Christopher Monck, Duke of Albemarle, letter to William Blathwayt, 1687/1688 March 8

[Page 1]

I have little to acquaint you of news withall at present, but that I am
in daily expectation of hearing from Sr. John Narbrough, whether
my Lord Mordant with the Ships under his command have ventured to
disturb his fishing or not, I am apt to believe that they will consider
well before they attempt it, Sr. John being in a very good condition,
to receive them, & I have sent him the best help I could from this
place; Sr John writes me word that he has made himself acquainted
with all the Rocks & Shoals thereabouts, and doubts not (in case
he cannot otherways deal them) but that he shall bring them ashoar.

There are Some Biscaners that do very much disturb these Seas,
taking all they meet with, and have lately taken an English pink that
sail'd out of this port for New=England, the Commanders name is Captain
Quiffin, & the value of Ship & Goods amounts to near £15000, and have
carryed here into St: Domingo upon Hispaniola, likewise another Vessel
which intended for New York, was taken and carryed into St Iago upon
Cuba; I purpose to end to the Governours to demand them, I shall
let his Majesty know of these continual prejudices offered to his Subjects,
that I may receive his commands to redress them the best I can.

Yesterday I had news brought me, that the pyrates Yanky & Jacobs,
had with 84 Men fallen upon the Storehouses in the ^ ^{bottom of the} Bay of [illegible] ^ ^Hunduroes,
and that three Spanish Men of War came & blocked them up, and
landed what Men they could to joyn with the Country, who made
up the number of about 700 Men, and raised three breast works,
which works were attaqued by the pyrates, & by them taken, killing
a great number of Men, & Yanky wounded in the pan of the Knee
and calf of the Legg, they are now in the Bay of Hunduroes.
recruiting, intending to fall upon the Men of War, & the rest of the
Spanish Ships, one Jones another pyrate having a Ship of force, being
joyned with them, in which if they prove successfull, they will
endeavour to bring away the Booty from the Storehouses.

Thanks be to God my Wife and my self enjoy our healths as
well here as ever we did in England, I have nothing further
to add, but that I am,

The Latter of the Vessels taken
was released by the Governour
of Cuba, who was so very kind that he
paid 400 pieces of 8 out of his own pocket
which had been imbessled,

Mr. Blaithwait

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For
Willia Blathwayt Esquire
White Hall
These

8th of March 1687/8

From the Duke of Albemarle
Received the 21 May

Captain Quiffing for New England &
a Vessell for New York carryed to
Cuba.

Yankey & Jacobs
attacd the Store houses
inthe Bay of
Honduroes