At Guiaquil.
reprimanded them, and they promis’d never to be guilty of the like Folly again. All the Men in general behav’d themselves with great Courage, but like Sailors could be kept under no Command as soon as the first Piece was fired; however it happen’d much better than we could expect, for now the Attack is over, they keep handsomely together, and forbear immoderate Drinking. I overtook Capt. Dover and Capt. Courtney at the other End of the Town, and left Capt. Dover to keep guard at a Church there; as I march’d back with Capt. Courtney, I left him in the Middle of the Town at another Church, and I came to my first Post at the Church where the Guns were planted, and sent Capt. Dampier with his Men to reinforce Capt. Courtney and Capt. Dover. Thus we were in quiet possession of the Town by Sun-set, and posted our Guards, having had no Opposition after the Enemy quitted the great Church. In the Evening I went on board our Barks, settl’d a good Watch, and secur’d the Spaniards the Corregidore left behind him; then I return’d ashore to the Church. Capt. Dover set the Houses on fire that fronted the Church where he was posted, which burnt all Night and the next Day. There was a Hill near his Quarter, and thick Woods within half Shot of the Church; so that the Enemy were almost continually popping at him all Night. He told me that the next Day some Parties appear’d out of the Woods; but when he fired a Volley at ’em, they retir’d, our Quarters were quiet, and out of hearing all Night. The Enemy might have done him Mischief, had they been couragious, since we were not near enough to assist him in the Night. For the Town being long, we could not keep the whole without dividing at such a distance; but his firing the Houses cover’d the worst part of his Quarters that Night, which was of great service to him. Capt. Courtney relieved him at Day-break, and they both quitted Capt. Dover’s Quarters, as being too much expos’d to the Enemy. An Indian that I had taken Prisoner told us, that he knew of much Money up the River in Bark-logs and Houses; upon which Capt. Courtney and I last Night detached 21 Men out of our Companies, and sent ’em in his Boat up the River under the Command of his new second Lieutenant Mr. Connely: I would fain have sent both Pinnaces to make the best use of our time, and seize that Wealth, finding little or none in the Town; but the rest would by no means consent to it, lest the Enemy might engage us next Morning, and then we should want our Boats and Men. When I could not possibly prevail for another Boat, and Men enough to mann both Pinnaces, I desired Capt. Courtney’s Boat might go, because the largest, and she was mann’d out of both our Companies. In the Morning we began with Iron Crows and Mauls to break open the other two Churches, and all the Store-houses, Cellars, &c. which was soon done, for no body was left at home, nor much of Value to be found, but Flower, Peas, Beans, and Jars of Wine and Brandy in great Plenty. We began to carry it to the Water-side; but having sultry hot, wet and unhealthful Weather, and our Men being fatigued, they became so weak that they could not work very well at this new Imployment. They would fain have had the boarded Floor of the Church taken up to look amongst the Dead for Treasure, fancying the Spaniards might hide their Money there; but I would not suffer it, because of a contagious Distemper that had swept off a great Number of People here not long before; so that the Church Floor was full of Graves. We have yet found but two of the Enemy kill’d in the Town, and one Prisoner, who was slightly wounded in the Head; but this Day I heard 15 of ’em were kill’d and wounded, amongst whom was the chief Gunner, an Irish-man, that fired the last Gun at us, who had lived some Years amongst ’em. On our side we had but two Men wounded, one of ’em Yerrick Derrickson, a Dutch-man, belonging to my Company, was shot thro’ between the lower Part of his Neck and Shoulder, but I believe not mortal; and one John Martin a Portuguese, mortally wounded aboard the Bark, occasion’d by a Cohorn Shell, which split as soon as fired out of our Cohorn Mortar.[130] The Spaniards Force being variously reported by our Prisoners, I’ll not insert it till I am better inform’d. The Fatigue I have had since I left our Ships in this hot Weather has weaken’d and disorder’d me very much.
April 25. We kept our Colours flying on the Tower of the Church, Capt. Dover keeping Guard there all Day, whilst I and Capt. Courtney took care to get every thing we found useful carried to the Water-side. Yesterday in the Afternoon we sent the Lieutenant of Puna and another Prisoner into the Country, with Proposals to ransom the Town, a great part of the Enemy being in the Woods about a League from us; they have but ordinary Quarters, because of the great Rain. Their Horses being in Parties, and continually At Guiaquil. in sight, alarm us several times in a day. The Prisoners return’d to us in the Evening with an ambiguous Answer; but desir’d they might go again in the Morning to prevent burning the Town. About 10 last Night the Boat return’d that we had sent up the River, having been from us about 24 Hours; they were 7 Leagues up, and 16 of ’em landed at 6 several Places, the other 5 kept the Boat, having a Swivel Gun to defend themselves. At one place they separated, and Mr. Connely with 3 others rambled so far in the Woods to look for Wealth, that after 3 hours search they could not find the Way back to the rest, but by Accident met again, and got to the Boat. William Davis, one of my Men, was shot through the hinder part of the Neck by the Enemy, the Wound not dangerous, and none of the rest hurt; they chased 35 Horsemen well arm’d, that were coming to help those of Guiaquil. The Houses up the River were full of Women, and particularly at one place there were above a Dozen handsom genteel young Women well dress’d, where our Men got several Gold Chains and Ear-rings, but were otherwise so civil to them, that the Ladies offer’d to dress ’em Victuals, and brought ’em a Cask of good Liquor. Some of their largest Gold Chains were conceal’d, and wound about their Middles, Legs, and Thighs, &c. but the Gentlewomen in these hot Countries being very thin clad with Silk and fine Linnen, and their Hair dressed with Ribbons very neatly, our Men by pressing felt the Chains, &c. with their Hands on the Out-side of the Lady’s Apparel, and by their Linguist modestly desired the Gentlewomen to take ’em off and surrender ’em. This I mention as a Proof of our Sailors Modesty, and in respect to Mr. Connely and Mr. Selkirk the late Governour of Juan Fernandoes, who commanded this Party: For being young Men, I was willing to do ’em this Justice, hoping the Fair Sex will make ’em a grateful Return when we arrive in Great Britain, on account of their civil Behaviour to these charming Prisoners. They call’d at this House for Provisions as they return’d down the River, and being so civil at first, they gave their fair Landladies no Uneasiness nor Surprize at a 2d Visit: They took a large empty Bark, but left her up the River, and brought with ’em in Gold Chains, Ear-rings and Plate, I believe above 1000 l. Value, with a Negro that had been serviceable in discovering part of the hidden Treasure; but they all agree that the Want of another Boat lost much more than they got; for while they search’d and plunder’d one Side, the Canoes and Bark-logs did cross the River, and carry the People and Purchase out of their reach, for want of another Boat to prevent it. They also inform’d us, that in the Places where they had been above the Town, they saw more than 300 arm’d Horse and Foot in several Parties; so that we apprehended the Enemy design’d to gain Time by pretending to ransom, till with a vast Odds they might attack us, and reckon’d themselves sure of Victory; but we for fear of being surprized, agreed to assemble in a Body at every Alarm, which was beat several times a day on the sight of large Parties, tho’ it hinder’d our Business. We found 5 Jars of Powder, some Match and Shot, with a good Quantity of ordinary Arms, 3 Drums, with several Swords and Launces, in the Church, where I pick’d up the Corregidore’s Gold-headed Cane, and another Captain’s with a Silver Head; for among the Spaniards none carry a Cane but the chief Officers, and of those none under a Captain must wear a Cane with a Silver or Gold Head: So that those Gentlemen were much in haste to leave the Badges of their Office behind them. After Capt. Dover had quitted his Post yesterday Morning, one of our Men came to tell me, that the Enemy was coming down the Hill that way upon us: We beat an Alarm, and leaving part of our Men with the Guns, I march’d with the rest, and met Capt. Courtney and part of his Company on the Bridge retiring: He told me the Enemy was numerous and well arm’d in the North End of the Town; I desir’d him to join us, and we would visit them; he left his chief Lieutenant and the rest of his Men at Arms in his Quarters, and we went together with 70 Men to face the Enemy. As we march’d forward, they retir’d only now and then they shot at us out of the Woods. We look’d into the two Churches, and several Houses, but found nobody. The Woods were very thick, and join’d to the Backs of the Houses, from whence we had several Shot all round us, which we return’d at a venture, but none of ’em touched us, which was a very great Providence, for it was really strange that they miss’d us. Capt. Courtney and I could not agree to keep that End of the Town, so we march’d back again, took what we lik’d best into our Boats, and carried it aboard the Barks.
At Guiaquil.
April 26. About one Yesterday in the Afternoon our Prisoners return’d with an Offer of 30000 Pieces of Eight for the Town, with their Ships and Barks, to be paid in 12 Days, which we don’t approve of, nor should we stay so long for a greater Sum. By these Delays they design to gain Time, that if they don’t fight us, they may draw their Forces from Lima; for we know an Express was dispatch’d thither immediately on our Arrival. This Morning we sent our final Answer, viz. that they should see the Town all on fire by 3 in the Afternoon, if they did not agree, and give us sufficient Hostages for the above-mention’d Sum, to be paid within 6 Days. During which time we would grant a Cessation of Arms between Guiaquil and Puna, where we expected they would meet us, and purchase our Cargoes. A French man belonging to my Company, whom I sent with others, by request of Capt. Courtney, to strengthen his Quarters, being put Centinel last Night, shot Hugh Tidcomb, one of their Men, so that he died. The Accident happen’d by a too severe Order at their Quarters to shoot any in the Night that did not answer; and neither this Man nor the Centinel, as I am informed, understood how to ask or answer the Watch-word, by which Neglect a Man was unaccountably lost. Mr. Gardner, one of their Officers, and 9 Men more, yesterday in the Afternoon engag’d at the North-end of the Town with a Party of Spaniards, whom they chased into the Woods, but following ’em too far, were attack’d by others, and one of our Men shot through the Calf of his Leg, and another of them, while he stopt to relade his Piece, was shot against the Middle of the Pole-ax that hung at his Side, which made an Impression on the Iron, and bruised the Part under it, so that it prov’d a Piece of Armour well placed. The other Man who was wounded in the Leg, by his Irregularity and hard drinking fell into a Fever that carried him off. At the same time Mr. Stratton, Capt. Courtney’s chief Lieutenant, having his Pistols hanging at his Side, one of them unluckily discharg’d it self against the Outside of the thickest part of his Leg, and left a Bullet in the Flesh; but there’s little Danger of his Life: He being by this Accident disabled to make a quick Retreat, if occasion requir’d, his Captain immediately order’d him on board the Bark. Upon these Accidents, and perceiving the Enemy to increase and grow bolder, Capt. Courtney brought his Company to my Quarters. Last Night we all lay in the Church, round which we kept Centinels within a Musket-shot; the Centinels, as customary, calling to each other every Quarter of an Hour, to prevent their sleeping, and our being surprized in the Night. Every Man kept his Arms and Ammunition in exact Order by him, and was strictly charged to rise at the least Alarm. We unhung a small Church Bell, and sent it aboard for our Ships Use. We have done little this 24 Hours towards shipping off Goods, because the Enemy were continually popping at us from the Woods. The Weather was very wet, hot and faint, the Streets deep and slippery, and the Ways to the Water-side very bad, which mightily incommoded us.
April 27. Yesterday about 2 in the Afternoon our Prisoners returned with two Men on Horseback from the Enemy’s sorry Camp, and told us the Agreement was concluded as we last proposed, that if we suspected them, they would stay for Hostages, and that the Lieutenant of Puna, who as a Messenger forwarded the Treaty, with an old Gentleman already on board our Bark, were to be the other two. We contented our selves with the latter, and let the two Strangers return to their Camp with our Messenger, who was to bring back the Agreement sign’d; but they sent another back to us, signifying that we had omitted to take notice that the Town was taken by Force of Arms, which we afterwards inserted both in the Spanish and English Paper. This Morning the Spanish Agreement was brought back sign’d by ’em, and we sent ours in English sign’d to them as follows:
“WHereas the City of Guiaquil, lately in subjection to Philip V. King of Spain, is now taken by Storm, and in the Possession of the Capts. Thomas Dover, Woodes Rogers, and Stephen Courtney, commanding a Body of Her Majesty of Great Britain’s Subjects: We the underwritten are content to become Hostages for the said City, and to continue in the Custody of the said Capts. Tho. Dover, Woodes Rogers, and Stephen Courtney, till 30000 Pieces of Eight shall be paid to them for the Ransom of the said City, 2 new Ships, and 6 Barks; during which time no Hostility is to be committed on either Side between this and Puna. The said Sum to be paid at Puna in six Days from the Date hereof, and then the Hostages to be discharg’d, and all the Prisoners to be deliver’d immediately, otherwise the said Hostages do agree to remain Prisoners till the said Sum is discharg’d in any other Part of the World. In witness whereof we have voluntarily set our Hands this 27th Day of April, Old Stile, and the 7th of May, S.N. in the Year of our Lord, 1709.”
At Guiaquil.
The two Hostages lay this Night at our Quarters, and we ship’d ’em off, with all we had got together, by 11 a Clock, and march’d towards our Barks with our Colours flying, while the Spaniards return’d to their Houses. I march’d on the Rear with a few Men, and pick’d up Pistols, Cutlashes and Pole-axes, which shew’d that our Men were grown very careless, weak, and weary of being Soldiers, and that ’twas time to be gone from hence. The hardest Work we had was to get the Guns down to the Water, the Earth being so soft, that they who help’d to carry them sunk half Leg deep. To make it as easy as I could, I contriv’d a Frame of Bamboe Canes, under which 60 Men could stand, and bear equal Weight on their Shoulders. Tho’ they were large 4 Pounders, the Gun and the Frame did not exceed 15 C. Weight; but had not the Prisoners we took help’d us (tho’ it had been an easy Task in a cold Country) I could hardly have pick’d Men enough of our own for the Work. John Gabriel, one of my Company, a Dutch-man was missing.