Beside our sea journal, I have collected the observations I made while in the kingdoms of _Chili_ and _Peru_, concerning the _Spanish_ dominions in _America_. The trade, customs, luxury, and gallantry of the _Creolians_. To which I have added an account of their gold and silver mines, their manner of separating the mineral from the ore, and many other things; all which together, I need not doubt, will prove an agreeable history of this voyage. In the proceding of our two ships I have the pleasure to be well assisted; having procured the original journal of Mr. _George Taylor_, chief mate to captain _Clipperton_, who commanded this expedition, which I shall make use of to invalidate captain _Shelvocke_’s false accounts: which journal will at once let the reader into the most material transactions of _Clipperton_, and convince mankind of his faithful intentions, tho’ _Shelvocke_ has taken such mighty pains to vilify him. Besides which, I have the concurring evidence of many who were aboard the _Speedwell_; some of which are now in _London_ ready to speak the truth: and tho I am thorowly satisfyd our story will speak it self, yet some of the chief facts are already sworn to; the affidavits being filed in Chancery, and to be seen at the office in _Chancery-lane_. In the year 1718, during the war between their _Imperial_ and _Catholic_ Majesties, and while a rupture was daily expected between _Great Britain_ and _Spain_; some persons of distinction, and merchants of the city of _London_ agreed upon a subscription, to fit out two private ships of war, under the Emperor’s commission, to cruise upon the _Spaniards_ in the _South Seas_. The chief motives for such an expedition were the desire of being better acquainted with the navigation of that part of the world, to put their seafaring friends into a promising imployment, and the many views they had of a prosperous return from so well concerted an undertaking. But tho the said breach between _Great Britain_ and _Spain_ was known to be unavoidable, yet, upon the delay of actual hostilities, the aforesaid gentlemen were desirous to take the advantage of the war between the _Emperor_ and the king of _Spain_: and in order to have their ships in the _South Sea_ before the season was far advanced, they obtained his _Imperial_ Majesty’s commission, and mand their ships with a good number of his subjects. They named their first ship the _Prince Eugene_, and the other the _Starenberg_. Of this armament _George Shelvocke_ was appointed to be commander in chief, who had sometime serv’d as a lieutenant in the _British_ navy. Whereupon he was forthwith order’d to _Ostend_, there to receive the _Flemish_ officers, the seamen and commission aboard the _Starenberg_: and among other things, receiv’d orders not to fire any guns, or hoist any colours, while in that port; and to take aboard no more than sixty _Flemings_, with three officers; and when he had got his men, wine, and brandy, to