AN ACCOUNT Of the Taking of CARTHAGENA BY THE FRENCH, In the Year 1697. Containing all the Particulars of that Expedition, from their first setting out, to their return into BREAST.  
By Monsieur De Pointis, Commander in Chief.  
Illustrated with a large Copper Plate, Describing the Situation of Carthagena and Parts adjacent.  
LONDON: Printed for Sam. Buckley, at the Dolphin over-against St. Dunstan's Church, in Fleetstreet. 1698.   

THE PREFACE.  
THE City of Carthagena, in the West-Indies (which now gives Title to a considerable Government of the same Name, and is reckoned a Province of New Granada; or, according to some Writers, of New Andaluzia; but by others is annexed to the Golden Castille) was begun to be built in the Year 1532. by Peter de Heredia, and was finished by Georgio Robledo, about Eight Years after the Foundation was laid.  
The Situation of its Port was found so convenient for the Spanish Fleets, and such Quantities of rich Merchandise were brought down near to it, by the Confluence of the great Rivers of Santa Martha and the Magdalena, that the Town increased in Wealth, Number of People, Stately Edifices, and in a Jurisdiction over Five or Six petty Cities, till in the Year 1585., It was sacked by the Valour of a few English, under the Command of Sir Francis Drake: in a Reign, when the Public Good and Honour of England was the chief Business at Court, and our Land enriched with the Spoils of our Proud Enemies; who were humbled by the Conduct of our Fleets abroad, and our Naval Applications at Home.  
But this City of Carthagena received a greater Blow (before it was perfectly repaired) from Five Privateers, led on by a disgusted Spaniard, who burned the Place to Ashes, after they had surprised the Governor asleep, and seized a mighty Treasure: Yet, for all this, it raised its Head again, numbered above Twenty Thousand Inhabitants (whereof Four Thousand were Spaniards, the rest Mesticoes and Slaves) and improved daily in Riches and Magnificence, till taken by the French from Breast, and the Bucaniers from Petit Guaves, who severally plundered it; as is particularly related by Monsieur de Pointis.  
Into such a fatal Stupidity are a certain People (by Nature Brave, formerly Conquerors and Heroes) of late degenerated, either from the ill Influences of their State, or Church, or both; that now they fall a Prey to every Invader, and even to Privateers, and Vagabonds: The Causes whereof are too manifest, and owned by a judicious and honest Writer of their own Country, whose Sense I shall here deliver.  
Unreasonable Taxes are multiplied and entailed upon the Spaniards, under Pretence of making good Deficiencies and Funds of Interest: The Treasury grown Monstrous, either by obstructing or diverting the Public Aliment, and by contracting new Debts: The Grandees themselves conspire to cheat in their several Stations; in order to advance or support their own Extravagancies: The Court Officers, Gabellers, and such Swarms of mercenary Vermin are innumerable, draining the very Blood of the People: The Standing Forces upon Free Quarter, the Shipping neglected, the Garrisons and Magazines very ill supplied, most of the Governors and Men in Trust (like so many Vultures) gripping whatever comes within the Catch of their Talons. Trade is discouraged by seemingly advantageous Loans, by high Customs, Indultoes, and other Imposts. The Church is overgrown with Revenues, Inquisitions and Dominion; all which have contributed to impoverish and despirit the Mass of the Body Politic, and to reduce it into the Figure, we now behold it in; all over Rickets, with large Heads and withered Limbs, for want of a proportionable Circulation, and a due Administration.  
These Chronical Distempers in the Spanish Governments in Europe, have infected the rest in America, where their Weakness is discovered upon all Occasions. Indeed Monsieur de Pointis carried Twenty times the Force that Sir Francis Drake, or the Privateers after him, did; yet considering the Spaniards had frequent and very early Intelligence of the French Preparations, and of their Arrival in the West-Indies, methinks their Defence was very Languid, and scarce credible to one unacquainted with their present Constitution, which will produce the like Symptoms and bad Effects in any other Nation, that has the Misfortune to suck in the same Contagions.  
But to return to Carthagena, whose Territory is related to be very fruitful, only a little too moist by the violent and frequent Rains.  
The Journals of Sir Francis Drake's Voyages commend the Plenty and Variety of Fruits found there; Oranges, Citrons, Limbs, Guavoes, some Spices and Balsams, especially a sort of long Pepper, and the Tolu, mentioned by Carolus Clusius, Franciscus Ximenes, John de Laet, Margrave, Hernandes, and others, are brought from the adjacent Parts in great Quantities. Gold is washed down by the Torrents from the Mountains, where some precious Stones are found. In a Word, the Country is much the same with the neighbouring Isthmus of Darien, which has been so well described by Mr. Ringrose, Monsieur Raveneau de Lussan, and more lately by Captain Dampier, and Mr. Wafer, that nothing more need be said here of this Part of the Terra Firma.   


EXPLANATION  



A. Cartagena   

B. Hihimani   

C. Fort St Lazare   

D. Fort St Croix   

E. Fort of Boccachica   

F. Redout at the entrance of the Basin   

G. the Trenches   

H. a Battery of 6 Guns   

I. a Battery of 3 Guns & two Mortars   

K. a Battery of 6 Guns & one Mortar   

L. a Battery of one Mortar in the highway   

M. a Battery of one Mortar in a little Island   

N. Notre Dame de la Poupe   

O. Lake of N. D. de La Poupe   

P. the Place where the French landed their Troops   

Q. their Artillery landed   

R. the Sceptre   

S. the Vermandois   

T. the St Lewis   

V a Galliot Bombarding the City   

Y. a Galliot Bombarding Boccachica.   

1. 2 Mortars battering Boccachica   

2. the Ships Anchoring before Boccachica   

3. the Descent upon Boccachica   

4. the Descent of the Buccaniers frustrated by the roughness of the Sea   

5. two Spanish Vessels burnt   

6. the French Camp     
A Scale of one Mile.  
Sold by Sam: Buckley at the Dolphin in Fleet street London  
A DRAUGHT OF THE CITY OF CARTAGENA ITS HARBOUR AND FORTS    

Monsieur DE POINTI'S ACCOUNT OF HIS EXPEDITION TO Carthagena, In the YEAR 1697.  
THE Design I had long since formed, of a Naval Expedition, that might be both honourable and advantageous, was put off from time to time by intervening Accidents, although Mons. Pontchartrain had received His Majesty's Approbation of the Project I had the Honour to present him; and had, likewise, obtained the Ships, Men, and Ammunitions, which I proposed to take with me.  
But at length, the laying up of the Fleet, brought by Count Chateau Renault from Toulon, leaving all the Marine, in a manner, idle; and the Measures I had taken with Treasurer-General Vanolles, seeming to promise a sufficient Fond for the Expense, there appeared no farther Obstacles to the Execution of this Enterprise.  
Hereupon we proposed our Design to the Public; which was so generally liked, and People were so forward to bring in their Money, that Vanolles was not able to receive it fast enough; insomuch, that he fancied he should be forced to refuse several Persons, by reason we had agreed upon the Sum, and resolved not to exceed it.  
But the Face of Affairs became soon altered; for the Peace being concluded with Savoy, made it hoped, that it would suddenly be attended with a General One: And 'twas believed, that if the War should be at an end, before I was under Sail, I should be ordered to the contrary; and so the Money employed upon our Armament, would be infallibly lost. And now People were so far from offering new Sums, that those who had already engaged in the Design, would have been very willing to have withdrawn their Contributions.  
I could not inform every Body, That Count Maurepas, who was acquainted with the Particulars of our Project, had engaged Mons. Pontchartrain, to ask his Majesty, What should be done with our Armament, in case the Peace should be agreed upon? And that His Majesty was pleased to answer, That I might go on with it; for, if the Peace should be concluded, he would take Care to re-imburse the Adventurers. And we were assured of this Favour, by an express Article inserted in the Margin of the Minutes of the Marine Council, that was held upon this Matter: Nevertheless, many Persons considering, that the best which could happen, would be to receive their Money again, chose rather to keep it in their Purses.  
And besides this Prejudice, the ill Success of some Attempts that preceded mine, and from which great Matters were expected, discouraged the Public more than the appearance of an approaching Peace.  
By this means we were obliged to proceed upon the Fond that was already advanced, which was much inferior to what I had proposed; and this compelled me to lessen our Preparations, and consequently weaken the Armament. However, being determined to go thorough with my Undertaking, I resolved to make use of the Advantages which the Court was pleased to confer on me, in allowing me such considerable Succours. So I returned to Breast in the beginning of October, 1696; and to work we went, with all imaginable Diligence, to fit out our Fleet: But the bad Wether hindered our Careening; so that we could not get out of Breast, but lay in that Road till the 6th of January; from whence my Project was to have sailed the beginning of the preceding November.  
To add to our Misfortune, I was at that time not able to take the Opportunity of a fair Wind, that then offered; because I stayed for a great Convoy of Arms, and Provisions, that were laden for me at Rochel, without which I could not proceed; I had continually expected it for three Months. In the midst of these Perplexities, I understood they were, at last, arrived at Port Lewis; where they were forced to put in, to avoid a Squadron of the Enemy, that had for some time cruised upon that Coast, and had them in sight. By this, I found our Naval Preparation upon the very point of miscarrying; our Provisions were already much diminished, and the Appearance very great, that the Enemy's Squadron would remain there, and we utterly consume our Provisions in the Road of Breast: Upon which I fixed my Resolution; which, altho' it seemed very hazardous, was yet the only Method that the Posture of my Affairs would permit me to take: It was, to find out my Convoy, and even to disengage them at the hazard of a Battle: Now, altho' I should have the best of it, yet it could not be without a mighty Inconveniency to me: But I flattered myself, that possibly I might not be discovered by the Enemy; or, in case of meeting with them, get indifferently well off, and refit at Port Lewis; and then try to get out; and happen what would, by whatsoever way it should be my Fate to be lost, I had rather have been ruined with our Arms in our Hands, than miscarry for want of Resolution, and in a shameful Abode there.  
Accordingly I had given my Orders to sail the next Day; at which time I understood by Signals from Vshant, that they descried a very large Fleet. We knew very well, by several Accounts, that there were about Forty English Men of War abroad, with Orders to cruize before Breast, and by all manner of means to prevent my passage; by which my Departure seemed impossible, my Enterprise defeated, and my Misfortune unavoidable. However, I proposed other Matters to myself, and stuck to my first Resolution, not thinking my Condition much worse for this News; the little way between Breast and Port Lewis, or the entrance into the River of Morbian, of which I had taken particular Care to inform myself, that I might secure my Retreat into it, gave me some Hopes to believe, that I might probably get in thither, before I should be too deeply engaged in a Battle; and then having once got on Board what the Convoy had brought me, I might, by the Favour of the long Nights, get away, without being seen by the Enemy; or, at the worst, escape with small damage, in a running Fight. So this great Fleet did no more alter my Circumstances, than if it had been a small Squadron; against which, in the Juncture I was in, the hazard of fight was as dangerous as with a Capital Fleet, my Care being to get away, and prosecute the Business of my Project. Besides, if I could get a little before the Enemies, there was no great appearance for them either to come easily up with me, or that they could be in Condition to pursue me for Two thousand Leagues that I might lead them: I had, moreover, the opportunity of separating my Ships in the Night, by ordering them different Courses to the appointed Rendezvous.  
The Governor of Vshant sent an Express to assure me, That he could discern Forty Men of War, amongst which were Five English, or Dutch Flags: I received this News at Midnight, and making use of it in a manner quite different to the Opinions of them that sent it me, I made the sailing Signal, and was under Sail by that time it was Day, it being upon the Seventh of January, 1697. I had, some Days before, sent my Orders to the Vessels at Port Lewis, to come away immediately, running all Hazards, to join me; but to keep so near the Shoar, that the Enemy's Ships might not dare to approach them, or to avoid their Cannon by running into the Ports that are upon that Coast; which are good enough to cover such small Vessels, as I expected, from the Danger of Cruisers. I had sent the Mutine-Frigat, and the Providence-Brigantine, to Convoy them, who expected them at Pennemarc-Point.  
We were hardly got out of the Goulet when we saw the Fleet appear at Point Raz, with the small Convoy I had sent to them; whereupon I came immediately to an Anchor at Bertheaume, where I made all the haste I could to get our Provisions on Board our Ships and Fly-boats, and by extraordinary Diligence, I was in a Condition of Sailing the next Day.  
We had hardly got into our Course, when the Sceptre struck upon a place, where, according to the Rules of Navigation, there could be no manner of danger, after having struck three times very violently, we thought she was just upon sinking, especially when we saw a great many Planks floating upon the Water; at the same time we perceived her to float, and running immediately to the Pumps, we found she did not make one drop of Water: We could not tell what to think of this Accident; however, it was concluded, that it could not be a Rock she had struck upon, but upon some sunk Vessel that floated under Water, which being less strong than the Sceptre, had occasioned us that Alarm by the breaking of her Planks, without any ways prejudicing the Sceptre. We continued our Course, endeavouring to avoid the Enemies: I had so regulated myself to the Tides, as to be, by the beginning of the Night, at Pennemarc-Point; besides, there was no great probability I should be discovered in sailing so little a way, especially by reason of our holding so near to the Coast. I resolved at the same time to steer directly from Pennemarc, to the Coast of Spain, which I designed to leave to the Southward. This Course, so contrary to what is customarily taken, to get clear of the Land, which the Enemies must know I designed; and upon which, most probably, they formed their Method of Cruising, was the most likeliest Expedient to deceive them. This had the desired Effect, and the Wind continuing favourable, I first made Cape Ortegal, and afterwards continued my Course towards the Island of St. Domingo, where I arrived in Fifty five Days; during which there happened nothing remarkable, unless it was, that after having passed the Tropic, we met with West South-West Winds, and consequently contrary, which is not usual.  
The pleasure of arriving at Cape Francis, which was that part of S. Domingo that I came to, was mitigated by several Accidents. I understood there, that Capt. Desaugets, who commanded Three Ships in those Seas, for whom I had Orders to join himself with my Squadron, was Eight Days before my Arrival sailed upon his Return to France. I was there likewise informed by Mons. Daunou, Lieutenant-Governour of the Island, that the Succours which Mons. Du Casse, Governor of the Coast had prepared for me, consisted in about Four hundred Men, altho' he had Orders to join me with the Strength of the whole Colony.  
It is true, that by good Fortune all the Pirates of those parts, which are usually called Buccaniers, were met together at that time: It was thought that I might find a Party of them; but it was no ways to be imagined, that I should find them all; for they go out and come in as they please; consequently, this Assistance could not be computed at 14 or 1500 Men, as I was made to believe I should find at St. Domingo; neither did they exceed 600: So I was near upon a Thousand Men behind of my Account.  
The Departure of Capt. Desaugets, deprived me of a like Number of Men, and two great Ships. Moreover, I was fallen short of two great Ships, and several Frigates, specified in my first Project, by which means I found myself reduced to half the Force I proposed at the beginning.  
I did not think fit to come to an Anchor at the Cape, but left there Three Frigates, the Mutiny, the Avenant, and the Marin, to take in such Forces as might be drawn from thence, and the fresh Provisions which Commissary Du Tilleul was to supply my Squadron with.  
S. Vandrille, Commander of the Marin, that was sent two Months before I left France, with Orders for Mons. Du Casse to have the Forces ready that were appointed for my assistance, after he had carried his Dispatches to Petit Guaves, sailed for the Cape, and attended me there.  
In his passage from France to St. Domingo, he was attacked by an English Ship of 54 Guns, who notwithstanding her Superiority, was forced to retire with Shame, after a Fight of several Hours.  
Desaugets going for the Hondura's, before he returned to France, had ordered the Chevalier De la Motte d'Heran, on Board the Christ, taken from the Spaniards, to sail directly for France, with the Favorite-Frigat, whom I found at the Cape upon his departure. These two Ships were both manned with the Favorite's Crew only, consequently very weak Men of War; wherefore I resolved to make use of but one of them, to put all the Men into her, and leave the other Ship at Petit Guaves. By Virtue of the King's Letter, which I had to Desaugets, and his Squadron, I ordered La Motte d'Heran, to join me; which he did, and chose the Christ that he commanded.  
About Eight a Clock, upon the Sixth of March, I came to an Anchor over-against Exter, the usual Residence of Mons. Du Casse; who came immediately on Board, to advise with me about the shipping of the Men he was to bring me; and seeing that I did not dissemble neither my surprise, nor my trouble, at the small Number of Men he had provided for me, he protested, that he had done all he could; and continually endeavoured to make me have a great Opinion of the good Success of this Attempt; for, that the Buccaniers were at that Juncture all together, and would every Man of 'em perform Wonders. We agreed that he should go to Petit Guaves, and that I would be ready by that time it was Day, to get into the Port: Du Casse came thither to join me, having a Design on foot which I did not imagine; I brought him the Duplicate of the Order which he had received from St. Vandrille, which he did not read when I delivered it to him, by reason it was wrote in Ciphers. There was added in that Letter, without my knowledge, that he was to contrive the Means of succeeding in an Attempt that was approved by His Majesty, without damaging the Colony: This Restriction did in some measure deprive me of the Power of commanding his Forces, seeing he had an opportunity of pretending to keep them for the preservation of his Colony. He said, That he would not insist upon Terms with me, as being persuaded that I would have a regard to his Character. I replied, That the greatest Character he could pretend to, was that of being Captain of a Ship, which he had the Honour to command by his Commission; all that I could do, was, that he should serve in that Capacity, according to his Seniority, which did submit him to several others, who, nevertheless, would not pretend to concern themselves with the Forces of his Government; in relation to whom, I should address myself to him, that he was to accept this Proposition, or not to embark with me, for I had no Orders to compel him.  
After refusing these Offers he left me; and thinking no more of him, I was surprised to hear, that he took all imaginable Care for what was personally necessary to him in this Expedition; and that he reported, He would rather come on Board as a private Soldier, than not engage in so glorious an Affair. He shown much Courage and Desire of Glory in his Discourse, and it is pity, that he afterwards discovered his Resolution to proceed from Motives, and Interests, something less generous.  
In the mean time we employed ourselves in getting of Water, Wood, and other things necessary for the Squadron; and to fit up the Vessels of the Buccaniers, which were all unrigged; without the help of the Rigging and Cordage, that I ordered to be delivered them by my Squadron, it would have been impossible for them to put to Sea; we likewise distributed the Provisions there, which I had brought for the Forces that were to embark with me; in short, we prepared all things for our Departure. It was then necessary to regulate the Pretensions of the Buccaniers, who desired to be assured of their Shares of the expected Prizes.  
These Freebooters, are, for the most part, composed of those that desert from Ships that come upon the Coast: The Advantage they bring to the Governors, protects them against the Prosecutions of the Law; besides, all those that are apprehended in France, as Vagabonds, or such as can give no Account of themselves, are sent to these Islands, where they are obliged to serve for Three Years. The first that gets them, obliges them to work in the Plantations; at the end of the Term of Servitude, some Body lends them a Gun, and to Sea they go a Buccaniering. This Profession hath maintained itself a long while by this sort of Recruits, and subsist by their Piracies; they were formerly altogether independent, but of late Years, they have been reduced under the Government of the Coast of S. Domingo; they have Commissions given them for which they pay the Tenth of all their Prizes, and are now called the King's Subjects: For the Governors of St. Domingo being enriched by them, do mightily extol them for the Damages they do to the Spaniards, and endeavour to have it believed, that the Buccaniers are the strength and support of the Colony; whereas, they are, in effect the Ruin of it: For if such as are conveyed thither, were kept from the Liberty of embracing this infamous Profession, which an Impunity for all sorts of Crimes renders so much beloved, we should not have lost, in a few Years, above Six thousand Men, that might have improved and peopled the Colony. And thus, indeed, they would have been truly the strength and support of the place.  
As to other Matters, altho' they are pleased to be counted the King's Subjects, yet it is with so much Arrogance, as obliges all those that are desirous to make use of them, to court them in the most flattering Terms. This not being agreeable to my Disposition, and being they were in the Dominions of His Majesty, and esteeming them as His Subjects, which the Governor was obliged to deliver to me; I plainly told them, That they should find me a Commander to lead them on, but not as a Companion of their Fortune; that if they made any Difficulties, either to embark or obey, I would certainly burn all their Vessels, even to the poorest Boats, and inevitably deprive them of the Means for some Years, if not for ever, of continuing their Depredations.  
It was feared, that upon these Threats they would betake themselves to the Woods, as being their usual Retreat upon any Dissatisfactions: But I knew they apprehended very much the Execution of my Menaces; and moreover, that the Governor, who is so highly concerned in their Piracies, would omit no sort of Care to retain them in their Duty.  
The Demand they made, of having their Share, in the Division of the Prizes, secured to them, was very reasonable; therefore I explained myself in Writing, and caused it to be fixed up in several places, implying, That they should, Man for Man, have the same Shares of Booty, that was allowed to the Men on Board the King's Ships.  
I was informed of their Customs, and that of divers ways of dividing the Shares, (which is commonly a very troublesome Business); the most usual Method was this, of reckoning by the Number of the Men; for Example: A Vessel of a Hundred Men, hath double the Allowance that is made to another of but Fifty, so the rest in proportion. I made no manner of delay in the Choice I was to make; as likewise, to acquaint them, that I could not meddle with any thing that belonged to the King, the Admiral, and the Undertakers of the Armament. That His Majesty had been pleased to allow to the several Ships Companies, the Tenth of the First Million, and a Thirtieth part of all the others: And I engaged myself in Writing, to give the Buccaniers the same Terms. Du Casse told me, that I had taken the easiest Method, desiring me only to leave with him the Original of that Writing, including the Frigate Pontchartrain, commanded by Lieutenant Mornay, who desired to serve in the Squadron upon the same Conditions that I had granted to the Buccaniers: There was likewise comprehended, at the Desires of Du Casse, a Frigate of S. Malo, fitted both for War and Traffic. We shall have occasion to mention this Writing again, in the Sequel of our Story.  
Upon the Eighteenth, all the Ships that I had left at Cape Francis, having joined my Squadron with La Motte d'Heran, whom I had likewise ordered to join me; I made ready on the Nineteenth to go and Anchor at Cape Tiburon, being the furthest Western Point of S. Domingo; the Water there is better, and easier to be got, than in any other place, so it was absolutely necessary for me to touch there; besides, I was very desirous to get out of Port, to oblige the Buccaniers to come on Board, which they ever defer to the last moment; however they at last got on Board, seeing me at some distance, and followed the Squadron, as also the Pontchartrain, which Du Casse had chosen for himself; when, on a sudden, a violent Northwind, which is very extraordinary, and rarely known in this Season, scattered not only the Buccaniers, but likewise all the Ships of my Squadron, insomuch that I continued alone for above Thirty Hours, two Chaloups sent from the Sceptre, to the assistance of two Buccaniers in danger of stranding, not being able to get up with me; but good Wether coming on, we all met upon the 28th, in the Road of Irois, three Leagues distant from Cape Tiburon.  
Until then, I had kept my Design secret, not being wholly determined on the Matter: Du Casse, who understood by his Letters from Court, that the principal design of the Expedition was upon Carthagena, did judge the execution impossible, by reason of the several Accidents already mentioned, and the small number of Forces with me. He represented unto me, with much appearance of Reason, That, according to the last Advices from the Indian Coasts, the Galleons must be at Porto Bello, or upon their way to Carthagena, in order to their return for Spain; that we might reasonably hope to meet with them, by steering that course; and that, by our strength, we might reckon ourselves secure of them, altho' we found them in Porto Bello; for notwithstanding the Port is defended by three Castles, yet it is open enough for us to get in, and possess ourselves of those Castles, by means of our Bombs. But I had my Reasons not to follow this Opinion: The Galleons might as well be at Carthagena, as at Sea, and I was sensible, by my own Experience, how uncertain 'tis to meet Ships at Sea, a thing not to be depended upon; moreover, it seemed plain to me, that the less the Spaniards were in a Condition to defend themselves at Porto Bello, the less Reason I had to hope for an Advantage by their Defeat, otherwise than in the Honour I might gain; for they would certainly have burnt, or sunk, their Ships, upon the approach of such a Squadron as I had the Honour to Command, and that Treasure not lost to them, must have been absolutely so to me, since I could not possibly have continued long enough there, to get it out of the Water.  
These Considerations absolutely dissuaded me from going first of all to Porto Bello, which Voyage would have spent my Provisions, and rendered me uncapable of any other considerable Attempt. Vera Cruz was a more likely place; for we were well assured, that one of the Flotas had been there ever since the beginning of September, and that they could not go away before the beginning of May, therefore I could not miss meeting with them; moreover, my Forces were sufficient to make me Master of the City, which may be entered without our being exposed to the Fire of the Castle, which is impregnable by its advantageous situation: It is built on a Rock, in the middle of the Sea, and surrounded on all sides with extraordinary Fortifications. However, with my great store of Artillery, I could, in a very little time, have reduced that Castle to Ashes; besides the Bombs that I could have used from my Ships, I might have raised what Batteries of Cannon and Mortars I pleased on Shoar, which is not above 200 Yards from it.  
I should not have run the Risque here, as I must have done at Porto Bello, of seeing the Spaniards burn their Ships, to deprive me of the Silver: For it being well known, that they do embark the Plate there, but a very few Days before the departure of the Flota, consequently, at the worst, I could only have lost the Merchandizes, of which I made little account. In short, 'tis probable, I should have engaged in this Expedition, had I not received some Advices at St. Domingo, that occasioned me new Perplexities, viz. that tho' the Plate was not used to be embarked until the Day before the Fleet sailed, and was brought from Mexico to Vera Cruz, long before 'twas put on Board; yet, of late Years, upon some Jealousies, they bring it no farther than Pueblo de los Angelos, forty Leagues up the Country, from whence 'tis conveyed directly on Board the Galleons.  
According to the Rules of Navigation, which 'tis not necessary to insert here, the Galleons could not sail until the Month of May, yet they might come away later, even until the Month of August; so if they had not by chance taken the resolution of coming away with the first of the Season, it being then but March, and we not above three Weeks sail from them, I did foresee that our Design would be ruined by my arrival before the Plate was brought down, and I was no ways in a condition of marching forty Leagues, with such a small Body of Forces, in an Enemy's, and well-inhabited Country. Moreover, I was not willing to begin with a place, that would have frustrated my farther Intentions, in case I had been unsuccessful: For such is the Nature of the Gulf of Mexico, at the bottom whereof Vera Cruz is situated, that at our coming out again, it would not be possible for us to entertain any other Thoughts, but those of returning to Europe, as well because of the length of the Voyage, as because the Winds and the setting of the Currents, would have prevented all other Attempts to the Eastward.  
The only place I could fix my Resolutions upon, was Carthagena, which lay to Windward; and altho' I should have missed of my Aim there, yet it would not have been any Obstacle to my other Designs, not even against Vera Cruz, unless I consumed my time by adventurously falling upon the first place, without a well-grounded assurance of carrying it: The small number of my Forces, was the only thing that could dissuade me from this Attempt: But this want of Strength, might be remedied by good Management.  
Capt. Venner, an Englishman, having been several Years in the Service of the Spaniards, in the West-Indies and Commanded several of their Ships, was lately come into the Service of France, and was placed on Board Desaugets, until some other Employ should be given him. This Officer was very well acquainted with the Coasts and Places of the West-Indies; he had likewise some knowledge of Geometry, and by the assistance of Canette, my principal Ingenier, I got him to draw several Plans, especially that of Carthagena, which we found to be as exact as any thing could be expected that was made by Memory.  
My first Design was to have immediately landed with Five thousand Men, near Carthagena, not including the Seamen: I expected to have drawn these Forces from the places , with which I reckoned I should be able to force the place, tho' besides its ordinary defence, the whole strength of the Galleons should have been in it. But I was all manner of ways very much mistaken in my Account, scarce having one half of the Forces I proposed, with which there was no probability of taking a place so famous in India, and so well known in Europe, for its Fortifications which I found to be even better than they were reputed to be. The Ships were to Anchor in the open Sea, and by that means must have been exposed to all the Inconveniences of the bad Season, which was not quite over; besides, I might have been surprised by the English Squadron, which I knew had Orders to follow me. In this case there was no likelihood for me to expect any Service from the Seamen, it being altogether necessary to leave them on Board to work the Ships in bad Wether; but then again, having only the Land-Forces to re-embark, I might, upon any occasion, soon put myself into a posture of defence.  
Then I imagined, that if instead of attacking Carthagena, I only attempted Boccachica, which defends the entrance into that vast Harbour, called the Lagune of Carthagena, and should carry that Fort, the rest would be easily acquired, by reason I might bring my Ships under the Protection of this Fort, and thereby make use of the Seamen that might be then spared from the Ships, which would in some measure make up the want of Land-Forces.  
However, this Design had its Difficulties likewise: For the passage which this Fort defends, is so narrow, and winding, that there's no sailing through it, but you must warp your Ships along by their Anchors and Cables; now two Ships riding within, can prevent this work, and alone defend the entrance against the strongest Fleet: I could not imagine, but that the Spaniards would use that Precaution, in case the Galleons had been at Carthagena.  
On the other hand, if I could make a Descent on any other part of the Island, at one end of which stands Carthagena, at the other Boccachica, I might probably surmount all Difficulties, by expeditiously landing of my Cannon; with which crossing the Island, and raising of Batteries on the Banks of the Tagon, I knew very well, I could either sink, or force away any Ships that should be posted to defend the entrance: As to the Fort, I did no ways doubt the taking of it with the help of my Bombs, in spite of any Succours the Enemy might bring to it by Land.  
Being once in possession of Boccachica, I had several Reasons for good hopes, in case the Galleons were not there, that I should, by the help of the Seamen (which I might take when the Ships were secured) be enabled to attempt Carthagena; and if the Galleons were there, than I purposed to attack them; and in case they should resolve to sink themselves, than I should be able so to terrify the place with my Bombs, that they would yield to a Contribution, that might re-imburse my Undertakers; and from thence I could afterwards steer to some other Leeward place.  
After I had duly weighed these Matters, I absolutely resolved upon sailing to Carthagena, and I published my Resolution; which was applauded and received with all the signs of Satisfaction from the Soldiers. Du Casse proposed the sending away two Frigates of Buccaniers, to precede me, which should land in the Night near Carthagena, to take what Prisoners they could make, and carry them to Sambee, twelve Leagues to Windward of Carthagena, and there expect our coming. Capt. Pierre, and Capt. Blou, were instantly commanded to sail upon this Design; but instead of executing these Orders, the desire of pillaging, according to their usual Custom, engaged them to chase some small Vessels they met, which they had not the Courage to board, after they had driven them aground; and this occasioned them to lose so much time, that without having been at Carthagena, they arrived after me at Sambee, where a sudden Gust from the North-East, called here a Breeze, had forced me to come to an Anchor, and wait for better Wether to appear before Carthagena in.  
On the Thirteenth, the Wind being abated, we got under Sail, and directed our Course for Carthagena. The whole Fleet was composed of these Ships: Seven Frigates from Eight to Twenty four Guns, on board them about Six hundred and fifty Buccaniers. One hundred and ten Inhabitants of S. Domingo, One hundred and seventy Garrison Soldiers of the Coast, and One hundred and eighty Negroes; were dispersed on board the Men of War, and Flyboats belonging to the Squadron. This was all the assistance which I received from the Government of St. Domingo.  
The Pontchartrain, and the French Frigate were joined to us as before mentioned, the one having Forty Guns, and One hundred Men; the other Twenty four Guns, and Sixty Men.  
The Squadron was composed of Seven great Ships.  
The Sceptre carrying Eighty four Guns, and Six hundred and fifty Men, commanded by Guillotin: I was on board this Ship.  
The St. Lewis of Sixty four Guns, and Four hundred and twenty Men, commanded by Levy, who acted as Vice-Admiral.  
The Fort of Seventy Guns, and Four hundred and fifty Men, commanded by the Viscount Coetlogon, who served as Rear-Admiral.  
The Vermandois, Apollo, Furieux, and St. Michael, all four of Sixty Guns each, and Three hundred and fifty Men, were commanded by Dubuisson, Gombaud, La Motte Michael, and the Chevalier de Marolles.  
The Christ, a Spanish-Prize, commanded by the Chevalier de la Motte d'Heran, of Two hundred and twenty Men, and Forty four Guns.  
The Avenant, by the Chevalier Francine, Two hundred Men, and Thirty Guns.  
The Marin, commanded by St. Vandrille, had One hundred and eighty Men, and Twenty eight Guns.  
The Eclatant, Bomb-Vessel, commanded by De Mons, had Sixty Men.  
The Providence-Brigantine, of Thirty Men, and Four Guns, commanded by the Chevalier De L'Escouet.  
Two Flyboats.  
Four Boats, called by the French Traversier, who had each of them one Gun, and a Mortar.  
On board these Ships, and Vessels, were One hundred and ten Officers, Fifty five Guards Marine, Two thousand one hundrens Seamen, One thousand seven hundred and fifty Soldiers, effective Men.  
Before I left the Road of Irois, or Cape Tiburon, which is the same place, I had regulated the Descent, and the Manner of employing our Forces.  
The Captains of the Men of War, viz. those that effectually were so, (but not all those who commanded for such, as did several Galliot-Captains, and some Men of War Lieutenants) were to serve as General-Officers, dividing themselves according to their Seniority, to be alternately ashore and on board; for it was absolutely necessary to have some of them always in Command on board the Ships. Du Casse had the Command of all the Buccaniers, and Inhabitants of the Coast, whom I left to him, under their ancient Captains.  
By Order of the Court, there was a State Major, composed of Sorel, Inspector-General of the Marine Troops of Britain. The desire of serving in this Expedition, induced him likewise to take upon him the Function of Major-General, but taking place only as Captain: of Thesut, Major: of two Aid-Majors-General, who were the Chevaliers Jaucour, and De Pointis: a Sub-Major-General Beraudin; and some Guards Marine, as Sub-Majors:  
Of Du Tilleul, Commissary.  
One principal Ingenier, and another, viz. Canette and Tangey, for whom were composed two Brigades of Officers, or Guards-Marine, as also some Voluntier-Soldiers, that were in some measure thought capable of serving as Engineers. The Chevalier de Ferriere, du Crest, and Coursy, were the chief of these Brigades; the Chevaliers de Nesmond, and Povillermont, Enseignes; Lafoy Land, du Ches, and Rochebonne, Guards-Marine, chose to serve as Aids de Camps under me.  
Six Battalions were composed of the Soldiers on board the King's Ships; the first was a Body of Two hundred and fifty Grenadiers, drawn out of all the rest, commanded by La Roche de Vigier, Captain of a Frigate, but then serving as second Captain on board the Sceptre, commanded, I say, by him, as Colonel, le Chevalier de Vezins, Lieutenant of a Man of War, as lieutenant-colonel; Vaujoux served as Major, St. Lazare d' Aid, Framine, Montrosier, and Vignancourt, had the Command of the Five Companies that made this Battalion.  
The Five Signior Lieutenants of Infantry Marine, commanded as Colonels in the Five other Battalions of Three hundred Men each; who were the Chevalier Marolles, le Chenau, de Bresme, Simonet; the Guards-Marine were divided among them to augment the number of Officers. Besides these, I made Detachments of Four hundred Seamen, under their own Officers, all armed with Scythes and Pistols; upon occasion, these were to be commanded by Lieutenants of Ships, that had no Companies, who were de Vaulx, Longuejove, Carcavy, Siglas, and Sabran, these were to be relieved by Five Captains of Fireships that were on board our Squadron.  
The One hundred and seventy Soldiers drawn out of the Garrisons on the Coast of St. Domingo, were in a separate Body, and commanded by Beaumond. The One hundred and ten Inhabitants, and the One hundred and eighty Negroes, made each of them another. The Buccaniers were all in one Troop.  
The Plans, and Memoirs, which I had of several places, of whose Errors I have much reason to complain, were nevertheless true in one point: For they gave me a plain assurance, that if we did not seize at our arrival at Carthagena, upon a considerable Eminence, and a Church called Nostre Dame de la Pouppe, that commands the Avenues, all the Treasure would be carried off, the greatest part being in Gold and Emeralds, easily to be transported up into the Country; which the Spaniards would not fail to do, upon the approach of such a formidable Fleet.  
To get possession of this Post, I resolved to land the Buccaniers, the Night after my coming to an Anchor, they being very proper for such an Attempt, as being accustomed to marching and subsisting in the Woods, where each of them carries his own Provisions, and lives upon what he kills; so I was informed at least: Thus, not being encumbered with any Baggage, their March might be kept secret, their Irruption unexpected, and, in case of necessity, their Retreat secure, by ways unpassable to others. I had concerted with Du Casse all things relating to this Design, which he undertook to see executed: We agreed upon the Signals he should make me by Fires from the Hills, to acquaint me whether he wanted any assistance, or Vessels to reimbark his Men; or upon taking of the Post, whether he was in a Condition of maintaining it, or not. On my part, I was to inform him by Signals from the Ships, of my Condition, and the Resolutions which various Accidents might oblige me to take.  
Having concluded upon this Method of executing our Design, we arrived between Carthagena, and Point Hicacoes, four Leagues to the Eastward, where finding good Anchorage in a great Bay, which the Land makes by running out to the Southward, we came to an Anchor about Four a Clock, two Leagues from the City, on the same Day, being the Thirteenth. The Squadron was got ready in the Morning at Sambee, and I delivered all my Orders by Signals: By this diligence I was sure to make a secure Descent, it not being possible that an Enemy could be able to guard all the Shoar, or march down time enough to hinder our landing.  
So soon as the Ships were come to an Anchor, I made the Signal for the Chaloups, (that were to land the Buccaniers) to go on board their Frigates, so soon as it was dark; and to them to be in a readiness for the Boats, altho' it was resolved they should not embark until Midnight, to the end they might be ashore some Hours only before Daylight.  
In the mean time, the Fort, the Mutiny, and the Bomb-Vessel, according to their Orders, were advanced towards the City; the last near enough to bombard, and the other two to guard her. I expected, by thus employing of the Enemy with my Bombs, to divert them from taking other necessary Precautions.  
When the Buccaniers were to be embarked, in order to their landing, they did not behave themselves so heroically as Du Casse had boasted of them: For this separation from the King's Forces, afforded them a prospect of the dreadfullest Dangers; they began to apprehend the want of Provisions in the Woods, where they were used to subsist many Days, when they were only to rob and cut People's Throats sleeping, whereas now they were to march against a People that stood on their Defence; yet to take away one of their pretences that covered their fear, we delivered them Provision, and the Major-General, after much stirring, got them at last into the Boats.  
All was in a readiness for the Descent, when I fortunately resolved to visit the Shoar; for the most proper place of landing: One would not have thought, that in a great Bay, sheltered from the Winds that usually Reign upon this Coast, where Ships find a good Anchorage, and the Sea calm, it should be impossible to get ashore; but scarce were we come to it, when the Waves breaking upon the Rocks even with the Water, did but little miss of filling my Canoa quite full of Water at once: Levy, Du Casse, and Tilleul, were with me. We rowed down the Strand towards Carthagena, in hopes of finding some proper place; but there the Sea ran higher than it did from whence we came; and when we were fallen so low, that it was not possible to proceed farther without engaging ourselves among several little Lakes that from this part water all the Territory of Carthagena, our Canoe came a-thwart a Sea, that filled her half full of Water; and now, in all probability, our Enterprise, as yet not begun, was like to end in a Goal: But Levy leaping into the Water, and by his Example encouraging the Seamen, that followed him, to use their utmost Efforts, we at length got our Canoa afloat, that had struck on the Rock, and delivered ourselves from that imminent Danger. Our first Care was, by the other Canoas' of the Majors, to dispatch Orders to the Chaloups, not to come near the Shoar; where, embarrassed by the great number of People on board them, and being every way larger, drawing more Water, and not so well provided with Rowers, as my Canoa was, their Ruin must have been inevitable.  
We were then, notwithstanding all our Draughts and Memoirs, obliged to agree, that Carthagena was inaccessible on this side: For if in so calm a Day, the Sea was so boisterous as we found it, what were we to expect in other Wether? In short, the stay we made in this Country, hath shown us by Experience, as well as informed us by the Relations of the Inhabitants, that the Sea upon all this Coast, and in all Seasons, is a natural and invincible Rampart; and that Carthagena is approachable only by the Lake, which makes the Harbour.  
I reflected with Concern on this disastrous Adventure; I foresaw, that in not being able to possess myself of that considerable Post of Nostre Dame de la Pouppe, I should afford the Spaniards an opportunity of several Days to carry off whatsoever they were desirous to save, by reason I could not be able to come at them, until I had taken the Fort of Boccachica.  
Being wholly bend upon Boccachica, the Fleet got into a readiness of sailing in the Morning on the Fourteenth. We designed to pass so nigh the Walls of Carthagena, as to do them all the mischief my Guns could afford them; but notwithstanding my utmost care to provide all things necessary for every Vessel of the Buccaniers, who have the Reputation of knowing this Coast, we found them so very ignorant, and so much at a loss, that we durst not attempt any thing upon the small Informations that we could get from them; so we resolved to take the surest Precautions possible, by ordering the Chaloups to sound before us. The Sceptre not finding Water enough, could not come within Shot of the Town; the Lewis, and the Fort, that drew less, even touched in several places. However, that did not hinder them from firing, until I made them a Signal to join the Fleet. The Enemy made no great Fire; yet we perceived they had great Pieces, and good store of them: To our admiration, we observed, that Carthagena was enclosed only on this side with Pallisades, and old Walls that were in many places fallen down; whereupon we founded our Projects and Hopes of a lucky Event; not knowing that Nature had sufficiently provided for the Security of this part, by the great Violence of the Sea that washes it: I touched twice, and came not this Night to an Anchor before Boccachica, being desirous first to inform myself of all the Soundings; but came to an Anchor so soon as we found a proper depth. We understood afterwards, that the place we had been in all Day, was about eight Years since a Plain, where the People of Carthagena used to walk.  
I sent away all the Chaloups, to sound the Coast, even up to the Fort. I ordered St. Vandrille, on board the Marine, to an Anchor over-against the entrance, that so he might prevent any Boats from carrying of Advice, or Silver, to Porto Bello. All the Officers and Pilots, that had been out to sound, assured me, that there was every where Water enough, even to Twenty Fathom, and near the Shoar; and the Coast jetting out to the Southward, had formed near the Fort, a sort of a Haven secure from the Violences of the Sea, which ran too high  else for a Descent, and a small neck of Land, or Promontory, did likewise protect us from the Fire of the Fort; whereupon it was resolved to come to an Anchor there, by Break of Day, next Morning, being the Fifteenth, and to take our Anchoring Births, according to the Disposition of the place.  
All the Fleet were at Anchor on the Fifteenth at Noon: I immediately dispatched away Major Thesut, to observe what part of the Shoar was most proper for a Descent. Upon his return I made the Signal for landing, and ordered Du Casse to take eighty Negroes, that were on board the Furieux, to embark with them on board the Pereagoes, which are a very light Vessel, and therefore are in no danger of stranding; with these I ordered him to make up towards Carthagena, and to come very near the Shoar, in two or three places, without endeavouring to land, but only to draw out the Enemies, if there were any, and by that means oblige them to discover what they were; and if there was no appearance of any, he was to inform me of it by a Signal: The Woods lie close to the Seashore, where the Spaniards might have kept themselves concealed, and discharged upon us without appearing, which obliged me to this precaution; but Du Casse finding no such matter, landed with his Negroes, and hoist the white Flag upon a Rock. This acquainted me that he was landed: The Chaloups immediately made to shore, and the Descent was made without any opposition. The Negroes were forthwith employed with their Bills and Hatchets, to make a way through the Wood to the Lake, on the other side of the Island, where we designed to encamp, and make our Approaches to the Fort, the Ground on this side, towards the open Sea, not being so proper; besides, it was necessary to cut off their Communication with Carthagena by Land. The Island, which is but narrow at the Point where the Fort is situated, is but a good quarter of a League from the Sea to the Lake, at the place our Negroes were cutting, within half Canonshot of the Fort, from which we were covered by the Woods: The Way was made in a very little time, so that all our Troops were ranged quite cross the Island, making places of Arms in the several Paths of the Wood that lead to Carthagena; by this means we were soon posted, and the Places of Arms, or Corpse de Garde, were near enough to speak to each other.  
While we were thus settling ourselves , the Lewis made a little more out, and began to Cannonade the Fort; sometime afterwards, the Fort Man of War doing the same, as likewise the Sceptre, that followed at a little distance, the Battery began to be very warm, the Bomb-Galliot, and the Traversier with one Mortar, having taken their Stations, played their parts very well, which continued until Night. The Enemy only made a very slow Fire, which did not occasion us much damage, only our Yards and Rigging suffered a little, and three Men were killed or wounded.  
In our approach to the Lake, we had a little crooked the Way leading towards the Fort, to the end we might fall directly in with a little Plain, which (the People of St. Domingo brought hither for our Guides, told us) lay between the Lake, the Wood, and the Fort; so we came out at the foot of a rising Ground, that was high and large enough to cover us, and from whence we had the liberty of examining the Fort, which is not above Musquet-shot from it: We lodged ourselves here, expecting the approach of Night, to examine the Ditch, and where it was proper, to open the Trenches, by cutting down a part of the Wood, which we perceived to be much nearer to the Fort, than the Way we had cut: So soon as it was dark, the Major-General, and Canette, slipped away to make the Tour of the place, upon the Bank of the Ditch; which they did without being discovered: Levy, Jaucourt, and I, being without design insensibly advanced into the Wood, until we perceived ourselves near to the Ditch, we were desirous to examine it. The obscurity, and great stillness of the Night, favoured our Attempt; we met the Major-General and Canette who had been round; our Meeting happened to occasion some little Noise, upon which the Sentinels fired, and we returned, sounding the Ground; which being proper for the Work, confirmed us in the Opinion of opening the Trench in that part of the Wood which I said was nearest to the Fort; besides, a little Fen being between the Eminency and the Fort, did deprive us of the conveniency of carrying on our Work on that side.  
Upon the Sixteenth in the Morning, we began to make our Fascines, Gabions, and to get our Artillery on Shoar, which we wanted, one of the Mortars being brought  in the Night, was ready to fire, and another was getting ready, when one of those great Pereagoes, that are much used in the West-Indies, and big enough to carry Sixty Men, came gently sailing on to Boccachica, under the Shoar, which she did not imagine to be in our possession; but being perceived by our Grenadiers there, they resolutely took their opportunity, without waiting for Orders, and fired so thick into her, that at the first Discharge, they killed and wounded fifteen or sixteen Men, seven or eight more being perfectly scared, leaped into the Water, and were drowned, the rest throwing themselves into the bottom of the Pereagoe; she lay floating on the Water, until some of our Negroes launching off a little Boat, that was by chance there, made to her, and brought her ashore. Besides the killed and wounded, there were Eight and twenty Men in her, among whom were two Franciscan Friars, one of which had received a small hurt in his Arm: By these Prisoners I was informed, that the Galleons were at Porto Bello, of which I had no certain Account since my coming out. They had been there ever since the end of October, and were expected every moment at Carthagena; their stay at Porto Bello having been contrary to all the Rules of Commerce, much longer than usual.  
I made use of one of these Friars, to represent unto the Governor, (whom I designed to summon) the insignificancy of his Defence, against such unequal Forces, I multiplied them in the Eyes of the Friar, by drawing forth all the Troops in the Wood, and whilst they amused him, I made some of them file off through the Byways, and advance themselves beyond those he had seen; the Ammunition, and Train of Artillery, were showed him; insomuch, that if the Matter had depended on him only, the Fort would have been surrendered at that very instant: However, he made use of all his Eloquence to the Governor; to whom he carried from me very honourable Proposals. He answered, by my Drummer, That he was not reduced to the Condition of Capitulating; but when he was, he would be willing to accept of the Offers I had made him: Moreover, he charged the Franciscan, in particular, with many Civilities to me.  
The Fort Man of War returned to her Station to batter the Fort; but the Bullets that flew over it, falling into a Quarter of the Camp, that we designed not to quit, I sent her Orders to retire, and to the Sceptre, and S. Lewis, going to the same work, to return to their first Births. The Mortars on Board, and those on Shoar, began to Fire at the same time.  
About two in the Afternoon, two greater Pereagoes than that in the Morning, came before the Wind, to land Succours at the Fort, which the Governor of Carthagena had been solicited to send thither, upon finding their mistake, in believing that my Expedition was upon the Galleons, and to land at Porto Bello; and that I durst not engage upon an Enterprise of that moment, as was the attacking of Carthagena; but came thither only to see if the Galleons were there.  
The Adventure and Example of the Morning, inspired some of the Buccaniers with a Resolution of doing what the Grenadiers had done: These last Pereagoes having passed something wide from the Post of the last, drew to the Shoar only when they were pretty near the Fort; these Buccaniers, at the head of whom may be about twenty Men, that deserve to be distinguished for their Courage, my intention being very far from comprehending them in the Descriptions which I make of the others; these Buccaniers, I say, having possessed themselves of some little Houses on the Lake-side, made a very great Fire upon the Pereagoes; the Noise brought the Major-General, Canette, Gougon, and some other Officers to them, who encouraging this small number of Buccaniers accidentally joined by some Soldiers, led them towards the Fort, to prevent the Pereagoes that kept on their way, from landing the Forces on Board them. The other Buccaniers, by the Example of the first, having taken Arms, ran to the Shoar, where they made an extraordinary Fire; but the place being within Musket-shot of the Fort, the Enemy began to fire upon them; and the Buccaniers, who are not used to engage where there is any danger, made the most of their Heels, to bring themselves under shelter: I met them in their way, and finding that words were of no weight with them, I lighted on a Cudgel, and with that forced them to return to the Post they had abandoned. Du Casse was surprised at this way of carrying Men on, yet concealed, in silence, the vexation he conceived at the Action. In this space of time, the Pereagoes, terrified with the Discharge they had sustained, were tacked about, and on their return towards Carthagena: The Major-General taking the advantage of this opportunity, posted himself with the small Troop that followed him, at the foot of the Counterscarp, which the blindness of the Spaniards had left so, as it covered us from the Fire of the Ramparts. Canette, Le Cher, Marin, and Gougon, were wounded in this Action; fifteen Soldiers and Buccaniers were killed and wounded. La Mothe, Ensign of the Buccaniers, pitched his Colours, yet neither his Signal, nor my Blows, were sufficiently powerful to make his Companions advance. I then imagined, that by sustaining those that were at the foot of the Counterscarp, I might make an advantageous Business of this accidental Attempt: So I abandoned the Buccaniers to their Cowardice, and ordered two Companies of Grenadiers, with the Battalion of de la Chenau that was at hand, to march: Levy put himself at their head, and to shorten the way, marched up to his Belly through the Water, and so possessed himself likewise of the foot of the Counterscarp; at this instant Du Casse received a Contusion on the Thigh, by a Cannon-Ball falling among a heap of Stones. The Major-General did not forget to send me word, that the Post he had taken might be kept, by causing the Troops to march, altho' at the hazard of some Men, by reason of the Fire which they were to sustain in going to it; but those Men were got to him, before his Messenger had spoke to me, so there was no time for deliberation, it being necessary to maintain this Lodgement; because the Counterscarp almost environing the place, through the fault of not being cut sloping at the foot, afforded shelter from the Fire of the Ramparts, and was capable of receiving a greater number of Men than mine. I sent Major Thesut to bring up the Battalions, as likewise the Ladders, with all imaginable expedition, to be at Hand, in case there should be occasion for them; and as the Battalions came up, so they defiled off to the foot of the Counterscarp. The Besieged fired very briskly, but being obliged to expose their whole Bodies, that their Shot might not be made too high, and being easily reached in that posture, they soon bethought themselves of firing from behind their Defences, and thereby occasioned us but very little damage.  
Du Buisson Varenne, was at the place of our descent with two Battalions, who hearing the Noise of our Fire, imagined we were attacking the place, altho' he knew not in what manner; he made through the Wood, into the place where the two Mortars were raised, and by the way of the little Plain, which is but a quarter so long as that in the Wood which makes a Circle, he brought us that Supply at the Minute the Besieged called out, They were willing to capitulate, if they might have good Quarter. I answered them, That there was good Quarter for them; but that was all: And, that, if they did not immediately throw their Arms into the Ditch, for an instance of their Sincerity to surrender, I would continue the setting up of my Ladders; after which, they were not to hope for Quarter. Several of them obeyed, and we saw the Harquebusses in the Air, falling into the Ditch. By this being assured of their intention, I confirmed the first assurance of fair Quarter, with my farther Promises of good usage: I required to have the Gate opened at that instant, my Impatience not being satisfied with their calling from the place that they were actually at work upon clearing of it: For I was apprehensive, that some alteration might happen by the delay. But to appease me, they let down a Man by a Cord, who came to assure me from the Governor, That they used the utmost diligence to deliver themselves into my Hands. In a moment of time the Gate was opened, and old Sanchez Ximenez, who had been Governor for above Twenty five Years, came and delivered the Keys into my possession. I gave him all the Comfort I could, in the good usage I shown him, by giving him, and his Officers, their Liberties, and among the rest to, the Precedent of the Isle of St. Martha, who happened to be at that time in the Fort, and to be wounded: Moreover, I permitted the Governor to carry away whatsoever belonged to him; and the next Day he retired, with his Domestics and Slaves, to his Country-Houses, on the other side of the Lake.  
This piece of Success did not stand me in above Fifty Men, therein comprehending all the several Bodies, as Grenadiers, Soldiers, Inhabitants of the Coasts, Negroes, and Buccaniers. The Garrison being Prisoners of War, were confined. La Roche du Vigier, that commanded the Grenadiers, I made Governor; to whom, besides Cannoneers, and other necessary Workmen, I left the Soldiers of the Coast for his Garrison. By this I put him into a Condition of defending me, if occasion were. The Enemy's Garrison did consist of about Three hundred Men, whereof Two hundred and Ten remained fit for Service, the rest were either killed or wounded in the Bombardment, Cannonading, and Attack.  
On the Seventeenth we re-embarked all that we had on Shoar, towards the main Sea, and began to work ourselves into the Lake, but the careful transporting of our Ammunition and Provision being of the highest consequence, and could only be counted safe in the Lake, I resolved not to stir, until they were got in: For which Reason I was obliged to defer our March until the next Day, to the second Fort, that was about two Leagues and a half from us, called St. Croix; the taking of which was not less necessary to enable our Ships to come within Canonshot of Carthagena, than that of Boccachica, to facilitate the entrance into the Lake.  
My intention all along was to cut off the Avenues of Carthagena, so soon as it was possible, by securing the Post of Nostre Dame de la Pouppe; to which purpose, I had in the Morning sent away the Brigantin, Traversiers, and Chaloups, necessary for the carrying of the Buccaniers, which I ordered upon this Expedition, for the Reason's . Du Casse fearing that a long troublesome March might bring his Contusion into a Wound, refused to charge himself with the Command: His Major, that had formerly served with those Pirates, and was at present in a considerable Employ, aught to have had this Command; but he likewise disinherited his Health: Thus there was only Daunou left, who was no ways agreeable to them, as well by reason of his Misfortune, in not having acquired on the Coast of St. Domingo, either the Esteem or Love of any Body; as likewise, upon the account of his being Lieutenant-Governour in a place where they never make any stay; so they could not be persuaded, that he had any Right to command them: However, it was necessary I should make use of him, for want of another. I disposed all things for it, delivered him his Instructions, and even made most of them embark in my Presence; yet no sooner was my Back turned, but he came running with Tears in his Eyes, to demand Justice upon their Insolence, for pressing them to go into the Boats, that attended on them, it was murmured about, That they did not know him, neither would they obey him: In short, they refused to embark; whereupon he took one of them by the Arm, to push him into the Canoa, which the Fellow had the Impudence to return, very insolently. I forthwith ordered the Delinquent to be showed to me, and upon the spot, I had him tied to a Tree, a Confessor was called, a Cloth bound over his Eyes, and the Musketeers were marching to do Justice on him; when Daunou, whom 'twas very necessary for me to reconcile to the Buccaniers, having beforehand instructed him what he was to do, threw himself at my Feet, protesting, he would not rise, until I had bestowed Mercy on the unfortunate Offender. I seemed to be very difficult, upon the Account of good Order; but at length, at the pressing Desires of the Company, I gave him his Life. And much trouble there was, to revive the Condemned; who could not believe, that it was possible for him to be alive again, after the Ceremony of binding his Eyes.  
Being desirous to put an end to this Affair, I went to the nearest Vessel, where Captain Pierre was embarked; who was, as I had been informed, the first Beginner of the Mutiny; but, in the time of bringing the Fellow to Execution, he had considered the Matter, and was marched on Board with his Buccaniers; I commanded him to be immediately dragged out, and put into my Canoa, and ordered him to prepare to die: But there appearing from the rest of the Company, many signs of Submission, and Acclamations of, God save the King, I at last resolved to forgive the Offence; yet, withal, threatening to decimate them, upon the least Complaint that Daunou should make of their misbehaviour.  
This Usage, so different from the Cajolements they had been accustomed to receive, from those that made use of them; did me very good Service, during the whole time they were under me, so as to make 'em tolerably obedient to Daunou; yet not to the exposing themselves to the Dangers of Fire and Sword: For having without trouble possessed themselves of Nostre Dame de la Pouppe, that was utterly abandoned by the Enemy; and believing, that upon their approach to the little Fort of S. Lazare, between La Pouppe, and Carthagena, they might happen to frighten the Garrison to retire from thence also, he proposed this Attempt to them; but it was to no purpose: And in a Council where he did not preside, they resolved to attend my coming, encamped in the Wood, at the foot of the Fort; where they got about Thirty Hours before me.  
On the Seventeenth, all the Ships being drawn into Order, at the entrance into the Lake, they passed it in the Morning of the Eighteenth. The Diep Flyboat touched; the great many Banks of Sand in the Lake, which our Pilots did not know, was the occasion we did not advance very much that Day: The Apollo ran aground this Day; but these Banks being only Sand and Ouse, mingled with a very fine Turf, there was no fear of danger.  
In the mean time, being sure of having the Ships suddenly follow me, we began our March by Break of Day; and for Security against all Hazards, took two Days Provision with us for the Forces, which was dignified with the Title of the Land-Army: This, after the departure of the Six hundred and fifty Buccaniers, that were gone to the other side, and the Garrison of One hundred and seventy Men remaining behind us in the Fort of Boccachica, might consist of about One thousand seven hundred Men, not including some Seamen, One hundred and ten Inhabitants of St. Domingo formed into Companies, Fifteen or Twenty Volunteers, that followed Du Casse, and One hundred and eighty Negroes.  
I was obliged to defer making use of my Seamen, until the Ships were arrived, and had taken their Stations: The smallness of our Forces was no discouragement to us. The Marine's especially, being highly pleased with the execution of a Business, in which they had never before been employed, did apply themselves with all imaginable Diligence and , every one of them cheerfully undertaking whatsoever was appointed to him.  
After we had crossed the Mountains covered with Woods, which the Negroes examined before us, we met with the Plain, that is here and there covered with Shrub-wood, and at Noon came to an old ruin'd Castle, within half a Mile of St. Croix: Here we rested the Troops; and besides the Pits, that are there easily made in the Sand, and afford indifferent good Water, we had the good Fortune to find a great Cistern that was a mighty Conveniency to us. After this Refreshment, the Viscount de Coetlogon, whose Day it was, marched on with a part of the Grenadiers, to observe how we might encamp as near as possible to the Fort, and to seize upon the Passages that are in those Marshes, that encompass the Fort; in the mean time we continued our March, not being able to leave the Shoar, because the Lake approaching, in divers places, within a few paces of the Sea, permits you the choice of that way only, until we came down from the Mountains, below which the Island is pretty spacious. This way having brought us within Canonshot of the Bastion of Carthagena, called S. Domingo, we struck short off to the right, by a way that the Marsh leaves cross the low Woods, called Maugliers, that grow in the Water.  
In this place I was informed by the Officers that Coetlogon sent me, that he was at the foot of Fort S. Croix, which the Enemy had abandoned, having carried off their Cannon, and set fire to the Lodgements that were there; likewise, that some part of the Forces might encamp upon a Spot of Ground about the Fort, but that the rest must be left in the way worn near the Fort by a Rill of Water running from the neighbouring Marshes; that the bottom was good, and the Water not above Knee-deep, which would not ways prevent a communication.  
Levy, the Major-General, and myself, with some Grenadiers, were in the mean time so near advanced to Carthagena, as easily to observe, that the place could not be attacked on one side, the Marshes and Sea not leaving there a Sandy space of about twenty Fathom over, which was exposed to the fire of three Bastions; besides, there was no sinking two Foot deep, without being in Water. The great Number of People that we saw on the Ramparts, who quietly looked on us, made me desirous to summon them; the Governor was there, and answered my Drum, That he was ready to defend himself better than we could attack him.  
We could not exactly discern the foot of the Rampart; and being desirous to know, if there was a Ditch, I ordered De Bresme, whose Battalion was encamped at the least distance from it, to examine at Night how it was; which he performed very well, and assured me, That the Water of the Marsh went up even to the foot of the Walls, and that there was only a small dry space of Sand, that environed part of the great Bastion called S. Domingo, and that on the other side, the Sea came up to the foot of this Bastion. This Report made us conclude, not to attack Carthagena in this place.  
The next Day, being the Nineteenth, so soon as it was Day, we crossed the Lake, with much diligence: Pally, that commanded the Negroes, whom I had ordered to seek out a convenient place of descent, having assured me, that he had found out two, which came almost up to the great way; I immediately passed over with Levy, Sorel, and the Grenadiers of the Battalion of de la Chenau, being conducted by some Prisoners, that Pally had taken on Board of a Pereagoe, which had endeavoured to get from Carthagena: These Prisoners, in hopes of being the better treated, had offered themselves for our Guides; and, indeed, led us very nigh to the foot of the Eminency, upon which Fort St. Lazare is situated. At this place we found the Buccaniers, (Daunou had left a Detachment of 'em to guard Nostre Dame de la Pouppe) Coetlogon, La Motte Michael, and La Motte d'Heran, whom I had left at S. Croix, to bring away the rest of the Troops, as the Chaloups came to them; insomuch, that we were all got together by Break of Day next Morning, leaving only a Sergeant, and Twenty Men, in Fort S. Croix, with Orders to keep the Gate always shut, that and the Situation being sufficient to prevent the Enemy from repossessing themselves of it.  
We had in the Evening of the Nineteenth Day, viewed all the places adjacent to St. Lazare, and perceived, that without getting it into our possession, it would not be possible to advance a step towards Carthagena, by reason it commands all the Avenues: We beheld, with much trouble, the time it must cost us, if we attacked it in Form, and brought our Artillery to batter it. This whole little Mountain is defended with a natural Glacis, very steep, covered with Shrub-wood, which runs up to the foot of the Wall, where we supposed was a Ditch; the Wood being extremely thick, and very difficult to pass, prevented us from going to it; upon which I ordered the Chevalier de Pointis, to seek out two Negroes to examine the Matter; but understanding to what purpose I sent for them, he betook himself to the Wood, at the same time he sent them to me; which he crossed in the best manner he could, until he took hold of the very Wall; the Negroes went almost as fast as he, and then came to assure me, that the Ground was level to the foot of the Fort: The Chevalier de Pointis quietly heard their Report, which being exactly true, he said not a word of what he had done. In all this occasion, there was only a Grenadier killed upon our return.  
Upon the next Day, being the Twentieth, Levy, Coetlogon, and Sorel, having got up to an Eminency, that was above all the others, sent to me, to come to them; from whence they shown me, that the Fort did not take up (as we had imagined) all the Eminency, which extended a good distance farther to the right; and, that if we could make a Way, through the Wood, to that height, we might afterwards go upon a level from thence to the foot of the Fort, all the way, being covered with Woods; and that we could fix a Miner to it, if the Garrison should resolve not to quit it. Upon this, I ordered the Major-General to call to Arms, and having called the Negroes to me at the moment I came down, I put them to work upon cutting of a Way, to facilitate the March of the Troops; this was carried on half way up the Hill, where dividing the Way, to encompass the Fort, Levy marched to the right, Coetlogon to the left, and the Major-General visited every place as his Presence was requisite. This Work being found shorter than what we had expected, we arrived at the foot of the Fort in a very little time, where we made the greatest Fire that was possible for us to make, at the same time calling out for the Ladders; not that we expected to use them, but to terrify the Garrison; however, I sent for the Miner in good earnest.  
During which time, the Enemy made no great Fire, by reason we made our Shot upon them, so soon as they exposed their Bodies to view. They had for a good while perceived, that we were piercing through the Wood; and we understood, by the sounding of a Bell, how much every step we made increased their trouble. This Bell was a Signal to the City, to acquaint them with their Condition; at first it struck only now and then, keeping sounding more and more by degrees, until at length it rung full out, when their fear gave them occasion to think they would be attacked on all sides; which had effectually happened, if they had not chose rather to retire, for the Quarter towards the Gate was then free to them.  
In this manner we possessed ourselves of the Fort: In the place there was only nine killed and wounded. On our side, the Chevalier de Vezins, that commanded the Grenadiers, since La Roche du Vigier was made Governor of Boccachica, was killed, with five Grenadiers; Simmonet, Colonel of a Battalion, dangerously hurt in the Head, and St. Lazare, Captain of Grenadiers, wounded in the Thigh.  
The taking of St. Lazare, giving us the liberty to open ourselves, we crossed the way, and advanced our Camp to the Chapel of St. Lazare Hospital, which is a great breadth; being covered on one side, with several little Canals, that have a communication with the Lake; and on the other, by a high thick Wall, which besides the Trees that covered us, did prevent the Bastions of the City from discerning the place we possessed; the killed and wounded that we had, were only by chance Balls: In the mean time, this little Chapel gave us the opportunity of going covered within a small Musket-shot of the place, which is not above that distance from it.  
Whilst we were thus employed, the Ships, by the care of Du Buisson, were come nearer to the Town; insomuch, that in the Morning, a Bomb-Galliot with a Mortar, and a Traversier, were moored, and began to fire. In the Evening the Traversier was obliged to retire, being shot through with several Balls, and ready to sink; Bois Pinault, Lieutenant of the Artillery, commanded her; De Mons was in the Galliot, which likewise suffered so much, that she was also obliged to retire a little; besides, she had a great many killed on Board her; but the strength of these Vessels enabling them to endure a great deal of Fire, she began again in the Morning of the Twenty first of the same Month.  
My chief Ingenier was wounded, and ill; whereby I was obliged to execute that Function. The Officers of the Marine, which I had formed into Brigades, had only their own Readiness to enable them to execute every thing, which could not supply the want of Practice and Judgement. I had, by good Luck, at the first, agreed with the Major-General, where to begin the Opening and Advancement of the Trenches. I had, moreover, designed the Batteries of Cannons and Mortars, and given Orders for the things necessary to the Works; by which means, the Accident that happened to me a few Hours afterwards, did not much interrupt our Proceed: In the mean time, all Hands were at work, the Soldiers upon Fascines and Gabions, the Seamen upon landing the Artillery; in the drawing of which, the Hundred and eighty Negroes were a mighty assistance to us: For as to the Buccaniers, we were never able to make the least use of them; and the share which they ought to have performed of the Work, falling upon others, who were by this means overwrought, did not a little contribute to the causing of those Distempers, which so lamentably reigned among us afterwards.  
Our small number, and the great many things to be done, forced us to keep the Troops with their Arms in one hand, and their Working-Tools in the other, the Soldiers were at one and the same time, both on the Guard, and working; the nearness of the Woods, on whose sides we were encamped, were a great conveniency to us: For when we drew out our Troops, they left their Arms upon that spot, and went to the Wood with their Tools; and upon the first Beat of Drum, they quitted their Tools, and running to their Arms, were immediately in a Condition of marching; the Battalion of Grenadiers, was ever at the Head of the Camp, to sustain whatsoever might be presented; and that was sufficient, by reason the disposition of the Ground was such, that the Camp was on all parts inaccessible, but on that only towards the City.  
Nor were they less diligent on Board the Fleet: Du Buisson caused the Sceptre to advance, commanded by Guilotin, the Saint Lewis by Sabran, and the Vermandois, aboard which he commanded; with these Ships he made up towards the City, notwithstanding the Spaniards had purposely sunk a Galleon to render the passage difficult: We were obliged to leave on Board these Ships that were to fight, a great many Seamen to work the Guns; which diminished the number of those employed upon the Disimbarkment, and transporting of the Artillery that was necessary to us on Shoar: It is hardly to be imagined, how so small a parcel of our Men was able, in six Days to disimbark, draw half a League upon Land, and bring into a State of Battery, Twenty seven of the greatest Cannon we used, five Mortars, and all the Equipage necessary to the execution of both the one and the other, besides the Provisions that we were obliged to bring to the Camp; but it is true, that Du Tilleul being charged with this Care, attended it with such application, that making use of the Seamen only at certain Intervals, he constantly kept our Magazines filled with Provision and Ammunition, without ever interrupting any other Business.  
Our Affairs being in this State, and having, moreover, raised a Mortar to prevent the Enemy from going on with a Work, that we perceived they had begun upon a Platform over the Gate: We having twice neglected to throw up a Breast-work that I had marked out; and fearing, lest at the third time there might not be something farther necessary to be done, that might occasion a delay, I resolved to continue my Presence there until it was perfected; my stay inconsiderately brought a great many Officers, this number of People being moreover remarkable for their , drew upon us the Enemy's Fire, and particularly that of their Cannon, with Hail-shot, by which I was wounded; my hurt was more painful than dangerous, yet I was very fearful that this Accident might discourage our Men, which indeed was too apparent at first: Moreover, I was apprehensive, lest the Officers, whom I had by good Fortune maintained in a perfect Union hitherto, should not continue the same, which would have been detrimental to our Design: I resolved therefore, to struggle with the Pain which I felt; insomuch, that after the Third Day I was carried into every part that I could have visited in another Condition: But during that interval, I committed all things that I could not inspect, to the Care of Levy; who certainly acquitted himself to a degree above all manner of Praise; indefatigable, full of Expedients and Contrivances for the Work; neglectful of his Rest, and his Meals; he was , and forwarded every thing, with an incredible vigour.  
The Viscount de Coetlogon, was to have commanded the Artillery; but I was overjoyed to understand, that his Inclinations were rather to enter, with the rest, into the general Service; this gave me an opportunity of choosing several Persons, to manage the Artillery, who did their Duty with more expedition than would have been possible for any single Man to have done: So he had the Guard only of the Battery of five Cannons of Twelve and Eighteen Pounders, which he raised at the foot of Fort St. Lazare; in which Fort we had got mounted Seven Pieces of Twelve, Eight, and Six, that terribly shattered the Bastions of the place. Mornay, Commander of the Pontchartrain, was in the Fort with his Ship's Company; the Chevalier De la Motte d'Heran, took upon him the Care of a great Battery of nine Guns, that was likewise upon the same Eminency with the Fort, but more to the right than the first: La Motte Michael, had the Charge of that we called, The Royal Battery, consisting of six Pieces of Thirty six, and Twenty four, planted Sixty Fathoms distant from the Gate, and designed to make the Breach: Gombaud played the Mortars, which he had been exercised in from his Youth, and doubtless never any did better execution than these; for one would have thought the Bombs had been placed by Hand, in the places where they were designed to fall. These Mortars were placed between the Batteries of the Cannon, in such manner, that as soon as they began to play, the place was on fire in several parts at once; the Galliot was at work on her side, but the Bombs she spent the first Days, were of little or no effect.  
The Twenty first, Twenty second, Twenty third, and Twenty fourth, were employed in transporting the Cannon, and getting together the things necessary; the Vermandois only was advanced to Cannonade the Town; but I being informed, that she being alone, did solely bear the whole Fire of a Bastion, that could conveniently reach her; I ordered her to retire, and to wait for the other Ships that were to go on with her; we were likewise constrained to bring away two small Cannons that we had raised in the Chapel of St. Lazare, without any other Parapet than the Wall, upon which the Enemy making an extraordinary Fire, rendered this Post untenable, we brought off the Cannon with the loss of eight or ten Men.  
Canette, altho' wounded, returned to the Camp on this Day, being the Twenty fourth; and I continued to regulate, upon my Bed, with him, what was necessary to be done. In the Evening of the same Day, he opened the Trench a little below the Door of the Chapel of St. Lazare, where we were under cover, being the same place I had agreed upon with the Major-General. Levy, whose Day it was, did not Command, by reason he was entrusted with the General Management of the Siege in my stead: Coetlogon mounted the Guard in the Trench, which was advanced the same Night Seventy two Fathoms, being as far as was necessary to attack the City-Gate, when the Breach should be perfectly made. The following Days the Captains took their turns, according to their places, and mounted every Twenty four Hours; the Batteries were likewise brought into a condition for Service, and on the Twenty eighth begun to play, our Fire, until then, being only from some little Pieces that were mounted in haste. The Enemy's Fire, which had always been very moderate, grew now something slower; for the Bombs, and the Cannon of the Fort, and the Hill, had dismounted several of their Pieces; yet they troubled us less with their Sallies, for they did not so much as attempt to make one in the whole Siege.  
At this time, a Bark sent from Porto Bello, by the General of the Galleons, to the Governor of Carthagena, not knowing what passed in this place, came quietly into Boccachica, and fell into the hands of the Avenant, and Marin, that I had left there, who took her with their Canoes: The Letters on Board her, were in Answer to those which the Governor of Carthagena had sent to the General, informing him, that the French Fleet was upon the Coast; they contained a particular of the Precautions that were used to secure the Galleons, viz. By bringing them to the very lower end of the Port, and defending the approach to them by an Estoccade of Piles, and Platforms of Cannon: They added farther, That part of the Silver which they had, was already brought into the Castles; for that they had suspended their Resolutions of sending it back to Panama, until they had received some farther Information of our Designs; which the General pressed the Governor to send him immediately, either by the same Bark, or a second, that was to come away in Four and twenty Hours after the first: But what most acquainted us with the miserable Condition they were in, was the earnest Desires of the General, in the most pressing Terms, to send him fifty Pullet's, and some Quintals of white Biskit.  
Although the Batteries, as I said, were not in a Condition to fire, until the Twenty eighth, yet that designed to make the Breach, was played so successfully, by La Motte Michael, Siglas, Longjove, and some other Officers under him, assisted by the Gunner of the Sceptre, that on the Twenty ninth in the Morning, the Wall seemed to totter; our Fire had not been discontinued, because of the Night, but it increased so much in the Day, that in the Evening the Front of the Rampart being quite fallen down, Levy, and Sorel, who would lose no time, imagined the Breach was passable, and came to propose the Assault to me. I was resolved neither to lose, nor neglect a Minute; but likewise determined not to hazard any thing upon ill Grounds: I ordered to Arms, and disposed all things for an Assault; yet resolving not to engage before I judged it feasible: In short, Night being come, whilst we prepared ourselves, the Chevalier de Pointis passing up to the Armpits in Water, over the little Marsh upon which the Causey, and the Bridge, that communicates with the City, are built, went to view the Breach. He assured me, That the Wall was indeed very much ruined; but that it was not possible, as yet, to mount it without Ladders.  
The Chevalier de Ferriere, Captain of a Fireship, who was at the Head of the Brigade of Engineers, that I had sent to observe the Condition of the wooden Bridge, (which the Enemy had endeavoured to blow up, by running under it a Pereagoe filled with Powder) brought me word, That the Bridge had suffered; yet might not be altogether unserviceable to us: And, that the Gate beyond it, which we imagined was beat down by the Cannon, was strongly terraced on the inside; of this he was positively certain, by reason he had put his Hand into the Holes which the Cannon had made, and therefore there was no hopes of carrying the place by that; but that the Breach must be passed, to the foot of which he could not get from the place where he was; and that it was, by all that he could perceive in the Night, but little advanced.  
These two Officers were too well known, to doubt of their having been where they said they were: Moreover, Canette told me, he was not quite ready; that all the Gabions, and Fascines, which he had got together, were spent; and, that if by chance we should find so much resistance as to be obliged to lodge upon the Breach, we should not be able to do it, our Earth-sacks being at the Lake-side, for want of Hands to bring them; that there were two little Flanks unruined, that would destroy a great many Men in the Attack; all these Reasons engaged me to dismiss the Troops from their Duty, and we agreed not to make the Assault until the first of the next Month; in the mean time, to employ both Night and Day in the finishing of the Breach, and to get together all such things as would be necessary upon that occasion.  
Upon the Twenty ninth, Du Buisson being advanced with the three Ships, Sceptre, St. Lewis, and Vermandois, within a small Canonshot of the City, they fired upon it with all their Artillery; but seeing it only reached the tops of the Houses, and my Business being to have two Bastions silenced that annoyed my Camp, I sent to let them know, That when they were retired in the Evening, they should wait new Orders before they begun again.  
In the mean time, we prepared ourselves for the Business of the next Day; the Order of Attack I had regulated with the Major-General, in this manner:  
A Sergeant, with ten Grenadiers, should begin, sustained by the Company of Grenadiers on Guard, there being always one at the Head of the Trench; the whole Body of Grenadiers were likewise to advance to the Head of it, to sustain the first, and to precede a Battalion, in whose Rear should be Canette, the Chevalier de Ferriere, du Crest, Coursy, and One hundred and fifty Workmen, with the Sub-Ingeniers, and all necessary Implements; after whom should follow the same number of Buccaniers and Negroes. The Head of the Trench was twenty Fathom distant from the little Ravelin, that in some sort covers the Bridge, whose Wall was so low, that it might have been passed, if it had not been easier to pass through a single Barrier that was there, and these Troops filled all the Trench, unto the Gate of the Chapel: All the rest of the Battalions were posted according to their Ranks, within the Close of the Hospital, to march into the Trench as fast as the first Troops advanced out of it, to the Attack, and to follow 'em up, and sustain 'em. I recommended to Major Thesut, in particular, the good Order which these Battalions were to observe, to the end, that too much Precipitation might not cause Confusion in their March, nor too much Slowness occasion as much Inconveniency by any Interval being left open.  
All things were thus regulated for the next Day, when Du Casse, whose Day it was, came to tell me, about Three a Clock, That he saw the Breach from the Head of the Trench, plainly enough to assure me, that it was passable; that he believed the Enemies were at work behind, in throwing up a Retrenchment. A delay, in this case, would have been so very inconvenient to me, by reason of the time I should have given the Enemies, to finish their Work, that I forthwith resolved to attack the Enemies at that instant, provided I found the Breach to be as it was described to me. I was the more inclined to believe it, by being informed on all Hands, in the Morning, with the good Effects of the Royal Battery, which at every Discharge brought prodigious Ruins from the Wall; and, at the worst, I could not be more ashamed in retiring, if things should not appear in the Condition reported, than I had been the Night before.  
I immediately sent for Levy, the Major-General, Canette, and some other Officers, that were gone to Nostre Dame de la Pouppe, to discover from that place the Condition of the Town; but hearing a general Alarm beaten, they presently returned; and being informed what was to be done, every one of them ran to give the necessary Orders to what belonged to him. The Troops at work in the Woods, being called by the Drums, instantly came to their Arms, and put themselves into order; there was only a small Body in the Trench, that were not exactly placed where they were to be; but the Major-General disposed of them with all possible Expedition: At which time Nesmond, Poullermont, La Lined, Du Che, and Rochebonne, who (as I said before) choose rather to serve as my Aids de Camps, than to be employed in any other Service, not knowing but that the Troops were in perfect order, came to acquaint me, That every thing was ready, and that they waited for my Orders to march: I gave it, imagining like the rest, that all the Wall was fallen.  
The Order was immediately carried by my Aids de Camp; who having all undertaken to deliver it, took that occasion to run to the head of the Trench, Du Tilleul only, that could not be any where else, was with me; Du Casse was on his Day in the Trench; but Levy being the eldest of all, and this Action being regarded as a General Affair, by reason all were employed in it, put himself at the Head, and gave the Motion to the Troops to begin, at the moment he received the Order; which was as suddenly executed, as it was speedily carried.  
What ought to have been a great Advantage, had like to have caused a great Inconveniency; the Officers, notwithstanding the Remonstrances that had been made them, upon the necessity of each of them being at his Post, to see the Troops perform their Duty; carried on by their Courage, the greatest part of them advanced before the Troops, and assaulted the Breach with Sword in Hand, without observing how they were followed; and the Troops, unprovided of Leaders, did indeed march on, but slower than the Safety of their Officers required, who remained for a considerable time exposed upon the Breach which they had gained. We were all deceived in our Reckoning, for it was the steepest way imaginable: The Grenadiers, who were ordered not to fire, could not abstain from it, when they came to be exposed out of the Trench, and to suffer the Fire of the Ramparts; but the time they employed to Re-charge, detaining them in the way between the Trench and the Breach, was the reason of their Officers being alone at the top: Levy repaired the inconveniency of this Accident so soon as it was possible, by hastening on the Troops, as likewise by his Words and his Actions. In the mean time, the Chevalier de Pointis, who had first mounted, was in an instant joined by Gougon, Jaucourt, and Marolles, whose Battalion was on the Trench-Guard; day, Vignancourt, Montrosier, Du Rollon, Vaujoux, young Marolles, Marigny, Fovilleuse, and my Aids de Camp: They endeavoured to maintain themselves, notwithstanding all the Efforts of the Enemy, who were attacked at the time they lest expected it; yet not being dismayed, they attempted to drive us off with Sword and Pike. Marolles, and Du Rollon, were already mortally wounded, and upon the Ground; Fovilleuse had his Leg broke, Gougon, Montrosier, young Marolles, Marigny, day, and Moussac, were all wounded; some shot, others hurt with Pikes; some of them had several Wounds, as Montrosier, and Vaujoux; when at length Levy, and the Grenadiers, came to their assistance, and repulsed the Enemy; who rallying nevertheless at the end of the Streets, were several times charged before they could be driven off. Du Casse, not so nimble as the rest, altho' one of the first at the foot of the Breach, maugre all his , had so much trouble to climb it, that he was out of Breath by that time he got to the top, where he thought he should never recover his Wind. He was followed by fifteen or twenty Volunteers, Inhabitants of the Coast, who did very good Service; for firing upon such of the Enemies as were yet upon the Ramparts, behind two little Flankers that fired upon the Bridge, and very much annoyed our Troops; they at length obliged them to follow those that were driven from the Platform, where the Breach ended; the Major-General, who at the bottom of the Breach was wounded by a Musket-Ball in the Neck, followed by Baraudin, one of his Aids, and Francin, Captain of Grenadiers with his Arm broken, notwithstanding mounted the Breach together; but the Captain's strength failing, so soon as he was up, he was forced to be brought off, for the same reason the Major-General was not able to make a much longer stay.  
All the Troops defiling in the mean time one after another, I found myself at last rid of all Uneasiness for the Success of an Action, that may, with Modesty, be termed very bold, and very extraordinary, for Seafaring Men.  
A Party of the Negroes of Pally, who conducted them, in defiling off to the Ramparts on the left, pushed the Enemy from Bastion to Bastion, unto the Causey that divides this part of the City, particularly called Hihimani, from the other called by the general Name of Carthagena; but the Buccaniers to exempt themselves from the Attack of the Breach, had consulted the Matter upon the Bridge, and the little Causey of Hihimani, and resolved to line the Hedge over-against the Ramparts, where they made an extraordinary Fire, not perceiving the part they chose out of fear, was much more dangerous than that they endeavoured to avoid: But by good Fortune for them, the Enemy was driven from off those Ramparts, and those Indian Heroes adventured to enter, when they thought the Business was pretty well at an end; yet were they a little mistaken in this Account: For the Enemy, after having stood firm at all the Corners of the Streets, were at length driven to the Causey of Hihimani, towards Carthagena, into which they designed to retreat; but the Governor, who perhaps feared, that upon opening the Gates we might enter Pellmell with his People, plainly told them, That he would not let them in, until they had attacked us in Hihimani: So after the loss of about 800 Men, urged by necessity, and possibly the Wine they had drunk, infusing fresh Courage into them; they got together in a Crowd, and with a great Cry came and charged us at the Head of the great Street, which ends at the Causey: We had just begun to cast up a Retrenchment there, and the Troops not having time to bring themselves into Order, surprised with this Attack, moved a little backwards, to cover themselves with the Houses of the Streets which crossed that: But while Levy, and the Officers, brought them into order, which was instantly done, Vignancourt, the Chevalier de Pointis, Gougon, and Jaucourt, with a small number of Grenadiers, sustained this impetuous Attack; but the Troops being brought back to the Charge, made a very great slaughter of the Enemies; above 150 were found the next Day upon the Causey, pierced with Bayonets, besides those that went off wounded: In this Charge the Viscount de Coetlogon was wounded with a Musket-Ball in the Shoulder, who was come hither from the Battery, accompanied by De la Motte Michael, and De la Motte d'Heran; his Wound did not at first appear to be considerable, but by weakening of him, it contributed to his Death, caused by a malignant Fever; and here the Chevalier de Pointis, after having passed through so many Dangers, to which he exposed himself, received the Wound he died of; the Marquis Du Boury was at this time likewise hurt in his Face, St. Amant on the Side, and many other Officers received Contusions.  
The Enemy being driven back again were received by a little Port into Carthagena; we applied ourselves in Hihimani, to making of Retrenchments at all the Avenues, to secure us from Surprises, and to permit our Troops to pass the Night quietly, in the convenient Lodgings of a handsome City; the Fire of the Enemy's Cannon killed some Men in this Work, that were commanded by the Chevalier de la Ferriere, du Crest, and Coursy, under the direction of Canette, about Ten at Night all was in good order.  
In this Action I lost about sixty Men, and had some more than that number wounded, without comprehending the Officers .  
It was resolved to rest the Troops, the next Day being the first of May, and to work only upon the opening of the Gate, and repairing of the Bridge for the passage of the great Cannon, with which we designed to beat down the Rampart we had to pass, before we could enter into the other part of the City. Canette went in the Morning early, to view the places of Battery that were to be raised, and having showed them to me in the Evening, I found them so near the Wall, that I did not doubt making a very considerable Breach in a very little time; this whole Causey, and that part of the Marsh which divides Carthagena, are not a Musket-shot over.  
This Day I sent on Board the Sceptre, St. Lewis, and the Vermandois, a part of the Detachment of Seamen, called Scythe-men, by reason of the small Scytheses fixed upon Staffs, which they had for their Arms; I ordered these Ships to endeavour again the next Day, to ruin the Defences of a Bastion that could hurt us more than the others. About Three a Clock, on the Second, they began to Cannonade; in the mean time we put all things into a readiness, towards the bringing of the great Cannon into Hihimani; this Cannonading continued until Six; when at the sight of four white Flags flying, two on Hihimani side, and the others towards the Sea, I ordered the Ships to forbear firing, until I knew the Intentions of the Besieged. They told Du Casse, who by the means of a little Spanish, run himself into all things, That they were willing to capitulate upon honourable Terms. I sent them word, That before I entered upon it, I expected Hostages that very moment, without giving any other Assurance than my Parole, to return them the next Day, in case we did not agree upon Terms. This hard Condition was accepted; which plainly shown me, that the Enemies were straitened. In short, the Precedent of Hihimani terrified them, and the Bombs permitted them no manner of rest; so they brought me two of the most considerable Men amongst them. At this instant I received Advice from two places of 1000, or 1200 Men, being upon their March to throw themselves into Carthagena: An Indian was the first that brought me this Account; which was afterwards confirmed to me, by a Letter from a Lieutenant at Boccachica; who seeking for fresh Provisions in the Country, had been besieged in one of the Houses of Don Sanchez Ximenez, defended by his People against a small Detachment of that Body on their March. The Indian said, That he had been among the Troops; who knowing that we possessed the common Highway, did design to go round the great Lake, and passing afterwards through Byways into the little Lakes that lie about Carthagena, to go on a long the Seaside, and get into the City by the Bastions of St. Catherine. I immediately ordered  all the Scythe-men, and Seamen, that could possibly be spared, who were also provided with Arms; these were set to guard the Batteries, for all the Artillery was as yet there. I detached Du Casse with 500 Buccaniers, and a Battalion of 300 Soldiers, to stop the passage of these Succours; he posted himself amongst the little Lakes, where the Enemies would be obliged to come; and the advantage of the place wherein he was posted, enabled him to have given a very good Account of them. The next Day I sent Daunou with a less number, being informed it would be sufficient to repel the Succours, in case it should be attempted; but they did not appear, neither did I ever know the Reasons of it.  
In the mean time we were employed upon the Capitulation. Du Casse, ever an importunate Advocate for the Spaniards, continually tormented me, to mitigate the Conditions I imposed upon them; but being not only charged with the support of the Honour due to His Majesty's Arms, but having likewise my Undertakers Interests to manage, I stood firm to my Demands, altho' an infinite number of Reasons might have occasioned me to be more impatient than any Body else, to have this Affair determined. At length I proposed to the Governor, the honourable Articles of passing out through the Breach, with all those carrying Arms, Drums beating, to take four Pieces of Cannon; and as to the rest, it was agreed, That all the Silver, without Exception, or Reserve, in favour of whomsoever it might be, should belong to me; that the Effects of all such as went out, or were absent, of whatsoever Nature the said Effects were, should devolve to me; that such of the Inhabitants as would continue in the place, excepting their Plate, should enjoy all their Possessions and Privileges, and for the future be regarded as the King's Subjects, being they were so by Conquest: And farther, that all the Churches and Convents should be preserved.  
This Matter agreed on, I demanded until such time as the Governor marched out, which could not be in some Days, that they should deliver me up one of the Gates; which they did, and I ordered the Grenadiers to it. I had regulated what every Man, according to his Condition, was to carry out with him in Silver for their Subsistance; to which, that I might not be imposed upon, I had added this Condition, That I reserved to myself the liberty of searching the Men and Baggage at the Gate. The Governor sent to desire I would permit, out of Courtesy, (which was the Expression) the principal Officers, and some other considerable Persons that I permitted to follow him, the double of what was stipulated. This amounted unto 2000 Crowns a Head; but they being a small number, I readily acquiesced to it, and was convinced by the Fervency of their Acknowledgements, that it was really necessary to them.  
It was of great consequence to me, that those who were allowed to retire where they pleased, after the Garrison was marched out, should remain until they were obliged to reveal what Sums they had in their Houses; therefore I was very exact in my Measures, that no Body might escape: In the mean time, several Officers went freely up and down the City; and Du Casse, whom I had declared Governor, that they might believe I designed to keep the City, took upon him to deliver to some People Certificates, that were not Passports, yet had some resemblance to them, by which those People passed the Gates, the Officers on the Guard believing it was my Order. I do believe he had no ill Intention in it, and I did attribute that manner of acting to the kindness he ever affected to show to the Spaniards; yet common Report did not forbear saying, that he got very considerable Sums; which I did not believe. However, I would not have it thought, that I tolerated his Conduct; therefore I forbidden him the continuance of it: And this Order so much displeased him, that he never came afterwards to me.  
The Governor delayed his departure all that he could; but at length I acquainted him, That he must positively march out upon the Sixth, and that on the same Day I would enter at the Head of the Troops; which was accordingly executed. The Count Vgnez de los Rios, followed with his Garrison, being listed Men, to the number of about 2800, marched out through a Lane of our Soldiers and Seamen, (whom I had ordered on Shoar to enlarge the number) Buccaniers, Inhabitants of the Coast, and Negroes. We two were upon our Horses, and having saluted me with his Sword, after some Expressions of Civility, he continued his way with the City-Colours, and two of the four Cannon allowed him, not having Equipage convenient for the exporting of the others; even these were the smallest, and drawn by Men.  
These People were narrowly searched as they came out; but when I was informed of their Number, which was almost equal to ours; and perceiving that this Search would bring the Night upon us, before we could dispatch them, I was afraid, lest the danger of losing a little Money, should occasion some disorder when it was dark; so I sent my Orders to the Gates, to hasten their March, without delaying of it by a Search, which produced little; and the Garrison all marched out before Sunset. It was not without a great deal of trouble, that I continued upon my Horse, to receive the Salute of the Governor; but that being passed, I was obliged through the great pain of my Wound, to get into my Chair, wherein I was used to be carried; in this Condition, and in the midst of the Guards Marine, who were clothed alike, I went (preceded by a Battalion of Grenadiers) to take possession of the City.  
I was well assured there was Silver in Carthagena; but the difficulty was how to get it: The worst that could happen to those in possession of it, was the loss of it, when we had discovered it; it was therefore necessary to search all the Houses: But by whom could it be done? With what Surety, that the best part should not remain undiscovered? The number of Officers was not great enough, to disperse them into all the necessary places; and if I would not have left any thing, it must have required me above six months' time. In this perplexity I bethought myself of this Expedient: I publicly declared, and ordered it to be set up in the principal places, That I would give the Tenth to the Proprietors, of whatsoever they honestly brought me; and a Tenth to them that should inform me, of any Persons that did not declare their Effects. To these Promises I joined my Threats, of punishing them for formal Disobedience.  
The hopes of preserving a part of what was otherwise all in danger to be lost; the fear of Neighbours, and ill Friends, who at the same time had the opportunity of profiting and being troublesome, induced them all to be ingenuous in the matter; which was done with so much forwardness, that Tilleul, who was charged with the Treasure, was not able to receive and weigh the Silver fast enough.  
The Convents only were of the Opinion, that they were exempted from this Search, under the Article of the Capitulation, that they should be preserved; by this means they quietly kept both their own Money, and what was confided to them. I ordered that Article to be explained to them, to the end they might know, that the preservation of the Convents, consisted, in not permitting them to be destroyed; but as to the Money, I had in formal Terms, reserved that to myself: Otherwise they might have got together all the Riches of the City into their Houses, to have deprived me of it. Notwithstanding these Reasons, several of them continued so obstinate, and among the rest, Father Grenelli a Jesuit, the Guardian, and Procurator of the Cordeliers, that I was forced to have them secured, and to threaten them with worse usage. The Rector of the Jesuits obeyed, and brought about Twenty thousand Crowns in Gold, that he found in the Chamber of Father Grenelli, and about as much from the whole House besides; and then desired, that I would order the House to be  visited, by which Conduct he engaged me to release his Religious. So soon as the Cordeliers perceived that the Buccaniers were brought, who have a particular Talon at discovering hidden Treasures, they protested, they were ready to reveal all they had, so the Buccaniers retired; but when they were gone, the Reverend Fathers fell into their first Silence; in short, I resolved to charge the Captains with the Care of searching the Religious Houses, to the end the Presence of these principal Officers might preserve all necessary Order and Reservedness. This Search produced enough to make amends for the trouble it gave us; and in regard to the Churches, prevented even the appearance of Profanation. After I had severely commanded 'em not to touch any of the sacred Vessels, or any thing appertaining to the Sacrifice, I ordered our Chaplains to gather up what was only for the Decoration of the Churches. Father Paul, a Dominican, who hath (by I know not what Authority) given himself a sort of a Mission among the Buccaniers; and usually living upon the Coast, had followed the Army, and put himself among our Chaplains; aided them with a mighty Zeal to execute my Orders, which seemed to him sufficiently just, in relation to the other Convents; but when he was to go to the Dominicans, supported with the Credit of Du Casse, he thought to have prevented this Visit; but seeing there was no great Notice taken first of his Threats, nor afterwards of his Prayers, was then transported with horror at the profanation, and came running to denounce upon me, from God Almighty, the Anger of Heaven; yet they did not forbear going on with the Business.  
Although the Silver was brought in great abundance to the Contadore; that is, the Town-House, where I had my Quarters; yet we did not receive, by much, what we might have expected. We had scarce got to the Coast of St. Martha, which I had been told was a Desert, but they were acquainted with it at Carthagena; and being likewise informed by three several Expresses from the King of Spain, of all Particulars, they were amply acquainted with my Project, my Forces, and, in a manner, the time I should get thither; so they begun to bestir themselves upon that very Alarm: All the Women, of any Quality, with their Jewels, the Nuns, and what was worst of all, 120 Mules laden with Gold, went out in four Days time; they retired to Monpos, a Town forty Leagues from thence; and altho' we had not miscarried in our first Descent, to attempt Nostre Dame de la Pouppe, yet we could not have got thither until the greatest part of those Treasures was gone. However, the Honour which his Majesty's Arms acquired in this occasion, besides near upon Eight or Nine Millions that could not escape us, comforted us for the loss of the rest.  
There is, in the Year, one intemperate Season, that never misses this part of the Indian Coast, and it seemed, as if the great Rains, and Thunder, which are the Forerunners of it, had, for a time desisted, to afford us the Opportunity of taking Carthagena; for no sooner were we in possession of it, but the Air became infected: Eight hundred Men, in six Days time, were seized with a contagious Distemper, of whom the greatest part died; and, in a little time, we were scarce able to receive into the Hospital, which was with much Expedition established, the great Number that was brought from all parts, every Day were we informed of some melancholy Example; all Ideas of Triumphs and Treasures, were effaced, by those of Sickness and Mortality. In short, if the Distemper had continued with this Rigour, I must have beheld my inevitable Ruin in the fairest Port of the World, and no Enemy near me; not only have lost the Fruits of all our Labours, but likewise the Squadron entrusted to me.  
There was a Report spread about, the Author of it I did not find out until some Days afterwards, That I could not carry back the King's Ships, without making use of the Buccaniers; who being accustomed to these Climates, were no more infected with the Unhealthiness of the Air, than the Natives that are very rarely touched with it. In this Condition, Du Casse, that concealed his Spite at Hihimani, where he was retired, sent to me, by his Major, a Writing, insinuating, That his Colony was in danger of being destroyed, in case the Enemies should attempt a Descent there, which was no ways to be doubted; that he demanded of me the Forces I had drawn from thence; and in case of refusal, he thereby made me responsible for all Accidents. I answered by the same way, That his Colony was as much recommended to me, as it had been to him; that concurring to his Sentiments, as to that Matter, I did consent, whatsoever Inconveniency might attend the weakening of myself by his departure, that he might return with three parts of his Buccaniers, all the Inhabitants, and part of the Negroes; and, that what I kept with me, would therefore be too inconsiderable for the Coast to suffer by it. This Answer, which I designed with sincerity, happened to be contrary to what he expected, he did not imagine I could have taken that Resolution, thinking, by the Report spread about, to have made me so well comprehend the occasion I should have for the Buccaniers, as to have determined myself against their return; but seeing my firmness, he begun to be more compliant, and better disposed, without speaking of going away; and thereby plainly showed us, what sort of Interest detained him at Carthagena. As the Silver was brought in, so it was immediately carried on Board the King's Ships; upon which he employed Daunou to acquaint me, That the Buccaniers were disgusted, that I did not call some of them to be Witnesses of what passed at the Contadore; and proposed to have me admit some Body from them. I found so much Insolence in this Proposition, that I suspected from whence it proceeded: I told Daunou, That if he happened to charge himself with any more such Commissions, I would make him repent it. I was at that instant informed, That some of the Buccaniers, contrary to my Prohibition of pillaging Houses, had broke through the Roof of a House, and stole some Merchandizes: I took my Guards, and went through all the Quarters of the City, resolved to make an Example of those who fell into my Hands; but they were all retired to the Posts assigned them, where they received all the Threats I made them with a most profound Submission: Moreover, I was not so ill served by my Spies, as not to be informed, that the seditious Discourses they sometimes held, upon the Silver being carried on Board the King's Ships, was inspired into them, by People wholly abandoned to their own Interest, who took all Opportunities to express their own Thoughts with the Tongues of the Buccaniers.  
I was not so much a Stranger to the Buccaniers Courage, as to apprehend any manner of Attempt from that part; but a Rumour being underhand whispered, that they had a mind to pillage the Contadore, to secure the share they pretended to of the Booty; I was apprehensive, lest they might force me to punish them so, that I should not be able to expect any farther Service from them, and I might possibly have occasion for their assistance on Board the King's Ships, in my return to France. Upon this I proceeded upon a Method which seemed most likely to satisfy them, without engaging me to an unbecoming Condescension: I liberally recompensed such of the Buccaniers as were wounded, and gave more to the lamed; there being so few of the one, or the other, that I could not thereby much prejudice the Interests of the Armament; I ordered very considerable Gratifications to their Captains, and some others that had distinguished themselves; I thought by the kindness I shown to Du Casse, and his Adherents, which were so excessive, that I am ashamed to own it; I thought, I say, to have engaged them to have made no farther Pretensions; but I was surprised to find, that by his Calculation, of the eight Millions, he reckoned two of them belonged to the Buccaniers; and of these two Millions, he esteemed himself sure of one; for he shares with them as Captain-General, as first Captain of each Frigate, as Proprietor of the Frigates of which he lends some to them, and lets them have others belonging to the King, which with divers Pretexts he detains upon the Coasts, at exorbitant Interest. When I was made acquainted with the Particulars, I resolved with my Authority and Diligence to extricate myself out of this Affair: But this Diligence was the difficult Matter, a great part of the Equipage necessary in a Siege, which we had brought from the Fleet, was yet ashore, the Distempers deprived me of half my Men, and I had scarce got on Board half of the Silver. The Brass Cannons of Carthagena were yet on the Ramparts; I entreated the Buccaniers to undertake this Work, which they refused; and I was informed, they had not only resolved not to work, but likewise to make neither Watch or Ward, until they were put into possession of their share of the Booty. I showed not Concern at this time, but prevailing by Dint of Money, upon the small Number I had in a Condition of working, to use their utmost Efforts, I got on Board my Squadron all the Cannon of Carthagena, all that remained of what was brought on Shoar; and part of the Bastions being already thrown down, on the 25th of May the Powder was put to the other Mines; I re-embarked all my Troops, and myself, leaving Du Casse, his Officers, and Buccaniers, in the City; I acquainted both the one and the other, That if they pillaged the least of the Houses I had marked, I would instantly fire their Frigates: They were too well laden, to suffer them to be exposed to the Effects of my Threats, for having resolved not to bring any Merchandizes on Board the King's Ships, that I might be in a better Condition of Defence, I did permit the Buccaniers to take what belonged not to the Inhabitants that remained in the Town. Du Casse wrote me word, That he would answer for the Obedience of the Buccaniers; adding withal, That if their Conduct was any ways to be blamed, it proceeded from that Severity which was used to them, in not letting them know what they were to expect of the Booty. He might have said with more Truth, that it was his own Inquietude; and in reality, for some Days past, he had continually complained against the embarking of all the Silver; which, he said, they could not tell how to get from the King's Ships: But yet, that he could not believe I would deprive him of any thing that so justly belonged to him; having engaged myself by Writing, to let the Buccaniers divide Man for Man, with the Seamen of the King's Ships. He had a great deal of Reason to insist upon this Writing; which was what I ever designed to have observed; but when I understood, that by his Calculation, Two of the Eight Millions belonged to him, I was surprised at his meaning, believing him informed, as every Body else was, that what appertained to the Seamen of the King's Ships, and consequently to the Buccaniers, whom I had received upon these expressed Terms, was the Tenth of the First Million, and the Thirtieth of all the others; which his Majesty had been pleased to grant to the said Men on Board his Ships, to excite them to do well, and as a Recompense for their Services, as it was explained in the Conditions upon which his Majesty had consented to this Armament. At length, altho' Du Tilleul was Night and Day employed in the Receipt, and Embarking of the Silver, and the infinite Particulars appertaining to a great Squadron, had not the time to examine his Books, and consequently we could not exactly know what Silver there was; yet I so pressed him to make an Estimate of the whole Affair, to satisfy Du Casse, and his Cabal, what did belong to them, that he made out the Account, and signed it.  
Upon the 29th I sent this Account to Du Casse; who, upon my reiterated Orders that I had sent him, was at last embarked with his Buccaniers, and come down pretty near to the Fort of Boccachica; below which was the whole Squadron, except the Sceptre, who through the Ignorance of the Pilots, was got between two Banks, upon which she had struck, and had not then got clear of them.  
Du Casse was extremely surprised upon the reading of the Account, wherein he saw that his, and the Buccaniers Shares, amounted only to about 40000 Crowns. He reckoned, that the whole would have been divided into Four equal Parts, and he being very near a Fourth of the Army, one of these Parts would consequently fall to his Share: But when he opened his Eyes, and saw that dividing Man for Man with the King's Ships, signified sharing of what appertained to the said Ships Companies, but not what appertained to the King, and the Armatures; and when it appeared, that the part of the Ships Companies consisted in the Tenth of the First Million, and the Thirtieth of the others; of which the Fourth, that might belong to him, amounted only to 40000 Crowns, he fell into such a Rage, that not considering, that the leaving of his Government, without a Permission from Court, and upon a particular Interest, was by all manner of Laws, a Criminal Action; yet he resolved to steer for France; probably to demand Justice of himself, for being mistaken; for as to any thing else, there cannot appear any pretence of Complaint. I must acknowledge, I was a long time before I could comprehend, that his Misapprehension should carry him so far, as to imagine, that the Credit of so many People was used, much Address employed, great Sums of Money collected and expended, and so long a Voyage undertaken, to give the Fourth of what it produced, to the Governor of S. Domingo, and a Troop of Banditti; who without being at any Charge, and only for about six Weeks, at least the greatest part of them, idle Spectators of a great Action; methinks Justice seems so repugnant to such a Thought, that Du Casse cannot be excused entertaining it. By allowing a Subsistance, and Share, as I did to this Rabble, they received too much Honour, especially being joined in the Division with the Companies of the King's Ships, whose continual Service, which they render to the King, and the State, so gloriously distinguish them from that base kind of Life that the others lead. Moreover, I do not see what Reply can be made to this Argument: If they are the King's Subjects, they were ordered to serve in this Enterprise, upon which his Majesty did not declare there should be any Distinction in favour of them; according to the Orders, the whole Strength of the Colony was to join the Forces I brought from France; and if they did not, I was to treat them as Rebels: And I was much in the wrong, to associate them to the Consideration that was promised to the King's faithful Subjects.  
When I was getting under Sail, to come out of Carthagena, I was forced to set on fire the Bomb-Galliot, her Masts and Hulk were so shattered, that she was not in a Condition of going to Sea. I left also the Providence-Brigantine, (of whose Company there was not one Man capable of Service) with a Buccanier-Captain, until farther Order. The necessity I was in, of dismounting some Ship, to afford some assistance to the others, by dividing of her Company amongst them, had engaged me to have fired the Christship, if Du Casse, to whom it was necessary I should give a Ship, to transport his People to the French Cape, had not been contented with that; which he armed as well as he could, to carry back the Buccaniers, Inhabitants, and Negroes, to St. Domingo.  
On the 30th I was taken so very ill with the Distemper, that all that I could do, before I fell into a Condition that deprived me of my Intellect, was to acquaint Levy, that I committed the Care of the Squadron to him; and that he should steer his Course for Cape Tiburon, according to the Resolution he knew I had taken, to return from thence to France, without touching at Petit Guaves, where, as I was informed, the Air was not infected less than at Carthagena, by which the rest of our Men would have infallibly perished: From that time, I ordered nothing that passed; but the Account that follows, Levy, and the Major-General, gave me in Writing, as likewise by Word of Mouth.  
Upon the last of the Month of May, completing the Ruin of the Fort of Boccachica, where we had some Days been at work, Daunou, after many fruitless Attempts to speak with me, went to them, and acquainted them, That the Buccaniers being enraged at the small part I gave them of the Booty, had proposed to board and plunder the Sceptre; but that afterwards they were come to the Resolution, to return and plunder Carthagena: And in reality, they perceived at that Instant, the greatest part of their Frigates making into the Port, to sail to it: He said further, that they had passed under the Stern of the Pontchartrain, where Du Casse was on Board, to whom they had declared their Design; and, that he had exhorted them, not to commit such an Infraction of the Treaty upon which the City surrendered; that he had likewise sent his Major to endeavour to dissuade them from it; that for his own part, it gave him so much trouble, that he desired only a hundred Seamen, with which he should think himself strong enough to prevent their Designs on the City.  
All the Squadron was out at Sea, excepting the Sceptre, who was something nearer to them; but in such a Condition by reason of the Distemper among the Seamen, that we were very far from being able to make this Detachment; And altho' they might have been, yet how could it be possible, for a hundred Men, several Hours behind the Buccaniers, to prevent them from landing? The ridiculous and true Motive of this Proposition was palpably apparent; and accordingly Levy, and the Major-General, expressed their Opinion very freely to Daunou, whose Passion increased upon the Contempt they showed him. Yet Levy, desirous to apply all the Remedy that was to be used, made all the haste he could on Board the Frigate of Macary, being nearest the Fort, and longer in getting ready than the other, and by that able to be reached, and by his Authority he made her come to an Anchor again, believing, that afterwards she would not dare but to come out with the Sceptre; yet this Ship being got through the passage, the Frigate was no longer afraid of being stopped by her Cannon; Macary having for some time followed us, suddenly tacked about, and stood after the rest of his Companions, after having conferred with Du Casse, with whom he stayed most part of the Night.  
It looks as if Du Casse was entirely bereft of his Sense, in not more carefully covering his Connivance with the Buccaniers, in their violating of an Authentic Capitulation. The Pontchartrain, aboard which he was, and the Malovin-frigate, that he could have commanded, were both of them among the Buccaniers Frigates, when they resolved upon this Course; Why did he not go after them, on all sides firing on them? Yet shooting so high, or so low, as not to do them any damage? He might have made it to have been believed, that he was no Accomplice in this Perfidiousness, and at the same time have justified to the World, that it was not by my Orders committed, being it would then have appeared, that it was done by Mutineers; whereas this scandalous Herd being, in appearance, under my Command, as formerly, I am become responsible for their Conduct to the K. of Spain; who might, if I should ever happen to fall into his Power, with some Justice, use me as a Breaker of Treaties: For what appears in sum of this Action, is a Capitulation manifestly broken by the King's Army. It was plain to us, Du Casse only thought of making the best of his way to get first of all into France, quitting the Squadron without leave, and even without the knowledge of any one, he brought to all the Sails of the Pontchartrain, and we heard no more of him until the Fourth of June. The Squadron left Boccachica on the First, after having disengaged themselves of the Misfortune which the Sceptre and Fort had, in striking the first Night after their coming out, upon two Banks three Leagues from the Coast, whereby they were like to have been lost. The Squadron after this, stood for Cape Tiburon, when a Vessel from Petit Guaves brought us a Packet; he met Du Casse, to whom he had likewise delivered one, which was a Duplicate of that he had for me: They came from Robert, Intendant of the Isles, who had dispatched away a Bark to inform me, That upon the Twenty seventh of April, Thirteen English Men of War, of which Eight were Capital Ships, were arrived at Barbadoes, where there were several others; that it was not to be doubted but this was the Squadron, (as he had been informed from France) that the Enemies was to send after me, to prevent the Execution of my Designs; that this Squadron was not to make any stay at Barbadoes, upon which I was to take my Measures. The Day before I left France, I was advised, that to whatsoever place I went, Admiral Nevil, with Fifteen English Ships, was to follow me, so soon as they knew the Course I steered. These Informations concurring with each other, we did not doubt of the arrival of that Squadron in the Indian Seas, as likewise that we must meet them: For their Course, of consequence, if they were informed at Jamaica of our Success at Carthagena, as it was very probable, would be to expect us at Cape Tiburon, there not being any likelihood that we should return to France, without passing upon that Coast to take in fresh Provisions, and leave the Men I had taken from thence. I was then a little recovered from the Extremity of my Illness, and upon this News I held the first Council of this Expedition; there was no diversity of Opinions, all the Captains agreeing, that we ought to steer for the Gulf of the straits of Bahama; that we ought to supply our want of Water, by the most extraordinary good Management of what we had; that there would be an opportunity of taking in more upon the Coast of Accadia, which was the most probable way of missing the Enemy, who could not be gone to expect us there, knowing we had a more convenient passage upon many Accounts. Upon this Resolution we altered our Course that we were steering to Tiburon, for that of Bahama, which we continued until the Sixth. It may here be observed, how little one ought to depend upon the severest Reasons, when Fortune is in the Scale: The Course of Cape Tiburon, our Ruin, in appearance, was free of all Danger, the Enemy passed very wide of it; and the way of Bahama, so sure in our Reckoning, carried us into that between Jamaica, and Carthagena, which they then steered, and occasioned us to fall into the midst of them in the Night, between the Sixth and the Seventh. Some Hours before Day, I was informed, that from time to time, they perceived Fires made in a Ship behind us; this Signal not being to be made by any of ours, we began to believe, it was some advanced Frigate of the Enemies, who informed them by her Fires, that she followed us, and that by keeping after her, they could not lose us. There was then no other Resolution to be taken, than to wait for the Day; we did not know our situation, in relation to that of the Enemies, so by any other manner of working, we should have run the same Risque, to have fallen in with them, as to have steered clear of them. The first appearance of Day presented us with the Image of an inevitable and dismal Misfortune; we at first reckoned Twenty Sail, than Twenty five, a little afterwards Twenty nine, and among them a Catch. Eight of these Ships seemed to be of an equal force to the Sceptre, Ten or Twelve others, with the St. Lewis, the Furieux, and our other Ships of that Rate, the rest with our Frigates from Thirty six to Forty four Guns; half of this Fleet was to Windward of our Squadron, and wanted but little of Canonshot of us; some others were exactly on our Lee; and the rest, which were the great Ships , were in our Sterns, a little below us.  
Our great Misfortune was not only to have Eight and twenty Ships against our Seven Ships, and Three Frigates; but as an addition, our unfortunate Squadron was so strangely weakened by the Mortality, that she was rather a general Hospital for the rest of the Officers, and Seamen; insomuch, that when we went to put ourselves into a Condition of making some sort of a resistance, by the paleness of our Faces, and the weakness of our Motion and Stirring, it looked as if the Hospital of Paris was brought under Arms. To give an Idea of the Condition we were in, I need only say, that the other Ships were possibly in a much worse Condition than the Sceptre, who out of her Compliment of 700 Men, had not above 350 that were able to take Arms, or work our Artillery. What an alteration for me in particular! My Expedition had acquired some Honour to the King's Arms, and would have produced considerable Advantages to my Armatures. The taking of Carthagena seemed to have acquired me a pleasing Distinction; and being enriched, I had, at my Return, a prospect of Glory and Pleasures, all which now passed like a shadow; and I had contitinually before my Eyes, the destruction of a flourishing Squadron, which I had the Honour to be entrusted with; the Displeasure of the King and his Ministers, in the Circumstances of this Loss, which not only deprived His Majesty of so many Ships, but so much advantaged his Enemies, and carried them those Riches, that were in a manner ready to have entered France; the Grief of my Armatures, for whom all was lost by this unhappy Rencounter; and my continual Despair in the Remainder of a Life, which after a long Imprisonment, I must have passed in Obscurity, if the Report of my bad Fortune had not rendered me remarkable.  
These were my Reflections, when having acquainted all my People, that we ought to die like Men of Honour, I had two occasions of being comforted; the first was, the Officers protesting to me, with an Air of Assurance, that the Ships should be defended, whilst any of them were living; and the Ships Company entered into the same Sentiment; insomuch, that the Sick, at least those not at extremity, showed themselves as forward as the others; so I beheld Resolution on all sides of me. The other was, so soon as the Signal for the Order of Battle was made, the St. Lewis, Furieux, Vermandois, St. Michael, and the Mutiny, came up so fast, and fell so well into their Stations, that they allowed us no occasion of doubting of their having the same Resolution with ours; the Fort, the Apollo, L'Avenant, and Marin, did not obey the Signal, but kept to Windward, where they chanced to be; the Captains of the two last were sick, and I had taken from them the greatest part of their Men, to strengthen the great Ships, and had designed them for Fireships; but not having time to fit them up for it, nor to fetch away their Sick, they were become altogether uncapable of any Service, so I could no ways wonder they did not fall into their ordered Station; as to the Fort, and the Apollo, I was apprehensive that the first had lost so many of her Men, that she was not able to make any sort of a Fight; the other being her Second, did believe, as it is the Custom, that she was not to abandon her Flag, Du Buisson, by the Death of the Viscount Coetlogon, then carrying the Flag of Rear-Admiral. At this instant, one of the Enemy's Ships having fired a Gun upon the Flyboat, called, The City of Amsterdam, who was a good way a-stern of us; she struck Sail, and surrendered: They found a great many sick Men on Board her, and a very considerable quantity of Ammunition and Provision. The only Traversier left me had the same Destiny with the Flyboat, with whom she was. But while these things passed, we found that half of their Fleet, who in a little time were got within reach of us, were unwilling to engage, until the others to Leeward could come to the Action: Yet being unwilling to hand in their Sails, to stay for the others behind, they kept themselves in a Line, and permitted us to get before them. We perceived by their working, that we were yet to have some Hours of quiet, and none of us being strong enough to support a long Action, we reposed ourselves in expectation of the Event. About two a Clock in the Afternoon, the Major-General came to me, and told me, There was no farther hopes of delays, that the advanced part of the Enemy's Fleet was got within less than Canonshot, and to Windward of our Squadron, and their great Ships exact a-broadside of our Lee. This being so, the Signal general for the Order of Battle was given, without loss of time; I added to it the particular Signal of the Fort, to bring her to her Station; but she only did so much as was necessary, to let us know that she knew her Signal, and then standing to Windward, she confirmed me in the Thoughts I had in the Morning.  
The Affair was sufficiently serious to keep us attentive: We observed first of all, that the Ships which might have attacked us, chose rather to slacken their way, and fell from us; with much regarding of them, I was partly of the Opinion, that it was by going larger away than we who kept close to the Wind, that their great Ships had gained so much upon us. The fear of deceiving myself in this matter, made me consult all those that I reckoned able to inform me; and they all being of the same Opinion, I easily penetrated into the Thoughts of the English Admiral, who reckoned there was no Safety for me, but to go before the Wind, for the straits of Bahama; so he proposed to get so much a Head of me, as to hinder my passage; but I perceived at the same time, that he might be mistaken in his working; because, instead of sailing parallel to the Course we steered, his coming up opened an Angle; which in truth, brought him into my Traverse, but in reality at a greater distance than when he was a little a-stern of us; therefore by tacking about, I should be at a greater distance than I was before; besides, I was sure to get something by it.  
I was certain, that the Ships which might have attacked me, durst not do it, and therefore it would not much trouble me, if I did find them in my passage. Upon this, I sent the Marine-Frigate, to order all the Ships of the Squadron to tack about, precisely, at the shutting in of Night; that I would light no Fires, nor make any Signal, and that they should go as close hauled to the Wind as it was possible. At the time appointed we went about, but we were too near the Enemy to conceal our working from them; one of their small Frigates being likewise got in amongst us, I was obliged to give him some Canonshot from the Sceptre, and the Furieux, who was something nearer to him; with which he stood so corrected, that we saw him no more afterwards. But the different Signals which the Enemy's Ships made by Fires to each other, assured us, that they who were most advanced, communicated to them behind what passed, so we doubted not of our being followed. However, the next Day, so soon as it was light, we found the success of our working; for we could only reckon 14 Ships, who followed us in a Line one after the other, and not so nigh by far as the Day before; but at the same time we missed the Fort, Apollo, L'Avenant, Marin, and the Diep Flyboat: We having not heard any Canonshot, we could not think they were taken: However, it was not until the next Day that I was eased of this Apprehension, by report of the Mutiny, that rejoined me, acquainting me, That when she carried the Orders for the Ships to go about, those we missed being considerably to Windward of us, who had by much the Wind of the Enemies when we tacked, it was much easier for them to get clear, by keeping on their way, than in following me: Simonet added, that the Fort had lost her Foretop-mast: But having seen all the Enemy's Ships standing as we did, at a great distance from each other, there was no reason to fear that ours were pursued.  
This separation being not to be remedied, my Thoughts were wholly employed to the preservation of the rest of the Squadron, and to make use of the advantage I had got; I continued the same Board, until within twenty Leagues of Carthagena, where we were on the 9th of the same Month of June. In the Evening I made the Signal of holding the contrary Course; and when it was quite dark, I acquainted the other Ships, with three Guns, that they were to steer West, directly before the Wind: There was then but three of the Enemy's Ships that kept within sight of us, and they were a great way from us; they could not imagine what this Signal meant, and so kept on the same Board. In the mean while, we ran this Night 22 Leagues, and the next Day found ourselves perfectly out of all Business on that side. But to one Trouble ended, commonly comes another: It was not possible for us to reach Bahama, by holding through the usual passage, that lies between Cuba and Jamaica, and which is not at all dangerous; but we were obliged to take that to the Southward, terrible for the Shelves, among which we were forced to pass, altho' we were altogether ignorant of them; however, supplying the want of Experience, with our utmost Care and Diligence, we escaped all the Rocks, and having doubled the Cape of St. Anthony, found ourselves on the 26th in the entrance of the Straight of Bahama; where we understood by a small English Vessel, who fell into our Squadron, coming from Jamaica, laden with Indigo and Cotton, to the value of about 25000 Crowns, that the English Fleet we had met was commanded by Nevil, and was composed, at Barbadoes, of 13 Ships that came from England, of three that were in the Island, and eight Hollanders, of which four were very large Ships, and came out of the straits, who made in all 24 Men of War, to whom were belonging four Fireships, and a Catch: Which was exactly the Number we had seen; their Intention was to have stayed 24 Hours only at Jamaica, but the contrary Winds had detained them eight Days; that their Ships were in good Health, but very ill manned, the greatest of them not having above 350 Men, and those of between 50 and 60 Guns, 150 Men: This last Circumstance diminished the admiration I was in, that none of them who could have attacked me, had not begun the Fight by engaging of me, until such time as the rest could get up to them; it may be, they were ignorant of the ill state we were reduced to by Sickness, or possibly they did not give Credit to what they might have known by the Amsterdam Flyboat; for the Countenance that we shown them, was no ways answerable to what she could have told them.  
Having detached away the Mutine-Frigat for St. Domingo, with the Forces, Inhabitants, and Negroes, that were on Board that part of the Squadron then with me, we steered on our Course; nothing material happened to us, excepting an Error in our Reckoning: For we were got to the Eastward of Newfoundland, when we thought we had been to the Westward; which obliged us to go into Conception-Bay for Water, that we designed to have taken at Plaicentia: We came to an Anchor on the Fourth of the Month of August, having only six Days Water on Board. The Captain of a small Vessel coming from Barbadoes, which we took on the Second Instant, did us very good Service in our Anchorage, which we did not know; but this Vessel which the Vermandois manned, happened to lose the Squadron in a Mist; as did also another small Vessel, that we found abandoned at Sea, upon which we sent likewise some Men, and since we never heard more of them. The great want of some fresh Provisions, obliged me to send the Captain of the Prize, taken at Bahama, to propose to some Fishermen, retired to the bottom of the Bay, called La Carbonniere, to supply me with what Cattle they could, and to lend me their Boats to take in Water; upon which I promised, to do them no harm. They answered me by the same Messenger, That they had scarce any fresh Provisions; but they would give me what they had, and accommodate me with their Boats; provided, I gave them Hostages. The assistance was not considerable enough, to accept it upon this Condition; so I resolved to burn a dozen, or fourteen, pitiful Houses that were there, after I had taken in my Water.  
In the mean time, I was informed by a Prisoner, That there were eight English Men of War at St. John's, eight Leagues from us; sent thither for the Re-establishment of that Colony, ruined by the Governor of Plaicentia; that these Ships, whereof two carried 70 Guns each, and the rest from 50 to 60, had brought 13 Foot-Companies, commanded by Gibson, Lieutenant-Governour of Portsmouth, who were to stay there; that Norris commanded the Fleet; and, that in a Council of War, held at our arrival, it was resolved, to stand out to fight us. This News made us double our Diligence to get in the Water we wanted, and to prepare ourselves, not only to fight the English, but to seek them out. To this purpose we got under Sail; on the Seventh of August we stood to La Carbonniere, to burn the little Houses; but the Wether being so bad, that we could not get to them without danger, besides the inconsiderableness of the place, rendering this Action not sufficiently important, to consume away time upon it, I took the Party to go before St. John's, to attack the Enemies, if they had been out; but apparently, some reflection of the force and largeness of our Ships, had prevented them from coming out, and the Port was so straight, as to render any Attempt upon them impracticable; I was contented to show myself, and offer them Battle, which seeing they did not Answer we steered for the Coast of France upon the Eighth of the same Month of August: and on the Twenty fourth of the said Month, in the Fourth Degree of Latitude, and .. Longitude, we perceived six Ships cruising exactly in the Course we steered. Notwithstanding the weakness to which we were reduced, our Ships not having then by much, one half of our Compliment of Men; the Number of the Enemies, supposing they were so, did no ways occasion us to fear meeting them; besides, this place not being a usual cruising station with them; and on the contrary, very common for the French Ships; there was a great deal of appearance that they were such, and many Conveniences would attend this joining; so I continued on my way: But when I came up with them, three of them appeared to be three Deck Ships, the fourth equal to ours of 64 Guns, a Frigate of 40 Guns, and another small Vessel, that did not bring herself into the Line; whilst we were considering of what Country they were, and had brought ourselves into Order of Battle, with the Wind upon the Beam, being the same Method which they had taken in expecting us, they put forth English Colours, and contrary to the Custom of that Nation, they did not fire first, altho' we were in less than Canonshot. We put forth our Colours, at the same time they shown theirs; and to do them Justice, it was impossible to make a bolder working than what they shown; little did they guests the badness of our Condition, nor that the Sceptre, St. Lewis, Furieux, Vermandois, and St. Michael, were reduced to the weakness of 40 Gun Frigates, not knowing these Circumstances, it must be allowed that they showed a great deal of Resolution.  
We were so far advanced, that the Honour of His Majesty's Arms would not permit us to turn back, but rather to make ourselves a passage; and moreover, that Attempt which would infallibly have discovered our weakness, would as certainly have encouraged the Enemy, upon whom we came within the reach of a Fusil Boucanniere, where we than perceived their Beds and Hammocks to be passed from the Forecastle to the Quarter-deck, to cover them from our small Shot; this hindered us from discerning the space between the Forecastle and Quarter-deck, and occasioned us to believe them Three-deck-ships; it was easy to mistake them, three being of those great Frigates of 72 Guns, which have that length, width, and depth, so they wanted only some Beams and Planks to unite them; the fourth was something less, and about the strength of the Furieux; the fifth a Frigate of 40 Guns: The Commander was in the midst of his Squadron, and myself also in the Centre of His Majesty's Ships, both sides being exactly in a Line, I was only to spring my Loof to come a-broadside of him, and upon my Signal the Fire began, which continued from half an Hour after Three, until Seven; and with much more briskness on our side, than I could have expected from our weakness; the Enemy, altho' better provided, in my Opinion, shown not altogether so much; however, they kept as close to the Wind as it was possible for them.  
At the same time the Fight began, they set their Sails as we did, that is, so as to continue on the Course upon which we found them, which was North North-West, a very contrary Course to what I was to steer, and from which I could not departed; so I went about in our Line of Battle, to leave the Cape to the East.  
In the execution of this, the Fire was pretty violent on both sides; but the Enemies, instead of going about, continued their Broadsides, which passed in a moment, and we got far enough to apprehend any farther damage. In a very little while afterwards, the Enemies went about likewise all at once; yet I was fully persuaded, they would not endeavour to begin the Fight again, by reason they continued their lower Sails furled as well as we, who wrought with much trouble through the want of Hands to repair the great damage we suffered in our Sails and Rigging: For as to the Men, there was not abroad the Sceptre above eleven killed and wounded, and in the other Ships yet less in proportion; but the Vermandois having lost her Foretop-mast, I was extremely troubled, because I did not think her able to get up another; yet she did not only attempt it in the Night, but perfectly accomplished it early the next Day.  
We continued our Course all Night, with an easy Sail, and our usual Lights. The next Day we were in a Condition to have begun again, if the Enemy had followed us; which we doubted of in the Night, as not discerning any of their Lights; but it is probable, that they had not less work to repair than we had, so I presume they spent the Night at work, and the next Day we were almost out of fight.  
We had done our Business, which was to pass without shame: We had no Advantage to expect from a second Engagement; but on the contrary, many Inconveniences, and one almost inevitable; which was, that the Squadron would perish at Sea for want of Provisions, if any endamaged Ship should considerably detain us. Therefore we kept on our way, and the Enemies followed us until the 26th at Noon, at which time they went about to the other Board.  
I cannot refuse making the Officers and Seamen the Acknowledgements I own them; for they did, in this occasion, by much go beyond their Strength; and with the  they express, if our Force had been something less unequal, the Enemies would have had more trouble to have disengaged themselves. We came at last into Breast, upon the 29th of August, 1697.  
FINIS.   

BOOKS Printed for Sam. Buckley, at the Dolphin in Fleetstreet.  
VOyages and Discoveries in South-America: The first up the River of Amazons to Quito in Peru, and back again to Brazil performed at the Command of the King of Spain, by Christopher D'Acugna. The Second up the River of Plate, and thence by Land to the Mines of Potosi, by Monsieur Acarete. The Third from Cayenne into Guiana, in search of the Lake of Parima, reputed the richest Place in the World. By M. Grillet and Bechamel. Done into English from the Originals, being the only Accounts of those Parts hitherto extant. The whole illustrated with Notes and Maps. In Octavo.  
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