and coming
to Maracaibo, will put you every man to the sword.
This is my last and absolute resolution. Be
prudent, therefore, and do not abuse my bounty
with ingratitude. I have with me very good
soldiers, who desire nothing more ardently than to
revenge on you, and your people, all the
cruelties, and base infamous actions, you have
committed upon the Spanish nation in America.
Dated on board the royal ship named the
_Magdalen_, lying at anchor at the entry of the
lake of Maracaibo, this 24th of April, 1669.

"DON ALONSO DEL CAMPO Y ESPINOSA."

As soon as Captain Morgan received this letter, he called all his men
together in the market-place of Maracaibo, and after reading the
contents thereof, both in French and English, asked their advice and
resolution on the whole matter, and whether they had rather surrender
all they had got to obtain their liberty, than fight for it.

They answered all, unanimously, they had rather fight to the last drop
of blood, than surrender so easily the booty they had got with so much
danger of their lives. Among the rest, one said to Captain Morgan, "Take
you care for the rest, and I will undertake to destroy the biggest of
those ships with only twelve men: the manner shall be, by making a
brulot, or fire-ship, of that vessel we took in the river of Gibraltar;
which, to the intent she may not be known for a fireship, we will fill
her decks with logs of wood, standing with hats and montera caps, to
deceive their sight with the representation of men. The same we will do
at the port-holes that serve for the guns, which shall be filled with
counterfeit cannon. At the stern we will hang out English colours, and
persuade the enemy she is one of our best men-of-war going to fight
them." This proposition was admitted and approved by every one; howbeit,
their fears were not quite dispersed.

For, notwithstanding what had been concluded there, they endeavoured the
next day to come to an accommodation with Don Alonso. To this effect,
Captain Morgan sent to him two persons, with these propositions: First,
that he would quit Maracaibo, without doing any damage to the town, or
exacting any ransom for the firing thereof. Secondly, that he would set
at liberty one half of the slaves, and all the prisoners, without
ransom. Thirdly, that he would send home freely the fou