The Privateer lost ten Men, and twenty were wounded: The French had fifty Men killed and wounded, among whom was the Captain, who had received two Shot, as he was going down to the Surgeon to get his Blood staunch’d, and came upon Deck just as he was boarded, where, encouraging his Men, he was distinguished and aimed at.
When they had brought the Prize into Jamaica, as she was an English Bottom, built at Bristol, and called the Crown, the former Owners sued to have half the Ship and Cargo, and recovered one third.
North went again a Privateering, Captain Moses his Ship being not fitted, he would take a second Cruize, and North with him. Some Time after their Return, Captain Moses being a cruizing in the Reserve, North, who was ashore, was press’d on board the Assistance Man of War; and on the Reserve’s coming, being recommended by Captain Moses to his own Captain, he was handsomely treated, and made one of the Barge’s Crew: He was very easy till the Assistance was order’d to England, and then, as he was apprehensive of going into a cold Climate, he took his Leave of the Man of War, and said nothing. He then went on board a Privateer again, and made several Prizes, two of which were English Bottoms, and sued for by former Owners; North thinking it hard to venture his Life, and have Part of his Prize Money taken away, and the Press being hot in Jamaica, he resolved to sail no more with the English; but went to Curasoe into the Dutch Service, and sail’d with a Spanish Trader to the Coast of New Spain several Voyages. In the last he made, they were chased ashore by a couple of French Sloops, one of which was commanded by a Dutchman, named Lawrence, who, with his Comrade, took Possession of their Vessel, and rifled her; the Crew of the Prize called to them, and asked, if they would give them good Quarters? which they promis’d; took them all on board, and used ’em very handsomely.
The French gave the Prisoners a small Sloop they took a while after, and they returned to Curaso.
He having now forgot his Resentment, he return’d to Jamaica, and went on board and cruiz’d in a Spanish Barca Longa, of 10 Guns, commanded by Captain Lovering, born at Jamaica; they cruiz’d three Months in the West Indies, and making but a small Hand of it, they put for Newfoundland, to try their Fortune on the Banks: Here they met a Man of War, who renew’d their Commission for six Months longer. The first Prize they made was a French Ketch, with a Spanish Pass, and would have pass’d for a Spaniard, but by strict Search, and threatning of the Men, they discovered her to be what she really was, tho’ she had, as a Spaniard, slipp’d thro’ the Fingers of a Man of War before.
They carried their Prize into Harbour, went again upon the Cruize, met with a French Letter of Mart Merchant Man, a Bristol built Ship, called the Pelican, of 18 Guns, and Seventy five Men, half laden with Fish: This Ship stood them a long Argument; they clapp’d her on board, and two of their Men enter’d, but missing lashing, the Barca Longa fell a-stern, and the two Men were made Prisoners; however, they came up with her again, clapp’d her on board a second Time, and carried her into the same Port where they had left the Ketch.
They after this put to Sea again, and being discovered by the French Settlement ashore, they went into St. Mary’s Bay, where they fell in with a large French Fly-Boat, of 800 Tons, eighty Men, and 18 Guns, and laden with Fish: They chased and came up with her, under French Colours; when they were pretty near the Frenchman they haled, and ask’d, whence they came? a Guernsey Man, at the Bowsprit End, answer’d, from Petit Guavers; that they had been cruizing on the Banks, and were going into the Bay for Refreshment. The Frenchman bid them come no nearer, but send their Boat on board; they keeping on the Chase he fired at them, they did not mind this, but run up a long Side and boarded him; the French ran to their close Quarters, and disputed the Ship three Quarters of an Hour, when they all call’d for Quarters except one Man, who wou’d take none, but ran like a Madman into the Thick of the English, and wounded several, tho’ he was soon dispatch’d by their Pistols.
They carried this Prize to join the others, and turning all the Prisoners ashore, except what were necessary to condemn their Prizes; they stood, with a Fleet of four Sail, for Rhode Island.
Here they condemn’d the Fly-Boat and Ketch, but found a great Difficulty in getting the Pelican condemn’d, the English Owners putting in their Claim; but, at length, a Scotch Lawyer did their Business, upon leaving 300 l. in his Hands to bear the Charge of any future Suit. Captain Lovering dying here, the Ship’s Company bought the Pelican, broke up the Barca Longa, sent her Owners their Shares, and got a Commission for the Master to cruize Southward as far as the Line, and to be valid for eighteen Months certain, two Years allowing for Accidents.
They fitted this Ship for a long Voyage, out of the Joint Stock of the Company; but Iron Hoops being scarce in New England, they were obliged to take Casks hoop’d with Wood, which I mention, because it proved the Ruin of their Voyage to the East Indies for a whole Year.