The Commodore made his first lieutenant, Mr. Suamarez, captain of this
prize, appointing her a post-ship in His Majesty's service. Captain
Suamarez, before night, sent on board the Centurion all the Spanish
prisoners but such as were thought the most proper to be retained to
assist in navigating the galleon.
WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN.
And now the Commodore learned from some of these prisoners that the other
ship, which he had kept in the port of Acapulco the preceding year,
instead of returning in company with the present prize, as was expected,
had set sail from Acapulco alone much sooner than usual, and had in all
probability got into the port of Manila long before the Centurion
arrived off Cape Espiritu Santo, so that Mr. Anson, notwithstanding his
present success, had great reason to regret his loss of time at Macao,
which prevented him from taking two rich prizes instead of one.
CHAPTER 35.
SECURING THE PRISONERS--MACAO AGAIN--AMOUNT OF THE TREASURE.
The Commodore, when the action was ended, resolved to make the best of
his way with his prize for the river of Canton, being in the meantime
fully employed in securing his prisoners, and in removing the treasure
from on board the galleon into the Centurion. The last of these
operations was too important to be postponed, for as the navigation to
Canton was through seas but little known, and where, from the season of
the year, much bad weather might be expected, it was of great consequence
that the treasure should be sent on board the Centurion, which ship, by
the presence of the Commander-in-chief, the greater number of her hands,
and her other advantages, was doubtless much safer against all the
casualties of winds and seas than the galleon; and the securing the
prisoners was a matter of still more consequence, as not only the
possession of the treasure, but the lives of the captors depended
thereon.
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