One of these was the
finest ship of the fleet, and in consequence had been laden with the most
valuable booty. Of gold and silver alone it took down with it a weight
valued at six hundred thousand livres. A third vessel went ashore and was
wrecked at Cayenne. Yet with all these losses, so much wealth was brought
home that the speculators in spoil made a profit of ninety-two per cent.
on their investment.
The French had won in large measure revenge and plunder, while Trouin had
gained his meed of fame. It was now Portugal's time for vengeance, and it
was visited principally on the worthless governor to whose cowardice the
disaster was due. He had been praised and rewarded for the victory over
Duclerc' s expedition--praise and reward which he certainly did not
deserve. For very similar conduct he was now deposed and sentenced to
degradation and perpetual imprisonment, on the charge of cowardice and
lack of judgment. His nephew was banished for life for bad conduct, and a
captain who had given up his fort and fled was hung in effigy. There were
no others to punish, and Portugal was obliged to hold its hand, France
being a foe beyond its reach.
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