But the
ships got through very safe, the prize always keeping ahead, and it was
found that the appearance which had alarmed them had been occasioned only
by a strong tide, and on the 11th of July, having taken on board two
Chinese pilots, one for the Centurion and the other for the prize, they
came to an anchor off the city of Macao.
By this time the particulars of the cargo of the galleon were well
ascertained, and it was found that she had on board 1,313,843 pieces of
eight and 35,682 ounces of virgin silver, besides some cochineal and a
few other commodities, which, however, were but of small account in
comparison of the specie. And this being the Commodore's last prize, it
hence appears that all the treasure taken by the Centurion was not much
short of 400,000 pounds independent of the ships and merchandise which
she either burnt or destroyed, and which by the most reasonable
estimation could not amount to so little as 600,000 more; so that the
whole loss of the enemy by our squadron did doubtless exceed a million
sterling. To which, if there be added the great expense of the court of
Spain in fitting out Pizarro, and in paying the additional charges in
America incurred on our account, together with the loss of their
men-of-war, the total of all these articles will be a most exorbitant
sum, and is the strongest conviction of the utility of this expedition,
which, with all its numerous disadvantages, did yet prove so extremely
prejudicial to the enemy.
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