’d so soon as they shall come aboard, by such Persons as shall be appointed for that purpose: The Person or Persons refusing, shall forfeit their shares of the Plunder as above._
[Sidenote: _In the Bay of St. Vincent._]
5. _In consideration that Capt._ Rogers _and Capt._ Courtney, _to make both Ships Companies easy, have given the whole Cabin-Plunder (which in all probability is the major part) to be divided as aforesaid; we do voluntarily agree, that they shall have_ 5 _per Cent. each of ’em, over and above their respective Shares, as a Consideration for what is their Due of the Plunder aforesaid._
6. _That a Reward of twenty Pieces of Eight shall be given to him that first sees a Prize of good Value, or exceeding_ 50 _Tuns in Burden._
7. _That such of us who have not sign’d already to the Articles of Agreement indented with the Owners, do hereby oblige our selves to the same Terms and Conditions as the rest of the Ships Company have done; half Shares and half Wages_, &c.
_To which Articles of Agreement we have set our Hands, as our full Intent and Meaning, without any Compulsion._
Sign’d by the Officers and Men of both Ships.