Some account of the Island of Cuba. Capt. Morgan attempts to preserve the Isle of
     St. Catharine as a refuge and nest to Pirates; but fails of his designs. He arri-
     ves at and takes the village of El Puerto del Principe.

     Captain Morgan, seeing his predecessor and Admiraal Mansvelt was dead, endeavour-
     ed as much as he could, and used all the means that were possible, to preserve and
     keep in perpetual possession the Isle of St. Catharine, seated near that of Cuba.
     His principal intent was to consecrate it as a refuge and sanctuary to the Pira-
     tes of those parts, putting it in a sufficient condition of being a convenient re-
     ceptacle or storehouse of their preys and robberies. To this effect he left no
     stone unmoved whereby to compass his designs, writing for the same purpose to se-
     veral merchants that lived in Virginia and New England, and persuading them to
     send him provisions and other necessary things towards the putting the said island
     the said island in such a posture of defence as it might neither fear any external
     dangers nor be moved at any suspicions of invasion from any side that might at-
     tempt to disquiet it. At last all his thoughts and cares proved ineffectual by the
     Spaniards retaking the said island. Yet, notwithstanding, Captain Morgan retained 
     his ancient courage, which instantly put him upon new designs. Thus he equipped at
     first a ship, with intention to gather an entire fleet, both as great and as strong
     as he could compass. By degrees he put the whole matter in execution, and gave or-
     der to every member of his fleet, they should meet at a central port of Cuba. Here 
     he determined to call a council and deliberate concerning what were best to be do-
     ne, and what place first they should fall upon. Leaving these new preparations in 
     this condition, I shall here give my reader some small account of the aforementio-
     ned Isle of Cuba, in whose ports this expedition was hatched, seeing I omitted to 
     do it in its proper place.
     The Island of Cuba lies from East to West, in the latitude and situation of twenty 
     to three and twenty degrees North, being in length, one hundred and fifty German 
     leagues and about forty in breadth. Its fertility is equal to that of the Island 
     of Hispaniola. Besides which, it affords many things proper for trading and commer-
     ce, such as are hides of several beasts, particularly those that in Europe are cal-
     led Hides of Havana. On all sides it is surrounded with a great number of small is-
     lands, which go altogether under the name of Cayos. Of these little islands the Pi-
     rates make great use, as of their own proper ports of refuge. Here most commonly 
     they make their meetings and hold their councils, how to assault more easily the 
     Spaniards. It is thoroughly irrigated on all sides with the streams of plentiful