anchored within musket-shot to batter us, and their frigates or pinnaces were to come round about us, to keep warm work on all sides.  Seeing them busied in warping out the Sun, my folks came and told me what preparations were going on.  I therefore thought it now expedient to go on shore to the governor, to see what he would say to myself, before we should try the fate of battle.  So, taking my commission along with me, I went on shore at the castle, and was met at my landing by the governor, and all the principal men belonging to the castle and the ships.  I was led through a guard of 300 musketeers, who gave me three vollies, besides which, seven pieces of cannon were fired to welcome me.  After this I was conducted to the governor’s chamber, where chairs were set for him and me, and forms for all the others.

After many compliments on both sides, I addressed the governor to the following effect:  Understanding from my people whom I had sent ashore, that they considered me as a pirate, having no commission, I had come myself to satisfy them to the contrary, having brought my commission, to make manifest that I had a regular commission under the great seal of the king, my master.  This I shewed to them, reading the first line, and then wrapped it up again.  They then desired to see it all.  On which I declared that this was more than I could answer for, and having already exhibited the great seal of England, and my name contained in the commission, they should see no more while I had life.  We now motioned to return on board, but they requested me to stay yet awhile.  So there passed words between us, some sweet and some sharp:  But at length they became more mild, and called for a cup of wine; after which we all rose up and went to walk about the castle, the offices in which were very neat, and well furnished with arms and ammunition.

Taking a favourable opportunity, I resolved to try what money might do, which often makes wise men blind, that so I might procure my loading by means of large bribes.  I offered to give a thousand pounds, so that I might be sure of my loading, and besides to give the chain I wore about my neck, to any one who could procure me this, and offered to give a higher price than they paid for the spice.  Having set this matter afloat, and knowing that my ship rode in a dangerous place, I told the governor that, now he was satisfied I was not a man of war, I would bring my ship into their roads.  He and his officers then said, that I should find them ready to shew me all the friendship in their power.  Being now late, I took my leave to go on board, on which the governor caused all the ordnance of the castle to be fired off; and as I passed the ships, they and the pinnaces fired their guns till I got to my own ship.