A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels Volume Xvii Part 40

Thursday, April the 8th, little wind at S.W., and fair weather. At ten this morning anchor'd before the town of St Sebastians. The Portugueze pilots, who have been in England, call the land here the Isle of Wight; and indeed it is very like it, tho' not so large, being only eight miles in length.

This is a very secure harbour for shipping; a stranger may go in or out without any difficulty. At this place I was ash.o.r.e, and think it as delightful and pleasant a place as ever I saw in America, abounding with fruit, as oranges, lemons, bonanoes; also with yams, potatoes, fish, and fowl.

Sat.u.r.day the 10th, sail'd from St Sebastians, little wind at S.W., steer'd out S.E. between the island and the main; at eight in the morning, on the Monday following, we anchor'd before the city of Rio Janeiro.

Tuesday the 13th, this morning we were all order'd before the governor. A Dutch surgeon was sent for, who spoke very good English. After enquiring into our misfortunes, the governor order'd him to be our consul, telling us, that we should have a convenient house, with firing, and eight vintins a man per day subsistence-money: He also desir'd we might make no disturbance among ourselves, which we promis'd to avoid. A n.o.bleman went with the consul to look out for our habitation; they fix'd on a large magnificent house, fit for a person of quality. This being the first day of our coming ash.o.r.e, they were pleas'd to order a dinner and supper out of doors, and sent us where we were to eat all together. This was the first time of the boatswain's eating with the rest of the officers since we left Cheap island. The consul was so kind as to send us a table, benches, and water-pots, and several useful things, from his own house; we thought ourselves very happily seated.

Wednesday the 14th, this morning the consul went with the officers and people to the treasury for our money. Mr Oakely, surgeon of his majesty's land-forces, was desired by the consul to sign for it. The boatswain, who now look'd upon himself as our captain, was not a little displeas'd at this. When the money was receiv'd, the consul would have given it to the surgeon to pay us, but he excus'd himself, telling the consul the boatswain was a troublesome man, and it might occasion a disturbance, on which the consul was so good as to come and pay it himself. Being all together, he told us the governor had order'd us eight vintins a man per day; but at the same time had made a distinction between the officers and seamen, that the money received was to be paid in the manner following, viz. to the seamen six vintins per man, and the officers ten. The reason of this distinction was, that the seamen could go to work, when the officers could not, but must be oblig'd to live entirely on their allowance. This distinction caused great uneasiness, the boatswain insisting that the people had a right to an equal share with us. The officers, willing to make all things easy, desir'd the consul it might be so. The consul reply'd, The money should be dispos'd of according to the governor's direction, or not at all.

The boatswain then objected against the cooper, because he was no officer.

The consul said, Master! I believe the cooper to be a very good quiet man, and I dare say will take it as the men do, but sooner than this be an objection, I will pay the money out of my own pocket. The boatswain then began at me, abusing me in a very scandalous and abominable manner, saying, among other things, that the cooper was got among the rest of the pirates, for so he term'd me and the rest of the officers. When the money was paid, we acquainted the consul, that we had, till now, been separated from the boatswain, that he was of so perverse and turbulent a temper, and so abusive in speech, that we could not bear with him. The boatswain then chose to be with the people, and gave us the preference of the fore-room, where we desir'd to be by ourselves. There were two doors to our room, we lock'd both of them, and went to take a walk in the country: At our return, in the evening, we found the doors broke open, and a small sword belonging to me was broke an inch off the point, and the scabbard all in pieces. The boatswain had in his room an Irishman, whom he sent in on purpose to quarrel with us. This Irishman and Richard East, one of our own people, fell upon the cooper and me: East chose to engage with me, he struck me several times, he compelled me to stand in my own defence, and I soon master'd him. During this quarrel the carpenter call'd the guards, at the sight of whom the Irishman made his escape. I desir'd the guards to secure East a prisoner, but the officer told me he could not, unless I would go to prison with him. I told him it was my desire, and accordingly I went. The prison was in the governor's house. I had not been there but a few minutes before the governor sent for me; he enquir'd of the officer concerning the disturbance, and order'd me to my habitation, but detain'd East a prisoner.

When I came home I found the boatswain and two renegadoes with him, all about the cooper. On seeing me, he repeated his former abusive words. He made us so uneasy in our lodging, that, to prevent murder, we were obliged to lie out of the house. Next morning Mr Oakley and Mr c.u.mmins went to the consul; he came with them to the house, where we were all sent for; he told us it was very strange that people who had undergone so many hardships and difficulties could not agree lovingly together. We answer'd, we never used to mess together, and sooner than we would be with the boatswain, we would make it our choice to take a house in the country at our own expence. The boatswain, on hearing this, fell again into his usual strain of slander and abusive language, calling us rogues, villains, and pirates. It was the governor's first request that we might have no disturbance among us, yet the boatswain hath not suffer'd us to have a quiet minute since we have been here. The consul went with us two miles out of the city, at a fishing village, where we took a house at our own expence, to pay at the rate of ten shillings per month, there being seven of us in all, viz. myself, the carpenter, surgeon, the two mates, the cooper, and a seaman. Here we thought ourselves safe and secure. The next day, in the afternoon, two of the boatswain's friends, which had lately deserted from his majesty's service, and an Irish clerk with them, came to pay us a visit. They were so impertinent, as not only to enquire into the reasons of the disturbance among ourselves, but they also instructed us in our duty, telling us, they came from our commander the boatswain, with orders to see my journal. I told them the journal shou'd not be a secret to any person who cou'd read; but, at the same time, I wou'd never part with it to be copied out: They then drank a gla.s.s of punch with us, and left us. This is a place that a man is oblig'd sometimes to suffer himself to be used ill; if he resents all affronts, he runs a great hazard of losing his life, for here ruffians are to be hir'd at a small expence, and there is no place in the world where people will commit murder at so cheap a rate. Between nine and ten at night three people came to our door, one of which knock'd, telling us, that he was the person that was with me and the cooper in the afternoon. Being apprehensive that they came with no good intent, we refus'd opening the door, telling them, that it was an improper season of the night, and that we did not know they had any business with us, if they had, we told them to come in the morning: But they still insisted upon the door being open'd, saying, it would be better to do so than to be taken away in three hours'

time. When they had said this, they went away. We did not know the meaning of their words, but imagin'd they were gone to bring some a.s.sociates to beset the house; having nothing to defend ourselves with, we got over the back wall of the house, and took to the country for safety: In the morning apply'd to the consul, who remov'd us to a house in the midst of the village; he gave an account to the inhabitants of the design the boatswain had formed against us, either to compel us to deliver up the journal, or to take our lives; and therefore desir'd that the journal and papers might be deposited in the hands of a neighbour there, till the time of our going off. The people of the place offer'd to stand by us with their lives, in opposition to any persons who should attempt to do us an injury.

Sunday the 18th, early this morning we were sent for to the consul. He said to us, Gentlemen, as the lives of three of you are in danger, and I do not know what villainy your boatswain may be capable of acting, in regard to your peace and safety, I'll endeavour to get you three on board a ship bound for Bahia and Lisbon; accordingly he went to the captain of the ship, who consented that we should go with him, on these conditions, that the governor should give us a pa.s.s, and that we would work for our pa.s.sage; this we agreed to. After this we requested the governor for a pa.s.s, which he was so good as to grant, and is as follows:

Nas Fortalesas sedeixem pa.s.sar.

_A 30 Abril_, 1742.

Podem pa.s.sar par Portugal em qualquer Nao que selle ofreser semque che ponha Impedimento algum Bahia, 19 Mayo, 1742.

"Dizem Joan Bocli, e Joan c.u.mmins, e Joan Menino, Inglezes de Nasao, e Cazados em Inglaterra, em quetem suas Mulleres e Fillios, que suedo Officais de Calafate, e Condestavel, & Joneiro, de imadas Fragatas Inglezas, dado a Costa de Patagonia, die fesivel a portarem, a Oporto de Rio Grande, donde selhedeo faculdade para pa.s.sarem aesta Cidade. E como Naferma do Regimendo de son soberano Nao vensem soldo, algum desde otempo, que Nao Pagau detta Fragata, selhes las presis a pa.s.sarem a Inglaterra, para poderem tratar de sua vida em Compania de suas familias; para oghe pretendem na Naude Lisensia pa.s.sar a Citade da Bahia, para da hi Opoderem farer para Lisboa, na primera ocasio, que che for posivell, e sim desda Nao podem intentar dito transporte.

Quaime sedigne dar che Lisensia que nas Fortalesas selhe nas ponha Impedimento a sua Pa.s.sagein, Come e Costume aos Nacionaes decte Reyne.

A. Rove."

The foregoing in English thus.

_Rio Janeiro Grand._

From all the Forts let them pa.s.s.

_April_ 30, 1742.

That they may pa.s.s to Portugal in any vessel that offers itself, without any hindrance whatever, to Bahia, May 19, 1742.

"John Bocli, [Bulkeley] John c.u.mmins, and John Young, of the English nation, and married in England, where they have wives and children, the one being an officer, the other a carpenter, and the third cooper of the ship, being an English frigate, arrived on the coast of Patagonia; and at their arrival in the great river, i.e. Rio Grand, leave was granted them to come to this city; and as in the service of his majesty, they do not advance any money, from the time that they paid off the said ship, they are obliged to pa.s.s to England, that they may be enabled there to seek their livelihood for their respective families: Therefore they desire that they may pa.s.s in the license ship to the city of Bahia, that they may from thence go to Lisbon, by the first opportunity that shall offer; and that without the said ship they will not be able to perform their intended design.

Leave is hereby granted them to pa.s.s by the said ship for Bahia; and we command all the forts to let them pa.s.s, and not hinder their pa.s.sage, as is the custom of the nation of this kingdom.

A. ROVE."

The following is a copy of the solicitor's certificate.

"ISTO he para que todos sabem que os Senh.o.r.es Abaixo Nomeados y bem mal afortunados, nesta Cidade de Rio Janeiro se comporlarao com toda Dereysao nao dando escandalo Apesoa Alguma e Sao Dignos deque Joda pessoa posa os favoreser emoque for de Ajudo para Sigimento de sua Viagem omais breve possivel para Huropa.

JOHN BULKELEY.

JOHN c.u.mMINS.

JOHN YOUNG.

Hoje 1 de Mayo de 1742.

A sim que a.s.siney este Papel Como Procu rador Sosil da Nas...o...b..itanica.

PEDRO HENRIQUES DELAED."

In English thus.

"These Presents.

"Be it known to all persons, that the under-signed are in a deplorable condition in this city of Rio Janeiro; who have behaved themselves with decency and good decorum, not giving any scandal to any person whatsoever, and are worthy that all people may have compa.s.sion, and succour them in forwarding their voyage with all expedition to Europe.

JOHN BULKELEY.

JOHN c.u.mMINS.

JOHN YOUNG.

_The 1st of May_, 1742.

I have sign'd this paper as a sollicitor of the British nation.

PEDRO HENRIQ; DELAED."

Tuesday, May the 20th, this evening myself, the carpenter, and cooper, went on board the St Tubes, one of the Brazil ships, carrying twenty-eight guns, Theophilus Orego Ferrara, commander, bound for Bahia and Lisbon. The people left on sh.o.r.e were,

John Jones, Master's mate.

John Snow, ditto.

Vincent Oakley, surgeon.

John King, boatswain.

Samuel Stook, seaman.

John Sh.o.r.eham, ditto.

John Pitman, ditto.

Job Barns, ditto.

Richard East, ditto.

Richard Powell, ditto.

Wednesday the 21st, early this morning the captain came on board, on seeing us, he ask'd us, how we came on board without his leave? Notwithstanding he gave leave to the consul for our pa.s.sage, we ought to have waited on him ash.o.r.e. There was on board the ship a Spanish don, a pa.s.senger, who told the captain, no Englishman should go in the same ship with him, therefore desir'd we might be turn'd ash.o.r.e; but the captain insisted upon doing what he pleas'd on board his own ship, and would not comply with his request.

The Spanish don, when we came to converse with him, was very much mov'd with the relation of our misfortunes, and said to us, though our royal masters, the king's of England and Spain, are at war, it was not our fault; that we were now on board a neutral ship; belonging to a king who was a friend to both nations; that he would not look upon us as enemies, but do us all the service he could. He extoll'd the conduct and bravery of Admiral Vernon at Porto Bello; but, above all, applauded him for his humanity and generous treatment of his enemies. He made great encomiums on the magnificence of the British fleet, and the boldness and intrepidity of the sailors, styling the English the soldiers of the sea. He supplied us in our pa.s.sage not only with provisions from his table, but also with wine and brandy; and during the whole voyage appear'd so different from an enemy, that he took all opportunities of giving us proofs of his generosity and goodness.

Friday, the 7th of May, 1742, this morning anch.o.r.ed before the city of Bahia, went on sh.o.r.e to the vice-roy, shew'd him the pa.s.s we had from the governor of Rio Janeiro: He told us the pa.s.s was to dispatch us to Lisbon, and that the first ship which sail'd from hence would be the ship we came in; we pet.i.tion'd him for provisions, acquainting him of our reception at Rio Grand and Rio Janeiro, that we had hitherto been supply'd at the rate of eight vintins each man per day. He refused supplying us with any thing, upon which I told him, we had better been prisoners to the king of Spain, who would allow us bread and water, than in a friend's country to be starv'd. The captain of the ship we came in, hearing the vice-roy would not supply us, was so kind as to go with us to him, acquainting him how we were provided for at Rio Janeiro, and that he would supply us himself, if he would sign an account to satisfy the consul general at Lisbon, so that he might be reimburs'd. The vice-roy answer'd, he had no orders concerning the English; that he had letters from the king of Portugal his master to supply the French, but had no orders about any other nation, and if he gave us any thing it must be out of his own pocket, therefore he would not supply us.

The captain then told him, that we were officers and subjects to the king of England, and in distress; that we did not want great matters, and only barely enough to support life, and begg'd that he would allow but four vintins per day, being but half the sum hitherto allow'd us. The captain's entreaties avail'd nothing, the vice-roy continuing as fix'd in his resolution of giving us no relief. I do not believe there ever was a worse representative of royalty upon the face of the earth than this vice-roy; his royal master, the king of Portugal, is very well known to have a grateful affection for the British nation (nor can we believe he is so Frenchify'd as this vice-roy makes him) his deputy differs greatly from him, he has given a proof of his aversion to the English. We think persons in the distress we were represented in to him, could in no part of the world, nay, in an enemy's country, be treated with more barbarity than we were here: We work'd here for our victuals, and then could get but one meal per day, which was farina and caravances. At this place we must have starv'd, if I had not by me some money and a silver watch of my own, which I was obliged to turn into money to support us. I had in money fourteen guineas, which I exchanged with the captain who brought us here for Portugueze money; he at the same time told me, it would be hard upon me to be so much out of pocket, and said, if I would draw a bill on the consul general at Lisbon for the sum, as if supplied from him, upon the payment of that bill, he would return me my fourteen guineas; accordingly a bill was drawn up by an English merchant at Bahia and sign'd by us, being as follows: