Cruising Voyage Around the World — Off Mexico

_Sept.

22. _ The _Marquiss_ had sprung a large Leak, for want of good Caulking at first in _Gorgona_: I went aboard with our Carpenter, who assisted theirs, and with a Piece of Lead nail’d over the Leak (being in the Water’s Edge) soon stopt it, and we made Sail again in a little time.

Wind at S. by E. We had a good Observation.

N.

Lat.

6°.

9´´.

Every Day as we leave the Equinoctial more distant the Heat encreases very much.

[Sidenote: _Arrival at the Island Tres Marias.

_] _October 1. _ Yesterday we made the main Land of _Mexico_; it bore N. E.

distant about 10 Leagues.

We hoisted out our Yawl, and fetch’d aboard Capt. _Cooke_, and his Lieutenant Mr. _Pope_, Capt. _Courtney_ and Capt. _Dampier_; the latter says he knows this high Land; but the Latt.

directs us all to know it.

Capt. _Dampier_, near this Place, five Years past, met the _Manila_ Ship in the St. _George_, and had a Fight at a Distance, but he says for want of Men could not board her, and after a short Dispute, was forced to let her alone.

We hall’d off the Shore, W. N.

W.

not caring to be near enough to be seen from the Land, to allarm the Coast too soon.

We had often Showers of Rain, Wind at S. S.

E.

_Octob.

2. _ Most part of this 24 Hours we had Squalls and then little Wind at S. S.

E.

intermixt with sultry hot Weather.

Our Men begin to be unhealthy again, two having lately dropt down on the Deck, but after bleeding came pretty well to themselves.

We agreed with our Consort to lie by from 8 at Night till day break.

At Noon it clear’d up, and we saw the Land, at least 8 Leagues off, tho’ we seem’d just under it, it was so very high.

We made Cape _Corientes_ bearing N. E.

about 8 Leagues, by which we judge according to our Observation at Noon, that it lies in Lat.

20°.

10´´.

N.

We know it to be Cape _Corientes_, because we could see no Land to the Northward of it, and that it was a Head-land.

Capt. _Dampier_ has been here also, but it’s a long Time ago.

We all agreed it was the Cape, and that we had best hall off N. W.

to look for the Islands _Tres Marias_, which are not far from this Cape, but we are not certain of their Situation.

_Octob.

4. _ Yesterday Afternoon, at 4, the Cape bore E. N.

E.

about 10 Leagues.

We kept on under an easy Sail all Night.

In the Morning we saw 2 Islands, being very clear Weather, at least 14 Leagues distant, one bearing N. by W. and the other N. by E. At Noon we had a good Observation.

Lat.

20°.

45´´.

N.

Tho’ our Men have their Fill of Land and Sea Turtle, which keeps them from the Scurvy, yet I find them weak, it being but a faintly Food, except they had sufficient Bread or Flower with it, they having but a Pound and a Quarter of Bread or Flower, for five Men a Day, to prolong our Stock of Bread against we come to live wholly on our salt Provisions, and then must be forced to allow more.

_Octob.

6. _ In the Morning we sent Lieutenant _Frye_ in the Pinnace ashore on the Eastermost Island, to try whether there was any good Road or convenience for us to recruit there.

At 9 they return’d, and told me the Island had foul Ground near half a Mile from the Shore; bad Anchoring, worse Landing, and no fresh Water; but Wood enough.

A

melancholy Story, our Water growing short.

We hall’d on a Wind, for the middle Island, which Capt. _Dampier_, I do believe, can remember he was at, when he belong’d to Captain _Swann_,[137] and found Water.

Being little Wind we sent our Boat towards the Island, to view it before we could get thither with the Ship.

_Octob.

7. _ The _Dutchess_’s People, and our Pinnace had been ashore at several Places on the S. E.

side of the Island, and found bitter Water at every Place.

Our Ship got soon to an Anchor near the _Dutchess_, in 11 Fathom Water and sandy Ground, about a Mile and a half off Shore.

_Octob.

8. _ Those that had been on the Island saw no Sign of Peoples being lately there, but found a human Skull above Ground, which we suppose to have been one of the two _Indians_ Capt. _Dampier_ tells us were left here by Capt. _Swann_, about 23 Years ago; for Victuals being scarce with these _Buccaneers_, they would not carry the poor _Indians_ any farther, but, after they had served their Turns, left them to make a miserable End on a desolate Island.

We kept a Light out all Night, and a great Fire in the Island, that if the _Marquiss_ and Bark, who had left Company, saw it, and had a Gale, they might come into Anchor Ground.

But having no sight of them at Day-break, I went on board our Consort, and propos’d my going out to look after ’em; but they made Light of it and thought it needless, believing they would be in after us, without any Assistance.

The Recruit of Cattle, Hogs, and Plantains, at _Tecames_, held to the _Gallapagos_, and we have fed on the Turtle we got there ever since, excepting these two last Days.

This accidental Stock of fresh Food has been some Refreshment to our Men, and prolongs our Stock of _European_ Provisions.

Now Bread or Flower will be the first thing wanting.

We had little Wind Northerly, and often calm.

_Octob.

9. _ Yesterday I sent Lieut.

_Glendall_ to view the other side of the Island, and he brought me back word it was much better than this, with sandy Bays, and signs of Turtle in the Sand, which he believed came ashore the last Night.

I sent back the Boat and Men to try to get Turtle; and this Morning they came back with their Boats Load of very good ones, and left another lading behind them ready turn’d; they also had found indifferent good Water on the N. E.

side of the Island, which rejoiced us to be so unexpectedly supplied; for the other Water on this side the Island, [Sidenote: _At Anchor at St. Marias Islands.

_] had purg’d those that drank it aboard the _Dutchess_ like Physick.

We had no sight yet of the Bark or _Marquiss_.

’Tis very hot, with an Air of Wind Northerly, but almost calm.

Our Consort has sent their Pinnace in quest of the missing Ships.

_Octob.

10. _ Lieut.

_Connely_ of the _Dutchess_, that went in quest of ’em return’d without any News.

And we having begun trimming our Ship, and stripping the Rigging; the _Dutchess_ desired to go and look for them, mean while we were to employ our People to cut Wood and get a Stock of Turtle against their Return.

We found an excellent Run of Water on the other side of the Island, and sent our Pinnace to view the Westermost Island, to see if either of the missing Ships had got into Anchor here.

Capt. _Dover_ being willing to remove aboard the _Dutchess_, I desired our Officers to make the following _Memorandum_.

Tres S. Maria Islands.

_We the under-written, appointed part of a Committee now present on board the_ Duke, _do certify, that Capt. _ Dover _requested to go on board the_ Dutchess; _and desired us to take notice it was his own Choice so to do.

Witness our Hands, this 10th Day of_ October, 1709. Stephen Courtney, Robert Frye, Woodes Rogers, Thomas Glendall, William Dampier, Lanc.

Appleby.

At the same time the following Agreement was made where to meet with the _Dutchess_, and they took a Copy with them.

_In case we aboard the_ Duke _don’t see the_ Dutchess _return in 10 Days, then to be ready to sail, and first look in the Latitude 20°.

_ N.

_in sight of the Land: If not to be found there, to run off the Land farther into Sea, and then in sight again, but no nearer than within 6 Leagues of the Land, to prevent Discovery.

We are to bring all full of Water and Turtle for a second Recruit, to keep a continual Look-out for them, and leave a Signal at the South End of this Island.

_ _Octob.

11. _ According to this Agreement Capt. _Dover_ went himself, and sent his Servant with his Necessaries aboard the _Dutchess_.

In the Evening they came to sail, and carry’d above 100 large Turtle that we brought to them in our Boats for victualling, to save Salt Provisions.

We hope the Current, that has hitherto run to Leeward, will quickly shift, and facilitate their Return, that we may not be obliged to follow them.

I order’d 6 Yards of red and white Bays to be join’d together, to spread it as a Signal on the Island for directing them to a Letter from me in a Bottle by it, should we unexpectedly quit the Place in her Absence.

_Octob.

12. _ Last Night our Pinnace, which had been in quest of the missing Ships, return’d from the Westermost Island, and saw no Sign of the Ships.

Our People tell us, they heard aboard the _Dutchess_, that the Bark had not 2 Days Water when they left them, which made me very uneasy lest she should go to the Main after Water, which would discover us, and might prove the Occasion of losing her also.

Yesterday we put Negroes ashore to cut Wood for the absent Ships, and last Night our Boat came off, and brought but 3 out of 10, 7 having run away into the Woods: Immediately we dispatch’d several Men round the Island with Arms, to endeavour to catch ’em when they come down out of the Woods to get Food at the Sea-side.

These Negroes had an Antipathy against _Michael Kendall_ the _Jamaica_ Negro, and design’d to have kill’d him, had not one of those that came aboard given him timely Notice of it.

A Negro amongst the Runaways could write well, which made me get our Ransomers to write 3 _Spanish_ Papers of Encouragement to incline the Fugitives upon sight of ’em to return, promising that Negro his Freedom and every thing else he or the rest of them could reasonably desire.

These Papers we nail’d up against Trees by the Brook side, where they will be sure to see them.

My Reason for so doing was to prevent these Fellows from giving notice of us on the Coast, if they reach’d the Main on Bark Logs, which they could make with the Hatchets they had to cut Wood for us.

If this Method fails of Success, ’tis in vain to hope for finding them by searching the Island, every part of it being full of thick Woods and Prickles, which make it unpassable.

On the sandy Shore we began to imploy our Rope-makers to spin Twine for the _Dutchess_ and _Marquiss_, who complain their Stock is short.

Our people found another Spring of excellent Water on the other side of the Island.

[Sidenote: _At Anchor at St. Marias Islands.

_] _Octob.

13. _ Yesterday Afternoon the _Dutchess_ came in sight, with the Bark in Tow, and soon after we saw the _Marquiss_.

We kept a Light out, that they might the better find us.

In the Morning we saw them at Anchor between the 2 Islands.

I weigh’d in their sight, and put out our Ensign for ’em to follow us to the Watering Place on the other side of the Island, which they did accordingly.

The Wind continues Northerly, with a Lee Current.

_Octob.

14. _ Yesterday in the Afternoon we came to an Anchor in 16 Fathom Water off the N. E.

Side of the Island.

I went immediately in our Pinnace aboard the _Dutchess_, that was then under Sail with the Bark in Tow, 2 Leagues from us.

About 4 they and the _Marquiss_ came to an Anchor; I told them of our Negroes deserting us, which had prevented our getting a good Stock of Wood in their Absence, and we agreed to keep all our Negroes on board the Ships, and narrowly watch ’em to prevent their Desertion for the future.

Mr. _Duck_, who was Master of the Bark, told me the Day they lost sight of us their Water was expended, and two of the Bark’s Crew in a very small Canoe left her almost out of sight of Land, and being smooth calm Weather, fortunately got aboard the _Marquiss_ to acquaint Capt. _Cooke_ they had no Water, upon which he bore down to them, and took her in Towe.

Had he not done this, the Bark must have run for the Main Land to get Water, which might have alarm’d the Enemy, and endanger’d the Loss of the Vessel and Men.

They were not above 8 Leagues off the Island, but it being hazey Weather, and having little Wind, and a Lee Current, they could not get in, or see us.

_Octob.

15. _ We could not get to the Watering Place near the N. W.

Corner of the Island, till 7 last Night, when we anchor’d in 7 Fathom Water, clean sandy Ground, about half a Mile from the Shore; the Westermost Point bore W. by N. about 3 Miles, and the Eastermost E. by S.

6 Miles.

The Body of the Westermost Island bore N. W.

distant 4 Leagues.

This Morning we got our empty Casks ashore, and began filling Water.

Had we not very fair Weather at this Season, and little Wind, this Place would be but an ordinary Road.

_Octob.

16. _ Capt. _Courtney_ sent me word, that the _Marquiss_, who has been again missing, was well moored at the S. E.

Side of the Island, and could not easily turn it hither; so we agreed she should lie there, and we would water her from hence with our Boats.

_Octob.

18. _ Lieutenant _Fry_ went in the Pinnace last Night to view the Weather Island, and he returned this Morning, and told me there was a Road, but not very good and that he could find no Water.

_Octob.

19. _ We hal’d the Sain [Sein], and caught some Fish.

This Morning we found some Bail Goods damaged, which we believe they received before we had ’em; we unpack’d and dry’d ’em, and sold what was most damaged amongst the Ships Company, repacking and stowing away the rest.

Very hot Weather, and a little Air of Wind North.

_Octob.

23. _ We began this Morning to take aboard our Turtle, and the Remainder of our Wood and Water, designing in the Evening to return, and anchor on the S. E.

Side of the Island, to join the _Marquiss_, and agree on a Station to cruize for the _Manila_ Ship.

Our Men shot a Snake ashore, and brought it aboard dead; I saw it measured 15 Inches round, and near 10 Foot long; some of ’em are much larger; this was of a hazle colour, and spotted, called by the _Spaniards_ here a Leopard Serpent.

_Octob.

24. _ All the Officers met aboard the _Dutchess_, and sign’d a Duplicate of every Conclusion in all Committees since we have been in these Seas.

Many of the Resolutions wrote on board this Ship were in my Custody, and others wrote aboard the _Dutchess_ in Capt. _Courtney’s_;

but it was thought advisable that each of us should have all the Copies signed alike.

While we were together, we agreed on a Station to lie for the _Manila_ Ship; but I lately proposed parting, and to meet again at Cape _Corientes_, or any other appointed Station, and for us in the _Duke_ to cruize off the same Place where Capt. _Dampier_ met the _Manila_ Ship in the _St.

George_, or else the _Marquiss_ and _Dutchess_ to take that Station, and I would go to Cape _St.

Lucas_; since by either Method we should have 2 Chances for the Prize, and get Provisions, which we begin to want very much.

This Method might prove much better than to be at one Place, where we could not be supply’d with Provisions; but the Officers of the _Dutchess_ and _Marquiss_ seeming unwilling to part Companies, and the Majority thinking Cape _St.

Lucas_ the properest Place to lie for the _Manila_ Ship bound for _Acapulco_, I drew up our Resolution, which was signed by the whole Council, who on this Occasion were altogether.

At a Committee held on board the _Dutchess_ at the Islands _Tres Marias, October 24. 1709_.

[Sidenote: _Description of Tres Marias.

_] _We whose Names are hereunto subscribed, being Members of a Committee appointed to manage the Affairs of the_ Duke, Dutchess _and_ Marquiss, _having recruited our Ships at these Islands, and being in a readiness to put to Sea again; We have examin’d the Opinion of Capt. _ Dampier, _appointed Pilot by the Owners of the Ships_ Duke _and_ Dutchess _in_ Bristol, _and have been well informed from all the Intelligences we have frequently had from Prisoners since our being in the_ South Seas, _and do now finally determine to cruize off Cape_ St. Lucas, _the Southermost Cape of_ California, _in such Methods, and with such Signals to each other, as shall be agreed on in our next Committee.

_ _We resolve with the utmost Care and Diligence to wait here the coming of the_ Manila _Ship belonging to the_ Spaniards, _and bound for_ Acapulco; _whose Wealth on board her we hope will prompt every Man to use his utmost Conduct and Bravery to conquer.

This is our Opinion the Day above.

_ Tho.

Dover, _Pres.

_ John Connely, Woodes Rogers, William Bath, Stephen Courtney, Tho.

Glendall, Edw.

Cooke, Geo.

Milbourne, William Dampier, Robert Knowlman, Robert Frye, John Bridge, William Stratton, John Ballett, Cha.

Pope, Lan.

Appleby.

Being all supply’d with Wood, Water, and Turtle, we came to sail at Eleven this Forenoon, Wind at N. by W. a fine Gale; but e’er I proceed with my Journal, I will give a short Description of these Islands.

The Islands of _Tres Marias_ lie N. W.

in a Range at equal Distances from each other, about 4 Leagues asunder: The largest Island is the Westermost, appears to be high double Land, and about 5 Leagues in Length; the middle Island about 3 Leagues the longest way, and the Eastermost scarce 2 Leagues; these are also middling high Lands, and full of Trees.

Near the least Island are 2 or 3 small broken white Islands, one of the outermost of these appear’d so much like a Ship under Sail at a distance, that we gave the usual Signal for a Chase, but soon found our Mistake.

These Islands have abundance of different sorts of Parrots, Pigeons, Doves, and other Land Birds, of which we kill’d great Numbers, with excellent Hares, but much less than ours.

We saw abundance of Guanas, and some Raccoons; the latter bark’d and snarl’d at us like Dogs, but were easily beat off with Sticks.

I think the Water more worthy of Remark than any thing we saw here, because we found but two good Springs, which ran down in large Streams near others, that were very bitter and disagreeable, which I suppose might proceed from Shrubs and Roots that grow in the Water, or from some Mineral.

The Turtle here is very good, but of a different Shape from any I have seen; and tho’ vulgarly there’s reckon’d but 3 sorts of Turtle, we have seen 6 or 7 different sorts at several Times, and our People have eat of them all, except the very large hooping or logger-head Turtle (as they are call’d) found in _Brazil_ in great plenty, and some of them above 500 _l.

_ Weight.

We did not eat of that sort, because then our Provisions were plentiful, which made those Turtles to be slighted as coarse and ordinary Food.

Those at the _Gallapagos_ Islands, both He’s and She’s, I observed came ashore in the Day-time, and not in the Night, quite different from what I have seen or heard of the rest.

All that we caught in this Island was by turning ’em in the Night, and were She’s, which came ashore to lay their Eggs, and bury them in the dry Sand: One of these had at least 800 Eggs in its Belly, 150 of which were skin’d, and ready for laying at once.

I could not imagine that Turtle were 6 Weeks in hatching, as some Authors write, considering the Sun makes the Sand so very hot wherever these Eggs are found, and instead of a Shell they have nothing but a very thin Film.

In order therefore to be better informed, I order’d some of our Men ashore to watch carefully for one, and suffer her to lay her Eggs without disturbance, and to take good notice of the Time and Place.

Accordingly they did so, and assur’d me they found the Eggs addled in less than 12 Hours, and in about 12 more they had young ones in ’em, compleatly shap’d, and alive.

Had we staid a little longer, I might have given my self and others a thorough Satisfaction in this quick Production of Nature.

From hence I am inclinable to credit the Report of divers of our Sailors, who assert, that where they have found Eggs in the Sand, and look’d for ’em 3 Days after in the same place, they found nothing but Films; this shews that the young ones are hatch’d within that time.

They assured me also, that they had observed oftener than once, that the young Brood run out of the Sand every day directly for the Sea in great Numbers, and quicker than the old ones.

[Sidenote: _At Anchor at Tres Marias.

_] At this time here was little Fish about the Shores of this Island, and of the same sorts mention’d at other Places in these Seas; but the Plenty of Turtle at this time supplies that Defect.

We the chief Officers fed deliciously here, being scarce ever without Hares, Turtle Doves, Pigeons, and Parrots of various Sizes and Colours, many had white or red Heads, with Tufts of Feathers on their Crowns.

I wish ’twould hold, but ’tis in vain to tantalize our selves; for we must soon fare otherwise, and take to our old Food of almost decay’d Salt Pork and Beef, which we must prize, and heartily wish we had more on’t. We found good Anchor Ground about this middle Island, and gradual Soundings from 20 to 4 Fathom Water close by the Shore.

Between this and the least Island ’tis about the same Depth; where we were between them I found no Shole, but what was visible, as a Rock off the S. W.

Point, and a Shole off the N. E.

Point of the same, with another at a greater distance from that Point off the least Island, but neither runs above half a Mile from the Shore.

I know no Danger about them, but what with Care might be easily avoided.

Where we rode we could see Spots of high Land, which I suppose was the Continent join’d by low Land between it; the Northermost bore N. by E. half E. about 16 Leagues distance: I take it to be the Starboard Entrance into the Gulph or Strait of _California_; the nearest Land to us bore E. N.

E.

about 12 Leagues, and the Southermost E. S.

E.

at least 17 Leagues, very high, which I believe is the next Headland to the Northward of Cape _Corientes_.

I had but two Opportunities to see it just at Sun-rising, because ’twas very hazey during our Stay here, so that I might err in the Distance; but the best Directions for these Islands is thus: We account the nearest bears N. N.

W.

from Cape _Corientes_ 28 Leagues, and that it lies in the Lat.

21°.

15´´.

N.

and Longit.

111°.

40´´.

West from _London_.

I return to my Journal.

_Octob.

28. _ At 6 this Evening the Westermost Island bore E. N.

E.

15 Leagues.

The Wind has been very little, and veerable, with a great Swell out of the N. W.

I sent our Yawl with a Lieutenant aboard the _Dutchess_ and _Marquiss_, with whom we agreed to spread as we ran to the Northward, that the _Acapulco_ Ship might not pass us, if they should arrive sooner than we expected: We agreed to be to the Leeward, the _Marquiss_ to Windward, and the _Dutchess_ between us, and all to keep in sight of each other.

I order’d our Surgeons and Mr. _Vanbrugh_ to see the Inside of the Physick Chest that Capt. _Dover_ left us, and take an Inventory of what was in it.

We saw no more of the Islands.

_Octob.

29. _ Still easy Gales, and sometimes quite calm, and extream hot.

We can hardly keep our Ground against the Current, that runs strong to the Southward.

We are in the same Latitude, and I judge about the same Place we were 2 Days ago.

_Octob.

30. _ This Morning one of our Negro Women cry’d out, and was deliver’d of a Girl of a tawny Colour; Mr. _Wasse_ our chief Surgeon was forced to discharge the Office of a Midwife in a close Cabbin provided for that Purpose; but what we most wanted was good Liquor, to keep up, or imitate the Womens laudable Custom of a refreshing Cup, on such an Occasion.

I accidentally found a Bottle of thick strong _Peru_ Wine, a good Part of which was given to the sick Woman, who desir’d more than we could spare her.

She had not been full 6 Months amongst us, so that the Child could belong to none of our Company.

But to prevent the other she-Negro (call’d _Daphne_) from being debauch’d in our Ship, I gave her a strict Charge to be modest, with Threats of severe Punishment, if she was found otherwise.

One of the _Dutchess_’s black Nymphs having transgressed this Way, was lately whip’d at the Capston.

This I mention to satisfy the censorious, that we don’t countenance Lewdness, and that we took those Women aboard, only because they spoke _English_, and begg’d to be admitted for Landresses, Cooks and Semstresses.

_Nov.

1. _ This Day we saw high Land, being the Point of _California_.

By Noon the Westermost in sight bore W. by N. 8 Leagues, and the Northermost N. half W. about 10 Leagues.

We had an Observation Lat.

22°.

55´´.

Long.

113°.

38´´.

W.

from _London_.

_Nov.

2. _ The Westermost Land we set yesterday Noon, we make to be Cape St. _Lucas_, the Southermost Head-land of _California_.

We agreed on Signals and Stations; and to spread S. W.

into the See, off of this Cape that now bore N. by W. from us.

[Sidenote: _Cruising off Cape St. Lucas.

_] _Nov.

3. _ Our Stations being concluded, I was to be the outermost Ship, the _Dutchess_ in the middle, and the _Marquiss_ next the Land; with the Bark to ply and carry Advice from Ship to Ship: The nearest Ship to be 6 Leagues at least, and 9 at most from the Land: By this Agreement, we could spread 15 Leagues, and see any thing that might pass us in the Day, within 20 Leagues of the Shore.

And to prevent the Ships passing in the Night, we were to ply to Windward all Day, and drive at Night.

Whilst we were together, we at last settled the Form of our Agreement for each Ship; that all the Ships Companies might sign it, for every one to give an Account of all Plunder he has received, that he may be charged with what’s more than his Share; and those (now or for the future suspected or accus’d of Concealment) when demanded shall give their Oaths before the Commanders, to the Truth of their Accounts, and if any one was found to conceal above the Value of half a Piece of 8. he is to be severely punished, and fined 20 Times its Value: This we did to deter every one from fraudulent Practices, which if we should happily take this Ship, might also prevent Disorders.

_Nov.

4. _ I order’d a Sailor into Irons, for threatning the Cooper; and one _Peter Clark_, an ill abusive Fellow, I order’d to have the like Punishment, because he had wished himself aboard a Pirate, and said he should be glad that an Enemy, who could over-power us, was a-long-side of us.

_Nov.

5. _ Yesterday in the Afternoon the _Dutchess_ being near, I sent our Yawl aboard with Lieut.

_Glendall_, to agree more exactly on some remarkable Land, that each of us knowing the same Land Mark, might the better keep our Stations.

We agreed also, that the _Marquiss_ should now be in the middle, and the _Dutchess_ next the Shore, as being the properest Stations.

This Morning we put all manner of Lumber and Chests down, designing to keep all as clear as possible, that we might not be in a Hurry if near the _Acapulco_ Ship.

_Nov.

6. _ This Day ended our Stock of Turtle we had at the _Marias_;

being all Shes, with Eggs in them, they would not keep so long as those we had at the _Gallapagos_ Islands: We have for some Days thrown more dead Turtle overboard than we kill’d for eating.

_Nov.

7. _ Yesterday I went aboard the _Marquiss_, and desir’d them to tell Capt. _Courtney_, when he came off the Shore, that we would take the inner Birth, and exchange again for the same Number of Days, that we might have equal Chances for seeing the _Manila_ Ship; because I now think the inner Birth the likeliest.

Sir _Thomas Cavendish_, in Queen _Elizabeth_’s Time, took the _Manila_ Ship in this Place on the 4th of _November_.

_Nov.

12. _ Yesterday Afternoon, all our Ships Company sign’d the before-mention’d Agreement, finally to settle Plunder.

At the same time we sign’d another Agreement, to prevent gaming and wagering: some of our Crews having already lost most of their Clothes, and what else they could make away with.

To prevent those loose and dissolute Courses, we sign’d both Agreements as follows.

_We the Officers, Seamen and Landmen belonging to the Ship_ Duke, _having made several former Agreements concerning the equal sharing of Plunder, do now desire and agree, That each Man give an exact Account of all Clothes, Goods of Value, or Necessaries of any kind he had, over and above his Dividend deliver’d him at_ Gorgona, _or had purchased of others since, to be rightly charged to him in his Account of Plunder, by the Agents appointed; and to restore whatever he had taken without the Agents Knowledge, and to prevent any Persons detaining and concealing any Goods or Riches of any kind, now or for the future, more than their respective Shares, in order to a right Distribution of Plunder, except Arms, Chests, Knives_, Roman _Relicks, Scizzars, Tobacco, loose Books, Pictures, and worthless Tools and Toys, and Bedding in use, which are not included in this Agreement; and those that have already only things of this kind, are not liable to a Penalty: We do voluntarily sign this, and offer our selves to be obliged firmly by these Presents, to be under the Penalty of 20 Shillings for every Shilling value taken hid or conceal’d by any of us, or removed out of any Prize without written Orders from the Commanders publickly; and that none but the Agents already named, or to be named hereafter, shall detain in Possession any Plunder; but whatever is found conceal’d shall be valued, and the Persons that hid it to be fin’d as aforesaid, which Penalty we acknowledge to be laid on us by our own Desire, Consent, and Approbation, over and above the former Penalty agreed on, That any Person shall loose his share of every Prize or Purchase taken, whether Cargo or Plunder, that conceals of either the Value of half a Piece of 8. and this to remain in Force, to the End of the Voyage.

_ _And to encourage Discoveries of such Concealments, what-ever Person discovers the Fraud of any, who shall be so imprudent as to detain more than his due, in any Goods that has not been shar’d before as Plunder, or purchas’d of the Owners Agent or Commanders;

the Informer of such Fraud shall have one Half given him gratis, out of the Offenders Shares and Wages; the other Half for the use of the Ships Company as Plunder; which Information shall be encouraged by the Commanders of each Ship, in order to prevent Frauds, as long as this Voyage holds; and that ever hereafter Accounts shall be made up, and the Plunder immediately adjudg’d to prevent Confusion.

_ [Sidenote: _Cruising off Cape St. Lucas.

_] _We likewise agree, That if any of us hereafter shall without farther Proof be accus’d of concealing Plunder or Goods of Value, belonging to any Prize, he shall, on request, before a Committee of all or either of the Ships Commanders and chief Officers, voluntarily make Affidavit to answer fully and satisfactorily to such Questions as shall then and there be demanded of him, in order to prevent fraudulent Concealments, and on his Refusal, agrees to be punish’d or degraded, and to be subject to such Penalty as a general Committee shall think fit to inflict on him or them.

Every one hereunto subscribed is within 3 Days from the Date hereof to settle his Account of Plunder; after which time, this Instrument is in full Force and not before.

_ Sign’d by the Officers and Men of each Ship.

The Agreement to prevent Gaming was as follows.

_We the Ship’s Company belonging to the Ship_ Duke _now in the_ South Seas, _being Adventurers so far to improve our Fortunes in a private Man of War, under the Command of Capt. _ Woodes Rogers, _who has a lawful Commission from his Royal Highness Prince_ George _of_ Denmark,[138] _and considering the apparent Hazard of our Lives in these remote Parts; do mutually agree to prevent the growing Evil now arising amongst us, occasion’d by frequent Gaming, Wagering, and abetting at others Gaming, so that some by chance might thus too slightly get Possession of what his Fellow-Adventurers have dangerously and painfully earn’d. To prevent this intolerable Abuse, we shall forbear and utterly detest all Practices of this kind for the future during the whole Voyage, till our safe Arrival in_ Great Britain, _where good Laws of this kind take place, and designing effectually to confirm this our Desire and Agreement, We do jointly remit all sorts of Notes of Hand, Contracts, Bills, or Obligations of any kind whatsoever, that shall any ways pass, directly or indirectly, sign’d by either of us after the Date hereof, provided the Sum in each Note be for Gaming, Wagering, or Abetting any way whatsoever by any of us; and to prevent our being misled for the future, all manner of Obligations of this kind, and for this Consideration, shall be wholly invalid, and unlawful here, and in_ Great Britain _or_ Ireland; _And throughly to secure this Method, we farther jointly agree, that no Debt from this Time forward shall be lawfully contracted from Man to Man amongst us, unless by the Commanders Attestation, and enter’d on the Ship’s Book, it shall appear done publickly and justly to prevent each others Frauds being conniv’d at amongst us; And that none of us may fraudulently do ill things of this kind for the future, and make a Pretence to Ignorance, We have all publickly and voluntarily set our Hands, desiring the true Intent and Meaning hereof may take place without the least Evasion, it being (as we very well know) for our common Interest and publick good, that not one of us employ’d on this dangerous and remote Undertaking, might be so unhappy to arrive at his wish’d for Country and Habitation poor and dejected: And being throughly sensible of the Necessity of this Agreement, we have set our Hands.

_ Sign’d by all the Officers and Men in each Ship in sight of _California_, Nov.

11. 1709. _Nov.

13. _ The Water being discolour’d, and we near the Shore, we hove the Lead but found no Ground.

_Nov.

17. _ Yesterday we sent the Bark to look for Water on the Main, and this Morning they return’d, having seen wild _Indians_ who padled to them on Bark Logs; they were fearful of coming near our People at first, but were soon prevail’d with to accept of a Knife or two and some Bays, for which they return’d 2 Bladders of Water, a Couple of live Foxes, and a dear Skin.

Till now we thought the _Spaniards_ had Missionaries among those People, but they being quite naked, having no sign of _European_ Commodities, nor the least Word of _Spanish_; we conclude they are quite savage.

We dispatch’d the Bark and Boat a second Time with odd Trifles, in hopes to get some Refreshment from ’em.

_Nov.

19. _ Before Sun set last Night we could perceive our Bark under the Shore, and having little Wind she drove most part of the Night, that she might be near us in the Morning.

We sent our Pinnace, and brought the Men aboard, who told us, that their new Acquaintance were grown very familiar, but were the poorest Wretches in Nature, and had no manner of Refreshment for us.

They came freely aboard to eat some of our Victuals;

and by Signs invited our Men ashore; the _Indians_ swam a-shore in the Water to guide the Bark Logs, that our Men were on, there being too much Sea to land out of our Boat: After they got safe on Shore the _Indians_ led each of our Men betwixt two of ’em, up the Bank, where there was an old naked Gentleman with a Deer-skin spread on the Ground, on which they kneeled before our People, who did the like, and wip’d the Water off their Faces, without a Cloth; those that led them from the Water-side, took the same Care of ’em for a quarter of a Mile, and led them very slowly thro’ a narrow Path to their Hutts, where they found a dull Musician rubbing two jagged Sticks a-cross each other, and humming to it, to divert and welcome their new Guests.

After the Ceremonies were over, our People sat on the [Illustration: WOODES ROGERS LANDING ON THE COAST OF CALIFORNIA _From a print in the Macpherson Collection_.

] [Sidenote: _Cruising off Cape St. Lucas.

_] Ground with them, eat broil’d Fish, and were attended back in the same manner, with the _Indian_ Musick.

The Savages brought a Sample of every thing they had except their Women, Children, and Arms, which we find are not common to Strangers: Their Knives made of Sharks Teeth, and a few other of their Curiosities, our People brought aboard to me, which I have preserved to shew what Shifts may be made.

_Nov.

21. _ Last Night we saw a Fire ashore, which we interpreted to be a Signal from the Inhabitants, that they had got something extraordinary for us; and we wanting Refreshments, sent our Bark and Boat this Morning with one of our Musicians, to shew that we could at least equal them in Musick.

_Nov.

22. _ Our Boat return’d and brought an Account, that they had found a very good Bay, with a fresh Water River, and that they saw near 500 _Indians_, who lived there in small Hutts, but had no Recruit for us, besides a little Fish.

They met them as customary, and pilotted the Bark to that Place, which we suppose was the same that Sir _Thomas Cavendish_ recruited at in Queen _Elizabeth’s_ Time, _Anno_ 1588. _Nov.

23. _ Our main Top-Gallant-Mast being broke, we got up another, but the Rope breaking the Mast fell down upon the Deck, amongst the Men, but by God’s Providence hurt no body.

At 8 last Night our Ship sprung a Leak; so that we were forced to keep one Pump a going.

_Nov.

25. _ Capt. _Courtney_ came aboard in his Yawl, and complain’d his Stock of Water was almost spent; I agreed with him to send in our Pinnace, and a Bark, to supply them with Water.

_Nov.

26. _ This Morning our Pinnace return’d from Shore, brought 3 Barrels of Water, and 2 very large Fish from the _Indians_, which serv’d most of the Ships Company.

Those that came from the Shore observed the _Indians_ were not so friendly to our Men as customary.

_Nov.

27. _ They refus’d to let them come ashore after it was Night, which could not be to prevent their thieving, because the miserable Wretches had nothing to lose; yet they are jealous to keep what they have; and though they make no Use of their Land, might be afraid of Rivals.