of twenty unto three and twenty degrees Northern latitude being in length one hundred and fifty German leagues and about forty in breadth It s Fertility is equal unto that of the Island of Hispaniola Besides which it affordeth many things proper for Trading and Commerce such as are Hides of several Beasts particularly those that in Europe are called Hides of Havana On all sides it is surrounded with a great number of small Islands which go all together under the name of Cayos Islands called Cayos the refuge of Pirats Of these little Islands the Pirats make great use as of their own proper Ports of refuge Here most commonly they make their Meetings and hold their Councils how to assault more easily the Spaniards It is thorowly irrigated on all sides with the streams of plentiful and pleasant Rivers Rivers whose entries do form both secure and spacious Ports Besides many other Harbours for Ships which along the calm shores and coasts do adorn many parts of this rich and beautiful Island All which contribute very much unto its happiness by facilitating the exercise of Trade whereunto they invite both Natives and Aliens The chiefest of these Ports are San Tiago Bayame Santa Ports Maria Espiritu Santo Trinidad Xagoa Cabo de Corrientes and others all which are seated on the South-side of the Island On the Northern side hereof are found these following La Havana Puerto Mariano Santa Cruz Mata Ricos and Barracoa This Island hath two principal Cities by which Cities the whole Country is governed and unto which all the Towns and Villages thereof do give obedience The first of these is named San Tiago or St. Iames being seated on the South-side and having under its jurisdiction one half of the Island The chief Magistrates hereof are a Bishop Government and a Governour who command over the Villages and Towns belonging to the half above-mentioned The chiefest of these are on the Southern side Espiritu Santo Puerto de el Principe and Bayame On the North-side it hath Barracoa and the Town called de los Cayos The greatest part of the Commerce driven at the aforementioned Their Commerce with the Canaries City of San Tiago cometh from the Canary-Islands whither they transport great quantity of Tobacco Sugar and Hides which sorts of Merchandize are drawn to the head-City from the subordinate Towns and Villages In former times this City of San Tiago was miserably sack'd by the Pirats of Iamaica and Tortuga San Tiago sack'd by Pirats notwithstanding that it is defended by a considerable Castle The City and Port de la Havana lieth between the North and West-side of the Island This is Havana one of the renownedst and strongest places of all the West Indies It s jurisdiction extendeth over 〈◊〉 Jurisdiction the other half of the Island the chiefest places under it being Santa Cruz on the Northern side and la Trinidad on the South From hence is transported huge quantity of Tobacco which is 〈◊〉 sent in great plenty unto New Spain and Costa Rica even as far as the South-Sea Besides many Ships laden with this Commodity that are signed into Spain and other parts of Europe not onely in the leaf but also in rowls This City is defended by three Castles very great and strong two of which lie towards the Port and Castles the other is seated upon a hill that commandeth the Town 'T is esteemed to contain ten thousand Families more or less among which number of people the Merchants of this place trade Inhabitants in New Spain Campeche Honduras and Horida All the Ships that come from the parts aforementioned as also from Caracas Cartagena and Costa Rica are necessitated to take their Provisions in at Havana wherewith to make their Voyage for Spain this being the necessary and streight Convenient Situation course they ought to steer for the South of Europe and other parts The Plate-Fleet of Spain which the Spaniards call Flôta being homeward bound toucheth here yearly to take in the rest of their full Cargo as Hides Tobacco and Campeche-wood Captain Morgan had been no longer than two months in the abovementioned Ports of the South of Cuba when he had got together a Fleet of Capt. Morgan soon getteth a good Fleet. twelve sail between Ships and great Boats wherein he had seven hundred fighting men part of which were English and part French They called a Council and some were of opinion They designe against Havana 't were convenient to assault the City of Havana under the obscurity of the night Which Enterprize they said might easily be performed especially if they could but take any few of the Ecclesiasticks and make them Prisoners Yea that the City might be sack'd before the Castles could put themselves in a posture of defence Others propounded according to their several Diversity of opinions opinions other attempts Notwithstanding the former Proposal was rejected because many of the Pirats had been Prisoners at other times in the said City and these affirmed nothing of consequence could be done unless with fifteen hundred men Moreover that with all this number of people they ought first to go unto the Island de los Pinos and land them in small Boats about Matamano fourteen leagues distant from the aforesaid City whereby to accomplish by these means and order their designes The Towne of Puerto del Principe taken sackt Part 2 Page 80. Captain Morgan with his men being now upon the march found the avenues and passages unto the Town impenetrable Hereupon they took their way through the Wood traversing it with great difficulty whereby they escaped They escape the Ambuscades divers Ambuscades Thus at last they came into the Plain aforementioned which from its figure is called by the Spaniards la Savana or the Sheet The Governour seeing them come made a detachment of a Troop of Horse which he sent to charge them in the front thinking to disperse them and by putting them to flight pursue them with his main Body But this designe succeeded not as it was intended For the Pirats marched in very good rank and file at the sound of their Drums and with flying Colours When they came nigh unto the Horse they drew into the form of a Semicircle and thus advanced towards the Spaniards who charged them like valiant and couragious Souldiers for some while But seeing that the Pirats were very dexterous at their Arms and their Governour with many of their Companions killed they began to retreat towards the Wood. Here they designed to save themselves with more advantage but before they could reach it the greatest part of them were unfortunately killed by the hands of the Pirats Thus they left the Victory Many Spaniards kill'd unto these new-come Enemies who had no considerable loss of men in this Battel and but very few wounded howbeit the Skirmish continued for the space of four hours They entred the
sum being known it caused a general resentment and grief to see such a small purchase which was not sufficient to pay their Debts at Iamaica Hereupon Captain Morgan propounded unto them they should think upon some other Enterprize and Pillage before they returned home But the French-men not being able to agree with the English separated from their company leaving Captain The French separate from the English Morgan alone with those of his own Nation notwithstanding all the perswasions he used to reduce them to continue in his company Thus they parted with all external signes of friendship Captain Morgan reiterating his promises unto them he would see justice done upon that Criminal This he performed for being arrived at Iamaica he caused him to be hang'd which was all the satisfaction the French Pirats could expect CHAP. VI. Captain Morgan resolveth to attack and plunder the City of Puerto Velo Unto this effect he equippeth a Fleet and with little Expence and small Forces taketh the said place SOme Nations may think that the French having deserted Captain Morgan the English A new Fleet equipped alone could not have sufficient courage to attempt such great Actions as before But Captain Morgan who always communicated Vigour with his words infused such Spirits into his men as were able to put every one of them instantly upon new designes They being all perswaded by his Reasons that the sole execution of his Orders would be a certain means of obtaining great Riches This perswasion had such influence upon their minds that with unimitable courage they all resolved to follow him The same likewise did a certain Pirat of Campeche who in An old Pirat of Campeche this occasion joyned with Captain Morgan to seek new fortunes under his conduct and greater advantages than he had found before Thus Captain Morgan in a few days gathered a Fleet of nine sail between Ships and great Boats wherein he had four hundred and threescore military 460 men in all men After that all things were in a good posture of readiness they put forth to Sea Captain Morgan imparting the designe he had in his mind unto They sâ—…t forth towards Puerto Velo no body for that present He onely told them on several occasions that he held as indubitable he should make a good fortune by that Voyage if strange occurrences altered not the course of his designes They directed their course towards the Continent where they arrived in few days upon the coast of Costa Rica with all their Fleet entire No sooner had they discovered land but Captain Morgan declared his intentions to the Captains and presently after unto all the rest of the company He told them he intended in that Expedition to plunder Puerto Velo and that he would perform it by night being resolved to put the whole City to the sack not the least corner escaping his diligence Moreover to encourage them he added This Enterprize could not fail to succeed well seeing he had kept it secret in his mind without revealing it to any body whereby they could not have notice of his coming Unto this proposition some made answer They had not a sufficient number of men wherewith to assault so strong and great a City But Captain Morgan replied If our number is Spâ—…h â—…f Capt. Morg. small our hearts are great And the fewer persons we are the more union and better shares we shall have in the spoil Hereupon being stimulated with the ambition of those vast Riches they promised themselves from their good success they unanimously concluded to venture upon that designe But now to the intent my Reader may better comprehend the incomparable boldness of this Exploit it may be necessary to say something before-hand of the City of Puerto Velo The City which beareth this name in America Description of Puerto Velo is seated in the Province of Costa Rica under the altitude of ten degrees Northern latitude at the distance of fourteen leagues from the Gulf of Darien and eight Westwards from the Port called Nombre de Dios. It is judged to be the strongest place that the King of Spain possesseth in all the West-Indies excepting two that is to say Havana and Cartagena Here are two Castles almost inexpugnable that defend the City being situated at the entry of the Port so that no Ship nor Boat can pass without permission The Garison consisteth of three hundred Souldiers and the Town constantly inhabited by four hundred Families more or less The Merchants dwell not here but onely reside for a while when the Galeons come or go from Spain by reason of the unhealthiness of the Air occasioned by certain Vapours that exhale from the Mountains Notwithstanding their chief Warehouses are at Puerto Velo howbeit their Habitations be all the year long at Panama From whence they bring the Plate upon Mules at such times as the Fair beginneth and when the Ships belonging to the Company of Negro's arrive here to sell Slaves Captain Morgan who knew very well all the Avenues of this City as also all the neighbouring Coasts arrived in the dusk of the evening at They arrived at Puerto de Naos the place called Puerto de Naos distant ten leagues towards the West of Puerto Velo Being come unto this place they mounted the River in their Ships as far as another Harbour called Puerto Pontin where they came to an Anchor Here they put themselves immediately into Boats and Canows leaving in the Ships onely a few men to keep them and conduct them the next day unto the Port. About midnight they came to a certain place called Estera longa Lemos where they all went on shore and marched by land to the first Posts of the City They had in their company a certain English-man who had been formerly And from thence at Puerto Velo a Prisoner in those parts and who now served them for a Guide Unto him and three or four more they gave commission to take the Centry if possible or kill him upon the place But they laid hands on him and apprehended him The Centry taken with such cunning as he had no time to give warning with his Musket or make any other noise Thus they brought him with his hands bound unto Captain Morgan who asked him How things went in the city and what Forces they had with many other circumstances which he was desirous to know After every question they made him a thousand menaces to kill him in case he declared not the truth Thus they began to advance towards the City carrying always the said Centry bound before them Having marched about one quarter of a league they came unto the Castle that is nigh unto the City which presently they closely surrounded so that no person could get either in or out of the said Fortress First Castle surrounded Being thus posted under the walls of the Castle Captain Morgan commanded the Centry whom they had taken Prisoner to speak
after that I had served him but one year he offered me my liberty with only this condition that I should pay him one hundred pieces of eight when I was in a Capacity of VVealth so to do VVhich kind proposal of his I could not choose but He getteth 〈◊〉 â—…eedom accept with infinite Joy and gratitude of mind Being now at liberty though like unto Adam when he was first Created by the hands of his maker that is naked and destitute of all human necessaries nor knowing how to get my living I determined to enter into the wicked Order of the Pirates or Robbers at Sea Turneth Piratâ—… Into this Society I was received with common consent both of the Superior and Vulgar sort and among them I continued until the year 1672. Having assisted them in all their designs and attempts and served them in many notable exploits of which hereafter I shall give the Reader a true account I returned unmy own Native Country But before I begin to relate the things abovementioned I shall say something for the satisfaction of such as are curious of the Island Hispaniola which lyeth towards the VVestern parts of America as also give my Reader a brief description thereof according to my slender ability and experience CHAP. III. Description of the great and famous Island of Hispaniola The very large and rich Island called Hispaniola lieth sâ—…tuate in the altitude of seventeen degrees and an half The greatest part thereof extendeth from East to West twenty degrees Southern latitude The circumference is of three hundred Leagues the length one hundred and twenty its breadth almost fifty being more or less broad or narrow at certain places I shall not need here to insert how this Island was at first discovered it being known unto the World that it was performed by the means of Christopher Columbus Discovered by Columbus in the year 1492 being sent unto this purpose by Ferdinand the Catholick then King of Spain From which time unto this present the Spaniards have been continually possessors thereof There be upon this Island many very good and strong Cities Towns and Hamlets as also it aboundeth in a great number of pleasant and delicious Country Houses and Plantations All which are owing unto the care and industry of the Spaniards its inhabitants The chief City and Metropolis of this Island Qualities of the City of Santo Domingo is called Santo Domingo being dedicated un St. Dominick from whom it deriveth this name It is situated towards the South in a place which affordeth a most excellent prospect The Country round about being embelished with innumerable rich plantations as also verdant Meadows and fruitful Gardens all which do produce plenty and variety of excellent and pleasant fruits according to the nature of those Countries The Governour of the Island maketh his residence in this City which is as it were the Store house of all the other Cities Towns and Villages which from hence do export and provide themselves with all necessaries whatsoever for human Life And yet hath it this particularity above many other Cities in other places that it entertaineth no external commerce with any other Nation then its own the Spaniards The greatest part of the inhabitants are rich and substantial Merchants or such as are shop-keepers and do sell by retail Another City of this Island is named San Tiago or in English St. Iames as being consecrated City of St. Tiago unto the Apostle of that Name This is an open place without either Walls or Castle situate in the altitude of nineteen degrees of Southern latitude The greatest part of the inhabitants thereof are Hunters and Planters the adjacent territory and soil being very proper for the said exercises of its constitution The City is surrounded with large and delicious Fields as much pleasing to the view as those of Santo Domingo And these abound with all sorts of Beasts both VVild and Tame from whence are tane an huge number of Skins and Hides that afford unto the Owners a very considerable traffick Towards the Southern parts of this Island City of Nuâ—…stra Sennora de Alta Gracia is seen another City called Nuestra Sennora de Alta Gracia The territory hereof produceth great quantities of Cacao which occasioneth the inhabitants to make great store of the richest sort of Chocolat Here groweth also much Ginger and Tobacco and much Tallow is prepared of the Beasts which here abouts are hunted The inhabitants of this beautiful Island of Isle of Savona Hispaniola often go and come in their Canows unto the Isle of Savona not far distant from thence where is their chief fishery especially of Tortoises Hither those Fish do constantly resort in huge multitudes at certain seasons of the year there to lay their eggs burying them in the sands of the Shore Thus by the heat of the Sun which in those parts is very ardent they are hatched and continue the propagation of their Species This Island of Savona hath little or nothing that is worthy consideration or may merit any particular description as being so extreamly barren by reason of its Sandy Soil True it is that here groweth some small quantity of Lignum Sanctum or Guajacum of whose use we have already said something in another place VVestwards of the City of Santo Domingo The Town of Aso is also situated another great village called by the Name of El Pueblo de Aso or the Town of Aso. The inhabitants of this Town drive a great commerce and traffick with those of another Village which is placed in the very middle of the Island and is called San Iuan de Goave or St. Iohn of Goave This place is environ'd with a magnificent prospect Town of St. John of Goave of Gardens Woods and Meadows It s territory extendeth above twenty Leagues inlength and grazeth an huge number of Wild Bulls and Cows In this village scarce dwell any others then Hunters and Butchers who flay the beasts that are killed These are for the most part a mungrel sort of people of several Bloods Some of which are born of white European people and Negros and these are called Mulatos Others are born of Indians and white people and such are termed Mesticos But others are begotten of Negros and Indians and these also have their peculiar Name being called Alcatraces Besides which sorts of people there be several other species and races both here and in other places of the West Indies Of whom this account may be given that the Spaniards love better the Negro Women in those Western parts or the tawny Indian Females than their own white European race When as peradventure the Negros and Indians have greater inclinations to the white women or those that come near them the tawny then their own From the said village are exported yearly vast quantities of Tallow and Hides they exercising no other traffick nor toil For as to the Lands in this place they
towards the Western side of the Lake in little Huts that are built upon Trees which grow in the water The cause hereof being onely to exempt themselves as much as possible from the innumerable quantity of Mosquito's or Gnats that infest those parts and by which they are tormented night and day Towards the East-side of the said Lake are also to be seen whole Towns of Fishermen who likewise are constrained to live in Huts built upon Trees like unto the former Another reason of thus dwelling is the frequent Inundations of Waters for after great Rains the Land is often overflowed for the space of two or three leagues there being no less than five and twenty great Rivers that feed this Lake The Town of Gibraltar is also frequently drowned by these Inundations insomuch as the Inhabitants are constrained Inundations of Gibraltar to leave their houses and retire unto their Plantations Gibraltar is situated at the side of the Lake forty leagues or thereabouts within it and receiveth It s Situation its necessary Provisions of Flesh as hath been said from Maracaibo The Town is inhabited by fifteen hundred persons more or less whereof four hundred may be capable of bearing Arms. The greatest part of the Inhabitants keep open Shops wherein they exercise one mechanick Trade or other All the adjacent Fields about this Town are cultivated with numerous Plantations of Sugar and Cacao in which are many tall and beautiful Trees of whose Timber Houses may be built and also Ships Among these Trees are found great store of handsome and proportionable Cedars being seven or eight foot Cedars in circumference which serve there very commonly to build Boats and Ships These they build after such manner as to bear one onely great Sail and such Vessels are called Piragua's The whole Country round about is sufficiently furnished with Rivers and Brooks which are very useful to the Inhabitants in time of Drowths they opening in that occasion many little Chanels through which they lead the Rivolets to water their Fields and Plantations They plant in like manner great quantitie of Tobacco which is much esteemed in Europe and for its goodness is called there Tabaco de Sacerdotes or Priests Tobacco They enjoy nigh twenty leagues of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so called Jurisdiction which is bounded and defended by very high Mountains that are perpetually covered with Snow On the other side of these Mountains is situated a great City called Merida unto which the Town of Gibraltar is subject All Merida sort of Merchandize is carried from this Town unto the aforesaid City upon Mules and that but at one season of the year by reason of the excessive Cold endured in those high Mountains Upon the said Mules great returns are made in Flour of Meal which cometh from towards Peru by the way of Estaffe Thus far I thought it convenient to make a short description of the aforesaid Lake of Maracaibo and its Situation to the intent my Reader might the better be enabled to comprehend what I shall say concerning what was acted by the Pirats in this place The History whereof I shall presently begin As soon as Lolonois arrived at the Gulf of Venezuela Arrival of Lolonois to the Gulf. he cast Anchor with his whole Fleet out of sight of the Watch-tower of the Island of Vigilia or Watch-Isle The next day very early he set sail from hence with all his Ships for the Lake of Maracaibo where being arrived they cast Anchor the second time Soon after they landed all their men with designe to attack in the first place the Castle or Fortress that commanded the Bar and is therefore called de la Barra This Fort consisteth onely of several great Baskets of Earth placed upon a rising ground upon which are planted sixteen great Guns with several other heaps of Earth round about for covering the men within The Pirats having landed at the distance of a league from this Fort began to advance by degrees towards it But the Governour thereof having espied their landing had placed an Ambuscade of some of his men with designe to cut them off behind while he meaned to attack them in the front This Ambuscade was found out by the Pirats and hereupon getting before they assaulted and defeated it so entirely that not one man could retreat unto the Castle This Obstacle being removed Lolonois with all his Companions advanced in great haste towards the Fort. And after a Fight of almost three hours wherein they behaved themselves with desperate Courage such as this sort of people use to shew they became Masters thereof having made use They take the Fort. of no other Arms than their Swords and Pistols In the mean while they were fighting those who were routed in the Ambuscade not being able to get into the Castle retired towards the City of Maracaibo in great confusion and disorder crying The Pirats will presently be here with two thousand men and more This City having formerly been taken by such kind of people as these were and sack'd even to the remotest corners thereof preserved still in its memory a fresh Idaea of that misery Hereupon as soon as they heard these dismal News they endeavoured to escape as fast as they could towards Gibraltar in their Boats and Canows carrying with them all the Goods and money they could Being come unto Gibraltar they dispersed the rumour that the Fortress was taken and that nothing had been saved nor any persons able to escape the fury of the Pirats The Castle being taken by the Pirats as was They call the Fleet. said before they presently made signe unto the Ships of the Victory they had obtained to the end they should come farther in without apprehension of any danger The rest of that day was spent in ruining and demolishing the said Demolish the Fort. Castle They nailed the Guns and burnt as much as they could not carry away burying also the dead and sending on board the Fleet such as were wounded The next day very early in the morning they weighed Anchor and directed their course all together towards the City of Maracaibo And march to Maracaibo distant onely six leagues more or less from the Fort. But the wind being very scarce that day they could advance but little as being forced to expect the flowing of the Tyde The next morning they came within sight of the Town and began to make preparations for landing under the protection of their own Guns being perswaded the Spaniards might have laid an Ambuscade among the Trees and Woods Thus they put their men into Canows which for that purpose they brought with them and landed where they thought most convenient shooting They land in the mean while very furiously with their great Guns Of the people that were in the Canows half onely went on shore the other half remained on board the said Canows They fired with their Guns from the Ships as fast as was
were now arrived at Cartagena when the two greatest Ships received orders to return into Spain as being judged too big for cruzing upon these Coasts With the four Ships remaining Don Alonso del Campo y Espinosa departed from thence towards Campeche to seek out the English We arrived at the Port of the said City where being surprized by a huge Storm that blew from the North we lost one of our four Ships being that which I named in the last place among the rest From hence we set fail for the Isle of Hispaniola in sight of which we came within few days and directed our course unto the Port of Santo Domingo Here we received intelligence there had passed that way a Fleet from Iamaica and that some men thereof having landed at a place called Alta Gracia the Inhabitants had taken one of them prisoner who confessed their whole designe was to go and pillage the City of Caracas With these news Don Alonso instantly weighed Anchor and set sail from thence crossing over unto the Continent till we came in sight of Caracas Here we found not the English but happened to meet with a Boat which certified us they were in the Lake of Maracaibo and that the Fleet consisted of seven small Ships and one Boat Upon this intelligence we arrived here and coming nigh unto the entry of the Lake we shot off a Gun to demand a Pilot from the shore Those on land perceiving that we were Spaniards came willingly unto us with a Pilot and told us that the English had taken the City of Maracaibo and that they were at present at the pillage of Gibraltar Don Alonso having understood this news made a handsom Speech unto all his Souldiers and Mariners encouraging them to perform their duty and withal promising to divide among them all they should take from the English After this he gave order that the Guns which we had taken out of the Ship that was lost should be put into the Castle and there mounted for its defence with two pieces more out of his own Ship of eighteen pounds port each The Pilots conducted us into the Port and Don Alonso commanded the people that were on shore to come unto his presence unto whom he gave orders to repossess the Castle and re-enforce it with one hundred men more than it had before its being taken by the English Not long after we received news that you were returned from Gibraltar unto Maracaibo unto which place Don Alonso wrote you a Letter giving you account of his arrival and designe and withal exhorting you to restore all that you had taken This you refused to do whereupon he renewed his promises and intentions unto his Souldiers and Sea-men And having given a very good Supper unto all his People he perswaded them neither to take nor give any quarter unto the English that should fall into their hands This was the occasion of so many being drowned who dared not to crave any quarter for their lives as knowing their own intentions of giving none Two days before you came against us a certain Negro came on board Don Alonso's Ship telling him Sir be pleased to have great care of your self for the English have prepared a Fire-ship with designe to burn your Fleet. But Don Alonso would not believe this intelligence his answer being How can that be Have they peradventure wit enough to build a Fire-ship or what Instruments have they to do it withal The Pilot abovementioned having related so distinctly all the aforesaid things unto Captain The Pilot is received into service Morgan was very well used by him and after some kind proffers made unto him remained in his service He discovered moreover unto Capt. Morgan that in the Ship which was sunk there was a great quantity of Plate even to the value of forty thousand Pieces of Eight And that this was certainly the occasion they had oftentimes seen He maketh a discovery the Spaniards in Boats about the said Ship Hereupon Capt. Morgan ordered that one of his Ships should remain there to watch all occasions of getting out of the said Vessel what Plate they could In the mean while he himself with all his Fleet returned unto Maracaibo where he refitted the great Ship he had taken of the three aforementioned They return to Maracaibo And now being well accommodated he chose it for himself giving his own bottom to one of his Captains After this he sent again a Messenger unto the Raâ—…som for fire demandâ—…d anâ—…w Admiral who was escaped on shore and got into the Castle demanding of him a Tribute or Ransom of fire for the Town of Maracaibo which being denied he threatned he would entirely consume and destroy it The Spaniards considering how unfortunate they had been all along with those Pirats and not knowing after what manner to get rid of them concluded among themselves to pay the said Ransom although Don Alonso would not consent unto it Hereupon they sent unto Captain Morgan to ask what sum he demanded He answered them he would have thirty thousand Pieces of Eight and five hundred Beeves to the intent his Fleet might be well victualled with flesh This Ransom being paid he promised in such case he would give no farther trouble unto the prisoners nor cause any ruine or damage unto the Town Finally they agreed with him upon the sum of twenty thousand Pieces of Eight besides the five 〈◊〉 â—…ices of Eight granted and 500 Beeves hundred Beeves The Cattel the Spaniards brought in the next day together with one part of the money And while the Pirats were busied in salting the Flesh they returned with the rest of the whole sum of twenty thousand Pieces of Eight for which they had agreed But Captain Morgan would not deliver for that present the prisoners as he had promised to do by reason he feared the shot of the Artillery of the Castle at his going forth of the Lake Hereupon he told them he intended not to deliver them till such time as he was out of that danger hoping by this means to obtain a free passage Thus he set sail with all his Fleet in quest of that Ship which he had lest behind to seek for the Plate of the Vessel that was burnt He found her upon the place with the sum of fifteen thousand 15000 Pieces of Eight out of the wrack Pieces of Eight which they had purchased out of the wrack besides many other pieces of Plate as hilts of Swords and other things of this kind Also great quantity of Pieces of Eight that were melted and run together by the force of the fire of the said Ship Captain Morgan scarce thought himself secure neither could he contrive how to evite the damages the said Castle might cause unto his Fleet. Hereupon he told the prisoners it was necessary they should agree with the Governour to open the passage with security for his Fleet. Unto which point if he should
dextrous at shooting with Guns Thus the Pirats left the Hill and descended marching directly towards the Spaniards who were posted in a spacious Field waiting for their They march on coming As soon as they drew nigh unto them the Spaniards began to shout and cry Viva el Rey God save the King and immediately their Horse began to move against the Pirats But the Field being full of Quaggs and very soft under foot they could not ply to and fro and wheel about as they desired The 200 Bucaniers who went before every one putting one Knee to the ground gave them a full Volley of Shot wherewith the They engage Battel was instantly kindled very hot The Spaniards defended themselves very couragiously acting all they could possibly perform to disorder the Pirats Their Foot in like manner endeavoured to second the Horse but were constrained by the Pirats to separate from them Thus finding themselves frustrated of their Designs they attempted to drive the Bulls against them at their Backs and by this means put them into Disorder But the greatest part of that wild Cattel ran away being frighted with the noise of the Battel And some few that broke through the English Companies did no other harm than to tear the Colours in pieces whereas the Bucaniers shooting them dead left not one to trouble them thereabouts The Battel having now continued for the space The Spanish Horse ruin'd of two hours at the end thereof the greatest part of the Spanish Horse was ruin'd and almost all kill'd The rest fled away Which being perceived by the Foot and that they could not possibly prevail they discharged the Shot they had in their Muskets and throwing them on the ground betook themselves to Flight every one which way The Foot put to Flight he could run The Pirats could not possibly follow them as being too much harass'd and wearied with the long Journey they had lately made Many of them not being able to fly whither they desired hid themselves for that present among the Many hide themselves Shrubs of the Sea-side But very unfortunately for most of them being found out by the Pirats But are found and kill'd As also many religious Men. were instantly kill'd without giving Quarter to any Some religious Men were brought prisoners before Captain Morgan but he being deaf to their Cryes and Lamentations commanded them all to be immediately pistol'd which was accordingly done Soon after they brought a Captain to his presence whom he examined very strictly They take a Spanish Captain about several things particularly wherein consisted the Forces of those of Panama Unto which he answered Their whole Strength did consist in Who declareth the whole Forces of the Enemy 400 Horse 24 Companies of Foot each being of 100 Men compleat 60 Indians and some Negro's who were to drive 2000 wild Bulls and cause them to run over the English Camp and thus by breaking their Files put them into a total Disorder and Confusion He discovered more that in the City they had made Trenches and raised Batteries in several places in all which they had placed many Guns And that at the entry of the High-way which led to the City they had built a Fort which was mounted with 8 great Guns of Brass and defended by 50 Men. Captain Morgan having heard this Information gave Orders instantly they should march another way But before setting forth he made a Review of all his Men whereof he found both killed Many Piraâ—…s kill'd i' th' Battel and wounded a considerable number and much greater than had been believed Of the Spaniards were found 600 dead upon the place besides the 600 Spaniards kill'd wonnded and Prisoners The Pirats were nothing discouraged seeing their number so much diminished but rather filled with greater pride than before perceiving what huge Advantage they had obtained against their Enemies Thus having rested themselves some while they prepared to march couragiously towards the City They march towards the City plighting their Oaths to one another in general they would fight till never a Man were left alive With this Courage they recommenc'd their March either to conquer or be conquered carrying with them all the Prisoners They found much difficulty in their Approach unto the City For within the Town the Spaniards had placed many great Guns at several Quarters thereof some of which were charged with small pieces of Iron and others with Musket-Bullets With all these they saluted the Pirats at their drawing nigh unto the place and gave them full and frequent Broad-sides firing at them incessantly From whence it came to pass that unavoidably they lost at every step they advanced They loose many Men â—…'th ' Assault great numbers of Men. But neither these manifest Dangers of their Lives nor the sight of so many of their own as dropped down continually at their Sides could deter them from advancing farther 〈◊〉 continue to advance and gaining Ground every moment upon the Enemy Thus although the Spaniards never ceased to fire and act the best they could for their Defence yet notwithstanding they were forced to deliver the City after the space of three And take the City in three hours hours Combat And the Pirats having now possessed themselves thereof both killed and destroyed as many as attempted to make the least Opposition against them The Inhabitants had caused the best of their Goods to be transported unto more remote and occult places Howbeit they found within the City as yet several Ware-houses very well stockt with all sorts of Merchandize as well Silks and Cloths as Linnen and other things of considerable value As soon as the first Fury of their entrance into the City was over Captain Morgan assembled all his Men at a certain place which he assigned and there commanded them under very great penalties that none of them should dare to drink or taste any Wine The Reason Orders not to drink Wine he gave for this Injunction was because he had received private Intelligence that it had been all poysoned by the Spaniards Howbeit it was the opinion of many he gave these prudent Orders to prevent the Debauchery of his people which he foresaw would be very great at the beginning after so much Hunger sustained by the way Fearing withal least the Spaniards seeing them in Wine should rally their Forces and fall upon the City and use them as inhumanely as they had used the Inhabitants before CHAP. VI. Captain Morgan sendeth several Canows and Boats unto the South-Sea He setteth Fire to the City of Panama Robberies and Cruelties committed there by the Pirats till their return unto the Castle of Chagre The Battel Between the Spaniards and the pyrats or Buccaniers before the Citty of PANAMA Part 3 Page 54 There belonged unto this City which is also the Head of a Bishoprick eight Monasteries whereof seven were for Men and one for Women two stately Churches
The great Vessel wherein the Pirates were arrived at Campeche where many considerable Merchants came to salute and welcom the Captain thereof These presently knew the Portugues Pirate as being him who had committed innumerable excessive insolences upon those coasts not only infinite Murthers and Robberies He is brought unto Campâ—…che but also lamentable incendiums which those of Campeche still preserved very fresh in their memory Hereupon the next day after their arrival the Magistrates of the City sent several of their Officers to demand and take into custody the criminal prisoners from on board the ship with intent to punish them according to their deserts Yet fearing least the Captain of those Pirates should escape out of their hands on shore as he had formerly done being once their prisoner in the City before they judg'd it more convenient to leave him safely guarded on board the Ship for that present In the mean while they caused a 〈◊〉 condemned to the Gallows Gibbet to be erected whereupon to hang him the very next day without any other form of process then to lead him from the Ship unto the place of punishment The rumour of this future tragedy was presently brought unto Bartholomew Portugues his ears whereby he sought all the means he could to escape that night With this design he took two earthen Jars wherein the Spaniards usually carry wine from Spain unto the West-Indies and stopp'd them very well intending to use them for swimming as those who are unskilful in that art do calabacas a sort of pumkins in Spain and in other places empty bladders Having made this necessary preparation he waited for the night when all should be at sleep even the Centry that guarded him But He killeth his Centry and escapeth seeing he could not escape his vigilancy he secretly purchased a knife and with the same gave him such a mortal stab as suddainly depriv'd him of life and the possibility of making any noise At that instant he committed himself to Sea with those two earthen jarrs aforementioned and by their help and support though never having learn'd to swim he reached the shore Being arrived upon land without any delay he took his refuge in the Woods where he hid himself for three days without daring to appear nor eating any other food then wild herbs Those of the City failed not the next day to make a diligent search for him in the woods They seek after him in vain where they concluded him to be This strict enquiry Portugues had the convenience to espy from the hallow of a Tree wherein he lay absconded Hence perceiving them to return without finding what they sought for he adventur'd to sally forth towards the coasts called del Golfo triste forty leagues distant from the City of Campeche Hither he arrived within a fortnight after his escape from He goeth to the coasts of Golfo â—…iste the Ship In which space of time as also afterwards he endured extream hunger thirst and fears of falling again into the hands of the Spaniards For during all this journy he had no other provision with him then a small Calabaca with a little water Neither did he eat any thing else then a few shell fish which he found among the Rocks nigh the Scashore Besides that he was compell'd to pass as yet some Rivers not knowing well to swim Being in this distress he found an old board which the waves had thrown upon the shore wherein did stick a few great nailes These he took and with no small labour whetted against a stone until that he had made them capable of cutting like unto knives tho very imperfectly With these and no better instruments he cut down some branches of Trees the which with twigs and Osiers he joyn'd together and made as well as he could a boat or rather a wafte wherewith he wafted over the Rivers Thus he arrived finally at the Cape of Golfo triste as was said before where he happened to find a certain Vessel of Pirates who were great Comrades of his own and were lately come from Iamaica Unto these Pirates he instantly related all his adversities and misfortunes And withal He getteth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 boâ—…t demanded of them they would fit him with a boat and twenty men With which company alone he promised to return unto Campeche and assault the Ship that was in the River by which he had been taken and escaped fourteen days before They easily granted his request and equipped him a boat with the said number of Men. With this small company he set forth towards the execution of his design which he bravely performed eight days after he separated from his Comrades at the Cape of Golfo triste For being arrived at the River of Campeche with an undaunted courage and without any rumour of noise he assaulted the Ship aforementioned Those that were on board were perswaded this was a boat from land that came to bring contra banda goods and hereupon were not in any posture of defence Thus the Pirates laying hold on this occasion assaulted them without any fear of ill success and in short And retaketh the Ship by which he was taken space of time compelled the Spaniards to surrender Being now Masters of the Ship they immediatly weighed Anchor and set sail determining to fly from the Port least they should be pursued by other Vessels This they did with extremity of joy seeing themselves possessours of such a brave Ship Especially Portugues their Captain who now by a second turn of fortunes wheel was become rich and powerful again who had been so lately in that same Vessel a poor miserable prisoner and condemned to the Gallows With this great purchase he designed in his mind greater things which he might well hope to obtain seeing he had found in the Vessel great quantity of rich Merchandise still remaining on board altho the plate had been transported into the City Thus he continued his Voyage towards Iamaica for some days But coming nigh unto the Isle of Pinos on the South-side of the Island of He loseth the Ship in a storm Cuba fortune suddainly turned her back unto him once more never to shew him her countenance again For a horrible storm arising at Sea occasion'd the Ship to split against the Rocks or Banks called Iardines Insomuch that the Vessel was totally lost and Portugues with his Companions escaped in a Canow After this manner he arrived at Iamaica And escapeth in a Canow where he remained no long time Being only there till he could prepare himself to seek his fortune anew which from that time proved alwayes adverse unto him Nothing less rare and admirable than the Roche Brasiliano precedent are the Actions of another Pirate who at present liveth at Iamaica and who hath on sundry occasions enterprized and atcheived things very strange The place of his birth was the City of Groninghen in the United Provinces but his own proper Name
these they let flie several Guns wherewith they forced them to quit the sands and retire towards home with no small regret But all in â—…in to see those Pirates carry away so much plate of their Churches and Houses tho distant at least forty leagues from the Sea These Pirates Robb'd in this occasion above four thousand peices of eight in ready mony Besides great quantity of plate uncoyned and many Jewels All which was computed to be worth the sum of fifty They brought away 50000. peices of eight thousand peices of eight or more With this great purchase they arrived a Iamaica soon after the exploit But as this sort of people are never Masters of their mony but a very little while so were they soon constrained to seek more by the same means they had used before This adventure caused Captain Iohn Davis presently John Davis is made Admiral of the Pirates after his return to be chosen Admiral of seven or eight Boats of Pirates he being now esteemed by common consent an able Conductor for such enterprizes as these were He began the exercise of this new Command by directing his Fleet towards the coasts of the North of Cuba there to wait for the Fleet which was to pass from New-Spain But not being able to find any thing by this design they determined to go towards the coasts of Florida Being arrived there they landed part He ransacketh the City of Saint Augustine of their Men and Sacked a small City named Saint Augustine of Florida The Castle of which place had a Garrison of two hundred Men. The which notwithstanding could not prevent the pillage of the City they effecting it without receiving the least damage from either Soldiers or Townsmen Hitherto we have spoken in the first part of this Book of the constitution of the Islands of Hispaniola and Tortuga their proprieties and Inhabitants as also of the fruits to be found in those Countries In the second part of this Work we shall bend our discourse to describe the actions of two of the most famous Pirates who committed many horrible crimes and inhuman cruelties against the Spanish Nation The End of the First Part. FRANCIS LOLONOIS Part. 2. Page 1. BUCANIERS OF AMERICA PART II. CHAP. I. Origine of Francis Lolonois and beginning of his Robberies FRancis Lolonois was Native of that Territory Francis Lolonois in France which is called Les Sables d' Olone or the Sands of Olone In his Youth he was transported unto the Caribby Islands in quality of a Servant or Slave according to the custom of France and other Countries of which we have already spoken in the first part of this Book Being out of his time when he had obtained his Freedom he came unto the Isle of Hispaniola Here he placed himself for some while among the Hunters before he began his Robberies against the Spaniards whereof I shall make mention at present until his unfortunate Death At first he made two or three Voyages in quality He serveth the Pyrats of a common Mariner wherein he behaved himself so couragiously as to deserve the favour and esteem of the Governour of Tortuga who was then Monsieur de la Place Insomuch that this Gentleman gave him a Ship and made him Captain thereof to the intent he might seek Is soon advanced to be 〈◊〉 Captain his fortune This Dame shewed herself very favourable unto him at the beginning for in a short while he purchased great Riches But withal his Cruelties against the Spaniards were such as that the very fame of them made him known through the whole Indies For which reason the Spaniards in his time whensoever they were attacked by Sea would chuse rather to die or sink fighting than surrender as knowing they should have no Mercy nor Quarter at his hands But as Fortune is seldom constant so after some time she turned her back unto him The beginning of whose Disasters was that in a huge Storm he lost his Ship upon the Coasts of Campeche The men were all saved but coming Loseth his Ship and is wounded upon dry Land the Spaniards pursued them and killed the greatest part wounding also Lolonois their Captain Not knowing how to escape he thought to save his life by a Stratagem Hereupon he took several handfuls of Sand and Escapes by a Stratagem mingled them with the Bloud of his own Wounds with which he besmeared his face and other parts of his body Then hiding himself dexterously among the Dead he continued there till the Spaniards had quitted the Field After they were gone he retired into the He retireth unto the Woods Woods and bound up his Wounds as well as he could These being by the help of Nature pretty well healed he took his way to the City of Campeche having perfectly disguised himself in Spanish Habit. Here he spoke with certain Slaves unto whom he promised their liberty in case they would obey him and trust in his Conduct They accepted his Promises and stealing one night a Canow from one of their Masters they went to Sea with the Pyrat The Spaniards in the mean while had made Prisoners several of his Companions whom they kept in close Dungeons in the City while Lolonois went about the Town and saw all that passed These were often asked by the Spaniards What is become of your Captain Unto whom they constantly answered He was dead With which news the Spaniards were hugely gladded and made great The Spaniards believe him dead demonstrations of joy kindling Bonfires and as them that knew nothing to the contrary giving thanks to God Almighty for their deliverance from such a cruel Pyrat Lolonois having seen these Joys for his death made haste to escape with the Slaves above-mentioned and came safe to Tortuga the common place of Refuge of all sort of Wickedness and the Seminary as it were of all manner of Pyrats and Thieves Though now his Fortune was but low yet he failed not of means to get another Ship which with Craft He goeth to Sea again and Subtilty he obtained and in it one and twenty persons Being well provided with Arms and other necessaries he set forth towards the Isle of Cuba on the South-side whereof lieth a small Village which is called de los Cayos The Inhabitants of this Town drive a great Trade in Tobacco Sugar and Hides and all in Boats as not being able to make use of Ships by reason of the little depth of that Sea Lolonois was greatly perswaded he should get here some considerable Prey but by the good His Enterprize at the Village de los Cayos fortune of some Fishermen who saw him and the mercy of the Almighty they escaped his tyrannical hands For the Inhabitants of the Town of Cayos dispatched immediately a Messenger over Land unto the Havana complaining unto the Governour that Lolonois was come to destroy them with two Canows The Governour could very hardly be
perswaded unto the truth of this story seeing he had received Letters from Campeche that he was dead Notwithstanding at the importunity of the Petitioners he sent a Ship to their relief with ten Guns and fourscore and ten Persons well armed giving them withal this express Command They should not return unto his presence without having totally destroyed those Pirats Unto this effect he gave them also a Negro who might serve them for a Hangman his Orders being such as They should immediately hang every one of the said Pirats excepting Lolonois their Captain whom they should bring alive unto the Havana This Ship arrived at Cayos of whose coming the Pirats were advertised before-hand and instead of flying went to seek the said Vessel in the River Estera where she rid at Anchor The Pirats apprehended some Fishermen and forced them by night to shew the entry of the Port hoping soon to obtain a greater Vessel than their two Canows thereby to mend their Fortune They arrived after two of the clock in the morning very nigh unto the Ship And the Watch on board the Ship asking them From whence they came and if they had seen any Pirats abroad They caused one of the Prisoners to answer They had seen no Pirats nor any thing else Which answer brought them into perswasion that they were fled away having heard of their coming But they experimented very soon the contrary For about break of day the Pirats began to assault the Vessel on both sides with their two Canows This Attaque they performed with such vigour that although the Spaniards behaved themselves as they ought and made as good defence as they could shooting against them likewise some great Guns yet they were forced to surrender after being beaten by the Pirats with Swords in hands down under the Hatches From hence Lolonois commanded them to be brought up one by one and in this order caused their heads to be struck off Among the rest came His Cruelty up the Negro designed to be the Pirats Executioner by the Governor of Havana This Fellow implored mercy at his hands very dolefully desiring not to be killed and telling Lolonois he was constituted Hangman of that Ship and that in case he would spare him he would tell him faithfully all that he should desire to know Lolonois made him confess as many things as he thought fit to ask him and having done commanded him to be murthered with the rest Thus he cruelly and barbarously put them all to death reserving of the whole number onely one alive whom he sent back unto the Governour of Havana with this Message given him in writing I shall never henceforward give Quarter unto any Spaniard whatsoever And I have great hopes I shall execute on your own person the very same punishment I have done upon them you sent against me Thus I have retaliated the kindness you designed unto me and my Companions The Governour was much troubled to understand these sad and withal insolent News which occasioned him to swear in the presence of many he would never grant Quarter unto any Pirat that should fall into his hands But the Citizens of the Havana desired him not to persist in the execution of that rash and rigorous Oath Seeing the Pirats would certainly take occasion from thence to do the same and they had an hundred times more opportunity of Revenge than he That being necessitated to get their Livelihood by Fishery they should hereafter always be in danger of losing their lives By these Reasons he was perswaded to bridle his Anger and remit the severity of his Oath aforementioned Now Lolonois had got himself a good Ship but withal very few Provisions and People in it Hereupon to purchase both the one and the other he resolved to use his customary means of cruzing from one Port to another Thus he did for some while till at last not being able to purchase any thing He taketh a Ship of Maracaibo he determined to go unto the Port of Maracaibo Here he took by surprize a Ship that was laden with Plate and other Merchandize being outward bound to buy Cacao-nuts With these Prizes he returned unto Tortuga where he was received with no small Joy by the Inhabitants they congratulating his happy Success and their own private Interest He continued not long there but pitched upon new designes of equipping a whole Fleet sufficient to transport five hundred men with all other necessaries With these Preparations he resolved to go unto the Spanish Dominions and pillage both Cities Towns and Villages and finally take Maracaibo it self For this purpose he knew the Island of Tortuga would afford him many resolute and couragious men very fit for such Enterprizes Besides that he had in his service several Prisoners who exactly were acquainted with the ways and places he designed upon CHAP. II. Lolonois equippeth a Fleet to land upon the Spanish â—…slands of America with intent to rob sack and burn whatever he met OF this his designe Lolonois gave notice unto all the Pirats who at that conjuncture of time were either at home or abroad By which means he got together in a little while above 400 men Besides which there was at that present in the Isle of Tortuga another Pirat whose name was Michael de Basco This man by his Piracy had Lolonois 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pirat unto him gotten Riches sufficient to live at ease and go no more abroad to Sea having withal the Office of Major of the Island Yet seeing the great Preparations that Lolonois made for this Expedition he entred into a streight League of Friendship with him and proffered unto him that in case he would make him his chief Captain by Land seeing he knew the Country very well and all its Avenues he would take part in his Fortunes and go along with him They both agreed upon Articles with great joy of Lolonois as knowing that Basco had performed great Actions in Europe and had gained the repute of a good Souldier He gave him therefore the Command he desired and the Conduct of all his People by Land Thus they all embarqued in eight Vessels that of Lolonois being the greatest as having ten Guns of indifferent carriage All things being in a readiness and the whole They set sail and come to Bayala Company on board they set sail together about the end of April having a considerable number of men for those parts that is in all six hundred and threescore persons They directed their course towards that part which is called Bayala scituated on the North-side of the Island of Hispaniola Here they also took into their company a certain number of French Hunters who voluntarily offered themselves to go along with them And here likewise they provided themselvs with Victuals and other Necessaries for that Voyage From hence they set sail again the last day of They sail again take a Spanish Ship Iuly and steered directly towards the Eastern
true Lord and Master under the same Articles they had obtained it from the Spaniards Few days after the surrendry of the Island there arrived from Iamaica an English Ship which the Governour of the said Island had sent under-hand wherein was a good supply of people both men and women The Spaniards from the Castle having espied this Ship put forth the English Colours and perswaded le Sieur Simon to go on board and conduct the said Ship into a Port they assigned him This he performed immediately with dissimulation whereby they were all made Prisoners A certain Spanish Enginier A Spaniard describeth the retaking of St. Cath. hath published before me an exact Account and Relation of the retaking of the Isle of St. Catharine by the Spaniards which printed Paper being fallen into my hands I have thought it fit to be inserted here A true Relation and particular Account of the Victory obtained by the Arms of his Catholick Majesty against the English Pirats by the direction and valour of Don John Perez de Guzman Knight of the Order of St. James Governour and Captain-General of Tierra Firme and the Province of Veraguas THe Kingdom of Tierra Firme which of it self is sufficiently strong to repulse and extirpate great Fleets but more especially the Pirats of Iamaica had several ways notice under several hands imparted to the Governour thereof that fourteen English Vessels did cruze upon the Coasts belonging to his Catholick Majesty The 14th day of Iuly 1665. news came unto Panama that the English Pirats of the said Fleet were arrived at Puerto de Naos and had forced the Spanish Garrison of the Isle of St. Catharine whose Governour was Don Estevan del Campo and that they had possessed themselves of the said Island taking Prisoners the Inhabitants and destroying all that ever they met Moreover about the same time Don Iohn Perez de Guzman received particular information of these Robberies from the relation of some Spaniards who escaped out of the Island and whom he order'd to be conveyed unto Puerto Velo who more distinctly told him That the aforementioned Pirats came into the Island the second day of May by night without being perceived by any body And that the next day after some disputes by Arms they had taken the Fortresses and made Prisoners all the Inhabitants and Souldiers not one excepted unless those that by good fortune had escaped their hands This being heard by Don Iohn he called a Council of War wherein he declared the great progress the said Pirats had made in the Dominions of his Catholick Majesty Here likewise he propounded That it was absolutely necessary to send some Forces unto the Isle of St. Catharine sufficient to retake it from the Pirats the Honour and Interest of his Majesty of Spain being very narrowly concerned herein Otherwise the Pirats by such Conquests might easily in course of time possess themselves of all the Countries thereabouts Unto these Reasons some were found who made answer That the Pirats as not being able to subsist in the said Island would of necessity consume and waste themselves and be forced to quit it without any necessity of retaking it That consequently it was not worth the while to engage in so many expences and troubles as might be foreseen this would cost Notwithstanding these Reasons to the contrary Don Iohn as one who was an expert and valiant Souldier gave orders that quantity of Provisions should be conveyed unto Puerto Velo for the use and service of the Militia And neither to be idle nor negligent in his Masters Affairs he transported himself thither with no small danger of his life Here he arrived the seventh day of Iuly with most things necessary to the expedition in hand where he found in the Port a good Ship called St. Vincent that belonged unto the Company of the Negro's This Ship being of it self a strong Vessel and well mounted with Guns he manned and victualled very well and sent unto the Isle of St. Catharine constituting Captain Ioseph Sanchez Ximenez Major of the City of Puerto Velo Commander thereof The people he carried with him were two hundred threescore and ten Souldiers and thirty seven Prisoners of the same Island Besides four and thirty Spaniards belonging to the Garrison of Puerto Velo nine and twenty Mulato's of Panama twelve Indians very dexterous at shooting with Bows and Arrows seven expert and able Gunners two Lieutenants two Pilots one Chirurgeon and one Religious man of the Order of St. Francis for their Chaplain Don Iohn soon after gave his orders unto every one of the Officers instructing them how they ought to behave themselves telling them withal that the Governour of Cartagena would assist and supply them with more Men Boats and all things else they should find necessary for that Enterprize to which effect he had already written unto the said Governour On the 24th day of the said month Don Iohn commanded the Ship to weigh Anchor and sail out of the Port. Then seeing a fair Wind to blow he called before him all the People designed for that Expedition and made them a Speech encouraging them to fight against the Enemies of their Country and Religion but more especially against those inhumane Pirats who had heretofore committed so many horrid and cruel actions against the Subjects of his Catholick Majesty Withal promising unto every one of them most liberal Rewards but especially unto such as should behave themselves as they ought in the service of their King and Country Thus Don Iohn bid them farewel and immediately the Ship weighed Anchor and set sail under a favourable gale of Wind. The 22th of the said month they arrived at Cartagena and presented a Letter unto the Governour of the said City from the noble and valiant Don Iohn who received it with testimonies of great affection unto the person of Don Iohn and his Majesty's service And seeing their resolute Courage to be conformable to his desires and expectation he promised them his assistance which should be with one Frigat one Galeon one Boat and one hundred and twenty six men the one half out of his own Garison and the other half Mulato's Thus all of them being well provided with necessaries they set forth from the Port of Cartagena the second day of August and the 10th of the said month they arrived within sight of the Isle of St. Catharine towards the Western point thereof And although the Wind was contrary yet they reached the Port and came to an Anchor within it having lost one of their Boats by foul weather at the Rock called Quita signos The Pirats seeing our Ships come to an Anchor gave them presently three Guns with Bullets the which were soon answered in the same coin Hereupon the Major Ioseph Sanchez Ximenez sent on shore unto the Pirats one of his Officers to require them in the name of the Catholick King his Master to surrender the Island seeing they had taken it in the
unto those that were within charging them to surrender and deliver themselves up to his discretion otherwise they should be all cut in pieces without giving quarter to any one But they would hearken to none of these threats beginning instantly to fire which gave notice unto the City and this was suddenly alarm'd Yet notwithstanding although the Governour and Souldiers of the said Castle made as great resistance as could be performed they were constrained to surrender unto the Pirats These no sooner had taken the Castle but they resolved to be as good as their words in putting the Spaniards to the Sword thereby to strike a terrour into the rest of the City Hereupon having shut up all the Souldiers and Officers as Prisoners into one Room they instantly set fire unto the Powder whereof they found great quantity and blew up the whole Castle into the air with all 〈◊〉 tâ—…ken and 〈◊〉 up the Spaniards that were within This being done they pursued the course of their Victory falling upon the City which as yet was not in order The City entred to receive them Many of the Inhabitants cast their precious Jewels and Moneys into Wells and Cisterns or hid them in other places under ground to excuse as much as were possible their being totally robb'd One party of the Pirats being assigned to this purpose ran immediately to the Cloisters and took as many They run to the Cloisters Religious men and women as they could find The Governour of the City not being able to rally the Citizens through the huge confusion of the Town retired unto one of the Castles remaining 〈◊〉 Goverâ—… 〈◊〉 and from thence began to fire incessantly at the Pirats But these were not in the least negligent either to assault him or defend themselves with all the courage imaginable Thus it was observable that amidst the horrour of the Assault they made very few shot in vain For aiming with great dexterity at the mouths of the Guns the Spaniards were certain to lose one or two men every time they charged each Gun anew The assault of this Castle where the Governour was continued very furious on both sides from break of day until noon Yea about this The Assault continueth till noon time of the day the case was very dubious which party should conquer or be conquered At last the Pirats perceiving they had lost many men and as yet advanced but little towards the gaining either this or the other Castles remaining thought to make use of Fire-balls which they threw with their hands designing if possible to burn the doors of the Castle But going about to put this in execution the Spaniards from the Strong defence of the Spaniards Walls let fall great quantity of stones and earthen pots full of Powder and other combustible matter which forced them to desist from that attempt Captain Morgan seeing this generous defence made by the Spaniards began to despair of the whole success of the Enterprize Hereupon many saint and calm meditations came into his mind neither could he determine which way to turn himself in that straitness of affairs Being involved in thâ—…se thoughts he was suddenly animated to continue the Assault by seeing the English Colours put forth at one of the lesser Another Castle taken Castles then entred by his men Of whom he presently after spied a Troop that came to meet him proclaiming Victory with loud shouts of joy This instantly put him upon new resolutions of making new efforts to take the rest of the Castles that stood out against him Especially seeing the chiefest Citizens were fled unto them and had conveyed thither great part of their Riches with all the Plate belonging to the Churches and other things dedicated to Divine Service Unto this effect therefore he ordered ten or Twelve Ladders made twelve Ladders to be made in all possible haste so broad that three or four men at once might asâ—…nd by them These being finished he commanded all the Religious men and women whom he had taken Prisoners to fix them against the walls of the Castle Thus much he had before-hand Stratagem of Capt. Morg. threatned the Governour to perform in case he delivered not the Castle But his answer was He would never surrender himself alive Captain Morgan was much perswaded that the Governour would not employ his utmost Forces seeing Religious women and Ecclesiastical persons â—…us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Assault exposed in the front of the Souldiers to the greatest dangers Thus the Ladders as I have said were put into the hands of Religious persons of both Sexes and these were forced at the head of the Companies to raise and apply them to the Walls But Captain Morgan was fully deceived in his judgment of this designe For the Governour who acted like a brave and couragious Souldier refused not in performance of his duty to use his utmost endeavours to destroy whosoever came near the Walls The Religious men and women ceased not to cry unto him and beg of him by all the Saints of Heaven he would deliver the Castle and hereby spare both his and their own lives But nothing could prevail with the obstinacy and fierceness that had possessed the Governour 's mind Thus many of the Religious men and Nuns were killed before they could fix the Ladders Which at last being done though with great loss of the said Religious Many of them killed people the Pirats mounted them in great numbers and with no less valour having Fire-balls in their hands and Earthen-pots full of Powder All which things being now at the The Castle taken top of the Walls they kindled and cast in among the Spaniards This effort of the Pirats was very great Insomuch as the Spaniards could no longer resist nor defend the Castle which was now entred Hereupon they all threw down their Arms and craved quarter for their lives Onely the Governour of the City would admit nor crave no The Governour would not surrender mercy but rather killed many of the Pirats with his own hands and not a few of his own Souldiers because they did not stand to their Arms. And although the Pirats asked him if he would have quarter yet he constantly answer'd By no means I had rather die as a valiant Souldier than be hanged as a Coward They endeavoured as much as they could to take him Prisoner But he defended himself so obstinately as that they were forced to kill him notwithstanding all the cries and tears of his own Wife 〈◊〉 killed and Daughter who begged of him upon their knees he would demand quarter and save his life When the Pirats had possessed themselves of the Castle which was about night they enclosed therein all the Prisoners they had taken placing the women and men by themselves with some Guards upon them All the wounded were put into a certain apartment by it self to the intent their own complaints might be the cure
three Spanish Men of War were arrived at the News of three Spanish Men of War entry of the Lake and there waited for the return of the Pirats out of those parts Moreover that the Castle at the entry thereof was again put into a good posture of defence being well provided with great Guns and men and all sorts of Ammunition This relation of the old man could not chuse They send to view them but cause some disturbance in the mind of Captain Morgan who now was careful how to get away through those narrow passages of the entry of the Lake Hereupon he sent one of his Boats the swiftest he had to view the entry and see if things were as they had been related The next day the Boat came back confirming what was said and assuring they had viewed the Ships so nigh that they had been in great danger of the shot they had made at them Hereunto they added that the biggest Ship was mounted with forty Guns the second with thirty and the smallest with four and twenty These Forces were much beyond those of Captain Morgan and hence they caused a general consternation in all the Pirats whose biggest Vessel had not above fourteen small Guns Every one judged Captain Morgan to despond in his mind and be destitute of all manner of hopes considering the difficulty either of passing safely with his little Fleet amidst those great Ships and the Fort or Capt. Morg. much concerned that he must perish How to escape any other way by Sea or by Land they saw no opportunity nor convenience Onely they could have wished that those three Ships had rather come over the Lake to seek them at Maracaibo than to remain at the mouth of the Streight where they were For at that passage they must of necessity fear the ruine of their Fleet which consisted onely for the greatest part of Boats Hereupon being necessitated to act as well as he could Captain Morgan resumed new courage A Message to the Spanish Admiral and resolved to shew himself as yet undaunted with these terrours To this intent he boldly sent a Spaniard unto the Admiral of those three Ships demanding of him a considerable Tribute or Ransom for not putting the City of Maracaibo to the flame This man who doubtless was received by the Spaniards with great admiration of the confidence and boldness of those Pirats returned two days after bringing unto Captain Morgan a Letter from the said Admiral whose Contents were as followeth Letter of Don Alonso del Campo and Espinosa Admiral of the Spanish Fleet unto Captain Morgan Commander of the Pirats HAving understood by all our Friends and His Answer Neighbours the unexpected news that you have dared to attempt and commit Hostilities in the Countries Cities Towns and Villages belonging unto the Dominions of his Catholick Majesty my soveraign Lord and Master I let you understand by these lines that I am come unto this place according to my obligation nigh unto that Castle which you took out of the hands of a parcel of Cowards where I have put things into a very good posture of defence and mounted again the Artillery which you had nailed and dismounted My intent is to dispute with you your passage out of the Lake and follow and pursue you every-where to the end you may see the performance of my duty Notwithstanding if you be contented to surrender with humility all that you have taken together with the Slaves and all other prisoners I will let you freely pass without trouble or molestation upon condition that you retire home presently unto your own Country But in case that you make any resistance or opposition unthese things that I proffer unto you I do assure you I will command Boats to come from Caracas wherein I will put my Troops and coming to Maracaibo will cause you utterly to perish by putting you every man to the sword This is my last and absolute resolution Be prudent therefore and do not abuse my bounty with ingratitude I have with me very good Souldiers who desire nothing more ardently than to revenge on you and your People all the cruelties and base infamous actions you have committed upon the Spanish Nation in America Dated on board the Royal Ship named the Magdalen lying at Anchor at the entry of the Lake of Maracaibo this 24th day of April 1669. Don Alonso del Campo y Espinosa As soon as Captain Morgan had received this Letter he called all his men together in the Market-place of Maracaibo and after reading the They read it in publick Contents thereof both in French and English he asked their advice and resolutions upon the whole matter and whether they had rather surrender all they had purchased to obtain their liberty than fight for it They answered all unanimously They had rather fight and spill the very last drop of bloud they had in their veins than surrender so easily the Booty they had gotten with so much danger of their lives Among the rest one was found Advice given by one of the Pirats who said unto Captain Morgan Take you care for the rest and I will undertake to destroy the biggest of those Ships with onely twelve men The manner shall be by making a Brulot or Fire-ship of that Vessel we took in the River of Gibraltar Which to the intent she may not be known for a Fire-ship we will fill her Decks with logs of wood standing with Hats and Montera caps to deceive their sight with the representation of men The same we will do at the Port-holes that serve for the Guns which shall be filled with counterfeit Cannon At the Stern we will hang out the English Colours and perswade the Enemy she is one of our best Men of War that goeth to fight them This Proposition being heard by the Iunta was admitted and approved Which is approved by all of by every one howbeit their fears were not quite dispersed For notwithstanding what had been concluded there they endeavoured the next day to see if they could come to an accommodation with Don Alonso Unto this effect Captain Morgan Propositions of accommodation sent him two persons with these following Propositions First That he would quit Maracaibo without doing any damage to the Town nor exacting any Ransom for the firing thereof Secondly That he would set at liberty the one half of the Slaves and likewise all other Prisoners without Ransom Thirdly That he would send home freely the four chief Inhabitants of Gibraltar which he had in his custody as Hostages for the Contributions those people had promised to pay These Propositions from the Pirats being understood by Don Alonso were instantly rejected every one as being dishonourable for him to grant Neither would he hear But all rejected any word more of any other accommodation but sent back this Message That in case they surrendred not themselves voluntarily into his hands within the space of
sent out a strong company of Men to seek for the Governour of Panama of whom Intelligence was brought that he had laid several Ambuscades in the way by which he ought to â—…pass at his Return But those who were sent upon this Design returned soon after saying they had not found any Sign or Appearance of any such Ambuscades For a confirmation whereof they brought with them some Prisoners they had taken who declared how that the said Governour had had an Intention of making some Opposition by the way but that the Men whom he had designed to effect it were unwilling to undertake any such Enterprize so that for want of Means he could not put his Design in execution On the 24th of February of the year 1671. Captain Morgan departed from the City of Panama â—…ey leave Panama or rather from the place where the said City of Panama did stand Of the Spoyls whereof he carried with him 175 Beasts of Carriage laden with 175 Beasts laden with Riches Silver Gold and other precious things besides 600 prisoners more or less between Men Women Children and Slaves That day they came unto a River that passeth through a delicious Campagn Field at the distance of a League from Panama Here Captain Morgan put all his Forâ—…es into good Order of martial Array in such manner as that the prisoners were in the middle of the Camp surrounded on all sides with Pirats At which present Conjuncture nothing else was to 〈◊〉 oâ—… the 〈◊〉 be heard but Lamentations Cryes Shrieks and doleful Sighs of so many Women and Children who were perswaded Captain Morgan designed to transport them all and carry them into his own Countrey for Slaves Besides that among all those miserable prisoners there was extream Hunger and Thirst endured at that time Which Hardship and Misery Captain Morgan designedly caused them to sustain with intent to excite them more earnestly to seek for Moneys wherewith to ransom themselves according to the Tax he had set upon every one Many of the Women begg'd of Captain Morgan upon their Knees with infinite Sighs and Tears he would permit them to return unto Panama there to live in company of their dear Husbands and Children in little Huts of Straw which they would erect seeing they had no Houses until the rebuilding of the City But his Answer was He came not thither to hear Lamentations and Cryes but rather to seek Moneys Therefore they ought to seek out for that in the first place where-ever it were to be had and bring They are all put to Ransom it to him otherwise he would assuredly transport them all unto such places whither they cared not to go The next day when the March began those lamentable Cryes and Shrieks were renewed in so much as it would have caused compassion in the Their Cryes renew'd hardest Heart to hear them But Captain Morgan as a Man little given to Mercy was not moved therewith in the least They marched in the same order as was said before one party of the Pirats preceding in the Van the prisoners i' th' middle and the rest of the Pirats in the Arrear-Guard by whom the miserable Spaniards were at every Step puncht and thrust in their Backs and Sides with the blunt end of their Arms to make them march the faster That beautiful and vertuous Lady of whom we made mention heretofore for her unparallel'd Constancy and Chastity was led prisoner by her self between two Pirats who guarded her Her Lamentations now did pierce the Skies seeing her self carried away into foreign Captivity often crying unto the Pirats and telling them That she had given order unto two religious persons in whom she had relyed to go unto a certain place and fetch so much Money as her Ransom did amount unto That they had promised faithfully to do it But having obtained the said Money instead of bringing it unto her they had imployed it another way to ransom some of their own and particular Friends This ill Action of theirs was discovered by a Slave who brought a Letter unto the said Lady Her Complaints and the cause thereof being brought unto the Ears of Captain Morgan he thought fit to enquire thereinto Having found the thing to be true especially hearing it confirmed by the Confession of the said religious Men though under some frivolous Excuses of having diverted the Money but for a day or two within which time they expected more Sums to repay it he gave Liberty unto the The Lady sâ—…t at Liberty said Lady whom otherwise he designed to transport unto Iamaica But i' th' mean while he detained the said religious Men as prisoners in her place using them according to the Deserts of their incompassionate Intrigues As soon as Captain Morgan arrived upon his March at the Town called Cruz seated on the Banks of the River Chagre as was mentioned before he commanded an Order to be published among the prisoners that within the space of three days every one of them should bring in Every one to be ransom'd or transported their Ransom under the penalty afore-mentioned of being transported unto Iamaica In the mean while he gave Orders for so much Rice and Maiz to be collected thereabouts as was necessary for the victualling all his Ships At this place some of the prisoners were ransom'd but many others could not bring in their Moneys in so short time Hereupon he continued his Voyage leaving the Village on the 5th day of March next following and carrying with him all the Spoyl that ever he could transport From this Village he likewise led away some new prisoners who were Inhabitants of the said place So that these prisoners were added unto those of Panama who had not as yet paid their Ransoms and all transported But the two religious Men who had diverted the Money belonging to the Lady were ransomed three days after their Imprisonment by other persons who had more compassion for their condition then they had shewed for hers About the middle of the way unto the Castle of Chagre Captain Morgan commanded them to be placed in due order according to their custom and caused every one to be sworn that they had reserved nor concealed nothing privately to themselves even not so much as the value of Six-pence This being done Captain Morgan having had some Experience that those lewd Fellows would not much stickle to swear falsly in points of Interest he commanded them every one to be searched very strictly both in their Cloaths and Satchels and every where it might be presumed they had reserved any thing Yea to the intent this Order might not be ill taken by his Companions he permitted himself to be A strict Search for concealed Riches searcht even to the very soals of his Shoos Unto this effect by common consent there was assigned one out of every Company to be the Searchers of all the rest The French Pirats that went on this Expedition with
Signs He that darteth them with the Javelin useth it after the same manner as when they kill Tortoises Howbeit the point of the said Javelin is somewhat different as having two Hooks at the Extremity and these longer then that of the other Fishery Of these Fishes some are found to be of the length of 20 unto 24 Foot Their Flesh is very good to eat being very like in Colour unto that of a Land-Cow but in Taste unto that of Pork It containeth much Fat or Grease the which the Pirats use to melt and keep in earthen Pots to make use thereof instead of Oyl On a certain day wherein we were not able to do any good at this sort of Fishery some of our Men went into the Woods to hunt and others to catch other Fish Soon after we espied a Canow wherein were two Indians These no sooner had discovered our Vessels but they rowed back with all the speed they could towards the Land being unwilling to trade or have any thing to do with us Pirats We followed them to the shore but through their natural Nimbleness being much greater then ours they retired into the Woods before we could overtake them Yea what was more admirable they drew on shore and carried Huge Strength of those Indians with them their Canow into the Wood as easily as if it were made of Straw although it weighed above 2000 l. This we knew by the Canow it self which we found afterwards and had much ado to get into the Water again although we were in all 11 persons to pull at it We had at that time in our Company a certain Pilot who had been divers times in those Quarters An Account thereof given by a Pilot. This Man seeing this Action of the Indians told us that some few years before a Squadron of Pirats happened to arrive at that place Being there they went in Canows to catch a certain sort of little Birds which inhabiteth the Sea-coast under the shade of very beautiful Trees which here are to be seen Mean while they were busied at that Work certain Indians who were climbed up into the Trees to view their Actions seeing now the Canows underneath leaped down into the Sea and with huge celerity seized some of the Canows and Pirats that kept the both which they transported so nimbly into the remotest parts of the Woods as that the Prisoners could not be relieved by their Companions Hereupon the Admiral of the said Squadron landed presently after with 500 Men to seek and rescue the Men he had lost But they saw such an excessive number of Indians flock together to oppose them as obliged them to retreat with all possible diligence unto their Ships Concluding among themselves that if such Forces as those could not perform any thing towards the recovery of their Companions they ought to stay no longer time there Having heard this History we came away from thence fearing some Mischief might befal us and bringing with us the Canow afore-mentioned In this we found nothing else but a Fishing-net though not very large and four Arrows made of Palm-tree of the length of 7 Foot each and of the figure or shape as followeth These Arrows we believed to be their Arms. Armâ—… of the 〈◊〉 Indians The Canow we brought away was made of Cedar but very roughly hewen and polisht which caused us to think that those People have no Instruments of Iron We left that Place and arrived in 24 hours unto another called Rio de Zuera where we They 〈◊〉 the River of Zacra found some few Houses belonging to the City of Cartagena These Houses are inhabited by Spaniards whom we resolved to visit not being able to find any Tortoises nor yet any of their Eggs. The Inhabitants were all fled from the said Houses Thâ—… Spaniards fly away having left no Victuals nor Provisions behind them in so much as we were forced to content our selves with a certain Fruit which there is called Platano Of these Platanos we filled our Boats and continued our Voyage coasting along the shore Our Design was to find out some Creek or Bay wherein to careen our Vessel which now was very leaky on all sides Yea in such a dangerous condition that both night and They are in great danger day we were constrained to imploy several Men at the Pump unto which purpose we made use of all our Slaves This Voyage lasted a whole Fortnight all which time we lay under the continual Frights of perishing every moment At last we arrived at a certain Port called The Bay of Bleevelt being so named from a Pirat who used to resort thither with the same Design that we did Here one party of our Men went into the Woods to hunt i' th' mean while that another undertook to refitt and careen our Vessel Our Companions who went abroad to hunt found hereabouts Porcupines of a huge and monstrous Huge Porâ—…upines bigness But their chief Exercise was killing of Monkeys and certain Birds called by the Monkeys and Pheasants Spaniards Faisanes or Pheasants The Toyl and Labour we had in this Employ of Shooting did seem at least unto me to be sufficiently compensated with the pleasure of killing the said Monkeys For at these we usually made 15 or 16 Shot before we could kill three or four of them So nimbly would they escape our Hands and Aim even after being desperately wounded On the other side it was delightful to see the Female-Monkeys Actions of the Monkeys carry their little ones upon their Backs even just as the Negra's do their Children When any person passeth under the Trees where these Monkeys are sitting they will commonly open their Bellies and squirt their Excrements upon their Heads and Cloaths Likewise if shooting at a parcel of them any Monkey happeneth to be wounded the rest of the Company will flock about him and lay their Hands upon the Wound to hinder the Blood from issuing forth Others will gather Moss that groweth upon the Trees and thrust it into the Wound and hereby stop the Blood At other times they will gather such or such Herbs and chewing them in their Mouth apply them after the manner of a Poultis or Cataplasm All which things did cause in me great Admiration seeing such strange Actions in those irrational Creatures which testified the Fidelity and Love they had for one another On the 9th day after our Arrival at that Place our Women-Slaves being busied in their ordinary Employments of washing Dishes sewing drawing Water out of Wells which we had made on the shore and the like things we heard great Cryes of one of them which said she had seen a Troop of Indians appear towards the Woods whereby she began immediately to cry out Indians Indians We hearing this Rumour ran presently to our Arms and their Relief But coming unto the Wood we found no person there excepting two of our Women-Slaves killed upon Two Women-Slâ—…s