Greatneſs might hinder the Trade of Europe to the Eaſt-Indies.
Yet all theſe were no more than falſe Rumours, improved by the Credulity of ſome, and the Humour of others who love to tell ſtrange Things; for, while it was ſaid, he was aſpiring at a Crown, he wanted a Shilling; and at the ſame Time it was given out he was in Poſſeſſion of ſuch prodigious Wealth in Madagaſcar, he was ſtarving in England.
No doubt, but the Reader will have a Curioſity of knowing what became of this Man, and what were the true Grounds of ſo many falſe Reports concerning him; therefore, I ſhall, in as brief a Manner as I can, give his Hiſtory.
He was born in the Weſt of England near Plymouth in Devonſhire, being bred to the Sea, he ſerved as a Mate of a Merchant-Man, in ſeveral trading Voyages: It happened before the Peace of Ryſwick, when there was an Alliance betwixt Spain, England, Holland, &c. againſt France, that the French in Martinico, carried on a ſmugling Trade with the Spaniards on the Continent of Peru, which by the Laws of Spain, is not allowed to Friends in Time of Peace, for none but native Spaniards are permitted to Traffick in thoſe Parts, or ſet their Feet on Shore, unleſs at any Time they are brought as Priſoners; wherefore they conſtantly keep certain Ships cruiſing along the Coaſt, whom they call Guarda del Coſta, who have the Orders to make Prizes of all ſhips they can light of within five Leagues of Land. Now the French growing very bold in Trade, and the Spaniards being poorly provided with Ships, and thoſe they had being of no Force, it often fell out, that when they light of the French Smuglers, they were not ſtrong enough to attack them, therefore it was reſolv’d in Spain, to hire two or three ſtout foreign Ships for their Service, which being known at Briſtol, ſome Merchants of that City,
