ved little
damage in our rigging during the engagement, except that a shot disabled
our mizen-mast. On the 23d, after we had put our ship to rights, we
stood in for the harbour where the Marquis was, distant about four
leagues to the N.E. sending our surgeons on board the prize to dress her
wounded men. We same to anchor in the harbour about four p.m. where we
received the compliments of all on board the Marquis on our sudden and
almost unlooked-for success, which gave us all much satisfaction. We
found that ship in good condition and ready to sail, and all on board
her in high spirits, eager for action. At eight the same evening we held
a consultation on two important points: _first_, what we should do with
our hostages; and, _secondly_, how we should act in regard to the other
Manilla ship, which we still thought there was a strong probability of
our taking, if we could remain here a little longer. As the hostages
from Guayaquil, and the Chevalier Pichberty, brother to the famous
Monsieur du Cass, appeared to be men of strict honour, we thought it was
best to make the best terms we possibly could with them, and then set
them at liberty. We had more difficulty in settling the other point in
discussion, as to the mode of attacking the other Manilla ship. I was
desirous of going out along with the Marquis on that service; but as
some reflections had been cast on the Duchess for not engaging our late
prize so soon as it was thought she might have done, Captain Courtney
was absolutely bent on going out with his own ship and the Marquis, and
having a majority in the committee, my proposal was overruled, and we in
the Duke were reluctantly constrained to remain in harbour. It was
agreed, however, that we should put ten of our best hands on board the
Duchess, the better to enable her to engage the great Manilla ship, if
she were fallen in with; and she and the Marquis sailed on
Christmas-day. As soon as they were gone, we put part of the goods from
our bark into the prize, in order to send away our prisoners in the
bark; and as there were still due 4000 dollars of the Guayaquil ransom,
we agreed to sell them the bark and her remaining cargo for 2000
dollars, taking the Chevalier de Pichberty's bill for 6000 dollars,
payable in London, which he readily gave us, together with an
acknowledgment under his hand that we had given him a good bargain. This
matter being settled, we had only to look to our own safety while our
consorts