From George Fox and others we have a very full account of the voyage of the “Catch Industry, Master Thomas Foster.” Margaret Fox and other Friends accompanied the travellers as far as Deal. After these had left the boat her voyage was interrupted by a visit from the “Presse Master” of one of the two men-of-war which were lying in the Downs. He took off three of their seamen which action might have postponed the voyage indefinitely had not the Captain of the other frigate, “out of Compassion and much Civillity,” spared two of his men.
Their vessel was leaky: on the 27th of August this entry appears in the diary of the voyage, kept by John Hull:[140]
Our Ship soe leaky ever since wee came to the Downes that Seamen and passengers doe for the most part day and night pumpe. this day wee observed that in two houres she suckt in sixteene Inches of water in the well, some makes it tenne Tunn a day. It is well however for it is good to keepe Seamen and passengers in health.
Travellers of to-day would probably strongly object to this particular form of health-giving exercise, except under the very sternest necessity.
Then the Journal tells of an apparent “Chace” given by a strange ship which “some conjectur’d by her sayles among the Marriners that it was likely a Sally man of warr, standing of the A sores Ilands, which caused a great feare among some of the passengers, dreading to be taken by them, but friends were well satisfyed in themselves, having no feare upon their spirrits.” George Fox assured the Master when he came “to advise with him and understand his Judgment of it in the power made answer that the life was over all, and the power was betweene them and us.” The Industry escaped attack and eventually they lost sight of the “Sally man.”
Many meetings were also held, some amongst Friends only, and others with the passengers who “seemed to be very attentive.”
At length, after nearly two months, this voyage—not lacking in interest and incident—ended, and the Industry anchored in Carlisle Bay, Barbados, about nine o’clock at night on the 3rd October.
During his stay, George Fox addressed a letter to the Governor of Barbados, defending the Quakers against gross slanders which had been promulgated against them. We have also two letters from Elizabeth Hooton. Whether both were written at this period is uncertain. One is addressed “To the Rulers and Magestrats of this Island that ought to Rule for god.” After general exhortations and warnings, she continues:[141]
J haue seene many ouerturnes, and the Lord will ouerturne Still. Therefore haue a Care in the feare of the Lord that hee may giue a blessing vnto you.... And soe Consider what is required for in this Jsland. There is Great need of Justice and Judgment, for if one goe vp into the Countrey, there is A great Cry of the Poore being Robbed by Rich mens Negroes, Soe that they cannot with out great Troble, keep any thing from being Stolen; And if they doe complaine they Cannot get any Sattisfaction; Now it is the Duty of Euery man to take Care and see there family haue Suffitient food and any thing else the stand in need off; as Jnstructed in that that is good, that they may bee Kept from Stealeing and doeing any thing that is Euill; Soe that yoᵘ may make good Lawes and yoʳ People be Kept in good order, according to what is made knowne to them by them that Rule ouer them. And soe yoᵘ Come ... to a true Reformation yoʳ Selues, first reforming yoʳ Selues in yoʳ familyes, and yoᵘ will see Clearly how to Rule others, for a Reformation god looks for Among yoᵘ and all People, that god may bless yoᵘ.... Therefore to the Light of Christ returne; that yoᵘ may see what yoᵘ should doe and what yoᵘ should not doe and that all yoʳ ac̄c̄ons may be guided by itt, for hee hath Jnlightened Euery one that Comes in to the World. J am a louer of yoʳ Soules and am Come to Warne yoᵘ
Eliza: Hooton.