diff options
Diffstat (limited to '40580-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 40580-0.txt | 12478 |
1 files changed, 12478 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/40580-0.txt b/40580-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..829c19a --- /dev/null +++ b/40580-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12478 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40580 *** + +A GENERAL +HISTORY +OF THE +PYRATES, + +FROM +Their first RISE and SETTLEMENT in the Island of +_Providence_, to the present Time. + +With the remarkable Actions and Adventures of the two Female Pyrates +Mary Read and Anne Bonny; + + +Contain'd in the following Chapters, + +Introduction. +Chap. I. Of Capt. _Avery_. +II. Of Capt. _Martel_. +III. Of Capt. _Teach_. +IV. Of Capt. _Bonnet_. +V. Of Capt. _England_. +VI. Of Capt. _Vane_. +VII. Of Capt. _Rackam_. +VIII. Of Capt. _Davis_. +IX. Of Capt. _Roberts_. +X. Of Capt. _Anstis_. +XI. Of Capt. _Worley_. +XII. Of Capt. _Lowther_. +XIII. Of Capt. _Low_. +XIV. Of Capt. _Evans_. +XV. Of Capt. _Phillips_. +XVI. Of Capt. _Spriggs_. +And their several Crews. + +To which is added. +A short ABSTRACT of the Statute and Civil +Law, in Relation to Pyracy. + +The second EDITION, with considerable ADDITIONS +By Captain Charles Johnson. + + +_LONDON_: +Printed for, and sold by _T. Warner_, at the _Black-Boy_ in +_Pater-Noster-Row_, 1724. + + + + + +THE PREFACE. + +H_AVING taken more than ordinary Pains in collecting the Materials +which compose the following History, we could not be satisfied with our +selves, if any Thing were wanting to it, which might render it entirely +satisfactory to the Publick: It is for this Reason we have subjoined to the +Work, a short Abstract of the Laws now in Force against Pyrates, and made +Choice of some particular Cases, (the most curious we could meet with) +which have been heretofore tried, by which it will appear what Actions +have, and what have not been adjudged Pyracy._ + +_It is possible this Book may fall into the Hands of some Masters of Ships, +and other honest Mariners, who frequently, by contrary Winds or Tempests, +or other Accidents incident to long Voyages, find themselves reduced to +great Distresses, either through Scarcity of Provisions, or Want of Stores. +I say, it may be a Direction to such as those, what Lengths they may +venture to go, without violating the Law of Nations, in Case they should +meet other Ships at Sea, or be cast on some inhospitable Shore, which +should refuse to trade with them for such Things as are absolutely +necessary for the Preservation of their Lives, or the Safety of the Ship +and Cargoe._ + +_We have given a few Instances in the Course of this History of the +Inducements Men have to engage themselves headlong in a Life of so much +Peril to themselves, and so destructive to the Navigation of the trading +World; to remedy which Evil there seems to be but two Ways, either to find +Employment for the great Numbers of Seamen turn'd adrift at the Conclusion +of a War, and thereby prevent their running into such Undertakings, or to +guard sufficiently the Coast of _Africa_, the _West-Indies_, and other +Places whereto Pyrates resort._ + +_I cannot but take Notice in this Place, that during this long Peace, I +have not so much as heard of a _Dutch_ Pyrate: It is not that I take them +to be honester than their Neighbours; but when we account for it, it will, +perhaps, be a Reproach to our selves for our want of Industry: The Reason I +take to be, that after a War, when the _Dutch_ Ships are laid up, they have +a Fishery, where their Seamen find immediate Business, and as comfortable +Bread as they had before. Had ours the same Recourse in their Necessities, +I'm certain we should find the same Effect from it; for a Fishery is a +Trade that cannot be overstock'd; the Sea is wide enough for us all, we +need not quarrel for Elbow-room: Its Stores are infinite, and will ever +reward the Labourer. Besides, our own Coast, for the most Part, supply the +_Dutch_, who employ several hundred Sail constantly in the Trade, and so +sell to us our own Fish. I call it our own, for the Sovereignty of the +_British Seas_, are to this Day acknowledged us by the _Dutch_, and all the +neighbouring Nations; wherefore, if there was a publick Spirit among us, it +would be well worth our while to establish a National Fishery, which would +be the best Means in the World to prevent Pyracy, employ a Number of the +Poor, and ease the Nation of a great Burthen, by lowering the Price of +Provision in general, as well as of several other Commodities._ + +_I need not bring any Proofs of what I advance, _viz._ that there are +Multitudes of Seamen at this Day unemploy'd; it is but too evident by their +straggling, and begging all over the Kingdom. Nor is it so much their +Inclination to Idleness, as their own hard Fate, in being cast off after +their Work is done, to starve or steal. I have not known a Man of War +commission'd for several Years past, but three times her Compliment of Men +have offer'd themselves in _24_ Hours; the Merchants take their Advantage +of this, lessen their Wages, and those few who are in Business are poorly +paid, and but poorly fed; such Usage breeds Discontents amongst them, and +makes them eager for any Change._ + +_I shall not repeat what I have said in the History concerning the +Privateers of the _West-Indies_, where I have taken Notice they live upon +Spoil; and as Custom is a second Nature, it is no Wonder that, when an +honest Livlyhood is not easily had, they run into one so like their own; so +that it may be said, that Privateers in Time of War are a Nursery for +Pyrates against a Peace._ + +_Now we have accounted for their Rise and Beginning, it will be natural to +enquire why they are not taken and destroy'd, before they come to any Head, +seeing that they are seldom less than twelve Men of War stationed in our +American Plantations, even in Time of Peace; a Force sufficient to contend +with a powerful Enemy. This Enquiry, perhaps, will not turn much to the +Honour of those concern'd in that Service; however, I hope I may be +excus'd, if what I hint is with a Design of serving the Publick._ + +_I say, 'tis strange that a few Pyrates should ravage the Seas for Years, +without ever being light upon, by any of our Ships of War; when in the mean +Time, they (the Pyrates) shall take Fleets of Ships; it looks as if one was +much more diligent in their Affairs, than the other. _Roberts_ and his +Crew, alone, took 400 Sail, before he was destroy'd._ + +_This Matter, I may probably set right another Time, and only observe for +the present, that the Pyrates at Sea, have the same Sagacity with Robbers +at Land; as the latter understand what Roads are most frequented, and where +it is most likely to meet with Booty, so the former know what Latitude to +lie in, in order to intercept Ships; and as the Pyrates happen to be in +want of Provisions, Stores, or any particular Lading, they cruise +accordingly for such Ships, and are morally certain of meeting with them; +and by the same Reason, if the Men of War cruise in those Latitudes, they +might be as sure of finding the Pyrates, as the Pyrates are to find the +Merchant Ships; and if the Pyrates are not to be met with by the Men of War +in such a Latitude, then surely down the same Latitude may the Merchant +Ships arrive safely to their Port._ + +_To make this a little plainer to my Country Readers, I must observe that +all our outward bound Ships, sometime after they leave the Land, steer into +the Latitude of the Place they are bound to; if to the _West-India_ +Islands, or any Part of the Main of _America_, as _New-York_, +_New-England_, _Virginia_, _&c._ because the Latitude is the only Certainty +in those Voyages to be found, and then they sail due West, till they come +to their Port, without altering their Course. In this West Way lie the +Pyrates, whether it be to _Virginia_, _&c._ or _Nevis_, _St. Christophers_, +_Montserat_, _Jamaica_, _&c._ so that if the Merchant Ships bound thither, +do not fall a Prey to them one Day, they must another: Therefore I say, if +the Men of War take the same Track, the Pyrates must unavoidably fall into +their Mouths, or be frighted away, for where the Game is, there will the +Vermin be; if the latter should be the Case, the trading Ships, as I said +before, will pass unmolested and safe, and the Pyrates be reduced to take +Refuge in some of their lurking Holes about the uninhabited Islands, where +their Fate would be like that of the Fox in his Den, if they should venture +out, they would be hunted and taken, and if they stay within they must +starve._ + +_I must observe another Thing, that the Pyrates generally shift their +Rovings, according to the Season of the Year; in the Summer they cruise +mostly along the Coast of the Continent of _America_, but the Winters +there, being a little too cold for them, they follow the Sun, and go +towards the Islands, at the approach of cold Weather. Every Man who has +used the _West-India_ Trade, knows this to be true; therefore, since we are +so well acquainted with all their Motions, I cannot see why our Men of War +under a proper Regulation, may not go to the Southward, instead of lying up +all the Winter useless: But I shall proceed too far in this Enquiry, I +shall therefore quit it, and say something of the following Sheets, which +the Author may venture to assure the Reader that they have one Thing to +recommend them, which is Truth; those Facts which he himself was not an +Eye-Witness of, he had from the authentick Relations of the Persons +concern'd in taking the Pyrates, as well as from the Mouths of the Pyrates +themselves, after they were taken, and he conceives no Man can produce +better Testimonies to support the Credit of any History._ + +_It will be observed, that the Account of the Actions of _Roberts_ runs +into a greater Length, than that of any other Pyrate, for which we can +assign two Reasons, first, because he ravaged the Seas longer than the +rest, and of Consequence there must be a greater Scene of Business in his +Life: Secondly, being resolved not to weary the Reader, with tiresome +Repetitions: When we found the Circumstances in _Roberts_'s Live, and other +Pyrates, either as to pyratical Articles, or any Thing else, to be the +same, we thought it best to give them but once, and chose _Roberts_'s Life +for that Purpose, he having made more Noise in the World, than some +others._ + +_As to the Lives of our two female Pyrates, we must confess they may appear +a little Extravagant, yet they are never the less true for seeming so, but +as they were publickly try'd for their Pyracies, there are living Witnesses +enough to justify what we have laid down concerning them; it is certain, we +have produced some Particulars which were not so publickly known, the +Reason is, we were more inquisitive into the Circumstances of their past +Lives, than other People, who had no other Design, than that of gratifying +their own private Curiosity: If there are some Incidents and Turns in their +Stories, which may give them a little the Air of a _Novel_, they are not +invented or contrived for that Purpose, it is a Kind of Reading this Author +is but little acquainted with, but as he himself was exceedingly diverted +with them, when they were related to him, he thought they might have the +same Effect upon the Reader._ + +_I presume we need make no Apology for giving the Name of a History to the +following Sheets, though they contain nothing but the Actions of a Parcel +of Robbers. It is Bravery and Stratagem in War which make Actions worthy of +Record; in which Sense the Adventures, here related will be thought +deserving that Name. _Plutarch_ is very circumstantial in relating the +Actions of _Spartacus_, the Slave, and makes the Conquest of him, one of +the greatest Glories of _Marcus Crassus_; and it is probable, if this Slave +had liv'd a little longer, _Plutarch_ would have given us his Life at +large. _Rome_, the Misstress of the World, was no more at first than a +Refuge for Thieves and Outlaws; and if the Progress of our Pyrates had been +equal to their Beginning; had they all united, and settled in some of those +Islands, they might, by this Time, have been honoured with the Name of a +Commonwealth, and no Power in those Parts of the World could have been able +to dispute it with them._ + +_If we have seem'd to glance, with some Freedom, at the Behaviour of some +Governors of Provinces abroad, it has been with Caution; and, perhaps, we +have, not declar'd as much as we knew: However, we hope those Gentlemen in +the same Station, who have never given Occasion for the like Censure, will +take no Offence, tho' the Word Governor is sometimes made use of._ + +P. S. _It will be necessary to add a Word or two to this Preface, in order +to inform the Reader, that there are several material Additions made to +this second Impression, which swelling the Book in Bulk, must of +Consequence add a small Matter to its Price._ + +_The first Impression having been received with so much Success by the +Publick, occasioned a very earnest Demand for a second: In the mean Time, +several Persons who had been taken by the Pyrates, as well as others who +had been concerned in taking of them, have been so kind to communicate +several Facts and Circumstances to us, which had escaped us in the first +Impression. This occasioned some Delay, therefore if we have not brought it +out, as soon as wish'd, it was to render it the more compleat._ + +_We shall not enter into a Detail of all the new Matter inserted here, but +the Description of the Islands _St. Thome_, _&c._ and that of _Brasil_ are +not to be passed by, without a little Notice. It must be observed, that our +speculative Mathematicians and Geographers, who are, no doubt, Men of the +greatest Learning, seldom travel farther than their Closets for their +Knowledge, _&c._ are therefore unqualified to give us a good Description of +Countries: It is for this Reason that all our Maps and Atlasses are so +monstrously faulty, for these Gentlemen are obliged to take their Accounts +from the Reports of illiterate Men._ + +_It must be noted also, that when the Masters of Ships make Discoveries +this Way, they are not fond of communicating them; a Man's knowing this or +that Coast, better than others, recommends him in his Business, and makes +him more useful, and he'll no more discover it than a Tradesman will the +Mystery of his Trade._ + +_The Gentleman who has taken the Pains to make these Observations, is _Mr. +Atkins_, a Surgeon, an ingenious Man in his own Profession, and one who is +not ty'd down by any narrow Considerations from doing a Service to the +Publick, and has been pleased generously to communicate them for the good +of others. I don't doubt, but his Observations will be found curious and +very serviceable to such as Trade to those Parts, besides a Method of Trade +is here laid down with the _Portuguese_, which may prove of great Profit to +some of our Countrymen, if followed according to his Plan._ + +_It is hoped these Things will satisfy the Publick, that the Author of the +following Sheets considered nothing so much as making the Book +useful;--tho' he has been informed, that some Gentlemen have rais'd an +Objection against the Truth of its Contents, _viz._ that it seems +calculated to entertain and divert.--If the Facts are related with some +Agreeableness and Life, we hope it will not be imputed as a Fault; but as +to its Credit, we can assure them that the Sea-faring Men, that is all that +know the Nature of these Things, have not been able to make the least +Objection to its Credit:--And he will be bold to affirm, that there is not +a Fact or Circumstance in the whole Book, but he is able to prove by +credible Witnesses._ + +_There have been some other Pyrates, besides those whose History are here +related, such as are hereafter named, and their Adventures are as +extravagant and full of Mischief, as those who are the Subject of this +Book.--The Author has already begun to digest them into Method, and as +soon, as he receives some Materials to make them compleat, (which he +shortly expects from the _West-Indies_). If the Publick gives him +Encouragement he intends to venture upon a second Volume._ + +THE CONTENTS. + +INTRODUCTION. + +T_HE Danger of Commonwealths from an Increase of Pyrates_, 17. +_Pyrates in the Times of_ Marius _and_ Sylla, 18. _Takes_ Julius Cæsar, 19. +_The Barbarity of those Pyrates_, ib. _They spare_ Cæsar, _and why_, ib. +_His Behaviour amongst them_, ib. Cæsar _obtains his Liberty for a Ransom_, +ib. _Attacks and takes the Pyrates_, 20. _Hangs them at_ Troy, ib. _They +increase again to a prodigious Strength_, ib. _Plunder at the Gates of_ +Rome, 21. _The mock Homage they paid the_ Romans, ib. Pompey _the Great, +appointed General against them_, 22. _A prodigious Fleet and Army assign'd +him_, ib. _His Conduct and good Fortune_, ib, _The Gallantry of those +Pyracies_, 23. _Receive an Overthrow_, ib. Barbarouse, _a Pyrate, his +Beginning_, ib. _His great Strength_, 24. Selim Eutemi, _King of_ Algiers, +_courts his Friendship_, ib. _Makes himself King, and how_, ib. _The King +of_ Tunis _overthrown by him_, ib. _Leaves the Inheritance to his Brother_, +ib. _The_ West-Indies _commodious for Pyrates, and why_, 24, 25. _The +Explanation of the Word_ Keys, 25. _The Pyrates conceal their Booty on +them_, ib. _The Pyrates Security in those Parts_, 26. _The Rise of Pyrates +since the Peace of_ Utrecht _accounted for_, 26, 27. _An Expedition from_ +Jamaica, _to plunder the_ Spaniards, 28. _The_ Spaniards _sue for Justice +to the Government of_ Jamaica, ib. _The Plunderers turn Pyrates_, 29. _The_ +Spaniards _make Reprisals_, ib. _The Names of Ships taken by them_, ib. +_The plunder'd Seamen join the Pyrates_, ib. Providence _fixed on as a +Place of Retreat by them_, 30. _That Island described_, ib. _The Lords +Address to her late Majesty for securing_ Providence, ib. _An Order of +Council in this Reign to the same Purpose_, 31. _A List of Men of War +employ'd for the Defence of the Plantations_, 32. _Captain_ Woods Rogers +_made Governor of_ Providence, ib. _The King's Proclamation for suppressing +Pyrates_, 33, 34. _How the Pyrates used the Proclamation_, 34. _Great +Divisions amongst them_, 35. _How made quiet_, ib. _Several of the Pyrates +surrender to the Governor of_ Bermudas, ib. _The Fate of the rest_, ib. +Woods Rogers _his Arrival at_ Providence, ib. Vane'_s Behaviour_, 36. Woods +Rogers _employs the pardon'd Pyrates_, ib. _Their Conduct_, ib. _Some of +them hang'd for new Pyracies_, 37. _Their strange Behaviour at the Place of +Execution_, ib. _Some Proceedings betwixt the_ English _and_ Spaniards, 38. +_The_ Spaniards _surprize the_ Greyhound _Man of War, and how_, ib. _Quit +her_, 39. _The Crew of a_ Spanish Guarda del Costa _hang'd at_ Jamaica, +_and why_, ib. _Sir_ Nicholas Laws _his Letter to the_ Alcaldes _of_ +Trinidado, 39, 40. _Mr._ Joseph Laws, _Lieutenant of the_ Happy Snow _his +Letter to the_ Alcaldes _of_ Trinidado, 41. _The_ Alcaldes _Answer to the +Lieutenant's Letter_, 41, 42. _The Lieutenant's Reply to the_ Alcaldes +_Answer_, 42, 43. _The_ Alcaldes _Answer again_, 43. _Some Account of_ +Richard Holland, ib. _Prizes taken by him_, 44. + +CHAP. I. Of Captain AVERY, and his CREW. + +R_Omantick Reports of his Greatness_, 45, 46. _His Birth_, 46. _Is +Mate of a_ Bristol _Man_, 47, _For what Voyage design'd_, ib. _Tampers with +the Seamen_, ib. _Forms a Plot for carrying off the Ship_, 47, 48. +_Executes it, and how_, ib. _The Pyrates take a rich Ship belonging to the_ +Great Mogul, 50. _The_ Great Mogul _threaten the_ English _Settlements_, +51. _The Pyrates steer their Course back for_ Madagascar, 52. _Call a +Council. Put all the Treasure on Board of_ Avery'_s Ship_, ib. Avery _and +his Crew treacherously leaves his Confederates; go to the Isle of_ +Providence _in the_ West-Indies, 53. _Sell the Ship, go to_ North-America +_in a Sloop_, 54. _They disperse_, Avery _goes to_ New-England, ib. _From +thence to_ Ireland, ib. Avery _afraid to expose his Diamonds to sale. Goes +over to_ England, ib. _Puts his Wealth into Merchants Hands, of_ Bristol, +55. _Changes his Name. Lives at_ Biddiford, ib. _The Merchants send him no +Supplies_, ib. _Importunes them. Goes privately to_ Bristol, _they threaten +to discover him_, ib. _Goes over to_ Ireland, _sollicites them from +thence_, 56. _Is very poor, works his Passage over to_ Plymouth, _walks to_ +Biddiford. _Dies a Beggar_, ib. _An Account of_ Avery'_s Confederates_, ib. +_Their Settlement at_ Madagascar, 57. _They meet other Pyrates; an Account +of them_, ib. _The Pyrates arrive to great Power. The Inhabitants +described_, 58. _Their Policy, Government_, &c. _Places describ'd_, 59. +_The Arrival of Captain_ Woods Rogers _at that Part of the Island_, 61. +_Their Design of surprizing his Ship_, 62. _One of these Princes formerly a +Waterman on the_ Thames, 63. _Their Secretaries, Men of no Learning. Could +neither write nor read_, ib. + +CHAP. II. Of Captain MARTEL, and his CREW. + +W_AY to suppress Pyrates_, 64. _The Increase of Pyrates accounted +for_, 65. _Where_ Martel _learned his Trade_, ib. _The Names of several +Prizes taken, by him_, 65, 66, 67. _His Strength at_ Sancta Cruz, 67. _His +Manner of fortifying himself there_, ib. _Is attack'd by the_ Scarborough +_Man of War_, 68. _His defence by Land and Sea_, ib. _His desperate +Escape_, 69. _His miserable End_, ib. + +CHAP. III. Of Captain TEACH, alias BLACK-BEARD. + +H_IS Beginning_, 70. _His Confederacy with_ Hornygold, ib. _The +Confederacy broke_, 71. _Takes a large_ Guiney _Man_, ib. _Engages the_ +Scarborough _Man of War_, ib. _His Alliance with Major_ Stede Bonnet, ib. +_Deposes his new Ally_, ib. _His Advice to the Major_, ib. _His Progress +and Success_, 72. _Takes Prizes in Sight of_ Charles-Town, 73. _Sends +Ambassadors to the Governor of_ Carolina, _upon an impudent Demand_, ib. +_Runs his Ship aground designedly_, 74. _His Cruelty to some of his own +Companions. Surrenders to the King's Proclamation_, 75. _The Governor of_ +North-Carolina'_s exceeding Generosity to him_, ib. _He marries_, ib. _The +Number of his Wives then living_, ib. _His conjugal Virtues_, 75, 76. +_Makes a second Excursion in the Way of pyrating_, 76. _Some State +Legerdemain betwixt him and the Governor_, ib. _His modest Behaviour in the +River_, 77. _His Frolicks on Shore_, ib. _The Merchants apply for a Force +against him, and where_, 78. _A Proclamation with a Reward for taking or +killing of Pyrates_, 79, 80. _Lieutenant_ Maynard _sent in pursuit of him_, +80. Black-beard'_s good Intelligence_, 81. _The Lieutenant engages_ +Black-beard, ib. _A most execrable Health drank by_ Black-beard 82. _The +Fight bloody; the Particulars of it_, 82, 83, 84. Black-beard _kill'd_, 84. +_His Sloop taken_, ib. _The Lieutenant's Conduct_, 84, 85. _A Reflection on +the Humours of Seamen_, 85. Black-beard'_s Correspondents discover'd by his +Papers_, ib. Black-beard'_s desperate Resolution before the Fight_, ib. +_The Lieutenant and Governor no very good Friends_, 86. _The Prisoners +hang'd_, ib. Samuel Odel _saved, and why_, ib. _The good Luck of_ Israel +Hands, 87. Black-beard'_s mischievous Frolicks_, ib. _His_ Beard +_described_, ib. _Several Instances if his Wickedness_, 88, 89. _Some +Memorandums taken from his Journal_, 89. _The Names of the Pyrates kill'd +in the Engagement_, 90. _Of those executed_, ib. _The Value of the Prize_, +ib. + +CHAP. IV. Of Major STEDE BONNET, and his CREW. + +B_RED a Gentleman_, 91. _Supposed to be disorder'd in his Senses_, +ib. _His Beginning as a Pyrate_, ib. _Takes Prizes_, 92. _Divisions in his +Crew_, ib. _Meets_ Black-beard, ib. _Is deposed from his Command_, 93. _His +melancholy Reflections_, ib. _Surrenders to the King's Proclamation_, ib. +_His new Project_, ib. _Saves some Pyrates marroon'd_, 94. _Begins the old +Trade again_, 95. _An Account of Prizes taken by him_, 95, 96. _Colonel_ +Rhet _goes in Quest of Pyrates_, 97. Yates _the Pyrate surrenders_, 98. _An +Engagement betwixt Colonel_ Rhet _and Major_ Bonnet, 100. _An Account of +the kill'd and wounded_, ib. _The Prisoners carried to_ Charles-Town, ib. +_The Major and the Master Escape_, ib. _Taken again by Colonel_ Rhet, 101. +_A Court of Vice-Admiralty held_, ib. _The Names of those arraign'd_, 102, +103. _The Form of their Indictment_, 104. _Their Defence_, 105. _The Names +of those who received Sentence_, 106. _An excellent Speech made by the Lord +Chief Justice on pronouncing Sentence on the Major_, 107 _to_ 112. + +CHAP. V. Of Capt. EDW. ENGLAND, and his CREW. + +H_IS Beginning and Character_, 113, 114. _A most barbarous Action of +his Crew_, 114, 115. _The Names of Prizes taken by him_, 115, 116. _The +Misfortunes of his Confederates_, 116, 117. England'_s Progress half round +the Globe_, 117, 118. _A short Description of the Coast of_ Malabar, ib. +_What they did at_ Madagascar, 118. _Takes an_ East-India _Man_, ib. _The +Particulars of the Action in Captain_ Mackra'_s Letter_, 119 _to_ 122. +_Captain_ Mackra _ventures on Board the Pyrate_, 122. _Is in Danger of +being murder'd_; 123. _Preserv'd by a pleasant Incident_, ib. _The Pyrates +Generosity to him_, ib. _Captain_ England _deposed, and why_, 124. +_Maroon'd on the Island_ Mauritius, ib. _Some Account of that Island_, ib. +_The Adventures of the Company continued_, 124 _to_ 126. Angria, _an_ +Indian _Pyrate_, 127. _his Strength by Land and Sea_, ib. _The_ East-India +_Company's Wars with him_, 127, 128. _The Pyrates go to the Island of_ +Melinda, 129. _Their barbarous Behaviour there_, ib. _Hear of Captain_ +Mackra'_s Designs against them_, ib. _Their Reflections thereupon_, 130. +_Sail for_ Cochin, _a_ Dutch _Settlement_, ib. _The Pyrates and the_ Dutch +_very good Friends_, 131. _Mutual Presents made betwixt the Pyrates and the +Governor_, ib. _The Pyrates in a Fright_, 133. _Almost starv'd_, ib. _Take +a Prize of an immense Value_, 134. _Take an_ Ostend East-India _Man_, ib. +_A short Description of_ Madagascar, 135, 136. _A prodigious Dividend made +by the Pyrates_, 136. _A Fellow's Way of increasing his Diamonds_, ib. +_Some of the Pyrates quit, and join the Remains of_ Avery, ib. _The +Proceedings of the Men of War in those Parts_, 137, 138. _Some_ Dutch _Men +petition to be among the Pyrates_, 138. _The Pyrates divided in their +Measures_, 139. _Break up_, ib. _What became of them_, 139, 140. + +CHAP. VI. Of Capt. CHARLES VANE, and his CREW. + +VANE'_s Behaviour at_ Providence, 141. _The Names of Prizes taken by +him_, 141, 142. _Is deserted by his Consort_ Yates, 143. Yates _surrenders +at_ Charles-Town, ib. _A Stratagem of_ Vane'_s_, 144. Black-beard _and_ +Vane _meet_, 145. _They salute after the Pyrates Manner_, ib. Vane _deposed +from his Command, and why_, 146. 15 _Hands degraded, and turned out with +him_, ib. _A Sloop given them_, 147. _They sail in Quest of Adventures, and +take Prizes_, ib. Vane _cast away upon an uninhabited Island_, ib. _Meets +with an old Acquaintance_, 148. Vane _seiz'd with a Qualm of Honour_, ib. +_Ships himself on Board a Vessel, passing for another Man_, ib. _Is +discover'd, with the Manner how_, 149. _Carried to_ Jamaica, _and hang'd_, +ib. + +CHAP. VII. Of Capt. RACKAM, and his CREW. + +RACKAM'_s beginning as a Pyrate_, 150, 151. _An Account of Prizes +taken by him_, 151. _Is attack'd by a_ Spanish _Guard Ship_, ib. _His +Stratagem to escape_, 152. _More Prizes taken by him_, 153. _Is taken, and +how_, 154. _Tried, condemned, and executed at_ Jamaica, ib. _The Names of +his Crew condemn'd with him_, 154. _An extraordinary Case of nine taken +with him_, ib. _Some Account of the Proceedings against them_, 154, 155. + +The LIFE of MARY READ. + +MARY Read_'s Birth_, 157. _Reasons for dressing her in Breeches_, +158. _Waits upon a Lady; goes into the Army_, 159. _Her Behaviour in +several Engagements_, ib. _She falls in Love with her Comrade_, ib. _Her +Sex discovered; the two Troopers married_, 160. _Settles at_ Breda, ib. +_Her Husband dies, she reassumes the Breeches_, ib. _Goes to_ Holland. _To +the_ West-Indies, 161. _Turns Pyrate_. Anne Bonny, _another Pyrate, falls +in Love with her_, 162. _Her Adventures to_ 165. + +The LIFE of ANNE BONNY. + +ANNE Bonny _born a Bastard_, 166. _Her Mother's Intrigues strangely +discover'd_, 167. _Her Father lies with his own Wife, by mistake_, 169. +_She proves with Child; the Husband jealous_, 170. _He separates from his +Wife; lives with_ Anne Bonny_'s Mother_, 171. Anne Bonny _put into Breeches +for a Disguise, how discovered_, ib. _The Father becomes poor. Goes to_ +Carolina, 172. _Improves his Fortune_. Anne Bonny _marries against his +Consent. Her fierce Temper_, ib. _Goes to_ Providence _with her Husband_, +ib. _Enticed to Sea in Men's Cloaths, by_ Rackam _the Pyrate_, 173. +_Reproaches_ Rackam _with Cowardice at his Execution_, ib. + +CHAP. VIII. Of Capt. HOWEL DAVIS, and his Crew. + +T_HE Original of_ Davis, 174. _Is taken by the Pyrate_ England, ib. +England_'s Generosity to him_, 175. _Is cast into Prison at_ Barbadoes, +_and why_, ib. _Goes to_ Providence, ib. _Employ'd in a trading Vessel, +seizes the Ship_, 176. _An Instance of his great Courage and good Conduct_, +177, 178. _Goes to_ Cape de Verd Islands, ib. _Take several Prizes_, ib. +_Take the Fort of St._ Jago _by Storm_, 180. _A Council call'd_, ib. _Sail +for_ Gambia, 181. _Takes_ Gambia _Castle by Stratagem_, 181 _to_ 184. +_Meets_ La Bouche, _a_ French _Pyrate_, 184. _His Adventures with_ Cocklyn +_the Pyrate, at_ Sierraleone, 185. _The Fort attack'd and taken, by three +Confederate Pyrates_, 186. _The Pyrates quarrel and part_, ib. _The +laconick Speech of_ Davis _to them_, ib. _His fierce Engagement with a +large_ Dutch _Ship_, 187. _An Account of several Prizes taken by him_, ib. +_A Description of the Island of St._ Thome, Del Principe, _and_ Annobono, +_from_ 188 _to_ 204. _The_ Dutch _Governor of_ Acra _taken by_ Davis, 205. +Davis _well received by the Governor of_ Princes, ib. _His Stratagem to +come at the Wealth of the Island_, 206. _Is counterplotted and kill'd, by +an Ambuscade_, 207. + +CHAP. IX. Of Capt. BAR. ROBERTS, and his CREW. + +H_IS Beginning_, 208. _Elected Captain in the Room of_ Davis, 209. +_The Speech of Lord_ Dennis _at the Election_, ib. _Lord_ Sympson _objects +against a Papist_, ib. _The Death of_ Davis _reveng'd_, 210. Roberts _sails +Southward, in Quest of Adventures_, 211. _The Names of the Prizes taken by +them_, ib. Brasil _describ'd, from_ 211 _to_ 221. Roberts _falls into a +Fleet of_ Portuguese, 221. _Boards and takes the richest Ship amongst +them_, 222. _Make the_ Devil_'s Islands_, 223. _An unfortunate Adventure +of_ Roberts, 224. Kennedy_'s Treachery_, 225. Irishmen _excluded by_ +Roberts _and his Crew_, 230. _Articles sworn to by them_, ib. _A Copy of +them from_, 230 _to_ 233. _Some Account of the Laws and Customs of the +Pyrates_, 233, 234. _An Instance of_ Roberts _his Cunning_, 234. _He +proceeds again upon Business, and takes Prizes_, 235. _Narrowly escapes +being taken_, 236. _Sails for the Island_ Dominico, ib. _Another Escape_, +237. _Sails for_ Newfoundland, ib. _Plunders, sinks and burns_ 22 _Sail in +the Harbour of_ Trepassi, ib. _Plunders ten Sail of_ French _Men_, 238. +_The mad Behaviour of the Crew_, 238, 239. _A Correspondence hinted at_, +240. _The Pyrates caress'd at the Island of St._ Bartholomew, ib. _In +extream Distress_, 241, 242. _Sail for_ Martinico, 243. _A Stratagem of_ +Roberts, ib. _The insolent Device in his Colours_, 244. _And odd Compliment +paid to_ Roberts, ib. _Three Men desert the Pyrates, and are taken by +them_, 245. _Their Tryal_, 245, 246. _Two executed, and one saved_, 247. +_The Brigantine deserts them_, 248. _Great Divisions in the Company_, 248, +249. _A Description of_ Sierraleone _River_, 250. _The Names of_ English +_settled there, and Way of Life_, 251, 252, 253. _The_ Onslow, _belonging +to the_ African _Company taken_, 254. _The Pyrates Contempt of Soldiers_, +ib. _They are for entertaining a Chaplain_, ib. _Their Skirmish with the_ +Calabar _Negroes_, 256. _The_ King Solomon, _belonging to the_ African +_Company, taken_, 258. _The Frolicks of the Pyrates_, ib. _Take eleven Sail +in_ Whydah _Road_, 259. _A comical Receipt given by the Pyrates_, 260. _A +cruel Action of_ Roberts, 261. _Sails for_ Anna Bona, 262. _The Progress of +the_ Swallow _Man of War, in Pursuit of_ Roberts, _from_ 262 _to_ 267. +Roberts _his Consort taken_, 267. _The Bravery of_ Skyrme, _a_ Welch +_Pyrate_, 268. _The surly Humour of some of the Prisoners_, 268, 269. _The_ +Swallow _comes up with_ Roberts, 270. Roberts _his Dress described_, 271. +_Is kill'd_, 272. _His Character_, ib. _His Ship taken_, 273. _The +Behaviour of the Pyrates, when Prisoners_, 275. _A Conspiracy of theirs +discovered_, 276, 277. _Reflections on the Manner of trying them_, 278, +279, 280. _The Form of the Commission for trying the Pyrates_, 281. _The +Oath taken by the Commissioners_, 282. _The Names of those arraign'd taken +in the Ship_ Ranger, 282, 283, 284. _The Form of the Indictment_, 284, 285. +_The Sum of the Evidence against them_, 285, 286. _Their Defence_, 287, +288. _The Names of the Prisoners of the_ Royal Fortune, 288, 289, 290. +_Proceedings against them_, 291 _to_ 304. Harry Glasby _acquitted_, 304. +_The particular Tryal of Captain_ James Skyrme, 304, 305. _Of_ John Walden, +305 _to_ 308. _Of_ Peter Scudamore, 308 _to_ 311. _Of_ Robert Johnson, 311, +312. _Of_ George Wilson, 312 _to_ 317. _Of_ Benjamin Jeffries, 317, 318. +_Of_ John Mansfield, 318, 319. _Of_ William Davis, 319 _to_ 321. _The Names +of those executed at_ Cape Corso, 321, 322. _The Petition of some +condemn'd_, 323. _The Courts Resolution_, ibid. _The Form of an Indenture +of a pardon'd Pyrate_, 324. _The Names of those pardon'd upon Indenture to +serve seven Years_, 325. _The Pyrates how disposed of_, 326. _The dying +Behaviour of those executed_, 326 _to_ 329. + +CHAP. X. Of Capt. ANSTIS, and his CREW. + +H_IS Beginning as a Pyrate_, 330. _A most brutish Action supposed to +be committed by his Crew_, 331. _Civil Discords amongst them_, 332. _The +Pyrates Term of_ Round Robin _explain'd_, ib. _They land on an uninhabited +Island_, ib. _A Petition for Pardon agreed on_, ib. _The Form of that +Petition_, 333. _Their Diversions, and Manner of living on the Island_, +334, 335. _Their mock Tryal of one another_, 336 _to_ 338. _They put to Sea +again_, 338. _Their Petition not answer'd_, ib. _The_ Morning Star +_Wreck'd_, ib. Anstis _narrowly escapes being taken_, 339. _A Plot +discover'd_, ib. _The Crew gathers Strength again_, 340. _Surprised by the_ +Winchelsea _Man of War at_ Tobago, ib. _Fire one of their Ships_, ib. +Anstis _escapes_, ib. _Is killed by a Conspiracy of his own Men_, 341. _The +Ship surrender'd at_ Curaco, ib. _Several hang'd there_, ib. Fen _hanged +at_ Antegoa, ib. _The good Luck of those who fled to the Woods_, ib. + +CHAP. XI. Of Capt. WORLEY, and his CREW. + +H_IS mad Beginning_, 342. _His Success_, 343, 344. _Bind themselves +by Oath to take no Quarters_, 344. _A false Alarm at_ James-Town, 345. +Worley _catches a_ Tartar, ib. _The desperate Resolution of the Pyrates_, +346. Worley _hanged_, ib. + +CHAP. XII. Of Capt. GEO. LOWTHER, and his CREW. + +H_IS Beginning_, 347. _Plots with_ Massey, 349. Massey'_s Conduct_, +350, 351. Lowther'_s Proposal_, 351. _A Copy of Articles drawn up, and +sworn to_, 352. _The Pyrates going by the Ears_, 354. _How Rogues are made +Friends_, ib. Lowther _and_ Massey _part_, 355. _A Digression concerning_ +Massey'_s mad Conduct_, 355 _to_ 357. Lowther _and_ Low _meet_, 358. _An +Alliance betwixt them_, ib. _A List of Prizes taken by them_, 359. _An +unlucky Adventure at_ Cape Mayo, 359, 360. Lowther _and_ Low _break the +Alliance, and part_, 361. _The Bravery of Captain_ Gwatkins, ib. _The +Pyrates much reduced_, 362. _Winter in_ North-Carolina, ib. _Put to Sea +again_, ib. _Make for the Island of_ Blanco, 363. _The Island described_, +ib. _Are surprised and taken_, 364. Lowther _escapes_, ib. _The Names of +the Prisoners, and Fate_, ib. Lowther'_s Death_, 365. + +CHAP. XIII. Of Capt. LOW and his CREW. + +LOW'_s Original_, 366, 367. _The Virtues of his Family, ib. His bold +Beginnings_, 368. _Declares War against the whole World_, ib. _His +Success_, 369, 370. _Like to perish by a Storm_, 371, 372. _Sail for the +Western Island_, 373. _Treats with the Governor of St._ Michael _for +Water_, ib. _Several Instances of their wanton Cruelty_, 374. Low'_s +Consort taken, and how_, 376. _A horrid Massacre committed by_ Low. 376, +377. _Takes a Multitude of Prizes_, 377. _Another barbarous Massacre_, 379. +_More Cruelties_, 379, 380. Low _and his Consort attack'd by the_ Greyhound +_Man of War_, 380, 381. Low _deserts his Consort_, 381. _The Consort +taken_, ib. _Carried to_ Rhode Island, 382. _The Names, Age, and Places of +Birth, of the Prisoners_, 382, 383. _A Compliment paid to Captain_ Solgard, +_by the Corporation of_ New-York, 384. _The Resolution of the Mayor and +Common-Council_, ib. _The Preamble of the Captain's Freedom_, 385. _More +Instances of_ Low'_s Cruelty_, 388, 389. _His Adventures continued to_ 390. + +CHAP. XIV. Of Capt. JOHN EVANS and his CREW. + +B_EGINS with House-breaking_, 391. _Seizes a Sloop_, 392. _Robs a +House the same Night_, ib. _Put to Sea, and take valuable Prizes_, 393. +Evans _shot dead by his Boatswain_, 394, _His Death reveng'd_, ib. _The +Company breaks up_, 395. + +CHAP. XV. Of Capt. JOHN PHILLIPS, and his CREW. + +PHILLIPS _his Original_, 396. _How he became a Pyrate_, ib. _His +Return to_ England _accounted for_, ib. _Ships again for_ Newfoundland, ib. +_Deserts his Ship in_ Peter _Harbour_, 397. _He and four others seize a +Vessel_, ib. _Sail out a pyrating_, ib. _Articles sworn to upon a Hatchet_, +ib. _A Copy of the Articles_, 397, 398. _Ill Blood amongst them, and why_, +399. _Are almost starved_, ib, _Take Prizes_, ib. Phillips _proposes to +clean at_ Tobago, _and why_, ib. _Meets an old Acquaintance_, 400. +_Frighten'd from the Island_, ib. _A Conspiracy to run away with the +Prize_, ib. _A Skirmish_, ib. _The Carpenter's Dexterity in cutting off +Legs_, ib. Fern _kill'd by_ Phillips, _and why_, 401. _The Danger of +attempting an Escape among the Pyrates_, ib. _Captain_ Mortimer'_s Bravery, +and hard Fate_, 401, 402. _Captain_ Mortimer'_s Brother escapes, and how_, +402. Cheeseman'_s Steps for overthrowing the Pyrates Government_, 403. _A +Digression concerning_ Newfoundland, _and its Trade_, 403, 404. _The +Pyrates recruited with Men from thence_, 405. Phillips _his Conscience +pricks him_, ib. Dependence Ellery, _a Saint, oblig'd to dance by the +Pyrates_, 406. _A brave Action perform'd by_ Cheesemen, 407. _Carries the +Pyrate Ship into_ Boston, 408. _The dying Declarations of_ John Rose +Archer, _and_ William White, 408, 409. + +CHAP. XVI. Of Captain SPRIGGS, and his CREW. + +SPRIGGS _his Beginning_, 411. _How he set up for himself_, ib. +_Sweats his Prisoners for Diversion_, 412. _The Pyrates mistake in drinking +Healths_, 413. _Take_ Hawkins _a second time_, 414. _Burn his Ship, and +why_, ib. _An odd Entertainment given him by the Pyrates_, ib. _Captain_ +Hawkins _how disposed of_, 414, 415. Spriggs _barbarous Usage of his +Prisoners_, 415, 416. _Takes a Ship loaden with Horses_, 416. _An odd +Frolick of the Pyrates_, ib. _Two particular Relations of Pyracy, from_ 417 +_to_ 424. + +THE HISTORY OF THE PYRATES. + +INTRODUCTION. + +AS the Pyrates in the _West-Indies_ have been so formidable and +numerous, that they have interrupted the Trade of _Europe_ into those +Parts; and our _English_ Merchants, in particular, have suffered more by +their Depredations, than by the united Force of _France_ and _Spain_, in +the late War: We do not doubt but the World will be curious to know the +Original and Progress of these Desperadoes, who were the Terror of the +trading Part of the World. + +But before we enter upon their particular History, it will not be amiss, by +way of Introduction, to shew, by some Examples drawn from History, the +great Mischief and Danger which threaten Kingdoms and Commonwealths, from +the Increase of these sort of Robbers; when either by the Troubles of +particular Times, or the Neglect of Governments, they are not crush'd +before they gather Strength. + +It has been the Case heretofore, that when a single Pyrate has been +suffered to range the Seas, as not being worth the Notice of a Government, +he has by Degrees grown so powerful, as to put them to the Expence of a +great deal of Blood and Treasure, before he was suppress'd. We shall not +examine how it came to pass, that our Pyrates in the _West-Indies_ have +continually increased till of late; this is an Enquiry which belongs to the +Legislature, or Representatives of the People in Parliament, and to them we +shall leave it. + +Our Business shall be briefly to shew, what from Beginnings, as +inconsiderable as these, other Nations have suffered. + +In the Times of _Marius_ and _Sylla_, _Rome_ was in her greatest Strength, +yet she was so torn in Pieces by the Factions of those two great Men, that +every Thing which concerned the publick Good was altogether neglected, when +certain Pyrates broke out from _Cicilia_, a Country of _Asia Minor_, +situate on the Coast of the _Mediterranean_, betwixt _Syria_ on the East, +from whence it is divided by Mount _Tauris_, and _Armenia Minor_ on the +West. This Beginning was mean and inconsiderable, having but two or three +Ships, and a few Men, with which they cruised about the _Greek_ Islands, +taking such Ships as were very ill arm'd or weakly defended; however, by +the taking of many Prizes, they soon increased in Wealth and Power: The +first Action of their's which made a Noise, was the taking of _Julius +Cæsar_, who was as yet a Youth, and who being obliged to fly from the +Cruelties of _Sylla_, who sought his Life, went into _Bithinia_, and +sojourned a while with _Nicomedes_, King of that Country; in his Return +back by Sea, he was met with, and taken, by some of these Pyrates, near the +Island of _Pharmacusa_: These Pyrates had a barbarous Custom of tying their +Prisoners Back to Back and throwing them into the Sea; but, supposing +_Cæsar_ to be some Person of a high Rank, because of his purple Robes, and +the Number of his Attendants, they thought it would be more for their +Profit to preserve him, in hopes of receiving a great Sum for his Ransom; +therefore they told him he should have his Liberty, provided he would pay +them twenty Talents, which they judg'd to be a very high Demand, in our +Money, about three thousand six hundred Pounds Sterling; he smiled, and of +his own Accord promised them fifty Talents; they were both pleased, and +surpriz'd at his Answer, and consented that several of his Attendants +should go by his Direction and raise the Money; and he was left among these +Ruffians with no more than 3 Attendants. He pass'd eight and thirty Days, +and seemed so little concerned or afraid, that often when he went to sleep, +he used to charge them not to make a Noise, threatening, if they disturbed +him, to hang them all; he also play'd at Dice with them, and sometimes +wrote Verses and Dialogues, which he used to repeat, and also cause them to +repeat, and if they did not praise and admire them, he would call them +Beasts and Barbarians, telling them he would crucify them. They took all +these as the Sallies of a juvenile Humour, and were rather diverted, than +displeased at them. + +At length his Attendants return'd with his Ransom, which he paid, and was +discharged; he sail'd for the Port of _Miletum_, where, as soon as he was +arriv'd, he used all his Art and Industry in fitting out a Squadron of +Ships, which he equipp'd and arm'd at his own Charges; and sailing in Quest +of the Pyrates, he surpriz'd them as they lay at Anchor among the Islands, +and took those who had taken him before, with some others; the Money he +found upon them he made Prize of, to reimburse his Charges, and he carry'd +the Men to _Pergamus_ or _Troy_, and there secured them in Prison: In the +mean Time, he apply'd himself to _Junius_, then Governor of _Asia_, to whom +it belonged to judge and determine of the Punishment of these Men; but +_Junius_ finding there was no Money to be had, answered _Cæsar_, that he +would think at his Leisure, what was to be done with those Prisoners; +_Cæsar_ took his Leave of him, returned back to _Pergamus_, and commanded +that the Prisoners should be brought out and executed, according to Law in +that Case provided; which is taken Notice of, in a Chapter at the End of +this Book, concerning the Laws in Cases of Pyracy: And thus he gave them +that Punishment in Earnest, which he had often threatned them with in Jest. + +_Cæsar_ went strait to Rome, where, being engaged in the Designs of his own +private Ambition, as were almost all the leading Men in Rome, the Pyrates +who were left, had Time to increase to a prodigious Strength; for while the +civil Wars lasted, the Seas were left unguarded, so that _Plutarch_ tells +us, that they erected diverse Arsenals full of all manner of warlike +Stores, made commodious Harbours, set up Watch-Towers and Beacons all along +the Coasts of _Cilicia_; that they had a mighty Fleet, well equipp'd and +furnish'd, with Galliots of Oars, mann'd, not only with Men of desperate +Courage, but also with expert Pilots and Mariners; they had their Ships of +Force, and light Pinnaces for cruising and making Discoveries, in all no +less than a thousand Sail; so gloriously set out, that they were as much to +be envied for their gallant Shew, as fear'd for their Force; having the +Stern and Quarters all gilded with Gold and their Oars plated with Silver, +as well as purple Sails; as if their greatest Delight had been to glory in +their Iniquity. Nor were they content with committing Pyracies and +Insolencies by Sea, they committed as great Depredations by Land, or rather +made Conquests; for they took and sack'd no less than four hundred Cities, +laid several others under Contributions, plundered the Temples of the Gods, +and inriched themselves with the Offerings deposited in them; they often +landed Bodies of Men, who not only plundered the Villages along the Sea +Coast, but ransacked the fine Houses of the Noblemen along the Tiber. A +Body of them once took _Sextillius_ and _Bellinus_, two _Roman_ Prætors, in +their purple Robes, going from Rome to their Governments, and carried them +away with all their Sergeants, Officers and Vergers; they also took the +Daughter of _Antonius_ a consular Person, and one who had obtained the +Honour of a Triumph, as she was going to the Country House of her Father. + +But what was most barbarous, was a Custom they had when they took any Ship, +of enquiring of the Person on Board, concerning their Names and Country; if +any of them said he was a _Roman_, they fell down upon their Knees, as if +in a Fright at the Greatness of that Name, and begg'd Pardon for what they +had done, and imploring his Mercy, they used to perform the Offices of +Servants about his Person, and when they found they had deceived him into a +Belief of their being sincere, they hung out the Ladder of the Ship, and +coming with a shew of Courtesy, told him, he had his Liberty, desiring him +to walk out of the Ship, and this in the Middle of the Sea, and when they +observed him in Surprize, as was natural, they used to throw him overboard +with mighty shouts of Laughter; so wanton they were in their Cruelty. + +Thus, while _Rome_ was Mistress oft he World, she suffered Insults and +Affronts, almost at her Gates, from these powerful Robbers; but what for a +while made Faction cease, and roused the Genius of that People, never used +to suffer Wrongs from a fair Enemy, was an excessive Scarcity of Provisions +in _Rome_, occasioned by all the Ships loaden with Corn and Provisions from +_Sicily_, _Corsica_, and other Places, being intercepted and taken by these +Pyrates, insomuch that they were almost reduced to a Famine: Upon this, +_Pompey_ the _Great_ was immediately appointed General to manage this War; +five hundered Ships were immediately fitted out, he had fourteen Senators, +Men of Experience in the War, for his Vice-Admirals; and so considerable an +Enemy, were these Ruffians become, that no less than an Army of a hundred +thousand Foot, and five thousand Horse was appointed to invade them by +Land; but it happened very luckily for _Rome_, that _Pompey_ sail'd out +before the Pyrate had Intelligence of a Design against them, so that their +Ships were scattered all over the _Mediterranean_, like Bees gone out from +a Hive, some one Way, some another, to bring Home their Lading; _Pompey_ +divided his Fleet into thirteen Squadrons, to whom he appointed their +several Stations, so that great Numbers of the Pyrates fell into their +Hands, Ship by Ship, without any Loss; forty Days he passed in scouring the +_Mediterranean_, some of the Fleet cruizing along the Coast of _Africk_, +some about the Islands, and some upon the Italian Coasts, so that often +those Pyrates who were flying from one Squadron, fell in with another; +however, some of them escaped, and these making directly to _Cilicia_, and +acquainting their Confederates on Shore with what had happened, they +appointed a Rendezvous of all the Ships that had escaped at the Port of +_Coracesium_, in the same Country. _Pompey_ finding the _Mediterranean_ +quite clear, appointed a Meeting of all his Fleet at the Haven of +_Brundusium_, and from thence sailing round into the _Adriatick_, he went +directly to attack these Pyrates in their Hives; as soon as he came near +the _Coracesium_ in _Cilicia_, where the Remainder of the Pyrates now lay, +they had the Hardiness to come and give him Battle, but the Genius of old +_Rome_ prevailed, and the Pyrates received an entire Overthrow, being all +either taken or destroyed; but as they made many strong Fortresses upon the +Sea Coast, and built Castles and strong Holds up the Country, about the +Foot of Mount _Taurus_, he was obliged to besiege them with his Army; some +Places he took by Storm, others surrendered to his Mercy, to whom he gave +their Lives, and at length he made an entire Conquest. + +But it is probable, that had these Pyrates receiv'd sufficient Notice of +the _Roman_ Preparation against them, so as they might have had Time to +draw their scattered Strength into a Body, to have met _Pompey_ by Sea, the +Advantage appeared greatly on their Side, in Numbers of Shipping, and of +Men; nor did they want Courage, as may be seen by their coming out of the +Port of _Coracesium_, to give the _Romans_ Battle, with a Force much +inferior to their's; I say, had they overthrown _Pompey_, it is likely they +would have made greater Attempts, and _Rome_, which had conquer'd the whole +World, might have been subdued by a Parcel of Pyrates. + +This is a Proof how dangerous it is to Governments to be negligent, and not +take an early Care in suppressing these Sea Banditti, before they gather +Strength. + +The Truth of this Maxim may be better exemplified in the History of +_Barbarouse_, a Native in the City of _Mitylene_, in the Island of +_Lesbos_, in the _Egean_ Sea; a Fellow of ordinary Birth, who being bred to +the Sea, first set out from thence upon the pyrating Account with only one +small Vessel, but by the Prizes he took, he gain'd immense Riches, so that +getting a great Number of large Ships, all the bold and dissolute Fellows +of those Islands flock'd to him, and listed in his Service, for the Hopes +of Booty; so that his Strength was increased to a formidable Fleet: With +these he perform'd such bold and adventurous Actions, that he became the +Terror of the Seas. About this Time it happened that _Selim Eutemi_, King +of _Algiers_, having refused to pay the accustomed Tribute to the +_Spaniards_, was apprehensive of an Invasion from thence; wherefore he +treated with _Barbarouse_, upon the Foot of an Ally, to come and assist +him, and deliver him from paying this Tribute; _Barbarouse_ readily came +into it, and sailing to _Algiers_ with a great Fleet, he put part of his +Men on Shore, and having laid a Plot to surprize the City, he effected it +with great Success, and murder'd _Selim_ in a Bath; soon after which, he +was himself crowned King of _Algiers_; after this he made War upon +_Abdilabde_, King of _Tunis_, and overthrew him in Battle; he extended his +Conquests on all Sides; and thus from a Thief became a mighty King: and +tho' he was at last kill'd in Battle, yet he had so well established +himself upon that Throne, that, dying without Issue, he left the +Inheritance of the Kingdom to his Brother, another Pyrate. + + * * * + +I come now to speak of the Pyrates infesting the _West-Indies_, where they +are more numerous than in any other Parts of the World, on several Reasons: + +_First_, Because there are so many uninhabited little Islands and Keys, +with Harbours convenient and secure for cleaning their Vessels, and +abounding with what they often want, Provision; I mean Water, Sea-Fowl, +Turtle, Shell, and other Fish; where, if they carry in but strong Liquor, +they indulge a Time, and become ready for new Expeditions before any +Intelligence can reach to hurt them. + +It may here perhaps be no unnecessary Digression, to explain upon what they +call Keys in the _West-Indies_: These are small sandy Islands, appearing a +little above the Surf of the Water, with only a few Bushes or Weeds upon +them, but abound (those most at any Distance from the Main) with Turtle, +amphibious Animals, that always chuse the quietest and most unfrequented +Place, for laying their Eggs, which are to a vast Number in the Seasons, +and would seldom be seen, but for this, (except by Pyrates:) Then Vessels +from _Jamaica_ and the other Governments make Voyages, called Turtling, for +supplying the People, a common and approved Food with them. I am apt to +think these _Keys_, especially those nigh Islands, to have been once +contiguous with them, and separated by Earthquakes (frequently there) or +Inundations, because some of them that have been within continual View, as +those nigh _Jamaica_, are observed within our Time, to be entirely wasted +away and lost, and others daily wasting. There are not only of the Use +above taken Notice of to Pyrates; but it is commonly believed were always +in buccaneering pyratical Times, the hiding Places for their Riches, and +often Times a Shelter for themselves, till their Friends on the Main, had +found Means to obtain Indemnity for their Crimes; for you must understand, +when Acts of Grace were more frequent, and the Laws less severe, these Men +continually found Favours and Incouragers at _Jamaica_, and perhaps they +are not all dead yet; I have been told many of them them still living have +been of the same Trade, and left it off only because they can live as well +honestly, and gain now at the hazard of others Necks. + +Secondly, another Reason why these Seas are chose by Pyrates, is the great +Commerce thither by _French_, _Spaniards_, _Dutch_, and especially +_English_ Ships: They are sure in the Latitude of these trading Islands, to +meet with Prizes, Booties of Provision, Cloathing, and Naval-Stores, and +sometimes Money; there being great Sums remitted this Way to _England_; +(the Returns of the Affiento, and private Slave-Trade, to the _Spanish +West-Indies_:) And in short, by some one or other, all the Riches of +_Potosi_. + +A third Reason, is the Inconveniency and Difficulty of being pursued by the +Men of War, the many small Inlets, Lagoons and Harbours, on these solitary +Islands and Keys, is a natural Security. + +'Tis generally here that the Pyrates begin their Enterprizes, setting out +at first with a very small Force; and by infesting these Seas, and those of +the Continent of _North-America_, in a Year's Time, if they have good luck +on their Sides, they accumulate such Strength, as enables them to make +foreign Expeditions: The first, is usually to _Guiney_, taking the _Azores_ +and _Cape de Verd_ Islands in their Way, and then to _Brazil_ and the +_East-Indies_, where if they meet with prosperous Voyages, they set down at +_Madagascar_, or the neighbouring Islands, and enjoy their ill gotten +Wealth, among their elder Brethren, with Impunity. But that I may not give +too much Encouragement to the Profession, I must inform my maritime +Readers, that the far greater Part of these Rovers are cut short in the +Pursuit, by a sudden Precipitation into the other World. + +The Rise of these Rovers, since the Peace of _Utrecht_, or at least, the +great Encrease of them, may justly be computed to the _Spanish_ Settlements +in the _West Indies_; the Governors of which, being often some hungry +Courtiers, sent thither to repair or make a Fortune, generally Countenance +all Proceedings that bring in Profit: They grant Commissions to great +Numbers of Vessels of War, on Pretence of preventing an interloping Trade, +with Orders to seize all Ships or Vessels whatsoever, within five Leagues +of their Coasts, which our _English_ Ships cannot well avoid coming, in +their Voyage to _Jamaica_. But if the _Spanish_ Captains chance to exceed +this Commission, and rob and plunder at Discretion, the Sufferers are +allowed to complain, and exhibit a Process in their Court, and after great +Expence of Suit, Delay of Time, and other Inconveniencies, obtain a Decree +in their Favour, but then when the Ship and Cargo comes to be claim'd, with +Costs of Suit, they find, to their Sorrow, that it has been previously +condemn'd, and the Plunder divided among the Crew; the Commander that made +the Capture, who alone is responsible, is found to be a poor raskally +Fellow, not worth a Groat, and, no doubt, is plac'd in that Station for the +like Purposes. + +The frequent Losses sustain'd by our Merchants abroad, by these Pyrates, +was Provocation enough to attempt something by way of Reprisal; and a fair +Opportunity offering it self in the Year 1716, the Traders of the +_West-Indies_, took Care not to slip it over, but made the best Use of it +their Circumstances would permit. + +It was about two Years before, that the _Spanish_ Galleons, or Plate Fleet, +had been cast away in the Gulf or _Florida_; and several Vessels from the +_Havana_, were at work, with diving Engines, to fish up the Silver that was +on board the Galleons. + +The _Spaniards_ had recovered some Millions of Pieces of Eight, and had +carried it all to the _Havana_; but they had at present about 350000 Pieces +of Eight in Silver, then upon the Spot, and were daily taking up more. In +the mean time, two Ships, and three Sloops, fitted out from _Jamaica_, +_Barbadoes_, _&c._ under Captain _Henry Jennings_, sail'd to the Gulf, and +found the _Spaniards_ there upon the Wreck; the Money before spoken of, was +left on Shore, deposited in a Store-House, under the Government of two +Commissaries, and a Guard of about 60 Soldiers. + +The Rovers came directly upon the Place, bringing their little Fleet to an +Anchor, and, in a Word, landing 300 Men, they attack'd the Guard, who +immediately ran away; and thus they seized the Treasure, which they carried +off, making the best of their Way to _Jamaica_. + +In their Way they unhappily met with a _Spanish_ Ship, bound from _Porto +Bello_ to the _Havana_, with a great many rich Goods, _viz._ Bales of +Cochineal, Casks of Indico, and 60000 Pieces of Eight more, which their +Hands being in, they took, and having rifled the Vessel, let her go. + +They went away to _Jamaica_ with their Booty, and were followed in View of +the Port, by the _Spaniards_, who having seen them thither, went back to +the Governor of the _Havana_, with the Account of it, who immediately sent +a Vessel to the Governor of _Jamaica_ to complain of this Robbery, and to +reclaim the Goods. + +As it was in full Peace, and contrary to all Justice and Right, that this +Fact was committed, they were soon made sensible that the Government at +_Jamaica_ would not suffer them to go unpunished, much less protect them. +Therefore they saw a Necessity of shifting for themselves; so, to make bad +worse, they went to Sea again, tho' not without disposing of their Cargo to +good Advantage, and furnishing themselves with Ammunition, Provisions, +_&c._ and being thus made desperate, they turn'd Pyrates, robbing not the +_Spaniards_ only, but their own Countrymen, and any Nation they could lay +their Hands on. + +It happened about this Time, that the _Spaniards_, with three or four small +Men of War, fell upon our Logwood Cutters, in the Bay of _Campeachy_, and +Bay or _Honduras_; and after they had made Prizes of the following Ships +and Vessels, they gave the Men belonging to them, three Sloops to carry +them home, but these Men being made desperate by their Misfortunes, and +meeting with the Pyrates, they took on with them, and so encreas'd their +Number. + +_The LIST of Ships and Vessels taken by the_ Spanish _Men of War in +the Year_ 1716. + +The _Stafford_, Captain _Knocks_, from _New-England_, bound for _London_. + _Anne_, ------ _Gernish_, for ditto. + _Dove_, ------ _Grimstone_, for _New-England_. +A Sloop, ------ _Alden_, for ditto. +A Brigantine, ------ _Mosson_, for ditto. +A Brigantine, ------ _Turfield_, for ditto. +A Brigantine, ------ _Tennis_, for ditto. +A Ship, ------ ------ _Porter_, for ditto. + _Indian Emperor_, _Wentworth_, for _New-England_. +A Ship, ------ _Rich_, Master. + Ditto, ------ _Bay_. + Ditto, ------ _Smith_. + Ditto, ------ _Stockum_. + Ditto, ------ _Satlely_. +A Sloop, ------ ------ _Richards_, belonging to _New-England_. +Two Sloops, ------ ------ belonging to _Jamaica_. +One Sloop ------ ------ of _Barbadoes_. +Two Ships ------ ------ from _Scotland_. +Two Ships ------ ------ from _Holland_. + +The Rovers being now pretty strong, they consulted together about getting +some Place of Retreat, where they might lodge their Wealth, clean and +repair their Ships, and make themselves a kind of Abode. They were not long +in resolving, but fixed upon the Island of _Providence_, the most +considerable of the _Bahama_ Islands, lying in the Latitude of about 24 +Degrees North, and to the Eastward of the _Spanish Florida_. + +This Island is about 28 Miles long, and eleven where broadest, and has a +Harbour big enough to hold 500 Sail of Ships; before which lies a small +Island, which makes two Inlets to the Harbour; at either Way there is a +Bar, over which no Ship of 500 Tun can pass. The _Bahama_ Islands were +possess'd by the _English_ till the Year 1700, when the _French_ and +_Spaniards_ from _Petit Guavus_, invaded them, took the Fort and Governor +in the Island of _Providence_, plunder'd and destroy'd the Settlements, +_&c._ carried off half the Blacks, and the rest of the People, who fled to +the Woods, retired afterwards to _Carolina_. + +In March 1705-6, the House of Lords did in an Address to her late Majesty, +set forth, + + `That the + _French_ and _Spaniards_ had twice, during the Time + of the War, over run and plundered the _Bahama_ + Islands, that there was no Form of Government + there: That the Harbour of the Isle of _Providence_, + might be easily put in a Posture of Defence, and + that it would be of dangerous Consequence, should + those Islands fall into the Hands of the Enemy; + wherefore the Lords humbly besought her Majesty + to use such Methods as she should think + proper for taking the said Island into her Hands, + in order to secure the same to the Crown of this + Kingdom, and to the Security and Advantage + of the Trade thereof. + +But, however it happened, no Means were used in compliance to that Address, +for securing the _Bahama_ Islands, till the _English_ Pyrates had made +_Providence_ their Retreat and general Receptacle; then 'twas found +absolutely necessary, in order to dislodge that troublesome Colony; and +Information being made by the Merchants to the Government, of the Mischief +they did, and were likely to do, his Majesty was pleased to grant the +following Order. + +_Whitehall September_ 15, 1716. + + `COmplaint having been made to his Majesty, + by great Number of Merchants, Masters of + Ships and others, as well as by several Governors + of his Majesty's Islands and Plantations in the + _West-Indies_; that the Pyrates are grown so numerous, + that they infest not only the Seas near _Jamaica_, + but even those of the Northern Continent + of _America_; and that, unless some effectual Means + be used, the whole Trade from _Great Britain_ to + those Parts, will not be only obstructed, but in + imminent Danger of being lost: His Majesty has, + upon mature Deliberation in Council, been pleased, + in the first Place, to order a proper Force + to be employ'd for the suppressing the said Pyrates, + which Force so to be employed, is as + follows. + +`A List of his Majesty's Ships and Vessels employed, and to be +employed, at the British Governments and Plantations in the _West-Indies_. + +Place where. Rates, Ships, Guns. + + { 5 Adventure, 40 Now there. + { Diamond, 40 { Sail'd from hence thither + { { 5th of last Month. + { Ludlow Castle, 40 To carry the Governor. +Jamaica, { Swift Sloop, Now there. + { { Surveying the Coast of + { { the West-Indies, and + { { then to return Home; + { { but, during her being + { 6 Winchelsea, 20 { at Jamaica, is to join + { { the others, for Security + { { of the Trade, and + { { intercepting Pyrates. +Barbadoes, 5 Scarborough, 30 } +Leeward Islands, 6 Seaford, } Now there. + Tryal Sloop, 6 } + { 6 Lime, 20 } +Virginia, { 5 Shoreham, 30 Order'd Home. + { { Sailed thither from + { { Home the 7th of last + { Pearl, 40 { Month, and is to cruise + { { about the Capes. +New-York, 6 Phoenix, 30 Now there. + { Squirrel, 20 +New-England, { Rose, 20 Order'd Home. + + `Those at _Jamaica_, _Barbadoes_ and the Leeward + Islands, are to join upon Occasion, for annoying + the Pyrates, and the Security of the Trade: And + those at _New-England_, _Virginia_ and _New-York_, are + to do the like. + +Besides these Frigots, two Men of War were ordered to attend Captain +_Rogers_, late Commander of the two _Bristol_ Ships, called the _Duke_ and +_Dutchess_, that took the rich _Acapulca_ Ship, and made a Tour round the +Globe. This Gentleman received a Commission from his Majesty, to be +Governor of the Island of _Providence_, and was vested with Power to make +Use of all possible Methods for reducing the Pyrates; and that nothing +might be wanting, he carried with him, the King's Proclamation of Pardon, +to those who should return to their Duty by a certain Time; the +Proclamation is as follows; + +By the KING, + +A PROCLAMATION, for suppressing of PYRATES. + + GEORGE R. + +W_Hereas we have received Information, that several Persons, Subjects +of _Great Britain_, have since the _24_th Day of _June_, in the Year of our +Lord _1715_, committed divers Pyracies and Robberies upon the High-Seas, in +the _West-Indies_, or adjoyning to our Plantations, which hath and may +Occasion great Damage to the Merchants of _Great Britain_, and others +trading into those Parts; and tho' we have appointed such a Force as we +judge sufficient for suppressing the said Pyrates, yet the more effectually +to put an End to the same, we have thought fit, by and with the Advice of +our Privy Council, to Issue this our Royal Proclamation; and we do hereby +promise, and declare, that in Case any of the said Pyrates, shall on or +before the _5_th of _September_, in the Year of our Lord _1718_, surrender +him or themselves, to one of our Principal Secretaries of State in _Great +Britain_ or _Ireland_, or to any Governor or Deputy Governor of any of our +Plantations beyond the Seas; every such Pyrate and Pyrates so surrendering +him, or themselves, as aforesaid, shall have our gracious Pardon, of and +for such, his or their Pyracy, or Pyracies, by him or them committed before +the fifth of _January_ next ensuing. And we do hereby strictly charge and +command all our Admirals, Captains, and other Officers at Sea, and all our +Governors and Commanders of any Forts, Castles, or other Places in our +Plantations, and all other our Officers Civil and Military, to seize and +take such of the Pyrates, who shall refuse or neglect to surrender +themselves accordingly. And we do hereby further declare, that in Case any +Person or Persons, on, or after, the _6_th Day of _September 1718_, shall +discover or seize, or cause or procure to be discovered or seized, any one +or more of the said Pyrates, so refusing or neglecting to surrender +themselves as aforesaid, so as they may be brought to Justice, and +convicted of the said Offence, such Person or Persons, so making such +Discovery or Seizure, or causing or procuring such Discovery or Seizure to +be made, shall have and receive as a Reward for the same, _viz._ for every +Commander of any private Ship or Vessel, the Sum of _100_ l. for every +Lieutenant, Master, Boatswain, Carpenter, and Gunner, the Sum of _40_ l; +for every inferior Officer, the Sum of _30_ l. and for every private Man, +the Sum of _20_ l. And if any Person or Persons, belonging to and being +Part of the Crew of any such Pyrate Ship or Vessel, shall on or after the +said sixth Day of _September 1718_, seize and deliver, or cause to be +seized or delivered, any Commander or Commanders, of such Pyrate Ship or +Vessel, so as that he or they be brought to Justice, and convicted of the +said Offence, such Person or Persons, as a Reward for the same, shall +receive for every such Commander, the Sum of _200_ l. which said Sums, the +Lord Treasurer, or the Commissioners of our Treasury for the Time being, +are hereby required, and desired to pay accordingly._ + +Given at our Court, at _Hampton-Court_, the fifth Day of +_September_, 1717, in the fourth Year of our Regin. + +God save the KING. + +Before Governor _Rogers_ went over, the Proclamation was sent to them, +which they took as _Teague_ took the Covenant, that is, they made Prize of +the Ship and Proclamation too; however, they sent for those who were out a +Cruising, and called a general Council, but there was so much Noise and +Glamour, that nothing could be agreed on; some were for fortifying the +Island, to stand upon their own Terms, and Treating with the Government +upon the Foot of a Commonwealth; others were also for strengthening the +Island for their own Security, but were not strenuous for these +Punctillios, so that they might have a general Pardon, without being +obliged to make any Restitution, and to retire, with all their Effects, to +the neighbouring _British_ Plantations. + +But Captain _Jennings_, who was their Commadore, and who always bore a +great Sway among them, being a Man of good Understanding, and good Estate, +before this Whim took him of going a Pyrating, resolved upon surrendering, +without more ado, to the Terms of the Proclamation, which so disconcerted +all their Measures, that the _Congress_ broke up very abruptly without +doing any Thing; and presently _Jennings_, and by his Example, about 150 +more, came in to the Governor of _Bermudas_, and had their Certificates, +tho' the greatest Part of them returned again, like the Dog to the Vomit. +The Commanders who were then in the Island, besides Captain _Jennings_ +abovementioned, I think were these, _Benjamin Hornigold, Edward Teach, John +Martel, James Fife, Christopher Winter, Nicholas Brown, Paul Williams, +Charles Bellamy, Oliver la Bouche, _Major_ Penner, Ed. England, T. Burgess, +Tho. Cocklyn, R. Sample, Charles Vane_, and two or three others: +_Hornigold, Williams, Burgess _and_ la Bouche_ were afterwards cast away; +_Teach_ and _Penner_ killed, and their Crews taken; _James Fife_ killed by +his own Men; _Martel_'s Crew destroyed, and he forced on an uninhabited +Island; _Cocklyn, Sample_ and _Vane_ hanged; _Winter_ and _Brown_ +surrendered to the _Spaniards_ at _Cuba_, and _England_ lives now at +_Madagascar_. + +In the Month of _May_ or _June_ 1718, Captain _Rogers_ arrived at his +Government, with two of his Majesty's Ships, and found several of the +abovesaid Pyrates there, who upon the coming of the Men of War, all +surrendered to the Pardon, except _Charles Vane_ and his Crew, which +happened after this Manner. + +I have before described the Harbour to have two Inlets, by Means of a small +Island lying at the Mouth of it; at one of which, both the Men of War +entered, and left the other open, so that _Vane_ slip'd his Cable, set Fire +to a large Prize they had there, and resolutely put out, firing at the Man +of War as he went off. + +As soon as Captain _Rogers_ had settled himself in his Government, he built +a Fort for his Defence, and garrisoned it with the People he found upon the +Island; the _quondam_ Pyrates, to the Number of 400, he formed into +Companies, appointed Officers of those whom he most confided in, and then +set about to settle a Trade with the _Spaniards_, in the Gulf of _Mexico_; +in one of which Voyages, Captain _Burgess_ abovementioned, died, and +Captain _Hornigold_, another of the famous Pyrates, was cast away upon +Rocks, a great Way from Land, and perished, but five of his Men got into a +Canoe and were saved. + +Captain _Rogers_ sent out a Sloop to get Provisions, and gave the Command +to one _John Augur_, one of the Pyrates, who had accepted of the Act of +Grace; in their Voyage they met with two Sloops, and _John_ and his +Comrades not yet forgetting their former Business, made Use of their old +Freedom, and took out of them in Money and Goods, to the Value of about 500 +_l._ after this they steered away for _Hispaniola_, not being satisfy'd +whether the Governor would admit them to carry on two Trades at once, and +so thought to have bidden Farewel to the _Bahama_ Islands; but as ill Luck +would have it, they met with a violent Turnado, wherein they lost their +Mast, and were drove back to one of the uninhabited _Bahama_'s, and lost +their Sloop; the Men got all ashore, and lived up and down in the Wood, for +a little Time, till Governor _Rogers_ happening to hear of their +Expedition, and where they had got to, sent out an armed Sloop to the +aforesaid Island; the Master of which, with good Words and fair Promises, +got them on Board, and brought them all to _Providence_, being a eleven +Persons, ten of which were try'd at a Court of Admiralty, convicted, and +hanged by the other's Evidence, in the Sight of all their former Companions +and fellow Thieves. The Criminals would fain have spirited up the pardoned +Pyrates, to rescue them out of the Hands of the Officers of Justice, +telling them from the Gallows, that, _They never thought to have seen the +Time, when ten such Men as they should be ty'd up and hanged like Dogs, and +four hundered of their sworn Friends and Companions quietly standing by to +behold the Spectacle._ One _Hamphrey Morrice_ urged the Matter further than +the rest, taxing them with Pusilanimity and Cowardice, as if it were a +Breach of Honour in them not to rise and save them from the ignominious +Death they were going to suffer. But 'twas all in vain, they were now told, +it was their Business to turn their Minds to another World, and sincerely +to repent of what Wickedness they had done in this. _Yes_, answered one of +them, _I do heartily repent; I repent I had not done more Mischief, and +that we did not cut the Throats of them that took us, and I am extremely +sorry that you an't all hang'd as well as we. So do I_, says another: _And +I_, says a third; and then they were all turned off, without making any +other dying Speeches, except one _Dennis Macarty_, who told the People, +_That some Friends of his had often said he should die in his Shoes, but +that he would make them Lyars_, and so kicked them off. And thus ended the +Lives, with their Adventures, of those miserable Wretches, who may serve as +sad Examples of the little Effect Mercy has upon Men once abandoned to an +evil Course of Life. + +Least I be thought severe in my Animadversions upon the _Spanish_ +Proceedings in the _West-Indies_, in respect to their Dealings with us; I +shall mention an Instance or two, wherein I'll be as concise as possible, +and then transcribe some original Letters from the Governor of _Jamaica_, +and an Officer of a Man of War, to the _Alcaldees_ of _Trinidado_, on the +Island of _Cuba_, with their Answers, translated into _English_, and then +proceed to the particular Histories of the Pyrates and their Crews, that +have made most Noise in the World in _our own Times_. + +About _March_ 1722, one of our Men of War trading upon the Coast, _viz._ +the _Greyhound_ Galley, Captain _Walron_, the said Captain invited some of +the Merchants to Dinner, who with their Attendants and Friends came on +Board to the Number of 16 or 18 in all; and having concerted Measures, +about six or eight dined in the Cabin, and the rest were waiting on the +Deck. While the Captain and his Guests were at Dinner, the Boatswain Pipes +for the Ship's Company to dine; accordingly the Men take their Platters, +receive their Provisions, and down they go between Decks, leaving only 4 or +5 Hands besides the _Spaniards_, above, who were immediately dispatched by +them, and the Hatches laid on the rest; those in the Cabin were as ready as +their Companions, for they pulled out their Pistols and shot the Captain, +Surgeon and another dead, and grievously wounded the Lieutenant; but he +getting out of the Window upon a Side-Ladder, thereby saved his Life, and +so they made themselves Masters of the Ship in an Instant: But by +accidental good Fortune, she was recovered before she was carry'd off; for +Captain _Walron_ having mann'd a Sloop with 30 Hands out of his Ship's +Company, had sent her to Windward some Days before, also for Trade, which +the _Spaniards_ knew very well; and just as the Action was over they saw +this Sloop coming down, before the Wind, towards their Ship; upon which the +_Spaniards_ took about 10000 _l._ in Specie, as I am informed, quitted the +Ship, and went off in their Launch unmolested. + +About the same Time, a _Guard le Coast_, of _Porto Rico_, commanded by one +_Matthew Luke_, an Italian, took four _English_ Vessels, and murthered all +the Crews: He was taken by the _Lanceston_ Man of War, in _May_ 1722, and +brought to _Jamaica_, were they were all but seven deservedly hanged. It is +likely the Man of War might not have meddled with her, but that she blindly +laid the _Lanceston_ on Board, thinking she had been a Merchant Ship, who +thereupon catched a Tartar. Afterwards in rummaging there was found a +Cartridge of Powder made up with a Piece of an _English_ Journal, +belonging, I believe, to the _Crean_ Snow; and upon Examination, at last, +it was discovered that they had taken this Vessel and murthered the Crew; +and one of the _Spaniards_, when he came to die, confessed that he had +killed twenty _English_ Men with his own Hands. + +S. Jago de la Vega, Febr. 20. _A Letter from his Excellency Sir +_Nicolas Laws_, our Governor, to the Alcaldes of _Trinidado_ on _Cuba_, +dated the _26_th of _Jan. 1721-2. + + Gentlemen, + + `THE frequent Depredations, Robberies, and + other Acts of Hostility, which have been + committed on the King my Royal Master's Subjects, + by a Parcel of Banditti, who pretend to + have Commissions from you, and in Reality are + sheltered under your Government, is the Occasion + of my sending the Bearer Captain _Chamberlain_, + Commander of his Majesty's Snow _Happy_, + to demand Satisfaction of you for so many notorious + Robberies which your People have lately + committed on the King's Subjects of this Island; + particularly by those Traytors, _Nicolas Brown_ + and _Christopher Winter_, to whom you have given + Protection. Such Proceedings as these are not + only a Breach of the Law of Nations, but must + appear to the World of a very extraordinary + Nature, when considered that the Subjects of a + Prince in Amity and Friendship with another, + should give Countenance and encourage such vile + Practices. I confess I have had long Patience, and + declined using any violent Measures to obtain + Satisfaction, hoping the Cessation of Arms, so + happily concluded upon between our respective + Sovereigns, would have put an effectual Stop to + those Disorders; but on the contrary, I now find + the Port of _Trinidado_ a Receptacle to Villains + of all Nations. I do therefore think fit to acquaint + you, and assure you in the King my Master's + Name, that if I do meet with any of your + Rogues for the future upon the Coast of this + Island, I will order them to be hanged directly + without Mercy; and I expect and demand of + you to make ample Restitution to Captain _Chamberlain_ + or all the Negroes which the said _Brown_ + and Winter have lately taken off from the North-Side + of this Island, and also of such Sloops and + other Effects as they have been taken and robbed + of, since the Cessation of Arms, and that you + will deliver up to the Bearer such _English_ Men + as are now detained, or otherwise remain at _Trinidado_; + and also expect you will hereafter forbear + granting any Commissions, or suffer any such + notorious Villains to be equipp'd and fitted out + from your Port: otherwise you may depend upon + it, those that I can meet with, shall be esteemed + Pyrates, and treated as such; of which I thought + proper to give you Notice, and am, _&c._ + +_A Letter from Mr. _Joseph Laws_, Lieutenant of his Majesty's Ship, +_Happy_ Snow, to the Alcaldes of _Trinidado_._ + + Genlemen, + + `I Am sent by Commadore _Vernon_, Commander + in Chief of all his Majesty's Ships in the + _West-Indies_ to demand in the King our Master's + Name, all the Vessels, with theirs Effects, _&c._ + and also the Negroes taken from _Jamaica_ since the + Cessation of Arms; likewise all _Englishmen_ now + detained, or otherwise remaining in your Port of + _Trinidado_, particularly _Nicholas Brown_ and _Christopher + Winter_, both of them being Traytors, Pyrates + and common Enemies to all Nations: And + the said Commadore hath ordered me to acquaint + you, that he is surprized that the Subjects of a + Prince in Amity and Friendship with another, + should give Countenance to such notorious Villains. + In Expectation of your immediate Compliance, + I am, Gentlemen, + +Off the River _Trinidado_, _Feb._ 8. 1720. + +Your humble Servant, _Joseph Laws_. + +_The Answer of the Alcaldes of _Trinidado_, to Mr. _Laws_'s Letter._ + + Capt. Laws, + + `IN Answer to yours, this serves to acquaint + you, that neither in this City, nor Port, are + there any Negroes or Vessels which have been taken + at your Island of _Jamaica_, nor on that Coast, + since the Cessation of Arms; and what Vessels + have been taken since that Time, have been for + trading in an unlawful Commerce on this Coast; + and as for those English Fugitives you mention, + they are here as other Subjects of our Lord the + King, being brought voluntarily to our holy Catholick + Faith, and have received the Water of + Baptism; but if they should prove Rogues, and + should not comply with their Duty, in which + they are bound at present, then they shall be + chastized according to the Ordinances of our + King, whom God preserve. And we beg you will + weigh Anchor as soon as possible, and leave this + Port and its Coasts, because upon no Account you + shall be suffered to trade, or any Thing else; for + we are resolved not to admit thereof. God preserve + you. We kiss your Hand. + +_Trinidado_, _Feb._ 8, 1722. + +Signed, _Hieronimo de Fuentes, Benette Alfonso del Manzano_. + +_Mr. _Laws_'s Reply to the Alcaldes Letter._ + + Gentlemen, + + `YOUR refusing to deliver up the Subjects of + the King my Master, is somewhat surprizing, + it being in a Time of Peace, and the detaining + them consequently against the Law of Nations. + Notwithstanding your trifling Pretence + (for which you have no Foundation but to forge an + Excuse) to prevent my making any Enquiry into + the Truth of the Facts I have alledged in my + former, I must tell you my Resolutions are, to + stay on the Coast till I have made Reprizals; and + should I meet any Vessels belonging to your Port, + I shall not treat them as the Subjects of the Crown + of Spain, but as Pyrates, finding it a Part of your + Religion in this Place to protect such Villains. + +Off the River _Trinidado_, _Feb._ 8. 1720. + +Your humble Servant, _Joseph Laws_. + +_The Answer of one of the Alcaldes to Mr. _Laws_'s Reply_. + + Captain Laws, + + `YOU may assure your self, I will never be + wanting in the Duty of my Post. The + Prisoners that are here are not in Prison, but + only kept here to be sent to the Governor of the + _Havana_: If you (as you say) command at Sea, I + command on Shoar: If you treat the _Spaniards_, + you should happen to take, as Pyrates, I will do + the same by every one of your People I can + take up: I will not be wanting to good Manners, + if you will do the same. I can likewise act the + Soldier, if any Occasion should offer that way, + for I have very good People here for that purpose. + If you pretend any Thing else, you may execute + it on this Coast. God preserve you. I kiss your + Hand. + +_Trinidado_, _Feb._ 20. 1720. + +Signed, _Bennette Alfonso del Menzano_. + +The last Advices we have received from our Plantations in _America_, dated +_June_ 9th, 1724, gives us the following Account, _viz._ That Captain +_Jones_ in the Ship _John_ and _Mary_, on the 5th of the said Month, met +with, near the Capes of _Virginia_, a _Spanish Guard del Coast_, commanded +by one _Don Benito_, said to be commissioned by the Governor of _Cuba_: She +was manned with 60 _Spaniards_, 18 _French_ Men and 18 _English_, and had +an _English_ Captain as well as _Spanish_, one _Richard Holland_, who +formerly belonged to the _Suffolk_ Man of War, which he deserted at +_Naples_, and took Shelter in a Convent. He served on Board the _Spanish_ +Fleet under Admiral _Cammock_, in the War in the _Mediterranean_; and after +the Cessation of Arms with Spain, settled with several of his Countrymen +(_Irish_) in the _Spanish_ _West-Indies_. This _Guard del Coast_ made Prize +of Captain _Jones_'s Ship, and kept Possession of her from 5th to the 8th, +during which Time she took also the _Prudent Hannah_ of _Boston_, _Thomas +Mousell_ Master, and the _Dolphin_ of _Topsham_, _Theodore Bare_ Master, +both laden and bound for _Virginia_: The former they sent away together +with three Men and the Mate, under the Command of a _Spanish_ Officer and +Crew, the same Day she was taken; the latter they carried off with them, +putting the Master and all the Crew aboard Captain _Jones_'s Ship. They +plundered Captain _Jones_ of thirty six Men Slaves, some Gold-Dust, all his +Cloaths, four great Guns and small Arms, and about four hundred Gallons of +Rum, besides his Provisions and Stores, computed in all to 1500 _l._ +Sterling. + +CHAP. I. OF Captain _AVERY_, And his CREW. + +NONE of these bold Adventurers were ever so much talked of, for a +while, as _Avery_; he made as great a Noise in the World as _Meriveis_ does +now, and was looked upon to be a Person of as great Consequence; he was +represented in _Europe_, as one that had raised himself to the Dignity of a +King, and was likely to be the Founder of a new Monarchy; having, as it was +said, taken immense Riches, and married the Great _Mogul_'s Daughter, who +was taken in an _Indian_ Ship, which fell into his Hands; and that he had +by her many Children, living in great Royalty and State; that he had built +Forts, erected Magazines, and was Master of a stout Squadron of Ships, +mann'd with able and desperate Fellows of all Nations; that he gave +Commissions out in his own Name to the Captains of his Ships, and to the +Commanders of his Forts, and was acknowledged by them as their Prince. A +Play was writ upon him, called, the _Successful Pyrate_; and, these +Accounts obtained such Belief, that several Schemes were offered to the +Council for fitting out a Squadron to take him; while others were for +offering him and his Companions an Act of Grace, and inviting them to +_England_, with all their Treasure, least his growing Greatness might +hinder the Trade of _Europe_ to the _East-Indies_. + +Yet all these were no more than false Rumours, improved by the Credulity of +some, and the Humour of others who love to tell strange Things; for, while +it was said, he was aspiring at a Crown, he wanted a Shilling; and at the +same Time it was given out he was in Possession of such prodigious Wealth +in _Madagascar_, he was starving in _England_. + +No doubt, but the Reader will have a Curiosity of knowing what became of +this Man, and what were the true Grounds of so many false Reports +concerning him; there fore, I shall, in as brief a Manner as I can, give +his History. + +He was born in the West of _England_ near _Plymouth_ in _Devonshire_, being +bred to the Sea, he served as a Mate of a Merchant-Man, in several trading +Voyages: It happened before the Peace of _Ryfwick_, when there was an +Alliance betwixt _Spain_, _England_, _Holland_, _&c._ against _France_, +that the _French_ in _Martinico_, carried on a smugling Trade with the +_Spaniards_ on the Continent of _Peru_, which by the Laws of _Spain_, is +not allowed to Friends in Time of Peace, for none but native _Spaniards_ +are permitted to Traffick in those Parts, or set their Feet on Shore, +unless at any Time they are brought as Prisoners; wherefore they constantly +keep certain Ships cruising along the Coast, whom they call _Guarda del +Costa_, who have the Orders to make Prizes of all ships they can light of +within five Leagues of Land. Now the _French_ growing very bold in Trade, +and the _Spaniards_ being poorly provided with Ships, and those they had +being of no Force, it often fell out, that when they light of the _French_ +Smuglers, they were not strong enough to attack them, therefore it was +resolv'd in _Spain_, to hire two or three stout foreign Ships for their +Service, which being known at _Bristol_, some Merchants of that City, +fitted out two Ships of thirty odd Guns, and 120 Hands each, well furnished +with Provision and Ammunition, and all other Stores; and the Hire being +agreed for, by some Agents for _Spain_, they were commanded to sail for +_Corunna_ or the _Groine_, there to receive their Orders, and to take on +Board some _Spanish_ Gentlemen, who were to go Passengers to _New-Spain_. + +Of one of these Ships, which I take to be call'd the _Duke_, Capt. _Gibson_ +Commander, _Avery_ was first Mate, and being a Fellow of more Cunning than +Courage, he insinuated himself into the good Will of several of the boldest +Fellows on Board the other Ship, as well as that which he was on Board of; +having sounded their Inclinations before he opened himself, and finding +them ripe for his Design, he, at length, proposed to them, to run away with +the Ship, telling them what great Wealth was to be had upon the Coasts of +_India_. It was no sooner said than agreed to, and they resolved to execute +their Plot at Ten a Clock the Night following. + +It must be observ'd, the Captain was one of those who are mightily addicted +to Punch, so that he passed most of his Time on Shore, in some little +drinking Ordinary; but this Day he did not go on Shore as usual; however, +this did not spoil the Design, for he took his usual Dose on Board, and so +got to Bed before the Hour appointed for the Business: The Men also who +were not privy to the Design, turn'd into their Hammocks, leaving none upon +Deck but the Conspirators, who, indeed, were the greatest Part of the +Ship's Crew. At the Time agreed on, the _Dutchess_'s Long-Boat appear'd, +which _Avery_ hailing in the usual Manner, was answered by the Men in her, +_Is your drunken Boatswain on Board?_ Which was the Watch-Word agreed +between them, and _Avery_ replying in the Affirmative, the Boat came aboard +with sixteen stout Fellows, and joined the Company. + +When our Gentry saw that all was clear, they secured the Hatches, so went +to work; they did not slip the Anchor, but weigh'd it leisurely, and so put +to Sea without any Disorder or Confusion, tho' there were several Ships +then lying in the Bay, and among them a _Dutch_ Frigate of forty Guns, the +Captain of which was offered a great Reward to go out after her; but +_Mynheer_, who perhaps would not have been willing to have been served so +himself could not be prevail'd upon to give such Usage to another, and so +let Mr. _Avery_ pursue his Voyage, whither he had a Mind to. + +The Captain, who by this Time, was awaked, either by the Motion of the +Ship, or the Noise of working the Tackles, rung the Bell; _Avery_ and two +others went into the Cabin; the Captain, half asleep, and in a kind of +Fright, ask'd, _What was the Matter?_ _Avery_ answered cooly, _Nothing_; +the Captain replied, _something's the Matter with the Ship, Does she drive? +What Weather is it?_ Thinking nothing less then that it had been a Storm, +and that the Ship was driven from her Anchors: _No, no_, answered _Avery_, +_we're at Sea, with a fair Wind and good Weather. At Sea! _says the +Captain, _How can that be? Come_, says _Avery, don't be in a Fright, but +put on your Cloaths, and I'll let you into a Secret: -- You muse know, that +I am Captain of this Ship now, and this is my Cabin, therefore you must +walk out; I am bound to _Madagascar_, with a Design of making my own +Fortune, and that of all the brave Fellows joined with me._ + +The Captain having a little recovered his Senses, began to apprehend the +meaning; however, his Fright was as great as before, which _Avery_ +perceiving, bad him fear nothing, for, says he, if you have a Mind to make +one of us, we will receive you, and if you'll turn sober, and mind your +Business, perhaps in Time I may make you one of my Lieutenants, if not, +here's a Boat a-long-side, and you shall be set ashore. + +The Captain was glad to hear this, and therefore accepted of his Offer, and +the whole Crew being called up, to know who was willing to go on Shore with +the Captain, and who to seek their Fortunes with the rest; there were not +above five or six who were willing to quit this Enterprize; wherefore they +were put into the Boat with the Captain that Minute, and made their Way to +the Shore as well as they could. + +They proceeded on their Voyage to _Madagascar_, but I do not find they took +any Ships in their Way; when they arrived at the N. E. Part of that Island, +they found two Sloops at Anchor, who, upon seeing them, slip'd their Cables +and run themselves ashore, the Men all landing, and running into the Woods; +these were two Sloops which the Men had run away with from the +_West-Indies_, and seeing _Avery_, they supposed him to be some Frigate +sent to take them, and therefore not being of Force to engage him, they did +what they could to save themselves. + +He guessed where they were, and sent some of his Men on Shore to let them +know they were Friends, and to offer they might join together for their +common Safety; the Sloops Men were well arm'd, and had posted themselves in +a Wood, with Centinels just on the out-side, to observe whether the Ship +landed her Men to pursue them, and they observing only two or three Men to +come towards them without Arms, did not oppose them, but having challenged +them, and they answering they were Friends, they lead them to their Body, +where they delivered their Message; at first, they apprehended it was a +Stratagem to decoy them on Board, but when the Ambassadors offered that the +Captain himself, and as many of the Crew as they should name, would meet +them on Shore without Arms, they believed them to be in Earnest, and they +soon entered into a Confidence with one another; those on Board going on +Shore, and some of those on Shore going on Board. + +The Sloops Men were rejoiced at the new Ally, for their Vessels were so +small, that they could not attack a Ship of any Force, so that hitherto +they had not taken any considerable Prize, but now they hop'd to fly at +high Game; and _Avery_ was as well pleased at this Reinforcement, to +strengthen them, for any brave Enterprize, and tho' the Booty must be +lessened to each, by being divided into so many Shares, yet he found out an +Expedient not to suffer by it himself as shall be shewn in its Place. + +Having consulted what was to be done, they resolved to sail out together +upon a Cruize, the Galley and two Sloops; they therefore fell to work to +get the Sloops off, which they soon effected, and steered towards the +_Arabian_ Coast; near the River _Indus_, the Man at the Mast-Head spied a +Sail, upon which they gave Chace, and as they came nearer to her, they +perceived her to be a tall Ship, and fancied she might be a _Dutch +East-India_ Man homeward bound; but she proved a better Prize; when they +fired at her to bring too, she hoisted _Mogul_'s Colours, and seemed to +stand upon her Defence; _Avery_ only canonaded at a Distance, and some of +his Men began to suspect that he was not the Hero they took him for: +However, the Sloops made Use of their Time, and coming one on the Bow, and +the other on the Quarter, of the Ship, clapt her on Board, and enter'd her, +upon which she immediately struck her Colours and yielded; she was one of +the _Great Mogul_'s own Ships, and there were in her several of the +greatest Persons of his Court, among whom it was said was one of his +Daughters, who were going on a Pilgrimage to _Mecca_, the _Mahometans_ +thinking themselves obliged once in their Lives to visit that Place, and +they were carrying with them rich Offerings to present at the Shrine of +_Mahomet_. It is known that the Eastern People travel with the utmost +Magnificence, so that they had with them all their Slaves and Attendants, +their rich Habits and Jewels, with Vessels of Gold and Silver, and great +Sums of Money to defray the Charges of their Journey by Land; wherefore the +Plunder got by this Prize, is not easily computed. + +Having taken all the Treasure on Board their own Ships, and plundered their +Prize of every Thing else they either wanted or liked, they let her go; she +not being able to continue her Voyage, returned back: As soon as the News +came to the _Mogul_, and he knew that they were _English_ who had robbed +them, he threatened loud, and talked of sending a mighty Army with Fire and +Sword, to extirpate the _English_ from all their Settlements on the +_Indian_ Coast. The _East-India_ Company in _England_, were very much +alarmed at it; however, by Degrees, they found Means to pacify him, by +promising to do their Endeavours to take the Robbers, and deliver them into +his Hands; however, the great Noise this Thing made in Europe, as well as +_India_, was the Occasion of all these romantick Stories which were formed +of _Avery_'s Greatness. + +In the mean Time our successful Plunderers agreed to make the best of their +Way back to _Madagascar_, intending to make that Place their Magazine or +Repository for all their Treasure, and to build a small Fortification +there, and leave a few Hands always ashore to look after it, and defend it +from any Attempts of the Natives; but _Avery_ put an End to this Project, +and made it altogether unnecessary. + +As they were Steering their Course, as has been said, he sends a Boat on +Board of each of the Sloops, desiring the Chief of them to come on Board of +him, in order to hold a Council; they did so, and he told them he had +something to propose to them for the common Good, which was to provide +against Accidents; he bad them consider the Treasure they were possess'd +of, would be sufficient for them all if they could secure it in some Place +on Shore; therefore all they had to fear, was some Misfortune in the +Voyage; he bad them consider the Consequences of being separated by bad +Weather, in which Case, the Sloops, if either of them should fall in with +any Ships of Force, must be either taken or sunk, and the Treasure on Board +her lost to the rest, besides the common Accidents of the Sea; as for his +Part he was so strong, he was able to make his Party good with any Ship +they were like to meet in those Seas; that if he met with any Ship of such +Strength, that he could not take her, he was safe from being taken, being +so well mann'd; besides his Ship was a quick Sailor, and could carry Sail, +when the Sloops could not, wherefore, he proposed to them, to put the +Treasure on Board his Ship, to seal up each Chest with 3 Seals, whereof +each was to keep one, and to appoint a Rendezvous, in Case of Separation. + +Upon considering this Proposal, it appeared so seasonable to them, that +they readily came into it, for they argued to themselves, that an Accident +might happen to one of the Sloops and the other escape, wherefore it was +for the common Good. The Thing was done as agreed to, the Treasure put on +Board of _Avery_, and the Chests seal'd; they kept Company that Day and the +next, the Weather being fair, in which Time _Avery_ tampered with his Men, +telling them they now had sufficient, to make them all easy, and what +should hinder them from going to some Country, where they were not known, +and living on Shore all the rest of their Days in Plenty; they understood +what he meant: And in short, they all agreed to bilk their new Allies, the +Sloop's Men, nor do I find that any of them felt any Qualms of Honour +rising in his Stomach, to hinder them from consenting to this Piece of +Treachery. In fine, they took Advantage of the Darkness that Night, steer'd +another Course, and, by Morning, lost Sight of them. + +I leave the Reader to judge, what Swearing and Confusion there was among +the Sloop's Men, in the Morning, when they saw that _Avery_ had given them +the Slip; for they knew by the Fairness of the Weather, and the Course they +had agreed to steer, that it must have been done on purpose: But we leave +them at present to follow Mr. _Avery_. + +_Avery_, and his Men, having consulted what to do with themselves, came to +a Resolution, to make the best of their Way towards _America_; and none of +them being known in those Parts, they intended to divide the Treasure, to +change their Names, to go ashore, some in one Place, some in other, to +purchase some Settlements, and live at Ease. The first Land they made, was +the Island of _Providence_, then newly settled; here they staid some Time, +and having considered that when they should go to _New-England_, the +Greatness of their Ship, would cause much Enquiry about them; and possibly +some People from _England_, who had heard the Story of a Ship's being run +away with from the _Groine_, might suspect them to be the People; they +therefore took a Resolution of disposing of their Ship at _Providence_: +Upon which, _Avery_ pretending that the Ship being fitted out upon the +privateering Account, and having had no Success, he had received Orders +from the Owners, to dispose of her to the best Advantage, he soon met with +a Purchaser, and immediately bought a sloop. + +In this Sloop, he and his Companions embarq'd, they touch'd at several +Parts of _America_, where no Person suspected them; and some of them went +on Shore, and dispersed themselves about the Country, having received such +Dividends as _Avery_ would give them; for he concealed the greatest Part of +the Diamonds from them, which in the first Hurry of plundering the Ship, +they did not much regard, as not knowing their Value. + +At length he came to _Boston_, in _New-England_, and seem'd to have a +Desire of settling in those Parts, and some of his Companions went on Shore +there also, but he changed his Resolution, and proposed to the few of his +Companions who were left, to sail for _Ireland_, which they consented to: +He found out that _New-England_ was not a proper Place for him, because a +great deal of his Wealth lay in Diamonds; and should he have produced them +there, he would have certainly been seiz'd on Suspicion of Pyracy. + +In their Voyage to Ireland, they avoided St. _George_'s Channel, and +sailing North about, they put into one of the Northern Ports of that +Kingdom; there they disposed of their Sloop, and coming on Shore they +separated themselves, some going to _Cork_, and some to _Dublin_, 18 of +whom obtain'd their Pardons afterwards of K. _William_. When _Avery_ had +remain'd some Time in this Kingdom, he was afraid to offer his Diamonds to +sale, least an Enquiry into his Manner of coming by them should occasion a +Discovery; therefore considering with himself what was best to be done, he +fancied there were some Persons at _Bristol_, whom he might venture to +trust; upon which, he resolved to pass over into _England_; he did so, and +going into _Devonshire_, he sent to one of these Friends to meet him at a +Town called _Biddiford_; when he had communicated himself to his Friends, +and consulted with him about the Means of his Effects, they agreed, that +the safest Method would be, to put them in the Hands of some Merchants, who +being Men of Wealth and Credit in the World, no Enquiry would be made how +they came by them; this Friend telling him he was very intimate with some +who were very fit for the Purpose, and if he would but allow them a good +Commission would do the Business very faithfully. _Avery_ liked the +Proposal, for he found no other Way of managing his Affairs, since he could +not appear in them himself; therefore his Friend going back to _Bristol_, +and opening the Matter to the Merchants, they made _Avery_ a Visit at +_Biddiford_, where, after some Protestations of Honour and Integrity, he +delivered them his Effects, consisting of Diamonds and some Vessels of +Gold; they gave him a little Money for his present Subsistance, and so they +parted. + +He changed his Name and lived at _Biddiford_, without making any Figure, +and therefore there was no great Notice taken of him; yet let one or two of +his Relations know where he was, who came to see him. In some Time his +little Money was spent, yet he heard nothing from his Merchants; he writ to +them often, and after much Importunity they sent him a small Supply, but +scarce sufficient to pay his Debts: In fine, the Supplies they sent him +from Time to Time, were so small, that they were not sufficient to give him +Bread, nor could he get that little, without a great deal of Trouble and +Importunity, wherefore being weary of his Life, he went privately to +_Bristol_, to speak to the Merchants himself, where instead of Money he met +a most shocking Repulse, for when he desired them to come to an Account +with him, they silenced him by threatening to discover him, so that our +Merchants were as good Pyrates at Land as he was at Sea. + +Whether he was frightened by these Menaces, or had seen some Body else he +thought knew him, is not known; but he went immediately over to _Ireland_, +and from thence sollicited his Merchants very hard for a Supply, but to no +Purpose, for he was even reduced to beggary: In this Extremity he was +resolved to return and cast himself upon them, let the Consequence be what +it would. He put himself on Board a trading Vessel, and work'd his Passage +over to _Plymouth_, from whence he travelled on Foot to _Biddiford_, where +he had been but a few Days before he fell sick and died; not being worth as +much as would buy him a Coffin. + +Thus have I given all that could be collected of any Certainty concerning +this Man; rejecting the idle Stories which were made of his fantastick +Greatness, by which it appears, that his Actions were more inconsiderable +than those of other Pyrates, since him, though he made more Noise in the +World. + +Now we shall turn back and give our Readers some Account of what became of +the two Sloops. + +We took Notice of the Rage and Confusion, which must have seized them, upon +their missing of _Avery_; however, they continued their Course, some of +them still flattering themselves that he had only out sailed them in the +Night, and that they should find him at the Place of Rendezvous: But when +they came there, and could hear no Tydings of him, there was an End of +Hope. It was Time to consider what they should do with themselves, their +Stock of Sea Provision was almost spent, and tho' there was Rice and Fish, +and Fowl to be had ashore, yet these would not keep for Sea, without being +properly cured with Salt, which they had no Conveniency of doing; +therefore, since they could not go a Cruizing any more, it was Time to +think of establishing themselves at Land; to which Purpose they took all +Things out of the Sloops, made Tents of the Sails, and encamped themselves, +having a large Quantity of Ammunition, and abundance of small Arms. + +Here they met with several of their Countrymen, the Crew of a Privateer +Sloop which was commanded by Captain _Thomas Tew_; and since it will be but +a short Digression, we will give an Account how they came here. + +Captain _George Dew_ and Captain _Thomas Tew_, having received Commissions +from the then Governor of _Bermudas_, to sail directly for the River +_Gambia_ in _Africa_; there, with the Advice and Assistance of the Agents +of the Royal _African_ Company, to attempt the taking the _French_ Factory +at _Goorie_, lying upon that Coast. In a few Days after they sailed out, +_Dew_ in a violent Storm, not only sprung his Mast, but lost Sight of his +Consort; _Dew_ therefore returned back to refit, and _Tew_ instead of +proceeding on his Voyage, made for the _Cape of Good Hope_, and doubling +the said Cape, shaped his Course for the Straits of _Babel Mandel_, being +the Entrance into the _Red Sea_. Here he came up with a large Ship, richly +laden, bound from the _Indies_ to _Arabia_, with three hundred Soldiers on +Board, besides Seamen; yet _Tew_ had the Hardiness to board her, and soon +carried her; and, 'tis said, by this Prize, his Men shared near three +thousand Pounds a Piece: They had Intelligence from the Prisoners, of five +other rich Ships to pass that Way, which _Tew_ would have attacked, tho' +they were very strong, if he had not been over-ruled by the Quarter-Master +and others.--This differing in Opinion created some ill Blood amongst them, +so that they resolved to break up pyrating, and no Place was so fit to +receive them as _Madagascar_; hither they steered, resolving to live on +Shore and enjoy what they got. + +As for _Tew_ himself, he with a few others in a short Time went off to +_Rhode Island_, from whence he made his Peace. + +Thus have we accounted for the Company our Pyrates met with here. + +It must be observed that the Natives of _Madagascar_ are a kind of Negroes, +they differ from those of _Guiney_ in their Hair, which is long, and their +Complexion is not so good a Jet; they have innumerable little Princes among +them, who are continually making War upon one another; their Prisoners are +their Slaves, and they either sell them, or put them to death, as they +please: When our Pyrates first settled amongst them, their Alliance was +much courted by these Princes, so they sometimes joined one, sometimes +another, but wheresoever they sided, they were sure to be Victorious; for +the Negroes here had no Fire-Arms, nor did they understand their Use; so +that at length these Pyrates became so terrible to the Negroes, that if two +or or three of them were only seen on one Side, when they were going to +engage, the opposite Side would fly without striking a Blow. + +By these Means they not only became feared, but powerful; all the Prisoners +of War, they took to be their Slaves; they married the most beautiful of +the Negroe Women; not one or two, but as many as they liked; so that every +one of them had as great a Seraglio as the Grand Seignior at +_Constantinople_: Their Slaves they employed in planting Rice, in Fishing, +Hunting, _&c._ besides which, they had abundance of others, who lived, as +it were, under their Protection, and to be secure from the Disturbances or +Attacks of their powerful Neighbours; these seemed to pay them a willing +Homage. Now they began to divide from one another, each living with his own +Wives, Slaves and Dependants, like a separate Prince; and as Power and +Plenty naturally beget Contention, they sometimes quarrelled with one +another, and attacked each other at the Head of their several Armies; and +in these civil Wars, many of them were killed; but an Accident happened, +which obliged them to unite again for their common Safety. + +It must be observed that these sudden great Men, had used their Power like +Tyrants, for they grew wanton in Cruelty, and nothing was more common, than +upon the slightest Displeasure, to cause one of their Dependants to be tied +to a Tree and shot thro' the Heart, let the Crime be what it would, whether +little or great, this was always the Punishment; wherefore the Negroes +conspired together, to rid themselves of these Destroyers, all in one +Night; and as they now lived separate, the Thing might easily have been +done, had not a Woman, who had been Wife or Concubine to one of them, run +near twenty Miles in three Hours, to discover the Matter to them: +Immediately upon the Alarm they ran together as fast as they could, so that +when the Negroes approached them, they found them all up in Arms; wherefore +they retired without making any Attempt. + +This Escape made them very cautious from that Time, and it will be worth +while to describe the Policy of these brutish Fellows, and to shew what +Measures they took to secure themselves. + +They found that the Fear of their Power could not secure them against a +Surprize, and the bravest Man may be kill'd when he is asleep, by one much +his inferior in Courage and Strength, therefore, as their first Security, +they did all they could to foment War betwixt the neighbouring Negroes, +remaining Neuter themselves, by which Means, those who were overcome +constantly lied to them for Protection, otherwise they must be either +killed or made Slaves. They strengthened their Party, and tied some to them +by interest; when there was no War, they contrived to spirit up private +Quarrels among them, and upon every little Dispute or Misunderstanding, +push on one Side or other to Revenge; instruct them how to attack or +surprize their Adversaries, and lend them loaded Pistols or Firelocks to +dispatch them with; the Consequence of which was, that the Murderer was +forced to fly to them for the safety of his Life, with his Wives, Children +and Kindred. + +Such as these were fast Friends, as their Lives depended upon the safety of +his Protectors; for as we observed before, our Pyrates were grown so +terrible, that none of their Neighbours had Resolution enough to attack +them in an open War. + +By such Arts as these, in the Space of a few Years, their Body was greatly +increased, they then began to separate themselves, and remove at a greater +Distance from one another, for the Convenience of more Ground, and were +divided like Jews, into Tribes, each carrying with him his Wives and +Children, (of which, by this Time they had a large Family,) as also their +Quota of Dependants and Followers; and if Power and Command be the Thing +which distinguish a Prince, these Ruffians had all the Marks of Royalty +about them, nay more, they had the very Fears which commonly disturb +Tyrants, as may be seen by the extream Caution they took in fortifying the +Places where they dwelt. + +In this Plan of Fortification they imitated one another, their Dwellings +were rather Citadels than Houses; they made Choice of a Place overgrown +with Wood, and scituate near a Water; they raised a Rampart or high Ditch +round it, so strait and high, that it was impossible to climb it, and +especially by those who had not the Use of scaling Ladders: Over this Ditch +there was one Passage into the Wood; the Dwelling, which was a Hut, was +built in that Part of the Wood which the Prince, who inhabited it, thought +fit, but so covered that it could not be seen till you came at it; but the +greatest Cunning lay in the Passage which lead to the Hut, which was so +narrow, that no more than one Person could go a Breast, and contrived in so +intricate a Manner, that it was a perfect Maze or Labyrinth, it being round +and round, with several little cross Ways, so that a Person that was not +well acquainted with the Way, might walk several Hours round and cross +these Ways without being able to find the Hut; moreover all along the Sides +of these narrow Paths, certain large Thorns which grew upon a Tree in that +Country, were struck into the Ground with their Points uppermost, and the +Path it self being made crooked and serpentine, if a Man should attempt to +come near the Hut at Night, he would certainly have struck upon these +Thorns, tho' he had been provided with that Clue which _Ariadne_ gave to +_Theseus_ when he entered the Cave of the _Minataur_. + +Thus Tyrant like they lived, fearing and feared by all; and in this +Scituation they were found by Captain _Woods Rogers_, when he went to +_Madagascar_, in the _Delicia_, a Ship of forty Guns, with a Design of +buying Slaves in order to sell to the _Dutch_ at _Batavia_ or +_New-Holland_: He happened to touch upon a Part of the Island, where no +Ship had been seen for seven or eight Years before, where he met with some +of the Pyrates, at which Time, they had been upon the Island above 25 +Years, having a large motly Generation of Children and Grand-Children +descended from them, there being about that Time, eleven of them remaining +alive. + +Upon their first seeing a Ship of this Force and Burthen, they supposed it +to be a Man of War sent to take them; they therefore lurked within their +Fastnesses, but when some from the Ship came on Shore, without any shew of +Hostility, and offering to trade with the Negroes, they ventured to come +out of their Holes, attended like Princes; and since they actually are +Kings _De Facto_, which is a kind of a Right, we ought to speak of them as +such. + +Having been so many Years upon this Island, it may be imagined, their +Cloaths had long been worn out, so that their Majesties were extreamly out +at the Elbows; I cannot say they were ragged, since they had no Cloaths, +they had nothing to cover them but the Skins of Beasts without any tanning, +but with all the Hair on, nor a Shoe nor Stocking, so they looked like the +Pictures of _Hercules_ in the Lion's Skin; and being overgrown with Beard, +and Hair upon their Bodies, they appeared the most savage Figures that a +Man's Imagination can frame. + +However, they soon got rigg'd, for they sold great Numbers of those poor +People under them, for Cloaths, Knives, Saws, Powder and Ball, and many +other Things, and became so familiar that they went aboard the _Delicia_, +and were observed to be very curious, examining the inside of the Ship, and +very familiar with the Men, inviting them ashore. Their Design in doing +this, as they afterwards confessed, was to try if it was not practicable to +surprize the Ship in the Night, which they judged very easy, in case there +was but a slender Watch kept on Board, they having Boats and Men enough at +Command, but it seems the Captain was aware of them, and kept so strong a +Watch upon Deck, that they found it was in vain to make any Attempt; +wherefore, when some of the Men went ashore, they were for inveigling them, +and drawing them into a Plot, for seizing the Captain and securing the rest +of the Men under Hatches, when they should have the Night-Watch, promising +a Signal to come on Board to join them; proposing, if they succeeded, to go +a Pyrating together, not doubting but with that Ship they should be able to +take any Thing they met on the Sea: But the Captain observing an intimacy +growing betwixt them and some of his Men, thought it could be for no good, +he therefore broke it off in Time, not suffering them so much as to talk +together; and when he sent a Boat on Shore with an Officer to treat with +them about the Sale of Slaves, the Crew remained on Board the Boat, and no +Man was suffered to talk with them, but the Person deputed by him for that +Purpose. + +Before he sailed away, and they found that nothing was to be done, they +confessed all the Designs they had formed against him. Thus he left them as +he found them, in a great deal of dirty State and Royalty, but with fewer +Subjects than they had, having, as we observed, sold many of them; and if +Ambition be the darling Passion of Men, no doubt they were happy. One of +these great Princes had formerly been a Waterman upon the _Thames_, where +having committed a Murder, he fled to the _West-Indies_, and was of the +Number of those who run away with the Sloops; the rest had been all +foremast Men, nor was there a Man amongst them, who could either read or +write, and yet their Secretaries of State had no more Learning than +themselves. This is all the Account we can give of these Kings of +_Madagascar_, some of whom it is probable are reigning to this Day. + +CHAP. II. OF Captain _MARTEL_, And his CREW. + +I Come now to the Pyrates that have rose since the Peace of +_Utrecht_; in War Time there is no room for any, because all those of a +roving advent'rous Disposition find Employment in Privateers, so there is +no Opportunity for Pyrates; like our Mobs in London, when they come to any +Height, our Superiors order out the Train Bands, and when once they are +raised, the others are suppressed of Course; I take the Reason of it to be, +that the Mob go into the tame Army, and immediately from notorious Breakers +of the Peace, become, by being put into order, solemn Preservers of it. And +should our Legislators put some of the Pyrates into Authority, it would not +only lessen their Number, but, I imagine, set them upon the rest, and they +would be the likeliest People to find them out, according to the Proverb, +_set a Thief to catch a Thief._ + +To bring this about, there needs no other Encouragement, but to give all +the Effects taken aboard a Pyrate Vessel to the Captors; for in Case of +Plunder and Gain, they like it as well from Friends, as Enemies, but are +not fond, as Things are carry'd, _of ruining poor Fellowes_, say the +_Creoleans, with no Advantage to themselves._ + +The Multitude of Men and Vessels, employ'd this Way, in Time of War, in the +_West-Indies_, is another Reason, for the Number of Pyrates in a Time of +Peace: This cannot be supposed to be a Reflection on any of our _American_ +Governments, much less on the King himself, by whose Authority such +Commissions are granted, because of the Reasonableness, and absolute +Necessity, there is for the doing of it; yet the Observation is just, for +so many idle People employing themselves in Privateers, for the sake of +Plunder and Riches, which they always spend as fast as they get, that when +the War is over, and they can have no farther Business in the Way of Life +they have been used to, they too readily engage in Acts of Pyracy, which +being but the same Practice without a Commission, they make very little +Distinction betwixt the Lawfulness of one, and the Unlawfulness of the +other. + +I have not enquired so far back, as to know the Original of this Rover, but +I believe he and his Gang, were some Privateer's Men belonging to the +Island of _Jamaica_, in the preceeding War; his Story is but short, for his +Reign was so; an End having been put to his Adventures in good Time, when +he was growing strong and formidable. We find him Commander of a Pyrate +Sloop of eight Guns, and 80 Men, in the Month of _September_, 1716, +cruising off _Jamaica_, _Cuba_, _&c._ about which Time he took the +_Berkley_ Galley, Captain _Saunders_, and plundered him of 1000 _l._ in +Money, and afterwards met with a Sloop call'd the _King Solomon_, from whom +he took some Money, and Provisions, besides Goods, to a good Value. + +They proceeded after this to the Port of _Cavena_, at the Island of _Cuba_, +and in their Way took two Sloops, which they plundered, and let go; and off +the Port fell in with a fine Galley, with 20 Guns, call'd the _John_ and +_Martha_, Captain _Wilson_, which they attacked under the pyratical +Black-Flag, and made themselves Masters of her. They put some of the Men +ashore, and others they detain'd, as they had done several Times, to +encrease their Company; but Captain _Martel_, charged Captain _Wilson_, to +advise his Owners, that their Ship would answer his Purpose exactly, by +taking one Deck down, and as for the Cargo, which consisted chiefly of +Logwood and Sugar, he would take Care it should be carry'd to a good +Market. + +Having fitted up the aforesaid Ship, as they design'd, they mounted her +with 22 Guns, 100 Men, and left 25 Hands in the Sloop, and so proceeded to +Cruize off the _Leeward_ Islands, where they met with but too much Success. +After the taking of a Sloop and a Brigantine, they gave Chase to a stout +Ship, which they came up with, and, at Sight of the Pyrate's Flag, she +struck to the Robbers, being a Ship of 20 Guns, call'd the _Dolphin_, bound +for _Newfoundland_. Captain _Martel_ made the Men Prisoners, and carry'd +the Ship with him. + +The middle of _December_ the Pyrates took another Galley in her Voyage home +from _Jamaica_, call'd the _Kent_, Captain _Lawton_, and shifted her +Provisions aboard their own Ship, and let her go, which obliged her to Sail +back to _Jamaica_ for a Supply for her Voyage. After this they met with a +small Ship and a Sloop, belonging to _Barbadoes_, out of both they took +Provisions, and then parted with them, having first taken out some of their +Hands, who were willing to be forced to go along with them. The _Greyhound_ +Galley of _London_, Captain _Evans_, from _Guiney_ to _Jamaica_, was the +next that had the Misfortune to fall in their Way, which they did not +detain long, for as soon as they could get out all her Gold Dust, +Elephant's Teeth, and 40 Slaves, they sent her onwards upon her Voyage. +. . . . . + +They concluded now, that 'twas high Time to get into Harbour and refit, as +well as to get Refreshments themselves, and wait an Opportunity to dispose +of their Cargo; therefore 'twas resolved to make the best of their Way to +_Santa Crux_, a small Island in the Lattitude of 18, 30, N. ten Mile long, +and two broad, lying South-East of _Porto Rico_, belonging to the _French_ +Settlements. Here they thought they might lye privately enough for some +Time, and fit themselves for further Mischief. They met with a Sloop by the +Way, which they took along with them, and in the Beginning of the Year +1716-17, they arrived at their Port, having a Ship of 20 Guns, a Sloop of +eight, and three Prizes, _viz._ another Ship of 20 Guns, a Sloop of four +Guns, and another Sloop last taken; with this little Fleet, they got into a +small Harbour, or Road, the N. W. Part of the Island, and warp'd up two +Creeks, which were made by a little Island lying within the Bay; (I am the +more particular now, because I shall take Leave of the Gentlemen, at this +Place.) They had here bare 16 Foot Water, at the deepest, and but 13 or 14, +at the shallowest, and nothing but Rocks and Sands without, which secured +them from Wind and Sea, and likewise from any considerable Force coming +against them. + +When they had all got in, the first Thing they had to do, was to Guard +themselves in the best Manner they could; they made a Battery of four Guns +upon the Island, and another Battery of two Guns on the North Point of the +Road, and warp'd in one of the Sloops with eight Guns, at the Mouth of the +Channel, to hinder any Vessels from coming in; when this was done they went +to Work on their Ship, unrigging, and unloading, in order to Clean, where I +shall leave them a while, till I bring other Company to 'em. + +In the Month of _November_, 1716, General _Hamilton_, Commander in chief of +all the _Leeward Carribee Islands_, sent a Sloop Express to Captain _Hume_, +at _Barbadoes_, Commander of his Majesty's Ship, _Scarborough_, of 30 Guns, +and 140 Men, to acquaint him, that two Pyrate Sloops of 12 Guns each, +molested the Colonies, having plundered several Vessels. The _Scarborough_ +had bury'd twenty Men, and had near forty Sick, and therefore was but in +ill State to go to Sea: However, Captain _Hume_ left his sick Men behind, +and sailed to the other Islands, for a supply of Men, taking 20 Soldiers +from _Antegoa_; at _Nevis_, he took 10, and 10 at St. _Christophers_, and +then sailed to the Island of _Anguilla_, where he learned, that some Time +before, 2 such Sloops had been at _Spanish-Town_, otherwise called, one of +the _Virgin_ Islands: Accordingly, the next Day, the _Scarborough_ came to +_Spanish-Town_, but could hear no News of the Sloops, only, that they had +been there about _Christmas_, (it being then the 15th of _January_.) + +Captain _Hume_, finding no Account could be had of these Pyrates, designed +to go back, the next Day, to _Barbadoes_; but, it happened, that Night, +that a Boat anchor'd there from _Santa Crux_, and informed him, that he saw +a Pyrate Ship of 22 or 24 Guns, with other Vessels, going in to the North +West Part of the Island aforesaid. The _Scarborough_ weigh'd immediately, +and the next Morning came in Sight of the Rovers, and their Prizes, and +stood to them, but the Pilot refused to venture in with the Ship; all the +while the Pyrates fir'd red hot Bullets from the Shore. At length, the Ship +came to an Anchor, along Side the Reef, near the Channel, and cannonaded +for several Hours, both the Vessels and Batteries: About four in the +Afternoon, the Sloop that guarded the Channel, was sunk by the Shot of the +Man of War; then she cannonaded the Pyrate Ship of 22 Guns, that lay behind +the Island. The next Night, _viz._ the 18th, it falling Calm, Captain +_Hume_ weigh'd, fearing he might fall on the Reef, and so stood off and on +for a Day or two, to block them up. On the 20th, in the Evening, they +observed the Man of War to stand off to Sea, and took the Opportunity to +warp out, in order to slip away from the Island; but at Twelve o'Clock they +run a-ground, and then seeing the _Scarborough_ about, standing in again, +as their Case was desperate, so they were put into the utmost Confusion; +they quitted their Ship, and set her on Fire, with 20 Negroes in her, who +were all burnt; 19 of the Pyrates made their Escape in a small Sloop, but +the Captain and the rest, with 20 Negroes, betook to the Woods, where 'twas +probable they might starve, for we never heard what became of 'em +afterwards: Captain _Hume_ released the Prisoners, with the Ship and Sloop +that remained, and then went after the two Pyrate Sloops first mentioned. + +CHAP. III. OF Captain _TEACH_ alias BLACK-BEARD. + +E_Dward Teach_ was a _Bristol_ Man born, but had sailed some Time out +of _Jamaica_ in Privateers, in the late _French_ War; yet tho' he had often +distinguished himself for his uncommon Boldness and personal Courage, he +was never raised to any Command, till he went a-pyrating, which I think was +at the latter End of the Year 1716, when Captain _Benjamin Hornigold_ put +him into a Sloop that he had made Prize of, and with whom he continued in +Consortship till a little while before _Hornigold_ surrendered. + +In the Spring of the Year 1717, _Teach_ and _Hornigold_ sailed from +_Providence_, for the Main of _America_, and took in their Way a Billop +from the _Havana_, with 120 Barrels of Flower, as also a Sloop from +_Bermuda_, _Thurbar_ Master, from whom they took only some Gallons of Wine, +and then let him go; and a Ship from _Madera_ to _South-Carolina_, out of +which they got Plunder to a considerable Value. + +After cleaning on the Coast of _Virginia_, they returned to the +_West-Indies_, and in the Latitude of 24, made Prize of a large _French +Guiney_ Man, bound to _Martinico_, which by _Hornigold_'s Consent, _Teach_ +went aboard of as Captain, and took a Cruize in her; _Hornigold_ returned +with his Sloop to _Providence_, where, at the Arrival of Captain _Rogers_, +the Governor, he surrendered to Mercy, pursuant to the King's Proclamation. + +Aboard of this _Guiney_ Man _Teach_ mounted no Guns, and named her the +_Queen Ann's Revenge_; and cruising near the Island of St. _Vincent_, took +a large Ship, called the _Great Allen_, _Christopher Taylor_ Commander; the +Pyrates plundered her of what they though fit, put all the Men ashore upon +the Island above mentioned, and then set Fire to the Ship. + +A few Days after, _Teach_ fell in with the _Scarborogh_ Man of War, of 30 +Guns, who engaged him for some Hours; but she finding the Pyrate well +mann'd, and having tried her strength, gave over the Engagement, and +returned to _Barbadoes_, the Place of her Station; and _Teach_ sailed +towards the _Spanish America_. + +In his Way he met with a Pyrate Sloop of ten Guns, commanded by one Major +_Bonnet_, lately a Gentleman of good Reputation and Estate in the Island of +_Barbadoes_, whom he joyned; but in a few Days after, _Teach_, finding that +_Bonnet_ knew nothing of a maritime Life, with the Consent of his own Men, +put in another Captain, one _Richards_, to Command _Bonnet_'s Sloop, and +took the Major on aboard his own Ship, telling him, that _as he had not +been used to the Fatigues and Care of such a Post, it would be better for +him to decline it, and live easy and at his Pleasure, in such a Ship as +his, where he should not be obliged to perform Duty, but follow his own +Inclinations._ + +At _Turniff_ ten Leagues short of the Bay of _Honduras_, the Pyrates took +in fresh Water; and while they were at an Anchor there, they saw a Sloop +coming in, whereupon, _Richards_ in the Sloop called the _Revenge_, slipped +his Cable, and run out to meet her; who upon seeing the black Flag hoisted, +struck his Sail and came to, under the Stern of _Teach_ the Commadore. She +was called the _Adventure_, from _Jamaica_, _David Harriot_ Master. They +took him and his Men aboard the great Ship, and sent a Number of other +Hands with _Israel Hands_, Master of _Teach_'s Ship, to Man the Sloop for +the pyratical Account. + +The 9th of April, they weighed from _Turniff_, having lain there about a +Week, and sailed to the Bay, where they found a Ship and four Sloops, three +of the latter belonged to _Jonathan Bernard_, of _Jamaica_, and the other +to Captain _James_; the Ship was of _Boston_, called the _Protestant +Cæsar_, Captain _Wyar_ Commander. _Teach_ hoisted his Black Colours, and +fired a Gun, upon which Captain _Wyar_ and all his Men, left their Ship, +and got ashore in their Boat. _Teach_'s Quarter-Master, and eight of his +Crew, took Possession of _Wyar_'s Ship, and _Richards_ secured all the +Sloops, one of which they burnt out of spight to the Owner; the _Protestant +Cæsar_ they also burnt, after they had plundered her, because she belonged +to _Boston_, where some Men had been hanged for Pyracy; and the three +Sloops belonging to _Bernard_ they let go. + +From hence the Rovers sailed to _Turkill_, and then to the _Grand +Caimanes_, a small Island about thirty Leagues to the Westward of +_Jamaica_, where they took a small Turtler, and so to the _Havana_, and +from thence to the _Bahama_ Wrecks, and from the _Bahama_ Wrecks, they +sailed to _Carolina_, taking a Brigantine and two Sloops in their Way, +where they lay off the Bar of _Charles-Town_ for five or six Days. They +took here a Ship as she was coming out, bound for London, commanded by +_Robert Clark_, with some Passengers on Board for _England_; the next Day +they took another Vessel coming out of _Charles-Town_, and also two Pinks +coming into _Charles-Town_; likewise a Brigantine with 14 Negroes aboard; +all which being done in the Face of the Town, struck a great Terror to the +whole Province of _Carolina_, having just before been visited by _Vane_, +another notorious Pyrate, that they abandoned themselves to Dispair, being +in no Condition to resist their Force. They were eight Sail in the Harbour, +ready for the Sea, but none dared to venture out, it being almost +impossible to escape their Hands. The inward bound Vessels were under the +same unhappy Dilemma, so that the Trade of this Place was totally +interrupted: What made these Misfortunes heavier to them, was a long +expensive War, the Colony had had with the Natives, which was but just +ended when these Robbers infested them. + +_Teach_ detained all the Ships and Prisoners, and, being in want of +Medicines, resolves to demand a Chest from the Government of the Province; +accordingly _Richards_, the Captain of the _Revenge_ Sloop, with two or +three more Pyrates, were sent up along with Mr. _Marks_, one of the +Prisoners, whom they had taken in _Clark_'s Ship, and very insolently made +their Demands, threatning, that if they did not send immediately the Chest +of Medicines, and let the Pyrate-Ambassadors return, without offering any +Violence to their Persons, they would murder all their Prisoners, send up +their Heads to the Governor, and set the Ships they had taken on Fire. + +Whilst Mr. _Marks_ was making Application to the Council, _Richards_, and +the rest of the Pyrates, walk'd the Streets publickly, in the Sight of all +People, who were fired with the utmost Indignation, looking upon them as +Robbers and Murtherers, and particularly the Authors of their Wrongs and +Oppressions, but durst not so much as think of executing their Revenge, for +fear of bringing more Calamities upon themselves, and so they were forced +to let the Villains pass with Impunity. The Government were not long in +deliberating upon the Message, tho' 'twas the greatest Affront that could +have been put upon them; yet for the saving so many Mens Lives, (among +them, Mr. _Samuel Wragg_, one of the Council;) they comply'd with the +Necessity, and sent aboard a Chest, valued at between 3 and 400 _l._ and +the Pyrates went back safe to their Ships. + +_Blackbeard_, (for so _Teach_ was generally called, as we shall hereafter +shew) as soon as he had received the Medicines and his Brother Rogues, let +go the Ships and the Prisoners; having first taken out of them in Gold and +Silver, about 1500 _l._ Sterling, besides Provisions and other Matters. + +From the Bar of _Charles-Town_, they sailed to _North-Carolina_; Captain +_Teach_ in the Ship, which they called the Man of War, Captain _Richards_ +and Captain _Hands_ in the Sloops, which they termed Privateers, and +another Sloop serving them as a Tender. _Teach_ began now to think of +breaking up the Company, and securing the Money and the best of the Effects +for himself, and some others of his Companions he had most Friendship for, +and to cheat the rest: Accordingly, on Pretence of running into _Topsail_ +Inlet to clean, he grounded his Ship, and then, as if it had been done +undesignedly, and by Accident; he orders _Hands_'s Sloop to come to his +Assistance, and get him off again, which he endeavouring to do, ran the +Sloop on Shore near the other, and so were both lost. This done, _Teach_ +goes into the Tender Sloop, with forty Hands, and leaves the _Revenge_ +there; then takes seventeen others and Marroons them upon a small sandy +Island, about a League from the Main, where there was neither Bird, Beast +or Herb for their Subsistance, and where they must have perished if Major +_Bonnet_ had not two Days after taken them off. + +_Teach_ goes up to the Governor of _North-Carolina_, with about twenty of +his Men, surrender to his Majesty's Proclamation, and receive Certificates +thereof, from his Excellency; but it did not appear that their submitting +to this Pardon was from any Reformation of Manners, but only to wait a more +favourable Opportunity to play the same Game over again; which he soon +after effected, with greater Security to himself, and with much better +Prospect of Success, having in this Time cultivated a very good +understanding with _Charles Eden_, Esq; the Governor above mentioned. + +The first Piece of Service this kind Governor did to _Black-Beard_, was, to +give him a Right to the Vessel which he had taken, when he was a pyrating +in the great Ship called the _Queen Ann's Revenge_; for which purpose, a +Court of Vice-Admiralty was held at _Bath-Town_; and, tho' _Teach_ had +never any Commission in his Life, and the Sloop belonging to the _English_ +Merchants, and taken in Time of Peace; yet was she condemned as a Prize +taken from the _Spaniards_, by the said _Teach_. These Proceedings shew +that Governors are but Men. + +Before he sailed upon his Adventures, he marry'd a young Creature of about +sixteen Years of Age, the Governor performing the Ceremony. As it is a +Custom to marry here by a Priest, so it is there by a Magistrate; and this, +I have been informed, made _Teach_'s fourteenth Wife, whereof, about a +dozen might be still living. His Behaviour in this State, was something +extraordinary; for, while his Sloop lay in _Okerecock_ Inlet, and he ashore +at a Plantation, where his Wife lived, with whom after he had lain all +Night, it was his Custom to invite five or six of his brutal Companions to +come ashore, and he would force her to prostitute her self to them all, one +after another, before his Face. + +In _June_ 1718, he went to Sea, upon another Expedition, and steered his +Course towards _Bermudas_; he met with two or three _English_ Vessels in +his Way, but robbed them only of Provisions, Stores and other Necessaries, +for his present Expence; but near the Island aforementioned, he fell in +with two _French_ Ships, one of them was loaden with Sugar and Cocoa, and +the other light, both bound to _Martinico_; the Ship that had no Lading he +let go, and putting all the Men of the loaded Ship aboard her, he brought +home the other with her Cargo to _North-Carolina_, where the Governor and +the Pyrates shared the Plunder. + +When _Teach_ and his Prize arrived, he and four of his Crew went to his +Excellency, and made Affidavit, that they found the _French_ Ship at Sea, +without a Soul on Board her; and then a Court was called, and the Ship +condemned: The Governor had sixty Hogsheads of Sugar for his Dividend, and +one Mr. _Knight_, who was his Secretary, and Collector for the Province, +twenty, and the rest was shared among the other Pyrates. + +The Business was not yet done, the Ship remained, and it was possible one +or other might come into the River, that might be acquainted with her, and +so discover the Roguery; but _Teach_ thought of a Contrivance to prevent +this, for, upon a Pretence that she was leaky, and that she might sink, and +so stop up the Mouth of the Inlet or Cove where she lay, he obtained an +Order from the Governor, to bring her out into the River, and set her on +Fire, which was accordingly executed, and she was burnt down to the Water's +Edge, her Bottom sunk, and with it, their Fears of her ever rising in +Judgment against them. + +Captain _Teach_, alias _Black-beard_, passed three or four Months in the +River, sometimes lying at Anchor in the Coves, at other Times sailing from +one Inlet to another, trading with such Sloops as he met, for the Plunder +he had taken, and would often give them Presents for Stores and Provisions +took from them; that is, when he happened to be in a giving Humour; at +other Times he made bold with them, and took what he liked, without saying, +_by your Leave_, knowing well, they dared not send him a Bill for the +Payment. He often diverted himself with going ashore among the Planters, +where he revelled Night and Day: By these he was well received, but whether +out of Love or Fear, I cannot say; sometimes he used them courteously +enough, and made them Presents of Rum and Sugar, in Recompence of what he +took from them; but, as for Liberties (which 'tis said) he and his +Companions often took with the Wives and Daughters of the Planters, I +cannot take upon me to say, whether he paid them _ad Valorem_, or no. At +other Times he carried it in a lordly Manner towards them, and would lay +some of them under Contribution; nay, he often proceeded to bully the +Governor, not, that I can discover the least Cause of Quarrel betwixt them, +but it seemed only to be done, to shew he dared do it. + +The Sloops trading up and down this River, being so frequently pillaged by +_Black-beard_, consulted with the Traders, and some of the best of the +Planters, what Course to take; they, saw plainly it would be in vain to +make any Application to the Governor of _North-Carolina_, to whom it +properly belonged to find some Redress; so that if they could not be +relieved from some other Quarter, _Black-beard_ would be like to reign with +Impunity, therefore, with as much Secrecy as possible, they sent a +Deputation to _Virginia_, to lay the Affair before the Governor of that +Colony, and to solicit an armed Force from the Men of War lying there, to +take or destroy this Pyrate. + +This Governor consulted with the Captains of the two Men of War, _viz._ the +_Pearl_ and _Lime_, who had lain in St. _James_'s River, about ten Months. +It was agreed that the Governor should hire a couple of small Sloops, and +the Men of War, should Man them; this was accordingly done, and the Command +of them given to Mr. _Robert Maynard_, first Lieutenant of the _Pearl_, an +experienced Officer, and a Gentleman of great Bravery and Resolution, as +will appear by his gallant Behaviour in this Expedition. The Sloops were +well mann'd and furnished with Ammunition and small Arms, but had no Guns +mounted. + +About the Time of their going out, the Governor called an Assembly, in +which it was resolved to publish a Proclamation, offering certain Rewards +to any Person or Persons, who, within a Year after that Time, should take +or destroy any Pyrate: The original Proclamation being in our Hands, is as +follows. + +By his Majesty's Lieutenant Governor, and, Commander in Chief, of +the Colony and Dominion of _Virginia_, + +A PROCLAMATION, + +Publishing the Rewards given for apprehending, or killing, Pyrates. + +W_Hereas, by an Act of Assembly, made at a Session of Assembly, begun +at the Capital in _Williamsburgh_, the eleventh Day of _November_, in the +fifth Year of his Majesty's Reign, entituled, _An Act to encourage the +apprehending and destroying of Pyrates_: It is, amongst other Things +enacted, that all and every Person, or Persons, who, from and after the +fourteenth Day of _November_, in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven +hundred and eighteen, and before the fourteenth Day of _November_, which +shall be in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and nineteen, +shall take any Pyrate, or Pyrates, on the Sea or Land, or in Case of +Resistance, shall kill any such Pyrate, or Pyrates, between the Degrees of +thirty four, and thirty nine, of Northern Latitude, and within one hundred +Leagues of the Continent of _Virginia_, or within the Provinces of +_Virginia_, or _North-Carolina_, upon the Conviction, or making due Proof +of the killing of all, and every such Pyrate, and Pyrates, before the +Governor and Council, shall be entitled to have, and receive out of the +publick Money, in the Hands of the Treasurer of this Colony, the several +Rewards following; that is to say, for _Edward Teach_, commonly call'd +Captain _Teach_, or _Black-Beard_, one hundred Pounds, for every other +Commander of a Pyrate Ship, Sloop, or Vessel, forty Pounds; for every +Lieutenant, Master, or Quarter-Master, Boatswain, or Carpenter, twenty +Pounds; for every other inferior Officer, sixteen Pounds, and for every +private Man taken on Board such Ship, Sloop, or Vessel, ten Pounds; and, +that for every Pyrate, which shall be taken by any Ship, Sloop or Vessel, +belonging to this Colony, or _North-Carolina_, within the Time aforesaid, +in any Place whatsoever, the like Rewards shall be paid according to the +Quality and Condition of such Pyrates. Wherefore, for the Encouragement of +all such Persons as shall be willing to serve his Majesty, and their +Country, in so just and honourable an Undertaking, as the suppressing a +Sort of People, who may be truly called Enemies to Mankind: I have thought +fit, with the Advice and Consent of his Majesty's Council, to issue this +Proclamation, hereby declaring, the said Rewards shall be punctually and +justly paid, in current Money of _Virginia_, according to the Directions of +the said Act. And, I do order and appoint this Proclamation, to be +published by the Sheriffs, at their respective County-Houses, and by all +Ministers and Readers, in the several Churches and Chappels, throughout +this Colony._ + +Given at our Council-Chamber at _Williamsburgh_, this 24th Day of +_November_, 1718, in the fifth Year of his Majesty's Reign. + +GOD SAVE THE KING. + +_A. SPOTSWOOD_. + +The 17th of _November_, 1718, the Lieutenant sail'd from _Kicquetan_, in +_James_ River in _Virginia_, and, the 21st in the Evening, came to the +Mouth of _Okerecock_ Inlet, where he got Sight of the Pyrate. This +Expedition was made with all imaginable Secrecy, and the Officer manag'd +with all the Prudence that was necessary, stopping all Boats and Vessels he +met with, in the River, from going up, and thereby preventing any +Intelligence from reaching _Black-Beard_, and receiving at the same time an +Account from them all, of the Place where the Pyrate was lurking; but +notwithstanding this Caution, _Black-beard_ had Information of the Design, +from his Excellency of the Province; and his Secretary, Mr. _Knight_, wrote +him a Letter, particularly concerning it, intimating, _That he had sent him +four of his Men, which were all he could meet with, in or about Town, and +so bid him be upon his Guard._ These Men belonged to _Black-beard_, and +were sent from _Bath-Town_ to _Okerecock_ Inlet, where the Sloop lay, which +is about 20 Leagues. + +_Black-beard_ had heard several Reports, which happened not to be true, and +so gave the less Credit to this, nor was he convinced till he saw the +Sloops: Whereupon he put his Vessel in a Posture of Defence; he had no more +than twenty five Men on Board, tho' he gave out to all the Vessels he spoke +with, that he had 40. When he had prepared for Battle, he set down and +spent the Night in drinking with the Master of a trading Sloop, who, 'twas +thought, had more Business with _Teach_, than he should have had. + +Lieutenant _Maynard_ came to an Anchor, for the Place being shoal, and the +Channel intricate, there was no getting in, where _Teach_ lay, that Night; +but in the Morning he weighed, and sent his Boat a-head of the Sloops to +sound; and coming within Gun-Shot of the Pyrate, received his Fire; +whereupon _Maynard_ hoisted the King's Colours, and stood directly towards +him, with the best Way that his Sails and Oars could made. _Black-beard_ +cut his Cable, and endeavoured to make a running Fight, keeping a continual +Fire at his Enemies, with his Guns; Mr. _Maynard_ not having any, kept a +constant Fire with small Arms, while some of his Men laboured at their +Oars. In a little Time _Teach_'s Sloop ran a-ground, and Mr. _Maynard_'s +drawing more Water than that of the Pyrate, he could not come near him; so +he anchored within half Gun-Shot of the Enemy, and, in order to lighten his +Vessel, that he might run him aboard, the Lieutenant ordered all his +Ballast to be thrown over-board, and all the Water to be staved, and then +weigh'd and stood for him; upon which _Black-beard_ hail'd him in this rude +Manner: _Damn you for Villains, who are you? And, from whence came you?_ +The Lieutenant made him Answer, _You may see by our Colours we are no +Pyrates._ _Black-beard_ bid him send his Boat on Board, that he might see +who he was; but Mr. _Maynard_ reply'd thus; _I cannot spare my Boat, but I +will come aboard of you as soon as I can, with my Sloop._ Upon this, +_Black-beard_ took a Glass of Liquor, and drank to him with these Words: +_Damnation seize my Soul if I give you Quarters, or take any from you._ In +Answer to which, Mr. _Maynard_ told him, _That he expected no Quarters from +him, nor should he give him any._ + +By this time _Black-beard_'s Sloop fleeted, as Mr. _Maynard_'s Sloops were +rowing towards him, which being not above a Foot high in the Waste, and +consequently the Men all exposed, as they came near together, (there being +hitherto little or no Execution done, on either Side,) the Pyrate fired a +Broadside, charged with all Manner of small Shot. ----A fatal Stroke to +them! The Sloop the Lieutenant was in, having twenty Men killed and +wounded, and the other Sloop nine. This could not be help'd, for there +being no Wind, they were oblig'd to keep to their Oars, otherwise the +Pyrate would have got away from him, which, it seems, the Lieutenant was +resolute to prevent. + +After this unlucky Blow, _Black-beard_'s Sloop fell Broadside to the Shore; +Mr. _Maynard_'s other Sloop, which was called the _Ranger_, fell a-stern, +being, for the present, disabled; so the Lieutenant finding his own Sloop +had Way, and would soon be on Board of _Teach_, he ordered all his Men +down, for fear of another Broadside, which must have been their +Destruction, and the loss of their Expedition. Mr. _Maynard_ was the only +Person that kept the Deck, except the Man at the Helm, whom he directed to +lye down snug, and the Men in the Hold were ordered to get their Pistols +and their Swords ready for close fighting, and to come up at his Command; +in order to which, two Ladders were placed in the Hatch-Way for the more +Expedition. When the Lieutenant's Sloop boarded the other, Captain +_Teach_'s Men threw in several new fashioned sort of Grenadoes, _viz._ Case +Bottles fill'd with Powder, and small Shot, Slugs, and Pieces of Lead or +Iron, with a quick Match in the Mouth of it, which being lighted without +Side, presently runs into the Bottle to the Powder, and as it is instantly +thrown on Board, generally does great Execution, besides putting all the +Crew into a Confusion; but by good Providence, they had not that Effect +here; the Men being in the Hold, and _Black-beard_ seeing few or no Hands +aboard, told his Men, _That they were all knock'd on the Head, except three +or four; and therefore, says he, let's jump on Board, and cut them to +Pieces._ + +Whereupon, under the Smoak of one of the Bottles just mentioned, +_Black-beard_ enters with fourteen Men, over the Bows of _Maynard_'s Sloop, +and were not seen by him till the Air cleared; however, he just then gave a +Signal to his Men, who all rose in an Instant, and attack'd the Pyrates +with as much Bravery as ever was done upon such an Occasion: _Black-beard_ +and the Lieutenant fired the first Pistol at each other, by which the +Pyrate received a Wound, and then engaged with Swords, till the +Lieutenant's unluckily broke, and stepping back to cock a Pistol, +_Black-beard_, with his Cutlash, was striking at that Instant, that one of +_Maynard_'s Men gave him a terrible Wound in the Neck and Throat, by which +the Lieutenant came off with a small Cut over his Fingers. + +They were now closely and warmly engaged, the Lieutenant and twelve Men, +against _Black-beard_ and fourteen, till the Sea was tinctur'd with Blood +round the Vessel; _Black-beard_ received a Shot into his Body from the +Pistol that Lieutenant _Maynard_ discharg'd, yet he stood his Ground, and +fought with great Fury, till he received five and twenty Wounds, and five +of them by Shot. At length, as he was cocking another Pistol, having fired +several before, he fell down dead; by which Time eight more out of the +fourteen dropp'd, and all the rest, much wounded, jump'd over-board, and +call'd out for Quarters, which was granted, tho' it was only prolonging +their Lives for a few Days. The Sloop _Ranger_ came up, and attack'd the +Men that remain'd in _Black-beard_'s Sloop, with equal Bravery, till they +likewise cry'd for Quarters. + +Here was an End of that couragious Brute, who might have pass'd in the +World for a Heroe, had he been employ'd in a good Cause; his Destruction, +which was of such Consequence to the Plantations, was entirely owing to the +Conduct and Bravery of Lieutenant _Maynard_ and his Men, who might have +destroy'd him with much less Loss, had they had a Vessel with great Guns; +but they were obliged to use small Vessels, because the Holes and Places he +lurk'd in, would not admit of others of greater Draught; and it was no +small Difficulty for this Gentleman to get to him, having grounded his +Vessel, at least, a hundred times, in getting up the River, besides other +Discouragements, enough to have turn'd back any Gentleman without +Dishonour, who was less resolute and bold than this Lieutenant. The +Broadside that did so much Mischief before they boarded, in all Probability +saved the rest from Destruction; for before that _Teach_ had little or no +Hopes of escaping, and therefore had posted a resolute Fellow, a Negroe +whom he had bred up, with a lighted Match, in the Powder-Room, with +Commands to blow up when he should give him Orders, which was as soon as +the Lieutenant and his Men could have entered, that so he might have +destroy'd his Conquerors: and when the Negro found how it went with +_Black-beard_, he could hardly be perswaded from the rash Action, by two +Prisoners that were then in the Hold of the Sloop. + +What seems a little odd, is, that some of these Men, who behaved so bravely +against _Black-beard_, went afterwards a pyrating themselves, and one of +them was taken along with _Roberts_; but I do not find that any of them +were provided for, except one that was hanged; but this is a Digression. + +The Lieutenant caused _Black-beard_'s Head to be severed from his Body, and +hung up at the Bolt-sprit End, then he sailed to _Bath-Town_, to get Relief +for his wounded Men. + +It must be observed, that in rummaging the Pyrate's Sloop, they found +several Letters and written Papers, which discovered the Correspondence +betwixt Governor _Eden_, the Secretary and Collector, and also some Traders +at _New-York_, and _Black-beard_. It is likely he had Regard enough for his +Friends, to have destroyed these Papers before the Action, in order to +hinder them from falling into such Hands, where the Discovery would be of +no Use, either to the Interest or Reputation of these fine Gentlemen, if it +had not been his fixed Resolution to have blown up together, when he found +no possibility of escaping. + +When the Lieutenant came to _Bath-Town_, he made bold to seize in the +Governor's Store-House, the sixty Hogsheads of Sugar, and from honest Mr. +_Knight_, twenty; which it seems was their Dividend of the Plunder taken in +the _French_ Ship; the latter did not long survive this shameful Discovery, +for being apprehensive that he might be called to an Account for these +Trifles, fell sick with the Fright, and died in a few Days. + +After the wounded Men were pretty well recover'd, the Lieutenant sailed +back to the Men of War in _James River_, in _Virginia_, with +_Black-beard_'s Head still hanging at the Bolt-sprit End, and fiveteen +Prisoners, thirteen of whom were hanged. It appearing upon Tryal, that one +of them, _viz._ _Samuel Odell_, was taken out of the trading Sloop, but the +Night before the Engagement. This poor Fellow was a little unlucky at his +first entering upon his new Trade, there appearing no less than 70 Wounds +upon him after the Action, notwithstanding which, he lived, and was cured +of them all. The other Person that escaped the Gallows, was one _Israel +Hands_, the Master of _Black-beard_'s Sloop, and formerly Captain of the +same, before the _Queen Ann's Revenge_ was lost in _Topsail_ Inlet. + +The aforesaid _Hands_ happened not to be in the Fight, but was taken +afterwards ashore at _Bath-Town_, having been sometime before disabled by +_Black-beard_, in one of his savage Humours, after the following +Manner.--One Night drinking in his Cabin with _Hands_, the Pilot, and +another Man; _Black-beard_ without any Provocation privately draws out a +small Pair of Pistols, and cocks them under the Table, which being +perceived by the Man, he withdrew and went upon Deck, leaving _Hands_, the +Pilot, and the Captain together. When the Pistols were ready, he blew out +the Candle, and crossing his Hands, discharged them at his Company; +_Hands_, the Master, was shot thro' the Knee, and lam'd for Life; the other +Pistol did no Execution. --Being asked the meaning of this, he only +answered, by damning them, that _if he did not now and then kill one of +them, they would forget who he was._ + +_Hands_ being taken, was try'd and condemned, but just as he was about to +be executed, a Ship arrives at _Virginia_ with a Proclamation for +prolonging the Time of his Majesty's Pardon, to such of the Pyrates as +should surrender by a limited Time therein expressed: Notwithstanding the +Sentence, _Hands_ pleaded the Pardon, and was allowed the Benefit of it, +and is alive at this Time in London, begging his Bread. + +Now that we have given some Account of _Teach_'s Life and Actions, it will +not be amiss, that we speak of his Beard, since it did not a little +contribute towards making his Name so terrible in those Parts. + +_Plutarch_, and other grave Historians have taken Notice, that several +great Men amongst the _Romans_, took their Sir-Names from certain odd Marks +in their Countenances; as _Cicero_, from a Mark or Vetch on his Nose; so +our Heroe, Captain _Teach_, assumed the Cognomen of _Black-beard_, from +that large Quantity of Hair, which, like a frightful Meteor, covered his +whole Face, and frightened _America_ more than any Comet that has appeared +there a long Time. + +This Beard was black, which he suffered to grow of an extravagant Length; +as to Breadth, it came up to his Eyes; he was accustomed to twist it with +Ribbons, in small Tails, after the Manner of our Ramilies Wiggs, and turn +them about his Ears: In Time of Action, he wore a Sling over his Shoulders, +with three brace of Pistols, hanging in Holsters like Bandaliers; and stuck +lighted Matches under his Hat, which appearing on each Side of his Face, +his Eyes naturally looking fierce and wild, made him altogether such a +Figure, that Imagination cannot form an Idea of a Fury, from Hell, to look +more frightful. + +If he had the look of a Fury, his Humours and Passions were suitable to it; +we shall relate two or three more of his Extravagancies, which we omitted +in the Body of his History, by which it will appear, to what a Pitch of +Wickedness, human Nature may arrive, if it's Passions are not checked. + +In the Commonwealth of Pyrates, he who goes the greatest Length of +Wickedness, is looked upon with a kind of Envy amongst them, as a Person of +a more extraordinary Gallantry, and is thereby entitled to be distinguished +by some Post, and if such a one has but Courage, he must certainly be a +great Man. The Hero of whom we are writing, was thoroughly accomplished +this Way, and some of his Frolicks of Wickedness, were so extravagant, as +if he aimed at making his Men believe he was a Devil incarnate; for being +one Day at Sea, and a little flushed with drink:--_Come_, says he, _let us +make a Hell of our own, and try how long we can bear it_; accordingly he, +with two or three others, went down into the Hold, and closing up all the +Hatches, filled several Pots full of Brimstone, and other combustible +Matter, and set it on Fire, and so continued till they were almost +suffocated, when some of the Men cried out for Air; at length he opened the +Hatches, not a little pleased that he held out the longest. + +The Night before he was killed, he set up and drank till the Morning, with +some of his own Men, and the Master of a Merchant-Man, and having had +Intelligence of the two Sloops coming to attack him, as has been before +observed; one of his Men asked him, in Case any thing should happen to him +in the Engagement with the Sloops, whether his Wife knew where he had +buried his Money? He answered, _That no Body but himself and the Devil, +knew where it was, and the longest Liver should take all._ + +Those of his Crew who were taken alive, told a Story which may appear a +little incredible; however, we think it will not be fair to omit it, since +we had it from their own Mouths. That once upon a Cruize, they found out +that they had a Man on Board more than their Crew; such a one was seen +several Days amongst them, sometimes below, and sometimes upon Deck, yet no +Man in the Ship could give an Account who he was, or from whence he came; +but that he disappeared little before they were cast away in their great +Ship, but, it seems, they verily believed it was the Devil. + +One would think these Things should induce them to reform their Lives, but +so many Reprobates together, encouraged and spirited one another up in +their Wickedness, to which a continual Course of drinking did not a little +contribute; for in _Black-beard_'s Journal, which was taken, there were +several Memorandums of the following Nature, sound writ with his own +Hand.-- _Such a Day, Rum all out:--Our Company somewhat sober:--A damn'd +Confusion amongst us!--Rogues a plotting;--great Talk of Separation.--So I +look'd sharp for a Prize;--such a Day took one, with a great deal of Liquor +on Board, so kept the Company hot, damned hot, then all Things went well +again._ + +Thus it was these Wretches passed their Lives, with very little Pleasure or +Satisfaction, in the Possession of what they violently take away from +others, and sure to pay for it at last, by an ignominious Death. + +The Names of the Pyrates killed in the Engagement, are as follow. + +_Edward Teach_, Commander. + +_Phillip Morton_, Gunner. + +_Garrat Gibbens_, Boatswain. + +_Owen Roberts_, Carpenter. + +_Thomas Miller_, Quarter-Master. + +_John Husk_, + +_Joseph Curtice_, + +_Joseph Brooks_, (1) + +_Nath. Jackson_. + +All the rest, except the two last, were wounded and afterwards +hanged in _Virginia_. + +_John Carnes, Joseph Philips,_ + +_Joseph Brooks, _(2)_ James Robbins,_ + +_James Blake, John Martin,_ + +_John Gills, Edward Salter,_ + +_Thomas Gates, Stephen Daniel,_ + +_James White, Richard Greensail._ + +_Richard Stiles, Israel Hands, _pardoned. + +_Cæsar, Samuel Odel_, acquited. + + * * * + +There were in the Pyrate Sloops, and ashore in a Tent, near where the +Sloops lay, 25 Hogsheads of Sugar, 11 Teirces, and 145 Bags of Cocoa, a +Barrel of Indigo, and a Bale of Cotton; which, with what was taken from the +Governor and Secretary, and the Sale of the Sloop, came to 2500 _l._ +besides the Rewards paid by the Governor of _Virginia_, pursuant to his +Proclamation; all which was divided among the Companies of the two Ships, +_Lime_ and _Pearl_, that lay in _James_ River; the brave Fellows that took +them coming in for no more than their Dividend amongst the rest, and was +paid it within these three Months. + +CHAP. IV. OF Major _Stede Bonnet_, And his CREW. + +THE Major was a Gentleman of good Reputation in the Island of +_Barbadoes_, was Master of a plentiful Fortune, and had the Advantage of a +liberal Education. He had the least Temptation of any Man to follow such a +Course of Life, from the Condition of his Circumstances. It was very +surprizing to every one, to hear of the Major's Enterprize, in the Island +were he liv'd; and as he was generally esteem'd and honoured, before he +broke out into open Acts of Pyracy, so he was afterwards rather pitty'd +than condemned, by those that were acquainted with him, believing that this +Humour of going a pyrating, proceeded from a Disorder in his Mind, which +had been but too visible in him, some Time before this wicked Undertaking; +and which is said to have been occasioned by some Discomforts he found in a +married State; be that as it will, the Major was but ill qualify'd for the +Business, as not understanding maritime Affairs. + +However, he fitted out a Sloop with ten Guns and 70 Men, entirely at his +own Expence, and in the Night-Time sailed from _Barbadoes_. He called his +Sloop the _Revenge_; his first Cruize was off the Capes of _Virginia_, +where he took several Ships, and plundered them of their Provisions, +Cloaths, Money, Ammunition, _&c._ in particular the _Anne_, Captain +_Montgomery_, from _Glascow_; the _Turbet_ from _Barbadoes_, which for +Country sake, after they had taken out the principal Part of the Lading, +the Pyrate Crew set her on Fire; the _Endeavour_, Captain _Scot_, from +_Bristol_, and the _Young_ from _Leith_. From hence they went to +_New-York_, and off the East End of _Long-Island_, took a Sloop bound for +the _West-Indies_, after which they stood in and landed some Men at +_Gardner_'s _Island_, but in a peaceable Manner, and bought Provisions for +the Company's Use, which they paid for, and so went off again without +Molestation. + +Some Time after, which was in _August_ 1717, _Bonnet_ came off the Bar of +_South-Carolina_, and took a Sloop and a Brigantine bound in; the Sloop +belonged to _Barbadoes, Joseph Palmer_ Master, laden with Rum, Sugar and +Negroes; and the Brigantine came from _New-England, Thomas Porter_ Master, +whom they plundered, and then dismiss'd; but they sailed away with the +Sloop, and at an Inlet in _North-Carolina_ careened by her, and then set +her on Fire. + +After the Sloop had cleaned, they put to Sea, but came to no Resolution +what Course to take; the Crew were divided in their Opinions, some being +for one Thing, and some another, so that nothing but Confusion seem'd to +attend all their Schemes. + +The Major was no Sailor as was said before, and therefore had been obliged +to yield to many Things that were imposed on him, during their Undertaking, +for want of a competent Knowledge in maritime Affairs; at length happening +to fall in Company with another Pyrate, one _Edward Teach_, (who for his +remarkable black ugly Beard, was more commonly called _Black-Beard_:) This +Fellow was a good Sailor, but a most cruel hardened Villain, bold and +daring to the last Degree, and would not stick at the perpetrating the most +abominable Wickedness imaginable; for which he was made Chief of that +execrable Gang, that it might be said that his Post was not unduly filled, +_Black-beard_ being truly the Superior in Roguery, of all the Company, as +has been already related. + +To him _Bonnet_'s Crew joined in Consortship, and _Bonnet_ himself was laid +aside, notwithstanding the Sloop was his own; he went aboard +_Black-beard_'s Ship, not concerning himself with any of their Affairs, +where he continued till she was lost in _Topsail_ Inlet, and one _Richards_ +was appointed Captain in his Room. The Major now saw his Folly, but could +not help himself, which made him Melancholy; he reflected upon his past +Course of Life, and was confounded with Shame, when he thought upon what he +had done: His Behaviour was taken Notice of by the other Pyrates, who liked +him never the better for it; and he often declared to some of them, that he +would gladly leave off that Way of Living, being fully tired of it; but he +should be ashamed to see the Face of any _English_ Man again; therefore if +he could get to _Spain_ or _Portugal_, where he might be undiscovered, he +would spend the Remainder of his Days in either of those Countries, +otherwise he must continue with them as long as he lived. + +When _Black-beard_ lost his Ship at _Topsail_ Inlet, and surrendered to the +King's Proclamation, _Bonnet_ reassumed the Command of his own Sloop, +_Revenge_, goes directly away to _Bath-Town_ in _North-Carolina_, +surrenders likewise to the King's Pardon, and receives a Certificate. The +War was now broke out between the _Tripple_ Allies and _Spain_; so Major +_Bonnet_ gets a Clearence for his Sloop at _North-Carlina_, to go to the +Island of St. _Thomas_, with a Design (at least it was pretended so) to get +the Emperor's Commission, to go a Privateering upon the _Spaniards_. When +_Bonnet_ came back to _Topsail_ Inlet, he found that _Teach_ and his Gang +were gone, and that they had taken all the Money, small Arms and Effects of +Value out of the great Ship, and set ashore on a small sandy Island above a +League from the Main, seventeen Men, no doubt with a Design they should +perish, there being no Inhabitant, or Provisions to subsist withal, nor any +Boat or Materials to build or make any kind of Launch or Vessel, to escape +from that desolate Place: They remained there two Nights and one Day, +without Subsistance, or the least Prospect of any, expecting nothing else +but a lingering Death; when to their inexpressable Comfort, they saw +Redemption at Hand; for Major _Bonnet_ happening to get Intelligence of +their being there, by two of the Pyrates who had escaped _Teach_'s Cruelty, +and had got to a poor little Village at the upper End of the Harbour, sent +his Boat to make Discovery of the Truth of the Matter, which the poor +Wretches seeing, made a signal to them, and they were all brought on Board +_Bonnet_'s Sloop. + +Major _Bonnet_ told all his Company, that he would take a Commission to go +against the _Spaniards_, and to that End, was going to St. _Thomas_'s +therefore if they would go with him, they should be welcome; whereupon they +all consented, but as the Sloop was preparing to sail, a Bom-Boat, that +brought Apples and Sider to sell to the Sloop's Men, informed them, that +Captain _Teach_ lay at _Ocricock_ Inlet, with only 18 or 20 Hands. +_Bonnet_, who bore him a mortal Hatred for some Insults offered him, went +immediately in pursuit of _Black-beard_, but it happened too late, for he +missed of him there, and after four Days Cruize, hearing no farther News of +him, they steered their Course towards _Virginia_. + +In the Month of _July_, these Adventurers came off the Capes, and meeting +with a Pink with a Stock of Provisions on Board, which they happened to be +in Want of, they took out of her ten or twelve Barrels of Pork, and about +400 Weight of Bread; but because they would not have this set down to the +Account of Pyracy, they gave them eight or ten Casks of Rice, and an old +Cable, in lieu thereof. + +Two Days afterwards they chased a Sloop of sixty Ton, and took her two +Leagues off of Cape _Henry_; they were so happy here as to get a Supply of +Liquor to their Victuals, for they brought from her two Hogsheads of Rum, +and as many of Molosses, which, it seems, they had need of, tho' they had +not ready Money to purchase them: What Security they intended to give, I +can't tell, but _Bonnet_ sent eight Men to take Care of the Prize Sloop, +who, perhaps, not caring to make Use of those accustom'd Freedoms, took the +first Opportunity to go off with her, and _Bonnet_ (who was pleased to have +himself called Captain _Thomas_,) saw them no more. + +After this, the Major threw off all Restraint, and though he had just +before received his Majesty's Mercy, in the Name of _Stede Bonnet_, he +relaps'd in good Earnest into his old Vocation, by the Name of Captain +_Thomas_, and recommenced a down-right Pyrate, by taking and plundering all +the Vessels he met with: He took off Cape _Henry_, two Ships from +_Virginia_, bound to _Glascow_, out of which they had very little besides +an hundred Weight of Tobacco. The next Day they took a small Sloop bound +from _Virginia_ to _Bermudas_, which supply'd them with twenty Barrels of +Pork, some Bacon, and they gave her in return, two Barrels of Rice, and a +Hogshead of Molossus; out of this Sloop two Men enter'd voluntarily. The +next they took was another _Virginia_ Man, bound to _Glascow_, out of which +they had nothing of Value, save only a few Combs, Pins and Needles, and +gave her instead thereof, a Barrel of Pork, and two Barrels of Bread. + +From _Virginia_ they sailed to _Philadelphia_, and in the Latitude of 38 +North, they took a Scooner, coming from _North-Carolina_, bound to +_Boston_, they had out of her only two Dozen of Calf-Skins, to make Covers +for Guns, and two of their Hands, and detained her some Days. All this was +but small Game, and seem'd as if they design'd only to make Provision for +their Sloop against they arrived at St. _Thomas_'s; for they hitherto had +dealt favourably with all that were so unhappy as so fall into their Hands; +but those that came after, fared not so well, for in the Latitude of 32, +off of _Delaware_ River, near _Philadelphia_, they took two Snows bound to +_Bristol_, out of whom they got some Money, besides Goods, perhaps to the +Value of 150 Pounds; at the same Time they took a Sloop of sixty Tons bound +from _Philadelphia_ to _Barbadoes_, which after taking some Goods out, they +dismissed along with the Snows. + +The 29th Day of _July_, Captain _Thomas_ took a Sloop of 50 Tons, six or +seven Leagues off _Delaware_ Bay, bound from _Philadelphia_ to _Barbadoes, +Thomas Read_ Master, loaden with Provisions, which they kept, and put four +or five of their Hands on Board her. The last Day of _July_, they took +another Sloop of 60 Tons, commanded by _Peter Manwaring_, bound from +_Antegoa_ to _Philadelphia_, which they likewise kept with all the Cargo, +consisting chiefly of Rum, Molosses, Sugar, Cotton, Indigo, and about 25 +Pound in Money, valued in all to 500 Pound. + +The last Day of _July_, our Rovers with the Vessels last taken, left +_Delaware_ Bay, and sailed to Cape _Fear_ River, where they staid too long +for their Safety, for the Pyrate Sloop which they now new named the _Royal +James_, proved very leaky, so that they were obliged to remain here almost +two Months, to refit and repair their Vessel: They took in this River a +small Shallop, which they ripped up to mend the Sloop, and retarded the +further Prosecution of their Voyage, as before mentioned, till the News +came to _Carolina_, of a Pyrate Sloop's being there to carreen with her +Prizes. + +Upon this Information, the Council of _South-Carolina_ was alarmed, and +apprehended they should receive another Visit from them speedily; to +prevent which, Colonel _William Rhet_, of the same Province, waited on the +Governor, and generously offered himself to go with two Sloops to attack +this Pyrate; which the Governor readily accepted, and accordingly gave the +Colonel a Commission and full Power, to fit such Vessels as he thought +proper for the Design. + +In a few Days two Sloops were equipped and manned: The _Henry_ with 8 Guns +and 70 Men, commanded by Captain _John Masters_, and the _Sea Nymph_, with +8 Guns and 60 Men, commanded by Captain _Fayrer Hall_, both under the +entire Direction and Command of the aforesaid Colonel _Rhet_, who, on the +14th of _September_, went on Board the _Henry_, and, with the other Sloop, +sailed from _Charles-Town_ to _Swillivants_ Island, to put themselves in +order for the Cruize. Just then arrived a small Ship from _Antigoa_, one +_Cock_ Master, with an Account, that in Sight of the Bar he was taken and +plundered by one _Charles Vane_, a Pyrate, in a Brigantine of 12 Guns and +90 Men; and who had also taken two other Vessels bound in there, one a +small Sloop, Captain _Dill_ Master, from _Barbadoes_; the other a +Brigantine, Captain _Thompson_ Master, from _Guiney_, with ninety odd +Negroes, which they took out of the Vessel, and put on Board another Sloop +then under the Command of one _Yeats_, his Consort, with 25 Men. This +prov'd fortunate to the Owners of the _Guiney_ Man, for _Yeats_ having +often attempted to quit this Course of Life, took an Opportunity in the +Night, to leave _Vane_ and to run into _North-Edisto_ River, to the +Southward of _Charles-Town_, and surrendered to his Majesty's Pardon. The +Owners got their Negroes, and _Yeats_ and his Men had Certificates given +them from the Government. + +_Vane_ cruised some Time off the Bar, in hopes to catch _Yeats_, and +unfortunately for them, took two Ships coming out, bound to _London_, and +while the Prisoners were aboard, some of the Pyrates gave out, that they +designed to go into one of the Rivers to the Southward. Colonel _Rhet_, +upon hearing this, sailed over the Bar the 15th of _September_, with the +two Sloops before mentioned; and having the Wind Northerly, went after the +Pyrate _Vane_, and scoured the Rivers and Inlets to the Southward; but not +meeting with him, tacked and stood for Cape _Fear_ River, in Prosecution of +his first Design. On the 26th following, in the Evening, the Colonel with +his small Squadron, entered the River, and saw, over a Point of Land, three +Sloops at an Anchor, which were Major _Bonnet_ and his Prizes; but it +happened that in going up the River, the Pilot run the Colonel's Sloops +aground, and it was dark before they were on Float, which hindered their +getting up that Night. The Pyrates soon discovered the Sloops, but not +knowing who they were, or upon what Design they came into that River, they +manned three Canoes, and sent them down to take them, but they quickly +found their Mistake, and returned to the Sloop, with the unwelcome News. +Major _Bonnet_ made Preparations that Night for engaging, and took all the +Men out of the Prizes. He shewed Captain _Manwaring_, one of his Prisoners, +a Letter, he had just wrote, which he declared he would send to the +Governor of _Carolina_; the Letter was to this Effect, _viz. That if the +Sloops, which then appeared, were sent out against him, by the said +Governor, and he should get clear off, that he would burn and destroy all +Ships or Vessels going in or coming out of_ South-Carolina. The next +Morning they got under Sail, and came down the River, designing only a +running Fight. Colonel _Rhet_'s Sloops got likewise under Sail, and stood +for him, getting upon each Quarter of the Pyrate, with Intent to board him; +which he perceiving, edged in towards the Shore, and being warmly engaged, +their Sloop ran a-ground: The _Carolina_ Sloops being in the same shoal +Water, were in the same Circumstances; the _Henry_, in which Colonel _Rhet_ +was, grounded within Pistol shot of the Pyrate, and on his Bow; the other +Sloop grounded right a-head of him, and almost out of Gun-Shot, which made +her of little Service to the Colonel, while they lay a-ground. + +At this Time the Pyrate had a considerable Advantage; for their Sloop, +after she was a-ground, listed from Colonel _Rhet_'s, by which Means they +were all covered, and the Colonel's Sloop listing the same Way, his Men +were much exposed; notwithstanding which, they kept a brisk Fire the whole +Time they lay thus a-ground, which was near five Hours. The Pyrates made a +Wiff in their bloody Flag, and beckoned several Times with their Hats in +Derision to the Colonel's Men, to come on Board, which they answered with +chearful Huzza's, and said, _that they would speak with them by and by_; +which accordingly happened, for the Colonel's Sloop being first a float, he +got into deeper Water, and after mending the Sloop's Rigging, which was +much shattered in the Engagement, they stood for the Pyrate, to give the +finishing Stroke, and designed to go directly on Board him; which he +prevented, by sending a Flag of Truce, and after some Time capitulating, +they surrendered themselves Prisoners. The Colonel took Possession of the +Sloop, and was extreamly pleased to find that Captain _Thomas_, who +commanded her, was the individual Person of Major _Stede Bonnet_, who had +done them the Honour several Times to visit their own Coast of _Carolina_. + +There were killed in this Action, on Board the _Henry_, ten Men, and +fourteen wounded; on Board the _Sea Nymph_, two killed and four wounded. +The Officers and Sailors in both Sloops behaved themselves with the +greatest Bravery; and had not the Sloops so unluckily run a-ground, they +had taken the Pyrate with much less loss of Men; but as he designed to get +by them, and so make a running Fight, the _Carolina_ Sloops were obliged to +keep near him, to prevent his getting away. Of the Pyrates there were seven +killed and five wounded, two of which died soon after of their Wounds. +Colonel _Rhet_ weigh'd the 30th of _September_, from Cape _Fear_ River, and +arrived at _Charles-Town_ the 3d of _October_, to the great Joy of the +whole Province of _Carolina_. + +_Bonnet_ and his Crew, two Days after, were put ashore, and there not being +a publick Prison, the Pyrates were kept at the Watch-House, under a Guard +of Militia; but Major _Bonnet_ was committed into the Custody of the +Marshal, at his House; and in a few Days after, _David Hariot_ the Master, +and _Ignatius Pell_ the Boatswain, who were designed for Evidences against +the other Pyrates, were removed from the rest of the Crew, to the said +Marshal's House, and every Night two Centinals set about the said House; +but whether thro' any Corruption, or want of Care in guarding the +Prisoners, I can't say; but on the 24th of _October_, the Major and +_Hariot_ made their Escape, the Boatswain refusing to go along with them. +This made a great Noise in the Province, and People were open in their +Resentments, often reflecting on the Governor, and others in the +Magistracy, as tho' they had been brib'd, for conniving at their Escape. +These Invectives arose from their Fears, that _Bonnet_ would be capable of +raising another Company, and prosecute his Revenge against this Country, +for what he had lately, tho' justly, suffered: But they were in a short +Time made easy in those Respects; for as soon as the Governor had the +Account of _Bonnet_'s Escape, he immediately issued out a Proclamation, and +promised a Reward of 700 Pounds to any that would take him, and sent +several Boats with armed Men, both to the Northward and Southward, in +pursuit of him. + +_Bonnet_ stood to the Northward, in a small Vessel, but wanting +Necessaries, and the Weather being bad, he was forced back, and so return'd +with his Canoe, to _Swillivants_ Island, near _Charles-Town_, to fetch +Supplies; but there being some Information sent to the Governor, he sent +for Colonel _Rhet_, and desired him to go in pursuit of _Bonnet_; and +accordingly gave him a Commission for that Purpose: Wherefore the Colonel, +with proper Craft, and some Men, went away that Night for _Swillivant_'s +Island, and, after a very diligent Search, discovered _Bonnet_ and _Hariot_ +together; the Colonel's Men fired upon them, and killed _Hariot_ upon the +Spot, and wounded one Negro and an _Indian. Bonnet_ submitted, and +surrender'd himself; and the next Morning, being _November_ the 6th, was +brought by Colonel _Rhet_ to _Charles-Town_, and, by the Governor's +Warrant, was committed into safe Custody, in order for his being brought to +his Tryal. + +On the 28th of _October_, 1718, a Court of Vice-Admiralty was held at +_Charles-Town_, in _South-Carolina_, and, by several Adjournments, +continued to _Wednesday_, the 12th of _November_ following, for the Tryal +of the Pyrates taken in a Sloop formerly called _the Revenge_, but +afterwards _the Royal James_, before _Nicholas Trot_, Esq; Judge of the +Vice-Admiralty, and Chief Justice of the said Province of _South-Carolina_, +and other Assistant Judges. + +The King's Commission to Judge _Trot_ was read, and a Grand Jury sworn, for +the finding of the several Bills, and a learned Charge given them by the +said Judge, wherein he 1st shewed, _That the Sea was given by God, for the +Use of Men, and is Subject to Dominion and Property, as well as the Land_. + +2dly, He particularly remark'd to them, _the Sovereignty of the King of_ +England _over the_ British _Seas_. + +3dly, He observed, _that as Commerce and Navigation could not be carried on +without Laws; so there have been always particular Laws, for the better +ordering and regulating marine Affairs_; with an historical Account or +those Laws, and Origine. + +4thly, He proceeded to shew, _that there have been particular Courts and +Judges appointed; to whose Jurisdiction maritime Causes do belong, and that +in Matters both Civil and Criminal_. + +And then 5thly, He particularly shewed them, _the Constitution and +Jurisdiction of that Court of Admiralty Sessions_. + +And lastly, _the Crimes cognizable therein_; and particularly enlarged +_upon the Crime of Pyracy_, which was then brought before them. + +The Indictments being found, a petit Jury was sworn, and the following +Persons arraigned and tried. + + * * * + +_Stede Bonnet_, alias _Edwards_, alias _Thomas_, late of _Barbadoes_, +Mariner. + +_Robert Tucker_, late of the Island of _Jamaica_, Mariner. + +_Edward Robinson_, late of _New-Castle_ upon _Tine_, Mariner. + +_Neal Paterson_, late of _Aberdeen_, Mariner. + +_William Scot_, late of _Aberdeen_, Mariner. + +_William Eddy_, alias _Neddy_, late of _Aberdeen_, Mariner. + +_Alexander Annand_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner. + +_George Rose_, late of _Glascow_, Mariner. + +_George Dunkin_, late of _Glascow_, Mariner. + +*_Thomas Nicholas_, late of _London_, Mariner. + +_John Ridge_, late of _London_, Mariner. + +_Matthew King_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner. + +_Daniel Perry_, late of _Guernsey_, Mariner. + +_Henry Virgin_, late of _Bristol_, Mariner. + +_James Robbins_, alias _Rattle_, late of _London_, Mariner. + +_James Mullet_, alias _Millet_, late of _London_, Mariner. + +_Thomas Price_, late of _Bristol_, Mariner. + +_James Wilson_, late of _Dublin_, Mariner. + +_John Lopez_, late of _Oporto_, Mariner. + +_Zachariah Long_, late of the Province of _Holland_, Mariner. + +_Job Bayly_, late of _London_, Mariner. + +_John-William Smith_, late of _Charles-Town, Carolina_, Mariner. + +_Thomas Carman_, late of _Maidstone_ in _Kent_, Mariner. + +_John Thomas_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner. + +_William Morrison_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner. + +_Samuel Booth_, late of _Charles-Town_, Mariner. + +_William Hewet_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner. + +_John Levit_, late of _North-Carolina_, Mariner. + +_William Livers_, alias _Evis_. + +_John Brierly_, alias _Timberhead_, late of _Bath-Town_ in _North +Carolina_, Mariner. + +_Robert Boyd_, late of _Bath-Town_ aforesaid, Mariner. + +*_Rowland Sharp_, of _Bath-Town_, Mariner. + +*_Jonathan Clarke_, late of _Charles-Town, South Carolina_, Mariner. + +*_Thomas Gerrard_, late of _Antegoa_, Mariner. + + * * * + +And all, except the three last, and _Thomas Nicholas_, were found Guilty, +and received Sentence of Death. + +They were most of them try'd upon two Indictments, as follows. + + * * * + +T_HE Jurors for our Sovereign Lord the King, do upon their Oath +present, that_ Stede Bonnet, _late of_ Barbadoes, _Mariner_, Robert Tucker, +&c. &c. _The_ 2_d Day of_ August, _in the fifth Year of the Reign of our +Sovereign Lord_ George, &c. _By Force of Arms upon the High-Sea, in a +certain Place called Cape_ James, &c. _did pyratically, and felloniously +set upon, break,_ _board, and enter, a certain Merchant Sloop, called the_ +Frances, Peter Manwaring _Commander, by Force_, &c. _upon the High-Sea, in +a certain Place, called Cape_ James, alias _Cape_ Inlopen, _about two Miles +distant from the Shore, in the Lattitude of_ 39, _or thereabouts; and +within the Jurisdiction of the Court of Vice-Admiralty, of_ South-Carolina, +_being a Sloop of certain Persons_, (_to the Jurors, unknown_) _and then, +and there, pyratically, and felloniously did make an Assault, in, and upon +the said_ Peter Manwaring, _and others his Mariners_, (_whose Names to the +Jurors aforesaid, are unknown,) in the same Sloop, against the Peace of +God, and of our said now Sovereign Lord the King, then, and there being, +pyratically and felloniously, did put the aforesaid_ Peter Manwaring, _and +others, his Mariners, of the same Sloop, in the Sloop aforesaid, then +being, in corporal Fear of their Lives, then and there, in the Sloop +aforesaid, upon the_ High-Sea, _in the Place aforesaid, called Cape_ James, +alias _Cape_ Inlopen, _about two Miles from the Shore, in the Lattitude of_ +39, _or thereabouts, as aforesaid, and within the Jurisdiction aforesaid; +pyratically, and felloniously, did steal, take, and carry away the said +Merchant Sloop, called the_ Frances, _and also twenty six Hogsheads_, &c. +&c. &c. _being found in the aforesaid Sloop, in the Custody and Possession +of the said_ Peter Manwaring, _and others, his Mariners of the said Sloop, +and from their Custody and Possession, then and there, upon the High-Sea +aforesaid, called Cape_ James, alias _Cape_ Inlopen, _as aforesaid, and +within the Jurisdiction aforesaid, against the Peace of our now Sovereign +Lord the King, his Crown and Dignity_. + +This was the Form of the Indictments they were arraigned upon, and tho' +they might have proved several more Facts upon the major Part of the Crew, +the Court thought fit to prosecute but two; the other was for seizing in a +pyratical and felonious Manner, the Sloop _Fortune, Thomas Read_ Commander; +which Indictment running in the same Form with the above-mentioned, it will +be unnecessary to say more of it. + +All the Prisoners arraigned, pleaded Not Guilty, and put themselves upon +their Tryals, except _James Wilson_, and _John Levit_, who pleaded Guilty +to both Indictments, and _Daniel Perry_, to one only. The Major would have +gone through both the Indictments at once, which the Court not admitting, +he pleaded Not Guilty to both Indictments, but being convicted of one, he +retracted his former Plea to the second Indictment, and pleaded Guilty to +it. + +The Prisoners made little or no Defence, every one pretending only that +they were taken off a Maroon Shore, and were shipped with Major _Bonnet_ to +go to St. _Thomas_'s; but being out at Sea, and wanting Provisions, they +were obliged to do what they did by others; and so did Major _Bonnet_ +himself, pretend that 'twas Force, not Inclination, that occasioned what +had happened. However, the Facts being plainly proved, and that they had +all shared ten or eleven Pounds a Man, excepting the three last, and +_Thomas Nichols_, they were all but they, found Guilty. The Judge made a +very grave Speech to them, setting forth _the Enormity of their Crimes, the +Condition they were now in, and the Nature and Necessity of an unfeigned +Repentance_; and then recommended them to the Ministers of the Province, +for more ample Directions, to fit them for Eternity, _for_ (concluded he) +_the Priest's Lips shall keep Knowledge, and you shall seek the Law at +their Mouths; for they are the Messengers of the Lord_. Mat. II. 57. _And +the Ambassadors of Christ, and unto them is committed the Word_ [or +Doctrine] _of Reconciliation_, 2 Cor. V. 19. 20. And then pronounced +Sentence of Death upon them. + +On _Saturday November_ the 8th, 1711. _Robert Tucker, Edward Robinson, Neal +Paterson, William Scot, Job Bayley, John-William Smith, John Thomas, +William Morrison, Samuel Booth, William Hewit, William Eddy_, alias _Neddy, +Alexander Annand, George Ross, George Dunkin, Matthew King, Daniel Perry, +Henry Virgin, James Robbins, James Mullet_, alias _Millet, Thomas Price, +John Lopez_, and _Zachariah Long_, were executed at the _White-Point_ near +_Charles-Town_, pursuant to their Sentence. + +As for the Captain, his Escape protracted his Fate, and spun out his Life a +few Days longer, for he was try'd the 10th, and being found Guilty, +received Sentence in like Manner as the former; before which Judge _Trot_, +made a most excellent Speech to him, rather somewhat too long to be taken +into our History, yet I could not tell how to pass by so good and useful a +Piece of Instruction, not knowing whose Hands this Book may happen to fall +into. + +_The Lord Chief Justices's_ SPEECH, _upon his pronouncing Sentence on +Major_ STEDE BONNET. + +MAjor _Stede Bonnet_, you stand here convicted upon two Indictments +of Pyracy; one by the Verdict of the Jury, and the other by your own +Confession. + +Altho' you were indicted but for _two_ Facts, yet you know that at your +Tryal it was fully proved even by an unwilling Witness, that you +_pyratically_ took and rifled no less than _thirteen_ Vessels, since you +sail'd from _North-Carolina_. + +So that you might have been indicted, and convicted of _eleven_ more Acts +of _Pyracy_, since you took the Benefit of the King's _Act of Grace_, and +pretended to leave that wicked Course of Life. + +Not to mention the many _Acts_ of _Pyracy_ you committed before; for which +if your Pardon from _Man_ was never so authentick, yet you must expect to +answer for them before God. + +You know that the Crimes you have committed are _evil_ in themselves, and +contrary to the _Light_ and _Law_ of _Nature_, as well as the _Law_ of God, +by which you are commanded that _you shall not steal_, Exod. 20. 15. And +the Apostle St. _Paul_ expresly affirms, That _Thieves shall not inherit +the Kingdom of God_, 1 Cor. 6. 10. + +But to _Theft_ you have added a greater Sin, which is _Murder_. How many +you may have _killed_ of those that resisted you in the committing your +former _Pyracies_, I know not: But this we all know, That besides the +Wounded, you kill'd no less than _eighteen_ Persons out of those that were +sent by lawful Authority to suppress you, and put a Stop to those Rapines +that you daily acted. + +And however you may fancy that that was killing Men fairly in open _Fight_, +yet this know, that the Power of the _Sword_ not being committed into your +Hands by any lawful Authority, you were not impowered to use any _Force_, +or _fight_ any one; and therefore those Persons that fell in that Action, +in doing their Duty to their King and Country, were _murdered_, and their +_Blood_ now cries out for _Vengeance_ and _Justice_ against you: For it is +the _Voice of Nature_, confirmed by the _Law_ of God, That _whosoever +sheddeth Man's Blood, by Man shall his Blood be shed_. Gen. 9. 6. + +And consider that Death is not the only Punishment due to _Murderers_; for +they are threatened to have _their Part in the Lake which burneth with Fire +and Brimstone, which is the second Death_, Rev. 21. 8. See _Chap._ 22. 15. +Words which carry that Terror with them, that considering your +Circumstances and your Guilt, surely the Sound of them must make you +tremble; _For who can dwell with everlasting Burnings?_ Chap. 33. 14. + +As the _Testimony_ of your _Conscience_ must convince you of the great and +many Evils you have committed, by which you have highly offended God, and +provoked most justly his Wrath and Indignation against you, so I suppose I +need not tell you that the only Way of obtaining Pardon and Remission of +your Sins from God, is by a true and unfeigned _Repentance_ and _Faith_ in +Christ, by whose meritorious Death and Passion, you can only hope for +Salvation. + +You being a Gentleman that have had the Advantage of a _liberal Education_, +and being generally esteemed a Man of _Letters_, I believe it will be +needless for me to explain to you the Nature of _Repentance_ and _Faith_ in +Christ, they being so fully and so often mentioned in the Scriptures, that +you cannot but know them. And therefore, perhaps, for that Reason it might +be thought by some improper for me to have said so much to you, as I have +already upon this Occasion; neither should I have done it, but that +considering the Course of your Life and Actions, I have just Reason to +fear, that the Principles of Religion that had been instilled into you by +your _Education_, have been at least corrupted, if not entirely defaced, by +the _Scepticism_ and _Infidelity_ of this wicked Age; and that what Time +you allowed for Study, was rather applied to the _Polite Literature_, and +the vain _Philosophy_ of the Times, than a serious Search after the _Law_ +and _Will_ of God, as revealed unto us in the Holy _Scriptures_: For _had +your Delight been in the Law of the Lord, and that you had meditated +therein Day and Night_, Psal. 1. 2. you would then have found that God's +_Word was a Lamp unto your Feet, and a Light to your Path_, Psal. 119. 105. +and that you would account all other Knowledge but _Loss_, in Comparison of +_the Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ Jesus_, Phil. 3. 8. _who to them +that are called is the Power of God, and the Wisdom of God_, 1 Cor. 1. 24. +_even the hidden Wisdom which God ordained before the World_, Chap. 2. 7. + +You would then have esteemed the _Scriptures_ as the _Great Charter_ of +Heaven, and which delivered to us not only the most perfect _Laws_ and +_Rules_ of Life, but also discovered to us the Acts of _Pardon_ from God, +wherein they have offended those righteous Laws: For in them only is to be +found the great _Mystery_ of fallen Man's _Redemption, which the Angels +desire to look into_, 1 Pet. 1. 12. + +And they would have taught you that _Sin_ is the debasing of _Human +Nature_, as being a _Derivation_ from that _Purity, Rectitude_, and +_Holiness_, in which God created us, and that _Virtue_ and _Religion_, and +walking by the Laws of God, were altogether preferable to the Ways of _Sin_ +and _Satan_; for that the _Ways_ of Virtue are _Ways of Pleasantness, and +all their Paths are Peace_, Prov. 3. 17. + +But what you could not learn from God's Word, by reason of your +_carelesly_, or but _superficially_ considering the same, I hope the Course +of his _Providence_, and the present _Afflictions_ that he hath laid upon +you, hath now convinced you of the same: For however in your seeming +Prosperity you might make a _Mock at your Sins_ Prov. 3. 17. yet now that +you see that God's Hand hath reached you, and brought you to publick +Justice, I hope your present unhappy Circumstances hath made you seriously +reflect upon your past Actions and Course of Life; and that you are now +sensible of the Greatness of your Sins, and that you find the Burden of +them is intolerable. + +And that therefore being thus _labouring, and heavy laden with Sin_, Mat. +11. 28. you will esteem that as the most valuable _Knowledge_, that can +shew you how you can be reconciled to that Supreme God that you have so +highly offended; and that can reveal to you Him who is not only the +powerful _Advocate with the Father for you_, 1 John 2. 1. but also who hath +paid that Debt that is due for your Sins by his own Death upon the Cross +for you; and thereby made full Satisfaction for the Justice of God. And +this is to be found no where but in God's Word, which discovers to us that +_Lamb of God which takes away the Sins of the World_, John 1. 29. which is +_Christ_ the Son of God: For this know, and be assured, _that there is none +other Name under Heaven given among Men, whereby we must be saved_, Acts 4. +12. but only by the Name of the Lord _Jesus_. + +But then consider how he invites all Sinners to come unto him, and, _that +he will give them rest_, Matt. 11. 28. for he assures us, _that he came to +seek and to save that which was lost_, Luke 19. 10, Mat. 18. 11. and hath +promised, _that he that cometh unto him, he will in no wise cast out_, John +6. 37. + +So that if now you will sincerely turn to him, tho' late, even at the +_eleventh Hour_, Mat. 20. 6, 9. he will receive you. + +But surely I need not tell you, that the _Terms_ of his _Mercy_ is _Faith_ +and _Repentance_. + +And do not mistake the _Nature_ of Repentance to be only a bare Sorrow for +your Sins, arising from the Consideration of the _Evil_ and _Punishment_ +they have now brought upon you; but your Sorrow must arise from the +Consideration of your having offended a gracious and merciful God. + +But I shall not pretend to give you any particular Directions as to the +Nature of Repentance: I consider that I speak to a Person, whose Offences +have proceeded not so much from his not _knowing_, as his _slighting_ and +_neglecting_ his _Duty_: Neither is it proper for me to give Advice out of +the Way of my own Profession. + +You may have that better delivered to you by those who have made Divinity +their particular Study; and who, by their Knowledge, as well as their +Office, as being the _Ambassadors of Christ_, 2 Cor. 5. 20. are best +qualified to give you Instructions therein. + +I only heartily wish, that what, in Compassion to your Soul, I have now +said to you upon this sad and solemn Occasion, by exhorting you in general +to _Faith_ and _Repentance_, may have that due Effect upon you, that +thereby you may become a true _Penitent_. + +And therefore having now discharged my Duty to you as a _Christian_, by +giving you the best Counsel I can, with respect to the Salvation of your +Soul, I must now do my Office as a _Judge_. + +The _Sentence_ that the Law hath appointed to pass upon you for your +Offences, and which this Court doth therefore award, is, + + * * * + +_That you, the said_ Stede Bonnet, _shall go from hence to the Place from +whence you came, and from thence to the Place of Execution, where you shall +be hanged by the Neck till you are dead_. + +_And the God of infinite Mercy be merciful to your Soul_. + +CHAP. V. OF Capt. _Edward England_, And his CREW. + +E_Dward England_ went Mate of a Sloop that sail'd out of _Jamaica_, +and was taken by Captain _Winter_, a Pyrate, just before their Settlement +at _Providence_; from whence _England_ had the Command of a Sloop in the +same laudable Employment: It is surprizing that Men of good Understanding +should engage in a Course of Life, that so much debases humane Nature, and +sets them upon a Level with the wild Beasts of the Forest, who live and +prey upon their weaker Fellow Creatures: A Crime so enormous! That it +includes almost all others, as Murder, Rapine, Theft, Ingratitude, _&c._ +and tho' they make these Vices familiar to them by their daily Practice, +yet these Men are so inconsistent with themselves, that a Reflection made +upon their Honour, their Justice, or their Courage, is look'd upon as an +Offence that ought to be punished with the Life of him that commits it: +_England_ was one of these Men, who seem'd to have such a Share of Reason, +as should have taught him better Things. He had a great deal of good +Nature, and did not want for Courage; he was not avaritious, and always +averse to the ill Usage Prisoners received: He would have been contented +with moderate Plunder, and less mischievous Pranks, could his Companions +have been brought to the same Temper, but he was generally over-rul'd, and +as he was engaged in that abominable Society, he was obliged to be a +Partner in all their vile Actions. + +Captain _England_ sail'd to the Coast of _Africa_, after the Island of +_Providence_ was settled by the _English_ Government, and the Pyrates +surrendered to his Majesty's Proclamation; and took several Ships and +Vessels, particularly the _Cadogan_ Snow belonging to _Bristol_, at +_Sierraleone_, one _Skinner_ Master, who was inhumanly murthered by some of +the Crew, that had lately been his own Men, and served in the said Vessel. +It seems some Quarrel had happened between them, so that _Skinner_ thought +fit to remove these Fellows on Board of a Man of War, and at the same Time +refused them their Wages; not long after they found Means to desert that +Service, and shipping themselves aboard a Sloop in the _West-Indies_, was +taken by a Pyrate, and brought to _Providence_, and sailed upon the same +Account along with Captain _England_. + +Assoon as _Skinner_ had struck to the Pyrate, he was ordered to come on +Board in his Boat, which he did, and the Person that he first cast his Eye +upon, proved to be his old Boatswain, who star'd him in the Face like his +evil Genius, and accosted him in this Manner.-- _Ah, Captain_ Skinner! _Is +it you? The only Man I wished to see; I am much in your Debt, and now I +shall pay you all in your own Coin_. + +The poor Man trembled every Joint, when he found into what Company he had +fallen, and dreaded the Event, as he had Reason enough so to do; for the +Boatswain immediately called to his Consorts, laid hold of the Captain, and +made him fast to the Windless, and there pelted him with Glass Bottles, +which cut him in a sad Manner; after which they whipp'd him about the Deck, +till they were weary, being deaf to all his Prayers and Intreaties, and at +last, because he had been a good Master to his Men, they said, he should +have an easy Death, and so shot him thro' the Head. They took some few +Things out of the Snow, but gave the Vessel and all her Cargo to _Howel +Davis_ the Mate; and the rest of the Crew, as will be hereafter mentioned +in the Chapter of Captain _Davis_. + +Captain _England_ took a Ship called the _Pearl_, Captain _Tyzard_ +Commander, for which he exchanged his own Sloop, fitted her up for the +pyratical Account, and new christen'd her, the _Royal James_, with which he +took several Ships and Vessels of different Nations at the _Azores_ and +_Cape de Verd Islands_. + +In the Spring, 1719, the Rovers returned to _Africa_, and beginning at the +River _Gambia_, sailed all down the Coast; and between that and _Cape +Corso_, took the following Ships and Vessels. + +The _Eagle_ Pink, Captain _Rickets_ Commander belonging to _Cork_, taken +the 25th of _March_, having 6 Guns and 17 Men on Board, seven of which +turned Pyrates. + +The _Charlotte_, Captain _Oldson_, of _London_, taken _May_ the 26th, +having 8 Guns and 18 Men on Board, 13 of which turned Pyrates. + +The _Sarah_, Captain _Stunt_, of _London_, taken the 27th of _May_, having +4 Guns and 18 Men on Board, 3 of which turned Pyrates. + +The _Bentworth_, Captain _Gardener_, of _Bristol_, taken the 27th of _May_, +having 12 Guns and 30 Men on Board, 12 of which turned Pyrates. + +The _Buck_ Sloop, Captain _Sylvester_, of _Gambia_, taken the 27th of +_May_, having 2 Guns and 2 Men on Board, and both turned Pyrates. + +The _Carteret_, Captain _Snow_, of _London_, taken the 28th of _May_, +having 4 Guns and 18 Men on Board, 5 of which turned Pyrates. + +The _Mercury_, Captain _Maggott_, of _London_, taken the 29th of _May_, +having 4 Guns and 18 Men on Board, 5 of which turned Pyrates. + +The _Coward_ Galley, Captain _Creed_, of _London_, taken the 17th of +_June_, having 2 Guns and 13 Men on Board, 4 of which turned Pyrates. + +The _Elizabeth_ and _Katherine_, Captain _Bridge_ of _Barbadoes_, taken +_June_ the 27th, having 6 Guns and 14 Men on Board, 4 of which turned +Pyrates. + +The _Eagle_ Pink being bound to _Jamaica_, the _Sarah_ to _Virginia_, and +the _Buck_ to _Maryland_, they let them go, but the _Charlotte_, the +_Bentworth_, the _Carteret_, and the _Coward_ Galley, they burnt; and the +_Mercury_, and the _Elizabeth_ and _Katherine_ were fitted up for Pyrate +Ships, the former was new nam'd _Queen Ann_'s _Revenge_, and commanded by +one _Lane_, and the other was call'd the _Flying King_, of which _Robert +Sample_ was appointed Captain. These two left _England_ upon the Coast, +sail'd to the _West-Indies_, where they took some Prizes, clean'd, and +sail'd to _Brasil_ in _November_; they took several _Portuguese_ Ships +there, and did a great deal of Mischief, but in the height of their +Undertakings, a _Portuguese_ Man of War, which was an excellent Sailor, +came a very unwelcome Guest to them, and gave them Chace; the Queen _Ann's +Revenge_ got off, but was lost a little while after upon that Coast; and +the _Flying King_, giving herself over for lost, ran ashore: There were +then 70 Men on Board, 12 of which were kill'd, and the rest taken +Prisoners, of whom the _Portuguese_ hang'd 38, of which 32 were _English_, +three _Dutch_, two _French_, and one of their own Nation. + +_England_, in going down the Coast, took the _Peterborough_ Galley of +_Bristol_, Captain _Owen_; and the _Victory_, Captain _Ridout_; the former +they detained, but plundered the latter, and let her go. In _Cape Corso_ +Road, they saw two Sail at Anchor, but before they could reach them, they +slipp'd their Cables and got close under _Cape Corso Castle_, these were +the _Whydah_, Captain _Prince_, and the _John_, Captain _Rider_: The +Pyrates upon this made a fire Ship of a Vessel they had lately taken, and +attempted to burn them, as tho' they had been a common Enemy, which if +effected, they could not have been one Farthing the better for it; but the +Castle firing warmly upon them, they withdrew, and sail'd down to _Whydah_ +Road, where they found another Pyrate, one Captain _la Bouche_, who getting +thither before _England_ arrived, had forestall'd the Market, and greatly +disappointed their Brethren. + +Captain _England_, after this Baulk, went into a Harbour, clean'd his own +Ship, and fitted up the _Peterborough_, which he call'd the _Victory_; they +liv'd there very wantonly for several Weeks, making free with the Negroe +Women, and committing such outragious Acts, that they came to an open +Rupture with the Natives, several of whom they kill'd, and one of their +Towns they set on Fire. + +When the Pyrates came out to Sea, they put it to a Vote what Voyage to +take, and the Majority carrying it for the _East-Indies_, they shap'd their +Course accordingly, and arrived at _Madagascar_, the Beginning of the Year +1720. They staid not long there, but after taking in Water and Provisions, +sail'd for the Coast of _Malabar_, which is a fine fruitful Country in the +_East-Indies_, in the Empire of the _Mogul_, but immediately subject to its +own Princes: It reaches from the Coast of _Canara_ to _Cape Camorin_, which +is between 7° 30, and 12° North Lattitude, and in about 75° East Longitude, +counting from the Meridian of _London_. The old Natives are Pagans, but +there are a great Number of _Mahometans_ inhabiting among them, who are +Merchants, and generally rich. On the same Coast, but in a Province to the +Northward lies _Goa, Surat, Bombay_, where the _English, Dutch_, and +_Portuguese_ have Settlements. + +Hither our Pyrates came, having made a Tour of half the Globe, as the +Psalmist says of the Devils, _Going about like roaring Lions, seeking whom +they might devour_. They took several Country Ships, that is, _Indian_ +Vessels, and one European, a _Dutch_ Ship, which they exchanged for one of +their own, and then came back to _Madagascar_. + +They sent several of their Hands on Shore with Tents, Powder, and Shot, to +kill Hogs, Venison, and such other fresh Provision as the Island afforded, +and a Whim came into their Heads to seek out for the Remains of _Avery_'s +Crew, whom they knew to be settled somewhere in the Island.--Accordingly +some of them travell'd several Days Journey, without hearing any +Intelligence of them, and so were forc'd to return with the Loss of their +Labour, for these Men were settled on the other Side of the Island, as has +been taken Notice of under the Chapter of _Avery_. + +They stay'd not long here, after they had clean'd their Ships, but sailing +to _Juanna_; they met two _English_, and one _Ostend India_ Men, coming out +of that Harbour, one of which, after a desperate Resistance, they took; the +Particulars of which Action is at length related in the following Letter, +wrote by the Captain from _Bombay_. + +A LETTER from Captain _Mackra_, dated at _Bombay, Nov._ 16, 1720. + +W_E arrived the_ 25_th of_ July _last, in Company of the_ Greenwich, +_at_ Juanna, (_an Island not far from_ Madagascar) _putting in there to +refresh our Men, we found fourteen Pyrates that came in their Canoes from +the_ Mayotta, _where the Pyrate Ship to which they belong'd_, viz. _the_ +Indian Queen, _two hundred and fifty Tons, twenty eight Guns, and ninety +Men, commanded by Capt._ Oliver de la Bouche, _bound from the_ Guinea +_Coast to the_ East-Indies, _had been bulged and lost. They said they left +the Captain and_ 40 _of their Men building a new Vessel to proceed on their +wicked Design. Capt._ Kirby _and I concluding it might be of great Service +to the_ East-India _Company to destroy such a Nest of Rogues, were ready to +sail for that Purpose the_ 17_th of_ August, _about Eight o'Clock in the +Morning, when we discovered two Pyrate Ships standing into the Bay of_ +Juanna, _one of thirty four, and the other of thirty Guns. I immediately +went on Board the_ Greenwich, _where they seem'd very diligent in +Preparations for an Engagement, and I left Capt._ Kirby _with mutual +Promises of standing by each other. I then unmoor'd, got under Sail, and +brought two Boats a-head to row me close to the_ Greenwich; _but he being +open to a Valley and a Breeze, made the best of his Way from me; which an_ +Ostender _in our Company, of_ 22 _Guns, seeing, did the same, though the +Captain had promised heartily to engage with us, and I believe would have +been as good as his Word, if Capt._ Kirby _had kept his. About half an Hour +after Twelve, I called several times to the_ Greenwich _to bear down to our +Assistance, and fir'd Shot at him, but to no Purpose. For tho' we did not +doubt but he would join us, because when he got about a League from us, he +brought his Ship to, and look'd on, yet both he and the_ Ostender _basely +deserted us, and left us engaged with barbarous and inhuman Enemies, with +their black and bloody Flags hanging over us, without the least Appearance +of escaping being cut to Pieces. But God, in his good Providence, +determin'd otherwise; for notwithstanding their Superiority, we engaged 'em +both about three Hours, during which, the biggest received some Shot +betwixt Wind and Water, which made her keep off a little to stop her Leaks. +The other endeavoured all she could to board us, by rowing with her Oars, +being within half a Ship's Length of us above an Hour; but by good Fortune +we shot all her Oars to Pieces, which prevented them, and by consequence +saved our Lives_. + +_About Four o'Clock, most of the Officers and Men posted on the +Quarter-Deck being killed and wounded, the largest Ship making up to us +with all Diligence, being still within a Cable's Length of us, often giving +us a Broadside, and no hopes of Capt._ Kirby_'s coming to our Assistance, +we endeavoured to run ashoar; and tho' we drew four Foot Water more than +the Pyrate, it pleased God that he stuck fast on a higher Ground than we +happily fell in with; so was disappointed a second time from boarding us. +Here we had a more violent Engagement than before. All my Officers, and +most of my Men, behaved with unexpected Courage; and as we had a +considerable Advantage by having a Broadside to his Bow, we did him great +Damage, so that had Capt._ Kirby _come in then, I believe we should have +taken both, for we had one of them sure; but the other Pyrate_ (_who was +still firing at us_) _seeing the_ Greenwich _did not offer to assist us, he +supplied his Consort with three Boats full of fresh Men. About Five in the +Evening the_ Greenwich _stood clear away to Sea, leaving us struggling hard +for Life in the very Jaws of Death; which the other Pyrate, that was +afloat, seeing, got a-warp out, and was hauling under our Stern; by which +time many of my Men being killed and wounded, and no Hopes left us from +being all murdered by enraged barbarous Conquerors, I order'd all that +could, to get into the Long-Boat under the Cover of the Smoak of our Guns; +so that with what some did in Boats, and others by swimming, most of us +that were able got ashoar by Seven o' Clock. When the Pyrates came aboard, +they cut three of our wounded Men to Pieces. I, with a few of my People, +made what haste I could to the_ King's-Town, _twenty five Miles from us, +where I arrived next Day, almost dead with Fatigue and Loss of Blood, +having been sorely wounded in the Head by a Musket Ball_. + +_At this Town I heard that the Pyrates had offered ten thousand Dollars to +the Country People to bring me in, which many of them would have accepted, +only they knew the King and all his chief People were in my Interest. Mean +time, I caused a Report to be spread, that I was dead of my Wounds, which +much abated their Fury. About ten Days after, being pretty well recovered, +and hoping the Malice of our Enemies was nigh over, I began to consider the +dismal Condition we were reduced to, being in a Place where we had no Hopes +of getting a Passage home, all of us in a manner naked, not having had Time +to get another Shirt, or a Pair of Shoes_. + +_Having obtained Leave to go on Board the Pyrates, and a Promise of Safety, +several of the Chief of them knew me, and some of them had sailed with me, +which I found of great Advantage; because, notwithstanding their Promise, +some of them would have cut me, and all that would not enter with them, to +Pieces, had it not been for the chief Captain_, Edward England, _and some +others I knew. They talked of burning one of their Ships, which we had so +entirely disabled, as to be no farther useful to them, and to fit the_ +Cassandra _in her room; but in the End I managed my Tack so well, that they +made me a Present of the said shattered Ship, which was_ Dutch _built, +called the_ Fancy, _about three hundred Tons, and also a hundred and twenty +nine Bales of the Company's Cloth, tho' they would not give me a Rag of my +Cloathes_. + +_They sailed the_ 3_d of_ September; _and with Jury-Masts, and such old +Sails as they left me, I made shift to do the like on the_ 8_th, together +with forty three of my Ship's Crew, including two Passengers and twelve +Soldiers, having but five Tons of Water aboard; and after a Passage of +forty eight Days, I arrived here_ October 26, _almost naked and starv'd, +having been reduced to a Pint of Water a Day, and almost in despair of ever +seeing Land, by Reason of the Calms we met with between the Coast of_ +Arabia _and_ Malabar.--_We had in all thirteen Men killed and twenty four +wounded; and we were told, that we had destroyed about ninety or a hundred +of the Pyrates. When they left us, they were about three hundred Whites and +eighty Blacks in both Ships. I am persuaded, had our Consort the_ Greenwich +_done his Duty, we had destroyed both of them, and got two hundred thousand +Pounds for our Owners and selves; whereas to his deserting us, the Loss of +the_ Cassandra _may justly be imputed. I have delivered all the Bales that +were given me into the Company's Warehouse, for which the Governor and +Council have ordered me a Reward. Our Governor, Mr._ Boon, _who is extreme +kind and civil to me, has ordered me home with this Pacquet; but Captain_ +Harvey, _who had a prior Promise, being come in with the Fleet, goes in my +room. The Governor hath promis'd me a Country Voyage, to help make me up my +Losses, and would have me stay to go home with him next Year_. + + * * * + +Captain _Mackra_ certainly run a great Hazard, in going aboard the Pyrate, +and began quickly to repent his Credulity; for though they had promised, +that no Injury should be done to his Person, he found their Words were not +to be trusted; and it may be supposed, that nothing but the desperate +Circumstances Captain _Mackra_ imagined himself to be in, could have +prevailed upon him to fling himself and Company into their Hands, perhaps +not knowing how firmly the Natives of that Island were attach'd to the +_English_ Nation; for about 20 Years ago, Captain _Cornwall_, Commadore of +an _English_ Squadron, assisted them against another Island called +_Mohilla_, for which they have ever since communicated all the grateful +Offices in their Power, insomuch that it became a Proverb, _That an_ +Englishman, _and a_ Juanna _Man were all one_. + +_England_ was inclined to favour Captain _Mackra_; but he was so free to +let him know, that his Interest was declining amongst them; and that the +Pyrates were so provoked at the Resistance he made against them, that he +was afraid he should hardly be able to protect him; he therefore advised +him to sooth up and manage the Temper of Captain _Taylor_, a Fellow of a +most barbarous Nature, who was become a great Favourite amongst them for no +other Reason than because he was a greater Brute than the rest. _Mackra_ +did what he could to soften this Beast, and ply'd him with warm Punch; +notwithstanding which, they were in a Tumult whether they should make an +End of him, or no, when an Accident happen'd which turn'd to the Favour of +the poor Captain; a Fellow with a terrible pair of Whiskers, and a wooden +Leg, being stuck round with Pistols, like the Man in the Almanack with +Darts, comes swearing and vapouring upon the Quarter-Deck, and asks, in a +damning Manner, which was Captain _Mackra_: The Captain expected no less +than that this Fellow would be his Executioner;--but when he came near him, +he took him by the Hand, swearing, _Damn him he was glad to see him; and +shew me the Man_, says he, _that offers to hurt Captain_ Mackra, _for I'll +stand by him_; and so with many Oaths told him, _he was an honest Fellow, +and that he had formerly sail'd with him_. + +This put an End to the Dispute, and Captain _Taylor_ was so mellow'd with +the Punch, that he consented that the old Pyrate Ship, and so many Bales of +Cloth should be given to Captain _Mackra_, and so he fell asleep. _England_ +advised Captain _Mackra_ to get off with all Expedition, least when the +Beast should awake, he might repent his Generosity: Which Advice was +followed by the Captain. + +Captain _England_ having sided so much to Captain _Mackra_'s Interest, was +a Means of making him many Enemies among the Crew; they thinking such good +Usage inconsistent with their Polity, because it looked like procuring +Favour at the Aggravation of their Crimes; therefore upon Imagination or +Report, that Captain _Mackra_ was fitting out against them, with the +Company's Force, he was soon _abdicated_ or pulled out of his Government, +and marooned with three more on the Island of _Mauritius_: An Island +indeed, not to be complained of, had they accumulated any Wealth by their +Villanies that would have afforded some future comfortable Prospect, for it +abounds with Fish, Deer, Hogs and other Flesh. Sir _Thomas Herbert_, says, +the Shores with Coral and Ambergrease; but I believe the _Dutch_ had not +deserted it, had there been much of these Commodities to have been found. +It was in 1722, resettled by the _French_, who have a Fort at another +neighbouring Island, called _Don Mascarine_, and are touched at for Water, +Wood, and Refreshments, by _French_ Ships bound to, or for _India_; as St. +_Helena_ and _Cape Bon Esperance_, are by us and the _Dutch_. From this +Place, Captain _England_ and his Companions having made a little Boat of +Staves and old Pieces of Deal left there, went over to _Madagascar_, where +they subsist at present on the Charity of some of their Brethren, who had +made better Provision for themselves, than they had done. + +The Pyrates detained some Officers and Men belonging to Captain _Mackra_, +and having repaired the Damages received in their Rigging, they sailed for +_India_. The Day before they made Land, saw two Ships to the Eastward, who +at first Sight, they took to be _English_, and ordered one of the +Prisoners, who had been an Officer with Captain _Mackra_, to tell them the +private Signals between the Company's Ships, the Captain swearing he would +cut him in pound Pieces, if he did not do it immediately; but unable, was +forced to bear their Scurility, till they came up with them, and found they +were two _Moor_ Ships from _Muscat_, with Horses; they brought the Captain +of them, and Merchants, on Board, torturing them, and rifling the Ships, in +order to discover Riches, as believing they came from _Mocha_; but being +baulked in their Expectation, and next Morning seeing Land, and at the same +Time a Fleet in Shore plying to Windward, they were puzzled how to dispose +of them; to let them go, was to discover and ruin the Voyage, and it was +cruel to sink the Men and Horses with the Ships, (as many of them were +inclined to,) therefore, as a Medium, they brought them to an Anchor, threw +all their Sails over-board, and cut one of the Ships Masts half through. + +While they lay at an Anchor, and were all the next Day employed in taking +out Water, one of the aforementioned Fleet bore towards them with _English_ +Colours, answered with a red Ensign from the Pyrates, but did not speak +with one another. At Night they left the _Muscatt_ Ships, weighed with the +Sea Wind, and stood to the Northward after this Fleet: About four next +Morning, just as they were getting under sail, with the Land Wind, the +Pyrates came amongst them, made no stop, but fired their great and small +Guns very briskly, till they got through; and as Day-Light cleared, were in +a great Consternation in their Minds, having all along taken them for +_Angria_'s Fleet; what to do was the Point, whether run or pursue? They +were sensible of their Inferiority of Strength, having no more than 300 Men +in both Ships, and 40 of them Negroes; besides, the _Victory_ had then four +Pumps at Work, and must inevitably been lost before, had it not been for +some Hand-Pumps, and several pair of Standards brought out of the +_Cassandra_, to relieve and strengthen her; but observing the Indifferency +of the Fleet, chose rather to chase than run; and thought the best Way to +save themselves, was to play at Bullbeggar with the Enemy: So they came up +with the Sea Wind, about Gun-Shot to Leeward, the great Ships of the Fleet +a-head, and some others a-stern; which latter they took for Fire-Vessels: +And these a-head gaining from them by cutting away their Boats, they could +do nothing more than continue their Course all Night, which they did, and +found them next Morning out of Sight, excepting a Ketch and some few +Gallivats, (_small sort of Vessels something like the Feluccas of the_ +Mediterranean, _and hoists, like them, triangular Sails_.) They bore down, +which the Ketch perceiving, transported her People on Board a Gallivat, and +set fire to her; the other proved too nimble and made off. The same Day +they chased another Gallivat and took her, being come from _Gogo_, bound +for _Callicut_ with Cotton. Of these Men they enquired concerning the +Fleet, supposing they must have been in it; and altho' they protested they +had not seen a Ship or Boat since they left _Gogo_, and pleaded very +earnestly for Favour; yet they threw all their Cargo over-board, and +squezed their Joints in a Vice, to extort Confession: But they entirely +ignorant of who or what this Fleet should be, were obliged not only to +sustain this Torment, but next Day a fresh easterly Wind having split the +Gallivats Sails, they put her Company into the Boat, with nothing but a +Trysail, no Provisions, and only four Gallons of Water, (half of it Salt,) +and then out of Sight of Land, to shift for themselves. + +For the better elucidating of this Story, it may be convenient to inform +the Reader, who _Angria_ is, and what the Fleet were, that had so scurvily +behaved themselves. + +_Angria_ is a famous _Indian_ Pyrate, of considerable Strength and +Territories, that gives continual Disturbance to the _European_ (and +especially the _English_) Trade: His chief Hold is _Callaba_, not many +Leagues from _Bombay_, and has one Island in Sight of that Port, whereby he +gains frequent Opportunities of annoying the Company. It would not be so +insuperable a Difficulty to suppress him, if the Shallowness of the Water +did not prevent Ships of War coming nigh: And a better Art he has, of +bribing the _Mogul_'s Ministers for Protection, when he finds an Enemy too +powerful. + +In the Year 1720, the _Bombay_ Fleet consisting of four _Grabbs, (Ships +built in_ India _by the Company, and have three Masts, a Prow like a +Row-Galley, instead of a Boltsprit, about_ 150 _Tons; are officered and +armed like a Man of War, for Defence and Protection of the Trade,)_ the +_London, Chandois_, and two other Ships with Gallivats, who besides their +proper Compliments, carried down 1000 Men to bombard and batter _Gayra_, a +Fort belonging to _Angria_, on the _Malabar_ Coast, which they having +performed ineffectually, were returning to _Bombay_, and, to make amends, +fell in with the Pyrates, to the Purpose has been already related. Captain +_Upton_, Commadore of that Fleet, prudently objecting to Mr. _Brown_, (who +went General,) That the Ships were not to be hazarded, since they sailed +without their Governor _Boon_'s Orders to engage; and besides, that they +did not come out with such a Design. This favourable Opportunity of +destroying the Pyrates, angered the Governor, and he transferred the +Command of the Fleet to Captain _Mackra_, who had Orders immediately to +pursue and engage, where ever he met them. + +The Vice-Roy of _Goa_, assisted by the _English_ Company's Fleet from +_Bombay_, did attempt the Reduction of _Callaba_, his principal Place, +landed 8 or 10000 Men the next Year, the _English_ Squadron of Men of War +being then in those Seas; but having viewed the Fortification well, and +expended some of their Army by Sickness and the Fatigues of a Camp, +carefully withdrew again. + +I return to the Pyrates, who, after they had sent away the Gallivats +People, resolved to cruise to the Southward; and the next Day, between +_Goa_ and _Carwar_, heard several Guns, which brought them to an Anchor, +and they sent their Boat on the Scent, who returned about two in the +Morning, and brought Word of two Grabs lying at Anchor in the Road. They +weighed and ran towards the Bay, till Day-Light gave the Grabs Sight of +them, and was but just Time enough to get under _India Diva_ Castle, out of +their reach; this displeased the Pyrates the more, in that they wanted +Water; and some were for making a Descent that Night and taking the Island, +but it not being approved of by the Majority, they proceeded to the +Southward, and took next in their Way, a small Ship out of _Onnore_ Road, +with only a _Dutch_ Man and two _Portuguese_ on Board. They sent one of +these on Shore to the Captain, to acquaint him, if he would supply them +with some Water, and fresh Provisions, he should have his Ship again; and +the Master returned for answer, by his Mate _Frank Harmless_, that if they +would deliver him Possession over the Bar, he would comply with their +Request; the Proposal the Mate thought was collusive, and they rather +jump'd into _Harmless_'s Opinion, (who very honestly entered with them,) +and resolved to seek Water at the _Laccadeva_ Islands; so having sent the +other Persons on Shore, with threats, that he should be the last Man they +would give Quarter too, (by Reason of this uncivil Usage;) they put +directly for the Islands, and arrived there in three Days: Where being +informed by a Menchew they took (with the Governor of _Canwars_ Pass,) of +there being no Anchor-Ground among them, and _Melinda_ being the next +convenient Island, they sent their Boats on Shore, to see if there was any +Water, and whether it was inhabited or not; who returned with an Answer to +their Satisfaction, _viz._ that there was abundance of good Water, and many +Houses, but deserted by the Men, who had fled to the neighbouring Islands +on the Approach of Ships, and left only the Women and Children to guard one +another. The Women they forced in a Barbarous Manner to their Lusts, and to +require them, destroyed their Cocoa Trees, and fired several of their +Houses and _Churches_. (I suppose built by the _Portuguese_, who formerly +used there, in their Voyages to _India_.) + +While they were at this Island, they lost three or four Anchors, by the +Rockyness of the Ground, Freshness of Winds, and at last were forced thence +by a harder Gale than ordinary, leaving 70 People, Blacks and Whites, and +most of their Water Casks: In ten Days they regained the Island again, +filled their Water, and took the People on Board. + +Provisions were very scarce, and they now resolved to visit their good +Friends the _Dutch_, at _Cochin_, who, if you will believe these Rogues, +never fail of supplying Gentlemen of their Profession. After three Days +sail, they arrived off _Tellechery_, and took a small Vessel belonging to +Governor _Adams, John Tawke_ Master, whom they brought on Board very drunk, +and he giving an Account of Captain _Mackra_'s fitting out, put them in a +Tempest of Passion: _A Villain_, say they, _that we have treated so +civilly, as to give him a Ship and other Presents, and now to be armed +against us, he ought to be hanged; and since we cannot show our Resentment +on him, let us hang the Dogs his People, who wish him well, and would do +the same, if clear. If it be in my Power_, says the Quarter-Master, _both +Masters and Officers of Ships shall be carried with us for the future, only +to plague them. --d--n_ England. + +Thence they proceeded to _Calicut_, where they endeavoured to take a large +_Moor_ Ship out of the Road, but was prevented by some Guns mounted on +Shore, and discharged at them: Mr. _Lasinby_, who was one of Captain +_Mackra_'s Officers, and detained, was under the Deck at this Time, and +commanded both by the Captain and Quarter Master of the Pyrates, to tend +the Braces on the Booms, in hopes, it was believed, a Shot would take him +before they got clear, asking the Reason why he was not there before? And +when he would have excused himself, threat'ned on the like Neglect to shoot +him; at which the other beginning to expostulate farther, and claim their +Promise of putting him ashore, got an unmerciful beating from the +Quarter-Master. Captain _Taylor_, who was now Successor to _England_, and +whose Priviledge it was to do so, being lame of his Hands, and unable. + +The next Day in their Passage down, came up with a _Dutch_ Galliot, bound +for _Calicut_ with Lime Stone, and aboard of her they put Captain _Tawke_, +and sent him away, and several of the People interceeded for _Lasinby_ in +vain, _For_, says _Taylor_ and his Party, _if we let this Dog go, who has +heard our Designs and Resolutions, we overset all our well advised +Projections, and particularly this Supply we are now seeking for, at the +Hands of the_ Dutch. + +It was but one Day more before they arrived off _Cochin_, where, by a +Fishing-Canoe, they sent a Letter on Shore; and in the Afternoon, with the +Sea-breeze, ran into the Road and anchored, saluting the Fort with 11 Guns +each Ship, and received the Return, in an equal Number; a good Omen of the +welcome Reception they found; for at Night there came on Board a large +Boat, deeply laden with fresh Provisions and Liquors, and with it a Servant +(of a favourite Inhabitant) called _John Trumpet_: He told them they must +immediately weigh, and run farther to the Southward, where they should be +supplied with all Things they wanted, naval Stores or Provisions. + +They had not been long at Anchor again, before they had several Canoes on +Board with both black and white Inhabitants, who continued, without +Interruption, all good Offices, during their Stay; particularly _John +Trumpet_ brought a large Boat of Arrack, than which, nothing could be more +pleasing (about 90 Legers,) as also 60 Bales of Sugar; an Offering, its +presumed, from the Governor and his Daughter, who, in Return, had a fine +Table-Clock sent him, (the Plunder of Captain _Mackra_'s Ship,) and she a +large Gold Watch, Earnests of the Pay they designed to make. + +When they had all on Board, they paid Mr. _Trumpet_ to his Satisfaction, it +was computed, 6 or 7000 _l._ gave him three Cheers, 11 Guns each Ship, and +throw'd Ducatoons into his Boat by handfuls, for the Boat-Men to scramble +for. + +That Night being little Wind, did not weigh, and _Trumpet_, in the Morning, +waked them to the Sight of more Arrack, Chests of Piece-Goods, and ready +made Clothes, bringing the Fiscal of the Place also with him. At Noon, +while those were on Board, saw a Sail to the Southward, which they weighed, +and chaced after; but she having a good Offing, got to the Northward of +them, and anchored a small Distance from _Cochin_ Fort; the aforementioned +Gentlemen assuring them, that they would not be molested in taking her from +under the Castle, sollicited before hand for the buying her, and advised +them to stand in, which they did boldly, to board her; but when they came +within a Cable's length or two of the Chace, now near Shore, the Fort fired +two small Guns, whose Shot falling nigh their Muzzels, they instantly bore +out of the Road, made an easy Sail to the Southward, and anchored at Night +in their former Birth, where _John Trumpet_, to engage their Stay a little +longer, informed them, that in a few Days a very rich Ship was to pass by, +commanded by the General of _Bombay_'s Brother. + +This Governor is an Emblem of foreign Power. What Inconvenience and Injury +must the Master's Subjects sustain under one who can truckle to such +treacherous and base Means, as corresponding and trading with Pyrates to +enrich himself? Certainly such a Man will stickle at no Injustice to repair +or make a Fortune. He has the _Argumentum bacillum_ always in his own +Hands, and can convince, when he pleases, in half the Time of other +Arguments, that Fraud and Oppression is Law. That he imploys Instruments in +such dirty Work, expresses the Guilt and Shame, but no way mitigates the +Crime. _John Trumpet_ was the Tool; but, as the Dog said in the Fable, on +another Occasion, _What is done by the Master's Orders, is the Master's +Actions_. + +I cannot but reflect, on this Occasion, what a vile Government _Sancho +Pancho_ had of it; he had not only such _Perquisites_ rescinded, but was +really almost starved; the Victuals taken from him almost every Day, and +only under a Pretence of preserving his Excellency's Health: But +Governments differ. + +From _Cochin_ some were for proceeding to _Madagascar_ directly; others +thought it proper to cruize till they got a Store-Ship, and these being the +Majority, they ply'd to the Southward, and after some Days saw a Ship in +Shore, which being to Windward of them, they could not get nigh, till the +Sea Wind, and Night, favouring, they separated, one to the Northward, the +other to the Southward, thinking to enclose her between: But to their +Astonishment, and contrary to Expectation, when Day broke, instead of the +Chace, found themselves very near five Sail of tall Ships, who immediately +making a Signal for the Pyrates to bear down, put them in the utmost +Confusion, particularly _Taylor_'s Ship, because their Consort was at a +Distance from them, (at least three Leagues to the Southward) they stood to +one another, and joined, and then together made the best of their Way from +the Fleet, whom they judged to be commanded by Captain _Mackra_; of whose +Courage having Experience, they were glad to shun any farther Taste of. + +In three Hours Chace, none of the Fleet gaining upon them, excepting one +Grab, their dejected Countenances cleared up again, the more, in that a +Calm succeeded for the Remainder of that Day; and in the Night, with the +Land Wind, they ran directly off Shore, and found next Day, to their great +Consolation, that they had lost Sight of all the Fleet. + +This Danger escaped, they proposed to spend _Christmas_ (the _Christmas_ of +1720) in Carowzing and Forgetfulness, and kept it for three Days in a +wanton and riotous Way, not only eating, but wasting their fresh Provisions +in so wretched and inconsiderable a Manner, that when they had agreed after +this to proceed to _Mauritius_, they were in that Passage at an Allowance +of a Bottle of Water _per Diem_, and not above two Pounds of Beef, and a +small Quantity of Rice, for ten Men for a Day; so that had it not been for +the leaky Ship, (which once they were about to have quitted, and had done, +but for a Quantity of Arrack and Sugar She had on Board,) they must most of +them have perished. + +In this Condition they arrived at the Island of _Mauritius_, about the +Middle of _February_, sheathed and refitted the _Victory_, and on the 5th +of _April_ sailed again, leaving this terrible Inscription on one of the +Walls. _Left this Place the_ 5_th of_ April, _to go to_ Madagascar _for +Limes_, and this, least (like Lawyers and Men of Business) any Visits +should be paid in their Absence: However, they did not sail directly for +_Madagascar_, but the Island _Mascarine_, and luckily as Rogues could wish, +they found at their Arrival on the 8th, a _Portuguese_ Ship at Anchor, of +70 Guns, but most of them thrown overboard, her Masts lost, and so much +disabled by a violent Storm they had met with in the Latitude of 13° South, +that she became a Prize to the Pyrates, with very little or no Resistance, +and a glorious one indeed, having the _Conde de Ericeira_, Viceroy of +_Goa_, who made that fruitless Expedition against _Angria_, the _Indian_, +and several other Passengers on Board; who, as they could not be ignorant +of the Treasure she had in, did assert, that in the single Article of +Diamonds, there was to the Value of between three and four Millions of +Dollars. + +The Vice-Roy, who came on Board that Morning, in Expectation of the Ships +being _English_, was made a Prisoner, and obliged to ransome; but in +Consideration of his great Loss, (the Prize being Part his own,) they +agreed after some Demurrings, to accept of 2000 Dollars, and set him and +the other Prisoners ashore, with Promises to leave a Ship that they might +Transport themselves, because the Island was not thought in a Condition to +maintain so great a Number; and tho' they had learned from them, the +Account of an _Ostender_ being to Leeward of the Island, which they took on +that Information, (being formerly the _Greyhound_ Galley of _London_,) and +could conveniently have comply'd with so reasonable a Request; yet they +sent the _Ostender_ with some of their People to _Madagascar_, with News of +their Success, and to prepare Masts for the Prize; and followed themselves +soon after, without regard to the Sufferers, carrying 200 _Mozambique_ +Negroes with them in the _Portuguese_ Ship. + +_Madagascar_ is an Island larger than _Great-Britain_, most of it within +the Tropick of _Capricorn_, and lays East from the Eastern Side of +_Africa_: It abounds with Provisions of all Sorts, Oxen, Goats, Sheep, +Poultry, Fish, Citrons, Oranges, Tamarinds, Dates, Coco-Nuts, Bananas, Wax, +Honey, Rice; or in short, Cotton, Indigo, or any other Thing they will take +Pains to plant, and have Understanding to manage: They have likewise Ebony, +a hard Wood like Brasil, of which they make their Lances; and Gum of +several Sorts, Benzin, Dragon's Blood, Aloes, _&c_. What is most +incommodious, are the numerous Swarms of Locusts on the Land, and +Crocodiles or Alligators in their Rivers. Hither, in St. _Augustin_'s Bay, +the Ships sometimes touch for Water, when they take the inner Passage for +_India_, and do not design to stop at _Johanna_; and we may observe from +the sixth general Voyage set forth by the _East-India_ Company, in +Confirmation of what is hereafter said in Relation to Currents in general; +that this inner Passage or Channel, has its Northern and Southern Currents +strongest where the Channel is narrowest, and is less, and varies on +different Points of the Compass, as the Sea comes to spread again, in the +Passage cross the Line. + +Since the Discovery of this Island by the _Portuguese, A. D._ 1506, the +_Europeans_, and particularly Pyrates, have increased a dark Mulatto Race +there, tho' still few in Comparison with the Natives, who are Negroes, with +curled short Hair, Active, and formerly represented malicious and +revengeful, now tractable and communicable, perhaps owing to the Favours +and Generosity in Cloathing and Liquors, they from Time to Time have +received from these Fellows, who live in all possible Friendship, and can, +any single Man of them, command a Guard of 2 or 300 at a Minute's warning: +This is farther the Native's Interest, to cultivate with them, because the +Island being divided into petty Governments and Commands, the Pyrates, +settled here, who are now a considerable Number, and have little Castles of +their own, can preponderate where-ever they think fit to side. + +When _Taylor_ came with the _Portuguese_ Prize here, they found the +_Ostender_ had played their Men a Trick, for they took Advantage of their +Drink, rise upon them, and (as they heard afterwards) carried the Ship to +_Mozambique_, whence the Governor ordered her for _Goa_. + +Here the Pyrates came, cleaned the _Cassandra_, and divided their Plunder, +sharing 42 small Diamonds a Man, or in less Proportion according to their +Magnitude. An ignorant, or a merry Fellow, who had only, one in this +Division, as being judged equal, in Value to 42 small, muttered very much +at the Lot, and went and broke it in a Morter, swearing afterwards, he had +a better Share than any of them, for he had beat it, he said, into 43 +Sparks. + +Those who were not for running the Hazard of their Necks, with 42 Diamonds, +besides other Treasure, in their Pockets, knocked off, and stay'd with +their old Acquaintance at _Madagascar_, on mutual Agreements, the longer +Livers to take all. The Residue having therefore no Occasion for two Ships, +the _Victory_ being leaky, she was burnt, the Men (as many as would) coming +into the _Cassandra_, under the Command of _Taylor_, who we must leave a +Time, projecting either for _Cochin_, to dispose of their Diamonds among +their old Friends the _Dutch_, or else for the _Red_ or _China_ Seas, to +avoid the Men of War, that continually clamoured in their Ears, a Noise of +Danger, and give the _little_ Account we are able, of that Squadron, who +arrived in _India_, early in the Year 1721. + +At _Cape Good Hope_, in _June_, the Commadore met with a Letter, which was +left for him by the Governor of _Madras_, to whom it was wrote by the +Governor of _Pandicherry_, a _French_ Factory, on the _Coromondel_ Coast, +signifying, the Pyrates at the Writing of it, were then strong in the +_Indian_ Seas, having 11 Sail and 1500 Men, but that many of them went away +about that Time, for the Coast of _Brazil_ and _Guinea_; others settled and +fortified themselves at _Madagascar, Mauritius, Johanna_ and _Mohilla_: And +that others under _Conden_, in a Ship called the _Dragon_, took a large +_Moor_'s Vessel, coming from _Iudda_ and _Mocho_, with thirteen Lackies of +Rupees on Board, (_i. e._ 1300000 half Crowns,) who having divided the +Plunder, burnt their Ship and Prize, and sat down quietly with their other +Friends at _Madagascar_. + +The Account contain'd several other Things which we have before +related.--Commadore _Matthews_, upon receiving this Intelligence, and being +fond of the Service he came out for, hastened to those Islands, as the most +hopeful Places of Success; at St. _Mary_'s would have engaged _England_ +with Promises of Favour, if he would communicate what he knew, concerning +the _Cassandra_, and the rest of the Pyrates, and assist in the Pilotage; +but _England_ was wary, and thought this was to _surrender at Discretion_, +so they took up the _Judda_ Ship's Guns that was burnt, and the Men of War +dispersed themselves on several Voyages and Cruises afterwards, as was +thought likeliest to succeed, tho' to no Purpose: Then the Squadron went +down to _Bombay_, were saluted by the Fort, and came home. + +The Pyrates, I mean those of the _Cassandra_, now Captain _Taylor_, fitted +the _Portuguese_ Man of War, and resolved upon another Voyage to the +_Indies_, notwithstanding the Riches they had heaped up; but as they were +preparing to sail, they heard of the four Men of War coming after them to +those Seas, therefore they altered their Minds, sail'd for the Main of +_Africa_, and put in at a little Place called _Delagoa_, near the River _de +Spiritu Sancto_, on the Coast of _Monomotapa_, in 26° South Latitude. They +believed this to be a Place of Security, in regard that the Squadron could +not possibly get Intelligence of them, there being no Correspondence over +Land, nor any Trade carried on by Sea, between that and the Cape, where the +Men of War were then supposed to be. The Pyrates came to in the Evening, +and were surprized with a few Shot from the Shore, not knowing of any +Fortification or _European_ Settlement in that Part of the World; so they +anchored at a Distance that Night, and perceiving, in the Morning, a small +Fort of six Guns, they run up to it, and battered it down. + +This Fort was built and settled by the _Dutch East-India_ Company, a few +Months before, for what Purpose, I know not, and having left 150 Men upon +the Place, they were then dwindled to a third Part by Sickness and +Casualties, and never after received any Relief or Necessaries; so that +Sixteen of those that were left, upon their humble Petition, were admitted +on Board the Pyrates, and all the rest would have had the same Favour (they +said) had they been any other than _Dutch_. I mention this, as an Instance +of their Ingratitude, who had been so much obliged to their Countrymen for +Support. + +Here they staid above four Months, carreened both their Ships, and took +their Diversions with Security, till they had expended all their +Provisions, and then put to Sea, leaving considerable Quantities of +Muslins, Chintzes, and such Goods behind, to the half starved _Dutch_ Men, +which enabled them to make good Pennyworths to the next that came, to whom +they bartered for Provisions, at the Rate of three Farthings an _English_ +Yard. + +They left _Delagoa_ the latter End of _December_ 1722, but not agreeing +where, or how to proceed, they concluded to part, so those who were for +continuing that sort of Life, went on Board the _Portuguese_ Prize, and +steered for _Madagascar_ to their Friends, with whom I hear they are now +settled; and the rest took the _Cassandra_ and sailed for the _Spanish +West-Indies_. The _Mermaid_ Man of War happening then to be down on the +Main with a Convoy, about 30 Leagues from these Pyrates, would have gone +and attacked them; but on a Consultation of the Masters, whose Safety he +was particularly to regard, they agreed their own Protection was of more +Service than destroying the Pyrate, and so the Commander was unwillingly +withheld. He dispatched a Sloop to _Jamaica_, with the News, which brought +down the _Lanceston_, only a Day, or two, too late, they having just before +he came, surrendered with all their Riches, to the Governor of _Porto +Bello_. + +Here they sate down to spend the Fruits of their dishonest Industry, +dividing the Spoil and Plunder of Nations among themselves, without the +least Remorse or Compunction, satisfying their Conscience with this Salvo, +that other People would have done as much, had they the like Opportunities. +I can't say, but that if they had known what was doing in _England_, at the +same Time by the _South-Sea_ Directors, and their Directors, they would +certainly have had this Reflection for their Consolation, _viz. That what +ever Robberies they had committed, they might be pretty sure they were not +the greatest Villains then living in the World_. + +It is a difficult Matter to make a Computation of the Mischief that was +done by this Crew, in about five Years Time, which is much more than the +Plunder they gained, for they often sunk or burnt the Vessel they took, as +it suited their Humour or Circumstances, sometimes to prevent giving +Intelligence, sometimes because they did not leave Men to navigate them, +and at other Times out of Wantonness, or because they were displeased at +the Master's Behaviour; for any of these, it was but to give the Word, and +down went Ships and Cargoes to the Bottom of the Sea. + +Since their Surrender to the _Spaniards_, I am informed several of them +have left the Place, and dispersed themselves elsewhere; eight of them were +shipp'd about _November_ last, in one of the _South-Sea_ Company's Assiento +Sloops, and passed for Ship-wreck'd Men, came to _Jamaica_, and there +sailed in other Vessels; and I know one of them that came to _England_ this +Spring from that Island. 'Tis said that Captain _Taylor_ has taken a +Commission in the _Spanish_ Service, and commanded the Man of War that +lately attack'd the _English_ Log-Wood Cutters, in the Bay of _Honduras_. + +CHAP. VI. OF Captain _Charles Vane_, And his CREW. + +C_Harles Vane_ was one of those who stole away the Silver which the +_Spaniards_ had fished up from the Wrecks of the Galleons, in the Gulph of +_Florida_, and was at _Providence_ (as has been before hinted) when +Governor _Rogers_ arrived there with two Men of War. + +All the Pyrates who were found at this Colony of Rogues, submitted, and +received Certificates of their Pardon, except Captain _Vane_ and his Crew; +who, as soon as they saw the Men of War enter, slipp'd their Cable, set +Fire to a Prize they had in the Harbour, and sailed out with their +pyratical Colours flying, firing at one of the Men of War as they went off. + +Two Days after they went out, they met with a Sloop belonging to +_Barbadoes_, which they made Prize of, and kept the Vessel for their own +Use, putting aboard five and twenty Hands, with one _Yeats_ to command +them. A Day or two afterwards they fell in with a small interloping Trader, +with a Quantity of _Spanish_ Pieces of Eight aboard, bound into +_Providence_, called the _John_ and _Elizabeth_, which they also took along +with them. With these two Sloops _Vane_ went to a small Island and cleaned; +where they shared their Booty, and spent some Time in a riotous Manner of +Living, as is the Custom of Pyrates. + +The latter End of _May_ 1718, they sail'd, and being in want of Provisions, +they beat up for the Windward Islands, and met with a _Spanish_ Sloop bound +from _Porto Rico_ to the _Havana_, which they burnt, and stowed the +_Spaniards_ in a Boat, and left them to get to the Island, by the Light of +their Vessel. But steering between St. _Christopher_'s and _Anguilla_, they +fell in with a Brigantine and a Sloop, with the Cargo they wanted; from +whom they got Provisions for Sea-Store. + +Sometime after this, standing to the Northward, in the Track the +_Old-England_ Ships take, in their Voyage to the _American_ Colonies, they +took several Ships and Vessels, which they plundered of what they thought +fit, and let them pass. + +The latter End of _August, Vane_, with his Consort _Yeats_, came off +_South-Carolina_, and took a Ship belonging to _Ipswich_, one _Coggershall_ +Commander, laden with Logwood, which was thought convenient enough for +their own Business, and therefore ordered their Prisoners to work, and +throw all the Lading over-board; but when they had more than half cleared +the Ship, the Whim changed, and then they would not have her; so +_Coggershall_ had his Ship again, and he was suffered to pursue his Voyage +home. In this Cruize the Rover took several other Ships and Vessels, +particularly a Sloop from _Barbadoes, Dill_ Master; a small Ship from +_Antegoa, Cock_ Master; a Sloop belonging to _Curacco, Richards_ Master; +and a large Brigantine, Captain _Thompson_, from _Guiney_, with ninety odd +Negroes aboard. The Pyrates plundered them all and let them go, putting the +Negroes out of the Brigantine aboard of _Yeat_'s Vessel, by which Means +they came back again to the right Owners. + +For Captain _Vane_, having always treated his Consort with very little +Respect, assuming a Superiority over _Yeats_ and his small Crew, and +regarding the Vessel but as a Tender to his own; gave them a Disgust, who +thought themselves as good Pyrates, and as great Rogues as the best of +them; so they caball'd together, and resolved to take the first Opportunity +to leave the Company; and accept of his Majesty's Pardon, or set up for +themselves, either of which they thought more honourable than to be +Servants to the former; and the putting aboard so many Negroes, where they +found so few Hands to take Care of them, still aggravated the Matter, +though they thought fit to conceal or stifle their Resentments at that +Time. + +A Day or two afterwards, the Pyrates lying off at Anchor, _Yeats_ in the +Evening slipp'd his Cable, and put his Vessel under Sail, standing into the +Shore; which, when _Vane_ saw, he was highly provoked, and got his Sloop +under Sail to chase his Consort, who, he plainly perceived, had a Mind to +have no further Affairs with him: _Vane_'s Brigantine sailing best, he +gained Ground of _Yeats_, and would certainly have come up with him, had he +had a little longer Run for it; but just as he got over the Bar, when +_Vane_ came within Gun-shot of him, he fired a Broadside at his old Friend, +(which did him no Damage,) and so took his Leave. + +_Yeats_ came into _North Edisto_ River, about ten Leagues Southward of +_Charles-Town_, and sent an Express to the Governor, to know if he and his +Comrades might have the Benefit of his Majesty's Pardon, and they would +surrender themselves to his Mercy, with the Sloops and Negroes; which being +granted, they all came up and received Certificates; and Captain +_Thompson_, from whom the Negroes were taken, had them restored to him, for +the Use of his Owners. + +_Vane_ cruised some Time off the Bar, in hopes to catch _Yeats_ at his +coming out again, but therein he was disappointed; however, he +unfortunately for them, took two Ships from _Charles-Town_, bound home to +_England_. It happen'd that just at this Time two Sloops well mann'd and +arm'd, were equipp'd to go after a Pyrate, which the Governor of +_South-Carolina_ was informed, lay then in Cape _Fear_ River, a cleaning: +But Colonel _Rhet_, who commanded the Sloops, meeting with one of the Ships +that _Vane_ had plundered, going back over the Bar, for such Necessaries as +had been taken from her, and she giving the Colonel an Account of her being +taken by the Pyrate _Vane_, and also, that some of her Men, while they were +Prisoners on Board of him, had heard the Pyrates say, they should clean in +one of the Rivers to the Southward; he altered his first Design, and +instead of standing to the Northward, in pursuit of the Pyrate in Cape +_Fear_ River, he turns to the Southward after _Vane_; who had ordered such +Reports to be given out, on purpose to send any Force that should come +after him, upon a wrong Scent; for in Reality he stood away to the +Northward, so that the Pursuit proved to be the contrary Way. + +Colonel _Rhet_'s speaking with this Ship, was the most unlucky Thing that +could have happened, because it turned him out of the Road, which in all +Probability, would have brought him into the Company of _Vane_, as well as +of the Pyrate he went after; and so they might have been both destroy'd; +whereas, by the Colonel's going a different Way, he not only lost the +Opportunity of meeting with one, but if the other had not been infatuated, +to lye six Weeks together at Cape _Fear_, he would have missed of him +likewise: However, the Colonel having searched the Rivers and Inlets, as +directed, for several Days, without Success, at length sailed in +Prosecution of his first Design, and met with the Pyrate accordingly, whom +he fought and took, as has been before spoken of, in the History of Major +_Bonnet_. + +Captain _Vane_ went into an Inlet to the Northward, where he met with +Captain _Thatch_, or _Teach_, otherwise call'd _Black-beard_, whom he +saluted (when he found who he was) with his great Guns, loaded with Shot, +(as is the Custom among Pyrates when they meet) which are fired wide, or up +into the Air: _Black-beard_ answered the Salute in the same Manner, and +mutual Civilities passed for some Days; when about the Beginning of +_October, Vane_ took Leave, and sailed further to the Northward. + +On the 23d of _October_, off of _Long Island_, he took a small Brigantine, +bound from _Jamaica_ to _Salem_ in _New-England, John Shattock_ Master, and +a little Sloop; they rifled the Brigantine, and sent her away. From hence +they resolved on a Cruize between Cape _Meise_ and Cape _Nicholas_, where +they spent some Time, without seeing or speaking with any Vessel, till the +latter End of _November_; then they fell upon a Ship, which 'twas expected +would have struck as soon as their black Colours were hoisted; but instead +of that, she discharged a Broadside upon the Pyrate, and hoisted Colours, +which shewed her to be a _French_ Man of War. _Vane_ desired to have +nothing further to say to her, but trimm'd his Sails, and stood away from +the _French_ Man; but _Monsieur_ having a Mind to be better informed who he +was, set all his Sails, and crowded after him. During this Chace, the +Pyrates were divided in their Resolutions what to do: _Vane_, the Captain, +was for making off as fast as he could, alledging the Man of War was too +strong to cope with; but one _John Rackam_, who was an Officer, that had a +kind of a Check upon the Captain, rose up in Defence of a contrary Opinion, +saying, _That tho' she had more Guns, and a greater Weight of Mettal, they +might board her, and then the best Boys would carry the Day. Rackam_ was +well seconded, and the Majority was for boarding; but _Vane_ urged, _That +it was too rash and desperate an Enterprize, the Man of War appearing to be +twice their Force; and that their Brigantine might be sunk by her before +they could reach on board_. The Mate, one _Robert Deal_, was of _Vane_'s +Opinion, as were about fifteen more, and all the rest joined with _Rackam_, +the Quarter-Master. At length the Captain made use of his Power to +determine this Dispute, which, in these Cases, is absolute and +uncontroulable, by their own Laws, _viz_. in _fighting, chasing_, or _being +chased_; in all other Matters whatsoever, he is governed by a Majority; so +the Brigantine having the Heels, as they term it, of the _French_ Man, she +came clear off. + +But the next Day, the Captain's Behaviour was obliged to stand the Test of +a Vote, and a Resolution passed against his Honour and Dignity, branding +him with the Name of Coward, deposing him from the Command, and turning him +out of the Company, with Marks of Infamy; and, with him, went all those who +did not Vote for boarding the _French_ Man of War. They had with them a +small Sloop that had been taken by them some Time before, which they gave +to _Vane_, and the discarded Members; and, that they might be in a +Condition to provide for themselves, by their own honest Endeavours, they +let them have a sufficient Quantity of Provisions and Ammunition along with +them. + +_John Rackam_ was voted Captain of the Brigantine, in _Vane_'s Room, and +proceeded towards the _Caribbee Islands_, where we must leave him, till we +have finished our Story of _Charles Vane_. + +The Sloop sailed for the Bay of _Honduras_, and _Vane_ and his Crew put her +into as good a Condition as they could by the Way, to follow the old Trade. +They cruised two or three Days off the North-West Part of _Jamaica_, and +took a Sloop and two Pettiagas, and all the Men entered with them; the +Sloop they kept, and _Robert Deal_ went Captain of her. + +On the 16th of _December_ the two Sloops came into the Bay, where they +found only one at an Anchor, call'd the _Pearl_, of _Jamaica_, Captain +_Charles Rowling_ Master, who got under Sail at the Sight of them; but the +Pyrate Sloops coming near _Rowling_, and shewing no Colours, he gave them a +Gun or two; whereupon they hoisted the black Flag, and fired three Guns +each, at the _Pearl_; she struck, and the Pyrates took Possession, and +carried her away to a small Island called _Barnacko_, and there they +cleaned, meeting in the Way with a Sloop from _Jamaica_, Captain _Wallden_ +Commander, going down to the Bay, which they also made Prize of. + +In _February, Vane_ sailed from _Barnacko_, in order for a Cruize; but some +Days after he was out, a violent Turnado overtook him, which separated him +from his Consort, and after two Days Distress, threw his Sloop upon a small +uninhabited Island, near the Bay of _Honduras_, where she was staved to +Pieces, and most of her Men drowned: _Vane_ himself was saved, but reduced +to great Streights, for want of Necessaries, having no Opportunity to get +any Thing from the Wreck. He lived here some Weeks, and was subsisted +chiefly by Fishermen, who frequented the Island with small Craft, from the +Main, to catch Turtles, _&c_. + +While _Vane_ was upon this Island, a Ship put in from _Jamaica_ for Water, +the Captain of which, one _Holford_, an old Buccaneer, happened to be +_Vane_'s Acquaintance; he thought this a good Opportunity to get off, and +accordingly applied to his old Friend; but he absolutely refused him, +saying to him, Charles, _I shan't trust you aboard my Ship, unless I carry +you a Prisoner; for I shall have you caballing with my Men, knock me on the +Head, and run away with my Ship a pyrating. Vane_ made all the +Protestations of Honour in the World to him; but, it seems, Captain +_Holford_ was too intimately acquainted with him, to repose any Confidence +at all in his Words or Oaths. He told him, _He might easily find a Way to +get off, if he had a Mind to it: I am now going down the Bay_, says he, +_and shall return hither, in about a Month; and if I find you upon the +Island when I come back, I'll carry you to_ Jamaica, _and hang you. Which +Way can I get away_? Answers _Vane. Are there not Fishermen's Dories upon +the Beach? Can't you take one of them_? Replies _Holford. What_, says +_Vane, would you have me steal a Dory then? Do you make it a Matter of +Conscience_? Said _Holford, to steal a Dory, when you have been a common +Robber and Pyrate, stealing Ships and Cargoes, and plundering all Mankind +that fell in your Way? Stay there, and be d--n'd, if you are so Squeamish_: +And so left him. + +After Captain _Holford_'s Departure, another Ship put in to the same Island +in her Way home for Water; none of whose Company knowing _Vane_, he easily +passed upon them for another Man, and so was shipp'd for the Voyage. One +would be apt to think that _Vane_ was now pretty safe, and likely to escape +the Fate which his Crimes had merited; but here a cross Accident happen'd +that ruin'd all: _Holford_, returning from the Bay, was met with by this +Ship; the Captains being very well acquainted together, _Holford_ was +invited to dine aboard of him, which he did; and as he passed along to the +Cabin, he chanced to cast his Eye down the Hold, and there saw _Charles +Vane_ at work; he immediately spoke to the Captain, saying, _Do you know +who you have got aboard here? Why_, says he, _I have shipp'd a Man at such +an Island, who was cast away in a trading Sloop, he seems to be a brisk +Hand. I tell you_, says Captain _Holford, it is_ Vane _the notorious +Pyrate. If it be him_, replies the other, _I won't keep him: Why then_, +says _Holford, I'll send and take him aboard, and surrender him at_ +Jamaica. Which being agreed to, Captain _Holford_, as soon as he returned +to his Ship, sent his Boat with his Mate armed, who coming to _Vane_, +shewed him a Pistol, and told him, _He was his Prisoner_; which none +opposing, he was brought aboard, and put in Irons; and when Captain +_Holford_ arrived at _Jamaica_, he delivered his old Acquaintance into the +Hands of Justice; at which Place he was try'd, convicted, and executed, as +was, some Time before, _Vane_'s Consort, _Robert Deal_, brought thither by +one of the Men of War. + +CHAP. VII. OF Captain _John Rackam_, And his CREW. + +THIS _John Rackam_, as has been mentioned in the last Chapter, was +Quarter-Master to _Vane_'s Company, till they were divided, and _Vane_ +turned out for refusing to board and fight the _French_ Man of War; then +_Rackam_ was voted Captain of that Division that remained in the +Brigantine. The 24th of _November_ 1718, was the first Day of his Command, +and his first Cruize was among the _Caribbee Islands_, where he took and +plunder'd several Vessels. + +We have already taken Notice, that when Captain _Woodes Rogers_ went to the +Island of _Providence_, with the King's Pardon to such as should surrender, +this Brigantine, which _Rackam_ now commanded, made its Escape, thro' +another Passage, bidding Defiance to Mercy. + +To Windward of _Jamaica_, a _Madera_ Man fell into the Pyrates Way, which +they detained two or three Days, till they had made their Market out of +her, and then gave her back to the Master, and permitted one _Hosea +Tisdell_, a Tavern-Keeper at _Jamaica_, who had been pick'd up in one of +their Prizes, to depart in her, she being then bound for that Island. + +After this Cruize, they went into a small Island and cleaned, and spent +their _Christmas_ ashore, drinking and carousing as long as they had any +Liquor left, and then went to Sea again for more, where they succeeded but +too well, though they took no extraordinary Prize, for above two Months, +except a Ship laden with Thieves from _Newgate_, bound for the Plantations, +which, in a few Days, was retaken with all her Cargo, by an _English_ Man +of War. + +_Rackam_ stood off towards the Island of _Burmudas_, and took a Ship bound +to _England_ from _Carolina_, and a small Pink from _New-England_, and +brought them to the _Bahama_ Islands, where with the Pitch, Tar, and +Stores, they clean'd again, and refitted their own Vessel; but staying too +long in that Neighbourhood, Captain _Rogers_, who was Governor of +_Providence_, hearing of these Ships being taken, sent out a Sloop well +mann'd and arm'd, which retook both the Prizes, and in the mean while the +Pyrate had the good Fortune to escape. + +From hence they sailed to the Back of _Cuba_, where _Rackam_ kept a little +kind of a Family, at which Place, they staid a considerable Time, living +ashore with their Dalilahs, till their Money and Provision were expended, +and then they concluded it Time to look out: They repaired to their Vessel, +and was making ready to put Sea, when a _Guarda del Costa_ came in with a +small _English_ Sloop, which she had taken as an Interloper on the Coast. +The _Spanish_ Guardship attack'd the Pyrate, but _Rackam_ being close in +behind a little Island, she could do but little Execution where she lay, +therefore the _Spaniard_ warps into the Channel that Evening, in order to +make sure of her the next Morning. _Rackam_ finding his Case desperate, and +hardly any Possibility of escaping, resolved to attempt the following +Enterprize: The _Spanish_ Prize lying for better Security close into the +Land, between the little Island and the Main; _Rackam_ takes his Crew into +the Boat, with their Pistols and Cutlashes, rounds the little Island, and +falls aboard their Prize silently in the dead of the Night, without being +discovered, telling the _Spaniards_ that were aboard of her, that if they +spoke a Word, or made the least Noise, they were dead Men, and so became +Master of her; when this was done, he slipt her Cable, and drove out to +Sea: The _Spanish_ Man of War, was so intent upon their expected Prize, +that they minded nothing else, and assoon as Day broke, made a furious Fire +upon the empty Sloop, but it was not long before they were rightly apprized +of the Matter, and cursed themselves for Fools, to be bit out of a good +rich Prize, as she prov'd to be, and to have nothing but an old crazy Hull +in the room of her. + +_Rackam_ and his Crew had no Occasion to be displeased at the Exchange, +that enabled them to continue some Time longer in a Way of Life that suited +their depraved Tempers: In _August_ 1720, we find him at Sea again, +scouring the Harbours and Inlets of the North and West Parts of _Jamaica_, +where he took several small Craft, which proved no great Booty to the +Rovers, but they had but few Men, and therefore they were obliged to run at +low Game, till they could encrease their Company. + +In the Beginning of _September_, they took seven or eight Fishing-Boats in +_Harbour Island_, stole their Nets and other Tackle, and then went off the +_French_ Part of _Hispaniola_, and landed, and took Cattle away, with two +or three _French_ Men they found near the Water-Side, hunting of wild Hogs +in the Evening: The _French_ Men came on Board, whether by Consent or +Compulsion, I can't say. They afterwards plundered two Sloops, and returned +to _Jamaica_, on the North Coast of which Island, near _Porto Maria_ Bay, +they took a Scooner, _Thomas Spenlow_ Master; it was then the 19th of +_October_. The next Day, _Rackam_ seeing a Sloop in _Dry Harbour_ Bay, he +stood in and fired a Gun; the Men all run ashore, and he took the Sloop and +Lading, but when those ashore found them to be Pyrates, they hailed the +Sloop, and let them know they were all willing to come aboard of them. + +_Rackam_'s coasting the Island in this Manner, proved fatal to him, for +Intelligence came to the Governor, of his Expedition, by a Canoa which he +had surprized ashore, in _Ocho_ Bay; upon which a Sloop was immediately +fitted out, and sent round the Island in quest of him, commanded by Captain +_Barnet_, with a good Number of Hands. _Rackam_ rounding the Island, and +drawing near the Westermost Point, called Point _Negril_, saw a small +Pettiauger, which at sight of the Sloop, run ashore and landed her Men; +when one of them hailed her, Answer was made, _They were_ English _Men_, +and desired the Pettiauger's Men to come on Board, and drink a Bowl of +Punch, which they were prevailed upon to do; accordingly the Company came +all aboard of the Pyrate, consisting of nine Persons, in an ill Hour; they +were armed with Muskets and Cutlashes, but, what was their real Design by +so doing, I shall not take upon me to say; but they had no sooner laid down +their Arms, and taken up their Pipes, but _Barnet_'s Sloop, which was in +Pursuit of _Rackam_'s, came in Sight. + +The Pyrates finding she stood directly towards her, fear'd the Event, and +weighed their Anchor, which they but lately let go, and stood off: Captain +_Barnet_ gave them Chace, and having the Advantage of little Breezes of +Wind, which blew off the Land, came up with her, and, after a very small +Dispute, took her, and brought her into _Port Royal_, in _Jamaica_. + +In about a Fortnight after the Prisoners were brought ashore, _viz. +November_ 16, 1720, a Court of Admiralty was held at St. _Jago de la Vega_, +before which the following Persons were convicted, and Sentence of Death +passed upon them, by the President, Sir _Nicholas Laws, viz. John Rackam_ +Captain, _George Fetherston_ Master, _Richard Corner_ Quarter-Master, _John +Davis, John Howell, Patrick Carty, Thomas Earl, James Dobbin_ and _Noah +Harwood_. The five first were executed the next Day at _Gallows Point_, at +the Town of _Port Royal_, and the rest, the Day after, at _Kingston_; +_Rackam, Feverston_ and _Corner_, were afterwards taken down and hang'd up +in Chains, one at _Plumb Point_, one at _Bush Key_, and the other at _Gun +Key_. + +But what was very surprizing, was, the Conviction of the nine Men that came +aboard the Sloop the same Day she was taken. They were try'd at an +Adjournment of the Court, on the 24th of _January_, waiting all that Time, +it is supposed, for Evidence, to prove the pyratical Intention of going +aboard the said Sloop; for it seems there was no Act of Pyracy committed by +them, after their coming on Board, as appeared by the Witnesses against +them, who were two _French_ Men taken by _Rackam_, off from the Island of +_Hispaniola_, and deposed in the following Manner. + + `That the Prisoners at the Bar, _viz. John Eaton, + Edward Warner, Thomas Baker, Thomas Quick, John Cole, + Benjamin Palmer, Walter Rouse, John Hanson_, and _John + Howard_, came aboard the Pyrate's Sloop at _Negril + Point, Rackam_ sending his Canoe ashore for that + Purpose: That they brought Guns and Cutlashes on Board + with them: That when Captain + _Barnet_ chased them, some were drinking, and others + walking the Deck: That there was a great Gun and a + small Arm fired by the Pyrate Sloop, at Captain + _Barnet_'s Sloop, when he chased her; and that when + Captain _Barnet_'s Sloop fired at _Rackam_'s Sloop, the + Prisoners at the Bar went down under Deck. That during + the Time Captain _Barnet_ chased them, some of the + Prisoners at the Bar (but which of them he could not + tell) helped to row the Sloop, in order to escape from + _Barnet_: That they all seemed to be consorted + together. + +This was the Substance of all that was evidenced against them, the +Prisoners answered in their Defence, + + `That they had no Witnesses: That they had bought a + Pettiauger in order to go a Turtleing; and being at + _Negril Point_, and just got ashore, they saw a Sloop + with a white Pendant coming towards them, upon which + they took their Arms, and hid themselves in the Bushes: + That one of them hail'd the Sloop, who answer'd, _They + were_ English _Men_, and desired them to come aboard + and drink a Bowl of Punch; which they at first refused, + but afterwards with much perswasion, they went on + Board, in the Sloop's Canoe, and left their own + Pettiauger at Anchor: That they had been but a short + Time on Board, when Captain _Barnet_'s Sloop heaved in + Sight: That _Rackam_ ordered them to help to weigh the + Sloop's Anchor immediately, which they all refused: + That _Rackam_ used violent Means to oblige them; and + that when Captain _Barnet_ came up with them, they all + readily and willingly submitted. + +When the Prisoners were taken from the Bar, and the Persons present being +withdrawn, the Court considered the Prisoners Cases, and the Majority of +the Commissioners being of Opinion, that they were all Guilty of the Pyracy +and Felony they were charged with, which was, _the going over with a +pyratical and felonious Intent to_ John Rackam, &c. _then notorious +Pyrates, and by them known to be so_, they all received Sentence of Death; +which every Body must allow proved somewhat unlucky to the poor Fellows. + +On the 17th of _February, John Eaton, Thomas Quick_ and _Thomas Baker_, +were executed at _Gallows Point_, at _Port Royal_, and the next Day _John +Cole, John Howard_ and _Benjamin Palmer_, were executed at _Kingston_; +whether the other three were executed afterwards, or not, I never heard. + +Two other Pyrates were try'd that belonged to _Rackam_'s Crew, and being +convicted, were brought up, and asked if either of them had any Thing to +say why Sentence of Death should not pass upon them, in like Manner as had +been done to all the rest; and both of them pleaded their Bellies, being +quick with Child, and pray'd that Execution might be stay'd, whereupon the +Court passed Sentence, as in Cases of Pyracy, but ordered them back, till a +proper Jury should be appointed to enquire into the Matter. + +_The_ LIFE _of_ MARY READ, + +NOW we are to begin a History full of surprizing Turns and +Adventures; I mean, that of _Mary Read_ and _Anne Bonny_, alias _Bonn_, +which were the true Names of these two Pyrates; the odd Incidents of their +rambling Lives are such, that some may be tempted to think the whole Story +no better than a Novel or Romance; but since it is supported by many +thousand Witnesses, I mean the People of _Jamaica_, who were present at +their Tryals, and heard the Story of their Lives, upon the first discovery +of their Sex; the Truth of it can be no more contested, than that there +were such Men in the World, as _Roberts_ and _Black-beard_, who were +Pyrates. + +_Mary Read_ was born in _England_, her Mother was married young, to a Man +who used the Sea, who going a Voyage soon after their Marriage, left her +with Child, which Child proved to be a Boy. As to the Husband, whether he +was cast away, or died in the Voyage, _Mary Read_ could not tell; but +however, he never returned more; nevertheless, the Mother, who was young +and airy, met with an Accident, which has often happened to Women who are +young, and do not take a great deal of Care; which was, she soon proved +with Child again, without a Husband to Father it, but how, or by whom, none +but her self could tell, for she carried a pretty good Reputation among her +Neighbours. Finding her Burthen grow, in order to conceal her Shame, she +takes a formal Leave of her Husband's Relations, giving out, that she went +to live with some Friends of her own, in the Country: Accordingly she went +away, and carried with her her young Son, at this Time, not a Year old: +Soon after her Departure her Son died, but Providence in Return, was +pleased to give her a Girl in his Room, of which she was safely delivered, +in her Retreat, and this was our _Mary Read_. + +Here the Mother liv'd three or four Years, till what Money she had was +almost gone; then she thought of returning to _London_, and considering +that her Husband's Mother was in some Circumstances, she did not doubt but +to prevail upon her, to provide for the Child, if she could but pass it +upon her for the same, but the changing a Girl into a Boy, seem'd a +difficult Piece of Work, and how to deceive an experienced old Woman, in +such a Point, was altogether as impossible; however, she ventured to dress +it up as a Boy, brought it to Town, and presented it to her Mother in Law, +as her Husband's Son; the old Woman would have taken it, to have bred it +up, but the Mother pretended it would break her Heart, to part with it; so +it was agreed betwixt them, that the Child should live with the Mother, and +the supposed Grandmother should allow a Crown a Week for it's Maintainance. + +Thus the Mother gained her Point, she bred up her Daughter as a Boy, and +when she grew up to some Sense, she thought proper to let her into the +Secret of her Birth, to induce her to conceal her Sex. It happen'd that the +Grandmother died, by which Means the Subsistance that came from that +Quarter, ceased, and they were more and more reduced in their +Circumstances; wherefore she was obliged to put her Daughter out, to wait +on a _French_ Lady, as a Foot-boy, being now thirteen Years of Age: Here +she did not live long, for growing bold and strong, and having also a +roving Mind, she entered her self on Board a Man of War, where she served +some Time, then quitted it, went over into _Flanders_, and carried Arms in +a Regiment of Foot, as a _Cadet_; and tho' upon all Actions, she behaved +herself with a great deal of Bravery, yet she could not get a Commission, +they being generally bought and sold; therefore she quitted the Service, +and took on in a Regiment of Horse; she behaved so well in several +Engagements, that she got the Esteem of all her Officers; but her Comrade +who was a _Fleming_, happening to be a handsome young Fellow, she falls in +Love with him, and from that Time, grew a little more negligent in her +Duty, so that, it seems, _Mars_ and _Venus_ could not be served at the same +Time; her Arms and Accoutrements which were always kept in the best Order, +were quite neglected: 'tis true, when her Comrade was ordered out upon a +Party, she used to go without being commanded, and frequently run herself +into Danger, where she had no Business, only to be near him; the rest of +the Troopers little suspecting the secret Cause which moved her to this +Behaviour, fancied her to be mad, and her Comrade himself could not account +for this strange Alteration in her, but Love is ingenious, and as they lay +in the same Tent, and were constantly together, she found a Way of letting +him discover her Sex, without appearing that it was done with Design. + +He was much surprized at what he found out, and not a little pleased, +taking it for granted, that he should have a Mistress solely to himself, +which is an unusual Thing in a Camp, since there is scarce one of those +Campaign Ladies, that is ever true to a Troop or Company; so that he +thought of nothing but gratifying his Passions with very little Ceremony; +but he found himself strangely mistaken, for she proved very reserved and +modest, and resisted all his Temptations, and at the same Time was so +obliging and insinuating in her Carriage, that she quite changed his +Purpose, so far from thinking of making her his Mistress, he now courted +her for a Wife. + +This was the utmost Wish of her Heart, in short, they exchanged Promises, +and when the Campaign was over, and the Regiment marched into Winter +Quarters, they bought Woman's Apparel for her, with such Money as they +could make up betwixt them, and were publickly married. + +The Story of two Troopers marrying each other, made a great Noise, so that +several Officers were drawn by Curiosity to assist at the Ceremony, and +they agreed among themselves that every one of them should make a small +Present to the Bride, towards House-keeping, in Consideration of her having +been their fellow Soldier. Thus being set up, they seemed to have a Desire +of quitting the Service, and settling in the World; the Adventure of their +Love and Marriage had gained them so much Favour, that they easily obtained +their Discharge, and they immediately set up an Eating House or Ordinary, +which was the Sign of the _Three Horse-Shoes_, near the Castle of _Breda_, +where they soon run into a good Trade, a great many Officers eating with +them constantly. + +But this Happiness lasted not long, for the Husband soon died, and the +Peace of _Reswick_ being concluded, there was no Resort of Officers to +_Breda_, as usual; so that the Widow having little or no Trade, was forced +to give up House-keeping, and her Substance being by Degrees quite spent, +she again assumes her Man's Apparel, and going into _Holland_, there takes +on in a Regiment of Foot, quarter'd in one of the Frontier Towns: Here she +did not remain long, there was no likelihood of Preferment in Time of +Peace, therefore she took a Resolution of seeking her Fortune another Way; +and withdrawing from the Regiment, ships herself on Board of a Vessel bound +for the _West-Indies_. + +It happen'd this Ship was taken by _English_ Pyrates, and _Mary Read_ was +the only _English_ Person on Board, they kept her amongst them, and having +plundered the Ship, let it go again; after following this Trade for some +Time, the King's Proclamation came out, and was publish'd in all Parts of +the _West-Indies_, for pardoning such Pyrates, who should voluntarily +surrender themselves by a certain Day therein mentioned. The Crew of _Mary +Read_ took the Benefit of this Proclamation, and having surrender'd, liv'd +quietly on Shore; but Money beginning to grow short, and hearing that +Captain _Woods Rogers_, Governor of the Island of _Providence_, was fitting +out some Privateers to cruise against the _Spaniards_, she with several +others embark'd for that Island, in order to go upon the privateering +Account, being resolved to make her Fortune one way or other. + +These Privateers were no sooner sail'd out, but the Crews of some of them, +who had been pardoned, rose against their Commanders, and turned themselves +to their old Trade: In this Number was _Mary Read_. It is true, she often +declared, that the Life of a Pyrate was what she always abhor'd, and went +into it only upon Compulsion, both this Time, and before, intending to quit +it, whenever a fair Opportunity should offer it self; yet some of the +Evidence against her, upon her Tryal, who were forced Men, and had sailed +with her, deposed upon Oath, that in Times of Action, no Person amongst +them were more resolute, or ready to Board or undertake any Thing that was +hazardous, as she and _Anne Bonny_; and particularly at the Time they were +attack'd and taken, when they came to close Quarters, none kept the Deck +except _Mary Read_ and _Anne Bonny_, and one more; upon which, she, _Mary +Read_, called to those under Deck, to come up and fight like Men, and +finding they did not stir, fired her Arms down the Hold amongst them, +killing one, and wounding others. + +This was part of the Evidence against her, which she denied; which, whether +true or no, thus much is certain, that she did not want Bravery, nor indeed +was she less remarkable for her Modesty, according to her Notions of +Virtue: Her Sex was not so much as suspected by any Person on Board, till +_Anne Bonny_, who was not altogether so reserved in point of Chastity, took +a particular liking to her; in short, _Anne Bonny_ took her for a handsome +young Fellow, and for some Reasons best known to herself, first discovered +her Sex to _Mary Read; Mary Read_ knowing what she would be at, and being +very sensible of her own Incapacity that Way, was forced to come to a right +Understanding with her, and so to the great Disappointment of _Anne Bonny_, +she let her know she was a Woman also; but this Intimacy so disturb'd +Captain _Rackam_, who was the Lover and Gallant of _Anne Bonny_, that he +grew furiously jealous, so that he told _Anne Bonny_, he would cut her new +Lover's Throat, therefore, to quiet him, she let him into the Secret also. + +Captain _Rackam_, (as he was enjoined,) kept the Thing a Secret from all +the Ship's Company, yet, notwithstanding all her Cunning and Reserve, Love +found her out in this Disguise, and hinder'd her from forgetting her Sex. +In their Cruize they took a great Number of Ships belonging to _Jamaica_, +and other Parts of the _West-Indies_, bound to and from _England_; and when +ever they meet any good Artist, or other Person that might be of any great +Use to their Company, if he was not willing to enter, it was their Custom +to keep him by Force. Among these was a young Fellow of a most engageing +Behaviour, or, at least, he was so in the Eyes of _Mary Read_, who became +so smitten with his Person and Address, that she could neither rest, Night +or Day; but as there is nothing more ingenious than Love, it was no hard +Matter for her, who had before been practiced in these Wiles, to find a Way +to let him discover her Sex: She first insinuated her self into his liking, +by talking against the Life of a Pyrate, which he was altogether averse to, +so they became Mess-Mates and strict Companions: When she found he had a +Friendship for her, as a Man, she suffered the Discovery to be made, by +carelesly shewing her Breasts, which were very White. + +The young Fellow, who was made of Flesh and Blood, had his Curiosity and +Desire so rais'd by this Sight, that he never ceased importuning her, till +she confessed what she was. Now begins the Scene of Love; as he had a +Liking and Esteem for her, under her supposed Character, it was now turn'd +into Fondness and Desire; her Passion was no less violent than his, and +perhaps she express'd it, by one of the most generous Actions that ever +Love inspired. It happened this young Fellow had a Quarrel with one of the +Pyrates, and their Ship then lying at an Anchor, near one of the Islands, +they had appointed to go ashore and fight, according to the Custom of the +Pyrates: _Mary Read_, was to the last Degree uneasy and anxious, for the +Fate of her Lover; she would not have had him refuse the Challenge, +because, she could not bear the Thoughts of his being branded with +Cowardise; on the other Side, she dreaded the Event, and apprehended the +Fellow might be too hard for him: When Love once enters into the Breast of +one who has any Sparks of Generosity, it stirs the Heart up to the most +noble Actions; in this Dilemma, she shew'd, that she fear'd more for his +Life than she did for her own; for she took a Resolution of quarreling with +this Fellow her self, and having challenged him ashore, she appointed the +Time two Hours sooner than that when he was to meet her Lover, where she +fought him at Sword and Pistol, and killed him upon the Spot. + +It is true, she had fought before, when she had been insulted by some of +those Fellows, but now it was altogether in her Lover's Cause, she stood as +it were betwixt him and Death, as if she could not live without him. If he +had no regard for her before, this Action would have bound him to her for +ever; but there was no Occasion for Ties or Obligations, his Inclination +towards her was sufficient; in fine, they applied their Troth to each +other, which _Mary Read_ said, she look'd upon to be as good a Marriage, in +Conscience, as if it had been done by a Minister in Church; and to this was +owing her great Belly, which she pleaded to save her Life. + +She declared she had never committed Adultery or Fornication with any Man, +she commended the Justice of the Court, before which she was tried, for +distinguishing the Nature of their Crimes; her Husband, as she call'd him, +with several others, being acquitted; and being ask'd, who he was? she +would not tell, but, said he was an honest Man, and had no Inclination to +such Practices, and that they had both resolved to leave the Pyrates the +first Opportunity, and apply themselves to some honest Livelyhood. + +It is no doubt, but many had Compassion for her, yet the Court could not +avoid finding her Guilty; for among other Things, one of the Evidences +against her, deposed, that being taken by _Rackam_, and detain'd some Time +on Board, he fell accidentally into Discourse with _Mary Read_, whom he +taking for a young Man, ask'd her, what Pleasure she could have in being +concerned in such Enterprizes, where her Life was continually in Danger, by +Fire or Sword; and not only so, but she must be sure of dying an +ignominious Death, if she should be taken alive?--She answer'd, that as to +hanging, she thought it no great Hardship, for, were it not for that, every +cowardly Fellow would turn Pyrate, and so infest the Seas, that Men of +Courage must starve:-- That if it was put to the Choice of the Pyrates, +they would not have the punishment less than Death, the Fear of which, kept +some dastardly Rogues honest; that many of those who are now cheating the +Widows and Orphans, and oppressing their poor Neighbours, who have no Money +to obtain Justice, would then rob at Sea, and the Ocean would be crowded +with Rogues, like the Land, and no Merchant would venture out; so that the +Trade, in a little Time, would not be worth following. + +Being found quick with Child, as has been observed, her Execution was +respited, and it is possible she would have found Favour, but she was +seiz'd with a violent Fever, soon after her Tryal, of which she died in +Prison. + +_The_ LIFE _of_ ANNE BONNY. + +AS we have been more particular in the Lives of these two Women, than +those of other Pyrates, it is incumbent on us, as a faithful Historian, to +begin with their Birth. _Anne Bonny_ was born at a Town near _Cork_, in the +Kingdom of _Ireland_, her Father an Attorney at Law, but _Anne_ was not one +of his legitimate Issue, which seems to cross an old Proverb, which says, +_that Bastards have the best Luck_. Her Father was a Married Man, and his +Wife having been brought to Bed, contracted an Illness in her lying in, and +in order to recover her Health, she was advised to remove for Change of +Air; the Place she chose, was a few Miles distance from her Dwelling, where +her Husband's Mother liv'd. Here she sojourn'd some Time, her Husband +staying at Home, to follow his Affairs. The Servant-Maid, whom she left to +look after the House, and attend the Family, being a handsome young Woman, +was courted by a young Man of the same Town, who was a _Tanner_; this +_Tanner_ used to take his Opportunities, when the Family was out of the +Way, of coming to pursue his Courtship; and being with the Maid one Day as +she was employ'd in the Houshold Business, not having the Fear of God +before his Eyes, he takes his Opportunity, when her Back was turned, of +whipping three Silver Spoons into his Pocket. The Maid soon miss'd the +Spoons, and knowing that no Body had been in the Room, but herself and the +young Man, since she saw them last, she charged him with taking them; he +very stifly denied it, upon which she grew outragious, and threatned to go +to a Constable, in order to carry him before a Justice of Peace: These +Menaces frighten'd him out of his Wits, well knowing he could not stand +Search; wherefore he endeavoured to pacify her, by desiring her to examine +the Drawers and other Places, and perhaps she might find them; in this Time +he slips into another Room, where the Maid usually lay, and puts the Spoons +betwixt the Sheets, and then makes his Escape by a back Door, concluding +she must find them, when she went to Bed, and so next Day he might pretend +he did it only to frighten her, and the Thing might be laugh'd off for a +Jest. + +As soon as she miss'd him, she gave over her Search, concluding he had +carried them off, and went directly to the Constable, in order to have him +apprehended: The young Man was informed, that a Constable had been in +Search of him, but he regarded it but little, not doubting but all would be +well next Day. Three or four Days passed, and still he was told, the +Constable was upon the Hunt for him, this made him lye concealed, he could +not comprehend the Meaning of it, he imagined no less, than that the Maid +had a Mind to convert the Spoons to her own Use, and put the Robbery upon +him. + +It happened, at this Time, that the Mistress being perfectly recovered of +her late Indisposition, was return'd Home, in Company with her +Mother-in-Law; the first News she heard, was of the Loss of the Spoons, +with the Manner how; the Maid telling her, at the same Time, that the young +Man was run away. The young Fellow had Intelligence of the Mistress's +Arrival, and considering with himself, that he could never appear again in +his Business, unless this Matter was got over, and she being a good natured +Woman, he took a Resolution of going directly to her, and of telling her +the whole Story, only with this Difference, that he did it for a Jest. + +The Mistress could scarce believe it, however, she went directly to the +Maid's Room, and turning down the Bed Cloaths, there, to her great +Surprize, found the three Spoons; upon this she desired the young Man to go +Home and mind his Business, for he should have no Trouble about it. + +The Mistress could not imagine the Meaning of this, she never had found the +Maid guilty of any pilfering, and therefore it could not enter her Head, +that she designed to steal the Spoons her self; upon the whole, she +concluded the Maid had not been in her Bed, from the Time the Spoons were +miss'd, she grew immediately jealous upon it, and suspected, that the Maid +supplied her Place with her Husband, during her Absence, and this was the +Reason why the Spoons were no sooner found. + +She call'd to Mind several Actions of Kindness, her Husband had shewed the +Maid, Things that pass'd unheeded by, when they happened, but now she had +got that Tormentor, Jealousy, in her Head, amounted to Proofs of their +Intimacy; another Circumstance which strengthen'd the whole, was, that tho' +her Husband knew she was to come Home that Day, and had had no +Communication with her in four Months, which was before her last Lying in, +yet he took an Opportunity of going out of Town that Morning, upon some +slight Pretence: --All these Things put together, confirm'd her in her +Jealousy. + +As Women seldom forgive Injuries of this Kind, she thought of discharging +her Revenge upon the Maid: In order to this, she leaves the Spoons where +she found them, and orders the Maid to put clean Sheets upon the Bed, +telling her, she intended to lye there herself that Night, because her +Mother in Law was to lye in her Bed, and that she (the Maid) must lye in +another Part of the House; the Maid in making the Bed, was surprized with +the Sight of the Spoons, but there were very good Reasons, why it was not +proper for her to tell where she found them, therefore she takes them up, +puts them in her Trunk, intending to leave them in some Place, where they +might be found by chance. + +The Mistress, that every Thing might look to be done without Design, lies +that Night in the Maid's Bed, little dreaming of what an Adventure it would +produce: After she had been a Bed some Time, thinking on what had pass'd, +for Jealousy kept her awake, she heard some Body enter the Room; at first +she apprehended it to be Thieves, and was so fright'ned, she had not +Courage enough to call out; but when she heard these Words, Mary, _are you +awake_? She knew it to be her Husband's Voice; then her Fright was over, +yet she made no Answer, least he should find her out, if she spoke, +therefore she resolved to counterfeit Sleep, and take what followed. + +The Husband came to Bed, and that Night play'd the vigorous Lover; but one +Thing spoil'd the Diversion on the Wife's Side, which was, the Reflection +that it was not design'd for her; however she was very passive, and bore it +like a Christian. Early before Day, she stole out of Bed, leaving him +asleep, and went to her Mother in Law, telling her what had passed, not +forgetting how he had used her, as taking her for the Maid; the Husband +also stole out, not thinking it convenient to be catch'd in that Room; in +the mean Time, the Revenge of the Mistress was strongly against the Maid, +and without considering, that to her she ow'd the Diversion of the Night +before, and that one good _Turn_ should deserve another; she sent for a +Constable, and charged her with stealing the Spoons: The Maid's Trunk was +broke open, and the Spoons found, upon which she was carried before a +Justice of Peace, and by him committed to Goal. + +The Husband loiter'd about till twelve a Clock at Noon, then comes Home, +pretended he was just come to Town; as soon as he heard what had passed, in +Relation to the Maid, he fell into a great Passion with his Wife; this set +the Thing into a greater Flame, the Mother takes the Wife's Part against +her own Son, insomuch that the Quarrel increasing, the Mother and Wife took +Horse immediately, and went back to the Mother's House, and the Husband and +Wife never bedded together after. + +The Maid lay a long Time in the Prison, it being near half a Year to the +Assizes; but before it happened, it was discovered she was with Child; when +she was arraign'd at the Bar, she was discharged for want of Evidence; the +Wife's Conscience touch'd her, and as she did not believe the Maid Guilty +of any Theft, except that of Love, she did not appear against her; soon +after her Acquittal, she was delivered of a Girl. + +But what alarm'd the Husband most, was, that it was discovered the Wife was +with Child also, he taking it for granted, he had had no Intimacy with her, +since her last lying in, grew jealous of her, in his Turn, and made this a +Handle to justify himself, for his Usage of her, pretending now he had +suspected her long, but that here was Proof; she was delivered of Twins, a +Boy and a Girl. + +The Mother fell ill, sent to her Son to reconcile him to his Wife, but he +would not hearken to it; therefore she made a Will, leaving all she had in +the Hands of certain Trustees, for the Use of the Wife and two Children +lately born, and died a few Days after. + +This was an ugly Turn upon him, his greatest Dependence being upon his +Mother; however, his Wife was kinder to him than he deserved, for she made +him a yearly Allowance out of what was left, tho' they continued to live +separate: It lasted near five Years; at this Time having a great Affection +for the Girl he had by his Maid, he had a Mind to take it Home, to live +with him; but as all the Town knew it to be a Girl, the better to disguise +the Matter from them, as well as from his Wife, he had it put into +Breeches, as a Boy, pretending it was a Relation's Child he was to breed up +to be his Clerk. + +The Wife heard he had a little Boy at Home he was very fond of, but as she +did not know any Relation of his that had such a Child, she employ'd a +Friend to enquire further into it; this Person by talking with the Child, +found it to be a Girl, discovered that the Servant-Maid was its Mother, and +that the Husband still kept up his Correspondence with her. + +Upon this Intelligence, the Wife being unwilling that her Children's Money +should go towards the Maintenance of Bastards, stopped the Allowance: The +Husband enraged, in a kind of Revenge, takes the Maid home, and lives with +her publickly, to the great Scandal of his Neighbours; but he soon found +the bad Effect of it, for by Degrees lost his Practice, so that he saw +plainly he could not live there, therefore he thought of removing, and +turning what Effects he had into ready Money; he goes to _Cork_, and there +with his Maid and Daughter embarques for _Carolina_. + +At first he followed the Practice of the Law in that Province, but +afterwards fell into Merchandize, which proved more successful to him, for +he gained by it sufficient to purchase a considerable Plantation: His Maid, +who passed for his Wife, happened to dye, after which his Daughter, our +_Anne Bonny_, now grown up, kept his House. + +She was of a fierce and couragious Temper, wherefore, when she lay under +Condemnation, several Stories were reported of her, much to her +Disadvantage, as that she had kill'd an _English_ Servant-Maid once in her +Passion with a Case-Knife, while she look'd after her Father's House; but +upon further Enquiry, I found this Story to be groundless: It was certain +she was so robust, that once, when a young Fellow would have lain with her, +against her Will, she beat him so, that he lay ill of it a considerable +Time. + +While she lived with her Father, she was look'd upon as one that would be a +good Fortune, wherefore it was thought her Father expected a good Match for +her; but she spoilt all, for without his Consent, she marries a young +Fellow, who belonged to the Sea, and was not worth a Groat; which provoked +her Father to such a Degree, that he turned her out of Doors, upon which +the young Fellow, who married her, finding himself disappointed in his +Expectation, shipped himself and Wife, for the Island of _Providence_, +expecting Employment there. + +Here she became acquainted with _Rackam_ the Pyrate, who making Courtship +to her, soon found Means of withdrawing her Affections from her Husband, so +that she consented to elope from him, and go to Sea with _Rackam_ in Men's +Cloaths: She was as good as her Word, and after she had been at Sea some +Time, she proved with Child, and beginning to grow big, _Rackam_ landed her +on the Island of _Cuba_; and recommending her there to some Friends of his, +they took Care of her, till she was brought to Bed: When she was up and +well again, he sent for her to bear him Company. + +The King's Proclamation being out, for pardoning of Pyrates, he took the +Benefit of it, and surrendered; afterwards being sent upon the privateering +Account, he returned to his old Trade, as has been already hinted in the +Story of _Mary Read_. In all these Expeditions, _Anne Bonny_ bore him +Company, and when any Business was to be done in their Way, no Body was +more forward or couragious than she, and particularly when they were taken; +she and _Mary Read_, with one more, were all the Persons that durst keep +the Deck, as has been before hinted. + +Her Father was known to a great many Gentlemen, Planters of _Jamaica_, who +had dealt with him, and among whom he had a good Reputation; and some of +them, who had been in _Carolina_, remember'd to have seen her in his House; +wherefore they were inclined to shew her Favour, but the Action of leaving +her Husband was an ugly Circumstance against her. The Day that _Rackam_ was +executed, by special Favour, he was admitted to see her; but all the +Comfort she gave him, was, _that she was sorry to see him there, but if he +had fought like a Man, he need not have been hang'd like a Dog_. + +She was continued in Prison, to the Time of her lying in, and afterwards +reprieved from Time to Time; but what is become of her since, we cannot +tell; only this we know, that she was not executed. + +CHAP. VIII. OF Captain _Howel Davis_, And his CREW. + +CAptain _Howel Davis_ was born at _Milford_, in _Monmouthshire_, and +was from a Boy brought up to the Sea. The last Voyage he made from +_England_, was in the _Cadogan_ Snow of _Bristol_, Captain _Skinner_ +Commander, bound for the Coast of _Guiney_, of which Snow _Davis_ was chief +Mate: They were no sooner arrived at _Sierraleon_ on the aforesaid Coast, +but they were taken by the Pyrate _England_, who plunder'd them, and +_Skinner_ was barbarously murdered, as has been related before in the Story +of Captain _England_. + +After the Death of Captain _Skinner, Davis_ pretended that he was mightily +sollicited by _England_ to engage with him; but that he resolutely +answered, he would sooner be shot to Death than sign the Pyrates Articles. +Upon which, _England_, pleased with his Bravery, sent him and the rest of +the Men again on Board the Snow, appointing him Captain of her, in the Room +of _Skinner_, commanding him to pursue his Voyage. He also gave him a +written Paper sealed up, with Orders to open it when he should come into a +certain Latitude, and at the Peril of his Life follow the Orders therein +set down. This was an Air of Grandeur like what Princes practice to their +Admirals and Generals.--It was punctually complied with by _Davis_, who +read it to the Ship's Company; it contained no less than a generous Deed of +Gift of the Ship and Cargoe, to _Davis_ and the Crew, ordering him to go to +_Brasil_ and dispose of the Lading to the best Advantage, and to make a +fair and equal Dividend with the rest. + +_Davis_ proposed to the Crew, whether they were willing to follow their +Directions, but to his great Surprize, found the Majority of them +altogether averse to it, wherefore in a Rage, he bad them be damn'd, and go +where they would. They knew that Part of their Cargoe was consigned to +certain Merchants at _Barbadoes_, wherefore they steered for that Island. +When they arrived, they related to these Merchants the unfortunate Death of +_Skinner_, and the Proposal which had been made to them by _Davis_; upon +which _Davis_ was seized and committed to Prison, where he was kept three +Months; however, as he had been in no Act of Pyracy, he was discharged +without being brought to any Tryal, yet he could not expect any Employment +there; wherefore knowing that the Island of _Providence_ was a kind of +Rendevouz of Pyrates, he was resolved to make one amongst them, if +possible, and to that Purpose, found Means of shipping himself for that +Island; but he was again disappointed, for when he arrived there, the +Pyrates had newly surrendered to Captain _Woods Rogers_, and accepted of +the Act of Grace, which he had just brought from _England_. + +However, _Davis_ was not long out of Business, for Captain _Rogers_ having +fitted out two Sloops for Trade, one called the _Buck_, the other the +_Mumvil Trader; Davis_ found an Employment on Board of one of them; the +Lading of these Sloops was of considerable Value, consisting of _European_ +Goods, in order to be exchanged with the _French_ and _Spaniards_; and many +of the Hands on Board of them, were the Pyrates lately come in upon the +late Act of Grace. The first Place they touched at, was the Island of +_Martinico_, belonging to the _French_, where _Davis_ having conspired with +some others, rise in the Night, secured the Master and seized the Sloop; as +soon as this was done, they called to the other Sloop, which lay a little +Way from them, among whom they knew there were a great many Hands ripe for +Rebellion, and ordered them to come on Board of them; they did so, and the +greatest Part of them agreed to join with _Davis_; those who were otherwise +inclined, were sent back on Board the _Mumvil_ Sloop, to go where they +pleased, _Davis_ having first taken out of her, every Thing which he +thought might be of Use. + +After this, a Counsel of War was called over a large Bowl of Punch, at +which it was proposed to chuse a Commander; the Election was soon over, for +it fell upon _Davis_ by a great Majority of _legal Pollers_, there was no +Scrutiny demanded, for all acquiesced in the Choice: As soon as he was +possess'd of his Command, he drew up Articles, which were signed and sworn +to by himself and the rest, then he made a short Speech, the sum of which, +was, a Declaration of War against the whole World. + +After this they consulted about a proper Place where they might clean their +Sloop, a light Pair of Heels being of great Use either to take, or escape +being taken; for this purpose they made Choice of _Coxon_'s _Hole_, at the +East End of the Island of _Cuba_, a Place where they might secure +themselves from Surprize, the Entrance being so narrow, that one Ship might +keep out a hundred. + +Here they cleaned with much Difficulty, for they had no Carpenter in their +Company, a Person of great Use upon such Exigencies; from hence they put to +Sea, making to the North-Side of the Island of _Hispaniola_. The first Sail +which fell in their Way, was a _French_ Ship of twelve Guns; it must be +observed, that _Davis_ had but thirty five Hands, yet Provisions began to +grow short with him; wherefore he attacked this Ship, she soon struck, and +he sent twelve of his Hands on Board of her, in order to plunder: This was +no sooner done, but a Sail was spied a great Way to Windward of them; they +enquired of the _French_ Man what she might be, he answered, that he had +spoke with a Ship, the Day before, of 24 Guns and 60 Men, and he took this +to be the same. + +_Davis_ then proposed to his Men to attack her, telling them, she would be +a rare Ship for their Use, but they looked upon it to be an extravagant +Attempt, and discovered no Fondness for it, but he assured them he had a +Stratagem in his Head would make all safe; wherefore he gave Chace, and +ordered his Prize to do the same. The Prize being a slow Sailor, _Davis_ +first came up with the Enemy, and standing along Side of them, shewed his +pyratical Colours: They, much surpriz'd, called to _Davis_, telling him, +they wondered at his Impudence in venturing to come so near them, and +ordered him to strike; but he answered, that he intended to keep them in +Play, till his Consort came up, who was able to deal with them, and that if +they did not strike to him, they should have but bad Quarters; whereupon he +gave them a Broad-Side, which they returned. + +In the mean Time the Prize drew near, who obliged all the Prisoners to come +upon Deck in white Shirts, to make a Shew of Force, as they had been +directed by _Davis_; they also hoisted a dirty Tarpawlin, by Way of black +Flag, they having no other, and fir'd a Gun: The _French_ Men were so +intimidated by this Appearance of Force, that they struck. _Davis_ called +out to the Captain to come on Board of him, with twenty of his Hands; he +did so, and they were all for the greater Security clapt into Irons, the +Captain excepted: Then he sent four of his own Men on Board the first +Prize, and in order still to carry on the Cheat, spoke aloud, that they +should give his Service to the Captain, and desire him to send some Hands +on Board the Prize, to see what they had got; but at the same Time gave +them a written Paper, with Instructions what to do. Here he ordered them to +nail up the Guns in the little Prize, to take out all the small Arms and +Powder, and to go every Man of them on Board the second Prize; when this +was done, he ordered that more of the Prisoners should be removed out of +the great Prize, into the little one, by which he secured himself from any +Attempt which might be feared from their Numbers; for those on Board of him +were fast in Irons, and those in the little Prize had neither Arms nor +Ammunition. + +Thus the three Ships kept Company for 2 Days, when finding the great Prize +to be a very dull Sailor, he thought she would not be fit for his Purpose, +wherefore he resolved to restore her to the Captain, with all his Hands; +but first, he took Care to take out all her Ammunition, and every Thing +else which he might possibly want. The _French_ Captain was in such a Rage, +at being so outwitted, that when he got on Board his own Ship, he was going +to throw himself over-board, but was prevented by his Men. + +Having let go both his Prizes, he steered Northward, in which Course he +took a small _Spanish_ Sloop; after this, he made towards the _Western_ +Islands, but met with no Booty thereabouts; then he steered for the _Cape +de Verde_ Islands, they cast Anchor at St. _Nicholas_, hoisting _English_ +Colours; the _Portuguese_ inhabiting there, took him for an _English_ +Privateer, and _Davis_ going ashore, they both treated him very civilly, +and also traded with him. Here he remained five Weeks, in which Time, he +and half his Crew, for their Pleasure, took a Journey to the chief Town of +the Island, which was 19 Miles up the Country: _Davis_ making a good +Appearance, was caressed by the Governor and the Inhabitants, and no +Diversion was wanting which the _Portuguese_ could shew, or Money could +purchase; after about a Week's Stay, he came back to the Ship, and the rest +of the Crew went to take their Pleasure up to the Town, in their Turn. + +At their Return they clean'd their Ship, and put to Sea, but not with their +whole Company; for five of them, like _Hannibal_'s Men, were so charm'd +with the Luxuries of the Place, and the free Conversation of some Women, +that they staid behind; and one of them, whose Name was _Charles Franklin_, +a _Monmouthshire_ Man, married and settled himself, and lives there to this +Day. + +From hence they sailed to _Bonevista_, and looked into that Harbour, but +finding nothing, they steer'd for the Isle of _May_: When they arrived +here, they met with a great many Ships and Vessels in the Road, all which +they plundered, taking out of them whatever they wanted; and also +strengthen'd themselves with a great many fresh Hands, who most of them +enter'd voluntarily. One of the Ships they took to their own Use, mounted +her with twenty six Guns, and call'd her the _King James_. There being no +fresh Water hereabouts, they made towards St. _Jago_, belonging to the +_Portuguese_, in order to lay in a Store; _Davis_, with a few Hands, going +ashore to find the most commodious Place to water at, the Governor, with +some Attendants, came himself and examined who they were, and whence they +came? And not liking _Davis_'s Account of himself, the Governor was so +plain to tell them, he suspected them to be Pyrates. _Davis_ seemed +mightily affronted, standing much upon his Honour, replying to the +Governor, he scorn'd his Words; however, as soon as his Back was turn'd, +for fear of Accidents, he got on Board again as fast as he could. _Davis_ +related what had happened, and his Men seemed to resent the Affront which +had been offered him. _Davis_, upon this, told them, he was confident he +could surprize the Fort in the Night; they agreed with him to attempt it, +and accordingly, when it grew late, they went ashore well arm'd; and the +Guard which was kept, was so negligent, that they got within the Fort +before any Alarm was given: When it was too late there was some little +Resistance made, and three Men killed on _Davis_'s Side. Those in the Fort, +in their Hurry, run into the Governor's House to save themselves, which +they barricadoed so strongly, that _Davis_'s Party could not enter it; +however, they threw in Granadoe-Shells, which not only ruin'd all the +Furniture, but kill'd several Men within. + +When it was Day the whole Country was alarm'd, and came to attack the +Pyrates; wherefore it not being their Business to stand a Siege, they made +the best of their Way on Board their Ship again, after having dismounted +the Guns of the Fort. By this Enterprize they did a great Deal of Mischief +to the _Portuguese_, and but very little Good to themselves. + +Having put to Sea they muster'd their Hands, and found themselves near +seventy strong; then it was proposed what Course they should steer, and +differing in their Opinions, they divided, and by a Majority it was carried +for _Gambia_ on the Coast of _Guiney_; of this Opinion was _Davis_, he +having been employ'd in that Trade, was acquainted with the Coast: He told +them, that there was a great deal of Money always kept in _Gambia_ Castle, +and that it would be worth their while to make an Attempt upon it. They +ask'd him how it was possible, since it was garrisoned? He desired they +would leave the Management of it to him, and he would undertake to make +them Masters of it. They began now to conceive so high an Opinion of his +Conduct, as well as Courage, that they thought nothing impossible to him, +therefore they agreed to obey him, without enquiring further into his +Design. + +Having come within Sight of the Place, he ordered all his Men under Deck, +except as many as were absolutely necessary for working the Ship, that +those from the Fort seeing a Ship with so few Hands, might have no +Suspicion of her being any other than a trading Vessel; then he ran close +under the Fort, and there cast Anchor; and having ordered out the Boat, he +commanded six Men in her, in old ordinary Jackets, while he himself, with +the Master and Doctor, dressed themselves like Gentlemen; his Design being, +that the Men should look like common Sailors, and they like Merchants. In +rowing ashore he gave his Men Instructions what to say in Case any +Questions should be asked them. + +Being come to the landing Place, he was received by a File of Musqueteers, +and conducted into the Fort, where the Governor accosting them civilly, +ask'd them who they were, and whence they came? They answered they were of +_Liverpool_, bound for the River of _Sinnegal_, to trade for Gum and +Elephants Teeth, but that they were chaced on that Coast by two _French_ +Men of War, and narrowly escaped being taken, having a little the Heels of +them; but now they were resolved to make the best of a bad Market, and +would Trade here for Slaves; then the Governor ask'd them, what was the +chief of their Cargo? They answered, Iron and Plate, which were good Things +there; the Governor told them he would Slave them to the full Value of +their Cargoe, and asked them, if they had any _European_ Liquor on Board? +they answered, a little for their own Use; however, a Hamper should be at +his Service. The Governor then very civilly invited them all to stay and +dine with him; _Davis_ told him, that being Commander of the Ship, he must +go on Board to see her well moored, and give some other Orders, but those +two Gentlemen might stay, and that he himself would also return before +Dinner, and bring the Hamper of Liquor with him. + +While he was in the Fort, his Eyes were very busy in observing how Things +lay; he took Notice there was a Centry at the Entrance, and a Guard-House +just by it, where the Soldiers upon Duty commonly waited, their Arms +standing in a Corner, in a Heap; he saw also a great many small Arms in the +Governor's Hall; now when he came on Board, he assured his Men of Success, +desiring them not to get drunk, and that as soon as they saw the Flag upon +the Castle struck, they might conclude he was Master, and send twenty Hands +immediately ashore; in the mean Time, there being a Sloop at Anchor near +them, he sent some Hands in a Boat, to secure the Master and all the Men, +and bring them on Board of him, least they observing any Bustle or arming +in his Ship, might send ashore and give Intelligence. + +These Precautions being taken, he ordered his Men, who were to go in the +Boat with him, to put two Pair of Pistols each under their Cloaths, he +doing the like himself, and gave them Directions to go into the Guard-Room, +and to enter into Conversation with the Soldiers, and observe when he +should fire a Pistol thro' the Governor's Window, to start up at once and +secure the Arms in the Guard-Room. + +When _Davis_ arrived, Dinner not being ready, the Governor proposed that +they should pass their Time in making a Bowl of Punch till Dinner-Time: It +must be observed, that _Davis_'s Coxen waited upon them, who had an +Opportunity of going about all Parts of the House, to see what Strength +they had, he whispered _Davis_, there being no Person then in the Room, but +he, _(Davis)_ the Master, the Doctor, the Coxen and Governor; _Davis_ on a +sudden drew out a Pistol, clapt it to the Governor's Breast, telling him, +he must surrender the Fort and all the Riches in it, or he was a dead Man. +The Governor being no Ways prepared for such an Attack, promised to be very +Passive, and do all they desired, therefore they shut the Door, took down +all the Arms that hung in the Hall, and loaded them. _Davis_ fires his +Pistol thro' the Window, upon which his Men, without, executed their Part +of the Scheme, like Heroes, in an Instant; getting betwixt the Soldiers and +their Arms, all with their Pistols cock'd in their Hands, while one of them +carried the Arms out. When this was done, they locked the Soldiers into the +Guard-Room, and kept Guard without. + +In the mean Time one of them struck the Union Flag on the Top of the +Castle, at which Signal those on Board sent on Shore a Reinforcement of +Hands, and they got Possession of the Fort without the least Hurry or +Confusion, or so much as a Man lost of either Side. + +_Davis_ harangued the Soldiers, upon which a great many of them took on +with him, those who refused, he sent on Board the little Sloop, and because +he would not be at the Trouble of a Guard for them, he ordered all the +Sails and Cables out of her, which might hinder them from attempting to get +away. + +This Day was spent in a kind of Rejoycing, the Castle firing her Guns to +salute the Ship, and the Ship the Castle; but the next Day they minded +their Business, that is, they fell to plundering, but they found Things +fall vastly short of their Expectation; for they discovered, that a great +deal of Money had been lately sent away; however, they met with the Value +of about two thousand Pounds Sterling in Bar Gold, and a great many other +rich Effects: Every Thing they liked, which was portable, they brought +aboard their Ship; some Things which they had no Use for, they were so +generous to make a Present of, to the Master and Crew of the little Sloop, +to whom they also returned his Vessel again, and then they fell to work in +dismounting the Guns, and demolishing the Fortifications. + +After they had done as much Mischief as they could, and were weighing +Anchor to be gone, they spy'd a Ship bearing down upon them in full Sail; +they soon got their Anchor's up, and were in a Readiness to receive her. +This Ship prov'd to be a _French_ Pyrate of fourteen Guns and sixty four +Hands, half _French_, half Negroes; the Captain's Name was _La Bouse_; he +expected no less than a rich Prize, which made him so eager in the Chace; +but when he came near enough to see their Guns, and the Number of their +Hands upon Deck, he began to think he should catch a _Tartar_, and supposed +her to be a small _English_ Man of War; however, since there was no +escaping, he resolved to do a bold and desperate Action, which was to board +_Davis_. As he was making towards her, for this Purpose, he fired a Gun, +and hoisted his black Colours; _Davis_ returned the Salute, and hoisted his +black Colours also. The _French_ Man was not a little pleased at this happy +Mistake; they both hoisted out their Boats, and the Captains went to meet +and congratulate one another with a Flag of Truce in their Sterns; a great +many Civilities passed between them, and _La Bouse_ desired _Davis_, that +they might sail down the Coast together, that he _(La Bouse)_ might get a +better Ship: _Davis_ agreed to it, and very courteously promised him the +first Ship he took, fit for his Use, he would give him, as being willing to +encourage a willing Brother. + +The first Place they touch'd at, was _Sierraleon_, where at first going in, +they spied a tall Ship at Anchor; _Davis_ being the best Sailor first came +up with her, and wondering that she did not try to make off, suspected her +to be a Ship of Force. As soon as he came along Side of her, she brought a +Spring upon her Cable, and fired a whole Broadside upon _Davis_, at the +same Time hoisted a black Flag; _Davis_ hoisted his black Flag in like +Manner, and fired one Gun to Leeward. + +In fine, she proved to be a Pyrate Ship of twenty four Guns, commanded by +one _Cocklyn_, who expecting these two would prove Prizes, let them come +in, least his getting under Sail might frighten them away. + +This Satisfaction was great on all Sides, at this Junction of Confederates +and Brethren in Iniquity; two Days they spent in improving their +Acquaintance and Friendship, the third Day _Davis_ and _Cocklyn_, agreed to +go in _La Bouse_'s Brigantine and attack the Fort; they contrived it so, as +to get up thither by high Water; those in the Fort suspected them to be +what they really were, and therefore stood upon their Defence; when the +Brigantine came within Musket-Shot, the Fort fired all their Guns upon her, +the Brigantine did the like upon the Fort, and so held each other in Play +for several Hours, when the two confederate Ships were come up to the +Assistance of the Brigantine; those who defended the Fort, seeing such a +Number of Hands on Board these Ships, had not the Courage to stand it any +longer, but abandoning the Fort, left it to the Mercy of the Pyrates. + +They took Possession of it, and continued there near seven Weeks, in which +Time they all cleaned their Ships. We should have observed, that a Galley +came into the Road while they were there, which _Davis_ insisted should be +yielded to _La Bouse_, according to his Word of Honour before given; +_Cocklyn_ did not oppose it, so _La Bouse_ went into her, with his Crew, +and cutting away her half Deck, mounted her with twenty four Guns. + +Having called a Counsel of War, they agreed to sail down the Coast +together, and for the greater Grandeur, appointed a Commadore, which was +_Davis_; but they had not kept Company long, when drinking together on +Board of _Davis_, they had like to have fallen together by the Ears, the +strong Liquor stirring up a Spirit of Discord among them, and they +quarrelled, but _Davis_ put an End to it, by this short Speech:--_Heark ye, +you_ Cocklin _and_ La Bouse, _I find by strengthening you, I have put a Rod +into your Hands to whip my self, but I'm still able to deal with you both; +but since we met in Love, let us part in Love, for I find, that three of a +Trade can never agree_.--Upon which the other two went on Board their +respective Ships, and immediately parted, each steering a different Course. + +_Davis_ held on his Way down the Coast, and making Cape _Appollonia_, he +met with two _Scotch_ and one _English_ Vessel, which he plundered, and +then let go. About five Days after he fell in with a _Dutch_ Interloper of +thirty Guns and ninety Men, (half being _English_,) off Cape _Three Points_ +Bay; _Davis_ coming up along Side of her, the _Dutch_ Man gave the first +Fire, and pouring in a broad-Side upon _Davis_, killed nine of his Men, +_Davis_ returned it, and a very hot Engagement followed, which lasted from +one a Clock at Noon, till nine next Morning, when the _Dutch_ Man struck, +and yielded her self their Prize. + +_Davis_ fitted up the _Dutch_ Ship for his own Use, and called her the +_Rover_, aboard of which he mounted thirty two Guns, and twenty seven +Swivels, and proceeded with her and the _King James_, to _Anamaboe_; he +entered the Bay betwixt the Hours of twelve and one at Noon, and found +there three Ships lying at Anchor, who were trading for Negroes, Gold and +Teeth: The Names of these Ships were the _Hink_ Pink, Captain _Hall_ +Commander, the _Princess_, Captain _Plumb_, of which _Roberts_, who will +make a considerable Figure in the sequel of this History, was second Mate, +and the _Morrice_ Sloop, Captain _Fin_; he takes these Ships without any +Resistance, and having plundered them, he makes a Present of one of them, +_viz._ the _Morrice_ Sloop, to the _Dutch_ Men, on Board of which alone +were found a hundred and forty Negroes, besides dry Goods, and a +considerable Quantity of Gold-Dust. + +It happened there were several Canoes along Side of this last, when _Davis_ +came in, who saved themselves and got ashore; these gave Notice at the +Fort, that these Ships were Pyrates, upon which the Fort fired upon them, +but without any Execution, for their Mettle was not of Weight enough to +reach them; _Davis_ therefore, by Way of Defiance, hoisted his black Flag +and returned their Compliment. + +The same Day he sail'd with his three Ships, making his Way down the Coast +towards _Princes_, a _Portuguese_ Colony: But, before we proceed any +farther in _Davis_'s Story, we shall give our Reader an Account of the +_Portuguese_ Settlements on this Coast, with other curious Remarks, as they +were communicated to me by an ingenious Gentleman, lately arrived from +those Parts. + +_A Description of the Islands of_ St. THOME, DEL PRINCIPE, _and_ +ANNOBONO. + +AS the _Portuguese_ were the great Improvers of Navigation, and the +first _Europeans_ who traded too and settled on the Coasts of _Africa_, +even round to _India_, and made those Discoveries, which now turn so much +to the Advantage of other Nations, it may not be amiss, previously to a +Description of those Islands, to hint on that wonderful Property of the +Loadstone, that a little before had been found out, and enabled them to +pursue such new and daring Navigations. + +The attractive Power of the Loadstone, was universally known with the +Ancients, as may be believed by its being a native Fossil of the +_Grecians_, (_Magnes a Magnesia_) but its directive, or polar Virtue, has +only been known to us within this 350 Years, and said to be found out by +_John Goia_ of _Malphi_, in the Kingdom of _Naples, Prima dedit nautis usum +magnetis Amalphi_; tho' others think, and assure us, it was transported by +_Paulus Venetus_ from _China_ to _Italy_, like the other famous Arts of +modern Use with us, PRINTING and _the Use of_ GUNS. + +The other Properties of Improvements of the Magnet, _viz._ Variation, or +its Defluction from an exact N. or S. Line, Variation of that Variation, +and its Inclination, were the Inventions of _Sebastian Cabot_, Mr. +_Gellibrand_, and Mr. _Norman_; the Inclination of the Needle, or that +Property whereby it keeps an Elevation above the Horizon, in all Places but +under the Equator, (where its Parallel) is as surprizing a Phænomenon as +any, and was the Discovery of our Countrymen; and could it be found +regular, I imagine would very much help towards the Discovery of Longitude, +at least would point out better Methods than hitherto known, when Ships +drew nigh Land, which would answer as useful an End. + +Before the Verticity and Use of the Compass, the _Portuguese_ Navigations +had extended no farther than Cape _Non_, (it was their _ne plus ultra_,) +and therefore so called; distress of Weather, indeed, had drove some +Coasters to _Porto Santo_, and _Madera_, before any certain Method of +steering was invented; but after the Needle was seen thus inspired, +Navigation every Year improved under the great Incouragements of _Henry, +Alphonsus_, and _John_ II. Kings of _Portugal_, in Part of the 14th and in +the 15th Century. + +King _Alphonsus_ was not so much at leasure as his Predecessor, to pursue +these Discoveries, but having seen the Advantages accrued to _Portugal_ by +them, and that the Pope had confirmed the perpetual Donation of all they +should discover between Cape _Bajadore_ and _India_, inclusively, he +resolved not to neglect the proper Assistance, and farmed the Profits that +did or might ensue to one _Bernard Gomez_, a Citizen of _Lisbon_, who was +every Voyage obliged to discover 100 Leagues, still farther on: And about +the Year 1470 made these Islands, the only Places (of all the considerable +and large Colonies they had in _Africa_,) that do now remain to that Crown. + +St. _Thome_ is the principal of the three, whose Governour is stiled +Captain General of the Islands, and from whom the other at _Princes_ +receives his Commission, tho' nominated by the Court of _Portugal_: It is a +Bishoprick with a great many secular Clergy who appear to have neither +Learning nor Devotion, as may be judged by several of them being Negroes: +One of the Chief of them, invited us to hear Mass, as a Diversion to pass +Time away, where he, and his inferior Brethren acted such affected Gestures +and Strains of Voice, as shewed to their Dishonour, they had no other Aim +than pleasing us; and what I think was still worse, it was not without a +View of Interest; for as these Clergy are the chief Traders, they stoop to +pitiful and scandalous Methods for ingratiating themselves: They and the +Government, on this trading Account, maintain as great Harmony, being ever +jealous of each other, and practising little deceitful Arts to monopolize +what Strangers have to offer for sale, whether Toys or Cloaths, which of +all Sorts are ever Commodious with the _Portuguese_, in all Parts of the +World; an ordinary Suit of Black will sell for seven or eight Pound; a +Turnstile Wig of four Shillings, for a Moidore; a Watch of forty Shillings, +for six Pound, _&c_. + +The Town is of mean Building, but large and populous, the Residence of the +greater Part of the Natives, who, thro' the whole Island, are computed at +10000, the Militia at 3000, and are in general, a rascally thievish +Generation, as an old grave Friend of mine can Witness; for he having +carried a Bag of second hand Cloaths on Shore, to truck for Provisions, +seated himself on the Sand for that Purpose, presently gathered a Crowd +round him, to view them; one of which desired to know the Price of a black +Suit, that unluckily lay uppermost, and was the best of them, agreeing to +the Demand, with little Hesitation, provided it would but fit him; he put +them on immediately, in as much hurry as possible, without any _co-licentia +Seignor_; and when my Friend was about to commend the Goodness of the Suit, +and Exactness they set with, not dreaming of the Impudence of running away +from a Crowd, the Rascal took to his Heels, my Friend followed and bawled +very much, and tho' there was 500 People about the Place, it served to no +other End but making him a clear Stage, that the best Pair of Heels might +carry it; so he lost the Suit of Cloaths, and before he could return to his +Bag, others of them had beat off his Servant, and shared the rest. + +Most of the Ships from _Guiney_, of their own Nation, and frequently those +of ours, call at one or other of these Islands, to recruit with fresh +Provisions, and take in Water, which on the Coast are not so good, nor so +conveniently to come by: Their own Ships likewise, when they touch here, +are obliged to leave the King his Custom for their Slaves, which is always +in Gold, at so much a Head, without any Deduction at _Brasil_, for the +Mortality that may happen afterwards; this by being a constant Bank to pay +off the civil and military Charges of the Government, prevents the +Inconveniency of Remittances, and keeps both it and _Princes_ Isle rich +enough to pay ready Money for every Thing they want of _Europeans_. + +Their Beefs are small and lean, (two hundred Weight or a little more,) but +the Goats, Hogs and Fowls very good, their Sugar course and dirty, and Rum +very ordinary; as these Refreshments lay most with People who are in want +of other Necessaries, they come to us in Way of bartering, very cheap: A +good Hog for an old Cutlash; a fat Fowl for a Span of _Brasil_ Tobacco, (no +other Sort being valued, _&c_.) But with Money you give eight Dollars _per_ +Head for Cattle; three Dollars for a Goat; six Dollars for a grown Hog; a +Testune and a Half for a Fowl; a Dollar _per_ Gallon for Rum; two Dollars a +Roove for Sugar; and half a Dollar for a Dozen of Paraquets: Here is Plenty +likewise of Corn and Farine, of Limes, Citrons and Yamms. + +The Island is reckoned nigh a Square, each Side 18 Leagues long, hilly, and +lays under the _Æquinoctial_, a wooden Bridge just without the Town, being +said not to deviate the least Part of a Minute, either to the Southward or +Northward; and notwithstanding this warm Scituation, and continual vertical +Suns, the Islanders are very healthy, imputed by those who are disposed to +be merry, in a great Measure to the Want of even so much as one Surgeon or +Physician amongst them. + +Isle _Del Principe_, the next in Magnitude, a pleasant and delightful Spot +to the grave, and thoughtfull Disposition of the _Portuguese_, an +Improvement of Country Retirement, in that, this may be a happy and +uninterrupted Retreat from the whole World. + +I shall divide what I have to say on this Island, into Observations made on +our Approach to it, on the Seas round it, the Harbour, Produce of the +Island and Seasons, Way of Living among the Inhabitants, some Custom of the +Negroes, with such proper Deductions on each as may illustrate the +Description, and inform the Reader. + +We were bound hither from _Whydah_, at the latter Part of the Month _July_, +when the Rains are over, and the Winds hang altogether S. W. (as they do +before the Rains, S. E.) yet with this Wind (when at Sea) we found the Ship +gained unexpectedly so far to the Southward, (_i. e._ Windward,) that we +could with ease have weathered any of the Islands, and this seems next to +impossible should be, if the Currents, which were strong to Leeward, in the +Road of _Whydah_, had extended in like Manner cross the Bite of _Benin_: +No, it must then have been very difficult to have weathered even Cape +_Formosa_: On this Occasion, I shall farther expatiate upon the Currents on +the whole Coast of _Guiney_. + +The Southern Coast of _Africa_ runs in a Line of Latitude, the Northern on +an Eastern Line, but both strait, with the fewest Inlets, Gulphs or Bays, +of either of the four Continents; the only large and remarkable one, is +that of _Benin_ and _Calabar_, towards which the Currents of each Coast +tend, and is strongest from the Southward, because more open to a larger +Sea, whose rising it is (tho' little and indiscernable at any Distance from +the Land,) that gives rise to these Currents close in Shore, which are +nothing but Tides altered and disturbed by the Make and Shape of Lands. + +For Proof of this, I shall lay down the following Observations as certain +Facts. That in the Rivers of _Gambia_ and _Sierraleon_, in the Straits and +Channels of _Benin_, and in general along the whole Coast, the Flowings are +regular on the Shores, with this Difference; that, in the abovemention'd +Rivers, and in the Channels of _Benin_, where the Shore contract the Waters +into a narrow Compass, the Tides are strong and high, as well as regular; +but on the dead Coast, where it makes an equal Reverberation, slow and low, +(not to above two or three Foot,) increasing as you advance towards +_Benin_; and this is farther evident in that at Cape _Corso, Succonda_ and +_Commenda_, and where the Land rounds and gives any Stop, the Tides flow +regularly to four Foot and upwards; when on an evener Coast, (tho' next +adjoining,) they shall not exceed two or three Foot; and ten Leagues out at +Sea, (where no such Interruption is,) they become scarcely, if at all, +perceptible. + +What I would deduce from this, besides a Confirmation of that ingenious +Theory of the Tides, by Captain _Halley_; is first, that the Ships bound to +_Angola, Cabenda_, and other Places on the Southern Coast of _Africa_, +should cross the _Æquinoctial_ from Cape _Palmas_, and run into a Southern +Latitude, without keeping too far to the Westward; and the Reason seems +plain, for if you endeavour to cross it about the Islands, you meet Calms, +southerly Winds and opposite Currents; and if too far to the Westward, the +trade Winds are strong and unfavourable; for it obliges you to stand into +28 or 30° Southern Latitude, till they are variable. + +Secondly, On the Northern Side of _Guiney_, if Ships are bound from the +_Gold-Coast_ to _Sierraleon, Gambia_, or elsewhere to Windward, considering +the Weakness of these Currents, and the Favourableness of Land Breezes, and +Southerly in the Rains, Turnadoes, and even of the Trade Wind, when +a-breast of Cape _Palmas_, it is more expeditious to pursue the Passage +this Way, than by a long perambulatory Course of 4 or 500 Leagues to the +Westward, and as many more to the Northward, which must be before a Wind +can be obtained, that could recover the Coast. + +Lastly, it is, in a great Measure, owning to this want of Inlets, and the +Rivers being small and unnavigable, that the Seas rebound with so dangerous +a Surff thro' the whole Continent. + +Round the Shores of this Island, and at this Season, _(July, August_ and +_September_,) there is a great Resort of Whale-Fish, tame, and sporting +very nigh the Ships as they sail in, always in Pairs, the Female much the +smaller, and often seen to turn on their Backs for Dalliance, the Prologue +to engendring: It has an Enemy, called the Thresher, a large Fish too, that +has its Haunts here at this Season, and encounters the Whale, raising +himself out of the Water a considerable Heighth, and falling again with +great Weight and Force; it is commonly said also, that there is a Sword +Fish in these Battles, who pricks the Whale up to the Surface again, but +without this, I believe, he would suffocate when put to quick Motions, +unless frequently approaching the Air, to ventilate and remove the +impediments to a swifter Circulation: Nor do I think he is battled for +Prey, but to remove him from what is perhaps the Food of both. The Number +of Whales here has put me sometimes on thinking an advantageous Fishery +might be made of it, but I presume they (no more than those of _Brasil)_ +are the Sort which yield the profitable Part, called Whale-Bone: All +therefore that the Islanders do, is now and then to go out with two or +three Canoes, and set on one for Diversion. + +The Rocks and outer Lines of the Island, are the Haunts of variety of +Sea-Birds, especially Boobies and Noddies; the former are of the Bigness of +a Gull, and a dark Colour, named so from their Simplicity, because they +often sit still and let the Sailors take them up in their Hands; but I +fancy this succeeds more frequently from their Weariness, and the Largeness +of their Wings, which, when they once have rested, cannot have the Scope +necessary to raise and float them on the Air again. The Noddies are smaller +and flat footed also. + +What I would remark more of them, is, the admirable Instinct in these +Birds, for the proper Seasons, and the proper Places for Support. In the +aforemention'd Months, when the large Fish were here, numerous Flocks of +Fowl attend for the Spawn and Superfluity of their Nourishment; and in +_January_ few of either; for the same Reason, there are scarce any Sea Fowl +seen on the _African_ Coast; Rocks and Islands being generally their best +Security and Subsistance. + +The Harbour of _Princes_ is at the E. S. E. Point of the Island; the +North-Side has gradual Soundings, but here deep Water, having no Ground at +a Mile off with 140 Fathom of Line. The Port (when in) is a smooth narrow +Bay, safe from Winds, (unless a little Swell when Southerly) and draughted +into other smaller and sandy Ones, convenient for raising of Tents, +Watering, and hawling the Seam; the whole protected by a Fort, or rather +Battery, of a dozen Guns on the Larboard-Side. At the Head of the Bay +stands the Town, about a Mile from the anchoring Place, and consists of two +or three regular Streets, of wooden built Houses, where the Governor and +chief Men of the Island reside. Here the Water grows shallow for a +considerable Distance, and the Natives, at every Ebb, (having before +encompassed every convenient Angle with a Rise of Stones, something like +Weirs in _England_) resort for catching of Fish, which, with them, is a +daily Diversion, as well as Subsistance, 500 attending with Sticks and +wicker Baskets; and if they cannot dip them with one Hand, they knock them +down with the other. The Tides rise regularly 6 Foot in the Harbour, and +yet not half that Heighth without the Capes that make the Bay. + +Here are constantly two Missionaries, who are sent for six Years to +inculcate the Christian Principles, and more especially attend the +Conversion of the Negroes; the present are _Venetians_, ingenious Men, who +seem to despise the loose Morals and Behaviour of the Seculars, and +complain of them as of the Slaves, _ut Color Mores sunt nigri_. They have a +neat Conventual-House and a Garden appropriated, which, by their own +Industry and Labour, not only thrives with the several Natives of the Soil, +but many Exoticks and Curiosities. A Fruit in particular, larger than a +Chesnut, yellow, containing two Stones, with a Pulp, or clammy Substance +about them, which, when suck'd, exceeds in Sweetness, Sugar or Honey, and +has this Property beyond them, of giving a sweet Taste to every Liquid you +swallow for the whole Evening after. The only Plague infesting the Garden, +is a Vermin called Land-Crabs, in vast Numbers, of a bright red Colour, (in +other Respects like the Sea ones) which burrough in these sandy Soils like +Rabbets, and are as shy. + +The Island is a pleasant Intermixture of Hill and Valley; the Hills spread +with Palms, Coco-Nuts, and Cotton-Trees, with Numbers of Monkeys and +Parrots among them; the Valleys with fruitful Plantations of _Yamms, +Kulalu, Papas_, Variety of Sallating, _Ananas_, or Pine-Apples, _Guavas, +Plantanes, Bonanas, Manyocos_, and _Indian_ Corn; with Fowls, _Guinea_ +Hens, _Muscovy_ Ducks, Goats, Hogs, Turkies, and wild Beefs, with each a +little Village of Negroes, who, under the Direction of their several +Masters, manage the Cultivation, and exchange or sell them for Money, much +after the same Rates with the People of St. _Thome_. + +I shall run a Description of the Vegetables, with their Properties, not +only because they are the Produce of this Island, but most of them of +_Africa_ in general. + +The Palm-Trees are numerous on the Shores of _Africa_, and may be reckoned +the first of their natural Curiosities, in that they afford them Meat, +Drink and Cloathing; they grow very straight to 40 and 50 Foot high, and at +the top (only) have 3 or 4 Circles of Branches, that spread and make a +capacious Umbrella. The Trunk is very rough with Knobs, either +Excrescencies, or the Healings of those Branches that were lopped off to +forward the Growth of the Tree, and make it answer better in its Fruit. The +Branches are strongly tied together with a _Cortex_, which may be +unravelled to a considerable Length and Breadth; the inward _Lamella_ of +this _Cortex_, I know are wove like a Cloath at _Benin_, and afterwards +died and worn: Under the Branches, and close to the Body of the Tree, hang +the Nuts, thirty Bunches perhaps on a Tree, and each of thirty Pound +Weight, with prickly Films from between them, not unresembling Hedge-Hogs; +of these Nuts comes a liquid and pleasant scented Oyl, used as Food and +Sauce all over the Coast, but chiefly in the Windward Parts of _Africa_, +where they stamp, boil and skim it off in great Quantities; underneath, +where the Branches fasten, they tap for Wine, called _Cockra_, in this +Manner; the Negroes who are mostly limber active Fellows, encompass +themselves and the Trees with a Hoop of strong With, and run up with a +great deal of Agility; at the Bottom of a Branch of Nuts, he makes an +Excavation of an Inch and a half over, and tying fast his Calabash, leaves +it to destil, which it does to two or three Quarts in a Night's Time, when +done he plugs it up, and chooses another; for if suffered to run too much, +or in the Day Time, the Sap is unwarily exhausted, and the Tree spoiled: +The Liquor thus drawn, is of a wheyish Colour, intoxicating and sours in 24 +Hours, but when new drawn, is _pleasantest to thirst and hunger both_: It +is from these Wines they draw their Arack in _India_. On the very Top of +the Palm, grows a Cabbage, called so, I believe, from some resemblance its +Tast is thought to have with ours, and is used like it; the Covering has a +Down that makes the best of Tinder, and the Weavings of other Parts are +drawn out into strong Threads. + +_Coco-Nut-Trees_ are branch'd like, but not so tall as, _Palm_ Trees, the +Nut like them, growing under the Branches, and close to the Trunk; the +milky Liquor they contain, (to half a Pint or more,) is often drank to +quench Thirst, but surfeiting, and this may be observed in their Way of +Nourishment, that when the Quantity of Milk is large, the Shell and Meat +are very thin, and harden and thicken in Proportion, as that loses. + +_Cotton_ Trees also are the Growth of all Parts of _Africk_, as well as the +Islands, of vast Bigness, yet not so incremental as the Shrubs or Bushes of +five or six Foot high; these bear a Fruit (if it may be so called) about +the Bigness of Pigeons Eggs, which as the Sun swells and ripens, bursts +forth and discovers three Cells loaded with Cotton, and Seeds in the Middle +of them: This in most Parts the Negroes know how to spin, and here at +_Nicongo_ and the Island St. _Jago_, how to weave into Cloths. + +_Yamms_ are a common Root, sweeter but not unlike Potato's: _Kulalu_, a +Herb like Spinnage: _Papa_, a Fruit less than the smallest Pumkins; they +are all three for boiling, and to be eat with Meat; the latter are improved +by the _English_ into a Turnip or an Apple Tast, with a due Mixture of +Butter or Limes. + +_Guava's_, a Fruit as large as a Pipin, with Seeds and Stones in it, of an +uncouth astringing Tast, tho' never so much be said in Commendation of it, +at the _West-Indies_, it is common for _Cræolians_, (who has tasted both,) +to give it a Preference to Peach or Nectarine, no amazing Thing when Men +whose Tasts are so degenerated, as to prefer a Toad in a Shell, (as _Ward_ +calls Turtle,) to Venison, and Negroes to fine _English_ Ladies. + +_Plantanes_ and _Bonano's_ are Fruit of oblong Figure, that I think differ +only _secundum Major & Minus_, if any, the latter are preferable, and by +being less, are juicier; they are usually, when stripped of their Coat, eat +at Meals instead of Bread: The Leaf of this Plantane is an admirable +Detergent, and, externally applied, I have seen cure the most obstinate +scorbutick Ulcers. + +_Manyoco_. A Root that shoots its Branches about the heighth of a Currant +Bush; from this Root the Islanders make a Farine or Flower, which they sell +at three Ryals a Roove, and drive a considerable Trade for it with the +Ships that call in. The manner of making it, is first to press the Juice +from it, (which is poisonous) done here with Engines, and then the Negroe +Women, upon a rough Stone, rub it into a granulated Flower, reserved in +their Houses, either to boil, as we do our Wheat, and is a hearty Food for +the Slaves; or make it into a Bread, fine, white, and well tasted, for +themselves. One thing worth taking Notice about _Manyoco_ in this Island, +is, that the Woods abound with a wild poisonous and more mortiferous Sort, +which sometimes Men, unskilled in the Preparation of it, feed on to their +Destruction: This the Missionaries assured me they often experimented in +their Hogs, and believed we did in the Mortality of our Sailors. + +_Indian Corn_, is likewise as well as the _Farine de Manyoco_ and Rice, the +common Victualling of our Slave Ships, and is afforded here at 1000 Heads +for two Dollars. This Corn grows eight or nine Foot high, on a hard Reed or +Stick, shooting forth at every six Inches Heighth, some long Leaves; it has +always an Ear, or rather Head, at top, of, perhaps, 400 Fold Increase; and +often two, three, or more, Midway. + +Here are some Tamarind Trees; another called _Cola_, whose Fruit, or Nut +(about twice the Bigness of a Chestnut, and bitter) is chewed by the +_Portugueze_, to give a sweet Gust to their Water which they drink; but +above all, I was shewn the Bark of one (whose Name I do not know) gravely +affirm'd to have a peculiar Property of enlarging the Virile Member; I am +not fond of such Conceits, nor believe it in the Power of any Vegetables, +but must acknowledge, I have seen Sights of this kind among the Negroes +very extraordinary; yet, that there may be no Wishes among the Ladies for +the Importation of this Bark, I must acquaint them, that they are found to +grow less merry, as they encrease in Bulk. I had like to have forgot their +Cinnamon Trees; there is only one Walk of them, and is the Entrance of the +Governor's Villa; they thrive extreemly well, and the Bark not inferior to +our Cinnamon from _India_; why they and other Spice, in a Soil so proper, +receive no farther Cultivation, is, probably, their Suspicion, that so rich +a Produce, might make some potent Neighbour take a Fancy to the Island. + +They have two Winters, or rather Springs, and two Summers: Their Winters, +which are the rainy Seasons, come in _September_ and _February_, or +_March_, and hold two Months, returning that Fatness and generative Power +to the Earth, as makes it yield a double Crop every Year, with little Sweat +or Labour. +_Hic Ver Assiduum atque Alienis Mensibus Æstas --Bis gravidæ +Pecudes, bis Pomis utilis arbos_. + +Their first coming is with _Travado_'s, _i. e._ sudden and hard Gusts of +Wind, with Thunder, Lightning and heavy Showers, but short; and the next +new or full Moon at those Times of the Year, infallibly introduces the +Rains, which once begun, fall with little Intermission, and are observed +coldest in _February_. Similar to these are rainy Seasons also over all the +Coast of _Africa_: If there may be allowed any general Way of calculating +their Time, they happen from the Course of the Sun, as it respects the +_Æquinoctial_ only; for if these _Æquinoxes_ prove rainy Seasons all over +the World (as I am apt to think they are) whatever secret Cause operates +with that Station of the Sun to produce them, will more effectually do it +in those vicine Latitudes; and therefore, as the Sun advances, the Rains +are brought on the _Whydah_ and Gold Coast, by _April_, and on the +Windwardmost Part of _Guiney_ by _May_: The other Season of the Sun's +returning to the Southward, make them more uncertain and irregular in +Northern _Africa_; but then to the Southward again, they proceed in like +manner, and are at Cape _Lopez_ in _October_, at _Angola_ in _November_, +&c. + +The Manner of living among the _Portugueze_ here is, with the utmost +Frugality and Temperance, even to Penury and Starving; a familiar Instance +of Proof is, in the Voracity of their Dogs, who finding such clean +Cupboards at home, are wild in a manner with Hunger, and tare up the Graves +of the Dead for Food, as I have often seen: They themselves are lean with +Covetousness, and that Christian Vertue, which is often the Result of it, +Selfdenyal; and would train up their Cattle in the same way, could they +fetch as much Money, or had not they their Provision more immediately of +Providence. The best of them (excepting the Governor now and then) neither +pay nor receive any Visits of Escapade or Recreation; they meet and sit +down at each others Doors in the Street every Evening, and as few of them, +in so small an Island, can have their Plantations at any greater Distance, +than that they may see it every Day if they will, so the Subject of their +Talk is mostly how Affairs went there, with their Negroes, or their Ground, +and then part with one another innocently, but empty. + +The Negroes have yet no hard Duty with them, they are rather Happy in +Slavery; for as their Food is chiefly Vegetables, that could no way else be +expended, there is no Murmurs bred on that account; and as their Business +is Domestick, either in the Services of the House, or in Gardening, Sowing, +or Planting, they have no more than what every Man would prefer for Health +and Pleasure; the hardest of their Work is the Carriage of their Pateroons, +or their Wives, to and from the Plantations; this they do in Hammocks +(call'd at _Whydah, Serpentines_) slung cross a Pole, with a Cloath over, +to screen the Person, so carried, from Sun and Weather, and the Slaves are +at each End; and yet even this, methinks, is better than the specious +Liberty a Man has for himself and his Heirs to work in a Coal Mine. + +The Negroes are, most of them, thro' the Care of their Patroons, +Christians, at least nominal, but excepting to some few, they adhere still +to many silly Pagan Customs in their Mournings and Rejoycings, and in some +Measure, powerful Majority has introduced them with the Vulgar of the +_Mulatto_ and _Portugueze_ Race. + +If a Person die in that Colour, the Relations and Friends of him meet at +the House, where the Corpse is laid out decently on the Ground and covered +(all except the Face) with a Sheet; they sit round it, crying and howling +dreadfully, not unlike what our Countrymen are said to do in _Ireland_: +This Mourning lasts for eight Days and Nights, but not equally intense, for +as the Friends, who compose the Chorus, go out and in, are weary, and +unequally affected, the Tone lessens daily, and the Intervals of Grief are +longer. + +In Rejoycings and Festivals they are equally ridiculous; these are commonly +made on some Friend's Escape from Shipwreck, or other Danger: They meet in +a large Room of the House, with a Strum Strum, to which one of the Company, +perhaps, sings wofully; the rest standing round the Room close to the +Petitions, take it in their Turns (one or two at a time) to step round, +called Dancing, the whole clapping their Hands continually, and hooping out +every Minute _Abeo_, which signify no more, than, _how do you_. And this +foolish Mirth will continue three or four Days together at a House, and +perhaps twelve or sixteen Hours at a time. + +The _Portugueze_, tho' eminently abstemious and temperate in all other +Things, are unbounded in their Lusts; and perhaps they substitute the +former in room of a Surgeon, as a Counterpoison to the Mischiefs of a +promiscuous Salacity: They have most of them Venereal Taints, and with Age +become meager and hectick: I saw two Instances here of Venereal Ulcers that +had cancerated to the Bowels, Spectacles that would have effectually +perswaded Men (I think) how Salutary the Restriction of Laws are. + +_Annobono_ is the last, and of the least Consequence of the three Islands; +there are Plenty of Fruits and Provisions, exchanged to Ships for old +Cloaths and Trifles of any Sort; they have a Governor nominated from St. +_Thome_, and two or three Priests, neither of which are minded, every one +living at Discretion, and fill'd with Ignorance and Lust. + + * * * + +To return to _Davis_, the next Day after he left _Anamaboe_, early in the +Morning, the Man at the Mast-Head espied a Sail. It must be observed, they +keep a good Look-out; for, according to their Articles, he who first espies +a Sail, if she proves a Prize, is entitled to the best Pair of Pistols on +Board, over and above his Dividend, in which they take a singular Pride; +and a Pair of Pistols has sometimes been sold for thirty Pounds, from one +to another. + +Immediately they gave Chace, and soon came up with her; the Ship proved to +be a _Hollander_, and being betwixt _Davis_ and the Shore, she made all the +Sail she could, intending to run aground; _Davis_ guessed her Design, and +putting out all his small Sails, came up with her before she could effect +it, and fired a Broad-side, upon which she immediately struck, and called +for Quarter. It was granted, for according to _Davis_'s Articles, it was +agreed, that Quarter should be given whenever it was called for, upon Pain +of Death. This Ship proved a very rich Prize, having the Governor of _Acra_ +on Board, with all his Effects, going to _Holland_; there was in Money to +the Value of 15000 _l._ Sterling, besides other valuable Merchandizes, all +which they brought on Board of themselves. + +Upon this new Success, they restored Captain _Hall_ and Captain _Plumb_, +before-mentioned, their Ships again, but strengthened their Company with +thirty five Hands, all white Men, taken out of these two and the _Morrice_ +Sloop; they also restored the _Dutch_ their Ship, after having plunder'd +her, as is mentioned. + +Before they got to the Island of _Princes_, one of their Ships, _viz._ that +call'd the _King James_, sprung a Leak; _Davis_ order'd all Hands out of +her, on Board his own Ship, with every thing else of Use, and left her at +an Anchor at _High Cameroon_. As soon as he came in Sight of the Island, he +hoisted _English_ Colours; the _Portuguese_ observing a large Ship sailing +towards them, sent out a little Sloop to examine what she might be; this +Sloop hailing of _Davis_, he told them he was an _English_ Man of War, in +Quest of Pyrates, and that he had received Intelligence there were some +upon that Coast; upon this they received him as a welcome Guest, and +piloted him into the Harbour. He saluted the Fort, which they answered, and +he came to an Anchor just under their Guns, and hoisted out the Pinnace, +Man of War Fashion, ordering nine Hands and a Coxen in it, to row him +ashore. + +The _Portugueze_, to do him the greater Honour, sent down a File of +Musqueteers to receive him, and conduct him to the Governor. The Governor +not in the least suspecting what he was, received him very civilly, +promising to supply him with whatever the Island afforded; _Davis_ thanked +him, telling him, the King of _England_ would pay for whatever he should +take; so after several Civilities pass'd between him and the Governor, he +returned again on Board. + +It happened a _French_ Ship came in there to supply it self with some +Necessaries, which _Davis_ took into his Head to plunder, but to give the +Thing a Colour of Right, he persuaded the _Portugueze_, that she had been +trading with the Pyrates, and that he found several Pyrates Goods on Board, +which he seized for the King's Use: This Story passed so well upon the +Governor, that he commended _Davis_'s Diligence. + +A few Days after, _Davis_, with about fourteen more, went privately ashore, +and walk'd up the Country towards a Village, where the Governor and the +other chief Men of the Island kept their Wives, in tending, as we may +suppose, to supply their Husbands Places with them; but being discovered, +the Women fled to a neighbouring Wood, and _Davis_ and the rest retreated +to their Ship, without effecting their Design: The Thing made some Noise, +but as no body knew them, it passed over. + +Having cleaned his Ship, and put all Things in Order, his Thoughts now were +turned upon the main Business, _viz._ the Plunder of the Island, and not +knowing where the Treasure lay, a Stratagem came into his Head, to get it +(as he thought) with little Trouble, he consulted his Men upon it, and they +liked the Design: His Scheme was, to make a Present to the Governor, of a +Dozen Negroes, by Way of Return for the Civilities received from him, and +afterwards to invite him, with the chief Men, and some of the Friers, on +Board his Ship, to an Entertainment; the Minute they came on Board, they +were to be secured in Irons, and there kept till they should pay a Ransom +of 40000 _l._ Sterling. + +But this Stratagem proved fatal to him, for a _Portugueze_ Negroe swam +ashore in the Night, and discovered the whole Plot to the Governor, and +also let him know, that it was _Davis_ who had made the Attempt upon their +Wives. However, the Governor dissembled, received the Pyrates Invitation +civilly, and promised that he and the rest would go. + +The next Day _Davis_ went on Shore himself, as if it were out of greater +Respect to bring the Governor on Board: He was received with the usual +Civility, and he, and other principal Pyrates, who, by the Way, had assumed +the Title of Lords, and as such took upon them to advise or councel their +Captain upon any important Occasion; and likewise held certain Priviledges, +which the common Pyrates were debarr'd from, as walking the Quarter-Deck, +using the great Cabin, going ashore at Pleasure, and treating with foreign +Powers, that is, with the Captains of Ships they made Prize of; I say, +_Davis_ and some of the Lords were desired to walk up to the Governor's +House, to take some Refreshment before they went on Board; they accepted it +without the least Suspicion, but never returned again; for an Ambuscade was +laid, a Signal being given, a whole Volley was fired upon them; they every +Man dropp'd, except one, this one fled back, and escaped into the Boat, and +got on Board the Ship: _Davis_ was shot through the Bowels, yet he rise +again, and made a weak Effort to get away, but his Strength soon forsook +him, and he dropp'd down dead; just as he fell, he perceived he was +followed, and drawing out his Pistols, fired them at his Pursuers; Thus +like a game Cock, giving a dying Blow, that he might not fall unrevenged. + +CHAP. IX. OF Captain _Bartho. Roberts_, And his CREW. + +B_Artholomew Roberts_ sailed in an honest Employ, from _London_ +aboard of the _Princess_, Captain _Plumb_ Commander, of which Ship he was +second Mate: He left _England, November_ 1719, and arrived at _Guiney_ +about _February_ following, and being at _Anamaboe_, taking in Slaves for +the _West-Indies_, was taken in the said Ship by Captain _Howel Davis_, as +mentioned in the preceeding Chapter. In the beginning he was very averse to +this sort of Life, and would certainly have escaped from them, had a fair +Opportunity presented it self; yet afterwards he changed his Principles, as +many besides him have done upon another Element, and perhaps for the same +Reason too, _viz._ Preferment,--and what he did not like as a private Man +he could reconcile to his Conscience as a Commander. + +_Davis_ being cut off in the manner beforementioned, the Company found +themselves under a Necessity of filling up his Post, for which there +appear'd two or three Candidates among the select Part of them, that were +distinguish'd by the Title of Lords, such were _Sympson, Ashplant, Anstis_, +&c. and on canvassing this Matter, how shatter'd and weak a Condition their +Government must be without a Head, since _Davis_ had been remov'd, in the +manner beforemention'd, my Lord _Dennis_ propos'd, its said, over a Bowl to +this Purpose. + +_That it was not of any great Signification who was dignify'd with Title; +for really and in Truth, all good Governments had_ (_like theirs_) _the +supream Power lodged with the Community, who might doubtless depute and +revoke as suited Interest or Humour. We are the Original of this Claim_ +(says he) _and should a Captain be so sawcy as to exceed Prescription at +any time_, why down with Him! _it will be a Caution after he is dead to his +Successors, of what fatal Consequence any sort of assuming may be. However, +it is my Advice, that, while we are sober, we pitch upon a Man of Courage, +and skill'd in Navigation, one, who by his Council and Bravery seems best +able to defend this Commonwealth, and ward us from the Dangers and Tempests +of an instable Element, and the fatal Consequences of Anarchy; and such a +one I take_ Roberts _to be. A Fellow! I think, in all Respects, worthy your +Esteem and Favour_. + +This Speech was loudly applauded by all but Lord _Sympson_, who had secret +Expectations himself, but on this Disappointment, grew sullen, and left +them, swearing, _he did not care who they chose Captain, so it was not a +Papist, for against them he had conceiv'd an irreconcileable Hatred, for +that his Father had been a Sufferer in_ Monmouth_'s Rebellion_. + +_Roberts_ was accordingly elected, tho' he had not been above six Weeks +among them, the Choice was confirm'd both by the Lords and Commoners, and +he accepted of the Honour, saying, _That since he had dipp'd his Hands in +muddy Water, and must be a Pyrate, it was better being a Commander than a +common Man_. + +As soon as the Government was settled, by promoting other Officers in the +room of those that were kill'd by the _Portugueze_, the Company resolv'd to +revenge Captain _Davis_'s Death, he being more than ordinarily respected by +the Crew for his Affability and good Nature, as well as his Conduct and +Bravery upon all Occasions; and pursuant to this Resolution, about 30 Men +were landed in order to make an Attack upon the Fort, which must be +ascended to by a steep Hill against the Mouth of the Cannon. These Men were +headed by one _Kennedy_, a bold daring Fellow, but very wicked and +profligate; they march'd directly up under the Fire of their Ship Guns, and +as soon as they were discover'd, the _Portugueze_ quitted their Post and +fled to the Town, and the Pyrates march'd in without Opposition, set Fire +to the Fort, and threw all the Guns off the Hill into the Sea, which after +they had done, they retreated quietly to their Ship. + +But this was not look'd upon as a sufficient Satisfaction for the Injury +they received, therefore most of the Company were for burning the Town, +which _Roberts_ said he would yield to, if any Means could be proposed of +doing it without their own Destruction, for the Town had a securer +Scituation than the Fort, a thick Wood coming almost close to it, affording +Cover to the Defendants, who under such an Advantage, he told them, it was +to be fear'd, would fire and stand better to their Arms; besides, that bare +Houses would be but a slender Reward for their Trouble and Loss. This +prudent Advice prevailed; however, they mounted the _French_ Ship, they +seiz'd at this Place, with 12 Guns, and light'ned her, in order to come up +to the Town, the Water being shoal, and battered down several Houses; after +which they all returned on Board, gave back the _French_ Ship to those that +had most Right to her, and sailed out of the Harbour by the light of two +_Portuguese_ Ships, which they were pleased to set on Fire there. + +_Roberts_ stood away to the Southward, and met with a _Dutch Guiney_ Man, +which he made Prize of, but after having plundered her, the Skipper had his +Ship again: Two Days after, he took an _English_ Ship, called the +_Experiment_, Captain _Cornet_, at _Cape Lopez_, the Men went all into the +Pyrate Service, and having no Occasion for the Ship, they burnt her, and +then steered for St. _Thome_, but meeting with nothing in their Way, they +sailed for _Annabona_, and there water'd, took in Provisions, and put it to +a Vote of the Company, whether their next Voyage should be, to the +_East-Indies_, or to _Brasil_; the latter being resolved on, they sailed +accordingly, and in 28 Days arrived at _Ferdinando_, an uninhabited Island, +on that Coast: Here they water'd, boot-top'd their Ship, and made ready for +the designed Cruise. + +Now that we are upon this Coast, I think it will be the proper Place to +present our Readers with a Description of this Country, and some ingenious +Remarks of a Friend, how beneficial a Trade might be carried on here by our +_West-India_ Merchants, at a little Hazard. + +A DESCRIPTION OF _BRASIL_, &c. + +B_RASIL_ (a Name signifying the holy Cross) was discovered for the +King of _Portugal_, by _Alvarez Cabral, Ann. Dom._ 1501. extending almost +from the _Æquinoctial_ to 28° South. The Air is temperate and cool, in +comparison of the _West-Indies_, from stronger Breezes and an opener +Country, which gives less Interruption to the Winds. + +The northernmost Part of it stretching about 180 Leagues, (a fine fertile +Country,) was taken from the _Portuguese_ by the _Dutch West-India_ +Company, _Anno._ 1637 or thereabouts; but the Conquerors, as is natural +where there is little or no Religion subsisting, made such heavy Exactions +on the _Portuguese_, and extended such Cruelty to the Natives, that +prepared them both easily to unite for a Revolt, facilitated by the _Dutch_ +Mismanagement: For the States being at this Time very intent on their +_India_ Settlements, not only recalled Count _Morrice_ their Governor, but +neglected Supplies to their Garrisons; however, tho' the others were +countenanced with a Fleet from _Portugal_, and had the Affection of the +Natives, yet they found Means to withstand and struggle with this superior +Power, from 1643 to 1660, and then was wholly abandoned by them, on +Articles dishonourable to the _Portuguese_, viz. + +That the _Dutch_, on Relinquishing, should keep all the Places they had +conquered in _India_ from _Portugal_. That they should pay the States +800000 _l._ and permit them still the Liberty of Trade to _Africa_ and +_Brasil_, on the same Custom and Duties with the King of _Portugal_'s +Subjects. But since that Time, new Stipulations and Treaties have been +made; wherein the _Dutch_, who have been totally excluded the _Brasil_ +Trade, have, in lieu thereof, a Composition of 10 _per Cent_. for the +Liberty of trading to _Africa_; and this is always left by every +_Portuguese_ Ship (before she begins her Slaving) with the _Dutch_ General +of the _Gold-Coast_, at _Des Minas_. + +There are only three principal Towns of Trade on the _Brasil_ Coast, St. +_Salvadore_, St. _Sebastian_, and _Pernambuca_. + +St. _Salvadore_ in the _Bahia los todos Santos_, is an Archbishoprick and +Seat of the Viceroy, the chief Port of Trade for Importation, where most of +the Gold from the Mines is lodged, and whence the Fleets for _Europe_ +generally depart. The Seas about it abound with Whale-Fish, which in the +Season they catch in great Numbers; the Flesh is salted up generally to be +the Victualling of their Slave-Ships, and the Train reserved for +Exportation, at 30 and 35 Millrays a Pipe. + +_Rio Janeiro (_the Town St. _Sebastian)_ is the Southernmost of the +_Portuguese_, the worst provided of Necessaries, but commodious for a +Settlement, because nigh the Mine, and convenient to supervise the Slaves, +who, as I have been told, do usually allow their Master a Dollar _per +Diem_, and have the Overplus of their Work (if any) to themselves. + +The Gold from hence is esteemed the best, (for being of a copperish +Colour,) and they have a Mint to run it into Coin, both here and at +_Bahia_; the Moidors of either having the initial Letters of each Place +upon them. + +_Pernambuca_ (tho' mention'd last) is the second in Dignity, a large and +populous Town, and has its rise from the Ruins of _Olinda_, (or the +handsome,) a City of a far pleasanter Situation, six Miles up the River, +but not so commodious for Traffick and Commerce. Just above the Town the +River divides it self into two Branches, not running directly into the Sea, +but to the Southward; and in the Nook of the Island made by that Division, +stands the Governor's House, a square plain Building of Prince _Maurice_'s, +with two Towers, on which are only this Date inscribed, _Anno_ 1641. The +Avenues to it are every way pleasant, thro' Visto's of tall Coco-Nut Trees. + +Over each Branch of the River is a Bridge; that leading to the Country is +all of Timber, but the other to the Town (of twenty six or twenty eight +Arches) is half of Stone, made by the _Dutch_, who in their Time had little +Shops and gaming Houses on each Side for Recreation. + +The Pavements also of the Town are in some Places of broad Tiles, the +remaining Fragments of their Conquest. The Town has the outer Branch of the +River behind it, and the Harbour before it, jetting into which latter are +close Keys for the weighing and receiving of Customage on Merchandize, and +for the meeting and conferring of Merchants and Traders. The Houses are +strong built, but homely, letticed like those of _Lisbon_, for the +Admission of Air, without Closets, and what is worse, Hearths; which makes +their Cookery consist all in frying and stewing upon Stoves; and that they +do till the Flesh become tender enough to shake it to Pieces, and one Knife +is then thought sufficient to serve a Table of half a Score. + +The greatest Inconvenience of _Pernambuca_ is, that there is not one +Publick-House in it; so that Strangers are obliged to hire any ordinary one +they can get, at a Guinea a Month: And others who come to transact Affairs +of Importance, must come recommended, if it were only for the sake of +Privacy. + +The Market is stocked well enough, Beef being at five Farthings _per l_. a +Sheep or Goat at nine Shillings, a Turkey four Shillings, and Fowls two +Shillings, the largest I ever saw, and may be procured much Cheaper, by +hiring a Man to fetch them out of the Country. The dearest in its kind is +Water, which being fetch'd in Vessels from _Olinda_, will not be put on +Board in the Road under two Crusado's a Pipe. + +The _Portuguese_ here are darker than those of _Europe_, not only from a +warmer Climate, but their many Intermarriages with the Negroes, who are +numerous there, and some of them of good Credit and Circumstances. The +Women (not unlike the Mulatto Generation every where else) are fond of +Strangers; not only the Courtezans, whose Interest may be supposed to wind +up their Affections, but also the marryed Women who think themselves +obliged, when you favour them with the Secrecy of an Appointment; but the +Unhappiness of pursuing Amours, is, that the generallity of both Sexes are +touched with veneral Taints, without so much as one Surgeon among them, or +any Body skilled in Physick, to cure or palliate the progressive Mischief: +The only Person pretending that Way, is an _Irish_ Father, whose Knowledge +is all comprehended in the Virtues of two or three Simples, and those, with +the Salubrity of the Air and Temperance, is what they depend on, for +subduing the worst of Malignity; and it may not be unworthy Notice, that +tho' few are exempted from the Misfortune of a Running, Eruptions, or the +like, yet I could hear of none precipitated into those deplorable +Circumstances we see common in unskillful mercurial Processes. + +There are three Monasteries, and about six Churches, none of them Rich or +Magnificent, unless one dedicated to St. _Antonio_, the Patron of their +Kingdom, which shines all over with exquisite Pieces of Paint and Gold. + +The Export of _Brasil_ (besides Gold) is chiefly Sugars and Tobacco; the +latter are sent off in Rowls of a Quintal Weight, kept continually +moistened with Mulossus, which, with the Soil it springs from, imparts a +strong and peculiar Scent, more sensible in the Snuff made from it, which +tho' under Prohibition of importing to _Lisbon_, sells here at 2 _s. per +l_. as the Tobacco does at about 6 Millraies a Rowl. The finest of their +Sugars sells at 8 _s. per_ Roove, and a small ill tasted Rum drawn from the +Dregs and Mulossus, at two Testunes a Gallon. + +Besides these, they send off great Quantities of Brasil Wood, and Whale +Oyl, some Gums and Parrots, the latter are different from the _African_ in +Colour and Bigness, for as they are blue and larger, these are green and +smaller; and the Females of them ever retain the wild Note, and cannot be +brought to talk. + +In lieu of this Produce, the _Portugueze_, once every Year by their Fleet +from _Lisbon_, import all manner of European Commodities; and whoever is +unable or negligent of supplying himself at that Season, buys at a very +advanced Rate, before the Return of another. + +To transport Passengers, Slaves, or Merchandize from one Settlement to +another, or in Fishing; they make use of Bark-Logs, by the _Brasilians_ +called _Jingadahs_: They are made of four Pieces of Timber (the two +outermost longest) pinned and fastened together, and sharpened at the Ends: +Towards each Extremity a Stool is fixed to sit on for paddling, or holding +by, when the Agitation is more than ordinary; with these odd sort of +Engines, continually washed over by the Water, do these People, with a +little triangular Sail spreeted about the Middle of it, venture out of +Sight of Land, and along the Coasts for many Leagues, in any sort of +Weather; and if they overset with a Squall (which is not uncommon) they +swim and presently turn it up right again. + +The Natives are of the darkest Copper Colour, with thin Hair, of a square +strong make, and muscular; but not so well looking as the Wooley +Generation: They acquiesce patiently to the _Portugueze_ Government, who +use them much more humanly and Christian-like than the _Dutch_ did, and by +that Means have extended Quietness and Peace, as well as their Possessions, +three or four hundred Miles into the Country. A Country abounding with fine +Pastures and numerous Herds of Cattle, and yields a vast Increase from +every thing that is sown: Hence they bring down to us Parrots, small +Monkies, Armadillos and Sanguins, and I have been assured, they have, (far +In-land,) a Serpent of a vast Magnitude, called _Siboya_, able, they say, +to swallow a whole Sheep; I have seen my self here the Skin of another +Specie full six Yards long, and therefore think the Story not improbable. + +The Harbour of _Pernambuca_ is, perhaps, singular, it is made of a Ledge of +Rocks, half a Cables length from the Main, and but little above the Surface +of the Water, running at that equal Distance and Heighth several Leagues, +towards Cape _Augustine_, a Harbour running between them capable of +receiving Ships of the greatest Burthen: The Northermost End of this Wall +of Rock, is higher than any Part of the contiguous Line, on which a little +Fort is built, commanding the Passage either of Boat or Ship, as they come +over the Bar into the Harbour: On the Starboard Side, (_i. e._ the Main) +after you have entered a little way, stands another Fort (a _Pentagon_) +that would prove of small Account, I imagine, against a few disciplined +Men; and yet in these consists all their Strength and Security, either for +the Harbour or Town: They have begun indeed a Wall, since their removing +from _Olinda_, designed to surround the latter; but the slow Progress they +make in raising it, leaves Room to suspect 'twill be a long time in +finishing. + +The Road without, is used by the _Portugueze_, when they are nigh sailing +for _Europe_, and wait for the Convoy, or are bound to _Bahia_ to them, and +by Strangers only when Necessity compels; the best of it is in ten Fathom +Water, near three Miles W. N. W. from the Town; nigher in, is foul with the +many Anchors lost there by the _Portugueze_ Ships; and farther out (in 14 +Fathom) corally and Rocky. _July_ is the worst and Winter Season of this +Coast, the Trade Winds being then very strong and dead, bringing in a +prodigious and unsafe Swell into the Road, intermixed every Day with +Squalls, Rain, and a hazey Horizon, but at other times serener Skies and +Sunshine. + +In these Southern Latitudes is a Constellation, which from some Resemblance +it bears to a _Jerusalem_ Cross, has the Name of _Crosiers_, the brightest +of this Hemisphere, and are observed by, as the North Star is in Northern +Latitudes; but what I mention this for, is, to introduce the admirable +Phænomenon in these Seas of the Megellanick Clouds, whose Risings and +Sittings are so regular, that I have been assured, the same Nocturnal +Observations are made by them as by the Stars; They are two Clouds, small +and whitish, no larger in Appearance than a Man's Hat, and are seen here in +_July_ in the Latitude of 8° S. about four of the Clock in the Morning; if +their Appearance should be said to be the Reflection of Light, from some +Stellary Bodies above them, yet the Difficulty is not easily answered, how +these, beyond others, become so durable and regular in their Motions. + +From these casual Observations on the Country, the Towns, Coast, and Seas +of _Brasil_, it would be an Omission to leave the Subject, without some +Essay on an interloping Slave Trade here, which none of our Countrymen are +adventurous enough to pursue, though it very probably, under a prudent +Manager, would be attended with Safety and very great Profit; and I admire +the more it is not struck at, because Ships from the Southern Coast of +_Africa_, don't lengthen the Voyage to the _West-Indies_ a great deal, by +taking a Part of _Brasil_ in their Way. + +The Disadvantages the _Portugueze_ are under for purchasing Slaves, are +these, that they have very few proper Commodities for _Guiney_, and the +Gold, which was their chiefest, by an Edict in _July_ 1722, stands now +prohibited from being carried thither, so that the Ships employed therein +are few, and insufficient for the great Mortality and Call of their Mines; +besides, should they venture at breaking so destructive a Law, as the +abovementioned (as no doubt they do, or they could make little or no +Purchace) yet Gold does not raise its Value like Merchandize in travelling +(especially to _Africa_) and when the Composition with the _Dutch_ is also +paid, they may be said to buy their Negroes at almost double the Price the +_English, Dutch_, or _French_ do, which necessarily raises their Value +extravagantly at _Brasil_; (those who can purchase one, buying a certainer +Annuity than _South-Sea_ Stock.) + +Thus far of the Call for Slaves at _Brasil_; I shall now consider and +obviate some Difficulties objected against any Foreigners (suppose +_English_) interposing in such a Trade, and they are some on theirs, and +some on our Side. + +On their Side it is prohibited under Pain of Death, a Law less effectual to +the Prevention of it than pecuniary Mulcts would be, because a Penalty so +inadequate and disproportioned, is only _In terrorem_, and makes it +merciful in the Governor, or his Instruments, to take a Composition of +eight or ten Moidors, when any Subject is catched, and is the common Custom +so to do as often as they are found out. + +On our Side it is Confiscation of what they can get, which considering, +they have no Men of War to guard the Coast, need be very little, without +supine Neglect and Carelessness. + +I am a Man of War, or Privateer, and being in Want of Provisions, or in +Search of Pyrates, put in to _Pernambuca_ for Intelligence, to enable me +for the Pursuit: The Dread of Pyrates keeps every one off, till you have +first sent an Officer, with the proper Compliments to the Governor, who +immediately gives Leave for your buying every Necessary you are in want of, +provided it be with Money, and not an Exchange of Merchandize, which is +against the Laws of the Country. + +On this first time of going on Shore, depends the success of the whole +Affair, and requires a cautious and discreet Management in the Person +entrusted: He will be immediately surrounded at landing with the great and +the small Rabble, to enquire who? and whence he comes? and whether bound? +_&c._ and the Men are taught to answer, from _Guiney_, denying any thing of +a Slave on Board, which are under Hatches, and make no Shew; nor need they, +for those who have Money to lay out will conclude on that themselves. + +By that time the Compliment is paid to the Governor, the News has spread +all round the Town, and some Merchant addresses you, as a Stranger, to the +Civility of his House, but privately desires to know what Negroes he can +have, and what Price. A Governor may possibly use an Instrument in sifting +this, but the Appearance of the Gentleman, and the Circumstance of being so +soon engaged after leaving the other, will go a great way in forming a +Man's Judgment, and leaves him no room for the Suspicion of such a Snare; +however, to have a due Guard, Intimations will suffice, and bring him, and +Friends enough to carry off the best Part of a Cargo in two Nights time, +from 20 to 30 Moidors a Boy, and from 30 to 40 a Man Slave. The Hazard is +less at _Rio Janeiro_. + +There has been another Method attempted, of settling a Correspondence with +some _Portugueze_ Merchant or two, who, as they may be certain within a +Fortnight of any Vessels arriving on their Coast with Slaves, might settle +Signals for the debarquing them at an unfrequented Part of the Coast, but +whether any Exceptions were made to the Price, or that the _Portuguese_ +dread Discovery, and the severest Prosecution on so notorious a Breach of +the Law, I cannot tell but it has hither to proved abortive. + +However, Stratagems laudable, and attended with Profit, at no other Hazard +(as I can perceive) then loss of Time, are worth attempting; it is what is +every Day practised with the _Spaniards_ from _Jamaica_. + + * * * + +Upon this Coast our Rovers cruiz'd for about nine Weeks, keeping generally +out of Sight of Land, but without seeing a Sail, which discourag'd them so, +that they determined to leave the Station, and steer for the _West-Indies_, +and in order thereto, stood in to make the Land for the taking of their +Departure, and thereby they fell in, unexpectedly, with a Fleet of 42 Sail +of _Portuguese_ Ships, off the Bay of _los todos Santos_, with all their +Lading in for _Lisbon_, several of them of good Force, who lay too waiting +for two Men of War of 70 Guns each, their Convoy. However, _Roberts_ +thought it should go hard with him, but he would make up his Market among +them, and thereupon mix'd with the Fleet, and kept his Men hid till proper +Resolutions could be form'd; that done, they came close up to one of the +deepest, and ordered her to send the Master on Board quietly, threat'ning +to give them no Quarters, if any Resistance, or Signal of Distress was +made. The _Portuguese_ being surprized at these Threats, and the sudden +flourish of Cutlashes from the Pyrates, submitted without a Word, and the +Captain came on Board; _Roberts_ saluted him after a friendly manner, +telling him, that they were Gentlemen of Fortune, but that their Business +with him, was only to be informed which was the richest Ship in that Fleet; +and if he directed them right, he should be restored to his Ship without +Molestation, otherwise, he must expect immediate Death. + +Whereupon this _Portuguese_ Master pointed to one of 40 Guns, and 150 Men, +a Ship of greater Force than the _Rover_, but this no Ways dismayed them, +_they were_ Portuguese, they said, and so immediately steered away for him. +When they came within Hail, the Master whom they had Prisoner, was ordered +to ask, _how Seignior Capitain did_? And to invite him on Board, _for that +he had a Matter of Consequence to impart to him_, which being done, he +returned for Answer, _That he would wait upon him presently_: But by the +Bustle that immediately followed, the Pyrates perceived, they were +discovered, and that this was only a deceitful Answer to gain Time to put +their Ship in a Posture of Defence; so without further Delay, they poured +in a Broad-Side, boarded and grapled her; the Dispute was short and warm, +wherein many of the _Portuguese_ fell, and two only of the Pyrates. By this +Time the Fleet was alarmed, Signals of Top-gallant Sheets flying, and Guns +fired, to give Notice to the Men of War, who rid still at an Anchor, and +made but scurvy hast out to their Assistance; and if what the Pyrates +themselves related, be true, the Commanders of those Ships were blameable +to the highest Degree, and unworthy the Title, or so much as the Name of +Men: For _Roberts_ finding the Prize to sail heavy, and yet resolving not +to loose her, lay by for the headmost of them _(_which much out sailed the +other) and prepared for Battle, which was ignominiously declined, tho' of +such superior Force; for not daring to venture on the Pyrate alone, he +tarried so long for his Consort as gave them both time leisurely to make +off. + +They found this Ship exceeding rich, being laden chiefly with Sugar, Skins, +and Tobacco, and in Gold 40000 Moidors, besides Chains and Trinckets, of +considerable Value; particularly a Cross set with Diamonds, designed for +the King of _Portugal_; which they afterwards presented to the Governor of +_Caiana_, by whom they were obliged. + +Elated with this Booty, they had nothing now to think of but some safe +Retreat, where they might give themselves up to all the Pleasures that +Luxury and Wantonness could bestow, and for the present pitch'd upon a +Place called the _Devil_'s _Islands_, in the River of _Surinam_, on the +Coast of _Caiana_, where they arrived, and found the civilest Reception +imaginable, not only from the Governor and Factory, but their Wives, who +exchanged Wares and drove a considerable Trade with them. + +They seiz'd in this River a Sloop, and by her gained Intelligence, that a +Brigantine had also sailed in Company with her, from _Rhode-Island_, laden +with Provisions for the Coast. A Welcome Cargo! They growing short in the +Sea Store, and as _Sancho_ says, _No Adventures to be made without +Belly-Timber_. One Evening as they were rumaging (their Mine of Treasure) +the _Portuguese_ Prize, this expected Vessel was descry'd at Mast-Head, and +_Roberts_, imagining no Body could do the Business so well as himself, +takes 40 Men in the Sloop, and goes in pursuit of her; but a fatal Accident +followed this rash, tho' inconsiderable Adventure, for _Roberts_ thinking +of nothing less than bringing in the Brigantine that Afternoon, never +troubled his Head about the Sloop's Provision, nor inquired what there was +on Board to subsist such a Number of Men; but out he sails after his +expected Prize, which he not only lost further Sight of, but after eight +Days contending with contrary Winds and Currents, found themselves thirty +Leagues to Leeward. The Current still opposing their Endeavours, and +perceiving no Hopes of beating up to their Ship, they came to an Anchor, +and inconsiderately sent away the Boat to give the rest of the Company +Notice of their Condition, and to order the Ship to them; but too soon, +even the next Day, their Wants made them sensible of their Infatuation, for +their Water was all expended, and they had taken no thought how they should +be supply'd, till either the Ship came, or the Boat returned, which was not +likely to be under five or six Days. Here like _Tantalus_, they almost +famished in Sight of the fresh Streams and Lakes; being drove to such +Extremity at last, that they were forc'd to tare up the Floor of the Cabin, +and patch up a sort of Tub or Tray with Rope Yarns, to paddle ashore, and +fetch off immediate Supplies of Water to preserve Life. + +After some Days, the long-wish'd-for Boat came back, but with the most +unwellcome News in the World, for _Kennedy_, who was Lieutenant, and left +in Absence of _Roberts_, to Command the Privateer and Prize, was gone off +with both. This was Mortification with a Vengeance, and you may imagine, +they did not depart without some hard Speeches from those that were left, +and had suffered by their Treachery: And that there need be no further +mention of this _Kennedy_, I shall leave Captain _Roberts_, for a Page or +two, with the Remains of his Crew, to vent their Wrath in a few Oaths and +Execrations, and follow the other, whom we may reckon from that Time, as +steering his Course towards _Execution Dock_. + +_Kennedy_ was now chosen Captain of the revolted Crew, but could not bring +his Company to any determined Resolution; some of them were for pursuing +the old Game, but the greater Part of them seem'd to have Inclinations to +turn from those evil Courses, and get home privately, (for there was no Act +of Pardon in Force,) therefore they agreed to break up, and every Man to +shift for himself, as he should see Occasion. The first Thing they did, was +to part with the great _Portugueze_ Prize, and having the Master of the +Sloop (whose Name I think was _Cane_) aboard, who they said was a very +honest Fellow, (for he had humoured them upon every Occasion,) told them of +the Brigantine that _Roberts_ went after; and when the Pyrates first took +him, he complemented them at an odd Rate, telling them they were welcome to +his Sloop and Cargo, and wish'd that the Vessel had been larger, and the +Loading richer for their Sakes: To this good natured Man they gave the +_Portugueze_ Ship, (which was then above half loaded,) three or four +Negroes, and all his own Men, who returned Thanks to his kind Benefactors, +and departed. + +Captain _Kennedy_ in the _Rover_, sailed to _Barbadoes_, near which Island, +they took a very peaceable Ship belonging to _Virginia_; the Commander was +a Quaker, whose Name was _Knot_; he had neither Pistol, Sword, nor Cutlash +on Board; and Mr. _Knot_ appearing so very passive to all they said to him, +some of them thought this a good Opportunity to go off; and accordingly +eight of the Pyrates went aboard, and he carried them safe to _Virginia_; +They made the Quaker a Present of 10 Chests of Sugar, 10 Rolls of _Brasil_ +Tobacco, 30 Moidors, and some Gold-Dust, in all to the value of about 250 +_l._ They also made Presents to the Sailors, some more, some less, and +lived a jovial Life all the while they were upon their Voyage, Captain +_Knot_ giving them their Way; nor indeed could he help himself, unless he +had taken an Opportunity to surprize them, when they were either drunk or +asleep; for awake they wore Arms aboard the Ship, and put him in a +continual Terror; it not being his Principle (or the Sect's) to fight, +unless with Art and Collusion; he managed these Weapons well till he +arrived at the Capes, and afterwards four of the Pyrates went off in a +Boat, which they had taken with them, for the more easily making their +Escapes, and made up the Bay towards _Maryland_, but were forced back by a +Storm into an obscure Place of the Country, where meeting with good +Entertainment among the Planters, they continued several Days without being +discovered to be Pyrates. In the mean Time Captain _Knot_ leaving four +others on Board his Ship, (who intended to go to _North-Carolina_,) made +what hast he could to discover to Mr. _Spotswood_ the Governor, what sort +of Passengers he had been forced to bring with him, who by good Fortune got +them seized; and Search being made after the others, who were revelling +about the Country, they were also taken, and all try'd, convicted and +hang'd, two _Portuguese_ Jews who were taken on the Coast of _Brasil_, and +whom they brought with them to _Virginia_, being the principal Evidences. +The latter had found Means to lodge Part of their Wealth with the Planters, +who never brought it to Account: But Captain _Knot_ surrendered up every +Thing that belonged to them, that were taken aboard, even what they +presented to him, in lieu of such Things as they had plundered him of in +their Passage, and obliged his Men to do the like. + +Some Days after the taking of the _Virginia_ Man last mentioned, in +cruising in the Latitude of _Jamaica, Kennedy_ took a Sloop bound thither +from _Boston_, loaded with Bread and Flower; aboard of this Sloop went all +the Hands who were for breaking the Gang, and left those behind that had a +Mind to pursue further Adventures. Among the former were _Kennedy_, their +Captain, of whose Honour they had such a dispicable Notion, that they were +about to throw him over-board, when they found him in the Sloop, as fearing +he might betray them all, at their return to _England_; he having in his +Childhood been bred a Pick-pocket, and before he became a Pyrate, a +House-breaker; both Professions that these Gentlemen have a very mean +Opinion of. However, Captain _Kennedy_, by taking solemn Oaths of Fidelity +to his Companions, was suffered to proceed with them. + +In this Company there was but one that pretended to any skill in +Navigation, (for _Kennedy_ could neither write nor read, he being preferred +to the Command merely for his Courage, which indeed he had often +signaliz'd, particularly in taking the _Portuguese_ Ship,) and he proved to +be a Pretender only; for shaping their Course to _Ireland_, where they +agreed to land, they ran away to the North-West Coast of _Scotland_, and +there were tost about by hard Storms of Wind for several Days, without +knowing where they were, and in great Danger of perishing: At length they +pushed the Vessel into a little Creek, and went all ashore, leaving the +Sloop at an Anchor for the next Comers. + +The whole Company refresh'd themselves at a little Village about five Miles +from the Place where they left the Sloop, and passed there for Ship-wreck'd +Sailors, and no doubt might have travelled on without Suspicion; but the +mad and riotous Manner of their Living on the Road, occasion'd their +Journey to be cut short, as we shall observe presently. + +_Kennedy_ and another left them here, and travelling to one of the +Sea-Ports, ship'd themselves for _Ireland_, and arrived there in Safety. +Six or seven wisely withdrew from the rest, travelled at their leasure, and +got to their much desired Port of _London_, without being disturbed or +suspected; but the main Gang alarm'd the Country where-ever they came, +drinking and roaring at such a Rate, that the People shut themselves up in +their Houses, in some Places, not daring to venture out among so many mad +Fellows: In other Villages, they treated the whole Town, squandering their +Money away, as if, like _Æsop_, they wanted to lighten their Burthens: This +expensive manner of Living procured two of their drunken Straglers to be +knocked on the Head, they being found murdered in the Road, and their Money +taken from them: All the rest, to the Number of seventeen as they drew nigh +to _Edinburgh_, were arrested and thrown into Goal, upon Suspicion, of they +knew not what; However, the Magistrates were not long at a Loss for proper +Accusations, for two of the Gang offering themselves for Evidences were +accepted of; and the others were brought to a speedy Tryal, whereof nine +were convicted and executed. + +_Kennedy_ having spent all his Money, came over from _Ireland_, and kept a +common B--y-House on _Deptford_ Road, and now and then, 'twas thought, made +an Excursion abroad in the Way of his former Profession, till one of his +Houshold W--s gave Information against him for a Robbery, for which he was +committed to _Bridewell_; but because she would not do the Business by +halves, she found out a Mate of a Ship that _Kennedy_ had committed Pyracy +upon, as he foolishly confess'd to her. This Mate, whose Name was _Grant_, +paid _Kennedy_ a Visit in _Bridewell_, and knowing him to be the Man, +procured a Warrant, and had him committed to the _Marshalsea_ Prison. + +The Game that _Kennedy_ had now to play was to turn Evidence himself; +accordingly he gave a List of eight or ten of his Comrades; but not being +acquainted with their Habitations, one only was taken, who, tho' condemn'd, +appeared to be a Man of a fair Character, was forc'd into their Service, +and took the first Opportunity to get from them, and therefore receiv'd a +Pardon; but _Walter Kennedy_ being a notorious Offender, was executed the +19th of _July_, 1721, at _Execution Dock_. + +The rest of the Pyrates who were left in the Ship _Rover_, staid not long +behind, for they went ashore to one of the _West-India_ Islands; what +became of them afterwards, I can't tell, but the Ship was found at Sea by a +Sloop belonging to St. _Christophers_, and carried into that Island with +only nine Negroes aboard. + +Thus we see what a disastrous Fate ever attends the Wicked, and how rarely +they escape the Punishment due to their Crimes, who, abandon'd to such a +profligate Life, rob, spoil, and prey upon Mankind, contrary to the Light +and Law of Nature, as well as the Law of God. It might have been hoped, +that the Examples of these Deaths, would have been as Marks to the +Remainder of this Gang, how to shun the Rocks their Companions had split +on; that they would have surrendered to Mercy, or divided themselves, for +ever from such Pursuits, as in the End they might be sure would subject +them to the same Law and Punishment, which they must be conscious they now +equally deserved; _impending Law_, which never let them sleep well, unless +when drunk. But all the Use that was made of it here, was to commend the +Justice of the Court, that condemn'd _Kennedy, for he was a sad Dog_ (they +said) _and deserved the Fate he met with_. + +But to go back to _Roberts_, whom we left on the Coast of _Caiana_, in a +grievous Passion at what _Kennedy_ and the Crew had done; and who was now +projecting new Adventures with his small Company in the Sloop; but finding +hitherto they had been but as a Rope of Sand, they formed a Set of +Articles, to be signed and sworn to, for the better Conservation of their +Society, and doing Justice to one another; excluding all _Irish_ Men from +the Benefit of it, to whom they had an implacable Aversion upon the Account +of _Kennedy_. How indeed _Roberts_ could think that an Oath would be +obligatory, where Defiance had been given to the Laws of God and Man, I +can't tell, but he thought their greatest Security lay in this, _That it +was every one's Interest to observe them if they were minded to keep up so +abominable a Combination_. + +The following, is the Substance of the Articles, as taken from the +Pyrates own Informations. + +I. + +E_Very Man has a Vote in Affairs of Moment; has equal Title to the +fresh Provisions, or strong Liquors, at any Time seized, and use them at +pleasure, unless a Scarcity_ (no uncommon Thing among them) _make it +necessary, for the good of all, to vote a Retrenchment_. + +II. + +_Every Man to be called fairly in turn, by List, on Board of Prizes, +because, (over and above their proper Share_,) _they were on these +Occasions allowed a Shift of Cloaths: But if they defrauded the Company to +the Value of a Dollar, in Plate, Jewels, or Money_, MAROONING _was their +Punishment_. This was a Barbarous Custom of putting the Offender on Shore, +on some desolate or uninhabited Cape or Island, with a Gun, a few Shot, a +Bottle of Water, and a Bottle of Powder, to subsist with, or starve. _If +the Robbery was only between one another, they contented themselves with +slitting the Ears and Nose of him that was Guilty, and set him on Shore, +not in an uninhabited Place, but somewhere, where he was sure to encounter +Hardships_. + +III. + +_No Person to Game at Cards or Dice for Money_. + +IV. + +_The Lights and Candles to be put out at eight o'Clock at Night: If any of +the Crew, after that Hour, still remained inclined for Drinking, they were +to do it on the open Deck_; which _Roberts_ believed would give a Check to +their Debauches, for he was a sober Man himself, but found at length, that +all his Endeavours to put an End to this Debauch, proved ineffectual. + +V. + +_To keep their Piece, Pistols, and Cutlash clean, and fit for Service_: In +this they were extravagantly nice, endeavouring to outdo one another, in +the Beauty and Richness of their Arms, giving sometimes at an Auction (at +the Mast,) 30 or 40 _l._ a Pair, for Pistols. These were slung in Time of +Service, with different coloured Ribbands, over their Shoulders, in a Way +peculiar to these Fellows, in which they took great Delight. + +VI. + +_No Boy or Woman to be allowed amongst them. If any Man were sound seducing +anny of the latter Sex, and carried her to Sea, disguised, he was to suffer +Death_; so that when any fell into their Hands, as it chanced in the +_Onslow_, they put a Centinel immediately over her to prevent ill +Consequences from so dangerous an Instrument of Division and Quarrel; but +then here lies the Roguery; they contend who shall be Centinel, which +happens generally to one of the greatest Bullies, who, to secure the Lady's +Virtue, will let none lye with her but himself. + +VII. + +_To Desert the Ship, or their Quarters in Battle, was punished with Death, +or Marooning._ + +VIII. + +_No striking one another on Board, but every Man's Quarrels to be ended on +Shore, at Sword and Pistol, Thus_; The Quarter-Master of the Ship, when the +Parties will not come to any Reconciliation, accompanies them on Shore with +what Assistance he thinks proper, and turns the Disputants Back to Back, at +so many Paces Distance: At the Word of Command, they turn and fire +immediately, (or else the Piece is knocked out of their Hands:) If both +miss, they come to their Cutlashes, and then he is declared Victor who +draws the first Blood. + +IX. + +_No Man to talk of breaking up their Way of Living, till each had shared a_ +1000 _l. If in order to this, any Man should lose a Limb, or become a +Cripple in their Service, he was to have_ 800 _Dollars, out of the publick +Stock, and for lesser Hurts, proportionably._ + +X. + +_The Captain and Quarter-Master to receive two Shares of a Prize; the +Master, Boatswain, and Gunner, one Share and a half, and other Officers, +one and a Quarter._ + +XI. + +_The Musicians to have Rest on the Sabbath Day, but the other six Days and +Nights, none without special Favour._ + +These, we are assured, were some of _Roberts_'s Articles, but as they had +taken Care to throw over-board the Original they had sign'd and sworn to, +there is a great deal of Room to suspect, the remainder contained something +too horrid to be disclosed to any, except such as were willing to be +Sharers in the Iniquity of them; let them be what they will, they were +together the Test of all new Comers, who were initiated by an Oath taken on +a Bible, reserv'd for that Purpose only, and were subscrib'd to in Presence +of the worshipful Mr. _Roberts._ And in Case any Doubt should arise +concerning the Construction of these Laws, and it should remain a Dispute +whether the Party had infring'd them or no, a Jury is appointed to explain +them, and bring in a Verdict upon the Case in Doubt. + +Since we are now speaking of the Laws of this Company, I shall go on, and, +in as brief a Manner as I can, relate the principal Customs, and +Government, of this roguish Common-Wealth; which are pretty near the same +with all Pyrates. + +For the Punishment of small Offences, which are not provided for by the +Articles, and which are not of Consequence enough to be left to a Jury, +there is a principal Officer among the Pyrates, called the Quarter-Master, +of the Mens own chusing, who claims all Authority this Way, (excepting in +Time of Battle:) If they disobey his Command, are quarrelsome and mutinous +with one another, misuse Prisoners, plunder beyond his Order, and in +particular, if they be negligent of their Arms, which he musters at +Discretion, he punishes at his own Arbitrement, with drubbing or whipping, +which no one else dare do without incurring the Lash from all the Ships +Company: In short, this Officer is Trustee for the whole, is the first on +Board any Prize, separating for the Company's Use, what he pleases, and +returning what he thinks fit to the Owners, excepting Gold and Silver, +which they have voted not returnable. + +After a Description of the Quarter-Master, and his Duty, who acts as a sort +of a civil Magistrate on Board a Pyrate Ship; I shall consider their +military Officer, the Captain; what Privileges he exerts in such anarchy +and unrulyness of the Members: Why truly very little, they only permit him +to be Captain, on Condition, that they may be Captain over him; they +separate to his Use the great Cabin, and sometimes vote him small Parcels +of Plate and China, (for it may be noted that _Roberts_ drank his Tea +constantly) but then every Man, as the Humour takes him, will use the Plate +and China, intrude into his Apartment, swear at him, seize a Part of his +Victuals and Drink, if they like it, without his offering to find Fault or +contest it: Yet _Roberts_, by a better Management than usual, became the +chief Director in every Thing of Moment, and it happened thus:--The Rank of +Captain being obtained by the Suffrage of the Majority, it falls on one +superior for Knowledge and Boldness, _Pistol Proof_ (as they call it,) and +can make those fear, who do not love him; _Roberts_ is said to have +exceeded his Fellows in these Respects, and when advanced, enlarged the +Respect that followed it, by making a sort of Privy-Council of half a Dozen +of the greatest Bullies; such as were his Competitors, and had Interest +enough to make his Government easy; yet even those, in the latter Part of +his Reign, he had run counter to in every Project that opposed his own +Opinion; for which, and because he grew reserved, and would not drink and +roar at their Rate, a Cabal was formed to take away his Captainship, which +Death did more effectually. + +The Captain's Power is uncontroulable in Chace, or in Battle, drubbing, +cutting, or even shooting any one who dares deny his Command. The same +Privilege he takes over Prisoners, who receive good or ill Usage, mostly as +he approves of their Behaviour, for tho' the meanest would take upon them +to misuse a Master of a Ship, yet he would controul herein, when he see it, +and merrily over a Bottle, give his Prisoners this double Reason for it. +First, That it preserved his Precedence; and secondly, That it took the +Punishment out of the Hands of a much more rash and mad Sett of Fellows +than himself. When he found that Rigour was not expected from his People, +(for he often practised it to appease them,) then he would give Strangers +to understand, that it was pure Inclination that induced him to a good +Treatment of them, and not any Love or Partiality to their Persons; for, +says he, _there is none of you but will hang me, I know, whenever you can +clinch me within your Power._ + + * * * + +And now seeing the Disadvantages they were under for pursuing the Account, +_viz._ a small Vessel ill repaired, and without Provisions, or Stores; they +resolved one and all, with the little Supplies they could get, to proceed +for the _West-Indies_, not doubting to find a Remedy for all these Evils, +and to retreive their Loss. + +In the Latitude of _Deseada_, one of the Islands, they took two Sloops, +which supply'd them with Provisions and other Necessaries; and a few Days +afterwards, took a Brigantine belonging to _Rhode Island_, and then +proceeded to _Barbadoes_, off of which Island, they fell in with a +_Bristol_ Ship of 10 Guns, in her Voyage out, from whom they took abundance +of Cloaths, some Money, twenty five Bales of Goods, five Barrels of Powder, +a Cable, Hawser, 10 Casks of Oatmeal, six Casks of Beef, and several other +Goods, besides five of their Men; and after they had detained her three +Days, let her go; who being bound for the abovesaid Island, she acquainted +the Governor with what had happened, as soon as she arrived. + +Whereupon a _Bristol_ Galley that lay in the Harbour, was ordered to be +fitted out with all imaginable Expedition, of 20 Guns, and 80 Men, there +being then no Man of War upon that Station, and also a Sloop with 10 Guns, +and 40 Men: The Galley was commanded by one Captain _Rogers_, of _Bristol_, +and the Sloop by Captain _Graves_, of that Island, and Captain _Rogers_ by +a Commission from the Governor, was appointed Commadore. + +The second Day after _Rogers_ sailed out of the Harbour, he was discovered +by _Roberts_, who knowing nothing of their Design, gave them Chase: The +_Barbadoes_ Ships kept an easy sail till the Pyrates came up with them, and +then _Roberts_ gave them a Gun, expecting they would have immediately +struck to his pyratical Flag, but instead thereof, he was forced to receive +the Fire of a Broadside, with three Huzzas at the same Time; so that an +Engagement ensued, but _Roberts_ being hardly put to it, was obliged to +crowd all the Sail the Sloop would bear, to get off: The Galley sailing +pretty well, kept Company for a long while, keeping a constant Fire, which +gail'd the Pyrate; however, at length by throwing over their Guns, and +other heavy Goods, and thereby light'ning the Vessel, they, with much ado, +got clear; but _Roberts_ could never endure a _Barbadoes_ Man afterwards, +and when any Ships belonging to that Island fell in his Way, he was more +particularly severe to them than others. + +Captain _Roberts_ sailed in the Sloop to the Island of _Dominico_, where he +watered, and got Provisions of the Inhabitants, to whom he gave Goods in +Exchange. At this Place he met with 13 _Englishmen_, who had been set +ashore by a _French Guard de la Coste_, belonging to _Martinico_, taken out +of two _New-England_ Ships, that had been seiz'd, as Prize, by the said +_French_ Sloop: The Men willingly entered with the Pyrates, and it proved a +seasonable Recruit. + +They staid not long here, tho' they had immediate Occasion for cleaning +their Sloop, but did not think this a proper Place, and herein they judg'd +right; for the touching at this Island, had like to have been their +Destruction, because they having resolved to go away to the _Granada_ +Islands, for the aforesaid Purpose, by some Accident it came to be known to +the _French_ Colony, who sending Word to the Governor of _Martinico_, he +equipped and manned two Sloops to go in Quest of them. The Pyrates sailed +directly for the _Granadilloes_, and hall'd into a Lagoon, at _Corvocoo_, +where they cleaned with unusual Dispatch, staying but a little above a +Week, by which Expedition they missed of the _Martinico_ Sloops, only a few +Hours; _Roberts_ sailing over Night, that the _French_ arrived the next +Morning. This was a fortunate Escape, especially considering, that it was +not from any Fears of their being discovered, that they made so much hast +from the Island; but, as they had the Impudence themselves to own, for the +want of Wine and Women. + +Thus narrowly escaped, they sailed for _Newfoundland_, and arrived upon the +Banks the latter end of _June_, 1720. They entered the Harbour of +_Trepassi_, with their black Colours flying, Drums beating, and Trumpets +sounding. There were two and twenty Vessels in the Harbour, which the Men +all quitted upon the Sight of the Pyrate, and fled ashore. It is impossible +particularly to recount the Destruction and Havock they made here, burning +and sinking all the shipping, except a _Bristol_ Galley, and destroying the +Fisheries, and Stages of the poor Planters, without Remorse or Compunction; +for nothing is so deplorable as Power in mean and ignorant Hands, it makes +Men wanton and giddy, unconcerned at the Misfortunes they are imposing on +their Fellow Creatures, and keeps them smiling at the Mischiefs, that bring +themselves no Advantage. _They are like mad Men, that cast Fire-Brands, +Arrows, and Death, and say, are not we in Sport?_ + +_Roberts_ mann'd the _Bristol_ Galley he took in the Harbour, and mounted +16 Guns on Board her, and cruising out upon the Banks, he met with nine or +ten Sail of _French_ Ships, all which he destroyed except one of 26 Guns, +which they seiz'd, and carried off for their own Use. This Ship they +christ'ned _the Fortune_, and leaving the _Bristol_ Galley to the _French_ +Men, they sailed away in Company with the Sloop, on another Cruise, and +took several Prizes, _viz._ the _Richard_ of _Biddiford, Jonathan +Whitfield_ Master; the _Willing Mind_ of _Pool_; the _Expectation_ of +_Topsham_; and the _Samuel_, Captain _Cary_, of _London_; out of these +Ships they encreased their Company, by entring all the Men they could well +spare, in their own Service. The _Samuel_ was a rich Ship, and had several +Passengers on Board, who were used very roughly, in order to make them +discover their Money, threatning them every Moment with Death, if they did +not resign every Thing up to them. They tore up the Hatches and entered the +Hold like a parcel of Furies, and with Axes and Cutlashes, cut and broke +open all the Bales, Cases, and Boxes, they could lay their Hands on; and +when any Goods came upon Deck, that they did not like to carry aboard, +instead of tossing them into the Hold again, threw them over-board into the +Sea; all this was done with incessant cursing and swearing, more like +Fiends than Men. They carried with them, Sails, Guns, Powder, Cordage, and +8 or 9000 l. worth of the choicest Goods; and told Captain _Cary, That they +should accept of no Act of Grace; that the K-- and P--t might be damned +with their Acts of G-- for them; neither would they go to_ Hope-Point, _to +be hang'd up a Sun drying, as_ Kidd_'s, and_ Braddish_'s Company were; but +that if they should ever be overpower'd, they would set Fire to the Powder, +with a Pistol, and go all merrily to Hell together._ + +After they had brought all the Booty aboard, a Consultation was held +whether they should sink or burn the Ship, but whilst they were debating +the Matter, they spyed a Sail, and so left the _Samuel_, to give her Chace; +at Midnight they came up with the same, which proved to be a Snow from +_Bristol_, bound for _Boston_, Captain _Bowles_ Master: They us'd him +barbarously, because of his Country, Captain _Rogers_, who attack'd them +off _Barbadoes_, being of the City of _Bristol._ + +_July_ the 16th, which was two Days afterwards, they took a _Virginia_ Man +called the _Little York, James Philips_ Master, and the _Love_, of +_Leverpool_, which they plundered and let go; the next Day a Snow from +_Bristol_, call'd the _Phoenix, John Richards_ Master, met with the same +Fate from them; as also a Brigantine, Captain _Thomas_, and a Sloop called +the _Sadbury_; they took all the Men out of the Brigantine, and sunk the +Vessel. + +When they left the Banks of _Newfoundland_, they sailed for the +_West-Indies_, and the Provisions growing short, they went for the Latitude +of the Island _Deseada_, to cruise, it being esteemed the likeliest Place +to meet with such Ships as (they used in their Mirth to say) were consigned +to them, with Supplies. And it has been very much suspected that Ships have +loaded with Provisions at the _English_ Colonies, on pretence of Trading on +the Coast of _Africa_, when they have in reality been consigned to them; +and tho' a shew of Violence is offered to them when they meet, yet they are +pretty sure of bringing their Cargo to a good Market. + +However, at this Time they missed with their usual Luck, and Provisions and +Necessaries becoming more scarce every Day, they retired towards St. +_Christophers_, where being deny'd all Succour or Assistance from the +Government, they fir'd in Revenge on the Town, and burnt two Ships in the +Road, one of them commanded by Captain _Cox_, of _Bristol_; and then +retreated farther to the Island of St. _Bartholomew_, where they met with +much handsomer Treatment. The Governor not only supplying them with +Refreshments, but he and the Chiefs carressing them in the most friendly +Manner: And the Women, from so good an Example, endeavoured to outvie each +other in Dress, and Behaviour, to attract the good Graces of such generous +Lovers, that paid well for their Favours. + +Sated at length with these Pleasures, and having taken on Board a good +supply of fresh Provisions, they voted unanimously for the Coast of +_Guiney_, and in the Latitude of 22 N. in their Voyage thither, met with a +_French_ Ship from _Martinico_, richly laden, and, which was unlucky for +the Master, had a property of being fitter for their Purpose, than the +Banker. _Exchange was no Robbery_ they said, and so after a little mock +Complaisance to _Monsieur_, for the Favour he had done them, they shifted +their Men, and took leave: This was their first _Royal Fortune._ + +In this Ship _Roberts_ proceeded on his designed Voyage; but before they +reached _Guiney_, he proposed to touch at _Brava_, the Southermost of +_Cape_ _Verd_ Islands and clean. But here again by an intolerable Stupidity +and want of Judgment, they got so far to Leeward of their Port, that +despairing to regain it, or any of the Windward Parts of _Africa_, they +were obliged to go back again with the Trade-Wind, for the _West-Indies_; +which had very near been the Destruction of them all. _Surinam_ was the +Place now designed for, which was at no less than 700 Leagues Distance, and +they had but one Hogshead of Water left to supply 124 Souls for that +Passage; a sad Circumstance that eminently exposes the Folly and Madness +among Pyrates, and he must be an inconsiderate Wretch indeed, who, if he +could separate the Wickedness and Punishment from the Fact, would yet +hazard his Life amidst such Dangers, as their want of Skill and Forecast +made them liable to. + +Their Sins, we may presume were never so troublesome to their Memories, as +now, that inevitable Destruction seem'd to threaten them, without the least +Glympse of Comfort or Alleviation to their Misery; for, with what Face +could Wretches who had ravaged and made so many Necessitous, look up for +Relief; they had to that Moment lived in Defiance of the Power that now +alone they must trust for their Preservation, and indeed without the +miraculous Intervention of Providence, there appeared only this miserable +Choice, viz. a present Death by their own Hands, or a ling'ring one by +Famine. + +They continued their Course, and came to an Allowance of one single +Mouthful of Water for 24 Hours; many of them drank their Urine, or Sea +Water, which, instead of allaying, gave them an inextinguishable Thirst, +that killed them: Others pined and wasted a little more Time in Fluxes and +Apyrexies, so that they dropped away daily. Those that sustain'd the Misery +best, were such as almost starved themselves, forbearing all sorts of Food, +unless a Mouthful or two of Bread the whole Day, so that those who survived +were as weak as it was possible for Men to be and alive. + +But if the dismal Prospect they set out with, gave them Anxiety, Trouble, +or Pain, what must their Fears and Apprehensions be, when they had not one +Drop of Water left, or any other Liquor to moisten or animate. This was +their Case, when (by the working of Divine Providence, no doubt,) they were +brought into Soundings, and at Night anchored in seven Fathom Water: This +was an inexpressible Joy to them, and, as it were, fed the expiring Lamp of +Life with fresh Spirits; but this could not hold long. When the Morning +came, they saw Land from the Mast-Head, but it was at so great a Distance, +that it afforded but an indifferent Prospect to Men who had drank nothing +for the two last Days; however, they dispatch'd their Boat away, and late +the same Night it return'd, to their no small Comfort, with a load of +Water, informing them, that they had got off the Mouth of _Meriwinga_ River +on the Coast of _Surinam._ + +One would have thought so miraculous an Escape should have wrought some +Reformation, but alass, they had no sooner quenched their Thirst, but they +had forgot the Miracle, till Scarcity of Provisions awakened their Senses, +and bid them guard against starving; their allowance was very small, and +yet they would profanely say, _That Providence which had gave them Drink, +would, no doubt, bring them Meat also, if they would use but an honest +Endeavour._ + +In pursuance of these honest Endeavours, they were steering for the +Latitude of _Barbadoes_, with what little they had left, to look out for +more, or Starve; and, in their Way, met a Ship that answered their +Necessities, and after that a Brigantine; the former was called the +_Greyhound_, belonging to St. _Christophers_, and bound to _Philadelphia_, +the Mate of which signed the Pyrate's Articles, and was afterwards Captain +of the _Ranger_, Consort to the _Royal Fortune._ + +Out of the Ship and Brigantine, the Pyrates got a good supply of Provisions +and Liquor, so that they gave over the designed Cruise, and watered at +_Tobago_, and hearing of the two Sloops that had been fitted out and sent +after them at _Corvocoo_, they sailed to the Island of _Martinico_, to make +the Governor some sort of an Equivalent, for the Care and Expedition he had +shewn in that Affair. + +It is the Custom at _Martinico_, for the _Dutch_ Interlopers that have a +Mind to Trade with the People of the Island, to hoist their Jacks when they +come before the Town: _Roberts_ knew the Signal, and being an utter Enemy +to them, he bent his Thoughts upon Mischief; and accordingly came in with +his Jack flying, which, as he expected, they mistook for a good Market, and +thought themselves happiest that could soonest dispatch off their Sloops +and Vessels for Trade. When _Roberts_ had got them within his Power, (one +after another,) he told them, he would not have it said that they came off +for nothing, and therefore ordered them to leave their Money behind, for +that they were a Parcel of Rogues, and hoped they would always meet with +such a _Dutch_ Trade as this was; he reserved one Vessel to set the +Passengers on Shore again, and fired the rest, to the Number of twenty. + +_Roberts_ was so enraged at the Attempts that had been made for taking of +him, by the Governors of _Barbados_ and _Martinico_, that he ordered a new +Jack to be made, which they ever after hoisted, with his own Figure +pourtray'd, standing upon two Skulls, and under them the Letters _A B H_ +and _A M H_, signifying a _Barbadian_'s and a _Martinican_'s Head, as may +be seen in the Plate of Captain _Roberts._ + +At _Dominico_, the next Island they touched at, they took a _Dutch_ +Interloper of 22 Guns and 75 Men, and a Brigantine belonging to +_Rhode-Island_, one _Norton_ Master. The former made some Defence, till +some of his Men being killed, the rest were discouraged and struck their +Colours. With these two Prizes they went down to _Guadalupe_, and brought +out a Sloop, and a _French_ Fly-Boat laden with Sugar; the Sloop they +burnt, and went on to _Moonay_, another Island, thinking to clean, but +finding the Sea ran too high there to undertake it with Safety, they bent +their Course for the North Part of _Hispaniola_, where, at Bennet's Key, in +the Gulf of _Saminah_, they cleaned both the Ship and the Brigantine. For +tho' _Hispaniola_ be settled by the _Spaniards_ and _French_, and is the +Residence of a President from _Spain_, who receives, and finally determines +Appeals from all the other _Spanish West-India_ Islands; yet is its People +by no Means proportioned to its Magnitude, so that there are many Harbours +in it, to which Pyrates may securely resort without Fear of Discovery from +the Inhabitants. + +Whilst they were here, two Sloops came in, as they pretended, to pay +_Roberts_ a Visit, the Masters, whose Names were _Porter_ and _Tuckerman_, +addressed the Pyrate, as the Queen of _Sheba_ did _Solomon_, to wit, _That +having heard of his Fame and Atchievements_, they had put in there to learn +his Art and Wisdom in the Business of pyrating, being Vessels on the same +honourable Design with himself; and hoped with the Communication of his +Knowledge, they should also receive his Charity, being in want of +Necessaries for such Adventures. _Roberts_ was won upon by the Peculiarity +and Bluntness of these two Men, and gave them Powder, Arms, and what ever +else they had Occasion for, spent two or three merry Nights with them, and +at parting, said, _he hoped the L-- would Prosper their handy Works._ + +They passed some Time here, after they had got their Vessel ready, in their +usual Debaucheries; they had taken a considerable Quanty of Rum and Sugar, +so that Liquor was as plenty as Water, and few there were, who denied +themselves the immoderate Use of it; nay, Sobriety brought a Man under a +Suspicion of being in a Plot against the Commonwealth, and in their Sense, +he was looked upon to be a Villain that would not be drunk. This was +evident in the Affair of _Harry Glasby_, chosen Master of the _Royal +Fortune_, who, with two others, laid hold of the Opportunity at the last +Island they were at, to move off without bidding Farewel to his Friends. +_Glasby_ was a reserved sober Man, and therefore gave Occasion to be +suspected, so that he was soon missed after he went away; and a Detachment +being sent in quest of the Deserters, they were all three brought back +again the next Day. This was a capital Offence, and for which they were +ordered to be brought to an immediate Tryal. + +Here was the Form of Justice kept up, which is as much as can be said of +several other Courts, that have more lawful Commissions for what they +do.--Here was no feeing of Council, and bribing of Witnesses was a Custom +not known among them; no packing of Juries, no torturing and wresting the +Sense of the Law, for bye Ends and Purposes, no puzzling or perplexing the +Cause with unintelligible canting Terms, and useless Distinctions; nor was +their Sessions burthened with numberless Officers, the Ministers of Rapine +and Extortion, with ill boding Aspects, enough to fright _Astræa_ from the +Court. The Place appointed for their Tryals, was the Steerage of the Ship; +in order to which, a large Bowl of Rum Punch was made, and placed upon the +Table, the Pipes and Tobacco being ready, the judicial Proceedings began; +the Prisoners were brought forth, and Articles of Indictment against them +read; they were arraigned upon a Statute of their own making, and the +Letter of the Law being strong against them, and the Fact plainly proved, +they were about to pronounce Sentence, when one of the Judges mov'd, that +they should first Smoak t'other Pipe; which was accordingly done. + +All the Prisoners pleaded for Arrest of Judgment very movingly, but the +Court had such an Abhorrence of their Crime, that they could not be +prevailed upon to shew Mercy, till one of the Judges, whose Name was +_Valentine Ashplant_, stood up, and taking his Pipe out of his Mouth, said, +he had something to offer to the Court in behalf of one of the Prisoners; +and spoke to this Effect.-- _By G--_, Glasby _shall not dye; d--n me if he +shall._ After this learned Speech, he sat down in his Place, and resumed +his Pipe. This Motion was loudly opposed by all the rest of the Judges, in +equivalent Terms; but _Ashplant_, who was resolute in his Opinion, made +another pathetical Speech in the following Manner. _G-- d--n ye Gentlemen, +I am as good a Man as the best of you; d--m my_ S--l _if ever I turned my +Back to any Man in my Life, or ever will, by G_--; Glasby _is an honest +Fellow, notwithstanding this Misfortune, and I love him, D--l d--n me if I +don't: I hope he'll live and repent of what he has done; but d--n me if he +must dye, I will dye along with him._ And thereupon, he pulled out a pair +of Pistols, and presented them to some of the learned Judges upon the +Bench; who, perceiving his Argument so well supported, thought it +reasonable that _Glasby_ should be acquitted; and so they all came over to +his Opinion, and allowed it to be Law. + +But all the Mitigation that could be obtained for the other Prisoners, was, +that they should have the Liberty of choosing any four of the whole Company +to be their Executioners. The poor Wretches were ty'd immediately to the +Mast, and there shot dead, pursuant to their villainous Sentence. + +When they put to Sea again, the Prizes which had been detained only for +fear of spreading any Rumour concerning them, which had like to have been +so fatal at _Corvocoo_, were thus disposed of: They burnt their own Sloop, +and mann'd _Norton_'s Brigantine, sending the Master away in the _Dutch_ +Interloper, not dissatisfied. + +With the _Royal Fortune_, and the Brigantine, which they christened the +_Good Fortune_, they pushed towards the Latitude of _Deseada_, to look out +for Provisions, being very short again, and just to their Wish, Captain +_Hingstone_'s ill Fortune brought him in their Way, richly laden for +_Jamaica_; him they carried to _Berbudas_ and plundered; and stretching +back again to the _West-Indies_, they continually met with some Consignment +or other, (chiefly _French,)_ which stored them with Plenty of Provisions, +and recruited their starving Condition; so that stocked with this sort of +Ammunition, they began to think of something worthier their Aim, for these +Robberies that only supplied what was in constant Expenditure, by no Means +answered their Intentions; and accordingly they proceeded again for the +Coast of _Guiney_, where they thought to buy Gold-Dust very cheap. In their +Passage thither, they took Numbers of Ships of all Nations, some of which +they burnt or sunk, as the Carriage or Characters of the Masters displeased +them. + +Notwithstanding the successful Adventures of this Crew, yet it was with +great Difficulty they could be kept together, under any kind of Regulation; +for being almost always mad or drunk, their Behaviour produced infinite +Disorders, every Man being in his own Imagination a Captain, a Prince, or a +King. When _Roberts_ saw there was no managing of such a Company of wild +ungovernable Brutes, by gentle means, nor to keep them from drinking to +excess, the Cause of all their Disturbances, he put on a rougher +Deportment, and a more magesterial Carriage towards them, correcting whom +he thought fit; and if any seemed to resent his Usage, he told them, _they +might go ashore and take Satisfaction of him, if they thought fit, at Sword +and Pistol, for he neither valu'd or fear'd any of them._ + +About 400 Leagues from the Coast of _Africa_, the Brigantine who had +hitherto lived with them, in all amicable Correspondence, thought fit to +take the Opportunity of a dark Night, and leave the Commadore, which leads +me back to the Relation of an Accident that happened at one of the Islands +of the _West-Indies_, where they water'd before they undertook this Voyage, +which had like to have thrown their Government (such as it was) off the +Hinges, and was partly the Occasion of the Separation: The Story is as +follows. + +Captain _Roberts_ having been insulted by one of the drunken Crew, (whose +Name I have forgot,) he, in the Heat of his Passion killed the Fellow on +the Spot, which was resented by a great many others, put particularly one +_Jones_, a brisk active young Man, who died lately in the _Marshalsea_, and +was his Mess-Mate. This _Jones_ was at that Time ashore a watering the +Ship, but as soon as he came on Board, was told that Captain _Roberts_ had +killed his Comrade; upon which he cursed _Roberts_, and said, he ought to +be served so himself. _Roberts_ hearing _Jones_'s Invective, ran to him +with a Sword, and ran him into the Body; who, notwithstanding his Wound, +seized the Captain, threw him over a Gun, and beat him handsomely. This +Adventure put the whole Company in an Uproar, and some taking Part with the +Captain, and others against him, there had like to have ensued a general +Battle with one another, like my Lord _Thomont_'s Cocks; however, the +Tumult was at length appeas'd by the Mediation of the Quarter-Master; and +as the Majority of the Company were of Opinion that the Dignity of the +Captain, ought to be supported on Board; that it was a Post of Honour, and +therefore the Person whom they thought fit to confer it on, should not be +violated by any single Member; wherefore they sentenced _Jones_ to undergo +two Lashes from every one of the Company, for his Misdemeanour, which was +executed upon him as soon as he was well of his Wound. + +This severe Punishment did not at all convince _Jones_ that he was in the +wrong, but rather animated him to some sort of a Revenge; but not being +able to do it upon _Roberts_'s Person, on Board the Ship, he and several of +his Comrades, correspond with _Anstis_, Captain of the Brigantine, and +conspire with him and some of the principal Pyrates on Board that Vessel, +to go off from the Company. What made _Anstis_ a Malecontent, was, the +Inferiority he stood in, with Respect to _Roberts_, who carried himself +with a haughty and magisterial Air, to him and his Crew, he regarding the +Brigantine only as a Tender, and, as such, left them no more than the +Refuse of their Plunder. In short, _Jones_ and his Consort go on Board of +Captain _Anstis_, on Pretence of a Visit, and there consulting with their +Brethren, they find a Majority for leaving of _Roberts_, and so came to a +Resolution to bid a soft Farewel, as they call it, that Night, and to throw +over-board whosoever should stick out; but they proved to be unanimous, and +effected their Design as above-mentioned. + +I shall have no more to say of Captain _Anstis_, till the Story of +_Roberts_ is concluded, therefore I return to him, in the pursuit of his +Voyage to _Guiney._ The loss of the Brigantine was a sensible Shock to the +Crew, she being an excellent Sailor, and had 70 Hands aboard; however, +_Roberts_ who was the Occasion of it, put on a Face of Unconcern at this +his ill Conduct and Mismanagement, and resolved not to alter his Purposes +upon that Account. + +_Roberts_ fell in to Windward nigh the _Senegal_, a River of great Trade +for Gum, on this Part of the Coast, monopolized by the _French_, who +constantly keep Cruisers, to hinder the interloping Trade: At this Time +they had two small Ships on that Service, one of 10 Guns and 65 Men, and +the other of 16 Guns and 75 Men; who having got a Sight of Mr. _Roberts_, +and supposing him to be one of these prohibited Traders, chased with all +the Sail they could make, to come up with him; but their Hopes which had +brought them very nigh, too late deceived them, for on the hoisting of +_Jolly Roger_, (the Name they give their black Flag,) their _French_ Hearts +failed, and they both surrendred without any, or at least very little +Resistance. With these Prizes they went into _Sierraleon_, and made one of +them their Consort, by the Name of the _Ranger_, and the other a +Store-Ship, to clean by. + +_Sierraleon_ River disgorges with a large Mouth, the Starboard-Side of +which, draughts into little Bays, safe and convenient for cleaning and +watering; what still made it preferable to the Pyrates, is, that the +Traders settled here, are naturally their Friends. There are about 30 +_English_ Men in all, Men who in some Part of their Lives, have been either +privateering, buccaneering, or pyrating, and still retain and love the +Riots, and Humours, common to that sort of Life. They live very friendly +with the Natives, and have many of them of both Sexes, to be their +_Grometta_'s, or Servants: The Men are faithful, and the Women so obedient, +that they are very ready to prostitute themselves to whomsoever their +Masters shall command them. The Royal _African_ Company has a Fort on a +small Island call'd _Bence_ Island, but 'tis of little Use, besides keeping +their Slaves; the Distance making it incapable of giving any Molestation to +their Starboard Shore. Here lives at this Place an old Fellow, who goes by +the Name of _Crackers_, who was formerly a noted Buccaneer, and while he +followed the Calling, robb'd and plundered many a Man; he keeps the best +House in the Place, has two or three Guns before his Door, with which he +Salutes his Friends, (the Pyrates, when they put in) and lives a jovial +Life with him, all the while they are there. + +Here follows a List, of the rest of those lawless Merchants, and their +Servants, who carry on a private Trade with the Interlopers, to the great +Prejudice of the Royal _African_ Company, who with extraordinary Industry +and Expence, have made, and maintain, Settlements without any Consideration +from those, who, without such Settlements and Forts, would soon be under an +Incapacity of pursuing any such private Trade. Wherefore, 'tis to be hop'd, +proper Means will be taken, to root out a pernicious set of People, who +have all their Lives, supported themselves by the Labours of other Men. + +Two of these Fellows enter'd with _Robert_'s Crew, and continued with them, +till the Destruction of the Company. + +_A List of the White-Men, now living on the high Land of_ Sierraleon, +_and the Craft they occupy._ + +J_OHN Leadstone_, three Boats and Periagoe. + +His Man _Tom_, + +His Man _John Brown._ + +_Alexander Middleton_, one Long-Boat, + +His Man _Charles Hawkins._ + +_John Pierce_, Partners, one Long-Boat. + +_William Mead_, Partners, one Long-Boat. + +Their Man _John Vernon._ + +_David Chatmers_, one Long-Boat. + +_John Chatmers_, one Long-Boat. + +_Richard Richardson_, one Long-Boat. + +_Norton_, Partners, two Long-Boats, and two small Boats. + +_Richard Warren_, Partners, two Long-Boats, and two small Boats. + +_Roberts Glynn_, Partners, two Long-Boats, and two small Boats. + +His Man _John Franks._ + +_William Waits_, and one young Man. + +_John Bonnerman._ + +_John England_, one Long-Boat. + +_Robert Samples_, one Long-Boat. + +_William Presgrove_, one Sloop, two Long-Boats, a small Boat, and Periagoe. + +_Harry_, one Sloop, two Long-Boats, a small Boat, and Periagoe. + +_Davis_, one Sloop, two Long-Boats, a small Boat, and Periagoe. + +_Mitchel_, one Sloop, two Long-Boats, a small Boat, and Periagoe. + +_Richard Lamb_, + +With _Roquis Rodrigus_, a _Portuguese._ + +_George Bishop._ + +_Peter Brown._ + +_John Jones_, one Long-Boat, + +His _Irish_ young Man. + +At _Rio Pungo, Benjamen Gun._ + +At _Kidham, George Yeats._ + +At _Gallyneas, Richard Lemmons._ + + * * * + +The Harbour is so convenient for Wooding and Watering, that it occasions +many of our trading Ships, especially those of _Bristol_, to call in there, +with large Cargoes of Beer, Syder, and strong Liquors, which they Exchange +with these private Traders, for Slaves and Teeth, purchased by them at the +_Rio Nune_'s, and other Places to the Northward, so that here was what they +call good Living. + +Hither _Roberts_ came the End of _June_, 1721, and had Intelligence that +the _Swallow_, and _Weymouth_, two Men of War, of 50 Guns each, had left +that River about a Month before, and designed to return about _Christmas_; +so that the Pyrates could indulge themselves with all the Satisfaction in +the World, in that they knew they were not only secure whilst there, but +that in going down the Coast, after the Men of War, they should always be +able to get such Intelligence of their Rendezvous, as would serve to make +their Expedition safe. So after six Weeks stay, the Ships being cleaned and +fitted, and the Men weary of whoring and drinking, they bethought +themselves of Business, and went to Sea the Beginning of _August_, taking +their Progress down the whole Coast, as low as _Jaquin_, plundering every +Ship they met, of what was valuable in her, and sometimes to be more +mischieviously wicked, would throw what they did not want, overboard, +accumulating Cruelty to Theft. + +In this Range, they exchanged their old _French_ Ship, for a fine Frigate +built Ship, call'd the _Onslow_, belonging to the Royal _African_ Company, +Captain _Gee_ Commander, which happened to lye at _Sestos_, to get Water +and Necessaries for the Company. A great many of Captain _Gee_'s Men were +ashore, when _Robert_'s bore down, and so the Ship consequently surpriz'd +into his Hands, tho' had they been all on Board, it was not likely the Case +would have been otherwise, the Sailors, most of them, voluntarily joyning +the Pyrates, and encouraging the same Disposition in the Soldiers, (who +were going Passengers with them to _Cape-Corso-Castle_) whose Ears being +constantly tickled with the Feats and Gallantry of those Fellows, made them +fancy, that _to go_, was only being bound on a Voyage of Knight Errantry +(to relieve the Distress'd, and gather up Fame) and so they likewise +offer'd themselves; but here the Pyrates were at a Stand, they entertain'd +so contemptible a Notion of Landmen, that they put 'em off with Refusals +for some time, till at length, being weary'd with Solicitations, and +pittying a Parcel of stout Fellows, which they said, were going to starve +upon a little Canky and Plantane, they accepted of them, and allow'd them ¼ +Share, as it was then term'd out of Charity. + +There was a Clergyman on Board the _Onslow_, sent from _England_, to be +Chaplain of _Cape-Corso-Castle_, some of the Pyrates were for keeping him, +alledging merrily, that their Ship wanted a Chaplain; accordingly they +offered him a Share, to take on with them, promising, he should do nothing +for his Money, but make Punch, and say Prayers; yet, however brutish they +might be in other Things, they bore so great a Respect to his Order, that +they resolved not to force him against his Inclinations; and the Parson +having no Relish for this sort of Life, excused himself from accepting the +Honour they designed him; they were satisfied, and generous enough to +deliver him back every Thing he owned to be his: The Parson laid hold of +this favourable Disposition of the Pyrates, and laid Claim to several +Things belonging to others, which were also given up, to his great +Satisfaction; in fine, they kept nothing which belonged to the Church, +except three Prayer-Books, and a Bottle-Screw. + +The Pyrates kept the _Onslow_ for their own Use, and gave Captain _Gee_ the +_French_ Ship, and then fell to making such Alterations as might fit her +for a Sea-Rover, pulling down her Bulk-Heads, and making her flush, so that +she became, in all Respects, as compleat a Ship for their Purpose, as any +they could have found; they continued to her the Name of the _Royal +Fortune_, and mounted her with 40 Guns. + +She and the _Ranger_ proceeded (as I said before,) to _Jaquin_, and from +thence to _Old Calabar_, where they arrived about _October_, in order to +clean their Ships, a Place the most suitable along the whole Coast, for +there is a Bar with not above 15 Foot Water upon it, and the Channel +intricate, so that had the Men of War been sure of their being harbour'd +here, they might still have bid Defiance to their Strength, for the Depth +of Water at the Bar, as well as the want of a Pilot, was a sufficient +Security to the Rovers, and invincible Impediments to them. Here therefore +they sat easy, and divided the Fruits of their dishonest Instustry, _and +drank and drove Care away._ The Pilot who brought them into this Harbour, +was Captain _L--e_, who for this, and other Services, was extreamly well +paid, according to the Journal of their own Accounts, which do not run in +the ordinary and common way, of _Debtor, contra Creditor_, but much more +concise, lumping it to their Friends, and so carrying the Debt in their +Heads, against the next honest Trader they meet. They took at _Calabar_, +Captain _Loane_, and two or three _Bristol_ Ships, the Particulars of all +which would be an unnecessary Prolixity, therefore I come now to give an +Account of the Usage they received from the Natives of this Place. The +_Calabar_ Negroes did not prove so civil as they expected, for they refused +to have any Commerce or Trade with them, when they understood they were +Pyrates: An Indication that these poor Creatures, in the narrow +Circumstances they were in, and without the Light of the Gospel, or the +Advantage of an Education, have, notwithstanding, such a moral innate +Honesty, as would upbraid and shame the most knowing Christian: But this +did but exasperate these lawless Fellows, and so a Party of 40 Men were +detach'd to force a Correspondence, or drive the Negroes to Extremities; +and they accordingly landed under the Fire of their own Cannon. The Negroes +drew up in a Body of 2000 Men, as if they intended to dispute the Matter +with them, and staid till the Pyrates advanced within Pistol-shot; but +finding the Loss of two or three, made no Impression on the rest, the +Negroes thought fit to retreat, which they did, with some Loss: The Pyrates +set Fire to the Town, and then return'd to their Ships. This terrified the +Natives, and put an entire stop to all the Intercourse between them; so +that they could get no Supplies, which obliged them, as soon as they had +finished the cleaning and triming of their Ships, to lose no Time, but went +for Cape _Lopez_, and watered, and at _Anna-Bona_ took aboard a Stock of +fresh Provisions, and then sailed for the Coast again. + +This was their last and fatal Expedition, which we shall be more particular +in, because, it cannot be imagined that they could have had Assurance to +have undertaken it, but upon a Presumption, that the Men of War, (whom they +knew were upon the Coast,) were unable to attack them, or else pursuant to +the Rumour that had indiscretionally obtained at _Sierraleon_, were gone +thither again. + +It is impossible at this Time, to think they could know of the weak and +sickly Condition they were in, and therefore founded the Success of this +second Attempt upon the Coast, on the latter Presumption, and this seems to +be confirmed by their falling in with the Coast as low as Cape _Lahou_, +(and even that was higher than they designed,) in the beginning of +_January_, and took the Ship called the _King Solomon_, with 20 Men in +their Boat, and a trading Vessel, both belonging to the Company. The Pyrate +Ship happened to fall about a League to Leeward of the _King Solomon_, at +Cape _Appollonia_, and the Current and Wind opposing their working up with +the Ship, they agreed to send the Long-Boat, with a sufficient Number of +Men to take her: The Pyrates are all Voluntiers on these Occasions, the +Word being always given, _who will go?_ And presently the stanch and firm +Men offer themselves; because, by such Readiness, they recommend their +Courage, and have an Allowance also of a Shift of Cloaths, from Head to +Foot, out of the Prize. + +They rowed towards the _King Solomon_ with a great deal of Alacrity, and +being hailed by the Commander of her, answered, _Defiance_; Captain +_Trahern_, before this, observing a great Number of Men in the Boat, began +not to like his Visitors, and prepared to receive them, firing a Musket as +they come under his Stern, which they returned with a Volley, and made +greater Speed to get on Board: Upon this, he applied to his Men, and ask'd +them, whether they would stand by him, to defend the Ship, it being a Shame +they should be taken by half their Number, without any Repulse? But his +Boatswain, _Philips_, took upon him to be the Mouth of the People, and put +an End to the Dispute; he said plainly, he would not, laid down his Arms in +the King's Name, as he was pleased to term it, and called out to the Boat +for Quarters, so that the rest, by his Example, were mislead to the losing +of the Ship. + +When they came on Board, they brought her under Sail, by an expeditious +Method, of cutting the Cable; _Walden_, one of the Pyrates, telling the +Master, this _yo hope_ of heaving up the Anchor was a needless trouble, +when they designed to burn the Ship. They brought her under Commadore +_Roberts_'s Stern, and not only rifled her of what Sails, Cordage, _&c._ +they wanted for themselves, but wantonly throw'd the Goods of the Company +overboard, like Spend-thrifts, that neither expected or designed any +Account. + +On the same Day also, they took the _Flushing_, a _Dutch_ Ship, robbed her +of Masts, Yards and Stores, and then cut down her Fore-Mast; but what sat +as heavily as any thing with the _Skipper_, was, their taking some fine +Sausages he had on Board, of his Wife's making, and stringing them in a +ludicrous Manner, round their Necks, till they had sufficiently shew'd +their Contempt of them, and then threw them into the Sea. Others chopp'd +the Heads of his Fowls off, to be dressed for their Supper, and courteously +invited the Landlord, provided he would find Liquor. It was a melancholly +Request to the Man, but it must be comply'd with, and he was obliged, as +they grew drunk, to sit quietly, and hear them sing _French_ and _Spanish_ +Songs out of his _Dutch_ Prayer-Books, with other Prophaness, that he (tho' +a _Dutch_ Man) stood amazed at. + +In chasing too near in, they alarmed the Coast, and Expresses were sent to +the _English_ and _Dutch_ Factories, giving an Account of it: They were +sensible of this Error immediately, and because they would make the best of +a bad Market, resolved to keep out of sight of Land, and lose the Prizes +they might expect between that and _Whydah_, to make the more sure of that +Port, where commonly is the best Booty; all Nations trading thither, +especially _Portuguese_, who purchase chiefly with Gold, the Idol their +Hearts were bent upon. And notwithstanding this unlikely Course, they met +and took several Ships between _Axim_ and that Place; the circumstantial +Stories of which, and the pannick Terrors they struck into his Majesty's +Subjects, being tedious and unnecessary to relate, I shall pass by, and +come to their Arrival in that Road. + +They came to _Whydah_ with a St. _George_'s Ensign, a black Silk Flag +flying at their Mizen-Peek, and a Jack and Pendant of the same: The Flag +had a Death in it, with an Hour-Glass in one Hand, and cross Bones in the +other, a Dart by it, and underneath a Heart dropping three Drops of +Blood.--The Jack had a Man pourtray'd in it, with a flaming Sword in his +Hand, and standing on two Skulls, subscribed _A B H_ and _A M H i. e._ a +_Barbadian_'s and a _Martinican_'s Head, as has been before taken Notice +of. Here they found eleven Sail in the Road, _English, French_ and +_Portuguese_; the _French_ were three stout Ships of 30 Guns, and upwards +of 100 Men each, yet when _Roberts_ came to Fire, they, with the other +Ships, immediately struck their Colours and surrendred to his Mercy. One +Reason, it must be confess'd, of his easy Victory, was, the Commanders and +a good Part of the Men being ashore, according to the Custom of the Place, +to receive the Cargoes, and return the Slaves, they being obliged to watch +the Seasons for it, which otherwise, in so dangerous a Sea as here, would +be impracticable. These all, except the _Porcupine_, ransomed with him for +eight Pound of Gold-Dust, a Ship, not without the trouble of some Letters +passing and repassing from the Shore, before they could settle it; and +notwithstanding the Agreement and Payment, they took away one of the +_French_ Ships, tho' with a Promise to return her, if they found she did +not sail well, taking with them several of her Men for that End. + +Some of the Foreigners, who never had Dealing this Way before, desired for +Satisfaction to their Owners, that they might have Receipts for their +Money, which were accordingly given, a Copy of one of them, I have here +subjoined, _viz._ + + * * * + +T_HIS is to certify whom it may or doth concern, that we_ GENTLEMEN +OF FORTUNE, _have received eight Pounds of Gold-Dust, for the Ransom of +the_ Hardey, _Captain_ Dittwitt _Commander, so that we Discharge the said +Ship_, + +_Witness our Hands, this_ 13_th of_ Jan. 1721-2. + +Batt. Roberts, Harry Glasby. + +Others were given to the _Portuguese_ Captains, which were in the same +Form, but being sign'd by two waggish Fellows, _viz. Sutton_, and +_Sympson_, they subscribed by the Names of, + +_Aaron Whifflingpin_, _Sim. Tugmutton._ + +But there was something so singularly cruel and barbarous done here to the +_Porcupine_, Captain _Fletcher_, as must not be passed over without special +Remark. + +This Ship lay in the Road, almost slaved, when the Pyrates came in, and the +Commander being on Shore, settling his Accounts, was sent to for the +Ransom, but he excused it, as having no Orders from the Owners; though the +true Reason might be, that he thought it dishonourable to treat with +Robbers; and that the Ship, separate from the Slaves, towards whom he could +mistrust no Cruelty, was not worth the Sum demanded; hereupon, _Roberts_ +sends the Boat to transport the Negroes, in order to set her on Fire; but +being in hast, and finding that unshackling them cost much Time and Labour, +they actually set her on Fire, with eighty of those poor Wretches on Board, +chained two and two together, under the miserable Choice of perishing by +Fire or Water: Those who jumped overboard from the Flames, were seized by +Sharks, a voracious Fish, in Plenty in this Road, and, in their Sight, tore +Limb from Limb alive. A Cruelty unparalell'd! And for which had every +Individual been hanged, few I imagine would think that Justice had been +rigorous. + +The Pyrates, indeed, were obliged to dispatch their Business here in hast, +because they had intercepted a Letter from General _Phips_ to Mr. +_Baldwin_, the Royal _African_ Company's Agent at _Whydah_, (giving an +Account, that _Roberts_ had been seen to Windward of Cape _Three Points_,) +that he might the better guard against the Damages to the Company's Ships, +if he should arrive at that Road before the _Swallow_ Man of War, which he +assured him, (at the Time of that Letter,) was pursuing them to that Place. +_Roberts_ call'd up his Company, and desired they would hear _Phip_'s +Speech, (for so he was pleased to call the Letter,) and notwithstanding +their vapouring, perswaded them of the Necessity of moving; for, says he, +such brave Fellows cannot be supposed to be frightned at this News, yet +that it were better to avoid dry Blows, which is the best that can be +expected, if overtaken. + +This Advice weigh'd with them, and they got under Sail, having stay'd only +from _Thursday_ to _Saturday_ Night, and at Sea voted for the Island of +_Anna Bona_; but the Winds hanging out of the Way, crossed their Purpose, +and brought them to Cape _Lopez_, where I shall leave them for their +approaching Fate, and relate some further Particulars of his Majesty's Ship +the _Swallow, viz._ where it was she had spent her Time, during the +Mischief that was done, and by what Means unable to prevent it; what also +was the Intelligence she received, and the Measures thereon formed, that at +last brought two such Strangers as Mr _Roberts_ and Capt. _Ogle_, to meet +in so remote a Corner of the World. + +The _Swallow_ and _Weymouth_ left _Sierraleon, May_ 28, where, I have +already taken Notice, _Roberts_ arrived about a Month after, and doubtless +learn'd the Intent of their Voyage, and cleaning on the Coast; which made +him set down with more Security to his Diversion, and furnish him with such +Intimations, as made his first Range down the Coast in _August_ following, +more prosperous; the _Swallow_ and _Weymouth_ being then at the Port of +_Princes_ a cleaning. + +Their Stay at _Princes_ was from _July_ 28 to _Sept._ 20, 1721, where, by a +Fatality, common to the Irregularities of Seamen, (who cannot in such Cases +be kept under due Restraints,) they buried 100 Men in three Weeks time, and +reduced the Remainder of the Ships Companies into so sickly a State, that +it was with Difficulty they brought them to sail; and this Misfortune was +probably the Ruin of _Roberts_, for it prevented the Men of War's going +back to _Sierraleon_, as it was intended, there being a Necessity of +leaving his Majesty's Ship _Weymouth_ (in much the worse Condition of the +two) under the Guns of Cape _Corso_, to impress Men, being unable at this +Time, either to hand the Sails, or weigh her Anchor; and _Roberts_ being +ignorant of the Occasion or Alteration of the first Design, fell into the +Mouth of Danger, when he thought himself the farthest from it; for the Men +of War not endeavouring to attain further to Windward (when they came from +_Princes_) then to secure Cape _Corso_ Road under their Lee, they luckily +hovered in the Track he had took. + +The _Swallow_ and _Weymouth_ fell in with the Continent at Cape +_Appollonia, Octo._ 20th, and there received the ungrateful News from one +Captain _Bird_; a Notice that awaken'd and put them on their Guard; but +they were far from expecting any Temerity should ever bring him a second +Time on the Coast, while they were there; therefore the _Swallow_ having +seen the _Weymouth_ into Cape _Corso_ Road _Nov._ 10th, she ply'd to +Windward as far as _Bassam_, rather as an Airing to recover a sickly Ship's +Company, and shew herself to the Trade, which was found every where +undisturb'd, and were, for that Reason, returning to her Consort, when +accidently meeting a _Portuguese_ Ship, she told her, that the Day before +she saw two Ships Chace into _Junk_, an _English_ Vessel, which she +believed must have fallen into their Hands. On this Story, the _Swallow_ +clung her Wind, and endeavoured to gain that Place, but receiving soon +after (_Octo._ the 14th) a contrary Report from Captain _Plummer_, an +intelligent Man, in the _Jason_ of _Bristol_, who had come further to +Windward, and neither saw or heard any Thing of this; she turned her Head +down the second Time, anchored at Cape _Appollonia_ the 23d, at Cape _Tres +Puntas_ the 27th, and in _Corso_ Road _January_ the 7th, 1721-2. + +They learned that their Consort the _Weymouth_, was, by the Assistance of +some Soldiers from the Castle, gone to Windward, to demand Restitution of +some Goods or Men belonging to the _African_ Company, that were illegally +detained by the _Dutch_ at _Des Minas_; and while they were regretting so +long a Separation, an Express came to General _Phips_, from _Axim_, the +9th, and followed by another from _Dixcove_, (an _English_ Factory,) with +Information that three Ships had chased and taken a Galley nigh _Axim_ +Castle, and a trading Boat belonging to the Company: No doubt was made, +concerning what they were, it being taken for granted they were Pyrates, +and supposed to be the same that had the _August_ before infested the +Coast. The natural Result therefore, from these two Advices, was, to hasten +for _Whydah_; for it was conclued the Prizes they had taken, had informed +them how nigh the _Swallow_ was, and withal, how much better in Health than +she had been for some Months past; so that unless they were very mad +indeed, they would (after being discovered) make the best of their Way for +_Whydah_, and secure the Booty there, without which, their Time and +Industry had been entirely lost; most of the Gold lying in that Corner. + +The _Swallow_ weighed from _Cape-Corso, January_ the 10th, but was retarded +by waiting some Hours on the _Margaret_, a Company's Ship, at _Accra_, +again on the _Portugal_, and a whole Day at _Apong_, on a Person they used +to stile _Miss Betty_: A Conduct that Mr. _Phips_ blamed, when he heard the +Pyrates were miss'd at _Whydah_, altho' he had given it as his Opinion, +they could not be passed by, and intimated, that to stay a few Hours would +prove no Prejudice. + +This, however, hinder'd the _Swallow_'s catching them at _Whydah_, for the +Pyrates came into that Road, with a fresh Gale of Wind, the same Day the +_Swallow_ was at _Apong_, and sail'd the 13th of _January_ from thence, +that she arrived the 17th. She gained Notice of them by a _French_ Shallop +from _Grand Papa_, the 14th at Night, and from _Little Papa_ next Morning +by a _Dutch_ Ship; so that the Man of War was on all Sides, as she thought, +sure of her Purchase, particularly when she made the Ships, and discovered +three of them to get under Sail immediately at Sight of her, making Signals +to one another, as tho' they designed a Defence; but they were found to be +three _French_ Ships; and those at Anchor, _Portuguese_ and _English_, all +honest Traders, who had been ransack'd and ransom'd. + +This Disappointment chagreen'd the Ship's Company, who were very intent +upon their Market; which was reported to be an Arm-Chest full of Gold, and +kept with three Keys; tho' in all liklyhood, had they met with them in that +open Road, one or both would have made their Escapes; or if they had +thought sit to have fought, an Emulation in their Defence would probably +have made it desperate. + +While they were contemplating on the Matter, a Letter was received from Mr. +_Baldwin_, (Governor here for the Company,) signifying, that the Pyrates +were at _Jaquin_, seven Leagues lower. The _Swallow_ weighed at two next +Morning, _January_ the 16th, and got to _Jaquin_ by Day-Light, but to no +other End, than frightening the Crews of two _Portuguese_ Ships on Shore, +who took her for the Pyrate that had struck such Terror at _Whydah_: She +returned therefore that Night, and having been strengthened with thirty +Voluntiers, _English_ and _French_, the discarded Crews of the _Porcupine_, +and the _French_ Ship they had carried from hence, she put to Sea again +_January_ the 19th, conjecturing, that either _Calabar, Princes_, the River +_Gabone_, Cape _Lopez_, or _Annabona_, must be touched at for Water and +Refreshment, tho' they should resolve to leave the Coast. As to the former +of those Places, I have before observed, it was hazardous to think of, or +rather impracticable; _Princes_ had been a sower Grape to them, but being +the first in the Way, she came before the Harbour the 29th, where learning +no News, without loosing Time, steered for the River _Gabone_, and anchored +at the Mouth of it _February_ the 1st. + +This River is navigable by two Channels, and has an Island about five +Leagues up, called _Popaguays_ or _Parrots_, where the _Dutch_ Cruisers, +for this Coast, generally Clean, and where sometimes Pyrates come in to +look for Prey, or to Refit, it being very convenient, by Reason of a soft +Mud about it, that admits a Ship's lying on Shore, with all her Guns and +Stores in, without Damage. Hither Captain _Ogle_ sent his Boat and a +Lieutenant, who spoke with a _Dutch_ Ship, above the Island, from whom he +had this Account, _viz._ That he had been four Days from Cape _Lopez_, and +had left no Ship there. However, they beat up for the Cape, without regard +to this Story, and on the 5th, at Dawning, was surprized with the Noise of +a Gun, which, as the Day brightened, they found was from Cape _Lopez_ Bay, +where they discovered three Ships at Anchor, the largest with the King's +Colours and Pendant flying, which was soon after concluded to be Mr. +_Roberts_ and his Consorts; but the _Swallow_ being to Windward, and +unexpectedly deep in the Bay, was obliged to Steer off, for avoiding a +Sand, called the _French Man_'s _Bank_, which the Pyrates observed for some +Time, and rashly interpreting it to be Fear in her, righted the _French +Ranger_, which was then on the Heel, and ordered her to chase out in all +hast, bending several of their Sails in the Pursuit. The Man of War finding +they had foolishly mistaken her Design, humoured the Deceit, and kept off +to Sea, as if she had been really afraid, and managed her Steerage so, +under the Direction of Lieutenant _Sun_, an experienced Officer, as to let +the _Ranger_ come up with her, when they thought they had got so far as not +to have their Guns heard by her Consort at the Cape. The Pyrates had such +an Opinion of their own Courage, that they could never dream any Body would +use a Stratagem to speak with them, and so was the more easily drawn into +the Snare. + +The Pyrates now drew nigh enough to fire their Chase Guns; they hoisted the +black Flag that was worn in _Whydah_ Road, and got their Spritsail Yard +along-ships, with Intent to board; no one having ever asked, all this +while, what Country Ship they took the Chase to be; they would have her to +be a _Portuguese_, (Sugar being then a Commodity among them,) and were +swearing every Minute at the Wind or Sails to expedite so sweet a Chase; +but, alass, all turned sour in an Instant: It was with the utmost +Consternation they saw her suddenly bring to, and hawl up her lower Ports, +now within Pistol-shot, and struck their black Flag upon it directly. After +the first Surprize was over, they kept firing at a Distance, hoisted it +again, and vapoured with their Cutlashes on the Poop; tho' wisely +endeavouring at the same Time to get away. Being now at their Wits end, +boarding was proposed by the Heads of them, and so to make one desperate +Push; but the Motion not being well seconded, and their Main-Top-Mast +coming down by a Shot, after two Hours firing, it was declin'd; they grew +Sick, struck their Colours, and called out for Quarters; having had 10 Men +killed out right, and 20 wounded, without the loss or hurt of one of the +King's Men. She had 32 Guns, mann'd with 16 _French_ Men, 20 Negroes, and +77 _English._ The Colours were thrown over board, that they might not rise +in Judgment, nor be display'd in Tryumph over them. + +While the _Swallow_ was sending their Boat to fetch the Prisoners, a Blast +and Smoak was seen to pour out of the great Cabin, and they thought they +were blowing up; but upon enquiry afterwards, found that half a dozen of +the most Desperate, when they saw all Hopes fled, had drawn themselves +round what Powder they had left in the Steerage, and fired a Pistol into +it, but it was too small a Quantity to effect any Thing more, than burning +them in a frightful Manner. + +This Ship was commanded by one _Skyrme_, a _Welch_ Man, who, tho' he had +lost his Leg in the Action, would not suffer himself to be dressed, or +carried off the Deck; but, like _Widrington_, fought upon his Stump. The +rest appeared gay and brisk, most of them with white Shirts, Watches, and a +deal of Silk Vests, but the Gold-Dust belonging to them, was most of it +left in the _Little Ranger_ in the Bay, (this Company's proper Ship,) with +the _Royal Fortune._ + +I cannot but take Notice of two among the Crowd, of those disfigured from +the Blast of Powder just before mentioned, _viz. William Main_ and _Roger +Ball._ An Officer of the Ship seeing a Silver Call hang at the Wast of the +former, said to him, _I presume you are Boatswain of this Ship. Then you +presume wrong_, answered he, _for I am Boatswain of the_ Royal Fortune, +_Captain_ Roberts _Commander. Then Mr._ Boatswain _you will be hanged I +believe_, replies the Officer. _That is as your Honour pleases_, answered +he again, and was for turning away: But the Officer desired to know of him, +how the Powder, which had made them in that Condition, came to take +Fire.--_By G_-- says he, _they are all mad and bewitch'd, for I have lost a +good Hat by it._ (the Hat and he being both blown out of the Cabin Gallery, +into the Sea.) _But what signifies a Hat Friend_, says the Officer.-_Not +much_ answer'd he, the Men being busy in stripping him of his Shoes and +Stockings.--The Officer then enquired of him, whether _Roberts_'s Company +were as likely Fellows as these.-- _There are_ 120 _of them_, (answered he) +_as clever Fellows as ever trod Shoe Leather: Would I were with them!--No +doubt on't_, says the Officer.--_By G-- it is naked Truth_, answered he, +looking down and seeing himself, by this Time, quite striped. + +The Officer then approached _Roger Ball_, who was seated in a private +Corner, with a Look as sullen as Winter, and asked him, how he came blown +up in that frightful Manner.--_Why_, says he, John Morris _fired a Pistol +into the Powder, and if he had not done it, I would_, (bearing his Pain +without the least Complaint.) The Officer gave him to understand he was +Surgeon, and if he desired it, he would dress him; but he swore it should +not be done, and that if any Thing was applied to him, he would tear it +off.--Nevertheless the Surgeon had good Nature enough to dress him, tho' +with much trouble: At Night he was in a kind of _Delirium_, and raved on +the Bravery of _Roberts_, saying, he should shortly be released, as soon as +they should meet him, which procured him a lashing down upon the +Forecastle, which he resisting with all his Force, caused him to be used +with the more Violence, so that he was tied down with so much Severity, +that his Flesh being sore and tender with the blowing up, he died next Day +of a Mortification. + +They secured the Prisoners with Pinions, and Shackles, but the Ship was so +much disabled in the Engagement, that they had once Thoughts to set her on +Fire; but this would have given them the Trouble of taking the Pyrates +wounded Men on Board themselves, and that they were certain the _Royal +Fortune_ would wait for their Consort's Return, they lay by her two Days, +repaired her Rigging and other Damages, and sent her into _Princes_, with +the _French_ Men, and four of their own Hands. + +On the 9th in the Evening, the _Swallow_ gained the Cape again, and saw the +_Royal Fortune_ standing into the Bay with the _Neptune_, Captain _Hill_, +of _London_: A good Presage of the next Day's Success, for they did not +doubt but the Temptation of Liquor, and Plunder, they might find in this +their new Prize, would make the Pyrates very confused; and so it happened. + +On the 10th, in the Morning, the Man of War bore away to round the Cape. +_Roberts_'s Crew discerning their Masts over the Land, went down into the +Cabin, to acquaint him of it, he being then at Breakfast with his new +Guest, Captain _Hill_, on a savory Dish of Solomongundy, and some of his +own Beer. He took no Notice of it, and his Men almost as little, some +saying she was a _Portuguese_ Ship, others a _French_ Slave Ship, but the +major Part swore it was the _French Ranger_ returning, and were merrily +debating for some Time, on the Manner of Reception, whether they should +salute, or not; but as the _Swallow_ approached nigher, Things appeared +plainer, and though they were stigmatiz'd with the Name of Cowards, who +shewed any Apprehension of Danger, yet some of them, now undeceived, +declared it to _Roberts_, especially one _Armstrong_, who had deserted from +that Ship, and knew her well: Those _Roberts_ swore at as Cowards, who +meant to dishearten the Men, asking them if it were so, whether they were +afraid to fight, or no? And hardly refrained from Blows. What his own +Apprehensions were, till she hawled up her Ports, and hoisted their proper +Colours, is uncertain; but then being perfectly convinced, he slipped his +Cable, got under Sail, and ordered his Men to Arms, without any shew of +Timidity, dropping a first Rate Oath, _that it was a Bite_, but, at the +same Time, resolved, like a gallant Rogue, to get clear, or die. + +There was one _Armstrong_, as I just mention'd, a Deserter from the +_Swallow_, whom they enquired of concerning the Trim and Sailing of that +Ship; he told them she sail'd best upon a Wind, and therefore, if they +designed to leave her, they should go before it. + +The Danger was imminent, and Time very short, to consult of Means to +extricate himself; his Resolution in this Streight, was as follows: To pass +close to the _Swallow_, with all their Sails, and receive her Broadside, +before they returned a Shot; if disabled by this, or that they could not +depend on sailing, then to run on Shore at the Point, (which is steep to) +and every one to shift for himself among the Negroes; or failing in these, +to board, and blow up together, for he saw that the greatest Part of his +Men were drunk, passively Couragious, unfit for Service. + +_Roberts_ himself made a gallant Figure, at the Time of the Engagement, +being dressed in a rich crimson Damask Wastcoat and Breeches, a red Feather +in his Hat, a Gold Chain round his Neck, with a Diamond Cross hanging to +it, a Sword in his Hand, and two Pair of Pistols hanging at the End of a +Silk Sling, flung over his Shoulders (according to the Fashion of the +Pyrates;) and is said to have given his Orders with Boldness, and Spirit; +coming, according to what he had purposed, close to the Man of War, +received her Fire, and then hoisted his Black Flag, and returned it, +shooting away from her, with all the Sail he could pack; and had he took +_Armstrong_'s Advice, to have gone before the Wind, he had probably +escaped; but keeping his Tacks down, either by the Winds shifting, or ill +Steerage, or both, he was taken a-back with his Sails, and the _Swallow_ +came a second Time very nigh to him: He had now perhaps finished the Fight +very desperately, if Death, who took a swift Passage in a Grape-Shot, had +not interposed, and struck him directly on the Throat. He settled himself +on the Tackles of a Gun, which one _Stephenson_, from the Helm, observing, +ran to his Assistance, and not perceiving him wounded, swore at him, and +bid him stand up, and fight like a Man; but when he found his Mistake, and +that his Captain was certainly dead, he gushed into Tears, and wished the +next Shot might be his Lot. They presently threw him over-board, with his +Arms and Ornaments on, according to the repeated Request he made in his +Life-time. + +_Roberts_ was a tall black Man, near forty Years of Age, born at +_Newey-bagh_, nigh _Haverford-West_, in _Pembrokshire_, of good natural +Parts, and personal Bravery, tho' he applied them to such wicked Purposes, +as made them of no Commendation, frequently drinking _D--n to him who ever +lived to wear a Halter._ He was forc'd himself at first among this Company +out of the _Prince_, Captain _Plumb_ at _Anamaboe_, about three Years +before, where he served as second Mate, and shed, as he us'd to tell the +_fresh Men_, as many Crocodile Tears then as they did now, but Time and +good Company had wore it off. He could not plead Want of Employment, nor +Incapacity of getting his Bread in an honest way, to favour so vile a +Change, nor was he so much a Coward as to pretend it; but frankly own'd, it +was to get rid of the disagreeable Superiority of some Masters he was +acquainted with, and the Love of Novelty and Change, Maritime +Peregrinations had accustom'd him to. _In an honest Service_, says he, +_there is thin Commons, low Wages, and hard Labour; in this, Plenty and +Satiety, Pleasure and Ease, Liberty and Power; and who would not ballance +Creditor on this Side, when all the Hazard that is run for it, at worst, is +only a sour Look or two at choaking. No_, A merry Life and a short one, +_shall be my Motto._ Thus he preach'd himself into an Approbation of what +he at first abhorr'd; and being daily regal'd with Musick, Drinking, and +the Gaiety and Diversions of his Companions, these deprav'd Propensities +were quickly edg'd and strengthen'd, to the extinguishing of Fear and +Conscience. Yet among all the vile and ignominious Acts he had perpetrated, +he is said to have had an Aversion towards forcing Men into that Service, +and had procured some their Discharge, notwithstanding so many made it +their Plea. + +When _Roberts_ was gone, as tho' he had been the Life and Soul of the Gang, +their Spirits sunk; many deserted their Quarters, and all stupidly +neglected any Means for Defence, or Escape; and their Main-mast soon after +being shot by the Board, they had no Way left, but to surrender and call +for Quarters. The _Swallow_ kept aloof, while her Boat passed, and repassed +for the Prisoners; because they understood they were under an Oath to blow +up; and some of the Desperadoes shewed a Willingness that Way, Matches +being lighted, and Scuffles happening between those who would, and those +who opposed it: But I cannot easily account for this Humour, which can be +term'd no more than a false Courage, since any of them had Power to destroy +his own Life, either by Pistol, or Drowning, without involving others in +the same Fate, who are in no Temper of Mind for it: And at best, it had +been only dying, for fear of Death. + +She had 40 Guns, and 157 Men, 45 whereof were Negroes; three only were +killed in the Action, without any Loss to the _Swallow._ There was found +upwards of 2000 _l._ in Gold-Dust in her. The Flag could not be got easily +from under the fallen Mast, and was therefore recover'd by the _Swallow_; +it had the Figure of a Skeleton in it, and a Man pourtray'd with a flaming +Sword in his Hand, intimating a Defyance of Death it self. + +The _Swallow_ returned back into Cape _Lopez_ Bay, and found the little +_Ranger_, whom the Pyrates had deserted in hast, for the better Defence of +the Ship: She had been plunder'd, according to what I could learn, of 2000 +l. in Gold-Dust, (the Shares of those Pyrates who belonged to her;) and +Captain _Hill_, in the _Neptune_, not unjustly suspected, for he would not +wait the Man of War's returning into the Bay again, but sail'd away +immediately, making no Scruple afterwards to own the Seizure of other Goods +out of her, and surrender'd, as a Confirmation of all, 50 Ounces at +_Barbadoes_, for which, see the Article at the End of this Book. + +_All Persons who after the_ 29_th of_ Septem. 1690, &c. + +To sum up the whole, if it be considered, first, that the sickly State of +the Men of War, when they sail'd from _Princes_, was the Misfortune that +hindered their being as far as _Sierraleon_, and consequently out of the +Track the Pyrates then took. That those Pyrates, directly contrary to their +Design, in the second Expedition, should get above Cape _Corso_, and that +nigh _Axim_, a Chace should offer, that inevitably must discover them, and +be soon communicated to the Men of War. That the satiating their evil and +malicious Tempers at _Whydah_, in burning the _Porcupine_, and running off +with the _French_ Ship, had strengthened the _Swallow_ with 30 Men. That +the _Swallow_ should miss them in that Road, where probably she had not, or +at least so effectually obtained her End. That they should be so far +infatuated at Cape _Lopez_, as to divide their Strength, which when +collected, might have been so formidable. And lastly, that the Conquest +should be without Bloodshed: I say, considering all these Circumstances, it +shews that the Hand of Providence was concerned in their Destruction. As to +their Behaviour after they were taken, it was found that they had great +Inclinations to rebel, if they could have laid hold of any Opportunity. For +they were very uneasy under Restraint, having been lately all Commanders +themselves; nor could they brook their Diet, or Quarters, without cursing +and swearing, and upbraiding each other, with the Folly that had brought +them to it. + +So that to secure themselves against any mad desperate Undertaking of +theirs, they strongly barricado'd the Gun-Room, and made another Prison +before it; an Officer, with Pistols and Cutlashes, doing Duty, Night and +Day, and the Prisoners within, manacled and shackled. + +They would yet in these Circumstances be impudently merry, saying, when +they viewed their Nakedness, _that they had not left them a halfpenny, to +give old_ Charon, _to ferry them over_ Stix: And at their thin Commons, +they would observe, that they fell away so fast, that they should not have +Weight left to hang them. _Sutton_ used to be very prophane; he happening +to be in the same Irons with another Prisoner, who was more serious than +ordinary, and read and pray'd often, as became his Condition; this Man +_Sutton_ used to swear at, and ask him, _what he proposed by so much Noise +and Devotion? Heaven_, says the other, _I hope. Heaven, you Fool_, says +_Sutton, did you ever hear of any Pyrates going thither? Give me H--ll, +it's a merrier Place; I'll give_ Roberts _a Salute of_ 13 _Guns at +Entrance._ And when he found such ludicrous Expressions had no Effect on +him, he made a formal Complaint, and requested that the Officer would +either remove this Man, or take his Prayer-Book away, as a common +Disturber. + +A Combination and Conspiracy was formed, betwixt _Moody, Ashplant, Magnes, +Mare_, and others, to rise, and kill the Officers, and run away with the +Ship. This they had carried on by Means of a Mulatto Boy, who was allow'd +to attend them, and proved very trusty in his Messages, between the +Principals; but the Evening of that Night they were to have made this +Struggle, two of the Prisoners that sat next to _Ashplant_, heard the Boy +whisper them upon the Project, and naming to him the Hour they should be +ready, presently gave Notice of it to the Captain, which put the Ship in an +Alarm, for a little Time; and, on Examination, several of them had made +shift to break off, or lose, their Shackles, (no doubt for such Purpose;) +but it tended only to procure to themselves worse Usage and Confinement. + +In the same Passage to Cape _Corso_, the Prize, _Royal Fortune_, was in the +same Danger. She was left at the Island of St. _Thomas_'s, in the +Possession of an Officer, and a few Men, to take in some fresh Provisions, +(which were scarce at Cape _Corso_) with Orders to follow the Ship. There +were only some of the Pyrates Negroes, three or four wounded Prisoners, and +_Scudamore_, their Surgeon; from whom they seemed to be under no +Apprehension, especially from the last, who might have hoped for Favour, on +Account of his Employ; and had stood so much indebted for his Liberty, +eating and drinking constantly with the Officer; yet this Fellow, +regardless of the Favour, and lost to all Sense of Reformation, endeavoured +to bring over the Negroes to his Design of murdering the People, and +running away with the Ship. He easily prevailed with the Negroes to come +into the Design; but when he came to communicate it to his Fellow +Prisoners, and would have drawn them into the same Measures, by telling +them, he understood Navigation, that the Negroes were stout Fellows, and by +a Smattering he had in the _Angolan_ Language, he had found willing to +undertake such an Enterprize; and that it was better venturing to do this, +run down the Coast, and raise a new Company, than to proceed to Cape +_Corso_, and be hanged like a Dog, and Sun dry'd. One of them abhorring the +Cruelty, or fearing the Success, discovered it to the Officer, who made him +immediately a Prisoner, and brought the Ship safe. + +When they came to be lodg'd in Cape _Corso-Castle_, their Hopes of this +kind all cut off, and that they were assured they must there soon receive a +final Sentence; the Note was changed among most of them, and from vain +insolent jesting, they became serious and devout, begging for good Books, +and joyning in publick Prayers, and singing of Psalms, twice at least every +Day. + +As to their Tryals, if we should give them at length, it may appear tedious +to the Reader, for which Reason, I have, for the avoiding Tautology and +Repetition, put as many of them together as were try'd for the same Fact, +reserving the Circumstances which are most material, with Observations on +the dying Behaviour of such of them, as came to my Knowledge. + +And first, it may be observed from the List, that a great Part of these +Pyrate Ships Crews, were Men entered on the Coast of _Africa_, not many +Months before they were taken; from whence, it may be concluded, that the +pretended Constraint of _Roberts_, on them, was very often a Complotment +between Parties equally willing: And this _Roberts_ several Times openly +declared, particularly to the _Onslow_'s People, whom he called aft, and +ask'd of them, _who was willing to go, for he would force no Body?_ As was +deposed, by some of his best Hands, after Acquittal; nor is it reasonable +to think, he should reject _Irish_ Voluntiers, only from a Pique against +_Kennedy_, and force others, that might hazard, and, in Time, destroy his +Government: But their Behaviour soon put him out of this Fear, and +convinc'd him, that the Plea of Force was only the best Artifice they had +to shelter themselves under, in Case they should be taken; and that they +were less Rogues than others, only in Point of Time. + +It may likewise be taken Notice of, that the Country, wherein they happened +to be tried, is among other Happinesses, exempted from Lawyers, and +Law-Books, so that the Office of Register, of necessity fell on one, not +versed in those Affairs, which might justify the Court in want of Form, +more essentially supply'd with Integrity and Impartiality. + +But, perhaps, if there was less Law, there might be more Justice, than in +some other Courts; for, if the civil Law be a Law of universal Reason, +judging of the Rectitude, or Obliquity of Mens Actions, every Man of common +Sense is endued with a Portion of it, at least sufficient to make him +distinguish Right from Wrong, or what the Civilians call, _Malum in se._ + +Therefore, here, if two Persons were equally Guilty of the same Fact, there +was no convicting one, and bringing the other off, by any Quirk, or turn of +Law; for they form'd their Judgments upon the Constraint, or Willingness, +the Aim, and Intention of the Parties, and all other Circumstances, which +make a material Difference. Besides, in Crimes of this Nature, Men bred up +to the Sea, must be more knowing, and much abler, than others more learned +in the Law; for, before a Man can have a right Idea of a Thing, he must +know the Terms standing for that Thing: The Sea-Terms being a Language by +it self, which no Lawyer can be supposed to understand, he must of +Consequence want that discriminating Faculty, which should direct him to +judge right of the Facts meant by those Terms. + +The Court well knew, it was not possible to get the Evidence of every +Sufferer by this Crew, and therefore, first of all, considered how that +Deficiency should be supplied; whether, or no, they could pardon one _Jo. +Dennis_, who had early offered himself, as King's Evidence, and was the +best read in their Lives and Conversations: Here indeed, they were at a +Loss for Law, and concluded in the Negative, because it look'd like +compounding with a Man to swear falsly, losing by it, those great Helps he +could have afforded. + +Another great Difficulty in their Proceedings, was, how to understand those +Words in the Act of Parliament, of, _particularly specifying in the Charge, +the Circumstances of Time, Place_, &c. _i. e._ so to understand them, as to +be able to hold a Court; for if they had been indicted on particular +Robberies, the Evidence had happened mostly from the Royal _African_ +Company's Ships, on which these Gentlemen of _Cape-Corso-Castle_, were not +qualify'd to sit, their Oath running, _That they have no Interest directly, +or indirectly, in the Ship, or Goods, for the Robbery of which, the Party +stands accused_: And this they thought they had, Commissions being paid +them, on such Goods: And on the other Side, if they were incapacitated, no +Court could be formed, the Commission absolutely requiring three of them by +Name. + +To reconcile all Things, therefore, the Court resolved, to bottom the whole +of their Proceedings on the _Swallow's_ Depositions, which were clear and +plain, and had the Circumstance of Time when, Place where, Manner how, and +the like, particularly specified according to the Statute in that Case +made, and provided. But this admitted only a general Intimation of Robbery +in the Indictment, therefore _to approve their Clemency_, it looking +Arbitrary on the Lives of Men, to lump them to the Gallows, in such a +summary Way as must have been done, had they solely adhered to the +_Swallow_'s Charge, they resolved to come to particular Tryals. + +Secondly, _That the Prisoners might not be ignorant whereon to answer_, and +so have all fair Advantages, to excuse and defend themselves; the Court +farther agreed with Justice and Equanimity, to hear any Evidence that could +be brought, to weaken or corroborate the three Circumstances that compleat +a Pyrate; first, being a Voluntier amongst them at the Beginning; secondly, +being a Voluntier at the taking or robbing of any Ship; or lastly, +voluntarily accepting a Share in the Booty of those that did; for by a +Parity of Reason, where these Actions were of their own disposing, and yet +committed by them, it must be believed their Hearts and Hands joyned +together, in what they acted against his Majesty's Ship the _Swallow._ + +_The_ TRYALS _of the_ PYRATES, + +_Taken by his Majesty's Ship the_ Swallow, _begun at Cape_ +Corso-Castle, _on the Coast of_ Africa, March _the_ 28_th_, 1722. + +THE Commission impowered any three named therein, to call to their +Assistance, such a Number of qualified Persons as might make the Court +always consist of seven: And accordingly Summons were signed to Lieut. _Jo. +Barnsley_, Lieut. _Ch. Fanshaw_, Capt. _Samuel Hartsease_, and Capt. +_William Menzies, viz._ + + BY Virtue of a Power and Authority, to us given, by a + Commission from the King, under the Seal of Admiralty, + You are hereby required to attend, and make one of the + Court, for the trying and adjudging of the Pyrates, + lately taken on this Coast, by his Majesty's Ship the + _Swallow._ + +Given under our Hands this 28th of _March_, 1722, at Cape +_Carso-Castle._ + +_Mungo Heardman_, _James Phips_, _Henry Dodson_, _Francis Boy_, +_Edward Hide._ + +The Commissioners being met in the Hall of the Castle, the Commission was +first read, after which, the President, and then the other Members, took +the Oath, prescribed in the Act of Parliament, and having directed the Form +of that for Witnesses, as follows, the Court was opened. + +I, A. B. _solemnly promise and swear on the Holy Evangelists, to bear +true and faithful Witness between the King and Prisoner, or Prisoners, in +Relation to the Fact, or Facts, of Pyracy and Robbery, he or they do now +stand accused of._ So help me God. + +The Court consisted of Captain _Mungo Heardman_, President. James Phips, +_Esq; General of the Coast_, _Mr._ H. Dodson, _Mer._ _Mr._ F. Boye, _Mer._ +_Mr._ Edward Hyde, _Secretary to the Company._ _Lieut._ John Barnsley, +_Lieut._ Ch. Fanshaw. + +The following Prisoners, out of the Pyrate Ship _Ranger_, having been +commanded before them, the Charge, or Indictment, was exhibited. + +Prisoners taken in the _Ranger_. + +Mens Names. Ships from Time when. +* James Skyrm Greyhound Sloop Oct. 1720 +* Rich. Hardy Pyrate with Davis 1718 +* Wm. Main Brigantine Capt. Peet June 1720 +* Henry Dennis } 1718 +* Val. Ashplant } Pyrates with Capt. Davis 1719 +* Rob. Birdson } 1719 + +* Rich. Harris } Phoenix of Bristol, Capt. } +* D. Littlejohn } Richards } June 1720 +* Thomas How at Newfoundland } ++ Her. Hunkins Success Sloop +* Hugh Harris Willing Mind } +* W. Mackintosh } +Thomas Wills Richard of Biddiford } July 1720 ++ John Wilden Mary and Martha } +* Ja. Greenham Little York, Phillips Mr. } +* John Jaynson Love of Lancaster } ++ Chri. Lang Thomas Brigantine Sept. 1720 +* John Mitchel } Norman Galley Oct. 1720 +T. Withstandenot } + +Peter la Fever } Jeremiah and Ann Ap. 1720 +* Wm. Shurin } + +* Wm. Wats } Sierraleon }of Mr. Glin } July 1721 +* Wm. Davis } }of Seig. Josseé } + ++ James Barrow } Martha Snow Capt Lady +* Joshua Lee } + +Rob. Hartley (1) } Robinson of Leverpole Capt. Aug. 1721 ++ James Crane } Kanning + +George Smithson } } +Roger Pye } } ++ Rob. Fletcher } Stanwich Galley Captain } Aug. 1721 +* Ro. Hartley (2) } Tarlton } ++ Andrew Rance A Dutch Ship } + +* Cuthbert Goss } } +* Tho. Giles } Mercy Galley of Bristol } Oct. 1721 +* Israel Hynde } at Callibar } + +William Church Gertruycht of Holland } +Philip Haak Flushingham of ditto } +William Smith } Elizabeth Capt. Sharp } +Adam Comry } } + } +William Graves } } +* Peter de Vine } King Solomon Capt. Trehern } +John Johnson } off Cape Appollonia } +John Stodgill } } + } +Henry Dawson } Whydah Sloop at Jaquin } +William Glass } } Jan. 172½ + } +Josiah Robinson } } +John Arnaught } } +John Davis } } ++ Henry Graves } Tarlton Capt. Tho. Tarlton, } +Tho. Howard } } ++ John Rimer } } +Thomas Clephen } } +Wm. Guineys Porcupine Capt. Fletcher } ++ James Cosins } +Tho. Stretton } +* William Petty } +Mic. Lemmon } Onslow Capt. Gee at Cestos Jan. 172½ +* Wm. Wood } +* Ed. Watts } +* John Horn } +Pierre Ravon Peter Grossey } +John Dugan Rence Frogier } +James Ardeon Lewis Arnaut } From the +Ettrien Gilliot Rence Thoby } French Ship +Ren. Marraud Meth Roulac } in Whydah +John Gittin John Gumar } Road Feb. +Jo. Richardeau John Paquete } 1721-2. +John Lavogue Allan Pigan } +John Duplaissey Pierce Shillot } + +You, _James Skyrm, Michael Lemmon, Robert Hartley_, &c. + +Y_E, and every one of you, are in the Name, and by the Authority, of +our dread Sovereign Lord_, George, _King of_ Great Britain, _indicted as +follows_; + +_Forasmuch as in open Contempt of the Laws of your Country, ye have all of +you been wickedly united, and articled together, for the Annoyance and +Disturbance of his Majesty's trading Subjects by Sea. And have in +Conformity to the most evil and mischievous Intentions, been twice down the +Coast of_ Africa, _with two Ships; once in the Beginning of_ August, _and a +second Time, in_ January _last, sinking, burning, or robbing such Ships, +and Vessels, as then happened in your Way._ + +_Particularly, ye stand charged at the Instance, and Information of +Captain_ Chaloner Ogle, _as Traytors and Pyrates, for the unlawful +Opposition ye made to his Majesty's Ship, the_ Swallow, _under his +Command._ + +_For that on the_ 5_th of_ February _last past, upon Sight of the aforesaid +King's Ship, ye did immediately weigh Anchor from under Cape_ Lopez, _on +the Southern Coast of_ Africa, _in a_ French _built Ship of_ 32 _Guns, +called the_ Ranger, _and did pursue and chase the aforesaid King's Ship, +with such Dispatch and Precipitancy, as declared ye common Robbers and +Pyrates._ + +_That about Ten of the Clock the same Morning, drawing within Gun-shot of +his Majesty's aforesaid Ship the_ Swallow, _ye hoisted a pyratical black +Flag, and fired several chace Guns, to deter, as much as ye were able, his +Majesty's Servants from their Duty._ + +_That an Hour after this, being very nigh to the aforesaid King's Ship, ye +did audaciously continue in a hostile Defence and Assault, for about two +Hours more, in open Violation of the Laws, and in Defiance to the King's +Colours and Commission._ + +_And lastly, that in the acting, and compassing of all this, ye were all, +and every one of you, in a wicked Combination, voluntarily to exert, and +actually did, in your several Stations, use your utmost Endeavours to +distress the said King's Ship, and murder his Majesty's good Subjects._ + +To which they severally pleaded, _Not Guilty._ + + * * * + +Then the Court called for the Officers of the _Swallow_, Mr. _Isaac Sun_, +Lieutenant, _Ralph Baldrick_, Boatswain, _Daniel Maclauglin_, Mate, +desiring them to view the Prisoners, whether they knew them? And to give an +Account in what Manner they had attack'd and fought the King's Ship; and +they agreed as follows. + +That they had viewed all the Prisoners, as they stood now before the Court, +and were assured they were the same taken out of one, or other, of the +Pyrate Ships, _Royal Fortune_, or _Ranger_; but verily believe them to be +taken out of the _Ranger._ + +That they did in the King's Ship, at break of Day, on _Monday_, the 5th of +_February_, 1721-2, discover three Ships at Anchor, under Cape _Lopez_, on +the Southern Coast of _Africa_; the Cape bearing then W. S. W. about three +Leagues, and perceiving one of them to have a Pendant flying, and having +heard their Morning-Gun before, they immediately suspected them to be +_Roberts_ the Pyrate, his consort, and a _French_ Ship, they knew had been +lately carried out of _Whydah_ Road. + +The King's Ship was obliged to hawl off N. W. and W. N. W. to avoid a Sand, +called, the _French Man's Bank_, the Wind then at S. S. E. and found in +half an Hour's time, one of the three had got under Sail from the Careen, +and was bending her Sails, in a Chace towards them. To encourage this +Rashness and Precipitancy, they kept away before the Wind, (as though +afraid,) but with their Tacks on Board, their Main-Yard braced, and making, +at the same Time, very bad Steerage. + +About half an Hour after Ten, in the Morning, the Pyrate Ship came within +Gun-shot, and fired four Chace Guns, hoisted a black Flag at the +Mizen-Peek, and got their Sprit-sail Yard under their Bowsprit, for +boarding. In half an Hour more, approaching still nigher, they Starboarded +their Helm, and gave her a Broadside, the Pyrate bringing to, and returning +the same. + +After this, the Deponents say, their Fire grew slack for some Time, because +the Pyrate was shot so far a Head on the Weather-Bow, that few of their +Guns could Point to her; yet in this Interval their black Flag was either +Shot away, or hawled down a little Space, and hoisted again. + +At length, by their ill Steerage, and Favour of the Wind, they came near, a +second Time; and about Two in the Afternoon shot away their Main-topmast. + +The Colours they fought under, besides a black Flag, were a red _English_ +Ensign, a King's Jack, and a _Dutch_ Pendant, which they struck at, or +about, Three in the Afternoon, and called for Quarters; it proving to be a +_French_ built Ship of 32 Guns, called the _Ranger._ + +_Isaac Sun_, _Ralph Baldrick_, _Daniel Maclauglin._ + +When the Evidence had been heard, the Prisoners were called upon to answer, +how they came on Board this Pyrate Ship; and their Reason for so audacious +a Resistance, as had been made against the King's Ship. + +To this, each, in his Reply, owned himself to be one of those taken out of +the _Ranger_; that he had signed their pyratical Articles, and shared in +their Plunder, some few only accepted, who had been there too short a Time. +But that neither in this signing, or sharing, nor in the Resistance had +been made against his Majesty's Ship, had they been Voluntiers, but had +acted in these several Parts, from a Terror of Death; which a Law amongst +them, was to be the Portion of those who refused. The Court then ask'd, who +made those Laws? How those Guns came to be fired? Or why they had not +deserted their Stations, and mutinied, when so fair a Prospect of +Redemption offered? They replied still, with the same Answers, and could +extenuate their Crimes, with no other Plea, than being forced Men. +Wherefore the Court were of Opinion, that the Indictment, as it charged +them with an unlawful Attack and Resistance of the King's Ship, was +sufficiently proved; but then it being undeniably evident, that many of +these Prisoners had been forced, and some of them of very short standing, +they did, on mature Deliberation, come to this merciful Resolution; + +That they would hear further Evidence for, or against, each Person singly, +in Relation to those Parts of the Indictment, which declared them +Voluntiers, or charged them with aiding and assisting, at the burning, +sinking, or robbing of other Ships; for if they acted, or assisted, in any +Robberies or Devastations, it would be a Conviction they were Voluntiers; +here such Evidence, though it might want the Form, still carried the Reason +of the Law with it. + +The Charge was exhibited also against the following Pyrates taken +out of the _Royal Fortune._ + +* Mich. Mare in the Rover 5 Years ago +* Chris. Moody under Davis 1718. +* Mar. Johnson a Dutch Ship 1718. +* James Philips the RevengePyrate Sloop 1717. +* David Symson } Pyrates with Davis +* Tho. Sutton } +* Hag. Jacobson a Dutch Ship 1719 +* W. Williams 1 } } +* Wm. Fernon } Sadbury Captain Thomas } June 1720. +* W. Willams 2 } Thomas Newfoundland } +* Roger Scot } } + +* Tho. Owen } York of Bristol } +* Wm. Taylor } } May 1720. +* Joseph Nositer Expedition of Topsham } + +* John Parker Willing Mind of Pool } +* Robert Crow Happy Return Sloop } +* George Smith Mary and Martha } July 1720. +* Ja. Clements Success Sloop } +* John Walden Blessing of Lymington } +* Jo. Mansfield from Martinico ++ James Harris Richard Pink +* John Philips a fishing Boat +Harry Glasby } Samuel Capt. Cary. } July 1720. +Hugh Menzies } } +* Wm. Magnus +* Joseph Moor May Flower Sloop Feb. 1720. ++ John du Frock } } +Wm. Champnies } Loyd Gally Capt. Hyngston } May 1721. +George Danson } } ++ Isaac Russel } } + +Robert Lilbourn } } +* Robert Johnson } Jeremiah and Ann, Capt. } Ap. 1721. +Wm. Darling } Turner } ++ Wm. Mead } } + +Thomas Diggles Christopher Snow } +* Ben. Jeffreys Norman Galley } +John Francia a Sloop at St. Nicholas } +* D. Harding a Dutch Ship } Ap. 1721. +* John Coleman Adventure Sloop } +* Charles Bunce a Dutch Galley } +* R. Armstrong ditto run from the Swallow } +* Abra. Harper } +* Peter Lesley } +* John Jessup 1 } +Thomas Watkins } +* Philip Bill } Onslow Capt. Gee at Sestos, May 1721. +* Jo. Stephenson } +* James Cromby } +Thomas Garrat } ++ George Ogle } + +Roger Gorsuch } Martha Snow Au. 1721. +John Watson } + +William Child } +* John Griffin } Mercy Gally at Callabar Oct. 1721. +* Pet. Scudamore } + +Christ. Granger } +Nicho. Brattle } +James White } +Tho. Davis } Cornwall Galley at ditto. +Tho. Sever } Callabar +* Rob. Bevins } +* T. Oughterlaney } +* David Rice } +* Rob. Haws Joceline Capt. Loane Oct. 1721. +Hugh Riddle } Diligence Boat Ja. 1721. +Stephen Thomas } + +* John Lane } +* Sam. Fletcher } +* Wm. Philips } King Solomon ditto. +Jacob Johnson } +* John King } +Benjamin Par Robinson Capt. Kanning ditto. +William May } Elizabeth Capt. Sharp } +Ed. Thornden } } + } +* George Wilson } Tarlton of Leverpool at } ditto. +Edward Tarlton } Cape la Hou } +* Robert Hays } } + +Thomas Roberts } +John Richards } Charlton Capt. Allwright } Feb. 1721. +John Cane } + +Richard Wood } } +Richard Scot } } +Wm. Davison } Porcupine Capt. Fletcher } Feb. 1721. +Sam. Morwell } Whydah Road } +Edward Evans } } +* John Jessup 2 surrender'd up at Princes + +You, _Harry Glasby, William Davison, William Champnies, Samuel +Morwell_, &c. + +Y_E, and every one of you, are, in the Name, and by the Authority of +our most dread Sovereign Lord_ George, _King of_ Great Britain, _indicted +as follows._ + +_Forasmuch as in open Contempt and Violation of the Laws of your Country, +to which ye ought to have been subject_, _ye have all of you been wickedly +united and articled together, for the Annoyance and Destruction of his +Majesty's trading Subjects by Sea; and in Conformity to so wicked an +Agreement and Association, ye have been twice lately down this Coast of_ +Africa, _once in_ August, _and a second Time in_ January _last, spoiling +and destroying many Goods and Vessels of his Majesty's Subjects, and other +trading Nations._ + +_Particularly ye stand indicted at the Information and Instance of Captain_ +Chaloner Ogle, _as Traytors, Robbers, Pyrates, and common Enemies to +Mankind._ + +_For that on the_ 10_th of_ February _last, in a Ship ye were possess'd of +called the_ Royal Fortune, _of_ 40 _Guns, ye did maintain a hostile Defence +and Resistance for some Hours, against his Majesty's Ship the_ Swallow, +_nigh Cape_ Lopez _Bay, on the Southern Coast of_ Africa. + +_That this Fight and insolent Resistance against the King's Ship, was made, +not only without any Pretence of Authority, more than that of your own +private depraved Wills, but was done also under a black Flag, flagrantly by +that, denoting your selves common Robbers and Traitors, Opposers and +Violators of the Laws._ + +_And lastly, that in this Resistance, ye were all of you Voluntiers, and +did, as such, contribute your utmost Efforts, for disabling and distressing +the aforesaid King's Ship, and deterring his Majesty's Servants therein, +from their Duty._ + +To which they severally pleaded, _Not Guilty._ + + * * * + +Whereupon the Officers of his Majesty's Ship, the _Swallow_, were called +again, and testified as follows. + +That they had seen all the Prisoners now before the Court, and knew them to +be the same which were taken out of one or other of the Pyrate Ships, +_Royal Fortune_ or _Ranger_, and verily believe them to be those taken out +of the _Royal Fortune._ + +That the Prisoners were possess'd of a Ship of 40 Guns, called the _Royal +Fortune_, and were at an Anchor under Cape _Lopez_, on the Coast of +_Africa_, with two others: When his Majesty's Ship the _Swallow_, (to which +the Deponents belong'd, and were Officers,) stood in for the Place, on +_Saturday_ the 10th of _February_ 1721-2: The largest had a Jack, Ensign +and Pendant flying, (being this _Royal Fortune_,) who on Sight of them, had +their Boats passing and repassing, from the other two, which they supposed +to be with Men: The Wind not favouring the aforesaid King's Ship, she was +obliged to make two Trips to gain nigh enough the Wind, to fetch in with +the Pyrates; and being at length little more than random Shot from them, +they found she slipped her Cable, and got under Sail. + +At Eleven, the Pyrate was within Pistol-Shot, a Breast of them, with a +black Flag, and Pendant hoisted at their Main-topmast Head. The Deponents +say, they then struck the _French_ Ensign that had continued hoisted at +their Staff all the Morning till then; and display'd the King's Colours, +giving her, at the same Time, their Broadside, which was immediately +returned. + +The Pyrate's Mizen-topmast fell, and some of her Rigging was torn, yet she +still out sailed the Man of War, and slid half Gun-Shot from them, while +they continued to fire without Intermission, and the other to return such +Guns as could be brought to bear, till by favour of the Winds, they were +advanced very nigh again; and after exchanging a few more Shot, about half +an Hour past one, his Main-Mast came down, having received a Shot a little +below the Parrel. + +At Two she struck her Colours, and called for Quarters, proving to be a +Ship, formerly call'd the _Onslow_, but by them, the _Royal Fortune_; and +the Prisoners from her, assured them, that the smallest Ship of the two, +then remaining in the Road, belong'd to them, by the Name of the _Little +Ranger_, which they had deserted on this Occasion. + +_Isaac Sun_, _Ralph Baldrick_, _Daniel Maclaughlin._ + +The Prisoners were asked by the Court, to the same Purpose the others had +been in the Morning; what Exception they had to make against what had been +sworn? And what they had to say in their Defence? And their Reply were much +the same with the other Prisoners; that they were forc'd Men, had not fired +a Gun in this Resistance against the _Swallow_, and that what little +Assistance they did give on this Occasion, was to the Sails and Rigging, to +comply with the arbitrary Commands of _Roberts_, who had threaten'd, and +they were perswaded would, have Shot them on Refusal. + +The Court, to dispense equal Justice, mercifully resolved for these, as +they had done for the other Pyrate Crew; that further Evidence should be +heard against each Man singly, to the two Points, of being a Voluntier at +first, and to their particular Acts of Pyracy and Robbery since: That so +Men, who had been lately received amongst them, and as yet, had not been at +the taking, or plundering, of any Ship, might have the Opportunity, and +Benefit, of clearing their Innocence, and not fall promiscuously with the +Guilty. + +_By Order of the Court_, John Atkins, _Register._ + +_Wm. Magnes, Tho. Oughterlauney, Wm. Main, Wm. Mackintosh, Val. Ashplant, +John Walden, Israel Hind, Marcus Johnson, Wm. Petty, Wm. Fernon, Abraham +Harper, Wm. Wood, Tho. How, John Stephenson, Ch. Bunce_, and _John Griffin_ + +Against these it was deposed by Captain _Joseph Trahern_, and _George +Fenn_, his Mate, that they were all of them, either at the attacking and +taking of the Ship King _Solomon_, or afterwards at the robbing and +plundering of her, and in this Manner; That on the 6th of _January_ last +their Ship riding at Anchor near Cape _Appollonia_ in _Africa_, discovered +a Boat rowing towards them, against Wind and Stream, from a Ship that lay +about three Miles to Leeward. They judged from the Number of Men in her, as +she nearer advanced, to be a Pyrate, and made some Preparation for +receiving her, believing, on a nigher View, they would think fit to +withdraw from an Attack that must be on their Side with great Disadvantage +in an open Boat, and against double the Number of Men; yet by the Rashness, +and the Pusillanimity of his own People (who laid down their Arms, and +immediately called for Quarter) the Ship was taken, and afterwards robbed +by them. + +_President._ Can you charge your Memory with any Particulars in the Seizure +and Robbery? + +_Evidence._ We know that _Magnes_, Quarter-Master of the Pyrate Ship, +commanded the Men in this Boat that took us, and assumed the Authority of +ordering her Provisions and Stores out, which being of different Kinds, we +soon found, were seized and sent away under more particular Directions; for +_Main_, as Boatswain of the Pyrate Ship, carried away two Cables, and +several Coils of Rope, as what belonged to his Province, beating some of +our own Men for not being brisk enough at working in the Robbery. _Petty_, +as Sail-maker, saw to the Sails and Canvas; _Harper_, as Cooper to the Cask +and Tools; _Griffin_, to the Carpenter's Stores, and _Oughterlauney_, as +Pilot, having shifted himself with a Suit of my Clothes, a new tye Wig, and +called for a Bottle of Wine, ordered the Ship, very arrogantly, to be +steered under Commadore _Robert_'s Stern, (I suppose to know what Orders +there were concerning her.) So far particularly. In the general, Sir, they +were very outragious and emulous in Mischief. + +_President._ Mr. _Castel_, acquaint the Court of what you know in Relation +to this Robbery of the King _Solomon_; after what Manner the Pyrate-Boat +was dispatch'd for this Attempt. + +_Tho. Castel._ I was a Prisoner, Sir, with the Pyrates when their Boat was +ordered upon that Service, and found, upon a Resolution of going, Word was +passed through the Company, Who would go? And I saw all that did, did it +voluntarily; no Compulsion, but rather pressing who should be foremost. + +The Prisoners yielded to what had been sworn about the Attack and Robbery, +but denied the latter Evidence, saying, _Roberts_ hector'd, and upbraided +them of Cowardice on this very Occasion; and told some, they were very +ready to step on Board of a Prize when within Command of the Ship, but now +there seem'd to be a Tryal of their Valour, backward and fearful. + +_President._ So that _Roberts_ forc'd ye upon this Attack. + +_Prisoners. Roberts_ commanded us into the Boat, and the Quarter-Master to +rob the Ship; neither of whose Commands we dared to have refused. + +_President._ And granting it so, those are still your own Acts, since done +by Orders from Officers of your own Election. Why would Men, honestly +disposed, give their Votes for such a Captain and such a Quarter-Master as +were every Day commanding them on distastful Services? + +Here succeeded a Silence among the Prisoners, but at length _Fernon_ very +honestly own'd, that he did not give his Vote to _Magnes_, but to _David +Sympson_ (the old Quarter-Master,) _for in Truth_, says he, _I took_ Magnes +_for too honest a Man, and unfit for the Business._ + +The Evidence was plain and home, and the Court, without any Hesitation, +brought them in _Guilty._ + +W_ILLIAM Church, Phil. Haak, James White, Nich. Brattle, Hugh Riddle, +William Thomas, Tho. Roberts, Jo. Richards, Jo. Cane, R. Wood, R. Scot, Wm. +Davison, Sam. Morwell, Edward Evans, Wm. Guineys_, and 18 _French_ Men. + +The four first of these Prisoners, it was evident to the Court, served as +Musick on Board the Pyrate, were forced lately from the several Merchant +Ships they belonged to; and that they had, during this Confinement, an +uneasy Life of it, having sometimes their Fiddles, and often their Heads +broke, only for excusing themselves, or saying they were tired, when any +Fellow took it in his Head to demand a Tune. + +The other _English_ had been a very few Days on Board the Pyrate, only from +_Whydah_ to Cape _Lopez_, and no Capture or Robbery done by them in that +Time. And the _French_ Men were brought with a Design to reconduct their +own Ship (or the _Little Ranger_ in Exchange) to _Whydah_ Road again, and +were used like Prisoners; neither quarter'd nor suffered to carry Arms. So +that the Court immediately acquiesced in, _Acquitting them._ + +T_HO. Sutton, David Sympson, Christopher Moody, Phil. Bill, R. Hardy, +Hen. Dennis, David Rice, Wm. Williams, R. Harris, Geo. Smith, Ed. Watts, +Jo. Mitchell_ and _James Barrow._ + +The Evidence against these Prisoners, were _Geret de Haen_, Master of the +_Flushingham_, taken nigh _Axim_, the Beginning of _January_ last. + +_Benj. Kreft_ Master, and _James Groet_ Mate of the _Gertruycht_, taken +nigh _Gabone_ in _December_ last, and Mr. _Castel, Wingfield_ and others, +that had been Prisoners with the Pyrates. + +The former deposed, that all these Prisoners (excepting _Hardy_) were on +Board at the Robbery and Plunder of their Ships, behaving in a vile +outragious Manner, putting them in bodily Fears, sometimes for the Ship, +and sometimes for themselves; and in particular, _Kreft_ charged it on +_Sutton_, that he had ordered all their Gunner's Stores out; on which that +Prisoner presently interrupted, and said, he was perjured, _That he had not +taken half._ A Reply, I believe, not designed as any sawcy Way of jesting, +but to give their Behaviour an Appearance of more Humanity than the _Dutch_ +would allow. + +From Mr. _Castel, Wingfield_ and others, they were proved to be +distinguished Men, Men who were consulted as Chiefs in all Enterprizes; +belonged most of them to the House of Lords, (as they call'd it,) and could +carry an Authority over others. The former said, particularly of _Hardy_, +(Quarter-Master of the _Ranger_,) that when the _Diligence_ Sloop was +taken, (whereto he belonged,) none was busier in the Plunder, and was the +very Man who scuttled and sunk that Vessel. + +From some of the Prisoners acquitted, it was farther demanded, whether the +Acceptance or Refusal of any Office was not in their own Option? And it was +declared, that every Officer was chose by a Majority of Votes, and might +refuse, if he pleased, since others gladly embraced what brought with it an +additional Share of Prize. _Guilty_ + + * * * + +The Court on the 31st of _March_, remanded the following six before them, +for Sentence, _viz. Dav. Sympson, Wm. Magnes, R. Hardy, Thomas Sutton, +Christopher Moody_, and _Valen. Ashplant._ + +To whom the President spoke to the following Purpose; _The Crime of Pyracy, +of which all of ye have been justly convicted, is of all other Robberies +the most aggravating and inhumane, in that being removed from the Fears of +Surprize, in remote and distant Parts, ye do in Wantonness of Power often +add Cruelty to Theft._ + +_Pyrates unmoved at Distress or Poverty, not only spoil and rob, but do it +from Men needy, and who are purchasing their Livlihoods thro' Hazards and +Difficulties, which ought rather to move Compassion; and what is still +worse, do often, by Perswasion or Force, engage the inconsiderate Part of +them, to their own and Families Ruin, removing them from their Wives and +Children, and by that, from the Means that should support them from Misery +and Want._ + +_To a trading Nation, nothing can be so Destructive as Pyracy, or call for +more exemplary Punishment; besides, the national Reflection it infers: It +cuts off the Returns of Industry, and those plentiful Importations that +alone can make an Island flourishing; and it is your Aggravation, that ye +have been the Chiefs and Rulers in these licentious and lawless Practices._ + +_However, contrary to the Measures ye have dealt, ye have been heard with +Patience, and tho' little has, or possibly could, have been said in Excuse +or Extenuation of your Crimes, yet Charity makes us hope that a true and +sincere Repentance_ (_which we heartily recommend_) _may entitle ye to +Mercy and Forgiveness, after the Sentence of the Law has taken Place, which +now remains upon me to pronounce._ + +Y_OU_ Dav. Simpson, William Magnes, R. Hardy, Tho. Sutton, +Christopher Moody, _and_ Val. Ashplant. + +_Ye, and each of you, are adjudged and sentenced, to be carried back to the +Place from whence ye came, from thence to the Place of Execution, without +the Gates of this Castle, and there within the Flood-Marks, to be hanged by +the Neck till ye are dead._ + +_After this, ye, and each of you shall be taken down, and your Bodies +hanged in Chains._ + +Warrant for Execution. + +P_URSUANT to the Sentence given on_ Saturday, _by the Court of +Admiralty, at_ Cape-Corso-Castle, _against_ Dav. Simpson, Wm. Magnes, R. +Hardy, Tho. Sutton, Christopher Moody, _and_ Valentine Ashplant. + +_You are hereby directed to carry the aforesaid Malefactors to the Place of +Execution, without the Gates of this Castle, to Morrow Morning at Nine of +the Clock, and there within the Flood-Marks, cause them to be hanged by the +Neck till they are dead, for which, this shall be your Warrant. Given under +my Hand, this_ 2_d Day of_ April 1722. + +_To_ Joseph Gordyn, _Provost-Marshal._ + +Mungo Heardman. + +_The Bodies remove in Chains, to the Gibbets already erected on the +adjacent Hillocks._ + +M. H. + +_William Phillips._ + +IT appeared by the Evidence of Captain _Jo. Trahern_, and _George +Fenn_, Mate of the King _Solomon_, that this Prisoner was Boatswain of the +same Ship, when she was attacked and taken off Cape _Appollonia_, the 6th +of _January_ last, by the Pyrate's Boat. + +When the Boat drew nigh, (they say,) it was judged from the Number of Men +in her, that they were Pyrates, and being hailed, answered, _Defiance_; at +which the Commander snatched a Musquet from one of his Men, and fired, +asking them at the same Time, whether they would stand by him, to defend +the Ship? But the Pyrates returning a Volley, and crying out, they would +give no Quarters if any Resistance was made; this Prisoner took upon him to +call out for Quarters, without the Master's Consent, and mislead the rest +to the laying down their Arms, and giving up the Ship, to half the Number +of Men, and in an open Boat. It was further evident he became, after this, +a Voluntier amongst them. First, because he was presently very forward and +brisk, in robbing the Ship _King Solomon_, of her Provisions and Stores. +Secondly, because he endeavoured to have his Captain ill used; and lastly, +because he had confessed to _Fenn_, that he had been obliged to sign their +Articles that Night, (a Pistol being laid on the Table, to signify he must +do it, or be shot,) when the whole appeared to be an Untruth from other +Evidence, who also asserted his being armed in the Action against the +_Swallow._ + +In answer to this, he first observed upon the Unhappiness of being +friendless in this Part of the World, which, elsewhere, by witnessing to +the Honesty of his former Life, would, he believed, in a great Measure, +have invalidated the wrong Evidence had been given of his being a Voluntier +with the Pyrates. He owns indeed, he made no Application to his Captain, to +intercede for a Discharge, but excuses it with saying, he had a dislike to +him, and therefore was sure that such Application would have avail'd him +nothing. + +The Court observed the Pretences of this, and other of the Pyrates, of a +Pistol and their Articles being served up in a Dish together, or of their +being misused and forced from an honest Service, was often a Complotment of +the Parties, to render them less suspected of those they came from, and was +to answer the End of being put in a News-Paper or Affidavit: and the +Pyrates were so generous as not to refuse a Compliment to a Brother that +cost them nothing, and, at the same Time, secured them the best Hands; the +best I call them, because such a Dependance made them act more boldly. +_Guilty._ + +_Harry Glasby_, Master. + +THere appearing several Persons in Court, who had been taken by +_Roberts_'s Ship, whereof the Prisoner was Master, their Evidence was +accepted as follows. + +_Jo. Trahern_, Commander of the _King Solomon_, deposed, the Prisoner, +indeed, to act as Master of the Pyrate Ship (while he was under Restraint +there) but was observed like no Master, every one obeying at Discretion, of +which he had taken Notice, and complained to him, how hard a Condition it +was, to be a Chief among Brutes; and that he was weary of his Life, and +such other Expressions, (now out of his Memory,) as shew'd in him a great +Disinclination to that Course of Living. + +_Jo. Wingfield_, a Prisoner with them at _Calabar_, says the same, as to +the Quality he acted in, but that he was Civil beyond any of them, and +verily believes, that when the Brigantine he served on Board of, as a +Factor for the _African_ Company, was voted to be burnt, this Man was the +Instrument of preventing it, expressing himself with a great deal of +Sorrow, for this and the like malicious Rogueries of the Company he was in; +that to him shewed, he had acted with Reluctancy, as one who could not +avoid what he did. He adds further, that when one _Hamilton_, a Surgeon, +was taken by them, and the Articles about to be imposed on him, he opposed, +and prevented it. And that _Hunter_, another Surgeon, among them, was +cleared at the Prisoner's Instance and Perswasion; from which last, this +Deponent had it assured to him, that _Glasby_ had once been under Sentence +of Death, on Board of them, with two more, for endeavouring an Escape in +the _West-Indies_, and that the other two were really shot for it. + +_Elizabeth Trengrove_, who was taken a Passenger in the _African_ Company's +Ship _Onslow_, strengthen'd the Evidence of the last Witness; for having +heard a good Character of this _Glasby_, she enquired of the +Quarter-Master, who was then on Board a robbing, whether or no she could +see him? And he told her, _No_; they never ventured him from the Ship, for +he had once endeavoured his Escape, and they had ever since continued +jealous of him. + +_Edward Crisp_, Captain _Trengrove_, and Captain _Sharp_, who had all been +taken in their Turns, acknowledge for themselves and others, who had +unluckily fallen into those Pyrates Hands, that the good Usage they had met +with, was chiefly thro' the Prisoner's Means, who often interposed, for +leaving sufficient Stores and Instruments on Board the Ships they had +robbed, alledging, they were superfluous and unnecessary there. + +_James White_, whose Business was Musick, and was on the Poop of the Pyrate +Ship in Time of Action with the _Swallow_, deposed, that during the +Engagement, and Defence she made, he never saw the Prisoner busied about +the Guns, or giving Orders, either to the loading or firing of them; but +that he wholly attended to the setting, or trimming, of the Sails, as +_Roberts_ commanded; and that in the Conclusion, he verily believed him to +be the Man who prevented the Ship's being blown up, by setting trusty +Centinels below, and opposing himself against such hot-headed Fellows as +had procured lighted Matches, and were going down for that Purpose. + +_Isaac Sun_, Lieutenant of the Man of War, deposed, that when he came to +take Possession of the Prize, in the King's Boat, he found the Pyrates in a +very distracted and divided Condition; some being for blowing up, and +others (who perhaps supposed themselves least culpable) opposing it: That +in this Confusion he enquired for the Prisoner, of whom he had before heard +a good Character; and thinks he rendered all the Service in his Power, for +preventing it; in particular, he understood by all Hands, that he had +seized, and taken, from one _James Philips_, a lighted Match, at the +Instant he was going down to the Magazine, swearing, that he should send +them all to H--l together. He had heard also, that after _Roberts_ was +killed, the Prisoner ordered the Colours to be struck; and had since shown, +how opposite his Practice and Principles had been, by discovering who were +the greatest Rogues among them. + +The Prisoner, in his own Defence, says, when he had the Misfortune of +falling into the Pyrates Hands, he was chief Mate of the _Samuel_, of +_London_, Captain _Cary_; and when he had hid himself, to prevent the +Design of carrying him away, they found him, and beat and threw him +over-board. Seven Days afterwards, upon his objecting against, and refusing +to sign their Articles, he was cut and abus'd again: That tho' after this +he ingratiated himself, by a more humble Carriage, it was only to make Life +easy; the Shares they had given him, having been from Time to Time returned +again to such Prisoners as fell in his Way; till of late, indeed, he had +made a small Reservation, and had desired Captain _Loan_ to take two or +three Moidores from him, to carry to his Wife. He was once taken, he says, +at making his Escape, in the _West-Indies_, and, with two more, sentenced +to be shot for it, by a drunken Jury; the latter actually suffered, and he +was preserved only by one of the chief Pyrates taking a sudden Liking to +him, and bullying the others. A second time he ran away at _Hispaniola_, +carrying a Pocket Compass, for conducting him through the Woods; but that +being a most desolate and wild Part of the Island he fell upon, and he +ignorant how to direct his Course, was obliged, after two or three Days +wandering, to return towards the Ship again, denying with egregious Oaths, +the Design he was charg'd with, for Fear they should shoot him. From this +Time he hopes it will be some Extenuation of his Fault, that most of the +acquitted Prisoners can witness, they entertained Jealousies of him, and +_Roberts_ would not admit him into his Secrets; and withal, that Captain +_Cary_, (and four other Passengers with him) had made Affidavit of his +having been forced from his Employ, which tho' he could not produce, yet he +humbly hoped the Court would think highly probable from the Circumstances +offered. + +On the whole, the Court was of Opinion Artists had the best Pretension to +the Plea of Force, from the Necessity Pyrates are sometimes under of +engaging such, and that many Parts of his own Defence had been confirmed by +the Evidence, who had asserted he acted with Reluctance, and had expressed +a Concern and Trouble for the little Hopes remained to him, of extricating +himself. That he had used all Prisoners (as they were called) well, at the +hazard of ill Usage to himself. That he had not in any military Capacity +assisted their Robberies. That he had twice endeavoured his Escape, with +the utmost Danger. _Acquitted him._ + +Captain _James Skyrm._ + +IT appeared from the Evidence of several Prisoners acquitted, that +this _Skyrm_ commanded the _Ranger_, in that Defence she made against the +King's Ship; that he ordered the Men to their Quarters, and the Guns to be +loaded and fired, having a Sword in his Hand, to enforce those Commands; +and beat such to their Duty whom he espied any way negligent or backward. +That altho' he had lost a Leg in the Action, his Temper was so warm, as to +refuse going off the Deck, till he found all was lost. + +In his Defence, he says, he was forced from a Mate's Employ on Board a +Sloop call'd the _Greyhound_, of St. _Christophers, Oct._ 1720. The Pyrate +having drubbed him, and broke his Head, only for offering to go away when +that Sloop was dismissed. Custom and Success had since indeed blunted, and, +in some Measure, worn out the Sense of Shame; but that he had really for +several Months past been sick, and disqualified for any Duty, and though +_Roberts_ had forced him on this Expedition much against his Will, yet the +Evidence must be sensible, the Title of Captain gave him no Pre-eminence, +for he could not be obeyed, though he had often called to them, to leave +off their Fire, when he perceived it to be the King's Ship. + +The Sickness he alledged, but more especially the Circumstance of losing +his Leg, were Aggravations of his Fault, shewing him more alert on such +Occasions, than he was now willing to be thought: As to the Name of +Captain, if it were allowed to give him no Precedence out of Battle, yet +here it was proved a Title of Authority; such an Authority as could direct +an Engagement against the King's Colours, and therefore he was in the +highest Degree, _Guilty._ + +_John Walden._ + +CAptain _John Trahern_, and _George Fenn_, deposed, the Prisoner to +be one of the Number, who, in an open Boat, pyratically assailed, and took +their Ship, and was remarkably busy at Mischief, having a Pole-Ax in his +Hand, which served him instead of a Key, to all the lock'd Doors and Boxes +he come nigh: Also in particular, he cut the Cable of our Ship, when the +other Pyrates were willing, and busied at heaving up the Anchor, saying, +Captain, what signifies this Trouble of _Yo Hope_ and straining in hot +Weather; there are more Anchors at _London_, and besides, your Ship is to +be burnt. + +_William Smith_, (a Prisoner acquitted,) says _Walden_ was known among the +Pyrates mostly, by the Nick-Name of _Miss Nanney_ (ironically its presumed +from the Hardness of his Temper) that he was one of the twenty who +voluntarily came on Board the _Ranger_, in the Chace she made out after the +_Swallow_, and by a Shot from that Ship, lost his Leg; his Behaviour in the +Fight, till then, being bold and daring. + +The _President_, called for _Harry Glasby_, and bid him relate a Character +of the Prisoner, and what Custom was among them, in Relation to these +voluntary Expeditions, out of their proper Ship; and this of going on Board +the _Ranger_, in particular. + +And he gave in for Evidence, that the Prisoner was looked on as a brisk +Hand, (_i. e._ as he farther explained it, a stanch Pyrate, a great Rogue) +that when the _Swallow_ first appeared in Sight, every one was willing to +believe her a _Portuguese_, because Sugar was very much in Demand, and had +made some Jarring and Dissention between the two Companies, (the +_Fortune_'s People drinking Punch, when the _Ranger_'s could not) that +_Roberts_, on Sight of the _Swallow_, hailed the new _Ranger_, and bid them +right Ship, and get under Sail; there is, says he, Sugar in the Offing, +bring it in, that we may have no more Mumbling; ordering at the same Time +the Word to be pass'd among the Crew, who would go to their Assistance, and +immediately the Boat was full of Men, to transport themselves. + +_President._ Then every one that goes on Board of any Prize, does it +voluntarily? Or were there here any other Reasons for it? + +_H. Glasby._ Every Man is commonly called by List, and insists, in his +Turn, to go on Board of a Prize, because they then are allowed a Shift of +Cloaths, (the best they can find) over and above the Dividend from the +Robbery, and this they are so far from being compelled to, that it often +becomes the Occasion of Contest and Quarrel amongst them: But in the +present, or such like Cases, where there appears a Prospect of Trouble, the +Lazy and Timerous are often willing to decline this Turn, and yield to +their Betters, who thereby establish a greater Credit. + +The Prisoner, and the rest of those Men who went from the _Fortune_ on +Board the _Ranger_, to assist in this Expedition, were Voluntiers, and the +trustiest Men among us. + +_President._ Were there no Jealousies of the _Ranger_'s leaving you in this +Chace, or at any other Time, in order to surrender? + +_H. Glasby._ Most of the _Ranger_'s Crew were fresh Men, Men who had been +enter'd only since their being on the Coast of _Guiney_, and therefore had +not so liberal a Share in fresh Provisions, or Wine, as the _Fortune_'s +People, who thought they had born the Burthen and Heat of the Day, which +had given Occasion indeed to some Grumblings and Whispers, as tho' they +would take an Opportunity to leave us, but we never supposed (if they did) +it would be with any other Design then setting up for themselves, they +having (many of them) behaved with greater Severity than the old Standers. + +The Prisoner appeared undaunted, and rather solicitous, about resting his +Stump, than giving any Answer to the Court, or making any Defence for +himself, till called upon; then he related in a careless, or rather +hopeless Manner, the Circumstances of his first Entrance, being forced, he +said, out of the _Blessing_ of _Lemmington_, at _Newfoundland_, about 12 +Months past; this, he is sure, most of the old Pyrates knew, and that he +was for some Time as sick of the Change as any Man; but Custom and ill +Company had altered him, owning very frankly, that he was at the Attack, +and taking of the _King Solomon_, that he did cut her Cable, and that none +were forced on those Occasions. + +As to the last Expedition in the _Ranger_, he confesses he went on Board of +her, but that it was by _Robert_'s Order; and in the Chace loaded one Gun, +to bring her to, but when he saw it was a Bite, he declared to his +Comrades, that it was not worth while to resist, forbore firing, and +assisted to reeve the Braces, in order, if they could, to get away, in +which sort of Service he was busied, when a Shot from the Man of War took +off his Leg: And being asked, that supposing the Chace had proved a +_Portuguese_? Why then, says he, I dont know what I might have done, +intimating withal, that every Body then would have been ready enough at +plundering. _Guilty._ + +_Peter Scudamore._ + +H_Arry Glasby, Jo. Wingfield_, and _Nicholas Brattle_, depose thus +much, as to his being a Voluntier with the Pyrates, from Capt. _Rolls_, at +_Calabar._ First, That he quarrelled with _Moody_, (one of the Heads of the +Gang) and fought with him, because he opposed his going, asking _Rolls_, in +a leering manner, whether he would not be so kind, as to put him into the +_Gazette_, when he came Home. And, at another Time, when he was going from +the Pyrate Ship, in his Boat, a Turnado arose, _I wish_, says he, _the +Rascal may be drowned, for he is a great Rogue, and has endeavoured to do +me all the ill Offices he could among these Gentlemen_, (_i. e._Pyrates.) + +And secondly, That he had signed the Pyrate's Articles with a great deal of +Alacrity, and gloried in having been the first Surgeon that had done so, +(for before this, it was their Custom to change their Surgeons, when they +desired it, after having served a Time, and never obliged them to sign, but +he was resolved to break thro' this, for the good of those who were to +follow,) swearing immediately upon it, he was now, he hoped, as great a +Rogue as any of them. + +Captain _Jo. Trahern_, and _George Fenn_, his Mate, deposed, the Prisoner +to have taken out of the _King Solomon_, their Surgeon's capital +Instruments, some Medicines, and a Back-Gammon Table; which latter became +the Means of a Quarrel between one _Wincon_, and he, whose Property they +should be, and were yielded to the Prisoner. + +_Jo. Sharp_, Master of the _Elizabeth_, heard the Prisoner ask _Roberts_ +leave to force _Comry_, his Surgeon, from him, which was accordingly done, +and with him, carried also some of the Ship's Medicines: But what gave a +fuller Proof of the dishonesty of his Principles, was, the treacherous +Design he had formed of running away with the Prize, in her Passage to Cape +_Corso_, though he had been treated with all Humanity, and very unlike a +Prisoner, on Account of his Employ and better Education, which had rendred +him less to be suspected. + +_Mr. Child_, (acquitted) depos'd, that in their Passage from the Island of +St. _Thomas_, in the _Fortune_ Prize, this Prisoner was several Times +tempting him, into Measures of rising with the Negroes, and killing the +_Swallow_'s People, shewing him, how easily the white Men might be +demolished, and a new Company raised at _Angola_, and that Part of the +Coast, _for_, says he, _I understand how to navigate a Ship, and can soon +teach you to steer; and is it not better to do this, than to go back to_ +Cape-Corso, _and be hanged and Sun-dryed?_ To which the Deponent replying, +he was not afraid of being hanged, _Scudamore_ bid him be still, and no +Harm should come to him; but before the next Day-Evening, which was the +designed Time of executing this Project, the Deponent discovered it to the +Officer, and assured him, _Scudamore_ had been talking all the preceeding +Night to the Negroes, in _Angolan_ Language. + +_Isaac Burnet_ heard the Prisoner ask _James Harris_, a Pyrate, (left with +the wounded in the Prize,) whether he was willing to come into the Project +of running away with the Ship, and endeavour the raising of a new Company, +but turned the Discourse to Horse-Racing, as the Deponent crept nigher; he +acquainted the Officer with what he had heard, who kept the People under +Arms all Night, their Apprehensions of the Negroes not being groundless; +for many of them having lived a long Time in this pyratical Way, were, by +the thin Commons they were now reduced to, as ripe for Mischief as any. + +The Prisoner in his Defence said, he was a forced Man from Captain _Rolls_, +in _October_ last, and if he had not shewn such a Concern as became him, at +the Alteration, he must remark the Occasion to be, the Disagreement and +Enmity between them; but that both _Roberts_, and _Val. Ashplant_, +threat'ned him into signing their Articles, and that he did it in Terror. + +The _King Solomon_, and _Elizabeth_ Medicine-Chest, he owns he plundered, +by Order of _Hunter_, the then chief Surgeon, who, by the Pyrates Laws, +always directs in this Province, and Mr. _Child_, (tho' acquitted) had by +the same Orders taken out a whole _French_ Medicine-Chest, which he must be +sensible for me, as well as for himself, we neither of us dared to have +denied; it was their being the proper Judges, made so ungrateful an Office +imposed. If after this he was elected chief Surgeon himself, both _Comry_ +and _Wilson_ were set up also, and it might have been their Chance to have +carried it, and as much out of their Power to have refused. + +As to the Attempt of rising and running away with the Prize, he denies it +altogether as untrue; a few foolish Words, but only by Way of Supposition, +that if the Negroes should take it in their Heads (considering the +Weakness, and ill look-out that was kept;) it would have been an easy +Matter, in his Opinion for them to have done it; but that he encouraged +such a Thing, was false, his talking to them in the _Angolan_ Language, was +only a Way of spending his Time, and trying his Skill to tell twenty, he +being incapable of further Talk. As to his understanding Navigation, he had +frequently acknowledg'd it to the Deponent _Child_, and wonders he should +now so circumstantiate this Skill against him. _Guilty._ + +_Robert Johnson._ + +IT appeared to the Court, that the Prisoner was one of the twenty +Men, in that Boat of the Pyrates, which afterwards robb'd the _King +Solomon_, at an Anchor near Cape _Appollonia_: That all Pyrates on this, +and the like Service, were Voluntiers, and he, in particular, had contested +his going on Board a second Time, tho' out of his Turn. + +The Prisoner in his Defence, called for _Harry Glasby_, who witnessed to +his being so very drunk, when he first came among their Crew, that they +were forced to hoist him out of one Ship into the other, with a Tackle, and +therefore without his Consent; but had since been a trusty Man, and was +placed to the Helm, in that running Battle they made with the _Swallow._ + +He insisted for himself likewise, on Captain _Turner_'s Affidavit of his +being forced, on which others (his Ship-mates) had been cleared. + +The Court considering the Partiality that might be objected in acquitting +one, and condemning another of the same standing, thought sit to remark it +as a clear Testimony of their Integrity, that their Care and Indulgence to +each Man, in allowing his particular Defence, was to exempt from the Rigour +of the Law, such, who it must be allowed, would have stood too +promiscuously condemned, if they had not been heard upon any other Fact +than that of the _Swallow_; and herein what could better direct them, than +a Character and Behaviour from their own Associates; for tho' a voluntary +Entry with the Pyrates may be doubtful, yet his consequent Actions are not, +and it is not so material how a Man comes among Pyrates, as how he acts +when he is there. _Guilty._ + +_George Wilson._ + +J_OHN Sharp_, Master of the _Elizabeth_, in which Ship the Prisoner +was Passenger, and fell a second Time into the Pyrates Hands, deposes, that +he took the said _Wilson_ off from _Sestos_, on this Coast, paying to the +Negroes for his Ransom, the Value of three Pound five Shillings in Goods, +for which he had taken a Note, that he thought he had done a charitable Act +in this, till meeting with one Captain _Canning_, he was ask'd, why he +would release such a Rogue as _Wilson_ was? For that he had been a +Voluntier with the Pyrates, out of _John Tarlton._ And when the Deponent +came to be a Prisoner himself, he found _Thomas_, the Brother of this _John +Tarlton_, a Prisoner with the Pyrates also, who was immediately on +_Wilson_'s Instigation, in a most sad manner misused and beat, and had been +shot, through the Fury and Rage of some of those Fellows, if the Town-side, +(_i. e. Liverpool_) Men, had not hid him in a Stay-Sail, under the +Bowsprit; for _Moody_ and _Harper_, with their Pistols cock'd, searched +every Corner of the Ship to find him, and came to this Deponent's Hammock, +whom they had like fatally to have mistaken for _Tarlton_, but on his +calling out, they found their Error, and left him with this comfortable +Anodyne, That he was the honest Fellow who brought the Doctor. At coming +away, the Prisoner asked about his Note, whether the Pyrates had it or no? +Who not being able readily to tell, he reply'd, it's no Matter Mr. _Sharp_, +I believe I shall hardly ever come to _England_ to pay it. + +_Adam Comry_, Surgeon of the _Elizabeth_, says, that altho' the Prisoner +had, on Account of his Indisposition and Want, received many Civilities +from him, before meeting with the Pyrates, he yet understood it was thro' +his and _Scudamore_'s Means, that he had been compelled among them: The +Prisoner was very alert and chearful, he says, at meeting with _Roberts_, +hailed him, told him he was glad to see him, and would come on Board +presently, borrowing of the Deponent a clean Shirt and Drawers, for his +better Appearence and Reception; he signed their Articles willingly, and +used Arguments with him to do the same, saying, they should make their +Voyage in eight Months, to _Brasil_, Share 6 or 700 _l._ a Man, and then +break up. Again, when the Crew came to an Election of a chief Surgeon, and +this Deponent was set up with the others, _Wilson_ told him, he hoped he +should carry it from _Scudamore_, for that a quarter Share (which they had +more than others) would be worth looking after; but the Deponent missed the +Preferment, by the good Will of the _Ranger_'s People, who, in general, +voted for _Scudamore_, to get rid of him, (the chief Surgeon being always +to remain with the Commadore.) + +It appeared likewise by the Evidence of Captain _Jo. Trahern, Tho. Castel_, +and others, who had been taken by the Pyrates, and thence had Opportunities +of observing the Prisoners Conduct, that he seem'd thoroughly satisfy'd +with that Way of Life, and was particularly intimate with _Roberts_; they +often scoffing at the Mention of a Man of War, and saying, if they should +meet with any of the Turnip-Man's Ships, they would blow up, and go to +H--ll together. Yet setting aside these silly Freaks, to recommend himself, +his Laziness had got him many Enemies, even _Roberts_ told him, (on the +Complaint of a wounded Man, whom he had refused to dress) that he was a +double Rogue, to be there a second Time, and threat'ned to cut his Ears +off. + +The Evidence further assured the Court, from Captain _Thomas Tarlton_, that +the Prisoner was taken out of his Brother's Ship, some Months before, a +first Time, and being forward to oblige his new Company, had presently +ask'd for the Pyrates Boat, to fetch the Medicine Chest away; when the Wind +and Current proving too hard to contend with, they were drove on Shore at +Cape _Montzerado._ + +The Prisoner called for _William Darling_, and _Samuel Morwel_, (acquitted) +and _Nicholas Butler._ + +_William Darling_ deposed, the first Time the Prisoner fell into their +Hands, _Roberts_ mistook him for _Jo. Tarlton_ the Master, and being +informed it was the Surgeon who came to represent him, (then indisposed,) +he presently swore he should be his Mess-Mate, to which _Wilson_ reply'd, +he hop'd not, he had a Wife and Child, which the other laughed at; and that +he had been two Days on Board, before he went in that Boat, which was drove +on Shore at Cape _Montzerado._ And at his second coming, in the +_Elizabeth_, he heard _Roberts_ order he should be brought on Board in the +first Boat. + +_Samuel Morwel_ says, that he has heard him bewail his Condition, while on +Board the Pyrate, and desired one _Thomas_, to use his Interest with +_Roberts_, for a Discharge, saying, his Employ, and the little Fortune he +had left at Home, would, he hop'd, exempt him the further Trouble of +seeking his Bread at Sea. + +_Nicholas Butler_, who had remained with the Pyrates about 48 Hours, when +they took the _French_ Ships at _Whydah_, deposes, that in this Space the +Prisoner addressed him in the _French_ Language, several Times, deploring +the Wretchedness and ill Fortune of being confined in such Company. + +The Prisoner desiring Liberty of two or three Questions, ask'd, whether or +no he had not expostulated with _Roberts_, for a Reason of his obliging +Surgeons to sign their Articles, when heretofore they did not; Whether he +had not expressed himself glad of having formerly escaped from them? +Whether he had not said, at taking the Ships in _Whydah_ Road, that he +could like the Sport, were it lawful? And whether if he had not told him, +should the Company discharge any Surgeon, that he would insist on it as his +Turn? The Deponent answered, Yes, to every Question separately; and +farther, that he believes _Scudamore_ had not seen _Wilson_ when he first +came and found him out of the _Elizabeth._ + +He added, in his own Defence, that being Surgeon with one _John Tarlton_, +of _Leverpool_, he was met a first Time on this Coast of _Guiney_, by +_Roberts_ the Pyrate; who, after a Day or two, told him, to his Sorrow, +that he was to stay there, and ordered him to fetch his Chest, (not +Medicines, as asserted,) which Opportunity he took to make his Escape; for +the Boat's Crew happening to consist of five _French_ and one _English_ +Man, all as willing as himself, they agreed to push the Boat on Shore, and +trust themselves with the Negroes of Cape _Montzerado_: Hazardous, not only +in Respect of the dangerous Seas that run there, but the Inhumanity of the +Natives, who sometimes take a liking to humane Carcasses. Here he remained +five Months, till _Thomas Tarlton_, Brother to his Captain chanced to put +in the Road for Trade, to whom he represented his Hardships and starving +Condition; but was, in an unchristian Manner, both refused a Release of +this Captivity, or so much as a small Supply of Biscuit and salt Meat, +because, as he said, he had been among the Pyrates. A little Time after +this, the Master of a _French_ Ship paid a Ransom for him, and took him +off; but, by Reason of a nasty leperous Indisposition he had contracted by +hard and bad living, was, to his great Misfortune set ashore at _Sestos_ +again, when Captain _Sharp_ met him, and generously procured his Release in +the Manner himself has related, and for which he stands infinitely +obliged.--That ill Luck threw him a second Time into the Pyrate's Hands, in +this Ship _Elizabeth_, where he met _Thomas Tarlton_, and thoughtlesly used +some Reproaches of him, for his severe Treatment at _Montzerado_; but +protests without Design his Words should have had so bad a Consequence; for +_Roberts_ took upon him, as a Dispenser of Justice, the Correction of Mr. +_Tarlton_, beating him unmercifully; and he hopes it will be belived, +contrary to any Intention of his it should so happen, because as a Stranger +he might be supposed to have no Influence, and believes there were some +other Motives for it.--He cannot remember he expressed himself glad to see +_Roberts_ this second Time, or that he dropped those Expressions about +_Comry_, as are sworn; but if immaturity of Judgment had occasioned him to +slip rash and inadvertent Words, or that he had paid any undue Compliments +to _Roberts_, it was to ingratiate himself, as every Prisoner did, for a +more civil Treatment, and in particular to procure his Discharge, which he +had been promised, and was afraid would have been revoked, if such a Person +as _Comry_ did not remain there to supply his Room; and of this, he said, +all the Gentlemen (meaning the Pyrates) could witness for him. + +He urged also his Youth in Excuse for his Rashness.--The first time he had +been with them (only a Month in all,) and that in no military Employ; but +in particular, the Service he had done in discovering the Design the +Pyrates had to rise in their Passage on Board the _Swallow. Guilty._ + + * * * + +But Execution respited till the King's Pleasure be known, because the +Commander of the _Swallow_ had declared, the first Notice he received of +this Design of the Pyrates to rise, was from him. + +_Benjamin Jefferys_ + +BY the Depositions of _Glasby_ and _Lillburn_ (acquitted) against +this Prisoner, it appeared, that his Drunkenness was what at first detained +him from going away in his proper Ship, the _Norman_ Galley; and next +Morning, for having been abusive in his Drink, saying to the Pyrates, there +was not a Man amongst them, he received for a Welcome, six Lashes from +every Person in the Ship, which disordered him for some Weeks, but on +Recovery was made Boatswain's Mate; the serving of which, or any Office on +Board a Pyrate, is at their own Option, (tho' elected,) because others are +glad to accept what brings an additional Share in Prize. + +The Deponents further say, that at _Sierraleon_ every Man had more +especially the Means of escaping; and that this Prisoner, in particular, +neglected it, and came off from that Place after their Ship was under Sail, +and going out of the River. + +The Prisoner, in his Defence, protests, he was at first forc'd; and that +the Office of Boatswain's Mate was imposed on him, and what he would have +been glad to have relinquish'd. That the barbarous Whipping he had received +from the Pyrates at first, was for telling them, that none who could get +their Bread in an honest Way, would be on such an Account. And he had +certainly taken the Opportunity which presented at _Sierraleon_, of ridding +himself from so distastful a Life, if there had not been three or four of +the old Pyrates on Shore at the same Time, who, he imagined, must know of +him, and would doubtless have served him the same, if not worse, than they +since had done _William Williams_; who, for such a Design, being delivered +up by the treacherous Natives, had received two Lashes thro' the whole +Ship's Company. + +The Court observed, the Excuses of these Pyrates, about want of Means to +escape, was oftentimes as poor and evasive as their Pleas of being forced +at first; for here, at _Sierraleon_, every Man had his Liberty on Shore, +and it was evident, might have kept it, if he, or they, had so pleased. And +such are further culpable, who having been introduced into the Society, by +such uncivil Methods, as whipping, or beating, neglect less likely Means of +regaining Liberty; it shews strong Inclinations to Dishonesty, and they +stand inexcusably, _Guilty._ + +_Jo. Mansfield._ + +IT was proved against this Prisoner, by Captain _Trahern_ and _George +Fenn_, that he was one of those Voluntiers who was at the Attack and +Robbery of the Company's Ship, called the _King Solomon_: That he bully'd +well among them who dar'd not make any Reply, but was very easy with his +Friends, who knew him; for _Moody_, on this Occasion, took a large Glass +from him, and threatned to blow his Brains out, (a favourite Phrase with +these Pyrates) if he muttered at it. + +From others acquitted, it likewise appeared, that he was at first a +Voluntier among them, from an Island call'd _Dominico_, in the +_West-Indies_, and had to recommend himself, told them, he was a Deserter +from the _Rose_ Man of War, and before that, had been on the High-Way; he +was always drunk, they said, and so bad at the Time they met with the +_Swallow_, that he knew nothing of the Action, but came up vapouring with +his Cutlash, after the _Fortune_ had struck her Colours, to know who would +go on Board the Prize; and it was some Time before they could perswade him +into the Truth of their Condition. + +He could say little in Defence of himself, acknowledg'd this latter Part of +Drunkenness; a Vice, he says, that had too great a Share in insnaring him +into this Course of Life, and had been a greater Motive with him than Gold. +_Guilty._ + +_William Davis._ + +W_Illiam Allen_ deposed, he knew this Prisoner at _Sierraleon_, +belonging to the _Ann_ Galley; that he had a Quarrel with, and beat the +Mate of that Ship, for which (as he said) being afraid to return to his +Duty, he consorted to the idle Customs and Ways of living among the +Negroes, from whom he received a Wife, and ungratefully sold her, one +Evening, for some Punch to quench his Thirst. After this, having put +himself under the Protection of Mr. _Plunket_, Governor there for the Royal +_African_ Company: The Relations and Friends of the Woman, apply'd to him +for Redress, who immediately surrendered the Prisoner, and told them, he +did not care if they took his Head off; but the Negroes wisely judging it +would not fetch so good a Price, they sold him in his Turn again to +Seignior _Jossee_, a Christian Black, and Native of that Place; who +expected and agreed for two Years Service from him, on Consideration of +what he had disbursed, for the Redemption of the Woman: But long before the +Expiration of this Time, _Roberts_ came into _Sierraleon_ River, where the +Prisoner, (as Seignior _Jossee_ assured the Deponent,) entered a Voluntier +with them. + +The Deponent further corroborates this Part of the Evidence; in that he +being obliged to call at Cape _Mount_, in his Passage down hither, met +there with two Deserters from _Roberts_'s Ship, who assured him of the +same; and that the Pyrates did design to turn _Davis_ away the next +Opportunity, as an idle good-for-nothing Fellow. + +From _Glasby_ and _Lilburn_, it was evident, that every Pyrate, while they +stay'd at _Sierraleon_, went on Shore at Discretion. That _Roberts_ had +often assured Mr. _Glyn_ and other Traders, at that Place, that he would +force no Body; and in short, there was no Occasion for it; in particular, +the Prisoner's Row-Mate went away, and thinks, he might have done the same, +if he had pleased. + +The Prisoner alledged his having been detained against his Will, and says, +that returning with Elephants Teeth for _Sierraleon_, the Pyrate's Boat +pursued and brought him on Board, where he was kept on Account of his +understanding the Pilotage and Navigation of that River. + +It was obvious to the Court, not only how frivolous Excuses of Constraint +and Force were among these People, at their first commencing Pyrates, but +also it was plain to them, from these two Deserters, met at Cape _Mount_, +and the discretional Manner they lived in, at _Sierraleon_; thro' how +little Difficulty several of them did, and others might, have escaped +afterwards, if they could but have obtained their own Consents for it. +_Guilty._ + + * * * + +This is the Substance of the Tryals of _Roberts_'s Crew, which may suffice +for others, that occur in this Book. The foregoing Lists, shews, by a * +before the Names, who were condemn'd; those Names with a + were referred +for Tryal to the _Marshalsea_, and all the rest were acquitted. + +The following Pyrates were executed, according to their Sentence, +without the Gates of Cape _Corso-Castle_, within the Flood-Marks, _viz._ + +Mens Names Years of Age Habitations. +William Magnes 35 Minehead. +Richard Hardy 25 Wales. +David Sympson 36 North-Berwick. +Christopher Moody 28 +Thomas Sutton 23 Berwick. +Valentine Ashplant 32 Minories. +Peter de Vine 42 Stepney. +William Philips 29 Lower-Shadwell. +Philip Bill 27 St. Thomas's. +William Main 28 +William Mackintosh 21 Canterbury. +William Williams 40 nigh Plymouth. +Robert Haws 31 Yarmouth. +William Petty 30 Deptford. +John Jaynson 22 nigh Lancaster. +Marcus Johnson 21 Smyrna. +Robert Crow 44 Isle of Man. +Michael Maer 41 Ghent. +Daniel Harding 26 Croomsbury in Somersetshire. +William Fernon 22 Somersetshire. +Jo. More 19 Meer in Wiltshire. +Abraham Harper 23 Bristol. +Jo. Parker 22 Winfred in Dorsetshire. +Jo. Philips 28 Alloway in Scotland. +James Clement 20 Jersey. +Peter Scvdamore 35 Bristol. +James Skyrm 44 Wales. +John Walden 24 Somersetshire. +Jo. Stephenson 40 Whitby. +Jo. Mansfield 30 Orkneys. +Israel Hynde 30 Bristol. +Peter Lesley 21 Aberdeen. +Charles Bunce 26 Excter +Robert Birtson 30 Other St. Maries Devonshire. +Richard Harris 45 Cornwall. +Joseph Nosuter 26 Sadbury in Devonshire. +William Williams 30 Speechless at Execution. +Agge Jacobson 30 Holland. +Benjamin Jefferys 21 Bristol. +Cuthbert Goss 21 Topsham. +John Jessup 20 Plymouth. +Edward Watts 22 Dunmore. +Thomas Giles 26 Mine-head. +William Wood 27 York. +Thomas Armstrong 34 London, executed on board the Weymouth. +Robert Johnson 32 at Whydah. +George Smith 25 Wales. +William Watts 23 Ireland. +James Philips 35 Antegoa. +John Coleman 24 Wales. +Robert Hays 20 Liverpool. +William Davis 23 Wales. + +The Remainder of the Pyrates, whose Names are under mentioned, upon their +humble Petition to the Court, had their Sentence changed from Death, to +seven Years Servitude, conformable to our Sentence of Transportation; the +Petition is as follows. + + * * * + +_To the Honourable the President and Judges of the Court of +Admiralty, for trying of Pyrates, sitting at_ Cape Corso-Castle; _the_ +20_th Day of_ April, 1722. + +The humble Petition of _Thomas How, Samuel Fletcher_, &c. + + Humbly sheweth, + +T_HAT your Petitioners being unhappily, and unwarily drawn into that +wretched and detestable Crime of Pyracy, for which they now stand justly +condemned, they most humbly pray the Clemency of the Court, in the +Mitigation of their Sentence, that they may be permitted to serve the +Royal_ African _Company of_ England, _in this Country for seven Years, in +such a Manner as the Court shall think proper; that by their just +Punishment, being made sensible of the Error of their former Ways, they +will for the future become faithful Subjects, good Servants, and useful in +their Stations, if it please the Almighty to prolong their Lives._ + +And your Petitioners, as in Duty, _&c._ + +The Resolution of the Court was, + +T_HAT the Petitioners have Leave by this Court of Admiralty, to +interchange Indentures with the Captain General of the_ Gold Coast, _for +the Royal_ African _Company, for seven Years Servitude, at any of the +Royal_ African _Company's Settlements in_ Africa, _in such Manner as he the +said Captain General shall think proper._ + +_On_ Thursday _the_ 26_th Day of_ April, _the Indentures being all drawn +out, according to the Grant made to the Petitioners, by the Court held on_ +Friday _the_ 20_th of this Instant; each Prisoner was sent for up, signed, +sealed and exchanged them in the Presence of_ + +_Captain_ Mungo Herdman, _President_, James Phipps, _Esq_; _Mr._ +Edward Hyde, _Mr._ Charles Fanshaw, _And Mr._ John Atkins, _Register._ + +_A Copy of the Indenture._ + + The Indenture of a Person + condemned to serve abroad for Pyracy, which, upon the + humble Petition of the Pyrates therein mentioned, was + most mercifully granted by his Imperial Majesty's + Commissioners and Judges appointed to hold a Court of + Admiralty, for the Tryal of Pyrates at Cape + _Corso-Castle_, in _Africa_, upon Condition of serving + seven Years, and other Conditions, are as follows, + _viz._ + +T_HIS Indenture made the twenty sixth Day of_ April, Anno Regni Regis +Georgii magnæ Britanniæ, _&c._ Septimo, Domini, Millessimo, Sepcentessimo +viginti duo, _between_ Roger Scot, _late of the City of_ Bristol _Mariner, +of the one Part, and the Royal_ African _Company of_ England, _their +Captain General and Commander in Chief, for the Time being, on the other +Part_, Witnesseth, _that the said_ Roger Scot, _doth hereby covenant, and +agree to, and with, the said Royal_ African _Company, their Captain +General, and Commander in chief for the Time being, to serve him, or his +lawful Successors, in any of the Royal_ African _Company's Settlements on +the Coast of_ Africa, _from the Day of the Date of these Presents, to the +full Term of seven Years, from hence next ensuing, fully to be compleat and +ended; there to serve in such Employment, as the said Captain General, or +his Successors shall employ him; according to the Custom of the Country in +like Kind._ + +_In Consideration whereof, the said Captain General, and Commander in chief +doth covenant and agree, to, and with, the said_ Roger Scot, _to find and +allow him Meat, Drink, Apparel and Lodging, according to the Custom of the +Country._ + +_In witness whereof, the Parties aforesaid, to these Presents, have +interchangably put their Hands and Seals, the Day and Year first above +written._ + +_Signed, sealed and delivered, in the Presence of us, at Cape_ +Corso-Castle, _in_ Africa, _where no stamp'd Paper was to be had._ + +Mungo Heardman, _President_, Witness. John Atkins, _Register_, +Witness. + +In like Manner was drawn out and exchanged the Indentures of + +T_Homas How_ of _Barnstable_, in the County of _Devon._ + +_Samuel Fletcher_ of _East-Smithfield, London._ + +_John Lane_ of _Lombard-Street, London._ + +_David Littlejohn_ of _Bristol._ + +_John King_ of _Shadwell_ Parish, _London._ + +_Henry Dennis_ of _Bidiford._ + +_Hugh Harris_ of _Corf-Castle, Devonshire._ + +_William Taylor_ of _Bristol._ + +_Thomas Owen_ of _Bristol._ + +_John Mitchel_ of _Shadwell_ Parish, _London._ + +_Joshua Lee_ of _Leverpool._ + +_William Shuren_ of _Wapping_ Parish, _London._ + +_Robert Hartley_ of _Leverpool._ + +_John Griffin_ of _Blackwall, Middlesex._ + +_James Cromby_ of _London, Wapping._ + +_James Greenham_ of _Marshfield, Gloucestershire._ + +_John Horn_ of St. _James's_ Parish, _London._ + +_John Jessop_ of _Wisbich, Cambridgshire._ + +_David Rice_ of _Bristol._ + + * * * + +None of which, I hear, are now living, two others, _viz. George Wilson_ and +_Thomas Oughterlaney_, were respited from Execution, till his Majesty's +Pleasure should be known; the former dy'd abroad, and the latter came Home, +and received his Majesty's Pardon; the Account of the whole stands thus, + +Acquitted, 74 +Executed, 52 +Respited, 2 +To Servitude, 20 +To the Marshalsea, 17 +Kill'd in the Ranger, 10 +Kill'd in the Fortune, 3 +Dy'd in the Passage to Cape Corso, 15 +Dy'd afterwards in the Castle, 4 +Negroes in both Ships, 70 + ---------- + Total, 276 + +I am not ignorant how acceptable the Behaviour and dying Words of +Malefactors are to the generallity of our Countrymen, and therefore shall +deliver what occurr'd, worthy of Notice, in the Behaviour of these +Criminals. + +The first six that were called to Execution, were _Magnes, Moody, Sympson, +Sutton, Ashplant_, and _Hardy_; all of them old Standers and notorious +Offenders: When they were brought out of the Hold, on the Parade, in order +to break off their Fetters, and fit the Halters; none of them, it was +observed, appeared the least dejected, unless _Sutton_, who spoke faint, +but it was rather imputed to a Flux that had seiz'd him two or three Days +before, than Fear. A Gentleman, who was Surgeon of the Ship, was so +charitable at this Time, to offer himself in the room of an Ordinary, and +represented to them, as well as he was able, the Heinousness of their Sin, +and Necessity which lay on them of Repentance; one particular Part of which +ought to be, acknowledging the Justice they had met with. They seem'd +heedless for the present, some calling for Water to drink, and others +applying to the Soldiers for Caps, but when this Gentleman press'd them for +an Answer, they all exclaim'd against the Severity of the Court, and were +so harden'd, as to curse, and wish the same Justice might overtake all the +Members of it, as had been dealt to them. _They were poor Rogues_, they +said, _and so hang'd, while others, no less guilty in another Way, +escaped._ + +When he endeavoured to compose their Minds, exhorting them to dye in +Charity with all the World, and would have diverted them from such vain +Discourse, by asking them their Country, Age, and the like; some of them +answered, `What was that to him, they suffered the Law, and should give no +Account but to God;´ walking to the Gallows without a Tear, in Token of +Sorrow for their past Offences, or shewing as much Concern as a Man would +express at travelling a bad Road; nay, _Sympson_, at seeing a Woman that he +knew, said, `he had lain with that B--h three times, and now she was come +to see him hang'd.´ And _Hardy_, when his Hands were ty'd behind him, +(which happened from their not being acquainted with the Way of bringing +Malefactors to Execution,) observed, `that he had seen many a Man hang'd, +but this Way of the Hands being ty'd behind them, he was a Stranger to, and +never saw before in his Life.´ I mention these two little Instances, to +shew how stupid and thoughtless they were of their End, and that the same +abandoned and reprobate Temper that had carried them thro' their Rogueries, +abided with them to the last. + +_Samuel Fletcher_, another of the Pyrates ordered for Execution, but +reprieved, seem'd to have a quicker Sense of his Condition; for when he saw +those he was allotted with gone to Execution, he sent a Message by the +Provost-Marshal to the Court, to be `inform'd of the Meaning of it, and +humbly desir'd to know whether they design'd him Mercy, or not? If they +did, he stood infinitely oblig'd to them, and thought the whole Service of +his Life an incompetent Return for so great a Favour; but that if he was to +suffer, the sooner the better, _he said_, that he might be out of his +Pain.´ + +There were others of these Pyrates the reverse of this, and tho' destitute +of Ministers, or fit Persons to represent their Sins, and assist them with +spiritual Advice, were yet always imploying their Time to good Purposes, +and behaved with a great deal of seeming Devotion and Penitence; among +these may be reckon'd _Scudamore, Williams, Philips, Stephenson, Jefferys, +Lesly, Harper, Armstrong, Bunce_, and others. + +_Scudamore_ too lately discerned the Folly and Wickedness of the +Enterprize, that had chiefly brought him under Sentence of Death, from +which, seeing there was no Hopes of escaping, he petitioned for two or +three Days Reprieve, which was granted; and for that Time apply'd himself +incessantly to Prayer, and reading the Scriptures, seem'd to have a deep +Sense of his Sins, of this in particular, and desired, at the Gallows, they +would have Patience with him, to sing the first Part of the thirty first +Psalm; which he did by himself throughout. + +_Armstrong_, having been a Deserter from his Majesty's Service, was +executed on Board the _Weymouth_, (and the only one that was;) there was no +Body to press him to an Acknowledgement of the Crime he died for, nor of +sorrowing in particular for it, which would have been exemplary, and made +suitable Impressions on Seamen; so that his last Hour was spent in +lamenting and bewailing his Sins in general, exhorting the Spectators to an +honest and good Life, in which alone they could find Satisfaction. In the +End, he desir'd they would join with him in singing two or three latter +Verses of the 140th Psalm; and that being concluded, he was, at the firing +of a Gun, tric'd up at the Fore-Yard-Arm. + +_Bunce_ was a young Man, not above 26 Years old, but made the most +pathetical Speech of any at the Gallows. He first declaim'd against the +guilded Bates of Power, Liberty, and Wealth, that had ensnar'd him among +the Pyrates, his unexperienc'd Years not being able to withstand the +Temptation; but that the Briskness he had shewn, which so fatally had +procured him Favour amongst them, was not so much a Fault in Principle, as +the Liveliness and Vivacity of his Nature. He was now extreamly afflicted +for the Injuries he had done to all Men, and begg'd their's and God's +Forgiveness, very earnestly exhorting the Spectators to remember their +Creator in their Youth, and guard betimes, that their Minds took not a +wrong Byass, concluding with this apt Similitude, _That he stood there as a +Beacon upon a Rock_, (the Gallows standing on one) _to warn erring +Marriners of Danger._ + +CHAP. X. OF Captain _ANSTIS_, And his CREW. + +T_HOMAS Anstis_ ship'd himself at _Providence_ in the Year 1718, +aboard the _Buck_ Sloop, and was one of six that conspired together to go +off a pyrating with the Vessel; the rest were, _Howel Davis, Roberts_'s +Predecessor, killed at the Island of _Princes; Dennis Topping_, killed at +the taking of the rich _Portuguese_ Ship on the Coast of _Brasil; Walter +Kennedy_, hanged at _Execution-Dock_, and two others, which I forbear to +name, because, I understand they are at this Day employ'd in an honest +Vocation in the City. + +What followed concerning _Anstis_'s Pyracies, has been included in the two +preceeding Chapters; I shall only observe that the Combination of these six +Men abovementioned, was the Beginning of that Company, that afterwards +proved so formidable under Captain _Roberts_, from whom _Anstis_ separated +the 18th of _April_ 1721, in the _Good Fortune_ Brigantine, leaving his +Commadore to pursue his Adventures upon the Coast of _Guiney_, whilst he +returned to the _West-Indies_, upon the like Design. + +About the Middle of _June_, these Pyrates met with one Captain _Marston_, +between _Hispaniola_ and _Jamaica_, bound on a Voyage to _New-York_; from +whom they took all the wearing Apparel they could find, as also his Liquors +and Provision, and five of his Men, but did not touch his Cargo; two or +three other Vessels were also plundered by them, in this Cruise, out of +whom they stocked themselves with Provision and Men; among the rest, I +think, was the _Irwin_, Captain _Ross_, from _Cork_ in _Ireland_; but this +I won't be positive of, because they denied it themselves. This Ship had +600 Barrels of Beef aboard, besides other Provisions, and was taken off +_Martinico_, wherein Colonel _Doyly_ of _Montserrat_, and his Family were +Passengers. The Colonel was very much abused and wounded, for endeavouring +to save a poor Woman, that was also a Passenger, from the Insults of that +brutish Crew; and the Pyrates prevailing, twenty one of them forced the +poor Creature successively, afterwards broke her Back and flung her into +the Sea. I say, I will not be positive it was _Anstis_'s Crew that acted +this unheard of Violence and Cruelty, tho' the Circumstances of the Place, +the Time, the Force of the Vessel, and the Number of Men, do all concur, +and I can place the Villany no where else; but that such a Fact was done, +there is too much Evidence for it to be doubted of. + +When they thought fit to put an End to this Cruize, they went into one of +the Islands to clean, which they effected without any Disturbance, and came +out again, and stretching away towards _Burmudas_, met with a stout Ship, +called the _Morning Star_, bound from _Guiney_ to _Carolina_; they made +Prize of her, and kept her for their own Use. In a Day or two, a Ship from +_Barbadoes_ bound to _New-York_, fell into their Hands, and taking out her +Guns and Tackle, mounted the _Morning Star_ with 32 Pieces of Cannon, +mann'd her with a 100 Men, and appointed one _John Fenn_ Captain; for the +Brigantine being of far less Force, the _Morning Star_ would have fallen to +_Anstis_, as elder Officer, yet he was so in Love with his own Vessel, (she +being an excellent Sailor,) that he made it his Choice to stay in her, and +let _Fenn_, who was, before, his Gunner, Command the great Ship. + +Now, that they had two good Ships well mann'd, it may be supposed they were +in a Condition to undertake something bold: But their Government was +disturbed by Malecontents, and a Kingdom divided within it self cannot +stand; they had such a Number of new Men amongst them, that seem'd not so +violently enclined for the Game; that whatever the Captain proposed, it was +certainly carried against him, so that they came to no fix'd Resolution for +the undertaking any Enterprize; therefore there was nothing to be done, but +to break up the Company, which seemed to be the Inclination of the +Majority, but the Manner of doing so, concerned their common Safety; to +which Purpose various Means were proposed, at length it was concluded to +send home a Petition to his Majesty (there being then no Act of Indemnity +in Force) for a Pardon, and wait the Issue; at the same Time one _Jones_, +Boatswain of the _Good Fortune_, proposed a Place of safe Retreat, it being +an uninhabited Island near _Cuba_, which he had been used to in the late +War, when he went a privateering against the _Spaniards._ + +This being approved of, it was unanimously resolved on, and the +underwritten Petition drawn up and signed by the whole Company in the +Manner of what they call a _Round Robin_, that is, the Names were writ in a +Circle, to avoid all Appearance of Pre-eminence, and least any Person +should be mark'd out by the Government, as a principal Rogue among them. + +_To his most sacred Majesty_ George, _by the Grace of God, of_ +Great-Britain, France _and_ Ireland, _King, Defender of the Faith_, &c. + +The humble PETITION of the Company, now belonging to the Ship +_Morning Star_, and Brigantine _Good Fortune_, lying under the ignominious +Name and Denomination of PYRATES. + + Humbly sheweth, + +T_HAT we your Majesty's most loyal Subjects, have, at sundry Times, +been taken by_ Bartholomew Roberts, _the then Captain of the abovesaid +Vessels and Company, together with another Ship, in which we left him; and +have been forced by him and his wicked Accomplices, to enter into, and +serve, in the said Company, as Pyrates, much contrary to our Wills and +Inclinations: And we your loyal Subjects utterly abhoring and detesting +that impious way of Living, did, with an unanimous Consent, and contrary to +the Knowledge of the said_ Roberts, _or his Accomplices, on, or about the_ +18_th Day of_ April 1721, _leave, and ran away with the aforesaid Ship_ +Morning Star, _and Brigantine_ Good Fortune, _with no other Intent and +Meaning than the Hopes of obtaining your Majesty's most gracious Pardon. +And, that we your Majesty's most loyal Subjects, may with more Safety +return to our native Country, and serve the Nation, unto which we belong, +in our respective Capacities, without Fear of being prosecuted by the +Injured, whose Estates have suffered by the said_ Roberts _and his +Accomplices, during our forcible Detainment, by the said Company: We most +humbly implore your Majesty's most royal Assent, to this our humble +Petition._ + +And your Petitioners shall ever pray. + +This Petition was sent home by a Merchant Ship bound to _England_, from +_Jamaica_, who promised to speak with the Petitioners, in their Return, +about 20 Leagues to Windward of that Island, and let them know what Success +their Petition met with. When this was done, the Pyrates retires to the +Island before proposed, with the Ship and Brigantine. + +This Island (which I have no Name for) lies off the Southwest End of +_Cuba_, uninhabited, and little frequented. On the East End is a Lagune, so +narrow, that a Ship can but just go in, tho' there's from 15 to 22 Foot +Water, for almost a League up: On both Sides of the Lagune grows red +Mangrove Trees, very thick, that the Entrance of it, as well as the Vessels +laying there, is hardly to be seen. In the Middle of the Island are here +and there a small thick Wood of tall Pines, and other Trees scattered about +in different Places. + +Here they staid about nine Months, but not having Provision for above two, +they were forced to take what the Island afforded, which was Fish of +several Sorts, particularly Turtle, which latter was the chiefest Food they +lived on, and was found in great Plenty on the Coasts of this Island; +whether there might be any wild Hogs, Beef, or other Cattle, common to +several Islands of the _West-Indies_, or that the Pyrates were too idle to +hunt them, or whether they preferr'd other Provisions to that sort of Diet, +I know not; but I was informed by them, that for the whole Time they eat +not a Bit of any kind of Flesh-Meat, nor Bread; the latter was supply'd by +Rice, of which they had a great Quantity aboard: This was boyl'd and +squeez'd dry, and so eat with the Turtle. + +There are three or four Sorts of these Creatures in the _West-Indies_, the +largest of which will weight 150 or 200 Pound Weight or more, but those +that were found upon this Island were of the smallest Kind, weighing 10 or +12 Pounds each, with a fine natural wrought Shell, and beautifully clouded; +the Meat sweet and tender, some Part of it eating like Chicken, some like +Veal, _&c._ so that it was no extraordinary Hardship for them to live upon +this Provision alone, since it affords variety of Meats to the Taste, of it +self. The manner of catching this Fish is very particular; you must +understand, that in the Months of _May, June_ and _July_, they lay their +Eggs in order to hatch their Young, and this three times in a Season, which +is always in the Sand of the Sea-shore, each laying 80 or 90 Eggs at a +time. The Male accompanies the Female, and come ashore in the Night only, +when they must be watch'd, without making any Noise, or having a Light; as +soon as they land, the Men that watch for them, turn them on their Backs, +then haul them above high Water Mark, and leave them till next Morning, +where they are sure to find them, for they can't turn again, nor move from +the Place. It is to be observ'd, that besides their laying time, they come +ashore to feed, but then what's very remarkable in these Creatures, they +always resort to different Places to breed, leaving their usual Haunts for +two or three Months, and 'tis thought they eat nothing in all that Season. + +They pass'd their Time here in Dancing, and other Diversions, agreeable to +these sort of Folks; and among the rest, they appointed a Mock Court of +Judicature to try one another for Pyracy, and he that was a Criminal one +Day was made Judge another.-- I had an Account given me of one of these +merry Tryals, and as it appeared diverting, I shall give the Readers a +short Account of it. + +The Court and Criminals being both appointed, as also Council to plead, the +Judge got up in a Tree, and had a dirty Taurpaulin hung over his Shoulders; +this was done by Way of Robe, with a Thrum Cap on his Head, and a large +Pair of Spectacles upon his Nose: Thus equipp'd, he settled himself in his +Place, and abundance of Officers attending him below, with Crows, +Handspikes, _&c._ instead of Wands, Tipstaves, and such like.-- The +Criminals were brought out, making a thousand sour Faces; and one who acted +as Attorney-General opened the Charge against them; their Speeches were +very laconick, and their whole Proceedings concise. We shall give it by Way +of Dialogue. + +_Attorn. Gen._ An't please your Lordship, and you Gentlemen of the Jury, +here is a Fellow before you that is a sad Dog, a sad sad Dog; and I humbly +hope your Lordship will order him to be hang'd out of the Way +immediately.--He has committed Pyracy upon the High Seas, and we shall +prove, an't please your Lordship, that this Fellow, this sad Dog before +you, has escap'd a thousand Storms, nay, has got safe ashore when the Ship +has been cast away, which was a certain Sign he was not born to be drown'd; +yet not having the Fear of hanging before his Eyes, he went on robbing and +ravishing Man, Woman and Child, plundering Ships Cargoes fore and aft, +burning and sinking Ship, Bark and Boat, as if the Devil had been in him. +But this is not all, my Lord, he has committed worse Villanies than all +these, for we shall prove, that he has been guilty of drinking Small-Beer; +and your Lordship knows, there never was a sober Fellow but what was a +Rogue.--My Lord, I should have spoke much finer than I do now, but that, as +your Lordship knows our Rum is all out, and how should a Man speak good Law +that has not drank a Dram.--However, I hope, your Lordship will order the +Fellow to be hang'd. + +_Judge._--Hearkee me, Sirrah,--you lousy, pittiful, ill-look'd Dog; what +have you to say why you should not be tuck'd up immediately, and set a +Sun-drying like a Scare-crow?--Are you guilty, or not guilty? + +_Pris._ Not guilty, an't please your Worship. + +_Judge._ Not guilty! say so again, Sirrah, and I'll have you hang'd without +any Tryal. + +_Pris._ An't please your Worship's Honour, my Lord, I am as honest a poor +Fellow as ever went between Stem and Stern of a Ship, and can hand, reef, +steer, and clap two Ends of a Rope together, as well as e'er a He that ever +cross'd salt Water; but I was taken by one _George Bradley_ [the Name of +him that sat as Judge,] a notorious Pyrate, a sad Rogue as ever was +unhang'd, and he forc'd me, an't please your Honour. + +_Judge._ Answer me, Sirrah,--How will you be try'd? + +_Pris._ By G-- and my Country. + +_Judge._ The Devil you will.--Why then, Gentlemen of the Jury, I think we +have nothing to do but to proceed to Judgment. + +_Attor. Gen._ Right, my Lord; for if the Fellow should be suffer'd to +speak, he may clear himself, and that's an Affront to the Court. + +_Pris._ Pray, my Lord, I hope your Lordship will consider-- + +_Judge._ Consider!--How dare you talk of considering? --Sirrah, Sirrah, I +never consider'd in all my Life. --I'll make it Treason to consider. + +_Pris._ But, I hope, your Lordship will hear some Reason. + +_Judge._ D'ye hear how the Scoundrel prates?--What have we to do with +Reason?--I'd have you to know, Raskal, we don't sit here to hear +Reason;--we go according to Law.--Is our Dinner ready? + +_Attor. Gen._ Yes, my Lord. + +_Judge._ Then heark'ee, you Raskal at the Bar; hear me, Sirrah, hear +me.--You must suffer, for three Reasons; first, because it is not fit I +should sit here as Judge, and no Body be hang'd.--Secondly, you must be +hang'd, because you have a damn'd hanging Look:--And thirdly, you must be +hang'd, because I am hungry; for know, Sirrah, that 'tis a Custom, that +whenever the Judge's Dinner is ready before the Tryal is over, the Prisoner +is to be hang'd of Course.--There's Law for you, ye Dog.--So take him away +Goaler. + + * * * + +This is the Tryal just as it was related to me; the Design of my setting it +down, is only to shew how these Fellows can jest upon Things, the Fear and +Dread of which, should make them tremble. + +The beginning of _August_ 1722, the Pyrates made ready the Brigantine, and +came out to Sea, and beating up to Windward, lay in the Track for their +Correspondant in her Voyage to _Jamaica_, and spoke with her; but finding +nothing was done in _England_ in their Favour, as 'twas expected, they +return'd to their Consorts at the Island with the ill News, and found +themselves under a Necessity, as they fancied, to continue that abominable +Course of Life they had lately practis'd; in order thereto, they sail'd +with the Ship and Brigantine to the Southward, and the next Night, by +intolerable Neglect, they run the _Morning Star_ upon the _Grand Caimanes_, +and wreck'd her; the Brigantine seeing the Fate of her Consort, hall'd off +in Time, and so weather'd the Island. The next Day Captain _Anstis_ put in, +and found that all, or the greatest part of the Crew, were safe ashore, +whereupon she came to an Anchor, in order to fetch them off; and having +brought _Fenn_ the Captain, _Philips_ the Carpenter, and a few others +aboard, two Men of War came down upon them, _viz._ the _Hector_ and +_Adventure_, so that the Brigantine had but just Time to cut their Cable, +and get to Sea, with one of the Men of War after her, keeping within +Gun-shot for several Hours. _Anstis_ and his Crew were now under the +greatest Consternation imaginable, finding the Gale freshen, and the Man of +War gaining Ground upon them, so that, in all Probability, they must have +been Prisoners in two Hours more; but it pleased God to give them a little +longer Time, the Wind dying away, the Pyrates got out their Oars, and row'd +for their Lives, and thereby got clear of their Enemy. + +The _Hector_ landed her Men upon the Island, and took 40 of the _Morning +Star_'s Crew, without any Resistance made by them; but on the contrary, +alledging, they were forc'd Men, and that they were glad of this +Opportunity to escape from the Pyrates; the rest hid themselves in the +Woods, and could not be found. _George Bradley_ the Master, and three more, +surrender'd afterwards to a _Burmudas_ Sloop, and were carried to that +Island. + +The Brigantine, after her Escape, sail'd to a small Island near the Bay of +_Honduras_, to clean and refit, and, in her Way thither, took a _Rhode +Island_ Sloop, Captain _Durfey_, Commander, and two or three other Vessels, +which they destroy'd, but brought all the Hands aboard their own. + +While she was cleaning, a Scheme was concerted between Captain _Durfey_, +some other Prisoners, and two or three of the Pyrates, for to seize some of +the Chiefs, and carry off the Brigantine; but the same being discovered +before she was fit for sailing, their Design was prevented: However, +Captain _Durfey_, and four or five more, got ashore with some Arms and +Ammunition; and when the Pyrates Canoe came in for Water, he seiz'd the +Boat with the Men; upon which _Anstis_ ordered another Boat to be mann'd +with 30 Hands and sent ashore, which was accordingly done; but Captain +_Durfey_, and the Company he had by that Time got together, gave them such +a warm Reception, that they were contented to betake themselves to their +Vessel again. + +About the beginning of _December_, 1722, _Anstis_ left this Place and +return'd to the Islands, designing to accumulate all the Power and Strength +he could, since there was no looking back. He took in the Cruise a good +Ship, commanded by Captain _Smith_, which he mounted with 24 Guns, and +_Fenn_, a one handed Man, who commanded the _Morning-Star_ when she was +lost, went aboard to command her. They cruis'd together, and took a Vessel +or two, and then went to the _Bahama Islands_, and there met with what they +wanted, _viz._ a Sloop loaded with Provisions, from _Dublin_, called the +_Antelope._ + +It was time now to think of some Place to fit up and clean their Frigate +lately taken, and put her in a Condition to do Business; accordingly they +pitch'd upon the Island of _Tobago_, where they arrived the beginning of +_April_, 1723, with the _Antelope_ Sloop and her Cargo. + +They fell to work immediately, got the Guns, Stores, and every Thing else +out upon the Island, and put the Ship upon the Heel; and just then, as ill +Luck would have it, came in the _Winchelsea_ Man of War, by Way of Visit, +which put the Marooners into such a Surprize, that they set Fire to the +Ship and Sloop, and fled ashore to the Woods. _Anstis_, in the Brigantine, +escap'd, by having a light Pair of Heels, but it put his Company into such +a Disorder, that their Government could never be set to rights again; for +some of the New-Comers, and those who had been tir'd with the Trade, put an +End to the Reign, by shooting _Tho. Anstis_ in his Hammock, and afterwards +the Quarter-Master, and two or three others; the rest submitting, they put +into Irons, and surrender'd them up, and the Vessel, at _Curacco_, a +_Dutch_ Settlement, where they were try'd and hang'd; and those concerned +in delivering up the Vessel, acquitted. + +But to return to Captain _Fenn_, he was taken stragling with his Gunner and +three more, a Day or two after their Misfortune, by the Man of War's Men, +and carry'd to _Antegoa_, where they were all executed, and _Fenn_ hang'd +in Chains. Those who remain'd, staid some Time in the Island, keeping up +and down in the Woods, with a Hand to look out; at length Providence so +order'd it, that a small Sloop came into the Harbour, which they all got +aboard of, except two or three Negroes, and those they left behind. They +did not think fit to pursue any further Adventures, and therefore +unanimously resolved to steer for _England_, which they accordingly did, +and in _October_ last came into _Bristol_ Channel, sunk the Sloop, and +getting ashore in the Boat, dispersed themselves to their Abodes. + +CHAP. XI. OF Captain _WORLEY_, And his CREW. + +HIS Reign was but short, but his Beginning somewhat particular, +setting out in a small open Boat, with eight others, from _New-York._ This +was as resolute a Crew as ever went upon this Account: They took with them +a few Biscuits, and a dry'd Tongue or two, a little Cag of Water, half a +dozen old Muskets and Ammunition accordingly. Thus provided, they left +_New-York_ the latter End of _September_ 1718, but it cannot be supposed +that such a Man of War as this, could undertake any considerable Voyage, or +attempt any extraordinary Enterprize; so they stood down the Coast, till +they came to _Delaware_ River, which is about 150 Miles distant, and not +meeting with any Thing in their Way, they turn'd up the same River as high +as _Newcastle_, near which Place they fell upon a Shallop belonging to +_George Grant_, who was bringing Houshold Goods, Plate, _&c._ from +_Oppoquenimi_ to _Philadelphia_; they made Prize of the most valuable Part +of them, and let the Shallop go. This Fact could not come under the Article +of Pyracy, it not being committed _super altum Mare_, upon the High-Sea, +therefore was a simple Robbery only; but they did not stand for a Point of +Law in the Case, but easing the Shallop Man of his Lading, the bold +Adventurers went down the River again. + +The Shallop came straight to _Philadelphia_, and brought the ill News +thither, which so alarm'd the Government, as if War had been declared +against them; Expresses were sent to _New-York_, and other Places, and +several Vessels fitted out against this powerful Rover, but to no manner of +Purpose; for after several Days Cruize, they all return'd, without so much +as hearing what became of the Robbers. + +_Worley_ and his Crew, in going down the River, met with a Sloop of +_Philadelphia_, belonging to a Mulatto, whom they call'd _Black Robbin_; +they quitted their Boat for this Sloop, taking one of _Black Robin_'s Men +along with them, as they had also done from _George Grant_, besides two +Negroes, which encreased the Company one Third. A Day or two after, they +took another Sloop belonging to _Hull_, homeward bound, which was somewhat +fitter for their Purpose; they found aboard her, Provisions and +Necessaries, which they stood in need of, and enabled them to prosecute +their Design, in a manner more suitable to their Wishes. + +Upon the Success of these Rovers, the Governor issued out a Proclamation, +for the apprehending and taking all Pyrates, who had refused or neglected +to surrender themselves, by the Time limited in his Majesty's Proclamation +of Pardon; and thereupon, ordered his Majesty's Ship _Phoenix_, of 20 Guns, +which lay at _Sandy Hook_, to Sea, to cruize upon this Pyrate, and secure +the Trade to that, and the adjoining Colonies. + +In all probability, the taking this Sloop sav'd their Bacons, for this +Time, tho' they fell into the Trap presently afterwards; for they finding +themselves in tolerable good Condition, having a Vessel newly cleaned, with +Provisions, _&c._ they stood off to Sea, and so missed the _Phoenix_, who +expected them to be still on the Coast. + +About six Weeks afterwards they returned, having taken both a Sloop and a +Brigantine, among the _Bahama_ Islands; the former they sunk, and the other +they let go: The Sloop belonged to _New-York_, and they thought the sinking +of her good Policy, to prevent her returning to tell Tales at Home. + +_Worley_ had by this Time encreased his Company to about five and twenty +Men, had six Guns mounted, and small Arms as many as were necessary for +them, and seem'd to be in a good thriving sort of a Way. He made a black +Ensign, with a white Death's Head in the Middle of it, and other Colours +suitable to it. They all signed Articles, and bound themselves under a +solemn Oath, to take no Quarters, but to stand by one another to the last +Man, which was rashly fulfill'd a little afterwards. + +For going into an Inlet in _North-Carolina_, to clean, the Governor +received Information of it, and fitted out two Sloops, one of eight Guns, +and the other with six, and about seventy Men between them. _Worley_ had +clean'd his Sloop, and sail'd before the _Carolina_ Sloops reached the +Place, and steered to the Northward; but the Sloops just mentioned, +pursuing the same Course, came in sight of _Worley_, as he was cruising off +the Capes of _Virginia_, and being in the Offin, he stood in as soon as he +saw the Sloops, intending thereby to have cut them off from _James_ River; +for he verily believed they had been bound thither, not imagining, in the +least, they were in Pursuit of him. + +The two Sloops standing towards the Capes at the same Time, and _Worley_ +hoisting of his black Flag, the Inhabitants of _James_ Town were in the +utmost Consternation, thinking that all three had been Pyrates, and that +their Design had been upon them; so that all the Ships and Vessels that +were in the Road, or in the Rivers up the Bay, had Orders immediately to +hale in to the Shore, for their Security, or else to prepare for their +Defence, if they thought themselves in a Condition to fight. Soon after two +Boats, which were sent out to get Intelligence, came crowding in, and +brought an Account, that one of the Pyrates was in the Bay, being a small +Sloop of six Guns. The Governor expecting the rest would have followed, and +altogether make some Attempt to land, for the sake of Plunder, beat to +Arms, and collected all the Force that could be got together, to oppose +them; he ordered all the Guns out of the Ships, to make a Platform, and, in +short, put the whole Colony in a warlike Posture; but was very much +surprised at last, to see all the supposed Pyrates fighting with one +another. + +The Truth of the Matter is, _Worley_ gained the Bay, thinking to make sure +of his two Prizes, by keeping them from coming in; but by the hoisting of +the King's Colours, and firing a Gun, he quickly was sensible of his +Mistake, and too soon perceived that the Tables were turned upon him; that +instead of keeping them out, he found himself, by a superiour Force kept +in. When the Pyrates saw how Things went, they resolutely prepar'd +themselves for a desperate Defence; and tho' three to one odds, _Worley_ +and his Crew determined to fight to the last Gasp, and receive no Quarters, +agreeably to what they had before sworn; so that they must either Dye or +Conquer upon the Spot. + +The _Carolina_ Men gave the Pyrate a Broadside, and then Boarded him, one +Sloop getting upon his Quarter, and the other on his Bow; _Worley_ and the +Crew, drew up upon the Deck, and fought very obstinately, Hand to Hand, so +that in a few Minutes, abundance of Men lay weltering in their Gore; the +Pyrates proved as good as their Words, not a Man of them cry'd out for +Quarter, nor would accept of such, when offered, but were all killed except +the Captain and another Man, and those very much wounded, whom they +reserved for the Gallows. They were brought ashore in Irons, and the next +Day, which was the 17th of _February_ 1718-19, they were both hanged up, +for fear they should dye, and evade the Punishment as was thought due to +their Crimes. + +CHAP. XII. OF Capt. _George Lowther_, And his CREW. + +G_Eorge Lowther_ sailed out of the River of _Thames_, in one of the +Royal _African_ Company's Ships, call'd the _Gambia Castle_, of 16 Guns and +30 Men, _Charles Russel_ Commander; of which Ship, the said _Lowther_ was +second Mate. Aboard of the same Ship, was a certain Number of Soldiers, +commanded by one _John Massey_, who were to be carried to one of the +Company's Settlements, on the River of _Gambia_, to Garrison a Fort, which +was sometime ago taken and destroy'd by Captain _Davis_ the Pyrate. + +In _May_ 1721, the _Gambia Castle_ came safe to her Port in _Africa_, and +landed Captain _Massey_ and his Men on _James_'s Island, where he was to +Command under the Governor, Colonel _Whitney_, who arrived there at the +same Time, in another Ship: And here, by a fatal Misunderstanding, between +the military Folks and the Trading People, the Fort and Garrison not only +came to be lost again to the Company, but a fine Galley well provided, and +worth 10000 _l._ turned against her Masters. + +The Names of Governor and Captain sounded great, but when the Gentlemen +found that the Power that generally goes along with those Titles, was +oversway'd and born down by the Merchants and Factors, (mechanick Fellows +as they thought them) they grew very impatient and disatisfy'd, especially +_Massey_, who was very loud in his Complaints against them, particularly at +the small Allowance of Provisions to him and his Men; for the Garrison and +Governor too, were victualled by the Merchants, which was no small +Grievance and Mortification to them. And as the want of eating was the only +Thing that made the great _Sancho_ quit his Government, so did it here rend +and tare their's to Pieces: For _Massey_ told them, _that he did not come +there to be a_ Guiney _Slave, and that he had promised his Men good +Treatment, and Provisions fitting for Soldiers: That as he had the Care of +so many of his Majesty's Subjects, if they would not provide for them in a +handsome Manner, he should take suitable Measures for the Preservation of +so many of his Countrymen and Companions._ + +The Governor at this Time was very ill of a Fever, and, for the better +Accomodation in his Sickness, was carried aboard the Ship _Gambia Castle_, +where he continued for about three Weeks, and therefore could have little +to say in this Dispute, tho' he resolved not to stay in a Place, where +there was so little Occasion for him, and where his Power was so confin'd. +The Merchants had certainly Orders from the Company, to issue the +Provisions out to the Garrison, and the same is done along the whole Coast; +but whether they had cut them short of the Allowance that was appointed +them, I can't say, but if they did, then is the Loss of the Ship and +Garrison owing principally to their ill Conduct. + +However, an Accident that happened on Board the Ship, did not a little +contribute to this Misfortune, which was a Pique that the Captain of her +took against his second Mate, _George Lowther_, the Man who is the Subject +of this short History; and who losing his Favour, found Means to ingratiate +himself into the good liking of the common Sailors, insomuch that when +Captain _Russel_ ordered him to be punish'd, the Men took up Handspikes, +and threat'ned to knock that Man down, that offered to lay hold of the +Mate. This served but to widen the Differences between him and the Captain, +and more firmly attach'd _Lowther_ to the Ship's Company, the greatest Part +of which, he found ripe for any Mischief in the World. + +Captain _Massey_ was no wit the better reconciled to the Place, by a longer +Continuance, nor to the Usage he met with there, and having often +Opportunities of conversing with _Lowther_, with whom he had contracted an +Intimacy in the Voyage; they aggravated one another's Grievances to such a +height, that they resolved upon Measures to curb the Power that controul'd +them, and to provide for themselves after another Manner. + +When the Governor recover'd of his Fever, he went ashore to the Island, but +took no Notice of _Massey_'s Behaviour, tho' it was such as might give +Suspicion of what he designed; and _Lowther_, and the common Sailors, who +were in the Secret of Affairs, grew insolent and bold, even refusing to +obey when commanded to their Duty by Captain _Russel_ and the chief Mate. +The Captain seeing how Things were carried, goes ashore early one Morning +to the Governor and Factory, in order to hold a Council, which _Lowther_ +apprehending, was in order to prevent his Design, sent a Letter in the same +Boat to _Massey_, intimating it to him, and _that he should repair on +Board, for it was high Time to put their Project in Execution._ + +As soon as _Massey_ received this Letter, he went to the Soldiers at the +_Barracks_, and said to them, and others, _You that have a Mind to go to_ +England, _now is your Time_; and they generally consenting, _Massey_ went +to the Store-Room, burst open the Door, set two Centinels upon it, and +ordered that no Body should come near it; then he went to the Governor's +Apartment, and took his Bed, Baggage, Plate and Furniture, (in Expectation +that the Governor himself, as he had promised _Massey_, would have gone on +Board, which he afterwards refused, by Reason, as he said, he believed they +were going a-pyrating; which at first, whatever _Lowther_ designed, +_Massey_ certainly proposed only the going to _England_;) when this was +done, he sent the Boat off to the chief Mate, with this Message, _That he +should get the Guns ready, for that the King of_ Barro [a Negro Kingdom +near the Royal _African_ Settlement] _would come aboard to Dinner._ But +_Lowther_ understanding best, the meaning of those Orders, he confined the +chief Mate, shotted the Guns, and put the Ship in a Condition for sailing. +In the Afternoon _Massey_ came on Board with the Governor's Son, having +sent off all the Provisions of the Island, and eleven Pipes of Wine, +leaving only two half Pipes behind in the Store-House, and dismounted all +the Guns of the Fort. + +In the Afternoon they weigh'd one Anchor, but fearing to be too late to get +out of the River, they slipp'd the other, and so fell down; in doing of +which, they run the Ship a-ground. _Massey_ shew'd himself a Soldier upon +this Accident, for as soon as the Misfortune happen'd, he left the Ship +with about sixteen Hands, and rows directly to the Fort, remounts the Guns, +and keeps Garrison there all the Night, while the Ship was ashore; and +obliged some of the Factory to assist in getting her clear. In the mean +while, _Russel_ came off, but not being suffered to come on Board, he +call'd to _Lowther_, and offered him and the Company, whatever Terms they +would be pleased to accept of, upon Condition of surrendering up the Ship, +which had no Effect upon any of them. In the Morning they got her afloat, +and _Massey_ and his Men came aboard, after having nailed up and dismounted +all the Cannon of the Fort: They put the Governor's Son, and two or three +others ashore, who were not willing to go without the Governor, and sail'd +out of the River, having exchanged several Shot with the _Martha, Otter, +&c._ that lay there, without doing Execution on either Side. + +When the Ship came out to Sea, _Lowther_ called up all the Company, and +told them, _it was the greatest Folly imaginable, to think of returning to_ +England, _for what they had already done, could not be justifyed upon any +Pretence whatsoever, but would be look'd upon, in the Eye of the Law, a +capital Offence, and that none of them were in a Condition to withstand the +Attacks of such powerful Adversaries, as they would meet with at Home; for +his Part he was determined not to run such a Hazard, and therefore if his +Proposal was not agreed to, he desired to be set a Shore in some Place of +Safety: That they had a good Ship under them, a parcel of brave Follows in +her, that it was not their Business to starve, or be made Slaves; and +therefore, if they were all of his Mind, they should seek their Fortunes +upon the Seas, as other Adventurers had done before them._ They one and all +came into the Measures, knocked down the Cabins, made the Ship flush fore +and aft, prepared black Colours, new named her, _the Delivery_, having +about 50 Hands and 16 Guns, and the following short Articles were drawn up, +signed and sworn to upon the Bible. + +The Articles of Captain _George Lowther_, and his Company. + +1. _THE Captain is to have two full Shares; the Master is to have one Share +and a half; the Doctor, Mate, Gunner, and Boatswain, one Share and a +quarter._ + +2. _He that shall be found Guilty of taking up any unlawful Weapon on Board +the Privateer, or any Prize, by us taken, so as to strike or abuse one +another, in any regard, shall suffer what Punishment the Captain and +Majority of the Company shall think fit._ + +3. _He that shall be found Guilty of Cowardize, in the Time of Engagement, +shall suffer what Punishment the Captain and Majority shall think fit._ + +4. _If any Gold, Jewels, Silver_, &c. _be found on Board of any Prize or +Prizes, to the Value of a Piece of Eight, and the Finder do not deliver it +to the Quarter-Master, in the Space of_ 24 _Hours, shall suffer what +Punishment the Captain and Majority shall think fit._ + +5. _He that is found Guilty of Gaming, or Defrauding another to the Value +of a Shilling, shall suffer what Punishment the Captain and Majority of the +Company shall think fit._ + +6. _He that shall have the Misfortune to lose a Limb, in Time of +Engagement, shall have the Sum of one hundred and fifty Pounds Sterling, +and remain with the Company as long as he shall think fit._ + +7. _Good Quarters to be given when call'd for._ + +8. _He that sees a Sail first, shall have the best Pistol, or Small-Arm, on +Board her._ + +It was the 13th of _June_, that _Lowther_ left the Settlement, and on the +20th, being then within twenty Leagues of _Barbadoes_, he came up with a +Brigantine, belonging to _Boston_, called the _Charles, James Douglass_ +Master, which they plundered in a pyratical Manner, and let the Vessel go; +but least she should meet with any of the Station Ships, and so give +Information of the Robbery, _in Terrorem_, to prevent a Pursuit, _Lowther_ +contrived a sort of a Certificate, which he directed the Master to shew to +their Consort, if they should meet with her; and upon Sight of it the +Brigantine would pass unmolested: This Consort, he pretended, was a 40 Gun +Ship, and cruising therabouts. + +After this the _Delivery_ proceeded to _Hispaniola_; near the West End of +the Island she met with a _French_ Sloop loaden with Wine and Brandy; +aboard of this Vessel went Captain _Massey_, as a Merchant, and ask'd the +Price of one Thing, and then another, bidding Money for the greatest Part +of the Cargo; but after he had trifled a while, he whisper'd a Secret in +the _French_ Man's Ear, _viz. That they must have it all without Money. +Monsieur_ presently understood his Meaning, and unwillingly agreed to the +Bargain. They took out of her thirty Casks of Brandy, five Hogsheads of +Wine, several Pieces of Chintzes, and other valuable Goods, and about 70 +_l. English_, in Money; of which _Lowther_ generously return'd five Pounds +back to the _French_ Master for his Civilities. + +But as all Constitutions grow old, and thereby shake and totter, so did our +Commonwealth in about a Month of its Age, feel Commotions and intestine +Disturbances, by the Divisions of its Members, which had near hand +terminated in its Destruction; these civil Discords were owing to the +following Occasion. Captain _Massey_ had been a Soldier almost from his +Infancy, but was but very indifferently acquainted with Maritime Affairs, +and having an enterprizing Soul, nothing would satisfy him, but he must be +doing Business in his own Way, therefore he required _Lowther_ to let him +have thirty Hands to land with, and he would attack the _French_ +Settlements, and bring aboard the Devil and all of Plunder. + +_Lowther_ did all that he could do, and said all that he could say, to +disswade _Massey_ from so rash and dangerous an Attempt; pointing out to +him the Hazard the Company would run, and the Consequences to them all, if +he should not succeed, and the little Likelihood there was to expect +Success from the Undertaking: But 'twas all one for that, _Massey_ would go +and attack the _French_ Settlements, for any thing _Lowther_ could say +against it; so that he was obliged to propose the Matter to the Company, +among whom _Massey_ found a few Fellows as resolute as himself; however, a +great Majority being against it, the Affair was over-ruled in Opposition to +Captain _Massey_, notwithstanding which, _Massey_ grew fractious, +quarrelled with _Lowther_, and the Men divided into Parties, some siding +with the Land Pyrate, and some with the Sea Rover, and were all ready to +fall together by the Ears, when the Man at the Mast-head cry'd out, A Sail! +A Sail! then they gave over the Dispute, set all their Sails, and steered +after the Chace. In a few Hours they came up with her, she being a small +Ship from _Jamaica_, bound to _England_; they took what they thought fit +out of her, and a Hand or two, and then _Lowther_ was for sinking the Ship, +with several Passengers that were in her, for what Reason I know not, but +_Massey_ so that he interposed, prevented their cruel Fate, and the Ship +safely arrived afterwards in _England._ + +The next Day they took a small Sloop, an interloping Trader, which they +detain'd with her Cargo. All this while _Massey_ was uneasy, and declar'd +his Resolution to leave them, and _Lowther_ finding him a very troublesome +Man to deal with, consented that he should take the Sloop, last made Prize +of, with what Hands had a Mind to go with him, and shift for himself. +Whereupon _Massey_, with about ten more Malecontents, goes aboard the +Sloop, and comes away in her directly for _Jamaica._ + +Notwithstanding what had passed, Captain _Massey_ puts a bold Face upon the +Matter, and goes to Sir _Nicholas Laws_, the Governor, informs him of his +leaving _Lowther_ the Pyrate, owns, _That he assisted in going off with the +Ship, at the River_ Gambia; but said, _'twas to save so many of his +Majesty's Subjects from perishing, and that his Design was to return to_ +England; _but_ Lowther _conspiring with the greater Part of the Company, +went a pyrating with the Ship; and that he had taken this Opportunity to +leave him, and surrender himself and Vessel to his Excellency._ + +_Massey_ was very well received by the Governor, and had his Liberty given +him, with a Promise of his Favour, and so forth; and, at his own Request, +he was sent on Board the _Happy_ Sloop, Captain _Laws_, to cruise off +_Hispaniola_, for _Lowther_; but not being so fortunate as to meet with +him, Captain _Massey_ returned back to _Jamaica_ in the Sloop, and getting +a Certificate, and a Supply of Money, from the Governor, he came home +Passenger to _England._ + +When _Massey_ came to Town, he writes a long Letter to the Deputy Governor +and Directors of the _African_ Company, wherein he imprudently relates the +whole Transactions of his Voyage, the going off with the Ship, and the Acts +of Pyracy he had committed with _Lowther_; but excuses it as Rashness and +Inadvertency in himself, occasioned by his being ill used, contrary to the +Promises that had been made him, and the Expectations he had entertained; +but own'd, that he deserved to dye for what he had done; yet, if they had +Generosity enough to forgive him, as he was still capable to do them +Service, as a Soldier, so he should be very ready to do it; but if they +resolved to prosecute him, he begg'd only this Favour, that he might not be +hang'd like a Dog, but to die like a Soldier, as he had been bred from his +Childhood, that is, that he might be shot. + +This was the Substance of the Letter, which, however, did not produce so +favourable an Answer as he hoped for, Word being brought back to him, _That +he should be fairly hang'd._ Whereupon, _Massey_ resolved not to be out of +the Way, when he found what important Occasion there was likely to be for +him, but takes a Lodging in _Aldersgate-Street_, the next Day went to the +Lord Chief Justice's Chambers, and enquired, if my Lord had granted a +Warrant against Captain _John Massey_, for Pyracy: But being told by the +Clerks, that they knew of no such Thing; he informed them, he was the Man, +that my Lord would soon be apply'd to for that Purpose, and the Officer +might come to him at such a Place, where he lodg'd: They took the +Directions in Writing, and, in a few Days, a Warrant being issued, the +Tipstaff went directly, by his own Information, and apprehended him, +without any other Trouble, than walking to his Lodging. + +There was then no Person in Town to charge him with any Fact, upon which he +could be committed; nor could the Letter be proved to be of his +Hand-Writing, so that they had been obliged to let him go again, if he had +not helped his Accusers out at Pinch: The Magistrate was reduced to the +putting of this Question to him, _Did you write this Letter?_ He answered, +_He did_: And not only that, but confessed all the Contents of it; upon +which, he was committed to _Newgate_, but was afterwards admitted to a +hundred Pounds Bail, or thereabouts. + +On the 5th of _July_ 1723, he was brought to his Tryal, at a Court of +Admiralty held at the _Old-Baily_, when Captain _Russel_, Governor +_Whitney_'s Son, and others, appeared as Evidences, by whom the Indictment +was plainly proved against him; which, if it had not been done, the Captain +was of such an heroick Spirit, that he would have deny'd nothing; for +instead of making a Defence, he only entertained the Court with a long +Narrative of his Expedition, from the first setting out, to his Return to +_England_, mentioning two Acts of Pyracy committed by him, which he was not +charged with, often challenging the Evidences to contradict him, if in any +Thing he related the least Syllable of an Untruth; and instead of denying +the Crimes set forth in the Indictment, he charged himself with various +Circumstances, which fixed the Facts more home upon him. Upon the whole, +the Captain was found Guilty, received Sentence of Death, and was executed +three Weeks after, at _Execution-Dock._ + +We return now to _Lowther_, whom we left cruising off _Hispaniola_, from +whence he plyed to Windward, and, near _Porto Rico_, chased two Sail, and +spoke with them; they proving to be a small _Bristol_ Ship, commanded by +Captain _Smith_, and a _Spanish_ Pyrate, who had made Prize of the said +Ship. _Lowther_ examined into the _Spaniard_'s Authority for taking an +_English_ Vessel, and threat'ned to put every Man of them to death, for so +doing; so that the _Spaniards_ fancied themselves to be in a very pittiful +Condition, till Matters cleared up, and they found their Masters as great +Rogues as themselves, from whom some Mercy might be expected, in regard to +the near Relation they stood with them, as to their Profession; in short, +_Lowther_ first rifled, and then burnt both the Ships, sending the +_Spaniards_ away in their Launch, and turning all the _English_ Sailors +into Pyrates. + +After a few Days Cruise, _Lowther_ took a small Sloop belonging to St. +_Christophers_, which they mann'd and carried along with them to a small +Island, where they cleaned, and stay'd some Time to take their Diversions, +which consisted in unheard of Debaucheries, with drinking, swearing and +rioting, in which there seemed to be a kind of Emulation among them, +resembling rather Devils than Men, striving who should out do one another +in new invented Oaths and Execrations. + +They all got aboard about _Christmas_, observing neither Times nor Seasons, +for perpetrating their villainous Actions, and sailed towards the Bay of +_Honduras_; but stopping at the _Grand Caimanes_ for Water, they met with a +small Vessel with 13 Hands, in the same honourable Employment with +themselves; the Captain of this Gang was one _Edward Lowe_, whom we shall +particularly discourse of in a Chapter by it self: _Lowther_ received them +as Friends, and treated them with all imaginable Respect, inviting them, as +they were few in Number, and in no Condition to pursue the Account, (as +they called it) to join their Strength together, which on the Consideration +aforesaid, was accepted of, _Lowther_ still continuing Commander, and +_Lowe_ was made Lieutenant: The Vessel the new Pyrates came out of, they +sunk, and the Confederates proceed on the Voyage as _Lowther_ before +intended. + +The 10th of _January_, the Pyrates came into the Bay, and fell upon a Ship +of 200 Tun, called the _Greyhound, Benjamin Edwards_ Commander, belonging +to _Boston. Lowther_ hoisted his pyratical Colours, and fired a Gun for the +_Greyhound_ to bring to, which she refusing, the _Happy Delivery_ (the Name +of the Pyrate) edg'd down, and gave her a Broadside, which was returned by +Captain _Edwards_ very bravely, and the Engagement held for an Hour; but +Captain _Edwards_, finding the Pyrate too strong for him, and fearing the +Consequence of too obstinate a Resistance against those lawless Fellows, +ordered his Ensign to be struck. The Pyrates Boat came aboard, and not only +rifled the Ship, but whipp'd, beat, and cut the Men in a cruel Manner, +turned them aboard their own Ship, and then set Fire to their's. + +In cruising about the Bay, they met and took several other Vessels without +any Resistance, _viz._ two Brigantines of _Boston_ in _New-England_, one of +which they burnt, and sunk the other; a Sloop belonging to _Connecticut_, +Captain _Airs_, which they also burnt; a Sloop of _Jamaica_, Captain +_Hamilton_, they took for their own Use; a Sloop of _Virginia_ they +unladed, and was so generous as to give her back to the Master that own'd +her. They took a Sloop of 100 Ton, belonging to _Rhode Island_, which they +were pleased to keep, and mount with eight Carriage, and ten Swivel Guns. + +With this little Fleet, _viz._ Admiral _Lowther_, in the _Happy Delivery_; +Captain _Low_, in the _Rhode Island_ Sloop; Captain _Harris_, (who was +second Mate in the _Greyhound_ when taken,) in _Hamilton_'s Sloop, and the +little Sloop formerly mentioned, serving as a Tender; I say, with this +Fleet the Pyrates left the Bay, and came to _Port Mayo_ in the Gulph of +_Matique_, and there made Preparations to careen; they carried ashore all +their Sails, and made Tents by the Water-Side, wherein they laid their +Plunder, Stores, _&c._ and fell to work; and at the Time that the Ships +were upon the Heel, and the good Folks employ'd in heaving down, scrubing, +tallowing, and so forth; of a sudden came down a considerable Body of the +Natives, and attack'd the Pyrates unprepared. As they were in no Condition +to defend themselves, they fled to their Sloops, leaving them Masters of +the Field and the Spoil thereof, which was of great Value, and set Fire to +the _Happy Delivery_, their capital Ship. + +_Lowther_ made the best Provision he could in the largest Sloop, which he +called the _Ranger_, having ten Guns and eight Swivels, and she sailing +best, the Company went all aboard of her, and left the other at Sea. +Provisions was now very short, which, with the late Loss, put them in a +confounded ill Humour, insomuch that they were every now and then going +together by the Ears, laying the Blame of their ill Conduct sometimes upon +one, then upon another. + +The Beginning of _May_ 1722, they got to the _West-Indies_, and near the +Island of _Diseada_, took a Brigantine, one _Payne_ Master, that afforded +them what they stood in need of, which put them in better Temper, and +Business seemed to go on well again. After they had pretty well plundered +the Brigantine, they sent her to the Bottom. They went into the Island and +watered, and then stood to the Northward, intending to visit the Main-Coast +of _America._ + +In the Latitude of 38, they took a Brigantine called the _Rebecca_ of +_Boston_, Captain _Smith_, bound thither from St. _Christophers._ At the +taking of this Vessel, the Crews divided; for _Low_, whom _Lowther_ joined +at the _Grand Caimanes_, proving always a very unruly Member of the +Commonwealth, always aspiring, and never satisfy'd with the Proceedings of +the Commander; he thought it the safest Way to get rid of him, upon any +Terms; and according to the Vote of the Company, they parted the Bear Skin +between them: _Low_ with 44 Hands went aboard the Brigantine, and _Lowther_ +with the same Number stay'd in the Sloop, and separated that very Night, +being the 28th of _May_ 1722. + +_Lowther_ proceeding on his Way to the Main-Coast, took three or four +fishing Vessels off _New-York_, which was no great Booty to the Captors. +The 3d of _June_, they met with a small _New-England_ Ship, bound home from +_Barbadoes_, which stood an Attack a small Time, but finding it to no +Purpose, yielded herself a Prey to the Booters: The Pyrates took out of her +fourteen Hogsheads of Rum, six Barrels of Sugar, a large Box of _English_ +Goods, several Casks of Loaf Sugar, a considerable Quantity of Pepper, six +Negroes, besides a Sum of Money and Plate, and then let her go on her +Voyage. + +The next Adventure was not so fortunate for them, for coming pretty near +the Coast of _South-Carolina_, they met with a Ship just come out, on her +Voyage to _England; Lowther_ gave her a Gun, and hoisted his pyratical +Colours; but this Ship, which was called the _Amy_, happening to have a +brave gallant Man to command her, who was not any ways daunted with that +terrible Ensign, the black Flag, he instead of striking immediately, as +'twas expected, let fly a Broadside at the Pyrate. _Lowther_ (not at all +pleased with the Compliment, tho' he put up with it for the present) was +for taking Leave; but the _Amy_ getting the Pyrate between her and the +Shore, stood after him to clap him aboard; to prevent which, _Lowther_ run +the Sloop a-ground, and landed all the Men with their Arms. Captain +_Gwatkins_, the Captain of the _Amy_, was obliged to stand off, for fear of +running his own Ship ashore; but at the same Time thought fit for the +publick Good, to destroy the Enemy; and thereupon went into the Boat, and +rowed towards the Sloop, in order to set her on Fire; but before he reached +the Vessel, a fatal Shot from _Lowther_'s Company ashore, put an End to +their Design and Captain _Gwatkin_'s Life. After this unfortunate Blow, the +Mate returned aboard with the Boat, and not being enclined to pursue them +any farther, took Charge of the Ship. + +_Lowther_ got off the Sloop after the Departure of the _Amy_, and brought +all his Men aboard again, but was in a poor shattered Condition, having +suffered much in the Engagement, and had a great many Men kill'd and +wounded: He made Shift to get into an Inlet somewhere in _North-Carolina_, +where he staid a long while before he was able to put to Sea again. + +He and his Crew laid up all the Winter, and shifted as well as they could +among the Woods, divided themselves into small Parties, and hunted +generally in the Day Times, killing of black Cattle, Hogs, _&c._ for their +Subsistance, and in the Night retired to their Tents and Huts, which they +made for Lodging; and sometimes when the Weather grew very cold, they would +stay aboard of their Sloop. + +In the Spring of the Year 1723, they made Shift to get to Sea, and steered +their Course for _Newfoundland_, and upon the Banks took a Scooner, call'd +the _Swift, John Hood_ Master; they found a good Quantity of Provisions +aboard her, which they very much wanted at that Time, and after taking +three of their Hands, and plundering her of what they thought fit, they let +her depart. They took several other Vessels upon the Banks, and in the +Harbour, but none of any great Account; and then steering for a warmer +Climate, in _August_ arrived at the _West-Indies._ In their Passage +thither, they met with a Brigantine, called the _John_ and _Elizabeth, +Richard Stanny_ Master, bound for _Boston_, which they plundered, took two +of her Men, and discharged her. + +_Lowther_ cruised a pretty while among the Islands without any +extraordinary Success, and was reduced to a very small Allowance of +Provisions, till they had the luck to fall in with a _Martinico_ Man, which +proved a seasonable Relief to them; and after that, a _Guiney_ Man had the +ill Fortune to become a Prey to the _Rovers_; she was called the +_Princess_, Captain _Wicksted_ Commander. + +It was now thought necessary to look out for a Place to clean their Sloop +in, and prepare for new Adventures: Accordingly the Island of _Blanco_ was +pitched upon for that Purpose, which lies in the Latitude of 11° 50 m. N. +about 30 Leagues from the Main of the _Spanish America_, between the +Islands of _Margarita_ and _Rocas_, and not far from _Tortuga._ It is a low +even Island, but healthy and dry, uninhabited, and about two Leagues in +Circumference, with Plenty of Lignum Vitæ Trees thereon, growing in Spots, +with shrubby Bushes of other Wood about them. There are, besides Turtle, +great Numbers of Guanoes, which is an amphibious Creature like a Lizard, +but much larger, the Body of it being as big as a Man's Leg; they are very +good to eat, and are much used by the Pyrates that come here: They are of +divers Colours, but such as live upon dry Ground, as here at _Blanco_, are +commonly yellow. On the N. W. End of this Island, there is a small Cove or +sandy Bay, all round the rest of the Island is deep Water, and steep close +to the Island. Here _Lowther_ resorted to, the Beginning of _October_ last, +unrigged his Sloop, sent his Guns, Sails, Rigging, _&c._ ashore, and put +his Vessel upon the Careen. The _Eagle_ Sloop of _Barbadoes_, belonging to +the _South-Sea_ Company, with 35 Hands, commanded by _Walter Moore_, coming +near this Island, in her Voyage to _Comena_, on the _Spanish_ Continent, +saw the said Sloop just careen'd, with her Guns out, and Sails unbent, +which she supposed to be a Pyrate, because it was a Place where Traders did +not commonly use, so took the Advantage of attacking her, as she was then +unprepared; the _Eagle_ having fired a Gun to oblige her to shew her +Colours, the Pyrate hoisted the St. _George_'s Flag at their Topmast-Head, +as it were to bid Defiance to her; but when they found _Moore_ and his Crew +resolved to board them in good earnest, the Pyrates cut their Cable and +hawled their Stern on Shore, which obliged the _Eagle_ to come to an Anchor +a-thwart their Hawse, where she engaged them till they called for Quarter +and struck; at which Time _Lowther_ and twelve of the Crew made their +Escape out of the Cabin Window. The Master of the _Eagle_ got the Pyrate +Sloop off, secured her, and went ashore with 25 Hands, in Pursuit of +_Lowther_ and his Gang; but after five Day's search, they could find but +five of them, which they brought aboard, and then proceeded with the Sloop +and Pyrates to _Comena_ aforesaid, where they soon arrived. + +The _Spanish_ Governor being informed of this brave Action, condemned the +Sloop to the Captors, and sent a small Sloop with 23 Hands to scower the +Bushes and other Places of the Island of _Blanco_, for the Pyrates that +remained there, and took four more, with seven small Arms, leaving behind +them Captain _Lowther_, three Men, and a little Boy, which they could not +take; the above four the _Spaniards_ try'd and condemned to Slavery for +Life; three to the Gallies, and the other to the Castle of _Arraria._ + +The _Eagle_ Sloop brought all their Prisoners afterwards to St. +_Christopher_'s, where the following were try'd by a Court of Vice +Admiralty, there held _March_ the 11th, 1722, _viz. John Churchill, Edward +Mackdonald, Nicholas Lewis, Richard West, Sam. Levercott, Robert White, +John Shaw, Andrew Hunter, Jonathan Delve, Matthew Freebarn, Henry Watson, +Roger Grange, Ralph Candor_, and _Robert Willis_; the three last were +acquitted, the other thirteen were found Guilty, two of which were +recommended to Mercy by the Court, and accordingly pardoned; and the rest +executed at that Island, on the 20th of the same Month. + +As for Captain _Lowther_, it is said that he afterwards shot himself upon +that fatal Island, where his Pyracies ended, being found, by some Sloop's +Men, dead, and a Pistol burst by his Side. + +CHAP. XIII. OF Captain _Edward Low_, And his CREW. + +E_dward Low_ was born in _Westminster_, and had his Education there, +such as it was, for he could neither write or read. Nature seem'd to have +designed him for a Pyrate from his Childhood, for very early he began the +Trade of plundering, and was wont to raise Contributions among all the Boys +of _Westminster_; and if any were bold enough to refuse it, a Battle was +the Consequence; but _Low_ was so hardy, as well as bold, there was no +getting the better of him, so that he robbed the Youths of their Farthings, +with Impunity; when he grew bigger he took to Gaming in a low Way, for it +was commonly among the Footmen in the _Lobby_ of the House of Commons, +where he used to play the whole Game, (as they term it,) that is, cheat all +he could, and those who pretended to dispute it with him, must fight him. + +The Virtues of some of his Family were equal to his; one of his Brothers +was a Youth of Genius, when he was but seven Years old, he used to be +carried in a Basket, upon a Porter's Back, into a Crowd, and snatch Hats +and Wigs: According to the exact Chronology of _Newgate_, he was the first +who practised this ingenious Trick. After this, he applied himself to +picking of Pockets; when he increased in Strength, he attempted greater +Things, such as House-breaking, _&c._ But after he had run a short Race, he +had the Misfortune of ending his Days at _Tyburn_, in Company with _Stephen +Bunce_, and the celebrated _Jack Hall_ the Chimney-Sweeper. + +But to return to _Ned_, when he came to Man's Estate, at his eldest +Brother's Desire, he went to Sea with him, and so continued for three or +four Years, and then parted; and _Ned_ work'd in a Rigging-House in +_Boston_ in _New-England_, for a while. About six Years ago, he took a Trip +home to _England_, to see his Mother, who is yet Living. His Stay was not +long here; but taking Leave of his Friends and Acquaintance, for the last +Time he should see them; for so he was pleased to say; he returned to +_Boston_, and work'd a Year or two longer at the Rigging Business. But +being too apt to disagree with his Masters, he left them, and shipp'd +himself in a Sloop that was bound to the Bay of _Honduras._ + +When the Sloop arrived in the Bay, _Ned Low_ was appointed Patron of the +Boat, which was employ'd in cutting of Logwood, and bringing it aboard to +lade the Ship; for that is the Commodity they make the Voyage for: In the +Boat were twelve Men besides _Low_, who all go arm'd, because of the +_Spaniards_, from whom this Logwood is but little better than stole. It +happened that the Boat one Day came aboard just before Dinner was ready, +and _Low_ desired that they might stay and Dine; but the Captain, being in +a Hurry for his Lading, ordered them a Bottle of Rum, and to take t'other +Trip, because no Time should be lost: This provoked the Boat's Crew, but +particularly _Low_, who takes up a loaded Musquet and fires at the Captain, +but missing him, shot another poor Fellow thro' the Head, then put off the +Boat, and with his twelve Companions goes to Sea: The next Day they took a +small Vessel, and go in her, make a black Flag, and declare War against all +the World. + +They then proceeded to the Island of the _Grand Caimanes_, intending to +have fitted up their small Vessel, and prepare themselves as well as their +Circumstances would permit, for their honourable Employment; but falling in +Company with _George Lowther_, another Pyrate there, who paying his +Compliments to _Low_, as great Folks do to one another when they meet, and +offering himself as an Ally; _Low_ accepted of the Terms, and so the Treaty +was presently sign'd without Plenipo's or any other Formalities. + +We have already given an Account of their joynt Pyracies, under _Lowther_ +as chief Commander, till the 28th of _May_, 1722, when they took a +Brigantine of _Boston_, bound thither from St. _Christophers_, at which +Time they parted, and _Edward Low_ went into the Brigantine, with forty +four others, who chose him their Captain: They took with them two Guns, +four Swivels, six Quarter-Casks of Powder, Provisions and some Stores, and +so left _Lowther_ to prosecute his Adventures, with the Men he had left. + +Their first Adventure in the Brigantine, was on _Sunday_ the 3d Day of +_June_, when they took a Vessel belonging to _Amboy, John Hance_ Master, +whom he rifled of his Provisions, and let go; the same Day he met with a +Sloop, _James Calquhoon_ Master, off of _Rhode Island_, bound into that +Port, whom he first plundered, and then cut away his Boltsprit, and all his +Rigging, also his Sails from the Yards, and wounded the Master, to prevent +his getting in to give Intelligence, and then stood away to the +South-Eastward, with all the Sail he could make, there being then but +little Wind. + +_Low_ judged right in making sail from the Coast, for a longer stay had +proved fatal to him, for notwithstanding the disabled Condition he had +rendered the Sloop in, she made shift to get into _Block Island_, at 12 +o'Clock that Night, and immediately dispatched a Whale-Boat to _Rhode +Island_, which got thither by seven the next Morning, with an Account of +the Pyrate, his Force, and what had happened to him: As soon as the +Governor had received this Information, he ordered a Drum to beat up for +Volunteers, and two of the best Sloops then in the Harbour, to be fitted +out: He gave Commissions to one Captain _John Headland_, and Captain _John +Brown_, jun. for ten Days; the former had eight Guns and two Swivels, and +the latter six Guns, well fitted with small Arms, and in both Sloops 140 +stout Fellows; all this was performed with so much Expedition, that before +Sun-set, they were under Sail, turning out of the Harbour, at the same Time +the Pyrate was seen from _Block Island_, which gave great Hopes that the +Sloops would be Masters of her the next Day, which however did not happen, +for the Sloops returned into Harbour some Days afterwards, without so much +as seeing their Enemy. + +After this Escape, Captain _Low_, went into Port, upon the Coast, for he +had not fresh Water enough to run to the Islands, where he staid a few +Days, getting Provisions and what Necessaries the Crew wanted, and then +sailed for Purchase, (as they call it) steering their Course towards +_Marblehead._ + +About the 12th of _July_, the Brigantine sailed into the Harbour of Port +_Rosemary_, and there found thirteen Ships and Vessels, but none of Force, +at Anchor, they spread their black Flag, and ran in among them; _Low_ +telling them from the Brigantine, they should have no Quarters if they +resisted; in the mean Time they mann'd and arm'd their Boat, and took +Possession of every one of them, plundered them of what they thought fit, +and converted one to their own Use, _viz._ a Scooner of 80 Tuns, aboard of +which they put 10 Carriage Guns, and 50 Men, and _Low_ himself went +Captain, and nam'd her the _Fancy_, making one _Charles Harris_, (who was +at first forced into their Service out of the _Greyhound_ of _Boston_, by +_Lowther_, of which Ship _Harris_ was second Mate) Captain of the +Brigantine: Out of these Vessels they took several Hands, and encreased the +Company to 80 Men, who all signed the Articles, some willingly, and a few +perhaps by Force, and so sailed away from _Marblehead._ + +Some Time after this, they met with two Sloops bound for _Boston_, with +Provisions for the Garrison, and the Scooner coming up first, attacked +them, but there happening to be an Officer and some Soldiers on Board, who +gave them a warm Reception, _Low_ chose to stay till he should be joyned by +the Brigantine; in the mean while the Sloops made the best of their Way, +and the Pyrates gave them Chace two Days, and at last lost sight of them in +a Fog. + +They now steered for the Leeward Islands, but in their Voyage met with such +a Hurricane of Wind, that the like had not been known; the Sea ran +Mountains high, and seemed to threaten them every Moment with Destruction; +it was no Time now to look out for Plunder, but to save themselves, if +possible, from perishing. All Hands were continually employed Night, and +Day, on Board the Brigantine, and all little enough, for the Waves went +over her, so that they were forced to keep the pump constantly going, +besides baling with Buckets; but finding themselves not able to keep her +free, and seeing the utmost Danger before their Eyes, they turn'd to the +Takle, and hoisted out their Provisions, and other heavy Goods, and threw +them over-board, with six of their Guns, so that by lightening the Vessel, +she might rise to the Top of the Sea with the Waves: They were also going +to cut away their Mast; but considering how dangerous it would be, to be +left in such a Condition, they resolved to delay it to the last, which was +Prudence in them to do; for a Ship without Masts or Sails, lies like a Log +upon the Water, and if attack'd, must fight with Disadvantage, the working +of her being the most artful Part of the Engagement, because she may +sometimes bring all her great Guns on one Side, to bear upon her Enemy, +when the disabled Ship can do little or nothing. + +But to proceed; by their throwing over-board the heavy Goods, the Vessel +made considerable less Water, and they could keep it under with the Pump +only, which gave them Hopes and new Life; so that instead of cutting all +away, they took necessary Measures to secure the Mast, by making +Preventor-Shrowds, _&c._ and then wore and lay too upon the other Tack, +till the Storm was over. The Scooner made somewhat better Weather of it, of +the two, but was pretty roughly handled notwithstanding, having split her +Main-sail, sprung her Boltsprit, and cut her Anchors from her Bows. The +Brigantine by running away to Leeward, when she wore upon the Larboard +Tack, had lost Sight of the Scooner; but not knowing whether she might be +safe or not, as soon as the Wind abated, she set her Main-Sail and +Top-Sail, and made short Trips to Windward; and the next Day had the good +Fortune to come in Sight of their Consort, who, upon a Signal, which the +other knew, bore down to her, and the Crew were overjoy'd to meet again, +after such ill Treatment from the Winds and Seas. + +After the Storm, _Low_ got safe to a small Island, one of the Weathermost +of the _Caribbees_, and there fitted their Vessels, as well as the Place +could afford; they got Provisions of the Natives, in exchange for Goods of +their own; and as soon as the Brigantine was ready, 'twas judg'd necessary +to take a short Cruize, and leave the Scooner in the Harbour till her +Return. The Brigantine sail'd out accordingly, and had not been out many +Days before they met a Ship at Sea, that had lost all her Masts; on Board +of whom they went, and took from her in Money and Goods, to the Value of +1000 _l._ and so left her in the Condition they found her: This Ship was +bound home from _Barbadoes_, but losing her Masts in the late Storm, was +making for _Antegoa_, to refit, where she afterwards arriv'd. + +The Storm just spoken of, was found to have done incredible Damage in those +Parts of the World; but however, it appear'd to have been more violent at +_Jamaica_, both to the Island and Shipping, there was such a prodigious +Swell of the Sea, that several hundred Tuns of Stones and Rocks, were +thrown over the Wall of the Town of _Port Royal_, and the Town it self was +overflowed, and above half destroy'd, there being the next Morning five +Foot Water from one End to the other; the Cannon of Fort _Charles_ were +dismounted, and some washed into the Sea, and four hundred People lost +their Lives; a more melancholly Sight was scarce ever seen when the Water +ebb'd away, all the Streets being covered with Ruins of Houses, Wrecks of +Vessels, and a great Number of dead Bodies, for forty Sail of Ships, in the +Harbour, were cast away. + +The Brigantine return'd to the Island, where she had left the Scooner, who +being ready to sail, it was put to the Vote of the Company, what Voyage to +take next; and herein they follow'd the Advice of the Captain, who thought +it not adviseable to go any farther to Leeward, because of the Men of War +who were cruising in their several Stations, which they were not at all +fond of meeting, and therefore it was agreed to go to the _Azores_, or +Western Islands. + +The latter End of _July, Low_ took a _French_ Ship of 34 Guns, and carried +her along with him to the _Azores._ He came into St. _Michael_'s Road the +3d of _August_, and took seven Sail that were lying there, _viz._ the +_Nostre Dame, Mere de Dieu_, Captain _Roach_ Commander; the _Dove_, Capt. +_Cox_; the _Rose_ Pink, formerly a Man of War, Capt. _Thompson_; another +_English_ Ship, Capt. _Chandler_; and three other Vessels. He threatened +all with present Death who resisted, which struck such a Terror to them, +that they yielded themselves up a Prey to the Villains, without firing a +Gun. + +The Pyrates being in great Want of Water and fresh Provisions, _Low_ sent +to the Governor of St. _Michael_'s for a Supply, and promised upon that +Condition to release the Ships he had taken, but otherwise to burn them +all; which Demand the Governor thought it not prudent to refuse, but sent +the Provision he required, upon which he released six of the Ships, (after +he had plundered them of what he thought fit,) and the other, _viz._ the +_Rose_ Pink, was made a Pyrate Ship, which _Low_ himself took the Command +of. + +The Pyrates took several of the Guns out of the _French_ Ship, and mounted +them aboard the _Rose_, which proved very fit for their Turn, and condemned +the former to the Flames. They took all the Crew out of her, but the Cook, +who, they said, being a greazy Fellow would fry well in the Fire; so the +poor Man was bound to the Main-Mast, and burnt in the Ship, to the no small +Diversion of _Low_ and his _Mirmidons._ + +_Low_ ordered the Scooner to lye in the Fare between St. _Michael_'s and +St. _Mary_'s, where, about the 20th of _August_, Captain _Carter_ in the +_Wright_ Galley, had the ill Fortune to come in her Way; and because at +first they shewed Inclinations to defend themselves, and what they had, the +Pyrates cut and mangled them in a barbarous Manner; particularly some +_Portuguese_ Passengers, two of which being Friers, they triced up at each +Arm of the Fore-Yard, but let them down again before they were quite dead, +and this they repeated several Times out of Sport. + +Another _Portuguese_, who was also Captain _Carter_'s Passenger, putting on +a sorrowful Countenance at what he saw acted, one of this vile Crew +attacked him upon the Deck, saying, _he did not like his Looks_, and +thereupon gave him one Blow a-cross his Belly with his Cutlash, that cut +out his Bowels, and he fell down dead without speaking a Word. At the same +Time another of these Rogues cutting at a Prisoner, missed his Mark, and +Captain _Low_ standing in his Way, very opportunely received the Stroke +upon his under Jaw, which laid the Teeth bare; upon this the Surgeon was +called, who immediately stitched up the Wound, but _Low_ finding fault with +the Operation, the Surgeon being tollerably drunk, as it was customary for +every Body to be, struck _Low_ such a Blow with his Fist, that broke out +all the Stitches, and then bid him sew up his Chops himself and be damned, +so that _Low_ made a very pitiful Figure for some Time after. + +When they had plundered Captain _Carter_'s Ship, several of them were for +burning her, as they had done the _French_ Man, but it was otherwise +resolved at last; for after they had cut her Cables, Rigging and Sails to +Pieces, they left her to the Mercy of the Sea. + +After these Depredations, they steered for the Island of _Madera_, where +missing other Booty, they took up with a Fishing-Boat, with two old Men and +a Boy in her, one of which they detained on Board, but sent the other +ashore with a Flag of Truce, demanding a Boat of Water of the Governor, on +Pain of taking away the old Man's Life, whom they threatened to hang at the +Yard-Arm, upon their refusal; but the Thing being complied with, the old +Man was honourably (as the Pyrates say) discharged, and all the three much +handsomer cloathed than when they took them. From this Island they sailed +to the _Canaries_, but meeting with no Prey there, they continued their +Course for the _Cape de Verd_ Islands, and at _Bonavista_, took a Ship +called the _Liverpool Merchant_, Captain _Goulding_, from whom they stole a +great Quantity of Provisions and dry Goods, 300 Gallons of Brandy, two Guns +and Carriages, a Mast, Yard and Hawsers, besides six of his Men, and then +would not let them Trade there, nor at St. _Nicholas_, but obliged Captain +_Goulding_ to go with his Ship, to the Isle of _May._ + +The Pyrate also took among these Islands, a Ship belonging to _Liverpool, +Scot_ Commander; two _Portuguese_ Sloops bound for _Brasil_; a small +_English_ Sloop trading there, _James Pease_ Master, bound to _Sancta +Crux_, and three Sloops from St. _Thomas_ bound to _Curaso_, the Masters +Names were _Lilly, Staples_ and _Simpkins_, all which they plundered, and +then let go about their Business, except one Sloop which they fitted up for +the following Purpose. + +_Low_ had heard by one of the above mentioned Ships, that two small Gallies +were expected every Day at the _Western Islands, viz._ the _Greyhound_, +Captain _Glass_, and the _Joliff_, Captain _Aram_; the former of which was +designed to be fitted for the pyratical Trade to _Brasil_, if Things had +happened to their Minds. They mann'd the Sloop, and sent her in Quest of +one or both of these Ships to the _Western Islands_ aforesaid, whilst they +carreen'd their Ship _Rose_, at one of the _Cape de Verds_: But now Fortune +that had hitherto been so propitious to them, left her Minions, and baffled +for the present all their Hopes, for the Sloop missing of their Prey, was +reduced to great Necessities for want of Provisions and Water, so that they +ventured to go ashore at St. _Michael_'s for a Supply, and pass for a +Trader; but they play'd their Parts so aukwardly, that they were suspected +by the Governor to be what they really were, and he was soon put out of +doubt by a Visit some _Portuguese_ made them, who happened unluckily to be +Passengers in Captain _Carter_'s Ship, when _Low_ took her, and knew the +Gentlemen's Faces very well; upon which the whole Crew was conducted into +the Castle, where they were provided for as long as they liv'd. + +_Low_, in the mean Time, did not fare quite so ill, but had his intended +Voyage to _Brasil_ spoil'd, by the oversetting of his Ship, when she was +upon the Careen, whereby she was lost, so that he was reduc'd to his old +Scooner, which he called the _Fancy_, aboard of which they all went, to the +Number of 100, as vile Rogues as ever ended their Lives at _Tyburn._ They +proceeded now to the _West-Indies_, but before they had gotten far on their +Voyage, they attack'd a rich _Portuguese_ Ship, call'd the _Nostre Signiora +de Victoria_, bound home from _Bahia_, and after some Resistance, took her. +_Low_ tortur'd several of the Men, to make them declare where the Money, +(which he suppos'd they had on Board) lay, and extorted by that Means, a +Confession that the Captain had, during the Chace, hung out of the Cabin +Window, a Bag with 11,000 Moidores, which, assoon as he was taken, he cut +the Rope off, and let it drop into the Sea. + +_Low_, upon hearing what a Prize had escap'd him, rav'd like a Fury, swore +a thousand Oaths, and ordered the Captain's Lips to be cut off, which he +broil'd before his Face, and afterwards murthered him and all the Crew, +being thirty two Persons. + +After this bloody Action, they continued their Course, till they came to +the Northward of all the Islands, and there cruiz'd for about a Month, in +which Time they made Prizes of the following Vessels, _viz._ a Snow from +_New-York_ to _Curacoa, Robert Leonard_ Master; a Sloop from the Bay, bound +to _New-York, Craig_ Master; a Snow from _London_ and _Jamaica_, bound to +_New-York_; and the _Stanhope_ Pink, _Andrew Delbridge_ Master, from +_Jamaica_ to _Boston_; which last they burnt, because of _Low_'s +irreconcileable Aversion to _New-England_ Men. + +After this Cruize, they went into one of the Islands and clean'd, and then +steered for the Bay of _Honduras_, where they arrived about the Middle of +_March_ 1722-3, and met a Sloop turning out of the said Bay. The Pyrates +had hoisted up _Spanish_ Colours, and continued them till they drew near +the Sloop, then they hall'd them down, hoisted their black Flag, fired a +Broadside, and boarded her. This Sloop was a _Spaniard_ of six Guns, and 70 +Men, that came into the Bay that Morning, and meeting there with five +_English_ Sloops, and a Pink, made Prizes of them all, plundered them, and +brought the Masters of the Vessels away Prisoners, for the ransom of the +Logwood; their Names were _Tuthill, Norton, Newbury, Sprafort, Clark_ and +_Parrot._ The _Spaniards_ made no Resistance, so that the _English_ Pyrates +soon became their Masters and fell to rifling; but finding the +above-mentioned People in the Hold, and several _English_ Goods, they +consulted _Low_ the Captain thereupon, and without examining any further, +the Resolution pass'd to kill all the Company; and the Pyrates, without any +Ceremony, fell Pell-Mell to Execution with their Swords, Cutlashes, +Poll-Axes and Pistols, cutting, slashing and shooting the poor _Spaniards_ +at a sad Rate. Some of the miserable Creatures jump'd down into the Hold, +but could not avoid the Massacre; they met Death every where, for if they +escaped it from one Hand, they were sure to perish by another; the only +Prospect they had of Life, was to fly from the Rage of those merciless Men, +and to trust to the more merciful Sea; and accordingly a great many leap'd +over-board, and swam for the Shore; but _Low_ perceiving it, ordered the +Canoa to be mann'd, and sent in pursuit of them, by which Means several of +the poor unhappy Men were knock'd in the Head in the Water, as they were +endeavouring to get to Land; however, about 12 of them did reach the Shore, +but in a miserable Condition, being very much wounded, and what became of +them afterwards was not known, except one, who while the Pyrates were at +their Sports and Pastimes ashore, finding himself very weak and fainting +with his Wounds, and not knowing where to go for Help and Relief, in this +Extremity, he came back to them, and begg'd for God sake, in the most +earnest Manner possible, that they would give him Quarters; upon which, one +of the Villains took hold of him, and said, _G-- d--n him, he would give +him good Quarters presently_, and made the poor _Spaniard_ kneel down on +his Knees, then taking his Fusil, put the Muzzle of it into his Mouth, and +fired down his Throat. 'Twas thought the rest did not long survive their +miserable Condition, and could only prolong their Lives, to add to the +Misery of them. + +When the murdering Work was over, they rumaged the _Spanish_ Pyrate, and +brought all the Booty aboard their own Vessels: The six Masters +aforementioned, found in the Hold, they restored to their respective +Vessels: They forced away the Carpenter from the Pink, and then set Fire to +the _Spanish_ Sloop, and burnt her; which last Scene concluded the +Destruction of their Enemy, Ship and Crew. + +_Low_ set the Masters of the Vessels free, but would not suffer them to +steer for _Jamaica_, where they were then bound, for fear the Men of War +should get Intelligence of them, but forced them all to go to _New-York_, +threat'ning them with Death, when they met them again, if they refused to +comply with their Demands. + +In the next Cruize, which was between the Leeward Islands and the Main, +they took two Snows, bound from _Jamaica_ to _Liverpool_, and a Snow from +_Jamaica_ to _London, Bridds_ Master; as also a Ship from _Biddford_ to +_Jamaica, John Pinkham_ Commander; and two Sloops from _Jamaica_ to +_Virginia._ + +On the 27th of _May, Low_ and his Consort _Harris_, came off +_South-Carolina_, and met with three good Ships, _viz._ the _Crown_, +Captain _Lovereigne_, the _King William_, the _Carteret_, and a Brigantine, +who all came out of _Carolina_ together two Days before. The Pyrates were +at the Trouble of chacing them, and Captain _Lovereigne_ being the +sternmost, she fell first a Prey into their Hands; and they spent all the +Day in coming up with the rest. + +Within a few Days they took a Ship called the _Amsterdam Merchant_, Captain +_Willard_, from _Jamaica_, but belonging to _New-England_; as _Low_ let +none of that Country depart without some Marks of his Rage, he cut off this +Gentleman's Ears, slit up his Nose, and cut him in several Places of his +Body, and, after plundering his Ship, let him pursue his Voyage. + +After this he took a Sloop bound to _Amboy, William Frazier_, Master, with +whom Mr. _Low_ happening to be displeased, he ordered lighted Matches to be +ty'd between the Mens Fingers, which burnt all the Flesh off the Bones; +then cut them in several Parts of their Bodies with Knives and Cutlashes; +afterwards took all their Provisions away, and set some of them ashore in +an uninhabited Part of the Country. + +The _Kingston_, Captain _Estwick_, another Ship, one _Burrington_ Master, +two Brigantines from _Carolina_ to _London_; a Sloop from _Virginia_ to +_Bermudas_; a Ship from _Glasgow_ to _Virginia_; a Scooner from _New-York_ +to _South-Carolina_; a Pink from _Virginia_ to _Dartmouth_, and a Sloop +from _Philadelphia_ to _Surinam_, fell a Prey to these Villains, upon this +Cruize, besides those above-mentioned. + +It happened that at this Time one of his Majesty's Ships was upon a Cruize, +on this Station, and got Intelligence of some of the mischievous Actions of +this Miscreant, by one of the Vessels that had been plundered by him, who +steering as directed, came in Sight of the Pyrates by break of Day, on the +10th of _June_, of all Days in the Year. The Rovers looking out for Prey, +soon saw, and gave Chace to the Man of War, which was called the +_Greyhound_, a Ship of 20 Guns, and 120 Men, rather inferiour in Force to +the two Pyrate Vessels: The _Greyhound_ finding them so eager, was in no +doubt what they should be, and therefore tack'd and stood from them, giving +the Pyrates an Opportunity to chace her for two Hours, till all Things were +in Readiness for an Engagement, and the Pyrates about Gun-shot off; then +the _Greyhound_ tack'd again, and stood towards the two Sloops, one of them +called the _Fancy_, commanded by _Low_ himself, and the other the _Ranger_, +commanded by _Harris_, both which hoisted their pyratical Colours, and +fired each a Gun. When the _Greyhound_ came within Musquet-shot, she halled +up her Main-sail, and clapp'd close upon a Wind, to keep the Pyrates from +running to Leeward, and then engaged: But when the Rogues found who they +had to deal with, they edg'd away under the Man of War's Stern, and the +_Greyhound_ standing after them, they made a running Fight for about two +Hours; but little Wind happening, the Sloops gained from her, by the help +of their Oars; upon which the _Greyhound_ left off firing, and turned all +Hands to her own Oars, and at three in the Afternoon came up with them. The +Pyrates haul'd upon a Wind to receive the Man of War, and the Fight was +immediately renewed, with a brisk Fire on both Sides, till the _Ranger_'s +Main-Yard was shot down, and the _Greyhound_ pressing close upon the +disabled Sloop, _Low_, in the other, thought fit to bear away and leave his +Consort a Sacrifice to his Enemy, who (seing the Cowardice and Treachery of +his Commadore and Leader, having ten or twelve Men killed and wounded, and +that there was no possibility of escaping,) called out for Quarters, and +surrendered themselves to Justice, which proved severe enough to them +a-while afterwards. + +The Conduct of _Low_ was surprizing in this Adventure, because his reputed +Courage and Boldness, had, hitherto, so possess'd the Minds of all People, +that he became a Terror, even to his own Men; but his Behaviour throughout +this whole Action, shewed him to be a base cowardly Villain, for had +_Low_'s Sloop fought half so briskly as _Harris_'s had done, (as they were +under a solemn Oath to do,) the Man of War, in my Opinion, could never have +hurted them. + +The _Greyhound_ carried in their Prize to _Rhode Island_, to the great Joy +of the whole Province, tho' it had been more compleat, if the great _LOW_ +himself had grac'd the Triumph. The Prisoners were strongly secured in a +Goal, till a Court of Vice-Admiralty could be held for their Tryals, which +begun on the 10th of _July_, at _Newport_, and continued three Days. The +Court was made up of the following Gentlemen. + +_William Dummer_, Esq; Lieutenant Governor of the _Massachusets_, +President. _Nathaniel Paine_, Esq; _Addington Davonport_, Esq; _Thomas +Fitch_, Esq; _Spencer Phipps_, Esq; _John Lechmere_, Esq; Surveyor-General. +_John Valentine_, Esq; Advocate-General. _Samuel Cranston_, Governor of +_Rhode-Island._ _John Menzies_, Esq; Judge of the Admiralty, _Richard +Ward_, Esq; Register. Mr. _Jahleel Brinton_, Provost-Marshal. + +_Robert Auchmuta_, Esq; was assigned, by the Court, Council for the +Prisoners here under mention'd. + +Prisoners Names. Ages. Places of Birth. +Charles Harris, Captain 25 London. +William Blads 28 Rhode-Island. +Daniel Hide 23 Virginia. +Thomas Powel, jun. 21 Connecticut N. E. +Stephen Mundon 20 London. +Thomas Huggit 30 London. +William Read 35 Londonderry, Ireland. +Peter Kneeves 32 Exeter in Devon. +James Brinkly 28 Suffolk in England. +Joseph Sound 28 City of Westminster. +William Shutfield 40 Lancafter in England. +Edward Eaton 38 Wrexham in Wales. +John Brown 29 County of Durham. +Edward Lawson 20 Isle of Man. +Owen Rice 27 South-Wales. +John Tomkins 23 Gloucestershire. +John Fitzgerrald 21 Limerick in Ireland. +Abraham Lacy 21 Devonshire. +Thomas Linister 21 Lancashire. +Francis Leyton 39 New-York. +John Waters, Quart.-Mr. 35 County of Devon. +William Jones 28 London. +Charles Church 21 St. Margaret's, Westm. +Thomas Hazel 50 -- -- -- +John Bright 25 -- -- -- -- + +These 25 were found guilty, and executed the 19th of _July_, 1723, +near _Newport_ in _Rhode-Island._ + +John Brown 17 Liverpoole. +Patrick Cunningham 25 -- -- -- + +These two were found guilty, but respited for one Year, and +recommended to the King's Favour. + +John Wilson 23 New-London County +Henry Barnes 22 Barbadoes. +Thomas Jones 17 Flur in Wales. +Joseph Switzer 24 Boston in New-England. +Thomas Mumper Indian. Mather's Vineyard N. E. +John Hincher, Doctor 22 Near Edinburgh, Scot. +John Fletcher 17 -- -- -- +Thomas Child 15 -- -- -- + +These eight were found Not Guilty. + +The destroying this Pyrate was look'd upon by the Province, to be of such a +signal Service to the Publick, and particular Advantage to the Colony of +_New-York_, that it was thought necessary to make some handsome +Acknowledgement to Captain _Peter Solgard_ for it; and therefore it was +resolved, in an Assembly of the Common-Council, to compliment him with the +Freedom of their Corporation. The Resolution, together with the Preamble of +the Captain's Freedom, being curious in their Kind, I subjoin them for the +Satisfaction of the Reader. + +Resolution of the Mayor and Common-Council of the City of _New-York_, +at a Common-Council held at the City Hall of the said City, on _Thursday_ +the 25th of _July, Anno. Dom._ 1723. + +Present _Robert Walter_, Esq; Mayor. + + _City of_ New-York, _ss._ + +T_HIS Court having taken into their Consideration the great Service +lately done to this Province in particular, as well as to all other his +Majesty's good Subjects in general, by Captain_ Peter Solgard, _Commander +of his Majesty's Ship the_ Greyhound, _the Station Ship of the Province, +who lately in a Cruize upon this Coast, in due Execution and Discharge of +his Duty, upon Intelligence given him, sought for, pursued and engaged two +Pyrate Sloops, commanded by one_ Low, _(a notorious and inhumane Pyrate,) +one of which Sloops he took, after a resolute Resistance, and very much +shattered the other, who by the Favour of the Night escaped. Twenty six of +which Pyrates so taken, being lately executed at_ Rhode Island, _not only +eased this City and Province of a very great Trouble, but of a very +considerable Expence_, &c. _It is therefore resolved (_Nemine +Contradicente_) that this Corporation do present the said Captain_ Solgard +_with the Freedom of this Corporation, as a Mark of the great Esteem they +have for his Person, as well as for the aforesaid great and good Services; +and that the Seal of the said Freedom be enclosed in a Gold Box; that Mr._ +Recorder _and Mr._ Bickley _do draw the Draught of the said Freedom, +signifying therein, the grateful Sense of this Corporation, for so signal a +Service to the Publick, and Benefit and Advantage of Mankind. That +Alderman_ Kip, _and Alderman_ Cruger, _do prepare the said Box; that the +Arms of the Corporation be engraved on one Side thereof, and a +Representation of the Engagement on the other, with this Motto_, (viz.) +[Quesitos Humani Generos Hostes Debellare superbum, 10 Junii, 1723.] _That +the Town-Clerk cause the same Freedom to be handsomly engrossed on +Parchment, and that the whole Corporation do wait upon him, to present the +same._ + +_By Order of the Common-Council._ William Sharpas, _Clerk._ + +The Preamble of Captain _Peter Solgard_'s Copy of his Freedom. + +_Robert Walter_, Esq; Mayor, and the Aldermen of the City of +_New-York._ + + City of _New-York, ss._ + +T_O all whom these Persents shall come, send Greeting. WHEREAS, +Captain_ Peter Solgard, _Commander of his Majesty's Ship the_ Greyhound, +(_the present Station Ship of this Province_,) _in his Cruize, having +Intelligence of two Pyrate Sloops of considerable Force in Consortship, +under the Command of one_ Low, _a notorious Pyrate, that had for upward of +two Years, committed many Depredations, Murders and Barbarities, upon many +of his Majesty's Subjects and Allies, lately come upon this Coast, hath, +with great Diligence, and utmost Application, pursued, overtaken, and after +a stubborn Resistance, vanquished and overcome both of them, taking one, +and driving the other from our Coast; which Action, as it is glorious in it +self, so it is glorious in the publick Benefits and Advantages that flow +from it_, (_to wit_) _The Safety and Freedom of our own Trade and Commerce, +and of all the neighbouring Provinces on this Continent, such signal +Service done against the Enemies of Mankind, merits the Applause of all +good Men, but more immediately from those of this Province, who are +appointed his particular Care and Charge. WE therefore, the Mayor, Aldermen +and Commonalty of the City of_ New-York, _assembled in Common Council, to +express our grateful Sense and Acknowledgment, to the said Captain_ Peter +Solgard, _for so noble and faithful a Discharge of his Duty, and as a +particular Mark of the great Esteem and just Regard we bear to his kind +Acceptance of the Freedom of the Corporation of this City of_ New-York, +_and that he will please to become a Fellow Citizen with us._ These are +therefore _to certify and declare, that the said Captain_ Peter Solgard _is +hereby admitted, received and allowed a Freeman and Citizen of the said +City of_ New-York, _to have, hold, enjoy and partake of all and singular +Advantages, Benefits, Liberties, Privileges, Franchises, Freedoms and +Immunities whatsoever, granted or belonging to the same City_: In Testimony +_thereof, the said Mayor hath hereunto subscribed his Name, and caused the +Seal of the said City to be affix'd the_ 25_th Day of_ July, _in the ninth +Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord_ George, _by the Grace of God, King +of_ Great Britain, France _and_ Ireland, _Defender of the Faith_, &c. Anno. +Dom. 1723. + +William Sharpas, _Clerk._ + +R. Walter _Mayor._ + +This narrow Escape of _Low_ and his Companions, one would have thought +might have brought them to a little Consideration of their black and horrid +Crimes, and to look upon this Interval as an Opportunity put into their +Hands by Providence, to reconcile themselves to God, by a hearty and +sincere Repentance. But alass they were dead to all Goodness, and had not +so much as one Spark of Virtue to stir them up to be thankful for such an +eminent Deliverance: But instead thereof, vented a Million of Oaths and +Curses upon the Captain of the _Greyhound_, vowing to execute Vengeance +upon all they should meet with afterwards, for the Indignity he put upon +them. + +The first Prey that they met with, after their Flight, was a small Sloop +belonging to _Nantucket_, a Whale-Fishing, about 80 Miles from Land; the +Master of which, one _Nathan Skiff_, a brisk young Fellow, the Pyrates +cruelly whipp'd naked about the Deck, making his Torture their Sport; after +which they cut of his Ears, and last of all shot him through the Head, and +then sunk his Vessel; putting the rest of the Hands into their Whale-Boat, +with a Compass, a little Water, and a few Biskets; and it being good +Weather, they providentially got safe to _Nantucket_, beyond all +Expectation. + +There was another Whale-Boat belonging to this Sloop last mentioned, which +happened to be at some Distance from her, and perceiving what was doing, +rowed with all speed to another Sloop not far off, to acquaint her with the +Misfortune, that the Men might take Care of themselves; and she happily got +away in Time. Some Days after, _Low_ took a Fishing-Boat off of _Block +Island_, but did not perpetrate so much Cruelty to her, contenting himself +with only cutting off the Master's Head: But after taking two Whale-Boats +near _Rhode Island_, he caused one of the Master's Bodies to be ripp'd up, +and his Intrails to be taken out; and cut off the Ears of the other, and +made him eat them himself with Pepper and Salt; which hard Injunction he +comply'd with, without making a Word. Several other Persons he would have +murthered, but Humanity prevailing in the tender Hearts of his Companions, +they refused to put his savage Orders in Execution. From the Coast of +_New-England, Low_ sailed directly for _Newfoundland_, and, near Cape +_Briton_, took two or three and twenty _French_ Vessels; and one of them of +22 Guns he mann'd with Pyrates, making a sort of a Man of War of her; with +which he scower'd the Harbours and Banks of _Newfoundland_, and took +sixteen or eighteen other Ships and Vessels, all which they plundered, and +some destroyed. + +Thus these inhumane Wretches went on, who could not be contented to satisfy +their Avarice only, and travel in the common Road of Wickedness; but, like +their Patron, the Devil, must make Mischief their Sport, Cruelty their +Delight, and damning of Souls their constant Employment. Of all the +pyratical Crews that were ever heard of, none of the _English_ Name came up +to this, in Barbarity; their Mirth and their Anger had much the same +Effect, for both were usually gratified with the Cries and Groans of their +Prisoners; so that they almost as often murthered a Man from the Excess of +good Humour, as out of Passion and Resentment; and the Unfortunate could +never be assured of Safety from them, for Danger lurked in their very +Smiles. An Instance of this had liked to have happened to one Captain +_Graves_, Master of a _Virginia_ Ship last taken; for as soon as he came +aboard of the Pyrate, _Low_ takes a Bowl of Punch in his Hand, and drinks +to him, saying, _Captain_ Graves, _here's half this to you._ But the poor +Gentleman being too sensibly touched at the Misfortune of falling into his +Hands, modestly desired to be excused, for that he could not drink; +whereupon _Low_ draws out a Pistol, cocks it, and with the Bowl in 'tother +Hand, told him, he should either take one or the other: So _Graves_, +without Hesitation, made Choice of the Vehicle that contained the Punch, +and guttled down about a Quart, when he had the least Inclination that ever +he had in his Life to be merry. + +The latter End of _July_, (1723,) _Low_ took a large Ship, called the +_Merry Christmas_, and fitted her for a Pyrate, cut several Ports in her, +and mounted her with 34 Guns. _Low_ goes aboard of this Ship, assumes the +Title of Admiral, and hoists a black Flag, with the Figure of Death in red, +at the Main-topmast Head, and takes another Voyage to the _Western +Islands_, where he arrived the Beginning of _September._ The first Vessel +he met with there, was a Brigantine, formerly an _English_ Sloop, commanded +by _Elias Wild_, but lately bought by a _Portuguese_ Nobleman, and altered: +She was manned partly with _English_, and partly _Portuguese_; the latter +_Low_ caused to be hang'd, by Way of Reprisal, for some of his own Men sent +thither in a Sloop from the _Cape de Verd_ Islands, as has been mentioned: +The _English_ Men he thrust into their own Boat, to shift for themselves, +and set Fire to the Vessel. + +At St. _Michaels_, they sent in their Boats and cut out of the Road, a new +_London_ built Ship of 14 Guns, commanded by Captain _Thompson_, who was +taken there the Year before, by _Low_, in the _Rose_ Pink. The Boats had +fewer Men than the Ship, and Captain _Thompson_ would have defended +himself, but his Men through Cowardize, or too great an Inclination of +becoming Pyrates themselves, refused to stand by him, and he was obliged to +surrender; and when he came aboard the Pyrate, had his Ears cut off close +to his Head, for only proposing to resist Admiral _Low_'s black Flag; they +gave him one of his own Boats, and burnt his Ship. + +The next was a _Portuguese_ Bark that fell into their Hands, whose Men came +off somewhat better than usual, for they only cut them with their +Cutlashes, out of Wantonness, turned them all into their Boat, and set +their Vessel on Fire. When the Boat was going from the Side of the Ship, +one of _Low_'s Men, who, we may suppose, was forced into his Gang, was +drinking with a Silver Tankard at one of the Ports, and took his +Opportunity to drop into the Boat among the _Portuguese_, and lye down in +the Bottom, in order to escape along with them: After he had stowed himself +in the Boat, so as not to be seen, it came into his Head, that the Tankard +might prove of some Use to him, where he was going; so he got up again, +laid hold of the Utensil, and went off, without being discover'd: In which +Attempt had he failed, no doubt his Life, if not the Lives of all the +People in the Boat, would have paid for it: The Name of this Man is +_Richard Hains._ + +_Low_ took his old Tour to the _Canaries, Cape de Verd_ Islands, and so to +the Coast of _Guiney_; but nothing extraordinary happened till they arrived +near _Sierraleon_ in _Africa_, where they met with a Ship call'd the +_Delight_, Captain _Hunt_ Commander; this Ship they thought fit for their +own Purpose, for she had been a small Man of War, and carried 12 Guns; +however, they mounted 16 on Board her, mann'd her with 60 Men, and +appointed one _Spriggs_, who was then their Quarter-Master, to be Captain +of her, who, two Days after, separated from the Admiral, and went to the +_West-Indies_ a-pyrating, upon his own, and particular Company's, Account, +where for the present we shall leave him. + +In _January_ last, _Low_ took a Ship, called the _Squirrel_, Captain +_Stephenson_; but what became of him afterwards, I can't tell; we have had +no News concerning him come to _England_, since this I have now mentioned; +but I have heard that he talk'd of going to _Brazil_; and if so, it is +likely we may too soon hear of some Exploit or other; tho' the best +Information we could receive, would be, that he and all his Crew were at +the Bottom of the Sea. + +CHAP. XIV. OF Capt. _JOHN EVANS_, And his CREW. + +J_OHN Evans_ was a _Welch_ Man, had been formerly Master of a Sloop +belonging to _Nevis_, but losing his Employ there, he sailed for some Time +out of _Jamaica_ as Mate, till happening in Company of three or four of his +Comrades, and Wages not being so good as formerly, and Births scarce, +because of the great Number of Seamen; they agreed to go abroad in search +of Adventures. They sailed, or rather rowed out of _Port Royal_ in +_Jamaica_, the latter End of _September_ 1722, in a Canoa; and coming on +the North-Side of the Island, went ashore in the Night, broke open a House +or two, and robb'd them of some Money, and every Thing else they could find +that was portable, and brought the Booty on Board the Canoa. + +This was very well for the first Time, but this kind of Robbery did not +please so well, they wanted to get out to Sea, but having no Vessel but +their Canoa, they were prevented in their laudable Design; however, they +kept a good look out, and traversed the Island, in Expectation that +Providence would send some unfortunate Vessel as a Sacrifice, and in a few +Days their Wishes were accomplished; for at _Duns Hole_, they found a small +Sloop at an Anchor, belonging to _Bermudas_: They made bold and went +aboard, and _Evans_ informed the Folks that belonged to her, that he was +Captain of the Vessel, which was a Piece of News they knew not before. +After they had put their Affairs in a proper Disposition aboard, they went +ashore to a little Village for Refreshments, and lived jovially the +remaining Part of the Day, at a Tavern, spending three Pistols, and then +departed. The People of the House admired at the merry Guests they had got, +were mightily pleased, and wished for their Company at another Time, which +happened too soon for their Profit; for, in the middle of the Night, they +came ashore all Hands, rifled the House, and carried what they could aboard +their Sloop. + +The next Day they weighed in the Sloop, aboard of which they mounted four +Guns, called her the _Scowerer_, and sailed to _Hispaniola_; on the North +Part of which Island they took a _Spanish_ Sloop, which proved an +extraordinary rich Prize, as it fell among so few Persons as this Company +consisted of, for they shared upwards of 150 _l._ a Man. + +In Pursuance of the Game, and beating up for the Windward Islands, the +_Scowerer_ met with a Ship from _New-England_, bound to _Jamaica_, 120 +Tons, called the _Dove_, Captain _Diamond_ Master, off _Porto Rico_: They +plundered her, and strengthened their own Company, by taking out the Mate, +and two or three other Men; they discharged the Prize, and run into one of +the Islands for fresh Water and Necessaries, and staid there some Time. + +The next Prize they made, was the _Lucretia and Catherine_, Captain +_Mills_, of 200 Ton Burthen; they came up with her near the Island +_Disseada, January_ 11th. Upon seizing of this Ship, the Pyrates began to +take upon themselves the Distribution of Justice, examining the Men +concerning their Master's Usage of them, according to the Custom of other +Pyrates; but the Captain over-hearing the Matter, put an End to the +judicial Proceedings, and fell to rumaging the Ship, saying to them, _What +have we to do to turn Reformers, 'tis Money we want?_ And speaking to the +Prisoners, he asked them, _Does your Captain give you Victuals enough?_ And +they answering in the Affirmative: _Why then_, said he, _he ought to give +you Work enough._ + +After the taking of this Prize, they went to the little Island of _Avis_, +with a Design to clean, and carried the _Lucretia_ along with them, in +order to heave down the _Scowerer_ by her; but meeting there with a Sloop, +the Pyrate gave Chace till the Evening, when she was within Gun-Shot of +her; but fearing to lose Company with the _Lucretia_, who was a heavy +Sailor, they left off, and saw her no more. This Chace brought them to +Leeward of their Port, so that they were obliged to look out for another +Place of Retreat, and the Island of _Ruby_ not being far distant, they +steered for that, and anchored there accordingly; but the next Day a +_Dutch_ Sloop coming as it were, into their Mouths, they could not forbear +dealing, and so making her their Prize, they plundered her of what came, +when shared, to fifty Pounds a Man. + +They found this Sloop more for their Purpose than the _Lucretia_, to clean +their own Sloop by, as being much lower in the Wast, and therefore capable +of heaving her Bottom farther out of the Water, so she was discharged, and +the _Dutch_ Man kept in her Room; but not thinking it convenient to lay up +here, for fear a discovery should be made, they turned their Thoughts +another Way, and steered to the Coast of _Jamaica_, where they took a Sugar +Drover, and then run to the _Grand Caimanes_, about 30 Leagues to Leeward +of _Jamaica_, with Intention to clean there; but an unhappy Accident put an +End to their Pyracies, which hitherto had proved very successful to them. + +The Boatswain of the Pyrate being a noisy surly Fellow, the Captain had at +several Times Words with him, relating to his Behaviour, who thinking +himself ill treated, not only returned ill Language, but also challenged +the Captain to fight him on the next Shore they came to, with Pistols and +Sword, as is the Custom among these Outlaws. When the Sloop arrived, as +abovementioned, the Captain proposed the Duel; but the cowardly Boatswain +refused to fight, or go ashore, tho' it was his own Challenge. When Captain +_Evans_ saw there was nothing to be done with him, he took his Cane, and +gave him a hearty drubbing; but the Boatswain not being able to bear such +an Indignity, drew out a Pistol and shot _Evans_ thro' the Head, so that he +fell down dead; and the Boatswain immediately jumped over-board, and swam +towards the Shore; but the Boat was quickly mann'd and sent after him, +which took him up and brought him aboard. + +The Death of the Captain in that Manner, provoked all the Crew, and they +resolved the Criminal should die by the most exquisite Tortures; but while +they were considering of the Punishment, the Gunner, transported with +Passion, discharged a Pistol, and shot him thro' the Body; but not killing +him outright, the Delinquent in very moving Words, desired a Week for +Repentance only; but another stepping up to him, told him, _that he should +repent and be damned to him_, and without more ado shot him dead. + +I should have observed, that when the _Lucretia_ and _Katharine_ was +suffered to go away, the Pyrates detained their Mate, who was now the only +Man aboard, who understood Navigation, and him they desired to take upon +him the Command of the Sloop, in the Room of Captain _Evans_ deceased; but +he desired to be excused that Honour, and at length positively refused it; +so they agreed to break up the Company, and leave the Mate in Possession of +the Vessel: Accordingly they went ashore at the _Caimanes_, carrying with +them about nine thousand Pounds among thirty Persons; and it being fair +Weather, the Mate and a Boy brought the Vessel into _Port Royal_, in +_Jamaica._ + +CHAP. XV. OF Captain _John Phillips_, And his CREW. + +J_OHN Phillips_ was bred a Carpenter, and sailing to _Newfoundland_ +in a West-Country Ship, was taken by _Anstis_ in the _Good Fortune_ +Brigantine, the next Day after he had left his Consort and Commadore, +Captain _Roberts. Phillips_ was soon reconciled to the Life of a Pyrate, +and being a brisk Fellow, was appointed Carpenter of the Vessel, for at +first his Ambition reach'd no higher; there he remain'd till they broke up +at _Tabago_, and was one of those who came home in a Sloop that we have +mentioned to be sunk in _Bristol_ Channel. + +His Stay was not long in _England_, for whilst he was paying his first +Visits to his Friends in _Devonshire_, he heard of the Misfortune of some +of his Companions, that is, of their being taken and committed to _Bristol_ +Goal; and there being good Reason for his apprehending Danger from a Wind +that blew from the same Quarter, he mov'd off immediately to _Topsham_, the +nearest Port, and there shipp'd himself with one Captain _Wadham_, for a +Voyage to _Newfoundland_, and home again; which, by the way, Mr. _Phillips_ +never design'd to perform, or to see _England_ any more. When the Ship came +to _Peter_ Harbour in _Newfoundland_ aforesaid, he ran away from her, and +hired himself a Splitter in the Fishery, for the Season: But this was only +till he could have an Opportunity of prosecuting his intended Rogueries; in +order to which, he combined with several others, in the same Employ, to go +off with one of the Vessels that lay in the Harbour, upon the pyratical +Account; accordingly the Time was fix'd, _viz._ the 29th of _August_ 1723, +at Night; but whether Remorse or Fear prevented their coming together, I +know not, but of sixteen Men that were in the Combination, five only kept +the Appointment: Notwithstanding which, _Phillips_ was for pushing forward +with that small Number, assuring his Companions, that they should soon +encrease their Company; and they agreeing, a Vessel was seiz'd on, and out +of the Harbour they sailed. + +The first Thing they had now to do, was to chuse Officers, draw up +Articles, and settle their little Commonwealth, to prevent Disputes and +Ranglings afterwards; so _John Phillips_ was made Captain, _John Nutt_, +Master, (or Navigator) of the Vessel; _James Sparks_, Gunner; _Thomas +Fern_, Carpenter; and _Wiliam White_ was the only private Man in the whole +Crew: When this was done, one of them writ out the following Articles +(which we have taken _verbatim_) and all swore to 'em upon a Hatchet for +want of a Bible. + +The Articles on Board the _Revenge._ + +1. + +E_Very Man shall obey civil Command; the Captain shall have one full +Share and a half in all Prizes; the Master, Carpenter, Boatswain and Gunner +shall have one Share and quarter._ + +2. + +_If any Man shall offer to run away, or keep any Secret from the Company, +he shall be marroon'd, with one Bottle of Powder, one Bottle of Water, one +small Arm, and Shot._ + +3. + +_If any Man shall steal any Thing in the Company, or game, to the Value of +a Piece of Eight, he shall be marroon'd or shot._ + +4. + +_If at any Time we should meet another Marrooner_ [_that is, _Pyrate,] +_that Man that shall sign his Articles without the Consent of our company, +shall suffer such Punishment as the Captain and Company shall think fit._ + +5. + +_That Man that shall strike another whilst these Articles are in force, +shall receive_ Moses_'s Law_ (_that is_, 40 _Stripes lacking one_) _on the +bare Back._ + +6. + +_That Man that shall snap his Arms, or smoak Tobacco in the Hold, without a +Cap to his Pipe, or carry a Candle lighted without a Lanthorn, shall suffer +the same Punishment as in the former Article._ + +7. + +_That Man that shall not keep his Arms clean, fit for an Engagement, or +neglect his Business, shall be cut off from his Share, and suffer such +other Punishment as the Captain and the Company shall think fit._ + +8. + +_If any Man shall lose a Joint in time of an Engagement, shall have_ 400 +_Pieces of Eight; if a Limb_, 800. + +9. + +_If at any time you meet with a prudent Woman, that Man that offers to +meddle with her, without her Consent, shall suffer present Death._ + +Thus prepar'd, this bold Crew set out, and before they left the Banks they +made Prize of several small Fishing-Vessels, out of which they got a few +Hands, some _French_ and some _English_, and then sail'd for the +_West-Indies_; in one of these Vessels they took out one _John Rose +Archer_, who having been a Pyrate under the famous _Black-beard_, was +immediately preferr'd over other People's Heads, to be Quarter-Master to +the Company; which sudden Promotion so disgusted some of the older +Standers, especially _Fern_, the Carpenter, that it occasioned some +Mischief to follow, as we shall shew by and by. + +The Pyrates came off _Barbadoes_ the beginning of _October_, and cruised +there, and among other Islands, above three Months, without speaking with a +Vessel, so that they were almost starv'd for want of Provisions, being +reduc'd to a Pound of Meat a Day between ten; at length they fell in with a +_Martinico_ Man of 12 Guns and 35 Hands, far superior in Force, and what +they would not have ventur'd on at another Time, but _Hunger will break +down Stone Walls_; they were resolved to shew the _French_ Men their black +Flag; and if that would not do, they must seek out elsewhere; accordingly, +they boldly ran up a-long-side of the Sloop, with their pyratical Colours +flying, and told them, if they did not strike immediately, they would give +them no Quarters; which so intimidated the _Frenchmen_, that they never +fired a Gun. This proved a seasonable Supply; they took her Provisions, and +four of her Men, and let her go. They took presently after, a Sloop +belonging to _New-York_, and a _Virginia_ Man, _Huffam_ Master. + +Having now occasion to clean their Vessel, _Phillips_ propos'd _Tobago_, +where the Company he formerly belong'd to, under _Anstis_ and _Fenn_, broke +up; to induce them to it, he told them when he left the Island, there was +left behind six or eight of their Company that were not willing to go to +_England_, with three Negroes: Whereupon they sail'd to the Island, and +after a careful Search, found only one of the Negroes, whose Name was +_Pedro_, who inform'd Captain _Phillips_, that those that were left behind +were taken by a Man of War's Crew, and hang'd at _Antegoa_, among whom was +_Fenn_, their Captain. + +They took _Pedro_ on Board, and then fell to Business, careening their +Vessel; and just as they had finished their Work, a Man of War's Boat came +into the Harbour, the Ship being cruising to Leeward of the Island. It was +easily guess'd upon what Errant she was sent, and therefore they lost no +Time, but, as soon as the Boat went away, warp'd out, and ply'd to Windward +for Security, but left the four _French_ Men, they took out of the +_Martinico_ Sloop, behind. + +In a few Days they took a Snow with a few Hands, and _Fern_, the Carpenter, +one _William Phillips, Wood_ and _Taylor_, went aboard to take Possession +of her. _Fern_, not forgetting the Affront of having _Archer_ preferr'd +before him, resolv'd to go off with the Prize, and brought the rest into +the same Measures; however _Phillips_, the Captain, keeping a good +Look-out, perceiv'd their Design, and gave them Chace, who coming up with +the Vessel, a Skirmish ensu'd, wherein _Wood_ was kill'd and _Taylor_ +wounded in his Leg; upon which the other two surrender'd. There was no +Surgeon aboard, and therefore it was advis'd, upon a learned Consultation, +that _Phillips_'s Leg should be cut off; but who should perform the +Operation was the Dispute; at length the Carpenter was appointed, as the +most proper Man: Upon which, he fetch'd up the biggest Saw, and taking the +Limb under his Arm, fell to Work, and separated it from the Body of the +Patient, in as little Time as he could have cut a Deal Board in two; after +that he heated his Ax red hot in the Fire, and cauteriz'd the Wound, but +not with so much Art as he perform'd the other Part, for he so burnt his +Flesh distant from the Place of Amputation, that it had like to have +mortify'd; however nature perform'd a Cure at last without any other +Assistance. + +From _Tobago_ they stood away to the Northward and took a _Portugueze_ +bound for _Brazil_, and two or three Sloops from _Jamaica_, in one of +which, _Fern_ the Carpenter, endeavouring to go off, was kill'd by +_Phillips_ the Captain, pursuant to their Articles; another had the same +Fate some Days after for the like Attempt. These Severities made it +dangerous for any to consult or project an Escape; the Terror of which made +several sign their Articles and set down quietly, waiting impatiently for +Redemption, which as yet they saw no great likelyhood of, and should they +have been taken before such Circumstances appear'd in their Actions or +Characters, as afterwards happen'd, to denote their Innocence, they might +have lost their Lives upon a Tryal at a Court of Admiralty; for pretty +strong Evidence is expected in their Favour, to ballance that of being +taken aboard a Vessel which is prov'd to be in actual Pyracy, and they +assisting therein. + +Thus was many an honest Man's Case made most desperate by the consummate +Villany of a few hardned Wretches, who fear neither God or Devil, as this +_Phillips_ us'd often blasphemously to express himself. + +On the 25th of _March_ they took two Ships from _Virginia_ for _London, +John Phillips_, the Pyrate Captain's Namesake, was Master of one, and +Captain _Robert Mortimer_, the other, a brisk young Fellow, that deserv'd a +better Fate than he met with. _Phillips_ the Pyrate staid on Board of +Captain _Mortimer_'s Ship, while they transported the Crew to the Sloop, +and the Boat returning along side, one of the Pyrates therein calls to +_Phillips_, and tells him, there was a Mutiny aboard their Vessel, +_Mortimer_ had two Men in his Ship, and the Pyrate Captain had two, +therefore thought it a good Opportunity to recover his Ship, and directly +took up a Handspike and struck _Phillips_ over the Head, giving him a +dangerous wound, but not knocking him down, he recovered and wounded +_Mortimer_ with his Sword; and the two Pyrates that were aboard coming in +to Captain _Phillips_'s Assistance, Captain _Mortimer_ was presently cut to +Pieces, while his own two Men stood by and did nothing. + +This was the first Voyage that _Mortimer_ had the Command of a Vessel, by +whose Death is a poor disconsolate Widow made miserable, more in regard of +the mutual Love and Fidelity they lived in, than the Loss of what would +have been a handsome and comfortable Provision for themselves and Children, +which, I think, now ought to be made up by the Publick, since 'twas in the +publick Service he fell; for had his Attempt succeeded, in all Probability +he would not only have regained his own Ship, but entirely subdued and +destroy'd the Enemy, there being several, as it afterwards proved, that +would have seconded such an Enterprize when ever they found a Beginning +made. + +This Affair ended without any other Consequence than a strict Search after +a Brother of Captain _Mortimer_, who was on Board, in order to have put him +likewise to death; but he had the good Fortune to meet with a Townsman +among the Crew, who hid him for four and twenty Hours in a Stay-Sail, till +the Heat of their Fury was over, and by that Means happily missed of the +Fate designed him. + +Out of the other _Virginia_ Man before spoken of, they took one _Edward +Cheeseman_, a Carpenter, to supply the Place of their late Carpenter, +_Fern._ He was a modest sober young Man, very averse to their unlawful +Practice, and a brave gallant Fellow. There was one _John Philmore_ of +_Ipswich_, formerly taken by them, ordered to row _Cheeseman_ aboard of +_Mortimer_'s Ship, which the Pyrates possess'd themselves of, who, seeing +with what Reluctance and Uneasiness _Cheeseman_ was brought away, told him, +he would join with him, in some Measures, to over-throw the pyratical +Government, telling him withal, their present Condition, what Difficulties +_Phillips_ had met with to make up his Company, and how few voluntary +Pyrates there were on Board, and the like. But, however specious this +seemed, _Cheeseman_ out of Prudence rejected his Offers of Assistance, till +he saw some Proofs of his Sincerity, which after a few Days he was +convinced of, and then they often consulted; but as the old Pyrates were +always jealous of the new Comers, and consequently observant of their +Behaviour; this was done with the utmost Caution, chiefly when they were +lying down together, as tho' asleep, and, at other Times, when they were +playing at Cards; both which they feigned often to do for that Purpose. + +The Pyrates went on all the while, plundering and robbing several Ships and +Vessels, bending their Course towards _Newfoundland_, where they designed +to raise more Men, and do all the Mischief they could on the Banks, and in +the Harbours. + +_Newfoundland_ is an Island on the North Continent of _America_, contained +between the 46 and 53° of N. Latitude, discovered first by St. _Sebastion +Cabot_ A. D. 1497, but never settled till the Year 1610; when Mr. _Guy_ of +_Bristol_ revived the Affair, and obtained a Patent, and himself to be +Governor. The Island is deserted by the Natives and neglected by us, being +desolate and Woody, and the Coast and Harbour only held for the Conveniency +of the Cod Fishery, for which alone they were settled. + +The Bays and Harbours about it, are very numerous and convenient, and being +deeply indented, makes it easy for any Intelligence quickly to pass from +one Harbour to another over Land; especially the principal, St. _John_'s +and _Placentia_, when the Appearance of an Enemy makes them apprehend +Danger. + +They are able to cure and export about 100000 Quintals (100 Weight each) of +Fish, annually, which returns to _England_ in Money, or the necessary +Commodities of _Portugal, Spain_ and _Italy._ As it therefore expends +abundance of Rum, Molossus and Sugar, the Product of our _West-India_ +Colonies, and employs a Number of Fishermen from home every Season, by +whose Industry and Labour only this Fish is purchased, it may very well be +reckon'd an advantagious Branch of Trade. + +But the present Design of this Digression being not to give an exact +Description of the Country or Fishery; but rather how it accidentally +contributes to raise, or support the Pyrates already rais'd, I shall +observe, + +First, That our West Country Fishing-Ships, _viz._ from _Topsham, +Barnstable_ and _Bristol_, who chiefly attend the Fishing Seasons, +transport over a considerable Number of poor Fellows every Summer, whom +they engage at low Wages, and are by their Terms to pay for Passage back to +_England._ When the _Newfoundland_ Ships left that Country, towards Winter, +in the Year 1720, these Passengers muster'd 1100, who, during the Season of +Business, (the Hardness of their Labour, and Chilness of the Nights, +pinching them very much) are mostly fond of drinking Black Strap, (a strong +Liquor used there, and made from Rum, Molossus, and Chowder Beer;) by this +the Majority of them out-run the Constable, and then are necessitated to +come under hard Articles of Servitude for their Maintenance in the Winter; +no ordinary Charge, indeed, when the Barrenness of the Country is +consider'd, and the Stock of Provision laid in, happen to fall short, in +Proportion to the Computation made of the People remaining there the +Winter, which are generally about 17 or 1800. The Masters residing there +think Advantages taken on their Necessities, no more than a just and lawful +Gain; and either bind such for the next Summer's Service, or sell their +Provisions out to them at extravagant Rates; Bread from 15s. to 50, +immediately at the departing of the Ships, and so of other sorts of Food in +Proportion; wherefore not being able to subsist themselves, or in any +likely Way of clearing the Reckoning to the Masters, they sometimes run +away with Shallops and Boats, and begin on pyratical Exploits, as +_Phillips_ and his Companions, whom we are now treating of, had done. + +And secondly (which is more opportunely for them,) they are visited every +Summer, almost, by some Set of Pyrates or other, already rais'd, who call +here for the same Purpose, (if young Beginners) and to lay in a Store of +Water and Provisions, which they find imported, much or little, by all the +Ships that use the Trade. + +Towards this Country _Phillips_ was making his Way, and took on the Voyage, +besides those abovementioned, one _Salter_, in a Sloop off the Isle of +_Sables_, which Vessel they made use of themselves, and gave back +_Mortimer_'s Ship to the Mate and Crew. The same Day, _viz._ the 4th of +_April_, took a Scooner, one _Chadwell_, Master, which they scuttled, in +order to sink; but Capt. _Phillips_ understanding that she belong'd to Mr. +_Minors_ at _Newfoundland_, with whose Vessel they first went off a +pyrating, a Qualm of Conscience came athwart his Stomach, and he said to +his Companions, _We have done him Injury enough already_; so order'd the +Vessel immediately to be repair'd, and return'd her to the Master. + +That Afternoon they chac'd another Vessel, and at Night came up with her, +the Master of which was a Saint of _New-England_, nam'd _Dependance +Ellery_, who taking _Phillips_ for a Pyrate, he told him was the Reason +that he gave him the Trouble of chacing so long; which being resented by +these Men of Honour, they made poor _Dependance_ dance about the Deck till +he was weary. + +Within few Days several other Vessels had the same Misfortune, the Masters +Names were as follow, _Joshua Elwell, Samuel Elwell_, Mr. _Combs_, Mr. +_Lansly, James Babston, Edward Freeman_, Mr. _Start, Obediah Beal, Erick +Erickson_ and _Benjamin Wheeler._ + +The 14th of _April_ they took a Sloop belonging to Cape _Ann, Andrew +Harradine_ Master; they look'd upon this Vessel more fit for their Purpose, +and so came aboard, keeping only the Master of her Prisoner, and sending +_Harradine_'s Crew away in _Salter_'s Vessel, which they, till this Time, +detain'd. To this _Harradine, Cheeseman_ the Carpenter, broke his Mind, and +brought him into the Confederacy to destroy the Crew, which was put in +Execution four Days afterwards. + +_Harradine_ and the rest were for doing the Business in the Night, as +believing they might be more opportunely surpriz'd; for _Nut_, the Master, +being a Fellow of great Strength, and no less Courage, it was thought +dangerous to attack him without Fire-Arms; however, _Cheeseman_ was +resolute to have it perform'd by Day-light, as the least liable to +Confusion; and as to the Master, he offer'd to lay Hands on him first: Upon +this 'twas concluded on, 12 at Noon was the appointed Time; in order for +the Business _Cheeseman_ leaves his working Tools on the Deck, as though he +had been going to use them, and walked aft; but perceiving some Signs of +Timidity in _Harradine_, he comes back, fetches his Brandy Bottle and gives +him and the rest a Dram, then drank to _Burril_, the Boatswain, and the +Master, _To their next merry Meeting_, and up he puts the Bottle; then he +takes a Turn with _Nut_, asking what he thought of the Weather, and such +like. In the mean while _Filemore_ takes up the Axe, and turns it round +upon the Point, as if at Play, then both he and _Harradine_ wink at him, +thereby letting him know they were ready; upon which Signal he seizes _Nut_ +by the Collar, with one Hand between his Legs, and toss'd him over the Side +of the Vessel, but, he holding by _Cheeseman_'s Sleeve, said, _Lord have +Mercy upon me! what are you going to do, Carpenter?_ He told him it was an +unnecessary Question, _For_, says he, _Master, you are a dead Man_, so +strikes him over the Arm, _Nut_ looses his Hold, tumbles into the Sea, and +never spoke more. + +By this time the Boatswain was dead; for as soon as _Filemore_ saw the +Master laid hold of, he raised up the Axe, and divided his Enemy's Head in +two: The Noise brought the Captain upon Deck, whom _Cheeseman_ saluted with +the Blow of a Mallet, which broke his Jaw-Bone, but did not knock him down; +_Harradine_ came in then with the Carpenter's Adds, but _Sparks_, the +Gunner, interposing between him and Captain _Phillips, Cheeseman_ trips up +his Heels, and flung him into the Arms of _Charles Ivymay_, one of his +Consorts, who that Instant discharg'd him into the Sea; and at the same +Time _Harradine_ compassed his Business with the Captain aforesaid: +_Cheeseman_ lost no Time, but from the Deck jumps into the Hold, and was +about to beat out the Brains of _Archer_, the Quarter-Master, having struck +him two or three Blows with his blunt Weapon the Mallet, when _Harry +Giles_, a young Lad, came down after him, and desir'd his Life might be +spar'd, as an Evidence of their own Innocence; that he having all the Spoil +and Plunder in his Custody, it may appear, that these tragick Proceedings +were not undertaken with any dishonest View of seizing or appropriating the +Effects to themselves; which prudent Advice prevail'd, and he and three +more were made Prisoners, and secured. + +The Work being done, they went about Ship, altered the Course from +_Newfoundland_ to _Boston_, and arrived safe the 3d of _May_ following, to +the great Joy of that Province. + +On the 12th of _May_, 1724, a special Court of Admiralty was held for the +Tryal of these Pyrates, when _John Filmore, Edward Cheeseman, John Combs, +Henry Giles, Charles Ivymay, John Bootman_, and _Henry Payne_, the seven +that confederated together for the Pyrates Destruction, were honourably +acquitted; as also three _French_ Men, _John Baptis, Peter Taffery_, and +_Isaac Lassen_, and three Negroes, _Pedro, Francisco_, and _Pierro._ And +_John Rose Archer_, the Quarter-Master, _William White, William Taylor_, +and _William Phillips_, were condemned; the two latter were reprieved for a +Year and a Day, in order to be recommended (though I don't know for what) +as Objects of his Majesty's Mercy. The two former were executed on the 2d +of _June_, and dy'd very penitently, making the following Declarations at +the Place of Execution, with the Assistance of two grave Divines that +attended them. + +_The dying Declarations of_ John Rose Archer _and_ William White, _on +the Day of their Execution at_ Boston, June 2, 1724, _for the Crimes of +Pyracy._ + +First, separately, of _Archer._ + +I Greatly bewail my Profanations of the Lord's Day, and my +Disobedience to my Parents. + +And my Cursing and Swearing, and my blaspheming the Name of the glorious +God. + +Unto which I have added, the Sins of Unchastity. And I have provoked the +Holy One, at length, to leave me unto the Crimes of Pyracy and Robbery; +wherein, at last, I have brought my self under the Guilt of Murder also. + +But one Wickedness that has led me as much as any, to all the rest, has +been my brutish Drunkenness. By strong Drink I have been heated and +hardened into the Crimes that are now more bitter than Death unto me. + +I could wish that Masters of Vessels would not use their Men with so much +Severity, as many of them do, which exposes to great Temptations. + +And then of _White._ + +I am now, with Sorrow, reaping the Fruits of my Disobedience to my Parents, +who used their Endeavours to have me instructed in my Bible, and my +Catechism. + +And the Fruits of my neglecting the publick Worship of God, and prophaning +the holy Sabbath. + +And of my blaspheming the Name of God, my Maker. + +But my Drunkenness has had a great Hand in bringing my Ruin upon me. I was +drunk when I was enticed aboard the Pyrate. + +And now, for all the vile Things I did aboard, I own the Justice of God and +Man, in what is done unto me. + +Of both together. + +We hope, we truly hate the Sins, whereof we have the Burthen lying so heavy +upon our Consciences. + +We warn all People, and particularly young People, against such Sins as +these. We wish, all may take Warning by us. + +We beg for Pardon, for the sake of Christ, our Saviour; and our Hope is in +him alone. Oh! _that in his Blood our Scarlet and Crimson Guilt may be all +washed away!_ + +We are sensible of an hard Heart in us, full of Wickedness. And we look +upon God for his renewing Grace upon us. + +We bless God for the Space of Repentance which he has given us; and that he +has not cut us off in the Midst and Heighth of our Wickedness. + +We are not without Hope, that God has been savingly at work upon our Souls. + +We are made sensible of our absolute Need of the Righteousness of Christ; +that we may stand justified before God in that. We renounce all Dependance +on our own. + +We are humbly thankful to the Ministers of Christ, for the great Pains they +have taken for our Good. The Lord Reward their Kindness. + +We don't Despair of Mercy; but hope, through Christ, that when we dye, we +shall find Mercy with God, and be received into his Kingdom. + +We wish others, and especially the Sea-faring, may get Good by what they +see this Day befalling of us. + +_Declared in the Presence of_ J. W. D. M. + +CHAP. XVI. OF Captain _SPRIGGS_, And his CREW. + +S_Priggs_ sailed with _Low_ for a pretty while, and I believe came +away from _Lowther_, along with him; he was Quarter-Master to the Company, +and consequently had a great Share in all the Barbarities committed by that +execrable Gang, till the Time they parted; which was about _Christmas_ +last, when _Low_ took a Ship of 12 Guns on the Coast of _Guiney_, called +the _Delight_, (formerly the _Squirrel_ Man of War,) commanded by Captain +_Hunt. Spriggs_ took Possession of the Ship with eighteen Men, left _Low_ +in the Night, and came to the _West-Indies._ This Separation was occasioned +by a Quarrel with _Low_, concerning a Piece of Justice _Spriggs_ would have +executed upon one of the Crew, for killing a Man in cold Blood, as they +call it, one insisting that he should be hang'd, and the other that he +should not. + +A Day or two after they parted, _Spriggs_ was chose Captain by the rest, +and a black Ensign was made, which they called _Jolly Roger_, with the same +Device that Captain _Low_ carried, _viz._ a white Skeliton in the Middle of +it, with a Dart in one Hand striking a bleeding Heart, and in the other, an +Hour-Glass; when this was finished and hoisted, they fired all their Guns +to salute their Captain and themselves, and then looked out for Prey. + +In their Voyage to the _West-Indies_, these Pyrates took a _Portuguese_ +Bark, wherein they got valuable Plunder, but not contented with that alone, +they said they would have a little Game with the Men, and so ordered them a +Sweat, more for the Brutes Diversion, than the poor Men's Healths; which +Operation is performed after this Manner; they stick up lighted Candles +circularly round the Mizon-Mast, between Decks, within which the Patients +one at a Time enter; without the Candles, the Pyrates post themselves, as +many as can stand, forming another Circle, and armed with Pen-Knives, +Tucks, Forks, Compasses, _&c._ and as he runs round and round, the Musick +playing at the same Time, they prick him with those Instuments; this +usually lasts for 10 or 12 Minutes, which is as long as the miserable Man +can support himself. When the Sweating was over, they gave the _Portuguese_ +their Boat with a small Quantity of Provisions, and set their Vessel on +Fire. + +Near the Island of St. _Lucia_, they took a Sloop belonging to _Barbadoes_, +which they plundered, and then burnt, forcing some of the Men to sign their +Articles, the others they beat and cut in a barbarous Manner, because they +refused to take on with the Crew, and then sent them away in the Boat, who +all got safe afterwards to _Barbadoes._ + +The next was a _Martinico_ Man, which they served as bad as they had done +the others, but did not burn their Ship. Some Days afterwards in running +down to Leeward, they took one Captain _Hawkins_, coming from _Jamaica_, +loaden chiefly with Logwood; they took out of her, Stores, Arms, +Ammunition, and several other Things, as they thought fit, and what they +did not want they threw over-board or destroy'd; they cut the Cables to +pieces, knocked down the Cabins, broke all the Windows, and in short took +all the Pains in the World to be Mischievous. They took by Force, out of +her, Mr. _Burridge_ and Mr. _Stephens_, the two Mates, and some other +Hands; and after detaining the Ship from the 22d of _March_, to the 29th, +they let her go. On the 27th they took a _Rhode Island_ Sloop, Captain +_Pike_, and all his Men were obliged to go aboard the Pyrate; but the Mate +being a grave sober Man, and not inclinable to stay, they told him, he +should have his Discharge, and that it should be immediately writ on his +Back; whereupon he was sentenced to receive ten Lashes from every Man in +the Ship, which was rigorously put in Execution. + +The next Day Mr. _Burridge_, Captain _Hawkins_'s Mate, sign'd their +Articles, which was so agreeable to them (he being a good Artist and +Sailor) that they gave three Huzza's, fir'd all the Guns in the Ship, and +appointed him Master: The Day was spent in boysterous Mirth, roaring and +drinking of Healths, among which was, by Mistake, that of King _George_ the +II. for you must know, now and then the Gentry are provok'd to sudden Fits +of Loyalty, by the Expectation of an Act of Grace: It seems Captain _Pike_ +had heard at _Jamaica_ that the King was dead, so the Pyrates immediately +hoisted their Ensign Half-Mast (the Death Signal) and proclaim'd his Royal +Highness, saying, _They doubted not but there would be a general Pardon in +a twelve Month, which they would embrace and come in upon, but damn 'em if +they should be excepted out of it, they would murder every_ Englishman +_that should fall into their Hands._ + +The second of _April_, they spy'd a Sail, and gave her Chace till 12 +o'Clock at Night, the Pyrates believed her to be a _Spaniard_, when they +came close up to her, they discharged a Broadside, with small and great +Shot, which was follow'd by another, but the Ship making a lamentable Cry +for Quarters, they ceas'd firing, and ordered the Captain to come aboard, +which he did, but how disappointed the Rogues were when they found 'twas +their old Friend Captain _Hawkins_, whom they had sent away three Days +before, worth not one Penny? This was such a Baulk to them, that they +resolved he should suffer for falling in their Way, tho' it was so contrary +to his own Inclinations: About 15 of them surrounded the poor Man with +sharp Cutlashes, and fell upon him, whereby he was soon laid flat on the +Deck; at that Instant _Burridge_ flew amongst the thickest of the Villains, +and begg'd earnestly for his Life, upon whose Request 'twas granted. They +were now most of 'em drunk, as is usual at this Time of Night, so they +unanimously agreed to make a Bonfire of _Hawkins_'s Ship, which was +immediately done, and in half an Hour she was all of a Blaze. + +After this, they wanted a little more Diversion, and so Captain _Hawkins_ +was sent for down to the Cabin to Supper; what should the Provision be, but +a Dish of Candles, which he was forced to eat, having a naked Sword and a +Pistol held to his Breast all the while; when this was over, they buffeted +him about for some Time, and sent him forward amongst the other Prisoners, +who had been treated with the same Delicacies. + +Two Days afterwards, they anchor'd at a little uninhabited Island, call'd +_Rattan_, near the Bay of _Honduras_, and put ashore Captain _Hawkins_, and +several other Men, (one of them his Passenger) who dy'd there of the +Hardships he underwent. They gave them Powder and Ball, and a Musquet, with +which they were to shift as they could, sailing away the next Day for other +Adventures. + +Captain _Hawkins_, and his unfortunate Companions, staid 19 Days upon this +Island, supplying themselves with both Fish and Fowl, such as they were, at +which Time came two Men in a Canoe, that had been left upon another marroon +Island near _Benacca_, who carry'd the Company at several Times thither, it +being more convenient in having a good Well of fresh Water, and Plenty of +Fish, _&c._ Twelve Days afterwards they spy'd a Sloop off at Sea, which, +upon their making a great Smoke, stood in, and took them off; she was the +_Merriam_, Captain _Jones_, lately escaped out of the Bay of _Honduras_, +from being taken by the _Spaniards._ + +At an Island to the Westward, the Pyrates clean'd their Ship, and sail'd +towards the Island of St. _Christophers_, to wait for one Captain _Moor_, +who commanded the _Eagle_ Sloop, when she took _Lowther_'s upon the Careen, +at _Blanco_; _Spriggs_ resolved to put him to Death, whenever he took him, +for falling upon his Friend and Brother, but instead of _Moor_, he found a +_French_ Man of War from _Martinico_ upon the Coast, which _Spriggs_ not +thinking fit to contend with, run away with all the Sail he could make, the +_French_ Man crowded after him, and was very likely to speak with Mr. +_Spriggs_, when unfortunately his Main-Top-Mast came by the Board, which +obliged him to give over the Chace. + +_Spriggs_ then stood to the Northward, towards _Burmudas_, or the _Summer +Isles_, and took a Scooner belonging to _Boston_; he took out all the Men +and sunk the Vessel, and had the Impudence to tell the Master, that he +designed to encrease his Company on the Banks of _Newfoundland_, and then +would sail for the Coast of _New-England_ in quest of Captain _Solgard_, +who attack'd and took their Consort _Charles Harris, Spriggs_ being then in +_Low_'s Sloop, who very fairly run for it. The Pyrate ask'd the Master if +he knew Captain _Solgard_, who answering No; he ask'd another the same +Question, and then a third, who said he knew him very well, upon which +_Spriggs_ ordered him to be sweated, which was done in the Manner before +describ'd. + +Instead of going to _Newfoundland_ as the Pyrates threat'ned, they came +back to the Islands, and to Windward of St. _Christophers_, on the 4th of +_June_ last, took a Sloop, _Nicholas Trot_ Master, belonging to St. +_Eustatia_, and wanting a little Diversion, they hoisted the Men as high as +the Main and Fore Tops, and let them run down amain, enough to break all +the Bones in their Skins, and after they had pretty well crippled them by +this cruel Usage, and whipp'd them about the Deck, they gave _Trot_ his +Sloop, and let him go, keeping back only 2 of his Men, besides the Plunder +of the Vessel. + +Within two or three Days they took a Ship coming from _Rhode-Island_ to St. +_Christophers_, loaden with Provisions and some Horses; the Pyrates mounted +the Horses and rid them about the Deck backwards and forwards a full +Gallop, like Madmen at _New-Market_, cursing, swearing, and hallowing, at +such a Rate, that made the poor Creatures wild, and at length, two or three +of them throwing their Riders, they fell upon the Ship's Crew, and whipp'd, +and cut, and beat them in a barbarous Manner, telling them, it was for +bringing Horses without Boots and Spurs, for want of which they were not +able to ride them. + +This is the last Account we have had of Captain _Spriggs_, I shall only add +the two following Relations, and conclude. + +A Brigantine belonging to _Bristol_, one _Mr. Rowry_ Master, had been +trading at _Gambia_, in _Africa_, and falling as low as Cape _Mount_, to +finish the slaving of the Vessel, he had, by a Misfortune usual at that +Part of the Coast, his Mate, Surgeon, and two more of his Men, +_Panyarr_'d[*] by the Negroes. The Remainder of his Company, which was not +above 5 or 6 in Number, took this Opportunity, and seiz'd the Vessel in the +Road, making the Master Prisoner. + +You will think it prodigious impudent that so small a Number should +undertake to proceed a pyrating, especially when neither of them had +sufficient Skill in Navigation: Yet this they did, leaving those People, +their Ship-Mates abovemention'd, to the Mercy of the barbarous Natives, and +sail'd away down the Coast, making them a black Flag, which they merrily +said, would be as good as 50 Men more, _i. e._ would carry as much Terror; +and that they did not doubt of soon increasing their Crew, to put them in +an enterprizing Capacity; but their vain Projection was soon happily +frustrated, and after this Manner. + +The Master whose Life they had preserved, (perhaps only for supplying their +own Unskillfulness in Navigation,) advised them, that since contrary to +their Expectations, they had met with no Ship between _Cape Mount_, and the +_Bite_ of _Calabar_, to proceed to the Island of St. _Thomas_'s, where they +might recruit with Provisions and Water, and sell off the Slaves (about 70 +of them) which they perceived would be a useless Lumber, and incommodious +to their Design. They arrived there in _August_ 1721, and one Evening, +while Part of them were on Shore, applying for this Purpose to the +Governor, and the other Part carelesly from the Deck, Mr. _Rowry_ stepp'd +into the Boat belonging to the Vessel, and pushed off, very suddenly: They +heard the Noise it made, and soon were upon Deck again, but having no other +Boat to pursue, nor a Musket, ready to fire, he got safe on Shore, and ran +to the Governor with his Complaint, who immediately imprisoned those +already there, and sent a Launch off to take the rest out of the Ship. + +The _Swallow_ arrived at St. _Thomas_'s the Beginning of _October_ +following, where, on Mr. _Rowry_'s Remonstrance, Application was made to +the _Portuguese_ Governor of that Island, for a Surrendery of these five +_English_ Prisoners then in the Castle; but he not only peremptorily +excused himself from it, as a Matter out of his Power, without particular +Direction from the Court of _Portugal_; but withal insinuated, that they +had only taken Refuge there from the Hardships and Severity they had met +with from their Master. The manner of Denial, and the avaritious Temper of +the Gentleman, which I had Occasion to be acquainted with, makes it very +suspicious, that he proposed considerable Gains to himself; for if Mr. +_Rowry_ had not made such an Escape to him, the Slaves had been his for +little or nothing, as a Bribe to silence his Suspicions, which any Man, +less acute than he, must have had from the awkward and unskilful Carriage +of such Merchants. But enough of this; perhaps he is not the only Governor +abroad that finds an Interest in countenancing these Fellows. + +[Footnote *: Term for stealing of Men used all over the Coast.] + +An Account of the Pyracies and Murders committed by _Philip Roche_, +_&c._ + +P_Hilip Roche_ was born in _Ireland_, and from his Youth had been +bred up to the Sea; he was a brisk genteel Fellow, of 30 Years of Age at +the Time of his Death; one whose black and savage Nature did no ways answer +the Comliness of his Person, his Life being almost one continued Scene of +Villany, before he was discovered to have committed the horrid Murders we +are now speaking of. + +This inhumane Monster had been concerned with others, in insuring Ships to +a great Value, and then destroying them; by which Means, and other +Rogueries, he had got a little Money; and being Mate of a Ship, was +dilligent enough in trading for himself between _Ireland_ and _France_, so +that he was in a Way of getting himself a comfortable Livelihood: But, as +he resolved to be rich, and finding fair Dealing brought in Wealth but +slowly, he contriv'd to put other Things in Execution, and certainly had +murthered several innocent Persons in the Prosecution of his abominable +Schemes; but as I have now forgot the particular Circumstances of those +Relations, I shall confine my self at present to the Fact for which he +suffer'd. + +_Roche_ getting acquainted with one _Neal_, a Fisherman at _Cork_, whom he +found ready for any villainous Attempt, he imparted his Design to him, who +being pleas'd with the Project, brings one _Pierce Cullen_ and his Brother +into the Confederacy, together with one _Wise_, who at first was very +unwilling to come into their Measures, and, indeed, had the least Hand in +the Perpetration of what follows. + +They pitch'd upon a Vessel in the Harbour, belonging to _Peter Tartoue_, a +_French_ Man, to execute their cruel Intentions upon, because it was a +small one, and had not a great Number of Hands on Board, and 'twas easy +afterwards to exchange it for one more fit for Pyracy; and therefore they +apply'd themselves to the Master of her, for a Passage to _Nantz_, whereto +the Ship was bound; and accordingly, the Beginning of _November_ 1721, they +went aboard; and when at Sea, _Philip Roche_ being an experienced Sailor, +the Master of the Vessel readily trusted him with the Care of her, at +times, while he and the Mate went to rest. + +The 15th of _November_, at Night, was the Time designed for the Tragedy; +but _Francis Wise_ relented, and appear'd desirous to divert them from +their bloody Purposes. _Roche_ (sometimes called Captain) told him, _That +as_ Cullen _and he had sustained great Losses at Sea, unless every_ +Irishman _present would assist in repairing their Losses, by murthering all +the_ French _Rogues, and running away with the Ship, he should suffer the +same Fate with the_ French _Men; but if all would assist, all should have a +Share in the Booty._ Upon this, they all resolved alike, and Captain +_Roche_ ordered three _Frenchmen_ and a Boy up to hand the Topsails, the +Master and Mate being then asleep in their Cabins, The two first that came +down, they beat out their Brains and threw them over-board: The other two +seeing what was done, ran up to the Topmast Head, but _Cullen_ followed +them, and taking the Boy by the Arm, tost him into the Sea; then driving +down the Man, those below knocked him on the Head, and threw him +over-board. + +Those who were asleep, being awakened by the dismal Skrieks and Groans of +dying Men, ran upon Deck in Confusion, to enquire into the Cause of such +unusual Noises; but the same Cruelty was immediately acted towards them, +e'er they could be sensible of the Danger that threat'ned them. + +They were now (as _Roche_ himself afterwards confess'd) _all over as wet +with the Blood that had been spilt, as if they had been dipp'd in Water, or +stood in a Shower of Rain, nor did they regard it any more. Roche_ said, +Captain _Tartoue_ used many Words for Mercy, and asked them, if he had not +used them with Civility and Kindness? If they were not of the same +Christian Religion, and owned the same blessed _Jesus_, and the like? But +they, not regarding what he said, took Cords and bound the poor Master and +his Mate Back to Back, and while that was doing, both of them begged with +the utmost Earnestness, and used the most solemn Intreaties, that they +would at least allow them a few Minutes to say their Prayers, and beg Mercy +of God for the various Sins and Offences of their Lives: But it did not +move them, (though all the rest were dead, and no Danger could be +apprehended from them two alone) for the bound Persons were hurry'd up and +thrown into the Sea. + +The Massacre being finished, they washed themselves a little from the +Blood, and searched the Chests and Lockers, and all Places about the Ship, +and then set down in the Captain's Cabin, and refreshed themselves with +some Rum they found there, and (as _Roche_ confessed) were never merrier in +their Lives. They invested _Roche_ with the Command of the Ship, and +calling him Captain, talked over their Liquor, what rare Actions they would +perform about Cape _Briton, Sable Isle_, and the Banks of _Newfoundland_, +whither they designed to go as soon as they had recruited their Company, +and got a better Ship, which they proposed speedily to do. + +_Roche_ taking upon himself the Command of the Vessel, _Andrew Cullen_ was +to pass for a Merchant or Super-cargo; but when they bethought themselves, +that they were in Danger of being discovered by the Papers of the Ship, +relating to the Cargo, as Bills of Lading, _&c._ therefore they erase and +take out the Name of the _French_ Master, and instead thereof, inserted the +Name of _Roche_, so that it stood in the Ship's Papers, _Peter Roche_ +Master; that then having so few Hands on Board, they contrived if they met +any Ships, to give out, that they had lost some Hands by their being washed +overboard in a Storm, and by that Means screen themselves from being +suspected of having committed some such wicked Act, by Reason of the +Fewness of their Hands on Board; and also might prevail with some Ship to +spare them some, on Consideration of their pretended Disaster. + +In going to _Cales_ they were in Distress by the Weather, and being near +_Lisbon_, they made Complaint to a Ship, but obtained no Assistance. They +were then obliged to sail back for _England_, and put into the Port of +_Dartmouth_; but then they were in fear least they might be discovered, +therefore to prevent that, they resolve to alter the Ship, and getting +Workmen, they take down the Mizzen-Mast, and build a Spar Deck, and made +Rails, (on pretence that the Sailors had been wash'd overboard) to secure +the Men. Then they took down the Image of St. _Peter_ at the Head of the +Ship, and put up a Lion in its Place, and painted over the Stern of the +Ship with Red, and new nam'd her the _Mary_ Snow. The Ship being thus +alter'd that they thought it could not be known, they fancy'd themselves +pretty secure; but wanting Money to defray the Charge of these Alterations, +_Roche_, as Master of the Vessel, and _Andrew Cullen_, as Merchant, apply +themselves to the Officers of the Customs for Liberty to dispose of some of +the Cargo, in order to pay the Workmen; which they having obtained, they +sold fifty eight Barrels of Beef, and having hired three more Hands, they +set Sail for _Ostend_, and there having sold more Barrels of Beef, they +steer their Course to _Rotterdam_, dispose of the rest of the Cargo, and +took in one Mr. _Annesly_, who freighted the Ship for _England_; but in +their Passage, in a stormy Night, it being very dark, they took up Mr. +_Annesly_ their Passenger, and threw him into the Sea, who swam about the +Ship a pretty while, calling out for Life, and telling them they should +have all his Goods, if they would receive him again into the Vessel: But in +vain were his Cries! + +After this, they were obliged to put into several Ports, and by contrary +Winds, came to the Coast of _France_, and hearing there was an Enquiry made +after the Ship, _Roche_ quits her at _Havre de Grace_, and leaves the +Management to _Cullen_ and the rest; who having shipp'd other Men, sail'd +away to _Scotland_, and there quitted the Vessel, which was afterwards +seized and brought into the River of _Thames._ + +Some Time after this, _Philip Roche_ came to _London_, and making some +Claim for Money, he had made Insurance of, in the Name of _John Eustace_, +the Officer was apprized of the Fraud, and he arrested and flung into the +Compter; from whence directing a Letter to his Wife, she shewed it to a +Friend, who discovered by it, that he was the principal Villain concerned +in the Destruction of _Peter Tartoue_, and the Crew. Upon this, an +Information was given to my Lord _Carteret_, that the Person who went by +the Name of _John Eustace_, was _Philip Roche_, as aforesaid; and being +brought down by his Lordships Warrant, he stifly deny'd it for some Time, +notwithstanding a Letter was found in his Pocket, directed to him by the +Name of _Roche_; but being confronted by a Captain of a Ship, who knew him +well, he confessed it, but prevaricated in several Particulars; whereupon +he was committed to _Newgate_ upon violent Suspicion, and the next Day was +brought down again at his own Request, confessed the whole, desired to be +made an Evidence, and promised to convict three Men worse than himself. Two +were discovered by him, who died miserably in the _Marshalsea_, and _Roche_ +himself was afterwards try'd, (no more being taken,) found Guilty of the +Pyracy, and executed. + +An ABSTRACT of the Civil Law and Statute Law now in Force, in Relation +to Pyracy. + +A _Pyrate is_ Hostis humanis generis, _a common Enemy, with whom +neither Faith nor Oath is to be kept, according to_ Tully. _And by the Laws +of Nature, Princes and States are responsible for their Neglect, if they do +not provide Remedies for restraining these sort of Robberies. Though +Pyrates are called common Enemies, yet they are properly not to be term'd +so. He is only to be honour'd with that Name, says_ Cicero, _who hath a +Commonwealth, a Court, a Treasury, Consent and Concord of Citizens, and +some Way, if Occasion be, of Peace and League: But when they have reduced +themselves into a Government or State, as those of_ Algier, Sally, Tripoly, +Tunis, _and the like, they then are allowed the Solemnities of War, and the +Rights of Legation._ + +_If Letters of_ Marque _be granted to a Merchant, and he furnishes out a +Ship, with a Captain and Mariners, and they, instead of taking the Goods, +or Ships of that Nation against whom their Commission is awarded, take the +Ship and Goods of a Friend, this is Pyracy; and if the Ship arrive in any +Part of his Majesty's Dominions, it will be seized, and for ever lost to +the Owners; but they are no way liable to make Satisfaction._ + +_If a Ship is assaulted and taken by the Pyrates, for Redemption of which, +the Master becomes a Slave to the Captors, by the Law_ Marine, _the Ship +and Lading are tacitly obliged for his Redemption, by a general +Contribution; but if it happen through his own Folly, then no Contribution +is to be made._ + +_If Subjects in Enmity with the Crown of_ England, _are abord an_ English +_Pyrate, in Company with_ English, _and a Robbery is committed, and they +are taken; it is Felony in the_ English, _but not in the Stranger; for it +was no Pyracy in them, but the Depredation of an Enemy, and they will be +tried by a Martial Law._ + +_If Pyracy is committed by Subjects in Enmity with_ England, _upon the_ +British _Seas, it is properly only punishable by the Crown of_ England, +_who have_ istud regimen & Dominem _exclusive of all other Power._ + +_If Pyracy be committed on the Ocean, and the Pyrates in the Attempt be +overcome, the Captors may, without any Solemnity of Condemnation, hang them +up at the Main-Yard; if they are brought to the next Port, and the Judge +rejects the Tryal, or the Captors cannot wait for the Judge, without Peril +or Loss, Justice may be done upon them by the Captors._ + +_If Merchandize be delivered to a Master, to carry to one Port, and he +carries it to another, and sells and disposes of it, this is not Felony; +but if, after unlading it at the first Port, he retakes it, it is Pyracy._ + +_If a Pyrate attack a Ship, and the Master for Redemption, gives his Oath +to pay a Sum of Money, tho' there be nothing taken, yet it is Pyracy by the +Law_ Marine. + +_If a Ship is riding at Anchor, and the Mariners all ashore, and a Pyrate +attack her, and rob her, this is Pyracy._ + +_If a Man commit Pyracy upon the Subjects of any Prince, or Republick_, +(_though in Amity with us,) and brings the Goods into_ England, _and sells +them in a Market_ Overt, _the same shall bind, and the Owners are for ever +excluded._ + +_If a Pyrate enters a Port of this Kingdom, and robs a Ship at Anchor +there, it is not Pyracy, because not done_, super altum Mare; _but is +Robbery at common Law, because_ infra Corpus Comitatus. _A Pardon of all +Felonies does not extend to Pyracy, but the same ought to be especially +named._ + +_By_ 28 H. 8. _Murthers and Robberies committed upon the Sea, or in other +Places, where the Admiral pretends Jurisdiction, shall be enquired into, +try'd, heard, and determined, in such Places and Counties within the Realm, +as shall be limited by the King's Commission, in like Manner as if such +Offences were done at Land. And such Commissions_ (_being under the Great +Seal_) _shall be directed to the Lord Admiral, his Lieutenant or Deputy, +and to three or four such others as the Lord Chancellor shall name._ + +_The said Commissioners, or three of them, have Power to enquire of such +Offences by twelve lawful Men of the Country, so limited in their +Commission, as if such Offences were done at Land, within the same County; +and every Indictment so found and presented, shall be good in Law; and such +Order, Progress, Judgment, and Execution shall be used, had, done, and made +thereupon, as against Offenders for Murder and Felony done at Land. Also +the Tryal of such Offences_ (_if they be denied_) _shall be had by twelve +Men of the County, limited in the said Commission_, (_as aforesaid_,) _and +no Challenge shall be had for the Hundred: And such as shall be convict of +such Offences, shall suffer Death without Benefit of Clergy, and forfeit +Land and Goods, as in Case of Felonies and Murders done at Land._ + +_This Act shall not prejudice any Person, or Persons_, (_urged by +Necessity_) _for taking Victuals, Cables, Ropes, Anchors or Sails, out of +another Ship that may spare them, so as they either pay ready Money, or +Money worth for them, or give a Bill for the Payment thereof; if on this +Side the Straits of_ Gibraltar, _within four Months; if beyond, within +twelve Months._ + +_When any such Commission shall be sent to any Place within the +Jurisdiction of the_ Cinque-Ports, _it shall be directed to the Warden of +the said Ports, or his Deputy with three or four other Persons, as the Lord +Chancellor shall Name; and the Inquisition or Tryal of such Offences, +there, shall be made and had, by the Inhabitants of the said Ports, and +Members of the same._ + +_By_ 11 _and_ 12 W. 3. c. 7. _If any natural born Subjects or Denizons of_ +England, _commit Pyracy, or any Act of Hostility, against his Majesty's +Subjects at Sea, under Colour of a Commission or Authority, from any +foreign Prince or State, or Person whatsoever, such Offenders shall be +adjudged Pyrates._ + +_If any Commander or Master of a Ship, or Seaman or Mariner, give up his +Ship_, &c. _to Pyrates, or combine to yield up, or run away with any Ship, +or lay violent Hand on his Commander, or endeavour to make a Revolt in the +Ship, he shall be adjudged a Pyrate._ + +_All Persons who after the_ 29_th of_ September 1720, _shall set forth any +Pyrate (or be aiding and assisting to any such Pyrate_,) _committing Pyracy +on Land or Sea, or shall conceal such Pyrates, or receive any Vessel or +Goods pyratically taken, shall be adjudged accessary to such Pyracy, and +suffer as Principals._ + +_By_ 4 G. c. 11. Sect. 7. _All Persons who have committed, or shall commit +any Offences, for which they ought to be adjudged Pyrates, by the Act_ 11 +_and_ 12 W. 3. c. 7. _may be tried for every such Offence, in such Manner +as by the Act_ 28 H. 8. c. 15. _is directed for the Tryal of Pyrates; and +shall not have the Benefit of Clergy._ + +Sect. 8. _This Act shall not extend to Persons convicted or attainted in_ +Scotland. + +Sect. 9. _This Act shall extend to his Majesty's Dominions in_ America, +_and be taken as a publick Act._ + +FINIS. + + + + + + + + +Next Week will be published, + +NOTES on several Chyrurgical Subjects. By JOHN ATKINS, Surgeon. + +N. B. One entire Chapter on the Distempers of _Guiney._ Printed for _T. +Warner_ in _Pater-Noster-Row._ + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A General History of the Pyrates: from +their first rise and settlement in the island of Providence, +to the present time, by Daniel Defoe + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40580 *** |