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
and one Hospital The Churches and Monasteries were all richly adorned with Altar-pieces and Paintings huge quantity of Gold and Silver with other precious things all which the Ecclesiasticks had hidden and concealed Besides which Ornaments here were to be seen 2000 Houses of magnificent and prodigious Building as being all or the greatest part inhabited 7000 Houses i' th' City by Merchants of that Countrey who are vastly rich For the rest of the Inhabitants of lesser quality and Tradesmen this City contained 5000 Houses more Here were also great number of Stables which served for the Horses and Mules that carry all the Plate belonging as well unto the King of Spain as private Men towards the Coast of the North-Sea The neighbouring Fields belonging to this City are all cultivated with fertil Plantations and pleasant Gardens which afford delicious Prospects unto the Inhabitants the whole year long The Genoeses had in this City of Panama a stately House of the Genoeses and magnificent House belonging to their Trade and Commerce of Negro's This Building likewise was commanded by Captain Morgan to be set on Fire whereby it was burnt to the very Ground Besides which pile of Building there were consumed to the number of 200 Ware-houses and great number of Slaves who had hid Great destruction of the fire themselves therein together with an infinite multitude of Sacks of Meal The Fire of all which Houses and Buildings was seen to continue four weeks after the day it began The Pirats i' th' mean while at least the greatest part of them incamped some time without the City fearing and expecting that the Spaniards would come and fight them anew For it was known they had an incomparable number of Men more than the Pirats were This occasion'd them to keep the Field thereby to preserve their Forces united which now were very much diminished by the losses of the precedent Battels As also because they had a great many wounded all which they had put into one of the Churches which alone remained standing the rest being consumed by the Fire Moreover beside these Decreases of their Men Captain Morgan had sent a Convoy of 150 A Convoy sent to Chagre Men unto the Castle of Chagre to carry the News of his Victory obtained against Panama They saw many times whole Troops of Spaniards cruize to and fro in the Campaign Fields which gave them occasion to suspect their rallying anew Yet they never had the courage to attempt any thing against the Pirats I' th' afternoon of this fatal day Captain Morgan re-entred again the City with his Troops to the intent every one might take up their Lodgings which now they could hardly find very few Houses having escaped the Desolation of the Fire Soon after they fell to seeking very carefully among the Ruines and Ashes for Utensils of Plate or Gold which peradventure were not quite wasted by the Flames And of such things they found no small number in several places Especially in Wells and Cisterns Much Riches found i th' Ruines where the Spaniards had hid them from the covetous Search of the Pirats The next day Captain Morgan dispatcht away two Troops of Pirats of 150 Men each being all very stout Souldiers and well armed with Orders to seek for the Inhabitants of Panama who They sâ—…d to seek the Inhabitants were escaped from the hands of their Enemies These Men having made several Excursions up and down the Campaign Fields Woods and Mountains adjoyning to Panama returned after two days time bringing with them above 200 Prisoners And find 200. between Men Women and Slaves The same day returned also the Boat above-mentioned which Captain Morgan had sent into the South-Sea bringing with her three other Boats which they had taken in a little while But all these Prizes they could willingly have given yea although they had imployed greater labour into the bargain for one certain Galeon which miraculously escaped their Industry being very richly laden with A 〈◊〉 Galeon â—…apeth all the King's Plate and great quantity of Riches of Gold Pearl Jewels and other most precious Goods of all the best and richest Merchants of Panama On board of this Galeon were also the religious Women belonging to the Nunnery of the said City who had imbarked with them all the Ornaments of their Church consisting in great quantity of Gold Plate and other things of great value The Strength of this Galeon was nothing considerable as having only 7 Guns and 10 or 12 Small Strength of the â—…id Ship Muskets for its whole Defence Being on the other side very ill provided of Victuals and other Necessaries with great want of fresh Water and having no more Sayls than the uppermost Sayls of the main Mast. This description of the said Ship the Pirats received from certain persons who had spoken with 7 Mariners belonging to the Galeon at such time as they came ashore in the Cockboat to take in fresh Water Hence they concluded for certain they might easily have taken the said Vessel had they given her Chace and pursued her as they ought to do especially considering the said Galeon could not long subsist abroad at Sea But they were impeded from following this vastly rich Prize by the lascivious Exercises wherein Their own Debauchery the cause of this loss they were totally at that present involved with Women which unto this effect they had carried with them and forced on board their Boat Unto this Vice was also joyned that of Gluttony and Drunkenness having plentifully debauched themselves with several sorts of rich Wines they found there ready to their hands So that they chose rather to satiate their Lust and Appetite with the things above-mentioned than to lay hold on the occasion of such an huge Advantage Although this only Prize would certainly have been of far greater Value and Consequence unto them than all they purchased at Panama and other Places thereabouts The next day repenting of their Negligence and being totally wearied of the Vices and Debaucheries aforesaid they sent forth to Sea another Boat well armed to pursue with all They send after her speed imaginable the said Galeon But their present Care and Diligence was in vain the Spaniards who were on board the said Ship having received Intelligence of the Danger they were in one or two days before while the Pirats were cruizing so nigh unto them whereupon they fled unto Places more remote and unknown to their Enemies Notwithstanding the Pirats found in the Ports of the Islands of Tavoga and Tavogilla several Boats Other Bâ—…ts takâ—…n that were laden with many sorts of very good Merchandize All which they took and brought unto Panama Where being arrived they made an exact Relation of all that had passed while they were abroad unto Captain Morgan The Prisoners confirmed what the Pirats had said adding thereunto they undoubtely knew whereabouts the said Galeon might be at that present but
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
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
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
great when they spyed the English Colours upon the Castle that they minded not their way into the River which occasioned them to loose four of theirShips at the Entry thereof that wherein Captain Morgan went being one I 〈◊〉 four Ships at the entry of the River of the four Yet their Fortune was so good as to be able to save all the Men and Goods that were in the said Vessels Yea the Ships likewise had been preserved if a strong Northerly Wind had not risen in that occasion which cast the Ships upon the Rock above-mentioned that lyeth at the Entry of the said River Captain Morgan was brought into the Castle with great Acclamations of Triumph and Joy of all the Pirats both of those who were within And is received with great joy and also them that were but newly come Having understood the whole Transactions of the Conquest he commanded all the Prisoners to begin to work and repair what was necessary Especially in setting up new Palizada's or Pales round about the Forts depending on the Castle There were still in the River some Spanish Vessels called by them Chatten which serve for the Transportation of Merchandize up and down the said River as also for to go to Puerto Velo and Nicaragua These are commonly mounted with two great Guns of Iron and four other small ones of Brass All these Vessels they seized on together 〈◊〉 seized i' th' River with four little Ships they found there and all the Canows In the Castle they left a Garison of 500 Garison left at Chagre Men and in the Ships within the River 150 more A Map of the Countrey and Citty of PANAMA Part. 3. Page 31 These things being done Captain Morgan departed towards Panama at the Head of 1200 Men. He carried very small Provisions with him being in good hopes he should provide himself sufficiently among the Spaniards whom he knew to lye in Ambuscade at several Places by the way CHAP. V. Captain Morgan departeth from the Castle of Chagre at the Head of 1200 Men with design to take the City of Panama CAptain Morgan set forth from the Castle of Voyage to Panama Chagre towards Panama the 18th day of August in the year 1670. He had under his Conduct 1200 Men 5 Boats with Artillery and 32 Canows all which were filled with the said People Thus he steered his course up the River towards Panama That day they sailed only 6 First day thereof Leagues and came to a Place called de los Bracos Here a party of his Men went on shore only to sleep some few hours and stretch their Limbs they being almost crippl'd with lying too much crowded in the Boats After they had rested a while they went abroad to see if any Victuals could be found in the neighbouring Plantations But they could find none the Spaniards being fled and carrying with them all the Provisions they had This day being the first of their Journey there was amongst them such scarcity of Victuals as the greatest part were forced to pass with only a pipe of Tobacco without any other Refreshment The next day very early i' th' morning they continued their Journey and came about evening Second day to a Place called Cruz de Iuan Gallego Here they were compelled to leave their Boats and Canows by reason the River was very dry for want of Rain and the many obstacles of Trees that were fallen into it The Guides told them that about two Leagues farther on the Countrey would be very good to continue the Journey by Land Hereupon they left some Companies being in all 160 Men on board the Boats to defend them with intent they might serve for a place of Refuge in case of necessity The next morning being the 3d. day of their Journey they all went ashore excepting those Third day above-mentioned who were to keep the Boats Unto these Captain Morgan gave very strict Orders under great penalties that no Man upon any pretext whatsoever should dare to leave the Boats and go ashore This he did fearing least they should be surprized and cut off by any Ambuscade of Spaniards that might chance to lye thereabouts in the neighbouring Woods which appeared so thick as to seem almost impenetrable Having this morning begun their March they found the ways so dirty and irksom that Captain Morgan thought it more convenient to transport some of the Men in Canows though it could not be done without great labour to a Place farther up the River called Cedro bueno Thus they re-imbarked and the Canows returned for the rest that were left behind So that about night they found themselves all together at the said Place The Pirats were extreamly desirous to meet any Spaniards or Indians hoping to fill their Bellies with what Provisions they should take from them For now they were reduced almost to the very extremity of Hunger On the 4th day the greatest part of the Pirats Fourth day marched by Land being led by one of the Guides The rest went by Water farther up with the Canows being conducted by another Guide who always went before them with two of the said Canows to discover on both sides the River the Ambuscades of the Spaniards These had also Spies who were very dextrous and could at any time give notice of all Accidents or of the Arrival of the Pirats six hours at least before they came to any Place This day about noon they found themselves nigh unto a Post called Torna Cavallos Here the Guide of the Canows began to cry aloud he perceived an Ambuscade His Voice caused infinite Joy unto all the Pirats as perswading themselves they should find some Provisions wherewith to satiate their Hunger which was very great Being come unto the Place they found no body in it the Spaniards who were there not long before being every one fled and leaving nothing behind unless it were a small number of leather Bags all empty and a few crums of Bread scatter'd upon the Ground where they had eaten Being angry at this Misfortune they pull'd down a few little Huts which the Spaniards had made and afterwards fell to eating the leathern Bags as being desirous to afford something to the ferment of their Stomachs which now was grown so sharp as it did gnaw their very Bowels having nothing else to prey upon Thus they made a huge Banquet upon those Bags of Leather which doubtless had been more gratefulâ—… unto them if divers Quarrels had not risen concerning who should have the greatest share By the circumference of the Place they conjectur'd 500 Spaniards more or less had been there And these finding no Victuals they were now infinitely desirous to meet intending to devour some of them rather than perish Whom they would certainly in that occasion have roasted or boyled to satisfie their Famine had they been able to take them After they had feasted themselves with those pieces of Leather they quitted the
Of their Misery and Mis-usage was a good Eye-witness Iacob Binkes Governour at that time in America for the States-General of the United Provinces For he happened to arrive in that Conjuncture at the Island of Puerto Rico with some Men of War to buy Provisions and other Necessaries for his Fleet. His Compassion on their Misery was such as caused him to bring away by Stealth five or six of the said Prisoners which served only to exasperate 〈…〉 the Minds of the Spaniards For soon after they sent the rest of the Prisoners unto the chief City of the Island there to work and toil about the Fortifications 〈…〉 which then were making forcing them to bring and carry Stones and all sorts of Materials belonging thereunto These being finished the Governour transported them unto Havana where they imployed them in like manner in fortifying that City Here they caused them to work â—…'th ' day-time and by night they shut them up as â—…ose Prisoners fearing least they should enterpriâ—…e uâ—…on the City For of such Attempts the Spaniards had had divers Proofs on other Occasions which afforded them sufficient Cause to use them after that manner Afterwards at several times wherein Ships arrived They aâ—… transported by degrees 〈◊〉 to Spain there from New Spain they transported them by degrees into Europe and landed them at the City of Cadiz But notwithstanding this Care of the Spaniards to disperse them they soon after met almost all together in France and resolved among Mâ—… of 〈◊〉 mâ—…et 〈◊〉 France themselves to return again unto Tortuga with the first Opportunity should proffer Unto this effect they assisted one another very lovingly with what Necessaries they could spare according to every ones Condition So that in a short while the greatest part of those Pirats had nested themselves again at Tortuga their common Place of And return unto Tortuga Rendezvous Here some time after they equipped again a new Fleet to revenge their former Misfortunes on the Spaniards under the Conduct of one le Sieur Maintenon a French-man by Nation With this Fleet he arrived at the Island de la Trinidad They takâ—… the Island de la Trinidad situated between the Isle of Tabago and the neighbouring Coasts of Paria This Island they sackt and afterwards put to the Ransom of 10000 And put â—…t to a Ransom of 10000 pieces of Eight pieces of Eight From hence they departed with Design to take and pillage the City of Caracas seated over against the Island of Curasao belonging to the Hollanders CHAP. X. A Relation of what Encounters lately happened at the Islands of Cayana and Tabago between the Count de Estres Admiral of France in America and the Heer Jacob Binkes Vice-Admiral of the United Provinces in the same Parts IT is a thing already known unto the greatest part of Europe that the Prince of Curland began The Prince of Curland first Possessor of Tabago to establish a Colony in the Island of Tabago As also that some while after his People for want of timely Recruits from their own Countrey abandoned the said Island leaving it to the first that should come and possess it Thus it fell into the Hands of the Heer 's Adrian and Cornelius The â—…id Island possessed by the Dutch Lampsius Natives of the City of Fâ—…issing in the Province of Zeeland For being arrived at the said Island of Tabago in the year 1654. they undertook to fortifie it by Commands of their Sovereigns the States-General Hereupon they built a goodly Castle in a convenient Situation capable of hindring the Assaults of any Enemies that might enterprize upon the Island The Strength of this Castle was afterwards sufficiently tryed by Monsieur de Estres as I shall presently relate after I have first told you what happened before at Cayana in the year 1676. This year the States-General of the United Provinces sent their Vice-Admiral Iacob Binkes unto the Island of Cayana then in possession of the French for to retake the said Island and hereby restore it unto The Isle of Cayana retaken by the Hollanders the Dominions of the United Provinces afore-mentioned With these Orders he set forth from Holland on the 16th day of March in the said year his Fleet consisting of seven Men of War one Fire-ship and five other small Vessels of less account This Fleet arrived at Cayana the 4th day of the Month of May next following Immediately after their Arrival the Heer Binkes landed 900 Men who approaching the Castle summoned the Governour to surrender at their Discretion His Answer was He thought of nothing less then Surrendring but that he and his People were resolved to defend themselves even to the utmost of their Endeavours The Heer Binkes having received this Answer presently commanded his Troops to attack the Castle on both sides at once The Assault was very furious But at length the French being few in number and overwhelmed with the multitude of their Enemies surrendred both their Arms and the Castle In it were found 37 pieces of Cannon The Governour who was named Monsieur Lesi together with two Priestâ—… were sent into Holland The Heer Binkes lost in the Combat 14 Men only and had 72 wounded The King of France no sooner understood this Success but he sent in the Month of October following the Count de Estres for to retake the said The Count de Estres sent to retake it again from the Dutch Island again from the Hollanders He arrived there in the Month of December with a Squadron of Men of War all very well equipped and provided Being come on his Voyage as far as the River called Aperovaco he met there with a small Vessel of Nantes which had set forth from the said Island of Cayana but a fortnight before This Ship gave him Intelligence of the present state and condition wherein he might be certain to find the Hollanders at Cayana They told him there were 300 Men in the Castle that all about it they had fixed strong Palizadas or Empalements and that within the Castle were mounted 26 pieces of Cannon Monsieur de Estres being enabled with this Intelligence to take his own Measures proceeded 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on his Voyage and arrived at a Port of the said Island three Leagues distant from the Castle Here he landed 800 Men whom he divided into two several Parties The one he placed under the Conduct of the Count de Blinac and the other he gave unto Monsieur de St. Faucher On board 〈…〉 the Fleet he left Monsieur Gabaret with divers other principal Troops which he thought not fit or necessary to be landed As soon as the Men were set on shore the Fleet weighed Anchor and sailed very slowly towards the Castle mean while the Souldiers marched by Land These could not travel otherwise then by night by reason of the excessive Heat of the Sun and intolerable Exhalations of the Earth which here is very