Of Captain Mission and His Crew | Page 8

natural Right, which is such a
Share of Earth as is necessary for our Support.
These Topicks he often declaimed on, and very often advised with

Misson about the setting up for themselves; he was as ambitious as the
other, and as resolute. Caraccioli and Misson were by this expert
Mariners, and very capable of managing a Ship: Caraccioli had
founded a great many of the Men on this Subject, and found them very
inclineable to listen to him. An Accident happen'd which gave
Caraccioli a fair Opportunity to put his Designs in Execution, and he
laid Hold of it; they went off Martinico on a Cruize, and met with the
Winchelsea, an English Man of War of 40 Guns, commanded by
Captain _Jones_; they made for each other, and a very smart
Engagement followed, the first Broadside killed the Captain, second
Captain, and the three Lieutenants, on Board the Victoire and left only
the Master, who would have struck, but Misson took up the Sword,
order'd Caraccioli to act as Lieutenant, and encouraging the Men
fought the Ship six Glasses, when by some Accident, the Winchelsea
blew up, and not a Man was saved but Lieutenant Franklin, whom the
French Boats took up, and he died in two Days. None ever knew before
this Manuscript fell into my Hands how the Winchelsea was lost; for
her Head being driven ashore at Antegoa, and a great Storm having
happend a few Days before her Head was found, it was concluded, that
she founder'd in that Storm. After this Engagement, Caraccioli came to
Misson and saluted him Captain, and desired to know if he would
chuse a momentary or a lasting Command, that he must now determine,
for at his Return to Martinico it would be too late; and he might depend
upon the Ship he fought and saved being given to another, and they
would think him well rewarded if made a Lieutenant, which Piece of
Justice he doubted: That he had his Fortune in his Hands, which he
might either keep or let go; if he made Choice of the latter, he must
never again expect she would court him to accept her Favours: That he
ought to let before his Eyes his Circumstances, as a younger Brother of
a good Family, but nothing to support his Character; and the many
Years he must serve at the Expence of his Blood before he could make
any Figure in the World; and consider the wide Difference between the
commanding and being commanded: That he might with the Ship he
had under Foot, and the brave Fellows under Command, bid Defiance
to the Power of Europe, enjoy every Thing he wish'd, reign Sovereign
of the Southern Seas, and lawfully make War on all the World, since it
would deprive him of that Liberty to which he had a Right by the Laws

of Nature: That he might in Time, become as great as Alexander was to
the _Persians_; and by encreasing his Forces by his Captures, he would
every Day strengthen the Justice of his Cause, for who has Power is
always in the Right. That Harry the Fourth and Harry the Seventh,
attempted and succeeded in their Enterprizes on the Crown of England,
yet their Forces did not equal his. Mahomet with a few Camel Drivers,
founded the Ottoman Empire and Darius, with no more than six or
seven Companions got Possession on of that of Persia.
In a Word he said so much that Misson resolved to follow his Advice,
and calling up all Hands, he told them, 'That a great Number of them
had resolved with him upon a Life of Liberty, and had done him the
Honour to create him Chief: That he designed to force no Man, and be
guilty of that Injustice he blamed in others; therefore, if any were
averse to the following his Fortune, which he promised should be the
same to all, he desired they would declare themselves, and he would set
them ashore, whence they might return with Conveniency;' having
made an End, they one and all cryed, Vive le Capitain Misson et son
Lieutenant le Seavant Caraccioli, God bless Capt. Misson and his
learned Lieutenant Caraccioli. Misson thanked them for the Honour
they conferr'd upon him, and promised he would use the Power they
gave for the publick Good only, and hoped, as they had the Bravery to
assert their Liberty, they would be as unanimous in the preserving it,
and stand by him in what should be found expedient for the Good of all;
that he was their Friend and Companion, and should never exert his
Power, or think himself other than their Comrade, but when the
Necessity of Affairs should oblige him.
They shouted a second Time, _vive le Capitain_;