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diff --git a/75282-h/75282-h.htm b/75282-h/75282-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3db7f15 --- /dev/null +++ b/75282-h/75282-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,19312 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title> + The Pirates of the New England Coast, 1630-1730 | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3 { + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + +p { text-indent: 1.5em; margin: 0;} +.no-indent { text-indent: 0; } +.center { text-align: center; text-indent: 0; } +.hanging2 {padding-left: 2em; + text-indent: -2em;} + +h1 { font-size: 1.2em; } +.xls { letter-spacing: .2em; } + +.mth { margin-top: .5em; } +.mt1 { margin-top: 1em; } +.mt2 { margin-top: 2em; } +.mt4 { margin-top: 4em; } + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +hr.tb {width: 45%; margin: 1em 27.5%;} +hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} +@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } + +div.chapter, div.front-matter {page-break-before: always;} +h2.nobreak { + page-break-before: avoid; + padding-top: 4em; +} + +div.front-matter { + padding: 3em 0; +} + +.x-ebookmaker div.front-matter { + padding: 6em 0 0 0; +} + +ul.index { list-style-type: none; } +li.ifrst { + margin-top: 1em; + text-indent: -2em; + padding-left: 1em; +} +li.indx { + margin-top: .5em; + text-indent: -2em; + padding-left: 1em; +} + +li.isub2 { + text-indent: -2em; + padding-left: 3em; +} + +li.isub4 { + text-indent: -2em; + padding-left: 5em; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + + +table.autotable th { padding: 0.25em; } + + +.tdl {text-align: left;} +.tdr {text-align: right;} + +table.toc { margin: 0 auto; } + +table.toc td { padding: .25em; } + +table.toc tr td:nth-child(3) { + vertical-align: bottom; +} + +.pagenum { + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: small; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + text-indent: 0; + color: #888; +} + +.blockquot { + margin: 1em 1.5em; +} + +.right {text-align: right;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} +.allsmcap {font-variant: small-caps; text-transform: lowercase;} + +ins, del { text-decoration: none; } + +figcaption { + font-weight: bold; + font-size: 0.9em; +} + +.c2 { + margin-top: .25em; + display: inline-block; +} + +img { + max-width: 100%; + height: auto; +} +img.w100 { + width: 100%; + max-width: 48em; +} + +.figcenter { + margin: 1em auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +.footnotes { + border: 1px dashed; + margin-top: 1em; + padding-bottom: 1em; +} + +.footnote { + margin: .25em 10%; + font-size: 0.9em; +} + +.footnote p { + text-indent: 0; +} + +.footnote .label { + position: absolute; + right: 84%; + text-align: right; +} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: none; 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+} + + + +div.illus { + margin-right: 3em; +} + +p.i1 { + margin-top: 1em; + padding: 0 3.5em 0 1.5em; + text-indent: -1.5em; +} +p.i2 { + margin: .25em 3em .5em 1.5em; + clear: both; + text-indent: 0; + font-size: 90%; +} +.ipn { + text-align: right; + float: right; + margin-right: -3.5em; +} + + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75282 ***</div> + + + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" style="max-width: 150em;"> + <img class='w100' id='i000f' src='images/i000_frontis.jpg' alt=''> + <figcaption>VIEW OF THE HARBOR AND TOWN OF BOSTON IN 1723<br> +<span class='c2'>From an engraving in the British Museum after a drawing by William Burgis</span></figcaption> +</figure> + + + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="front-matter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_i">[i]</span></p> + + + + +<h1>THE<br> +<span class='fs150 xls'>PIRATES</span><br> +OF THE<br> +<span class='fs150 xls'>NEW ENGLAND<br> +COAST</span><br> +<span class=''>1630–1730</span></h1> + +<p class="center mt1">By<br> +GEORGE FRANCIS DOW</p> + +<p class="center fs70">Curator of the Society for the Preservation of<br> +New England Antiquities</p> + +<p class="center mth">and</p> + +<p class="center mth">JOHN HENRY EDMONDS</p> +<p class='center fs70'>Massachusetts State Archivist</p> + +<p class="center mt1"><span class="smcap fs70">Introduction by</span><br> +CAPT. ERNEST H. PENTECOST, R.N.R.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp10" id="i000_title" style="max-width: 10em;"> + <img class='w100' src="images/i000_title.jpg" alt="Publisher's Colophon"> +</figure> + +<p class="center mt1">MARINE RESEARCH SOCIETY<br> +SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS</p> + +<p class="center">1923</p> +</div> + + + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="front-matter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_ii">[ii]</span></p> +<p class='center'>PUBLICATION NUMBER TWO<br> +<span class='fs80'>OF THE</span><br> +MARINE RESEARCH SOCIETY<br> +SALEM, MASS.</p> + +<p class='center mt2'>COPYRIGHT, 1923, BY<br> +THE MARINE RESEARCH SOCIETY</p> + +<p class='center mt4 fs90'>PRINTED IN<br> +THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA<br> +BY THE JORDAN & MORE PRESS<br> +BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS</p> +</div> + + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="front-matter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_iii">[iii]</span></p> +<p class='center fs120'> +THIS VOLUME<br> +IS DEDICATED TO THE<br> +MARINERS AND MERCHANTS OF<br> +NEW ENGLAND WHO SUFFERED<br> +LOSS OF LIFE OR PROPERTY<br> +AT THE HANDS OF<br> +PIRATES<br> +</p> +</div> + + + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_v">[v]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="PREFACE">PREFACE</h2> + + +<p>There is scarcely a sandy beach on New England’s +long and deeply indented coastline that has not connected +with it some traditionary tale of the landing of +pirates or their buried treasure. Many of these half-forgotten +tales may have had an origin in the operations of early smugglers +or in the evasion of the British Navigation Acts, but it is +undoubtedly true that pirates did frequent this coast, beginning +with the early days of its settlement, and during their +periodical appearances, robbed and destroyed shipping almost +at will. In gathering material relating to this subject no +attempt has been made to include the traditionary lore. +The public records of the time supply an astonishing amount +of detailed information, but the principal source for first-hand +information on the operations of pirate vessels during the first +twenty-five years of the eighteenth century, the period when +piracy was most frequent and least controlled, is the “History +of the Pirates” by Capt. Charles Johnson. It has been +claimed that the author at one time sailed in a pirate ship and +therefore wrote from a personal knowledge of many of the +events described. It seems impossible that anyone could +have obtained such a circumstantial narrative of illicit life on +the open sea unless he had lived in intimate personal acquaintance +with a number of those who took part in the stirring +actions recounted. Some of his tales are so extraordinary +that they seem improbable—impossible of belief. And yet, +the portion of his history relating to the North Atlantic coast +has been verified by original records and items of current +news in the newspapers and found to be a truthful relation in +all essential details. With so much corroborative evidence at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</span> +hand it is only fair to concede the probability that other +portions of his “History,” not verified at this time, are also +based upon fact.</p> + +<p>The account of piracy to be found in the following chapters +is based upon original documents in the Massachusetts State +Archives, in the records of the Vice-Admiralty Courts, the +Courts of Assistants and the Quarterly Courts. Printed +accounts of trials have supplied valuable information and +many details that have greatly enriched the narrative have +been gleaned from newspapers published at the time. Intermingled +are personal anecdotes and details recorded by +Captain Johnson, of captures, murders and injuries inflicted +upon the officers and crews of plundered merchant vessels.</p> + +<p>Many friends have aided in the preparation of this volume. +Capt. Ernest H. Pentecost, R.N.R., of Topsfield, has freely +placed at our disposal his collection of voyages and books on +piracy and related subjects. He also has critically examined +the manuscript and given it the benefit of his technical +knowledge of things nautical. Mr. John W. Farwell of Boston +has generously permitted the reproduction of portions of +several rare maps in his fine collection of early charts and +maps. Mr. Julius H. Tuttle, Librarian of the Massachusetts +Historical Society, and Mr. George Parker Winship, Librarian +of the Harry Elkins Widener Collection, Harvard College +Library, have kindly allowed the reproduction of early engravings +and title pages of rare books. Cordial thanks also are due +to Mr. Howard M. Chapin, Librarian of the George L. Shepley +Library, Providence; Mr. Charles H. Taylor, Mr. William W. +Cordingley, the Bostonian Society and the Society for the +Preservation of New England Antiquities, all of Boston; the +Peabody Museum of Salem; and to all others who in any +way have furthered the production of this volume.</p> +</div> + + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_vii">[vii]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS</h2> + + +<table class='toc'> +<tr><td></td><td><a href='#PREFACE'><span class="smcap">Preface</span></a></td><td>v</td></tr> +<tr><td></td><td><a href='#CONTENTS'><span class="smcap">Table of Contents</span></a></td><td>vii</td></tr> +<tr><td></td><td><a href='#ILLUSTRATIONS'><span class="smcap">List of Illustrations</span></a></td><td>ix</td></tr> +<tr><td></td><td><a href='#INTRODUCTION'><span class="smcap">Introduction by Capt. Ernest H. Pentecost, R.N.R.</span></a></td><td>xvii</td></tr> +<tr><td>I</td> + <td><a href='#CHAPTER_I'><span class="smcap">The beginnings of English piracy</span></a></td> + <td>1</td></tr> + +<tr><td>II</td> + <td><a href='#CHAPTER_II'><span class="smcap">Dixey Bull, the first pirate in New England waters + and some others who followed him</span></a></td> + <td>20</td></tr> + +<tr><td>III</td> + <td><a href='#CHAPTER_III'><span class="smcap">John Rhodes, pilot of the Dutch pirates on the + coast of Maine</span></a></td> + <td>44</td></tr> + +<tr><td>IV</td> + <td><a href='#CHAPTER_IV'><span class="smcap">Thomas Pound, pilot of the King’s frigate, who + became a pirate and died a gentleman</span></a></td> + <td>54</td></tr> + +<tr><td>V</td> + <td><a href='#CHAPTER_V'><span class="smcap">William Kidd, privateersman and reputed pirate</span></a></td> + <td>73</td></tr> + +<tr><td>VI</td> + <td><a href='#CHAPTER_VI'><span class="smcap">Thomas Tew, who retired and lived at Newport</span></a></td> + <td>84</td></tr> + +<tr><td>VII</td> + <td><a href='#CHAPTER_VII'><span class="smcap">John Quelch and his crew, who were hanged at + Boston and their gold distributed</span></a></td> + <td>99</td></tr> + +<tr><td>VIII</td> + <td><a href='#CHAPTER_VIII'><span class="smcap">Samuel Bellamy, whose ship was wrecked at + Wellfleet and 142 drowned</span></a></td> + <td>116</td></tr> + +<tr><td>IX</td> + <td><span class="pagenum" id="Page_viii">[viii]</span> + + <a href='#CHAPTER_IX'><span class="smcap">George Lowther, who captured thirty-three + vessels in seventeen months</span></a></td> + <td>132</td></tr> + +<tr><td>X</td> + <td><a href='#CHAPTER_X'><span class="smcap">Ned Low of Boston and how he became a pirate + captain</span></a></td> + <td>141</td></tr> + +<tr><td>XI</td> + <td><a href='#CHAPTER_XI'><span class="smcap">Captain Roberts’ curious account of what happened + on Low’s ship</span></a></td> + <td>157</td></tr> + +<tr><td>XII</td> + <td><a href='#CHAPTER_XII'><span class="smcap">The brutal career and miserable end of Ned Low</span></a></td> + <td>200</td></tr> + +<tr><td>XIII</td> + <td><a href='#CHAPTER_XIII'><span class="smcap">The strange adventures of Philip Ashton</span></a></td> + <td>218</td></tr> + +<tr><td>XIV</td> + <td><a href='#CHAPTER_XIV'><span class="smcap">Nicholas Merritt’s account of his escape from + pirates</span></a></td> + <td>270</td></tr> + +<tr><td>XV</td> + <td><a href='#CHAPTER_XV'><span class="smcap">Francis Farrington Spriggs, the companion of + Ned Low</span></a></td> + <td>277</td></tr> + +<tr><td>XVI</td> + <td><a href='#CHAPTER_XVI'><span class="smcap">Charles Harris, who was hanged at Newport with + twenty-five of his crew</span></a></td> + <td>288</td></tr> + +<tr><td>XVII</td> + <td><a href='#CHAPTER_XVII'><span class="smcap">John Phillips, whose head was cut off and + pickled</span></a></td> + <td>310</td></tr> + +<tr><td>XVIII</td> + <td><a href='#CHAPTER_XVIII'><span class="smcap">William Fly, who was hanged in chains on + Nix’s Mate</span></a></td> + <td>328</td></tr> + +<tr><td>XIX</td> + <td><a href='#CHAPTER_XIX'><span class="smcap">Pirate haunts and cruising grounds</span></a></td> + <td>338</td></tr> + +<tr><td>XX</td> + <td><a href='#CHAPTER_XX'><span class="smcap">Pirate life and death</span></a></td> + <td>353</td></tr> + +<tr><td></td> + <td><a href='#APPENDIX'><span class="smcap">Appendix</span></a></td><td></td></tr> + +<tr><td></td> + <td style='padding-left: 2em;'>I <a href='#APPENDIX_I'><span class="smcap">Captain Ploughman’s Commission</span></a></td> + <td>371</td></tr> +<tr><td></td> + <td style='padding-left: 1.6em;'>II <a href='#APPENDIX_II'><span class="smcap">Captain Ploughman’s Instructions</span></a></td> + <td>373</td></tr> +<tr><td></td> + <td style='padding-left: 1.2em;'>III <a href='#APPENDIX_III'><span class="smcap">Dying Speech of Captain Quelch</span></a></td> + <td>376</td></tr> +<tr><td></td> + <td style='padding-left: 1.3em;'>IV <a href='#APPENDIX_IV'><span class="smcap">John Fillmore’s Narrative</span></a></td> + <td>379</td></tr> +<tr><td></td> + <td style='padding-left: 1.65em;'>V <a href='#APPENDIX_V'><span class="smcap">An “Act of Grace”</span></a></td> + <td>381</td></tr> +<tr><td></td> + <td><a href='#INDEX'><span class="smcap">Index</span></a></td> + <td>383</td></tr> +</table> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_ix">[ix]</span> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="ILLUSTRATIONS">ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> +</div> + +<div class='illus'> +<p class='i1'><a href='#i000'> + <span class="smcap">Boston harbor from the survey in the “English + Pilot,”</span> Part IV. London, 1707</a> + <i>Front end-paper</i> +</p> +<p class='i2'>From an original in the Harvard College Library.</p> + +<p class='i1'> + <span class="smcap"><a href='#i000f'>View of the harbor and town of Boston in + 1723</a></span> + <span class='ipn'><i>Frontispiece</i></span> +</p> +<p class='i2'> + From an engraving in the British Museum after a drawing + by William Burgis. +</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i001'> + <span class="smcap">Fac-simile of the title-page of Capt. Charles + Johnson’s “History of the Pirates,”</span> London, 1724</a> + <span class='ipn'>1</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an original in the library of the Massachusetts + Historical Society. +</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i010'> + <span class="smcap">Map of the West Indies about 1720, showing “the tracts of the Spanish Gallions”</span></a> + <span class='ipn'>10</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From Herman Moll’s “Atlas Minor,” London, 1732, in the + Harvard College Library. +</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i014'> + <span class="smcap">Capt. Henry Morgan, the buccaneer, before Panama</span></a> + <span class='ipn'>14</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an engraving in Johnson’s “General History of the + Lives and Adventures of the Most Famous Highwaymen, + Murderers, Pyrates,” etc., London, 1734, in the Harry + Elkins Widener Collection, Harvard College Library. +</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i026'> + <span class="smcap">Fac-simile of the title-page of Rev. Cotton + Mather’s “Pillars of Salt, An History of Some + Criminals Executed in this Land,”</span> Boston, 1699</a> +<span class='ipn'>26</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an original in the Harvard College Library.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_x">[x]</span></p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i042'> + <span class="smcap">Richard Coote, Earl of Bellomont, Governor of + Massachusetts, 1699-1700</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>42</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From a rare engraving in the Harvard College Library.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i054'> + <span class="smcap">View of Castle William, Boston harbor, about + 1729, and a man-of-war of the period</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>54</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From the only known copy of an engraving probably by + John Harris, after a drawing by William Burgis.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i062'> + <span class="smcap">An armed sloop near Boston lighthouse in 1729</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>62</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From the only known copy of a mezzotint by William Burgis, + published Aug. 11, 1729, and now in the possession of the + United States Lighthouse Board.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i066'> + <span class="smcap">Samuel Sewall, Chief Justice of the Superior + Court in Massachusetts, 1718-1728</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>66</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an original painting in possession of the + Massachusetts Historical Society.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i082'> + <span class="smcap">Fac-simile of the title-page of “A Full Account + of the Proceedings in Relation to Capt. Kidd,”</span> + London, 1701</a> +<span class='ipn'>82</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an original in the library of the Massachusetts + Historical Society.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i102'> + <span class="smcap">Joseph Dudley, Governor of Massachusetts, who + presided at the trial of Captain Quelch</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>102</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an original painting in possession of the + Massachusetts Historical Society.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i106'> + <span class="smcap">Fac-simile of the title-page of “The Trial of + Capt. John Quelch for Piracy,”</span> London, 1704</a> +<span class='ipn'>106</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an original in the library of the Massachusetts + Historical Society.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i112'> + <span class="smcap">Fac-simile of the title-page of Rev. Cotton + Mather’s “Faithful Warnings to Prevent Fearful + Judgments,”</span> Boston, 1704</a> +<span class='ipn'>112</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an original in the library of the Massachusetts + Historical Society.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_xi">[xi]</span></p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i114'> + <span class="smcap">Rev. Cotton Mather, pastor of the Second (North) + Church,</span> Boston, 1685-1728</a> +<span class='ipn'>114</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From a mezzotint by Peter Pelham after a portrait + painted in 1728.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i116'> + <span class="smcap">Fac-simile of the title-page of “The Trial of + Eight Persons Indited for Piracy,”</span> Boston, 1717</a> +<span class='ipn'>116</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an original in the library of the Massachusetts + Historical Society.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i126_1'> + <span class="smcap">Spanish doubloon</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>126</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From the original gold coin, found on the beach at + Wellfleet, Mass., where Bellamy’s pirate ship was wrecked + in 1717 and now in the possession of Charles H. Taylor.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i126_2'> + <span class="smcap">Spanish piece of eight</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>126</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From the original eight real piece in the cabinet of the + Massachusetts Historical Society.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i130'> + <span class="smcap">Fac-simile of the title-page of Rev. Cotton + Mather’s “Instructions to the Living from the + Condition of the Dead,”</span> Boston, 1717</a> +<span class='ipn'>130</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an original in the library of the Massachusetts + Historical Society.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i138'> + <span class="smcap">Capt. George Lowther at Port Mayo</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>138</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an engraving in Johnson’s “General History of the + Lives and Adventures of the Most Famous Highwaymen, + Murderers, Pyrates,” etc., London, 1734, in the Harry + Elkins Widener Collection, Harvard College Library.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i142'> + <span class="smcap">The Idle Apprentice sent to Sea</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>142</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an engraving by William Hogarth in the “Industry + and Idleness” series, published in 1747. The young + reprobate is being rowed past Cuckold’s Point on the + Thames where may be seen a pirate hanging from a gibbet.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i146_1'> + <span class="smcap">A barque in the West Indies about 1720</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>146</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an engraving in Lobat’s “Nouveau Voyage,” Vol. II, + Paris, 1722, in the library of the Massachusetts + Historical Society.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_xii">[xii]</span></p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i146_2'> + <span class="smcap">A brigantine in the West Indies about 1720</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>146</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an engraving in Lobat’s “Nouveau Voyage,” Vol. II, + Paris, 1722, in the library of the Massachusetts + Historical Society.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i152'> + <span class="smcap">Capt. Edward Low in a hurricane</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>152</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an engraving in Johnson’s “General History of the + Lives and Adventures of the Most Famous Highwaymen, + Murderers, Pyrates,” etc., London, 1734, in the Harry + Elkins Widener Collection, Harvard College Library.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i204'> + <span class="smcap">One of Low’s crew killing a wounded Spaniard</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>204</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an engraving in Johnson’s “Historie der Engelsche + Zee-roovers,” Amsterdam, 1725, in the Harvard College + Library.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i222'> + <span class="smcap">Fac-simile of the title-page of “Ashton’s Memorial: + The Strange Adventures of Philip Ashton,”</span> + Boston, 1725</a> +<span class='ipn'>222</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an original in the library of the Massachusetts + Historical Society.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i238'> +<span class="smcap">Pirates boarding a Spanish vessel in the West Indies</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>238</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an engraving in “The History and Lives of the most + Notorious Pirates,” by an old Seaman, London, n.d., in + possession of Capt. Ernest H. Pentecost, R.N.R.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i242'> + <span class="smcap">Map of the Bay of Honduras showing Rattan + Island and Port Mayo</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>242</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From the map in “Voyages and Travels of Capt. Nathaniel + Uring,” London, 1726, in the library of the Massachusetts + Historical Society.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i256'> + <span class="smcap">Map showing Ruatan Island in the Bay of Honduras + where Philip Ashton escaped from pirates</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>256</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From a map in the “American Atlas,” by Thomas Jefferys, + London, 1776, in the possession of John W. Farwell.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i278'> + <span class="smcap">“Sweating” on Captain Sprigg’s pirate vessel</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>278</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an engraving in “The History and Lives of the most + Notorious Pirates,” by an old Seaman, London, n.d., in + possession of Capt. Ernest H. Pentecost, R.N.R.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xiii">[xiii]</span></p> +<p class='i1'><a href='#i284_1'> + <span class="smcap">Pirates killing a captured man</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>284</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an engraving in “The History and Lives of the Most + Notorious Pirates,” by an old Seaman, London, n.d., in + possession of Capt. Ernest H. Pentecost, R.N.R.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i284_2'> + <span class="smcap">Fight on a pirate ship</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>284</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an engraving in “The History and Lives of the Most + Notorious Pirates,” by an old Seaman, London, n.d., in + possession of Capt. Ernest H. Pentecost, R.N.R.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i296'> + <span class="smcap">William Dummer, Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts, + who presided at the trial of Capt. + Charles Harris for piracy</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>296</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From the portrait by Robert Feke in possession of the + Trustees of Dummer Academy.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i308'> + <span class="smcap">“View of Newport, R. I., in 1730,” showing, at the + left, Gravelly Point, on which the pirates were + hanged in 1723</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>308</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + The original painting really represents the town at a + somewhat later date. Reproduced from a lithograph copy + made in 1864, now in the George L. Shepley Library, + Providence, R. I.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i314'> + <span class="smcap">Fishing ship and station on the Newfoundland + coast about 1710</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>314</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an insert in Herman Moll’s “Map of North + America,” London [1710-1715], in the possession of + John W. Farwell.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i324'> + <span class="smcap">Fac-simile of the title-page of Rev. Cotton + Mather’s “The Converted Sinner ... a Sermon + Preached ... in the Hearing and at the Desire + of certain Pirates, a little before their Execution</span>,” + Boston, 1724</a> +<span class='ipn'>324</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an original in the library of the American Antiquarian + Society.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i328'> + <span class="smcap">Fac-simile of the title-page of “The Tryals of + Sixteen Persons for Piracy,”</span> Boston, 1726</a> +<span class='ipn'>328</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an original in the library of the Massachusetts + Historical Society.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_xiv">[xiv]</span></p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i334'> + <span class="smcap">Fac-simile of the title-page of Rev. Benjamin + Colman’s “Sermon preached to some miserable + Pirates,”</span> Boston, 1726</a> +<span class='ipn'>334</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an original in the library of the Massachusetts + Historical Society.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i336'> + <span class="smcap">Fac-simile of the title-page of Rev. Cotton + Mather’s “Vial poured out upon the Sea,”</span> + Boston, 1726</a> +<span class='ipn'>336</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an original in the library of the Massachusetts + Historical Society.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i340'> + <span class="smcap">Capt. Bartholomew Roberts</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>340</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an engraving in Johnson’s “General History of the + Pirates,” London, 1725, in the possession of George + Francis Dow.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i346'> + <span class="smcap">Capt. John Avery taking the Great Mogul’s ship</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>346</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an engraving in Johnson’s “General History of the + Lives and Adventures of the Most Famous Highwaymen, + Murderers, Pyrates,” etc., London, 1734, in the Harry + Elkins Widener Collection, Harvard College Library.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i350'> + <span class="smcap">Capt. Edward Teach, commonly called “Black Beard”</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>350</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an engraving in Johnson’s “General History of the + Lives and Adventures of the Most Famous Highwaymen, + Murderers, Pyrates,” etc., London, 1734, in the Harry + Elkins Widener Collection, Harvard College Library.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i354'> + <span class="smcap">Fac-simile of the title-page of “The Trials of + Five Persons for Piracy, Felony and Robbery,”</span> + Boston, 1726</a> +<span class='ipn'>354</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an original in the library of the Massachusetts + Historical Society.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i360'> + <span class="smcap">The pirate ships “Royal Fortune” and “Ranger” + in Whydah Road, Jan. 11, 1722</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>360</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an engraving in Johnson’s “General History of + the Pirates,” London, 1725, in possession of George + Francis Dow.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_xv">[xv]</span></p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i368_1'> + <span class="smcap">Nix’s Mate, Boston Harbor, in 1775, where Captain + Fly was gibbetted in 1726</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>368</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From an engraving in the “Atlantic Neptune,” Part III, + London, 1781, in the library of the Massachusetts + Historical Society.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i368_2'> + <span class="smcap">Monument on the shoal, formerly Nix’s Mate, in + 1637 an island of more than ten acres</span></a> +<span class='ipn'>368</span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From a photograph made about 1900.</p> + +<p class='i1'><a href='#i511_backendpaper'> + <span class="smcap">Map of Cape Cod in 1717, showing the location of + the pirate wreck</span></a> + <span class='ipn'><i>Back end-paper</i></span></p> +<p class='i2'> + From a chart surveyed and published by Capt. Cyprian + Southack of Boston, now in possession of John W. + Farwell.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_xvii">[xvii]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="INTRODUCTION">INTRODUCTION</h2> +</div> + + +<p>Why did men go a-pirating, or “on the account” as +the pirates called it? The sailors said it was few ships +and many men, hard work and small pay, long voyages, +bad food and cruel commanders. “Hard ships make hard +men.” “Many sailed but few returned.” “No kind words +on deep water.” “No law off soundings.” “We live hard +and die hard and go to Hell afterwards.” These are some of +the sea sayings that have come down to us from long ago, and +they go to prove that the narrow channel of sailor men was +narrow indeed and full of rocks and shoals which could only +be cleared by very careful steering.</p> + +<p>The sea was ever a hard calling, especially in the days of +which this work treats. The men before the mast were little +better than slaves: “Growl you may but go you must” was +the saying. Small pay (which they “earned like horses and +spent like asses”), scanty food and often stinking water with +generally hard usage turned many an honest sailorman into a +desperate pirate.</p> + +<p>Sea captains thought it good policy to keep their men as +“busy as the Devil in a gale of wind” to prevent them doing +a job o’ work for that Gentleman with the long tail, who, it was +said, took especial interest in the doings of “those who go +down to the sea in ships.” “Six days shalt thou labour as +hard as thou art able, the seventh, holy-stone the main deck +and chip the chain cable.” Capt. Thomas Phillips wrote in +1693, that “nothing grates upon the seamen more than pinching +their bellies, or treating them with cruel or reproachful +words.”</p> + +<p>One can easily imagine a group of hard-bitten men sheltering<span class="pagenum" id="Page_xviii">[xviii]</span> +under the lee of the long boat on a dirty night; wet, cold and +tired; listening with hungry interest to the yarns of an “old +stander” who had been “on the account,” telling of the time +he sailed with Bart Sharp or “Long Ben” Avery; picturing +with many a brave oath, that other channel, the broad one, +straight, with smooth water, pieces-of-eight to port, dollars and +doubloons to starboard, snug harbors in tropic isles, dusky +maids, punch, tobacco and grub in plenty, laced coats and +chains of gold.</p> + +<p>There is another side to the picture, not so pleasant, to be +sure, but easily dimmed by a noggin of rum or a swig or two of +flip. ’Tis naught, after all, but the yard-arm of a man-of-war +with a man on the end of a tricing line with his flippers seized +to his sides; and on a seashore, a wooden erection with a something +hanging—something that looks uncommonly like a +sailorman, watching, with wry face, the ebbing and flowing +of the tide. But there’s nothing in the picture to make one of +the right sort go about ship. Better a short choking sensation +than a long starving in merchants’ employ or scurvy rotting +for a pay ticket on board a king’s ship.</p> + +<p>Capt. Charles Johnson tells us in his book on pirates, that +one “Mary Read, a female pirate, being asked by her captain, +before he knew she was a woman, why she followed a life so +full of danger and at last to the certainty of being hanged, +replied: as to the hanging she thought it no great hardship, +for were it not for that every cowardly fellow would turn pirate +and so infest the seas that men of courage would starve. That +if it was put to her choice she would not have the punishment +less than death, the fear of which kept dastardly rogues honest; +that many of those who were now cheating the widows and +orphans and oppressing their poor neighbors who had no money +to obtain justice, would then rob at sea and the ocean would be +as crowded with rogues as the land, so that no merchant would +venture out and the trade in a little time would not be worth +following.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xix">[xix]</span></p> + +<p>There is an old saying that “Peace makes pirates.” The +lawless scamps—“sweepings of Hell and Hackney”—who +manned the privateers were especially prone to go a-pirateering +in times of peace. They could not or would not settle down to +steady work and small pay or be bound by laws and conventions. +They loved roving and loot too well. Better to hang +a sun-drying than to live with “a southerly wind in the shot +locker.” It was but a step, after all, and that a short one, if +half be true that has been written of privateers by men of +regular navies. But perhaps they were a little prejudiced. +Many rich prizes were taken by the private ships of war, often +robbing the regulars of the chance of filling their pockets. +Those who manned the King’s ships, like all others that used +the seas, suffered from loot hunger and to satisfy the same +would often sail very close to the wind, so close, in fact, that +several of the King’s captains were caught flat aback and +made a stern board towards the rocks. Some cleared by discharging +their golden ballast, others, by the wind of influence.</p> + +<p>Coasters and fishermen were not so apt to turn pirates. +Their work was hard and risky; but fresh food, “full and +plenty,” and shore influence kept them steady. They were +not as a rule of such an adventurous type as deep-water seamen. +Occasionally, however, some lusty young fisherman or +coaster would go a-roving. Perhaps some maid had been +unkind or too kind.</p> + +<p>Some sailed under the “Jolly Roger” because they thought +that he who dared, toiled and ventured, deserved as great a +percentage of the profits as he who sat at home in personal +safety and comfort and handled the pen. It was their only +chance of getting even with the merchants and that chance a +good one. Governments had little to spend on pirate chasing; +besides, who could better stand a little cash-letting than the +money-fat merchants. But well as they might have been +able to stand it they roared so during the operation that +governments were forced at last, Acts of Grace having failed,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_xx">[xx]</span> +to send men-of-war to cruise against “the gentlemen of fortune +following the sea.” They effected little. After one +pirate-hunting squadron had returned unsuccessful, sailors’ +yarns floated around that told of the commodore’s ship +springing a leak out Madagascar way, and of great store of +powder, shot and rum being landed to lighten her. The leak +stopped as suddenly as it began and when the boats’ crews +landed to bring off the powder, shot and rum, all had +disappeared. The yarns went on to tell that when the +commodore was taking a walk on shore, he found several small +kegs stowed under a palm tree down by the water’s edge, and +how heavy they were, and how carefully they were kept in the +after cabin of the Commodore’s ship, and that the officers said +they had nothing in ’em but honey; but Barney Brown, the +boatswain’s mate, swore his Bible oath that he heard the clink +of coin when a-rolling them along the deck.</p> + +<p>There’s no doubt that many were worthy, but only Kidd +was hanged.</p> + +<p>The news of Captain Avery’s rich prize, the Mogul’s ship, +with her cargo of wealth and beautiful women, including, it +was said, one of the Great Mogul’s daughters, made many an +old tarpaulin hitch up his breeches and turn his quid. The +fame of the beauty of the fair captives was such that the +mariners lost all their admiration for the Boston Kates and +Wapping Pegs of the ports where sea-faring men mostly took +their ease. “No! damme, no! Might as well ask a man to +thirst for a sup of sour beer when good rum’s to be had.” +So off they’d go a-pirating, hoping to capture something of the +Miss Mogul sort with something to keep her on.</p> + +<p>The Peace of Ryswick forced hundreds of West India +privateers or buccaneers who had preyed on the Spaniards, to +seek for purchase under the black flag in all seas and from all +nations.</p> + +<p>Spain’s jealous policy regarding trade with her over-sea +subjects, and monopolies such as enjoyed by the East India<span class="pagenum" id="Page_xxi">[xxi]</span> +Company, were resented by all free merchants. Ships were +fitted out and loaded with suitable cargoes for the illegal trade. +These interlopers were fast and well manned and armed to +enable them to wrong the <i>guarda costas</i>.</p> + +<p>With a fair whack of luck great gains were made; but some +failed to get their whack; found shore officials suffering from +honesty, a very uncommon disorder among them in those days +and easily cured by most anything of value. But some of the +patients required such enormous doses, that rather than give +the medicine and by so doing make a broken voyage, the interlopers +would throw the bones with Davy Jones. They +had the ship, they had the guns, and many a willing hand and +if they lacked black bunting there was store of black tarpaulin +with artists of sufficient skill to paint “the Skull and Bones.” +Hurrah for the “Jolly Roger”! A “gold chain or a wooden +leg”! We’ll take what we can’t make!</p> + +<p>When a prize was taken the pirate quartermaster would seek +for recruits from among the prisoners. Every lad of them of +spirit, impressed by the sight of such a bold swaggering crew +rapping out their first-rate oaths and well ballasted with +punch, with their bravery of laced hats, ribbons and pistols, +was ready enough to square away for the broad channel.</p> + +<p>Although many were willing, few volunteered to sign the +pirate articles. The many wanted the plea of force, to let go, +in case of getting on a lee shore in a law storm. It was a very +light anchor, more like to drag than hold, but “better a +kedge than nothing at all.” Landsmen, the pirates despised, +nor pricked they the halt, lame or feeble.</p> + +<p>The pirate wind was an ill wind, but it blew wonderful luck +to those merchants who loaded ships to their scuppers with +fiery Jamaica, red-hot brandy, gunpowder, small arms and +cannon balls, and sent them off to trade with some negro +king, ’twas said. On the voyage they would call at a +lonely isle for wood and water and there they would meet +other ships manned by the most open-fisted merchants ever<span class="pagenum" id="Page_xxii">[xxii]</span> +known. No wrangling over a bale or two. Such bargains, +the like of which never could have been made even with the +most unsophisticated of dusky potentates. It was true, these +merchants lacked the gravity of their kind; tossed the bowl +about a good deal; and swore,—well, like pirates! And so +home with a rich cargo.</p> + +<p>With such a reputation for reckless daring, why, it may be +asked, were the pirates not more successful when engaging +ships of war? John Atkins, surgeon on board the “Swallow,” +man-of-war, that took three pirate ships on the Guinea coast +in 1722, tells the reason. “Discipline,” says the Doctor, “is +an excellent path to victory; and courage, like a trade, is +gained by an apprenticeship, when strictly kept up to rules +and exercise. The pirates though singly fellows of courage, +yet wanting such a tie of order and some director to unite +that force, were a contemptible enemy. They neither killed +or wounded a man in the taking; which ever must be the fate +of such rabble.”</p> + +<p>From whatever source the pirates sprang, they were, taking +them by and large, brisk, courageous men, who were for making +hasty estates at the expense of the public and ever athirst +for the juice of the sunny isle, that magic fluid which helped +them to forget that last pilot of many a good pirate,—the +Man with the Silver Oar.</p> + +<p class="right"> +<span style="margin-right: 2em;"><span class="smcap">Ernest H. Pentecost.</span></span><br> +</p> + + + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xxiv">[xxiv]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp75" style="max-width: 100em;"> + <img class='w100' id='i001' src='images/i001.jpg' alt=''> + +<figcaption> +<span class='c2'> +A GENERAL<br> +HISTORY<br> +OF THE<br> +<i>Robberies and Murders</i><br> +Of the most notorious<br> +PYRATES,<br> +AND ALSO<br> +Their <i>Policies</i>, <i>Discipline</i> and <i>Government</i>,<br> +From their first <span class="smcap">Rise</span> and <span class="smcap">Settlement</span> in the Island<br> +of <i>Providence</i>, in 1717, to the present Year 1724.<br> +<br> +WITH<br> +The remarkable <span class="smcap">Actions</span> and <span class="smcap">Adventures</span> of the two Female<br> +Pyrates, <i>Mary Read</i> and <i>Anne Bonny</i>.<br> +<br> +To which is prefix’d<br> +An ACCOUNT of the famous Captain <i>Avery</i>, and his Companions;<br> +with the Manner of his Death in <i>England</i>.<br> +<br> +The Whole digested into the following CHAPTERS;<br> +Chap. I. Of Captain <i>Avery</i>.<br> +II. The Rise of Pyrates.<br> +III. Of Captain <i>Martel</i>.<br> +IV. Of Captain <i>Bonnet</i>.<br> +V. Of Captain <i>Thatch</i>.<br> +VI. Of Captain <i>Vane</i>.<br> +VII. Of Captain <i>Rackam</i>.<br> +VIII. Of Captain <i>England</i>.<br> +IX. Of Captain <i>Davis</i>.<br> +X. Of Captain <i>Roberts</i>.<br> +XI. Of Captain <i>Worley</i>.<br> +XII. Of Captain <i>Lowther</i>.<br> +XIII. Of Captain <i>Low</i>.<br> +XIV. Of Captain <i>Evans</i>.<br> +And their several Crews.<br> +<br> +To which is added,<br> +A short <span class='xls'>ABSTRACT</span> of the Statute and Civil Law, in<br> +Relation to <span class="smcap xls">Pyracy</span>.<br> +<br> +By Captain <span class="smcap xls">Charles Johnson</span>.<br> +<br> +<i>LONDON</i>, Printed for <i>Ch. Rivington</i> at the <i>Bible</i> and <i>Crown</i> in St. +<i>Paul’s Church-Yard</i>, <i>J. Lacy</i> at the <i>Ship</i> near the <i>Temple-Gate</i>, and +<i>J. Stone</i> next the <i>Crown</i> Coffee-house the back of <i>Greys-Inn</i>, 1724. +</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[1]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I<br> +<span class="ch-title">The Beginnings of English Piracy</span></h2> +</div> + + +<p class='no-indent'>“As in all lands where there are many people, there are +some theeves, so in all Seas much frequented, there +are some Pyrats.” So wrote Capt. John Smith, +the one-time Admiral of New England, when commenting in +1630 on the “bad life, qualities and conditions of Pyrats,”<a id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> +and this characterization remained true for many years after +his day. Piracy was as old as the art of transportation by +water and until suppressed by force in comparatively recent +times it was a favorite trade among seamen when times were +hard or temptations great.</p> + +<p>The reign of Queen Elizabeth (1558-1603) was characterized +by a great development of the maritime power of England. +This was the time when Drake and Hawkins and other great +navigators fought with the ships of Spain and brought fame +and fortune to English seamen. Much of the fighting at sea, +however, was but little removed from freebooting and it is +now difficult to judge what was legalized warfare and what +was piratical capture. Notwithstanding the frequent opportunity +for brave men to attack rich Spanish ships common +piracy flourished and in 1563 there were over four hundred +known pirates sailing the four seas.<a id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p> + +<p>When James I (1603-1625) came to the throne he resolved +to live at peace with all nations and so found little employment +for a navy. In the first year of his reign he recalled all “letters +of marque,” and two years later, by proclamation, forbade +English seamen to seek employment in foreign ships. In<span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[2]</span> +consequence many poverty-stricken seamen became pirates, +urged on by their necessities. “Some, because they became +sleighted of those for whom they had got much wealth; some, +for that they could not get their due; some, that had lived +bravely, would not abase themselves to poverty; some vainly, +only to get a name; others for revenge, covetousnesse, or as +ill; and as they found themselves more and more oppressed, +their passions increasing with discontent, made them turne +Pirats.”<a id="FNanchor_3" href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a></p> + +<p>By 1618, there were ten times as many pirates as there had +been during the whole reign of Queen Bess. About the only +voyage open to an English seaman at that time was the fishing +venture of Newfoundland, which was toilsome in the extreme +and full of exposure and hardship. The dirty carrying trade +to Newcastle, for coals, while a good school for seamen, was +despised and thought beneath the ability of an active man, and +the long voyage to the East Indies was tedious and dangerous. +As for the navy—berths were few and the food poor, the pay +was small and the service a kind of slavery. Ordinary seamen +received only ten shillings a month, which was raised to fifteen +shillings when Charles I (1625-1649) became king. But even +this small wage was subject to a deduction of six pence for the +Chatham Chest founded in 1590 for the relief of injured and +disabled seamen.</p> + +<p>Peter Easton was one of the most notorious of the English +pirates during the reign of James I. In 1611 he had forty +vessels under his command. The next year he was on the +Newfoundland coast with ten of his ships where he trimmed +and repaired, appropriated provisions and munitions and took +one hundred men to man his fleet.<a id="FNanchor_4" href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> On June 4, 1614, Henry +Mainwaring, was at Newfoundland, with eight vessels in his +fleet. Mainwaring became even better known than Easton<span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[3]</span> +and a few years later was pardoned and placed in command of +a squadron and sent to the Barbary coast in an unsuccessful +attempt to drive out the pirates located there. While he was +on the Newfoundland coast he plundered the fishing fleet of +carpenters and marines and the provisions and stores that he +needed. Of every six seamen he took one. From a Portuguese +ship he looted a good store of wine and a French ship +supplied him with 10,000 fish. Some of the fishermen deserted +their vessels and voluntarily went with him. In all +he took four hundred men, many of whom were “perforstmen,”<a id="FNanchor_5" href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> +and then sailed back across the Atlantic to continue +his impartial plundering of the ships of Spain and other +nations.</p> + +<p>It was an easy matter for the English pirates to obtain +bread, wine, cider and fish and all the necessaries for shipping +on the Newfoundland coast as the fishermen were unarmed +and moreover did not stand together. Not many pirates +went there, however, as the voyage across the Atlantic was long +and the prevailing winds apt to be westerly or northwesterly +during the summer months. Notwithstanding, the fishing +fleets suffered so much from these attacks that by 1622, men-of-war +were sent out to convoy and remain on the station +during the fishing season. In 1636, three hundred English +fishing vessels were in the fleet that sailed for home under +convoy.</p> + +<p>The Irish coast was another favorite resort where pirates +went to careen and obtain provisions from the country people. +Broadhaven was a favorite rendezvous. The Irish coast not +only was a good place to provision but also there “they had +good store of English, Scottish and Irish wenches which +resort unto them, and these are strong attractions to draw the +common sort of them thither.”<a id="FNanchor_6" href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[4]</span></p> + +<p>Mainwaring in his account of English piracy at this period, +supplies an interesting description of their methods of attack.</p> + +<p>“In their working they usually do thus: a little before day +they take in all their sails, and lie a-hull, till they can make +what ships are about them; and accordingly direct their +course so as they may seem to such ships as they see to be +Merchantmen bound upon their course. If they be a fleet, +then they disperse themselves a little before day, some league +or thereabouts asunder, and seeing no ships do most commonly +clap close by a wind to seem as Plyers.<a id="FNanchor_7" href="#Footnote_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> If any ships stand in +after them, they heave out all the sail they can make, and hang +out drags to hinder their going, so that the other that stand +with them might imagine they were afraid and that they shall +fetch them up. They keep their tops continually manned, +and have signs to each other when to chase, when to give over, +where to meet, and how to know each other, if they see each +other afar off.</p> + +<p>“In chase they seldom use any ordnance, but desire as soon +as they can, to come a board and board; by which course he +shall more dishearten the Merchant and spare his own Men. +They commonly show such colours as are most proper to their +ships, which are for the most part Flemish bottoms, if they can +get them, in regard that generally they go well, are roomy +ships, floaty<a id="FNanchor_8" href="#Footnote_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> and of small charge.”</p> + +<p>Mainwaring also comments on the ease with which successful +pirates might obtain a pardon and of this he spoke with +personal knowledge of how it was done, writing, “if they can +get £1000 or two, they doubt not but to find friends to get +their Pardons for them. They have also a conceit that there +must needs be wars with Spain within a few years, and then +they think they shall have a general Pardon.”</p> + +<p>Capt. John Smith in his “True Travels,” relates that the +pirates prospered exceedingly and became a serious menace<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[5]</span> +to trade so that “they grew hatefull to all Christian Princes.” +Their increase in number finally induced them to establish a +rendezvous on the Barbary coast in Northern Africa.<a id="FNanchor_9" href="#Footnote_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> Ward, +Bishop and Easton, all Englishmen, were among the first to go +there, and were soon joined by others,—Jennings, Harris +and Thompson and some who were hanged, at last, at Wapping +on the Thames. The Mediterranean was the center of a rich +commerce and these outlawed seamen banded together in +small fleets, plundered impartially the vessels of Genoa, Malta, +England or Holland. Success brought on indolence and the +riotous, debauched life they led after a time deprived them +of leaders of spirit, so that the Moors began to dominate their +operations.<a id="FNanchor_10" href="#Footnote_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> Some pirates were enslaved, others became +renegades and accepted the Mohammedan faith and all, at +last, became merged into the Barbary corsair and for nearly +two centuries sailed out of ports in Algiers and Tunis and +were the terror of mariners, not only about the Strait of +Gibraltar but for some distance up and down the Atlantic +coast,—robbing, enslaving or exacting tribute from all so +unfortunate as to fall into their hands. Another group of +rovers made their home port at Sallee harbor, on the west +coast of Morocco. The “Salley rovers” were a great danger +to vessels engaged in the Guinea trade.</p> + +<p>From this it will be seen that piracy in European waters, in +the early years of the seventeenth century, had its origin in a +lack of legitimate employment for seamen. This condition +was brought about by a period of peace and aggravated by an +imperfectly developed maritime commerce that could not be +quickly increased in order to find occupation for idle men. “I +could wish Merchants, Gentlemen, and all setters forth of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[6]</span> +ships,” concludes Captain Smith, “not to bee sparing of a +competent pay, nor true payment; for neither souldiers nor +Sea-men can live without meanes, but necessity will force them +to steale; and when they are once entered into that trade, +they are hardly reclaimed.”</p> + +<p>Another contributing factor, that later helped to supply +suitable material for piratical ventures, may be found in the +character of the shifting population of the American colonies. +In all frontier settlements, in all parts of the world and at all +times, there exist irresponsible and lawless elements sloughed +off by more perfectly controlled governments. This was true +in the early days of the seaport towns along the Atlantic +coast. Prisoners of war, poor debtors, criminals from the +gaols and young men and boys kidnapped in the streets of +English towns, were shipped across the Atlantic and sold to +planters and tradesmen for a term of years under conditions +closely approaching servitude. It became a trade to furnish +the plantations with servile labor drawn from the off-scourings +of the mother country. Even the English government took +a hand and in 1661 “a committee was appointed to consider +the best means of furnishing labor to the plantations by +authorizing contractors to transport criminals, beggars, and +vagrants. Runaway apprentices, faithless husbands and +wives, fugitive thieves and murderers were thus enabled to +escape beyond the reach of civil or criminal justice.”<a id="FNanchor_11" href="#Footnote_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> Once +landed in the colonies and having tasted the hardships of +forced labor, a roving disposition was soon awakened and runaway +servants were almost as common as blackbirds. Numbers +of these men joined marauding expeditions and eventually +became pirates of the usual type.</p> + +<p>Undoubtedly privateering was the principal training school +that taught adventurous men to accept a roving commission +not only against Spaniards but against men of all nations. +Like pirates, the privateersmen lived on spoil and while legally<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span> +restricted in their attacks to the vessels of an enemy nation it +was easy sometimes to overlook the color of a flag if an honest +living was not at hand and one was far from home. In fact, +it has been said that “privateers in time of war are a nursery +for pirates against a peace.” A stirring description of an +attack on a Spanish ship is given in the “Accidence for all +Young Seamen,” published in London in 1626, and written +by Capt. John Smith, the “Admiral of New England.” It +may well serve as an account of what took place at that time +on nearly every privately armed vessel attacking an enemy.</p> + +<p>“A sail, how stands she, to windward or leeward, set him by +the Compass. He stands right a-head. Out with all your +sails, a steady man at the helm, sit close to keep her steady. +He holds his own. Ho, we gather on him. Out goeth his flag +and pennants or streamers, also his Colours, his waist-cloths +and top armings, he furls and slings his main sail, in goes his +sprit sail and mizzen, he makes ready his close fights fore and +after. Well, we shall reach him by and by.</p> + +<p>“Is all ready? Yea, yea. Every man to his charge. +Dowse your top sail, salute him for the sea. Hail him! +Whence your ship? Of Spain. Whence is yours? Of England. +Are you Merchants or Men of War? We are of the +Sea. He waves us to leeward for the King of Spain, and keeps +his luff. Give him a chase piece, a broadside, and run a-head, +make ready to tack about. Give him your stern pieces. Be +yare at helm, hail him with a noise of Trumpets.</p> + +<p>“We are shot through and through, and between wind and +water. Try the pump. Master, let us breathe and refresh a +little. Sling a man overboard to stop the leak. Done, done. +Is all ready again? Yea, yea. Bear up close with him. With +all your great and small shot charge him. Board him on his +weather quarter. Lash fast your grapplins and shear off, then +run stem line the mid ships. Board and board, or thwart the +hawse. We are foul on each other.</p> + +<p>“The ship’s on fire. Cut anything to get clear, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span> +smother the fire with wet cloths. We are clear, and the fire is +out. God be thanked!</p> + +<p>“The day is spent, let us consult. Surgeon look to the +wounded. Wind up the slain, with each a piece or bullet at his +head and feet. Give three pieces for their funeral.</p> + +<p>“Swabber make clean the ship. Purser record their names. +Watch be vigilent to keep your berth to windward; and that +we loose him not in the night. Gunners sponge your Ordnances. +Carpenters about your leaks. Boatswain and the +rest, repair the sails and shrouds. Cook see you observe your +directions about the morning watch. Boy. Hulloa, Master, +Hulloa. Is the kettle boiling. Yea, yea.</p> + +<p>“Boatswain call up the men to Breakfast; Boy fetch my cellar +of Bottles. A health to you all fore and aft, courage my +hearts for a fresh charge. Master lay him aboard luff for luff. +Midshipmen see the tops and yards well manned with stones +and brass balls, to enter them in the shrouds. Sound Drums +and Trumpets, and St. George for England.</p> + +<p>“They hang out a flag of truce. Stand in with him, hail +him amain, abaft or take in his flag. Strike their sails and +come aboard, with the Captain, Purser, and Gunner, with your +Commission, Cocket, or bills of loading.</p> + +<p>“Out goes their Boat. They are launched from the ship’s +side. Entertain them with a general cry, God save the Captain, +and all the Company, with the Trumpets sounding. +Examine them in particular; and then conclude your conditions +with feasting, freedom, or punishment as you find occasion.”</p> + +<p>During the middle years of the seventeenth century the +West India waters were covered with privateers commissioned +to prey upon Spanish commerce. Not only did the home +government issue these commissions but every colonial +governor as well, so that thousands of men were out of employment +when a peace was declared. Merchants then took +advantage of such conditions and poorly paid and poorly fed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span> +their seamen and this bred discontent and made willing +volunteers when the first pirate vessel was encountered.</p> + +<p>Not infrequently it was difficult to separate privateering +from piracy. John Quelch, who was hanged in Boston for +piracy, in 1704, preyed upon Portuguese commerce as he supposed +in safety and not until he returned to Marblehead did he +learn of the treaty of peace that made him a pirate. In 1653, +Thomas Harding captured a rich prize sailing from Barbadoes +and in consequence was tried in Boston for piracy, but saved +his neck when he was able to prove that the vessel was Dutch +and not Spanish. In 1692, the Governor and Council of +Connecticut were informed that “a catch and 2 small sloops, +with about 30 or 40 privateers or rather pirates,” were anchored +off East Hampton, Long Island, and had sold a ketch +to Mr. Hutchinson of Boston and bought a sloop of Captain +Hubbard, also of Boston.</p> + +<p>Newport, R. I., sent out many privateers. In 1702 it was +reported that nearly all of the able-bodied men on the Island +were away privateering. The town also profited frequently +from the visits of known pirates, as in 1688, when Peterson, in a +“barkalonga” of ten guns and seventy men, refitted at Newport +and no bill could be obtained against him from the grand +jury as they were neighbors and friends of many of the men on +board. Two Salem ketches also traded with him and a master +of one brought into “Martin’s Vineyard,” a prize that Peterson +“the pirate, had taken in the West Indies.”<a id="FNanchor_12" href="#Footnote_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> Andrew +Belcher, a well-known Boston merchant and master of the +ship “Swan,” paid Peterson £57, in money and provisions, +for hides and elephants’ teeth taken from his plunder.</p> + +<p>The ill-defined connection between privateering and piracy +was fully recognized in those days and characterized publicly +by the clergy. In 1704 when Rev. Cotton Mather preached +his “Brief Discourse occasioned by a Tragical Spectacle in a +Number of Miserables under Sentence of Death for Piracy,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[10]</span> +he remarked that “the Privateering Stroke so easily degenerates +into the Piratical; and the Privateering Trade is usually +carried on with an Unchristian Temper, and proves an Inlet +unto so much Debauchery and Iniquity.”</p> + +<p>The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, by which peace was made +between England and Spain, was signed in 1668, but the +colonial authorities were so little concerned by the depredations +of the English privateers on Spanish commerce in the +West Indies that their commissions were not revoked until +1672 and even then, for a time, the doings of the adventurous, +privately armed vessels were not scrutinized too closely.</p> + +<p>The Peace of Ryswick in 1697 put an end to most of the +privateering in the West Indies and sixteen years later England’s +wars with France, over the Spanish succession, lasting +for nearly a half-century, ended with the treaty of peace signed +at Utrecht. By its terms Great Britain received Newfoundland +and Nova Scotia, and the right to send African slaves to +America. While the notable battles of this war had been +fought on land yet, in many respects, it had been a conflict +between naval powers and the peace released a great many men +who found themselves unable to obtain employment in the +merchant shipping. This was particularly true in the West +Indies where the colonial governors had commissioned a large +number of privateers. When adventurous spirits have been +privately employed under a commission to sail the seas and +plunder the ships of another nation, it is but a step forward to +continue that fine work without a commission after the war is +over. To the mind of the needy seaman there was very little +distinction between the lawfulness of one and the unlawfulness +of the other.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp95" style="max-width: 150em;"> + <img class='w100' id='i010' src='images/i010.jpg' alt=''> + <figcaption>MAP OF THE WEST INDIES ABOUT 1720, SHOWING “THE TRACTS OF THE GALLIONS”<br> + <span class='c2'>From Herman Moll’s “Atlas Minor,” London, 1732, in the Harvard College Library</span></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Another training school for pirate ships also existed among +the buccaneers who flourished in the West Indies during the +last half of the seventeenth century. Spain at that time +claimed sovereignty over all the lands lying in or about the +Caribbean Sea, a territory which she looked upon as a great<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span> +preserve over which to exercise absolute control and from which +to extract the wealth of the mines. Manufactures were +forbidden and commerce with other nations was not permitted. +Clothing and supplies of all kinds, wines, oil, and +even some kinds of provisions must be purchased from merchants +in distant Spain. No foreigner might land under pain +of death and no foreign ship was permitted to anchor in any +of their harbors. Twice each year a splendid fleet left Spain, +bound for Mexico and the Isthmus of Panama, laden with all +kinds of merchandise required by Spanish-America. On the +arrival of the galleons a great fair was held where the traders +met and for forty days Porto Bello, the city of the deadly +climate, was thronged by the merchants of Peru, cargadores +and sailors from the ships, negroes and native Indians.</p> + +<p>By the year 1630, small settlements had been established by +the English on the islands of Bermuda, St. Christopher, +Tortuga and the Barbadoes, and Frenchmen were on Hispaniola; +but before many years St. Christopher and Tortuga +were ravaged by Spanish fleets, the women and children murdered +and all able-bodied men condemned to slavery in the +mines. The limitations of English navigation laws at this +time were crowding the home ports with unemployed seamen; +some took to begging on the high roads, but the more adventurous +found their way to the West Indies where twice each +year journeyed the fleet of great ships laden with gold and +silver from the mines of Mexico and Peru, pearls from Margarita +and precious gems gathered from two continents. Here, +too, came the scum of Europe and on the island of Tortuga a +settlement grew that was frequented by lawless vagabonds +coming from everywhere who lived variously by hunting, +planting and piracy.</p> + +<p>The name “buccaneer,” afterwards applied to these rovers, +was derived from the hunters who smoked the flesh of the +wild cattle that they killed, over a “boucane” or wood fire. +Two centuries and a half later, the French half-breeds canoeing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span> +in the Canadian backlands spoke of “la boucane” when they +lighted their camp fires. The hunters went to the mainland in +large parties and killed the wild cattle for their hides. “After +the hunt was over” writes Esquemeling,<a id="FNanchor_13" href="#Footnote_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> the historian of the +buccaneers, “they commonly sail to Tortuga to provide +themselves with guns, powder and shot, and necessaries for +another expedition; the rest of their gains they spend prodigally, +giving themselves to all manner of vice and debauchery, +particularly to drunkenness, which they practiced mostly +with brandy.” The tavern keepers and the hangers-on of +both sexes, watched for the return of the buccaneers, “even +as at Amsterdam, they do for the arrival of the East India +fleet.”</p> + +<p>It was a Frenchman, known among his associates as “Peter +the Great,” who first played the uproarious game of piracy on +the Spanish fleet. With only twenty-eight men he cruised off +the coast of Hispaniola in an open boat at the time of year +when the galleons passed on their homeward voyage. On +sighting the fleet he followed during the night and notwithstanding +the fact that the Vice-Admiral had been told of the +suspicious craft, so confident was he of the strength of his ship +that she was allowed to straggle from the convoy. When the +boatload of desperadoes ran alongside they scuttled their +craft and boarded the Spaniard yelling like demons. They +were dressed in their usual manner, in shirts soaked in the +blood of wild cattle, leather breeches and moccasins of rawhide, +and the Vice-Admiral, sitting in his cabin playing cards, may +well have imagined, as in fact he cried out—“The ship is +invaded by devils.”</p> + +<p>After the news of the rich capture reached Tortuga, many +of the buccaneers turned to piracy and in a few years the +Spanish seas were infested with small fleets of pirate vessels +which obeyed fixed laws and were governed by a single chief. +Desperate men in every European port came out to join them<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span> +and in time many thousand men recognized the command of +the great captains of the “Brethren of the Coast,” as they +styled themselves. Before the end of the first year that +followed the capture of the Spanish galleon, twenty large +vessels had been taken, two great plate ships had been cut out +of the harbor of Campeachy and a trade in looted merchandize +had sprung up between Tortuga and Europe that soon made +the piratical settlement one of the richest in America.</p> + +<p>The “Brethren of the Coast” established among themselves +a code of laws the larger number of which related to captured +booty. All offences against these laws were severely punished, +the commonest penalty being “marooning” which consisted +of landing the offender on an uninhabited key or island with +only a small supply of food. The most desperate might well +shrink from such an end. The invariable practice required +that everything should be held in common and at the last be +divided into shares according to a fixed ratio. The captain +drew the largest number, of course, and the sailing master, +carpenter and surgeon came next. There was also a tariff by +which to indemnify those who were mutilated while fighting. +For a right arm, six hundred Spanish pieces of eight were +awarded or a corresponding value in slaves. The left arm was +worth only five hundred pieces of eight, and a leg was of equal +value. An eye was worth one hundred and a finger the same. +The booty brought into the pirate rendezvous at Tortuga was +enormous. Frequently pirates would land bringing in five or +six thousand pieces of eight per man and a single vessel once +brought in loot amounting to 260,000 pieces. Huge sums were +gambled away in a single night and drunken buccaneers would +sometimes buy pipes of wine and force every passer-by to +drink or fight.</p> + +<p>The success of the buccaneers before long paralyzed Spanish +commerce and fewer ships were sent to the American colonies +so that the “Brethren,” then numbering several thousands, +began to plan attacks upon land. The first Spanish settlement<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span> +assaulted was Campeachy, on the coast of Yucatan. +An Englishman named Lewis Scot led this attack which resulted +in much loot and the almost entire destruction of the +city. Another Englishman named Davis took Nicaragua and +plundered the churches of vast quantities of plate and jewels. +L’Olonnais, a Frenchman, with eight vessels filled with men, +fell upon Maracaibo and after much hard fighting brought +away 260,000 pieces of eight and a great amount of jewels and +plate. “But,” writes Esquemeling, “in three weeks they had +scarce any money left, having spent it all in things of little +value, or lost it at play. The taverns and stews, according to +the custom of the pirates, got the greatest part.”</p> + +<p>Capt. Henry Morgan, the leader of the expedition against +Panama, achieved the greatest fame among all these lawless +chieftains. Charles II knighted him and made him governor of +Jamaica, where he turned upon his late companions and waged +a bitter warfare. An early exploit of Morgan was the taking +of Puerto Velo, one of the strongest fortresses in New Spain. +Surprising the sentry at night he easily captured the outer +defences. The prisoners were placed in a room with several +barrels of gunpowder and as they were blown into the air the +buccaneers assaulted the citadel. The cloisters had been +seized and the priests and nuns were forced to climb the scaling +ladders before the men, “the religious men and women ceasing +not to cry to the governor and beg him to deliver the castle, +and so save both his and their lives,” writes Esquemeling. +The castle surrendered at last, though “with great loss of the +said religious people.” The loot amounted to over 250,000 +pieces of eight and much other spoil which was soon squandered +at Port Royal, a pirate town in Jamaica that supplied +almost unlimited resources for debauchery.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp75" style="max-width: 100em;"> + <img class='w100' id='i014' src='images/i014.jpg' alt=''> + <figcaption>SIR HENRY MORGAN, THE BUCCANEER, BEFORE PANAMA<br> +<span class='c2'>From an engraving in Johnson’s “General History of the Lives and Adventures of the +Most Famous Highwaymen, Murderers, Pyrates,” etc., London, 1734, in the Harry +Elkins Widener Collection, Harvard College Library]</span></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The capture of Panama took place in 1671. Morgan’s +fleet sailed from Jamaica and with only twelve hundred men he +crossed the Isthmus. The Spaniards learned of his coming +and carried away or destroyed all food stuffs along the route<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span> +so that when the buccaneers came in sight of the South Sea, +after a nine days’ march, they were nearly famished and in +desperate straits. A few days’ rest put them in condition +again and with many revengeful oaths they fell upon the +defences of the city with irresistible fury. No quarter was +given on either side. Soon Panama was in flames. It was +four weeks before the fires at last were extinguished and over +two hundred great warehouses, seven thousand houses, huge +stables that sheltered the horses and mules that transported the +golden ingots of the King of Spain, and many other buildings +were entirely destroyed. The plunder was immense. On the +way back a dispute broke out and when Morgan reached the +ships he scuttled all but one and set sail with only his chosen +followers. Such treachery was unforgivable and he never +afterward led the “Brethren of the Coast.”</p> + +<p>Morgan became governor of Jamaica with strict orders to +enforce the treaty concluded between England and Spain and +relentlessly persecuted those of his late associates who neglected +to accept the royal pardon which provided grants of +lands to all buccaneers who would abandon the sea and become +planters. By proclamation all cruising against Spain was +forbidden under severe penalties. Many of the English filibusters +accepted the pardon while others became logwood +cutters in the Bay of Honduras or raised a black flag and preyed +upon the ships of every nation.</p> + +<p>The pirate commonwealth at Port Royal was abandoned +and such Englishmen as continued to rove joined their French +brethren who frequented the island of Tortuga, or crossed the +Isthmus and preyed upon the Spanish towns in Peru and the +shipping of the Great South Sea. They also captured immense +booty at Acapulco where the Spanish ships landed the +riches of the Philippines. The peace of Ryswick in 1697 +settled the disputes between France and Spain and also sounded +the knell of the French filibusters. Before long the buccaneers +were absorbed in the population of the various islands in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span> +West Indies and the Spanish galleons again sailed peacefully +through the tropic seas.</p> + +<p>Another strong influence that led to insecurity on the high +seas and eventually to outright piracy was the operation of +the English Navigation Acts. European nations were in +agreement that the possession of colonies meant the exclusive +control of their trade and manufactures. Lord Chatham +wrote, “The British Colonists in North America have no right +to manufacture so much as a nail for a horse shoe,” and Lord +Sheffield went further and said, “The only use of American +Colonies, is the monopoly of their consumption, and the carriage +of their produce.”<a id="FNanchor_14" href="#Footnote_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a></p> + +<p>English merchants naturally wished to sell at high prices +and to buy colonial raw materials as low as possible and as +they were unable to supply a market for all that was produced, +the colonies were at a disadvantage in both buying and selling. +By the Acts of Navigation certain “enumerated articles” +could be marketed only in England. Lumber, salt provisions, +grain, rum and other non-enumerated articles might be sold +within certain limits but must be transported in English or +plantation built vessels of which the owners and three-fourths +of the mariners were British subjects. Freight rates also +advanced as other nations, notably the Dutch, had previously +enjoyed a good share of the carrying trade.</p> + +<p>The first Navigation Act was passed in 1647. It was +renewed and its provisions enlarged in 1651, 1660, 1663 and +later. Before long it was found that these attempts to +monopolize the colonial markets resulted in a natural resistance +and smuggling began and also an extensive trade with +privateers and pirates who brought into all the smaller ports +of New England captured merchandise that was sold at prices +below the usual market values. Matters went from bad to +worse and servants of the Crown frequently combined with the +colonists to evade the obnoxious laws. Even the royal<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span> +governors connived at what was going on. This was particularly +true in the colonies south of New England. Colonel +Fletcher, the governor of New York, commissioned numerous +privateers and received a fee, the equivalent of one hundred +dollars per man. These vessels when well away from local +jurisdiction became pirates in earnest and ravaged the Red +Sea and brought home rich cargoes of East India goods in +which the members of the governor’s council obtained their +share. Hore, a famous privateer and pirate, was very successful +in this trade and Thomas Tew, another freebooter, divided +his time between New York, Newport and the Madagascar +coast. He was on the black list of the East India Company +but Governor Fletcher entertained him at his table and when +the Lords of Trade remonstrated, the artful governor replied +that he wished to make Captain Tew a sober man and in +particular “to reclaime him from a vile habit of swearing,”<a id="FNanchor_15" href="#Footnote_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> +and as for coming to his table, that was but a common hospitality.</p> + +<p>In Rhode Island, the president and four assistants granted +these commissions with the condition that the colony was to +share in any captures. In 1649, Bluefield or Blauvelt, a +Dutch privateersman, brought a prize into Newport, which the +governor found was taken during a truce. But there was no +man-of-war in the harbor to enforce the law and as the townsfolk +wanted to buy the cargo and the sailors wanted the prize +money, everybody was satisfied. At a later time Governor +Bellomont of New York complained of the Admiralty Court +at Newport as too “favourable” to piracies and in Queen +Anne’s time, Connecticut and Rhode Island were both complained +of because “Her Majesty’s and ye Lord High Admiral’s +dues are sunk in condemning prizes.”<a id="FNanchor_16" href="#Footnote_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a></p> + +<p>At Stamford, Conn., a prominent citizen had a warehouse +“close to the Sound,” where he received illicit goods and +afterwards shipped them to Boston and other ports. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span> +shore of eastern Long Island was haunted by smugglers and +pirates. Sometimes the wind lay in the other quarter and a +privateersman was adjudged a pirate and hanged. This +happened in Boston in 1704 to John Quelch who had captured +Portuguese vessels. But contemporaries say that officialdom +was after a goodly share of the gold dust that he had brought +in. Usually, however, the enterprising rover lived out his +days in the character of a “rich privateer” and died respected +by friends and neighbors.</p> + +<p>There were pirates and pirates. Some were letters-of-marque +and legitimate traders and enjoyed the protection of +merchants and officials on shore, while others were outlaws. +In 1690, Governor Bradstreet of the Massachusetts Colony +was complaining of the great damage done to shipping by +“French Privateers and Pirates,” and four years later, Frontenac, +the governor of Canada, was asking for a frigate to cruise +about the St. Lawrence against the New England “<i>corsaires +et filibusters</i>.” There is no doubt these French privateers +were a considerable menace to New England shipping and +that there was need for privately armed vessels to protect the +coast, a task not easy or desirable; so why should one scrutinize +too closely semi-piratical captures made by so useful +friends? In 1709, in mid-winter, a French privateer appeared +off Cape Cod and Governor Dudley ordered Capt. Abraham +Robinson of Gloucester, to man his sloop and sail in pursuit. +It was not an inviting enterprise, especially at that season of +the year, and when the drums went about the town beating +up for volunteers, enlistments languished and the expedition +was finally given up. The minister of the place afterwards +wrote to the governor, making excuses saying “it made them +quake to think of turning out of their warm beds and from good +fires, and be thrust into a naked vessel, where they must +lie on the cold, hard ballast, instead of beds, and without fire, +excepting some few who might crowd into the cabin.”<a id="FNanchor_17" href="#Footnote_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span></p> + +<p>The agents sent over by the Lords of Trade and Plantations +were unable to make progress against the flagrant evasions +of the Navigation Acts. Randolph, who arrived in Boston +in 1679, was the most active of these agents, and when he +seized several vessels for irregular trading, the courts decided +against him and “damages were given against his Majesty.”<a id="FNanchor_18" href="#Footnote_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> +He afterwards complained of those privateers that were fitting +out for the Spanish West Indies and writes of Mr. Wharton of +Boston, as “a great undertaker for pyratts and promoter of +irregular trade.” “New England rogues and pitiful damned +Scotch pedlars,” he termed those who opposed him. The +pirates or privateers were supplied with provisions by vessels +from the mainland and prize goods were taken in payment. +Vessels were often fitted out at Rhode Island and manned in +New York and Arabian gold was to be found in both colonies; +“in fact, ’tis the most beneficiall trade, that to Madagascar with +the pirates, that was ever heard of, and I believe there’s more +got that way than by turning pirates and robbing.” So wrote +the New York governor, and later, he again wrote to the +Lords at Whitehall: “The temptation is soe great to the +common seamen in that part of the world where the Moores +have so many rich ships and the seamen have a humour more +now than ever to turne pirates.”<a id="FNanchor_19" href="#Footnote_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a></p> + +<p>The profits of piracy and the irregular trade practiced at +that time were large, indeed, and twenty-nine hundred per +cent profit in illicit trade was not unusual, so there is little +wonder that adventurous men took chances and honest +letters-of-marque sometimes seized upon whatever crossed +their course. The pirate, the privateer and the armed merchantman +often blended the one into the other.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1" class="label">[1]</a> <i>True Travels, Adventures and Observations of Captain John Smith</i>, +London, 1630.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2" class="label">[2]</a> Oppenheim, <i>The Administration of the Royal Navy</i>, p. 177.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_3" href="#FNanchor_3" class="label">[3]</a> <i>True Travels, Adventures and Observations of Captain John Smith</i>, +London, 1630.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_4" href="#FNanchor_4" class="label">[4]</a> <i>Purchas, His Pilgrimage</i>, Vol. IV, p. 1882.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_5" href="#FNanchor_5" class="label">[5]</a> Perforst, <i>i.e.</i>, forced.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_6" href="#FNanchor_6" class="label">[6]</a> Mainwaring, <i>The Beginnings, Practices and Suppression of Pirates, ca. +1717</i>. MS. in British Museum.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_7" href="#FNanchor_7" class="label">[7]</a> To ply: to beat up against a wind.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_8" href="#FNanchor_8" class="label">[8]</a> Floaty, <i>i.e.</i>, draw little water.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_9" href="#FNanchor_9" class="label">[9]</a> As early as 1613, English pirates were established at Mamora, at the +mouth of the Sebu River on the Barbary Coast. That year about thirty +sail were using the port.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_10" href="#FNanchor_10" class="label">[10]</a> By 1618 there were one hundred and fifty Turkish vessels to only +twenty English at Algiers.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_11" href="#FNanchor_11" class="label">[11]</a> Doyle, <i>English Colonies in America</i>, Vol. I, p. 383.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_12" href="#FNanchor_12" class="label">[12]</a> <i>Massachusetts Archives</i>, Vol. 35, folio 61.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_13" href="#FNanchor_13" class="label">[13]</a> John Esquemeling, <i>The Buccaneers of America</i>, London, 1684.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_14" href="#FNanchor_14" class="label">[14]</a> Viscount Bury, <i>Exodus of the Western Nations</i>, Vol. II, London, 1865.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_15" href="#FNanchor_15" class="label">[15]</a> <i>New York Colonial Documents</i>, Vol. IV, p. 447.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_16" href="#FNanchor_16" class="label">[16]</a> <i>New York Colonial Documents</i>, Vol. IV, p. 1116.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_17" href="#FNanchor_17" class="label">[17]</a> Babson, <i>History of Gloucester</i>, p. 138.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_18" href="#FNanchor_18" class="label">[18]</a> <i>Andros Tracts</i>, Vol. III, p. 5.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_19" href="#FNanchor_19" class="label">[19]</a> <i>New York Colonial Documents</i>, Vol. IV, p. 521.</p> + +</div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span></p> + + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II<br> +<span class="ch-title">Dixey Bull, the First Pirate in New England Waters +and Some Others who Followed Him</span></h2> +</div> + +<p>The doubtful honor of having been the first pirate +to plunder the small shipping of the New England +colonists belongs to one Dixey Bull who was living in +London in 1631 and who came over late that fall and for a short +time was living at Boston. He probably was sent over by Sir +Ferdinando Gorges and certainly was associated with him in +a large grant of land lying east of Agamenticus, at York, on +the coast of Maine. He came of a respectable family but was +of an adventurous disposition and soon after reaching New +England became a “trader for bever,” spending much of his +time on the Maine coast bartering with the Indians and the +scattered white settlers.</p> + +<p>In June, 1632, he was trading in Penobscot Bay when a +roving company of Frenchmen in a pinnace came upon him +and seized his shallop and stock of “coats, ruggs, blanketts, +bisketts, etc.” These Frenchmen had previously rifled the +trading post on the Penobscot maintained by the Pilgrim +Colony at Plymouth, where “many French complements +they used, and Congees they made.”<a id="FNanchor_20" href="#Footnote_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a></p> + +<p>Having lost his slender stock of trading goods Bull seems to +have become desperate and getting together a small company +of wanderers, located here and there along the coast, he proposed +a venture against the French. Governor Winthrop +relates that Bull added to his own crew “fifteen more of the +English who kept about the East,” and with these men he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span> +sailed along the coast in the late summer hoping to fall in with +some Frenchmen and so retrieve his losses. But the French +kept out of sight and badly in need of supplies he took and +plundered two or three small vessels owned by colonial traders +and from them forced four or five men to join his company.</p> + +<p>The next venture was to sail into the harbor at Pemaquid +and loot that trading station of goods to the value of over +£500. He met with practically no resistance while the plundering +was going on and the goods were safely got on board the +shallop. But just as they were weighing anchor, a well-aimed +musket shot from shore killed the second in command. This +was the first blood that had been shed and as the entire company, +so far as known, had had no previous piratical experience, +the fatal outcome and the sight of human blood seems +to have been somewhat of a shock. Capt. Anthony Dicks, a +Salem skipper, fell into their hands not long after and some of +them told him of what had happened at Pemaquid and +expressed great fear and horror so “that they were afraid of +the very Rattling of the Ropes.”<a id="FNanchor_21" href="#Footnote_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a></p> + +<p>Bull tried to persuade Captain Dicks to pilot them to +Virginia which may have been an excellent refuge at that time +for a New England pirate, for a contemporaneous Puritan +writer describes the Virginia colony as “a nest of rogues, +whores, dissolute and rooking persons.” The Salem skipper, +however, refused to serve Bull and his company and so the +voyage to Virginia was abandoned for the time and it was +decided to continue attacks on other trading posts. The +company then adopted a body of articles to govern their acts +and among them a law against excessive drinking. “At such +times as other ships use to have prayer, they would assemble +upon the deck, and one sing a song, or speak a few senseless +sentences, etc. They also sent a writing, directed to all the +governors, signifying their intent not to do harm to any more +of their countrymen, but to go to the southward, and to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span> +advise them not to send against them; for they were resolved +to sink themselves rather than be taken: signed underneath, +<i>Fortune le garde</i>, and no name to it.”<a id="FNanchor_22" href="#Footnote_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a></p> + +<p>The threat of piratical attack on the trading posts was soon +spread abroad by men returning from the Penobscot and then +“perils did abound as thick as thought could make them.” +Late in November the authorities in the Massachusetts Bay +sent out a pinnace with twenty armed men to join with four +small pinnaces and shallops and about forty men already sent +out from Piscataqua and the united expedition in time reached +Pemaquid where it lay windbound for nearly three weeks. +This was the first hostile fleet fitted out in New England and +the first naval demonstration made in the colonies. Samuel +Maverick who lived on Noddle’s Island, now East Boston, +was the “husband and merchant of the pinnace sent out to take +Dixie Bull.”</p> + +<p>The pirate shallop was nowhere to be found and after two +months of winter weather the hostile expedition returned home. +Early in February, 1633, three men who had served under +Bull and deserted, reached their homes. They claimed that +he had sailed eastward and gone over to the French. Governor +Winthrop, two years later, repeated this version of his disappearance, +but Capt. Roger Clap of Dorchester, relates in his +“Memoirs,” that Bull at last safely reached England. Whatever +his fortune or fate he disappears from New England +leaving behind him the badly earned fame of having been +the first pirate captain in these waters.</p> + +<p>Dixey Bull’s captures do not seem to have been followed by +any other piratical venture in New England for some years. +Shipping sailing to and from England was obliged to run the +gauntlet of the Dutch and French privateers and the so-called +pirates sailing out of Flushing and Ostend made several captures +that effected the fortunes of the Boston traders. Nov. +12, 1644, the Great and General Court of Massachusetts<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span> +granted a commission to Capt. Thomas Hawkins of Boston +“to take any ship that shall assault him, or any other that hee +shall have certeine knowledge to have taken either ship or +ships of ours, or to take any ship that hath commission to +make prize of any of ours.” Fourteen days later he sailed for +Spain in the “Seafort,” of four hundred tons, a ship that he +had just built and which was loaded with bolts, tobacco, etc. +As he neared the Spanish coast very early one morning he +thought he saw some Turkish vessels and preparing for attack +stood towards them. Unhappily the ship soon went aground +about two miles from the shore and nineteen were drowned. +Captain Hawkins was a London shipbuilder who came to +New England in 1632 and engaged in shipbuilding and commerce. +It was his grandson Thomas, who was tried in Boston +in 1690 for piracy as is told elsewhere in this volume.</p> + +<p>At the Nov. 12, 1644 session of the General Court, a commission +was also granted to Capt. Thomas Bredcake for +twelve months, to take Turkish pirates, thereby meaning the +Algerines who were a constant danger to shipping trading with +Spain. John Hull, the Boston mint-master, records in his +diary in 1671 that William Foster, one of his neighbors, had +been taken by the Turks as he was going to Bilboa with fish. +He afterwards was redeemed and reached home safely in +November, 1673.</p> + +<p>Capt. Thomas Cromwell of Boston, master of the ship +“Separation,” obtained a commission in 1645 from the Earl +of Warwick, the Lord Admiral of the Long Parliament, and +after capturing several rich prizes in the West Indies, came +into Massachusetts Bay and was forced by a strong northwest +wind to take refuge in Plymouth Harbor where he remained +for two weeks. There were about eighty men in his crew and +they “did so distemper themselves with drink as they became +like madd-men; ... they spente and scattered a great deale +of money among the people, and yet more sine than money.”<a id="FNanchor_23" href="#Footnote_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span></p> + +<p>From Plymouth, he sailed for Boston where he presented +Governor Winthrop with a sedan that he had captured. It +had been sent by the Viceroy of Mexico as a present to his +sister and by capture reached Puritan hands. Captain Cromwell +had formerly been known about Boston as a common +sailor and on his appearance possessed of a great fortune, the +Governor offered him for his use one of the best houses in the +town. But the captain refused and took lodgings in “a poor +thatched house” saying that in his former “mean estate +that poor man entertained him, when others would not, and +therefore he would not leave him now, when he might do him +good.” Governor Winthrop says of Cromwell:—“He was +ripped out of his mother’s belly, and never sucked, nor saw +father nor mother, nor they him.”<a id="FNanchor_24" href="#Footnote_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a> He died in Boston in +1649, and by will gave to the town “my six bells.”</p> + +<p>Another Boston man who sailed under a commission from +the Long Parliament was Capt. Edward Hull, the brother of +John Hull, the mint-master who made the “pine tree shillings.” +His vessel, the barque “Swallow frigott,” was owned +by his father and brother and he had sent them word that he +was engaged in a design for the good of the English nation +and for the glory of God. He sailed from Boston in the spring +of 1653, and captured several vessels from the French and the +Dutch and while in Rhode Island waters sent some of his men +to Block Island with orders to seize the trading stock in the +house of Capt. Kempo Sebada, which afterwards was valued +at nearly one hundred pounds. He then sold the bark and +dividing the plunder went for England. Sebada afterwards +brought suit for damages against the Hulls, the owners of the +bark; but they claimed that the vessel was engaged in privateering +wholly without their knowledge and consent and the +court gave the verdict to them. It is interesting to note that +Edward Hull is styled a “pirate” in the court records and +that his father deposed that when he learned of his son’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span> +exploits he did not protest for fear that he would never see +him or the vessel again.</p> + +<p>Rev. Cotton Mather, the pastor of the North Church, +Boston, in his “History of Some Criminals Executed in this +Land,” relates the story of the seizure of the ship “Antonio,” +in 1672, off the Spanish coast. She was owned in England +and her crew quarrelled with the master and at last rose and +turned him adrift in the ship’s longboat with a small quantity +of provisions. With him went some of the officers of the +ship. The mutineers, or pirates as they were characterized +at the time, then set sail for New England and on their arrival +in Boston they were sheltered and for a time concealed +by Major Nicholas Shapleigh, a merchant in Charlestown. +He also was accused of aiding them in their attempt to get +away. Meanwhile, “by a surprizing providence of God, the +Master, with his Afflicted Company, in the Long-boat, also arrived; +all, Except one who Dyed of the Barbarous Usage.</p> + +<p>“The Countenance of the <i>Master</i>, was now become Terrible +to the Rebellious <i>Men</i>, who, though they had <i>Escaped the Sea</i>, +yet <i>Vengeance would not suffer them to Live a Shore</i>. At his +Instance and Complaint, they were Apprehended; and the +Ringleaders of this Murderous Pyracy, had sentence of Death +Executed on them, in <i>Boston</i>.”</p> + +<p>The three men who were executed were William Forrest, +Alexander Wilson and John Smith. As for Major Shapleigh; +he was fined five hundred pounds which amount was afterwards +abated to three hundred pounds because “his estate +not being able to beare it.”</p> + +<p>The extraordinary circumstances of this case probably +induced the General Court to draw up the law that was +enacted on Oct. 15, 1673. By it piracy became punishable +by death according to the local laws. Before then a kind of +common law was in force in the colony based upon Biblical +law as construed by the leading ministers. Of course the laws +of England were theoretically respected, but Massachusetts,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span> +in the wilderness, separated from England by three thousand +miles of stormy water, in practice actually governed herself +and made her own laws.</p> + +<p>“The Court observing the wicked and unrighteous practices +of evill men to encrease, some piratically seizing of shipps, +ketches, &c. with their goods, and others by rising up against +their commanders, officers, and imployers, seizing their vessells +and goods at sea, exposing theire persons to hazard, &c. +for the prevention whereof, and that due witnes may be borne +against such bold and notorious transgressions,—</p> + +<p>“This Court doeth order, & be it hereby ordered & enacted, +that what person or persons soever shall piratically or ffelloniously +seize any ship or other vessell, whither in the harbour +or on the seas, or shall rise up in rebellion against the master, +officers, merchant or owners of any such ship or other sea +vessell and goods, and dispoyle or dispossess them thereof, +and excluding the right owner or those betrusted therewith, +every such offender, together with their complices, if found in +this jurisdiction, shall be apprehended, and, being legally +convicted thereof, shall be put to death; provided allwayes, +that any such of the said company (who through feare or force +have binn draune to comply in such wicked action), that +shall, upon their first arrival in any of our ports or harbours, +by the first opperturnity, repaire to some magistrate or others +in authority, and make discovery of such a practise, shall not +be liable to the aforesaid poenalty of death.”<a id="FNanchor_25" href="#Footnote_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a></p> + +<p>In July, 1684, this order was revised and it became unlawful +for any person to “enterteyne, harbour, counsel, trade, or +hold any correspondence by letter or otherwise with any person +or persons that shall be deemed or adjudged to be privateers, +pyrates, or other offenders within the construction of this +Act.” The highest commissioned officer in any town or +harbor was also impowered to issue warrants for the seizure +of suspected privateers and pirates and he could raise<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span> +and levy armed men to inforce the apprehension of such +persons.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp75" style="max-width: 100em;"> + <img class='w100' id='i026' src='images/i026.jpg' alt=''> +<figcaption> +<span class='c2'> +Pillars of Salt.<br> +<br> +An <span class='xls'>HISTORY</span><br> +OF SOME<br> +CRIMINALS Executed in this Land<br> +FOR<br> +Capital Crimes.<br> +With some of their Dying<br> +Speeches;<br> +Collected and Published,<br> +For the WARNING of such as <i>Live</i> in<br> +Destructive <i>Courses</i> of Ungodliness.<br> +Whereto is added,<br> +For the better Improvement of this History,<br> +A Brief Discourse about the Dreadful<br> +<i>Justice</i> of God, in Punishing of<br> +<span class='xls'>SIN</span>, with <span class='xls'>SIN</span>.<br> +<br> +Deut. 19, 20.<br> +<i>Those which remain shall hear & fear, and shall henceforth<br> +commit no more any such Evil among you.</i><br> +<br> +<i>BOSTON</i> in <i>New-England</i>.<br> +Printed by <i>B. Green</i> and <i>J. Allen</i>, for <i>Samuel Phillips</i><br> +at the Brick Shop near the Old Meeting House, 1699.<br> +</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>On the evening of July 6, 1685, a small ketch hailing from +New London, Conn., came to anchor before the town of +Boston and the next morning the master, Capt. John Prentice, +appeared before the General Court and gave information that +he had been chased by a pirate until he had come in sight of +the Brewster’s, at the mouth of the harbor. He deposed that +while at New London, on July 1st, a sloop had put into that +port commanded by one Captain Veale, and with him was one +Harvey who was the merchant on board. Captain Veale +asked Captain Prentice if he might “set his mast by the +said Prentice’s Katches side,” which was done. A little later +there came in a vessel from Pennsylvania commanded by +Capt. Daniel Staunton who at once accused Veale and Harvey +of piracy committed in Virginia. Staunton went before the +local magistrate and repeated his charge and demanded that +Veale and Harvey be arrested and tried as pirates. But the +magistrate was a little uncertain of his authority and asked for +security. While the matter was being discussed Harvey +“went away from them in great hast, & got on bord & speedily +sailed away in the said Sloop.”</p> + +<p>Not long after Captain Prentice set sail in his ketch and on +clearing the mouth of the harbor he saw a shallop at anchor +with Veale’s and Harvey’s sloop hove to near by. A boat +passed from the shallop to the sloop and soon the sloop stood +to seaward firing guns several times and catching sight of +Captain Prentice’s ketch made after her, the chase continuing +until darkness came on when the course of the ketch was +changed and in the morning nothing was seen of the sloop. +Three days later, however, early in the morning, the sloop was +sighted ahead under easy sail and after a time she bore up +toward the ketch. Captain Prentice then ordered guns to be +fired and also “spread his antient” and braced to for the sloop +to come up. But Captain Veale brought to as well and kept<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span> +to the windward for about an hour all the while firing guns. +A severe thunder storm then coming up the sloop fell to the +leeward but continued in chase of the ketch until the Brewster’s, +off Boston harbor, came in sight, when the sloop bore +away towards Cape Ann and Captain Prentice came to an +anchorage before the town without further molestation.</p> + +<p>Captain Prentice also reported that one Graham was in +command of the shallop seen in company with Veale and that +fourteen men were said to be on board. Captain Veale, while +at New London, tried to buy of John Wheeler several small +carriage guns offering three times their value. At the time he +was well supplied with money. Nicholas Hallam, a sailor on +board the ketch, testified before the magistrates that the men +on board the suspected sloop had some silver plate with the +letters and marks scratched out and also some fine clothing, +including a plush cloak, a broadcloth petty-coat trimmed with +broad gold lace and also “a pair of staies of cloth-of-Tishue.”<a id="FNanchor_26" href="#Footnote_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a></p> + +<p>The Court at once ordered drums to be forthwith beat up +for a convenient number of volunteers not exceeding forty to +man Mr. Richard Patteshall’s brigantine. Soon the Court +was informed that the men did not readily offer themselves to +the service of the country in the expedition against Veale and +Graham, whereupon it was ordered “for their Incouragemt +that free plunder be offered to such as shall Voluntarily list +themselves or that a sufficient number of men be forthwith +Impressed to that service.” Those willing to serve were +directed to report “with sufficient & compleate Arms” to Mr. +John Vyall at the ship Tavern “where Capt. Sampson Waters +will enter their names & direct them presently to goe on board +the Brigantine whereof Mr. Richard Patteshall is master.”</p> + +<p>The directions given to Capt. Sampson Waters required +him “in all difficulties to consult with Mr. Richard Pattishall +endeavoring to maintain a good correspondence with +him.” All goods seized were to be brought back for a legal<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span> +condemnation; prisoners were to be brought to Boston for +trial and care was to be taken to “beware of killing any of the +enemy unnecessarily or exposing your own company to any +hazard without necessity.”<a id="FNanchor_27" href="#Footnote_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a></p> + +<p>The expedition at last got away and after cruising about the +Bay for several days returned empty-handed like many other +similar expeditions that were sent out in following years.</p> + +<p>Piracy now began to be more common on the New England +coast. Buccaneering in the West Indies was disappearing +and some of these bold adventurers raised a black flag against +all nations. Desperate sailors out of a berth also became +rovers. The number of sporadic appearances of these men in +northern waters can only be touched upon in these pages. +They came upon the coast and then sailed away leaving little +behind save a mention of their coming.</p> + +<p>In the summer of 1687 the ketch “Sparrow,” Richard +Narramore, master, owned by Nicholas Paige of Boston, +arrived in the harbor from the Barbadoes and the Isle of +Eleuthera. She had sailed from Boston ten months before +bound for Virginia with English goods. Captain Narramore +loaded with provisions at Maryland and at Roanoke and then +sailed for the Barbadoes where the lading was sold for plate +and money. At the Isle of Eleuthera he loaded with dyeing +wood and took on board eighteen passengers under an agreement +that they should be landed at Newfoundland for forty +pieces of eight, per man, passage money. One of these men, +John Danson, shipped as mate and came to Boston in the +ketch but the rest changed their minds as to their intended +destination and asked to be landed at different points. Two +men were put ashore at the easternmost end of Long Island; +six landed at Gardiner’s Island; five at “Martin’s” Vineyard; +one was taken to the “Sackadehock” on the Maine coast and +two were left at “Damaras Cove” near there. Captain +Narramore claimed that he had learned the names of none of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span> +these men; but he admitted that they had brought on board +two heavy chests which were taken off at Gardiner’s Island.</p> + +<p>Strange stories began to circulate about the wharves and +Captain Narramore and his mate were soon sent for by the +magistrates. A search of Danson’s chest discovered nine +hundred pieces of eight—not a very large fortune for a successful +pirate! Danson deposed that he had sailed from Boston +four years before in a private man-of-war commanded by one +Henley, “bound for the Rack,” and afterwards had gone into +the Red Sea where they had plundered and taken what they +could from the Malabars and the Arabs. He left Henley +and took passage with one Wollery, a consort of Henley, for +the Isle of Eleuthera where he shipped with Captain Narramore. +He acknowledged that Henley was now considered a +pirate. Thomas Scudder, one of the passengers who had come +to Boston, had gone on board a ketch bound for Salem, where +his family lived, and Christopher Goffe had gone ashore at +Gardiner’s Island.<a id="FNanchor_28" href="#Footnote_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a></p> + +<p>A warrant was issued for the arrest of Scudder and the +seizure of any plate, money or goods in his possession. The +sheriff in Essex County also arrested several other supposed +pirates who were sent to Boston for examination.</p> + +<p>Christopher Goffe came into Newport, R. I., in a ship commanded +by William Wollery who was supposed to have come +from the Great South Sea. A shot was fired across their forefoot +whereupon they came to anchor but the next day sailed +for Andrews Island where the vessel was burnt and the men +dispersed.<a id="FNanchor_29" href="#Footnote_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> In November, 1687, Goffe appeared in Boston +and surrendered himself in pursuance of His Majesty’s “Proclamation +for Calling in and Suppressing Pyrates and Privateers.” +He was then very sick and weak and gave a bond, also +signed by two Boston citizens, that as soon as he recovered he +would go to England and receive the King’s pardon.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span></p> + +<p>Nothing seems to have come of the lengthy investigations +made by the magistrates. The plate and money that had been +seized was returned to Captain Narramore and John Danson +and two of the suspected passengers who had been taken—Edward +Calley and Thomas Dunston—were freed and +their money, plate and “a parcel of stones” returned to +them.</p> + +<p>About the same time a man named William Douglass +applied to Edward Randolph, the English Agent, for relief. +He had been a passenger on board a small vessel sailing between +the Barbadoes and the Carolinas and had been taken by +Henry Holloway, the pirate, from whom he had escaped as the +pirate ship rode at anchor in Casco Bay, Maine.</p> + +<p>Christopher Goffe recovered from his sickness and in August, +1691, was commissioned by Governor Bradstreet, to cruise with +his ship “Swan” between Cape Cod and Cape Ann and off +the Isles of Shoals for the safeguard of the coast. This came +about as the result of the capture at Piscataqua, now Portsmouth, +N. H., of a vessel commanded by Capt. Thomas +Wilkinson, inward bound from Cadiz. She was taken by two +privateers commanded respectively by Capt. Thomas Griffin +and Captain Dew. Captain Griffin landed at Portsmouth +and sent a letter to the Governor in which he claimed that he +carried a privateering commission and that he had mistaken +Captain Wilkinson for a French vessel said to be on the coast. +But as he had found prohibited goods on board he had seized +her after firing three great shot and a volley of small arms. +Captain Griffin wrote that he feared if he brought the prize to +Boston he “should be unkindly dealt with.” He also quite +gratuitously accused the Bostonians of furnishing the French +at Fort Royal with arms, ammunition and cloth in truck for +beaver and other goods. Griffin and Dew first carried their +prize into the Isle of Shoals and afterwards into the river at +Portsmouth where part of the cargo was disposed of without +trial or adjudication.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span></p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Captain Goffe was anchored near Portsmouth. +On August 14th he wrote to the Governor:—“I shall obay +your honors Comand in making Seasuer of Capt. Griffin and +Capt. Dew If it lies in my power to meet with them ... one +of them is now in site standing of and on between this place +and the Isle of Sholes.... They sayle two foot to ower one.... +Ower Bread and beare is all most Expended.” A few +days later he asked to be recalled to Nantasket to provide +necessary supplies, “the Docters chest Espeshely,”<a id="FNanchor_30" href="#Footnote_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a> and +there the episode seems to have ended.</p> + +<p>The ketch “Elinor,” William Shortrigs, master, came to +anchor at Nantasket road, near the mouth of Boston harbor, +early in the afternoon of Nov. 20, 1689. She was inward +bound from the island of Nevis, loaded with sugar and indigo, +and the wind failing and the flood tide being almost spent, the +captain was obliged to anchor as most of his men were sick +or disabled with the cold. Leaving the vessel in charge of +James Thomas, he took his mate and one other man and +started for Boston in the ship’s boat to get help to bring the +vessel into harbor. Provisions also were running short. The +next day his owner, Mr. Thomas Cooper, was unable to secure +a permit to bring her up because there had been smallpox on +board but on the 22d he told the captain that she might be +brought up as far as the Castle, so four men were sent down the +harbor. The next morning they returned and astonished the +captain with the news that the ketch had disappeared from +her anchorage. Mr. Cooper at once sent out a “hue and cry” +according to law and hired a sloop to go in search of the missing +ketch which was found two days later run ashore within Cape +Cod hook.</p> + +<p>About seven o’clock in the evening of the day on which +Captain Shortrigs had started to row up to Boston, Thomas +was between decks and had just called the boy to turn the glass +and mind the pump, when he heard a noise on deck and going<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span> +up to investigate found that four armed men and a boy had +come aboard. One of the men at once gave Thomas a blow on +the head with the butt of his musket and ordered him to keep +quiet. Soon after he was forced under the half-deck and the +scuttle was shut and a tarpaulin put over it. The leader of +the party then came down into the cabin and asked how many +were on board, finding four men, two boys and a woman, +all sick save Thomas and one of the boys. The armed men +then cut the cable, which was about half in, and two of them +went aloft to cut the gaskets and loose the sails after which a +course was taken for Cape Cod.</p> + +<p>The next morning was Friday and early in the day they +came to anchor at Cape Cod and shot a musket to call a +shallop. The leader asked Thomas if he would go to England +with them when they were revictualled and when he refused +they threatened his life. When the shallop came out to them +an agreement was made for a supply of provisions which were +brought out the next morning, but only a small supply—a +gallon of rum, some biscuits and some cheese. The shallop-men +said the ketch must be brought in nearer shore. About +midnight, at full sea, they loosed the cable and let it run out +and not long after the ketch went ashore. At low water the +armed party went off and soon disappeared.</p> + +<p>Such was the homely tale of the appearance and disappearance +of the ketch “Elinor.” The sequel was soon found +in the new stone gaol in Boston where William Coward, Peleg +Heath, Thomas Storey and Christopher Knight were to be +seen confined and in irons. What became of the boy does not +appear. Thomas Pound, Thomas Hawkins, Thomas Johnston +and other more valorous pirates were also confined there +at the same time. Justice moved swiftly that year and notwithstanding +the claim made by Coward, the leader of the +party that boarded the ketch, that his crime had been committed +upon the high seas without the jurisdiction of the court, +he was found guilty of piracy and sentenced to be hanged on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span> +January 27, 1690.<a id="FNanchor_31" href="#Footnote_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a> His companions also were found guilty +and sentenced to death but afterwards reprieved and eventually +allowed to go free.</p> + +<p>The story of the capture of James Gillam, a notorious +pirate in his time, is best told by the Earl of Bellomont, +Governor of Massachusetts, in a letter written to the Council +of Trade and Plantations on Nov. 29, 1699.</p> + +<p>“I gave you an account, Oct. 24, of my taking Joseph +Bradish and Tee Wetherley, and writ that I hoped in a little +time to be able to send news of my taking James Gillam, the +Pirate that killed Capt. Edgecomb, commander of the Mocha +frigate for the East India Co., and that with his own hand +while the Captain was asleep. Gillam is supposed to be the +man that encouraged the ship’s company to turn pirates, and +the ship has been ever since robbing in the Red Sea and Seas +of India. If I may believe the reports of men lately come +from Madagascar, she has taken above £2,000,000 sterling. +I have been so lucky as to take James Gillam and he is now in +irons in the gaol of this town, and at the same time we seized +one Francis Dole, in whose house he was harboured, who +proves to be one of Hore’s crew, one of Col. Fletcher’s pirates, +commissioned by him from N. York. Dole is also committed +to gaol. My taking of Gillam was so very accidental, one +would believe there was a strange fatality in that man’s stars. +On Saturday, 11th inst., late in the evening, I had a letter +from Col. Sanford, Judge of the Admiralty Court in Rhode +Island, giving me an account that Gillam had been there, but +was come towards Boston a fortnight before, in order to ship +himself for some of the Islands, Jamaica or Barbadoes; that +he was troubled he knew it not sooner and was afraid his +intelligence would come too late to me; that the messenger he +sent knew the mare Gillam rode on to this town. I was in +despair of finding the man because Col. Sandford writ to me +that he was come to this town so long a time as a fortnight<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span> +before that. However, I sent for an honest constable I had +made use of in apprehending Kidd and his men, and sent him +with Col. Sandford’s messenger to search all the inns in town +for the mare, and at the first inn they went to they found her +tied up in the yard. The people of the inn reported that the +man that brought her thither had lighted off her about a +quarter of an hour before, had then tied her, but went away +without saying anything. I gave orders to the master of the +inn that if anybody came to look after the mare, he should be +sure to seize him, but nobody came for her. Next morning, +which was Sunday, I summoned a Council, and we published +a proclamation wherein I promised a reward of 200 [pieces of +eight] for the seizing and securing Gillam, whereupon there +was the strictest search made all that day and the next that +was ever made in this part of the world, but we had missed of +him, if I had not been informed of one Capt. Knot as an old +pirate, and therefore likely to know where Gillam was concealed. +I sent for Knot and examined him, promising him, +if he would make an ingenious confession, I would not molest +him. He seemed much disturbed, but would not confess +anything to purpose. I then sent for his wife and examined +her on oath apart from her husband, and she confessed that +one who went by the name of James Kelly had lodged several +nights in her house, but for some nights past he lodged, as she +believed, in Charlestown, cross the river. I knew he went by +the name of Kelly. Then I examined Capt. Knot again, telling +him his wife had been more free and ingenious than him, which +made him believe she had told all, and then he told me of +Francis Dole in Charlestown, and that he believed Gillam +would be found there. I sent half a dozen men immediately +over the water, to Charlestown and Knot with ’em; they +beset the house and searched it, but found not the man, Dole +affirming he was not there, neither knew he any such man. +Two of the men went through a field behind Dole’s house and +passing through a second field they met a man in the dark<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span> +(for it was 10 o’clock at night) whom they seized at all adventures, +and it happened as oddly as luckily to be Gillam; he +had been treating two young women some few miles off in the +country and was returning at night to his landlord Dole’s +house. I examined him, but he denied everything, even that +he came with Kidd from Madagascar, or ever saw him in his +life; but Capt. Davies who came thence with Kidd, and all +Kidd’s men, are positive he is the man and that he went by +his true name Gillam all the while he was on the voyage with +’em, and Mr. Campbell, Postmaster of this town, whom I sent +to treat with Kidd, offers to swear this is the man he saw on +board Kidd’s sloop under the name of James Gillam. He is +the most inpudent, hardened villain I ever saw. That which +led me to a search after this man was the information of +William Cuthbert, which I sent your Lordships with my +packet of July 26th, wherein he says that it was commonly +reported that Gillam had killed Capt. Edgecomb with his own +hands, that he had served the Mogul, turned Mohammedan +and was circumcised. I had him searched by a surgeon and a +Jew in this town: they have both declared on oath that he is +circumcised. I recommend the perusal of the evidence I enclose +as what will inform you of the strange countenance given to +pirates by the Government and people of Rhode Island. In +searching Capt. Knot’s house [a sma]ll trunk was found with +some remnants of E. India goods and a letter from Kidd’s +wife to Capt. Thomas Pain, an old pirate living on Canonicot +Island in Rhode Island government. He made an affidavit +to me when I was at Rhode Island that he had received +nothing from Kidd’s sloop, when she lay at anchor there, yet +by Knot’s deposition he was sent with Mrs. Kidd’s letter to +Pain for 24 ounces of gold, which Knot accordingly brought, +and Mrs. Kidd’s injunction to Pain to keep all the rest that +was left with him till further order was a plain indication that +there was a good deal of treasure still behind in Pain’s custody. +Therefore I posted away a message to Gov. Cranston and Col.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span> +Sanford to make a strict search of Pain’s house before he could +have notice. It seems nothing was then found, but Pain has +since produced 18 ounces and odd weight of gold, as appears by +[Gov.] Cranston’s letter, Nov. 25, and pretends ’twas bestowed +on him by Kidd, hoping that may [pass for] a salvo for the oath +he made. I think ’tis plain he foreswore himself and I am of +opinion he has a great deal more of Kidd’s goods still in his +hands, [but] he is out of my power and being in that government +I cannot compel him to deliver up the [rest]. Your +Lordships will find in Capt. Coddington’s narrative, sent with +my report Nov. 27, an inventory of gold and jewels in Gov. +Cranston’s hands, which he took from a pirate. I see no +reason why he should keep them, [but] so far from that, that +he ought to be called to an account for conniving at the pirates +making that Island their sanctuary, and suffering some to +escape from justice. If there be an order sent to him to deliver +all goods and treasure which he has at any time received from +privateers or pirates into my hands for the use of his Majesty, +and that upon oath, I will see the order executed and give a +faithful account thereof. Four pounds weight of the gold +brought from Gardiner’s Island, which I formerly acquainted +your Lordships of, and all the jewels belonged to Gillam, as +Mr. Gardiner’s letter to Mr. Dummer, a merchant in this +town and one of the Committee appointed by me and the +Council to receive all the treasure brought in Kidd’s sloop, will +prove, and there is some proof of it in Capt. Coddington’s +narrative and Capt. Knot’s deposition. I am told that as +Vice [Admiral] of these provinces I am entitled to 1/3 part of +Gillam’s gold and jewels; I know not wh [ether I] am or no, +but if it be my right I hope you will represent to the King +accordingly. ’Tis a great prejudice to the King’s [service] +that here is no revenue or other fund to answer any occasion of +His Majesty’s. I [have been] forced to disburse the 200 pieces +of eight out of my own little stock, and also to defray my +expenses in going to Rhode Island to execute the King’s Commission;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span> +both accounts I now send and beg your Lordships’ +favour in promoting. Capt. Gullock tells me that 15 or 16 of +the ship’s company that would not be concerned with Gillam +went home in the <i>America</i> belonging to the E. I. company. +I should think an advertisement in the <i>Gazette</i> requiring some +of those men to appear before one of the Secretaries of State +to give their evidence would be proper.</p> + +<p>“Your Lordships will meet with a pass among the other +papers to Sion Arnold, one of the pirates brought from Madagascar +by Shelley of N. York, signed by Governor Basse, which +is a bold step in Basse after such positive orders as he received +from Mr. Secretary Vernon, but I perceive plainly the meaning<del>-</del> +of it, he took several pirates at Burlington in West Jerzey and +a good store of money with them as ’tis said: and I dare say +he would be glad they [?should] escape, for when they are gone +who can witness what money he seized with ’em? I know the +man so well that I verily believe that’s his plot. John Carr +mentioned in some of the [?papers to] be in Rhode Island was +one of Hore’s crew. There are abundance of other pirates in +that island at this time, but they are out of my power. Mr. +Brinley, Col. Sanford, and Capt. Coddington are honest men +and of the best estates in the island, and because they are +heartily weary of the maladministrations of that Government, +and because I commissioned ’em, by virtue of H. M. Commission +to me, to [make] enquiry into the irregularities of those +people, they are become strangely odious to ’em and are often +affronted by ’em; neither will they make ’em Justices of the +Peace, so that when they would commit pirates to gaol, they +are forced to go to the Governor, for his warrant, and very +[comm]only the pirates get notice and avoid the warrant. +Gardiner, the Dep. Collector, is accused to have been once a +pirate, in one of the papers enclosed. I doubt he will forswear +himself rather than part with Gillam’s gold which is in his +hands. ’Tis impossible for me to transmit to the Lords of +the Treasury these proofs against Gardiner, being so jaded<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span> +with writing, but I could wish they were made acquainted +with his character and would send over honest, in[tellige]nt +men to be Collectors of Rhode Island, Connecticut and N. +Hampshire, and that they [would] hasten Mr. Brenton hither +to his post or send some other Collector in his room. I could +wish Mr. Weaver were ordered to hasten to N. York. Captain +Knot in one of his depositions accuses Gillam to have pirated +four years together in the South Sea against the Spaniards. +We have advice that Burk, an Irishman and pirate, that committed +sea-robberies on the coast of Newfoundland, is drowned +with all his ship’s company, except 7 or 8, somewhere to the +southward, in the hurricane about the end of July or the +beginning of Aug. last. ’Tis good news, he was very strong +and said to have had a good ship with 140 men and 24 guns.”<a id="FNanchor_32" href="#Footnote_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a></p> + +<p>John Halsey was a Boston privateersman who heard of the +good fortune of those who scoured the Red Sea and the Arabian +coast and so abandoned cruising on the banks of Newfoundland +and set a course for Madagascar. He was the son +of James and Dinah Halsey and was born Mar. 1, 1670. +As a boy he followed the sea and in time became master of +small vessels trading with the Southern Colonies and the West +Indies. In April, 1693, while master of the sloop “Adventure,” +of Boston, he testified in court in relation to a seaman shipped +by him the previous November on a voyage to Virginia. At +that time he deposed that he was twenty-three years old.</p> + +<p>While Joseph Dudley was governor, he was given the +command of the brigantine “Charles,” and sent out with a +privateering commission to cruise against French vessels on +the fishing banks. From there he went to the Canaries where +he took a Spanish “barcalonga” which he plundered and +sunk. Having determined on a free life in the Indian Ocean he +wooded and watered at one of the Cape Verdes and then stood +away for the Cape of Good Hope and Madagascar.</p> + +<p>For a time Captain Halsey was followed by ill-fortune.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span> +He was nearly taken by a Dutchman of sixty guns and later +was chased by the “Albemarle,” East Indiaman, and only +got clear because he could show a better share of heels. In +the Strait of Babelmandeb, a Moorish fleet of twenty-five sail +came upon him and the brigantine was only saved from being +taken when they fell to with their oars. Three days later their +luck changed and two English ships fell into their hands after +brisk fighting. The loot amounted to over £50,000 in money +and also many bale goods, so they steered for Madagascar +where they shared their booty. Here, Captain Halsey fell sick +of a fever and died in 1716 and was buried with great ceremony. +His sword and pistols were laid on his coffin, which +was covered with a ship’s jack, and minute guns were fired. +He was a brave man and died regretted by his men and the +friends he had made in Madagascar. “His Grave was made in +a Garden of Water Melons and fenced in with Pallisades to +prevent his being rooted up by wild Hogs, of which there are +Plenty in those Parts.”<a id="FNanchor_33" href="#Footnote_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a></p> + +<p>Another Massachusetts pirate was Joseph Bradish of +Cambridge, who was born there Nov. 28, 1672. In March, +1698 he was in London, England, out of a berth and so shipped +as boatswain’s mate on board “the ship or hakeboat Adventure,” +Thomas Gulleck, commander, bound for the island of +Borneo on an interloping trade. The ship was about 350 tons +burthen and carried twenty-two guns. The following September, +while at the island of Polonais for water, most of the +officers and passengers being on shore, the rest of the ship’s +company cut the cable and ran away with the ship. There +were about twenty-five men aboard and Joseph Bradish was +chosen their commander because of his skill in navigation. +Sail was made for Mauritius where they refitted the ship and +took on fresh provisions and then a course was set for New +England.</p> + +<p>Not long after rounding the Cape of Good Hope a sharing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span> +was made of the money found on board which was contained +in nine chests stowed in the breadroom. Each man received +over fifteen hundred Spanish dollars and the captain was +assigned two and a half shares. Later there was a sharing of +the broadcloths, serges and other goods in the lading of the +ship.</p> + +<p>The “Adventure” arrived at the east end of Long Island +on March 19, 1699 and Captain Bradish went on shore at +Nassau Island taking with him most of his money and jewels. +He sent a pilot on board to bring the ship around to Gardiner’s +Island, but the wind not favoring, Block Island was +made instead. Two men were then sent to Rhode Island to +buy a sloop but the Governor, suspecting them to be pirates, +ordered them seized. A day or two later several sloops sailing +near the “Adventure” were hailed and after some bartering +one of them was bought and another hired. The sloopmen +were allowed to take what they pleased out of the ship and +having transferred their money and some of the richer of the +lading to the two sloops, the “Adventure” was sunk. Some +of the crew were set ashore at different landings where they +reached farmhouses and purchased horses and departed for +parts unknown.</p> + +<p>Captain Bradish and others of his company ventured into +Massachusetts early in April, but the news of their arrival at +Long Island had preceded them and soon the captain and +ten of his men were lodged in the stone gaol in Boston where +Caleb Ray, his kinsman, was the gaol-keeper. Bradish and his +men were examined by the authorities and several of them +confessed. Money and goods to the value of about £3000, +were seized and Bradish’s jewels, which had been left with Col. +Henry Peirson at Nassau Island, were sent for and taken to +New York to be inventoried. Ten or more of his crew were +also captured on Rhode Island.</p> + +<p>Bradish lay in gaol for nearly two months and it does not +appear that he was placed in irons which was the fate of Captain<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span> +Kidd a few weeks later. Governor Bellomont ordered +Kidd placed in irons weighing sixteen pounds and not content +with that paid the gaoler forty shillings a week above his +salary in the hope of keeping him honest. This all came about +because Bradish was allowed to escape. Caleb Ray, the gaol-keeper, +was a relative of Bradish, a fact unknown to the +authorities, and doubtless not many days passed before family +influences were exerted in his behalf.</p> + +<p>On the morning of June 25th, Ray found the prison door +open and Bradish and Tee Wetherly, one of his company, +who had but one eye, were missing. The Governor was angry +and finding the Council slow to take action he became still +more enraged. Learning that prisoners had mysteriously +escaped at other times, Ray finally was dismissed and a prosecution +ordered.</p> + +<p>Meantime, Bellomont had devoted much of his time to +pirates and piracy. Kidd had been taken and his spoil sequestered. +A ship had arrived at New York bringing sixty pirates +from Madagascar and a vast deal of treasure. The New York +owners were said to have cleared £30,000 by the voyage. He +learned that about two hundred Madagascar pirates were +intending to take passage for New York in Frederick Phillips’ +ships at £50 each. A great ship had been seen off the Massachusetts +coast supposed to be commanded by Maise, the +pirate, and laded with much wealth taken in the Red Sea. +There was a sloop in at Rhode Island, undoubtedly a pirate +as the crew went ashore daily and spent their gold freely. +He also was occupied in manning out a ship to go in quest of +the “Quidah Merchant,” Kidd’s ship, left by him in the West +Indies. Long reports were sent to the Lords of Trade and +Plantations by the busy Governor in one of which he mentions +“having writ myself almost dead.”</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp75" style="max-width: 100em;"> + <img class='w100' id='i042' src='images/i042.jpg' alt=''> + <figcaption>RICHARD COOTE, EARL OF BELLOMONT, GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS, 1699-1700<br> +<span class='c2'>From a rare engraving in the Harvard College Library</span></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>When Bradish and Wetherly stole out of gaol they made +their way to the eastward and Governor Bellomont offered +a reward of two hundred pieces of eight for the recapture of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span> +Bradish and one hundred pieces for Wetherly. He also wrote +to the Governors of Canada and St. Johns. There happened +to be in Boston at the time, an Indian sachem, Essacambuit, +who had come to make submission in behalf of the Kennebeck +Indians and the reward sent him on the trail of the fleeing +pirates with such success that they were taken and brought +into the fort at Saco. On Oct. 24th, they were again in Boston +gaol, this time well secured with irons. During the following +months they made two unsuccessful attempts to escape. +Once they broke through the floor, but that failing them a +night or two later they filed off their fetters, whereupon they +were manacled and chained to one another. “I believe this +new gaoler I have got is honest; otherwise I should be very +uneasy,” wrote the Governor.<a id="FNanchor_34" href="#Footnote_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a></p> + +<p>On Feb. 3, 1700, the man-of-war “Advice” arrived in +Boston harbor for the express purpose of conveying Kidd, +Bradish and other pirates to London, for trial before an +Admiralty Court and on April 8th they arrived there, still in +irons.</p> + +<p>Justice was summarily meted out to Bradish and his men +and their fate became well-known to sailormen and pirates in +all seas. Twenty years later when Capt. Bart. Roberts +captured a Boston-bound ship, the captain was told by some +of the pirate crew that they never would “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.”</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_20" href="#FNanchor_20" class="label">[20]</a> Bradford, <i>History of Plymouth Plantation</i>, Boston, 1856, p. 293.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_21" href="#FNanchor_21" class="label">[21]</a> Capt. Roger Clap’s <i>Memoirs</i>, p. 35.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_22" href="#FNanchor_22" class="label">[22]</a> Winthrop’s <i>Journal</i>, New York, 1908, Vol. I, p. 96.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_23" href="#FNanchor_23" class="label">[23]</a> Bradford, <i>History of Plymouth Plantation</i>, p. 441.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_24" href="#FNanchor_24" class="label">[24]</a> Winthrop’s <i>Journal</i>, New York, 1908, Vol. II, p. 273.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_25" href="#FNanchor_25" class="label">[25]</a> <i>Records of the Massachusetts Bay Colony</i>, Vol. IV, Part II, p. 563.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_26" href="#FNanchor_26" class="label">[26]</a> <i>Massachusetts Archives</i>, Vol. LXI, leaf 280.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_27" href="#FNanchor_27" class="label">[27]</a> <i>Massachusetts Archives</i>, Vol. LXI, leaf 280.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_28" href="#FNanchor_28" class="label">[28]</a> <i>Massachusetts Archives</i>, Vol. CXXVII, leaf 10.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_29" href="#FNanchor_29" class="label">[29]</a> <i>Massachusetts Archives</i>, Vol. CXXVII, leaf 191.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_30" href="#FNanchor_30" class="label">[30]</a> <i>Massachusetts Archives</i>, Vol. XXXVII, leaf 117.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_31" href="#FNanchor_31" class="label">[31]</a> See chapter on Capt. Thomas Pound.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_32" href="#FNanchor_32" class="label">[32]</a> <i>Calendar of State Papers, America and West Indies</i>, 1699, pp. 551-554.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_33" href="#FNanchor_33" class="label">[33]</a> Johnson, <i>The History of the Pirates</i>, London, 1726.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_34" href="#FNanchor_34" class="label">[34]</a> <i>Calendars of State Papers, America and West Indies</i>, 1699, p. 1011.</p> + +</div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III<br> +<span class="ch-title">John Rhoade, Pilot of the Dutch Pirates on the +Coast of Maine</span></h2> +</div> + +<p>In the summer of 1674, while the Dutch were yet in control +of New York, the privateer frigate “Flying Horse,” +came sailing into the harbor. Her commander, Capt. +Jurriaen Aernouts, had been commissioned by the governor of +Curacao, “to take, plunder, spoil and possess any of the ships, +persons or estates” of the enemies of the great States of +Holland, which meant the English and the French at the time +the commission was issued. But when the Dutch captain +reached New York he was much surprised to learn of the +treaty of peace, signed nearly six months before, which made +it illegal for him to prey on English shipping. The war was +still on with France, however, so he decided to sail northward +for the fishing banks and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. While the +“Flying Horse” was recruiting and preparing for sea, Captain +Aernouts accidentally made the acquaintance of a coasting +pilot from Boston, Capt. John Rhoade, an adventurous +character who told the captain that he was well acquainted +with the coast along the French colonies at the north; that +their forts and defences were weak and if taken by surprise +it would be easy conquest for him of a rich fur country. Rhoade +said that he had recently been at Pentagoet (now Castine, +Maine) and had exact information as to the strength of the +French garrison there. The Dutch captain submitted the +project to his officers and crew and it was unanimously +favored. Captain Rhoade then enlisted, took the oath of +allegiance to the Prince of Orange, and was made the chief +pilot of the “Flying Horse.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span></p> + +<p>The Dutchmen landed at Pentagoet on Aug. 1, 1674, and +as the fort was garrisoned by only thirty men it soon surrendered. +The commander of the fort, M. de Chambly, was also +the Governor of Acadie and for him a ransom of one thousand +beavers was demanded, an amount he was unable to furnish. +With the Governor on board, the “Flying Horse” sailed eastward +and every French fort and trading post as far as the St. +John river was captured. Captain Aernouts proclaimed +all this territory a Dutch conquest, naming it New Holland, +and at every point where he landed he buried a bottle containing +a copy of his commission and a statement of his conquest. +Laden with the plunder of Acadie, the “Flying Horse” +reached Boston the last of September and the Dutch captain +applied to Governor Leverett for leave to remain in the harbor +in order to repair his ship and dispose of his plunder. This was +granted and soon the frigate lay at anchor before the town. +The Colony gladly purchased the cannon that had been taken +from the French forts and the Boston traders bought the rest +of the spoil.</p> + +<p>The Massachusetts fur traders now applied to Captain +Aernouts for leave to trade in the newly conquered territory, +a privilege they had always paid well for in the past. But they +were disappointed, for the Dutch officers claimed that this +conquest had been made by the sword and that the fur trade +was of great value to the States of Holland, so all requests +for leave or license were refused. The owners of two Boston +vessels, however, disregarded the warnings of the Dutch +officers and set sail, and probably others followed.</p> + +<p>When Captain Aernouts was ready to depart, which was +about the first of November, he left in Boston two of his +officers, Capt. Peter Roderigo, a “Flanderkin,” and Capt. +Cornelius Andreson, a Dutchman, and also Captain Rhoade +and a Cornishman, John Williams, and gave these men and +their associates, authority to return to New Holland and +there to trade and keep possession until further instructions<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span> +were received. They induced four or five others to join them +and before the month had gone they had purchased a small +vessel, the “Edward and Thomas,” Thomas Mitchell of +Malden, part-owner, who shipped with the company, which +was commanded by Roderigo, and hired another, the “Penobscot +Shallop,” commanded by Andreson, and after arming +them as well as they could, they sailed down the harbor with +the flag of the Prince of Orange at each topmast. At Pentagoet, +they found that Englishmen from Pemaquid had recently +been there and carried away iron and other materials +found in the ruins of the fort. Farther eastward, Edward +Hilliard of Salem was found in a small vessel, and when +ordered to come on board he immediately submitted and said +he was ignorant that he was trespassing on their authority +and further complained of the bad voyage he had made thus +far. He was dismissed with a warning and his vessel and peltry +returned to him. Not long after they came upon a Boston +vessel, commanded by William Waldron, who had been refused +a permit to trade. He was recognized at once and his vessel +made a prize but after a time returned to him. His peltry, +however, was seized.</p> + +<p>Among the men who had applied for a permit to trade and +been refused was George Manning, who commanded a shallop +called the “Philip,” owned by John Feake, a Boston merchant. +Nevertheless he had sailed and on December 4th Captain +Roderigo came upon him at anchor in “Adowoke Bay to ye +Estward of Mount deZart.” The shallop was boarded, the +hatches opened and all the peltry taken away. Captain +Manning had in his cabin a loaded pistol and planned to shoot +Captain Roderigo but a boy on board warned him to look out +for himself and drawing a cutlass the “Flanderkin” laid +about him. There was some firing of guns but no one was +killed. Manning was confined on board the Dutch boat and +the next day it was proposed to burn his shallop and set him +adrift in his boat. Rhoade told him he deserved to be turned<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span> +ashore on an island and there be compelled to eat the roots of +trees. Manning had received a flesh wound in one hand and +was cut about the head. There is much confusion in the +testimony bearing on the encounter and doubtless some lying, +but it is plain that Manning continued in command of his +shallop and accompanied the Dutchmen in their later operations.<a id="FNanchor_35" href="#Footnote_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a></p> + +<p>A small barque owned by Major Shapleigh of Piscataqua +in New Hampshire was taken shortly and found to have traded +for peltry and also to have brought provisions from Port +Royal to the French at Gamshake on the St. John river. +The peltry and provisions were seized and the barque dismissed. +The Dutchmen, when on trial in Boston, claimed that +this barque had transported French from Port Royal to the +St. John river and supplied them with ammunition so that +when Captain Roderigo arrived that winter they were able to +defend themselves and he was obliged to return to Machias +in Maine, where he had established a trading post.</p> + +<p>The Dutch carried on a prosperous trade with the Indians +that winter at Machias and there was always the hope that +the tri-colored flag of the United Provinces might appear over +a fleet coming to their assistance. On March 10th, 1675, a +vessel flying an English flag appeared off shore. It was commanded +by Thomas Cole of Nantasket. A boatload of men, +well armed, came ashore and finding only four men at the trading +post these were soon overpowered. The Dutch flag was +pulled down, the men taken prisoners and the winter’s store of +peltry and trading goods carried off. The Dutch afterwards +testified in court that Cole ordered Randall Judson’s<a id="FNanchor_36" href="#Footnote_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a> arms +bound behind him and then put him ashore where he remained +for four days and nights without shelter or food, and this was +early in March on the eastern Maine coast.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span></p> + +<p>It was to be expected that sooner or later the news of the +capture of the trading vessels would reach Boston. The +shallop commanded by George Manning was owned by John +Feake, a Boston merchant, and Feb. 15, 1675, he appeared +before Governor Leverett and the Magistrates and made his +complaint, that property had been piratically seized and his +vessel detained. He named Captain Rhoade as the principal +offender. William Waldron and others had already presented +a protest. Mr. Feake proposed that Capt. Samuel Mosely, +afterwards the famous Indian fighter, be instructed to organize +an expedition to proceed to the eastern parts and seize Rhoade +and his company, and the Council at once assented and ordered +that no shipping in the harbor bound eastward should be +permitted to sail until after Captain Mosely and his company +had departed. Captain Mosely had recently been in command +of an armed vessel that had cruised about the island of Nantucket +to protect Boston interests against suspected attacks +by the Dutch, and he was ready for any new adventure. He +received his instructions on Feb. 15, 1675 and soon after sailed +for the eastward. Before reaching the Dutchmen he fell in +with a French vessel which he induced to join his enterprise. +He provided her with men and ammunition and when these +vessels bore down on Captain Roderigo’s little fleet, Manning, +who had gone into the Dutch service at a wage of £7 per month, +at once joined the new-comers and without taking the trouble +to haul down the tri-colored flag flying from his topmast, +opened fire on the Dutch vessels. Taken by surprise and +attacked by three vessels carrying English, French and Dutch +colors, resistance was soon over. The prisoners were closely +confined, their vessels were plundered of the peltry obtained +during the winter’s barter and their remaining trading stock +was turned over to Boston men who had accompanied the +expedition and these traders were left to continue the barter +with the Indians while the victorious Captain Mosely sailed +back to Boston where he arrived on April 2d. Again, had commercial<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span> +greed brought about military attack. The Dutch, at +war with France, had seized French territory which previously +had been exploited by colonial traders, who, deprived of their +rich opportunity for gain, now seized the Dutch outpost.</p> + +<p>The Court of Assistants met at Cambridge on April 7th and +ordered the pirates, as the prisoners were styled, confined in +the prison at Cambridge. The Dutch vessels and their fittings +were appraised and left in the hands of John Feake who had +made the complaint of the alleged piracy. At the examination +of the prisoners, the day they reached Boston, they frankly +declared what had been done by them and justified in writing +their supposed authority. A special Court of Admiralty was +then summoned to meet on May 17th, but before the day +arrived John Feake, the complainant, was dead and buried. +On May 4th, he had gone on board a ship in the harbor, just +arrived from Virginia, and while in the great cabin with Captain +Scarlett, one of the appraisers of the Dutch vessels, in +conference with the supercargo of the ship and others, there +was a great explosion resulting in the death of Feake, Scarlett +and the supercargo, and the wounding of nine others. The +great Increase Mather preached a sermon “Occasioned by +this awful Providence.”</p> + +<p>The Court of Admiralty sat on the day appointed and +shortly declared the Dutch vessels and their cargoes lawful +prizes to be delivered to the heirs of Feake as satisfaction for +the injury done to the shallop commanded by Manning. The +Court then adjourned. A week later it reassembled and Peter +Roderigo and Cornelius Andreson were placed on trial, charged +with piratically seizing several small English vessels and making +prize of their goods, etc.<a id="FNanchor_37" href="#Footnote_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> A verdict of guilty was declared +against Roderigo and he was sentenced to be hanged. Not +long after he petitioned the Great and General Court for his +life and on May 12th “the Court judged it meete to grant the +petitioner a full & free pardon, according to his desire in his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span> +petition.” Roderigo found his way again to the eastward and +in June of the next year served in the company of Capt. Joshua +Scottow in Indian fighting about Black Point, near Scarborough, +Maine. On the other hand Andreson, who owned +during his examination that he had taken two English vessels, +Waldron’s and Hilliard’s, was not found guilty of piracy and +the Court sent the jury out again with instruction to “find +what they could against him.” The jury obediently brought +in a verdict of guilty of “theft and robbery,” based on the +seizure of the peltry. He, too, was sentenced but later pardoned.</p> + +<p>It is a curious circumstance that this Cornelius Andreson +should shortly join the independent military company organized +by Captain Mosely to fight Indians in King Philip’s War +which broke out soon after the trials were concluded. Andreson +also appears in Capt. Thomas Wheeler’s company and +fought bravely and with renown in the attacks about Brookfield. +At one time he was sent out as “Captain of a forlorne” +hope<a id="FNanchor_38" href="#Footnote_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> and afterwards marched to Groton. On Oct. 13, 1675 +he was about leaving the country and nothing is known of his +later history. Undoubtedly he was the “buccaneer,” mentioned +by New England historians as going with Captain +Mosely against Philip near the end of June. After the trial +of Andreson, the Court again adjourned and on June 17th +the other prisoners were brought to trial. Capt. John Rhoade, +when asked why he fought against the King’s colors, replied +that the attacking vessels had fought under French, Dutch and +English colors and he thought that his company would be +given no quarter, and therefore he fought. Richard Tulford +acknowledged that he had acted in company with the others +and had gone ashore at Casco Bay and brought off sheep said +to belong to Mr. Mountjoy, and that Thomas Mitchell had +sent him. The testimony of Peter Grant and Randall Judson +was similar. John Thomas said that he had sailed from Boston<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span> +with Captain Roderigo and was present at the taking of the +vessels and when asked if he didn’t kill a Frenchman he denied +but confessed “that hee did shoote at him, but knew not that +hee hit him.”<a id="FNanchor_39" href="#Footnote_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a> John Williams told under examination that he +was a Cornishman and had sailed out of Jamaica with Captain +Morrice, but was captured by the Dutch and taken into Curacao, +where he had joined Captain Aernout’s privateering +voyage and on reaching Boston had remained and gone to the +eastward with Captain Roderigo. He had been ashore at +Machias when the rest were captured. Thomas Mitchell +testified that he lived near Malden, Massachusetts, and that +he had come last from Pemaquid. He claimed that the English +vessels had been taken against his will, but he had eaten +of the stolen mutton and also had piloted his vessel from the +St. John river to Twelve Penny harbor where they had +plundered one Lantrimong and killed his cattle. Edward Uran +of Boston, a former fisherman of the Isles of Shoals, had gone +on the expedition in Mitchell’s shallop and offered similar +testimony.</p> + +<p>The Court of Assistants presided over by Governor Leverett, +found Rhoade, Fulford, Grant and Judson each guilty of +piracy and sentence was pronounced directing that they be +hanged “presently after the lecture.” Thomas and Williams +were acquitted and discharged. Mitchell was ordered to pay +treble satisfaction to Mr. George Mountjoy, i. e., £9.12.0 for +the four stolen sheep, and Uran was to be “whipt with twenty +stripes.”</p> + +<p>A week before the time set for the executions, King Philip +went on the warpath and all else, for the time, was forgotten +in the fearful danger of the emergency. The executions were +postponed again and again. Fulford before long was released +without conditions<a id="FNanchor_40" href="#Footnote_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> and Rhoade, Grant and Judson were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span> +banished from the Colony after paying prison charges and +furnishing sureties, and there the affair ended so far as they +were concerned. As for the conquest of French Acadia in +behalf of the United Provinces, when the Amsterdam authorities +learned of what had taken place they at once recognized +the services of John Rhoade of Boston, the pilot of the Dutch +cruiser, and authorized him to hold possession of Acadia and +to carry on unlimited trade with the natives. This was on +Sept. 11, 1676, and over a year after he had been sentenced +to death for piracy while carrying out the very policy now laid +down by the nation that had subjugated the territory. He had +acted clearly within his rights and any exceptions that might +have been taken were questions between the United Provinces +and England, then at peace for some time, and so the +matter was then regarded outside the Massachusetts Bay +Colony.</p> + +<p>When the news of the trial and condemnation of the Dutch +officers and their associates reached the States-General, their +ambassador to England was immediately instructed to demand +the release of the prisoners, the restoration of the territory +and the punishment of the offending authorities, and after +much procrastination the Council addressed an order to “The +Bostoners in New England,”<a id="FNanchor_41" href="#Footnote_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a> requiring a speedy answer to the +complaint. Governor Leverett’s answer calmly recited what +had been done by the Colony and stated that there had not +been any violation of the peace between the two nations. +Meanwhile, Captain Rhoade’s commission had reached him +and he undertook to use the authority conferred upon him and +got into trouble in consequence, for he sailed into the river +St. George and undertook to trade there and was taken prisoner +and with his vessel and goods sent to New York. The +Dutch West India Company of course protested and demand +was made for the release and indemnification of Captain +Rhoade. This was on May 21, 1679. The complaint was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span> +renewed and much correspondence followed but nothing +very definite appears as a result. The main issue was lost in a +maze of diplomatic correspondence and evasive reports, and +so ended the conquest of Acadia by the Dutch and the charges +and counter-charges of piracy on the Maine coast.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_35" href="#FNanchor_35" class="label">[35]</a> <i>Massachusetts Archives</i>, Vol. LXI, leaves 117, 118.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_36" href="#FNanchor_36" class="label">[36]</a> He was one of the colonists who had joined Captain Roderigo in +Boston.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_37" href="#FNanchor_37" class="label">[37]</a> <i>Records of the Court of Assistants</i>, Vol. I, p. 35.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_38" href="#FNanchor_38" class="label">[38]</a> <i>Massachusetts Archives</i>, Vol. LXVIII, leaf 7.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_39" href="#FNanchor_39" class="label">[39]</a> <i>Massachusetts Archives</i>, Vol. LXI, leaf 72.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_40" href="#FNanchor_40" class="label">[40]</a> He belonged in Muscongus, Maine, and had married a daughter of +Richard Pearce.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_41" href="#FNanchor_41" class="label">[41]</a> <i>Massachusetts Historical Society Colls.</i> 4th Ser., Vol. II, p. 286.</p> + +</div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV<br> +<span class="ch-title">Thomas Pound, Pilot of the King’s Frigate, who +became a Pirate and Died a Gentleman</span></h2> +</div> + +<p>In front of the South Station in Boston, there is an intersection +of wide streets known as “Dewey Square.” It +is very firm ground today, but in 1689, the year in which +these events took place, this space was tidewater and into it +projected Bull’s wharf. On shore, near the head of the wharf, +was a tavern with a swinging sign in front displaying on either +side a beefy looking animal that was labelled “The Bull.” +At about eleven o’clock on the night of Thursday, August 8, +1689, six men and a boy came down to the water’s edge not +far from the tavern and went on board a two-masted, half-decked +fishing boat, of the type known at that time as a +Bermudas boat, and hoisting sails soon disappeared down +the harbor in the direction of the Castle. The leader of the +party was Thomas Pound, pilot of the frigate “Rose,” which +had arrived at the Boston station three years before.</p> + +<p>One of the results of the recent insurrection against the +authority of Governor Andros had been the seizure of Captain +George, of the “Rose,” by the townspeople, who also struck +the frigate’s topmasts and brought her sails ashore. On +August 3d, Governor Andros had escaped from the Castle, +but had been recaptured in Rhode Island two days later and +by easy stages was being brought back to Boston at the time +when Thomas Pound and his party planned their expedition +here described.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" style="max-width: 150em;"> + <img class='w100' id='i054' src='images/i054.jpg' alt=''> + <figcaption> +VIEW OF CASTLE WILLIAM, BOSTON HARBOR, ABOUT 1729, AND A MAN-OF-WAR OF THE PERIOD<br> +<span class='c2'>From the only known copy of an engraving probably by John Harris, after a drawing by +William Burgis</span> + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span></p> + +<p>Thomas Hawkins, who owned the boat, had agreed with +Pound to put his men ashore at Nantasket, the consideration +being two shillings and six pence, but when the boat reached +Long Island, about halfway to the agreed destination, Hawkins +was ordered to anchor, and there they remained until early in +the morning. Before daylight Pound told Hawkins that he +had changed his mind about going to Nantasket and said that +his party would like to go fishing. So the anchor was hauled +aboard and soon the boat was sailing down the harbor. When +near Lovell’s Island, the sounds of men launching a boat were +heard and one of Pound’s men at once said, “There they are,” +and soon after a small boat with five men in it, came alongside +and boarded Hawkins’ boat. These men were armed and +Pound and one of his men, Richard Griffin, a gunsmith, also +had brought guns. Pound now took command and ordered +the fish casks thrown overboard and then directed that an +easterly course be made which soon carried the boat into deep +water beyond the Brewster Islands at the entrance to the +harbor. He told Hawkins that he and his men had agreed to +take the first vessel they met and proceed in her to the West +Indies, to prey on the French. Hawkins seems to have +acquiesced willingly and thereafter to have been the sailing-master +while Pound commanded the expedition.</p> + +<p>Isaac Prince of Hull, the master of a small deck-sloop, had +been out in the Bay after mackerel and with a good catch +was about four or five leagues off the Brewsters, bound in, +when he was hailed from Thomas Hawkins’ boat bound out. +Hawkins brought his boat to the windward of the sloop and +asked Captain Prince if he had any mackerel and water to +spare and then bought eight penny worth of fish and was +given three or four gallons of water. The curiosity of the +fishermen was aroused because Hawkins was careful not to +bring his boat alongside the sloop but held her by the quarter +of the fisherman. The crew on the sloop also noted through +the cracks in the deck or covering of the Bermudas boat, some<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span> +ten or twelve men who seemed to be keeping out of sight, and +abaft a man, whose body was out of sight, was seen to peer at +the fishermen and then quickly draw back, so Captain Prince +asked Hawkins where he was bound, and he replied to Billingsgate,<a id="FNanchor_42" href="#Footnote_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> +and when asked how he came to be so far to the northward, +Hawkins replied “It’s all one to me.” The two vessels +then separated, but when the fishermen reached Boston, they +went at once to the Governor and reported the suspicious +conduct of Hawkins, whom they said “seemed very cheerful +and Merry.”<a id="FNanchor_43" href="#Footnote_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a></p> + +<p>When near Halfway Rock, only two or three hours after +parting with the sloop, Hawkins came up with the fishing +ketch “Mary,” Helling Chard,<a id="FNanchor_44" href="#Footnote_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> master, owned by Philip +English, the great Salem merchant who was accused of witchcraft +three years later. The ketch was coming in from sea +with a full fare of fish when Captain Hawkins hailed and after +a show of arms took the vessel. Captain Chard knew Hawkins +and also recognized one of his men, “a Limping privateer +called Johnson.” When he reached Salem on Monday, +August 12th, Chard reported that when Hawkins came on +board the ketch on Friday, he pushed him away from the helm +and said the ketch was his prize. Later Hawkins told him that +as soon as they could take a better vessel and supply themselves +with provisions, they intended to go to the West Indies +and plague the French, and they expected forty more men who +had enlisted to join them shortly. Hawkins’ men were supplied +with firearms but had only “two gallons of powder” +aboard and so few bullets that as soon as the ketch had been +taken they set to work at once melting up all the lead they +could find to make bullets. Saturday night Captain Chard +and two of his men were set free and sent away in the Bermudas +boat and Hawkins and his crew, in the ketch, steered a course<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span> +to the northeast, taking with them John Darby<a id="FNanchor_45" href="#Footnote_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a> of Marblehead, +who went voluntarily, and forcing a boy who could +speak French, intending to use him as an interpreter. When +Chard brought the news to Salem, information was sent at +once to the Governor and Council and a vessel manned by the +Salem and Marblehead militia was ordered out “to seeke +after and surprise ye said Ketch,” but it returned to harbor +without finding Pound and Hawkins.</p> + +<p>Captain Pound, meanwhile, had ordered a course for Falmouth, +Maine, which was reached early Monday morning. +The ketch came to anchor about four miles below the fort and +sent ashore a long boat with three men in it, one of whom was +John Darby, who was known to Silvanus Davis, the commander +at Fort Loyal. While two of the men filled water +casks, Darby reported to Commander Davis that the ketch had +come from Cape Sable where it had been taken by a privateer +brigantine that had robbed them of some lead and most of +their bread and water. He also said that Captain Chard, the +master of the ketch, had hurt his foot and needed a doctor. +One was sent for and went out to the ketch immediately. +It was all a part of a scheme to secure his services for the proposed +expedition, but the doctor lost his courage and declined +the post, but when he came back to Falmouth, he had a variety +of tales about the ketch,—sometimes that there were few +on board and that they were honest, and at other times that +there were many on board.</p> + +<p>It was noticed that the doctor, after he came back from the +ketch, was much in conversation with the soldiers belonging +to the fort which aroused the suspicions of the commander +so that at night, after all the soldiers were in their quarters, he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span> +charged the guard to keep a close watch on the water side of the +fort. He little thought at the time that he was placing his +trust in men who already had planned to desert.<a id="FNanchor_46" href="#Footnote_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a> For so it +turned out and as soon as the rest were asleep the guard and +sentinels robbed the sleeping soldiers of everything “except +what was on their backs,” took all the ammunition they could +lay their hands on, including a brass gun and going down to a +large boat, that was afloat just below the fort, went on board +the ketch. Commander Davis was greatly upset over what +had happened, and well he might be, for he lacked a sufficient +number of men to properly garrison the fort from Indian attack +and had no vessel to engage an enemy that might attack by +sea. As it turned out, the fort was attacked by French and +Indians the following May and forced to surrender when +women and children and wounded men were mercilessly +slaughtered.</p> + +<p>The morning after the soldiers deserted, there being little +wind, Commander Davis sent two men in a canoe to demand +of Captain Pound that the soldiers be sent back to the fort. +He laughed at the request and not only refused to return any +of the arms and clothing that had been stolen from the sleeping +soldiers but threatened to go into the harbor and cut out a +sloop at anchor belonging to George Hesh.</p> + +<p>After helping himself to a calf and three sheep feeding on +an island in the bay, Pound set sail for Cape Cod, and early +on the morning of the 16th came upon the sloop “Good +Speed,” John Smart, master, owned by David Larkin of +Piscataqua, lying at anchor under Race Point, at the tip of the +Cape. A boatload of armed men took possession of the sloop +and as she was a larger vessel than the ketch she was taken over +by the pirates and Captain Smart and his men were given the +ketch and set free. Pound told Captain Smart that when he +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span>reached Boston “to tell there that they knew ye Gov<sup>t</sup> Sloop +lay ready but if she came out after them & came up w<sup>th</sup> them +they sh<sup>d</sup> find hott work for they w<sup>d</sup> die every man before +they would be taken.”</p> + +<p>Smart reached Boston on the 19th with this audacious +message. The Great and General Court was in session at the +time and an order was immediately adopted to fit out the sloop +“Resolution,” Joseph Thaxter, commander (which had been +built during the Andros administration as a Province sloop, +but in some way had got into private hands), with a crew of +forty able seamen, to cruise along the coast and “strenuously +to Endeavour the Suppressing and seizing of all Pirates, +Especially one Thomas Hawkins, Pound and others confederated +with them,” being “very careful to avoid the +shedding of blood unless you be necessitated by resistance and +opposition made against you.” And as for “those men who +shall go forth in said Vessel ... It’s ordered that they be +upon usual monthly wages, and upon any casualty befalling +any of the said men by loss of Limb or otherwise be maimed +that meet allowance and provision be made for such.”<a id="FNanchor_47" href="#Footnote_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> Captain +Thaxter in the “Resolution,” was no more successful in +his search for pirates than the vessel that had been sent out +from Salem for the reason that the pirate sloop was constantly +moving about and after another capture at Homes’ Hole had +sailed through the Sound before a north-easterly gale and +finally brought up in York river, Virginia.</p> + +<p>Soon after Pound took possession of the sloop “Good +Speed,” he put in to Cape Cod and sent some of his crew +ashore, in charge of Hawkins, to get fresh meat. They killed +four shoats and after wooding and watering, the sloop sailed +around the Cape to “Martyn’s Vineyard Sound,” and on +August 27th, sighted a brigantine at anchor in Homes’ Hole. +Pound ordered “a bloodie flagg” hoisted and running up to +the brigantine ordered her master to come aboard the pirate +sloop. The brigantine was the “Merrimack,” John Kent of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span> +Newbury, master, and he at once obeyed the command, and +after reporting his destination and cargo, the vessel was +plundered of twenty half-barrels of flour, and sugar, rum and +tobacco. Captain Kent was then allowed to go.</p> + +<p>Sailing out into the Sound the sloop ran into a stiff northeaster +and was forced away to Virginia where Pound found his +way into York river. Easterly winds kept him at anchor +here for over a week. This happened at a very fortunate time +for the man-of-war ketch at York river had sunk shortly +before and the ship on the station was being careened. The +sloop made into the mouth of James river and there lay +aground for a day before they could get her afloat again. While +the men were at work on the sloop, Pound and Hawkins went +ashore. There they met two sailors, John Giddings and +Edward Browne, who were looking for adventures and at +night these men came off to the sloop on a float bringing with +them a negro they had kidnapped belonging to a Captain +Dunbar. They also brought out some other spoil in the shape +of an old sail, a piece of dowlas, and some galls and copperas. +The next day the weather moderated and the sloop made sail +to go out into the bay. She hadn’t been out very long before +Hawkins noticed that they were being followed by another +sloop so all sail was crowded on and the strange sloop began to +fall behind and at length gave up the pursuit and went back +into James river.</p> + +<p>From Virginia, Pound sailed directly for the Massachusetts +coast and came to anchor in Tarpaulin Cove, on the southeast +side of Nanshon Island in Vineyard Sound. Here they +filled their water casks. A Salem bark,<a id="FNanchor_48" href="#Footnote_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> William Lord, master, +homeward bound from Jamaica, was also at anchor in the +Cove and as she was evidently more than they cared to tackle, +Hawkins went on board and offered to trade sugar for an +anchor. Captain Lord was ready to trade and he also purchased +for £12, the negro that had been brought from Virginia,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span> +and gave a draft on Mr. Blaney of the Elizabeth Islands in +payment.</p> + +<p>Not long after coming out of Tarpaulin Cove, Pound +sighted a small ketch, commanded by one Alsop, who escaped +into Martha’s Vineyard harbor when he found that he was +being chased and even then the ketch might have been taken +if the inhabitants hadn’t gathered and made a show of defending +her.<a id="FNanchor_49" href="#Footnote_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a> This happened on a Sunday. Pound and his company +then went over the shoals about the same time that +Captain Lord sailed for home. Near Race Point, at the end of +Cape Cod, Hawkins went ashore with a boat’s crew and +making some excuse went inland over the dunes and didn’t +come back. After waiting a while the men returned to the +sloop and reported his desertion. Hawkins afterward claimed +that while at Tarpaulin Cove he had been recognized and told +if ever he came back to Boston he would be hanged. Probably +he thought he would try to save his skin if possible or at +least drop out of sight for a time.</p> + +<p>After leaving the boat’s crew Hawkins walked south along +the shore and finally fell in with some Nauset fishermen to +whom he told his story of escaping from Pound and something +of his adventures. He asked their protection in case Pound +and his men should attempt to find him. The Nauset men, +however, made short work with Hawkins and after fleecing +him thoroughly turned him loose to shift for himself. Fortunately +he met Capt. Jacobus Loper,<a id="FNanchor_50" href="#Footnote_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> the master of a small +sloop, whom he had known in Boston and who was about +setting sail for Boston and so was shipped for the voyage. +On the way Hawkins talked freely about his doings. He was +particularly bitter over his treatment by the Nauset fishermen +and said they “ware a pasel of Roughes & if he got Cleer +at Boston from this troble that was now on him, as he did not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span> +question but he should, he would be Revenged on them for +theire base dealing for they be wors pirats than Pounds & +Johnson.”<a id="FNanchor_51" href="#Footnote_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a> He told Captain Loper that when he left Boston +their company had intended to go privateering and expected +to get a commission at St. Thomas. But when he was asked +if he proposed to go all the way to the West Indies in the +small Bermudas boat in which they left Boston, “he was upon +this surprised & wholly silent.” Loper told him “that it +apeered by his words that he would first take a biger vessell +as he before said & did: & that he was a foole & would hang +himself by his discorce then he answered, by God thay kant +hang me for what has bin don for no blood has bin shed.”<a id="FNanchor_52" href="#Footnote_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a> +As he neared Boston his courage began to fail and soon he +proposed to Captain Loper that for old acquaintance’ sake +he conceal him on board and send the sloop to Salem with +oysters and so allow him to escape to the Dutch man-of-war +lying there at anchor. This was a privateer, the “Abraham +Fisher, a Scotch Rotterdammer.” Loper, however, thought +best to turn him over to the Boston authorities and soon +Hawkins was shackled and safely lodged in the new stone +gaol.</p> + +<p>Captain Pound, meanwhile, in no way distressed by Hawkins’ +desertion, was busily at work robbing vessels in the +vicinity of the Cape. On Saturday evening, Sept. 28, 1689, he +sighted a small sloop and gave chase and brought her to anchor +under the Cape. She was from Pennsylvania. Not having +any salt pork on board she was allowed to go and Pound sailed +back over the shoals hoping for better luck in Vineyard Sound. +At “Homes his Hole” he found the sloop “Brothers Adventure,” +of New London, Conn., John Picket, master, just coming +out, having been forced in by bad weather. She was bound +for Boston and was loaded with the very provisions that Pound +had been in search of and a boat’s crew of armed men soon<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span> +induced Captain Picket to come to anchor beside the pirate +sloop. The loot amounted to thirty-seven barrels of pork, +three of beef and a good supply of pease, Indian corn, butter +and cheese. Having at last obtained the provisions so necessary +for a southern voyage, Captain Pound anchored in Tarpaulin +Cove while the rigging was overhauled and everything +made shipshape for the intended voyage to “Corazo”—Curacao, +the Dutch colony near the South American coast. +The Netherlands were then at peace with England and there +Pound could refit before going out to prey upon French +shipping out of Martinique. He lay in Tarpaulin Cove for two +days and was nearly ready to set sail when a sloop appeared +off the anchorage and steered directly for him. Pound at once +came to sail and stood away with the sloop in hot pursuit.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" style="max-width: 150em;"> + <img class='w100' id='i062' src='images/i062.jpg' alt=''> + <figcaption>ARMED SLOOP NEAR BOSTON LIGHTHOUSE IN 1729<br> + <span class='c2'>From the only known copy of a mezzotint by William Burgis, published Aug. 11, +1729, and now in the possession of the United States Lighthouse Board</span> + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>It was now less than two weeks since that Sunday morning +when Captain Pound had chased a small ketch into Martha’s +Vineyard harbor. The island at that time was a part of the +colony of New York and as soon as the pirate was gone, Matthew +Mayhew, the local Governor, sent a messenger, riding +post, to inform the Governor and Council at Boston of the +presence of the pirate so that shipping bound westward might +be warned of the danger. The Council did more than that for +it commissioned Capt. Samuel Pease, late commander of the +Duke of Courland’s ship “Fortune,” two hundred tons and +twelve guns, to go to sea at once in the sloop “Mary,” with a +crew of twenty able seamen in search of the pirate. Benjamin +Gallop was commissioned lieutenant and the “Mary” +was supplied with a barrel of powder, fifty pounds of small +shot, and cartridge papers and match. Captain Pease was +instructed to endeavor to take the pirates by surprise if possible +and “to prevent ye sheding of blood as much as may bee.”<a id="FNanchor_53" href="#Footnote_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a></p> + +<p>The Council meeting was held on Monday, Sept. 30th and +the “Mary” sailed from Boston that evening every man on +board being a volunteer. When Captain Pease reached Cape<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span> +Cod he learned that Pound had gone westward so he sailed on, +over the shoals, expecting to find him at Tarpaulin Cove. +On Friday morning when off Woods Hole, a canoe came out +with the information that the pirate was at Tarpaulin Cove:—</p> + +<p>“Upon which Wee presently gave a great shout, and the +word was given to our men to make all ready which was +accordingly done, the wind being SSE, and blew hard. Quickly +after we were all ready we espied a Sloop ahead of us. We +made what saile we could, and quickly came so neere that we +put up our Kings Jack, and our Sloop sailing so very well we +quickly came within Shot, and our Captain ordered a great +Gun to be fired thwart her fore foot. On that a man of theirs +presently carryed up a Red flagg to the top of their maine +mast and made it fast. Our Captain then ordered a musket +to be fired thwart his forefoot. He not striking we came up +with him and our Captain commanded us to fire on them which +accordingly we did, and also called them to strike to the King +of England. Captain Pounds standing on the quarter deck +with his naked sword in his hand flourishing, said, come +aboard, you Doggs, and I will strike you presently or words +to that purpose. His men standing by him with their Guns in +their hands on the Deck, he taking up his Gun, they let fly a +volley upon us, and we againe at him. At last wee came to +Leeward of them, supposing it to be some Advantage to us +because the wind blew so hard and so our weather side did us +good. They perceiving this gave severall Shouts supposing +(as we did apprehend) that we would yield to them. Wee still +fired at them and they at us as fast as they could loade and +fire and in a little space we saw Pounds was shot and gone off +the deck. While we were thus in the fight two of our men met +with a mischance by the blowing up of some gun powder +which they perceiving by ye smoke (we being pretty near +them) gave severall shouts and fired at us as fast as they could. +Wee many times called to them, telling them if they would +yield to us we would give them good quarter, they utterly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span> +refusing to have it, saying ‘Ai yee dogs, we will give you +quarter by and by.’ We still continued our fight, having two +more of our men wounded. At last our Captain was much +wounded so that he went off the deck. The Lieutenant quickly +after ordered us to get all ready to board them which was +readily done. Wee layed them on bord presently and at our +Entrance we found such of them that were not much wounded +very resolute, but discharging our Guns at them, we forthwith +went to club it with them and were forced to knock them +downe with the but end of our muskets. At last we queld +them, killing four and wounding twelve, two remaining pretty +well. The weather coming on very bad and being desirous to +get good Doctors or Surgeons for our wounded men, we shaped +our Course for Rhode Island and the same night we secured our +Prisoners and got in between Pocasset and Rhode Island. +The next day being Saturday, the fifth of October we got a +convenient house for our wounded men, got them on shore and +sent away to Newport for Doctors who quickly came and +dressed them. Our Captain being shot in the arm and in the +side and in the thigh, lost much blood and continued weak and +faint, and on Friday after, being the eleventh day of October, +he being on board intending to come home, we set saile and +were come but a little way before he was taken with bleeding +afresh, so that we came to an anchor againe and got him on +shore to another house on Rhode Island side, where he continued +very weake. In the afternoon he was taken with +bleeding again and with fits. He continued that night and +losing so much blood, on Saturday morning, the twelfth of +October, departed this life. We buried him at Newport, in +Rhode Island, the Monday following. That Monday at night +we set saile from Rhode Island and arrived at Boston on +Saturday the 18th of October with fourteen Prisoners. The +Bloody Flag was not put above Pounds his vessell before we +fired at them.”<a id="FNanchor_54" href="#Footnote_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span></p> + +<p>The prisoners were duly lodged in Boston’s new stone gaol +which had a dungeon in it, walls four feet thick, and all kinds +of irons to keep them there. The “treasure,” including the +sloop, was appraised at £209.4.6. As the owners of the sloop +declined to pay the salvage ordered on her, she was condemned +to her captors. Captain Pease left a widow and four orphans. +In December they were “in a poor and low condition” and +the General Court passed a bill providing for a “collection” +in the several meeting houses for their relief. The wounded +pirates were doctored by Thomas Larkin, whose bill for +attendance amounted to £21.10.0. Pound had been shot in +the side and arm “& Severall bones Taken oute.” Thomas +Johnson lost part of his jaw; Buck had seven holes in one of +his arms; Griffin lost an eye and part of an ear; Siccadam +was shot through both legs; and Browne, Giddings, Phips, +Lander and Warren had various wounds.</p> + +<p>Pound and Hawkins and the rest of their company lay in +prison until January 13, 1690, before they were brought to +trial. Hawkins had been examined by the aged Governor +Bradstreet and the Magistrates on October 4th and Pound had +given his version of their doings the day after he had been +placed in gaol. Hawkins was tried first,—on January 9th, +and found guilty at one session of the Court. Pound and the +rest of the indicted men were brought to trial on the 17th and +found guilty of felony, piracy and murder and Deputy-Governor +Thomas Danforth pronounced sentence of death, +that they “be hanged by the neck until they be dead.” Pound, +Hawkins, Johnson and Buck were ordered to be executed on +January 27th.</p> + +<p>Samuel Sewall, the diarist, rode into Boston a little before +twelve o’clock on the day of the trial having spent the night +at Braintree. It had been a cold ride and a snowstorm was +threatening. After dinner he went to the Town House where +the Court was sitting and then in company with the Reverend +Cotton Mather, went to the gaol to visit the condemned<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span> +prisoners. Mr. Mather never failed to attend to this detail of +his professional work and Pound and the others were thereupon +counseled and prayed with. Mr. Waitstill Winthrop, one of +the magistrates who had tried the pirates, was not satisfied +with the verdict or sentence and immediately after the trial +bestirred himself to obtain for them a reprieve. He went about +obtaining the signatures of influential persons and finally +headed a committee that went before the Governor and +petitioned that reprieve be granted. Sewall records in his +diary that he was one of those who called on the aged Governor +and asked that Pound and Buck be respited, and he further +relates that Mr. Winthrop, Col. Samuel Shrimpton, one of the +magistrates, and Isaac Addington, the clerk of the court, +followed him to his house with another petition asking that +Hawkins be reprieved. Sewall signed it and the Governor +granted the reprieve barely in time to save Hawkins’ neck +for he was on the scaffold and ready to be turned off when the +order reached the sheriff. “Which gave great disgust to the +People; I fear it was ill done”—writes Sewall. “Some in +the Council thought Hawkins, because he got out of the Combination +before Pease was kill’d, might live; so I rashly sign’d, +hoping so great an inconvenience would not have followed. +Let not God impute Sin.”<a id="FNanchor_55" href="#Footnote_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a> And so it happened that the only +entertainment found by the crowd that had gathered to see the +hanging was the turning off of Thomas Johnson, “the limping +privateer.”</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp62" style="max-width: 100em;"> + <img class='w100' id='i066' src='images/i066.jpg' alt=''> + <figcaption>SAMUEL SEWALL, CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT IN MASSACHUSETTS, 1718-1728<br> + <span class='c2'>From an original painting in possession of the Massachusetts Historical Society]</span> + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>On February 20th, on petition of Thomas Hawkins and +others, the sentence of death was remitted on Hawkins, Warren, +Watts, Lander, Griffin, Siccadam, Buck and Dunn on +payment of twenty marks<a id="FNanchor_56" href="#Footnote_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a> each in money, to reimburse the +charges of the prosecution and imprisonment or else be sold +into Virginia. Pound’s name was not included with the others +but four days later, he was further reprieved from execution<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span> +at the instance of Mr. Epaphras Shrimpton and sundry +women of quality. Who these “women of quality” were is +not known but Thomas Hawkins’s sisters had married the +leading men of the Colony and may have joined in the petitions. +One sister had been the second wife of Adam Winthrop, +brother of Waitstill Winthrop, who worked so earnestly for +the reprieves. At that time she was the wife of John Richards, +one of the magistrates, who had tried the pirates. Another +sister was the wife of Rev. James Allen of the First Church. +Hannah Hawkins had married Elisha Hutchinson, another of +the magistrates, and Abigail, married the Hon. John Foster, +while Hawkins lay in prison. Certainly these were “women of +quality,” and it seems strange, at this late day, that one so well +connected should have surreptitiously “gone privateering,” +or, in plainer language, have engaged in piracy.</p> + +<p>On April 20, 1690, the “Rose” frigate, John George, +commander, lying before the town of Boston, whose sails had +been returned by the King’s command, sailed from Nantasket +for England, and carried Thomas Hawkins, the pirate, whose +sentence had been remitted, and Thomas Pound, his captain, +whose sentence had only been respited. The “Rose” went +into Piscataqua where she lay for a month waiting for two mast +ships to finish their lading and on May 19th sailed in convoy. +On the 24th, off Cape Sable, they met a privateer, “or Pirot,” +of thirty guns and well manned, from St. Malo, France. She +came up under English colors and when hailed from the +“Rose,” answered “Will tell you by and by.” Soon after +she hoisted French colors and fired a broadside and not less +than three hundred small arms. The “Rose” returned the +fire to good purpose and the nearest mast-ship also engaged +the Frenchman. The other mast-ship having only two guns +stood off. At a distance of half a musket-shot the fight obstinately +continued for nearly two hours.</p> + +<p>“The Rose had her Mizzon shott down, her Ensign, her +sails and Rigging much torn, but so bored the French Man’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span> +sides that his Ports were made Two or three into one. It was +almost quite Calm, else we had Run Thwart him with out +Head, and possibly might have sent him Low enough, but +we had not winde enough, so we Lay on his Quarter which we +fired so that he was necessitated to cutt down and Cast into +the Sea, which was so much as to burn in our View half an +hour as it floated in the Sea. We saw his Captain and Lieutenant +fall & believe we could not have killed less than a +hundred of his men. His Tops were full of Grenadiers and +Fuzes which we saw fall like Pidgeons, and Multitudes of his +Men lay Slaughtered on his Decks. We would have taken +him for Certain would our heavy Ship have workt, but he +was a quick Sailor and so gott away. Captain George and +Mr. Wiggoner were slaine with Musket shott, 5 Common men +more were slain, and 7 desperately wounded. Mr. Maccarty’s +man Michael lost his arm. Paul Main, Sam Mixture and +Thomas Hawkins the Pirate, were amongst the slain.”<a id="FNanchor_57" href="#Footnote_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a></p> + +<p>Such was the end of Hawkins. As for Captain Pound,—he +reached England safely and on July 8th, after his arrival +at Falmouth, wrote to Sir Edmund Andros, then in London, +announcing his return and sending the latest news from New +England together with a short account of the fight with the +privateer. Pound published in London in 1691, “A New +Mapp of New England,” of which only one copy is now +known,<a id="FNanchor_58" href="#Footnote_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a> and which served as a basis for other charts for +nearly fifty years after. The charge of piracy seems to have +been dismissed at once for on Aug. 5, 1690, he was appointed +captain of the frigate “Sally Rose,” of the Royal Navy. +In 1697 his ship was stationed at Virginia under his old patron +Governor Andros. In 1699, he retired to private life and died +in 1703, at Isleworth, county Middlesex, a “gentleman,” and +respected by friends and neighbors.<a id="FNanchor_59" href="#Footnote_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span></p> + + +<h3><span class="smcap">Captain Pound’s Company of Pirates</span></h3> + +<p><i>Captain Thomas Pound</i>, pilot and sailing master on the +“Rose” frigate; embarked from Boston in Hawkins’ boat; +wounded in the fight at Tarpaulin Cove, shot in the side and +arm and several bones taken out; found guilty but reprieved; +sent to England where the charge was dismissed; given command +of a ship, and died in 1703 in England, honored and +respected.</p> + +<p><i>Thomas Hawkins</i>, son of Capt. Thomas Hawkins, a Boston +privateersman, and Mary his wife; found guilty but reprieved; +sent to England but on the voyage was killed in an engagement +with a French privateer off Cape Sable.</p> + +<p><i>Thomas Johnston</i>, of Boston, “the limping privateer”; +embarked from Boston in Hawkins’ boat; wounded in the +fight at Tarpaulin Cove; shot in the jaw and several bones +taken out; found guilty and hanged in Boston, Jan. 27, 1690; +the only one of the company who was executed.</p> + +<p><i>Eleazer Buck</i>, embarked from Boston in Hawkins’ boat; +had seven holes shot through his arms in the fight at Tarpaulin +Cove; found guilty but pardoned on payment of +twenty marks.<a id="FNanchor_60" href="#Footnote_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a></p> + +<p><i>John Siccadam</i>, embarked from Boston in Hawkins’ boat; +shot through both legs in the fight at Tarpaulin Cove; found +guilty but pardoned on payment of twenty marks.</p> + +<p><i>Richard Griffin</i>, of Boston, gunsmith, embarked from Boston +in Hawkins’ boat; shot in the ear in the fight at Tarpaulin +Cove, the bullet coming out through an eye which he +lost; found guilty but pardoned on payment of twenty +marks.</p> + +<p><i>Benjamin Blake</i>, a boy, who embarked from Boston in +Hawkins’ boat.</p> + +<p><i>Daniel Lander</i>, came on board in a boat at Lovell’s Island, +Boston harbor, and probably from the frigate “Rose”;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span> +shot through an arm in the fight at Tarpaulin Cove; found +guilty but pardoned on payment of twenty marks.</p> + +<p><i>William Warren</i>, came on board in a boat at Lovell’s Island, +Boston harbor, and probably from the frigate “Rose”; +shot in the head in the fight at Tarpaulin Cove; found guilty +but pardoned on payment of twenty marks.</p> + +<p><i>Samuel Watts</i>, came on board in a boat at Lovell’s Island, +Boston harbor, and probably from the frigate “Rose”; +found guilty but pardoned on payment of twenty marks.</p> + +<p><i>William Dunn</i>, came on board in a boat at Lovell’s Island, +Boston harbor, and probably from the frigate “Rose”; +found guilty but pardoned on payment of twenty marks.</p> + +<p><i>Henry Dipper</i>, a member of Governor Andros’ company of +red coats, commanded by Francis Nicholson, the first English +regulars to come to Massachusetts, brought over in 1686; +came on board in a boat at Lovell’s Island, Boston harbor, +probably from the frigate “Rose”; killed in the fight at +Tarpaulin Cove or died of wounds soon after.</p> + +<p><i>John Darby</i>, a Marblehead fisherman, one of the crew of the +ketch “Mary,” of Salem, captured by Pound; voluntarily +joined the expedition and was killed in the fight at Tarpaulin +Cove; left a widow and four children living at Marblehead.</p> + +<p><i>A Boy</i>, one of the crew of the ketch “Mary,” of Salem, +captured by Pound; forced to join the expedition to serve as +an interpreter as he could speak French.</p> + +<p><i>John Hill</i>, a member of Governor Andros’ company of red +coats, commanded by Francis Nicholson, the first English +regulars to come to Massachusetts, brought over in 1686; +was stationed at Fort Loyal, Falmouth, Maine, where he held +the rank of corporal; deserted and joined the expedition; killed +in the fight at Tarpaulin Cove.</p> + +<p><i>John Watkins</i>, a soldier, one of the garrison at Fort Loyal, +Falmouth, Maine; deserted and joined the expedition; killed +in the fight at Tarpaulin Cove.</p> + +<p><i>John Lord</i>, a soldier, one of the garrison at Fort Loyal,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span> +Falmouth, Maine; deserted and joined the expedition; killed +in the fight at Tarpaulin Cove.</p> + +<p><i>William Neff</i>, son of William and Mary Neff, born in 1667, +in Haverhill, Mass.; his father, while in the military service +against Indians, died in February, 1689, at Pemaquid, Maine; +a soldier and one of the garrison at Fort Loyal, Falmouth, +Maine; deserted and joined the expedition; was found not +guilty of piracy as it was shown that he was “enticed and +deluded away from the Garrison by his corporal,” John Hill; +the Court discharged him he paying for a gun belonging to +the country’s store.</p> + +<p><i>William Bennett</i>, a soldier, one of the garrison at Fort Loyal, +Falmouth, Maine; deserted and joined the expedition; was +in prison at Boston, where he may have died as he never was +brought to trial.</p> + +<p><i>James Daniels</i>, a soldier, one of the garrison at Fort Loyal, +Falmouth, Maine; deserted and joined the expedition; killed +in the fight at Tarpaulin Cove.</p> + +<p><i>Richard Phips</i>, a soldier, one of the garrison at Fort Loyal, +Falmouth, Maine; deserted and joined the expedition; +wounded in the head in the fight at Tarpaulin Cove; was in +prison in Boston where he may have died as he never was +brought to trial.</p> + +<p><i>John Giddings</i>, joined the expedition at York River, Virginia, +was wounded in the fight at Tarpaulin Cove and imprisoned +in Boston, where he may have died as he never was brought +to trial.</p> + +<p><i>Edward Browne</i>, joined the expedition at York River, +Virginia, and was wounded in a hand in the fight at Tarpaulin +Cove; at the trial was found not guilty.</p> + + + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_42" href="#FNanchor_42" class="label">[42]</a> Now the town of Wellfleet.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_43" href="#FNanchor_43" class="label">[43]</a> <i>Suffolk County Court Files</i>, No. 2539: 1.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_44" href="#FNanchor_44" class="label">[44]</a> Elsewhere written Allen Chard.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_45" href="#FNanchor_45" class="label">[45]</a> John Darby probably was one of the four pirates who were killed +Oct. 4, <ins title='original: 1789'>1689</ins>, in the fight with the Colony sloop “Mary,” Captain Pease, +at Tarpaulin Cove. He had a wife and four children living at Marblehead. +His estate was inventoried on June 17, 1690, and his widow on +July 2, 1690, married John Woodbury of Beverly.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_46" href="#FNanchor_46" class="label">[46]</a> These men were Corporal John Hill, John Watkins, John Lord, William +Neff, William Bennett, James Daniels, and Richard Phips.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_47" href="#FNanchor_47" class="label">[47]</a> <i>Massachusetts Archives</i>, Vol. CVII, leaves 277-279.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_48" href="#FNanchor_48" class="label">[48]</a> In Hawkins’ deposition called a <i>brigantine</i>.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_49" href="#FNanchor_49" class="label">[49]</a> <i>Massachusetts Archives</i>, Vol. XXXV, leaf 10a.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_50" href="#FNanchor_50" class="label">[50]</a> Captain Loper was a Portuguese whaler and oysterman who had been +on the Cape since 1665.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_51" href="#FNanchor_51" class="label">[51]</a> <i>Suffolk Court Files</i>, No. 2539: 13.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_52" href="#FNanchor_52" class="label">[52]</a> <i>Ibid.</i></p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_53" href="#FNanchor_53" class="label">[53]</a> <i>Massachusetts Archives</i>, Vol. XXXV, leaf 31.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_54" href="#FNanchor_54" class="label">[54]</a> <i>Suffolk Court Files</i>, No. 2539: 9.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_55" href="#FNanchor_55" class="label">[55]</a> <i>Diary of Samuel Sewall</i>, Vol. I, p. 310.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_56" href="#FNanchor_56" class="label">[56]</a> £13.6.8.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_57" href="#FNanchor_57" class="label">[57]</a> <i>Gay Transcripts</i>, <i>Phips</i> (Mass. Hist. Society), Vol. I, leaf 31.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_58" href="#FNanchor_58" class="label">[58]</a> In the Library of Congress collection.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_59" href="#FNanchor_59" class="label">[59]</a> Charnock, <i>Biographia Navalis</i>, Vol. II, p. 401.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_60" href="#FNanchor_60" class="label">[60]</a> £13.6.8.</p> + +</div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V<br> +<span class="ch-title">Capt. William Kidd, Privateersman and Reputed +Pirate</span></h2> +</div> + +<p>Long after sunset in the evening of June 13, 1699, there +came riding over Boston Neck, a weary horseman who +inquired his way to the Blue Anchor Tavern, and after +a hasty supper was directed to the fine brick house of Mr. +Peter Sergeant where the Governor, the Earl of Bellomont, +lately arrived from New York, was lodging. It was “late at +night” when he reached the house but the Governor at once +received him on learning that the stranger was Joseph Emmot, +a New York lawyer with important news. In the Governor’s +study the lawyer announced that he had come in behalf of +Capt. William Kidd, the proscribed pirate, who had sailed +from New York, Sept. 5, 1696, on a privateering venture +against the pirates that went out from New England and New +York and made captures about the island of Madagascar and +on the Arabian coast.</p> + +<p>Captain Kidd’s appearance just at that time probably was +not wholly unexpected by the Governor, as will be seen later, +but his return unhappily called for an immediate decision as +to what course should be pursued, for Governor Bellomont had +a personal interest in the venture that had sent Kidd into the +Eastern Seas. It was he who had obtained from the King the +commission under which Captain Kidd sailed and he had also +written the sailing orders by which Kidd was directed to +“serve God in the best Manner you can” and after reaching +“the Place and Station where you are to put the Powers you +have in Execution: and having effected the same, you are +according to Agreement, to sail directly to Boston in New<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span> +England there to deliver unto me the whole of what Prizes, +Treasure, Merchandizes, and other Things you shall have +taken.... I pray God grant you a good success, and send +us a good Meeting again,” concludes the noble Earl.</p> + +<p>The King’s commission to Captain Kidd was issued Jan. +26, 1696, and directed him to apprehend Thomas Tew of +Rhode Island, Thomas Wake and William Maze of New +York, John Ireland and “all other Pirates, Free-booters, and +Sea Rovers, of what Nature soever ... upon the Coasts of +America or in any other Seas or Parts.” In substance it was +a special commission for the capture of Captain Tew and other +known pirates, added to the usual powers granted to the +privateer.</p> + +<p>Associated with Bellomont in this venture were Lord +Somers, the Lord Chancellor; the Earl of Orford, the First +Lord of the Admiralty; the Earl of Romney and the Duke of +Shrewsbury, Secretaries of State; Robert Livingston, Esq. +of New York, and Captain Kidd;<a id="FNanchor_61" href="#Footnote_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a> who had together subscribed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span> +£6000, with which to purchase and refit the ship +“Adventure Galley,” 287 tons burthen, armed with thirty-four +guns. Livingston and Kidd were to pay one-fifth of the +cost and the remainder was to be met by the titled members +of the Government in London.</p> + +<p>The Government undoubtedly was interested in the suppression +of piracy along the American coast and elsewhere, +but the particular interest of Bellomont and his associates +seems to have been in the “Goods, Merchandizes, Treasure +and other Things which shall be taken from the said Pirates,” +one-fourth part of which, by agreement, was to go to the +ship’s crew. The remainder was to be divided into five parts, +“whereof the said Earl is to have to his own Use, Four full +parts, and the other Fifth Part is to be equally divided between +the said Robert Livingston and the said Wm. Kidd.”</p> + +<p>The agreement provided that Captain Kidd was to man the +galley with a crew of one hundred men shipped under a “no +purchase,<a id="FNanchor_62" href="#Footnote_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a> no pay” contract, and in case prize goods to the +value of £100,000 or more were brought to Boston in New +England and delivered to the Earl of Bellomont, that then the +galley should become the property of Captain Kidd as a +“Gratification for his Good Service therein.” If the venture +was unsuccessful, all charges were to be repaid to Bellomont +by Mar. 25, 1697, “the Danger of the Seas, and of the Enemy, +and Mortality of the said Captain Kidd, always excepted,” +and then the galley and her fittings were to become the +property of Livingston and Kidd.</p> + +<p>Nearly three years had passed since Captain Kidd had +sailed from New York. In August, 1698, the East India Company +had complained of piracies said to have been committed +by him and four months later the Lords of Trade issued a +letter urging the apprehension of “the obnoxious pirate +Kidd.” In December, 1698, when a general pardon was +extended to pirates who should surrender themselves, Kidd<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span> +and “Long Ben” Avery, who was famous for his piracies +on the Arabian coast, were excluded from the “Act of Grace.”</p> + +<p>On May 15, 1699, however, Bellomont wrote from New +York to the Lords of Trade:</p> + +<p>“I am in hopes the several reports we have here of Captain +Kidd’s being forced by his men against his will to plunder two +Moorish ships may prove true, and ’tis said that neare one +hundred of his men revolted from him at Madagascar and were +about to kill him when he absolutely refused to turn pirate.”</p> + +<p>Richard Coote, the first Earl of Bellomont, had been +appointed Governor of New England and New York in 1695. +He made his headquarters in New York and it was not until +May 26, 1699, that he visited Boston. On June 1, 1699, +Captain Kidd reached Delaware Bay. Did Bellomont know +that he was coming and go to Boston to meet him, in accordance +with their mutual agreement and also because he was +afraid of the consequences if he tried to arrest him in New +York as instructed by the Lords of Trade? On Dec. 6, 1700, +Bellomont wrote from New York to Secretary Vernon:</p> + +<p>“I own I wrote to Kidd to come to New York after I knew +he had turned pirate. Menacing him would not bring him but +rather wheedling and that way I took and after that manner +got him to Boston and secured him. If I was faulty by the +letter I wrote by Burgesse, I was no less so by that I sent by +Cambel which brought him to Boston.”</p> + +<p>Whatever the circumstances or coincidence, Governor +Bellomont came over the road from his New York government +and arrived in Boston on Friday, May 26, 1699, where he +lodged with Mr. Peter Sergeant in what was afterwards +known as the “Province House”—the home of the provincial +governors—and here he received “late at night” on the +evening of June 13th, Mr. Joseph Emmot, the New York +lawyer who specialized in admiralty cases.</p> + +<p>The Governor afterwards reported to the Council of Trade +and Plantations that during that midnight conference he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span> +learned that Captain Kidd was on the coast in a sloop (Emmot +would not say where) and had brought with him sixty pounds +weight of gold, a hundred weight of silver and a number of +bales of East India goods and that Kidd had left near the +coast of Hispaniola, in a place where no one but himself could +find, a great ship loaded with bale goods, saltpetre and other +valuable commodities, to the value of at least £30,000. Emmot +brought word that if the Governor would give Captain Kidd +a pardon he would bring the sloop and treasure to Boston and +afterwards go for the great ship. Emmot also delivered to +Bellomont two French passes which Captain Kidd had taken +on board two Moorish ships that he had captured in the seas +of India, “or, as he alleges by his men against his will.”<a id="FNanchor_63" href="#Footnote_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a> +These two ship’s passes were evidence that the prizes taken +were lawful spoil under his commission. It was the suppression +of this evidence and Captain Kidd’s inability to produce them +at the time of his trial that contributed largely to his conviction +and execution.</p> + +<p>When Governor Bellomont learned of the great value of the +booty brought back by Captain Kidd he probably experienced +conflicting emotions. Here was plunder to the value of +£40,000 or more in which he and his associates might have +had a considerable interest and yet, it must slip through his +fingers because it chanced that Kidd had been proscribed as a +pirate on Nov. 23, 1698, at the instigation of an interfering +East India Company. Bellomont’s instructions from London +required that Kidd, his late associate and co-partner, should +be arrested and as he had been sent to New York with a +special mission to suppress piracy and unlawful trading and +there seemed to be no way out by which he might now share +in the loot, unless Kidd could be cleared of the charge of +piracy, there was nothing for him to do but to secure Kidd and +send him to London for trial in accordance with the English<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span> +law. He therefore sent for Duncan Campbell, the postmaster +in Boston, a bookseller, who like Captain Kidd, was a Scotchman +and an old acquaintance of the captain and instructed +him to go with Emmot and obtain from Kidd a statement of +what had taken place during his voyage.</p> + +<p>Campbell and Emmot sailed from Boston in a small sloop +on the morning of June 17th and about three leagues from +Block Island met the sloop commanded by Captain Kidd who +at that time had sixteen men on board. Seemingly both captain +and crew felt reasonably sure of Bellomont’s protection, +but Campbell brought back word to the Governor that they +had heard in the West Indies of their having been proclaimed +pirates and therefore the crew would not consent to come into +any port without some assurance from Bellomont that they +would not be imprisoned or molested. Captain Kidd had +related in much detail the occurrences of his privateering +voyage and had protested with much earnestness that he had +done nothing contrary to his commission and orders aside +from what he was forced to do when overpowered by his men +who afterwards deserted. The crew on board the sloop also +solemnly protested their innocence of piracy. Kidd sent word +to Bellomont that if so directed he would navigate the sloop +to England and there render an account of his proceedings.<a id="FNanchor_64" href="#Footnote_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a></p> + +<p>Duncan Campbell returned to Boston on June 19 and +reported to the Governor in writing and the same day a meeting +of the Council was held at which Bellomont announced for +the first time the return of Captain Kidd and presented the +report just made by Postmaster Campbell. The Governor +also exhibited a draft of a letter which he proposed to send to +Captain Kidd and this was approved by the Council and given +to Emmot with instructions to deliver it to Kidd. This letter +was in substance a safe conduct and in part reads as follows:<a id="FNanchor_65" href="#Footnote_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a></p> + +<p>“I have advised with His Majesty’s Council, and shewed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span> +them this letter, and they are of the opinion that if your +case be so clear as you (or Mr. Emmot for you) have said, that +you may safely come hither, and be equipped and fitted out +to go and fetch the other ship, and I make no manner of doubt +but to obtain the King’s pardon for you, and for those few +men you have left, who I understand have been faithful to +you, and refused as well to dishonour the Commission you +have from England.</p> + +<p>“I assure you on my Word and Honour I will perform +nicely what I have promised though this I declare beforehand +that whatever goods and treasure you may bring hither, I +will not meddle with the least bit of them; but they shall be +left with such persons as the Council shall advise until I +receive orders from England how they shall be disposed of.”</p> + +<p>Captain Kidd seems to have taken Bellomont’s assurances +at face value, but nevertheless he decided to get rid of most of +his valuable cargo before sailing for Boston; so he set a course +for Gardiner’s Island at the eastern end of Long Island, where +Emmot left him and returned to New York in a small boat. +Kidd lay at anchor here for several days. Three or four small +sloops appeared in which chests and bales of goods were transshipped +and finally Kidd sent for John Gardiner, the owner of +the island, and asked him to take charge of a chest and a box +containing gold dust with several bales of goods, all of which +he assured him were intended for Governor Bellomont. +Gardiner consented and gave him a receipt. Meanwhile Mrs. +Kidd<a id="FNanchor_66" href="#Footnote_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a> and her children had come from New York, and taking +on board Benjamin Bevins, a pilot, Kidd sailed around the +Cape and reached Boston Harbor on Saturday, July 1st, +where tide waiters were put on board the sloop and the captain +and his wife found lodgings at the house of Postmaster +Campbell.</p> + +<p>The Governor was sick with the gout when Kidd reached<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span> +Boston, but on Monday, July 3d, he met with the Council and +Captain Kidd was sent for and questioned. He asked leave +to make a detailed report in writing. The next day he was +present with five of his company and was questioned further +and allowed more time in which to prepare his report. On +Thursday morning at nine o’clock, he was sent for again and +informed the Council that his report would be ready that +evening. It was at this meeting that the Governor first informed +the Council that he had instructions to arrest Kidd +and his men and that afternoon the warrants were issued. +It chanced that the constables looking for Captain Kidd came +upon him near the Sergeant house where the Governor lodged +and when Kidd found that he was in danger of arrest he ran +into the house with the constables after him, in the hope of +finding a refuge in the Governor’s study. It was a dramatic +situation and Captain Kidd at once found that Bellomont’s +fair assurances of protection were worthless.</p> + +<p>At first Kidd was confined in the house of the prison-keeper, +but after a day or two he was ordered placed in the +stone gaol and kept in irons. His lodgings were searched and +in two sea beds were found gold dust and ingots to the +value of about £1000 and a bag of silver containing money +and pigs of silver. Even the household plate and clothing belonging +to Mrs. Kidd were seized, though afterwards restored.</p> + +<p>On July 26th, Governor Bellomont wrote to the Lords of +Trade and Plantations giving a full account of what had taken +place and asked what should be done with Kidd and other +pirates then in custody. At that time a pirate could not be +convicted in the Province of Massachusetts and be punished +by death. The English statute provided that pirates should +be tried before a High Court of Admiralty sitting in London +and this made it necessary to send Kidd to England.</p> + +<p>On Feb. 6, 1700, His Majesty’s ship “Advice” arrived in +Boston harbor with orders to convey Kidd, Bradish and other +pirates to England for trial. Ten days later they were safely<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span> +on board and on April 8th Kidd was in England, arriving just +as Parliament was proceeding in “An humble address to his +Majesty to remove John, Lord Somers, Lord Chancellor of +England, from his presence and counsels forever.” Lord +Somers with other members of the existing Government had +been associated with Bellomont in sending out Kidd and his return +in irons just at that time, accused of piracy, supplied ammunition +for the Opposition and made his case a political issue.</p> + +<p>Another powerful influence was working for Kidd’s destruction. +He had been denounced as a pirate by the East India +Company which enjoyed a monopoly of English trade in the +Indian Seas and confiscated the ships and goods of private +traders as it pleased. Kidd was accused of seizing two ships +belonging to the Great Mogul with whom the East India +Company desired to remain on friendly terms. His defense +was that the two captured ships sailed under French passes +issued by the French East India Company and therefore they +automatically became enemy ships and lawful prizes, when +taken by him. It was upon the existence of these two French +passes that his life then depended. Even his enemies admitted +that their introduction as evidence at his trial would go a long +way to clear him of the charge of piracy. The original documents +had been turned over by him in good faith to Bellomont +and in turn had been sent to the Lords of Trade. They +were before the House of Commons during the examination of +Kidd, but when he was brought to trial before the Court of +Admiralty, they had strangely disappeared and Kidd was +deprived of the very cornerstone of his defense. Political +exigencies demanded that he should become a scapegoat and +the life-saving passes disappeared. Strangely enough, however, +they were not destroyed at the time and have recently +come to light<a id="FNanchor_67" href="#Footnote_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a> in the Public Record Office, so that two centuries +after Captain Kidd was ignominiously executed for piracy it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span> +becomes possible to reestablish his fame as a master mariner of +good repute and a privateersman who attacked only the ships +of the enemies of the King of England.</p> + +<p>Captain Kidd remained in gaol for over a year before he was +brought to trial and then not for piracy, as he had expected, +“but being moved and seduced by the instigations of the +Devil ... he did make an assault in and upon William +Moore upon the high seas ... with a certain wooden bucket, +bound with iron hoops, of the value of eight pence, giving the +said William Moore ... one mortal bruise of which the +aforesaid William Moore did languish and die.” William +Moore had been the gunner on the “Adventure Galley,” +Captain Kidd’s vessel, and during an altercation, Kidd had +struck him on the right side of the head with an iron-bound +bucket. He died the next day in consequence. Kidd’s +defense was that Moore was the leader of a mutinous crew; but +it is evident from the minutes of the trial that there was no +question as to what the verdict would be. At the most he +should only have been convicted of manslaughter. The jury +found him guilty of murder.</p> + +<p>Having made certain that Kidd would be hanged, the +Court next ordered him brought to trial under an indictment +for piracy. He asked postponement until his papers and +particularly the two French passes could be obtained and +submitted as evidence, but without avail. The Lord Chief +Baron, in summing up the evidence even went so far as to +suggest that they existed only in Kidd’s imagination. With +the East India Company forcing a prosecution and the Lord +Chancellor and other high officials in danger should he make +damaging disclosures, it was only a question of time. Kidd +hadn’t a ghost of a chance for his life.</p> + +<p>After sentence had been pronounced, Captain Kidd said: +“My Lord, it is a very hard sentence. For my part I am +innocentest of them all, only I have been sworn against +by perjured persons.” And he told the truth.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp62" style="max-width: 100em;"> + <img class='w100' id='i082' src='images/i082.jpg' alt=''> +<figcaption> +A FULL<br> +ACCOUNT<br> +OF THE<br> +PROCEEDINGS<br> +In Relation to<br> +Capt.<span class='xls'> KIDD</span>.<br> +In two <span class='xls'>LETTERS</span>.<br> +<br> +Written by a Person of Quality to a Kinsman of the Earl of <i>Bellomont</i> in <i>Ireland</i>.<br> +<br> +<i>LONDON</i>,<br> +<br> +Printed and Sold by the Booksellers of <i>London</i> and <i>Westminster</i>. MDCCI.<br> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span></p> + +<p>On May 23, 1721, he was hanged at Execution Dock, on the +Thames water front at Wapping, after which his body was +placed in chains and gibbetted on the shore near Tilbury +Fort, in the lower reaches of the river.</p> + +<p>Captain Kidd as he is recalled today is a composite type. +All the pirates who have frequented the New England coast +have become blended into one and that one—Captain Kidd. +A credulous public even denies him his own name and sings of +Robert Kidd in the famous ballad:—</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">My name was Robert Kidd, when I sail’d, when I sail’d,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">My name was Robert Kidd, when I sail’d;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">My name was Robert Kidd, God’s law I did forbid,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">And so wickedly I did, when I sail’d.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0"> +<hr class="tb"></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I’d a Bible in my hand, when I sail’d, when I sail’d,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">I’d a Bible in my hand, when I sail’d;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I’d a Bible in my hand, by my father’s great command,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">But I sunk it in the sand, when I sail’d.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0"> + +<hr class="tb"></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I murder’d William Moore, as I sail’d, as I sail’d,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">I murder’d William Moore, as I sail’d;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I murder’d William Moore, and left him in his gore,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Not many leagues from shore, as I sail’d.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0"> + +<hr class="tb"></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I’d ninety bars of gold, as I sail’d, as I sail’d,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">I’d ninety bars of gold, as I sail’d;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I’d ninety bars of gold, and dollars manifold,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">With riches uncontroll’d, as I sail’d.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0"> + +<hr class="tb"></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Come all ye young and old, see me die, see me die,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Come all ye young and old, see me die;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Come all ye young and old, you’re welcome to my gold,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">For by it I’ve lost my soul, and must die.</div> + </div> +</div> +</div> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_61" href="#FNanchor_61" class="label">[61]</a> Capt. William Kidd was born in Greenock, Scotland, about 1655 and +probably was the son of Rev. John Kidd who suffered the torture of the +boot. In August, 1689, he arrived at the island of Nevis, in the West Indies, +in command of a privateer of sixteen guns that had been taken from the +French at Basseterre by the English members of her crew. The next year +his privateer took part in Hewetson’s expedition to Mariegalante; but in +February, 1691, while he was on shore, his company deserted him and +ran away with the vessel. Most of the crew were former pirates and +liked their old trade better. A month later he reached New York where +he obtained command of another privateer and before long brought in a +French ship. The last of May, 1691, the Government sent him out in +pursuit of a French privateer which he followed so leisurely that she escaped. +Arriving at Boston, June 8th, he received proposals to go in +search of the privateer which were not satisfactory to him and further +negotiations were without result, so that complaint was made to the +Governor of New York that Kidd neglected a fair opportunity to take her. +In August, 1695, he was in London, in command of the brigantine “Antego,” +and while there testified as to the irregularities existing in New +York. Two months later, on October 10th, he signed articles with the +Earl of Bellomont which sent him to the Indian ocean and later to Execution +Dock on the Thames.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_62" href="#FNanchor_62" class="label">[62]</a> Prizes.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_63" href="#FNanchor_63" class="label">[63]</a> <i>Calendars of State Papers, America and West Indies</i>, 1699, pp. 366-367.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_64" href="#FNanchor_64" class="label">[64]</a> <i>Calendars of State Papers, America and West Indies</i>, 1699, p. 371.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_65" href="#FNanchor_65" class="label">[65]</a> The original letter is now preserved in the Boston Public Library.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_66" href="#FNanchor_66" class="label">[66]</a> Captain Kidd married in May, 1691, Sarah Oort, the widow of John +Oort, merchant of New York.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_67" href="#FNanchor_67" class="label">[67]</a> See Paine, <i>The Book of Buried Treasure</i>, page 104, for a photographic +reproduction.</p> + +</div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI<br> +<span class="ch-title">Thomas Tew, who Retired and Lived at Newport</span></h2> +</div> + +<p>Privateering was a thriving business during the +last half of the seventeenth century, and commissions +were issued in large numbers by all the colonial governors +in America.</p> + +<p>In 1691, Thomas Tew, a young seaman hailing from Rhode +Island in New England, came into Bermuda with gold in +his pockets and after a time purchased a share in the sloop +“Amity,” owned by merchants and officials living on the +island, among whom were Thomas Hall, Richard Gilbert, +John Dickenson, Col. Anthony White and William Outerbridge. +The latter was a member of the Governor’s Council. +Tew claimed to belong to a good Rhode Island family that +had been living there since 1640,<a id="FNanchor_68" href="#Footnote_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a> and having interested his +part-owners in the “Amity,” a privateering commission +was obtained from the governor and beating up a willing +crew of volunteers, the sloop, with Tew in command, was +shortly on her eastward passage.</p> + +<p>It was afterwards claimed by one Weaver, counselor for +the King in the prosecution of Governor Fletcher of New +York, that during Tew’s stay at Bermuda “it was a thing +notoriously known to everyone that he had before then been +a pirate”;<a id="FNanchor_69" href="#Footnote_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a> and a sailor who had known him well testified +that he “had been rambling.” When Tew sailed from Bermuda +there went in company with him another privateer<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span> +sloop commanded by Capt. George Drew, fitted out by the +governor, and the commissions issued to these captains instructed +them to take the French factory at Goree, on the +river Gambia, on the west coast of Africa.</p> + +<p>On the voyage out a violent storm came up; Captain +Drew’s sloop sprung her mast and the two vessels lost sight +of each other. A morning or two after the gale had spent +itself Captain Tew ordered all hands on deck and told them +that they probably realized the proposed attack on the +French factory would be of little value to the public and of +no particular reward to them for their bravery. As for +booty, there was not the least prospect of any. Speaking +for himself, he had only agreed to take a commission for the +sake of being employed and therefore he was of the opinion +they should turn their thoughts to bettering their condition +and if so inclined he would shape a course that would lead +to ease and plenty for the rest of their days. The ship’s +company undoubtedly were prepared for Captain Tew’s +proposal for we are told that they unanimously cried out, +“A gold chain or a wooden leg—we’ll stand by you.”<a id="FNanchor_70" href="#Footnote_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a></p> + +<p>A quartermaster was then chosen to look out for the interests +of the ship’s company and instead of continuing the +voyage to Gambia, a course was made for the Cape of Good +Hope and in time the Red Sea was reached. Just as they were +entering the Strait of Babelmandeb, a large and richly laden +Arabian vessel hove in sight carrying about three hundred +soldiers and much gold. Tew told his men that this was +their opportunity to strike for fortune and although it was +apparent that the ship was full of men and mounted a great +number of guns, the Arabs would be lacking in skill and +courage; which proved true for she was taken without loss. +Each man’s share in the gold and jewels amounted to over +three thousand pounds sterling and the store of powder was +so great that much was thrown overboard.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span></p> + +<p>From the Strait they steered for Madagascar where the +quartermaster and twenty-three others elected to leave the +ship and settle there proposing to enjoy a life of ease in a +delightful climate producing all the necessaries for existence. +The rest of the company remained with Captain Tew who +planned to return to America. The sloop sailed but before +getting out of sight of land sighted a ship and Tew, thinking +to return home somewhat richer, stood towards her and +when within gunshot hoisted black colors and fired a gun +to windward. The stranger hove to and fired a gun to leeward +and hoisting out a boat Captain Tew soon learned +that he had intercepted Captain Mission, a famous pirate +in those parts who had come out from France with a privateering +commission and some time before had established a +settlement on Madagascar and named it Libertatia.</p> + +<p>Captain Tew was invited on board the “Victoire,” Captain +Mission’s ship, and after being handsomely entertained +was invited to visit the pirate colony that had been set up +at Libertatia. On returning to the sloop and telling his men +what he had learned, the company consented and Mission’s +ship was followed until the harbor was reached which they +were much surprised to see was well fortified. The first fort +saluted them with nine guns and the company on shore received +Captain Tew and his men with great civility. He +was soon invited to take part in a council of officers to consider +what should be done with the large number of prisoners +brought in by Mission. Seventy-three of these men, English +and Portuguese, took on and the rest were set at work on a +dock in process of construction about half a mile above the +mouth of the harbor.</p> + +<p>Tew and his men were charmed with the settlement and +the new friends they had made and here they remained until +Captain Mission, desiring to strengthen his colony, decided +to send a ship to Guinea to seize slaving ships frequenting +that coast. He offered the command of this expedition to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span> +Captain Tew and gave him a crew of two hundred men composed +of thirty English and the rest French, Portuguese +and negroes.</p> + +<p>Tew didn’t sight a vessel until in the Atlantic, north of +the Cape of Good Hope, where he fell in with a Dutch East +Indiaman of eighteen guns which he took with the loss of +but one man and secured several chests filled with English +crowns. Nine of the Dutchmen joined his company and the +rest were set ashore in Soldinia Bay. On the coast of Angola +he took an English vessel with two hundred and forty slaves +aboard among whom the negroes in his crew found relatives. +These men told the slaves of the happy life they lead in Madagascar +where none lived in slavery and so prepared, their +leg irons and handcuffs were taken off and a course was made +for Libertatia where the captured slaves were set at work +on the dock.</p> + +<p>After his return Captain Tew was given command of a +sloop mounting eight guns and manned with one hundred +men and with the schoolmaster in command of another sloop +of about the same size, made a voyage around Madagascar +charting the coast and discovering the shoals and depths +of water. Tew’s sloop was called the “Liberty.” The +schoolmaster commanded the “Childhood”; and the expedition +was absent nearly four months.</p> + +<p>Not long after this Captain Tew proposed that he should +return to America and arrange with merchants to send to +Madagascar ship’s stores, clothing and a variety of luxuries +needed for the safety and comfort of the pirate colony. Some +of his men also wished to return to their families, and so the +“Amity” was refitted and Tew set a course for the Cape +and soon was in the South Atlantic bound for the island of +Bermuda. Contrary winds prevented, however, and running +into a brisk gale he sprung his mast and after beating +about for a fortnight at last made his old home at +Newport, R. I., where he was received with much respect<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span> +when his prosperous “privateering” voyage became +known.</p> + +<p>From here he dispatched an account to his part-owners +in Bermuda and an order for them to send an agent to receive +their share in the produce of the voyage and a few weeks +later a sloop arrived, commanded by one Captain Stone, who, +some years after testified that when he presented his order +to Captain Tew from the Bermuda owners, he found that +part of the money was buried in the ground at Newport and +for the remainder he was obliged to go to Boston.<a id="FNanchor_71" href="#Footnote_71" class="fnanchor">[71]</a></p> + +<p>Outerbridge, the councillor, received £540 left by Tew +in Boston and his entire share in the proceeds of the voyage +amounted to over £3000, which reached him in the form of +“Lyon dollars and Arabian gold.” The pieces of Arabian +gold were then worth about two Spanish dollars and soon +were common in Rhode Island and New York. Tew’s share +in the proceeds amounted to about £8000.</p> + +<p>Some ten years later, when Kidd and Bradish had been +hanged and the Council of Trade was busily engaged in stirring +up matters supposedly overlooked or forgotten, an +officious agent of the Council appeared at Bermuda and began +to uncover the close relations existing between pirates +and prominent merchants and officials in the islands. Some +of the facts concerning Outerbridge, Colonel White and +others then came out and were reported to London. The +agent was George Larkin and he brought a commission as +Judge of an Admiralty Court which very soon was ignored +and when his true activities were recognized he was threatened +and various complaints were made under oath and at last +he was arrested “by the Marshall with a file of musqueteers +and taken to the castle, a forlorne place, where there is but +one room and the waves of the sea beat over the platform +into it in stormy weather.... The Clerk of the Justices<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span> +came to the Islands, a fidler in a Pyrate ship and the proceedings +here against me differ in few circumstances from the Inquisition +till they come to the Rack.”<a id="FNanchor_72" href="#Footnote_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a></p> + +<p>Captain Tew when in Boston had applied to the governor +for a new privateering commission and been refused but +found no considerable objection in Rhode Island although +it cost him £500. In New York, he found Frederick Phillips +not averse to making profitable voyages to Madagascar +and soon the ship “Frederick” was dispatched with a full +cargo and seven years later the Rev. John Higginson of Salem, +when writing to his son Nathaniel, in command of Fort +George, at Madras, reported the current rumor that Phillips +had attained an estate of £100,000, much of it gained in the +pirate trade to Madagascar.</p> + +<p>Having completed his arrangements, Tew set sail with +a commission authorizing him to seize the ships of France +and the enemies of the Crown of England and in a few weeks +had rounded the Cape and was at anchor in the harbor at +Libertatia.</p> + +<p>Not long after his return he went out with Captain Mission +on a cruise to the Red Sea, each in command of a ship manned +by about two hundred and fifty men including many negroes. +Off the coast of Arabia Felix they came upon a large ship +belonging to the Great Mogul with more than a thousand +pilgrims on board bound for Mecca. The ship carried one +hundred and ten guns but made a poor defence and was +boarded and taken without the loss of a single man. After +a consultation it was decided to put the prisoners ashore near +Aden, but as they wanted women, over one hundred unmarried +girls, from twelve to eighteen years old, were kept +notwithstanding their tears and the lamentations of their +parents. With the large ship in company they made their +way back to Libertatia where they found in her hold a vast<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span> +quantity of diamonds, besides rich silks, spices, rugs and +wrought and bar gold.</p> + +<p>The prize was a heavy sailer and of no use so she was taken +to pieces and her guns mounted in two batteries near the +mouth of the harbor. The settlement was now so strongly +fortified that there was little danger of successful attack from +shipping. By this time they had also cleared and cultivated +a considerable area of land and had in pasturage over three +hundred black cattle. The dock was finished and all were +living comfortably and happily each supplied according to +taste and nationality with several white, yellow or black +wives.</p> + +<p>One morning a sloop that had been sent out to exercise +the negroes, came back chased by five tall ships which proved +to be fifty-gun ships flying the Portuguese flag. The alarm +was given and all the forts and batteries manned. Tew +commanded the English and Mission commanded the French +and the negroes. The two forts at the entrance to the harbor +didn’t stop the ships, though one was brought on the careen, +but once inside, the forts, batteries, sloops and ships gave +them so warm a reception that two of them sank and many +men were drowned. Having entered just before the turn +of the tide, the other ships, with the help of the ebb tide, +made haste to escape; but they were followed by the ships and +sloops in the harbor and in the bay, after a running fight, +one was taken that greatly increased the store of powder and +shot in the magazine. The other two escaped but in crippled +condition. This was the engagement with the pirates that +made so much noise in Europe and America.</p> + +<p>Captain Tew was now made admiral of their fleet and +proposed building an arsenal, which was agreed upon. He +also proposed going on a cruise, hoping to meet East India +ships and bring in some volunteers, for he thought the colony +at that time more in need of men than riches. The flagship +“Victoire” was accordingly fitted out and manned with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span> +three hundred men and Tew put to sea intending to call +first at the settlement made by his former quartermaster +and men, where, coming to anchor, he went ashore. The +governor, <i>alias</i> quartermaster, received him civilly but could +not be persuaded to agree upon a change in his comfortable +situation where his company enjoyed all the necessaries of +life and were free and independent of all the world.</p> + +<p>Late that afternoon, while they were drinking a bowl of +punch, a violent storm came up suddenly with so high a sea +that Captain Tew could not go out to his ship. The storm +increased and in less than two hours the “Victoire” parted +her cables and was driven ashore on a steep point where +everyone on board was drowned in sight of Tew who could +give no assistance. Not knowing which way to turn he +remained with his former men hoping that Captain Mission +in time might come in search of him, which happened a few +weeks later.</p> + +<p>One morning two sloops came to anchor off-shore and +soon a canoe was hoisted out and brought Captain Mission +ashore. He brought doleful news. At dead of night two +great bodies of natives had come down on the pirate settlement +and slaughtered men, women and children without +mercy. The absence of the three hundred men on the “Victoire” +and the sailing about the same time of another pirate +ship, the “Bijoux,” had so weakened the settlement that +the natives soon prevailed through sheer force of numbers +and Captain Mission escaped with only forty-five men. He +was able, however, to bring away with him a considerable +weight of rough diamonds and bar gold.</p> + +<p>The two captains condoled with each other over their +misfortunes and Tew at last proposed that they abandon +further roving and return to America where, with the riches +that remained to them, they could live in comfort and safety +for the rest of their lives. Mission was a Frenchman and +could not think of retiring from active life until he had visited<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span> +his family, but he gave up one of the sloops to Tew and divided +with him the diamonds and gold that had been saved.</p> + +<p>A week later the two captains sailed, Mission having fifteen +Frenchmen and Portuguese in his sloop and Tew taking +thirty-four English in the sloop commanded by him. They +shaped a course for the Guinea Coast, but off Infantes, before +reaching the Cape, they were overtaken by a storm in which +the unhappy Mission’s sloop went down within a musket +shot of Captain Tew who could give no assistance.</p> + +<p>Captain Tew continued his course for America and reached +Newport safely where his men took their share of diamonds +and gold and quietly dispersed as they thought best while +Tew settled down among his former acquaintances to spend +a tranquil life. He lived unquestioned and with his easy +fortune might in time have married the daughter of some +neighbor and spent the remainder of his days as a retired +privateersman. One of his company, Thomas Jones, who +had formerly sailed with “Long Ben” Avery, married Penelope +Goulden and also settled down and lived in Rhode Island, +but others, who continued to live there or elsewhere in the +province, soon squandered their shares and began soliciting +him to make another voyage. For a time he refused until +at last a considerable number of resolute lads came in a body +and so earnestly begged him to head them for one more voyage +that he finally agreed.</p> + +<p>His frequent journeys to New York in connection with +shipments to Madagascar and more recently for the purpose +of disposing of some part of his store of diamonds, had given +him an acquaintance with Governor Fletcher, so in October, +1694, he presented himself at the Governor’s mansion for +the purpose of obtaining a privateering commission. Governor +Fletcher, like some other colonial governors, was always +ready to turn “an honest penny” and on Nov. 8, 1694, Tew +was in possession of the desired commission it having cost +him exactly £300.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span></p> + +<p>It was afterwards claimed by the Attorney General of New +York in a report to the Earl of Bellomont, the succeeding +governor, that it was well-known in New York that Captain +Tew had been roving in the Red Sea and had made much +money. “He had brought his spoil to Rhode Island and +his crew dispersed in Boston where they shewed themselves +publicly. In 1694 or 1695 Tew came to New York, where +Governor Fletcher entertained him and drove him about +in his coach, though Tew publicly declared that he would +make another voyage to the Red Sea and make New York +his port of return.... He fitted out his sloop in Rhode +Island, whence he sailed to the Red Sea and there died or +was killed. His crew picked up another ship at Madagascar.”<a id="FNanchor_73" href="#Footnote_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a></p> + +<p>Governor Bellomont sent numerous dispatches to the Lords +of Trade describing in much detail the relations of his predecessor +in office with those who had sailed “on the account,” +armed with privateering commissions issued by Fletcher. +He wrote that many pirates in the Red Sea and elsewhere +had been fitted out in New York or Rhode Island. The ships +commanded by Mason, Tew, Glover and Hore were commissioned +by Governor Fletcher. Everybody knew at the +time they were bound for the Red Sea, “being openly declared +by the captains so as to enable them to raise men and proceed +on their voyage quickly.... Captain Tew, who had +before been a notorious pirate, on his return from the East +Indies with great riches visited New York, where, although +a man of infamous character, he was received and caressed +by Governor Fletcher, dined and supped often with him +and appeared publicly in his coach. They also exchanged +presents, such as gold watches, with each other.”<a id="FNanchor_74" href="#Footnote_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a></p> + +<p>Governor Fletcher, on the other hand, protested that +Captain Tew had produced a commission from the Governor<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span> +of Bermuda and accordingly he had granted him another to +make war against the French. “Captain Tew brought +no ship into this port. He came as a stranger and came +to my table like other strangers who visit this province. He +told me he had a sloop well manned and gave bond to fight +the French at the mouth of Canada river, whereupon I gave +him a commission and instructions accordingly.... It +may be my misfortune, but not my crime, if they turn pirates. +I have heard of none yet that have done so.”</p> + +<p>“Tew appeared to me,” wrote the disingenuous governor, +“not only a man of courage and activity, but of the greatest +sense and remembrance of what he had seen of any seaman +that I ever met with. He was also what is called a very +pleasant man, so that some times after the day’s labour was +done, it was divertisement as well as information to me to +hear him talk. I wished in my mind to make him a sober +man, and in particular to cure him of a vile habit of swearing. +I gave him a book for that purpose, and to gain the +more upon him I gave him a gun of some value. In return +he made me a present which was a curiosity, though in value +not much.”<a id="FNanchor_75" href="#Footnote_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a></p> + +<p>Tew’s commission was signed by Gov. Benjamin Fletcher +and countersigned by his private secretary, Daniel Honan, +but his bond was signed by Edward Coates, a notorious +pirate, so it was said, and by John Feny, “a Popist tailor of +this city and a beggar.”<a id="FNanchor_76" href="#Footnote_76" class="fnanchor">[76]</a></p> + +<p>Meanwhile, reasonably certain of securing his commission, +Tew had been busily engaged in fitting out his sloop for the +new venture. He made no bones about his intentions and +such was his sense of security that he talked freely with +neighbors and also strangers.</p> + +<p>A traveller passing through Newport in October, 1694, +records that he then saw three vessels fitting out. One of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span> +them, a sloop, was commanded by Thomas Tew or Tue, +whom he had known in Jamaica, twelve years before. “He +was free in discourse with me and declared that he was last +year in the Red Sea; that he had taken a rich ship belonging +to the Mogul and had received for his owner’s dividend and +his sloop’s twelve thousand odd hundred pounds, while his +men had received upwards of a thousand pounds each. When +I returned to Boston there was another barque of about thirty +tons ready to sail and join Tew in the same account. I was +likewise advised of another that had sailed from the Whore +Kills in Pennsylvania, and that one or two were since gone +on the same account. I understand that two of the four +that I saw are returned with great booty.”<a id="FNanchor_77" href="#Footnote_77" class="fnanchor">[77]</a></p> + +<p>“Captain Tew had a commission from the Governor of +New York to cruise against the French,” afterwards wrote +Governor Bellomont. “He came out on pretence of loading +negroes at Madagascar, but his design was always to go +into the seas, having about seventy men on his sloop of sixty +tons. He made a voyage three years ago in which his share +was £8000. Want was then his mate. He then went to +New England and the Governor would not receive him; +then to New York where Governor Fletcher protected him. +Colonel Fletcher told Tew he should not come there again +unless he brought store of money, and it is said that Tew gave +him £300 for his commission. He is gone to make a voyage +in the Red Sea, and if he makes his voyage will be back about +this time. This is the third time that Tew has gone out, +breaking up for the first time in New England and the second +time in New York. The place that receives them is chiefly +Madagascar, where they must touch both going and coming. +All the ships that are now out are from New England, except +Tew from New York and Want from Carolina. They build +their ships in New England, but come out under pretence of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span> +trading from island to island. The money they bring in is +current there and the people know very well where they go. +One Captain Gough who keeps a mercer’s shop at Boston got +a good estate in this way. On first coming out they generally +go first to the Isle of May for salt, then to Fernando for +water, then round the Cape of Good Hope to Madagascar to +victual and water and so for Batsky [<i>sic</i>] where they wait +for the traders between Surat and Mecca and Tuda, who +must come at a certain time because of the trade wind. +When they come back they have no place to go to +but Providence, Carolina, New York, New England and +Rhode Island, where they all along have been kindly +received.”<a id="FNanchor_78" href="#Footnote_78" class="fnanchor">[78]</a></p> + +<p>Captain Tew sailed from Newport in the sloop “Amity,” +in November, 1694, and was joined by Captain Want in a +brigantine and Captain Wake<a id="FNanchor_79" href="#Footnote_79" class="fnanchor">[79]</a> in another small vessel that +had been fitted out at Boston. Want was Tew’s mate on +the first voyage and returned with him and spent his share +of the plunder in Rhode Island and Pennsylvania. On the +present voyage, Thomas Jones of Newport was also associated +with him. One Captain Glover, in a ship owned by +New York merchants, is also said to have joined Tew’s fleet +and to have remitted to his owners the value of the vessel. +Probably Tew’s gold may have made the restitution possible.<a id="FNanchor_80" href="#Footnote_80" class="fnanchor">[80]</a></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span></p> + +<p>In June, 1695, Captain Tew was at Liparau island at the +mouth of the Red Sea, where with other English vessels he +joined the fleet commanded by Captain Avery. Tew at that +time had a crew of about forty men. After lying there some +time Avery sent a pinnace to Mocha and took two men who +gave them information as to the ships <ins title='Original: comin'>coming</ins> down. They +then stood out to sea and five or six days later the Moors’ ships, +twenty-five in number, passed them in the night. Hearing of +this from a captured junk they followed. The “Amity” +was a bad sailer and fell astern and never came up. The +rest of the fleet overtook one of the Moorish vessels and captured +her after having fired three shots and found on board +£60,000 in gold and silver. Soon another ship was taken +after a fight of three hours. The loot of this vessel was so +great that each of the one hundred and eighty men engaged +received as his share over £1000. There was a great quantity +of jewels and a saddle and bridle set with rubies designed +as a present for the Great Mogul.<a id="FNanchor_81" href="#Footnote_81" class="fnanchor">[81]</a></p> + +<p>After this fight, mention of Captain Tew disappears from +all contemporary sources of information save the passing +allusions made by the Attorney General of New York in his +report to the Earl of Bellomont (see page 93). It therefore +is highly probable that there may be foundation for the +statement by Captain Johnson in his “History of the Pirates,” +that Captain Tew “attack’d a Ship belonging to the Great<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span> +<i>Mogul</i>; in the Engagement, a Shot carried away the Rim +of <i>Tew’s</i> Belly, who held his Bowels with his Hands some +small Space; when he dropp’d it struck such a Terror in his +men, that they suffered themselves to be taken, without +making Resistance.”</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_68" href="#FNanchor_68" class="label">[68]</a> Richard Tew came from Maidford, co. Northampton, England, and +settled at Newport, R. I., in 1640, where he was a prominent citizen. He +served as deputy and assistant and was named in the charter granted in +1663. Thomas Tew undoubtedly was his grandson. It was a well-known +family in Rhode Island and highly respected.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_69" href="#FNanchor_69" class="label">[69]</a> <i>Calendar of State Papers, America and the West Indies</i>, 1699, p. 44.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_70" href="#FNanchor_70" class="label">[70]</a> Johnson, <i>History of the Pirates</i>, London, 1726.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_71" href="#FNanchor_71" class="label">[71]</a> <i>Calendar of State Papers, America and the West Indies</i>, 1702-1703, +p. 1014.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_72" href="#FNanchor_72" class="label">[72]</a> <i>Calendar of State Papers, America and West Indies</i>, 1702-1703, p. 237.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_73" href="#FNanchor_73" class="label">[73]</a> <i>Calendar of State Papers, America and West Indies</i>, 1697-1698, p. 860.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_74" href="#FNanchor_74" class="label">[74]</a> <i>Ibid.</i>, 1697-1698, p. 473.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_75" href="#FNanchor_75" class="label">[75]</a> <i>Calendar of State Papers, America and West Indies</i>, 1697-1698, p. 587.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_76" href="#FNanchor_76" class="label">[76]</a> <i>Ibid.</i>, 1697-1698, p. 473.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_77" href="#FNanchor_77" class="label">[77]</a> John Graves, in a letter printed in the <i>Calendar of State Papers, America +and West Indies</i>, 1696-1697, p. 744.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_78" href="#FNanchor_78" class="label">[78]</a> <i>Calendar of State Papers, America and West Indies</i>, 1696-1697, pp. 259-260.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_79" href="#FNanchor_79" class="label">[79]</a> Captain Wake was an old pirate who had received a pardon in King +James’ time.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_80" href="#FNanchor_80" class="label">[80]</a> Jeremiah Basse, writing to the Secretary of the Council of Trade in a +letter that reached London on July 26, 1697, reported as follows:—“In +all I am told that there are gone from Boston, New York, Pennsylvania +and Carolina, from each one ship and from Rhode Island two.... The +Nassau met one of these rovers at the Cape Bonne Esperance homeward +bound from India. I was told by the mate of her that being fearful lest the +Dutch should make prize of her they got leave to put some chests of money +on board her, which chests were so heavy that six men at the tackles could +hardly hoist them in. The chests were given back to the rovers at sea, who +announced that they were bound to Madagascar. The persons expected +to return are Tew’s company, and all those that sailed from New York and +Rhode Island. It is expected that they will try to conceal themselves in +the Jerseys or Pennsylvania being little inhabited about the harbour, they +reckon themselves safe there. I am told that some persons have already +been preparing for their reception there.”—<i>Calendar of State Papers, +America and West Indies</i>, 1696-1697, p. 1203.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_81" href="#FNanchor_81" class="label">[81]</a> <i>Calendar of State Papers, America and West Indies</i>, 1696-1697, pp. 260-262.</p> + +</div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span></p> +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII<br> +<span class="ch-title">John Quelch and his Crew who were Hanged in Boston +and their Gold Distributed</span></h2> +</div> + +<p>About the middle of May, 1704, there came to anchor +in the harbor of Marblehead, the “Charles,” a brigantine +of some eighty tons burden, commanded by one +Capt. John Quelch. This newly-built vessel had been fitted +out the previous summer by Charles Hobby, Col. Nicholas +Paige, William Clarke, Benjamin Gallop and John Colman, +leading citizens and merchants of Boston, as a privateer to +prey upon French shipping off the coast of Acadia and Newfoundland. +She was commissioned on July 13, 1703 by +Governor Dudley in the usual manner and her commander, +Capt. Daniel Plowman, was then given his instructions +governing his conduct while in the pursuit of pirates and +the Queen’s enemies.</p> + +<p>After receiving her equipment and while riding at anchor +off Marblehead, Captain Plowman was taken sick and on +Aug. 1, 1703 sent a letter to his owners informing them that +he was unable to take her to sea on account of his severe +illness. He may have realized at the time the character +of the crew that he had shipped, for he wrote proposing that +the owners of the “Charles” come to Marblehead at once +and “take some speedy care in saving what we can. The +Lieutenant the Bearer can give you a full Account.” One +of the owners went to Marblehead the next day but found +the captain too sick to see him. A survey of the situation +resulted in a recommendation to his associates that the vessel +be sent out as planned but under another captain. This +intelligence reached Captain Plowman and he aroused sufficiently +to send another letter urging that the vessel be sent<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span> +to Boston and declaring that “it will not do with these people” +(meaning his crew), to send the vessel out under a new commander +and the sooner the guns and stores were landed on +shore the better it would be for all concerned. However, +before the owners could take effectual measures in relation +to the vessel, she went to sea. It afterwards appeared that +before sailing, the crew, under the lead of one of their number, +had locked Captain Plowman in his cabin and John +Quelch, the lieutenant-commander, had come on board and +after a conference with the crew had taken command and +steered a course to the southward. Sometime after Quelch +assumed command the captain was thrown overboard, but +whether alive or dead is not known.</p> + +<p>In November, 1703, the “Charles” was off the coast of +Brazil and during the next three months Quelch made nine +captures,—five brigantines (the largest being about forty +tons), a small shallop, two fishing boats, and a ship of about +two hundred tons loaded with hides and tallow and carrying +twelve guns and about thirty-five men. These vessels were +the property of subjects of the King of Portugal, an ally of +the Queen of England, and from them Quelch secured rich +booty including a hundred weight of gold dust, gold and +silver coins to the value of over one thousand pounds, ammunition, +small arms and a great quantity of fine fabrics, provisions +and rum.</p> + +<p>When Quelch planned his descent on Portuguese shipping +he may not have known of the treaty of amity and alliance +between Great Britain and Portugal that was signed in Lisbon +on May 16, 1703, and which contained the following +section:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>“XVIII. Piratical ships, of whatever nation, shall not +only not be permitted or received into the ports which their +Portugueze and Brittanic Majesties, and the States General +of the United Provinces, possess in the East Indies, but shall<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span> +be deemed the common enemies of the Portugueze, the English +and the Dutch.”</p> +</div> + +<p>However that may be, Quelch was well aware that few +gold mines existed in the dominions of the French King, +with whom England was at war, and that the loot of French +ships promised less valuable spoil than might be found in +the South Atlantic. His avarice led to his undoing.</p> + +<p>Not long after the “Charles” came to anchor in Marblehead +harbor, on her return from pillaging Portuguese shipping, +the crew began to disappear. Some of them went to Salem +and from there found their way to Cape Ann, while others +went to Rhode Island. The sudden departure of the vessel +less than a year before was recalled and the fishing village +became very skeptical of the story told by Captain Quelch +of the recovery of great treasure from a wreck in the West +Indies. The <i>Boston News-Letter</i>, the first newspaper published +in the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, had begun +publication only a short time before and the fifth number +issued announced the arrival of the “Charles” in the following +words:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>“Arrived at <i>Marblehead</i>, Capt. <i>Quelch</i> in the Brigantine +that Capt. <i>Plowman</i> went out in, are said to come from <i>New-Spain</i> +& have made a good Voyage.”—<i>Boston News-Letter</i>, +May 15-22, 1704.</p> +</div> + +<p>The owners of the vessel having previously learned nothing +of the fortunes of their privateering venture became suspicious. +Not long after her sudden departure they had concluded +that she was bound for the West Indies and had written +to various West India ports in the hope of obtaining some +trace of the missing vessel and recovering their property, +but without success. Colman and Clarke now filed a written +“information” with the Secretary of the Province and the +Attorney-General. This was on the twenty-third of May, +the day following the publication of the news of the arrival<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span> +of the “Charles,” and the Attorney-General, Paul Dudley, +the son of the Governor, at once set out to capture Quelch +and his crew. Judge Samuel Sewall, Acting Chief Justice +of the Superior Court, who was returning from a visit to +relatives in Newbury, records in his diary that he stopped +that day to “Refresh at Lewis’s [in Lynn], where Mr. Paul +Dudley is in egre pursuit of the Pirats. He had sent one to +Boston.”</p> + +<p>The next day, May 24th, Lieutenant-Governor Povey, +acting during the temporary absence of the Governor, issued +a proclamation announcing:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>“Whereas <i>John Quelch</i>, late Commander of the Briganteen +<i>Charles</i> and Company to her belonging, <i>Viz.</i> <i>John Lambert</i>, +<i>John Miller</i>, <i>John Clifford</i>, <i>John Dorothy</i>, <i>James Parrot</i>, +<i>Charles James</i>, <i>William Whiting</i>, <i>John Pitman</i>, <i>John Templeton</i>, +<i>Benjamin Perkins</i>, <i>William Wiles</i>, <i>Richard Lawrence</i>, +<i>Erasmus Peterson</i>, <i>John King</i>, <i>Charles King</i>, <i>Isaac Johnson</i>, +<i>Nicholas Lawson</i>, <i>Daniel Chevalle</i>, <i>John Way</i>, <i>Thomas Farrington</i>, +<i>Matthew Primer</i>, <i>Anthony Holding</i>, <i>William Rayner</i>, +<i>John Quittance</i>, <i>John Harwood</i>, <i>William Jones</i>, <i>Denis Carter</i>, +<i>Nicholas Richardson</i>, <i>James Austin</i>, <i>James Pattison</i>, <i>Joseph +Hutnot</i>, <i>George Peirse</i>, <i>George Norton</i>, <i>Gabriel Davis</i>, <i>John +Breck</i>, <i>John Carter</i>, <i>Paul Giddins</i>, <i>Nicholas Dunbar</i>, <i>Richard +Thurbar</i>, <i>Daniel Chuley</i> and others; Have lately Imported +a considerable Quantity of Gold dust, and some Bar and +coin’d Gold, which they are Violently Suspected to have +gotten & obtained by Felony and Piracy, from some of Her +Majesties Friends and Allies, and have Imported and Shared +the same among themselves, without any Adjudication or +Condemnation thereof, to be lawful Prize. The said Commander +and some others being apprehended and in Custody, +the rest are absconded and fled from Justice.”</p> +</div> + +<p>All officers, civil and military, were commanded to apprehend +the said persons and secure their treasure.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp75" style="max-width: 100em;"> + <img class='w100' id='i102' src='images/i102.jpg' alt=''> + <figcaption>JOSEPH DUDLEY, GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS, WHO PRESIDED AT THE TRIAL OF CAPTAIN QUELCH<br> +<span class='c2'>From an original painting in possession of the Massachusetts Historical Society</span> + </figcaption> +</figure> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span></p> + +<p>Within two days the assiduous Mr. Dudley had safely +landed in Boston gaol Quelch, Lambert, Miller, Clifford, +Dorothy, Parrot and Wiles. William Whiting lay on a sick +bed at Marblehead and was likely to die. Two others were +sick at Marblehead. James Austin was in gaol at Piscataqua +(Portsmouth) and another pirate was in Salem gaol. On +Friday, May 26, news from Newport, R. I., reached Boston +that five of Quelch’s crew had bought a small decked boat +and sailed the day before, it was supposed, for Long Island; +but the news of the piracy arriving by an express from Boston +about the time of their departure, one of the men had been +seized and was being sent to Boston the constable of each +intervening town delivering the prisoner to the constable of +the next town and so on in like order.</p> + +<p>Gov. Joseph Dudley having returned to Boston and not +content with the proclamation issued by the Honourable +Mr. Povey, issued a new one over his own name in which he +included the name of Christopher Scudamore among the +suspected pirates and also stated definitely that their gold +and treasure had been taken from the subjects of the Crown +of Portugal, “on whom they have also acted divers Villanous +Murders.” All sheriffs were required to publish immediately +the proclamation in the principal towns and cause it to be +posted up in all other towns. A proclamation was also issued +by Governor Cranston in Rhode Island. Soon Scudamore, +Lawrence and Pimer were in custody and several parcels of +gold dust were in the possession of the authorities.</p> + +<p>The Governor was very keen to secure the gold dust brought +in by Quelch and on the 6th of June he appointed a Commission +of Inquiry consisting of Samuel Sewall, Acting Chief +Justice of the Superior Court, Nathaniel Byfield, Judge of +the Court of Admiralty, and Paul Dudley, Attorney-General, +“to repair to Marblehead, & to send for and examine all persons +of whom they shall have Information or just ground of +suspition, do conceal and detain” gold and treasure brought<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span> +in by the pirates, “either at Marblehead or parts adjacent, +and to take what they shall find into their hands; as also to +secure any of the Pirates.” The next day the Commission +rode to Salem arriving there about eight o’clock in the evening +and were informed by Samuel Wakefield, the water bailey,<a id="FNanchor_82" href="#Footnote_82" class="fnanchor">[82]</a> +of a rumor that Captain Larramore, in the “Larramore +Galley” at Cape Ann, had turned rogue and several of +Quelch’s company designed to go off in her. The Commission +at once issued a warrant to Wakefield to go to Gloucester +and investigate the matter and if true to seize the men. He +got away from Salem about midnight. By this time about +seventy ounces of gold and an equal weight of silver plate +had been brought to the Council in Boston by different persons +who had received it from Quelch or his men.</p> + +<p>The next morning, June 8th, in a heavy rain, the Commission +rode over to Marblehead and held a court before an +open fire at Captain Brown’s house and there they spent the +night. About six o’clock the next morning, before they were +out of bed, an express arrived from Cape Ann bringing information +of “9 or 11 Pirats, double arm’d, seen in a Lone-house +there.” Colonel Legg of Marblehead, the colonel of the +Essex South Regiment, was sent for and directed to order +out at once companies for service at Cape Ann and like orders +were sent to Colonel Wainwright at Ipswich, the colonel of +the Essex North Regiment. Judge Sewall records in his +diary that he incorporated in his letter to Colonel Wainwright, +as a gentle prod to that estimable gentleman, the information +“we were moving thither our selves to be Witness of +his forwardness for Her Majesties Service.”</p> + +<p>Judges Sewall and Byfield then rode over to Salem and +Major Stephen Sewall, clerk of the Inferior Court, got a +shallop, the “Trial,” and the pinnace belonging to Salem +Fort and with about twenty men of his military company<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span> +started for Cape Ann by water while Sewall and Byfield, +escorted by a troop of horse, went overland. At Beverly, +the local troop were starting and at Manchester the military +company “was mustering upon the top of a Rock.” Excitement +was rampant but there was no great anxiety to hunt +pirates. Meanwhile Attorney-General Dudley and Colonel +Legg had sailed for Gloucester direct from Marblehead and +on arriving learned that Captain Larramore had already sailed +and taken the pirates on board at the head of the Cape near +Snake Island. Judge Sewall records what followed.</p> + +<p>“When we came to Capt. Davis’s we waited Brother’s +arrival with his Shallop Trial, and Pinnace: When they were +come and had Din’d, Resolv’d to send after Larramore. +Abbot was first pitch’d on as Captain. But matters went +on heavily, ’twas difficult to get Men. Capt. Herrick pleaded +earnestly his Troopers might be excus’d. At last Brother +offer’d to goe himself: then Capt. Turner offer’d to goe, +Lieut. Brisco, and many good Men; so that quickly made +up Fourty two; though we knew not the exact number till +came home, the hurry was so great, and vessel so small for +43. Men gave us three very handsom cheers; Row’d out +of the Harbour after sun-set, for want of wind. Mr. Dudley +return’d to Salem with Beverly Troop. Col. Byfield and I +lodg’d at Cape Ann all night; Mr. White pray’d very well +for the Expedition Evening and morning; as Mr. Chiever +had done at Marblehead, whom we sent for to pray with us +before we set out for Gloucester. We rose early, got to Salem +quickly after Nine. Din’d with Sister, who was very thoughtfull +what would become of her Husband. The Wickedness +and despair of the company they pursued, their Great Guns +and other war like Preparations, were a terror to her and to +most of the Town; concluded they would not be taken without +Blood. Comforted our selves and them as well as we +could.”</p> + +<p>Major Stephen Sewall with his company of volunteers in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span> +the shallop and pinnace followed the course of the “Larramore +Galley” and reached the Isles of Shoals about seven +o’clock the next morning where they sighted the galley as +they approached. The men were “rank’d with their Arms +on both sides the shallop in covert; only the four fishermen +were in view.” As the expedition drew near they saw the +boat belonging to the galley go ashore with six hands including +three of the pirates, “which was a singular good Providence +of God” as Judge Sewall piously commented afterwards. +When the shallop approached nearer Larramore’s men at +last saw the large number of men on board and “began to +run to and fro and pull off the aprons from the Guns, and draw +out the Tamkins [tampions], but when Major Sewall ordered +his men to stand and show themselves ready to fight Larramore +quickly abandoned all signs of resistance. Seven of +the pirates were seized and with them over forty-five ounces +of gold dust. The officers of the galley were also taken and +with the galley in tow the expedition triumphantly returned +to Salem “without striking a stroke or firing a gun.” While +passing Gloucester, there being little wind, the men from the +Cape were sent ashore at Eastern Point with the information +that two of the pirates William Jones and Peter Roach, had +mistaken their way and were still on the Cape. Strict search +was immediately made by the town’s people and “being +Strangers and destitute of all Succors they surrendered themselves +and were sent to Salem Prison.”</p> + +<p>Before the return of the expedition a warrant had been +issued for the apprehension of Captain Larramore and the +<i>News-Letter</i> of June 5-12 announces that two more of the +pirates, Benjamin Perkins and John Templeton, were in +custody and that “His Excellency intends to bring forward +the Tryal of <i>Quelch</i> and Company now in Custody for Piracy +within a few days.” This prompt decision was in keeping +with the haste displayed thus far and boded ill for the looters +of Portuguese treasure. Their ill-gotten spoil was reputed to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span> +be immense and much of it was likely to fall into the hands +of the Court, in fact, a considerable weight of gold had already +been secured making certain the distribution of handsome +rewards and large fees to the informers and all officials concerned +in their capture and prosecution. Twenty-five of +the pirates were then in custody. The “Charles,” when she +arrived at Marblehead had forty-three white men on board +and of this number eighteen got away without capture.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" style="max-width: 150em;"> +<img class='w100' id='i106' src='images/i106.jpg' alt=''> +<figcaption> +THE<br> +Arraignment, Tryal, and Condemnation,<br> +OF<br> +Capt. John Quelch,<br> +And Others of his Company, <i>&c.</i><br> +<br> +FOR<br> +Sundry <i>Piracies</i>, <i>Robberies</i>, and <i>Murder</i>, Committed +upon the Subjects of the King of +<i>Portugal</i>; Her Majesty’s Allie, on the Coast +of <i>Brasil</i>, &c.<br> +<br> +WHO<br> +Upon full Evidence, were found Guilty, at the <i>Court-House</i> in +<i>Boston</i>, on the Thirteenth of <i>June, 1704</i>. By Virtue of +a Commission, grounded upon the Act of the Eleventh +and Twelfth Years of King <i>William</i>, <i>For the more effectual, +Suppression of Piracy</i>. With the Arguments of the +QUEEN’s Council, and Council for the Prisoners upon +the said Act.<br> +<br> +PERUSED<br> +By his Excellency <i>JOSEPH DUDLEY</i>, Esq; Captain-General and +Commander in Chief in and over Her Majesty’s Province of the +<i>Massachusetts-Bay</i>, in <i>New-England</i>, in <i>America</i>, &c. +<p class='center mt1'>To which are also added, some PAPERS that were produc’d +at the Tryal abovesaid.<br></p> +<br> +WITH<br> +An Account of the Ages of the several Prisoners, and the Places where they were Born.<br> +<br> +<i>LONDON</i>:<br> +<br> +Printed for <i>Ben. Bragg</i> in <i>Avemary-Lane</i>, 1705.<br> +<br> +( Price One Shilling. )<br> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The Governor’s announced intention of a prompt trial +resulted in the holding of a Court of Admiralty at the Town +House in Boston. The building stood at the head of what +is now State Street and on Tuesday June 13, 1704, Joseph +Dudley, Esq., “Captain-General and Governor in Chief of +the Provinces of the <i>Massachusetts-Bay</i> and <i>New-Hampshire</i> +in <i>New-England</i> in <i>America</i>,” sat as President of the Court +and with him were Lieutenant-Governor Thomas Povey; +the Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of New-Hampshire, +John Usher; Nathaniel Byfield, Judge of the Vice-Admiralty; +Samuel Sewall, First Judge of the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay; +Jahlael Brenton, Esq., Collector of Her Majesty’s +Customs in New England; Her Majesty’s Council +in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, twelve in number; +and Isaac Addington, Esq., the Secretary of the Province. +That morning Major Sewall, attended by a strong guard, +brought to Boston the pirates that had been confined in +Salem and gave to His Excellency a full account of his adventures +while in pursuit of Quelch’s men. The <i>News-Letter</i> +states that “The service of Major <i>Sewall</i> and Company +was very well Accepted and Rewarded by the Governor,” +and this is borne out by an entry in the Council records showing +that £132.5.0 was ordered “paid out of the Treasure +imported by the said Pirates,” to Major Sewall, Captain +Turner and other officers of his company. This amount +included a “gratification” made to these gentlemen for +special services rendered.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span></p> + +<p>The Court of Admiralty having assembled and proclamation +for silence having been made, the statute made during +the reign of King William, “An Act for the more effectual +Suppression of Piracy,” was read and John Valentine, a Notary +Publick, was sworn by the Governor as Register of the Court. +The President of the Court and his Associates were then +sworn in turn and the Court was opened by three proclamations +as a “Court of Admiralty for the Tryal of Pirates.” +A warrant was sent to the keeper of the prison to bring Capt. +John Quelch before the Court which then adjourned for +dinner to reassemble at three o’clock in the afternoon. At +that time “<i>Matthew Pymer</i>, <i>John Clifford</i>, and <i>James Parrot</i> +(the first of whom had surrendered himself quickly after his +Arrival to his Excellency the Governor) were brought to the +Bar, and Arraigned upon several Articles of Piracy, Robberry, +and Murder, drawn against Captain <i>Quelch</i>, and others his +Accomplices.” These three men pleaded guilty and then +were ordered to “stand within the Bar, and to be Sworn as +Witnesses on Her Majesty’s behalf.” Quelch was next +brought to the bar and on being arraigned pleaded not guilty +and asked the Court if he “might not have Council allow’d +him upon any Matter of Law that might happen upon his +Tryal,” and also that time be granted to prepare for the same. +The Court replied that the articles under which he had been +arraigned were “plain Matters of Fact,” but it did assign +as council for the prisoner, James Meinzies, a Scotchman +living in Boston, an attorney-at-law of ability who afterwards +became Register of the Court of Vice-Admiralty. He seems +to have defended the accused with skill and learning and to +have called the attention of the Court to important objections +to its course of procedure; but his personal relations +with the Court and the unpopularity of his side of the case +may have been an influence indicating how impolitic it was +to contend too persistently against the obvious opinions of +the Court. Twenty other prisoners were arraigned and then<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span> +the Court adjourned until the next Friday morning at nine +o’clock when further time was prayed for and adjournment +was made until the following Monday morning, the Court +refusing Attorney Meinzies motion that meanwhile “the +Queen’s witnesses might be kept asunder until the Prisoners +came upon their Tryals.”</p> + +<p>On Monday, June 9, 1704, Quelch was brought for trial +and his irons were taken off. The nine articles of his indictment +accused him of piracy, robbery and murder. As “Lieutenant” +of the brigantine “Charles” he had neglected the +orders of the owners and refusing to set on shore Matthew +Pymer and John Clifford (witnesses for the Queen), who +“dreading your Pyratical Intention, earnestly desired the +same,” had directed a course for Fernando Island off the +coast of Brazil, and while thereabouts had piratically taken +various vessels belonging to subjects of the King of Portugal, +“Her Majesty’s good Allie,” among them a ship +of about two hundred tons burden, killing the captain and +wounding several of the crew and from the several vessels had +secured a rich booty. The chase of the ship had lasted for +nearly two days. One of the Queen’s witnesses testified that +it was Scudamore, the cooper of the brigantine, who had +killed the Portuguese captain with a petard, but there was +some dispute among the men as to which of them it was who +killed him. From the various testimonies it appeared that +Captain Plowman’s cabin door had been fastened with a +marlin spike which was done by order of Anthony Holding +who planned with others to seize the vessel. When Quelch +came on board he didn’t object to what had been done or +what was planned. Holding, who was among those who +had escaped, was really the ringleader but Quelch was made +commander, perhaps because he understood navigation.</p> + +<p>There were three negroes in Quelch’s company—Cæsar-Pompey, +Charles, and Mingo, who also were tried, for, as +the Queen’s Advocate, Mr. Dudley, said in open court, “The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span> +Three Prisoners now at the Bar are of a different Complexion, +’tis true, but it is well known that the First and most Famous +Pirates that have been in the World, were of their Colour.” +The two first were shown to be Mr. Hobby’s slaves and +that they didn’t run away from their master but were forcibly +carried away by Captain Quelch. They were not active +during the voyage and only did as they were commanded. +They were the cooks on the brigantine and also sounded the +trumpet when ordered. The Court cleared them whereupon +they were “ordered upon their knees.”</p> + +<p>Among the crew of one of the captured vessels was a Dutchman, +originally from Jutland, who entered himself for the +remainder of the voyage, but because the company voted +that he should not have a full share in the loot he threatened +to inform against them when he came on shore with the result +that he was given a gun and some powder and shot and set +ashore at once.</p> + +<p>Although by the civil law at that time the testimony of an +accomplice was not admissible, yet the Court permitted the +greatest latitude in the testimony of witnesses and also disregarded +the prevailing rules of procedure in not excluding +interested witnesses. At no time did it appear that Quelch +had killed the Portuguese captain; in fact, the testimony +showed that Scudamore probably was the man who did it. +The prosecuting Attorney-General in his speech to the Court +said that the accused</p> + +<p>“After obtaining a Commission to draw the Sword to fight +the open and declared Enemies of Her Sacred Majesty, instead +of drawing it against the French and Spaniards, they +have sheathed it in the Bowels of some of the best Friends +and Allies of the Crown at this bay ... instead of fighting +for Honour with the French, or Money with the Spaniards, +they must go and surprize a few honest and peaceable Men, +and our good Friends.”</p> + +<p>And so it came about that Quelch, Lambert, Scudamore,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span> +Miller, Peterson, Roach and Francis King had sentence of +death pronounced against them. Fifteen of the crew who +had pleaded “not guilty,” withdrew their pleas and asked +for the mercy of the Court. The sentence of death was +passed upon them but only two of the fifteen were executed. +The rest remained in prison until July 19th of the next year +when “Her Majesty’s most gracious pardon” was communicated +to the Council and in open Court their chains +“were knocked off,” on condition that they enter the Queen’s +service. At the time of the trial two of the men had been +acquitted on paying the prison fees. Wilde broke out of prison +in September, 1704, but was apprehended the following June +and again committed to close prison.</p> + +<p>Quelch came from Old England as did most of his crew. +He was born in London and was about thirty-eight years old. +Scudamore had been apprenticed to a cooper in Bristol, England; +Miller came from Yorkshire; Peterson was a Swede; +Roach was an Irishman; and King was born in Scotland. Of +the New England men, John Lambert may serve as an example +typical of the rest. He was born in Salem and at the time of +his execution was about forty-nine years old. His father and +grandfather were fishermen and he, too, doubtless followed +the sea although in deeds he is called a “ship wright.” At +the time that he sailed with Quelch he was married and had +children. In his testimony during the trial he claimed that +he was sick in the gun room at the time the captain was confined +in his cabin and that he was forced to go on the voyage +to the south. However, during the voyage he was as active +as the rest and accepted his share of the spoils, but claimed +that if he had not accepted, the company might have killed +him or set him ashore on some desolate island where he would +have starved to death. However that may be he suffered +death with the others. A broad-sheet issued at the time, giving +an account of the “Behaviour and last Dying Speeches of +the Six Pirates, that were Executed on Charles River, Boston<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span> +Side, on Fryday, June 30, 1704,” states that on the gallows +Lambert “appeared much hardened and pleaded much on his +Innocency: He desired all men to beware of Bad Company; +he seemed in a great Agony near his Execution.”</p> + +<p>Previous to the day of the execution “the Ministers of the +Town had used more than ordinary Endeavours to Instruct +the Prisoners, and bring them to Repentance. There were +Sermons Preached in their hearing Every Day; And Prayers +daily made with them, And they were Catechised; and they +had many occasional Exhortations, And nothing was left that +could be done for their Good,”—so says the broad-sheet. It +must have been a harrowing ordeal for the victims. The +Reverend Cotton Mather, who never failed to be present at +public executions, preached a sermon which was printed under +the title of “Faithful Warnings to prevent Fearful Judgments,” +and he and another minister walked with the condemned +in solemn procession on that Friday afternoon, from +the prison to Scarlett’s wharf, when “the silver oar” was +carried before them as they continued by water to the place +where the gallows had been set up between high- and low-water +mark off a point of land just below Copp’s hill “about +midway between Hudson’s Point and Broughton’s warehouse.”<a id="FNanchor_83" href="#Footnote_83" class="fnanchor">[83]</a> +The condemned were guarded by forty musketeers +and the constables of the town and were preceded by the +Provost Marshal and his officers. Great crowds gathered to +see the execution. Judge Sewall in his diary comments on +the great number of people on Broughton’s hill, as Copp’s hill +was called at that time.</p> + +<p>“But when I came to see how the River was cover’d with +People, I was amazed: Some say there were 100 Boats. 150 +Boats and Canoes, saith Cousin Moodey of York. Mr. Cotton +Mather came with Capt. Quelch and six others for Execution +from the Prison to Scarlet’s Wharf, and from thence in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span> +the Boat to the place of Execution about midway between +Hanson’s [<i>sic</i>] point and Broughton’s Warehouse. When the +scaffold was hoisted to a due height, the seven Malefactors +went up: Mr. Mather pray’d for them standing upon the +Boat. Ropes were all fasten’d to the Gallows (save King, +who was Repriev’d). When the Scaffold was let to sink, there +was such a Screech of the Women that my wife heard it sitting +in our Entry next the Orchard, and was much surprised at it; +yet the wind was sou-west. Our house is a full mile from the +place.”</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp62" id="i112" style="max-width: 100em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i112.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + +<span class='c2'> +<i>Faithful Warnings to prevent Fearful<br> +Judgments.</i><br> +<br> +Uttered in a brief<br> +DISCOURSE,<br> +Occasioned, by a<br> +Tragical Spectacle,<br> +in a Number of<br> +Miserables<br> +Under a Sentence of Death for<br> +PIRACY.<br> +<br> +At BOSTON in N. E. <i>Jun. 22. 1704</i><br> +<br> +Deut. XIII. 11.<br> +<i>All Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no +more any such wickedness as this is among you.</i><br> +<br> +Occultam culpam sequitur aperta percussio.<br> +<span style="margin-left: 14.5em;"><i>Cassiodor.</i></span><br> +<br> +<i>Boston</i>, Printed & Sold by <i>Timothy Green</i>, at the <i>North</i> End of the Town. 1704.<br> +</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>According to the custom of the time the bodies remained +hanging on a gibbet until by decay they gradually disappeared.<a id="FNanchor_84" href="#Footnote_84" class="fnanchor">[84]</a> +There was an exception made, for some reason, in +the case of Lambert for his body was turned over to his widow +after his son and others had made petition to Judge Sewall. +It was buried that night about midnight in the old burying +ground “near some of his relatives.”</p> + +<p>In his speech on the gallows Quelch warned the people to +“take care how they brought money into New England, to be +Hanged for it” and he also asked “Gentlemen, I desire to be +informed for what I am here. I am condemned only upon +Circumstances.” Peterson also complained of the injustice +done him; and said, “it is very hard for so many mens Lives +to be taken away for a little Gold.”<a id="FNanchor_85" href="#Footnote_85" class="fnanchor">[85]</a></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span></p> + +<p>While the trial was yet in progress, accounts of charges in +connection with the seizure of Quelch and his company began +to come in. Judge Sewall and his Commission of Inquiry +were awarded £25.7.10 for their sitting at Marblehead and +journey to Cape Ann. Paul Dudley, the Attorney-General, +received £36 for his work, while Meinzies, who defended the +prisoners, was given £20 and then only after petitioning the +Council on Aug. 4th for the usual fee “according to Custome +in the like Case.” Sheriff Dyer for his service was paid +five pounds and Thomas Bernard “for erecting the gibbet” +was awarded forty shillings additional “to be paid out of the +treasure.” By the time all accounts had been adjusted the +sum of £726.19.4 had been “paid out of the treasure.”</p> + +<p>By October, 1705, the officials of the Province were ready to +turn over to the Crown what remained of the “Coyn’d, Bar +and Dust Gold imported by Capt. John Quelch.” This was +weighed by Jeremiah Dummer, the Boston goldsmith, and +found to be 788 ounces and after being placed in five leather<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span> +bags, properly marked and sealed, it was sent by H. M. Ship +“Guernsey,” to the “Lord high Treasurer of England for her +Majesty’s use,” and so ended what has been characterized as +“one of the clearest cases of judicial murder in our American +annals,”<a id="FNanchor_86" href="#Footnote_86" class="fnanchor">[86]</a> save that Governor Dudley’s personal interest in +the case appeared on May 27, 1707 when there was awaiting +his order in London, the “royal bounty” awarded to him as +his share of the “pirate money.” Not long after the trial of +the pirates the Rev. Cotton Mather quarrelled with the Governor +and published in London in 1708—“The <i>Deplorable +State</i> of New England, By Reason of a <i>Covetous</i> and <i>Treacherous</i> +Governor,” in which appears the following paragraph indicating +that acts of piracy at that time were not confined +entirely to the high seas.</p> + +<p>“III There have been odd <i>Collusions</i> with the Pyrates of +Quelch’s Company, of which one Instance is, That there was +Extorted the Sum of about Thirty Pounds from some of the +Crue, for Liberty to Walk at certain times in the <i>Prison</i> Yard; +and this Liberty having been Allow’d for Two or Three Days +unto them, they were again Confined to their former Wretched +Circumstances.”</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp61" id="i114" style="max-width: 105.0625em;"> +<img class="w100" src="images/i114.jpg" alt=""> +<figcaption>REV. COTTON MATHER, PASTOR OF THE SECOND (NORTH) CHURCH, BOSTON, 1685-1728<br> +<span class='c2'>From a mezzotint by Peter Pelham after a portrait painted in 1728.</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_82" href="#FNanchor_82" class="label">[82]</a> Water bailiff:—a custom house officer charged with the duty of searching +ships.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_83" href="#FNanchor_83" class="label">[83]</a> The place of the execution was about where the North End Park bathing +beach is today.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_84" href="#FNanchor_84" class="label">[84]</a> In the summer of 1755, two negro servants of Capt. John Codman of +Charlestown, poisoned their master. Phillis, the woman servant and the +principal in the murder, was burned at the stake at Cambridge and Mark, +her accessory, was hanged and then gibbetted on Charlestown Neck. +Three years later Dr. Caleb Rea of Wenham, while on his way to Ticonderoga, +rode by and stopped to inspect the body of Mark. He recorded in +his diary that “the skin was but little broken altho’ he had been hanging +there near three or four years.”</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_85" href="#FNanchor_85" class="label">[85]</a> These pirates were tried under authority conferred by a commission +sent over in accordance with an Act of the 11th and 12th year of William III, +authorizing the trial of pirates by Courts of Admiralty, out of the realm. +The commission sent to New England was dated Nov. 23, 1700. This +commission required that all trials should be conducted “according to the +civil law” of the Province, which at that time required two innocent witnesses +against each defendant necessary for a conviction, and in no case was +the testimony of an accomplice admissible. Moreover, by the Act under +which the commission was issued, principals only were triable in the Admiralty +Courts held in the Provinces; accessories were expressly required +to be sent to England for trial. We learn from the <i>Boston News-Letter</i> of +the third week in July, that Captain Larramore and Lieutenant Wells, of +the “Larramore Galley,” had been sent for England in the express sloop +“Sea Flower,” Captain Cary, for trial as “Accessaries in endeavouring to +carry off the 7 Pirates.... He carries also with him three Evidences of +their crime committed.” All the men on board the pirate brigantine could +not be considered as principals. In fact, only six men were executed and +the rest of those condemned to death at the same time were afterwards set +free. Only such as could be shown were principals in committing acts of +piracy or murder could be sentenced by the court. All others must clearly +be sent to England to be tried by jury. Nothing in the somewhat detailed +report of the trial that was printed in London at the time, shows that the +accused were even given the benefit of a doubt either as to the law or the +testimony. For an analytical summary of this trial, see <i>Acts and Resolves +of the Province of Massachusetts Bay</i>, <i>Vol.</i> VIII, p. 397.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_86" href="#FNanchor_86" class="label">[86]</a> <i>Acts and Resolves of the Province of Massachusetts Bay</i>, Vol. VIII, p. +397.</p> + +</div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII<br> +<span class="ch-title">Samuel Bellamy, whose Ship was Wrecked at Wellfleet +and 144 Drowned</span></h2> +</div> + +<p>Very little is known of the origin of this man save that +he came from the west of England where families of +the same name are living today. In company with +one Paul Williams,<a id="FNanchor_87" href="#Footnote_87" class="fnanchor">[87]</a> he first appears in the West Indies where +they tried to raise a Spanish wreck hoping to salve the bags +of silver supposed to be in the hold. Meeting with no success +and being at odds with honest merchants and shipmasters, +they decided to turn pirates or “go on the account,” a term +adopted by men of that profession, and not long after they fell +in with Capt. Benjamin Hornygold, in the sloop “Mary +Anne,” and Capt. Louis Lebous, in the sloop “Postillion,” +and agreed to join forces. They set out in two large sloops +each having about seventy men aboard.</p> + +<p>Before long several captures were made that increased their +gains and also enlarged their crews, but Hornygold and some +of the Englishmen on board his sloop refused to take and +plunder English vessels, so his company divided and he went +away in a prize sloop with twenty-six men leaving ninety men +who elected Bellamy their new captain. Most of those on +board were English and at that time it was not their habit to +force men.</p> + +<p>Bellamy and Lebous sailed together and off the Virgin +Islands took several small vessels and off St. Croix, a French +ship from Quebec laden with fish and flour. Afterwards making +Saba they sighted two ships which they chased and came +up with, spreading a large black flag “with a Deaths Head and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span> +Bones a-cross.” The larger of the two was the ship “Sultana,” +commanded by Captain Richards. The other was commanded +by Captain Tozor. The “Sultana” was taken over by Bellamy +and cut down and made into a galley and Paul Williams, +his quartermaster, was given command of the sloop.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp62" id="i116" style="max-width: 90.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i116.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + +<span class='c2'> +THE<br> +TRIALS<br> +Of Eight Persons<br> +Indited for Piracy <i>&c.</i><br> +<br> +Of whom Two were acquitted, and the rest found Guilty.<br> +<br> +At a Justiciary Court of Admiralty Assembled and Held in Boston +within His Majesty’s Province of the Massachusetts-Bay +in New-England, on the 18th of October 1717. +and by several Adjournments continued to the 30th. Pursuant +to His Majesty’s Commission and Instructions, founded +on the Act of Parliament. Made in the 11th. & 12th of +KING William IIId. Intituled, <i>An Act for the +more effectual Suppression of Piracy</i>.<br> +<br> +With an APPENDIX,<br> +<br> +Containing the Substance of their Confessions +given before His Excellency the Governour, +when they were first brought to +<i>Boston</i>, and committed to Goal. +<br> +<br> +<i>Boston</i>:<br> +<br> +Printed by B. Green, for John Edwards, and Sold at his Shop in King’s Street. 1718. +</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>On Dec. 19, 1716, about nine leagues to the leeward of the +island of Blanco, they fell in with the ship “St. Michael,” +James Williams, master, a Bristol ship that had sailed from +Cork in September, bound for Jamaica with provisions. The +ship was taken to the island of Blanco where they helped themselves +to such provisions as they wanted and forced four men. +Among the men who were forced was Thomas Davis, the ship’s +carpenter, born in Carmarthenshire, Wales, who was the only +white man to escape drowning when Bellamy was afterwards +wrecked on Cape Cod. Thomas South of Boston, England, +also was forced.</p> + +<p>When Davis was told he must join the pirate crew he cried +out that he was undone and “one of the pirates hearing him +lament his sad condition, said, ‘Damn him, He is a Presbyterian +Dog, and should fight for King James.’” Captain +Williams tried to say a good word for Davis and finally Bellamy +promised that he might go free on the next vessel that +was taken. On Jan. 9, 1717, with fourteen other forced men, +he was put on board the “Sultana.” At that time there were +on the three pirate vessels eighty men of the “old Company” +and one hundred and thirty forced men. “When the Company +was called together to consult, each Man to give his +Vote, they would not allow the forced Men to have a vote.”<a id="FNanchor_88" href="#Footnote_88" class="fnanchor">[88]</a></p> + +<p>From Blanco, they sailed to a maroon island called Testegos +where they refitted and then sailed for the Windward Passage, +but the wind blowing hard they parted company with Captain +Lebous and went into St. Croix, “where a French pirate was +blown up.”</p> + +<p>About the end of February, 1717, the “Whidaw,” a fine<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span> +London-built galley commanded by Capt. Lawrence Prince, +was making her way under easy sail through the Windward +Passage between Cuba and Porto Rico. She had lately cleared +from Jamaica and was bound for London, with a rich cargo of +elephants’ teeth, gold dust, sugar, indigo and Jesuit’s bark, +having previously been on a slaving voyage to the Guinea +coast. The galley was about three hundred tons burthen, +mounted eighteen guns and carried a crew of fifty men. Early +in the morning a ship and a sloop in company were sighted. +They shortly altered their course and followed the “Whidaw” +and after a three days’ chase took her with practically no resistance. +In fact, Captain Prince was so lacking in spirit that +only two chase guns were fired at the sloop and his flag was +hauled down at the first demand to surrender.</p> + +<p>The pirate ship was commanded by Captain Bellamy who +ordered a prize crew on board the “Whidaw” and all three +vessels then made a course for Long Island, one of the Bahamas, +where they came to anchor. This prize not only enriched +but strengthened them for Bellamy immediately took her over +and mounted additional guns, so that she carried twenty-eight. +Captain Prince was rewarded for making an easy surrender +by being given the ship “Sultana.” He also was permitted +to load her with much of the best and finest of the cargo +of the “Whidaw,” not wanted by the pirates, and after his +crew had been picked over and the boatswain and two other +men forced and seven had volunteered, he was allowed to go. +Bellamy felt so well-disposed that he gave the captain £20 in +silver and gold, “to bear his charges.”<a id="FNanchor_89" href="#Footnote_89" class="fnanchor">[89]</a></p> + +<p>When the “Whidaw” was taken over, Davis reminded +Captain Bellamy of his promise and asked if he might go with +Captain Prince. Bellamy said he might go if the company consented +and called for a vote; but the pirates expressed themselves +violently and voted no. He was a carpenter and needed +on board. “Damn him,” said the company, “rather than<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span> +let him go he should be shot or whipped to Death at the Mast.” +All the new men were now sworn to be true and not cheat the +company to the value of a piece of eight and it was agreed to +treat forced men and volunteers alike. “When a prize was +taken the Watch Bill was to be called over and Men put on +board as they stood named in the Bill.”</p> + +<p>The money taken on the “Whidaw” was reported to +amount to £20,000. It was counted over in the cabin and +put up in bags, fifty pounds as every man’s share, there being +one hundred and eighty men on board. “The money was +kept in chests between decks without any Guard.”</p> + +<p>The next day Bellamy and Williams sailed and shaped a +course for the Capes of Virginia on the way taking an English +ship, hired by the French, laden with sugar and indigo, and +after an inspection dismissing her. Off the Virginia coast +three ships and a snow were taken, two of them hailing from +Scotland, one from Bristol, and the last, a Scotch ship from the +Barbadoes with a little rum and sugar aboard, in so leaky a +condition that the crew refused to go farther in her and so the +pirates sunk her and put the crew on board the snow which +was commanded by a Captain Montgomery. This vessel was +taken over and manned by men from the “Whidaw.” The +two other ships were plundered and discharged.</p> + +<p>Just at this time a storm came up and Bellamy took in all +his small sails and Williams double-reefed his main sail. It +was a thunder-storm and the wind blew with such violence that +the “Whidaw” was very nearly over-set. Fortunately it +blew from the northwest and so drove them away from the +coast with only the goose-wings of the foresails to scud with. +Towards night the storm increased mightily “and not only +put them by all Sail, but obliged the <i>Whidaw</i> to bring her +Yards aportland, and all they could do with Tackles to the +Goose Neck of the Tiler, four Men in the Gun Room, and two +at the Wheel, was to keep her Head to the Sea, for had she once +broach’d to, they must infallibly have founder’d. The Heavens,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span> +in the mean while, were cover’d with Sheets of Lightning, +which the Sea by the Agitation of the saline Particles seem’d +to imitate; the Darkness of the Night was such, as the Scripture +says, as might be felt; the terrible hollow roaring of the +Winds, cou’d be only equalled by the repeated, I may say, incessant +Claps of Thunder, sufficient to strike a Dread of the +supream Being, who commands the Sea and the Winds, one +would imagine in every Heart; but among these Wretches, +the Effect was different, for they endeavoured by their Blasphemies, +Oaths, and horrid Imprecations, to drown the Uproar +of jarring Elements. Bellamy swore he was sorry he +could not run out his Guns to return the Salute, meaning the +Thunder, that he fancied the Gods had got drunk over their +Tipple, and were gone together by the Ears:</p> + +<p>“They continued scudding all that Night under their bare +Poles. The next Morning the Main-Mast being sprung in +the Step, they were forced to cut it away, and, at the same +time, the Mizzen came by the Board. These Misfortunes +made the Ship ring with Blasphemy, which was encreased, +when, by trying the Pumps, they found the Ship made a great +Deal of Water; tho’ by continually plying them, it kept it +from gaining upon them: The Sloop as well as the Ship, was +left to the Mercy of the Winds, tho’ the former, not having a +Tant-Mast, did not lose it. The Wind shifting round the +Compass, made so outrageous and short a Sea, that they had +little Hopes of Safety; it broke upon the Poop, drove in the +Taveril, and wash’d the two Men away from the Wheel, who +were saved in the Netting. The Wind after four Days and +three Nights abated of its Fury, and fixed in the North, North +East Point, hourly decreasing, and the Weather clearing up, +so that they spoke to the Sloop, and resolv’d for the Coast of +Carolina; they continued this Course but a Day and a Night, +when the Wind coming about to the Southward, they changed +their Resolution to that of going to <i>Rhode Island</i>. All this +while the <i>Whidaw’s</i> Leak continued, and it was as much as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span> +the Lee-Pump could do to keep the Water from gaining, tho’ +it was kept continually going. Jury-Masts were set up, and +the Carpenter finding the Leak to be in the Bows, occasioned +by the Oakam spewing out of a Seam, the Crew became very +jovial again; the Sloop received no other Damage than the +Loss of the Main-Sail, which the first Flurry tore away from +the Boom.”<a id="FNanchor_90" href="#Footnote_90" class="fnanchor">[90]</a></p> + +<p>While on the voyage to Rhode Island they came upon a +Boston-owned sloop commanded by Captain Beer, who was +ordered on board the “Whidaw” while the sloop was being +plundered. Both Bellamy and Williams were for giving +Captain Beer his sloop again but for some reason the company +would not agree to it and so the sloop was sunk and later Captain +Beer was set ashore on Block Island. He reached his +home in Newport, the first of May.</p> + +<p>After the vote to sink the sloop had been taken Bellamy +announced the fact to the captain in a speech that has been +preserved in the “History of the Pirates.”</p> + +<p>“D—— my Bl——d,” says he, “I am sorry they won’t +let you have your Sloop again, for I scorn to do any one a Mischief, +when it is not for my Advantage; damn the Sloop, we +must sink her, and she might be of Use to you. Tho’, damn +ye, you are a sneaking Puppy, and so are all those who will +submit to be governed by Laws which rich Men have made +for their own Security, for the cowardly Whelps have not the +Courage otherwise to defend what they get by their Knavery; +but damn ye altogether: Damn them for a Pack of crafty Rascals, +and you, who serve them, for a Parcel of hen-hearted +Numskuls. They villify us, the Scoundrels do, when there is +only this Difference, they rob the Poor under the Cover of Law, +forsooth, and we plunder the Rich under the Protection of +our own Courage; had you not better make One of us, than +sneak after the A——s of these Villains for Employment? +Capt. Beer told him, that his Conscience would not allow him<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span> +to break thro’ the Laws of God and Man. You are a devilish +Conscience Rascal, d——n ye, replied Bellamy, I am a free +Prince, and I have as much Authority to make War on the +whole World, as he who has a hundred Sail of Ships at Sea, and +an Army of 100,000 Men in the Field; and this my Conscience +tells me; but there is no arguing with such sniveling Puppies, +who allow Superiors to kick them about Deck at Pleasure; and +pin their Faith upon a Pimp of a Parson: a Squab, who neither +practices nor believes what he puts upon the chuckle-headed +Fools he preaches to.”<a id="FNanchor_91" href="#Footnote_91" class="fnanchor">[91]</a></p> + +<p>On board the “Whidaw” was a man named Lambert, and +John Julian, a Cape Cod Indian, both of whom knew the coast +and who were to act as pilots. It was Bellamy’s intention to +clean his ship at Green Island.</p> + +<p>On Friday, April 26, 1717, early in the morning, about a +fortnight after setting Captain Beer ashore, when halfway +between Nantucket shoals and St. George’s banks, the pirates +came up with a pink, the “Mary Anne,” of Dublin, Capt. +Andrew Crumpstey, with a cargo of wine from Madeira. She +had touched at Boston and was bound for New York. The +pirate vessels came up “with King’s Ensign and Pendant flying” +and after the pink had struck her colors a boat was hoisted +out from the “Whidaw” and seven men were sent on board +“armed with Musquets, Pistols and Cutlasses.” Captain +Crumpstey, with five of his hands, was ordered to go aboard +the “Whidaw” with his ship’s papers. The mate, Thomas +Fitzgerald, and two seamen, Alexander Mackconachy and +James Dunavan, were left on board the “Mary Anne.”</p> + +<p>A little later, men from the “Whidaw” rowed over to get +some wine from the cargo but finding it difficult to get at returned +with only a small quantity, carrying back at the same +time some clothing needed by the men from the pink. Soon +after the boat was hoisted aboard, the ship hailed and ordered +the pink to steer N. W. by N. and the little fleet followed this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span> +course until about four o’clock in the afternoon when it came +up very thick, foggy weather and they lay to. Presently the +snow came up under the ship’s stern and hailed Captain Bellamy +and told him that they saw land. He then ordered the +pink to steer north. A sloop from Virginia had also been taken +that afternoon and as night came on all four vessels put out +lights a-stern and made sail, keeping together. Soon Captain +Bellamy hailed the pink, which was a slow sailer, and +ordered them to make more haste, whereupon John Brown, +one of the pirates, swore “that she should carry sail till she +carryed her Masts away.”</p> + +<p>The pirates on board the pink drank plentifully of the wine +on board and took turns at the helm. As she was leaky all +hands were forced to pump hard and in consequence damned +the vessel and wished they had never seen her. A pirate +named Thomas Baker was in command of the company on +the pink and told Fitzgerald, the mate, that Captain Bellamy +held a commission from King George, and Simon van Vorst, +one of his men, said, “Yes, and we will stretch it to the World’s +end.”</p> + +<p>At this time there were about fifty forced men on board +the pirate vessels “over whom they kept a watchful eye, and +no Man was suffered to write a word, but what was nailed up +to the Mast. The names of the forced men were put in the +Watch Bill and fared as others. They might have had what +money they wanted from the Quartermaster, who kept a Book +for that purpose.”<a id="FNanchor_92" href="#Footnote_92" class="fnanchor">[92]</a> It was common report on board that +they had with them about £20,000, in gold and silver.</p> + +<p>About ten o’clock in the evening it came on very thick +weather. The wind blew from the east, it lightened and rained +hard and the vessels soon lost sight of each other. Fitzgerald, +the mate, was then at the helm and suddenly found that the +pink was among the breakers. All hands tried to trim the +head sail but before they could do it the vessel ran ashore<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span> +opposite to Slutts-bush, at the back of Stage Harbor, on the +south side of Cape Cod in what is now the town of Orleans. +Baker, the pirate in command, at once ordered the foremast +and mizzen mast cut down and the heavy sea soon drove the +pink high on shore. Some of the prize crew, fearful of apprehension, +then said “For God’s sake let us go down into the +Hould and Die together” and later asked Fitzgerald to read +to them out of the common prayer book which he did for about +an hour. As the pink gave no signs of breaking up everybody +remained on board until daybreak when they found it possible +on the shore side to jump directly on land. It was a small +island called Pochet Island, now a part of the mainland of +Orleans. Here they breakfasted on sweetmeats found in a +chest, washed down with wine from the cargo. At the time +they could see at anchor beyond the bar, the snow and the +small sloop, both having ridden out the storm safely. About +the middle of the morning they worked off shore.</p> + +<p>At ten o’clock in the forenoon two men, John Cole and +William Smith, came out to the island in a canoe and carried +them all to the mainland where they went to Cole’s house and +stayed for a short time, “looking very dejected.” Cole afterwards +testified that they asked the way to Rhode Island and +seemed in great haste to be off.</p> + +<p>News of the wreck traveled swiftly and soon reached the +ears of Joseph Doane of Eastham, a justice of the peace and +representative to the Great and General Court. Fitzgerald +testified at the trial of the pirates that Mackconachy, the cook +on the pink, had bravely denounced the seven pirates as soon +as they reached the house of John Cole. At any rate, +Justice Doane, with a deputy sheriff and posse of men, was +soon in pursuit of the fleeing pirates who were overtaken +and seized at Eastham tavern and taken to Barnstable gaol.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the “Whidaw” drove ashore ten miles<a id="FNanchor_93" href="#Footnote_93" class="fnanchor">[93]</a> to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span> +north with a great loss of life. Only two out of the ship’s +company of one hundred and forty-six men reached the +shore alive,—Thomas Davis, a young Welsh shipwright +who had been forced the previous December, and John +Julian, an Indian, born on Cape Cod,—these two men, by +great endurance and good fortune, not only swam ashore +from the bar on which the “Whidaw” was breaking up, +but after reaching the shore successfully scaled “the +Table Land” and escaped the smother of pounding rollers +beneath.</p> + +<p>Davis told the judges of the Admiralty Court in Boston +that when the thunder-storm broke, the “Whidaw” lost sight +of her escorts and like the pink soon found breakers ahead. +An anchor was let go but the violence of the sea was so great +that the cable was cut and the attempt made to work off shore +but she soon drove on the bar. A quarter of an hour after +she struck, the mainmast went by the board and in the morning +the fine new ship was a tangled mass of wreckage. About +sixteen prisoners were drowned including Crumpstey, the master +of the pink. “The riches on board were laid together in +one head,” testified Davis.</p> + +<p>While the condemned pirates were awaiting execution they +were taken to the North Meeting House, as an edifying spectacle, +and there the Rev. Cotton Mather preached a sermon +which was published under the title: “Instructions to the +Living from the Condition of the Dead.” In this pamphlet +he states that “when it appeared that the wrecked ship was +breaking up the pirates murdered their prisoners on board +lest they should escape and appear as witnesses. Wounds +were afterwards found on their dead bodies washed up by the +sea.” Nowhere in the testimony given at the trial is there an +allusion to anything of the sort. Davis, the white survivor, +testified in great detail and makes no mention of such horrible +brutality. That dead bodies may have come ashore battered +and mutilated is highly probable. Every great loss of life in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span> +a wrecked ship that has broken up and buffeted its victims +has exhibited similar horrors.</p> + +<p>Another tale that has survived relates to the supposed heroism +of the captain of the Irish pink. The “<i>Boston News-Letter</i>” +of April 29-May 6, 1717, prints news of the wreck and +states that “The Pyrates being free with the Liquor that the +Captive had, got themselves Drunk and asleep, and the Captive +master in the Night, thought it a fit opportunity to run +her ashore on the back side of Eastham.” Nearly eighty +years later a citizen of Wellfleet wrote a short history of the +town with an account of the pirate wreck, in which he doubtless +perpetuated the local traditions. He relates that Bellamy’s +entire fleet was “cast on the shore of what is now Wellfleet, +being led to the shore by the captain of a snow, which +was made a prize on the day before: who had the promise of +the snow as a present, if he would pilot the fleet into Cape Cod +harbor; the captain, suspecting that the pirate would not +keep his promise, and that instead of clearing his ship, as was +his pretence, his intentions were to plunder the inhabitants of +Provincetown. The night being dark, a lantern was hung in +the shrouds of the snow, the captain of which, instead of piloting +where he was ordered, approached so near the land, that +the pirate’s large ship which followed him struck on the outer +bar; the snow being less, struck much nearer the shore. The +fleet was put in confusion; a violent storm arose; and the +whole fleet was shipwrecked on the shore. Many in the +smaller vessels got safe on shore. Those that were executed, +were the pirates put on board a prize schooner before the +storm.... At times to this day [1793], there are King William +and Queen Mary coppers picked up, and pieces of silver, +called cob money. The violence of the seas moves the sands +upon the outer bar; so that at times the iron caboose of the +ship, at low ebb, has been seen.”<a id="FNanchor_94" href="#Footnote_94" class="fnanchor">[94]</a></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i126_1" style="max-width: 66.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i126_1.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption>SPANISH DOUBLOON<br> +<span class='c2'>From the original coin found on the beach at Wellfleet, Mass., where Bellamy’s +pirate ship was wrecked in 1717 and now in the possession of +Charles A. Taylor.</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i126_2" style="max-width: 99.1875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i126_2.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption>A SPANISH “PIECE OF EIGHT”<br> +<span class='c2'>From a coin in the cabinet of the Massachusetts Historical Society</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>No longer ago than the year 1900, Capt. Webster Eldridge<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span> +of Chatham, secured two guns that undoubtedly came from +the wreck of the wine ship. The guns of the “Whidaw” +should be found where she first struck on the outer bar, as +she turned bottom up before she broke up and came ashore.</p> + +<p>The “Whidaw” came ashore about twelve o’clock at night. +As soon as it was light, Thomas Davis, one of the two survivors, +found his way to the house of Samuel Harding, about +two miles distant from the wreck, and after telling his story +Harding took him on his horse and they went to the shore and +began to salvage what had washed up from the ship. They +made several trips between the shore and the house. By ten +o’clock a dozen others were there busily at work. The next +day was Sunday and when Mr. Justice Doane reached the +beach that morning he found that everything of value had +been carried away. Davis was apprehended by him and a few +days later the nine men in Barnstable <ins title='original: goal'>gaol</ins> were placed on +horseback and started for Boston under a strong guard and on +May 4th they were placed in irons in the stone gaol that then +was located where the City Hall Annex now stands.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Governor Shute saw visions of a great store of +pirate gold and so issued a proclamation charging all of His +Majesty’s officers and subjects within the Province to use all +diligence to seize and apprehend not only escaped pirates but +“money, bullion, treasure, goods and merchandizes” from the +pirate ship. He also dispatched Capt. Cyprian Southack to +the scene of the wreck. Captain Southack had been in command +of the “Province Galley” for over nineteen years and +afterwards published a chart of the New England coast on +which he located the pirate wreck. He hired a small sloop, +the “Nathaniel,” John Sole, master, and sailed from Boston +on May 1st, at ten o’clock in the morning, only five days after +the “Whidaw” had come ashore. The wind was at the south, +“a frisking gale,” and he didn’t reach Cape Cod harbor until +the afternoon of the next day. There he hired a whale boat +and sent two men to Truro where they got horses and at seven<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span> +o’clock in the evening reached the wreck where a watch was +maintained all night.</p> + +<p>At four o’clock on the morning of May 3, 1717, the diligent +captain started in a whale boat and crossed the Cape by means +of the natural canal that existed at that time between Orleans +and Eastham, sometimes called “Jeremy’s Drean.” At +Truro, he was “much afronted by one Caleb Hopkins, Senr. +of Freetown,” and nowhere on the Cape did he find a cordial +spirit of coöperation, as may be surmised. He found the +“Pepol very Stife and will not [give up] one thing of what +they Gott on the Rack.” He wrote to the Governor that +“Samuel Harding has a great many Riches that he saved out +of the Rack being the first man there and says that the Englishman +give him orders to Deliver nothing of the Riches they +had saved, so I find the said Harding is as Gilty as the Pirates +saved.”</p> + +<p>The day after he arrived at Eastham, he posted a notice on +the doors of three nearby meeting-houses announcing that he +had been authorized by the Governor to discover and take +care of the wreck, with power to “go into any house, shop, +cellar, warehouse, room or other place and in case of resistance +to break open any door, chests, trunks and other packages” +and seize any plunder belonging to the wreck. But His Majesty’s +“loving subjects” refused to disgorge. “They are +very wise and will not tell one nothing of what they got on the +Rack,” wrote the complaining captain. The coroner and his +jury had ordered the victims of the wreck to be buried and +demanded £83, as their due for the cost of burying the sixty-two +bodies. Captain Southack claimed that public money +should not be wasted in burying outlawed pirates and so the +thrifty coroner “putt a stop” on some of the goods from the +wreck and secured payment, which “is very hard,” writes the +captain.</p> + +<p>The fragments of the wrecked ship he found scattered along +the shore for a distance of nearly four miles. The anchor of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span> +the “Whidaw” could be seen on the bar at low tide but the +sea was so rough that it was impossible to go out in the whale +boat that he had impressed until nearly a week had gone by +and then nothing could be seen for the moving sand made the +water thick and muddy. It also rained much of the time. Altogether, +a disagreeable experience for the faithful captain! +Eventually he was obliged to abandon his attempt to recover +“the riches” believed to be buried in the sand on the bar and +return to Boston. Fate also played him a scurvy trick by +sending along a pirate vessel to capture the sloop “Swan,” +Samuel Doggett, master, that had been ordered from Boston +to bring back the goods saved from the wreck. After being +plundered of stores to the value of £80 she was allowed to go. +This happened on the voyage down to the Cape.</p> + +<p>Does the sandy bar off Wellfleet still conceal the pirate gold? +Who can say? Certainly no large salvage has ever been made. +Moreover, there is a possibility that a part of it was carried +off by some of the crew who may have escaped from the +stranded ship. Captain Williams, the escort of Bellamy, also +put in a belated appearance two days after the “Whidaw” +was wrecked and came to anchor off shore and sent in a boat. +Some salvage may have been effected then.</p> + +<p>Williams had reached Block Island on April 28th, too late +to join Bellamy, and while there had beguiled on board and +forced three men, Dr. James Sweet, George Mitchell and +Willaim Tosh.<a id="FNanchor_95" href="#Footnote_95" class="fnanchor">[95]</a> From Block Island, he steered easterly and +the next day, April 29th, reached the scene of the wreck. From +there he chased several fishing vessels and then stood out to sea. +He was back again a month later and took a ship and a +schooner and even came into Cape Cod harbor on May 24th +and then sailed through Vineyard Sound the following Sunday. +He was then in great want of provisions. On May +25th, a man-of-war and an armed sloop, with ninety men, had +sailed from Boston in pursuit. The news was sent to Rhode<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span> +Island and Governor Cranston replied, “I hope it will please +god to Bless Your Excellency’s Indevours by the Sirprize and +Caption of those Inhumaine Monsters of pray so as our Navigation +may be made more Safe and Secure.”</p> + +<p>As for the possible escape of men from the wrecked “Whidaw,” +the only evidence that now appears is found in the +deposition of Daniel Collins, the master of a Cape Ann fishing +sloop, who was captured by a small pirate sloop on May 10th. +He was forty leagues eastward of Cape Ann at the time. There +were nineteen men on board the pirate and they told him that +“they were the only men that escaped that belonged to the +ship that run on shoar att Cape Cod and that they made their +escape in the long boat.” Since then they had taken three +shallops and three schooners that belonged to Marblehead.</p> + +<p>Pirates usually were brought to a speedy trial in Boston; +but for some reason the men who escaped the perils of the sea +on Cape Cod remained in <ins title='original: goal'>gaol</ins> until Friday, Oct. 18th before +they were taken into Admiralty Court and made to taste the +perils of the land. John Julian, the Cape Cod Indian, was +brought to Boston with the others but never was tried. He +disappears from the records and may have died. Thomas +Davis, the twenty-two year old Welshman, was able to convince +the Court that he was a forced man and when he was +cleared “put himself on his knees and thanked the Court and +was dismissed with a suitable admonition.”</p> + +<p>The remaining seven:—Simon Van Vorst, 24 years, born +in New York; John Brown, 25 years, born in Jamaica; +Thomas Baker, 29 years, born in Flushing, Holland; Hendrick +Quintor, 25 years, born in Amsterdam; Peter Cornelius Hoof, +34 years, born in Sweden; John Sheean, 24 years, born in +Nantes; and Thomas South, 30 years, born in Boston, England; +were brought to trial in the Court House standing at +the head of what is now State Street. Governor Shute, the +Captain-General of the Province, sat as President of the Court +and beside him was Lieutenant-Governor Dummer. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span> +prisoners were charged with piracy in taking the “free trading +Vessel or Pink called the Mary Anne” and were tried +under the statute made in the 11th and 12th year of the reign +of William III. The evidence was conclusive. Thomas South, +it appeared by the testimony, was a ship carpenter who had +been forced by Bellamy the previous December, from a Bristol +ship commanded by Capt. James Williams. He was cleared. +The others were found guilty and sentenced to be hanged on +Friday, Nov. 15, 1717, “at Charlestown Ferry within the +flux and reflux of the Sea.”</p> + +<p>After the condemned pirates were removed from the courtroom +the ministers of the town took them in hand and “bestowed +all possible <i>Instructions</i> upon the Condemned Criminals; +often <i>Pray’d</i> with them; often <i>Preached</i> to them; often <i>Examined</i> +them; and <i>Exhorted</i> them; and presented them with +Books of Piety.” At the place of execution Baker and Hoof +appeared penitent and the latter joined with Van Vorst in +singing a Dutch psalm. John Brown, on the contrary, broke +out into furious expressions with many oaths and then fell to +reading prayers, “not very pertinently chosen,” remarks +the Rev. Cotton Mather. He then made a short speech, at +which many in the assembled crowd trembled, in which he +advised sailors to beware of wicked living and if they fell into +the hands of pirates to have a care what countries they came +into. Then the scaffold fell and six twitching bodies, outlined +against the sky, ended the spectacle.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp62" id="i130" style="max-width: 78.625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i130.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + +<span class='c2'> +Instructions to the LIVING,<br> +from the Condition of the<br> +DEAD.<br> +<br> +A Brief Relation of REMARKABLES<br> +in the Shipwreck of above<br> +One Hundred<br> +Pirates,<br> +<br> +Who were Cast away in the Ship +<i>Whida</i>, on the Coast of <i>New-England</i>, +<i>April 26. 1717</i>.<br> +And in the Death of Six, who after +a Fair Trial at <i>Boston</i>, were +Convicted & Condemned, <i>Octob. +22.</i> And Executed, <i>Novemb. 15. +1717</i>. With some Account of +the Discourse had with them on +the way to their Execution.<br> +<br> +And a SERMON Preached on their Occasion.<br> +<br> +<i>Boston</i>, Printed by <i>John Allen</i>, for +<i>Nicholas Boone</i>, at the Sign of +the Bible in <i>Cornhill</i>. 1717.<br> +</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_87" href="#FNanchor_87" class="label">[87]</a> Paul Williams, sometimes styled Paulsgrave Williams, is said to have +been born on Nantucket. Later he lived at Newport, Rhode Island.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_88" href="#FNanchor_88" class="label">[88]</a> <i>The Trials of Eight Persons Indited for Piracy</i>, Boston, 1717.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_89" href="#FNanchor_89" class="label">[89]</a> <i>The Trials of Eight Persons Indited for Piracy</i>, Boston, 1717.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_90" href="#FNanchor_90" class="label">[90]</a> Johnson, <i>History of the Pirates</i>, London, 1726.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_91" href="#FNanchor_91" class="label">[91]</a> Johnson, <i>History of the Pirates</i>, London, 1726.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_92" href="#FNanchor_92" class="label">[92]</a> <i>The Trials of Eight Persons Indited for Piracy</i>, Boston, 1717.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_93" href="#FNanchor_93" class="label">[93]</a> About two and one-half miles south of the present life-saving station +at Wellfleet.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_94" href="#FNanchor_94" class="label">[94]</a> <i>Massachusetts Historical Society Collections</i>, Vol. III, p. 120.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_95" href="#FNanchor_95" class="label">[95]</a> <i>Massachusetts Archives</i>, Vol. II, leaf 165.</p> + +</div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX<br> +<span class="ch-title">George Lowther who Captured Thirty-Three Vessels +in Seventeen Months</span></h2> +</div> + +<p>Most of the piracies perpetrated by this man took place +away from the New England coast, but as he aided +Capt. Ned Low to begin his piratical career and at +various times was his consort, it seems proper to include here +some relation of the villainies that he committed. Lowther +was an Englishman and an honest man when he sailed from +London in March, 1721, as second mate of the ship “Gambia +Castle,” owned by the Royal African Company and commanded +by Capt. Charles Russell. The ship was carrying +stores and a company of soldiers to the river Gambia, on the +African coast, to garrison a fort some time before captured +and destroyed by Capt. Howel Davis, the pirate. She came +to anchor at Gambia in May and before long disputes arose +between Lowther and Captain Russell in which many of the +crew sided with the second mate. These disputes eventually +led to a conspiracy whereby the ship was seized during the +absence of the captain on shore, and with Lowther in command +the ship sailed down the river.</p> + +<p>When safely at sea Lowther called the entire company together +and made a speech in which he pointed out the folly of +returning to England, for, by seizing the ship they had been +guilty of an offence, the penalty of which was hanging, and for +one he didn’t propose to chance such a fate. Continuing, he +said if the company didn’t accept his proposal he only asked +to be set ashore in some safe place. His proposal was that +they should seek their fortunes on the seas as other brave men<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span> +had done before them. The sailors and soldiers on board +proved to be a crowd of good fellows not suited for the gallows +or damp prison cells and so fell in with his suggestions. The +cabins were knocked down, the ship made flush fore and aft +and renamed the “Happy Delivery,” and the following “Articles” +were drawn up, signed and, strangely enough, sworn to +upon a Bible, viz:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“3. He that shall be found Guilty of Cowardice, in the +Time of Engagement, shall suffer what Punishment the Captain +and Majority shall think fit.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“7. Good Quarters to be given when call’d for.</p> + +<p>“8. He that sees a Sail first, shall have the best Pistol, or +Small-Arm, on Board her.”</p> +</div> + +<p>This occurred on June 13, 1721. Seven days later, near<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span> +Barbadoes, they came in sight of the brigantine “Charles,” +James Douglass, master, owned in Boston in the Massachusetts +Bay, which fell into their hands without any resistance +and was plundered in the usual piratical manner. No one on +board was injured and the vessel was let go without damage. +Several other captures were made near Hispaniola including +a Spanish pirate that recently had taken a Bristol ship, then +in company. The Spaniards being engaged in the same trade +expected some consideration at the hands of Lowther, but he +rifled and then burned both ships, permitting the Spaniards +to go away unharmed in their launch and adding all the English +sailors to his own pirate crew. Meanwhile the news of +his venture on the high seas had reached England and in +September, H. M. Ship “Feversham,” stationed at Barbadoes, +was reported to have taken Lowther, so Captain Russell +set out from Plymouth for Barbadoes to take possession of his +ship and give evidence against Lowther and his crew.<a id="FNanchor_96" href="#Footnote_96" class="fnanchor">[96]</a> Unfortunately +for him, on his arrival at Barbadoes he learned +that the capture had not been made. About that time Lowther +took a small sloop owned at St. Christopher’s which he +manned from his enlarged crew and together they made for a +small island where the vessels were careened and their bottoms +cleaned and here the company spent some time drinking +and carousing with some Indian women they had seized.</p> + +<p>About Christmas time, 1721, they went aboard their vessels +and took a course across the Caribbean for the Bay of Honduras, +but running short of water made for the Grand Caimane +islands to fill up the water butts. While here a small vessel +came into the same harbor with only thirteen men aboard and +with a man named Edward Low in command. It turned out +that this company had recently come away from a Boston +sloop in the Bay of Honduras and had turned pirates like +themselves. Lowther accordingly proposed to Captain +Low that they should join forces and shortly an agreement<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span> +was reached and all went aboard the “Happy Delivery.” +The joint adventures of these kindred spirits are related at +length in the chapter on Captain Edward Low, until Low’s +ambition led to a rupture between them. They separated at +night on May 28, 1722, in the latitude of 38°, and Captain +Lowther set a course for the mainland and took three or four +fishing vessels off New York.</p> + +<p>On June 2d, the ship “Mary Galley,” Peter King, master, +was overhauled, in latitude 35°. She was bound homeward +to Boston from the Barbadoes and from her Lowther took +thirteen hogsheads and a barrel of rum, a sufficient supply to +wet thirsty throats for some days it would seem. He also +secured five barrels of sugar and several cases of loaf sugar +and pepper, a box of English goods and six negroes. The +passengers were examined and robbed of all their money and +plate and at eleven o’clock the next morning the ship was +allowed to proceed. She reached Boston on the 14th and soon +the intelligence was published in the newspapers. At the +time of this capture Lowther was reported as commanding a +sloop mounting four guns. About the same time sloops from +the West Indies arriving at New York, brought news of the +capture of a New York sloop, Thomas Noxon, master, on the +voyage to Jamaica, loaded with provisions. The captain and +crew had been marooned but taken off by a passing vessel +bound for Bermuda. This may have been an earlier capture +of Lowther. He next appeared near the Capes of the Chesapeake +and cruised on and off for nearly three weeks, the wind +being southerly and blowing an easy gale. Many persons +harvesting on plantations near the shore reported the strange +vessels, for Lowther and Harris were than in company. Several +times they sailed up the bay for ten or twelve leagues and +on July 8th brought down with them a large sloop taken high +up in the bay. That night the vessels anchored at no great +distance from shore and the excited neighborhood heard drums +beating “all night,” so says the report, and could see a large<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span> +number of men on board. Trade between the Capes was entirely +stopped, no vessels daring to venture out. Franklin’s +newspaper, the “New England Courant,” when publishing +this information just arrived from Philadelphia, makes the +satirical comment that for some time no man-of-war had been +seen in the vicinity, “who, by dear experience, we know, love +Trading better than Fighting.” One vessel did enter safely +through the Capes, the sloop “Little Joseph,” commanded +by Captain Hargrave, “who sailed from hence about two +months ago for the Island of St. Christophers, but was taken +by the Pyrates three Times and rifled of most of her Cargo, so +that she was obliged to return back.”<a id="FNanchor_97" href="#Footnote_97" class="fnanchor">[97]</a></p> + +<p>From the Capes of the Chesapeake, Captain Lowther directed +a course southerly and near the South Carolina coast +met a ship just out of port bound for England,—the “Amy,” +Captain Gwatkins. Lowther hoisted his piratical colors and +fired a gun. Captain Gwatkins did not lose courage at sight +of the black flag and replied with a broadside which caused +Lowther to sheer off and the ship getting the pirate between +her and the shore stood boldly after him. Finding that at +last he had “caught a Tartar,” Lowther ran in towards shore +and at length went aground and landed all his men with their +arms. Captain Gwatkins hove to as near in-shore as he dared +and filling one of his boats with armed men rowed toward the +stranded sloop with the intention of setting it on fire. Most +unfortunately, just before reaching the vessel, a volley from +Lowther’s men on shore picked off Captain Gwatkins, wounding +him fatally, after which the mate turned about and made +for the ship without attempting farther to reach the sloop. +When the “Amy” had left them, Lowther soon got his vessel +afloat but found her in shattered condition. During the engagement +he had a good many men killed and wounded and +all in all it seemed best to pull into one of the many inlets on +the North Carolina coast and refit and allow his wounded to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span> +recover. This required more time than he had anticipated +and soon winter was at hand and at their chosen anchorage +they finally remained until the next spring. Much of the +time during the winter months was spent in hunting black +cattle, hogs, etc., to supply fresh meat. The crew was divided +up into small parties and sent out to ravage the back country, +at last coming back to their huts and tents near the sloop where +they lodged during the winter and only went on board when +the weather grew very cold.</p> + +<p>Spring came at last and leaving their winter quarters they +went to sea steering a course for the fishing banks off Newfoundland. +On June 18th, 1723, the schooner “Swift” of +Boston, John Hood, master, fell into their hands and supplied +them with forty barrels of salt beef, very much needed at the +time. Other miscellaneous stores were taken and three men—Andrew +Hunter, Henry Hunter and Jonathan Deloe—were +forced to join the pirate crew. Lowther’s sloop at that +time had ten guns mounted.<a id="FNanchor_98" href="#Footnote_98" class="fnanchor">[98]</a></p> + +<p>Several other captures were made on the banks or in harbors +along shore but none supplied much plunder. On July +5th, being then about a hundred leagues eastward of the banks +of Newfoundland, Lowther overhauled the brigantine “John +and Elizabeth,” owned in Boston, Richard Stanny, master, +bound home from Holland having called at Dover. Captain +Stanny afterward reported that Lowther at that time had with +him about twenty men and the sloop mounted only seven guns. +The pirates broke open the hatches and helped themselves to +a variety of merchandise and stores and forced two men,—Ralph +Kendale of Sunderland, county Durham, and Henry +Watson of Dover. These men struggled against being forced +on board the sloop and before this was accomplished were +badly whipped and beaten.<a id="FNanchor_99" href="#Footnote_99" class="fnanchor">[99]</a> At the time this capture was +made Lowther was headed for warmer waters and early in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span> +September, in company with Capt. Ned Low, reached Fayal +in the Western Islands, as is related elsewhere.</p> + +<p>The depredations of Low and Lowther that spring and summer +aroused the fears of every shipmaster along the New England +coast and every unrecognized vessel was imagined to be +a rogue. Capt. James Codin on his passage from New York +to Newport, R. I., sighted a sloop at anchor near Fisher’s +Island which immediately made sail and chased him all day +so that he concluded the sloop to be a pirate, more especially +as he was followed when he altered his course. Captain Codin +made for Stonington which he reached safely during the evening. +The next morning the strange sloop was not in sight. +She afterwards proved to be a New York sloop commanded +by one Captain Heed, homeward bound from Jamaica. Not +long after a sloop with a white bottom and eight gun-ports +came to anchor near Block Island and sent a boat ashore for +fresh provisions and a pilot. At Captain Rea’s some sheep +were bought and payment was made in silver money. “It +is conjectured to be Lowther the Pirate.”<a id="FNanchor_100" href="#Footnote_100" class="fnanchor">[100]</a> Two weeks later +the Boston newspapers published a new batch of information +according to which the sloop at Block Island proved to be a +Londoner, owned by the Royal Assiento Company, and commanded +by Capt. Rupert Wappen. She mounted eight guns +and carried a crew of thirty-nine men, and on board were ten +or twelve chests of silver money, a fact which her captain seems +to have been at no pains to conceal. She was said to have +come from Laver de Cruz and South Carolina and to be bound +for Jamaica and was waiting at Block Island for a pilot.</p> + +<p>About the same time Capt. George Slyfield arrived at Philadelphia +from South Carolina, in the sloop “Lincolnshire,” +with the news that Lowther had gone to Cape Fear, to careen +and Governor Nickolson had sent an Indian to learn the truth +of the report and was also fitting out a man-of-war to go in +search. And so the rumors flew about.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp62" id="i138" style="max-width: 110.6875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i138.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption>CAPT. GEORGE LOWTHER AT PORT MAYO<br> + <span class='c2'>From a rare engraving in the Harry Elkins Widener Collection, Harvard College +Library</span></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span></p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Lowther, in the sloop “Happy Delivery,” +cruised about the Western Islands with Low and then made +for the Guinea coast and the West Indies where he seems to +have left Low, for he was alone when he had the good luck to +capture a Martinico vessel that gave him greatly needed provisions. +Not long after, a Guinea-man, the “Princess,” Captain +Wickstead, surrendered to him. The bottom of the +“Happy Delivery” having become foul, Lowther began to +look about for a suitable inlet in which to careen and finally +hit upon the island of Blanco which lies between the islands of +Margarita and Rocas and is not far from Tortuga. It is a +low-lying island, about two leagues in circumference and uninhabited. +It is well wooded and there is a heavy scrub growth +everywhere. Besides being frequented by large sea turtles +it supports great numbers of iguanas, a kind of lizard that +grows to a length of about five feet and is very good to eat; +in fact, the pirates used to go there to catch them, as was well-known +at the time. On the northwest end of the island there +is a small cove or sandy bay and here Lowther, about the first +of October, 1723, unrigged his sloop, sent the guns, sails, etc., +ashore and began to careen his vessel. Just at this time, most +unfortunately for him, there appeared off the cove, the armed +sloop “Eagle,” Walter Moore, commander, owned by Colonel +Otley of the island of St. Christopher. She was bound for +Comena, in Spanish territory, and passing near this well-known +resort for pirates and catching sight of the sloop on +the careen and so unprepared, Captain Moore decided to +grasp the advantage and attack the rogues. So he fired a gun +to oblige them to show their colors and they hoisted the St. +George’s flag to their topmast head. But Captain Moore felt +sure that she was no trader and so came in close. When +Lowther found that the strange sloop was determined to engage +him he opened fire from the shore, but was at so great a +disadvantage that shortly his men called for quarter and began +to run for the woods behind them. All resistance was soon<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span> +over and Captain Moore got the “Happy Delivery” off, +secured her, and then went ashore with twenty-five men in +search of Lowther and his crew, and after five days of beating +about the bushes succeeded in taking sixteen of the pirates +including the sloop’s surgeon and seven others who surrendered +themselves as forced men. Lowther they were unable to discover. +At last abandoning further search Captain Moore +continued his voyage to Comena, with the captured sloop in +company, and on his arrival the Spanish Governor condemned +the sloop a prize to the Englishman and also sent a sloop with +twenty-three armed men to make further search for pirates +at the island of Blanco. This search resulted in the capture +of four more men whom the Spanish Governor tried and condemned +to slavery for life. Captain Lowther and three of his +men were able to conceal themselves in some dense undergrowth +and so escaped capture, but not long after another +party visited the island and came upon his dead body with +a pistol beside it and it was supposed that in desperation he +at last committed suicide.</p> + +<p>The sloop “Eagle,” having brought Captain Moore’s prisoners +to St. Christopher’s, a Court of Vice-Admiralty was held +on Mar. 11, 1724 when the following men were tried for piracy, +viz: John Churchill, Edward Mackdonald, Nicholas Lewis, +Richard West, Samuel Levercott, Robert White, John Shaw, +Andrew Hunter, Jonathan Deloe, Matthew Freeborn, Henry +Watson, Roger Granger, Ralph Candor and Robert Willis. +The last three were acquitted, and the others found guilty, +two of them, however, being recommended to mercy, were +afterwards pardoned. Eleven of Lowther’s piratical crew +accordingly were hanged by the neck until dead on Mar. 20, +1724, on a gallows erected between high- and low-water mark +at St. Christopher’s in the West Indies.</p> + + + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_96" href="#FNanchor_96" class="label">[96]</a> <i>American Weekly Mercury</i>, Feb. 6, 1722.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_97" href="#FNanchor_97" class="label">[97]</a> <i>New England Courant</i>, Aug. 6, 1722.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_98" href="#FNanchor_98" class="label">[98]</a> <i>Boston Gazette</i>, Sept. 9, 1723.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_99" href="#FNanchor_99" class="label">[99]</a> <i>Boston News-Letter</i>, Aug. 8, 1723.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_100" href="#FNanchor_100" class="label">[100]</a> <i>Boston News-Letter</i>, Aug. 22, 1723.</p> + +</div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X<br> +<span class="ch-title">Ned Low of Boston and how he became a Pirate +Captain</span></h2> +</div> + +<p>There was living in Boston in the year 1719, a young +man who went by the name of Ned Low. He was a +ship-rigger by trade and as shipbuilding in Boston was +brisk about that time, Low’s services were in demand. He +was born in Westminster, England, and such meagre biographical +information as is now available shows that he could neither +read nor write and that as a boy he ran wild in the streets of +his native parish. He seems to have begun his career early +as a petty thief and gamester among the boys of his neighborhood +and later to have spent much time among the hangers-on +about the House of Commons which was near his home. +Strong and fearless, he was always ready to attack any one +who might catch him cheating or attempt to relieve him of his +ill-gotten gains. It is said that one of his brothers, at the age +of seven, was carried about in a basket on the back of a porter, +in crowded streets, where he would snatch off hats and wigs +and conceal them in his basket,—a profitable occupation for +his family, it seems; and as he grew too large for the basket +trick, he became a pickpocket and petty thief and in time, a +housebreaker. According to the “Newgate Calendar,” he +ended his days on a scaffold at Tyburn in company with +others of his stripe.</p> + +<p>Ned Low was more fortunate for when old enough he went +to sea with a brother and during the next three or four years +visited many of the larger seaports, at last reaching Boston, +in New England, where his fancy was caught by the pretty +face of Eliza Marble, a girl of a good family, and after a time<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span> +they were married,<a id="FNanchor_101" href="#Footnote_101" class="fnanchor">[101]</a> Ned meanwhile having found regular +work as a ship-rigger. His wife became a member of the +Second Church in 1718 and a son and daughter were baptized +there.</p> + +<p>The couple had a daughter Elizabeth, born in the winter +of 1719, and shortly after the young mother died, no doubt +to the great sorrow of Low, for in after life probably the only +redeeming traits in his character, were a love for his young +daughter (the son having died in infancy) and his refusal to +force married men to join his pirate crew. In lucid intervals +between revelling and fighting Low is said to have frequently +expressed great affection for the young child<a id="FNanchor_102" href="#Footnote_102" class="fnanchor">[102]</a> he had left in +Boston, and mere mention of her would often bring tears to +his eyes. Philip Ashton, a Marblehead fisherman whom Low +captured and forced and who afterwards escaped after many +adventures, has preserved in his “Narrative,” much curious +information concerning Low, including instances of this vein +of sentiment so strangely associated in a brutal nature.</p> + +<p>Low was of a rather cock-sure disposition and frequently +engaged in disputes and quarrels. Not long after the death +of his wife he was discharged by his employer for some cause +and soon decided to leave Boston. He shipped on board a +sloop bound for the Bay of Honduras for a cargo of logwood +and proving himself to be no ordinary type of seaman, as soon +as the sloop reached the Bay he was appointed to command +the boat’s crew that was sent ashore to get the logwood and +bring it out to the vessel. As Honduras was Spanish territory +and the logwood was cut without permission, in fact, was being +stolen from the Spaniards, the boat’s crew of twelve men always +went on shore fully armed.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i142" style="max-width: 139.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i142.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption>THE IDLE APPRENTICE SENT TO SEA<br> + <span class='c2'>From an engraving by William Hogarth in the “Industry and Idleness” series, published in 1747. The young +reprobate is being rowed past Cuckold’s Point on the Thames on which can be seen +a pirate hanging from a gibbet</span></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>One day it happened that the loaded boat came out to the +sloop just before dinner was ready and as the men were tired<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span> +and hungry, Low proposed that they stay and eat before +going ashore again; but the captain was in a hurry to complete +the loading of his vessel and sending for a bottle of rum +he ordered them to take another trip at once so that no time +should be lost. This angered the men and particularly Low +who seized a musket and fired at the captain and missed him +but shot through the head a sailor who happened to be standing +behind him. Low then leaped into the boat and with its +crew of twelve men made off from the sloop.</p> + +<p>It is more than likely that some such action had already +been discussed by Low and his intimates among the crew. +At any rate, they now decided to make a black flag and prey +upon the vessels in the Bay. Luck was with them and the +next day they came upon a small vessel which they captured.</p> + +<p>Low was now embarked on his bloody and cruel career as a +pirate and if ever a man sailing the seas deserved to be hanged +and gibbeted in chains, it was Low. If one half of the tales +that have been told of him are true he must at times have been +little short of a maniac. Time and again part of his crew deserted +him because of his cruelty. No evil or cruel action +was beyond his doing so that it is quite remarkable that he +did not die a violent death within the knowledge of his men. +In point of fact, however, it is not known exactly how or when +he died.</p> + +<p>After the capture of the small vessel, Low, who had been +elected captain, ordered a course made for the Grand Caimanes—islands +lying about halfway between Yucatan and the island +of Jamaica—intending to refit their vessel for piratical forays.</p> + +<p>The Grand Caimanes or Caymans, as they are known today, +were much resorted to by gentlemen of the kidney of Captain +Low and soon after arriving at the islands he fell in with Capt. +George Lowther, another pirate, who was short of men and +who, after becoming somewhat acquainted with Low, proposed +that they join forces. As Low’s company was small in number +and ill-fitted, an agreement was soon arrived at whereby<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span> +Lowther remained in command with Low as his lieutenant. +The small vessel brought in by Low was sunk and the united +company made off together in the “Happy Delivery,” the +name of Lowther’s ship.</p> + +<p>On the 10th of January, 1722, they came into the Bay of +Honduras and sighted the ship “Greyhound,” Benjamin +Edwards, commander, of about two hundred tons burden and +owned in Boston. Lowther hoisted his piratical colors and +fired a gun for the “Greyhound” to bring to, and she refusing, +he gave her a broadside which was bravely returned. The +engagement lasted for about an hour when Captain Edwards +ordered his ensign struck fearing the consequences of too +great a resistance. The pirate’s boat soon came aboard and +the ship was thoroughly looted. The crew were cruelly +whipped, beaten and cut, and five of them, Christopher Atwell, +Charles Harris, Henry Smith, Joseph Willis and David Lindsay, +were forced and the ship was burned.<a id="FNanchor_103" href="#Footnote_103" class="fnanchor">[103]</a></p> + +<p>Lowther also captured and burned seven other vessels belonging +to Boston, and all their logwood, “because they were +New-England men,” it was reported. About the same time +a sloop belonging to Connecticut, Captain Ayres, was taken +and burned and also a sloop from Jamaica, Captain Hamilton, +which was taken for their own use and the command given to +Charles Harris, who had been second mate of the “Greyhound” +and who joined the pirates, it would seem, willingly. +A sloop from Virginia, they took and then unloaded and generously +gave back to her master who owned her. A sloop of +about one hundred tons, belonging to Newport, Rhode Island, +also was captured and as it was a new hull and a good sailer +she was made a part of the pirate fleet and fitted with eight +carriage and ten swivel guns and the command given to Ned +Low.</p> + +<p>The pirate fleet was then composed of the “Happy Delivery,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span> +commanded by Admiral Lowther; the Rhode Island +sloop, commanded by Captain Low; Hamilton’s sloop, commanded +by Captain Harris, formerly of the “Greyhound”; +and with a small sloop for a tender, the fleet set sail from the +Bay and made for Port Mayo in the gulf of Matique where +they intended to careen and clean the foul bottoms of their +vessels. There they carried ashore all their sails and made +tents in which they placed their plunder and stores and then +began heaving down their ship. This turned out to be a very +unfortunate move for just as they were in the midst of scrubbing +and tallowing the bottom of the ship and wholly unprepared +for any attack, a considerable number of the natives +appeared from among the trees nearby and attacking the +pirates forced them to go aboard their sloops which had not +yet been careened. The natives carried off or destroyed all +the stores and plunder, which was of considerable value, and +also set fire to the ship.</p> + +<p>Lowther then took command of the largest sloop, which he +called the “Ranger.” It was armed with ten guns and eight +swivels and was the best sailer, so the entire company went +aboard and abandoned at sea the other sloops. Provisions, +however, were very short and empty stomachs and thinking +of the loot that had been lost soon put them all in a vile temper +and there was much fighting and blaming each other for their +misfortune.</p> + +<p>About the beginning of May, 1722, they came near the +island of Discade, in the West Indies, and while there took a +brigantine, one Payne, master, which supplied what they +needed most and put them in better temper. The brigantine, +after it was well plundered, was sent to the bottom. After +watering at the island, the sloop stood for the Florida coast +where Lowther proposed to ravage the shipping in the vicinity +of the Bahamas. On May 28th, in the latitude of thirty-eight +degrees north, they overtook the brigantine “Rebecca,” +of Charlestown in the Massachusetts Bay, James Flucker,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span> +commander, bound for Boston from St. Christophers. She +fell into their hands at once as her crew were too few in number +to contend with Lowther and his hundred pirates. There +were twenty-three persons on board including five women, all +of whom were treated decently and in due time reached Boston. +The master of the brigantine they held promising him his vessel +again when they had taken a better one.</p> + +<p>For some time Lowther had found Low an unruly officer, +always aspiring and never satisfied with his proposals so that +Lowther thought this a good opportunity to rid himself of a +source of trouble and annoyance. Whereupon he proposed +to Low that he take command of the brigantine and together +with forty men, who elected to sail with him, Low made +off by himself. Of the crew of the brigantine, three men were +forced,—Joseph Sweetser of Charlestown and Robert Rich of +London, Old England, who were compelled to go with Low, +and Robert Willis, also of London, who, having broken his +arm by a fall from the mast, begged that his condition be considered. +But he was a vigorous and intelligent fellow and +Lowther refused his plea and forced him away with him.<a id="FNanchor_104" href="#Footnote_104" class="fnanchor">[104]</a> +These two commanders accordingly parted company, Low +with forty-four men going off in the brigantine and Lowther +with the same number remaining in the sloop. This happened +in the afternoon of the 28th of May, 1722. Low took +with him in the brigantine, two guns, four swivels, six quarter-casks +of powder, provisions and some stores.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp62" id="i146_1" style="max-width: 69.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i146_1.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption>A BARQUE IN THE WEST INDIES ABOUT 1720</figcaption> +</figure> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp98" id="i146_2" style="max-width: 107.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i146_2.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption>A BRIGANTINE IN THE WEST INDIES ABOUT 1720</figcaption> +</figure> + + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p><span class="smcap">“Here follow the Articles of Capt. Edward Low +the Pirate with his Company</span></p> + +<p>“1. The Captain is to have two full Shares; the Master +is to have one Share and one Half; The Doctor, Mate, Gunner +and Boatswain, one Share and one Quarter.</p> + +<p>“2. He that shall be found guilty of taking up any Unlawfull +Weapon on Board the Privateer or any other prize<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span> +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 see fit.</p> + +<p>“3. He that shall be found Guilty of Cowardice in the +time of Ingagements, shall suffer what Punishment the Captain +and Majority of the Company shall think fit.</p> + +<p>“4. If any Gold, Jewels, Silver, &c. be found on Board of +any Prize or Prizes to the value of a Piece of Eight, & the +finder do not deliver it to the Quarter Master in the space of +24 hours he shall suffer what Punishment the Captain and +Majority of the Company shall think fit.</p> + +<p>“5. He that is found Guilty of Gaming, or Defrauding one +another to the Value of a Ryal of Plate, shall suffer what +Punishment the Captain and Majority of the Company shall +think fit.</p> + +<p>“6. He that shall have the Misfortune to loose a Limb +in time of Engagement, shall have the Sum of Six hundred +pieces of Eight, and remain aboard as long as he shall think +fit.</p> + +<p>“7. Good Quarters to be given when Craved.</p> + +<p>“8. He that sees a Sail first, shall have the best Pistol or +Small Arm aboard of her.</p> + +<p>“9. He that shall be guilty of Drunkenness in time of +Engagement shall suffer what Punishment the Captain and +Majority of the Company shall think fit.</p> + +<p>“10. No Snaping of Guns in the Hould.”<a id="FNanchor_105" href="#Footnote_105" class="fnanchor">[105]</a></p> + +<p class="right"> +<span style="margin-right: 2em;">—<i>Boston News-Letter</i>, Aug. 8, 1723.</span><br> +</p> +</div> + +<p>Low’s first adventure in the brigantine took place on the +following Sunday when a sloop belonging to Amboy, in New +Jersey, fell into his hands. This vessel he rifled of provisions +and then let go. This happened off Block Island near the +Rhode Island coast. The same day he captured and plundered +a sloop belonging to Newport, commanded by James Cahoon,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span> +and took away his mainsail and provisions and water. His +bowsprit was cut away and all his rigging and thrown overboard +intending thereby to prevent his getting in to give the +alarm. Cahoon himself was badly cut in the arm during the +scrimmage. Low then stood away to the south-eastward, with +all the sail that could be made, there being then but little +wind at the time.</p> + +<p>He judged well in making haste to get away from the coast +for notwithstanding the disabled condition of Cahoon’s sloop +she reached Block Island about midnight and a whale boat +was sent out at once with the news which reached Newport +about seven the next morning. The Governor immediately +ordered the drums to be beaten about the town for volunteers +to go in search of the pirates and two of the best sloops in the +harbor were armed and fitted out. One of these sloops, commanded +by Capt. John Headland, mounted ten guns and +carried eighty men. The other sloop, which was commanded +by Capt. John Brown, jun., was armed with six guns and +plenty of small arms and carried sixty men. These sloops +were both under sail before sunset, each commander carrying +a ten days’ commission from the Governor. At about +the same time the pirate vessel could be seen from Block +Island. But good fortune favored Low and the sloops returned +to Newport several days afterwards without so much +as catching sight of the brigantine.</p> + +<p>Proclamation also was made in Boston, by beat of drum, +for the encouragement of volunteers to engage against the +pirates and over a hundred men enlisted under Capt. Peter +Papillion who fitted out a ship and sailed shortly; but he, too, +returned to harbor without finding Low, but bringing in the +brigantine “Rebecca” which Low had turned over to Captain +Flucker at Port Roseway, near the southern end of Acadia +(Nova Scotia), to carry home the Marblehead fishermen taken +by him, he having shipped his arms and stores on board a +recently built schooner belonging to Marblehead.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span></p> + +<p>By the <i>Boston News-Letter</i> of July 9, 1722, we learn that +sundry goods left by the pirates on board the brigantine +“Rebecca” were to be sold at publick vendue at the house of +Captain Long in Charlestown. These consisted of “1 Turtle +Net, 1 Scarlet Jacket, 1 small Still, 2 pair Steel yards, 1 Jack +and Pendant, 2 doz. Plates, 2 papers of Pins, 5 Horn books, +2 pieces of cantaloons, 1 main-sail, Boom and small Cable +belonging to a Scooner, a small Boat and 20 yards of old Canvas.” +There was also found cast ashore on the back side of +Martha’s Vineyard, a sloop supposed to have been taken and +set adrift by Low, on board of which were a few shillings in +silver money and some strips of paper on which were found +written the names of Dan Hide, Nath. Hall and John Wall. +This Dan Hide was one of Low’s crew and about a year later +he was hanged at Newport, as will be told at length in another +place.</p> + +<p>After his escape from the attacking expeditions sent out +from Newport and Boston, Captain Low went among the +islands at the mouth of Buzzard’s Bay, in search of enough +fresh water to make the run to the Bahamas. He remained +here for some days while his boat crews stole sheep at No +Man’s Land and rifled whale boats out of Nantucket. Changing +his mind about the course towards the Bahamas, he then +sailed northerly towards Marblehead and on the afternoon of +Friday, June 15th, put into the harbor of Roseway which is +located near the arm of the sea that makes up to what is now +Shelburne, Nova Scotia.</p> + +<p>At that time it was the habit of the banks fishermen to come +into Port Roseway for a Sunday’s rest and when Low sailed +into the harbor he found thirteen vessels at anchor. They +supposed him to be inward bound from the West Indies and +his arrival gave no concern. But soon a boat from the brigantine, +with four men, came alongside the fishing vessels, one +after another, the men coming aboard as though to make a +friendly visit to inquire for news. When on deck the four<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span> +men drew cutlasses and pistols from under their clothes and +cursing and swearing demanded instant surrender. Taken +by surprise the fishermen of course submitted and by this +means all the vessels in the harbor were captured and afterwards +plundered.</p> + +<p>Among them was a newly-built schooner, the “Mary,” of +eighty tons, owned by Joseph Dolliber of Marblehead, clean +and a good sailer. Low liked her lines and decided to appropriate +her for his own use, so he renamed her the “Fancy” and +the guns, stores and men were transferred from the brigantine. +The fishermen from the different vessels were then put on +board the brigantine and Captain Flucker was ordered to +make sail for Boston. Meanwhile, Low forced a number of +likely men from among the fishermen including Philip Ashton, +Nicholas Merritt, Joseph Libbie, Lawrence Fabens and two +others from Marblehead and four men belonging to the Isle +of Shoals.</p> + +<p>On Tuesday afternoon, June 19th, 1722, Low and his company +sailed from Port Roseway bound for the Newfoundland +coast and arrived at the mouth of St. John’s harbor in a fog +which lifted somewhat disclosing a ship riding at anchor within +the harbor. She looked to Low like a fish-trader and he +determined to attempt her capture by a stratagem. All of his +men were ordered below, save six or seven, to make a show of +being a fisherman, and so he sailed boldly into the harbor intending +to run alongside the ship and bring her off. Before +having gone far, however, a small fishing boat was met coming +out which hailed them asking from what port they had +come. Low answered, “from Barbadoes, loaded with rum +and sugar”; and then asked the fisherman what large ship +that was in the harbor. Imagine his chagrin when they replied +that it was the “Solebay,” man-of-war. He immediately +put about and escaped before the suspicious fishermen could +alarm the town. This happened on July 2d.</p> + +<p>At Carbonear, a small harbor about fifteen leagues farther<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span> +to the north, Low was more successful, for going on shore and +meeting little opposition, he plundered the place and burned +all the houses. The next day he sailed for the Grand Banks +where he took seven or eight vessels including a French banker, +a ship of nearly four hundred tons armed with two guns. Considerable +rigging and ammunition was secured and a number +of fishermen were forced. Late in the month he had an encounter +with two sloops from Canso bound for Annapolis-Royal +loaded with provisions for the garrison and having +soldiers on board. Low’s schooner was the better sailer and +coming up began the attack. The red coats at once replied +and gave him so warm a reception that Low sheered off and a +fog coming on they escaped into Annapolis after having been +chased by Low for two days and a night.<a id="FNanchor_106" href="#Footnote_106" class="fnanchor">[106]</a> About the time +the French banker was taken, the news came that the “Solebay” +was cruising about in search of him so Low decided to +steer for the Leeward Islands taking with him the French ship. +While on the voyage down they ran into a hurricane that +nearly ended matters. The sea ran mountains high and all +hands were employed both day and night keeping the pump +constantly going besides bailing with buckets and yet finding +themselves unable to keep the vessel free. The schooner +made somewhat the better weather of it but on board the ship +they began to hoist out their heavy goods and provisions and +throw them overboard together with six guns in order to lighten +the vessel. They even debated cutting away the masts, but +the ship making less water, so that they could at last keep it +under with the pump, instead of cutting away the masts they +were made more secure by means of preventer-shrouds and by +laying-to on the larboard tack, the hurricane was safely ridden +out. The schooner split her mainsail, sprung her bowsprit +and both of her anchors had to be cut away.</p> + +<p>After the storm, Low went to a small island, one of the +westernmost of the Caribbees, and there refitted his vessels<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span> +so far as possible with the supplies at hand and traded goods +with the natives for provisions. As soon as the ship was +ready he then decided to make a short cruise in her leaving +the schooner at anchor until their return. They hadn’t been +out many days before they came upon a ship that had lost +all her masts in the storm. She was a rich find for they plundered +her of money and goods amounting to over a thousand +pounds in value. This ship was bound home from Barbadoes +and was then slowly making her way under jury-rig to Antigua +to refit, where she afterwards safely arrived but minus the +best of her cargo.</p> + +<p>This hurricane, it afterwards appeared, did great damage +throughout the West Indies and was particularly violent at +the island of Jamaica where there happened a tidal wave that +overflowed the town of Port Royal and destroyed about half +of it. Immense quantities of rocks and sand were thrown +over the wall of the town and the next morning the streets +were about five feet deep in water. The cannon of Fort +Charles were dismounted and some washed into the sea and +about four hundred lives were lost. Scores of houses were +ruined and forty vessels at anchor in the harbor were cast +away.</p> + +<p>When Low returned to the island where the schooner had +been left, future plans were discussed by the company and +after having been put to vote it was decided to make for the +Azores or Western Islands. This was largely due to the +presence near the Leeward Islands of several men-of-war +cruising about their stations in search of piratical gentry. So +both vessels made sail to the eastward and on August 3d came +into St. Michael’s road, off which they took seven sail including +a French ship of 34 guns; the “Nostra Dame”; the +“Mere de Dieu,” Captain Roach; the “Dove,” Captain Cox; +the “Rose” pink, formerly a man-of-war, Captain Thompson; +another English ship, Captain Chandler; and three other +vessels. Low threatened with instant death all who resisted<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span> +and at that time there was such a deadly fear of the excesses +committed by pirates that these vessels struck without firing +a gun or offering any resistance. The “Rose” pink, was a +large Portuguese vessel, loaded with wheat. She struck to +the schooner, fearing the ship which was coming down on her, +although she was much the stronger and was more than a +match for Low and his company had she made a good resistance. +The pink proved to be a better sailer than the French +banker, so most of the cargo of wheat was thrown overboard +and guns from the French ship were mounted on board the +pink and after stores were transferred the banker was burned. +The French ship also was burned, the crew having been transferred +to a large Portuguese launch except the cook who Low +declared was a greasy fellow and would fry well in a fire, so he +was bound to the mainmast and burnt alive with the ship. +The command of the “Rose” pink, mounting fourteen guns, +was taken over by Low and Harris was given command of the +schooner.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp75" id="i152" style="max-width: 115.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i152.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption>CAPTAIN EDWARD LOW IN A HURRICANE<br> +<span class='c2'>From a rare engraving in the Harry Elkins Widener Collection, Harvard College Library</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>As water and fresh provisions were needed, Low then sent +word to the Governor at St. Michaels, that if furnished with +supplies he would release the vessels that had been taken, +otherwise they would be burned. The Governor was a prudent +man and thought best not to debate the matter, so fresh +provisions soon made their appearance and the six vessels +were released, as Low had promised, that is, after he had +plundered them. While the schooner was lying at anchor in +the fairway between St. Michael’s and St. Mary’s, about +August 20th, Captain Carter in the “Wright” galley came +sailing by and fell into Harris’ hands after a short but ill-judged +resistance. Those on board were cut and mangled in +a barbarous manner and especially some Portuguese passengers, +two of whom were Roman Catholic friars. These unfortunate +men Harris had triced up at each arm of the foreyard, +but before they were quite dead he let them down again +and after having recovered somewhat they were sent up again,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span> +a sport much enjoyed by these Puritan pirates. Another +Portuguese passenger who was much terrified by what was +going on, was attacked by one of the pirate crew who gave +him a slashing cut across the belly with his cutlass that opened +his bowels and soon caused death. The fellow said that he did +it because “he didn’t like the looks” of the Portuguese. Captain +Low happened to be on board at the time this capture +was made and while the cutting and slashing was going on +among the unfortunate passengers he accidentally received a +blow on his under jaw intended for a Portuguese, that laid +open his teeth. The surgeon was called and the wound +stitched up, but Low found fault with the way the work was +done and the surgeon becoming incensed struck him on the +jaw with his fist so that the stitches were pulled away, at the +same time telling Low to go to Hell and sew up his own chops. +After the drunken crew were tired of their slashing and had +thoroughly plundered the ship, it was proposed that she be +burned as they had done with the Frenchman, but at last it +was decided to cut her sails and rigging in pieces and turn her +adrift.</p> + +<p>Low in the pink and Harris in the schooner now steered for +the island of Madeira where, needing a supply of water, they +came upon a fishing boat having in her two old men and a boy. +They detained one of the old men on board and sent the other +ashore with a demand to the governor for a boatload of water, +under penalty of hanging the old man at the yard-arm in case +their demand was not complied with. When the water was +received the old man was released and he and his companions +were given a supply of handsome clothing that had been +plundered from some captured vessel as an evidence of the +“generous treatment” sometimes shown by the pirates. +From here they sailed for the Cape Verde islands and near +Bonavista captured an English ship called the “Liverpool +Merchant,” Captain Goulding, from which they stole a +quantity of provisions and dry goods, three hundred gallons<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span> +of fine brandy, a mast and hawsers and forced six of his men. +They also captured among these islands a ship owned in London, +the “King Sagamore,” Captain Andrew Scot, homeward +bound from Barbadoes by way of Cape Verde islands. The +captain was wounded and set ashore on the island of Bonavista +absolutely naked and the ship burned. Several of the +crew joined the pirates.<a id="FNanchor_107" href="#Footnote_107" class="fnanchor">[107]</a> Two Portuguese sloops bound for +Brazil also fell into their hands and three sloops from St. +Thomas bound for Curacao, commanded by Captains Lilly, +Staples and Simpkins, all of which were plundered and then +set free. A small trading sloop, owned in England and commanded +by Capt. James Pease, they detained to use as a tender; +but a majority of the men placed on board of her chanced +to be forced men, who for some time had been looking for an +opportunity to escape, and the sloop having been sent in search +of two small galleys, expected at the Western Islands about +that time, the New England men in the crew rose against the +others and took possession of the sloop and set a course for +England. This happened on the fifth of September. Their +provisions and water soon began to run low and the course was +changed for St. Michael’s in the Azores where they sent two +men ashore to give information who they were and to obtain +the needed provisions. The Portuguese officials, however, +were skeptical and seized and jailed the entire crew and kept +them in close quarters for several months. Some of the men +in time escaped as is shown in the narrative of Nicholas Merritt, +a Marblehead fisherman,<a id="FNanchor_108" href="#Footnote_108" class="fnanchor">[108]</a> but most of them are supposed +to have rotted in the castle until they died.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Captain Low had gone to the island of Bonavista +to careen his vessels. The schooner was hove down first +and then the pink, which, it will be recalled, was ballasted +with wheat. Low now gave this wheat to the Portuguese +living nearby and took on other ballast. After cleaning and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span> +refitting he steered for the island of St. Nicholas to fill his water +butts. At this time Francis Farrington Spriggs was in command +of a ship that was escort to Low and with them was a +schooner commanded by the quartermaster of the fleet, one +John Russell, who in reality was a Portuguese instead of the +North Country Englishman that he pretended to be. At +Curisal Road, on the southeast end of St. Nicholas, they captured +a sloop, the “Margaret,” from Barbadoes, Capt. George +Roberts, commander, that had recently arrived and the +events that immediately followed are related in the next +chapter.</p> + + + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_101" href="#FNanchor_101" class="label">[101]</a> Edward Low and Eliza Marble were married by Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth +of the First Church, Boston, on Aug. 12, 1714.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_102" href="#FNanchor_102" class="label">[102]</a> Elizabeth Low married James Burt, Dec. 7, 1739, in Boston.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_103" href="#FNanchor_103" class="label">[103]</a> A full account of this outrage was afterwards printed in the <i>Boston +News-Letter</i> of April 30, 1722.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_104" href="#FNanchor_104" class="label">[104]</a> <i>New England Courant</i>, June 18, 1722.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_105" href="#FNanchor_105" class="label">[105]</a> These Articles are similar to Captain Lowther’s with some additions.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_106" href="#FNanchor_106" class="label">[106]</a> <i>Boston News-Letter</i>, Sept 17, 1722.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_107" href="#FNanchor_107" class="label">[107]</a> <i>American Weekly Mercury</i>, May 9, 1723.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_108" href="#FNanchor_108" class="label">[108]</a> See Chapter XIV.</p> + +</div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI<br> +<span class="ch-title">Captain Roberts’ Account of what Happened +on Low’s Ship</span></h2> +</div> + +<p>Captain George Roberts sailed from London in +September, 1721, mate of the ship “King Sagamore,” +twenty-two guns, Capt. Andrew Scott, commander, +bound for the Barbadoes and Virginia where he was to take +command of a sloop and buy a cargo to slave with on the +coast of Guinea. After various delays he reached the Cape +Verde islands in the sloop “Margaret,” “sixty ton of cask,” +and at Curisal Road, on the island of St. Nicholas, was taken +by the pirate fleet of which Capt. Ned Low was commodore. +Captain Roberts afterwards recounted his adventures in a +volume published<a id="FNanchor_109" href="#Footnote_109" class="fnanchor">[109]</a> in London, from which the following +account is taken.</p> + +<p>“When I came on board the <i>Rose Pink</i>, the Company welcomed +me on board, and said, <i>They were sorry for my Loss; +but told me, I must go to pay my Respects to the Captain, who was +in the Cabbin, and waited for me</i>. I was ushered in by an +Officer, who, I think, was their Gunner, and who, by his +Deportment, acted as though he had been Master of the +Ceremonies; tho’ I do not remember to have heard of such an +Officer or Office mentioned among them, neither do I know +whether they are always so formal on Board their Commodore, +at the first Reception of their captivated Masters of Vessels. +When I came into the Cabbin, the Officer who conducted me +thither, after paying his Respects to the Commodore, told +him, <i>That I was the Master of the Sloop which they had taken the +Day before</i>, and then withdrew out of the Cabbin, leaving us +two alone.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span></p> + +<p>“Captain <i>Loe</i>, with the usual Compliment, welcomed me on +board, and told me, <i>He was very sorry for my Loss, and that it +was not his Desire to meet with any of his Country-men, but rather +with Foreigners, excepting some few that he wanted to chastise for +their Rogueishness</i>, as he call’d it: <i>But however</i>, says he, <i>since +Fortune has ordered it so, that you have fallen into our Hands, I +would have you to be of good Cheer, and not to be cast down</i>. I +told him, <i>That I also was very sorry, that it was my Chance to +fall into their Way; but still encouraged myself in the Hopes, that +I was in the Hands of Gentlemen of Honour and Generosity; +it being still in their Power whether to make this their Capture of +me, a Misfortune or not</i>. He said, <i>It did not lie in his particular +Power; for he was but one Man, and all Business of this Nature, +must be done in Publick, and by a Majority of Votes by the whole +Company; and though neither he, nor, he believed, any of the +Company, desired to meet with any of their own Nation (except +some few Persons for the Reasons before-mention’d) yet when +they did, it could not well be avoided, but that they must take as +their own what Providence sent them: And as they were Gentlemen, +who entirely depended upon Fortune, they durst not be so +ungrateful to her, as to refuse any Thing which she put into their +Way; for if they should despise any of her Favours, tho’ never so +mean, they might offend her, and thereby cause her to withdraw +her Hand from them; and so, perhaps, they might perish for +want of those Things, which in their rash Folly they slighted</i>. +He then, in a very obliging Tone, desired me to sit down, he +himself all this Time not once moving from his Seat, which was +one of the great Guns, though there were Chairs enough in +the Cabbin; but I suppose, he thought he should not appear +so martial, or Hero-like, if he sat on a Chair, as he did on a +great Gun.</p> + +<p>“After I had sat down, he asked me, <i>What I would drink?</i> +I thank’d him, and told him, <i>I did not much Care for drinking; +but out of a Sense of the Honour he did me in asking, I would +drink any Thing with him which he pleased to drink</i>. He told<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span> +me, <i>It would not avail me any Thing to be cast down: It was +Fortune of War, and grieving or vexing myself, might be of no +good Consequence in respect to my Health; besides, it would be +more taking</i>, he said, <i>with the Company, to appear brisk, lively, +and with as little Concern as I could. And come</i>, says he, <i>you +may, and I hope you will, have better Fortune hereafter</i>. So +ringing the Cabbin-bell, and one of his <i>Valet de Chambres</i>, or +rather <i>Valet de Cabins</i>, appearing, he commanded him to make +a Bowl of Punch, in the great Bowl, which was a rich silver +one, and held, I believe, about two Gallons; which being done, +he ordered likewise some Wine to be set on the Table, and +accordingly two Bottles of Claret were brought; and then he +took the Bowl and drank to me in Punch; but bid me pledge +him in which I liked best; which I did in Wine. He told me, +<i>That what he could favour me in, he would, and wished that it had +been my Fortune to have been taken by them ten Days or a Fortnight +sooner; for then</i>, he said, <i>they had abundance of good +Commodities, which they took in</i> 2 Portugueze <i>outward-bound</i> +Brasile <i>Men, viz. Cloth, as well Linens as Woollens, both fine +and coarse, Hats of all sorts, Silk, Iron, and other rich Goods +in abundance, and believed, he could have prevailed with the +Company even to have loaded my Sloop. But now they had no +Goods at all, he believed, having disposed of them all, either by giving +them to other Prizes, &c. or heaving the rest into</i> David +Jones’s Locker (i.e. the Sea); <i>but did not know, but it might be +his Lot, perhaps, to meet with me again, when it might lie in his +Way to make me a Retaliation for my present Loss; and he did +assure me, that when such an Occasion, as he was but now a +speaking of, offered, I might depend he would not be wanting to +serve me in any Thing that might turn to my Advantage, as far as +his Power or Interest could reach</i>. I could do no less, in common +Civility, and the Truth is, I dared do no less, than thank +him....</p> + +<p>“I was order’d to remain on Board the Commodore till by a +general Vote of the Company it should be determin’d how I and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span> +the Sloop were to be dispos’d of; and Captain <i>Loe</i> ordered a +Hammock and Bedding to be fix’d for me, and told me, <i>That +he would not oblige me to sit up later than I thought fit, nor drink +more than suited my own Inclination; and that he lik’d my +Company no longer than his was agreeable to me</i>; adding, <i>That +there should be no Confinement or Obligation as to drinking, or +sitting up, but I might drink, and go to sleep, when I pleas’d, +without any Exceptions being taken, ordering me to want for +nothing that was on Board; for I was very welcome to anything +that was there, as to Eatables and Drinkables</i>. I thank’d him, +and told him, <i>I would, with all due Gratefulness, make Use +of that Freedom which he was so generous to offer me, &c.</i> About +Eight a-Clock at Night I took my Leave of him, and went to +my Hammock, where I continued all Night, with Thoughts +roving and perplex’d enough, not being able, as yet, to guess +what they design’d to do with me, whether they intended to +give me the Sloop again, or to burn her, as I heard it toss’d +about by some, or to keep me as a Prisoner on Board, or put +me ashoar.</p> + +<p>“My two Boys and Mate remained still on Board the Sloop, +but all the rest they took on Board of them, not once so much +as asking them whether they would Enter with them, only +demanding their Names, which the Steward writ down in their +Roll-Book.</p> + +<p>“About eight a-Clock in the Morning I turn’d out, and went +upon Deck, and as I was walking backwards and forwards, +as is usual amongst us Sailors, there came up one of the Company +to me, and bid me Good-Morrow, and told me, <i>He was +very sorry for my Misfortune</i>. I answer’d, <i>So was I</i>: He look’d +at me, and said, <i>He believ’d I did not know him</i>. I replied, <i>It +was true, I did not know him; neither, at present, could I call +to mind that ever I had seen him before in the whole Course of my +Life</i>. He smil’d, and said, <i>He once belong’d to me, and sail’d +with me when I was Commander of the</i> Susannah <i>in the Year +1718</i> (At that Time I was Master of a Ship call’d the <i>Susannah</i>,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span> +about the Burthen of 300 Tons, whereof was sole Owner +Mr. <i>Richard Stephens</i>, Merchant, living at this present writing +in <i>Shad-Thames</i>, <i>Southwark</i> Side, near <i>London</i>——) In +the <i>Interim</i> came up two more, who told me they all belong’d +to me in the <i>Susannah</i>, at one Time. By this time I had +recollected my Memory so far as just to call them to Mind, and +that was all; and then I told them I did remember them. +They said, they were truly very sorry for my Misfortune, and +would do all that lay in their Power to serve me, and told me, +they had among them the Quantity of about 40 or 50 Pieces of +white Linnen Cloth, and 6 or 8 Pieces of Silk, besides some +other Things; and they would also, they said, make what +Interest they could for me with their Consorts and Intimates, +and with them would make a Gathering for me of what Things +they could, and would put it on Board for me as soon as the +Company had determined that I should have my Sloop again. +They then look’d about them as tho’ they had something to +say that they were not willing any body should hear; but as it +happen’d, there was no body nigh us, which was an Opportunity +very rare in these Sort of Ships, of speaking without +Interruption: But we lying too all Night, no body had any +thing to do, but the Lookers-out, at the Topmast-head; the +Mate of the Watch, Quarter-master of the Watch, Helmsman, +<i>&c.</i> being gone down to drink a Dram, I suppose, or to smoak +a Pipe of Tobacco, or the like. However it was, we had the +Quarter Deck intire to our selves, and they seeing the Coast +clear, told me, with much seeming Concern, That if I did not +take abundance of Care, they would force me to stay with +them, for my Mate had inform’d them, that I was very well +acquainted on the Coast of <i>Brasile</i>, and they were bound down +along the Coast of <i>Guinea</i>, and afterwards design’d to stretch +over to the Coast of <i>Brasile</i>: That there was not one Man of +all the Company that had ever been upon any Part of that +Coast; and that there was but one Way for me to escape being +forced; but I must be very close, and not discover what they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span> +were going to tell me; for if it was known that they had +divulg’d it, notwithstanding they were enter’d Men, and as +much of the Company as any of them, yet they were sure it +would cost them no smaller a Price for it than their Lives. +I told them, I was very much obliged to them for their Goodwill, +and did not wish them to have any Occasion for my Service; +but if ever it should be so, they might depend it should be +to the utmost of my Power; and as for my betraying any thing +that they should tell me of, they could not fear that, because +my own Interest would be a sufficient Tye upon me to the +contrary; and were it not so, and that I was sure to get Mountains +of Gold by divulging it to their Prejudice, I would +sooner suffer my Tongue to be pluck’d out.</p> + +<p>“They said, they did not much fear my revealing it, because +the disclosing it would rather be a Prejudice to me than an +Advantage, and therefore out of pure Respect to me they would +tell me; which was thus: <i>You must know</i>, said they, <i>that we +have an Article which we are sworn to, which is, not to force any +married Man, against his Will, to serve us: Now we have been at +a close Consultation whether we should oblige you to go with us, +not as one of the Company, but as a forc’d Prisoner, in order to +be our Pilot on the Coast of</i> Brasile, <i>where we are designed to +Cruise, and hope to make our Voyage; and your Mate</i>, continued +they, <i>has offer’d to Enter with us, but desires to defer it till +we have determined your Case</i>. <i>Now your Mate, as yet, is +ignorant of our Articles, we never exposing them to any till they +are going to sign them. He was ask’d, Whether you was married +or not? and he said, he could not tell for certain, but believed you +was not: Upon which we spoke, and said, we had known you +several Years, and had sail’d with you in a Frigat-built Ship of +300 Tons, or more: That you was an extraordinary good Man to +your Men, both for Usage and Payment; and that, to our Knowledge, +you was married, and had four Children then: However, +there is one Man who would fain have the Company break through +their Oath on that Article, and tells them, they may, and ought<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span> +to do it, because it is a Case of Necessity, they having no Possibility +of getting a Pilot at present for that Coast, except they take you: +And in their Run along the Coast of</i> Guinea, <i>if they should light +of any body that was acquainted with the Coast of</i> Brasile, <i>and no +way exempted from serving them by the Articles, then they might +take him, and turn you ashore, but ’till such offer’d, he did not see +but the Oath might be dispens’d with; but</i>, continued they, <i>Captain</i> +Loe <i>is very much against it, and told them, That it would be +an ill Precedent, and of bad Consequence; for if we once take the +Liberty of breaking our Articles and Oath, then there is none of +us can be sure of any thing: If</i>, said Captain <i>Loe, you can perswade +the Man upon any Terms to stay with us as a Prisoner, +or otherwise, well and good; if not, do not let us break the Laws +that we have made our selves, and sworn to</i>. They went on, and +told me, <i>That most of the Company seem’d to agree with Captain</i> +Loe’s <i>Opinion, but</i> Russel, said they, <i>seem’d to be sadly nettled +at it, that his Advice was not to be taken; and</i>, continued they, +<i>you will be ask’d the Question, we reckon, by and by, when</i> Russel +<i>comes on Board, and all the Heads meet again; but you must +be sure to say you are married, and have five or six Children; for +it is only that, that will prevent your being forced; tho’, you may +depend upon it</i>, Russel <i>will do what he can to perswade the Company +to break the Article, which we hope they will not, nor shall +they ever have our Consent; and, indeed, there are very few of the +Company but what are against it, but</i> Russel <i>bears a great Sway +in the Company, and can almost draw them any Way. However, +we have put you in the best Method that we can, and hope it +will do: But, for fear Notice should be taken of our being so long +together, we have told you as much as we can, and leave you to +manage it; and so God bless you.</i></p> + +<p>“Upon this, away they went, and by-and-by Captain <i>Loe</i> +turns out, and comes upon Deck, and bidding me Good-morrow, +ask’d me, <i>How I did? and how I lik’d my Bed?</i> I +thank’d him, and told him, <i>I was very well, at his Service, and +lik’d my Bed very well, and was very much obliged to him for the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span> +Care he had taken of me</i>. After which, he order’d a Consultation +Signal to be made, which was their <i>Green Trumpeter</i>, as +they call’d him, hoisted at the Mizen-Peek: It was a green +silk Flag, with a yellow Figure of a Man blowing a Trumpet on +it. The Signal being made, away came the Boats flocking +on Board the Commodore, and when they were all come on +Board, Captain <i>Loe</i> told them, He only wanted them to +Breakfast with him; so down they went into the Cabbin, as +many as it would well hold, and the rest in the Steerage, and +where they could.</p> + +<p>“After Breakfast, Captain <i>Loe ask’d</i> me, <i>If I was married? +and how many Children I had?</i> I told him, <i>I had been married +about ten Years, and had five Children when I came from Home, +and did not know but I might have six now, one being on the +Stocks when I came from Home</i>. He asked me, <i>Whether I +had left my Wife well provided for, when I came from Home?</i> +I told him, <i>I had left her in but very indifferent Circumstances: +That having met with former Misfortunes, I was so low reduc’d, +that the greatest Part of my Substance was in this Sloop and Cargo; +and that, if I was put by this Trip, I did not know but my Family +might want Bread before I could supply them</i>.</p> + +<p>“<i>Loe</i> then turning to <i>Russel</i>, said, <i>It will not do</i>, Russel. <i>What +will not do</i>, said <i>Russel</i>? <i>Loe</i> answer’d, <i>You know who I mean; +we must not, and it shall not be, by G—d. It must, and shall, by +G—d</i>, reply’d <i>Russel; Self-Preservation is the first Law of +Nature, and Necessity, according to the old Proverb, has no Law. +Well</i>, says <i>Loe, It shall never be with my Consent</i>. Hereupon +most of the Company said, <i>It was a Pity, and ought to be taken +into Consideration, and seriously weighed amongst them, and then +put to the Vote</i>. At which <i>Loe</i> said, <i>So it ought, and there is +nothing like the Time present to decide the Controversy, and to +determine the Matter</i>. They all answered, <i>Ay, it was best to +end it now</i>.</p> + +<p>“Then <i>Loe</i> ordered them all to go upon Deck, and bid me stay +in the Cabbin; so up they went all hands, and I sat still and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span> +smoak’d a Pipe of Tobacco, Wine and Punch being left on the +Table: And tho’ I was very impatient to know the Determination, +sometimes hoping it would be in my Favour, and sometimes +fearing the contrary; yet I durst not go out of the Cabbin +to hear what they said, nor make any Enquiry about it.</p> + +<p>“After they had been upon Deck about two Hours, they came +down again, and <i>Loe</i> ask’d me, <i>How I did? and how I lik’d my +Company since they went upon Deck?</i> I thank’d him, and said, +<i>I was very well, at his Service; and as for my Company, I lik’d it +very well, and it was Company that few would dislike. Why</i>, said +he, <i>I thought you had been all alone ever since we went upon Deck</i>. +I answer’d, <i>How could you think, Sir, that I was alone, when you +left me three such boon, jolly Companions to keep me Company?</i></p> + +<p>“<i>Z—ds</i>, says <i>Loe</i>, and seem’d a little angry, <i>I left no-body, and +ordered no-body but the Boy</i> Jack, <i>and him I bid stay at the Cabbin-Door, +with-out-side, and not go in, nor stir from the Door, ’till +I bid him. But</i>, I said, <i>Sir, my three Companions were not humane +Bodies, but those which you left on the Table, to wit, a Pipe +of Tobacco, a Bottle of</i> French <i>Claret, and a Bowl of Punch</i>; at +which they all laugh’d, and <i>Loe</i> said, <i>I was right</i>: So after some +Discourses had pass’d by way of Diversion, <i>Russel</i> said to me. +<i>Master, your Sloop is very Leaky</i>; I said, <i>Yes, she made Water. +Water!</i> says he, <i>I do not know what you could do with her, suppose +we were to give her to you. Besides, you have no Hands, for all your +Hands now belong to us.</i> I said, <i>Sirs, if you please to give her +to me, I do not fear, with God’s Blessing, but to manage her well +enough, if you let me have only those which are on Board, which I +hope you will: namely, my Mate and the two Boys. Well</i>, says +he, <i>and suppose we did, you have no Cargo, for we have taken, to +replenish our Stores, all the Rum, Sugar, Tobacco, Rice, Flower, +and, in short, all your Cargo and Provisions</i>. I told him, <i>I +would do as well as I could, and if the worst came to the worst, I +could load the Sloop with Salt, and carry it to the</i> Canaries, +<i>where, I knew, they were in great Want of Salt at present, and +therefore was sure it would come to a good Market there: Ay, but</i>,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span> +says he, <i>how will you do to make your Cargo of Salt, having no +Hands, and having nothing wherewith to hire the Natives to help +you to make it, or to pay for their bringing it down on their Asses; +for you must believe</i>, said he, <i>I understand Trade</i>. I told him, +<i>If it did come to that Extremity, I had so good Interest both at the +Island of</i> Bona Vist, <i>as likewise at the Isle of</i> May, <i>that I was +sure the Inhabitants would assist me all that they could, and trust +me for their Pay till I return’d again; especially when they came +to know the Occasion that oblig’d me to it; and that, upon the +Whole, I did not fear, with God’s Blessing, to get a Cargo of Salt +on Board, if they would be so generous as to give me the Sloop +again. Well but</i>, says Russel, <i>suppose we should let you have +the Sloop, and that you could do as you say, what would you do +for Provisions? for we shall leave you none; and I suppose I need +not tell you, for, without doubt, you know it already, that all these +Islands to Windward are in great Scarcity of Victuals, and +especially the two Islands that produce the Salt, which have been +oppress’d for many Years with a sore Famine</i>. I told him, <i>I +was very sensible that all he said last was true, but hop’d, if they +gave me the Sloop, they would also be so generous as to give me +some Provisions, a small quantity of which would serve my little +Company; but if not, I could go down to the Leeward Islands, +where, likewise, I had some small Interest, and I did not doubt +but I could have a small Matter of such Provisions as the Islands +afforded, namely, Maiz, Pompions, Feshunes, &c. with which, by +God’s Assistance, we would endeavour to make shift, ’till it pleased +God we could get better. Ay but</i>, says he, <i>perhaps your Mate +and Boys will not be willing to run that Hazard with you, nor +care to endure such Hardship</i>. I told him, <i>As for my Boys, I +did not fear their Compliance, and hop’d my Mate would also +do the same, seeing I requir’d him to undergo no other Hardship +but what I partook of myself. Ay, but</i>, says Russel, <i>Your Mate +has not the same Reasons as you have, to induce him to bear with +all those Hardships, which you must certainly be exposed to in +doing what you propose; and therefore you cannot expect him to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span> +be very forward in accepting such hard Terms with you; (tho’ +I cannot conceive it to be so easie to go through with, in the Manner +you propose, as you seem to make it)</i>. I answer’d, <i>As for the +Mate’s Inclinations, I was not able positively to judge in this +Affair, but I believed him to be an honest, as well as a conscientious +Man, and as I had been very civil to him in several Respects, +in my Prosperity, so I did not doubt, if I had the Liberty to talk +with him a little on this Affair, but he would be very willing to +undergo as much Hardship to extricate me out of this my Adversity, +as he could well bear, or I in Reason require of him, +which would be no more than I should bear myself; and when it +pleased God to turn the Scales, I would endeavour to make him +Satisfaction to the full of what, in reason, he could expect, or, at +least, as far as I was able</i>.</p> + +<p>“<i>Come, come</i>, says Captain <i>Loe, let us drink about. Boy! +how does the Dinner go forward?</i> The Boy answer’d, <i>Very +well, Sir</i>. Says Loe, <i>Gentlemen, you must all Dine with me to +Day.</i> They unanimously answer’d, <i>Ay: Come then</i>, says Loe, +<i>toss the Bowl about, and let us have a fresh One, and call a fresh +Cause</i>.</p> + +<p>“They all agreed to this, and then began to talk of their past +Transactions at <i>Newfoundland</i>, the <i>Western Islands</i>, <i>Canary +Islands</i>, &c. What Ships they had taken, and how they +serv’d them when in their Possession; and how they oblig’d +the Governor of the Island of St. <i>Michael</i> to send them off +two Boat-Loads of fresh Meat, Greens, Wine, Fowls, &c. or +otherwise, threatened to damnifie the Island, by burning some +of the small Vilages: Of their Landing on the Island of <i>Teneriff</i>, +to the Northward of <i>Oratavo</i>, in hopes of meeting with a Booty, +but got nothing but their Skins full of Wine; and how they +had like to have been surpriz’d by the Country, which was +raised upon that Occasion, but got all off safe, and without +any Harm, except one Man, who receiv’d a Shot in his Thigh +after they were got into their Boats; but, they said, they +caused several of the <i>Spaniards</i> to drop; and, That they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span> +should have been certainly lost, if they had tarried but half a +quarter of an Hour longer in the House where they were drinking, +and where they expected to get the Booty, which they +Landed in quest of, according to the Information given them +by one of the Inhabitants of the Island, who was taken by +them in a Fishing-Boat, and told them, that, that Gentleman +had an incredible Quantity of Money, as well as Plate, in his +House: And on this Occasion they threatened the poor Fisherman +how severely they would punish him for giving them a +false Information, if ever they should light of him again; but, +I suppose, the Fellow kept close ashore after they let him go, +all the Time they lay lurking about the Island: They also +boasted how many <i>French</i> Ships they had taken upon the +Banks of <i>Newfoundland</i>, and what a vast Quantity of Wine, +especially <i>French</i> Claret, they took from them; with abundance +of such like Stuff; which, as it did not immediately concern +me, so I shall not trouble myself with particularizing: +And, indeed, my Attention was so wholly taken up with the +Uncertainty of my own Affairs, that I gave no great Heed to +those Subjects that were foreign to me; and which, for that +Reason, made but a slight Impression on my Memory.</p> + +<p>“In this Manner they pass’d the Time away, drinking and +carousing merrily, both before and after Dinner, which they +eat in a very disorderly Manner, more like a Kennel of Hounds, +than like Men, snatching and catching the Victuals from one +another; which, tho’ it was very odious to me, it seem’d one of +their chief Diversions, and, they said, look’d Martial-like.</p> + +<p>“Before it was quite dark, every one repaired on Board their +respective Vessels, and about Eight a-Clock at Night I went +to my Hammock, without observing, as I remember, any +thing worth remarking, save, that Captain <i>Loe</i>, and I, and +three or four more, drank a couple of Bottles of Wine after +the Company were gone, before we went to Sleep, in which +time we had abundance of Discourse concerning <i>Church</i> and +<i>State</i>, as also about <i>Trade</i>, which would be tedious to relate in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span> +that confused Manner we talked of these Subjects, besides the +Reason I just now mentioned.</p> + +<p>“<i>Loe</i> stay’d up after me, and when I was in my Hammock, +I heard him give the necessary Orders for the Night, which +were, that they were to lie too with their Head to the <i>North +Westward</i>, as, indeed, we had ever since I had been on Board of +him; to mind the Top-light, and for the Watch, to be sure, +above all things, to keep a good Look-out; and to call him if +they saw any thing, or if the other Ships made any Signals.</p> + +<p>“I passed this Night as the former, ruminating on my present +unhappy Condition, not yet being able to dive into, or fathom +their Designs, or what they intended to do with me, and often +thinking on what the three Men told me, as also on what the +Company said, but in a more particular manner, of what +<i>Russel</i> told me concerning my Mate, ’till Sleep overpowered +my Senses, and gave me a short Recess from my Troubles.</p> + +<p>“In the Morning, about five a-Clock, I turned out, and a +little after, one of the three Men who spoke to me the Morning +before, came to me, and bid me Good-morrow, and ask’d me +very courteously how I did? and told me, that they would all +three, as before, have come and spoke to me, but were afraid +the Company, especially <i>Russel’s</i> Friends, would think they +held a secret Correspondence with me, which was against one +of their Articles, it being punishable by Death, to hold any +secret Correspondence with a Prisoner; but they hop’d all +would be well, and that they believ’d I should have my Sloop +again; <i>Russel</i> being the only Man who endeavour’d to hinder +it, and he only, on the Account of having me to go with them +on the Coast of <i>Brasile</i>; but that most of the Company was +against it, except the meer Creatures of <i>Russel</i>. He said, I +might thank my Mate for it all, who, he much fear’d, would +prove a Rogue to me, and Enter with them; and then, if they +should give me my Sloop, I should be sadly put to it to manage +her myself, with one Boy, and the little Child. He also said, +That he, and the other two, heartily wish’d they could go with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span> +me in her, but that it was impossible to expect it, it being +Death even to motion it, by another of their Articles, which +says, <i>That if any of the Company shall advise, or speak any +thing tending to the separating or breaking of the Company, or +shall by any Means offer or endeavour to desert or quit the Company, +that Person shall be shot to Death by the Quarter-Master’s +Order, without the Sentence of a Court-Martial</i>. He added, +That ’till my Mate had given <i>Russel</i> an Account of my being +acquainted on the Coast of <i>Brasile</i>, he seem’d to be my best +Friend, and would certainly have prov’d so, and would have +prevail’d with the Company to have made a Gathering for me, +which, perhaps, might not have come much short in Value of +what they had taken from me; for there was but few in the +Company but had several Pieces of Linnen Cloth, Pieces of +Silk, spare Hats, Shoes, Stockings, gold Lace, and abundance +of other Goods, besides the publick Store, which, if <i>Russel</i> +had continued my Friend, for one Word speaking, there was +not one of them but would have contributed to make up my +Loss; it being usual for them to reserve such Things for no +other Use but to give to any whom they should take, or that +formerly was of their Acquaintance, or that they took a present +Liking to: He said farther, That he believ’d Captain <i>Loe</i> +would be my Friend, and do what he could for me; but that, +in Opposition to <i>Russel</i>, he could do but little, <i>Russel</i> bearing +twice the Sway with the Company, that Captain <i>Loe</i> did; and +that <i>Russel</i> was always more considerate to those they took, +than <i>Loe</i>; but now I must expect no Favour from him, he was +so exasperated by the Opposition that the Company, and +especially Captain <i>Loe</i>, made to my being forc’d to go with +them on the Coast of <i>Brasile</i>: He, however, bid me have a +good Heart, and wish’d it lay in his Power to serve me more +than it did, and bid me not to take very much Notice, or shew +much Freedom with them, but rather a seeming Indifference: +Adding, That he and his two Consorts wish’d me as well as +Heart could wish, and whatever Service they could do me,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span> +while among them, I might assure myself it should not be +wanting; desiring me to excuse him, and not take amiss his +withdrawing from me; concluding, with Tears in his Eyes, +that he did not know whether he should have another Opportunity +of private Discourse with me; neither would it be +for the Advantage of either of us, except some new Matter +offer’d them Occasion to forewarn, or precaution me, which, +if it did, one of them would not fail to acquaint me with it: +And so he left me.</p> + +<p>“Some time after, Captain <i>Loe</i> turn’d out, and after the usual +Compliments pass’d, we took a Dram of Rum, and enter’d +into Discourse with one or another, on different Subjects; +for as a Tavern or Alehouse-keeper endeavours to promote his +Trade, by conforming to the Humours of every Customer, so +was I forc’d to be pleasant with every one, and bear a Bob with +them in almost all their Sorts of Discourse, tho’ never so contrary +and disagreeable to my own Inclinations; otherwise I +should have fallen under an <i>Odium</i> with them, and when once +that happens to be the Case with any poor Man, the Lord +have Mercy upon him; for then every rascally Fellow will let +loose his Brutal Fancy upon him, and either abuse him with +his Tongue (which is the least hurtful) or kick or cuff him, or +otherways abuse him, as they are more or less cruel, or artificially +raised by Drinking, Passion, <i>&c.</i></p> + +<p>“Captain <i>Russel</i>, with some more, came on Board about ten +or eleven a-Clock in the Forenoon, and seem’d to be very +pleasant to me, asking me how I did? telling me, that he had +been considering of what I said Yesterday, and could not see, +how I should be able to go through with it: That it would be +very difficult, if not wholly impossible, and I should run a very +great Hazard in what I propos’d. He believed, he said, that +I was a Man, and a Man of Understanding, but in this Case I +rather seem’d to be directed by an obstinate Desperation, than +by Reason; and for his Part, since I was so careless of myself +as to determine to throw myself away, he did not think it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span> +would stand with the Credit or Reputation of the Company, +to put it into my Power. He wish’d me well, he said, and did +assure me, that the Thoughts of me had taken him up the +greatest Part of the Night; and he had hit on a Way which, he +was sure, would be much more to my Advantage, and not +expose me to so much Hazard and Danger, and yet would be +more profitable, than I could expect by having the Sloop, tho’ +every thing was to fall out to exceed my Expectation; and did +not doubt of the Company’s agreeing to it: <i>And this</i>, says he, +<i>is, to take and sink or burn your Sloop, and keep you with us no +otherwise than as you are now</i>, viz. <i>a Prisoner; and I promise +you, and will engage to get the Company to sign and agree to it, +the first Prize we take, if you like her; and if not, you shall stay +with us till we take a Prize that you like, and you shall have her +with all her Cargo, to dispose of how and where you please, for your +own proper Use</i>. He added, <i>that this, perhaps, might be the +making of me, and put me in a Capacity of leaving off the Sea, +and living ashore, if I was so inclin’d</i>; protesting, <i>that he did +all this purely out of Respect to me, because he saw I was a +Man of Sense</i>, as he said, <i>and was willing to take Care and +Pains to get a Living for myself and Family</i>.</p> + +<p>“I thank’d him, and told him, <i>I was sorry I could not accept of +his kind Offer; and hoped he would excuse me, and not impute it +to an obstinate Temper; because</i>, I said, <i>I did not perceive it +would be of any Advantage to me, but rather the Reverse; for I +could not see how I should be able to dispose of the Ship, or any +Part of her Cargo; because no Body would buy, except I had a +lawful Power to sell; and they all certainly knew, they had no +farther Right to any Ship or Goods that they took, than so long as +such Ship or Goods was within the Verge of their Power; which, +they were sensible, could not extend so far, as to reach any Place +where such Sale could be made: Besides</i>, I said, <i>if the Owners of +any such Ship or Goods should ever come to hear of it, then +should I be liable to make them Restitution, to the full Value of +such Ship and Cargo, or be oblig’d to lie in a Prison the remaining<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span> +Part of my Days; or, perhaps, by a more rigid Prosecution of the +Law against my Person, run a Hazard of my Life</i>.</p> + +<p>“<i>Russel</i> said, <i>These were but needless and groundless Scruples, +and might easily be evaded: As for my having a Right to make +Sale of the Ship and Cargo, which they would give me, they could +easily make me a Bill of Sale of the Ship, and such other necessary +Powers in Writing, as were sufficient to justify my Title to it +beyond all Possibility of Suspicion; so that I should not have any +Reason to fear my being detected in the Sale: And as for my +Apprehension of being discover’d to the Owners, that might as +easily be prevented; for they should always know, by Examination +of the Master, &c. and also by the Writings taken on board such +Ship (which they always took Care to seize upon) who were the +Owners and Merchants concern’d in both Ship and Cargo, as also +their Places of Abode; by which I might be able to shun a Possibility +of their discovering me</i>: Adding, <i>That I might have the +Powers and Writings made in another Name, which I might go by +’till I had finish’d the Business, and then could assume my own; +which Method would certainly secure me from all Possibility of +Discovery</i>.</p> + +<p>“I told him, <i>I must confess, there was not only a Probability, +but a seeming Certainty, in what he said, and that it argued +abundance of Wit in the Contrivance; but</i>, I assur’d him, <i>that +were I positively certain, which I could not be, that ’till the Hour +of my Death it would not be discover’d, yet there was still a strong +Motive to deter me from accepting it; which, tho’ it might seem, +perhaps, to them to be of no Weight, and but a meer Chimera, +yet it had greater Force with me than all the Reasons I had hitherto +mention’d; and that was my Conscience; which would be a continual +Witness against me, and a constant Sting, even when, +perhaps, no Body would accuse me: And as there could be no +hearty and unfeigned Repentance, without making a full Restitution, +as far as I was able, to the injur’d Person</i>; I ask’d them, +<i>What Benefit would it be to me, if I got Thousands of Pounds, +and could not be at Peace with my Conscience, ’till I had restor’d<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span> +every Thing to the proper Owners, and after all, remain as I was +before?</i> A great deal more, I told them, I could say upon this +Head; but doubted that Discourses of this Nature were not +very taking with some of them, and might seem of very little +Account; <i>Yet I hope</i>, said I, <i>and God forbid that there should +not be some of you, who have a Thought of a great and powerful +God, and a Consciousness of his impartial Justice to punish, as +well as of his unfathomable Mercy to pardon Offenders upon their +unfeigned Repentance, which would not so far extend as to +encourage us to run on in sinning, thereby presuming to impose +on his Mercy</i>.</p> + +<p>“Some of them said, <i>I should do well to preach a Sermon, and +would make them a good Chaplain</i>. Others said, <i>No, they +wanted no Godliness to be preach’d there: That Pirates had no +God but their</i> Money, <i>nor</i> Saviour <i>but their</i> Arms. Others said, +<i>That I had said nothing but what was very good, true, and rational, +and they wish’d that Godliness, or, at least, some Humanity, were +in more Practice among them; which they believ’d, would be more +to their Reputation, and cause a greater Esteem to be had for them, +both from God and Man</i>.</p> + +<p>“After this, a Silence follow’d; which Capt. <i>Russel</i> broke, +saying to me again, <i>Master, as to your Fear that you wrong your +Neighbour in taking a Ship from us, which we first took from him; +in my Judgment, it is groundless and without Cause; nor is it a +Breach of the Laws of God or Man, as far as I am able to apprehend; +for you do not take their Goods from them, nor usurp their +Property: That we have done without your Advice, Concurrence, +or Assistance; and therefore whatever Sin or Guilt follows that +Action, it is intirely</i> Ours, <i>and, in my Opinion, cannot extend to +make any unconcern’d Person guilty with us. It is plain, beyond +disputing</i>, continu’d he, <i>that you can be no Way Partaker with us +in any Capture, while you are only a constrain’d Prisoner, +neither giving your Advice or Consent, or any Ways assisting; +and therefore it may be most certainly concluded, that it is We +only that have invaded the Right, and usurp’d the Property of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span> +another; and that you must be innocent, and cannot be Partaker +of the Crime, unless concern’d in that Action that made it a Crime. +But you seem to allow, that we have a Property, while we are in +Possession; but</i>, added he, <i>I suppose you think, that all the +Claim we have to the Ships and Goods that we take, is by an Act +of Violence, and therefore unjust, and of no longer Force than +while we are capable to maintain them by the same superior +Strength by which we obtain’d them</i>.</p> + +<p>“I told him, <i>I could not express my Conceptions of it better or +fuller, I thought, than he had done; but hoped, neither he, nor +Capt.</i> Loe, <i>nor any of the Gentlemen present, would be offended at +my taking so much Liberty; which was rather to acquaint them +with my Reasons for not being able to accept of their kind Offer, +than to give any Gentleman Offence</i>; adding, <i>That I had so much +Confidence in their Favours, that, if I could have accepted them, I +verily believ’d, they would all have concurred with Capt.</i> Russel +<i>in what he so kindly and friendly design’d me</i>.</p> + +<p>“At which Words they all cry’d, <i>Ay, Ay, by G—</i>, and that +<i>I was deserving of that and more</i>.</p> + +<p>“I told them, <i>I heartily thank’d them all in general, and did not +wish any of them so unfortunate, as to stand in Need of my +Service; yet, if ever they did, they should find, that the uttermost of +my Ability should not be wanting in Retaliation of all the Civilities +they had shewn me, ever since it was my Lot to fall into their +Hands; but, in a more especial Manner, for this their now +offer’d Kindness, tho’ I could not accept it with a safe and clear +Conscience, which I valued above any Thing to be enjoy’d in this +World</i>. I said, <i>I could add farther Reasons to those I had already +urg’d; but I would not trouble them longer, fearing I had already +been too tedious or offensive to some of them; which, if I had, I +heartily begg’d their Pardon; assuring them once more, that if it +was so, it was neither my Design nor Intent, but the Reverse</i>.</p> + +<p>“Hereupon they all said, <i>They liked to hear us talk, and thought +we were very well match’d</i>: Adding, <i>That Capt.</i> Russel <i>could +seldom meet with a Man that could stand him: But, as for their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span> +Parts, they were pleas’d with our Discourse, and were very sure</i> +Loe <i>and</i> Russel <i>were so too</i>.</p> + +<p>“Capt. <i>Loe</i> than said, He liked it very well; but told me, I +had not return’d Capt. <i>Russel</i> an Answer to what he last said, +which he thought deserv’d one.</p> + +<p>“I answer’d, That since the Gentlemen were so good-natur’d, +as not only to take in good Part what I had hitherto said, but +also to give me free Liberty to pursue my Discourse, I should +make Use of their Indulgence, and answer what Capt. <i>Russel</i> +had said last to me, in as brief and inoffensive a Manner as I +was capable of.</p> + +<p>“Then turning to <i>Russel</i>, I said, <i>Sir, Your Opinion of my +Notion of the Right you have to any Ship or Goods you may take, +is exactly true; and I think your Right cannot extend farther than +your Power to maintain that Right; and therefore it must follow, +you can transfer no other Right to any one than what you have +your selves, which will render any Person who receiv’d them, as +guilty for detaining them from the proper Owners, as you for the +taking them</i>.</p> + +<p>“He said, <i>Be it so; we will suppose</i> (and seemed a little angry) +<i>for Argument Sake, we have taken a Ship, and are resolv’d to sink +or burn her, unless you will accept of her: Now, pray, where is the +Owner’s Property, when the Ship is sunk, or burned? I think +the Impossibility of his having her again, cuts off his Property to +all Intents and Purposes, and our Power was the same, notwithstanding +our giving her to you, if we had thought fit to make use +of it.</i></p> + +<p>“I was loth to argue any farther, seeing him begin to be +peevish; and knowing, by the Information afore given me by +the three Men, that all his pretended Kindness and Arguments +were only in order to detain me, without the Imputation of +having broken their Articles; which he found the major Part +of the Company very averse to; wherefore, to cut all short, I +told him, I was very sensible of the Favours design’d me; and +should always retain a grateful Sense of them: That I knew I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span> +was absolutely in their Power, and they might dispose of me as +they pleas’d; but that having been hitherto treated so generously +by them, I could not doubt of their future Goodness to +me. And that if they would be pleas’d to give me my Sloop +again, it was all I requested at their Hands; and I doubted +not, but that, by the Blessing of God on my honest Endeavours, +I should soon be able to retrieve my present Loss; at +least, I said, I should have nothing to reproach myself with, +whatever should befal me, as I should have, if I were to +comply with the Favour they had so kindly intended for me.</p> + +<p>“Upon which, Capt. <i>Loe</i> said, <i>Gentlemen, the Master, I must +needs say, has spoke nothing but what is very reasonable, and I +think he ought to have his Sloop. What do you say Gentlemen?</i></p> + +<p>“The greatest Part of them answered aloud, <i>Ay, Ay, by G—, +let the poor Man have his Sloop again, and go in God’s Name, +and seek a Living in her for his Family. Ay</i>, said some of +them, <i>and we ought to make something of a Gathering for the poor +Man, since we have taken every Thing that he had on Board his +Vessel</i>. This put an End to the Dispute; and every Body +talked according to their Inclinations, the Punch, Wine, and +Tobacco being moving Commodities all this Time: And every +one who had an Opportunity of speaking to me, wish’d me +much Joy with, and success in, my newly obtain’d Sloop.</p> + +<p>“Towards Night, <i>Russel</i> told Capt. <i>Loe</i>, that as the Company +had agreed to give me the Sloop again, it was to be hoped they +would discharge me, and let me go about my Business in a +short Time; and therefore, with his Leave, he would take me +on Board the Scooner with him, to treat me with a Sneaker of +Punch before parting. Accordingly, I accompany’d him on +Board his Vessel, tho’ I had rather stay’d with <i>Loe</i>, and he +welcomed me there, and made abundance of Protestations of +his Kindness and Respect to me; but still argued, that he +thought I was very much overseen in not accepting what he +had so kindly, and out of pure Respect, offer’d to me, and +which, he said, would really have been the making of me. I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span> +told him, I thank’d him for his Favour and Good-will; but +was very well satisfy’d with the Company’s Generosity in +agreeing to give me the Sloop again, which, I said, was more +satisfactory to me, than the richest Prize that they could take.</p> + +<p>“Well, says he, I wish it may prove according to your Expectation. +I thank’d him; so down we went into the Cabbin, and, +with the Officers only, diverted ourselves in talking ’till +Supper was laid on the Table.</p> + +<p>“After Supper, a Bowl of Punch, and half a Dozen of Claret, +being set on the Table, Capt. <i>Russel</i> took a Bumper, and drank +<i>Success to their Undertaking</i>; which went round, I not daring +to refuse it. Next Health was <i>Prosperity to Trade</i>, meaning +their own Trade. The third Health was, <i>The King of France</i>: +After which, <i>Russel</i> began the <i>King of</i> England<i>’s Health</i>; +so they all drank round, some saying, <i>The King of</i> England’s +<i>Health</i>, others only <i>The aforesaid Health</i>, ’till it came round to +me; and Capt. <i>Russel</i> having empty’d two Bottles of Claret +into the Bowl, as a Recruit, and there being no Liquor that I +have a greater Aversion to, than red Wine in Punch, I heartily +begg’d the Captain and the Company would excuse my drinking +any more of that Bowl, and give me leave to pledge the +Health in a Bumper of Claret.</p> + +<p>“Hereupon <i>Russel</i> said, <i>Damn you, you shall drink in your +Turn a full Bumper of that Sort of Liquor that the Company does. +Well, Gentlemen</i>, said I, <i>rather than have any Words about it, I +will drink it, tho’ it is in a Manner Poyson to me; because I +never drank any of this Liquor, to the best of my Remembrance, +but it made me sick two or three Days at least after it.</i> <i>And +d—n you</i>, says <i>Russel, if it be in a Manner, or out of a Manner, +or really, rank Poyson, you shall drink as much, and as often, +as any one here, unless you fall down dead, dead</i>!</p> + +<p>“So I took the Glass, which was one of your <i>Hollands</i> Glasses, +made in the Form of a Beaker, without a Foot, holding about +three Quarters of a Pint, and filling it to the Brim, said, <i>Gentlemen, +here is the aforesaid Health. What Health is that</i>, said<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span> +<i>Russel? Why</i>, says I, <i>the same Health you all have drank, The +King of</i> England’s <i>Health. Why</i>, says <i>Russel, who is King of</i> +England? I answer’d, <i>In my Opinion, he that wears the Crown, +is certainly King while he keeps it. Well</i>, says he, <i>and pray who +is that? Why</i>, says I, <i>King</i> George <i>at present wears it</i>. Hereupon +he broke out in the most outrageous Fury, damning me, +and calling me Rascally Son of a B—; and abusing his Majesty +in such a virulent Manner, as is not fit to be repeated, +asserting, with bitter Curses, that we had no King.</p> + +<p>“I said, <i>I admir’d that he would begin and drink a Health to a +Person who was not in being</i>. Upon which, he whipp’d one of +his Pistols from his Sash, and I really believe would have shot +me dead, if the Gunner of the Scooner had not snatch’d it out +of his Hand.</p> + +<p>“This rather more exasperated <i>Russel</i>, who continu’d swearing +and cursing his Majesty in the most outrageous Terms, and +asserting the Pretender to be the lawful King of <i>England, &c.</i> +He added, That ’twas a Sin to suffer such a false traiterous Dog +as I was to live; and with that whipp’d out another Pistol +from his Sash, and cock’d it, and swore he would shoot me +through the Head, and was sure he should do God and his +Country good Service, by ridding the World of such a traiterous +Villain. But the Master of the Scooner prevented him, by +striking the Pistol out of his Hand.</p> + +<p>“Whether it was with the Fall, or his Finger being on the +Trigger, I cannot tell, but the Pistol went off without doing +any Damage: At which the Master, and all present, blamed +<i>Russel</i> for being so rash and hasty; and the Gunner said, I +was not to blame; for that I drank the Health as it was first +propos’d, and there being no Names mention’d, and King +<i>George</i> being possess’d of the Crown, and establish’d by +Authority of Parliament, he did not see but his Title was the +best. <i>But what have we to do</i>, continued he, <i>with the Rights of +Kings or Princes? Our Business here, is to chuse a King for +our own Commonwealth; to make such Laws as we think most<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span> +conducive to the Ends we design; and to keep ourselves from being +overcome, and subjected to the Penalty of those Laws which are +made against us.</i> He then intimated to <i>Russel</i>, That he must +speak his Sentiments freely, and imputed his Quarrel with me, +to his being hinder’d from breaking thro’ their Articles: +Urging, that he would appear no better than an Infringer of +their Laws, if the Matter were narrowly look’d into: And +that it was impossible ever to have any Order or Rule observ’d, +if their Statutes were once broken thro’. He put him in Mind +of the Penalty, which was Death, to any one who should infringe +their Laws; and urg’d, That if it were once admitted +that a Man, thro’ Passion, or the like, should be excused +breaking in upon them, there would be an End to their Society: +And concluded with telling him, that it was an extraordinary +Indulgence in the Company, not to remind him of the Penalty +he had incurr’d.</p> + +<p>“<i>Russel</i>, still continuing his Passion, answer’d, That if he had +transgress’d, it was not for the Sake of his own private Interest, +but for the general Good of the Company; and therefore did +not fear, neither in Justice could he expect, any Severity from +the Company for what he had done; and for that Reason, +whatever he (the Gunner) or those of his Sentiments, thought +of it, he was resolv’d, whatever came of it, to pursue his +present Humour.</p> + +<p>“Then says the Gunner to the rest, <i>Well, Gentlemen, if you +have a Mind to maintain those Laws made, establish’d, and +sworn to by you all, as I think we are all obligated by the strongest +Tyes of Reason and Self-Interest to do, I assure you, my Opinion +is, that we ought to secure</i> John Russel, <i>so as to prevent his +breaking our Laws and Constitutions, and thereby do ourselves, +and him too, good Service: Ourselves, by not suffering such an +Action of Cruelty in cold Blood, as he more than once attempted +to commit, as you are Eye-witnesses of, and, I believe, most on +Board have been Ear-witnesses to the Pistol’s going off; and all +this for no other Reason in the World, but through a proud and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span> +ambitious Humour, conceiting he is the Man that is not to be contradicted, +and that his Words, though tending to our Ruin, must +yet be receiv’d as an Oracle, without any Opposition</i>.</p> + +<p>“At which they all said, It was a pity the Master should +suffer, neither would they permit it; and speaking to <i>Russel</i>, +they said, they would not allow him to be so barbarous: That +they had always valued themselves upon this very Thing of +being civil to their Prisoners, and not abusing their Persons: +That, ’till now, he himself had been always the greatest +Perswader to Clemency, and even to the forgiving Provocations, +and permitting them to go from ’em with as little Loss +as could be, after they had taken what they had Occasion for: +<i>But now</i>, said they, <i>you are quite the Reverse, to this poor Man, +and for no other Reason, that we know of, but, as the Gunner said +just now, because we would not yield a greater Power to you alone, +then you with the whole Company have when conjoin’d; that is, +that you at any Time, to gratify your own Humour, shall have +Liberty, not only to dispense with our Laws, but to act against +the Sentiments of the whole Company</i>.</p> + +<p>“<i>Russel</i> answer’d, That he never did oppose the Company +before; neither could he believe any present could charge him +with any Cruelty in cold Blood, ever since he belong’d to the +Company; but that he had a Reason for what he did, or would +have done, if he had not been prevented. Hereupon the +Master interrupting him, said, <i>Capt.</i> Russel, <i>we know of no +Reason for your passionate Design, but what we have told you; +and, as you have been told before, it reflects a Revenge against the +Company; but not being able to effect that, you turn it on that poor +Man the Master of the Sloop, and, as it were, in despite of the +Company, because they have decreed him his Sloop again, that +he may provide a Living for his Family, you would barbarously, +nay brutishly, as well as to the Company contemptuously, murder +that poor Man, who has given you no Occasion to induce you to +such an Action that we know of; and if he has given you any +sufficient Cause to be so offended at him, we promise you this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span> +Instant, to deliver him up to you, to suffer Death, or what other +Punishment you think fit to inflict on him</i>.</p> + +<p>“<i>Russel</i> told them, That he had been in the Company almost +from the first, and he challeng’d any one to charge him with +Singularity, or Opposition to the Company, or of Cruelty to +any one Prisoner before that Rascal, as he call’d me, and that +therefore they might be assur’d, he should not have taken up +such Resentments against me, if he had not a sufficient Reason +to provoke him to it, which he did not think proper at that +Time to divulge.</p> + +<p>“<i>Then</i>, says the Gunner, <i>neither do we think proper that you +shall take any Man’s Life away in cold Blood, ’till you think fit +to acquaint the Company with the Reasons for it; and I think it +was your Place to satisfy the Company, before you took the +Liberty to attempt the Life of any Man under the Company’s +Protection, as I think all Prisoners are: And, to say the Truth, +I do verily believe, you have no other Reasons to give than those +hinted by the Master and me; and therefore, I think it but Reason, +to use such Methods as may prevent your passionate Design, and +secure the Prisoner ’till Morning, and then send him on Board the +Commodore, who, with the Advice of the Majority, may order the +Matter as he thinks best</i>.</p> + +<p>“This was consented to by all, and so <i>Russel</i>, having his +Arms taken from him, was order’d not to offer the least Disturbance +again, nor concern himself with or about me, ’till after +I was on Board the Commodore, on Pain of the Crew’s Displeasure, +and also of being prosecuted as a Mutineer; and the +Gunner, Master, Boatswain, <i>&c.</i> bid me not be discourag’d; +assuring me, that there should no Harm come to me while I +was on Board of them; and that they would send me away now, +but that there is, said they, an express Order among us, to receive +no Boats on Board after eight at Night, or nine a-Clock at +farthest; but they would put me on Board Capt. <i>Loe</i> in the +Morning, where they were sure I should be protected and +secur’d from the revengeful Hand of Capt. <i>Russel</i>; for they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span> +said, they were sure that Capt. <i>Loe</i> had a great Respect for me, +and would be a Means to counter-ballance <i>Russel</i>; and they +said they would sit up with me all Night for my greater Security: +Which they did, smoaking and drinking and talking, every +one according to his Inclination, and so we pass’d the Time +away ’till Day.</p> + +<p>“<i>Russel</i> went to sleep about two a-Clock in the Morning in his +Cabbin; however, the Master, the Gunner, and five or six +more, did not go to Bed all that Night, but would have had +me gone to sleep, telling me, I need not fear, for they would +take Care that <i>Russel</i> should not hurt me.</p> + +<p>“About eight a-Clock in the Morning, I was carry’d on Board +Capt. <i>Loe</i>, the Gunner and Steward going with me, who told +him all that had pass’d; and acquainted him, that they still +believ’d <i>Russel</i> to be so implacable against me, that he would +murder me in cold Blood before I got clear of them, if he did +not interpose to protect me from his Violence. Capt. <i>Loe</i> +said, He very well knew, and he believ’d so did they all, what +was the Reason that made <i>Russel</i> so inveterate and implacable +to me: He added, That <i>Russel</i> did not do well; and that I had +behav’d myself so inoffensively, that there could be no Reason +to induce the most savage Monster to be such an irreconcilable +Enemy to me; but that ’twas an easy Matter to dive into the +Cause of it, to wit, his being thwarted by the Company in his +Humour; and because they would not break thro’ the Articles +which cemented them together, and which were sign’d and +swore to by them all, as the standing Rule of their Duty, by +which only they could decide and settle Controversies and +Differences among themselves; the least Breach of which, +would be a Precedent for the like Infractions, whenever <i>Russel</i>, +or any other, thought fit to give Way either to Revenge or +Ambition, and that then all their Counsels would be fluctuating; +and Fancy, and not Reason, would be the Rule of their Conduct; +and their Resolutions would be render’d more unconstant +than the Weathercock. He added, That he hoped the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span> +Company would inviolably adhere to their establish’d Laws, +which, he said, were very good; and were they not, yet, as +they were made by the unanimous Consent of the whole Company, +so they ought not to be alter’d without the same unanimous +Consent; concluding, that, for his Part, he would rather +chuse to be out of the Company than in it, if they did not +resolve to be determin’d by their Articles. Hereupon they +answer’d, That what he had said was very good, and they were +resolv’d to adhere to his Advice.</p> + +<p>“After this they drank a Dram, and then return’d with their +Boat on Board the Scooner; and Capt. <i>Loe</i> told me, he was +sorry for Capt. <i>Russel’s</i> Disgust against me, because he believ’d +it would be a disadvantage to me; but, however, there +was no Remedy but Patience; assuring me, That <i>Russel</i> +should neither kill me, nor abuse my Person, and I should have +my Sloop again, and be discharg’d in as short a while as possible, +that I might be clear of <i>Russel</i>, who, he was afraid, would +always continue my Foe.</p> + +<p>“All the Officers and Men likewise spoke very friendly to me, +and bid me not be daunted; so we pass’d the Time away in +several Kinds of Discourse ’till Dinner; after which, <i>Loe</i> +order’d a Bowl of Punch to be made, and said he wish’d I was +well clear of them.</p> + +<p>“About four a-Clock in the Afternoon Capt. <i>Russel</i> came on +Board, as did also <i>Francis Spriggs</i>, who commanded the other +Ship, and after a little while, says <i>Russel</i> to Capt. <i>Loe</i>, <i>The +Mate of the Sloop is willing to enter with us as a Volunteer</i>.</p> + +<p>“<i>Loe</i> made Answer, and said, <i>How must we do in that Case? +For then the Master of the Sloop will have no Body to help him, +but one Boy; for</i>, says he, <i>the little Child is no Help at all</i>.</p> + +<p>“<i>Russel</i> said, <i>He could not help that. But</i>, said Loe, <i>we must +not take all the Hands from the poor Man, if we design to give him +his Sloop again</i>; adding, <i>That he thought in Reason there could +not be less than two Boys and the Mate</i>.</p> + +<p>“<i>Z—ds</i>, says <i>Russel, his Mate is a lusty young brisk Man, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span> +has been upon the Account before, and told me but even now</i> (<i>for</i>, +said he, <i>I was on Board the Sloop but just before I came here, and</i> +Frank Spriggs <i>was along with me, and heard him say</i>), <i>That he +was fully resolv’d to go with us, and would not go any more in the +Sloop, unless forced; and when he came out of</i> Barbadoes, <i>he +said, his Design was to enter himself on Board the first Pyrate that +he met with; And will you refuse such a Man, contrary to your +Articles, which you all so much profess to follow; and which +enjoin you by all Means, not repugnant to them, to encrease and +fill your Company? Besides</i>, continued he, <i>he spoke to me the +first Day, that he was resolv’d to enter with us</i>.</p> + +<p>“<i>Loe</i> reply’d, That to give the Man his Sloop, and no Hands +with him to assist him, was but putting him to a lingering +Death, and they had as good almost knock him on the Head, +as do it.</p> + +<p>“<i>Russel</i> answer’d, As to that, they might do as they pleas’d; +what he spoke now was for the Good of the whole Company, +and agreeable to the Articles, and he would fain see or hear that +Man that should oppose him in it. He said, He was Quarter-Master +of the whole Company, and, by the Authority of his +Place, he would enter the Mate directly, and had a Pistol +ready for the Man that should oppose him in it.</p> + +<p>“<i>Loe</i> said, As for what was the Law and Custom among them +(as what he now pleaded, was) he would neither oppose, nor +argue against; but, if they thought fit to take the Man’s Mate +from him, then they might let him have one of his own Men +with him.</p> + +<p>“<i>Russel</i> said, No; for all the Sloop’s Men were already enroll’d +in their Books, and therefore none of them should go in +her again. <i>Gentlemen</i>, continu’d he, <i>you must consider I am +now arguing, as well for the Good of the Company, as for the +due Maintenance and Execution of the Laws and Articles; and +as I am the proper Officer substituted and intrusted by this Company +with Authority to execute the same, so</i> (<i>as I told you before</i>) +<i>I have a Pistol and a Brace of Balls ready for any one, who dare<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span> +oppose me herein</i>; and turning to me, said, <i>Master, the Company +has decreed you your Sloop, and you shall have her; you +shall have your two Boys, and that is all: You shall have neither +Provisions, nor any Thing else, more than as she now is. And, +I hear, there are some of the Company design to make a Gathering +for you; but that also I forbid, by the Authority of my Place, +because we are not certain but we may have Occasion ourselves +for those very Things before we get more; and for that Reason I +prohibit a Gathering; and I swear by all that is Great and Good, +that if I know any Thing whatsoever carry’d, or left on Board the +Sloop against my Order, or without my Knowledge, that very +Instant I will set her on Fire, and you in her.</i></p> + +<p>“Upon which I said, that since it was their Pleasure to order +it thus, I begged that they would not put me on Board the +Sloop in such a Condition; but rather begg’d, if they so pleas’d, +to do what they would with the Sloop, and put me, and my two +Boys, ashore on one of the Islands.</p> + +<p>“<i>Russel</i> said, No; for they were to Leeward of all the Islands, +and should hardly come near any of them this Season again.</p> + +<p>“I said, I should rather be put ashore any where else, either +on the Coast of <i>Guinea</i>, or on whatever Coast they came at +first, than be put as a Victim on Board the Sloop; where I +should have no Possibility of any Thing but perishing, except +by an extraordinary Miracle.</p> + +<p>“He told me, My Fate was already decreed by the Company, +and he, by his Place, was to see all their Orders put in Execution; +and he would accordingly see me safely put on Board the +Sloop, in the exact Condition as he had but now mention’d.</p> + +<p>“I was going to make him a Reply, but casting my Eye on +Capt. <i>Loe</i>, he wink’d at me to be silent; and taking a Bumper, +drank Success to their Proceedings. The Health went round, +and <i>Loe</i> order’d the great Bowl to be fill’d with Punch, and +Bottles of Wine to be set on the Table in the Cabbin, to which +we all resorted, and spent the remaining Part of the Evening in +Discourses on different Subjects: Only <i>Frank Spriggs</i> offer’d<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span> +to perswade me to accept of what was first offer’d me, which +<i>Russel</i> swore I should not now have, I having not once, +but several Times already refus’d it. Capt. <i>Loe</i> not being +then willing to have any more of that Kind of Discourse, +broke it off by singing a Song, and enjoining every one present +to do the same, except me, whom he said he would excuse +’till Times grew better with me: And thus they diverted themselves, +and pass’d the Evening away ’till towards eight a-Clock, +and then every one repair’d on Board their respective Ships; +and, after they were gone, <i>Loe</i> and I, and two or three of his +Confidents, smoak’d a Pipe, and drank a Bottle or two of +Wine; in which Time he told me, He was very sorry that <i>Jack +Russel</i> was so set against me. I said, So was I, and wonder’d +what should be the Reason of it, having given him no Cause, +unless by drinking that Health the preceding Night: I said, I +had imputed to Liquor, the Fury he was then in, and was in +Hopes, that after that had work’d off, his Resentments also +would have cooled, and was not a little concern’d to find it +otherwise. <i>Loe</i> said, The Health was not the Cause, but +rather the Effect of his Anger, and a meer Pretence to cloak his +Resentment for other Disappointments: Adding, That I did +right to take his Hint given me by winking, to answer no more; +<i>For</i>, says he, <i>I knew that every Thing which you could speak to +him, would be taken Edge-ways; and the more you said to excuse +yourself, the more it would add Fuel to his Anger, which he turn’d +against you who could not resist him, because he could not have +his Will of us; but we will endeavour to draw him off by Degrees; +and for that Reason will not discharge you, but I will keep you on +Board with me, where he shall not hurt nor abuse you, except +with his Tongue, which you must bear, ’till we see if we can alter +his Temper, so as to deal with you a little more favourable than +at present he designs</i>.</p> + +<p>“I thank’d him, and all of them present, for their Favours +and Good-will, and it being near Midnight, we parted, and +every one retired to his Rest, and I to my Hammock; and being<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span> +pretty much fatigued the Night before, as well as the preceding +Day, soon fell asleep; and about Day-dawning, I got up, and +came upon Deck, and walking upon the Quarter Deck very +solitary, one of the three Men, mention’d before, pass’d by +me, and ask’d me how I did, and said he was very sorry for the +Unkindness already shew’d me, and like to be shew’d; but it +was what they expected, as they had before hinted to me, and +that still there was like to be a tough Struggle about me: That +<i>Russel</i> did design to be very barbarous to me, and that <i>Loe</i>, +and a great Part of the Company, intended to oppose him in +it; that there were a great many who were <i>Russel’s</i> Gang or +Clan, and design’d to stand by him in it, and had threaten’d, +that if there were much Disturbance about it, they would +shoot me, and so put an End to the Controversy: That there +were some, on the other Hand, that threaten’d hard if they did, +to revenge my Death by some of theirs; so that it was likely +to be an untoward Touch, and he wish’d it might not prove to +my Disadvantage in the End; but would have me still to keep +a good Heart, and trust in God, and hope for the best, and by +no means to speak one Word, or concern myself either Way, +but patiently wait the Issue, which he hoped would be better +for me than some of them intended; and so heartily wishing +me well, walk’d his Way.</p> + +<p>“Now you must believe these Accounts were not a little +shocking to me; but I had no Friend that I could really rely +on, but God, to whom I made my Petitions, and whose +Assistance I humbly besought, to extricate me, in his own good +Time, out of these Difficulties and Snares which were laid for +me on every Side, and, in the mean Time, patiently so to bear +them, as not to murmur and repine at his fatherly Chastisements, +nor, by their Extremity, through Desperation, wound +my Conscience; but that in all Things I might, through the +Guidance of the holy Spirit, be directed so as to submit myself +entirely to his Will, who infinitely knew what was better for +me than I knew myself.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span></p> + +<p>“After some Time pass’d, Capt. <i>Loe</i> came upon Deck, who +ask’d me how I had rested the preceding Night? I told him, +Very well, considering my present Case; but, next under +God, had grounded my Hopes upon him, to rid me of my +present Fears, by dispatching me away as soon as possible he +could with Conveniency. He told me, He would do every +Thing in his Power to further my Desires, and hoped that what +he had already done on my Account, would sufficiently convince +me of his Desire to serve me; but that Things hitherto +had fallen out very unluckily and cross, as I myself was able +to judge by what was already pass’d.</p> + +<p>“I told him, I had very good Reasons to return him my hearty +Thanks, and own’d myself bound to him in the strictest Ties +of Gratitude; and that if it ever should be in my Power to +serve him, I would not content myself with bare Acknowledgments +of his Favour.</p> + +<p>“He said, His Will was at present more extensive than his +Power; but that he still hoped to prevail with <i>Russel</i>, and +those who were of his Side, to be more compassionate to me +before I parted with them, than at present they seem’d to +intend, and as soon as he had brought them to a better Temper, +he then would procure my Discharge; but if <i>Russel</i> still continu’d +inexorable, which he should be very sorry for, then you +must endeavour, says he, to keep up a good Heart, and +patiently wait ’till Providence brings you out of your present +Calamities, which I hope he will.</p> + +<p>“I thank’d him, and told him, I would endeavour to follow his +Advice, tho’, I said, ’twas with some Impatience that I waited +to have my Doom determin’d in a Discharge from them. He +bid me be easy, it should be shortly.</p> + +<p>“By this Time there were several join’d with us, so we broke +off that Discourse, and fell into other Talk.</p> + +<p>“About two or three a-Clock in the Afternoon, Capt. <i>Russel</i>, +Capt. <i>Spriggs</i>, and some of their Officers, came on Board, and +held a Consultation, which I was not allow’d to be a Hearer<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span> +of; but understood afterwards, ’twas chiefly about their +own Affairs, in Relation to the further Prosecution of their +intended Voyage; and by the little mention that was made +of me, it appear’d, that <i>Russel</i> continu’d still inflexible, +bitterly swearing, that he would, if he had a thousand +Lives, lose them all, rather than miscarry in this his fix’d +Resolution.</p> + +<p>“In this difficult Situation I stood, not daring to speak freely +for fear of offending, nor be silent, lest I should be thought +contemptuous; not knowing how to avoid their Resentments, +and every Resentment menacing, and often bringing Death. +And thus I tediously, as well as dangerously, pass’d my Time +among them, until it pleas’d God to put it into their Hearts to +discharge me; tho’, if seriously weigh’d, this my Discharge +seem’d like sentencing me to a lingering and miserable Death; +yet I must needs confess, considering the whole Matter, that +I was in a Manner miraculously befriended and supported, +even in spite of Malice, Rage, and Revenge, for which I shall +always pay my humble Acknowledgements to the Divine +Providence.</p> + +<p>“After several Efforts made by Capt. <i>Loe</i>, and others, and +abundance of Arguments used to bring <i>Russel</i> to better Temper +relating to me; and finding it all to no Purpose, and that +some of his Clan had bound themselves by Oath to stand by +him, even to my Destruction, if the Dispute continu’d much +longer; Capt. <i>Loe</i>, and Capt. <i>Spriggs</i>, and others, who were +my Friends, resolv’d on sending me away as soon as possible; +and for that Purpose <i>Loe</i>, the 10th Day after I was taken, +made a Signal for a general Consultation on Board of him; +and as soon as the Officers and leading Men of the other two +Ships, were assembled, he made a Speech to them, to let them +know the Reason of his calling them to a Consultation, telling +them, <i>That he thought it was Time to discharge me, as they had +before agreed, as also to prosecute their intended Voyage, they +having lain a long Time driving; and that, altogether out of their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span> +Way, by Reason they could not expect, either here, or in this Drift, +to meet with any Ships</i>.</p> + +<p>“To this they all agreeing, Capt. <i>Loe</i> told them, <i>He thought +it would be best to discharge me first, for several Reasons, among +which, my being cumbersome to them, as well as unserviceable, +they being forc’d to sail the Sloop themselves; besides, he said it +was not proper that I should be made acquainted with the Design +of their Voyage</i>.</p> + +<p>“They ask’d, <i>Why he did not turn me away?</i> Saying, <i>They +did not know for what Reason I had been kept so long, the Company +having settled that Matter so long since</i>.</p> + +<p>“Capt. <i>Loe</i> said, <i>Gentlemen, you all know what Arguments we +have had already about this Matter, and how Capt.</i> Russel, <i>and +some more, were angry with the Master of the Sloop, and, I verily +believe, without any Cause by him given to any of you designedly; +and therefore, I hope you have consider’d better of it since, and +laid aside your Resentments against the poor Man; neither</i>, +said he, <i>let us do any Thing now in Passion, for I do not design +(nor would I, if I could) to inforce any of you to comply to any +Thing against your Will; nor would I have you think, Gentlemen, +that I shall ever shew so much Respect to any Prisoner, as, on his +Account, to cause a Difference or Wrangling among our selves; +but yet, Gentlemen, give me Leave to say, That tho’ we are Pirates, +yet we are Men, and tho’ we are deem’d by some People dishonest, +yet let us not wholly divest ourselves of Humanity, and make +ourselves more Savage than Brutes. If we send this poor Man +away from us, without Provisions or Hands to assist him, Pray +what greater Cruelty can there be? I think the more lingering +any Death is made, the more barbarous ’tis accounted by all Men; +and therefore, Gentlemen, I leave it to your own Consideration.</i></p> + +<p>“To this, <i>Russel</i> made answer, <i>That he, in the Company’s +Name, had made the Master of the Sloop very good and generous +Offers, in the Hearing of all the Company; but that I had, in his +Opinion, after a very slighting Manner, refus’d them: That +’twas my Choice to be sent thus on Board the Sloop, rather than<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span> +the Compulsion of the Company; and that, notwithstanding he +told me what I must trust to by insisting on the Sloop, and how +favourable they were design’d to be to me, if I would have but a +little Patience ’till they could provide for me, yet that I had refus’d +their Favours, notwithstanding the Pains he took to perswade me</i>; +adding an egregious Falshood, (but I durst not tell him so) +<i>That I had petition’d and begg’d of the Company, rather to be put +in the Sloop in the Condition he now propos’d for me, and that +therefore, according to my Desire, it should be so; and he hoped it +could never be reckon’d Cruelty in them to give a Person his free +Choice. And, Gentlemen</i>, says he, <i>we have had a great many +more Words about this Matter already, than ever we had in the +like Case before; but I hope you all have so much Value and +Respect for one another, and for the general Peace, as that we +shall have no more Debate on this Head, but determine at once +the Time when he is to be discharg’d, the Manner of it being +already settled by the major Part, and I as your Quarter-master, +as my Office requires, will see it executed, and, perhaps, in a more +favourable Manner than at first I design’d, or he really deserves at +mine or your Hands either; but let that rest there</i>.</p> + +<p>“Then Capt. <i>Loe</i> said, <i>Mr.</i> Russel <i>hath spoke to you, Gentlemen, +his Sentiments, which, in the main, are reasonable and true, +and I am glad he is reconcil’d to the Master of the Sloop before +their parting; and, I cannot say, but I always believ’d</i> Jack +Russel <i>to be a Man of so much Sense, as well as Good-nature, +that he would scorn to take Revenge on one whose Condition +render’d him uncapable of helping himself. And I think, +Gentlemen, we may discharge him as soon as you please, and this +Afternoon, if you are all agreed to it.</i> They all said <i>Ay</i>. Upon +which <i>Russel</i> told them, it should be done that Afternoon; +telling <i>Loe</i>, <i>That after Dinner he would take me on Board the +Scooner with him, and, from thence, send me on Board the Sloop, +and see what could be done for me</i>.</p> + +<p>“Some of <i>Loe’s</i> Company said, <i>They would look out some +Things, and give me along with me when I was going away</i>;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span> +but <i>Russel</i> told them, <i>they should not, for he would toss them all +into</i> Davy Jones’s Locker <i>if they did; for I was the Scooner’s +Prize, and she had all my Cargo and Plunder on Board of her, +and therefore what was given to me should be given to me out of her</i>: +And turning to me said, <i>Well, Master, I will this Evening put +you on Board your own Sloop, and will be a better Friend to you, +perhaps, than them that pretended a great deal more; but I am +above being led by Passion</i>, &c. They all din’d on Board of +<i>Loe</i>, who, after Dinner, order’d a Bowl of Punch to be made in +the great Silver Bowl, and set a Dozen of Claret on the Table, +and that they said was for me to take my Leave of them, and +part Sailor-like. I thank’d them; so they drank round to my +good Success, and then to their own fortunate Proceedings +and good Success; and <i>Loe</i> told me, <i>He wish’d me very well, and +hoped to meet with me again, at some Time when they had a good +Prize of rich Goods, and he would not fail to make me a Retaliation +with good Advantage for my present Loss</i>. And they all +present said, <i>I need not fear meeting with a Friend, whenever +I met with them again</i>.</p> + +<p>“About duskish, they began to prepare to go on Board their +Ships, and I took my Leave of Capt. <i>Loe</i>, and all his Ship’s +Company, and in particular of the three Men, who, I believe, +were my hearty Friends, and return’d them all Thanks for +their Kindness, as well as good Humour, shew’d to me since +my first coming on Board of them. I also took my Leave of +Capt. <i>Spriggs</i>, and those of his Company who were present, +wish’d me well, but not one of them, I believe, dar’d to give me +any Lumber with me, nor durst I have accepted of it had they +offer’d it, for Fear of angering my but newly and seemingly +reconcil’d Enemy, who, in all Likelihood, would have taken +from me whatever they would have given me: And for that +Reason I believe it was, that none of them offer’d to give me a +Farthing, notwithstanding all their Professions of Kindness to +me; tho’ this Generosity is very usual with them, to People +that they profess much less Favour for, than they did to me.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span></p> + +<p>“<i>Russel</i> being ready, I was order’d to go in his Boat, which I +did; and, as soon as we were come on Board the Scooner, he +order’d a Supper to be got ready, and, in the mean Time, there +was a Bowl of Punch made, and some Wine set on the Table. +<i>Russel</i> invited me down into the Cabbin, as also all his Officers, +and we drank and smoak’d ’till Supper was brought, and then +he told me I was very welcome, and bid me eat and drink +heartily; <i>For</i>, he said, <i>I had as tedious a Voyage to go through, as</i> +Elijah’s <i>forty Days Journey was to Mount</i> Horeb, <i>and, as far +as he knew, without a Miracle, it must only be by the Strength of +what I eat now; for I should have neither Eatables nor Drinkables +with me in the Sloop</i>.</p> + +<p>“I told him, <i>I hoped not so</i>: He rapt out a great Oath, <i>That +I should find it certainly true</i>. I told him, <i>That rather than be +put on Board the Sloop, in that Manner, where there was no +Possibility to escape perishing, without a Miracle, I would submit +to tarry on Board, ’till an Opportunity offer’d to put me ashore +where they pleas’d; or would yield to any Thing else they should +think fit to do with me, excepting to enter into their Service</i>.</p> + +<p>“He said, <i>It was once in my Power to have been my own Friend; +but my slighting their proffer’d Favours, and my own chusing +what I now must certainly accept, had render’d me uncapable of +any other Choice; and that therefore all Apologies were but in +vain; and he thought he shew’d himself more my Friend than I +could well expect, or than I had deserv’d at his Hands, having +caused him to have a great deal of Difference with the Company +more than ever he had in his Life before, or ever should have again, +he hoped</i>.</p> + +<p>“I told him, <i>I was very sorry that I was so unfortunate as to be +the unhappy Occasion of it; but could from my Heart aver, that +it was not only undesign’d, but also sorely against my Inclinations</i>; +and begg’d of him, and all the Gentlemen then present, +<i>to consider me as an Object rather of their Pity, than of their +Revenge</i>.</p> + +<p>“He told me, <i>All my Arguments and Perswasions now were in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span> +vain, it being too late: I had not only refus’d their Commiseration +when I was offer’d it, but ungratefully despis’d it: Therefore</i>, +says he, <i>as I told you before, it’s in vain for you to plead any more: +Your Lot is cast, and you have nothing now to do, but to go through +with your Chance as well as you can, and fill your Belly with good +Victuals and good Drink, to strengthen you to hold it as long as you +can: It may be, and is very probable to be, the last Meal that ever +you may eat in this World: However, perhaps, such a Conscientious +Man as you would fain seem, or it may be are, may +have a supernatural, or, at least, a natural Means wrought by a +supernatural Power, in a miraculous Manner, to deliver you. +However, I cannot say but I pity the two Boys, and have a great +Mind to take them on Board, and let the miraculous Deliverance +be wrought on you alone</i>.</p> + +<p>“The Master and Gunner said, <i>They heard the Boys say, they +were willing to take their Chance with their Master, let it be what +it would. Nay, then</i>, says <i>Russel</i>, <i>it’s fit they should. I suppose +their Master has made them as religious and as conscientious as +himself. However, Master</i>, says <i>Russel</i>, (speaking to me) <i>I +would have you eat and drink heartily, and talk no more about +changing your allotted Chance; because, as I told you before, it is +all in vain; besides, it may be a Means of Provocation to serve you +worse</i>.</p> + +<p>“<i>Gentlemen</i>, says I, <i>I have done: I will say no more; you can do +no more than God is pleas’d to permit you; and I own, for that +Reason, I ought to take it patiently</i>.</p> + +<p>“<i>Well, well</i>, says <i>Russel</i>, <i>if it be done by God’s Permission, you +need not fear that he will permit any Thing hurtful to befall so +good a Man as you are</i>.</p> + +<p>“About ten a-Clock at Night, he order’d to call the Sloop’s +Boat, which was brought by some of the Pirates of his own +Clan, who were station’d on Board of her, and ask’d them, <i>If +they had done as he had order’d them</i>, viz. <i>to clear the Sloop of +every Thing</i>? And they said <i>Yes</i>, raping out a great Oath or +two, adding, <i>She had nothing on Board except Ballast and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span> +Water. Z—ds</i>, said <i>Russel</i>, <i>did not I bid you have all the Casks +that had Water in them on Board? So we did</i>, said they; <i>but +the Water that we spoke of was Salt-water, leak’d in by the Vessel, +and is now above the Ballast; for we have not pump’d her we do +not know when</i>.</p> + +<p>“Said <i>Russel</i>, <i>Have you brought away the Sails I told you of?</i> +They said, <i>All but the Mainsail that was bent, for the other old +Mainsail that he had order’d to be left, was good for nothing but +to cut up for Parceling, and hardly for that, it was so rotten; +besides, it was so torn, that it could not be brought too, and was +past mending, and for that Reason they let it lie, and would not +unbend the other Mainsail</i>.</p> + +<p>“<i>Z—ds</i>, says <i>Russel</i>, <i>we must have it, for I want it to make us a +Mainsail. D—n it</i>, said the Men, <i>then you must turn the Man +adrift in the Sloop without a Mainsail</i>.</p> + +<p>“<i>Pish</i>, said <i>Russel</i>, <i>the same miraculous Power that is to bring +him Provisions, can also bring him a Sail</i>.</p> + +<p>“<i>What a Devil, is he a Conjurer?</i> said one of them.</p> + +<p>“<i>No, no</i>, says <i>Russel</i>, <i>but he expects Miracles to be wrought for +him, or he never would have chosen what he hath</i>.</p> + +<p>“<i>Nay, nay</i>, said they, <i>if he be such a one, he will do well enough; +but I doubt</i>, says one of them, <i>he will fall short of his Expectation; +for if he be such a mighty Conjurer, how the Devil was it that +he did not conjure himself clear of us?</i></p> + +<p>“<i>Pish</i>, said another, <i>it may be his conjuring Books were shut +up. Ay, but</i>, said another, <i>now we have hove all his Conjuration +Books over Board, I doubt he will be hard put to it to find them +again</i>.</p> + +<p>“<i>Come, come</i>, says the Gunner, <i>Gentlemen, the poor Man is like +to go through Hardship enough, and very probably may perish; +yet it is not impossible but he may meet with some Ship, or other +timely Succour, to prevent his perishing, and I heartily wish he +may; but however, you ought not to add Affliction to the Afflicted; +You have sentenc’d him to a very dangerous Chance, which I +think is sufficient to stop your Mouths from making a Droll and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span> +Game of him. I would have you consider</i>, added he, <i>if any of you +were at</i> Tyburn, <i>or any other Place to be executed, as many better +and stouter Men than some of you, have been, and the Spectators, +or</i> Jack Catch <i>should make a Droll and May-game of you, you +would think them a very hard-hearted, as well as an inconsiderate +Sort of People: And pray, Gentlemen, consider the Sentence which +you are now going to execute on this poor Man, will be as bad, or +rather worse, than one of our Cases would be there; because, +unless Providence stand his Friend in an extraordinary Manner, +his Death must as certainly ensue or be the Consequence of this +your Sentence, as it would there be to any of us by the Sentence of +a Judge, and so much the more miserable, by how much it is more +lingering</i>.</p> + +<p>“<i>Damn it</i>, said <i>Russel</i>, <i>we have had enough, and too much of this +already</i>.</p> + +<p>“<i>Ay</i>, said the Gunner, <i>and take Care</i>, Russel, <i>you have not this +to answer for one Day, when perhaps you will then, but too late, +wish you had never done it. But you have got the Company’s +Assent in this, I cannot tell how, and therefore I shall say no +more, only that I, as I believe most of the Company, came here +to get Money, but not to kill, except in Fight, and not in cold +Blood, or for private Revenge. And I tell you</i>, John Russel, <i>if +ever such Cases as these be any more practis’d, my Endeavour +shall be to leave this Company as soon as I possibly can</i>.</p> + +<p>“To which <i>Russel</i> said nothing in Answer; but bid the Men +that came on Board in the Boat, to leave the Sloop’s Boat on +Board the Scooner, and take the Scooner’s Boat with them on +Board the Sloop; and, as soon as they saw the Lights upon +Deck on Board the Scooner, to come away from the Sloop with +the Scooner’s Boat, and bring the Master of the Sloop’s +biggest Boy with them; and to take their Hands out of the +Sloop’s Boat, and put the Master’s Boy on Board of the +Sloop’s Boat with his Master, and let them go on Board themselves +with their Boat, and to be sure to bring the Sloop’s +Mainsail with them, and also the Mate of the Sloop. All<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span> +which they said they would do; so away they went; and then +<i>Russel</i> told me, <i>He would give me something with me to remember +him</i>; which was an old Musket, and a Cartridge of Powder, +but for what Reason he made me that Present, I cannot tell; +and then order’d the Candles to be lighted in the Lanthorns +and carry’d upon Deck, and order’d two Hands to step into +the Sloop’s Boat to carry me away, and to execute his former +Orders; and then shaking Hands with me, he wish’d me a good +Voyage. I told him I hoped I should. The Gunner, Master, +and several of the Crew, shook Hands with me also, and heartily +wish’d me Success, and hoped I should meet with a speedy +and safe Deliverance. I thank’d them for their good Wishes; +and told them I was now forc’d into a Necessity of going +through it, whether I would or not; but thank’d God I was +very easy at present, not doubting in God’s Mercy to me, tho’ +I was not deserving of it: And that if I was permitted to +perish, I knew the worst; and doubted not but he would +graciously pardon my Sins, and receive me to his Everlasting +Rest; and, in this Respect, what they had intended for my +Misfortune, would be the Beginning of my Happiness; and +that in the mean Time, I had nothing to do but to resign +myself to his blessed Will and Protection, and bear my Lot +with Patience. And so bidding them farewell, I went over the +Side into the Boat, which was directly put off; and about +half Way between the Scooner and Sloop, we met the Scooner’s +Boat, and, according to their Orders from <i>Russel</i>, they put my +Boy on Board of me, and so put away again to get on Board +their own Vessel.</p> + +<p>“After their Boat put away from us, I thought I heard the +Voice of my Mate, but was not certain, because he spoke so low, +his Conscience checking him, I suppose, for his leaving me so +basely. I call’d to him, and said Arthur, <i>what are you going +to leave me?</i> He answer’d, <i>Ay</i>. <i>What</i>, said I, <i>do you do it +voluntary, or are you forc’d?</i> He answer’d faintly, <i>I am forc’d, +I think</i>. I said, <i>It was very well</i>. He call’d to me again, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span> +said, <i>He would desire me to write to his Brother, and give him an +Account where he was, if ever I should have an Opportunity</i>. +I told him, <i>I did not know where his Brother liv’d</i>. He called +and said, <i>He liv’d in</i> Carlingford. I told him, <i>I did not know +where that was</i>. He said, <i>It was in</i> Ireland. <i>Why</i>, said I, +<i>you told me in</i> Barbadoes that you was a Scotchman, <i>and that +all your Friends liv’d in</i> Scotland. But he made me no further +Answer; but away they row’d towards their Vessel, and I +towards the Sloop, and it being a very dark, as well as a close +Night, it was as much as ever I could do to see her; this being +the last Time that I spoke to, or saw any of them, nor do I +ever more desire to see them, except at some Place of Execution.”</p> + + + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_109" href="#FNanchor_109" class="label">[109]</a> <i>The Four Voyages of Capt. George Roberts ... written by Himself</i>, +London, 1726.</p> + +</div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span></p> +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII<br> +<span class="ch-title">The Brutal Career and Miserable End of Ned Low</span></h2> +</div> + +<p>The day after parting with Captain Roberts the pirate +fleet put to sea bound for the coast of Brazil hoping for +some rich Portuguese prizes. They made land on the +northern part of the coast, meanwhile sighting only one sail, +a ship they could not come up with, and fell in with much +dangerous shoal water. The trade-winds were very strong +just at that time and the pirate vessels narrowly escaped +foundering. Good fortune not seeming to lie in that direction, +Captain Low bore away for the West Indies and soon reached +the Triangles, three islands lying off the mainland about forty +leagues eastward of Surinam, where they went in to careen the +vessels in order to remove the foul growth that had accumulated +during the passage up from the equator. They began with +the pink and ill fortune continued, for Low ordered too many +men into the shrouds and yards so that the vessel heeled over +too far and the water came rapidly into the ports, which had +been left open, so that she soon overset. Low was in the cabin +at the time and barely escaped by climbing out at one of the +stern ports. Where the pink turned turtle there was about six +fathoms of water, just enough for the masts to strike into the +mud and keep the hull above water, so that the men could hold +on until picked up by the boats. Nevertheless two men were +drowned.</p> + +<p>Having found it impossible to right the pink, Low went to +sea in the schooner and for lack of water, which could not be +obtained at the Triangles, they soon were in bad shape. For +sixteen days only half a pint of water a day was allowed each<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span> +man. They tried to reach Tobago but the winds were light +and the current strong and at last they stood away for the +French island of Grand Grenada. When the port officers +came on board they saw only men enough to man the ship. +The rest were hidden below. Low told the Frenchmen that +he was from Barbadoes and that his water casks had sprung +aleak so he was obliged to put in for a supply. The story +was swallowed and Low was permitted to send men ashore but +after a time the Frenchmen became suspicious and the next +day fitted out a large Rhode Island-built sloop and with thirty +men aboard they sailed out into the harbor and had nearly +come alongside the schooner before Low understood their +intention. He at once called up his men on deck, some +ninety in all, and with his eight guns to the Frenchman’s four, +the sloop soon fell an easy prey.</p> + +<p>Low now took over the sloop and gave the command of the +schooner to Francis Farrington Spriggs, who had been his +quartermaster, and they cruised together for some time, capturing +seven or eight sloops and a rich Portuguese ship called +“Nostra Signiora de Victoria.” Low tortured several of her +men to compel them to disclose where the money was concealed +on board and soon learned that during the chase of the +ship the Portuguese captain had hung out of a cabin window, a +canvas bag containing about eleven thousand gold moidores, +the equivalent of nearly fifteen thousand English pounds, and +when the ship was captured the captain cut the rope and let +the bag drop into the sea. Low raved like a fury when he +discovered what he had lost and ordered the unfortunate +captain to be tied to the mast, when he slashed off the poor +man’s lips with his cutlass and had them broiled before the +galley fire and then compelled the Portuguese mate to eat +them while hot from the fire. Captain and crew were then +murdered, thirty-two persons in all.</p> + +<p>Among the vessels captured about this time was the snow +“Unity” from New York bound for Curacao, Robert Leonard,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span> +master, which was taken within sight of her destination. +A man on board, who once belonged to a man-of-war, they +whipped unmercifully and two of the crew were forced, viz.: +Richard Owen and Frederick Van der Scure, both living in +New York. The snow was taken on Jan. 25, 1723. Low also +captured a snow bound from London for Jamaica, part of the +cargo being wines shipped at Madeira, of which a generous +stock was taken on board the sloop and the schooner.<a id="FNanchor_110" href="#Footnote_110" class="fnanchor">[110]</a> Other +captures were Captain Craig, in a sloop from the Bay of +Honduras bound for New York, whom Low afterwards +released so that he reached New York on April 27th. Captain +Simpkins of New York on a sloop bound for Curacao, was +taken in sight of the island and shortly released. The pink +“Stanhope,” Andrew Delbridge, master, for Boston from +Jamaica, was less fortunate and was burnt because of Low’s +hatred for New England men.</p> + +<p>After a time Low came to anchor off the island of Santa Cruz +and while laying there took it into his head that he wanted a +new doctor’s chest. Shortly before he had captured two +French sloops which were then at anchor near him. So putting +four Frenchmen in one of the sloops and handing them some +money, he ordered them to make all haste to buy a doctor’s +chest at St. Thomas, about twelve leagues distant, swearing +that if they didn’t bring back the chest the other sloop should +be burnt and the rest of the Frenchmen killed. To his great +amusement within twenty-four hours they returned with the +chest and according to promise the sloops and Frenchmen were +then allowed to go.</p> + +<p>From Santa Cruz, Low sailed for Curacao, meeting on the +passage two sloops which outsailed him and got away. He +then ranged the coast of New Spain and in the Gulf of Darien, +about half-way between Carthagena and Porto Bello, sighted +two ships which afterwards turned out to be the “Mermaid,” +British man-of-war, and a large Guinea-man. Low was in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span> +Rhode Island sloop that he had taken at Grand Grenada and +Spriggs was in command of the Marblehead schooner “Fancy,” +captured at Port Roseway the previous year. With them was +the snow “Unity,” Captain Leonard, late commander, a +recent capture. For some time Low made sail after the two +ships until he came so near that he discovered his mistake +and then there was nothing for him to do but to turn tail and +run. The man-of-war of course gave chase and slowly overhauled +Low’s fleet which was rapidly making towards the +shoal water near the coast. Deciding to rid himself of the +snow, the more unreliable of the forced men were put aboard +and she was abandoned and Low and Spriggs took separate +courses. As the sloop was the larger and carried more men, +the “Mermaid” stood after her and was within gun-shot +when she ran aground on a shoal. This happened because +one of the men with Low knew of this uncharted shoal and +telling him what course to steer the whole company thereby +escaped hanging.<a id="FNanchor_111" href="#Footnote_111" class="fnanchor">[111]</a> Spriggs, meanwhile, got safely into Pickaroon +Bay, about eighteen leagues from Carthagena, and +afterwards made sail for the Bay of Honduras and came to +anchor near a small island called Utilla, about seven or eight +leagues from the large island of Roatan and here the schooner +was hove down and cleaned.</p> + +<p>Five weeks had passed since Spriggs parted from Low and +the day that he was ready to sail out of Utilla a large sloop +was discovered bearing down on them. At first sight Spriggs +thought her to be a Spanish privateer full of men and being +much weaker in both guns and men he made sail and tried to +get away. Low, who was in the sloop, had recognized the +schooner at once and when she tried to escape imagined that +she had been captured from Spriggs, so he fired a shot that +struck the schooner in the bow. Spriggs, still failing to recognize +the sloop, continued on his course and Low then hoisted +his pirate colors and discovered who he was, to the uproarious<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span> +joy of them all. The next day the two vessels went into +Roatan harbor where Low careened and cleaned the bottom +of the sloop, the crews meanwhile living on shore in booths +which they built for shelter. There was much drinking and +carousing. By Saturday, the 9th of March, all was in readiness +for another foray and the long-boat brought off the last +of the casks from the watering place. It was here that Philip +Ashton, a Marblehead fisherman who had been forced at Port +Roseway, the previous year, made his escape into the forest +growth, where he lived a solitary existence for nine months, +as will be told in another chapter.</p> + +<p>By the Boston newspapers of May, 1723, it appears that +Low and Spriggs were not the only pirates ranging the Bay of +Honduras at that time. On the 10th of March, 1723, quite +a fleet of New England vessels were there busily engaged in +loading logwood. Three sloops hailing from Newport, Rhode +Island, commanded by Captains Benjamin Norton, John +Madbury and Jeremiah Clark, were nearly ready to sail. +In addition there was a Boston sloop commanded by Capt. +Edward Lyde, and a brigantine from the same port; a ship +and a snow; and two or three other sloops that hailed from +New York, one commanded by Captain Spafforth and another +by Captain Craig. That morning a Spanish privateer of six +guns and about sixty men came upon the small fleet that lay +there at anchor. One of the Boston captains, Lyde, immediately +cut his cables and made sail and although chased by the +privateer succeeded in getting away safely. He lacked fresh +water for the homeward passage, however, and so stood in for +a small creek farther up the coast and while there learned +from some Bay men that the Spaniard had taken all the other +vessels. But this victory was short-lived for only four hours +later Captains Low and Spriggs came sailing in to the anchorage +flying Spanish colors which were hauled down as they +came near the privateer and the black flag hoisted. Low fired +a broadside and boarded at once. The Spaniards were greatly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span> +outnumbered and made no resistance, so Low’s men fell to +plundering the vessel, soon finding the New England captains +confined in the hold. When Low learned of the captures made +by the Spaniards it was decided after a short discussion to kill +the entire company, so they fell to with their cutlasses, pollaxes +and pistols and soon wiped out nearly all of them. Some +who jumped overboard were knocked in the head by men who +manned the canoe belonging to the sloop. Seven of the +younger and more active men did succeed in reaching the +shore and escaped into the forest growth in more or less +wounded condition. In one account of this affair it is related +that while Low’s men were on shore carousing, one of the +unfortunate Spaniards who reached shore, in his extremity +came crawling out to them begging for God’s sake they would +give him quarter. One of the crew took hold of him and +said, “G— d— you, I will give you good quarters presently,” +and forcing the unfortunate Spaniard to his knees, pushed the +muzzle of his fusil into his mouth and fired down his throat.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp62" id="i204" style="max-width: 104.1875em;"> +<img class="w100" src="images/i204.jpg" alt=""> +<figcaption>ONE OF LOW’S CREW KILLING A WOUNDED SPANIARD<br> +<span class='c2'>From an engraving in Johnson’s “Historie der Engelsche Zee-roovers,” +Amsterdam, 1725, in the Harvard College Library</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The captains who had been confined in the hold of the +privateer Low ordered released and restored to their vessels, +but made them solemnly promise not to steer for Jamaica +for fear that a man-of-war should learn of his whereabouts. +He threatened them with instant death in case they met again, +should they violate their promise. The carpenter of the snow +he forced and after burning the privateer sloop, the pirate +sailed boisterously away steering for the Leeward Islands.</p> + +<p>Three months later a sloop arrived at Perth Amboy, New +Jersey, with the following account of Low’s adventures on +this cruise:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>“Perth-Amboy, June 6, 1723. The Sloop <i>William</i>, William +Fraser, Master, arrived here from Jamaica. They sailed the +last day of April in company with a Snow bound for Liverpool, +whose Commander’s name was Sandison; also 3 Ships, viz. +Capt. Willing, Capt. Burlington, and Capt. Eastwick, and a +Scooner, all belonging to New England, and a Sloop, Capt.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span> +Ellicot, for Hampton in Virginia. In sailing round the West +end of Cuba, off of Cape San Antonia, the aforesaid Vessels +were taken by Pyrates and only Fraser escaped by running +close under the Land and coming to an Anchor within the +breakers, then weighing and standing to the Southward past +them in the Night and so got clear of them. But entering the +Gulf the Pyrates waiting there for them, took them and +Plundered them. They cut and whiped some and others they +burnt with Matches between their Fingers to the bone to make +them confess where their Money was. They took to the value +of a Thousand Pistoles from Passengers and others. They +them let them go. But coming on the Coast off of the Capes of +Virginia, they were again chased by the same Pyrates who +first took them. They did not trouble them again but wished +them well Home. They saw at the same time his Consort, a +Sloop of eight Guns, with a Ship and a Sloop which were supposed +to be his Prizes. They are commanded by one Edward +Low. The Pyrates gave us an account of his taking the Bay of +Hondoras from the Spaniards, which had surprized the English, +and taking them and putting all the Spaniards to the +Sword Excepting two Boys; as also burning the <i>King George</i> +and a Snow belonging to New York, and sunk one of the New +England Ships, and cut off one of the Masters Ears and slit +his Nose; all this they confessed themselves. They are now +supposed to be cruising off of Sandy Hook or thereabouts.”—<i>American +Weekly Mercury</i>, June 13, 1723.</p> +</div> + +<p>On the 27th of May, 1723, Captain Low appeared off the +coast of South Carolina in the sloop “Fortune.” Capt. +Charles Harris was then in command of the sloop “Ranger” +lately commanded by Spriggs. Nothing has been learned of +the whereabouts of Harris during the preceding five months. +No mention of him is made in any account of Low’s doings +until he reached the Carolina coast in May. There these +two commanders, after a long chase, took three ships, the +“Crown,” Captain Lovering, the “King William,” and the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span> +“Carteret,” and a brigantine that came out of port only two +days before. A few days before they had taken the ship +“Amsterdam Merchant,” Capt. John Welland [Williard?] +from Jamaica, but owned in New England. As Low seldom +allowed a New Englander to go free without carrying away +some mark of his hatred, Captain Welland in consequence, +lost one of his ears, had his nose slit up and was cut in several +places about his body. After the ship was plundered it was +sunk and the next day Captain Estwick of Piscataqua was +taken, plundered and set free and in his ship Captain Welland +and his crew later reached Portsmouth, N. H.<a id="FNanchor_112" href="#Footnote_112" class="fnanchor">[112]</a></p> + +<p>Early in June, Low overhauled the sloop “Hopefull Betty,” +Captain Greenman, off the Capes of the Delaware and took +away all his water and his sails and sheet anchor. The captain +was badly cut about his body but was able to reach Philadelphia +ten days later. He brought the news of the capture of +Captain Pitman in a pink bound from Virginia to London and +said that the pirates claimed they had recently taken sixteen +sail of vessels but seemed to be in a great hurry to be gone, +probably because of the intelligence that men-of-war from +Virginia, New York and Boston were cruising in search of +them. Low was reported to have on board about £80,000 in +gold and silver. The man-of-war on the New York station +was the ship “Greyhound,” Peter Solgard, commander, of +twenty guns and one hundred and twenty men, and from one +of the unfortunate vessels plundered by Low he learned of the +whereabouts of the pirate vessels and steering as directed, at +half-past four in the morning of June 10th came in sight of the +rovers. He then tacked and stood to the southward and the +pirates, always on the lookout for prey, gave chase which +lasted for nearly two hours while Captain Solgard cleared his +ship for action. At half-past seven he was ready for them. +The sloop and the schooner were then about a gunshot off. +Suddenly the ship tacked again and stood for them and both<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span> +of the pirate vessels at once hoisted a black flag and fired on the +“Greyhound.” A little later when about three-quarters of a +mile distant the black flags came down and were replaced by +red ones. The “Greyhound” passed to the windward and +received their fire several times and when abreast made such +good return with round- and grape-shot, that the sloop and +the schooner began to edge away under the “Greyhound’s” +stern and she after them. They made a running fight for +nearly two hours when the pirates got out their oars and soon +began to draw away from the ship. On discovering this, Captain +Solgard ordered firing to cease and turned all hands to +rowing and at about half-past two in the afternoon came up +with them. The pirates hauled into the wind and the fight +was warmly renewed. After a time, the “Greyhound” fell +in between the pirate vessels and soon the main-yard of the +schooner was shot down. Low now showed the real stuff that +he was made of and bore away leaving Harris, in the “Ranger,” +to his fate, and he, seeing the treachery of his commodore, +lost courage and called for quarter. This happened at about +four o’clock and an hour later the rogues were safely on board +the “Greyhound.” There were then thirty-seven whites and +six blacks in Harris’ crew, and ten or twelve of his men had +been killed or wounded. Captain Low heretofore had borne so +high a reputation for courage and boldness that in the minds of +even his own men he had become a terror. But his behavior +in the action with the “Greyhound” shows him to have been +at heart a treacherous scoundrel. When the prisoners were +safely in irons Captain Solgard followed the course of Captain +Low toward the northwest, but he had too great a start and +after a time drew out of sight in the growing darkness.<a id="FNanchor_113" href="#Footnote_113" class="fnanchor">[113]</a></p> + +<p>After this narrow escape Low’s chagrin and rage knew no +bounds and swearing many oaths, he vowed vengeance on the +unfortunates that next fell into his hands. This happened +only two days later, when he came upon a sloop out of Nantucket<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span> +that was whale fishing about eighty miles off shore. +She had two whale-boats and one of them fortunately was out +and at some considerable distance from the sloop at the time +she was taken. The men in this boat seeing what had happened +got safely to another whaling sloop some distance away +and all escaped. The captain of the captured sloop was +Nathan Skiff, a young unmarried man living at Nantucket. +Low first ordered him stripped and then cruelly whipped him +about the deck. His ears were then slashed off. After a time +they grew tired of beating the unfortunate man and telling +him that because he had been a good captain he should have +an easy death, at last they shot him through the head and sunk +the sloop. Low forced a boy and two Indian men and allowed +three others of the crew to go away in the whale-boat in which, +fortunately, there was a little water and a few biscuits, and with +good weather these men at last safely reached Nantucket—“beyond +all Expectation,” ends the account in the <i>Boston +News-Letter</i>.</p> + +<p>Low’s insane rage was unabated two days later when a +fishing boat was taken off Block Island. The master was +dragged on board the pirate sloop and Low with furious oaths +at once attacked him with a cutlass and hacked off his head. +He gave the boat to two Indians who sailed with the murdered +man and sent them away with the information that he intended +to kill the master of every New England vessel he captured. +On the afternoon of the same day two whaling sloops out of +Plymouth were taken near the Rhode Island shore. The +master of one vessel he ripped open alive and taking out the +poor man’s heart ordered it roasted and then compelled the +mate to eat it. The master of the other vessel he slashed and +mauled about the deck and then cut off his ears and had them +roasted and after sprinkling them with salt and pepper, made +the unfortunate men eat them. The man’s wounds were so +severe that he afterwards died.<a id="FNanchor_114" href="#Footnote_114" class="fnanchor">[114]</a> Low proposed to murder<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span> +some of the hands on these whaling sloops but the pirate crew +had had enough blood about the deck for one day and swore +the rest of the men should go free so Low was obliged to submit. +These men brought home the information that the +pirate master and crew claimed to have on board nearly +£150,000 value in gold and silver coin and plate.<a id="FNanchor_115" href="#Footnote_115" class="fnanchor">[115]</a></p> + +<p>On the 5th of June, 1723, the sloop “Farley,” Thomas +Calder, master, a “Pock-fretten” Scotchman, sailed from +Piscataqua, N. H., bound for Maryland. On the 14th, when +off Nantucket, she sighted a sloop with sails fluttering and +rigging badly cut to pieces. The boat’s crew who boarded the +sloop found that an attempt had been made to sink her. Not +a soul was found on board. A pipe of wine was on the deck +with the head knocked in and standing about were several +buckets half-full of wine. From ship’s papers it was learned +that the sloop belonged to William Clark of Boston.<a id="FNanchor_116" href="#Footnote_116" class="fnanchor">[116]</a> Undoubtedly +this sloop had been captured by Low but no record +has been found giving any information regarding the fate of +her master or crew. Capt. Jacob Waldron brought the derelict +into Boston and libelled her for salvage. In the order +of the Vice-Admiralty Court published in the <i>Boston Gazette</i> +of July 15, 1723, the sloop is described as “Flotsom, +taken up on the high Seas,” and so ended another +chapter in the lives of those who “go down to the +sea in ships.”</p> + +<p>From the waters off Cape Cod, Low sailed north for the +banks off Newfoundland and near Cape Breton took twenty-three +French fishing vessels. One of the larger of them, a ship +of twenty-two guns, he refitted and manned from his own +crew and the two vessels then scoured the harbors and banks +off Newfoundland and took eighteen more ships and smaller +vessels some of which were sunk. While near Canso, two +French shallops were taken by a small company of the pirates<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span> +in a periagua that was serving as a tender. The Frenchmen +were abused, noses were slit and faces slashed with cutlasses +before they were allowed to go. A letter received by a Boston +merchant not long after, gives some interesting details of the +depredations committed by Low and his crew. It was printed +in the <i>Boston News-Letter</i> for Sept. 19, 1723.</p> + +<p class="right"> +<span style="margin-right: 4em;">“Canso, August 1, 1723.</span><br> +</p> + +<p>“In my last Letter to you, I inform’d you of the mischief the +Pirates had done on the French at Whitehead, 6 Leagues +Westward of this Harbour; and now I proceed to say, that they +went to the Eastward and took a Sloop belonging to this +Harbour, but treated them very kindly, and dismiss’d them +without harm. The next News we heard of them was that +they had taken another Vessel, Capt. Job Prince, Commander; +they order’d them on Board, but Capt. Prince had no Boat, +wherefore they only detain’d him about an hour and dismiss’d +him without doing him any Damage. The next Vessel they +took was Capt. Robinson’s whom they divested of their +Arms, Ammunition and Silver Buckles, and then dismiss’d +them. They had then in their Custody four French Ships, +which they Plundered, used the men very Barbarously, and +sent them in a Vessel belonging to Canso, to Cape +Briton. They took Mr. Hood belonging to Boston, in a large +Fishing Scooner,<a id="FNanchor_117" href="#Footnote_117" class="fnanchor">[117]</a> when they first came on the Banks from +Boston; but that was another Pirate, who also forced away +three of his Men. The latter Sloop, which is known to be +Low, uses the English very Kindly; but the French find little +Mercy, at his hand; they cutt off some of their Ears and Noses, +and treated them with all the Barbarity imaginable. One of +the French Commanders desired him only to give him a Line +from under his hand, that he had taken away some Casks of his +Wine and Brandy, that his Owners might not suspect he had +Dishonestly Sold them; upon which Low told him he would<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span> +fetch him one, and accordingly brought up two Pistols, presenting +one at Bowels, he told him there was one for his Wine, +and Discharg’d it; and there, says he (presenting the other +at his Head in the same manner) is one for your Brandy; +which said, he discharg’d that also. We hear they have since +Taken near 40 French Fishing Vessels, and are gone towards +Newfoundland. This is all that is Remarkable concerning +these Enemies to Mankind in General.”</p> + +<p>Two men-of-war were cruising at that time near the Cape +Breton coast. Captain Solgard in the “Greyhound,” after +landing his captured pirates at Newport, R. I., had sailed to +the eastward and searched all the principal harbors for Low, +but without success. On the 16th of June he met His Majesty’s +ship “Sea Horse,” Captain Durell, from the Boston +station, and they kept company for several days while cruising +about the coast and fishing banks. All sorts of wild rumors +were flying about the Province and the current newspapers +reported several times that Low had been taken. One circumstantial +story had it that the “Sea Horse” had surprised +Low near Cape Sables, where he had gone to careen, and after +a smart engagement had captured him killing eight of his +pirate crew. From Salem it was reported that Low had been +taken near Canso by a French man-of-war and another +report had it that Low had died of his wounds three days after +an engagement with H. M. ship “Greyhound.” A sloop +arriving at New York on Sept. 19th, from Placentia in Newfoundland, +after a month’s passage, brought news of the +depredation of the pirates and reported that “it’s believed Low +is dead for he was a little man and the new Capt. of those +Pyrates is a lusty Man.” Undoubtedly Lowther had been +confused with Low in this report. The sloop also brought +news that the day before it sailed, Captain Harris, in a sloop +from Boston, had reached Placentia and reported sighting +“on the banks about eighteen or twenty Vessels together, +which he imagined were all taken by the Pyrates and kept<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span> +together by them.”<a id="FNanchor_118" href="#Footnote_118" class="fnanchor">[118]</a> The <i>Boston News-Letter</i> also published +earlier intelligence from Canso, that one of their bank sloops +had met a pirate sloop with one hundred and fifty men aboard, +who had “ask’d them some Questions, who was at Canso. +Inquired after most of the Notedest Men and left them without +abuse; they did not Know the Master’s Name, but say +most of them are West Country-men.”<a id="FNanchor_119" href="#Footnote_119" class="fnanchor">[119]</a></p> + +<p>Towards the end of July, 1723, Low captured a large ship +from Virginia, called the “Merry Christmas,” and opening +several new ports mounted her with thirty-four guns and +refitting went on board and made her his principal ship. He +assumed the title of Admiral and hoisted at the main-topmast +head a new black flag—having on it a skeleton in red. As +the fishing banks had been pretty thoroughly cleared of +vessels and it was supposed that men-of-war were cruising on +several of them,<a id="FNanchor_120" href="#Footnote_120" class="fnanchor">[120]</a> it was thought best by Low and Lowther +to make a course for the Western Islands where they arrived +about the first of September. Soon after reaching Fayal, +they took an English brigantine, formerly commanded by +Elias Wild, but recently bought by a Portuguese nobleman. +She was manned partly by English and partly by Portuguese +and the latter Low caused to be hanged. The English sailors +were put into their boat to shift for themselves and the +brigantine was set on fire.</p> + +<p>“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 +<i>English</i> Name came up to this, in Barbarity; their Mirth and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span> +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 t’ther 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.”<a id="FNanchor_121" href="#Footnote_121" class="fnanchor">[121]</a></p> + +<p>At St. Michael’s, Low and Lowther sent their boats into +the road and cut out a London-built ship of fourteen guns +commanded by Captain Thompson, the same captain who had +been taken there by Low the year before. His ship was +stronger than the boats and he could have defended himself +with every prospect of success, but his men through cowardice +or an inclination to join the pirates, obliged him to surrender. +When he came aboard Low’s vessel his ears were cut off close +to his head by way of compensation for having proposed to his +men to resist the pirate boats. The ship was burned. A +bark was taken not long after and the Portuguese crew fared +better than was usually the case, for the pirates happened to +be in good humor, and only slashed them here and there with +cutlasses and then set them adrift in their boat and fired the +bark. Johnson, in his account of Low’s career, preserves a +curious anecdote in connection with this capture, as follows:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span></p> + +<p>“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 +Portugueze, 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.”<a id="FNanchor_122" href="#Footnote_122" class="fnanchor">[122]</a></p> + +<p>The Portuguese authorities in the Islands were highly +incensed at Low’s cruelties and became exceedingly suspicious +of all English vessels coming into their harbors. A sloop from +Boston, commanded by Capt. Peter Tillinghast, going into +Fayal about that time, was received by cannon shot from the +castle and when the captain went ashore with a few hands he +was seized and after an examination sent to jail. His vessel +was boarded and his chest and papers brought ashore for +examination and finding nothing by which he might be accused +at last he obtained his liberty.<a id="FNanchor_123" href="#Footnote_123" class="fnanchor">[123]</a></p> + +<p>Low and Lowther, in company, sailed from the Canaries +to the Cape Verde Islands and the London newspapers had +news that they had gone down the African coast as far as +Sierre Leone, and Captain Wyndham, in the “Diamond” +man-of-war, was reported to have captured Low, sunk Lowther’s +sloop and made twenty of the pirates prisoners. This +account was soon contradicted<a id="FNanchor_124" href="#Footnote_124" class="fnanchor">[124]</a> and not long after there came +reports of his appearance near the Leeward Islands in the +West Indies. The evidence is obscure and it is more probable +that from the Cape Verdes, Low and Lowther made for the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span> +South American coast. At any rate. Low was off the Guinea +coast during the fall of 1723 and captured a schooner and +afterwards took the ship “Delight,” Captain Hunt, of twelve +guns, formerly a man-of-war in the English service. She +seemed well suited to their needs and so four more guns were +mounted on her and Francis Farrington Spriggs, who had been +serving as quartermaster, was given command with a crew of +about sixty men. The fleet then consisted of the ship “Merry +Christmas,” 34 guns, commanded by Captain Low; the sloop +“Happy Delivery,” 16 guns, commanded by Captain Lowther; +and the ship “Delight,” 16 guns, Captain Spriggs, and together +they sailed along the Guinea coast bound for the West +Indies. Spriggs seems to have been a slippery fellow for +within two days he deserted the other vessels and went off +pirating on his own account, as will be related in another +chapter. Lowther may have separated from Low about +the same time for he had no consort when he met with a +disastrous adventure some time later at the island of Blanco +near Tortuga.</p> + +<p>In January, 1724, Low took a ship called the “Squirrel,” +Captain Stephenson,<a id="FNanchor_125" href="#Footnote_125" class="fnanchor">[125]</a> and in March the news reached Boston +that Low had had a fight with other pirates who had taken +him, burned his vessel and marooned the survivors on an +uninhabited island,<a id="FNanchor_126" href="#Footnote_126" class="fnanchor">[126]</a> and this report persisted and was +repeated as late as the spring of 1726, when Capt. William +Cross arrived at Piscataqua, N. H., in a sloop, from the Bay of +Honduras and related that both Low and Spriggs had been +marooned and were supposed to have escaped among the +Mosquito Indians.<a id="FNanchor_127" href="#Footnote_127" class="fnanchor">[127]</a> From that time nothing can be learned +about him until May 17th when some sailors belonging to a +sloop owned in the Barbadoes, arrived there after much +suffering and reported that they had been taken near the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span> +island of St. Lucia by Low, who, at that time, had only thirty +men with him. A French man-of-war from the Martinico +station was reported to be in pursuit<a id="FNanchor_128" href="#Footnote_128" class="fnanchor">[128]</a> and may have +afterwards captured him for a French account of Low’s piracies +relates that in the spring of 1724, Low got into a dispute with +his men in which the quartermaster took sides against him, +which so greatly enraged Low that he afterwards murdered +the quartermaster while he lay asleep. The crew at once +rose against Low and with two or three of his strongest partisans +he was thrown into a boat without provisions and abandoned +to his fate. This proved to be capture by a French +vessel owned in Martinico, the day after he had been set +adrift, and after a quick trial by the French, he and his companions +received short shift on a gallows erected for their +benefit.</p> + +<p>This account of Low’s fate is confirmed, in part, by the +narrative of Jonathan Barlow, a sailor who was taken off the +Guinea coast, by Low in the “Merry Christmas.” Barlow +relates that after capturing a French sloop near Martinico +“some Differance arising among said Pirates they disbanded +Low from his office & sent him away w’th only two more +hands in s’d French sloop & put one Shipton Captain in his +steed.” The pirate company then went to the Isle of Ruby +and not long after Captain Spriggs put in appearance in the +“Delight.” Spriggs “heft down” his ship and cleaned her +and Shipton burned the “Merry Christmas” and went away +in a sloop that had been taken not long before commanded +by Capt. Jonathan Barney of Newport, R. I. The two +pirate captains cruised to the westward and in the Bay of +Honduras were chased by the “Diamond” man-of-war as is +told in the chapter on Francis Farrington Spriggs.—<i>Massachusetts +Archives</i>, vol. 38<span class="allsmcap">A</span>, leaf 73.</p> + + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_110" href="#FNanchor_110" class="label">[110]</a> <i>American Weekly Mercury</i>, Mar. 14, 1723.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_111" href="#FNanchor_111" class="label">[111]</a> <i>American Weekly Mercury</i>, May 2, 1723.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_112" href="#FNanchor_112" class="label">[112]</a> <i>New England Courant</i>, June 17, 1723.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_113" href="#FNanchor_113" class="label">[113]</a> <i>New England Courant</i>, June 17, 1723 (<i>postscript</i>).</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_114" href="#FNanchor_114" class="label">[114]</a> <i>Boston News-Letter</i>, June 27, 1723.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_115" href="#FNanchor_115" class="label">[115]</a> <i>American Weekly Mercury</i>, June 27, 1723.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_116" href="#FNanchor_116" class="label">[116]</a> <i>American Weekly Mercury</i>, Aug. 8, 1723.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_117" href="#FNanchor_117" class="label">[117]</a> This vessel was captured by Captain Lowther who was there about the +same time as Captain Low.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_118" href="#FNanchor_118" class="label">[118]</a> <i>American Weekly Mercury</i>, Oct. 4, 1723.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_119" href="#FNanchor_119" class="label">[119]</a> <i>Boston News-Letter</i>, July 18, 1723.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_120" href="#FNanchor_120" class="label">[120]</a> In point of fact the “Greyhound” reached Newport, R. I. early in +July and the “Sea Horse” arrived in Boston on July 13th.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_121" href="#FNanchor_121" class="label">[121]</a> Johnson, “<i>History of the Pirates</i>,” London, 1726.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_122" href="#FNanchor_122" class="label">[122]</a> Johnson, “<i>History of the Pirates</i>,” London, 1762.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_123" href="#FNanchor_123" class="label">[123]</a> <i>Boston News-Letter</i>, Oct. 18, 1723.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_124" href="#FNanchor_124" class="label">[124]</a> <i>Boston News-Letter</i>, Oct. 8, 1724.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_125" href="#FNanchor_125" class="label">[125]</a> <i>Boston News-Letter</i>, May 7, 1724.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_126" href="#FNanchor_126" class="label">[126]</a> <i>Boston News-Letter</i>, Mar. 27, 1724.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_127" href="#FNanchor_127" class="label">[127]</a> <i>New England Courant</i>, Apr. 30, 1726.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_128" href="#FNanchor_128" class="label">[128]</a> <i>Boston News-Letter</i>, Oct. 15, 1724.</p> + +</div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII<br> +<span class="ch-title">The Strange Adventures of Philip Ashton</span></h2> +</div> + +<p>On Friday, June 15, 1722, a number of the vessels of the +fishing fleet hailing from Massachusetts Bay, were at +anchor at Port Roseway near what is now Shelburne, +Nova Scotia. It was the custom of these God-fearing fishermen, +when possible, to come into some harbor not too remote +from their fishing grounds and there to spend the Sabbath. +On this occasion thirteen schooners and shallops were lying +peacefully at anchor when a strange brigantine hove in sight +and soon found an anchorage near them. She seemed to be +an inward bound vessel from the West Indies and little attention +was paid to her at first, even when a boat put off from her +side with four men in it. When this boat’s crew reached the +side of the nearest fisherman, the men climbed boldly on +board and drawing pistols and cutlasses demanded a surrender.</p> + +<p>The brigantine turned out to be the “Rebecca,” owned in +Boston, but recently captured and then commanded by Capt. +Edward Low, the Boston man who had become a pirate and +whose bloody excesses were becoming more notorious every +day. One by one the fishermen surrendered and were pillaged.<a id="FNanchor_129" href="#Footnote_129" class="fnanchor">[129]</a> +On Tuesday, the 19th, Low decided to take for his “privateer,” +the new schooner “Mary,” owned by Joseph Dolliber +of Marblehead. He fitted her with ten guns, renamed her +the “Fancy,” and went aboard with a crew of fifty men, +including eight whom he forced from among the fishermen. +The forced men were Philip Ashton and Nicholas Merritt,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span> +masters; Joseph Libbie, one of Ashton’s crew; Lawrence +Fabens, one of the crew of the schooner “Rebeckah,” all of +Marblehead, and four other men belonging to Piscataqua and +the Isles of Shoals, all nimble young men, about twenty years +of age and unmarried. Low shipped the prisoners he designed +to send home, on board his late brigantine, the “Rebecca,” +of Boston, which he and his consort Lowther had taken May +28th, and gave her to her former master, Capt. James Flucker, +with orders to take them to Boston. On their arrival the +news was duly published in the <i>Boston News-Letter</i> of July 2d, +with the customary advertisement as to the forcing, but in +order to make the matter doubly sure, a further advertisement, +in more legal form, appeared in the <i>News-Letter</i>, of July +9th, viz:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>“Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New-England, +Essex, ss. Anno Regni Regis Georgij nunc Magna Britaniæ, +&c. Octavo.</p> + +<p>“The Depositions of Thomas Trefry late Master of the +Scooner Mary; Robert Gilford Master of the Shallop Elizabeth; +and John Collyer, one of the Crew belonging to the +Scooner Samuel, William Nichols Master, all of Marblehead +in the County of Essex, Fisher men, Testify and say, That as +they were upon their lawfull Imployment nigh Cape Sables, +on or about the 14th, 15th and 16th Days of June last past, +they were taken Prisoners by Captain Edward Low a Pirate +then Commander of the Brigantine [Rebecca] but since removed +himself into the before named Scooner Mary, which +they took from the Deponent Trefry; and besides these Deponents +they took several other Fishing Vessels, viz.: <i>Nicholas +Merrit Master of the Shallop Jane</i>, <i>Philip Ashton Master of the +Scooner Milton</i>, <i>Joseph Libby one of said Ashton’s Crew</i>, +<i>Lawrence Phabens one of the Crew belonging to the Scooner +Rebeckah, Thomas Salter Commander</i>, all these four Men, to +wit, Nicholas Merrit, Philip Ashton, Joseph Libbey, and +Lawrence Phabens, being Young Nimble Men of about<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span> +Twenty Years of Age, the Pirates kept them by Force and +would not let them go tho’ they pleaded as much as they dare +to, yet nothing would avail, so as they wept like Children; +yet notwithstanding they forceably Carried them away to the +great Grief and Sorrow of the aforenamed four Young Men, as +well as these Deponents; and when any of these Deponents +mentioned any thing in favour of the said four Young Men, +the Quarter Master of the Pirate Publickly Declared, They +would carry them, and let them send to New England and +Publish it if they pleased. The Deponants further say, That +the said Pirates constrained four more Fisher men belonging +to Piscataqua, and the Isle of Sholes to go with them against +their wills also.</p> + +<p class="no-indent"> +“Salem, July the<br> +3d 1722.<br></p> +<p class="right">Thomas Trefry,<br> +John Collyer,<br> +Robert Gilford.</p> + +<p class="center">Essex, ss. Salem, July the 3d, 1722.</p> + +<p>“Then Thomas Trefry, John Collyer and Robert Gilford +the Three Deponants above named personally Appearing +made Oath to the Truth of the foregoing Deposition taken ad +Perpetuam rei memoriam.</p> +<p> + {Josiah Wolcot Justices of the Peace<br> +“Coram Nobis {Stephen Sewall Quorum Unis</p> + +<p>“A True Copy of the Original, and as of Record appears. +Examin’d per Stephen Sewall, Regist.”</p> + +<p class="right"> +<span style="margin-right: 2em;">—<i>Boston News-Letter</i>, July 9, 1722.</span><br> +</p> +</div> + +<p>Philip Ashton served, unwillingly, with Low in the schooner +“Fancy,” in the “Rose Pink,” alias “Frigate,” and again in +the “Fancy,” with Low’s late quartermaster, Francis Farrington +Spriggs. In the spring of 1723, Low went to the +island of Roatan, in the Bay of Honduras, to clean and refit +his fleet. Roatan lies in the latitude of 16° 31’ and is about +thirty miles long. On March 9, 1723, while there, Ashton +went ashore with the cooper and others for water and managed +to escape and after five days Low and Spriggs sailed away<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span> +without him. Ashton remained alone on the island, except +for three days, until June, 1724, when he was joined by eighteen +Bay men, seeking shelter from the Spaniards, who took him +with them to the Island of Barbarat. Ashton then made +several hunting trips to the island of Bonaco and in the spring +of 1725 was found there by Captain Dove, the master of a +Salem brigantine, who came in over the shoals for water. +They sailed for Salem on March 31st, and Ashton arrived +home May, 1725, having been absent almost three years. +The <i>New England Courant</i> announced his return soon after +as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>“Boston, May 10. We hear from Salem, that a Vessel +arrived there from the Bay [of Honduras] <i>has brought a Man +who was taken by Low the Pirate some Years since</i>, and ran +away from him when he went ashore at a Maroon Island to +take in Water, where he had been above two Years, when some +of this Vessel’s Company going on Shore brought him off.”</p> +</div> + +<p>Shortly after Ashton’s return to Marblehead, Roads, the +historian of Marblehead, says the next Sunday, which would +have been the day after his return, the Rev. John Barnard, +pastor of the First Church, preached a sermon on “God’s +Ability to Save His People from All Danger,” using for his +text Daniel III, 17.<a id="FNanchor_130" href="#Footnote_130" class="fnanchor">[130]</a></p> + +<p>Philip Ashton<a id="FNanchor_131" href="#Footnote_131" class="fnanchor">[131]</a> and his parents were present and the sermon +closed with a personal address to him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span></p> + +<p>Public interest having been aroused in the local Robinson +Crusoe, who, indeed, had gone Alexander Selkirk one better, +having landed on an uninhabited island wearing only a frock, +trousers and cap, without a shirt or shoes, stockings, knife or +other iron instrument, or any means of making a fire, and who +had lived there nine months without fire or cooked food, there +was naturally a demand for an account of his adventures. This +was met by Mr. Barnard, who, on Aug. 3d, 1725, writing from +Marblehead, says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>“The great Reason why this Narrative, which has been so +long wished for, has no sooner appeared, is because Mr. Ashton +has necessarily been so absent, that I have not been able to +get the opportunity of Conferring with him, more than two or +three times, about the Remarkable Occurrences he has met +with; and having no leisure himself to write, I have taken the +Minutes of all from his own Mouth, and after I had put them +together, I have improved the first vacant Hour, I could, to +Read it over distinctly to him, that he might Correct the +Errors, that might arise from my misunderstanding his Report. +Thus corrected, he has set his Hand to it as his own History.</p> + +<p>“I have added to a short Account of Mr. Nicholas Merritt, +(who was taken at the same time with Mr. Ashton), the manner +of his Escape from the Pirates, and the hard usage he met +with upon it, till his return to his own Country; which I had +from his own Mouth, all tending to the same end and purpose.”</p> +</div> + +<p>The narrative was soon published under the following title:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Ashton’s Memorial.</span> / An / History / of the / Strange +Adventures, / and / Signal Deliverances, / of / Mr. Philip Ashton, / +Who, after he had made his Escape from the Pirates, +liv’d alone on a Desolate / Island for about Sixteen Months, +&c. / With A Short Account of Mr. Nicholas Merritt, / who was +taken at the same time. / To which is added / A Sermon on +Dan. 3. 17. / By John Barnard V. D. M. / <i>We should not trust +in our selves, but in God; / —who delivered us from so great a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span> +Death, and doth deliver; in whom we trust, that he will yet +deliver us.</i> / 11. Cor. 9. 10. / Boston, N. E. Printed for Samuel +Gerrish, at his Shop in Corn-Hill, 1725.”</p> +</div> + +<p>An edition was also published in London the next year +and reprints in whole or in part have been made at Portland, +Me., in 1810; Edinburgh, 1815; Boston, 1850; and Marblehead +in 1910.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>This interesting recital of the veritable experiences of a +New England man on board notorious pirate vessels, together +with other adventures that fall to the lot of but few men, is +here reprinted as a document of great value in corroborating +many of the statements appearing elsewhere in this volume in +chapters devoted to the exploits of Low, Lowther and Spriggs.</p> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp75" id="i222" style="max-width: 92.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i222.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + +<span class='c2'> +<i>Ashton’s</i> Memorial.<br> +<br> +AN<br> +<i>HISTORY</i><br> +OF THE<br> +Strange Adventures,<br> +AND<br> +Signal Deliverances,<br> +OF<br> +Mr. <i>Philip Ashton</i>,<br> +<br> +Who, after he had made his Escape from the +<span class="smcap">Pirates</span>, liv’d alone on a Desolate +<i>Island</i> for about Sixteen Months, &c.<br> +<br> +WITH<br> +A short Account of Mr. <i>Nicholas Merritt</i>, +who was taken at the same time.<br> +<br> +To which is added<br> +A SERMON on <i>Dan. 3. 17.</i><br> +<br> +By <span class="smcap">John Barnard</span>, V. D. M.<br> +<br> +——<i>We should not trust in our selves, but in God; ——who +delivered us from so great a Death, and doth +deliver; in whom we trust, that he will yet deliver us.</i><br> +II. Cor. I. 9, 10.<br> +<br> +<i>BOSTON</i>, N. E. Printed for <i>Samuel Gerrish</i>, +at his Shop in Corn-Hill, 1725.<br> +</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_129" href="#FNanchor_129" class="label">[129]</a> Among the thirteen vessels taken were the following from Marblehead, +viz.:—schooner Milton, Philip Ashton, master; shallop Jane, Nicholas +Merritt, master; schooner Rebeckah, Thomas Salter, master; schooner +Mary, Thomas Trefry, master; shallop Elizabeth, Robert Gifford, master; +schooner Samuel, William Nichols, master.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_130" href="#FNanchor_130" class="label">[130]</a> “If it be so, our God whome we serve, is able to Deliver us from the +Burning Fiery Furnace, and He will Deliver us out of thine Hand, O +King.”</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_131" href="#FNanchor_131" class="label">[131]</a> Ashton was the son of Philip and Sarah (Hendly) Ashton, and was +born in Marblehead, Aug. 12, 1702. He married, first, Jane or Jean Gallison, +Dec. 8, 1726, who bore him a daughter Sarah, baptized Dec. 3, 1727, +in the First Church, the mother dying a week later.</p> + +<p>On July 15, 1729, he married, second, Sarah Bartlett and they had +Eliza, baptized Oct. 25, 1730; Philip, baptized May 28, 1732; William, +baptized Oct. 20, 1734; Thomas, baptized Apr. 17, 1737 and Jean, baptized +Aug. 15, 1742. The date of his death is not known.</p> + +</div> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span></p> +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak">ASHTON’S MEMORIAL<br> +<br> +<span class="ch-title">An History of the Strange Adventures, and Signal<br> +Deliverances of<br> +Mr.</span> PHILIP ASHTON, <span class="smcap">Jun.<br> +of Marblehead</span></h2> +</div> + + +<p>Upon Friday, June 15th, 1722, After I had been out for +some time in the Schooner Milton, upon the Fishing +grounds, off Cape Sable Shoar, among others, I came to +Sail in Company with Nicholas Merritt, in a Shallop, and stood +in for Port-Rossaway, designing to Harbour there, till the +Sabbath was over; where we Arrived about Four of the Clock +in the Afternoon. When we came into the Harbour, where +several of our Fishing Vessels had arrived before us, we spy’d +among them a Brigantine, which we supposed to have been +an Inward bound Vessel, from the West Indies, and had no apprehensions +of any Danger from her; but by that time we had +been at Anchor two or three Hours, a Boat from the Brigantine, +with Four hands, came along side of us, and the Men +Jumpt in upon our Deck, without our suspecting any thing +but that they were Friends, come on board to visit, or inquire +what News; till they drew their Cutlasses and Pistols from +under their Clothes, and Cock’d the one and Brandish’d the +other, and began to Curse & Swear at us, and demanded a +Surrender of our Selves and Vessel to them. It was too late for +us to rectify our Mistake, and think of Freeing our Selves +from their power; for however we might have been able, +(being Five of us and a Boy) to have kept them at a Distance, +had we known who they were, before they had boarded us; +yet now we had our Arms to seek, and being in no Capacity +to make any Resistance, were necessitated to submit our +selves to their will and pleasure. In this manner they surprised<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span> +Nicholas Merritt, and 12 or 13 other Fishing Vessels +this Evening.</p> + +<p>When the Boat went off from our Vessel, they carried me +on board the Brigantine, and who should it prove but the +Infamous Ned Low, the Pirate, with about 42 Hands, 2 Great +Guns, and 4 Swivel Guns. You may easily imagine how I +look’d, and felt, when too late to prevent it, I found my self +fallen into the hands of such a mad, roaring, mischievous +Crew; yet I hoped, that they would not force me away with +them, and I purposed to endure any hardship among them +patiently, rather than turn Pirate with them.</p> + +<p>Low presently sent for me Aft, and according to the Pirates +usual Custom, and in their proper Dialect, asked me, If I +would sign their Articles, and go along with them. I told him, +No; I could by no means consent to go with them, I should be +glad if he would give me my Liberty, and put me on board any +Vessel, or set me on shoar there. For indeed my dislike of +their Company and Actions, my concern for my Parents, and +my fears of being found in such bad Company, made me dread +the thoughts of being carried away by them; so that I had not +the least Inclination to continue with them.</p> + +<p>Upon my utter Refusal to joyn and go with them, I was +thrust down into the Hold, which I found to be a safe retreat +for me several times afterwards. By that time, I had been +in the Hold a few Hours, they had compleated the taking the +several Vessels that were in the Harbour, and the Examining +of the Men; and the next Day I was fetched up with some +others that were there, and about 30 or 40 of us were put on +board a Schooner belonging to Mr. Orn of Marblehead, which +the Pirates made use of for a sort of a Prison, upon the present +occasion; where we were all confined unarm’d, with an armed +Guard over us, till the Sultan’s pleasure should be further +known.</p> + +<p>The next Lord’s Day about Noon, one of the Quarter +Masters, John Russel by Name, came on board the Schooner<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span> +and took six of us, (Nicholas Merritt,<a id="FNanchor_132" href="#Footnote_132" class="fnanchor">[132]</a> Joseph Libbie,<a id="FNanchor_133" href="#Footnote_133" class="fnanchor">[133]</a> +Lawrence Fabens,<a id="FNanchor_134" href="#Footnote_134" class="fnanchor">[134]</a> and my self, all of Marblehead, the +Eldest of, if I mistake not, under 21 Years of Age, with two +others) and carried us on board the Brigantine; where we were +called upon the Quarter Deck, and Low came up to us with +Pistol in hand, and with a full mouth demanded, Are any of +you, Married Men? This short and unexpected Question, +and the sight of the Pistol, struck us all dumb, and not a +Man of us dared to speak a word, for fear there should have +been a design in it, which we were not able to see thro’. Our +Silence kindled our new Master into a Flame, who could not +bear it, that so many Beardless Boyes should deny him an +Answer to so plain a Question; and therefore in a Rage, he +Cock’d his Pistol, and clapt it to my Head, and cryed out, You +D—g! why don’t you Answer me? and Swore vehemently, he +would shoot me thro’ the Head, if I did not tell him immediately, +whether I was Married or no.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span></p> + +<p>I was sufficiently frightened at the fierceness of the Man, +and the boldness of his threatening, but rather than lose my +Life for so trifling a matter, I e’en ventured at length to tell +him, I was not Married, as loud as I dar’d to speak it; and +so said the rest of my Companions. Upon this he seemed +something pacified, and turned away from us.</p> + +<p>It seems his design was to take no Married Man away with +him, how young soever he might be, which I often wondred at; +till after I had been with him some considerable time, and +could observe in him an uneasiness in the sentiments of his +Mind, and the workings of his passions towards a young Child +he had at Boston (his Wife being Dead, as I learned, some +small time before he turned Pirate) which upon every lucid +interval from Revelling and Drink he would express a great +tenderness for, insomuch that I have seen him sit down and +weep plentifully upon the mentioning of it; and then I concluded, +that probably the Reason of his taking none but Single +Men was, that he might have none with him under the Influence +of such powerful attractives, as a Wife & Children, lest +they should grow uneasy in his Service, and have an Inclination +to Desert him, and return home for the sake of their +Families.</p> + +<p>Low presently came up to us again, and asked the Old +Question, Whether we would Sign their Articles, and go along +with them? We all told him No; we could not; so we were +dismissed. But within a little while we were call’d to him +Singly, and then it was demanded of me, with Sternness and +Threats, whether I would Joyn with them? I still persisted +in the Denial; which thro’ the assistance of Heaven, I was +resolved to do, tho’ he shot me. And as I understood, all my +Six Companions, who were called in their turns, still refused +to go with him.</p> + +<p>Then I was led down into the Steerage, by one of the +Quarter-Masters, and there I was assaulted with Temptations +of another kind, in hopes to win me over to become one of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[228]</span> +them; a number of them got about me, and instead of Hissing, +shook their Rattles, and treated me with abundance of +Respect and Kindness, in their way; they did all they could +to sooth my Sorrows, and set before me the strong Allurement +of the Vast Riches they should gain, and what Mighty Men +they designed to be, and would fain have me to joyn with +them, and share in their Spoils; and to make all go down the +more Glib, they greatly Importuned me to Drink with them, +not doubting but this wile would sufficiently entangle me, and +so they should prevail with me to do that in my Cups, which +they perceived they could not bring me to while I was Sober; +but all their fair and plausible Carriage, their proffered Kindness, +and airy notions of Riches, had not the Effect upon me +which they desired; and I had no Inclination to drown my +Sorrows with my Senses in their Inebriating Bowls, and so +refused their Drink, as well as their Proposals.</p> + +<p>After this I was brought upon Deck again, and Low came +up to me, with His Pistol Cock’d, and clap’d it to my Head, +and said to me, You D—g you! if you will not Sign our Articles, +and go along with me, I’ll shoot you thro’ the Head, and +uttered his Threats with his utmost Fierceness, and with the +usual Flashes of Swearing and Cursing. I told him, That I +was in his hands, and he might do with me what he pleased, +but I could not be willing to go with him: and then I earnestly +beg’d of him, with many Tears, and used all the Arguments I +could think of to perswade him, not to carry me away; but +he was deaf to my Cryes, and unmoved by all I could say to +him; and told me, I was an Impudent Dog, and Swore, I +should go with him whether I would or no. So I found all +my Cryes, and Entreaties were in vain, and there was no help +for it, go with them I must, and as I understood, they set mine +and my Townsmens Names down in their Book, tho’ against +our Consent. And I desire to mention it with due Acknowledgments +to GOD, who withheld me, that neither their +promises, nor their threatenings, nor blows could move<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[229]</span> +me to a willingness to Joyn with them in their pernicious +ways.</p> + +<p>Upon Tuesday, June 19th, they changed their Vessel, +and took for their Privateer, as they call’d it, a Schooner +belonging to Mr. Joseph Dolliber of Marblehead, being new, +clean, and a good Sailer, and shipped all their hands on board +her, and put the Prisoners, such as they designed to send home, +on board the Brigantine, with one ———————— who was +her Master, and ordered them for Boston.</p> + +<p>When I saw the Captives were likely to be sent Home, I +thought I would make one attempt more to obtain my Freedom, +and accordingly Nicholas Merrit, my Townsman and +Kinsman, went along with me to Low, and we fell upon our +Knees, and with utmost Importunity besought him to let us go +Home in the Brigantine, among the rest of the Captives: but +he immediately called for his Pistols, and told us we should not +go, and Swore bitterly, if either of us offered to stir, he would +shoot us down.</p> + +<p>Thus all attempts to be delivered out of the hands of unreasonable +Men (if they may be called Men) were hitherto +unsuccessful; and I had the melancholy prospect of seeing the +Brigantine sail away with the most of us that were taken at +Port-Rossaway, but my self, and three Townsmen mentioned, +and four of Shoal-men detained on board the Schooner, in the +worst of Captivity, without any present likelyhood of Escaping.</p> + +<p>And yet before the Brigantine sailed, an opportunity +presented, that gave me some hopes that I might get away +from them; for some of Low’s people, who had been on shoar +at Port-Rossaway to get water, had left a Dog belonging to +him behind them; and Low observing the Dog a shoar howling +to come off, order’d some hands to take the Boat and fetch him. +Two Young Men, John Holman, and Benjamin Ashton, both +of Marblehead, readily Jumpt into the Boat, and I (who pretty +well know their Inclination to be rid of such Company, & was +exceedingly desirous my self to be freed from my present<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[230]</span> +Station, and thought if I could but once set foot on shoar, +they should have good luck to get me on board again) was +getting over the side into the Boat; but Quarter Master +Russel spy’d me, and caught hold on my Shoulder, and drew +me in board, and with a Curse told me, Two was eno’, I should +not go. The two Young Men had more sense and virtue than +to come off to them again, so that after some time of waiting, +they found they were deprived of their Men, their Boat, and +their Dog; and they could not go after them.</p> + +<p>When they saw what a trick was play’d them, the Quarter +Master came up to me Cursing and Swearing, that I knew +of their design to Run away, and intended to have been one of +them; but tho’ it would have been an unspeakable pleasure to +me to have been with them, yet I was forced to tell him, I +knew not of their design; and indeed I did not, tho’ I had good +reason to suspect what would be the event of their going. +This did not pacifie the Quarter-Master, who with outragious +Cursing and Swearing clapt his Pistol to my Head, and snap’d +it; but it miss’d Fire: this enraged him the more; and he +repeated the snapping of his Pistol at my Head three times, and +it as often miss’d Fire; upon which he held it over-board, and +snap’d it the fourth time, and then it went off very readily. +(Thus did GOD mercifully quench the violence of the Fire, +that was meant to destroy me!) The Quarter-Master upon +this, in the utmost fury, drew his Cutlass, and fell upon me +with it, but I leap’d down into the Hold, and got among a +Crowd that was there, and so escaped the further effects of his +madness and rage. Thus, tho’ GOD suffered me not to gain +my wished-for Freedom, yet he wonderfully preserved me from +Death.</p> + +<p>All hopes of obtaining Deliverance were now past and gone; +the Brigantine and Fishing Vessels were upon their way +homeward, the Boat was ashore, and not likely to come off +again; I could see no possible way of Escape; and who can +express the concern and Agony I was in, to see my self, a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[231]</span> +Young Lad not 20 Years Old, carried forcibly from my Parents, +whom I had so much reason to value for the tenderness I knew +they had for me, & to whom my being among Pyrates, would +be as a Sword in their Bowels, and the Anguishes of death to +them; confined to such Company as I could not but have an +exceeding great abhorrence of; in Danger of being poisoned in +my morals, by Living among them, and of falling a Sacrifice +to Justice, if ever I should be taken with them. I had no way +left for my Comfort, but earnestly to commit my self and my +cause to GOD, and wait upon Him for Deliverance in his own +time and way; and in the mean while firmly to resolve, thro’ +Divine Assistance, that nothing should ever bring me to a +willingness to Joyn with them, or share in their Spoils.</p> + +<p>I soon found that any Death was preferible to being link’d +with such a vile Crew of Miscreants, to whom it was a sport +to do Mischief; where prodigious Drinking, monstrous Cursing +and Swearing, hideous Blasphemies, and open defiance of +Heaven, and contempt of Hell it self, was the constant Employment, +unless when Sleep something abated the Noise and +Revellings.</p> + +<p>Thus Confined, the best course I could take, was to keep +out of the way, down in the Hold, or wherever I could be most +free from their perpetual Din; and fixed purpose with my +self, that the first time I had an opportunity to set my Foot +on shore, let it be in what part of the World it would, it should +prove (if possible) my taking a final leave of Low and Company.</p> + +<p>I would remark it now also (that I might not interrupt the +Story with it afterwards) that while I was on board Low, +they used once a Week, or Fortnight, as the Evil Spirit moved +them, to bring me under Examination, and anew demand my +Signing their Articles, and Joyning with them; but Blessed +be GOD, I was enabled to persist in a constant refusal to become +one of them, tho’ I was thrashed with Sword or Cane, as +often as I denyed them; the fury of which I had no way to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[232]</span> +avoid, but by Jumping down into the Hold, where for a while +I was safe. I look’d upon my self, for a long while, but as a +Dead Man among them, and expected every Day of Examination +would prove the last of my Life, till I learned from some +of them, that it was one of their Articles, Not to Draw Blood, +or take away the Life of any Man, after they had given him +Quarter, unless he was to be punished as a Criminal; and this +emboldned me afterwards, so that I was not so much affraid +to deny them, seeing my Life was given me for a Prey.</p> + +<p>This Tuesday, towards Evening, Low and Company came +to sail in the Schooner, formerly called the Mary, now the +Fancy, and made off for Newfoundland; and here they met +with such an Adventure, as had like to have proved fatal to +them. They fell in with the Mouth of St. John’s Harbour in +a Fogg, before they knew where they were; when the Fogg +clearing up a little, they spy’d a large Ship riding at Anchor +in the Harbour, but could not discern what she was, by reason +of the thickness of the Air, and concluded she was a Fish-Trader; +this they look’d upon as a Boon Prize for them, and +thought they should be wonderfully well accommodated with +a good Ship under Foot, and if she proved but a good Sailer, +would greatly further their Roving Designs, and render them +a Match for almost any thing they could meet with, so that +they need not fear being taken.</p> + +<p>Accordingly they came to a Resolution to go in and take her; +and imagining it was best doing it by Stratagem, they concluded +to put all their Hands, but Six or Seven, down in the +Hold, and make a shew as if they were a Fishing Vessel, and +so run up along side of her, and surprise her, and bring her off; +and great was their Joy at the distant prospect how cleverly +they should catch her. They began to put their designs in +Execution, stowed away their Hands, leaving but a few upon +Deck, and made Sail in order to seise the Prey; when there +comes along a small Fisher-Boat, from out the Harbour, and +hailed them, and asked them, from whence they were? They<span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[233]</span> +told them, from Barbadoes, and were laden with Rhum and +Sugar; then they asked the Fisherman, What large Ship that +was in the Harbour? who told them it was a large Man-of-War.</p> + +<p>The very Name of a Man-of-War struck them all up in a +Heap, spoil’d their Mirth, their fair Hopes, and promising +Design of having a good Ship at Command; and lest they +should catch a Tartar, they thought it their wisest and safest +way, instead of going into the Harbour, to be gone as fast as +they could: and accordingly they stretched away farther +Eastward, and put into a small Harbour, called Carboneur, +about 15 Leagues distance; where they went on Shoar; took +the Place, and destroyed the Houses, but hurt none of the +People; as they told me, for I was not suffered to go a shore +with them.</p> + +<p>The next Day they made off for the Grand Bank, where +they took seven or eight Vessels, and among them a French +Banker, a Ship of about 350 Tuns, and 2 Guns; this they +carried off with them, and stood away for St. Michaels.</p> + +<p>Off of St. Michaels they took a large Portugueze Pink, laden +with Wheat, coming out of the Road, which I was told was +formerly call’d the Rose-Frigat. She struck to the Schooner, +fearing the large Ship that was coming down to them; tho’ +all Low’s Force had been no Match for her, if the Portugueze +had made a good Resistance. This Pink they soon observed +to be a much better Sailer than their French Banker, which +went heavily; and therefore they threw the greatest part of the +Wheat over board, reserving only eno’ to Ballast the Vessel +for the present, and took what they wanted out of the Banker, +and then Burnt her, and sent the most of the Portugueze +away in a large Lanch they had taken.</p> + +<p>Now they made the Pink, which Mounted 14 Guns, their +Commodore, and with this and the Schooner Sailed from St. +Michaels, to the Canaries, where off of Teneriff, they gave +Chase to a Sloop, which got under the Command of the +Fortress, and so escaped sailing into their Hands; but stretching<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[234]</span> +along to the Western end of the Island, they came up with +a Fishing Boat, and being in want of Water, made them Pilot +them into a small Harbour, where they went a shore and got a +supply.</p> + +<p>After they had Watered, they Sailed away for Cape de +Verde Islands, and upon making the Isle of May, they descry’d +a Sloop, which they took, and it proved to be a Bristol-man, +one Pare or Pier Master; this Sloop they designed for a Tender, +and put on board her my Kinsman Nicholas Merritt, +with 8 or 9 hands more, and Sailed away for Bonavista, with +a design to careen their Vessels.</p> + +<p>In their Passage to Bonavista, the Sloop wronged both the +Pink and the Schooner; which the Hands on board observing, +being mostly Forced Men, or such as were weary of their +Employment, upon the Fifth of September, Ran away with +her and made their Escape.</p> + +<p>When they came to Bonavista, they hove down the +Schooner, and careen’d her, and then the Pink; and here they +gave the Wheat, which they had kept to Ballast the Pink with, +to the Portugueze, and took other Ballast.</p> + +<p>After they had cleaned and fitted their Vessels, they steered +away for St. Nicholas, to get better Water; and here as I +was told, 7 or 8 hands out of the Pink went a shore a Fowling, +but never came off more, among which I suppose Lawrence +Fabins was one, and what became of them I never could hear +to this Day. Then they put out to Sea, and stood away for +the Coast of Brasil, hoping to meet with Richer Prizes than +they had yet taken; in the Passage thither, they made a Ship, +which they gave chase to, but could not come up with; and +when they came upon the Coast, it had like to have proved a +sad Coast to them; for the Trade-Winds blowing exceeding +hard at South East, they fell in upon the Northern part of the +Coast, near 200 Leagues to the Leeward of where they designed; +and here we were all in exceeding great Danger, and +for Five Days and Nights together, hourly feared when we<span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[235]</span> +should be swallowed up by the violence of the Wind and Sea, +or stranded upon some of the Shoals, that lay many Leagues +off from Land. In this time of Extremity, the Poor Wretches +had no where to go for Help! For they were at open Defiance +with their Maker, & they could have but little comfort in the +thoughts of their Agreement with Hell; such mighty Hectors +as they were, in a clear Sky and a fair Gale, yet a fierce Wing +and a boisterous Sea sunk their Spirits to a Cowardly dejection, +and they evidently feared the Almighty, whom before +they defied, lest He was come to Torment them before their +expected Time; and tho’ they were so habituated to Cursing +and Swearing, that the Dismal Prospect of Death, & this of so +long Continuance, could not Correct the language of most of +them, yet you might plainly see the inward Horror and Anguish +of their Minds, visible in their Countenances, and like +Men amazed, or starting out of Sleep in a fright, I could hear +them ever now and then, cry out, Oh! I wish I were at Home.</p> + +<p>When the Fierceness of the Weather was over, and they +had recovered their Spirits, by the help of a little Nantes, they +bore away to the West Indies, and made the three Islands +call’d the Triangles, lying off the Main about 40 Leagues to +the Eastward of Surinam. Here they went in and careened +their Vessels again; and it had like to have proved a fatal +Scouring to them.</p> + +<p>For as they hove down the Pink, Low had ordered so many +hands upon the Shrouds, and Yards, to throw her Bottom +out of Water, that it threw her Ports, which were open, under +Water; and the Water flow’d in with such freedom that it +presently overset her. Low and the Doctor were in the +Cabin together, and as soon as he perceived the Water to gush +in upon him, he bolted out at one of the Stern-Ports, which +the Doctor also attempted, but the Sea rushed so violently +into the Port by that time, as to force him back into the +Cabin, upon which Low nimbly run his Arm into the Port, and +caught hold of his Shoulder and drew him out, and so saved<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[236]</span> +him. The Vessel pitched her Masts to the Ground, in about +6 Fathom Water, and turn’d her Keel out of Water; but as +her Hull filled, it sunk, and by the help of her Yard-Arms, +which I suppose bore upon the Ground, her Masts were raised +something out of Water; the Men that were upon her Shrouds +and Yards, got upon her Hull, when that was uppermost, and +then upon her Top-Masts and Shrouds, when they were raised +again. I (who with other light Lads were sent up to the +Main-Top-Gallant Yard) was very difficultly put to it to save +my Life, being but a poor Swimmer; for the Boat which +picked the Men up, refused to take me in, & I was put upon +making the best of my way to the Buoy, which with much ado +I recovered, and it being large I stayed my self by it, till the +Boat came along close by it, and then I called to them to take +me in; but they being full of Men still refused me; and I +did not know but they meant to leave me to perish there; +but the Boat making way a head very slowly because of her +deep load, and Joseph Libbie calling to me to put off from the +Buoy and Swim to them, I e’en ventured it, and he took me +by the hand and drew me in board. They lost two Men by +this Accident, viz. John Bell, and one they called Zana Gourdon. +The Men that were on board the Schooner were busy +a mending the Sails, under an Auning, so they knew nothing +of what had happened to the Pink, till the Boat full of Men +came along side of them, tho’ they were but about Gun-Shot +off, and We made a great out-cry; and therefore they sent not +their Boat to help take up the Men.</p> + +<p>And now Low and his Gang, having lost their Frigate, and +with her the greatest part of their Provision and Water, were +again reduced to their Schooner as their only Privateer, and +in her they put to Sea, and were brought to very great straits +for want of Water; for they could not get a supply at the +Triangles, and when they hoped to furnish themselves at +Tobago, the Current set so strong, & the Season was so Calm, +that they could not recover the Harbour, so they were forced<span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[237]</span> +to stand away for Grand Grenada, a French Island about 18 +Leagues to the Westward of Tobago, which they gained, after +they had been at the hardship of half a pint of Water a Man +for Sixteen Dayes together.</p> + +<p>Here the French came on board, and Low having put all +his Men down, but a sufficient number to Sail the Vessel, told +them upon their Enquiry, Whence he was, that he was come +from Barbadoes, and had lost his Water; and was oblig’d +to put in for a recruit; the poor People not suspecting him for +a Pyrate, readily suffered him to send his Men ashoar and +fetch off a supply. But the Frenchmen afterwards suspecting +he was a Smugling Trader, thought to have made a Boon +Prize of him, and the next day fitted out a large Rhode-Island +built Sloop of 70 Tuns, with 4 Guns mounted, and about 30 +Hands, with design to have taken him. Low was apprehensive +of no danger from them, till they came close along side of +him and plainly discovered their design, by their Number and +Actions, and then he called up his hands upon Deck, and having +about 90 Hands on board, & 8 Guns mounted, the Sloop and +Frenchmen fell an easy prey to him, and he made a Privateer +of her.</p> + +<p>After this they cruised for some time thro’ the West Indies, +in which excursion they took 7 or 8 Sail of Vessels, chiefly +Sloops; at length they came to Santa Cruiz, where they took +two Sloops more, & then came to Anchor off the Island.</p> + +<p>While they lay an Anchor here, it came into Low’s Head, +that he wanted a Doctor’s Chest, & in order to procure one, +he put four of the Frenchmen on board one of the Sloops, +which he had just now taken, & sent them away to St. +Thomas’s, about 12 Leagues off where the Sloops belonged, +with the promise, that if they would presently send him off a +good Doctor’s Chest, for what he sent to purchase it with, +they should have their Men & Vessels again, but if not, he +would kill all the Men & burn the Vessels. The poor People +in Compassion to their Neighbours, & to preserve their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[238]</span> +Interest, readily complyed with his Demands; so that in +little more than 24 Hours the four Frenchmen returned with +what they went for, & then according to promise, they & their +Sloops were Dismissed.</p> + +<p>From Santa Cruz they Sailed till they made Curacao, in +which Passage they gave Chase to two Sloops that out sailed +them & got clear; then they Ranged the Coast of New Spain, +and made Carthagena, & about mid-way between Carthagena +and Port-Abella, they descry’d two tall Ships, which proved +to be the Mermaid Man-of-War, & a large Guinea-Man. +Low was now in the Rhode Island Sloop, & one Farrington +Spriggs a Quarter-Master, was Commander of the Schooner, +where I still was. For some time they made Sail after the +two Ships, till they came so near that they could plainly see +the Man-of-War’s large range of Teeth, & then they turned +Tail to, and made the best of their way from them; upon +which the Man-of-War gave them Chase & overhalled them +apace. And now I confess I was in as great terrour as ever I +had been yet, for I concluded we should be taken, & I could +expect no other butt to Dye for Companies sake; so true is +what Solomon tells us, a Companion of Fools shall be destroyed. +But the Pirates finding the Man-of-War to overhale +them, separated, & Low stood out to Sea, & Spriggs stood in +for the Shoar. The Man-of-War observing the Sloop to be the +larger Vessel much, and fullest of Men, threw out all the Sail +she could, & stood after her, and was in a fair way of coming +up with her presently. But it hapened there was one Man on +board the Sloop, that knew of a Shoal Ground thereabouts, +who directed Low to run over it; he did so; and the Man-of-War +who had now so forereached him as to sling a Shot over +him, in the close pursuit ran a Ground upon the Shoal, and so +Low and Company escaped Hanging for this time.</p> + +<p>Spriggs, who was in the Schooner, when he saw the Danger +they were in of being taken, upon the Man-of-War’s outsailing +them, was afraid of falling into the hands of Justice;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[239]</span> +to prevent which, he, and one of his Chief Companions, took +their Pistols, and laid them down by them, and solemnly +Swore to each other, and pledg’d the Oath in a Bumper of +Liquor, that if they saw there was at last no possibility of +Escaping, but that they should be taken, they would set Foot +to Foot, and Shoot one another, to Escape Justice and the +Halter. As if Divine Justice were not as inexorable as +Humane!</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i238" style="max-width: 144.9375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i238.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption>PIRATES BOARDING A SPANISH VESSEL IN THE WEST INDIES<br> +<span class='c2'>From an engraving in “The History and Lives of the most Notorious Pirates,” by an old +Seaman, London, n.d., in possession of Capt. Ernest H. Pentecost, R.N.R.</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>But, as I said, he stood in for the Shoar, and made into +Pickeroon Bay, about 18 Leagues from Carbagena, and so +got out of reach of Danger. By this means the Sloop and +Schooner were parted; and Spriggs made Sail towards the +Bay of Honduras, and came to Anchor in a small Island called +Utilla, about 7 or 8 Leagues to Leeward of Roatan, where by +the help of a small Sloop, he had taken the Day before, he +haled down, and cleaned the Schooner.</p> + +<p>While Spriggs lay at Utilla, there was an Opportunity +presented, which gave occasion to several of us to form a +design, of making our Escape out of the Pirates Company; +for having lost Low, and being but weak handed, Spriggs had +determined to go thro’ the Gulf, and come upon the Coast of +New-England, to encrease his Company, and supply himself +with Provision; whereupon a Number of us had entred into +a Combination, to take the first fair advantage, to Subdue our +Masters; and Free our selves. There were in all about 22 +Men on board the Schooner, and 8 of us were in the Plot, which +was, That when we should come upon the Coast of New-England, +we would take the opportunity when the Crew had +sufficiently dozed themselves with Drink, and had got sound +a Sleep, to secure them under the Hatches, and bring the +Vessel and Company in, and throw ourselves upon the Mercy +of the Government.</p> + +<p>But it pleased GOD to disappoint our Design. The Day +that they came to Sail out of Utilla, after they had been +parted from Low about five Weeks, they discovered a large<span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[240]</span> +Sloop, which bore down upon them. Spriggs, who knew not +the Sloop, but imagined it might be a Spanish Privateer, full +of Men, being but weak handed himself, made the best of his +way from her. The Sloop greatly overhaled the Schooner. +Low, who knew the Schooner, & thought that since they had +been separated, she might have fallen into the hands of honest +Men, fired upon her, & struck her the first Shot. Spriggs, +seeing the Sloop fuller of Men than ordinary, (for Low had been +to Honduras, & had taken a Sloop, & brought off several +Baymen, & was now become an Hundred strong) & remaining +still ignorant of his old Mate, refused to bring to, but continued +to make off; and resolved if they came up with him, to +fight them the best he could. Thus the Harpies had like to +have fallen fowl of one another. But Low hoisting his Pirate +Colours, discovered who he was; and then, hideous was the +noisy Joy among the Piratical Crew, on all sides, accompanied +with Firing, & Carousing, at the finding their Old Master, & +Companions, & their narrow Escape; and so the design of +Crusing upon the Coast of New-England came to nothing. +A good Providence it was to my dear Country, that it did so; +unless we could have timely succeeded in our design to surprise +them.</p> + +<p>Yet it had like to have proved a fatal Providence to those +of us that had a hand in the Plot; for tho’ our design of surprising +Spriggs and Company, when we should come upon the +Coast of New-England, was carried with as much secrecy as +was possible, (we hardly daring to trust one another, and +mentioning it always with utmost privacy, and not plainly, +but in distant hints) yet now that Low appeared, Spriggs +had got an account of it some way or other; and full of Resentment +and Rage he goes aboard Low, and acquaints him with +what he called our Treacherous design, and says all he can to +provoke him to Revenge the Mischief upon us, and earnestly +urged that we might be shot. But GOD who has the Hearts +of all Men in His own Hands, and turns them as He pleases,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[241]</span> +so over ruled, that Low turned it off with a Laugh, and said +he did not know, but if it had been his own case, as it was +ours, he should have done so himself; and all that Spriggs +could say was not able to stir up his Resentments, and procure +any heavy Sentence upon us.</p> + +<p>Thus Low’s merry Air saved us at that time; for had he +lisped a Word in compliance with what Spriggs urged, we had +surely some of us, if not all, have been lost. Upon this he +comes on board the Schooner again, heated with Drink, but +more chased in his own mind, that he could not have his Will +of us, and swore & tore like a Madman, crying out that four +of us ought to go forward, & be shot; and to me in particular +he said, You D—g, Ashton, deserve to be hang’d up at the +Yards Arm, for designing to cut us off. I told him, I had +no design of hurting any man on board, but if they would let +me go away quietly I should be glad. This matter made a +very great noise on board for several Hours, but at length +the Fire was quenched, and thro’ the Goodness of GOD, I +escaped being consumed by the violence of the Flame.</p> + +<p>The next Day, Low ordered all into Roatan Harbour to +clean, and here it was that thro’ the Favour of GOD to me, I +first gained Deliverance out of the Pirates hands; tho’ it was +a long while before my Deliverance was perfected, in a return +to my Country, and Friends; as you will see in the Sequel.</p> + +<p>Roatan Harbour, as all about the Gulf of Honduras, is +full of small Islands, which go by the General Name of the +Keys. When we had got in here, Low and some of his Chief +Men had got a shoar upon one of these small Islands, which +they called Port-Royal Key, where they made them Booths, +and were Carousing, Drinking, and Firing, while the two +Sloops, the Rhode-Island, and that which Low brought with +him from the Bay were cleaning. As for the Schooner, he +loaded her with the Logwood which the Sloop brought from +the Bay, & gave her, according to promise, to one John Blaze, +and put four men along with him in her, and when they came<span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[242]</span> +to Sail from this Place, sent them away upon their own account, +and what became of them I know not.</p> + +<p>Upon Saturday the 9th of March, 1723, the Cooper with Six +hands in the Long-Boat were going ashore at the Watering +place to fill their Casks; as he came along by the Schooner I +called to him and asked him, if he were going a shoar? he +told me Yes; then I asked him, if he would take me along +with him; he seemed to hesitate at the first; but I urged that +I had never been on shoar yet, since I first came on board, and +I thought it very hard that I should be so closely confined, +when every one else had the Liberty of going ashoar, at several +times, as there was occasion. At length he took me in, imagining, +I suppose, that there would be no danger of my Running +away in so desolate uninhabitated a Place, as that was.</p> + +<p>I went into the Boat with only an Ozenbrigs Frock and +Trousers on, and a Mill’d Cap upon my Head, having neither +Shirt, Shoes, nor Stockings, nor any thing else about me; +whereas, had I been aware of such an Opportunity, but one +quarter of an Hour before, I could have provided my self +something better. However, thought I, if I can but once get +footing on Terra-Firma, tho’ in never so bad Circumstances, I +shall count it a happy Deliverance; for I was resolved, come +what would, never to come on board again.</p> + +<p>Low had often told me (upon my asking him to send me +away in some of the Vessels, which he dismissed after he had +taken them), that I should go home when he did, and not +before, and Swore that I should never set foot on shoar till he +did. But the time for Deliverance was now come. GOD had +ordered it that Low and Spriggs, and almost all the Commanding +Officers, were ashoar upon an Island distinct from Roatan, +where the Watering place was; He presented me in sight, +when the Long Boat came by, (the only opportunity I could +have had) He had moved the Cooper to take me into the Boat, +and under such Circumstances as rendred me least lyable to +Suspicion; and so I got ashoar.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp75" id="i242" style="max-width: 128.1875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i242.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption>MAP OF THE BAY OF HONDURAS SHOWING RATTAN ISLAND<br> +<span class='c2'>From the map in “Voyages and travels of Capt. Nathaniel Uring,” London, 1726, in the library +of the Massachusetts Historical Society</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[243]</span></p> + +<p>When we came first to Land, I was very Active in helping +to get the Casks out of the Boat, & Rowling them up to the +Watering place; then I lay down at the Fountain & took a +hearty Draught of the Cool Water; & anon, I gradually +strol’d along the Beech, picking up Stones & Shells, & looking +about me; when I had got about Musket Shot off from them +(tho’ they had taken no Arms along with them in the Boat) I +began to make up to the Edge of the Woods; when the Cooper +spying me, call’d after me, & asked me where I was going; I +told him I was going to get some Coco-Nuts, for there were +some Coco-Nut Trees just before me. So soon as I had +recovered the Woods, and lost sight of them, I betook my self +to my Heels, & ran as fast as the thickness of the Bushes, and +my naked Feet would let me. I bent my Course, not directly +from them, but rather up behind them, which I continued till +I had got a considerable way into the Woods, & yet not so far +from them but that I could hear their talk, when they spake +any thing loud; and here I lay close in a very great Thicket, +being well assured, if they should take the pains to hunt after +me never so carefully they would not be able to find me.</p> + +<p>After they had filled their Casks and were about to go off, +the Cooper called after me to come away; but I lay snug in my +Thicket, and would give him no Answer, tho’ I plainly eno’ +heard him. At length they set a hallooing for me, but I was +still silent; I could hear them say to one another, The D—g +is lost in the Woods, and can’t find the way out again; then +they hallooed again; and cried, he is run-away and won’t +come again; the Cooper said, if he had thought I would have +served him so, he would not have brought me ashoar. They +plainly saw it would be in vain to seek me in such hideous +Woods, and thick Brushes. When they were weary with +hallooing, the Cooper at last, to shew his good Will to me, +(I can’t but Love and Thank him for his Kindness) call’d out, +If you don’t come away presently, I’ll go off and leave you +alone. But all they could say was no Temptation to me to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[244]</span> +discover my self, and least of all that of their going away and +leaving me; for this was the very thing I desired, that I might +be rid of them, and all that belonged to them. So finding it +in vain for them to wait any longer, they put off with their +Water, without me; and thus was I left upon a desolate +Island destitute of all help, and much out of the way of all +Travellers; however this Wilderness I looked upon as Hospitable, +and this Loneliness as good Company, compared with +the State and Society I was now happily Delivered from.</p> + +<p>When I supposed they were gone off, I came out of my +Thicket, and drew down to the Water side, about a Mile below +the Watering place, where there was a small run of Water; +and here I sat down to observe their Motions, and know when +the Coast was clear; for I could not but have some remaining +fears lest they should send a Company of Armed Men after +me; yet I thought if they should, the Woods and Bushes were +so thick that it would be impossible they should find me. As +yet I had nothing to Eat, nor indeed were my Thoughts much +concerned about living in this Desolate Place, but they were +chiefly taken up about my geting clear. And to my Joy, after +the Vessels had stayed five Days in this Harbour, they came +to Sail, and put out to Sea, and I plainly saw the Schooner +part from the two Sloops, and shape a different Course from +them.</p> + +<p>When they were gone and the Coast clear, I began to reflect +upon my self, and my present Condition; I was upon an Island +from whence I could not get off; I knew of no Humane Creature +within many scores of Miles of me; I had but a Scanty +Cloathing, and no possibility of getting more; I was destitute +of all Provision for my Support, and knew not how I should +come at any; every thing looked with a dismal Face; the sad +prospect drew Tears from me in abundance; yet since GOD +had graciously granted my Desires, in freeing me out of the +hands of the Sons of Violence, whose Business ’tis to devise +Mischief against their Neighbour, and from whom every thing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[245]</span> +that had the least face of Religion and Virtue was intirely +Banished, (unless that Low would never suffer his Men to +work upon the Sabbath, (it was more devoted to Play) and +I have seen some of them sit down to Read in a good Book) +therefore I purposed to account all the hardship I might now +meet with, as Light, & Easy, compared with being Associated +with them.</p> + +<p>In order to find in what manner I was to Live for the time +to come, I began to Range the Island over, which I suppose is +some 10 or 11 Leagues Long, in the Latitude of 16 deg. 30 +min. or thereabouts. I soon found that I must look for no +Company, but the Wild Beast of the Field, and the Fowl of +the Air; with all of which I made a Firm Peace, and GOD +said Amen to it. I could discover no Footsteps of any Habitation +upon the Island; yet there was one walk of Lime Trees +near a Mile long, and ever now & then I found some broken +Shreds of Earthen Pots, scattered here and there upon the +Place, which some say are some remains of the Indians that +formerly Lived upon the Island.</p> + +<p>The Island is well Watered, and is full of Hills, high Mountains, +and lowly Vallies. The Mountains are Covered over +with a sort of scrubby black Pine, & are almost inaccessible. +The Vallies abound with Fruit Trees, and are so prodigiously +thick with an underbrush, that ’tis difficult passing.</p> + +<p>The Fruit were Coco-Nuts, but these I could have no +advantage from, because I had no way of coming at the +inside; there are Wild-Figs, and Vines in abundance, these I +chiefly lived upon, especially at first; there is also a sort of +Fruit growing upon Trees somewhat larger than an Orange, +of an Oval shape, of a brownish Colour without, and red +within, having two or three Stones about as large as a Walnut +in the midst: tho’ I saw many of these fallen under the Trees, +yet I dared not to meddle with them for sometime, till I saw +some Wild Hogs eat them with safety, and then I thought +I might venture upon them too, after such Tasters, and I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[246]</span> +found them to be a very delicious sort of Fruit; they are called +Mammees Supporters, as I learned afterwards. There are +also a sort of small Beech-Plumb, growing upon low shrubs; +and a large form of Plumb growing upon Trees, which are +called Hog-Plumbs; and many other sorts of Fruit which I am +wholly a Stranger to. Only I would take notice of the Goodness +of GOD to me, in preserving me from destroying my self +by feeding upon any Noxious Fruit, as the Mangeneil Apple, +which I often took up in my hands, and look’d upon, but had +not the power to eat of; which if I had, it would have been +present Death to me, as I was informed afterwards, tho’ I +knew not what it was.</p> + +<p>There are also upon this Island, and the Adjacent Islands, +and Keys, Deer, and Wild Hogs; they abound too with Fowl +of diverse sorts, as Ducks, Teil, Curlews, Galdings, (a Fowl +long Legged, and shaped somewhat like a Heron, but not so +big) Pellicans, Boobys, Pigeons, Parrotts, &c. and the Shoars +abound with Tortoise.</p> + +<p>But of all this Store of Beast, and Fowl, I could make no +use to Supply my Necessities; tho’ my Mouth often watered +for a Bit of them; yet I was forced to go without it; for I had +no Knife, or other Instrument of Iron with me, by which to +cut up a Tortoise, when I had turned it; or to make Snares or +Pitts, with which to entrap, or Bows & Arrows with which to +kill any Bird or Beast withal; nor could I by any possible +means that I knew of, come at Fire to dress any if I had taken +them, tho’ I doubt not but some would have gone down Raw +if I could have come at it.</p> + +<p>I sometimes had thoughts of Digging Pits and covering +them over with small Branches of Trees, & laying Brush and +Leaves upon them to take some Hogs or Deer in; but all was +vain imagination, I had no Shovel, neither could I find or +make any thing that would answer my end, and I was presently +convinced, that my Hands alone, were not sufficient to make +one deep and large eno’ to detain any thing that should fall<span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[247]</span> +into it; so that I was forced to rest satisfied with the Fruit of +the Vine, and Trees, and looked upon it as good Provision, and +very handy for one in my Condition.</p> + +<p>In length of time, as I was poking about the Beech, with a +Stick, to see if I could find any Tortoise Nests, (which I had +heard lay their Eggs in the Sand) I brought up part of an +Egg clinging to the Stick, and upon removing the Sand which +lay over them, I found near an Hundred & Fifty Eggs which +had not been laid long eno’ to spoil; so I took some of them and +eat them: And in this way I sometimes got some Eggs to Eat, +which are not very good at the best; yet what is not good to +him that has nothing to Live upon, but what falls from the +Trees.</p> + +<p>The Tortoise lay their Eggs above High Water Mark, in a +hole which they make in the Sand, about a Foot, or a Foot and +half deep, and cover them over with the Sand, which they +make as smooth & even as any part of the Beech, so that there +is no discerning where they are, by any, the least sign of a +Hillock, or Rising; and according to my best observation, +they Hatch in about 18 or 20 Days, and as soon as the Young +Ones are Hatched they betake themselves immediately to the +Water.</p> + +<p>There are many Serpents upon this, and the Adjacent +Islands. There is one sort that is very Large, as big round +as a Man’s Wast, tho’ not above 12 or 14 Feet long. These +are called Owlers. They look like old fallen Stocks of Trees +covered over with a short Moss, when they lye at their length; +but they more usually lye coiled up in a round. The first I +saw of these greatly surprised me; for I was very near to it +before I discovered it to be a Living Creature, and then it +opened it’s Mouth wide eno’ to have thrown a Hat into it, +and blew out its Breath at me. This Serpent is very slow in +its motion, and nothing Venemous, as I was afterwards told +by a Man, who said he had been once bitten by one of them. +There are several other smaller Serpents, some of them very<span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[248]</span> +Venemous, particularly one that is called a Barber’s Pole, +being streaked White and Yellow. But I met with no Rattle-Snakes +there, unless the Pirates, nor did I ever hear of any +other being there.</p> + +<p>The Islands are also greatly infested with vexatious Insects, +especially the Musketto, and a sort of small Black Fly, (something +like a Gnat) more troublesome than the Musketto; +so that if one had never so many of the comforts of Life about +him, these Insects would render his Living here very burthensome +to him; unless he retired to a small Key, destitute of +Woods and Brush, where the Wind disperses the Vermin.</p> + +<p>The Sea hereabouts, hath a variety of Fish; such as are +good to Eat, I could not come at, and the Sharks, and Alligators +or Crocodiles, I did not care to have any thing to do with; +tho’ I was once greatly endangered by a Shark, as I shall tell +afterwards.</p> + +<p>This was the Place I was confined to; this my Society and +Fellowship; and this my State and Condition of Life. Here +I spent near Nine Months; without Converse with any Living +Creature; for the Parrots here had not been taught to Speak. +Here I lingred out one Day after another, I knew not how, +without Business, or Diversion; unless gathering up my Food, +rambling from Hill to Hill, from Island to Island, gazing upon +the Water, and staring upon the Face of the Sky, may be +called so.</p> + +<p>In this Lonely and Distressed Condition, I had time to +call over my past Life; and Young as I was, I saw I had grown +Old in Sin; my Transgressions were more than my Days; +and tho’ GOD had graciously Restrained me from the Grosser +Enormities of Life, yet I saw Guilt staring me in the Face; +eno’ to humble me and forever to vindicate the Justice of +GOD in all that I underwent. I called to mind many things +I had heard from the Pulpit, and what I had formerly Read in +the Bible, which I was now wholly Destitute of, tho’ I thought +if I could but have one now, it would have sweetened my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[249]</span> +Condition, by the very Diversion of Reading, and much +more from the Direction and Comfort it would have afforded +me. I had some Comforts in the midst of my Calamity. It +was no small Support to me, that I was about my Lawful +Employment, when I was first taken; and that I had no hand +in bringing my Misery upon my self, but was forced away +sorely against my Will. It wonderfully aleviated my Sorrows, +to think, that I had my Parents approbation, and consent in +my going to Sea; and I often fancied to my self, that if I had +gone to Sea against their will and pleasure, and had met with +this Disaster, I should have looked upon it as a designed +Punishment of such Disobedience, and the very Reflection +on it would have so aggravated my Misery, as soon to have put +an end to my Days. I looked upon my self also, as more in +the way of the Divine Blessing now, than when I was linked +to a Crew of Pirates, where I could scarce hope for Protection +and a Blessing. I plainly saw very signal Instances of +the Power & Goodness of GOD to me, in the many Deliverances +which I had already experienced (the least of which I +was utterly unworthy of) and this Encouraged me to put my +Trust in Him: and tho’ I had none but GOD to go to for help, +yet I knew that He was able to do more for me than I could +ask or think: to Him therefore I committed my self, purposing +to wait hopefully upon the Lord till he should send Deliverance +to me: Trusting that in his own time and way, he would +find out means for my safe Return to my Fathers House; +and earnestly entreating that he would provide a better place +for me.</p> + +<p>It was my Daily Practice to Ramble from one part of the +Island to an other, tho’ I had a more special Home near to the +Water side. Here I had built me a House to defend me from +the heat of the Sun by Day, and the great Dews of the Night. +I took some of the best Branches I could find fallen from the +Trees, and stuck them in the Ground, and I contrived as often +as I could (for I built many such Huts) to fix them leaning<span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[250]</span> +against the Limb of a Tree that hung low; I split the Palmeto +Leaves and knotted the Limb & Sticks together; then I +covered them over with the largest and best Palmeto Leaves +I could find. I generally Situated my Hut near the Water +side, with the open part of it facing the Sea, that I might be +the more ready upon the look out, and have the advantage of +the Sea Breeze, which both the Heat and the Vermin required. +But the Vermin, the Muskettos and Flys, grew so troublesome +to me, that I was put upon contrivance to get rid of their +Company. This led me to think of getting over to some of +the Adjacent Keys, that I might have some Rest from the +disturbance of these busy Companions. My greatest difficulty +lay in getting over to any other Island; for I was but a very +poor Swimmer; and I had no Canoo, nor any means of making +one. At length I got a piece of Bamboe, which is hollow like +a Reed, and light as a Cork, and having made tryal of it under +my Breast and Arms in Swimming by the shoar; with this +help I e’en ventured to put off for a small Key about Gunshot +off, and I reached it pretty comfortably. This Key was +but about 3 or 400 Feet in compass, clear of Woods & Brush, +& lay very low: & I found it so free from the Vermin, by the +free Passage of the Wind over it, that I seemed to be got into +a New World, where I lived more at ease. This I kept as a +place of Retreat, whither I retired when the Heat of the Day +rendred the Fly-kind most troublesome to me: for I was +obliged to be much upon Roatan for the sake of my Food, +Water, & House. When I swam backward & forward from +my Night to my Day Island, I used to bind my Frock & +Trousers about my Head, but I could not so easily carry over +Wood & Leaves to make a Hut of; else I should have spent +more of my time upon my little Day Island.</p> + +<p>My Swimming thus backward & forward exposed me to +some Danger. Once I Remember as I was passing from my +Day to my Night Island, the Bamboe got from under me e’er +I was aware, & the Tide or Current set so strong, that I was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[251]</span> +very difficulty put to it to recover the Shoar; so that a few +Rods more distance had in all probability landed me in +another World. At another time as I was Swimming over to +my Day Island, a Shovel nos’d Shark, (of which the Seas +thereabouts are full, as well as Alligators) struck me in the +Thigh just as I set my Foot to Ground, & so grounded himself +(I suppose) by the shoalness of the Water, that he could not +turn himself to come at me with his Mouth, & so, thro’ the +Goodness of GOD, I escaped falling a Prey to his devouring +Teeth. I felt the Blow he gave me some hours after I had +got ashoar. By accustoming my self to Swim, I at length +grew pretty dexterous at it, and often gave my self the Diversion +of thus passing from one Island to another among +the Keys.</p> + +<p>One of my greatest difficulties lay in my being Barefoot, +my Travels backward & forward in the Woods to hunt for my +Daily Food, among the thick under-brush, where the Ground +was covered with sharp Sticks & Stones, & upon the hot +Beech among the sharp broken Shells, had made so many +Wounds and Gashes in my Feet, & some of them very large, +that I was hardly able to go at all. Very often as I was treading +with all the tenderness I could, a sharp Stone or Shell on +the Beech or pointed Stick in the Woods, would run into the +Old Wounds, & the Anguish of it would strike me down as +suddenly as if I had been shot thro’, & oblige me to set down +and Weep by the hour together at the extremity of my Pain; +so that in process of time I could Travel no more than needs +must, for the necessary procuring of Food. Sometimes I +have sat leaning my Back against a Tree, with my Face to the +Sea, to look out for the passing of a Vessel for a whole Day +together.</p> + +<p>At length I grew very Weak & Faint, as well as Sore and +Bruised; and once while I was in this Condition, a Wild Boar +seemed to make at me with some Fierceness; I knew not what +to do with my self, for I was not able to defend my self against<span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[252]</span> +him if he should attack me. So as he drew nearer to me, I +caught hold of the Limb of a Tree which was close by me, & +drew my Body up by it from the Ground as well as I could; +while I was in this Hanging posture, the Boar came and struck +at me, but his Tushes only took hold of my shattered Trousers +& tore a peice out; and then he went his way. This I think +was the only time that I was assaulted by any Wild Beast, +with whom I said I had made Peace; and I look upon it as a +Great Deliverance.</p> + +<p>As my Weakness encreased upon me, I should often fall +down as tho’ struck with a dead sleep, and many a time as I +was thus falling, and sometimes when I lay’d my self down to +Sleep, I never expected to wake or rise more; and yet in the +midst of all GOD has Wonderfully preserved me.</p> + +<p>In the midst of this my great Soreness & Feebleness I lost +the Days of the Week, & how long I had layn in some of my +numb sleepy Fits I knew not, so that I was not able now to +distinguish the Sabbath from any other Day of the Week; +tho’ all Days were in some sort a Sabbath to me. As my +Illness prevailed I wholly lost the Month, and knew not where +abouts I was in the Account of Time.</p> + +<p>Under all this Dreadful Distress, I had no healing Balsames +to apply to my Feet, no Cordials to revive my Fainting Spirits, +hardly able now & then to get me some Figs or Grapes to Eat, +nor any possible way of coming at a Fire, which the Cool +Winds, & great Rains, beginning to come on now called for. +The Rains begin about the middle of October, & continue for +Five Months together, and then the Air is Raw Cold, like our +North East Storms of Rain; only at times the Sun breaks out +with such an exceeding Fierceness, that there is hardly any +enduring the Heat of it.</p> + +<p>I had often heard of the fetching Fire by Rubbing of two +Sticks together; but I could never get any this way; tho’ I had +often tried while I was in Health and Strength, untill I was +quite tired. Afterwards I learned the way of getting Fire<span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[253]</span> +from two Sticks, which I will Publish, that it may be of Service +to any that may be hereafter in my Condition.</p> + +<p>Take Two Sticks, the one of harder the other softer Wood, +the dryer the better, in the soft Wood make a sort of Mortice +or Socket, point the harder Wood to fit that Socket; hold the +softer Wood firm between the Knees, take the harder Wood +between your Hands with the point fixed in the Socket, and rub +the Stick in your Hands backward & forward briskly like a +Drill, and it will take Fire in less than a Minute; as I have +sometimes since seen, upon experiment made of it.</p> + +<p>But then I knew of no such Method (and it may be should +have been difficulty put to it to have formed the Mortice and +Drill for want of a Knife) and I suffered greatly without a +Fire, thro’ the chillness of the Air, the Wetness of the Season, +and Living only upon Raw Fruit.</p> + +<p>Thus I pass’d about Nine Months in this lonely, melancholy, +wounded, and languishing Condition. I often lay’d my self +down as upon my last Bed, & concluded I should certainly +Dye alone, & no Body knew what was become of me. I thought +it would be some relief to me if my Parents could but tell +where I was; and then I thought their Distress would be +exceeding great, if they knew what I under went. But all +such thoughts were vain. The more my Difficulties encreased, +and the nearer prospect I had of Dying, the more it drove me +upon my Knees, and made me the more earnest in my Crys +to my Maker for His favourable regards to me, and to the +Great Redeemer to pardon me, and provide for my after well +being.</p> + +<p>And see the surprising Goodness of GOD to me, in sending +me help in my time of trouble, & that in the most unexpected +way & manner, as tho’ an Angel had been commissioned from +Heaven to relieve me.</p> + +<p>Sometime in November, 1723, I espied a small Canoo, +coming towards me with one Man in it. It did not much +surprise me. A Friend I could not hope for; and I could not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[254]</span> +resist, or hardly get out of the way of an Enemy, nor need I +fear one. I kept my Seat upon the Edge of the Beech. As he +came nearer he discovered me & seemed great surprised. He +called to me. I told him whence I was, & that he might safely +venture ashoar, for I was alone, & almost Dead. As he came +up to me, he stared & look’d wild with surprise; my Garb & +Countenance astonished him; he knew not what to make of +me; he started back a little, & viewed me more thorowly; +but upon recovering of himself, he came forward, & took me +by the Hand & told me he was glad to see me. And he was +ready as long as he stayed with me, to do any kind offices +for me.</p> + +<p>He proved to be a North-Britain, a Man well in Years, +of a Grave and Venerable Aspect, and of a reserved Temper. +His Name I never knew, for I had not asked him in the little +time he was with me, expecting a longer converse with him; +and he never told me it. But he acquainted me that he had +lived with the Spaniards 22 Years, and now they threatened +to Burn him, I knew not for what Crime: therefore he had fled +for Sanctuary to this Place, & had brought his Gun, Ammunition, +and Dog, with a small quantity of Pork, designing to +spend the residue of his Days here, & support himself by +Hunting. He seemed very kind & obliging to me, gave me +some of his Pork, and assisted me all he could; tho’ he conversed +little.</p> + +<p>Upon the Third Day after he came to me, he told me, he +would go out in his Canoo among the Islands, to kill some Wild +Hogs & Deer, and would have had me to go along with him. +His Company, the Fire and a little dressed Provision something +recruited my Spirits; but yet I was so Weak, and Sore in my +Feet, that I could not accompany him in Hunting: So he set +out alone, and said he would be with me again in a Day or two. +The Sky was Serene and Fair, and there was no prospect of +any Danger in his little Voyage among the Islands, when he +had come safe in that small Float near 12 Leagues; but by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[255]</span> +that time he had been gone an Hour, there arose a most +Violent Gust of Wind and Rain, which in all probability overset +him; so that I never saw nor heard of him any more. And +tho’ by this means I was deprived of my Companion, yet it +was the Goodness of GOD to me, that I was not well eno’ to +go with him; for thus I was preserved from that Destruction +which undoubtedly overtook him.</p> + +<p>Thus after the pleasure of having a Companion almost +Three Days, I was as unexpectedly reduced to my former +lonely Condition, as I had been for a little while recovered out +of it. It was grievous to me to think, that I no sooner saw +the Dawnings of Light, after so long Obscurity, but the +Clouds returned after the Rain upon me. I began to experience +the Advantage of a Companion, and find that Two is +better than One, and flattered my self, that by the help of +some fresh Hogs Grease, I should get my Feet well, and by a +better Living recover more Strength. But it pleased GOD +to take from me the only Man I had seen for so many Months +after so short a Converse with him. Yet I was left in better +Circumstances by him that he found me in. For at his going +away he left with me about Five Pound of Pork, a Knife, a +Bottle of Powder, Tobacco Tongs and Flint, by which means +I was in a way to Live better than I had done. For now I +could have a Fire, which was very needful for me, the Rainy +Months of the Winter; I could cut up some Tortoise when I +had turned them, and have a delicate broiled Meal of it: So +that by the help of the Fire, and dressed Food, and the Blessing +of GOD accompanying it, I began to recover more Strength, +only my Feet remained Sore.</p> + +<p>Besides, I had this Advantage now, which I had not before, +that I could go out now and then and catch a Dish of Crab-Fish, +a Fish much like a Lobster, only wanting the great Claws. +My manner of catching them was odd; I took some of the +best peices of the old broken small Wood, that came the +nearest to our Pitch Pine, or Candle-Wood, and made them<span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[256]</span> +up into a small Bundle like a Torch, and holding one of these +lighted at one End in one hand, I waded into the Water upon +the Beech up to my Wast: the Crab-Fish spying the Light at +a considerable distance, would crawl away till they came +directly under it, and then they would lye still at my Feet. +In my other hand I had a Forked Stick with which I struck +the Fish and tossed it ashoar. In this manner I supplyed +my self with a Mess of Shell-Fish, which when roasted is very +good Eating.</p> + +<p>Between two and three Months after I had lost my Companion, +as I was ranging a long shoar, I found a small Canoo. +The sight of this at first renewed my Sorrows for his Loss; +for I thought it had been his Canoo, and it’s coming ashore +thus, was a proof to me that he was lost in the Tempest: but +upon further Examination of it I found it was one I had never +seen before.</p> + +<p>When I had got this little Vessel in possession, I began to +think my self Admiral of the Neighbouring Seas, as well as +Sole Possessor and Chief Commander upon the Islands; and +with the advantage hereof I could transport my self to my +small Islands of Retreat, much more conveniently than in my +former Method of Swimming. In process of time I tho’t of +making a Tour to some of the more distant and larger Islands, +to see after what manner they were inhabitated, and how they +were provided, and partly to give my self the Liberty of +Diversions. So I lay’d in a small parcel of Grapes and Figs, +and some Tortoise, & took my Fire-Works with me, and put +off for the Island of Bonacco, an Island of about 4 or 5 Leagues +long, and some 5 or 6 Leagues to the Eastward of Roatan.</p> + +<p>As I was upon my Voyage I discovered a Sloop at the +Eastern End of the Island; so I made the best of my way, and +put in at the Western End; designing to travel down to them +by Land, partly because there ran out a large point of Rocks +far into the Sea, and I did not care to venture my self so far +out in my little Canoo as I must do to head them: & partly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[257]</span> +because I was willing to make a better discovery of them, +before I was seen by them; for in the midst of my most deplorable +Circumstances, I could never entertain the thoughts +of returning on board any Pirate, if I should have the opportunity, +but had rather Live and Dye as I was. So I haled up +my Canoo, and fastened her as well as I could, and set out +upon my Travel.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i256" style="max-width: 179.625em;"> +<img class="w100" src="images/i256.jpg" alt=""> +<figcaption>MAP SHOWING ROATAN ISLAND IN THE BAY OF HONDURAS WHERE PHILIP +ASHTON ESCAPED FROM PIRATES<br> +<span class='c2'>From a map in the “American Atlas” by Thomas Jeffery, London, 1776, in the possession of John W. Farwell</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>I spent two Days, and the biggest part of two Nights in +Travelling of it; my Feet were yet so sore that I could go but +very slowly, and sometimes the Woods and Bushes were so +thick that I was forced to Crawl upon my Hands and Knees +for half a Mile together. In this Travel I met with an odd +Adventure that had like to have proved fatal to me, and my +preservation was an eminent Instance of the Divine Conduct +and Protection.</p> + +<p>As I drew within a Mile or two of where I supposed the +Sloop might be, I made down to the Water side, and slowly +opened the Sea, that I might not discover my self too soon; +when I came down to the Water side I could see no sign of the +Sloop, upon which I concluded that it was gone clear, while +I spent so much time in Travelling. I was very much tired +with my long tedious March, and sat my self down leaning +against the Stock of a Tree facing to the Sea, and fell a Sleep. +But I had not slept long before I was awakened in a very +surprising manner, by the noise of Guns. I started up in a +fright, and saw Nine Periaguas, or large Canooes, full of Men +firing upon me. I soon turned about and ran as fast as my +sore Feet would let me into the Bushes; and the Men which +were Spaniards, cryed after me, O Englishman, we’ll give you +good Quarter. But such was the Surprise I had taken, by +being awakened out of Sleep in such a manner, that I had no +command of my self to hearken to their offers of Quarter, +which it may be at another time under cooler thoughts I +might have done. So I made into the Woods, and they continued +Firing after me, to the Number of 150 small Shot at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[258]</span> +least, many of which cut off several small twigs of the Bushes +along side of me as I went off. When I had got out of the +reach of their Shot, into a very great Thicket, I lay close for +several Hours; and perceiving they were gone by the noise of +their Oars in Rowing off, I came out of my Thicket, and +Travelled a Mile or two along the Water side, below the place +where they Fired upon me, and then I saw the Sloop under +English Colours, Sailing out of the Harbour, with the Periaguas +in tow; and then I concluded that it was an English Sloop +that had been at the Bay, whom the Spaniards had met with +and taken.</p> + +<p>The next Day I went up to the Tree, where I so narrowly +Escaped being taken Napping, and there to my surprise I +found 6 or 7 Shot had gone into the Body of the Tree, within +a Foot or less of my Head as I sat down; & yet thro’ the +wonderful goodness of GOD to me, in the midst of all their +Fire, and tho’ I was as a Mark set up for them to shoot at, +none of their Shot touched me. So did GOD as yet signally +preserve me.</p> + +<p>After this I Travelled away for my Canoo at the Western +End of the Island, and spent near three Days e’er I reached it. +In this Long March backward and forward, I suffered very +much from the Soreness of my Feet, & the want of Provision; +for this Island is not so plentifully stored with Fruit as Roatan +is, so that I was very difficultly put to it for my Subsistence, for +the 5 or 6 Days that I spent here; and besides the Musketoes +and Black Flys were abundantly more numerous, and vexatious +to me than at my old Habitation. The Difficulties I met +with here made me lay aside all thoughts of tarrying any time +to search the Island. At length much tired and spent I +reached my Canoo, and found all safe there, to my great Joy; +and then I put off for Roatan, which was a Royal Palace to me +in comparison of Bonacco, where I arrived to my great Satisfaction +about Ten a Clock at Night, & found all things as I +left them.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[259]</span></p> + +<p>Here I Lived (if it may be called Living) alone for about +Seven Months more, from the time of my loosing my North +British Companion; and spent my time after my usual manner +in Hunting for my Food, and Ranging the Islands; till at +length it pleased GOD, to send some Company to me with +whom I could Converse, and enjoy somewhat more of the +Comforts of Life.</p> + +<p>Sometime in June, 1724, as I was upon my small Island, +where I often retired for Shelter from the pestering Insects, +I saw two large Canooes making into the Harbour; as they +drew near they saw the Smoak of the Fire which I had kindled, +and wondring what it should mean came to a stand. I had +fresh in my Memory what I met with at Banacco, and was +very loth to run the risque of such another firing, and therefore +steped to my Canoo upon the back side of my small Island, +not above 100 feet off from me, and immediately went over to +my great Mansion, where I had places of safety to Shelter +me from the Designs of an Enemy, and Rooms large and +spacious eno’ to give a kindly welcome to any ordinary number +of Friends. They saw me cross the Ferry of about Gun +shot over, from my little to my great Island, and being as much +afraid of Spaniards, as I was of Pirates, they drew very cautiously +towards the shoar. I came down upon the Beech +shewing my self openly to them, for their caution made me +think they were no Pirates, and I did not much care who else +they were; however, I thought I could call to them, and know +what they were, before I should be in much danger from their +shot; and if they proved such as I did not like, I could easily +retire from them. But before I called, they, who were as +full of fears as I could be, lay upon their Oars and hallooed +to me, enquiring who I was, and whence I came; I told them +I was an English Man, and had Run away from the Pirates. +Upon this they drew something nearer and enquired who was +there besides my self; I assured them I was alone. Then I +took my turn, and asked them who they were, and whence<span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[260]</span> +they came. They told me they were Bay-men, come from +the Bay. This was comfortable News to me; so I bid them +pull ashoar, there was no danger, I would stop for them. +Accordingly they put ashoar, but at some distance from me, +and first sent one Man ashoar to me; whom I went to meet. +When the Man came up to me he started back, frighted to see +such a Poor, Ragged, Lean, Wan, Forlorn, Wild, Miserable +Object so near him: but upon recovering himself, he came and +took me by the hand, and we fell to embracing one another, +he with surprise and wonder, I with a sort of Extasy of Joy. +After this was over he took me in his Arms and carried me down +to their Canooes, where they were all struck with astonishment +at the sight of me, were glad to receive me, and expressed +a very great tenderness to me.</p> + +<p>I gave them a short History how I had escaped from Low, +and had lived here alone for Sixteen Months, (saving three +days) what hardship I had met with, and what danger I had +run thro’. They stood amazed! They wondred I was alive! +and expressed a great satisfaction in it, that they were come +to relieve me. And observing I was weak, and my Spirits +low, they gave me about a Spoonful of Rhum to recruit my +fainting Spirits. This small quantity, thro’ my long disuse +of any Liquor higher Spirited than Water, and my present +weakness, threw my Animal Spirits into such a violent Agitation, +as to obstruct their Motion, and produced a kind of +Stupor, which left me for some time bereft of all Sense; some +of them perceiving me falling into such a strange Insensibility, +would have given me more of the same Spirit to have recovered +me; but those of them that had more wit, would not +allow of it. So I lay for some small time in a sort of a Fit, and +they were ready to think that they should lose me as soon as +they had found me. But I revived.</p> + +<p>And when I was so thorowly come to my self as to converse +with them, I found they were Eighteen Men come from the +Bay of Honduras, the chief of which were, John Hope, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[261]</span> +John Ford. The occasion of their coming from the Bay was, +a Story they had got among them, that the Spaniards had +projected to make a descent upon them by Water, while the +Indians were to assault them by Land, and cut off the Bay; +and they retired hither to avoid the Destruction that was +designed. This John Hope and Ford had formerly, upon a +like occasion, sheltered themselves among these Islands, and +lived for four Years together upon a small Island called Barbarat, +about two Leagues from Roatan, where they had two +Plantations, as they called them; and being now upon the +same design of retreating for a time for Safety, they brought +with them two Barrels of Flower, with other Provisions, their +Fire-Arms, Ammunition and Dogs for Hunting, and Nets for +tortoise, and an Indian Woman to dress their Provisions for +them. They chose for their chief Residence a small Key about +a quarter of a Mile Round, lying near to Barbarat, which they +called the Castle of Comfort, chiefly because it was low, and +clear of Woods and Bushes, where the Wind had an open +passage, and drove away the pestering Muskettoes and Gnats. +From hence they sent to the other Islands round about for +Wood and Water, and for Materials, with which they Built +two Houses, such as they were, for Shelter.</p> + +<p>And now I seemed to be in a far more likely way to Live +pretty tollerably, than in the Sixteen Months past; for besides +the having Company, they treated me with a great deal of +Civility, in their way; they Cloathed me, and gave me a large +sort of Wrapping Gown to lodge in a Nights to defend me from +the great Dews, till their Houses were Covered; and we had +plenty of Provision. But after all they were Bad Company, +and there was but little difference between them and the +Pirates, as to their Common Conversation; only I thought +they were not now engaged in any such bad design as rendered +it unlawful to Joyn with them, nor dangerous to be found in +their Company.</p> + +<p>In process of time, by the Blessing of GOD, & the Assistance<span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[262]</span> +I received from them, I gathered so much Strength that I +was able sometimes to go out a Hunting with them. The +Islands hereabouts, I observed before, abound with Wild +Hogs and Deer, and Tortoise. Their manner was to go out a +number of them in a Canoo, sometimes to one Island, sometimes +to another, and kill what Game they could meet with, +and Firk their Pork, by beginning at one end of a Hog and +cutting along to the other end, and so back again till they +had gone all over him, and flee the flesh in long strings off from +the Bones; the Venison they took whole or in quarters, and +the Tortoise in like manner; and return home with a load of it; +what they did not spend presently, they hung up in their +House a smoak drying; and this was a ready supply to them +at all times.</p> + +<p>I was now ready to think my self out of the reach of any +danger from an Enemy, for what should bring any here? and +I was compassed continually with a Number of Men with +their Arms ready at hand; and yet when I thought my self +most secure, I very narrowly escaped falling again into the +hands of the Pirates.</p> + +<p>It happened about 6 or 7 Months after these Bay-men came +to me. That three Men and I took a Canoo with four Oars, +to go over to Banacco, a Hunting and to kill Tortoise. While +we were gone the rest of the Bay-men haled up their Canooes, +and Dryed and Tarred them, in order to go to the Bay and see +how matters stood there, and to fetch off their Effects which +they had left behind them, in case they should find there was +no safety for them in tarrying. But before they were gone, +we, who had met with good Success in our Voyage, were +upon our return to them with a full load of Tortoise and Firkt +Pork. As we were upon entering into the Mouth of the +Harbour, in a Moon-light Evening, we saw a great Flash +of Light, and heard the report of a Gun, which we thought +was much louder than a Musket, out of a large Periagua, +which we saw near our Castle of Comfort. This put us into<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[263]</span> +a great Consternation, and we knew not what to make of it. +Within a Minute or two we heard a Volley of 18 or 20 small +Arms discharged upon the shoar, and heard some Guns also +fired off from the shoar. Upon which we were satisfied that +some Enemy, Pirates or Spaniards were attacking our People, +and being cut off from our Companions, by the Periaguas +which lay between us and them, we thought it our wisest way +to save our selves as well as we could. So we took down our +little Mast and Sail, that it might not betray us, and rowed out +of the Harbour as fast as we could; thinking to make our +Escape from them undiscovered, to an Island about a Mile +and half off. But they either saw us before we had taken our +Sail down, or heard the noise of our Oars as we made out of +the Harbour, and came after us with all speed, in a Periagua +of 8 or 10 Oars. We saw them coming, & that they gained +ground upon us apace, & therefore pull’d up for Life, resolving +to reach the nearest shoar if possible. The Periagua overhaled +us so fast that they discharged a Swivel Gun at us, +which over-shot us; but we made a shift to gain the shoar +before they were come fairly within the reach of their small +Arms; which yet they fired upon us, as we were getting ashoar. +Then they called to us, and told us they were Pirates, and not +Spaniards, and we need not fear, they would give us good +Quarter; supposing this would easily move us to surrender +our selves to them. But they could not have mentioned any +thing worse to discourage me from having any thing to do +with them, for I had the utmost dread of a Pirate; and my +first aversion to them was now strengthened with the just +fears, that if I should fall into their hands again, they would +soon make a Sacrifice of me, for my Deserting them. I +therefore concluded to keep as clear of them as I could; and +the Bay-men with me had no great inclination to be medling +with them, and so we made the best of our way into the +Woods. They took away our Canoo from us, and all that +was in it; resolving if we would not come to them, they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[264]</span> +would strip us, as far as they were able, of all means of Subsistance +where we were. I who had known what it was to be +destitute of all things, and alone, was not much concerned +about that, now that I had Company, and they their Arms +with them, so that we could have a supply of Provision by +Hunting, and Fire to dress it with.</p> + +<p>This Company it seems were some of Spriggs Men, who +was Commander of the Schooner when I Ran away from +them. This same Spriggs, I know not upon what occasion, +had cast off the Service of Low, and set up for himself as the +Head of a Party of Rovers, and had now a good Ship of 24 +Guns, and a Barmuda Sloop of 12 Guns, under his Command, +which were now lying in Roatan Harbour, where he put in +to Water and Clean, at the place where I first made my Escape. +He had discovered our People upon the small Island, where +they Resided, and sent a Perigua full of Men to take them. +Accordingly they took all the Men ashoar, and with them an +Indian Woman and Child; those of them that were ashoar +abused the Woman shamefully. They killed one Man after +they were come ashoar, and threw him into one of the Baymens +Canooes where their Tar was, and set Fire to it, and +burnt him in it. Then they carried our People on Board their +Vessels, where they were barbarously treated.</p> + +<p>One of the Baymen Thomas Grande, turned Pirate, and he +being acquainted that Old Father Hope (as we called him) +had hid many things in the Woods, told the Pirates of it, who +beat poor Hope unmercifully, and made him go and shew them +where he had hid his Treasure, which they took away from +him.</p> + +<p>After they had kept the Bay-men on board their Vessels +for five Days, then they gave them a Flat, of about 5 or 6 +Tons to carry them to the Bay in, but they gave them no +Provision for their Voyage; and before they sent them away, +they made them Swear to them, not to come near us, who had +made our Escape upon another Island. All the while the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[265]</span> +Vessels rode in the Harbour, we kept a good look out, but were +put to some difficulties, because we did not dare to make a +Fire to dress our Victuals by, least it should discover whereabouts +we were, so that we were forced to live upon Raw Provision +for five Days. But as soon as they were gone, Father +Hope with his Company of Bay-men, (little regarding an Oath +that was forced from them; and thinking it a wicked Oath, +better broken, than to leave four of us in such a helpless +Condition) came to us, and acquainted us who they were, and +what they had done.</p> + +<p>Thus the watchful Providence of GOD, which had so often +heretofore appeared on my behalf, again took special care of +me, and sent me out of the way of danger. ’Tis very apparent +that if I had been with my Companions, at the usual Residence, +I had been taken with them; and if I had, it is beyond +question (humanely speaking) that I should not have escaped +with Life, if I should the most painful and cruel Death, that +the Madness and Rage of Spriggs could have invented for me; +who would now have called to mind the design I was engaged +in while we were parted from Low, as well as my final Deserting +of them. But Blessed be GOD, who had designs of favour +for me, and so ordered that I must at this time be absent from +my Company.</p> + +<p>Now Old Father Hope and his Company were all designed +for the Bay; only one John Symonds, who had a Negro belonging +to him, purposed to tarry here for some time, and carry on +some sort of Trade with the Jamaica Men upon the Main. +I longed to get home to New England, and thought if I went +to the Bay with them, it was very probable that I should in a +little while meet with some New England Vessel, that would +carry me to my Native Country, from which I had been so +long a poor Exile. I asked Father Hope, if he would take me +with him, and carry me to the Bay. The Old Man, tho’ he +seemed glad of my Company, yet told me the many Difficulties +that lay in the way; as that their Flat was but a poor<span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[266]</span> +thing to carry so many Men in for near 70 Leagues, which they +must go before they would be out of the reach of Danger; +that they had no Provision with them, and it was uncertain +how the Weather would prove, they might be a great while +upon their Passage thither, & their Flat could very poorly +endure a great Sea; that when they should come to the Bay, +they knew not how they should meet with things there, and +they were Daily in Danger of being cut off; and it may be I +should be longer there, in case all was well, than I cared for, +e’er I should meet with a Passage for New-England; for the +New-England Vessels often Sailed from the Bay to other +Ports: so that all things considered, he thought I had better +stay where I was, seeing I was like to have Company; whereas +rather than I should be left alone he would take me in.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, Symonds, who as I said designed to +spend some time here, greatly urged me to stay and bear him +Company. He told me that as soon as the Season would +permit, he purposed to go over to the Main to the Jamaica +Traders, where I might get a Passage to Jamaica, and from +thence to New-England, probably quicker, and undoubtedly +much safer than I could from the Bay; and that in the mean +while I should fare as he did.</p> + +<p>I did not trouble my self much about fareing, for I knew I +could not fare harder than I had done; but I thought, upon +the Consideration of the whole, that there seemed to be a +fairer Prospect of my getting home by the way of Jamaica, +than the Bay; and therefore I said no more to Father Hope +about going with him, but concluded to stay. So I thanked +Father Hope and Company for all their Civilities to me, wished +them a good Voyage, and took leave of them.</p> + +<p>And now there was John Symonds, and I, and his Negro +left behind; and a good Providence of GOD was it for me +that I took their Advice and stayed; for tho’ I got not home +by the way of Jamaica as was proposed, yet I did another and +quicker way, in which there was more evident Interpositions<span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[267]</span> +of the Conduct of Divine Providence, as you will hear presently.</p> + +<p>Symonds was provided with a Canoo, Fire-Arms, and two +Dogs, as well as a Negro; with these he doubted not but we +should be furnished of all that was necessary for our Subsistence; +with this Company I spent between two and three +Months after the usual manner in Hunting and Ranging the +Islands. And yet the Winter Rains would not suffer us to +hunt much more than needs must.</p> + +<p>When the Season was near approaching for the Jamaica +Traders to be over at the Main, Symonds proposed the going +to some of the other Islands that abounded more with Tortoise, +that he might get the Shells of them, and carry to the Traders, +and in Exchange furnish himself with Ozenbrigs and Shoes +and such other necessaries as he wanted. We did so, and +having got good store of Tortoise Shell, he then proposed to go +first for Bonacco, which lies nearer to the Main than Roatan, +that from thence we might take a favourable Snatch to run +over.</p> + +<p>Accordingly we went to Bonacco, and by that time we +had been there about Five Days there came up a very hard +North wind which blew exceeding Fierce, and lasted for about +three Days; when the heaft of the Storm was over, we saw +several Vessels standing in for the Harbour; their number and +largeness made me hope they might be Friends, and now an +opportunity was coming in which Deliverance might be +perfected to me.</p> + +<p>The Larger Vessels came to Anchor at a great Distance off; +but a Brigantine came over the Shoals, nearer in against the +Watering place (for Bonacco as well as Roatan abounds with +Water) which sent in her Boat with Cask for Water: I plainly +saw they were Englishmen, and by their Garb & Air, and +number, being but three Men in the Boat, concluded they were +Friends, and shewed my self openly upon the Beech before +them: as soon as they saw me they stop’d rowing, and called<span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[268]</span> +out to me to know who I was. I told them, and enquired who +they were. They let me know they were honest Men, about +their Lawful Business. I then called to them to come ashoar, +for there was no Body here that would hurt them. They +came ashoar, and a happy meeting it was for me. Upon +enquiry I found that the Vessels were the Diamond Man-of-War, +and a Fleet under his Convoy, bound to Jamaica, (many +whereof she had parted with in the late Storm) which by the +violence of the North had been forced so far Southward, and +the Man-of-War wanting Water, by reason of the Sickness of +her Men which occasioned a great Consumption of it, had +touched here, and sent in the Brigantine to fetch off Water for +her. Mr. Symonds, who at first kept at the other end of the +Beech, about half a Mile off, (lest the three Men in the Boat +should refuse to come ashoar, seeing two of us together), at +length came up to us and became a sharer in my Joy, and yet +not without some very considerable reluctance at the Thoughts +of Parting. The Brigantine proved to be of Salem (within +two or three Miles of my Fathers House) Capt. Dove, Commander, +a Gentleman whom I knew. So now I had the +prospect of a Direct Passage Home. I sent off to Capt. Dove, +to know if he would give me a Passage home with him, and he +was very ready to comply with my desire; and upon my going +on Board him, besides the great Civilities he treated me with, +he took me into pay; for he had lost a hand, and needed me to +supply his place. The next Day the Man-of-War sent her +Long Boat in, full of Cask, which they filled with Water, and +put on Board the Brigantine, who carried them off to her. +I had one Difficulty more to encounter with, which was to take +leave of Mr. Symonds, Who Wept heartily at parting; but this +I was forced to go thro’ for the Joy of getting Home.</p> + +<p>So the latter end of March 1725, we came to Sail, and kept +Company with the Man-of-War, who was bound to Jamaica: +the first of April we parted, and thro’ the good hand of GOD +upon us came safe thro’ the Gulf of Florida, to Salem-Harbour,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[269]</span> +where we arrived upon Saturday-Evening, the first of May: +Two Years, Ten Months and Fifteen Days, after I was first +taken by the Pirate Low; and Two Years, and near two +Months after I had made my Escape from him upon Roatan +Island. I went the same Evening to my Father’s House, +where I was received, as one coming to them from the Dead, +with all Imaginable Surprise of Joy.</p> + +<p>Thus I have given you a Short Account, how GOD has +Conducted me thro’ a great variety of Hardships and Dangers, +and in all appeared Wonderfully Gracious to me. And I +cannot but take notice of the strange concurrence of Divine +Providence all along, in saving me from the Rage of the +Pirates, and the Malice of the Spaniards, from the Beasts of +the Field, and the Monsters of the Sea; in keeping me alive +amidst so many Deaths, in such a lonely and helpless Condition; +and in bringing about my Deliverance; the last Articles +whereof are as peculiarly Remarkable as any;—I must be +just then gone over to Bonacco; a Storm must drive a Fleet of +Ships so far Southward; and their want of Water must oblige +them to put in at the Island where I was:—and a Vessel +bound to my own Home must come and take me in.—<i>Not +unto Men and means, but unto thy Name, O Lord, be all the +Glory!</i> Amen.</p> + + + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_132" href="#FNanchor_132" class="label">[132]</a> Nicholas Merritt was Ashton’s kinsman. He was the son of Nicholas +and Elizabeth Merritt and born in Marblehead where he was baptized Mar. +29, 1702 in the First Church. He served unwillingly on Low’s vessel and +finally escaped at Saint Michael’s, in September, 1722, where he was +imprisoned by the Portuguese authorities and not released until the following +June. Making his way to Lisbon he at last reached home safely on +September 28, 1723.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_133" href="#FNanchor_133" class="label">[133]</a> Joseph Libbie also served, unwillingly, at first. He was with Low in +the “Rose Frigate,” when she was lost in careening in the spring of 1723, +and pulled Philip Ashton out of the water. He then served with Low’s +consort, Capt. Charles Harris, in the sloop “Ranger,” and on June 10, +1723, with Harris and forty-two others, was taken by H. M. ship “Greyhound,” +Capt. Peter Solgard, commander, between Block Island and Long +Island, and brought into Newport, R. I. The pirates were duly tried and +on Friday, July 19th, 1723, Captain Harris, Joseph Libbie and twenty-four +others were hanged within the seamark inside of two hours.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_134" href="#FNanchor_134" class="label">[134]</a> Lawrence Fabens served, unwillingly, on the schooner “Fancy,” +under Low, but succeeded in escaping at St. Nicholas in the fall of 1722, +shortly after Merritt escaped as is told elsewhere. He was probably the +son of James and Johannah Fabians, born in Marblehead about 1702, +where nine of his brothers and sisters were duly baptized in the First Church +between 1688 and 1709.</p> + +</div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[270]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV<br> +<span class="ch-title">Nicholas Merritt’s<a id="FNanchor_135" href="#Footnote_135" class="fnanchor">[135]</a> Account of His Escape +from Pirates</span></h2> +</div> + +<p>I was taken by the Pirate Low, at Port-Rossaway, at +the same time my Kinsman Philip Ashton was; and while +I continued under Low’s Custody was used much as he +was; and all my entreaties of him to free me were but in vain; +as you have seen something of in the foregoing History: So +that I shall not enlarge in telling how it fared with me under the +Pirates hands, but only give some short Account of the +manner of my Escape from them, and what I met with afterwards +till I Arrived at Marblehead, where I belong.</p> + +<p>Low had with him the Rose Pink, the Scooner, and a Sloop +taken from one Pier of Bristol, and was standing away for +Bonavista. I who was on board the Scooner had been greatly +abused by an old Pirate, whom they called Jacob, but what his +Sirname was I know not: I desired some that were upon occasion +going on board Low, to acquaint him how much I was +beat and abused by old Jacob; they did so; and Low ordered +me to be put on board the Sloop. Thus the Foundation of my +Escape was lay’d, and my Sufferings proved the means of my +Deliverance.</p> + +<p>On board the Sloop there were Nine hands, (one of them a +Portugue) whom Low had no Suspicion of, but thought he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[271]</span> +could trust them as much as any Men he had; and when I +came on board I made the Tenth Man. We perceived that +the Sloop greatly wronged both the Pink and Scooner, and +there were Six of us (as we found by sounding one another at +a distance) that wanted to get away. When we understood +one anothers minds pretty fully, we resolved upon an Escape. +Accordingly the Fifth of September, 1722, a little after break +of Day, all hands being upon Deck, three of us Six went +forward, and three aft, and one John Rhodes, who was a Stout +hand, step’d into the Cabbin and took a couple of Pistols in +his hands, and stood in the Cabbin Door, and said, If there +were any that would go along with him, they should be welcome, +for he designed to carry the Sloop home, and Surrender +himself; but if any Man attempted to make resistance, he +Swore he would shoot down the first Man that stirred. There +being five of us that wanted to gain our Liberty, he was sure +of us; and as for the other four they saw plainly it was in vain +for them to attempt to oppose us. So we haled close upon a +Wind, and stood away.</p> + +<p>When we parted with Low, we had but a very little Water +aboard, and but two or three pieces of Meat among us all; +but we had Bread eno’. We designed for England; but our +want of Water was so great, being put to half a Point a Man, and +that very muddy and foul, from the time we parted with Low, +and meeting with no Vessel of whom we could beg a Supply, +that it made us come to a Resolution to put in at the first +Port: so we Steered for St. Michaels, where we Arrived +September 26.</p> + +<p>So soon as we got in, we sent a Man or two ashoar, to inform +who we were, and to get us some Provisions & Water. The +Consul who was a French Protestant, with a Magistrate, and +some other Officers came on board us, to whom we gave an +Account of our selves, and our Circumstances. The Consul +told us, there should not a Hair of our Heads be hurt. Upon +which we were all carried ashoar, and examined before the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[272]</span> +Governor; but we understood nothing of their Language, and +could make him no Answer, till one Mr. Gould a Linguistor +was brought to us; and upon understanding our Case, the +Governour cleared us. But the Crusidore, a sort of Superintendent +over the Islands, whose power was Superiour to the +Governours, refused to clear us, and put us in Jayl, where we +lay 24 Hours.</p> + +<p>The next Day we were brought under Examination again, +and then we had for our Linguistor one Mr. John Curre, who +had formerly been in New-England. We gave them as full +and distinct Account as we could, where, and when, we were +severally taken and how we had made our Escape from the +Pirates. They brought several Witnesses Portuguese against +us, as that we had taken them, and had Personally been +Active in the Caption and Abuse of them, which yet they +agreed not in; only they generally agreed that they heard +some of us Curse the Virgin Mary, upon which the Crusidore +would have condemned us all for Pirates. But the Governour, +who thought we had acted the honest part, interposed on our +behalf, and said, that it was very plain, that if these Men had +been Pirates, they had no need to have left Low, and under +such Circumstances, and come in here, and resign themselves, +as they did; they could have stayed with their Old Companions, +and have been easily eno’ supplied with what they +wanted; whereas their taking the first opportunity to get away +from their Commander, and so poorly accommodated, was a +proof to him, that we had no Piratical designs; and if he (the +Crusidore) treated us at this rate, it was the way to make us, +and all that had the unhappiness to fall into Pirates hands, +turn Pirates with them. Yet all he could say would not +wholly save us from the Angry Resentments of the Crusidore, +who we thought was inflamed by the Portague that was +among us. So he committed us all to Prison again: me with +three others to the Castle, the rest to another Prison at some +considerable distance off: and so much pains was taken to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[273]</span> +Swear us out of our Lives, that I altogether despaired of Escaping +the Death of a Pirate; till a Gentleman, Capt. Littleton +(if I mistake not) told me it was not in their power to hang us, +and this comforted me a little.</p> + +<p>In this Prison we lay for about four Months, where, at first +we had tolerable allowance, of such as it was, for our Subsistance; +but after three Months time they gave us only one +Meal a Day, of Cabbage, Bread, and Water boiled together, +which they call Soop. This very scanty allowance put us out +of Temper, and made us resolve rather than Starve, to break +Prison, and make head against the Portuguese, and get some +Victuals; for Hunger will break thro’ Stone Walls. The +Governour understanding how we fared, told the Crusidore +that we should stay in his Prison no longer, as the Castle +peculiarly was; and greatly asserted our Cause, and urged we +might be set at Liberty; but the Crusidore would not hearken +as yet to the clearing us, tho’ he was forced to remove us from +the Castle, to the Prison in which our Comrades were, where +after they had allowed us about an hour’s converse together, +they put us down into close Confinement; tho’ our allowance +was a small matter better than it had been.</p> + +<p>Under all this Difficulty of Imprisonment, short allowance, +and hard fare, false Witnesses, and fear lest I should still have +my Life taken from me, (when I had flattered my self, that if +I could but once set Foot upon a Christian shoar, I should +be out of the reach of Danger) I had a great many uneasy +Reflections. I thought no bodies case was so hard as mine: +first to be taken by the Pirates, and threatened with Death +for not Joyning with them; to be forced away, and suffer +many a drubbing Bout among them for not doing as they +would have me; to be in fears of Death for being among them, +if we should be taken by any Superiour force; and now that I +had designedly, and with Joy, made my Escape from them, +to be Imprisoned and threatened with the Halter. Thought +I, When can a Man be safe? He must look for Death to be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[274]</span> +found among Pirates; and Death seems as threatening, if he +Escapes from them; where is the Justice of this! It seemed +an exceeding hardship to me. Yet it made me Reflect, with +Humility I hope, on the Justice of GOD in so Punishing of me +for my Transgressions; for tho’ the tender Mercies of Man +seemed to be Cruelty, yet I could not but see the Mercy and +Goodness of GOD to me, not only in Punishing me less than I +deserved, but in preserving me under many and sore Temptations, +and at length delivering me out of the Pirates hands: +and I had some hope that GOD would yet appear for me, and +bring me out of my distress, and set my Feet in a large place.</p> + +<p>I thought my Case was exceedingly like that of the Psalmist; +and the Meditation on some Verses in the XXXV. Psalm +was a peculiar support to me: I thought I might say with him, +False Witnesses did rise up, they laid to my charge things that +I knew not; they rewarded me evil for good. But as for me, +when they were taken (tho’ I don’t remember I had ever seen +the Faces of any of them then) I humbled my self, and my +Prayer returned into my own bosom; I behaved my self as +tho’ they had been my friends, I bowed down heavily, as one +that mourneth for his mother; but in my adversity they +rejoyced, and gathered themselves together against me; yea, +they opened their mouth wide against me,—they gnashed +upon me with their teeth, and said Aba, Aba, our eye hath +seen it,—so would we have it. But Lord how long wilt thou +look on? preserve my Soul from their Destruction, let not +them that are mine Enemies wrongfully rejoyce over me,—stir +up thy Self and awake to my Judgment even unto my +cause, my God and my Lord, and let them not rejoyce over +me—and I will give thee thanks in the great Congregation; +my tongue shall speak of thy Righteousness, and thy Praise all +the day long.</p> + +<p>In the midst of all my other Calamities, after I had been in +this Prison about two Months, I was taken down with the +Small-Pox, and this to be sure was a very great addition to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[275]</span> +my Misery. I knew well how we dreaded this Distemper in +my own Country: and thought I, how can I possibly escape +with Life? To be seised with it in a Prison, where I had no +Help, no Physician, nor any Provision suitable therefor; only +upon my first being taken I sent word of it to the Consul, who +was so kind as to send some Bundles of Straw for me to lye +upon, instead of the hard Stones which as yet had been my +Lodging; and the Portuguese gave me some Brandy, and Wine +& Water to drive out the Pock. I was exceedingly dejected, +and had nothing to do but to commit my self to the Mercy of +GOD, and prepare my self for Death, which seemed to have +laid hold upon me; for which way soever I looked, I could +see nothing but Death in such a Distemper, under such Circumstances; +and I could see the Portuguese how they stared +upon me, looked sad, and shook their heads; which told me +their apprehensions, that I was a Dead Man. Yet I had this +comfort, that it was better to Die thus by the hand of GOD, +than to Die a vile Death by the hand of Man, as if I had been +one of the worst of Malefactors.</p> + +<p>But after all it pleased GOD in His Wonderful Goodness +so to order it, that the Pock came out well, and filled kindly +and then I had the comfort of seeing the Portuguese look more +pleasant, and hearing them say, in their Language, that it was +a good sort. In about five or six Days the Pock began to turn +upon me, and then it made me very Sick, and at times I was +something out of my Head; and having no Tender or Watcher, +I got up in the Night to the Pail of Water to drink, which +at another time, and in another place, would have been +thought fatal to me; but GOD in infinite Mercy prevented +my receiving any hurt thereby, and raised me up from this +Sickness.</p> + +<p>After I recovered of this Illness, I was but in a weak Condition +for a long time, having no other Nourishment and Comfort, +than what a Jayl afforded, where I still lay for near three +Months longer. At length, sometime in June, 1723, I was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[276]</span> +taken out of jayl, and had the Liberty of the Consul’s House +given me, who treated me kindly and did not suffer me to +want any thing that was necessary for my Support.</p> + +<p>While I was at Liberty, I understood there was one John +Welch, an Irishman, bound to Lisbon, whom I desired to +carry me thither. And in the latter end of June I set Sail in +him for Lisbon, where we Arrived about the middle of July, +after we had been 21 Days upon the Passage. When I had got +to Lisbon, being almost Naked, I apply’d my self to the +Envoy, told him my Condition and desired him to bestow some +old Cloaths upon me. But he, (good Man!) said to me, that +as I had Run away from the Pirates, I might go to Work for +my Support, and provide my self with Cloaths as well as I +could. And I found I must do so, for none would he give me. +I had nothing against Working, but I should have been glad to +have been put into a Working Garb; for I was sensible it +would be a considerable while before I could purchase me any +Cloaths, because Welch play’d me such an Irish trick, that he +would not release me, unless I promised to give him the first +Moidore I got by my Labour; tho’ I had wrought for him all +the Passage over, and he knew my poor Circumstances; +however when I came to Sail for New-England, Welch was +better than his Word, and forgave me the Moidore, after +I had been at the Labour of unloading his Vessel.</p> + +<p>I spent some time in Lisbon; at length I heard there was one +Capt. Skillegorne bound to New-England, in whom I took my +Passage home; who Clothed me for my Labour in my Passage. +We touched in at Madara, and Arrived at Boston upon Wednesday, +September 25, 1723. And I at my Father’s House in +Marblehead the Saturday after.</p> + +<p>So had GOD been with me in six troubles, and in seven. +He has suffered no evil to come nigh me. He has drawn me +out of the Pit, Redeemed my Life from Destruction, and +Crowned me with Loving Kindness and Tender Mercies; unto +Him be the Glory for ever. Amen.</p> + + + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_135" href="#FNanchor_135" class="label">[135]</a> Nicholas Merritt, tertius, the son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Merritt, +was born in Marblehead and baptized Mar. 29, 1702, in the First Church. +He married Jane or Jean Gifford in December, 1724, which may account +for the name of the shallop “Jane,” which he commanded when taken, +although he had a sister Jane, and also a sister Rebecca who married +Robert Gifford, who was taken but released at Port Roseway.</p> + +</div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[277]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV<br> +<span class="ch-title">Francis Farrington Spriggs, Companion of +Capt. Ned Low</span></h2> +</div> + +<p>Francis Farrington Spriggs is supposed to have +sailed from London with Lowther, in March, 1721, in +the ship “Gambia Castle,” and to have willingly followed +him in his piratical venture. When Lowther joined +forces with Ned Low in January, 1722, Spriggs was with him +and when Lowther parted company with Low the following +May, Spriggs seems to have thought Low a man after his +own heart for he left his old commander and followed Low in +the recently captured brigantine “Rebecca,” where he was +made quartermaster. With Low he sailed along the New +England coast and north to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland; +then across the Atlantic to the Western Islands and back to +the West Indies where, late in the year 1722, a Rhode Island-built +sloop was captured which Low took over for his own +command and Spriggs was given command of the Marblehead +schooner “Fancy,” that had been taken at Port Roseway, +Nova Scotia, in June. When Low and Spriggs had their +narrow escape from capture by the man-of-war “Mermaid,” +in February, 1723, Spriggs determined never to be taken and +swore with a boon companion and pledged the oath in a bumper +of rum, that when he saw there was no possibility of escaping +they would set foot to foot and shoot one another and so cheat +the halter.<a id="FNanchor_136" href="#Footnote_136" class="fnanchor">[136]</a></p> + +<p>Before long there was a falling out between Low and +Spriggs or, possibly, Spriggs may have been taken sick or +been wounded; at any rate, Charles Harris was in command +of a sloop called the “Ranger,” when the pirate vessel appeared<span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[278]</span> +off the coast of South Carolina on May 27, 1723, and +fortunate it was for Spriggs, for later on this disastrous foray +Low deserted his consort under fire near the Rhode Island +coast and the “Ranger” was captured and Harris and many +of his crew were tried and hanged at Newport. Spriggs served +with Low on this voyage, in his old station as quartermaster, +until the ship “Delight” was taken, off the Guinea coast, in +the late fall. She was well suited to their needs so four more +guns were mounted on her and Spriggs was given command +with a crew of about sixty men. Within two days Spriggs +deserted Low—slipped away in the night—and for this +reason. One of the crew had murdered a man in cold blood +and Spriggs was for executing him as a punishment. Low, on +the other hand, would not agree and so there was a heated +quarrel that embittered Spriggs and led to his desertion.</p> + +<p>The next day Spriggs was elected captain of the company +by popular vote, and a black flag was made with the same +device as the ensign carried by Low, namely, a white skeleton +holding in one hand an arrow piercing a bleeding heart and +in the other hand an hour-glass. This flag they called the +“Jolly Roger,” and when it was finished and hoisted to the +masthead they fired all their guns in salute and sailed away to +the West Indies in search of prey. Before long they overhauled +a Portuguese bark that supplied some valuable plunder, +but not content with that alone, Spriggs determined to torture +the men by “sweating” them, a game that greatly diverted +his piratical crew. Lighted candles were placed in a circle +around the mizzenmast, between decks, and one by one the +poor Portuguese were ordered to go inside the circle and run +round and round the mast, while in a circle outside the candles +stood the crew (as many as could crowd into line), armed with +penknives, tucks,<a id="FNanchor_137" href="#Footnote_137" class="fnanchor">[137]</a> forks, compasses, etc., and with roaring +songs and boisterous laughter they pricked the terrified +Portuguese as long as he was able to foot it. This usually<span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[279]</span> +lasted for ten minutes or more for the pirates took good care +not to strike too deep and so kill their victims.<a id="FNanchor_138" href="#Footnote_138" class="fnanchor">[138]</a> When the +“sweating” was over the Portuguese were set adrift in a boat +with a small quantity of provisions and their vessel was fired.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i278" style="max-width: 107.125em;"> +<img class="w100" src="images/i278.jpg" alt=""> +<figcaption>“SWEATING” ON CAPT. SPRIGG’S PIRATE VESSEL<br> +<span class='c2'>From an engraving in “History and Lives of the Most Notorious Pirates,” by an +old Seaman, London, n.d., in possession of Capt. Ernest H. Pentecost, R.N.R.</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Near the island of St. Lucia, Spriggs took a sloop owned +in the Barbadoes, which was plundered and burned. Some +of the crew were forced and others who absolutely refused to +go with him were cut and badly beaten and set adrift in a boat. +Captain De Haws was taken in sight of Barbadoes and two +of his men were forced—James Rush and Joseph Cooper, +both born in London, England. Some of Spriggs’ crew told +Captain De Haws that they had come away from Captain +Low “on account of the Barbarity he used those he took.”<a id="FNanchor_139" href="#Footnote_139" class="fnanchor">[139]</a> +A Martinico vessel was the next capture. The men were +abused in the usual manner, but their vessel was not burned.</p> + +<p>On March 22, 1724, a ship called the “Jolly Batchelor,” +from Jamaica, commanded by Captain Hawkins, was taken +near the island of Bonaco, as she was coming out of the Bay +of Honduras. Her principal cargo was logwood, but her +stores and ammunition were looted and what the pirates +didn’t take they threw overboard or destroyed. In sheer +mischief her cables were cut, the cabins knocked down and +the cabin windows smashed. The first and second mates, +Burrage and Stephens, and some of the men, were forced and +on the 29th the ship was allowed to go. Two days before, +however, a Newport, R. I. sloop, the “Endeavor,” commanded +by Capt. Samuel Pike, Jr., came up and was ordered to lay by. +The crew were forced and the mate Dixey Gross, “being a +grave, sober man, and not inclinable to go, 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 vigorously put<span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[280]</span> +in Execution.”<a id="FNanchor_140" href="#Footnote_140" class="fnanchor">[140]</a> Among those forced from the sloop were +William Wood and Thomas Morris, a boy about twelve years +old. Burrage, the first mate of Captain Hawkins’ ship, and +a good navigator, is said to have signed their Articles.</p> + +<p>On April 2d, a sail was sighted and Spriggs gave chase. +After several hours they came close to her and fired a couple +of broadsides when a cry for quarter came from the ship and +soon she was found to be commanded by Captain Hawkins +who had been looted and sent away only three days before. +This was such a disappointment that when the captain came +on board they laid for him with their cutlasses and soon he +was flat on the deck. Before he received a fatal blow, Burrage +pushed in among them and begged for the captain’s life and +he having just shown himself the right sort by signing their +Articles his request was heeded and Captain Hawkins was +pulled to his feet. A bonfire was made of his ship, however, +and a little later, desiring more diversion, the unfortunate +Hawkins was sent down to the cabin for supper. This turned +out to be a dish of candles which he was forced to swallow +and then, in order to aid digestion, the poor man was thrown +about the cabin until he was covered with bruises and afterward +sent forward amongst the other prisoners.</p> + +<p>Two days later Spriggs reached the small island of Roatan +in the Bay of Honduras. It was uninhabited and here he put +ashore Captain Hawkins, his boatswain, and an old man who +had been a passenger on his ship and who afterwards died on +the island of the hardships he had undergone. With them +went Capt. Samuel Pike of the Rhode Island sloop and his +mate Dixey Gross, Simon Fulmore, a sailor, and James Nelley, +one of the pirate crew with whom Spriggs was at odds.<a id="FNanchor_141" href="#Footnote_141" class="fnanchor">[141]</a> +The marooned men were given an old musket and a small +supply of powder and ball with which to make shift as best +they could and Spriggs and his crew then sailed away. Captain<span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[281]</span> +Hawkins and his companions supplied themselves with +fish and fowl and lived in comparative comfort for the next +ten days, when two men in a dugout canoe came in sight and +after a time answered their signals. These men conveyed +them to another island which had better water and plenty of +fish and twelve days later the sloop “Merriam,” Captain +Jones, came in sight and answered their smoke signals. He +stood in and took them off and by this timely rescue they all +finally reached Jamaica safely. It is a curious coincidence +that Captain Hawkins should have been marooned on the +island of Roatan only four days after Philip Ashton, the +Marblehead fisherman who had lived a solitary life on the +same island for nine months, sailed from the nearby island of +Bonaco, homeward bound, as is told in another chapter.</p> + +<p>From Roatan, Spriggs sailed westward to another small +island where he cleaned his ship and then steered a course for +the island of St. Christopher, proposing to lay in wait for +Captain Moore who had surprised Captain Lowther while +his vessel was on careen at the island of Blanco. Spriggs had +resolved to catch Captain Moore, if possible, and put him to +death for being the cause of the death of Lowther, his brother +pirate. Instead of Captain Moore, however, a French man-of-war +was found by Spriggs to be on the coast and not fancying +such company Spriggs crowded on all sail with the Frenchman +after him. During the chase the man-of-war unfortunately +lost her main-topmast and so Spriggs escaped the +intended interview. Standing now to the northward, towards +Bermuda, Spriggs overhauled on April 30th, a schooner +owned in New York and commanded by Capt. William +Richardson, who reported after reaching Boston, that Spriggs +had told him that he intended to ravage the northern coasts +and sink or burn all the vessels he took northward of Philadelphia.<a id="FNanchor_142" href="#Footnote_142" class="fnanchor">[142]</a> +Captain Durell, in His Majesty’s ship “Sea +Horse,” was ordered to make sail at once in quest of Spriggs.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[282]</span></p> + +<p>On May 2, 1724, the Boston owned brigantine “Daniel,” +John Hopkins in Command, was homeward bound in latitude +33° and near Bermuda, when a strange sail fired a gun and soon +hoisted a black flag. The pirate ship was crowded with men +and resistance was out of reason so Captain Hopkins ordered +his boat lowered and went aboard the ship. After rifling the +brigantine it was burned. Joseph Cole of Beverly, Mass., +and Benjamin Wheeler of Boston, seamen on board the +“Daniel,” were forced “notwithstanding their importunate +Prayers & Tears to him to dismiss them.”<a id="FNanchor_143" href="#Footnote_143" class="fnanchor">[143]</a> Spriggs swore to +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, very fairly run for it.”<a id="FNanchor_144" href="#Footnote_144" class="fnanchor">[144]</a> Two days later Captain +Hopkins and his men, including John Bovewe and Elias Tozer, +were put aboard a Philadelphia sloop bound for Jamaica +which in time they reached safely and in April of the following +year they were in Boston again.</p> + +<p>Instead of going to Newfoundland, as he had threatened, +Spriggs stood to the windward of St. Christopher’s and on +June 4, 1724, took a sloop, Nicholas Trot, master, belonging +to St. Eustatia. The plunder of the vessel didn’t amount to +much so the pirates thought they would amuse themselves +by fastening a rope around the men’s bodies, one by one, and +after hoisting them as high as the <ins title='original: main-and'>main- and</ins> foretops by letting +go of the ropes the unfortunate wretches would fall tumbling +to the deck with force enough to break skins and smash bones. +After the men were well crippled by this usage Captain Trot +was given his sloop and told to clear out. A week later, a +Rhode Island ship bound for St. Christopher’s was taken. +She was loaded with provisions and some horses, which the +pirate crew soon mounted and rode about the deck, backwards<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[283]</span> +and forwards, at full gallop, cursing and howling like demons, +which soon made the animals so wild that they threw their +riders and spoiled the sport. They then turned to the ship’s +crew and whipped and cut them in a wicked manner, saying, +that it was because boots and spurs had not been brought with +the horses that they were not able to ride like gentlemen.</p> + +<p>Captain Spriggs was seldom lacking in boldness and next +he cruised off Port Royal in the island of Jamaica and made +one or two minor captures. Two men-of-war at anchor in +port were ordered out and the commander of one of them, Capt. +James Wyndham of the “Diamond,” ordered a course set for +the Bay of Honduras, thinking that Spriggs might return to +his old haunts. This proved to be correct for when the man-of-war +sailed into the Bay, Spriggs and his crew were there +busily engaged in plundering ten or twelve vessels that had +been loading logwood. The pirates were completely surprised +and but feebly returned the fire of the man-of-war and soon +considered it wiser to get out their sweeps and row into shoal +water and so they at last escaped, there being but little wind. +This took place the latter part of September, 1724. Spriggs +at that time was in command of his ship, the “Batchelor’s +Delight,” and had with him as consort, a sloop commanded by +Captain Shipton. During the encounter they had six men +killed and five or six wounded. Capt. John Cass, when he +reached Newport, R. I., from the Bay of Honduras, the first +of December following, brought an account of this affair and +reported to his owners the information that “a Spanish half +Galley with about 50 Men on board, and a Perriagoe with 26 +Men, now in the Bay of Honduras, lye in obscure Places & +Key’s to take vessels in their way there.”<a id="FNanchor_145" href="#Footnote_145" class="fnanchor">[145]</a> All these dangers +to New England shipping must have added greatly to the +market value of logwood chips.</p> + +<p>After escaping from the “Diamond” man-of-war, Spriggs +sailed for the Bahama Channel and on the voyage ran very<span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[284]</span> +short of provisions. He took a sloop in the service of the +South Sea Company, bound from Jamaica to Havana, with +negro slaves, and later a ship bound for Newport, R. I., Capt. +Richard Durffie, master. Spriggs proposed to put all the +negroes on board Captain Durffie’s vessel but the captain +urgently represented his want of sufficient provisions and the +danger that they all would perish by starvation and at last +Spriggs transferred to his ship only ten of the slaves and then +let him go. Durffie put in to South Carolina for fresh supplies +and while there Capt. Jeremiah Clarke of Newport, met him +and brought home the news of his capture. Spriggs and Shipton +continued on their course towards the Bahamas and off +the western end of Cuba were so unfortunate as to again meet +the “Diamond” man-of-war, still in pursuit of them. As +the wind lay their only means of escape was to make for the +Florida shore where Shipton’s sloop was run aground near the +Cape and lost. This sloop was owned in Newport, R. I., and +was in command of Jonathan Barney at the time she was taken +by Spriggs. When the sloop went ashore she carried 12 guns +and seventy or more men all of whom reached land safely only +to fall into the hands of the Indians, except Shipton and ten or +a dozen others who escaped in the ship’s canoe and finally +reached Cuba.<a id="FNanchor_146" href="#Footnote_146" class="fnanchor">[146]</a> It was said at the time that the Indians +killed and ate sixteen of the pirates and that forty-nine were +taken and carried to Havana; but why the “Diamond,” an +English man-of-war, should carry English pirates to a Spanish +port is not explained in any of the newspaper accounts of the +affair. About two thousand pounds value in gold fell a prize +to the “Diamond.”</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i284_1" style="max-width: 111em;"> +<img class="w100" src="images/i284_1.jpg" alt=""> +<figcaption>PIRATES KILLING A CAPTURED MAN<br> +<span class='c2'>From an old mezzotint in the possession of Capt. E. H. Pentecost, R.N.R.</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i284_2" style="max-width: 108.6875em;"> +<img class="w100" src="images/i284_2.jpg" alt=""> +<figcaption>FIGHT ON A PIRATE SHIP<br> +<span class='c2'>From an old mezzotint in the possession of Capt. Ernest H. Pentecost, R.N.R.</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Spriggs, by good seamanship, was able to make his escape +and in some way afterwards picked up Shipton and the few +men who escaped with him and made his way back to the Bay +of Honduras where on Dec. 23, 1724, in company with Shipton, +who at that time was in command of a perriagua with ten<span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[285]</span> +white men and three or four negroes, he descended on the logwood +ships in the Bay and took sixteen vessels, one of which, +commanded by Capt. Kelsey, he burned. The captain was +given a long-boat and it being fair weather, he reached the +uninhabited island of Bonaco safely, from which he and his +crew afterwards were rescued by a passing sloop. Shipton +took the ship “Mary and John,” of Boston, Thomas Glen, +master, and after plundering her, carried away the master and +put him on board a Boston sloop, Ebenezer Kent, master, +which he had taken the same day, intending to sail for the +rendezvous at the island of Roatan. The mate of the “John +and Mary,” Matthew Perry, he left on board with his hands +tied behind him and later ordered three of his pirates, together +with two forced men, Nicholas Simons and Jonathan Barlow, +all double armed, to take possession of the “John and Mary” +and follow him to the rendezvous. Simons was to be the +navigator and commander. But after Shipton had gone, +Simons and Barlow untied Perry’s hands and proposed that +together they attempt to kill the three pirates who had +come on board with them and if successful, to make a course +for some English port. The mate at once consented and +Barlow gave him a pistol and he started for the steerage where +one of the pirates was rummaging. Coming up behind him he +snapped his pistol but unfortunately it missed fire. The +pirate had four pistols in his belt and immediately drawing one +he aimed it at Perry before he could reach the ladder. +Strangely enough this pistol, too, missed fire. Simons was +in the cabin at the time and hearing the snapping of the +flints came rushing in crying, “In the name of God and His +Majesty King George, let us go on with our design.” He +shot dead the pirate who had attempted to kill the mate and +told another of the pirates who was present, if he made any +resistance he would kill him too. Meanwhile, Barlow and +some of the ship’s company had killed the third pirate. They +then cut their cable and made the best of their way to deep<span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">[286]</span> +water and with no further adventures reached Newport, R. I., +the last of January, 1725.<a id="FNanchor_147" href="#Footnote_147" class="fnanchor">[147]</a> After their arrival, the circumstantial +accounts of Simons and Barlow were published at +length in the Boston newspapers.</p> + +<p>Simons claimed that he was the humble instrument that +brought about the disaster to the sloop commanded by Shipton, +that was chased ashore on the Florida coast, and that +while in Spriggs’ company he and Barlow had been treated +“very barbarously; made to eat candles with the wick, and +often threatened to take away their lives.”<a id="FNanchor_148" href="#Footnote_148" class="fnanchor">[148]</a> Barlow also +related that he had been forced by Low and afterwards served +in Spriggs’ and Shipton’s companies. He said Low had +abused him, had knocked out one of his teeth with a pistol +and threatened to shoot down his throat, “whereupon Barlow +fell and was taken up sick which held him three months.” +He also repeated the story of the discarding of Low by his men +and his having been sent away with two other pirates in a +French sloop and nothing had been heard from him since.<a id="FNanchor_149" href="#Footnote_149" class="fnanchor">[149]</a></p> + +<p>After Spriggs and Shipton made their captures in the Bay +of Honduras on Dec. 23, 1724, but little is known as to their +later movements. In April, 1725, a captain arriving at New +York brought the report that Spriggs was yet roving and had +five vessels in his fleet. Early in May, 1725, Captain MacKarty +reached Boston from Jamaica, and reported that not +long before he had spoken a pink off the South Carolina coast +that had been taken by Spriggs, who was in a ship mounting +twelve guns with a crew of thirty-five men. Several vessels +had been captured and burned or sunk and the crews had been +put aboard the pink and sent away. The master of the pink +told Captain MacKarty that Spriggs was using his prisoners +barbarously and that he threatened to be on the New England<span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[287]</span> +coast very soon after.<a id="FNanchor_150" href="#Footnote_150" class="fnanchor">[150]</a> The threatened raid did not materialize +and Spriggs and Shipton both dropped out of sight and +we now have no information as to what became of them save +the rumor that reached Boston a year later that they both +had been marooned by their men and “were got among the +Musketoo Indians.”<a id="FNanchor_151" href="#Footnote_151" class="fnanchor">[151]</a> And this may have been their fate, +for Spriggs’ quartermaster, one Philip Lyne, was in command +of a pirate sloop mounting ten carriage guns and sixteen +swivels and carrying forty men which was making captures +on the banks off the Newfoundland coast in the summer of +1725. This sloop had been one of Spriggs’ consorts on the +South Carolina coast earlier in the year and appears to have +deserted him. On June 30th, Lyne took the ship “Thomasine,” +Capt. Samuel Thorogood, bound for London from Boston, +on which were four passengers and after plundering and +destroying most of the ship’s lading and forcing five of the crew +to sign his Articles, he allowed the ship to go free with only a +small store of stinking provisions and a little water.<a id="FNanchor_152" href="#Footnote_152" class="fnanchor">[152]</a> Lyne +also took a Rhode Island sloop, Captain Casey, which was +burned and the master and men were forced to go aboard the +pirate vessel which then headed for the Cape Verde islands. +Lyne probably followed the example of Low and Lowther and +from there set a course for the Guiana coast, for in October, +1725 he was captured by two sloops fitted out at Curacao. +During the engagement a number of the pirates were killed +but Lyne and four others were “hanged by the neck until +dead,” by the Dutch authorities on the island, to the great +satisfaction of all who had ever met them on the high seas.<a id="FNanchor_153" href="#Footnote_153" class="fnanchor">[153]</a></p> + + + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_136" href="#FNanchor_136" class="label">[136]</a> See chapter on Philip Ashton.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_137" href="#FNanchor_137" class="label">[137]</a> A short sword. Sometimes a rapier is called a tuck.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_138" href="#FNanchor_138" class="label">[138]</a> “Sweating” generally was used to force information as to the location +of concealed valuables.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_139" href="#FNanchor_139" class="label">[139]</a> <i>Boston Gazette</i>, Apr. 20, 1724.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_140" href="#FNanchor_140" class="label">[140]</a> Johnson, <i>History of the Pirates</i>, London, 1726.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_141" href="#FNanchor_141" class="label">[141]</a> <i>Boston News-Letter</i>, July 23, 1724.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_142" href="#FNanchor_142" class="label">[142]</a> <i>Boston News-Letter</i>, May 21, 1724.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_143" href="#FNanchor_143" class="label">[143]</a> <i>Boston News-Letter</i>, Apr. 15, 1725.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_144" href="#FNanchor_144" class="label">[144]</a> Johnson, <i>History of the Pirates</i>, London, 1726.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_145" href="#FNanchor_145" class="label">[145]</a> <i>Boston News-Letter</i>, Dec. 10, 1724.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_146" href="#FNanchor_146" class="label">[146]</a> <i>Boston News-Letter</i>, Feb. 11, 1725; Oct. 7, 1725.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_147" href="#FNanchor_147" class="label">[147]</a> <i>New England Courant</i>, Feb. 8, 1725 and <i>Boston News-Letter</i>, Feb. 11, +1725.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_148" href="#FNanchor_148" class="label">[148]</a> <i>Boston News-Letter</i>, Feb. 11, 1725.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_149" href="#FNanchor_149" class="label">[149]</a> <i>Boston News-Letter</i>, Feb. 11, 1725.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_150" href="#FNanchor_150" class="label">[150]</a> <i>New England Courant</i>, May 18, 1725.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_151" href="#FNanchor_151" class="label">[151]</a> <i>New England Courant</i>, Apr. 30, 1726.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_152" href="#FNanchor_152" class="label">[152]</a> <i>Boston News-Letter</i>, Sept. 16, 1725.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_153" href="#FNanchor_153" class="label">[153]</a> <i>New England Courant</i>, Jan. 8, 1726.</p> + +</div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">[288]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI<br> +<span class="ch-title">Charles Harris who was Hanged at Newport with +Twenty-five of his Crew</span></h2> +</div> + +<p>On the 10th of January, 1722, the good ship “Greyhound” +of Boston in the Massachusetts Bay, Benjamin +Edwards, commander, was homeward bound. She was +loaded with logwood and only one day out from the coast of +Honduras where the crew had been worked hard for several +weeks loading the many boatloads of heavy, thorny-growthed, +blood-red wood. Early in the morning the lookout had +sighted a ship headed toward them and while not plantation +built she attracted no particular attention until it was seen +that her course was slightly changed to conform to that of the +“Greyhound,” or rather, it would seem, to intersect the course +on which the “Greyhound” was sailing. As the ship drew +nearer, a long look through the perspective revealed a heavily-manned +vessel of English build and Captain Edwards thought +it best to order all hands on deck. Soon the stranger ran up a +black flag having a skeleton on it and fired a gun for the +“Greyhound” to bring to.</p> + +<p>West India waters had been plagued for many years by +piratical gentry and the Boston captain had heard many +terrifying tales of their barbarous cruelties to masters and seamen +but he was a dogged type of man and so at once prepared +to defend his ship. The pirate edged down a bit and shortly +gave the “Greyhound” a broadside of eight guns which +Captain Edwards bravely returned and for nearly an hour +the give and take continued at long gunshot without much +damage to either vessel. Finding that the pirate was more +heavily armed than the “Greyhound,” and her decks showing +many men, Captain Edwards began to reckon the consequences +of a too stubborn resistance, for it seemed likely that eventually<span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[289]</span> +he must surrender, barring, of course, lucky chance shot +from his guns that might cut down a mast on the pirate ship. +At last he ordered his ensign to be struck and hove to. Two +boatloads of armed men soon came aboard and searched the +ship for anything of value. The loot was not great for the +New England logwood ships had little opportunity for trade or +barter and the disappointment of the pirate crews was soon +spit out on the men. Whenever one came within reach of the +cutlass of a pirate he would receive a swinging slash across +shoulders or arms, or perhaps, a blow on the head with the +flat of the blade that would fell him half-senseless to the deck. +By way of diversion two of the unoffending sailors were triced +up at the foot of the mainmast and lashed until the blood ran +from their backs. Captain Edwards and his men were then +ordered into the boats and sent on board the pirate ship and +the “Greyhound” was set on fire.</p> + +<p>The rogue proved to be the “Happy Delivery,” commanded +by Capt. George Lowther and manned by a strange +assortment of English sailors and soldiers with a sprinkling of +New England men. As soon as the men from the “Greyhound” +reached her deck they were given a mug of rum and +invited to join the pirate crew. This was habitually done at +that time by these outlaws and frequently a nimble sailor +would be forced and compelled to serve with the pirates against +his will. The first mate of the “Greyhound” was Charles +Harris, born in London, England, then about twenty-four +years old and a man who understood navigation. He, with +four others, Christopher Atwell, Henry Smith, Joseph Willis +and David Lindsay, was forced and Captain Edwards and the +rest of his crew, with other captured men, were put on board +another logwood vessel and permitted to make the best of +their way home. In a day or two, Harris, beguiled by the +adventurous spirit of the ship’s company, was persuaded to +sign the Articles of the “Happy Delivery,” when again asked +to do so by Captain Lowther. He proved to be so capable a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[290]</span> +man, when several captures were made, that ten days later, +when a Jamaican sloop was taken, Lowther decided to retain +her and give the command to Harris and to this he readily +acceded.</p> + +<p>The mate of the “Happy Delivery” was Ned Low, a young +Englishman who had lived in Boston for a few years and not +long before this time had deserted from a logwood ship in the +Bay and happening to meet Lowther had joined him in a +career of robbery and murder. Just before the Jamaican sloop +was taken, a Rhode Island sloop of about one hundred tons +was captured and as she was newly built was taken over by +Lowther and armed with eight carriage guns and ten swivels +and the command given to Low.</p> + +<p>The career of Harris during the next fourteen months closely +follows that of Lowther and Low and may be traced in the +narrative of their adventures. He soon lost his sloop when it +was abandoned at sea in the gulf of Matique and May 28th, +1722, when Lowther and Low separated, Harris cast his lot +with Low and sailed north with him along the New England +coast to Nova Scotia and then across the Atlantic to the Western +Islands, where a large Portuguese pink was taken and +retained and the command of the schooner “Fancy”<a id="FNanchor_154" href="#Footnote_154" class="fnanchor">[154]</a> given +to Harris. These two scoundrels cruised together for some +time making several captures and at length reached the +Triangles off the South American coast, eastward of Surinam, +and here the pink was lost while being careened and both crews +went on board the schooner where Low again assumed command. +Before long a large Rhode Island-built sloop was +captured which Low took over and having had a falling out +with Harris, the command of the schooner “Fancy” was given +to Francis Farrington Spriggs, who had been serving as +quartermaster.</p> + +<p>Harris now drops out of sight for about five months. He<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[291]</span> +may have been wounded or sick at the time Spriggs was given +his command, at any rate, no mention of his name has been +found until May 27, 1723, when he appeared off the South +Carolina coast in command of the sloop “Ranger,” lately +commanded by Spriggs. Captain Low was sailing in company +with him in the sloop “Fortune,” and together they took +three ships. About three weeks before, they had captured +the ship “Amsterdam Merchant,” from Jamaica but owned +in New England. The master was John Welland of Boston +and after he had been on board the “Ranger” for some three +hours he was transferred to the “Fortune,” where Low vented +his spite against New Englanders by cutting the captain about +the body with his cutlass and slashing off his right ear. A +month later, at the trial of Captain Harris at Newport, R. I., +this Captain Welland was the principal witness against him. +He deposed that he had been chased by two sloops and that +one of them came up with him and after hoisting a blue flag +had taken him. This was the “Ranger,” with Harris in +command. He had been ordered aboard the pirate sloop and +had gone with four of his men. The quartermaster had +examined him and asked how much money he had on board, +and he had replied “About £150 in gold and silver.” This +money was taken away by the pirates. Meanwhile Captain +Low in the “Fortune,” came up and Welland was sent aboard +to be interrogated where he was greatly abused. The next +day, after taking out a negro, some beef and other stores, the +“Amsterdam Merchant” was sunk. While the three vessels +were lying near each other, Captain Estwick of Piscataqua, +N. H., came in sight and soon fell into the clutches of Low and +Harris. His ship was plundered but not destroyed and in +this vessel Captain Welland and his men at last reached +Portsmouth.</p> + +<p>Off the Capes of the Delaware other minor captures were +made by Low and steering eastward along the Long Island +shore early on the morning of the 10th of June a large ship<span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[292]</span> +was sighted which soon changed its course and the two pirate +sloops at once followed in pursuit. What then took place may +best be told in the words of the newspaper account written +at the time.</p> + +<p>“Rhode Island, June 14. On the 11th Instant arrived here +His Majesty’s Ship Grayhound, Capt. Peter Solgard Commander, +from his Cruize at Sea and brought in a Pirate Sloop +of 8 Guns, Barmudas built, 42 White Men and 6 Blacks, of +which number eight were wounded in the Engagement and +four killed; the Sloop was commanded by one Harris, very well +fitted, and loaded with all sorts of Provisions: One of the +wounded Pirates died, on board of the Man of War, with an Oath +on his Departure; thirty lusty bold young Fellows, were +brought on shore, and received by one of the Town Companys +under Arms guarding them to the Goal, and all are now in +Irons under a strong Guard. The Man of War had but two +Men wounded, who are in a brave way of Recovery.</p> + +<p>“Here follows an Account (from on board of the Man of +War) of the Engagement between Capt. Solgard and the two +Pirates Sloops: Capt. Solgard being informed by a Vessel, +that Low the Pirate, in a Sloop of 10 Guns & 70 Men, with his +Consort of 8 Guns and 48 Men, had sailed off the East End of +Long-Island: The Capt. thereupon steered his Course after +them; and on the 10th Currant, half an hour past 4 in the +Morning we saw two Sloops N. 2 Leagues distance, the Wind +W.N.W. At 5 we tack’d and stood Southward, and clear’d +the Ship, the Sloops giving us Chase, at half an hour past 7 +we tack’d to the Northward, with little Wind, and stood down +to them; at 8 a Clock they each fired a Gun, and hoisted a +Black Flag; at half an hour past 8 on the near approach of +the Man of War, they haul’d it down, (fearing a Tartar) and +put up a Bloody Flag, stemming with us distant 3 quarters of +a Mile: We hoisted up our Main-Sail and made easy Sail to +the Windward, received their Fire several times; but when a +breast we gave them ours with round & grape Shot, upon<span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[293]</span> +which the head Sloop edg’d Away, as did the other soon after, +and we with them. The Fire continued on both sides for about +an hour; but when they hall’d from us with the help of their +Oars, we left off Firing, and turned to Rowing with 86 Hands, +and half an Hour past Two in the Afternoon we came up with +them; when they clapt on a Wind to receive us; we again kept +close to Windward, and ply’d them warmly with small and +grape shot; and during the Action we fell between them, and +having shot down one of their Main Sails we kept close to +him, and at 4 a Clock he call’d for Quarters; at 5 having got +the Prisoners on board, we continued to Chase the other Sloop, +when at 8 a Clock in the Evening he bore from us N.W. by W. +two Leagues, when we lost sight of him near Block Island. +One Desperado was for blowing up this Sloop rather than surrendering, +and being hindered, he went forward, and with his +Pistol shot out his own Brains.</p> + +<p>“Capt. Solgard designing to make sure of one of the Pirate +Sloops, if not both, took this, seeming to be the Chief, but +proved otherwise, and if we had more Day-light the other of +Low’s had also been taken, she being very much batter’d; +and ’tis tho’t he was slain, with his Cutlas in his hand, encouraging +his Men in the Engagement to Fight, and that +a great many more Men were kill’d and wounded in her, than +the other we took.</p> + +<p>“The Two Pirate Sloops Commanded by the said Low and +Harris intended to have boarded the Man of War, but he +plying them so successfully they were discouraged, and endeavoured +all they could to escape, notwithstanding they +had sworn Damnation to themselves, if they should give over +Fighting, tho’ the Ship should even prove to be a Man of War. +They also intended to have hoisted their Standard upon +Block-Island, but we suppose now, there will be a more sutable +Standard hoisted for those that are taken, according to their +Desarts.</p> + +<p>“On the 12th Currant Capt. Solgard was fitting out again<span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[294]</span> +to go in the Quest of the said Low the other Pirate Sloop, +(having the Master of this with him, he knowing what Course +they intended by Agreement to Steer, in order to meet with +a third Consort) which, we hope he’ll overtake and bring in.”—<i>Boston +News-Letter</i>, June 20, 1723.</p> + +<p>The <i>New England Courant</i> of Boston, Franklin’s paper, +printed a similar account of the fight and capture and also +mentioned the fact that Joseph Sweetser of Charlestown was +one of the men taken and that both he and Charles Harris, +“who is the Master or Navigator,” had previously been +advertised in the public prints as forced men, with one or two +more of the company. A week later the <i>Courant</i> published a +list of the names of the men, as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>“An Account of the Names, Ages, and places of Birth of +those Men taken by his Majesty’s Ship Greyhound, in the +Pirate Sloop called the Ranger, and now confined in his +Majesty’s Gaol in Rhode-Island.</p> + + +<table class="autotable th"> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><i>Names</i></td> +<td class="tdl"><i>Ages</i></td> +<td class="tdl"><i>Places of Birth</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">William Blades</td> +<td class="tdl">28</td> +<td class="tdl">Rhode Island</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Thomas Powel, Gunner</td> +<td class="tdl">21</td> +<td class="tdl">Wethersfield, Conn.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">John Wilson</td> +<td class="tdl">23</td> +<td class="tdl">New London County</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Daniel Hyde</td> +<td class="tdl">23</td> +<td class="tdl">Eastern Shore of Virginia</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Henry Barnes</td> +<td class="tdl">22</td> +<td class="tdl">Barbadoes</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Stephen Mundon</td> +<td class="tdl">29</td> +<td class="tdl">London</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Thomas Huggit</td> +<td class="tdl">24</td> +<td class="tdl">London</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">William Read</td> +<td class="tdl">35</td> +<td class="tdl">London-derry, Ireland</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Peter Kewes</td> +<td class="tdl">32</td> +<td class="tdl">Exeter, England</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Thomas Jones</td> +<td class="tdl">17</td> +<td class="tdl">Flint, Wales</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">James Brinkley</td> +<td class="tdl">28</td> +<td class="tdl">Suffolk, England</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Joseph Sawrd</td> +<td class="tdl">28</td> +<td class="tdl">Westminster</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">John Brown</td> +<td class="tdl">17</td> +<td class="tdl">Leverpool</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">William Shutfield</td> +<td class="tdl">40</td> +<td class="tdl">Leicestershire, Engl.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Edward Eaton</td> +<td class="tdl">38</td> +<td class="tdl">Wreaxham, Wales</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">John Brown</td> +<td class="tdl">29</td> +<td class="tdl">County of Durham, Engl.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Edward Lawson</td> +<td class="tdl">20</td> +<td class="tdl">Isle of Man</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Owen Rice</td> +<td class="tdl">27</td> +<td class="tdl">South Wales</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">John Tomkins</td> +<td class="tdl">23</td> +<td class="tdl">Glocestshire, Engl.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">John Fitz-Gerald</td> +<td class="tdl">21</td> +<td class="tdl">County of Limerick, Irela.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Abraham Lacey</td> +<td class="tdl">21</td> +<td class="tdl">Devonshire, Engl.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[295]</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Thomas Linisker</td> +<td class="tdl">21</td> +<td class="tdl">Lancashire, Engl.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Thomas Reeve</td> +<td class="tdl">30</td> +<td class="tdl">County of Rutland, Engl.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">John Hinchard, Doctor</td> +<td class="tdl">22</td> +<td class="tdl">Near Edinburg, N. Brit.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Joseph Sweetser (forc’d)</td> +<td class="tdl">24</td> +<td class="tdl">Boston, New-England</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Francis Layton</td> +<td class="tdl">39</td> +<td class="tdl">New-York</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">John Walters, Quar. Master</td> +<td class="tdl">35</td> +<td class="tdl">County of Devon</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">William Jones</td> +<td class="tdl">28</td> +<td class="tdl">London</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Charles Church</td> +<td class="tdl">21</td> +<td class="tdl">Westminster</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Tom Umper, an Indian</td> +<td class="tdl">21</td> +<td class="tdl">Marthas Vineyard</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="center">In all 30<br> +</p> + +<p class="right"> +—<i>New England Courant</i>, June 24, 1723.<br> +</p> +</div> + +<p>The following seven were held on board the “Grayhound” +by Captain Solgard, who hoped through them to take Low. +They were brought back to Newport and gaoled on July 11th. +One of the pirates died in gaol on July 15th.</p> + + +<table class="autotable th"> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Charles Harris, Captain</td> +<td class="tdl">25</td> +<td class="tdl">London</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Thomas Hazell</td> +<td class="tdl">50</td> +<td class="tdl">——</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">John Bright</td> +<td class="tdl">25</td> +<td class="tdl">——</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Joseph Libbey</td> +<td class="tdl">21</td> +<td class="tdl">Marblehead</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Patrick Cunningham</td> +<td class="tdl">25</td> +<td class="tdl">——</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">John Fletcher</td> +<td class="tdl">17</td> +<td class="tdl">——</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Thomas Child</td> +<td class="tdl">15</td> +<td class="tdl">——</td> +</tr> +</table> +<br> + +<p>When the news of this great capture of pirates reached the +seaport towns along the New England shore there was much +rejoicing. Nothing like it had ever happened in the history +of the Colonies and to be accused of piracy at that time, with +any show of evidence, was very nearly equivalent to being +found guilty, so a great gathering of people was assured for the +hanging soon to follow.</p> + +<p>Three weeks later the Honorable William Dummer, Esq., +Lieutenant-Governor and Commander in Chief of His Majesty’s +Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, +together with divers members of His Majesty’s Council and +other gentlemen from that Province came riding into the town +of Newport, and with Governor Cranston of Rhode Island and +other judges duly commissioned by Act of Parliament proceeded<span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[296]</span> +to open a Court of Admiralty for the trial of the pirates. +The trial was held in the town house on Wednesday morning, +July 10, 1723. The Court was authorized by Act of Parliament +made 11 and 12 William III; made perpetual by Act +of 6 George I. The Court organized, and then adjourned +until eight oclock in the morning of the next day—when +Charles Harris and twenty-seven others were brought to the +bar and arraigned for acts of felony, piracy and robbery.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp61" id="i296" style="max-width: 111.9375em;"> +<img class="w100" src="images/i296.jpg" alt=""> +<figcaption>WILLIAM DUMMER, LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR OF +MASSACHUSETTS, WHO PRESIDED AT THE TRIAL OF +CAPT. CHARLES HARRIS FOR PIRACY<br> +<span class='c2'>From the portrait by Robert Feke in possession of the Trustees of Dummer Academy</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The facts connected with the taking of the ship “Amsterdam +Merchant,” with the presence in court of the master and +some of his men, were in themselves sufficient to hang the +accused. Captain Solgard of the man-of-war, who had fought +with the accused pirates and captured them, also testified as +did his lieutenant and surgeon. The presence of these men +in court together with the reputed facts of the chase and +capture decided the case in the minds of the people before the +evidences were offered or the verdict rendered. John Valentine, +the Advocate General for the King, presented the articles +which accused the prisoners of piratically surprising and seizing +the ship “Amsterdam Merchant,” and carrying away +beef, gold and silver and a negro slave named Dick; cutting off +Captain Welland’s right ear and afterwards sinking the ship +valued at one thousand pounds. They were also accused of +piratically attacking His Majesty’s ship, the “Grey Hound,” +and wounding seven of his men.</p> + +<p>The prisoners were not represented by counsel, but they all +pleaded “not guilty,” and fourteen of them were ordered tried +at that very session, so the Advocate General addressed the +Court as follows:—</p> + +<p>“May it please your honor, and the rest of the honorable +judges, of this court.</p> + +<p>“The prisoners at the bar stand articled against and are +prosecuted for, several felonious piracies and robberies by them +committed upon the high sea. To which they severally +pleaded not guilty.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[297]</span></p> + +<p>“The crime of piracy is a robbery (for piracy is a sea term +for robbery) committed within the jurisdiction of the admiralty.</p> + +<p>“And a pirate is described to be one who to enrich himself +either by surprise or open force, sets upon merchants and +others trading by sea, to spoil them of their goods and treasure, +often times by sinking their vessels, as the case will come out +before you.</p> + +<p>“This sort of criminals are engaged in a perpetual war with +every individual, with every state, christian or infidel; they +have no country, but by the nature of their guilt, separate +themselves, renouncing the benefit of all lawful society, to +commit these heinous crimes. The Romans therefore justly +styled them, <i>Hostes humoni generis</i> enemies of mankind, and +indeed they are enemies and armed, against themselves, a +kind of <i>felons de se</i>—importing something more than a +natural death.</p> + +<p>“These unhappy men satiated with the number and notoriety +of their crimes, had filled up the measure of their guilt, when +by the Providence of Almighty God, and through the valor +and conduct of Captain Solgard, they were delivered up to +the sword of justice.</p> + +<p>“The Roman Emperors in their edicts made this piece of +service so eminent for the public good, as meritorious as any +act of piety, or religious worship whatsoever.</p> + +<p>“And ’twill be said for the honor and reputation of this +colony (though of late scandalously reproached, to have +favored or combined with pirates), and be evinced by the +process and event of this affair, that such flagitious persons +find as little countenance, and as much justice at Rhode +Island, as in any other part of his Majestie’s dominions.</p> + +<p>“But your time is more precious than my words, I will not +misspend it in attempting to set forth the aggravations of this +complex crime, big with every enormity, nor in declaring the +mischiefs and evil tendencies of it; for you better know these<span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[298]</span> +things before I mention them; and I consider to whom I +speak, and that the judgment is your honors.</p> + +<p>“I shall therefore call the King’s evidences to prove the +several facts, as so many distinct acts of piracy charged on +Prisoners, not by light circumstances and presumptions, not +by strained and unfounded conjectures, but by clear and +postive evidence: and then I doubt not, since for ’tis the +interest of mankind, that these crimes should be punished; +your honors will do justice to the prisoners, this colony, and +the rest of the world in pronouncing them guilty, and in passing +sentence upon them according to law.”</p> + +<p>Capt. John Welland then testified as to the facts attending +the capture of his ship. He also said that Henry <ins title='Original: Barns'>Barnes</ins>, +one of the prisoners at the bar, was forced out of his ship at the +time it was taken and was “very low and weak” and when on +board Captain Estwick’s vessel (in which they had at last +reached Portsmouth) <ins title='Original: Barns'>Barnes</ins> had tried to get away and hid +himself. But the pirates threatened to burn the ship unless +he was given up so <ins title='Original: Barns'>Barnes</ins> was compelled to go on board the +pirate sloop. Barnes had cried and “took on very much” +and asked the mate of the “Amsterdam Merchant” to notify +his three sisters living in Barbadoes that he was a forced man +and also very sick and weak at the time. The mate and the +ship’s carpenter confirmed the captain’s testimony that all +the pirates were “harnessed, that is, armed with guns, etc.”</p> + +<p>Capt. Peter Solgard, Lieut. Edward Smith, and Archibald +Fisher, “Chirsurgeon” of the “Grey-Hound Man of War,” +testified to the well-known facts of the engagement with the +pirates and William Marsh, a mariner, made oath that he had +been taken by Low’s company in the West Indies the previous +January and that “he saw on board the schooner at that +time Francis Laughton and William —————— and on board +the sloop, Charles Harris, Edward Lawson, Daniel Hyde, and +John Fitz Gerald, all prisoners at the Bar, and that Gerald +asked him whether he would seek his fortune with him.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[299]</span></p> + +<p>This concluded the testimony and the prisoners were then +severally asked if they had anything to say in their own +defence. Without exception each man said that he had been +forced on board of Low and did nothing <ins title='original: voluntairly'>voluntarily</ins>.</p> + +<p>The Advocate General then summed up the case, as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>“Your Honors, I doubt not have observed the weakness, +and vanity of the defence which has been made by the prisoners +at the Bar, and that the articles (containing indisputable +flagrant acts of piracy) are supported against each of +them: Their impudences and unfortunate mistake, in attacking +his majesty’s ship, tho’ to us fortunate, and of great service +to the neighboring governments: Their malicious and cruel +assault upon Capt. Welland, not only in the spoiling of his +goods, but what is much more, the cutting off his right ear, a +crime of that nature and barbarity which can never be repaired: +Their plea of constraint, or force, (in the mouth of +every Pirate) can be of no avail to them, for if that could +justify or excuse! No pirate would ever be convicted; nor +even any profligate person in his own account offend against +the moral law; if it were asked, it would be hard to answer; +who offer’d the violence? It’s apparent they forced, or +persuaded one another, or rather the compulsion proceeded of +their own corrupt and avaricious inclinations: but if there +was the least semblance of truth; in the plea; it might come +out in proof, that the prisoners or some of them did manifest +their uneasiness and sorrow, to some of the persons whom they +had surprised and robb’d; but the contrary of that is plain +from Mr. Marsh’s evidence, that the prisoners were so far +from a dislike, or regretting their number by inviting him to +join with them, and seemed resolved to live and die by their +calling, or for it, as their fate is like to be. And now seeing +that the facts are as evident as proof by testimony can make +’em, I doubt not your honors will declare the prisoners to be +guilty.”</p> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[300]</span></p> + +<p>The prisoners were than taken from the bar, the court room +was cleared and the judges considered the evidence and voted +that all were guilty except John Wilson and Henry Barns. +The Court then adjourned for dinner and at two o’clock met +and opened by proclamation. The prisoners were brought in +and those found guilty were sentenced by Lieut.-Governor +Dummer to be hanged by the neck until dead. Thirteen more +“of that miserable crew of men,” as they were characterised +by the Advocate General, were then brought to the bar for +trial, and Captain Welland named six of whom he recognized +as having been on the “Ranger” and all had been harnessed, +except Thomas Jones, the boy. John Mudd, the carpenter, +said that he well remembered Joseph Sound because “said +Sound took his buttons out of his sleeves.”</p> + +<p>“Benjamin Weekham of Newport mariner, deposed, that +on the tenth of March last he was in the bay of Honduras on +board of a sloop, Jeremiah Clark Master, Low and Lowders +companies being pirates, took the aforesaid sloop, and that +this deponent then having the small pox was by John Waters +one of the prisoners at the Bar carried on board another vessel; +and that he begg’d of some of the company two shirts to shirt +himself, the said Waters said damn him, he would beg the +vessel too, but at other times he was very civil; and the +deponent further saith, he saw William Blades now prisoner +at the Bar amongst them.</p> + +<p>“William Marsh deposed, that he was taken in manner as +aforesaid, and that John Brown the tallest was on board the +schooner, and the said Brown told him he had rather be in a +tight vessel than a leaky one, and that he was not forced.</p> + +<p>“Henry Barns mariner, deposed, that he being on board the +Sloop Ranger during her engagement with the Grey-Hound +Man of War, saw all the prisoners at the Bar on board the said +sloop Ranger, and that he saw John Brown the shortest in +arms, that Thomas Mumford Indian, was only as a servant +on board.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[301]</span></p> + +<p>“The prisoners at the bar were then asked if they had anything +to say in their own defence.</p> + +<p>“William Blades said he was forced on board of Low about +eleven months ago, and never signed to their articles, and +that he had when taken about ten or twelve pounds, and that +he never shared with them, but only took what they gave him.</p> + +<p>“Thomas Hugget said he was one of Capt. Mercy’s men on +the coast of Guinea, and in the West Indies was put on board +Low, but never shared with them, and they gave him twenty-one +pounds.</p> + +<p>“Peter Cues said, that on the twenty-third or twenty-fourth +of January last he belonged to one Layal in a sloop of +Antigua, and was then taken by Low and detained ever since, +but never shared with them, and had about ten or twelve +pounds when taken, which they gave him.</p> + +<p>“Thomas Jones said, he is a lad of about seventeen years +of age, and was by Low and company taken out of Capt. +Edwards at Newfoundland, and kept by Low ever since.</p> + +<p>“William Jones said, he was taken out of Capt. Ester at +the Bay of Honduras the beginning of April last by Low and +Lowther, and that he has been forced by Low to be with him +ever since; that he never shared with them, nor signed the +articles till compelled three weeks after he was taken, and the +said Jones owned he had eleven pounds of the quarter master +at one time, and eight pounds at another.</p> + +<p>“Edward Eaton said, that he was taken by Low in the Bay +of Honduras, about the beginning of March, and kept with +him by force ever since.</p> + +<p>“John Brown the tallest said, that on the ninth of October +last he was taken out of the Liverpool merchant at the Cape +De Verde by Capt. Low who beat him black and blue to make +him sign the articles, and from the Cape de Verde they cruized +upon the coast of Brazil about eleven weeks, and from thence +to the West Indies, and he was on board of the Ranger at the +taking of Welland.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[302]</span></p> + +<p>“James Sprinkly said, he was forced out of a ship at the +Cape de Verde by Low in October last, and by him compelled +to sign the articles, but never shared with them.</p> + +<p>“John Brown the shortest said, he was about seventeen +years old, and in October last at the Cape de Verdes was +taken out of a ship by Low, and kept there ever since, and that +the quarter-master gave him about forty shillings, and the +people aboard about three pounds.</p> + +<p>“Joseph Sound said, he was taken from Providence, about +three months ago, by Low and company and detained by force +ever since.</p> + +<p>“Charles Church said, he was taken out of the Sycamore +Galley at the Cape de Verdes, Capt. Scot commander, about +seven or eight months ago, by Capt. Low, never shared, but +the quarter-master gave him about fourteen pounds.</p> + +<p>“John Waters said, he was taken by Low on the twenty-ninth +of June last, out of ————, and they compelled him +to take charge of a watch, and that he had thirteen pistols +when taken, which was given him, and that he said in the time +of the engagement with his Majesties ship they had better +strike, for they would have better quarter.</p> + +<p>“Thomas Mumford Indian said, he was a servant a fishing +the last year, and was taken out of a fishing sloop with five +other Indians off of Nantucket by Low and Company, and +that they hanged two of the Indians at Cape Sables, and that +he was kept by Low ever since, and had about six bitts when +taken.”</p> + +<p>These excuses availed nothing except for Thomas Jones, +the boy, and Thomas Mumford, the Indian. The rest were +found guilty and duly sentenced.</p> + +<p>The next morning John Kencate, the doctor on board the +“Ranger,” was brought to trial. The Advocate General +stated that although the prisoner “used no arms, was not +harness’d (as they term it) but was a forc’d man; yet if he +received part of their plunder, was not under a constant<span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">[303]</span> +durance, did at any time approve, or join’d in their villanies, +his guilt is at least equal to the rest; the Doctor being ador’d +among ’em as the pirates God for in him they chiefly confide +for their cure and life, and in this trust and dependence it is, +that they enterprise these horrid depredations not to be +heightened by aggravation, or lessened by any excuse.”</p> + +<p>“Capt. John Welland deposed, and that he saw the Doctor +aboard the Ranger; he seem’d not to rejoice when he was +taken but solitary, and he was inform’d on board he was a +forc’d men; and that he never signed the articles as he heard +of, and was now on board the deponants ship.</p> + +<p>“John Ackin Mate and John Mudd Carpenter, swore they +saw the prisoner at the Bar walking forwards and backwards +disconsolately on board the Ranger.</p> + +<p>“Archibald Fisher Physician and Chirurgion on board the +said Greyhound Man-of-War deposed, that when the prisoner +at the Bar was taken and brought aboard the King’s ship he +searched his medicaments, and the instruments, and found +but very few medicaments, and the instruments very mean +and bad.”</p> + +<p>Others testified that the doctor was forced on board, by +Low, and that he never signed articles so far as they knew or +heard, but used to spend much of his time in reading, and was +very courteous to the prisoners taken by Low and his company, +and that he never shared with them.</p> + +<p>The doctor himself said that he was chirurgion of the +Sycamore-Galley, Andrew Scot, master, and was taken out of +that ship in September last at Bonavista, one of the Cape de +Verde Islands, by Low and Company, who detained him ever +since, and that he never shared with them, nor signed their +articles.</p> + +<p>The Court then cleared the doctor and proceeded with +the trial of Thomas Pownall, Joseph Sweetser and Joseph +Libbey. The name of the latter is not found in the first +published lists of the pirates gaoled at Newport for the reason<span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">[304]</span> +that he was one of those detained by Captain Harris in hopes +of capturing Low who had deliberately deserted them, when +jointly they probably could have taken the man of war. +Libbey’s name appears in the published lists of those condemned +and executed, as having been born in Marblehead.</p> + +<p>At the trial of these men Doctor Kencate testified that +“he well knew Thomas Powell, Joseph Sweetser and John +Libbey, and that Thomas Powell acted as gunner on board the +Ranger, and that he went on board several vessels taken by +Low and company, and plundered, and that Joseph Libbey +was an active man on board the Ranger, and used to go on +board vessels they took and plundered and that he see him +fire several times, and the deponent further deposed that +Joseph Sweetser now prisoner at the bar, was on board the +pirate Low, and that he has seen him armed, but never see him +use them, and that the said Sweetser used to often get alone by +himself from amongst the rest of the crew, he was melancholly, +and refused to go on board any vessel by them taken, and got +out of their way. And the deponent further saith, that on +that day, as they engaged the man-of-war, Low proposed to +attack the man-of-war, first by firing his great guns then a +volley of small arms, heave in their powder flasks and board +her in his sloop, and the Ranger to board over the Fortune, +and that no one on board the Ranger disagreed to it as he +knows of, for most approved of it by words and the others +were silent.</p> + +<p>“Thomas Jones deposed that Thomas Powell acted as gunner +on board the Ranger, and Joseph Libbey was a stirring, active +man among them, and used to go aboard vessels to plunder, +and that Joseph Sweetser was very dull aboard, and at Cape +Antonio he cried to Dunwell to let him go ashore, who refused, +and asked him to drink a dram, but Sweetser went down into +the hold and cried a good part of the day, and that Low refused +to let him go, but brought him and tied him to the mast and +threatened to whip him; and he saw him armed but never<span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">[305]</span> +saw him use his arms as he knows of: and that Sweetser was +sick when they engaged the man-of-war, tho’ he assisted in +rowing the vessel.</p> + +<p>“John Wilson deposed that Thomas Powell was gunner +of the Ranger; and the Sabbath day before they were taken, +the said Powell told the deponent he wished he was ashore +at Long Island, and they went to the head of the mast and +Powell said to him I wish you and I were both ashore here +stark naked.</p> + +<p>“Thomas Mumford, Indian (not speaking good English), +Abissai Folger was sworn interpereter, deposed that Thomas +Powell, Joseph Libbey and Joseph Sweetser were all on board +of Low the pirate, that he saw Powell have a gun when they +took the vessels, but never saw him fire, he saw him go on +board of a vessel once, but brought nothing from her as he saw, +he see him once [shoot] a negro but never a white man. And he +saw Joseph Libbey once go aboard a vessel by them taken and +brought away from her one pair of stockings. And that +Joseph Swetser cooked it on board with him sometime, and +sometimes they made him hand the sails; once he saw said +Swetser clean a gun, but not fire it, and Swetser once told him +that he wanted to get ashore from among them, and said he +if the Man-of-War should take them they would hang him, +and in the engagement of the Man-of-War, Swetser sat unarmed +in the range of the sloop’s mast, and some little time +before the said engagement he asked Low to let him have his +liberty and go ashore, but was refused.”</p> + +<p>There was other testimony to much the same effect. Powell +said he was taken by Lowther in the Bay of Honduras in the +winter of 1721-2 and by him turned over to Low. Libbey +said he was a forced man and produced a newspaper advertisement +in proof. Sweetser said he was taken by Lowther about +a year before and forced on board of Low. He, too, produced +an advertisement to prove that he had been forced. Powell +and Libbey were found guilty and Sweetser was cleared.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">[306]</span> +Hazel, Bright, Fletcher, and Child and Cunningham who had +been detained on board the “Greyhound” in the later pursuit +of Low, were then placed on trial. By numerous witnesses it +was shown that all had been active on board the “Ranger” +at the time of the fight but that Fletcher was only a boy and +that Child had come on board from the “Fortune,” only three +or four days before the fight. Captain Welland spoke a good +word for Cunningham and said that he had got him water +and brought the doctor at the time he was laying bleeding +below hatches for nearly three hours with a sentinel over him. +John Bright was the drummer and “beat upon his drum upon +the round house in the engagement.”</p> + +<p>Thomas Hazel said he had been forced by Low about +twelve months before in the Bay of Honduras. Bright said +that he was a servant to one Hester in the Bay and had been +taken by Low about four months before and forced away to +be his drummer.</p> + +<p>Cunningham said he had been forced about a year before +from a fishing schooner and that he had tried to get away at +Newfoundland but without success. Fletcher, the boy, said +he had been forced by Low from on board the “Sycamore +Galley,” Scot, master, at Bona Vista, because he could play +a violin. There is no record of what Child had to say for +himself. Fletcher and Child were found not guilty; the +others were sentenced to be hanged. Cunningham and John +Brown “the shortest,” were recommended “unto His Majesty, +for Remission.”</p> + +<p>While the pirates were in prison and especially in the interval +between their condemnation and execution they were visited +frequently by the ministers who afterwards stated in print +that “while they were in Prison, most seemed willing to be +advised about the affairs of their souls.”<a id="FNanchor_155" href="#Footnote_155" class="fnanchor">[155]</a> John Brown prepared +in writing a “warning” to young people in which he +declared “it was with the greatest Reluctancy and Horror of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">[307]</span> +Mind and Conscience, I was compelled to go with them ... +and I can say my Heart and Mind never joined in those +horrid Robberies, Conflagarations and Cruelties committed.” +On the day before they were executed letters were written +by many of them to relatives and Fitz-Gerald composed a +poem which afterwards was printed. The following verses +illustrate his poetical style:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">“To mortal Men that daily live in Wickedness and Sin;<br></div> + <div class="verse indent0">This dying Counsel I do give, hoping you will begin<br></div> + <div class="verse indent0">To serve the Lord in Time of Youth his Precepts for to keep;<br></div> + <div class="verse indent0">To serve him so in Spirit and Truth, that you may mercy reap.<br></div> + </div> +<hr class='tb'> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">In Youthful blooming Years was I, when I that Practice took;<br></div> + <div class="verse indent0">Of perpetrating Piracy, for filthy gain did look.<br></div> + <div class="verse indent0">To Wickedness we all were bent, our Lusts for to fulfil;<br></div> + <div class="verse indent0">To rob at Sea was our Intent, and perpetrate all Ill.<br></div> + </div> +<hr class='tb'> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I pray the Lord preserve you all and keep you from this End;<br></div> + <div class="verse indent0">O let Fitz-Gerald’s great downfall unto your welfare tend.<br></div> + <div class="verse indent0">I to the Lord my Soul bequeath, accept thereof I pray,<br></div> + <div class="verse indent0">My Body to the Earth bequeath, dear Friend, adieu for aye.”<br></div> + </div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>The gallows were set up between high-and-low water mark +on a point of land projecting into the harbor, then and now +known as Gravelly Point. At that time there was no street +or way that gave direct or convenient access and the crowds +that gathered to witness the execution went around by what +afterwards was known as Walnut Street by the almshouse, or +filled the boats and small vessels that lined the shore. Most +of the condemned had something to say when on the gallows +usually advising all people, especially young persons, to +beware of the sins that had brought them to such an unhappy +state. The execution took place on July 19, 1723, between +twelve and one o’clock, and twenty-six men were “hanged +by the neck until dead” in accordance with the sentence of +the Court.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">[308]</span></p> + +<p>“Mr. Bass went to Prayer with them; and some little +time after, the Rev. Mr. Clap concluded with a short Exhortation +to them. Their Black Flag, with the Pourtrature of +Death having an Hour-Glass in one Hand, and a Dart in the +other, at the end of which was the Form of a Heart with three +Drops of Blood, falling from it, was affix’d at one Corner of the +Gallows. This Flag they call’d Old Roger, and often us’d +to say they would live and die under it.”<a id="FNanchor_156" href="#Footnote_156" class="fnanchor">[156]</a></p> + +<p>“Never was there a more doleful sight in all this land, then +while they were standing on the stage, waiting for the stopping +of their Breath and the Flying of their Souls into the Eternal +World. And oh! how awful the Noise of their dying +moans!”<a id="FNanchor_157" href="#Footnote_157" class="fnanchor">[157]</a></p> + +<p>The bodies were not gibbetted but taken to Goat or Fort +Island and buried on the shore between high and low water +mark.</p> + +<p>After the execution had taken place, Captain Solgard set +sail in the “Greyhound” for his station at New York, taking +with him the pirate sloop.<a id="FNanchor_158" href="#Footnote_158" class="fnanchor">[158]</a> His exploit was looked upon as +a great service rendered to the country and the merchants of +New York were anxious that some public acknowledgment +be made, and so it came about that the Common Council of the +City, at a meeting held July 25, 1723, passed an order presenting +to Captain Solgard the Freedom of the City and providing +that the seal of the Freedom be enclosed in a gold box, the +Arms of the Corporation to be engraved on one side and a +representation of the engagement on the other, with this +motto: <i>Quaesitos Humani Generis Hostes Debellare Superbum +10 Junii 1723</i>. The clerk was instructed to have the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">[309]</span> +Freedom handsomely engrossed on parchment and when ready +the Council voted to wait upon Captain Solgard in a body and +present the same.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i308" style="max-width: 178.25em;"> +<img class="w100" src="images/i308.jpg" alt=""> +<figcaption>“VIEW OF NEWPORT, R. I., IN 1730,” SHOWING AT THE LEFT, GRAVELLY POINT, ON WHICH +THE PIRATES WERE HANGED IN 1723<br> +<span class='c2'>The original painting really represents the town at a somewhat later date. Reproduced from a lithograph copy made in 1864, +now in the George L. Shepley Library, Providence, R. I.</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>But the “Greyhound,” in March of the previous year, +had an encounter with Spaniards, in which her officers came +off less happily. Captain Waldron, then in command, was +trading on the coast of Cuba and “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 waited on the Deck. While the Captain and his +Guests were at Dinner, the Boatswain Piped for the Ship’s +Company to dine. Accordingly the Men took their Platters, +received their Provisions, and went down 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 pull’d out their Pistols and shot the Captain, +Surgeon and another (Jacob Lopez, a merchant) 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 Capt. Waldron having mann’d a Sloop with +30 Hands 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£. in Specie, quitted the +Ship, and went off in their Launch unmolested.”<a id="FNanchor_159" href="#Footnote_159" class="fnanchor">[159]</a> The +Greyhound eventually made her way to her station at New +York under command of the lieutenant, where she was joined +on Oct. 19th by her new commander, Capt. Peter Solgard, +Doctor Fisher, and twenty sailors.</p> + + + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_154" href="#FNanchor_154" class="label">[154]</a> Formerly the “Mary,” 80 tons, owned by Joseph Dolliber of Marblehead +and captured at Port Roseway, Nova Scotia.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_155" href="#FNanchor_155" class="label">[155]</a> <i>An account of the Pirates, with divers of their Speeches</i>, etc., Boston, 1723.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_156" href="#FNanchor_156" class="label">[156]</a> <i>New England Courant</i>, July 22, 1723 (<i>postscript</i>).</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_157" href="#FNanchor_157" class="label">[157]</a> <i>An account of the Pirates, with divers of their Speeches</i>, etc., Boston, +1723.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_158" href="#FNanchor_158" class="label">[158]</a> A great storm occurred on July 29, 1723, during which the pirate sloop, +then at anchor at New York, was forced to cut down her mast and afterwards +was driven out to sea and lost. <i>New England Courant</i>, Aug. 12, 1723 +(<i>postscript</i>).</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_159" href="#FNanchor_159" class="label">[159]</a> Johnson, <i>History of the Pirates</i>, London, 1726.</p> + +</div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">[310]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII<br> +<span class="ch-title">John Phillips whose Head was Cut off and Pickled</span></h2> +</div> + +<p>The sloop “Squirrel,” commanded by Skipper Andrew +Haraden, sailed out of Annisquam harbor, Cape Ann, +on the morning of April 14th, 1724, bound eastward on +a fishing voyage. She was newly built. In fact, the owner +and skipper were both so anxious to see her on her way to the +banks that they didn’t wait for all the deck-work to be completed +before she sailed and so the necessary tools were taken +along with the intention of finishing the work before Cape +Sable was reached. As the sloop made outward into Ipswich +Bay two or three sails were in sight, among them a sloop, off +to the eastward, following a course similar to the “Squirrel” +but a point or two more to the north, so that early in the +afternoon when the vessels were both off the Isles of Shoals, +the stranger was only a gunshot distant.</p> + +<p>Skipper Haraden was looking her over when suddenly a +puff of smoke broke out of a swivel on her rail and the ball +struck the water less than a hundred feet in front of the +“Squirrel’s” bow. Just after the gun was fired the sloop +ran up a black flag and soon the Annisquam fisherman was +headed into the wind and her skipper was getting into a boat +in answer to a command that came across the water from the +pirate. When he reached her deck, Haraden found that +the pirate was commanded by Capt. John Phillips who was +well-known from the captures he had made among the fishing +fleets the year before. He was then on his way north after +spending a pleasant winter in the warm waters of the West +Indies and on the way up the coast had made numerous +captures.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">[311]</span></p> + +<p>When Captain Phillips found that he had taken a newly +built vessel, with lines that suggested speed, he decided to take +her over and the next day the guns, ammunition and stores +were transferred to the “Squirrel” and the fishermen were +ordered aboard the other sloop and left to shift for themselves; +but Skipper Haraden was forcibly detained.</p> + +<p>Haraden soon found that about half of the men with Phillips +had been forced like himself and were only waiting for a +chance to escape and one of them, Edward Cheeseman, a ship +carpenter, “broke his mind” to Haraden not long after the +vessels separated. It developed that various plans had +already been cautiously discussed by several of the captured +men and now that another bold man was aboard and an extra +broadax and adz used to complete the carpenter work on the +“Squirrel” were about the deck, the time seemed ripe to rise +and capture the vessel. John Filmore, a fisherman who had +been captured by Phillips while off the Newfoundland coast +the previous fall, was active in abetting Cheeseman in the +proposal to rise. Filmore came from the town of Wenham +which is not far from Annisquam, and in November, 1724, +after having been acquitted of piracy by the Admiralty Court +in Boston, he married Mary Spiller of Ipswich and his son +Nathaniel, became grandfather of Millard Fillmore, President +of the United States.</p> + +<p>Several of the men on the “Squirrel” were for surprising +the pirates at night but as the sailing master, John Nutt, +was a man of great strength and courage, it was pointed out +that it would be dangerous to attack him without firearms. +Cheeseman, who had taken the lead in proposing the capture +of the vessel, was resolutely in favor of making the attack by +daylight as less likely to end in confusion or mistake. He +also volunteered to make way with the long-armed Nutt. +The plan agreed upon called for a united assault at noon on +April 17th, while the carpenter’s tools lay about the deck, +Cheeseman, the ship-carpenter, having his tools there also.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_312">[312]</span> +When the time arrived, Cheeseman brought out his brandy +bottle and took a dram with the rest, drinking to the boatswain +and the sailing master and “To their next merry +meeting.” He then took a turn about the deck with Nutt, +asking him what he thought of the weather and the like. +Meanwhile, Filmore took up a broadax and whirling it around +on its point as though at play, winked at Cheeseman to let +him know that all was ready. He at once seized Nutt by the +collar and putting the other hand between his legs and holding +hard he tossed him over the side of the vessel. Nutt, taken by +surprise, had only time to grasp Cheeseman’s coat sleeve and +say “Lord, have mercy upon me! What are you trying to do, +carpenter?” Cheeseman replied that it was an unnecessary +question “For, Master, you are a dead man,” and striking +him on the arm, Nutt lost his hold and fell into the sea and +never spoke again.</p> + +<p>By this time the boatswain was dead, for as soon as Filmore +saw the master going over the rail he raised his broadax and +gave the boatswain a slash that divided his head clear to his +neck. Nutt’s cry and the noise of the scuffle brought the +captain on deck to be met by a blow from a mallet in the hands +of Cheeseman, which broke his jaw-bone but didn’t knock him +down. Haraden then made for the captain with a carpenter’s +adz which Sparks, the gunner, attempted to prevent and for +his pains was tripped up by Cheeseman and tumbled into the +hands of Charles Ivemay, another of the conspirators, who, +aided by two Frenchmen, instantly tossed him overboard. +Meanwhile, Haraden had smashed the captain over the head +with the adz and ended his piratical career for all time. +Cheeseman lost no time and jumped from the deck into the +hold and was about to beat out the brains of John Rose +Archer, the quartermaster, and already had got in two or three +blows with his mallet when Harry Giles, a young seaman, +came down after him and cried out that Archer’s life should be +spared as evidence of their own innocence so that it might not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">[313]</span> +afterwards appear that the attack on the pirates had been +made with the intent of seizing their plunder. Cheeseman +saw the force of this advice and so Archer was spared and +secured with ropes as were three others who were below when +the attack was made on deck and who surrendered when they +found out what had happened.</p> + +<p>Captain Haraden now took command of the “Squirrel” +and altered her course from Newfoundland to Annisquam +which was reached on April 24th. As they came into the +harbor they prepared to fire a swivel to announce their arrival +to the village, but in some way the gun was prematurely discharged +and a French doctor on board, a forced man, was +instantly killed. Tradition, still lingering on the Cape, affirms +that the head of Phillips was hanging at the sloop’s mast-head +when she arrived at Annisquam<a id="FNanchor_160" href="#Footnote_160" class="fnanchor">[160]</a> and there is an island in +Annisquam River, known as Hangman’s Island, which +received its name from some connection with this event. +The local tradition has it that some of the pirates were hanged +on this island but that is incorrect as will be shown later. +It is possible, however, that Captain Haraden may have +brought back one or more bodies of the dead pirates, as trophies, +and these bodies may have been placed on gibbets +erected on what is now Hangman’s Island.</p> + +<p>The day after the return of the “Squirrel,” Captain Haraden, +Israel Tricker and William Mills went over to “the +Harbor,” now the city of Gloucester, and made oath before +Esquire Epes Sargent to the particulars of the capture and +recapture of the sloop and on May 3d, the entire company +arrived in Boston and the four accused pirates and the seven +forced men found on board with them were placed in gaol to +await a speedy trial.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">[314]</span></p> + +<p>Before relating the story of what took place at the trial it +may be well to recount the piratical adventures of Capt. +John Phillips previous to the final encounter that cost him his +head. He was an Englishman, a carpenter by trade, who +shipped for a Newfoundland voyage in a West-Country ship +and was captured on the way over by Captain Anstis in the +“Good Fortune.” Phillips soon became reconciled to the +life of a pirate and was appointed carpenter of the vessel and +there he continued until the company broke up at Tobago in +the West Indies.</p> + +<p>While Phillips was with Anstis, the ship “Irwin,” Captain +Ross, bound to the West Indies from Cork, Ireland, was +taken off Martinico. Among the passengers was Colonel +Doyly of the island of Monserrat, who was wounded and much +abused while trying to save from the insults of the pirate crew +a poor woman, who was also a passenger. Twenty-one of the +scoundrels successively forced the poor creature and then +they broke her back and threw her overboard. Johnson in +his “History of the Pirates,” is responsible for this account, +which seems incredible, especially as all the known “Articles” +of pirate ships expressly forbid, under penalty of death, +attacks on inoffensive women.</p> + +<p>Before long, dissentions arose among the crew. Some +wanted to petition the King for a pardon and others wished +to continue to sail under the black flag. Finally it was +decided to seek a retreat on the island of Tobago while a +petition was sent to England. It was signed in a “round +robin,” that is, all names were signed in a circle to avoid the +appearance of any one having signed first and thereby be +thought a principal. The petition stated that they had all +been taken by Bartholomew Roberts and forced; that they +abhorred and detested piracy and that their capture of the +“Good Fortune” and other vessels had been made in the hope +of escaping and obtaining a pardon. This petition was sent +home by a merchant ship bound to England from Jamaica<span class="pagenum" id="Page_315">[315]</span> +and in her went a number of the company who felt certain of a +pardon and among them John Phillips.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp95" id="i314" style="max-width: 132.625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i314.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> +<span class='c2'> +<i>A View of a Stage & also of y^e manner of Fishing for, Curing & Drying Cod at <span class="smcap">New Found Land</span>.</i><br> + +<i>A. The Habit of y<sup>e</sup> Fishermen. B. The Line. C. The manner of Fishing. D. The Dressers of y<sup>e</sup> Fish. E. The Trough into +which they throw y<sup>e</sup> Cod when Dressed. F. Salt Boxes. G. The manner of Carrying y<sup>e</sup> Cod. H. The Cleansing y<sup>e</sup> Cod. I. A Press +to extract y<sup>e</sup> Oyl from y<sup>e</sup> Cods Livers. K. Casks to receive y<sup>e</sup> Water & Blood that comes from y<sup>e</sup> Livers. L. Another Cask to receive +the Oyl. M. The manner of Drying y<sup>e</sup> Cod.</i><br> +<br> + +FISHING SHIP AND STATION, NEWFOUNDLAND, ABOUT 1717<br> +From an insert in Herman Moll’s “Map of North America,” London [1710-1717], in the possession of John W. Farwell +</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>His stay in England was short for while visiting his friends +in Devonshire he learned that some of his former companions +had been taken and were safe in custody in Bristol gaol and +realizing that his turn might come next he made for his nearest +port, Topsham, and shipped for a Newfoundland voyage with +one Captain Wadham. When the ship reached St. Peters, in +Newfoundland, Phillips promptly deserted and hired out for +the season as a fish splitter. But this was only a makeshift +until he found opportunity to carry into effect his intended +piratical schemes. He soon persuaded a number of his fellow-workers +to join him in seizing a schooner owned by William +Minott of Boston in the Massachusetts Bay, which lay at +anchor in the harbor near St. Peters. The night of Aug. 29, +1723, was the time agreed upon for the adventure but only +four men put in an appearance out of the sixteen who had +agreed with Phillips to go pirating. Notwithstanding this +falling away, Phillips still favored taking the schooner, feeling +certain they would soon enlarge their company and so the +vessel was seized and out of the harbor they sailed.</p> + +<p>When safely at sea they renamed their schooner the “Revenge,” +chose officers and drew up Articles to govern their +future affairs. John Phillips was made captain; John Nutt, +master or navigator; James Sparks, gunner, Thomas Fern, +carpenter, and William White, the remaining member of the +company, constituted the crew. The Articles, as drawn up, +were sworn to upon a hatchet for lack of a Bible and were as +follows, viz.:—</p> + + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p class="center">“<span class="smcap">The Articles on Board the</span> <i>REVENGE</i>.</p> + +<p>“1. Every 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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_316">[316]</span></p> + +<p>“2. If any Man shall offer to run away, or keep any Secret +from the Company, he shall be maroon’d, with one Bottle of +Powder, one Bottle of Water, one small Arm and Shot.</p> + +<p>“3. If any Man shall steal any Thing in the Company, or +game to the Value of a Piece of Eight, he shall be maroon’d +or shot.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“8. If any Man shall lose a Joint in Time of an Engagement, +he shall have 400 Pieces of Eight, if a Limb, 800.</p> + +<p>“9. If at any Time we meet with a prudent Woman, that +Man that offers to meddle with her, without her Consent, shall +suffer present Death.”</p> +</div> + +<p>Thus organized and prepared, the “Revenge” was steered +to the fishing banks and several small vessels were soon captured +out of which they forced a few men and found a few +others who joined them voluntarily. Among the latter was +a man named John Rose Archer who had served off the Carolina +coast under the famous Teach, otherwise called “Black +Beard,” and because he was experienced in the trade Captain +Phillips made him quartermaster, an appointment that disaffected +some of the original company and especially Fern,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_317">[317]</span> +the carpenter, which led to his attempted desertion at a later +time. Three fishing vessels were taken Sept. 5th, near a +harbor in Newfoundland and John Parsons, John Filmore, and +Isaac Lassen, an Indian man, were forced. Lassen was +usually employed afterwards as man at the helm. About the +middle of the month a schooner, one Furber, master, was taken +and on the 20th of September a French vessel of 150 tons fell +into their hands from which they looted thirteen pipes of +wine, provisions and a “Great Gun & Carriage valued at +£50.”<a id="FNanchor_161" href="#Footnote_161" class="fnanchor">[161]</a> Two Frenchmen, John Baptis and Peter Taffery, +were forced from this vessel. They afterwards were active in +helping Cheeseman and Haraden to recapture the “Squirrel.”</p> + +<p>Early in October the “Revenge” was off Barbadoes and +among the captures made was the brigantine “Mary,” —— +Moor, master, from which cloth and provisions valued at +£500, were taken. A few days later they fell in with a brigantine, +—— Reed, master, bound to Virginia with servants. +It was from this vessel that William Taylor was enlisted. +He afterwards said “they were carrying me to Virginia +to be sold and they met with these honest men [meaning the +pirates] and I listed to go with them.” Seven days later +a Portuguese brigantine bound for Brazil was captured, out +of which a negro man slave named Francisco, valued at £100, +was taken; also three dozen shirts valued at £40, and a cask +of brandy valued at £30. On October 27th the sloop “Content,” +George Barrows, master, was captured near Bermuda. +She was bound from Boston for Barbadoes. The mate, John +Masters, was forced and the sloop was plundered of plate and +provisions. Masters remained on board the “Revenge” for +four months before he was released.</p> + +<p>Captain Phillips now bore away for the island of Barbadoes +and cruised about there and off the Leeward Islands for nearly +three months without speaking a single vessel so no captures +were made and the supply of provisions ran so low that the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_318">[318]</span> +company was reduced to a pound of meat a day for ten men. +It was then that they came up with a French sloop out of +Martinico, of twelve guns and thirty-five men, a far superior +force which they would not have ventured to attack at any +other time. But “hunger will break down stone walls” +and so the black flag was run aloft and they boldly ran along +side the sloop and ordered them to strike immediately or no +quarter would be given, which so intimidated the Frenchmen +that they made no resistance. The pirate crew plundered her +of all her provisions and taking four of her men, the sloop was +allowed to go.</p> + +<p>Soon after this welcome supply of provisions was obtained +Captain Phillips proposed that the “Revenge” be careened +and her bottom cleaned and suggested that they go to the +island of Tobago where the former company of pirates that he +belonged to, under Anstis and Fern, had broken up. He said +that there had been left behind on the island six or eight men +who would not take the chance of returning to England, and +three negro servants, and if any of these men yet remained on +the island they now would certainly join the company on +board the “Revenge.” This seemed worth while to the company +so a course was set for Tobago and when reached careful +search was made for the men but only one of the negroes was +found, who told Captain Phillips that the rest of those left +behind including Captain Fern had been taken by a man-of-war’s +crew and carried to Antigua and hanged. This was +bad news. Nevertheless, they fell to work careening the +sloop and just as the job was completed, a man-of-war’s boat +came nosing into the harbor and the ship could be seen cruising +to the leeward of the island. No time was lost and as +soon as the boat left, the “Revenge” was warped out and a +course to the windward was made in all haste. The four +Frenchmen were left on the island.</p> + +<p>Captain Phillips now steered northerly and on February +4, 1724, when about thirty-five leagues south of Sandy Hook,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_319">[319]</span> +they captured a snow, ———— Laws, master, from New +York bound for Barbadoes, and obtained cloth and provisions. +Fern, the carpenter, James Wood, William Taylor and William +Phillips were sent on board the snow and ordered to navigate +her in company with the “Revenge.” They sailed southward +until latitude 21° was reached when Fern and Wood attempted +to run away with the vessel. Fern had not forgotten +that Archer had been appointed quartermaster in preference +to him and had been waiting for this opportunity to break +company with Captain Phillips, so he brought over the others +to his way of thinking and then changed the course of the snow. +Captain Phillips was keeping a good lookout, however, and +interpreting their design correctly gave chase and coming up +with the snow a skirmish ensued. Fern was ordered to come +on board the “Revenge” and replied by firing at the captain +and a brisk exchange of shots followed during which Wood +was killed and William Phillips badly wounded in his left leg. +The other two then surrendered.</p> + +<p>There was no surgeon on board either of the vessels and after +a consultation it was decided that Phillips’ leg must be cut off. +But who should perform the operation was much disputed. +Finally the carpenter was selected as the man best fitted for +the job. He brought up from his chest his largest saw and +taking the injured leg under his arm fell to work as though he +were cutting a deal board in two and soon the leg was separated +from the body of the patient. The carpenter then heated his +broadax red hot and cauterized the wound but this use of his +excellent tool being less familiar to him than the previous +operation he unfortunately burned flesh somewhat removed +from the amputated surface and in consequence the wound +narrowly escaped becoming mortified. Nature, however, +made up for his lack of skill and in time a cure was effected +without other assistance.</p> + +<p>Two months after this rude operation had been performed, +a fishing schooner was taken and Captain Phillips proposed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_320">[320]</span> +that the maimed man should be put on board the vessel +before she was allowed to go, but he absolutely refused saying +“if he should go they would hang him.” William Phillips +afterwards testified at his trial in Boston, that he had been +forced out of the sloop “Glasgow,” William Warden, master, +which had been captured in October, 1723, and “that sometime +after he was on board, he understood there were Articles +drawn up for the Captain called him auft, and with his pistol +Cocked demanded him to sign the said Articles or else he +would blow his Brains out, which he refused to do, Reminding +the Captain of his promise that he should be cleared; but +the Captain Declaring that it should not hurt him, & Insisting +on it as aforesaid he was obliged to sign the said Articles.” +He also testified that when Fern and the others were attempting +to get away in the snow, they told him they were going +to Holmes’ Hole and “there every one to shift for himself.”<a id="FNanchor_162" href="#Footnote_162" class="fnanchor">[162]</a></p> + +<p>On Feb. 7, 1724, in latitude 37°, a ship bound from London +for Virginia, fell into the clutches of Captain Phillips. +The master was Captain Hussam and from this vessel they +secured a great gun and carriage, with powder and ball and +forced Henry Gyles, “an artist,” <i>i. e.</i> a man who understood +navigation. Gyles afterwards testified in the Admiralty +Court that William White, one of the pirates who boarded the +ship, threatened “to cut him in sunder if he didn’t make haste +to go on board the pirate with his Books and Instruments.”<a id="FNanchor_163" href="#Footnote_163" class="fnanchor">[163]</a> +While on board the “Revenge,” Gyles kept the journal having +been ordered to do so by Nutt, the sailing master.</p> + +<p>Captain Phillips continued his southerly course and shortly +took a Portuguese ship bound for Brazil and two or three +sloops from Jamaica in one of which Fern again attempted to +make his escape and this time he was shot and killed by +Phillips. Another man met the same fate a few days later so +that the forced men became very careful how they discussed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_321">[321]</span> +measures for getting away and in sheer terror several of them +signed the Articles and quietly waited for a certain opportunity.</p> + +<p>On March 27, 1724, two ships from Virginia, bound for +London, were taken, one of them commanded by Capt. John +Phillips, the pirate’s namesake, and the other by Capt. Robert +Mortimer, a young married man on his first voyage in command. +Phillips, the pirate captain, remained on board Captain +Mortimer’s ship while his men transferred the crew to the +sloop and when the boat returned one of the pirate crew called +up to Phillips that there was a mutiny on board their vessel. +Captain Mortimer had two of his men left on board and there +were two pirates with Phillips. When Mortimer heard of +the mutiny he thought it was an opportunity to recover his +ship and taking up a handspike he struck Phillips over the +head making a dangerous wound but not felling him to the +deck. Phillips was able to draw his sword and wound Mortimer +and the two pirates that were on board coming to his +assistance the unfortunate captain was soon cut to pieces +while his own two men stood by and did nothing.</p> + +<p>Out of the other ship they forced Charles Ivemay, a seaman, +and also Edward Cheeseman, the carpenter, to fill the place +of their former carpenter, Fern, who had been killed by Phillips. +It was while Filmore, the young man from Wenham, was +rowing Cheeseman from one ship to the other, that he told +him of his condition on board the pirate vessel and how few +voluntary pirates there were on board and proposed that +they join with others in capturing the sloop. More came of +this later.</p> + +<p>The very last of March, the schooner “Good-Will,” of +Marblehead, was taken, Benjamin Chadwell, master, and on +April 1st, a fishing schooner, William Lancy, master, fell into +their hands off Cape Sable. Lancy was detained on board +the “Revenge” and while there saw nine different vessels +taken, including a Cape Ann sloop commanded by Capt. John<span class="pagenum" id="Page_322">[322]</span> +Salter. On board Captain Lancy’s schooner was a seaman +named David Yaw who afterwards deposed that when the +pirates came on board one of them, John Baptis, a Frenchman, +“damn’d him and kicked him in his legs and pointed to +his Boots, which was a sign as this deponent understood it +that he wanted his Boots, and he accordingly pulled them off +and Baptis took them.”<a id="FNanchor_164" href="#Footnote_164" class="fnanchor">[164]</a></p> + +<p>Among the vessels taken about this time, most of them +while Captain Lancy was on board, were those commanded +by the following masters, viz.:—Joshua Elwell, Samuel +Elwell, Mr. Combs, Mr. Lansly, James Babson, Edward +Freeman, Mr. Start, Obadiah Beal, Erick Erickson, Benjamin +Wheeler and Dependence Ellery. The latter captain gave +Phillips a long chase and when he came up with him about +night, the poor man was dragged aboard the “Revenge” +and made to dance about the deck until he could hardly +stand.</p> + +<p>It was on April 14th that Captain Haraden’s sloop was +taken and three days later Phillips was dead. Of the men +who had sailed with him from Newfoundland less than eight +months before all had met a violent death except William +White and he reached the gaol in Boston on May 3d and was +brought to a speedy trial.<a id="FNanchor_165" href="#Footnote_165" class="fnanchor">[165]</a></p> + +<p>The Court of Admiralty for the trial of the pirates was +held May 12th, 1724 and the Lieutenant-Governor of the +Province, William Dummer, sat as President. John Filmore, +the son of the Wenham farmer, and Edward Cheeseman, the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_323">[323]</span> +carpenter of the London-bound ship, who had been so active +in the capture of the pirates, were brought to trial first and +“Articles of Piracy, Robbery and Felony exhibited” against +them, by the King’s attorney. Skipper Haraden testified +as to the details of his capture by Phillips and to the exciting +events on the day when Phillips was killed. Everything +indicated that both men had been forced and the activity they +had shown in attacking the voluntary pirates was all in their +favor so the court room was cleared and a unanimous verdict of +“not guilty” was declared.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon, the Court sat again and William Phillips, +Isaac Larsen, the Indian, Henry Giles, “the artist,” Charles +Ivemay, John Bootman, John Combs and Henry Payne were +brought to the bar. The men were accused of assisting in the +capture and plunder of the vessels taken since the previous +October and John Masters, formerly mate of the sloop “Content,” +and William Lancy, the master of a fishing schooner, +both of whom had testified at the morning session, were placed +on the witness stand. Filmore and Cheeseman also gave +particular accounts of occurrences on board the pirate vessel. +It was agreed that Larsen had hold of Captain Phillips’ arm +when Haraden struck him on the head with the adz and that +during the seven months while on board “he was generally +set at the helm to steer the vessel” and Filmore said that he +never saw him guilty of piracy “except that they now and then +obliged him to take a shirt or a pair of stockings when almost +naked.”</p> + +<p>William Phillips, who had lost a leg, addressed the court +and attempted to justify his conduct on board the pirate +vessel. He said that he had been forced out of the sloop +“Glasgow” and had signed the Articles under compulsion, +but the Court “by a plurality of voices” found him guilty +and the rest of the accused, not guilty, by unanimous voice.</p> + +<p>William White, one of the original five who seized the sloop +“Revenge” at Newfoundland, and John Archer, “otherwise<span class="pagenum" id="Page_324">[324]</span> +called John Rose Archer,” who claimed to have served with +“Black Beard” on the Carolina coast, and William Taylor, +were brought to trial the next day. Filmore was the principal +witness against them. He had been in the harbor of St. +Peters at the time that Mr. Minott’s sloop had been taken by +Phillips and the others and not long after had been captured +by them. White had told him that he had been in drink at the +time he entered into his piratical design and was afterwards +sorry. As for William Taylor,—“he was very Great with +Phillips and Nutt, being admitted into the Cabin upon any +Consultation they had together.” All three were found guilty.</p> + +<p>The two Frenchmen, John Baptis and Peter Taffery, also +escaped the gallows for it was shown that they had been active +at the rising against the pirates and with the others had +fallen on James Sparks, the gunner, and killed him and thrown +the body overboard. Haraden also testified in their favor.</p> + +<p>On Tuesday, June 2, 1724, John Rose Archer, aged about +twenty-seven years, and William White, aged twenty-two +years, were executed at the ferryway in Boston leading to +Charlestown, “where were a multitude of spectators. At one +end of the Gallows was their own dark Flag, in the middle of +which an Anatomy, and at one side of it a Dart in the Heart, +with drops of Blood proceeding from it; and on the other side +an Hour-glass, the sight dismal.... After their death they +were in Boats conveyed down to an Island, where the Quarter +Master was hung up in Irons, to be a spectacle, and so a +Warning to others.”<a id="FNanchor_166" href="#Footnote_166" class="fnanchor">[166]</a></p> + +<p>It is said that they both died very penitent and made on the +scaffold the following declarations with the assistance of two +grave divines who attended them.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp62" id="i324" style="max-width: 90.375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i324.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + +<span class='c2'> +<i>The Converted Sinner.</i><br> +<br> +The NATURE of a<br> +CONVERSION<br> +to Real and Vital<br> +PIETY:<br> +And the MANNER in which it<br> +is to be Pray’d & Striv’n for.<br> +<br> +A SERMON Preached in<br> +BOSTON, May 31, 1724.<br> +<br> +In the <i>Hearing</i> and at the <i>Desire</i> of +certain PIRATES, a little before +their Execution.<br> +<br> +To which there is added, A more Private +CONFERENCE of a MINISTER +with them.<br> +<br> +Jam. V. 20.<br> +<i>He who Converteth the Sinner from the Error of his way, +shall save a Soul from Death.</i><br> +<br> +<i>BOSTON</i>: Printed for <i>Nathaniel Belknap</i> +and Sold at his Shop the Corner +Scarletts-Wharff. 1724.<br> +</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>“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,</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_325">[325]</span></p> + +<p class="center"> +“First, separately, of <i>Archer</i>.<br> +</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“I could wish that Masters of Vessels would not use their +Men with so much Severity, as many of them do, which +exposes us to great Temptations.</p> + +<p class="center"> +“And then of <i>White</i>.<br> +</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“And the Fruits of my neglecting the publick Worship of +God, and prophaning the holy Sabbath.</p> + +<p>“And of my blaspheming the Name of God, my Maker.</p> + +<p>“But my Drunkenness has had a great Hand in bringing +my Ruin upon me. I was drunk when I was enticed aboard +the Pyrate.</p> + +<p>“And now, for all the vile Things I did aboard, I own the +Justice of God and Man, in what is done unto me.</p> + +<p class="center"> +“Of both together.<br> +</p> + +<p>“We hope, we truly hate the Sins, whereof we have the +Burthen lying so heavy upon our Consciences.</p> + +<p>“We warn all People, and particularly young People, +against such Sins as these. We wish, all may take Warning +by us.</p> + +<p>“We beg for Pardon, for the Sake of Christ, our Saviour;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_326">[326]</span> +and our Hope is in him alone. Oh! that in his Blood our +Scarlet and Crimson Guilt may be all washed away!</p> + +<p>“We are sensible of an hard Heart in us, full of Wickedness. +And we look upon God for his renewing Grace upon us.</p> + +<p>“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 +Height of our Wickedness.</p> + +<p>“We are not without Hope, that God has been savingly at +work upon our Souls.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“We are humbly thankful to the Ministers of Christ, for +the great Pains they have taken for our Good. The Lord +reward their Kindness.</p> + +<p>“We don’t despair of Mercy; but hope, through Christ, +that when we die, we shall find Mercy with God, and be +received into his Kingdom.</p> + +<p>“We with others, and especially the Sea-faring, may get +Good by what they see this Day befalling of us.</p> + +<p>“Declared in the Presence of</p> + +<p class="right"> +<span style="margin-right: 2em;">“J. W. D. M.”</span><br> +</p> +</div> + +<p>Jeremiah Bumstead, a Boston brazier, recorded in his +diary that “Mr. Webb wallkt with them and prayed thare: +their death flagg was set on the gallows.” Six days later he +took his wife and ten relatives and neighbors and sailed down +the harbor “to see the piratte in Gibbits att Bird Island.” +Bird island was located about half-way between Governor’s +island and Noddle’s island, now East Boston. Fifty years +later it had worn away so that little remained but a sandy +flat exposed at low water and before many years it had disappeared +entirely. As for Phillips and Taylor; they were +reprieved before the day set for execution and finally pardoned +but for what reason does not appear.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_327">[327]</span></p> + +<p>Preserved among the manuscripts in the Massachusetts +State Archives are the papers connected with this trial and +among them is the bill rendered by the marshal for expenses +incurred by him in connection with the execution and gibbetting +of Archer.</p> + +<p class="right"> +“The Province of the Massachusetts Bay<br> +to Edward Stanbridge, Dr.</p> +<p class="no-indent">June 2,</p> +<p>1724</p> +<p>For Sundrys by him Expended being Marshall and by Order of a Special<br> +Cort of Admiralty for the Execution of John Rose Archer and William<br> +White two Pirats, Viz.:</p> + +<table class="autotable th"> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">To the Executioner for his Services</td> +<td class="tdr">£12:</td> +<td class="tdr">00:</td> +<td class="tdr">-</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">To Mr. Joseph Parsons for Cordage & Line</td> +<td class="tdr">2:</td> +<td class="tdr">17:</td> +<td class="tdr">6</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">To Boat hire and Labourers to help sett the Gibet and</td> +<td class="tdr"> </td> +<td class="tdr"> </td> +<td class="tdr"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">there Attendance at the Execution and Diging the</td> +<td class="tdr"> </td> +<td class="tdr"> </td> +<td class="tdr"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">grave for White</td> +<td class="tdr">3:</td> +<td class="tdr">10:</td> +<td class="tdr">8</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">To Expences for Victuals and Drink for the Sherifs officers</td> +<td class="tdr"> </td> +<td class="tdr"> </td> +<td class="tdr"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">and Constables after the Executions att Mrs. Mary</td> +<td class="tdr"> </td> +<td class="tdr"> </td> +<td class="tdr"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Gilberts her Bill</td> +<td class="tdr">3:</td> +<td class="tdr">15:</td> +<td class="tdr">8</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">To George May, Blockmaker, 5 Blocks with straps and</td> +<td class="tdr"> </td> +<td class="tdr"> </td> +<td class="tdr"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">hooks and Sheaves</td> +<td class="tdr">1:</td> +<td class="tdr">5:</td> +<td class="tdr">-</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">To Makeing of the Chains for John Rose Archer one of the</td> +<td class="tdr"> </td> +<td class="tdr"> </td> +<td class="tdr"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Pyrats and the hire of a man to help fix him on the</td> +<td class="tdr"> </td> +<td class="tdr"> </td> +<td class="tdr"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Gebbet att Bird Island</td> +<td class="tdr">12:</td> +<td class="tdr">10:</td> +<td class="tdr">-</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">To treating the Gentlemen that listed the Piratical Goods</td> +<td class="tdr">0:</td> +<td class="tdr">5:</td> +<td class="tdr">-</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> </td> +<td class="tdr">____</td> +<td class="tdr">___</td> +<td class="tdr">___</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> </td> +<td class="tdr">£36:</td> +<td class="tdr">3:</td> +<td class="tdr">10:</td> +</tr> +</table> +<p class="center">“E: Excepted</p> +<p class="right">“P Edward Stanbridge.” +</p> + + + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_160" href="#FNanchor_160" class="label">[160]</a> Babson, <i>History of Gloucester</i>, p. 287. This very likely is true as +Jeremiah Bumstead of Boston recorded in his diary on May 3, 1724, that +“Phillip’s & Burrill’s heads were brought to Boston in pickle.”—<i>N. E. +Hist. Gen. Reg.</i>, Vol. 15, p. 201.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_161" href="#FNanchor_161" class="label">[161]</a> <i>Massachusetts Archives</i>, Vol. 63, leaf 341.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_162" href="#FNanchor_162" class="label">[162]</a> <i>Massachusetts Archives</i>, Vol. 63, leaf 381.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_163" href="#FNanchor_163" class="label">[163]</a> <i>Ibid.</i>, Vol. 63, leaf 386.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_164" href="#FNanchor_164" class="label">[164]</a> <i>Massachusetts Archives</i>, Vol. 63, leaf 383.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_165" href="#FNanchor_165" class="label">[165]</a> Phillips had captured between August 29, 1723 and April 14, 1724, +a snow from New York, Low, master; three shallops; fifteen fishing +vessels; three schooners, Haskel of Cape Ann, Furber and Chadwell; three +brigantines, Moore, Read, and Francisco, masters; four sloops, Barrow, +Salter and Harradine, masters; five ships, one from France, and a Frenchman, +another from Martinico, Hussam from London to Virginia, two from +Virginia for London, John Phillips and Robert Mortimer; in all thirty-four +vessels.—<i>Boston News-Letter</i>, Apr. 30—May 7, 1724 issue.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_166" href="#FNanchor_166" class="label">[166]</a> <i>Boston News-Letter</i>, May 28-June 4, 1724 issue.</p> + +</div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_328">[328]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII<br> +<span class="ch-title">William Fly, who was Hanged in Chains on +Nix’s Mate</span></h2> +</div> + +<p>The piratical career of this fellow was very short, a +fortunate thing for shipping along the New England +coast, as he was a bloody-minded man who would +undoubtedly have become a scourge had he been able to +increase his ship’s company and secure a vessel better suited +to his purposes. The “Remarkable Relation of a Cockatrice +crush’d in the Egg” is the characterization made by the Rev. +Cotton Mather in his narrative of Fly’s career published in +Boston soon after the execution of the pirates.</p> + +<p>Fly was born in England and went to sea early. He was of +obscure parentage and of limited education and until he led +the mutiny and capture of the Bristol snow, in May, 1726, +he had served only as a foremast-man or petty officer.</p> + +<p>In the spring of 1726 he was at Jamaica, in the West Indies, +when a snow owned by Bristol merchants and commanded by +Capt. John Green, came to anchor in the harbor. The snow +“Elizabeth” was bound for the coast of Guinea on a slaving +voyage and being short of hands, Fly was shipped as boatswain. +The captain of a slaving ship must be a man of strong character, +a rough and ready type, and Captain Green soon incurred, +in some way, the enmity of Fly who began plotting +with several of the men whom he found ripe for any kind of +villainy. They resolved before long to seize the snow, murder +the captain and mate and turn pirates.</p> + +<p>On May 27, 1726, Fly had the early morning watch. At +one o’clock, accompanied by the other mutineers, he went to +the helmsman, Morice Cundon, and told him with many curses<span class="pagenum" id="Page_329">[329]</span> +that if he spoke a word or stirred from his post they would +blow his brains out. Fly then rolled up his shirt sleeves and +cutlass in hand went into the captain’s cabin accompanied by +Alexander Mitchell. Captain Green awoke instantly and +asked what was the matter. Mitchell replied that they had +no time to answer impertinent questions; that he was to go +on deck at once and if he refused they would be at the trouble +of scraping the cabin to clean up his blood, for Captain Fly +had been chosen commander and they would have no other +captain on board nor waste provisions to feed useless men. +Captain Green said he would make no resistance and proposed +that they should put him ashore somewhere meanwhile keeping +him in irons.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp62" id="i328" style="max-width: 102.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i328.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + +<span class='c2'> +The<br> +TRYALS<br> +OF<br> +Sixteen Persons for PIRACY, <i>&c.</i><br> +<br> +<i>Four of which were found Guilty</i>,<br> +<br> +And the rest Acquitted.<br> +<br> +At a Special Court of Admiralty for the Tryal of +Pirates, Held at <i>Boston</i> within the Province of +the <i>Massachusetts-Bay</i> in <i>New-England</i>, on Monday +the Fourth Day of <i>July</i>, Anno Dom. 1726. Pursuant +to His Majesty’s Commission, Founded on +an Act of Parliament, made in the Eleventh and +Twelfth Years of the Reign of King <span class="smcap">William</span> the +Third, Intitled; <i>An Act for the more Effectual Suppression +of Piracy</i>. And made Perpetual by an Act of the +Sixth of King GEORGE.<br> +<br> +<br> +<i>BOSTON</i>: Printed for and Sold by <i>Joseph Edwards</i>, at the Corner Shop on +the North side of the Town-House, 1726.<br> +</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + + +<p>“Ay, God damn ye,” said Fly, “to live and hang us, if we +are ever taken. No! no! Walk up and be damn’d, that bite +won’t take. It has hanged many an honest fellow already.”</p> + +<p>Without more words they pulled the captain out of bed, +hauled him into the steerage and drove him up on deck, Fly +cutting him several times with his cutlass. Once there, one +of them asked the unfortunate man if he would rather take a +leap like a brave fellow or be tossed overboard like a sneaking +rascal. In despair, the captain said to Fly,—“For the +Lord’s sake, don’t throw me overboard, boatswain; for if you +do, you throw me into Hell immediately.”</p> + +<p>“Damn you!” answered Fly. “Since he’s so devilish +godly, we’ll give him time to say his prayers and I’ll be parson. +Say after me, <i>Lord, have mercy on my soul</i>, short prayers are +best, and then over with him, my lads.”</p> + +<p>When the men seized him, the captain clutched at the +mainsheet and one of them, Thomas Winthrop, picked up a +cooper’s broadax and chopped off the poor master’s hand at +the wrist and then overboard he went and soon disappeared +from sight.</p> + +<p>While this was going on, Winthrop, Samuel Cole and Henry +Hill had pounced on the mate, Thomas Jenkins, and dragged<span class="pagenum" id="Page_330">[330]</span> +him on deck telling him he was “of the Captain’s Mess, and +they should e’en drink together; it was a pity to part good +Company.” As the mate struggled to escape, one of them +snatched up the broadax with which Winthrop had lopped +off the captain’s hand, and aimed a blow at the mate’s head +which landed instead on his shoulder and then he was thrown +overboard just before the main shrouds. As he fell he cried +out to the ship’s doctor, “For the Lord’s sake, fling me a +rope.” But Fly soon put the doctor in irons and also confined +the gunner and the carpenter who declined to fall in with the +others.</p> + +<p>Captain Fly was now saluted and escorted to the great cabin +with some ceremony, where a bowl of punch was made. +While it was brewing, Morice Cundon, the helmsman, was +called down and one John Fitzherbert set in his place. A +seaman named Thomas Streator was also brought into the +cabin and Fly told the two men that they were rascals and +richly deserved to be sent after the captain and the mate, but +the company was willing to show them mercy and not put +them to death in cold blood; but for the security of the ship’s +company they would be placed in irons. The snow was then +renamed the “Fame’s Revenge.” She was well stored with +powder, rum and provisions but was a slow sailer.</p> + +<p>While the company was still debating what course should +be taken word was brought down that a ship was near them +and the council broke up. As it grew lighter she was recognized +as the “Pompey,” which had come out from England +in company with Captain Green and had sailed from Jamaica +at the same time. The “Pompey” stood in near the snow +and hailed, asking for Captain Green’s health. Fly answered +“He is very well. At your service!” Not having hands +enough Fly decided not to attack the ship so the company +returned to the cabin and the bowl of punch and soon voted +to make for the North Carolina coast.</p> + +<p>On June 3d, off Cape Hatteras, they came upon a sloop<span class="pagenum" id="Page_331">[331]</span> +lying at anchor inside the bar. She was the “John and +Hannah,” John Fulker, master, bound for Boston in New +England. When the snow stood in for the harbor of Carolina, +Captain Fulker thought she might be in need of a pilot and +so took his boat and accompanied by Samuel Walker, the mate, +a young lad, and two passengers,—Capt. William Atkinson, +late master of the brigantine “Boneta,” and Richard Ruth, +rowed out to the snow intending to bring her in. When on +board they were told the snow was from Jamaica. Fly +received them very civilly and invited them down to the cabin +where a bowl of punch was ordered. When it was brought in +Fly told his guests “that he was no Man to mince Matters: +that he and his Comrades were Gentlemen of Fortune, and +should make bold to try if Captain Fulker’s Sloop was a better +sailer than the Snow; if she was, she would prove much fitter +for their Business, and they must have her.”</p> + +<p>The snow came to anchor about a league from the sloop +and Fly ordered Captain Fulker with six men to bring her +alongside the snow. The wind was in the wrong quarter, +however, and after several attempts they gave it up for the +time and brought Captain Fulker back to the snow where +Fly received him in a violent passion, cursing and damning +him for not bringing off the sloop. Fulker said it was impossible. +“Damn ye,” replied Fly, “you lie like a Dog, but +damn my Blood, your Hide shall pay for your Roguery, and +if I can’t bring her off I’ll burn her where she lies.” He then +ordered Captain Fulker “to the Geers.” He was at once +stripped and given an unmerciful beating. The boat’s crew +were then sent back again to bring off the sloop and after a +time got her as far as the bar where she bilged and sank.</p> + +<p>With Captain Fulker, Captain Atkinson and the rest on +board, the “Fame’s Revenge” set sail on June 5th and the +next day sighted the ship “John and Betty,” Capt. John +Gale, bound from Barbadoes for Virginia. Fly gave chase +and finding that the ship could outsail him he hoisted “a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_332">[332]</span> +Jack at the Main topmast Head, in token of Distress.” Captain +Gale was suspicious and ignoring the signal kept his course +with Fly still in chase. The pursuit was kept up all night and +early in the morning, the wind having slackened, Fly came +within gunshot and hoisting a black flag, fired several times +until Captain Gale struck his colors. Fly manned his long +boat, which carried a pateraro in the bow, and went on board +well armed with pistols and cutlasses and having made the +master and crew prisoners sent them on board the snow. +Fly lay by for two days and finding little on board of value to +him, save some sail cloth and small arms, he permitted the +ship to go after forcing six of the crew. In her went Captain +Fulker, Mr. Ruth and Captain Green’s surgeon, who had +steadfastly refused to serve the pirate company. Captain +Atkinson, however, was forced to remain with Fly as he +understood navigation and also was familiar with the New +England coast. When Captain Atkinson asked to be allowed +his liberty, Captain Fly replied as follows:—</p> + +<p>“Look ye, Captain Atkinson, it is not that we care a T——d +for your Company, G——d d——n ye, G——d d——n my +Soul, not a T——d, by G——d, and that’s fair; but G——d +d——n ye, and G——d’s B——d and W——ds, if you don’t +act like an honest Man, G——d d——n ye, and offer to play +us any Rogue’s Tricks, by G——d, and G——d sink me, but +I’ll blow your Brains out; G——d d——n me if I don’t. +Now, Captain Atkinson, you may do as you please, you may +be a Son of a Whore, and pilot us wrong, which, G——d +d——n ye, would be a rascally Trick, by God, because you +would betray Men who trust in you; but, by the eternal +J——s, you shan’t live to see us hang’d. I don’t love many +Words, G——d d——n ye, if you have a Mind to be well used +you shall, G——d’s B——d; but if you will be a Villain and +betray your trust, may G——d strike me dead, and may I +drink a Bowl of Brimstone and Fire with the D——l, if I +don’t send you head-long to H——ll, G——d d——n me;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_333">[333]</span> +and so there needs no more Arguments, by G——d, for I’ve +told you my Mind, and here’s all the Ship’s Crew for Witnesses, +that if I do blow your Brains out, you may blame no +Body but your self, G——d d——n ye.”<a id="FNanchor_167" href="#Footnote_167" class="fnanchor">[167]</a></p> + +<p>Fly forbade Captain Atkinson to have any conversation +with other forced men lest he should hatch a conspiracy and +to prevent any communication between them at night a +hammock was given him in the cabin.</p> + +<p>Off Delaware Bay they met the sloop “Rachel,” Samuel +Harris, commander, bound for Pennsylvania from New York. +She had about fifty Scotch-Irish passengers aboard. When +Fly hoisted his black ensign and ordered her to strike she did +so at once. The sloop was ransacked and held for a day and +then permitted to go. One of her crew, a lusty fellow named +James Benbrook, was forced.</p> + +<p>Fly now ordered Captain Atkinson to bear away for Martha’s +Vineyard proposing to water there and then sail for the +Guinea coast; but Atkinson, instead of steering for the Vineyard, +purposely carried them past and out into the Bay. +When Fly discovered this he told Captain Atkinson that “he +was a rascally Son of an envenom’d Bitch, and damn his +Blood it was a Piece of Cruelty to let such a son of a Whore +live, who design’d the Death of so many honest Fellows.”</p> + +<p>Atkinson replied that he never pretended to know the coast +and it was very hard that he should die for being thought an +abler man than he really was. “G——d d——n you,” said +Fly, “you are an obstinate Villain,” and he was about to draw +a pistol to shoot Atkinson when Mitchell interposed and +saved his life.</p> + +<p>On June 23d they met a fishing schooner lying to on Brown’s +bank. She was the “James,” of Marblehead, George Girdler, +master, and as Fly came up he fired a gun and hoisted his black +ensign. When the master came aboard, Fly told him that he +proposed taking his vessel unless he found a better sailer.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_334">[334]</span> +About noon, as they lay near each other, several other schooners +came in sight and Fly ordered six of his pirates and a +prisoner named George Tasker, to man the prize schooner +and go in pursuit. This was a very hazardous thing to do for +it left him on board the “Fame’s Revenge” with only three +of his pirate crew, one of whom, Samuel Cole, was in irons +on suspicion of mutiny. Against this small number of armed +men were Captain Atkinson, Captain Fulker’s mate, a couple +of his boys, Captain Green’s gunner and carpenter, five of +Captain Gale’s men, James Benbrooke, and three fishermen +belonging to the Marblehead schooner. Atkinson already +had secretly had some conversation with Samuel Walker +and Thomas Streaton and Walker had spoken to Benbrook. +This seemed to be the opportunity that they had waited for. +By good fortune, just at this time, several other vessels +appeared in sight and Atkinson, by telling Fly what he saw +from the bows, drew him forward from his loaded guns and +cutlass which he had kept beside him on the quarter-deck. +At first Fly was loath to leave the quarter-deck and told +Atkinson that he could see but one sail, but Atkinson insisted +that he could see two others and told Fly that he would soon +have a fleet of prizes. “If you were but here, Sir, with your +glass, ahead, you would easily see them all,” said Atkinson. +Fly in his intense interest forgot his earlier caution and came +off the quarter-deck where his arms lay and went ahead to +spy the sails that Atkinson claimed to have seen. He sat +on the windlass and with his prospective glass tried to locate +the mythical vessels. Benbrook and Walker now came forward +and directed the captain to look a point or two at one +side and while so engaged, Atkinson, a spare and slender +man, slipped aft towards the guns and as Walker and Benbrook +seized Fly he quickly pointed a gun at him and told him +that “he was a dead man if he didn’t immediately submit.” +Benbrook already had broken Fly’s sword. About this time +Greenville, one of the pirates, heard the struggle and put his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_335">[335]</span> +head above to see what was the matter. Atkinson at once +struck him over the head with his gun and with the help of +the carpenter the other man was soon in irons. Meanwhile +the rest of the forced men stood by as in a trance but soon +came to and with a will aided in securing the prisoners.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp62" id="i334" style="max-width: 83.1875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i334.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + +<span class='c2'> +<i>It is a fearful thing to fall into the<br> +Hands if the Living GOD.</i><br> +<br> +A<br> +<i>SERMON</i><br> +Preached to some miserable<br> +<i>PIRATES</i><br> +<br> +July 10. 1726.<br> +On the <i>Lord’s Day</i>, before their +Execution.<br> +<br> +By <i>Benjamin Colman</i>,<br> +Pastor of a Church in <i>Boston</i>.<br> +<br> +To which is added some Account of said Pirates.<br> +<br> +Deut. XVII. 13. <i>And all the People shall +hear and fear, and do no more so presumptuously.</i><br> +<br> +<i>BOSTON, N. E.</i> Printed for <i>John Phillips</i> +and <i>Thomas Hancock</i>, and Sold at their +Shops. 1726.<br> +</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + + +<p>Fly, when he found himself in irons, began to blaspheme, +cursing all rovers who should ever give quarter to an Englishman. +This was the brave-spirited fellow who would say when +it had thundered, “They are playing bowls in the air”; +and when it lightned, he would say, “Who fires now? Stand +by,” etc. Four days later Captain Atkinson had brought the +snow and the pirates to anchor in Boston harbor and on July +4, 1726 they came to a speedy trial before the Honorable +William Dummer, Lieutenant-Governor, and the judges of +the Admiralty Court, among whom was Samuel Sewall.</p> + +<p>The court was held in the old Court House that formerly +stood at the head of what is now State street. Captain +Atkinson was tried first and soon cleared as were Joseph +Marshall and William Ferguson, sailors on the schooner +“James.” Then followed the trials of John Cole, John +Browne, Robert Dauling, John Daw, James Blair and Edward +Lawrence who had been forced from the “John and Betty,” +Edward Apthorp, who belonged to the “John and Hannah,” +James Benbrook, the spry young seaman forced from the +“Rachel,” and Morice Cundon, the helmsman on the “Elizabeth” +when Captain Green was thrown overboard. These +all were acquitted.</p> + +<p>The four pirates that had been taken were brought to trial +last. Captain Fly, aged twenty-seven years, denied that he had +aided in throwing overboard either Captain Green or Jenkins, +the mate. “I can’t charge myself with Murder,” he said. +“I did not strike or wound the Master or Mate. It was +Mitchel did it.” Samuel Cole, aged thirty-seven years, +owned to having a wife and seven children. He had served +as quartermaster on the pirate snow and when Fly suspected<span class="pagenum" id="Page_336">[336]</span> +him of mutiny he ordered a hundred lashes given him “whereof +he continued sore to his Death.” Henry Greenville, about +forty years of age, was a married man. George Condick, a +young man of twenty years, had usually been the worse for +drink and not able to bear arms when vessels had been taken. +He had served as cook for the company. This may have +saved his neck for he was fortunate enough to be recommended +for a reprieve. The other three were sentenced to +be hanged, Fly’s body afterwards to be hung in chains from a +gibbet erected on Nix’s Mate, a small island in Boston harbor +which now has been entirely washed away. A granite monument +marks the site and also serves as a warning to navigators.</p> + +<p>With the pirates sentenced to death and awaiting execution +the ministers of the town began their ministrations and “great +pains were taken to dispose them for a Return unto God”; +so says the Rev. Cotton Mather who always occupied a prominent +place in the public eye at such times. The account of +his conference with the doomed pirates, held on July 6, written +by him and printed soon after their execution, begins as +follows:—</p> + +<p>“Unhappy Men:—Yet not hopeless of Eternal Happiness:—A +Marvellous Providence of GOD has put a <i>Quickstop</i> +to a Swift Carriere you were taking in the <i>paths of the +Destroyer</i>. But had you been <i>at once</i> cut off in your Wickedness, +what had become of you? A merciful GOD has not +only given you a <i>space to Repent</i>, but has ordered your being +brought into a place where such <i>means</i> of Instruction will be +Employ’d upon you, and such <i>pains</i> will be taken for the +Salvation of your Souls, as are not commonly Elsewhere to +be met withal, May this <i>Goodness of GOD lead you to Repentance</i>:—Among +other and greater proofs of This, you will +accept this <i>Visit</i>, which I now intend you.</p> + +<p>“We thank you, Syr, replied the pirates.”</p> + +<p>The eminent divine continues in the same strain through +twenty-one printed pages. As he left the condemned prisoners<span class="pagenum" id="Page_337">[337]</span> +he supplied them “with several Books of Piety,” very +likely of his own voluminous writings.</p> + +<p>After Fly was put in prison he ate very little. New England +rum kept strength in his body. He absolutely refused +to go to the North Meeting-house, the Sunday before he was +executed, when the other prisoners were placed on exhibition +and preached to by the Rev. Cotton Mather who chose for +his text—“They Dy even without Wisdom.” Fly said +“he would not have the Mob to gaze upon him.... He +seemed all along ambitious to have it said, <i>That he died a +brave fellow!</i> He pass’d along to the place of Execution, with +a <i>Nosegay</i> in his hand, and making his <i>Complements</i>, where he +<i>thought he saw occasion</i>. Arriving there, he nimbly mounted +the stage, and would fain have put on a Smiling Aspect. He +reproached the Hangman, for not understanding his Trade, +and with his own Hands rectified matters, to render all things +more Convenient and Effectual.”<a id="FNanchor_168" href="#Footnote_168" class="fnanchor">[168]</a></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp62" id="i336" style="max-width: 85.625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i336.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + +<span class='c2'> +<i>The Vial poured out upon the SEA.</i><br> +<br> +A<br> +Remarkable RELATION<br> +Of certain<br> +PIRATES<br> +Brought unto a Tragical and Untimely<br> +END.<br> +<br> +Some CONFERENCES with them, +after their <i>Condemnation</i>.<br> +<br> +Their BEHAVIOUR at their <i>Execution</i>.<br> +<br> +AND <i>A</i><br> +SERMON<br> +Preached on that Occasion.<br> +<br> +Job XX. 29.<br> + +<i>This is the portion of a wicked Man from GOD, +and the Heritage appointed unto him by GOD.</i><br> +<br> +<i>BOSTON</i>: Printed by <i>T. Fleet</i>, for <i>N. Belknap</i>, and +sold at his Shop near <i>Scarlet</i>’s Wharf. 1726.<br> +</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + + +<p>The execution occurred at the usual place near the Charlestown +ferry about where the North End park is now located, +and the gallows was placed on the shore between the ebb and +flow of the tides. Thousands of people, coming from miles +around, had gathered to witness the spectacle and after the +doomed men were on the platform three ministers of the town +offered lengthy prayers.</p> + +<p>After the execution was over and the crowd of spectators +had returned to their homes to recall its details, the bodies +of the pirates “were carried in a Boat to a small Island call’d +Nicks’s-Mate, about 2 Leagues from the Town, where Fly +was hung up in Irons, as a Spectacle for the warning of others, +especially Seafaring Men; the other Two were buried there.”—<i>Boston +News-Letter</i>, July 7-14, 1726.</p> + +<p>And so ended the short reign of a would-be scoundrel who +only wanted skill and power to become as infamous as any +who had scoured the seas.</p> + + + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_167" href="#FNanchor_167" class="label">[167]</a> Johnson, <i>History of the Pirates</i>, London, 1726.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_168" href="#FNanchor_168" class="label">[168]</a> Rev. Cotton Mather, <i>Vial poured upon the Sea</i>, Boston, 1726.</p> + +</div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_338">[338]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX<br> +<span class="ch-title">Pirate Haunts and Cruising Grounds</span></h2> +</div> + + +<p>The pirates who frequented the New England coast +during the first century after the settlement usually +remained in the warm waters of the West Indies during +the winter months. With the coming of spring they cruised +northward along the coast capturing small vessels in the hope +of obtaining provisions and looting larger craft bound to and +from England or the Leeward Islands. During the seventeenth +century there was considerable piratical barter with +the settlements along the Carolina coast and when New England +was reached, on the northerly voyage, the eastern end +of Long Island and the islands off the mouth of Buzzard’s +Bay were much frequented for fresh water and trade. The +Sound off Martha’s Vineyard was used by coasting vessels +bound for New York or Virginia and here the pirates could lie +in wait with the certainty of making some capture. But not +for long as ill news traveled swiftly even in those days and +armed vessels from Boston were usually sent out in pursuit, +though seldom making a capture, for the pirate captain skilled +in his trade was constantly on the move and thereby eluded +successful attack by a stronger force.</p> + +<p>The inefficiency of the men-of-war on the various stations +in the early days is commented upon by contemporary writers. +Because of the difficulty of reckoning longitude it was customary +at that time for vessels sailing from Europe bound for the +West Indies or the American coast, to steer into the latitude +of the port for which they were bound and then sail westward +without altering their course. An early example of this +practice is the course of Winthrop’s fleet when sailing westward +to found the settlement in Massachusetts Bay. After<span class="pagenum" id="Page_339">[339]</span> +leaving the Scilly Isles they came down to the latitude of +Agamenticus, on the Maine coast, and then sailed westward +until they reached the Gulf Stream. It was this “west-way” +that the pirates frequented and a merchant ship eluding one +might be taken by another. This custom was well-known and +if the stolid men-of-war captains had taken the same track +followed by the pirates, captures must have followed. Of a +certainty the pirates would have been driven to other less-frequented +hunting grounds or forced to take refuge in some of +their lurking holes among the many uninhabited islands in +the West Indies, there to be systematically hunted down and +destroyed. It seems strange that a few pirates could range the +seas for years and be engaged but rarely by men-of-war. +Captain Lowther made thirty-three captures in seventeen +months; Captain Low took one hundred and forty vessels +in twenty months; Francis Farrington Spriggs took forty in +twelve months; John Phillips, thirty-four in eight months; and +greatest of all, Captain Bartholomew Roberts took four hundred +vessels in three years.</p> + +<p>To return to the islands off Buzzard’s Bay. From there +the pirates either steered southerly or sailed directly for Cape +Sable then much frequented by fishing vessels which often +were sufferers at the hands of Low, Lowther, Phillips, and +others. From there a course was usually made for Newfoundland +which had long been good plundering ground. +It also was a good place at which to obtain recruits for pirate +crews, for the West Country fishing vessels each year brought +over a considerable number of poor fellows engaged at low +wages, who, by their contracts, must pay for the return passage. +Fishing, splitting and drying fish was hard labor and +as the nights were chill, “black strap” was in great demand. +This was a villainous combination of rum, molasses and chowder +beer and before the season was over it usually caused many +to “outrun the Constable” and compelled them to agree to +articles of servitude that kept them on the Island during the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_340">[340]</span> +winter. After the fishing vessels returned home the masters +in charge of the stations saw to it that food and clothing +supplied to the needy men were charged at high prices so that +the men would soon find themselves bound for the next season’s +labor and so the merry round continued. This made +men willing converts to the Articles signed on board pirate +vessels or caused them to run away with shallops and boats +and begin piratical exploits on their own account.</p> + +<p>From Newfoundland, the pirate captains usually took +advantage of the westerly winds and made the long voyage +to the Azores, which was good plundering ground. Sometimes +they sailed south to the Cape Verde islands and then +to Sierre Leone and the Guinea coast. The Sierre Leone +river has a large mouth with small bays on one side very +convenient for cleaning and watering vessels and for some +years it was a favorite resort for pirates especially as the English +traders located there were friendly to them. About 1720, +when this coast was most frequented by pirates, there were +about thirty of these traders nearly all of whom had at some +time in their lives engaged in privateering, buccaneering, or +piracy. The river also was resorted to by Bristol ships +trading for slaves and elephants’ ivory, and the ships of the +Royal African Company sailed past here regularly, richly +laden with merchandize, ivory and gold dust.</p> + +<p>There was a great clean-up of pirates on this coast in 1722 +when Bartholomew Roberts’ ships were taken by the “Swallow,” +man-of-war, and fifty-five pirates were hanged and +twenty condemned for seven years to work in chains in the +gold mines. Some died in “the Hole,” at Cape Coast and +many more were sent to London for trial and exhibition on +gibbets at Cuckold’s Point, on the Thames. It was a fatal +blow to piracy on the Guinea Coast.</p> + +<p>From the Cape Verde islands the pirate captains would sail +westerly, taking advantage of the trade winds, and after +making the coast of Brazil and taking toll of Portuguese<span class="pagenum" id="Page_341">[341]</span> +shipping, would cruise northerly until the West Indies were +reached and here the winter months would be spent.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp62" id="i340" style="max-width: 102.25em;"> +<img class="w100" src="images/i340.jpg" alt=""> +<figcaption>CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS<br> +<span class='c2'>From an engraving in Johnson’s “General History of the Pirates,” London, 1725</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The West Indies possessed many advantages as a pirate +stronghold and were resorted to by freebooters of many +nations. The small, uninhabited islands and keys supplied +harbors convenient for careening vessels and many of them +abounded with fish and game. Sea turtles in great numbers +furnished meat, and edible fruits of many kinds grew everywhere. +The turtles frequented the small, sandy keys and their +eggs were a common food not only among the pirates but on +the larger inhabited islands where turtling was a recognized +industry. Moreover, it was comparatively easy to escape +from pursuit among the numerous small inlets, lagoons and +harbors.</p> + +<p>Because of the growth of the sugar-cane plantations a +considerable commerce had developed and in the vicinity of +the Trading islands the pirates were certain to find vessels +laden with provisions, clothing, naval stores and money, large +sums of which were sent home to Europe, the returns of the +Assiento and private slave trade. The rich mines on the +mainland also paid tribute.</p> + +<p>Piracy frequently began in the West Indies when desperate +men got to the end of their rope in making an honest living. +Then they would set out in the long boat of a ship or even in a +large sailing canoe and exchange successive prizes, if successful, +until after a time they would be in possession of a large +ship, often a former man-of-war, and ready for foreign expeditions. +The logwood cutters in the Bay of Honduras and the +vessels that went there to load with the dyewood, supplied +good material for piratical ventures. The cutters were +generally a rough, drunken crew, some of them having been +pirates at different times and most of them sailors. It was +here that Capt. Ned Low of Boston, began his career as a +pirate.</p> + +<p>“In the dry time of the year the Logwood Cutters search<span class="pagenum" id="Page_342">[342]</span> +for a good Number of Logwood Trees: and then build a Hut +near them where they live during the Time they are cutting. +When they have cut down the Tree, they Log it, and Chip it, +which is cutting off the Bark and Sap, and then lay it in Heaps, +cutting away the Under-wood, and making Paths to each +Heap, so that when the Rains come on, which overflows the +Ground, it serves as so many Creeks or Channels, where they +go with small Canows or Dories and load ’em, which they +bring to a Creek-side and there lade their Canows, and carry +it to the Barcadares, which they sometime fetch Thirty Miles, +from whence the People who buy it fetch it.”<a id="FNanchor_169" href="#Footnote_169" class="fnanchor">[169]</a></p> + +<p>Capt. Nathaniel Uring writes that he went into the Bay of +Campeachy in an English ship in July, 1712, to load logwood. +When he arrived he anchored off shore and “fired several +Guns, to give Notice to the Logwood Cutters (who were up +in the Lagunes) of our arrival: and in a Day or Two, several +White Men came on board to us.... I sold Provisions and +Liquor to several of the Bay Men for Wood, which cost us +about Forty Shillings per Ton, prime cost, at Jamaica.... +I remained here more than a month before any Vessels arrived; +during which Time my People were fetching down the Logwood +out of the Lagunes in Canows, and went more than +Thirty Miles for some of it.”</p> + +<p>The rise or rather increase of piracy in the West Indies after +the Peace of Utrecht, can be laid at the door of the Spanish +settlements, the governors of which having gone there to make +a fortune generally countenanced any proceeding that brought +in profit. It is fair to say, however, that the Spanish governors +were not the only ones accused of such practices. They +granted commissions to great numbers of <i>guarda costas</i>, +under pretence of preventing an interloping trade, with orders +to seize all vessels within five leagues of their coasts. English +ships could not well avoid coming within this limit when on +their way to Jamaica. If the captains of Spanish <i>guarda<span class="pagenum" id="Page_343">[343]</span> +costas</i> exceeded their authority, the sufferers were allowed +legal redress, but usually found after long litigation that +their vessels and cargoes had been condemned among the +crew, and the captain, the only one responsible, had nothing +on which to levy.</p> + +<p>The frequent losses of the English merchants by these +Spanish <i>guarda costas</i> was provocation enough to call forth +reprisals and the opportunity offering in 1716, the West +India traders at once made use of it. In 1714, several of the +Spanish galleons of “the plate fleet,” were cast away in the +Gulf of Florida; and in 1716 several vessels from Havana were +at work with diving engines fishing up the silver. They had +recovered several millions of “pieces of eight” and carried +them to Havana and had taken up 350,000 pieces more, which +were placed in a storehouse on shore under guard of sixty +soldiers, when an English fleet from Jamaica and Barbadoes, +consisting of two ships and three sloops under Capt. Henry +Jennings, came upon them. Jennings landed three hundred +men, drove away the guard and carried off the treasure to +Jamaica. On the way he met a Spanish ship laden with +cochineal, indigo and 60,000 “pieces of eight,” and his hand +being in, she was plundered, after which he sailed boldly back +to Jamaica with the Spaniard following him. The Governor +at Havana soon sent a vessel to Jamaica to demand restitution +and punishment for Jennings. As it was in a time of +peace, Jennings and his men soon realized that they would not +be left unpunished let alone protected. Having disposed of +their cargo to good advantage and furnished themselves with +ammunition, provisions, &c., they again put to sea, but +this time as full-fledged pirates, robbing not only Spaniards +but Englishmen and any one else they could lay their hands +on.</p> + +<p>About the same time three or four small “Spanish men +of war” fell upon the logwood cutters in the bays of Campeachy +and Honduras, and also took twenty-two vessels,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_344">[344]</span> +about half of the number hailing from New England, and most +of the crews of these vessels, made desperate by their misfortunes, +took on with the pirates under Captain Jennings, +whom they met soon after. Captain Jennings and his consorts, +augmented by “the Bay men,” consulted together +about some retreat where they might store their wealth, clean +and repair their ships and make themselves a snug abode and +fixed upon New Providence the largest of the Bahama islands. +The Bahamas for some years had been under English control +with a nominal governor, but were much resorted to by pirates +who were hand and glove with the principal traders. When +Captain Jennings arrived with his fleet it became a veritable +pirate stronghold and a breeding place for most of the +pirate leaders who ranged the seas during the next five or six +years.</p> + +<p>Complaints soon reached London and in such number that +on Sept. 15, 1716, Capt. Woods Rogers was placed in command +of a fleet of sixteen men-of-war and tenders and ordered to +proceed to New Providence and receive the submission of the +pirates or suppress them by force. Captain Rogers not long +before had made a voyage around the world in the course of +which he had taken a Spanish ship bound for Acapulco laden +with the wealth of the Philippines. Before he sailed for New +Providence, the King’s Proclamation for suppressing pirates, +or “Act of Grace,” as it was usually called, was sent ahead +so that ample opportunity might be had for consideration +and submission. On its arrival at the Island a general council +of the pirate commonwealth was called. What took place is +described in Johnson’s “History of the Pirates,” in the following +language, viz:—</p> + +<p>“There was so much Noise and Clamour, 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<span class="pagenum" id="Page_345">[345]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“But Captain Jennings, who was their Commadore, and +who always bore a great Sway among them, being a Man of +good Understanding, and a 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 above mentioned, I think were these, +Benjamin Hornigold, Edward Teach, John Martel, James +Fife, Christopher Winter, Nicholas Brown, Paul Williams, +[consort to] Charles Bellamy [lost on the back of Cape Cod, +with 142 of his crew and prisoners, Apr. 26, 1717], Oliver +la Bouche, Major Penner, Edward England, T. Burgess, +Thomas Cocklyn, R. Sample, Charles Vane, and two or three +others; Hornygold, William Burgess and LaBouche were +afterwards cast away; Teach and Penner killed, and their +Crews taken; James Fife killed by his own Men; Martel’s +Crew destroyed and forced on an unhabited Island; Cocklyn, +Sample and Vane hanged; Winter and Brown surrendered +to the Spaniards at Cuba, and England lives now [1724] at +Madagascar.”</p> + +<p>Captain Rogers arrived at New Providence in June, 1717, +with two men-of-war and found that all the pirates had surrendered +to the pardon, except Charles Vane and his crew, +who slipped their cable, set fire to a large prize and sailed out +of the harbor firing at the men-of-war as they went off.</p> + +<p>In the latter part of the seventeenth century some of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_346">[346]</span> +richest commerce in the world was on the Indian Ocean and +the Red Sea. The Orientals owned much shipping and the +overland trade with Europe was increasing rapidly. The +English East India Company had established a number of +important factories or trading stations and Portuguese merchants +had been established for some time at Goa, on the +Malabar coast. Finding that the game in the West Indies +promised smaller returns than the commerce of the East, +many of the pirate fraternity established themselves for a +time on the island of Perim at the entrance to the Strait of +Babelmandeb. Here there was an excellent harbor and the +advantageous location permitted the levying of toll on all +vessels passing in and out of the Red Sea. The great disadvantage +was a lack of fresh water. Slaves were employed to +excavate the rocky formation to a great depth, but without +success, and at last the nest was abandoned and the pirate +settlement removed to Madagascar. This is said to have +taken place not long after Captain Avery captured a daughter +of the Great Mogul of India, in a richly laden ship.</p> + +<p>Capt. John Avery, one of the greatest of the Madagascar +pirates, was the son of a tavern keeper of Plymouth, England, +and was variously known as Avery, Every and Bridgman, +while his intimates spoke of him as “Long Ben.” He was +looting shipping on the Atlantic as early as 1693, when he +took two heavily armed Danish vessels at Princess Island, on +the West Coast of Africa, and he is said to have been in the +West Indies before that time. During the winter of 1693-4, +while in command of the “Fanny,” of forty-six guns and one +hundred and thirty men, he made his most famous capture, a +ship carrying a daughter of the Great Mogul on a pilgrimage +to Mecca. Other vessels in his pirate fleet were the “Dolphin,” +Captain Want, of Philadelphia; the “Portsmouth +Adventure,” Captain Faro, and the “Pearl,” Capt. William +Mues, both hailing from Newport, R. I.; and the ship +“Amity,” of New York, commanded by the notorious Capt.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_347">[347]</span> +Thomas Tew,<a id="FNanchor_170" href="#Footnote_170" class="fnanchor">[170]</a> who eventually lost his life by a cannon ball +while cruising in the Red Sea.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp62" id="i346" style="max-width: 112.5em;"> +<img class="w100" src="images/i346.jpg" alt=""> +<figcaption>CAPTAIN JOHN AVERY TAKING THE GREAT MOGUL’S SHIP<br> +<span class='c2'>From a rare engraving in the Harry Elkins Widener Collection, Harvard College Library</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The booty on the Mogul’s ship was immense and consisted +of diamonds, pearls and valuable jewels and also great sums +of money intended to meet the cost of the pilgrimage, an +amount said to have been over £325,000. Not content with +this, Avery ravished the young princess and eventually took +her in his ship to Madagascar where he had a child by her. +When the Great Mogul learned what had happened, it aroused +a fanatical resentment against the English factories that was +only appeased by the promise of the governor to send out two +ships of the East India Company to convey the pilgrims to +Jedda.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, large rewards for his capture were offered by +the British Government and Avery abandoned the Perim +rendezvous and effected a settlement on Madagascar where he +built a strong fortification and organized a rude form of +government that exacted a tenth of the value of all captures +and required tribute from the native princes on the island. +This tribute commonly took the form of their daughters and +other young girls who were added to the harems of the pirates. +Many slaves were employed in cultivating rice, fishing and +hunting and for a time a powerful settlement existed that was +resorted to by pirates from all parts of the world. When +Capt. Woods Rogers went to Madagascar in the “Delicia,” +in 1722, to buy slaves to sell to the Dutch at Batavia, he +touched at a part of the island where he met some of the +pirates who had been living there for more than twenty-five +years and were surrounded by a motley collection of children +and grandchildren.</p> + +<p>Avery ruled his little kingdom for a time but at last wearying +of it, planned with some chosen spirits to make his way to +America. While cruising with other vessels, one night his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_348">[348]</span> +ship steered another course and in the morning the others +were no longer in sight. The first land they made was the +island of Providence, one of the Bahamas, where the ship was +sold<a id="FNanchor_171" href="#Footnote_171" class="fnanchor">[171]</a> and in a sloop they touched at several American ports +at each of which some of the company disappeared. Avery +intended to settle in Boston but finding that Puritan town no +safe market for the display or sale of his store of diamonds, he +sailed for Ireland and eventually reached Bideford in Devonshire, +where he changed his name and lived quietly.<a id="FNanchor_172" href="#Footnote_172" class="fnanchor">[172]</a> Through +a friend he delivered his ill-gotten fortune to Bristol merchants +to be converted into money. Needing funds he applied for an +accounting and was shocked to discover that there were as +good pirates on land as he had been at sea. He died June 10, +1714 not leaving money enough to buy a coffin.</p> + +<p>While the founding of a pirate colony on the island of +Madagascar is generally credited to Avery and other pirate +captains of his time it is likely that at some earlier date a base +had been established there by buccaneers from the west coast +of South America who, after looting the wealth of Peru and +Mexico, came in search of a hiding place at which to enjoy +their gains. The first rendezvous of the pirates was in Masseledge +Bay on the northwest coast of Madagascar, but later +an important settlement grew up on the island of St. Mary, +or Nosy Boraha, on the east coast, about three leagues from<span class="pagenum" id="Page_349">[349]</span> +the mainland, which for some time was the resort of Avery +and Plantain, the celebrated Jamaica pirate. Here came +Burgess, Clayton, Taylor, Congdon, England and other successful +leaders. The island stronghold was established, it is +said, by Mission and Carracioli, who named it Libertatia. +It was fortified and from here marauding expeditions were +fitted out on a large scale. Pirates gorged with plunder +settled on plantations where they surrounded themselves with +native “wives” and slaves. The native tribes brought down +their cattle from the interior and exchanged them for European +trinkets provided by the pirates, who also incited the numerous +chiefs to war with their neighbors and then bought their +prisoners of war to be sold to slavers and taken to the plantations +in the West Indies and America.</p> + +<p>The pirate settlements on the Madagascar coast increased +in population and required various goods and supplies necessary +not only for human comfort but also to continue the +trade of plundering,—powder and shot and the like. This +demand was supplied by vessels sailing at somewhat regular +intervals from New York, Newport and Philadelphia and +furnished with passes from Governor Fletcher of New York +or some other person in authority. It was said in London that +in Philadelphia they “not onlie wink att but Imbrace pirats, +Shipps and men.”<a id="FNanchor_173" href="#Footnote_173" class="fnanchor">[173]</a> In 1697 many returned pirates were +living in Philadelphia and Governor Basse of New Jersey +reported that colony to be a favorite resort for such gentry. +The daughter of William Penn’s agent in Pennsylvania is +said to have married one of these retired freebooters.<a id="FNanchor_174" href="#Footnote_174" class="fnanchor">[174]</a> In +1699, Bellomont, the new governor of New York, reported that +over forty of these returned pirates were in custody in New +York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.</p> + +<p>But the ships continued to clear from the port of New York +bound for Madagascar. In the year 1699, four vessels were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_350">[350]</span> +cleared at one time. The merchandise brought back so +glutted the markets that some kinds of European and Oriental +goods could be bought in the Colonies cheaper than in London; +and this was at a time when all European goods, by law, must +be imported through London. One of Captain Avery’s men +testified in Admiralty Court that “Captain Gough, who keeps +a mercer’s shop at Boston, made a good estate” dealing in +piratical plunder.</p> + +<p>Rev. John Higginson, the minister at Salem, Massachusetts, +had a son Thomas, who sailed for Arabia in a privateer +before 1696 and nothing was heard from him afterward. +Another son was in command at Fort George, in Madras, and +in 1699 he wrote that Thomas’ “unhappy miscarriage” had +troubled him much. Although he had met several who had +been taken by pirates and afterwards escaped he could learn +nothing of the erring Thomas. Four men-of-war had recently +arrived in India having touched at Madagascar on the way +out, but met no pirate vessels. The Salem minister replied +in October, 1699:—</p> + + +<p>“I am sorry to hear there is such a crew of pirates in your +parts; and do doubt not that what you intimate of New York, +Providence, and the West Indies is too true. Frederick +Phillips of New York, it is reported, has had a pirate trade to +Madagascar for near twenty years, and it is said has attained +an estate of 100,000 pounds. But I assure you the government +of this place has always been severe with all such; and, +at this time, there are many now in our gaol for piracy; namely, +Captain Kidd, who went from England with a ship and commission +to take pirates, but turned pirate himself, and robbed +many ships in the East Indies, and thence came into the West +Indies, and there disposed of much of his wealth; and at last +came into these parts with some of his stolen goods; who was +here seized, and some of his men, and goods, who are in irons, +and wait for a trial. And there was one Bradish, a Cambridge +man, who sailed in an interloper bound for India, who, in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_351">[351]</span> +some part of the East Indies, took an opportunity, when the +Captain and some of the officers were on shore, to run away +with the ship, and came upon our coast, and sunk their ship +at Block Island, and brought much wealth ashore with them; +but Bradish, and many of his company, and what of his wealth +could be found, were seized and secured. But Bradish, and +one of his men, broke prison and run away amongst the +Indians; but it is supposed that he will be taken again.”<a id="FNanchor_175" href="#Footnote_175" class="fnanchor">[175]</a></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp62" id="i350" style="max-width: 110.75em;"> +<img class="w100" src="images/i350.jpg" alt=""> +<figcaption>CAPTAIN EDWARD TEACH, COMMONLY CALLED “BLACK BEARD”<br> +<span class='c2'>From a rare engraving in the Harry Elkins Widener Collection, Harvard College Library</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>After a time the pirate colonies at Madagascar diminished +in importance and most of the men abandoned the sea and +lived at ease on their plantations. In 1716, one of the pirate +settlements was visited by an Englishman, Robert Drury,<a id="FNanchor_176" href="#Footnote_176" class="fnanchor">[176]</a> +who wrote as follows:—</p> + +<p>“One of these men was a Dutchman, named John Pro, who +spoke good English. He was dressed in a short coat with +broad, plate buttons, and other things agreeable, but without +shoes or stockings. In his sash stuck a brace of pistols, and +he had one in his right hand. The other man was dressed in +an English manner, with two pistols in his sash and one in his +hand, like his companion.... John Pro lived in a very +handsome manner. His house was furnished with pewter +dishes, &c., a standing bed with curtains, and other things of +that nature except chairs, but a chest or two served for that +purpose well enough. He had one house on purpose for his +cook-room and cook-slave’s lodging, storehouse and summer-house; +all these were enclosed in a palisade, as the great men’s +houses are in this country, for he was rich, and had many +castles and slaves. His wealth had come principally while +cruizing among the Moors, from whom his ship had several +times taken great riches, and used to carry it to St. Mary’s. +But their ship growing old and crazy, they being also vastly +rich, they removed to Madagascar, made one Thomas Collins, +a carpenter, their Governor, and built a small fort, defending<span class="pagenum" id="Page_352">[352]</span> +it with their ship’s guns. They had now lived without pirating +for nine years.”</p> + +<p>In the summer of 1719 there were about twenty white +pirates living permanently on the island of St. Mary’s. Others +continued to sail out from the harbor but the vigilance of the +English Admiralty and the strength and watchfulness of the +ships of the East India Company served to discourage freebooting +in those parts and in 1721 when France granted an +amnesty a number of them surrendered and became colonists +on the island of Bourbon. The last of the pirates on St. +Mary’s were routed out by men-of-war during the winter of +1722-23. Others lived and died on the mainland of Madagascar +and left behind them numerous descendants, for in 1768 +the Abbe Rochon visited that part of the island north of St. +Mary’s and observed many whites and half-breeds living +about the Bay of Antongil who claimed descent from the +pirates formerly settled there.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_169" href="#FNanchor_169" class="label">[169]</a> <i>Voyages and Travels of Capt. Nathaniel Uring</i>, London, 1726.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_170" href="#FNanchor_170" class="label">[170]</a> <i>Calendar of State Papers, America and West Indies</i>, 1696-1697, pp. +260, 262.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_171" href="#FNanchor_171" class="label">[171]</a> “It was at the island of St. Thomas that the famous Captain Avery, +or some of his companions, disposed of the greatest part of the rich goods +taken in a ship belonging to the Mogul, about forty years ago, when the +magazines on the Island were so excessively crowded with rich Indian +goods that they were not entirely emptied in twenty years after, though +they generally sold them at low prices; and it was by this accident that +pieces of Arabian gold, which were properly speaking Pagodas, were +long current in the West Indies under the name of Sequins, for they knew +not what to call them, at the rate of about six shillings. And nutmegs, +cloves, sinnimon and mace were likewise bought very cheap for many +years after.”—John Harris, <i>Collection of Voyages</i>, London, 1739.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_172" href="#FNanchor_172" class="label">[172]</a> Some of Avery’s pirate crew were afterwards taken in England and +brought to trial on Oct. 19, 1696, but acquitted for lack of sufficient evidence.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_173" href="#FNanchor_173" class="label">[173]</a> <i>Calendar of State Papers, America and West Indies</i>, 1696-1697, p. 636.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_174" href="#FNanchor_174" class="label">[174]</a> Channing, <i>History of United States</i>, Vol. II, p. 266.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_175" href="#FNanchor_175" class="label">[175]</a> <i>Massachusetts Hist. Society Colls.</i>, 3d series, Vol. VII, p. 209.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_176" href="#FNanchor_176" class="label">[176]</a> <i>Madagascar; or Robert Drury’s Journal</i>, London, 1729.</p> + +</div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_353">[353]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX<br> +<span class="ch-title">Pirate Life and Death</span></h2> +</div> + +<p>The company of men on board a pirate vessel, especially +during that great period of activity in roving +following the Peace of Ryswick in 1697, well illustrate +in their relations with one another, the main features of that +ideal commonwealth where everything is held in common and +where everyone has an equal voice in public affairs. As in +every well-ordered government it is necessary to have leaders, +so in pirate companies there must be captains, quartermasters, +gunners, boatswains, and other officers, but none may +remain in authority after having lost the confidence and +support of the company. This appears in a speech made at the +time Bartholomew Roberts was elected a pirate captain.</p> + +<p>“Should a Captain be so sawcy as to exceed Prescription +at any time,” said one of the pirate Lords, “why down with +Him; it will be a Caution after he is dead, to his successors, +of what a 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 Dangers and Tempests of +an instable Element, and the fatal Consequences of Anarchy.”</p> + +<p>The successful captain of a pirate vessel must possess +qualities of leadership and a dare-devil courage, for nothing +will so quickly brand a pirate leader and lose for him the +support of his crew as an appearance of cowardice,—a show +of the white feather. Sometimes it may be no more than a +difference of judgment, but failing in the loyal support of a +resolute company no captain can last very long. This is shown<span class="pagenum" id="Page_354">[354]</span> +in the case of Capt. Charles Vane who defied Capt. Woods +Rogers’ men-of-war at New Providence in 1717, but the very +next year when he fell in with a French man-of-war off Cape +Nicholas, his company was divided as to what course to +pursue. Vane was for making off as fast as possible being of +the opinion that the Frenchman was too strong for them. +The quartermaster, John Rackham,<a id="FNanchor_177" href="#Footnote_177" class="fnanchor">[177]</a> was of a different 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.” At last, although the majority were +for attacking, Captain Vane exercised his right to settle the +dispute, for his power by universal agreement was absolute in +time of chase, and so the brigantine showed her heels to the +Frenchman and outsailed her. But the next day the captain’s +decision was made to stand the test of a popular vote +and he failed of support. A resolution was passed branding +him a coward and deposing him from command. He was given +a small sloop with a supply of provisions and ammunition and +sent off with all those who did not vote for boarding the French +man-of-war.</p> + +<p>The captain of a pirate company was generally chosen +for his daring and dominating character and for being “pistol +proof.” Among hardened pirates the one who went the +greatest length in cruelty and destructiveness was looked upon +with a certain amount of admiration. The captain had the +great cabin to himself but any man had the right to use his +punch bowl, enter the cabin, swear at him and seize his food +without his finding fault, except as between men; but this +rarely happened.</p> + +<p>When a captain was chosen there was usually some little +ceremony on conducting him to the cabin. After the election +had taken place, a complimentary speech would be made +expressing the desire that he would take the command as the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_355">[355]</span> +most capable among them and on his accepting he would be +led into the cabin in state and seated at a table with only one +other chair and that at the lower end. This was reserved +for the company’s quartermaster who then would seat himself +also and tell the captain in behalf of the crew (whose spokesman +he was) that having confidence in him they all promised +to obey his lawful commands. Then taking up a sword, the +quartermaster would present it and declare him captain, at +the same time saying, “This is the commission under which +you are to act; may you prove fortunate to yourself and us.” +The guns would then be fired with a charge of round shot and a +rousing three cheers given in honor of the new captain. The +ceremony would end with an invitation from the captain to +such as he wished to have dine with him and an order for a +large bowl of punch for every mess.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp62" id="i354" style="max-width: 109.5625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i354.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + +<span class='c2'> +THE<br> +TRIALS<br> +OF<br> +Five Persons<br> +For Piracy, Felony and Robbery,<br><br> + +Who were found Guilty and Condemned, +at a Court of Admiralty for the Trial of +Piracies, Felonies and Robberies, committed +on the High Seas, Held at the Court-House +in <i>Boston</i>, within His Majesty’s +Province of the <i>Massachusetts-Bay</i> in <i>New-England</i>, +on <i>Tuesday</i> the Fourth Day of +<i>October</i>, Anno Domini, 1726. Pursuant to +His Majesty’s Royal Commission, founded +on an Act of Parliament made in the +Eleventh and Twelfth Years of the Reign +of King <i>William</i> the Third, Entituled, <i>An +Act for the more effectual Suppression of Piracy</i>; And +made Perpetual by an Act of the Sixth +Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord +King <i>GEORGE</i>.<br><br> +<i>BOSTON</i>: Printed by <i>T Fleet</i> for <i>S Gerrish</i> at the Lower End of <i>Cornhill</i>. 1726. +</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + + +<p>The captain had usually a sort of privy council which was +composed of certain of the officers and older and more experienced +sailors and these were sometimes distinguished by the +title of “Lord.” The captain’s power was supreme in time of +chase or action. He then had the right to strike, stab or shoot +any man who disobeyed his orders. He also had power over +prisoners and could condemn them to ill usage or set them +free but this power did not extend to cargo or captured vessel +for then the property interests of the company were concerned.</p> + +<p>The quartermaster came next after the captain in exercising +authority over the affairs of the pirate company. He was +chosen with the approval of the crew who could claim authority +in this way through him, except in time of battle. At discretion +he could punish any of the men for insubordination, +by blows or whipping, which no one else might do without +standing in danger of receiving the lash from the ship’s company. +In a way he was the trustee for all and was usually the +first on board a prize. For small offences, too insignificant for +a jury, he was the arbitrator. If any of the crew disobeyed his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_356">[356]</span> +commands, plundered when plundering should end, or failed +to keep their weapons in good order, the quartermaster then +might punish them. He was the manager of all duels and in +fact was the magistrate of the company.</p> + +<p>Pirate craft usually sailed under what was known as “the +Jamaica Discipline,” a commonwealth or form of government +that originated among the West India privateers or buccaneers. +All pirate companies also adopted codes of laws or +“Articles,” as they were called, to govern their actions and +these were signed and sworn to by all. These “Articles” +varied somewhat in form and substance but in general included +the following obligations, viz:—</p> + + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p class="center">I</p> + +<p>Every man had a vote in all affairs of importance and +equal title to all fresh provisions or strong liquors that had been +taken and might use them at pleasure unless a scarcity made it +necessary to vote a restriction for the common good.</p> + + +<p class="center">II</p> + +<p>Every man was to be called in turn, as entered in the +quartermaster’s list, to go on board prizes, because on such +occasions each was allowed a shift of clothing from the captured +stores. This was in addition to the common share in the +plunder of the prize. If any man, however, defrauded the +common store of the company, in plates, jewelry or money, +to the value of a piece of eight, the punishment was to be +marooned on some uninhabited island or shore and supplied +with only a gun, a few shot, a bottle of water and a bottle of +powder, and there to starve or escape if possible by some +unexpected good fortune. If a man robbed another of the +same company, the ears or nose of the guilty party might be +slit, after which he sometimes would be put ashore, not on an +uninhabited island, but where he was sure to encounter +hardships.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_357">[357]</span></p> + + +<p class="center">III</p> + +<p>No gaming for money at cards or dice was allowed under +any circumstances as likely to lead to fighting and death.</p> + + +<p class="center">IV</p> + +<p>All lights and candles must be put out before eight o’clock +at night and after that hour if any of the crew continued +drinking they were to do it on the open deck. This rule in +relation to drinking was not observed on board a number of +the pirate ships. The snapping of arms and smoking of tobacco +in the hold was also forbidden on board most ships.</p> + + +<p class="center">V</p> + +<p>Every man must keep his gun, pistol and cutlass clean and +fit for service. This rule was seldom broken for its necessity +was recognized by all. Moreover, there was always more or +less competition between men over the beauty and richness of +their arms. When an auction was held “at the mast,” sometimes +as much as £30 or £40, would be bid for a pair of fine +pistols. These were slung into bright colored sashes worn over +the shoulders in a manner peculiar to the pirates, giving a very +showy appearance to the swaggering individual.</p> + + +<p class="center">VI</p> + +<p>No women were allowed on board and if any man induced +a woman to go to sea in disguise he was to suffer death. When +a vessel was captured if a woman was found among the passengers +a sentinel was placed over her immediately to prevent +ill consequences from so dangerous a cause for quarrels. +As a rule, boys were not allowed in pirate companies but +exceptions to this rule sometimes occurred.</p> + + +<p class="center">VII</p> + +<p>To desert the ship or to abandon quarters in time of battle +was punished with death or marooning.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_358">[358]</span></p> + + +<p class="center">VIII</p> + +<p>No man was permitted to strike a member of his company +while on board ship. All quarrels must be settled on shore, +with sword or pistol, the quartermaster acting as master of +ceremonies. The usual rule was for him to attempt a reconciliation +but if the difference could not be healed without a +fight he would go ashore with such assistants as he thought +proper and after placing the meh back to back they would +walk apart the number of paces agreed upon and at the word +of command immediately turn and fire. If both missed, they +might fall to with cutlasses and the man who drew first blood +was declared the victor.</p> + + +<p class="center">IX</p> + +<p>No man was allowed to talk of breaking up their way of +living until each had shared £1000. In case a man lost a limb +or was otherwise injured there was to be an allowance made to +him out of the common stock in proportion to his injury. +These amounts varied with the company but a leg was usually +estimated as worth eight hundred to a thousand pieces of eight.</p> + + +<p class="center">X</p> + +<p>The captain and the quartermaster each received usually +two shares in a prize; the master, gunner, and boatswain, a +share and a half, and the other officers, a share and a quarter. +The men had a share apiece.</p> + + +<p class="center">XI</p> + +<p>All the larger pirate vessels carried musicians—trumpeters, +drummers and fiddlers, and these men were given a day +off on Sunday.</p> +</div> + +<p>When a vessel was captured the likely men among the +prisoners would be solicited by the quartermaster or captain +to join the pirate crew and sign the “Articles,” and young and +active men who refused to sign would sometimes be compelled<span class="pagenum" id="Page_359">[359]</span> +to join the company in the hope that later they might have a +change of heart and in any event be of service in navigating +the vessel. This was called “forcing,” and when the captain +or fellow-seamen of the forced men reached shore, an advertisement +was oftentimes inserted in a newspaper, stating the +circumstances so that in case the forced men were taken while +on board a pirate vessel they might point to the advertisement +as evidence of their innocence.<a id="FNanchor_178" href="#Footnote_178" class="fnanchor">[178]</a></p> + +<p>The flags on pirate vessels were intended to strike terror +to the hearts of mariners and usually displayed a white skull +and cross-bones on a black ground. Sometimes the skeleton +of a man was depicted, usually styled at the time “an anatomy.” +Sometimes a livid heart pierced by an arrow dripping<span class="pagenum" id="Page_360">[360]</span> +blood was displayed. Small pirate companies contented themselves +with a plain black flag without device. Capt. Howell +Davis for lack of something better hung aloft “a dirty Tarpawlin,” +while attacking a French vessel near Hispaniola. +He afterwards used a black flag as did his associate La Bouse. +Blackbeard sailed under a black flag along the Carolina coast +but Major Stede Bonnet about the same time used “a bloody +flag” and Captain Worley, who was on the same coast in +1718, flew “a black ensign with a white Death’s head in the +middle of it.”</p> + +<p>Captain Roberts at first used a black flag which he called +“the Jolly Roger,” although this term did not originate with +him, but afterwards becoming enraged at the many attempts +made by the governors of Barbadoes and Martinico to take +him, he ordered a new jack to be made with his own figure +portrayed standing on two skulls. Under one were the letters +A. B. H. and under the other, A. M. H., signifying “A Barbadian’s +Head” and “A Martinican’s Head.” When Roberts +sailed into Whydah in January, 1722, he had a “black silk +flag flying at the mizen peak 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 on it, with a flaming Sword in his Hand, and +standing on two Skulls.”</p> + +<p>Frequent mention has been made of the cruelty and destructiveness +of pirate captains. They often sank or burned the +vessels that they took. Sometimes it was done to prevent +news of their presence getting abroad before they were ready +to sail for some other hunting ground. Sometimes they +lacked men enough to navigate their captures and at other +times the pirate captain would be displeased at the prolonged +defense or flight of the captured master. Sometimes the fate +of a fine ship and rich cargo was decided by a caprice or through +sheer destructiveness. Frequently enquiry would be made<span class="pagenum" id="Page_361">[361]</span> +among the crew of a captured vessel if their captain was a +good master and kind to his men and when a favorable answer +was made such a captain would be let off more easily.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp60" id="i360" style="max-width: 113.375em;"> +<img class="w100" src="images/i360.jpg" alt=""> +<figcaption>THE PIRATE SHIPS “ROYAL FORTUNE” AND “RANGER” +IN WHYDAH ROAD, JANUARY 11, 1722<br> +<span class='c2'>From an engraving in Johnson’s “General History of the Pirates,” London, 1725</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Bartholomew Roberts, one of the most successful and +level-headed of the pirate captains who plagued shipping +during the first quarter of the eighteenth century, sailed into +the harbor of Trepassi in Newfoundland, the last of June, +1720, with black colors flying, drums beating and trumpets +sounding. There were twenty-two vessels at anchor in the +harbor and every man on board fled ashore at sight of the +pirate ship. Roberts burned or sank every vessel except one, +which he manned, and then ruthlessly destroyed all the +fishing stages of the poor planters, depriving inoffensive men +of their means of livelihood with absolutely no attendant +advantage to himself. It was this same crew that captured +the ship “Samuel,” Captain Cary, a few days later. She was +from London bound for Boston with a rich cargo. These +furies opened the hatches and swarmed into the hold armed +with axes and cutlasses and cut and smashed all the bales, +cases and boxes they could reach and when any goods came on +deck that they didn’t want to carry aboard their ship, instead +of tossing them back into the hold they threw them overboard. +Captain Cary was told “that they should accept no Act of +Grace; that the King and Parliament might be damned +with their Acts of Grace; neither would they go to Hope’s +Point, to be hang’d up a sun drying, as Kidd’s and Braddish’s +Company were; but if ever they should be overpowered, +they would set Fire to the Powder, with a Pistol, and go all +merrily to Hell together.”<a id="FNanchor_179" href="#Footnote_179" class="fnanchor">[179]</a></p> + +<p>“Walking the plank” was a diversion practised at a later +day among the West India pirates whereby their victims were +blindfolded and forced to find a watery grave at the end of a +plank thrust out from the vessel’s side. But this was not +original with them for in the days of the Roman empire when<span class="pagenum" id="Page_362">[362]</span> +the Mediterranean pirates took a ship they frequently would +enquire if any on board were Romans and when found the +pirates would fall down on their knees before the citizens +of that illustrious nation, as though asking pardon for what +they had done. Other deferences would be shown until their +captives actually grew to believe in their sincerity. When +that point was attained the outlaws would hang the ship’s +ladder over the side and with great show of courtesy tell their +victims they were free to leave the vessel in that way. The +shock to the unfortunate Romans always greatly amused the +pirates who then would throw them overboard with much +laughter.</p> + +<p>Since those early times when men first effected crude forms +of government to guard and control their relations with each +other, the pirate has been looked upon as a common enemy. +In the days of the Roman empire neither faith nor oath need +be kept with him. However, “might made right” in those +days, as in later times, and when large bodies of successful +sea rovers set up an organized state or government that assumed +a somewhat permanent form, after a time they would +be recognized by existing nations and granted the right of +legalized warfare with diplomatic and commercial intercourse. +The Mediterranean and the Baltic were nurseries for growths +of this character and as late as 1818, European nations were +paying tribute to the corsair governments on the Barbary +coast.</p> + +<p>Piracy was considered among Englishmen a kind of petty +treason until about the year 1350, when it was made a felony +by law and it has remained so ever since. In 1536, during the +reign of Henry VIII, the laws relating to piracy were defined +by Act of Parliament and the forms of trial, executions of +sentence, etc., were established and with slight modifications +were in force in New England during the period covered by the +preceding chapters. By the practical working of this statute +curious applications sometimes developed. An Englishman<span class="pagenum" id="Page_363">[363]</span> +captured from a foreign vessel flying the flag of a country with +which England was then at war, was declared to be a pirate +and so dealt with; but a subject of a country at war with +England, if taken on board an English pirate vessel, was not +deemed to be engaged in piracy but in actual warfare.</p> + +<p>Here are some of the laws at that time, relating to piracy, +abstracted from the “Statutes of the Realm.”</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>“<i>If Letters of</i> Marque <i>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 left to +the Owners; but they are no Way liable to make Satisfaction.</i></p> + +<p>“<i>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</i> Marine; <i>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.</i></p> + +<p>“<i>If Subjects in Enmity with the Crown of</i> England, <i>are +aboard an</i> English <i>Pyrate, in Company with</i> English, <i>and a +Robbery is committed, and they are taken; it is Felony in the</i> +English, <i>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.</i></p> + +<p>“<i>If Pyracy is committed by Subjects in Enmity with</i> England +<i>upon the</i> British <i>Seas, it is properly only punishable by the +Crown of</i> England, <i>who have issued</i> Regimen & Domininum +<i>exclusive of all other Power.</i></p> + +<p>“<i>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.</i></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_364">[364]</span></p> + +<p>“<i>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.</i></p> + +<p>“<i>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</i> Marine.</p> + +<p>“<i>If a Ship is riding at Anchor, and the Mariners all ashore, +and a Pyrate attack her, and rob her, this is Pyracy.</i></p> + +<p>“<i>If a Man commit Pyracy upon the Subjects of any Prince, +or Republick, (though in Amity with us), and brings the Goods +into</i> England, <i>and sells them in a Market</i> Overt, <i>the same shall +bind, and the Owners are for ever excluded.</i></p> + +<p>“<i>If a Pyrate enters a Port of this Kingdom, and robs a Ship +at Anchor there, it is not Pyracy, because not done</i>, super altum +Mare; <i>but is Robbery at common Law, because</i> infra Corpus +Comitatus. <i>A Pardon of all Felonies does not extend to Pyracy, +but the same ought to be especially named.</i></p> + +<p>“<i>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</i> Gibraltar, +<i>within four Months; if beyond, within twelve Months.</i></p> + +<p>“<i>If any natural born Subjects or Denizons of</i> England, <i>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.</i></p> + +<p>“<i>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 Hands on his +Commander, or endeavour to make a Revolt in the Ship, he shall +be adjudged a Pyrate.</i></p> + +<p>“<i>All Persons who after the 29th of</i> September, 1720, <i>shall<span class="pagenum" id="Page_365">[365]</span> +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.</i></p> + +<p>“<i>All Persons who have committed, or shall commit any +Offences, for which they ought to be adjudged Pyrates, may be +tried for every such Offence, in such Manner as by the Act 28</i> +Henry VIII, <i>chapter 15, is directed for the Tryal of Pyrates; +and shall not have the Benefit of the Clergy.</i>”<a id="FNanchor_180" href="#Footnote_180" class="fnanchor">[180]</a></p> +</div> + +<p>The enforcement of the English statute relating to piracy +was variously interpreted in the colonial courts and local +enactments sometimes superseded it in actual practice. Previous +to 1700, the statute required that men accused of piracy +should be sent to England to be tried before a High Court of +Admiralty. Pound, Hawkins, Bradish, Kidd and other +known pirates were accordingly sent in irons to London for +trial. But the difficulties and delays, to say nothing of the +expense, induced Parliament by an Act of 11 and 12 William +III, to confer authority by which trials for piracy might be +held by the Courts of Admiralty sitting in the colonies. On +the other hand, the Massachusetts Court of Assistants, in +1675, found John Rhoades and others, guilty of piracy and +sentenced them to be “hanged presently after the lecture.” +This was in accordance with an order adopted by the Great +and General Court on Oct. 15, 1673. When Robert Munday +was tried at Newport, R. I., in 1703, it was by a jury in the +ordinary criminal court, in open disregard of the King’s +commission.</p> + +<p>Governor Bellomont in a letter to the Council of Trade, +described the situation in Massachusetts in 1699, as follows:—</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_366">[366]</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>“A pirate cannot suffer death in this province, and what to +do with Bradish’s crew and Kidd and his men, I know not, +and therefore desire your orders. The reason why their Act, +that was approved in England, will not reach the life of a +pirate is this: Piracy by the Law of England is felony without +benefit of clergy and punishment with death. Here there’s +no such thing in practice as the benefit of clergy; neither is +felony punishable with death, but by their law the felon is +only to make a three-fold restitution of the value of the offence +or trespass.”<a id="FNanchor_181" href="#Footnote_181" class="fnanchor">[181]</a></p> +</div> + +<p>The Courts of Admiralty held in the colonies were composed +of certain officials designated in the Royal commission, +including the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, the Judge of +the Vice-Admiralty for the Province, the Chief Justice, the +Secretary, Members of the Council and the Collector of Customs. +Counsel was assigned to the accused to advise and to +address the Court “upon any matter of law,” but the practice +at that time was different from the present. Accused persons +in criminal cases were obliged to conduct their own defence +and their counsel were not permitted to cross-examine witnesses, +the legal theory at the time being that the facts in the +case would appear without the necessity for counsel; that the +judge could be trusted to see this properly done; and the +jury would give the prisoner the benefit of any reasonable +doubt.</p> + +<p>Trials occupied but a short time and executions generally +took place within a few days after the sentence of the Court +was pronounced. During the interval the local clergy labored +with the condemned to induce repentance and all the terrors +of Hell were pictured early and late. Usually, the prisoners +were made the principal figures in a Sunday spectacle and +taken through the streets to the meeting-house of some prominent +minister, there to be gazed at by a congregation that +crowded the building, while the reverend divine preached a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_367">[367]</span> +sermon suited to the occasion. This discourse was invariably +printed and avidly read by the townsfolk, so that few copies +have survived the wear and tear of the years. From these +worn pamphlets may be learned something of the lives and +future of the prisoners as reflected by the mental attitude of the +attending ministers.</p> + +<p>The day of execution having arrived, the condemned +prisoners were marched in procession through the crowded +streets safely guarded by musketeers and constables. The +procession included prominent officials and ministers and was +preceded by the Marshal of the Admiralty Court carrying +“the Silver Oar,” his emblem of authority. This was usually +about three feet long and during the trial was also carried by +him in the procession of judges to the court room where it +was placed on the table before the Court during the proceedings.<a id="FNanchor_182" href="#Footnote_182" class="fnanchor">[182]</a></p> + +<p>Time-honored custom and the Act of Parliament, as well, +required that the gallows should be erected “in such place +upon the sea, or within the ebbing or flowing thereof, as the +President of the Court ... shall appoint,”<a id="FNanchor_183" href="#Footnote_183" class="fnanchor">[183]</a> and this necessitated +the construction of a scaffold or platform suspended +from the framework of the gallows by means of ropes and +blocks. When an execution took place on land, that is to say,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_368">[368]</span> +on solid ground easily approached, it was the custom at that +time to carry the condemned in a cart under the cross-arm of +the gallows and after the hangman’s rope had been adjusted +around the neck and the signal had been given, the cart would +be driven away and the condemned person left dangling in +the air. In theory, the proper adjustment of the knot in the +rope and the short fall from the body of the cart when it was +driven away, would be sufficient to break the bones of the +neck and also cause strangulation; but in practice this did not +always occur.</p> + +<p>In the winter of 1646, a case of infanticide was discovered in +Boston by a prying mid-wife and when the suspected mother +was brought before a jury and caused to touch the cloth-covered +face of the murdered infant, the covering was instantly +stained with fresh blood. Then the young woman +confessed. This was the medieval “ordeal of touch” which +was practiced in Massachusetts as late as 1768. The young +mother was condemned to death and Governor Winthrop +relates in his “Journal,” that “after she was turned off and +had hung a space, she spake, and asked what they did mean +to do. Then one stepped up and turned the knot of the rope +backward and then she soon died.”</p> + +<p>When pirates were executed on a gallows placed between +“the ebb and flow of the tide,” the scaffold on which they stood +was allowed to fall by releasing the ropes holding it suspended +in mid-air. This was always the climax of the spectacle for +which thousands of spectators had gathered from far and near. +Six pirates were hanged in Boston in 1704 and “when the +scaffold was let sink, there was such a Screech of the women” +present that the sound was heard over half a mile away. So +writes Samuel Sewall, one of the judges who had condemned +the pirates to execution.</p> + +<p>Not infrequently the judges of a Court of Admiralty had +brought before them for trial, a pirate whose career had been +more infamous than the rest. A cruel and bloody-minded<span class="pagenum" id="Page_369">[369]</span> +fellow fit only for a halter,—and then the sentence to be +hanged by the neck until dead would be followed by another +judgment,—dooming the lifeless body of the pirate to be +hanged in chains from a gibbet placed on some island or +jutting point near a ship channel, there to hang “a sun drying” +as a warning to other sailormen of evil intent. In Boston +harbor there were formerly two islands—Bird island and +Nix’s Mate—on which pirates were gibbetted. Bird island +long since disappeared and ships now anchor where the gibbet +formerly stood. Nix’s Mate was of such size that early in the +eighteenth century the selectmen of Boston advertised its +rental for the pasturage of cattle. Today, every foot of its +soil has washed away and the point of a granite monument +alone marks the site of the island where formerly a pirate hung +in chains beside the swiftly flowing tides.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i368_1" style="max-width: 114.3125em;"> +<img class="w100" src="images/i368_1.jpg" alt=""> +<figcaption>NIX’S MATE, BOSTON HARBOR, IN 1775, WHERE CAPTAIN +FLY WAS GIBBETED IN 1726<br> +<span class='c2'>From an engraving in the “Atlantic Neptune,” Part III, London, 1781, in the library +of the Massachusetts Historical Society</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp93" id="i368_2" style="max-width: 113.8125em;"> +<img class="w100" src="images/i368_2.jpg" alt=""> +<figcaption>MONUMENT ON THE SHOAL, FORMERLY NIX’S MATE, IN +1637 AN ISLAND OF MORE THAN TEN ACRES<br> +<span class='c2'>From a photograph made about 1900</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> + + + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_177" href="#FNanchor_177" class="label">[177]</a> This was the man who enticed Anne Bonny to go to sea with him and +become a female pirate.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_178" href="#FNanchor_178" class="label">[178]</a> <i>Advertisement.</i> John Smith of Boston in New England late Mate of +the Briganteen Rebecca of Charlestown burthen’d about Ninety Tuns +whereof James Flucker was late Commander and Charles Meston of Boston +aforesaid Mariner, late belonging to the said Briganteen, severally +Declare and say, That the said Briganteen in her Voyage from St. Christophers +to Boston, on the Twenty-eighth of May last past, being in the +Latitude of Thirty Eight Degrees and odd Minutes North, the said Briganteen +was taken by a Pirate Sloop, Commanded by one Lowther, having +near one Hundred Men, and Eight Guns mounted. The Day after the +said Briganteen was taken, the said Pirate parted their Company. Forty +of them went on Board the said Brigantine Commanded by Edward Loe +of Boston aforesaid, Mariner; and the rest of the said Pirates went on +board the Sloop, Commanded by the said Lowther. And Declarants +further say, That Joseph Sweetser of Charlestown aforesaid, and Richard +Rich and Robert Willis of London, Mariners, all belonging to the said +Brigantine, were forced and compelled against their Wills to go with the +said Pirates, viz. Joseph Sweetser and Richard Rich on board the Brigantine, +& Robert Willis on Board the Sloop. The said Willis having broke +his Arm by a Fall from the Mast, desired that considering his Condition +they would let him go; but they utterly refused and forced him away with +them.</p> + +<p> +<i>Signum</i> <span class="smcap">John Smith</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;"><span class="smcap">Charles Meston</span></span><br> +<br> +<i>Suffolk ss.</i> Boston, June 12, 1722.<br> +</p> + +<p>The abovenamed John Smith and Charles Meston personally appearing, +made Oath to the Truth of the aforewritten Declaration.</p> + +<p> +<i>Coram me</i> <span class="smcap">J. Willard</span>, Secr. & J. Pac.<br> +</p> + +<p> +—<i>New England Courant</i>, June 18, 1722.<br> +</p> + + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_179" href="#FNanchor_179" class="label">[179]</a> Johnson, <i>History of the Pirates</i>, London, 1726.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_180" href="#FNanchor_180" class="label">[180]</a> By the old English law the clergy were exempted from trial before a +secular judge. This privilege was afterwards extended, for many offences, +to all laymen who could read. The legal recognition of the “Benefit of +the Clergy” was not wholly repealed until 1827.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_181" href="#FNanchor_181" class="label">[181]</a> <i>Calendar of State Papers, America and West Indies</i>, 1699, p. 746.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_182" href="#FNanchor_182" class="label">[182]</a> The origin of this emblem is not known but it dates back at least to +the fourteenth century. The existing silver oar of the High Court of +Admiralty in England is believed to be of Tudor date, and that of the +Cinque Ports, now preserved at Dover Castle, England, is of an earlier +period. The silver oar had inscribed on its blade, the Royal Arms, an +anchor, or some similar device. Miniature silver oars were also in use as +badges of authority when effecting arrests under the order of an Admiralty +Court. See an article on “The Jurisdiction of the Silver Oar of the +Admiralty,” in the <i>Nautical Magazine</i>, Vol. XLVI (1877).—<span class="smcap">W. G. Perrin</span>, +<i>The Library, Admiralty, London</i>. Admiralty Courts in America continue +to use the oar as an emblem of authority. The oar preserved in the Federal +Building, Boston, is made of wood.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_183" href="#FNanchor_183" class="label">[183]</a> This was because the Admiralty Courts, in theory and practice, had +authority over acts committed on the sea and that control ceased at high-water +mark.</p> + +</div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_371">[371]</span></p> +<p id="APPENDIX"></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="APPENDIX_I">APPENDIX<br> +I<br> +<span class="ch-title">Captain Ploughman’s Privateering Commission</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="no-indent"><b>Joseph Dudley</b>, <i>Esq; Captain General and Governour in Chief, +in and over Her Majesties Provinces of the</i> Massachusetts +Bay, <i>and</i> New-Hampshire <i>in</i> New-England <i>in</i> America, <i>and +Vice-Admiral of the same. To Capt.</i> Daniel Plowman, <i>Commander +of the Briganteen</i> Charles <i>of </i> Boston, <i>Greeting</i>.</p><br> + +<p>Whereas Her Sacred Majesty <i>ANNE</i> by the Grace +of GOD, of <i>England</i>, <i>Scotland</i>, <i>France</i> and <i>Ireland</i>, +QUEEN, Defender of the Faith, <i>&c.</i> Hath an Open +and Declared War against <i>France</i> and <i>Spain</i>, their Vassals +and Subjects. <span class="smcap">And Forasmuch</span> as you have made Application +unto Me for Licence to Arm, Furnish and Equip the said +Briganteen in Warlike manner, against Her Majesties said +Enemies, I do accordingly Permit and Allow the same; And, +Reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, +Courage and good Conduct, Do by these Presents, by Virtue +of the Powers and Authorities contained in Her Majesties +Royal Commission to Me granted, Impower and Commissionate +you the said <i>Daniel Plowman</i>, to be Captain or Commander +of the said Briganteen <i>Charles</i>, Burthen Eighty Tuns +or thereabouts: Hereby Authorizing you in and with the +said Briganteen and Company to her belonging, to War, +Fight, Take, Kill, Suppress and Destroy, any Pirates, Privateers, +or other the Subjects and Vassals of <i>France</i>, or <i>Spain</i>, +the Declared Enemies of the Crown of <i>England</i>, in what Place +soever you shall happen to meet them; Their Ships, Vessels +and Goods, to take and make Prize of. And your said Briganteens<span class="pagenum" id="Page_372">[372]</span> +Company are Commanded to Obey you as their +Captain: And your self in the Execution of this Commission, +to Observe and Follow the Orders and Instructions herewith +given you. And I do hereby Request all Governors and +Commanders in Chief, of any of Her Majesties Territories, +Islands, Provinces or Plantations, where the said Captain or +Commander shall arrive with his said Vessel and Men: And +all Admirals, Vice-Admirals and Commanders of Her Majesties +Ships of War, and others, that may happen to meet him +at Sea; Also all Officers and Subjects of the Friends or Allies +of Her said Sacred Majesty, to permit him the said Captain +or Commander with his said Vessel, Men, and the Prizes that +he may have taken, freely and quietly to pass and repass, +without giving or suffering him to receive any Trouble or +Hindrance, but on the contrary all Succour and Assistance +needful. And this Commission is to continue in Force for +the Space of Six Months next ensuing (if the War so long +last) and not afterwards. <i>Given under my Hand and Seal at +Arms at</i> Boston <i>the Thirteenth Day of</i> July: <i>In the Second Year +of Her said Majesties Reign</i>, Annoque Domini, 1703.</p><br> + +<p> +<i>By His Excellencies Command</i>,<br> +<b>Isaac Addington</b>, Secr.<br> +</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_373">[373]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="APPENDIX_II">II<br> +<span class="ch-title">Captain Ploughman’s Instructions</span></h2> +</div> + + +<p class="no-indent"> +<i>Province of the</i> Massachusetts<br> +Bay <i>in</i> New-England.<br> +<br></p> + +<p class="hanging2 center"> +<i>By His Excellency</i> <b>Joseph Dudley</b>, Esq; <i>Captain-General<br> +and Governour in Chief</i>, &c. +</p><br> + +<p class="no-indent"><i>Instructions to be Observed by Capt.</i> Daniel Plowman, +<i>Commander of the Briganteen</i> Charles <i>of</i> Boston, <i>In Pursuance +of the Commission herewith given him.</i></p><br> + +<p><i>First</i>, You are to keep such good Orders among your said +Briganteen’s Company, that Swearing Drunkenness and +Prophaneness be avoided, or duly Punished; And that GOD +be duly worshipped.</p> + +<p><i>2dly</i>, You are upon all Occasions to Endeavour the maintaining +of Her Majesties Honour, and to give Protection to +Her Subjects, by endeavouring to secure them in their Trade, +and in no wise to hurt or injure any of Her Majesties Subjects, +Friends or Allies.</p> + +<p><i>3dly.</i> You are to take, seize, sink, or destroy any of the +Ships, Vessels or Goods belonging to <i>France</i> or <i>Spain</i>, their +Vassals or Subjects, the Declared Enemies of the Crown of +<i>England</i>. And all such Ships and Vessels with their Lading, +Goods, and Merchandizes, which you shall happen to seize +or take, you are to carry or send into some Port or Ports +within Her Majesties Kingdom or Dominions, to be proceeded +against and adjudged: And if near this Coast, then +to bring or send them to <i>Boston</i>, your Commission Port.</p> + +<p><i>4thly.</i> You are to take effectual Care, That no Money, +Goods, Merchandizes, or what else shall be taken by you in +any Ship, Vessel, or otherwise, be Imbezelled, Purloyned,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_374">[374]</span> +Concealed, or Conveyed away. And that Bulk be not broken +until the same be first adjudged to be Lawful Prize: And +Order given for the landing and securing thereof, as by Law +is directed. And likewise you are carefully to preserve all +Books, Papers, Letters and Writings which shall be found in +any Ship or Vessel to be by you taken, to the intent a more +clear Evidence and Discovery may be made to what Persons +such Ship or Vessel and her Lading did belong.</p> + +<p><i>5thly.</i> You are to take care, That no Person or Persons +taken or surprized by you in any Ship or Vessel as aforesaid, +though known to be of the Enemies side, be in cold Blood +killed, maimed, or by Torture or Cruelty inhumanly treated +contrary to the Common Usage or Just Permission of War.</p> + +<p><i>6thly.</i> You are to keep a fair Journal of all your Proceedings, +That so you may be the better enabled to give a Copy +thereof when you shall be thereunto duly required.</p> + +<p><i>7thly.</i> You may not at any time wear on Board your said +Briganteen, by Virtue of the said Commission, any other Jack +than that Ordered by Her Majesties Royal Proclamation, of +the Eighteenth of <i>December</i> 1702, to be worn by such Ships +as have Commission of Mart or Reprizal; and upon meeting +with any of Her Majesties Ships of War, you are to pay all +Customary Respect unto them, according to the Laws and +Orders of the Sea.</p> + +<p><i>8thly.</i> You may not enter or retain on Board your said +Briganteen any Mens Sons under Age, or Servants, contrary +to the Law of this Province: And before you depart with your +said Briganteen from the same, you are to deliver into the +Secretaries Office a List by you signed, of the Names of the +Company belonging to your said Briganteen with the Place +of their Respective Dwellings, or Aboad, as near as you can +learn; and such of them as are Inhabitants, or belonging to +this Province, you are to bring back with you to the same, +or use your best Endeavours so to do, not willingly leaving +any of them behind in other Parts.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_375">[375]</span></p> + +<p><i>9thly.</i> You are to take care, That the Prisoners which you +shall take in any Prize Ship or Vessel, or so many of them as +you may be able to keep under Command (especially the +Officers or more Principal of them) be brought or sent into +your Commission Port, or where else within Her Majesties +Dominions you send your Prizes: To the intent there may be +the more full Evidences for Condemning the same, and also +an advantage for the Exchange of Prisoners.</p> + +<p><i>Lastly.</i> You are carefully to observe and keep all the foregoing +Articles and Instructions, and not to make any breach +thereof, or of Her Majesties Laws, respecting Letters of Reprisal, +and Prize Ships and Goods; and to see that the full +and just Parts and Shares of all such Vessels and Goods as +shall be taken and seized by you, by Law accruing unto Her +Majesty, and the Lord High Admiral, be duly and truly +answered and paid.</p> + +<p><i>Given under my Hand at</i> Boston, <i>the Thirteenth Day of</i> July, +<i>in the Second Year of Her Majesties Reign</i>, Annoque Domini, +1603.</p> + +<p> +<i>Copy of the Instructions given unto me</i> J. DUDLEY.</p> +<p> Daniel Plowman. +</p><br> +<p class="center"> +<i>Register.</i><br> +</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_376">[376]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="APPENDIX_III">III<br> +<span class="ch-title">The Dying Speeches of Captain Quelch and +his Companions</span></h2> +</div> +<p class="center">An Account of the Behaviour and last Dying</p> + +<p class="center">SPEECHES</p><br> + +<p class="hanging2"> +Of the Six Pirates, that were Executed on <i>Charles River, +Boston</i> side, on Fryday <i>June</i> 30th. 1704. <i>Viz.</i></p> +<br> +<p class="hanging2"> +<i>Capt.</i> John Quelch, John Lambert, Christopher Scudamore, +John Miller, Erasmus Peterson <i>and</i> Peter Roach.</p> +<br> + +<p>The Ministers of the Town, had used more than ordinary +Endeavours, to Instruct the Prisoners, and +bring them to Repentance. There were Sermons +Preached in their hearing, Every Day: And Prayers daily +made with them. And they were Catechised; and they had +many occasional Exhortations. And nothing was left, that +could be done for their Good.</p> + +<p>On Fryday the <i>30th. of June</i> 1704. Pursuant to Orders in +the Dead Warrant, the aforesaid Pirates were guarded from +the Prison in <i>Boston</i>, by Forty Musketeers, Constables of the +Town, the Provost Marshal and his Officers, <i>&c.</i> with Two +Ministers, who took great pains to prepare them for the last +Article of their Lives. Being allowed to walk on Foot through +the Town, to Scarlets Wharff; where the Silver Oar being +carried before them; they went by Water to the Place of +Execution, being Crowded and thronged on all sides with +Multitudes of Spectators. The Ministers then Spoke to the +Malefactors, to this Effect.</p> + +<p>“We have told you often, ye we have told you Weeping,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_377">[377]</span> +That you have by Sin undone your selves; That you were +born Sinners, That you have lived Sinners, That your Sins +have been many and mighty; and that the Sins for which +you are now to Dy, are of no common aggravation. We +have told you, That there is a Saviour for Sinners, and we +have shewn you, how to commit your selves into His Saving +and Healing Hands. We have told you, That if He Save you, +He will give you an hearty Repentance for all your Sins, and +we have shown you how to Express that Repentance. We +have told you, What Marks of Life, must be desired for your +Souls, that you may Safely appear before the Judgment Seat +of God. Oh! That the means used for your Good, may by +the Grace of God be made Effectual. We can do no more, +but leave you in His Merciful Hands!</p> + +<p>“When they were gone up upon the Stage, and Silence was +Commanded, One of the Ministers Prayed.”...</p><br> + + +<p class="center"><i>They then severally Spoke</i>, Viz.</p><br> + +<p>I. Capt. <i>John Quelch</i>. The last Words he spake to One +of the Ministers at his going up the Stage, were, <i>I am not +afraid of Death, I am not afraid of the Gallows, but I am afraid +of what follows; I am afraid of a Great God, and a Judgment to +Come</i>. But he afterwards seem’d to brave it out too much +against that fear: also when on the Stage first he pulled off +his Hat, and bowed to the Spectators, and not Concerned, nor +behaving himself so much like a Dying man as some would +have done. The Ministers had in the Way to his Execution, +much desired him to Glorify God at his Death, by bearing +a due Testimony against the Sins that had ruined him, and +for the ways of Religion which he had much neglected: yet +now being called upon to speak what he had to say, it was +but thus much; <i>Gentlemen, ’Tis but little I have to speak: +What I have to say is this, I desire to be informed for what I am +here, I am Condemned only upon Circumstances. I forgive all +the World: So the Lord be Merciful to my Soul.</i> When <i>Lambert</i><span class="pagenum" id="Page_378">[378]</span> +was Warning the Spectators to beware of <i>Bad-Company</i>, +<i>Quelch</i> joyning, <i>They should also take care how they brought +Money into New-England, to be Hanged for it!</i></p> + +<p>II. <i>John Lambert.</i> He appeared much hardened, and +pleaded much on his Innocency: He desired all men to beware +of Bad Company; he seem’d in a great Agony near his +Execution: he called much and frequently on Christ, for +Pardon of Sin, that God Almighty would Save his innocent +Soul: he desired to forgive all the World: his last words were, +<i>Lord, forgive my Soul! Oh, receive me into Eternity! blessed +Name of Christ receive my Soul.</i>——</p> + +<p>III. <i>Christopher Scudamore.</i> He appeared very Penitent +since his Condemnation, was very diligent to improve his +time going to, and at the place of Execution.</p> + +<p>IV. <i>John Miller.</i> He seem’d much concerned, and complained +of a great Burden of Sins to answer for; Expressing +often, <i>Lord! What shall I do to be Saved!</i></p> + +<p>V. <i>Erasmus Peterson.</i> He cryed of injustice done him; +and said, it is very hard for so many mens Lives to be taken +away for a little Gold. He often said, <i>his Peace was made +with God; and his Soul would be with God</i>: yet extream hard +to forgive those he said wronged him: He told the Executioner, +<i>he was a strong man, and Prayed to be put out of misery +as soon as possible</i>.</p> + +<p>VI. <i>Peter Roach.</i> He seem’d little concerned, and said +but little or nothing at all.</p> + +<p><i>Francis King</i> was also Brought to the place of Execution, +but Repriev’d.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p><i>Printed for and Sold by</i> Nicholas Boone, <i>at his Shop near the Old Meeting-House +in</i> Boston, 1704.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_379">[379]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="APPENDIX_IV">IV<br> +<span class="ch-title">John Fillmore’s Narrative</span></h2> +</div> + +<p>In 1802, there was published at Suffield, Conn., a pamphlet +of twelve pages with the following title, viz:—</p><br> + +<p>“<i>Narrative of the Singular Sufferings of John Fillmore and +others on board the noted Pirate Vessel Commanded by Captain +Phillips</i>”....</p><br> + + +<p>This pamphlet was reprinted at Johnstown in 1809 and at +Aurora, N. Y. in 1837, and again, in the “Publications of +the Buffalo Historical Society,” Volume X. It was written +when John Fillmore was an old man and the testimony given +at the trial of the pirates shows it to be inaccurate in some +particulars. It preserves, however, biographical details which +are probably correct.</p> + +<p>Fillmore relates that his father was a sailor who was taken +into Martinico by a French frigate where he was imprisoned +and suffered many hardships so that when sent home in a +French cartel he died on the voyage. Young Fillmore was +apprenticed to a carpenter and across the road from where +he lived was a tailor who had an apprentice named William +White who afterwards went to sea. When young Fillmore +met him again it was on board Phillips’ pirate vessel off the +Newfoundland coast.</p> + +<p>When seventeen years old Fillmore went to sea in the sloop +“Dolphin,” Captain Haskell, and was taken by Phillips +soon after reaching the fishing grounds. “Having heard of +the cruelties committed by Phillips,” he refused to go on +board his vessel until White came back with an order to +bring him on board “dead or alive.” He states that while<span class="pagenum" id="Page_380">[380]</span> +with Phillips he was assigned the helm for much of the time, +and on one occasion when a fine merchant ship was sighted, +Captain Phillips “walked the deck with his glass in his hand” +and damned young Fillmore for not steering as well as he +thought he should and at last struck him over the head with +his broadsword, cutting his hat. The merchant was light +and a better sailer and so got away.</p> + +<p>When Fern, the carpenter, attempted to get away the +second time, Phillips ran his sword through his body and +then blew out his brains with a pistol. Phillips also killed a +young friend of Fillmore’s in the same manner.</p> + +<p>Fillmore represents that he played a very active part in +the overthrow of the pirates, which he initiated the evening +before by burning the soles of the feet of White and Archer, +as they lay dead drunk below deck, so that they were unable +to come on deck the next day. At the time of the attack +the master was preparing to take an observation and “the +quartermaster was in the cabin drawing out some leaden +slugs for a musket.” Fillmore relates that he split open the +head of the boatswain with a broadax, hit the captain on the +head and stunned him and when the quartermaster, hearing +the noise, came running out of the cabin with a hammer in +his hand he “gave him a blow on the back of his head cutting +his wig and neck almost off so that his head hung down before +him.” As Archer was the quartermaster of the vessel and +was supposed to be suffering with burned feet and unable to +come on deck, Fillmore at this point seems to add embroidery +to his narrative. He also states that three of the pirates +were sent to England for trial and hanged there.</p> + +<p>James Cheeseman returned to England where he was rewarded +by the Government, says Fillmore, and enjoyed until +his death the office of quartermaster in the dockyard at +Portsmouth.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_381">[381]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="APPENDIX_V">V<br> +<span class="ch-title">An “Act of Grace”</span></h2> +</div> + +<p>From time to time proclamations were published granting +a gracious pardon to those guilty of acts of piracy who would +surrender themselves to the authorities on or before a certain +date. These offers of pardon were known as “Acts of Grace.” +The proclamation made in 1717, which brought about the +great surrender of pirates in the Bahamas, is here reprinted.</p> + + +<p class="center"> +By the King</p> +<p>A PROCLAMATION for Suppressing of PYRATES</p> +<br> + +<p>“Whereas we have received information, that several +Persons, Subjects of Great Britain, have, since the 24th 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 5th 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<span class="pagenum" id="Page_382">[382]</span> +Pyracy, or Piracies, 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 6th 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 Pyrate Ship and 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 Pyrat 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.</p> + +<p>“Given at our Court, at Hampton-Court, the fifth Day of +September, 1717, in the fourth Year of our Reign.</p> + +<p class="right"> +GEORGE R.</p> +<p class="center"> +“God save the KING.”<br> +</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" style="max-width: 150em;"> + <img class='w100' id='i000' src='images/i000_frontendpaper.jpg' alt=''> + <figcaption><span class='smcap'>Boston harbor from the survey in the “English +Pilot,”</span> Part IV. London, 1707<br> +<span class='c2'>From an original in the Harvard College Library.</span></figcaption> +</figure> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i511_backendpaper" style="max-width: 495.6875em;"> +<img class="w100" src="images/i511_backendpaper.jpg" alt=""> +<figcaption><span class="smcap">Map of Cape Cod in 1717, showing the location of +the pirate wreck</span><br> +<span class='c2'>From a chart surveyed and published by Capt. Cyprian +Southack of Boston, now in possession of John W. Farwell.</span> +</figcaption> +</figure> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_383">[383]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="INDEX">INDEX</h2> +</div> + + +<ul class="index"> +<li class="ifrst"> Acadie, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Acapulco, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Ackin, John, <a href="#Page_303">303</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Act of Grace, <a href="#Page_344">344</a>, <a href="#Page_361">361</a>, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Addington, Isaac, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Aernouts, Jurriaen, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Aix-la-Chapelle, Treaty of, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Allen, Rev. John, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Alsop, ----, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Andreson, Cornelius, <a href="#Page_45">45-51</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Andros, Gov. Edmund, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Angola, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Annisquam, <a href="#Page_310">310</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Anstis, Captain, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Apthorp, Edward, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Archer, John Rose, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323-325</a>, <a href="#Page_380">380</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Arnold, Sion, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Ashton, Benjamin, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Philip, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218-270</a>, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Sarah (Hendly), <a href="#Page_221">221</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Atkins, John, xxii.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Atkinson, William, <a href="#Page_331">331-335</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Atwell, Christopher, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Austin, James, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Avery, “Long Ben,” xviii, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, <a href="#Page_346">346-348</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Ayres, Captain, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Azores, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"> Babson, James, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bahama Islands, <a href="#Page_344">344</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Baker, Thomas, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Baptis, John, <a href="#Page_317">317</a>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Barbary Coast, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Barlow, Jonathan, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Barnard, Rev. John, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Barnes, Henry, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Barney, Jonathan, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Barrows, George, <a href="#Page_317">317</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bartlett, Sarah, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bass, Rev. ----, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Basse, Governor, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Jeremiah, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Beal, Obadiah, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Beer, Captain, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Belcher, Andrew, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bell, John, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bellamy, Samuel, <a href="#Page_116">116-131</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bellomont, Governor, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73-80</a>, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Benbrook, James, <a href="#Page_333">333-335</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bennett, William, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bermuda, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bernard, Thomas, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bevins, Benjamin, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bishop, ----, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Blades, William, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Blair, James, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Blake, Benjamin, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Blaney, ----, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Blaze, John, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Block Island, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bluefield, ----, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bonnet, Stede, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bonny, Anne, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bootman, John, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Borneo, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Boston, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, + <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, + <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>,</li> +<li class="isub4">335, <a href="#Page_368">368</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bouche, Oliver la, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bovewe, John, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bradish, Joseph, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_40">40-43</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bradstreet, Governor, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Brazil, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Breck, John, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bredcake, Thomas, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Brenton, ----, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Jahlael, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Brethren of the Coast, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bridgman, ----, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bright, John, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Brinkley, James, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Brisco, Lieutenant, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Broadhaven, Ireland, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Brown, Captain, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300-302</a>, + <a href="#Page_306">306</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, Jr., <a href="#Page_148">148</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Nicholas, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Browne, Edward, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Buccaneers, <a href="#Page_10">10-15</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Buck, Eleazer, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67-70</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bull, Dixey, <a href="#Page_20">20-22</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Bumstead, Jeremiah, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Burgess, ----, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">T., <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">William, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Burk, ----, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Burlington, Captain, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Burrage, ----, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Burrill, ----, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Byfield, Nathaniel, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"> Cahoon, James, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Calder, Thomas, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Calley, Edward, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Campbell, Duncan, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Campeachy, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Candor, Ralph, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Cape Ann, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Cape Cod, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Cape Verde Islands, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Carr, John, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Carracioli, ----, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Carter, Captain, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Denis, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Cary, Captain, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_361">361</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Casco Bay, Me., <a href="#Page_31">31</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Casey, Captain, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Cass, John, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Castine, Me., <a href="#Page_44">44-46</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Caymans Islands, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Chadwell, Benjamin, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Chambly, ---- de, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Chandler, Captain, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Chard, Allen, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Cheeseman, Edward, <a href="#Page_311">311-313</a>, <a href="#Page_321">321-323</a>, <a href="#Page_380">380</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Cheever, ----, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Chevalle, Daniel, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Child, Thomas, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Chuley, Daniel, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Church, Charles, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Churchill, John, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Clap, Rev. ----, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Roger, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Clark, Jeremiah, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">William, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Clarke, Jeremiah, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">William, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Clayton, ----, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Clifford, John, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Coates, Edward, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Cocklyn, Thomas, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Coddington, Capt., <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Codin, James, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Codman, John, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Cole, John, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Joseph, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Samuel, <a href="#Page_329">329</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Thomas, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Collins, Daniel, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Thomas, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Collyer, John, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Colman, John, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Combs, Captain, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Condick, George, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Congdon, ----, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Coombs, John, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Cooper, Joseph, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Cooper, Thomas, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Coote, Richard, _see_ Bellomont.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Coward, William, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Cox, Captain, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Craig, Captain, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Cranston, Governor, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Cromwell, Thomas, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Cross, William, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Crumpstey, Andrew, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Cues, Peter, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Cundon, Morice, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Cunningham, Patrick, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Cuthbert, William, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Curacao, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Curre, John, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"> Danforth, Thomas, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Daniels, James, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Danson, John, <a href="#Page_29">29-31</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Darby, John, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Dauling, Robert, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Davies, Capt., <a href="#Page_36">36</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Davis, ----, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Gabriel, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Howel, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Silvanus, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Thomas, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Daw, John, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> De Haws, Captain, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Delbridge, Andrew, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Deloe, Jonathan, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Dew, Capt., <a href="#Page_31">31</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Dickenson, John, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Dicks, Anthony, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Dipper, Henry, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Doane, Joseph, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Doggett, Samuel, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Dole, Francis, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Dolliber, Joseph, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Dorothy, John, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Douglass, James, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">William, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Dove, Captain, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Doyly, Colonel, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Drew, George, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Drury, Robert, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Dudley, Gov. Joseph, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, + <a href="#Page_371">371</a>, <a href="#Page_373">373</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Paul, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Dummer, ----, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Jeremiah, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">William, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Dunavan, James, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Dunbar, Captain, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Nicholas, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Dunn, William, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Dunston, Thomas, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Dunwell, ----, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Durffie, Richard, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Durell, Captain, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Dyer, ----, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"> Easton, Peter, <a href="#Page_2">2</a>, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Eastwick, Captain, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Eaton, Edward, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Edgecomb, Capt., <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Edwards, Benjamin, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Eldridge, Webster, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Eleuthera, W. I., <a href="#Page_29">29</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Ellery, Dependence, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Ellicot, Captain, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Elwell, Joshua, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Samuel, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Emmot, Joseph, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76-79</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> England, Edward, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> English, Philip, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Erickson, Erick, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Esquemeling, John, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Ester, Captain, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Estwick, Captain, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"> Fabens, James, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Lawrence, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Faro, Captain, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Falmouth, Me., <a href="#Page_57">57</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Farrington, Thomas, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Feake, John, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Feny, John, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Ferguson, William, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Fern, Thomas, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319-321</a>, <a href="#Page_380">380</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Fife, James, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Filmore, John, <a href="#Page_311">311-313</a>, <a href="#Page_317">317</a>, <a href="#Page_321">321-324</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Fillmore, Millard, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Fisher, Dr. Archibald, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>, <a href="#Page_303">303</a>, <a href="#Page_309">309</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Fitz-Gerald, John, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Fitzgerald, Thomas, <a href="#Page_122">122-124</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Fitzherbert, John, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Flags, _see_ Pirate flags.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Fletcher, Gov. Benjamin, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>,84,92-95.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Flucker, James, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Fly, William, <a href="#Page_328">328-337</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Folger, Abissai, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Forcing men, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Ford, John, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Forrest, William, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Foster, John, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">William, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Franklin, Benjamin, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Fraser, William, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Frontenac, Governor, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Freeborn, Matthew, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Freeman, Edward, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Fulker, John, <a href="#Page_331">331</a>, <a href="#Page_332">332</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Fulmore, Simon, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Furber, Captain, <a href="#Page_317">317</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"> Gale, John, <a href="#Page_331">331</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Gallison, Jane, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Gallop, Benjamin, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Gardiner, ----, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Gardiner’s Island, N. Y., <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> George, John, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Gibbetting, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>, + <a href="#Page_369">369</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Giddings, John, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Giddins, Paul, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Gifford, Jane, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Robert, <a href="#Page_218">218-220</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Gilbert, Mrs. Mary, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Richard, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Giles, Harry, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Gillam, James, <a href="#Page_34">34-38</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Girdler, George, <a href="#Page_333">333</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Glen, Thomas, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Gloucester, Mass., <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Glover, ----, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Goffe, Christopher, <a href="#Page_30">30-32</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Gorges, Sir Ferdinando, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Gough, Captain, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Gould, ----, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Goulden, Penelope, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Goulding, Captain, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Gourdon, Zana, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Graham, ----, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Grande, Thomas, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Granger, Roger, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Grant, Peter, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Graves, Captain, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Green, John, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>, <a href="#Page_329">329</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Greenman, Captain, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Greenville, Henry, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Grenada, W. I., <a href="#Page_201">201</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Griffin, Richard, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Thomas, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Gross, Dixey, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Gulleck, Thomas, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Gullock, Capt., <a href="#Page_38">38</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Gwatkins, Captain, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"> Hains, Richard, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hall, Nathaniel, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Thomas, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hallam, Nicholas, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Halsey, Dinah, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">James, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hamilton, Captain, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Haraden, Andrew, <a href="#Page_310">310-323</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Harding, Samuel, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Thomas, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hargrave, ----, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Harvey, ----, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Harris, Charles, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, + <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>,</li> +<li class="isub4">288-309.</li> +<li class="isub2">Samuel, <a href="#Page_333">333</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Harwood, John, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Haskell, Captain, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hawkins, Abigail, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Hannah, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Thomas, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55-70</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279-281</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hazell, Thomas, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Headland, John, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Heath, Peleg, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Heed, Captain, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Henley, ----, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Herrick, Captain, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hesh, George, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hester, ----, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Higginson, Rev. John, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Nathaniel, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Thomas, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hill, Henry, <a href="#Page_329">329</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hilliard, Edward, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hinchard, Dr. John, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hobby, Charles, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Holding, Anthony, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Holloway, Henry, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Holman, John, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Honan, Daniel, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Honduras, Bay of, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_341">341-344</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hood, Captain, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hoof, Peter Cornelius, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hope, John, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hopkins, Caleb, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hore, ----, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hornygold, Benjamin, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hubbard, Captain, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Huggit, Thomas, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hull, Edward, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hunt, Captain, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hunter, Andrew, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Henry, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hussam, Captain, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hutchinson, ----, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Elisha, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hutnot, Joseph, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Hyde, Daniel, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"> Ireland, John, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Isles of Shoals, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Ivemay, Charles, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"> Jacob, ----, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Jamaica Discipline, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> James, Charles, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Jenkins, Thomas, <a href="#Page_329">329</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Jennings, ----, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Henry, <a href="#Page_343">343-345</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Johnson, Charles, v, xviii.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Johnson, Isaac, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Thomas, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_56">56-70</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Jones, Captain, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Thomas, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>, + <a href="#Page_304">304</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">William, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Judson, Randall, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Julian, John, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"> Kelly, James, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Kelsey, Captain, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Kencate, Dr. John, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Kendale, Ralph, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Kent, Ebenezer, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Kewes, Peter, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Kidd, Robert, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Rev. John, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Mrs. Sarah, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">William, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73-83</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> King, Charles, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> King, Francis, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Peter, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Knight, Christopher, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Knot, Captain, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"> La Bouche, Oliver, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Lacey, Abraham, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Lakin, Thomas, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Lambert, ----, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_110">110-113</a>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Lancy, William, <a href="#Page_321">321-323</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Lander, Daniel, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Lansley, Captain, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Larkin, David, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">George, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Larramore, Captain, <a href="#Page_104">104-106</a>, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Lassen, Isaac (indian), <a href="#Page_317">317</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Laughton, Francis, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Lawrence, Edward, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Richard, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Laws, Captain, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Lawson, Edward, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Nicholas, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Layal, Captain, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Layton, Francis, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Lebous, Louis, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Legg, Colonel, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Leonard, Robert, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Leverett, Governor, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Levercott, Samuel, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Lewis, Nicholas, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Libbie, Joseph, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>, + <a href="#Page_303">303-305</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Libertatia, Madagascar, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Lilly, Captain, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Lindsay, David, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Linisker, Thomas, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Littleton, Captain, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Livingston, Robert, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Logwood, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> L’Olonnais, ----, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Long, Captain, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Long Island, N. Y., <a href="#Page_17">17</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Loper, Jacobus, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Lopez, Jacob, <a href="#Page_309">309</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Lord, John, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">William, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Lovering, Captain, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Low, Edward, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, + <a href="#Page_141">141-242</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>,</li> +<li class="isub4">293, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a>, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Elizabeth, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Lowther, George, <a href="#Page_132">132-140</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143-146</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213-216</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>, + <a href="#Page_289">289</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a>,</li> +<li class="isub4">359.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Lyde, Edward, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Lyne, Philip, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"> Machias, Me., <a href="#Page_47">47</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> MacKarty, Captain, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Mackconachy, Alexander, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Mackdonald, Edward, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Madagascar, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, + <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346-352</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Madbury, John, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Main, Paul, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Maine coast, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Mainwaring, Henry, <a href="#Page_2">2-4</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Maise, ----, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Manning, George, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Marble, Eliza, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Marblehead, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Marooning, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Marsh, William, <a href="#Page_298">298-300</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Marshall, Joseph, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Martel, John, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Mason, ----, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Masters, John, <a href="#Page_317">317</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Mather, Rev. Cotton, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, + <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Rev. Increase, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Maverick, Samuel, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> May, George, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Mayhew, Matthew, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Maze, William, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Meinzies, James, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Mercy, Captain, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Merritt, Nicholas, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, + <a href="#Page_224">224</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>,</li> +<li class="isub4">270-276.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Meston, Charles, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Miller, John, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>, + <a href="#Page_378">378</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Mills, William, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Minott, William, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Mission, Captain, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Mitchell, Alexander, <a href="#Page_329">329</a>, <a href="#Page_333">333</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">George, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Thomas, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Mixture, Sam, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Montgomery, ----, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Moore, Captain, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>, <a href="#Page_317">317</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Walter, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">William, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Morris, Thomas, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Morgan, Henry, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Mortimer, Robert, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Mosely, Samuel, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Mountjoy, George, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Mudd, John, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_303">303</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Mues, William, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Mumford, Thomas (indian), <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Munday, Robert, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Mundon, Stephen, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"> Nantucket, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Narramore, Richard, <a href="#Page_29">29-31</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Nauset, Mass., <a href="#Page_61">61</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Navigation Acts, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Neff, William, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Nelley, James, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Newfoundland, <a href="#Page_2">2</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a>, + <a href="#Page_361">361</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> New London, Conn., <a href="#Page_27">27</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Newport, R. I., <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, + <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295-307</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> New Providence, W. I., <a href="#Page_344">344</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> New York, N. Y., <a href="#Page_349">349</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Nichols, William, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Norton, Benjamin, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">George, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Noxon, Thomas, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Nutt, John, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"> Oort, John, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Orford, Earl of, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Orleans, Mass., <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Orne, ----, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Otley, Colonel, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Outerbridge, William, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Owen, Richard, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"> Paige, Nicholas, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Pain, Thomas, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Panama, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Papillion, Peter, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Pare, ----, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Parrot, James, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Parsons, John, <a href="#Page_317">317</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Joseph, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Patteshall, Richard, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Pattison, James, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Payne, ----, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Henry, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Pearce, Richard, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Pease, James, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Samuel, <a href="#Page_63">63-66</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Peirse, George, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Pemaquid, Me., <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Penner, Major, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Perkins, Benjamin, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Perrin, W. G., <a href="#Page_367">367</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Perry, Matthew, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Peterson, ----, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Erasmus, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>, + <a href="#Page_378">378</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Phillips, Frederick, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, <a href="#Page_310">310-324</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>, <a href="#Page_380">380</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Thomas, xvii.</li> +<li class="isub2">William, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Phips, Richard, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Picket, John, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Pier, ----, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Pierson, Henry, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Pike, Samuel, Jr., <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Pimer, Matthew, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Piracy, executions for, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, + <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>,</li> +<li class="isub4">324, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>, <a href="#Page_367">367</a>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Laws against, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_362">362</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Trials for, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, + <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>,</li> +<li class="isub4">365.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Pirate articles, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>, + <a href="#Page_320">320</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Pirate flags, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>, + <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Pirate vessel, life on a, <a href="#Page_157">157-199</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353-358</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Pitman, Captain, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Plantain, ----, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Ploughman, Daniel, <a href="#Page_371">371-375</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Plowman, Daniel, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Plymouth, Mass., <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Port Mayo, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Port Royal, Jamaica, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Porto Bello, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Portsmouth, N. H., <a href="#Page_31">31</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Pound, Thomas, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54-70</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Povey, Thomas, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Powel, Thomas, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Pownall, Thomas, <a href="#Page_303">303-305</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Prentice, John, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Prince, Isaac, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Job, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Lawrence, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Privateering, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Commission, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Instructions, <a href="#Page_373">373</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Pro, John, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Puerto Velo, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"> Quelch, John, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99-115</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, Dying speech of, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>, <a href="#Page_377">377</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Quintor, Hendrick, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Quittance, John, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"> Rackham, John, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Randolph, Edward, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Ray, Caleb, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Rayner, William, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Rea, Captain, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Dr. Caleb, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Read, Mary, xviii.</li> +<li class="isub2">William, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Red Sea, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, + <a href="#Page_346">346</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Reed, Captain, <a href="#Page_317">317</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Reeve, Thomas, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Rhoades, John, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Rhode, John, <a href="#Page_44">44-53</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Rhode Island, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Rice, Owen, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Rich, Richard, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Robert, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Richards, Captain, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Richardson, Nicholas, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">William, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Roach, Captain, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Peter, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Roatan, W. I., <a href="#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Roberts, Bart., <a href="#Page_43">43</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Bartholomew, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>, + <a href="#Page_361">361</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">George, <a href="#Page_156">156-199</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Robinson, Captain, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Abraham, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Roderigo, Peter, <a href="#Page_45">45-51</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Rogers, Woods, <a href="#Page_344">344</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>, <a href="#Page_347">347</a>, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Romney, Earl of, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Roseway, N. S., <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218-220</a>, <a href="#Page_224">224-231</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Ross, Captain, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Rush, James, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Russell, Charles, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169-198</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>, <a href="#Page_230">230</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Ruth, Richard, <a href="#Page_331">331</a>, <a href="#Page_332">332</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Ryswick, Peace of, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"> Salem, Mass., <a href="#Page_111">111</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Sallee, Morocco, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Salter, John, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Thomas, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Sample, R., <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Sandison, Captain, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Sanford, Colonel, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Sargent, Epes, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Scarlett, Captain, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Scot, Andrew, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Lewis, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Scottow, Joshua, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Scudamore, Christopher, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Scudder, Thomas, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Sebada, Kempo, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Sergeant, Peter, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Sewall, Samuel, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102-107</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>, + <a href="#Page_335">335</a>, <a href="#Page_368">368</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Stephen, <a href="#Page_104">104-107</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Shapleigh, Major, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Nicholas, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Sharp, Bart., xviii.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Shaw, John, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Sheehan, John, 130.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Shelley, ----, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Shipton, Captain, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283-287</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Shortrigs, William, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Shrewsbury, Duke of, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Shrimpton, Epaphras, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Samuel, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Shute, Gov. Samuel, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Shutfield, William, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Siccadam, John, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Silver oar, <a href="#Page_367">367</a>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Simons, Nicholas, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Simpkins, Captain, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Skiff, Nathan, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Skillegorne, Captain, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Slyfield, George, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Smart, John, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Smith, Edward, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Henry, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, <a href="#Page_1">1</a>, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">William, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Sole, John, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Solgard, Peter, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292-309</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Somers, Lord, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Sound, Joseph, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> South, Thomas, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Southack, Cyprian, <a href="#Page_127">127-129</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Spafforth, Captain, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Sparks, James, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Spiller, Mary, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Spriggs, Francis Farrington, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, + <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>,</li> +<li class="isub4">216, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277-287</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, + <a href="#Page_339">339</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Sprinkly, James, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Stamford, Conn., <a href="#Page_17">17</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Stanbridge, Edward, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Stanny, Richard, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Staples, Captain, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Start, Captain, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Staunton, Daniel, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Stephens, ----, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Richard, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Stephenson, Captain, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Stone, Captain, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Storey, Thomas, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Storms, severe, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Streator, Thomas, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Sweating, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Sweet, Dr. James, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Sweetser, Joseph, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>, <a href="#Page_303">303-305</a>, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Symonds, John, <a href="#Page_265">265-268</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"> Taffery, Peter, <a href="#Page_317">317</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Tasker, George, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Taylor, ----, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">William, <a href="#Page_317">317</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Teach, Captain, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Edward, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Templeton, John, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Tew, Richard, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Thomas, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84-98</a>, <a href="#Page_347">347</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Thaxter, Joseph, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Thomas, James, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Thomas, John, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Thompson, ----, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Captain, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Thorogood, Samuel, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Thurbar, Richard, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Tillinghast, Peter, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Tomkins, John, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Tortuga, <a href="#Page_11">11-15</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Tosh, William, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Tozer, Captain, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Elias, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Trefry, Thomas, <a href="#Page_218">218-220</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Triangles, W. I., <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Tricker, Israel, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Trot, Nicholas, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Tulford, Richard, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Turner, Captain, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"> Umper, Tom (indian), <a href="#Page_295">295</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Uran, Edward, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Uring, Nathaniel, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"> Valentine, John, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Van der Scure, Frederick, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Van Vorst, Simon, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Vane, Charles, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Veale, Captain, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Vessels.</li> +<li class="isub2">Abraham Fisher (privateer), <a href="#Page_62">62</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Adventure (hakeboat), <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Adventure (sloop), <a href="#Page_39">39</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Adventure Galley (ship), <a href="#Page_75">75</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Advice (man-of-war), <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Albemarle (East Indiaman), <a href="#Page_40">40</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">America (ship), <a href="#Page_38">38</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Amity (ship), <a href="#Page_346">346</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Amity (sloop), <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Amsterdam Merchant (ship), <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Amy (ship), <a href="#Page_136">136</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Antonio (ship), <a href="#Page_25">25</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Batchelor’s Delight (ship), <a href="#Page_283">283</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Bijoux (ship), <a href="#Page_91">91</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Boneta (brigantine), <a href="#Page_331">331</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Brothers Adventure (sloop), <a href="#Page_62">62</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Carteret (ship), <a href="#Page_207">207</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Charles (brigantine), <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99-102</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Childhood (sloop), <a href="#Page_87">87</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Content (sloop), <a href="#Page_317">317</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Crown (ship), <a href="#Page_206">206</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Daniel (brigantine), <a href="#Page_282">282</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Delight (ship), <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Diamond (man-of-war), <a href="#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Dolphin (sloop), <a href="#Page_379">379</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Dolphin (vessel), <a href="#Page_346">346</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Dove (ship), <a href="#Page_152">152</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Eagle (sloop), <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Edward and Thomas (barque), <a href="#Page_46">46</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Elinor (ketch), <a href="#Page_32">32</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Elizabeth (shallop), <a href="#Page_218">218</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Elizabeth (snow), <a href="#Page_328">328</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Endeavor (sloop), <a href="#Page_279">279</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Fame’s Revenge (snow), <a href="#Page_330">330</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Fancy (schooner), <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, + <a href="#Page_290">290</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Fanny (vessel), <a href="#Page_346">346</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Farley (sloop), <a href="#Page_210">210</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Feversham (man-of-war), <a href="#Page_134">134</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Flying Horse (privateer), <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Fortune (ship), <a href="#Page_63">63</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Fortune (sloop), <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Frederick (ship), <a href="#Page_89">89</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Gambia Castle (ship), <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Glasgow (sloop), <a href="#Page_320">320</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Good Fortune (ship), <a href="#Page_314">314</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Good Speed (sloop), <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Good-Will (schooner), <a href="#Page_321">321</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Greyhound (man-of-war), <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, + <a href="#Page_308">308</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Greyhound (ship), <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Guernsey (man-of-war), <a href="#Page_115">115</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Happy Delivery (ship), <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Happy Delivery (sloop), <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Hopefull Betty (sloop), <a href="#Page_207">207</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Irwin (ship), <a href="#Page_314">314</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">James (schooner), <a href="#Page_333">333</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Jane (shallop), <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John and Betty (ship), <a href="#Page_331">331</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John and Elizabeth (brigantine), <a href="#Page_137">137</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John and Hannah (sloop), <a href="#Page_331">331</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Jolly Batchelor (vessel), <a href="#Page_279">279</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">King George (vessel), <a href="#Page_206">206</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">King Sagamore (ship), <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">King William (ship), <a href="#Page_206">206</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Larramore Galley, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Liberty (sloop), <a href="#Page_87">87</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Lincolnshire (sloop), <a href="#Page_138">138</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Little Joseph (sloop), <a href="#Page_136">136</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Liverpool Merchant (ship), <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Margaret (sloop), <a href="#Page_156">156-199</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Mary (brigantine), <a href="#Page_317">317</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Mary (ketch), <a href="#Page_56">56</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Mary (schooner), <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Mary (sloop), <a href="#Page_63">63</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Mary and John (ship), <a href="#Page_285">285</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Mary Ann (pink), <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Mary Ann (sloop), <a href="#Page_116">116</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Mary Galley (ship), <a href="#Page_135">135</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Mere de Dieu (ship), <a href="#Page_152">152</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Mermaid (man-of-war), <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Merriam (sloop), <a href="#Page_281">281</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Merrimack (brigantine), <a href="#Page_59">59</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Merry Christmas (ship), <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Milton (schooner), <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_224">224</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Mocha (frigate), <a href="#Page_34">34</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Nathaniel (sloop), <a href="#Page_127">127</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Nostra Dame (ship), <a href="#Page_152">152</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Nostra Signiora de Victoria (ship), <a href="#Page_201">201</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Pearl (vessel), <a href="#Page_346">346</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Penobscot (shallop), <a href="#Page_46">46</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Philip (shallop), <a href="#Page_46">46</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Pompey (ship), <a href="#Page_330">330</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Portsmouth Adventure (vessel), <a href="#Page_346">346</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Postillion (sloop), <a href="#Page_116">116</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Princess (vessel), <a href="#Page_139">139</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Province Galley, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Quidah Merchant (ship), <a href="#Page_42">42</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Rachel (sloop), <a href="#Page_333">333</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Ranger (sloop), <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, + <a href="#Page_278">278</a>, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_303">303</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Rebecca (brigantine), <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, + <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Rebeckah (schooner), <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Resolution (sloop), <a href="#Page_59">59</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Revenge (schooner), <a href="#Page_315">315-324</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Rose (frigate), <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Rose (pink), <a href="#Page_152">152-155</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">St. Michael (ship), <a href="#Page_117">117</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Sally Rose (frigate), <a href="#Page_69">69</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Samuel (schooner), <a href="#Page_218">218</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Samuel (ship), <a href="#Page_361">361</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Sea Flower (sloop), <a href="#Page_114">114</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Seafort (ship), <a href="#Page_23">23</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Sea Horse (man-of-war), <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Separation (ship), <a href="#Page_23">23</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Solebay (man-of-war), <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Sparrow (ketch), <a href="#Page_29">29</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Squirrel (ship), <a href="#Page_216">216</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Squirrel (sloop), <a href="#Page_310">310-313</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Stanhope (pink), <a href="#Page_202">202</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Sultana (ship), <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Susannah (ship), <a href="#Page_160">160</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Swallow frigott (barque), <a href="#Page_24">24</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Swallow (man-of-war), xxii.</li> +<li class="isub2">Swan (ship), <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Swan (sloop), <a href="#Page_129">129</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Swift (schooner), <a href="#Page_137">137</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Sycamore (galley), <a href="#Page_302">302</a>, <a href="#Page_303">303</a>, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Thomasine (ship), <a href="#Page_287">287</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Trial (shallop), <a href="#Page_104">104</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Unity (snow), <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Victoire (ship), <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Whidaw (galley), <a href="#Page_117">117-130</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">William (sloop), <a href="#Page_205">205</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Wright (galley), <a href="#Page_153">153</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Vyall, John, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"> Wadham, Captain, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Wainwright, Colonel, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Wake, Captain, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Thomas, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Wakefield, Samuel, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Waldron, Captain, <a href="#Page_309">309</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Jacob, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">William, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Walker, Samuel, <a href="#Page_331">331</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Walking the plank, <a href="#Page_361">361</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Wall, John, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Walters, John, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Want, Captain, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Wappen, Rupert, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Wapping, Eng., <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Ward, ----, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Warden, William, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Warren, William, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Waters, John, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Sampson, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Watkins, John, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Watson, Harry, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Watts, Samuel, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Way, John, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Weaver, ----, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Webb, Rev. ----, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Weekham, Benjamin, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Welch, John, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Welland, John, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298-300</a>, <a href="#Page_303">303</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Wellfleet, Mass., <a href="#Page_125">125</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Wells, ----, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> West Indies, <a href="#Page_10">10-15</a>, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>, <a href="#Page_348">348</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> West, Richard, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Wetherley, Tee, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Wharton, ----, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Wheeler, Benjamin, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Thomas, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> White, ----, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Anthony, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Robert, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">William, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>, <a href="#Page_322">322-325</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Whiting, William, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Wickstead, Captain, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Wiggoner, ----, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Wild, Elias, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Wiles, William, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Wilkinson, Thomas, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Williams, James, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Paul, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, + <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Paulsgrave, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Williard, John, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Willing, Captain, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Willis, Joseph, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Robert, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Wilson, Alexander, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Winter, Christopher, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Winthrop, Adam, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">John, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Thomas, <a href="#Page_329">329</a>, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Waitstill, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Wollery, William, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Wood, James, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">William, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Woodbury, John, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Worley, Captain, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"> Wyndham, James, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"> Yaw, David, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> +</ul> + + + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_395">[395]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="PUBLICATIONS_OF_THE">PUBLICATIONS OF THE +MARINE RESEARCH SOCIETY</h2> +</div> + +<p class="center">SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS</p> + + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>I. THE SAILING SHIPS OF NEW ENGLAND, 1607-1907, by <span class="smcap">John +Robinson</span> and <span class="smcap">George Francis Dow</span>. Large 8vo. +(7 x 10), 320 illustrations, 430 pages, blue buckram +binding.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>Sixty copies were printed on large paper.</p> +</div> + +<p>II. THE PIRATES OF THE NEW ENGLAND COAST, 1630-1730, by +<span class="smcap">George Francis Dow</span> and <span class="smcap">John Henry Edmonds, with an +introduction by Capt. Ernest H. Pentecost</span>, R. N. R. Large +8vo. (7 x 10), 47 illustrations, 416 pages, red buckram binding.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>Eighty-five copies were printed on large paper.</p> +</div> + +<p>III. WRECKED AMONG CANNIBALS IN THE FIJIIS, by <span class="smcap">William +Endicott, with notes by Lawrence Waters Jenkins</span>, 8vo. +(6¼ x 9½), 13 illustrations, 82 pages, Fabriano paper +boards, linen back.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="transnote"> +<p class="center"><b>Transcriber’s Notes</b></p> +<p class="no-indent">New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain.</p> +<p class="no-indent">Images have been relocated close to related content.</p> +<p class="no-indent">Endpaper map illustrations have been relocated to end of text, before index.</p> +<p class="no-indent">Footnotes have been renumbered consecutively and relocated at the end of the related chapters.</p> +<p class="no-indent">Perceived typographical errors have been silently corrected.</p> +<p class="no-indent">Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved.</p> +<p class="no-indent">Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved.</p> 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