It Was Therefore Resolved
Upon To Put This Plan Into Immediate Execution, Without Any Farther
Consultation With Shelvocke, And To Leave The Coast Of America Directly.
They Were Now To The S.S.E. Of Port Marquis, In Lat.
16 deg.50'N. and
accordingly on the 18th March shaped their course for crossing the
Pacific ocean towards the Ladrone islands.
The Manilla ships usually leave the Philippine islands about the
beginning of July, and arrive at the Ladrones about the beginning of
September, whence they proceed for Acapulco, where they are expected to
arrive about the middle of January. They generally remain at Acapulco,
till towards the latter end of April, and then sail for Manilla. This,
though the general rule, is liable to some alterations, according as the
trade-winds set in earlier or later. From this account, it is plain
that the ship they had now proposed to wait for must have been the
galleon on her passage from Acapulco for Manilla, which always has a
prodigious quantity of silver on board.
SECTION III.
Voyage of the Success from the Coast of Mexico to China.
The Success performed the voyage from the coast of Mexico to the
Ladrones in fifty-three days, arriving in sight of the island of Serpana
on the 10th May, 1721. This island is in lat. 13 deg.42'N. though usually
laid down in the Spanish maps in 14 deg..[243] In this passage they lost six
of their men, and the rest were reduced to so weak and low a state, that
the sight of this island gave them great joy. They determined however to
proceed to Guam, as best known to Europeans, and where they were most
likely to procure provisions; but in their present weakly condition it
might have been better to have gone to Serpana, where the Spaniards have
not so great a force as at Guam. They anchored in the road at this
island on the 13th May, and sent their pinnace ashore with a flag of
truce to obtain provisions. But the people informed them that, without
leave of the governor, they could not trade with them. Application was
therefore made to the governor for this purpose, which was favourably
received for the present; and Mr Godfrey, the owners agent, who had been
sent up to the governor at Umatta, returned on the 16th to the Success
in one of the country proas, with a message from the governor,
intimating, that they should be furnished with provisions, if they
behaved civilly and paid honestly. The launch arrived soon after,
bringing on board some cattle, bread, sugar, brandy, fruit, and
vegetables; and on the 17th the governor sent a handsome present of
palm-wine, sugar, and brandy, with a large quantity of chocolate.
[Footnote 243: Serpana is probably some small island close to Guam, not
inserted in general maps. The centre of Guam is in 13 deg.30'N.]
The Island of Guam, in lat. 13 deg.30'N. long 145 deg.30'E. from Greenwich, is
nearly ten leagues long from N. to S. and five leagues from E. to W. It
has several villages, the most remarkable being Amatta, Atry, Agana,
Anigua, Asa, Hugatee, and Rigues. The natives are formerly said to have
amounted to 150,000 souls, but at this time did not exceed a tenth of
the number, of which a few hundreds remained independent in the
mountains, in spite of every effort to reduce them under the Spanish
dominion. The natives are strong, active, vigorous, and war-like, but
are represented as cruel, vindictive, and treacherous, though perhaps
the Spaniards have exaggerated their bad qualities, to extenuate their
own tyranny and oppression. The Spanish garrison at this island at this
time consisted of 300, relieved from time to time from Manilla, and the
King of Spain is said to have allowed 30,000 dollars yearly for the
maintenance of this port, the only use of which is to give refreshments
to the annual ship which goes between Manilla and Acapulco.
Having agreed with the governor of Guam for the ransom of the Marquis de
Villa Roche, that nobleman went ashore on the 18th May, accompanied by
the agent, the first lieutenant, and the doctor; and the Success gave
him a salute of five guns at parting. For six days after, the launch was
continually employed in bringing wood, water, and provisions on board,
during which time the governor requested to be supplied with some arms
and ammunition in exchange, and accordingly Captain Clipperton sent him
twelve fuzees, three jars of gunpowder, sixty rounds of shot, four pair
of pistols, and several cutlasses, swords, and daggers. On the 25th a
letter was sent on board, demanding the jewels belonging to the marquis,
some consecrated plate, and two negroes, who were Christians; as also
requiring to have a certificate signed by the captain and officers of
the Success, that peace had been proclaimed between Britain and Spain;
besides which, this letter intimated that Mr Godfrey and Mr Pritty were
detained till all these demands were complied with. In reply, Captain
Clipperton sent a letter, containing a certificate, that he had been
informed by the Solidad, the last prize taken on the coast of Chili,
that peace had been concluded between Britain and Spain; but threatning,
if the agreed ransom for the marquis, and the two gentlemen now
detained, were not sent off in twenty-four hours, that he would demolish
all the houses on shore, burn the ship in the harbour, and do all the
mischief he could at the Philippine Islands.
Soon after, a letter was received from the governor, saying that he
would pay for the consecrated plate, and desiring to have more powder
and shot; to which Clipperton made answer that he could not spare any
more. The yawl went ashore on the 28th for more provisions; but the
people were told that no more could be had, unless they sent more powder
and shot. Upon this Clipperton weighed anchor, and stood in for the
harbour, sending the pinnace a-head to sound.
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