The 16th, we sail’d by the Island _Sombrero_, and the 18th had hard blowing Weather, which made us apprehensive of a Hurracan. The foul Weather lasted two Days, during which Time, we kept under a main Course and lost Sight of the other Vessels.
A Council was call’d aboard our Ship, the _Joly_, to consider whether we should lie by for the others, or hold on our Course, and it was resolv’d, that, considering our Water began to fall short, and there were above five Persons[38] sick aboard, of which Number Monsr. _de la Sale_ and the Surgeon[39] were, we should make all the Sail we could, to reach the first Port[40] of the Island _Hispaniola_, being that call’d _Port de Paix_, or Port Peace, which Resolution was accordingly register’d.
The 20th, we discover’d the first Land of _Hispaniola_, being Cape _Samana_, lying in 19 Degrees of North Latitude, and of Longitude 308. The 25th we should have put into _Port de Paix_, as had been concerted, and it was not only the most convenient Place for us to get Refreshments, but also the Residence of Monsr. _de Cussy_, Governor of the Island _Tortuga_, who knew that Monsr. _de la Sale_ carried particular Orders for him to furnish such Necessaries as he stood in Need of.
Notwithstanding these cogent Reasons, Mr. _de Beaujeu_ was positive to pass further on in the Night, weathering the Island _Tortuga_, which is some Leagues distant from _Port de Paix_ and the Coast of _Hispaniola_. He also pass’d Cape St. _Nicolas_, and the 26th[41] of the said Month, we put into the Bay of _Jaguana_, coasting the Island _Guanabo_, which is in the Middle of that Great Bay or Gulph, and in Conclusion, on the 27th we arriv’d at _Petit Gouave_, having spent 58 Days in our Passage from the Port of _Chef de Bois_, near _Rochel_.
This Change of the Place for our little Squadron to put into, for which no Reason could be given, prov’d very disadvantageous; and it will hereafter appear, as I have before observ’d, that those misunderstanding among the Officers insensibly drew on the Causes from whence our Misfortune proceeded.
As soon as we had dropt Anchor, a _Piragua_, or great Sort of _Canoe_, came out from the Place, with Twenty Men, to know who we were, and hail’d us. Being inform’d that we were _French_, they acquainted us, that Monsieur _de Cussy_ was at _Port de Paix_ with the Marquis _de St. Laurent_, Lieutenant General of the _American_ Islands, and Monsieur _Begon_ the Intendant, which very much troubled Monsieur _de la Sale_, as having Affairs of the utmost Consequence to concert with them; but there was no remedy, and he was oblig’d to bear it with Patience.
