Of Captain Mission and His Crew | Page 6

Men. This was very agreeable to
Misson and Signior Caraccioli, who immediately set out for Marseilles.

This Town is well fortified, has four Parish Churches, and the Number
of Inhabitants is computed to be about 120,0000; the Harbour is
esteemed the safest in the Mediterranean, and is the common Station
for the French Gallies.
Leaving this Place, they steer'd for Rochelle, where the Victoire was
dock'd, the Merchant Ships not being near ready. Misson, who did not
Care to pass so long a Time in Idleness, proposed to his Comrade the
taking a Cruize on board the Triumph, who was going into the _English
Channel_; the Italian readily contented to it.
Between the Isle of Guernsey and the Start Point they met with the
Mayflower, Captain Balladine Commanded, a Merchant Ship of 18
Guns, richly laden, and coming from Jamaica. The Captain of the
English made a gallant resistance, and fought his Ship so long, that the
French could not carry her into Harbour, wherefore they took the
Money, and what was most valuable, out of her; and finding she made
more Water than the Pumps could free, quitted, and saw her go down in
less than four Hours after. Monsieur le Blanc, the French Captain,
received Captain Balladine very civilly, and would not suffer either
him or his Men to be stripp'd, saying, _None but Cowards ought be
treated after that Manner; that brave Men ought to treat such, though
their Enemies, as Brothers; and that to use a gallant Man (who does his
Duty) ill, speaks a Revenge which cannot proceed but from a Coward
Soul._ He order'd that the Prisoners should leave their Chests; and
when some of his Men seem'd to mutter, he bid 'em remember the
Grandeur of the Monarch they serv'd; that they were neither Pyrates nor
Privateers; and, as brave Men, they ought to shew their Enemies an
Example they would willingly have follow'd, and use their Prisoners as
they wish'd to be us'd.
They running up the English Channel as high as Beachy Head, and, in
returning, fell in with three fifty Gun Ships, which gave Chace to the
_Triumph_; but as she was an excellent Sailor, she run 'em out of Sight
in seven Glasses, and made the best of her Way for the _Lands-End_
they here cruized eight Days, then doubling Cape Cornwall, ran up the
Bristol Channel, near as far as Nash Point, and intercepted a small Ship

from Barbadoes, and stretching away to the Northward, gave Chase to
a Ship they saw in the Evening, but lost her in the Night. The Triumph
stood then towards Milford and spying a Sail, endeavour'd to cut her off
the Land, but found it impossible; for she got into the Haven, though
they came up with her very fast, and she had surely been taken, had the
Chase had been any thing longer.
Captain Balladine, who took the Glass, said it was the Port Royal, a
Bristol Ship which left Jamaica in Company with him and the Charles.
They now return'd to their own Coast, and sold their Prize at Brest,
where, at his Desire, they left Captain Balladine, and Monsieur le
Blanc made him a Present of Purse with 40 _Louis's_ for his Support;
his Crew were also left here.
At the Entrance into this Harbour the Triumph struck upon a Rock, but
receiv'd no Damage: This Entrance, called Genlet, is very dangerous on
Account of the Number of Rocks which lie on each Side under Water,
though the Harbour is certainly the best in France. The Mouth of the
Harbour is defended by a strong Castle; the Town is well fortified, and
has a Citadel for its farther Defence, which is of considerable Strength.
In 1694 the English attempted a Descent, but did not find their Market,
for they were beat off with the Loss of their General, and a great many
Men. From hence the Triumph return'd to Rochel, and in a Month after
our Voluntiers, who went on board the Victoire, took their Departure
for Martineco and _Guadalupe_; they met with nothing in their Voyage
thither worth noting.
I shall only observe, that Signior Caraccioli, who was as ambitious as
he was irreligious, had, by this Time, made a perfect Deist of Misson,
and thereby convinc'd him, that all Religion was no other than human
Policy, and shew'd him that the Law of Moses was no more than what
were necessary, as well for the Preservation as the Governing of the
People; for Instance, said he, the African Negroes never heard of the
Institution of Circumcision, which is said to be the Sign of the
Covenant made between God and this People, and yet they circumcise
their Children; doubtless for the same Reason the Jews and other
Nations do,