ENGLISH PRIVATEERS. 19 



hence, unless we were, resolved to turn back to America again. Captain Swan returned 

 him thanks for his kindness and advice, and took his leave; and the same day sent 

 the Frier ash oar that was seized on our first arrival, and gave him a large Brass 

 Clock, an Astrolabe, and a large Telescope; for which Present the Frier sent us 

 aboard six Hogs, and a roasting Pig, 3 or 4 Bushels of Potatoes, and 50 pounds of 

 Manila Tobacco. Then we prepared to be gone, being pretty well furnished with 

 Provision to carry us to Mindanao, where we designed next to touch. We took 

 aboard as many Coco-nuts as we could well stow, and we had a good stock of Rice, 

 and about 50 Hogs in salt. « 



WOODES ROGERS. 



On March 11, 1710, the celebrated English privateer Woodes Rogers 

 arrived at Guam, accompanied by Alexander Selkirk, whom he had 

 recently rescued from the island of Juan Fernandez, in the South 

 Pacific. The English were in pretty bad condition. Their provisions 

 were nearly exhausted, and man}^ of them were sick and suffering from 

 wounds received in battle with the Spaniards on the American coast. 

 Rogers had with him a prize, Nuestra Senora de la Incamacion, the 

 name of which he had changed to the Batchelor Frigate. He car- 

 ried with him considerable booty in the form of money, jewels, and 

 fabrics taken from the natives of Guayaquil and other Spanish- Ameri- 

 can towns recently sacked by him, and among his prisoners were sev- 

 eral officers of the recently captured prize. To the governor of Guam 

 (Don Antonio Pimentel) Rogers and his associates wrote the following 

 letter: 



Sir: We being Servants of her Majesty of Great Britain, and stopping at these 

 Islands on our Way to the East Indies, will not molest the settlement; provided you 

 deal fairly with us. AVe will pay for whatever Provisions and Refreshments you have 

 to spare, in such manner as best agrees with your Conveniency, either in Money or 

 any Necessaries you want. But if after this civil Request you deny us, and do not 

 act like a Man of Honour, you may immediately expect such Military Treatment, as 

 we are with ease able to give you. This we thought fit to confirm under our Hands, 

 recommending to you our Friendship and kind Treatment, which we hope you'll 

 esteem, and assure yourself we then shall be with the strictest Honour 

 Your friends and humble Servants, 



AV. Rogers. 

 S. Courtney. 

 E. Cooke. 

 To the Honourable Governor of the Island op Guam. 

 March 23, 1709 (1710). 



As the governor had no adequate means of resisting the English, he 

 supplied them with provisions. Courtesies were interchanged, the 

 Spaniards entertaining the English on shore and accepting their invi- 

 tation to entertainments on board the ships. Rogers presented to the 

 governor two negro boj^s "dressed in liveries," 20 yards scarlet cloth- 

 serge, and 6 pieces of cambric, "which he seemed wonderfully well 

 pleased with." The ships were supplied with 60 hogs, 99 fowls, 21 



«Op. cit., pp. 301-304. 



