University of Virginia Library

Chap. III.

CAptain Morgan and his Companions weighed

Anchors from the Cape of Tiburon, the
16th. day of December, in the year 1670. Four
days after they arrived within sight of the Isle of
St. Catharin, which was now in possession of the
Spaniards again, as was said in the Second Part of
this History, and unto which they commonly banish
all the Malefactors of the Spanish Dominions
i'th' West=Indies. In this Island are found huge
quantities of Pidgeons at certain Seasons of the
Year; it is watered continually by four Rivulets,
or Brooks, whereof two are always dry in Summer-season.
Here is no manner of Trade nor
Commerce exercised by the Inhabitants, neither
do they give themselves the trouble to plant more
Fruits, than what are necessary for the sustentation
of humane Life; howbeit the Countrey
would be sufficient to make very good Plantations
of Tobacco, which might render considerable
Profit, were it cultivated for that use.

As soon as Captain Morgan came nigh unto the
Island with his Fleet, he sent before one of his
best sailing Vessels, to view the entry of the River,
and see if any other Ships were there, who
might hinder him from landing; as also fearing
least they should give Intelligence of his Arrival
to the Inhabitants of the Island, and they by this
means prevent his Designs.

The next day before Sun-rising, all the Fleet

came to an Anchor nigh unto the Island, in a certain
Bay called Aguada grande: upon this Bay the
Spaniards had lately built a Battery, mounted with
4 pieces of Cannon. Captain Morgan landed
with 1000 Men, more or less, and disposed them
into Squadrons, beginning his March through the
Woods, although they had no other Guides than
some few of his own Men, who had been there before,
when Mansvelt took and ransackt the Island.
The same day they came unto a certain Place,
where the Governour at other times did keep his
ordinary Residence: here they found a Battery
called the Platform, but no body in it, the Spaniards
having retired unto the lesser Island, which,
as was said before, is so nigh unto the great one,
that a short Bridge only may conjoyn them.

This lesser Island aforesaid was so well fortified

with Forts and Batteries round about it, as might
seem impregnable. Hereupon, as soon as the
Spaniards perceived the Pirats to approach, they
began to fire upon them so furiously, as they could
advance nothing that day, but were contented to
retreat a little, and take up their rest upon the
Grassi'th' open Fields, which afforded no strange
Beds to these People, as being sufficiently used to
such kind of Repose: what most afflicted them
was Hunger, having not eat the least thing that
whole day. About Midnight it began to rain so
hard, as those miserable People had much ado to

resist so much hardship, the greatest part of them
having no other Cloaths, than a pair of Seaman's
Trowzers, or Breeches, and a Shirt, without either
Shoos, or Stockings. Thus finding themselves
in great Extremity, they began to pull
down a few thatcht Houses, to make Fires withal:
in a word, they were in such condition, that
100 Men, indifferently well armed, might easily
that night have torn them all in pieces. The
next morning, about break of day, the Rain
ceased, at which time they began to dry their
Arms, which were entirely wet, and proceed on
their March. But not long after the Rain recommenc'd
anew, rather harder than before, as if the
Skies were melted into Waters, which caused
them to cease from advancing towards the Forts,
from whence the Spaniards did continually fire at
the Pirats, seeing them to approach.

The Pirats were now reduced unto great Affli-

ction, and danger of their Lives, through the
hardness of the Weather, their own Nakedness,
and the great Hunger they sustained. For a small
relief hereof, they hapned to find i'th' Fields an
old Horse, which was both lean, and full of
Scabs and Blotches, with gall'd Back and Sides.
This horrid Animal they instantly kill'd and flay'd,
and divided into small pieces among themselves,
as far as it would reach, for many could not obtain
one morsel, which they roasted and devoured
without either Salt or Bread, more like unto
ravenous Wolves than Men. The Rain as yet
ceased not to fall, and Captain Morgan perceived
their Minds to relent, hearing many of them say,
they would return on board the Ships. Amongst
these Fatigues both of Mind and Body, he thought
it convenient to use some sudden, and almost un-

expected Remedy: unto this effect he commanded
a Canow to be rigg'd in all haste, and Colours of
Truce to be hang'd out of it. This Canow he
sent unto the Spanish Governour of the Island with
this Message: That if within a few hours he delivered
not himself and all his Men into his hands, he did by that
Messenger swear unto him, and all those that were in his
company, he would most certainly put them all to the
Sword, without granting Quarter to any.

After noon the Canow returned with this An-

swer: That the Governour desired two hours time,
to deliberate with his Officers in a full Councel
about that Affair, which being past, he would give
his positive Answer to the Message. The time
now being elaps'd, the said Governour sent two
Canows with white Colours, and two persons, to
treat with Captain Morgan; but before they landed,
they demanded of the Pirats two persons, as
Hostages of their Security. These were readily
granted by Captain Morgan, who delivered unto
them two of his Captains, for a mutual Pledge of
the Security required. With this the Spaniards
propounded unto Captain Morgan, that their Governour
in a full Assembly had resolved to deliver
up the Island, as not being provided with sufficient
Forces, to defend it against such an Armada, or
Fleet. But withal he desired, that Captain Morgan
would be pleased to use a certain Stratagem of
War, for the better saving of his own Credit, and
the Reputation of his Officers, both abroad and at
home, which should be as followeth: That Captain
Morgan would come with his Troops by night,
nigh unto the Bridge that joyned the lesser Island
unto the great one, and there attaque the Fort of
St. Jerom: That at the same time all the Ships of
his Fleet would draw nigh unto the Castle of Santa
Teresa, and attaque it by Sea, landing i'th'
mean while some more Troops, near the Battery
called of St. Matthew: That these Troops which
were newly landed, should by this means intercept
the Governour by the way, as he endeavoured
to pass unto St. Jerom's Fort, and then take him
Prisoner, using the Formality, as if they forced
him to deliver the said Castle; and that he would
lead the English into it, under the fraud of being
his own Troops: That on one side and t'other,
there should be continual firing at one another,
but without Bullets, or at least into the Air, so that
no side might receive any harm by this device:
That thus having obtained two such considerable
Forts, the chiefest of the Isle, he needed not take
care for the rest, which of necessity must fall by
course into his hands.

These Propositions, every one, were granted
by Captain Morgan, upon condition they should
see them faithfully observed, for otherwise they
should be used with all rigour imaginable: this
they promised to do, and hereupon took their
leaves, and returned, to give account of their
Negotiation unto the Governour. Presently after
Captain Morgan commanded the whole Fleet to
enter the Port, and his Men to be in a readiness,
for to assault that night the Castle of St. Jerom.
Thus the false Alarum or Battel began, with incessant
firing of great Guns from both the Castles,
against the Ships, but without Bullets, as was
said before. Then the Pirats landed, and assaulted
by night the lesser Island, which they took, as
also possession of both the Fortresses, forcing all
the Spaniards, in appearance, to fly unto the
Church. Before this Assault, Captain Morgan had
sent word unto the Governour, he should keep
all his Men together in a Body, otherwise if the
Pirats met any straggling Spaniards in the Streets,
they should certainly shoot them.

The Island being taken by this unusual Stratagem,
and all things put in due order, the Pirats
began to make a new War against the Poultrey,
Cattel, and all sort of Victuals they could find.
This was their whole Employ for some days,
scarce thinking of any thing else than to kill those
Animals, roast, and eat, and make good
chear, as much as they could possibly attain unto.
If Wood was wanting, they presently fell
upon the Houses, and pulling them down, made
Fires with the Timber, as had been done before
i'th' Field. The next day they numbred all the

Prisoners they had taken upon the whole Island,
which were found to be in all 450 persons, between
Men, Women, and Children, viz. 190
Souldiers, belonging to the Garison; 40 Inhabitants,
who were married; 43 Children; 34
Slaves, belonging to the King, with 8 Children;
8 Banditi; 39 Negro's, belonging unto private
persons, with 27 female-Blacks, and 34 Children.
The Pirats disarmed all the Spaniards, and
sent them out immediately unto the Plantations,
to seek for Provisions, leaving the Women in the
Church, there to exercise their Devotions.

Soon after they took a Review of the whole

Island, and all the Fortresses belonging thereunto,
which they found to be 9 in all, as followeth.
The Fort of St. Jerom, nighest unto the Bridge,
had 8 great Guns, of 12, 6, and 8 pound Carriage,
together with 6 pipes of Muskets, every
pipe containing 10 Muskets. Here they found still
60 Muskets, with sufficient quantity of Powder,
and all other sorts of Ammunition. The 2d.
Fortress, called St. Matthew, had 3 Guns, of 8
pound Carriage each. The 3d. and chiefest among
all the rest, named Santa Teresa, had 20
great Guns, of 18, 12, 8, and 6 pound Carriage,
with 10 pipes of Muskets, like unto those we said
before, and 90 Muskets remaining, besides all other
warlike Ammunition. This Castle was built with
Stone and Mortar, with very thick Walls on all
sides, and a large Ditch round about it of 20 Foot
depth, the which although it was dry, yet was
very hard to get over. Here was no Entry but
through one door, which corresponded to the
middle of the Castle. Within it was a Mount or
Hill, almost unaccessible, with 4 pieces of Cannon
at the top, from whence they could shoot directly
into the Port. On the Sea-side this Castle
was impregnable, by reason of the Rocks which
surrounded it, and the Sea beating furiously upon
them. In like manner on the side of the Land, it
was so commodiously seated on a Mountain, as
there was no access unto it, but by a Path of 3 or
4 Foot broad. The 4th. Fortress was named St.
Augustin, having 3 Guns, of 8 and 6 pound Carriage.
The 5th. named la Plattaforma de la Concepcion,
had only 2 Guns, of 8 pound Carriage. The
6th. by Name San Salvador, had likewise no more
than 2 Guns. The 7th. being called Plattaforma
de los Artilleros, had also 2 Guns. The 8th. called
Santa Cruz, had 3 Guns. The 9th. which was
called St. Joseph's Fort, had 6 Guns, of 12 and 8
pound Carriage, besides two pipes of Muskets,
and sufficient Ammunition.

In the Store-house were found above 30000
pound of Powder, with all other sorts of Ammunition,
which were transported by the Pirats on
board the Ships. All the Guns were stopp'd and
nail'd, and the Fortresses demolished, excepting
that of St. Jerom, where the Pirats kept their Guard
and Residence. Captain Morgan enquired, if any
Banditi were there from Panama, or Puerto Velo;
and hereupon three were brought before him,

who pretended to be very expert in all the Avenues
of those Parts. He asked them, if they would
be his Guides, and shew him the securest Ways
and Passages unto Panama; which if they performed,
he promised them equal shares in all they
should pillage and rob in that Expedition, and
that afterwards he would set them at liberty, by
transporting them unto Jamaica. These Propositions
pleased the Banditi very well, and they readily
accepted his Proffers, promising to serve him
very faithfully in all he should desire; especially
one of these three, who was the greatest Rogue,
Thief, and Assassin among them, and who had deserved
for his Crimes, rather to be broken alive
upon the Wheel, than punished with serving in a
Garison. This wicked Fellow had a great Ascendant
over the other two Banditi, and could domineer
and command over them as he pleased, they
not daring to refuse obedience to his Orders.

Hereupon Captain Morgan commanded four

Ships and one Boat, to be equipped and provided
with all things necessary, for to go and take the
Castle of Chagre, seated upon the River of that
Name. Neither would he go himself with his
whole Fleet, fearing least the Spaniards should be
jealous of his farther Designs upon Panama. In
these Vessels he caused to imbark 400 Men, who
went to put in execution the Orders of their chief
Commander Captain Morgan, mean while he himself
remained behind in the Island of St. Catharin,
with the rest of the Fleet, expecting to hear the
Success of their Arms.