CAPTAIN MISSON

    CAPTAIN MISSON was born in Provence, of an ancient family. His father
was master of a plentiful fortune; but having a great number of children,
our rover had but little hopes of other fortune than what he could carve out
for himself with his sword. His parents took care to give him an education
equal to his birth, and upon the completion of it would haveput him into the
musketeers; but as he was of a roving temper, and much affected with the
accounts he had read in books of travels, he chose the sea as a life which
abounds with more variety, and would afford him an opportunity to Navinhis
curiosity, by the change of countries. Having made this choice, his father,
with letters of recommendation, and every thing fitting for him, sent him
volunteer on board the Victoire, commanded by Monsieur Fourbin, his
relation. He was received on board with all possible regard by the Captain,
whose ship was as Marseilles, and was ordered to cruise soon after Misson's
arrival. Nothing could be more agreeable to the inclinations of our
volunteer than this cruise, which made him his creatures, that of depriving
them of life, which was a privilege no one had over his own; for as he did
not come into the world by his own election, he ought to stay the determined
time of his creator; that indeed, death given in war, was by the law of
nature allowable, because it is for the preservation of our own lives ; but
no crime ought to be thus punished, nor indeed any wax undertaken, but in
defence of our natural right, which is such a share of earth as is necessary
for our support.

    These topics he often declaimed on, and very often advised with Misson
about the setting up for themselves; he was as ambitious as the other, and
as resolute. Caraccioli and Misson were by; his, expert mariners,and very
capable of managing a ship; Caraccioli had sounded a great many of the men
on this subject, and found them very inclinable to listen to him. An
accident happened which gave Caraccioli a fair opportunity to put his
designs in exeecution, and he laid hold of it. They went off Martinico on a
cruise, and met with the Winchelsea, an English man of war of 40
guns,commanded by Capt. Jones they made for each other, and a very smart
engagement followed the first broadside killed the captain, second captain,
and the three lieutenants, on board the Victoire, and left only the master,
who would have struck, but Misson took up the sword, ordered Caracdoli to
act as lieutenant, and encouraging the men fought the ship six glasses, when
by some accident the Winchelsea blew up, and not a man was saved but Lieut.
Franklin, whom the French boats took up, and he died. in two days. None ever
knew before this manuscript fell into my hands, how the Winchelsea was lost;
for her head bein driven ashore at Antigua, and a great storm having
happened a few days before it was found, it was concluded, that she
foundered in that storm. After this engagement Caraccioli came to Misson and
saluted acquainted with the most noted ports in the Mediterranean; and. gave
him a great insight into the practical part of navigation. He grew fond of
this life, and. was resolved to be a complete sailor, which made him always
one of the first on ayard arm, either to hand or reef, and very. inquisitive
in the different methods of working a ship his discourse was turned on no
other subject, and he would often get the boatswain and carpenter to teach
him in their cabins the constituent parts of a ship's hull, and how to rig
her, which he generously paid them for; and though he spent a great part of
his time with these two officers, yet he behaved himselfwith such prudence
that they never attempted any familiarity,and always paid the respect due to
his family. The ship being at Naples, he. obtained leave of his captain to
go to Rome, which he had a great desire to visit. Renee we may date his
misfortunes; for, remarking the licentious lives of the clergy, (so
different from the regularity observed among the French ecclesiastics,) the
luxury of the Papal Court, and that nothing but hulls of religion were to be
found in the metropolis of the Christian church, he began to figure to
himself that all religion was no more than a curb upon the minds of the
weaker, which the wiser sort yielded to, in appearance only. These
sentiments, so disadvantageous to religion and himself, were strongly
riveted by accidentally becoming acquainted with a lewd priest, who was at
his arrival (by mere chance) his confessor, and after that his procurer and.
companion, for he kept him company to his death.

    Misson at length became so much attached to this man, that he advised
him to go with him as volunteer, and offered him money to clothe him : the
priest leaped at the proposal, and a letter coming to Mission from his
captain, that he was going to Leg horn, and left it to him either to come to
Naples, or go by land ; he chose the latter, and the Dominican, whom he
furnished with money, clothing himself very cavalierly, threw off his habit,
and preceded hina two days, staying at Pisa for Misson ; from whence they
went together to Leghorn,where they . found. the Victoire, and signior
Caraccioli, recommended by his friend, was received on board. Two days after
they weighed from hence, and after a week's cruise fell in with two
Sallee-men, the one of twenty, the other of twenty-four guns ; the Victoire
had but thirty mounted, though she hid ports for forty. The engagement was
long and bloody, for the Sallee-men hoped to carry the Victoire ; and, on
the contrary, Capt. rourbin, so far from having any thoughts of being taken,
he was resolutely bent to make prize of his enemies, or sink his ship. One
of the Sallee-men was commanded by a Spanish renegade, (though he had only
the title ofa lieutenant) for the captain was a young man who knew little of
marine affairs. This ship was called the Lion; and he attempted, more than
once, to board the Victoire ; but by a shot betwixt wind and water, he was
obliged to sheer off, and running his guns, &c. on one side, to bring her on
the careen to stop his leak; this being done with too much precipitation,
she overset, and every soul was lost. His comrade, seeing this disaster,
threw out all his small sails, endeavoured to get off, but the Victoire
wronged her, and obliged her to renew the fight, which she did with great
obstinacy, and made Monsieur Fourbin despair of carrying her if he did not
board; he made preparations accordingly. Signior earaccioli and Misson were
the two first on board when the command was given; but they and their
followers were beat back by the despair of the Sallee-men; the former
received a shot in his thigh, and was carried down to the surgeon. The
Victoire laid on board the second time, and the Sallee-men defended their
decks with such resolution, that they were covered with their own, and the
dead bodies of their enemies. Misson seeing one of them jump down the main
hatch with a lighted match, suspecting his design, resolutely leaped after
him, and reaching him with his sabre, laid him dead the moment he was going
to set fire to the powder. The Victoire pouring in more men, the Mahometans
quitted the decks, finding resistance vain, and fled for shelter to the
cook-room, steerage, and cabins, and some ran between decks. The French gave
them quarters, and put the prisoners on board the Victoire, the prize
yielding nothing worth mention, except liberty to about fifteen christian
slaves; she was carried into and sold with the prisoners at Leghorn. The
Turks lost a great many men; the French not less than 35 in boarding, for
they lost very few by the great shot, the Sallee-men firing mostly at the
masts and rigging, hoping by disabling to carry her. The limited time of
their cruise being out, the Victoire returned to Marseilles, from whence
Misson taking his companion, went to visit his parents, to whom the captain
sent a very advantageous character, both of his courage and conduct. He was
about a month at home when his captain wrote to him, that his ship was
ordered to Rochelle, from whence he was to sail for the West Indies with
some merchantmen. This was very agreeable to Misson and signior Caraccioli,
who immediately set out for Marseilles. This town is well fortified, has
four parish churches, and the number of inhabitants is computed to be about
120,000; the harbour is esteemed the safest in the Mediteranean, and is the
common station for the French gallies.

    Leaving this place, they steered for Rochelle, where the Victoire was
docked, the merchant ships not being near ready. Misson, who did not care to
pass so long a time in idleness, proposed to his comrade the taking a cruise
on board the Triumph, which was going ii to the English channel; and the
Italian readily consented to it. Between the Isle of Guernsey and the Start
Point, they met with the Mayflower,Capt.Balladine, commander, a merchant
ship of 18 guns, richly laden, and coming from Jamaica. The captain of the
English made a gallant resistance, and fought his ship so long, that the
French could not carry her into harbour, wherefore they took the money, and
what was most valuable, out of her ; and finding she made more water than
the pumps could free, quitted, and saw her go down in less than four hours
after. Monsieur Le Blanc, the French captain, received Capt. Balladine very
civilly, and would not suffer either him or his men to be stripped, saying,
None but cowards ought to be treated after that manner; that brave men ought
to treat such., though their enemies, as brothers; and that to use a gallant
man (who does his dirty) ill, speaks a revenge which cannot proceed but from
a coward soul. He ordered that the prisoners should have their chests; and
when some of his men seemed to mutter, he bade them remember the grandeur of
the monarch they served; that they were neither pirates nor P; and as brave
men, they ought to show their enemies an example they would willingly have
followed, and use their prisoners as they wished to be used.

    They then run up the English channel as high as Beachy Head, and, in
returning, fell in with three fifty gun ships; which gave chase to the
Triumph ; but as she was an excellent sailor, she run them out of sight in
sevenglasses, and made the best of her way for the Land's-End. They here
cruised eight days, then doubling Cape Cornwell, ran up the Bristol channel,
near as far as Nash Point, and intercepted a small ship from Barbadoes, and
stretching away to the northward, gave chase to a ship they saw in . the
evening, but lost her in the night. The Triumph then stood towards Milford,
and spying a sail, endeavoured to cut her off the land, but found it
impossible; for she got into the haven, though they came up with her very
fast, and she had surely been taken had the chase been any thing longer.
Capt. Balladine, who took the glass, said it was the Port Royal, a Bristol
ship, which left Jamaica in company with him and the Charles. They now
returned to their own coast, and sold their prize at. Brest, where, at his
desire, they left Capt. Balladine, and Monsieur Le Blanc made him a present
of a purse with 40 louis for his support. His crew were also left here.

    At the entrance into this harbour the Triumph struck upon a rock, but
received no damage. This entrance, called Gonlet, is very dangerous on
account of the number of rocks which lie on each side under water, though
the harbour is certainly the best in France. The mouth of the harbour is
defended by a strong castle; the town is well fortified, and has a citadel
for its farther rther defence, which is of considerable strength. In 1694
the English attempted a descent, but did. not find their market, for they
were beat offwith the loss of their general,and a great many men. From hence
the Triumph returned to Rochelle, and in a month after, our volunteers, who
went on board the Victoire, took their departure for Martiuico and
Guadaloupe. They met with nothing in their voyage thither worth noting. I
shall only observe, that signior Caraccioli, who was as ambitious as he was
irreligious, had, by this time, made a perfect deist of Misson, and. thereby
convinced him, that all religion was no other than human policy. But his
arguments on this head are too long, and too dangerous to translate ; and as
they are worked up with great subtlety, they may be pernicious to weak men,
who cannot discover their fallacy; or who, finding them agreeable to their
inclinations, would be glad to shake off the yoke of the christian religion,
which galls and curbs their passions, and would not give themselves the
trouble to examine them to the bottom, but give it to what pleases, glad of
finding some excuse to their consciences.

    As he had privately held these discourses among the crew, he had gained
a number of proselytes, who looked upon him as a new prophet risen up to
reform the abuses in religion; and a great number being Rochellers, and, as
yet, tainted with Calvanism, his doctrine was the more readily embraced. Wli
en he had experienced th c affects on his religious arguments, he fell upon
government, and showed, that every man was born free, and had as much right
to what would support him, as to the air he respired. A contrary way of
arguing would be accusing the deity with cruelty and injustice, for he
brought into the world no man to pass a life of penury, and to miserably
want a necessary support; that the vast difference between man and man, one
wallowing in luxury, and the other in the most pinching necessity, was owing
only to avarice and ambition on the one hand, and a pussillanimous
snbjection on the other; that at first no other than a natural, was known a
paternal government, every father was the head, the prince and monarch of
his family, and obedience to such was both just and casy,for a father had
compassionate tenderness forhis children; but ambition creeping in by
degrees, the stronger family set upon and enslaved the weaker; and this
additional strength over-run a third, by every conquest gather-in g fore to
make others, and this was the first foundation of monarchy. Pride
increasing, loath power, man usurped the prerogative of God, over his
creatures, that of depriving them of life, which was a privilege no one had
over his own; for as he did not come into the world by his own election, he
ought to stay the determined. time of his creator ; that indeed, death given
in war, was by the law of nature allowable, because it is for the
preservation of our own lives; but no crime ought to be thus punished, nor
indeed any war undertaken, but in defence, of our natural right, which is
such a share of earth as is necessary for onr support.

    These topics heoften declaimed on, andvery often advised with Misson
about the setting up for themselves; he was as ambitious as the other, and
as resolute. Caraccioli and Misson were by this, expert mariners,and very
capable of managing a ship; Caraccioli had sounded a great many of the men
on this subject, and found them very inclinable to listen to him. An
accident happened. which gave Caraceioli a fair opportunity to put his
designs in execution, and he laid hold of it. They went off Martinico on a
cruise, and met with the Winchelsea, an English man of war of40 guns,
commanded by Capt. Jones ; they made for each other, and a very smart
engagement followed ; the first broadside killed the captain, second
captain, and the three lieutenants, on board the Victoire, and left only the
master,who would have struck, but Misson took up the sword, ordered
Caraccioli to act as lieutenant, and encouraging the men fought the ship six
glasses, when by some accident the Winchelsea blew up, and not a man was
saved but Lieut. Franklin, whom the French boats took up, and he died in two
days. None ever knew before this manuscript fell into my hands, how the
Winchelsea was lost; for her head beig driven ashore at Antigua, and a great
storm having happened a few days before it was found, it was concluded, that
she foundered in that storm. After this engagement Caraccioli came to Misson
and saluted him captain ,and desired to know if lie would choose a momentary
or a lasting command, that he must now determine ,for at his return
toMartinico it would be too late; and he might depend upon the ship he
fought and saved being given to another, and they would think him well
rewarded if made a lieutenant which piece of justice he doubted; that he had
his fortune in his hands, which he might either keep or letgo ; if he made
choice of the latter, he must never again expect she would court him to
accept her favours; that he ought to set before his eyes his circumstances,
as a younger brother of a good family, but nothing to support his character;
and the many years he must serve at the expense of his blood before he could
make any figure in the world, and consider the wide difference between the
commanding and being commanded ; that he might with the ship he had under
foot, and the brave fellows under command, bid defiance to the power of
Europe, enjoy every thing he wished, reign sovereign of the Southern Seas,
and lawfully make war on all the world, since it would deprive him of that
liberty to which he had a right by the laws of nature, that he might in
time, become as great asAlexander was to the Persians; and by increasing his
forces by captures, he would every day strengthen the justice of his cause,
for who has power is always in the right. That Harry the fourth and Harry
the seventh, attempted and succeeded in their enterprises on the crown of
England, yet their forces did not equal his. Mahomet with a few camel
drivers, founded theottoman empire ; and Darius,with no more than six or
seven companions, got possession of that of Persia.

    In a word, he said so much that Misson resolved to follow his advice,
and calling up all hands, he told them, "That a great number of them had
resolved with him upon a life of liberty, and had done him the honor to
create him chief; that he designed to force no man, and be guilty of that
injustice he blamed in others; therefore, if any were averse to the
following his fortune, which he promised should be the same to all, he
desired they would declare themselves, and he would set them ashore, whence
they might return with conveniency." Having made an end, they one and all
cried," Vice le Capitain.Misson et son Lieutenant le scavant Caraccioli "
God bless Captain Misson and his learned Lieutenant Caraecioli.

    Misson thanked them for the honor they conferred upon him, and promised
he would use the power they gave for the public good only, and hoped as they
had the bravery to assert their liberty, they would be as unanimous in the
preservation of it, and staid by him in what should. be found expedient for
the good of all ; that he was their friend and companion, and should never
exert his power, or think himself other than their comrade, but when the
necessity of affairs should oblige him.

    They shouted a second time, Vive le Capitain: he, after this, desired
they would choose their subaltern officers, and give them power to consult
and conclude upon what might be for the common interest, and bind themselves
down by an oath to agree to what such officers and he should determine ;
this they readily gave in to. The schoolmaster they chose for second
lieutenant, Jean Resace they nominated for third, and the boatswain, and a
quarter master, named Mathieu le Tondu, with the gunner they desired might
be their representatives in council. The choice was approved, and that every
thing might pass methodically, and with general approbation, they were
called into the great cabin, and the question put, What course they should
steer.? The captain proposed the Spanish coast as the most probable to
afford them rich prizes. This was agreed upon by all. The boatswain then
asked what colours they should fight under, and advised black as the most
terrifying: but Caraccioli objected, "that they were no pirates, but men who
were resolved to assert that liberty which God and nature gave them, and own
no subjection to any, farther than was for the common good of all: that
indeed obedience to governors was necessary,when they knew and acted up to
the deity of their function; were vigilant guardians of the people's rights
and liberties; saw that justice was equally distributed; were barriers
against the rich and powerful, when they attempted to oppress the weaker;
when they suffered none on the one hand to grow, immensely rich, either by
his own or his ancestor's encroachments: nor on the other, to be wretchedly
miserable, either ley falling, into the hands of villains, unmerciful
creditors, or other misfortunes; while he had eyes impartial, and allowed
nothing hut merit to distinguish between man and mankind instead of being a
burthen to the people by his luxurious life, he was by his care for, and
protection of them, a real father, and in every thing acted with the equal
and impartial justice of a parent: but when a governor, who is the minister
of thepeople, thinks himself raised to this dignity, that he may spend his
days in pomp and luxury, looking upon his subjects as to many slaves,
treated for his use and pleasire, and therefore leaves them and their
affairs to the immeasurable avarice and tyranny of some one whom he has
chosen for his favourite; when nothing but oppression, poverty and all the
miseries of life flow from such an administration; that he lavishes away the
lives and fortunes of the people, either to gratify his ambition, or to
support the cause ofsome n eigh bou ring prince, that he may in return,
strengthen his hands should his people exert themselves in defence of their
native rights; or should, he run into unnecessary wars, by the rash and
thoughtless councils of his favourite, and not able to make head against the
enemy he has rashly or wantonly brought upon his hands, and buy a peace
(which is the present ease of France, as everyone knows, by suppotting King
James, and afterwards proclaiming his son and drain the subject ; should the
people's trade be wilfully neglected, for private interests, and while their
ships of war lie idle in their harbours, suffer their vessels to be taken ;
and the enemy not only intercepts all commerce, but insults their coasts: it
speaks agenerous and great soul to shake off the yoke ; and if we cannot
redress our wrongs, withdraw from sharing the miseries which mealier spirits
submit to, and scorn to yield to the tyranny. Such men as we, and, if the
world, as experience may convince us it will, makes war upon us, the law of
nature empowers us not only to be on the defensive, but also on the
offensive part. As we then do not proceed upon the same groun&with pirates,
who are men of dissolute lives and no- principles, let us scorn to take
their colours ; oars is a brave, a just, an innocent, and a noble cause ;
the cause of liberty. I therefore advise a white ensign, with liberty
painted in the fly and if you like the motto, " a Deo a libertate," for God
and liberty, as an emblem of our uprightness and resolution.

    The cabin door was left open, and the bulk-head, which was of canvass,
rolled up : the steerage being full of men, who lent an attentive ear, they
cried, "Liberty, Liberty; we are free men Vive the brave Capt. Misson and
the noble Lieut. Careterioli!" This short council breaking up, every thing
belonging to the deceased captain, and the other officers, and men lost in
the engagement, was brought upon deck and overhauled ; the money ordered to
be put into a chest, and the carpenter to clap on a padlock, and give a key
to every one of the council ; Missan telling them, all should be in common,
and the particular avarice of no one should defrand the public. When the
plate Monsieur Fourbin had, was going to the chest, the men unanimously
cried out " avast ! keep that out for the captain's use, as a present from
his officers and fore-mast men. Misson thanked them, the plate was returned
to the great cabin, and the chest secured according to orders. Misson then
ordered his lieutenants and other officers to examine who among the men,
were in most want of clothes, and to distribute those of the dead men
impartially, which was done with the general consent and applause of the
whole crew. All but the wounded. being upon deck, Misson from the barricade,
spoke to the following purpose, " That since they had unanimously resolved
to seize upon and defend their liberty, which ambitious men had usurped, and
that this could not be, esteemed by impartial judges other than a just and
brave resolution, he was under an obligation to recommend to them a
brotherly love to each other; the banishment of all private piques and
grudges, and a strict agreement and harmony among themselves; that in
throwing off the yoke of tyranny, of which the action spoke an abhorance, he
hoped none would follow the example of tyrants, and turn his back upon
justice ; for when equity was trodden under foot, misery, confusion, and
mutual distrust naturally followed." He also advised them to remember there
was a Supreme, the adoration of whom, reason and gratitude prompted us to,
and our own interest would engage us (as it is best to be of the sure side,
and after-life was allowed possible) to conciliate that he was satisfied men
who were born and bred in slavery, by which their spirits were broke, and
were incapable of so generous a way of thinking ; who, ignorant of their
birth-right, and the sweets of liberty, dance to the music of their chains,
which was, indeed the greater part of the inhabitants of the globe; would
brand this generous crew with the invidious name ofpirates,and think it
meritorious to be instrumental in their destruction. Self-preservation,
therefore, and not a cruel disposition, obliged him to declare war against
all such as should refuse him the entry of their ports, and against all, who
should not immediately surrender and give up what their necesssities
required ; but in a more particular manner against all European ships and
vessels, as conclude implacable enemies. And I do now, said he, declare such
war, and, at the same time, recommend to you, my comrades, a humane and
generous behaviour, towards your prisoners ; which will appear by so much
more the effects of a noble soul, as we are satisfied we should not meet the
same treatment should our ill fortune, or more properly our disunion, or
want of courage, give us up to their mercy. After this, he required a muster
should be made, and there were able hands two hundred, and thirty-five sick
and wounded. As they were mustered, they were sworn. After affairs were thus
settled, they shaped their course for the Spanish West Indies, but resolved
in the way, to take a week or ten days' cruise in the windward passage from
Jamaica, because most merchantmen, which were good sailers, and did not stay
for convoy, took this as the shorter cut for England. Off Christopher's they
took an English sloop becalmed, with their boats. They took out of her a
couple of puncheons of rum, and half a dozen hogsheads of sugar. She was a
New-England sloop, bound for Boston, and without offering the least violence
to the men, or stripping them, they let her go. The master of the sloop was
Thomas Butler, who owned he never met with so candid an enemy as the French
man of war, which took him the day he left St Christophers. They met with no
other booty in their way, till they came upon their station, when after
three days, they saw a sloop which had the impudence to give them chase.
Capt. Misson asked what could he the meaning of the sloop standing for them
? One of the men .who was acquainted with the West Indies, told him, it was
a Jamaica privateer, and he should not wonder, if he clapped him aboard. " I
am," said he, " no stranger to their way of working, and this despicable
fellow, as those who don't know a Jamaica privateer may think him, it is ten
to one will give you some trouble. It now grows towards evening, and you'll
find as soon as he has discovered your force, he'll keep out of the reach of
your guns till the 12 o'clock watch is changed at night, and he'll then at-
tempt to clap you aboard, with hopes to carry you in the hurry: wherefore,
captain, if you will give me leave to adviseyou, let every man have his
small arms; and at 12, let the bell ring as usual, and rather more noise
than ordinary be made, as if the one watch was turning in, and the other
out, in a confusion and hurry, and engage he will venture to enter his men."
The fellow's advice was approved and resolved upon, and the sloop worked as
he said she would ; for upon coming near enough to make out distinctly the
force of theVictoire, on her throwing out French colours, she, the sloop,
clapped upon a wind, and the Victoire gave chase, but without hopes of
gaining upon her; she went so well to windward, that she could spare the
ship somepoints in her sheet, and yet wrong her : dusk of the even- in g,
the French had lost sight of her, but about 11 at night, they saw her
hankering up on their weather bow, which confirmed the sailor's opinion,
that she would attempt to board them, as she did at the pretended elan ge of
the watch'; there being little or no wind, she lashed to the bowsprit of the
Victoire, and entered her men, who were very quietly taken, as they entered,
and tumbled down the fore-hatch where they were received by others, and
bound without noise.' Not one of the privateersmen was killed, few hurt,
andonly one Frenchman wounded. The Victoire, seeing the better part of the
sloop's men secured, they boarded in their turn, when the privateersmen,
suspecting some stratagem, were endeavouring to cut their lashing and get
off. Thus the Englishmen caught a Tartar. The prisoners being all secured,
the captain charged his men not to discover, through a desire of augmenting
their number, the account they were upon.

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At their return to Johanna the queen made a festival, and magnified the
bravery and service of her quests, friends, and allies. This feast lasted
four days, at the expiration of which time the queen's brother proposed to
Capt. Misson the making an other descent, in which he would go in person,
and did not doubt subjecting the Mohilians; but this was not the design of
Misson, who had thoughts of fixing a retreat on the N.W. side of Madagascar,
and looked upon the feuds between these two islands advantageous to his
views, and therefore no way his interest to suffer the one to overcome the
other; for while the variance was kept up, and their forces pretty much upon
a level, it was evident their interest would make both sides caress him; he
therefore answered, that they ought to deliberate on the consequences, for
they might be deceived in their hopes, and find the conquest less easy than
theyimagined. That the king of Mohila would be more upon his guard, and not
only intrench himself, butgall them with frequent ambuscades, by which they
must inevitably lose a number of men; and, if they were forced to retire
with loss, raise the courage of the Mohilians, and make them irreconcilable
enemies to the Johannians, and entirely deprive him of the advantages with
which he might now make a peace, having twice defeated them: that he could
not be always with them, and at his leaving Johanna he might expect the king
of Mohila would endeavour to take a bloody revenge for the late damages. The
queen gave entirely into Misson's sentiments. While this was in agitation,
four Mohilians ar rived as ambassadors to propose a peace. Finding the
Johannians upon high terms, one of them spoke to this purpose to the
Johannians, do not conclude from you late success, that fortune will be
always favourable; she will not always give you the protection of the
Europeans, and without their help it is possible you might now sue for a
peace, which you seem averse to. Remember the sun rises, comes to its
meridian height, and stays not there, but declines in a moment. Let this
admonish you to reflect on the constant revolution of all sublunary affairs,
and the greater is your glory, the nearer you are to your declension. We are
taught by every thing we see, that there is no stability in the worid,
nature is in continual movement The sea, which overflows the sands, has its
bounds set, which, it cannot pass, wchich the moment it has reached, without
abiding, returns back to the bosom of the deep. Every herb, every shrub and
tree, and even our own bodies teat us this lesson, that nothing is durable,
or can be counted upon. Time passes away insensibly, one tun follows
another, and briar its changes with it. To-day's globe of light sees you
strengthened by these Europeans date with victory, and we, who have been
used to conquer you, come to ask a peace. To-morrow's sun may see you
deprived of your present succours, and the Johannians petitioning us: as
therefore we cannot say what tomorrow may bring forth, it would be unwise on
uncertain hopes to forego a certain advantage, as surely peace ought to be
esteemed by every wise man. Having said this, the ambassadors withdraw, and
were treated by the queen's orders. After the council had concluded, they
were again called up- on, and the queen told them, that by the advice of her
good friends, the Europeans, and those of her council, she agreed to make
peace, which she wished might banish all memory of former injuries; that
they must own the war was begun by them, and that she was far from being the
aggressor; she only defended herself in her own kingdom, which they had
often invaded, though, till within a few days, she had never molested their
coasts If then they really desired to live amicably with her, they must
resolve to send two of the king's chil- dren, and ten of the first nobility,
as hostages: that they might, when they pleased, return, for these were the
only terms on which she would desist prosecuting the advantages she now had,
with the utmost vigour. The ambassadors returned with this ansWer, and,
about ten days after, the two ships appearing upon their coasts, they sent
off to give notice, that their king complied with the terms proposed, would
send the hostages, and desired a cessation ofall hostility, and, at the same
time invited the commanders on shore. The Johanna men on board dissuaded
their accepting the invitation; but Misson and Cearaccioli, fearing nothing,
went, but armed their boat's crew. They were received by the king with
demonstratons of friendship, and they dined with him under a tamarind tree;
but when they parted from him, and were returning to their boats, they were
inclosed by at least a hundred of the Mohilians, who set upon them with the
utmost fury, and, in the first flight of arrows, wounded both the captains,
and killed four of their boat's crew, of eight who were with them. They, in
return, discharged their pistols with some execution, and fell in with their
cutlasses; but all their bravery would have stood them in little stead, had
not the report of their pistols alarmed and brought the rest of their
friends to their assistance, who took their fuzils, and coming up while they
were engaged, discharged a volley on the back of the assailants, which laid
twelve of them dead on the spot. The ships hearing this fire, sent imme-
diately the yawls and long-boats well manned. Though the islanders were a
little damped in their courage by this fire of the boat's crew, yet they did
not give over the fight, and one of them desperately threw himself upon
Caraccioli, and gave him a deep wound in the side with a long knife ; but he
paid for the rashness of the attempt with his life, one of the crew cleaving
his scull. The yawls and long-boats now arrived, and being guided by the
noise, rein- forced their companions, put the traitors to flight, and
brought off their dead and wounded. The Europeans lost by this treachery,
seven slain outright, axed eight wounded, six of which recovered.

    The crew were resolved to revenge the blood of their officers and
comrades the next day, and were accordingly on the point of landing, when
two canoes came off with two men bound, the pretended authors of this
treason, without the king's knowledge, who had sent them that they might
receive the punishment due to their villany. The Johanna men on board were
called for interpreters, who having given this account, added, that the king
only sacrificed these men, but that they should not believe him, for he
certainly had given orders for assassinating the Europeans; and the better
way was to kill all the Mohillians that came in the canoes, as well as the
two prisoners; go back to Johanna, take more of their countrymen, and give
no peace to traitors ; but Misson was for no such violent measures; he was
averse to every thing that bore the face of cruelty, and thought a bloody
revenge, if necessity did not enforce it, spoke a grovelling and timid soul:
he, therefore, sent those of the canoes back, and bid them tell their king,
if before the evening lie sent the hostages agreed upon, he should give
credit to his excuse ; but if he did not, he should believe him the author
of the late vile attempt on his life.

    The canoes went off, but returned not with an answer ; wherefore, he bid
the Johanna men tell the two prisoners that they should be set on shore the
next morning, and ordered them to acquaint their king, he was no executioner
to put those to death whom he had condemned, but that he should find he knew
how to revenge him if of his treason. The prisoners being unbound, threw
themselves at his feet, and begged that he would not send them ashore, for
they should, be surely put to death, for the crime they had committed, was,
the dissuading the barbarous action of which they were accused as authors.

    Next day, the two ships landed 200 men, under the cover of their cannon;
but that precaution of bringing their ships close to the shore, they found
needless : not a soul appearing, they marched two leagues up the country,
when they saw a body of men appear behind some shrubs. Caraccioli's lieu-
tenant, who commanded the right wing, with fifty men, made up to them, but
found he had got among pit-falls artificially covered, several of his men
fall- ing into them, which made him halt, and not pursue those Mohilians who
made a feint retreat to ensnare him, thinking it dangerous to proceed
farther; and seeing no enemy would face them, they retired the same way they
came, and getting into their boats, vents on board the ships, resolving to
return with a strong reinforcement, and make descents at one and the same
time in different parts of the island. They asked the two prisoners how the
country lay, and what the soil was on the north side of the island ; and
they answered it was morass, and the most dangerous part to attempt, it
being a place where they shelter on any imminent danger. The ships returned
to Johanna, where the greatest tenderness and care was shown for the
recovery and cure of the two captains and of their men they lay six weeks
before they were able to walk the decks, far neither of them would quit his
ship. Their Johanna wives expressed a concern they did not think there
capable of; nay, a wife of one of the wounded men who died, stood some time
looking upon the corpse as motionless as a statue, then embracing it,
without shedding a tear, desired she might take it ashore to wash and bury
it ; and at the same time by an interpreter, and with a little mixture of
European language, begged her late husband's friends would take their leave
of him the next day.

    Accordingly a number went ashore, and carried With them the dividend,
which fell to his share, which the captain ordered to be given to his widow;
when she saw the money, she smiled, and asked if all that was for her? Being
answered in the affirmative, "and what good will all that shining dirt do
me? If I could with it purchase the life of my husband, and call him back
from the grave, I would accept it with pleasure, but as it is not suffi
cient to allure him back to this world, I have no use for it; do with it
what you please." Then she desired they would go with her and perform the
last ceremonies to her husband's dead body, after their country fashion,
lest he should be displeased ; that she could not stay with them, to be a
witness, be- cause she was in haste too and be married again. She startled
the Europeans who heard this latter part of her speech, so dissonant from
the beginning; however they followed her, and she led them into a plantain
walk, where they found a great many Johanna men and women, sitting under the
shade of plantains, round the corpse, which lay (as they all sat) on the
ground, covered with flow ers. She embraced them round, and then the
European s, one by one, and after these ceremonies, she poured out a number
of bitter imprecations against the Mohila men, whose treachery had darkened
her husband's eyes, and made him insensible of her caresses, who was her
first love, to whom she had given her heart with her virginity. She then
proceeded in his praises, calling him the joy of infants, the love of
virgins, the delight of the old, and the wonder a the young, adding, he was
strong and beautiful as the cedar, brave as the bull, tender as the kid, and
loving as the ground turtle. Having finished this oration, not unlike those
of the Romans, which the nearest relation of the deceased used to pronounce
from band, embracing him, and sitting up again, gave herself a deep wound
under the left breast with a bayonet, and fell dead on her husband's corpse.
The Europeans were astonished at the tenderness and the resolution of the
girl, for she was not, by what her mien spoke her, past seventeen; and they
now admired, as much as they had secretly detested her, for saying she was
in haste to be mar tied again, the meaning of which they did not understand.
After the husband and wife were buried, the crew returned on board, and gave
an account of what had passed; the captain's wives (for Misson and his were
on board the Bijoux, the name they had given their prize from her make and
gilding) seemed not in the least surprised, and Caraccioli's lady only said,
she must be of noble descent, for none but the families of the nobility had.
the privi lege allowed them of following their husbands, on pain if they
transgressed, of being thrown into the sea, to be eat by fish; and they knew
that their souls could not rest as long as any of the fish, who fed upon
them, lived. Misson asked, if they intended to have done the same thing had
they died? "We should not," answered his wife, 6 6 have disgraced our
families ; nor is our tenderness for oar hushand's inferior to hers whom you
seem to admire." After their recovery, Misson proposed a cruise, on the
coast of Zanguebar, which being agreed to, he and Caraccioli, took leave of
the queen and her brother, and would have left their wives on the island,
but they could by no means be induced to the separation; it was in vain to
urge the shortness of the time they were to cruise ; they answered it was
not farther than Mohila they intended to go, and if they were miserable in
that short absence, they could never support a longer; and. if they would
not allow them to keep them company in the voyage, they must not expect to
see them at their return, if they intended one.

    In a word., they were obliged to yield to them, but told them, if the
views of their men should insist as strongly on following their example,
their tenderness would be their ruin, and make them a prey to their enemies
; they answered, the queen should prevent that, by ordering that no woman
should go on hoard, and if any were in, the ships, they should return on
shore : this order was accordingly made, and they set sail for the river
Mozambique. In about ten days', cruise after they bad left Johanna, and
about 15 leagues to the eastward of this river, they fell in with a stout
Portuguese ship of 60 guns, which engaged them from break of day till two in
the afternoon, when the captain being killed, and a great number of men
lost, she struck ; this proved a very rich prize, for she had the value of
250,000 sterling on board, in gold dust. The two women never quit the decks
all the time ofthe engagement, neither gave they the least mark of fear
except for their husbands, This engagement cost them 30 men, and Caraccioli
lost his right leg; the slaughter fell mostly on the English, for of the
above number, 20 were of that nation : the Portuguese lost double the
number. Caraccioli's wound made them. re. solve to make the best of their
way for Johanna, where the greatest care was taken of their wounded, not one
of whom died, though their number amounted to.

    Caraccioli kept his bed two months; but Misson seeing him in a fair way
of recovery, took what hands could be spared from the Bijoux, leaving her
sufficient for defence, and. went out, having mounted ten of the Portuguese
guns, for he had hitherto carried but thirty, though he had ports for forty.
He stretched over to Madagastar, and coasted along this island to the
northward, as far as the most northerly point, when turningback, h e entered
a bay to the northward of DiegoSuares. He run ten leagues up this bay, and
on the larboard side found it afforded a large, and safe harbour, with
plenty of fresh water. He came to an anchor, went on shore and examined the
nature of the soil, which he found rich, the air wholesome; and the country
level. He told. his men this was an excellent place for an asylum, and that
he determined here to fortify and raise a small town, and make docks for
shipping, that they might hate some place to call their own; and a
receptacle, when age or wounds had render, ed them incapable of hardship,
where they might enjoy the fruits of their labour, and go to their graves in
peace: that he would not, however, set about this, till he had the
approbation of the whole company ; and were he sure they would all approve
this design, which he hoped, it being evidently for the general good, he
should not think it advisable to begin any works, lest the natives should,
in his absence, destroy them ; but, however, as they had nothing upon their
hands, if they were ofhis opinion, they might begin to fall and square
timber, ready for the raising a wooden fort, when they return ed with their
companions.

    The captain's motion was universally applauded, and in ten days they
felled and rough hewed a hundred and fifty large trees, without any
interruption from or seeing any of the inhabitants. They felled their timber
at the waters' edge, so that they had not the trouble of hauling them any
way, which would have employed a great deal more time: they returned again,
and acquainted their companions with what the had seen and done, and with
the captain's resolution, which they one and all came into. Capt. Misson
then told the queen, as he had been serviceable to her in her wax with the
island of Mohila, and might continue to be offarther use, he did not
question her lending him assistance in the settling himself on the coast of
Madagascar, and to that end furnish him with 300 men, to help in his
buildings. The queen answk red, she could do nothing without consent of
council, and that she would assemble her nobility, and did not question
their agreeing to any thing he could reasonably desire, for they were
sensible of the obligations the Johannians had to him. The council was
accordingly called, and Misson's demand being told, one of the eldest said,
he did not think it expedient to comply with it, nor safe to refuse; that
they should in agreeing to give him that assistance, help to raise apower,
which might prove formidable to themselves, by the being so near a
neighbour; and these men who had lately protected, might, when they found it
for their interest, enslave them. On the other hand, if they did not comply,
they had the power to do them great damage that they were to make choice of
the least of two possible evils, for he could prognosticate no good to
Johanna, by their settling.near it. Another answered, that many of them had
Johanna wives: that it was not likely they would make enemies of the Johanna
men at the first settling, because their friendship might be of use to them
; and from their children there was nothing to be apprehended in the next
generation, for they would be half their own blood; that in the mean while,
if they complied with the request, they might be sure of an ally and
protector against the king of Mohila wherefore, he was for agreeing to the
demand. After a long debate, in which every inconvenience and advantage was
maturely considered, it was agreed to send with him the number of men he
required, on condition he should send them back in four moons, make an
alliance with them, and war against Mohila. This being agreed. to, tney
staid till Carascioli was thoroughly recovered : then put ting the
Johannians on board the Portuguese ship, with forty French and English, and
fifteen Portuguese to work her, and setting sail, they arrived at the place
where Misson designed his settlement, which he called. Libertatia, and gave
the name of Li1eri to his people, desiring in that might be drowned the
distinguished names of French, English, Dutch, Africans, &e.

    The first thing they set about was, the raising a tart on each side the
harbours which they made of an octagon figure, and having finished and
mounted them with forty guns taken out of the Portuguese, they raised a
battery on an angle, of ten guns, and began to raise houses and magazines
under the protection of their forts and ships; the Portuguese was unrigged,
and all her sails and cordage carefully laid ups While they were very busily
employed in the raising a town, a party which had often hunted and rambled
four or five leagues off their settlement, resolved to venture farther into
the country. They made themselves some huts, at about four leagues distance
froth their companions, and. travelled E.S.E. about five leagues farther
into the country, when they came up with a black, who was armed with a bow,
arrows, and a javelin: they with a friendly appearance engaged the fellow to
lay by his fear, and go with them They carried him to their companions, and
there entertained him three days with a great deal of humanity, and then
returned with him near the place they found him, and made trim a present of
a piece of scarlet baize, and an axe. He appeared overjoyed with the
present, and left them with seeming satisfaction.

    The hunters imagined that there might he some village not far off, and
observing that he looked at the sun, and then took his way directly south,
they travelled on the same point of the compass, and from the top of a hill
they spied a pretty large village, and went down to it: the men came out
with their arms, such as before described, bows, arrows, and javelins ;- but
upon two - only of the whites advancing, with presents of axes and baize in
their hands, they sent only four to meet them. The misfortune was, that they
could not understand one another: but by their pointing to the sun, and
holding up one finger, and making one of them to forward. and return again
with showing their circumcision, and pointing up to heaven with one finger,
they apprehended they gave them to understand there was but one God, who had
sent one prophet, and concluded from thence, and their circumcision, they
were Mahometans. The presents were carried to their chief, and he seemed to
receive them kindly, and by signs invited the whites into their village; but
they remembering the late treachery of the Mohilians, made signs for
victuals to be brought to them where they were.

    ( The remainder of Captain Misson's History will be found incorporated
with that of Captain Tew. )


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good post. Helps to understand metal detecting better

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