A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbadoes

Richard Ligon

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2013
• ISBN:
  9781134729616
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Historia
• Subtopic: Historia del mundo

In this eye-witness history of Barbados, Ligon gives perhaps the earliest account of attempts at sugar manufacture. His description of a plantation indicates the size and complexity of the estates acquired in Barbados by subtle and greedy' planters, even in the early days of the industry.

A TRUE AND EXACT

HISTORY

OF THE ISLAND OF

BARBADOES

Aving been censur’d by some (whose Judgements I cannot controll and therefore am glad to allow) for my weakness and Indiscretion, that having never made proof of the Sea’s operation, and the several faces that watry Element puts on, and the changes and chances that happen there, from Smooth to Rough, from Rough to Raging Seas, and High going Billows, (which are killing to some Constitutions,) I should in the last Scene of my life, undertake to run so long a Risco as from England to, the Barbadoes ; And truly I should without their help conclude my self guilty of that Censure, had I not the refuge of an old Proverb to fly to, which is, [ Need makes the old Wife trot ] for having lost (by a Barbarous Riot) all that I had gotten by the painful travels and cares of my youth, by which means I was stript and rifled of all I had, left destitute of a subsistance, and brought to such an Exigent, as I must famish or fly ; and looking about for friends, who are the best supporters in so straggering a condition, found none, or very few, whom griefs and afflictions had not depress’d, or worn out, Banishment absented, or Death devour’d ; so that in stead of these near and Native comforters, I found my self a stranger in my own Countrey, and therefore resolv’d to lay hold on the first opportunity that might convoy me to any other part of the World, how far distant soever, rather than abide here. I continued not many weeks in this expectation, when a friend, as willing to shift his ground as I, gave me an Overture which I accepted, and so upon the sixteenth day of June, 1647. we embark’d in the Downs, on the good Ship called the Achilles ; a vessel of 350 tunns, the Master Thomas Crowder of London ;& no sooner were we all aboard, but we presently weighed Anchor, and put to Sea; in so cold weather as at that time of the year, I have not felt the like; and continued so till we came to Falmouth-Harbour : where we put in, and rested for a night; but in our passage thither, were very uncertain upon what Coast we were, by reason of the unsteadiness of the winds, and cloudiness of the weather ; so that I perceived more troubles and doubts in the Seamen in that short passage, than in all the voyage after. But, the weather clearing up, the Master and Mates drew out several plots and Landscapes : which they had formerly taken upon the Coast of France and England, (which are of great use in the narrow Seas,) by which they were well assured where they were ; for there they seldome use Loggline, or Backstaff, but attend onely the Tydes, Compass, and Card; nor is there any use of other directors in so narrow a room. We were (as I remember) about 10 dayes failing to Falmouth, and had with us a small ship of about 180 tunns, called the Nonesuch ; of which Captain Middleton was owner, a very good Seaman, and a Planter in Barbadoes : but himself then remaining in London.

The next day we put to Sea, and continued our course to the Southwest, (with somewhat a Scant wind,) partly to avoid the high going Billowes of the Bay of Biskey : but chiefly to stand aloof from Pirats and Pickaroones : which are very frequent upon the Coasts of Spain, and Barbary ; and as we past along, I perceiv’d a difference in the way of our Ships .• for in slack winds, our consort the Nonesuch would run us out of sight in four or five hours sail; but in strong and stiff winds, we did the like with her. So that I guess’d the larger the sails, the swifter the way; provided, they were alike built in the model of their keeles: but I leave that to be resolved by the Seamen, or that Admirable Architect of Moving Horses, Mr. Pett.

About the Latitude of 45 degrees, we met with a Ship coming from Guinny, but bound for London ; the Captains name was Blague, a very civil Gentleman, who hal’d us, came aboard us, and invited divers Gentlemen that were there aboard his ship : which was a Friggot of about 400 tuns, her Lading Gold and Elephants teeth ; the Man was exceeding civil to us, and gave to every Gentleman of our Company, a present of such rarities as he brought from Guinny, and Binny. We stayed together almost a whole day, the weather being very calm, and almost no wind at all; in the evening, a fresh breese began to blow, which serv’d us both in our several wayes, and so saluting each other with our Ordnance we took leave.

About this time, our Consort the Nonesuch parted with us, she directly for the Carabby Islands, we for St. Jago, one of the Islands of Cape Verd ; where we were to trade for Negroes, Horses, and Cattle; which we were to sell at the Barbadoes. So, keeping our course about 80 Leagues from the Coast of Spain and Barbary, the first land we discovered, was the Isle of Porto Santo ; which lyeth in 33 degrees to the Norwrard ; vvhich vve left of out Larboard side : When presently after, we had sight of the Maderas, which vve saild close by, and had a full vievv of the place ; So Rocky, and Mountainous, and the ground i so miserably burnt vvith the Sun, as vve could perceive no part of it either Hill or Valley, that had the least appearance of green, nor any tree bigger than a small Hathorn, and very fevv of those. Between this and three inconsiderable Islands called the Deserts, which appeared to us like the tops of large buildings ; no unevenness or risings and fallings, but level as the top of a large Church or Barn ; but burnt worse than the other : so that instead of the fresh and lively greens, other Countreys put on at this time of the year, these were apparrel’d with Russets, or at best Phylimorts. But it fell out that this year the Summer was there hotter than usually, and the Sea-men that were with us, gave us to understand, that they never had seen it so burnt as now, and that the Leeward part of it was, at other times, exceeding fruitful and pleasant, abounding with all sorts of excellent fruits, Corn, Wine, Oyl, and the best Sugars ; with Horses, Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Hogs, Poultrey, of all sorts, and the best sorts of Sea-fish. These Isands lye near 33 degrees to the Norerward.

Having past between these (leaving the Muderas on our Starboard side) vve found a constant trade-wind to carry us to the Southward, When the next Island that came in our view, was BonaVista ; but at such a distance, as vve could hardly discern colours, but the general Landscape of the Hills seemed to us very beautiful, gently rising and falling, without Rocks or high precipices.

This Island is famous, for excellent Salt, and for Horses, which in one property, excell all that ever I have seen ; their hooves being to that degree of hardness, and toughness, that we ride them at the Barbadoes, down sharp and steep Rocks, vvithout shooes ; and no Goats go suror upon the sides of Rocks and Hills than they ; and many of them very strong and clean limb’d.

This lsland, vve left ten Leagues, or thereabouts, on our Larboard side, and next to it, the Isle of May ; famous for store of excellent Salt.

The last of those Islands vvas Palma; a land so high, as after vve first discovered it (vvhich was in the morning) vve thought to have reacht it that night, but found our selves far short of it next morning, though vve had a full gail all that night : so much is the eye deceived in Land vvhich lyes high. This Island is about 28 degrees to the Norevvard, and from it to the Isles of Cape Verd about 13 degrees a long way to be silent, for there is no land between; and therefore I purpose to entertain you vvith some Sea delights; for there is no place so void and empty, vvhere some lawful pleasure is not to be had, for a man that hath a free heart, and a good Conscience.

But these Sea-pleasures are so mixt vvith Cruelties, as the trouble of the one, abates much the delight of the other ; for here vve see the great ones eat up the little ones, as they do at Land, and vvith as little remorse; yet laying that consideration aside, the Chase affords some pleasure to the eyes : for some kinds of fishes shew themselves above vvater, for a long while together. I have seen 20 Porpisces very large of that kind, Cross the Prow of our Ship, one behind another in so steady and constant a course, in chase of some other fishes ; as I have seen a kennel of large Hounds, in Windsor Forrest, in the chase of a Stag ; one following another directly in a track, and the onely difference I find is, these do not spend their mouths ; but what they want in that is supplyed by the goodness of their noses ; for they never are at a fault, but go constantly on. The Dolphins likevvise pursue the flying Fish, forcing them to leave their knovvn watry Elements, and flye to an unknown one, where they meet with as merciless enemies ; for there are birds that attend the rising of those fishes ; and if they be within distance, seldom fail to make them their own. These birds, and no other but of their kind, love to straggle so far from land ; so that it may be doubted, whether the the sea may not be counted their natural home ; for we fee them 500 leagues from any land, at Sun setting ; and so it is not possible they should recover Land that night ; and on the waves they cannot rest, without great hazzard. I have seen them sometimes light, and fit upon the waves, but with such Caution, for fear of being taken in by a fish, as her rest is very unsafe ; unless when she is covered by the nights dark wings. This Bird, is a kind of sea Hawk, somewhat bigger than a Lanner, and of that colour ; but of a far freer wing, and of a longer continuance, and when she is weary, the rinds resting places, if the Seas be Calm ; for then the Turtles lye and sleep upon the waves, for a long time together ; and upon their backs they sit, and sleep securely ; and there, mute, prune, and oyl their feathers ; rouse, and do all their Offices of nature, and have room enough for all, for some of those Turtles are a yard broad in the back : we took one with our Long Boat, as he lay sleeping on the water, whose body afforded all the Gentleman, and Officers of the Ship, a very plentiful meal ; and was the best meat we tasted, all the time we were at Sea. There are of these kinds of Fishes but two sorts, that continue in the Main ; the Loggerhead Turtle, and the Hawks bill Turtle, of which sorts, the latter is the best, and of that kind ours was that we took. There is a third kind, called the Green Turtle, which are of a lesser Magnitude, but far excelling the other two, in wholesomness, and Rareness of taste, but of them hereafter, for I have no mind to part so lightly, with the forenamed Birds of prey ; For having been bred a Faulconer in my youth, I cannot but admire the admirable swiftness of wing these birds make. They mount sometimes upon the trayne, to so lofty a pitch : as, if a Faulcon were there, She might be allowed a double Cancellcre in her stooping to her game: they do it at one entire down-come. Her ordinary flying for her own pleasure, and not for prey, is commonly more free than the best Haggard Faulcon, that I have ever seen ; but the continuance of it makes it the more admirable. At the times they grow hungry, they attend the Dolphins, who are their Spaniels ; and where they perceive the water to move, they know they are in Chase of the flying fish; and being near them, they rise like Coveys of Partridges by 12 and 16 in a Covey, and flye as far as young Partridges, that are forkers, and in their flight these birds make them their quarry.

These frighted fishes, sometimes in the night have cross’d our ship, and being stopt by the shrowds, have faln down ; and with their bodies we have baited hooks, and taken their pursuers the Dolphins ; which we have found very excellent meat, being dress’d by a good hand, with Wine, Spice, and sweet herbs, which we never wanted. So here we have excellent hawking, no fear of losing our hawk, by going out at Cheik, or to a Village to Poult, and yet eat of the quarry, and sometimes of the Spaniels, which is an advantage the best Faulconers miss at Land. As for the hunting here, we only see the Chase, but suffer the hounds to flesh themeslves upon the quarry, or it may be, a royal fish, such a one as may fill a dish to furnish Neptunes table, and by that means we are cozen’d of our quarry. So that as I ever thought on Land, I find the same at Sea, Hawking to be the better sport. I had almost forgot, to tell what kind of fish this flying fish is, which is the cause of such excellent sport, both in himself and others, he is just like a Pilchard, but his fins larger, both in breadth and length ; and as long as they are wet, so long he flyes; and for their mortal enemies the birds, they continue with us from 33 degrees till we come to 15, and then leave us.

At which time and place, another kind undertakes us, not much bigger than a Castrill, and as near that colour as may be, but of another manner of flying :for these five close to the water, and turn about every wave ; so that we often lose sight of them, by interposing of the waves, and think somtimes that a wave has overwhelmed her. The pleasure she gives the eye, is by the giddiness of her flying ; and often seems to be lost, and yet (contrary to our expectation) appears again. But I will trouble you no longer with the inhabitants of the Plyant Air, but dive into the Deep, to try what pleasure that Element affords to give you delight.

There is a Fish called a Shark, which as he is a common enemy to Saylers and all others that venture, in Calmes, to commit their naked bodies to the sea (for he often bites off Legs, sometimes Armes, and now and then swallows the whole body, if the Fish be great) : So when the Saylers take them, they use them accordingly : Sometimes by putting out their eyes, and throwing them over board ; sometimes by mangling and cutting their bodies, fins, and tailes, making them a prey to others, who were merciless Tyrants themselves ; And in this kind of justice they are very Accurate.

Many of these fishes we took ; some by striking with harping Irons, some with Fishgigs, some with hookes ; and amongst the rest, one very large, which followed the Ship four hours, before we went about to take him, and perceived before him, a little Fish which they call the Pilot Fish ; This little guide of his, swims sometimes a yard before him, sometimes more or less, at his pleasure ; and in his greatest adversity often cleaves to him, and like a dear friend, sticks closest when he needs him most : for when he is taken, this little fish never fails to fasten himself to his head, or some part near that, and resolves to dye with him. The experience of this we found not only in this great fish, but in all the rest we had formerly taken, for we never took the one without the other. And the Engine we took this great Shark with, was a large Hook, baited with a piece of Beef; which he received into his mouth, his belly being turned upwards, for his mouth being short of his snout a good deal, he could not take it conveniently, his back being upward, by reason his snout drove the line afore it, but as soon as we perceived the bait to be swallowed, we gave a sudden pull, which fastened the hook so, as we were sure the weight of his body would not tear it out : We drew him up, and laid him in the Wast of the Ship, where none durst abide, but the Seamen who dare do any thing.

We had aboard divers mastive Dogs, and amongst them, one so large and fierce, as I have seldom seen any like him ; this Dog flew to him with the greatest Courage that might be, but could take no hold of him, by reason of his large roundness and sliminess ; but if by chance he got hold of one of his Fins, the Shark would throw him from side to side of the Ship, as if he had been nothing ; and doubtless if he had encountred him in his own Element, the Sea, he would have made quick work with him.

Divers of this kind we took, but none so large ; he was about 16 foot long, and 10 foot about the middle. Other fishes we took, as the Bonito, the Spanish Maqnerell, the Albucore, Dolphin, &c. which we found excellent meat, but especially the Albucore, which is a fish of such a shape, as it pleased me much to look on. Those we took were not much above a yard long, with forked tayles, the gristles very firm and strong, and the body near that, no bigger than a mans wrist; but suddenly growing upward to such a greatness, as I have seldom seen any like him, and so strong withall, as a sayler, a very strong man, holding one of them fast by the gill, when this fish mov’d but his tail to get loose, gave such a spring, as he had like to have put his arm out of joynt. These kind of fishes, in a clear Sun-shine evening, delight themselves and us, by trying which of them can leap highest above water ; so that ‘tis a pretty pastime, to see fishes so large, and gloriously colour’d, shew themselves so far above their natural Element, whole shapes and colours gave such variety. But this sport we saw not often.

I will trouble you no more, with mentioning the variety of shapes and colours of fishes, till I come to St. Jago ; onely one, and that a very small one ;for his body is not much bigger than a large Pomegranate, and yet his faculties are such, as may draw more eyes to look on him, and more minds to consider him, than the Vast Whale : for though it be true, that his large body, appearing above the surface of the water being in calmes a smooth level superficies, and suddenly appearing, is one of the strangest and most monstrous sights that can be in nature; (and the more admirable, when he is incountred by his two mortal enemies, the Sword and Theshal fishes : For to shake them off, he leaps more than his own length, above water, and in his fall, beats the sea with such violence, as the froth and foam is seen a quarter of an hour after, White ; as when ‘tis beaten by a strong West wind against a Rock ; and at other times, spouts out the water in great quantities, the height of an ordinary Steeple.) Yet this great Master-piece of Nature, is not in my opinion so full of wonder, nor doth raise the consideration to such a height : as this little fish the Carvil, who can when he pleases, enjoy himself with his neighbour fishes, under wate...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Half Title page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbadoes