Encyclopædia americana. A popular dictionary of arts, sciences, literature, history, politics and biography, a new ed.; including a copious collection of original articles in American biography; on the basis of the 7th ed. of the German Conversations-lexicon. Ed. by Francis Lieber, assisted by E. Wigglesworth ...

BENAVIDES-BENCOOLEN. 49
BENAVIDES; an outlaw and pirate, in that port, under the command of Dui
who, for several years, proved the scourge Bart, managed to slip out of port; nag
of the southern parts of Chile. Ie was could Benbow, though he sailed instantly
a native of Quirihue, in the province of in pursuit, overtake it. In 1701, he sailed
Concepcion, and entered the patriot army to the West Indies with a small fleet,
as a common soldier at the commence- having accepted a command previously
ment of the revolution. Having deserted declined by several of his seniors, from
to the Spaniards, and being made pris- the supposed superiority of the enemy's
oner by the Chilians, at the battle of force in that quarter. In August of
Membrilla, in 1814, he was to have been the following year, he fell in with th
tried for desertion, but effected his es- French fleet under Du Casse, and for
cape. Being made prisoner again at the five days maintained a running fight with
battle of MIaypu, in 1818, he was sen- them, when lhe at length succeeded in
tenced to be shot, and was supposed to bringing the enemy's sternmost ship to
have been killed; but, although shock- close quarters. In the heat of the action,
ingly wounded, and. left for dead, he re- a chain-shot carried away one of his legs,
covered, and, having obtained a coin- and lie was taken below; but the momission,-, from the Spanish commander ment the dressing had been applied to
Sanchez, he commenced a war upon the the wound, he caused himself' to be
southern frontier of Chile, never surpass- brought again on deck, and continued
ed in savage cruelty. lHe laid waste the the action. At this critical instant, being
country with fire and sword, murdered most disgracefully abandoned by several
his prisoners, and perpetrated the most of the captains under his command, who
horrid cruelties upon the unarmed peas- signed a paper expressing their opiniol
ants, including women and children, who that " nothing more was to be done," the
chanced to fall into his power. Notwith- whole fleet effected its escape. B., on
standing repeated engagements with the his return to Jamaica, brought the delinChilian forces of the province of Con- quents to a court-martial, by which two
cepcion, he sustained himself, for a long of them were convicted of cowardice and
time, in this atrocious course. At length disobedience of orders, and condemned
he undertook to establish a navy, and, for to be shot; which sentence, on their arrithis purpose, piratically seized upon sev- val in England, was carried into execution
eral English and American vessels, which at Plymouth. B., who suffered equally
unsuspectingly stopped for refreshment in mind and body from this disgraceful
not far from the town of Arauco, the business, gradually sunk under his feelcentre of his operations. So intolerable ings, and expired at Janaica, Nov. 4,1702.
had the grievance become, that, in 1821, BENCOOLEN, or BENIKAHULE; a seaport
the Chilians fitted out an expedition of Sumatra, on the S. W. coast; lon. 102~
against Arauco, and succeeded in break- 11' E.; lat. 30 50' S. The English seting up the robber's strong hold. He at- tled here in 1685, and, in 1690, the East
tempted to escape to Peru in a launch, India company built a fort here, calling it
but, being captured, was condemned to fort York. A convenient river on its N.
death, and executed Feb. 23, 182.-His- W. side brings the pepper out of the intory of Rev. in Spanish America. land country; but there is great inconBENBOw, John; an English naval venience in shipping it, by reason of a
character of distinguished merit; born in dangerous bar at the river's mouth. The
Shrewsbury, about 1650, and brought up place, which is almost two miles in comto the sea in the merchant service; fbught pass, is known at sea by a high, slender
so desperately against a pirate from Sal- mountain, which rises in the country, 20
lee, in one of his trips to the Mediterra- miles beyond it, called the Sugar-Loaf.
nean, about the year 1686, as to beat her It is inhabited by a mixed population.
off, though greatly his superior in men The medium heat throughout the year is
ald metal. For this gallant action, he from 81~ to 82~. B. is the chief establishwas promoted at once, by James II, to ment of the East India company on the
the command of a ship of war. William island of Sumatra. The settlement, latIII employed him in protecting the Eng- terly, is of but little importance. Pepper
lish trade in the channel, which he did is the only produce of the adjacent counwith great effect. His valor and activity try, which is mountainous and woody.
secured him the confidence of the nation, The air is fimll of malignant vapors, and
and he was soon promoted to the rank the mountains always covered with thick
of rear-admiral, and charged with the clouds, which burst in storms of thunder
blockade of Dunkirk. But the squadron rain, &c.
VOL. II. 5