DANIEL DEFOE

OF CAPTAIN MISSON

GENERAL EDITORS

Richard C. Boys, _University of Michigan_ Ralph Cohen, _University ofCalifornia, Los Angeles_ Vinton A. Dearing, _University of California, Los Angeles_ Lawrence Clark Powell, _Clark Memorial Library_

ASSISTANT EDITOR

W. Earl Britton, _University of Michigan_

ADVISORY EDITORS

Emmett L. Avery, _State College of Washington_ Benjamin Boyce, _DukeUniversity_ Louis Bredvold, _University of Michigan_ John Butt, _University of Edinburgh_ James L. Clifford, _Columbia University_Arthur Friedman, _University of Chicago_ Louis A. Landa, _PrincetonUniversity_ Samuel H. Monk, _University of Minnesota_ Ernest C. Mossner, _University of Texas_ James Sutherland, _University College, London_H. T. Swedenberg, Jr. , _University of California, Los Angeles_

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY

Edna C. Davis, _Clark Memorial Library_

INTRODUCTION

Defoe has been recognized as the author of _A General History of theRobberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pyrates_ since 1932 whenJohn Robert Moore suggested that the supposed author, Captain CharlesJohnson, like Andrew Moreton, Kara Selym or Captain Roberts, was merelyanother mask for the creator of _Robinson Crusoe_. Although most of thefirst volume is of minor literary importance, the second section whichappeared in 1728 as _The History of the Pyrates_ commenced with a life"Of Captain Misson and His Crew, " one of Defoe's most remarkable andneglected works of fiction. In much the same manner and at the same timethat John Gay was satirizing Walpole's government in _The Beggar'sOpera_, Defoe began to use his pirates as a commentary on the injusticeand hypocrisy of contemporary English society. Among Defoe's gallery ofpirates are Captain White, who refused to rob from women and children;Captain Bellamy, the proletarian revolutionist; and captain North, whosesense of justice and honesty was a rebuke to the corruption ofgovernment under Walpole. But the fictional Captain Misson, the founderof a communist utopia, is by far the most original of these creations. 

If we were to accept the view of nineteenth-century critics, that Defoewas one of the earliest exponents of _laissez faire_, his creation of acommunist utopia would seem remarkable indeed. But paradoxes fascinatedDefoe, and his ideas can seldom be reduced to unambiguous platitudes. Hewas especially fascinated by the comparison between businessmen andthieves. In 1707 he urged the government to pardon the Madagascarpirates if they agreed to stop their crimes, pay a large sum of moneyand "become honest Freeholders, as others of our _West-India_ Pyrates, _Merchants I should have said_, have done before them. " And he notedthat "it would make a sad Chasm on the _Exchange of London_, if all thePyrates should be taken away from the Merchants there. "[1] Twelve yearslater just before the start of the South Sea Bubble, Defoe attackedstock-jobbing as "a Branch of Highway Robbing. "[2]

Although these attacks were directed mainly at "trade thieves" andcorruptions in business practices, they reflect Defoe's growing concernwith problems of poverty and wealth in England. In his preface to thefirst volume of the _General History of the Pyrates_, Defoe argued thatthe unemployed seaman had no choice but to "_steal or starve_. " When thepirate, Captain Bellamy, boards a merchant ship from Boston, he attacksthe inequality of capitalist society, the ship owners, and most of all, the Captain:

_damn ye, you are a sneaking Puppy, and so are all those who will submitto be governed by Laws which rich Men have made for their own Security, for the cowardly Whelps have not the Courage otherwise to defend whatthey get by their Knavery; but damn ye altogether: Damn them for a Packof crafty Rascals, and you, who serve them, for a Parcel of hen-heartedNumskuls. They villify us, the Scoundrels do, when there is only thisDifference, they rob the Poor under the Cover of Law, forsooth, and weplunder the Rich under the Protection of our own Courage. _[3]

Bellamy asks the crew of the captured ship to abandon the slavery ofworking for low wages under severe captains for the complete economicand political equality of life on a pirate ship. 

Government on Captain Misson's ship, the _Victoire_, and in the colonyof Libertalia is partially an idealization of the pirate's creed. Buttwo other elements which must be considered are, first, the concept ofgovernment in the state of nature, and secondly, the ideal of thesocialist utopia. Most political theorists of Defoe's time postulated astate of nature in which man lived either entirely free from governmentor under loose patriarchal control, from which he was removed either bythe invention of money, the discovery of agriculture or by some crime. To a certain extent, Misson's pirate government may be regarded as astage in the evolution of government. In _The Farther Adventures ofRobinson Crusoe_, Defoe showed how government evolved from the anarchyof the state of nature. Both Crusoe's colony and Libertalia areeventually forced to establish government, private property and criminallaws, but Libertalia, which retains its egalitarian and democraticcharacter, is overthrown by its failure to account for human evil andcrime. 

A second influence on Captain Misson's ideology is Plutarch'sdescription of the laws of Sparta and Rome. Even during the "Anti-Communist Period" which followed the Glorious Revolution, the well-regulated state of the Lacedemonians remained the norm for Utopias. Theinfluence of Plutarch pervades the biographies in the _General Historyof the Pyrates. _ Lycurgus' laws echo throughout Misson's attacks onluxury and the unequal distribution of wealth, while Plutarch's study ofSpartacus, which is mentioned in Defoe's preface, may well have been themodel for his hero. 

But neither the desire to regain the purity of the state of nature noran admiration for Spartan simplicity entirely explain Misson's vigorousdemand for freedom and his attacks on the corruption of the rulingclass. By refusing to fly the pirate flag, Misson dramatizes the growingrevolt of the poor against a useless nobility. The crew of the_Victoire_ are, prophetically enough, French. Their aspiration is for asociety following the precepts of _la carrière ouverte aux talents_;their revolt is that of a few courageous men unafraid to engage in thepirate's "war against mankind" while those of lesser courage "dance tothe Musick of their Chains. "

Defoe's study of Misson is different from the Utopias of More, Bacon orCampanella in so far as there is no discovery of an ideal civilization. Libertalia is a Utopia which reflects a direct reaction to the abuses ofthe time--abuses of economic, political and religious freedom. Anticipating Beccaria's criticism of the death penalty by almost fortyyears, Carracioli argues that since man's right to life is inalienable, no government can have the power of capital punishment. [4] Misson'sbelief in equality is extended to include the negro slaves the_Victoire_ takes at sea as well as the natives of Madagascar. Afterasking the negroes to join his crew, Misson tells his men that

the Trading for those of our own Species, could never be agreeable tothe Eyes of divine Justice: That no Man had Power of the Liberty ofanother; and while those who profess'd a more enlightened Knowledge ofthe Deity, sold men like Beasts; they prov'd that their Religion was nomore than Crimace... : For his Part he hop'd, he spoke the Sentiments ofall his brave Companions, he had not exempted his Neck from the gallingYoak of Slavery, and asserted his own Liberty to enslave others. 

Slavery is banished from Misson's ship, and the negroes are schooled inthe principles of freedom. 

Perhaps the most difficult problem in discussing the principles ofMisson and Carracioli is to attempt an explanation of why Defoe, aPresbyterian, should have made his protagonists into deists. Defoeattacks Carracioli's deistic arguments through his narrator, CaptainJohnson, who remarks that such ideas are pernicious only to "weak Menwho cannot discover their Fallacy. " But since similar ideas appear inRobert _Drury's Journal_ published a year later, it may be assumed thatthe arguments of the deists held a certain fascination for Defoe at thistime. Carracioli's deism also has a dramatic function in the story. Thaton a voyage to Rome a young man like Misson should be converted to deismby a disillusioned "lewd" priest was in harmony with the traditionalEnglish belief in the dangers of Italy. [5] That Carracioli shouldcombine the rebellion against organized religion with the revolt againstmonarchy is indicative of Defoe's keen apprehension of the future courseof history. 

Considered as a short novel, the history "Of Captain Misson and hisCrew" reveals many of the same techniques which Defoe used in his longerworks. To gain a sense of verisimilitude the narrator pretends to beworking from a manuscript, a device which Defoe also employed in his_Memoirs of a Cavalier_. As in _Colonel Jack_ real historical figuresand events from the War of the Spanish Succession are woven into theadventures of the _Victoire_. Captain Misson and his crew sink theWinchelsea, an English ship lost in the West Indies at the end ofAugust, 1707, and they barely escape from Admiral Wager's fleet whichfought a famous battle there in 1708. Even the name of Misson's ship, the _Victoire_; was undoubtedly familiar to Defoe as the vesselcommanded by the famous French corsair, Cornil Saus. [6] So convincing isDefoe that although his hero is shown meeting a real freebooter, CaptainTew, ten years after Tew's death, Misson is still included in thehistories of piracy. [7]

Also typical of Defoe's fiction is the relationship between CaptainMisson, the leader, and his intellectual mentor, Carracioli. ColonelJack and his tutor, Moll Flanders and her Governess and particularly, Captain Singleton and William Walters form similar groups. Just asWilliam Walters, a Quaker, reminds Captain Singleton and the crew thattheir business is not fighting but making money, so Carracioli addresseslengthy speeches to the crew, converting everyone on the _Victoire_ todemocracy and deism. Misson's Libertalia takes root in Madagascar, whereSingleton wanted to establish a colony, while both Carracioli andWalters adapt the secular aspects of their religion to piracy. Butwhereas Walters eventually converts Singleton into an honest Christian, Carracioli leads Misson into piracy. 

In the history "Of Captain Misson and his Crew, " Defoe decided to pursuethe same method of third person narrative as in his brief biographies ofreal pirates. The result is that he merely provides a sketch ofpolitical theories rather than a study of human beings. Of course thereare good reasons for this. Defoe was more interested in dramatizingproletarian utopian ideals than in developing the inner workings ofMisson's mind. The novelette is unified by its epic theme, not by itsstudy of character or its episodic plot. 

Although Defoe toyed with radical notions throughout _The History of thePyrates_, he had little faith in their practicality. Libertalia must beunderstood as Defoe's best expression of political and social idealswhich he admired but considered unworkable. The continuation of Misson'scareer in the section "Of Captain Tew" depicts the decline and fall ofthe utopia and the hero's tragic death as a disillusioned idealist. This, however, is another story, a story which suggested that privateproperty was necessary, equality impossible and slavery a usefulexpedient for colonization. It was a far more comforting message for theAugustan Age, but it could not silence the tocsins of the FrenchRevolution which sound throughout the speeches of Misson and Carracioli. 

Maximillian E. Novak University of Michigan

Bibliographical Note

The text of "Of Captain Misson and His Crew" has been reproduced fromthe Henry E. Huntington Library's first edition copy of the secondvolume of _A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the MostNotorious Pyrates_ which appeared under the title _The History of thePyrates_. 

Notes to the Introduction

[Footnote 1: Daniel Defoe, _A Review of the Affairs of France_, ed. A. W. Secord (New York, 1938), IV, 424a. ]

[Footnote 2: _The Anatomy of Exchange--Alley_ (London, 1719), p. 8. ]

[Footnote 3: _A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the MostNotorious Pyrates_ (London, 1728), II, 220. ]

[Footnote 4: See Cesare Beccaria, _An Essay on Crimes and Punishments_(Stanford, 1953), pp. 97-99. ]

[Footnote 5: In the previous year Defoe had written that "it was themost dangerous thing in the World for a young Gentleman, sober andvirtuous, to venture into _Italy_, till he was thoroughly grounded inPrinciple, ... For that nothing was more ordinary, than for such eitherto be seduc'd, by the Subtlety of the Clergy, to embrace a falseReligion, or by the Artifice of a worse Enemy, to give up all Religion, and sink into _Scepticism_ and _Deism_, or, perhaps, _Atheism_. " _A NewFamily Instructor_ (London, 1727), p. 17. ]

[Footnote 6: See Ruth Bourne, _Queen Anne's Navy in the West Indies_(New Haven, 1939), pp. 63, 169-172; and _Manuscripts of the House ofLords_, New Series (London, 1921), VII, 117-119. ]

[Footnote 7: See Philip Gosse, _The History of Piracy_ (New York, 1934), p. 194; and Patrick Pringle, _Jolly Roger_ (London, 1953), pp. 136-138. ]

_Omne tulit punctum, qui miscuit utile dulci_. Hor. 

THE HISTORY OF THE PYRATES. VOL. II. 

OF CAPTAIN MISSON. 

We can be somewhat particular in the Life of this Gentleman, because, byvery great Accident, we have got into our Hands a _French_ Manuscript, in which he himself gives a Detail of his Actions. He was born in_Provence_, of an ancient Family; his Father, whose true Name heconceals, was Master of a plentiful Fortune; but having a great Numberof Children, our Rover had but little Hopes of other Fortune than whathe could carve out for himself with his Sword. His Parents took Care togive him an Education equal to his Birth. After he had passed hisHumanity and Logick, and was a tolerable Mathematician, at the Age ofFifteen he was sent to _Angiers_, where he was a Year learning HisExercises. His Father, at his Return home, would have put him into theMusketeers; but as he was of a roving Temper, and much affected with theAccounts he had read in Books of Travels, he chose the Sea as a Lifewhich abounds with more Variety, and would afford him an Opportunity togratify his Curiosity, by the Change of Countries Having made thisChoice, his Father, with Letters of Recommendation, and every Thingfitting for him, sent him Voluntier on board the _Victoire_, commandedby Monsieur _Fourbin_, his Relation. He was received on Board with allpossible Regard by the Captain, whose Ship was at _Marseilles_, and wasorder'd to cruise soon after _Misson's_ Arrival. Nothing could be moreagreeable to the Inclinations of our Voluntier than this Cruize, whichmade him acquainted with the most noted Ports of the _Mediterranean_, and gave him a great Insight into the practical Part of Navigation. Hegrew fond of this Life, and was resolved to be a compleat Sailor, whichmade him always one of the first on a Yard Arm, either to Hand or Reef, and very inquisitive in the different Methods of working a Ship: HisDiscourse was turn'd on no other Subject, and he would often get theBoatswain and Carpenter to teach him in their Cabbins the constituentParts of a Ship's Hull, and how to rigg her, which he generously paid'em for; and tho' he spent a great Part of his Time with these twoOfficers, yet he behaved himself with such Prudence that they neverattempted at a Familiarity, and always paid the Respect due to hisFamily. The Ship being at _Naples_, he obtained Leave of his Captain togo to _Rome_, which he had a great Desire to visit. Hence we may datehis Misfortunes; for, remarking the licentious Lives of the Clergy (sodifferent from the Regularity observ'd among the _French_Ecclesiasticks, ) the Luxury of the Papal Court, and that nothing butHulls of Religion was to be found in the Metropolis of the ChristianChurch, he began to figure to himself that all Religion was no more thana Curb upon the Minds of the Weaker, which the wiser Sort yielded to, inAppearance only. These Sentiments, so disadvantageous to Religion andhimself, were strongly riveted by accidentally becoming acquainted witha lewd Priest, who was, at his Arrival (by meer Chance) his Confessor, and after that his Procurer and Companion, for he kept him Company tohis Death. One Day, having an Opportunity, he told _Misson_, a Religiouswas a very good Life, where a Man had a subtle enterprising Genius, andsome Friends; for such a one wou'd, in a short Time, rise to suchDignities in the Church, the Hopes of which was the Motive of all thewiser Sort, who voluntarily took upon them the sacerdotal Habit. Thatthe ecclesiastical State was govern'd with the same Policy as weresecular Principalities and Kingdoms; that what was beneficial, not whatwas meritorious and virtuous, would be alone regarded. That there wereno more Hopes for a Man of Piety and Learning in the Patrimony of St. _Peter_, than in any other Monarchy, nay, rather less; for this beingknown to be real, that Man's rejected as a Visionary, no way fit forEmployment; as one whose Scruples might prove prejudicial; for its aMaxim, that Religion and Politicks can never set up in one House. As toour Statesmen, don't imagine that the Purple makes 'em less Courtiersthan are those of other Nations; they know and pursue the _Reggione delStato_ (a Term of Art which means Self-Interest) with as much Cunningand as little Conscience as any Secular; and are as artful where Art isrequired, and as barefaced and impudent when their Power is great enoughto support 'em, in the oppressing the People, and aggrandizing theirFamilies. What their Morals are, you may read in the Practice of theirLives, and their Sentiments of Religion from this Saying of a certainCardinal, _Quantum Lucrum ex ista fabula Christi!_ which many of 'em maysay, tho' they are not so foolish. For my Part, I am quite tir'd of theFarce, and will lay hold on the first Opportunity to throw off thismasquerading Habit; for, by Reason of my Age, I must act an under Partmany Years; and before I can rise to share the Spoils of the People, Ishall, I fear, be too old to enjoy the Sweets of Luxury; and, as I am anEnemy to Restraint, I am apprehensive I shall never act up to myCharacter, and carry thro' the Hypocrite with Art enough to rise to anyconsiderable Post in the Church. My Parents did not consult my Genius, or they would have given me a Sword instead of a Pair of Beads. 

_Misson_ advised him to go with him Voluntier, and offer'd him Money tocloath him; the Priest leap'd at the Proposal, and a Letter coming to_Misson_ from his Captain, that he was going to _Leghorn_, and left tohim either to come to _Naples_, or go by Land; he chose the latter, andthe _Dominican_, whom he furnish'd with Money, clothing himself veryCavalierly, threw off his Habit, and preceeded him two Days, staying at_Pisa_ for _Misson_; from whence they went together to _Leghorn_, wherethey found the _Victoire_, and Signor _Caraccioli_, recommended by hisFriend, was received on Board. Two Days after they weigh'd from hence, and after a Week's Cruize fell in with two _Sally_ Men, the one oftwenty, the other of twenty four Guns; the _Victoire_ had but thirtymounted, though she had Ports for forty. The Engagement was long andbloody, for the _Sally_ Man hop'd to carry the _Victoire_; and, on thecontrary, Captain _Fourbin_, so far from having any Thoughts of beingtaken, he was resolutely bent to make Prize of his Enemies, or sink hisShip. One of the _Sally_ Men was commanded by a _Spanish_ Renegade, (though he had only the Title of a Lieutenant) for the Captain was ayoung Man who knew little of Marine Affairs. 

This Ship was called the _Lyon_; and he attempted, more than once, toboard the _Victoire_, but by a Shot betwixt Wind and Water, he wasobliged to sheer off, and running his Guns, &c. On one Side, bring heron the careen to stop his Leak; this being done with too muchPrecipitation, she overset, and every Soul was lost: His Comrade seeingthis Disaster, threw out all his small sails, and endeavour'd to getoff, but the _Victoire_ wrong'd her, and oblig'd her to renew the Fight, which she did with great Obstinacy, and made Monsieur _Fourbin_ despairof carrying her if he did not board; he made Preparations accordingly. Signior _Caraccioli_ and _Misson_ were the two first on board when theCommand was given; but they and their Followers were beat back by theDespair of the _Sally_ Men; the former received a Shot in his Thigh, andwas carried down to the Surgeon. The _Victoire_ laid her on board thesecond time, and the _Sally_ Men defended their Decks with suchResolution, that they were cover'd with their own, and the dead Bodiesof their Enemies. _Misson_ seeing one of 'em jump down the Main-Hatchwith a lighted Match, suspecting his Design, resolutely leap'd afterhim, and reaching him with his Sabre, laid him dead the Moment he goingto set Fire to the Powder. The _Victoire_ pouring in more Men, the_Mahometans_ quitted the Decks, finding Resistance vain, and fled forShelter to the Cook Room, Steerage and Cabbins, and some run betweenDecks. The _French_ gave 'em Quarters, and put the Prisoners on boardthe _Victoire_, the Prize yielding nothing worth mention, except Libertyto about fifteen Christian Slaves; she was carried into and sold withthe Prisoners at _[text unreadable]_. The Turks lost a great many Men, the _French_ not less than 35 in boarding, for they lost very few by thegreat Shot, the _Sally_ Men firing mostly at the Masts and Rigging, hoping by disabling to carry her. The limited Time of their Cruizebeing out, the _Victoire_ returned to _Marseilles_, from whence_Misson_, taking his Companion, went to visit his Parents, to whom theCaptain sent a very advantageous Character, both of his Courage andConduct. He was about a Month at home when his Captain wrote to him, that his Ship was ordered to _Rochelle_, from whence he was to sail forthe _West-Indies_ with some Merchant Men. This was very agreeable to_Misson_ and Signior _Caraccioli_, who immediately set out for_Marseilles_. This Town is well fortified, has four Parish Churches, andthe Number of Inhabitants is computed to be about 120, 0000; the Harbouris esteemed the safest in the _Mediterranean_, and is the common Stationfor the _French_ Gallies. 

Leaving this Place, they steer'd for _Rochelle_, where the _Victoire_was dock'd, the Merchant Ships not being near ready. _Misson_, who didnot Care to pass so long a Time in Idleness, proposed to his Comrade thetaking a Cruize on board the _Triumph_, who was going into the _EnglishChannel_; the _Italian_ readily contented to it. 

Between the Isle of _Guernsey_ and the _Start Point_ they met with the_Mayflower_, Captain _Balladine_ Commanded, a Merchant Ship of 18 Guns, richly laden, and coming from _Jamaica_. The Captain of the _English_made a gallant resistance, and fought his Ship so long, that the_French_ could not carry her into Harbour, wherefore they took theMoney, and what was most valuable, out of her; and finding she made moreWater than the Pumps could free, quitted, and saw her go down in lessthan four Hours after. Monsieur _le Blanc_, the _French_ Captain, received Captain _Balladine_ very civilly, and would not suffer eitherhim or his Men to be stripp'd, saying, _None but Cowards ought betreated after that Manner; that brave Men ought to treat such, thoughtheir Enemies, as Brothers; and that to use a gallant Man (who does hisDuty) ill, speaks a Revenge which cannot proceed but from a CowardSoul. _ He order'd that the Prisoners should leave their Chests; and whensome of his Men seem'd to mutter, he bid 'em remember the Grandeur ofthe Monarch they serv'd; that they were neither Pyrates nor Privateers;and, as brave Men, they ought to shew their Enemies an Example theywould willingly have follow'd, and use their Prisoners as they wish'd tobe us'd. 

They running up the _English_ Channel as high as _Beachy Head_, and, inreturning, fell in with three fifty Gun Ships, which gave Chace to the_Triumph_; but as she was an excellent Sailor, she run 'em out of Sightin seven Glasses, and made the best of her Way for the _Lands-End_ theyhere cruized eight Days, then doubling Cape _Cornwall_, ran up the_Bristol_ Channel, near as far as _Nash Point_, and intercepted a smallShip from _Barbadoes_, and stretching away to the Northward, gave Chaseto a Ship they saw in the Evening, but lost her in the Night. The_Triumph_ stood then towards _Milford_ and spying a Sail, endeavour'd tocut her off the Land, but found it impossible; for she got into theHaven, though they came up with her very fast, and she had surely beentaken, had the Chase had been any thing longer. 

Captain _Balladine_, who took the Glass, said it was the _Port Royal_, a_Bristol_ Ship which left _Jamaica_ in Company with him and the_Charles_. They now return'd to their own Coast, and sold their Prize at_Brest_, where, at his Desire, they left Captain _Balladine_, andMonsieur _le Blanc_ made him a Present of Purse with 40 _Louis's_ forhis Support; his Crew were also left here. 

At the Entrance into this Harbour the _Triumph_ struck upon a Rock, butreceiv'd no Damage: This Entrance, called _Genlet_, is very dangerous onAccount of the Number of Rocks which lie on each Side under Water, though the Harbour is certainly the best in _France_. The Mouth of theHarbour is defended by a strong Castle; the Town is well fortified, andhas a Citadel for its farther Defence, which is of considerableStrength. In 1694 the _English_ attempted a Descent, but did not findtheir Market, for they were beat off with the Loss of their General, anda great many Men. From hence the _Triumph_ return'd to _Rochel_, and ina Month after our Voluntiers, who went on board the _Victoire_, tooktheir Departure for _Martineco_ and _Guadalupe_; they met with nothingin their Voyage thither worth noting. 

I shall only observe, that Signior _Caraccioli_, who was as ambitious ashe was irreligious, had, by this Time, made a perfect Deist of _Misson_, and thereby convinc'd him, that all Religion was no other than humanPolicy, and shew'd him that the Law of _Moses_ was no more than whatwere necessary, as well for the Preservation as the Governing of thePeople; for Instance, said he, the _African_ Negroes never heard of theInstitution of Circumcision, which is said to be the Sign of theCovenant made between God and this People, and yet they circumcise theirChildren; doubtless for the same Reason the _Jews_ and other Nations do, who inhabit the Southern Climes, the Prepuce consolidating the perspiredMatter, which is of a fatal Consequence. In short, he ran through allthe Ceremonies of the _Jewish_, Christian and _Mahometan_ Religion, andconvinced him these were, as might be observed by the Absurdity of many, far from being Indications of Men inspired; and that _Moses_, in hisAccount of the Creation, was guilty of known Blunders; and the Miracles, both in the New and Old Testament, inconsistent with Reason. That Godhad given us this Blessing, to make Use of for our present and futureHappiness, and whatever was contrary to it, notwithstanding their SchoolDistinctions of _contrary_ and _above_ Reason, must be false. ThisReason teaches us, that there is a first Cause of all Things, an _EnsEntium_, which we call God, and our Reason will also suggest, that hemust be eternal, and, as the Author of every Thing perfect, he must beinfinitely perfect. 

If so, he can be subject to no Passions, and neither loves nor hates; hemust be ever the fame, and cannot rashly do to Day what he shall repentto Morrow. He must be perfectly happy, consequently nothing can add toan eternal State of Tranquillity, and though it becomes us to adore him, yet can our Adorations neither augment, nor our Sins take from thisHappiness. 

But his Arguments on this Head are too long, and too dangerous totranslate; and as they are work'd up with great Subtlety, they may bepernicious to weak Men, who cannot discover their Fallacy; or, whofinding 'em agreeable to their Inclinations, and would be glad to shakeoff the Yoke of the Christian Religion, which galls and curbs theirPassions, would not give themselves the Trouble to examine them to theBottom, but give into what pleases, glad of finding some Excuse to theirConsciences. Though as his Opinion of a future State has nothing in itwhich impugns the Christian Religion, I shall set it down in few Words. 

That reasoning Faculty, says he, which we perceive within us, we callthe Soul, but what that Soul is, is unknown to us. It may die with theBody, or it may survive. I am of Opinion its immortal; but to say thatthis Opinion is the Dictate of Reason, or only the Prejudice ofEducation, would, I own, puzzle me. If it is immortal, it must be anEmanation from the Divine Being, and consequently at its being separatedfrom the Body, will return to its first Principle, if not contaminated. Now, my Reason tells me, if it is estranged from its first Principle, which is the Deity, all the Hells of Man's Invention can never yieldTortures adequate to such a Banishment. 

As he had privately held these Discourses among the Crew, he had gaineda Number of Proselytes, who look'd upon him as a new Prophet risen up toreform the Abuses in Religion; and a great Number being _Rochellers_, and, as yet, tainted with _Calvinism_, his Doctrine was the more readilyembrac'd. When he had experienced the Effects of his religiousArguments, he fell upon Government, and shew'd, that every Man was bornfree, and had as much Right to what would support him, as to the Air herespired. A contrary Way of arguing would be accusing the Deity withCruelty and Injustice, for he brought into the World no Man to pass aLife of Penury, and to miserably want a necessary Support; that the vastDifference between Man and Man, the one wallowing in Luxury, and theother in the most pinching Necessity, was owing only to Avarice andAmbition on the one Hand, and a pusillanimous Subjection on the other;that at first no other than a Natural was known, a paternal Government, every Father was the Head, the Prince and Monarch of his Family, andObedience to such was both just and easy, for a Father had acompassionate Tenderness for his Children; but Ambition creeping in byDegrees, the stronger Family set upon and enslaved the Weaker; and thisadditional Strength over-run a third, by every Conquest gathering Forceto make others, and this was the first Foundation of Monarchy. Prideencreasing with Power, Man usurped the Prerogative of God, over hisCreatures, that of depriving them of Life, which was a Privilege no onehad over his own; for as he did not come into the World by his ownElection, he ought to stay the determined Time of his Creator: Thatindeed, Death given in War, was by the Law of Nature allowable, becauseit is for the Preservation of our own Lives; but no Crime ought to bethus punished, nor indeed any War undertaken, but in Defence of ournatural Right, which is such a Share of Earth as is necessary for ourSupport. 

These Topicks he often declaimed on, and very often advised with_Misson_ about the setting up for themselves; he was as ambitious as theother, and as resolute. _Caraccioli_ and _Misson_ were by this expertMariners, and very capable of managing a Ship: _Caraccioli_ had foundeda great many of the Men on this Subject, and found them very inclineableto listen to him. An Accident happen'd which gave _Caraccioli_ a fairOpportunity to put his Designs in Execution, and he laid Hold of it;they went off _Martinico_ on a Cruize, and met with the _Winchelsea_, an_English_ Man of War of 40 Guns, commanded by Captain _Jones_; they madefor each other, and a very smart Engagement followed, the firstBroadside killed the Captain, second Captain, and the three Lieutenants, on Board the _Victoire_ and left only the Master, who would have struck, but Misson took up the Sword, order'd _Caraccioli_ to act as Lieutenant, and encouraging the Men fought the Ship six Glasses, when by someAccident, the _Winchelsea_ blew up, and not a Man was saved butLieutenant _Franklin_, whom the _French_ Boats took up, and he died intwo Days. None ever knew before this Manuscript fell into my Hands howthe _Winchelsea_ was lost; for her Head being driven ashore at_Antegoa_, and a great Storm having happend a few Days before her Headwas found, it was concluded, that she founder'd in that Storm. Afterthis Engagement, _Caraccioli_ came to Misson and saluted him Captain, and desired to know if he would chuse a momentary or a lasting Command, that he must now determine, for at his Return to _Martinico_ it would betoo late; and he might depend upon the Ship he fought and saved beinggiven to another, and they would think him well rewarded if made aLieutenant, which Piece of Justice he doubted: That he had his Fortunein his Hands, which he might either keep or let go; if he made Choice ofthe latter, he must never again expect she would court him to accept herFavours: That he ought to let before his Eyes his Circumstances, as ayounger Brother of a good Family, but nothing to support his Character;and the many Years he must serve at the Expence of his Blood before hecould make any Figure in the World; and consider the wide Differencebetween the commanding and being commanded: That he might with the Shiphe had under Foot, and the brave Fellows under Command, bid Defiance tothe Power of _Europe_, enjoy every Thing he wish'd, reign Sovereign ofthe Southern Seas, and lawfully make War on all the World, since itwould deprive him of that Liberty to which he had a Right by the Laws ofNature: That he might in Time, become as great as _Alexander_ was to the_Persians_; and by encreasing his Forces by his Captures, he would everyDay strengthen the Justice of his Cause, for who has Power is always inthe Right. That _Harry_ the Fourth and _Harry_ the Seventh, attemptedand succeeded in their Enterprizes on the Crown of _England_, yet theirForces did not equal his. _Mahomet_ with a few Camel Drivers, foundedthe _Ottoman_ Empire and _Darius_, with no more than six or sevenCompanions got Possession on of that of _Persia_. 

In a Word he said so much that _Misson_ resolved to follow his Advice, and calling up all Hands, he told them, 'That a great Number of them hadresolved with him upon a Life of Liberty, and had done him the Honour tocreate him Chief: That he designed to force no Man, and be guilty ofthat Injustice he blamed in others; therefore, if any were averse to thefollowing his Fortune, which he promised should be the same to all, hedesired they would declare themselves, and he would set them ashore, whence they might return with Conveniency;' having made an End, they oneand all cryed, _Vive le Capitain_ Misson _et son Lieutenant le Seavant_Caraccioli, God bless Capt. _Misson_ and his learned Lieutenant_Caraccioli_. _Misson_ thanked them for the Honour they conferr'd uponhim, and promised he would use the Power they gave for the publick Goodonly, and hoped, as they had the Bravery to assert their Liberty, theywould be as unanimous in the preserving it, and stand by him in whatshould be found expedient for the Good of all; that he was their Friendand Companion, and should never exert his Power, or think himself otherthan their Comrade, but when the Necessity of Affairs should oblige him. 

They shouted a second Time, _vive le Capitain_; he, after this, desiredthey would chuse their subaltern Officers, and give them Power toconsult and conclude upon what might be for the common Interest, andbind themselves down by an Oath to agree to what such Officers and heshould determine: This they readily gave into. The School-Master theychose for second Lieutenant, _Jean Besace_ they nominated for third, andthe Boatswain, and a Quarter-Master, named _Matthieu le Tondu_, with theGunner, they desired might be their Representatives in Council. 

The Choice was approved, and that every Thing might pass methodically, and with general Approbation, they were called into the great Cabbin, and the Question put, what Course they should steer? The Captainproposed the _Spanish_ Coast as the most probable to afford them richPrizes: This was agreed upon by all. The Boatswain then asked whatColours they should fight under, and advised Black as most terrifying;but _Caraccioli_ objected, that they were no Pyrates, but Men who wereresolved to assert that Liberty which God and Nature gave them, and ownno Subjection to any, farther than was for the common Good of all: Thatindeed, Obedience to Governors was necessary, when they knew and actedup to the Duty of their Function; were vigilant Guardians of the PeoplesRights and Liberties; saw that Justice was equally distributed; wereBarriers against the Rich and Powerful, when they attempted to oppressthe Weaker; when they suffered none of the one Hand to grow immenselyrich, either by his own or his Ancestors Encroachments; nor on theother, any to be wretchedly miserable, either by falling into the Handsof Villains, unmerciful Creditors, or other Misfortunes. While he hadEyes impartial, and allowed nothing but Merit to distinguish between Manand Man; and instead of being a Burthen to the People by his luxuriouslife, he was by his Care for, and Protection of them, a real Father, andin every Thing acted with the equal and impartial Justice of a Parent:But when a Governor, who is the Minister of the People, thinks himselfrais'd to this Dignity, that he may spend his Days in Pomp and Luxury, looking upon his Subjects as so many Slaves, created for his Use andPleasure, and therefore leaves them and their Affairs to theimmeasurable Avarice and Tyranny of some one whom he has chosen for hisFavourite, when nothing but Oppression, Poverty, and all the Miseries ofLife flow from such an Administration; that he lavishes away the Livesand Fortunes of the People, either to gratify his Ambition, or tosupport the Cause of some neighbouring Prince, that he may in Return, strengthen his Hands should his People exert themselves in Defence oftheir native Rights; or should he run into unnecessary Wars, by the rashand thoughtless Councils of his Favourite, and not able to make Headagainst the Enemy he has rashly or wantonly brought upon his Hands, andbuy a Peace (which is the present Case of _France_, as every one knows, by supporting King _James_, and afterwards proclaiming his Son) anddrain the Subject; should the Peoples Trade be wilfully neglected, forprivate Interests, and while their Ships of War lie idle in theirHarbours, suffer their Vessels to be taken; and the Enemy not onlyintercepts all Commerce, but insults their Coasts: It speaks a generousand great Soul to shake off the Yoak; and if we cannot redress ourWrongs, withdraw from sharing the Miseries which meaner Spirits submitto, and scorn to yield to the Tyranny. Such Men are we, and, if theWorld, as Experience may convince us it will, makes War upon us, the Lawof Nature empowers us not only to be on the defensive, but also on theoffensive Part. As we then do not proceed upon the same Ground withPyrates, who are Men of dissolute Lives and no Principles, let us scornto take their Colours: Ours is a brave, a just, an innocent, and a nobleCause; the Cause of Liberty. I therefore advise a white Ensign, withLiberty painted in the Fly, and if you like the Motto, _a Deo aLibertate_, for God and Liberty, as an Emblem of our Uprightness andResolution. 

The Cabbin Door was left open, and the Bulk Head which was of Canvasrowled up, the Steerage being full of Men, who lent an attentive Ear, they cried, _Liberty, Liberty; we are free Men_: Vive _the braveCaptain_ Misson _and the noble Lieutenant_ Caraccioli. This shortCouncil breaking up, every Thing belonging to the deceased Captain, andthe other Officers, and Men lost in the Engagement, was brought uponDeck and over-hawled; the Money ordered to be put into a Chest, and theCarpenter to clap on a Padlock for, and give a Key to, every one of theCouncil: Misson telling them, all should be in common, and theparticular Avarice of no one should defraud the Publick. 

When the Plate Monsieur _Fourbin_ had, was going to the Chest, the Menunanimously cried out avast, keep that out for the Captain's Use, as aPresent from his Officers and Fore-mast Men. _Misson_ thanked them, thePlate was returned to the great Cabbin, and the Chest secured accordingto Orders: Misson then ordered his Lieutenants and other Officers toexamine who among the Men, were in most Want of Cloaths, and todistribute those of the dead Men impartially, which was done with ageneral Content and Applause of the whole Crew: All but the woundedbeing upon Deck. _Misson_ from the Baracade, spoke to the followingPurpose, 'That since they had unanimously resolved to seize upon anddefend their Liberty, which ambitious Men had usurped, and that thiscould not be esteemed by impartial Judges other than a just and braveResolution, he was under an Obligation to recommend to them a brotherlyLove to each other; the Banishment of all private Piques and Grudges, and a swift Agreement and Harmony among themselves: That in throwing offthe Yoak of Tyranny of which the Action spoke an Abhorrence, he hopednone would follow the Example of Tyrants, and turn his Back uponJustice; for when Equity was trodden under Foot, Misery, Confusion, andmutual Distrust naturally followed. '--He also advised them to rememberthere was a Supream; the Adoration of which, Reason and Gratitudeprompted us, and our own Interests would engage us (as it is best to beof the surest Side, and after-Life was allowed possible) to conciliate. --That he was satisfied Men who were born and bred in Slavery, by whichtheir Spirits were broke, and were incapable of so generous a Way ofthinking, who, ignorant of their Birth-Right, and the Sweets of Liberty, dance to the Musick of their Chains, which was, indeed, the greater Partof the Inhabitants of the Globe, would brand this generous Crew with theinsidious Name of Pyrates, and think it meritorious, to be instrumentalin their Destruction. --Self-Preservation therefore, and not a cruelDisposition, obliged him to declare War against all such as shouldrefuse him the Entry of their Ports, and against all, who should notimmediately surrender and give up what their Necessities required; butin a more particular Manner against all _European_ Ships and Vessels, asconcluded implacable Enemies. _And I do now, _ said he, _declare suchWar, and, at the same time, recommend to you my Comrades a humane andgenerous Behaviour towards your Prisoners; which will appear by so muchmore the Effects of a noble Soul, as we are satisfied we should not meetthe same Treatment should our ill Fortune, or more properly ourDisunion, or want of Courage, give us up to their Mercy. _

After this, he required a Muster should be made, and there were ableHands two Hundred, and thirty five sick and wounded; as they weremuster'd they were sworn. After Affairs were thus settled, they shapedtheir Course the _Spanish West-Indies, _ but resolved, in the Way, totake a Week or ten Days Cruize in the Windward Passage from _Jamaica, _because most Merchant Men, which were good Sailors and did not slay forConvoy, took this as the shorter Cut for _England. _

Off St. _Christophers_ they took an _English_ Sloop becalmed, with theirBoats; they took out of her a couple of Puncheons of Rum, and half adozen Hogsheads of Sugar (she was a _New England_ Sloop, bound for_Boston_) and without offering the least Violence to the Men, orstripping them, they let her go. The Master of the Sloop was _ThomasButler, _ who owned, he never met with so candid an Enemy as the _French_Man of War, which took him the Day he left St. _Christophers;_ they metwith no other Booty in their Way, till they came upon their Station, when after three Days, they saw a Sloop which had the Impudence to givethem Chace; Captain _Misson_ asked what could be the Meaning that theSloop stood for them? One of the Men, who was acquainted with the _West-Indies, _ told him, it was a _Jamaica_ Privateer, and he should notwonder, if he clapp'd him aboard. I am, said he, no Stranger to theirWay of working, and this despicable Fellow, as those who don't know a_Jamaica_ Privateer may think him, it is ten to one will give you someTrouble. It now grows towards Evening, and you'll find as soon as he hasdiscovered your Force, he'll keep out of the Reach of your Guns till the12 a-Clock Watch is changed at Night, and he'll then attempt to clap youaboard, with Hopes to carry you in the Hurry: Wherefore Captain, if youwill give me Leave to advise you, let every Man have his small Arms; andat twelve, let the Bell ring as usual; and rather more Noise thanordinary be made, as if the one Watch was turning in, and the other out, in a Confusion and Hurry, and I'll engage he will venture to enter hisMen. The Fellow's Advice was approved and resolved upon, and the Sloopwork'd, as he said she would, for upon coming near enough to makedistinctly the Force of the _Victoire_, on her throwing out _French_Colours, she, the Sloop, clapp'd upon a Wind, the _Victoire_ gave Chace, but without Hopes of gaining upon her; she went so well to Windward, that she cou'd spare the Ship some Points in her Sheet, and yet wrongher: At Dusk of the Even, the _French_ had lost Sight of her, but aboutEleven at Night, they saw her hankering up their Windward Bow, whichconfirmed the Sailors Opinion, that she would attempt to board them, asshe did at the pretended Change of the Watch; there being little or noWind, she lashed to the Bow-Sprit of the _Victoire_ and enter'd her Men, who were very quietly taken, as they enter'd and tumbled down theForehatch, where they were received by others, and bound without Noise, not one of the Privateers killed, few hurt, and only one _Frenchman_wounded. The _Victoire_ the better Part of the Sloop's Men secured, theyboarded in their Turn, when the Privateer's suspecting some Stratagem, were endeavouring to cut their Lashing and get off:

Thus the Englishman caught a Tartar. The Prisoners being all secured, the Captain charged his Men not to discover, thro' a Desire ofaugmenting their Number, the Account they were upon. 

The next Morning Monsieur _Misson_ called for the Captain of thePrivateer, he told him, he could not but allow him a brave Fellow, toventure upon a Ship of his Countenance, and for that Reason he shouldmeet Treatment which Men of his Profession seldom afforded the Prisonersthey made. He asked him how long he had been out, what was his Name, andwhat he had on Board? He answered he was but just come out, that he wasthe first Sail he had met with, and should have thought himselfaltogether as lucky not to have spoke with him' that his Name was _HarryRamsey_, and what he had on Board were Rags, Powder, Ball, and some fewhalf Anchors of Rum. _Ramsey_ was ordered into the Gun-Room, and aCouncil being held in the publick Manner aforesaid, the Bulk Head of thegreat Cabbin rowled up. On their Conclusion, the Captain of thePrivateer was called in again, when Captain _Misson_ told him, he wouldreturn him his Sloop, and restore him and his Men to their Liberty, without stripping or plundering of any Thing, but what Prudence obligedhim to, their Ammunition and Small-Arms, if he would give him his Wordand Honour, and his Men to take an Oath, not to go out on the PrivateerAccount in six Months after they left him: That he did not design tocontinue that Station above a Week longer, at the Expiration of whichTime he would let them go. 

_Ramsey_, who had a new Sloop, did not expect this Favour, which hethanked him for, and promised punctually to comply with the Injunction, which his Men as readily swore to, tho' they had no Design to keep theOath. The Time being expired, he and his Men were put on Board their ownSloop. At going over the Ship's Side _Ramsey_ begg'd Monsieur _Misson_would allow him Powder for a salute, by way of Thanks; but he answeredhim, the Ceremony was needless, and he expected no other Return thanthat of keeping his Word, which indeed _Ramsey_ did. Some of his Men hadfound it more to their Advantage to have been as religious. 

At parting Ramsey gave the Ship three Chears, and _Misson_ had theComplaisance to return one, which _Ramsey_ answering with three more, made the best of his Way for _Jamaica_, and at the East End of theIsland met with the _Diana_, who, upon Advice, turn'd back. 

The _Victoire_ steer'd for _Carthagene_, off which Port they cruisedsome Days, but meeting with nothing in the Seas, they made for _PortoBello_; in their Way they met with two _Dutch_ Traders, who had Lettersof Mart, and were just come upon the Coast, the one had 20, the other 24Guns; _Misson_ engaged them, and they defended themselves with a greatDeal of Resolution and Gallantry; and as they were mann'd a Peak, hedarst not venture to board either of them, for fear of being at the sameTime boarded by the other. His Weight of Mettal gave him a greatAdvantage over the _Dutch_, though they were two to one; besides, theirBusiness, as they had Cargoes, was to get off, if possible, whereforethey made a running Fight, though they took Care to stick close to oneanother. 

They maintained the Fight for above six Hours, when _Misson_, enraged atthis Obstinacy, and fearing, if by Accident they should bring a Mast, orTop-Mast, by the board, they would get from him. He was resolved to sinkthe larger Ship of the two, and accordingly ordered his Men to bring alltheir Guns to bear a Midship, then running close along Side of him, toraise their Mettal; his Orders being punctually obey'd, he pour'd in aBroad Side, which open'd such a Gap in the _Dutch_ Ship, that she wentdirectly to the Bottom, and every Man perish'd. 

He then mann'd his Bowsprit, brought his Sprit-sail Yard fore and aft, and resolved to board the other, which the _Dutch_ perceiving, andterrified with the unhappy Fate of their Comrade, thought a fartherResistance vain, and immediately struck. _Misson_ gave them goodQuarters, though he was enraged at the Loss of 13 Men killed outright, beside 9 wounded, of which 6 died. They found on board a great Quantityof Gold and Silver Lace, brocade Silks, Silk Stockings, Bails of Broad-Cloath, bazes of all Colours, and _Osnabrughs_. 

A Consultation being held, it was resolved Captain _Misson_ should takethe Name of _Fourbin_, and returning to _Carthagene_, dispose of hisPrize, and set his Prisoners ashoar. Accordingly they ply'd to theEastward, and came to an Anchor between _Boca Chieca_ Fort, and theTown, for they did not think it expedient to enter the Harbour. TheBarge was manned, and _Caraccioli_, with the Name of _D'Aubigny_, thefirst lieutenant, who was killed in the Engagement with the_Winchelsea_, and his Commission in his Pocket, went ashore with aLetter to the Governor, sign'd _Fourbin_, whose Character, for fear ofthe worst, was exactly counterfeited. The Purport of his Letter was, that having discretionary Orders to cruize for three Months, and hearingthe _English_ infested his Coast, he was come in search of 'em, and hadmet two _Dutch_ Men, one of which he had sunk, the other he made Prizeof. That his limited Time being near expired, he should be obliged tohis Excellency, if he would send on board him such Merchants as werewilling to take the Ship and Cargoe off his Hands, of which he had lentthe _Dutch_ Invoice. Don _Joseph de la Zerda_, the then Governor, received the Lieutenant (who sent back the Barge at landing) verycivilly, and agreed to take the Prisoners ashoar, and do every Thing wasrequired of him; and ordering fresh Provisions and Sallading to be gotready as a Present for the Captain, he sent for some Merchants who werevery ready to go on board, and agree for the Ship and Goods; which theydid, for two and fifty thousand Pieces of Eight. The next Day thePrisoners were set ashoar; a rich Piece of Brocade which was reserv'd, sent to the Governor for a Present, a Quantity of fresh Provision boughtand brought on board, the Money paid by the Merchants, the Ship andGoods deliver'd, and the _Victoire_, at the Dawn of the following Day, got under Sail. It may be wonder'd how such Dispatch could be made, butthe Reader must take Notice, these Goods were sold by the _Dutch_Invoice, which the Merchant of the Prize affirmed was genuine. I shallobserve, by the by, that the _Victoire_ was the _French_ Man of Warwhich Admiral _Wager_ sent the _Kingston_ in search of, and beingafterwards falsly inform'd, that she was join'd by another of seventyGuns; and that they cruiz'd together between the Capes, order'd the_Severn_ up to Windward, to assist the _Kingston_, which had like tohave prov'd very fatal; for these two _English_ Men of War, commanded byCaptain _Trevor_ and Captain _Padnor_, meeting in the Night, hadprepared to engage, each taking the other for the Enemy. The_Kingston's_ Men not having a good Look-out, which must be attributed tothe Negligence of the Officer of the Watch, did not see the _Severn_till she was just upon them; but, by good Luck, to Leeward, and plyingup, with all the Sail she could crowd, and a clear Ship. This put the_Kingston_ in such Confusion, that when the _Severn_ hal'd, no answerwas retun'd, for none heard her. She was got under the _Kingston's_Stern, and Captain _Padnor_ ordered to hale for the third and last Time, and if no answer was return'd, to give her a Broadside. The Noiseonboard the _Kingston_ was now a little ceas'd, and Captain Trevor, whowas on the poop with a speaking Trumpet to hale the _Severn_, by goodLuck heard her hale him, answering the _Kingston_, and asking the Nameof the other ship, prevented the Damage. 

They cruised together some time, and meeting nothing which answer'dtheir Information, return'd to _Jamaica_, as I shall to my Subject, begging Pardon for this, as I thought, necessary Digression. 

Don _Juan de la Zevda_ told the Captain in a Letter, that the St. _Joseph_, a Gallion of seventy Guns, was then lying at _Port a Bello_, and should be glad he could keep her Company till she was off the Coast. That she would sail in eight or ten Days for the _Havana_; and that, ifhis Time would permit him, he would send an Advice-Boat. That she had onboard the Value of 800, 000 Pieces of Eight in Silver and Bar Gold. _Misson_ return'd Answer, that he believ'd he should be excus'd if hestretched his Orders, for a few Days; and that he would cruize off theIsle of _Pearls_, and Cape _Gratias a Dios_, and give for Signal to theGallion, his spreading a white Ensign in his Fore-Top-Mast Shrouds, thecluing up his Fore-sail, and the firing one Gun to Windward, and two toLeeward, which he should answer by letting run and hoisting his Fore-Top-Sail three times, and the firing as many Guns to Leeward. Don_Joseph_, extreamly pleased with this Complaisance, sent a Boat expressto advise the St. _Joseph_, but she was already sailed two Days, contrary to the Governor of _Carthagene's_ Expectation, and, this AdviceCaptain _Misson_ had from the Boat, which returning with an Answer, sawthe _Victoire_ in the Offin, and spoke to her. It was then resolved tofollow the _St. Joseph_, and accordingly they steer'd for the _Havanna_, but by what Accident they did not overtake her is unknown. 

I forgot to tell my Reader, on Board the _Dutch_ Ship were fourteen_French_ Hugonots, whom _Misson_ thought fit to detain, when they wereat Sea. _Misson_ called 'em up, and proposed to 'em their taking on;telling them at the same Time, he left it to their Choice, for he wouldhave no forc'd Men; and that if they all, or any of them, disapprovedthe Proposal, he would either give 'em the first Vessel he met that wasfit for 'em, or set 'em ashoar on some inhabited Coast; and thereforebid 'em take two Days for Consideration before they returned an Answer;and, to encourage 'em, he called all Hands up, and declar'd, that if anyMan repented him of the Course of Life he had chosen, his just Dividendshould be counted to him, and he would set him on Shoar, either near the_Havanna_, or some other convenient Place; but not one accepted theOffer, and the fourteen Prisoners unanimously resolved to join in with'em; to which Resolution, no doubt, the Hopes of a good Booty from the_St. Joseph_, and this Offer of Liberty greatly contributed. 

At the Entrance of the Gulph they spied and came with a large MerchantShip bound for _London_ from _Jamaica_; she had 20 Guns, but no morethan 32 Hands, that its not to be wonder'd at she made no Resistance, besides, she was deep laden with Sugars. Monsieur _Misson_ took out ofher what Ammunition she had, about four thousand Pieces of Eight, somePuncheons of Rum, and ten Hogsheads of Sugar; and, without doing her anyfurther Damage, let her proceed her Voyage. What he valued most in thisPrize was the Men he got, for she was carrying to _Europe_ twelve_French_ Prisoners, two of which were necessary Hands, being a Carpenterand his Mate. They were of _Bourdeaux_, from whence they came with the_Pomechatraine_, which was taken by the _Maremaid_ off _Petit Guavers_, after an obstinate Resistance, in which they lost forty Men; but theywere of Opinion the _Maremaid_ could not have taken 'em, having but fourGuns less than she had, which was made amends for, by their having aboutthirty Hands. On the contrary, had not the _Guernsey_ come up, theythought of boarding and carrying the _Maremaid_. These Men verywillingly came into Captain _Misson's_ Measures. 

These Men, who had been stripp'd to the Skin, begg'd Leave to makeReprisals, but the Captain would not suffer them, though he told theMaster of the Prize, as he protected him and his Men, he thought itreasonable these _French_ should be cloathed: Upon this the Mastercontributed of his own, and every Man bringing up his Chest, thoughtthemselves very well off in sharing with them one half. 

Though _Misson's_ Ship pass'd for a _French_ Man of War, yet hisGenerosity in letting the Prize go, gave the _English_ Grounds tosuspect the Truth, neither the Ship nor Cargoe being of Use to such aswere upon the grand Account. 

When they had lost all Hopes of the St. _Joseph_, they coasted along theNorth-Side of _Cuba_, and the _Victoire_ growing now foul, they ran intoa Landlock'd Bay on the East North-East Point, where they hove her downby Boats and Guns, though they could not pretend to heave her Keel out;however, they scraped and tallowed as far as they could go; they, forthis Reason, many of them repented they had let the last Prize go, bywhich they might have careened. 

When they had righted the Ship, and put every Thing on Board, theyconsulted upon the Course they should steer. Upon this the Councildivided. The Captain and _Caraccioli_ were for stretching over to the_African_, and the others for the _New-England_ Coast, alledging, thatthe Ship had a foul Bottom, and was not fit for the Voyage; and that ifthey met with contrary Winds, and bad Weather, their Stock of Provisionmight fall short; and that as they were not far from the _English_Settlement of _Carolina_, they might either on that or the Coast of_Virginia, Maryland, Pensylvania, New-York_, or _New-England_, interceptships which traded to the Islands with Provisions, and by that Meansprovide themselves with Bread, Flower, and other Necessaries. An Accountof the Provisions were taken, and finding they had Provisions for fourMonths. Captain _Misson_ called all Hands upon Deck, and told them, asthe Council differed in the Course they should steer, he thought itreasonable to have it put to the Vote of the whole Company. That for hisPart, he was for going to the Coast of _Guiney_, where they mightreasonably expect to meet with valuable Prizes; but should they fail intheir Expectation one Way, they would be sure of having it answeredanother; for they could then throw themselves in that of the _East-India_ Ships, and he need not tell them, that the outward bound dreined_Europe_ of what Money they drew from America. He then gave theSentiments of those who were against him, and their Reasons, and begg'dthat every one would give his Opinion and Vote according as he thoughtmost conducive to the Good of all. That he should be far from taking itill if they should reject what he had proposed, since he had no privateViews to serve. The Majority of Votes fell on the Captain's Side, andthey accordingly shaped their Course for the Coast of Guiney, in whichVoyage nothing remarkable happened. On their Arrival on the Gold-Coast, they fell in with the _Nieuwstadt_ of _Amsterdam_, a Ship of 18 Guns, commanded by Capt. _Blacs_, who made a running Fight of five Glasses:This Ship they kept with them, putting on Board 40 Hands, and bringingall the Prisoners on Board the _Victoire_, they were Forty three inNumber, they left _Amsterdam_ with Fifty six, seven were killed in theEngagement, and they had lost six by Sickness and Accidents, one fallingoverboard, and one being taken by a Shark going overboard in a Calm. 

The _Nieuwstadt_ had some Gold-Dust on Board, to the Value of about 2000l. Sterling, and a few Slaves to the Number of Seventeen, for she hadbut begun to Trade; the Slaves were a strengthening of their Hands, forthe Captain order'd them to be cloathed out of Dutch Mariners Chests, and told his Men, 'That the Trading for those of our own Species, cou'dnever be agreeable to the Eyes of divine Justice: That no Man had Poweror the Liberty of another; and while those who profess'd a moreenlightened Knowledge of the Deity, sold Men like Beasts; they prov'dthat their Religion was no more than Grimace, and that they differ'dfrom the _Barbarians_ in Name only, since their Practice was in nothingmore humane: For his Part, and he hop'd, he spoke the Sentiments of allhis brave Companions, he had not exempted his Neck from the galling Yoakof Slavery, and asserted his own Liberty, to enslave others. Thathowever, these Men were distinguish'd from the _Europeans_ by theirColour, Customs, or religious Rites, they were the Work of the sameomnipotent Being, and endued with equal Reason: Wherefore, he desiredthey might be treated like Freemen (for he wou'd banish even the Name ofSlavery from among them)' and divided into Messes among them, to the Endthey might the sooner learn their Language, be sensible of theObligation they had to them, and more capable and zealous to defend thatLiberty they owed to their Justice and Humanity. 

This Speech of _Misson_'s was received with general Applause, and theShip rang with _vive le Capitain_ Misson. Long live Capt. _Misson_. --TheNegroes were divided among the _French_, one to a Mess, who, by theirGesticulations, shew'd they were gratefully sensible of their beingdelivered from their Chains. Their Ship growing very foul, and goingheavily through the Water, they run into the River of _Lagoa_, wherethey hove her down, taking out such Planks as had suffer'd most by theWorms, and substituting new in their Room. 

After this they careened the Prize, and so put out to Sea, steering tothe Southward, and keeping along the Coast, but met with Nothing. Allthis while, the greatest Decorum and Regularity was observed on Boardthe _Victoire_; but the _Dutch_ Prisoners Example began to lead 'em intoSwearing and Drunkenness, which the Captain remarking, thought it wasbest to nip these Vices in the Bud; and calling both the _French_ and_Dutch_ upon Deck, he address'd himself to the former, desiring theirCaptain, who spoke French excellently well, to interpret what he said tothose who did not understand him. He told them, 'before he had theMisfortune of having them on Board, his Ears were never grated withhearing the Name of the great Creator prophaned, tho' he, to his Sorrow, had often since heard his own Men guilty of that Sin, which administer'dneither Profit nor Pleasure, and might draw upon them a severePunishment: That if they had a just Idea of that great Being, they wou'dnever mention him, but they wou'd immediately reflect on his Purity andtheir own Vileness. That we so easily took Impression from our Company, that the _Spanish_ Proverb says, _let a Hermit and a Thief livetogether, the Thief wou'd become Hermit, or the Hermit Thief_: That hesaw this verified in his Ship, for he cou'd attribute the Oaths andCurses he had heard among his brave Companions, to nothing but theodious Example of the _Dutch_: That this was not the only Vice they hadintroduced, for before they were on Board, his Men were Men, but hefound by their beastly Pattern they were degenerated into Brutes, bydrowning that only Faculty, which distinguishes between Man and Beast, _Reason_. That as he had the Honour to command them, he could not seethem run into these odious Vices without, a sincere Concern, as he had apaternal Affection for them; and he should reproach himself asneglectful of the common Good, if he did not admonish them; and as bythe Post which they had honour'd him, he was obliged to have a watchfulEye over their general Interest; he was obliged to tell them hisSentiments were, that the _Dutch_ allured them to a dissolute Way ofLife, that they might take some Advantage over them: Wherefore, as hisbrave Companions, he was assured, wou'd be guided by Reason, he gave the_Dutch_ Notice, that the first whom he catch'd either with an Oath inhis Mouth or Liquor in his Head, should be brought to the Geers, whippedand pickled, for an Example to the rest of his Nation: As to hisFriends, his Companions, his Children, those gallant, those generous, noble, and heroick Souls he had the Honour to command, he entreated themto allow a small Time for Reflection, and to consider how littlePleasure sure, and how much Danger, might flow from imitating the Vicesof their Enemies; and that they would among themselves, make a Law forthe Suppression of what would otherwise estrange them from the Source ofLife, and consequently leave them destitute of his Protection. '

It is not to be imagined what Efficacy this Speech had on both Nations:The _Dutch_ grew continent in Fear of Punishment, and the _French_ inFear of being reproach'd by their good Captain, for they never mentionedhim without this Epithet. Upon the Coast of _Angola_, they met with asecond Dutch Ship, the Cargo of which consisted of Silk and WoolenStuffs, Cloath, Lace, Wine, Brandy, Oyl, Spice, and hard Ware; the Prizegave Chase and engaged her, but upon the coming up of the _Victoire_ shestruck. This Ship opportunely came in their Way, and gave full Employ tothe Taylors, who were on Board, for the whole Crew began to be out atElbows: They plundered her of what was of Use to their own Ship, andthen sunk her. 

The Captain having about ninety Prisoners on Board, proposed the givingthem the Prize, with what was necessary for their Voyage, and sendingthem away; which being agreed to, they shifted her Ammunition on Boardthe _Victoire_, and giving them Provision to carry them to theSettlements the Dutch have on the Coast, _Misson_ called them up, toldthem what was his Design, and ask'd if any of them was willing to sharehis Fortune: Eleven _Dutch_ came into him, two of which were Sail-makers, one an Armourer, and one a Carpenter, necessary Hands; the resthe let go, not a little surprised at the Regularity, Tranquillity, andHumanity, which they found among these new fashioned Pyrates. 

They had now run the Length of _Soldinia_ Bay about ten Leagues to theNorthward of _Table_ Bay. As here is good Water, safe Riding, plenty ofFish and fresh Provision, to be got of the Natives for the Merchandizethey had on Board, it was resolved to stay here some little Time forRefreshments. When they had the Bay open, they spied a tall Ship, whichinstantly got under sail, and hove out _English_ Colours. The _Victoire_made a clear Ship, and hove out her _French_ Ensign, and a smartEngagement began. _The English_ was a new Ship built for 40 Guns, thoughshe had but 32 mounted, and 90 Hands. _Misson_ gave Orders for boarding, and his Number of fresh Men he constantly poured in, after an obstinateDispute obliged the _English_ to fly the Decks, and leave the _French_Masters of their Ship, who promised, and gave them, good Quarters, andstripp'd not a Man. 

They found on Board the Prize some Bales of _English_ Broad-Cloath, andabout 60000 l. In _English_ Crown Pieces, and _Spanish_ Pieces of Eight. The _English_ Captain was killed in the Engagement, and 14 of his Men:The _French_ lost 12, which was no small Mortification, but did not, however provoke them to use their Prisoners harshly. Captain _Misson_was sorry for the Death of the Commander, whom he buried on the Shoar, and one of his Men being a Stone-Cutter, he raised a Stone over hisGrave with these Words, _Icy gist un brave Anglois_, Here lies a gallant_English_ Man; when he was buried he made a tripple Discharge of 50small Arms, and fired Minute Guns. 

The _English_, knowing whose Hands they were fallen into, charm'd with_Misson_'s Humanity, 30 of them, in 3 Days Space, desired to take onwith him. He accepted 'em, but at the same Time gave 'em to understand, that in taking on with him they were not to expect they should beindulged in a dissolute and immoral Life. He now divided his Companybetween the two Ships, and made _Caraccioli_ Captain of the Prize, giving him Officers chosen by the publick Suffrage. The 17 Negroes beganto understand a little _French_, and to be useful Hands, and in lessthan a Month all the _English_ Prisoners came over to him, except theirOfficers. 

He had two Ships well mann'd with resolute Fellows; they now doubled theCape, and made the South End of _Madagascar_, and one of the _English_Men telling Captain _Misson_, that the _European_ Ships bound for_Surat_ commonly touch'd at the Island of _Johanna_, he sent for Captain_Caracciola_ on Board, and it was agreed to cruise off that Island. Theyaccordingly sailed on the West-Side of _Madagascar_ and off the Bay _deDiego_. About half Seas over between that Bay and the Island of_Johanna_, they came up with an _English East-India_ Man, which madeSignals of Distress as soon as she spy'd _Misson_ and his Prize; theyfound her sinking by an unexpected Leak, and took all her Men on Board, though they could get little out of her before she went down. The_English_, who were thus miraculously saved from perishing, desired tobe set on Shoar at _Johanna_, where they hop'd to meet with either a_Dutch_ or _English_ Ship in a little Time, and the mean while they weresure of Relief. 

They arrived at Johanna, and were kindly received by the Queen-Regentand her Brother, on account of the _English_ on the one Hand, and oftheir Strength on the other, which the Queen's Brother, who had theAdministration of Affairs, was not able to make Head against, and hopedthey might assist him against the King of _Mohila_, who threaten'd himwith a Visit. 

This is an Island which is contiguous, in a manner, to _Johanna_, andlies about N. W. And by N. From it. _Caraccioli_ told _Misson_ he mightmake his Advantage in widening the Breach between these two littleMonarchies, and, by offering his Assistance to that of _Johanna_, in amanner rule both, For these would count him as their Protector, andthose come to any Terms to buy his Friendship, by which Means he wouldhold the Ballance of Power between them. He followed this Advice, andoffered his Friendship and Assistance to the Queen, who very readilyembraced it. 

I must advise the Reader, that many of this Island speak _English_, andthat the _English_ Men who were of _Misson's_ Crew, and hisInterpreters, told them, their Captain, though not an _Englishman_, wastheir Friend and Ally, and a Friend and Brother to the _Johanna_ Men, for they esteem the _English_ beyond all other Nations. 

They were supplied by the Queen with all Necessaries of Life, and_Misson_ married her Sister, as _Caraccioli_ did the Daughter of herBrother, whose Armory, which consisted before of no more than two rustyFire-Locks, and three Pistols, he furnish'd with thirty Fuzils, as manyPair of Pistols, and gave him two Barrels of Powder, and four of Ball. 

Several of his Men took Wives, and some requited their Share of thePrizes, which was justly given them, they designing to settle in thisIsland, but the Number of these did not exceed ten, which Loss wasrepaired by thirty of the Crew (they had saved from perishing) coming into him. 

While they past their Time in all manner of Diversions the Place wouldafford them, as hunting, feasting, and visiting the Island, the King of_Mohila_ made a Descent, and alarm'd the whole Country. _Misson_ advisedthe Queen's Brother not to give him any Impediment, but let him get intothe Heart of the Island, and he would take Care to intercept theirReturn; but the Prince answered, should he follow his Advice the Enemywould do him and the Subjects an irreparable Damage, in destroying theCocoa Walks, and for that Reason he must endeavour to stop his Progress. Upon this Answer he asked the _English_ who were not under his Command, if they were willing to join him in repelling the Enemies of theircommon Host, and one and all consenting, he gave them Arms, and mixedthem with his own Men, and about the same Number of _Johannians_, underthe Command of _Caraccioli_ and the Queen's Brother, and arming out allhis Boats, he went himself to the Westward of the Island, where theymade their Descent. The Party which went by Land, fell in with, and beatthe _Mohilians_ with great Ease, who were in the greatest Consternation, to find their Retreat cut off by _Misson_'s Boats. The _Johannians_, whom they had often molested, were so enraged, that they gave Quarter tonone, and out of 300 who made the Descent, if _Misson_ and _Caraccioli_had not interposed, not a Soul had escaped; 113 were taken Prisoners byhis Men, and carried on Board his Ships. These he sent fate to _Mohila_, with a Message to the King, to desire he would make Peace with hisFriend and Ally the King of _Johanna_; but that Prince, little affectedwith the Service done him in the Preservation of his Subjects, sent himWord he took Laws from none, and knew when to make War and Peace withouthis Advice, which he neither asked nor wanted. _Misson_, irritated bythis rude Answer, resolved to transfer the War into his own Country, andaccordingly set sail for _Mohila_, with about 100 _Johanna_ Men. TheShoar, on Sight of the Ships, was filled with Men to hinder a Descent ifintended, but the great Guns soon dispersed this Rabble, and under theirCover he landed the _Johannians_, and an equal Number of _French_ and_English_. They were met by about 700 _Mohilians_, who pretended to stoptheir Passage, but their Darts and Arrows were of little avail against_Misson_'s Fuzils; the first Discharge made a great Slaughter, and about20 Shells which were thrown among them, put them to a confus'd Flight. The Party of _Europeans_ and _Johannians_ then marched to theirMetropolis, without Resistance, which they reduced to Ashes, and the_Johannians_ cut down all the Cocoa Walks that they could for the Time, for towards Evening they returned to their Ships, and stood off to Sea. 

At their Return to _Johanna_ the Queen made a Festival, and magnifiedthe Bravery and Service of her Guests, Friends, and Allies. This Feastlasted four Days, at the Expiration of which Time the Queen's Brotherproposed to Captain _Misson_ the making another Descent, in which hewould go in Person, and did not doubt subjecting the _Mohilians_; butthis was not the Design of _Misson_, who had Thoughts of fixing aRetreat on the North West Side of _Madagascar_, and look'd upon theFeuds between these two Islands advantageous to his Views, and thereforeno way his Interest to suffer the one to overcome the other; for whilethe Variance was kept up, and their Forces pretty much upon a Level, itwas evident their Interest would make both Sides caress him; hetherefore answer'd, that they ought to deliberate on the Consequences, for they might be deceived in their Hopes, and find the Conquest lesseasy than they imagined. That the King of _Mohilia_ would be more uponhis Guard, and not only intrench himself, but gall them with frequentAmbuscades, by which they must inevitably lose a Number of Men; and, ifthey were forced to retire with Loss, raise the Courage of the_Mohilians_, and make them irreconcilable Enemies to the _Johannians_, and intirely deprive him of the Advantages with which he might now makea Peace, having twice defeated them: That he could not be always withthem, and at his leaving _Johanna_ he might expect the King of _Mohilia_would endeavour to take a bloody Revenge for the late Damages. The Queengave intirely into _Misson's_ Sentiments. 

While this was in Agitation four _Mohilians_ arrived as Ambassadors topropose a Peace. They finding the _Johannians_ upon high Terms, one ofthem spoke to this Purpose; O ye Johannians, _do not conclude from yourlate Success, that Fortune will be always favourable; she will notalways give you the Protection of the_ Europeans, _and without theirHelp its possible you might now sue for a Peace, which you seem averseto. Remember the Sun rises, comes to its Meridian Height, and stays notthere, but declines in a Moment. Let this admonish you to reflect on theconstant Revolution of all sublunary Affairs, and the greater is yourGlory, the nearer you are to your Declension. We are taught by everyThing we see, that there is no Stability in the World, but Nature is incontinual Movement. The Sea, which o'er flows the Sands has its Boundsset, which it cannot pass, which the Moment it has reached, withoutabiding, returns back to the Bottom of the Deep. Every Herb, every Shruband Tree, and even our own Bodies, teach us this Lesson, that nothing isdurable, or can be counted upon. Time passes away insensibly, one Sunfollows another, and brings its Changes with it. To-Day's Globe of Lightsees you strengthened by these_ Europeans _elate with victory, and we, who have been used to conquer you, come to ask a Peace. To Morrow's Sunmay see you deprived of your present Succours, and the_ Johannians_petitioning us; as therefore we cannot say what to Morrow may bringforth, it would be unwise on uncertain Hopes to forego a certainAdvantage, as surely Peace ought to be esteem'd by every wise Man_. 

Having said this, the Ambassadors withdrew, and were treated by theQueen's Orders. After the Council had concluded, they were again call'dupon, and the Queen told them, that by the Advice of her good Friends, the _Europeans_, and those of her Council, she agreed to make a Peace, which she wish'd might banish all Memory of former Injuries That theymust own the War was begun by them, and that she was far from being theAgressor; she only defended her self in her own Kingdom, which they hadoften invaded, though, till within few Days, she had never molestedtheir Coasts. If then they really desired to live amicably with her, they must resolve to send two of the King's Children, and ten of thefirst Nobility, as Hostages, that they might, when they pleased, return, for that was the only Terms on which she would desist prosecuting theAdvantages she now had, with the utmost Vigour. 

The Ambassadors returned with this Answer, and, about ten Days after, the two Ships appearing upon their Coasts, they sent off to give Notice, that their King comply'd with the Terms proposed, would send theHostages, and desired a Cessation of all Hostility, and, at the sameTime, invited the Commanders on Shoar. The _Johanna_ Men on Boarddisswaded their accepting the Invitation; but _Misson_ and _Caraccioli_, fearing nothing, went, but arm'd their Boat's Crew. They were receivedby the King with Demonstrations of Friendship, and they dined with himunder a Tamerane Tree; but when they parted from him, and were returningto their Boats, they were inclosed by, at least, 100 of the _Mohilians_, who set upon them with the utmost Fury, and, in the first Flight ofArrows, wounded both the Captains, and killed four of their Boat's Crewof eight, who were with them; they, in return, discharged their Pistolswith some Execution, and fell in with their Cutlasses; but all theirBravery would have stood them in little Stead, had not the Report oftheir Pistols alarm'd and brought the rest of their Friends to theirAssistance, who took their Fuzils, and coming up while they wereengaged, discharged a Volley on the Back of the Assailants, which laidtwelve of them dead on the Spot. The Ships hearing this Fire, sentimmediately the Yawls and Long-Boats well mann'd. Though the Islanderswere a little damp'd in their Courage by this Fire of the Boats Crew, yet they did not give over the Fight, and one of them desperately threwhimself upon _Caraccioli_, and gave him a deep Wound in his Side, with along Knife, but he paid for the Rashness of the Attempt with his Life, one of the Crew cleaving his Skull. The Yawls and Long-Boats nowarrived, and being guided by the Noise, reinforced their Companions, putthe Traytors to Flight, and brought off their dead and wounded. The_Europeans_ lost by this Treachery seven slain outright, and eightwounded, six of which recovered. 

The Crew were resolved to revenge the Blood of their Officers andComrades the next Day, and were accordingly on the Point of Landing, when two Canoes came off with two Men bound, the pretended Authors ofthis Treason, without the King's Knowledge, who had sent 'em that theymight receive the Punishment due to their Villany. The _Johanna_ Men onBoard were call'd for Interpreters, who having given this Account, added, that the King only sacrificed these Men, but that they should notbelieve him, for he certainly had given Orders for assassinating the_Europeans_; and the better Way was to kill all the _Mohilians_ thatcame in the Canoes as well as the two Prisoners; go back to _Johanna_, take more of their Countrymen, and give no Peace to Traytors; but_Misson_ was for no such violent Measures, he was averse to every Thingthat bore the Face of Cruelty and thought a bloody Revenge, if Necessitydid not enforce it, spoke a groveling and timid Soul; he, therefore, sent those of the Canoes back, and bid them tell their King, if beforethe Evening he sent the Hostages agreed upon, he should give Credit tohis Excuse, but if he did not, he should believe him the Author of thelate vile Attempt on his Life. 

The Canoes went off but returned not with an Answer, wherefore, he bidthe _Johanna_ Men tell the two Prisoners that they should be set onShore the next Morning, and order'd them to acquaint their King, he wasno Executioner to put those to Death whom he had condemn'd, but that heshould find, he knew how to revenge himself of his Treason. ThePrisoners being unbound, threw themselves at his Feet, and begg'd thathe would not send them ashore, for they should be surely put to Death, for the Crime they had committed, was, the dissuading the barbarousAction of which they were accused as Authors. 

Next Day the two Ships landed 200 Men, under the Cover of their Canon;but that Precaution of bringing their Ships close to the Shore theyfound needless; not a soul appearing, they march'd two Leagues up theCountry, when they saw a Body of Men appear behind some Shrubs;_Caraccioli's_ Lieutenant, who commanded the right Wing, with fifty Menmade up to them, but found he had got among Pit Falls artificiallycover'd, several of his Men falling into them, which made him halt, andnot pursue those _Mohilians_ who made a feint Retreat to ensnare him, thinking it dangerous to proceed farther; and seeing no Enemy would facethem, they retired the same Way they came, and getting into their Boats, went on Board the Ships, resolving to return with a strongReinforcement, and make Descents at one and the same Time in differentParts of the Island. They ask'd the two Prisoners how the Country lay, and what the Soil was on the North Side the Island; and they answer'd itwas morass, and the most dangerous Part to attempt, it being a Placewhere they shelter on any imminent Danger. 

The Ships return'd to _Johanna_, where the greatest Tenderness and Carewas shown for the Recovery and Cure of the two Captains and of theirMen; they lay six Weeks before they were able to walk the Decks, forneither of them would quit his Ship. Their _Johanna_ Wives expressed aConcern they did not think them capable of, nay, a Wife of one of thewounded Men who died, stood some Time looking upon the Corpse asmotionless as a Statue, then embracing it, without shedding a Tear, desired she might take it ashore to wash and bury it; and at the sameTime, by an Interpreter, and with a little Mixture of _European_Language, she had, begg'd her late Husband's Friends would take theirLeave of him the next Day. 

Accordingly a Number went ashore, and carried with them the Dividend, which fell to his Share, which the Captain order'd to be given hisWidow; when she saw the Money, she smil'd, and ask'd if all, all thatwas for her? Being answered in the affirmative, and what Good will allthat shining Dirt do me, if I could with it purchase the Life of myHusband, and call him back from the Grave, I would accept it withPleasure, but as it is not sufficient to allure him back to this World, I have no Use for it; do with it what you please. Then she desired theywould go with her and perform the last Ceremonies to her Husband's deadBody, after their Country Fashion, least he should be displeased, thatshe could not stay with them, to be a Witness, because she was in hasteto go and be married again. She startled the _Europeans_ who heard thislatter Part of her Speech so dissonant from the Beginning; however, theyfollowed her, and she led them into a Plantane Walk, where they found agreat many _Johanna_ Men and Women, sitting under the Shade ofPlantanes, round the Corpse, which lay (as they all sate) on the Ground, covered with Flowers. She embraced them round, and then the _Europeans_, one by one, and after these Ceremonies, she poured out a Number ofbitter Imprecations against the _Mohila_ Men, whose Treachery haddarken'd her Husband's Eyes, and made him insensible of her Caresses, who was her first Love, to whom she had given her Heart, with herVirginity. She then proceeded in his Praises, calling him the Joy ofInfants, the Love of Virgins, the Delight of the old, and the Wonder ofthe young, adding, he was strong and beautiful as the Cedar, brave asthe Bull, tender as the Kid, and loving as the Ground Turtle; havingfinished this Oration, not unlike those of the _Romans_, which thenearest Relation of the deceas'd used to pronounce from the Rostrum, shelaid her down by the Side of her Husband, embracing him, and sitting upagain, gave herself a deep Wound under the left Breast with a Bayonet, and fell dead on her Husband's Corpse. 

The _Europeans_ were astonished at the Tenderness and Resolution of theGirl, for she was not, by what Her Mien spoke her, past seventeen; andthey now admired, as much as they had secretly detested her, for sayingshe was in haste to be married again, the Meaning of which they did notunderstand. 

After the Husband and Wife were buried, the Crew return'd on Board, andgave an Account of what had pass'd; the Captains Wives (for _Misson_ andhis were on Board the _Bijoux_, the Name they had given their Prize fromher Make and Gilding) seem'd not in the least surprized, and_Caraccioli's_ Lady only said, she must be of noble Descent, for nonebut the Families of the Nobility had the Privilege allowed them offollowing their Husbands on pain, if they transgressed, of being throwninto the Sea, to be eat by Fish; and they knew, that their Souls couldnot rest as long as any of the Fish, who fed upon them, lived. _Misson_asked, if they intended to have done the same Thing had they died? Weshould not, answer'd his Wife, have disgraced our Families; nor is ourTenderness for our Husbands inferior to hers whom you seem to admire. 

After their Recovery, _Misson_ proposes a Cruize, on the Coast of_Zangueber_, which being agreed to, he and _Caraccioli_ took Leave ofthe Queen and her Brother, and would have left their Wives on theIsland, but they could by no Means be induced to the Separation; it wasin vain to urge the Shortness of the Time they were to Cruize; theyanswer'd it was farther than _Mohila_ they intended to go, and if theywere miserable in that short Absence, they could never support a longer;and if they would not allow them to keep them Company the Voyage, theymust not expect to see them at their Return, if they intended one. 

In a Word they were obliged to yield to them, but told them, if theWives of their Men should insist as strongly on following their Example, their Tenderness, would be their Ruin, and make them a Prey to theirEnemies; they answer'd the Queen should prevent that, by ordering noWoman should go on board, and if any were in the Ships, they shouldreturn on Shore: This Order was accordingly made, and they set Sail forthe River of _Mozembique_. In about ten Days Cruize after they had left_Johanna_, and about 15 Leagues to the Eastward of this River, they fellin with a stout _Portuguese_ Ship of 60 Guns, which engaged them fromBreak of Day till Two in the Afternoon, when the Captain being killed, and a great Number of Men lost, she struck: This proved a very richPrize, for she had the Value of 250000 _L_. Sterling on Board, in Gold-Dust. The two Women never quitted the Decks all the Time of theEngagement, neither gave they the least Mark of Fear, except for theirHusbands: This Engagement cost them thirty Men, and _Caraccioli_ losthis right Leg; the Slaughter fell mostly on the _English_, for of theabove Number, twenty were of that Nation: The _Portuguese_ lost doublethe Number. _Caraccioli's_ Wound made them resolve to make the best oftheir Way for _Johanna_ where the greatest Care was taken of theirwounded, not one of whom died, tho' their Number amounted to Twentyseven. 

_Caraccioli_ kept his Bed two Months, but _Misson_ seeing him in a fairway of Recovery, took what Hands could be spar'd from the _Bijoux_, leaving her sufficient for Defence, and went out, having mounted ten ofthe _Portuguese_ Guns, for he had hitherto carried but thirty, though hehad Ports for forty. He stretched over to _Madagascar_, and coastedalong this Island to the Northward, as far as the most northerly Point, when turning back, he enter'd a Bay to the northward of _Diego Suares_. He run ten Leagues up this Bay, and on the larboard Side found itafforded a large, and safe, Harbour, with plenty of fresh Water. He camehere to an Anchor, went ashore and examined into the Nature of the Soil, which he found rich, the Air wholesome, and the Country level. He toldhis Men, that this was an excellent Place for an Asylum, and that hedetermined here to fortify and raise a small Town, and make Docks forShipping, that they might have some Place to call their own; and aReceptacle, when Age or Wounds had render'd them incapable of Hardship, where they might enjoy the Fruits of their Labour, and go to theirGraves in Peace. That he would not, however, set about this, till he hadthe Approbation of the whole Company; and were he sure they would allapprove this Design, which he hoped, it being evidently for the generalGood, he should not think it adviseable to begin any Works, lest theNatives should, in his Absence, destroy them; but however, as they hadnothing upon their Hands, if they were of his Opinion, they might beginto fall and square Timber, ready for the raising a wooden Fort, whenthey return'd with their Companions. 

The Captain's Motion was universally applauded, and in ten Days theyfell'd and rough hew'd a hundred and fifty large Trees, without anyInterruption from, or seeing any of, the Inhabitants. They fell'd theirTimber at the Waters Edge, so that they had not the Trouble of hawlingthem any way, which would have employ'd a great deal more Time: Theyreturned again, and acquainted their Companions with what they had seenand done, and with the Captain's Resolution, which they one and all cameinto. 

Captain _Misson_ then told the Queen, as he had been serviceable to herin her War with the Island of _Mohila_, and might continue to be offarther Use, he did not question her lending him Assistance in thesettling himself on the Coast of _Madagascar_, and to that end, furnishhim with 300 Men, to help in his Buildings; the Queen answered, shecould do nothing without Consent of Council, and that she would assembleher Nobility, and did not question their agreeing to any Thing he couldreasonably define, for they were sensible of the Obligations the_Johanians_ had to him. The Council was accordingly called, and_Misson_'s Demand being told, one of the eldest said, he did not thinkit expedient to comply with it, nor safe to refuse; that they should inagreeing to give him that Assistance, help to raise a Power, which mightprove formidable to themselves, by the being so near a Neighbour; andthese Men who had lately protected, might, when they found it for theirInterest, enslave them. On the other hand, if they did not comply, theyhad the Power to do them great Damage. That they were to make choice ofthe least of two possible Evils, for he could prognosticate no Good to_Johanna_, by their settling near it. Another answered, that many ofthem had _Johanna_ Wives, that it was not likely they would make Enemiesof the _Johanna_ Men at first settling, because their Friendship mightbe of Use to them; and from their Children there was nothing to beapprehended in the next Generation, for they would be half their ownBlood; that in the mean while, if they comply'd with the Request, theymight be sure of an Ally, and Protector, against the King of _Mohila_;wherefore, he was for agreeing to the Demand. 

After a long Debate, in which every Inconvenience, and Advantage, wasmaturely considered, it was agreed to send with him the Number of Men herequired, on Condition he should send them back in four Moons, make anAlliance with them, and War against _Mohila_; this being agreed to, theystaid till _Caraccioli_ was thoroughly recovered, then putting the_Johannians_ on board the _Portuguese_ Ship with 40 _French_ and_English_ and 15 _Portuguese_ to work her, and setting Sail, theyarrived at the Place where _Misson_ designed his Settlement, which hecalled _Libertalia_, and gave the Name of _Liberi_ to his People, desiring in that might be drown'd the distingush'd Names of _French_, _English_, _Dutch_, _Africans_, &c. 

The first Thing they sat about was, the raising a Fort on each Side theHarbour, which they made of an octogon Figure, and having finished andmounted them with 40 Guns taken out of the _Portuguese_, they raised aBattery on an Angle of ten Guns, and began to raise Houses and Magazinesunder the Protection of their Forts and Ships; the _Portuguese_ wasunrigg'd, and all her Sails and Cordage carefully laid up. While theywere very busily employed in the raising a Town, a Party which had oftenhunted and rambled four or five Leagues off their Settlement, resolvedto venture farther into the Country. They made themselves some Huts, atabout 4 Leagues distance from their Companions, and travell'd East SouthEast, about 5 Leagues farther into the Country, when they came up with aBlack, who was arm'd with a Bow, Arrows, and a Javelin; they with afriendly Appearance engaged the Fellow to lay by his Fear and go withthem. They carried him to their Companions, and there entertained himthree Days with a great Deal of Humanity, and then returned with himnear the Place they found him, made him a Present of a Piece of scarletBaze, and an Ax; he appeared overjoy'd at the Present, and left themwith seeming Satisfaction. 

The Hunters imagined that there might be some Village not far off, andobserving that he look'd at the Sun, and then took his Way direct South, they travell'd on the same Point of the Compass, and from the Top of aHill they spied a pretty large Village, and went down to it; the Mencame out with their Arms, such as before described, Bows, Arrows, andJavelins, but upon two only of the Whites advancing, with Presents ofAxes, and Baze in their Hands, they sent only four to meet them. TheMisfortune was, that they could not understand one another, but by theirpointing to the Sun, and holding up one Finger, and making one of themgo forward, and return again with shewing their Circumcision, andpointing up to Heaven with one Finger, they apprehended, they gave themto understand, there was but one God, who had sent one Prophet, andconcluded from thence, and their Circumcision they were _Mahometans_;the Presents were carried to their Chief, and he seem'd to receive themkindly, and by Signs invited the Whites into their Village; but they, remembring the late Treachery of the _Mohilians_, made Signs forVictuals to be brought them where they were. 

_More of the History of these Adventurers in another Place. _