THE
UNIVERSITY
OF CHICAGO
LIBRARY














A GENERAL
HISTORY
OF THE
PYRATES,
FROM
Their firſt Rise and SETTLEMENT in the Iſand of
Providence, to the preſent Time.
With the remarkable Actions and Adventures of the two Female Pyrates
Mary Read and Anne BONNY;
Contain'd in the following Chapters,
Introdu&tion
of Cupt. Roberts,
Chap. I. of Capt. Avery
X. Of Capr. Ariftis.
II. Of Cupr. Martel.
XT. Of Capr. Horley
III. Of Cupr. Tacb.
XI. of Cape. Loutber
IV. of Capt. Bonnet.
XIII. Of Cape. Low.
v. of Capt. England. XIV. Of Capr. Evans.
VI. Of Capr. Vana
XV. Of Capt. rbillips.
VII. Of Cape. Rackam. XVI. Of Capt. Spriggio
VIII. Of Capt. Davis,
XVII. Of Cupt. Smith,
And their favcrul CREWS.
To which is added,
A ſhort ABSRACT of the Statute and Civil
Law, in Relation to Pyracy.
The Fourth EDITIO N.
VOL. I.
By Captain CHARLES JOHNSON.
LONDON:
Printed for, and Sold by T. WOODWARD, at the Half-sony
over against St. Dunfan's Chursh, Flut-jrcct. 1726.


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1
9
THE
.
PREFACE.
H
AVING taken more than ordinary Pains in
collecting the Materials which compoſe the
following Hiſtory, we could not be ſatisfied
with our ſelves, if any Thing mere wanting to
it, which might render it entirely ſatisfatory to the Pub-
lick: It is for this Reaſon we have ſubjoined to the
Work, a ſhort Abſtract of the Law now in Force against
Pyrates, and made Choice of ſome particular Cafes, (the
moſt curiuus the could meet with) which have been hereto.
fore tried, by which it will appear what Aétions have,
and what have not been adjudged Pyracy.
It is poſſible this Book may fall into the Hands of ſoma
Maſters of Ships, and other honeſt Mariners, who frequente
ly, by contrary Winds or Tempeſts, or other Accidents inci-
dent to long Voyages, find themſelves reduced to great Die
Streffes, either through Scarcity of Proviſions, or Want of
Stores. I ſay, it may be a Direction to ſuch as thoſe, what
Lengths they may venture to go, without violating the Lugo
of Nations, in Caſe they ſhould meet other Ships at Sea, or
be cost on ſome inhospitable Shore, which ſhould refuſe to
trada with them for ſuch Things as are abſolutely neceſſary
for the Preſervation of their Lives, or the Safety of the
Ship and Cargoe.
We have given a ferp Inſtances in the Courſe of this
Hiſtory of Inducements Men have to engage themſeldes
head-


The P REFACE.
4
F0
headlong in a Life of ſo much Peril to themſelves, and ſo
deſtructive to the Navigation of the trading World; to re-
medy which Evil there ſeems to be bær two Ways, either to
find Employment for the great Numbers of Seamen turn'd
adrift at the Concluſion of a War, and thereby prevent :
their running into ſuch Undertakings, or to guard fufficia
ently the coaſt of Africa,, the Weſt-Indies, and other
Places whereto Pyrates refort.
I cannot but take Notice in this place, that during this
long Peace, I have not ſo much as heard of a Dutch Py-
rate: It is not that I take them to be honeſter than their
Neighbours; but when we account for it, it will, perhaps, be
a Reproach to our ſelves for our want of Induſtry : The Reae
ſon I take to buy that after a War, when the Dutch Ships
are laid up, they have a Fiſhery, where their Seamen find
e immediate Buſineſs, and as comfortable Bread as they had
d before. Had ours the ſame Recourſe in their Neceſſities, ,
I am certain me flould find the ſame Fffet from it ; for a
Fiſhery is a Trade that cannot be overſtockd; the Sea is
& wide enough for us all, we need not quarrel for Elboro-room :
$ Its Stores are infinite, and will ever remard the Labourer.
( Beſides, our own Coast, for the moſt Part, ſupply the Dutch,
who employ ſeveral hundred Sail conſtantly in the Trade,
's
and ſo fell to us our own Fiſh. I call it our omn, for the
Sovereignty of the British Seas, are to this Day acknowledg-
ed us by the Dutch, and all the neighbouring Nations ;
wherefore, if there was a publick Spirit among us, it would
be well worth our while to eſtablißo a National Fiſhery, which
i would be the beſt Means in the World to prevent Pyracy,
f employ a Number of the Poor, and eaſe the Nation of A
į great Burthen, by lowering the Price of Proviſion in gene-
ral, as well as of ſeveral other Commodities.
I need not bring any Proofs of what I advance, viz. that:
there are Multitudes of Seamen at this Day unemploy'd; it
is but too evident by their ftraggling, and begging all over the
Kingdom. Nor is it ſo much their Inclination to Idleneſs, as
their own hard Fate, in being cast off after their work is
done, to farve or deal. I have not known A Man of
WAT
"
s


: The PREF A C E.
8
14
War commiſſion'd for ſeveral Tears paſt, but three times her
Compliment of Men hate offer'd themſelves in 24 Hours ;
the Merchants take their Advantage of this, leffen their
Wages, and theſe few who are in Bufineſs are poorly paid,
and but poorly fed ; ſuch Uſage breeds Diſcontents amoncft
shem, and makes them eager for any Charge.
I full nut repeat that I have ſaid in the Hiſtory cone
cerning the Privateers of the Weſt Indies, rhere I have
taken Notice they live upon Spoil; and a: Cujtor is a ſea
cond Natuit, it is no IVonder that, when an horeſt Lizilie
hood is not eaſily had, they run into one ſo like their own;
ſo that it may be ſaid, that Frivateers in Time of War
are a Nurſery for Pyrates againſt a Peace.
Now we have accounted for their Riſe and Beginning, ir
will be natural to enquire why they are not taken and de-
ſtroy'd, b.fore they come to any Head, ſeeing that there we
ſeldorn leſs than twelve Men of War flationed in our Ame-
rican Plantations, even in Time of Peace; a Furce Suffie
cient to contend with a powerful Enemy. This Enquiry,
perhaps, will not turn much to the Honour of thoſe concern'd
in that Service; however, I hope I may be excus’d, if what
I bint is with a Deſign of ſerving the Publick.
I ſay, 'tis ſtrange that a few Pyrates ſhould rauage the
Seas for Tears, without ever being light upon, by any of our
Ships of War ; when in the mean Time, they (the Pyrates)
Mall take Fleets of Ships ; it looks as if one was much more
diligent in their Affairs, 'than the other. Roberts and his
Crew, alone, took 400 Sail, before he was deſtroy'd.
This Matter, I may probably ſet right another Time,
and only obſerve for the preſent, that the Pyrates at Sea,
have the ſame Sagacity with Robbers at Land; as the latter
underſtand what Roads are moſt frequented, and where it is
moſt likely to meet with Booty, ſo the former know what
Latitude to lie in, in order to intercept Ships ; and as the
Pyrates happen to be in want of Proviſions, Stores, or any
particular" Lading, they cruiſe accordingly for ſuch Ships
:
And are morally certain of meeting with them ; and by the
Same Reafon, if the Men of War Cruiſe in thoſe Latitudes,
A 3
they
1


The PREFACE.
1
i
they might be as ſure of finding the Pyrates, as the Pyrates
are to find the Merchant Ships; and if the Pyrates are not
to be met with by the Men of War in ſuch a Latitude,
shen ſurely down the ſame Latilude maythe Merchant Ships
arrive Safely to their Port.
To make this a little plainer to my Country Readers,
I muſt obſerve that all our outward bound Ships, fome-
times after they leave the Land, ſteer into the Latitude of
the Place they are bound to ; if to the Weſt-India iſands,
or any part of the Main of America, as New-York,
New-England, Virginia, dc. becauſe the Latitude is
the only Certainty in those Voyages to be found, and then
they fail due Weſt, till they come to their Port, without
altering their Courſe. In this Weſt Way lie the Pyrates,
whether it be to Virginia, &c. or Nevis, St. Chriftos
phers, Montierat, Jamaica, tc. ſo that if the Mere
chant Ships bound thither, do not fall a Prey to them one
Day, they muſt another : Therefore I ſay, if the Men of
War take the ſame Track, the Pyrates muſt unavoidably fall
into their Mouths, or be frighted away, for where the Game
is, there will the Vermin be; if the latter ſhould be the
Caſe, the trading Ships, as I ſaid before, will paſs unmo-
lested and ſafe, and the Pyrales be reduced to take Refuge
in ſome of their lurking Holes about the uninhabited Ipands,
where their Fate pould le like that of the Fox in his Den;
if tbey foould venture out, they would be hunted and taken;
and if they ſtay within they muſt ſtarve.
I must obſerve another Thing, that the Pyrates general-
by Shift their Rovings, according to the Seaſon of ihe Tear;
in the Summer they cruiſe moſtly along the coaſt of the Cono
tinent of America, bxt the Winters there, being a little
too cold for them, they follow the Sun, and go towards the
hands, at the approach of cold Weather. Every Man
who bas uſed the Weſt-India Trade, knotos this to be
true ; therefore, ſince we are so well acquainted with all
their Motions, I cannot ſee why our Men of War under a
proper Regulation, may not go to the Southward, instead of
dying up all the Winter uſeleſs But I shall proceed too far


The PREFACE.
in this Enquiry, ! Mall therefore
, quit it, and say someo
of the following Sheets, which ihe Author may venture
to aſſure the Reader that they have one Thing to recommend
them, which is Truth; thoſe Falts which he himſelf was
not an Eye-Witneſs of, he had from the authentick Relations
of the Perſons concern'd in taking the Pyrates, as well as
from the Mouths of the Pyrates themſelves, after they were
taken, and he conceives no Man can produce better Testi-
monies to ſupport the Credit of any History.
It will be obſerved, that the Account of the Actions of
Roberts runs into a greater Length, than that of any other
Pyrate, for which we can affign iwo Reaſons, first, becauſe
be ravaged the Seas longer than the rest, and of Conſequence
there must be a greater Scene of Buſineſs in his Life : Se.
condly, being reſolved not to reary the Reader, with tire-
ſome Repetitions : When we found the Circumſtances in Ro-
berts's Life, and other Pyrates, cither as to pyratical Ar-
ticles, or any Thing elſe, to be the ſame, we thought it
beſt to give them but once, and choſe Roberts's Life for
that Purpoſe, he having made more Noife in the World,
than ſome others.
As to the Lives of our two female Pyrates, we must
confeſs they may appear a little extravagant, yet they are
never the leſs true for ſeeming ſo, but as they were pub-
lickly try'd for their Pyracies, there are living Wirnefes
enough to juſtify what we have laid down concerning them;
it is certain, we have produced fome Particulars which were
not ſo publickly known, the Reaſon is, we were more inquie
ſitive into the circumſtances of their paſt Lives, than other
People, who had no other Deſign, than that of gratifying
their own private Curioſity : If there are ſome Incidents
and Turns in their Stories, which may give them a little
the Air of a Novel, they are not invented or contrived
for that Purpoſe, it is a Kind of Reading this Author is
but little acquainted with, but as he himſelf was exceedo
ingly diverted with them, when they were related to
him, he thought they might have the fame Effect upon
the Reader.
I prej
A 4


The 'PREFACE.
7 prefume we need make no Apology for giving the Name
of a Hiſtory to the following Slicers, though they contaip
nothing but the A&tions of a Parsel of Robbers. It is Bra-
very and Stratagem in War which make A{tions poorthy of
Record ; in which Senſe the Adventures here related will
be thought deſerving ihat Name. Plutarch is very cir-
cumftantial in relating the Actions of Spartacus, the Slave,
and makes the Conqueſt of him, one of the greateſt Glories
of Marcus Craſſus; and it is probable, if this Slave had
liv'd a little longer, Plutarch would bave given us his
Life at large. Rome the Miſtreſs of the World, was no
more at firſt than a Refuge for Thieves and Outlaws; and
if the Progreſs of our Pyrates had been equal to their Be
ginning, had they all united, and ſettled in ſome of thoſe
plands, they mght, by this time, have been bonoured will
the Name of a Commonweath, and no Power in theſe Parts
of the World could have been able to diſpute it with them.
If we have ſeem'd to glance with ſome Freedom, at the
Behaviour of ſome Governors of Provinces abroad, it has
been with Caution ; and, perhaps, we have not declar'd as
much as we knew: However, we hope thoſe Gentlemen in the
fame Station, who have never given Occaſion for the like
Cenfure, will take no Offence, tho' the Word Governor is
fumetimes made uſe of.
P.S. It will be neceſſary to add a Word or troo to this
Preface, in order to inform the Reader, that there are los
veral material Additions made to this ſecond Impreſſion,
which ſwelling the Bock in Bulk, must of Conſequence add a
fraall Marter to its Price.
The firſt Impreſſion baving been received with ſo much
Succeſs by the Publick, occaſioned a very earnest Demand
for a ſecond: In the mean Time, ſeveral Perſons who had
been taken by the Pyrates, as well as others mbo had been
concerned in taking of them, have been ſo kind to commu-
niçate ſeveral Falts and Circumſtances to us, which hade
fcaged in the first Impreſſion. This occafioned fome Des
laj, berefore if we have not brought" it out, as ſoon as
willed, i to render it the more
compleat,
W


The 'PRE FACE.
rate Men.
We ſhall not enter inro a Detail of all the neto Matter
inſerted here, but the Deſcription of the Iſlands St. Thome,
&c. and that of Braſil are not to be passed by, with-
out a little Nitice. It must be obſerved, that our ſpe-
culative Mathematicians and Geographers, who are, no
doubt, Men of the greatest Learning, ſeldom travel færa
ther than their cloſers for their Kriomledge, &c. are
therefore unqualified to give us a good Defcriprion of
Countries : It is for this Reaſon that all our Maps and
Atlaſes are ſo munſtrouſy faulty, for theſe Gentlemen are
obliged to take their Accounts from the Reports of illite-
It muſt be noted alſo, that when the Maſters of Ships
make D'ſcoveries this Way, they are not fond of commu-
nicating them; a Man's knowing this or that Coast, ber-
ter than others, recommends him in his Buſineſs, and
makes him more uſeful, and he'll no inore diſcover it than a
Tradeſman will the Myſtery of his Trade.
The Gentleman who has taken the Pains to make theſe
Obſervations, is Mr. Atkins, a Surgeon, an ingenious
Man in his own Profeſſion, and one who is not ry'd down
by any, narrom Confiderations from doing a Service to the
Publick, and has been pleaſed generouſly to communicate
them for the Good of others. I don't doubt, but his Ob-
fervations will be found. curious and very ſerviceable to
ſuch as Trade to thoſe Parts, beſides a Method of Trade is
here laid down with the Portugueſe, which may prove
of great Profit to ſome of our Countrymen, if followed
according to his Plan.
It is hoped theſe Things will ſatisfy the Publick, that
the Author of the following Sheets conſidered nothing ſo
much as making the Book uſeful; tho’ be has been in-
formed, that ſome Gentlemen bave raiſed an objection
againſt the Truth of its Contents, viz. that it ſeems calcu-
lated to entertain and divers.. If the Facts are related
with ſome Agreeableneſs and Life, we hope it will not be
impuni'd as a Fault ; but as to its Credit, me can aſſure them
ihop the Sea-faring Mien, that is, all that know the Na-
turs


The PREFACE.
1
ture of theſe Thing, have not been able to make the leaſt
Objettion to its Credit :- And he will be bold to affirm,
that there is hardly a Pact or Circumftance in the whole
Book, but he is able to prove by credible Witneſſes.
There have been fome orher Pyrates, beſides thoſe whoſe
Hiſtory are bere related, ſuch as arc hereafter named,
and their Adventures are as extravagant and full of Miſ-
chief, as thoſe who are the subject of this book. The
Author has already begun to digest them into Method, and
as ſoon as he receives fome Materials to make them com-
pleat, (rohich he foortly expects from the Weſt-Indies) If
the Publick gives him Encouragement' he intends to vero
tuye upon a ſecond Volunt,
TW
2
!
6
TH


THE
CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION.
.
NE Danger of Commonwealths from an Increaſe of Pyo
ratos, 17. Pyrates in the Times of Marius and Sylla,
18.
Takes Julius Cæſar, 19. The Barbarity of thoſe
Pyrates, ib. They spare Cæfar, and why, ib. His
Bebaviour amongft them, ib. Cæfar obtains bis Liberty for a
Ranſom, ib.
Attacks and takes the Pyrates, 20. Hangs
them at Troy, ib. They increaſe again to a prodigious Strength,
ib. Plunder at the Gates of Romc, 21.
The mock Homage
they paid the Romans, ib. Pompey the Great, appointed Gene-
ral againſt them, 22. A prodigious Fleet and Army alignid
bim, ib. His Conduet and good Fortune, ib. The Gailano
try of thoſe Pyrates, 23. Receive an Overt brocc, ib. Barba
rouſe, a Pyrate, bis Beginning, ib. His great Strength, 24.
Sclim Euteni, King of Algicrs, courts bis FriendSip, ib. Makes
himſelf King, and how, ib. Tbe King of Tunis overthroun
by bim, ib. Leaves the Inheritance to bis Brother, ib. Ibe
Weft Indics commodious for Pyrates, and wby, 24, 25.
The
Explanation of the Word Keys, 25. The Pyrates conceal their
Booty, on ebem, ib.
The Pyrates Security in tkofe Parts, 26.
Irbe Riſe of Pyrates fince the peace of Utrecht accounted for,
26, 27. An Expedition from Jamaica, to plunder the Spa-
niards, 28. The Spaniards fue for guftice to the Goverament
of Jamaica, ib.
The Plunderers turn Pyrates, 29,
Tbe
Spaniards make Repriſals, ib. Tbe Names of ships taken
by tbem, ib. Tbe plunder'd Seamen join the Pyrates, ib. Pro
vidence fixed.on as a place of Retreat by them, 30.
That Illand
aefcribed, "ib. The Lords Addreſs to ker late Niajeſty for ſecuring
Providence, ib. An Order of Council in this Reign to the famo
purpose, 31.
A Life of sien of war employ'd for the Defence of


The CONTENT S.
tbe Plantations, 32. Captain Woods Rogers made Governor
of Providence, ib. The King's Proclamation for fupprefling
Pyrates, 33, 34 How the Pyrates uſed the Proclamation, 34-
"Great Dioifions amongſt them, 35. How made quiet, ib. Se-
veral of the Pyrates ſurrender to the Governor of Bermudas, ib.
Tbe pate of the reft. ib, Woods Rogers his Arrival at Pro
vidence, ib. Vane's Behavione, ;6. Woods Rogers em.
ploys the pardon'd Pyrates, ib. Their Condu&t, ib. Some of
ibém bang’at for new Pyracies, 37. Their frange Behaviour at
the place of Execution, ib. Some Proceedings betwixt the Eng.
liſh and Spaniards, ;8. The Spaniards ſurprize the Grey-
hound man of War, and bow, ib. Quit her, 39.
The Crew
of a Spaniſh Guarda del Colta bang'd at Jainaice, and why, ib.
sir Nicholas Laws bis Letter to the Alcaldes of Trinidado, 39,
40. 1
Mr. Joſeph Laws, Lieutenant of the Happy Snow his
Letter to the Alcaldcs of Trinidado, 41. The Alcaldes Ana
Swer to the Licutenant's Letter, 41, 42. The Lieutenant's Re-
ply to the Alcaldes Anſwer, 42, 43,
The Alcaldes Answer
again, 43:
Some Account of Richard Holland, ib. Prizes
taken by him, 44
СНА Р. І.
Of Captain AVERY, and his Crew.
Omantick Reports of bis Greatneſs, 45, 46. His Birtb, 46.
Is Mate of a Briſtol Man, 47. For what Voyage deſignid, ib.
Tampers with the Seamen, ib. Forms a Plot for carrying off the
Ship, 47, 48. Executes it, and bow, ib. The Pyrates take
a rich Ship belonging to the Great Mogul, so. The Great Mo-
gul threaten the English Settlements, 51. The Pyrates fteer
their Courſe back for Madagaſcar, 52. Call a Council. PMI AN
the Treaſure on Board of Avery's skip, ib. Avery and his
Crew treacherouſly leaves bis Confederates; go to the ide of Pro-
vidence in the Weſt-Indies, 53. Sell the ship, go to North-
America in a sloop, 54. They diſperſe, Avery goes to New-
England, ib.
From tbence to Ireland, ib. Avery afraid to
expoſe bis Diamonds to fale. Goes over to England, ib. Puts
bis Wealtb into Merchants Hands of Briſtol, ss.
Changes bis
Nime. Lives at Biddiford, ib. The Merchants ſend bim na
Supplies, ib. Importunes them. Goes privately to Briſtol, they
tbretten to diſcover him, ib. Goes over to Irelaud, ſolicites them
from tbence, 56. Is very poor, works bis Pallage over to Ply-
mouth, walks to Biddiford. Dies a Beggar, ib. An Account
of Avery's Confederates, ib. Their Settlement at Madagaſcar,
57 Ibey meet other Pyrates ; an Account of tbem, ib.
Toa
Baratos
SO
R
ke
1
26
for
ps
Pro
31


The CONTENT S.
CH
Pyrates arrive to great power. The Inhabitants deſcribed, 58.
Their Policy, Government, &c. places defcribd, 59. The Arrival
of Captain Woods Rogers at that part of the ijland, 61. Their
Deſign of furprizing bis Ship, 62. One of theſe Princes former-
ly a Waterman on the Thanics, 63. Their
Secretaries, Men of
mo Learning. Could neither write nor read, ib.
H's
С НА Р. ІІ.
Of Captain MARTEL, and his Crew.
WCOM
TAT to ſuppreſs Pyrates, 64. The Increaſe of Pyrates ac-
counted for, 65 Wiere Martel learned bis Trade, ib.
The Names of several Prizes taken ly bim, 65, 66.67. His
Strength at Sui.&ta Cruz, 67. His Manner of fortifying bim-
ſelf there, ib. Is attack'd by the Scarborough Min of war, 68.
His Defence by Land and Sea, ib. His desperate Eſcape, 69. His
miſerable End, ib.
CH A P. III.
Of Captain TEACH, alias BLACK-BEARD.
IS Beginning, 70. His Confederacy with Hornygold, ib.
The Confederacy broke, 71. Takes a large Guincy Man, ib.
Engages the Scarborough Man of War, ib. His Alliance witb
Major Stede Bonner, ib. Depoſes bis new Ally, ib. His Ad.
vice to the Major, ib. His Progreſs and succeſs, 72.
Takes
Prizesoin sight of Charles-Town, 73. Sends Ambaſadors to
the Governor of Carolina, upon an impudent Demand, ib. Runs
bis Ship aground deſignedly, 74. His Cruelty to fome of his
own Companions. Surrenders to the King's Proclamation, 75.
The Governor of North-Carolina's exceeding Generofity to bim, ib.
He marries, ib. The Number of bis Wives then living, ib. His
conjugal virtues, 75, 76. Makes a ſecond Excurſion in the Way of
Pyrating, 76. Some State Legerdemain betwixt bim and tbc Goo
His modeft Behaviour in the River, 77.
His Fro-
licks on Shore, ib. The Merchants apply for a Force againſt him,
and where, 78. A Proclamation with a Reward for taking op
killing of Pyrates, 79, 80. Lieutenant Maynard ferit in pur-
fuit of him, 80. Black-beard's good Intelligence, 81. Tke
Licutenant engages Black-beard, ib. A moff execrable Health
drank by Black-beard, S2. The Fight bloody; the particulars
of it, 82, 83, 84. Black-beard kill'd, 8.4. His Sloop tot
taken, ib.
The Lieutenant's Condu8, 84, 85. Refle&tion or
the Humours of Seamen, 85. Black-bcard's Correſpondents dif.
couer
vernor, ib:


The CONTENT S.
cover'd by bis Papers, ib.
Black-beard's defperate Refolution
) before the Fight, ib. The Lientenant and Governor no very good
Friends, 86. The Priſoners hang'd, ib. Samuel Odell ſaved,
and by, ib. The good Luck of Iſrael Hænds, 87. Black-
beard's miſibievous Frolicks, ib. His Beard defcribed, ib. So-
veral Inftances of bis Wickedneſs, 88, 89. Some Memorandums.
taken from his journal, 89. The Names of the Pyrates kill'd in
the Engagement, 90.
of thoſe executed, ib. The Value of
the Prize, ib.
CHA P. IV.
Of Major STEDE BONNET, and his CREW.
RED a Gentleman, 91.
Suppoſed to be diſorder'd in his Sex-
ſes, ib. His Beginning as a Pyrate, ib.
Takes Frizes, 92
Diviſions in bis Crew, ib. Ajects Black-bcard, ib. Is de
poſed from his Command, 93. His melanckoly Reflections, ib.
Surrenders to tbe King's Proclamation, ib. His nesu Proje&t, ib.
Saves fome Pyrates marroon'd, 24. Begins bis old Trade again,
95. An Account of Prizes raken by bim, 95,96. Colonel Rhec
goes in Queft of Pyrates, 97.,
Yates the Pyrate furrenders, 98.
An Engagement betwixt Colonel Rhet and Major Bonnct, 100.
An Account of the killed and wrunded, ib. The Priſoners carried
to Chtarles-Town, ib. The Major and the Maſter Eſcape, ib.
Taken again by Colonel Rhet, 161. A Court of vice-Admiralty
beld, ib. The Names of thoſe arraign'd, 102, 103,
The Form
of their Indi&ment, 104. Their Defence, 105.
The Names of
thoſe wbo receioed Sentence, 106. An excellent speech made by the
Lord Chief guftice or pronouncing Sentence on the Major, 107
to II 2.
CHAP, V.
Of Capt. Edw. ENGLAND, and his Crew,
HE
'Is Beginning and Chara&er, 113, 114. A moft barbarous
Adion of bis Crew, 114, 115.
The Nanies of Prizes taken
by bim, u5,116. The Misfortunes of bis Confederates, 116,
117. England's Progreſs balf round the Globe, 117, 118. Aport
Defcription of the coat of Malabar, ib. What they did at
Madagaſcar, 118. Takes an Eat-India Man, ib. Tbe
Particulars of ibe Adion in Captain Mackra's Letter, 119 to 120
Captain Mackra ventures on board the Pyrate, 122. Is in Dan-
ger of being murder'd, 123. Preferu'd by a pleafart Incident,
ib.
The Fyrates Generoſity to bim, ib. Captain England
depoſeda


The CONTENT S.
HE
Man, ib.
depoſed, and wby, 124. Maroon'd on the Iſand Mauritius, iba
some Account of that Ifand, ib. The Adventures of the come
Pany continued, 124 to 126. Angria, an Indian Pyrate, 127.
His Strength by Land and Sea, ib. The Eaſt-India Company's
Wars with bim, 127, 128. The Pyrates go to the land of
Melinda, 129.
Their barbarous Behaviour tbere, ib. Hear
of Captain Minckra's Deſigns againſt them, ib.
Their Refle&ti-
ons therexpon, 130 Sail for Cochin, a Dutch Settlement, ib.
The Pyrates and the Durch very good friends, 131. Mutual
Preſents made betwist the Pyrates and the Governor, ib. Ibo
Pyrates in a Fright, 133. Almoff fare'd, ib.
Take a
Prize of an immenfe Value, 134. Tako an Oftend Eaft-Iadiz
A port Deſcription of Madagaſcar, 135, 136.
prodigious Dividend made by the Pyrates, 136. A Fellow's Way
of increaſing his Diamonds, ib. Some of the Pyrates quit, and
join the Remains of Avery, ib. The Proceedings of the Men of
War in thoſe Parts, 137, 138. Some Dutch Men petition to be
among the Pyrates, 138, The Pyrates divided in their mea.
fures, 139
Break up, ib. What became of them, 139, 140
CH A P. VI.
Of Capt. CHARLES VANE, and his CREW.
ANE's Behaviour at Providence, 141. The Names of
Prizes taken by him, 141, 142. Is deferted by bis Confort
Yatcs, 143 Yates furrenders at Charles Town, ib.
Stratagem of Vanc's, 144. Black-beard and Vane meet,
145. They falute after the Pyrates Manner, ib. Vanc de-
poſed from bis Command, and wby, 146. 15 Hands degris-
ded, and turned out with him, ib. A Sloop given them, 147.
They fail in Queft of Adventures, and take Prizes, ib. Vano
cajt away upon an uninhabited iſand, ib. Meets with an old
Acquaintance, 148. Vane feiz'd with a Qualm of Honous, ib.
Ships him ſelf on Board a Vefsel, paling for anotber Man, ib Is
diſceverd, with the Manner how, 149. Carried to Jamaica, and
kang'd, ib.
VA
1
IN
1
CHA P. VII.
Of Capt. RACHAM, and his CREW.
RA
A CKA M's Beginning as a Pyralé, 150, 151.
An dicount
of Frizes taken by him.
Is attack'd by a Spaniſh Guard
His Stratagem to eſcape, 152.
More Prizes ta-
ken by him, 153 Is taken, and bogu, 154.
Tried, condem-
medy
Ship, ib.


The CONTENTS.
M4
1
red, and executed at Jamaica, ib. The Names of bis Crear
condemnd with bim, 154. An extraordinary Caſe of nine taken
with bim, ib. Some Account of the Proceedings againft them,
154, 155
The LIFE of MARY READ.
TARY Read's Birth, 157. Rerfons for dreſing her in Brer-
ches, 158. Waits upon a Lady; goes into the Army, 199.
Her Behaviour in ſeveral Engagements, ib. she falls in love
with ber Comrade, ib. Her Sex diſcovered ; the two Troopers
married, 160. Settles at Breda, ib. Her Hushand dies, foe
reaffumes the Breeches, ib. Goes to Holland. To the Weit-
Indies, 161. Turns Pyrate. Anne Bonny, another Pyrate,
falls in love with her, 162. Her Adventures to 165.
The LIFE of ANNE BONNY.
NNE Bonny born a Baſtard, 166. Her mother's Inc
Her Fatber lies with his
oson Wife, by miſtake, 169. sbe
proves with Child ; tbe Hus-
band jealous, 170. He ſeparates from bis wife ; lives with Anie
Bonny's Mother, 171. anne Bonny put into Breeches for a
Diſguiſe, how diſcovered, ib. The Father becomes poor. Goes to
Cerolina, 172. Improves bis Fortune. Anne Bonny marries
againſt his confent. Her fierce Temper, ib. Goes to Provi-
dence with her Husband, ib. Enticed to Sea in Men's Clonths
by Rackam the Pyrate, 173. Reproaches Rackham with Cowar.
dice at bis Execution, ib.
C H A P. IX.
Of Capt. Howel Davis, and his Crew.
ĦE Original of Daris, 174. Is taken by tbe Pyrate Eng.
land, ib.
England's Generoſity to bim, 175.
into Priſon at Barbadues, and wly, ib. Goes to Provi.
vidence, ib. Employ't in a trading vessel, ſeizes the ship, 176.
An Infance of his great Courage and good conduct, 177, 178.
Goes to Cape de Verd Mands, ib. Take feveral frizes, ib. Take
the Fort of St. Jago by Storm, 180. A Council called, ib. S.rid
for Gambia, 181. Takes Gambia Caffle by Stratagem, 181 to
184 Meets La Bouche, a French Pyrate, 184 His Aduena.
tures with Cocklyn the Pyrate, nt Sirralconc, 185. The Fort
attacked and taken, by the three Confederate Pyrates, 186. The
Pyrates quarrel and part, ib. The l.iconick Speech of Davis to
shem, ib. Itis fierce Engagement with a large Dutch Ship, 187.
An Account of ſeveral Prizes taken by bim, ib. A Defiription of
tbo
T Tand, ib.
Is caft.


The CONTENT S.
211.
the iſland of St. Thcmc, Del Principe, and Annobono, from
188 to 204. The Dutch Governor of Acra taken by Davis, 205.
Davis well received by the Governor of Princcs, ib. His Stralia
gem to come at the Wealtb of the land, 206. IS counterplotted
and kill'd, ty an Ambuſcade, 207.
C H A P. XI.
Of Capt. BAR. ROBERTS, and his Crew.
H!
IS Beginning, 208. Ele&ted Captain in the Room of Davis,
209. The Speech of Lord Dennis at tbe Ele&tion, ib. Lord
Sympion obje&s againſt a Papift, ib. The Death of Davis re-
venged, 210. Rubcris Sails Southward, in Queſt of Advertures,
The N mes of the Prizes taken by them, ib. Braſil de-
fcribed, from 211 10 221. Roberts falls into a Fleet of Portu-
gucic, 221. Bords and takes the richeſt Ship amongft them, 222.
Make the Devil's Iſands, 223. An unfortunate Adventure of Ro-
berts, 224. Kenncdy's Treackery, 225. Irihmen excluded by
Robc.cs and bis Crew, 230. Articles (worn to by them, ib. A
Copy of them from 230 to 233. Some Account of the Laws and
Cuſtoms of the Pyrates, 233, 234. An Infance of Ruberes bis
Cunning, 234. He proceeds again wpon Buſineſs, and takes Prices,
235.. Narrowly eſcapes being taken, 236. S.ails for the iſland
Dominico, ib. Another Eſcape, 237. Sails for Newfoundland,
ib. Plunders, sinks, and burns 22 Sail in the Harbour of Trc-
paffi
, ib. plunders ten Sail of Frenchmen, 238. The niad Be-
haviour of the Crew, 238, 239. A Correſpondence binted at 240.
The Pyrates carefed at the Iſland of St. Bartholomcw, ib.
extrean Diſtress, 241, 242. Sail for Martinico, 243. A Stran
tagem of R berts, ib... The infolent Device in bis Colours, 244.
And odd Compliment paid to Roberts, ib. Three Men defert the
Pyrates, and are taken by them, 245. Their Tryal, 245, 246.
Tuo exccuted, and one faved, 247. The Brigantine deſerts them,
248. Great Diviſions in the Company, 248, 249. Deſcription
of Serralconc River, 250. The Names of Engliſh ſettled there,
And Way of Life, 251, 252, 253. The Onſlow belonging to tra
African company taken, 254. The Pyr.xtes Contempt of soldiers,
ib.. They are for entertaining a Chaplain, ib. Their skirmiſh
with the Calabar Negroes, 256. The King Solomon, belonging
to the African Company taken, 258. The Frolicks of the Pyrates,
ib. Take eleven Sail' in Whydah Road, 259. A comical Re-
ceipt given by the Pyrates, 260.' A cruel Action of Roberts, 261.
Sails for Annu Bonu, 262.766 Progreſs of the Swallow Man of
Warr, in Purſuit of Roberts, from 262 to 267. Roberts bis
Confort taken, 267. The Bravery of Skyrme, a Welch Fyrate,
268. The ſurly Humour of ſome of the Priſoners, 268, 269. The
Swallow comes up with Roberts, 270. Roberts his brefs de
fcribed, 271. Is kill'd, 272. His Character, ib. His ship 11-
b
keise
In


The e
CONTENT S.
1
ken, 273. The Behaviour of the Pyrates, when Priſoners, 275.
Conſpiracy of theirs diſcover d 276, 277. Reflexions on the
Manner of trying them, 278, 279, 280. The form of tbe Com.
miſſion for trying the Pyrates, 281. The Oath taken by the Com-
miffioners, 262. The Names of thoſe arraigned taken in the ship
Ranger, 282, 283, 284. The Form of the Indi&tment, 284, 285.
The sum of the Evidence againſt them, 285, 286. Their Defence,
287, 288. The Names of the Priſoners of the Royal Fortunc,
288, 289, 290. Proceedings againſt them, 291 to 304. Harry
Glasby acquitted, 304. The particular Tryal of Captain James
Skyrme, 304, 305. of John Walden, 305 to 308. of Peter
Scudamore, 308 to zni. of Robert Johnſon, 311, 312. of
Geo. Wilſon, 312 317. of Benj. Jeffrics, 317, 318. of John
Mansfield, 318,319. of Will. Davis, 319 to 321. The Names
of thoſe executed at Cape Corſo, 321, 3:2. The Petition of fome
condemned, 323. The courts Reſolution, ib. The Form of an in-
denture of a pardon'd Pyrate, 3-4. The Names of those pardon'd
upon Indenture to ſerve ſeven Tears, 325. The Pyrates bow difpo-
ſed of, 326. The dying Behaviour of th. fe executed, 326 to 329.
CHA P. XII.
Of Capt. ANSTIs, and his CREW.
H?
'Is Beginning as a Pyrate, 330. A moſt brutiſ Adion ſuppoſed
to be committed by bis Crew, 331. Civil Diſcords amongſt
them, 332. The Pyrates Term of Round Robin explained, ib.
They land on an uninbabited Ill.ind, ib. A Petition for Pardon
agreed on, ib. The Form of that Petition, 333. Their Diverfions,
and Manner of living on the iſland, 334, 335. Their mock Tryal
of one another, 336 to 338. Their Petition not anſwered, ib. The
Morning Star wreckd, ib. Anſtis narrowly efi apes being taken,
339. À Plot di fiocered, ib. The Crew gathers Strength again,
340. Surpriſed by the Winchelſea Mix of War at Tobago, ib.
Fire one of their ships, ib. Anſtis eſcapes, ib. Is killed by a
Conspiracy of his own Men, 341. The ship fierrendur'd at Curaco,
ib. Several bang'd there, ib. Fen hanged at Antegoa, ib The
good Luck of tboſe wbo fled to the Woods, ib.
CH A P. XIII.
Of Capt. WORLEY, and his Crew.
IS mad Beginning. 342. Ilis Succeſs, 343 344. Bind them.
ſelves by Oatb to take no Quarters, 344. Å falfe Alarm at
James-Town, 345. Worley catches & Tartar, ib. The defpe-
rate Refolution of the Pyrates, 346. Worley banged, ib.
CH A P. XIV.
Of Capt. Geo. LOWTHER, and his CREW.
H Н
IS Beriming. 347. Plots cuith Muſicy, 349. Maſſey's Cor-
dult, 350, 351. Lowther's Proposal, 351. A copy of Are
Ho
tides


The "CONTENTS:
L!
ticles drawn up, and ſworn to, 352. The Pyrates going by obe
Ears, 354
How Rogues are made Friends, ib. Lowther and
Maſſey part, 355. A Dipvellion concerning Maſſey's mad con-
dud, 355 to 357. Lowther and Low meet, 358.' An Alliance
betwixt them, ib. A Lift of Prizes taken by them, 359. An un-
lucky Advonture at Cape Mayo, 359, 360. Lowthei and Low
break the Alliance, and part, 361. The Bravery of Captain Gware
kins, ib. The Pyrates much reduced, 362. Winter in Norh-
Carolina, ib. Put to Sea again, ib. Make for the iſland of
Blanco, 363. The Iſand deſcribed, ib. Are ſurprized and taken,
364. Lowther eſcapes, ib. The Names of the Priſoners, and
Fate, ib. Lowcher's Death, 365.
CH A P. XV.
Of Capt. Low, and his CREW.
OW's Original, 366, 367. The Virtues of bis Family, ib. His
bold Beginnings, 368. Declares War again the wb.le World,
ib. His Succefs, 369, 370, Like to periß by Storm, 371,
372. Sail for the Weſtern Iſland, 373. Treats with the Govera
nor of st Alichuel for Waser, ib. Several Inftances of their wano
ton Cruelty, 374. Lou's Confort taken, and bow, 376. A bor-
rid Magicre committed by Low, 376, 377. Takes a multitude of
Prizes, 377. Another barbarous Maſsacre, 379. More Cruelties,
379, 380. Low and bis Confort attack'd by the Greyhound Man
of War, 380, 381. Low deſerts bis confort, 381. The Confort
taken, :bCarried to Rhode Illand, 382. The Names, Age,
and Places of Birth, of the Priſoners, 382, 383. A Compliment
paid to Captain Solgard, by the Corporation of New York, 384.
The Refolution of tbe Mayor and common-Council, ib. The Pres
amble of the Captain's Freedom, 385. More Inftances of Low's.
Cruelty, 388, 389. His Adventures continued to 390.
CH A P. XVI.
Of Capt. John Evans, and his Crew.
В
EGINS with Houſe breaking, 391. Seizes a Sloop, 392. Robs
a Houſe the ſame Night, ib. Put to Sea, and take valuable
Prizes, 393. Evans pot dead by bis Boatſwain, 394. His Death
reuengºd, ib. The Company breaks up, 395.
CH A P. XVII.
Of Capt. John PHILLIPS, and his Crew.
HILLIPS bis Original, 396. How be became a lyrate, ib.
His Return to England accounted for, ib. Ships again for
Newfoundland, ib. Deſerts bis ship in Peter Harbour, 397.
He and four others ſeize a veffel, ib, sail out a Pyrating, ib.
Articles (worn to upons A Harbet, ib.
A copy of the Are
ticles,
1
1


The CONTENT S.
tides, 397, 398. Il Blood amongA them, and wby, 399. Are
almon parved, ib. Take Prizes, ib. Phillips propoſes to clean
at lobogo, and wby, ib. Meets an old Acquaintance, 400.
Frigbtend from the Iand, ib. A Conspiracy to run away will
the Pr ze, ib. A Skirmiß, ib. The Capenier's Dexterity in cute
ting off Legs, ib. Fern kill'd by Phillips, and wby, 401. The
Danger of attempting an Eſcape among tbe Pyra tes, ib. Captain
Mortimers's Bravery, and bard Fate, 401,402. Capt
. Mortimer's
: Brother eſcapes, and how, 402 Cheeleman's Steps for over-
throwing the Pyrates Govornment, 403. A Digreffion concerning
Newfoundland, and its Trade, 403, 404
The Pyrates recruited
with Men from thence, 405. Phillips bis Cinfcrence pricks bim,
ib. Depender.cc Ellery, a Saint; obliged to dance by tbe Py-
rates, 406. A brave A&tion performed by Cheeſeman, 407: Caro
ries the Pyrate Sbip into Bofton, 408. The dyine Declarations of
Joho Roſe Archer, and William Whitc, 408, 409.
CH A P. XVIII.
Of Capt. SPRIGGS, and his Crew.
SP
PRIGGS bis Beginning, 411. How be ſet up for bimſelf, ib.
Sweats bis Priſoners for Diverſion, 412. The Tyrates miſtake in
drinking Healtbs, 413. Take Hawkins a ſecond time, 414.
Burn bis ship, and uby, ib. An odd Entertainment given bim by
she Pyrates, ib. capiain Hawkins bow diſposed of, 414, 415.
Spriggs barbarous Uſage of bis Priſoners, 415,416. Takes A Ship
Toaden with Horſes, 416. An odd Frolick" of the Pyrales, ib.
Spriggs took a Sloop, and appointed Shipton Captain, 417. Take
10 or 12 Engliß ships in the Bay of Honduras, ib. Take more
Ships, 418. Are forced aßore by a Man of War, ſeveral taken,
Some killed and eat by the Indians, ib. Spriggs twice eſcapes.
CH A P. XIX.
Of Capt. SMITH alias Gcw.
MITH pips. Limfelf at Rotterdam, 419, He confpires 10
ſeize the ship at San&a Cruz, 420. Murder the Officers, and
Smith is declared Captain, 421. Commit Pyracies, 422. Are
reduced to Streights, their Statagem to get Proviſions, 423. They
take more Prizes, 424. The Pyrates quarrel, the Lieutenant at-
tempts to blow up the ship, 425. They deliver bim wp. 426.
They leave the coaſt of Portugal, ib. sail to the Nortb of Sco!-
land, 427. said to the Orkneys, how diſcoverd, 428. De-
Sign to plunder the Country, 429. An inbuman A&tion, ib. The
Ship in Di Aress, 430. They treat with a Gentleman aßore for a
Boat, ib. pide Men ſecured by Stratagem, 431. The ship runs
afbore; they capitulate, but in vain, 432. The Captain comes
apore and is taken, ib. The Pyrates drink all the Liquor out and
Surrender, 433. They are brought 80 England, ib. Are try'd,
convidted, and exccuted, 434.
THE
1


17
4
TA
TYTTRATI
T H E
HISTORY
OF THE
PYRAT E S.
1
INTRODUCTIO N.
S the Pyrates in the Weſt-Indies have
been ſó formidable and numerous,
1A that they have interrupted the
Trade of Europe into thoſe Parts;
and our Engliſl Merchants, in Parti-
cular, have ſuffered more by their
Depredations, than by the united Force of France
and Spain, in the late War: We do not doubt but
the World will be curious to know the Original
and Progreſs of theſe Deſperadoes, who were the
Terror of the trading Part of the World.
But before we enter upon their parricular Hi-
:
ſtory, it will not be amiſs, by Way of Introduction,
to thew, by ſome Examples drain from Hiſtory,
the great Miſchief and Danger which threaten
Kingdoms and Commonwealths, from the Increaſe
B
of


18 The INTRODUCTION.
of theſe sort of Robbers; when either by the
Troubles of particular Times, or the Neglect of
Governments, they are not cruſhed before they
ga her Strength.
le has been the Caſe heretofore, that when a fin-
gle Pyrate has been ſuffered to range the Seas, as
not b.ing worth the Notice of a Government, he
has by Degrees grown ſo powerful, as to put them
to the Expence of a great deal of Blood and Trea-
fure, before he was fuppreſs’d. We ſhall not examine
how it came to paſs, that our Pyrates in the Weſt-
Indies have continually increaſed 'till of late ; this
is an Enquiry which belongs to the Legiſlature,
or Reprelentatives of the People in Parliament,
and to them we ſhall leave i:.
Our Buſineſs ſhall be briefly to fhew what, from
Beginnings, as inconſiderable as theſe, other Na-
tions have ſuffered.
In the Times of Marius and Sylla, Rome was in
her greateſt Strength, yet he was ſo torn in Pieces
by the Fa&tions of thoſe two great Men, that every
Thing which coi.cerned the publick Good was
altogether neglected, when certain Pyrates broke
out from Cicilia, a Courtry of Aſia llinor, ſituate
on the coaſt of the Mediterranean, betwixt Syria on
the Eaſt, from whence it is divided by Mount Tay-
ris, and Armenia Mincr on the Weft. This Begin-
ning was mean and inconſiderable, having but two
or three Veſſels, and a few Men, with which they :
cruiſed about the Greek Ifands, taking ſuch Ships as :
were very ill arnid or weakly defended; however,
by the taking of many Prizes, they ſoon increaſed
in Wealth and Power : The firſt A&tion of their's
which made a Noiſe, was the taking of Julius Caefar,
who was as yet a Youth, and who being obliged to
fly from the Cruelties of Sylla, who fought his Life,
went into Bithinia, and ſojourned a while with Nic
fodenas, King of that Country; in his Return back
by.


The INTRODUCTION. 19
w
by Sea, he was met with, and taken, by ſome of
thele Pyrates, near the Mand of Pharmacuſa: Theſe
Pyrates had a barbarous Cuſtom of tying their Priſo-
ners Back to Back and throwing them into the Sea ;
but, ſuppoſing Cefar to be fome Perſon of a high
Rank, becauſe of his purple Robes, and the Nun-
ber of his Attendants, they thought it would be
more for their Profit to preſerve him, in Hopes of
receiving a great Sum for his Ranſom ; therefore
they told him he ſhould have his Liberty, provided
he would pay them twenty Talents, which they
judg'd to be a very high Demand, in our Money,
about three Thouſind ſix hundred Pounds Sterling;
he ſmiled, and of his own Accord promiſed them
fifty Talents; they were both pleaſed, and ſurpriz’d
at his Anſwer, and conſented that ſeveral of his
Attendants ſhould go by his Direction and raiſe the
Money; and he was leſt among theſe Ruffians with
no more than 3 Attendants. He paſſed eight and
thirty Days, and ſeemed ſo little concerned or
afraid, that often when he went to ſleep, he uſed
to charge them not to make a Noile, threatning,
if they diſturbed him, to hang them all; he allo
play'd at Dice with them, and ſometimes wrote
Verſes and Dialogues, which he uſed to repeat,
and alſo cauſe them to repeat, and if they did not
praiſe and admire them, he would call them Beaſts
and Barbarians, telling them he would crucify them..
They took all theſe as the Sallies of a juvenile Hu-
mour, and were rather diverted, than diſpleaſed
at them.
At length his Attendants return'd with his Rana
ſom, which he paid, and was diſcharged; he fail'd
for the Port of Miletum, where, as ſoon as he was
arriv'd, he us'd all his Art and induſtry in fitting
out a Squadron of Ships, which he equipp'd and
arm’d 'ač his own Chargesį and failing in Queſt of
the Pyrates, he ſurprizd them as they lay at An-
B2
chor
?
A


20
The INTRODUCTION.
.
chor among the INands, and took thole who had
taken him before, with lome others; the Money he
found upon them he made Prize of, to reimburle
his Charges, and he carry'd the Men to Pergamus or
Troy, and there ſecured them in Priſon: In the mean
Time, he apply'd himſelf to Junius, then Governor
of Aſia, to whom it belonged to judge and deter-
mine of the Puniſhment of theſe Men; but Junius
finding there was no Money to be hail, anſwered
Cafar, that he would think, at his I eilure, what
was to be done with thoſe Priſoners; Cæfar took his
Leave of him, returned back to Pergamus, and com-
manded that the Priſoners ſhould be brought out
and executed, according to Law in that Cale provi.
ded; which is taken Notice of, in a Chapter at the
End of this Book, concerning the Laws in Caſes of
Pyracy : And thus he gave them that Punishment in
Earneſt, which he had often threatened them with
in Jeft.
Cafar went ſtraight to Rome, where, being engaged
in the Deſign:s of his own private Ambition, as
were almoſt all the leading Men in Rome, the Py-
rates who were left, had Time to increaſe to a pro-
digijus Strength; for while the civil Wars Jaſted,
the Seas were left unguarded, ſo that Plutarch tells
us, that they erected divers Arſenals full of all
Manner of warlike Stores, made commodious Har.
bours, fet
up
Watch-Towers and Beacons all along
the Coaſts of Cicilia ; that they had a mighty Fleet,
well equipp'd and furnilli'd, with Galliots of Oars,
mann'd, not only with Men of deſperate Courage,
but alſo with expert Pilots and Mariners; they
had their ships of Force, and light Pinnaces for
cruiſing and making Diſcoveries, in all no leſs than
a thouſand Sail ; ſo gloriouſly ſet out, that they
were as much to be envied for their gallant Shew,
as fear'd for their Strength; having the Stern and
Quarters all gilded with Gold and their Oars plated
with


Tbo INTRODUCTION. 21
1
10
5
with Silver, as well as purple Sails; as if their
greateſt Delight had been to glory in their Iniquity.
Nor were they content with committing Pyracies
and Infolencies by Sea, they committed as great
Depredations by Land, or rather made Conqueſts;
for they took and fack'd no leſs ihan four hundred
Cities, laid ſeveral others under Contributions,
plundered the Temples of the Gods, and inriche
themlélves with the Offerings depoſited in them;
they often landed Bodies of Men, who vot only
plundered the Villages along the Sea Coaſt, but
ranſacked the fine Houſes of the Noblemen along
the Tiber. A Body of them once took Sexrillius and
Bellinus, two Roman Prætors, in their purple Robes,
going from Rome to their Governments, and carried
them away with all their Sergeants, Officers and
Vergers; they alſo tuok the Daughter of Antonius
a conſular Perſon, and one who had obtained the
Honour of a Triumph, as ſhe was going to the
Country houſe of her father.
But what was moſt barbarous, was a Cuſtom they
had when they took any Ship, of enquiring of the
Perſon on Board, concerning their Names and
Country; if any of them laid he was à Roman, they
fell down upon their Knees, as if in a Fright at
the Greatı.ets of that Name, and begg'd Pardon for
what they had done, and imploring his Mercy, they
uled to perform the Offices of Servants about his
Perſon, and when they found they had deceived
him into a Belief of their b:ing fincere, they hung
out the Ladder of the Ship, and coming with a Shew
of Courteſy, told him, he had his Liberty, deſiring
him to walk out of the Ship, and this in the Middle
of the Sea, and when they oblerved him in Sur-
frize, as was natural, they uſed to throw him over.
board with mighty Shouts of Laughter; to wanton
they were in their Cruelty.
B â
Thus


The INTRODUCTION.
Thus, while Rome was Miſtreſs of the World, the
ſuffered Inlults and Attronts, almoſt at her Gates,
fron theſe powerful Robbers; but what for a while
made Faction ceaſe, and rouſed the Genius of that
People, never uſed to ſuffer Wrongs from a fair
Enemy, was an exceflive Scarcity of Proviſions in
Rome, occafioned by all the Ships loaden with Corn
and Proviſions from Sicily, Corfica, and other places,
being intercepted and taken by theſe Pyrates, info-
much that they were alnoſt reduced to a Famine:
Upo.. this, Pompey the Great was immediately ap-
pointed General to manage this War; five hundred
Ships were immediately fitted out, he had fourteen
Senators, Men or Experience in the War, for his
Vice-Admirals; ard to conſiderable an Enemy,
were theſe Ruffians become, that no lets than air
Army of a hundred thouſand Foot, and five thou,
fand Horle was appointed to invade them by Land;
but it happened very luckily for Rome, that Pompey
.
fail'd out before the Pyrate had 'Intelligence of a
Deſign againſt them, ſo that their Ships were ſcat,
tered all over the Mediterranean, like Bees gone out
from a Hive, ſome one Way, ſome another, to
bring Home their Lading ; Pompey divided his Fleet
into thirteen Squadrons, to whom he appointed
their ſeveral Stations, ſo that great Numbers of the
Pyrates fell into their Hands, Ship by Ship, with-
out any Lofs; forty Days he paſſed in ſcouring the
Mediterranean, ſome of the Fleet cruizing along
the Coaſt of Africk, fome about the Iſlands, and
fome upon the Italian Coaſts, ſo that often thoſe
Pyrates who were flying from one Squadron, fell
in with another ; however, ſome of them eſcaped,
and theſe making directly to Cilicia, and acquaint-
ing their Confederates on Shore with what has
huppened, they appointed a Rendezvous of all the
Ships that had eſcaped at the Pors of Coracefium, in
the
he ſame Country. Pompey finding the Afediterranean
quite


The INTRODUCTION. 23
1
quite clear, appointed a Mccting of all his Flect ac
the Haven of Brundufium, and from thence tailing
round into the Adriatick, he went directly to attack
theſe Pyrates in their Hives; as ſoon as he came
near the Coreceſium in Cilicia, where the Remainder
of the Pyratcs now lay, they had the Haruinels to
come and give him Battle ; but the Genius of old
Rome prevailed, and the Pyrates received an entire
Overthrow, being all either taken or deſtroyed; but
as they made many ſtrong Fortrelies upon the Sen
Coaſt, and built Caſtles and ſtrong Holds up the
Country, about the Foot of Mount Taurus, he was
obliged to beliege them with his Army; ſome
Places he took by Storm, others furrcidered to
his Mercy, to whom he gave their Lives, and at
ength he made an entire Conqueſt
But it is probable, that had thele Pyrates receiv'd
ſufficient Notice of the Roman Preparation againit
them, ſo as they might have had Time to draw
their ſcattered Strength into a Body, to have met
Pompey by Sea, the Advantage appeared greatly on
their Side, in Numbers of Shipping, and of Men;
nor did they want Courage, as may be ſeen by their
coming out of the Port of Corac fium, to give the
Romans Battle, with a Force much inferior to theirs;
I tay, had they overthrown Pompey, it is likely they
would have made greater Attempts, and Rome,
which had conquer'd the whole World, might have
been ſubdued by a Parcel of Pyrates.
This is a Proof how dangerous it is to Govern-
ments to be negligent, and not take an early Care
in ſuppreſling theſe Sea Banditti, before they ga.
ther Strength.
The Truth of this Maxim may be better exem.
plified in the Hiſtory of Barbarouſe, a Native in
the City of Mitylene, in the Illand of Lesbos, in the
Agean Sea; a Fellow of ordinary Birth, who being
bred to the Sea, firſt ſet out from thence upon
B 4
che
1
1
M
"


34
The INTRODUCTION.
À
Et
0
!
s
į
the pyrạring Account with only one ſmall Veſſell,
but by the Prizes he took, hegain’d immenſe Riches,
to that getting a great Number of large Ships, all
the bold and diliolute Fellows of thoſe inlands
Hock'd to him, and liſted in his Service, for the
Hopes of Booty; ſo that his Strength was increas'd
to a formidable Fleet; With there he performed
duch bold and adventurous A&tions, that he became
the Terror of the Seas. `About this l'ime it hap-
pened that Selim Eatemi, King of Algiers, having re-
fuſed to pay the accuſtomed Tribute to the Spani-
ards, was apprehenſive oi' an Invaſion from thence';
wherefore he treated with Barbarouſe, wpon the Foot
ofan Ally, to come and aſſiſt him, ana deliver him
from paying this Tribute ; Barbarouſe readily came
into it, and failing to Algiers with a great Fleet,
he put Port of his Men oir Shore, and having laid a
Plot to ſurprize the City, he eifected it with great
Succeſs, and murdered Selinx in a Bath; ſoon atter
which, he was himlelf crowned King of allgiers;
after this be made War upon Aidilabde, King of
Tunis, and overthrew him in Battle ; he extended
his Conqueſts on all Sides; and thus' from a Thief
became a mighty King: And tho' he was at laſt kill'd
in Battle, yet he had to well eſtabliſhed himſelt up:
on that Throne, that, dying without Iſſue, he left
the Inheritance of the Kingdom to his Brother,
another Pyrate.
I come now to ſpeak of the Pyrates infeſting the
Weft-Indies, where they are more numerous than in
any other parts of the World, for ſeveral Reaſons :
First, Becaule there are ſo many uninhabited
ļittle Iilands and Keys, with Harbours convenient
and ſecure for cleanſing their Veffells, and aboúñ-
ding with whaċ they often ivant, Proviſion; I mean
Water, Şea-Fow!, Turtle, Sheri, and othér Fiſh;
where, if they carry in but Strong Liquor, they
indulge
7
1
1


26 Tbe INTRODUCTION.
Seco:dly, another reaſon why theſe Seas are
choſe by Pyrates, is the great Commerce thither
by French, Spaniards, Durch, and eſpecially Engliſh
Ships: They are ſure in the Latitude of theſe
trading Inands, to meet with Prizes, Booties of
Proviſion, Cloai hing, and Naval-Stores, and ſome-
times Money ; there being great Sums reniitted
this Way to England; (the Returns of the Aſſiento,
and private Slave-Trade, to the Spaniſl
, Weſt-Indies :)
And in ſhort, by fome one or other, all the Riches
of Potopis
A third Reaſon, is the Inconveniency and Diffi.
culty of being purſued by the Men of War, the
many ſmall Inlets, Lagoons and Harbours, on theſe
ſolitary Iſands and Keys, is a natural Security.
'Tis generally here that the Pyrates begin their
Enterprizes, ſetting out at firſt with a very ſmall
Force; and by infeſting theſe Seas, and thole of
the Continent of North America, in a Year's Time,
if they have good Luck on their sides, they accu.
mulate ſuch Strength, as enables them to make
foreign Expeditions: The firſt, is uſually to Guiney,
taking the Azores and Cape de Verd Iands in their
Way, and ther. to Brazil and the Eaſt-Indies, where
if they meet with proſperous Voyages, they ſet
down at Madagaſcar, or the neighbouring Inands,
and enjoy their ill gotten Wealth, among their
elder Brethren, with Impunity. But that I may
not give too much Encouragement to the Profel.
fion, I muſt inform my maritime Rcaders, that
the far greater Part of theſe Rovers are cut short
in the Purſuit, by a ſudden Precipitation into
the other World.
The Riſe of theſe Rovers, ſince the Peace of
Utrecht, or at leaſt, the great Encreaſe of them, may
juſtly be imputed to the Spaniſh Settlements in the
Weſt-Indies; the Governors of which, being often
fome hungry Courtiers, fent thither to repair or
make


The INTRODUCTION.
27
make a Fortune, generally countenance all Pro-
ceedings that bring in Profit : They grant Com-
miſſions to great Numbers of Veſſels of War, on
Pretence of preventing an interloping Trade, with
Orders to ſeize all Ships or Ve:rels whatſoever,
within five Leagues of their Coafts, which our En-
gliſh
, Ships cam:ot well avoid coming, in their Voyage
to Jamaica. But if the Spaniſ, Captains chance to
exceed this Commiſſion, and rob and plunder at
Diſcretion, the Sufferers are allowed to complain,
and exhibit a Proceſs in their Court, and after great
Exper:ce of Suit, Delay of Time, and other Incon-
veniences, perhaps a Decree is obtain'd in their Fa.
vour, hut then when the Ship and Cargo comes to
beclaim'd, with Coſts of Suit, they find, to their Sor-
row, that it has been previouſly condemn'd, and the
Plunder divided among the Crew the Comman-
der that made the Capture, who alone is reſpon-
Sible, is found to be a poor raskally Fellow, not
worth a Groat, and, no doubt, is plac'd in that
Station for the like Purpoſes.
The frequent Loſſes fuſtain'd by our Merchants
abroad, by theſe Pyrates, was Provocation enough
to attempt ſomething by Way of Reprilål; and a
fair Opportunity offering it ſelf in the Year, 1716,
the Traders of the Weſt-Indies, took Care not to
Nip it over, but made the beſt Ule ot' it their
Circumſtances would permit.
It was about two Ycars before, that the Spanille
Galleons, or Plate Fleet, had been caſt away in
the Gulf of Florida ; and ſeveral Vellels from the
Havana, were at work, with diving Engines, to
fifh up tle Silver that was on board the Galleons.
The Spaniards had recovered ſome Millions of
Pieces of Eight, and had carried it all to the Ha-
Yana; but they had at preſent about 35.0000 Pieces
of Eight in Silver, then upon the Spot, and were
daily.
2


28 The INTRODUCTION.
EL
7
daily taking up more. In the mean Time, two
Ships, and three Sloops, fitted out from Jamaica,
Barbadoes, &c. under Captain Henry Jennings, fail d
to the Gulf, and found the Spaniards there upon
the Wreck; the Money before ſpoken of, was left
on Shore, depoſited in a Store-Houſe, under the
Government of two Commisſaries, and a Guard
of about 60 Soldiers.
The Rovers came directly upon the Place, bring.
ing their little Fleet to an Anchor, and, in a Word,
landing 300 Men, they attack'd the Guard, who
immediately ran away ; and thus they ſeiz'd the
Treature, which they carried off, making the beſt
of their Way to Jamaica.
In their way they unhappily met with a Spaniſh
Ship, bound from Porto Bello to the Havana, with
a great many rich Goods, viz. Bales of Cochineal,
Casks of Indico, and 60oco Pieces of Eight more,
which their Hands being in, they took, and have
ing rifled the Veiſel, let her go.
They went away to Jamaica with their Booty,
and were followed in View of the Port, by the Spa-
niards, who having ſeen them thither, went back
to the Governor of the Havana, with the Account
of it, who immediately fent a Veſſel to the Go-
vernor of Jamaica to complain of this Robbery, and
to reclaim the Goods.
As it was in full Peace, and contrary to all Juſtice
and Right, that this Fact was committed, they
were ſoon made ſenſible that the Government at
Jamaica would not ſuffer them to go unpuniſhed,
much leſs protect them. Therefore they ſaw a
Neceſſity of thifting for themſelves; ſo, to make
bad worſe, they went to Sea again, tho’not without
diſpoſing of their Cargo to good Advantage, and fur-
niſhing themielves with Ammunition, Proviſions,
&c. and being thus made deiperate, they turn'd
Pyratęs,


The INTRODUCTION. 29
0
Pyrates, robbing rot the Spaniards only, but their
own Countrymen, and any Nation they could lay
their Hands on.
It happened about this Time, that the Spaniards,
with three or four ſmall Men of War, fell upon our
Logwood Cutters, in the Bay of Campeachy, and
Bay of Honduras; and after they had made Prizes
of the following Ships and Veſſels, they gave the
Men belonging to them, three Sloops to carry them
home, but theſe Men being made deſperate ty their
Misfortunes, and meeting with the Pyrates, they
took on with them, and ſo encrcas'd their Number.
The LIST of Ships and Velleis taken by the Spanish
Men of War in the Tear, 1716.
si
.
W
1
The Stafford, Captain Knocks, from Nero-England,
bound for London.
Anne, Gerniſl, for ditto.
Dove,
Grimſtone, for New-England.
A Sloop,
Alden, for ditto.
A Brigantine, Moſfon, for ditto.
A Brigantine, Turfield, for ditto.
A Brigantine, Tennis, for ditto.
A Ship,
Porter, for ditto.
Indian Emperor, Wentworth, for New-England.
A Ship,
Rich, Maſter.
Ditto, Bay.
Ditto, Smith.
Ditto, Stockum.
Ditto, Satlely.
A Sloop, Richardsy belonging to Norma
England.
Two Sloops,
belonging to Jamaicas:
One Sloop
of Barbadoes.
Two Ships
from Scotland.
Two Ships
from Hollando
ti
ill
Thè


:
30
The INTRODUCTION.
1
I
3
The Rovers being now pretty ſtrong, they cons
ſalted together about getting ſome place of Re-
treat, where they might lodge their Wealth, clean
and repair their Ships, and make themſelves a kind
of Abode. They were not long in refolving, but
fixed upon the land of Providence, the moſt confi .
derable of the Bahama Iands, lying in the Lati-
tude of about 24 Degrees North, and to the Eaſt-
ward of the Spaniſh
, Florida.
This Iand is about 28. Miles long, and eleven
where broadeſt, and has a Harbour big enough to
hold soo Sail of Ships ; before which lies a ſmall
INand, which makes two Inlets to the Harbour; at
either Way there is a Bar, over which no Ship of
soo Tun can paſs. The Bahama Iſands were por-
fèſs’d by the Engliſh till the Year, 1700, when the
French and Spaniards from Petit Guavus, invaded them,
took the Fort and Governor in the Iſland of Pro-
vidence, plunder'd and deſtroy'd the Settlements, c.
carried off half the Blacks, and the reſt of the
People, who fled to the Woods, retired afterwards
to Carolina.
In March 1705-6, the Houſe of Lords did in an
Addreſs to her late Majeſty, ſet forth. That the
French and Spaniards had twice, during the Time
' of the War, over-run and plundered the Bahama
• Mands, that there was no Form of Government
' thereThat the Harbour of the Iſle of Providence,
might be eaſily put in a Poſture of Defence, and
that it would be of dangerous Conſequence, ſhould
6 thoſe Iſlands fall into the Hands of the Enemy;
wherefore the Lords humbly beſought her Maa
• jeſty to uſe ſuch Methods as fhe Thould think
proper for taking the ſaid Ifand into her Hands,
in order to ſecure the ſame to the Crown of this
Kingdom, and to the Security and Advantage
of the Trade thereof.
1
But,


The INTRODUCTION.
31
But, however it happened, no Means wero uſed
in Compliarce to that Addreſs, for ſecuring the Ba-
hama Mands, 'till the Engliſh
: Pyrates had made Pro-
vidence their Retreat and general Recepticle; then
'twas founds abſolutely neceſſary, in order to dil.
lodge that troubleſome Colony ; and Information
being made by the Merchants to the Government,
of the Miſchief they did, and were likely to do,
his Majeſty was pleaſed to grant the following
Order.
Whitehall, September 15, 1716:
*10mplaint having been made to his Majeſty,
by great Number of Merchants, Maſters of
Ships and others, as well as by ſeveral Gover.
nors of his Majeſty's Inands and Plantations in the
• Weſt-Indies; that the Pyrates are grown ſo nume-
rous, that they infeſt 'not only the Seas near Ja-
maica, but even thoſe of the Northern Continent
of America; and that, unleſs ſome effectual Means
'be uſed, the whole Trade from Great Britain to
' thoſe Parts, will not be only obſtructed, but in
' imminent Danger of being loft: His Majeſty has,
upon mature Deliberation in Council, been plea-
ſed, in the firſt Place, to order a proper Force
to be employ'd for the ſuppreſſing the faid Py-
rates, which Force fo to be entployed, is as
follows.
1
IA List


EL
32
The INTRODUCTION.
A Liſt of his Majeſty's Ships and Veſiels employé
ed, and to be employed, at the Britiſh Govern.
'ments and Plantations in the Weſt-Indies.
1
Place where
1
Jamaica,
Rates, Ships, Guns.
S Adventure,
40 Now there.
Diamond, 40
S Sail'd from hence thl.
ther sth of laft Month."
Ludlow Cafle, 40
Tocarry the Governor,
6 Swift Sloop, 10
Now chicrc.
Surveying the Coaſt of
the Weſt-Indics, and
then to retum home;
but, during her being
Bincbelſea, 20 at Jamaica, is to join
the others, for Sccuri.
ty of the Trade, and
intcicepting Pyrates.
3 Scarborough, 30 Now thcrc.
6 ,
Now there.
Tryal Sloop, 6
6 Lime,
20.
Now thcrc.
Sborcvam,
s
30
Order'd Home.
Sailed thither from
Home the 7th of lart
Pearl, 40
Month, and to cruiſe
about the Capes.
6 Pbonix, 30
Now there.
Squirrel, 20
Rose,
20
Order'd Home
Barbadoes,
Leeward Islands,
Firginia,
Sliderlibam,
1
S
0
{
3
New-Tork,
5
Neo-England, { er en
Ĉ
$
Thoſe at Jamaica, Barbadoes, and the Leeward
Iands, are to join upon Occaſion, for annoying
the Pyrates, and the Security of the Trade: And '
thoſe at New-England, Virginia, and Nerr-Tork, are
to do the like.
Beſides theſe Frigots, two Men of War were ora
dered to attend Captain Rogers, late Commander of
the two Briſtol Ships, called the Duke and Dutcheſs,
that took the rich Acapulca Ship, and made a Tour
round the Globe. This Gentleman received a Com-
miſſion from his Majeſty, to be Governor of the
Idand of Providence, and was veſted with Power to
make uſe of all poſible Methods for reducing
I
the


The INTRODUCTION.
33
the Pyrates ; and that nothing might be wanting,
he carried with him the King's Proclamation of
Pardon, to thoſe who ſhould return to their
Duty by a certain Time; the Proclamation is as
follows;
By the King,
A PROCLAMATION for Suppreſling
of PYRATES.
W
1
GEORGER
Hereas we have received Information, that fetièral
Perfons, Subjects of Great Britain, kave; ſince
the 24th Day of June, in the Year of our Lord, 17153
committed diver's Pyracies and Robberies upon the High
Seas, in the Weſt-Indies, or adjoyning to our Plantations;
which hath and may Occafion greut. Damage to the ofera
chants of Great Britain, and others trading into those
Parts; and tho we have appointed ſuch a Force as the
judge ſufficient for suppreſſing the said Pyrates, yet thë
more effe&tually to put an End to the ſame, we have thought
fit, by and with the Advice of our Privy Council, to ljue
this our Royal Proclamation ; and we do hereby promiſes
and declaré, that in Caſe any of the ſaid Pyrates, fliall
on, or before, the 5th of September in the Tear of our Lorch
1918, ſurrender him or themſelves, to one of our Prina
cipal Sccretaries of State in Great Britain or Ireland,
or to any Governor or Deputy Governor of any of our
Plantations beyond the Scas is every ſuch Pyrate and Pyrate's
so ſurrendering him, or themſelves, as aforeſaid, ſhall have
our gracious Pardon, of, and for futh, his or their pracy,
or Pyracies, by him or them committed, before the fifth of
January next enſuing. And we do hereby firictly charge
and command all our
Admirals, Captains, and other of
ficers at Seå, and all our Governor's and Commanders of
any Forrs, Caſtles, or other places in our Plantations, and
Allocher our Officers Civil and Military, to ſeize and take
Such
G


34
TIe INTRODUCTION.
ſuch of the Pyrates, who frall refuſe or negle&t to ſurren-
der themſelves accordingly. And we do hereby further de-
clare, that in Cafe any perſon or perſons, on, or after, the
6th Day of September, 1718, Mall diſcover or ſeize, or
cauſe or procure to be dificvered or ſeized, any one or more
of the ſaid Pyrates, fo re; uſing or neglecting to ſurrender
themſelves as aforeſaid, ſo as they may be brought to Juſtice,
and committed of the ſaid Offence, ſuch Perſon or perſons,
So making ſuch Diſcovery or Seizure, or cauſing or procu-
ring ſuch Diſcovery or Seizure to be made, ſhall have and
receive as á Reward for the ſame, viz. for every como
mander of any private Ship or Viſel, the Sum of 100 l. for
every Lieutenant, Asafer, Boatſwain, Carpenter, and
Gunner, the sum of 40 l. for every inferior Officer, the
Sum of 30 1. and for every private Man, the Sum of 201.
And if any perſon or Perſons, belonging to, and being
Part of the Cretr, of any ſuch Pyrate Ship and Vefcl,fall, on
or after the ſaid fixth Day of September, 1718, ſeize
and deliver, or cauſe to be ſeized or delivered, any Com.
mander or Commanders, of ſuch Pyrate Ship or Vefſel, 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, Thall 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 herco
by required, and deſired to pay accordingly.
Given at our Court, at Hampton-Court, the
fifth Day of September, 1717, in the
fourth Year of our Reign.
God ſave the KING.
Before Governor Rogers went over, the Procla.
mation was ſent to them, which they took as Teague
took the Covenant, that is, they made Prize of the
Ship and Proclamation too; however, they ſent
for thoſe who were out a Cruiſing, and called a
general Council, but there was ſo much Noiſe and
Clamour, that nothing could be agreed on; ſome
.
were


The INTRODUCTION.
35
1
were for fortifying the Iſland, to ſtand upon their
own Terms, and treating with the Government upon
the Foot of a Commonwealth ; others were alſo
for ſtrengthening the Iſland for their own Security,
but were not Itrenuous for theſe Pun&illio's, lo
that they might but have a general Pardon, without
being obliged to make any Reſtitution, and to
retire, with all their Effects, to the neighbouring
Britiſh Plantations.
But Captain Jennings, who was their Commadore,
and who always bore a great Sway among them,
being a Man of good Underſtanding, and a good
Eftate, before this Whim took him of going a
Pyrating, refolved upon ſurrendering, without
more ado, to the Terms of the Proclamation, which
ſo diſconcerted all their Meaſures, that the Con-
greſs broke up very abruptly without doing any
Thing; and prelently Jennings, and by his Ex.
ample, about 15o 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 land, beſides Captain Jennings abovemen-
tioned, I think were there, Benjamin Hornigold, Edward
Teach, John Martel, James Fife, Chriſtopher Winter, Ni-
cholas Brown, Paul Williams, Charles Bellamy, Oliver la
Bouche, Major Penner, Ed. England, T. Burgeſs, Tho. Cock-
lyn, R. Sample, Charles Vane, and two or three others :
Hornigold, William Burgeſs and la Bouche were after
wards 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 un-
inhabited INand; Cocklyn, Sample and Vane hanged;
Winter and Brown ſurrendered to the Spaniards at
Cuba, and England lives now at Madagaſcar.
In the Month of May or June, 1718, Captain
Rogers arrived at his Government, with two of his
Majeſty's Ships, and found ſeveral of the abovelaid
С2
Pyrates


36
Tbe INTRODUCTION.
1
1
X
Pyrates there, who upon the coming of the Men
of War, all ſurrendered to the Pardon, except
Charles Vane and his Crew, which happened after
this Manner.
I have before deſcribed the Harbour to have two
Inlets, by Means of a ſmall and lying at the
Mouth of it; at one of which, both the Men of
War entered, and left the other open, ſo that Vane
flip'd his Cable, ſet Fire to a large Prize he had
there, and relolutely put out, firing at the Man
of War as he went off.
As ſoon as Captain Rogers had ſettled himſelf in
his Government, he built a Fort for his Defence,
and garriſoned it with the People he found upon
the Iiland; the quondam Pyrates, to the Number of
400, he formed into Companies, appointed Officers
of thoſe whom he muſt confided in, and then
fet about to ſettle Trade with the Spaniards, in
the Gulf of Mexico; in one of which Voyages,
Captain Burgeſs abovementioned, died, and Captain
Hornigold, another of the famous Pyrates, was caſt
away upon Rocks, a great way from Land, and
periſhed, but five of his Men got into a Canoe
and were ſaved.
Captain Rogers fent out a Sloop to get Proviſions,
and gave the Command to one John Augur, one
of the Pyrates, who had accepted of the Act of
Grace; in ther Voyage they met with two Sloops,
and John and his Comrades not yet forgetting
their former Buſineſs, made Uſe of their old Free
dom, and took out of them in Money and Goods,
to the Value of about 500 l. after this, they
ſteered away for Hiſpaniola, not being ſatisfy'd whe-
ther the Governor would admit them to carry on
two Trades at once, and ſo thought to have bidden
Farewel to the Bahamallands; but as ill Luck would
have it, they met with a violent Turnado, wherein
they loſt their Maſt, and were drove back to one of
the
DO
76
1
i
1


The INTRODUCTION. 37
the uninhabited Bahama's, and loſt their Sloop; the
Men got all alhore, and lived up and down in the
Wood, for a little Time, 'till Governor Rogers
happening to hear of their Expedition, and whicre
they had got to, ſent out an armed Sloop to the
aforeſait Iſland; the Maſter of which, with good
Words and fair Promiles, got them on Board,
and brought them all to Providence, being a eleven
Perſons, ten of which were try'd at a Court of Ad-
miralty, convicted, and hanged by the other's Evi.
dence, in the Sight of all their former Compa-
nions and Fellow-Thieves. The Criminals would
fain have fpirited up the pardoned Pyrates, to
reſcue them out of the Hands of the Officers of
Juſtice, telling them from the Gallows, that, Tlicy
never thought to have ſeen the Time, when ten ſuch Men
as they floould be ry'd up and hanged like Dogs, and three
hundred of their ſworn Friends and Companions quietly
ſtanding by to behold the Spectacle. One Humphrey Mor-
rice urged the Matter further than the reſt, taxing
them with Pufilanimity and Cowardice, as if it
were a Breach of Honour in them not to riſe, and
ſave them from the ignominious Death they were
going to ſuffer. But 'twas all in vain, they were
now told, it was their buſineſs to turn their Minds
to another World, and ſincerely to repent of
what Wickednels they had done in this. Tes, an-
ſwered one of them, I do heartily repent; I repent I
had not done more Miſchief, and that we did not cut the
Throats of them that took us, and I am extremely ſorry
that you an't all hanged as well as we.
So do 1 ſavs
another : And I, ſays a third; and then they were
all turned off, without making any other dying
Speeches, except one Dennis Macarty, who told the
People, That ſome Friends of his had often ſaid he ſhould
die in his Shoes, but that loc would make them Lyars, and
To kicked them off. And thus ended the Lives,
with their Adventures, of thoſe miſerableWretches,
C3
who


38
The INTRODUCTION.
1
who may ſerve as ſad Examples of the little Effect
Mercy has upon Men once abandoned to an evil
Courſe of Life.
Leaſt I be thought fevere in my Animadverſions
upo: the Spaniſ, Proceedings in the Weſt-Indies, in
relpect to their Dealings with us; I ſhall mention
an Inſtance or two, wherein I'll be as concile as pof-
fible, and then tranſcribe ſome original Letters from
the Governor of Jamaica, and an Officer of a Man of
War, to the Alcaldees of Trinidado, on the INard
of Cúba, with their Anſwers, tranſlated into En-
slili, and then proceed to the particular Hiſtories
of the Pyrates and their Crews, that have made
moſt Noiſe in the World in our uron Times.
About March, 1722, one of our Men of War
trading upon the Coaſt, viz. the Greyhound Galley,
Captain IV.ilron, the ſaid Captain invited ſome of the
Merchants to Dinner, who with their Attendants and
Friends came on Board to the Number of 16 or 18
in all; and having concerted Meaſures, about fix or
eight dired in the Cabin, and the reſt were waiting
on the Deck. While the Captain and his Gueſts
were at Dinner, the Boatſwain Pipes for the Ship’s
Company to dine ; accordingly the Men take their
Platters, receive their Proviſions, and down they
go between Decks, leaving only 4 or 5 Hands bé
fides 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 pulld out their Piſtols and
Shot the Captain, Surgeon and another dead, and
grievouſly wounded the Lieutenant; but he get-
ing out of the Window upon a Side-Ladder, there-
by faved his Life, and ſo they made themſelves
Maſters of the Ship in an Inſtant : But by acciden-
tal good Fortune, The was recovered before ſhe was
carry'd off ; for Capt. Walron having mann'd a Sloop
with 30 Hands out of his Ship's Company, had ſent
hez


The INTRODUCTION. 39
her to Windward ſome Days before, alſo for Trade;
which the Spaniards knew very well; and juſt as the
A&tion was over they ſaw this Sloop coming down,
before the Wind, towards their Ship; upon which
the Spaniards took about 10000 l. in Specie, as I am
informed, quitted the Ship, and went off in their
Launch unmoleſted.
About the ſame Time, a Guard le Coast, of Porto
Rico, commanded by one Matthew Luke, an halian,
rook four Engliſlo Veſſels, and murthered all the
Crews: He was taken by the Lanceſton Man of
War, in May 1722, and brought to Jamaica, were
they were all but leven diſervedly hanged. It is
likely the Man of War might not have meddled
with her, but that the blindly laid the Lanceſton on
Board, thinking the had been a Merchant Ship,
who thereupon carched a Tartar. Afterwards, in
rummaging, there was found a Cartridge of Powder
made up with a piece of an Engliſh, Journal, belong.
ing, I believe, to the Crean Snow; and upon Ex-
amination, at laſt, it was diſcovered that they
had taken this Veſſel and murthered the Crew;
and one of the Spaniards, when he came to die,
confeſſed that he had killed twenty Engliſh Men
with his own Hands.
S. Jago de la Vega, Febr. 20.
A Letter from his Excellency Sir Nicholas Laws,
our Governor, to the Alcaldes of Trinidadó
on Cuba, dated the 26th of Jan. 1721-2.
Gentlemen,
"T
HE frequent Depredations, Robberies, and
other A&s of Hoftility, which have been
committed on the King my Royal Mafter's Sub-
jects, by a Parcel of Bandicci, who pretend to
C4
have


40
Tbe INTRODUCTION.
€
¢
-1
E,
$
$
1
have Commiſſions from you, and in Reality are
Sheltered under your Government, is the Oc-
caſion of my lending the Bearer Captain Cham-
berlain, Commander of his Majeſty's Snow, Happy,
ļ to demand Satisfaction of you for ſo many noto-
rious Robberies which your People have lately
committed on the King's Subje&ts of this Iſland ;
particularly by thoſe Traytors, Nicholas Brown
and Chriſtopher Winter, to whom you have given
Protection. Such Proceedings as theſe are not
only a Breach of the Law of Nations, but muſt
appear to the World of a very extraordinary
Nature, when conſidered that the Subje&s of a
Prince in Amity and Friendſhip, with another,
{ should give Countenance to and encourage ſuch vile
§ Practices. I confeſs I have had long Patience, and
declined uſing any violent Meaſures to obtain
§ Satisfaction, hopilig the Cellation of Arms, to
! happily concluded upon between our reſpective
? Sovereigns, would have put an effetual Stop to
! thoſe Diſorders; but on the contrary, I now find
the Port of Trinidado a Receptacle to Villains
of all Nations. I do therefore think fit to ac-
quaint you, and aſſure you in the King my Ma-
ſter's Name, that if I do meet with any of your
! Rogues for the future upon the coaſt of this
• INand, I will order them to be hanged directly
without Mercy; and I expect and demand of
you to make ample Reſtitution to Captain Chania
berlain of all the Negroes, which the ſaid Bronn
and Winter have lately taken off from the North-
Side pf this Iand, and alſo of ſuch Sloops and
other Effets as they have been taken and robbed
of, ſince the Ceſſation of Arms, and that you
will deliver up to the Bearer luch Engliſh Men
as are now detained, or otherwiſe remain at Tri-
midado; grd alſo expect you will hereafter forbear
Branting any Commiſſions, or ſuffer any fuch
toto:
6
€


The INTRODUCTION.
41
( notorious Villains to be equipp'd and fitted out
e from your Port; otherwiſe you may depend up-
on it, thoſe that I can meet with, ſhall be eſteem-
ç ed Pyrates, and treated as ſuch ; of which I
thought proper to give you Notice, and am, tc.
A Letter from Mr Joſeph Laws, Lieutenant
of his Majeſty's Ship, Happy Snow, to the
Alcaldes of Trinidado.
6
l
(
1
"IM
1
1
Gentlemen,
6
Am ſent by Commadore Vernon, Commander
in Chief of all his Majeſty's Ships in the
Weſt-Indies, to demand in the King our Maſter's
• Name, all the Veſſels, with their Effects, á c.
and alſo the Negroes taken from Jamaica ſince the
• Ceſſation of Arms; likewiſe all Engliſhmen row
• detained, or otherwiſe remaining in your Port of
' Trinidado, particularly Nicholas Brown and Chriſte-
pher Winter, both of them being Traytors, Py;
rates and common Enemies to all Nations: And
• the ſaid Commadore hath ordered me to acquaint
you, that he is ſurprized that the Subjects of a
' Prince in Amity and Friendſhip with another,
ſhould give Countenance to fuch notorious Vila
lains. In Expectation of your immediate Com-
pliance, I am, Gentlemen,
Off the River Trini Your humble Servant,
dado, Feb. 8. 1723.
Joſeph Laus.
The Anſwer of the Alcaldes of Trinidado, to
Mr. Law's Letter.
IM
Capt. Laws,
N Anſwer to yours, this ſerves to acquaint
you,
that neither in this City, nor Port, are
there any Negroes or Vefſels which have been ta-
ken


42
The INTRODUCTION.
3
6
ken at your Mand of Jamaica, nor on that Coast,
funce the Cellation of Arms; and what Veſſels
have been taken ſince that time, have been for
trading in an unlawful Commerce on this Coaſt;
and as for thoſe Engliſh, Fugitives you mention,
they are here as other Subjects of our Lord the
King, being brought voluntarily to our holy Ca-
'tholick Faith, and have received the water of
Baptiſm; but if they Nould prove Rogues, and
'fhould not comply with their Duty, in which
they are bound at preſent, then they ſhall be
chaſtiſed according to the Ordinances of our
King, whom God preſerve. And we beg you
will weigh Anchor as ſoon as poſſible, and leave
this Port and its Coafts, becaule upon no Account
you ſhall be ſuffered to trade, or any Thing elſe ;
' for we are reſolved not to admit thereof. God
preſerve you. We kiſs your Hand.
Trinidado, Signed, Hieronimo de Fuentes,
Feb. 8, 1722.
Benette Alfonſo del Manzano.
6
$
Mr. Law's Reply to the Alcaldes Letter.
Y
$
Gentlemen,
6 OUR refuſing to deliver up the Subjects of
the King my Maſter, is ſomewhat ſurpri-
zing, it being in a Time of Peace, and the detain.
ing them conſequently againſt the Law of Na-
tions. Notwithſtanding your trifling Pretence
(for which you have no Foundation hut to
! forge an Excuſe ) to prevent my making any
! Enquiry to the Truth of the Facts I have al.
ledged in my former, I muſt tell you my Reſo-
lutionsare, to ſtay on the Coaſt 'til I have made
Reprizals; and ſhould I meet any Veſſels be-
! lorging to your Port, I fould not treat them as
the Subjects of the Crown of Spain, but as Py-
sates,
3


The INTRODUCTION. 43
rates, finding it a Part of your Religion in
this Place to protect ſuch Villains.
Off the River Trini. Your humble Servant,
dado, Feb. 8, 1720.
Joſeph Laws.
The Anſwer of one of the Alcaldes to
Mr. Laws'š Reply
Captain Laws,
"Y:
OU may aſſure your ſelf, I will never be
wanting in the Duty of my Poft. The
• Priſoners that are here are not in Priſon, but
only kept here to be ſent to the Governor of the
Havana : If you (as you ſay) command at Sea, I
command on Shoar: If you treat the Spaniards,
you Mould happen to take, as Pyrates, I will do
the ſame by every one of your People I can
take up: I will not be wanting to good Manners,
. if you will do the ſame. I can likewiſe ałt the
• Soldier, if any Occaſion ſhould offer that Way,
. for I have very good People here for that Pure
• pole. If you pretend any Thing elſe, you may
• execute it on this Coast. God preſerve you. I
kiſs your Hand.
Trinidado, Signed,
Feb. 20, 1720.
Bennette Alfonſo del Menzano.
The Laſt Advices we have received from our
Plantations in America, dated June 9th, 1724,
give us the following Account, viz. That Captain
Fones in the Ship John and Mary, on the sth of the
ſaid Month, met with, near the Capes of Virginia,
a Spaniſl, Guard del Coaſt, commanded by one Don
Benito, ſaid to be commiſſioned by the Governor
of Cuba: She was manned with 60 Spaniards, 18
French Men and 18 Engliſh, and had an Engli, Cap-
tain as well as Spaniſh, one Richard Holland, who for.
merly belonged to the Suffolk Man of War, which
he


The INTRODUCTION.
vent.
-
he deſerted at Naples, and took Shelter in a Con-
He ſerved on Board the Spaniſh Fleet under
Admiral Cammock, in the War in the Mediterranean;
sod after the Ceiſation of Arms with Spain, ſettled
with ſeveral of his Countrymen (Iriſh) in the Spa-
27's Weft-Indies. This Guard del Coaſt made Prize of
Captain Jone's Ship, and kept Poffeffion of her
from the sth to the 8th, during which Time ſhe took
alſo the Prudent Hannah of Boſton, Thomas Mou-
fell Mafter, and the Dolphin of Topham, Theodore
Bare Mafter, both laden and bound for Virginia:
The former they fent away together with three
Men and the Mate, under the Command of a
Spaniſha Officer and Crew, the fame Day ſhe was
taken ; the latter they carried off with them, put-
ting the Maſter and all the Crew aboard Captain
Imes's Ship. They plundered Captain Jones of
thirty fix Men Slaves, ſome Gold-Duſt, all his
Cloaths, four great Guns and ſmall Arms, and
about four hundred Gallons of Rum, beſides his
Provifions and Stores, computed in all to 1500 ko
Sterling.
E)
0
11
3
11
76
FOR
Of
78
Po
CH A P.
I


45
CHAP. I.
OF
Captain AVERY,
And his CREW.
JO
N
ONE of theſe bold Adventurers were
ever ſo much talked of, for a while, as
Avery; he made as great a Noiſe in the
World as Mériveis does now, and was looked upon
to be a Perſon of as great Conſequence; he was re-
preſented in Europe, as one that had raiſed himſelf
to the Dignity of a King, and was likely to be the
Founder of a new Monarchy; having, as it was ſaid,
taken immenſe Riches, and married the Great Mom
gul's Daughter, who was taken in an Indiar Shir,
which fell into his Hands; and that he had by her
inany Children, living in great Royalty and State;
that he had built Forts, erected Magazines, and was
Maſter of a ſtout Squadron of Ships, mann'd with
able and deſperate Fellows of all Nations; that he
gave Commiſſions out in his own Name to the
Captains of his Ships, and to the Commanders of
his Forts, and was acknowledged by them as their
Prince. A Play was writ upon him, called, the Seco
ceſsful Pyrate; and theſe Accounts obtained ſuch Be-
lief, that ſeveral Schemes were offered to the Coun-
cil for fitting out a Squadron to take him; while
others were for offering him and his Companions an
Alt of Grace, and inviting them to England, with


46 Of Captain A VER T.
all their Treaſure, leaſt his growing Greatneſs might
hinder the Trade of Europe to the Eaſt-Indies.
Yet all theſe were no more than falſe Rumours,
improved by the Credulity of fome, and the Hu-
mour of others who love to tell itrange Things; for,
while it was ſaid, he was aſpiring at a Crown, he
wanted a Shilling; and at the ſame Time it was
given out he was in Poffeffion of ſuch prodigious
Wealth in Madagaſcam, he was ſtarving in England.
No doubt, but the Reader will have a Curioſity
of knowing what became of this Man, and what
were the true Grounds of ſo many falſe Reports
concerning him; therefore, I fall, in as brief a
Manner as I can, give his Hiſtory.
He was born in the Weſt of England near Ply-
mouth in Devonſhire, being bred to the Sea, he
ſerved as a Mate of a Merchant-Man, in ſeveral
trading Voyages: It happened before the Peace of
Ryſwick, when there was an Alliance betwixt Spain,
England, Holland, &c. againſt France, that the French
in Martinico, carried on a ſmugling Trade with the
Spaniards on the Continent of Peru, which by the
Laws of Spain, is not allowed to Friends in Time
of Peace, for none but native Spaniards are permit-
ted to Traffick in thoſe Parts, or ſet their Feet on
Shore, unlels at any Time they are brought as Prilo.
ners; wherefore they conſtantly keep certain Ships
cruiſing along the Coaſt, whom they call Guarda del
Coſta, who have the Orders to make Prizes of
all Ships they can light of within five Leagues of
Land. Now the French growing very bold in Trade,
and the Spaniards being poorly provided with Ships,
and thoſe they had being of 'no Force, it often fell
out, that when they light of the French Smuglers,
they were not ſtrong enough to attack them, there-
fore it was reſolved in Spain, to hire two or three
ftout foreign Ships for their Service, which being
known at Briſtol, ſome Merchants of that Ciry,
fitted
.


Of Captain AV ER T.
47
fitted out two Ships of thirty odd Guns, and 120
Hands each, well furniſhed with Proviſion and Am-
munition, and all other Stores; and the Hire beir.g
agreed for, by ſome Agents for Spain, they were
commanded to fail for Corunna (the Groine,) there
to receive their Orders, and to take on Board ſome
Spaniſl, Gentlemen, who were to go Pallengers to
New-Spain.
Of one of theſe Ships, which I take to be calld the
Duke, Capt. Gibſon Commander , Avery was firſt Niate,
and being a Fellow of more Cunning, than Courage,
he inſinuated himſelf into the good Will of ſeveral
of the boldeſt Fellows on Board the other Ship, as
well as that which he was on Board of; having loun-
ded their Inclinations before he opened himſelf,
and finding them ripe for his Deſign, he, at length,
propoſed to them, to run away with the ship,
telling them what great Wealth was to be had
upon the coaſt of India : It was no ſooner ſaid
than agreed to, and they reſolved to execute their
Plot at Ten a-Clock the Night following.
It muſt be obſerved, the Captain was one of thoſe
who are mightily addi&ted to Punch, ſo that he
paſſed moſt of his Time on Shore, in ſome little
drinking Ordinary; but this Day he did not go on
Shore as uſual ; however, this did not ſpoil the De-
ſign, for he took his uſual Doſe on Board, and ſo
got to Bed before the Hour appointed for the Buſi-
neſs : The Men allo who were not privy to the De-
ſign, turn'd into their Hammocks, leaving none up.
on Deck but the Conſpirators, who, indeed, were
the greateſt Part of the Ship's Crew. At the Time
agreed on, the Ducheſs's Long-Boat appeared, which
Avery hailing in the uſual Manner, was anſwered by
the Men in her, Is your drunken Boatſwain on Board ?
Which was the Watch-Word agreed between them,
and Avery replying in the Affirmative, the Boat
came


48
Of Captain A VERY
1
1
came aboard with fixteen fout Fellows, and joined
the Company.
When our Gentry ſaw that all was clear, they
ſecured the Hatches, ſo went to work; they did
not fip the Anchor, but weighed it leiſurely, and
So put to Sea without any Diſorder or Confuſion,
thos there were ſeveral Ships then lying in the Bay,
and among them a Dutch Frigate of forty Guns,
the Captain of which was offered a great Reward
to go out after her ; but Mynheer, who perhaps
would not have been willing to have been ſerved
ſo himſelf, could not be prevaild upon to give
ſuch Uſage to another, and ſo let Mr. Avery pur-
ſue his Voyage, whither he had a Mind to.
The Captain, who by this Time, was awaked,
either by the Motion of the Ship, or the Noiſe of
working the Tackles, rung the Bell; Avery and
two others went into the Cabbin; the Captain, half
aſleep, and in a kind of Fright, ask'd, What was
the Matter ? Avery anſwered cooly, Nothing; the
Captain replied, ſomething's the Matter with the ship,
Does Hoe drive? What Weather is it? Thinking
nothing leſs then that it had been a Storm, and
e that the Ship was driven from her Anchors: No, no,
anſwered Avery, we'ere at Sea, with a fair Wind and
good Weather. At Sea! ſays the Captain, Hotd can
chat be ? Come, ſays Avery, don't be in a Fright, but put
on your Cloaths, and PN let you into you a Secret :
You muſt know, that I am Captain of this ship now, and
this is my Cabin, therefore you muſt walk out; I am
- bound to Madagaſcar, with a Deſign of making my
orn Fortune, and that of all the brave Fellows joined
The Captain having a little recovered his Senſes,
began to apprehend the meaning ; however, his
Fright was as great as before, which Avery per-
ceiving, bad him
fear nothing, for, ſays he, if you
e with me.
.
7
have


Of Captain AV ERT:
49
A
NE
1
have a Mind to make one of us, we will receive you,
and if you'll turn lober, and mind your Buſinels,
perhaps in time I may make you cne of my
Lieu-
tenants, if not, here's a Foat a-lo: g-ſide. ard
you
Thall be ſet aſhore.
The Captain was glad to hear this, an i therefore
accepted of his offer, and the whole Crew Feing
called up, to know who was willing to go on Shore
with the Captain, and who to ſeek their Fortunes
with the reſt ; there were not above five or fix who
were willing to quit this Enterprize ; wherefore
they were put into the boat withịthe Captain, that
Minute, and made their way to the Shore as well
as they could.
They proceeded on their Voyage to Madagaſcar,
but I do not find they took any Ships in their way;
when they arrived at the N. E. Part of that Mand,
they found two Sloops at Anchor, who, upon ſeeing
them, Nipp'd their Cables and run themelves aſhore,
the Men all landing, and running into the Woods,
theſe were two Sloops which the Men had run away
with from the Weſt-Indies, and ſeeing Avery, they
ſuppored him to be ſome Frigate fent to take them,
and therefore not being of Force to engage him,
they did what they could to ſave themſelves.
He gueſſed where they were, and ſent ſome of his
Men on Shore to let them know they were Friends,
ard to offer they might join together for their com-
mon Safety ; the Sloops. Men were well arm'd, and
had poſted themſelves in a Wood, with Centinels
jurt on the out-fide, to obſerve whether the Ship
landed her Men to purſue them, and they obſer-
ving only two or three Men to come towards them
without Arms, did not oppoſe them; but having
challenged them, and thev anſwering they were
Friends, they led them to their Body, where they
delivered their Meſſage ; at firſt they apprehen.
ded it was a Stratagem to decoy them on Board,
D
but


50
Of Captain AV ER 7.
but when the Ambaſadors offered that the Captain
himfelf, and as many of the Crew as they should
name, would meet them on Shore without Arms,
they believ'd them to be in Earneſt, and they ſoon
entered into a Confidence with one another; thoſe
on Board going on Shore, and ſome of thoſe on
Shore going on Board.
The Sloops Men were rejoiced at the new Ally,
for their Veſſels were ſo ſmall, that they could not
attack a Ship of any Force, ſo that hitherto they
had not taken any conſiderable Prize, but now they
hop'd to fly at high Game; and Avery was as well
pleaſed at this Reinforcement, to ſtrengthen them
for any brave Enterprize, and tho' the Booty muſt
be leffened to each, by being divided into lo many
Shares, yet he found out an Expedient not to ſuffer
by it himſelf, as ſhall be thewn in its Place.
Having conſulted what was to be done, they re-
ſolved to fail out together upon a Cruize, the Gal-
ley and two Sloops; they therefore fell to work
to get the Sloops off, which they ſoon effected, and
Steered towards the Arabian Coaſt; near the River
Iridus, the Man at the Maft-Head ſpied a Sail, upon
which they gave Chace; and as they came nearer to
her, they perceiv'd her to be a tall Ship, and fancied
the might be a Dutch Eaſt-India Man homeward
bound, but ſhe proved a better Prize; when they
fired at her to bring to, the hoifted Mogul's Colours,
and leemed to ſtand upon her Defence; Avery only
cannonaded at a Diſtance, and ſome of his Men
began to ſuſpect that he was not the Hero they
took him for : However, the Sloops made Uſe of
their Time, and coming one on the Bow, and the
other on the Quarter of the Ship, clapt her on Board,
and enter'd her, upon which the immediately ſtruck
ker Colours and yielded; the was one of the Great
Mogul's own Ships, and there were in her ſeveral
of the greateſt Perſons of his Court, among whom ic
was


Of Captain AV ERT.
51
18
T
J
A
was ſaid was one of his Daughters, who were going
on a Pilgrimage to Mecca, the Mahomet ans think
ing themſelves obliged once in their lives to viſic
that Place; and they were carrying with them
rich Offerings to prelent at the Shrire of Mahomet.
It is known that the Eastern People travel with
the utmoſt Magnificence, ſo that they had with
them all their Slaves and Attendants, their rich
Habits and Jewels, with Veſſels of Gold and Silver,
and great jums of Morey to defray the Charges
of their journey by Land; wherefore the Plunder
got by this Prize, is not eaſily computed.
Having taken all the Treaſure on Board their
own Ships, and plundered their Prize of every
Thing elle they either wanted or liked, they let
her
go; the not being able to continue her Voyage,
returned back: As ſoon as the News came to the
Mogul, and he knew that they were Engliſh who
had robbed them, he threatered loud, and talked
of ſending a nighty Army with Fire and Sword,
to extirpate the Engliſh from all their Settlements
on the Indian Coaſt. The Eaſt-India Company in
England, were very much alarmed at it ; however,
by Degrees, they found Means to pacify him, by
promiſing to do their Endeavours to take the Rob.
bers, and deliver them into his Hands; however,
the great Noſe this Thing made in Europe, as well
as India, was the Occaſion of all theſe romantick
Stories which were formed of Avery's Greatneſs.
In the mean Time our ſucceſsful Plunderers a:
greed to make the beſt of their way back to Ma-
dagaſcar, intending to make that place their Maga-
zine or Repoſitory for all their Treaſure, and to
build a ſmall Fortification there, and leave a few
Hands always aſhore to look after it, and defend
it from any Attempts of the Natives; but Avery
put an End to this project, and made it altogether
unneceſſary.
D 2
As


52
Of Captain APERT.
16
11
7
As they were ſteering their Courſe, as has been
ſaid, he ſends a Boat on Board of each of the Sloops,
deſiring the Chief of them to come on Board of
him, in order to hold a Council; they did 10,
and he told them he had ſomething to propoſe to
them for the common Good, which was to provide
againſt Accidents; he bad them co-ſider the Trea-
ſure they were pollets'u of would be fufficient for
them all, if they could fècure it in fome Place on
Shore; therefore all they had to fear, was ſome
Misfortune in the Voyage; he bad them conſider
the Confequences of being Teparated by bad Wea-
ther, in which Cale, the Sloups, if cither of them
Should fall in with any Ships of Force, muſt be
either taken or funk, and the Treaſure on Board
her loft to the reſt, beſides the common Accidents
of the Sca; as for his Part, he was ſo ſtrong, he
was able to make his Party good with any Ship
they were like to meer in thote Seas ; that if he
met with any Ship of ſuch Strength, and could
not take her, he was ſafe from being taken, being
ſo well mam'd; beſides his Ship was a quick Sailor,
and could carry Sail when their Sloops could rot,
wherefore, he propoled to them, to put the Treas
ſure on Board his Ship, to ſeal up each Cheſt with 3
Seals, whereof each was to keep one, and to appoint
a Rendezvous, in Caſe of Separation.
Upon conſidering this Propoſal, it appeared fo
reaſonable to them, that they readily came into it,
for they argued to themſelves, that an Accident
might happen to one of the Sloops, and the other
elcare, wherefore it was for the common Good.
The Thing was done as agreed to, the Treaſure
put on Board of Avery, and the Cheſts ſeald ; they
kept Company that Day and the next, the Wea.
ther being fair, in which Time Avery tampered
with his Men, telling them they now had ſufficient
to make them all ealy, and what ſhould hinder
2
5
them


of Captain Al’ERT.
53
them from going to ſome Country, where they
were not known, and living on Shore all the reſt of
their Days in Plenty: They underſtood what he
meant, and, in ſhort, they all agreed to bilk their
new Allies, the Sloop's Men; nor do I find that any
of them félt any Qualms of Honour riſing in his
Stomach, to hinder them from confenting to this
piece of Treachery. In fire, they took Advantage
ni the Darkneſs that Night, iteer'd another Courie,
and, by Morning, loft Sight of them.
I leave the Reader to judge, what Swearing and
Confuſion there was among the Sloop's Men, in
the Morning, when they fair that Avery had given
theni the Slip; for they knew by the Fairnels of
the Weather, and the Courſe they had agreci to
ſteer, that it muſt have been done on purpoſe: But
we leave them at prelent to fuilow Mr. Avery.
Avery, ard his Men, having conſulted what to do
with themſelves, came to a Reſolution, to make the
beſt of their way towards Americ.? ; and none of them
being known in thoſe Parts, they inter:ded to divide
the Treature, to change their Names, to go aſhore,
fone in one place, fome in other, to purchaſe ſome
Settlements, and live at Eaſe. The first Land they
made, was the Inand of Providence, then newly
ſettled; here they ſtaid fome Time, and having
conſidered that when they ſhould go to Nero-Eng
land, the Greatneſs of their Ship would cauſe much
Enquiry about them; and poſſibly fome People
from England, who had heard the Story of a Ship's
being run away with from the Groine, might für
pect them to be the People ; they therefore took a
Reſolution of diſpoſing of their Ship at Providence :
Upon which, Avery pretending that the Ship being
fitted out upon the privateering Account, and ha-
ving had no Succeſs, he had received Orders from
the Owners, to diſpoſe of her to the beſt Advan-
tage,
D 3


54 of Captain Av Er?.
.
1
9
1
0
+
$ tage: He ſoon met with a Purchaſer, and immedi-
ately bought a Sloop.
In this Sloop, he and his Companions embark'd,
they touch'd at ſeveral Parts of America, where no
Perſon ſuſpected them; and ſome oi them went on
Shore, and diſperſed themſeives about the Country,
having received ſuch Dividends as Avery would give
them; for he concealed the greateſt Part of the Dia-
monds from them, which in the firſt Hurry of plun-
dering the Ship, they did not much regar's, as not
knowing their Valué.
At length he came to Bofton, in New-England, and
ſcem'd to have a Deſire of ſettling in thoſe Parts,
and ſome of his Companions went on Shore there
of alſo, but he changed his Reſolution, and propoſed
to the few of his Companions who were left, to fail
for Ireland, which they conſented to: He found out
that New-England was not a proper Place for him,
becauſe a great deal of his Wealth lay in Diamonds;
and ſhould he have produced them there, he would
have certainly been leiz'd on Suſpicion of Pyracy.
In their Voyage to Ireland, they avoided St.
George's Channel, and failing North about, they put
into one of the Northern Ports of that Kingdom;
there they diſpoſed of their Sloor, and coming on
Shore they ſeparated themſelves, Tome going to Cork,
and ſome to Dublin, 18 of whom obtain'd their Pardons
afterwards of K. IVilliam. When Azery had remain’d
ſome Time in this Kingdom, he was afraid to offer his
Diamonds to ſale, leaſt an Enquiry i..to his Manner
of coming by them ſhould occaſion a Diſcovery ;
therefore conſidering with himſelf what was beſt
to be done, he fancied there were ſome Perſons ac
Briſtol, whom he might venture to truſt ; upon
which, he reſolved to paſs over into England ; he
did ſo, and going into Dersonſhire, he ſent one of
theſe Friends to meet him at å Town called Biddia
ford;
.
3


Of Captain AVERY.
55
V
0.
ford ; when he had communicated himſelf to his
Friends, and conſulted with them about the Means
of his Effcêts, they agreed, that the ſafeſt Method
would be, to put them in the Hands of fome Mere
chants, who being Men of Wealth and Credit in
the World, no Enquiry would be made how they
came by them; this Friend telling him he was very
intimate with ſome who were very fit for the Pure
poſe, and if he would but allow them a good Com-
miſſion would do the Buſineſs very faithfully.
Aviry liked the Propoſal, for he found no other
Way of managing his Affairs, ſince he could not
appear in them himlelt; therefore his Friend go-
ing back to Briſtol, and opening the Matter to the
Merchants, they made Avery a Viſit at Biddeford,
where, after ſome Proteſtations of Honour and Inte-
grity, he delivered them his Effects, confifting of
Diamonds and fome Velſels of Gold; they gave
him a little Money for his preſent Subſiſtance, and
ſo they parted.
He changed liis Name and lived at Biddiford,
without making any Figure, and therefore there
was no great Notice taken of him; yet let one
or two of his Relations know where he was, who
came to ſee him. In ſome Time his little Morey
was ſpent, yet he heard nothing from his Mer-
chants; he writ to them often, and after much Im.
portunity they ſent him a ſmall Supply, but ſearce
Tufficient to pay his Debts: In fine, the Supplies
they ſent him from Time to Time, were ſo ſmall,
that they were not ſufficient to give him Bread,
nor could he get that little, without a great deal
of Trouble and Importunity; wherefore, being
weary of his Life, he went privately to Briſtol, to
ſpeak to the Merchants himſelf, where, inſtead of
Money, he met a moſt ſhocking Repulſe; for when
he deſired them to come to an Account with him,
they filenced him, by threatning to diſcover him,
D4
to


56
of Captain' AV ERT.
so that our Merchants were as good Pyrates at
Land as he was at Sea.
Whether he was frightened by theſe Menaces,
or had ſeen fome Body elle he thought knew him,
is :100 knowa; but he went immediately over to
Ireland, and from thence follicited his Merchants
very hard for a Supply, but to no Purpoſe, for he
was even reduced to Beggary : In this Extremity
he was reſolved to return and caſt himſelf upoii
them, let the Conſequence be what it would. He
put himſelf on Board a trading Veſſel, and work'u
his Pa!lage over to Plymouth, from whence he tra-
velled on Foot to Biddiford, where he had been but
a few Days before he fell fick and died; 100 being
worth as much as would buy him a Coffin.
Thus have I given all that could be collected
of any Certainty concerning this Man ; rejecting
the idle Stories which were made of his fantaitick:
Greatneſs,' by which it appears, that his 'Alions
were more Inconſiderable than thoſe of other Py-
rates, ſince him, though he made niore Noiſe in
the World
Now we ſhall turn back and give our Readers
fome Account of what became of the two Sloops.
We took Notice of the Rage and Confuſion,
which muſt have leized them, upon their miſling
of Avery ; however, they continued their Courſe,
ſome of them ftill flatcering themſelves that he
had only out failed them in the Night, and that
they ſhould find him at the Place of Rendezvous :
But when they came there, and could hear no Ty.
dings of him, there was an End of Hope. It was
Time to conſider what they ſhould do with them
ſelves, their Stock of Sea Proviſion was almoſt ſpent,
and tho' there was Rice and Fish, and Fowl to
be had alhore, yet thele would not keep for Sea,
without being properly cured with Salc, which
they had no Conveniency of doing; therefore,
1
ſince


Of Captain AV ERT.
57
ſince they could not go a Cruizing any more, it
was Time to think of eſtablishing themſelves at
Land; to which Purpoſe they took all Things out
of the Sloops, made Tents of the Sails, and encam.
ped themſelves, having a large Quantity of Ammu-
nition, and abundance of ſmall Arms.
Here they met with ſeveral of their Countrymen,
the Crew of a Privateer Sloop which was comman.
ded by Captain Thomas Tero ; and ſince it will be
but a ſhort Digreſion, we will will give an Account
how they came here.
Captain George Dew and Captain Thomas Tero, ha-
ving received Commiſſions from the then Gover-
nor of Bermudas, to fail directly for the River Gam-
bia in Africa ; there, with the Advice and Aflift-
ance of the Agents of the Royal African Company
to attempt the taking the French Factory at Goorie,
lying upon that Coaft. In a few Days after they
failed out, Deto in a violent Storm, 1.0t only ſprung
his Maſt, but loft Sight of his Confort; Dow there-
fore returned back to left, and Tero, inſtead of
proo
ceeding on his Voyage, made for the Cape of Good
Hope, and doubling the ſaid Cape, ſhaped his Courſe
for the Straits of Babel Mandel, being the Entrance
into the Red Sea. Here he came up with a large
Ship, richly laden, bound from the Indies to Ara.
bia, with three hundred Soldiers on Board, beſides
Seamen; yet Tero had the Hardineſs to board
her, and ſoon carried her; and, 'tis ſaid, by this
Prize, his Men ſhared 'near three thouſand Pounds
a Piece: They had Intelligence from the Priſoners,
of five other rich Ships to paſs that Way, which
Tem would have attacked, tho' they were very
ſtrong, if he had not been over-ruled by the Quar.
ter-Maſter and others. This differing in Opi.
nion created fome ill Blood amongſt them, ſo that
they reſolved to break up pyrating, and no Place
was fo fit to receive them as Madagaſcar; hither they
Ateered
1


58 Of Captain AV ERY.
ſteered, reſolving to live on Shore and enjoy what
they got.
Ás for Teto himſelf, he, with a few others, in a
hort Time, went off to Rhode Iſland, from whence
he made his Peace.
Thus have we accounted for the Company our
Pyrates met with here.
It muſt be obſerved that the Natives of Madagaſ-
Ear are a kind of Negroes, they differ from thote
of Guincy in their Hair, which is long, and their
Complexion is not ſo good a Jet ; they having innu-
merable little Princes among them, who are con-
tinually making War upon one another; their Pri-
foners are their Slaves, and they either ſell them,
or put them to death, as they pleaſe. When our
Pyrates firſt ſettled amongſt them, their Alliance
was much courted by theſe Princes, ſo they ſome.
times joined one, ſometimes another, but wherefo-
ever they fided, they were ſure to be victorious ;
for the Negroes here had no Fire-Arms, nor did
they underſtand their Uſe ; ſo that at length theſe
Pyrates became fo terrible to the Negroes, that if
two or three of them were only ſeen on one side,
when they were going to engage, the oppoſite Side
would fly without ſtriking a Blow.
By theſe Means they not only became feared,
but powerful ; all the Priſoners of War, they took
to be their Slaves; they married the moſt beautiful
of the Negroe Women, not one or two, but as many
as they liked ; lo that every one of them liad as
great a Seraglio as the Grand Seignior at Conftanti.
nople : Their
Slaves they employed in planting Rice,
in Fiſhing, Hunting, &-c. beſides which, they had
abundance of others, who lived, as it were, under
their Protection, and to be ſecure from the Distur-
bances or Attacks of their powerful Neighbours ;
theſe ſeemed to pay them a willing Homage. Now
they began to divide from one another, each living
with


of Captain AV ERT.
59
with his own Wives, Slaves and Dependants, like
a ſeparate Prince; and as Power and Plenty na-
turally beget Contention, they ſometimes quarrel.
led with one another, and attacked each other at
the Head of their ſeveral Armies; and in theſe
civil Wars, many of them were killed; but an Ac-
cident happened, which obliged them to unite
again for their common Safety.
It muſt be obſerv'd, that theſe ſudden great Men
had uſed their Power like Tyrants, for they grew
wanton in Cruelty, and nothing was more com-
mon, than, upon the ſighteſt Diſpleaſure, to cauſe
one of their Dependants to be tied to a Tree and
ſhot thro’ the Heart, let the Crime be what it
would, whether little or great, this was always
the Puniſhment; wherefore the Negroes conſpi.
red together, to rid themſelves of theſe Deſtroyers,
all in one Night; and as they now lived ſeparate,
the Thing might eaſily have been done, bad not á
Woman, who had been Wife or Concubine to one
of them, run near twenty Miles in three Hours,
to diſcover the Matter to them : Immediately upon
the Alarm they ran together as faſt as they could,
ſo that when the Negroes approached them, they
· found them all up in Arms; wherefore they retired
without making any Attempt.
This Eſcape made them very cautious from that
Time, and it will be worth while to deſcribe the
Policy of theſe brutiſh Fellows, and to thew, what
Meaſures they took to ſecure themſelves.
They found that the Fear of their power could not
ſecure them againſt a Surprize, and the braveſt Man
may be kill'd when he's añeep, by one much his infe-
rior in Courage and Strength; therefore, as their
firſt Security, they did all they could to foment
War betwixt the neighbouring Negroes, remaining
Neuter themſelves, by which Means, thoſe who
were overcome conſtantly fled to them for Pro-
tection,


90 * Of Captain AVERT.
.
E
teftion, otherwiſe they muſt be either killed or
made Slaves. They ſtrengthened their Party, and
tied ſome to them by Intereſt: when there was no
War, they contrived to ſpirit uf private Quar-
rels among thein, and, upon every little Dilpute
or Miſunderſtanding, push on one side or other to
Revenge ; Inſtruct them how to attack or ſurprize
their Adverſaries, and lend them loaded Piſtols or
Firelocks to diſpatch them with; the Conſequence
of which was, that the Murderer was forced to
fly to them for the Safety of his Life, with his
Wives, Children and Kindred.
Such as there were faſt Friends, as their Lives
depended upon the Safety of the Protectors ; for as
we obſerved before, our Pyrates were grown to
terrible, that none of their Neighbours had Relo-
lution enough to attack them in an open War.
By ſuch Arts as theſe, in the Space of a few
Years, their Body was greatly increaled; they then
began to ſeparate themſelves, and remove at a
greater Diſtance from one another, for the Conve-
nierce of more Ground, and were divided like Jews,
into Tribes, each carrying with him his Wives and
Children, (of which, by thisTime, they had a large
Family,) as alſo their Quota of Dependants and
Followers. And if Power and Command be the
Thing which diſtinguiſh a Prince, theſe Ruffians
had all the Marks of Royalty about them, nay more,
they had the very Fears which commonly diſturb
Tyrants, as may be ſeen by the extream Caution
they took in fortifying the Places where they
dwelt,
In this Plan of Fortification they imitated one
another, their Dwellings were rather Citadels than
Houles; they made Choice of a Place overgrown
with a Wood, and ſituate near a Water ; they rai-
ſed a Rampart or high Ditch round it, ſo ſtrait and
high, that it was impoffible to climb it, and eſpe-
cially,
1
1
31
s
1
0
9


Of Captain Averr.
61
1
HE
01
12
20
1
HO
001
cially by thoſe who had not the Uſe of ſcaling Lad-
ders: Over this Ditch there was one Paffage into
the Wood; the Dwelling, which was a Hut, was
built in that part of the Wood which the Prince,
who inhabited it, thought fit, but fo.covered that
ir could not be leen till you came at it ; but the
greateſt Cunning lay in the Paſſage which lead to
the Hut, which was ſo narrow, that no more than
ove. Perſon could go a Breaſt, and contrived in fo
intricate a Manner, that it was a perfect Maze or
Labyrinth, it being round and round, with ſeveral
little croſs Ways, 1o that a perſon that was not
well acquainted with the Way, might walk ſeveral
Hours round and croſs theſe Ways without being
able to find the Hut; moreover, all along the Sides
of theſe narrow Paths, certain large Thorns which
grew upon a Tree in that Country, were ſtruck
into the Ground with their Points uppermoſt, and
the Path it lelf being made crooked and ſerpentine,
if a Man ſhould attempt to come near the Hut ac
Night, he would certainly have ſtuck upon thele
Thorns, tho' he had been provided with that Clue
which Ariadne gave to Thiefcus when he entered the
Cave of the Minataur.
Thus Tyrant like they lived, fearing and feared
by all
;
and in this Situation they were found by
Captain Woods Rogers, when he went to Madagaſcar,
in the Delicia, a Ship of 40 Guns, with a Deſign
of buying Slaves, in order to ſell to the Dutch at
Batavia or New-England: He happened to touch
upo
on a part of the inand where no Ship had been
ſeen for ſeven or eight Years before, where he met
with fome of the Pyrates, at which Time they
had been upon the inand above 25 Years, having
a large motly Generation of Children and Granda
Children deſcended from them, there being about
that Time, 11 of them remaining alive.
Uron


62 of Captain AV ERY.
Upon their firſt ſeeing a Ship of this Force and
Burthen, they ſupposed it to be a Man of War
ſent to take them; they therefore lurked within
their Faſtneſſes; but when ſome from the Ship came
on Shore, without any Shew of Hoftility, and offer-
ing to trade with the Negroes, they ventured to
come out of their Holes, attended like Princes;
and ſince they actually are Kings de Falto, which
is a Kind of a Right, we ought to speak of them
as ſuch.
Having been ſo many Years upon this Iſland,
it may be imagined, their Cloaths had long been
worn out, ſo that their Majefties were extreamly
out at the Elbows; I cannot ſay they were ragged,
ſince they had no Cloaths, they had nothing to
cover them but the Skins of Beaſts without any
tanning, but with all their Hair on, nor a Shoe nor
Stocking, ſo they looked like the Pictures of Here
cules in the Lion's Skin; and being overgrown with
Bcard, and Hair upon their Bodies, they appeared
the moſt favage Figures that a Man's Imagiliation
can frame.
However, they ſoon got rigg'd, for they fold
great Nunibers of thoſe poor people under them,
for Cloaths, Knives, Saws, Powder and Ball, and
many other Things, and became ſo familiar that
they went aboard the Delicia, and were obſerved
to be very curious, examining the Inſide of the
Ship, and very familiar with the Men, inviting them
aſhore. Their Deſign in doing this, as they after-
wards confeſſed, was to try if it was not pra&ti.
cable to ſurprize the Ship in the Night, which
they judged very eaſy, in caſe there was but a
flender Watch lept on Board, they having Boats
and Men enough at Command; but, it ſeems, the
Captain was aware of them, and kept ſo ſtrong a
Watch upon Deck, that they found it was in vain
to make any Attempt; wherefore, when ſome of
the


Of Captain AV ERT.
63
ther ;
the Men went aſhore, they were for inveigling them,
and drawing them into a plot, for ſeizing the Cape
tain, and ſecuring the reſt of the Men under Hat-
ches, when they thould have the Night-Watch,
promiſing a Signal to come on Board and join them,
propoſing, it they ſucceeded, to go a pyrating to-
gether, not doubting but with that Ship they
thould be able to take any Thing they met on the
Sea : But the Captain obferving an Intimacy grow-
ing betwixt them and ſome of his Men, thought
it could be for no Good, he therefore broke it off
in Time, not ſuffering them ſo much as to talk toge.
and when he ſent a Boat on Shore with an
Officer to treat with them about the Sale of Slaves,
the Crew remained on Board the Boat, and no Man
was ſuffered to talk with them, but the Perſon de-
puted by him for that Purpoſe.
Before he failed away, and they found that no-
thing was to be done, they confeſſed all the Deſigns
they had formed againſt him. Thus he left them
as he found them, in a great deal of dirty State
and Royalty, but with fewer Subjects than they
had, having, as we obſerved, ſold niany of them;
and if Ambition be the darling Paſſion of Men, no
doubt they were happy. One of theſe great Prin-
ces had formerly been a Waterman upon the
Thames, where having committed a Murder, he filed
to the Weſt-Indies, and was of the Number of thoſe
who run away with the Sloops, the reſt had been
all foremaſt Men; nor was there a Man amongſt
them, who could either read or write, and yet
their' Secretaries of State had no more Learning
than themſelves. This is all the Account we can
give of thee Kingdoms of Madagaſcar, ſome of whom
it is probable are reigning to this Day.
29
1
CH AP..


64
4
Cap
Ha
arch
ARAAAZERTARAZAAZE
CHAP. II.
PM
0 F
sti
ther
th
TON
:01
ogle
120
120
Ligos
zem
hey
em;
DO
Captain MARTEL.
And his Crew.
Come now to the Pyrates that have roſe firice
I the Peace of Utrecht ; in War Time there is no
room for any, becauſe all thoſe of a roving
advent'rous Difpofition find Employment in Pri.
vateers, ſo there's no Opportuntty for Pyrates;
like our Mobs in London, when they come to any
Height, our Superiors order out the Train Bands,
and when once they are raiſed, the others are ſup-
preſſed of Courſe; I take the Reaſon of it to be,
that the Mob go into the tame Army, and immedi-
ately from. notorious Breakers of the Peace, be-
come, by being put in Order, folemn Preſer-
vers of it. And ſhould our Lególators put ſome
of the Pyrates into Authority, it would not only
Jellen their Number, but, I imagine, ſet them upon
the reſt, and they would be the likelieſt People to
find them out, according to the Proverb, Ses & Thief
to catch a Thief
To bring this about, there needs no other Edicou-
ragement, but to give all the Effects taken aboard a
Pyrate Vellel to the Captors; for in Caſe of Plunder
and Gain, they like it as well from Friends, as Ene-
mies, but are not fond, as Things are carry'd, of ruin.
ing poor Fellows, ſay the Creoleans, with no Advantage to
themſelves.
The
the
es
ble
21
Et
0
1


of Captain MARTEL, 68
The Multitude of Men and Veſſels, employed
this Way, in Time of War, in the Weſt-Indies, is an
other Reaſon, for the Number of Pyrates in a Time
of Peace : This cannot be ſuppoſed to be a Rea
flection on any of our American Governments, much
leſs on the King himſelf, by whole Authority ſuch
Commiſſions are granted, becauſe of the Reafon.
ablenels, and abſolute Néceſtịcy, there is for the
doing of it; yet the Obſervation is juſt, for lo many
idle People employing themſelves in Privateers, for
the Sake of Plunder and Riches, (which they al;
ways fpend as faſt they get,) that when the war
is over, and they can have no further Buſinęts
In the Way of Life they have been uled to, they
too readily engage in Acts of Pyracy, which being
but the ſame Practice without a Commiſſion, they
make very little Diſtinction betwixt the Law:
fulneſs of one, and the Ur wfulnes of the
other.
I have not enquired ſo far back, as to know the
Original of this Rover, but I believe he and his
Gang, were ſome Privateer's Men belonging to the
Inand of Jamaica, in the preceeding War; his Sçory
is but mort, for his Reign was 1o ; an End has
ving been put to his Adventures in good Time,
when he was growing ſtrong and formidable. We
find him Çommander of a Pyrạte Şloop of eight
.Guns, and 80 Men, in the Month of September, 1716,
cruiſing off Jamaica, Cuba, &c. 'about which Time
he took the Berkley Galley, Captain Saunders, and
plundered him of 1000 l. in Money, and after.
wards met with a Sloop called the King Solomon,
from whom he took ſome Money, and Proviſions,
beſides Goods, to a good Value.
They proceeded after this to the Port of Cavena,
.at the inand of Cuba, and in their way took two
Sloops, which they plundered, and let go.; and off
the Port fell in with a fine, Gaļley, with 20 Guns,
cala


· Of Captain MARTEL. 67
They concluded now, that 'twas high Time to
get into Harbour and refit, as well as to get Re.
freſhments themſelves, and wait an Opportunity
to diſpoſe of their Cargo; therefore 'twas re-
ſolved to make the beſt of ihuir Way to Santa Crux,
a Imall Mand in the Latitude of 18, 30, N. ten
Miles long, and two broad, lying South-Eaſt of
Porto Rico, belonging to the French Settlements.
Here they thought they might lye privately enough
for ſome Time, and fic themlélves for further Mire
chief. They met with a Sloop by the Way, which
they took along with them, and in the Beginning
of the Year 1716-17, they arrived at their Port,
having a Ship of 20 Guns, a Sloop of eight, and
three Prizes, viz. another Ship of 20 Guns, a Sloop
of four Guns, and the Sloup laſt taken.
With
this little Fleet, they got into a ſmall Harbour, or
Road, the N. W. Part of the Inand, and warp'd
up two Creeks, which were made by a little Mand
lying within the Bay ; (I am the more particular
now, becauſe I ſhall take Leave of the Gentlemen,
at this Piace.) They had here bare 16 Foot Water,
at the deepeſt, and but 13 or 14, at the ſhallow-
iſt, and nothing but Rocks and Sands without,
which ſecured them from Wind and Sea, and
likewiſe, from any conſiderable Force coming
againſt them.
When they had all got in, the firſt Thing they
had to do, was to Guard themſelves in the beſt
Manner they could; they made a Battery of four
Guns upon the Iſland, and another Battery of two
Guns on the North Point of the Road, and warp'd
in one of the Sloops with eight Guns, at the Mouth
of the Channel, to hinder any Veſſels from coming
in; when this was done they went to Work on
their Ship, unrigging, and unloading her, in order to
Clean; where I Thali leave them a while, till I bring
other Company to the Place,
E 2


.
68 Of Captain MARTEL.
1
In the Month of November, 1716, Genera! Hás
milton, Commander in chief of all the Lectoard Care
ribee Iſlands, fent a Sloop expreſs to Captain Hume,
at Barbadoes, Commander of hiş Majeſty's Ship.
Scarborough, of 30 Guns, and 140 Men, to acquaint
him, thut tivo Pyraté Sloops of 12 Guns each,
moleſted the Colonies, having plundered ſeveral
Velſels. The Scæborough had buried twenty Men,
and had near forty lick, and therefore was but in
ill State to go to Sea : However, Captain Hume
left his fick Men behind, and failed to the other
INands, for a Supply of Men, taking 20 Soldiers
from Amrgoa ; at Nevis, he took 10, and 10 at
St. Chriſtophers, and then failed to the land of An-
guilla, where he Icarned, that ſome Time before,
2 ſuch Sloops had been at Spaniſh-Tomon, otherwiſe
called, one of the Virgin Iands: Accordingly, the
next Day, the Scarborough came to Spaniſh-Town, but
could hear no News of the Sloops, only, that they
had been there about Chriſimas, (it being then the
15th of January.)
Captain Humi, finding no Account could be had
of theſe Pyrates, deſigned to go back, the next Day,
to Barbadoes; but, it happened, thát Night, that
a Boat anchor'd there from Santa Crux, and in-
formed him, that he ſaw a Pyrate Ship of 22 or 2.4
Guns, with other Veſſels, going in to the North
Weſt Part of the Mand aforeſaid. The Scarborough
weigh'd immediately, and the next Morning came
in Sight of the Rovers, and their Prizes, and ſtood
to them, but the Pilot refuſed to venture in with
the Ship; all the while the Pyrates fired red hot
Bullets from the Shore. At length, the Ship came
to an Anchor, along Side the Reef, near the Chan-
nel, and cannonaded for ſeveral Hours, both the
Veilels and Batteries: About four in the After-
Door, the Sloop that guarded the Channel, was
lunk by the Shot of the Man of War ; then she
1
)
can-


Of Captain MARTEL. 69
cannonaded the Pyrate Ship of 22 Guns, that lay
behind the INand. The next Night, viz. the i8th,
it falling calm, Captain Hume weigh'd, fearing he.
might fall on the Reef, and ſo ſtood off arid on for
a Day or two, to block them up. On the 20th,
in the Evening, they obſerved the Man of War to
ſtand off to Sea, and took the Opportunity to
warp out, in order to ņip away from the Illand;
but at Twelve a-Clock they run a-ground, and
then ſeeing the Scarborougb about, handing in again,
as their Caſe was defperate, ſo they were put into
the utmoſt Confuſion; they quitted their ship, and
ſet her on Fire, with 20 Negroes in her, who
were all burnt i 19 of the Pyrates made their
Eſcape in a ſmall Sloop, but the Captain and the
reſt, with 20 Negroes, betook to the Woods,
where 'twas probable they might ſtarve, for we
never heard what became of them afterwards :
Captain Hume releaſed the Priſoners, with the ship
and the Sloop that remained, and then went after
the tyo Pyrate Sloops firſt mentioned.
E 3
CHAP :


70
loc
..
CHAP. III.
OF
Captain TEACH,
alias BLACK-BEARD.
Dward Teach was a Briſtol Man born, but had
failed ſome Time out of Jamaica, in Priva.
teers, in the late French War; yet tho' he
had often diftinguiſhed himſelf for his uncommon
Boldneſs and perſonal Courage, he was never raiſed
to any Command, tin he went a pyrating, which
I think was at the latter End of the Year 1716,
when Captain Benjamin Horrigold put him into a
Sloop that he had made Prize of, and with whom
he continued in Conſortſhip till a little while before
Hornigold ſurrendered.
In the Spring of the Year 1717, Teach and Hor-
nigold ſailed from Providence, for the Main of America,
and took in their way a Billop froin the Havana,
with 120 Barrels of Flower, as alſo a Sloop from
Bermuda, Thurbar Maſter, from whom they took
only ſome Gallons of Wine, and then let him go ;
and a Ship from Madern to South Carolina, out of
which they got Plunder to a conſiderable Value.
. After cleaning on the coaſt of Virginia, they re-
turned tº the West-Indies, and in the Latitude of
2'to made Prize of a large French Guiney Man,
bound


Page 70
B. ok xwly
Blackbeard the Pinte.


y?།
=w •


of BLACK-BEAR D.
71
bound to Martinico, which, by Hornigold's Conſent,
Teach went aboard of as Captain, and took a Cruize
in her; Hornigold returned with his Sloop to Provi-
dence, where, at the Arrival of Captain Rogers, the
Governor, he ſurrendered to Mercy, purluant to
the King's Proclamation.
Aboard of this Guiney Man, Teach mounted 40
Guns, and named her the Queen Ann's Revenge ; and
cruiſing near the land of St. Vincent, took a large
Ship, called the Great Allen, Chriſtopher Taylor, Com.
mander; the Pyrates plundered her of what they
thought fit, put all the Men afhore upon the Illand
above-mentio..ed, and ſet Fire to the ship.
A few Days after, Teach fell in with the Scare
borough Man of War, of 30 Guns, who engaged
him for ſome Hours; but ſhe finding the Pyrate
well mann'd, and having tried her Strength, gave
over the Engagement, and returned to Barb.idoes,
the Place of her Stación; and Teach failed towards
the SpaniſhAnerica.
In his way he met with a Pyrate Sloop of ten
Guns, commanded by one Major Bonner, lately a
Gentleman of good Reputation and Eſtate in the
Idland of Barbadoes, whom he joined; but in a few
Days after, Teach, finding that Bonnet krew nothing
of a maritime Life, with the conſent of his own
Men, put in another Captain, one Richards, to
command Bonnet's Sloop, and took the Major on
aboard his own Ship, telling him, that as he had not
been uſed to the Fatigues and Care of ſuch a Poſt, it would
be berier for him to decline it, and live eaſy, at his Plea-
ſure, in ſuch a ship as his, where he would not be obliged
to perform the neceſſary Duties of a Sea Voyage.
At Turniff, ten Leagues fhort of the Bay of Hon-
duras, the Pyrates took in freſh Water; and while
they were at an Anchur there, they law a Sloop
coming in, whereupon, Richards in the Sloop called
the Revenge, flipped his Cable, and run out to meet
her,


7
3 of BLACKBEARD.
0
5
Hier's, who upon ſeeing the black Flag hoiſted,
Itruck his Sail and came to, under the Stern of
Teach the Commådore. She was called the Adventure,
from Jamaica, David Harriot Mafter. They took
him and his Men aboard the great Ship, and ſent
a Number of other Hands with Iſrael Hands, Ma-
Ater of Teach's Ship, to man the sloop for the py-
Fatical Account.
The 9th of April
, they weighed from Turniff,
having lain there about a Week, and "faited to the
Bay, where they found a Ship and four Sloops,
three of the latter belonged to Fonuthan Bernard, of
Jamaica, and the other to Captain James's the Ship
vas of Boſton, called the Proteft ant "Caſar, Captain
Wyar Commander. Teach hoiſted his black Colours,
and fired a Gun, upon which Captain Wyar, and all
his Men, left their ship, and got a fhore in their
Boat. Teach's Quarter-Maſter, and eight of his
Grew took Potſeffion of Wyar's Ship, and Richards
fecured all the Sloops, one of which they 'burnt
out of Spight to the Owner ; the Proteſtant Cafar
they allo burnt, after they had plundered her,
becauſe he belonged to Boſton, 'where ſome Men
had Been hänged for Pyracy; and the three
Sloops belonging to Berriard they let go.
From hence the Rovers failed to Turkill, and then
to the Grand Caimanes, a ſmall INand about thirty
Leagues to the Weſtward of Jamaica, where they
took a ſmall Turtler, and ſo to the Havaria, and
From thence to the Bahama Wrecks, and from the
Buharia Wrecks, they failed to Carolina, taking a
Brigantine 'and two Sloops in their way, where
they lay off the Bar of. Charles-Toron for five or fix
Pays. They took here a Ship as the 'was coming
out, bound for London, commanded by Robero Clark,
with some Paffengers on 'Board for England; the
hexči Dày they took another Velfel: coming out of
bitles-Town, and alſo tivo Pinks coming into Chemiples
3
$
0
2
1
Town


OF BLACK-BEARD:
73
10
Toron; likewiſe a Brigantine with 14 Negroes a.
board; all which being done in the Face of the
Town, ſtruck a great Terror to the whole Pro-
vince of Carolina, having juſt before been viſited
by Vane, another notorious Pyrate, that they
abandoned themſelves to Deſpair, being in no
Condition to reſiſt their Force. They were eight
Sail in the Harbour, ready for the Sea, but none
dared to venture out, it being almoſt impoffible
to eſcape their Hands. The inward bound Veffels
were under the fame unhappy Dilemma, ſo that
the Trade of this place was totally interrupted :
What made thefe Misfortunes heavier to them,
was a long expenfive War, the Colony had had
with the Natives, which was but juft ended when
theſe Robbers infeſted them.
Teach detained all the Ships and Priſoners,
and, being in want of Medicines, reſolves ito de
mand a Cheft from the Government of the Pro
vince; accordingly, Richards, the Captain of the Row
venge Sloop, with tiyo or three more Pyrates, were
ſent up'along with Mr. Marks, one of the Priſoners,
whom they had taken in!Clark's Ship, and very in
folently made their Demands, threatening, that it
they did not ſend immediately the Gheſt:of Me-
dicines, and let the Pyrate-Amballadors return;
without offering any Violence to their Perſons,
they would murder all their Priſoners, Send up
their Heads to the Governor, and ſet the Ships
they had'taken on Fire.
Whilft Mr. Marks was making Application to the
'Council, Richards, and the reſt of the Pyrates,
walk'd the 'Streets publickly, in the Sight of all
People, who were fired with the utmoſt 'Indignano
tion, looking upon them as .Robbers and Muro
therers, and particularly 'the Authors of their
Wrongs and Oppreffions, but durft not iſo much
was think of executing their Revenge, for fear
of


74 OF BLACK-BEARD.
11
of bringing more Calamities upon themſelves,
and ſo they were forced to let the Villains paſs
with Impunity. The Government were not long
in deliberating upon the Meſſage, tho' 'twas the
greateſt Affront that could have been put upon
them.; yet for the ſaving ſo many Mens Lives,
(among them, Mr. Samuel Wrags, one of the
Council ; ) they comply'd with the Neceſſity,
and ſent aboard a Cheſt, valued at between 3 and
400 l. and the Pyrate went back ſafe to their
Ships.
Blackbeard, (for ſo Teach was generally called, as
we ſhall hereafter ſhew) as ſoon as he had received
the Medicines and his Brother Rogues, let go the
Ships and the Priſoners; having firſt taken out of
them in Gold and Silver, about 1500 1. Sterling,
befides Proviſions and otlier Matters.
From the Bar of Charles-Town, they failed to North-
Carolina; Captain Teach in the Ship, which they
called the Man of War, Captain Richards arid Cap-
tain Hands in the Sloops, which they termed Pri-
vateers, and another Sloop ſerving them as a Tender.
Teach began now to think of breaking up the
Company, and ſecuring the Money and the beſt
of the Effects for himſelf, and ſome others of his
Companions he had moſt Friendthip for, and to
cheat the reſt : Accordingly, on Pretence of run-
ning into Topfail Inlet to clean, he grounded his
Ship, and then, as if it had been done undeſign-
edly, and by Accident; he orders Hands's Sloop
to come to his Aſſiſtance, and get him off again,
which he endeavouring to do, ran the Sloop on
Shore near the other, and ſo were both loft.
This done, Teacli · goes into the Tender Sloop,
with forty Hands, and leaves the Revenge there;
then takes ſeventeen others and Marroons them
upon a ſmall fandy Inand, about a League from
the Main, where there was neither Bird, Beaſt,
or
-


of BLACK-B.E AR-D.
75
or Herb for their Subſiſtance, and where they muſt
have periſhed if Major Bonner had not two Days
after taken them off.
Teach goes up to the Governor of North-Carolina,
with about twenty of his Men, they ſurrender to his
Majeſty's Proclamation, and receive Certificates,
thereof, from his Excellency ; but it did not ap-
pear that their ſubmitting to this Pardon was from
any Reformation of Manners, but only to wait a
more favourable Opportunity to play the ſame
Game over again; which he ſoon after effe&ted,
with greater Security to himſelf, and with much
better Proſpect of Succeſs, having in this Time
cultivated a very good Underſtanding with Charles,
Eden, Eſq; the Governor above-mentio:sed.
The firſt Piece of Service this kind Governor
did to Black-Beard, was, to give him a Right to
the Veſſel which he had taken, when he was a.
pyrating in the great Ship called the Queen Ann's
Revenge ; for which Purpoſe, a Court of Vice-Admi.
ralty was held at Bath-Town; and, tho' Teach had
never any Commiſſion in his Life, and the Sloop
belonging to the Engliſh Merchants, and taken in
Time of Peace ; vet was ſhe condemned as a Prize.
taken from the Spaniards, by the ſaid Teach. Theſe
Proceedings Thew that Governors are but Men.
Before he failed upon his Adventures, he mar-
ry'd a young Creature of about ſixteen Years of
Age, the Governor performing the Ceremony. As
it is a Cuſtom to marry here by a Prieſt, ſo it is
there by a Magiſtrate, and this, I have been in-
formed, made Teach's fourteenth Wife, whereof,
about a dozen might be ſtill living. His Beha-
viour in this State, was ſomething extraordinary ;
for while his Sloop lay in Okerecock Inlet, and he
aſhore at a Plantation, where his Wife lived, with
whom after he had lain all Night, it was his Cu.
ftom to invite five or fix of his brutal Compa-
nions


13 76 Of BLACK-BE ÅR D.
71
7
!
1
2
11
1
nions to come aſhore, and he would force her to
proſtitute her ſelf to them all, one after another,
before his Face.
In June 1718, he went to Sea, upon another Ex-
pedition, and steered his Courſe towards Bermu-
das; he met with two or three Engliſh Veſſels in
his Way, but robbed them only of Proviſions,
Stores and other Neceſſaries, for his preſent Ex.
pence z
but near the Inand aforementioned, he fell
in with two French Ships, one of them was loaden
with Sugar and Cocoa, and the other light, both
bound to Martinico; the Ship that had no Lading
he let go, and putting all the Men of the loaded
Ship aboard her, he brought home the other with
her Cargo to North-Carolina, where the Governor
and the Pyrates Shared the Plunder.
When Teach and his Prize arrived, he and four
of his .Crew went to his Excellency, and made Af.
fidavit, that they found the French Ship at Sea,
without a Soul on 'Board her; and then a Court
was called, and the Ship condemned: The Gover-
inor:had:ſixey Hogħeads of Sugar for his Dividend,
and one Mr. Knight, who was his Secretary, and
(Collector for the Province, twenty, and the reſt
was Thared among the other Pyrates.
The Buſineſs was not yet done, the Ship re-
imained, and it was poſſible one or other might
come into the River, that might be acquainted
s with her, and fo diſcover the Roguery ; but Teach
thought of a Contrivance to prevent this, for,
4pon:a Pretence that ſhe was leaky, and that the
might fink, and fo.fop up the Mouth of the In-
llet for (Cove; where:le lay, he obtained an Order
ifrom the Governor, to bring her out into the
River, and let her on Fire, which was according!y
axecuted, and ſhe was burnt down to the Water's
Edge, her: Bottom:1ụnk, and with it, their fears
of her ever riling in Judgment againſt them.
Captain
do
2


OF BLACK-BEARD. 77
Captain Teach, alias Black-beard, paſſed three or
four Months in the River, ſometimes lying at An-
chor in the Coves, at other Times failing from one
Inlet to another, trading with ſuch Sloops as he
met, for the Plunder he had taken, and would ot.
ten give them Preſents for Stores and Proviſions he
took from them ; that is, when he happened to be
in a giving Humour; at other Times he made bold
with them, and took what he liked, without ſay.
ing, by your Leave, knowing well, they dared nos
fend him a Bill for the Payment. He often di-
verted himſelf with going alhore among the Plante
ters, where he reveli'd Night and Day: By thefe
he was well received, but whether out of Love
or Fear, I cannot ſay; fumetimes he uſed them cour-
teouſly enough, and made them Preſents of Rum
and Sugar, in Řecompence of what he took from
them ; but, as for Liberties (which 'tis faid) he
and this Companions often touk with the Wives
and Daughters of the Planters, I cannot take
upon me to ſay, whether he paid them ad Valorem,
or no. At other Times he carried it in a lordly
Manner totvards them, and would lay ſome of them
under Contribution ; nay, he often proceeded to
bully the Governor, not, that I can diſcover the
Jeaſt Cauſe of Quarrel betwixt them, but it ſeemed
only to be done, to fhew he dared do it.
The Sloops trading up and down this River
being ſo frequently pillaged by Black-beard, con-
ſulted with the Traders, and ſome of the beſt of
the Planters, what Courſe to take; they ſaw plainly
it would be in vain to'make any Application to
the Governor of North Carolina, to whom it pro-
perly belonged to find ſome Redreſs; ſo that if
they could not be relieved from fome other Quar-
ter, Black-beard would be like to reign with Impl.
nity; therefore, with as much Secrecy as poſſible,
they ſent a Deputation to Virginia, to lay the Affair
before
{


78 . Of BLACK-BE-AR D.
Bree On
es de
is het
ok
Sul
ly
home and
before the Governor of that Colony, and to lo-
licit an armed Force from the Men of War lying
there, to take or deſtroy this Pyrate.
This Governor conſulted with the Captains of
the two Men of War, viz. the Pearl and Lime,
who had lain in St. James's River, about ten Months.
It was agreed, that the Governor thould hire a
couple of ſmall Sloops, and the Men of War
Should Man them; this was accordingly done,
and the Command of them given to Mr. Robert
Maynard, firſt Lieutenant of the Pearl, an expe-
rienced Officer, and a Gentleman of great Bravery
and Reſolution, as will appear by his gallant Be-
haviour in this Expedition. The Sloops were well
mann'd, and furniſhed with Ammunition and ſmall
Arms, but had no Guns mounted.
About the Time of their going out, the Gover-
nor called an Alicmbly, in which it was reſolved
to publish a Proclamation, offering certain Rewards
to any Perſon or Perſons, who, within a Year af-
•ter that Time, ſhould take or destroy any Pyrate :
The original Proclamation being in our Hands, is
as follows.
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Of BLACK-BEARD. 79
W in
By his Majeſty's Lieutenant Governor, 'and
Commander in Chief, of the Colony and
Dominion of Virginia.
A PROCLAMATION,
Publiſhing the Rewards given for apprehending,
or killing Pyrates.
Hereas, by an Act of Aſſembly, made, at a
liamsburg, the eleventh Day of November, in the
fifth Tear of his Majeſty's Reign, Entituled, An A&t to
encourage the apprehending and deſtroying of Py-
rates : It is, amongſt other Things enalted, that all and
every perſon, or Perſons,.wbe, from and after the fourteenth
Day of November, in the Year of our Lord one thouſand
ſeven hundred and eighteen, and before the fourteenth Day
of November, which ſhall be in the rear of our Lord
one thouſand ſeven hundred and nineteen, fall take any
Pyrate, or Pyrates, on the Sea or Land, or in caſe of Rea
ſiſtance, ſhall kill any ſuch Pyrate, or Pyrates, beimeen the
Degrees of thirty four, and thirty nine, of Northen Lati-
tude, and within one hundred Leagues of the Continent of
Virginia, or within the Provinces of Virginia, or North-
Carolina, upon the Conviction, or making due Proof of
the killing of all, and every ſuch Pyrate, and Pyrares,
before the Governor and Council, Mall be entitled to have,
and receive out of the publick Money, in the Hands of
the Treaſurer of this Colony, the ſeveral Rewards follow-
ing; that is to ſay, for Edward Teach, commonly
called Captain Teach, or Black-Beard, one hundred
Pounds, for every cther Commander of a Pyraté Ship,
Sloop, or Vefjel, forty Pounds; for every Lieutenant, Ma-
ſter, or Quarter-Miſter, Boatſwain, or Carpenter, twenty
Pounds; for every orher inferior Officer, fifreen Pounds,
and for cvery private Man taken on Board ſuch ship,
Sloopy


80 OF BLACK-BE ÀRDI
3
Sloop, or Vefſel, ren Pounds; and, that for every Pyrate;
which firall be swken by any Ship; Sloop, or Verfil, belonging
to this Colony, or. North Carolina, within the Time
aforeſaid, in any place whatſoever, the like Retards
fall be paid according to the Quality and Condition
of ſuch Pyrates. Wherefore, for the Encouragement of
all ſuch Perſons as ſhall be willing to ſerve bis Majeſty,
and their Country, in ſo juſt and honourable an Under-
taking, as the ſuppreſſing a Sort of People who may be
truly called Enemies to Mankind : I have thought fir,
with the Advice and Conſent of his Majeſty's Council,
so ifſue this Proclamation, hereby declaring, the ſaid
Rewards shall be punctually and juftly paid, in current
Mloney of Virginia, according to the Directions of the
Said A. And, 1 do order and appoint this Procla.
mation, to be publiſhed by the Sheriffs, at their reſpeo
dive Country Houſes, and by all Miniſters and Readers,
in the ſeveral Churches and Chappels, throughout this
Colony
Given at our Council-Chamber at Williams-
burgh, this 24th Day of November, 1718,
in the fifth Year of his Majeſty's Reign.
GOD SAVE THE KING.
A. SPOTSWOOD.
The 17th of November, 1718, the Lieutenant
Tailed from Kicquetan, in James River in Virginia,
and, the 31ſt in the Evening, came to the Mouth of
Okerecock Inlet, where he got Sight of the Pyrate.
This Expedition was made with all imaginable
Secrecy, and the Officer manag'd with all the Pru-
dence that was necellary, ſtopping all Boats and
Veſſels he met with, in the River, from going up,
and thereby preventing any Intelligence from reach-
ing Black-Beard, and receiving at the ſame Time an
Account from them all, of the place where the Py-
Tate was lurking; but notwithſtanding this Caution,
Black


OF BLACK-BEARD: 81
Black-Beard had Information of the Design, from
his Excellency of the Province ; and his Secretary,
Mr. Kinight, wrote him a letter, particularly con-
cerning
it, intimating, That he had sent him four of hië
Men, which were all he could meet mith, in or about Town,
and ſo bid him be upon his Guard. Theſe Men belonged
to Black-Beard, and were fent from Barb-Torn to
Okerecock Inlet, where the Sloop lay, which is
about 20 Leagues.
Black-beard had heard ſeveral Reports, which hap.
pened 1.0t to be true, and ſo gave the lets Credit to
this Advice, nor was he convinced till he ſaw the
Sloops: Then it was Time to put hisVelfel in a Posture
of Defence; he had no niore than tiventy five Men
on Board, tho' he gave out to all the Vetſels he
ſpoke with, that he had forty. When he had pres
pared for Battle, he ſet down and ſpent the Night
in drinking with the Maſter of a trading Sloop,
who, 'twas thought, had more Buſineſs with
Teach, than he hould have had.
Lieutenant Maynard came to an Anchor, for the
Place being ſhoal, and the Channel intricate, there
was no getting in, where Teach lay, that Night ;
but in the Morning he weighed, and ſent his
Boat a-head of the Sloops to ſound; and com:
ing within Gun-Shot of the Pyrate, received his
Fire; whereupon Maynard hoiſted the King's Co.
lours, and ſtood directly towards him, with the
beſt Way that his Sails and Oars could make. Black-
brard cut his Cable, and endeavoured to make a
running Fight, keeping a continual Fire at his
Enemies, with his Guns ; Mr. Maynard not having
any, kept a conftant Fire with ſmall Arms; while
ſome of his Men laboured at their Oars. In a little
Time Teach's Sloop ran a-ground, and Mr. Mayo
nurd's drawing more Water than that of the Pyrate,
he could not come near him; ſo he anchored within
half Gun-Shot of the Eneiny, and, in order to
Vol. Io
F
lighten


82 Of BLACK-BEARD.
lighten his Veffel, that he might run him aboard,
the Lieutenaut ordered all his Ballaſt to be thrown
over-board, and all the Water to be ſtaved, and
then weigh'd and ſtood for him ; upon which Black-
beard hailil him in this rude Manner : Damn you
for Vllains, who are you? And, from whence came you?
The Lieutenant made him Antiver, you may fee by
Chr Colours me are no Fyratcs. Block-heard bid him
fend his Boit on Board, that he might ſee who he
was; but Mr. Maynard reply'd thus ; I cannot ſpare
my Boat, but I will come aboard of you as ſoon as I can,
moith
my Sloop. Upon this, Black-beard took a Glaſs
of Liquor, and drank to him with thele Words:
Damnation ſeize my Soul if I give you Quarters, or tako
any from you. In Auſiver to which, Mr. 79.zynard
told him, That he expected no Quarters from him, rior
Soruld be give him any.
By this Time Black.beard's Sloop flccted, as Mr.
dyn.ird s Sloops were rowing towards him, which
bei. ror above a Foot high in the Waſte, and con-
fequently the Men all exposed, as they came near
together, (there being hitherto little or no Exc.
cution coné, on either Side, the Pyrare fired a
Broadſide, charged with all Manner of ſmall Shot.
-A fatal Stroke to them! The Sloop the
Lieutenant was in, having twenty Men killed
and wounded, and the other Sloop nine : This
could not be help'd, for there being no Wind, they
were obliged to keep to their Oars, otherwile
the Pyrate would have got away from him,
which, it ſeems, the Lieutenant was relolute tó
prevent.
Afte this unlucky Blow, Black-beard's Sloop
fell Bioadſide to the Shure ; Mr. Aleynard's other
Sloop, which was called the Ranger, fell a-fter:1,
beig, for the preſent, diſabled ; to the Lieutenant
finding his own Sloop had Way, and would foon
De on Board of Teach, he ordered all his. Men
down,


Of BLACK-BEARD. 83
down, for fear of another Brondlide, which muſt
have been their Deltruction, and the lols of their
Espedition. Mr. Muyord' was the only perſon
thit kept the Decl, excepe the Man at the Helm,
whom he directed to lye down frug; and the Men
in the Hold were ordered to get their Piſtols and
their Swords ready for clofe fighting, and to
come up at his Command; in order to which,
tivo Lauders were placed in the Hatch - Way
for the more Expedition. Wisen the Lieutenant's
Sloop boarded the other, Captair Teacl's Men
threw in ſeveral new tithion'd Sort of Grenadoes,
viz. Cale Bortles fill'd with Powder, and imali
Shot, Slugs, and Pieces oï Lead or Iron, with a
quick March in the Mouth of it, which being
lighted without Side, prelently runs into the Bote
tle to the Powler, and it is inftantly thron
ou Board, geierally does great Execution, beſides
putting all the Crew into a Contulion; but by.
good Providence, they had nor that Eliéct here;
The Men beilig in the Hold. Black-beard feeing
few or ro Hards aboard, told his Men, That they
mere all knock’d on the Head, except three or four ;
therefore, ſays he, let's jump on Braid, and cut them
to Picces.
Whereupon, under the Smcak of one of the
Bottles juſt mentioned, Black-beard enters with
fourteen Mer, over the Bows of Maynard's Sloop,
and were not ſeen by him 'till the Air cleared ;
however, he juſt then gave a Signal to his Men,
who all role in an Inſtant, and attack'd the Pyrates
with as much Bravery as ever was done upon ſuch
an Occaſion: Black-bcard and the Lieutenant fired
the firſt Shots at each other, hy which the Pyrate
received a Wound, and then engaged with Sivords,
till the Lieutenant's unluckily broke, and ſtepping
back to cock a Piſtol, Black-beard, with his Cut-
laſh, was ſtriking at that Inſtant, that one of May-
F 2
ra's
four ; and


84 Of BLACK-BE AR D.
21
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el
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3
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1
nard's Men gave him a terrible Wound in the Neck
and Throat, by which the Lieutenant came off
with only a ſmall Cut over his Fingers.
They were now cloſely and warmly engaged,
the Lieutenant and twelve Men againſt Black-
beard and fourteen, till the Sea was cinctur'd with
Blood round the Velfel; Black-beard received a Shot
into his Body from the Piſtol that Lieutenant May-
nard diſcharg'd, yet he Rocd his Ground, and fought
with great Fury, till he received five and twenty
Wounds, and five of them by Shot. At length,
as he was cocking another Pistol, having fired fe-
veral before, he fell down dead; by which Time
eight more out of the fourteen dropr'd, and all the
reſt, much wounded, jump'd over-board, and callid
out for Quarters, which was granted, thu' it was
only prolonging their Lives a few Days. The
Sloop Rarger came up, and attack'd the Men that
remain'd in Black-beard's Sloop, with equal Bravery,
till they likewile cry'd for Quarters.
Here was an End of that couragious Brute, who
might have paſs'd in the World for a Heroe, had
he been employ'd in a good Cauſe; his Deſtruction,
which was of ſuch Conſequence to the Plantations,
was entirely owing to the Conduct and Bravery
of Licutenant Alaynard and his Men, who might
have deſtroy'd him with much leſs Loſs, had they
had a Vefſel with great Guns; but they were
obliged to uſe ſmall Veſſels, becauſe the Holes
and Places he lurkid in, would not admit of others
of greater Draught; and it was no ſmall Difficulty
for this Gentleman to get to him, having ground-
ed his Vefſel, at least, a hundred Times, in get-
ting up the River, beſides other Diſcouragements,
enough to have turn'd back any Gentleman with .
out Diſhonour, had he been leſs refolute and bold
than this Lieutenant. The Broadſide that did fo
much Miſchief before they buardedin all Probability
3
1
7
lived


Of BLACK-BEARD.
85
ſaved the rest from Deſtruction ; for before that,
Teach had little or no Hopes of eſcaping, and
therefore had pofted a reſolute Fellow, a Negre,
whom he had bred up, with a lighted Match, in
the Powder - Room, with Commands to blow up,
when he should give him Orders, which was as
foon as the Lieutenant and his Men could have
entered, that lo he might have deſtroy'd his Con.
querors with himſelf: And when the Negro found
how it went with Black-beard, he could hardly be
perſwaded from the raih A&tion, by two Priſoners
that were then in the Hold of the Sloop.
What leems a little odd, is, that ſome of theſe
Men, who behaved ſo bravely agai iſt Black beard,
went afterwards a pyrating themſelves, and one
of them was taken along with Roberts ; but I
do not find that any of them were provided for,
except one that was hanged; but this is a Di-
greflion.
The Lieutenant cauſed Black-beard's Head to be
ſevered from his Boily, and hung up at the Bolt-
1prit End, then he failed to Bath-Torn, to get Re-
lief for his wounded Men.
It muſt be obſerved, that in rummaging the t'yo
rate's Sloop, they found leveral Letters and writ.
ten Papers, which diſcovered the Correſpondence
betwixt Governor Eden, the Secretary and Col.
le&tor, and alſo ſome Traders at New-York, and
Black-beard. It is likely he had Regard enough
for his Friends, to have deſtroyed theſe Papers
before the Action, in order to hinder them from
falling into ſuch Hands, where the Diſcovery would
be of no Uſe, either to the Intereſt or Reputation
of theſe five Gentlemen, if it had not been his
fixed Reſolution to have blown up together, when
he found no Poſſibility of eſcaping.
When the Lieutenant came to Bath-Town, he made
bold to ſeize in the Governor's Score-Houſe, the
fixty
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86 Of BLACK-BEARD.
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Sixty Hogſheads of Sugar, and from honcft Mr.
Knight, twenty, which it ſeems was their Divis
dend of the Plunder taken in the French Slip; the
latter did not long ſurvive this ſhameful Dilcovery,
for being apprehenſive that he might be called to
an Account for theſe Trifles, fell fick 'tis thought
with the Fright, and died in a few Days,
After the wounded Men were pretty well reco-
vered, the Lieutenant failed back to the Men of
War in James River, in Virginia, with Black-beard's
Head ſtill hanging at the Bolt-Iprit Erd, a d five-
teen Priſoners, thirteen of whom were hanged;
it appearing upon Tryal, that one of them, viz.
Samuel Odell
, was taken out of the trading Sloop,
but the Night before the Engagement. This poor
Fellow was a little unlucky at his firſt entering up.
on his new Trade, there appearing no leſs than 70
Wounds upon him after the Action; notwithſtand-
ing which, he lived, and was cured of them all.
The other perſon that cſcaped the Gallows, was
one Ifracl Hands, the Maſter of Black-beard's Sloop,
and formerly Captain of the ſame, before the
Queen Ann's Revenge was loſt in Topfail Inlet.
The aforeſaid Hinds happened not to be in the
Fight, but was taken atterwards afhore at Bache
Torrn, having been ſometime before diſabled by
Black-beard, in one of his favage Humours, after
the following Manner.-- One Night drinking in
bis Cabin with Hairds, the Pilot, and another Man;
B'ack-beard, without any Provocation, privately draws
out a ſmall pair of Piſtols, and cocks them under
the Table, which being perceived by the Man, he
withdrew and went upon Deck, leaving Hands,
the Pilot, and the Captain together. When the
Piſtols were ready, he blew out the Candle, and
crofing his Hands, diſcharged them at his Com.
pany; Hands, the Maſter, was ſhot thro' the Knee,
and lam'd for Life; the other Piſtol did no Execu-
tion.
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11


Of BLACK-BEARD.
87
tion. Being asked the meaning of this, he
only anſwered, by damning them, that if he did
not now and then kill one of them, they would forget
who he tras.
Hands being taken, was try'd and condemned,
but juſt as he was about to be executed, a Ship
arrived at Virginia with a Proclamation for pro-
longing the Time of his Majeſty's Pardon, to luch
of the Pyrates as ſhould ſurrender by a limited
Time therein expreſſed : Notwithſtanding the Sen.
tence, Hands pleaded the Pardon, and was allowed
the Benefit of it, and was alive lome Time ago in
London, begging his Brcad.
Now that we have given ſome Account of Trach's
Life and A&tions, it will not be amiſs, that we
ſpeak of his Beard, ſince it did not a little contri-
bute towards making his Name 1o terrible in
thoſe Parts.
Plutarch, and other grave Hiſtorians have taken
Notice, that ſeveral great Men amongſt the Roo
mans, took their Sir-Names from certain odd Marks
in their Countenances; as Cicero, from a Mark or
Vetch on his Noſe ; ſo our Heroe, Captain Teach,
aſſumed the Cognomen of Black-beard, from that
large Quantity of Hair, which, like a frightful
Meteor, covered his whole Face, and frightened
America more than any Comet that has appeared
there a long Time.
This Beard was black, which he ſuffered to grow
of an extravagant Length ; as to Breadth, ic came
up to his Eyes; he was accuſtomed to twiſt it with
Ribbons, in ſmall Tails, after the Manner of our
Ramilies Wiggs, and turn them about his Ears: In
Time of A&tion, he wore a Sling over his Shoul.
ders, with three Brace of Piſtols, hanging in: Holo
sters like Bandaliers; and ſtuck lighred Matches
under his Hat, which appearing on each le cl
his Face, his Eyes naturally looking fierce and
Wild,
F4


28 Of. BLACK-BEARD,
3
1
wild, made him altogether ſuch a Figure, that
Imagination cannot form an Idea of a Fury, from
Hell, to look more frightful,
It he had the Look of a Fury, his Humours and
Paffions were ſuitable to it; we shall relate two
or thrce more of his Extravagancies, which we
omitted in the Body of his Hiltory, by which it
will
appear, to what a Pitch of Wickedneſs, hu-
man Nature may arrive, if its Paſſions are not
checked.
In the Commonwealth of Pyrates, he who goes
the greateſt Length of Wickedneſs, is looked upon
with a kind of Envy amongſt theni, as a Perſon of
à more extraordinary Gallantry, and is thereby
entitled to be diſtinguiſhed by ſome Poſt, and if
ſuch a one has but Courage, tie muſt certainly be
a great Man. The Heroe of whom we are writing,
was thoroughly accompliſhed this way, and ſome
of his Frolicks of Wickedneſs, were io extrava-
gant, as if he aimed at making his Men believe he
was a Devil incarnate; for being one Day at Sea,
and a little fuſhed with Drink: - Come, ſays he,
let us make a Hell of oton, and try how long we can
bear it, accordingly he, with two or three others,
went down into the Hold, and cloſing up all the
· Hatches, filled ſeveral Pots fyll of Brimſtone, and
other combuſtible Matter, and ſet it on Fire, and
ſo continued till they were almoſt ſuffocated, when
ſome of the Men cried out for Air ; at length he
opened the Hatches, not a little pleaſed that he
held out the longeſt.
The Night before he was killed, he fat up and
drank till the Morning, with ſome of his own
Men, and the Maſter of a Merchant-Man, and ha-
ving had Intelligence of the two Sloups coming to
attack him, as has been before obſerved; one of
his Men asked him, in Caſe any Thing should hap-
Fen to him in the Engagement with the Sloops,
whether
}
2
.


Of BLACK-BEARD. 89
whether his Wife knew where he had buried his
Money ? He anſwered, That no Body but himſelf, and
the Devil, knew where it was, and the longef Liver ſhould
sake all.
Thoſe of his Crew who were taken alive, told
a Story which may appear a little incredible ;
however, we think it will not be fair to omit it,
ſince we had it from their own Mouths. That
once upon a Cruize, they found out, that they had
a Man on Board more than their Crew; ſuch a one
was ſeen ſeveral Days amongſt them, ſometimes
below, and ſometimes upon Deck, yet no Man in
the Ship could give an Account who he was, or
from whence he came; but that he diſappeared a
little before they were caſt away in their great
Ship, but, it ſeems, they verily believed it was
the Devil.
One would think theſe Things ſhould induce
them to reform their Lives, but ſo many Repro-
bates together, encouraged and ſpirited one ano-
ther up in their Wickedneſs, to which a continual
Courle of drinking, did not a little contribute ;
for in Black-beard's Journal, which was taken, there
were ſeveral Memorandums of the following Na.
ture, found writ with his own Hand.
Such a Day, Rum all out :
-Our Company fomemhat
ſober:. A damnd Confuſion amongſt us! - Rogues
a plotting ; great Talk of Separation. So I look'd
Sharp for a Prize ; - ſuch a Day took one, with a great
deal of Liquor on Board, ſo kept the Company hos, damnd
kor, then all Things went well again.
Thus it was theſe Wretches paſſed their Lives,
with very little Pleaſure or Satisfaction, in the
Poffeffion of what they violently take away from
others, and ſure to pay for it at laft, by an igno-
minious Deathe
The


90
Of BLACK-BEARD.
The Names of the Pyrates killed in the En.
gagement, are as follow,
Edward Teach, Commander.
Philip Morton, Gunner.
Garrat Gibbens, Boatſwain.
Owen Roberts, Carpenter.
Thomas Miler, Quarter-Mafter.
John Husk,
Joſeph Curtice,
Joſeph Brooks, (1)
Nath. Jackſon.
0
All the reſt, except the two laſt, were wounded,
and afterwards hanged in Virginia.
John Carnes,
Joſeph Philips,
Foſeph Brooks, (2) James Robbins,
James Blake,
Fohn Martin,
John Gills,
Edward Salter,
Thomas Gates,
Stephen Daniel,
James White,
Richard Greerſail,
Richard Stiles, Ifrael Hands, pardoned.
Cafar,
Samuel Odel, acquitted.
There were in the Pyrate Sloops, and aſhore in
a Tent, near where the Sloops lay, 25 Hogſheads of
Sugar, !. Teirces, and 145 Bags of Cocoa, a Bar-
rel of Indigo, and a Bale of Cotton; which, with
what was taken from the Governor and Secretary,
and the Sale of the Sloop, came to 2500 l. beſides
the Rewards paid by the Governor of Virginia, pur.
ſuart to his Proclamation; all which was divided
among the Companies of the two Ships, Lime and
Pearl, that lay in James River ; the brave Fellows
that took them coming in for no more than their
Dividend amongſt the reſt, and were paid it not
till four Years afterwards. Vide Appendix in Vol. II.
CH A P
.


91
CH A P. IV.
0 F
Major Stede Bonnet,
And his Crew.
T
HE Major was a Gentlemen of good Re-
putation in the INand of Barbadoes, was
Maſter of a plentiful Fortune, and had
the Advantage of a liberal Education. He had the
leaſt Temptation of any Man to follow ſuch a Courſe
of Life, from the Condition of his Circumſtances.
It was very ſurprizing to every one,
to hear of
the Major’s Enterprize, in the Inand were he
liv'd; and as he was generally eſteem'd and honour.
ed, before he broke out into open Alts of Pyracy,
ſo he was afterwards rather pitty'd than condem-
ned, by thoſe that were acquainted with him,
believing that this Humour of going a pyrating,
-proceeded from a Diſorder in his Mind, which
had been but too viſible in him, ſome Time before
this wicked Undertaking; and which is ſaid to
have been occaſioned by ſome Diſcomforts he
found in a married State ; be that as it will, the
Major was but ill qualify'd for the Buſineſs, as
not underſtanding maritime Affairs.
However, he fitted out a Sloop with ten Guns
and 70 Men, entirely at his own Expence, and in
the Night-Time failed from Barbadoes. He called
his Sloop the Revenge ; his firſt Cruize was off the
Capes of Virginia, where he took ſeveral Ships,
and plundered them of their Provisions, Cloaths,
Money,


92 Of Major STEDE BONNET.
1
3
Money, Ammunition, ca, in particular the Anne,
Captain Montgomery, from Glaſcim; the Turber from
Barbadoes, which for Country Sake, after they had
taken out the principal part of the Lading, the
Pyrate Crer let her on Fire; the Erideavour, Cap-
tain Scot, from Briſtol, and the Toung from Leith.
From hence they went to New-York, and off the
Eaſt End of Long-Iſand, took a Sloop bound for the
West-Indies, after which they ſtood in and landed
fome Men at Gardner's Iſland, but in a peaceable
Manner, and bought Proviſions for the Company's
Uſe, which they paid for, ard ſo went off again
without Moleſtation.
Some Time after, which was in August 1717, Bon-
net came off the Bar of South Carolina, and took a
Sloop and a Brigantine bound in; the Sloop belong-
ed to Barbadoes, Joſeph Palmer Maſter, lading with
Rum, Sugar, and Negroes; and the Brigantine came
from New England, Thomas Porter Maſter, whom they
plundered, and then diſmiſs'd; but they faild away
with the Sloop, and at an Inlet in North Carolina
careened by her, and then let her on Fire.
After the Sloop had cleaned, they put to Sea,
but came to no Reſolution what Courſe to take;
the Crew were divided in their opinions, ſome be-
ing for one Thing, and ſome another, ſo that nothing
but Confuſion feem'd to attend all their Schemes.
The Major was no Sailor as was ſaid before, and
therefore had been obliged to yield to many Things
that were impoſed on him, during their Underta-
king, for want of a competent Knowledge in mari.
time Affairs; at length he happened to fall in Com.
pany with another Pyrate, one Edward Teach, who
for his remarkable black ugly Beard, was more com.
monly called Black-Beard : This Fellow was a good
Sailor, but a most cruel hardened Villain, bold and
daring to the laſt Degree, and would not ſtick at
perpetrating the moſt abominable Wickedneſs ima-
ginable ;
S
M


Of Major STEDE BONNET.
93
ginable ; for which he was made Chief of that exe-
crable Gang, that it might be said that his Poft was
not unduly
filled, Black-beard being truly the Supe-
rior in Roguery, of all the Company, as has been
already related.
To him Ronnei's Crew joined in Conſortship, and
Bonnet himſelf was laid aſide, notwithſtanding the
Sloop was his own; he went aboard Black-beard's
Ship, not concerning himſelf with any of their Af-
fairs, where he continued till ſhe was left in Topfail
Inlet, and one Richards was appointed Captain in his
Room. The Major now faw his Folly, but could
not help himſelf, which made him melancholy; he
refleted
upon his part Courſe of Life, and was con-
founded with Shame, when he thought upon what
he had done : His Behaviour was taken Notice of
by the other Pyratcs, who liked him never the bet-
ter for it; and he often declare: to ſome of them,
that he would gladly leave off that Way of Living,
being fully tired of it; but he ſhould be ashamed to
ſee the Face of any Engliflo Man again ; therefore if
he could get to Spain or Portugal, where he might be
undiſcovered, he would ſpend the Remainder of his
Days in either of thoſe Countries, otherwiſe he
muſt continue with them as long as he lived.
When Black-beard loſt his Ship at Topfail Inlct,
and ſurre.dered to the King's Proclamation, Bon-
net re-aſſunica che Command of his own Sloop,
Revenge, goes directly away to Bath-Türen in Northa
Carolina, ſurrenders likewiſe to the King's Par.
don, and receives a Certificate. The War was now
broke out between the Tripple Allies and Spain; lo
Major Bonnet gets a Clearance for his Sloop at North-
Carolina, to go to the Illand of St. Thomas, with a De.
ſign (at leaſt it was pretended ſo) to get the Empe-
ror's Commiſſion, to go a Privateering upon the Spa-
niards. When Bonner came back to Topfail Inlet, he
found that Teach and his Gang were gone, and that
they
A


94 Of Major STEDE BONNET.
3
1
they had taken all the Moncy, ſmall Arms and Ef.
fects of Value out of the great Ship, and let alhore
on a ſmall fandy Inand above a League from the
Main, ſeventeen Men, no doubt with a Deſign
they Thould perish, there being no Inhabitant, or
Proviſions to fubfift withal, nor any Buat or Ma-
terials to build or make any kind of Launch or
Veſſel, to eſcape from that defolate Place: They
remained there two Nights and one Day, without
Subſiſtance, or the leaſt Proſpect of any, expecting
nothing elſe but a lingering Death, when to their
inexpreffable Comfort, they ſaw Redemption at
Hand; for Major Bonnet happening to get Intelli.
gence of their being there, by two of the Pyrates
who had eſcaped Teach's Cruelty, and had got to
a poor little Village at the upper End of the Har,
bour, ſent his Buat to make Diſcovery of the
Truth of the Matter, which the poor Wretches
ſeeing, made a Signal to them, and they were all
brought on Board Bonnet's Sloop.
Major Bonnet told all his Company, that he
would take a Commiſſion to go againſt the Spa-
niards, and to that End, was going to St. Thomas's,
therefore if they would go with him, they ſhould
be welcome; whereupon they all corſented, but
as the Sloop was preparing to fail, a Bom-Boat,
that brought Apples ard Syder to ſell to the Sloop's
Men, informed them, that Captain Teach lay at Oc-
ricock Inlet, with only 18 or 20 Hands. Bonnet,
who bore him a inortal Hatred for ſome Inſults
offered him, went immediately in Purſuit of Black-
beard, but it happened too late, for he misſed of
him there, and after four Days Cruize, hearing no
farther News of him, they ſteered their Courſe
towards Virginia.
In the Month of July, theſe Adventurers came
off the Capes, and meeting with a Pink with a Stock
of Proviſions on Board, which they happened to
be


Of Major STEDE BONNET.
95
be in Wang of, they took out of her ten or twelve
Barrels of Pork, and about 400 Weight of Bread;
but becaule they would not have this ſet down
to the Account of Pyracy, they gave them eight
or ten Casks of Rice, and an old Cable, in lieu
thereof.
Two Days afterwards they chaſed a Sloop of
fixty Ton, and took her two Leagues off of Cape
Henry; they were ſo happy here as to get a Supply
of Liquor to their Vi&tuals, for they brought froma
her two Hogtheads of Rum, and as many of Mo-
Jolles, which, it ſeems, they had need of, tho'
they had not ready Money to purchaſe them :
What Security they intended to give, I can't tel,
but Bonnet fent eight Men to take Care of the
Prize Sloof, who, perhaps, not caring to make
Ule of thote accuſtom'd Freedoms, took the firſt
Opportunity to go off with her, and Bonnet (who
was pleaied to have himlelf called Captain Thomus)
ſaw them no more.
After this, the Major threw off all Reſtraint,
and though he had juſt before received his Mas
jeſty's Mercy, in the Name of Stede Bonnet, he re-
laps'd in good Earnest into his old Vocation, by
the Name of Captain Thomas, and recommenced
a down-right Pyrate, by taking and plundering
all the Veiſels he met with : He took off Cape
Henry, two Ships from Virginia, bound to Glaſcom,
out of which they had very little beſides an hun-
dred Weight of Tobacco. The next Day they
took a ſmall Sloop bound from Virginia to Bermu.
das, which ſupply'd them with twenty Barrels of
Pork, fome Bacon, and they gave her in return, two
Barrels of Rice, and a hogihead of Moloſſus; out
of this Sloop two Men entered voluntarily. The
next they took was another Virginia Man, bound to
Glaſcom, out of which, they had nothing of Value,
fave only a few Combs, Pins and Needles, and
gave
V
1


96 Of Major STEDE BONNET:
W4
gave her inſtead thereof, a Barrel of Pork, and two
Barrels of Bread.
From Virginia they failed to Philadelphia, and
in the Latitude of 38 North, they took a Scooner,
coming from North-Carolina, bound to Boſton, they
had out of her only two Dozen of Calf-Skins, to
make Covers for Guns, and two of their Hands,
and detained her ſome Days. All this was but ſmali
Game, and ſeem'd as if they deſign’d only to make
Proviſion for their Sloop againſt they arrived at
St. Thomas's; for they hitherto had dealt favou.
rably with all that were ſo unhappy as to fall
into their Hands; but thoſe that came after, fared
not ſo well, for in the Latitude of 32, off of De-
laware River, rear Philadelphia, they took two Srows
bound to Briſtol, out of whom they got ſome Mo-
ncy, beſides Goods, perhaps to the Value of 150
Pounds; at the ſame Time they took a Sloop of
ſixty, Tons, bound from Philadelphia to Barbadoes,
which after taking ſome Goods out, they diliniſsid
along with the Snows.
The 29th Day of July, Captain Thomas took a
Sloop of so Tons, fix or ſeven Leagues off Delan
ware Bay, bound from Philadelphia to Barbadoes, Tho-
mas Read Maſter, loaden with Proviſions, which
they kept, and put four or five of their Hands on
Board her. The last Day of July, they took ano-
ther Sloop of 60 Tons, commanded by Peter Man-
maring, bound from Artogon to Philadelphia, which
they likewiſe kept with all the Cargo, confiſting
chiefly of Rum, Moloſſes, Sugar, Cotton, Indigo,
and about 25 Pound in Money, valued in all to
The laſt Day of July, our Rovers with the Veſſels
Jaſt taken, left Delaware Bay, and failed to Cape
Fcar River, where they ſaid too long for their
Safety, for the Pyrate Sloop which they now new
named the Royal James, proved very leaky, fo that
they.
3
500 Pound.


Of Major STEDE BONNET. 92
chey were obliged to remain here almoſt two
Months, to refic and repair their Veſſel : They
took in th's River a ſmall Shallop, which they rip-
ped up to mend the Sloop, and retarded the fur-
ther Proſecution of their Voyage, as before menti.
oned, till the News came to Carolina of a Pyrate
Sloop's being there, to careen, with her Prizes.
Upon this Information, the Council of South Caroa
lina was alarmed, and apprehended they ſhould
receive another Viſit from them ipeedily ; to pre-
vent which, Colonel Il’illiam Rhet, of the ſame Pro-
vince, waited on the Governor, and generouſly of.
fered himſelf to go with two Sloops to attack this
Pyrate ; which the Governor readily accepted, and
accordingly gave the Colonel a Commillion and
full Power, to fit ſuch Veſſels as he thought pro-
per for the Deſign.
In a few Days two Sl ops were equipped and
manned: The Henry with 8 Guns and 70 Men, coni-
manded by Captain John Maſters, and the Sea
Nymph, with 8 Guns and oo Men, commanded by
Captain Fayrer Hall, both under the entire Directi.
on and Command of the aforeſaid Colonel Rhet,
who, on the 14th of September, went on Board the
Henry, and, with the o her Sloop, failed from
Charles-Town to Swillivant's Nand, to put them-
ſelves in order for the Cruize. Juſt then arri.
ved a ſmall Ship from Antigoa, one Cock Maſter,
with an Account, that, in Sight of the Bar, he was
taken and plundered by one Charles Vane, a Pyrate,
in a Brigantine of 12 Guns and 90 Men; and
who had alſo taken two other Veſſels bourd in
there, one a ſmall Sloop, Captain Dil Maſter, from
Berbadoes; the other a Brigantine, Captain Thomp-
Son Maſter, from Guiney, with ninety odd Negroes,
which were took out of the Veſtel, and put on
Board another Sloop then under the Command of
One Teats, his Confot, with 25 Men. This prov'd
Vol. i.
G
fore


98 Of Major STEDE BONNET.
fortunate to the Owners of the Guiney Man, for
leats having often attempted to quit this Courte
of Life, took an Opportunity in the Night to
leave Vane and to run into North-Edifto River, to the
Southward of Charles-Town, and there furrender to
his Majeſty's Pardon. The Owners got their Ne
grocs, and Yeats and his Men had Certificates given
them from the Government.
Vane cruiſed ſome Time off the Bar, in hopes to
catch Yeats, and unfortunately for them, took tivo
Ships coming out, bound to London, and while the
Friſoners were aboard, ſome of the Pyrates gave
out, that they deſigned to go into one of the
Rivers to the Southward.
Colonel Rhet, upon
this Advice, failed over the Bar the 15th of Sep-
tember, with the two Sloops beforementioned ; and
having the Wind Northerly, went after the Pyrate
Vane, and ſcoured the Rivers and lulets to the
Southward ; but not meeting with him, tacked
and food for Cape Fear River, in Proſecution o
his firft Deſign. On the 26th following, in the
| Evening, the Colonel with his ſmall Squadron
entered the River, and ſaw, over a Point of Land
three Sloops at an Anchor, which were Major Bonnie
and his Prizes ; but it happened that in going up
the River, the Pilot run the Colonel's Sloop aground
and it being dark before they were on Float, i
hindered their getting up that Night. The Pyrate
ſoon diſcovered the Sloops, but not knowing wh
they were, or upon what Deſign they came int
that River, they manned three Canoes, and ſer
them down to take them; but they quickly foun
their Miſtake, and returned to the Sloops wit
unwelcome News. Major Bonnet made Preparation
that Night for engaging, and took all the Men o
of the Prizes. He thewed Captain Manwaring; or
of his Priſoners, a Letter he had juſt wrot
which he declared he would ſend to the Govern


Of Major STEDE BONNET.
99
of Carolina ; the Letter was to this Effc&t, viz. That
if the Sloops, which eben appeared, mere fent out againſt
him, by the ſaid Governor, and be fiould get clear off,
that he mould burn and dejlroy all Ships or Veffis going
in or coming out of South-Carolina. The next morn-
ing they got under Sail, and came down the River,
deſigning only a running Fight. Color:el Rhet's
Sloups you likewiſe under Sail, and food for Bonner,
getting upon each Quarter of the Pyrate, with In-
tent to board him; which he perceiving, edged in
towards the Shore, and being warmly engaged,
their Sloop rau a-ground : The Carclina Sioops
being in the ſame ihoal Water, were in the ſame
Circumſtances; the Henry, in which Colonel Rhet
was, grounded within Pifiol fiot of she Pyrate, and
on his Bow; the other Sloop grounded right a-head
of him, and almoſt out of Gun-Shot, which made
her of little Service to the Colonel, while they.
lay a-ground.
At this Time the Pyrate had a conſiderable Ado
vantage; for their Sloop, after the was a-ground,
lifted from Colonel Rhet's, by which Means they
were all covered, and the Colonel's Sloop lifting
the ſame Way, his Men were much expoſed; not-
withſtanding which, they kept a brisk Fire the
whole Time they lay thus a-ground, which was
near five Hours. The Pyrates made a Whiff in their
bloody Flag, and beckou'd ſeveral Times with their
Hats in Deriſion to the Colonel's Men, to come
on Board, which they anſwered with chearfi! Huz-
za's, and ſaid, That they would ſpeak with them by and
by; which accordingly happened, for the Cooel's
Sloop being firſt a Hoat, he got into deeper Wa-
ter, and after mending the Sloop's Riggii:g, which
was much shattered in the Engagement, they
ſtood for the Pyrate, to give the finiſhing Stroke,
and deſigned to go directly on board him, but were
prevented, by his ſending a Flag of Truce, and
after
G 2


100 Of Major STEDE BONNET.
after ſome Time capitulating, the Pyrates ſurrender'd
themſelves Priſoners. The Colonel took Polleflion
of the Sloop, and was extreamly pleaſed to find
that Captain Thomas, who commanded her, was the
individual Perſon of Major Srede Bonnet, who had
done them the Honour ſeveral Times to viſit their
own Coaſt of Carolina.
There were killed in this A&tion, on Board the
Henry, teri Men, and fourteen wounded; on Board
the Sea Nympb, two killed and four wounded. The
Officers and Sailors in both Sloops behaved them.
ſelves with the greateſt Bravery ; and had not
the Sloops ſo unluckily run a.ground, they had
taken the Pyrate with much leſs loſs of Men ; but
as he deſigned to get by them, and to make a run-
ning Figh, the Courolina Sloops were obliged to
keep near him, to prevenit his getting away. Of
the Pyrates there were ſeven killed and five wound-
ed, two of which died foon after of their Wounds.
Colonel Rket weię hd the 20th of September, from
Cape Fear River, ard arrived at Charles-Tomon the 34
of Otober, to the great Joy of the whole Province
of Carolina.
Bonnet and his Crew, two Days after, were put
aſhore, and there not being a publick Prilon, the
Pyrates were kept at the Watch-Houſe, under
a Guard of Militia ; but Major Bonnet. was com-
mitted into the Cuſtody of the Marſhal, at his
Houſe ; and in a few Days after, David Hariot the
Iafter, and Ignatius Pell the Boatſwain, who were
deſigned for Evidences againſt the other Pyrates,
were removed from the reſt of the Crew, to the
friit Marthal's Houſe, at which two Centries
were fer every Nigh: ; but whether it was thro'
any Corruption, or want of Care in guarding the
Priſoners, I can't ſay; but on the 24th of Ołtober,
the Major and Hariot made their Eſcapes, the Boat-
Twain refuſing to go along with them. This made
a great


Of Major STEDE Bonnet. IOI
a great Noiſe in the Province, and People were
open in their Reſentments, often reflecting on the
Governor, and others in the Magiſtracy, as tho'
they had been brib'd, for conniving at their
Eſcapes. Theſe Inveltives aroſe from their Fears,
that Bonnet would be capable of raiſing another
Company, and profecute his Revenge againſt this
Countıy, for what he had lately, tho' jufily, ſufo
ferei: But they were in a ſhort Time made eaſy
in thoſe Reſpects; for as ſoon the Governor
had the Account of Bonnet's Eſcape, he immedi-
ately ilſued out a Proclamation, and promiſed a
Reward of 700 Pounds to any that ſhould take him,
and ſent ſeveral Boars with armed Men, both to
the Northward and Southward, in purſuit of him.
Bonner ſtond to the Northward, in a ſmall Vefl:l,
but wanting Necesſaries, and the Weather being
bad, he was forced back, and ſo return'd with his
Canoe, to Smillivant's Mand, near Charles-Town, to
fetch Supplies; but there being ſome Information
ſent to the Governor, he ſent for Colonel Rhet,
and deſired him to go in purſuit of Borner ; and
according gave him a Commiſſion for that Pur.
poſe: Wherefore the Colonel, with proper Craft,
and ſome Men, went away that Night for Stilli-
vant's Inand, and, after a very diligent Search, dir.
covered Bonnet and Hariot together, the Colonel's
Men fired upon them, and killed Hariot upon the
Spot, and wounded one Negro and an Indian. Bon-
net ſubmitted, and ſurrender'd himſelf; and the
next Morning, being November the 6th, was brought
by Colonel Rhet to Charles-Town, and, by the Gover-
nor's Warrant, was committed into fate Cuſtody,
in order to his being brought to his Tryal.
On the 28th of October, 1718, a Court of Vice-
Admiralty was held at Charles-Town, in South Caro.
lina, and, by ſeveral Adjournments, contined to
Wedneſday, 'the 12th of November following, for
the
G3


IN
102 Of Major STEDE BONNET.
as the
HA
Freu
7, file
Zelf
end
Ching
acht
Tim
Tell
being
ch bin
the Tryal of this Crew of Pyrates taken in the
Sloop formerly called the Revenge, but now the Royal
James, before Nicholas Trot, Eſq; Judge of the Vice-
Admiralty, and Chief Juſtice of the laiu Province of
South Carolina, with other Afliftant Judges.
The King's Commiſſion to Judge Trot was read,
and a Grand Jury ſworn, for the finding or the le-
veral Bills, and a learned Charge given them by
the ſaid Judge, wherein he iſt fhewed, That the Sea
was given by God, for the uſe of Men, and is Subject 10
Dominion and Properiy, as well as the Land.
2dly, He particularly remark'd to then, the so-
vereignty of the King of England over the British
Seas.
3dly, He obſerved, that as Commerce and Naviga-
tion could not be carried on mithout Lamps ; ſo there have
been almays particular Lates, for the better ordering and
regulating marine Affairs; with an lı:ſtorical Account
of thoſe Laws and Origine.
4thly, he proceeded to thew, that there hazie been
particular Courts and Judges appointed; to thoſe Juriſdi.
ition maritime Cauſes do belong, and that in Matters borh
Civil and Criminal.
And then sthly, He particularly ſhewed them,
: the Conſtitution and Juriſdiction of the Court of Admi-
ralry Sefions.
And laſtly, the Crimes cognizable therein ; and par-
ticularly enlarged upon the crime of Pyracy, which
was then brought before them.
Theld:&tments being found, a petit Jury was
ſworn, and the following Perſons arraigned and
tried.
21
Puis
ral
3.5
the
Stede Bonnet, alias Edwards, alias Thomas, late of
Barbadoes, Marirer.
Robert Tucker, late of the Illand of Jamaica, Ma.
riner.
Edward
50


Of Major STEDE BONNET.
103
Edward Robinſon, late of Newcaſtle upon Tine, Ma-
riner.
Neal Paterſon, late of Aberdeen, Mariner.
William Scot, late of Aberdeen, Mariner.
William Eddy, alias Neddy, late of Aberdeen, Ma-
riner.
Alexander Annand, late of Jamaica, Mariner.
George Roſe, late of Glaſgom, Mariner.
George Dunkin, late of Glaſgoro, Mariner.
* Thomas Nicholas, late of London, Mariner.
John Ridge, late of London, Mariner.
Matthew King, late of Jamaica, Mariner.
Daniel Perry, late of Guernſey, Mariner.
Henry Virgin, late of Briſtol, Mariver.
James Robbins, alias Rattle, late of London, Ma-
riner.
James Mullet, alias Millet, late of London, Ma.
riner.
Thomas Price, late of Briſtol, Mariner.
James Wilſon, late of Dublin, Mariner.
John Lopez, late of Oporto, Mariner.
Zachariah Long, late of the Province of Holland,
Mariner.
Job Bayly, late of London, Mariner.
John-William Sinith, late of Charles-Toron, Carolina;
Mariner.
Thomas Corman, late of Maidſtone in Kent, Ma-
riner.
John Thomas, late of Jania:ca, Mariner.
William Morriſon, late of Jamaica, Mariner.
Samuel Booth, latc of Charles-Town, Mariner.
William Hewer, late of Jamaica, Mariner.
John Levit, late of North-Carolira, Mariner.
William Livers, alias Evis.
Fohn Brierly, alias Timberhead, late of Bath-Town in
North Carolina, Mariner.
Robert Boyd, late of Bath-Town aforeſaid, Ma.
riner.
* Romas
G4


104 of Major STEDE BONNET.
10
* Rowland Sharp, of Barb-Town, Mariner.
* Jonathan Clarke, late of Charles-Town, South Cao
rolina, Mariner.
* Thomas Gerrard, late of Anregoa, Mariner.
And all, except the three laft, and Thomas Nie
cholas, were found Guilty, and received Sentence
of Death.
They were moſt of them try'd upon two In-
di&tments, as follows.
T
on
HE Jurors for our Sovereign Lord the. King, do up-
their Oath preſent, that Stede Bonnet,
late
of Barbadoes, Mariner, Robert Tucker, oo. cc.
The ſecond Day of Auguſt, in the fifth Tear of the Reign
of our Sovereign Lord George, to. By Force of Arms
upon the High-Sea, in a certain Place called Cape James,
&c. did Pyratically, and feloniouſly ſet upon, break,
board, and exter, a certain Merchant Sloos, called the
Fiances, Peter Manwaring Commander, by Force, &c.
upon the High-Sea, in a certain Place, called Cape Jámes,
alias Cape Inlopen, about two Miles diſtant from the
Shore, in the Latitude of 39, or thereabout's; and within
the Juriſdiction of the Court of Vice- Admiralty, of South-
Carolina, being a Sloop of certain Perfons, (to the Jua
rors, unknown) and then, and there, pyratically, and felo-
niouſly did make an Afault, in, and upon the ſaid Peter
Manwaring, and others his Mariners, (whoſe Names to
she Jurors aforeſaid, are unknown,) in the ſame Sloop,
againſt the peace of God, and of our faid nom Sovereign
Lord the King, then, and there being, fyratically, and jo.
loniouſly did put the aforeſaid Peter Manwaring, ard
others, bis Mariners, of the Same Sloop, in the Sloop
aforeſaid, then being, in corporal Fear of their lives, then
and there, in the Sloop aforeſaid, upon the High-Sea, in
the Place aforeſaid, called Cape James, alias Cape In-
Jopen, about two Miles from the shore, in the Latitude
of 39, or thereabouts, as aforeſaid, and within the fue
rifdition aforeſaid ; Fyratically, and feloniouſy, did feal
,
take,
..


Of Major STEDE BONNET.
TOS
F
sake, and carry atoay all the ſaid Merchant Sloop, called the
Frances, and alſo twenty fix Hogſheads, &c. &c. &c.
being found in the aforeſaid Sloop, in the Cuſtody and Poffes-
foon of the ſaid Peter Manwaring, and others, his Marie
'ners of the ſaid Sloop, and from their Cuftody and Poffel-
fion, then and there, upon the High-Sea aforeſaid, calied
Cape James, alias Cape Inlopen, as afirefaid, and
within the Juriſdiction aforeſaid, againſt the peace of
our noto Sovereign Lord the King, bis Crown and
Dignity.
This was the Form of the Indictment they were
arraigned upon, and tho' they might have proved
ſeveral more Facts upon the major part of the
Crew, the Court thought fit to profecute but two;
the other was for ſeizing in a pyratical and felonious
Manner, the Sloop Fortune, Thomas Read Commander;
which Indictment running in the ſame Form with
the above-mentioned, it will be unneceſſary to ſay
more of it.
All the Priſoners arraign’d, pleaded Not Guilty,
and put themſelves upon their Tryals, except James
Wilſon, and John Levit, who pleaded Guilty to
both indictments, and Daniel Perry,, to one only.
The Major would have gone through both the in-
di&tments at once, which the Court not admitting,
he pleaded Not Guilty to both Indi&tments, but
being convicted of one, he retra&ted his former
Plea to the ſecond Indictment, and pleaded Guil.
The Priſoners made little or no Defence, every
one pretending only that they were taken off a
Maroon Shore, and were ſhipped with Major
Bonnet to go to St. Thomas's; but being out at Sea,
and wanting Proviſions, they were obliged to do
what they did by others; and ſo did Major Bon-
net himſelf, pretend that 'twas Force, not Incli.
nation, that occaſion'd what had happened. How.
ever,
ty to it.


106 of Major STEDE BONNET.
a calle
E',
Cromu i
rt of:
telomi
ever, the Facts being plainly proved, and that
C. &t!
they had all ſhared ten or eleven Pounds a Man,
y cali excepting the three laſt, and Thomas Nichols, they
bis M were all but them found Guilty. The Judge made
and a very grave Speech to them, ſetting forth the E-
ail, normity of their Crimes, the Condition they were not in,
and the Nature and Neceſſity of an unfeigned Repentance ;
and then recommended them to the Miniſters of
the Province for more ample Directions, to fit
them for Eternity, for (concluded he) the Prieſt's
Lips fhall keep Knowledge, and you fivall ſeek the Law at
they
their Mouths ; for they are the Meſſengers of the Lord,
Mat. ii. 57. And the Ambaſſadors of Chriſt, and unto
them is committed the Word (or Doctrine) of Reconci-
liation, 2 Cor. v. 19, 20. And then pronounced Sen.
tence of Death upon them.
On Saturday November the 8th, 1711, Robert Tucker,
Edward Robinſon, Neal Paterſon, William Scot, Job
Bayley, John-William Smith, John Thomas, William
Morriſon, Samuel Booth, William Hemit, William Eddy,
alias Neddy, Alexander Annand, George Roſs, George
Dunkin, Matthew King, Daniel Perry, Henry Virgin,
James Robbins, James Mullet, alias Millet, Thomas
Price, Jobn Lopez, and Zachariah Long, ivere executed
at the White-Point near Charles-Town, purſuant to their
Sentence.
As for the Captain, his Eſcape protracted his
Fate, and ſpun out his Life a few Days longer, for
he was try'd the roth, and being found Guilty,
received Sentence in like Manner as the former;
before which Judge Trot, made a moft excellent
Speech to him, rather lomewhat too long to be
taken into our Hiſtory, yet I could not tell how to
país by ſo good and uſeful a piece of Inſtruction,
not knowing whoſe Hands this Book may happen to
fall into.
Or
Tyco
at
uri
nem
for at
Q
zá
10
The
6


Of Major STEDE BONNET.
107
The Lord Chief Juſtice's SPEECH
upon his pronouncing Sentence on Major
STEDE BONNET.
Ajor Stede Bonnet, you ſtand here convi&ted
upon two Indi&tments of Pyracy; one by
the Verdikt of the Jury, and the other by your own
Confeffion.
Altho' you were indicted but for two Falts, yet
you know that at your Tryal it was fully proved,
even by an unwilling Witneſs, that you pyratically
took and rifled no leſs than thirteen Veſſels, ſince
you fail'd from North Carolina.
So that you might have been indiEted, and con.
vi&te of eleven more Ats of Pyracy, ſince you took
the Benefit of the King's Act of Grace, and pretended
to leave that wicked Courſe of Life.
Not to mention the many Alts of Pyracy you
committed before; for which, if your Pardon from
Alan was never ſo authentick, yet you muſt expełt
to anſwer for them before God.
You know that the Crimes you have committed
are evil in themſelves, and contrary to the Light
and Law of Nature, as well as the Land of God, by
which you are commanded that you fall not ſteal,
Exod. 27. 15. And the Apoſtle St. Paul exprelly
affirms, That Thieves ſhall not inherit the Kingdom of
God, i Cor. 6. 10.
But to Theft you have added a greater Sin, which
is Murder. How many you may have killed of thole
that reſiſted you in the committing your former
Pyracies, I know not : But this we all know, That
beſides the wounded, you kill'd no leſs than eighteen
Perſons out of thoſe that were ſent by lawful Au-
thority


108 Of Major STEDE BONNET.
EU
52
COTE
"
thority to ſuppreſs you, and put a Stop to thoſe
Rapines that you daily acted.
And however you may fancy that that was killing
Men fairly in open Fight, yet this know, that the
Power of the Sword not being committed into your
Hands by any lawful Authority, you were not im.
power'd to uſe any force, or fight any one ; and
therefore thoſe Perſons that feil in that Action, in
doing their Duty to their King and Country, were
murdered, and their B'ood now cries out for l'en-
geance and Juſtice againſt you: For it is the Voice of
Nature, confirm'd by the Law of God, That whofaever
fleddeth Man's Blood, by Man fall his blood be flicd,
Gen. 9. 6.
And conſider that Death is not the only Puniſh-
ment due to Murderers; for they are threatened to
have their part in the Lake which burneth with Fire and
Brimſtone, which is the ſecond Death, Rev. 21. 8. See
Chap: 22. 15
Words which carry that Terror
with them, that conſidering your Circumſtances
and your Guilt, ſurely the Sound of them muſt
make you tremble; For who can dwell with everlaſt-
ing Burnings? Chap. 33. 14.
As the Teſtimony of your conſcience muſt convince
you of the great and many Evils you have com-
mitted, by which you have highly offended God,
and provoked moſt juftly his Wrath and Indigna-
tion againſt you, ſo I ſuppoſe I need not tell you
that the only way of obtaining Pardon and Remil.
fion of your Sins from God, is by a true and un-
feigned Repentance and Faith' in Chrift, by whoſe
meritorious Death and Paſſion, you can only hope
for Salvation.
You being a Gentleman that have had the Ad-
vantage of a liberal Education, and being generally
eſteemed a Man of Letters, I believe it will be need.
leſs for me to explain to you the Nature of Repen.
-1
tance
1


Of Major STEDE BONNET. 109
1
tance and Faith in Chrift, they being ſo fully and
ſo often mentioned in the Scriptures, that you can-
20t but know them. And therefore, perhaps, for
that Realon it might be thought by Tome impro .
per for me to have laid ſo much to you, as I have
already upon this Occaſion ; neither should I have
done it, but that conſidering the Courle of your
lite and Adions, I have juſt Reaſon to fear, that
the Principles of Religion that had been inſtilled
into you by your Education, have been at leaft
corrupted, if not entirely defaced, by the Scepti-
ciſm and Infidelity of this wicked Age ; and that
what time you allowed for Study, was rather ap-
plied
to the polite Literature, and the vain Philoſophy of
the Times, than a ſerious Search after the Law and
Will of God, as revealed unto us in the Holy Scrip-
tures : For kad your Delight been in the Law of the Lord,
and that
you
had meditated therein [ay and Night, Plal.
1. 2. you would then have found that God's Word
was a Lamp unto your Fect, and a Light to your Path,
Pal, 119. 105. and that you would account all
other Knowledge but Lifs, in Compariſon of the
Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ Jeſses, Phil. 3. 8.
who to them that are called is the Power of God, and the
Wiſdom of God, 1 Cor. 1. 24. even the hidden IViſdom
which God ordained before the World, Chap. 2.7.
You would then have eſteemed the Scriptures as
the Great Charter of Heaven, and which delivered
to us not only the moſt perfe£t Lars and Rules of
Life, but alſo diſcovered to us the A&ts of Pardon
from God, wherein they have offended thoſe righte.
ous Laivs: For in them only is to be found the great
Myſtery of fallen Man's Redemption, which the Angels
deſire to look into, 1 Pet. 1. 12.
And they would have taught you that Sin is the
debaſing of Human Nature, as being a Deviation from
the Purity, Restitude, and Holineſs, in which God
created


101
110 Of Major STEDE BONNET.
Tv
created us;
OU :
imple
: There
That
f you
1, 62
at lead
Go
d that
Copy
ܕܐܒ
my
Pili
and that Virtue and Religion, and walk.
ing by the Laws of God, were altogether preferable
to the Ways of Sin and Satan ; for that the Ways of
Virtue are Ways of Pleaſantneſs, and all her Paths are
Peace, Prov. 3. 17:
But what you could not learn from God's Word,
by Reaſon of your careleſly, or but ſuperficially con-
ſidering the lame, I hope the Courle of his Pro-
vidence, and the preſent Afflictions that he hath laid
upon you, hath now convinced you of the fame :
For however in your ſeeming Proſperity you might
male a Mock at your Sins, Prov. 3. 17. yet now
that you ſee that God's Hand hath reached you,
and brought you to publick Juſtice, I hope your
preſent unhappy Circumſtances hath made you
ſeriouſly reflect upon your paſt A&tions and Courſe
of Life; and that you are now ſenſible of the Great-
neſs of your Sins, and that you find the Burden of
them is intolerable.
And that therefore being thus labouring, and heavy
laden with Sin, Mat. II. 28. you will eſteem that
as the moſt valuable Knowledge, that can fhew
you how you can be reconciled to that lupreme
God that you have ſo highly offended; and that
can reveal to you him who is not only the power-
ful Advocate with the Father for you, 1 John 2. 1.
but alſo who hath paid that Debt that is due for
your Sins by his own Death upon the Croſs for
you; and thereby made full Satisfaction for the Ju-
ſtice of God. And this is to be found no where
but in God's Word, which diſcovers to us that
Lamb of God which takes away the Sins of the World,
John 1. 29. which is Christ the Son of God: For
this know, and be aſſured, that there is none other
Name under Heaven given among Men, whereby we must
be ſaved, A&ts 4. !2. but only by the Name of the
Lord Jeſus.
But
SMA
IA
l'em
gher
Ore
뺨
​5th
from
GT
2014


Of Mdjor STEDE BONXET.
But then conſider how he invites all Sinners to
come unto him, and, that he will give them rest, Mat.
11. 28. for he allures us, that he came to ſeek and to
Save that which no:s loft, Luke 19. 10. Mat. 19. 11.
and hath promiled, that he that cometh unto him, he
will in no wiſe caſt out, John 6. 37.
So that if now you will fincerely turn to him,
tho' late, even at the eleventh Hour, Mat. 20. 6, 9.
he will receive you.
But, Iurely I need not tell you, that the Terms of
his Mercy is Faith and Repentance.
And do not miſtake the Nature of Repentance
to be only a bare Sorrow or your Sins, ariſing from
the Confideration of the Evil and Punifliment they
have now brought upon you ; but your Sorrow
muft arile froni the Conſideration of your having
offended a gracious and merciful God.
But I fall not pretend to give you any particu-
lar Directions as to the Nature of Repentance; I
conſider that I ſpeak to a Perſon, whoſe Offences
have proceeded not ſo much from his not knowing,
as his nighting and neglecting his Dury: Neither is
it proper for me to give Advice out of the Way of
my own Profeſſion.
You may have that better delivered to you by
thoſe who have made Divinity their particular
Study ; and who, by their knowledge, as well as
their Office, as being the Ambaſſadors of Chrif, 2 Cor.
5. 20. are beſt qualified to give you Instructions
therein.
I only heartily wiſh, that what, in Compaſſion
to your Soul, I have now laid to you upon this
fad and folemn Occaſion, by exhorting you in ge-
neral to Faith and Repentance, may have that due
Effect upon you, that thereby you may become a
true Penitent.
And therefore having now diſcharged my Duty
to you as a Chriſtian, by giving you the bee Coun-
rel


II2 Of Major
. STEDE BONNET.
INNAR
CAM
ܘ ܐܐ
ſel I can, with reſpect to the Salvation of your Soul,
I muſt now do my Omice as a Judge.
The Sentence that the Law hath appointed to paſs
upon you for your Offences, and which this Court
doth (herefore award, is,
That
Youg the ſaid Stede Bonret, Miall go from hence
to the Place from whence you came, and from thence to
the Place of Execution, where you ſhall be hanged by the
Neck till you are dead.
And the God of infinite. Mercy be merciful to your Soul.
Tubig
mi
0.6
Tomi
no
Som
har
.
Dami
7:45
cheng
12
ou
a
11
СНАР.


113
ATAAZEZES2E82AZEZE?
CH A P. V.
OF
Capt. Edward England,
And his Crew.
E
Dward England went Mate of a Sloop that fail'd
out of Jamaica, and was taken by Captain
Winter, a Pyrate, juſt before their Settle-
ment at Providence ; from whence England had the
Command of a Sloop in the ſame laudable Em-
ployment: It is ſurprizing that Men of good Un-
derſtanding ſhould engage in a Courſe of life, thac
to much debares humane Nature, and ſets them
upon a Level with the wild Beaſts of the Foreſt,
who live and prey upon their weaker Follow
Creatures: A Crime to enormous! That it includes
almoſt all others, as Murder, Rapine, Thieft, In-
gratitude, cc. and tho' they make theſe Vice's fa-
miliar to them by their daily Practice, yet thele
Men are ſo incor.liftent with themſelves, that a Re-
flettion made upon their Honour, their Juſtice, or
their Courage, is look'd upon as an Oftence that
ought to be puniſhed with the Life of him that
cummits it: England was one of theſe Men, who
ſeem'd to have ſuch a Share of Reaſon, as ihould
have taught him better Things. He had a great
deal of good Nature, and did not want for Couq
VOL. 1.
H
rage;


1
114 Of Captain ENGLAND.
41
rage; he was not avaritious, and always averſe to
the ill Ulage Priſoners received: He would have
been contented with moderate Plunder, and leſs
miſchievous Pranks, could his Companions have
been brought to the ſame Temper, but he was ge-
nerally over-rul'd, and as he was engaged in that
abominable Society, he was obliged to be a Partner
in all their vile A&tions.
Captain England fails to the Coaſt of Africa, (af-
ter the INand of Providence was ſettled by the En.
glif, Government, and the Pyrates ſurrendered to
his Majeſty's Proclamation) and took ſeveral Ships
and Veſſels, particularly the Cadogan Snow belong.
ing to Briſtol, at Sierraleone, one Skinner Maſter, who
was inhunianly murthered by ſome of the Crew,
that had lately been his own Men, and ſerved in
the ſaid Vellel. It ſeems ſome Quarrel had hap-
pened between them, ſo that Skinner thought fit
to remove theſe Fellows on Board of a Man of
War, and at the fame Time refuſed them their
Wages; not long after they found Means to defert
that Service, and shipping themlélves aboard a
Sloop in the Weſt-Indies, was taken by a Pyrate,
and brought to Providence, and failed upon the fame
Account along with Captain England.
As ſoon as Skinner had ſtruck to the Pyrate, he
was ordered to come on Board in his Boat, which
he did, and the Perſon that he firſt caſt his Eye
uponi, proved to be his old Boatſwain, who ſtar's
him in the Face Mke his evil Genius, and accoſted
him in this Manner. Ah, Captain Skinner!
Is it you ? The only Man I wiſhed to ſee; I am much
in your Debt, and now I ſhall pay you all in your own
Coin.
The
poor Man trembled every Joint, when he
found ii.to what Company he had fallen, and dread.
ed the Event, as he had Realon enough fo to do;
for the Boatſwain immediately called to his con-
forts,
.
ho
11
e


of Captain ENGLAND, IIS
forts, laid hold of the Captain, and made him faft
to the Windleſs, and there pelted him with Glais
Bottles, which cut him in a fad Manner ; after
which they whipp'd him about the Deck, till they
were weary, being deaf to all his Prayers and Ins
treaties, and at laſt, becauſe he had been a good
Maſter to his Men, they ſaid, he ſhould have an
eaſy Death, and ſo ſhot him thro' the Head. They
took ſome few Things out of the Snow, but gave
the Veifel and all her Cargo to Howe! Davis the
Mate, and the reſt of the Crew, as will be here.
after mentioned in the Chapter of Captain Davis.
Captain England took a Ship called the Pearl,
Captain Tyzard Commander, for which he exó
changed his own Sloop, fitted her up for the pyra-
tical Account, and new chriften'd her, the Royal
James, with which he took ſeveral Ships and Veifels,
of different Nations, at the Azores and Cape de Verd
Iflands.
In the Spring, 1719, the Rovers returned to
Africa, and beginning at the River Gambia, failed
all down the Coast; and between that and Cape
Corſo, took the following Ships and Veſſels.
The Eagle Pink, Captain Rickets Commander, be.
longing to Cork, taken the 25th of March, having 6
Guns and 17 Men on Board,' ſeven of which turned
Pyrates.
The Charlotte, Captain Oldfon, of London, taken
May the 20th, having 8 Guns and 18 Men on
Boards, 3 of which turned Pyrates.
The Sarah, Captain Stunt, of London, taken the
27th of May, having 4 Guns and 18 Men on Board,
3
of which turned Pyrates.
The Bentworth, Captain Gardener, of Briſtol, taken
the 27th of May, having 12 Guns and 30 Men
on Board, 12 of which turned Pyrates,
1
H 2
The


NDI
116 Of Captain ENGLAND.
made his i
him with
Manner: 4
Deck
, til ti
Tayers al
ould have
Head. The
Ir Dail
syill be the
ptain Os
Ed the fun
Thich he
For the py
, the Red
E
and Vale
The Buck, Sloop, Captain Sylveſter, of Gambia, ta-
ken the 27th of May, having 2 Guns and 2 Men
on Board, and both turned Pyrates.
The Carteret, Captain Snow, of London, taken the
28th of May, having 4 Guns and 18 Men on Board,
5
of which turned Pyratcs.
The Mercury, Captain Maggott, of London, taken
the 29th of May, having + Guns and 18 Men on
Board, s of which turned Pyrates.
The Coward Galley, Captain Creed, of London, ta-
ken the 17th of June, having 2 Guns and 13 Men
on Borrd, 4 ot' which turned Pyrates.
The É izabeth and Katherine, Captain Bridge of
Barbadoes, taken June the 27th, having o Guns and
14 Men on Board, 4 of which turneu Pyrates.
The Eagle Pink being bound to Jamaica, the Sarah
to Virginia, and the Buck to Maryland, they let them
go, but the Charlotte, the Bentworth, the Carteret, and.
the Coward Galley, they burnt ; and the Mercury,
ard the Elizabeth and Katherine ivere fitted up for
Fyrate Ships, the former was new named Queen
Ann's Revenge, and commanded by one Lane, and
the other was calld the Flying King, of which Ro-
bere Sample was appointed Captain. "Theſe two leto
England upon the coaſt, lail'd to the left-Indies,
where they took fome Prizes, clean'd, and ſail'd to
Braſil in November ; they took leveral Portugueſe
Ships there, and did a great deal of Miſchiet, but
in the height of their Undertakings, a Portugueſe
Man of War, which was an excellent Sailor, came
a very unwelcome Gueſt to them, and gave them
Chace; the Queen Ann's Revenge got off, but was
Joſt a little while after upon the Coast; and the
Flying King, giving herlelf over for loſt, ran aſhore:
· There were then 70 Men on Board, 12 of which
were killed, and the reſt taken Priſoners, of whom
the Portugueſe hang'd 39, of which 32 were Engliſh,
Cape de lo
eturned
alia, Will
- and a
liels.
arder
, ki
having
Ich turah
Lon, take
Nene
caken
On But
ol take
30 Me
three
10


Of Captain ENGLAND
117
three Dutch, two French, and one of their own
Nation.
England, in going down the Coaf, took the Peter-
borough Galley of Briſtol, Captain Oren; and the
Villory, Captain Ridout; the former they detained,
buc plundered the latter, and let her go. In Cape
Corſo Road, they ſaw two Sail at Anchor, but be-
fore they could reach them; they flipp'd their Ca-
bles and
got clole under Cape Corſo Caſtle, thele were
the Wbydah, Captain Prince, and the John, Captain
Rider:
The Pyrates upon this made a Fire-hip of
a Veffel thcy had lately taken, and attempted 10
burn them, as tho' they had been a common Ene-
my, which if effected, they could not have been
one Farthing the better for it; but the Caſtle fi-
ring warmly upon them, they withdrew, and failid
down to Whydah Road, where they found another
Pyrate, one Captain la Bouche, who getting thither
before England arrived, had foreſtalld the Market,
and greatly diſappointed their Brethren.
Captain England, after this Baulk, went into a
Harbour, clean'd his own Ship, and fitted up the
Peterborough, which he call’d the Victory; they liv'd
there very wantonly for leveral Weeks, making
free with the Negroe Women, and committing
tuch outragious Ats, that they came to an open
Rupture with the Natives, leveral of whom they
kills, and one of their Towns they ſet on Fire.
When the Pyrates came out to Sea, they put it
to a Vote what'Voyage to take, and the Majority
carrying it for the Eaſt-Indies, they shap'd their
Courſe accordingly, and arrived at Madagaſcar, the
Beginning of the Year 1720. They ſtaid not long
there, but after taking in Water and Proviſions,
daild for the Coaſt of Malabar, which is a fine fruito
ful Country in the Eaſt-Indies, in the Empire of
the Mogul, but immediately ſubject to its own Prin-
ces : It reaches from the coaſt of Cansra to Cape
H 3
Camo,


118
Of Captain ENGLAND.
heir ou
che le
2006
eraison
but
deve
wtedt
EX
加​础​训​她​她​她​她​她
​tel
TAY
Camorin, which is between 7° 30, and 12° North
Latitude, and in about 75° Eaſt Longitude, coun-
ting from the Meridian of London. The old Nay
tives are Pagans, but there are a great Number of
Mahomet ans inhabiting among them, who arę Mer.
chants, and generally jich. On the ſame Coaſt,
but in a Province to the Northward lies Goa,
Surat, and Bombay, where the Engliſh, Dutch, and
Portugueſe have Settlements.
Hither our Pyrates cane, having made a Tour
of half the Globe, as the Pſalmiſt ſays of the De-
vils, Going about like roaring Lions, ſeeking whom they
might devour. They took ſeveral Country Ships,
that is, Indian Veiſels, and one European, a Dutch
Ship, which they exchanged for one of their own,
and then came back to Madagaſcar.
They ſent ſeveral of their Hands on Shore with
Tents, Powder, and Shor, to kill Hogs, Veniſon,
and ſuch other freſh Proviſion as the Mand afforded,
and a Whim came into their Heads to ſeek out for
the Remains of Avery's Crew, whom they knew to
be ſettled ſomewhere in the Inand. Accor-
dingly ſome of them travell’d ſeveral Days Jour-
ney, without hearing any Intelligence of them, and
fo were forc'd to return with the Loſs of their La-
bour, for theſe Men were ſettled on the other Side
of the Illand.
They ſtay'd not long here, after they had
clean'd their Ships, but failing lo Juanna, they
met two Engliſh, and one Oſtend India Men, com-
ing out of that Harbour, one of which, after &
del perate Reſiſtance, they took; the Particulars
of which Action is at length related in the tol-
lowing Letter, wrote by the Captain fron
Bombay,
POTRE
hither
L2RE
intos
oth
MA
King
hey
TA
ity
A Lettel


of Captain ENGLAND.
119
A LETTER from Captain Mackra, dated
at Bombay, Nov. 16, 1720.
E arrived the 25th of July last, in Company of
the Greenwich, at Juanna, (an I-end nor far
from Madagaſcar) putting in there to refreſh our Men,
we found fourteen Pyrates that came in their Canoes from
the Mayotta, where the Pyrate Ship to which they be-
long’d, viz. the Indian Queen, imo hundred and fifty Tens,
twenty eight Guns, and ninety Men, commanded by Capt.
Oliver de la Bouche, bound from the Guiney Coast to
the Eaſt-Indies, had been bulged and loft. They ſaid they
left the Captain and forty of their Men
building a new Vefél
to proceed on their wicked Deſign. Captain Kirby and I
concluding it might be of great Service to the Eaſt-India
Company to deſtroy ſuch a Nest of Rogues, mere ready to fail
for that Purpoſe the 17th of Auguſt, about Eight a-Clock in
the Morning, when we diſcovered two Pyrate Ships ſtand-
ing into the Bay of Juanna, one of thirry four, and the other
of thirty Guns. I immediately went on Board the Green-
wich, where they ſeem'd very diligent in Preparations for
an Engagement, and I left Captain Kirby with mutual
Promiſes of ſtanding by each other. I then unmoor’d, got
under Sail, and brought two Boats a-head to roro me cloſe to
the Greenwich; but he being opento a Valley and a Breeze,
made the beſt of his Way from me; which an Oftender in
our Company, of 22 Guns, ſeeing, did the ſame, though
the Captain had promiſed heartily, to engage with us, and
I believe would have been as good as bis Word, if Captain
Kirby had kept his. About half an Hour after Twelve, I
Called ſeveral times to the Greenwich ro bear down to our
Aſiſtance, and fir'd Shot at him, but to no Purpoſe. For
thome did not doubt but he would join us, becauſe when he
got about a League from us, he brought his ship to, and
look'd on, yet both he and the Oſtender bafely deſerted us,
and left us engaged with barbarous and inhuman Enemies,
with
H 4


120
Of Captain ENGLAND.
1
MI
f
11!
with their back and bloody
Flags hanging over us, without
the least Appearance of eſcaping being cut to Pieces. But
God, in his good Providence, determind otherwiſe ; for
notwithſtanding their Superioriry, we engagd them buch
about three Hours, during which, rhe biggest received furie
Shot berwixt Wind and later, which made her keep of a
little to stop her Leaks. The other endearcured all flie
could to board us, by roming mub her Oars, being within
balf a ship's Longth of us above an Hour ; but by good Fur.
tunc we floor all bier Oars to pieces, which prevented them,
and by Conſequence ſaved our Lives.
About Four a-Clock, most of the Officers and Men
poſted on the Quarter-Deck being killed and rrounded, the
largeſt Ship making up to us with all Diligence, being still
within a Cable's Length of us, often giving us a Bro.idfide,
and no Hopes of Capr. Kirby's coming to our Aſistance, we
endeavoured to run war ; and thu' ne dremo four Foot W'a-
ter more than the Pyrati, it Fleaſed God that he fuck fast
on a bigber Ground then we happily fell in with; fo was
diluppointed a ſecond Time from boarding us.
Here Toc
hid"a more violent Engagement than before. All my 0f-
ficers, and moſt of my Men, bchaved with unexpected Cou-
rage; and as we had a conſiderable Advantage by having a
Broadſide to his Bom, we did him great Damage, ſo that
had Captain Kirby come in then, I believe we ſhould have
taken both, for we had one of them ſure; but the other Py:
Fate (mho was ſtill firing at zs) ſeeing the Greenwich did
not offer to ajſist, be supplied his Confort with three
Boats full of freſh Men. "About Five in the Evening the
Greenwich ſtood clear away to Sea, leaving us ſtruggling
bard for Life in the very Jaws of Death; which the other
Pyrate, that was afloat, ſeeing, got a-warp out, and mas
hauling under our Štern; by which Time many of my Allen
being killed and founded, and no Hopes left us from being
all murdered by enraged barbarous Conquerors, I order'd all
obat could, ro get into the Long-Boat under the Cover of the
Smork of oxr Guns ; ſo that wouch what ſome did in Boats,
and others by ſwimming, most of us, that were able, got
afhoor


of Captain ENGLAND. 121
aſhoar by Seven a-Clock. When the Pyrates came aboard,
them into three of cur wounded Men to Pieces; I, with a
fe: ry People, made what Hafte I could to the King's
Toili, imenry five Miles from us, where I arrived next
Dav. almoſt deed with Fatigue and Loſs of Blood, having
been forelv rounded in the Head by a Musket Ball.
Al this Town I heard that the Pyrates had offered ten
thouſand Dulars to the Country People to bring me in, which
many of them would have accepted, only they knew the
King and all his chief People were in my Interest. Moan
rime, I cauſed a Report to be ſpread, that I was deed of my
Wounds, which much abated their Fury. About ten Days
after, being pretry well recovered, and hoping the Mtalice
of our Encmies was nigh over, I began to conſider the diſ-
mal Condition we were reduced to, being in a place where
we had no Hopes of getting a Paſſage home, all of us in a
manner naked, not having had Time to get another Shirt,
or a Pair of shoes.
Having obtained Leave to go on Beard the Pyrates, and
a Promiſe of Safery, ſeveral of the Chief of them know me,
and ſome of them had failed with me, which I found of
great Advantage; becauſe, notwithſtanding their Promiſe,
ſome of them would have cut me, and all that would not
enter with them, to Pieces, had it not been for the chief
Captain, Edward England, and ſome others I knew. They
talked of burning one of their Ships, which we had ſo entire-
ly diſabled, as to be no farther uſeful to them, and to fit the
Catſandra in her Room; but in the End I managed my
Tack ſo well, that they made me a Preſent of the ſaid Mhat.
tered Ship, which was Dutch built, called the Fancy,
about three hundred Tons, and alſo a hundred and twenty
nine Bales of the Company's Cloth. They would not give
me a Rag of my Cloathes.
They lailed the 3d of September; and with Fury-Mafts,
and ſuch old Sails as they left me, I made frift to do the
like on the 8th, together with forry three of my Ship's
Crewo, including ito Pasſengers and twelve Soldiers, boving
but five Tons of Water aboard; and after a Parage of
foriy


122 Of Captain ENGLAND.
ܙܕܐ
Copy
ܐ ܕܕܚ
they
Het
Ilho
forry eight Days, I arrived here O&tober 26, almoſt naked
and ftara'd, having been reduced to a Pint of Water a Day,
and almost in deſpair of ever ſeeing Land, by Reaſon of the
Calms we met with between the Coasts of Arabia and Ma.
Jabar — We had in all thirteen Men killed, and twenty
four wounded; and we were told, that we had deſtroyed
about ninety ox: a hundred of the Pyrates. When they left
us, they were about three hundred Whites, and eighty
Blacks
in both Ship!. I am perſuaded, had our Confort the Green-
wich done his Dury, we had deſtroyed both of them, and
got two hundred thouſand Pounds for our Owners and
ſelves; whereas to his deſerting us, the Loſs of the Caffan-
dra may juſtly be impured. I have delivered all the Bales
that were giten me into the Company's Warehouſe, for which
the Governor and Council have ordered me a Rewará.
Our Governor, Mr. Boon, who is extreme kind and civil
to me, has ordered me home with this Pacquet ; but Cap-
tain Harvey, who had a prior Promiſe, being come in with
the Fleet, goes in my Room. The Governor hath promis'd
me a Country Voyage, to help make me up my Lolfes, and
would have me ſtay to go home with him next Tear.
Captain Mackra certainly run a great Hazard,
in going aboard the Pyrate, and began quickly
to repent his Credulity for though they had pró-
miſed, that no Injury ſhould be done to his Per-
fon, he found their Words were not to be truſted
to, and it may be ſuppoſed, that nothing but the
deſperate Circumſtances Captain Mackra imagined
himſelf to be in, could have prevailed upon him
to fing himſelf and Company into their Hands,
perhaps not knowing how firmly the Natives of
that iſland were attach'd to the Engliſh Nation;
for abɔut twenty Years ago, Captain Cornwall, Com-
madore of an Engliſh Squadron, aſlifted them againſt
another Iſland called Mohilla, for which they have
ever since communicated all the grateful Offices
in their Power, infomuch, that it became a Pro.
res
Print
only
fi
Farm
M
di
VB
landing
verb,


Of Captain ENGLAND.
123
a
0
V
fo
verb, That an Englilhman, and a Juanna Man were
all one.
England was inclined to favour Captain Mackra;
but he was ſo free to let him know, that his In-
tereſt was declining amongſt them; and that the
Pyrates were ſo provok'd at the Reſiſtance he
made againſt them, that he was afraid he ſhould
hardly be able to protect him; he therefore ad.
viled him to footh up and manage the Temper of
Captain Taylor, a Fellow of a molt barbarous Na.
ture, who was become a great Favourite amorgft
them, for no other Reaſon than becauſe he was a
greater Brute than the reſt. Mackra did what he
could to foften this Beaſt, and ply'd him with warm
Punch; notwithſtandirig which, they were in a Tu-
mult whether they ſhould make an End of him, or
no, when an Accident happened which turn'd to
the Favour of the poor Captain; a Fellow with a
terrible Pair of Whiskers, and a wooden Leg, be-
ing ſtuck round with Piſtols, like the Man in the
Almanack with Darts, comes ſwearing and vapou-
ring upon the Quarter-Deck, and asks, in a dam-
ning Manner, which was Captain Mackra: The Cap-
tain expected no leſs than that this Fellow would
be his Executioner ; but when he came near
him, he took him by the Hand, ſwearing, Damn
him he was glad to ſee him; and few me the Man, ſays
he, that offers to hurt Captain Mackra, for r'n ſtand by
him; and ſo with many Oaths told him, he was an hon
neft Fellow, and that he had formerly ſail'd with him
This put an End to the Diſpute, and Captain
Taylor was ſo mellow'd with the Punch, that he
conſented that the old Pyrate Ship, and ſo many
Bales of Cloth ſhould be given to Captain Mackra,
and ſo he fell aſleep. England adviſed Captain
Mackra to get off with all Expedition, leaſt when
the Beaſt Should awake, he might repent his Genero-
ſity : Which Advice was followed by the Captain.
Captain
- នេះជាទី គឺ ៤៨ ៩ ឌី នាំ ទី ៩ គីនីទី២
belo
the
foti


124 Of Captain ENGLAND.
1,
for
w
DUSA
2007
ce 172
3 we
mal
und:
With
Captain England having fided ſo much to Captain
Makra's Intereſt, was a Means of making him
many Enemies among the Crew; they thinking
ſuch good Ulage inconſiſtent with their Polity, be-
cauſe it looked like procuring Favour at the Ag-
gravation of their Crimes; therefore upou Ima-
gination or Report, that Captain Mackra was fitting
out againſt them, with the Company's Force, he
was ſoon abdicated or pulled out of his Government,
and marooned with three more on the land of
Mauritius : An Iand indeed, not to be complained
of, had they accumulated any Wealth by their
Villanies that would have afforded ſome future com-
fortable Proſpcet, for it abounds with Fith, Deer,
Hogs and other Fleſh. Sir Thomas Herbert, lays, the
Shores with Coral and Ambergreaſe; but I believe
the Dutch had not deſerted it, had there been
much of theſe Commodities to have been found.
It was in 1722, reſettled by the French, who have
a Fört at another neighbouring Inand, called Don
11afcarine, and are touched at for Water, Wood,
and Refrelhment, by French Ships bound to, or
from India; as St. Helena and Cape Bon Eſperance, are
by us and the Dutch. From this Place, Captain
England and his Companions having made a little
Boat of Staves and old Pieces of Deal left there,
went over to Madagaſcar, where they lubrift at
preſent on the Charity of ſome of their Brethren,
who had made better Proviſion for themſelves,
than they had done.
The Pyrates detained ſome Officers and Men.
belonging to Captain Mackra, and having repaired
the Damages received in the Rigging, they failed
for India. The Day before they made Land, faw
two Ships to the Eaſtward, who at firſt Sight, they
took to be Engliſh, and ordered one of the Priſo.
ners, who had been an Officer with Captain Mackra,
to tell them the private Signals between the Com-
pany's
20
WOL
10


of Captain ENGLAND.
125
pany's Ships, the Captain ſwearing he would cut
him in pound Pieces, if he did not do it immediate-
ly; but unable, was forced to bear their Scurrility,
till they came up with them, and found they were
two Moor Ships from Muſcat, with Horſes ; they
brought the Captain of them, and Merchants, on
Board, and then tortur'd them, and rifled the Ships,
in order to diſcover Riches, as believing they
came from Mocha; but being baulked in their Ex-
pectation, and next Morning ſeeing Land, and at
the ſame Time a Fleet in-Shore plying to Wind-
ward, they were puzzled how ito diſpote of them :
To let them go,was to diſcover and ruin theVoyage,
and it was cruel to sink the Men and Horſes with
the Ships, (as many of them were inclined to,)
therefore, as a Medium, they brought them to an
Anchor, threw all their Sails over-board, and cut
one of the Ships Marts half through.
While they lay at an Anchor, and were all the
next Day employed
in taking out Water, one of
the aforementioned Fleet bore towards them with
Engliſh
, Colours, anſwered with a red Enſign from
the Pyrates, but did not ſpeak with one another.
At Night they left the Muſcatt Ships, weighed
with the Sea Wind, and ſtood to the Northward
after this Fleet: About four next Morning, juſt
as they were getting under Sail, with the Land
Wind, the Pyrates came amongſt them, made no
Stop, but fired their great and ſmall Guns very
briskly, till they got through; and as Day-Light
cleared, were in a great Confternation in their
Minds, having all along taken them for Angria's
Fleet; what to do was the Point, whether run or
purſue? They were ſenſible of their Inferiority of
Strength, having no more than 300 Men in both
Ships, and 40 of them Negroes; beſides, the Vio
Etory had then four Pumps at Work, and muſt in.
cvitably been loſt before, had it not been for ſome
Hand-


126 of Captain ENGLAND,
mamada
eturns
Tas
;
Thanks
tak
UVY
elope
es
mm01
and
Hand-Pumps, and ſeveral Pair of Standards brought
out of the Casſandra, to relieve and ſtrengthen her;
but obſerving the Indifferency of the Fleet, choſe
rather to chaſe than run; and thought the beſt
Way to ſave themſelves, was to play at Bullbeggar
with the Enemy: So they came up with the Sea
Wind, about Gun-Shot to Leeward, the great Ships
of the Fleet a-head, and ſome others a-ſtern;
which latter they took for Fire Veſſels : And there
a-head gaining from them by cutting away their
Boats, they could do nothing more than conti-
nue their Courſe all Night, which they did, and
found them next Morning out of sight, excepting
a Ketch and ſome few Gallivats, (ſmall Sort of
Veffels Something like the Feluccas of the Mediterranean,
and hoiſts, like them, triangular Sails.) They bore down,
which the Ketch perceiving, tranſported her Peo-
fle on Board a Gallivat, and ſet Fire to her ; the
other proved too nimble and made off. The ſame
Day they chaſed another Gallivat aud took her,
being come from Gogo, bound for. Callicut with
Cotton. Of theſe Men they enquired concerning
the Fleet, ſuppoſing they muſt have been in it;
and altho' they proteſted they had not ſeen a Ship
or Boat ſince they left Gogo, and pleaded very ear-
neſtly for Favour ; yet they threw all their Cargo
over-board, and ſqueez'd their Joints in a Vice, to
extort Confeſſion : But they entirely ignorant of
who or what this Fleet hould be, were obliged not
only to fuftain this Torment, but next Day a freſh
eaſterly Wind having ſplit the Gallivats Sails,
they put her Company into the Boat, with nothing
but a Tryfail, no Proviſions, and only four Gallons
of Water, (half of it Salt,) and then out of Sight
of Land, to ſhift for themſelves.
For the better elucidating of this Story, it may
be convenient to inform the Reader, who Angria
allo
Ocak
cock
cha
v
Luna


Of Captain ENGLAND.
127
is, and what the Fleet were, that had ſcurvily
behaved themſelves.
Angria is a famous Indian Pyrate, of confiderable
Strength and Territories, that gives continual Di.
Hurbance to the European (and eſpecially the Engliſh,)
Trade: His chief Höld is Callaba, not many Leagues
from Bombay, and has one land in Sight of that
Port, whereby he gains frequent Opportunities of
annoying the Company. It would not be lo inſu.
perable a Difficulty to ſuppreſs him, if the Shallow-
neſs of the Water did not prevent Ships of War
coming nigh: And a better Art he has, of bribing
the Mogul's Miniſters for Protection, when he finds
an Enemy too powerful.
In the Year 1720, the Bombay Fleet conſifting of
four Grabbs, (Ships built in India by the Company, and
have three Mafts, a Prow like a Roto-Galley, inſtead of
a Boltſprit, about 150 Tons; are officered and armed
like a Man of War, for Defence and Protection of the
Trade,) the London, Chandois, and two other ships
with Gallivats, who beſides their proper Compli-
ments, carried down 1000 Men to bombard and bat-
ter Gayra, a Fort belonging to Angria, on the Ma-
labar Coaſt, which they having performed ineffectu-
ally, were returning to Bombay, and, to make amends,
fell in with the Pyrates, to the Purpoſe has been
already related. Captain Upton, Commadore of
that Fleet, prudently objecting to Mr. Brown, (who
went General,) That the Ships were not to be ha-
zarded, ſince they failed without having Governor
Boon's Orders to engage; and beſides, that they
did not come out with ſuch a Deſign. This favou.
rable Opportunity of deſtroying the Pyrates, an-
gered the Governor, and he transferred the Com.
mand of the Fleet to Captain Mackra, who had
Orders immediately to purſue and engage, where
ever he met them.
The


128 of Captain ENGLAND.
1
VEN
210
F
The Vice-Roy of Goa, affifted by the Engliſh,
Company's Fleet from Bombay, did attempt the
Reduction of Callaba, his principal Place, landed 8 or
10000 Men the next Year, the Engliſla Squadron of
Men of War being then in thoſe Seas; but having
viewed the Fortification well, and expended ſome
of their Army by Sickneſs and the Fatigues of a
Camp, carefully withdrew again.
I return to the Pyrates, who, after they had
ſent away the Gallivats People, reſolved to cruile
to the Southward ; and the next Day, between Goa
and Carmar, heard leveral Guns, which brought
them to an Anchor, and they ſent their Boat on
the Scent, who returned about two in the Morn.
ing, and brought Word of two Grabs lying at
Anchor in the Road. They weighed and ran to-
wards the Bay, till Day-Light gave the Crabs
Sight of them, and was but juſt Time enough to
get under India Diva Caſtle, out of their Reach;
this diſpleaſed the Pyrates the more, in that they
wanted Water ; and ſome were for making a Dei.
cent that Night and taking the Iſland, but it not be-
irg approved of by the Majority, they proceeded
to the Southward, and took next in their way, a
ſmall Ship out of Onnore Road, with only a Dutch
Man and two Portugueſe on Board. They ſent one of
theſe on Shore to the Captain, to acquaint him,
if he would ſupply them with ſome Water, and
freſh Proviſions, he ſhould have his Ship again; and
the Maſter returned for Anſwer, by his Mate Frank
Harmleſs, that if they would deliver him Poffeffion
over the Bar, he would comply with their Requeſt;
the Propoſal the Mate ſaid he thought was colluſive,
and they rather jump'd into Harmleſs's Opinion,(who
very honeſtly entered with them,) and refolved to
ſeek Water at the Laccadeja Mands; fo having ſent
the other Perſons on Shore, with Threats, that they
ſhould be the laſt Men they would give Quarter
to,


Of Captain ENGLAND. 129
too, (by Reaſon of this uncivil Uſage;) they puc
directly for the lands, and arrived there in three
Days: Where being informed by a Menchew they
took (with the Governor of Cantar's Pais,) of there
being no Anchor-Ground among them, and Melina
da being the next convenient Ma.d, they fent their
Boats on Shore, to ſee if there was any Water, ard
whether it was inhabited or not; who returned
with an Anſwer to their Satis action, viz. that there
was abundance of good Water, and many Houſes,
but delerted by the Men, who had fled to the
neighbouring Hands on the Approach of Ships,
and left only the Women ard Children to guard
one another. The Women they forced in a bar.
barous Manner to their Luſts, and to requite them,
deſtroyed their Cocoa Trees, and fired ſeveral of
their Houſes and Churches. (I ſuppoſe built by the
Portugueſe, who formerly uſed there, in their Voy-
ages to India.)
While they were at this land, they loſt three or
four Anchors, by the Rockyneſs of the Ground, and
Freſhneſs of Winds, and at laſt were forced thence
by a harder Gale thin ordinary, leaving 70 People,
Blacks and Whites, and moſt of their Water Casks
behind : In ten Days they regaired the Inand again,
filled their Water, and cook the People on Board.
Provifior:s were very ſcarce, and they now re-
ſolved to viſit their good Friends the Dutch, at Co-
chin, who, if you will believe theſe Rogues, never
fail of lupplying Gentlemen of their profeffion.
After three Days fail, they arrived at Telleckery,
and took a ſmall Veſſel belonging to Governor
Adams, John Tamke Maſter, whom they brought on
Board very drunk; and he giving an Account of
Captain Mackra's fitting out, put them in a Teni-
peſt of Paſſion : A Villain, ſay they, that we have
treated ſo civilly, as to give him a Ship and orber Preſents,
and now to be armed againſt us! He ought to be banged !
Vol. I.
I
But


130 Of Captain ENGLAND.
;
WW
PN
But ſince we cannot from our Reſentment on him, let xs
hang the Dogs his people, who wiſh him well, and would
do the ſame, if clear. if it be in my Power, ſays the
Quarter-Maſter, both Maſters und Officers of Ships fhall
be carried with us for the future, only to plague them.
d -n England.
Thence they proceeded to Calicut, where they en-
deavoured to take a large Moor Ship out of the Road,
but was prevented by ſome Guns mounted on
Shore, and diſcharged at them : Mr. Lafinby, who
was one of Caprain
Mackra's Officers, and detained,
was under the Deck at this Time, but commanded
up both by the Captain and Quarter-Maſter of the
Pyrates, to tend the Braces on the Booms, in Hopes,
it was believed, a Shot would take him before they
got clear, asking the Reaſon why he was not there
before? And when he would have excuſed himſelf,
threat'ned on the like Neglect to ſhoot him; at
which the other beginning to expoſtulate farther,
and claim thcir Promiſe of putting him aſhore,
got an unmerciful beating from the Quarter-Maſter.
Captain Taylor, who was now Succellor to England,
and whoſe Privilege it was to do ſo, being lamc of
his Hands, and unable.
The next Day in their Paſſage down, came up
with a Durch Galliot, bound for Calicut with Lime.
Stone, and aboard of her they put Captain Tamke,
and ſent him away, and ſeveral of the People inter-
ceeded for Laſinly, in Vain, For, ſays Taylor and his
Party, if we let this Dog go, who has heard our Designs
and Reſolutions, we overſet all our well adviſed Projections
,
and particularly this Suupply we are noto ſecking for, at the
Hands of the Dutch.
It was but one Day more before they arrived off
Cochin, where, by a Fiſhing-Canoc, they ſent à Let-
ter on Shore; and in the Afternoon, with the Sea-
breeze, ran into the Road and anchored, faluting
the Fort with 11 Guns each Ship, and received the
Return
d
f
f


Of Captain ENGLAND 137
C
be
1
Su
tr
fuc
Return, in an equal Number; a good Omen of
the welcome Reception they found; for at Night
there cameon Board a large Boat, deeply laden with
freſh Proviſions and Liquors, and with it a Servant
(of a favourite Inhabitant) called John Trumpet : He
told them they muſt immediately weigh, and run
farther to the Southward, where they ihould be
fupplied with all Things they wanted, naval Stores
or Proviſions.
They had not been long at Anchor again, before
they had ſeveral Canoes on Board with both black
and white Inhabitants, who continued, without In-
terruption, all good offices, during their stay;
particularly Fohn Trumpet brought a large Boat of
Arrack, than which, nothing could be more plea.
ſing, (about 99 Legers,) as alſo 6o Bales of Sugar;
an Offering, it is preſumed, from the Governor and
his Daughter, who, in Return, had a fine Table-
Clock lent him, (the Plunder of Captain Mackra's
Ship,) and the a large Gold Watch, Earneſts of
the Pay they deſigned to make.
When they had all og Board, they paid Mr.
Trumpet to his Satisfaction, it was computed, o or
7000 l: gave him thrce Cheers, 11 Guns each Ship,
and throw'd Ducatoons into his Boac by hand.
fuls, for the Boat-Men to ſcranıble for.
That Night being little Wind, did not weigh;
and Trumpet, in the Morning, waked them to the
Sight of more Arrack, Cheſts of Piece-Goods, and
ready made Clothes, bringing the Fiſcal of the
Place allo with him. At Noon, while thoſe were
on Board, ſaw a Sail to the Southward, which they
weighed, and chaсed after ; but ſhe having a good
Offing, got to the Northward of them, and an-
chored a ſmall Diſtance from Cochin Fort; the afore.
mentioned Gentlemen aſſuring them, that they
would not be moleſted in taking her from under
the Caſtle, ſollicited before-hand for the buying her,
! 2
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132 of Captain ENGLAND.
02
den
1
and adviſed them to ſtand in, which they did bold:
ly, to board her ; but when they came within a
Cable’s length or two of the Chace, now near Shore,
the Fort fired two i'mall Guns, whoſe Shot falling
nigh their Muzzels, they inſtantly bore out of the
Road, made an eaſy Sail to the Southward, and an-
chored at Night in their former Birth, where John
Trumpet, to engage their Stay a little longer, in-
formed them, that in a few Days a very rich Ship
was to paſs by, commanded by the General of Boma
bay's Brother.
This Governor is an Emblem of foreign Power.
What Inconvenience and Injury muſt the Maſter's
Subjects luftain under one who can truckle to ſuch
treacherous and baſe Means, as correſponding and
trading with Pyrates to enrich himſelt? Certainly
ſuch a Man will ſtickle at no Injuſtice to repair or
make a Fortune. He has the Argument um bacillum
always in his own Hands, and can convince, when
'he pleaſes, in half the Time of other Arguments,
that Fraud and Oppreſſion is Law. That he im-
ploys Inftruments in ſuch dirty Work, expreſſes
the Guilt and Shame, but no way mitigates the
Crime. John Trumpet was the Tool; but, as the Dog
faid in the Fable, on another Occaſion, what is
done by the Maſter's Oiders, is the Maſter's Actions.
I cannot but reflect, on this Occaſion, what a vile
Government Sincho Pancho had of it; he had not on.
ly ſuch Perquiſites reſcinded, but was really almoſt
Starved ; the Vi&tuals taken from him almoſt every
Day, and only under a Pretence of preſerving his
Excellency's Health: But Governor's differ.
From Cochin ſome were for proceeding to Mada-
gaſcar directly; others thought it proper to cruize
till they got a Store-Ship, and thele being the Ma-
jority, they ply'd to the Southward, and after ſome
Days ſaw a Ship in Shore, which being to Wind-
ward of them, they could not get nigh, till the
Sea
M


Of Captain ENGLAND.
133
Sea Wind, and Night, favouring, they ſeparated,
one to the Northward, the other to the Southward,
thinking to encloſe her between : But to their
Aſtonishment, and contrary to Expectation, when
Day broke, inſtead of the Chace, found themſelves
very near five Sail of tall Ships, who immediately
making a Signal for the Pyrates to bear down, put
them in the utmoſt Confuſion, particularly Taylor's
Ship, becauſe their Confort was at a Diſtance from
them, (at leaſt three Leagues to the Southward)
they ſtood to one another, and joined, and then co-
gether made the best of their way from the Flect,
whom they judged to be commanded by Captain
Mackra ; of whoſe Courage having Experience,
they were glad to ſhun any farther Taſte ut,
In three Hours Chace, none of the Fleet gaining
upon them, excepting one Grab, their deje&ted
Countenances cleared up again, the more, in that
a Calnı ſucceeded for the Remainder of that Day;
and in the Night, with the Land Wind, they ran
directly in Shore, and found next Day, to their
great Conſolation, that they had loft Sight of all
the Flict.
This Danger eſcaped, they propoſed to ſpend
Chriſtmas (the Chriſtmas of 1720) in Carowzing
and Forgetfulneſs, and kept it for three Days in a
wanton and riotous Way, 100 only cating, but
waſting their freſh Proviſions in fu wretched and
inconſiderate a Manner, that when they had
agreed after this to proceed to Mauritius, they were
in that Paſſage at an Allowance of a Bottle of Wa-
ter per Diem, and not above two Pounds of Beef,
and a ſmall Quantity of Rice, for ten Men for á
Day ; ſo that had it not been for the leaky Ship,
(which once they were about to have quitted, and
had done, but for a Quantity of Arrack and Sugar
ſhe had on Board,) they muſt moſt of them have
periſhed.
I 3
D


134 Of Captain ENGLAND.
15
.
In this Condition they arrived at the Mand
of Mauritius, about the Middle of February, ſheath,
ed and refitted the Victory, and on the sth of April
failed again, leaving this terrible Inſcription on
ore of the Walls. Lefe this place the sth of April,
to go to Madagaſcar for Limes. And this, leaſt (like
Lawyers and Men of Buſineſs) any Viſits should be
paid in their Abſence: However, they did not ſail
directly for Madagaſcar, but the Inand Maſcarine,
and luckily as Rogues could wiſh, they found ač
their Arrival on the 8th, a Portugueſe Ship at An,
chor, of 70 Guns, but moſt of them thrown over-
board, her Mafts loft, and ſo much diſabled by a
violent Storm they had met with in the Latitude
of 13° South, that she became a Prize to the Py.
rates, with very little or no Reſiſtance, and a glo-
rious one indeed, having the Conde de Er!tcira, Viceroy
of Goa, who made that fruitleſs Expedition againſt
Angria, the Indian, and ſeveral other Paſſengers on
Board; who, as they could not be ignorant of the
Treaſure the had in, did allert, that in the single
Article of Diamonds, there was to thc Value of".
between three and four Millions of Dollars.
The Vice-Roy, who came on Board that Moro-
ing, in Expetation of the Ships being Engliſh, was
made a Priſoner, and obliged to rantome; but in
Confideration of his great Lols, (the Prize being
Part his own,) they agreed after fome Demurrings,
to accept of 2000 Dollars, and ſet him and the
other Priſoners alhore, with Promiſes to leave a
Ship that they might tranſport themſelves, becauſe
the Inand was not tnought in a Condition to maintain
fo great a Number ; and tho they had learned
from them, the Account of an Oſtender lying to
Leeward of the INand, which they took on that
Information, (being formerly the Greyhound Galley
of London,) and could conveniently have comply'd
with ſo reaſonable a Requeſt; yet they lent the
Offender
11
1


Of Captain ENGLAND. 135
Ofender with ſome of their people to Madagaſcar,
with News of their Succeſs, and to prepare Mafts
for the Prize; and followed themſelves toon after,
without regard to the Sufferers, carrying 200 Mo-
zambique Negroes with them in the Portugueſe Ship.
Madagaſcar is an Inand larger than Great Britain,
moſt of it within the Tropick of Capricorn, and lies
Eaſt from the Eaſtern Side of Africa: It abounds
with Proviſions of all Sorts, Oxen, Goats, Sheep,
Poultry, Fiſh, Citrons, Oranges, Tamarinds, Dates,
Coco-Nuts, Bananas, Wax, Honey, Rice; or in
ſhort, Cotton, Indigo, or any other thing they
will take Pains to plant, and have Underſtanding
to manage: They have likewiſe Ebony, a hard Wood
like Braſil, of which they make their Lances; and
Gum of ſeveral Sorts, Benzin, Dragon's Blood,
Aloes, ác. What is moſt incommodious, are the
numerous Swarms of Locuſts on the Land, and
Crocodiles or Alligators in their Rivers. Hither,
in St. Auguſtin's Bay, the Ships ſometimes touch
for Water, when they take the inner Pallage for
India, and do not deſign to ſtop at Johanna ; and
we may oblerve from the ſixth general Voyage ſet
forth by the Eaſt-India Company, in Confirmation
of what is hereafter ſaid in Relation to Currents
in general; that this inner Paſſage or Channel,
has its Northern and Southern Currents itron-
geſt where the Channel is narroweſt, and is leſs,
and varies on different Points of the Compaſs, as
the Sea comes to ſpread again, in the Paſſage croſs
Since the Diſcovery of this INard by the Port*
gueſe, A. D. 1506, the Europeans, and particularly
Pyrates, have increaſed a dark Mulatto Race there,
tho' ſtill few in Compariſon with the Natives,
Who are Negroes, with curled ſhort Hair, active,
and formerly repreſented malicious and revenge-
ful, now tractable and communicable, perhaps ow-
ing
the Line.
14


136
of Captain ENGLAND.
Don a
2002
-Cese
a:
5,
;
62
288.com
d.
ing to the Favours and Generoſity, in Cloathing
and Liquors, they from Time to Time have re.
ceived from thele Fellows, who live in all posſible
Friendſhip, and can, any single Man of them, com-
manů a Guard of 2 or 300 at a Minute's Warning:
This is farther the Native's Intereſt to cultivate
with them, becauſe the land being divided into
petty Governments and Commands, the Pyrates,
settled here, who are now a conſiderable Number,
and have little Caft!es of their own, can prepor-
derate where-ever they think fit to ſide.
When Taylor came with the Portugueſe Prize here,
they found the Ofiender had played their Men å
Trick, for they took Advantage of their Drink,
rile upon then, and (as they heard afterwards)
carried the Ship to Mozambique, whence the Gover-
nor ordered her for Goa.
Here the Pyrates came, cleaned the Caſſiendra,
and divided their Plunder, ſharing 42 finall Dia-
monds a Man, or in lets Proportion according to
their Magnitude. An ignorant, or a merry Fellow,
who had only one in this Diviſion, as being judged
equal ia l'alue to 42 ſmall, muttered very much
at the Lot, and went ard b:oke it in a Morter,
ſwearing afterwards, he had a better Share than
any of them, for he had beat it, he ſaid, into
Thoſe who were rot for running the Hazard of
their Necks, with 42 Diamonds, beſides other
Treaſure, in their Pockets, knocked off, and ſtay'd
with their old Acquaintance at Madagaſcar, on
niutual Agreements, the longer Livers to take all.
The Reſidue having therefore ro Occaſion for
two Ships, the Victory being leaky, she was burnt,
the Men (as many as would) coming into the Cal.
Sandra, under the Command of Taylor, who we
muſt leave a Time, projecting either for Cochin, to
diſpoſe of their Diamonds among their old Friends
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Of Captain ENGLAND.
137
the Dutch, or elſe for the Red or China Seas, to
avoid the Men of War, that continually clamou.
red in their Ears, a Noiſe of Danger, and give
the little Account we are able, of that Squadron,
who arrived in India, early in the Year 1721.
At Cape Good Hope, in June, the Commadore met
with a Letter, which was left for him by the Go-
vernor of Madras, to whom it was wrote by the Go.
vernor of Pandicherry, a French Factory, on the Coro-
mondel Coaſt, ſignitying, the Pyrates at the Writing
of it, were then ſtrong in the Indian Seas having it
Sail and 1500 Mer, but that many of them went
away about that Time, for the coaſt of Brazil and
Guinea; others ſettled and fortified themſelves at
Madagaſcar, Mauritius, Johanna and Mohilla : And
that others under Conden, in a Ship called the Dra-
gon, took a large Moor's Veffel, coming from Jud.
da'and Mocho, with thirteen Lackies of Rupees on
Board, (i. e. 1300300 half Crowns,) who having
divided the Plunder, burnt their ship and Prize,
and ſat down quietly with their other Friends
at Madagaſcar.
The Account contained ſeveral other Things
which we have before related.Commadore
Matt herrs, upon receiving this Intelligence, and be-
ing fond of the Service he came out for, haſten'd
to thole Nands, as the moſt hopeful Places of Suc.
cels; at St. Mary's he would have engaged England
with Promiſes of Favour, if he would commu.
nicate what he krew, concerning the Caſſandra,
and the reſt of the Pyrates, and aliiſt in the Pilo
tage; but England was wary, and thought this
was to ſurrender at Diſcretion; ſo they took up the
Judda Ship's Guns that was burnt, and the Men
of War diſperſed themſelves on ſeveral Voyages
and Cruiſes afterwards, as was thought likelieſt
to ſucceed, tho' to no Purpoſe: Then the Squa-
dron


138 of Captain ENGLAND.
1449
12
med
أم
RE
13
85
EN
dron went down to Bombay, were ſaluted by the
Fort, and came home.
The Pyrates, I mean thoſe of the Caffandra, now
Captain Taylor, fitted the Portugueſe Man of War,
and reſolved upon another Voyage to the Indies
,
not withſtanding the Riches they had heaped up;
but as they were preparing to fail, they heard of
the four Men of War coming after them to thoſe
Seas, therefore they altered their Minds, fail'd for
the Main of Africa, and put in at a little Place
called Delagom, near the River de Spiritu Santo, on
the Coaſt of Monomopota, in 20° South Latitude.
They believed this to be a Place of Security, in
Regard that the Squadron could not poſſibly get
Intelligence of them, there being no Correlpon-
dence over Land, nor any Trade carried on by
Sea, between that and the Cape, where the Men
of War were then ſuppoſed to be. The Pyrates
came to in the Evening, and were ſurpriz'd with a
few Shot from the Shore, not knowing of any
Fortification or European Settlement then in that
Place; however they anchor'd at a Diſtance that
Night, and perceiving, in the Morning, a ſmall
Fort of fix Guns, they run up to it, and bat.
tered it down.
This Fort was built and ſettled by the Dutch
Ea;-India Company, a few Months before, for
what Purpoſe, I know not, and having lett 150
Men upon the Place, they were then dwindled to a
third Part by Sickneſs and Caſualties, and never
after received any Relief or Neceſſaries; ſo that
Sixteen of thoſe that were left, upon their humble
Petition, were admitted on Board. the Pyrates,
and all the reſt would have had the fame Favour
(they ſaid) had they been any other than Durch.
Ì mention this, as an Inſtance of their Ingratitude,
who had been ſo much ohliged to their Country:
men for Support.
Here
20:
-
10


of Captain ENGLAND. 139
Here they ſtaid above fuur Months, carreened,
both their Ships, and took their Diverſions with
Security, till they had expended all their Provi.
fions, and then put to Sea, leaving conſiderable
Quantities of Mullins, Chintzes, and ſuch Goods
behind, to the half ſtarved Durch Men, which en-
abled them to make good Pennyworths to the next
that came, to whom they bartered them for Provi.
fions, at the Rate of 3 Farthings an Engliſh Yard.
They left Delagoa the latter End of December
1722, but not agreeing where, or how to proceed,
they corcluded to part, ſo thoſe who were not for
continuing that Sort of Life, went on Board the Por-
tugueſe Prize, and ſteered for Madagaſcar to their
Friends, with whom I hear they are now ſettled ;
and the reſt took the Caſſandra and failed for the
Spaniſh West-Irdies. The Mermaid Man of War han.
pening then to be down on the Main with a Convoy,
about 30 Leagues from theſe Pyrates, would have
gone and attack'd them; but on a Conſultation
of the Maſters, whoſe Safety he was particularly
to regard, they agreed their own Protection was of
more Service than deſtroying the Pyrate, and ſo
the Commander was unwillingly with-held. He dife
patched a Sloop to Jamaica, with the News, which
brought down the Lanceſton, only a Day, or two,
too late, they having juſt before he came, ſurren-
dered with all their Riches, to the Governor of
Porto Bcllo.
Here they ſate down to ſpend the Fruits of their
diſhoneſt Induſtry, dividing the Spoil and Plunder
of Nations among themſelves, without the leaſt
Remorſe or Compunction, ſatisfying their Conſci-
ence with this Salvo, that other People would
have done as much, had they had the like Oppor.
tunities. I can't ſay, but that if they had known
what was doing in England, at the ſame Time, by
the South-Sea Directors, and their Directors, they
would


140 of Captain ENGLAND.
1
w
would certainly have had this Reflection for their
Conſolation, viz. That whatever Robberies they had
committed, they might be pretty ſure they mere not the
greateſt Villains then living in the World.
It is a difficult Matter to make a Computation
of the Miſchief that was done by this Crew, in a.
bout five Years Time, which is much more than
the Plunder they gained, for they often funk or
burnt the Veſſel they took, as it luited their Hü.
mour or Circumſtances; ſometimes to prevent give
ing Intelligence, ſometimes becauſe they did not
leave Men to navigate them, and at other Times
out of Wantonneſs, or becauſe they were diſplea.
fed at the Maſter's Behaviour ; for any of thele,
it was but to give the Word, and down went Ships
and Cargoes to the Bottom of the Sea.
Since their Surrender to the Spaniards, I am in-
formed ſeveral of them have left the Place, and
diſperſed themſelves elſewhere ; eight of them
were ſhipp'd about November laſt, in one of the
South-Sea Company's Afliento Sloops, and paſſed for
Ship-wreck'd Men, came to Jamaica, and there failed
in other Veſſels; and I know one of them that came
to England this Spring from that Ifand. 'Tis ſaid
that Čaptain Taylor has taken a Commiſſion in the
Spanijh Service, and commanded the Nian of War
that lately attack'd the English Loy-Wood Cutters,
in the Bay of Honduras,
CH A P.


J41
3A2WAIATA2E26.267A2A3A28
C H A P, VỊ.
O
Captain Charles Vane,
And his CREW.
C
Harles Vane was one of thoſe who ſtole away
the Silver which the Spaniards had fifhed up
from the Wrecks of the Galleons, in the
Gulph of Florid., and was at Providence fas has
been before hinted) when Governor Rogers arrived
there with two Men of War.
All the Pyrates who were found at this Colony
of Rogues, ſubmitted, and received Certificates of
their Pardon, except Captain Vane and his Crew;
who, as ſoon as they ſaw the Men of War enter,
Nipp'd their Cable, let Fire to a Prize they had in
the Harbour, and failed out with their pyratical
Colours flying, firing at one of the Men of War as
they went off.
Two Days after they were out, they met with
a Sloop belonging to Barbadoes, which they made
Prize of, and kept the Veiſel for their own Uſe,
putting aboard five and twenty Hands, with one
Years to command them. A Day or two after-
wards they fell in with a ſmall interloping Trader,
with a Quantity of Spaniſh Pieces of Light aboard,
bound into Providence, called the John and Elizabeth,
which


1
142 Of Captain CHARLES VANE.
-1
which they alſo took along with them. With theſe
two Sloops Vane went to a ſmali Inand and cleaned;
where they thared their Booty, and ſpent ſome
Time in a riotous Manner of Living, as is the Cu.
ftom of Pyrates.
The latter End of May, 1718, they ſail'd, and
being in want of Proviſions, they beat up for the
Windward INands, and met with a Spaniſh, Sloop
bound from Porto Rico to the Havana, which they
burnt, and ſtowed the Spaniards in a Boat, and leti
them to get to the Illand, by the Light of their Vef.
ſel. But ſteering between St. Chriſtopher's and Ar-
guilla; they fell in with a Brigantine and a Sloop,
with the Cargo they wanted; from whom they
got Proviſions for Sea-Store.
Sometime after this, ftanding to the Northward,
in the Track the Old-England Ships take, in their
Voyage to the American Colonies, they took ſeveral
Ships and Veſſels, which they plundered of what
they thought fit, and let them paſs.
The latter End of Auguſt, Vane, with his Confort
Teats, came off South-Carolina, and took a Ship be-
longing to Ipſwich, one Coggerſhall Commander, laden
with Logwood. The Ship was thought convenient
enough for their own Buſineſs, and therefore order.
ed their Priſoners to work, and throw all the La-
ding over-board; but when they had more than
half cleared the Ship, the Whim changed, and
then they would not have her ; fo Coggerfall had
his ship again, and he was ſuffered to purſue
his Voyage home. In this Cruize the Rover took
ſeveral other ships and Vefſels, particularly a
Sloop from Barbadoes, Dill Mafter ; a ſmall Ship
from Anregoa, Cock Maſter; a Sloop belonging to
Curacco, Richards Maſter ; and a large Brigantine,
Captain Thompſon, from Guiney, with ninety odd
Negroes aboard. The Pyrates plundered them all
and let them go, putting the Negroes out of the
Brigantine


Of Captain CHARLES VANE.
143
Brigantine aboard of Tears's Veſſel, by which Means
they came back again to the right Owners;
For Captain Vane, having always treated his
Confort with very little Reſpect, aſſuming a Supe-
riority over him and his ſmall Crew, and regar-
ding the Veſſel but as a Tender to his own; gave
then a Diſguſt, who thought themſelves as good
Pyrates, and as great Rogues as the beſt of them
;
ſo they caball'd together, and reſolved to take the
firft Opportunity
to leave the Company, and accept
of his Majeſty's Pardor, or ſet up for themſelves,
cither of which they thought more honourable than
to be Servants to the former ; and the putting
aboard ſo many Negroes, where they found to few
Hands to take care of them, ſtill aggravated the
Matter, though they thought fit to conceal or ſtille
their Reſentments at that time.
A Day or two afterwards, the Pyrates lying off
at Anchor, Tears in the Evening Nipp'd his Cable,
and put his Veſſel under Sail, ſtanding into the
Shore ; which, when Vane ſaw, he was highly pro-
voked, and got his Sloop under Sail to chaſe his
Confort, who, he plainly perceived, had a Mind to
have no further Affairs with him: Vane's Brigan-
tine failing beſt, he gained Ground of years, and
would certainly have come up with him, had he
had a little longer Run for it; but juſt as he got over
the Bar, when Vane came within Gun-shot of him,
he fired a Broadſide at his old Friend, (which did
him no Damage,) and ſo took his Leave.
Teats came into North Ediſto River, about ten
Leagues Southward of Charles-Town, and ſent an
Expreſs to the Governor, to know if he and his
Comrades might have the Benefit of his Majeſty's
Pardon, and they would ſurrender themſelves to
his Mercy, with the Sloops and Negroes; which
being granted, they all came up and received Cer-
tificates;


144 Of Capt. CHARLES VANE.
tificates ; and Captain Thompſon, from whom the
Negroes were taken, had them reſtored to him,
for the Ure of his owners.
· Vane cruiled ſome Time off the Bar, in hopes to
catch Teats at his coming out again, but therein he
was diſappointed; however, he, unfortunately for
them, took twoShips from Charles. Town, bound home
to England. It happen'd that juſt at this Time two
Sloops well mann'd and arm'd, were equipp'd to go
after a Pyrate, which, the Governor of South Carolina
was informed, lay then in Cape Fear River, a clean.
ing: But Colonel Rhet, who commanded the Sloops,
meeting with one of the Ships that Vane had plun-
dered, going back over the Bar, for ſuch Neceffa-
ries as had been taken from her, and the giving the
Colonel an Account of her being taken by the Py.
rate Vane, and alſo, that ſome of her Men, while
they were Priſoners on Board of him, had heard
the Pyrates ſay, they ſhould clean in one of the
Rivers to the Southward ; he altered his firſt
Deſign, and inſtead of ſtanding to the Northward,
in purſuit of the Pyrate in Cape Fear River, he
turns to the Southward after Vane ; who had order.
ed ſuch Reports to be given out, on purpoſe to
ſend any force that ſhould come after him, upon
a wrong Scent; for, in Reality, he ſtood away to
the Northward, ſo that the Purſuit proved to be
the contrary Way.
Color.el Rhet's ſpeaking with this Ship, was the
moſt unlucky Thing that could have happened, be-
cauſe it turned him out of the Road, which, in all
Probality, would have brought him into the Com-
pany of Vane, as well as of the Pyrate he went
after ; and ſo they might have been both deſtroy'd;
whereas, by the Colonel's going a different !! ay,
ha
not only lost the Opportunity of meeting with
one, but if the other had not been infatuated, to
lye fix Weeks together at Cape Fear, he would
30
have


of Captain CHARLES VANE. 145
larve milieu of him likewife: However, the Collo-
nel having learched the Rivers and inlets, as die
rected, for ſeveral Days, without Succels, at le:gth
Biled in Proſecution of his sift Delign, and met
with the Pyrate accordingly, whom lic tought and
touk, as has been before Ipoken of, in the Hiſtory,
of Major Bonnet.
Captain Vane went into an Tilet to the Northó
ward, where he met with Captain Twitch, or Triali,
other wile call'd Black-beard, whoin lic laluted (when
he found who he was) with his grea: Guns, loaded
with Shot, (as is the Cuſtom anong Pyrates when
they meet) which are fired wide, or up into the Air:
Black-beard anrivere.I the Salute in the lame Manser,
and murual Civilities piflcit tiis ſame Days; whea
about the Be_inning of Oct.ber, Vune took Leave,
and faile:l further to the Northward.
On the 23d of Otuber, oli of Long Iland, lie took
a ſmall Brigantire, bound from J.maic. to Sulini
in New England, John Shatrick Maſter, and a little
Sloop; they rified the Briga.tilie, and ſent her
2:vay. From hence they reſolved on a Cruize be-
tween Cape Mlcife and Cape Nicholas, where they
fpeiit fome Time, without ſeeing or 1peaking with
any Vellel, till the latter End of November; then they
fell upon a Ship, which 'tw.is expected would have
ftruck as ſoon as their black Colours were hoiſted ;
but inſtead of that, the diſcharged a Broadſide upoii
the Pyrate, and hoſted Colours, which ſhewed her
to be a French Man of War. Vane deſired to have
nothing further to ſay to her, but trimm'd his
Sails, and ſtood away from the French Mon; but
a ronfieur having a Mind to be better informed who
he was, ſer all his Sails, and crowded after him.
During this Chace, the Pyrates were divided in
their Reſolutions what to do: Vane, the Captain,
was for making off as faſt as he could, alledging
Xolo
K.
the


146 Of Captain CHARLES VANE.
1
-
the Man of War was too ftrong to cope with; but
one John Rackam, who was an Officer, that had a
kind of a Check upon the Captain, roſe up in De-
fence of a contrary Opinion, ſaying, That tho'llie
bad more Guns; and a greater Weight of Mettal, they
might board her, and then the beſt Boys would carry the
Day. Rackam was well ſeconded, and the Majority
was for boarding; but Vane urged, That it mas too
raſh
, and deſperate an Enterprize, the Man of War apo
pearing to be twice their Force; and that their Brigan.
tine might be funk by her before they could reach on board.
The Mate, one Robert Deal, was of Vane's Opinion,
as were about fifteen moie, and all the reſt joined
with Rackam, the Quarter-Mafter. At length the
Captain made uſe of his power to determine this
Dilpute, which, in thele Caſes, is abſolute and un.
controulable, by their own Laws, viz. in fighting,
chaſing, or being ikafed; in all other Matters whatiö-
ever, he is governed by a Majority ; fo the Brigan.
tine having the Heels, as they term it, of the French
Man, the came clcar off.
But the next Day, tlie Captain's Bchaviour was
obliged to land the reſt of a Vote, and a Rc-
ſolution paſſed againſt his Honour and Dignity,
branding him with the Name of Coward, depo-
ſing him from the Command, and turning him
out of the Company, with Marks of Infamy;
and, with him, went all thoſe who did not Vote for
boarding the French Man of War. They had with
them a ſmall Sloop that had been taken by them
ſome Time before, which they gave to Vane, and
the diſcarded Members; and, that they might be
in a Condition to provide for themſelves, by their
own honeſt Endeavours, they let them have a ſuf-
ficie:it Quantity of Proviſions and Ammunition
along with them.
-
John


of Captain CHARLES VANE. 149
John Rackam was voted Captain of the Brigantine,
in Vane's Room, and proceeded towards the Caribbeé
Iſlands, where we muſt leave him, till we have
fiuilhed our Story of Charles Vare.
The Sloop failed for the Bay of Honduras, and
Vane and his Crew put her ilito is good a Condi.
tion as they could by the way, to follow the old
Trade. They cruiſed two or three Days oil the
North-Weſt Part of Jamaica, and rook a Sloop and
two Pecciagas, and all the Men e.:tered with them;
the Sloop they kept, and Robert Deel went Capo
tain of her.
On the 16th of December the two Sloops came
into the Bay, where they found only one at an
Anchor, call the Pearl, of Jamaica, Captain Charles
Rowling Maſter, who got under Sail at the Sight of
them; but the Pyrate Sloops coming near Rottling,
and ſhewing 110 Colours, he gave them a Gun or
two; whereupon they hoiſted the black Flag, and
fired thiee Guus eich, at the Pearl; the ſtruck, and
the Pyrates took Poi:fion, and carried her away
to a Imall Ifand called Barnacko, and there they
cleaned, meeting in the Way with a Sloop from
Jamaica, Cap-air. Wallden Commander, going down
to the Bay, which they alſo made Prize of.
In February, Vane failed from Barracko, in order
for a Cruize; but fume Days after he was out, a
violent Turnado overtook him, which ſeparated
him from his Confort, and after two Days Diſtreſs,
threw his Sloop upon a ſmall uninhabited INand,
near the Bay of Honduras, where ſhe was faved to
Pieces, and moſt of her Men drowied: Vane him-
ſelf was taved, but reduced to great Streghts, for
want of Neceifaries, having no Opportunity to gec
any Thing from the Wreck. He lived here fome
Weeks, and was ſubſiſted chiefly by Fiſhermen,
who frequented the land with ſmall Craft, from
the Main to catch Turtles, &c.
K2
While


1
148 Of Captain CHARLES VANE.
5
X
While Vane was upon this Inand, a Ship put in
from Jamaica for Water, the Captain of which, one
Holford, an old Buccaneer, happened to be Vane's
Acquaintance; he thought this a good Opportu-
nity to get off, and accordingly applied to his old
Friend; but he abſolutely refuſed him, ſaying to
him, Charles, 1 frun't trust you aboard my Ship, un-
lefs i carry you a Priſoner ; for I fall have you caballing
with my Men, knuck me on the Head, and run away with
my ship a fyraring. 'Vane made all the Proteſtations
of Honour' in the World to him ; but, it ſeems,
Captain Holford was too intimately acquainted with
him, to repoſe any Confidence at all in his Words
or Oaths. He told him, He might eaſily find a ll'.ry
to get off, if he had a dlind to it: I am now going donn
the Bay, lays he, and ſhall return hither, in about a
11onth; and if I find you upon the iſland when I come
back, I'll carry you to Jamaica, and hang you. Which
Way can I get amay? A:ſwers Vane. Are there not
Fiſhermen's Dories upon the Beach? Can't you take one of
them ? Replies Hilford. What, ſays Vane, would you
have me fral a Dory then? Do you make it a Nlatter of
Conſcience ? Said Holford, to steal a Dory, when you have
been a common Robber and Pyrare, ſcaling Ships and Cairo
goes, and plundering all Alankind thout fell in your Ilty?
Stay there, and be don'd, if you are ſo Sgucamiſha: And
fo left him.
After Captain Holford's Departure, another Sisip
put in to the ſame land in her Way home for
Water ; none of whole Company knowing Vine,
he eaſily palled upon them for another Man, and
ſo was thirpd for the Voyage. One would be ape
to think that Vane was now pretty ſafe, and likely
for to eſcape the Fate which his Crimes had me.
rited; but here a croſs Accident happen'd that.
ruin'd all: Holford, returning from the Bay, was met
with by this Ship; the Captaiiis being very well
acquainted together, Holford was invited to dine
abuard
74
i
1


Of Captain CHARLES VANE. 149.
aboard of him, which he did; and as he paſſed 2-
Jong to the Cabin, he chanced to caſt his Eye down
the Hold, and there law Charles Vane at work ; ho
immediately ſpoke to the Captain, ſaying, Do you
know who you have got aboard here? Wlry, lays he, I
have flaipp'd a Man at ſuch an IPand, icho tras cajt away
in a trading Sloop, he ſeems to be a brisk Hund. I sell
you, ſays Captain Holford, it is Vane obe notorious
Pyrate. If it be him, replies the other, I won't keep
him: Why then, Tay's Hilford, I'll ſend and take him
aboard, and ſurrender him at Jamaica. Which being
agreed to, Captain Holford, as ſoon as he returned
to his Ship, ſent his Boat with his Mate armed,
who coming to Vane, ſhew'd him a Piftol, and told
him, He was his Priſoner ; which none oppoſing, he
was brought aboard, and put in Irons; and when
Captain Holford arrived at Jamaica, he delivered
his old Acquaintaince into the Hands of Juſtice;
at which place he was try'd, convi&ted, and exe-
cuted, as was, ſome Time before, Vane's Confort,
Robert Deal, brought thither by one of the Men
of War.
K 3
CHAOS


150
ANE
E Preto
world
3D
Savske
do
&
conti
CH A P. VII.
0 F
Captain John Rackam,
And his Crew.
Edhe
TA
and
thing!
T
Sushi
und a
Canada
HIS John Ruckam, as has been mentioned
in the last Chapter, was Quarter-Maſter
to Vane's Company, till they were divided,
and Vane turned out for refuſing to board and fight
the French Man of War; then Rackam was voted
Captain of that Diviſion that remained in the Bri-
gantine. The 24th of November, 1718, was the
firſt Day of his Command, and his first Cruize
was among the Caribbee Iliands, where he took and
plunderd leveral Veffels.
We have already taken Notice, that when Cap-
tain Woodes Rogers went to the Inland of Providence,
with the King's Pardon to ſuch as ſhould furren-
der, this Brigantine, which Rackam now comman-
ded, made its Eſcape, thro' another Paiſage, bid-
ding Defiance to Mercy.
To Windward of Jamaica, a Madera Man fell
into the Pyrates Way, which they detained two
or three Days, till they had made their Market out
of her, and then gave her back to the Mafter, and
nermitred one Hoſen Tijdell, a Tavern-Keeper at
Jamaica, who had been pick'd up in one of their
Prizes,
31


of Captain John RACKAM.
151
Prizes, to depart in her, the being then bound for
that liland.
After this Cruize, they went into a ſmall Iand
and cleaned, and ſpent their Chriſtmas alhore, drink-
ing and carouſing as long as they had any Liquor
lett, and then went to Sea again for more, where
they ſucceeded but too well, though they took no
extraordinary Prize, for above tivo Months, exo
cept a Ship laden with Thieves from Nergate,
bound for the Plantations, which, in a few Days,
was retaken with all her Cargo, by an Engliſh
Man of War.
Rackam itood off towards the Iſland of Bermudas,
and took a Ship bound to England from Carolina,
and a ſmall Pink from New-England, and brought
them to the Bahama Mands, where with the Pitch,
Tar, and Stores, they clean'd again, and refitted
their own Vettel; but ſtaying too long in that
Neighbourhood, Captain Rogers, who was Gover-
nor of Providence, hearing of theſe Ships being
taken, ſent out a Sloop weil mann'd and arm'd,
which recook both the Prizes, and in the mean
while the Pyrate had the good Fortune to eſ.
cape.
From hence they fail'd to the Back of Cuba,
where Rackam kept a little kind of a Family, at
which Place, they ſtaid a conſiderable Time, li.
ving aſhore with their Dalilahs, till their Money
and Proviſion were expende:1, and then they cor-
cluded it Time to look out: They repaired to their
Vellel, and were making ready to put to Sea, when a
Guarda del Coſta came in with a ſmall Engliſh Sloop,
which the had taken as an Interloper on the Coait.
The Spaniſh Guardſhip attack'd the Pyrate, but
Rackam being cloſe in behind a little Inand, The
could do but little Execution where ſhe lay, there-
fore the Spaniard warps into the Channel that Eve
ning, in order to make ſure of her the next More
K4
ni S.


152 of Captain John RACKAM.
3
ning. Reckam finding his Caſe deſperate, and hard.
Jy ai.y Poſibility of elcapir:g, relolved to attempt
the following Enterprize: The Spaniſlı Prize lying
for better Security cloſe into the Land, between
the little Ibard and the Main; Rackom takes his
Crew into the Beat, with their Piftols and Cut-
James, 'rounds the little land, ard falls abward their
Prize siler.tly i.. the dead of the Night, without be-
ing discovered, telling the Spaniards that were
aboard or her, that if they ſpoke a Word, or made
thie lealt Noile, they were dead Men, and ſo be.
Came Master or her ; when this was done, he ſiipt
her Cable, and drove out to Sca: The Spaniſh
, Man
of War, was ſo j1.tent upon their expected Prize,
that they minded licthing elſe, and is ſoon as Day
bruke, made a furious Fire upo.i the empty Sloop,
but it was not long before they were rightly ap-
prized of the Matter, and curled themielves for
Fool's, to be bit out of a good richi Prize, as fe
prov'd to be, and to have nothing but an old
cr.zy Hull in the room of her.
Rackam ard his Crew had no Occaſion to be dif.
plcated at the Excharge, that enabled them to
continue fonie Time longer in a Way of Life that
ſuited their depraved Tempers: In Auguſt 1720, we
find him at Sea again, Icouring the Harbours and
Iniets of the Worth and Weſt Parts of Jamaica,
where he took ſeveral ſmall Craft, whiclı proved
n:o great Booty to the Rovers, but they had but
few Men, and therefore they were obliged to
run at low Game, 'till they could encrcalè thicis
Company.
In the Beginning of Soprevrilier, they took feven
or eight Fishing-Boars in Halibour Iparid, ſtole their
Nets and other Tackle, and then went off the
French Part of Hiſpaniold, and landed, and took
Cattle away, with two or three French Men they
found near the Water-Side, hunting of wild Hogs
2.
'S
in


Of Captaix John RACRAM. 153
in the Evening: The French Men came on Board,
whether by Conſent or Compulſion, I can't ſay.
They afterwards plundered two Sloops, and re-
turned to Jamaica, on the North Coait of which
INand, near Porto Maria Bay, they took a Scooner,
3
Thomas Spenlom Mafter ; it was then the 19th of
OEtober. The next Day, Rackam ſeeing a Sloop in
Dry Harbour Bay, he ſtood in and fired a Gun;
thé Men all run alhore, and he took the Sloop
and Lading, but when thoſe aſhore found them to be
Pyrates, they halled the Sloop, and let them know
they were all willing to come aboard of them.
Kackam's coaſting the Iſland in this Manner, pro-
ved fatal to him, for li telligence came to the Ga
vernor, of his Expedition, by a Canoe which he
had ſurprized afhore, in Ocho Bay ; upon which a
Sloop was immediately fitted out, and ſent round
the Illand in queſt of him, commanded by Cape
tain Barnet, with a good Number of Hands. Rad
ckam rounding the Inand, and drawing near the
Weſtermoft Point, called Point Negril, law a ſmall
Pettiauger, which at Sight of the Sloop, run
athore and landed her Men; when one of them
hailed her, Anſwer was made, Thiey were Engliſh
Men, and deſired the Pettiauger's Men to come on
Board, and drink a Bowl of Punch, which they
were prevailed upon to do; accordingly the Com-
pany came all aboard of the Pyrate, conſiſting of
nine Perſons, in an ill Hour; they were .armed
with Muskets and Cutlaſhes, but, what was their
real D ſign by ſo doing, I shall not take upon me
to lay ; but they had no ſooner laid down their
Arms, and taken up their Pipes, but Barner's Sloop,
which was in Purſuit of Rackam's, came in Sight.
The Pyrates finding the ſtood directly towards
her, fear'd the Event, and weighed their Anchor,
which they but lately' let go, and ſtood off: Capa
tain Barnet gave them Chace, and having the Ada
vantage


154 of Captain John RACKAM.
>
vantage of little Breezes of Wind, which blew off
the Land, came up wich her, and, atter a very
ſmall Diſpute, took her, and brought her into
Port Royal, in Jamaica.
In about a Fortnight after the Priſoners were
brought aſhore, viz. November 16, 1720, a Court
of Admiralty was held at St. Jago de la Vega, be.
fore which the following Perions were convicted,
and Sentence of Death paſſed upon them, by the
Preſident, Sir Nicholas Latos, viz. John Rackam Cap-
tain, George Fetherſtone Master, Richard Corner Quarter.
Mafter, John Davis, John Hurpell, Patrick Carry, T1:0.
mas Earl, James Dobbin, and Noah Harwood. The
five firſt were executed the next Day at Gallows
Point, at the Town of Port Royal, and the reſt, the
Day after, at Kingſton; Rackam, Fcverſion and Corner,
were afterwards taken down and hang'd up in
Chains, one at Plumb Point, orc at Bußlo Key, and
the other at Gun Key.
But what was very furprizing, was, the Con-
vi£tion of the nine Men that came aboard the
Sloop the ſame Day ſhe was taken. They were
try'd at an Adjournmelit of the Court, on the 24th
of January, waiting all that Time, it is ſuppoſed, for
Evidence, to prove the pyratical Intention of go-
isg aboard the laid Sloop; for it ſeems there was
no A&t of Pyracy committed by then, after their
coming on Board, as appeared by the Witnesſes
againſt them, who were two French Men taken by
Rackar, off from the Itland of Hiſpaniola, and de-
poled in the following Manner,
That the Prilovers at the Bar, viz. John Eaton,
Edward Warner, Thomas Baker, Thomas Quick, John
Cole, Benjamin Palmer, Walter Rouſe, John Hanſon,
' and John Howard, came aboard the Pyrate's Sloop
at Negril Point, Rackam ſending his Canoe aſhore
for that Purpoſe: That they brought Guns and
Cutlaſhes on Board with them: Thac when Cap-
taill


AM
156 Of Captain John RAČKAM.
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not
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Jony they were charged with, which was, the
going cuer mich a pyratical and felonious Intent to John
Rackam, &c. then notorious Pyrates, and by them
known to be ſo, they all received Sentence of Death;
which every Body muſt allow proved ſomewhat
unlucky to the poor Fellows.
On the 17th of February, John Eaton, Thomas
Quick and Thomas Baker, were executed at Gallor's
Point, at Port Royal, and the next Day John Cole,
John Humard and Benjamin Palmer, were executed at
Kingſton; whether the other three were executed
afterwards, or not, I never heard.
Two other Pyrates were try'd that belong'd to
Rackan's Crew, and being convicted, were brought
up, and asked if either of them had any Thing to
ſay why Sentence of Death Should not paſs upon
them, in like Manner as had been done to all the
reſt; and both of them pleaded their Bellies, be-
ing quick with Child, and pray'd that Execution
might be ſtay'd, whereupon the Court paſſed Sen.
tence, as in Caſes of Pyracy, but ordered them
back, till a proper Jury ſhould be appointed to
enquire into the Matter.
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157
The LIFE of Mary Read.
NOW
f
we are to begin a Hiſtory full of fur.
prizing Turns and Adventures; I mean, that
of ndary Read ard Arne Bonney, alias Bonn, which
were the true Names of theſe two Pyrates; the
odd Incidents of their rambling Lives are luch,
thrt fome may be tempted to think the whole
Story no better than a Novel or Romance; but
ſince it is ſupported by many thouſand Witneſſes,
I mean the People of Jamaica, who were preſent
at their Tryals, and heard the Story of their lives,
upon the firſt Diſcovery of their Sex; the Truth of
it can be no more conteſted, than that there were
fuch Men in the World, as Roberts and Black-beard,
who were Pyrates.
Mary Read was born in England, her Mother was
married young, to a Man who uſed the Sea, who
going a Voyage foon after their Marriage, left her
with Child, which Child proved to be a Boy. As
to the Husban.), whether he was caſt away, or
died in the Voyage, Mary Rend could not tell; but
however, he never returned more ; neverthelels,
the Mother, who was young and airy, met with
an Accident, which has often happened to Women
who are young, and do not take a great deal of
Care ; which was, the foon proved with Child
again, without a Husband to Father it, but how,
or by whom, rone but her ſelf could tell, for the
carried a pretty good Reputation aniong her Neigh-
bours. Finding her Burthen grow, in order to
conceal her Shame, ſhe takes a formal Leave of her
Husband's Relations, giving out, that the went to
live with ſome Friends of her own, in the Country';
Accordingly ſhe went away, and carried with her
her
yourg Son, at this Time, not a Year old: Soon
after
th
Tec
05
for


!
138 Of MART READ.
Line
NO
AK
after her Departure her Son died, but Providence
in Return, was pleaſed to give her a Girl in his
Room, of which she was fafely delivered, in her
Retreat, and this was our Mary Read.
Here the Mother liv'd three or four Years, till
what Money ſhe had was almoſt gone; then the
thought of returning to London, and conſidering
that her Husband's Mother was in fome Circum.
ſtances, the did not doubt but to prevail upon her,
to provide for the Child, if the could but pals ić
upon her for the lame, but the changing a Girl
into a Boy, ſeem'd a difficult Piéce of Work, and
how to deceive an experienced old woman, in fuch
a Point, was altogether as impoſſible ; however,
the ventured to dreſs it up as a Boy, brought it
: to Town, and preſented it to her Mother-in-Law,
as her Husband's Son; the old Woman would have
Caken it, to have bred it up, but the Mother pre-
tended it would break her Heart, to part with it;
ſo it was agreed betwixt them, that the Child
Should live with the Mother, and the ſuppoſed
Grand mother should allow a Crown a Week for
its Maintainance.
Thus the Mother gained her Point, the bred up
her Daughter as Boy, and when the grew up
to ſome Šenle, ſhe thought proper to let her into
the Secret of her Birth, to induce her to cor.ceal
her Sex. It happen'd that the Grandmother died,
by which Means the Subſiſtance that came from
that Quarter, ceas'd, and they were more and more
reduced in their Circumſtances; wherefore ſhe was
obliged to put her Daughter out, to wait on a
French Lady, as a Foot-boy, being now thirteen
Years of Age: Here ſhe did not live long, for
growing bold and ſtrong, and having alſo a roving
Mind, the enter'd herſelf on Board a Man of War,
where the ſerved fome Time, then quitted it, went
over into Flanders, and carried Arms in a Regi-
ment


Of MART READ.
159
ment of Foot, as a Cader ; and tho' upon all Adios,
the b.haved herſelf with a great deal of Bravery,
yer the could not get a Commiſion, they being se-
nerally bought and fold; therefore ſhe quitted the
Service, and took on in a Regiment of Horſe; the
behaved ſo well in ſeveral Engagements, that the
got the Efteem of all her Officers; but her Con-
rade who was a Fleming, happening to be a hard-
fome young Fellow, the falls in love with him, and
from that Tine, grew a little morc negligent in
her Duty, ſo that, it ſeems, Mars and Venus could
not be ſerved at the line Time ; her Arms and
Accoutrements which were always kept in the
beſt Order, were quite neglected : 'Tis true, when
her Comrade was order'd out upon a Party, the
uſed to go without being commanded, and fre-
quently run herſelf into Danger, where ſhe had
no Buſineſs, only to be near him; the reſt of the
Troopers little fufpeting the ſecret Cauſe which
moved her to this Behaviour, fancied her to be
mad, and her Comrade himſelf could not account
for this ſtrange Alteration in her, but Love is in-
genious, and as they lay in the fame Tent, and
were co:aftantly together, ſhe found a way of
letting him diſcover her Sex, without appearing
that it was done with Deſign.
He was much ſurprized at what he found out,
and not a little pleaſed, taking it for granted, that
he ſhould have a Miſtreſs ſolely to himſelf, which
is an unuſual Thing in a Camp, ſince there is ſcarce
one of thole Campaign Ladies, that is ever true
to a Troop or Company ; ſo that he thought of
nothing but gratifying his Paſſions with very
little Ceremony ; but he found himſelf itrargely
miſtaken, for ſhe proved very reſerved and moleft,
and refifted all his Temptations, and at the ſame
Time was ſo obliging and inſinuating in her Car-
riage, that the quite changed his purpoſe, ſo far
from


160 of MART READ.
3
WN
IN
f
from thinking of making her his Miſtreſs, he
now courted her for a Wife.
This was the utmoſt Wiſh of her Heart, in fort,
they exchanged Promiſes, and when the Campaign
was over, and the Regiment marcheu into Winter
Quarters, they bought Woman's Apparel for her,
with ſuch Morey as they could make up bei
twixt them, and were publickly married.
The Story of two Troopers marrying each other,
made a great Noile, ſo that ſeveral Officers were
drawn by Curioſity to allift at the Ceremony, and
they agreed among themſelves that every one of
them Thould make a ſmall Preſent to the Bride,
towards Houſe-keeping, in Conſideration of hur
having l:een their Fellow-Soldier. Thus being let
up, they ſeemed to have a Deſire of quitting the
Service, and lettling in the World; the Adventure
of their love and Marriage had gained them ro
much F.vour, that they enlily obtained their Dita
charge, and they immediately let up an Eating-
Houſe or Ordmary, which was the sign of the
Three Herſe-Shoes, near the Caſtle of Breda, where
they fion run into a good Trade, a great many
Officers eating with them corftantly.
But this Happineſs laſted not long, for the Huse
band foon died, and the Peace of
Reſmick being
concluded, there was no Refort of Officers to Bicda,
as uſual ; ſo that the Widow having little or 110
Trade, was forced to give up Houſe-keeping, and
her Subſtance being by Degrees quite 1pent, ſhe
again allumes her Man's Apparel, and going into
Holland, there takes on in a Regiment of Tour,
quartered in one of the Frontier Towns : Here
1he did not remain long, there was no Likelihood
of Preferment in Time of Peace, therefore ſhe took
a Reſolution of ſeeking her Fortune another Way;
and withdrawing from the Regiment, thips herſelf
on Board of a Veffel bound for the West-Indies.
1
M
1c


of MARY'READ. 261
It happened this Ship was taken by Engliſh Py-
rates, and Mary Read was the only Engliſi Pere
Son on Board, they kept her amongſt them, and
having plundered the Ship, let it go again; after
following this Trade for fome Time, the King's
Proclamation came out, and was publiſhed in all
Pares of the West-Indies, for pardoning ſuch Pya
rates,
who should voluntarily ſurrerider themfelves
by a certain Day therein mentioned. The Crer
of Alay Read took the Benefit of this proclama-
tion, and having furrender'd,liv'd quictly on Shore;
but Morey beginnirig to grow ſhort, and hearing
that Caprain Wood Rogers, Governor of the Inand
of Providence, was fitting out fome Privateers to
cruiſe againſt the Spaniards, Me with leveral others
embark'd for that Illand, in order to go upon the
privateering Account, being reſolved to make her
Fortune one way or other.
Theſe Privateers were no ſooner fail'd out, but
the Crews of ſome of them, who had been par-
doned, roſe againſt their Commanders, and turned
themielves to their old Trade: In this Number
was Mary Read. It is true, the often declared, that
the Life of a Pyrate was what the always abhor'd,
and went into it only upon Compulſion, both this
Time, and before, intending to quit it, whenever
a fair Opportunity fkould offer it ſelf; yet ſome of
the Evidence againſt her, upon her Tryal, who
were forced Men, and had fail'd with her, depored
upon Oath, that in Times of A&tion, no Perſon
amongſt them was more reſolute, or ready to
board or undertake any Thing that was hazardous,
than ſhe and Anne Bonney; and particularly at the time
they were attack'd and taken, when they came
to cloſe Quarters, none kept the Deck except
Mary Read and Anne Bonny, and one more ; up-
01 which, the, Mary Read, called to thoſe under
Deck, to come up and fight like Men, and finding
Vol. I,
they
ܝܐ


162 Of MART READ.
ba
Po
Sie
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they did not ftir, fired her Arms down the Hold
amongſt them, killing one, and wounding others.
This was part of the Evidence againſt her, which
fhe denied; which, whether true or no, thus much
is certain, that the did not want Bravery, nor in-
deed was the leſs remarkable for her Modeſty,
according to her Notio:s of Virtue: Her Sex was
not fu niuch as ſuſpected by any perſon on Board,
till Anne Bonny, who was not altogether ſo reſerved
in Point of Chaſtity, took a particular Liking to
her; in ſhort, Anne Bonney took her for a handſome
young Fellow, and for ſome Reaſons best known to
herſelf, firſt diſcovered her Sex to. Mary Read; Mary
Read knowing what the would be at, and being,
very ſenſible of her own Incapacity that Way, was
forced to come to a right Underttanding with her,
and ſo to the great Dilappointment of Anne Bonny,
he let her know he was a Woman allo; but this
Intimacy fo difturb'd Captain Rackam, who was the
Lover and Gallant of Anne Bonney, that he grew
furiouſly jealous, ſo that he told Anne Bonncy, he
would cut her new Lover's Throat, therefore, to
quiet him, ſhe let him into the Secret alſo.
Captain Rackam, (as he was enjoined,) kept the
Thing a Secret from all the Ship’s Company, yet,
notwithſtanding all her Cumming and Reſerve, Love
found her out in this Diſguile, and hinder'd her
from forgetting her Sex. In their Cruize they took
a great Number of Ships belonging to Jamaica,
and other parts of the West-Indies, bound to and
from England; and whenever they meet any good
Artiſt, or other perſon that might be of any great
Uſe to their Company, if he was not willing to
enter, it was their Cuſtom to keep him by Force.
Among theſe was a young Fellow of a moſt engage-
in; Behaviour, or, at leaſt, he was ſo in the Eyes
(f Mary Read, who became ſo ſmitten with his
Perfo. and Addreſs, that ſhe could neither reſt
,
UN
3
Night


164
OF MARY READ.
>
SH
7
1
Time two Hours ſooner than that when he was
to meet her Lover, where the fought bim at Sword
and Piftol, and killed him upon the Spot.
It is true, She had fought before, when the had
been inſulted by ſome of thoſe Fellows, but now
it was altogether in her Lover's Cauſe, the ſtood
as it were betwixt him and Death, as if ſhe could
not live without him. If he had no regard for her
before, this A&tion would have bound him to her
for ever ; but there was no Occaſion for Ties of
Obligation, his Inclination towards her was ſuffi.
cient; in fine, they plighted their Troth to each
other, which Mary Read laid, ſhe look'd upon to be
as gcod a Marriage, in Conſcience, as it it had
been done by a Miniſter in Church; and to this
was owing her great Belly, which ſhe pleaded to
ſave her Life.
She declared ſhe had never committed Adultery
or Fornication with any Man, he commended the
Juſtice of the Court, before which ſhe was tried, for
diftinguiſhing the Nature of their Crimes; her Hus-
band, as ſhe call'd him, with ſeveral others, being
acquitted; and being ask'd, who he was? She would
noc tell, but, ſaid he was an honeſt Man, and had
no Inclination to ſuch Practices, and that they
had both reſolved to leave the Pyrates, the firſt
Opportunity, and apply themſelves to ſome ho-
net Livelihood.
It is no doubt, but may hnd Compaſſion for her,
yet the Court could not avoid finding her Guilty ;
for among other Things, one of the Evidences
againſt her, depoſed, that being taken by Rackam,
and detain'd ſome Time on Board, he fell acciden-
tally into Diſcourſe with Mary Read, whom he ta-
king for a young Man, ask'd her, what Pleaſure the
could have in being concerned in ſuch Enterprizes,
where her Life was continually in Danger, by
Fise or Sword ; and not only fo, but ſhe muſt be
ſure


Of MART READ. 165
ſure of dying an ignominious Death, if the should
be taken aliveShe anſwer'd, that as to hang-
ing, the thought it no great Hardſhip, for, were it
not for that, every cowardly Fellow would turn
Pyrate, and ſo infeſt the Seas, that Men of Courage
muſt ſtarve:--That it it was put to the Choice
of the Pyrates, they would not have the Punish.
ment leſs than Death, the Fear of which kept
ſome daftardly Rogues honeft; that many of thoſe
who are now cheating the Widows and Orphans,
and oppreffing their poor Neighbours, who have
no Money to obtain Juftice, would then rob at Sea,
and the Ocean would be crowded with Rogues,
like the Land, and no Merchant would venture
to that the Trade, in a little Time, would not
be worth following:
Being found quick with Child, as has been ob-
ſerved, her Execution was reſpited, and it is por-
ſible ſhe would have found Favour, but ſhe was
feiz'd with a violent Fever, ſoon after her Tryal,
of which ſhe died in Priſon.
out;
AAA22628320928:26202222
The LIFE of ANNE BONNY.
S we have been more particular in the Lives
of theſe two Women, than thoſe of other
Pyrates, it is incumbent on us, as a faithful Hi-
Rorian, to begin with their Birth. Anne Bonney was
born at a Town near Cork, in the Kingdom of Ire-
land, her Father an Attorney at Law, but Anne
was not one of his legitimate Iſſue, which ſeems
to croſs an old Proverb, which ſays, shat Baſtards
3
hard


166 OF ANNE BONNr.
r
e:
.
274
5
þave the beſt Luck. Her father was a married May,
and his wife having been brought to Bed, com
tracted an Illneſs in her lying in, and in order
to recover hier Health, ſhe was adviſed to remove
for Change of Air; the Place he choſe, ivas a few
Miles diſtance from her Dwelling, where her Hus-
band's Mother liv'd. Here ſhe fojourn’d ſome Time,
her Husbar.d ſtaying at Home, to follow his Até
fairs. The Servant-Maid, whom the left to look
after the Houſe, and attend the Family, being a
handſome young Woman, was courted by a young
dían of the ſame Town, who was a Tanner; this
Tarrer uſed to take his Opportunities, when the
Family was out of the Way, of comirg to purſue
his Courtſhip; ard being with the Maid ole Day
as ſhe was employed in the Houſhold Buſineſs, not
having the Fear of God tefore his Eyes, he takes
his Opportunity, when her Back was turned, of
whipping three Silver Spooris into his pocket. The
Maid ſoon mils'd the Spoons, and knowing that
no Body had been in the Room, but herſelf and
the young Man, fince the law them latt, fhe charged
him with taking them; he very ſtifly denied it,
upon which the grew outragious, and threatned to
go to a Conſtable, in order to carry him before a
Juſtice of Peace: Theſe Menaces frighten'd him out
of his Wits, well knowing he could not ſtand
Search; wherefore he endeavoured to pacify her,
by deſiring her to examine the Drawers and other
Places, and perhaps Ine might find them; in this
Time he Nips into another Room, where the Maid
uſually lay, and puts the Spoons betwixt the Sheets,
and then makes his Eſcape by a back Door, con-
cluding the muſt find them, when the went to Bed,
and fo fext Day he might pretend he did it only
to frighten her, and the Thing might be laughd
off for a jeſt
23
5
Aş


Of ANNE Bonnr.
167
As ſoon as the miſs'd him, ſhe gave over her
Search, concluding he had carried them off, and
went directly to the Conſtable, in order to have him
apprehended : The young Mau was informed, that
a Conttable had been in Search of him, but he
regarded it but little, not doubting biit all would
be well next Day. Three or four Days pa led, and
still he was told, the Conſtable was upon the Hunt
for him, this made him lie concealed, he could
not comprehend the Meaning of it, he imagined
110 leſs, than that the Maid had a Mind to con-
vert the Spoons to her own Uſe, and put the
Robbery upon him.
It happen'd, at this Time, that the Miſtreſs be-
ing pertectly recovered of her late Inaiſpoſition,
Wis returned Home, in Company with her Mother-
in-Law; the fift News the heard, was of the Loſs
of the Spoons, with the Manner how; the Maid
telling her, at the fame Time, that the young Man
was run away. The young Fellow had Intelligence
of the Miſtreſs's Arrival, and co: fidering with
himlelt, that he could never appear again in his
Buſineſs, unleſs this Matter was get over, and the
being a good-natured Woman, he took a Reſolu-
tion of going directly to her, and of telling her
the whole Story, only with this Difference, that
he did it for a Jeft.
The Miſtreſs could ſcarce believe it, however,
She went directly to the Maid's Room, and turn-
ing down the Bed Cloaths there, to her great
Surprize, found the three Spoons ; upon this the
defired the young Man to go Home and mind
his Buſineſs, for he ſhould have no Trouble
about it.
The Miſtreſs could not imagine the Meaning of
this, the never had found the Maid guilty of any
Pilfering, and therefore it could not enter her
Head, that the deſigned to ſteal the Spoons her
ſelf;
L4


:
168 Of ANNE Bonnr.
ol
HC
th
ſelf; upon the whole, ſhe concluded the Maid liad
not been in her Bod, from the Time the Spoons
were miſs'd, the grew immediately jealous upon it,
and ſuſpected, that the Maid ſupplied her Place
with her Husband, during her Ablerice, and this
was the Reaſon why the Spoons were no looner
found,
She call’d to Mind ſeveral A&tions of Kindneſs,
her Husband had fhewe: the Maid; Things that
paſs d unheeded by, when they happen'd, but now
The had got the Tormentor, Jealouly, in her Head,
amounted to Proofs of their Iptimacy; another Cir-
cumſtance which ſtrengthen'd the whole, was, that
tho' her Husband knew ſhe was to come Home
that Day, and had had ro Communication with
her in four Months, which was before her laſt
Lying-in, yet he took an Opportunity of going out
of Town that Morning, upon ſome Night Pretence:
All theſe Things put together, confirm'd her
in her Jealouſy.
As Women leldom forgive Injuries of this Kind,
The thought of diſcharging her Revenge upon the
Maid: In order to this, the leaves the Spoons where
the found them, and orders the Maid to put clean
Sheets upon the Bed, telling her, the intended to
lie there herſelf that Night, becauſe her Mother
in-Law was to lie in her Bed, and that ſhe (the
Maid) muſt lie in another Part of the Houſe; the
Maid in making the Bed, was ſurprized with the
Sight of the Spoons, but there were very good
Reaſons, why it was not proper for her to tell
where the found them, therefore ſhe takes them
up, puts them in her Trunk, intending to leave
them in ſome Place, where they might be found
by Chance.
The Miſtreſs, that every Thing miglit look to
he done without Deſign, lies that Night in the
Maid's Bed, little drcaming of what au Adventure
&
-
3
E
ig


Of ANNE BONNr. 169
it would produce: After ſhe had been a Bed ſome
Time, thinking on what had paſs’d, for Jealouſy
kept her awake, ſhe heard ſome Body enter the
Ruom; at first the apprehended it to be Thieves,
and was ſo frighe’ned, the had not Courage enough
to call out; but when ſhe heard theſe Words,
Mary, are you arouke? She knew it to be her Hus-
band's Voice ; then her Fright was over, yet the
made no Antiver, least he ſhould find her out, if
the ſpoke, therefore the reſolved to counterfeit
Sleep, and take what followed.
The Husband came to Bed, and that Night
play'd the vigorous Lover ; but one Thing ſpoiled
the Diverſion on the Wife's Side, which was,
the Reflection that it was not deſign'd for her;
however she was very paſſive, and bore it like a
Chriftian. Early before Day, ſhe ftole out of
Bed, leaving him aſleep, and went to her Mother-
in-Law, telling her what had paſſed, not forgetting
how he had uſed her, as taking her for the Maid;
the Husband alſo ſtole out, not thinking it conve-
nient to be catched in that Room ; in the mean
Time, the Revenge of the Miſtreſs was ſtrongly
againſt the Maid, and without conſidering, that
to her ſhe owed the Diverſion of the Night be-
fore, and that ore good Turn ſhould deferve an-
other ; the fent for a Conſtable, and charged her
with ſtealing the Spoons : The Maid's Trunk was
broke open, and the Spoons found, upon which ſhe
was carried before a Juſtice of Peace, and by him
committed to Goal.
The Husband loiter'd about till twelve a-Clock
at Noon, then comes Home, pretended he was
juſt come to Town; as ſoon as he heard what had
paſs’d, in Relation to the Maid, he fell into a great
Paſſion with his Wife; this ſet the Thing into a
greater Flame, the Mother takes the Wife's Part
againſt her own Son, inſomuch that the Quarrel
increaſing,


170 Of ANNE BONNr.
Com
Eve
dus
IH
er;
$2
era
increaſing, the Mothor and Wife took Horſe im.
mediately, and went back to the Mother's Houſe,
and the Kusband and Wite never bedded together
afrer.
The Maid lay a long Time in the Priſon, it being
ncar half a Year to the Aſizes; but before it hap-
pened, it was diſcovered Nie was with Child; when
She was arraign’d at the Bar, ſhe was diſcharged
for want of Evidence; the Wife's Conſcience
touch'd her, and as he did not believe the Maid
Guilty of any Theft, except that of Love, ſhe did
not appear agairft her; ſoon after her Acquittal,
The was delivered of a Girl.
But what alarm'd the Husband moſt, was, that
it was diſcovered the Wife was with Child alio,
he taking it for granted, he had had no Intimacy
with her, ſince her laſt lying-in, grew jealous of
her, in his Turn, and made this a Handle to juſtify
hiníſelf, for his Viage of her, pretending now
he had ſuſpected her long, but that here was
Proof; ſhe was delivered of Twins, a Boy and a
Girl.
The Mother fell ill, ſent to her Son to recon-
cile him to his Wife, but he would not hearken to
it; therefore he made a Will, leaving all the had
in the Hands of certain Truſtees, for the Uſe of
the Wife and two Children lately born, and died
a few Days after.
This was an ugly Turn upon him, his greateſt
Dependance being upon his Mother ; however,
his Wife was kinder to him than he deſerved,
for ſhe made him a yearly Allowance out of what
was left, tho’ they continued to live ſeparate : It
lafted rear five Years; at this Time having a great
Affe&tion for the Girl he had by his Maid, he had
a Mirid to take it Home, to live with him ; but as
all the Town knew it to be a Girl, the better to
diſguiſe the Matter from them, as well as from his
VA
ele
Do
LE!
" AS
2
9
Wife


Of ANNE BONNr.
171
Wife, he had it put into Breeches, as a Boy, pre-
tending it was a Relation's Child he was to breed
up to be his Clerk.
The Wife heard he had a little Boy at Home
he was very fond of, but as ſhe did not know any
sion of his that had ſuch a Child, the em,
i a Friend to enquire further into it; this
'y talking with the Child, fourd it to be a
Giris ricovered that the Servant-Maid was its
Motier, and that the Husband ſtill kept up his
Correſpondence with her.
Upon this Intelligence, the Wife being unwil.
ling that her Children's Money ſhould go towards
the Maintenance of Baſtards, ſtopped the Allowance;
The Husband enraged, in a kind of Revenge, takes
the Maid home, and lives with her pubiickly, to
the great Scandal of his Neighbours; but he loon
found the bad Effect of it, for by Degrees he loſt his
Practice, ſo that he ſaw plainly he could not live
there, therefore he thought of removing, and
turning w!iat Effects he had into ready Money ;
he goes to Cork, and there with his Maid and
Daughter embarques for Carolina.
At firſt he followed the Practice of the Law in
that Province, but afterwards fell into Merchane
dize, which proved more ſucceſsful to him, for he
gained by it ſufficient to purchaſe a conſiderable
Plantation : His Maid, who paſſed for his Wife,
happened to die, after which his Daughter, our
Anne Bonny, now grown up, kept his Houſe.
She was of a fierce and couragious Temper,
wherefore, when the lay under Condemnation, re-
veral Stories were reported of her, much to her
Diſadvantage, as that the had kill'd an Englif, Ser-
vant-Maid once in her Paſſion with a Cale-Knife,
while the look'd after her Father's Houſe ; but
upon further Enquiry, I found this Story to be
groundleſs : It was certain ſhe was ſo robuſt, thac
Once,
1
6
1
2


172
Of Anne Bonnr.
3
8
orice, when a young Fellow would have lain with
her, againſt her Will, he beat him ſo, that he
Jay ill a conſiderable Time.
While the lived with her Father, ſhe was look'd
upon as one that would be a good Fortune, where.
fore it was thought her Father expected a good
Match for her ; but ſhe ſpoil'd all, for without
his Conſent, the marries a young Fellow, who be-
long'd to the Sea, and was not worth a Groat;
which provoked her Father to ſuch a Degree, thać
he turn'd her out of Doors, upon which the young
Fellow, who married her, finding himſelf 'dilap
pointed in his Expectation, ſhipped himſelf and
Wife, for the Illand of Providence, expecting Em-
ployment there.
Here ſhe became acquainted with Rackam the
Pyrate, who making Courtſhip to her, foon found
Means of withdrawing her Affections from her
Husband, ſo that Me conſented to elope from him,
and go to Sea with Rackam in Men's Cloaths :
She was as good as her Word, and after the had
been at Sea ſome Time, the proved with Child,
and beginning to grow big, Rackam landed her on
the Inand of Cuba ; and recommending her there
to ſome Friends of his, they took care of her,
till ſhe was brought to Bed: When ſhe was up
and well again, he ſent for her to bear him
Company:
The King's Proclamation being out, for pardon-
ing of Pyrates, he took the Benefit of it, and ſur-
render'd; afterwards being ſent upon the priva-
teering Account, he return'd to his old Trade, as
has been already hinted in the Story of Mary Read.
In all theſe Expeditions, Anne Bonny bore him Com-
pany, and when any Buſineſs was to be done in
their Way, no Body was more forward or coura-
gious than the, and particularly when they were
taken; Me and May Read, with one more, were
all
{
5
I


Of ANNE Bonnr. 173
all the Perſons that durft keep the Deck, as has
been before hinted.
Her Father was known to a great many Gentle-
men, Planters of Jamaica, who had dealt with him,
and amor:g whom he had a good Reputation; and
ſome of them, who had been in Carolina, remem-
ber'd to have ſeen her in his Houſe ; wherefore
they were inclined to thew her Favour, but the
Action of leaving her Husband was an ugly Cir.
cumſtance againtt her. The Day that Rackam was
executed, by ſpecial Favour, he was admitted to
ſee her ; but all the Comfort ſhe gave him, was,
that ſhe was ſorry to ſee him there, but if he had fought
like a Man, he need not have been hang'd like a Dog.
She was continued in Priſon, to the Time of
her lying-in, and afterwards reprieved from Time
to Time; but what is become of her ſince, we
cannot tell ; only this we know, that ſhe was not
executed.
CH A P.


?
194
MX262822832828282828
JAR
52
CH A P. VIII.
OF
V
dy
Captain Howel Davis,
And his CREÑO
C:
Aptain Howel Davis was born at Milford, in
Monmouthſhirt, and was from a Boy brought
up to the Sea. The laſt Voyage he made
from England was in the Cadogan Snow of Briſtol,
Captain Skinner Commander, bound for the Coaſt
of Guincy, of which Snow Davis was chief Mate:
They were no tooner arrived at Sierrelcon on the
aforeſaid Coaſt, but they were taken by the Py-
rate England, who plui.der'd them, and Skinner
was barbarouſly murdered, as has been related
before in the Story of Captain England.
After the Death of Captain Skinner, Davis pre-
tended that he was mightily ſolicited by England
to engage with him; but that he refolutely an-
ſwered, he would ſooner be ſhot to Death than
ſign the Pyrates Articles. Upon which, England,
pleaſed with his Bravery, ſent him, and the reſt of
the Men again on Board the Snow, appointing
him Captain of her, in the Room of Skiriner, com-
manding him to purſue his Voyage. He alſo gave
him a written Paper ſealed up, with Orders to
open it when he ſhould come into a certain Latitude,
and


Of Captain HOTEL DAVIS. .175
and at the Peril of his life follow the Orders
therein fer down. This was an Air of Grandeur
like whar Princes practice to their Admirals and
Generals. It was punctually complied with by
Divis, who read it to the ship's Company; it con-
tailed no leſs than a generous Deed of Gitt of the
Ship and Cargoc, to Davis and the Crew, ordering
him to go to Brofilar.d dilpole of the Lading to the
beſt Advantage, and to make a fair and equal
Dividend with the reſt.
Davis propoled to the Crew, whether they were
willing to follow their Directions, but to his great
Surprize, found the Majority of them altogether
averle to it, wherefore in a Rage, he bid them be
damn'd, and go where they would. They knew
that part of their Cargoe was configned to certain
Merchants at Barbadoes, wherefore they ſteered
for that Ifand. When they arrived, they related
to theſe Merchants the unfortunate Death of Skin-
ner, and the Propotal which had been made to them
by Davis ; upon which Davis was ſeized and com.
mitted to Priſon, where he was kept three Months;
however, as he had been in no Alt of Pyracy, he was
diſcharged without being brought to any Tryal,
yet he could not expect any Employment there;
whereforė knowing that the land of Providence was
a kind of Rendevouz of Pyrates, he was reſolved
to make one amongſt them, it poſſible, and to that
Purpoſe, found Means of ſhipping himſelf for that
Inand ; but he was again diſappointed, for when
he arrived there, the Pyrates had newly ſurren-
dered to Captain Woods Rogers, and accepted of the
At of Grace, which he had juſt brought from
England.
However, Davis was not long out of Buſineſs,
for Captain Rogers having fitted out two Sloops
for Trade, one called the Buck, the other the Mtume
vil Trader; Davis found an Employment on Board
of
.


.
176 of Captain HOWEL DAVIS.
Drikke
$2
VA
of one of them ; the Lading of theſe Sloops was of
confiderable Value, conſiſting of European Goods, in
order to be exchanged with the French and Spaniards;
and many of the Hands on Board of them, weré
the Pyrates lately come in upon the late Act of
Grace. The firſt place they touched at, was the
Inand of Martinico, belonging to the French, where
Davis having conſpired with ſome others, role in
the Night, ſecured the Maſter and leized the
Sloop, as ſoon as this was done, they called to
the other Sloop, which lay a little Way tiom
them, among whom they knew there were a great
many Hands ripe for Rebellion, and ordered them
to come on Board of them ; they did ſo, and the
greateſt Part of them agreed to join with Davis;
thoſe who were otherwile inclined, were ſent tack
on Board the Mumvile Sloop, to go where they
pleaſed, Davis having firſt taken out of her every
Thing which he thought might be of Uſe.
After this, a Counſel of War was called over a
large Bowl of Punch, at which it was propoſed to
chufe a Commander ; the Election was ſoon over;
for it fell upon Davis by a great Majority of legal
Pollers, there was no Scrutiny demanded, for all
acquieſced in the Choice: As ſoon as he was pof-
ſeſs'd of his Command, he drew up Articles, which
were ſigned and ſworn to by himſelf and the reſt,
then he made a ſhort Speech, the ſum of which
was a Declaration of War against the whole World.
After this they conſulted about a proper Place
where they might clean their Sloop, a light Pair
of Heels being of great Ule either to take, or el-
cape being taken ; for this purpoſe they made
Choice of Coxon's Hole, at the Eaſt End of the
Inand of Cuba, a Place where they might ſecure
themſelves from Surprize, the Entrance being ſo
narrow, that one Ship might keep out a hundred.
PA
11
2
5
Here


of Captain HOWEL DAVIS,
197
Here they cleaned with much Difficulty,for they
had no Carpenter in their Company, a Perſon of
great Uſe upon ſuch Exigences; from hence they
put to Sea, making to the North-Side of the Inand
ö H/paniola. The Arſt Sail which fell in their
Way, was a French Ship of twelve Guns ; it muſt
be občerved that Davis had but thirty five Hands,
yet Proviſions began to grow fhort with him ;
ivherefore he artacked this Shir, Nic foon ſtrucký
and he ſent twelve of his Hands on Board of licr,
in order to plunder: This was no ſooner dore, but
a Sail was lyied a great way to Windward of them;
they enquired of the Ficuch Man what ſhe mighé
be, he anſwered, that he had ſpoke with a Ship,
the Day before, of 24 Guns and 60 Me.., and ha
took this to be the fame.
Diivis then propoſed to his Men to attack her,
telling them, the would be a rare Ship for their
Uſe, but they looked upon it to be an extravagant
Attempt, and diſcovered no Fondneſs for it, but
he ailured then he had a Stratagem in his Head
would make all life; wherefore he gave Chace,
and ordered his Prize to do the fimc. The Prize
being a flow Sailor, Durvis firſt came up with the
Eremy, and ſtanding along Side of them, ſhewed
his Pyratical Colours : They much ſurpriz d, called
1) Davis, telling him, they wondered at his Im-
puzlence in venturing to come ſo near them, and
ordered him to ſtrike; but he anſwered, that he in-
tended to keep them in Play, till his Confort came
up, who was able to deal with them, and th:t if
they did not ſtrike to him, they should have but
b:d Quarters; whereupon he gave them a Broada
Side, which they returned.
In the mean Time the Prize drew near, who
obliged all the Priſoners to conie upon Deck in
white Shirts, to niake a Shew of Force, as they had
been dire&ted by Davis ; they alſo hointed a dirty
Vyh, ds
M
Tare


1
AV
30
36:!!ing
178 of Captain HOWEL DAVIS.
Tarpaulin, by Way of black Flag, thay liaving
n; niher, and fii'd a Gun : The French Men we e jo
intim dired by this Appearance of Force, that they
struck. Davis' called out to the Captain to come on
Buaru ot him, with twenty of his Hands; he did
fo, and they were all for the greater Security clapt
into Irons, the Captain excepted: Then he feit
four of his own Men on Board the firſt Prize, and
in order ft il to carry on the Cheat, fpure aloud,
that they ſhould give his Service to the Cap:ain,
and desire hiin to ſend fome Hands on Board the
Prize, to ſee what they had got; but at the lime
Time gave them a writte: Paper, with Inftrutions
what to do, Here he ordered them to nail up the
Guns in ure l'tele Prize, to take out all the imali.
Arms and Powder, and to go every Man of tļiem
on Board the ſecond Prize ; when this was dore,
lie ordered that more of the Priſoners thould be
remove.I out of the great Prize, into the little
one, by which he ſecured himlelf from any Air
tampe which might be ferred from their Number;
for thoſe on Board of him were faſt in Irons, ain!
thoſe in the little Prize had neither Arms nor Am-
munitio.
Thus the three Ships kept Company for 2 Days,
when finding the great Prize to be a very dull si-
Jor, he thought 11:e woulú not heñit for his purpose,
Wherefore he relolved to reſtore her to the Cape,
with all his Hands; but first, he towk Cite to
take out all her Ammunition, and every Thing
elfe which he might Ponibly want. The French
Capiatu vas ir fich a Rage, at being ſo ourwiece!,
2.vzi when he got on Board his own Ship, he was
going to himſelt over-board, but was ***
nad by his Vion.
nie, in web Couile he took a fim:i! Spar:iſh SixP;
mittalt towards the Wojssyti !!ents,


Of Capinin HOMEL DANIS.
179
but met with no Booty thereabouts ; then he
iteered for the Carpe de Verde Iſlands, they caſt An-
chor at St. Nichoia', hoilling Engliſl
, Colours; the
Portugueſe inhabiting there, took him for an Engliſh
Privateer, and Dire'is going afhoar, they both trea.
ted lım very civilly, and alſo traded with him.
Here he remained five Weeks, in which Time, he
and half his Crew, for their Pleaſure, took a Jour-
rey to the chiet Town of the Iſland, which was
19 Miles up the Country : Davis making a good
Appearance, was care ſed by the Governor and the
Inhabitants, and so Diverſion was wanting which the
Portugueſe could thew, or Moncy coulil purchard ;
after about a Week's Stay, he came back to the
Ship, and the reſt of the Crew went to tal: teis
Pleature up to the Town, in their Turn.
At their Return they clean'd their Ship, and
pul to Sea, but 1100 with cheir whole Company; for
five of choin, like Hannibal's Meil, were lo charmid
with the Luxuries of the Place, and the free Cone
veciation of fome Womer, that they said behind,
irid one of them, wiole Name was Charles Franklin,
lonrnouthſhire Man, married and lettled himſelin
avid lives tliere to this Day.
From hence they failed to Beneviſta, and looked
into that Harbour, but finding nothing, they fieerd
for the lile of 11.14: When they arrived here, they
mer with a great iuy Ships and Verfols in the
Road, all which they plundere:, taking out of them
whatever they wanted; and alſo itrengthen’d tlem-
felves with a great many freſh Hards, who inoft
of them enter'd voluntarily, One of the Ships they
took to their own Ule, mounted her with twenty
lix Guns, and call'd her the King Joimes. There be-
ing rio freſh Water hereabouts, hºy made towards
St. Jugo, belonging to the l'ortugueſs, in order to lay
in a Store , D.xvii, with a few Hands, goirs Nure
of dihe incit cominodious place to Wacor at, vlic
M
jovess


180 Of. Captain HOWEL DAVIS.
+
LE
ni
f
Governor, with ſome Attendants came himſelf and
examined who they were, and whence they came?
And not liking Davis's Account of himſelf, the
Governor was to plain to tell then, he ſuſpected
them to belyrates. Davis ſeemed mightily affronted,
ftar.ding much upon his Honour, replying to the
Governor, he tcoin'd his Words; however, as ſoon
as his Back was turn’d, for fear of Accidents, he
got on Board again as faſt as he could. Davis
related what had happened, and his Men ſeemed to
relent the Affront which had been offered him.
Davis, upon this, told them, he was confident
he could lurprize the Fort in the Night; they a.
greed with him to attempt it, and accordingly, wlien
it grew late, they went alhore, well arm’d; and
the Guard which was kept, was ſo negligent, that
they got within the Fort before any Alarm was
given : When it was too late there was ſome little
Reſiſtance made, and three Men killed on Davis's
Side. Thoſe in the Fort, in the Hurry,run into the
Governor's Houſe to fave themfelves, which they
barricadoed to ſtrong that Davis's Party could not
enter it ; however, they threw in Granadoc-Shells
,
which not only ruin'd all the Furniture, but kill'd
ſeveral Men within.
When it was Day the whole Country was alarm’d,
and came to attack the Pyrates; wherefore it not
being their Buſineſs to ſtand a Siege, they made the
beſt of their Way on Board their Ship again, after
having diſmounted the Guns of the Fort. By this
Enterprize they did a great Deal of Miſchief to the
Portugueſe, ard but very little Good to themſelves.
Having put to Sea they muſter'd their Hands,
and found themſelves near leventy ſtrong; then
it was propoſed what Courſe they Mould ſtcer, and
differing in their opinionis, chcy dividc:l, and by a
Majority it was carried for Gambia on the Court of:
Guiney; of this Opinion was Davis, he having been
employ'd


Of Captain HOTEL DAVIS. 181
employ'd in that Trade, was acquainted with the
Coaft: He told them, that there was a great deal
of Money always kept in Gambia Castle, and that
it would be worth their while to make an Attempt
upon it. They ask'd him how it was poſible, lince
it was garrilonied ? He deſired they would leive the
Management of it to him, and he would undertake
to make them Maſters o: it. They began now to
conceive ſo high an Opinion of his Couciuct, as well
as Courage, that they thought rothing impoſſible
to him, therefore they agreed to oxy him, without
euqui, ing further into his Deſign.
Having come within Sight of the Place, he or-
dered all his Men under Deck, except as many as
were abſolutely neceſſary for working the ship,
that thoſe from the Fort ſeeing a Ship with ſo few
Hands, might have 10 Sulpicion of her being any
o:her than a tradiny. Veiſel; then he ran clole un-
der the Fort, and there caſt Anchor ; and having
ordered out the Boat, he commanded ſix Men in
her, in old ordinary Jackets, while he himſelf, with
the Maſter and Doctor, dretſed themſelves like
Gentlemen; his Deſign being, that the Men ſhould
look like common Sailors, and they like Merchants.
In rowing afhore he gave his Men Inſtructions
what to ſay, in Caſe any Queſtions thould be
asked them.
Being come to the landing Place, he was re-
ceived by a File of Muſquereers, and conducted into
the Fort, where the Governor accoſting them ci-
villy, ask'd them who they were, and whence they
came? They anſwered they were of Liverpool,
bound for the River of Sinnegal, to trade for Gum
and Elephants Teeth, but that they were chaced
on that Coaft by two French Men of War, and nar.
rowly cleaped beir:g taken, having a little the
Heels of thein ; but now they were relolved to
make the beſt of a bad Market, and, would trade
M 3
here
1


Of Captain HOWEL DAPIS. 183
he frould fire a Piftol' thro’ the Governor's line
dow, to Itait up at once, and tecure the Army in
che Guard-Room.
When Davis arrived, Diner of heirs learly,
the Governor propoled that they ſhould pais their
Time in making a bowl of Puncli till Dinn-Time:
lr muſt be obierved, that Davis's Gozen waiteit
upon them, wiro had an opportunity of its
about all parts of the Houſe, to lee what Strength
they had, lie whiſpered Davis, there beilig nio l'esa
0:1 then in the Room, but he', (Divis) the Ma-
dier, the Doctor, the Coxer, and Governor; Doris
on a ludde: drew out a Piſtoi, clap'd ir to the Gun
vernor's Breait, telling him, he muſt Currence: the
Fort and all the Riches in it, or he 1995 il lead
Man. The Governor being no Vays prepared for
iucli an Atlack, promiſed to be very piilive, and
do all they delired, therefore they fhut the Duor,
look down all the Arms that hulle in tle tall,
and loaded them. Davis fires is Pifto characle
ll'indow, upon which his Mei, iviils. His executeri.
Creir Part o: thie Scheme, like Herues, in an In-
ítant ; getting betwixt the Soldiers and their Irms,
all with the j Piſtols cock's in their Hands, while
one of them carried the Arms out. llihen this
was done, they locked the Soldiers ilico the Guard.
Room, and kept Guard without.
In the me:v 'Time oe of them ftruck the Union
Flag on the top of the Ciftie, at which Sigal
thole on Board telt on Shore a' Reinforcement of
Hands, and they got Pallolion of the Fore withe
out the leait Hurry or Coufifion, or lo much as a
Man lot of either Siile.
Davis harangued the Soldiers, upon which a
great many of them took out with him, thoſe
who refuled, he tent on Board the licole Sluor,
and becauſe he would not be at the Trouble of a
Guard for them, lae ordered all tic Soils and Cables
out
M +


184 of Captain HOWEL DAPIS,
1.
w
1
put of her, which might hinder them fiom attempt.
jrg to get away.
This Day was ſpent in a kind of Rejoycing, the
Caſtle firing her Guns to tàlute the ship, and the
Ship the Caſtle; but the next Day they minded
their Buſineſs, that is, they fell to plundering, but
they found Things fall vaſtly ſhort of their Ex.
peétation, for they diſcovered, that a great deal of
Money had been lately ſent away; however, they
met with the Value of about two thouſard Pouncis
Sterling in Bar Gold, and a great many other rich
Effects: Every Thing they liked, which was por-
table, they brought aboard their Ship; ſomeThings
which they had no Uſe for, they were to generous
to make a Prelent of, to the Malter and Crew of the
little Sloop, to whom they allo returned his Vellel
again, and then they fell to work in dilmounti.g
the Guns, and demolishing the Fortifications.
After they had done as much Miſchief as they
could, and were weighing Anchor to be gone, they
spy'da Ship bearing down upon them in full Sail;
they ſoon got their Auchors up, and were in a
Readineſs to receive her. This Ship prov'd to be
a 'French Pyrate of fourteen Guns and fixiy four
Hands, halt Frer.ch, half Negroes; the Captain's
Name was La Bouſe; he expected no leis than a rich
Prize, which made him ſo eager in ile Chace ; but
when he came near ei:ough to ſee their Guns, and
thie Nuniber of their Hands upon Deck, he began
to think he mould catch a Tartar, and ſupposed her
to be a ſmall Erglin Man of War; however, ſince
there was no eſcaping, he reſolved to do a bold and
deſperate Action, which was to board Davis. As
he was making towards her, for this purpoſe, he
fired a Guis, and hoſted his black Colours; Davis
returned the Salute, and hoiſted his black Colours
alſo. The French Man was not a little pleaſed at this
happy Miſtake; they both hoifted out their Boats,
and
1


Of Captain HOTEL DAVIS. 185
and the Captains went to meet and congratulate
one another with a Flag of Truce in their Sterns;
a great many Civilities paſſed between them, and
La Bouſe deſired Durvis, that they might jail down
the Coaſt toge: her, that he (La Bouſe) might get
a better Ship: Davis agreed to it, a.id very cour.
teouſly promiled him the firſt Ship he took, fit for
his Ule, he would give him, as beirig deſirous to
encourage a willing Brother.
The firſt place they touch'd at, was Sierralcon,
where at firſt going in, they ſpied a tall Ship at
Anchor ; Devis being the beit Sailor firſt came up
with her, a..d wondering that ſhe did not try to
make o:f, ſuſpected her to be a Ship of Force. As
foon as he came along Side ot' her, the brought a
Spring upon her Cable, and fired a whole Broadride
upon Davis, at the fime Time hoiſted a black
Flag; Duvis hoiſted his black Flag in like Mamer,
and fired one Gun to Leeward.
In fine, the proved to be a Pyrate Ship of twenty
four Guns, commanded by one Cocklyn, who ex-
pecting theſe two would prove Prizes, let them
come in, leaſt his getting under Sail might frighten
This Satisfa&tion was great on all sides, at this
Junction of Confederates and Brethren in Iniquity;
two Days they ſpent in improving their Acquain-
tance and Friendſhip, the third Day Durvis arid Cock-
lyn, agreed to go in La Bouſe's Brigantine and attack
the Fort; they contrived it ſo, as to get up thither
by high Water; thoſe in the Fort fulpected them
to be what they really were, and therefore ſtood
upon their Defence; when the Brigantiiie came
within Musket-Shor, the Fort fired all their Guns
upon her, the Brigantine did the like upon the
Fort, and held each other in Play for ſeveral
Hours, when the two confederate Ships were come
up to the Affiftance of the Brigantine ; thoſe who
defended
them away:


1
786 of Captain HOWEL DAPIS.
2,1
AR
1
1
1
Jr
HU
defended the Fort, ſeeing fuch a Nuniber of Hands
on Board theie Ships, had nor the Courage to
ſtand it any longer, but abandoning the Fort, lett
it to the Mercy of the Pyrares.
They took Poffeslion of it, and continued there
near liveua Weeks, in whicle Tiruc they all cleaned
Cheir Ships. We should have oblerved, that a Galley
came into the Road! while they were there, which
Durvis inſiſted thould be yielded to La Boule, accer-
ding to his Word of tio:iour before given; Cock.
iy did not oppoſe it, to La Bouſo went into her,
with his Crew, and cutti:g a way her half Deck,
mounted her with twenty tour Guns.
Having called a Countel of War, they agreed to
fail down the Coaft ingetlier, and for the greate:
Grandeur, appointed a Commadore, which was
Davis; but they had not kept Company long,
when drinking together on Board of Davis, they
had like to have fallen together by the Ears, the
Strong Liquor firring up a Spirit of Dilcord among
them, and they quarell'd, but Durvis put an End
to it, by this Tore Speech :-- Hoark ye, you
Cocklyn and La Bouſe, I find by ſtrengthening you, !
Haze put a kod into your Hands to whip my ſelf, but I
am still able to deal with you bach ; but force we met in
Love, let us poort in Love, for I find, 'th.ut three of a
Trade can never agree. Upon which the other two
went o: Board their reſpective Ships, and inime.
diately parted, each ſteering a different Courte.
Davis held on his Way down the Coaſt, and
making Cape Appollonia, he met with two Scorcha
and one Engliſlo Veliel, which he plundered, and
About five Days after he fell in with
a Dutch Interloper of thirty Guns and ninety Men,
(half being Engliſh) off Cape Three Points Bay;
Ditvis coming up along Side of her, the Dutch Man
gave the firſt Fire, and pouring in a Broad-lide
pon Detris,killed nine of his Men, Dazis returned ir,
11
then let go.
2:10


of Captain FTOH'EL DAVIS.
I Sy
and a very hot Engagement followed, which lasted
from che a-Clock at Noon, till nii.e next Morne
ig, when the Dutch Man Itruck, irid yielded ber
cif their Prize.
Dorris tirred up the Dutch Ship for his ow!!
Ulè, and called her the Rover, atoarel of which he
mounted thirty two Guns, a:id twenty leven Sivi-
vels, and proceeded with her and the king James,
tu An.mxbor; be entered the Bay betwixt ihe Hours
of twelve and one at Noon, and find diere three
Ships lying at Anchor, w!lo were trading for Ne-
emocs, Gold, aid Teeth: The Names or ilete Ships
were the Hink Piik, Captain Ha! Commander, the
Princeſs, Captain Ilumb, of which Roberts, who will
make a confiderable Figure in the Sequel of this
Hiitory, was ſecond Mate, and the Murice Sloor,
Captain F:; he takes theſe Ships without any Ree
fiſance, and having plundered them, he makes a
Prefent of one of them, viz. the Morrice sloop, to
the Dutch Men, on Board vi' whichi alone were found
a hundred and forcy Negroes, beſides dry Goods,
291) a confiderable Quantity of Go!d-Duít.
It happe!ed there were ſeveral Carges along Side
of this laft, when D.zvis came in, who fived them-
elves and goc afnore; theſe gave Notice at the
Tort, that these Ships were Pyrates, upon which
the Fort fired upon them, but without any Exe-
cuties, for their Mettle was "ot of Weight enough
to reach them; Davis therefore, by Way of De-
hance, loiſted his black Flag and returned their
Compliment.
The fame Day Bic Mild with his three Ships,
...king his Way down the Coaſt towards Pririces, a
Portugueſe Colony: But, before we proceed any tar-
ther in Droris's Story, we fall give our Ruader an
Account of the Portugueſe Setrlements on this Cozít,
with other curious Remarks, as they were comid-
zzicated to ino by an ingenious Gentlema!, lace; ar.
Fired from thcle Parts,
A Dea


}
188
Of Captain HOWEL DAVIS.
WI
DK
PAM
16
A Deſcription of the Iſlands of St. Thome,
DEL PRINCIPE, and ANNOBONO.
A
S the Portugueſe were the great Improvers of
Navigation, and the firſt Europeans who traded
to ard ſettled on the Coaſts of Africa, even round
to India, and made thoſe Diſcoveries, which now
turn ſo much to the Advantage of other Nations,
it may not be amiſs, previouſly to a Deſcription
of thoſe Iſlands, to hint on that wonderful Pro-
perty of the Loadſtone, that a little before had
been found out, and enabled them to purſue ſuch
new and daring Navigations.
The attractive Power of the Loadſtone, was uni-
verſally known by the Ancients, as may be be-
lieved by its being a native Foſſil of the Grecians,
(Mogries a Nlagneſia) but its directive, or polar Vir:
tue, has only been known to us within this 350
Years, and ſaid to be found out by John Goia of
Malphi, in the Kingdom of Naples, Prima dedit nau.
tis ufum magnetis Amalphi ; tho others think, and
aſſure us, it was traniported by Paulus Venetus from
China to Italy, like the other famous Arts of modern
Uſe with us, PRINTING and the uſe of GUNS.
The other Properties or Improvements of the
Magnet, viz. Variation, or its Defluction from an
exact N. or S. Line, Variation of that Variation, and
its Inclination, were the Inventions of Sebaſtian Ca-
bor, Mr. Gellibrand, and Mr. No:man; the Inclination
of the Needle, or that Property whereby it keeps
an. Elevation above the Horizon, in all Places
but under the Equator, (where its Parallel) is
as furprizing a Phänomenon as any, and was the
Diſcovery of our Countrymen; and could it be
found regular, I imagine would very much help to.
wards the Diſcovery of Longitude, at leaſt would
.
N
j
point


of Captain HOWEL DAVIS. 189
point out better Methods than hicherto known,
when Ships drew nigh Land, which would anſwer
as uſeful an End.
Before the Verticity and Uſe of the Compaſs, the
Portugueſe Navigations had extended no farther
than Cape Non, it was their ne plus ultra,) and
therefore ſo called; diſtreſs of Weather, indeed,
had drove ſome Coaſters to Porto Santo, and Madera,
before any certain Method of ſteering was inven-
ted; but after the Needle was ſeen thus inſpired,
Navigation every Year improved under the great
Incouragements of Henry, Alphonſus, and John II.
Kings of Portugal, in Part of the 14th and in
the 15th Century.
King Alphonſus was not ſo much at Leiſure as his
Predecellor, to purſue thele Diſcoveries, but ha-
ving ſeen the Advantages accrued to Portugal by
them, and that the Pope had confirmed the per-
petual Donation of all they fhould diſcover be-
tween Cape Bajadore and India, incluſively, he re-
ſolved not to neglect the proper Alliſtance, and
farmed the Profits that did or might enſue to one
Bernard Gomez, a Citizen of Lisbon, who was every
Voyage obliged to diſcover ico Leagues, ſtill far.
ther on: And about the Year 1470 made theſe
Iſlands, the only Places (of all the conſiderable
and large Colonies they had in Africa,) that do
now remain to that Crown.
St. Thome is the the principal of the three, whoſe
Governour is ſtiled Captain General of the lands,
and from whom the other at Princes receives his
Commiſſion, tho'nominated by the Court of Portugal:
It is a Biſhoprick with a great many ſecular Clergy
who appear to have neither Learuing nor Devotion,
as may be judged by ſeveral of them beirg Ne
groes: One of the Chief of them, invited us to
hear Maſs, as a Diverſion to paſs Time away,
where he, and his inferior Brethren acted ſuch af.
fected


190 of Captain HOWEL DAVIS,
feited Geſtures and Strains of Voice, as thewed
their Dihonour, they had no other Aim thun
pleaſing us; and what I think was ſtill woric, it
was not without a View of literelt; for as thiera
Clergy are the chief Traders, they ſtoop to pici-
ful and ſcandalous Methods for ingratiating them-
ſelves: They and the Government, on this tra-
ding Account, maintain as great Harmony, being
ever jealous of each other, and practising littic
deceitful Arts to monopolize what Stringers have
to offer for Sale, whether Toys or Civaihs, which
of all Sorts are ever commodious with the Porte-
gr:0, in all parts of the World; an ordinary Suit
of Black will feil for leven or eight Pound; a Turi-
ſtile. Wig of four Shillings, for a Moisture; alle!
of forty Shillings, for fix Pound, oo.
The Town is of mean Building, bus large and 90-
pulous, the Reſidence of the greater Part of the Ra-
tives, who, thro' the whole Idland, are computed
at 10000, the Militia at 3000, and are in general,
a talcally thievith Generacion, as an old guve
Friend of inive can witneis; for he having, car-
ried a Bag of fecond-hand Cloaths on Shore, to
truck for Proviſions, feared himſelf on the Sant
for that Purpule, preſently gathered a Crowd
round him, to view them; one of which deſired to
know the Price of a black Suit, that unluckily
lay uppermuit, and was the beſt of thein, agree,
ing to the Demand, with little Heſitation, pro-
vided it would but fit him; he put them on im
mediately, in as much Hurry as poſible, without
any co-licentia Scignor; and when my Friend was
about to commend the Goodness of the Suit, and
Exactneſs they let with, not dreaming of the lon,
pudence af running away from a Crowd, the Raſcal
took to his Heels, my Friend follow'd and bawla
ed very much, and tho' there was soo People
about the place, it ſerved to no other End hut.
I
1
making


Of Captain HOTEL DAVIS. 191
making him a clear Stage, that the best Pair of
Heels might carry it; lo he lost the Suit of Cloachs,
and before he could :cturn to his Bag, others of
them had beat off his Servant, and ſhared the
reſt.
Moſt of the Ships from Guincy, of their own
Nation, and frequently those of ours, call at one
or other of theſc lands, to recruit with freſh From
viſions, and take in Water, which on the Coast
are not to good, nor lo coveniertly to come by :
Their own Ships likewiſe, when they touch here,
are obliged to leave the King his Custom for their
Slaves, which is always in Gold, ar: ſo much a
Head, without any Deduction at Braſil, for the
Mortality that may happen afterwards ; this by
being a conſtant Bank to pay off the civil and mi-
litary Charges of the Government, prevents the
liconveniency of Remittances, and keeps both it
and Princes Iſle rich enough to pay ready Money
for every Thing they want of Europeans.
Their Beels are imall and lean, (two hundred
Weight of a little more,) but the Goats, Hogs and
Fow is very good, their Sugar coarte and dirty,
and Rum very ordinary; as there Refreſhments
lay most with people who are in Want of other
Neceifaries, they come to us in Way of bartering,
very cheap: A good Hog for an old Cutlaſh; a far
Fowl for a Span of Braſil Tobacco, (no other Sort
being valued, cc.) But with Money you give eight
Dollars per Head for Cattle; three Dollars for
a Goat; fix Dollars for a grown Hog; a Teſtune
and a half for a Fowl; a Dollar per Gallon for
Rum ; two Dollars a Roove for Sugar; and half a
Dollar for a Düzen of Paraquets: Here is Plenty
likewitc of Corn and Farive, of Limes, Citrons
and Yarms.
The Iard is reckoundaigh a Square, each Side
Le Leagues long, hi!!!! cite lays under the Æqui-
maitinal,


192 Of Captain HOWĖL DAVIS.
MA
1941
3
noctial, a wooden Bridge juſt without the Town,
being ſaid not to deviate the leaſt Part of a Minute,
either to the Southward or Northward; and notá
withſtanding this warm Situation, and continual
vertical Suns, the INanders are very healthy, im:
puted by thoſe who are diſpoſed to be merry; in a
great Meaſure to the Want of even ſo much as
one' Surgeon or Phyſician amongſt them.
Ille Del Principe, the next in Magnitude, a pleao
ſant and delightful Spot to the grave, and thought.
ful Diſpoſition of the Portugueſe, an Improvement to
Country Retirement, in that, this may be a happy
and uninterrupted Retreat from the whole world.
I ſhall divide what I have to ſay on this Inand,
into Obſervations made on our Approach to it,
on the Seas round it, the Harbour, Produce of
the land and Seaſons, Way of Living among the
Inhabitants, fome Cuſtom of the Negroes, with
ſuch proper Deductions on each as may illustrate
the Deſcription, and inform the Reader.
We were bound hither from Whydah, at the
latter Part of the Month July, when the Rais
are over, and the Winds hang altogether S. W. (as
they do before the Raius, S. E.) yet with this
Wind (when at Sea) we found the Ship gained
unexpectedly ſo far to the Southward, (i. c. Wind-
ward) that we could with Eaſe have weathered
any of the INands, and this ſeems next to impro
Jible ſhould be, if the Currents, which were ſtrong
to Leeward, in the Road of Whydah, had extended
in like Manner croſs the Bite of Benin: No, it muſt
then have been very difficult to have weathered
even Cape Formoſa: On this Occaſion, 1 thall farther
expatiate upon the Currents on the whole Coaft
of Guiney.
The Southern Coaſt of Africa runs in a Line of
llatitude, the Northern on an Eaſtern Line, but
1xoth ſtrait, with the feweſt Inlets, Gulphs or
Bay!
Ver
OC
2:


Of Captain HOWEL DAVIS.
193
1
Bays, of either of the four Continents; the only
large and remarkable one, is that of Benin and Cao
labar, towards which the Current of each Coaſt
tend, and is ſtrongeſt from the Southward, be-
cauſe more open to a larger Sea, whole rifiug it
is (tho' little and indiſcernable at any Diſtance
from the Land,) that gives Rile to theſe Currents
cloſe in Shore, which are nothing but Tides altered
and diſturbed by the Make and Shape of Lands.
For Proof of this, I ſhall lay down the following
Obſervations as certain Falts. That in the Rivers
of Gambia and Sierraleon, in the Straits and Chana
ne's of Benin, and in gei eral along the whole
Coaſt, the Flowings are regular on the Shures,
with this Difference; that, in the above-mention'd
Rivers, and in the Chamels of Benin, where the
Shore contract the Waters into a narrow Compaſs,
the Tides are ſtrong and high, as well as regular ;
but on the dead Coaſt, where it makes an equal
Reverberation, now and low, (not to above two
or threc Foot,) increaſing as you advance towards
Benin ; and this is tårther evident in that at Cape
Corſo, Succonda and Commenda, and where the Land
rounds and gives any stop, the Tides How regularly
to four Fooć and upwards; when on an evener
Coaſt, (tho' next adjoining) they shall not exceed
two or three Foot; and ten Leagues out at Sea,
(vhere no ſuch Interruption is ) they becunie
ſcarcely, if at all, perceptible.
What I would deduce from this, beſides a Core
firmation of that. ingenious Theory of the Tides,
by Captain Halley, is firſt, that the Ships bound to
Argola, Cabenda, and other places on the Southern
Coift of Africa, ſhould croſs the fiquinoctial from
Cape Palmas, and run into a Southern Latitude,
without keeping too far t: the Weſtward; and
the Acalon" ſeems plain, for if
you endeavour
to croſs it about the Inalds, you meet Calms,
VOL. I.
N
ſoutherly


194 Of Captain HOW EL DAVIS.
ſoutherly Wirds, and oppoſite Currents; and if
too far to the Weſtward, the trade Winds are ſtrong
and unfavourable ; for it obliges you to stand into
28 or 30° Southern Latitude, till they are va-
riable.
Secondly, On the Northern Side of Guiney, if
Ships are bound from the Gold Coaſt to Sierraleon,
Gumbia, or elſewhere to Windward, conſidering
the Weakneſs of theſe Currents, and the Favou.
rableneſs of Land Breezes, which are Southerly in the
Rais, Tuinadoes, and even of the TradeWind, when
a-breaſt of Cape Palma', it is more expeditious to
purſue the Pasſage this Way, than by a long per.
ambulatory Courte of 4 or soo Leagues to the
Weſtward, and as many more to the Northward,
which muſt be before a Wind can be obtained,
that could recover the Coaft.
Laſtly, It is, in a great Meaſure, owing to this
Want of lulets, and the Rivers beirg Imall and
unnavigable, that the Scas rebound with fo dan.
gerous a Surff thro' the whole Continent.
Round the shores of this liland, and at this Sea.
fon, (July, Auguft, and September) there is a great
Refort of Whale-Fiſh, tame, and ſporting very
nigh the Ships as they fail in, always in Pairs, the
Fenale much the Inaller, and are often ſeen to turn
on their Backs for Dalliance, the Prologue to en.
gendriig: It has an Enemy, called the Threſher,
a large Fish too, that has its Haunts here at this
Seaſon, and encounters the Whale, raiſing him-
ſelf out of the Water a conſiderable Heighth, and
falling again with great Weight and Force; it is
commonly faid alſo, that there is a Sword Fish
in thefe Battles, who pricks the Whale up to the
Surface again, but without this, I believe, he would
fuffocate when put to quick Motions, unleis he tre
quently approaches the Air, to ventilate, and there-
by cauſe a more regular Circulation of the Blood
Nur


Of Captain HOTEL. DAVIS. 195
Nor do I think he is battled for Prey, but to rea
move him from what is perhaps the Food of both.
The Number of Whales here has put me fome.
times on thinking an advantageous Fishery might
be made of it, but I preſuine they (no more than
thoſe of Brafil) are the Sort which yield the pro..
fitable Part, called Whale-Bone : All therefore that
the IN:onders do, is now and then to go out with
two or three Canoes, and ſet on one for Die
verſion.
The Rocks and outer Lires of the Iſland, are
the Haunts of Variety of Sea-Birds, eſpecially
Boobies ard Noddies; the former are of the Big-
rels of a Gull, and a dark Colour, named ſo from
their Simplicity, becauſe they often fit ftill and let
the Sailors take them up in their Hands; but I fancy
this ſucceeds more frequently from their Wearia
reſs, and the Largeneſs of their Wings, which,
when they once have refted, cannot have the Scope
receſſary to raiſe and float them on the Air again.
The Noddies are ſmaller and flatfootedas the others.
What I would remark more of them, is, the ada
mirable Inſtinct in theſe Birds, for the proper Sea-
fons, and the proper Places for Support. In the
aforementioned Months, when the large Filh were
here, numerous Flocks of Fowl attend for the
Spawn and Superfluity of their Nourishment; and
in January few of either; for the ſame Reaſon,
there are ſcarce any Sea Fowl ſeen on the African
Coaſt; Rocks and Illands being generally their
best Security and Subfiftance.
The Harbour of Princes is at the E. S. E. Point
of the Mand; the North-Side has gradual Soun,
dings, but here deep Water, having no Ground
at a Mile off with 140 Fathom of Line. The Porc
(when in) is a ſmooth narrow Bav, ſafe from Winds,
(unleſs a little Sivell when Southerly) and draughta
ed into other linaller and fandy Ones, convenient
for
N 2


196 Of Captain HOTEL DAVIS.
a
for raiſing of Tents, Watering, and hawling the
Seam; the whole protected by a Fort, or rather
Battery, of a dozen Guns on the Larboard-Side.
At the Head of the Bay ſtands the Town, about
Mile from the anchoring Places, and confifts of two
or three regular Streets, of wooden built Houſes,
where the Governor and chief Men of the Inand
reſide. Here the Water grows fhallow for a con-
liderable Diſtance, and the Natives, at every Ebb.
(having before encompaſſed every convenient Angle
with a Riſe of Stones, ſomething like Wiers in En-
glaod) reſort for catching of Fiſh, which, with them,
is a daily Diverſion, as well as Subſiſtance, 500 at-
tending with Sticks and wicker Baskets; and if they
Cannot dip them with one Hand, they knock them
down with the other. The Tides riſe regularly o
Foot in the Harbour, and yet not half that Heighth
without the Capes that make the Bay,
Here are cor.ſtantly two Miſſionaries, who are
ſent for ſix Years to inculcate the Chriſtian Prin.
ciples, and more eſpecially attend the Converſion
of the Negroes; the preſent are Venetians, inge-
nious Men, who ſeem to deſpiſe the looſe Morals
and Behaviour of the Seculars, and complain of
them as of the Slaves, ut Color Mores funt nigri. They
have a neat Conventual-Houle and a Garden appro-
priated, which, by their own Induſtry and Labour,
not only thrives with the ſeveral Natives of the
Soil, but many Exoticks and Curiofities. A Fruit
in particular, larger than a Cheſnut, yellow, con-
taining two Stones, with a Pulp, or clammy Sub-
{tance about them, which, when ſuck'd, exceeds in
Sweetneſs, Sugar or Honey, and has this Property
beyond them, of giving a ſweet Tafte to every Lio
?
quid you ſwallow for the whole Evening after. The
only Plague infeſting the Garden, is a Vermin called
Land-Crabs, in vaft Numbers, of a bright red Co.
lour, (in other Reſpets like the Sea ones) which
burrough
3
i.


of Captain HOWEL DAVIS. 197
burrough in theſe ſandy-Soils like Rabbets, and
are as fhy.
The Iland is a pleaſant Intermixture of Hill
and Valley ; the Hills ſpread with Palms, Coco-
Nuts, and Cotton-Trees, with Numbers of Mon-
keys and Parrots among them; the Valleys with
fruitful Plantations of Tamms, Kulula, Papas, Va.
riety of Sallating, Ananas, or Pine-Apples, Gua-
Vas, Plantanes, Bonanas, Manyocos, and Indian
Corn; with Fowls, Guinea Hens, Muſcowy Ducks,
Goats, Hogs, Turkies, and wild Beefs, with each a
little Village of Negroes, who, under the Direction
of their ſeveral Maſters, manage the Cultivation,
and exchange or ſell them for Money, much after
the ſame Rates with the People of St. Thoma.
I ſhall run on a Deſcription of the legetables, with
their Properties, not only becauſe they are the Prc-
duce of this Iand, but moſt of them of Africa
in general.
The Palm-Trees are numerous on the shores of
Africa, and may be reckoned the firſt of their na-
tural Curioſities, in that they afford them Meat,
Drink and Cloathing; they grow very ſtraigt tó
40 and 50 Foot high, and at the Top (only) have
3 or 4 Circles of Branches, that ſpread and make a
capacious Umbrella. The Trunk is very rough
with Knobs, either Excreſcencies, or the Healings
of thoſe Branches that were lopped off to forward
the Growth of the Tree, and make it anſwer bet-
ter in its Fruit. The Branches are ſtrongly tied
together with Cortex, which may be unravelled
to a conſiderable Length and Breadth; the inward
Lamella of this Cortex, I know are wove like a
Cloath at Benin, and afterwards dyed and worn :
Under the Branches, and cloſe to the Cody of the
Tree, hang the Nuts, thirty Bunches perhaps on
a Tree, and each of thirty Pound Weight, with
prickly Films from between them, not uni eſema-
N3
bling


:198 of Captain HOWEL DAVIS.
bling Hedge - Hogs ; of theſe Nuts comes a li
quid and pleaſant ſcented Oyl, uſed as Food and
Sauce all over the Coaſt, but chiefly in the Wind-
ward Parts of Africa, where they ſtamp, boil and
skin it off in great Quantities; underneath, where
the Branches faften, they tap for Wine, called
Cokra, in this Manner; the Negroes who are
moſtly limber_active Fellows, encompaſs them.
felves and the Trees with a Hoop of ſtrong Wy h,
and run up with a great deal of Agility; at the
Bottom of a Branch or Nuts, he makes an Exca.
vation of an Inch and a half over, and tying faſt
his Calabaſh, leaves it to deftil, which it does to
two or three Quares in a Night's Timę; when done,
he plugs it up, and chooſes another; for if ſuffered
to run too much, or in the Day Time, the Sap is
unwarily exhauſted, and the Tree ſpoiled: The
Liquor 'thus drawn, is of a wheyith Colour, in-
toxicating and ſours in 24 Hours, but when new
drawn, is pleaſantft to Thirſt and Hunger both : It is
from theſe Wines they draw their Arrack in India.
On the very Top of the Palm, grows a Cabbage,
called ſo, I believe, from ſome Relemblance its Taft
is thought to have with ours, and is uſed like it;
the Covering has a Down that makes the beſt of
Tinder, and the Weavings of other Parts are drawn
out into ſtrong Threads.
Coco-Nut-Trees are branch'd like, but not ſo tall
as, Palm Trees; the Nut like them, growing under
che Branches, and cloſe to the Trunk; the milky
Liquor they contain, (to half a Pint or more,) is
often drank to quench Thirſt, but is ſurfeiting; and
this may be obſerved in their way of Nouriſh-
ment, that when the Quantity of Milk is large,
the Shell and Meat are very thin, and harden and
thicken in Proportion, as that loſes.
Cotton Trees alſo are the Growth of all parts of
africk, as well as the lands, of vaſt Bigneſs
, yet
pos


Of Captain HOW EL DAVIS. 1964
not ſo incremental as the Shrubs or Buſhes of five
or fix Fcot high ; theſe bear a Fruit (if it may be
fo called) about the Bigiels of Pigeons Eggs, which,
is the Sun iwells and ripen, burſts forth and diſ
covers three Cells loaded with Cotton, and Seeds
in the Middle of them : Thi?, in most Parts, the
Negroes know how to Ipin, and here it Nicongo
and the INand St. Jago, how to weave into Clyths.
Yamms are a common Root, ſweeter, but not une
like, Potato's ; Kulalu, a Herb like Spinnäge; Papet,
a Fruit leſs than the imalleſt Pumkins; they are
all three for boiling, and to be eat with Meat;
the latter are improved by the Engliſh into a l'ura
nip or an Apple Taſte, with a due Mixture of But-
ter and Limes.
Guava's, a Fruit as large as a Pipin, with Seeds
ard Stones in it, of an uncouch aftringing Taftr; cho'
never lo much be said in Commendation of ir, at
the Weſt-Indies, it is common for Creolians, (ivho
has taſted both,) to give it a Preference to Peach
or Nectarine ; no amazing Thing when Mea whole
Tafts are ſo degenerated, as to prefer Toad in a
Shell, (as W.ird calls Turtle,) to Veniſon, and New
groes to fine Englif, Ladies.
Plant anes and Bunano's are Fruit of oblong Fi.
gure,
that I think dilfer only ſecundum Major de
Monus; if any, the latter are preferable, ani by be-
ing leſs, are juicier; they are uſually, when itrip.
ped of their Coat, eat at Meals inſtead of Bread :
The Leaf of this Plantane is an admirable Deter,
gent, and, externally applied, I have leen cure
the moft obftinate fcorbutick Ulcers.
Manyoco, a Root that ſhoots its Branches about
the Heighth of a Currant Bufh; from this Root
the INanders make a Farine or Flower, which they
ſell at three Ryals a Roove, and drive a corifider-
able Trade for it with the Ships that call in. The
Manner of making it, is firſt to preſs the Juice from
it,
N4


200 Of Captain HOWEL DAVIS.
A
14
it, (which is poisonous) done here with Engines, and
then the Negroe Women, upon a rough Stone, rub
it into a granulated Flower, and keep it in their
Houſes, either to buil, as we do our Wheat, and
is a hearty Food for the Slaves ; or make it into a
Bread, fine, white, ani well tarted, for themſelves.
Que Thing worth taking Notice of about Manyoco in
this and, is, that the Woods abound with a wild
poiſonous and niorc mortiferous Sort, which ſome.
times Men, unskilled in the Preparation of it, feed
on to their Deſtruction: This the Miſſionaries affured
me they often experimented in their Hogs, and be.
lieved we did in the Mortality of our Sailors.
Indian Corn is likewiſe, as well as the Farine de
Manyoco and Rice, the common Vi&ualling of our
Slave Ships, and is afforded here at 1000 Heads for
two Dollars. This Corn grows eight or nine Foot
high, on a hard Reed or Stick, Shooting forth, at
every ſix Inches Heighth, ſome long Leaves ; it
has always an Ear, or rather Head, at Top of, per-
haps, 400 Fold Increaſe; and often two, three, or
more, Midway.
Here are ſome Tamarind Trees; another called
Cola, whoſe Fruit, or Nut (about twice the Bignels
of a Cheſtnut, and bitter) is chewed by the Por.
tugueze, to give a ſweet Guſt to their Water which
they drink; but above all, I was thewn the Bark of
one (whoſe Name I do not know) gravely affirmed
to have a peculiar Property of enlarging the Virile
Member ; I am not fond of ſuch Conceits, nor be.
Jieve it in the Power of any Vegetables, but muſt
acknowledge, I have ſeen Sights of this kind among
the Negroes very extraordinary; yet, that there
may be no Wiſhes among the Ladies for the Impor.
tation of this Bark, I muſt acquaint them, that they
are found to grow leſs vigorous, as they encreale
in Bulk. Thd like to have forgot their Cinnamon
Trees; there is only one Walk of them, and is the
Entrance
1


Of Captain HOWEL DAVIS. 201
Entrance of the Governor's Villa ; they thrive ex-
tremely well, and the Bark not inferior to our Cin-
namon from India; why they and other Spice, in a
Soil fo proper, receive ne farther Cultivation, is,
probably, their Suſpicion, that ſo rich a Produce,
might make ſome potent Neighbour take a Fancy
to the Inand.
They have two Winters, or rather Springs, and
two Summers: Their Winters, which are the rainy
Seaſons, come in September avd February, or March,
and hold two Months, returning that Fatneſs and
generative Power to the Earth, as makes it yield
a double Crop every Year, with little Sweat or
Labour.
Hic Ver affiduum atque alienis Menfibus • Æftas,
Bis gravida Pecudes, bis Pomis utilis arbos.
Their firſt coming is with Travado's, i. e. ſudden
and hard Gufts of Wind, with Thunder, Light-
ning and heavy Showers, but ſhort; and the next
new or full Moon at thoſe Times of the Year, infal.
libly introduces the Rains, which once begun, fall
with little Intermiſſion, and are obſerved coldeſt in
February. Similiar to theſe are rainy Seaſons alſo
over all the coaſt of Africa: If there may be al,
lowed any general Way of calculating their Time,
they happen from the Courſe of the Sun, as it re-
ſpects the Aquinoctial only ; for if theſe Aquinoxes
prove rainy Seaſons all over the World (as I am apt
to think they are) whatever ſecret Cauſe nperares
with that Station of the Sun to produce them, will
more effe&tually do it in thoſe vicine Latitudes;
and therefore, as the Sun advances, the Rains are
brought on the Whydah and Gold Coaſt, by April,
and on the Windwardmoft Part of Guiney by May :
The other Seaſon of the Sun's returning to the
Southward, make them more uncertain and irregue
lar in Northern Africa ; but then to the Southward
again,


302 of Captain HOWEL DAVIS.
ta
TON
$ 2
again, they proceed in like Manner, and are at
Cape Lopez in October, at Angola in November, &c.
The Manner of living among the Portugueze here,
is with the utmoſt Frugality and Temperance,
even to Penury and Starving; a familiar Inſtance of
Proof is, in the Voracity of their Dogs, who find.
ing ſuch clean Cupboards at home, are wild in a
manner with Hunger, and care up the Graves of
the Dead for Food, as I have often leen: They
themſelves are lean with Covccoufi:els, and that
Chriſtian Vertue, which is often the Reſult of it,
Self-denial; and would train up their Cattle in the
ſame Way, could they fetch as much Money, or
had not they their Proviſion more immediately of
Providence. The beſt of them (excepting the Go.
vernor now and then) neither pay cor receive any
Viſits of Eſcapade or Recreation; they meet and
ſit down at each others Doors, in the Street, every
Evenirs, and as few of them, in ſo ſmall an Inand,
can have their Plantations at arzy greater Diſtance,
than that they may ſee it every Day if they will,
ſo the Subject of their Talk is moſtly how Affairs
went there, with their Negroes, or their Ground,
and then part with one another innocently, but
empty.
The Negroes have yet no hard Duty with them,
they are rather happy in Slavery; for as their Fooi
is chiefly Vegetable, that could no Way elſe be ex-
pended, there is no Murmurs bred on that Account;
and as their Buſineſs is domeſtick, either in the Sera
vices of the Houſe, or in Gardening, Sowing,
or Planting, they have no more than what every
Man would prefer for Health and Pleaſure; the
hardeſt of their work is the Carriage of their
Pateroons, or their Wives, to and from the Plan-
tations; this they do in Hammocks (call'd ac
Whydah, Serpentines) llung croſs a Pole, with a
Cloath' over, to ſcreen the Perſon, ſó carried,
from


Of Captain HOTEL DAVIS.
203
from Sun and Weather, and the Slaves are at each
End; and yet even this, methinks, is better than
the ſpecious Liberty a Man has, for himſelf and
his Heirs, to work in a Coal Mii:.e.
The Negroes are, moſt of them, thro' the Care
of their Patroons, Chriſtians, at leaſt nominal; but
excepting to ſome few, they adhere itill to many
filly Pagan Cuſtoms in their Mournir.gs and Re-
joycings, and in ſome Mealure, powerful Majority
has introduced them with the Vulgar of the Mu-
Latto and Portugueze Race.
If a Perſon die in that Colour, the Relations
and Friends of him meer at the Houle, where the
Corple is laid out deceitly on the Ground, and co-
vered (all except the Face) with a Sheet; they fit
round it, crying and howling dreadfully, not unlike
what our Countrymen are ſaid to do in Ireland:
This Mourning laſts for eight Days and Nights,
but not equally in-ente, for as the Friends, who
compoſe the Chorus, go out and in, are weary, and
unequally affected, the Tone leſſens daily, and the
Intervals of Grief are longer.
In Rejoycings and Feſtivals they are equally
ridiculous ; theſe are commonly made on ſome
Friend's Eſcape from Shipwreck, or other Danger :
They meet in a large Room of the Houſe, with
a Strum Strum, to which one of the Company,
perhaps, ſings wofully; the reſt ſtanding round the
Room cloſe to the Petitions, take it in their
Turns ( one or two. at a Time) to ſtep round,
called Dancing, the whole clapping their Hands
continually, and hooping out every Minute Abeo,
which fignify no more, than, how do you.
And
this fooliſh Mirth will continue three or four Days
together at a Houſe, and perhaps twelve or fix-
teen Hours at a Time.
The Portugueze, tho' eminently abſtemious and
temperate in all other Things, are ur.bounded in
their


204 Of Captain HOWEL Davis.
their Lufts; and perhaps they ſubſtitute the for:
mer in the Place of a Surgeon, as a Counterpoiſon
to the Miſchiefs of a promiſcuous Salacity : They
have moſt of them Venereal Taints, and with Age
become meager and he&tick : I ſaw two Inftar.ces
here of Venereal Ulcers that had cancerated to the
Bowels; Spectacles that would have effectually per.
ſwaded Men (I think) how Salutary the Reſtriction
of Laws are.
Anncbono is the laſt, and of the leaſt Conſe.
querce of the three lands; there are plenty of
Fruits and Proviſions, exchanged to Ships for old
Cloachs and Trifles of any Sort; they have a Go-
vernor nominated from St. Thoma, and two or
three Prieſts, neither of which are minded, every
oue living at Diſcretion, and filld with Ignorance
and Luit.
E
1
To return to Davis, the next Day after he left
Animalce, early in the Morning, the Man at the
Maft-Head cſpied a Sail. It muſt be obſerved, they
keep a good Look-out; for, according to their Ar.
ticles, he who firſt eſpies a Sail, if the proves a Prize,
is entituled to the beſt Fair of Piſtols on Board,
over and above his Dividend, in which they take a
fingular Pride; and a pair of Piſtols has ſometimes
been fuld for thirty Pounds, from one to another.
Immediately they gave Chace, and ſoon came up
with her; the Ship proved to be a Hollander, and
being betwixt Davis and the Shore, the made all
the Sail ſhe could, intending to run aground; Davis
gueſſed at her Deſign, and putting out all his ſmall
Sails, came up with her before ſhe could effect it,
and fired a Broad-ſide ; upon which the immediate-
ly ftruck, and called for Quarter. It was granted,
for ac ording to Davis's Articles, it was agreed,
that Quarter Mould be given whenever it was
called for, upon Pain of Death.
This


Of Captain HOTEL DAVIS.
205
This Ship.proved a very rich Prize, having the
Governor of Acra on Board, with all his Elfets, go-
ing to Holloind; there was in Moncy to the Value of
15000 l. Sterling, beſides other valuable Merchandi.
zes, all which they brought ou Board otthenglèlves.
Upon this new Succels, they reſtored Captain
Hall and Captain Pluml; before-mciitioned, their
Ships again, but ſtrengthened their Company with
thirty five Hands, all white Men, taken out of
theſe two and the aforrice Sloop; they allo re.
stored the Dutch their Shif, after having plunder'd
her, as is mentioned.
Before they got to the Inand of Princes, one of
their Ships, viz. that callid the King James, ſprung
a Leak; Davis order'd all Hands out of her, on
Board his own Ship, with every Thirig elfe of Ule,
and left her at an Anchor at High Cameroon. As ſoon
as he came in Sight of the land, he hoiſted Engliſh
Colours; the Portugueze obſerving a large Ship lail.
ing towards them, fent out a little Sluop to exa-
mine what Me might be; this Sloop hailing of Davis,
he told them he was an Engliſh Man of War, in
Queſt of Pyrates, and that he had received Intelli-
gence there were ſome upon that Coaft; upon this
they received him as a welcome Gueſt, and piloted
him into the Harbour. He ſaluted the Fort, which
they antivered, and he came to an Anchor juſt under
their Guns, and hoiſted out the Pinnance, Man of
War Faſhion, ordering nine Halids and a Coxen in
it, to row him aſhore.
The Portugucze, to do him the greater Honour,
feut down a File of Mulqueteers to receive him,
and conduct hiin to the Governor, The Governor
not in the leaſt lulpecting what he was, received
him very civilly, promiſing to ſupply him with
whatever the land afforded; Durvis thanked him,
telling him, the King of
Ergland would pay for what-
ever he thould take ; lo after several Civilities
palsd.


206 Of Captain HOWEL DAVIS.
5!
1
1
paſs'd between him and the Governor, he returred
again on Board.
It happened a French Ship came in there to ſupply
it ſelf with ſome Neceſſaries, which Davis took ilia
to his Head tn plunder, but to give the Thing a
Colour of Right, he perſuaded the Portugueze, that
The had been trading with the Pyrates, and that
he found ſeveral Pyrates Goods on Board, which
he ſeized for the King's Uſe: This Story paſſed
ſo well upon the Governor, that he commended
Davis's Diligence.
A few Daysafter, Mr. Davis, with fourteen more,
went privately aſhore, and walk'd up the Country
towards a Village, where the Governor and the
other chief Men of the Iand kept their Wives, in
tendirg, as we may ſuppoſe, to ſupply their Hus.
bands Places with them ; but being diſcover'd, the
Women fled to a neighbouring Wood, and Davis
and the reſt retreated to their Ship, without effect.
ing their Deſign: The Thing made ſome Noiſe,
but as no body knew them, it paſſed over.
Haviig cleaned his Ship, and put all Things in
Order, his Thoughts now were turned upon
main Buſineſs, viz. the Plunder of the Mand, and
not knowing where the Treaſure lay, a Stratagem
came into his Head, to get it (as he thought) with
litele Trouble, he conſul'ed h's Men upon it, and
they liked the Deſign: His Scheme was, to make a
Preſent to the Governor, of a dozen Negroes, by
Way of Return for the Civilities received from him,
and afterwards to invite him, with the chief Men,
and ſome of the Friers, on Board his Ship, to an En-
tertainment; the Minute they came on Board, they
were to be ſecured in Irons, and there kept till they
ſhould pay a Ranſom of 4.000 l. Sterling.
But this Stratagem proved fat:1 to him, for a Por-
tugueze Negroe fiam ashore in the Night, and diſco-
vered the whole Plot tu the Governor, and alſo let
him
SA
thic
1
3
5


.
207
Of Captain HOWEL DAVIS.
him know, that it was Davis who had made the Ato
sempt upon their wives. However, the Governor
dilembled, received the Pyrates Invitation civilly,
and promiſed that he and the reſt would go.
The next Day Davis went on Shore himſelf, as
if it were out of greater Reſpect to bring the Gover-
nor on Board : He was received with the uſual Ci-
vility, and he, and other principal Pyrates, whr,
by the Way, had aſſumed the Title of Lords, and
as ſuch took upon them to adviſe or councel their
Captain upon any important Occaſion; and like-
wilè held certain Privileges, which the common
Pyrates were debarr'd from, as walking the Quar-
ter-Deck, uſing the great Cabin, going afhore at
Pleaſure, and treating with foreign Powers, that is,
with the Captains of Ships they made Prize of; i
fay, Davis and ſome of the Lords were deſired to
walk up to the Governor's Houſe, to take fome
Refreſhment before they went on Board; they ac-
cepted it without the leaſt Sulpicio., but never
returned again; for an Ambuſcade was laid, a Sig.
ral being give.i, a whole Volley was fired upon
them; they every Man dropp'd, except one, this
ore filed back, and eſcaped into the Boat, and got on
Board the Ship: Davis was ſhot through the Bowels,
yet he riſe again, and made a weak Effort to get
away, but his Strength foon forſook him, and he
droppd down dead; juſt as he fell, he perceived he
was follow'd, and drawing out his Piſtols, fired them
at his Purſuers: Thus like a game Cock, giving a
dying Blow, that he might not fall unrevenged.
Sexo
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Of Captain HOWEL DAVIS.
207
tvirtis
SELF
him know, that it was Davis who had made the At.
sempt upon their wives. However, the Governor
diilembled, received the Pyrates Invitation civilly,
and promiſed that he and the reſt would go.
The next Day Davis went on Shore himſelf, as
if it were out of greater Reſpect to bring the Gover-
nor on Board: He was received with the uſual Ci.
vility, and he, and other principal Pyrates, whr,
by the Way, had aſſumed the Title of Lords, and
as ſuch took upon them to adviſe or councel their
Captain upon any important Occaſion; and like-
wile held certain Privileges, which the common
Pyrates were debarr'd from, as walking the Quar.
ter-Deck, uſing the great Cabin, going afhore at
Pleaſure, and treating with foreign Powers, that is,
with the Captains of Ships they made Prize of; i
lay, Davis and ſome of the Lords were deſired to
walk up to the Governor's Houſe, to take fome
Refreſhment before they went on Board ; they ac-
cepted it without the leaſt Sulpicio:, but never
returned again ; for an Ambuſcade was laid, a Sig.
ral being give.i, a whole Volley was fired upon
them; they every Man dropp'd, except one, this
ore fled bick, and elcaped into the Boat, and got on
Board the Ship: Davis was ſhot through the Bowels,
yet he riſe again, and made a weak Effort to get
away, but his Strength foon forſook him, and he
dropp'd down dead; juſt as he fell, he perceived he
was follow'd, and drawing out his Piſtols, fired them
at his Purſuers : Thus like a game Cock, giving, a.
dying Blow, that he might not fall unrevenged.
C H A P.


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Of Captain HOWEL DAVIS.
207
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HANS
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Capt. BÅRTHO: ROBERTS. 209
ser
id, over a Bowl to this purpoſe.
'd with Title ; for really and in Truth, all gocd Go-
rnments had (like theirs) the fuprcam Pomer lodged with
ised Interest or Humour. We are the Original of this
ed Preſcription at any time, why down with him!
will be a Caution after he is dead to his Succeffors, of what
ral Conſequence any fort of affuming may
is my Advice, that, while we are ſober, me fitch upon a
Ján of Courage, and skill'd in Navigation, one, who liy
onwealth, and ward us from the Dangers and Tempeſts of
12 inſtable Elemint, and the fatal Conſequences of Anarchy;
in all Kc/peits, worthy your Eſteem and Favour.
Symplon, who had ſecret Expectations himſelf, but
reconcileable Hatred, for that his Father had been a Suffera.
er in Monmouth's Rebellion.
been above ſix Weeks among them, the Choice was
of them, that were diſtinguiſh'd by the Title of
LORDS, luch were Sympſon, Af:plant, Anſtis, &c. and
01 canvaſſing this Matter, how fhatter's and weak
Condition their Government muſt be without a
Head, ſince Davis had been remov’d, in the man-
beforemention'd, my Lord Dennis propos'd, its
hat it was not of any great Signification who was dig-
e Community, who might doubleſs depute and revoke as
him (ſays he) and frould a Captain be ſo farcy as to ex-
be. However,
Council and Bravery ſeerns best able to defend this con-
a ont I take Roberts to be. A Felloip! I think,
This Speech was loudly applauded by all but Lord
on this Diſappointment, grew fullen, and left them,
lwearing, he did not care who they choſe Captain, ſo it
res not a, Papift, for againſt them
he had conceiv'd an ir-
Roberts was accordingly elected, tho' he had not
and fuch
confirm'd both by the Lords and Commoners, and
he accepted of the Honour, ſaying, Thar ſince he had
dipp'd his Hands in muddy Water, and must be a Pyrate, it
was better being a Commander than a common Man.
As ſoon as the Government was ſettled, by promo-
ting otherOfficers in the room of thoſe that were kill'd
O
by


210 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
k.
1
.
by the Portugueze, the Company reſolvd to rever.ge
Captain Davis's Death, he being more than ordina-
rily relpected by the Crew for his Affability and
good Nature, as well as his Conduct and Bravery
ufon all Occaſious; and purſuant to this Reſolution,
about 30 Men werá landed, in order to make ani At.
tack upon the Fort, which muſt be aſcended to by a
ſteep Hill againſt the Mouth of the Cannon. Theſe
Men were headed by one Kennedy, a bold daring
Fellov, but very wicked and profligate ; they
marchd diretly up under the Fire of their Ship
Guns, and as ſoon as they were diſcover'd, the Pora
tugueze quitted their Port and fled to the Town, and
the Pyrates march'd in without Oppofition, fet Fire
to the Fort, and threw all the Guns off the Hill into
the Sea, which a ter they had done, they retreated
quietly tv their Ship.
But this was not look'd upon as a ſufficient Sa-
tisfa&tion for the Injury they received, therefore
moſt of the Company were for burning the Towr,
which Roberts ſaid he would yield to, if any Means
child be propoſed of doing it without their own
itru&tion, for the Town had a ſecurer Situation
mail the Fort, a thick Wood coming almoſt cloſe
to it, affording Cover to the Delendants, who
urder ſuch an Advantage, he told them, it was to
·be fear'd, would fire and ſtand better to their Arms;
beſides, that bare Houſes would be but a leader
Reward for their Trouble and Loſs. This prudent
Advice prevailed; however, they mounted the
French Ship, they ſeiz'd at this place, with 12 Guns,
and light'ied her, in order to come up to the Town,
the Water being thoal, and batte:ed down ſeveral
Houſes; after which they all returned on Board,
gave back the French Ship to thote that had met
Right to her, and failed out of the Harbour by the
light of two Portugueze Ships, which they were plea-
fed to ſet on Fire there.
Ruberia


Roberts ſtood away to the Southward, and met
with a Dutch Guiney Man, which he made Prize 0:;
but after having plundered her, the Skipper had
his Ship again: Two Days after, he took an Engliſh
Ship, called the Experiment, Captain Cornet, at Cape
Lopez, the Men went all into the pyrate Service,
and having no Occaſion for the Ship, they burnt
her, and then Acered for St. Thome, but meeting
with nothing in their Way, they failed for Annabe-
ma, and there water'd, took in Proviſions, arid put
it to a Vote of the Company, whether their rexo
Voyage ſhould be to the Eaſt-Indies, or to Braſil;
the latter being reſolved on, they failed according-
ly, and in 28 Days arrived at Ferdinando, an unir-
habited INand, on that Coaſt: Here they water'd,
boot-topp'd their Ship, and made ready for tile de-
signed Cruiſe.
Now that we are upon this Coaſt, I think it will
proper Place to preſent our Readers with a
Deſcription of this country, and ſome ingenious
Remarks of a Friend, how beneficial a Trade might
De carried ou here by our 1Veſt-India Merchants, ac
little Hazard.
be the
A
DESCRIPTION
OF
BRASIL, &c.
B.
RASIL (a Name ſignifying the holy Croſs)
was diſcovered for the King of Portugal bý
Alvarez Cabral, Ann. Dom. 1501, extendirg almost
from the Aquinoctial to 28° South. The Air is
temperate and cool, in Compariſon of the West Ine
02
dies,


212 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
1971
VE
11
dies, from ſtronger Breezes and an opener Country,
which gives lets Interruption to the Winds.
The northernmoſt part of it ſtretching about
180 Lcagues, (a fine fertile Country,) was ta-
ken from the Portuguese by the Dutch Weft-India
Company, Anno 1537, or thereabouts; but the
Conquerors, as is natural where there is little or
no Religion ſubſisting, made luch heavy Exactions
on the Portugueze, and extended ſuch Cruelty to
the Natives, that prepared them both eaſily to
unite for a Revolt, facilitated by the Dutch Mil-
management : For the States being at this Time
very intent on their India Settlements, not only re-
called Count Morrice their Goverror, but neglect.
el Supplies to their Garriſons; however, tho' the
others were countenanced with a Fleet from Por-
tugal, and had the Afection of the Natives, yet the
Durch found Means to withſtand and ſtruggle with
this ſuperior Power, from 1643 to 1660, and then
was wholly abırıdoned by them, on Articles diſ.
honourable to the latter, viz.
That the Durch, on Relinquiſhing, ſhould keep
all the Places they had conquered in India from
Portugal. That they fould pay the States 800000l.
and permit them ftill the Liberty of Trade to Afri.
cả and Braſil, on the same Custom and Duties with
the King of Portugal's Subjects. But ſince that
Time, new Stipulations and Treaties have been
made ; wherein the Dutch, who have been totally
excluded the Braſil Trade, have, in lieu thereof, a
Compoſition of io per Cent. for the Liberty of tra-
ding to Africa; and this is always left by every
Portujueze Ship (before ſhe begins her Slaving)
with the Dutch General of the Gold-Coaſt, at Diis
Minus.
There are only three principal Towns of Trade
on the Braſil Coaſt, St. Salvadore, St. Sebaſtian, and
Pernambuca.
St.
2.
LAG
5)


Caft. BARTHO. ROBERTS. 213
St. Salvadore in the Bahiaa los todos Santos, is an
Archbiſhoprick, and Seat of the Viceroy, the chief
Port of Trade for Importation, where moſt of the
Gold from the Mines is lodged, and wher.ce the
Fleets for Europe generally depare. The Seas about
it abound with Whale-Fish, which in the Seaſon
they catch in great Nunibers ; the Fleſh is falted
up generally to be the Vi&tuailing of their Slave.
Ships, and the Train reſerved for Exportation, at
30 and 35 Millrays a ripe.
Rio Janeiro (the Town St. Sebaſtian) is the South-
ermoſt of the Portugueze, the worſt provided of
Neceſſaries, but commodious for a Settlement, be-
cauſe nigh'the Mine, and convenient to ſuperviſe
the Slaves, who, as I have been told, do ulually al-
low their Mafter a Dollar per Diem, and have the
Overplus of their Work (if any) to themſelves.
The Gold from hence is eſteemed the beſt, (for
being of a copperish Colour,) and they have a Mint
to run it into Coin, both here and at Bahia ; the
Moidores of either having the initial Letters of each
Place upon them.
Pernambuca (tho' mention'd laſt) is the ſecond in
Dignity, a large and populous Town, and has its riſe
from the Ruins of Olinda, (or the Handſome,) a
City of a far pleaſanter Situation, fix Miles up the
River, but not ſo commodious for Traffick and
Commerce. Juſt above the Town the River divides
it ſelf into two Branches, not running directly into
the Sea, but to the Southward; and in the Nook of
the Iand made by that Diviſion, ſtands the Gover-
ror's Houſe, a ſquare plain Building of Prince Mawr
rice's, with two Towers, on which are only this
Date inſcribed, Anno 1641.
The Avenues to it
are every way pleaſant, thro' Vifto's of tall Coco-
Nut Trees,
Over each Branch of the River is a Bridge ; that
leading to the Country is all of Timber, but the
other
O 3


214 Caft. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
I
other to the Town (of twenty fix or twenty eight
Arches) is half of Scone, made by the Durch, who,
in their Time, had little shops and gaming Houles
on each side for Recreation.
The Pavements alſo of the Town are in ſome
Places of broad Tiles, the remaining Fragments of
their Conqueſt. The Town has the outer Branch
of the River behind it, and the Harbour before it,
jetting into which latter are cloſe Keys for the
weighing and receiving of Cuftomage on Merchan-
dize, and for the meeting and conterring of Mer-
chants and Traders. The Houſes are ftipng built,
but homely, letciced like thoſe of Li:bɔn, for the
Admiſſion of Air, without Cloſets, and what
is worſe, Hearths; which makes their Cookery
confiſt all in fryirg and ſtewing upon Stoves; and
that they do till the Fleſh become tender enough
to shake it to Pieces, and one Knife is then thought
fufficient to ſerve a Table of half a Score.
The greateſt Inconvenience of Pernambuca is, that
there is not one Publick-Houſe in it; fo that Sra!.
gers are obliged to hire any ordinary one they
can get, at a Guirea a Month: And others
who come to tranfact Affairs of Importance, mutt
come recommended, if it were only for the lake ut
Privacy.
The Market is ſtocked well enough, Beef being at
five Farthings per l. a Sheep or Goat at nine Shillings,
a Turkey four Shillings, and Fowlstwo Shillings, the
largeſt i ever ſaw, and may be procured much
chearer, by hiring a Man to fetch them out of
the Country. The deareſt in its kind is Water,
which being fetch'd in Veſſels from Olinda, will not
be put on Board in the Road under two Crutado's
a Pipe.
The Portugueze here are darker than thoſe of Ex-
rope, not only from a warmer Climate, but their
many Intermarriages with the Negroes, who are
nume


. Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS. 215
numerous there, and ſome of them of good Credi:
and Circumſtances. The Women (not unlike the
Mulatto Generation every where elle) are fi»nd of
Strangers; not only the Courtcmans, who'c la e
seſt may be ſuppoſed to wind up their Aff:{tio. s,
but allo the married Women, who think them.
felves obliged when you favour them with the
Secrecy of an Appointment; but the U: hap-
pineſs of p:rluirg Amours, is, that the Ge.ie.
rallity of both Sexes are touched with venereal
Taints, without ſo much as one Surgeon amo: g
them, or any Body skill'd in Phyſick, to cure or
palliate the progreſſive Milchici: The only Pere
fon pretending that Way, is an Iriſl
, Father, while
Knowledge is all compreherded in the Virtues of
two or three simples, and thoſe, with the Salubrity
of the Air and Temperance, is what they depend on,
for lubduing the worſt ot' Malignity; and it may
not be unworthy Notice, that thu few are exemp-
ted from the Misfortune of a Running, Eruptioiis,
or the like, yer I could hear of none precipitated
into thoſe deplorable Circumfta:ices we lee common
in unskillful mercurial Proceres.
There are three Monasteries, ard about ſix
Churches, none of them rich or magnificent, un-
lels one dedicated to St. Antonio, the Patron of
their King tom, which ſhines all over with exqui-
ſite Pieces of Paint and Gold.
The Export of Braſil (beſides Gold) is chiefly Su-
gars and Tobacco; the latter are ſent off in Rowls
of a Quintal Weight, kep: continually moiſtened
with Muloilus, which, with the Soil it Iprings from,
imparts a ſtrong and peculiar Scent, more ſensi.
ble in the Snuff made from it, which, tho' under
Prohibition of importing to Lisbon, ſells here at
2 s. per I, as the Tobacco does at about 6 Millraies
a Rowl. The fineſt of their Sugars ſells at 8 s. per
Roove, and a finall ill taſted Rum drawn fron
04
the


216 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERIS,
hy
di
16
Il
0:
PS:
tra
- Din
the Dregs and Mulofſu, at two Teſtunes a Gal-
lon.
Befides theſe, they ſend off great Quantities of
Braſil Wood, and Whale Oyl, fome Gums and Par.
rots, the latter are different from the African in Co
lour and Bigneſs, for as they are blue and larger,
theſe are green and ſmaller; and the Females of
them ever retain the wild Note, and cannot be
brought to talk.
In lieu of this produce, the Portugueze, once every
Year by their Fleet from Lisbon, import all Manner
of European Commodities; and whoever is unable
or negligent of ſupplyirig himlelf at that Seaſon,
buys at a very advanced Rate, before the Return of
another.
To tranſport Paſſengers, Slaves, or Merchan-
dize from one Settlement to another, or in Fiſhing;
they make use of Bark-Logs, by the Braſillians call'a
Jingadahs : They are made of four Pieces of Timber
(the two outermoft longeſt) pinn’d and faſten’d to.
gether, and tharper'd at the Ends ; Towards each
Extremity á Stool is fix'd to fit on for paddling, or
holding by, when the Agitation is more than ordina-
iy, with theſe odd ſort of Engines, continually
waſh'd over by the Water, do theſe people, with
a little triangular Sail, Ipreeted about the Middle of
it, venture out of sight of Land, and along the
Coafts for many Leagues, in any ſort of Weather ;
and if they overſet with a Squall (which is not un.
common) they ſivim and preſently turn it up right
again.
The Natives are of the darkeſt Copper Colour,
with thin Hair, of a ſquare ſtrong make, and muſ-
cular; but not ſo well looking as the Woolly Ge-
neration : They acquieſce patiently to the Pertugueze
Government, who ule them much more humanly
and Chriſtian-like than the Durch did, and by that
Mear's have extended Quieneſs and Peace, as well
TO
0.4
reed
mon
a of
qui
Sua
ow!
ened
erosio
ode!
e a?
c.218
as
fon
ch:


2.8
Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
ܕܕ
TE
Anchors loft there by the Portugueze Ships; and far-
ther out (in 14 Fathom) corally and rocky. July
is the worſt and Winter Seaſon of this Coaſt, the
Trade Winds being then very ſtrong and dead,
bringing in a prodigious and unſafe Swell into the
Road, intermixed every Day with Squalls, Rain,
and a hazy Horizon, but at other Times lerener
Skies and Sunſhine.
In theſe Southern Latitudes is a Conſtellation,
which tiom fome Relemblance it bcars to a Jeruſia
lem Crors, has the Name of Croſiers, the brighteſt or
this Hemiſphere, and are obſerv'd hy, as the North
Star is in Northern Latitudes; but what I mention
this for, is, to introduce the admirable Ph:nomenon
in theſe Seas of the Megellarick Clouds, whoſe Ri-
fings and Sittings are to regular, that I have been af-
ſured, the fame Nocturnal Obſcrvations are made
by them as by the Stars: They are two Clouds,
1mall and whitiſ, no larger in Appearance than a
Man's Hat, and are ſeen here in July in the Latitude
ot' 8° S. about four of the Clock in the Morning ; it
their Appearance ſhould be ſaid !o be the Reflection
of Light, from ſome ſtellary Bodies above them, yet
the Difficulty is not eaſily antivered, how theſe, be.
yond others, become ſo durable and regular in their
Motions.
From theſe caſual Obſervations on the Country,
the Towi:s, Coaſt, and Seas of Braſil, it would be an
Omiffion to leave the Subject, without ſome Exlay
on an interloping Slave Trade here, which none of
our Countrymen are adventurous enough to purſue,
though i: very probably, under a prudent Manager,
would be acte.ided wi:h Safety and very great Pro-
fit; and I admire the more it is not ſtruck at, be-
cauſe Sh ps from the Southern Coaſt of Africa don't
Jentgthen the Voyage to the Weſt-Indies a great deal,
by taking Part of Braſil in their way.
FI
II
On
The


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS. 219
The Diſadvantages the Portugucze are under for
purchaſing Slaves, are theſe, that they have very
few proper Commodities for Guirey, and the Gold,
which was their chieteſt, by an Edi&t in July 1722,
ſtands now prohibited from being carried thither,
ſo that the Ships employed therein are few, and in-
ſufficient for the great Mortality and Call of their
Mines ; beſides, thould they venture at brezhing to
deſtructive a Law, as the abovementioned (as 1:0
doubt they do, or they could make little or 1.0 Pur.
chace) yet Gold docs i of raile iis Value like Mcr-
chandíze in t;avelling (effecially to Africa) art
when the Compoſition with the Durch is also paid,
they may be laid to buy their Negroes at a most
double the Price the Ergliſ, Durch, or French do,
which necellarily raiſes their Value extravagantly
at Braſil : (thoſe who purchaſe one, buying a
certainer Annuity than South-Sea Stuck.)
Thus far for the Call for Slaves at Braſil; I ſhall
now conſider and obviate ſuine Cifficulties objected
againſt any Foreigners (Tuppoſe Engliſh) iliterpo.
fung in ſuch a Trade, and they are lone on theirs,
and ſome on our Side.
On their Side it is prohibited uuder Paino Death,
a Law leſs effe&tual to the Prevention of it than pecu-
niary Mul&ts would be, becauſe a Penalty lo inade-
quate and diſproportioned, is orly In terrorcm, and
makes it merciful in the Goverror, or his luftru-
ments, to take a Compoſition of eight or ten Moi.
dors, when any Subject is catched, and is the com-
mon Cuſtom ſo to do as often as they are found
out.
On our Side it is confiſcation of what they can
get, which, conſidering they have no Men of War
to guard the Coaſt, reed be very little, without ſu-
pine Neglect and Carelelineſs.
I am a Man of War, or Privateer, and being in
Want of Proviſions, or in Search of Pyrates, put
in


220 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
in to Pernambuca for Intelligence, to enable me for
the Purſuit: The Dread of Pyrates keeps every
one off, till you have firſt fent an Officer, with
the proper Compliments to the Governor, who
immediately gives Leave for your buying every
Neceſſary you are in want of, provided it be with
Money, and not an Exchange of Merchandize, which
is againſt the Laws of the Country.
On this firſt time of going on Shorc, depends
the Succeſs of the whole Affair, and requires a cau-
rious and diſcreet Management in the Perſon entru-
Sted: He will be immediately ſurrounded at landing
with the great and the ſmall Rabble, to enquire
who ? and whence he comes ? and whether bound?
c. and the Men are taught to antiver, from Guiney,
denying any thing of a Slàve on Board, which are
under Hatches, and make no Shew; nor need they,
for thoſe who have Moncy to lay out will conclude
on that themſelves.
By that time the Compliment is paid to the Go-
vernor, the News has ſpread all round the Town,
and ſome Mercharts addrelles you, as a Stranger, to
the Civility of his Houſe, but privately deſires to
know what Negroes he can have, and what Price.
A Governor may pollibly uſe an Inſtrument in fit:
ting this, but the Appearance of the Gentleman,
and the Circumſtance of being ſo ſoon engag'd after
Jeaving the other, will go a great way in forming a
Man's Judgment, and leaves him no Room for the
Suſpicion of ſuch a Snare; however, to have a due
Guard, Intimations will ſuffice, and bring him, and
Friends enough to carry off the beſt part of a
Cargo in two Nights time, from 20 to 30 Moidors
a Boy, and from 30 to 40 a Man Slave. The Haz.
zard is leſs at Rio Jareiro.
There has been another Method attempted, of
ſettling a Correſpondence with ſome Portugueze Mer-
chant or two, who, as they may be certain within a
Fortnight
11
:
para
.
CCB
20
ll


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS. 221
Forenight of any Veſſels arriving on their Coaſt
with Slaves, might ſettle Signals for the debar-
quing them at an unfrequented Part of the Coaſt,
but whether any Exception were made to the Price,
or that the Portugueze dread Diſcovery, and the feve-
relt Proſecution of fo notorious a Breach of the Law,
I connot tell, but it has hitherto proved abortive.
However, Stratagems laudable, and attended
with Profit, at 110 other Hazard (as I can perceive)
than Joſs of Timc, arc worth attempting; it is
what is every Day practiſed with the Spaniards from
Jamaica.
Upon this Coaſt o'ir Rovers cruiſed for about
nine Weeks, keeping generally out of sight of
Land, but without ſeeing a Sail, which diſcourag'd
them ſo, that they determined to leave the Station,
and ſteer for the West-Indies; and, in order thereto,
ſtood in to make the Land, for the taking of their
Departure, and thereby they fell in, unexpectedly,
with a Fleet of 42 Sail of Portugueze Ships, off the
Bay of los todos Santos, with all their Lading in, for
Lisbon, ſeveral of them of good Force, who lay too
waiting for tivo Men of War of 70 Guns each,
their Convoy. However, Roberts thought it ſhould
go hard with him, but he would make up his Mar-
ket among them, and thereupon nix'd with the
Fleet, and kept his Men hid till proper Reſolutions
could be form'd, that done, they came cloſe up to
one of the deepeſt, and order'd her to ſend the Ma-
Iter on Board quietly, threat'ning to give them no
Quarters, if any Reſiſtance, or Signal of Diſtreſs
was made. The Portugueze being ſurprized at theſe
Threats, and the ſudden Flourish of Cutlashes
from the Pyrates, ſubmitted without a Word, and
the Captain came on Board ; Roberts faluted him
after a friendly Manner, telling him, that they
were Gentlemen of Fortune, but that their Busí.
nels


222
Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
La
neſs with him, was only to be informed which
was the richeſt Ship in that Fleet; and if he dia
relted them right, he ſhould be reſtored to his Ship
without Moleſtation, otherwiſe, he muſt expect ima
mediate Death.
Wherupon this Portugueze Mafter pointed to one
of 40 Guns, and : 50 Men, a Ship of greater Force
than the Rezer; but this no Ways diſmayed them,
they were Portugueze, they ſaid, and to immediate
ly ſteered away for hini. When they came with-
in Hail, the Maſter whom they had Priſoner, was
ordered to ask, horo Seignior Captain did? And to
invite him on Board, for that he had a Master of
Conſequence to impart to him ; which being done, he
returned for Anſwer, That he would mait upon him
preſently : But by the Buſtle that immediately fol.
lowed, the Pyrates perceived they were diſcovered,
and that this was only a deceitful Anſwer to gain
Time to put their Ship in a Poſture of Defence ;
ſo without further Delay, they poured in a Broad-
Side, boarded and grappled her; the Diſpute was
ſhort and warm, wherein many of the Portugueze
fell, and two only of the Pyraies. By this Time
the Fleet was alarmed, Signals of Top-gallant
Sheets flying, and Guns fired, to give Notice to
the Men of War, who rid ſtill at an Anchor, and
made but ſcurvy Hafte out to their Asiſtance; and
if what the Pyrates themſelves related, be true,
the Commanders of thuſe Ships were blameable to
the higheſt Degree, and unworthy the Title, or ſo
much as the Name of Men: For Roberts finding the
Prize to tail heavy, and yet reſolving not to looſe
her, lay by for the headmoſt of them (which
much out failed the other) and prepared for Bat-
tle, which was ignominiouſly declined, tho' of
ſuch ſuperior Force ; for not daring to venture on
the Pyrate alone, he tarried ſo long for his Confort
as gave them both Time leiſurely to make off.
They
91
.
เ
lored
the
where
am
Zulia
nels


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
223
They found this ship exceeding rich, bzing la-
den chiefly with Sugar, Skins, and Tobacco, and
in Gold 4.00CO Moidors, beſides Chains and Trinc-
kets, of conſiderable Value; particularly a Croſs
ſet with Diamonds, deſigned for the King of Portu-
gal; which they afterwards preſented to the Gover-
nor of Caiana, by whom they were cbliged.
Elated with this Booty, they had nothing now
to think of but ſome ſafe Retreat, where they
might give themſelves up to all the pleaſures that
Luxury and Wantonneſs could beitow; and for the
prelent pitched upon a Place called the Devil's
Trands, in the River of Surinam, on the Coaſt of
Caiana, where they arrived, and found the civileſt
Reception imaginable, not only from the Gover.
nor and Fa£tory, but their Wives, who exchan.
ged Wares, and drove a conſiderable Trade with
them.
They ſeized in this River a Sloop, and by her
gained Intelligence, that a Brigantine had alſo
failed in Compiny with her, from Rhode-If.ind, 1.2.
den with Proviſions for the Coaſt. A welcome Car.
go ! They growing ſhort in the Sea Store, and, as
Sancho ſays, No Adventures to be made without Belly-
Timber. One Evening, as they were rumaging (their
Mire of Treaſure) the Portugueze Prize, this expecte
ed Veſſel was deſcry'd at the Maft-Head, and Roberts,
imagining no Body could do the Buſineſs ſo well as
himſelf, takes 40 Men in the Sloop, and goes in
purſuit of her ; but a facal Accident followed this
raih, tho'inconſiderable Adventure; för Robertsthink-
ing of nothing leſs than bringing in the Brigantine
that Afternoon, never troubled his Head about
the Sloop's Proviſion, nor inquired what there was
on Board to ſubrift ſuch a Number of Men; but
out he fails after his expected Prize, which he not
only loſt further Sight of, but after eight Days
contending with contrary Winds and Currents,
found
1


224
Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
for
GA
found themſelves thirty Leagues to Leeward. The
Current ſtill oppofing their Endeavours, and per-
ceiving no Hopes of beating up to their Ship, they
came to an Anchor, and inconfiderately ſent away
the Boat to give the reſt of the Company Notice
of their Condition, and to order the Ship to them;
but too ſoon, even the next Day, their Wants made
them ſenſible of their Infatuation, for their Water
was all expended, and they had taken no thought
how they should be ſupply'd, till either the ship
came, or the Boat return'd, which was not likely
to be under five or ſix Days. Here, like Tantalus,
they almoſt famiſhed in Sight of the freſh Streams
and Lakes; being drove to ſuch Extremity at laſt,
that they were forced to tare up the Floor of the
Cabin, and patch up a ſort of Tub or Tray with
Rope Yarns, to paddle aſhore, and fetch off imme.
diate Supplies of Water to preſerve Life.
After lome Days, the long-with’d-for Boat came
back, but with the moſt unwelcome News in the
World ; for Kennedy, who was Lieutenant, and left,
in Abſence of Roberts, to Command the Privateer
and Prize, was gone off with both. This was More
tification ivith a Vengeance, and you may imagine,
they did not depart without ſome hard Speeches
from thoſe that were left, and had ſuffered by their
Treachery: And that there need be no further
mention of this Kennedy, I ſhall leave Captain Ro-
berts, for a Page or two, with the Remaitis of his
Crew, to vent their Wrath in a few Oaths and
Execrations, and follow the other, whom we may
reckon from that Time, as ſteering his Courſe to-
wards Execution-Dock.
Kennedy was now choſen Captain of the revolted
Crew, but could not bring his Company to any
determined Reſolution ; ſome of them were for
purſuing the old Game, but the greater Part of
them ſeemd to have inclinations to turn from thoſe
evil
OX
bei
Dar
mu


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS:
239
evil Courſes, and get home privately, (for there
was no A&t of Pardon in Force, therefore they
agreed to break up, and every Manto thirt for hima
félt, as he ſhould let Occaſion. The first Thiug they
did, was to part with the great Portugueſe Prize, and
having the Maſter of the Sloop (whole Name {
think was Cane) aboard; who they laid was a very
honeſt Fellow, (tor he had humoured them upon
every Occaſion,, told them of the Brigantine that
Roberts went after ; and when the Pyrates firſt took
him, he complimented them at an odd Rate, tel-
ling them they were welcome to his Sloop and
Cargo, and wish'd that the Veſſel had been lar-
ger, and the Loading richer for their Sakes : To
this good natured Man they gave the Portugueze
Ship, (which was then above hait loaded,) three or
four Negroes, and all his own Men, who returned
Thanks to his kind Beriefactors, and departed.
Captain Kennedy in the Rover, failed to Barbadoes,
near which Inand, they tuok a very peaceable
Ship belonging to Virginia, the Commander was a
Quaker, whole Name was kinot; he had neither
Piftol, Sword, nor Cutlash on Board; and Mr:
Knot appearing ſovery paſſive to all they ſaid to him,
ſome of them thought this a good Opportunity to
go off; and accordingly eight of the Pyrates went
aboard, and he carried them ſafe to Virginia : They
made the Quaker a Preſent of 10 Cheſts of Sugar,
10 Rolls of Braſil Tobacco, jo Moidores, and ſome
Gold-Duit, in all to the value of about 250l. They
alſo made Preſents to the Sailors, fome more,
ſome
leſs, and lived a jovial Life all the while they
were upon their Voyage, Captain Knot giving them
their way; nor indeed could he help himlelf, und
leſs he had taken an Opportunity to lurprize them,
when they were either drunk or alleep; for
awake they wore Arms aboard the Ship, and put
him in a continual Terror, it not being his Prin-
Vote lo
P
ciple


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS. 229
of a fair Character, was forced into their Service,
and took the firſt Opportunity to get from them,
and therefore received a Pardun ; but Walter Kem
medy being a notorious Offender, was executed the
19th of July, 1921, ac Execution Dock.
The reſt of the Pyrates who were left in the
Ship Roter, ſtaid not long behind, for they went
ahore to one of the Weſt-India Iands; what be-
came of them afterwards, I can't tell, but the
Ship was found at Sea by a Sloop belonging to
St. Chriſtophers, and carried into that Illand with
only nine Negroes aboard.
Thus we ſee what a diſaſtrous Fate ever attends
the Wicked, and how rarely they eſcape the Pu-
niſhment due to their Crimes, who, abandon'd
to ſuch a profligate Life, rob, {poil, and prey up-
on Mankind, contrary to the Light and Law of Na-
ture, as well as the Law of God. It might have
been hoped, that the Examples of thele Deaths,
would have been as Marks to the Remainder of
this Gang, how to fhun the Rocks their Companions
had ſplit on; that they would have ſurrendered to
Mercy, or divided themſelves, for ever from ſuch
Purſuits, as in the End they might be ſure would
ſubject them to the lamel.aw and Puniſhment, which
they muſt be conſcious they now equally delerv'd;
impending Lam, which never let them ſeep well,
unlels when drunk. But all the Uſe that was made
of it here, was to commend the Juſtice of the
Court, that condemnd Kennedy, for be tras a fad Dog
(they ſaid) and deſerved the Fate he met rith.
But to go back to Roberts, whom we left on the
Coaſt of Caiana, in a grievous Paſſion at what Keno
nedy and the Crew had done; and who was now
projecting new Adventures with his ſmall Com.
pany in the Sloop; but finding hitherto they had
been but as a Rope of Sand, they formed a Set of
Articles, to be ſigned and ſworn to, for the better
P3
Cone
1


230 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS,
Conſervation of their society, ard doing Juſtice
to one another ; excluding all Iriſ: Men from the
Benefit of it, to whom they had an implacable
Averlion upon the Account of Kennedy. How in-
deeu Roberts could think that an Oath would be ob.
ligatory, where Defiance had been given to the
Laws of God and Man, I can't tell, but he thought
their greateſt Security lay in this, That it tras every
one's Intereſt to obſerve them, if they were minded in
keep up so abominable & Combination.
The followirs, is the Subſtance of the Articles, as
taken from the Pyrafes own Informations.
A
12
2
AL
En
I.
VERY Man bas a Vote in Affairs of Moment ;
has equal Title to the freſha Proviſions, or ſtrong Li-
quors, at any Time ſeized, 'ard may uſe them ai Pleaſure
,
ünleſs a Scarcity (no uncommon Thing among them)
make it neceſſary, for the Good of all, to vote a Re.
trenchment.
hay
ile
II.
Every Man to be called fairly in Turn, by Liſt, or
Board of Prizes, becauſe, (over and above their proper
Share,) they were on theſe Occaſions allowed a shift of
Cliath. : But if they defrauded the Company to the Value
of a Dilla, in Plate, Jewels, or Money, MAROONING
was their Puniſhment. This was a barbarous Cuſtom
of put i..g the Offender on Shore, on fome deſo.
Jate or uninhabited Cape or Iſland, with a Gun,
a few Shot, a Bottle of Water, and a Bottle of
Powder, to ſubſiſt with, or ſtarvė. If the Robbery
was only berreen one another, they contented themſelves
with pirting the Ears And Nife of him that mas Guilty,
and ſer him on Shore, not in an uninhabited Place,
but
timembers, ardere ke was ſure to encounter Hardflips,
III.
of
1


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS. 231
III.
No Perſon to Game at Cords or Dice for Money.
IV.
The Lights and Candles to be put out at eight a-Clock
at Night: If any of the Crero, after shat-Hour, fill re-
mained inclined for Drinking, they were to do it on the
open Deck; which Roberts believed would give a
Check to their Debauches, for he was a fober Man
himſelf, but found at length, that all his Endea-
vours to put an End to this Debauch, proved
ineffe&tual.
V.
To keep their Piece, Piſtols, and Cutlaflclean, and fit
for Service : In this they were extravagantly nice,
endeavouring to ourdo one 2110ther, in the Beauty
and Richnets of their Arms, giving ſometimes at
an Auction (at the Maft) 30 or 40 l. a Pair, for
Piſtols. There were ſung in Time of Service,
with different coloured Ribbands, over their Shoula
ders, in a way peculiar to theſe Fellows, in which
they took great Deligh:.
VI.
No Boy or Woman to be allowed amongſt them. If any
Man were found ſeducing any of the latter Sex, and car-
ried her tó Sea, diſguiſed, he was to ſuffer Death ; fo
that when any fell into their Hands, as it chanced
in the Onſloro, they put a Centinel immediately
over her to prevent ill Conſequences from ſo dange-
rous an Inſtrument of Diviſion and Quarrel ; buc
then here lies the Roguery; they contend who ſhall
be Centinel, which happens generally to one of the
greated
P4


5
?Z? Capt. BARTHO, ROBERTS.
greateſt Bullies, who, to ſecure the Lady's Virtue,
will lực nonę lye with her but himſelf.
VII.
To Defert the ship, or their Quarters in Battle, mm
fapijlsed mish Death or Marooning.
VIII,
No friking one another on Board, but every Man's
Quarrels to be ended on Shore, at Sword and Piſtal, Thus;
The Quarter-Matter of the ship, when the Parties
will not come to any Reconciliation, accompanies
them on Shore with what Aſſiſtance he thinks
proper; and turns the Difputants Back to Back, at
ſo many Paces Diſtance: At the Word of Cóm.
mand, they turn and fire immediately, (or elſe the
Piece is knock'd out of their Hands :) If both miſs,
they come to their Cutlaſhes, and then he is de
clared Vi&tor who draws the firſt Blood.
1
1
KB
12
IBN
IX.
No Man to talk of breaking up their way of Living,
til cach had ſhared a 1000 l. ij in order to this, any
Man Rould loſe a Limb, or become a Cripple in their Ser-
vice, iso nits to have 800 Dollars, out of the publick
Stock, and for leffer Hurts, proportionably.
X.
The Captain and Quarter
Maſter to receive two Shares
of a Prize; the Maſter, Boatſwain, and Gunner, one
Share and a half, and other Officers, one and a Quarter.
XI.
The Muſicians to bave Reſt on the Sabbath Day, but
the other ſix Days and Nights, nope without ſpecial
Favour.
Theſe
22
Forbes


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
233
Theſe, we are aſſured, were ſome of Rohores's
Articles, but as they had taken care to throw
over-board the Original they had ſigned and fivorn
to, there is a great deal of Room to ſuſpect, the
Remainder contained ſomething too horrid to be dif,
cloſed to any, except ſuch as were willing to be
Sharers in the Iniquity of them; let them be what
they will, they were together the Teſt of all new
Comers, who were initiated by an Oath taken
on a Bible, reſerved for that Purpoſe only, and
were ſubſcribed to in Preſence of the worſhipful
Mr. Roberts. And in Caſe any Doubt ſhould arile
concerning the Conſtruction of theſe Laws, and
it thould remain a Diſpute whether the Party
had infringed them or no, a Jury was appointed
to explain them, and bring in a Verdi&t upon the
Caſe in Doubt.
Since we are now ſpeaking of the Laws of this
Company, I fhall go on, and, in as brief a Man-
ner as I can, relate the principal Cuftoms, and
Government, of this roguish Commonwealth ;
which are pretty near the ſame with all Pyrates.
For the Puniſhment of ſmall Offences, which are
not provided for by the Articles, and which are
not of Conſequence enough to be left to a Jury,
there is a principal Officer among the Pyrates,
called the Quarter-Maſter, of the Mens own chu-
fing, who claim all Authority this Way, (except-
ing in Time of Battle :) If they diſobey his Com.
mand, are quarrelſome and mutinous with one an-
other, miſule Priſoners, plunder beyond his Order,
and in particular, if they be negligent of their
Arms, which he muſters at Diſcretion, he punishes
at his own Arbitrement, with drubbing or whip-
ping, which no one elſe dare do without incurring
the Laſh from all the Ships Company : In ſhort,
this Officer is Truſtee for the whole, is the firſt on
Board any Prize, ſeparating for the Company's Ule,
what


234 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
what he pleaſes, and returning what he thinks fit
to the Owners, excepring Gold and Silver, which
they have voted not returnable,
After a Deſcription of the Quarter-Maſter, and
his Duty, who acts as a sort of a civil Magiſtrate
on Board a Pyrate Ship; I ſhall conſider their mi.
litary Officer, the Captain; what Privileges he ex.
erts in Tuch Auarchy and Unrulineſs of the Mem-
bers: Why truly very little, they only permit
him to be Captain, on Condition, that they may
be Captain over him; they ſeparate to his Úſe the
great Cabin, and ſometimes vote him Imall Parcels
of Plate and China, (for it may be noted that Roo
berts drank his Tea conſtantly) but then every Man,
as the Humour takes him, will uſe the Plate and
China, intrude into his Apartment, Twear at him,
ſeize a part of his Viduals and Drink, if they like
it, without his offering to find Fault or conteſt it:
Yet Roberts, by a better Management than uſual,
became the chief Director in every Thing of Mo-
ment, and it happened thus:- The Rank of Cap-
tain being obtained by the Suffrage of the Majority,
it falls on one fuperior for Knowledge and Boldneſs,
Piftol Proof (as they call it,) and can make thoſe
fear, who do not love him ; Roberts is ſaid to have
exceeded his Fellows in theſe Reſpects, and when
advanced, enlarged the Reſpect that followed it,
by making a sort of Privy-Council of half a Dos
zen of the greateſt Bullies, ſuch as were his Com.
petitors, and had Intereſt enough to make his Go.
vernment eaſy; yet even thoſe, in the latter Part
of his Reign, he had run counter to in every
Project that oppoſed his own Opinion; for which,
and becauſe he grew reſerved, and would not
drink and roar at their Rate, a Cabal was formed
to take away his Captainſhip, which Death did
more effectually
22
The


Capt. BARTHO, ROBERTS. 235
The Captain's Power is uncontroulable in Chace,
or in Battle, drubbing, cutting, or even ſhooting
any one who dares deny his Command. The ſame
Privilege he takes over Priſoners, who receive good
or ill Vlage, moſtly as he approves of their Be-
haviour, for tho' the meaneſt would take upon
them to miſuſe a Maſter of a Ship, yet he would
controul herein, when he fees it, and merrily over
a Bottle, give his Priſoners this double Reaſon
for it. Firſt, That it preſerved his Precedence;
and Secondly, That it took the Puniſhment out of
the Hands of a much more raſh and mad Sett of
Fellows than himself. When he found that Ri.
gour was not expected from his People, (for
he often pra&tiſed it to appeaſe them,) then he
would give Strangers to underſtand, that it was
pure Inclination that induced him to a 'good Treat-
ment of them, and not any Love or Partiality to
their Perſons ; for, ſays he, there is none of you but
will hang me, I know, whenever you can clinch we within
your Power.
And now ſeeing the Diſadvantages they were
under for purſuing the Account, viz. a ſmall Ver-
tel ill repaired, and without Proviſions, or Stores;
they reſolved one and all, with the little Supplies
they could get, to proceed for the IVeſt-Indies, not
cloubting to find a Remedy for all theſe Évils,
and to retrieve their Loſs.
In the Latitude of Defeada, one of the Iands,
they took two Sloops, which ſupplied them with
Proviſions and other Neceffaries; and a few Days
afterwards, 'took a Brigantine belonging to Rhode
Thand, and then proceeded to Barbadoes, off of
which Iand, they fell in with a Briſtol Ship of 10
Guns, in her Voyage out, from whom they took
Abundance of Cloaths, ſome Money, twenty five
Bales of Goods, five Barrels of Powder, a Cable,
Hawſer,


236 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
관
​Hawſer, ten Casks of Oatmeal, fix Casks of Beef,
and ſeveral other Goods, beſides five of their Men;
and after they had detained her three Days, let her
go; who being bound for the abovelaid INand, the
acquainted the Goverror with what liad happened,
as foon as the arrived.
Whereupon a Briſtol Galley that lay in the Har-
bour, was ordered to be fitted out with all imagi-
mable Expedition, of 20 Guns, and 80 Men, there
being then 10 Man of War upon that Station, and
allo a Sloop with 10 Guns, and 40 Men: The Gal.
ley was commanded by one Captain Rogers, of Briſtol,
and the Sloop by Caprain Graves, of that Ifand, and
Captain Rogers by a Commiſſion from the Governor,
was appointed Commadore.
The ſecond Day after Rogers failed out of the
Harbour, he was diſcovered by Roberts, who knoiv.
ing nothing of their Deſign, gave them Chaſe: The
Barbadoes Ships kept an ealy Sail till the Pyrates
came up with them, and then Roberts gave them a
Gun, expecting they would have immediately ſtruck
to his pyratical Flag, but inſtead thereof, he was
forced to receive the Fire of a Broadſide, with
threc Huzza's at the fame Time ; ſo that an En.
gagement erfued, but Roberts being hardly put to
it, was obliged to crowd all the Sail the Sloop
would bear, to get off: The Galley failing pretty
well, kept Company for a long while, lieeping a
cortant Fire, which gall’d the Pyrate; however,
at length by throwing over their Guns, and other
heavy Goods, and thereby light'ning the Vettel,
they, with much ado, got clear ; but Roberts could
never endure a Barbadoes Man afterwards, and when
any Ships belonging to that Mand fell in his Way,
he was more particularly ſevere to them than
others.
Captain Roberts failed in the Sloop to the Iſland
of Dominico, where he watered, and got Proviſions
of
3
E
3


238 Capt. BARTHO. ROBÉRTS.
Frau
41
dan
the Deſtruction and Havock they made here, burn:
ing and ſinking all the Shipping, except a Briſtol
Galley, and deſtroying the Fiſheries, and Stages of
the poor Planters, without Remorſe or Compun.
&tion; for nothing is ſo deplorable as Power in
mean and ignorant Hands, it makes Men wanton
and giddy, unconcerned at the Misfortunes they
are impoſing on their Fellow Creatures, and keeps
them Imiling at the Miſchiefs, that bring them-
ſelves no Advantage. They are like mad Mon, that
caſt Fire-Brands, Arrotos, and Death, and fuy, are not
we in Sport?
Roberts mann'd the Briſtol Galley he took in the
Harbour, and mounted 16 Guns on Board her, and
cruiſing out upon the Banks, he met with nine or
ten Sail of French Shifs, all which he deſtroyed ex-
cept one of 26 Guns, which they ſeiz'd, and car.
ried off for their own Uſe. This Ship they chri.
ſtened the Fortune, and leaving the Briſtol Galley to
the French Men, they failed away in Company
with the Sloop, on another Cruiſe, and took ſeve-
ral Prizes, viz. the Richard of Biddiford, Jonathan
Ihirfield Maſter; the Willing Mind of Pool; the
Expeétation of Topfham; and
the Samuel, Captain Cary,
of London ; out of theſe Ships they encrealed
their Company, by entring all the Men they could
well ſpare, in their own Service. The Samuel was
a rich Ship, and had leveral Paſſengers on Board,
who were uſed very roughly, in order to make
them diſcover their Money, threatning them every
Moment with Death, if they did not reſign every
Thing up to them. They tore up the Hatches
and entered the Hold like a Parcel of Furies, and
with Axes and Cutlaſhes, cut and broke open all
the Bales, Cafes, and Boxes, they could lay their
Hands on ; and when ar.y Goods came upon
Deck, that they did not like to carry aboard,
inſtead of toffing them into the Hold again,
threw
2014
676
18
19


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS. 239
threw them over-board into the Sea ; all this was
done with inceſſant Curſing and Swearing, more
like Fiends than Men. They carried with them,
Sails, Guns, Powder, Cordage, and 8 or 9090 l.
worth of the choiceſt Goods; and told Captain
Cary, That they ſhould accept of no Alt of Grace; that
the
Kand' pt might be damned with their Acts of
Gm for them ; neither would they go to Hope-Point,
to be bang’d up a Sun drying, as Kidd's, and Braddiſh's
Company were; but that if they ſhould ever be over-pomerid,
they would ſet Fire to the Powder, with a Piſtol, and go
all merrily to Hell together.
After they had brought all the Booty aboard,
a Conſultation was held whether they ſhould ſink
or burn the Ship, but whilſt they were debating
the Matter, they ſpyed a Sail, and ſo left the
S.muel, to give her Chace; at Midnight they came
up.with the lame, which proved to be a Snow from
Briſtol, bound for Boſton, Captain Borles Maſter :
They us’d him barbaroutly, becauſe of his Coun.
tryman, Captain Rogers, who attack'd them off
Barbadoes, was of the City of Briſtol.
July the 16th, which was two Days afterwards,
they took a Virginia Man called the little York, James
Philips Maſter, and the Love, of Liverpool, which
they plundered and let go ; the next Day a Snow
from Briſtol, call'd the Phenix, John Richards Maſter,
met with the ſame Fate from them; as alſo a
Brigantine, Captain Thomas, and a Sloop called the
Sadbury; they took all the Men out of the Bri-
gantine, and ſunk the Veſſel.
When they left the Banks of Nemfiundland, they
failed for the IVeſt-Indies, ard the Provilions grow-
ing fhort, they went for the Latitude of the Iſland
Deſcada, to cruite, it being eltcemed the likelieſt
Place to meet with ſuch Ships as (they uled in their
Mirth to lay) were configued to them, with Sup-
plies. And it has been very much lulpected that
Ships


340 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
Ships have loaded with Proviſions at the Englifle
Colonies, or Pretence of Trading on the Coalt of
Africa, when they have in Reallity been con.
ſigned to them; and tho' a Shew of Violence is
offered to them when they meet, yet they are
pretty ſure of bringing their Cargo to a good
Market.
However, at this Time they mi Ted with their
uſual Luck, and Proviſions and Neceſſaries be-
coning more ſcarce every Day, they retired to
wards St. Chriſtophers, where being denied all Suc.
cour or Afiftance from the Government, they fir'd
in Revenge on the Town, and burnt two Ships in
the Road, one of them commanded by Captain
Cox, of Briſtol ; and then retreated farther to the
Inand of St. Bartholomer, where they met with
much hanuſomer Treatment. The Governor not
only ſupplying them with Refreſhments, but he
and the Chiefs careſſing them in the moſt friendly
Manner: And the Women, from ſo good an Ex-
ample, endeavoured to ourvie each other in Dreſs,
and Behaviour, to attract the good Graces of ſuch
nerous Lovers, that paid well tor their Favours.
Sated at length with theſe Pleaſures, and ha-
ving taken on Board a good Supply of fresh Pro-
viſions, they voted unanimouſly for the Coaſt of
Guincy, and in the Latitude of 22 N. in their Voyage
thither, met with a French Ship from Martinico, rich-
Jy laver, and, which was unlucky for the Maſter,
had a Property of being fitter for their Purpoſe,
than the Banker. Exchange was no Robbery they laid,
and ſo after a little mock Complaiſance to Monſieury
for the Favour he had done them, they fifted
their Men, and took leave : This was their first
Royal Fortune.
In this Ship Roberts proceeded on his deſigned
Voyage ; but before they reached Guiney, he pro-
poſed to touch at Brava, the southermoſt of Cape
ge
1
1
1
1
6
Ford


Capto BARTHO. ROBERTS. 241
Verd Illands and clean. But here again by an
intolerable Stupidity and want of Judgment, they
got to tårto Leeward of their Port, thát de-
ipairing to regain it, or any of the Windward
Parts of Africa, they were obliged to go back
again with the Trad:-Wind, for the Weſt-Indies
which had very near been the Deſtruction of them
all. Surinam was the Place now deſigned for, which
was at no leſs than 700 Leagues Diſtance, and they
had but one Hogſhead of Water letc to ſupply
124 Souls for that Paffage; a fad Circumſta..ce
that eminently expoles the Folly and Madi.els
amorg Pyrates, and he muſt be an incor.ſiwerate
Wretch indeed, who, if he could ſeparate the
Wickednels and Punithient from the Fact, would
yet hazard his Life amidſt ſuch Dangers, as their
want of Skill and Forecaſt made them liable to.
Their Sins, we may preſume were never lo troue
bleſome to their Memories, as now, that inevi.
Cuble Deſtru&tion ſeem'd to threaten them, without
the leaſt Glymp'e of Comfort or Allevation co
their Milery ; for, with what Face could Wretches
who had ravaged and made ſo many Neceſſitous,
look up for Relief; they had to that Moment li
red ili Defiaute of the Power that now alone they
mult truſt for their Preſervation, and indeed with.
out the miraculous Intervention of Provider.ce,there
appeared only this miſerable Choice, viz. a pre-
ſent Death by their own Hands, or a lingering
one by Famine.
They continued their Courſe, and came to an
Allowance of one ſingle Mouthful of Water for
24 Hours; many of them drank their Urine, or
Sea Water, which, inſtead of allaying, gave them
an inextinguiſhable Thirſt, that killed them: Others
pined and waſted a little more Time in Fluxes
and Apyrexies, ſo that they dropped away daily :
Thoſe that fustaind the Miſery belt, were ſuch as
Vob. I
ulmust


242 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
a
Et
almoſt ſtarved themſelves, forbearing all sorts of
Food, unleſs a Mouthful or two of Bread the whole
Day, ſo that thoſe who ſurvived were as weak
as was poſſible for Men to be and alive.
But if the diſmal Proſpect they ſet out with,
gave them Anxiety, Trouble, or Pain, what mult
their Fears and Apprehenſions be, when they had
not one Drop of Water let, or any other Liquor
to moiſten or animate. This was their Caſe, when
(by the working of divine Providence, no doubt,)
they were brought into Soundings, and at Night
a.chor'd in ſeven Fathom Water: This was an
inexpreſſible Joy to them, and, as it were, fed the
expiring Lamp of Life with freſh Spirits ; but this
could not hold long. When the Morning came,
they ſaw Land from the Maſt-Head, but it was a
ſo great a Diſtance, that it afforded but an indiffe.
rent Proſpect to Men who had drank nothing for
the two laſt Days; however, they dil patch'd their
Boat away, and late the fame Night it return'd,
to their no 1mall Comfort, with a Load of Water,
informing them, that they had got off the Mouth
of Meriminga River on the coaſt of Surinam.
: One would have thought lo miraculous an Eſcape
ſhould have wrought fome Reformation, but alas,
they had no ſooner quenched their Thirft, but they
had forgot the Miracle, till Scarcity of Proviſions
awakened their Senſes, and bid them guard againſt
Starving; their Allowance was very imall, and yet
they would profanely ſay, That Providence ahich
gave them Drink, would, no doubt, bring them Mea
alſo, if they would uſe but an honeſt Endeavour.
r In Purſuance of theſe honeſt Endeavours, they
were ſteering for the Latitude of Barbadoes, with
what little they had left, to look out for more, or
ſtarve; and, in their way, met a Ship that anſiver-
ed their Neceflities, and after that a Brigantine;
the format was called the Greyhound, belonging to
St.


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS. 243
Royal Fortune.
St. Chriſtophers, and bound to Philadelphia, the Mate
of which ſigned the Pyrates Arcicles, and was
afterwards Cap:ain of the Ranger, Confort to the
'Out of the Ship and Brigantine, the Pyrates got
a good Supply or Proviſions ard Liquor, 10 that
they gave over the deſigned Cruiſe, and watered
át Tobago, and hearing of the two Sloops that had
teen fitted out and lent afier them at Coriccoc, they
failed to the Inand of Martinico, to inake the Go-
vernor ſome Sort of an Equivalent, for the Care
2::d Expedition he had thewn in thác Affair.
It is the Cuſtom ac Martinice, for the Dutch In-
terlopers that have a Mind to 1 rade with the Peoa
ple of the land, to hoiſt their Jacks when they
come before the Town: Roberts knew the Signal,
and being an utter Enemy to them, he bent his
Thoughts upon Miſchiet; and accordingly came
in with his Jack tlying, which, as he expected, they
miftook for a good Market, and thought them
ſelves happieſt that could looneſt diſpatch off their
Sloops and Veſſels for Trade. When Roberts had
got them within his Power, (ore after another,)
he told them, he would not have it faid that they
came off for nothir:g, and therefore ordered them
to leave their Money behind, for that they were
a Parcel of Rogues, and hoped they would always
meet with ſuch a Dutch Trade as this was; he
reſerved one Veifel to ſet the Paſſengers on Shore
again, and fired the Reſt, to the Number of
Roberts was ſo enraged at the Attempts that had
been made for taking of him, by the Governors
uf Barbadoes and Martinico, that he ordered a
new Jack to be made, which they ever after
hoiſted, with his own Figure pourtray'd, ſtand-
ing upon two Skulls, and under them the Lete.
ters A. B. H. and Á. M. H, fignifying a Barba-
22
dian's
Twenty.


244 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
1
dian's and a Martirican's Head, as may be ſeen in
the Plate of Captain Roberts.
At Dominico, the next INand they touched at, they
took a Durch Interloper of 22 Guns and 75 Mei,
and a Brigantine telonging to Rhode Iſland, one Nor.
ton Maſter. The former made fome Defence, till
ſome of his Men being killed, the reſt were dil-
couraged and ſtruck their Colours. With theſe
two Prizes they went down to Guadalupe, and
brought out a Sloop, and a French Fly-Boat laden
with Sugar; the Sloop they burnt, and we:it on
to Mconay, another Iſland, thinking to clean, but
finding the Sea rai too high there to undertake
it with Safety, they bent their Courſe for the
North Part of Hiſpaniold, where, at Bonner's Key,
in the Gulf of Saminah, they cleaned both the
Ship and the Brigantine. For tho' Hiſpaniola le
ſettled by the Spaniards and French, and is the Re
ſidence of a Preſident froni Spain, who receives, and
finally determines Appeals from all the other Spa-
niflo Weft-India Iands; yet are its People by no
Means proportioned to its Magnitude, ſo that there
are many Harbours in it, to which Pyrates may
ſecurely reſort without Fear of Diſcovery from
the Inhabitants.
Whilſt they were here, two Sloops came in, as
they pretended, to pay Roberts a Viſit, the Maſters
,
whoſe Names were Porter and Tuckerman, addreſſed
the Pyrate, as the Queen of Sheba dia Solomon, to
wit, That having heard of bis Fame and Archievements
,
they had put in there to learn his Art and Wil.
dom in the Buſineſs of pvrating, being Velſels on
the ſame honourable Deſign with himſelf; and
: hoped with the Communication of his Knowledge,
they ſhould alſo receive his Charity, being in want
of Neceſſaries for ſuch Adventures. Roberts was
won upon by the Peculiarity and Bluntneſs of theſe
two Men, and gave them Powder, Arms, and what
.
ever


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS. 245
ever elſe they had Occaſion for, ſpent two or three
merry Nights with them, and at parting, ſaid, he
koped the would proſper their handy Works.
They paiſed ſume Time here, after they had got
their Vellel ready, in their uſual Debaucheries;
they had taken a conſiderablc Quantity of Rum
aud Sugar, ſo that Liquor was as plenty as Wa-
ter, and few there were, who denied themſelves
the immoderate Ule of it; nay, Sobriety brought
a Man under a Suſpicion of being in a Plot againſt
the Commonwealth, and in their Senfe, he was
looked upon to be a Villain that would not be
drunk. This was evident in the Affair of Harry
Glasby, cholen Maſter of the Royal Fortune, who,
with two others, laid hold of the Opportunity
at the laſt Ifand they were at, to move off with-
out bidding Farewel to his Friends. Glasby was
a reſerved ſober Man, and therefore gave Occa-
fion to be ſuſpected, ſo that he was toon miſſed
after he went away; and a Detachment being
fent in Queſt of the Deſerters, they were all three
brought back again the next Day. This was a
capital Oltence, and for which they were ordered
to be brought to an immediate Tryal.
Here was the form of Juſtice kept up, which
is as much as can be ſaid of ſeveral other Courts,
that have more lawful Commiffio:18 for what they
do. Here was no feeing of Council, and brie
bing of Witneſſes was a Cuſtom not known among
them; no packing of Juries, no torturing and wreſt-
ing the senſe of the Law, for bye Ends and Pure
poſes, 110 puzzling or perplexing the Cauſe with
unintelligible canting Terms, and uſeleſs Diftin-
&ions; nor
was their Seſſions burthened with
numberleſs Officers, the Miniſters of Rapine and
Extortion, with ill boding Aſpects, enough to
fright Affren from the Court.
The
R. 3


246 Capt. BARTHQ. ROBERTS,
31
72
be
The Place appointed for their Trials, was the
Steerage of the Ship; in order to which a large
Bowl of Rum Punch was made, and placed upon
the Table, the Pipes and Tobacco being ready,
the judicial Proceedings began; the Priſoners were
brought forth, and Articles of Indi&tment agai.lt
them read; they were arraigned upon a Statute
of their own making and the Letter of the Law
þeing ſtrong againſt them, and the Falt plainly
proved, they were abo.t to pronounce Sentence,
when one of the Judges moved, that they ſhould
firſt ſmoak t'other Pipe; which was accordingly
done.
All the Priſoners pleaded for Arreſt of Judg.
ment very movingly, but the Court had ſuch an
Abhorrei.ce of their Crime, that they could not
be prevailed upo:1 to Mew Mercy, till one of the
Judges, whole Name was Valentine Allplant, food
up, and taking his Pipe out of his Nouth, ſaid,
he had ſomething to offer to the Court in behalf
of one of the Priſoners; and ſpoke to this Effect
.
---By G, Glasby fall not die; dm me if le
Shall. After this learned Speech, he ſat down in
his Place, and relumed his Pipe. This Motion
was loudly oppoſed by all the reſt of the Judges,
. in equivalent Terms; but Affplant, who was re-
ſolute in his Opinion, made another pathetical
Speech in the following Manner. d
ye Gentlemen, I am as good a Man as the beſt of you;
-n my S if ever I turned my Back to any Man
in my Life, or ever mill, by G; Glasby is ar
honeſt Fellow, notwithſtanding this Misfortune, and I loze
bim, Dold -n me if I don't : I hope he'll live and
repent of what he has done ; but don me if he muſt
dye, I will dye along with him. And thereupon, he
pulled out a pair of Piſtols, and preſented them
to ſome of the learned Judges upon the Bench;
who, perceiving his Argument ſo well ſupported,
thought
5


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS. 247
The poor
tence.
thought it reaſonable that Clasby Should be ac.
quitred; and ſo they all came over to his Opinion,
and allowed it to be Law.
But all the Mitigation that could be obtaained
for the other Priſoners, was, that they should have
the Liberty of chooſing any four of the whole
Company to be their Executioners.
Wretches were ty'd immediately to the Mast, and
there fhot deat, purſuant to their villainous Sen-
When they put to Sea again, the Prizes which
had been detained only for fear of spreading any
Rumour concerning them, which had like to have
been ſo fatal at Corvocoo, were thus dilpoled of:.
They burnt their own Sloop, and mann'd Norton's
Brigantine, ſending the Maſter away in the Dutch
Interloper, not diiſatisfied.
With the Roy.al Fortune, and the Brigantine, which
they chriſtened the Good Fortune, they pushed to-
wards the Latitude of Defeada, to look out for Pro-
viſions, being very ſhort again, and juſt to their
With, Captain Hingſtone's ill Fortune brought him
in their Way, richly laden for Jamaica ; hini
they carried to Bermudas and plundered ; and
ſtretching back again to the Wejt-Indies, they con-
tinually met with ſome Conſignmenè or other,
(chiefly French) which ſtored them with Plenty
of Proviſions, and recruited their ſtarving Con-
dition; ſo that ſtocked with this sort of Am-
munition, they began to think of ſomething wor-
thier their aim, for theſe Robberies that only
ſupplied what was in conſtant Expenditure, by
no Means anſwered their Intentions; and accor-
dingly they proceeded again for the Coaſt of
Guiney, where they thought to buy Gold-Duſt very
cheap. In their Paſſage thither, they took Num-
bers of Ships of all Nations, ſome of which they
burnt
24


:48 Capt. BARTHO, ROBERTS,
burrt or funk, as the Carriage or Characters of
the Masters diſpleaſed them,
Notwithſtanding the ſucceſsful Adventures of
this Ciew, yer it was with great Dificulty they
could be kept together, urder any kind of Re.
fulation; for being almoſt always mad or drunk,
their Behaviour produced infinite Diſorders, every
Man being in his own Imagination a Capraili, a
Princ, o: a King. When Roberts law there was ro
managing of ſuch a Company of wild ungovernable
Brutes, by gentle Means, nor to keep them from
drinking to Excels, the Cauſe of all their Diftur-
bances, he put on a rougher Deportment, and a
more magiſterial Carriage towards them, correct.
ii.g whom he thought fit; and if any leemed to
reles:t his Ulage, he told them, they might go aſhoore
and take Satisfaction of bim, if they thuught fir, at Sword
and Piſtol, for he neither valued or feared any of them.
About 400 Leagues from the Coaſt of Africa,
the Brigantine who had hitherto lived with them,
in all ainicable Correſpondence, thought fit to take
the Opportunity of a dark Night, and leave the
Commadore, which leads me back to the Re-
lation of an Accident that happened at one of the
Iſlands of the IVeſt-Indies, where they water'd be.
fore they undertook this Voyage, which had like
to have thrown their Government (ſuch as it
was) off the Hinges, and was partly the Occaſion
of the Separation : The Story is as follows.
Captain Roberts having been inſulted by one of
the drunken Crew, (whoſe Name I have forgot,)
he, in the Heat of his Paſſion killed the Fellow on
the Spot, which was reſented by a great many
prhers, but particularly one Jones, a brisk active
young Man, who died lately in the Marfhalſea, and
was his Mels-Mate. This Jones was at that Time
aſhore a watering the Ship, but as ſoon as he came
on Board, was told that Captain Moberts had killed
>
Bry
2
17
1
his


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
249
his Comrade ; upon which he curled Roberts, and
ſaid, he ought to be ſerved fo himſelf. Roberts
hearing Jones's Invective, ran to him with a Sword,
and ran him ir.to the Body; who, notwithſtanding
his Wound, ſeized the Captain, threw him over
a Gun, and beat him handſomely. This Adven.
ture put the whole Company in an Uproar, and
ſome taking Part with the Captain, and others
againſt him, there had like to have enſued a gene.
răl Battle with one another, like my Lord The-
mont's Cocks; however, the Tumult was at length
appeas'd by the Mediation of the Quarter-Maſter 3
and as the Majority of the Company were of Opi-
nion that the Dignity of the Captain, ought
to be ſupported on Board ; that it was a Poft of
Honour, and therefore the Perſon whom they
thought fit to confer it on, thould not be violated
by any ſingle Member ; wherefore they ſentenced
Jones to undergo two Laſhes from every one of
the Company, for his Miſdemeanour, which was
executed upon him as ſoon as he was well of
his Wound.
This levere Puniſhment did not at all convince
Jones that he was in the wrong, but rather ani.
mated him to fome Sort of a Revenge ; but not be
ing able to do it upon Roberts's Perſon, on Board
the Ship, he and ſeveral of his Comrades, corre-
fpond with Anſtis, Captain of the Brigantine, and
confpire with him and ſome of the principal Py.
rates on Board that Veiſel, to go off from the Com.
pany. What made Anſtis a Malecontent, was, the
Inferiority he ſtood in, with Reſpect to Roberts, who
carried himſelf with a haughty and magifterial
Air, to him and his Crew, he regarding the Brigan-
tine only as a Tender, and, as ſuch, left them na
more than the Refuſe of their Plunder. In ſhort,
Jones, and his Confort go on Board of Captain An-
fis, on Pretence of a Viſit, and there conſulting
with


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
51
with their Brethren, they find a Majority for lea.
ving of Roberts, and to came to a Reſolution to
bid a ſoft Faiewel, as they call it, that Night,
and to throw over-board whoſoever fhould itick
out; but they proved to be unanimous, and effected
their Deſign as above-mentioned.
I ſhall have no more to lay of Captain Anſtis,
till the Story of Roberts is concluded, therefore i
return to him, in the Purſuit of his Voyage to
Guiney. The Loſs of the Brigantine was a ſenſible
Shock to the Crew, ſhe being an excellent Sailor,
and had 70 Hands aboard; however, Roberts who
was the Occaſion of it, put on a Face of Uncon-
cern at this his ill Conduct and Miſmanagement,
and reſolved not to alter his Purpoſes upon that
Account.
Roberts fell in to Windward nigh the Senegal, a Ri-
ver of great Trade for Gum, on this part of the
Coaſt, monopolized by the French, who conſtantly
keep Cruiſers to hinder the interloping Trade :
At this Time they had two ſmall Ships on that Ser.
vice, one of 10 Guns and 05 Men, and the other
of 16 Guns and 75 Men; who having got a Sight
of Mr. Roberts, and ſuppoſing him to be one of
theſe prohibited Traders, chaſed with all the Sail
they could make, to come up with him ; but their
Hopes which had brought them very nigh, too late
deceived them, for on the hoiſting of Jolly Roger,
(the Name they give their black Flag,) their French
Hearts failed, and they both ſurrendered without
any, or at leaſt very little Reſiſtance. With theſe
Prizes they went into Sierraleon, and made one of
them their Conſort, by the Name of the Ranger,
and the other a Store-Ship, to clean by.
Sierraleon River diſgorges with a large Mouth,
the Starboard-fide of which, draughts into little
Bays, ſafe and convenient for cleaning and water-
ing; what ftill made it preferable to the Pyrates,
31
12
1:
is,


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS. 250
is, that the Traders ſettled here, are naturally
their Friends. There are about 30 EngliſhMen in
all, Men who in ſome part of their Lives, have
been either privateering, buccaneering, or pyrating,
and ſtill retain and love the Riots and Humours,
common to that Sort of Life. They live very
friendly with the Natives, and have many of them
of both Sexes, to be their Grometta's, or Servants :
The Men are faithful, and the Women to obedient,
that they are very ready to proſtitutë themſelves
to whom foever their Maſters 1hall command them.
The Royal African Company has a Fort on a ſmall
Inand callid Bence Nand, but’tis of little Ule, beſides
keeping their Slaves; the Diſtance making it in.
capable of giving any Moleſtation to their Star.
board Shore. Here lives at this place an old Fel.
low, who goes by the Name of Crackers, who was
formerly a noted Buccaneer, and while he followed
the Calling, robb'd and plundered many a Man;
he keeps the beſt Houſe in the Place, has two or
three Guns before his Door, with which he lålutes
his Friends, (the Pyrates, when they put in) and lives
a jovial Life with them all the while they are there.
Here follows a Lift, of the reſt of thoſe lawleſs
Merchants, and their Servants, who carry on a
private Trade with the Interlopers, to the great
Prejudice of the Royal African Company, who with
extraordinary Induſtry and Expence, have made,
and maintain, Settlements without any conſidera-
tion from thoſe, who, without ſuch Settlements
and Forts, would ſoon be under an Incapacity of
purſuing any ſuch private Trade. Wherefore, 'tis to
be hopd, proper Means will be taken, to root out a
pernicious Set of People, who have all their Lives,
ſupported themſelves by the Labours of other Men.'.
Two of theſe Fellows enter'd with Roberts's Crew,
and continued with them, till the Deſtruction of
the Company:


.
Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
252
ya
1
A Liſt of the White-Men, now living on the
bigb Land of Sierraleon, and the Craft
they occupy.
OHN Leadftone, three Boats and a Periagoe.
His Man Tom.
,
His Man Jolon Brown.
Alexander Middleton, one Long-Boat.
His Man Charles Hawkins.
Wiliam Mead, ŠPartners, one Long-Boat.
Their Man John Vernon.
David Charmers, one Long-Boat.
John Charmers, one Long-Boat.
Richard Richardſon, one Long-Boat.
Norton,
Richard Warren,
? Partners, two Long-Boats, and
Robert Glynn,
two ſnall Boats.
His Man John Franks.
William Waits, and one young Man.
John Bonnerman.
John England, one Long-Boat,
Robert Samples, one Long-Boat.
William Preſgrove,)
Harry,
one Sloop, two Long-Boats,
Davis,
a ſmall Boat, and Periagoe.
Alitchel,
Richard Lamb,
With Roquis Rodrigus, a Portugueſe.
George Biſhop.
Peter Brown.
John Jones, one Long-Boat.
His Iriflo young Man.
At Rio Pungo, Benjamin Gun,
At Kidbam, George Teats.
At Gallyncas, Richard Lemmonen
The


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS. 253
The Harbour is ſo convenient for Wooding and
Watering, that it occaſions many of our trading
Ships, elpecially thoſe of Briſtol, to call in there,
with large Cargocs of Beer, Syder, and ſtrong Li-
quors, which they excha ige with theſe private
Traders, for Slaves and Teeth, purchaſed by them
at the Rio Nune's, and other places to the North-i
ward, ſo that here was what they call good
Living
Hither Roberts came the End of June, 1721,
and had Intelligence that the Swallow and Woy-
mouth, two Men of War, of so Guns each, had
left that River about a Month before, and de-
ſigned to return about Chriſtmas; ſo that the Py-
rates could indulge themſelves with all the sa.
tisfa&tio:1 in the World, in that they knew they
were not only ſecure whilſt there, but that in
going down the Coaſt, after the Men of War,
they ſhould always be able to get ſuch Intelli-
gence of their Rendezvous, as would ſerve to
make their Expedition ſafe. So after fix Weeks
Stay, the Ships being cleaned and fitted, and the
Men weary of whoring and drinking, they be.
thought themſelves of Buſineſs, and went to Sea
the Beginning of Auguſt, taking their Progreſs
down the whole. Coait, as low as Jaquin, plun-
dering every Ship they met, of what was va.
luable in ber, and ſometimes to be more mir.
chieviouſly wicked, would throw what they did
not want, over-board, accumulating Cruelty to
Theft.
In this Range, they exchanged their old French
Ship, for a file Frigate built Ship, call'd the Onflow,
belonging to the Royal African Company, Captain
Gee Commander, which happened to lie at Seſtos,
to geć Water and Neceffaries for the Company. A
great many of Captain Goe's Men were aſhore,
when


254 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
FR
when Roberts's bore down, and ſo the Ship con:
ſequently furpriz'd into his Hands, tho' had they
been all on Board, it was not likely the Cale
would have been otherwiſe, the Sailors, moſt of
them, voluntarily joyning the Pyrates, and encous
raging the ſame Diſpoſition in the Soldiers, (who
were going Paſſengers with them to Cape-Curſo-
Caſtle) whoſe Ears being conſtantly tickled with
the Fears and Gallantry of thoſe Fellows, made
them fancy, that to gr, was only being bound on
a Voyage of Knight Errantry (to relieve the Di:
ſtreſs’d, and gather up Fame) and ſo they like-
wiſe offered themſelves; but here the Pyrates
were at a Stand, they entertain'd fo contemptible
a Notion of Landmen, that they put them off
with Refuláls for. fome Time, till at length, be-
ing wearied with Sollicitations, and pittying a Para
cel of ſtout Fellows, which they ſaid, were going
to ſtarve upon a little Canky and Plantane, they
accepted of them, and allowed them Share, as is
was then term'd' out of Charity.
There was a Clergyman on Board the Onploto,
ſent from England, to be Chaplain of Cape-Corſo-
Caſtle, ſome of the Pyrates were for keeping him,
alledging merrily, that their Ship wanted a Chap
lain; accordingly they offered him a Share, to
take on with them, promiſing, he ſhould do 10
thing for his Money, but make Punch, and ſay
Prayers; yet, however brutiſh they might be in
other Things, they bore ſo great a Reſpect to his
Order, that they reſolved not to force him againſt
his Inclinations; and the Parſon having no reliſh
for this Sort of Life, excuſed himſelf from accepting
the Honour they deſigned him; they were ſatisfied,
and generous enough to deliver him back every
Thing he owned to be his : The Parfon laid hold
of this favourable. Diſpoſition of the Pyrates, and
laid
-
!
4
A
T!


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS. 255
laid Claim to ſeveral Things belonging to others,
which were alſo given up, to his great Satisfa&tion;
in fine, they kept nothing which belonged to the
Church, except three Prayer-Books, and a Bottle.
Screw.
The Pyrates kept the Onſlow for their own
Ule, and gave Captain Gee the French Ship, and
then fell to making ſuch Alterations as might fic
her for a Sea-Rover, pulling down her Bulk-Heads,
and making her fluſh, ſo that ſhe became, in all
Reſpects, as compleat a Ship for their Purpoſe,
as any they could have found; they continued to
her the Name of the Royal Fortune, and mounted
her with 40 Guns.
She and the Ranger proceeded (as I ſaid before,)
to Jaquin, and from thence to Old Calabar, where
they arrived about O&tober, in order to clean their
Ships, a Place the moſt ſuitable along the whole
Coaſt, for there is a Bar with not above is Foot
Water upon it, and the Channel intricate, ſo that
had the Men of War been ſure of their being har-
bour'd here, they might ſtill have bid Defiance to
their Strength, for the Depth of Water at the Bar,
as well as the walit of a Pilot, was a ſufficient Se.
curity to the Rovers, and invincible Impediments
to them. Here therefore they ſat eaſy, and divi-
ded the Fruits of their diſhoneſt Induſtry, and drank
and drove Care away. The Pilot who brought them
into this Harbour, was Captain Li, who for
this, and other Services, was extreamly well paid,
according to the Journal of their own Accounts,
which do not run in the ordinary and common
Way, of Debtor, contra Creditor, but much more
concile, lumping it to their Friends, and ſo care
rying the Debt in their Heads, againſt the next
honeſt Trader they meet.
They


256 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
They took at Calabar, Captain Loane, and two
or three Briſtol Ships, the Particulars of all
which would be an unneceſſary Prolixity, there.
fore I come now to give an Account of the
Uſage they received from the Natives of this place.
The Calabar Negroes did not prove ſo civil as they
expected, for they refuſed to have any commerce
or Trade with them, when they underſtood they were
Pyrates: An Indication that theſe poor Creatures,
in the narrow Circumſtances they were in, and
withe:t the Light of the Goſpel, or the Advan.
tage of an Education, have, rotwithſtanding ſuch a
moral innate Honeſty, as would upbraid and Name
the mot knowing Chriftian: But this aid but ex.
aſperate theſe lawleſs Fellows, and ſo a Party of
40 Men were detach'd to force a Correſponderce,
or drive the Negroes to Extremities
accordingly landed under the Fire of their own
Cannon. The Negroes drew up
in a Body of 2900
Men, as if they intended to diſpute the Matter with
them, and ſtaid till the Pyrates advanced within
Piſtol-shot; but finding the Loſs of two or three,
made no Impreſſion on the reſt, the Negroes
thought fit to retreat, which they did, with ſome
Lofs: The Pyrates ſet Fire to the lown, and then
returned to their Ships. This terrified the Na-
tives, and put an entire Stop to all the Intercouſe
between them; ſo that they could get no Sup-
plies, which obliged them, as ſoon as they had fie
niſhed the cleaning and trimming of their Ships, to
loſe no Time, but went for Cape Lopez, and watered,
and at Anna-bona took aboard a Stock of freſh Pro-
viſions, and then failed for the Coaſt again.
This was their laſt and fatal Expedition, which
we shall be more particular in, becauſe, it cannot
be imagined that they could have had Aſſurance
to have undertaken it, but upon a Preſumption,
that the Men of War, (whom they knew were
upon
:
lehet
D A
II


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS: :57
upon the Coaf,) were unable to attack them, or
elle purſuant to the Rumour that had indiſcrecio-
naly obtained at Sicrralcon, were gone thither
again.
It is impoſible at this time, to think they could
21:0:0 of the weak and ſickly Conditio!r they were
in, and therefore founded the Succels of this ſea
cond Attempo upon the Coaſt, on the latter Pre-
fumption, and this ſeems to be confirmed by their
falling in with the Coift as low as Cape Lalaú, Card
even that was higher than they delig..ed) in the
Beginning of January, and took the ship called the
King Solomon, with 20 Mer in their Boat, and à
trading Vetiel, both belonging to the Company:
The Pyrate Ship happened to fall about a League
to Leeward of the King Solomon, at Cape Appollonia,
and the Current and Wind oppoſing their working
up
with the Ship, they agreed to ſend the Long-
Boat,, with fufficient Number of Men to take
her : The Pyrates are all Voluntiers on theſe Oc.
caſions, the Word being always given, inko will god
And preſently the stanch and firm Men offer them:
felves; becaulė, by ſuch Readineſs, they recom.
mend their Courage, and have an Allowarce alſo
of a Shift of Cloaths, from Head to Foot, ouo
of the Prize.
They rowed towards the King Srlomen with a
great deal of Alacrity, and bei: g hailed by the
Commander of her, anſwered, Derance; Captain
Traleru, before this, obſerving a great Numbet of
Men in the Boat, began not to like his Viſitors;
and prepared to receive then, firing a Musket
as they come under his Sterr; which they re.
turned with a Volley, and made greater Speed
to get on Board: Urou this, he applied to his
Men, and ask'd them, whether they would fand
by him, to defend thc Ship, is being a Shame they
hould be taken by half their Number, without
You k
R
any.
|
:


358 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
Up
ta
any Repulle? But his Boatſwain, Philips, took
on him to be the mouth of the People, and
put
an End to the Diſpute ; he ſaid plainly, he would
not, laid down his Arms in the King's Name, as
he was plealed to term it, and called out so the
Boat for Quarters, ſo that the reſt, by his Ex.
ample, were millead to the lofing ot' the Ship.
When they came on Board, they brought her
under Sail, by an expeditious Method, of cutting
the Cable ; il'alden, one of the Pyrates, telling
the Maiter, this yo hope of heaving up the Anchor
was a needlets Trouble, when they deſigred to
burn the Ship. They brought her under Com--
madore Riberts's Stern, and not only rifled her
of what Sails, Cordage, &c. they wanted for them.
ſelves, but wantonly throw'd the Goods of the
Company overboard, like Spend-thrifts, that nei
ther expected or deſigned any Account.
On the fame Day alſo, they took the Fluſhing,
Dutch Ship, robbed her of Maſts, Yards and Stores
and then cut down her Fore-Maft; but what fap
as heavily as any Thing with the Skipper, was, their
taking ſome fine Saulages he had on Board, of his
Wife's making, and ſtringing them in a ludicrous
Manner, round their Necks, till they had fuffici-
ently Shew'd their contempt of them, and then
threw them into the Sea. Others chopp'd the
Heads of his Fowls off, to be dreſſed for their
Supper, and courteouſly invited the Landlord, pro-
vided he would find Liquor. It was a melarcholy
Requeſt to the Man, but it muſt be comply'd with
and he was obliged, as they grew drunk, to fit
quietly, and hear them ſing French and Spaniſla Songs
out of his Dutch Prayer-Books, with other Pro-
phaneſs, that he ('tho a
that he (tho a Dutch Man ) ftoo
amazed at.
In chaſing too near in, they alarmed thc Coaſt
and Expreſſes were ſent to the Engliſh, and Dutch
Factories
3


|


260 Capt. BARTHO. ROEERTS.
would be impracticable. Theſe all, except the
l'orcupine, ransomed with him for ei:ight Pound of
fumo
be-
& the
lie o
Oturne
iking
aling
theit
cheie
зу о
tha
NE
infoma
that
:S,
by.
Road.
They came to l'hydah
á black Silk. Flag Hying a
a Jack and Pendar.t of the
Deaths Head ir it, with an
and croſs Bones in the or
underneath a Heart droppi
The Jack had a Mai
a flaming Sword in his Ha
Skulls, ſubſcribed A. B. H.
badian's and a Martinican'
fore taken Notice of. I
Sail in the Road, Engliſh, F
French were three (tout'SH
wards, of 100 Men each,
to Fire, they, with the
Atruck their Colours and 1
One Reaſon, it muſt b
Vi&tory, was, the Comm:
'the Men being aſhore, ad
the Place, to receive the
Slaves, they being oblige
it, wh%h otherwise, in f
1
ains
I by
hey
Mg
و يا بو لی ۔
vo
rue
tail
fpe
Û
obers
hen
eing
the
Why





260 Capt. BARTHO. ROEERTS.
T.
would be impracticable. Theſe all, except the
Torci:pine, randomed with him for ei:ight Pound of
Gold-Dull, a Ship, not without the Trouble of fome
Letters paning and repalling froni the Shore, be.
fore they could lettle it ; and notwithſtanding the
Agreement aid Payment, they took away one of
the French Ships, cho' with a Promiſe to return
her, if they found the did not fail well, taking
with then ſeveral of her Men for that End.
Some of the Foreigners, who never had Dealing
this Way he'ore, deſired for Satisfaction to their
Owners, that they might have Receipts for their
Money, which were accordingly given, a Copy of
one of them, I have here lubjoined, viz.
HIS is to cerrify mhom ir may or dorh concern, the
me GENTLEMEN OF FORTUNE
have received cight Pourids of Gold-Duſ, for the Ranſom
of the Hardey, Captain Ditewitt Commander, so that
we diſebarge the ſaid Ship,
Witneſs our Hands,
Batt. Roberts,
13th of Jan, 1721-2.
Harry Glasby
Others were given to the Portugueſe Captains,
which were in the ſame Form, but being ſigned by
two waggiſh Fellows, viz. Sutton, and Sympſon, they
ſubſcribed by the Names of,
Aaron Whifflingpin,
Sim. Tugmutton.
But there was ſomething ſo fingularly cruel
and barbarous done here to the Porcupire, Captain
Fletcher, as muft not be parſed over without ſpe.
cal Remark.
This Ship lay in the Road, almoft llaved, when
the Pyratės came in, and the Commander being
on Shore, ſettling his Accounts, was ſent to for the
Ranſom, but he excuſed it, as having no Orders
from


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS..261
from the Owners; though the true Reaſon might
be, that he thought it diſhonourable to treat with
Robbers; and that the ship, reparatc from the
Slaves, towards whom he could miftruft no Cruel.
tv, was not worth the Sum demanded; hereupon,
Ricberis ſends the Boat to tranſport the Negroes, in
order to ſee her on Fire; but being in hafte, and
findinig that unſhackling t..em coſt much Time and
Labour, they actually let her on Fire, with eighty
of thoſe poor Wretches on Board, chained two and
two together, under the miſerable Choice of periſh-
jing by Fire or Water : Thoſe who jumped over-
board from the Flames, were ſeized by Sharks, a
voracious Filh, in Plenty in this Road, and, in their
Sighe, tore Limb from Limh alive. A Cruelty un-
paralell'd! And for which had every Individual
buen hanged, few I imagine would think that ju-
Nice had been rigorous.
The Pyrates, indeed, were obliged to diſpatch
their Buſineſs here in hafte, becauſe they had in.
tercepted a Letter from General Phips, to Mr. Bald.
win, the Royal African Company's Agents at Il'hydah,
(giving an Account, that Roberts had been ſeen tó
Windward of Cape Three Points,) that he might
the better guard againſt the Damages to the Com-
pany's Ships, if he ſhould arrive at that Road
before the Smalloro Man of War, which he aſſured
bim, (ar the Time of that Letter,) was purſuing
them to that place. Roberts call'd up his Company,
and deſired they would hear Phips's Speech, (for
So he was pleaſed to call the Letter,) and not.
withſtanding their vapouring, perſwaded them of
the Neceſſity of moving; for, ſays he, 'luch brave
Fellows cannot be luppoſed to be frightned ac
'this News, yet that it were better to avoid dry
Blows, which is the beſt that can be expected,
(if overtaken.
R 3
This


262 Capt. -BARTHQ; ROBERTS:
LIN
$!
ܕܐܐ
This Advice weigh'd with them, and they got
under Sail, having ſtay'd only from Thurſday to
Saturday Night, and at Sea voted for the liland of
Anna Bona, but the Wiud hanging out of the Way,
croſs'd their Purpoſe, and brought them to Cape
Lopez, where I thall leave them for their approach.
ing Fate, and relace func further Particulars of
his Majeſty's Ship
the Smalion, viz. where it was
The had ipent her Time, during the Miſchief that
was donc, and by' what Merus wable to prevent
ic; what alio was the Intelligence she received, and
thé Mcalüres thereon formed, that at laſt broughi
two ſuch Strangers as Mr. Roberts and Capt. Ogle
,
meet in foremote a Corner of the World.
The Small.w and Ilcymouth left Sierraleon, May 28,
where, I have already taken Nocice, Roberts arrived
about a month after, and doubtleſs learn'd the
Intent of their Voyage, and cleaning on the Coaſt;
which made him ice down with more Security to
his Diverfion, and furnith him with ſuch Intima-
tious, as made his firſt Range down the Coaſt in
Auguſt following, more proſperous ; the Swalloro
and Wiymiurb being then at the Port of Princes
a cleaning
Their Stay at Princes was from July 2$ to Sept. ?C,
1721, where, by a Fatality, commo: to the liv
regularities of Seamen, (who cannot in Tuch Cales
be kept under due Reſtraint,), they buried i:)
Men in three Weeks Time, and reduced the Re-
mainder of the Ships Companies into ſo ſickly, a
State, that it was ivith Dificulty they brought
them to fail ; and this Misfortune was probably
the Ruin of Roberts, for it prevented the Men of
War's going back to Sierraleon, as it was intended,
there being a Neceſſity of leaving his Majeſty's
Ship Weymouth (in much the worle Condition of
the two) under the Guns of Cape Corſo, to impreſs
Men, being "unable at this Time, either to hand
the
din
at
03
ra
ing
ny
01
d
akt


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS. 263
t)
69
to
by
à
hi
ll
che Sails, or weigh her Anchor; and Roberts being
ignorant of the Occaſion or Alteration of the
firft Deſigii, fell into the Mouth of Danger, when
he thought himſelf the fartheſt from it; for the
Men of War not endeavouring to attain further
to Windward (when they came from Princes) then
to ſecure Cape Corſo Road under their Lee, they
luckily hovered in the Track he had took.
The Smallow and Weymouth toll in with the Con.
tinent at Cape Appollonia, Olto. 20th, and there re-
ceived the ungrateful News from one Captain Bird ;
a Notice that awakened and put them on their
Guard; but they were far from expecting any Te-
merity Should ever bring him a ſecond Time on the
Coaft, while they were there; therefore the Sw.al-
lump having leen the Weymouth into Cape Corſo Road
Nov. Toth, the plied to Windward as far as Baffam,
rather as an Airing to recover a ſickly Ship’s Com-
pany, and hew herſelf to the Trade, which was
fourid
every where undiſturbed, and were, for that
Reaſon, returning to her Confort, when accident-
ly meeting a Portugueſe Ship, the told her, that the
Day before the law two Ships chace into Funk,
an Engliſh Veiſel, which ſhe believed muſt have
fallen into their Hands. On this Story, the Swallow
clung her Wind, and endeavoured to gain that
Place, but receiving ſoon after (Oito. the 14th) a
contrary Report from Captain Plummer, an intel-
ligent Man, in the Faſon of Briſtol, who had come
further to Windward, and neither law or 'heard
any Thing of this; ſhe turned her Head down the
ſecond Time, anchored at Cape Appellonia the 23d,
at Cape Tres Puntas the 27th, a!id in Corſo Road
January the 7th, 1721-2.
They learned that their Conſort the Wey-
mouth, was, by the Amiſtance of ſome Soldiers from
the Caſtle, gone to Windward, to demand Refti-
tution of ſome Goods or Men belonging to the
R
4
African
.4.2


:64 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS,
1
27
African Company, ihit were illegally detained by
the Diteb at Des Minas ; and while they were re.
Setting to long a separation, an Exprels came
to General Ib'fs, from Axim, he 9th, and followed
by another from Pixccre, (an Engliſ; Factory) with
Information that ihree Ships had chaſed and taken
a Galley nigh Axim Caſtle, and a trading Boaç
biloi ging to the Company No doubt was made,
concerning what they were, it being taken for
grauited they were Pyrates, and lppoled to be elic
fame that had the August before inteſted the Court
,
The natural Reule therefore, tiom theſe two Ad.
vices, was, to halten for Hbydah ; for it was con-
cluded the Prizes they had take.., had informed
them bow rich the Sirellop was, and withal, how
much better in Health than the had been for
fome Months patt; to that unles they were very
mad indeed; they would (after being diſcovered)
make the beſt of their way for I'lıydah, and le-
curc the Booty there, without which, their Time
and Ir.dunry had been entirely loſt ; moſt of the
Gold lying in that Corner.
The Sira.ion weighed from Cape Cuiſi, January the
roth, but was retarded by waiting lome Hours on
the Alargaret, a Company's Ship, ac Accrit, again
on the Portugal, and a whole Day at Apong, on a
Perſon they uſe to ſtile Miſs Berry; A Conduť
that Mr. Thips blamed, when he heard the Pyrates
svere mils'd at Whydal, altho' he had given it as
h's Opinion, they could not be paſſed by, and in-
timated, that to ſtay a few Hours would prove
no Prejudice.
This, however, hinder'd the Smalloro's catching
them at Whydalı, for the Pyrates came into that
Roas, with a frelh Gale of Wind, the ſame Day
che Supalloro was at Apong, and fail'd the i3th of
January from thence, that she arrived the 17th.
Sire gained Notice of them by a French Shallop
from
į


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS. 265
Plac
266
to
be
in
Tid
HIS
OP
09
COC
000
tha
GE
Ca
from Grand Papa, the 14th at Night, and from
Little Papa next Morning by a Dutch Ship; ſo that
the Man of War was on all sides, as the thought,
ſure of her Purchaſe, particularly when ſhe made
the Ships, and diſcovered three of them to get
under Sail immediately at Sight of her, making
Signals to one another, as tho they deſigned a
Defence; but they were found to be three French
Ships; and thoſe at Anchor, Portugueſe and Engliſh,
all honeft Traders, who had been ranſack'd and
rantom'd.
This Diſappointment chagreen'd the ship's Com.
pany, who were very inte.it upon their Market;
which was reported to be an Arm-Cheſt full of
Gold, and kept with three Keys; tho’in all likeli.
hood, had they met with them in that open Road,
one or both would have made their Eſcapes; or
if they had thought fit to have fought, an Emu-
lation in their Defence would probably have made
it deſperate.
While they were contemplating on the Matter,
a Letter was received from Mr. Baldwin, (Gover.
nor here for the Company) figrifying, that the
Pyrates were at Jaquin, leven Leigues lower. The
Smalloro weighed at two next Morning, January the
ļoth, and got to Jaquin by Day-Light, but 'to no
other End, than frightening the Crews of two
Porrugueſe Ships on Shore, who took her for the
Pyrate that had ſtruck ſuch Terror at Whydah.
She returned therefore that Night, and having
been ſtrengthened with thirty Voluntiers, Engliſh
,
and French, the diſcarded Crews of the Porcupine,
and the French Ship they had carried from hence,
ſhe put to Sea again January the 19th, conjecturing,
that either Calabar, Princes, the River Gabone,
Cape Lopez, or Annabona, muſt be touched at for
Water and Refreſhment, tho’ they should reſolve
to leave the Coaſt. As to the former of thoſe
Places
for
The
W
mu
Sa


Capt. BARTHO, ROBERTS. 267
Set
u
WIO
Com
172
IC
under the Direction of Lieutenant Sun, an experi-
enced Officer, as to let the Ranger come up with
her, when they thought they had got ſo far as noc
to have their Guis heard by her Confort at the
Cape. The Pyrates had ſuch an Opinion of their
own Courage, that they could never dream any
Body would uſe a Stratagem to ſpeak with them;
and ſo was the more eaſily drawn into the Snare.
The Pyrates now drew nigh enough to fire their
Chaſe Guns; they hoisted the black Flag that was
worn in Whydah Road, and got their Spritfail Yard.
along-lhips, with Intent to board; no one having
ever asked, all this while, what Country Ship they
took the Chale to be; they would have her to be.
a Portugueſe, (Sugar being then a Commodity wanting
among them) and were livearing every Minute at the
Wind or Sail to expedite ſo Tweet“ a Chaſe; but,
alas, all turned four in an Inſtant: It was with
the utmoſt Confternation they ſaw her ſuddenly.
bring to, and hawl up her lower Ports, now with.
in Piſtol-ſhot, and ftruck their black Flag upon it
directly. After the firſt Surprize was over, they
kept firing at a Diſtance, hoilted it again, and va.
poured with their Cutlaſhes on the Poop; tho’
wiſely endcavouring at the lame Time to get away.
Being now at their Wits End, boarding was pro-
poled by the Heads of them, and ſo to make one
deſperate Puſ; but the Motion not being well le-
conded, and their Main-Top-Mart coming down by
a Shot, after tivo Hours firing, it was declined;
they grow fick, ftruck their Colours, and called
put for Quarters; having had 10 Men killed out:
right, and 20 wounded, without the Lols or Hurt
of one of the King's Men, She had 32. Guns,
mann'd with 16 French Men, 20 Negroes, and 77
Engliſh The Colours were thrown over-board,
that they might not riſe in fudgment, nor be dil-
play'd in Triumph over them.
While
th
tu


268 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
While the Swallow was ſending their Boat to
fetch the Priſoners, a Blaſt and Smoak wis ſeen
to pour out of the great Çabin, and they thought
they were blowing up; but upon Enquiry atier.
wards, found that half a dozen of the moſt Delpe-
rate when they law all hopes fed, had drawn
themſelves round what Powder they had left in the
Steerage, and fired a Piſtul into it, but it was tco
ſmall a Quantity to effe{t any Thing more, than
burning thein in a frightful Manner.
This Ship was commanded by one Skyrme, a
I'elch Man, who, tho' he had loſt his Leg in the
A&tion, would not ſuffer himſelf to be dreiled, or
carried off the Deck; but, like Widrington, foug!ıt
upon his Scump. The reſt appeared gay and brisk,
moſt of them with white Shirts, Watches, and á
deal of Silk Veſts, but the Gold-Duft belonging to
them, was moſt of it lett in the Little Rarger in
the Bay, (this Company's proper Ship) with the
Royal Foriune.
i cannot but take Notice of two amor.g the
Crowil, of thote disfigured from the Blaft of Pow.
der juſt before-mentioned, viza William Main ard
Roger Ball. An Olticer of the Ship ſeeing a Silver
Call hang at the Waſt of the former, ſaid to him,
I prefume you are Boarfwain of this ship. Then you free
fume wrong, a:livered he, for I am Boatſwain of the
Royal Fortune, Cooprain Roberts Commander. Then
Mfr. Boatliain you will be hanged I believe; replies
the Officer. Thar is as your Honour pleaſes; anſivered
he again, and was for turning away: But the Of.
ficer deſired to know of him, how the Powder,
which had made them in that Condition, came to
take Fire. By
By G-ſays he, they are all mad and
boxirch'd, for I have loſt a good Hat by it. (the Hat and
le being both blown out of the Cabin Gallery,
into the Sear) But what fignifies Hat Friend, lays
the Officers. Not much aufwerd he, thé Meu
being


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS. 269
being buly in ſtripping him of his Shoes and Stock-
ings.
The Officer then enquired of him, whe-
ther Roberts's Company were as likely Fellows as
chefe. There are 120 of them, (anſwered he) as
dover Fellords as ever trod Shoe Leather: Would I were
with them! No doubt on't, fuys the Officer.
By Git is naked Truth, anſivered he, looking .
down and ſeeing himſelf, by this Time, quite
Aripp's.
The Officer then approached Roger Ball, who was
ſeated in a private Correr, with a Look as fullen
as Winter, and asked him, how he came blown
up in that frightful Manner. Why, ſays he,
John Morris fired a Piſtol into the Powder, and if be
had not dine it, I would, (bearing his Pain without the
leaſt Complaint.). The Officer gave him to under-
ſtand he was Surgeon, and it' he deſired it, he
would dreſs him; but he ſwore it ſhould not be
done, and that if any Thing was applied to him,
he would tear it off. - Nevertheleis the Surgeon
had good Nature enough to dreſs him, tho' with
much Trouble : At Night he was in a kind of Dco
lirium, and raved on the Bravery of Roberts, fay.
ing, he thould fortly be releaſed, as ſoon as they
should meet him, which procured him a laſhing
down upon the Forecaſtle, which he reſiſting with
all his Force, cauſed him to be uſed with the more
Violence, ſo that he was tied down with ſo
much Severity, that his Flesh being ſore and
tender with the blowing us, he died next Day of
a Morrification.
They ſecured the Priſoners with Pinions, and
Shackles, but the ship was ſo much diſabled in the
Engagement, that they had once Thoughts to let
her on Fire, but this would have given them the
Trouble of taking the Pyrates wounded Men on
Board themſelves, and that they were certain the
Royal Fortune would wait for their Conſort's Return,
they


270 Capt. BARTHO: ROBERTS:
they lay by her two Days, repaired her Rigging and
other Damages, and ſent her into Princes, with the
French Men, and four of their own Hands.
On the oth in the Evening, the Swallow gained the
Cape again, and ſaw the Royal Foredne ſtanding into
the Bay with the Neptune, Captain Hill, of London :
A good Preſage of the next Day's Succeſs, for
they did not doubt but the Temptation of Li-
quor, and Plunder, they might find in this their
new Prize, would make the Pýrates very confuſed;
and ſo it happened.
On the 10:h, in the Morning, the Man of War
bore away to round the Cape. Roberes's Crew dil-
cerning their Marts over the Land, went down
into the Cabbin, to acquaint him of it, he being
then at Breakfaſt with his new Gueſt, Captain
Hill, ou a favory Dish of Solomongundy, and lome
of his own Beer. He took no Notice of it, and
his Men almost as little, ſome ſaying ſhe was a Pore
sugueſe Ship, others a French Slave Ship, but the
major Part Twore it was the French Ranger return-
ing, and were merrily debating for ſome Time,
on the Manner of Reception, whether they ſhould
falute, or not; but as the Swallow approached
nigher, Things appeared plainer, and though they
were ſtigmatiz'd with the Name of Cowards, who
Thewed any Apprehenſion of Danger, yet fome of
them, now urdeceived, declared it to Koberes, eſpe-
cially one Armſtrong, who had deſerted from that
Ship, and knew her well: Thoſe Roberts fiore at as
Cowards, who meant to diſhearten the Men, asking
them if it were ſo, whether they were afraid to
fight, or no ?' And hardly refrained from Blows.
What his own Apprehenſions were, till the hawled
up her Ports, and hoiſted their proper Colours,
is uncertain ; but then being perfectly convirced,
he Ripped his Cable, got under Sail, and ordered
his Men to Arms, without any Shew of Timidity,
dropping


FI
272 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
1
Swallow came a ſecond Time very nigh to him. Ha
had now perhaps finiſhed the Fight very deſperate
ly, if Death, who took a ſwift Partage in a Grape.
Shot, had not interpoſed, and ſtruck him directly
on the Throat. He lettled himſelf on the Tackles
of a Gun, which one Stephenſon, from the Helm, ob
ſerving, ran to his Aflitance, and not perceiving
him wounded, ſwore at him, and bid him ſtand
11P,
and fight like a Man; but when he found his M
Stake, and that his Captain was certainly dead, he
guſhed into Tears, and wiſhed the next Shot might
be his Lot They preſently threw him over-board,
with his Arms and Ornaments on, according to the
repeated Request he made in his Life-time.
Roberts was a tall black Mai, near forty Years of
Age, born at Netey-bagh, nigh Haverford-Weft, in
Pembrokeſhire, of good natural Parts, and perſonal
Bravery, tho’he applied them to ſuch wicked Pur.
poſes, as made them of no Commendation, frequent-
Jy drinking Dawn to him who ever lived to wear a
Halter. He was forc'd himſelf at firſt among this
Company out of the Prince, Captain Plumb at Ana-
: maboe, about three Years before, where he ſerved as
fecond Mate, and thed, as he us'd to tell the freſlo
Men, as many Crocodile Tears then as they did
now, but Time and good Company had wore it off.
He could not plead Want of Employment, nor
Incapacity of getting his Bread in an honeſt Way,
to favour to vile a Change, nor was he ſo much a
Coward as to pretend it; but frankly ownd, it was
to get rid of the diſagreeable Superiority of fome
Maſters he was acquainted with, and the Love of
Novelty and Change, Maritime Peregrinations had
accuſtom'd him to. In an honeft Service, ſays he, there
is thin Commons, lut Wages, and hard Labour ; in shi,
Plenry and Sariety, Pleaſure and Eaſe, Liberty and Toroa
er; and who would not ballance Creditor on this side;
tokon all the Hazard shut is run for it, as worſt, is only .
Jour


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
273
Eur Look or two at chonking. No, a merry Life and
thort one, fiall be my Mitto. Thus he preached
himſelf into an Approbation of what he at firſt ab-
horrd; and being daily regal'd with Muſick, Drink.
Eng, and the Gaiety and Diverſions of his Compa-
miris, thele deprav'd Propenſities were quickly
edg‘d and ſtrengthen'd, to the extinguiſhing of Fear
and Conſcience. Yet among all the vile and igno-
minous A&ts he had perpetrated, he is ſaid to have
Ihad an Averſion towards forcing Men into that Sera
vice, and had procured ſome their Diſcharge, not.
withſtanding to many had made Force their Plea.
When Roberts was gone, as tho' he had been the
Life and Soul of the Gang, their Spirits ſunk;
many deſerted their Quarters, and all ſtupidly neg-
lected any Means for Defence or Eſcape ; and their
Main-maſt ſoon after beirg ſhot by the Board, they
had noWay leſt, but to ſurrender and call for Quar-
ters. The Swallow kept aloof, while her Boat paſ.
feil, and repaſſed for the Priſoners; becauſe they
underſtood they were under an Oath to blow up;
and ſome of the Deſperadoes ſhewed a Willingneſs
that Way, Matches being lighted, and Scuffles hap-
pening between thoſe who would, and thoſe who
oppofed it: But I cannot eaſily account for this
Humour, which can be term’d no more than a
falle Courage, ſince any of them had Power to de.
ſtroy his own Life, either by Piſtol or Drowni::g,
without involving others in the ſame Fate, who
are in no Temper of Mind for it: And at bzft, ic
had been only dying, for fear of Death.
She had 40 Guns, and 157 Men, 45 whereof were
Negroes; three only were killed in the A&tion,
without
any
Lots to the Smallow. There was found
upwards of 2000 l. in Gold-Dust in her. The Flag
could not be got eaſily from under the fallen Maft,
and was therefore recover'd by the Spaliovo ; it had
the Figure of a Skeleton in it, and a Man pourtray'd
VOL. I,
S
with


274 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
with a flaming Sword in his Hand, intimatir.g a De.
fiance of Death it felt,
The Swalloro returned back into Cape Lopez Bay,
and found the little Ranger, whom the Pyrates had
deſerted in haſte, for the better Defence of the Ship:
She had been plunder'd, according to what I could
learn, of 2000 l. in Golc-Duſt, (the Shares of thoſe
Pyrates who belonged to her ;) and Captain Hill,
in the Neptune, not unjuſtly ſuſpe&ed, for he would
not wait the Man of War's returning into the Bay
again, but failed away immediately, making no
Scruple afterwards to own the Seizure of other
Goods out of her, and ſurrender'd, as a Confirma.
tion of all, so Ounces at Barbadoes, for which, ſee
the Article at the End of this Book.
All Perſons who after the 29th of Septem. 1690, &c.
To ſum up the whole, if it be conſidered, firs
that the ſickly State of the Men of War, when they
fail'd from Princes, was the Misfortune that hin
dered their being as far as Sierralcon, and confe
quently out of the Track the Pyrates then took
That thoſe Pyrates, directly contrary to their De
Sign, in the ſecond Expedition, ſhould get abov
Cape Corſo, and that nigh Axim, a Chace Ihould of
fer, that inevitably muſt diſcover them, and be fouz
communicated to the Men of War. That the fati
ating their evil and malicious Tempers at Whydal
in burning the Porcupine, and running off with the
French Ship, had ſtrengthened the Swallow with 3 .
Men. That the Swallor ſhould miſs them in th
Road, where probably the had not, or at leaſt foe
fectually obtained her End. That they ſhould
ſo far infatuated at Cape Lopez, as to divide the
Strength, which, when collected, might have beu
ſo formidable. And laſtly, that the Conqueſt Thou
be without Bloodſhed : I ſay, conſidering all the
Circumſtances, it thews that the Hand of Prov
dence was concerned in their Deſtruction.


Capt. BARTHO, ROBERTS. 275
As to their Behaviour after they were taken, it
was found that they had great Ir.clinations to rebel,
if they could have laid hold of any Opportunity.
For they were very unealy under Reftraint, having
been lately all Commarders themelves; nor could
they brook their Diet, or Quarters, wi:hout curfing
and fivearing, and upbraiding cach other, with the
Foily that had brought them to it.
so that to ſecure themſelves agaili y inad del.
perate Undertaking of theirs, the Swa!iem ſtrongly
barricado'd the Gun-foum, and node another Pricin
before it ; an Officer, with Pistols and Cutlaties,
doing Duty Night and Day, and the Priſoners
withu, manacled and ſhacklcd.
They would yet in thele Circumſtances be im.
pudently merry, ſaying, when they viewed their
Nakedneſs, That they had not life them a Half penny, to
gire old Charon, to ferry them ojer Stix: And at their
thin Cominons, they would oblerve, th:10 thiev föll
away ſo fast, that they ſhould not have Weight
lefc' to hang them. Surton uſed to be very pro-
phane ; he happenirig to be in the fame Irons with
ano: her Priforer, who was more ſerious than ordi.
nary, and read and pray'd often, as became his
Condition ; this Man, Sutton, uſed to livear åt, and
ask him, what he propoſed by ſo much Noiſe and Deo
votion ? Heaven, ſays the other, I hope. Heaven, you
Fool, ſays Sutton, did you ever hear of any Fyrates going
thither? Give me H-!, it's a merrier Place : I'll give
Roberts a Salute of 13 Guns at Entrance. And when
he found ſuch ludicrous Expreſſions had no Effe&
on him, he made a formal Complaint, and requeſted
that the Officer would either remove this Man, or
take his Prayer-Book away, as a common Diſturber.
A Combination and Conlpiracy was formed be-
twixt Moody, Aſhplant, Magnes, Mure, and others,
to riſe, and kill the Officers, and run away with
the ship. This they had carried on by Means of
a Mu.
S 2


Caft. BARTHO., ROBERTS. 277
the
had
A
WA
INC
Af
ba
W
down the Coaſt, and raiſe a new Company, than
to proceed to Cape Corſo, and be hang'd like Dogs,
and Sun dry'd. One of them abhorring the Cruel-
ty, or fearing the Succels, diſcover'd it to the Of
ficer, who made him immediately a Priſoner, and
brought the Ship lafc.
When they came to be lodg'd in Cape Corſo-Caſtle,
their Hopes of this kird all cut off, and that they
were allured they muſt there foon receive a final
Sentence ; the Note was charged among moſt of
them, and from vain infolent jeiling, they became
ferious and devout, begging for good Books, and
joyning in publick Prayers, and ſinging of Plalms,
twice at leaſt every Day.
As to their Tryals, if we ſhould give them at
length, it may appear tedious to the Reader, for
which Reaſon't have, for the avoiding Tautology
and Repetition, put as many of them together as
were try'd for the ſame Fat, referving the Cir-
cumſtances which are moſt material, with Obfer.
vations on the dying Behaviour of ſuch of them as
came to my Knowledge.
And firſt, it may be obſerved from the Liſt, that
a great Part of theſe Pyrate Ships Crews were Men
entered on the Coaſt of Africa, not many Months
before they were taken; from whence, it may be
concluded, that the pretended Conſtraint of Roberts,
on them, was very often a Complotment between
Parties equally willing : And this Roberts ſeveral
times openly declared, particularly to the Onſlow's
People, whom he called aft, and ask'd of them, who
IP As willing to go, for he would force no Body? As was
depoſed by fome of his beſt Hands, after Acquit-
tal; nor is it reaſonable to think he ſhould reject
Iriſl Voluntiers, only from a Pique againſt Kennedy,
and force others, that might hazard, and, in Time,
deſtroy his Government: But their Behaviour foon
put him out of this Fear, and convinc'd him, that
S 3
the
BE
0
ti


:71
278 Caft. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
than
Dogs
Cruels
02
, and
Cihan
they
himal
of of
and
for
ology
er as
CHA
ber
the Plea ot' Force was only the beſt Artifice they
had to ſhelter themfe!ves under, in caſe they
frould be taken ; and that they were leſs Rogues
than others, only in Point of Time.
It may likewiſe be taken Norice of, that the
Country, wherein they happened to be tried, is,
among other Fiappinelles, exempted from Laiv.
vers, and Law-Books, ſo that the Office of Regia
Iter, of Necesity fell on one, not verſed in thoſe
Affairs, which might juftify the Court in want of
For more eile t'ally ſupply'd with Integrity
and in partiality.
B::t, perhaps, if there was leſs Law, there might
be more Juſtice, than in ſome other Courts; for,
if the civil Law be a Law of univerſal Reaſon,
judging of the Rectitude, or Obliquity of Mens
A&tioris, every Man of common senſe is endued
with a Portion of ir, at leaſt ſufficient to make him
diſtinguiſh Right from Wrong, or what the Civili.
ans call norlum in ſe.
Therefore, here, if two Perſons were equally
guilty of the fame Fact, there was no convi&ting
Olie, and bringing the other off, by any Quirk, or
turu of Law; for they form'd their Judgments
op.n the Co..ſtrairt, or 'Willingneſs, the Aim, and
Interition of the Parties, and all other Circumftan.
ces, wliich make a material Difference. Beſides,
in Crimes of this Nature, Men bred up to the Sea,
must be more knowing, and much abler, than
others more learred in the Law; for, before a Man
can lave a right Idea of a Thing, he muſt know
the Terms ſtanding for that Thing: The Sea.
T..ms be is a Language by it felf, which no Law.
yer can be ſuppoled to underſtand, he muſt of
Cos Ic!ence want that diſcriminating Faculty,
which should direct him to judge right of the Falts
macant by thoſe Terms.
The
Men
richs
bering
ween
veral
5 was
quita
Tejci
Time
chi


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS. 279
The Court well knew, it was not poſible to get
the Evidence of every Sufferer by this Crew, and
therefore, firſt of all, conſidered how that Deſcien-
cy ſhould be ſupplied ; whether, or 110, they could
pardon one Jo. Dennis, who had early offered him-
lelf, as King's Evidence, and was the beſt read in
their Lives and Converſations: Here, indeed, they
were at a Loſs for Law, and concluded in the New
gative, becauſe it look'd like compounding with a
Man to ſwear fally, loſing by it, thoſe great Helps
he could have afforded.
Another great Difficulty in their Proceedings,
was, how to underſtand thoſe words in the Ad of
Parliament, of, particularly ſpecifying in the Charge the
Circumſtances of Time, Place, &c. . e. fo to underſtand
them, as to be able to hold a Court; for if they
had been indicted on particular Robberies, the Evi-
dence had happened moſtly from the Royal African
Company's Ships, on which theſe Gentlemen of
Cape Corſo-Caſtle were not qualify'd to fit, their Oath
running. That they have no Interest, directly or indie
rečtly, in the ship or Goods, for the Robbery of which
the Party ſtands accuſed : And this they thought they
had, Commiſſions being paid them, on ſuch Goods:
And on the other Side, if they were incapacitated,
no Court could be formed, the Commiſſion abſolute-
ly required three of them by Name.
To reconcile all Things, therefore, the Court
reſolved to bottom the whole of their Proceedings
on the Swallow's Depoſitions, which were clear and
plain, and had the circumſtance of Time when,
Place where, Manner how, and the like, particu-
larly ſpecified according to the Statute in that Cafe
made, and provided. But this admitted only a ge-
neral Intimation of Robbery in the Indi&tment,
therefore to approve their Clemency, it looking Arbi-
trary on the Lives of Men, to lump them to the
Gallows, in ſuch a ſummary Way as muſt have
S4
beer


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
281
The TRIALS of the PYRATES.
Taken by bis Majeſty's Ship the Swallow, begun
at Cape Corſo-Calle, on the coaſt of Africa,
March the 28th, 1722.
a
HE Commiſſion impowered any three named
therein, to call to their Alliſtance, ſuch a
Number of qualified Perſons as might make the
Court always conſiſt of ſeven : And accordingly
Summons were ſigned to Lieut. Jo. Barnſley, Lieut.
Ch. Fanſhaw, Capt. Samuel Hart ſeaſe, and Capt. Wil.
liam Menzies, viz.
Y Virtue of a Power and Authority, to us
given
un-
Ć
der the Seal of Admiralty, you are hereby requi-
red to attend, and make one of the Court, for the
trying and adjudging of the Pyrates, lately taken
on this Coaſt, by his Majeſty's Ship the Swallop.
Given under our Hands this 28th of March,
1722, at Cape Corſo-Caſtle.
Mungo Heardman, | Francis Boy,
James Phips, Edward Hide.
Henry Dodſon,
The Commiſſioners being met in the Hall of the
Caſtle, the Commiſſion was firſt read; after which,
the Preſident, and then the other Members, took
the Oath, preſcribed in the A&t of Parliament, and
having directed the Form of that for Witneſſes, as
follows, the Court was opened,
1, A.B.


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS. 283
Oct. 1720
30
*Mitchel 2
T.Withſtandenot S Norman Galley
Peer la Fever 3Jeremiah and Anne
Ap. 1720
* Wm. Shurin
* Wm. Wat's
2
}sirraleon Zof Mr.Glin
*Wm. Davis
SofSeig. Fortez š July 1721
t James Barrow } Martha Snow,Capt.Lady
Rob. Hartley(1) {Robinſon of LiverpoleCapt. Aug. 1721
* James Crane S Kanning.
George Smithson
Roger Pye
Stanwich Galley Captain
Rob. Fletcher Tarlton
Aug. 1721
*Ro
. Hartley (2)
of Andrew Rance A Dutch Ship
* Cuthbert Goſs Mercy Galley of Briſtol,
* Tho. Giles
Oet.
at Callibar
1721
* Ifrael Hynde
William Church Gertruyche of Holland
Philip Haak
Fluſhingham of ditto
William Smith ?
Adam Comry
Elizabeth Capt. Sharp
William Graves
* Peter de Vine King Solomon Capt. Tre-
John Johnſon bern off Cape Appollonia
Folon Stodgill
Henry Damofon {Whydah Sloop at Jaquin
Jar. 1721
Joſiah Robinſon
John Arnaught
John D.rvis
+ Henry Graves Tarton Capt. Tho. Tarlton
The Howard
of John Rimer
Thomas Clephen !
Wm. Guineys
Porcupine Capt. Flecher
** James Coins
2x:
C
lice
Tho
?


4
N
284 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
1
41
4
Tho. Stretton
* William Petty
Mic. Lemmon
Onnoro Capt. Gee at Ceftos Jan. 1729
* Wm. Wood
* Ed. Watts
to John Horn
Pierre Ravon
Peter Grortany
John Dugan
Rence Frogier
Lemois Arnaus
From the
Ettrion Gillist
Rence Thoby
French ſhip
Ren. Marraud
Meth Roulac
SinWhydah
John Gittin John Gumar
Road Feb.
John Paquete
1721-2.
John Lavogue
Allan Pigan
John Duplaiſley Pierce Shillot
James Ardeon
Jo. Richardeau
1
ley, &c.
You, James Skyrm, Michael Lemmon, Robert Harte
E, and every one of you, are in the Name, and by the
King of Great Britain, indi&ted as follows;
Forafmuch as in an open Contempt of the Laws of your
Country, ye bave all of you been wickedly united, and artie
cled together, for the Annoyance and Diſturbance of his
Majeliy's trading Subje&ts by Sea. And have in Córfira
mity to the most evil and miſchievous Intentions, been
twice down the coast of Africa, with two Ships ; once in
she Beginning of Auguſt, and a ſecond time in January
last, ſinking, burning, or robbing ſuch Ships and Vitels
old then happened in your Way.
Particularly, ye ſtand ch.orged at the Inſtance and In-
formation of Captain Chaloner Ogle, as Traytors and
Pyrates, for the unlawful Oppoſition ye made to bis Ma-
jeſty's Ship, the Swallow, under his Command.
For that on the sth of February last past, upon Sight
of the aforeſaid King's Ship, ye did immediately weigh
Anchor from under Cape Lopez, on the Southern Coast of
African, in a French built Slip of 32 Guns, called the
Ranger


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
285
Common Robbers and Pyrates.
Ranger, and did purſue and chaſe the aforeſaid King's
Slip, with ſuch Diſpatch and Precipitancy, as declared ye
That about Ten a Clock of the Same Morning, drawing
within Gun-floot of his Majeſty's aforeſaid Ship the Swala
low, ye hoiſted a pyratical black Flag, and fired ſeveral
chace Guns, to deter, as much as ye were able, his Majeſty's
Servants from their Dury.
That an Hour after this, being very nigh to the afore.
ſaid King's Ship, ye did audaciouſly continue in a hoſtile
Defence and Affault, for about two Hours more, in open
Violation of the Laws, and in Defiance to the King's Com
forers and Commiſſion.
And laſtly that in the acting and compaſſing of all this,
je were all
, and every one of you, in a micked Combinationi,
voluntarily to cxert, and actually did, in your ſeveral Sta-
tions, uſe your utmoſt Endeavours to diſtreſs the ſaid King's
Ship, and murder his Majeſty's good Subjects.
To which they ſeverally pleaded Not Guilty.
Then the Court called for the Officers of the
Smallow, Mr. Ifaac Sun, Lieutenant; Ralph Baldrick,
Boatſwain, Daniel Maclauglin, Mate, deſiring them
to view the Priloners, whether they knew them?
And to give an Account in what Manner they had
attack'd and fought the King's Ship; and they
agreed as follows:
That they had viewed all the Priſoners as they
food now before the Court, and were aſſured they
were the ſame taken out of one, or other, of the
Pyrate Ships, Royal Fortune, or Ranger ; but verily
believe them to be taken out of the Ranger.
That they did, in the King's Ship, at break of
Day, on Monday the sth of February, 1721-2, diſ-
cover three Ships at Anchor, under Cape Lopez,
on the Southern Coaſt of Africa; the Cape bearing
then W. S. W. about threc Leagues, and perceiving
one


286 Capt. BARTHO, ROBERTS.
one of them to have a Pendant flying, and having
heard their Morning-Gun before, they immediately
lulpected them to be Roberts the Pyrate, his Confort,
and a French Ship, they knew had been lately car.
ried out of Whydah Road.
The King's Ship was obliged to hawl off N.
W. and W. N. W. to avoid a Sand, called, the
French Man's Bank, the Wind then at S. S. E. and
found in half an Hour's time, one of the three had
got under Sail from the Careen, and was bendir:g
her Sails, in a Chace towards them. To encourage
this Raſhneſs and Precipitancy, they kept away be.
fore the Wind, (as though afraid, but with their
Tacks on Board, their Main-Yard braced, and ma.
king, at the ſame Time, very bad Steerage.
About half an Hour aften Ten, in the Morning,
the Pyrate Ship came within Gun-ſhot, and fired
four Chace Guns, hoiſted a black Flag at the Mizen-
Peek, and got their Sprit-fail Yard under their Bow.
ſprit, for boarding. In half an Hour more, ap-
proaching ſtill nigher, they ſtarboarded their Helm,
and gave her a Broadſide, the Pyrate bringing to,
and returning the ſame.
After this, the Deponents ſay, their Fire grew
Nack for ſome Time, becauſe the Pyrate was ſhot 10
far a Head on the Weather-Bow, that few of their
Guns could Point to her; yer in this Interval their
black Flag was either Shot away, or hawled down
a little Space, and hoiſted again.
At length, by their ill Steerage, and Favour of
the Wind, they came near, a ſecond Time ; and
about Two in the Afternoon ſhot away their Main-
topmaſt.
The Colours they fought under, beſides a black
Flag, were a red Engliſh Enſign, a King's Jack, and
a Dutch Pendant, which they ſtruck, at, or about,
Three in the Afternoon, and called for Quarters;
ac


2
1
*
* golen
288 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS:
luntiers, or charged them with aiding and aſlifting,
at the burning, ſinking, or robbing of other ships;
for if they acted, or affifted, in any Robberies or
Devaſtations, it would be a Conviction they were
Voluntiers; here ſuch Evidence, though it might
want the Form, ſtill carried the Reaſon of the
Law with it.
The Charge was exhibited alſo againſt the following
Pyrates taken out of the Royal Fortune.
* Mich. Mare in the Rover 5 Years ago
* Chrif. Moody under Davis
1718
* Mar. Johnson a Dutch Ship
18
* James Philips the Revenge Pyrate Sloop 17
i David Symasjon {Pyrates with Davis
* Hag. Jacobſon a Dutch Ship
*W. Williams I
* IVm. Fernon Sudbury Captain Thomas
*W. Williams Netofoundland
*
* Tho. Omen Tork of Briſtol
* Wm. Taylor
* Joſeph Nofiter Expedition of Topfham
* John Parker Willing Mind of Pool
* Robert Cromo Happy Return Sloop
* George Smith Mary and Martha
>July 1720
* Ja. Clements Succeſs Sloop
* John Walden Blefing of Lymington
* Jo. Mansfield from Martinico
James Harris Richard Pink
John Philips a fiſhing Boat
Harry Glasby
July 1720
* Li'm. Magnus
*Foſeph Moor May Flower Sloop
1719
Roger Scot
}June 1720
} May 1720
7
Hugh Menzies {Samuel Capt. Cory
Feb. 1720
7 1


Capto BARTHO. ROBERTS. 289
4 John du Frock
Wm. Champnies Lloyd Galley, Captain Mayı721.
George Danſon S Hyngſion
f Ifaac Ruffel
Robert Lilbourn
* Robert Johnſon Jeremiah and Ann, Capt.} Ap. 1721:
1m, Darling 5 Turner
- Wm. Mead
Thomas Diggles Chriſtopher Snow
* Ben. Jeffreys Norman Galley
John Francia
a Sloop at St. Nicholas
* D. Harding
a Dutch Ship
Ap. 17212
* John Coleman Adventure Slonp
* Charles Bunce a Dutch Galley
* R. Armſtrong ditto run from the Swallom
* Abra. Harper
* Peter Leſly
* John Jeffupi
Tho. Watkins
* Philip Bill Onſlow, Capt. Gee at Seftos May1721:
*79. Stephenſon
* James Cromby
Thomas Garrat
of George Ogle
Roger Gorſuch
Au. 1721.
John
William Child
John Griffin Mercy Galley at Callabar Olt. 1721,
* Pet. Scudamore
Chriſt. Granger
Nicho. Brattle
James White
Tho. Davis
Corewall Galley at Cal- ditto.
Tbo. Sever
labar
* Rob. Bevins
*T.Oughterlaney
* David Rice
Yoz. I.
I
* Rob.
*
}


Capt. BARTHO. ROBÈRTS. 291
ye
Ard vesſels of his Majeſty's Subjects, and other trading
Nationsi
Particularly ye Stand indicted
at the information and
Inſtance of Captain Chaloner Ogle, as Traytors, Robe
bers, Pyrates, and common Enemies to Mankind.
For ibat on the roth of February laft, in a ship ye
mere poffefsid of called the Royal Forture, of 40 Gunsg
did maintain a hoſtile Defence and Reſiſtance for ſome
Hours, againſt his Majeſty's Ship the Swallow, nigh Cape
Lopez Bay, on the Southern Coaſt of Africa.
That this Fight and infolent Reſiſtance againſt the
Kirg's Ship, was made, not only without
апу
Pretence of
Authority, more than that of your own private depraved
Will, but was done alſo under a black Flag, flagrantly
by that, denoting your ſelves common Robbers und Traitors,
Oppoſers and Violators of the Latos.
And laſtly, that in this Reſiſtance, ye were all of you
Voluntiers, and did, as ſuch, contribute your utmoſt
Efforts, and diſabling and diſtreſſing the aforeſaid King's
Ship, and deterring his Majeſty's Servants therein, from
their Duty:
To which they ſeverally pleaded, Not Guilty.
Whereupon the Officers of his Majeſty's Ship,
the Swaliow, were called again, and teſtified as
follows.
That they had ſeen all the Priſoners now before
the Court, and knew them to be the ſame which
were taken out of one or other of the Pyrate Ships,
Royal Fortune or Ranger, and verily believe them to
be thoſe taken out of the Royal Fortune.
That the Priſoners were poiſeſs'd of a Ship of
40 Guns, called the Royal Fortune, and were at an
Anchor under Cape Lopez, on the coaſt of Africa ,
with two others, when his Majeſty's Ship the
Swalloro, (to which the Deponents belong'd, and were
Oficers,) ſtood in for the Place, on Saturday the
10th of February, 1721-2: The largeſt had a Jack,
Enfig?
Tą


292 Capt. BARTHO. ROEERTS.
Enſign and Pendant flying, (being this Royal Foro
iune,) who on Sight of them, had their Boats paſ
.
ſing and repaſling, froin the other two, which they
ſupposed to be with Men: The Wind not favouring
the aforeſaid King's Ship, she was obliged to make
two Trips to gain nigh enough the Wind to fetch
in with the Pyrates; and being at length little
more than Cannon Shot from them, they found
The Nipped her Cablc, and got under Sail.
At Eleven, the Pyrate was within Piſtol-Slot, a
Breaſt of them, with a black Flag, and Pendant
hoiſted at their Main-topmaſt Head. The Depo.
nents ſay, they then itruck the French Enliga
that had continued hoiſted at their Staff all the
Morning till then; and diſplayed the King's Co-
lours, giving her, at the ſame time, their Broad-
fide, which was immediately returned.
The Pyrate's Mizen-topmaſt fell, and ſome of
her Rigging was torn, yet the Atill out failed the
Man of War, and Nid half Gun-Shot from them,
while they continued to fire without Intermillion,
and the other to return ſuch Guns as could be
brought to hear, till by favour of the Winds, they
were advarced very righ again; and after ex-
changing a few more Shot, about half an Hour
paſt One, his Main-Maſt came down, having re-
ceived a Shot below the Parrel.
At Two Me ftruck her Colours, and called for
Quarters, proving to be a Ship, formerly call’d the
Onflor, but by them, the Royal Fortune'; and the
Priſoners from her aſſured them, that the ſmalleſt
Ship of the two, then remaining in the Road,
belongd to them, by the Name of the Little Ranger,
which they had 'deſerted on this Occaſion.
Ifaac Sun,
Ralpb Baldrick,
Daniel Maclaughlin.
The


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
293
The Priſoners were asked by the Court, to the
fame Purpole the others had been in the Morn.
ing; what Exceprion they lead to make againſt
what had been livorn? And what they had to ſay,
in their Defence? And their Replies were much
the fame with the other Priſoners; that they
were forc'd Men, had not fired a Gun in this Re-
liſtance againſt the Swalloro, and that what little
Amihance they did give on this Occaſion, was to
the Sails and Rigging, to comply with the arbi.
trary, Commands of Roberts, who had threatend,
and they were perſwaded would, have ſhof them
on Retural.
The Court, to diſpenſe equal Juſtice, mercifully
reſolved for theſe, as they had done for the other
Pyrate Crew; that further Evidence fhould be
heard againſt cach Mau fingly, to the two Points, of
being a Voluntier at firſt, and to their particular
Acts of Pyracy and Robbery ſince: That ſo Men,
who had been lately received amongſt them, and
as yet, had not been at the taking, or plundering,
of any Ship, might have the opportunity, and
Benefit, of clearing their Innocence, and not fall
promiſcuouſly with the Guilty.
By Order of the Court,
John Atkins, Regiſter.
Wm. Magnes, Tho. Oughterlauney, Wm. Mair, Wm.
Mackintoſh, Val. Affplant, John Walden, Iſrael Hind,
Marcus Johnſon, Wm. Petty, Wm. Fernon, Abraham
Harvey, Wm. Wood, Tho. How, Folm Stephenſon, Ch.
Bunce, and John Griffin.
Againſt theſe it was depoſed by Captain Joſeph
Trahern, and George Fenn, his Mate, that they
were
all of them, either at the attacking and taking of
the Ship King Solomon, or afterwards at the robbing
and plundering of her, and in this Manner;
T 3
That


794 Capt. BARTHO, ROBERTS,
0
.
away
That on the oth of January laſt their Ship riding
at Anchor near Cape Appollonia in Africa, diſcovered
a Boac rowing towards them, againſt Wind and
Stream, from a ship thật lay about three Miles
to Leeward. They judged from the Number of
Men in her, as the rearer advanced, to be a Pyrate,
and made ſome Preparatio , for receiving her, bę.
lieving, on a nigher View, they would think fit
to withdraw from an Attack that muſt be on their
Side with great Diſadvantage in an open Boat,
and against double the Number of Men ; yet by
the Raſhneſs, and the Pufillanimity of his own
People (who laid down their Arms, and imme-
diately called for Quarter) the Ship was taken,
and afterwards robbed by them.
Preſident. Can you charge your Memory with
any Particulars in the Seizure and Robbery?
Evidence. We know that Magnes, Quarter-Maſter
of the Pyrate Ship, commanded the Men in this
Boat that took us, and aſſumed the Authority of
ordering her Proviſions and Stores out, which being
of different kinds, we foon found, were ſeized and
ſent away under more particular Directions; for
Main, as Boatſwain of the Pyrate Ship, carried
belonged to his Province, beating ſome of our own
Men for not being brisk enough at working in the
Robbery. . Petry, as Sail-maker, ſaw to the Sails
and Canvas; Harper, as Cooper to the Cask and
Tools; Griffin, to the Carpenter's Stores, and Ough-
terlauney, as Pilot, having ſhifted himſelf with a
Suit of my Clothes, a new tyc Wig, and called for a
Bottle of Wine, ordered the Ship, very arrogantly,
to be ſteered under Commadore Roberts's Stern, (!
ſuppoſe to know what Orders there were concern.
ing her.) So far particularly. In the general, Sir,
they were very Outragious and emulous in Mil-
chief.
Preſident


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
295
Preſident. Mr. Caftel, acquaint the Court of what
you know in Relation to this Robbery of the
King Solomon ; after what Manner the Pyrate-Boat
was diſpatch'd for this Attempt
Tho. Caſtel. I was a Priſoner, Sir, with the Pyrates
when their Boat was ordered upon that Service,
and found, upon a Reſolution of going, Word was
paſs’d through the Company, Who would go? And
I ſaw all that did, did it voluntarily; no Compule
fion, but rather preſling who ſhould be foremoſt.
The Prilor.ers yielded to what had been ſivorn
about the Attack and Robbery, but denied the
latter Evidence, ſaying, Roberts hector’d, and use
braided them of Cowardice on this very Occaſion ;
and told ſome, they were very ready to ſtep on
Board of a Prize when within Command of the
Ship, but now there ſeem'd to be a Trial of their
Valour, backward and fearful.
Preſident. So that Roberts forced ye upon this
Attack.
Priſoners. Roberts commanded us into the Boat,
and the Quarter-Maſter to rob the ship; neither
of whoſe Commands we dared to have refuſed.
Preſident. And granting it ſo, thoſe are ſtill your
own A&s, fince done by Orders from Officers of
your own Election. Why would Men, honeſtly
diſpoſed, give their Votes for ſuch a Captain and
ſuch a Quarter Maſter as were every Day com-
manding them on ditaftful Services ?
Here ſucceeded a Silence among the Priſoners,
but at length Fernon very honeſtly own'd, that he
did not give his Vote to Magnes, but to David
Sympſon (the old Quarter-Mafter,) for in Truth, ſays
he, I took Magnes for too honeſt a Man, and unfit for
ibe Buſineſs.
The Evidence was plain and home, and the
Court, without any Heſitation, brought them in
Guilty
WILT
T.4


196 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
%
.
ILLIAM Church, Phil. Haak, James White
,
Nich. Brattle, Hugh Riddle, William Thomas
,
Tho. Roberts, Jo. Richards, Jo. Cane, R. Wood, R. Scor,
Wm. Davifon, Sam. Morrell, Edward Evans, Wm.
Gvineys, and 18 French Men.
The four firſt of theſe Priſoners, it was evident
to the Court, ſerved as Muſick on Board the Py.
rate, were forced lately from the ſeveral Merchant
Ships they belonged to; and that they had, du.
-ring this Confinement, an uneaſy Life of it, ha.
ving fonetimes their Fiddles, and often their Heads
broke, only for excuſing themſelves, or ſaying
they were tired, when any Fellow took it in his
Head to demand a Tune.
The other Engliſh
, had been a very few Days on
Buard the Pyrate, only from Whydab to Cape Lopez,
and no Capture or Robbery done by them in that
: Time. And the French Men were brought with a
Deſign to reconduct their own Ship (or the Little
Ranger in Exchange) to Whydah Road again, and
were uſed like Priſoners ; neither quartered nor
ſuffered to carry Arms. So that the Court im.
mediately acquieſced in, Acquitting them.
HO. Surton, David Sympſon, Chriſtopher Moody
,
Phil. Bill, R. Herdy, Yen. Dennis, David Rice
,
Wm. Williams, R. Harris, George Smith, Ed. Watts, Jo.
Mitchell and James Barron.
The Evidence again sheſe, Priinners, were Grats
de Haen, Maſter of the Flüfingham, taken nigh
Axim, the Beginning of January laſt.
Benj. Kreft Maſter, and James Groet Mate of the
Gertruycht, taken nigh Gabone in December laſt, and
Mr. Caſtel, Wingfield and others, that had been Pri.
foncrs with the Pyrates.
The former depoſed, that all theſe Priſoners
(excepting Hardy) were on Board at the Robbery
and Plunder of their Ships, behaving in a vile out-
ragious
T:
1
.


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
297
ragious Manner, putting them in bodily Fears,
ſometimes for the Ship, and ſometimes for them-
felves; and in particular, Kreft charged it on Sutton,
that he had ordered all their Gunner's Stores out;
on which that Priſoner preſently interrupted, and
ſaid, he was perjured, That he had not taken balf.
A Reply, I believe, not deſigned as any lawcy
Way of jefting, but to give their Behaviour an
Appearance of more Humanity than the Dutch
would allow.
From Mr. Caſtel, Wingfield and others, they were
proved to be diftinguiſhed Men; Men who were
conſulted as Chiefs in all Enterprizes; belonged
moſt of them to the Houſe of Lords, (as they
callid it) and could carry an Authority over
others. The former faid, particularly of Hardy,
(Quarter-Maſter of the Ranger,) that when the
Diligence Sloop was taken, (whereto he belonged)
none was bufier in the Plunder, and was the very
Man who ſcuttled and funk that Veilel.
From ſome of the Priſoners acquitted, it was
farther demanded, whether the Acceptance or Re-
fufal of any Office was not in their own Option?
And it was declared, that every Officer was choſe
by a Majority of Votes, and might refuſe, if he
pleas’d, ſince others gladly embraced what brought
with it an additional Share of Prize. Guilty.
The Court on the 31ſt of March, remanded
the following fix before them, for Sentence, viz.
Day. Sympſun, Wm. Magnes, R. Hardy, Thomas Sutton,
Chriſtopher Moody, and Valentine Aſhplant.
To whom the Preſident ſpoke to the following
Purpoſe ; The Crime of Pyracy, of which all of yo
have
been juſtly convicted, is of all orher Robberies the moſt
qogravating and inhumane, in that being removed from
the Fears of Surprize, in remote and diſtant Parts, ye
do in Wgntonneſs of Power often add Cruelty to Tliefi.
Py;ates


298. Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
bave dealt, se
Pyrates unmoved at Diftreſs or Poverty, not only ſpoil
and rob, but do it from Men needy, and who are purchas
fing their Livelihoods thro' Hazards and Difficulties
,
which oughe rather to move Compaſſion ; and what is stili
morſe, do often, by Perſwafion or Force, engage the incom-
fiderate part of them, to their own and Families Ruin,
removing them from their Wives and Children, and by
that, from the Means that floould support them frena
Miſery and Want.
To a trading Nation, nothing can be ſo deftrultive as
Pyracy, or call for more exemplary Puniſhment; beſides
,
the national Reflection it infers, it cuts off the Returns
of Induſtry, and thoſe plentiful Importations that alone
can make an Ifand flouriſhing; and it is your Aggra-
vation, that ye have been the Chiefs and Rulers in theſe
licentious and lawleſs Practices.
However, contrary to the Meaſures ye
bave been heard with Patience, and tho' litile bas, or
Poſſibly could, have been ſaid in Excuſe or Extenuation
of your Crimes, yet Charity make us hope that a time and
fincere Repentance (which we heartily recommend) way en-
title ye to Mercy and Forgiveneſs, after the Sentence of
the Law has taken Place, which now remains upon me
so pronounce
U Dav. Simpſon, William Magnes, R. Hardy,
Tho. Sutton, Chriſtopher Moody, and Val.
Alhplant.
Te, and each of you, are adjudged and ſentenced, to be
carried back to the place from whence ye came, from shence
to the Place of Execution, without the Gates of this
Caſtle, and there witbix the Flood-Marks, to be hanged
by the Neck Pill ye are dead.
After this, ye, and each of you fall be taken down,
and your Bodies hanged in Chains.
York
Warrant


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS. "299
Warrant for Execution.
NT to the Sentence given on Saturday,
by the Court of Admiralry, at Čape-Corfo-Caſtle,
Against Dav. Simpſon, Wm. Magnes, R. Hardy,
Tho. Sutton, Chriſtopher Moody, and Valentine
Alhplant.
You are hereby directed to carry the aforeſaid Malefa-
Stors to the Place of Execution, without the Gates of this
Castle, to Morrom Morning at Nine of the Clock, and
there within the Flood-Marks, cauſe them to be banged
by the Neck till they are dead, for which, this ſhall be
your Warrant. Given under my Hand, this 2d Day of
April, 1722.
To Joſeph Gordyn, Mungo Heardman.
Provost - Marſhal.
The Bodies remove in Chains, to the Gibbets already
erected on the adjacent Hillocks.
M. H.
William Phillips.
II appeared by the Evidence of Captain Go, Trao
hern, and George Fenn, Mate of the King Solomon,
that this Priſoner was Boatſwain of the ſame Ship,
when the was attacked and taken off Cape Appollonia,
the oth of January laſt, by the Pyrate's Boat.
When the Boat drew nigh, (they ſay, it was
judged from the Number of Men in her, that they
were Pyrates, and being hailed, anſwered, Defiance;
at which the Commander ſnatched a Muſquet from
one of his Men, and fired, asking them at the ſame
Time, whether they would ftand by him, to de
fend the Ship? But the Pyrates returning a Vol.
ley, and crying out, they would give no Quarters
if any Reſiſtance was 'made, this Priſoner took
upon him to call out for Quarters, without the
Mafter's Conſent, and miſlead the reſt to the laying
down their Arms, and giving up the ship, to half
the


300 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
the Number of Men, and in an open Boat. It was
further evident he became, after this, a Volun.
tier amongſt them. Firſt, becauſe he was
s preſently
very forward and brisk, in robbing the Ship King
Solomon, of her Proviſions and Stores. Secondly,
becauſe he endeavoured to have his Captain ili
uled ; and laſtly, becauſe he had confeſſed to Fenn,
that he had been obliged to ſign their Articles
that Night, (a Piftol being laid on the Table, to
Signify he muſt do it, or be ſhot) when the whole
appeared to be an Untruth from other Evidence,
who alſo afferted his being armed in the Action
againſt the Swalloro.
In anſwer to this, he firſt obſerved upon the
Unhappinels of being friendleſs in this part of
the World, which, elſewhere, by witneſſing to the
Honeſty of his former Life, would, he believed,
in a great Meaſure, have invalidated the wrong
Evidence had been given of his being a Voluntier
with the Pyrates. He owns indeed, he made no
Application to his Captain, to intercede for a Dil-
charge, but excuſes it with ſaying, he had a Dif-
like to him, and therefore was ſure that ſuch Ap-
plication would have avail'd him nothing.
The Court obſerved the Pretences of this, and
other of the Pyrates, of a Piſtol and their Articles
being ſerved up in a Diſh together, or of their
being miſuſed and forced from an honeſt Service,
was often a Complotment of the Parties, to ren-
der: them leſs ſuſpected of thoſe they came from,
and was to anſwer the End of being put in a News-
Paper or Affidavit : And the Pyrates were ſo ge.
nerous as not to refuſe a Compliment to a Brother
that coſt them nothing, and at the fame Time,
ſecured them the beſt Hands; the beſt I call them
becauſe ſuch a Dependance made them act more
boldly. Guilty.
Harry


>
302 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
·
Elizabeth Trengrove, who was taken a'Paſſenger in
the African Company's Ship On foto, frengthend the
Evidence of the laſt Witneſs; for having heard a
good Chara&ter of this Glasby, the ei:quired of the
Quarter-Maſter, who was then on Board a roba
bing, whether or no ſhe could ſee hiin? And he
told her, No ; they never ventured him from the
Ship, for he had once endeavoured his Eſcape, and
they had ever ſince continued jealous of him.
Edward Criſp, Captain Trengrove, and Captain Sharp,
who had all been taken in their Turns, acknow.
Jedge for themſelves and others, who had unluckily
fallen into thoſe Pyrates Hands, that the good
Uſage they had met with, was chiefly thro the
Priſoners Means, who often interpoſed, for leaving
ſufficient Stures and Inſtruments on Board the Ships
they had robbed, alledging, they were ſuperfluous
and unnecellary there.
James White, whoſe Buſineſs was Muſick, and was
on the Poop of the Pyrate Ship in Time of A&tion
with the Swalloro, depoſed, that during the Engage.
ment, and Defence The made, he never ſaw the Pri
.
Soner' bulied about the Guns, or giving Orders,
either to the loading or firing of them; but that he
wholly attended to the ſetting, or trimming, of
the Sails, as Roberts commanded; and that in the
Concluſion, he verily believed him to be the Man
who prevented the ship's being blown up, by
ſetting truſty Centinels below, and oppoſing him.
ſelf againſt ſuch hot-headed Fellows as had pro-
cured lighted Matches, and were going down for
that Purpoſe.
Ifaac Sun, Lieutenant of the Man of War, depoſed,
that when he came to take Poffeffion of the Prize,
in the King's Boat, he found the Pyrates in a very
diſtracted and divided Condition; ſome being fu
blowing up, and others (who perhaps ſuppoſed
themſelves leaſt culpable) oppoſing it: That in
this


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
303
his Confuſion he enquired for the Priſoner, of
whom he had before heard a good Character ; and
hinks he rendered all the Service in his Power,
or preventing it; in particular, he underſtood by
ill Hands, that he had ſeized, and taken, from one
fames Philips, a lighted Match, at the inſtant he
was going down to the Magazine, ſwearing, that
he thould lend chem all to H together. He
had heard alſo, that after Roberts was killed, the
Prilover ordered the Colours to be ſtruck; and
had ſince shown, how oppoſite his Practice and
Principles had been, by diſcovering who were the
greateſt Rogues among them.
The Priſoner, in his own Defence, ſays, when
he had the Misfortune of falling into the Pyrates
Hands, he was chief Mate of the Samuel, of Lon-
don, Captain Cary; and when he had hid himſelf,
to prevelit the Deſign of carrying him away, they
found him, and beat and threw him over-board.
Seven Days afterwards, upon his obje&ting against,
and refuſing to ſign their Articles, he was cut and
abus'd again: That tho' after this he ingratiate1
himſelf, by a more humble Carriage, it was only to
make Life eaſy; the Shares they had given him,
having been from Time to Time returned again to
ſuch Friſoners as fell in his Way; till of late, in-
deed, he had made a ſmall Reſervation, and had de-
fired Captain Loan "o take two or three Moidores
from him, to carry to his Wife. He was once taken,
he ſays, at making his Eſcape, in the West-Indies,
and, with two more, ſentenced to be ſhot for it, by
a drunken Jury ; the latter actually ſuffered, and
he was preſerved only by one of the chief Pyrates
taking a ſudden Liking to him, and bullying the
others. A ſecond Time he ran away at Hiſpaniola,
carrying a Pocket Compaſs, for condučting him
through the Woods ; but that being a moſt deſolate
and wild part of the Inand he fell upon, and he ig-
norang


304 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
norant how to dire&t his Courſe, was obliged, after
two or three Days wandering, to return towards
the Ship again, denying with egregious Oaths, the
Deſign he was charged with, for Fear they ſhould
ſhoot him. From this Time he hopes it will be
ſome Extenuation of his Fault, that moſt of the
acquitted Priſoners can witnels, they entertained
Jealouſies of him, and Roberts would not admit him
into his Secrets ; and withal, that Captain Caiy
,
(and four other Paſſengers with him) had made
Affidavit of his having been forced from his En-
ploy, which tho' he could not produce, yet he
humbly hoped the Court would think highly pro-
bable from the circumſtances offered.
On the whole, the Court was of Opinion Ar.
tiſts had the beſt Pretenſion to the Plea of Force,
from the Neceflity Pyrates are ſometimes under
of engaging ſuch, and that many Parts of his own
Defence had been confirmed by the Evidence, who
had aſſerted he acted with Reluctance, and had
exprefled a Concern and Trouble for the little
Hopes remained to him, of extricating himſelf.
That he had uſed all Priſoners (as they were called)
well, at the Hazard of ill Uſage to himſelf. That
he had not in any military Capacity aſſiſted their
Robberies. That he had twice endeavoured his
Eſcape, with the utmoſt Danger. Acquitted him.
IT
Captain James Skyrm.
T appeared from the Evidence of ſeveral Pri-
ſoners acquitted, that this Skyrm commanded
the Ranger, in that Defence ſhe made againſt the
King's Ship; that he ordered the Men to their
Quarters, and the Guns to be loaded and fired,
having a Sword in his Hand, to enforce thoſe Com
mands; and beat ſuch to their Duty whom he
eſpied any Way negligent or backward. That
altho' he had loft a Leg in the Action, his Temper
wa


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS. 305
was ſo warm, as to refuſe going off the Deck, till he
found all was loſt..
In his Defence, he ſays, he was forced from a
Mate's Employ on Board a Sloop call’d the Greyhound,
of St. Chriſtopher's, Et.1720. The Pyrate having drub:
bed him, and broke his Head, only for offering
to go away when that Sloop was ci miſled. Cuſtom
and Succeſs had ſince indeed blunted, and, in lume
Meaſure, worn out the Senſe of Shame; but that
he had really for ſeveral months paft been fick, and
diſqualified for any Duty ; and though Roberts had
forced him on this Expedition, much againſt his
Will, yet the Evidence muſt be ſenſible, the Title
of Captain gave him no Pre-eminence, for he could
not be obeyed, though he had often called to them
to leave off their Fire, when he perceived it to be
the King's Ship
The Sicknels he alledged, but more eſpecially the
Circumſtance of loſing his Leg, were Aggravations
of his Fault, fhewing him more alert on ſuch
Occaſions, than he was now willing to be thought:
As to the Name of Captain, if it were allowed to
give him no Precedence out of Battle, yet here
it was proved a Title of Authority ; luch an Au-
thority as could direct an Engagement againſt the
King's Colours, and therefore he was, in the high.
eſt Degree, Guilty.
John IValden.
CAR
Aptain John Trahern, and George Fenn, depoſed;
the Priſoner to be one of the Nuniber, who,
in an open Boat, pyratically asſailed, and took their
Ship, and was remarkably buſy at Miſchief, ha-
ving a Pole-Ax in his Hand, which lerved him
inſtead of a Key, to all the lock'd Doors and
Boxes he came nigh: Allo in particular, hs cut
the Cable of our Ship, when the other Pyrates
were willing, and buſied, at heaving up the As.chor,
VuLe L.
U
by:


306 Capt. BARTHO.: ROBERTS.
laying, Captain, what ſignifies this Trouble of ye
hope, and training in liot Weather ; there are
more Anchors at London, and beſides, your Slip is
to be burnt.
William Smith (a Priſoner acquitted,) ſays Wala
den was known amongſt the Pyrates moſtly by the
Nick-Name of Miſs Nanny; (ironically its pre.
ſumed from the Haridneſs of his Temper.) That he
was one of the twenty who voluntarily came on
Board the Ranger, in the Chace ſhe made out af.
ter the Swallow, and by a Shot from that Ship, loft
his Leg; his Behaviour in the Fight, till then, be.
ing bold and daring.
The Preſident called for Harry Glasby, and bid
him relateľa Character of the Priſoner, and whit
Cuſtom was among them, in Relation to theſe vo-
luntary Expeditions out of their proper Ship;
and this ot going on Board the Ranger, in par-
ticular.
And he gave in for Evidence, that the Priſoner
was looked on as a brisk Hand (i.e. as he farther
explained it, a ſtanch Pyrate, a great Rogue) that
when the Swalloro firſt appeared in Sight, every one
was willing to believe her a Portugueze, becauſe Su.
gar was very much in Demand, and had made ſome
Jarring and Diſſention between the two Compa.
nies, (the Fortune's People drinking Punch, when
the Ranger's could not:) That Róberts, on Sight of the
Swalloro, hailed the new Ranger, and bid him right-
Ship, and get under Sail; There is, ſays he, Sv.
gar in the Offing, bring it in, that we may have no
more Mumbling ; ordering, at the fame Time, the
Word to be paſs’d among the Crew, who would
go to their Aſiſtance, and immediately the Boa:
was full of Men, to tranſport themſelves.
Preſident. Then every one that goes on Board of
any Prize, does it voluntarily ? Or were there here
any other Reaſons for it?
H


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS. 307
H. Glasly. Every Man is commonly called by Liſt,
and infiits, on his Turn, to go on Board oi' a Prize,
becaule they then are allowed a Shift of Cloaths,
(the beſt they can find) cver and above the Divi-
dend from the Robbery; and this they are ſo far
from being compelled to, that it often becomes
the Occaſion of Conteſt and Quarrel amorgft them:
But in the preſent, or ſuch like, Cafes, where there
appears a Proſpełt of Trouble, the Lazy and the Ti.
merous are often willing to decline this Turn, and
yield to their Betters, who thereby eſtabliſh a grea-
ter Reputation. The Priſoner, and thoſe Men who
went from the Fortune on Board the Ranger, to aſ.
fist in this Expedition, were Voluntiers, and the
truſtieft Men among us.
Preſident. Were there no Jealouſies of the Ranger's
leaving you in this Chace, or at any other Time, in
order to ſurrender ?
H. Glasby. Moſt of the Ranger's Crew were freſh
Men, Men who had been enter'd only ſince their
being on the Coaſt of Guincy, and therefore had not
ſo liberal a Share in freſh Provifions, or Wire, as
the Fortune's People, who thought they had born the
Burthen and Heat of the Day, which had given
Occaſion indeed to ſome Grumblings and Whil-
pers, as tho they would take an Opportunity to
leave us, but we never ſuppoſed (if they did) it
would be with any other Deſign then ſetting up for
themſelves, they having (many of them) behaved
with greater Severity than the old Standers.
The Priſoner appeared undaunted, and rather
ſollicitous about refting his Stump, than giving
any Anſwer to the Court, or making any Defence
for himſelf, till called upon ; then he related in a
careleſs, or rather hopleſs Manner, the Circum-
ſtances of his first Entrance, being forced, he ſaid,
out of the Bleffing of Lenimingron, at Newfoundland,
U. 2
about


308
Capt. Bartho, ROEERTS.
about 12 Months paſt; this, he is ſure, moſt of the
old Pyrates knew, and that he was for lome Time
as ſick of the Change as any Man; but Cuſtom and
ill Company had altered him, owning very frankly,
that he was at the Actack and Taking of the King
Solomon, that he did cut her Cable, and that none
were forced on thoſe Occaſions.
As to the laſt Expedition in the Ranger, he con.
feſſes he went on Board of' her, but that it was by
Robert's Order ; and in the Chace loaded onc Gun,
to bring her to, but when he ſaw it was a Bite, he
declared to his Comrades, that it was not worth
while to refift, forbore firing, and aſſiſted to reeve
the Braces, in order, it they could, to get away, in
which fort of Service he was buried, when a Shot
from the Man of War took off his leg: And be.
ing asked, that luppoſing the Chace had proved a
Portugueze ? Why then, lays he, I don't know what
I might have done, intimating withal, that every
Body then would have been ready enough at
plundering. Guilty.
Peter Scudamore.
Arry Glasby, Jo. Wingfield, and Nicholas Brattle,
with the Pyrates, from Capt. Rolls, at Calabar. Firſt,
That he quarrelled with iloody, (one of the Heads
of the Gang) and fought with him, becauſe he
oppoſed his going, asking Rolls, in a leering Man.
ner, whether he would not be 10 kind, as to put
him into the Gazette when he came Home. And,
at another Time, when he was going from the
Pyrate Ship, in his Boat, a Turnado aroſe, I willi
,
lays he, the Raſcal may be drowned, for he is a great
Rogue, and has endeavoared so do me all the ill Offices he
could among theſe Gentlemen, (i. e. Pyrates.)
And ſecondly, That he had ſigned the Pyrate's
Articles with a great deal of Alacrity, and gloried
in


Capt. 'BARTHO. "ROBERTS.
309
in having been the first Surgeon that had doneſ,
(for before this, it was their Cuftom to change
their Surgeons, when they deſired it, after his
ving ſerved a Tine, and never obliged them to
fign, but he was reſolved to break thro' this, for
the Good of thoſe who were to follow,) livearing im-
mediately upon it, he was now, he hoped, as great a
Rogue as any of them.
Captain Jo. Trahern, and George Fenn, his Mate,
depoled, the Priſoner to have taken out of the
King Solomon, their Surgeon's capital Inſtruments,
fome Medicines, and a Back-Gammon Table; which
latter became the Means of a Quarrel between one
Wincon, and he, whoſe Property they ſhould be, and
were yielded to the Priloner.
Jo. Sharp, Maſter of the Elizabeth, heard the
Priſoner ask Roberts leave to force Comry, his Sur-
geon, from him, which was accordingly done, and
with him, carried allo ſome of the ship's Medi-
cines: But what gave a fuller Proof of the diſho-
neſty of his Principles, was, the treacherous De-
ſign he had formed of running away with the
Prize, in her Paſſage to Cape Corſo, though he had
been treated with all Humanity, and very unlike
a Priſoner, on Account of his Einploy and better
Education, which had rendered hiin léts to be ſure
peſted.
Mr. Child (acquitted) depos'd, that in their Paſ-
fage from the Itand of St. Thomas, in the Fortune
Prize, this Priſoner was leveral Times tempting
him into Meaſures of riſing with the Negroes,
and killing the Swallow's People, ſhewing him,
how eaſily the white Men might be demoliſhed,
and a new Company railed at Angola, and that
Part of the Coast; for, lays he, I underſtand how to
navigate a şhip, and can foon teach you to ſteer ;
and is is not better to do this, than to go back_10
Cape Corſo, and be hanged and Sun-dryed ? To
which
U 3


310 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
which the Deponent replying, he was not afraid
of being hang , Scudamore bid him be ftill, and 10
Harm should come to him; but before the next
Day-Evening, which was the deſigned Time of
cxccuting this Project, this Deponent diſcover'd it
to the Officer, and aſſurd him, Scudamore had been
talking all the preceeding Night to the Negroes, in
Anigolan Language.
Il sac Burnet heard the Priſoner ask James Harris,
a Pyrate, (lett with the wounded in the Prize,
whether he was willing to come into the Project of
running away with the Ship, and endeavour the
raiſing oi a new Company, but turned the Dil.
courſe to Horſe-Racing, as the Deponent crept
nigher; he acquainted the Officer with what he
had heard, who kept the People under Arms all
Night, their Apprehenſions of the Negroes not be
ing groundleſs; for many of them having lived a
long Time in this pyratical Way, were, by the thin
Commons they were now reduced to, as ripe for
Miſchief as any.
The Priſoner in his Defence ſaid, he was a forced
Man from Captain Rolls, in O&tober latt ; and if he
had not thewn ſuch a Concern as became him, at
the Alteration, he muſt remark the Occaſion to
be the Diſagreement and Enmity between them;
but that both Roberts, and Val, Almplant, threatend
him into ſigning their Articles, and that he did it
in Terror.
The King Solomon, and Elizabeth Medicine-Cheſts
,
he owns he plundered, by Order of Hunter, the
then chief Surgeon, who, by the Pyrates Laws,
always directs in this Province, and Mr. Child,
(tho acquitted) had, by the fame Orders, taken
out a whole French Medicine-Cheſt, which he muſt
be ſenſible for me, as well as for himſelf, we nei-
ther of us dared to have denied; it was their
being the proper Judges, made fo‘ungrateful an
Office


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
311
Office impoſed. If after this he was elelted chief
Surgeon himself, both Comry and Wilſon were ſet
up alſo, and it might have been their Chance to
have carried it, and as much out of their Power
to have refuſed.
As to the Attempt of riſing and running away
with the Prize, he denies it altogether as untrue;
a few foolish Words, but only by Way of Suppo-
fition, that if the Negroes ſhould take it in their
Heads (conſidering the Weakneſs, and ill Look-out
that was kept ;) it would have been an eaſy
Matter, in his Opinion for them to have done it';
but that he encouraged ſuch a Thing, was falſe;
his talking to them in the Argolan Language, was
only a Way of ſpending his Time, and trying his
Skill to tell twenty, he being incapable of fur-
ther Talk. As to his underſtanding Navigation,
he had frequently acknowledg'd it to the Deponent
Child, and wonders he ſhould now ſo circumſtan-
ciate this Skill againſt him. Guilty.
Robert Johnſon.
T appeared to the Court, that the Priſoner was
one of the twenty Men, in that Boat of the
Pyrates, which afterwards robb’d the King Solomon,
at an Anchor near Cape Appollonia : That all Py-
rates on this, and the like Service, were Volun-
tiers, and he, in particular, had conteſted
his going
on Board a ſecond Time, tho' out of his Turn.
The Priſoner in his Defence, called for Harry
Glasby, who witneſſed to his being ſo very drunk,
when he firſt came amorg their Crew, that they
were forced to huift him out of one Ship into
the other, with a Tackle, and therefore without
his Conſent; but had ſince been a truſty Man, and
was placed to the Helm, in that running Battle
they made with the Swalloro.
U 4.
HE


314 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
1
up,
0
.
rid of him, (the chief Surgeon being always to.sc.
main with the Commadore.)
It appeared likewiſe by the Evidence of Captain
Jo. Trabern, Tho. Caftel, and others, who had been
taken by the Pyrates, and thence had Opportu-
nities of obſerving the Priſoner's Conduct, that
he ſeem'd thoroughly fatisfy'd with that Way of
Life, and was particularly intimate with Roberts;
they often Icofing at the Mention of a Man of
War, and ſaying, if they thould meet with any
of the Turnip Man's Ships, they would blow
and go to H all together. Yet letting aſide theie
filly Freaks to recommend himſelf, his Lazineſs
had
got him many Eremies, even Roberts told him,
(on the Complaint of a wounded Man, whom hé
had refufed to drels) that he was a double Rogue,
to be there a ſecond Time, and th:eaten'd to cut
his Ears ofl.
The Evidence further alſured the Court, from
Captain Thomas Turlton, that the Priſoner was ta-
ken out of his Brother's Ship, ſome Months be.
fore, a firſt time, and beilig forward to oblige
his new Company, had preſently ask?d for the Py-
sates Boat, to fetch the Medicine Cheft away;
when the Wind and Current proving too hard to
conter:d with, he was drove on Shore at Cape
Monizerado.
The Priſoner callid for William Darling, and Sumu-
el Mormel, (acquitted) and Nicholas Butler.
Il’illiam Darling depoled, the firſt Time the Pri.
foner fell into their Hands, Roberts miſtook him for
Fo. Tarlton the Maſter, and being informed it was the
Surgeon who came to repreſent him, (then indil.
poled, he preſently twore he ſhould be his Meſs-
Mate, to which IV:lfon reply'd, he hop'd not, he had
a Wife and Child, which the other laughed at;
and that he had been two Days on Board, before he
went


Cape. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
317
are ſworn; but if Immaturity of Judgment had oc-
caſioned him to dip raſh and inadvertent Words,
or that he had paid any undue Compliments to
Roberes, it was to ingratiate himself, as every Pri-
Toner did, for a more civil Treatment, and in pare
ticular to procure his Diſcharge, which he had been
promiſed, and ivas afraid would have been revo-
ked, if luch a Perſon as Comry did not remain there
to ſupply his Room; and of this, he ſaid, all the
Gentlemen (meaning the Pyrates) could witneſs
for him.
He urged alſo his Youth in Excuſe for his Rash.
neſs. The firſt zime he had been with them (on.
ly a Month in alt,) and that in no military Employ;
but in particular, the Service he had done in diſco
vering the Deſign the Pyrates had to riſe in their
Paſſage on Board the Swalloro. Guilty.
But Execution reſpited till the King's Pleaſure
be known, becauſe the Commander of the Swalloro
had declared, the firſt Notice he received of this
Deſign of the Pyrates to riſe, was from him.
Benjamin Jeffreys.
Y the Depoſitions of Glasby and Lillburn (acquit.
ted) againſt this Priſoner, it appeared, that
his Drunkenneſs was what at firſt detain's him from
going away in his proper Ship, the Norman Galley;
and next Morning, for having been abuſive in his
Drink, laying to the Pyrates, there was not a Man
amongſt them, he received for a Welcome, six
Laſhes from every perſon in the ship, which diſ-
ordered him for ſome Weeks, but on Recovery
was made Boatſwain's Mate; the ſerving of which,
or any Office on Board a Pyrate, is at their own
Option, (tho' elected,) becauſe others are glad to ac-
cept what brings an additional Share in Prize.
BY
The


318
Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
The Deponents further ſay, that at Sierralcon eve.
ry Man had more eſpecially the Means of eſcaping;
and that this Priſoner, in particular, neglected it,
and came off from that place after the ship was
under Sail, and going out of the River.
The Priſoner,
in his Defence, proteſts, he was at
firſt forc'd ; and that the Office of Boatſwain's Mate
was impoſed on him, and what he would have been
glad to have relinquilh'd. That the barbarous
Whipping he had received from the Pyrates at firſt,
was for telling them, that none who could get
their Bread in an honeſt Way, would go on ſuch an
Account. And he had certainly taken the Oppor.
tunity which preſented at Sierraleon, of ridding him.
ſelf from ſo diſtaſteful a Life, if there had not
been three or four of the old Pyrates on Shore
at the ſame Time, who, he imagined, muſt know
of him, and would doubtlels have ſerved him the
ſame, if not worſe, than they ſince had done Wil-
liam Williams ; who, for ſuch a Deſign, being de-
livered up by the treacherous Natives, had recei-
ved two Laſhes thro' the whole Ship's Company.
The Court obſerved, the Excules of theſe Pya
rates, about want of Means to eſcape, was often.
times as poor and evaſive as their Pleas of being
forced at firſt ; for here, at Sierraleon, every Man
had his Liberty on Shore, and, it was evident,
might have kept it, if he, or they, had ſo pleaſed.
And ſuch are further culpable, who having been
introduced into the Society, by ſuch uncivil Me.
thods, as whipping, or beating, neglect leſs likely
Means of regaining Liberty ; ic thews ſtrong In-
clinations to Diſhoneſty, and they ſtand inexcu•
lably, Guilty.
7o. Mansfield.
T was proved againſt thís Priſoner, by Captain
Trale'n and George Finn, . that he was one of
thoſe Volunti.rs who was at the Attack and Rob-
bery.
IT


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
379
bery of the Company's Ship, called the King Solo
mon' : That he bully'd well among them who dar'd
not make any Reply, but was very eaſy with his
Friends, who knew him ; for Moody, on this Occan
fion, took a large Glaſs from him, and threatned
to blow his Brains out, (a favourite Phrale with
thele Pyrates) if he muttered at it.
From others acquitted, it likewiſe appeared, that
he was at firſt a Voluntier among them, from an
Iand called Dominico, in the left-Indies, and had,
to recommend himtelf, told them, he was a Defer.
ter from the Roſe Man of War, and, before that,
had been on the High-Way; he was always drunk,
they ſaid, and ſo bad at the Time they met witk
the Stoalloro, that he knew nothing of the A&ion,
but came up vapouring with his Cutlaſh, after
the Fortune had ſtruck her Colours, to know who
would go on Board the Prize ; and it was ſome
Ti: ce before they could perſwade him into the
Truth of their Condition.
He could lay little in defence of himſelf, ac.
knowledg'd this latter Part, of Drunkenneſs; a Vice,
he ſays, that had too great a Share in infoaring him
into this Courſe of Life, and had been a greater Mo-
tive with him than Gold. Guilty.
t
I
1
William Davis.
Illiam Allen depoſed, he knew this Priſoner
at Sierraleon, belonging to the Ann Galley;
that he had a Quarrel with, and beat the Mate of
that Ship, for which (as he faid) being afraid to
return to his Duty, he co:afort:d to the idle Cue
ſtoms and Ways of living among the Negrees
from whom he received a Wite, and ungratefull
fuld her, one Evening, for ſome Punch to quench
his Thirſt. After this, having put himſelf'urder
the Protection of Mr. Plunker, Governor there for
the Royal African Company, the Relatiqus and
Friends
a
1


320 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
Friends of the Woman, apply'd to him for Re.
dreſs, who immediately ſurrendered the Priſoner,
and told them, he did not care if they took his
Head off ; but the Negroes witely judgiiig it would
not fetch ſo good a Price, they told him in his
Turn again to Seignior Feſſee, a Chriſtian Black,
and Native of that place; who expected ard agreed
for two Years Service from him, on Conſideration
of what he had disburled for the Redemption of
the Woman: But long before the Expiration of this
Time, Roberts came into Sierraleon River, where the
Priſoner, (as Seignior Jesſee, aſſured the Deponent,)
entered a Voluntier with them.
The Deponent further corroborates this part of
the Evidence ; in that he being obliged to call at
Cape Mount, in his Paſſage down hither, met phere
with two Delerters from Roberts's Ship, who alſur'd
him of the fame; and that the Pyrates did deſign to
turn Davis away the next Opportunity, as an idle
good-for-nothing Fellow.
From Glasby and Lilburn it was evident, that
every Pyrate, while they ſtay'd at Sierraleon, went
on Shore at Difcretion. That Roberts had often
alſured Mr. Glyn and other Traders, at that Place,
that he would force no Body ; and, in ſhort, there
was no Occaſion for it; in particular, the Priſoner's
Row-Mate went away, and thinks he might have
done the ſame, if he had plealed.
The Priſoner alledged his having been detained
againſt his Will, and lays, that returning with Ele-
phauts Teeth for Sierraleon, the Pyrate's Boat pure
ſued and brought him on Board, where he was kepo
on Account of his underſtarding the Pilotage and
Navigation of that River.
It was obvious to the Court, not only how fri-
volous Excuſes of Conſtraint and Force were
among cheſe People, at their firſt commencing Pye
rates, but alſo it was plain to them, from theſe
two


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
321
two Deſerters, met at Cape Mount, and the diſa
crecional Manner they lived in, at Sierraleon; thro'
how little Difficulty ſeveral of them did, and
others might, have eſcaped afterwards, if they
could but have obtained their own Conſents for it.
Guilty.
This is the Subſtance of the Tryals of Roberts's
Crew, which may ſuffice for others, that occur in
this Book. The foregoing Lifts, few, by a * be-
fore the Names, who were condemned; thoſe
Names with a of were referred for Tryal to the
Marſhalſea, and all the reſt were acquitted.
The following Pyrates were executed, according to
their Sentence, without the Gates of Cape Corfor,
Custle, within the Flood-Marks, viz.
Mens Nanies
William Magnes
Richard Hardy
David Sympſon
Chriſtopher Moody
Thomas Sutton
Valentine Aſplant
Peter de Vine
William Philips
Years of Habitations.
Age
35 Minehead.
25 Wales.'
36 North-Berwick.
28
23 Berwick.
32 Minories.
42 Stepney.
29 Lower-Shadmell.
27 St. Thomas's.
28
21 Canterbury.
40 nigh Plymouth.
31 Tarmouth.
30 Deptford.
22 nigh Lancaſter:
21 Smyrna.
44 Ife of Man
Philip Bin
William Main
William Mackintoſ?
William Williams
Robert Hans
William Petty
John Jaynſon
Marcus Johnſon
Robert Croto
Michael Maer
VOL. 1,
41 Ghent.
х
Daniel


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS. 323
the Court, had their Sentence changed from
Death, to ſeven Years Servitude, conformable to
our Sentence of Tranſportation; the Peti:ion is
as follows.
To the Honourable the Preſident and Judges of
the Court of Admiralty, for trying of Pyrates,
fitting at Cape-Corſo-Caſtle, the 20th Day
of April, 1922.
The humble Petition of Thomas How,
Samuel Fletcher, &c.
Humbly ſheweih,
TH
HAT your Petitioners being unhappily, and unwari-
ly draton into that wretched and deteſtable Crime
of Pyracy, for which they noto ſtand juſtly condemned, they
most humbly pray the Clemency of the Court, in the Miria
gation of their Sentence, that they may be permitted to
ſerve the Royal African Company of England, in this
Country for ſeven Tears, in ſuch a Manner as the Court
fo.al shink proper ; that by their just Puniſhment, being
made ſenſible of the Error of their former Ways, they will
for the future become faithful Subječts, good Servants, and
seful in their Stations, if it pleaſe the Almighty to pro-
long their Lives.
And your Petitioners, as in Duty, &c.
The Reſolution of the Court was,
HAT the Petitioners have Leave by this Court of
Ailmiralty, to interchange Indentures with the Cape
tain General of the Gold-Coaſt, for the Royal African
Company, for ſeven years Servitude, at any of the Royal
African Company's Settlements in Africa, in ſuch Mana
ner as he the ſaid Captain General Mall think proper.
On Thurſday the 20th Day of April, the Indentures
being all drawn out, according to the Grant made so the
Petition
Th
X2


324 Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
Petitioners, by the Court held on Friday the 201h of this
Inſtant, each Priſoner was ſent for up, figned, ſealed and
fachanged them in the Preſence of
Captain Mungo Herdman, Preſident,
James Phipps, Eſq;
Mr. Edward Hyde,
Mr. Charles Fanſhaw,
And Mr. John Atkins, Regiſter.
A copy of the Indenture.
The Indenture of a Perſon condemned to ſerve
abroad, for Pyracy, which, upon the humble
Petition of the Pyrates therein mentioned, was
moft mercifully granted by his Imperial Majeſty's
Commiſſioners and Judges appointed to hold a
Court of Admiralty, for the Tryal of Pyrates,
at Cape Corſo-Caſtle, in Africa, upon Condition
of ſerving ſeven Years, and other Conditions,
are as follows, viz.
HIS Indenture, made the twenty fixth Day of April,
TH
Anno Regni Regis Georgii magnæ Britanniæ,
&c. Septimo, Domini Milleſimo, Sepcenteſimo
viginti duo, between Roger Scot, late of the City of
Briſtol Mariner, of the one Part, and the Royal African
Company of England, their Captain General and Com-
mander in Chief, for the Time being, on the other Part
Witneſſeth, That the ſaid Roger Scot, doth bereby co-
venant, and agree, to, and with, the ſaid Royal African
Company, their Captain General, and Commander in Chie
for the Time being; 10 ſerve him, or his lawful Succeffors
in any of the Royal African Company's Settlements o
obe Coast of Africa, from the Day of the Date of the
Preſents, to the full Term of ſeven Years, from bence nex
enſuing, fully to be compleat and ended; there to ſerve
fucl Employment, as the ſaid Captain General, or his S
cello


326
Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS.
5
living;
But two or three of whom, I hear, are now
two others, viz. George Wilſon and Tho. Oughterlaney,
were reſpired from Execution, till his Majeſty's
Pleaſure ſhould be known; the former dy'd
abroad, and the latter came home, and received
his Majeſty's Pardon ; the Account of the whole
ſtands thus,
Acquitted,
74
Executed,
Reſpited,
To Servitude,
To the Marſhalſca,
17
in the Ranger,
Kill's
in the Fortune,
Dy'd sin the Paſſage to Cape Corſo,
13
aiterwards in the Caſtle,
Negroes in both Ships,
70
32
2
20
10
3
4
Total, 276
I am not ignorant how acceptable a Relation of
the Behaviour, and dying Words of Malefa&tors,
are to the Generality of our Countrymen, and
therefore ſhall deliver what occurr'd, worthy of
Notice, in the Deportment of theſe Criminals.
The firſt fix that were called to Execution,
were Magnes, Moody, Sympſon, Sutton, Albplant, and
Hardy; all of them old Standers and notorious of
fenders: When they were brought out of the Hold
on the Parade, in order to break off their Fee-
ters, and fit the Halters; none of them, it wa
obſerved, appeared the leaſt deje&ted, unleſs sut
ton, who ſpoke faint, but it was rather imputed t
a Flux that had ſeiz'd him two or three Days be
fore, than Fear, 'A Gentleman, who was Surgeo
of the Ship, was ſo charitable at this Time, to o
fer himſelf in the room of an Ordinary, and repre
ſented to them, as well as he was able, the Heinou
De


Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS. 327
neſs of their Sin, and Neceſſity which lay on them
of Repentance; one particular Part of which
ought to be, acknowledging the Juſtice they had
met with. They ſeemed heedlels for the preſent,
fome calling for Water to drink, and others ap-
plying to the Soldiers for Caps, but when this
Gentleman preſs'd them for an Aníver, they all
exclaim'd againſt the severity of the Court, and
were ſo harden'd, as to curfe, and with the ſame
Juſtice might overtake all the Members of it, as
had been dealt to them. They were poor Rogues, they
faid, and ſo must be hang’d, while others, no leſs guilty
in another Way, eſcaped.
When he endeavoured to compoſe their Minds,
exhorting them to dye in Charity with all the
World, and would have diverted them from ſuch
vain Diſcourſe, by asking them cheir Country,
Age, and the like; fome of them anſwer'd, 'What
' was that to him, they ſuffered the Law, and ſhould
give no Account but to God? They walk'd to the
Gallows without a Tear, in Token of Sorrow for
their paſt Offences, or thewing as much Co.cern
as a Man would expreſs at travelling a bad Road;
nay, Sympſon, at ſeeing a Woman that he knew, ſaid,
he had lain with that Bh three Times, and now
'fe was come to ſee him hanged.' And Hardy,
when his Hands were tyd behind him, (which
happened from their not being acquainted with the
Way of bringing Malefałtors to Execution,) ob-
ſerved, that he had ſeen many a Man hang'd, but
this Way of the Hands being ty'd behind them,
he
was a Stranger to, and never ſaw before in
' his Life. I mention theſe two little Inſtances, to
Shew how ſtupid and thoughtleſs they were of
their End, and that the ſame abandoned and rea
probate Témper that had carried them thro' their,
Rogueries, abided with them to the laſt.
X 4
Samui


328
Capt. BARTHO. ROBERTS,
es
DE INTE
Samuel Fletcher, another of the Pyrates ordered
for Execution, but reprieved, ſeem'd to have a
quicker Senſe of his Condition ; for when he ſaw
thoſe he was allotted with go to Execution, he
font a Meſſage by the Provoft-Mardhal to the Court
,
to be inform'd of the Meaning of it, and humbly
• deſired to know whether they deſign'd him Mer.
cy, or not? If they did, he ſtood infinitely ob-
liged to them, and thought the whole Service of
• his Life an incompetent Return for ſo great a
' Favour; but that if he was to ſuffer, the ſooner
' the better, he ſaid, that he might be out of his
Pain.'
There were others of theſe Pyrates the reverſe
of this, and tho' deftitute of Miniſters, or fit Per-
ſons to repreſent their Sins, and aſſiſt them with
ſpiritual Advice, were yet always imploying their
Time to good Purpoſes, and behaved with a great
deal of ſeeming Devotion and Penitence ; among
theſe may be reckon'd Scudamore, Williams, Philips,
Stephenſon, Jefferys, Lefy, Harper, Armſtrong, Bunce,
and others.
Scudamore too lately diſcerned the Folly and
Wickedneſs of the Enterprize, that had chiefly
brought him under Sentence of Death, from which,
ſeeing there was no Hopes of eſcaping, he peti-
tioned for two or three Days Reprieve, which was
granted, and for that Time apply'd himſelf in-
ceſſantly to Prayer, and reading the Scriptures.
He ſeemed to have a deep Senſe of his Siris,of this
in particular, and deſired, at the Gallows, they
would have Patience with him, to ſing the firſt
Part of the thirty firſt Pfalm; which he did by
himſelf throughout.
Armſtrong, having been a Deſerter from his Ma-
jeſty's Service, was executed on Board the Weye
mouth, (and the only one that was ;) there was 110
Body to preſs him to an Acknowledgment of the
Crime


330
CAUCAZEZEAZA.262628
c H A P. X.
OF
:
Captain AN STIS,
And his Crew.
T
(HOMAS Anſtis ſhipp'd himſelf at Provie
dence in the Year 1718, aboard the Buck
Sloop, and was one of the fix that con-
ſpired together to go off a Pyrating with the Veſſel;
the reſt were, Howel Davis, Roberts's Predecellor,
killed at the Inand of Princes; Dennis Topping, killed
at the taking of the rich Portugueſe Ship on the
Coaſt of Braſil; Walter Kennedy, hanged at Execution-
Dock, and two others, which I forbear to name;
becauſe, I underſtand they are at this Day em.
ployed in an honeſt Yocation in the City.
What followed concerning Anstis's Pyracies, has
been included in the two preceeding Chapters; !
Shall only obſerve that the Combination of thele
fix Men abovementioned, was the Beginning of that
Company, that afterwards proved ſo formidable
under Captain Roberts; from whom Anstis ſeparated
the 18th of April, 1721, in the Good Fortune Bri-
gantine, leaving his Commadore to purſue his Ad-
ventures upon the coaſt of Guiney, whilſt he re.
'turned to the West-Indies, upon the like Deſign,
About


9
332 Of Captain Tho. ANSTIS.
3
and Tackle, they mounted the Morning Star with 32
Pieces of Cannon, mann'd her with a 100 Men,
and appointed onc John Fenn Captain; for the Bri-
gantine being of far leſs Force, the Morning Star
would have fallen to Anſtis, as clder Officer, yet
he was ſo in Love with his own Vellel, (The being
an excellent Sailor,) that he made it his Choice
to ſtay in her, and let Fenn, who was, before, his
Gunner, command the great Ship.
Now, that they had two good Ships well mann'd,
it may be ſuppoſed they were in a Condition to
undertake ſomething bold : But their Government
was diſturbed by Malecontents, and as a Kingdom
divided within it ſelf cannot ſtand, they had ſuch
a Number of new Men amongſt them, that ſeemed
not ſo violently enclined for the Game; that what.
ever the Captain propoſed, it was certainly cartied
againſt him, ſo thatthey came to no fix'd Réſolution
for the undertaking any Enterprize ; therefore
there was nothing to be done, but to break up the
Compar.y, which leemed to be the Inclination of
the Majority. But the Manner of doing ſo, con-
cerned their common Safety, to which Purpoſe
various Means were propoſed, at length it was
concluded to ſend home à Petition to his Majeſty
(there being then no Alt of Indemnity in Force)
for a Pardon, and wait the Iflue; at the ſame Time
one Jones, Boatſwain of the Good Fortune, propoled
a Place of ſafe Retreat, it being an uninhabited
Iand near Cuba, which he had been uſed to in the
late War, when he went a privateering againſt
the Spaniards.
This being approved of, it was unanimouſly
reſolved on, and the underwritten Petition drawn
up and ſigned by the whole Company in the Man-
ner of what they call a Round Robin, that is, the
Names were writ in a Circle, to avoid all Appeare
ance
3


Of Captain Tho. ANSTIS.
333
ance of Pre-eminence, and leaſt any Perſon Should
be mark'd out by the Government, as a principal
Rogue among them.
To His moſt facred Majeſty George, by
the Grace of God, of Great-Britain,
France, and Ireland, King, Defender
of the Faith, &c.
The humble PETITION of the Company,
now belonging to the Ship Morning Star,
and Brigantine Good Fortune, lying under
the ignominious Name and Denomination
of PYRATES
TH
Humbly ſheweth,
HAT we your Majeſty's most loyal Subješts, have,
fundry Times, been taken by Bartholomew
Roberts, the then Captain of the aboveſaid Veſſels and
Company, together with another Ship, in which we left
him; and have been forced by him and his wicked Ac-
complices, to enter into, and ferre, in the ſaid Company,
As Pyrares, much contrary to our Wills and Inclinations:
And we your loyal Subjects utterly, abhorring and deteſting
that impious Way of Living, did, with an unanimous
Cinſent, and contrary to the Knowledge of the ſaid Row
berts, or his Accomplices, on, or about the 18th Day of
April, 1721, leave, and ran away with the aforeſaid
Ship Morning Star, and Brigantine Good Fortune,
with no other Intent and Meaning than the Hopes of obo
taining your Majeſty's most gracious Pardon. And, that
me your Majeſy's most loyal Subjects may with more Safety
return to our native Country, and ſerve the Nation,
into which we belong, in our reſpective Capacities, withé
out Foar of being profesured by the Injured, whoſe Eſtates
have


334 Of Captain Tho. ANSTIS.
1
1
.
bave ſuffered by the ſaid Roberts and his Accomplices,
during our forcible Detainment, by the ſaid Company:
Wc molt humbly implore your Majeſty's most royal Affene
,
to this our humble Petition,
And
your Petitioners ſhall ever pray.
This Petition was ſent home by a Merchant
Ship bound to England, from Jamaica, who pro-
miled to ſpeak with the Petitioners in their Re-
turn, about 20 Leagues to Windward of that
INand, and let them know what Succeſs their Petie
tion met with. When this was done, the Pyrates
retires to the Inand before propoſed, with the
Ship and Brigantine.
This Illand (which I have no Name for) lies off
the Southweſt End of Cuba, uninhabited, and little
frequented. On the Eaſt End is a Lagune, ſo
narrow, that a Ship can but juſt go in, tho there is
from 15 to 22 Foot Water, for almoſt a League up:
On both sides of the Lagune grows red Mangrove
Trees, very thick, that the Entrance of it, as well
as the Veſſels laying there, is hardly to be ſeen.
In the Middle of the Mand are here and there a
ſmall thick Wood of tall Pines, and other Trees
ſcattered about in different places.
Here they ftaid about nine Months, but not ha-
ving Proviſion for above two, they were forced to
take what the Mand afforded, which was Fiſh of
ſeveral Sorts, particularly Turtle, which latter was
the chiefeſt Food they lived on, and was found in
great Plenty on the Coaſts of this Inand; whether
there might be any wild Hogs, Beef, or other
Cattle, common to ſeveral Iands of the West-Indies,
or that the Pyrates were too idle to hunt them, or
whether they preferr'd other Proviſions to that Sort
of Diet, I know not; but I was informed by them,
that for the whole Time they eat not a bit of any
kind of Fleſh-Meat, or Bread; the latter was
fupply'd
1


336 Of Captain Tho. Anstis.
7
other.— I had an Account given me of one of
theſe merry Trials, and as it appeared diverting, I
ſhall give the Readers a ſhort Account of it.
The Court and Criminal being both appointed,
as alſo Council to plead, the Judge got up in a Tree,
and had a dirty Tarpaulin hung over his Shoul.
ders; this was done by Way of Robe, with a
Thrum Cap on his Head, and a large Pair of Spe.
&tacles upon his Noſe: Thus equipp'd, he ſettled
himſelf in his place, and abundance of Offices at.
tending him below, with Crows, Handſpikes, dc.
inſtead of Wands, Tipſtaves, and ſuch like. The
Criminals were brought out, making a thouſand
ſour Faces; and one who acted as Attorney-General
opened the Charge againſt them; their Speeches
were very laconick, and their whole Proceedings
conciſe. We ſhall give it by way of Dialogue.
Attorn. Gen. An't pleaſe your Lordſhip, and you
Gentlemen of the Jury, here is a Fellow before your
that is a fad Dog, a ſad ſad Dog; and I humbly
hope your Lordſhip will order him to be hang's
out of the Way immediately. He has commit-
ted Pyracy upon the High Seas, and we ſhall
prove,
an't pleaſe your Lordſip, that this Fellow, this
fad Dog before you, has eſcap'd a thouſand Storms,
nay, has got ſafe aſhore when the Ship has been cast
away, which was a certain Sign he was not born to
be drown'd; yet not having the Fear of hanging beo
fore his Eyes, he went on robbing and raviſhing
Man, Woman and Child, plundering Ships Cargoes
fore and aft, burning and ſinking Ship, Bark and
Boat, as if the Devil had been in him. But this
is not all, my Lord, he has committed worſe Villa-
nies than all theſe, for we ſhall prove, that he has
been guilty of drinking Small-Beer, and your
Lordſhip knows, there never was a fober Fellow but
what was a Rogue.My Lord, I ſhould have
Spoke much finer than I do now, but that, as your
Lordſhip


Of Captain Tho. Anstis.
337
Lordhip knows our Rum is all out, and how
hould a Man 1peak good Law that has not drank
a Dram.--However, I hope, your Lordſhip will
order the Fellow to be hang'u.
Judge.
Hearkee me, Sirrah,
you louſy,
pittiful, ill-look'd Dog; what have you to ſay why
you Should not be tuck'd up inimediately, and ſet
á Sur-diying like a Scare-crow? Are you guilty,
or not guilty ?
Pril. Not guilty, an't pleaſe your Worſhip.
Judge. Not guilty ! ſay ſo again, Sirrah, and I'll
have you hang'd without any Tryal.
Priſ. An't pleaſe. your Worſhip's Honour, my
Lord, I am as honeſt a poor Fellow as ever went
between Stem and Stern of a Ship, and can hand,
reet, ſteer, and clap two Ends of a Rope together,
as well as e'er a He that ever croſs'd ſalt Water;
but I was taken by one George Bradley [the Name
of him that fat as Judge] a notorious Pyrate, a
låd Rogue as ever was unhang'd, and he forcd
me, an't pleaſe your Honour.
Judge. Anſwer me, Sirrah,
How will you
be try'd ?
Priſ. By Gand my Country.
Judge. The Devil you will. Why ther., Gen-
tlemen of the Jury, I think we have nothing to
do but to proceed to Judgment.
Attor. Gen. Right, my Lord; for if the Fellow
ſhould be ſuffer'd to ſpeak, he may clear himſelf,
and that's an Affront to the Court.
Priſ. Pray, my Lord, I hope your Lordſhip
will conſider
Judge. Conſider !-How dare you talk of con-
fidering? - Sirrah, Sirrah, I never conſider'd in
all my Life. I'll make it Treaſon to conſider.
Prif. But, I hope, your Lordſhip will hear ſome
Reaſon.
VOL. I.
Judge:


338
Of Captain Tho. ANSTIS.
Judge. D'ye hear how the Scoundrel prates ?
What have we to do with Reaſon? I'd have you
to know, Raskal, we don't ſit here to hear Rea.
fon; — we go according to Law. Is our Din.
uer ready?
Altor. Gen. Yes, my Lord.
judge. Then heark'ee, you Raskal at the Bar ;
hear me, Sirrah, hear me. You muſt ſuffer for
three Reaſons; Firſt, becauſe it is not fit I should fit
here as Judge, and no Body be hang’d.-Secondly,
you muſt be langd, becauſe you have a damu'd
hanging Look: And thirdly, you muſt be
hmy'u, becauſe I am hungry; for know, Sirrah,
that 'cis a Cuſtom, that
whenever the Judge's
Dinner is ready before the Tryal is over, the Pri.
foner is to be hang'd of Courie. There's Law
for you, yc Doy. So take him away Goaler.
This is the Tryal juſt as it was related to me;
the Deſign of my ſetting it down, is only to fhew
how thelė Fellows can jest upon Things, the Fear
and Dread of which, fhould make them tremble.
The Beginning of Auguſt, 1722, the Py rates nrade
ready the Brigantine, and came out to Sea, and beat-
ing up to Windward, lay in the Track' for their
Correſpondent in her Voyage to Jamrica, and ſpoke
with her ; but finding nothing was done in England
in their Favour, as 'twas expected, they return'd to
their Conforts at the Inand with the ill News, and
found themielves under a Neccffity, as they fan-
ciel, to continue that abominable Courſe of Life
they had lately practis'd; in order thereto, they
fail'd with the Ship and Brigantine to the South-
yard, and the next Night, by intolerable Neglect
,
they run the Morning Siar upon the Grand Caim.mnes
,
and wreck'd her ; the Brigantine seeing the Fata
of her Confort, hall’d off in Timc, and ſo weather'd
the Illand. The next Day Captain Anſtis put in,
zuid
|


of Captain THO: ANSTI9.
339
ud found that all, or the greateſt Part of the Crew,
iere ſafe afhore, whereupon the came to an An-
hur, in order to fetch them off; and having
ought Fenn the Captain, Philips the Carpeiiter, and
few others aboard, two Men of War came down
spon them, viz. the Hellor and Adventure, lo thac
fic Brigantine had but juſt Time to cut their Cable,
ind get to Sea, with one of the Men of War after
her, keeping within Gun-thot for ſeveral Hours.
Auftis and his Crew were now under the grcareſt
Confternation imaginable, finding the Gale freſhen,
and the Man of War gaining Ground upon them,
ſo that, in all Probability, they muſt have been
Priſoners in two Hours 17 ore ; but it pleated God
to give them a little longer Time, the Wind dying
away, the Pyrates got out their Oars, and row'd for
their lives, and thereby got clear of their Enemy.
The Hector landed her Men upon the land, and
took 40 of the Morning Star's Crew, without any
Reſiſtance made by them; but on the contrary,
elledging, they were forc'd Men, and that they
were glad of this Opportunity to eſcape from the
fyrates; the reſt hid themſelves in the Woods,
and could not be found. George Bradley the Maſter,
and three more, ſurrender'd afterwards to a Bero
mudas Sloop, and were carried to that Illand.
The Brigantine, after her Eſcape, fail'd to a ſmall
Inand near the Bay of Honduras, to clean and refit,
and, in her Way thither, took a Rhode In.ınd Sloop,
Captain Durfey, Commander, and two or three
other Velſels, which they deſtroy'd, but brought
all the Hands aboard their own.
While the was cleaning, a Scheme was concerted
between Captain Durfey, ſome other Priſoners, and
tivo or three of the Pyrates, for to ſeize ſome of
the Chies, and carry off the Brigantine ; but the
ſame being diſcovered before ſhe was fit for failing,
their Delign was prevented: However, Captain
Durfej,


Of Captain Tho. ANSTIS.
347
ſet to rights again ; for ſome of the New-Comers,
and thole who had been tir'd with the Trade, put
an End to the Reign), by Mooting Tho. Anfis in his
Hammock, and atterwards the Quarter-Maſter,
and two or three others; the reſt ſubmitting,
they put into Irons, and ſurrender'd them up,
and the Vellel, at Curacco, a Durch Settlement,
where they were try'd and hang'd; and thoſe con-
cerned in delivering up the Veilel, acquitted.
But to return to Captain Fenn, he was taken
frayling with his Gunner and three more, a Day
or two after their Misfortune, by the Man of
War's Men, and carried to Antegon, where they
were all executed, and Fenn hang'd in Chains.
Thoſe who remained, ſtaid fome Time in the land,
keeping up and down in the Woods, with a Hand
to look out; at length Providence ſo ordered it,
that a ſmall Sloop came into the Harbour, which
they all got aboard of, except two or three Ne-
groes, and thole they left behind. They did not
think fit to purſue any further Adventures, and
therefore unanimoully reſolved to ſteer for England,
which they accordingly did, and in Oktober last
came into Briſtol Channel, funk the Sloop; and
getting aſhore in the Boat, difperled themielves to
their Abodes. Vide Appendix in Vol. II.
mille
Y À
CHAZ,


Of Capt. IVORLEY.
343
Robbery only; but they did not ſtand for a Point
of Law in the Caſe, but eaſing the Shallop Man of
his Lading, the bold Adventurers went down the
River again.
The Shallop came ſtraight to Philadelphia, and
brought the ill News thither, which fo alarm'd
the Government, as if War had been declared
againſt them; Expreiſes were fent to Nen-Tick,
and other places, and leveral Veſſels fitted out
againſt this powerful Rover, but to no manner of
Purpoſe ; for after feveral Days Cruize, they all
return'd, without ſo much as hearing whać be-
came of the Robbers.
Worley, and his Crew, in going down the River,
met with a Sloop of Philadelphia, belonging to a
Mulatto, whom they call'd Black Rolbin ; they quit.
ted their Boat for this Sloup, taking one of black
Robin's Men along with them, as they had alſo
done from George Grant, beſides two Negroes, which
encreaſed the Company one Third. A Day or two
after, they took another Sloop belonging to Hul,
homeward bound, which was fomewhat fitter for
their Purpoſe; they found aboard her, Proviſions
and Neceifaries, which they ſtood in need of, and
enabled them to proſecute their Deſign, in a mari-
ner more ſuitable to their Wiſhes.
Upon the Succeſs of thele Rovers, the Gover.
nor illued out a Proclamation, for the apprehend.
ing and taking all Pyrates, 'tho had refuſed or
neglected to ſurrender themſelves, by the Time
limited in his Majeſty's Proclamation of Pardon ;
and thereupon, ordered his Majeſty's Ship Phanix,
of 20 Guns, which lay at Sandy Hook, to Sea, to
cruize upon this Pyrate, and ſecure the Trade to
that, and the adjoining Colonies.
In all Probability, the taking this Sloop fav'd
their Bacons, for this Time, tho' they fell into
the Trap preſently afterwards; for they finding
them.
Y A


4
344 Of Capt. WORLEY.
1
themſelves in tolerable good Condition, having a
Veſſel newly cleaned, with Proviſions, oc. they
ftood off to Sea, and ſo mitſed the Phanix, who
expected them to be itill on the Coaſt.
About fix Wecks afterwards they returned, ha-
ving taken both a Sloop and a Brigantine, among
the Bahama Inands; the former they lunk, and the
other they let go: The Sloop belonged to Nem.
Tork, and they thought the ſinking of her good Poli.
cy, to prevent her returning to tell Tales at Home.
"Vorley had by this Time encreaſed his Company
to about five and twerity Men, had ſix Guns
mounted, and ſmall Arms as many as were neceſ.
ſary for them, and ſecm'd to be in a good thriving
Sort of a Way. He made a black Enlign, with a
white Death's Head in the Middle of it, and other
Colours ſuitable to it. They all signed Articles,
and bound themſelves under a folemn Oath, to
take no Quarters, but to stand by one another to
the laſt Man, which was rafhly fulfill'd a little
afterwards.
For going into an Inlet in North-Cavolina, to
clean, the Governor received Information of it, and
fitted out two Sloops, one of eight Guns, and the
other with fix, and about ſeventy Men between
them. Worley had cleaned his Sloop, and fail'd be-
fore the Carolina Sloops reached the Place, and
ſteered to the Northward; but the Sloops juſt men.
tioned, purſuing the leme Courſe, came in Sight of
Worley, as he was cruiſing off the Capes of Vir-
ginia, ard being in the offin, he food in as foo:
as he ſaw the Sloops, intending thereby to have
cut them off from James River; for he verily be
lieved they had been bound thither, not imagin-
ing, in the least, they were in Purſuit of him.
The two Sloops ſtanding towards the Capes a
the lame Time, and Worley hoiſting of his blac
Flag, the Inhabitants of James Town were in
the


347
ZEA EZARIERZEZZ278
CHAP. XII.
OF
Capt. George Lowther,
And his Crew.
G
Eorge Lowrher failed out of the River of
Thames, in one of the Royal African Com-
pany's Ships, call’d the Gambia-Caſile, of 16
Guns and 30 Men, Charles Ruffel Commander j
of
which Ship, the laid Lomther was fecord Mate.
Aboard of the ſame Ship, was a certain Number
of Soldiers, commanded by one John Maffey, who
were to be carried to one of the Company's Set-
tlements, on the River of Gambia, to Garriſon a
Fort, which was ſometime ago taken and deſtroy'd
by Captain Davis the Pyrate.
In May, 1721, the Gambia-Caſtle came ſafe to her
Port in Africa, and landed Captain Maſley and his
Men on Jame's Inand, where he was to Command
under the Governor, Colonel IVhitney, who arrived
there at the ſame Time, in another Ship: And here,
by a fatal Miſunderſtanding, between the military
Folks and the Trading People, the Fort and Gar.
riſon not only came to be loſt again to the Company,
but a fine Gálley well provided, and worth 10000 l.
turred againſt her Mifters,
The


350 Of Capt. GEORGE LOWTHER.
3
1
and that he Nould repair on Board, for it was time to
put their Project in Execution.
As ſoon as Maffey received this Letter, he went
to the Soldiers at the Barracks, and ſaid to them,
and others, You that have a Mind to go to England,
noto is your Time ; and they generally contenting,
Maffey went to the Store-Room, burſt open the
Door, ſet two Centinels upon it, and ordered that
no Body ſhould come near it; then he went to the
Governor's Apartment, and took his Bed, Bag-
gage, Plate and Furniture, (in Expe&tation that
the Governor himſelf, as he had promiled Maffay,
would have gone on Board, which he afterwards
refuſed, by Reaſon, as he ſaid, he believed they
were going a Pyrating; which at firſt, whatever
L'wher deſigned, Maſſey certainly propoſed only
the going to England ;) when this was done, he
ſent the Boat off to the chief Mate, with this Mela
fage, That he frould get the Guns ready, for that ilie
King of Barro [a Negro Kingdom near the Royal
African Settlemert] would come aboard to Dinner.
But Lomther underſtanding beſt, the meaning of thoie
Orders, he confined the chief Mate; fhotted the
Guns, and put the Ship in a Condition for failing,
In the Afternoon Maſſey came on Board with the
Governor's Son, having ſent off all the Proviſiolis
of the INand, and eleven Pipes of Wine, leaving
only two half Pipes behind in the Store-Houte,
and diſmounted all the Guns of the Fort:
In the Afternoon they weigh'd one Anchor, but
fearing to be too late to get out of the River, they
Dipp'd the other, and to fell down ; in doing of
which, they run the Ship a-ground. Maſſey thew'd
himſelf a Soldier upon this Accident, for as ſoon as
the Misfortune happen’d, he left the Ship with
about fixteen Hands, and rows directly to the
Fort, remputę the Guns, and keeps Garriſon
there
$
1


354 Of Capt. GEORGE LONTHER.
w
1
=
the French Settlements, and bring aboard the Devil
and all of Plunder.
Livrher did all that he could do, and ſaid all
that he could ſay, to diffiade Maffey from ſo raſ
and dar.gerous an Attempt ; poiiting out to him
the Hazard the Company would run, and the Coi-
ſequences to them all, if he ſhould not ſucceed, and
the little Likelihood there was to expect Succeſs
from the Undertaking : But 'twas all one for that,
Mapy would go and attack the French Settlements,
for aí.y thing Lowther could lay againſt it; fo thać
he was obliged to propoſe the Matter to the Com.
pany, among whom Maſſey found a few Fellows
as relolute as himſelf; however, a great Majority
being againſt it, the Affair was over-ruled in
Oppoſition to Captain Mafey; notwithitanding
which, Merry grew fractious, quarrelled with
Mr. Lorther, and the Men divided into Parties, ſome
ſiding with the Land Pyrate, and ſome with the
Sea Rover, and were all ready to fall together by
the Ears, when the Man at the Maft-Head cryd
out, A Sail ! A Sail! then they gave over the Dil.
pute, let all their Sails, and Ateered after the Chace.
In a few Hours they came up with her, ſhe being
a Imall Ship from jamaica, bound to England; they
took what they thought fit out of her, and a Haid
or two, and then Lowther was for ſinking the Ship,
with ſeveral Paſſengers that were in her, for what
Reaſon I know not, but Maſſey interpoſed, ſo that he
prevented their cruel Fate, and the ship ſafely ar
rived afterwards in England.
The next Day they took a ſmall Sloom, a
interloping Trader, which they detained with her
Cargo. All this while Maſſey was uncaly, and de
clar'd his Reſolution to leave them, and Lorike
finding him a very troubleſome Man to deal with
conſented that he ſhould take the Sloop, laſt mad
Prize of, with what Hands had a Mind to g
with


Of Capt. GEORGE LOITHER. 355
with him, and ſhift for himſelf. Whereupon
Muffey, with about ten more Malecontents, goes
aboard the Sloop, and comes away in her directly
for Jamaica.
Notwithſtanding what had paſſed, Captain Malſcy
puts a bold Face upon the Matter, and goes to Sir
Nicholas Laws, the Governor, informs him of his
leaving Low:her the Pyrate, owns, That he affifted in
going of with the Ship, at the River Gambia; but ſaid,
emras to ſave ſo many of his Majeſiy's Subjects from periſh
ing, and that his Design was to return to England;
but Lowther conſpiring with the greater Part of the
Company, ment a pyrating with the ship; and that he
had taken this opportunity to leave him, and ſurrender
bimſelf and Vefel to his Excellency.
Maffey was very well received by the Governor,
and had his Liberty given him, with a Promiſe
of his Favour, and ſo forth; and, at his own Re-
queſt, he was ſent on Board the Happy Sloop, Cap-
tain Lams, to cruiſe off Hiſpaniola, for Lovelier ;
but not being ſo fortunate as to meet with him,
Captain Marley returned back to Jamaica in the
Sloop, and getting a Certificate, and a Supply of
Money from the Governor, he came home Para
ſenger to England.
When Maſſey came to Town, he writes a long
Letter to the Deputy Governor and Directors of
the African Company, wherein he imprudently re-
lates the whole Tranfaétions of his Voyage, the
going off with the Ship, and the A&ts of Pyracy he
had committed with Lomther ; but excuſes it as
Raſhneſs and inadvertency in himſelf, occaſioned by
his being ill uſed, contrary to the Promiſes that had
been made him, and the Expectations he had el-
tertained; but own'd, that he deſerved to dye for
what he had done ; yet, if they had Generoſity
enough to forgive him, as he was still capable to
do them Service, as a soldier, ſo he ſhould be very
ready
Z 2


Of Capt. GEORGE LOWTHER. 357
3
On the sth of July, 1723, he was brought to his
Tryal, at a Court of Admiralty held at the Old.
Baily, when Captain Ruffel, Governor Whitney's
Son, and others, appeared as Evidences, by whóm
the Indi&tment was plainly proved againſt him
which, if it had not been done, the Captain was of
fuch an heroick Spirit, that he would have deny'd
nothing; for inſtead of making a Defence, he only
entertained the Court with a long Narrative of
his Expedition, from the firſt ſetting out, to his
Return to England, mentioning two Acts of Py-
racy committed by him, which he was not charg'd
with, often challenging the Evidences to contra-
dict him, it in any Sphing lie related the leaſt
Syllable. of an Untruth; and inſtead of denying
the Crimes let forth in the Indictment, he charg'd
himſelf with various. Circumſtances, which fixed
the Falts more home upon him. Upon the whole,
the Captain was found Guilty, received sentence
of Death, and was executed three Wecks after,
at Execution-Dock.
We return now to Lomoher, whom we left crui.
ling off Hiſpaniola, from whence he plyed to (l'ind-
ward, and, near Porto Rico,chaled two Sail, and fpoke
with them; they proving to be a ſmall Briſtol Ship,
commanded by Captain Smith, and a Spamıyl Pyrate,
who had made Prize of the laid Ship. Loweber
examined into the Spaniard's Authority for taking
an Engliſ; Vellel, and threat'ned to put every
Man of them to Leath, for ſo doing ; lo that the
Spaniards fancied themlélves to be in a very pitti.
ful Condition, till Matters cleared up, and they
found their Máſters as great Rogues as themſelves,
from whom fome Mercy might be expected, in
regard to the near Relation they ſtood with them,
as to their Profeſion; in ſhort, Lowther firſt rifles,
and then burnt both the Ships, tending the Spa-
niards
Z 3


358 Of Capt. GEORGE LOWTHER.
niards away in their Launch, and turning all the
Engliſh Sailors into Pyrates.
After a few Days Cruiſe, Lorther took a ſmall
Sloop, belonging to St. Chriſtophers, which they
mann'd and carried along with them to a ſmail
INand, where they cleaned, and ſtay'd ſome Time
to take their Diverſions, which confifted in un-
heard of Debaucheries, with drinking, ſwearing,
and rioting, in which there ſeemed to be a kind
of Emulation among them, relembling rather De.
vils than Men, ſtriving who ſhould outdo one
another in new invented Oaths and Execrations.
They all got aboard about Chriſtmas, obſerving
neither Times nor Seaforis, for perpetrating their
villainous Actions, and failed towards the Bay of
Honduras ; bus ſtopping at the Grand Caimanes for
Water, they met with a ſmall Veſſel with 13
Hands, in the ſame honourable Employment with
themſelves; the Captain of this Gang was one
Edward Lome, whom we ſhall particularly diſcourte
of in a Chapter by it ſelf: Lomther received them
as Friends, and treated them with all imaginable
Reſpect, inviting them, as they were few in Num-
ber, and in no Condition to purſue the Account,
(as they called it) to join their Strength together,
which on the Conſideration aforeſaid, was accepted
of, Lowther ſtill continuing Commander, and Lome
was made Lieutenant: The Veſſel the new Pyrates
came out of, they funk, and the Confederates pro.
ceed on the Voyage as Lowrher before intended.
The icth of January, the Pyrates came into the
Ray, and fell upon a Ship of 200° Tuns, called the
Greyhound, Benjamin Edrrards Commander, belong.
ing to boton. Lomoher hoiſted his pyratical Co-
Jours, and fired a Gun for the Greyhound to bring to,
which the refuſing, the Happy Delivery (the Name
of the Pyrate) edy'd down, and gave her a Broad-
fide,


of Capt. GEORGE LOWTHER. 359
?
TI
+
1
side, which was returned by Captain Edwards very
bravely, and the Engagement held for an Hour;
but Captain Edwards, finding the Pyrate too ſtrong
for him, and tearing the Consequence of
too ob
ſtinate a Reſiſtance againſt thoſe lawleſs Fellows,
order'd his Enſign to be ſtruck. The Pyrates
Boat came aboard, and not only rifled the ship,
but whipp'd, beat, and cut the Men in a cruel
Manner, turned them aboard their own Ship, and
then ſet Fire to theirs.
In cruiſing about the Bay, they met and took
feveral other Velfels without any Reſiſtance, viz.
two Brigantines of Boſton in New-England, one of
which they burnt, and ſunk the other; a Sloop
belonging to Connecticut, Captain Airs, which they
allo burnt ; a Sloop of Jamaica, Captain Hamilton,
they took for their own Ule; a Sloop of Virginis
they unladed, and was ſo generous as to give her
bick to the Maſter that owned her. They cook
a Sloop of 100 Ton, belonging to Rhode Iſand,
which they were pleaſed to keep, and mount
with eight Carriage, and ten Swivel Guns.
With this little Fleet, viz. Admiral Lomorher, in
the Happy Delivery; Captain Low, in the Rhode Iſand
Sloop ; Captain Harris, (who was ſecond Mate in
the Greyhound when taken) in Hamiltor's Sloop, and
the little Sloop formerly mentioned, ferving as a
Tender ; I ſay, with this Fleec the Pyrates leto
the Bay, and came to Port Mayo in the Gulph of
Martigue, and there made Preparations to careen;
they carried aſhore all their Sails, and made Tents
by the Water-Side, wherein they laid their Plunder,
Stores, etc. and fell to work; and at the Time
that the Ships were upon the Heel, and the good
Folks employ'd in heaving down, ſcrubing, tallow-
ing, and ſo forth; of a ſudden came down a confi-
derable Body of the Natives, and attack'd the Py-
Z 4
rates


Of Capt. GEORGE LOWPTHER. 361
Q
with the ſame Number ſtay'd in the Sloop, and
ſeparated that very Night, being the 28th of
May, 1722.
Lomoher proceeding on his way to the Main-
Coaſt, tuoä сhree or fou: fishilig Veifels off New-York,
which was 10 great Booty to the Captors. The 3d
of June, they met vith a ſmall Netp-England Ship,
bound home from Barbadoes, which ſtood an Attack
a ſmall Time, but finding it to ro Purpoſe, yielded
herſelf a Prey to the Booters: The Pyrates took
out of her fourteen Hogſheads of Rum, ſix Barrels
of Sugar, a large Box of Engliſ, Goods, ſeveral
Casks of Loaf Sugar, a conſiderable Quantity of
Pepper, fix Negroes, beſides a Sum of Money and
Plate, and then let her go on her Voyage.
The next Adventure was not ſo fortunate for
them, for coming pretty near the coaſt of South-
Carolina, they met with a Ship juſt come out, on
her Voyage to England; Lomther gave her a Gun,
aud hoilted his pyratical Colours; but this ship,
which was called the Amy, happening to have a
brave gallant Man to command her, who was not
any Ways daunted with that terrible Enſign, the
black Flag, he, inſtead of ſtriking immediately as
'twas expected, let fly a Broadſide at the Pyrate.
Lowther (not at all pleaſed with the Compliment,
tho' he put up with it for the preſent) was for ta-
king Leave; but the Amy getting the Pyrate be-
tween her and the Shore, ſtood after him to clap
him aboard; to prevent which, Lowther run the
Sloop a-ground, and landed all the Men with their
Arms. Captain Gwarkins, the Captain of the Amy,
was obligei to ſtand off, for fear of running his
own Ship alhore; but at the ſame Time thought fit
for the publick Good, to deſtroy the Enemy; and
thereupon went into the Boat, and rowed towards
the Sloor, in order to ſet her on Fire; but before
he reaci.cd the Veſſel, a fatal Shot from Lowher's
Company
11
N
VE


362 Of Capt. GEORGE LOWTHER.
*
17
L
Company aſhore, put an End to their Deſign and
Captain Gwarkir's Life. After this unfortunate
Blow, the Mate returned aboard with the Boat,
and not being enclined to purlue them any farther,
took Charge of the Ship.
Lowther got off the Sloop after the Departure of
the Amy, and brought all his Men aboard again,
but was in a poor thattered Condition, having ſuf-
fered much in the Engagement, and had a great
niany Men kill'd and wounded : He made Shift to
get into an Inlet ſomewhere in North-Carolina,
where he ſaid a long while before he was able
to put to Sea again.
He and his Crew laid up all the Winter, and
Shifted as well as they could among the Woods,
divided themſelves into imall Parties, and hunted
generally in the Day Times, killing of black Cat-
tle, Hogs, ác. for their subſiſtance, and in the
Night retired to their Tents and Huts, which
they made for Lodging; and ſometimes when the
Weather grew very cold, they would ſtay aboard
of their Sloop.
In the Spring of the Year, 1723, they made
Shift to get to Sea, and ſteered their Courſe for
Newfoundland. Upon the Banks they took a Scooner,
call’d the Swift, John Hood Mafter, they found a
good Quantity of Proviſions aboard her, which
was very much wanted at that time, and after
taking three of their Hands, and plundering her
of what they thought fit, they let her depart.
They took ſeveral other Veſſels upon the Banks,
and in the Harbour, but none of any great Ac-
count; and then ſteering for a warmer Climate,
in Auguſt arrived at the West-Iudies. In their Palo
fage thither, they met with a Brigantine, called
the forn and Elizabeth, Richard Stanny Maſter, bound
for Boſton, which they plundered, took two of her
Men, and diſcharged her.
Lomeler
21
11
3


Of Capt. GEORGE LOWTHER. 363
Lomther cruiſed a pretty while among the lands
without any extraordinary Succeſs, and was re-
duced to a very ſmall Allowance of Proviſions, till
they had the Luck to fall in with a Martinico
Man, which proved a ſeaſonable Relief to them;
and after that, a Guiney Man had the ill Fortune
to become a Prey to the Rovers ; ſhe was called
the Princeſs, Captain Wickſted Commander.
It was now thought neceſſary to look out for a
Place to clean their Sloop in, and prepare for new
Adventures ? Accordingly the INand of Blanco was
pitched upon for that Purpole, which lies in the
Latitude of 110 som. N. about 30 Leagues from
the Main of the Spaniſh America, between the INands
of Margarita and Rocas, and not far from Tortuga.
It is a low even Illand, but healthy and dry, un-
inhabited, and about two Leagues in Circumfe-
rence, with plenty of Lignum Vitæ Trees there
on, growing in Spots, with thrubby Bushes of
other Wood about them. There are, beſides Tur-
tle, great Numbers of Guanoes, which is an am-
phibious Creature like a Lizard, but much larger,
the Body of it being as big as a Man's Leg; they are
very good to eat, and are much uſed by the Py-
rates that come here: They are of divers Co-
lours, but ſuch as live upon dry Ground, as here
at Blanco, are commonly yellow. On the N. W.
End of this Inand, there is a ſmall Cove or fandy
Bay; all round the reſt of the Inand is deep Wa.
ter, and ſteep cloſe to the land. Here Lomoher
reſorted to, the Beginning of O&tober laſt, unrigged
his Sloop, ſent his Guns, Sails, Rigging, crc. alhore,
and put his Vellel upon the Careen. The Eagle
Sloop of Barbadoes, belonging to the South Sea Cum.
pany, with 35 Hands, commanded by Halter M100re,
coming near this INand, in her Voyage to Comena,
on the Spaniſla Continent, law the laid Sloop juft ca-
reen’d, with her Guns out, and Sails unbent, which ſhe
ſupposed


364 Of Capt. GEORGE LOWTHER.
18
21
ſuppoſed to be a Pyrate, becauſe it was a Place
where Traders did not commonly ule, lo took the
Advantage of attacking her, as ſhe was then unpre-
pared; the Eagle havilig fired a Gu: to oblige her
to thew her Colours,the Pyrate hoiſted the St.George's
Flag at their Topmatt-Head, as it were to bid De-
fiance to her ; but when they found Moure alid his
Crew reſolved to board them in good Earncft, the
Pyrates cut their Cable, and hawled their Stern
on Shore, which obliged the Eazle to come to an
Archor a-thwart their Hawſe, where the engaged
them till they called for Quarter and itruck; at
which Time Lortler and twelve of the Crew made
their Eſcape out of the Cabin Window. The Ma-
fier of the Eigle got the Pyrate Sloop off, lecured
her, and went alhore with 25 Hands, in Purſuit
of Lowther and his Gang ; but atcer live Days
Search, they could find but five of them, which
they brought aboard, and then proceeded with the
Sloop and Pyrates to Comona aforeſaiu, wiiere they
foon arrived.
The Spaniſh Governor being informed of this
brave Ałtion, condemned the Sloop to the Captors,
and ſent a ſmall Sloop with 23 Hands to ſcower the
Buſhes and other places of the Ifland of Blanco, for
the Pyrates that remained there, and took four
more, with ſeven ſmall Arms, leaving behind them
Captain Lowher, three Men, and a little Boy, which
they could not take; the above four the Spaniards
try'd and condemned to Slavery for Life; three
to the Gallies, and the other to the Caſtle of
Arraria.
The Eagle Sloop brought all their Priſoners af.
terwards to St. Chriſtopher's, where the following
were try'd by a Court of Vice Admiralty, there
held Warch the ith, 1722, viz. John Churchill,
Edward Mạckdonald, Nicholas Lewis, Richard Weft,
Sam. Lerercott, Robert White, John Shaw, Andremo
Hunter,


Of Capt. GEORGE LOWTHER. 369
Hunter, Jonathan Delve, Matthew Freebarn, Henry
Watſon, Roger Grange, Ralph Candor, and Robert Willis';
the three laſt were acquitted, the other thirteen
were found Guilty, two of which were recom-
mended to Mercy by the Court, and accordingly
pardoned ; and the reſt executed at that Illand,
on the 20th of the fame Month.
As for Captain Lowther, it is ſaid, that he after-
wards ſhot himſelf upon that fatal Illand, where
his Pyracies ended, being found, by ſome Sloop's
Men, dead, and a Piſtol burſt by his Side.
GHAR


§ 366
3A3A3A3A2628528628826262628
C H A P. XI.
e
OF
11
Captain Edward Low,
And his Crew.
E
Dward Love was born in Weſtminſter, and had
his Education there, ſuch as it was, for he
could neither write or read. Nature ſeem'd
to have deſigned him for a Pyrate from his Child.
hood, for very early he began t:ie Trade of plun-
dering, and was wont to raiſe Contributions among
all the Boys of Westminster ; and if any were bold
enough to refuſe it, a Battle was the Conſequence;
but Loro was ſo hardy, as well as bold, there was
no getting the better of him, ſo that he robbed
the Youths of their Farthings, with Impunity ;
when he grew bigger he trok to Gaming in a low
Way, for it was commonly among the Footmen
in the Lobby of the Houſe of Commons, where he
uſed to play the whole Game, (as they term it)
that is, cheat all he could, and thoſe who pretended
to diſpute it with him, muſt fight him.
The Vertues of ſome of his Family were equal
to his; one of his Brothers was a Youth of Genius,
when he was but ſeven Years old, he uſed to be
carried in a Basket, upon a Porter's Back, into a
Crowd, and ſnatch Hats and Wigs : According to
the


368 Of Capt. EDWARD LOTO.
Lowo, who takes up a loaded Muſquet and fires ac
the Captain, but miſſing him, thot another poor
Fellow thro' the Head, then put off the Buat, and
with his twelve Companions goes to Sea : The
next Day they took a lmall Veifel, and go in her,
make a black Flag, and declare War againſt all the
World.
They then proceeded to the INand of the Grand
Caimanes, intending to have fitted up their ſmall
Veſſel, and prepare themielves as well as their Cir.
cumſtances would permit, for their honourable
Employment; but falling in Company with George
Lomoher, another Pyrate there, who paying his
Compliments to Low, as great Folks do to one
another when they meet, and offering himſelf as
an Ally ; Low accepted of the Terms, and to the
Treaty was preſently fign'd without Plenipu's or
any other Formalities.
We have already given an Account of their Joint-
Pyracies, under Lomther as chief Commander, till
the 28th of May, 1722, when they took a Bri-
gantine of Boſton, bound thither from St. Chriſto-
phers, at which Time they parted, and Edward Lord
went into the Brigantine, with forty four others,
who choſe him their Captain: They took with
them two Guns, four Swivels, ſix Quarter-Casks
of Powder, Proviſions and fome Stores, and ſo left
Lorther to proſecute his Adventures, with the Men
he had left.
Their firſt Adventure in the Brigantine, was on
Sunday the 3d Day of June, when they took a Ver-
ſel belonging to Amboy, John Hance Maſter, whom
he rifled of his Proviſions, and let go ; the ſame
Day he met with a Sloop, James Calquhoon Maſter,
off of Rhode Iſland, bound into that Port, whom he
firſt plundered, and then cut away his Boltſprit,
and all his Rigging, allo his Sails from the Yards,
and wounded the Maſter, to prevent his getting
in


370 Of Capt. EDWARD Low,
among them; Lom telling them from the Brigan.
tine, they fhould have 110 Quarters if they rc-
rcfifcd ; in the mean Time they mann'd and arm'd
their Boat, and cook Poſfellion of every one of
them, plundered them of what they thought fit,
and converted one to their own Ure, viz. a Scoo.
ner of 8c Tuns, aboard of which they putro Car-
riage Guns and so Men, and Lom himſelf went
Captain, and nam'd her the Fincy, making one
Charles Harris, (who was at firſt forced into their
Service out of the Greyhound of Boſton, by Lomilici,
of which Ship Harris was second Mate) Captain of
the Brigantine: Out of theſe Velſels they took ſo.
veral Hards, and encreaſed the Company to 80 Men,
who all ſigned the Articles, fome willingly, and
a feiv perhaps by Force, and ſo failed away from
Norblci:cad.
Some Time after this, they met with two Sloops
bound for Boſton, with Proviſions for the Garriſor,
and the Scooner coming up firſt, attacked theni;
b:lt there happening to be an Officer and ſome Sol-
diers on Board, who gave them a warm Reception,
Lorr choſe to ſtay till he ſhould be joyned by the
Brigantine ; in the mean while the Sloops made
the beſt of their Way, and the Pyrates gave them
Ch'ce two Days, and at laſt loft Sight of them in
a Fog.
They now ſteered for the Leeward Iſands, but
in their Voyage met with ſuch a Hurricane of
Wind, that the like had not been known; the
Sea ran Mountains high, and ſecmed to threaten
them every Moment with Deſtruction ; it was no
Time now to look out for Plunder, but to ſave
themlélves, if poſſible, from periſhing. All Hands
were continually employed Night and Day, on
Board the Brigantire, and all little enough, for
the Waves went over her, ſo that they were forced
to keep the Pump conſtantly going, besides baling
with


Of.. Capt. EDIVARD Lou's
371
with Buckets; yet finding themſelves not able to
Keup her free, and ſeeing the utmoſt Danger before
their Eyes, they turn'd to the laklc, and hoiſted out
their Proviſions, and other lieavy Coods, and threw
them over-hoard, with ſix of their Guns, to that
by lightening the Veifel, ſhe might riſe to the Top
of the Sea with the Waves : They were alſo goir.g
to cut away their Maſt; but conſidering how dan-
gerous it would be, to be left in ſuch a Condition,
they reſolved to delay it to the laſt, which was
Pruilerce in them ſo to do; for a Ship without Mafts
or Sails, lies like a Log upon the Water, and if ato
tack'd, mult fight with Diladvantags, the working
of her being the moſt artful Part of the Engage.
ment, becaulė the
may
ſometimes bring all her great
Guns on one side, to bear upon her Enemy, when
the dilabled Ship can do little or nothing.
But to proceed; by their throwing over-Board
the heavy Goods, the Veſſel made conſiderable leſs
Water, and they could keep it under with the
Pump only, which gave them Hopes and new Life;
ſo that inſtead of cutting all away, they took ne.
ceſſary Meaſures to ſecure the Maſt, by making
Proventor-Shrowds, óc. and then wore and lay too
upon the other Tack, till the Storm was over. The
Scooner made ſomewhat better Weather of it, of
the two, but was pretty roughly handled not
withſtanding, having ſplit her Main-lail, ſprung
her Boltſprit, and cut her Anchors from her
Bows. The Brigantine, by running away to Leea
ward, when ſhe wore upon the Larboard Tack, had
loft Sight of the Scooner ; but not knowing whe.
ther ſhe might be ſafe or not, as ſoon as the Wind
abated, he ſet her Main-Sail and Top-Sail, and
made ſhort Trips to Windward ; and the next
Day had the good Fortune to come in Sight of
their Confort, who, upon a Signal, which the othes
knew, bore down to her, and the Crew were over.
Аа 2
joy's


372 Of Capt. EDWARD LOW.
#
joy'd to meet again, after ſuch ill Treatment from
the Winds and Seis.
After the Storm Loro got ſafe to a ſmall INand,
one of the Weathermoſt of the Caribbees, and thera
fitted their Vefſels, as well as the Place could af.
ford; they got Proviſions of the Natives, in ex-
change for Goois of their own; and as ſoon as
the Brigantilie was ready, 'twas judy'd neceſſary
to take a thort Cruize, and leave the Scooner in
the Harbour till lice Return. The Brigantine
failid out accordingly, and had not been out many
Days before they met a Ship at Sea, that had loit
all her Mafts; on Board of whom they went, and
took from her in Money and Goods, to the Value
of rocol. and fo left her in the Condition they
found her : This Ship was bound home from bara
budces, but losing her Matts in the late Storm, was
making für Anregua, to rear, where the afterwards
arriv'd.
The Storm juft ſpoken of, was found to have
dore incredible Damage in 'thote Parts of the
World; but however, it appear'd to have been more
violent at Jamaica, bóth to the Iſland aud Shipping;
there was ſuch a prodigious Swell of the Sea, that
Several hundred Tans of Stones and Rocks were
thrown over the Wall of the Town of Port Royal,
the Town it ſelf was overflowed, and above half
deſtroy'd, there being the next Morning five Foot
Water from one End to the other; the Cannon of
Fort Charles were diſmounted, and ſome waſhed
into the Sea, and four hundred People loſt their
Lives : A more melancholly Sight was ſcarce ever
ſeen when the Water ebb’d away, all the Streets
being covered with Ruins of Houſes, Wrecks of
Veſſels, and a great Number of dead Bodies; for
forty Sail of Ships, in the Harbour, were caſt
away.
The
7
$
3
V
3


Of Capt. EDIVARD Loir,
373
The Brigantine return’d to the Ifand, where
Mac had left the Scooner, who being ready to fail,
it was put to the Vote of the Conipany what
Voyage to take next; and herein they tolloiv'd the
Advice of the Captain, who thought it not advile-
able to go any farther to Leeward, becauſe of the
Men of War who were cruiſing in their leveral
Stations, which they were not at all fond of meet.
ing, and therefore it was agreed to go to the Azores,
or Weſtern Iands.
The latter End of July, Lom took a French Shir
of 34 Guns, and carried hier along with him to the
Azores. He came into St. Michael's Read the
3d of August, and took leveur Sail that were lying
there, viz. the Notre Dame, Mere de Dieu, Captain
Roach Commander ; the Dove, Capt. Cax; che Rofe
Pink, formerly a Man of War, Capt. Thompſon ; 110-
ther Englif, Ship, Capt. Cirandler; and three other
Velſels. He thrcatev'd all with prelet Death who
refifted, which ſtruck luch a Teiror to them, that
they yielded them lelves up a Prey to the Villair:s,
without firing a Gun.
The Pyrates being in great Want of Water and
freſh Provilions, Low ſent to the Governor of St.
Alichael's for a Supply, and promiled upon that
Condition to releaſe the Ships he had taken, but
otherwiſe to burn them all; which Demand the
Governor thought it not prudent to refuſe, but
fent the Proviſion he required; upon which he re,
leaſed ſix of the Ships, (after he had plundered
them of whas he thought fit,) and the other, viz.
the Roſe Pink, was made a Pyrate Ship, which
Low himſelf took the Command of.
The Pyrates took leveral of the Guns out of the
French Ship, and mounted them aboard the Roſe,
which proved very fit for their Turn, and cu!:-
demned the former to the Flames. They took all
the Crew out of her, but the Cook, who, they faid,
being
Аа 3


374 Of: Capt. EDWARD Low.
being a greazy Fellow, would fry well in the Fire;
1o the poor Man was bound to the Main-Maſt, and
burnt in the Ship, to the no-Small Diverſion of Lopp
and his Mirmidons.
Lom ordered the Scooner to lye in the Fare be-
tween St. Michael's and St. Mary's, where, about
the 20th of August, Captain Carter in the Wriglar
Galley, had the ill Furtune to come in her Way;
and becauſe at first they Meived Inclinations to de-
fend themſelves and what they had, the Pyrates
cut and mangled them in a barbarous Manner; par
ticularly fome Portuguese Paſſengers, two of which
being Friers, they triced up at each Arm of the
Forc-Yard, but let them down again belore they
were quite dead, and this they repeated several
Times out of Sport.
Another Portugueze, who was alſo Captain Cer-
ter's Paiſenger, putting on a forrowful Courite.
nance at what he law acted, one of this vile Crev
attacket him upon the Deck, laying, he did not
like h's Looks, and thercupon gave him one Blow
2-croſs his Belly with his Cutlath, that cut out his
Bowels, and he fell down dead without fpcaking
a Word. At the fame Time another of thele
Ro ues curting at a Priſoner, milled his Marlig
and Ciptain Lim ſtunding in liis Way, very oppor-
tundly received the Stroke upon his under Jaw,
which liid the Teeth bare ; upon this the Surgeon
Wis called, who immediately ſtitclued up the
Wound; but Lor finding tault with the Operation,
the Surgeon being tollerably drunk, as it was cuſto-
mary for every Body to be, ſtruck Lor ſuch a Blow
with his Fift, that broke out all the Stitches, and
then bid him ſew up his Chops himſelf, and be
damned; ſo that Lom made a very pitiful Figure
for lome Time after.
When they had plundered Captain Carter's Ship;
ſeveral of them were for burning her, as they had
done


Of Capt. EDWARD Low.
375
DE
SIL
d
E
done the French Mai, but it was otherwiſe reſolved
at laſt; for after thicy had cut her Cables, ligging
and Sails to Pieces, they left her to the Mercy of
the Sca.
After theſe Depredations they ſteered for the
Mand of Mallora, where miſſing other Booty, they
took up with a Fishing-Boat, with two old Mei
and a Boy in her, o1.c of which they detained on
Board, but fent the other aſhore with a Flag of
Truce, demanding a Boat of Water of the Guver-
nor, on Pain of taking away the old Man's Litë,
whom they threated to hang at the Yard-Arm,
upon their Retuilal ; but the Thing being complied
with, the old Man was honourably (as the Pyrates
ſay) diſcharged, and all the three much hansitomer
cloathed than when they took them. From this
Mand they failed to the Canaries,, but meeting
with no Prey there, they continued their Courie
for the Cape de Verd (Nands, and at Bonaviſta, took
a Ship called the Liverpool Merchant, Captain Goul-
ding, from whom they ſtole a great Quantity of
Proviſions and dry Goods, 300 Gallous of Brandy,
two Guns and Carriages, a Maſt, Yard and Haiv.
ſers, beſides six of liis Men, and then would not
let them Trade there, nor at St. Nicholas, but obli.
ged Captain Goulding to go with his Ship, to the
ille of 01.1y.
The Pyrate alſo took among theſe Ia::cls a Ship
belonging to Liverpool, Scor Commander ; two Poriza
gucze Sloops bound for Braſil, a linall Engliſh
, Sloop
trading there, James Peaſe' Maſter, bound to Sankta
Crux, and three Sloops from St. Thomas, bound to
Curaſo, the Maſters Names were Lilly, St.fies. and
Simpkins, all which they plundered, and then ler
go about their Buſinels, except one Sloop, which
they fitted up for the following Purpoſe.
Lom had heard by one of the above-mentioned
Ships, that two ſmall Gallies were expected every
Duy
Ai 4


Of Capt. EDWARD Low.
377
feffion that the Captain had, during the Chace,
hung out of tlle Cabin Window, a Bag with 11,000
Moidores, of which, as ſoon as he was taken, he cut
the Rope, and let it drop into the Sea
Lor, upon hearing what a Prize had eſcap'd him,
rav'd like a Fury, fiore a thoutand Oaths, and
ordered the Captain's Lips to be cut off, which
he broil'd before his Face, and afterwards mur-
thered him and all the Crew, being thirty cwo
Per fons.
After this bloody Action, they continued their
Courſe till they came to the Northward of ail the
Inands, and there cruized for about a Month, in
which Time they made Prizes of the following
Veilels, viz. a Snow from Nerd-Work to Curacoa, Ro-
bert Leonard Maſter ; a Sloop from the Bay, bourd
to New-York, Craig Maſter ; a Srow from London and
Jamaica, bound to New-York; and the Stanhope Pink,
Andrew Delbridge, Mager, from Jamaica to Boſton ;
which lift they burnt, becauſe of Lom's irrecoiciles
able Averſion to Norv-England Men.
After this Cruize they went into one of the
Iands and clean'd, and then ſteer'd for the Bay
of Honduras, where they arrived about the Middle
of March 1722-3, and met a Sloop turning out of
the faid Bay. The Pyrates had hoiſted up Spanillo
Colours, and continued them till they drew near
the Sloop, then they halld them down, hoiſted
their black Flag, fired a Broadfide and boarded
her. This Sloop was a Spaniard of fix Guns and
70. Men, that came into the Bay that Morning,
and meeting there with five Engliſh
, Sloops and a
Pink, made Prizes of them all, plundered them,
and brought the Maſters of the Tellels away Pric
ſoners, for the Ranſom of the Logwood; their
Names were Tuthill, Norton, Newbury, Sprafort, Clark
and Parrot. The Spaniards made 110 Reſiſtance, ſo
that the Engliſlo Pyrates ſoon became their Maſters,
and
N


378
Of Capt. EDWARD Low.
>
and fell to rifling; but finding the above-menti-
oned People in the Hold, and ſeveral Engliſh Goods,
they conlulted Low the Captain thereupon, and,
without examining any further, the Reſolution
paſs'd to kill all the Company; and the Pyrates,
without any Ceremony, fell Pell-Mell to Execua
tion with their Swords, Cutlaſhes, Poll-Axes and
Piſtols, cutting, Naſhing and ſhooting the poor
| Spaniards at a ſad Rate. Some of the miſerable
Creatures jump'd down into the Hold, but could
not avoid the Maſſacre; they met Death every
where, for if they eſcap'd it from one Hand, they
were ſure to periſh by another ; the only Profpečt
they had of Life, was to fly from the Rage of
thole mercileſs Men, and truſt to the more
merciful Sea ; and accordingly a great many leap'd
over-board, and ſwam for the Shore ; but Low
perceiving it, ordered the Canoa to be mann'd, and
lent in purſuit of them, by which Means ſeverat
of the poor unhappy Men were knock'd in the
Head in the Water, as they were endeavouring to
gee to Land; however, about 12 of them did
reach the Shore, but in a miſerable Condition, be-
vig very much wounded, and what became of
them afterwards was not known, except one, who
while the Pyrates were at their Sports and Paſtimes
afhore, finding himſelf very weak and fainting with
his Wounds, and not knowing where to go for
Help and Relief; in this Extremity, he came back
to them, and beggd for God fake, in the moſt car-
neft Manner poſsible, that they would give him
Quarters; upon which, one of the Villains took
hold of him, and ſaid, Gdan him, he would
give him good Quarters preſently, and made the poor
Spaniard kneel down on his knees, then taking his
Fugl, put the Muzzle of it into his Mouth, and
fired down his Throat. 'Twas thought the reft
did not long ſurvive their miſerablc Condition,
and


of Capt. EDIVARD 2018. 331
be
of them called the Fancy, commanded by Lomo him.
felf, and the other the Ranger, commanded by
Harris, both which hoiſted their pyratical ca
lours, and fried each a Gun. When the Grey-
hound came within Muſquet-thot, the halled up
her Main-lail, and clapp'd cloſe upon a Wird, to
keep the Pyrates from running to Leeward, and
then cigaged : But when the Rogues found who
they had to deal with, they edg'd away under
the Man of War's Stern, and ſhe ſtanding after
them, they made a running Fight for about two
Hours; but little Wind happening, the Sloops gain-
ed from her, by the help of their Oars; upon which
the Greyhound left off firing, turned all Hands
to her own Oars, and at three in the Afternoon
came up with them. The Pyrates haul'd upon
Wind to receive the Man of War, and the
Fight was immediately renewed, with a brisk
Fire on both sides, till the Ranger's Main-Yard
was ſhot down, and the Greyhound preſſing cloſe
upon the diſabled Sloop, Lire, in the other, thought
fit to bear away, and leave his Conſort a Sacrifice
to his Enemy, who ſeeing the Cowardice and Trea.
chery of his Commadore and Leader, having ten
or twelve Men killed and wounded, and that there
was no Poſſibility of eſcaping,) called out for Quar-
ters, and ſurrender'd themſelves to Juſtice, which
proved fevere enough to them a-while after-
Wards.
The Condułt of Lor was ſurprizing in this Ado
venture, becauſe his reputed Couraze and Bold-
neſs had, hitherto, ſo poiſels’d the Minds of ailles-
ple, that he became a Terror, even to his own Men;
but his Behaviour throughout this whole Action,
Thewed him to be a baſe cowardly Villain ; for had
Lom's Sloop fought half ſo briskly as Harris's had
done, (as they were under a folcmn Oath to do,)
the


386 Of Capt. EDWARD LOTV.
merce, and of all the neighbouring Provinces on this con-
tinent ; ſuch ſignal Service done againſt the Enemies of
Mankind, merits the Applauſe of all good Men, but more
inmediately from thoſe of this Province, who are appointed
his particular Care and Charge. W'E therefore, the Mayor,
Aldermen and Commonalty of the Ciry of New York,
asſembled in Common-Council, to expreſs our grateful Sonjé
and Acknowledgment, to the ſaid Captain Peter Solgard,
for fo noble and faithful a Diſcharge of his Dury, and as
A particular Alark of the great Eſteem and juſt Regard
moc bear 10 his kind Acceptance of the Freedom of the
Corporation of this city of New York, and that he
will pleaſe to become a Fellow Citizen with us. There are
therefore ro certify and declare, tbat the ſaid Captain
Peter Solgard is hereby admired, received and allowed
a Freeman and Citizen of the ſaid City of New York, ro
hive, hold, enjoy and partake of all and ſinguilar Advan-
tages, Benefirs, Liberties, Privileges, Franchiſes, Frec-
doms and immunities whatſoever, granted or belonging to
the ſame Ciry: In Teſtimony thereof, the ſaid Muyor
bath bereunto ſubſcribed his Name, and cauſed the Scal
of the ſaid City to be affix'd ihe 25th Day of July, in the
ninth Tear of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George,
by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France
and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. Anno Don.
1723.
William Sharpas,
R. Walter Mayor.
Clerk.
This narrow Eſcape of Lor and his Companions,
one would have thought might have brought them
to a little Conſideration of their black and horrid
Crimes, and to look upon this Interval as an Op-
portunity put into their Hands by Providence,
to reconcile themſelves to God, by a hearty and
fincerc Repentance. But alas they were dead to
all Goodnels, and had not ſo much as one Spark of
Virtue to ſtir them up to be thankful for ſuch an
eminent
17


of Capt. EDWARD Low:
3890
eminent Deliverance : But, inſtead thereof, vented
a Million of Oaths and Curſes upon the Captain
of the Greyhound, vowing to execute Vengeanc:
upon all they ſhould meet with afterwards, for the
Indignity he put upon them.
The firſt Prey they met with, after their
Flight, was a ſmall Sloop belonging to Nantucker,
a Whale-Fiſhing, about 80 Miles from Land; the
Maſter of which, one Nathan Skiff, a brisk young
Fellow, the Pyrates cruelly whipp'd naked about
the Deck, making his Torture their Sport ; after
which they cut off his Ears, and laſt of all ſhot him
through the Head, and then ſunk his Vefſel ; put.
ting the reſt of the Hands into their Whale-Boat,
with a Compaſs, little Water, and a few Biskets;
and it being good Weather, they providentially got
ſafe to Nantucket, beyond all Expectation.
There was another Whale-Boat belonging to
this Sloop laſt mentioned, which happened to be
at ſome Diſtance from her, and perceiving what
was doing, rowed with all Speed to another Sloop
not far off, to acquaint her with the Misfortune,
that the Men might take care of themſelves; and
ſhe happily got away in time. Some Days after,
Low took a Fiſhing-Boat off of Block Trand, but did
not perpetrate ſo much Cruelty to her, contenting
himſelf with only cutting off the Matter's Head:
But after taking two Whale-Boats r.ear Rhode-Iſland,
he cauſed one of the Maſter's Bodies to be ripp'd up,
and his Intrails to be taken out; and cut off the
Ears of the other, and made him eat them him.
ſelf with Pepper and Salt; which hard Injur..
Etion he comply'd with, without making a Word:
Several other Perſons he would have murthered,
but Humanity prevailing in the tender Hearts of
his Companions, they refuſed to put his favage
Qrders in Execution,
Bb ģ From


388
· Of Capt. EDWARD LOW.
!
1
From the Coast of New England Loro ſailed di-
retly for Nere foundland, and, wear Cape Briton, took
tivo or three and twenty French Veſſels; one
of them of 22 Guns he ma’n’d with Pyrates, ma-
king a ſort of a Min of War of her; with which he
ſcower'd the Harbours and Banks of Newfoundland,
and took fixteen or eighteen other Ships ard Veſſels,
all which they plundered, and ſome deſtroyed.
Thus thelė inhumane Wretches went on, who
could not be contented to ſatisfy their Avarice
Only, and travel in the common Road of Wicked.
nels; but, like their Patron, the Devil, muſt make
Mitchief their Sport, Cruelty their Delight, and
dam..ing of Souls their conſtant Employment. Of
all the pyratical Crews that were ever heard of,
none of the Engliſh Name came up to this, in Bar-
barity ; their Mirth and their Anger had much the
ſame Effect, for hoth were uſually gratified with
the Cries and Grnans of their Priſoners ; ſo that
they almoſt as often murthered a Man from the
Exceſs of good Humour, as out of Paſſion and Re-
ſentment, and the Unfortunate could never be
aſſured of Safety from them, for Danger lurked in
their very Smiles. An liſtance of this had liked
to have happened to one Captain Graves, Maſter of
a Virginia Ship laſt raken; for as ſoon as he came
abward of the Pyrate, Low takes a Bowl of Punch
in his Fard, and drinks to him, ſaying, Captain
Graves, here's half this to you. But the poor Gen-
tleman being too ſenſibly touched at the Misfore
tune of falling into his Hands, modeſtly defired
to be excuſed, for that he could not drink; where.
upon Lom draws out a Piſtol, cocks it, and with
the Bowvl in t'other Hand, told him, he hould
either cake one or the other : So Graves, without
Heſitation, made Choice of the Vehicle that coul-
tained the Punch, and guttled down about a Quart,
when he had the leaſt Inclination that ever he had
in his Lite to be merry.
The


of Capt. JOHN EVANS.
393
gan to take upon themſelves the Distribution of
Juſtice, examining the Men concerning their Ma.
Iter's Úſage of them, according to !he Cuſtom of
other Pyrates ; but the Captain ver-hearing the
Matter, put an End to the judicial Proceedi.ies,
and fell to rumaging the Ship, ſaying to them,
What have me to do so turn Reformers, 'ris Morey te prani?
And ſpeakirig to the Prilor:eis, he ashed them, Tires
your Captain give you Viftuals enough? qurd thy awwer.
ing in the Affirmative : Why tben, .aij he, be ought to
give you Work enough.
After the takixg of this Prize, they went to the
Jittle Iſland of Avis, with a Deſign to clean, and
carried the Lucretia along wiih chim, in order to
heave down the Scorrerer by her ; but meeting there
with a Sloop, the Pyrate gave Chace till the Eve-
ning, when ſhe was within Gun-Shot of her ; but
fearirg to loſe Companiy with the Lucretia, who
was a heavy Sailor, they lefi off, and law her no
more. This Chace brought them to Leeward of
their Port, ſo that they were obliged to look out
for another Place of Retreat, and the Mand of
Ruby not being far diftant, they ſteered for that,
and anchored there accordingly ; but the next Day
a Dutch Sloop coming, as it were, into their Mouths,
they could not forbear dealing, and ſo niaking her
their Prize, they plunder'd her of what came, when
Thar'd, to fifty Pounds a Man.
They found this Sloop more for their Purpoſe
than the Lucretia, to clean their own Sloop by, as
being much lower in the Waſte, and therefore capa-
ble of heaving her Bottom farther out of the Wa.
ter, ſo ſhe was diſcharged, and the Dutch Man kept
in her Room; but not thinking it convenient to
lay up here, for fear a Diſcovery Thould be made,
they turned their Thoughts another Way, and
ſteered to the coast of Jamaica, where they took a
Sugar Drover, and then run to the Grand Caimanes,
abuut
I
1


Of Capt. 70HN EV ANS.
395
defired to take the Command of the Sloof,
in the Room of Captain Evans deceaſed; but he
deſired to be excuſed that Honour, and at length
poſitively refuſed it; then they agreed to break up
the Company, and leave the Mate in Poſſeſſion of
the Veſſel : Accordingly they went afhore at the
Caimanes, carrying with them about nine thouſand
Pounds among thirty Perfons; and it being fair
Weather, the Mate and a Boy brought the Velſel
into Port-Royal, in Jamaica.
BETES
would
СНАР:


396
CH A P. XV.
OF
Captain John Phillips,
And his Crew.
TOHN Phillips was bred a Carpenter, and fail-
ing to Newfoundland in a Weit-Country Ship,
was taken by Anftis in the Good Fortune Brigan-
tine, the next Day after he had left his Confort
and Commado:e, Captain Roberts. Phillips was ſoon
reconciled to the Life of a Pyrate, and being a brisk
Fellow, was appointed Carpenter of the Vellel, for
at firit his Ambition reach'd no higher; there
he remained till they broke up at Tobago, and was
one of thoſe who came home in a Sloop that we
have mention'd to be ſunk in Briſtol Channel.
His Stay was not long in England, for whilft he
was paying his firſt Vilts to his Friends in Devon.
Jhire, he heard of the Misfortune of ſome of his
Companions, that is, of their being taken and com-
mitted to Briſtol Goal; and there being good Rea.
Son for his apprehending Danger from a Wind that
blew from the ſame Quarter, he mov'd off imme-
diately to Topham, the neareſt Port, and there
ſhipp'd himſelf with one Captain Wadham, for a
Voyage to Newfoundland, and home again ; which,
by the way, Mr. Phillips never deſigu'd to perform,


Of Capt. John PHILLIPS.
401
for he lo burnt his Flesh diſtant from the Place of
Amputation, that it had like to have mortified ;
however Nature perform'd a Cure at laſt without
any other Amiſtance.
From Tobago they ſtood away to the Northward,
and took a Portugueze bound for Braſil, with two or
three Slcops from Jamaica, in one of which, Fern,
the Carpenter, endeavouring to go off, was kill'd
by Phillips the Captain, purſuant to their Articles;
another had the lame Fate fome Days after for the
like Attempt. Theſe Severities made it dangerous
for any tu conſult or project an Eſcape; the Terror
of which made ſeveral ſign their Articles and let
down quietly, waiting impatiently for Redemption,
which as yet they faw 110 great Likclihood of; and
Nould they have been taken before fuch Circum-
ſtances appcard in their A&tions or Characters,
as afterwards happen'd, to denote their Innocence,
they might have loſt their Lives upon a Tryal ac
a Court of Admiralty; for pretty ſtrolig Evidence
is expected in their Favour, to ballance that of
being taken aboard a Vellel which is prov'd to be
in aktual Pyracy, and they aſſiſting therein.
Thus was many an honeſt Man's Cale made moft
deſperate by the conſummate Villary of a few
hardened Wretches, who fear neither God or De
vil, as this Phillips us’d often blaſphemouſly to
expreſs himſelf.
On the 25th of March they took two Ships from
Virginia for London, John Phillips, the Pyrate Captain's
Nameſake, was Maſter of one, and Captain Robert
Mſortipier, the other, a brisk young Fellow, that de.
ſerved a better Fate than
he met with. Phillips the
Pyrate ſtaid on Board of Captain Mortimer's 'Ship,
while they tranſported the Crew to the Sloop, and
the Boat returning along ſide, one of the Pyrates
therein calls to Philips, and tells him, there was a
Mutiny aboard their Velkl: Mortimer had two Men
Yuz: 1,
Сс
ia


402 of Capt. JOHN PHILLIPS.
in his Ship, as the Pyrate Captain had alſo; there.
fore he thought it a ft Opportunity to recover his
Ship, and directly took up a Handſpike and ſtruck
Phillips over the Head, giving him a dangerous
Wound, but the Pyrate recovered himſelf and
wourded dforrimer with his Sivord; and the
two Pyrates that were aboard coming in to Cap.
trin Shillips Afiftarce, Captain Mortimer was pre-
Seutly cut to Pieces, while his own two Men ſtood
by and did nothing.
This was the firſt Voyage that Mortimer had the
Command of a Vellel, by whole Death was a poor
diſconfolate Widow made miterable, more in re.
yard of the mutual Love and Fidelity they lived in,
than the Loſs of what would have been a handſome
and comfortable Proviſion for themſelves and Chil-
dren, which, I think, now ought to be made up
by the Publick, ſince 'twas in the publick Service he
fell; for had his Attempt fucceeded, in all Pro-
bability he would not only have regained his own
Ship, but entirely ſubduct and deſtroy'd the
Enemy; there beirig leveral, as it atierwards pro-
vel, that would have ſeconded ſuch an Enterprize
when ever they had found a Beginning made.
This Affair ended without any other Confe.
querice than a ſtrict Search after a Brother of Cap-
tain Mortimer, who was on Board, in order to
have put hini likewiſe to Death; but he had the
good Fortune to meet with a Townſman among
the Crew, who hid him for four and twenty Hours
in a Stay-Sail, till the Heat of their Fury was over,
aid by that Means happily miſſed of the Fate de-
ſigned him.
Out of the other Virginia Man before ſpoken of,
they took one Edward Cheeſeman, a Carpenter, to
ſupply the Place of their late Carpenter, Fern. He
was a modeſt fober young Man, very averle to
their unlawful Practice, and a brave gallant Fellow.
There
1


Of Capt. John PHILLIPS.
405
when the Barrenneſs of the Country is conſider'd,
and the Stock of Proviſion laid in, happen to fall
ſhort, in Proportion to the Computation made of
the People remaining there the Winter, which are
generally about 17 or 1800. The Maſters reſiding
there think Advantages taken on their Neceſſities,
no more than a juſt and lawful Gain; and either
bind ſuch for the next Summer's Service, or tell
their Provifioris out to them at extravagant Rates;
Bread from 15 s. to 50, immediately at the depar.
tirg of the Ships, and lo of other Sorts of Food in
Proportio!); wherefore not being able to ſubſiſt
themſelves, or in any likely Way of clearing the
Reckoning to the Maſters, they ſometimes run
away with Shallops and Boats, and begin on pyra-
tical Exploits, as Phillips and his Companions,
whom we are now treating of, had done.
And lecondly (which is more opportunely for
them) they are viſited every Summer, almoſt, by
ſome Set of Pyrates or other, already rais'd, who
call here for the ſame Purpoſe, (if young Begin-
ners) and to lay in a Store of Water and Provi.
ſions, which they find imported, much or little,
by all the Ships that uſe the Trade.
Towards this Country Phillips was making his
Way, and took on the Voyage, beſides thoſe above-
mentioned, one Salter, in a Sloop off the Ile of Sa-
bles, which Vellel they made uſe of themſelves, and
gave back Mortimer's Ship to the Mateand Crew. The
lame Day, viz. the 4th of April, took a Scooner,
one Chadwell, Mafter, which they ſcuttled, in ore
der to fink; but Capt. Phillips underſtanding that
frie belongd to Mr. Minors at Newfoundland, with
whoſe Veifel they firſt went off a pyrating, a Qualm
of Conſcience came athwart his Stomach, and he
laid to his Companions, We have done him Injury
enough already; fo ordered the Veſtel immediately to
be repair’d, and he return'd her to the Maſter.
Сс 3
That


410
Of Capt. John PHILLIPS.
in his Blood our Scarlet and Crimſon Guilt may be al
waſhed atay!
We are ſenſible of an hard Heart in us, full of
Wickedneſs. And we look upon God for his re-
rewing Grace upon us.
We bleſs God for the Space of Repentance which
he has given us; and that he has not cut us off in
the Midit and Heigh:h of our Wickcdr.cſs.
We are not without Hope, that God has been
ſavingly at work upon our Souls.
We are made ſenſible of our abſolute Need of the
Righteouſneſs of Chriſt; that we may ſtand juſti-
fied before God in that. We renounce all Depen-
dance on our own.
We are humbly thankful to the Miniſters of
Chriſt, for the greät Pains they have taken for
our Good. The Lord reward their Kindneſs.
We don't deſpair of Mercy; but hope, through
Chrift, that when we die, we ſhall find Mercy with
God, and be received into his Kingdom.
We with others, and eſpecially the Sca-faring,
may get Good by what they ſee this Day be.
7 falling of us.
Declared in the Preſence of J. W. D. M.
1
3
CHAP


411
hi
A39393A2828828828A26262626
te
CHAP. XVI. .
OF
10
1
Capt.
Francis Spriggs,
And his CREW.
SI
Priggs failed with Loro for a pretty while, and
I believe camc away from Lorther, along with
him; he was Quarter. Maſter to the Compa.
ny, and conſequently lad a great Share in all the
Barbaritics committed by that execrable Gang, till
the Time they parted; which was about Chrift-
inas laft, when Lom took a Ship of 12 Guns on the
Coaſt of Guiney, called the Delight, (formerly the
Squirrel Man of War) commanded by Captaii: Hunt.
Spriggs took PoſleNion of the Ship with eighteen
Men, left Lord in the Night, and came to the left-
Ir.dies. This Separation was occaſioned by a Quar.
rel with Low, concerning a piece of Juſtice Spriggs
would have executed upon one of ile Crew, tor
killing a Man in cold Blood, as they call it, one in-
fiſting that he ſhould be hang’d, and the other
that he ſhould not.
A Day or two after they parted, Spriggs was choſe
Captain by the reſt, and a black Enlign was made,
which they called Jolly Roger, with the fame De-
vice that Captain Low carried, viz. a white Skeliton
in the Middle of it, with a Dart in one Hand
ſtriking


418 Of Capt. FRANCIS SPRIGGS.
whither he was forc'd to put in for a freſh Sup-
ply of Proviſions.
After this Spriggs met with Capt. Durſy, off Rhode
mand, whom he plunderd in the uſual Manner, but
relolv'd the Negroes fiould go along with him, lo
they put 25 aboard his Veffel, and took his Mate and
all the rett of his Hands, leaving Capt. Durfy alone
to manage his black Troop as well as he could.
Spriggs having got Proviſions and Necesſaries out
of the Veliels lately taken, he alter'd his Voyage,
becaufe of the cold Weather and hard Galcs of
Wind, and came into a warmer Latitude; and
having clean'd and refresh'd at a ſmall Iſland, he
with his Company agceci to pay another Viſit to
the Bay of Hous, where he went and took fixteen
Vellels, one of which, commanded by Cipr. Kelloy,
he burnt, to whom he gare the longboat beloging
to his Ship for his whole Company, and it being
fair Weather, they all came fafe to the uninhabited
Iſland of Bonaco, where they ſaid till a Sloop came
by and took them off the said inand.
Spriggs and Shipton left the Bay that Night, in or-
der to have gone to the Birlami lands, but off the
Weſt End of Cuba was met with again by the afore-
ſaid Man of War, who chac'd them over to the
Florida Shore, where Shipton's Sloop run aground
and was loft. The Men got ſafe to Land, but fal-
ling into the Hands of the Indians, they kill'd aid
eat 16 of them, and carried about 49 to the Ha-
vana. Slipton, the Captain, and 12 more, got off in
a Canoe, but being purſued by the Man of War's
Boat, he was forcd to quit her again, and the Ca-
noe; with four Negroes, and one lyrate, and about
2000 l. in Gold, fell a Prizę to the Dimond.
As to Sprigg, he got clear off, and luild towards
the Main, took ſeveral more Prizes, but was.claced
athore again upon Rattan, by the Sper:ce, who burnt
the Veifel, but the Crew eicap'd to the Woods.
C H A P.


420 Of Capt. SMITH, alias Gow.
LA
two more out of the Ship, but not ſuſpecting
Smith, continued him in his Poft, and made James
bdlu n Boatfiain in Sman's Room.
On the first of Augult, 1724, the Ship faild from
the Texel, with a great Sum of Money on-board,
to purchase a Cargo at S.znela Cruz, in Barbary,
from whence ſhe was to fail up the lediterranean
to Alarleilles; which Voyage, lowever, Smith liad
a Deſign of altering, by leizing the ship at hier
firſt coming out; but loſing his Friend Siwan, he
could not venture to attempt it then, and there-
fore relolved to defer it only till a fitter Oppor-
tunity thould happen.
Captain Ferneau was a pecvilh old Man, very co-
vetous, and in Confequence of it, pinching to his
Mer, in the Article of Eating, giving them a very
ſcanty Allowance, that occafioned a general Mur-
muring amongſt them; Smith the lecond Mate
took Care to improve this Milunderſtanding bc-
tween the Captain and Crew all he could, and
work'd them up to ſuch a Pitch, that in meer Rc-
verge, they were ready to do any thing that is
molt milchievous. On the other Hand, old Fer-
1:0.1:1, reſolved not to abate one Tittle of his Ri.
gour, but threatened to punish feverely the Mu-
tuneers, if they perfifted.
Threats and Menaces being over on both sides,
Matters feem'd to be hull' up, and the People
appeared pretty caly, yet Smith loft not a Minute
of l'ime, but purſued his purpose till he had got
fix of the Hands, viz. James Williams a Welchman,
Danie! Mc Comley an Irishman, William Melvin a
Scotchman, Pcter Ramlifuri and James Il'inter, Siveles,
anci Ichn Peterſon a Dare, into the Conſpiracy of
murdering all the Officers and carrying off the
Ship; not doubting but more of the Crew would
be willing to enter into their Meaſures, when they
found all Difficulties removed out of their Way.
On


of Capt. SMITH, alias Goir.
421
On the third of November, the George Galley having
got her lading of Wax, coc. weigh'd niom Sancta
Cruz, in order to fail for the Streiglars, but at ten
that Niglie was the Time they fix'd for their blocdy
Execution, when all the Perfors to be facrifica
were alleep, cxccpt Captain Forucu, who then had
the Watch upol Deck; accordingly, I'inter went
down to Thumas Guy, tlic Surgeon; Peterfin to :he
Chicf Niate, Banadventure Jelplis ; and Daniel dic
Camlry to the poor Schrivan, and presently cut
their' Throats; mean while, Melvin and Rexl.fin
leiz'd the Captain to throw him ovir pard, but in
ſtruggling, he got away from them, tho' meeting
Winter with the bloody Knife in his Hand, had a
Gati in his Throat from him, but it miſling his
Windpipe, the two former laid hold of him again,
and enücavour'd to throw him into the Sea ; but he
ſtill ſtruggling with the Murderers, Smith came up
with a Pistol and thor him thro' thic Boily. Thie
three whoſe Throats were cut between Decks, or
in the Hold, did not die immediately, but crawl.
ing upon Deck were there diſpatch'd with Piſtols
by Williams, and all thrown over-board. The
Schrivan or Clerk deſired carneſtly to live till he
had faid his Prayers, but the Villains not moved
thereat, tiid, you, this is no Time to pray,
and to thot him dead.
While this scene was acting, they ſecured Belvin
the Boattivain, Alurphy the Carpenter, with Pbinnis
and Booth who were upon the Watch, in the great
Cablin; and threatened tlic reſt with Death if
they firred from their Hamniocł:s, ſo that there
was not the Icaſt Oppoſition o:fered. When all
was over, all Hands were call'd upon Deck, aid
and Smith being declared Captain, laid to them, If
berefter, I ſee any of you whiſpering together, you jl.dll
be ſerved in the forme Manucr, as sooje shut are gone
before,
Thus
Dd3
1


422 Of Capt. SMITH alias Gow.
had
Thus : hey let out upon their pyratical Advene
tures, new named the Ship, the Revenge, and ſteer'd,
away to the North Eaſtward, in Queit of Bulinels.
The firſt Prize they took was on the 18th of
Novemler, off Cafe St. Vincent, belonging to Pool,
Th:mas IViſe Mafter, from Newfoundland to Cadiz,
Jaden with Filh, which was of no great Value to
them; ſo they took out the Men, with the An-
chors, Cables, Sails, and what elſe they found fit
for their Purpote, and funk the Verlel.
Stardi.ş away to the Northward, lome Diys af-
ter this, they came up with a Scorch Snow, tiom
Glaſcorr, leader with Ferrings and Salmous for
Grr.o., one Nir. John Somerville Maſter; this Veifel
was lihewife but of litte Value to them, 10 they
tok what they thought fit out oi her, and all
the Men, and lurk her, as they did the Sloop, to
prevent their giving any Intelligence of them
when they c.:me into Port.
They ciuiied off and on eight or ten Days af-
terwards without ſeeing a Vencl, and therefore
reli:lved to ſtand more to the Northward on the
Coift of Gallicin, in order 10 meet with a l'esfel
loaded with Wine, which they were in great Want
of. In a little Tinic they law ii Sail, that appear'd
to be about as big as their own Ship, which they
inmediately give Cliace to, and the Veiſel per-
ceiving it, crouded from tliem with all the Sail
they could make, hoified up Fierch Colours, and
ſtood away to the Southwarii.
The French:m.1: fiiling well, hell the Pyrates
along for three Days, and at lait loét thicm in thick
hazey Weather ; for which, could they have taken
them, no doubt every one of the Crew had been
murdered for their Pains. This ran tliem fo får
off the Coaſt, and being greatly dilappointed, and
in Want of Water as well as (Vine, "twas judly'd
convenier.t to go for the lideras, which Illand
they


Of Capt. SMITH alias Goir. -423
o
이
​they made two Days afterwards. They crui ed
off here three or four Diys, but nothing ſtirring
out in that Time, a d boilig tid wi:h Expura-
tion, ſtood into the Road, and came to an An-
chor, lending their Boat in towar.s the Shore,
arm 1, to tiy if they could not board one of
the Ships and billig her vif; but they rendering
themselves luipecced by their Manner of working,
found no Opportunity to put their Deſigas in
Practice.
Having ſpent ſome Days to no Purpoſe, ard be.
ing under a Necetlity to make an Attempt fomc
where, for they were reduced to a very imall Al.
lowance ; they weigh'd from that Road, and beat
up to Porto Sarito, about ten Leagues to (Vir.dward
or Maderas, belonging allo to tiie Portugueſe. Here
putting up Engliſ Colours, they léne their Boat
athore with Captain Somerville's Bill of Health,
and a Prelent to the Governor of three Barrels of
Salmon, and ſix of Herrings, and a civil Meilige,
deſiring leave to water and buy Refreſhin.ents,
on Pretence of being bound to the Wi'e?-Indies.
The Governor receiving this Compliment kind-
ly, not only granted the Requeſt made to hir,
but went himſelf to pay his Compliments to the
Engliſl
, Captain, with leveral of his people. Smith
received them landſomely enough, and entertainel
them with the beſt the Ship afforded, without give
ing any Suſpicion, till the Governor' going to take
Leave, and the Proviſions not coming off, he
thought it neceſary to pull off the Mask, where-
upon a Parcel of Feilows immediately, by his Or .
der, lurrounded them with Fire-Arms, and Cap-
tizin Smith let them know they were to be his
Prisoners, till the Water and Proviſions, which
were promited, cime aboard.
IN
Dd4
Thc


.: 424 Of Capt. SMITH alias GOTV.
The next morning, co the Satisiäction of all
Parties, a great Boat canie off with a Co.v and
Calf, a good Number of Fowls, and leven Butts
of Water, which they paid ror in Bees-Wax, and
thereupon the Priſoners were all ditcharged, and
the Governor faluted with five Guns.it parting.
Having met with no better Succeſs in this kun,
they relolvd again for the Coaſt of Spain and
Ponisal, lo kiris upon it as a g: eat Hardthip to be
kept lo long from good Liquor ; the efore they
failed the next Day, and coming within twenty
eight Leagues of the Coaſt, they took on the 18th
of December, tie Darchulor, a Non-England Ship, Ben-
j.zmin Ciofs Commander, bound in for Lisbon ; but
ihis not being a Prize they wanted, the Rogue
begin to be very much diſcouraged; however,
they took Captain Croſs and his Men out, and gave
the Ship to Captain Il’iſe; the pool Min, and lent
with him all his Men, giving them thirty two
Cerors of Wax, which belongd to the Dutch Mer-
chants, to make them Amends for their Loſs.
Eight or nine Days after this, they met with
a French Ship from Cadiz, laden with Wine, Oyl,
and Fruit, about twenty Leagues off the Nor-
thern Cafe, called the Lewis and Iofeph, Henry Mens
Maſter; this was what they looked for, ſo they
maun'd her with some of their own Men and
itood out to Sea, that they might rifle her with
more Salety, they being then too rear the Land.
They took out of her the French Captain and all
his Men, being twelve in Number, hifted the
beſt part of the Cargo, with five Guns, all his
Ammunition, Imall Arms, the beſt of the Stores,
Coc. and gave the Ship to Captain Somerville, and
Captain Croſs with his Men, and fixtec. Cerons of
Wax, to be ſhared among them in the Maurier
they appointed.
The


Of Capt. SMITH alias Gow. 425
fi
T.
101
fo
2017
IW
co
le
1
0
The next Day after theſe Affairs were ſettled,
they ſaw a large Ship to Windward, bearing down
as it were upon them, which at firſt put them
into a Surprize, thinking ſhe had been a Portugueſe
Man of War, but perceiving the kept on her own
Courſe, they lay by till they made her to be a
French Merchant Ship, and, as they fuppoſed,
bound home from the IVest-Indies; however, ſhe
was a Ship of ſuperior Force to Smith, and there.
fore, he declin’d attacking her, giving for Reaſons
to the Gang, That they were as yet but indiffc-
rently mann'd, and ſome of them Perſons they
could not confide in ; that they had a great Num-
ber of Priſoners on-board, and that they were
not in any Reſpect, at this Time, under a Neceſſi-
ty of making ſuch hazardous Attempts as this
muſt be allow'd to be.
Almoſt all were of Smith's Mind, and agreed
to leave her ; but Williarns, his Lieutenant, ftrenu.
ouſly oppos’d it, flew into a great Rage, upbraid-
ed the Captain with Cowardice, propos'd firſt to
cut all the Priſoners Throats, and then to fight the
Ship, and demanding boldly of Smith to give Or-
ders accordingly, and he ſtill declining to do it,
Williams fiap'd a Piſtol at his Head, which how-
ever did not go off. Winter and Peterſon ſtanding
near theni, and feeing Williams ſo furious, flew at
him immediately, and each of them fired a Piſtol
at him, one ſhot him thro' the Arm, and the
other into his Belly, at which he fell, and the Mer,
thinking him to be killed, laid hold of him to
throw him over-board, but as they lifted hiin up,
he ſtarted violently out of their Hands, leaped
down into the Hold, and from thence ran deipe.
rately to the Powder-Room, with his Piſtol cock'd
in his Hand, to blow up the Ship, but was fortu-
nately ſeiz'd' juſt as he had got the Scutele open to
put his Rcfolution in Pra&tice.
Having
ICC
V
G


Of Capt. SMITH alias Gow. 434
Yohn Winter, and William Melvin were executed at
Exccution-Deck in Wapping, as was a few Days after.
wards, Alexander Rob; who enter'd wit'i them from!
one of their Prizes, and the two firſt afterwards
hang'd in Chains.
9
2032*28282828282828282828
1
AR
A
ܐܐ
A Relation of five Men ſetting up for a
Company of PYRATES.
Brigantine belonging to Briſtol, of which
Mr. Ronry was Maſter, had been trading to s
Gambia in Africa, and falling as low as bu
Cape Mount, to finiſh the ilaving of the Velel, he le
had, by a Misfortune uſual at that part of the :
Coaſt, his Mate, Surgeon, and two more of his
Men, * Panyarr’d by the Negrocy. The Remainder
of his Company, which was but Five in Num.
ber, took this Opportunity, and ſeiz'd the Verlel o
in the Road, making the Maſter Priſoner.
You will think it prodigious impudent that fo
ſmall a Number ſhould undertake to proceed a f
pyrating, eſpecially when neither of them had ſufi
ficient Skill in Navigation : Yet this they did, leac a
ving thoſe people, their ship-Mates abovemention’d,
to the Mercy of the barbarous Natives, and failla
away down the Coaſt, making them a black Flag,
which they merrily ſaid, would be as good as fitiy
Men more, i. e. would carry as much Terror; and
that they did not doubt of foon increaſing their
Creiv, to put them in an enterprizing Capacity;
but their vain Projection was foon happily fruſtrated,
and after this Manner.
Hi Term for foaling of men afed all over the world
Eez
The


( 436 )
1
Rocbe getting acquainted with one Neal, a Fiſher.
man, at Cork, whom he found ready for any vil.
lainous Attempt, he imparted his Deſign to him,
who beirg pleas’d with the Project, brings one
Pierce Cullen and his Brother into the Confederacy,
together with o..e Wiſe, who at firſt was very un-
willing to come into their Meaſures, and, indeed,
s had the leait Hand in the Perpetration of what
follows.
They pitch'd upo: a Vefſel in the Harbour,
is beloiging to Peter Tartove, a Frenchman, to execute
their cruel Intentions upon, becauſe it was a ſmall
one, and had not a great Number of Hands on
Board, and 'twas eaſy afterwards to exchange it
for one more fit for Pyracy; and therefore they
$apply'd themſelves to the Maſter of her, for
e Paiſage to Nantz; whereto the Ship was bound;
and accordingly, the Beginning of November, 172!,
they went aboard ; and when at Sea, Philip Roche
being an experienced Sailor, the Maſter of the
Vetiel readily truſted him with the Care of her,
at Timcs, while he and the Mate went to reſt.
The isth of November, at Night, was the Time
deſigned for the Tragedy ; but Francis Wife re-
lented, and appear'd deſirous to divert them from
their bloody Purpoſes. Roche (ſometimes call'd
# Captain) told him, That as Cullen and he had fu-
ſtained great Losſes at Sea, unleſs every Iriſhman
prc-
fent rould afiſt in repairing their Löffes, by murther-
ing all the French Rogaes, and running away with the
- Ship, he should ſuffer the ſame Fate with the Frencken
men; but if all mould affift, all faould have a share in
the Booty. Upon this, they all reſolved alike, and
Captain Roche ordered three Frenchmen and a Boy
up to hand the Topfails, (the Maſter and Mate being
then afleep in their Cabins) and the two firſt that
came down again, they beat out their Brains and
threw them over-board : The other two ſeeing
whac.
7
hy
.


(-437 )
what was done, ran up to the Topmaſt Head, but
Cullen followed them, and taking the Boy by the
Arm, tots'd him into the Sea ; then driving down
the Man, thoſe below knocked him on the Head,
and threw him over-board.
Thoſe who were aſleep, being awakened by the
diſmal Scrieks and Groans of dying Men, ran up
on Deck in Confuſion, to enquire into the Caule
of ſuch unuſual Noiſes; but the ſame Cruelty
was immediately afted upon them, e'er they could
be ſenſible of the Danger that threat'ned them.
They were now (as Roche himſelf afterwards
confeſs’d) all over as wet with the Blood that had been
ſpill’d, as if they had been dipp'd in Water, or ſtood in
& Shower of Rain, nor did they regard it any more.
Roche ſaid, Captain Tartoue uled many Words for
Mercy, and ask'd them, if he had not uſed them
with Civility and Kindueſs? If they were not of
the ſame Chriſtian Religion, and owned the fame
bleſſed Jeſus, and the like? But they, not regard-
ing what he ſaid, took Cords and bound the poor
Maſter and his Mate Back to Back, and while
that was doing, both of them begg'd with the
. utmoſt Earneſtneſs, and uſed the most folemn In.
treaties, that they would at leaſt allow them a
few Minutes to ſay their Prayers, and beg Mercy
of God for the various Sins and Offences of their
Lives: But it did not move them, (though all
the reſt were dead, and 110 Danger could be ap-
prehended from them two alone) for the bound
Perſons were hurried up and thrown into the Sea.
The Maſſacre being finiſhed, they waſhed them.
ſelves a little from the Blood, and ſearch'd the
Cheſts and Lockers, and all Places about the ship,
and then fet down in the Captain's Cabin, and re.
freſhed themſelves with fome Rum they found
there, and' (as Roche conferred) were never merrier
in their Lives. They inveſted Roche with thic
Coon
Ee4


( 441 )
themſelves pretty ſecure; but wanting Money to
defray the Charge of theſe Alterations, Rocke, as
Maſter of the Veſſel, and Andrexo Cullen, as Mer-
chant, apply themſelves to the Officers of the Cu-
ſtoms for Liberty to diſpoſe of ſome of the Car.
go, in order to pay the Workmen;, which they
having obtained, they told fifty eight Barrels of
Beef, and having three more Hands, they ſet Sail
for Oſtend, and there having ſold more Barrels of
Beef, they fteer their Courſe to Rotterdam, diſpoſe
of the reſt of the Cargo, and took in one Mr. An-
nefly, who freighted the Ship for England; but in
their Paſſage, in a ſtormy Night, it being very
dark, they took up Mr. Anneſly, their Paſſenger, and
threw him into the Sea, who liam about the Ship
a pretty while, calling out for Life, and telling
them they should have all his Goods, if they
would receive him again into the Veſſel : But in
vain were his Crics !
After this, they were obliged to put into ſeve-
ral Ports, and by contrary Winds, came to the
Coaſt of France ; Roche hearing there was an En.
quiry made after the Ship, quits her at Hævre de
Grace, and leaves the Management to Cullen and the
reft; who having ſhipp'd other Men, fail'd away
to Scotland, and there they quitted the Veſſel, which
was afterwards ſeized and brought into the River
of Thames.
Some Time after this, Philip Roche came to Lon-
don, and making fome Claim for Money, he had
made Inſurance of, in the Name of John Euſtace,
the Office was apprized of the Fraud, and the
pretended John Eujt ace was arreſted and flung in-
to the Compter ; from whence directing a Letter
to his Wife, ſhe ſhewed it to a Friend, who diſ-
covered by it, that he was the principal Villain
concerned in the Deſtruction of Peter Tartove, and
the Ciew. Upon this, an Information was given .
to


( 438 )
to my Lord Carteret, that the Perſon who went by
the Name of John Euſtace,. was Philip Roche, as afore-
dàid; buc being brought down by his Lordſhip's
Warrant; he ſtifly denied it for ſome Timae, not-
withſtanding a Letter was in his Pocket, directed
to him by the Name of Roche ; till being con-
fronted by a Captain of a Ship, who knew him
well, he confeſſed it, but prevaricated in ſeveral
Particulars; whereupon he was committed to Nero
gate upon violent Suſpicion, and the next Day was
brought down again at his own Requeft, confefled
the whole, deſired to be made an Evidence, and
promiſed to conviết three Men worſe than himſelf.
1. Two were diſcovered by him, who died miſerably
in the Marſhalfen, and Roche himſelf was afterwards
try'd, (no more being taken,) found Guilty of
the Pyracy, and executed.
362
i
.
Au


( 439 )
An ABSTRACT of the Civil Law
and Statute Law now in Force, in
Relation to PYRACY.
F
PTRATE is Hoftis humanis generis,
a common Enemy, with whom neither Faith
nor Oath is to be kept, according to Tully.
And by the Laws of Nature, Princes and
States are reſponſible for their Neglelt, if they do not
Provide Remedies for reſtraining thoſe Sort of Robberies.
Though Pyrates are called common Enemies, yet they are
properly not to be term'd for He is only to be honour'd,
with that Name, Says Cicero, who hatha Commonwealth,
A Court, a Treaſury, Conſent and Concord of Citizens,
and ſome way, if Occaſion be, of Peace and League:
But when they have reduced themſelves into a Govern.
"ment or State, as thoſe of Algier, Sally, Tripoly,
Tunis, and the like, they then are allow'd the Solemnities
of War, and the Rights of Legation.
If Letters of Marque be granted to a Merchant,
and be furniſhes out a ship, with a Captain and Maria
ners, and they, inſtead of taking the Goods, or Ships of
that Nation againſt whom their Commiſion is awarded
,
"take the ship and Goods of a Friend, this is Pyracy i,
and if the ship arrive in any part of his Majefy
Dominions, it will be ſeized, and for coer 'loſt to obe
Owners; but they are so Way liable to make Soetisa
faction.
1


三
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1