A Voyage Round the World

A VOYAGE ROUND THE WORLD. Being an Account of a Remarkable Enterprize, BEGUN In the Year 1719, chiefly to cruise on the Spaniards in the great South Ocean. Relating the True historical Fasts of that whole Affair: Testifyd by many imployd therein; and confirmd by Authorities from the Owners. By WILLIAM BETAGH, Captain of Marines in that Expedition. LONDON: Printed for T. Combes at the Bible and Dove in Pater-noster Row, J. Lacy at the Ship near Temple Bar, and J. Clake at the Bible under the Royal Exchange. MDCCXXVIII.

Reading edition

To the Right Honorable GEORGE Vicount TORRINGTON, Admiral and Commander in Chief of his Majesty’s Fleet, and Knight of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath.

JOHN COKBURNE, Esq;

Sir JOHN NORRIS, Knt.

Sir CHARLES WAGER, Knt.

Sir THOMAS LYTTLETON, Bart.

The Right Honorable GEORGE Vicount MALPAS, Knt. of the Bath; and

SAMUEL MOLYNEUX, Esq;

Lords Commissioners for executing the Office of High Admiral of Great Britain, &c.

My Lords,

Illustration from A Voyage Round the World Being an account of a remarkable enterprize, begun in the year 1719, chiefly to cruise on the Spaniards in the great South ocean. Relating the true historical facts of that whole affair: testifyd by many imployd therein; and confirmd by authorities from the owners.

Your Lordships are intrusted by the greatest and best of Kings, with the important Office of directing the whole Navy of Great-Britain; the strongest safe-guard to all we possess and injoy. Since therefore all maritime affairs are under your influence and authority, I trust your Lordships will not refuse to accept the answer of one, whose accusation in print hath already been addrest to your Honorable Board. I had the happiness of being several years a purser in the Navy, tho afterwards unfortunately ingaged under the command of captain Shelvocke in this cruising expedition. As his pretended narrative is intirely a deception, and his whole conduct an indignity to his country, I thought it my duty to give your Lordships a genuine account of the man as well as our voyage; which I have done truly and impartially, not without hopes it may prove entertaining. If, my Lords, I am never to meet with any recompense for my hardships, I have yet the satisfaction of asserting the honor of his Majesty’s commission, defending the cause of some of his injured subjects; and being devoted to his perpetual interest, to subscribe my self,

Your Lordships most humble and most faithful servant, William Betagh.