The Life and Death of Sir Francis Drake, Part 2
The Voyage of Sir Francis Drake into the West-Indies.
QUeen Elizabeth finding the restless malice of the King of Spain against Her,Another Voyage into the West-Indies. to the end that War might not first be brought home to Her own doors, set forth a Fleet to finde her enemies work abroad, under the command of Sir Francis Drake, who having prepared his Fleet and gotten them together to Plimouth to the number of five and twenty sails of ships, and Pinnaces: and having of Souldiers and Marriners Two thousand three hundred in the whole, imbarked himself and them September the twelfth, Anno Christi, One thousand five hundred eighty five, being accompanied with these worthies.
Master Christopher Carleil, Lieutenant General. Anthony Powel, Sergeant Major. Captain Matthew Morgan, and Captain John Sampson, Corporals of the Field. And these Officers after named had command over the rest of the Land Captains. Captain Anthony Plot. Captain Edward Winter; Captain John Goring; Captain Robert Pew; Captain George Barton; Captain John Merchant; Captain William Cecil; Captain Walter Bigs; Captain John Hannam; and Captain Richard Stanton.
The Commanders at Sea under him were, Martin Forbusher, Vice-Admiral in the Primrose; Francis Knowls in the Gallion Lecester, Reer-Admiral; Thomas Venner, Captain in the Elizabeth Bonadventure, under the General; Edward Winter, Captain in the Aid; Christopher Carliel, Leiutenant General, Captain in the Tyger; Henry White, Captain in the Sea-Dragon; Thomas Drake, Captain in the Thomas; Thomas Seely, Captain in the Minion; Baily, Captain in the Bark Talbot; Rob. Cross, Capt. in the Bark Bond; George Fortescue, Captain in the Bark Bonner; Edward Careless, Captain in the Hope; James Erizo, Captain in the White Lyon; Thomas Moon, Captain in the Francis; John Rivers, Captain in the Vantage; John Vaughan, Captain in the Drake; John Verney, Captain in the George; John Martin, Captain in the Benjamin; Edward Gilman, Captain in the Scout; Richard Hawkins, Captain in the Galliot called the Duck; Bitfield, Captain in the Swallow.
When they were gotten out, they took their course towards Spain. And when they came neer that Coast they spied divers Sails, whereupon the General sent some Pinnaces to see what they were; who upon the sight of them, abandoned most of their Ships (being French men laden with Salt.) Amongst them there was one so well liked, which had no man in her, as being brought to the General he made stay of her for their service, intending to pay for her, which he accordingly performed at his return, and called her the Drake, the rest were dismissed in safety.
The day following, standing in again with the shore they espied a tall ship of about two hundred and forty Tun, which was chased by the Leiutenant General in the Tyger, and when he had forced her to strike sail, upon examination finding her to be a Spanish ship of Saint Sebastian, laden with Poor John from Newfound Land, they juged her to be lawful prize; and therefore distributed her lading amongst the Fleet, which afterwards stood them in good stead.
A day or two after they put into the Isles of Bayon, where they had no sooner Anchored, but they manned forth all their Pinnaces with an intent to surpise the City, upon sight of whom the Governour and People were much amazed; there they landed, and quartered themselves to their best advantage: but in the night there arose such a storm, that they thought fit to return to their ships, which they did with some difficulty, many of their ships being driven from their Anchors. The tempest continued three days, which scattered the Fleet, and the Speedwell was driven into England, the rest came together again when the storm was ended.
Then the Lieutenant General was sent to see what they might do about Vigo, where he took many Boats, and Carvels, divers being laden with houshold stuffe: and amongst other Church ornaments, they found a great Crosse of Silver, of fair and embossed work, and double gilt, which was of good value. The Spaniards complained that here they lost goods worth above three thousand Duckats. A little from thence they landed, and by consent of the Governour of Galizia, quietly furnished themselves with fresh water, and all other necessaries paying for the same.
From thence they went to the Canaries purposing to have refreshed and stored themselves with necessaries in the Isle of Palma: but the Sea going high, and the landing place (whereof there was but one) being naught, they left it, and went to the Isle of Ferro, but finding that extreme poor they left it, and steered towards the coast of Barbary: And November the thirteenth they fell with Cape Blank, where they caught store of fish, and from thence went to the Isles of Cape Verde: And November the sixteenth, they discovered the Isle of Saint Jago, They come to St. Jago.where they came to an Anchor, and landed a thousand men under the leading of the Lieutenant General Carliel; the way proved marvellous stony and troublesome in their march, yet they rested not till they came to a fair plain two miles from the Town: There having rested themselves for a while, they advanced hard to the wall of the City,And take …. finding no enemy to resist them, all being fled, whereupon he sent two Captains with sixty men to quarter out the City for his Army, and to erect Saint George's Cross upon the enemies Fortress that it might be seen by our Navy, which was done accordingly; And it being November the seventeenth, the day of our Queens coming to the Crown, they discharged all the Ordnance, being about fifty Pieces which they found in the Town, ready mounted and charged, which also was answered by the Ordnance out of all our ships, which were now come near.
Here they continued fourteen days taking such spoils as the place afforded, as Wine, Oyl, Meal, Vinegar, Olives, &c. but found no treasure at all in it. This City is finely seated, having a River running by it, and a Valley full of Gardens and Orchards well replenished with Fruits, Hearbs, and Trees, as Lemons, Oranges, Sugar-canes, Coco's, Plantans, &c. November the four and twentieth, the General, and Lieutenant General with six hundred men marched to St. Domingo, twelve miles within Land, which they found empty also,Saint Domingo taken. the Inhabitants being fled into the mountains, from whence they returned to St. Jago: And November the six and twentieth, they embarked their Forces, and went to the Play, where they found two pieces of Ordnance hid in the ground, and so they burned the town, and departed.
Hence putting over to the West-Indies, within a few days began a great mortality amongst their men, so that within a small time there died two or three hundred of them of burning Feavers and some of the Plague. In eighteen days space they came within sight of Saint Dominica, inhabited by savage people that go all naked, and paint their bodies: These helped our men to fill & carry fresh water from the River upon their bare shoulders to their Boats, & brought them store of Tabacco, and Bread made of the Cassavy root, very white, and savory, for which they gave them some Glass Beads to their great content.
From thence they went to S. Christophers Island, where they cleansed and aired their ships, & refreshed their sick People: From hence they resolved to go to Hispaniola: and by the way they met with a small Frigat, bound for S. Domingo, the chiefest and ancientest City in that Island; and the men of her being examined, one assured them that the haven of it was a barred haven, the Shoar well fortified, so that there was no convenient landing within ten English miles of the City, whither this man undertook to conduct them.
They come to HispaniolaJanuary the first, They landed ten miles from that brave City, and under the command of the Lieutenant General marched towards the City whither they came about one a clock in the afternoon; When they came neer, above a hundred and fifty Gentlemen well mounted presented themselves against them; but the small shot playing upon them, they departed, and the English proceeded towards the two gates of the City that lay towards the Sea; both which the Spaniards had manned, and planted their Ordnance without the gates, and some small shot in an ambush by the way side. The English being aboue twelve hundred men divided themselves: the Lieutenant General leading the one halfe to one gate, and Captain Powel the other halfe to the other gate, vowing that with God's assistance they would not rest till they met in the market place.
No sooner had the Spaniards discharged their Ordnance, doing some litle execution, but the Lieutenant General hasted or rather ran upon them to prevent their charging again,Saint Domingo taken. and notwithstanding their ambush, entred Pell Mell with them into the gate not staying till he came into the Market place, unto whom shortly after came Captain Powel with his Companies. This place they strengthened with Baricadoes, the City being too large to be guarded by so small, and weary an Army. And after midnight, they in the Castle, hearing some of the English busie about the Gate of it, quitted it, some being taken Prisoners, and others escaping by Boats.
The next day the English enlarged their Quarters, and fortified themselves, and held the Town for a months space. During this time the General sent a Negro Boy with a Flag of Truce to the Spaniards, who by the way was met by some Officers of the Galley which the English had taken, together with the City, who furiously thrust the poor Boy thorow the Body, who returning to the General, having declared how barbarously they had used him, fell down, and died in his presence. The General being much moved herewith, commanded the Provest Martial, to take two Friers, and to carry them to the same place with a sufficient guard, and there to hang them; and withal he sent one of the Prisoners to inform the Spaniards why he did it, and to tell them that till the party who had thus murthered his messenger were delivered to him, there should no day pass wherein he would not hang two Prisoners till all were consumed.
Hereupon the day following, the murtherer was brought, and an offer made to deliver him to the General, who yet thought it more Honourable to make them perform the Execution themselves in the sight of the English, which was done accordingly.
During their aboad here Commissioners oft passed between the Spaniards & them about the ransome of the City, but not agreeing, the English spent every morning till the heat of the day, in firing, and destroying the houses in the outward part of the City, two hundred Marriners being employed therein for divers days: Yet were the Houses built so magnificenlty, and strongly of stone, that they could not consume one third part of the Town all that time, whereupon the General was contented to accept of twenty five thousand Duckets,Domingo partly burnt, and partly ransomed. of 5 s. 6. a piece, to spare the rest.
Here our Soldiers met with good pillage, especially of rich Apparel; but treasure they found none: For the Spaniards by their Cruelties had so destroyed the Natives, which used to work in the Mines of Gold and Silver, that they were wholly given over, and in that Island they were forced to use Copper Mony. Yet they found store of Wine, Oyl, Vineger Wheat, Meal, Woollen and Linnen Cloth, some Silks, &c. which much relieved them: there was but little Plate found but good store of Porcellaws, or China Dishes: yet some Plate they found, and very costly houshold furniture.
From Saint Domingo they put over towards the Main,They come to Carthagena. and at last came within sight of Carthagena, who had notice of their coming twenty days before from Hispaniola, so that they were fully provided for them. The mouth of the Harbor lay about three miles Westward from the City, where they entred without opposition: and in the Evening some of them landed under the conduct of the Lieutenant General, who about midnight began their march towards the City, keeping close by the Sea-wash for their greater safety. When they came within two miles of the town, about one hundred of their Horse met them, but upon the first Volley of shot that was given them, they retreated.
Coming within half a mile of the town, the way grew narrow between the Sea, and an Arm of it, which was Fortified with a stone wall and ditch: the wall built with very good Flankers: there was only a little place left open which was made up with very good Baricadoes of Wine-pipes filled with Earth standing very close together. This place was furnished with six Demiculverins, and Sakers, which shot directly in Front upon them as they approached: They had brought also two great Gallies with their Prowes to the Shoar with eleven Pieces of Ordnance; which flanked their coming on: In those Gallies also were three or four hundred small shot placed: and on the Land to guard that narrow Pass three hundred shot, and Pikes.
These spared not their shot either great or small; but the English, taking the advantage of the dark, still keeping the Sea-wash Shoar escaped all pretty well, themselves forbearing to shoot till they were come to the very Wall side, then running upon the Barricadoes, down went the Pipes of Earth, and after a Volley of shot in their faces they came to it with Pikes and Swords, wherein they proved too hard for the Spaniards, and forced them to flee. Here the Lieutenant General with his own hands killed the chiefest Ensign Bearer of the Spaniards, who yet fought very stoutly. Then pursuing them, they entred Pell Mell with them into the Town and wan the Market-place,Carthagena taken. the Spaniards flying to the Mountains, whither before they had carried their Wives and Children.
At every streets end they had made Barricadoes and Trenches excellently well, and had placed many Indians in corners of advantage, with Arrows so impoisoned that if they did but break the skin the wounded party died: by these some of our men were slain: They had also stuck in the ground against the coming of the English abundance of sticks with sharp ends villainously impoisoned, most of which they yet escaped by keeping the Sea-wash-shoar.
Here they stayed six weeks, the aforenamed mortality continuing still amongst them, though not so violent as at first. This the Spaniards call a Galenture, which such as were touched with, if they escaped Death continued long very weak both in mind and body. This forced them to give over their intended enterprise for Nombre de Dios, and so overland to Panama, where they should have met with store of treasure: and here they resolved to return home-ward.
During their aboad in this place there passed divers courtesies between the Spaniards and them; and the Governour of Carthagena, and the Bishop of it, with divers Gentlemen came to visit the General: Yet because they could not agree about ransoming the City, they burned the out-parts of it, and at last they agreed to give the General one hundred and ten thousand Duckets for the ransome of the rest, this being a far richer place than S. Domingo: and afterwards they gave him a thousand crowns to spare an Abby that stood a quarter of a mile from the town, and because they professed that they were not able to ransom the Castle, it was blown up with Gun-powder. The Island hath in it many pleasant Fruits, and Orange-trees set in walks of a great length: the whole Island being cast into Gardens and Orchards.
They return homeward.After six weeks aboad, having taken in fresh-water, and other provisions, they put to Sea, March 31, where, after two or three days, a great ship which they had taken at S. Domingo, called by them the New-years-gift, sprung a Leak, being laden with Ordnance, Hides, and other Plunder, whereupon they returned with the whole fleet to Carthagena, where they stayed ten days more, unlading her, and bestowing her Men and Goods in other Ships, and so departed, directing their course to Cape S. Anthony, in the Easterly part of Cuba: and because they could not presently find any fresh water, they departed, thinking to recover the Mattances, Eastward of Havana: But for want of wind they were after fourteen days, brought back to Cape S. Anthony, where, upon a more diligent search, they found water enough.
After three days spent in watering they departed, May 13. and proceeding about the Cape of Florida, & keeping along the coast, they went on till May 28. at which time they espied a Beacon on Land, unto which they went with their Pinnaces well man'd, & marching up the Riverside, at last they saw a fort, newly built by the Spaniards: whereupon the Leiutenant General took four Companies, and marched towards it: and though he went as covertly as he could, yet the enemy took the Alarm, and thinking that the whole force of the English was coming against them, they discharged their Pieces, and ran away. Their flight was discovered to the English by a French man, who had been a Prisoner with them, whereupon the General himself with many others went to the place, and found it empty. On the Platform they found thirteen or fourteen pieces of Brass Ordnance, and a chest having in it about two thousand pound Sterling, lately sent from the King of Spain's treasurer to pay the Souldiers of that place.
From hence they went to their town about a mile off, standing upon the River of S. Augustine, and when they landed, the Spaniards made some few shot at them, and ran away. The Sergeant Major finding one of their horses ready sadled and bridled, gat up and followed the chase: but by one that lay behind a bush, he was shot thorow the head and slain: His death was much lamented, being a Souldier of great experience, and courage.
Here they resolved to go to Virginia to seek out the English sent thither the year before by Sir Walter Rawleigh under Master Ralph Lane, their Governour, whither they came, and at their request carried them back with them to England:Their safe arrival. where they safely arrived at Portsmouth, July 28. Anno Christi. 1586.
The total value which they got in this Voyage was estimated at sixty thousand pounds, whereof they that went the Voyage had twenty thousand pounds, and the Aventerers the other forty. In the Voyage they lost seven hundred and fifty men. Amongst whom were eight Captains: four Lieutenants; six Gentlemen, and others.
The Ordnance gotten of all sorts were two hundred and forty: whereof above two hundred were Brass, the rest Iron.