Page 445
An.1687
The Murder of C. Swan at Mindanao.
After this I endeavoured to persuade our Men, to return with the Ship to the River of Mindanao, and offer their service again to Captain Swan. I took an opportunity when they were filling of Water, there being then half the Ships Company ashore: and I found these all very willing to do it. I desired them to say nothing, till I had tried the minds of the other half, which I intended to do the next day ; it being their turn to fill Water then: but one of these Men, who seemed most forward to invite back Captain Swan, told Captain Read and Captain Teat of the project, and they presently disswaded the Men from any such designs. Yet fearing the worst, they made all possible haste to be gone.
I have since been informed, that Captain Swan and his Men stayed there a great while afterward : and that many of the Men got passage from thence in Dutch Sloops to Ternate, particularly Mr. Rosy, and Mr. Nelly. There they remained a great while, and at last got to Batavia (where the Dutch took their Journals from them) and so to Europe; and that some of Captain Swan's Men died at Mindanao; of which number Mr. Harthope, and Mr. Smith, Cap- tain Swan's Merchants were two. At last Captain Swan and his Surgeon going in a small Canoa aboard of a Dutch Ship then in the Road, in order to get passage to Europe, were overset by the Na- tives at the Mouth of the River; who waited their coming purposely to do it, but unsuspected by them : where they both were kill'd in the Water. This was done by the General's Order, as some think, to get his Gold, which he did immediately seize on. Others say; it was because the General's House was burnt a little before, and Captain Swan was suspected to be the Author of it ; and others say, that it was Captain Swan's Threats occasioned his own Ruine; for he would often say passionate- ly,
Mouth of the River (Rio Grande de Mindanao)
Mouth of Rio Grande de Mindanao, Cotabato, Philippines