3H 



aA M E'KI C A. 



Chap. XIII. 



Vtnabltt his 



During their abode here, Commiflioners oft pafs'd between the Spaniards and 

 them about the Ranfom of the City, but not agreeing, the Englijl? fpent every 

 Morning till the heat of the Day in firing and deftroying the Houfes in the out- 

 ward part of the City, two hundred Mariners being employ'd therein for divers 

 days ; yet were the Houfes built fo magnificently and ftrongly of Stone, that they 

 could not confumc one third part of the Town all that time ; whereupon the Ge- 

 neral was contented to accept of twenty five thoufand Ducats of 5 x. 6 d, apiece to 

 fpare the reft. 



Here his Soldiers met with good Pillage, efpecially of rich Apparel, but Trea- 

 sure they found none ; for the Spaniards by their Cruelties had fodeftroy'd the Na- 

 tives, who us'd to work in the Mines of Gold and Silver, that they were wholly 

 given over ; and in that Ifland they were fore'd to uie Copper Money : yet they 

 found ftoreof Wine, Oyl, Vinegar, Wheat, Woollen and Linnen Cloth, fome 

 Silks, Cjtc. which much relieved them : there was but little Plate found, but good 

 ftore of Torcelane,ot China Ditties • yet fome they found, and very coftly Houf. 

 hold-fluff. 



Venables his Expedition was in the Year 1 654* when Cromwell having gain'd the 

 to^wX- fupream Power under the Title of Vrotetlor, and having us'd fo many Engines for 

 mwi0 ' the getting of Money to maintain his Greatnefs and ufurp'd Authority , that 

 he was almoft brought to his laft Shifts, bethought himfelf of this Project, (or, 

 as fome fuppofe, had it put into his Head by Cardinal Mazarine, the then great 

 Minifter of State in France^ with whom he had intimate Correspondence) thinking 

 thereby to kill two Birds with one Stone : for on the one fide, he thought by this 

 notable Exploit to advance his Fame abroad, and gain Credit and Applaufe with 

 the People at home, by enlarging his Empire, and fpreading the Renown of the 

 E/igliJk Nation, and fb confequently to eftablifh himfelf the more firmly in his new 

 gotten Power . and at the fame time by the great Riches he promis'd to himfelf 

 from this Adventure, to recruit his Stock, which all his griping Exactions, efpeci- 

 ally from the King's Party, could fcarce fupply for the keeping up of his Army, 

 maintaining Intelligence,and other vaft Expences : To this end he fets forth a con- 

 siderable Fleet with extraordinary fpced and fecrecy, it not being known whither 

 this Fleet was defign'd till they were almoft upon the very Place, that the Spaniard 

 might not be forewarn'd to provide againft them, onely in general terms it was 

 given out, that the Defign was both advantageous to the Nation, and would prove 

 a great enrichment to all that went upon it ; fo that it is no great wonder, if within 

 a fliort fpace a good competent Army was got together of fuch as having neither 

 Eftates nor Employments, willingly offer'd themfelves, as Men that went from the 

 fear of Iron Grates,to the hopes of Golden Ingots j and many of them were fuch as 

 having been in the late King's Army, and difdaining to take any Employment at 

 home under that Government,were eafily indue'd to Lift them felves in this Armada: 

 nor was Oliver a little glad of this occafion of fending out of the Land,and employ- 

 ing upon a defperate Adventure thofeMen,who he had reafonto fufpeel: would,up- 

 on any opportunity offer'd, be the firft Oppofers of his ufurp'd Power. This Army 

 being fent to Port/mouth for Embarquation, and there making fuch Preparations 

 as was convenient, which a Moneths time or thereabouts was thought would ac- 

 complifh,a Meflinger came from Vesborough (who was thereto fet them going) to 

 the General, that he fhould prepare to Embarque on Cbrijimas-dzy 5 which at the 

 firft the General receiv'd with great impatience, alledging, That it was not poffi- 

 ble fo to do, and that he would not let Sail without his Arms and other NeceiTaries, 

 which were not yet come from London ^ however, at his going to Vesborougb he was 



prevail'd 



