Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

thus beaten by a handful of boys. The method which was taken to hinder them from rising, was by placing all but the officers and the wounded in the hold, where, to give them as much air as possible, two hatchways were left open; but then (to avoid all danger whilst the Centurion's people should be employed upon the deck) there was a square partition of thick planks, made in the shape of a funnel, which enclosed each hatchway on the lower deck, and reached to that directly over it on the upper deck. These funnels served to communicate the air to the hold better than could have been done without them; and, at the same time, added greatly to the security of the ship; for they being seven or eight feet high, it would have been extremely difficult for the Spaniards to have clambered up; and still to augment that difficulty, four swivel guns loaded with musket-bullets were planted at the mouth of each funnel, and a centinel with a lighted match constantly attended, prepared to fire into the hold amongst them, in case of any disturbance. Their officers, which amounted to seventeen or eighteen, were all lodged in the first lieutenant's cabin, under a constant guard of six men; and the general, as he was wounded, lay in the commodore's cabin with a centinel always with him; and they were all informed, that any violence or disturbance would be punished with instant death. And that the Centurion's people might be at all times prepared, if, notwithstanding these regulations, any tumult should arise, the small arms were constantly kept loaded in a proper place, whilst all the men went armed with cutlasses and pistols; and no officer ever pulled off his clothes, and when he slept had always his arms lying ready by him.'

The commodore steered with his prize direct for China. When he arrived in the river of Canton, the Chinese were astonished at the great disproportion between the captives and the vanquished, and also at the humanity with which the prisoners were treated. Here they were all liberated, seemingly in compliance with the viceroy's request.

Finding it impossible to victual his ship for his voyage to England without orders from the court, the commodore determined, contrary to the entreaties of the European supercar

goes, to go in person to Canton. Accordingly, his barge was fitted up, and, with a select crew, he set off to visit the viceroy. The merchants endeavoured to prevent him from his purpose; but he well knew, that, without an order from the viceroy, he would not be permitted to ship the stores which he had purchased.

When waiting to procure an audience, a fire broke out in Canton, which raged with such fury as to threaten the entire destruction of the city. In the general confusion, the viceroy sent and implored the assistance of the commodore. Mr. Anson immediately repaired to the spot, carrying with him about forty of his people; who, upon this occasion, exerted themselves in such a manner, as in that country was altogether without example: for they were rather animated than deterred by the flames and falling buildings, amongst which they wrought; so that it was not uncommon to see the most forward of them tumble to the ground on the roofs, and amidst the ruins of houses, which their own efforts brought down with them. By their boldness and activity the fire was soon extinguished to the amazement of the Chinese; and the buildings being all on one floor, and the materials slight, the seamen, notwithstanding their daring behaviour, happily escaped with no other injuries, than some considerable bruises.' Before the English were called in, one hundred shops, and eleven streets full of warehouses were consumed.

The services rendered by the English on this occasion, extorted the gratitude of the Chinese; and induced the viceroy to grant Mr. Anson an audience, at which he promised to issue a licence immediately for permitting stores to be shipped on board the Centurion. In a few days all were completed, and the Centurion with her prize dropped down to Macao. Here the commodore sold the galeon for 6000 dollars; and sailed with the Centurion on the 5th day of January, 1743, and on the 15th of June following, came safe to an anchor at Spithead. But that the signal perils which had so often threatened them in the preceding part of the enterprise, might pursue them to the very last, Mr. Anson learnt on his arri val, that there was a French fleet of considerable force cruising

in the chops of the channel, which, by the account of their position, he found the Centurion had run through, and had been all the time concealed by a fog. Thus was this expedition finished, when it had lasted three years and nine months; after having, by its event, strongly evinced this important truth, That though prudence, intrepidity, and perseverance united, are not exempted from the blows of adverse fortune; yet in a long series of transactions, they usually rise superior to its power, and in the end rarely fail of proving successful.

HISTORY

OF THE SETTLEMENTS

IN

NEW SOUTH WALES.

NEW Holland, the largest island in the world, was discovered by the Spaniards, some time previous to the year 1609. Captain Dampier, and several Dutch navigators explored part of the west coast; but the discovery of the east was reserved for the immortal Cook. The greatest extent of this immense country from east to west, is about 2400 English miles, and, from north to south, not less than 2300.

After the loss of the American colonies, the British government still considered it desirable to employ felons in remote and rising settlements. Accordingly, in 1786, six transports, and three store ships were engaged to convey persons designed to form a settlement at Botany bay, under the direction of captain Phillip. Stores and provisions necessary for their use

and consumption were also provided. Of the latter, sufficient for two years were put on board; and among the former were tools, implements of agriculture, and such other articles as were considered necessary to a colonial establishment.

The whole complement of marines, including one major commandant, four captains, twelve heutenants, twelve serjeants, twelve corporals, eight drummers, and one hundred and sixty privates, with an adjutant and quarter-master, amounted to two hundred and twelve; besides which, twentyeight women, wives of marines, carrying with them seventeen children, were permitted to accompany their husbands. The number of convicts was seven hundred and seventy-eight, of whom five hundred and fifty-eight were men.

This expedition sailed on the 13th of May, 1787; and completed the voyage in eight months and one week (the whole fleet being safe at anchor on the 20th of January, 1788), a voyage, which before it was undertaken, the mind hardly dared venture to contemplate, and on which it was impossible to reflect without some apprehensions as to its termination. In the course of that time they had sailed fifteen thousand and sixty-three miles; had touched at the American and African continents; and had at last rested within a few days' sail of the antipodes of their native country, without meeting any accident, in a fleet of eleven sail, nine of which were merchantmen that had never before sailed in that distant and imperfectly explored ocean; and when it was considered that there was on board a large body of convicts, many of whom were embarked in a very sickly state, they might be deemed peculiarly fortunate, that of the whole number of all descriptions of persons coming to form a new settlement, only thirty-two had died since their leaving England, among whom were to be included one or two deaths by accident; although previous to their departure, it had been conjectured, that before they should have been a month at sea, one of the transports would have been converted into an hospital ship. Fortunately, however, it happened otherwise. Their provisions were excellent, and they had all partaken liberally of refreshments at the cape of Good Hope and Rio de Janeiro.

The governor having found Botany bay extremely inconvenient, determined on examining the adjacent harbours of Port Jackson and Broken bay; and for that purpose set off the day following the arrival of the Sirius and her convoy, in three open boats, accompanied by some of the officers of the settlement.

The coast, as he drew near Port Jackson, wore a most unpromising appearance, and the natives every where greeted the little fleet with shouts of defiance and prohibition, the words Warra, warra,' Go away, go away, resounding whereever they appeared. The governor's utmost expectation, as he drew near the harbour, being to find what captain Cook, as he passed it by, thought might be found, shelter for a boat; he was most agreeably surprised at discovering, on his entrance, a harbour capable of affording security for a large fleet.

In one of the coves of this noble and capacious harbour, he determined to fix the future seat of his government, it having been found to possess a sufficiency of water and soil. Having completed his research in three days, he returned to Botany bay, and gave directions for an immediate removal thence; a circumstance which gave general satisfaction, as nothing had been discovered in that place which could excite a wish to pass another day in it. This removal would have taken place the morning following his return, but at day-light they were surprised by the appearance of two strange sail in the offing. Various were the conjectures of what nation these could be, and whence they had arrived. It was soon known, however, that they were two French ships, Le Bousole and L'Astrolabe, under the command of M. de la Perouse, then on a voyage of discovery.

Governor Phillip, with a party of marines and some artificers, arrived in Port Jackson, and anchored off the mouth of the cove intended for the settlement, on the evening of the 25th; and in the course of the following day, sufficient ground was cleared for encamping the officer's guard, and the convicts who had landed in the morning. The spot chosen for this purpose was at the head of the cove, near a run of fresh water, which stole silently through a very thick wood, the stillness of which

« ForrigeFortsæt »