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diff --git a/40580-8.txt b/40580-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index d3342e5..0000000 --- a/40580-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,12871 +0,0 @@ -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 - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: A General History of the Pyrates: -from their first rise and settlement in the island of Providence, -to the present time - -Author: Daniel Defoe - -Release Date: August 25, 2012 [EBook #40580] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PYRATES *** - - - - -Produced by Jens Sadowski (based on page scans provided -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - -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 THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PYRATES *** - -***** This file should be named 40580-8.txt or 40580-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/0/5/8/40580/ - -Produced by Jens Sadowski (based on page scans provided -by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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