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diff --git a/57005-0.txt b/57005-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2c68aed --- /dev/null +++ b/57005-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12125 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 57005 *** + + + + + + + + + + [Illustration: A Map of the _Middle Part OF_ AMERICA] + + + + + THE + HISTORY + OF THE + PYRATES, + + + Containing the LIVES of + + Captain _Misson_. Captain _Fly_. + Captain _Bowen_. Captain _Howard_. + Captain _Kidd_. Captain _Lewis_. + Captain _Tew_. Captain _Cornelius_. + Captain _Halsey_. Captain _Williams_. + Captain _White_. Captain _Burgess_. + Captain _Condent_. Captain _North_. + Captain _Bellamy_. + + And their several CREWS. + + Intermix'd with a + +Description of MAGADOXA in _Ethiopia_; the natural Hatred and Cruelty of +the Inhabitants to all Whites; their Laws, Manners, Customs, Government +and Religion: With a particular ACCOUNT of the beautiful Tombs, and +their Ceremony of guarding them, taken from Captain _Beavis_'s Journal; +and that of a Molotto, who belong'd to the said Captain, was taken by, +and lived several Years with the MAGADOXIANS. + + To the Whole is added + +An APPENDIX, which compleats the Lives of the first Volume, corrects +some Mistakes; and contains the Tryal and Execution of the Pyrates at +_Providence_; under Governor _Rogers_; with some other necessary +Insertions, which did not come to Hand till after the Publication of the +first Volume, and which makes up what was defective. Collected from +Journals of Pyrates, brought away by a Person who was taken by, and +forc'd to live with them 12 Years; and from those of Commanders, who had +fallen into their Hands, some of whom have permitted their Names to be +made use of, as a Proof of the Veracity of what we have published. The +Whole instructive and entertaining. + + VOL. II. + + + By Capt. CHARLES JOHNSON, Author of Vol. I. + + _Omne tulit punctum, qui miscuit utile dulci._ Hor. + + + LONDON: + Printed for, and Sold by T. WOODWARD, at the _Half-moon_, + over-against St. _Dunstan_'s Church, _Fleet-street_. + + + + + THE + CONTENTS. + + +_N. B._ From 144 exclusive, to 272 inclusive, when you seek for any +Reference add 16 to Number of the Page in the Contents, and it will mend +the Error of the Press. + + + Of Captain MISSON. + +His Birth and Education, p. 1, 2. He goes on board the _Victoire_, ib. +Visits _Rome_, is acquainted with a lewd Priest, 3. The Saying of a +Cardinal, 4. _Misson_ carries _Caraccioli_ to _Leghorn_, ib. The +_Victoire_ engages two Sally Men, _Caraccioli_ wounded, 5. _Misson_ +returns home; a short Description of _Marseilles_; _Misson_ and his +Companion go on board the _Triumph_, 6. The _Mayflower_, Capt. +_Balladine_ taken; the _French_ Captain's Behaviour to the _English_ +Prisoners; his remarkable Speech, 7. The _Port Royal_, an _English_ +_Jamaica_ Man, chas'd; the _Triumph_ returns to _Brest_, strikes on a +Rock; a short Description of the Town and Harbour; she goes thence to +_Rochel_; _Misson_ and his Companion take their Departure for the _West +Indies_, 8. The Reason for Circumcision, 9. New Thoughts of a future +State, 10. The first Foundation of Monarchy, 11. The _Winchelsea_, an +_English_ Man of War, blown up; _Misson_ saluted Captain, 12. +_Caraccioli_ chosen Lieutenant; the Captain harangues his Crew; the +Resolution taken by all to turn Pyrates, 13. The Character of a good and +bad Magistrate, 13, 14. A Defence of Pyracy; the black Ensign rejected, +a new one devised; a Present of Plate made to _Misson_, 16. _Misson_'s +Speech to his Men, 17. He declares War against all the World; they take +a _Boston_ Sloop off St. _Christophers_, 18. A _Jamaica_ Privateer taken +by Stratagem, 19. The Privateer discharged; meets with and turns back +the _Diana_; the _Victoire_ engages two _Dutchmen_ between _Carthagena_ +and _Porto Bello_, 20, 21. One of the _Dutchmen_ sunk, the other taken; +_Caraccioli_ goes ashore at _Carthagena_, 22. The Prize sold to the +_Spaniards_, 23. Two _English_ Men of War on the Point of engaging each +other, 23, 24. _Misson_ goes in the Pursuit of a Galleon but misses her; +14 Men out of the _Dutch_ Prize take on with the Pyrates; they take a +_Jamaica_ Merchant Man in the Gulf of _Florida_, discharge the Ship with +little Damage, 25. 12 _French_ Prisoners out of the Prize join _Misson_; +his Generosity to the Prisoners; heaves down his Ship, 26. The Course +they should steer put to the Vote, and resolved for the _Guiney_ Coast, +27. The _Niewstadt_ taken and detain'd; the Captain's Speech, the Slaves +made free, 28. _Misson_ goes into _Logoa_ Bay, cleans the _Victoire_ and +his Prize, 29. His Speech to the _Dutch_, 29, 30. The Pyrates take +another _Dutch_ Ship on the Coast of _Angola_, plunders and sink her; he +sends away his Prisoners in the first Prize; 11 _Dutch_ take on with +_Misson_, 31. He takes an _English_ Ship, the Captain killed in the +Engagement, and buried in _Soldinia_ Bay; the Ceremony of his Funeral; +30 _English_ enter with the Pyrates, 32. _Caraccioli_ made Captain of +the Prize; the rest of the _English_ come over, Officers excepted; they +cruize off _Johanna_; save the Crew of an _English_ Ship; they are +kindly received at _Johanna_, 33. The Policy of the Pyrates; _Misson_, +_Caraccioli_, and several of their Men take Wives; some stay on this, +others join _Misson_; the King of _Mohila_ invades the _Johannians_, 34. +The _Mohilians_ defeated; _Misson_ sails for _Mohila_, 35. Lands and +does great Damage; the Queen of _Johanna_'s Request contrary to +_Misson_'s Views, 36. Ambassadors from _Mohila_; a remarkable Speech of +one of them, 37. Treachery of the _Mohilians_, 38. _Caraccioli_ wounded, +39. Stratagem of the King of _Mohila_ to excuse himself; the Opinion of +the _Johannians_; a second Landing, 39, 40. The Pyrates return to +_Johanna_; the conjugal Affection of a _Johanna_ Woman, 41. The Manner +of her Suicide, 42. They resolve for the Coast of _Zanguebar_, 43. They +take a _Portuguese_ Ship; _Caraccioli_ looses his right Leg; they return +to _Johanna_; _Misson_ sails for _Madagascar_, enters the Bay to the +Northward of _Diego Suarez_, 44. Pitches on a Place for settling, and +return to _Johanna_, 45. His Demand of the _Johannians_, and their +Compliance, 45, 46. They go to _Madagascar_; begin to settle; meet with +a Native, 47. They come with a Village, 48. + + + Of Captain BOWEN. + +Takes the _Coneway_ near _Collequilon_, 49. Steers for _Madagascar_, +looses his Ship off, and is entertain'd by the Governor at, _Mauritius_; +buys a Vessel, goes to _Madagascar_, settles at _Maritan_, 50. Surprizes +the _Speedy Return_, a _Scots_ Ship, 51. Captain _Green_ driven into +_Scotland_, suspected of pyratically taking the _Scots_ Ship, 52. The +Evidence against _Green_, 53. That Evidence refuted, 54, 55. Captain +_Green_, _&c._ condemned, 55. Their Treatment after Sentence, 55, 56. +_Haines_ and _Linseys_ forced Confession, 56. The _Roper_ Galley brings +home two of the _Speedy Return_'s Crew; the Commotions among the common +People, and Execution of _Green_, _Madder_, _Sympson_, 57. Captain +_Green_'s Speech, 58. _Bowen_ sails for _Mascarenas_, is disappointed in +his Hopes, _ib._ Looses Company of his Brigantine; sails for +_Mauritius_; comes back to _Madagascar_ join'd by the Brigantine, which +they condemn and burn; hears of Captain _Howard_, 59. Sails in Search of +_Howard_, meets with him at _Mayotta_; they take the _Pembroke_, and +after plundering let her go, 60. Capt. _Whaley_, falsely printed +_Woolley_, detain'd; the _Speedy Return_ goes to _Madagascar_ to clean; +coming back and missing their Comrade they steer for the _Red Sea_, 61. +Join the _Prosperous_ off the Highland of St. _John_; _Bowen_ takes a +_Moor_ Ship; the _Prosperous_ separated by the Chase joins them, both +Ships burnt, and both Crews go on board the Prize, 62. The Villany of a +_Dutchman_, 63. Captain _Whaley_ discharged; the _Pembroke_ a second +Time plunder'd; the Pyrates go to _Mauritius_; two of _Drummond_'s Crew +get away, who were fruitless Evidences for Capt. _Green_, 64. + + + Of Captain WILLIAM KID. + +Commanded a Privateer in the _West-Indies_, recommended to the +Government by Lord _Bellamont_, &c. 65. Not encouraged, he is sent out +in a private Man of War with the King's Commission, 66, 67, 68. He sails +for _New York_, in his Way takes a _French_ Banker arrived there, ships +more Hands, 68. Sails to _Maderas_, _Bonavista_, _Cape de Verd_ Islands, +and _Madagascar_; meets 3 _English_ Men of War; meets with nothing at +_Madagascar_; goes to the _Malabar_ Coast, cruizes about _Mohila_ and +_Johanna_, borrows Money and repairs his Ship, 69. At _Mabbee_ he takes +some Corn; from thence steers for _Bab_'s Key; he sends a Boat along the +Coast, and gains Intelligence, 70. He falls in with a Fleet, but is +obliged to sheer off; goes to the _Malabar_ Coast, takes a _Moorish_ +Vessel; treats the Men cruelly, and discharges the Vessel; touches at +_Carawar_, and is suspected of Pyracy, 71. Engages a _Portuguese_ Man of +War sent after him and gets off; takes a _Moor_ Ship, under Pretence of +her being _French_, 72. Keeps Company with a _Dutch_ Ship; quarrels with +and kills his Gunner; plunders a _Portuguese_ Ship on the _Malabar_ +Coast and lets her go; his Cooper is murder'd in one of the _Malabar_ +Islands; he burns and pillages several Houses; commands a Native to be +shot, 73. He takes the _Queda_, and shares 200 l. a Man amongst his +Crew, 74. He cheats the _Indians_; goes to _Madagascar_; meets there +_Culliford_ the Pyrate, shifts into the _Queda_, and shares the rest of +her Cargo, 75. His Men desert from him to 40; goes to _Amboyna_, hears +he is declared a Pyrate in _England_; Lord _Bellamont_ prints his +Justification; a Pardon granted to Pyrates, _Avery_ and _Kid_ excepted, +76. _Kid_ goes to, and is secured at _New York_; some of his Crew +depending on the Pardon, are confined; sent to _England_ and condemn'd, +3 excepted, 77. A Distinction of the Lawyers; _Kid_ found guilty of the +Murder of his Gunner; some plead the King's Pardon to no Purpose, 78. +_Mullins_ his Plea, 78, 79. _Kid_'s Plea useless, he and his Men +indicted, executed, 80. + + + Of Captain TEW. + +Reason for breaking off Capt. _Misson_'s Life, his Adventures continued, +81. _Misson_'s Crew correspond with the Natives; _Misson_ goes to Sea +again, meets a _Portuguese_ Ship of 50 Guns, 82. After an obstinate +Engagement makes her Prize, 83. He meets Captain _Tew_, 84. _Tew_ set +out by the Governor of _Bermudas_, with Captain _Drew_; they are parted +in a Storm; he proposes to his Men the going on the Account, 85. _Tew_ +steers for the _Red Seas_; meets with and takes a rich Prize, 86, 87. +The Pyrates share out of her 3000 l. a Man; the Quarter Master and 23 +Men settle at _Madagascar_; _Tew_ goes with _Misson_, 87. Account of +Proceedings ashore, 88. The Prisoners discharged, 89, 90. _Tew_ goes to +the _Guiney_ Coast, makes two Prizes and returns, 91. _Misson_ builds +two Sloops, 92. Some Natives settle among those of the Colony, +_Caraccioli_ goes to _Mascarenas_ returns with a _Dutch_ Prize; _Misson_ +sails to the Northward, meets a Ship of the great _Mogul_'s, 93. Shapes +his Course with his Prize for _Madagascar_; is overtaken with a Storm, +94. Arrive at their Settlement; the _Victoire_ rebuilt; the Settlement +attack'd, 95. The Disposition of their Forces; they repel and pursue the +Invaders, 96. The Pyrates take a Ship and execute two Prisoners, 97. +_Caraccioli_'s Speech, 98, 99. Some Difference arises among the _French_ +and _English_, and is accommodated; a general Assembly called, 99. A +Form of Government propos'd and enter'd upon; a Council chosen and a +Council-house built; _Caraccioli_ opens the Session with a Speech, 100. +Great Officers and a privy Council chosen, 101. _Tew_ goes to Sea; +speaks with his old Quarter-Master, 102. The Quarter Master's Discourse +to him, 103. The Quarter Master's Reasons for settling at _Madagascar_, +104, 105. The _Victoire_ and her Crew lost; _Tew_ stays 3 Months with +his old Companions; meets Captain _Misson_, 106. He tells _Tew_ the +Misfortune of the Colony; offers him one of the Sloops, 107. _Misson_ +shares the Treasure; they shape their Course for the _Guiney_ Coast; +_Misson_ perishes in a Storm; _Tew_ arrives at _Rhode Island_; satisfies +his Owners; how these Papers came to the Author's Hand; _Tew_ persuaded +to go out again, 108. He meets a Ship in the Streights of the _Red Sea_; +is kill'd in the Engagement, and his Men surrender, 109. + + + Of Captain HALSEY. + +His Birth; he goes out with a Commission; takes a _French_ Banker, goes +to _Fial_ and the _Canary_ Islands; makes Prize at _Barca Longa_; goes +to _Bravo_, turns his Lieutenant ashore, steers for _Madagascar_, takes +in some Ship-wreck'd Men; makes for the _Red Seas_, 110. Meets with and +keeps Company with a _Dutch_ Ship; is broken by his Crew; is reinstated +in his Command; steers for _Nicobar_ Island; takes the _Buffalo_; +Captain _Buckley_ dies, 111. Takes Captain _Collins_; on a Dispute his +Crew divides; Part go for _Madagascar_; _Halsey_ steers for the +Streights of _Malacca_; wants Courage to attack two different Ships; he +chases and is chased by the _Albemarle_, 112. Makes for _Madagascar_, +falls in with _Mascarenas_; arrives at _Madagascar_, meets with the +_Buffalo_ and Captain _White_; augments his Company; sets out again for +the _Red Seas_; stops at _Johanna_; narrowly escapes being taken; takes +a Grab, 113. Takes the _Rising Eagle_, the Captain of her, chief Mate, +and Purser, killed; Capt. _Jago_'s Cowardice, 114. The second Mate of +the Prize shoots a Pyrate after striking; they chase and take the +_Essex_; make a great Booty in Money; discharge the Prizes, are civil to +the Passengers, and return to _Madagascar_, 115. A Ships comes from +_Maderass_, another from _Scotland_ to trade with, and the latter is +surprized by the Pyrates; a Hurricane happens; _Burgiss_'s Treachery, +116. The _Maderass_ Ship seized, and afterwards sent away; _Halsey_'s +Death, 117. His funeral Ceremony, 118. + + + Of Captain THOMAS WHITE. + +His Birth and Education; his first Employment; he is taken by a _French_ +Pyrate and detain'd; they sink their own Vessel, and afterwards burn +_White_'s Brigantine, 119. Cruelty of the Pyrates to the _English_ +Prisoners; _White_ narrowly escapes being shot; his Protector murder'd; +the Pyrates steer for _Madagascar_, loose their Ship at _Elexa_; _White_ +and some other Prisoners get to _Augustine_ Bay, 120. They are obliged +by the King of _Bavaw_ to enter on board _Read_ the Pyrate; a Number of +the _French_ Pyrates cut off, the rest made Slaves by the Natives; +_Read_ goes to the Gulf of _Persia_, takes a Grab; throws over board a +Quantity of Gold, 121. _Read_ dies; succeeded by _James_; the Grab +turn'd into a Ship at _Mayotta_. The _Ruby East-India_ Man lost; the +Pyrates go for _Madagascar_; meet _Fourgette_'s Vessel, 122. The Manner +of taking this Vessel, 122, 123. They go to St. _Mary_'s; Captain +_Misson_ and his Crew cut off; the two Ships join Company; come to an +Anchor in _Methelage_, a large Ship enters the River, 124. Freights the +Pyrates; one of their Ships sunk; the Vanity and Behaviour of the +Captain of the _Speaker_, 125. The Purser of the _Speaker_ taken +Prisoner and released; Treachery of _Hugh Man_, 126. The _Speaker_ +surpriz'd, 127. _Fourgette_'s Ship given to the Captain of the +_Speaker_; the Punctuality of the Pyrates; Death of the Captain of the +_Speaker_; the Pyrates make for the _East Indies_; stop on the Coast of +_Zanguebar_, 128. Capt. _Booth_ and twenty other Pyrates murdered, +_Bowen_ succeeds him; in the Mouth of the _Red Seas_ fall in with 13 +Sail, 129. A Dispute arises; they take a _Moor_'s Ship; they go to the +_Malabar_ Coast; _White_ goes on board the _Prosperous_; the Boatswain's +Mates Treachery; the Captain and Chief Mate of the _Prosperous_ kill'd, +130. _White_ left ashore; goes for _Methelage_, 131. Some of his +Comrades leave him; he returns to _Methelage_, join'd by three other +Pyrates, 132. They hear of their Comrades in the Ship at St. _Mary_'s +and go to _Olumbah_, where they fortify themselves; Honesty of the +Pyrates among themselves, 133. _White_ buys a Boat; goes to _Methelage_; +meets some of the _Degraves_'s Men in a _French_ Prize; is chosen +Captain; goes to _Ambonavoula_, 134. Sails for _Mayotta_; thence to +_Babel Mandel_; lies for the _Mocha_ Ships; takes two Grabs; dares not +venture on a _Dutchman_; stands for the _Ethiopian_ Coast; takes the +_Malabar_; chases a _Portuguese_ Man of War; spies a Merchant Man of the +same Nation, 135. Takes this Ship; takes Captain _Penruddock_; gives him +the _Portuguese_ Ship; made him some Presents; sends him away; share 200 +l. a Man; miss a great Booty; send away their Prisoners; takes Captain +_Stacy_, 136. The Generosity of the Pyrates; they discharge _Stacy_; +they take a Ketch in the Bay of _Defarr_; steer for _Madagascar_; touch +at _Mascarenas_; some of the Crew stay here, the rest settle at +_Madagascar_; Captain _Halsey_ comes in; _White_ makes a Voyage with +_Halsey_; _White_'s Death, 137. His Will, 138. + + + Of Captain CONDENT. + +His Birth; he leaves _Providence_; Resentment of an _Indian_; +_Condent_'s Bravery; he is wounded, 139. A shocking Piece of Inhumanity; +the Duke of _York_ taken; the Crew divides; _Condent_ chosen Captain of +one Party; makes for the _Cape de Verd_ Islands; takes a Ship from +_Maderas_; arrives at the Isle of _May_, and takes 20 Sail; turns +Justice of Peace; sails to St. _Jago_, takes and goes on board a _Dutch_ +Ship; makes several Prizes on the _Brazil_ Coast, 140. Takes the +_Wright_ Galley, a _Portuguese_ and a _Dutch East India_ Man; steers for +the Island _Ferdinando_, discharges Captain _Spelt_; sails again for the +_Brazil_ Coast; engages a 70 Gun Ship; takes another _Portuguese_ and a +_Frenchman_, 141. Some of his Men seized in the River of Plate; forc'd +Men get away; Cruelty to the _Portuguese_, and the Reason; goes to the +_Guiney_ Coast, and takes Captain _Hill_; stands away for the _East +Indies_; takes an _Ostender_; arrives at _Madagascar_; meets with some +of _Halsey_'s Crew which increases his Number, goes for the _East +Indies_; stops at _Johanna_, 142. Assists in taking the _Cassandra_; +touches at _Mascarenas_, takes a 70 Gun Ship; goes to the Coast of +_Zanguebar_, razes a _Dutch_ Fortification, makes Conditions with the +Governor of _Mascarenas_, marries his Sister, comes to _Europe_, settles +at St. _Maloes_, 143. + + + Description of MAGADOXA. + +The Reason of Captain _Beavis_'s coming on the _Zanguebar_ Coast, 144. +His third Mate goes ashore, 145. He describes the People at his Return +on board, 146. The fourth Mate and a Molatto go ashore and return; he +goes further to the Westward, 147. The third Mate and Gunner land again, +come back with 3 Antilopes and two _Guiney_ Hens; the Ship weighs, they +spy some Men; but they avoid the Boat's Crew, 148. They discover, and +anchor before a Town; the Men sent, civilly treated, 149. They return to +the Ship with a Present from the King's Son; the third Mate, Gunner, and +Molotto, ensnared, 150. The Ship's Boat seized, 151. The first Mate goes +towards the Shore, the Natives discharge their Arrows at the Boat, and +he returns to the Ship, 152. The Captain's Method to be inform'd of his +People, 153. The Natives fire at the Boat, 154. The Captain despairing +of his Men, weighs and keeps along Shore, 155. Sails for _Johanna_, 156. +The Manner of the Mate, &c. being betray'd; the Molotto is carried +before the King, 157. His Examination; Description of the Prison, 158. +The Molatto is inform'd of the cruel Death of his Companions, 159. He is +carried again before the King; what past between the King and him, 160, +161. He is remanded to Goal; his Conversation with the Jaylor and +another, 161. Sent for by the King; to what End; Description of the +Coway, 162. His Treatment in the Goal better'd, 163. He receives News of +the Ship's Departure, 164. He is taken into the King's Service; his +Business; the Diet of the People, 165. His Manner of Life, 166. +Description of the Town, &c. 167, 168, 169. The Manner of the King's +taking the Air, 169, 170. The Death of Malefactors, ib. The Augazet +describ'd; the Bozee a monstrous amphibious Creature; the Massau and +Sachew described, 171. The King's Diversions; the Genius of the People; +a Tradition among them, 172. Description of the _Pyone_; the Molatto is +question'd for going out of the Town, 173. He attends the King to the +_Moorzacks_; what they are; the Conversation of the Day, 174. The +Molotto under great Apprehensions; he is order'd to the _Moorzacks_, +175. He is taught his Duty, 176. Description of a _Pohalick_, 177. He is +sent for to the City, clapp'd into Prison; the Reason of it, 178. His +Conversation with the Jaylor, and afterwards with the King, 179. The +Manner of his passing his Time, being remanded back to the _Moorzacks_, +180, 181. By what Accident he comes into Favour, 182. He teaches the Way +of Fishing with a Line, 183. The Execution of a _Passau_, 184. A +particular Description of the _Moorzacks_, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188. The +Funeral Ceremony of the _Magadoxians_, 189, 190. The Religion 191. A +Rebellion; a Ship appears; the Molotto brought to the Army, 192. +Treachery of the King, 193. A great Slaughter; the Molotto hears of a +Ship; meditates his Escape, 194. He gets away in the Night, 195. He +comes up to a large River; discovers six Men in his Pursuit; swims over +the River, 196. Escapes a large Alligator; spies the Ship, 197. Is taken +on board a _Dutch_ Boat, 198. Two of his Pursuers swim on board the +Boat; give an Account of one being devour'd by an Alligator, 199. The +Molotto goes to _Batavia_; sails in the _Dutch_ Service; from _Holland_ +comes to _England_, 200. + + + Of Captain BELLAMY. + +Turns Pyrate with _Williams_, they take Captain _Prince_; _Bellamy_ is +made Captain of the Prize; infest the Coast of _Virginia_, 201. A great +Storm, 202. Captain _Beer_ taken, 203. _Bellamy_'s Speech to _Beer_, +204. An odd Accident, 205, 206. _Williams_ takes a Vessel off _Cape +Cod_, 206. Description of _Nova Scotia_; the Pyrates careen in the River +_Mechises_, 207. A Sailor's Advice, 208, 209. A smart Engagement, 210. +The _Mary Anne_ taken, _ib._ the _Whidaw_ lost; Cruelty of the Pyrates; +Execution of 7 of them, 211. + + + Of Captain FLY. + +He is shipp'd by Captain _Green_, 212. Conspiracy against, and barbarous +Murder of, Captain _Green_, &c. 213, 214, 215. _Fly_ chosen Captain; +_Fulker_ taken, 216. Barbarity used towards _Fulker_, 217. Captain +_Gale_ taken, 218. A florid Speech of _Fly_'s, 219. _Harris_ taken, 220. +A Schooner taken, 221. _Fly_ surprized and taken, 222. He &c. are +executed, 223. + + + Of Captain HOWARD. + +He sets out a Pyrating in a Canoe, 224. Takes an _Irish_ Brigantine, and +several other Prizes, 225. The Cowardice of a _Portuguese_ Captain, 226. +Mr. _Godly_ of _Bristol_ his Ship plunder'd, 227. _Howard_ like to be +carried off; the Pyrates loose their Ship; _Howard_ robs his Comrades, +228. The Pyrates taken off the Island by another Pyrate, 229. _Howard_ +himself robb'd, ib. The Thief robb'd by his Comrades, 230. _Howard_ goes +on board the _Speaker_; declared Captain of the _Prosperous_, 231. His +Design on a _Dutchman_; _Howard_ wounded, 232. He is joined by _Bowen_, +233, Two _Moor_ Ships taken, 235. _Howard_'s Death, _ib._ + + + Of Captain LEWIS. + +Sets out in a Canoe, 235. He makes several Prizes; Folly of the +_Bermudas_ Men, Bravery of one _Tucker_, 236. _Lewis_'s Justice, 237. +His Cruelty to the _English_, takes the _Herman_, his Quarter-Master +seized ashore, 238. He is released; the _Sheerness_ Man of War narrowly +miss the Pyrates, 239. Takes a large _Frenchman_ by Stratagem, 240. A +remarkable Accident; Captain _Smith_ taken; the Company parts; the +Consequence to the _French_, 241. _Lewis_ murther'd, 242. + + + Of Captain CORNELIUS. + +Makes many Prizes; burns most of the _Portuguese_ Vessels, 243. Sinks a +_Guiney_ Man in an Engagement, 244. The firing Minute Guns, the Loss of +a Ship, 245. The fatal Consequence of Revenge; the Pyrates arrive at +_Madagascar_, 246. The History of King _Chimenatto_, 247, 248, 249. The +Pyrates in Danger of being taken, 250. _Cornelius_ his Death, 251. + + + Of Captain WILLIAMS. + +His Birth, 252. He is left on _Madagascar_, 253. He is taken Prisoner, +254. Taken a second Time, 255. He is a third Time taken, 256. King +_Dempaino_ sends for _Williams_, 256, 257. The King of _Maratan_ refuses +to send him, 257. He is obliged to give _Williams_ up, 258. _Williams_ +makes a Voyage to the _Red Sea_, 259. He is carried Prisoner on board +the _Severn_, 260. He is chosen Captain of the _Scots_ Ship, 261. He is +put to a cruel Death, 262. His Men on Board murder'd, 263. His and his +Mens Blood reveng'd, 264. + + + Of Captain BURGESS. + +He sets out to trade with the Pyrates; looses his Ship, stays at +_Madagascar_, and is forced on board a Pyrate, 265. Makes a Voyage to +the _East Indies_, and gets home; he makes two Voyages to _Madagascar_ +from _New York_, 266. Is taken by an _East-India_ Man in returning on +the second Voyage, 267. Is condemn'd for Pyracy and pardon'd; goes on +Board the _Neptune_, 268. Betrays the Ship, and is chosen +Quarter-Master, 269. He is stripp'd by his Comrades, recovers his Money, +is stripp'd again, 270. Goes on board the _Henry_, 271. Is poyson'd, +272. + + + + + CONTENTS + OF THE + APPENDIX. + + +The Reception of Captain _Rogers_, Governor of, and at _Providence_, +275. _Rackham_ and _Vane_ part, 281. _Rackham_'s Ship taken, he and his +Crew escape ashore, 283. _Rackham_ gets to _Providence_, and is allowed +the Benefit of the King's Pardon, 284. _Anne Bonny_ proposes to her +Husband his selling her to _Rackham_, 286. _Rackham_ seizes a Sloop, +287. He forces some of _Turnley_'s Men, 289. Governor _Rogers_ his +Sloops seized, 292. _Turnley_, &c. maroon'd, 294. Their Hardships, 295 +to 303. The Pyrates catch a Tartar, 303. They are all taken, the forced +Men sent to _Providence_, 304. Governor _Rogers_ sends to fetch the +maroon'd Men, 305. The Pyrates who escaped on Shore intrap'd by Governor +_Rogers_, 306 to 308. _Rounsival_'s Generosity, 309. _Teach_ sends Mr. +_Mark_ for Druggs, _Wragg_, &c. left Hostages, 313. The Hostages in +Jeopardy of their Lives; a Boat coming on board saves them, 314, 315. +_Teach_ draws up before _Charles Town_, 316. The Hostages released, 316. +A Vindication of Governor _Eden_, 317 to 319. Major _Bonnet_'s Letter to +the Governor, 321, 323. The manner of taking Captain _Worley_, 325, 329. +The Particulars of Captain _Evan_'s his being taken, from his own +Letter, 330, 335. Tryal of the Pyrates, 336 to 355. Their Behaviour and +Execution, 356, 360. Captain _Vane_'s Procedure at _Providence_, 362. +His Letter to Governor _Rogers_, 363. Captain _King_'s Protest, 365 to +370. Captain _Bowen_'s Birth and first Employment, 371. He is taken by a +_French_ Pyrate, 372. + + + Of Captain NORTH. + +His Birth, 373. He's press'd; runs away; goes a Privateering, 374. +Press'd a second Time; runs away again; Captain _Lycence_ killed, 376. +_North_ is again press'd and escapes, 377. The Temerity of a +_Frenchman_, 379. He _&c._ turn Pyrates, 380. Take the King of +_Mayotta_, 381. Stand for the _Red Seas_, Consort with _Culliford_ and +_Shivers_, take a _Moors_ Ship, 382. Roguery among the Pyrates, 383. A +_Moor_ Ship escapes; they take three others of the same Nation, 384. The +Captain of the _Dolphin_ gives over Pyrating and returns home; _North_ +separated by bad Weather, they plunder a _Dane_, set Fire to the +_Dolphin_, the Reason, 385. _North_ overset and swims to Shore, 386. The +Pyrates throw over their Guns in a Storm, 387. They are shew'd a Well of +Water of a strange Nature, 388. They meet the _Prosperous_, and soon +after _Moor_ Ships, 389. They burn the _Speedy Return_; sink the +_Prosperous_; they are all poisoned, 390. Four only die; _Bowen_'s +Death; _North_ made Captain, 391. Ceremony of making their Captain, 392. +By _North_'s Advice the _Moors_ go off with their Ship, 393. The Pyrates +settle on _Madagascar_; their Way of Life, 394 to 397. _North_ travels +_Southward_ to trade, 397. He joins and goes to War with the +_Mangorians_, 398. He besieges a Town, the Manner of the Siege, 399, +400. _North_'s Allies design to deceive him, 401. His Proceedings upon +the Discovery, 402, 403, 404. _North_ returns homewards, join'd by the +_Timouses_, the Ceremony of swearing among those of _Madagascar_, 405. +_Halsey_ comes in, _North_ and Company go on board him, 406. _North_ +drives out the _Timouses_, 407. _North_'s Humanity to a _Frenchman_, +410. _North_ revenges the Barbarity of the _Mayottans_ towards some +_English_, 412. _North_ murder'd, _ib._ + + + + + THE + HISTORY + OF THE + PYRATES. + + + VOL. II. + + + OF + Captain _MISSON_. + +We can be somewhat particular in the Life of this Gentleman, because, by +very great Accident, we have got into our Hands a _French_ Manuscript, +in which he himself gives a Detail of his Actions. He was born in +_Provence_, of an ancient Family; his Father, whose true Name he +conceals, was Master of a plentiful Fortune; but having a great Number +of Children, our Rover had but little Hopes of other Fortune than what +he could carve out for himself with his Sword. His Parents took Care to +give him an Education equal to his Birth. After he had passed his +Humanity and Logick, and was a tolerable Mathematician, at the Age of +Fifteen he was sent to _Angiers_, where he was a Year learning his +Exercises. His Father, at his Return home, would have put him into the +Musketeers; but as he was of a roving Temper, and much affected with the +Accounts he had read in Books of Travels, he chose the Sea as a Life +which abounds with more Variety, and would afford him an Opportunity to +gratify his Curiosity, by the Change of Countries. Having made this +Choice, his Father, with Letters of Recommendation, and every Thing +fitting for him, sent him Voluntier on board the _Victoire_, commanded +by Monsieur _Fourbin_, his Relation. He was received on Board with all +possible Regard by the Captain, whose Ship was at _Marseilles_, and was +order'd to cruize soon after _Misson_'s Arrival. Nothing could be more +agreeable to the Inclinations of our Voluntier than this Cruize, which +made him acquainted with the most noted Ports of the _Mediterranean_, +and gave him a great Insight into the practical Part of Navigation. He +grew fond of this Life, and was resolved to be a compleat Sailor, which +made him always one of the first on a Yard Arm, either to Hand or Reef, +and very inquisitive in the different Methods of working a Ship: His +Discourse was turn'd on no other Subject, and he would often get the +Boatswain and Carpenter to teach him in their Cabbins the constituent +Parts of a Ship's Hull, and how to rigg her, which he generously paid +'em for; and tho' he spent a great Part of his Time with these two +Officers, yet he behaved himself with such Prudence that they never +attempted at a Familiarity, and always paid the Respect due to his +Family. The Ship being at _Naples_, he obtained Leave of his Captain to +go to _Rome_, which he had a great Desire to visit. Hence we may date +his Misfortunes; for, remarking the licentious Lives of the Clergy (so +different from the Regularity observ'd among the _French_ +Ecclesiasticks,) the Luxury of the Papal Court, and that nothing but +Hulls of Religion was to be found in the Metropolis of the Christian +Church, he began to figure to himself that all Religion was no more than +a Curb upon the Minds of the Weaker, which the wiser Sort yielded to, in +Appearance only. These Sentiments, so disadvantageous to Religion and +himself, were strongly riveted by accidentally becoming acquainted with +a lewd Priest, who was, at his Arrival (by meer Chance) his Confessor, +and after that his Procurer and Companion, for he kept him Company to +his Death. One Day, having an Opportunity, he told _Misson_, a Religious +was a very good Life, where a Man had a subtle enterprising Genius, and +some Friends; for such a one wou'd, in a short Time, rise to such +Dignities in the Church, the Hopes of which was the Motive of all the +wiser Sort, who voluntarily took upon them the sacerdotal Habit. That +the ecclesiastical State was govern'd with the same Policy as were +secular Principalities and Kingdoms; that what was beneficial, not what +was meritorious and virtuous, would be alone regarded. That there were +no more Hopes for a Man of Piety and Learning in the Patrimony of St. +_Peter_, than in any other Monarchy, nay, rather less; for this being +known to be real, that Man's rejected as a Visionary, no way fit for +Employment; as one whose Scruples might prove prejudicial; for its a +Maxim, that Religion and Politicks can never set up in one House. As to +our Statesmen, don't imagine that the Purple makes 'em less Courtiers +than are those of other Nations; they know and pursue the _Reggione del +Stato_ (a Term of Art which means Self-Interest) with as much Cunning +and as little Conscience as any Secular; and are as artful where Art is +required, and as barefaced and impudent when their Power is great enough +to support 'em, in the oppressing the People, and aggrandizing their +Families. What their Morals are, you may read in the Practice of their +Lives, and their Sentiments of Religion from this Saying of a certain +Cardinal, _Quantum Lucrum ex ista fabula Christi!_ which many of 'em may +say, tho' they are not so foolish. For my Part, I am quite tir'd of the +Farce, and will lay hold on the first Opportunity to throw off this +masquerading Habit; for, by Reason of my Age, I must act an under Part +many Years; and before I can rise to share the Spoils of the People, I +shall, I fear, be too old to enjoy the Sweets of Luxury; and, as I am an +Enemy to Restraint, I am apprehensive I shall never act up to my +Character, and carry thro' the Hypocrite with Art enough to rise to any +considerable Post in the Church. My Parents did not consult my Genius, +or they would have given me a Sword instead of a Pair of Beads. + +_Misson_ advised him to go with him Voluntier, and offer'd him Money to +cloath him; the Priest leap'd at the Proposal, and a Letter coming to +_Misson_ from his Captain, that he was going to _Leghorn_, and left to +him either to come to _Naples_, or go by Land; he chose the latter, and +the _Dominican_, whom he furnish'd with Money, clothing himself very +Cavalierly, threw off his Habit, and preceeded him two Days, staying at +_Pisa_ for _Misson_; from whence they went together to _Leghorn_, where +they found the _Victoire_, and Signor _Caraccioli_, recommended by his +Friend, was received on Board. Two Days after they weigh'd from hence, +and after a Week's Cruize fell in with two _Sally_ Men, the one of +twenty, the other of twenty four Guns; the _Victoire_ had but thirty +mounted, though she had Ports for forty. The Engagement was long and +bloody, for the _Sally_ Man hop'd to carry the _Victoire_; and, on the +contrary, Captain _Fourbin_, so far from having any Thoughts of being +taken, he was resolutely bent to make Prize of his Enemies, or sink his +Ship. One of the _Sally_ Men was commanded by a _Spanish_ Renegade, +(though he had only the Title of a Lieutenant) for the Captain was a +young Man who knew little of Marine Affairs. + +This Ship was called the _Lyon_; and he attempted, more than once, to +board the _Victoire_; but by a Shot betwixt Wind and Water, he was +obliged to sheer off, and running his Guns, _&c._ on one Side, bring her +on the careen to stop his Leak; this being done with too much +Precipitation, she overset, and every Soul was lost: His Comrade seeing +this Disaster, threw out all his small Sails, and endeavour'd to get +off, but the _Victoire_ wrong'd her, and oblig'd her to renew the Fight, +which she did with great Obstinacy, and made Monsieur _Fourbin_ despair +of carrying her if he did not board; he made Preparations accordingly. +Signior _Caraccioli_ and _Misson_ were the two first on board when the +Command was given; but they and their Followers were beat back by the +Despair of the _Sally_ Men; the former received a Shot in his Thigh, and +was carried down to the Surgeon. The _Victoire_ laid her on board the +second time, and the _Sally_ Men defended their Decks with such +Resolution, that they were cover'd with their own, and the dead Bodies +of their Enemies. _Misson_ seeing one of 'em jump down the Main-Hatch +with a lighted Match, suspecting his Design, resolutely leap'd after +him, and reaching him with his Sabre, laid him dead the Moment he was +going to set Fire to the Powder. The _Victoire_ pouring in more Men, the +_Mahometans_ quitted the Decks, finding Resistance vain, and fled for +Shelter to the Cook Room, Steerage and Cabbins, and some run between +Decks. The _French_ gave 'em Quarters, and put the Prisoners on board +the _Victoire_, the Prize yielding nothing worth mention, except Liberty +to about fifteen Christian Slaves; she was carried into and sold with +the Prisoners at _Leghorn_. The _Turks_ lost a great many Men, the +_French_ not less than 35 in boarding, for they lost very few by the +great Shot, the _Sally_ Men firing mostly at the Masts and Rigging, +hoping by disabling to carry her. The limited Time of their Cruize being +out, the _Victoire_ returned to _Marseilles_, from whence _Misson_, +taking his Companion, went to visit his Parents, to whom the Captain +sent a very advantageous Character, both of his Courage and Conduct. He +was about a Month at home when his Captain wrote to him, that his Ship +was order'd to _Rochelle_, from whence he was to sail for the +_West-Indies_ with some Merchant Men. This was very agreeable to +_Misson_ and Signior _Caraccioli_, who immediately set out for +_Marseilles_. This Town is well fortified, has four Parish Churches, and +the Number of Inhabitants is computed to be about 120,000; the Harbour +is esteemed the safest in the _Mediterranean_, and is the common Station +for the _French_ Gallies. + +Leaving this Place, they steer'd for _Rochelle_, where the _Victoire_ +was dock'd, the Merchant Ships not being near ready. _Misson_, who did +not care to pass so long a Time in Idleness, proposed to his Comrade the +taking a Cruize on board the _Triumph_, who was going into the _English_ +Channel; the _Italian_ readily consented to it. + +Between the Isle of _Guernsey_ and the _Start Point_, they met with the +_Mayflower_, Captain _Balladine_ Commanded, a Merchant Ship of 18 Guns, +richly laden, and coming from _Jamaica_. The Captain of the _English_ +made a gallant Resistance, and fought his Ship so long, that the +_French_ could not carry her into Harbour, wherefore they took the +Money, and what was most valuable, out of her; and finding she made more +Water than the Pumps could free, quitted, and saw her go down in less +than four Hours after. Monsieur _le Blanc_, the _French_ Captain, +received Captain _Balladine_ very civilly, and would not suffer either +him or his Men to be stripp'd, saying, None but Cowards ought to be +treated after that Manner; that brave Men ought to treat such, though +their Enemies, as Brothers; and that to use a gallant Man (who does his +Duty) ill, speaks a Revenge which cannot proceed but from a Coward Soul. +He order'd that the Prisoners should have their Chests; and when some of +his Men seem'd to mutter, he bid 'em remember the Grandeur of the +Monarch they serv'd; that they were neither Pyrates nor Privateers; and, +as brave Men, they ought to shew their Enemies an Example they would +willingly have follow'd, and use their Prisoners as they wish'd to be +us'd. + +They running up the _English_ Channel as high as _Beachy Head_, and, in +returning, fell in with three fifty Gun Ships, which gave Chace to the +_Triumph_; but as she was an excellent Sailor, she run 'em out of Sight +in seven Glasses, and made the best of her Way for the _Lands-End_; they +here cruized eight Days, then doubling Cape _Cornwall_, ran up the +_Bristol_ Channel, near as far as _Nash Point_, and intercepted a small +Ship from _Barbadoes_, and stretching away to the Northward, gave Chase +to a Ship they saw in the Evening, but lost her in the Night. The +_Triumph_ stood then towards _Milford_, and spying a Sail, endeavour'd +to cut her off the Land, but found it impossible; for she got into the +Haven, though they came up with her very fast, and she had surely been +taken, had the Chase had been any thing longer. + +Captain _Balladine_, who took the Glass, said it was the _Port Royal_, a +_Bristol_ Ship which left _Jamaica_ in Company with him and the +_Charles_. They now return'd to their own Coast, and sold their Prize at +_Brest_, where, at his Desire, they left Captain _Balladine_, and +Monsieur _le Blanc_ made him a Present of Purse with 40 _Louis_'s for +his Support; his Crew were also left here. + +At the Entrance into this Harbour the _Triumph_ struck upon a Rock, but +received no Damage: This Entrance, called _Gonlet_, is very dangerous on +Account of the Number of Rocks which lie on each Side under Water, +though the Harbour is certainly the best in _France_. The Mouth of the +Harbour is defended by a strong Castle; the Town is well fortified, and +has a Citadel for its farther Defence, which is of considerable +Strength. In 1694 the _English_ attempted a Descent, but did not find +their Market, for they were beat off with the Loss of their General, and +a great many Men. From hence the _Triumph_ return'd to _Rochel_, and in +a Month after our Voluntiers, who went on board the _Victoire_, took +their Departure for _Martineco_ and _Guadalupa_; they met with nothing +in their Voyage thither worth noting. + +I shall only observe, that Signior _Caraccioli_, who was as ambitious as +he was irreligious, had, by this Time, made a perfect Deist of _Misson_, +and thereby convinc'd him, that all Religion was no other than human +Policy, and shew'd him that the Law of _Moses_ was no more than what +were necessary, as well for the Preservation as the Governing of the +People; for Instance, said he, the _African_ Negroes never heard of the +Institution of Circumcision, which is said to be the Sign of the +Covenant made between God and this People, and yet they circumcise their +Children; doubtless for the same Reason the _Jews_ and other Nations do, +who inhabit the Southern Climes, the Prepuce consolidating the perspired +Matter, which is of a fatal Consequence. In short, he ran through all +the Ceremonies of the _Jewish_, Christian and _Mahometan_ Religion, and +convinced him these were, as might be observed by the Absurdity of many, +far from being Institutions of Men inspired; and that _Moses_, in his +Account of the Creation, was guilty of known Blunders; and the Miracles, +both in the New and Old Testament, inconsistent with Reason. That God +had given us this Blessing, to make Use of for our present and future +Happiness, and whatever was contrary to it, notwithstanding their School +Distinctions of _contrary_ and _above_ Reason, must be false. This +Reason teaches us, that there is a first Cause of all Things, an _Ens +Entium_, which we call God, and our Reason will also suggest, that he +must be eternal, and, as the Author of every Thing perfect, he must be +infinitely perfect. + +If so, he can be subject to no Passions, and neither loves nor hates; he +must be ever the same, and cannot rashly do to Day what he shall repent +to Morrow. He must be perfectly happy, consequently nothing can add to +an eternal State of Tranquillity, and though it becomes us to adore him, +yet can our Adorations neither augment, nor our Sins take from this +Happiness. + +But his Arguments on this Head are too long, and too dangerous to +translate; and as they are work'd up with great Subtlety, they may be +pernicious to weak Men, who cannot discover their Fallacy; or, who +finding 'em agreeable to their Inclinations, and would be glad to shake +off the Yoke of the Christian Religion, which galls and curbs their +Passions, would not give themselves the Trouble to examine them to the +Bottom, but give into what pleases, glad of finding some Excuse to their +Consciences. Though as his Opinion of a future State has nothing in it +which impugns the Christian Religion, I shall set it down in few Words. + +'That reasoning Faculty, says he, which we perceive within us, we call +the Soul, but what that Soul is, is unknown to us. It may die with the +Body, or it may survive. I am of Opinion its immortal; but to say that +this Opinion is the Dictate of Reason, or only the Prejudice of +Education, would, I own, puzzle me. If it is immortal, it must be an +Emanation from the Divine Being, and consequently at its being separated +from the Body, will return to its first Principle, if not contaminated. +Now, my Reason tells me, if it is estranged from its first Principle, +which is the Deity, all the Hells of Man's Invention can never yield +Tortures adequate to such a Banishment.' + +As he had privately held these Discourses among the Crew, he had gained +a Number of Proselytes, who look'd upon him as a new Prophet risen up to +reform the Abuses in Religion; and a great Number being _Rochellers_, +and, as yet, tainted with _Calvanism_, his Doctrine was the more readily +embrac'd. When he had experienced the Effects of his religious +Arguments, he fell upon Government, and shew'd, that every Man was born +free, and had as much Right to what would support him, as to the Air he +respired. A contrary Way of arguing would be accusing the Deity with +Cruelty and Injustice, for he brought into the World no Man to pass a +Life of Penury, and to miserably want a necescessary Support; that the +vast Difference between Man and Man, the one wallowing in Luxury, and +the other in the most pinching Necessity, was owing only to Avarice and +Ambition on the one Hand, and a pusilanimous Subjection on the other; +that at first no other than a Natural was known, a paternal Government, +every Father was the Head, the Prince and Monarch of his Family, and +Obedience to such was both just and easy, for a Father had a +compassionate Tenderness for his Children; but Ambition creeping in by +Degrees, the stronger Family set upon and enslaved the Weaker; and this +additional Strength over-run a third, by every Conquest gathering Force +to make others, and this was the first Foundation of Monarchy. Pride +encreasing with Power, Man usurped the Prerogative of God, over his +Creatures, that of depriving them of Life, which was a Privilege no one +had over his own; for as he did not come into the World by his own +Election, he ought to stay the determined Time of his Creator: That +indeed, Death given in War, was by the Law of Nature allowable, because +it is for the Preservation of our own Lives; but no Crime ought to be +thus punished, nor indeed any War undertaken, but in Defence of our +natural Right, which is such a Share of Earth as is necessary for our +Support. + +These Topicks he often declaimed on, and very often advised with +_Misson_ about the setting up for themselves; he was as ambitious as the +other, and as resolute. _Caraccioli_ and _Misson_ were by this expert +Mariners, and very capable of managing a Ship: _Caraccioli_ had sounded +a great many of the Men on this Subject, and found them very inclineable +to listen to him. An Accident happen'd which gave _Caraccioli_ a fair +Opportunity to put his Designs in Execution, and he laid Hold of it; +they went off _Martinico_ on a Cruize, and met with the _Winchelsea_, an +_English_ Man of War of 40 Guns, commanded by Captain _Jones_; they made +for each other, and a very smart Engagement followed, the first +Broadside killed the Captain, second Captain, and the three Lieutenants, +on Board the _Victoire_, and left only the Master, who would have +struck, but _Misson_ took up the Sword, order'd _Caraccioli_ to act as +Lieutenant, and encouraging the Men fought the Ship six Glasses, when by +some Accident, the _Winchelsea_ blew up, and not a Man was saved but +Lieutenant _Franklin_, whom the _French_ Boats took up, and he died in +two Days. None ever knew before this Manuscript fell into my Hands how +the _Winchelsea_ was lost; for her Head being driven ashore at +_Antegoa_, and a great Storm having happen'd a few Days before her Head +was found, it was concluded, that she founder'd in that Storm. After +this Engagement, _Caraccioli_ came to _Misson_ and saluted him Captain, +and desired to know if he would chuse a momentary or a lasting Command, +that he must now determine, for at his Return to _Martinico_ it would be +too late; and he might depend upon the Ship he fought and saved being +given to another, and they would think him well rewarded if made a +Lieutenant, which Piece of Justice he doubted: That he had his Fortune +in his Hands, which he might either keep or let go; if he made Choice of +the latter, he must never again expect she would court him to accept her +Favours: That he ought to set before his Eyes his Circumstances, as a +younger Brother of a good Family, but nothing to support his Character; +and the many Years he must serve at the Expence of his Blood before he +could make any Figure in the World; and consider the wide Difference +between the commanding and being commanded: That he might with the Ship +he had under Foot, and the brave Fellows under Command, bid Defiance to +the Power of _Europe_, enjoy every Thing he wish'd, reign Sovereign of +the Southern Seas, and lawfully make War on all the World, since it +wou'd deprive him of that Liberty to which he had a Right by the Laws of +Nature: That he might in Time, become as great as _Alexander_ was to the +_Persians_; and by encreasing his Forces by his Captures, he would every +Day strengthen the Justice of his Cause, for who has Power is always in +the Right. That _Harry_ the Fourth and _Harry_ the Seventh, attempted +and succeeded in their Enterprizes on the Crown of _England_, yet their +Forces did not equal his. _Mahomet_ with a few Camel Drivers, founded +the _Ottoman_ Empire; and _Darius_, with no more than six or seven +Companions got Possession of that of _Persia_. + +In a Word he said so much that _Misson_ resolved to follow his Advice, +and calling up all Hands, he told them, 'That a great Number of them had +resolved with him upon a Life of Liberty, and had done him the Honour to +create him Chief: That he designed to force no Man, and be guilty of +that Injustice he blamed in others; therefore, if any were averse to the +following his Fortune, which he promised should be the same to all, he +desired they would declare themselves, and he would set them ashore, +whence they might return with Conveniency;' having made an End, they one +and all cryed, Vive le Capitain _Misson_ et son Lieutenant le Scavant +_Caraccioli_, God bless Capt. _Misson_ and his learned Lieutenant +_Caraccioli_. _Misson_ thanked them for the Honour they conferr'd upon +him, and promised he would use the Power they gave for the publick Good +only, and hoped, as they had the Bravery to assert their Liberty, they +would be as unanimous in the preserving it, and stand by him in what +should be found expedient for the Good of all; that he was their Friend +and Companion, and should never exert his Power, or think himself other +than their Comrade, but when the Necessity of Affairs should oblige him. + +They shouted a second Time, _vive le Capitain_; he, after this, desired +they would chuse their subaltern Officers, and give them Power to +consult and conclude upon what might be for the common Interest, and +bind themselves down by an Oath to agree to what such Officers and he +should determine: This they readily gave into. The School-Master they +chose for second Lieutenant, _Jean Besace_ they nominated for third, and +the Boatswain, and a Quarter-Master, named _Matthieu le Tondu_, with the +Gunner, they desired might be their Representatives in Council. + +The Choice was approved, and that every Thing might pass methodically, +and with general Approbation, they were called into the great Cabbin, +and the Question put, what Course they should steer? The Captain +proposed the _Spanish_ Coast as the most probable to afford them rich +Prizes: This was agreed upon by all. The Boatswain then asked what +Colours they should fight under, and advised Black as most terrifying; +but _Caraccioli_ objected, that they were no Pyrates, but Men who were +resolved to assert that Liberty which God and Nature gave them, and own +no Subjection to any, farther than was for the common Good of all: That +indeed, Obedience to Governors was necessary, when they knew and acted +up to the Duty of their Function; were vigilant Guardians of the Peoples +Rights and Liberties; saw that Justice was equally distributed; were +Barriers against the Rich and Powerful, when they attempted to oppress +the Weaker; when they suffered none of the one Hand to grow immensely +rich, either by his own or his Ancestors Encroachments; nor on the +other, any to be wretchedly miserable, either by falling into the Hands +of Villains, unmerciful Creditors, or other Misfortunes. While he had +Eyes impartial, and allowed nothing but Merit to distinguish between Man +and Man; and instead of being a Burthen to the People by his luxurious +Life, he was by his Care for, and Protection of them, a real Father, and +in every Thing acted with the equal and impartial Justice of a Parent: +But when a Governor, who is the Minister of the People, thinks himself +rais'd to this Dignity, that he may spend his Days in Pomp and Luxury, +looking upon his Subjects as so many Slaves, created for his Use and +Pleasure, and therefore leaves them and their Affairs to the +immeasurable Avarice and Tyranny of some one whom he has chosen for his +Favourite, when nothing but Oppression, Poverty, and all the Miseries of +Life flow from such an Administration; that he lavishes away the Lives +and Fortunes of the People, either to gratify his Ambition, or to +support the Cause of some neighbouring Prince, that he may in Return, +strengthen his Hands should his People exert themselves in Defence of +their native Rights; or should he run into unnecessary Wars, by the rash +and thoughtless Councils of his Favourite, and not able to make Head +against the Enemy he has rashly or wantonly brought upon his Hands, and +buy a Peace (which is the present Case of _France_, as every one knows, +by supporting King _James_, and afterwards proclaiming his Son) and +drain the Subject; should the Peoples Trade be wilfully neglected, for +private Interests, and while their Ships of War lie idle in their +Harbours, suffer their Vessels to be taken; and the Enemy not only +intercepts all Commerce, but insults their Coasts: It speaks a generous +and great Soul to shake off the Yoak; and if we cannot redress our +Wrongs, withdraw from sharing the Miseries which meaner Spirits submit +to, and scorn to yield to the Tyranny. Such Men are we, and, if the +World, as Experience may convince us it will, makes War upon us, the Law +of Nature empowers us not only to be on the defensive, but also on the +offensive Part. As we then do not proceed upon the same Ground with +Pyrates, who are Men of dissolute Lives and no Principles, let us scorn +to take their Colours: Ours is a brave, a just, an innocent, and a noble +Cause; the Cause of Liberty. I therefore advise a white Ensign, with +Liberty painted in the Fly, and if you like the Motto, _a Deo a +Libertate_, for God and Liberty, as an Emblem of our Uprightness and +Resolution. + +The Cabbin Door was left open, and the Bulk Head which was of Canvas +rowled up, the Steerage being full of Men, who lent an attentive Ear, +they cried, Liberty, Liberty; we are free Men: _Vive_ the brave Captain +_Misson_ and the noble Lieutenant _Caraccioli_. This short Council +breaking up, every Thing belonging to the deceas'd Captain, and the +other Officers, and Men lost in the Engagement, was brought upon Deck +and over-hawled; the Money ordered to be put into a Chest, and the +Carpenter to clap on a Padlock for, and give a Key to, every one of the +Council: _Misson_ telling them, all should be in common, and the +particular Avarice of no one should defraud the Publick. + +When the Plate Monsieur _Fourbin_ had, was going to the Chest, the Men +unanimously cried out avast, keep that out for the Captain's Use, as a +Present from his Officers and Fore-mast Men. _Misson_ thanked them, the +Plate was returned to the great Cabbin, and the Chest secured according +to Orders: _Misson_ then ordered his Lieutenants and other Officers to +examine who among the Men, were in most Want of Cloaths, and to +distribute those of the dead Men impartially, which was done with a +general Consent and Applause of the whole Crew: All but the wounded +being upon Deck. _Misson_ from the Baracade, spoke to the following +Purpose, 'That since they had unanimously resolved to seize upon and +defend their Liberty, which ambitious Men had usurped, and that this +could not be esteemed by impartial Judges other than a just and brave +Resolution, he was under an Obligation to recommend to them a brotherly +Love to each other; the Banishment of all private Piques and Grudges, +and a strict Agreement and Harmony among themselves: That in throwing +off the Yoak of Tyranny of which the Action spoke an Abhorrence, he +hoped none would follow the Example of Tyrants, and turn his Back upon +Justice; for when Equity was trodden under Foot, Misery, Confusion, and +mutual Distrust naturally followed.'--He also advised them to remember +there was a Supream, the Adoration of which, Reason and Gratitude +prompted us, and our own Interests would engage us (as it is best to be +of the surest Side, and after-Life was allowed possible) to +conciliate.--That he was satisfied Men who were born and bred in +Slavery, by which their Spirits were broke, and were incapable of so +generous a Way of thinking, who, ignorant of their Birth-Right, and the +Sweets of Liberty, dance to the Musick of their Chains, which was, +indeed, the greater Part of the Inhabitants of the Globe, would brand +this generous Crew with the invidious Name of Pyrates, and think it +meritorious, to be instrumental in their Destruction.--Self-Preservation +therefore, and not a cruel Disposition, obliged him to declare War +against all such as should refuse him the Entry of their Ports, and +against all, who should not immediately surrender and give up what their +Necessities required; but in a more particular Manner against all +_European_ Ships and Vessels, as concluded implacable Enemies. _And I do +now_, said he, _declare such War, and, at the same time, recommend to +you my Comrades a humane and generous Behaviour towards your Prisoners; +which will appear by so much more the Effects of a noble Soul, as we are +satisfied we should not meet the same Treatment should our ill Fortune, +or more properly our Disunion, or want of Courage, give us up to their +Mercy_. + +After this, he required a Muster should be made, and there were able +Hands two Hundred, and thirty five sick and wounded; as they were +muster'd they were sworn. After Affairs were thus settled, they shaped +their Course for the _Spanish West-Indies_, but resolved, in the Way, to +take a Week or ten Days Cruize in the Windward Passage from _Jamaica_, +because most Merchant Men, which were good Sailors and did not stay for +Convoy, took this as the shorter Cut for _England_. + +Off St. _Christophers_ they took an _English_ Sloop becalmed, with their +Boats; they took out of her a couple of Puncheons of Rum, and half a +dozen Hogsheads of Sugar (she was a _New England_ Sloop, bound for +_Boston_) and without offering the least Violence to the Men, or +stripping them, they let her go. The Master of the Sloop was _Thomas +Butler_, who owned, he never met with so candid an Enemy as the _French_ +Man of War, which took him the Day he left St. _Christophers_; they met +with no other Booty in their Way, till they came upon their Station, +when after three Days, they saw a Sloop which had the Impudence to give +them Chace; Captain _Misson_ asked what could be the Meaning that the +Sloop stood for them? One of the Men, who was acquainted with the +_West-Indies_, told him, it was a _Jamaica_ Privateer, and he should not +wonder, if he clapp'd him aboard. I am, said he, no Stranger to their +Way of working, and this despicable Fellow, as those who don't know a +_Jamaica_ Privateer may think him, it is ten to one will give you some +Trouble. It now grows towards Evening, and you'll find as soon as he has +discovered your Force, he'll keep out of the Reach of your Guns till the +12 a-Clock Watch is changed at Night, and he'll then attempt to clap you +aboard, with Hopes to carry you in the Hurry: Wherefore Captain, if you +will give me Leave to advise you, let every Man have his small Arms; and +at twelve, let the Bell ring as usual, and rather more Noise than +ordinary be made, as if the one Watch was turning in, and the other out, +in a Confusion and Hurry, and I'll engage he will venture to enter his +Men. The Fellow's Advice was approved and resolved upon, and the Sloop +work'd, as he said she would, for upon coming near enough to make +distinctly the Force of the _Victoire_, on her throwing out _French_ +Colours, she, the Sloop, clapp'd upon a Wind, the _Victoire_ gave Chace, +but without Hopes of gaining upon her; she went so well to Windward, +that she cou'd spare the Ship some Points in her Sheet, and yet wrong +her: At Dusk of the Even, the _French_ had lost Sight of her, but about +Eleven at Night, they saw her hankering up their Windward Bow, which +confirmed the Sailors Opinion, that she would attempt to board them, as +she did at the pretended Change of the Watch; there being little or no +Wind, she lashed to the Bow-Sprit of the _Victoire_, and enter'd her +Men, who were very quietly taken, as they enter'd and tumbled down the +Fore-hatch, where they were received by others, and bound without Noise, +not one of the Privateers killed, few hurt, and only one _Frenchman_ +wounded. The _Victoire_ seeing the better Part of the Sloop's Men +secured, they boarded in their Turn, when the Privateer's suspecting +some Stratagem, were endeavouring to cut their Lashing and get off: Thus +the _Englishman_ caught a Tartar. The Prisoners being all secured, the +Captain charged his Men not to discover, thro' a Desire of augmenting +their Number, the Account they were upon. + +The next Morning Monsieur _Misson_ called for the Captain of the +Privateer, he told him, he could not but allow him a brave Fellow, to +venture upon a Ship of his Countenance, and for that Reason he should +meet Treatment which Men of his Profession seldom afforded the Prisoners +they made. He asked him how long he had been out, what was his Name, and +what he had on Board? He answered he was but just come out, that he was +the first Sail he had met with, and shou'd have thought himself +altogether as lucky not to have spoke with him; that his Name was _Harry +Ramsey_, and what he had on Board were Rags, Powder, Ball, and some few +half Anchors of Rum. _Ramsey_ was ordered into the Gun-Room, and a +Council being held in the publick Manner aforesaid, the Bulk Head of the +great Cabbin rowled up. On their Conclusion, the Captain of the +Privateer was called in again, when Captain _Misson_ told him, he would +return him his Sloop, and restore him and his Men to their Liberty, +without stripping or plundering of any Thing, but what Prudence obliged +him to, their Ammunition and Small-Arms, if he would give him his Word +and Honour, and his Men to take an Oath, not to go out on the Privateer +Account in six Months after they left him: That he did not design to +continue that Station above a Week longer, at the Expiration of which +Time he would let them go. + +_Ramsey_, who had a new Sloop, did not expect this Favour, which he +thanked him for, and promised punctually to comply with the Injunction, +which his Men as readily swore to, tho' they had no Design to keep the +Oath. The Time being expired, he and his Men were put on Board their own +Sloop. At going over the Ship's Side _Ramsey_ begg'd Monsieur _Misson_ +would allow him Powder for a salute, by way of Thanks; but he answered +him, the Ceremony was needless, and he expected no other Return than +that of keeping his Word, which indeed _Ramsey_ did. Some of his Men had +found it more to their Advantage to have been as religious. + +At parting _Ramsey_ gave the Ship three Chears, and _Misson_ had the +Complaisance to return one, which _Ramsey_ answering with three more, +made the best of his Way for _Jamaica_, and at the East End of the +Island met with the _Diana_, who, upon Advice, turn'd back. + +The _Victoire_ steer'd for _Carthagene_, off which Port they cruised +some Days, but meeting with nothing in the Seas, they made for _Porto +Bello_; in their Way they met with two _Dutch_ Traders, who had Letters +of Mart, and were just come upon the Coast, the one had 20, the other 24 +Guns; _Misson_ engaged them, and they defended themselves with a great +Deal of Resolution and Gallantry; and as they were mann'd a Peak, he +durst not venture to board either of them, for fear of being at the same +Time boarded by the other. His Weight of Mettal gave him a great +Advantage over the _Dutch_, though they were two to one; besides, their +Business, as they had Cargoes, was to get off, if possible, wherefore +they made a running Fight, though they took Care to stick close to one +another. + +They maintained the Fight for above six Hours, when _Misson_, enraged at +this Obstinacy, and fearing, if by Accident they should bring a Mast, or +Top-Mast, by the board, they would get from him. He was resolved to sink +the larger Ship of the two, and accordingly ordered his Men to bring all +their Guns to bear a Midship, then running close along Side of him, to +raise their Mettal; his Orders being punctually obey'd, he pour'd in a +Broad Side, which open'd such a Gap in the _Dutch_ Ship, that she went +directly to the Bottom, and every Man perish'd. + +He then mann'd his Bowsprit, brought his Sprit-sail Yard fore and aft, +and resolved to board the other, which the _Dutch_ perceiving, and +terrified with the unhappy Fate of their Comrade, thought a farther +resistance vain, and immediately struck. _Misson_ gave them good +Quarters, though he was enraged at the Loss of 13 Men killed outright, +beside 9 wounded, of which 6 died. They found on board a great Quantity +of Gold and Silver Lace, brocade Silks, Silk Stockings, Bails of +Broad-Cloath, Bazes of all Colours, and _Osnabrughs_. + +A Consultation being held, it was resolved Captain _Misson_ should take +the Name of _Fourbin_, and returning to _Carthagene_, dispose of his +Prize, and set his Prisoners ashoar. Accordingly they ply'd to the +Eastward, and came to an Anchor between _Boca Chieca_ Fort, and the +Town, for they did not think it expedient to enter the Harbour. The +Barge was manned, and _Caraccioli_, with the Name of _D'Aubigny_, the +first Lieutenant, who was killed in the Engagement with the +_Winchelsea_, and his Commission in his Pocket, went ashore with a +Letter to the Governor, sign'd _Fourbin_, whose Character, for fear of +the worst, was exactly counterfeited. The Purport of his Letter was, +that having discretionary Orders to cruize for three Months, and hearing +the _English_ infested his Coast, he was come in search of 'em, and had +met two _Dutch_ Men, one of which he had sunk, the other he made Prize +of. That his limited Time being near expired, he should be obliged to +his Excellency, if he would send on board him such Merchants as were +willing to take the Ship and Cargoe off his Hands, of which he had sent +the _Dutch_ Invoice. Don _Joseph de la Zerda_, the then Governor, +received the Lieutenant (who sent back the Barge at landing) very +civilly, and agreed to take the Prisoners ashoar, and do every Thing was +required of him; and ordering fresh Provisions and Sallading to be got +ready as a Present for the Captain, he sent for some Merchants who were +very ready to go on board, and agree for the Ship and Goods; which they +did, for two and fifty thousand Pieces of Eight. The next Day the +Prisoners were set ashoar; a rich Piece of Brocade which was reserv'd, +sent to the Governor for a Present, a Quantity of fresh Provision bought +and brought on board, the Money paid by the Merchants, the Ship and +Goods deliver'd, and the _Victoire_, at the Dawn of the following Day, +got under Sail. It may be wonder'd how such Dispatch could be made, but +the Reader must take Notice, these Goods were sold by the _Dutch_ +Invoice, which the Merchant of the Prize affirmed was genuine. I shall +observe, by the by, that the _Victoire_ was the _French_ Man of War +which Admiral _Wager_ sent the _Kingston_ in search of, and being +afterwards falsly inform'd, that she was join'd by another of seventy +Guns; and that they cruiz'd together between the Capes, order'd the +_Severn_ up to Windward, to assist the _Kingston_, which had like to +have prov'd very fatal; for these two _English_ Men of War, commanded by +Captain _Trevor_ and Captain _Pudnor_, meeting in the Night, had +prepared to engage, each taking the other for the Enemy. The +_Kingston_'s Men not having a good Look-out, which must be attributed to +the Negligence of the Officer of the Watch, did not see the _Severn_ +till she was just upon them; but, by good Luck, to Leeward, and plying +up, with all the Sail she could crowd, and a clear Ship. This put the +_Kingston_ in such Confusion, that when the _Severn_ hal'd, no Answer +was return'd, for none heard her. She was got under the _Kingston_'s +Stern, and Captain _Pudnor_ ordered to hale for the third and last Time, +and if no Answer was return'd, to give her a Broadside. The Noise on +Board the _Kingston_ was now a little ceas'd, and Captain _Trevor_, who +was on the Poop with a speaking Trumpet to hale the _Severn_, by good +Luck heard her hale him, and answering the _Kingston_, and asking the +Name of the other Ship, prevented the Damage. + +They cruised together some Time, and meeting nothing which answer'd +their Information, return'd to _Jamaica_, as I shall to my Subject, +begging Pardon for this, as I thought, necessary Digression. + +Don _Juan de la Zerda_ told the Captain in a Letter, that the St. +_Joseph_, a Gallion of seventy Guns, was then lying at _Port a Bello_, +and should be glad he could keep her Company till she was off the Coast. +That she would sail in eight or ten Days for the _Havanna_; and that, if +his Time would permit him, he would send an Advice-Boat. That she had on +Board the Value of 800,000 Pieces of Eight in Silver and Bar Gold. +_Misson_ return'd Answer, that he believ'd he should be excus'd if he +stretched his Orders, for a few Days; and that he would cruize off the +Isle of _Pearls_, and Cape _Gratias a Dios_, and give for Signal to the +Gallion, his spreading a white Ensign in his Fore-Top-Mast Shrouds, the +cluing up his Fore-Sail, and the firing one Gun to Windward, and two to +Leeward, which he should answer by letting run and hoisting his +Fore-Top-Sail three times, and the firing as many Guns to Leeward. Don +_Joseph_, extreamly pleased with this Complaisance, sent a Boat express +to advise the St. _Joseph_, but she was already sailed two Days, +contrary to the Governor of _Carthagene_'s Expectation, and this Advice +Captain _Misson_ had from the Boat, which returning with an Answer, saw +the _Victoire_ in the Offin, and spoke to her. It was then resolved to +follow the St. _Joseph_, and accordingly they steer'd for the _Havanna_, +but by what Accident they did not overtake her is unknown. + +I forgot to tell my Reader, on Board the _Dutch_ Ship were fourteen +_French_ Hugonots, whom _Misson_ thought fit to detain, when they were +at Sea. _Misson_ called 'em up, and proposed to 'em their taking on; +telling them at the same Time, he left it to their Choice, for he would +have no forc'd Men; and that if they all, or any of them, disapproved +the Proposal, he would either give 'em the first Vessel he met that was +fit for 'em, or set 'em ashoar on some inhabited Coast; and therefore +bid 'em take two Days for Consideration before they returned an Answer; +and, to encourage 'em, he called all Hands up, and declar'd, that if any +Man repented him of the Course of Life he had chosen, his just Dividend +should be counted to him, and he would set him on Shoar, either near the +_Havanna_, or some other convenient Place; but not one accepted the +Offer, and the fourteen Prisoners unanimously resolved to join in with +'em; to which Resolution, no doubt, the Hopes of a good Booty from the +St. _Joseph_, and this Offer of Liberty greatly contributed. + +At the Entrance of the Gulph they spied and came with a large Merchant +Ship bound for _London_ from _Jamaica_; she had 20 Guns, but no more +than 32 Hands, that its not to be wonder'd at she made no Resistance, +besides, she was deep laden with Sugars. Monsieur _Misson_ took out of +her what Ammunition she had, about four thousand Pieces of Eight, some +Puncheons of Rum, and ten Hogsheads of Sugar; and, without doing her any +further Damage, let her proceed her Voyage. What he valued most in this +Prize was the Men he got, for she was carrying to _Europe_ twelve +_French_ Prisoners, two of which were necessary Hands, being a Carpenter +and his Mate. They were of _Bourdeaux_, from whence they came with the +_Pomechatraine_, which was taken by the _Maremaid_ off _Petit Guavers_, +after an obstinate Resistance, in which they lost forty Men; but they +were of Opinion the _Maremaid_ could not have taken 'em, having but four +Guns less than she had, which was made amends for, by their having about +thirty Hands. On the contrary, had not the _Guernsey_ come up, they +thought of boarding and carrying the _Maremaid_. These Men very +willingly came into Captain _Misson_'s Measures. + +These Men, who had been stripp'd to the Skin, begg'd Leave to make +Reprisals, but the Captain would not suffer them, though he told the +Master of the Prize, as he protected him and his Men, he thought it +reasonable these _French_ should be cloathed: Upon this the Master +contributed of his own, and every Man bringing up his Chest, thought +themselves very well off in sharing with them one half. + +Though _Misson_'s Ship pass'd for a _French_ Man of War, yet his +Generosity in letting the Prize go, gave the _English_ Grounds to +suspect the Truth, neither the Ship nor Cargoe being of Use to such as +were upon the grand Account. + +When they had lost all Hopes of the St. _Joseph_, they coasted along the +North-Side of _Cuba_, and the _Victoire_ growing now foul, they ran into +a Landlock'd Bay on the East North-East Point, where they hove her down +by Boats and Guns, though they could not pretend to heave her Keel out; +however, they scraped and tallowed as far as they could go; they, for +this Reason, many of them repented they had let the last Prize go, by +which they might have careened. + +When they had righted the Ship, and put every Thing on Board, they +consulted upon the Course they should steer. Upon this the Council +divided. The Captain and _Caraccioli_ were for stretching over to the +_African_, and the others for the _New-England_ Coast, alledging, that +the Ship had a foul Bottom, and was not fit for the Voyage; and that if +they met with contrary Winds, and bad Weather, their Stock of Provision +might fall short; and that as they were not far from the _English_ +Settlement of _Carolina_, they might either on that or the Coast of +_Virginia_, _Maryland_, _Pensylvania_, _New-York_, or _New-England_, +intercept Ships which traded to the Islands with Provisions, and by that +Means provide themselves with Bread, Flower, and other Necessaries. An +Account of the Provisions were taken, and finding they had Provisions +for four Months. Captain _Misson_ called all Hands upon Deck, and told +them, as the Council differed in the Course they should steer, he +thought it reasonable to have it put to the Vote of the whole Company. +That for his Part, he was for going to the Coasts of _Guiney_, where +they might reasonably expect to meet with valuable Prizes; but should +they fail in their Expectation one Way, they would be sure of having it +answered another; for they could then throw themselves in that of the +_East-India_ Ships, and he need not tell them, that the outward bound +dreined _Europe_ of what Money they drew from _America_. He then gave +the Sentiments of those who were against him, and their Reasons, and +begg'd that every one would give his Opinion and Vote according as he +thought most conducive to the Good of all. That he should be far from +taking it ill if they should reject what he had proposed, since he had +no private Views to serve. The Majority of Votes fell on the Captain's +Side, and they accordingly shaped their Course for the Coast of +_Guiney_, in which Voyage nothing remarkable happened. On their Arrival +on the Gold-Coast, they fell in with the _Nieuwstadt_ of _Amsterdam_, a +Ship of 18 Guns, commanded by Capt. _Blaes_, who made a running Fight of +five Glasses: This Ship they kept with them, putting on Board 40 Hands, +and bringing all the Prisoners on Board the _Victoire_, they were Forty +three in Number; they left _Amsterdam_ with Fifty six, seven were killed +in the Engagement, and they had lost six by Sickness and Accidents, one +falling overboard, and one being taken by a Shark going overboard in a +Calm. + +The _Nieuwstadt_ had some Gold-Dust on Board, to the Value of about 2000 +l. Sterling, and a few Slaves to the Number of Seventeen, for she had +but begun to Trade; the Slaves were a strengthening of their Hands, for +the Captain order'd them to be cloathed out of _Dutch_ Mariners Chests, +and told his Men, 'That the Trading for those of our own Species, cou'd +never be agreeable to the Eyes of divine Justice: That no Man had Power +of the Liberty of another; and while those who profess'd a more +enlightened Knowledge of the Deity, sold Men like Beasts; they prov'd +that their Religion was no more than Grimace, and that they differ'd +from the _Barbarians_ in Name only, since their Practice was in nothing +more humane: For his Part, and he hop'd, he spoke the Sentiments of all +his brave Companions, he had not exempted his Neck from the galling Yoak +of Slavery, and asserted his own Liberty, to enslave others. That +however, these Men were distinguish'd from the _Europeans_ by their +Colour, Customs, or religious Rites, they were the Work of the same +omnipotent Being, and endued with equal Reason: Wherefore, he desired +they might be treated like Freemen (for he wou'd banish even the Name of +Slavery from among them) and divided into Messes among them, to the End +they might the sooner learn their Language, be sensible of the +Obligation they had to them, and more capable and zealous to defend that +Liberty they owed to their Justice and Humanity.' + +This Speech of _Misson_'s was received with general Applause, and the +Ship rang with _vive le Capitain_ Misson. Long live Capt. _Misson_.--The +Negroes were divided among the _French_, one to a Mess, who, by their +Gesticulations, shew'd they were gratefully sensible of their being +delivered from their Chains. Their Ship growing very foul, and going +heavily through the Water, they run into the River of _Lagoa_, where +they hove her down, taking out such Planks as had suffer'd most by the +Worms, and substituting new in their Room. + +After this they careened the Prize, and so put out to Sea, steering to +the Southward, and keeping along the Coast, but met with Nothing. All +this while, the greatest Decorum and Regularity was observed on Board +the _Victoire_; but the _Dutch_ Prisoners Example began to lead 'em into +Swearing and Drunkenness, which the Captain remarking, thought it was +best to nip these Vices in the Bud; and calling both the _French_ and +_Dutch_ upon Deck, he address'd himself to the former, desiring their +Captain, who spoke _French_ excellently well, to interpret what he said +to those who did not understand him. He told them, 'before he had the +Misfortune of having them on Board, his Ears were never grated with +hearing the Name of the great Creator prophaned, tho' he, to his Sorrow, +had often since heard his own Men guilty of that Sin, which administer'd +neither Profit nor Pleasure, and might draw upon them a severe +Punishment: That if they had a just Idea of that great Being, they wou'd +never mention him, but they wou'd immediately reflect on his Purity and +their own Vileness. That we so easily took Impression from our Company, +that the _Spanish_ Proverb says, _let a Hermit and a Thief live +together, the Thief wou'd become Hermit, or the Hermit Thief_: That he +saw this verified in his Ship, for he cou'd attribute the Oaths and +Curses he had heard among his brave Companions, to nothing but the +odious Example of the _Dutch_: That this was not the only Vice they had +introduced, for before they were on Board, his Men were Men, but he +found by their beastly Pattern they were degenerated into Brutes, by +drowning that only Faculty, which distinguishes between Man and Beast, +_Reason_. That as he had the Honour to command them, he could not see +them run into these odious Vices without a sincere Concern, as he had a +paternal Affection for them; and he should reproach himself as +neglectful of the common Good, if he did not admonish them; and as by +the Post which they had honour'd him, he was obliged to have a watchful +Eye over their general Interest; he was obliged to tell them his +Sentiments were, that the _Dutch_ allured them to a dissolute Way of +Life, that they might take some Advantage over them: Wherefore, as his +brave Companions, he was assured, wou'd be guided by Reason, he gave the +_Dutch_ Notice, that the first whom he catch'd either with an Oath in +his Mouth or Liquor in his Head, should be brought to the Geers, whipped +and pickled, for an Example to the rest of his Nation: As to his +Friends, his Companions, his Children, those gallant, those generous, +noble, and heroick Souls he had the Honour to command, he entreated them +to allow a small Time for Reflection, and to consider how little +Pleasure, and how much Danger, might flow from imitating the Vices of +their Enemies; and that they would among themselves, make a Law for the +Suppression of what would otherwise estrange them from the Source of +Life, and consequently leave them destitute of his Protection.' + +It is not to be imagined what Efficacy this Speech had on both Nations: +The _Dutch_ grew continent in Fear of Punishment, and the _French_ in +Fear of being reproach'd by their good Captain, for they never mentioned +him without this Epithet. Upon the Coast of _Angola_, they met with a +second _Dutch_ Ship, the Cargo of which consisted of Silk and Woolen +Stuffs, Cloath, Lace, Wine, Brandy, Oyl, Spice, and hard Ware; the Prize +gave Chase and engaged her, but upon the coming up of the _Victoire_ she +struck. This Ship opportunely came in their Way, and gave full Employ to +the Taylors, who were on Board, for the whole Crew began to be out at +Elbows: They plundered her of what was of Use to their own Ship, and +then sunk her. + +The Captain having about ninety Prisoners on Board, proposed the giving +them the Prize, with what was necessary for their Voyage, and sending +them away; which being agreed to, they shifted her Ammunition on Board +the _Victoire_, and giving them Provision to carry them to the +Settlements the _Dutch_ have on the Coast, _Misson_ called them up, told +them what was his Design, and ask'd if any of them was willing to share +his Fortune: Eleven _Dutch_ came into him, two of which were +Sail-makers, one an Armourer, and one a Carpenter, necessary Hands; the +rest he let go, not a little surprised at the Regularity, Tranquillity, +and Humanity, which they found among these new-fashioned Pyrates. + +They had now run the Length of _Soldinia_ Bay, about ten Leagues to the +Northward of _Table_ Bay. As here is good Water, safe Riding, plenty of +Fish and fresh Provision, to be got of the Natives for the Merchandize +they had on Board, it was resolved to stay here some little Time for +Refreshments. When they had the Bay open, they spied a tall Ship, which +instantly got under sail, and hove out _English_ Colours. The _Victoire_ +made a clear Ship, and hove out her _French_ Ensign, and a smart +Engagement began. The _English_ was a new Ship built for 40 Guns, though +she had but 32 mounted, and 90 Hands. _Misson_ gave Orders for boarding, +and his Number of fresh Men he constantly poured in, after an obstinate +Dispute obliged the _English_ to fly the Decks, and leave the _French_ +Masters of their Ship, who promised, and gave them, good Quarters, and +stripp'd not a Man. + +They found on Board the Prize some Bales of _English_ Broad-Cloath, and +about 60000 l. in _English_ Crown Pieces, and _Spanish_ Pieces of Eight. +The _English_ Captain was killed in the Engagement, and 14 of his Men: +The _French_ lost 12, which was no small Mortification, but did not +however provoke them to use their Prisoners harshly. Captain _Misson_ +was sorry for the Death of the Commander, whom he buried on the Shoar, +and one of his Men being a Stone-Cutter, he raised a Stone over his +Grave with these Words, _Icy gist un brave Anglois_. Here lies a gallant +_English_ Man; when he was buried he made a tripple Discharge of 50 +small Arms, and fired Minute Guns. + +The _English_, knowing whose Hands they were fallen into, charm'd with +_Misson_'s Humanity, 30 of them, in 3 Days Space, desired to take on +with him. He accepted 'em, but at the same Time gave 'em to understand, +that in taking on with him they were not to expect they should be +indulged in a dissolute and immoral Life. He now divided his Company +between the two Ships, and made _Caraccioli_ Captain of the Prize, +giving him Officers chosen by the publick Suffrage. The 17 Negroes began +to understand a little _French_, and to be useful Hands, and in less +than a Month all the _English_ Prisoners came over to him, except their +Officers. + +He had two Ships well mann'd with resolute Fellows; they now doubled the +Cape, and made the South End of _Madagascar_, and one of the _English_ +Men telling Captain _Misson_, that the _European_ Ships bound for +_Surat_ commonly touch'd at the Island of _Johanna_, he sent for Captain +_Caraccioli_ on Board, and it was agreed to cruize off that Island. They +accordingly sailed on the West-Side of _Madagascar_ and off the Bay _de +Diego_. About half Seas over between that Bay and the Island of +_Johanna_, they came up with an _English East-India_ Man, which made +Signals of Distress as soon as she spy'd _Misson_ and his Prize; they +found her sinking by an unexpected Leak, and took all her Men on Board, +though they could get little out of her before she went down. The +_English_, who were thus miraculously saved from perishing, desired to +be set on Shoar at _Johanna_, where they hop'd to meet with either a +_Dutch_ or _English_ Ship in a little Time, and the mean while they were +sure of Relief. + +They arrived at _Johanna_, and were kindly received by the Queen-Regent +and her Brother, on account of the _English_ on the one Hand, and of +their Strength on the other, which the Queen's Brother, who had the +Administration of Affairs, was not able to make Head against, and hoped +they might assist him against the King of _Mohila_, who threaten'd him +with a Visit. + +This is an Island which is contiguous, in a manner, to _Johanna_, and +lies about N. W. and by N. from it. _Caraccioli_ told _Misson_ he might +make his Advantage in widening the Breach between these two little +Monarchies, and, by offering his Assistance to that of _Johanna_, in a +manner rule both, for these would court him as their Protector, and +those come to any Terms to buy his Friendship, by which Means he would +hold the Ballance of Power between them. He followed this Advice, and +offered his Friendship and Assistance to the Queen, who very readily +embraced it. + +I must advise the Reader, that many of this Island speak _English_, and +that the _English_ Men who were of _Misson_'s Crew, and his +Interpreters, told them, their Captain, though not an _Englishman_, was +their Friend and Ally, and a Friend and Brother to the _Johanna_ Men, +for they esteem the _English_ beyond all other Nations. + +They were supplied by the Queen with all Necessaries of Life, and +_Misson_ married her Sister, as _Caraccioli_ did the Daughter of her +Brother, whose Armory, which consisted before of no more than two rusty +Fire-Locks, and three Pistols, he furnish'd with thirty Fuzils, as many +Pair of Pistols, and gave him two Barrels of Powder, and four of Ball. + +Several of his Men took Wives, and some required their Share of the +Prizes, which was justly given them, they designing to settle in this +Island, but the Number of these did not exceed ten, which Loss was +repaired by thirty of the Crew (they had saved from perishing) coming in +to him. + +While they past their Time in all manner of Diversions the Place would +afford them, as hunting, feasting, and visiting the Island, the King of +_Mohila_ made a Descent, and alarm'd the whole Country. _Misson_ advised +the Queen's Brother not to give him any Impediment, but let him get into +the Heart of the Island, and he would take Care to intercept their +Return; but the Prince answered, should he follow his Advice the Enemy +would do him and the Subjects an irreparable Damage, in destroying the +Cocoa Walks, and for that Reason he must endeavour to stop his Progress. +Upon this Answer he asked the _English_ who were not under his Command, +if they were willing to join him in repelling the Enemies of their +common Host, and one and all consenting, he gave them Arms, and mixed +them with his own Men, and about the same Number of _Johannians_, under +the Command of _Caraccioli_ and the Queen's Brother, and arming out all +his Boats, he went himself to the Westward of the Island, where they +made their Descent. The Party which went by Land, fell in with, and beat +the _Mohilians_ with great Ease, who were in the greatest Consternation, +to find their Retreat cut off by _Misson_'s Boats. The _Johannians_, +whom they had often molested, were so enraged, that they gave Quarter to +none, and out of 300 who made the Descent, if _Misson_ and _Caraccioli_ +had not interposed, not a Soul had escaped; 113 were taken Prisoners by +his Men, and carried on Board his Ships. These he sent safe to _Mohila_, +with a Message to the King, to desire he would make Peace with his +Friend and Ally the King of _Johanna_; but that Prince, little affected +with the Service done him in the Preservation of his Subjects, sent him +Word he took Laws from none, and knew when to make War and Peace without +his Advice, which he neither asked nor wanted. _Misson_, irritated by +this rude Answer, resolved to transfer the War into his own Country, and +accordingly set sail for _Mohila_, with about 100 _Johanna_ Men. The +Shoar, on Sight of the Ships, was filled with Men to hinder a Descent if +intended, but the great Guns soon dispersed this Rabble, and under their +Cover he landed the _Johannians_, and an equal Number of _French_ and +_English_. They were met by about 700 _Mohilians_, who pretended to stop +their Passage, but their Darts and Arrows were of little avail against +_Misson_'s Fuzils; the first Discharge made a great Slaughter, and about +20 Shells which were thrown among them, put them to a confus'd Flight. +The Party of _Europeans_ and _Johannians_ then marched to their +Metropolis, without Resistance, which they reduced to Ashes, and the +_Johannians_ cut down all the Cocoa Walks that they could for the Time, +for towards Evening they returned to their Ships, and stood off to Sea. + +At their Return to _Johanna_ the Queen made a Festival, and magnified +the Bravery and Service of her Guests, Friends, and Allies. This Feast +lasted four Days, at the Expiration of which Time the Queen's Brother +proposed to Captain _Misson_ the making another Descent, in which he +would go in Person, and did not doubt subjecting the _Mohilians_; but +this was not the Design of _Misson_, who had Thoughts of fixing a +Retreat on the North West Side of _Madagascar_, and look'd upon the +Feuds between these two Islands advantageous to his Views, and therefore +no way his Interest to suffer the one to overcome the other; for while +the Variance was kept up, and their Forces pretty much upon a Level, it +was evident their Interest would make both Sides caress him; he +therefore answer'd, that they ought to deliberate on the Consequences, +for they might be deceived in their Hopes, and find the Conquest less +easy than they imagined. That the King of _Mohila_ would be more upon +his Guard, and not only intrench himself, but gall them with frequent +Ambuscades, by which they must inevitably lose a Number of Men; and, if +they were forced to retire with Loss, raise the Courage of the +_Mohilians_, and make them irreconcilable Enemies to the _Johannians_, +and intirely deprive him of the Advantages with which he might now make +a Peace, having twice defeated them: That he could not be always with +them, and at his leaving _Johanna_ he might expect the King of _Mohila_ +would endeavour to take a bloody Revenge for the late Damages. The Queen +gave intirely into _Misson_'s Sentiments. + +While this was in Agitation four _Mohilians_ arrived as Ambassadors to +propose a Peace. They finding the _Johannians_ upon high Terms, one of +them spoke to this Purpose; O ye _Johannians_, do not conclude from your +late Success, that Fortune will be always favourable; she will not +always give you the Protection of the _Europeans_, and without their +Help its possible you might now sue for a Peace, which you seem averse +to. Remember the Sun rises, comes to its Meridian Height, and stays not +there, but declines in a Moment. Let this admonish you to reflect on the +constant Revolution of all sublunary Affairs, and the greater is your +Glory, the nearer you are to your Declension. We are taught by every +Thing we see, that there is no Stability in the World, but Nature is in +continual Movement. The Sea which o'er flows the Sands has its Bounds +set, which it cannot pass, which the Moment it has reached, without +abiding, returns back to the Bosom of the Deep. Every Herb, every Shrub +and Tree, and even our own Bodies, teach us this Lesson, that nothing is +durable, or can be counted upon. Time passes away insensibly, one Sun +follows another, and brings its Changes with it. To Day's Globe of Light +sees you strengthened by these _Europeans_ elate with Victory, and we, +who have been used to conquer you, come to ask a Peace. To Morrow's Sun +may see you deprived of your present Succours, and the _Johannians_ +petitioning us; as therefore we cannot say what to Morrow may bring +forth, it would be unwise on uncertain Hopes to forego a certain +Advantage, as surely Peace ought to be esteem'd by every wise Man. + +Having said this, the Ambassadors withdrew, and were treated by the +Queen's Orders. After the Council had concluded, they were again call'd +upon, and the Queen told them, that by the Advice of her good Friends, +the _Europeans_, and those of her Council, she agreed to make a Peace, +which she wish'd might banish all Memory of former Injuries. That they +must own the War was begun by them, and that she was far from being the +Agressor; she only defended her self in her own Kingdom, which they had +often invaded, though, till within few Days, she had never molested +their Coasts. If then they really desired to live amicably with her, +they must resolve to send two of the King's Children, and ten of the +first Nobility, as Hostages, that they might, when they pleased, return, +for that was the only Terms on which she would desist prosecuting the +Advantages she now had, with the utmost Vigour. + +The Ambassadors return'd with this Answer, and, about ten Days after, +the two Ships appearing upon their Coasts, they sent off to give Notice, +that their King comply'd with the Terms proposed, would send the +Hostages, and desired a Cessation of all Hostility, and, at the same +Time, invited the Commanders on Shoar. The _Johanna_ Men on Board +disswaded their accepting the Invitation; but _Misson_ and _Caraccioli_, +fearing nothing, went, but arm'd their Boat's Crew. They were received +by the King with Demonstrations of Friendship, and they dined with him +under a Tamerane Tree; but when they parted from him, and were returning +to their Boats, they were inclosed by, at least, 100 of the _Mohilians_, +who set upon them with the utmost Fury, and, in the first Flight of +Arrows, wounded both the Captains, and killed four of their Boat's Crew +of eight, who were with them; they, in return, discharged their Pistols +with some Execution, and fell in with their Cutlasses; but all their +Bravery would have stood them in little Stead, had not the Report of +their Pistols alarm'd and brought the rest of their Friends to their +Assistance, who took their Fuzils, and coming up while they were +engaged, discharged a Volley on the Back of the Assailants, which laid +twelve of them dead on the Spot. The Ships hearing this Fire, sent +immediately the Yawls and Long-Boats well mann'd. Though the Islanders +were a little damp'd in their Courage by this Fire of the Boats Crew, +yet they did not give over the Fight, and one of them desperately threw +himself upon _Caraccioli_, and gave him a deep Wound in his Side, with a +long Knife, but he paid for the Rashness of the Attempt with his Life, +one of the Crew cleaving his Skull. The Yawls and Long-Boats now +arrived, and being guided by the Noise, reinforced their Companions, put +the Traytors to Flight, and brought off their dead and wounded. The +_Europeans_ lost by this Treachery seven slain outright, and eight +wounded, six of which recovered. + +The Crew were resolved to revenge the Blood of their Officers and +Comrades the next Day, and were accordingly on the Point of Landing, +when two Canoes came off with two Men bound, the pretended Authors of +this Treason, without the King's Knowledge, who had sent 'em that they +might receive the Punishment due to their Villany. The _Johanna_ Men on +Board were call'd for Interpreters, who having given this Account, +added, that the King only sacrificed these Men, but that they should not +believe him, for he certainly had given Orders for assassinating the +_Europeans_; and the better Way was to kill all the _Mohilians_ that +came in the Canoes as well as the two Prisoners; go back to _Johanna_, +take more of their Countrymen, and give no Peace to Traytors; but +_Misson_ was for no such violent Measures, he was averse to every Thing +that bore the Face of Cruelty and thought a bloody Revenge, if Necessity +did not enforce it, spoke a groveling and timid Soul; he, therefore, +sent those of the Canoes back, and bid them tell their King, if before +the Evening he sent the Hostages agreed upon, he should give Credit to +his Excuse, but if he did not, he should believe him the Author of the +late vile Attempt on his Life. + +The Canoes went off but returned not with an Answer, wherefore, he bid +the _Johanna_ Men tell the two Prisoners that they should be set on +Shore the next Morning, and order'd them to acquaint their King, he was +no Executioner to put those to Death whom he had condemn'd, but that he +should find, he knew how to revenge himself of his Treason. The +Prisoners being unbound, threw themselves at his Feet, and begg'd that +he would not send them ashore, for they should be surely put to Death, +for the Crime they had committed, was, the dissuading the barbarous +Action of which they were accused as Authors. + +Next Day the two Ships landed 200 Men, under the Cover of their Canon; +but that Precaution of bringing their Ships close to the Shore they +found needless; not a Soul appearing, they march'd two Leagues up the +Country, when they saw a Body of Men appear behind some Shrubs; +_Caraccioli_'s Lieutenant, who commanded the right Wing, with fifty Men +made up to them, but found he had got among Pit Falls artificially +cover'd, several of his Men falling into them, which made him halt, and +not pursue those _Mohilians_ who made a feint Retreat to ensnare him, +thinking it dangerous to proceed farther; and seeing no Enemy would face +them, they retired the same Way they came, and getting into their Boats, +went on Board the Ships, resolving to return with a strong +Reinforcement, and make Descents at one and the same Time in different +Parts of the Island. They ask'd the two Prisoners how the Country lay, +and what the Soil was on the North Side the Island; and they answer'd it +was morass, and the most dangerous Part to attempt, it being a Place +where they shelter on any imminent Danger. + +The Ships return'd to _Johanna_, where the greatest Tenderness and Care +was shewn for the Recovery and Cure of the two Captains and of their +Men; they lay six Weeks before they were able to walk the Decks, for +neither of them would quit his Ship. Their _Johanna_ Wives expressed a +Concern they did not think them capable of, nay, a Wife of one of the +wounded Men who died, stood some Time looking upon the Corpse as +motionless as a Statue, then embracing it, without shedding a Tear, +desired she might take it ashore to wash and bury it; and at the same +Time, by an Interpreter, and with a little Mixture of _European_ +Language, she had, begg'd her late Husband's Friends would take their +Leave of him the next Day. + +Accordingly a Number went ashore, and carried with them the Dividend, +which fell to his Share, which the Captain order'd to be given his +Widow; when she saw the Money, she smil'd, and ask'd if all, all that +was for her? Being answered in the affirmative, and what Good will all +that shining Dirt do me, if I could with it purchase the Life of my +Husband, and call him back from the Grave, I would accept it with +Pleasure, but as it is not sufficient to allure him back to this World, +I have no Use for it; do with it what you please. Then she desired they +would go with her and perform the last Ceremonies to her Husband's dead +Body, after their Country Fashion, least he should be displeased, that +she could not stay with them, to be a Witness, because she was in haste +to go and be married again. She startled the _Europeans_ who heard this +latter Part of her Speech so dissonant from the Beginning; however, they +followed her, and she led them into a Plantane Walk, where they found a +great many _Johanna_ Men and Women, sitting under the Shade of +Plantanes, round the Corpse, which lay (as they all sate) on the Ground, +covered with Flowers. She embraced them round, and then the _Europeans_, +one by one, and after these Ceremonies, she poured out a Number of +bitter Imprecations against the _Mohila_ Men, whose Treachery had +darken'd her Husband's Eyes, and made him insensible of her Caresses, +who was her first Love, to whom she had given her Heart, with her +Virginity. She then proceeded in his Praises, calling him the Joy of +Infants, the Love of Virgins, the Delight of the old, and the Wonder of +the young, adding, he was strong and beautiful as the Cedar, brave as +the Bull, tender as the Kid, and loving as the Ground Turtle; having +finished this Oration, not unlike those of the _Romans_, which the +nearest Relation of the deceas'd used to pronounce from the Rostrum, she +laid her down by the Side of her Husband, embracing him, and sitting up +again, gave herself a deep Wound under the left Breast with a Bayonet, +and fell dead on her Husband's Corpse. + +The _Europeans_ were astonished at the Tenderness and Resolution of the +Girl, for she was not, by what her Mien spoke her, past seventeen; and +they now admired, as much as they had secretly detested her, for saying +she was in haste to be married again, the Meaning of which they did not +understand. + +After the Husband and Wife were buried, the Crew return'd on Board, and +gave an Account of what had pass'd; the Captains Wives (for _Misson_ and +his were on Board the _Bijoux_, the Name they had given their Prize from +her Make and Gilding) seem'd not in the least surprized, and +_Caraccioli_'s Lady only said, she must be of noble Descent, for none +but the Families of the Nobility had the Privilege allowed them of +following their Husbands, on pain, if they transgressed, of being thrown +into the Sea, to be eat by Fish; and they knew, that their Souls could +not rest as long as any of the Fish, who fed upon them, lived. _Misson_ +asked, if they intended to have done the same Thing had they died? We +should not, answer'd his Wife, have disgraced our Families; nor is our +Tenderness for our Husbands inferior to hers whom you seem to admire. + +After their Recovery, _Misson_ proposed a Cruize, on the Coast of +_Zangueber_, which being agreed to, he and _Caraccioli_ took Leave of +the Queen and her Brother, and would have left their Wives on the +Island, but they could by no Means be induced to the Separation; it was +in vain to urge the Shortness of the Time they were to Cruize; they +answer'd it was farther than _Mohila_ they intended to go, and if they +were miserable in that short Absence, they could never support a longer; +and if they would not allow them to keep them Company the Voyage, they +must not expect to see them at their Return, if they intended one. + +In a Word they were obliged to yield to them, but told them, if the +Wives of their Men should insist as strongly on following their Example, +their Tenderness, would be their Ruin, and make them a Prey to their +Enemies; they answer'd the Queen should prevent that, by ordering no +Woman should go on Board, and if any were in the Ships, they should +return on Shore: This Order was accordingly made, and they set Sail for +the River of _Mozembique_. In about ten Days Cruize after they had left +_Johanna_, and about 15 Leagues to the Eastward of this River, they fell +in with a stout _Portuguese_ Ship of 60 Guns, which engaged them from +Break of Day till Two in the Afternoon, when the Captain being killed, +and a great Number of Men lost, she struck: This proved a very rich +Prize, for she had the Value of 250000 l. Sterling on Board, in +Gold-Dust. The two Women never quitted the Decks all the Time of the +Engagement, neither gave they the least Mark of Fear, except for their +Husbands: This Engagement cost them thirty Men, and _Caraccioli_ lost +his right Leg; the Slaughter fell mostly on the _English_, for of the +above Number, twenty were of that Nation: The _Portuguese_ lost double +the Number. _Caraccioli_'s Wound made them resolve to make the best of +their Way for _Johanna_, where the greatest Care was taken of their +wounded, not one of whom died, tho' their Number amounted to Twenty +seven. + +_Caraccioli_ kept his Bed two Months, but _Misson_ seeing him in a fair +way of Recovery, took what Hands could be spar'd from the _Bijoux_, +leaving her sufficient for Defence, and went out, having mounted ten of +the _Portuguese_ Guns, for he had hitherto carried but thirty, though he +had Ports for forty. He stretched over to _Madagascar_, and coasted +along this Island to the Northward, as far as the most northerly Point, +when turning back, he enter'd a Bay to the northward of _Diego Suares_. +He run ten Leagues up this Bay, and on the larboard Side found it +afforded a large, and safe, Harbour, with plenty of fresh Water. He came +here to an Anchor, went ashore and examined into the Nature of the Soil, +which he found rich, the Air wholesome, and the Country level. He told +his Men, that this was an excellent Place for an Asylum, and that he +determined here to fortify and raise a small Town, and make Docks for +Shipping, that they might have some Place to call their own; and a +Receptacle, when Age or Wounds had render'd them incapable of Hardship, +where they might enjoy the Fruits of their Labour, and go to their +Graves in Peace. That he would not, however, set about this, till he had +the Approbation of the whole Company; and were he sure they would all +approve this Design, which he hoped, it being evidently for the general +Good, he should not think it adviseable to begin any Works, lest the +Natives should, in his Absence, destroy them; but however, as they had +nothing upon their Hands, if they were of his Opinion, they might begin +to fall and square Timber, ready for the raising a wooden Fort, when +they return'd with their Companions. + +The Captain's Motion was universally applauded, and in ten Days they +fell'd and rough hew'd a hundred and fifty large Trees, without any +Interruption from, or seeing any of, the Inhabitants. They fell'd their +Timber at the Waters Edge, so that they had not the Trouble of hawling +them any way, which would have employ'd a great deal more Time: They +returned again, and acquainted their Companions with what they had seen +and done, and with the Captain's Resolution, which they one and all came +into. + +Captain _Misson_ then told the Queen, as he had been serviceable to her +in her War with the Island of _Mohila_, and might continue to be of +farther Use, he did not question her lending him Assistance in the +settling himself on the Coast of _Madagascar_, and to that end, furnish +him with 300 Men, to help in his Buildings; the Queen answered, she +could do nothing without Consent of Council, and that she would assemble +her Nobility, and did not question their agreeing to any Thing he could +reasonably desire, for they were sensible of the Obligations the +_Johannians_ had to him. The Council was accordingly called, and +_Misson_'s Demand being told, one of the eldest said, he did not think +it expedient to comply with it, nor safe to refuse; that they should in +agreeing to give him that Assistance, help to raise a Power, which might +prove formidable to themselves, by the being so near a Neighbour; and +these Men who had lately protected, might, when they found it for their +Interest, enslave them. On the other hand, if they did not comply, they +had the Power to do them great Damage. That they were to make choice of +the least of two possible Evils, for he could prognosticate no Good to +_Johanna_, by their settling near it. Another answered, that many of +them had _Johanna_ Wives, that it was not likely they would make Enemies +of the _Johanna_ Men at first settling, because their Friendship might +be of Use to them; and from their Children there was nothing to be +apprehended in the next Generation, for they would be half their own +Blood; that in the mean while, if they comply'd with the Request, they +might be sure of an Ally, and Protector, against the King of _Mohila_; +wherefore, he was for agreeing to the Demand. + +After a long Debate, in which every Inconvenience, and Advantage, was +maturely considered, it was agreed to send with him the Number of Men he +required, on Condition he should send them back in four Moons, make an +Alliance with them, and War against _Mohila_; this being agreed to, they +staid till _Caraccioli_ was thoroughly recovered, then putting the +_Johannians_ on board the _Portuguese_ Ship with 40 _French_ and +_English_ and 15 _Portuguese_ to work her, and setting Sail, they +arrived at the Place where _Misson_ designed his Settlement, which he +called _Libertalia_, and gave the Name of _Liberi_ to his People, +desiring in that might be drown'd the distinguish'd Names of _French_, +_English_, _Dutch_, _Africans_, &c. + +The first Thing they sat about was, the raising a Fort on each Side the +Harbour, which they made of an octogon Figure, and having finished and +mounted them with 40 Guns taken out of the _Portuguese_, they raised a +Battery on an Angle of ten Guns, and began to raise Houses and Magazines +under the Protection of their Forts and Ships; the _Portuguese_ was +unrigg'd, and all her Sails and Cordage carefully laid up. While they +were very busily employed in the raising a Town, a Party which had often +hunted and rambled four or five Leagues off their Settlement, resolved +to venture farther into the Country. They made themselves some Huts, at +about 4 Leagues distance from their Companions, and travell'd East South +East, about 5 Leagues farther into the Country, when they came up with a +Black, who was arm'd with a Bow, Arrows, and a Javelin; they with a +friendly Appearance engaged the Fellow to lay by his Fear and go with +them. They carried him to their Companions, and there entertained him +three Days with a great Deal of Humanity, and then returned with him +near the Place they found him, made him a Present of a Piece of scarlet +Baze, and an Ax; he appeared overjoy'd at the Present, and left them +with seeming Satisfaction. + +The Hunters imagined that there might be some Village not far off, and +observing that he look'd at the Sun, and then took his Way direct South, +they travell'd on the same Point of the Compass, and from the Top of a +Hill they spied a pretty large Village, and went down to it; the Men +came out with their Arms, such as before described, Bows, Arrows, and +Javelins, but upon two only of the Whites advancing, with Presents of +Axes, and Baze in their Hands, they sent only four to meet them. The +Misfortune was, that they could not understand one another, but by their +pointing to the Sun, and holding up one Finger, and making one of them +go forward, and return again with shewing their Circumcision, and +pointing up to Heaven with one Finger, they apprehended, they gave them +to understand, there was but one God, who had sent one Prophet, and +concluded from thence, and their Circumcision they were _Mahometans_; +the Presents were carried to their Chief, and he seem'd to receive them +kindly, and by Signs invited the Whites into their Village; but they, +remembring the late Treachery of the _Mohilians_, made Signs for +Victuals to be brought them where they were. + + * * * * * + +_More of the History of these Adventurers in another Place._ + + + OF + Capt. _JOHN BOWEN_. + +The exact Time of this Person's setting out I am not certain of; I find +him cruising on the _Mallabar_ Coast in the Year 1700, commanding a Ship +called the _Speaker_, whose Crew consisted of Men of all Nations, and +their Pyracies were committed upon Ships of all Nations likewise. The +Pyrates here met with no Manner of Inconveniencies in carrying on their +Designs, for it was made so much a Trade, that the Merchants of one Town +never scrupled the buying Commodities taken from another, though but ten +Miles distant, in a publick Sale, furnishing the Robbers at the same +Time with all Necessaries, even of Vessels, when they had Occasion to go +on any Expedition, which they themselves would often advise them of. + +Among the rest an _English East-India_ Man, Captain _Coneway_ from +_Bengal_, fell into the Hands of this Crew, which they made Prize of, +near _Callequilon_; they carried her in, and put her up to sale, +dividing the Ship and Cargoe into three Shares; one Third was sold to a +Merchant, Native of _Callequilon_ aforesaid, another Third to a Merchant +of _Porca_, and the other to one _Malpa_, a _Dutch_ Factor. + +Loaded with the Spoil of this and several Country Ships, they left the +Coast, and steer'd for _Madagascar_; but in their Voyage thither, +meeting with adverse Winds, and, being negligent in their Steerage, they +ran upon St. _Thomas_'s Reef, at the Island of _Mauritius_, where the +Ship was lost; but _Bowen_ and the greatest Part of the Crew got safe +ashore. + +They met here with all the Civility and good Treatment imaginable; +_Bowen_ was complimented in a particular Manner by the Governor, and +splendidly entertained in his House; the sick Men were got, with great +Care, into the Fort, and cured by their Doctor, and no Supplies of any +sort wanting for the rest. They spent here three Months, but yet +resolving to set down at _Madagascar_, they bought a Sloop, which they +converted into a Brigantine, and, about the middle of _March_ 1701, +departed, having first taken formal Leave of the Governor, by making a +Present of 2500 Pieces of Eight, leaving him, besides, the Wreck of +their Ship, with the Guns, Stores, and every Thing else that was saved. +The Governor, on his Part, supply'd them with Necessaries for their +Voyage, which was but short, and gave them a kind Invitation to make +that Island a Place of Refreshment in the Course of their future +Adventures, promising that nothing should be wanting to them that his +Government afforded. + +Upon their Arrival at _Madagascar_, they put in at a Place on the +East-Side, called _Maritan_, quitted their Vessel, and settled +themselves ashore in a fruitful Plain on the Side of a River. They built +themselves a Fort on the River's Mouth towards the Sea, and another +small one on the other Side towards the Country; the first to prevent a +Surprize from Shipping, and the other as a Security from the Natives, +many of whom they employed in the Building. They built also a little +Town for their Habitation, which took up the Remainder of the Year 1701. + +When this was done, they soon became dissatisfied with their new +Situation, having a hankering Mind after their old Employment, and +accordingly resolved to fit up the Brigantine they had from the _Dutch_ +at _Mauritius_, which was laid in a Cove near their Settlement, but an +Accident, that they improved, provided for them in a better Manner, and +saved them a great deal of Trouble. + +It happened that about the beginning of the Year 1702, a Ship called the +_Speedy Return_, belonging to the _Scotch-African_ and _East-India_ +Company, Captain _Drummond_ Commander, came into the Port of _Maritan_ +in _Madagascar_, with a Brigantine that belonged to her; they had before +taken in Negroes at St. _Mary_'s, a little Island adjoining to the main +Island of _Madagascar_, and carried them to Don _Mascarenhas_, from +whence they sailed to this Port on the same Trade. + +On the Ship's Arrival, Captain _Drummond_, with _Andrew Wilky_, his +Surgeon, and several others of the Crew, went on Shore; in the mean +while _John Bowen_, with four others of his Consorts, goes off in a +little Boat, on Pretence of buying some of their Merchandize brought +from _Europe_, and finding a fair Opportunity, the chief Mate, +Boatswain, and a Hand or two more only upon the Deck, and the rest at +Work in the Hold, they threw off their Mask; each drew out a Pistol and +Hanger, and told them, they were all dead Men if they did not retire +that Moment to the Cabin. The Surprize was sudden, and they thought it +necessary to obey; one of the Pyrates placed himself Centry at the Door, +with his Arms in his Hands, and the rest immediately laid the Hatches, +and then made a Signal to their Fellows on Shore, as agreed on; upon +which, about forty or fifty came on Board, and took quiet Possession of +the Ship, and afterwards the Brigantine, without Bloodshed, or striking +a Stroke. + +_Bowen_ was made, or rather made himself, of Course, Captain; he +detained the old Crew, or the greatest Part thereof, burnt the +Brigantine as being of no Use to them, cleaned and fitted the Ship, took +Water, Provisions, and what Necessaries were wanting, and made ready for +new Adventures. + +I shall leave them a while, to relate an unfortunate Story of a worthy +honest Gentleman, who suffered through the Rashness and Folly of a +headstrong People, for pyratically taking and murdering the Captain and +Crew of this very Ship _Bowen_ and his Gang now seized. + +An _English-India_ Man, commanded by Captain _Thomas Green_, called the +_Worcester_, in her Voyage home to _England_, was drove by southerly +Winds into _Scotland_, in the Month of _July_ 1704, and anchored in +_Leith_ Road; the Captain, and several of the Ship's Company, going +ashore for Refreshments, the People of the Town, who had Acquaintance +and Friends in Captain _Drummond_'s Ship, understanding the _Worcester_ +came from the _East-Indies_, were very importunate in their Enquiries +after this Ship, and being told that they had heard of no such Ship in +_India_, the Enquirers pretended to be very much surprized; so that, in +short, it grew into a Suspicion that the _Worcester_ had not dealt +fairly by the _Scotch_ Ship, which they had not heard of themselves +since her Departure. In short, the Magistrates were inform'd that some +of the Crew had dropt Words that plainly indicated the supposed Robbery +and Murders of their Countrymen. Upon this several Men were privately +examined; sometimes they were threaten'd to be hanged, and then again +large Promises were made to encourage 'em to discover the pretended +Fact; till at length an _Indian_ Boy was prevailed on to confess the +whole Matter upon Oath, as they might think. Then the Captain, chief +Mate and Crew, were seized and sent to Prison, the Ship was unloaded, +and almost ripp'd to Pieces, to search for Goods, Writings, _&c._ to +confirm the _Indian_'s Deposition, but nothing could be found; therefore +they were obliged to try them, and try them they did, upon this +Evidence, and some small Circumstances sworn to by _Charles May_, the +Surgeon, which carried great Improbabilities along with it. The +Depositions were as follow; the _Indian_, whose Name was _Antonio +Ferdinando_ swore, 'That on the Coast of _Mallabar_ he came aboard the +Sloop that attended the _Worcester_, and thereafter saw an Engagement +between the said Sloop, the _Worcester_ and another Ship, sailed by +White Men, speaking _English_, and bearing _English_ Colours. That they +did engage the said Ship for three Days, and on the third Day the said +Ship was boarded by those in the Sloop, who took up the Crew of the said +Ship from under Deck, killed them with Hatchets, and threw them +overboard.' + +_Charles May_ only deposed, 'That being ashore at _Callequillon_ he +heard Guns firing at Sea, and asking some Body he met at the Landing +Place, what meant this shooting? He was answered, the _Worcester_ was +gone out, and was fighting at Sea with another Ship. That the next +Morning he saw the _Worcester_ riding at her Birth, where she had rid +the Day before, and another Ship riding at her Stern. That the +_Worcester_'s Long-Boat coming ashore, and he asking the Men what +brought them ashore? They answered, they were sent for Water, they +having spilt and staved all their Water; and that they had been busking +all Night. That _this Evidence_ going aboard five or six Days after, saw +the Ship lumber'd with Goods, and that he was inform'd that the Ship +that was riding at the _Worcester_'s Stern, was sold to _Cogo Comodo_, +Merchant at _Quilon_. That _Antonio Ferdinando_ was wounded, and some +others; and when he ask'd the Patients how they came by their Wounds, +they were forbid to answer by Mr. _Madder_, the chief Mate. That all +this fell out between the Months of _January_ and _February_ 1703.' + +As to _Antonio_'s Deposition, it appear'd to be all Invention, and +nothing true in it; and _Charles May_'s a Heap of sly Insinuations, +drawn from a known Fact, which was this; the _Worcester_ departing from +_Callequillon_ to _Carnipole_, was drove by Stress of Weather from near +the Road of _Quillon_ to _Anjango_, where coming near the _Aureng Zeb_, +_India_ Man, she saluted her with five Guns, which were the Guns the +Surgeon heard; and the _Aureng Zeb_ came in along with the _Worcester_, +and anchor'd at her Stern, which was the Ship taken Notice of by him. By +busking all Night is meant only beating to Windward, which she did in +order to fetch _Quillon_, the Wind being contrary. The _Worcester_ +spar'd her Water to the _Aureng Zeb_, which occasioned their sending for +more, and the wounded Men, which were proved to be no more than three in +the Voyage; one was from a Fall in the Hold, another by fighting with +Knives, between two _Dutch_ Men, and the other by cutting of Wood. + +'Tis observable likewise, that _May_'s Evidence, which is brought to +support _Antonio_'s, contradicted it in several Parts; for _Antonio_ +swore the Fact to be done between _Callicut_ and _Tallecherry_, (where, +by the Way, the Ship never was, as was own'd by the Surgeon, and prov'd +by the Captain's and other Journals) and _May_ heard the Guns at +_Callequillon_, which could not be less then 140 Miles asunder. +_Antonio_ makes the supposed Engagement hold three Days; according to +_May_, the _Worcester_ was busking only one Night; all the rest of his +Evidence is, _As he was inform'd_, _As he was told_, &c. And what's +remarkable of this _May_, is, he was eighteen Months after this in the +said Ship, and own'd on the Trial, that he never heard in all that Time +one Word spoken of a Fight with any other Ship, or a Prize taken, or any +Thing relating to such an Action, which must be very strange, if the +Matter had been true. + +In short, Captain _Green_ and the rest of the Crew were convicted, and +received Sentence for the supposed Crimes, as follows, _Green_, +_Madder_, _Sympson_, _Keigle_ and _Haines_ to be hanged on _Wednesday, +April_ 4th. _Taylor_, _Glenn_, _Kitchen_ and _Robertson_, on _Wednesday, +April_ 11th, and _Brown_, _Bruckley_, _Wilcocks_, _Ballantyne_ and +_Linsey_, on _Wednesday, April_ 18th. + +I cannot but here take Notice (though with much Concern) that upon the +Condemnation of these unhappy Men, there seemed a universal Joy in and +about the City; it was the only Discourse for some Days, and every Man +thought himself nearly concerned in it; and some could not forbear in +Words openly to express their brutal Joy: Now, said they, we'll _Darien_ +'em: By this they shall see we'll do our selves Justice, _&c_. + +After Sentence, the Prisoners desired not to be disturb'd in their dying +Moments, that they might improve 'em to the best Advantage; but now they +were not only insulted with the most opprobrious Language, by such as +could get to 'em, but continually worried by the religious Kirk +Teachers. The most dismal Threatnings were denounc'd against 'em, and +nothing but God's Wrath and eternal Torments in all its Horrors, were to +be their Portion, if they died obdurate (as they call'd it) that is, +without owning themselves guilty; and all this delivered with that +Passion peculiar to that bitter Sett of Men. Nay, so restless were they, +that even now, after Condemnation, they singled out some they found more +terrified by their Cant, and assur'd 'em of Life if they would +ingenuously acknowledge the Crimes they were condemned for; and, at +last, worked so far upon _Haines_ and _Linsey_, that they brought them +to own almost what they pleased. The former of these, upon their Pardons +being granted, gave a frightful Account of the whole Pyracy and Murther +upon _Drummond_'s Ship, and took Care, as near as he could, to keep +close with _Ferdinando_'s Evidence, only here and there he was out in +very material Points, as Men always are that don't relate Matters of +Fact. There was a great many bloody Circumstances added to colour the +whole, as their Manner of Swearing when they commenced Pyrates (much +like the ridiculous Ceremonies at making of Witches) which, he said, was +thus; Every one of 'em was let Blood, which they mixed together, and +after every Man had drank part, they all swore to Secrecy, _&c._ with +abundance of such Stuff. _Linsey_, a Man of better Sense, contented +himself with saying as little as possible, which was excusable, he being +on shoar in the pretended Engagement, so that most of what he said, +consisted in Hearsays of the _Indians_, _&c._ Thus these poor Wretches +screen'd themselves from this fatal Blow, at the Expence of Faith and a +good Conscience, and to enjoy a troublesome Life, perhaps a few Years. + +As soon as their Confessions were made publick, the Gentry, as well as +the Mob, was transported with Rage, and the poor Wretches were blackened +and reviled in a shameful Manner; and so violent was the Torrent of +their Fury, that it reached even their Council for their Tryals, and +they were obliged, for their own Safety, to withdraw into the Country. + +In the midst of this Confusion two Men, who were known to be of +_Drummond_'s Crew, came home in the _Raper_ Galley, and made Affidavits +of the Loss of the said Ship to the Pyrates, as has been mentioned; upon +which her Majesty and Council first reprieved them for eight Days, and +afterwards desired Execution might be farther respited till they heard +from above. + +The common People, who for some Time past, with raised Expectations, had +waited for the Execution, began to grow very impatient, bitterly +inveighing against the Reprieve; and the Council met on the 11th of +_April_ in the Morning, to consider what was to be done; which the Mob +perceiving, imagined 'twas in order to a further Reprieve or Pardon; +immediately all Shops were shut up, and the Streets filled with +incredible Numbers of Men, Women and Children, calling for Justice upon +those _English_ Murtherers. The Lord Chancellour _Seafield_'s Coach +happening to pass by, they stopp'd it, broke the Sashes, haul'd him out, +and oblig'd him to promise Execution should speedily be done before he +could get from 'em. + +According to the Chancellor's Promise, soon after, on the same Day, +being _Wednesday_, Captain _Green_, _Madder_, and _Sympson_ were brought +out, and convey'd to Execution, which was at _Leith Road_ upon the +Sands, and all the Way were huzza'd in triumph as it were, and insulted +with the sharpest and most bitter Invectives. + +Thus fell these unhappy Men a well-pleasing Sacrifice to the Malice of +wicked Men. + +As for Captain _Green_'s Speech; after he had taken Notice of the Crimes +he was to dye for, and appealed to all present to charge him, or the +Crew, with any Injustice, since he had lived there; he goes on in giving +an Account of his Faith, his living and dying in the Church of +_England_, of their Manner of Life abroad, their Observance of religious +Duties, and the Sense he had of the Impossibility of Salvation, if he +dy'd with a Falshood in his Mouth. Then follows,--'Pursuant to which, I +in the Presence of Almighty God, declare to you his People, that I am +innocent in Design or Deed, and free from the Crimes for which I am +condemned. That to my Knowledge, I never all my Life-time wrong'd Man in +his Person or Goods, or had Accession thereto. What the Custom of +Pyrates is, I thank God I know not: But I understand my Accusers and +Persecuters will have you to believe, that I think it unnecessary to +confess before Men. Take what I say as good Christians ought to do; if +you have no Charity, you wrong your selves, and cannot hurt me.' + +'I am told some of my Crew have confess'd the Crimes, and load us with +Guilt; this is done since Sentence, and in hopes of saving themselves, +which I wish they may do by lawful Means, and not have Accession to the +shedding innocent Blood. I am a dying, these are still in hopes to live, +chuse you which of us to believe, _&c._' + +To return to Captain _Bowen_, who pyratically possessed himself of +Captain _Drummond_'s Ship and Brigantine, as aforesaid, he, being +inform'd by the Crew, that when they left Don _Mascarenhas_, a Ship +called the _Rook_ Galley, Captain _Honeycomb_ Commander, was lying in +that Bay, resolved, with the other Pyrates, to sail thither, but it +taking up seven or eight Days in watering their Vessels, and settling +their private Affairs, they arrived not at the Island till after the +Departure of the said Galley, who thereby happily escaped the villainous +Snare of their unprovok'd Enemies. + +The Night after the Pyrates left _Maritan_, the Brigantine ran on a +Ledge of Rocks off the West Side of the Island _Madagascar_, which not +being perceived by the Ship, _Bowen_ came into _Mascarenhas_ without +her, not knowing what was become of his Consort. + +Here Captain _Bowen_ staid eight or ten Days, in which Time he supplied +the Ship with Provisions, and judging, that the _Rook_ Galley was gone +to some other Island, the Ship sail'd to _Mauritius_, in search of her; +but the Pyrates seeing four or five Ships in the N. W. Harbour, they +thought themselves too weak to attempt any thing there, so they stood +immediately for _Madagascar_ again, and arrived safe, first to _Port +Dauphin_, and then to _Augustin Bay_. In a few Days the _Content_ +Brigantine, which they supposed either to have been lost, or revolted +that honourable Service, came into the same Bay, and informed their +Brethren of the Misfortune that happened to them: The Rogues were glad, +no doubt, of seeing one another again, and calling a Council together, +they found the Brigantine in no Condition for Business, being then very +leaky, therefore she was condemned, and forthwith halled ashore and +burnt, and the Crew united, and all went aboard the _Speedy Return_. + +At this Place the Pyrates were made acquainted, by the Negroes, of the +Adventures of another Gang that had settled for some Time near that +Harbour, and had one _Howard_ for their Captain. It was the Misfortune +of an _India_ Ship called the _Prosperous_, to come into the Bay at a +Time that these Rogues were looking out for Employment; who, under the +Pretence of trading (almost in the same Manner that _Bowen_ and his Gang +had seized the _Speedy Return_) made themselves Masters of her, and +sailed with her to _New Mathelage_. _Bowen_ and his Gang consulting +together on this Intelligence, concluded 'twas more for their Interest +to join in Alliance with this new Company, than to act single, they +being too weak of themselves to undertake any considerable Enterprize, +remembring how they were obliged to bear away from the Island of +_Mauritius_, when they were in search of the _Rook_ Gally, which they +might have taken, with several others, had they had at that Time a +Consort of equal Force to their own Ship. + +They accordingly set sail from the Bay, and came into _New Mathelage_, +but found no Ship there, tho' upon Enquiry they understood that the +Pyrate they look'd for, had been at the Place, but was gone; so after +some Stay they proceeded to _Johanna_, but the _Prosperous_ not being +there neither, they sailed to _Mayotta_, where they found her lying at +Anchor; this was about _Christmas_ 1702. + +Here these two Powers struck up an Alliance, _Howard_ liking the +Proposals, came readily into it, and the Treaty was ratified by both +Companies. They staid above two Months at this Island, thinking it, +perhaps, as likely a Place to meet with Prey as cruising out for it, and +so indeed it happened; for about the beginning of _March_, the Ship +_Pembroke_ belonging to our _East-India_ Company, coming in for Water, +was boarded by their Boats, and taken, with the Loss of the chief Mate +and another Man that were killed in the Skirmish. + +The two Pyrate Ships weighed, and went out to Sea along with their +Prize, and that Day and the next plundered her of the best Part of her +Cargo, Provisions and Stores, and then taking the Captain and Carpenter +away, they let the _Pembroke_ go where the Remainder of her Crew +pleased, and came with their Ships into _New Methelage_. Here the two +Captains consulted, and laid a Plan for a Cruize to _India_, for which +Purpose they detained Captain _Woolley_ of the _Pembroke_ lately taken, +in order to be their Pilot in those Seas; but a very hot Dispute arose +between the two Companies, which Ship he should go aboard of, insomuch +that they had gone together by the Ears, if an Expedient had not been +found to satisfy each Party, that one might not have the Advantage of +the other by the Captain's Skill and Knowledge of the _Indian_ Coast, +and this was to knock the poor Man on the Head; and murder him; but at +last, by the Authority of _Bowen_, Captain _Woolley_ escaped the +threaten'd Danger, by bringing his Company to consent to his remaining +on board the _Prosperous_, where he then was. + +The _Speedy Return_ being foul, and wanting a little Repair, it was +judged proper for her to go back to _Augustin_ Bay to clean; in the mean +while the _Prosperous_ was to have a Pair of Boot-Tops where she lay, +and likewise to take in Water and Provision, and then to join their +Consort again at _Mayotta_, the Island appointed for the Rendezvous. + +The _Prosperous_ put into _Mayotta_ as agreed on, and waiting there some +Time for _Bowen_'s Ship, without seeing or hearing any News of her, went +to _Johanna_, but not meeting with her there, they apprehended some +Accident had befel her, and therefore left the Place, and sailed on the +Expedition themselves. As to the _Speedy Return_, she arrived safe at +St. _Augustin_'s Bay at _Madagascar_, and there cleaned and victualled; +but tarrying there somewhat too long, the Winds hung contrary, and they +could not for their Lives beat up to _Mayotta_, and therefore went to +_Johanna_, where, hearing that their Friends had lately left that +Island, they steered for the _Red Sea_, but the Wind not proving fair +for their Design, they bore away for the High Land of St. _John_'s, near +_Surrat_, where they once more fell in Company with their Brethren of +the _Prosperous_. + +They cruiz'd together, as was first agreed on, and after some Time they +had Sight of four Ships, to whom they gave Chace; but these separating, +two standing to Northward, and two to the Southward, the Pyrates +separated likewise, _Bowen_ standing after those that steered Southerly, +and _Howard_ crowded after the others. _Bowen_ came up with the heaviest +of the two, which proved to be a _Moorish_ Ship of 700 Tun, bound from +the Gulph of _Mocha_ to _Surat_. The Pyrates brought the Prize into +_Rajapora_, on the Coast of _India_, where they plundered her; the +Merchandize they sold to the Natives, but a small Sum of current Gold +they found aboard, amounting to 22,000 _l._ _English_ Money, they put +into their Pockets. Two Days after the _Prosperous_ came in, but without +any Prize; however, they soon made their Friends acquainted that they +had not succeeded worse than themselves, for at _Surat_ River's Mouth, +where all the four Ships were bound, they came up with their Chace; and +with a Broadside, one of them struck, but the other got into the Bay. +They stood down the Coast with the Prize till they had plundered her of +the best of her Cargoe, the most valuable of which was 84,000 +_Chequins_, a Piece of about ten Shillings each, and then they left her +adrift, without either Anchor or Cable, off _Daman_. + +While they were lying at _Rajapora_ they past a Survey on their +Shipping, and judging their own to be less serviceable than their Prize, +they voted them to the Flames, and straightway fitted up the _Surat_ +Ship; they transported both Companies aboard of her, and then set Fire +to the _Prosperous_ and _Speedy Return_. They mustered at this Place 164 +fighting Men, 43 only were _English_, the greater Number _French_, the +rest _Danes_, _Swedes_ and _Dutch_; they took aboard 70 _Indians_ to do +the Drudgery of the Ship, and mounted 56 Guns, calling her the +_Defiance_, and sailed from _Rajapora_ the latter End of _October_, in +the Year 1703, to cruize on the Coast of _Mallabar_: + +But not meeting with Prey in this first Cruise, they came to an Anchor +about three Leagues to the Northward of _Cochen_, expecting some Boats +to come off with Supplies of Refreshments, for which Purpose they fired +several Guns, by way of Signal, but none appearing, the Quarter-Master +was sent in the Pinnace to confer with the People, which he did with +some Caution, keeping the Boat upon their Oars at the Shore-Side: In +short, they agreed very well, the Pyrates were promised whatever +Necessaries they wanted, and the Boat returned aboard. + +The next Day a Boat came off from the Town with Hogs, Goats, Wine, _&c._ +with a private Intimation from _Malpa_, the _Dutch_ Broker, an old +Friend of the Pyrates, that a Ship of that Country called the _Rimæ_, +lay then in _Mudbay_, not many Leagues off, and if they would go out and +take her, he would purchase the Cargo of them, and likewise promised +that they should be further supplied with Pitch, Tar, and all other +Necessaries, which was made good to them; for People from the Factory +flocked aboard every Hour, and dealt with them as in open Market, for +all Sorts of Merchandize, Refreshments, Jewels and Plate, returning with +Coffers of Money, _&c._ to a great Value. + +The Advice of the Ship was taken very kindly, but the Pyrates judging +their own Ship too large to go close into the Bay, consulted their +Friend upon Means for taking the said Ship, who readily treated with +them for the Sale of one of less Burthen that lay then in the Harbour; +but _Malpa_ speaking to one _Punt_ of the Factory to carry her out, he +not only refused to be concerned in such a Piece of Villainy, but +reproved _Malpa_ for corresponding with the Pyrates, and told him, if he +should be guilty of so base an Action, he must never see the Face of any +of his Countrymen more; which made the honest Broker change both his +Countenance and his Purpose. + +At this Place Captain _Woolley_, whom they had taken for their Pilot on +the _India_ Coast, being in a very sick and weak Condition, was, at his +earnest Intreaty, discharged from his severe Confinement among them, and +set ashore, and the next Day the Pyrates sailed, and ranged along the +_Mallabar_ Coast, in quest of more Booty. In their Way they met a second +time with the _Pembroke_, and plundered her of some Sugar, and other +small Things, and let her go again. From the Coast they sail'd back for +the Island of _Mauritius_, where they lay some Time, and lived after +their usual extravagant Manner. + +At _Mauritius_ two of the Crew, _viz._ _Israel Phipeny_ and _Peter +Freeland_, left the Pyrates and concealed themselves in the Island till +the Ship sailed. These two Men were part of _Drummond_'s Crew, who found +an Opportunity of coming to _England_ soon after on board the _Raper_ +Galley, and arrived at _Portsmouth_ in _March_ 1725. When this came to +be known, Mr. _John Green_, Brother to Capt. _Green_, then under +Sentence, went thither and got the Affidavits of the said _Phipeny_ and +_Freeland_, made before the Mayor of _Portsmouth_, containing several +Matters herein mentioned, which Affidavits were immediately brought to +_London_, and by the Secretary of State sent away Express to _Scotland_, +which arrived there some Hours before Capt. _Green_ was executed. + + + OF + Capt. _WILLIAM KID_. + +We are now going to give an Account of one whose Name is better known in +_England_, than most of those whose Histories we have already related; +the Person we mean is Captain _Kid_, whose publick Trial and Execution +here, rendered him the Subject of all Conversation, so that his Actions +have been chanted about in Ballads; however, it is now a considerable +Time since these Things passed, and though the People knew in general +that Captain _Kid_ was hanged, and that his Crime was Pyracy, yet there +were scarce any, even at that Time, who were acquainted with his Life or +Actions, or could account for his turning Pyrate. + +In the Beginning of King _William_'s War, Captain _Kid_ commanded a +Privateer in the _West-Indies_, and by several adventurous Actions +acquired the Reputation of a brave Man, as well as an experienced +Seaman. About this Time the Pyrates were very troublesome in those +Parts, wherefore Captain _Kid_ was recommended by the Lord _Bellamont_, +then Governor of _Barbadoes_, as well as by several other Persons, to +the Government here, as a Person very fit to be entrusted with the +Command of a Government Ship, and to be employed in cruising upon the +Pyrates, as knowing those Seas perfectly well, and being acquainted with +all their lurking Places; but what Reasons governed the Politicks of +those Times, I cannot tell, but this Proposal met with no Encouragement +here, though it is certain it would have been of great Consequence to +the Subject, our Merchants suffering incredible Damages by those +Robbers. + +Upon this Neglect the Lord _Bellamont_ and some others, who knew what +great Captures had been made by the Pyrates, and what a prodigious +Wealth must be in their Possession, were tempted to fit out a Ship at +their own private Charge, and to give the Command of it to Captain +_Kid_; and, to give the Thing a greater Reputation, as well as to keep +their Seamen under the better Command, they procured the King's +Commission for the said Captain _Kid_, of which the following is an +exact Copy. + +_William Rex_, + +_'William_ the Third, by the Grace of God, King of _England_, +_Scotland_, _France_ and _Ireland_, Defender of the Faith, _&c._ To our +trusty and well beloved Captain _William Kid_, Commander of the Ship the +_Adventure_ Gally, or to any other the Commander of the same for the +Time being, GREETING; Whereas we are informed, that Captain _Thomas +Too_, _John Ireland_, Captain _Thomas Wake_, and Captain _William Maze_, +or _Mace_, and other Subjects, Natives or Inhabitants of _New-York_, and +elsewhere, in our Plantations in _America_, have associated themselves, +with divers others, wicked and ill disposed Persons, and do, against the +Law of Nations, commit many and great Pyracies, Robberies and +Depredations on the Seas upon the Parts of _America_, and in other +Parts, to the great Hinderance and Discouragement of Trade and +Navigation, and to the great Danger and Hurt of our loving Subjects, our +Allies, and all others, navigating the Seas upon their lawful Occasions. +Now KNOW YE, that we being desirous to prevent the aforesaid Mischiefs, +and, as much as in us lies, to bring the said Pyrates, Free Booters and +Sea Rovers to Justice, have thought fit, and do hereby give and grant to +the said _William Kid_ (to whom our Commissioners for exercising the +Office of Lord High Admiral of _England_, have granted a Commission as a +private Man of War, bearing Date the 11th Day of _December_ 1695), and +unto the Commander of the said Ship for the Time being, and unto the +Officers, Mariners, and others, which shall be under your Command, full +Power and Authority to apprehend, sieze, and take into your Custody as +well the said Captain _Thomas Too_, _John Ireland_, Captain _Thomas +Wake_, and Captain _William Maze_, or _Mace_, as all such Pyrates, Free +Booters and Sea Rovers, being either our Subjects, or of other Nations +associated with them, which you shall meet with upon the Seas, or Coasts +of _America_, or upon any other Seas or Coasts, with all their Ships and +Vessels; and all such Merchandizes, Money, Goods and Wares as shall be +found on Board, or with them, in Case they shall willingly yield +themselves; but if they will not yield without fighting, then you are by +Force to compel them to yield. And we do also require you to bring, or +cause to be brought, such Pyrates, Free Booters, or Sea Rovers, as you +shall seize, to a legal Tryal, to the End they may be proceeded against +according to the Law in such Cases. And we do hereby command all our +Officers, Ministers, and other our loving Subjects whatsover, to be +aiding and assisting to you in the Premisses. And we do hereby enjoin +you to keep an exact Journal of your Proceedings in the Execution of the +Premisses, and set down the Names of such Pyrates, and of their Officers +and Company, and the Names of such Ships and Vessels as you shall by +Vertue of these Presents take and seize, and the Quantities of Arms, +Ammunition, Provision and Lading of such Ships, and the true Value of +the same, as near as you judge. And we do hereby strictly charge and +command you as you will answer the contrary at your Peril, that you do +not, in any Manner, offend or molest our Friends or Allies, their Ships, +or Subjects, by Colour or Pretence of these Presents, or the Authority +thereby granted. In Witness whereof we have caused our Great Seal of +_England_ to be affix'd to these Presents. Given at our Court of +_Kensington_, the 26th Day of _January_ 1695, in the seventh Year of our +Reign.' + +Captain _Kid_ had also another Commission, which was called a Commission +of Reprisals; for it being then War Time, this Commission was to justify +him in the taking of _French_ Merchant Ships, in Case he should meet +with any; but as this Commission is nothing to our present Purpose, we +shall not burthen the Readers with it. + +With these two Commissions he sail'd out of _Plymouth_ in _May_ 1696, in +the _Adventure_ Gally of thirty Guns, and eighty Men; the Place he first +design'd for was _New-York_; in his Voyage thither he took a _French_ +Banker, but this was no Act of Pyracy, he having a Commission for that +Purpose, as we have just observ'd. + +When he arrived at _New York_ he put up Articles for engaging more +Hands, it being necessary to his Ships Crew, since he proposed to deal +with a desperate Enemy: The Terms he offered were, that every Man should +have a Share of what was taken, reserving for himself and Owners forty +Shares. Upon which Encouragement he soon increas'd his Company to a +hundred and fifty five Men. + +With this Company he sail'd first for _Maderas_, where he took in Wine +and some other Necessaries; from thence he proceeded to _Bonavist_, one +of the _Cape de Verd Islands_, to furnish the Ship with Salt, and from +thence went immediately to St. _Jago_, another of the _Cape de Verd +Islands_, in order to stock himself with Provisions. When all this was +done, he bent his Course to _Madagascar_, the known Rendezvouz of +Pyrates; in his Way he fell in with Captain _Warren_, Commadore of three +Men of War; he acquainted them with his Design, kept them Company two or +three Days, and then leaving them, made the best Way for _Madagascar_, +where he arrived in _February_ 1696, just nine Months from his Departure +from _Plymouth_. + +It happen'd that at this Time the Pyrate Ships were most of them out in +search of Prey; so that according to the best Intelligence Captain _Kid_ +could get, there was not one of them at that Time about the Island, +wherefore having spent some Time in watering his Ship, and taking in +more Provisions, he thought of trying his Fortune on the Coast of +_Malabar_, where he arrived in the Month of _June_ following, four +Months from his reaching _Madagascar_. Hereabouts he made an +unsuccessful Cruize, touching sometimes at the Island of _Mahala_, +sometimes at that of _Joanna_, betwixt _Malabar_ and _Madagascar_: His +Provisions were every Day wasting, and his Ship began to want Repair; +wherefore, when he was at _Joanna_, he found Means of borrowing a Sum of +Money from some _French_ Men who had lost their Ship, but saved their +Effects, and with this he purchas'd Materials for putting his Ship in +good Repair. + +It does not appear all this while that he had the least Design of +turning Pyrate; for near _Mahala_ and _Joanna_ both, he met with several +_Indian_ Ships richly laden, to which he did not offer the least +Violence, tho' he was strong enough to have done what he pleas'd with +them; and the first Outrage or Depredation I find he committed upon +Mankind, was after his repairing his Ship, and leaving _Joanna_; he +touch'd at a Place call'd _Mabbee_, upon the _Red Sea_, where he took +some _Guinnea_ Corn from the Natives, by Force. + +After this he sail'd to _Bab_'s _Key_, a Place upon a little Island at +the Entrance of the _Red Sea_; here it was that he first began to open +himself to his Ship's Company, and let them understand that he intended +to change his Measures; for, happening to talk of the _Moca_ Fleet which +was to sail that Way, he said, _We have been unsuccessful hitherto, but +Courage, my Boys, we'll make our Fortunes out of this Fleet_: And +finding that none of them appear'd averse to it, he order'd a Boat out, +well mann'd, to go upon the Coast to make Discoveries, commanding them +to take a Prisoner and bring to him, or get Intelligence any Way they +could. The Boat return'd in a few Days, bringing him Word, that they saw +fourteen or fifteen Ships ready to sail, some with _English_, some with +_Dutch_, and some with _Moorish_ Colours. + +We cannot account for this sudden Change in his Conduct, otherwise than +by supposing that he first meant well, while he had Hopes of making his +Fortune by taking of Pyrates; but now, weary of ill Success, and fearing +least his Owners, out of Humour at their great Expences, should dismiss +him, and he should want Employment, and be mark'd out for an unlucky +Man; rather, I say, than run the Hazard of Poverty, he resolved to do +his Business one Way, since he could not do it another. + +He therefore order'd a Man continually to watch at the Mast Head, least +this Fleet should go by them; and about four Days after, towards +Evening, it appear'd in Sight, being convoy'd by one _English_ and one +_Dutch_ Man of War. _Kid_ soon fell in with them, and getting into the +midst of them, fir'd at a _Moorish_ Ship which was next him; but the Men +of War taking the Alarm, bore down upon _Kid_, and firing upon him, +obliged him to sheer off, he not being strong enough to contend with +them. Now he had begun Hostilities, he resolv'd to go on, and therefore +he went and cruis'd along the Coast of _Malabar_; the first Prize he met +was a small Vessel belonging to _Aden_, the Vessel was _Moorish_, and +the Owners were _Moorish_ Merchants, but the Master was an _English_ +Man, his Name was _Parker_. _Kid_ forc'd him and a _Portugueze_ that was +call'd _Don Antonio_, which were all the _Europeans_ on Board, to take +on with them; the first he design'd as a Pilot, and the last as an +Interpreter. He also used the Men very cruelly, causing them to be +hoisted up by the Arms, and drubb'd with a naked Cutlash, to force them +to discover whether they had Money on Board, and where it lay; but as +they had neither Gold nor Silver on Board, he got nothing by his +Cruelty; however, he took from them a Bale of Pepper, and a Bale of +Coffee, and so let them go. + +A little Time after he touch'd at _Carawar_, a Place upon the same +Coast, where, before he arrived, the News of what he had done to the +_Moorish_ Ship had reach'd them; for some of the _English_ Merchants +there had received an Account of it from the Owners, who corresponded +with them; wherefore, as soon as _Kid_ came in, he was suspected to be +the Person who committed this Pyracy; and one Mr. _Harvey_ and Mr. +_Mason_, two of the _English_ Factory, came on Board and ask'd for +_Parker_, and _Antonio_ the _Portuguese_; but _Kid_ deny'd that he knew +any such Persons, having secur'd them both in a private Place in the +Hold, where they were kept for seven or eight Days, that is, till _Kid_ +sail'd from thence. + +However, the Coast was alarm'd, and a _Portuguese_ Man of War was sent +out to cruize: _Kid_ met with her, and fought her about six Hours, +gallantly enough; but finding her too strong to be taken, he quitted +her; for he was able to run away from her when he would: Then he went to +a Place call'd _Porco_, where he water'd the Ship, and bought a Number +of Hogs of the Natives to victual his Company. + +Soon after this, he came up with a _Moorish_ Ship, the Master whereof +was a _Dutch_ Man, call'd _Schipper Mitchel_, and chased her under +_French_ Colours, which they observing, hoisted _French_ Colours too: +When he came up with her, he hail'd her in _French_, and they having a +_French_ Man on Board, answer'd him in the same Language; upon which he +order'd them to send their Boat on Board; they were oblig'd to do so, +and having examin'd who they were, and from whence they came; he ask'd +the _French_ Man, who was a Passenger, if he had a _French_ Pass for +himself? The _French_ Man gave him to understand that he had. Then he +told the _French_ Man he must pass for Captain, and by G-d, says he, you +are the Captain: The _French_ Man durst not refuse doing as he would +have him: The Meaning of this was, that he would seize the Ship as fair +Prize, and as if she had belong'd to _French_ Subjects, according to a +Commission he had for that Purpose; tho', one would think, after what he +had already done, that he need not have Recourse to a Quibble to give +his Actions a Colour. + +In short, he took the Cargoe and sold it some Time after; yet still he +seem'd to have some Fears upon him least these Proceedings should have a +bad End; for, coming up with a _Dutch_ Ship some Time, when his Men +thought of nothing but attacking her, _Kid_ oppos'd it; upon which a +Mutiny arose, and the Majority being for taking the said Ship, and +arming themselves to Man the Boat to go and seize her, he told them, +such as did, never should come on Board him again; which put an End to +the Design, so that he kept Company with the said Ship some Time, +without offering her any Violence: However, this Dispute was the +Occasion of an Accident, upon which an Indictment was afterwards +grounded against _Kid_; for _Moor_, the Gunner, being one Day upon Deck, +and talking with _Kid_ about the said _Dutch_ Ship, some Words arose +betwixt them, and _Moor_ told _Kid_, that he had ruin'd them all; upon +which, _Kid_, calling him Dog, took up a Bucket and struck him with it, +which breaking his Skull, he died the next Day. + +But _Kid_'s penitential Fit did not last long, for coasting along +_Malabar_, he met with a great Number of Boats, all which he plunder'd. +Upon the same Coast he also light upon a _Portuguese_ Ship, which he +kept Possession of a Week, and then having taken out of her some Chests +of _India_ Goods, thirty Jars of Butter, with some Wax, Iron, and a +hundred Bags of Rice, he let her go. + +Much about the same Time he went to one of the _Malabar_ Islands for +Wood and Water, and his Cooper being ashore, was murder'd by the +Natives; upon which _Kid_ himself landed, and burnt and pillaged several +of their Houses, the People running away; but having taken one, he +caused him to be tied to a Tree, and commanded one of his Men to shoot +him; then putting to Sea again he took the greatest Prize, which fell +into his Hands, while he followed this Trade; this was a _Moorish_ Ship +of 400 Tons richly laden, named the _Queda_ Merchant, the Master whereof +was an _English_ Man, he was call'd _Wright_, for the _Indians_ often +make Use of _English_ or _Dutch_ Men to command their Ships, their own +Mariners not being so good Artists in Navigation.--_Kid_ chased her +under _French_ Colours, and having come up with her, he ordered her to +hoist out her Boat, and to send on Board of him, which being done, he +told _Wright_ he was his Prisoner; and informing himself concerning the +said Ship, he understood there were no _Europeans_ on Board, except two +_Dutch_, and one _Frenchman_, all the Rest being _Indians_ or +_Armenians_, and that the _Armenians_ were Part Owners of the Cargoe. +_Kid_ gave the _Armenians_ to understand, that if they would offer any +Thing that was worth his taking for their Ransome, he would hearken to +it: Upon which, they proposed to pay him twenty thousand Rupees, not +quite three thousand Pounds Sterling; but _Kid_ judged this would be +making a bad Bargain, wherefore he rejected it, and setting the Crew on +Shore, at different Places on the Coast, he soon sold as much of the +Cargoe as came to near ten thousand Pounds. With Part of it he also +trafficked, receiving in Exchange Provisions, or such other Goods as he +wanted; by Degrees he disposed of the whole Cargoe, and when the +Division was made, it came to about two hundred Pounds a Man, and having +reserved forty Shares to himself, his Dividend amounted to about eight +thousand Pounds Sterling. + +The _Indians_ along the Coast came on Board and traffick'd with all +Freedom, and he punctually performed his Bargains, till about the Time +he was ready to sail; and then thinking he should have no further +Occasion for them, he made no Scruple of taking their Goods, and setting +them on Shore without any Payment in Money or Goods, which they little +expected; for as they had been used to deal with Pyrates, they always +found them Men of Honour in the Way of Trade: A People, Enemies to +Deceit, and that scorn'd to rob but in their own Way. + +_Kid_ put some of his Men on Board the _Queda_ Merchant, and with this +Ship and his own sail'd for _Madagascar_; as soon as he was arrived and +had cast Anchor, there came on Board of him a Canoe, in which were +several _Englishmen_, who had formerly been well acquainted with _Kid_; +as soon as they saw him they saluted him, and told him, they were +informed he was come to take them, and hang them, which would be a +little unkind in such an old Acquaintance; _Kid_ soon dissipated their +Doubts, by swearing he had no such Design, and that he was now in every +Respect their Brother, and just as bad as they; and calling for a Cup of +Bomboo, drank their Captain's Health. + +These Men belong'd to a Pyrate Ship, call'd the _Resolution_, formerly +the _Mocco_ Merchant, whereof one Captain _Culliford_ was Commander, and +which lay at an Anchor not far from them; _Kid_ went on Board with them, +promising them his Friendship and Assistance, and _Culliford_ in his +Turn came on Board of _Kid_; and _Kid_ to testify his Sincerity in +Iniquity, finding _Culliford_ in want of some Necessaries, made him a +Present of an Anchor and some Guns, to fit him out for the Sea again. + +The _Adventure_ Galley was now so old and leaky, that they were forced +to keep two Pumps continually going, wherefore _Kid_ shifted all the +Guns and Tackle out of her into the _Queda_ Merchant, intending her for +his Man of War; and as he had divided the Money before, he now made a +Division of the Remainder of the Cargo: Soon after which, the greatest +Part of the Company left him, some going on Board Captain _Culliford_, +and others absconding in the Country, so that he had not above forty Men +left. + +He put to Sea and happened to touch at _Amboyna_, one of the _Dutch_ +Spice Islands, where he was told, that the News of his Actions had +reach'd _England_, and that he was there declared a Pyrate. + +The Truth on't is, his Pyracies so alarmed our Merchants, that some +Motions were made in Parliament, to enquire into the Commission that was +given him, and the Persons who fitted him out: These Proceedings seem'd +to lean a little hard upon the Lord _Bellamont_, who thought himself so +much touch'd thereby, that he published a Justification of himself in a +Pamphlet after _Kid_'s Execution. In the mean Time, it was thought +adviseable, in order to stop the Course of these Pyracies, to publish a +Proclamation, offering the King's free Pardon to all such Pyrates as +should voluntarily surrender themselves, whatever Pyracies they had been +guilty of at any Time, before the last Day of _April_, 1699.--That is to +say, for all Pyracies committed Eastward of the _Cape_ of _Good Hope_, +to the Longitude and Meridian of _Socatora_, and _Cape Camorin_. In +which Proclamation, _Avery_ and _Kid_ were excepted by Name. + +When _Kid_ left _Amboyna_ he knew nothing of this Proclamation, for +certainly had he had Notice of his being excepted in it, he would not +have been so infatuated, to run himself into the very Jaws of Danger; +but relying upon his Interest with the Lord _Bellamont_, and fancying, +that a _French_ Pass or two he found on Board some of the Ships he took, +would serve to countenance the Matter, and that Part of the Booty he got +would gain him new Friends.--I say, all these Things made him flatter +himself that all would be hushed, and that Justice would but wink at +him.--Wherefore he sail'd directly for _New-York_, where he was no +sooner arrived, but by the Lord _Bellamont_'s Orders, he was secured +with all his Papers and Effects. Many of his Fellow-Adventurers who had +forsook him at _Madagascar_, came over from thence Passengers, some to +_New England_ and some to _Jersey_; where hearing of the King's +Proclamation for pardoning of Pyrates, they surrendered themselves to +the Governor of those Places: At first they were admitted to Bail, but +soon after were laid in strict Confinement where they were kept for some +time, till an Opportunity happened of sending them with their Captain +over to _England_ to be tried. + +Accordingly a Sessions of Admiralty being held at the _Old Baily_, in +_May_ 1701, Captain _Kid_, _Nicholas Churchill_, _James How_, _Robert +Lumley_, _William Jenkins_, _Gabriel Loff_, _Hugh Parrot_, _Richard +Barlicorn_, _Abel Owens_, and _Darby Mullins_, were arraign'd for Pyracy +and Robbery on the High Seas, and all found guilty, except three; these +were _Robert Lumley_, _William Jenkins_, and _Richard Barlicorne_, who +proving themselves to be Apprentices to some of the Officers of the +Ship, and producing their Indentures in Court, were acquitted. + +The three above-mentioned, tho' they were proved to be concern'd in +taking and sharing the Ship and Goods mentioned in the Indictment, yet, +as the Gentlemen of the long Robe rightly distinguished, there was a +great Difference between their Circumstances and the rest; for there +must go an Intention of the Mind and a Freedom of the Will to the +committing an Act of Felony or Pyracy. A Pyrate is not to be understood +to be under Constraint, but a free Agent; for in this Case, the bare Act +will not make a Man guilty, unless the Will make it so. + +Now a Servant, it is true, if he go voluntarily and have his Proportion, +he must be accounted a Pyrate, for then he acts upon his own Account, +and not by Compulsion; and these Persons, according to the Evidence, +received their Part, but whether they accounted to their Masters for +their Shares afterwards, is the Matter in Question, and what +distinguishes them as free Agents or Men, that did go under the +Compulsion of their Masters, which being left to the Consideration of +the Jury, they found them Not Guilty. + +_Kid_ was tryed upon an Indictment of Murder also, _viz._ for killing +_Moor_ the Gunner, and found guilty of the same. _Nicholas Churchill_ +and _James How_ pleaded the King's Pardon, as having surrendered +themselves within the Time limited in the Proclamation, and Colonel +_Bass_, Governor of _West Jersey_, to whom they surrendered, being in +Court, and called upon, proved the same; however, this Plea was +over-ruled by the Court, because there being four Commissioners named in +the Proclamation, _viz._ Captain _Thomas Warren_, _Israel Hayes_, _Peter +Delannoye_, and _Christopher Pollard_, Esqrs; who were appointed +Commissioners, and sent over on Purpose to receive the Submissions of +such Pyrates as should surrender, it was adjudged no other Person was +qualified to receive their Surrender, and that they could not be +intitled to the Benefit of the said Proclamation, because they had not +in all Circumstances complied with the Conditions of it. + +_Darby Mullins_ urg'd in his Defence, that he serv'd under the King's +Commission, and therefore could not disobey his Commander without +incurring great Punishments; that whenever a Ship or Ships went out upon +any Expedition under the King's Commissioners, the Men were never +allowed to call their Officers to an Account, why they did this, or, why +they did that, because such a Liberty would destroy all Discipline; that +if any Thing was done which was unlawful, the Officers were to answer +it, for the Men did no more than their Duty in obeying Orders. He was +told by the Court, that acting under the Commission justified in what +was lawful, but not in what was unlawful; he answered, he stood in Need +of nothing to justify him in what was lawful, but that the Case of +Seamen must be very hard, if they must be brought into such Danger for +obeying the Commands of their Officers, and punished for not obeying +them; and if they were allowed to dispute the Orders, there could be no +such Thing as Command kept up at Sea. + +This seem'd to be the best Defence the Thing could bear; but his taking +a Share of the Plunder, the Seamens mutinying on Board several Times, +and taking upon them to controul the Captain, shewed there was no +Obedience paid to the Commission; and that they acted in all Things +according to the Custom of Pyrates and Free-booters, which weighing with +the Jury, they brought him in guilty with the rest. + +As to Capt. _Kid_'s Defence, he insisted much upon his own Innocence, +and the Villany of his Men; he said, he went out in a laudable +Employment, and had no Occasion, being then in good Circumstances, to go +a Pyrating; that the Men often mutinied against him, and did as they +pleas'd; that he was threatened to be shot in his Cabin, and that Ninety +five left him at one Time, and set Fire to his Boat, so that he was +disabled from bringing his Ship home, or the Prizes he took, to have +them regularly condemn'd, which he said were taken by Virtue of a +Commission under the Broad Seal, they having _French_ Passes.--The +Captain called one Col. _Hewson_ to his Reputation, who gave him an +extraordinary Character, and declared to the Court, that he had served +under his Command, and been in two Engagements with him against the +_French_, in which he fought as well as any Man he ever saw; that there +were only _Kid_'s Ship and his own against Monsieur _du Cass_, who +commanded a Squadron of six Sail, and they got the better of him.--But +this being several Years before the Facts mentioned in the Indictment +were committed, prov'd of no manner of Service to the Prisoner on his +Tryal. + +As to the Friendship shewn to _Culliford_, a notorious Pyrate, _Kid_ +deny'd, and said, he intended to have taken him, but his Men being a +Parcel of Rogues and Villains refused to stand by him, and several of +them ran away from his Ship to the said Pyrate.--But the Evidence being +full and particular against him, he was found guilty as before +mentioned. + +When _Kid_ was asked what he had to say why Sentence should not pass +against him, he answered, That _he had nothing to say, but that he had +been sworn against by perjured wicked People_. And when Sentence was +pronounced, he said, _My Lord, it is a very hard Sentence. For my Part, +I am the innocentest Person of them all, only I have been sworn against +by perjured Persons._ + +Wherefore about a Week after, Capt. _Kid_, _Nicholas Churchill_, _James +How_, _Gabriel Loff_, _Hugh Parrot_, _Abel Owen_, and _Darby Mullins_, +were executed at _Execution Dock_, and afterwards hung up in Chains, at +some Distance from each other, down the River, where their Bodies hung +exposed for many Years. + + + OF + Captain _TEW_, + And his CREW. + +Before I enter on the Adventures of this Pyrate, I must take Notice to +the Reader of the Reasons which made me not continue the Life of +_Misson_. + +In reading the Notes, which I have by me, relating to Captain _Tew_, I +found him join'd with _Misson_; and that I must either be guilty of +Repetition, or give an Account of _Tew_ in _Misson_'s Life, which is +contrary to the Method I propos'd, that of giving a distinct Relation of +every Pyrate who has made any Figure: And surely _Tew_, in Point of +Gallantry, was inferior to none, and may justly claim a particular +Account of his Actions. + +However, before I enter on the Life of this Pyrate, I shall continue +that of _Misson_ to the Time that these two Commanders met. + + * * * * * + +The Blacks seeing them so much upon their Guard, brought out boiled Rice +and Fowls, and after they had satisfied their Hunger, the Chief made +Signs that they were the same who had carried a Negroe to their Ships, +and sent for the Ax and Piece of Baze they had given him: While this +pass'd, the very Negroe came from hunting, who seem'd overjoy'd to see +them. The Chief made Signs that they might return, and ten Negroes +coming to them laden with Fowls and Kids; he gave them to understand, +they should accompany them to their Ships with these Presents. + +They parted very amicably, and in hopes of settling a good +Correspondence with these Natives; all the Houses were neatly framed and +jointed, not built from any Foundation, but so made, that half a dozen +Men could lift and transport them from Place to Place; and sometimes a +whole Village shall be in Motion, which would be an odd Sight in +_Europe_, and surprizing to see Houses moving. The Hunters returning to +their Ships, with these Presents and Negroes, were joyfully received; +and the Negroes not only caressed, but laden with Baze, Iron Kettles, +and Rum, besides the Present of a Cutlash for the Chief. + +While the Negroes stay'd, which was the Space of three Days, they +examined and admired the Forts and growing Town, in which all Hands were +busied, and not even the Prisoners excused. + +As Monsieur _Misson_ apprehended no Danger from the Land, his Fort (tho' +of Wood) being, he thought, a sufficient Defence to his infant Colony; +he took a hundred and sixty Hands, and went a second Time on the Coast +of _Zanguebor_, and off _Quiloa_ he gave Chase to a large Ship, which +lay by for him: She prov'd an over-match for the _Victoire_, which +engag'd her, with great Loss of Men, near eight Glasses; but finding he +was more likely to be took, than to make a Prize, by the Advice of his +Officers and Men, endeavour'd to leave the _Portuguese_, which was a 50 +Gun Ship, and had 300 Men on Board; but he found this Attempt vain, for +the _Portuguese_ went as well as the _Victoire_, and the Commander was a +resolute and brave Man, who, seeing him endeavour to shake him off, +clapp'd him on Board, but lost most of the Men he enter'd. _Misson_'s +Crew not used to be attack'd, and expecting no Quarter, fought so +desperately, that they not thoroly clear'd their Decks, but some of them +follow'd the _Portuguese_, who leap'd into their own Ship; which +_Misson_ seeing, hop'd to make an Advantage of their Despair, and crying +out, _Elle est a nous, a l'abordage_. She's our own, board, board her, +so many of his Men followed the few, that hardly were there enough left +to work the Ship; _Misson_ observing this Resolution in his Men, +grappled the _Portuguese_ Ship, and leap'd himself on Board, crying out, +_la Mort, ou la Victoire_, Death or Victory. The _Portuguese_, who +thought themselves in a manner Conquerors, seeing the Enemy not only +drive off those who enter'd them, but board with that Resolution, began +to quit the Decks in Spight of their Officers: The Captain and _Misson_ +met, as he was endeavouring to hinder the Flight of his Men; they +engaged with equal Bravery with their Cutlashes; but _Misson_ striking +him on the Neck, he fell down the main Hatch, which put an End to the +Fight, for the _Portuguese_ seeing their Captain fall, threw down their +Arms, and call'd for Quarters, which was granted; and all the Prisoners +without Distinction being order'd between Decks, and the Powder-Room +secured, he put 35 Men on Board the Prize, and made the best of his Way +for _Libertatia_. This was the dearest Prize he ever made, for he lost +fifty six Men: She was vastly rich in Gold, having near 200,000 l. +Sterling on Board, being her own and the Cargo of her Companion, which +was lost upon the Coast, of whose Crew she had saved 100 Men out of 120, +the rest being lost, by endeavouring to swim ashore; whereas had their +Fear suffer'd them to have staid, there had not been a Soul lost, the +Tide of Ebb leaving their Ship dry: This was the Reason that the Prize +was so well mann'd, and proved so considerable. + +Being within Sight of _Madagascar_, they spied a Sloop which stood for +them, and when in Gun-Shot, threw out black Colours, and fired a Gun to +Windward; _Misson_ brought to, fired another to Leeward, and hoisted out +his Boat, which the Sloop perceiving, lay by for. _Misson_'s Lieutenant +went on Board, and was received very civilly by Captain _Tew_, who was +the Commander, to whom the Lieutenant gave a short Account of their +Adventures and new Settlement, inviting him very kindly on Board Captain +_Misson_. _Tew_ told him, he could not consent to go with him till he +had the Opinion of his Men; in the mean while _Misson_, coming +along-side, hal'd the Sloop, and invited the Captain on Board, desiring +his Lieutenant would stay as an Hostage, if they were in the least +jealous of him; which they had no Reason to be, since he was of Force so +much superior, that he need not employ Stratagem. This determined the +Company on Board the Sloop, who advised their Captain to go with the +Lieutenant, whom they would not suffer to stay behind, to shew the +greater Confidence in their new Friends. + +My Reader may be surprized that a single Sloop should venture to give +Chase to two Ships of such Countenance as were the _Victoire_ and her +Prize: But this Wonder will cease, when he is acquainted with the +Sequel. + +Captain _Tew_ after being handsomely regal'd on Board the _Victoire_, +and thoroughly satisfied, returned on Board his Sloop, gave an Account +of what he had learned, and his Men consenting, he gave Orders to steer +the same Course with _Misson_, whose Settlement it was agreed to visit. + +I shall here leave them to give an Account of Captain _Tew_. + +Mr. _Richier_, Governor of _Bermudas_, fitted out two Sloops on the +Privateer Account, commanded by Captain _George Drew_, and Captain +_Thomas Tew_, with Instructions to make the best of their Way to the +River _Gambia_ in _Africa_, and there, with the Advice and Assistance of +the Agent for the Royal _African_ Company, to attempt the taking the +_French_ Factory of _Goorie_ on that Coast. + +The above Commanders having their Commissions and Instructions from the +Governor, took their Departure from _Bermudas_, and kept Company some +Time; but _Drew_ springing his Mast, and a violent Storm coming upon +them, they lost each other. + +_Tew_ being separated from his Consort, thought of providing for his +future case, by making one bold Push; and accordingly, calling all Hands +on Deck, he spoke to them to this Purpose. + +'That they were not ignorant of the Design with which the Governor +fitted them out; the taking and destroying the _French_ Factory; that +he, indeed, readily agreed to take a Commission to this end, tho' +contrary to his Judgment, because it was being employ'd; but that he +thought it a very injudicious Expedition, which did they succeed in, +would be of no Use to the Publick, and only advantage a private Company +of Men, from whom they could expect no Reward of their Bravery; that he +could see nothing but Danger in the Undertaking, without the least +Prospect of a Booty; that he could not suppose any Man fond of fighting, +for fighting-sake; and few ventured their Lives, but with some View +either of particular Interest or publick Good; but here was not the +least Appearance of either. Wherefore, he was of Opinion, that they +should turn their Thoughts on what might better their Circumstances; and +if they were so inclined, he would undertake to shape a Course which +should lead them to Ease and Plenty, in which they might pass the rest +of their Days. That one bold Push would do their Business, and they +might return home, not only without Danger, but even with Reputation.' +The Crew finding he expected their Resolution, cry'd out, one and all, +_A gold Chain, or a wooden Leg_, we'll stand by you. + +Hearing this, he desired they would chuse a Quarter Master, who might +consult with him for the Common Good; which was accordingly done. + +I must acquaint the Reader, that on Board the _West-India_ Privateers +and Free-booters, the Quarter Master's Opinion is like the Mufti's among +the _Turk_'s; the Captain can undertake nothing which the Quarter Master +does not approve. We may say, the Quarter Master is an humble Imitation +of the _Roman_ Tribune of the People; he speaks for, and looks after the +Interest of the Crew. + +_Tew_ now, instead of his proceeding on his Voyage to _Gambia_, shaped +his Course for the Cape of _Good Hope_, which doubling, he steered for +the Streights of _Babel Mandel_, entring into the _Red Sea_, where they +came up with a tall Ship bound from the _Indies_ to _Arabia_; she was +richly laden, and as she was to clear the Coasts of Rovers, five more, +extreamly rich (one especially in Gold) being to follow her, she had 300 +Soldiers on Board, beside her Seamen. + +_Tew_, on making this Ship, told his Men she carried their Fortunes, +which they would find no Difficulty to take Possession of; for though he +was satisfied she was full of Men, and was mounted with a great Number +of Guns, they wanted the two Things necessary, Skill and Courage; and, +indeed, so it proved, for he boarded and carried her without Loss, every +one taking more Care to run from the Danger, than to exert himself in +the Defence of his Goods. + +In rummaging this Prize, the Pyrates threw over a great many rich Bales, +to search for Gold, Silver, and Jewels; and, having taken what they +thought proper, together with the Powder, part of which (as being more +than they could handsomely stow) they threw into the Sea; they left her, +sharing 3000 l. Sterling a Man. + +Encouraged by this Success, Captain _Tew_ proprosed the going in quest +of the other five Ships, of which he had Intelligence from the Prize; +but the Quarter-Master opposing him, he was obliged to drop the Design, +and steer for _Madagascar_. + +Here the Quarter Master finding this Island productive of all the +Necessaries of Life; that the Air was wholesome, the Soil fruitful, and +the Sea abounding with Fish, proposed settling; but only three and +twenty of the Crew came into the Proposal: The rest staid with Captain +_Tew_, who having given the new Settlers their Share of Plunder, +designed to return to _America_, as they afterwards did; but spying the +_Victoire_ and her Prize, he thought he might, by their Means, return +somewhat richer, and resolved to speak with them, as I have already +said. + +_Tew_ and his Company having taken the above Resolution of visiting +Mons. _Misson_'s Colony, arrived with him, and was not a little +surprized to see his Fortifications. + +When they came under the first Fort, they saluted it with nine Guns, and +they were answered with an equal Number; all the Prisoners, at their +coming to an Anchor, were suffer'd to come up, a Privilege they had +never before granted them, on account of the few Hands left them, except +two or three at a time. + +The Joy those ashore expressed at the Sight of so considerable a Prize +as they judged her at first Sight, was vastly allay'd, when they heard +how dear a Purchase she had prov'd to them; however, the Reinforcement +of the Sloop made some amends; Captain _Tew_ was received by +_Caraccioli_ and the rest, with great Civility and Respect, who did not +a little admire his Courage, both in attacking the Prize he made, and +afterwards in giving Chase to _Misson_; he was called to the Council of +Officers, which was immediately held, to consider what Methods should be +taken with the Prisoners, who were, by 190 brought in by this new Prize, +near as numerous as those of his own Party, though _Tew_ join them with +70 Men; it was therefore resolved to keep them separate from the +_Portuguese_ and _English_, who were before taken, to make them believe +they were in Amity with a Prince of the Natives, who was very powerful, +and to propose to them, at their Choice, the assisting the new Colony in +their Works, or the being sent Prisoners up the Country, if they +rejected the entering with them. Seventy three took on, and the rest +desired they might be any way employ'd, rather than be sent up the +Country; 117 then were set to Work upon a Dock, which was laid out about +half a Mile above the Mouth of the Harbour, and the other Prisoners were +forbid to pass such Bounds as were prescribed them on Pain of Death; +lest they, knowing their own Strength, should revolt; for I must +acquaint the Reader, that on the Arrival of the _Victoire_, both their +Loss and the Number of _Portuguese_ they brought in, was known to none +but themselves, and the Number of those who came over, magnified; +besides, the _Johanna_ Men were all arm'd and disciplin'd, and the +_Bijoux_ laid a Guardship, where the last Prisoners were set to Work; +but while they provided for their Security, both within and without, +they did not neglect providing also for their Support, for they dug and +sow'd a large Plat of Ground with _Indian_ and _European_ Corn, and +other Seeds which they had found on Board their Prizes. In the mean +while _Caraccioli_, who had the Art of Perswasion, wrought on many of +the _Portuguese_, who saw no Hopes of returning home, to join them. +_Misson_, who could not be easy in an inactive Life, would have taken +another Cruize; but fearing the Revolt of the Prisoners, durst not +weaken his Colony by the Hands he must necessarily take with him: +Wherefore, he propos'd giving the last Prize to, and sending away the +Prisoners. _Carracioli_ and Captain _Tew_ were against it, saying, that +it would discover their Retreat, and cause their being attacked by the +_Europeans_, who had Settlements along the Continent, before they were +able to defend themselves. _Misson_ reply'd, he could not bear to be +always diffident of those about him; that it was better die once, than +live in continual Apprehensions of Death. That the Time was come for the +sending away the _Johanna_ Men, and that they could not go without a +Ship, neither durst he trust a Ship out, not well mann'd, nor man her +while so many Prisoners were with him. Wherefore there was a Necessity +of sending them off, or of putting them all to the Sword. A Barbarity by +which he would not purchase his Security. A Council was called, and what +Captain _Misson_ had proposed, agreed to. The Prisoners were then +summon'd and he told them, in few Words, that he knew the Consequence of +giving them Liberty; that he expected to be attacked as soon as the +Place of his Retreat was known, and had it in his Hands, by putting them +to Death to avoid the doubtful Fate of War; but his Humanity would not +suffer him to entertain a Thought so cruel, and his Alliances with the +Natives, he hoped, would enable him to repel his Assailants; but he +required an Oath of every one, that he should not serve against him: He +then enquired into the Circumstances of every particular Man, and what +they had lost, all which he return'd, telling the Company it should be +reckoned as Part of his Share, and the Prisoners, that he did not make +War with the Oppressed, but the Oppressors. The Prisoners were charm'd +with this Mark of Generosity and Humanity, and wished he might never +meet a Treatment unworthy of that he gave them. The Ship being +victualled for a Voyage to the Coast of _Zanguebar_, all her Guns and +Ammunitions taken out, with the spare Sails, and spare Rigging, all were +ordered to be gone, and 137 departed, highly applauding the Behaviour of +their Enemies. All this while they had heard nothing from the Natives, +nor had the hunting Parties met with any of them, which made _Misson_ +suspect they were afraid of his being their Neighbour, and had shifted +their Quarters; but as the _Johanna_ Men were upon going away, there +came about 50 Negroes to them, driving about 100 Head of black Cattle, +20 Negroe Men bound, and 25 Women, for which Cattle and Prisoners they +barter'd Rum, Hatchets, Baze and Beads; some Hogsheads of which last +Commodity they had taken on the Coast of _Angola_. Here the Negroes +belonging to _Misson_ were provided with Wives: The Natives were +caress'd, and to the Slaves Signs made that their Liberty was given +them, they were immediately cloathed and put under the Care of as many +Whites, who, by all possible Demonstrations, endeavoured to make them +understand that they were Enemies to Slavery. The Natives staid ten +Days, which retarded the Departure of the _Johanna_ Men; but, upon their +retiring, the _Bijoux_ sailed with 100 of them on Board, under the +command of _Caraccioli_'s Lieutenant, who excused the keeping them a +Month longer than was promised, and not bringing them at once, having no +more than two Ships. The _Portuguese_ Ship, which was unrigg'd, being +made a Hulk, the ten Men of _Misson_'s Company who had settled at +_Johanna_, being desirous to return, were brought to _Libertatia_ with +their Wives (of which they had two and three a piece) and their +Children, the _Bijoux_, at two more Voyages, carried over the rest of +the _Johannians_. + +_Misson_ hove down the _Bijoux_, and resolving on a Cruise on the Coast +of _Guiney_, to strengthen his Colony by the Capture of some slaving +Ship, he gave the Command of her to Captain _Tew_, and he and +_Caraccioli_ press'd the Work of the Dock; he gave him also 200 Hands, +of which 40 were _Portuguese_, 37 Negroes, 17 of them expert Sailors, 30 +_English_, and the rest _French_. _Tew_ met with nothing in his Way till +he came to the Northward of the Cape of _Good Hope_, when he fell in +with a _Dutch East-India_ Galley of 18 Guns, which he took after a small +Resistance, and with the Loss of one Man only; on the Coast of _Angola_ +he took an _English_ Man with 240 Slaves, Men, Women, and Boys. The +Negroes, who had before been taken on this Coast, found among these a +great many of their Acquaintance, and several of their Relations, to +whom they reported their happy and unexpected change of Fortune, the +great Captain (for so they now called _Misson_) humanly having knocked +off their Chains, and of Slaves made them free Men, and Sharers in his +Fortunes. That the same good Fortune had attended them in their falling +into his Hands, for he abhorr'd even the Name of Slavery. _Tew_ +following the Orders, and acquainted with the Policy of _Misson_, +order'd their Fetters and Handcuffs to be taken off, upon his Negroe +Sailors, assuring him they would not revolt, and were sensible of their +Happiness in falling into his Hands. Content with these Prizes, he made +the best of his Way home to _Libertatia_, where he arrived without any +sinister Accident; but I forgot to tell my Reader, that he set his +_Dutch_ Prisoners (nine excepted, who took on with him) ashore, about 30 +Miles to the Northward of the Cape, in _Soldinia_ Bay, where had been +buried, by Captain _Misson_, the _English_ Commander; he found a great +Quantity of _English_ Crowns on Board his _Dutch_ Prize, which were +carried into the common Treasury, Money being of no Use where every +Thing was in common, and no Hedge bounded any particular Man's Property. +The Slaves he had released in this last Cruize were employ'd in the +perfecting the Dock, and treated on the Foot of free People. They were +not ignorant of the Change of their Condition, and were therefore +extreamly diligent and faithful. A White Man, or one of the old standing +Negroes, wrought with every four, and made them understand the _French_ +Words (by often Repetition, and the Help of their Country Mens +interpreting) used in their Works. _Misson_ ordered a couple of Sloops +to be built in a Creek, of 80 Tun each, which he mounted with 8 Guns a +piece, out of the _Dutch_ Prize. These were perfected in a little Time, +and proved not only shapely Vessels, but excellent Sailors. The Officers +of these Sloops were chosen by ballotting, and as their first Design was +only to discover and lay down a Chart of the Coast, Sands, Shoals, and +Depths of Water round the Island of _Madagascar_; The School Master +being sent for that Reason with the Command of one, _Tew_ desired, and +had the other. They were mann'd, each Sloop with 50 Whites and 50 black +Men. Which Voyage round the Island was of vast Advantage in giving the +new released _Angola_ Negroes a Notion of the working a Vessel; and they +were very industrious both in endeavouring to learn the _French_ +Language, and to be useful. These Sloops, the one of which was called +the _Childhood_, and the other the _Liberty_, were near four Months on +this Expedition; in the mean while a few of the Natives had come often +to the Settlement, and they began to speak a little broken _French_, +mix'd with the other _European_ Languages, which they heard among +_Misson_'s People, and six of the native Families fixed among them, +which was of vast Use to the Planters of this new Colony; for they made +a very advantageous Report to their Country Men of the Regularity and +Harmony they observed in them. The Sloops being return'd, and an exact +Chart taken of the Coast, _Carraccioli_ had a mind for a Cruize; he +proposed the visiting all the neighbouring Islands, accordingly he went +out to _Mascarenas_, and the other Islands near it, taking one half of +his Crew of Negroes, and return'd with a _Dutch_ Prize, which he took +off the abovementioned Island, where they were about fixing a Colony. +This Prize, as it had on Board all Sorts of _European_ Goods, and +Necessaries for settling, was more valuable than if it had been vastly +richer. The Negroes growing useful Hands, _Misson_ resolved on a Cruize +to the Northward, encouraged by _Tew_'s Success; and, with all the +Blacks, which he divided between the two Ships, one of which Captain +_Tew_ commanded, set out with 500 Men: Off the Coast of _Arabia Foelix_, +they fell in with a Ship belonging to the _Great Mogul_, bound for +_Zidon_, with Pilgrims to _Mecca_, who, with _Moor_ Mariners, made up +the Number of 1600 Souls. This Ship carried 110 Guns, but made a very +poor Defence, being encumber'd with the Goods and Number of Passengers +they carried. The two Adventurers did not think it their Business to +cannonade, they therefore boarded as soon as they came up with her, and +the _Moors_ no sooner saw them enter'd, but they discharged one Volley +of small Arms at Random, we may suppose, because no Execution was done, +and fled the Decks. Being Masters of this Ship, which did not cost them +a single Man, they consulted what they should do with her, and the +Prisoners, and it was resolved to set them ashore between _Ain_ and +_Aden_; but as they wanted Women, to keep all the unmarried, and to +navigate the Ship to _Libertatia_; as the Guns might be of Use to them; +and, by letting her go, or sinking, they might lose, perhaps, a +considerable Booty, which the _Moors_, might have hid in her Cielings or +Ballast. + +This Resolution was put in Execution, and they brought off 100 Girls, +from 12 to 18 Years old, who designed to make the Pilgrimage with their +Parents. The Lamentations this Separation caused among the Prisoners, +had such Effect on _Misson_, that he was for letting them go, but every +one of his Men were against him. They now made the best of their Way for +_Madagascar_, putting 200 Hands on board the Prize, which proved a very +heavy Sailer, and retarded them very much. Off the Cape _Guarde Fin_ +they were overtaken with a cruel Storm, which was very near wrecking +them on the Island called _Irmanos_; but the Wind coming about due +North, they had the good Luck to escape this Danger. Though the Fury of +the Wind abated, yet it blew so hard for 12 Days together, that they +could only carry their Courses reef'd. They spy'd a Sail in their +Passage, but the Weather would not permit their endeavouring to speak +with her. In a Word, they return'd to _Libertatia_ with their Prize, +without any other Accident, but the Captors could make no Estimate of +her Value, she having on Board a vast Quantity of Diamonds, besides rich +Silks, raw Silks, Spices, Carpets, and wrought and bar Gold. The Prize +was taken to pieces, as she was of no Use; her Cordage and knee Timber +preserv'd, with all the Bolts, Eyes, Chains, and other Iron Work, and +her Guns planted on two Points of the Harbour, where they raised +Batteries, so that they were now so strongly fortified they apprehended +no Danger from any Number of Shipping which could be brought into those +Seas to attack them. They had, by this Time, clear'd, sown, and enclosed +a good Parcel of Ground, and taken in a Quantity of Pasturage, where +they had above 300 Head of black Cattle, bought of the Natives. The Dock +was now finish'd, and the _Victoire_ growing old and unfit for a long +Voyage, and the last Storm having shook and loosened her very much, she +was pull'd to pieces and rebuilt, keeping the same Name. She was rigg'd, +victuall'd, and fit to go to Sea, and was to sail to the Coast of +_Guinea_ for more Negroes, when one of the Sloops came in, which had +been sent out rather to exercise the Negroes, than with any View of +making a Prize, and brought Word five tall Ships chac'd her into the +Bay, and stood for their Harbour; that she judg'd them to be +_Portuguese_ by their Built, and 50 Gun Ships, full of Men. This prov'd +the real Truth. The Alarm was given, the Forts and Batteries mann'd, and +every Man stood to his Arms. _Misson_ took upon him the Command of 100 +Negroes, who were well disciplin'd, (for every Morning they had been +used to perform their Exercise, which was taught them by a _French_ +Serjeant, one of their Company, who belong'd to the _Victoire_) to be +ready where his Assistance should be requir'd. _Tew_ commanded all the +_English_. They had hardly order'd their Affairs when these Ships hove +in Sight, and stood directly for the Harbour with _Portuguese_ Colours. +They were warmly received by the two Forts, which did not stop them, +though it brought one of them on the Careen; they enter'd the Harbour, +and thought they had done their Business, but were saluted so warmly +from the Forts and Batteries, Sloops and Ships, that two of them sunk +downright, and a great many Men were drowned, though some got on Board +the other Ships. The _Portuguese_, who did not imagine they had been so +well fortified, and thought in passing the two Forts they should, +without Difficulty, land their Men, and easily root out this Nest of +Pyrates, found now their Mistake, for they durst not venture to hoist +out a Boat. They had wisely, however, contriv'd to enter just before the +Turn of the Tide. Finding the Attempt vain, and that they lost a great +many Men, they clapp'd upon a Wind, and with the Help of the Tide of +Ebb, made more Haste out than they did to get in, leaving two of their +Ships sunk in the Harbour; but they did not get off so cheaply, for no +sooner were they clear of the Forts, but _Misson_ manning, with the +utmost Expedition, both the Ships and the Sloops, he gave them Chase, +and engag'd them at the Mouth of the Bay. The _Portuguese_ defended +themselves with a great deal of Gallantry, and one of them put off the +_Libertatians_ twice, who boarded them from the two Sloops; two of them, +finding themselves hard press'd, made a running Fight, and got off, and +left the third to shift as well as he could. The _Bijoux_ and _Victoire_ +finding the _Portuguese_ endeavour'd to clear themselves, and knowing +there was little to be got by the Captures, gave over the Chase, and +fell upon the third, who defended himself till his Decks swam with +Blood, and the greater Number of his Men killed; but finding all +Resistance vain, and that he was left to an unequal Fight by his +Companions, he called for Quarter, and good Quarter was given, both to +himself and Men. This Prize yielded them a great Quantity of Powder and +Shot, and, indeed, they expected nothing of Value out of her. None of +the Prisoners were stripp'd, and the Officers, _Misson_, _Caraccioli_ +and _Tew_, invited to their Tables, treating them very civilly, and +extolling the Courage they had shewn in their Defence. Unhappily two +Prisoners were found on Board, who had been released, and had sworn +never to serve against them; these were clapp'd in Irons, and publickly +tried for their Perjury. The _Portuguese_ Officers being present, the +Witnesses proved them the very discharged Men, and they were condemned +to be hanged at the Point of each Fort; which Execution was performed +the next Morning after their Condemnation, with the Assistance of the +_Portuguese_ Chaplain, who attended, confess'd and absolv'd them. This +was the Engagement with the Pyrates, which made so much Noise in the +_Lisbon_ Gazette, and these the Men whom the _English_ ignorantly took +for _Avery_; who, we had a Notion here in _London_, had 32 Sail of Men +of War, and had taken upon him the State and Title of King, a Mistake we +have already spoken to in the first Volume. + +This Execution seeming to impugn the Maxims of the Chiefs, _Caraccioli_ +made an Harangue, in which he told them, that there was no Rule could be +laid down which did not allow Exceptions: That they were all sensible +how tender the Commadore, Monsieur _Misson_, was in shedding of Blood; +and that it was a Tenet of his Faith, that none had Power over the Life +of another, but God alone, who gave it; but notwithstanding, +Self-Preservation sometimes made it absolutely necessary to take away +the Life of another, especially an avow'd and an obliged Enemy, even in +cool Blood. As to the Blood shed in a lawful War, in Defence of that +Liberty they had generously asserted, it was needless to say any Thing, +but thought it proper to lay before them Reasons for the Execution of +the Criminals, and the Heinousness of their Crimes. They had not only +received their Lives from the Bounty of the _Libertatians_, but their +Liberty, and had every Thing restored them which they laid claim to, +consequently their Ingratitude rose in Proportion to the generous +Treatment they had met with. That, indeed, both he and Captain _Misson_ +would have passed by the Perjury and Ingratitude they had been guilty +of, with a corporal Punishment, which had not extended to the +Deprivation of Life, but their gallant Friend and Companion the +_English_ Commander, Captain _Tew_, used such cogent Reasons for an +exemplary Punishment, to deter others from the like Crimes, that they +must have been Enemies to their own Preservation in not following his +Advice. That the Lives of their whole Body ought to be preferr'd to +those of declared and perjured Enemies, who would not cease to endeavour +their Ruin; and, as they were well acquainted with their Settlement, +might be fatal Instruments of it, if they were again restored to that +Liberty which they had already abused. That he was obliged to do Captain +_Tew_ the Justice, to acknowledge he was inclined to the Side of Mercy, +till he was thoroughly informed of the Blackness of their Ingratitude, +and then he thought it would be Cruelty to themselves to let those +Miscreants experience a second Time their Clemency; thus an absolute +Necessity had obliged them to act contrary to their declar'd Principles; +tho', to state the Case rightly, these Men, not the _Libertatians_, were +the Authors of their own Deaths: Here the Assembly crying out, _their +Blood is on their own Heads, they sought their Deaths, and hanging was +too good for them_; _Caraccioli_ gave over, and every one returned +satisfied to his private or the publick Affairs. + +Some Differences arising between _Misson_'s and _Tew_'s Men, on a +national Quarrel, which the latter began; Captain _Tew_ proposed their +deciding the Quarrel by the Sword, but _Caraccioli_ was entirely against +it, alledging, that such a Decision must necessarily be a Damage to the +Publick, since the brave Men who fell, would be a weakening of their +Colony; he therefore desired Captain _Tew_ to interpose the Authority he +had over his Crew, as he and _Misson_ would endeavour to bring their Men +to an amicable Agreement; and for the future, as this Accident proved +the Necessity, wholesome Laws should be made, and a Form of Government +entered upon, both Parties were call'd, and _Caraccioli_ shew'd them the +Necessity of their living in Unity among themselves, who had the whole +World for Enemies; and as he had a perswasive and insinuating Way of +Argument, with the Assistance of Captain _Tew_, this Affair was ended to +the Satisfaction of both Parties. + +The next Day the whole Colony was assembled, and the three Commanders +propos'd a Form of Government, being taken up, as necessary to their +Conservation; for where there were no coercive Laws, the weakest would +always be the Sufferers, and every Thing must tend to Confusion: That +Mens Passions blinding them to Justice, and making them ever partial to +themselves, they ought to submit the Differences which might arise to +calm and disinterested Persons, who could examine with Temper, and +determine according to Reason and Equity: That they look'd upon a +Democratical Form, where the People were themselves the Makers and +Judges of their own Laws, the most agreeable; and therefore, desired +they would divide themselves into Companies of ten Men, and every such +Company chuse one to assist in the settling a Form of Government, and in +making wholesome Laws for the Good of the whole: That the Treasure and +Cattle they were Masters of should be equally divided, and such Lands as +any particular Man would enclose, should, for the future, be deem'd his +Property, which no other should lay any Claim to, if not alienated by a +Sale. + +The Proposal was received with Applause, and they decimated themselves +that very Day, but put off the meeting of the States till a House was +built, which they set about very chearfully, and finish'd in about a +Fortnight; it being of framed Timber, and they having among them a great +many who understood the handling an Ax. + +When this Body of Politicians met, _Caraccioli_ open'd the Sessions with +a handsome Speech, shewing the Advantage flowing from Order; and then +spoke to the Necessity of lodging a supream Power in the Hands of one, +who should have that of rewarding brave and vertuous Actions, and of +punishing the vicious, according to the Laws which the State should +make; by which, he was to be guided. That such a Power however should +not be for Life, nor hereditary, but determinate at the end of three +Years, when a new Choice should be made by the State, or the Old +confirm'd for three Years longer; by which means, the ablest Men would +always be at the Head of Affairs, and their Power being of short +Duration, none would dare to abuse it: That such a Chief should have the +Title of Lord Conservator, and all the Ensigns of Royalty to attend him. + +This was approv'd _Nemine contradicente_, and _Misson_ was chose +Conservator, with Power to create great Officers, _&c._ and with the +Title of Supream Excellence. + +Then a Law was made for the meeting of the State once every Year at +least, but oftner, if the Conservator and his Council thought it +necessary for the common Good to convene them; and that nothing of +Moment should be undertaken without the Approbation of the State. + +In a Word, their first Sessions lasted ten Days; and a great many +wholesome Laws were enacted, register'd in the State-Book, printed and +dispers'd (for they had some Printers and Letter Founders among them) +and then the Conservator dissolved them. + +Captain _Tew_, the Conservator, honoured with the Title of Admiral, and +_Caraccioli_ made Secretary of State; he chose a Council of the ablest +among them, without Distinction of Nation or Colour; and the different +Languages began to be incorporated, and one made out of the many: An +equal Division was made of their Treasure and Cattle, and every one +began either to inclose Land for himself or his Neighbour, who would +hire his Assistance. + +Admiral _Tew_ propos'd the building an Arsenal, and augmenting their +Naval Force; the first was agreed to be propos'd to the State at the +next Convention, but the latter was thought unnecessary, till the Number +of Inhabitants was augmented; for should they all be employed in the Sea +Service, the Husbandry would be neglected, which would be of fatal +Consequence to the growing Colony. + +The Admiral then proposed the fetching in those _Englishmen_ who had +followed the Quarter Master; but the Council rejected this, alledging, +that as they deserted their Captain, it was a Mark of a mutinous Temper, +and they might infect others with a Spirit of Disorder; that however, +they might have Notice given them of the Settlement, and if they made it +their earnest Intreaty to be admitted, and would desert the +Quarter-Master, it should be granted as a particular Favour done them, +at the instance of the Admiral, and upon his engaging his Parole of +Honour for their quiet Behaviour. + +The Admiral then desired he might take a Cruize; that he hop'd to meet +with some _East-India_ Ships, and bring in some Voluntiers, for the +Number of Subjects being the Riches of a Nation, he thought the Colony +stood more in need of Men, than of any Thing else; that he would lie in +the Way of the Cape, and did not question doing good Service; and as he +went to the Northward, would call upon his own Men. + +The _Victoire_ was according to the Admiral's Desire fitted out, and in +few Days he sail'd with 300 Men on board; he came to an Anchor at the +Settlement his Men had made, and hoisted an _English_ Ensign in his Fore +Shrouds, and fir'd a Gun; but after he had waited some Time, perceiving +no Signal from the Shore, he landed and sent back his Boat; soon after +the Boat was returned towards the Ship, two of his Men came up to him, +to whom he gave an Account of _Misson_'s Settlement: They invited him +into the Wood to see that of theirs, and to advise with their +Companions, about the propos'd Migration. The Governor, _alià s_ +Quarter-Master, received him mighty civilly, but told him, that he could +see no Advantage to themselves in changing their present Situation, tho' +they might prove a great One to the new Colony, by adding to their Force +so many brave Fellows: That they there enjoy'd all the Necessaries of +Life; were free and independent of all the World; and it would be +Madness again to subject themselves to any Government, which, however +mild, still exerted some Power. That he was Governor for three Months, +by the Choice of his Companions; but his Power extended no farther than +to the judging in Matters of small Difference which might arise, which +he hop'd to do impartially while his Authority continued; that they had +agreed among themselves, and confirm'd that Agreement by Oath, to +support the Decrees of the Governor for the Time, that their +Tranquillity might not be disturb'd by the capricious Humour of any one +Man; and that this Power of determining, was to devolve at the +Expiration of three Months, to him on whom the Lot should fall by +balloting, provided he had not before enjoyed the Honour, for such a one +was not to draw; by which Agreement, every one would be raised, in Time, +to the supream Command, which prevented all canvassing and making +Interest for Votes, as when it determined by Suffrage; left no Open for +making Divisions and Parties, and was a Means to continue to them that +Repose inseparable from a Unity among themselves. However, continu'd he, +if you will go to _America_ or _Europe_, and shew the Advantages which +may accrue to the _English_, by fixing a Colony here, out of that Love +we bear our Country, and to wipe away the odious Appellation of Pyrates, +with Pleasure we'll submit to any who shall come with a Commission from +a lawful Government; but 'tis ridiculous to think we will become +Subjects to greater Rogues than our selves; and that you may know what +to say on this Head, if you think it expedient to follow my Advice, take +with you some few Thoughts, which I have couch'd in Writing, and which +I'll fetch you; he went into his Cabbin, for, tho' the Governor's, it +did not deserve the Name of a House, brought out some written Papers, +and gave them him. + +Captain _Tew_ finding the Quarter-Master spoke the Sentiments of his +Companions, took Leave, and returned to his Ship. + +When the Captain was in his Cabbin, he read the Quarter-Master's Papers, +which, as the Contents of them may oblige the curious, I shall set down. + +This Island of _Madagascar_ affords all the Necessaries of Life, and +yields to none either in the Wholesomeness of the Air, or Fruitfulness +of the Soil: The Seas around it are well stor'd with Fish, the Woods +with Fowl, and the Intrails of the Earth are enrich'd with Mines of +excellent Iron, as I have learn'd from some Natives, by their having +Arms of that Metal; and, doubtless there are here both Gold and Silver +Mines in the Mountains. + +The Soil will produce Sugar, Cotton, Indigo, and other Growths of our +_American_ Colonies, at a far inferior Expence, as I will make plain, by +comparing the Charge of erecting a Mill, _&c._ in _Barbadoes_, with what +it would be here. + +A Windmill in _Barbadoes_ will cost 100 l. all Materials and Labour +being very dear; but here Wood and Stone may be had for Labour only; so +that with Artificers, and the needful Iron and Copper Work brought from +_Europe_, a Sugar Work may be set up for very little Money. + +Negroes in _Barbadoes_ are at 30, 40, 50 l. _per_ Head; and I dare +answer 10 s. in _European_ Goods, will purchase a Negroe Slave at +_Madagascar_, since we have purchas'd for an old Coat, a lusty Fellow. + +Food is very dear at _Barbadoes_, and here you may feed a Slave, as well +as your self without Expence; consequently he will do more Work than a +_Barbadoes_ Slave, who is, by the Dearness of Provision, half-starved. + +Tho' a Cattle Mill is of less Expence in _Barbadoes_, yet the feeding of +Horses and Oxen at _Barbadoes_ is very dear. + +But, to proceed to other Advantages, all Sorts of medicinal and dying +Woods may be carried from hence to _Europe_; and your Woods for fine +Works, as Iron, Wood, Cedar, Mahogony, _&c._ are here in great +Abundance. + +If a Colony, with a lawful Power, were settled here, no doubt, but many +of the Commodities which we fetch from the _Indies_ might be made here, +as Silk, Cotton, _&c._ the Soil being proper for their Production. + +The Natives are, or seem to be, very human; and they have such Plenty of +black Cattle, that we have bought an Ox of 800 lb. Weight, for a Pair of +Breeches. + +Besides, a Settlement here would be a Curb on Pyrates, and a Protection, +as well as a great Conveniency to our _East India_ Ships, who might here +be stored with fresh or salt Provisions, and consequently not be obliged +to carry with them so great a Quantity as they now do, and save a great +Deal of Money to the Company in their Victualling. + +Captain _Tew_ went on Shore again in the Evening, the Wind not serving +to weigh, it blowing due _West_; he asked the Governor, how he got +acquainted with the Natives? and he answered, by meeting them a Hunting, +and using them well; that he wheedled one of them down to their Huts, +the Fellow being alone, and they three in Company, he suppos'd, thought +it best to go with seeming Willingness. After him several came, and they +liv'd very friendly with them: The Captain had brought ashore with him +some Rum and Brandy, and they were drinking a Bowl of Punch, when, on a +sudden, a violent Storm arose; Captain _Tew_ ran to the Shore, and made +a Signal for his Boat to carry him off, but the Sea ran too high to +venture out of the Ship: The Storm all the while increas'd, and the +_Victoire_, in less than two Hours, parted her Cables, was drove ashore +where it was steep to, and perished, with all her Men, in Captain +_Tew_'s Sight. + +The Captain staid with his old Companions, without knowing which Way to +return to his Friends he had left with _Misson_, not one of whom was +(luckily for them,) on board the Ship. At the End of three Months, as +far as they could discover a Hutt, they saw a large Ship, which _Tew_ +believed was the _Bijoux_; but she took no Notice of the Fires they +made: As he expected she would return after a short Cruize, he, and his +Companions, made large Fires every Night on the Shore, and visited the +Coast very often. About a Month after this, as they came early to the +Sea-Side, they were surpriz'd at the Sight of two Sloops which lay at an +Anchor, about a Canon Shot from the Shore; they had not been long +looking upon them, when a Canoe was hoisted out of One, and made to +them, with six Men who row'd, and one Sitter. + +_Tew_ soon knew him to be Captain _Misson_; he came ashore, and +embracing the former, told him, all their propos'd Happiness was +vanished; for without the least Provocation given, in the Dead of the +Night, the Natives came down upon them in two great Bodies, and made a +great Slaughter, without Distinction of Age or Sex, before they could +put themselves in a Posture of Defence; that _Caraccioli_ (who died in +the Action) and he got what Men together they could, to make a Stand; +but finding all Resistance vain against such Numbers, he made a Shift to +secure a considerable Quantity of rough Diamonds and Bar Gold, and to +get on board the two Sloops with 45 Men: That the _Bijoux_ being gone to +cruize, and the Number of Men he had carried with him in the _Victoire_, +weaken'd the Colony, and given the Natives the Boldness to attack them +as they did, but for what Reason he could not imagine. + +_Tew_ gave him an Account of the Disaster which had happen'd; and after +having mutually condol'd their Misfortunes, _Tew_ propos'd their going +to _America_, where _Misson_ might, with the Riches he had, pass his +Life unknown, and in a comfortable Manner. + +_Misson_ answer'd he could not yet take any Resolution, tho' he had +Thoughts of returning to _Europe_, and privately visiting his Family, if +any where alive, and then to retire from the World. + +They dined with the Quarter-Master, who press'd their Return to +_America_, to procure a Commission for the settling a Colony. + +_Misson_ told _Tew_, he should have one of the Sloops, and what +Volunteers would keep him Company, for his Misfortunes had erased all +Thoughts of future Settlements; that what Riches they had saved, he +would distribute equally, nay, he would be content, if he had only a +bare Support left him. + +On this Answer, four of the Quarter-Master's Company offer'd to join +Captain _Tew_. + +In the Afternoon they visited both Sloops, and _Misson_ putting the +Question to the Men, thirty went on board of one Sloop, tho' they parted +with great Reluctance from their old Commander; and fifteen staid with +_Misson_. The four Men who join'd _Tew_ made the Number of his Crew 34; +they staid about a Week, in hopes of the _Bijoux_'s Return upon the +Coast; but she not appearing, they set sail, Captain _Misson_ having +first shared the Treasure, with _Tew_ and his other Friends and +Companions, hoping to meet the _Bijoux_ on the _Guiney_ Coast, for which +they shaped their Course. + +Off Cape _Infantes_, they were over-taken with a Storm, in which the +unhappy _Misson_'s Sloop went down, within a Musket Shot of Captain +_Tew_, who could give him no Assistance. + +_Tew_ continued his Course for _America_, and arrived at _Rhode Island_ +without any Accident; his Men dispersed themselves, as they thought fit, +and _Tew_ sent to _Bermudas_ for his Owners Account fourteen Times the +Value of their Sloop, and not being questioned by any, liv'd in great +Tranquillity; the _French_ belonging to _Misson_, took different Routs, +one of whom dying at _Rochelle_, the _French_ Manuscript of _Misson_'s +Life was found among his Papers, and transmitted to me by a Friend and +Correspondent. + +Captain _Tew_ lived unquestion'd, _&c._ he had an easy Fortune, and +designed to live quietly at home; but those of his Men, who lived near +him, having squandered their Shares, were continually solliciting him to +take another Trip: He withstood their Request a considerable Time; but +they having got together (by the Report they made of the vast Riches to +be acquired) a Number of resolute Fellows, they, in a Body, begg'd him +to head them but for one Voyage. They were so earnest in their Desire, +that he could not refuse complying. They prepared a small Sloop, and +made the best of their Way to the _Streights_, entering the _Red Sea_, +where they met with, and attack'd a Ship belonging to the Great _Mogul_; +in the Engagement, a Shot carried away the Rim of _Tew_'s Belly, who +held his Bowels with his Hands some small Space; when he dropp'd, it +struck such a Terror in his Men, that they suffered themselves to be +taken, without making Resistance. + + + OF + Capt. _HALSEY_, + And his CREW. + +_John Halsey_ was a _Boston_ Man, of _New England_, commanded the +_Charles_ Brigantine, and went out with a Commission from the Governor, +to cruize on the Banks of _Newfoundland_, where he took a _French_ +Banker, which he appointed to meet him at _Fyal_; but missing his Prize +here, he went among the _Canary_ Islands, where he took a _Spanish +Barcalonga_, which he plundered and sunk; from thence he went to the +Island of _Bravo_, one of the _Cape de Verd_, where he wooded and +watered, turn'd ashore his Lieutenant, and several of his Men here +running away from him, the Governor sent them on board again, his +Commission being as yet in Force; from hence he stood away then to the +Southward, and doubling the _Cape_ of _Good Hope_, made for _Madagascar_ +and the Bay of _Augustine_, where he took in Wood and Water, with some +straggling Seamen, who were cast away in the _Degrave India_ Man, Capt. +_Young_, Commander. After this, he shap'd his Course for the _Red Sea_, +and met with a _Dutchman_ of 60 Guns, coming from _Mocha_, whom he kept +Company with a Week. Tho' he was resolved upon turning Pyrate, he +intended to rob only the _Moor_ Ships, which occasioned a Dispute +between him and his Men; they insisting on the Ship's being a _Moor_, he +as strenuously asserting she was _Dutch_, was positive in his Resolve of +meddling with no _European_ Ships. The Men were for boarding, but his +Obstinacy not being to be conquered, they broke _Halsey_ and his Gunner, +confining both, and were ready to board the _Dutchman_, when one of the +Crew perceiving he was about to run out his lower Tire, knock'd down the +Quarter-Master (whose Business it is to be at the Helm in Time of Chase +or Engagement, according to the Rules of Pyrates) clapp'd the Helm hard +a Weather, and wore the _Brigantine_: The _Dutchman_ staid, and fired a +Shot, which taking a Swivel Gun carried it aft, narrowly miss'd the Man +at Helm, and shatter'd the Tafrel; the Men perceiving they had catch'd a +_Tartar_, made the best of their Way to shake her off, and some were +running down between Decks, whom the Surgeon prick'd up again with his +Sword, tho' he no Way was consenting to their design'd Pyracy. The +Captain and a Gunner were again reinstated after they had seen their +Mistake, and then they steer'd for the _Nicobar_ Islands, where they met +with a Country Ship, called the _Buffalo_, commanded by Captain +_Buckley_, an _Englishman_, coming from _Bengal_, which they took after +a short Engagement, there being only three _Europeans_ aboard, the +Captain and two Mates, the rest were _Moors_. This Ship fell seasonably +in their Way, she being bound for _Achen_, with Butter, Rice, and +Cloath, and the Pyrates, at that Time, being in great Streights both for +Provision and Cloathing. They took the two Mates to Sea with them, but +left the Captain and the _Moors_ at _Cara Nicobar_, at an Anchor, and +then took a Cruize. Captain _Buckley_, who was sick, died before their +Return; in the Cruize they met with Captain _Collins_ in a Country +Sloop, bound also to _Achen_: He had also two _English_ Mates with him, +but the rest of his Company consisted of _Moors_; him they carried to +the same Harbour where they left the _Buffalo_. + +Here a Dispute arose among the Pyrates, some were for returning to the +_West Indies_, others were against it, for they had got no Money, and +that was what engaged their Search; they parted upon this; one Part went +on board the _Buffalo_, made one _Rowe_ Captain, and _Myers_, a +_Frenchman_, Master, whom they had pick'd up at _Madagascar_. The +Sloop's Deck they ripp'd up, and mended with it the Bottom of the +_Brigantine_, which _Halsey_ still commanded; the Ship shaped her Course +for _Madagascar_, and the _Brigantine_ made for the Streights of +_Malacca_, to lie in the Tract of the _Manila_ Ships. I must observe, +that Capt. _Buckley_'s two Mates, whom they intended to force with them, +were by Strength of Intreaty, permitted to go away with a Canoe. In +these Streights, they met an _Europe_ built Ship, of 26 Guns, which they +had not the Courage to attack, being sour'd by the _Dutchman_. They +afterwards stood in Shore, and came to an Anchor; few Days after they +made a Vessel, which they supposed a _China_ Jonque, and gave Chase, but +when they came pretty nigh, notwithstanding the Pilot assured them, she +was what they supposed, they swore it was a _Dutchman_, and would not +venture upon him; so leaving off their Chase stood in Shore, and came +again to an Anchor under the _Peninsula_; they lay here some Days, and +then spied a tall Vessel, which they chased, and proved the _Albemarle +East India_ Man, Captain _Bews_, Commander, come from _China_; they came +up with him, but thinking it too warm a Ship, after exchanging a few +Shot, the _Brigantine_ made off, and the _Albemarle_ chased in her Turn: +They however got clear, having a better Share of Heels, and came again +to an Anchor, having not above 40 Hands, their Water growing scarce, and +not daring to venture ashore for Fear of the _Dutch_, a Council was +called, and it was resolved to make the best of their Way to +_Madagascar_, to pick up more Hands, refresh, and set out on new +Adventures; pursuant to this Resolution, they steer'd for that Island, +but fell in their Way on _Mascarenas_ where, making a small Present to +the Governor, they were supplied with what they wanted; from hence they +went to a Place on _Madagascar_, call'd by the Pyrates _Hopeful Point_; +by the Natives, _Harangby_, near the Island of St. _Mary_'s, on the Lat. +of 17. 40 S. where they met with the _Buffalo_, and the _Dorothy_, a +Prize, made by Captain _Thomas White_ and his Company, being about 90 or +100 Men, settled near the same Place, in petty Governments of their own, +having some of them 500 or 600, some 1000 Negroe Subjects, who +acknowledged their Sovereignty. Here they again repaired their +Brigantine, took in Provisions and all Necessaries, augmented their +Company to about 100 Men, and set out for the _Red Sea_; they touch'd at +_Johanna_, and there took in a Quantity of Goats and Cocoa Nuts for +fresh Provisions, and thence in eleven Days reach'd the Streights of +_Babel Mandel_: They had not cruised here many Days, when they spied the +_Moors_ Fleet from _Mocha_ and _Jufa_, consisting of 25 Sail, which they +fell in with, and had been taken, if their Oars had not help'd them off, +it falling a dead Calm. They had not apprehended the Danger so great, if +they had not judged these Ships convoy'd by some _Portuguese_ Men of +War: Some Days after this, they met a one Mast Vessel, called a Grab, +coming from _Mocha_, which they spied within Gun-Shot, in a thick Fog; +they fired a Shot which out her Halliards, and then they took Possession +of her with their Boats; she was laden with Drugs, but they took only +some Necessaries and 2000 Dollars, and having learned that 4 _English_ +Vessels lay at _Mocoa_, of which one was from _Jufa_, they let her go. + +Three Days after they spied the 4 Ships, which they at first took for +the Trees of _Babel Mandel_; at Night they fell in with, and kept them +Company till Morning, the Trumpets sounding on both Sides all the Time, +for the Pyrate had two on board as well as the _English_. When it was +clear Day the four Ships drew into a Line, for they had haled the +Pyrate, who made no Ceremony of owning who he was, by answering +according to their Manner _From the Seas_. The _Brigantine_ bore up till +she had slung her Garf. One of the Ships perceiving this, advised +Captain _Jago_, who led the Van, in a Ship of 24 Guns and 70 Men, to +give Chace, for the Pyrate was on the Run; but a Mate, who was +acquainted with the Way of working among Pyrates, answered he would find +his Mistake, and said he had seen many a warm Day, but feared this would +be the hottest. The _Brigantine_ turn'd up again, and coming a Stern, +clapp'd the _Rising Eagle_ aboard, a Ship of 16 Guns and the Sternmost; +tho' they entered their Men, the _Rising Eagle_ held them a warm Dispute +for 3 Quarters of an Hour, in which Captain _Chamberlain_'s chief Mate +and several others were killed, the Purser was wounded, jumped +over-board, and drowned: In the mean while the other Ships call'd to +Captain _Jago_ to board the Pyrate; who bearing away, to clap him +aboard, the Pyrate gave him a Shot, which raked him fore and aft, and +determined Captain _Jago_ to get out of Danger; for he run away with all +the Sail he could pack, tho' he was fitted out to protect the Coast +against Pyrates. His Example was followed by the rest, every one +steering a different Course: Thus they became Masters of the _Rising +Eagle_. I can't but take Notice, that the second Mate of the _Rising +Eagle_, after Quarters were called for, fired from out of the +Forecastle, and killed two of the Pyrates, one of whom was the Gunner's +Consort, who would have revenged his Death by shooting the Mate, but +several _Irish_ and _Scots_, together with one Captain _Thomas White_, +once a Commander among the Pyrates, but then a private Man, interposed +and saved him, in regard that he was an _Irishman_. They examined the +Prisoners to know which was the Ship came from _Juffa_, for that had +Money on board; and having learn'd it was the _Essex_, they gave Chace, +came up with her, hoisted the bloody Flag at the Mainmast-head, fired +one single Gun, and she struck; tho' the _Essex_ was fitted for close +Quarters, there were not on board the _Brigantine_ above 20 Hands, and +the Prize was a Stern so far, that her Top-mast scarce appeared out of +the Water; in chacing this Ship, they pass'd the other two, who held the +Fly of their Ensigns in their Hands ready to strike. When the Ship had +struck, the Captain of her asked who commanded that _Brigantine_, he was +answered, Captain _Halsey_; asking again who was Quarter-Master? He was +told, _Nathaniel North_, to whom he called, as he knew him very well. +_North_ learning his Name was _Punt_, said Captain _Thomas Punt, I am +sorry you are fallen into our Hands_; he was civilly treated, and +nothing belonging to himself or the _English_ Gentlemen, who were +Passengers, touch'd, tho' they made bold to lay Hands on 40000 l. in +Money belonging to the Ship. They had about 10000 l. in Money out of the +_Rising Eagle_. They discharged the _Essex_, and with the other Prize +and the Brigantine, steer'd for _Madagascar_, where they arrived and +shared their Booty. Some of the Passengers, who had been so well +treated, came afterwards with a small Ship from _India_ (with License +from the Governor of _Maderas_) called the _Greyhound_, laden with +Necessaries, in Hopes to barter with the Pyrates for the dry Goods they +had taken, and recover them at an easy Rate: They were received very +kindly, an Invoice of their Goods was asked, the Goods agreed for, +shared and paid in Money and Bale Goods. In the mean while came in a +Ship from _Scotland_, called the _Neptune_, 26 Guns, 54 Men, commanded +by Captain _James Miller_, with a Design to slave, and to go thence to +_Batavia_ to dispose of her Negroes (having a Supercargo on board, +brought up among the _Dutch_) and thence to _Malacco_, to take on board +the Cargo of a Ship, call'd the _Speedwell_, lost on her Return from +_China_; but finding here another Ship trading with the Pyrates, and +having many Necessaries, _French_ Brandy, _Madera_ Wine, and _English_ +Stout on board, Captain _Miller_ thought it better to trade for Money +than Slaves. The Merchants of the _Greyhound_ nettled to see any but +themselves take Money, for the Pyrates never haggled about a Price, told +'em, They could not do the Governor of _Maderas_ a more grateful Piece +of Service, than to make Prize of the _Neptune_, which was a Ship fit +for their Purpose. To which some of the _Scotch_ and _Irish_ answered, +they had not best put such a Design on Foot, for if the Company once got +it into their Heads to take one, they'd go nigh to take both Ships. In a +short Time after came on a Hurricane, which obliged the _Neptune_ to cut +away all her Masts, and lost the three Ships belonging to the Pyrates, +which was their whole Fleet. They having now no Ship, and several of +them no Money, having been stripp'd at Play, their Thoughts were bent on +the _Neptune_. The Chief Mate of her _Daniel Burgis_, who had a Spleen +to the Captain, joining privately with the Pyrates (among whom he died) +got all the small Masts and Yards ashore; and the Pyrates being +requested to find him proper Trees for Masting, told Captain _Miller_, +they had found such as would serve his Turn, desiring he would take a +Number of Hands ashore to get them down to the Water, which he +(suspecting no harm) accordingly did, and he and his Men were seized, +and the Long Boat detained ashore. The Captain was forced to send for +the second Mate, and afterwards for the Gunner; the Mate, who was the +Captain's Brother, went, but the Gunner suspecting foul Play refused: In +the Evening _Burgess_ came on board, and advised the Surrender of the +Ship, which, tho' but sixteen were left on board, they scrupled, and +proposed going under the Cover of their own Guns to fetch their +Top-masts and Yards, and with them to put to Sea; but the Chief Mate +_Burgess_, whose Villany was not then known, persuaded them to give up a +Ship they could neither defend nor sail; which was no small Satisfaction +to the Merchants in the _Greyhound_, little thinking how soon they would +meet with the same Treatment; for two Days after the Pyrates mann'd the +_Neptune_'s Pinnace, seized the _Greyhound_, took away all the Money +they had paid, and shifting out of the _Neptune_ ten Pipes of _Madera_, +with two Hogsheads of Brandy, into the _Greyhound_, and putting on board +the Captain, second Mate, Boatswain and Gunner of the _Neptune_, and +about 14 of her Hands, ordered her to Sea; the rest of the _Neptune_'s +Company being young Men fit for their Purpose, they detained, most of +which, by hard drinking, fell into Distempers and died. As to Captain +_Halsey_, while the _Scotch_ Ship was fitting, he fell ill of a Fever, +died and was buried with great Solemnity and Ceremony; the Prayers of +the Church of _England_ were read over him, Colours were flying, and his +Sword and Pistol laid on his Coffin, which was covered with a Ship's +Jack; as many Minute Guns fired as he was Years old, _viz._ 46, and +three _English_ Vollies, and one _French_ Volley of small Arms. He was +brave in his Person, courteous to all his Prisoners, lived beloved, and +died regretted by his own People. His Grave was made in a Garden of +Water Melons, and fenced in with Pallisades to prevent his being rooted +up by wild Hogs, of which there are Plenty in those Parts. + + * * * * * + +_P. S._ The _Neptune_ seized as above, was the Year after Captain +_Halsey_'s Death, ready to go to Sea; but a Hurricane happening she was +lost, and prov'd the last Ship that Gang of Pyrates ever got Possession +of. + + + OF + Captain _Thomas White_, + And his CREW. + +He was born at _Plymouth_, where his Mother kept a Publick House; she +took great Care of his Education and when he was grown up, as he had an +Inclination to the Sea, procur'd him the King's Letter. After he had +served some Years on board a Man of War, he went to _Barbadoes_, where +he married, got into the Merchants Service, and designed to settle in +the Island: He had the Command of the _Marygold Brigantine_ given him, +in which he made two successful Voyages to _Guiney_ and back to +_Barbadoes_; in his third, he had the Misfortune to be taken by a +_French_ Pyrate, as were several other _English_ Ships, the Masters and +inferior Officers of which they detained, being in Want of good Artists. + +The Brigantine belonging to _White_ they kept for their own Use, and +sunk the Vessel they before sailed in; but meeting with a Ship on the +_Guiney_ Coast more fit for their Purpose, they went on board her, and +burnt the Brigantine. + +It is not my Business here to give an Acount of this _French_ Pyrate, +any farther than Captain _White_'s Story obliges me, tho' I beg Leave to +take Notice of their Barbarity to the _English_ Prisoners, for they +would set them up as a Butt or Mark to shoot at; several of whom were +thus murdered in cool Blood, by Way of Diversion. + +_White_ was marked out for a Sacrifice by one of these Villains, who, +for I know not what Reason, had sworn his Death, which he escaped thus. +One of the Crew, who had a Friendship for _White_, knew this Fellow's +Design, to kill him in the Night, and therefore advised him to lye +between him and the Ship's Side, with Intention to save him; which +indeed he did, but was himself shot dead by the murderous Villain, who +mistook him for _White_; but this by the Bye. + +After some Time cruizing along the Coast, the Pyrates doubled the _Cape_ +of _Good Hope_, and shaped their Course for _Madagascar_, where, being +drunk and mad, they knock'd their Ship on the Head, at the _South_ End +of the Island, at a Place called by the Natives _Elexa_; the Country +thereabouts was governed by a King, named _Mafaly_. + +When the Ship struck, Captain _White_, Captain _Boreman_, (born in the +Isle of _White_, formerly a Lieutenant of a Man of War, but in the +Merchants Service when he fell into the Hands of the Pyrates) Captain +_Bowen_ and some other Prisoners got to the Long-Boat, and with broken +Oars and Barrel Staves, which they found in the Bottom of the Boat, +paddled to _Augustine_ Bay; that is about 14 or 15 Leagues from the +Wreck where they landed, and were kindly received by the King of _Bavaw_ +(the Name of that Part of the Island) who spoke good _English_. + +They staid here a Year and a half at the King's Expence, who gave them a +plentiful Allowance of Provision, as was his Custom to all White Men, +who met with any Misfortune on his Coast; his Humanity not only provided +for all such, but the first _European_ Vessel that came in, he always +obliged them to take in the unfortunate People, let the Vessel be what +it would; for he had no Notion of any Difference between Pyrates and +Merchants. + +At the Expiration of the above Term, a Pyrate Brigantine came in, aboard +which the King obliged them to enter, or travel by Land to some other +Place, which they durst not do; and of two Evils chose the least, that +of going on board the Pyrate Vessel, which was commanded by one _William +Read_, who received them very civilly. + +This Commander went along the Coast, and pick'd up what _Europeans_ he +could meet with; his Crew however did not exceed forty Men, he would +have been glad of taking on board some of the wreck'd _Frenchmen_, but +for the Barbarity they had used towards the _English_ Prisoners; +however, it was impracticable, for the _French_ pretending to lord it +over the Natives, whom they began to treat inhumanly, were set upon by +them, one half of their Number cut off, and the other half made Slaves. + +_Read_, with this Gang, and a Brigantine of 60 Tons, steer'd his Course +for the Gulf of _Persia_, where they met a Grabb (a one masted Vessel) +of about 200 Tons, which was made Prize. + +They found nothing on board but Bale Goods, most of which they threw +over-board to search for Gold, and to make Room in the Vessel; but as +they learned afterwards, they threw over in their Search, what they so +greedily hunted after, for there was a considerable Quantity of Gold +concealed in one of the Bales they toss'd into the Sea. + +In this Cruise Captain _Read_ fell ill and died; he was succeeded by one +_James_. The Brigantine being small, crazy, and worm eaten, they shaped +their Course for the Island of _Mayotta_, where they took out the Masts +of the Brigantine, fitted up the Grabb, and made a Ship of her: Here +they took in a Quantity of fresh Provision, which is in this Island very +plentiful, and very cheap; and found a twelve oar'd Boat, which formerly +belonged to the _Ruby East India_ Man, which had been lost there. + +They staid here all the Monsoon Time, which is about six Months; after +which they resolved for _Madagascar_. As they came in with the Land, +they spied a Sail coming round from the _East_ Side of the Island; they +gave Chase on both Sides, so that they soon met: They haled each other, +and receiving the same Answer from each Vessel, _viz._ _from the Seas_, +they joined Company. + +This Vessel was a small _French_ Ship, laden with Liquors from +_Martinico_, first commanded by one _Fourgette_, to trade with the +Pyrates for Slaves, at _Ambonawoula_, on the _East_ Side the Island, in +the Lat. of 17. 30. and was by them taken after the following Manner. + +The Pyrates, who were headed by _George Booth_, Commander of the Ship, +went on board (as they had often done) to the Number of ten, and carried +Money with them under Pretence of purchasing what they wanted. (This +_Booth_ had formerly been Gunner of a Pyrate Ship, called the +_Dolphin_.) Captain _Fourgette_ was pretty much upon his Guard, and +searched every Man as he came over the Side, and a Pair of Pocket +Pistols were found upon a _Dutchman_, who was the first enter'd; the +Captain told him, _he was a Rogue, and had a Design upon his Ship_, and +the Pyrates pretended to be so angry with this Fellow's offering to come +on board with Arms, that they threatned to knock on the Head, and +tossing him roughly into the Boat, ordered him ashore, tho' they had +before taken an Oath on the Bible, either to carry the Ship or die in +the Undertaking. + +They were all searched, but they however contrived to get on board 4 +Pistols, which were all the Arms they had for the Enterprize, tho' +_Fourgette_ had 20 Hands on board, and his small Arms on the Arning to +be in Readiness. + +The Captain invited them into the Cabbin to Dinner, but _Booth_ chose to +dine with the petty Officers, tho' one _Johnson_, _Isaac_, and another, +went down. + +_Booth_ was to give the Watch Word, which was _Hurrah_; he pretending to +make Water over the Side of the Gunnel, laid his Hand on the Arning, and +being a nimble Fellow, at one Spring threw himself upon it, drew the +Arms to him, fired his Pistol forward among the Men, one of whom he +wounded, (who jumping over-board was lost) and gave the Signal. + +Three I said were in the Cabbin, and seven upon Deck, who with +Handspikes and the Arms seized, secured the Ship's Crew. The Captain and +his two Mates, who were at Dinner in the Cabbin, hearing the Pistol, +fell upon _Johnson_, and stabb'd him in several Places with their Forks, +but they being Silver, did him no great Damage. _Fourgette_ snatch'd his +Piece which he snapp'd at _Isaac_'s Breast several Times, but it would +not go off; at last, finding his Resistance vain, he submitted, and the +Pyrates set him, and those of his Men who would not join them, on Shore, +allowing him to take his Books, Papers, and whatever else he claimed as +belonging to himself; and besides treating him very humanly gave him +several Casks of Liquor, with Arms and Powder, to purchase Provisions in +the Country. + +I hope this Digression, as it was in a Manner needful, will be excused; +I shall now proceed. + +After they had taken in the _Dolphin_'s Company, which were on the +Island, and encreased by that Means their Crew to the Number of 80 +Hands, they sail'd to St. _Mary_'s, where Captain _Misson_'s Ship lay at +Anchor, between the Island and the Main: This Gentleman and his whole +Ship's Company had been cut off, at the Instigation of _Ort-Vantyle_, a +_Dutchman_ of _New-York_. + +Out of her they took Water Casks and other Necessaries, which having +done, they designed for the River _Methelage_, on the West Side +_Madagascar_, in the Lat. of 16 or thereabouts, to salt up Provisions +and to proceed to the _East Indies_, cruize off the Islands of St. +_John_, and lie in Wait for the _Moors_ Ships from _Mocha_. + +In their Way to _Methelage_ they fell in (as I have said) with the +Pyrate, on board of which was Captain _White_; they join'd Company, came +to an Anchor together in the above-nam'd River, where they had cleaned, +salted up, taken in their Provisions, and were ready to go to Sea, when +a large Ship appeared in Sight, and stood into the same River. + +The Pyrates knew not whether she was a Merchant Man or Man of War; she +had been the latter, belonging to the _French_ King, and could mount 50 +Guns; but being taken by the _English_, she was bought by some _London_ +Merchants, and fitted out from that Port, to slave at _Madagascar_, and +go to _Jamaica_. The Captain was a young unexperienced Man, who was put +in with a Nurse. + +The Pyrates sent their Boats to speak with him, but the Ship firing at +them, they concluded it a Man of War, and rowed to Shore, the two +Pyrates slipp'd and run ashore; the Grabb standing in, and not keeping +her Wind so well as the _French_ built Ship, run among a Parcel of +Mangroves, and a Stump piercing her Bottom, she sunk; the other run +aground, let go her Anchor, and came to no Damage, for the Tide of Flood +fetch'd her off. + +The Captain of the _Speaker_, for that was the Name of the Ship which +frighten'd the Pyrates, was not a little vain of having forced these two +Vessels ashore, tho' he did not know whether they were Pyrates or +Merchant Men, and could not help expressing himself in these Words; _How +will my Name ring on the_ Exchange, _when it is known I have run two +Pyrates aground_, which gave Handle to a satyrical Return from one of +his Men after he was taken, who said, _Lord, How our Captain's Name will +ring on the_ Exchange, _when it is heard, he frighten'd two Pyrate Ships +ashore, and was taken by their two Boats afterwards_. + +When the _Speaker_ came within Shot, she fired several at the two +Vessels; and when she came to an Anchor, several more into the Country, +which alarm'd the Negroes, who, acquainting their King, he would allow +him no Trade, till the Pyrates living ashore, and who had a Design on +his Ship, interceded for 'em, telling the King, they were their +Countrymen, and what had happened was thro' a Mistake, it being a Custom +among them to fire their Guns by Way of Respect, and it was owing to the +Gunner of the Ship's Negligence, that they fir'd Shot. + +The Captain of the _Speaker_ sent his Purser ashore, to go up the +Country to the King, who lived about 24 Miles from the Coast, to carry a +couple of small Arms inlaid with Gold, a couple of Brass Blunderbusses, +and a Pair of Pistols, as Presents, and to require Trade. + +As soon as the Purser was ashore, he was taken Prisoner, by one _Tom +Collins_, a _Welchman_, born in _Pembroke_, who lived on Shore, and had +belong'd to the _Charming Mary_ of _Barbadoes_, which went out with a +Commission, but was converted to a Pyrate; he told the Purser, he was +his Prisoner, and must answer the Damage done two Merchants, who were +slaving. + +The Purser answer'd, that he was not Commander, that the Captain was a +hot rash Youth, put into a Business by his Friends, which he did not +understand; but however, Satisfaction should be made. + +He was carried by _Collins_ on board _Booth_'s Ship, where, at first, he +was talked to in pretty strong Terms; but after a while very civilly +us'd, and the next Morning sent up to the King with a Guide, and Peace +made for him, as already said. + +The King allowed them Trade, and sent down the usual Presents, a couple +of Oxen, between 20 and 30 People laden with Rice, and as many more with +the Country Liquor, called _Toke_. + +The Captain then settled the Factory on the Shore Side, and began to buy +Slaves and Provisions; the Pyrates were among them, and had +Opportunities of sounding the Men, and knowing in what Posture the Ship +lay. They found by one _Hugh Man_, belonging to the _Speaker_, that +there were not above 40 Men on board, and that they had lost the second +Mate and 20 Hands in the Long Boat, on the Coast, before they came into +this Harbour, but that they kept a good Look-out, and had their Guns +ready primed; however, he, for a hundred Pounds, undertook to wet all +the Priming, and assist in the taking the Ship. + +After some Days the Captain of the _Speaker_ came on Shore, and was +received with a great Deal of Civility by the Heads of the Pyrates, +having agreed before to make Satisfaction; in a Day or two after, he was +invited by them to eat a Barbacute Shoot, which Invitation he accepted. + +After Dinner, Captain _Bowen_, who was, I have already said, a Prisoner +on board the _French_ Pyrate, but now become one of the Fraternity, and +Master of the _Grab_, went out, and returned with a Case of Pistols in +his Hand, and told the Captain of the _Speaker_, whose Name I won't +mention, that he was his Prisoner; he asked, upon what Account? _Bowen_ +answered, they wanted a Ship, his was a good One, and they were resolved +to have her, to make amends for the Damage he had done them. + +In the mean while his Boats Crew, and the rest of his Men ashore, were +told by other of the Pyrates, who were drinking with them, that they +were also Prisoners; some of them answer'd, _Z--ds, we don't trouble our +Heads what we are, let's have t'other Bowl of Punch_. + +A Watch Word was given, and no Boat to be admitted on board the Ship; +this Word, which was for that Night, _Coventry_, was known to them: At +Eight a-Clock they mann'd the twelve-oar'd Boat, and that they found at +_Mayotta_, with 24 Men, and set out for the Ship. + +When they were put off, the Captain of the _Speaker_ desired them to +come back, he wanted to speak with them; Captain _Booth_ asked, what he +wanted? He said, they could never take his Ship, then said _Booth_, +we'll die in or along Side of her; but replied the Captain, if you will +go with Safety, don't board on the Lar-board Side, for there is a Gun +out of the Steerage loaden with Patridge, will clear the Decks; they +thank'd him, and proceeded. + +When they were near the Ship they were haled, and the Answer was, _the +Coventry_; all well, said the Mate, get the Lights over the Side, but +spying the second Boat, he asked what Boat that was? one answered, it +was a Raft of Water, another, that it was a Boat of Beef; this +Disagreement in the Answers made the Mate suspicious, who cried out +_Pyrates, take to your Arms my Lads_, and immediately clapp'd a Match to +a Gun, which, as the Priming was before wet by the Treachery of _Hugh +Man_, only fizz'd; they boarded in the Instant, and made themselves +Masters of her, without the Loss of a Man on either Side. + +The next Day they put necessary Provisions on board the _French_ built +Ship, and gave her to the Captain of the _Speaker_, and those Men who +would go off with him, among whom was _Man_, who had betray'd his Ship; +for the Pyrates had both paid him the 100 l. agreed, and kept his +Secret. The Captain having thus lost his Ship, sail'd in that the +Pyrates gave him, for _Johanna_, where he fell ill and died with Grief. + +The Pyrates having here victualled, they sail'd for the Bay of St. +_Augustine_, where they took in between 70 and 80 Men, who had belonged +to the Ship _Alexander_, commanded by Captain _James_, a Pyrate; they +also took up her Guns, and mounted the _Speaker_ with 54, which made up +their Number 240 Men besides Slaves, of which they had about 20. + +From hence they sailed for the _East Indies_, but stopp'd at _Zanguebar_ +for fresh Provisions, where the _Portuguese_ had once a Settlement, but +now inhabited by _Arabians_; some of them went ashore with the Captain +to buy Provisions, the Captain was sent for by the Governor, who went +with about 14 in Company: They past thro' the Guard, and when they were +entered the Governor's House, they were all cut off; and, at the same +Time, others who were in different Houses of the Town were set upon, +which made them fly to the Shore; the Long-Boat, which lay off at a +Grapling, was immediately put in by those who look'd after her: There +were not above half a dozen of the Pyrates who brought their Arms +ashore, but they plyed them so well, for they were in the Boat, that +most of the Men got into her, the Quarter-Master ran down Sword in Hand, +and tho' he was attack'd by many, he behaved himself so well, that he +got into a little Canoe, put her off and reached the Long-Boat. + +In the Interim, the little Fort the _Arabians_ had, play'd upon the +Ship, which returned the Salute very warmly. Thus they got on board, +with the Loss of Captain _Booth_ and twenty Men, and set Sail for the +_East-Indies_. + +When they were under Sail, they went to Voting for a new Captain, and +the Quarter-Master, who had behaved so well in the last Affair with the +_Arabians_, was chosen; but he declining all Command, the Crew made +Choice of _Bowen_ for Captain, _Pickering_ to succeed him as Master, +_Samuel Herault_, a _Frenchman_, for Quarter-Master, and _Nathaniel +North_, for Captain Quarter-Master. + +Things being thus settled, they came to the Mouth of the _Red Sea_, and +fell in with 13 Sail of _Moors_ Ships, which they kept Company with the +greater Part of the Day, but were afraid to venture on them as they took +them for _Portuguese_ Men of War; at length part were for boarding, and +advised it, the Captain, tho' he said little, did not seem inclin'd, for +he was but a young Pyrate, tho' an old Commander of a Merchant Man. + +Those who push'd for boarding then, desired Captain _Boreman_, already +mentioned, to take the Command; but he said, he would not usurp on any, +that no Body was more fit for it than he who had it, that for his Part, +he would stand by his Fusil and went forward to the Forecastle with such +as would have had him taken the Command, to be ready to board; on which, +the Captain's Quarter-Master said, if they were resolved to engage their +Captain, (whose Representative he was) did not want Resolution, +therefore, he ordered them to get their Tacks on board (for they had +already made a clear Ship) and get ready for boarding; which they +accordingly did, and coming up with the sternmost Ship, they fired a +Broadside into her, which killed two _Moors_, clapp'd her on board and +carried her; but Night coming on, they made only this Prize, which +yielded them 500 l. _per_ Man. + +From hence they sailed to the Coast of _Mallabar_; the Adventures of +these Pyrates on this Coast are already set down in Captain _Bowen_'s +Life, to which I refer the Reader, and shall only observe, Captain +_White_ was all this while afore the Mast, being a forced Man from the +Beginning. + +_Bowen_'s Crew dispersing, Captain _White_ went to _Methelage_, where he +lived ashore with the King, not having any Opportunity of getting off +the Island, till another Pyrate Ship, called the _Prosperous_, commanded +by one _Thomas Howard_, who had been bred a Lighterman on the River of +_Thames_, came in: This Ship was taken at _Augustine_, by some Pyrates +from Shore, and the Crew of their own Long-Boat, which join'd them, at +the Instigation of one _Ranten_, Boatswain's Mate, who was sent for +Water. They came on board in the Night and surprized her, tho' not +without Resistance, in which the Captain and chief Mate was killed, and +several others wounded, the Particulars of which will be found in +_Hore_'s Life. Those who were ashore with Captain _White_, resolving to +enter in this Ship, determined him to go also, rather than be left alone +with the Natives, hoping, by some Accident or other, to have an +Opportunity of returning home. He continu'd on board this Ship, in which +he was made Quarter-Master, till they met with, and all went on board of +_Bowen_, as is set down in his Life, in which Ship he continued after +_Bowen_ left them, as shall be mentioned in the Appendix. At _Port +Dolphin_ he went off in the Boat to fetch some of the Crew left ashoar, +the Ship being blown to Sea the Night before. The Ship not being able to +get in, and he supposing her gone to the West-Side of the Island, as +they had formerly proposed, he steered that Course in his Boat with 26 +Men. They touch'd at _Augustine_ expecting the Ship, but she not +appearing in a Week, the Time they waited, the King order'd 'em to be +gone, telling 'em they impos'd on him with Lies, for he did not believe +they had any Ship; however, he gave 'em fresh Provision. They took in +Water, and made for _Methelage_. Here, as Captain _White_ was known to +the King, they were kindly received, and staid about a Fortnight in +Expectation of their Ship, but she not appearing, they raised their Boat +a-streak, salted up the Provisions the King gave 'em, put Water aboard, +and stood for the North-End of the Island, designing to go round, +believing their Ship might be at the Island of St. _Mary_. When they +came to the North-End, the Current, which sets to the North-West for +eight Months in the Year, was so strong they found it impossible to get +round. Wherefore they got into a Harbour, of which there are many for +small Vessels. Here they staid about three Weeks or a Month, when part +of the Crew were for burning the Boat, and for travelling over Land to a +black King of their Acquaintance, whose Name was _Reberimbo_, who lived +at a Place called _Manangaromasigh_, in the Latitude of 15, or +thereabouts. As this King had been several times assisted by the Whites +in his Wars, he was a great Friend to them. Captain _White_ disswaded +them from this Undertaking, and, with much ado, saved the Boat; but one +half of the Men being resolved to go by Land, they took what Provisions +they thought necessary, and set out, Captain _White_, and those who +staid with him, convoy'd 'em a Day's Journey, and then returning, he got +into the Boat with his Companions, and went back to _Methelage_, fearing +these Men might return, prevail with the rest, and burn the Boat. + +Here he built a Deck on his Boat, and lay by three Months, in which Time +there came in three Pyrates with a Boat, who had formerly been trepann'd +on board the _Severn_ and _Scarborough_ Men of War, which had been +looking for Pyrates on the East-Side; from which Ships they made their +escape at _Mohila_, in a small Canoe to _Johanna_, and from _Johanna_ to +_Mayotta_, where the King built 'em the Boat which brought 'em to +_Methelage_. The Time of the Current's setting with Violence to the +North-West being over, they proceeded together in _White_'s Boat +(burning that of _Mayotta_) to the North-End, where the Current running +yet too strong to get round, they went into a Harbour and staid there a +Month, maintaining themselves with Fish and wild Hog, of which there was +great Plenty. At length, having a Slatch of fine Weather, and the +Strength of the Current abating, they got round; and after sailing about +40 Mile on the East-Side, they went into a Harbour, where they found a +Piece of a Jacket, which they knew belong'd to one of those Men who had +left 'em to go over Land; he had been a forced Man, and a Ship +Carpenter; this they supposed he had torn to wrap round his Feet, that +Part of the Country being barren and rocky. As they sailed along this +Coast, they came to an Anchor in convenient Harbours every Night, till +they got as far as _Manangaromasigh_ where King _Reberimbo_ resided, +where they went in to enquire for their Men, who left 'em at the +North-End, and to recruit with Provisions. The latter was given 'em, but +they could have no Information of their Companions. + +From hence they went to the Island of St. _Mary_, where a Canoe came off +to 'em with a Letter directed to any white Man. They knew it to be the +Hand of one of their former Ship-Mates. The Contents of this Letter was +to advise 'em to be on their Guard, and not trust too much to the Blacks +of this Place, they having been formerly treacherous. They enquired +after their Ship, and was inform'd, that the Company had given her to +the _Moors_, who were gone away with her, and that they themselves were +settled at _Ambonavoula_, about 20 Leagues to the Southward of St. +_Mary_, where they lived among the Negroes as so many sovereign Princes. + +One of the Blacks, who brought off the Letter, went on board their Boat, +carried them to the Place called _Olumbah_, a Point of Land made by a +River on one Side, and the Sea on the other, where twelve of 'em lived +together in a large House they had built, and fortified with about 20 +Pieces of Canon. + +The rest of them were settled in small Companies of about 12 or 14 +together, more or less, up the said River, and along the Coast, every +Nation by it self, as the _English_, _French_, _Dutch_, _&c._ They made +Enquiry of their Consorts after the Shares of Prizes which belong'd to +them, and they found all very justly laid by to be given them, if ever +they return'd, as were what belong'd to the Men who went over Land. +Captain _White_ hankering after home, proposed going out again in the +Boat; for he was averse to settling with them; and many others agreed to +go under his Command; and if they could not meet with a Ship to carry +them to _Europe_, to follow their old Vocation. But the others did not +think it reasonable he should have the Boat, but that it should be set +to Sale for the Benefit of the Company. Accordingly it was set up, and +Captain _White_ bought it for 400 Pieces of Eight, and with some of his +old Consorts, whose Number was increas'd by others of the Ship's Crew, +he went back the Way he had come, to _Methelage_: Here he met with a +_French_ Ship of about 50 Tuns and 6 Guns; she had been taken by some +Pyrates who lived at _Maratan_, on the East-Side of the Island, and some +of the _Degrave East-India_ Man's Crew, to whom the Master of her +refused a Passage to _Europe_; for as he had himself been a Pyrate and +Quarter-Master to _Bowen_ in the _Speaker_, he apprehended their taking +away his Ship, War being then between _England_ and _France_, he thought +they might do it without being called in question as Pyrates. The +Pyrates who had been concerned in taking _Herault_'s Ship, for that was +his Name, had gone up the Country, and left her to the Men belonging to +the _Degrave_, who had fitted her up, clean'd and tallow'd her, and got +in some Provision, with a Design to go to the _East-Indies_, that they +might light on some Ship to return to their own Country. + +Captain _White_ finding these Men proposed their joining him, and going +round to _Ambonavoula_, to make up a Company, which they agreed to, and +unanimously chose him Commander. They accordingly put to Sea, and stood +away round the South End of the Island, and touch'd at _Don Mascarena_, +where he took in a Surgeon, and stretching over again to _Madagascar_, +fell in with _Ambonavoula_, and made up his Complement 60 Men. From +hence he shaped his Course for the Island of _Mayotta_, where he cleaned +his Ship, and staid for the Season to go into the _Red Seas_: His +Provisions being taken in, the Time proper, and the Ship well fitted, he +steer'd for _Babelmandel_, and running into a Harbour waited for the +_Mocha_ Ships. + +He here took two Grabs laden with Provision, and having some small Money +and Drugs aboard; these he plunder'd of what was for his Turn, kept 'em +a Fortnight by him, and then let them go. Soon after they spied a tall +Ship, upon which they put to Sea; but finding her _Europe_ built, and +too strong to attempt, for it was a _Dutch_ Man, they gave over the +Chace, and were glad to shake him off, and return to their Station. +Fancying they were here discover'd, from the Coast of _Arabia_, or that +the Grabs had given Information of them, they stood over for the +_Ethiopian_ Shore, keeping a good look out for the _Mocha_ Ships. + +Few Days after they met with a large Ship of about 1000 Tuns and 600 +Men, called the _Malabar_, which they chased, kept Company with all +Night, and took in the Morning, with the Loss only of their Boatswain, +and two or three Men wounded. In the taking this Ship they damaged their +own so much, by springing their Foremast, carrying away their Bowsprit, +and beating in part of their upper Works, that they did not think her +longer fit for their Use, therefore filled her with Prisoners, gave 'em +Provision, and sent them away. + +Some Days after this they spied a _Portuguese_ Man of War of 44 Guns, +which they chased, but gave it over, by carrying away their +Main-Top-Mast, so that they did not speak with her, for the _Portuguese_ +took no Notice of them. + +Four Days after they had left this Man of War, they fell in with a +_Portuguese_ Merchant-Man, which they chased with the _English_ Colours +flying, the Chace taking _White_ for an _English_ Man of War or +_East-India_ Man, made no Sail to get from him, but on his coming up +brought to, and sent his Boat on board with a Present of Sweet-Meats for +the _English_ Captain; his Boat's Crew was detain'd, and the Pyrates +getting into his Boat with their Arms, went on board, and fir'd on the +_Portuguese_, who being surprizd, asked if War was broke out between +_England_ and _Portugal_? They answer'd in the Affirmative, but the +Captain could not believe 'em. However, they took what they liked, and +kept him with them. + +After two Days they met with the _Dorothy_, an _English_ Ship, Captain +_Penruddock_ Commander, coming from _Mocha_. They exchanged several Shot +in the Chace, but when they came a Long-side her, they entered their +Men, and found no Resistance, she being navigated by _Moors_, no +_Europeans_ except the Officers being on board. On a Vote they gave +Captain _Penruddock_ (from whom they took a considerable Quantity of +Money) the _Portuguese_ Ship and Cargoe, with what Bales he pleased to +take out of his own, bid him go about his Business, and make what he +could of her. As to the _English_ Ship, they kept her for their own Use. + +Soon after they plunder'd the _Mallabar_ Ship, out of which they took as +much Money as came to 200 l. Sterling a man, but miss'd 50000 Chequins +which were hid in a Jar under a Cow's-Stall, kept for the giving Milk to +the _Moor_ Supercargoe, an ancient Man. They then put the _Portuguese_ +and _Moor_ Prisoners on board the _Mallabar_, and sent them about their +Business. The Day after they had sent them away, one Captain _Benjamin +Stacy_, in a Ketch of six Guns fell into their Hands; they took what +Money he had, and what Goods and Provisions they wanted. Among the Money +were 500 Dollars, a Silver Mug and two Spoons belonging to a Couple of +Children on board, and under the Care of _Stacy_. The Children took on +for their Loss, and the Captain asking the Reason of their Tears, was +answer'd by _Stacy_, that the above Sum and Plate was all the Children +had to bring them up. + +Captain _White_ made a Speech to his Men, and told 'em, it was cruel to +rob the innocent Children; upon which, by unanimous Consent, all was +restor'd them again; besides, they made a Gathering among themselves, +and made a Present to _Stacy_'s Mate, and other his inferior Officers, +and about 120 Dollars to the Children; they then discharged _Stacy_ and +his Crew, and made the best of their Way out of the _Red Sea_. + +They came into the Bay of _Defarr_, where they found a Ketch at an +Anchor, which the People had made Prize of, by seizing the Master and +Boat's Crew ashoar. They found a _French_ Gentleman, one Monsieur +_Berger_, on board, whom they carried with 'em, took out about 2000 +Dollars, and sold the Ketch to the Chief ashoar for Provisions. + +Hence they sailed for _Madagascar_, but touch'd at _Mascarena_, where +several of 'em went ashoar with their Booty, about 1200 l. a Man. Here +taking in fresh Provision, _White_ steer'd for _Madagascar_, and fell in +with _Hopeful Point_, where they shar'd their Goods, and took up +Settlements ashoar, where _White_ built a House, bought Cattle, took off +the upper Deck of his Ship, and was fitting her up for the next Season. +When she was near ready for Sea, Captain _John Halsey_, who had made a +broken Voyage, came in with a Brigantine, which being a properer Vessel +for their Turn, they desisted from working on the Ship, and who had a +Mind for fresh Adventures, went on board _Halsey_, among whom Captain +_White_ enter'd afore the Mast. + +At his return to _Madagascar_, _White_ was taken ill of a Flux, which in +about 5 or 6 Months ended his Days; finding his Time was drawing nigh, +he made his Will, left several Legacies, and nam'd three Men of +different Nations, Guardian to a Son he had by a Woman of the Country, +requiring he might be sent to _England_ with the Money he left him, by +the first _English_ Ship, to be brought up in the Christian Religion in +hopes he might live a better Man than his Father. He was buried with the +same Ceremony they use at the Funerals of their Companions, which is +mention'd in the Account of _Halsey_. Some Years after an _English_ Ship +touching there, the Guardians faithfully discharged their Trust, and put +him on board with the Captain, who brought up the Boy with Care, acting +by him as became a Man of Probity and Honour. + + + OF + Captain _CONDENT_, + And his CREW. + +Captain _Condent_ was a _Plymouth_ Man born, but we are as yet ignorant +of the Motives, and Time of his first turning Pyrate; he was one of +those who thought fit to retire from _Providence_ (on Governor _Roger_'s +Arrival at that Island) in a Sloop belonging to Mr. _Simpson_, of _New +York_, a _Jew_ Merchant, of which Sloop he was then Quarter-Master. Soon +after they left the Island, an Accident happened on board, which put the +whole Crew into Consternation; they had among them an _Indian_ Man, whom +some of them had beat; in revenge, he got most of the Arms forward into +the Hold, and designed to blow up the Sloop. Upon which, some advised +scuttling the Deck and throwing Grenade Shells down, but _Condent_ said, +that was too tedious and dangerous, since the Fellow might fire thro' +the Decks and kill several of them; he, therefore, taking a Pistol in +one Hand, and his Cutlash in the other, leaped into the Hold; the +_Indian_ discharged a Piece at him, which broke his Arm, but, however, +he ran up to and shot the _Indian_. When he was dead the Crew hack'd him +to Pieces, and the Gunner ripping up his Belly, tore out his Heart, +broiled and eat it. + +After this, they took a Merchant Man, called, the _Duke of York_; and +some Disputes arising among the Pyrates, the Captain, and one half of +the Company, went on board the Prize; the other half, who continued in +the Sloop, chose _Condent_ Captain; he shaped his Course for the _Cape +de Verd_ Islands, and in his Way, took a Merchant Ship from _Maderas_, +laden with Wine, bound for the _West Indies_, which he plundered and let +go; then coming to the Isle of _May_, one of the said Islands, he took +the whole Salt Fleet, consisting of about 20 Sail; he wanting a Boom, +took out the Mainmast of one of these Ships, to supply the Want: Here he +took upon him the Administration of Justice, enquiring into the Manner +of the Commander's Behaviour to their Men, and those, against whom +Complaint was made, he whipp'd and pickled. He took what Provisions and +other Necessaries he wanted, and having augmented his Company, by +Voluntiers and forced Men, he left the Ships and sailed to St. _Jago_, +where he took a _Dutch_ Ship, which had formerly been a Privateer; this +prov'd also an easy Prize, for he fired but one Broadside, and clapping +her on board, carried her without Resistance, for the Captain and +several Men were killed, beside some wounded by his great Shot. + +This Ship proving for his Purpose, he gave her the Name of the _Flying +Dragon_, went on board with his Crew, and made a Present of his Sloop to +a Mate of an _English_ Prize, whom he had forced with him; from hence he +stood away for the Coast of _Brazil_, and in his Cruize, took several +_Portuguese_ Ships, which he plundered and let go. + +After these, he fell in with the _Wright_ Galley, Captain _John Spelt_, +Commander, hired by the _South-Sea_ Company, to go to the Coast of +_Angola_ for Slaves, and thence to _Buenos Ayres_. This Ship he detained +a considerable Time, and the Captain being his Townsman, treated him +very civilly; few Days after he took _Spelt_, he made Prize of a +_Portuguese_, laden with Bale Goods and Stores; he new rigg'd the +_Wright_ Galley, and put on board her several Goods. + +Soon after he had discharged the _Portuguese_, he met with a _Dutch +East-India_ Man of 26 Guns, whose Captain was kill'd the first +Broadside, and took her with little Resistance, for he had hoisted the +Pyrates Colours on board _Spelt_'s Ship. + +He now, with three Sail, steer'd for the Island of _Ferdinando_, where +he hove down and clean'd the _Flying Dragon_; having careen'd, he put 11 +_Dutchmen_ on board Captain _Spelt_, to make Amends for the Hands he had +forced from him, and sent him away, making him a Present of the Goods he +took from the _Portuguese_ Ship. When he sail'd himself, he ordered the +_Dutch_ to stay at _Ferdinando_ 24 Hours after his Departure; +threatning, if he did not comply, to sink his Ship; if he fell a second +Time into his Hands, and to put all the Company to the Sword. He then +stood for the Coast of _Brazil_, where he met a _Portuguese_ Man of War +of 70 Guns, which he came up with; the _Portuguese_ hal'd him, and he +answer'd, _from London_, bound for _Buenos Ayres_: The _Portuguese_ +mann'd his Shrouds and chear'd him, when _Condent_ fired a Broadside and +a Volley of small Arms, which began a smart Engagement for the Space of +3 Glasses; but _Condent_ finding himself over-match'd, made the best of +his Way, and, being the better Sailor, got off. + +Few Days after he took a Vessel of the same Nation, who gave an Account, +that he had killed above 40 Men in the _Guarda del Costa_, beside a +Number wounded; he kept along the Coast to the Southward, and took a +_French_ Ship of 18 Guns, laden with Wine and Brandy, bound for the +_South-Sea_, which he carried with him into the River of _Plate_. He +sent some of his Men ashore to kill some wild Cattle, but they were +taken by the Crew of a _Spanish_ Man of War; on their Examination before +the Captain, they said they were two _Guiney_ Ships, with Slaves +belonging to the _South-Sea_ Company, and on this Story were allowed to +return to their Boats: Here five of his forced Men ran away with his +Canoe, he plundered the _French_ Ship, cut her adrift, and she was +stranded. He proceeded along the _Brazil_ Coast, and hearing a Pyrate +Ship was lost upon it, and the Pyrates imprisoned, he used all the +_Portuguese_, who fell into his Hands, who were many, very barbarously, +cutting off their Ears and Noses; and as his Master was a Papist, when +they took a Priest, they made him say Mass at the Main-mast, and would +afterwards get on his Back and ride him about the Decks, or else load +and drive him like a Beast. He from this went to the _Guiney_ Coast, and +took Captain _Hill_ in the _Indian Queen_. + +In _Luengo_ Bay he saw two Ships at Anchor, one a _Dutchman_ of 44 Guns, +the other an _English_ Ship, called the _Fame_, Captain _Bowen_, +Commander; they both cut and ran ashore, the _Fame_ was lost, but the +_Dutch_ Ship, the Pyrate, got off and took with him. When he was at Sea +again he discharged Captain _Hill_, and stood away for the +_East-Indies_. Near the Cape he took an _Ostend East-India_ Man, of +which Mr. _Nash_, a noted Merchant in _London_, was Supercargo. Soon +after he took a _Dutch East-India_ Man, discharged the _Ostender_, and +made for _Madagascar_; at the Isle of St. _Mary_, he met with some of +Captain _Halsey_'s Crew, whom he took on board with other Stragglers, +and shaped his Course for the _East-Indies_, and in the Way, at the +Island of _Johanna_, took, in Company of two other Pyrates he met at St. +_Mary_'s, the _Cassandra East-India_ Man, commanded by Captain _James +Macragh_; he continued his Course for the _East-Indies_, where he made a +very great Booty, and returning, touch'd at the Isle of _Mascarenas_, +where he met with a _Portuguese_ Ship of 70 Guns, with the Vice-Roy of +_Goa_, on board. This Ship he made Prize of, and hearing she had Money +on board, they would allow of no Ransom, but carried her to the Coast of +_Zanguebar_, where was a _Dutch_ Fortification, which they took and +plunder'd, razed the Fort, and carried off several Men who enter'd +voluntarily. From hence they stood for St. _Mary_'s, where they shared +their Booty, broke up their Company, and settled among the Natives: Here +a _Snow_ came from _Bristol_, which they obliged to carry a Petition to +the Governor of _Mascarenas_ for a Pardon, tho' they paid the Master +very generously. The Governor returned Answer, he would take them into +Protection if they would destroy their Ships, which they agreed to, and +accordingly sunk the _Flying Dragon_, &c. _Condent_ and some others went +to _Mascarenas_, where _Condent_ married the Governor's Sister-in-Law, +and stay'd some Time; but as I have been credibly inform'd, he is since +come to _France_, settled at St. _Maloes_, and drives a considerable +Trade as a Merchant. + + + A DESCRIPTION of _MAGADOXA_, + taken partly from the Journal + of Captain _Beavis_, and also from + an original Manuscript of a Molotto, + who was taken by the Natives, and + lived amongst them sixteen Years. + +In the Year 1700, Capt. _William Beavis_, Commander of the Ship, called +the _Albemarle_, then in the Service of the _East-India_ Company, sail'd +from _England_, bound for _Surrat_, in the _East-Indies_, but after +having been some Months at Sea, having the Misfortune to meet with +contrary Masorns, he lost his Passage, so that he was forced on the +Coast of _Zanguebar_, in the higher _Ethiopia_, or the Continent of +_Africk_, where he endeavoured to find out some Place of Safety, that +the Ship might ride secure, and where he might meet with some +Necessaries for refreshing his Company, while he waited for the Change +of Winds, which he could not expect in less than three or four Months. + +They came in with the Land, and cast Anchor on the ninth of _November_, +the Year before-mentioned; the Tenth it blew hard, but on the Eleventh +the Weather being pretty fair, the Captain sent the Yawl on Shore, in +two different Places, at considerable Distance from each other, they +found the Land every where sandy, and all over green with Shrubs, but +saw no Houses, nor could they discover the least Track of any human +Creature; however, they saw Deer, but could not come near enough to have +a Shot at them; they also found the Dung of Wolves, Hares, and some +other Animals, but saw none; and near the Water-side they found the +Shells of a great Number of Craw-Fish, but met with none alive; +wherefore, they guessed that they were left here by some Creatures, who +fished them up and usually fed upon them. + +Finding this Place altogether inhospitable, they weigh'd Anchor and +sail'd along the Shore, till the 17th of the same Month, when the +Captain looking thro' his Spying-glass, saw three or four Men walking +along the Sea-Side, and sometimes sitting down, but could not discern +any House, Fire, or Smoak, but when they had sail'd about a League +farther, they perceived an Inlet or Bay, where the Captain fancied there +might be a River; he could also perceive several tall Trees, which were +the first they had seen since they came upon the Coast, which made the +Captain conjecture, that there must be some Inhabitants. + +Upon this, they came to an Anchor, and manning out the Boat, the Captain +sent Mr. _Baldwin_ the third Mate in her, to go into the Bay, in order +to discover whether there was any River which discharged itself into it; +when they were in with the Shore, they perceived about fifty or sixty +People standing upon a Bank near the Water-side, and one separating +himself from the Rest, approached nearer to them, and held up a white +Piece of Linnen at the End of a Stick, and waved it at them, which they +understood to be a Flag of Friendship, and which the Boat answered by +the like Signal; then the Person on Shore beckon'd to them with his +Hand, which they took to be an Invitation to come on Shore, and +accordingly they ventured; there were two of the Boat's Men who spoke a +little _Portuguese_, who saluted this Man in that Language; as soon as +they came near him, his Gesture appeared very civil, but they could not +understand a Syllable of what he said in Answer, but by his Signs, they +fancied he invited them to come to their Huts, in order to eat and +drink. + +However, they did not think fit to stay longer at this Time, but +returned on Board, to give the Captain an Account of what had pass'd, +and to let him know, that they could discover no River in the Bay; they +described the People to be pretty tall and well made, their Colour jet +black, their Heads and Beards close shaved, wearing upon their Heads +Turbants made of a Kind of Linnen, and a Sort of Sash made of Dungeree +Linnen about their Wastes, the Rest of their Bodies being quite naked; +whereupon, consulting with a Molotto, one of the Ship's Company, who +understood the _Turkish_ and _Arabian_ Languages, what he thought the +Language of these People might be, he judg'd it to be a Kind of +corrupted _Arabick_, because their Dress was not unlike that of the +_Arabians_ of the Desert, and that it was not unlikely, but that they +might be some Way descended from them; wherefore, the Captain resolved +to mann the Boat again, and to send the Molotto ashore with them, to try +if he could so far understand their Language, as to learn from them, +where there was fresh Water, or any other Refreshments to be had; and +also to enquire for some Port or Bay, where the Ship might be with +Safety till the breaking up of those Easterly Winds. + +The Wind blew so fresh all that Day, which was the 19th, that they could +not send the Boat on Shore. At Night they watched to see if they could +discover any Appearance of Fire any where upon Land, but they could +discern nothing like it; wherefore, it seemed strange to them, that in a +Country inhabited, there should be neither Smoak by Day, nor Fire by +Night, which made them suppose, the Huts of the Natives were far up the +Country. + +However, the next Day the Boat was sent on Shore with the Molotto +Interpreter, and Mr. _Courser_ the fourth Mate; and for Fear of any +Surprize, the Captain ordered them to carry Arms in the Boat. When they +approach'd near the Shore, several of the Natives made towards the +Waterside, but seeing the Boat's Men take their Arms in their Hands at +their Landing, they fled affrighted up the Country, nor would they ever +come near them after; the Men went a little Way up the Land and met with +some Huts, which were covered with the Shells of Turtles, which +Creatures it is supposed the Natives catch in their proper Season for +Food, and then making a Covering of their Shells for their Houses; they +also saw several Cows, at some Distance, which are very swift at +running, and not larger than our Deer; they saw some other Animals, but +took none, and so returned on Board without gaining any Intelligence. + +The Mistake here was, that they did not lye off with their Boat, and +make a Signal as they did at first, which would have disposed the +Natives to have staid for them, as they did before, but going ashore +abruptly with Arms in their Hands, frighten'd the Natives, as if they +had come to kill them; wherefore, there was no Expectation of making any +Discovery here, which induced the Captain to weigh Anchor, and steer a +little farther Westward. + +The next Morning, which was the twenty second, they came to an Anchor, +and sent their Boat on Shore again, with Mr. _Baldwin_ the third Mate, +and the Gunner; there being some high Hills not far from the Place where +they landed, the Mate and Gunner resolved to walk to the Top of one of +the highest of those Hills, in order to take a View of the Country +beneath. About four in the Afternoon they returned again to the Ship, +bringing Word, that there was a pleasant Valley on the other Side, about +five Miles in Length, and near as far in Breadth, but that they could +see no Houses or other Signs of Inhabitants, but that the Valley seemed +to abound with Deer, and several other Creatures; they brought on Board +three Antilopes, and two large Guiney Hens, which they shot, and saw +great Numbers of both these Creatures about the Bushes on the Sides of +those Hills; the Antilopes were small, but extreamly beautiful, their +Bodies no bigger than that of a Hare, but their Legs much longer, their +Colour was a Mixture of black and white, very smooth, and very bright, +with Horns about three Inches long. + +They weigh'd and crept along ashore to the Westward, and next Day, which +was the Twenty third, the Captain with his Spying-glass saw seven or +eight Men near the Shore; wherefore, he sent the Boat to endeavour to +speak with them. As soon as they saw the Boat approach them, they went +off; the Men however went on Shore, and at some Distance saw two Camels +and two Asses loaden, pass along with Men attending them; they did what +they could to speak with these too, but when they perceived the Boat's +Men to make towards them, they drove so fast there was no coming near +them. + +The next Morning the Weather being clearer than ordinary, the Captain +looking thro' his Glass, fancied he saw several tall Spires to the +Westward; he weigh'd Anchor, and stood away for them; by four in the +Afternoon, he plainly perceived a large Town, and by six came to an +Anchor right over against it; however, he did not send the Boat on Shore +that Night, but next Morning he ordered Mr. _Baldwin_ the third Mate, +Mr. _Sale_ the Purser, with the Molotto before-mentioned, who spoke the +_Turkish_ and _Arabian_ Languages, to take the Yawl with four Hands, and +to carry with them a white Flag, that they might appear to come in a +friendly and peaceable Manner, charging them at the same Time to say or +do nothing which might appear harsh or offensive. The Boat was no sooner +in with the Shore, but the Natives flock'd as it were to meet them, and +appeared very courteous: The Molotto spoke to them in _Arabian_ Tongue, +giving them to understand, that they were driven upon their Coasts by +the Misfortune of having lost their Voyage, that they were in Want of +Water, and begg'd they would shew them where they might be supplied, and +that if they would think fit to furnish them with fresh Provision they +would pay them in Money, or any Goods or Curiosities of _Europe_. + +It happened the Language they spoke was a Kind of _Arabick_, so that the +Molotto could discourse with them perfectly well; they answered him, +that the King was absent from the City, and that they could do nothing +till his Return, but that he would be there as that Night, for they had +sent him Word of the coming of a Ship, as soon as it appeared in Sight. +That however, they might assure themselves, that all they requested +should be granted, and shewed them where there were several fine Springs +of Water: These Springs being a pretty Way from the Water-side, and the +Ground near them craggy and uneven; the Molotto told them it would be +difficult to rowl their Casks so long a Way, and over such bad Ground, +and ask'd them if there were not any Spring nearer the Sea. They +answered them no, but that the King would give them Oxen to draw their +Casks to the Boat; and so they returned on Board with a Present from the +King's Son of a Sarne of mash'd Dates, a matted Jar of Sweet-Meats, and +four Sheep. + +Betimes the next Morning, being the 26th, the Captain sent the Yawl on +Shore again with the same Officers, to know if the King was come, and to +beg Leave to bring on Board some fresh Water, ordering them to make a +Signal for the Long-Boat to be sent on Shore, in Case they obtained the +Permission to water; the Yawl had not been long gone before the +appointed Signal was made, and the Long-Boat was accordingly sent +immediately; after which, the Captain perceived the Yawl was returning +back again to the Ship: She came with four Hands in her to advise the +Captain, that the Long-Boat would immediately return with a Cow as a +Present to him, and to put him in Mind, that it would be proper to send +something back for a Present to the _Shubander_, (the Name by which they +call the King's Son) with whom they, _viz._ the third Mate Mr. +_Baldwin_, the Gunner, and the Molotto Interpreter, who served in the +Ship as a Quartier, were gone to dine. + +The Captain was surprized at their Indiscretion, and the more because he +had ordered them, to be upon their Guard for Fear of Treachery, having +furnished them with Arms for that Purpose, and charged them not to stir +far from their Boat; however, there was no Remedy now, so that he sent +the Yawl back again with a Present of a small Looking-glass (a great +Curiosity there) for the Prince, ordering one Man to carry it, and to +tell the Mate, Gunner, and Molotto to come off as soon as they could, +the rest to lye a little off with the Yawl, their Arms ready, but out of +Sight. + +The Captain observing the Yawl with his Glass, perceived the Men +contrary to his Orders were gone on Shore, and looking again a little +after, saw the Boat without a Mast, or so much as one Hand in her, +drag'd towards the Town quite on Shore, and in a little Time after she +was hawl'd out of Sight. + +This Rashness of his Men gave him a great Deal of Uneasiness, he +apprehended some fatal Consequence from it, (and indeed he had Reason) +for he knew the Natives of some Part of the Coast were Cannibals; +therefore, for Fear of venturing too much at once, he resolved not to +trust the Long-Boat on Shore, till he had some Tideings from the Yawl. + +All that Day he pass'd with the utmost Uneasiness, keeping a Man +continually on the Watch, looking towards the Shore with a Spying-glass, +to try if any Thing could be discovered of his Men on the Shore, but all +to no Purpose; for nothing could be discerned either of them or the Boat +the whole Day. That Night was spent in many doubtful Reflections, and +Tears for the Condition of those who were on Shore. Next Morning the +Captain resolved to send the Long-Boat towards the Land, with Mr. _Nyn_ +his first Mate, and some other of his Officers in her, ordering them to +shew a white Flag, as soon as they should discover any People to come +near them; but not to venture to go ashore, but to talk and make Signs +to the Natives out of the Boat, and to try to discover the Reason of our +Mens being detained; and in Case they found they kept them Prisoners, or +intended them for Slaves, to try by Means of the Molotto Interpreter to +treat with them for their Ransom. + +Mr. _Nyn_ obey'd his Orders punctually, and when he came near the Land +he lay by, with a white Flag display'd at the End of a Mast, at which +Time he observed a great Body of People coming from the Town towards the +Sea-Side; the Captain could also discern them from the Ship with his +Spying-glass, and judg'd them to be betwixt four and five Thousand, but +instead of coming to parley, they marched in a Body behind a Bank, which +stood opposite the Boat, where they lay in a Kind of Ambuscade, without +returning any Signal, or shewing any Inclination to speak with the Boat. + +This look'd plainly, as if they intended to surprize the Men, in Case +they should venture to land; wherefore Mr. _Nyn_ resolved to return on +Board, and plying along Shore, in order to find the Passage thro' the +Ridge of Rocks of Coral, which runs along ashore, the Natives let fly a +Shower of Arrows at the Boat, which however did no Harm, because they +fell short; upon which Mr. _Nyn_ commanded his Men to fire their Arms +towards the Banks, in order to frighten them, for being so intrench'd, +he knew he could do them no Harm; after which he returned on Board. + +The Captain now began to despair of ever seeing his Men more; the best +he could think which could befal them, was, to be made Slaves, for still +he did not apprehend that they had met with so melancholy and cruel a +Fate, as their Confidence in the Natives had really brought upon them; +he therefore resolved to make one Attempt more, in order to learn some +News of what had befallen them: In order to which, he thought of a +Stratagem, by which he should run no Hazard of losing any more of his +Men, and by which it seemed probable he must hear of them if they were +alive. He writ a Letter, which Letter he caused to be fix'd to the Top +of a long Pole, which he ordered to be carried on Shore in the Silence +of the Night; the Men were to fix the Pole in the Ground, and to make it +the more conspicuous, there was a Flag also fastened to the Pole. + +He did not doubt, but that if any of his Men had the Liberty of walking +about, they would come for the Letter which they must see, and if they +had not that Liberty, the Natives not being able to read it themselves, +would carry it to them. + +In this Letter he advised Mr. _Baldwin_, and Mr. _Sale_, the third Mate +and Purser, to treat about their own Ransom themselves, and that of the +five Men with them (including the Molotto) and since there was no other +Way of procuring their Liberty, he would comply with the Terms, let them +be what they would; he directed them to fix their Answer upon the same +Pole, and least they should want Pen and Ink, he inclosed a Pencil, and +also a Sheet of Paper. And in Hopes an Answer should be left, he +commanded the Pole to be fix'd just at the Waters Edge, where there was +no Bank near, that it might be taken off without the Danger of an +Ambuscade. + +This was the best Expedient he could think of, for relieving his unhappy +Countrymen, who now, alas! were past all Relief. Accordingly the Boat +was sent with the said Letter, and two of the Men went on Shore and +fixed it, and having returned into the Boat, the Boat put off, and came +to an Anchor at some Distance from the Shore, in order to observe what +should become of the Letter; they waited till Noon to no Purpose, then +taking up their Anchor, in order to come on Board for some Refreshment, +they were but a little while under Sail, when they saw a Man come and +carry off the Pole; a little while after which, as they ply'd along the +Shore, and were opposite to the Bank before described, they were saluted +with a Volley of Musquet-Shot, one Ball falling into the Boat, and +several others come very near it; wherefore, they made all the Sail they +could to give the Captain an Account of what had pass'd. + +The Fire Arms they made use of were these they found in the Boat, where +they also met with six Cartouch Boxes full of Charges, and their making +use of them in this Manner, convinced the Captain that they had no Mind +to come to any Parley with them, or to listen to any Terms about the +Release of their unhappy Ship Mates; however they were continually upon +the Watch, looking out with wishing Eyes, in Expectation of seeing the +appointed Signal made for the Answer of the Letter; long they expected +to no Purpose, which made the Captain think something very fatal had +happened to them, and that he should never see them more; but in the +midst of his Despair, a Thought came into his Head, which administred to +him a little Comfort, he fancied that perhaps they might be carried up +the Country, to the Place where the King at that Time was gone, and that +the Natives might send the Letter after them, which might be the Reason +there was no Answer yet left. Upon this little Glimmering of Hope, he +resolved to wait some Days longer, for he was willing to lay Hold of any +Hope, rather than bear the Thoughts of going away without them. + +Thus Day after Day they waited in Expectation of some Answer, sending +the Boat to lye off near the Shore, to be ready in Case any Signal +should be made.--One Day they perceived a great Number of People to come +out of the Town, and make towards the Shore, which gave them an +Expectation that the Delivery of their Friends was at Hand; they watched +their Motions with earnest Eyes, hoping every Minute to see a Flag of +Truce, instead of which, they observed them to march directly behind the +Bank, where they seem'd to place themselves in a Kind of Ambuscade. + +Now there seem'd to be an End of all their Hopes, the Boat return'd on +Board, and made a Report to the Captain of what they saw, who calling a +Consultation of all his Officers to hear if any Thing could be offered +for the Relief of their Companions; it was proposed by one to send the +Boat on Shore, to burn some Junks which were hawl'd up about a +Musquet-Shot from the Water-side, but the Captain considered, that tho' +this might gratifie their Revenge, it would bring no Relief to their +poor captive Friends: On the contrary, the Natives might be provoked to +destroy them for it, if they had not done it already, besides as these +Junks lay not far from the Bank, their Men might be exposed to the +Arrows of the Natives (who now lay in continual Ambuscade) and so they +might run the Hazard of losing more Men without the least Advantage to +themselves, or unhappy Companions. + +Wherefore, this Project was laid aside, and the Winds often blowing +hard, and the Captain not judging it safe to lye any longer in that open +Road, he weighed Anchor on the fourth of _December_, steering along +ashore, in Search of some Bay or Inlet, where they might ride shelter'd +from the Wind and Weather; and still with a View that if either their +Companions might have an Opportunity of making their Escape, or the +Natives should relent and think of letting them go for a Ransom, they +might be near enough to receive them. After about three or four Hours +gentle Sail he dropp'd an Anchor, the Town of _Magadoxa_ then bearing N +E b'E of them, they perceived it was all along a flat smooth Shore, +without any Bay or other Shelter, for Ships to ride; wherefore, the next +Day, which was the fifth of _December_, they stood off to Sea, and then +came to a Consultation, what Measures to take in their present +Condition; and having considered that they had met with no Place where +they could ride with any Safety, and if they should meet with a +convenient Bay much farther down the Coast, it would be of no Service to +their unhappy Companions, who would never hear of them; and besides they +could not venture to traffick with the Natives for Refreshments, for +Fear of Surprize and Treachery; and their Men beginning to grow weak and +distempered for want of fresh Provisions, they resolved to make for the +Island of _Joanna_, being forced to leave their Companions to +Providence, in great Trouble and Anxiety for their unhappy Fate. + +We shall leave them to pursue their Voyage, which was happy enough, +bating this Accident, and relate what had pass'd on Shore, as we had it +from a Manuscript, written by the Molotto Interpreter, who was the only +Person who escaped, and return'd to _England_, after he had lived +sixteen Years amongst the Barbarians. + +It has been already taken Notice that Mr. _Baldwin_ the third Mate, and +Mr. _Sale_ the Purser (unhappily for them) not observing the Cautions +the Captain gave them to be upon their Guard, were so indiscreet, to be +tempted to accept of an Invitation to dine with the King's Son; so that +having sent the Yawl on Board again, for a Present as has been related, +they with the Molotto Interpreter went towards the Town, accompanied by +several of the Natives, who made them the Invitation in the Name of the +King's Son. They were no sooner arrived at the first Gate of the City, +but they were surrounded by a great Multitude of People, and violently +dragg'd into a little Door under the Gateway, and shut up in a dark +Hole. When they had remained here about the Space of two Hours, they +heard a very great Noise without; soon after which, the Doors leading to +their Dungeon were all opened, and they were dragg'd out again; when +they were out, they found that what occasioned that great Noise, was the +Return of their Men, whom they had sent on Board for a Present for the +King's Son, who were seized in the same Manner they had been, and being +encompassed by such a Number of People, they lost them in a Minute; they +were also separated from one another, and the Molotto desiring to know +of them the Meaning of all this, and in what they had offended them, +they only answered him, that they must go before the _Accabo_, (the Name +by which they call the King, who had not been out of Town as they gave +out before) accordingly he was conducted with a sufficient Guard, +expecting there to meet his Companions again. + +When he arrived at the King's House (which shall be hereafter described) +he was led thro' several Rooms to that where the King was present, whom +he found sitting upon the Ground, the Floor being matted; he was dress'd +in a long Pair of Drawers of blewish purple Silk, which reach'd down to +his Toes, having neither Shoes nor Stockings on, a large Mantle of the +same Silk, and a white Turbant on his Head; there were eight others who +sat about him, whose Dress was the same with his, as to Form and +Fashion, but their Drawers and Mantles were made of a blew and white +strip'd Dungeree Stuff, instead of Silk; these were his Councellors and +Favourites. The King spoke to him in a Kind of _Arabick_, asking of what +Country he was? he answered of _Canton_ in _China_. Then he ask'd him, +how he came to associate himself with those horrid white Men? The poor +Molotto began to tremble at this Question, but excus'd himself by +speaking in their Favour, highly extolling them for their Civility of +Behaviour, as well as Generosity, and praising them in all Things to the +King, telling him, he was sure the Captain would ransom them, if it was +his Pleasure to consent to it; to which he returned no Answer, but ask'd +what the Ship had in her, the Molotto gave him an Account of her Lading; +then he desired to know whether the rest of the Men would come on Shore, +he answered, he could not tell, but in Case they were suffered to return +again on Board, he was sure they would come on Shore, and that the +Captain himself designed to come and see the King, as soon as they +should return; but the King made no Offer of suffering that, but +commanded him to be carried back to Prison. + +The Prison which they call _Haulaub_, is a square Stone-Building, about +twenty Foot high, and flat at Top, fronting one of their broadest +Streets; there are no Windows or Iron Bars, as we see in our Prisons, +but there are several little Holes about eight or nine Inches square, +quite thro' the Wall, thro' which, the Place within receives both Light +and Air. Here the poor Molotto was put, very anxious about the Fate of +his poor Companions, whom he had not seen since their being separated at +their first coming out of the Dungeon; wherefore, seeing an old Man +looking thro' one of the Holes before described, he enquired of him what +was become of them, who gave him this melancholy Account; that those who +came last out of the Boat, which were the four Sailors sent on Board the +Ship for the Present for the King's Son, were kill'd in the Streets by +the Multitude, and that making some Resistance, they were torn to +Pieces, every Man thinking himself happy that could procure a Piece of +their Flesh, shewing a Bit of about two Ounces, which he begg'd of one +who had got a great Piece, which many of them eat; that they were all +from their Childhood taught to have an Aversion to white Men, and that +these were the first that had been seen in the Memory of Man, that as to +the tall Man and the little Man which had been in the Dungeon with him +(which were Mr. _Baldwin_ and Mr. _Sale_, the Mate and Purser) they were +by the King's Order carried to the _Boderzau_ (a Place where Tygers and +other fierce Beasts are kept for the King's Pleasure) and delivered up +to be torn to Pieces by those Animals. + +This was in Effect, the true Account of the most bloody Massacre that +was committed upon these unhappy Men; the Story of which, it may be +imagined, must throw the poor Molotto into the utmost Consternation and +Fear, as imagining himself to be near suffering some cruel Death; +sometimes he flattered himself that they would spare him, because of his +being a Molotto, but on the other Side, when he reflected on his having +given the white Men a good Character, he look'd upon himself to be a +dead Man, thinking that alone was sufficient to destroy him. + +Betwixt these Doubts and Fears he pass'd the Night, in a Place all +covered with Nastiness, where there was not the least Conveniency for +easing Nature, and where, had his Mind been at rest, it would have been +hard for him to have slept. In the Morning a Man look'd thro' one of the +Holes, and with great Joy in his Countenance, told him, there were more +white Men coming on Shore; the Fellow did not relate it as good News to +him, but told it for the Pleasure they should have in destroying more of +them. The Molotto wish'd within himself, that he could have given Notice +of what had pass'd, and some Advice to beware of themselves, but it was +safest for him to keep his Wishes to himself; therefore he said nothing. +Some Hours after he was sent to go again before the King; now he thought +his Execution was at Hand, but when he was brought into the King's +Presence, they put a Letter into his Hand, commanding him to tell what +it meant, for that those who had come on Shore had stuck it upon a Pole, +and went off before they could be spoke to. He saw at one Cast of an +Eye, that it was from the Captain, who talk'd of Ransom, and a sudden +Thought came into his Head, that if he had explained it to the King, +they would make him some Way instrumental, in decoying more of the Men +on Shore, in order to murder them; and knowing his Companions to be past +all Ransom, he said he did not know the Ways of the white Men, and could +not understand what that meant. The King then ask'd him if he could +persuade the white Men, who were at that Time lying at an Anchor, in +their Boat some Distance from the Land, to come on Shore, he answered he +would endeavour to do it, if it was his Pleasure; upon which the King +whisper'd with some others, who were near him, but said no more of it, +as being unwilling to trust him. And the Truth on't is, he designed to +tell them what had pass'd, and if the Natives did not hold him fast, to +throw himself into the Sea, and venture to swim to them, not doubting, +but those in the Boat might with their Fire Arms, secure him from being +pursued, but they gave no Opportunity of making the Attempt. + +The King then call'd for one of the Fire-Arms, which had been taken in +the Boat, and commanded him to shew them how they were to be used, which +he was forced to do; and they made use of them soon after, by firing at +the Boat as has been related. He was then carried back to Prison, and +talking with the Jaylor (whom in their Language they call _Kasboo_) he +ask'd him what he thought the King intended to do with him? The Jaylor +answered, he was sure he did not intend to have him kill'd, as the white +Men had been, because he had ordered him to give him Food; this News a +little revived his drooping Spirits, accordingly he brought him some +Plantanes and Bonanas, which was the first Nourishment he had taken +since he came on Shore; and having refreshed himself therewith, and with +an _Alabo_ of Water, that is, a Vessel not unlike a Pitcher, he begg'd +for something to clean the Place, the Jaylor brought him a Parcel of +green Sticks tied together, which they call a _Tosee_, and serves for +the Use of a Broom; with this and a Thing like a Shovel, he made a Shift +to sweeten the Place pretty well; when it was done, he observed an old +Man looking thro' one of the Holes at him, with whom he fell into +Discourse, and enquired of him whether the Ship was gone, the old Man +told him no, but that there was another Boat with white Men lying off +the Land, and that there were great Numbers of People from the Town +lying in Wait for their coming on Shore. He begg'd this old Man to get +him a few Palmatu Leaves to lay on the Floor under him, which the old +Man did, so that that Night he rested very comfortably to what he had +done before. + +The next Morning he was again sent for before the King, who ask'd him, +if he could kill a _Coway_ with one of those Musquets? he answered he +could, and glad he was to be so employed, thinking by these Means he +might please the King, at least gain his Favour so far, as to induce him +to spare his Life. He was led out to the River-side, the King himself +being in Company, and one of the Musquets was put into his Hand, he took +the Ball and beat it into a great Length, and then divided it into small +Bits about the Size of Swan Shot, for he would not venture to shoot with +a single Ball, not knowing but his Life might depend upon the Success of +his Shoot, by these Means he kill'd one the first Shot. The King seemed +very well pleased, and made him charge the Piece again in the same +Manner, and taking it into his own Hands discharged it at another +_Coway_ which he also kill'd. + +A _Coway_ is a fine beautiful Bird larger than a Swan, and not much +unlike it in Shape, the Body is as white as Milk, but the Tuft it wears +on its Head, as also its Tail, are adorned with Variety of Colours, the +Bill is a little crooked, and uneven, its Legs of a fine Yellow, but its +Form is best expressed by the Figure. They are in great Plenty always +living near the Water, hatching fourteen or fifteen young Ones at a +Time, and set four Times a Year; they are excellent to eat, nor do they +taste at all fishy. + +After this, he was ordered back to his Prison, as he went along he ask'd +the Jaylor (with whom he was now grown more familiar) what he thought +the King intended to do with him. The _Kasboo_ or Jaylor told him, he +believed he intended to keep him there till the Ship (which they call a +_Schabew_) and the white Men were gone, and that then he would order him +to be releas'd from his Confinement, and employ him in some Service. The +Jaylor seem'd to talk to him, and use him in a much kinder Manner than +before; and when he arrived at the Prison, he brought him a _Patue_ (in +their Language a Dish) of boiled Rice with Oyl, which is look'd upon to +be very good Food; he left him two large _Alaboes_ or Pitchers of Water, +sufficient to drink and to clean his Kennel, after which, he took a +comfortable Nights Rest. + +The poor Fellow now began to wish that the Ship was gone, since he had +no Prospect of making his Escape, and that their Departure would procure +him greater Liberty. Next Morning seeing the old Man who had furnish'd +him with the Palmatu Leaves, looking thro' one of the Holes at him, he +enquired of him, whether the Ship was still in Sight? He told him it +was, that there were still great Numbers of People lying behind the +Bank, having with them those Things which were taken in the Boats, +describing the Musquets, and great Numbers of Arrows, ready to shoot if +they should either Land, or come near enough with their Ship; he begg'd +of him to let him know what should happen, and particularly to inform +him when the Ship should go off: The old Man whose Name was _Morasab_, +seem'd obliging and kind, and promised him to do so, and that he would +return towards Night (which in their Language they call _Raham_.) + +A little after the _Kasboo_ or Jaylor came in, bringing some Plantanes +and Bonana's to him for his Breakfast, and opened a Door which went into +a little back Yard, where there was a Spring of fine fresh Water, +bidding him draw what Water he pleased in his _Alaboes_, and clean his +Prison, leaving the Place open to him for that Purpose, there being no +Way for him to get out; towards Evening he came to him again, bringing +him some boyl'd Rice and Oyl, and then he shut up the Door before +described, and leaving him Water enough, left him for that Night. + +_Morasab_ appeared at one of the Holes according to his Promise, +acquainting him, that the Ship remained still in the same Station, and +that the Boat had not been seen near the Land that Day. Next Morning +_Morasab_ came again, and with great Joy told him, the Ship was then +going off, being under Sail; a little after the _Kasboo_ or Jaylor came +in as usual, bringing some boyl'd Rice, and gave him the same Account of +the Ship. + +Tho' he despaired now of ever getting off, yet he expected to be +enlarged from his Prison, and enjoy Liberty, the sweetest Thing to Man. +In the Evening _Morazab_ came again to let him know, that the Ship was +almost out of Sight, and that the King had sent a Party of Men to the +East, and another to the West, to watch the Coast, and lye in Wait for +the white Men, in Case they should Land any where else for Water or to +get Provisions. The next Day he came again and gave him Notice, that +Word had been brought to the King that the Ship had been seen again a +great Way off to the Westward, but that the Men had not come on Shore; +and the Day following he visited him again, with an Account, that News +was brought to the King that the Ship was gone off again, and sail'd out +of Sight. + +Upon this, he expected to be immediately releas'd from his Confinement, +yet he was kept close to his Prison ten Days longer; the Reason as he +afterwards found, was, least the Ship might be hovering somewhere upon +the Coast, and having his Liberty he might find an Opportunity of +escaping to her; but when they seem'd pretty well assured that the Ship +was quite gone off, the King sent for him, and ask'd him, if he should +give him his Liberty, whether he would attempt to escape? He promised he +would not, and indeed any Attempt now would have been in Vain, for to +escape would have been a Thing impossible; upon which, the King +appointed him to attend upon his Person, and to live with his other +Servants, giving him Orders at the same Time not to go out of the City. + +There was nothing at all uncomfortable in the Life he led here, for the +Service was easy, having very little to do; his chief Business was +carrying up the Pataes or Dishes for the King's Dinner, who eat upon the +Ground, the Floor being sometimes covered with a Mat instead of a Cloth, +and sometimes bare without any Thing; the Diet was generally boiled +Rice, with broiled Meat, sometimes Venison, sometimes wild Goat; as also +Fowl of all Sorts, which are smaller than those of _Europe_, but of an +excellent Taste; they have also several Fowl not known to us; their Beef +and Mutton are both excellent, but small; they also had Variety of Fish +which they dress, either by boiling or broiling, as for Sawce, the King +himself had none, except _Kajan_, Pepper, for they eat most of their +Things very hot, and boiled Rice is what serves them instead of Bread. + +Thus he lived in Plenty, eating as much as he would of what was left, +when the King had done Dinner, so that few People as to Eating and +Drinking tasted so great a Variety as he did; the Diet of the common +Sort of People, consists generally of Plantanes, Bonana's, boiled Rice +(which they call _Pasida_) and Oil, and a Dish they call _Kaja_, which +is Plantanes and Rice boiled together, sometimes indeed they have +Venison and wild Goat, which they kill themselves, but whatever it is, +they eat it out of the Crock it is boiled in, for none but those of +great Condition have the Use of _Pataes_ or Dishes; if it be broiled, +whether it be Fish or Flesh, they eat it off the Coals, and to avoid +burning their Fingers, they take a Bit of green Stick which they break +half through, and so bending it together, it serves the Use of a Pair of +Tongues as well as a Fork, in turning the Meat upon the Coals as well as +taking it off when it is ready. As for Knives and Forks the King himself +is not acquainted with the Use of them; so that he pulls his Meat to +Pieces with his Fingers, which is generally so well done that it +requires no great Labour. + +It was about two Months before he ventured to stir abroad beyond the +Palace; but one Day one of the Servants who had Business about the City, +ask'd him to go along with him, and in Discourse told him, the King +would not be displeas'd, if he should go out often; upon this +Encouragement he used to walk about the City almost every Day, chusing +the Time when the King went to sleep, which was constantly his Practice +every Afternoon. He took this Liberty three or four Months together, +sometimes being absent several Hours without receiving the least +Reprimand; he made an Acquaintance with several in the City, and had +Leisure to satisfie his Curiosity, in observing every Thing that +appeared new and strange, to one who had lived so long amongst the +_Europeans_. + +The City of _Magadoxa_ lies (as has been observ'd) in the Latitude of +one Degree and fifty one Minutes: It is built betwixt two Hills or +rather on the Sides of two Hills, the greatest Part of it standing on +the Declivity of that Hill next the Sea, so that there is scarce any of +it to be seen by any Ship in the Road, or that passes by, which indeed +are but few; for scarce any ever touch there, except driven by 'Stress +of Weather, as was the Case of the _Albemarle_. They have no Vessels of +their own, except a few employ'd in Fishing, which they call Juncks, and +not above ten or twelve of those; and tho' some of them are large enough +to carry thirteen or fourteen Ton, they never venture far from the Land. + +The City contains betwixt three and four thousand Houses, some built of +rough Stone, others of Marble, of which they have many Quaries, +extreamly fine, and of various Colours, but they want the Art of +polishing it; but the most esteemed and most expensive Houses, are those +of rough Stone covered over with a Kind of Plaister, which is peculiar +to this Country; after it is laid on, it is not above three Days in +drying, and grows as hard and durable as the Stone itself; but the +greatest Curiosity of it is, that they can make it of what Colour they +please; and as the Houses of all Persons of Condition are covered with +it, it has a mighty pretty Effect to the Eye, for some have their Houses +white, others red, some yellow, and some blue, that of the King was +green, while the Inside is floor'd with the same Plaister, the Rooms all +differing in Colour from each other, which Variety makes the City appear +very beautiful, tho' the Streets are very narrow and very nasty. + +Notwithstanding the Houses look so bright without Side, their Furniture +within consists of very little more than Cobwebs, for they have neither +Tables, Chairs, nor Glasses, they have indeed Matts which serve them +instead of Table-Cloths by Day, and Beds by Night, upon which they lie +without either Pillow or Bolster, with a Covering of Mokaz or thick +Dungeree over them, which is so call'd from a Tree of that Name, of the +Bark of which it is made, which being beaten, is drawn into long +Threads, and wove or rather work'd with fine Needles made of Wood, +either thick or thin, according to which it is intended; and to such a +Perfection are they arrived in this Sort of Manufacture, that they can +make it as smooth, and as soft, as a Piece of _English_ Broad-Cloth, and +much stronger. + +We should have observed that they have no such Things as Glass-Windows +to their Houses, however there are either large round or square +Vacancies in every Room to receive both Air and Light; these Sort of +Windows are covered generally all Day with Shutters of thick Plank, in +which many Holes are bored, in order to keep out the Heat of the Sun. As +for Chimneys they have no such Thing: In all great Houses there is a +Room appropriated for the Dressing the Victuals, where the Fire is made +in a Corner upon the Ground, and those that are employ'd in that Service +must be well smoaked. The common People frequently make their Fires +without Doors, for Rice and Fish they never eat without some Sort of +Dressing, but Flesh, to save Trouble and Fire, they frequently eat raw. + +The King maintains nothing which has the State or Air of a Court, having +no Guards about his Person, so that he frequently walks abroad in the +Streets in the Dress before described, without either Shoes or +Stockings: All those that meet him pass him by, and go on upon their +Business without shewing him any external Mark of Respect; nay so little +a Notion have they of Ceremony, that it is common for Persons of both +Sexes to ease Nature in the Streets, perhaps when the King is passing +by, and yet he is as well obey'd as any Prince in the World. + +The Nobility walk about in as careless a Manner as the King, and are +known by their Turbants; the better Sort of the common People wear Caps +of various Colours, the Rest go intirely naked. + +The Queen also walks about the Streets without either Guards or +Attendants, and would pass as unregarded as the King, were it not that +the Gaiety of her Dress must draw the Eyes of the Spectators; she +commonly wears a Garment of either purple or green Silk, which being +tied about her Waste reaches down to her Heels, with Variety of white, +red, and green Feathers artfully disposed in her Hair, however she is +bare-footed like the Rest, whilst all the poorer Sort of the Sex go +quite naked, without thinking they carry any Thing about them they ought +to be ashamed of. + +The Wives of the Men of Condition indeed all wear Clothes, and are +dress'd in the same Fashion with the Queen, tho' not all so gay or so +rich; but whatever their Habits may be, they take Care always to shew +their naked Breasts, which hang down to their Bellies, if they have had +any Children; and which we suppose is look'd upon as a Beauty, by their +taking Care to expose them to View; they also paint the Nipples red, +which is the only Art they use in setting off their Persons; they bring +their Children into the World with little or no Pain, and without an +Hour's Confinement from the common Occupations of Life. + +The only Occasion when the King appears with any Thing that looks like +Pomp or Magnificence is, when he rides abroad to take the Air, then he +is mounted upon one of his Elephants, with his Favourites and Companions +about him; they have a Way of fixing upon the Back of the Elephant, a +Frame of Boards about eight or ten Foot Square, on which, he, with such +as he carries with him to bear him Company, sit as commodiously as if in +a Room, whilst two of his Servants on Foot conduct the Beast; yet even +here, tho' he goes thro' any Crowd of People, no Man stops to do him +Homage, or to pay him any Sort of Obedience, nor does he seem to expect +it, having no Notion, that the Subjects are to be kept in Awe by the +Shew of Grandeur which surrounds their Prince: A Mark of good Sense, +beyond what is to be met with in the Courts of _European_ Princes. + +His Way of maintaining an inward Respect in the Hearts of the People +which they have Sense enough to know, is preferable to that External +which consist only in Shew and Appearance, and sometimes conceals +Contempt and Hatred at Bottom, is by doing Justice in his Person, +according to the best of his Judgment and Capacity; he is himself both +King and Judge, and decides all Disputes betwixt Man and Man (which +indeed are very few) by a personal Hearing of the Cause of Complaint. He +is assisted by seven or eight Persons, who always sit about him for that +Purpose, and may be called his Councellors; nor was it ever so much as +suspected that any of these, either for Bribe, or Reward, or Promise, +endeavoured to influence the King in his Judgment. + +It rarely happens that any Persons is condemn'd to die; for as every +Thing they feed on, except Rice, Plantanes, Oil, _&c._ is acquired by +hunting and fishing, there are few Occasions for Theft amongst them; +however, when any Person has merited that Punishment, the common Way of +executing is, by throwing the Criminal, into the Den (which they call +_Bodyzaw_) amongst the wild Beasts, such as Tygers, Leopards, and +Crocadiles which are kept hungry before-hand for that Purpose. + +There are many other Creatures kept in that _Bodizaw_ or Den which are +peculiar to this Country, such as the _Augazet_, which is the largest of +all their Beasts, except the Elephant; it is of a white or rather +yellowish Colour, with Streaks of Black running like Veins all over it, +and also black Spots, the Face is not unlike that of a Cat, it has long +sharp Claws; when it is wild, it is extreamly fierce, but may be +rendered as gentle and tractable as a Household Dog. + +A _Bozee_ is an amphibious Creature, which always lives by the Sides of +Rivers, and feeds principally upon Fish; it has a long Bill, and in all +Respects the Shape and Form of a Bird, but wants Wings to fly, and +instead of Feathers, is covered all over with a hard Scale resembling +the Bark of a Tree, and so tough that an Arrow will not enter it; their +Legs are very thick and scaled in the same Manner with their Bodies, +having sharp Claws to their Feet; the Natives are more afraid of this +Creature than of any other in the whole Country, especially, if they are +obliged to travel any where by Night, near the Sides of Rivers, for they +say it is so fierce and voracious, that it will seize either Man or +Beast. + +The _Massau_ is another amphibious Creature, very large, whose Body is +scaly like that of the _Bozee_, but it is of a different Colour, being +reddish; the Bill also differs from that of the _Bozee_, for it is short +and shaped like that of a Pidgeon; It is a timorous Creature, that upon +hearing the least Noise immediately rushes for the Water; its Food is +chiefly Weeds. + +A _Sachew_ is a Beast about the Size of a large Lion, of a dark brown +Colour, with Shades of black all over the Body, and a Scale down his +Back as hard as Horn, the Eyes are extreamly fierce, and in all Respects +a terrible Creature to look at, but yet a Child would frighten it.--At +the Sight of any human Creature it flies with great Swiftness to the +Woods. + +One of the King's Diversions is, to go to this _Bodizaw_ or Den of wild +Beasts to see them play; they are perfectly under the Command of their +Keepers, and are taught to play Tricks like Dogs; nay, it is almost his +only Diversion, unless sleeping half the Day can be called a Diversion. +As for riding out upon his Elephants, as we took Notice before, he does +it so seldom, it can scarce be reckon'd amongst his Pleasures. + +Ease, Plenty, and the Heat of the Climate have render'd the People in +general inclined to be slothful, they have no Trade with the +Neighbouring Nations, nor do they desire to have any; it is true, they +have a little Sort of Traffick amongst themselves, as those that hunt +and shoot Goats, Venison, _&c._ give them often in Exchange for Dungeree +Stuffs; they have also Gold and Silver amongst themselves, but very +base;--they don't seem inclined to Cruelty, unless against white Men, +whom they are taught to hate, tho' they scarce ever see any; but there +is a Kind of historical Tradition amongst them (for they have no Books) +that their Country was once invaded by white Men, who committed many +Cruelties upon them, and indeed it is likely that the _Portuguese_ might +formerly have landed amongst them, while they were making their _India_ +Discoveries, and perhaps might have treated them like Slaves, from +whence comes this Tradition, and which is the Case of their inbred +Hatred to white Men to this Day. + +Thus the Molotto had Leisure to divert himself with observing the +Customs and Manners of these strange People, who have no Commerce or +Communication with the Rest of the World. One Day as he was walking in +the City, he was extreamly surpriz'd and terrified at the Sight of a +Bird of a monstruous Size, which stalk'd close by him in the Street: It +was what they call a _Pyone_, but he had never seen one of them before, +so that tho' it is tame and inoffensive, it is no Wonder he should be +frighten'd at it. + +A _Pyone_, as to Shape, differs from all Birds amongst us; their Colour +is a whitish brown, and in the Pinion of each Wing they have five black, +and five scarlet Feathers, very broad, and above a Foot long; their Legs +are of a bright red, something small for so large a Body, and above +three Foot in Length; their Necks are also extreamly long, so that from +the Foot to the Top of their Heads they are generally ten Foot in +Heighth; they breed in the Mountains, never sit on more than two Eggs at +a Time, which always produce a Male and Female: The People catch them +when they are young, and let them loose in the Streets, taking Pleasure +in the Sight of them, for they do no Mischief, and feed on any Thing +they can pick up. + +He was so encouraged by this Indulgence which was shew'd him, that he +thought he might go where he pleased, and that the Restriction which was +laid upon him, was as good as taken off; wherefore, he was tempted by +his Curiosity one Day to walk out of the City, and was seen by a great +many People. The Day following the _Accabo_ or King, with a stern +Countenance, ask'd him if he had been out of the City? He was so +terrified at his Looks, knowing also, that he had been commanded not to +take that Liberty, that he was not able to answer: The King's Son who +was present, smilingly ask'd him, why he did not speak? This recovered +him a little from his Astonishment, so that he had the Courage to own he +had; then the King with a more pleasing Aspect, desired to know of him, +whether he had been to see his _Moorzacks_, or Tombs, he answered no; +tho' he had a great Desire of seeing them, because he had heard much +Talk of them. So the Thing pass'd over without any farther Reprimand for +this Time. + +The next Day in the Afternoon, the King rid out on an Elephant in the +Manner before described, ordering the Molotto to attend him, and went to +visit the _Moorzacks_, or Monuments of his Ancestors, which are situated +about three or four Miles from the City: The Magnificence and Beauty of +these Tombs, are almost incredible, considering that it is in a Country +of _Barbarians_ that they are made; the Molotto was greatly surprized at +their extraordinary Grandeur; the King took Notice of his Astonishment, +and was not displeased at it, and enquiring of him how he liked them, +the Molotto answered, he had never seen any Thing equal to them, in all +his Life, and that he believed Strangers would travel from all Parts of +the World to see them, did they but know such Things were there. The +King then enquired of him concerning the Tombs of the white Men, and +ask'd several Questions about the Ceremonies used in Funerals in all the +Countries he had been in; the Molotto gave him the best Account he +could, still extolling the Beauty of these Monuments above those of all +the World. The King then enquired of him whether he knew how Gunpowder +was made, he answered no; that it was made by the white Men, and that he +was but little acquainted with their Ways. He answer'd in this Manner, +knowing that if he should speak with Respect of white Men, it might do +him some Prejudice, because of the Aversion he found they had towards +them. Upon the whole, the King appeared pleased with the Conversation of +this Day, and the Molotto fancied he should grow into Favour. + +But two or three Days after, an Accident happened which put him again +into a Fright, going out to walk as usual, he ventured as far as the +_Moorzacks_, or Tombs, for he took a singular Pleasure in the Sight of +them. It happened in the mean Time that they wanted him, he was not to +be found in the King's House, or about the City; upon which, there were +several Persons sent in Search of him different Ways, one of them found +him among the _Moorzacks_, or Tombs, and brought him home, he was +dismally frightened, when he understood the King's Displeasure; +wherefore, as soon as he came into his Presence, he fell down upon his +Face, as is practiced by those with whom he is displeased. The King +ask'd him in an angry Tone where he had been? he answered at the +_Moorzacks_, or Tombs; then the King enquired of those that had been +sent in Search of him, whether it was true, they assured him they had +found him there; upon hearing of which, he seemed to be immediately +pacified, and said to him (_Korah_) which signifies properly to rise, +but is never said, except when he forgives. Then the King ask'd him, if +he would not attempt to run away, provided he should appoint him to live +constantly among the Guards, who were maintained for watching those +Monuments? he answered no; and that he should be pleased to pass the +Remainder of his Days in so delightful a Place, without ever having a +Wish for seeing his own Country again. + +For this Time he was dismiss'd, but next Day being call'd up before the +King, he was told that he must go to the _Moorzacks_, or Tombs, there to +wait and do Duty as one of the Guards; there was a _Bamzau_ or Priest +sent along with him, who was to instruct him in his Duty there. On the +Way as he went, the _Bamzau_ or Priest told him, that he must live +constantly among the Monuments, and that he would have Meat, Drink, and +Lodging provided for him without any Trouble, that he must not take the +Liberty of coming to the City, or going beyond the Bounds prescribed, +which the Rest of the Guards whom they call _Passaus_ would shew him; +that he must be obliged to watch every second Night, to take Care that +the Lamps which burnt in the Tombs were supplied with Oil, and never +went out, and to keep the Tombs from any Filth or Nastiness. + +When they arrived at the Place, the _Bamzau_ or Priest commanded all the +_Passaus_ or Guards to be called together, acquainting them that the +King had sent this Molotto amongst them to do the same Duty, and ordered +one whom he called out from amongst the Rest, to return to the King with +him, it being the King's Pleasure that the Molotto should supply his +Place. This was readily obeyed, and they departed together. + +The _Passaus_ or Guards received him civilly enough, they immediately +began Acquaintance with him, explaining to him all the Particulars of +their Duty, and shewed him the Bounds within which he was to confine +himself; telling him if he pass'd those Limits, they must be obliged to +kill him. This Order seemed a little too severe, but he fancied it was +only said to terrify him, least he should take it into his Head to +attempt an Escape; he flattered himself so for two Reasons, First, +because of the Indulgence which had been shewn him when he ventured to +exceed his Orders in going out of the City; and secondly he took Notice +that the _Bamzau_ or Priest spoke to the _Passaus_ or Guards apart, +which he fancied was instructing them to keep him in Ignorance as to the +Truth of their Orders; they brought some boiled Rice and Oil cold, and +told him he must watch that Night, because it was the Turn of the Person +in whose Place he was come; in order to which, they brought him a +Watch-Coat made of Hair, which they work very curiously with Needles, so +that the whole Coat is of one entire Piece without a Seam; it hangs from +the Shoulders down to the Ground, but has no Sleeves, so that it is more +like a Cloak than a Coat. + +The Sun being set, which is the Time they enter upon the Watch, every +two Men began to fix their _Pohalick_, over against the Door of the +_Moorzack_ they were to watch; but to understand this Matter, it will be +necessary to explain what a _Pohalick_ is,--A _Pohalick_ is a Kind of a +Tent, contrived to shelter them from the Inclemencies of the Weather, +for the Nights are sometimes very cold there, especially if it rains; +wherefore, they take four Poles of about eight Foot long, which, instead +of fixing in the Ground, are plac'd in four Stone-Sockets, placed on +Purpose, opposite to each _Moorzack_, for that Use, with Cross-Poles +reaching from one to the other; but instead of Canvass they hang over it +a Covering of Palmatu Leaves sewen together; the two oldest Standers +have their Post opposite to the King's _Moorzack_, the Rest are posted +according to their Seniority, for they are exact Observers of the Rules +of Precedence; the youngest also in each Pohalick, fetches Wood for +Fire, which is also absolutely necessary, as well to keep off the +Musketoos which would be, otherwise, very troublesome, as to correct the +Damps. As soon as the Sun rises, he also takes down the Pohalick, sweeps +up the Ashes very clean, which remain of the Fire, and carries them +away, that the Place may appear perfectly neat. It is his Duty also to +go to the _Bankoos_ (so they call the Steward of the _Moorzacks_) for +the Provision of the Day, which he is afterwards to dress both for +himself and his Comrade. + +This Part of the Duty was not disagreeable to the Molotto, for having no +Books to read, he would have grown melancholly for Want of something to +divert his Time, had he been entirely idle; their Allowance of Provision +was sufficient, and very good in its Kind. On _Sundays_ and _Tuesdays_ +it was Flesh, either Beef, Mutton, or Goat, and Rice for Bread. On +_Wednesdays_, Kaja (we have already told what that is) _Mondays_ and +_Fridays_, Fish and Plantanes. _Thursdays_ and _Saturdays_ Plantanes, +Rice, and Oil. Their Fish was excellent in its Kind, but they usually +dress'd it without taking out the Guts, and which they eat with it +instead of Sauce, but the Molotto corrected this Part of their Cookery, +and having gutted the Fish before he broiled it, he found his Comrades +very well pleas'd, and they always managed it so after. + +While he pass'd his Life here pleasantly enough, one Day the _Accabo_, +or King, sent a Guard to fetch him to the City; he was extreamly +frightened at this unexpected Turn, and enquired of those that conducted +him, into the Meaning of it, but they could give him no Account of it, +but hurried him along very quick; when they arriv'd at the City, they +did not carry him before the _Accabo_, or King, as he expected, but +conducted him strait to the _Haulob_, or Prison, where he had been +before confined. He had not been there above two Hours when his old +Friend _Morasab_ came to make him a Visit, whose Opinion he ask'd +concerning his Confinement, _Morasab_ told him, he judged it to be for +no other Reason, than because there had been a _Schabew_, or Ship, seen +that Morning at a great Distance off the Coast, that there were Men on +the Hills then watching of her, and others lying in Wait to surprize any +that should attempt to come on Shore. While they were in Discourse, the +_Kasboo_ or Jaylor came in with some boiled Rice and Fish, and confirmed +what _Morasab_ had told him, and cheared him up by assuring him, that no +Harm was intended him, that he was only confined to prevent his making +his Escape. The Molotto knowing that every Thing he should say, would be +told again the King, because any Person may speak to him with the utmost +Freedom at any Time, except when he is sitting in Judgment, told the +_Kasboo_, that he had given over all Thoughts of visiting his native +Country more, having neither Wife nor Children; nor was he desirous of +seeing any other Part of that Country, having taken a firm Resolution to +obey the Orders very punctually of never going beyond the Limits of the +_Moorzacks_; the _Kasboo_ told him, that if he had any Value for his +Life, it would be best for him to do so, for if he should at any Time be +catch'd attempting any Escape, he would be served just as the white Men +had been, the Molotto answered he should deserve it, since the King had +been so gracious to him, not only to give him his Life, but to appoint +him to live in a Place which he liked above any Thing he had ever seen. + +All this Discourse was reported that Night to the King, the Consequence +of which was, that he was sent for the next Morning; the first Question +the King ask'd him was, whether that _Shabew_ or Ship which had appear'd +in Sight, was the same in which he came? He answered, he could not tell, +unless he was to see it, (but that could not be done now, for she was +gone off without coming to an Anchor, or sending her Boat on Shore.) The +King then ask'd him, whether he had a Desire to return back to the +_Moorzacks_? He answered, it was what he longed for of all Things, and +repeated the same Things concerning the Pleasure he took in that Place, +which he had done before to the _Kasboo_; he found this tickled the +King's Vanity, and put him into good Humour, wherefore, he commanded him +to be conducted back, whither he arrived with a much lighter Heart than +he left it, having the Satisfaction also of seeing his Comrades mighty +well pleas'd at his safe Return amongst them. + +Here he pass'd his Time without any Care, having every Thing provided +for him, being at Leisure all the Day long to divert himself as he +would, for except taking his Watch in his Turn, he had nothing to do, +but to clean the _Moorzacks_ every new Moon, both within and without, +and to take Care that the Lamps around them should be supplied with Oil, +and never go out. + +He observ'd his Companions employed their Leisure Time all in some Work, +most of them in making some little Curiosities, which the Towns-People +used to walk out, and buy of them, and which enabled them to purchase +Liquor and other Things they had an Inclination for; his Comrade in +particular used to amuse himself with making Fishing-Nets, but these +Nets are very different from those used in _Europe_, they are made of +Sea-Grass, wove out into a certain Length, and the Fisherman before he +uses them, fastens to them a certain Number of Hooks (for they are +ignorant of the Art of contriving Nets to catch Fish without Hooks) his +Comrade with a great Deal of Ease used to make one of these a Week, and +he observing how he work'd them, did not doubt but he could do the same; +therefore he begg'd of his Comrade to give him a little of his +Sea-Grass, with which he began to make Trial, and succeeded so well, +that in a few Days he finished a Net, which he truck'd away for a +Quantity of Sea Grass. + +He was now set up for a new Trade, and was so industrious in it, that he +work'd his Nets with much more Curiosity than any of his Partners, and +of Consequence had better Business; so that in a little Time he was able +to purchase a Piece of Dungeree Linnen with his own Earnings, of which +he made himself a Wastecoat after the _English_ Fashion, and a Pair of +long Drawers; but he had not worn them above a Day or two when the +_Bankoo_, or Steward of the _Moorzacks_, commanded him to leave off the +Wastecoat, that he might appear like the rest, who wore nothing but a +Piece of any Stuff they could get, about their Wastes, to cover their +Nakedness. + +Upon the whole, he found he should have no great Occasion to provide for +his Back, which occasioned his being less diligent in his Work; however, +he purchased a _Mohaz_ Covering to keep him warm in the Night, with the +_Bankoo_'s Permission, and happening to talk sometimes with his Comrades +about Nets, and describing how they were made in _Europe_, the _Bankoo_ +asked him if he could make one in the same Manner? But finding he was +not to lay out his Earnings to please himself, he answered, he could +not; however, an Accident fell out soon after which brought him into +great Favour. + +As it was Part of his Duty to go to the _Bankoo_'s generally in the +Morning, for the Allowance of Provision for the Day for himself and +Comrade, he observed, that tho' their Allowance was sufficient in all +other Respects, it was very short as to Salt. One Day, when they had +Plantanes, Rice and Oil, he begg'd hard for a little more Salt, but the +_Bankoo_ told him it could not be done without defrauding some of the +rest, for Salt is exceeding scarce amongst them, having no Way of making +it, nor any Way of providing it but by searching among the Rocks, near +the Sea Side, where they pick it up in Bits about the Bigness of a Nut, +and sometimes larger; here Nature makes it by the continual beating of +the Sea in one Place; but the Quantities they are able to procure this +Way are very small; wherefore, finding himself disappointed, he happened +to say, that if he was at Liberty he could make Salt as plenty in +_Magadoxa_ as it was in _Europe_. The _Bankoo_ the same Day acquainted +the _Accabo_ with what he had said, so that the next Day he was sent +for: He was no sooner arrived in the Presence of the _Accabo_ but he +immediately asked him if he could make Salt? He answered, he believed he +could, (and the Truth on't was he had often seen it made.) At the same +Time he described the Manner of making it. The _Accabo_ immediately +order'd him to go to Work, and to have what Assistance he requir'd; he +did so, and was so industrious and successful in it, that in six Months +Salt was as plenty amongst them as any where else. + +The _Accabo_ sent for him again, and inquired of him concerning +Fishing-Nets, as they were used in _Europe_: He described them to him; +upon which he asked him if he could make one of them? He had been asked +the same Question before by the _Bankoo_, and denied that he had any +Skill that Way; but considering with himself now that since he was +likely to pass his whole Life amongst these People, it was his Business +to gain their Favour all the Ways he could, he answered, he never had +made any; however, if he (the _Accabo_) thought fit, he would try and do +the best he could. + +The _Accabo_ seemed mightily pleased with his Willingness, and asked him +if he should want any to assist him? He answered he should, and desired +eight Persons to be employed in Spinning, and six in Knitting. These +People were to follow his Directions, accordingly they fell to Work, +and, in the Space of two Months, finished a Net eighty Fathom long. + +When it was finished the _Accabo_ himself had a Mind to see what Effect +it would have beyond their own Nets; accordingly he went on board one of +their Junks, attended by his Favourites, having with him also several of +their most experienced Fishermen: They had the good Luck to take a good +Number of Fish the first Hawl, among which were several Sorts they had +never before seen, being such Fish as will not take the Hook, and such +as always keep deep in the Water. The _Accabo_ appeared highly contented +with this Success, and ordered several more of them to be made, which +could be done without him now that he had shewn them a Way, so that Fish +soon became infinitely more plenty than ever it had been before. + +The Molotto expected no less than to be rewarded with some extraordinary +Recompence for the publick Services; the least Favour he thought could +be granted him would be to give him the Liberty of a Freeman, and to let +him live as an Inhabitant of the City, and to get his living amongst +them, by any Sort of Industry he could; but he found himself greatly +mistaken, for all his Reward consisted in being sent back to the +_Moorzacks_, upon the same Foot he had been before. + +It is true, he passed his Time here with a great deal of Tranquility, +and began to reconcile himself to the Thoughts of remaining there his +whole Life, he was convinced that nothing he could do to ingratiate +himself, would procure him any Favour or Liberty; and an Accident fell +out which gave him a terrible Notion of their Severity: One of the +_Passaus_ or Guards, on a Night when it was not his Turn to be upon the +Watch, went privately into the City, contrary to Orders, and returned +again before it was Day, but not so privately but he was seen by some +Person, who went and discovered it to the _Accabo_; the Consequence of +which was, that he was sent for under a Guard the next Morning, and, +being brought into the King's Presence, was, without any more Ceremony, +executed in the following Manner: He was obliged to kneel down, leaning +his Head forwards, whilst the Executioner, with a heavy Bar of Timber, +struck him on the lower part of his Head, and beat out his Brains. + +This Example so terrified the poor Molotto, that in fifteen Years he was +in that Place he never ventured beyond the Limits, except when he was +sent for by the _Accabo_, or to attend a Burial, which he was obliged to +do when any of the _Passaus_ or Guards died, for they were not buried +among the _Moorzacks_, no more than any of the other of the common +People. + +But it is Time that we describe this Place, which is not only the +greatest Curiosity of this Country, but would pass for a Piece of +Magnificence in those Nations where Arts and Sciences are known, and it +is fit to be the more particular in it, as it may appear strange, that +those People who are Barbarians in all other Respects, should observe so +much Pomp and Decoration in their funeral Ceremonies. + +This burying Place, which they call _Hoynatz_, is pleasantly situated in +a beautiful Valley between two Hills, about two _English_ Miles from the +City of _Magadoxa_; there are in it twenty nine _Moorzacks_, or Tombs, +all which were first built by the Kings, at whose Expence the _Passaus_ +or Guards are kept, their being four to each _Moorzack_, who watch two +and two by Turns, who take Care of the Lamps, which continually burn +within, and keep every Thing clean to the greatest Nicety. + +Tho' these _Moorzacks_ may be said properly all to belong to the King, +yet several other Persons of the first Rank are buried in them, by the +King's special Favour, for he sometimes gives a _Moorzack_ to some +Favourite, as a burying Place for his Family; notwithstanding which +Gift, when any of the said Family dies, the King's Permission must be +asked anew for burying him in the _Moorzack_, the Reason is, that it +frequently happens that when a Person who has this Kind of Right to be +buried in a _Moorzack_ disobliges the King, he takes no Notice of it as +long as the Party lives; but when he dies, he forbids him to be buried +in the _Moorzack_, by way of Punishment. + +This may shew what a Veneration they have for these Places, when they +seem to think that all Happiness, as well as Honour, consisted in laying +the Body after Death in one of these _Moorzacks_; and, indeed, it is one +of the chief Pleasures of the King, as well as of the common People to +visit these Places often, which they do with a Kind of religious +Respect. + +The largest _Moorzack_ or Tomb of all is the King's own, no other Person +being ever buried therein; it is eighty Foot square, built of black and +white Marble mix'd, with a Kind of Cupola at Top, and over it a long +Spire, the Inside, both Floor and Sides, is white Marble curiously +polished, and the Cieling or Cupola painted green: There are in it forty +five _Boozes_ of Gold, standing on as many Pedestals of black Marble, of +about four Foot high. + +A _Booze_ is a kind of round Pot with a Cover, about eight Inches deep, +and five Diameter, in which are placed the Ashes of the Dead of those +that are deposited there; I say the Ashes, because the Bodies are first +burned. + +There are also sixteen large Lamps of Gold, with nine Lights to each, +four in a Corner, and one large one in the Middle, with two Lights; the +large ones are never lighted but at Funerals, when they make a fine +Shew, but that in the Middle burns constantly. + +By the forty five _Boozes_, wherein are deposited the Ashes, it may be +conjectured that as many of their Kings lie there, and so the Molotto +was informed. + +The second for Largeness belongs to the _Cossues_ or Queens, (for, it +must be observed, that the Males and Females are never buried in the +same _Moorzack_:) It is built all of white Marble, and is fifty nine +Foot square, the inside Wall exactly the same with the outside, but the +Floor is of black and white Marble laid in Squares, much like what may +be seen in Noblemens Houses in _Europe_. There are fifty six _Boozes_ of +Gold, standing on black Marble Pedestals; there are twelve large Lamps, +each with seven Lights, three in each Corner, and one of Silver in the +Middle, which burns constantly, as in the King's. + +The third belongs to the _Acobibs_, or Princes; it is also built of +white Marble; its Form is exactly round, being seventy nine Foot in +Circumference; there are in it fifty three _Boozes_ standing on black +Marble Pedestals, with thirteen Lamps of Silver with seven Lights each; +twelve of them are plac'd in a circular Form, and the thirteenth in the +Middle, which burns constantly, the Cieling is painted green. + +The fourth belongs to the _Matotzes_ or Princesses; It is built of a +greenish Marble, vein'd with black, being of a circular Form like that +of the _Acobibs_ or Princes, and much about the same in Circumference; +the inside Wall is of white Marble; the Floor of various Colours, as +black, white, and green; and the Cieling which is made in the Form of a +Cupola, is yellow: It hath sixty four _Boozes_, standing on Pedestals of +black and white Marble, and eight large Silver Lamps with seven Lights +to each, placed in a circular Form, besides one in the middle which +burns constantly. + +The fifth belongs to the _Foramzeps_ or Male Children of the Prince; it +is built of a white Marble, with large black Veins in it, both the +inside Wall and Floor being of a light grey Marble; it is thirty Foot +square, having nineteen _Boozes_ of Gold, and sixty of Silver, standing +on Pedestals of the same Sort of Marble, with the outside Wall; there +are in it eight large Silver Lamps, hanging two in each Corner, besides +one in the middle which burns continually. + +The sixth _Moorzack_ belongs to the _Squeenzibs_ or Female Children of +the Prince; it is built of a curious red Marble, with Veins of white +running thro' it, and is twenty eight Foot square, the inside Wall and +Floor being of white Marble; it has a hundred and nineteen _Boozes_ of +Silver standing on Pedestals of a blewish grey Marble; it has eight +Silver Lamps disposed two in a Corner, besides one in the middle that +burns continually. + +All these here taken Notice of, belong to those of the King's own Blood, +but as it may seem a little too tedious to be particular in the +Description of them all, we shall only observe who the great Persons +are, who are distinguished by having _Moorzacks_ assigned to them alone, +or to their Families. + +First, There is one appointed for the burying Place of the _Baamzan_ or +chief Priest; one to the _Baulumzu_ or Treasurer; one to the +_Jocybauthaux_ or chief Councellor; one to the _Moorenzep_ or Head +General;--one to the _Caffa_ or Secretary;--one to the _Paremzebs_, +which are a few People so called by Way of Title, and are their chief +Nobility;--one to their Wives, whom they call _Tepshoyes_;--one to the +_Morepzus_ or Generals of the Elephants;--one to the _Hammons_ or +Governors of Towns;--one to the _Hoyzepa_ or Head Teacher of the +Elephants;--one to the _Sancof_ or Head Doctor. + +There is also one particularly kept for such as not being otherwise +intitled to this Honour, shall perform some brave Action in the +War--there is one belonging to the _Zanshaw_ or Master of the King's +Musick--One to the _Divatzabowes_ or Concubines of the King--One to the +_Panpuzams_ or Male Children of the King's Concubines--One to the +_Parrasquas_ or Male Children of the High Priest--One to the _Gauzets_ +or Wives of the chief General--One to the _Matotzas_ or Wives of the +Governors of Towns--One to the _Hoydenebs_ or Wives of the +Treasurer--One to the _Okenzegs_ or Wives of the chief Councellor. + +But when I mention a _Moorzack_ to belong to the Treasurer, or to the +General, it must not be understood to be for the Use of him and his +Heirs, but the next Person who succeeds in his Post is to be buried +there, and his Heirs are no Ways intitled, unless they happen to succeed +him in his Post. + +These are all built of Marble of different Colours, some larger, and +some less, some square, others quite round, some having a small Spire at +Top, and others without; yet the Ornaments within are as rich in many of +them, as in those belonging to the King or Prince--As for Example, in +the _Moorzack_ of the _Baamzan_ or high Priest, of the _Baumlozn_ or +Treasurer, of the _Morewzep_ or General, and of the _Caffa_ or +Secretary, the _Boozes_ are all Gold; in others there are some of Gold +and some of Silver, and considering what a great Number there are of +them, these Monuments contain a vast Wealth. + +When the King, Prince, or any other Person who is intitled to a Place in +one of these Monuments dies, the Corps is immediately stripp'd naked, +(let it be Man or Woman) after which, it is laid upon a Bier, and a thin +Piece of Purple Silk being thrown over it, it is carried to be lain in +State for some Days to a certain House, or Hall, built for that Purpose, +a little Way without the City.--This Building consists of one large +Room, sixty Foot in Length, and twenty six broad, being thirty Foot +high, and flat at Top; the Stone is a curious white Marble, it is +illuminated within with a great Number of Silver Lamps; in the middle +stands a white Marble Table, supported by six Marble Pedestals about +three Foot high, on which is laid the Body. + +When they intend to remove it to the _Hoynabs_ or burying Place, they +exactly observe the Setting of the Sun; at which Time comes the chief +Priest, attended by all those who have a Right to be buried in these +Places (for no others must assist upon these Occasions) and drawing out +a sharp Instrument, which they call a _Mockdoo_, and which serves the +Use of a Knife, he opens the Body of the deceas'd, takes out the Heart, +and delivers it into the Hands of the nearest Relation, who stands ready +for that Purpose, at the Priest's right Hand; when this is done, the +Body is carried to the lower End of the Hall, where a Fire is prepared +in a Hole, five Foot deep in the Ground, and about as many broad; the +Body is put into the said Fire, where it is consumed; then the Heart is +again delivered into the Hands of the Priest, who places it in a little +Stone-Pot, and puts it into the Fire, where it remains till it is dried +to a Powder; then the Ashes of the Body being dried up, are put into the +_Booze_, as is also the Heart; after which, they proceed to the +_Hoynatz_, the nearest Relation carrying the _Booze_. When they arrive +at the _Moorzack_, which upon this Occasion is all illuminated, the +_Booze_ is again delivered into the Hands of the Priest, who going into +the _Moorzack_ alone, shuts the Door after him, he remains a Quarter of +an Hour, places the _Booze_ upon the Pedestal prepared for it, and then +returns, which makes an End of the whole Ceremony. + +All this is done without a Word; nor is there any Sign of Sorrow or +Lamentation amongst the Kindred, of the deceas'd, nor is it the Custom +ever to speak of him, or name him at all after he is dead. + +Thus we have given an Account of the Order and Ceremonies of their +Funerals, and of the Magnificence of their Monuments, which make a most +glorious Shew at a Distance, nor are they less beautiful when near, the +Materials of which they are built being very fine, and their Scituation +delightful. + +But as to their Religion we can give but imperfect Accounts, for they +scarce know what it is themselves; they never ask'd the Molotto one Word +concerning his Religion, and when he enquired of theirs, they had very +little to say about it, but told such an incoherent Story, that he could +make neither Head nor Tail of it. There is a Mosque or Temple about half +a Mile out of the City, of which they give a fabulous Account, as that +it was built in one Night, but no Man could tell how, or by whom; but +their general Opinion was, that it was built by _Hios_ God of the Sea, +and at certain Times they used to flock, and pay a Kind of Devotion +there, but they could not tell why or wherefore. However by the best +Observations our Molotto could make, it appear'd to him as if they had +several Worships amongst them, for he took Notice that some paid their +Devotions to a little Image, not unlike a Wolf, which they kept in their +Houses, and which are so common, that the poorer Sort of People make +them of Bits of Wood, of about four or five Inches long, and sell them +about the Streets. + +They bear no Sort of Hatred or Antipathy to Christians, as Christians, +as we see the _Turks_ and most of the Sects of _Mahomet_ do; but the +Truth on't is, they do not know what a Christian is, yet (as we observed +before) they are bred up in a Notion that white Men are all a Kind of +Monsters, and they hate and detest them, as we do Toads or other +poisonous Creatures, not for their Religion, but their Colour. In +Respect to one another they observe the Laws of Society very well, and +perhaps there is less Fraud and fewer Acts of Injustice committed +amongst them, than in any Christian Country we can name. So that our +Molotto who was now in a Manner naturaliz'd amongst them, and whose +Complexion was black enough not to appear odious and terrible to them, +was as well used as the rest of the _Passaus_ or Guards, or any other +Person of equal Rank with him. + +It is certain he once flattered himself with the Hopes of being placed +in a better Condition of Life amongst them, or being set at full +Liberty, by Way of Recompence, for his instructing them in some useful +Things, which proved of publick Advantage to them, but he had long laid +aside those vain Thoughts, for he found the _Accabo_ had no Notion of +Generosity, or Gratitude: He, therefore, with a Kind of Philosophy, +seem'd to confine his Wishes to that melancholy quiet Life he was +obliged to lead within the Limits of the _Moorzacks_, till an Accident +fell out, which quite changed his Sentiments in this Respect, and which +proves how natural the Love of Liberty is to Man. + +It happened that the _Hamman_ or Governor of the Town of _Saeni_, a +Place about twenty Leagues to the Eastward of _Magadoxa_, in the same +Kingdom of _Zanguebar_, having committed some Violences, by which he got +the ill Will of the People, they rose against him, and kill'd him. This +News was no sooner brought to _Magadoxa_, than the _Accabo_, tho' he +keeps no Army or Guards, except the _Passaus_ to watch the _Moorzacks_, +immediately rais'd a Body of two thousand Men, arm'd with Bows and +Arrows, and march'd in Person at the Head of them, to suppress the +Rebels. The second Days March, Advice was brought him that the _Schabew_ +or Ship had been seen near a little Town call'd _Bandan_, ten Leagues +Eastward of _Saeni_, and thirty of _Magadoxa_: Upon which Intelligence, +he forthwith commanded six Men to march back to the _Moorzacks_ as +expeditiously as they could, in order to fetch our Molotto, and with him +to join the Army as soon as they could. They found him upon his Duty, +and commanded him to march away immediately, with his Bow and Arrows, +which were the Arms that belonged to him, as a _Passau_ or Guard of the +Moorzacks, so that he seem'd to march as a Soldier more than a Prisoner. + +After two Days hard March they came up with the Army which had made a +Halt, at some Distance from the Town of _Saeni_, and the _Accabo_ having +sent out a Detachment to lie in Ambuscade near the Town, they took some +Prisoners, who being brought in, declared that all the Inhabitants had +abandoned the Town upon the News of the King's Approach, and were fled +away for Fear. At the same Time they gave such Instances of the Tyranny +of the late _Hamman_ or Governor, and of the Necessity they were under +of doing as they did, that the King appeared satisfied with their +Behaviour; and to lay aside all Resentment, ordered several of them to +go and find out the Rest, and give them Notice, that they might return +to their Habitations, for that all was pardon'd, and that he would send +them a better Governor. And, as if all had been over, the next Day he +began to move with his Army back towards _Magadoxa_, but marched +extreamly slow; towards Night, they came near a great Wood, into which +he commanded his whole Army to enter, in order to lie that Night; the +next Morning he gave Orders that no Man upon Pain of Death should go out +of the Wood. + +In the mean Time the scattered Inhabitants of _Saeni_ having heard the +good News, were returning to their Habitations; but no sooner was it +dark that Night, but the _Accabo_ gave Orders for a March, and making +all the Expedition they could, they silently enter'd the Town of _Saeni_ +before Morning, while the Inhabitants newly return'd were all asleep; +however, they were alarm'd, and running into the Streets, the _Accabo_ +commanded his Men to fall upon them, who killed a great Number of them, +whilst a great many favoured by the Darkness of the Night, had the good +Luck to make their Escape; but of those that could not escape by Flight, +there were only forty three made Prisoners, all the Rest being kill'd. + +Our Molotto happen'd to fall into Discourse with one of these Prisoners, +who lamenting the hard Fate, of his poor Townsmen, and giving him an +Account of their Flight from the City, and their Return back, told him, +that as they went near the Sea-side, about ten Leagues from thence, and +a League or two from _Bandon_, they saw a _Schabew_ or Ship, and so +described him the Way to the Place where she lay; the Molotto perceiv'd +it was directly East of the Place they were then at, _viz._ _Saeni_, he +ask'd several Questions concerning the Size of the Ship, the Prisoner +answer'd him to the best of his Understanding; and in his Manner of +describing her, gave the Molotto to understand, that her Yards and +Topmasts were down, which was a Sign she designed to lye there some +Time; he then desired to know of him when he had seen her last, he +answered him two Days before. + +It immediately came into his Head that Providence had now given him the +Means of making his Escape, and that in all Probability if he miss'd +this, he never would have an Opportunity more; he knew that nothing +could hinder him from making off by Night, and that in all Probability, +he would be gone several Hours before he should be miss'd; so that he +flattered himself, that those who should be sent in Pursuit of him would +never overtake him, tho' they should hit the right Way, and he thought +it might very well happen they should be out there too. + +All that Day he pass'd betwixt Hope and Fear, sometimes he was terrified +at the dismal Apprehensions of losing his Way himself, or of the Ship's +being sail'd off, in either of which Cases there was nothing for him but +certain Destruction, for he could have no Chance of concealing himself +in the Country as a Native might do.--On the other Side, he spirited +himself up with an Assurance that the Ship could not be yet sail'd, +having her Yards and Topmasts down but two Days before; and again, that +he knew so well how the Place bore, that there could be no Danger of his +losing his Way; so that that Day he did nothing but mark out the Way +with his Eye, that he intended to go, at his first setting out. + +As soon as all was silent that Night, and his Comrades (who were a Kind +of Guards upon him) were all asleep, he ventured to set out, nor did he +meet with any Frights or Interruptions at the Beginning, getting clear +of the Army without being questioned, or so much as seen or heard of +any; for as they knew nothing of military Discipline, they have no +Centinels in the Night. He marched all Night with all his Might, for +indeed it was for Life; in the Morning when the Day was clear, he saw a +little Town about two Miles from him, he judg'd this to be the Town of +_Bandon_, by the Description which the Prisoner gave him of it; he +guessed now that he was near the Sea, and that it was nothing but the +high Land before him, which hindered him from the Sight of it; he +therefore set his best Foot forwards, to gain the Top of one of the +Hills before him; when he reached the Top, he had a fair View of the +Ocean, and looking stedfastly every Way, he fancied he saw something +like a Ship Eastward, but it was so far off, it was scarce discernable, +however, it revived his Heart, and he now thought himself safe; he also +perceived a pretty large River, at some Distance below him, in the +Valleys, which he must of Necessity pass, because it lay directly in his +Way, but as he was expert at Swimming, this gave him no great Dread, +therefore he made the best of his Way towards the said River; when he +arrived at the Banks, he perceived it was so rapid, that he apprehended +(he being a little weakened with the Fatigue of his Journey) the Current +would be too strong for him, and carry him into the Sea; he thought +therefore, there was no Way for him to get over, but to walk up further +in the Country, to find a Place where the Course of the River was +crooked, which always breaks the Rapidity of the Stream, and where he +might cross with less Danger. + +While he was considering on this Matter, he chanced to look about, and +turning his Eyes upwards towards the Hill from whence he was newly +descended, and which was now betwixt two and three Miles Distance from +him, he saw six Men on the Top thereof; they seemed to stand still and +look about them for a while, but suddenly they started forwards, and +with great Precipitation made directly towards him; he could think no +less than that they were some sent in Pursuit of him, and that their +standing still at first, was to no other Purpose, than to try if they +could see him, and that their discovering him, was the Occasion of their +running so suddenly down the Hill afterwards. The Fear of the cruel +Death he should suffer, in Case he should be taken, hinder'd all further +Consideration, so that without any more examining them, he plunged +himself into the River, the Current was very strong, however, he made +Shift to stem it better than he expected; and when he got over near the +other Side, Providence so order'd it, that he was forced into a Part of +the River, where there was an eddy Water, which drove him upon the Bank, +so that in about the Space of half an Hour or a little more, he landed +safely on the other Side. + +He was a little spent with his Swimming, when sitting down to take a +little Breath, he saw a Sight which terrified him as much as an Army of +Enemies at his Heels could have done; it was a monstruous Aligator lying +near the Bank-side, it appeared like some prodigious Oak in the Water, +and he has declared and given it under his Hand, that it seemed to him +large enough to swallow an Ox. At the same Time he beheld his Pursuers, +who were now arrived pretty near the opposite Bank, he started up, and +wing'd with Fear, flew rather than run, and there being some shrubby low +Wood near the River, he had Presence of Mind enough to make his Way +through them, knowing that if the Monster should follow him, it could +not pass that Way, because the Thickness of the Wood would hinder it, +besides it must presently lose Sight of him, and indeed it is likely, +that he owed his Escape to this lucky Thought; he run on with greater +Swiftness than at his first setting out, (for his Fear had supplied him +with new Spirits,) but not without often looking back, which gave him +the Comfort of knowing that the Monster and his Pursuers were both out +of Sight: When he had continued this Pace about two Hours, he came to a +Valley betwixt two rising Grounds, which lay open to the Sea, where he +was joyfully surprized with a full View of the Ship lying at an Anchor, +not above a Mile from the Shore, he hastened immediately towards the +Edge of the Water, and made a Signal to them, by waving his Cap over his +Head, for he thought it to no Purpose to hollow or call, because they +were at too great a Distance to hear him. He continued this Action a +considerable Time, and began to grow impatient and uneasy to the last +Degree, because he saw them return no Signal in Answer to him, whereby +he might understand that they saw him, or intended to succour him; but +he was soon relieved from this Fright also, by the sudden Appearance of +the Boat which was coming round the Point of Land very near him, she +being employed for some Time in rowing along Shore, in order to discover +if the Country was inhabited. + +So great was his Joy at this Sight, and such was his Eagerness of +speaking with them, knowing by their Dress they were _Europeans_, that +he had not Patience to wait for their coming to him, but he ran hastily +into the Water to meet them; when he waded up to the Neck, he set +himself afloat and swam to the Boat, they proved to be _Dutchmen_; +however, they took him in, and observing the extream Satisfaction and +Joy which appeared in his Countenance, they were very desirous of +knowing who he was, and whence he came, they spoke to him in _Dutch_, +and tho' he knew but little of that Language, yet he made a Shift to let +them understand that he spoke _English_; there were two or three amongst +them that understood our Language, and one of them spoke it very well; +when he knew this, he gave them to understand in few Words that he was a +Christian, that he had been a Prisoner or Slave in that Country for +sixteen Years, that he had now made his Escape, and was pursued by six +Barbarians who were once come in Sight of him. + +As they had Arms in their Boat, they had a Mind to stay a-while and see +whether these Barbarians would appear, for they had not beheld a human +Creature since they had lain there, and were of Opinion that the Country +was not inhabited, (tho' the Ship had been seen from the Hills by the +Natives) so they lay upon their Oars. + +In about half an Hour five Men appear'd arm'd with Bows and Arrows, and +running a great Pace, they came to the Water-side, and beheld the Boat, +which was but a little Distance from them; the _Dutchmen_ fired two +Musquets, upon which they dispersed and fled hastily away, but a little +while after two of them came back again, and throwing down their Bows +and Arrows, upon the Shore-side, plung'd into the Sea, and seem'd to +direct their Way towards the Boat; the _Dutchmen_ were surpriz'd what +they could mean, but however, as nothing was to be fear'd from two naked +Men, they lay still to see what it would come to: In fine, the two +Barbarians swam to the Boat, and speaking to the Molotto, begg'd to be +taken in, and to go along with them, for that they should certainly be +put to some cruel Death if they went back, for not having taken him and +brought him back with them. + +The _Dutchmen_ were willing to receive them, knowing they would be worth +Money to be sold for Slaves. When they got into the Boat, they gave an +Account of losing one of their Company in swimming over the River, where +they first had Sight of the Molotto, who was devoured by an Alligator, +in all Probability the same the Molotto had seen, and that the other +three would travel as far as they could from their own Country, in order +to save their Lives; but for their Parts, they chose rather to put +themselves on the Mercy of the white Men, than run the Hazard of being +taken, or starved in passing thro' Countries they did not know. + +When he came on Board the Ship, he related to the Captain the whole +Story of his Adventures, who finding he had been a Sea-faring Man, and +that he understood Navigation pretty well, put him upon the Foot of an +able Seaman. + +They remain'd here about three Weeks, the Winds continuing contrary till +then, in which Time they laid in Water and Wood, and diverted themselves +with Fishing; after this they sail'd for _Batavia_ in the _East-Indies_, +where having unladed and taken in a Cargoe of _India_ Goods, they sail'd +home for _Holland_; the Molotto made two or three Voyages with them, but +in the Year 1724, he being in _Holland_, and having a great Desire to +see his old Captain, he embark'd on the 28th of _March_ in _Holland_, +and pass'd into _England_, he found out his Captain who was alive, and +who being overjoy'd to see him, prov'd very generous to him, and +prevail'd with him to give in Writing the Particulars of all his +Adventures, from whose Copy the foregoing Narrative is faithfully taken. + +As to the Molotto he return'd back to _Holland_, and sails still in the +Service of the _Dutch East-India_ Company, unless he is lately dead. + + + OF + Capt. _BELLAMY_. + +As we cannot, with any Certainty, deduce this Man from his Origin, we +shall begin where we find him first a declared Enemy to Mankind. Capt. +_Bellamy_ and _Paul Williams_, in two Sloops, had been upon a _Spanish_ +Wreck, and not finding their Expectation answered, as has been mentioned +in former Parts of this History, they resolved not to lose their Labour, +and agreed to go upon the Account, a Term among the Pyrates, which +speaks their Profession. The first, who had the Misfortune to fall in +their Way, was Captain _Prince_, bound from _Jamaica_ to _London_, in a +Galley built at that Port, whose Cargo consisted of Elephants Teeth, +Gold Dust, and other rich Merchandize. This Prize not only enrich'd, but +strengthened them; they immediately mounted this Galley with 28 Guns, +and put aboard 150 Hands of different Nations; _Bellamy_ was declared +Captain, and the Vessel had her old Name continued, which was _Whidaw_: +This happen'd about the latter End of _February_, 1717. They, now thus +fitted for the continuing of their desperate Resolution, shaped their +Course for _Virginia_, which Coast they very much infested, taking +several Vessels: They were upon shifting this Station, when they were +very near, as the Psalmist expresses it, _going quick down into Hell_, +for the Heaven's beginning to lowre, prognosticated a Storm; at the +first Appearance of the Sky being likely to be overcast, _Bellamy_ took +in all his small Sails, and _Williams_ double reefed his main Sail, +which was hardly done when a Thunder Shower overtook them with such +Violence, that the _Whidaw_ was very near over-setting; they immediately +put before the Wind, for they had no other Way of working, having only +the Goose Wings of the Fore-Sail to scud with; happy for them the Wind +was at _West_ and by _North_, for had it been Easterly, they must have +infallibly perish'd upon the Coast. The Storm encreased towards Night, +and not only put them by all Sail, but obliged the _Whidaw_ to bring her +Yards aportland, and all they could do with Tackles to the Goose Neck of +the Tiller, four Men in the Gun Room, and two at the Wheel, was to keep +her Head to the Sea, for had she once broach'd to, they must infallibly +have founder'd. The Heavens, in the mean while, were cover'd with Sheets +of Lightning, which the Sea by the Agitation of the saline Particles +seem'd to imitate; the Darkness of the Night was such, as the Scripture +says, as might be felt; the terrible hollow roaring of the Winds, cou'd +be only equalled by the repeated, I may say, incessant Claps of Thunder, +sufficient to strike a Dread of the supream Being, who commands the Sea +and the Winds, one would imagine in every Heart; but among these +Wretches, the Effect was different, for they endeavoured by their +Blasphemies, Oaths, and horrid Imprecations, to drown the Uproar of +jarring Elements. _Bellamy_ swore he was sorry he could not run out his +Guns to return the Salute, meaning the Thunder, that he fancied the Gods +had got drunk over their Tipple, and were gone together by the Ears: +They continued scudding all that Night under their bare Poles, the next +Morning the Main-Mast being sprung in the Step, they were forced to cut +it away, and, at the same time, the Mizzen came by the Board. These +Misfortunes made the Ship ring with Blasphemy, which was encreased, +when, by trying the Pumps, they found the Ship made a great Deal of +Water; tho' by continually plying them, it kept it from gaining upon +them: The Sloop as well as the Ship, was left to the Mercy of the Winds, +tho' the former, not having a Tant-Mast, did not lose it. The Wind +shifting round the Compass, made so outrageous and short a Sea, that +they had little Hopes of Safety; it broke upon the Poop, drove in the +Taveril, and wash'd the two Men away from the Wheel, who were saved in +the Netting. The Wind after four Days and three Nights abated of its +Fury, and fixed in the North, North East Point, hourly decreasing, and +the Weather clearing up, so that they spoke to the Sloop, and resolv'd +for the Coast of _Carolina_; they continued this Course but a Day and a +Night, when the Wind coming about to the Southward, they changed their +Resolution to that of going to _Rhode Island_. All this while the +_Whidaw_'s Leak continued, and it was as much as the Lee-Pump could do +to keep the Water from gaining, tho' it was kept continually going. +Jury-Masts were set up, and the Carpenter finding the Leak to be in the +Bows, occasioned by the Oakam spewing out of a Seam, the Crew became +very jovial again; the Sloop received no other Damage than the Loss of +the Main-Sail, which the first Flurry tore away from the Boom. In their +Cruise off _Rhode Island_, the Beginning of _April_, they took a Sloop +commanded by Capt. _Beer_, belonging to _Boston_, in the Lat. of _South +Carolina_, 40 Leagues from Land; they put the said Captain on Board the +_Whidaw_ Commodore, while they rifled and plundered his Vessel, which +_Williams_ and _Bellamy_ proposed returning to him, but the Crews being +averse to it, they sunk her, and put the Captain ashore upon _Block +Island_. + +I can't pass by in Silence, Capt. _Bellamy_'s Speech to Capt. _Beer_. +D--n my Bl--d_, says he, _I am sorry they won't let you have your Sloop +again, for I scorn to do any one a Mischief, when it is not for my +Advantage; damn the Sloop, we must sink her, and she might be of Use to +you. Tho', damn ye, you are a sneaking Puppy, and so are all those who +will submit to be governed by Laws which rich Men have made for their +own Security, for the cowardly Whelps have not the Courage otherwise to +defend what they get by their Knavery; but damn ye altogether: Damn them +for a Pack of crafty Rascals, and you, who serve them, for a Parcel of +hen-hearted Numskuls. They villify us, the Scoundrels do, when there is +only this Difference, they rob the Poor under the Cover of Law, +forsooth, and we plunder the Rich under the Protection of our own +Courage; had you not better make One of us, than sneak after the A--s of +these Villains for Employment? Capt. _Beer_ told him, that his +Conscience would not allow him to break thro' the Laws of God and Man. +You are a devilish Conscience Rascal, d--n ye, replied _Bellamy_, I am a +free Prince, and I have as much Authority to make War on the whole +World, as he who has a hundred Sail of Ships at Sea, and an Army of +100,000 Men in the Field; and this my Conscience tells me; but there is +no arguing with such sniveling Puppies, who allow Superiors to kick them +about Deck at Pleasure; and pin their Faith upon a Pimp of a Parson; a +Squab, who neither practices nor believes what he puts upon the +chuckle-headed Fools he preaches to.--The Pyrates wanting neither +Provision nor Water, and the _Whidaw_'s Damage being repaired, they past +their Time very jovially. One of the Crew had been a Stroler, a Fellow +who had pass'd thro' a great many real as well as fictitious Scenes of +Life, the stroling Business not answering the Greatness of his Soul (as +he expressed it) he thought it more profitable, and less fatiguing, to +turn Collector. Accordingly in _Yorkshire_ he borrowed an excellent +Gelding, (I make Use of his own Terms) with a hunting Saddle and Bridle, +and with a Case of Pocket Pistols, which he before had, he set out to +seek Adventures, without taking Leave of his Company; he met, he said, +with several Knights Errant, whom as they declined the Combat, he +spoiled and sent to offer themselves at the Feet of his _Dulcinea_, but +being under the Influence of some malicious Enchanter, who envied his +glorious Feats of Arms, and fear'd they would eclipse by the Brightness +of their Lustre, those of some favourite Knight whom he protected; or +otherwise, knowing by his Skill, that he should one Day succumb under +the Weight of his irresistable Arm, by his magical Power, threw him into +a loathsome Dungeon loaded with Irons, whence the wise Man, who had Care +of his Affairs, and was destined to write the History of his heroick +Deeds delivered, and putting him on board a Ship, transported him to the +famous Island of _Jamaica_; and after various Turns of Fortune, link'd +him in Society with these Marine Heroes, the Scourge of Tyrants and +Avarice, and the brave Asserters of Liberty. + +This whimsical Fellow made a Play whilst he was on Board, which he +called the _Royal Pyrate_; and this (which to see once would make a +Cynick laugh) was acted on the Quarter-Deck with great Applause, both of +the Actors and Poet; but an Accident which turn'd the Farce into +Tragedy, occasioned an Order of Council to forbid its being play'd a +second Time. The Case was thus; _Alexander_ the Great, environ'd by his +Guards, was examining a Pyrate who was brought before him: The Gunner, +who was drunk, took this to be in earnest, and that his Mess-Mate was in +Danger, and hearing _Alexander_ say, + + _Know'st thou that Death attends thy mighty Crimes,_ + _And thou shall'st hang to Morrow Morn betimes._ + +Swore by G--d he'd try that, and running into the Gun Room where he left +three Companions over a Bowl of Rum Punch as drunk as himself, told +them, they were going to hang honest _Jack Spinckes_; and if they +suffered it, they should be all hang'd one after another, but by G--d, +they should not hang him, for he'd clear the Decks; and taking a Grenade +with a lighted Match, followed by his Comrades with their Cutlash, he +set Fire to the Fuze and threw it among the Actors. The Audience was on +the Gang Ways and Poop, and falling in with their Cutlash, poor +_Alexander_ had his left Arm cut off, and _Jack Spinckes_ his Leg broke +with the bursting of the Shell: The Ship was immediately in an Uproar, +and the Aggressors seiz'd, who else would have made Havock with the +Guards, or have been cut to Pieces by them, for they had all Cutlashes. +_Alexander_ the Great revenged the Loss of his Arm by the Death of him +who deprived him of his Limb. The Gunner and two surviving Comrades were +that Night clapp'd into Irons, and the next Day at a Court-Marshal, not +only acquitted but applauded for their Zeal. _Alexander_ and his Enemies +were reconciled, and the Play forbad any more to be acted. + +A Fortnight after the setting Capt. _Beer_ ashore, _Williams_ boarded +and took a Vessel off _Cape Cod_, laden with Wine; the Crew of which +encreased the Number of their Prisoners: They put seven Men on Board the +Prize, with Orders to keep Company with the Ship and Sloop, commanded by +_Bellamy_ and _Williams_, and left aboard her the Master. + +As the Ship and Sloop had been long off the _Carreen_, they stretch'd +away to the Northward, and made the best of their Way to _Penobscott_ +River, which lies between _Nova Scotia_ and the Province of _Main_, +where they designed to heave down. This Tract of Land is along the Coast +about 190 Miles from West to East, reckoning from the Province of _Main_ +to St. _Croix_; and about 200 Miles over from North to South, counting +from the River _Quebeck_ to the Sea. King _Charles_ the Second made a +Grant of it in 1663, to his Royal Highness _James_ Duke of _York_, who +made a Settlement at _Pemaquid_; it abounds in all Sorts of Timber, and +would bear excellent Hemp and Flax, and all Sorts of Naval Stores; is +rich in Copper, Lead, and Iron Ore; and the Seas are stock'd with +Whales, Cod, Sturgeon, Herrings, Mackrel, Salmon, Oysters, Cockles, +_&c._ the Soil produces all Sort of _European_ Grain and Fruits; and the +Woods shelter a great Number of Deer, as Elks, Red and Fallow Deer, +_&c._ and this Country, if settled, would certainly be of great +Advantage to _England_. I hope the Reader will pardon this small +Digression which the Interest I take in every Thing, which may tend to +the enriching or extending the Dominions of our glorious _Britain_, my +dearly loved Country, forced me into: But to return, when they were at +the Mouth of this River, it was thought more eligible to careen in the +River _Mechisses_; they entered it as agreed, and run up about two Miles +and a half, when they came to an Anchor, with their Prizes. The next +Morning all the Prisoners were set ashore with Drivers, and Orders to +assist in the building Huts; the Guns were also set ashore, and a Breast +Work raised, with Embrazures, for the Canon on each Side the River, this +took up four Days: A Magazine was dug deep in the Earth, and a Roof +rais'd over it by the poor Slaves the Prisoners, whom they treated after +the same Manner as the Negroes are used by the _West-India_ Planters. +The Powder being secured, and every Thing out, they hove down the Sloop, +cleaned her, and when she had all in again, they careened the _Whidaw_, +by the largest Prize. Here the Stroler told the two Commanders, that +they might lay the Foundation of a new Kingdom, which, in time, might +subject the World, and extend its Conquests beyond those of the _Roman_ +Empire. I am, it is true, said he, by Birth, the Son of a Miller, but I +have Ambition, Avarice, and Learning enough, to be a Secretary of State, +for I was a Servitor at _Oxford_ before I turn'd Stroler; and if you +think fit to erect this Tract of Land into an Empire, and your joint +Imperial Majesties will employ my Abilities, don't question but I will +prove a true Patriot; that is, by the Figure I will make, I will be a +Credit to your Court, and by the squeezing your Subjects (whom under the +specious Pretence of Liberty, I will keep in abject Slavery) drain such +Sums as shall ever keep them poor, and your and my Treasury full. +_Rome_, the Mistress of the World, was founded by a couple of +Sheep-Stealers, and peopled by run-away Slaves and insolvent Debtors; +how much more advantageously might you two undertake the erecting of a +new Monarchy, whose Subjects are no Strangers to the Art of War, who are +not environ'd as they were with invidious Neighbours, and who may +encrease your Power, and propagate the Species, by taking into your +Protection the _Indians_ of these Parts, and the discontented and +desperate People of the neighbouring _English_ and _French_ Colonies? To +strengthen your selves, raise every useful Man to some Dignity in the +State, and share the Prisoners (I mean such as won't swear Allegiance) +as so many Slaves unworthy of Liberty among your great Men; build more +Vessels, keep them constantly on the Cruize, and force all the Prisoners +either by fair or foul to acknowledge your Sovereignty; it was thus the +greatest Empires of the World were founded; superior Force was always +acknowledged a just Title; and the Ancients ever esteem'd the Prisoners +they made, whose Lives were in their Power by the Law of Arms, lawful +Slaves; and the employing their Lives in the Service of the Conqueror, +but a grateful Retribution for preserving of them. I leave it to the +mature Deliberation of your great Wisdom, whether it is not more +eligible to found here an Empire, and make War by a lawful Authority +derived from your Royal selves, than lie under the opprobrious +Appellations of Robbers, Thieves, profligate Rogues and Pyrates; for +begging Pardon of your Majesties, for that Freedom of Speech, which my +Zeal for your Royal Service, and the publick Good oblige me to; the +World treats you and your loyal Subjects with no softer Terms. But, when +you have once declared your selves lawful Monarchs, and that you have +Strength enough to defend your Title, all the Universities in the World +will declare you have a Right _Jure Divino_; and the Kings and Princes +of the Earth, will send their Ambassadors to court your Alliance. + +_Bellamy_ and _Williams_ told him, They would consider on his Proposal, +and they would let him know what they should in their great Wisdom +conclude upon. In the mean while, they thank'd him for his Advice, +promis'd when they began to found their Monarchy, (should they find it +expedient,) to make him Prime Minister, or Quarter-Master ashore; and +when he had enriched himself and Family, by the fleecing their Subjects, +they assured him they would pass an Act of Indemnity for his Security; +and concluded with ordering a Bowl of Punch for every Mess. + +The _Whidaw_ being clean'd, they thought of cruizing again, and +accordingly steer'd for _Fortunes Bay_ in _Newfoundland_; they made some +Prizes on the Banks, forced all the Men, and sunk the Vessels. + +They had not been long on this Coast before they were separated by a +Storm, which held some Days. Off the Island of St. _Paul_ the _Whidaw_ +spied a Sail, which she immediately gave Chase to; the Ship brought to +and lay by for her, she prov'd a _French_ Man of 36 Guns, carrying +Soldiers to _Quebeck_. The _Whidaw_ engag'd with great Resolution, and +the _French_ did not shew less, for he boarded the _Whidaw_, and was +twice put off, with the Loss of Men on both Sides. _Bellamy_ after two +Hours Engagement thought the _Frenchman_ too hard a Match, and was for +shaking him off; but his Enemy was not as willing to part with him, for +he gave Chase, and as he sail'd altogether as well as _Bellamy_, the +latter had certainly been taken and had received the due Punishment of +his Crimes, had not the Night coming on favour'd his Escape: He lost in +this Engagement 36 Hands, beside several wounded, the poor Minister of +State, our before-mentioned Stroller, was in the Number of the slain. + +The _Whidaw_ returned to the Coast of _Newfoundland_, and off +_Placentia_ Bay met with his Consort and the Prize. + +They resolved to visit again the Coast of _New England_, the _Whidaw_ +being much shatter'd in the late Engagement, having receiv'd a great +many Shot in her Hull; they ran down this Coast, and between St. +_George_'s Banks and _Nantuket_'s Shoals, took the _Mary Anne_. + +The Master of the Vessel, taken formerly off _Cape Cod_, was left on +board her, and as he was very well acquainted with the Coast, they +order'd him to carry the Light and go a-head; and the Pyrates commonly +kept him at Helm: He upon a Night of publick Rejoicing, seeing all the +Pyrates drunk, laid hold on the Opportunity, and run his Vessel ashore +about Midnight, near the Land of _Eastham_, out of which he alone +escap'd with Life. The _Whidaw_ steering after the Light, met with the +same Fate; the small Vessel ran into a sandy Bay, and the Men got ashore +without Difficulty. + +When the _Whidaw_ struck, the Pyrates murder'd all their Prisoners, that +is, all their forced Men; as it is concluded, from the mangled Carcasses +which were wash'd ashore; but not a Soul escaped out of her or +_William_'s, who was also lost. + +The Pyrates, to the Number of seven who escaped, were seiz'd by the +Inhabitants, and on the Information of the Master who escap'd, and on +their own Confession, were imprison'd, condemn'd, and executed. They +were all Foreigners, very ignorant and obstinate; but by the +indefatigable Pains of a pious and learned Divine, who constantly +attended them, they were, at length, by the special Grace of God, made +sensible of, and truly penitent, for the enormous Crimes they had been +guilty of. As the Trial of these Pyrates, and their Behaviour while +under Sentence, and at the Place of Execution, was printed at _Boston_, +and is to be had in Town, I shall refer the curious Reader to that small +Tract. + + + OF + Captain _William Fly_, + And his CREW. + +As to the Birth of this Pyrate, we can discover nothing by the Enquiries +we have hitherto made; and, indeed, had we succeeded in our Search, +could it have been of any great Consequence? For, its certain, by the +Behaviour of the Man, he must have been of very obscure Parents; and, by +his Education, (as he was no Artist) very unfit, in all Respects, except +that of Cruelty, for the villainous Business he was in. We have been +inform'd, that he had been a Pyrate in a private Capacity, and having +escaped Justice, had an Opportunity of repenting his former Crimes, and, +as a foremast Man, or petty Officer, of getting his Bread in a +warrantable Way: But no; ignorant as he was of Letters, he was ambitious +of Power, and capable of the most barbarous Actions to acquire it. + +Captain _Green_ of _Bristol_, in _April_ 1726, shipp'd this _Fly_ as +Boatswain, at _Jamaica_, being bound, in the _Elizabeth_ Snow of +_Bristol_, for the Coast of _Guinea_. _Fly_, who had insinuated himself +with some of the Men, whom he found ripe for any Villainy, resolved to +seize the said Snow, and murder the Captain and Mate, and, taking the +Command on himself, turn Pyrate. He proposed this his Design to his +Brothers in Iniquity, who approving it, he, having the Watch at one o' +Clock in the Morning, on the 27th Day of _May_, went up to one _Morrice +Cundon_, then at the Helm, accompanied by _Alexander Mitchel_, _Henry +Hill_, _Samuel Cole_, _Thomas Winthrop_, and other Conspirators, and +swore damn him, if he spoke one Word, or stirr'd either Hand or Foot, he +would blow his Brains out; and, tucking up his Shirt above his Elbow, +with a Cutlass in his Hand, he, with _Mitchel_, went into the Captain's +Cabbin, and told him, he must turn out. The Captain asking what was the +Matter, was answered, by _Mitchel_, they had no Time to answer +impertinent Questions; that if he would turn out, and go upon Deck +quietly, it would save 'em the Trouble of scraping the Cabbin; if he +would not, a few Buckets of Water and a Scraper would take his Blood out +of the Decks. That they had chosen Captain _Fly_ for Commander, and damn +his Blood, they would allow of no other, and would not waste their +Provisions to feed useless Men. + +The Captain reply'd, that since they had so resolved he should make no +Resistance; but begged they would not murder him, since his living could +be no Obstacle to their Designs; that he had never been harsh to either +of them, and therefore they could not kill him out of revenge; and if it +was only for their Security, he desired, if they would not take his Word +to do nothing to obstruct the Measures they had resolved on, they would +secure him in Irons till he might be put somewhere on Shore. Ay, G--d +d--mn ye, says _Fly_, to live and hang us, if we are ever taken: No, no, +walk up and be damn'd, that Bite won't take, it has hanged many an +honest Fellow already. _Mitchel_ and _Fly_ then laying hold of him, +pulled him out of his Bed. The poor Captain intreating to spare his +Life, for his Soul's sake, told 'em he would bind himself down by the +most solemn Oaths, never to appear against them; that he was unfit to +appear before the Judgment Seat of a just and pure God; that he was +loaded with Sins, and to take him off before he had washed those Stains +which sullied his Soul by the Tears of Repentance, would be a Cruelty +beyond Comparison greater than that of depriving him of Life, were he +prepared for Death, since it would be, without any Offence committed +against them, dooming him to eternal Misery; however, if they would not +be perswaded that his Life was consistent with their Safety, he begg'd +they would allow him some Time to prepare himself for the great Change. +That he begg'd no other Mercy than what the Justice and Compassion of +the Laws would allow them, should they hereafter be taken. _D--n your +Blood_, said Mitchel, _no Preaching. Be damn'd an you will, what's that +to us? Let him look out who has the Watch. Upon Deck, you Dog, for we +shall lose no more Time about you._ + +They hawl'd him into the Steerage, and forc'd him upon Deck, where one +of the Hell-Hounds asked if he had rather take a Leap like a brave +Fellow, or be to toss'd over like a sneaking Rascal. The Captain, +addressing himself to _Fly_, said, _Boatswain, for God's sake don't +throw me overboard, if you do, I am for ever lost; Hell's the Portion of +my Crimes_.--Damn him answer'd _Fly_, since he's so devilish godly, +we'll give him Time to say his Prayers, and I'll be Parson. Say after +me. _Lord, have Mercy on me._ Short Prayers are best, so no more Words, +and over with him, my Lads. + +The Captain still cry'd for Mercy, and begg'd an Hour's respite only, +but all in vain; he was seized by the Villains, and thrown over Board; +catch'd however, and hung by the Main-Sheet, which _Winthorp_ seeing, +fetch'd the Cooper's broad Ax, and chopping off the unhappy Master's +Hand, he was swallowed up by the Sea. + +The Captain being thus dispatched, _Thomas Jenkins_, the Mate, was +secured and brought upon Deck, to share the same cruel Fate. His +Intreaties were as useless as the Captain's; the Sentence they had +passed upon him was not to be reversed; they were deaf to his Prayers +and Remonstrances, Strangers to Humanity and Compassion. He was of the +Captain's Mess, they said, and they should e'en drink together; it was +Pity to part good Company. + +Thus they jested with his Agonies; he, however, made some Struggle, +which irritating his Murderers, one of them snatched up the Ax, with +which _Winthorp_ had lopped off the Captain's Hand, and gave him a great +Cut on the Shoulder, by missing his Head, where the Blow was aimed, and +he was thrown into the Sea. He swam notwithstanding, and called out to +the Doctor to throw him a Rope, who, poor Man, could not hear him, being +secured, and laid in Irons in his own Cabin; and had he heard, and been +able to have thrown the Rope required, could it be expected that these +harden'd Wretches would have relented, and shewn him Mercy? But the +sinking Man will catch at a Straw, and Hope, they say, is the last that +deserts us. While we have Life we are apt to flatter our selves, some +lucky Accident may favour us. + +It was next debated what should be done with the Doctor. Some were for +sending him to look after the Captain and Mate, but the Majority, as he +was a useful Man, thought it better to keep him. All obstacles being +removed, _Mitchel_ saluted _Fly_ Captain, and, with the rest of the Crew +who had been in the Conspiracy, with some Ceremony, gave him Possession +of the great Cabin. + +Here a Bowl of Punch being made, _Morice Cundon_ was called down, and +one _John Fitzherbert_ set to the Helm in his Place. At the same Time +the Carpenter and _Thomas Streaton_ were brought before the Captain, who +told them they were three Rascals, and richly deserved to be sent after +the Captain and Mate, but that they were willing to shew them Mercy, and +not put them to Death in cold Blood, and he would therefore only put +them in Irons, for the Security of the Ship's Crew; they were +accordingly ordered out, and iron'd. _Fly_ then told his Comrades it was +convenient to resolve on some Course, when Word was brought them, that a +Ship was very near them. The Council broke up, and made a clear Ship, +when, in a very little while after, they found it was the _Pompey_, +which had left _Jamaica_ in Company with the Snow; the _Pompey_ standing +for the Snow, which did not make from her, soon haled, and asked how +Captain _Green_ did, and was answered by _Fly_, that he was very well. +They did not think fit to attack this Ship, but returning to hold their +Consultation, it was resolved to steer for _North Carolina_. + +Upon their Arrival on that Coast they spied a Sloop at Anchor within the +_Bar_; she was call'd the _John_ and _Hannah_, and commanded by Captain +_Fulker_, who thinking the Snow might want a Pilot stepp'd into his Boat +with his Mate, Mr. _Atkinson_, and Mr. _Roan_, two Passengers, and a +young Lad, in order to bring her in. When they came on board, they were +told, that the _Snow_ was come with a Cargoe from _Jamaica_; Captain +_Fulker_ and Mr. _Roan_ were desired to walk down to the Captain, who +was in the Cabbin; _Fly_ received them very civilly, ordered a Bowl of +Punch, and hearing Captain _Fulker_ had brought another Passenger on +Board, Mr. _Atkinson_ was also invited down. + +The Punch being brought in, Captain _Fly_ told his Guest, that he was no +Man to mince Matters; that he and his Comrades were Gentlemen of +Fortune, and should make bold to try if Captain _Fulker_'s Sloop was a +better Sailor than the _Snow_, if she was, she would prove much fitter +for their Business, and they must have her: The _Snow_ came to an Anchor +about a League off the Sloop, and _Fly_ ordered _Fulker_, with six of +his own Hands, into the Boat, to bring her alongside of the _Snow_; but +the Wind proving contrary, their Endeavours proved also vain, and they +returned again in the Boat, bringing Captain _Fulker_ back with them. + +As soon as they came on board the _Snow_, _Fly_ fell into a violent +Passion, cursing and damning _Fulker_ for not bringing off the Sloop; he +gave him his Reason, and said, it was impossible. _Damn ye_, replied the +Pyrate, _you lie you Dog, but d--n my B--d, your Hide shall pay for your +Roguery, and if I can't bring her off I'll burn her where she lies_. He +then order'd Captain _Fulker_ to the Geers; no Reason, no Arguments, +could prevail; he was stripp'd and lash'd after a very inhuman Manner: +And the Boat's Crew being sent again, with much ado carried her off as +far as the Barr, where she bilged and sunk. The Pyrates then endeavoured +to set what remained of her out of Water on Fire, but they could not +burn her. + +The _Snow_ getting under Sail to look out for some Booty, _Fulker_ and +the others desired they might be set at Liberty, but it was denied them +for the present, tho' not without a Promise that they should be released +the first Vessel they took. + +The fifth of _June_ they left _Carolina_, and the next Day they spied a +Sail, which prov'd the _John_ and _Betty_, commanded by Capt. _Gale_, +bound from _Barbadoes_ to _Guiney_. _Fly_ gave Chase, but finding the +Ship wronged him, he made a Signal of Distress, hoisting his Jack at the +main Top-Mast Head; but this Decoy did not hinder the Ship making the +best of her Way. _Fly_ continued the Chace all Night, and the Wind +slackening, he came within Shot of the Ship, and fir'd several Guns at +her under his black Ensign; the Ship being of no Force, and the Pyrates +ready to board, the Captain struck; and _Fly_ manning his Long-Boat, +which carried a Pateraro in the Bow, the Crew being well armed with +Pistols and Cutlashes went on Board the Prize, and sent Capt. _Gale_, +after having secured his Men, Prisoner on board the _Snow_. + +This Prize was of little Value to the Pyrates, who took nothing but some +Sail-Cloaths and small Arms, and after two Days let her go, but took +away six of his Men, setting on board Capt. _Fulker_ and a Passenger +(Mr. _Atkinson_ was detained) and Capt. _Green_'s Surgeon; they kept +this Gentleman, Mr. _Atkinson_, knowing he was a good Artist, and lately +Master of the _Boneta_ Brigantine, as a Pilot for the Coast of _New +England_, which they were satisfied he was well acquainted with. + +Upon Mr. _Atkinson_'s desiring to have his Liberty with the others, +Captain _Fly_ made him the following Speech: Look ye, Captain +_Atkinson_, it is not that we care a T--d for your Company, G--d d--n +ye; G--d d--n my Soul, not a T--d by G--d, and that's fair; but G--d +d--n ye, and G--d's B--d and W--ds, if you don't act like an honest Man +G--d d--n ye, and offer to play us any Rogues Tricks by G--d, and G--d +sink me, but I'll blow your Brains out; G--d d--n me, if I don't. Now, +Capt. _Atkinson_, you may do as you please, you may be a Son of a Whore +and pilot us wrong, which, G--d d--n ye, would be a rascally Trick by +G--d, because you would betray Men who trust in you; but, by the eternal +J--s, you shan't live to see us hang'd. I don't love many Words, G--d +d--n ye, if you have a Mind to be well used you shall, G--d's B--d; but +if you will be a Villain and betray your Trust, may G--d strike me dead, +and may I drink a Bowl of Brimstone and Fire with the D--l, if I don't +send you head-long to H--ll, G--d d--n me; and so there needs no more +Arguments by G--d, for I've told you my Mind, and here's all the Ships +Crew for Witnesses, that if I do blow your Brains out, you may blame no +Body but your self, G--d d--n ye. + +Mr. _Atkinson_ answered, it was very hard he should be forced to take +upon him the Pilotage, when he did not pretend to know the Coast, and +that his Life should answer for any Mistake his Ignorance of the Coast +might make him guilty of, and therefore begg'd he might be set on board +Capt. _Gale_; and that they would trust to their own Knowledge, since he +did not doubt there being better Artists on Board. No, No, replied +_Fly_, that won't do by G--d, your palavring won't save your Bacon. +_Muchas palabras no valen nada_, as the _Spaniards_ say; so either +discharge your Trust like an honest Man, for go you shan't by G--d, or +I'll send you with my Service to the D--l; so no more Words, G--d d--n +ye. + +There was no Reply made, and they stood for the Coast of _New England_; +off _Delaware_'s Bay they made a Sloop, commanded by one _Harris_, bound +from _New York_ to _Pensilvania_: She had on Board about fifty +Passengers; _Fly_ gave Chase, and coming up with her, hoisted his black +Ensign, and ordered her to strike, which she immediately did; and _Fly_ +sent Capt. _Atkinson_ on Board with three of his Hands, to sail her, +tho' he would not allow him, (_Atkinson_) any Arms: They, the Pyrates, +ransack'd this Prize, but not finding her of any Use to them, after a +Detention of 24 Hours, they let her go, with her Men, excepting only a +well made young Fellow, whose Name was _James Benbrooke_, whom they +kept. + +_Fly_, after having releas'd the Prize, ordered Captain _Atkinson_ to +carry the _Snow_ into _Martha_'s Vineyard, but, he willfully miss'd this +Place. _Fly_ finding himself beyond _Nantuckets_, and that his Design +was baulk'd, called to _Atkinson_, and told him, _he was a rascally Son +of an envenom'd Bitch, and d--n his Blood it was a Piece of Cruelty to +let such a Son of a Whore live, who design'd the Death of so many honest +Fellows_. _Atkinson_, in his Defence said, he never pretended to know +the Coast, and that it was very hard he should die for being thought an +abler Man than he really was; had he pretended to be their Pilot, and +did not know his Business, he deserved Punishment; but when he was +forc'd upon a Business which he before declared he did not understand, +it would be certainly cruel to make him suffer for their Mistake.--_G--d +d--n ye_, replied _Fly_, _you are an obstinate Villain, and your Design +is to hang us; but, B--d and W--ds you Dog, you shan't live to see it_, +and saying this, he ran into his Cabbin and fetch'd a Pistol with Design +to shoot _Atkinson_; but by the Interposition of _Mitchell_, who thought +him innocent of any Design, he escaped. + +_Atkinson_, who perceived his Life every Minute in Danger, began to +ingratiate himself with the Pyrates, and gave them Hopes, that with good +and gentle Usage, he might be brought to join them; this he did not say +in express Terms, but by Words he now and then let drop, as by Accident: +They were not a little rejoiced at the View of having so good an Artist +to join them; nay, some of them hinted to him, that if he would take +upon him the Command, they were ready to dispossess Capt. _Fly_, who +carried his Command too high, and was known to all the Crew to be no +Artist, and to understand nothing beyond the Business of a Boatswain. +_Atkinson_ thought it his Interest to keep them in the Opinion that he +would join; but always declined hearing any Thing as to the Command. + +This made him less severely us'd, and protected him from the Insults of +_Fly_, who imagined he would betray them the first Opportunity, and +therefore more than once proposed his being thrown over Board, which was +never approved by the _Snow_'s Company. + +From _Nantuket_ they stood to the Eastward, and off _Brown_'s _Bank_ +made a Fishing Schooner. _Fly_ coming up with her fired a Gun, and +hoisting his black Ensign, swore, _d--n his Blood, if they did not +instantly bring to, and send their Boat on Board, he would sink her_: +The Schooner obeyed, and sent away her Boat on Board the _Snow_; he +examined the Captain what Vessels were to be met with, and promised, if +he could put him in the Way of meeting with a good Sailor, to let him +go, and give him his Vessel, or he should otherwise keep her: The poor +Man told him, he had a Companion which would soon be in Sight, and was a +much better Vessel; accordingly about 12 at Noon the same Day, which was +the 23d of _June_, the other Schooner hove in Sight; upon which, _Fly_ +mann'd this Prize with six Pyrates, and a Prisoner nam'd _George +Tasker_, and sent her in Chase, having himself on Board the _Snow_, no +more than three Pyrates, Captain _Atkinson_, (who had work'd himself +into some Favour with him) and fifteen forced Men; but he took Care to +have his Arms upon Deck by him. + +The Men who had not taken on with _Fly_, were, _Atkinson_, Capt. +_Fulker_'s Mate, and two Youths belonging to him; the Carpenter and +Gunner belonging formerly to Captain _Green_; six of Captain _Gate_'s +Men, and the aforesaid _Benbrooke_, who belonged to Captain _Harris_, +with three of the Men out of the Schooner. _Atkinson_ seeing the +Prisoners and forced Men were five to one of the Pyrates, thought of +delivering himself from the Bondage he was in; and, as by good Luck, +several other Fishing Vessels hove in Sight, right a-head of the _Snow_, +he call'd to Captain _Fly_, and told him, he spied several other Vessels +a-head, desiring, he would come forward and bring his Glass; _Fly_ did +so, and leaving his Arms on the Quarter-Deck, sat him on the Windlass to +see if he could make what they were. _Atkinson_, who had concerted his +Measures, with one _Walker_ and the above-mention'd _Benbrooke_, secured +the Arms on the Quarter-Deck, and gave them a Signal to seize _Fly_, +which they did, with very little Trouble, and after made themselves +Masters of the other three Pyrates and the _Snow_; the rest of the +Prisoners, not knowing any Thing of, or what the Design might be, +remaining altogether inactive, and brought the _Snow_ and Pyrates to +_Great Brewster_, where a Guard was put on Board _June_ 28, 1726. + +Soon after, the said Pyrates were brought to their Trial, that is, on +the fourth of _July_ following, before the Honourable _William Dummer_, +Esq; Lieutenant Governor and Commander in chief, of the Province of +_Massachuset_'s Bay, President of the special Court of _Admiralty_, held +at the Court-house of _Boston_, assisted by 18 Gentlemen of the Council, +before whom they were found guilty of Murder and Pyracy, condemn'd to be +executed, and accordingly were executed the 12th of _July_; _Fly_ was +order'd to be hang'd in Chains at the Entrance of the Harbour of +_Boston_. Thus ended the short Reign of an obdurate Wretch, who only +wanted Skill and Power to be as infamous as any who had scoured the +Seas; the Names of the three Pyrates, executed with him, were _Samuel +Cole_, _George Condick_ and _Henry Greenvill_. + + + OF + Capt. _Thomas Howard_, + And his CREW. + +We have said in another Life, _viz._ _White_'s, that he was a Lighterman +on the River _Thames_, his Father was of the Business, and had the +Character of a very honest Man. After his Father's Decease, he grew very +extravagant, and squander'd away not only what he had left his Son, but +what he had allotted for his Widow Mother to our Adventurer, whose +Indulgence putting every Thing into her Son's Hands, was follow'd by +being her self turn'd out of Doors, for he sold the House over her Head. +After having ruin'd himself and Mother, his Friends fearing the +Wickedness of his Inclinations would bring a Scandal upon them, +persuaded him to go to Sea, and procur'd him a Voyage to _Jamaica_, on +board a Merchant Ship. At this Island he ran away from his Ship, and +associating himself with some desperate Fellows, they stole a Canoe, and +went away to the grand _Camanas_ to join some others of their own Stamp, +who lurked thereabouts, with Design to go on the _Account_, the Term for +Pyrating: They met those they look'd for, made up a Company of 20 Men, +surprized and made themselves Masters of a Turtling Sloop, and set out +in Search of Booty. + +The first Prizes they made were only Turtlers, which, however, encreas'd +the Number of their Crew, some being willing to join them, others being +forced, with Threats of being set ashore on some desolate Key. + +They after some Time cruizing met with an _Irish_ Brigantine, who had +Provisions and Servants on board. They made an Exchange with the Master, +gave him Provision to carry him to _Jamaica_, and allow'd five Hands to +go with him; the rest (except the Servants, who readily took on with the +Pyrates) were all forced. + +Not long after, they surprized a Sloop which had been trading on the +_Spanish_ Coast; as she had 6 Guns, and was a fit Vessel for their Turn, +they chang'd her against the Brigantine; several Hands belonging to this +Sloop enter'd Voluntiers, and several more were obliged to join them by +Compulsion. + +After this Capture, they steer'd for the Coast of _Virginia_, and, in +their Way, met with a large _New England_ Brigantine, laden with +Provisions, bound for _Barbadoes_. This they made Prize of; and shifting +their own Guns on board her, sent the Master away in the Sloop; after +forcing some of his Men with them. They had now a Vessel of 10 Guns, and +a Crew of 80 Men, of whom one _James_ was Captain, and _Howard_ +Quarter-Master. + +While they lay on the Coast of _Virginia_, they made Prize of several +Ships from _England_, out of which they took Men, Liquors, Provisions, +Cloaths, and whatever else they either liked or thought necessary. As +these Ships had several Felons on board, who were Transports, they had +out of them a Number of Voluntiers, beside forced Men; so that they had +a large Complement. Among other _Virginia_ Ships which fell into their +Hands, they made Prize, with little Trouble, of a fine Galley, mounted +with 24 Guns, which afforded them a great many Voluntiers, as she had a +Number of transported Malefactors and Servants on board. They changed +their Brigantine for this Ship, and soon after, the Man of War, which +waited on this Coast, heaving in Sight, they thought proper to take +their Departure. + +From the Coast of _Virginia_, they shap'd their Course for that of +_Guiney_, where they took a great many Ships of different Nations, all +which they rifled of what they thought fit: Out of these Ships they +forced on board a Number of Men, equal to the Number of those formerly +compell'd, who desired, and whom they permitted, to be discharged, after +much Entreaty. + +After they had been some Months on the Coast, they spied a large three +deck'd _Portuguese_ Ship from _Brazil_, mounted with 36 Guns; they gave +Chase and came up with her: The Captain would make no Resistance, but +his Mate, who was an _Englishman_, named _Rutland_, thinking it Shame to +give up such a Ship, resolved to defend her; which the _Portuguese_ +Captain consented to, but went himself out of Harm's Way. _Rutland_, who +had been Master of an _English_ Brigantine, taken from him on the same +Coast by another Gang of Pyrates, fought them the better Part of a +Forenoon; but the _Portuguese_ flying the Decks, and only thirty Men, +who were _English_, _Dutch_, and _French_, standing by him, he was +obliged to ask Quarters, which were given. When the Pyrates came on +board, they asked _Rutland_, if he was Commander? he answer'd, No. They +enquired after him, and being told, he was somewhere in the Hold, they +search'd, and found him hid in the Powder-Room; whence they hawled him +up, and whipp'd him round the Deck for his Cowardice. _Rutland_, and +those who fought the Ship, they forced on board, and their Complement +being now 180 Men, they exchanged their Galley for the _Portuguese_ +Ship, carried her in Shore, and ripping off her upper Deck, made her +deep wasted, and much snugger, by cutting down some of her Gunnel. This +Prize they named the _Alexander_. + +They went down the Coast in this Ship, and made several Prizes, some of +which they discharged, and put on board such of their forced Men as +begg'd their Discharge; others, they sunk, and burnt others; but forced +on board all Carpenters, Cawlkers, Armorers, Surgeons, and Musicians. In +their Way to _Cape Lopez_, where they designed, and afterwards did +clean, they found a large _Bristol_ Ship at an Anchor, which had lost a +great many Men by Sickness, and had then but few healthy on board, who +got into the Boat, and endeavoured to get to Shore, but were prevented +by the Pyrates: Here they changed some more of their forced Men, and did +intend to change their Ship; but on a Survey, found the _Bristol_ Man +too old for their Purpose, and therefore left her at an Anchor, after +they had taken what they thought of Use to them; this Ship belong'd to +one Mr. _Godly_ of _Bristol_. + +They met with nothing else in their Way to _Cape Lopez_, where they +clean'd their Ship, took in Wood and Water, and then stood away to Sea +again. + +At their leaving _Cape Lopez_, they spied an _English_ Ship, which they +came up with and engaged; the Merchant Man made an obstinate Defence, +and finding the Design to board, made to close Quarters. _Howard_ and +seven or eight more entered, but the Pyrate's Boatswain not having +secured his lashing, they fell a-stern, and left these Men on board the +Merchant-Ship, who seeing themselves in Danger, hawl'd up the Boat, +which the Chace had a-stern, and, cutting the Rope, got on board the +_Alexander_, which being considerably the larger Ship, and drawing a +great deal more Water, stuck on an unknown Bank, which the Merchant Man +went over, and by this lucky Accident escaped. + +This obliged the Pyrates to start their Water, and throw over the Wood +to get the Ship off, which put 'em under a Necessity of going back to +_Cape Lopez_ to take in those Necessaries. After having a second time +wooded and water'd, they put again to Sea, fell in with and took two +_Portuguese_ Brigantines, which they burnt, and setting the Men on +Shoar, they made for, and doubled the Cape of _Good Hope_, and shap'd +their Course for _Madagascar_, where to the Northward of, and forty Mile +from, the Bay of _Augustine_, and near a small Island, they run the Ship +on a Reef, where she stuck fast. The Captain being then sick in his Bed, +the Men went ashoar on the small adjacent Island, and carried off a +great deal of Provision and Water to lighten the Ship, on board of which +none but the Captain, the Quarter-Master, and about eleven more were +left. + +The Quarter-Master, who was _Howard_, with the others, took all the +Treasure, and put it on board the Boats, made off for the Main of +_Madagascar_; the Captain, hearing no Body stir upon Deck, made shift to +crawl out of his Cabbin, and seeing 'em put off, fir'd the two fore +chace Guns at 'em, which alarm'd (to no Purpose) the Men ashoar; as the +Sea ebb'd, the Ship lay dry, and they could walk to her from the Island. +She might have been saved had they had the Boats to carry out an Anchor; +but for want of them they brought every Thing ashoar, at Tide of Flood, +upon Rafts. As the Ship lay in a quiet Place, they had Opportunity to +rip her up, and build a Vessel out of her Wreck. The major Part of the +Crew being _English_ and _Dutch_, who sided together, they forced about +36 _Portuguese_ and _French_ (thinking the Crew too numerous for their +Provisions in their present Circumstances) to get upon a Raft, and take +their Chance with the Sea-Breeze to get to the Island of _Madagascar_, +about 3 Leagues from them. They finish'd a Vessel of 60 Tuns, but the +Day they design'd to have launch'd her, a Pyrate Brigantine hove in +Sight, who took 'em on board. + +_Howard_ and his Consorts stood along the West-Side of the Island, with +Design to round the North End, and to go to St. _Mary_'s, but finding +the Current too strong to stem, they lay there about a Fortnight; in the +Interim they spied three Sail of tall Ships, which were Men of War under +Commadore _Littleton_, (_viz._ the _Anglesea_, _Hastings_ and _Lizard_,) +who had carried a Pardon to the Island of St. _Mary_, accepted of by +many of the Pyrates. Thinking these might be also Pyrates, they made a +Smoak, which brought the Boats ashoar; but finding they were Men of +War's Boats, the Pyrates thought fit to abscond, wherefore finding +nothing, nor any Body, the said Men of War's Boats return'd, and the +Ships kept their Cruise. + +They had here plenty of Fish and wild Hogs, which they found in the +Wood. One Day, when _Howard_ was Hunting, his Comrades took the +Opportunity, went off, rounded the North End, and left Mr. _Howard_ to +provide for himself. + +About four or five and twenty Leagues from the Cape, they went into a +fine Harbour on the East Side, not frequented nay, hardly known to the +_European_ Ships. They were here received handsomely, treated and +provided with fresh Meat, and what Necessaries they wanted, by the King +of this District, whose Name was _Mushmango_, who had formerly been +driven from _Augustine_ by War, and travelling thro' the Heart of the +Country, had here fixed his Settlement. When the Boats were victualled, +and while _Johnson_, who took on him the Command after they had deserted +_Howard_, was ashoar with three more, the rest went off with the Boats +and Booty, and stood away to the Southward, along the Coast, designing +for St. _Mary_'s, going every Night into some Harbour, or coming to an +Anchor under some Point when the Winds proved contrary. + +_Johnson_ addressed himself to the King, and told him the Boat and Goods +were his Property; upon which he went along Shore with a Number of Men, +and found the Boat at an Anchor, and all asleep, except one to look out, +at whom the King fired his Blunderbuss, and kill'd him; the Report of +the Piece awaken'd the others, who cut and stood off the Coast. The King +return'd, gave _Johnson_ an Account of his Expedition, and furnish'd him +a Canoe, some Calabashes of fresh Water, Provisions and Launces, that he +might pursue after his People. + +_Johnson_ kept the Shoar on Board till he came to the Island of St. +_Mary_'s, where he heard his Comrade Fugitives were gone to, and settled +at _Ambonavoula_, in a Village belonging to the Natives on the River of +_Manansallang_; leaving his Canoe, he went into one belonging to an +Inhabitant, who carried him to his Companions. + +After he had been here some few Months _Fourgette_, already mention'd in +_White_'s Life, came in with his Ship from _Martinico_: With this Vessel +they sail'd to the West-Side, and came to an Anchor at an Island called +_Anquawla_, 30 Leagues from the Place where they left _Howard_. + +Some of the Subjects of the King of _Anquawla_ had before met with, and +brought hither, Captain _Howard_, who seeing the Ship at an Anchor near +Shore, haled her, and desired the Boat might be sent to fetch him off, +which was accordingly done, and he joined the rest of the Crew. + +Here two Boys ran away from them, whom they demanded of the King; but he +not delivering them, they went ashore by Day-Break, surpriz'd his Town, +and brought off 12 of his Concubines, whom they detain'd on board, till +their Boys, who were Blacks, were returned, and then delivered them +back. From this Ship he went on board the _Speaker_, where he continued +till she was lost on _Mauritius_, when he came back to _Madagascar_, and +settled at _Augustine_, here he staid till the _Prosperous_, a Ship of +36 Guns, commanded by Captain _Hilliard_, came in; which _Howard_ and +some other Pyrates, (with the Assistance of the Boatswain and some of +the Crew belonging to the Ship) seized. In the taking of this Ship, the +Captain and his chief Mate were killed, and several others wounded. +_Howard_ was by the Company declared Captain. + +Several of the Ship's Crew took on with them, and they went round the +South End to the East Side, till they came the Length of _Maritan_, +where they found some of the _Speaker_'s Company, whom they took on +board, and made up their Complement about 70 Men. + +From hence they steer'd for the Island of St. _Mary_, where they heel'd +their Ship, water'd, wooded, and shipp'd some more Hands: Here they had +an Invitation from one _Ort Van Tyle_, who liv'd on the Main of +_Madagascar_, to come to the Ceremony of christening two of his +Children; they were kindly received and treated by him, but it having +been reported, that this _Ort Van Tyle_ had murdered some Pyrates, they +in Revenge, tho' they had no Certainty of the Fact, took him Prisoner, +plunder'd his House, and what Goods they could not take off in a great +Canoe belonging to him, they threw into the River or burnt. _Ort Van +Tyle_ they design'd to carry on board, and hang at a Yard Arm, but one +of the Pyrates help'd him to escape, and he took into the Woods, where +meeting some of his Blacks, he way-laid his Canoe, and _Howard_'s +Pinnace by the River Side; besides what Goods they had on board of this +_Dutchman_'s, they had several Women and Children belonging to him, and +some white Men, who had left them under his Care. The Pyrates set the +Women to the Paddles, and the Canoe was over-set on the Bar; _Ort Van +Tyle_ fired on the Men, and shot one thro' the Arm and thro' the Thigh, +whom with his Comrade, he took Prisoner, and kept with him: The rest of +the Men got ashore on the South-Side the River and escaped him; the +Women on the North-Side, and returned home. When the _Pinnace_ came +down, he fir'd and shot the Captain thro' the Arm, but he got on board, +where his Arm was set. After this, the _Prosperous_ sail'd for +_Methelage_, where they victualled, with a Design to go to the +_East-Indies_; while he lay here, came in a large _Dutch_ Ship, well +mann'd, and of 40 Guns; the _Prosperous_ was not strong enough to attack +her, and the _Dutch_ fearing he should spoil his Trade, would not meddle +with Captain _Howard_, tho' hard Words pass'd, and the _Dutchmen_ +threatned to fall foul on him if he did not leave the Place, which +_Howard_ thought fit to do, and sail'd to _Mayotta_. + +Few Days after the Departure of the _Prosperous_, Captain _Bowen_, in +the _Scotch_ Ship, came in, anchored within small Arm-Shot, and right +a-head of the _Dutchman_, whom he saluted with 11 Guns Shot and all, +which the other returned, with 15 after the same Manner; Drums beating, +and Trumpets sounding, on both Sides. The _Dutchman_, however, was +surprized, and under Apprehensions; he hal'd the Pyrate, and answer was +return'd, _From the Seas_; he then bid 'em send their Boat on Board, +which accordingly went with the Quarter-Master, who told the Captain, +that they had no Design on him, but were going against the _Moors_, and +came in for Provision; he replied, they could get none there, and the +best Way was to be gone; however the Quarter-Master went ashore (where +the _Dutch_ had made his Factory, and had some Goods) and shot down +three Oxen, which he ordered the Natives to help to cut in Pieces; the +_Dutchman_ perceiving a Friendship between the Natives and Pyrates, +seeing _Bowen_ full of Men, and hearing two more Pyrates were expected, +thought fit to go off in the Night, and leave the Goods he had put on +shore. + +Few Days after _Bowen_ seizing the Goods left, went for _Mayotta_, where +he join'd the _Prosperous_, and lay for the Season to go to the +_East-Indies_. After some Stay here, their Salt Provisions perishing, +they return'd to _Madagascar_ to revictual, _Bowen_ to St. _Augustin_'s, +and _Howard_ (on board of whose Ship was Captain _Whaley_, taken as is +said in _Bowen_'s Life) to _Methelage_, agreeing to meet at the Island +of St. _John_'s, to lie for the _Moors_ Fleet; where, after some +Disappoints, they met, and got Sight of the _Moors_ Fleet, one of which +fell a Prize to _Bowen_; but the _Prosperous_ being a heavy Sailor, did +not come up with them till they were at an Anchor at the Bar of _Surat_, +where they waited to lighten. The _Moors_, seeing few Hands on board, +for _Howard_ concealed his Men; and not imagining a Pyrate would venture +up, they concluded him an _English East-India_ Man: _Howard_ clapp'd the +largest on board, which stood him a smart Engagement, and killed him +about 30 Men. At length the Pyrates forced Captain _Whaley_, who spoke +the _Moors_ Language, to go on board and offer Quarter, which they +accepted: There was on board this Prize a Nobleman belonging to the +Great _Mogul_, who had been at _Juffa_ to buy Horses for his Master; the +Prize yielded them a great Booty, tho' they found but Part of the Money +which was on board. They intended to carry her to _Madagascar_, but her +Bowsprit being wounded in the boarding, she lost all her Masts, +wherefore, they set her a-drift, and she ran ashore at _Deman_, +belonging to the _Portuguese_. + +From hence he steer'd to the _Malabar_ Coast, where he met _Bowen_ in +his Prize, which mounted 56 Guns; here a Dispute arose, as shall be +mention'd in the Appendix of _Bowen_'s Life, both Crews went on board +_Bowen_, sunk the _Prosperous_, and burnt the _Scotch_ Ship, called the +_Speedy Return_: Hence they stood along the Coast of _India_, and +_Howard_, with about 20 more, landed with what they had, and retired +among the Natives, where _Howard_ married a Woman of the Country, and +being a morose ill natur'd Fellow, and using her ill, he was murder'd by +her Relations. + + + OF + Captain _LEWIS_. + And his CREW. + +This worthy Gentleman was an early Pyrate; we first find him a Boy on +Board the Pyrate _Banister_, who was hang'd at the Yard Arm of a Man of +War in sight of _Port-Royal_ in _Jamaica_. This _Lewis_ and another Boy +were taken with him, and brought into the Island hanging by the Middle +at the Mizzen-Peak. He had a great Aptitude for Languages, and spoke +perfectly well that of the _Mosquill Indians_, the _French_, _Spanish_ +and _English_. I mention our own, because it is doubted whether he was +_French_ or _English_, for we cannot trace him back to his Original. + +He sailed out of _Jamaica_ till he was a lusty Lad, and was then taken +by the _Spaniards_ at the _Havana_, where he staid some Time; but at +length he and six more ran away with a small Canoe, and surprized a +_Spanish_ Periagua, out of which two Men joined them, so that they were +now nine in Company: With this Periagua they suprized a Turtleing Sloop, +and forced some of the Hands to take on with them, the others they sent +away in the Periagua. + +He play'd at this small Game, surprising and taking Coasters and +Turtlers, till with forced Men and Voluntiers he made up a Complement of +40 Men. + +With these he took a large Pink built Ship, bound from _Jamaica_ to the +Bay of _Campeachy_, and after her several others bound to the said Bay; +and having Intelligence that there lay in the Bay a fine _Bermudas_ +built Brigantine of 10 Guns, commanded by Captain _Tucker_; he sent the +Captain of the Pink to him with a Letter, the Purport of which was, that +he wanted such a Brigantine, and if he would part with her, he would pay +him honestly 10000 Pieces of Eight; if he refused this, he would take +Care to lie in his Way, for he was resolved, either by fair or foul +Means, to have the Vessel. Captain _Tucker_ having read the Letter, sent +for the Masters of Vessels then lying in the Bay, and told them, after +he had shewn the Letter, that if they would made him up 54 Men (for +there were about 10 _Bermudas_ Sloops) he would go out and fight the +Pyrates. They said, No, they would not hazard their Men, they depended +on their Sailing, and every one must take Care of himself as well as he +could. + +However, they all put to Sea together, and spied a Sail under the Land, +which had a Breeze while they lay becalmed; some said he was a Turtler, +others, the Pyrate, and so it proved; for it was honest Captain _Lewis_, +who putting out his Oars, got in among them. Some of the Sloops had four +Guns, some two, some none. _Joseph Dill_ had two, which he brought on +one Side, and fired smartly at the Pyrate, but unfortunately one of them +split, and killed him three Men. _Tucker_ called to all the Sloops to +send him Men, and he would fight _Lewis_, but to no Purpose; no Body +came on board him. In the mean while a Breeze sprung up, and _Tucker_ +trimming his Sails left them, who all fell a Prey to the Pyrate; into +whom however he fired a Broadside at going off. One Sloop, whose Master +I won't Name, was a very good Sailer, and was going off; but _Lewis_ +firing a Shot at him, brought her to, and he lay by till all the Sloops +were visited and secured. Then _Lewis_ sent on board him, and ordered +the Master into his Sloop. As soon as he was aboard, he asked the Reason +of his lying by, and betraying the Trust his Owners had reposed in him, +which was doing like a Knave and Coward, and he would punish him +accordingly; for, he said, you might have got off, being so much a +better Sailer than my Vessel. After this Speech he fell upon him with a +Rope's End, and then snatching up his Cane, drove him about the Decks +without Mercy. The Master, thinking to pacify him, told him he had been +out trading in that Sloop several Months, and had on board a good +Quantity of Money, which was hid, and which, if he would send on board a +Black belonging to the Owners, he would discover it to him. + +This had not the desired Effect, but one quite contrary; for _Lewis_ +told him he was a Rascal and Villain for this Discovery, and, by G--d, +he would pay him for betraying his Owners, and redoubled his Strokes. +However, he sent and took the Money and Negroe, who was an able Sailor. +He took out of his Prizes what he had occasion for, 40 able Negroe +Sailors, and a white Carpenter; the largest Sloop, which was about 90 +Tuns, he took for his own Use, and mounted her with 12 Guns; his Crew +was now about 80 Men, Whites and Blacks. + +After these Captures he cruised in the Gulf of _Florida_, lying in wait +for the _West-India_ homeward bound Ships which took the Leeward +Passage, several of which falling into his Hands were plundered by him, +and released; from hence he went to the Coast of _Carolina_, where he +cleaned his Sloop, and a great many Men, whom he had forced, ran away +from him; however, the Natives traded with him for Rum and Sugar, and +brought him all he wanted, without the Government's having any Knowledge +of him, for he had got into a very private Creek; tho' he was very much +on his Guard, that he might not be surprized from the Shoar. + +From _Carolina_ he cruized on the Coast of _Virginia_, where he took and +plunder'd several Merchant Men, and forced several Men, and then +return'd to the Coast of _Carolina_, where he did abundance of Mischief. + +As he had now abundance of _French_ on board who had entered with him, +and _Lewis_ hearing the _English_ had a Design to Maroon them, he +secured the Men he suspected, and put them in a Boat, with all the other +_English_, 10 Leagues from Shoar, with only 10 Pieces of Beef, and sent +them away, keeping none but _French_ and Negroes; these Men, it is +supposed, all perished in the Sea. + +From the Coast of _Carolina_ he shaped his Course for the Banks of +_Newfoundland_, where he overhawled several Fishing Vessels, and then +went into a commodious Harbour, where he cleaned his Sloop, and went +into _Trinity Harbour_ in _Conception Bay_, where there lay several +Merchants, and siezed a 24 Gun Galley, called the _Herman_: The +Commander, Captain _Beal_, told _Lewis_, if he would send his +Quarter-Master ashoar he would furnish him with Necessaries. He being +sent ashoar, a Council was held among the Masters, the Consequence of +which was, the seizing the Quarter-Master, whom they carried to Captain +_Woodes Rogers_; he chained him to a Sheet Anchor which was ashoar, and +planted Guns at the Point, to prevent the Pyrate getting out, but to +little Purpose; for the People from one of these Points firing too soon, +_Lewis_ quitted the Ship, and, by the Help of Oars and the Favour of the +Night, got out in his Sloop, though she received many Shot in her Hull. +The last Shot that was fired at the Pyrate did him considerable Damage. + +He lay off and on the Harbour, swearing he would have his +Quarter-Master, and intercepted two fishing Shallops, on board of one +was the Captain of the Galley's Brother; he detained them, and sent +Word, if his Quarter-Master did not immediately come off, he would put +all his Prisoners to Death; he was sent on board him without Hesitation. +_Lewis_ and the Crew enquired, how he had been used? and he answered, +very civilly. Its well, said the Pyrate; for had you been ill treated, I +would have put all these Rascals to the Sword. They were dismiss'd, and +the Captain's Brother going over the Side, the Quarter-Master stopp'd +him, saying, he must drink the Gentlemens Health ashoar, in particular +Captain _Rogers_', and, whispering him in the Ear, told him, if the Crew +had known of his being chain'd all Night, he would have been cut in +Pieces, with all his Men. After this poor Man and his Shallop's Company +were gone, the Quarter-Master told the Usage he had met with, which +enraged _Lewis_, and made him reproach his Quarter-Master, whose Answer +was, that he did not think it just the Innocent should suffer for the +Guilty. + +The Masters of the Merchant Men sent to Captain _Tudor Trevor_, who lay +at St. _John_'s in the _Sheerness_ Man of War; he immediately got under +Sail, and miss'd the Pyrate but four Hours. + +She kept along the Coast, and made several Prizes, _French_ and +_English_, and put into a Harbour where a _French_ Ship lay making Fish: +She was built at the latter End of the War for a Privateer, was an +excellent Sailer, and mounted 24 Guns. The Commander haled him; the +Pyrate answered, from _Jamaica_ with Rum and Sugar. The _French_ Man bid +him go about his Business; that a Pyrate Sloop was on the Coast, and he +might be the Rogue; if he did not immediately sheer off he would fire a +Broadside into him. He went off and lay a Fortnight out at Sea, so far +as not to be descry'd from Shoar, with Resolution to have the Ship. The +_French_ Man being on his Guard, in the mean while raised a Battery on +the Shoar, which commanded the Harbour. After a Fortnight, when he was +thought to be gone off, he return'd, and took two of the fishing +Shallops belonging to the _French_ Man, and manning them with Pyrates, +they went in; one Shallop attack'd the Battery, the other surpriz'd, +boarded, and carry'd the Ship, just as the Morning Star appear'd, for +which Reason he gave her that Name. In the Engagement the Owner's Son +was kill'd, who made the Voyage out of Curiosity only. The Ship being +taken, 7 Guns were fired, which was the Signal, and the Sloop came down +and lay a Long-side the Ship. The Captain told him, he suppos'd he only +wanted his Liquor; but _Lewis_ made Answer, he wanted his Ship, and +accordingly hoisted all his Ammunition and Provision into her. When the +_French_ Man saw they would take away his Ship, he sold her Trim, and +_Lewis_ gave him the Sloop; and, excepting what he took for Provision, +all the Fish he had made. Several of the _French_ took on with him, who, +with others, _English_ and _French_, had by Force or voluntarily, made +him up 200 Men. + +From _Newfoundland_ he steer'd for the Coast of _Guiney_, where he took +a great many Ships, _English_, _Dutch_, and _Portuguese_; among these +Ships was one belonging to _Carolina_, commanded by Captain _Smith_. +While he was in Chace of this Vessel an Accident happen'd, which made +his Men believe he dealt with the Devil; for he carried away his Fore +and Main-Top Mast; and he, _Lewis_, running up the Shrouds to the +Main-Top, tore off a Handful of Hair, and throwing it into the Air, used +this Expression, _Good Devil take this till I come_: And, it was +observed, that he came afterwards faster up with the Chace than before +the Loss of his Top-Masts. + +_Smith_ being taken, _Lewis_ used him very civilly, and gave him as +much, or more in Value, than he took from him, and let him go, saying, +he would come to _Carolina_ when he had made Money on the Coast, and +would rely on his Friendship. + +They kept some Time on the Coast, when they quarrell'd among themselves, +the _French_ and _English_, of which the former was more numerous, and +they resolved to part: The _French_ therefore chose a large Sloop newly +taken, thinking the Ship's Bottom, which was not Sheath'd, damaged by +the Worms. + +According to this Agreement they took on board what Ammunition and +Provision they thought fit out of the Ship, and put off, chusing one _le +Barre_ Captain. As it blew hard, and the Decks were encumbered, they +came to an Anchor under the Coast, to stow away their Ammunition, Goods, +_&c._ _Lewis_ told his Men, they were a Parcel of Rogues, and he would +make 'em refund; accordingly run a Long-side his Guns, being all loaded +and new primed, and ordered him to cut away his Mast, or he would sink +him. _Le Barre_ was obliged to obey. Then he ordered them all ashoar; +they begged to have Liberty of carrying their Arms, Goods, _&c._ with +'em, but he allow'd 'em only their small Arms, and Cartridge Boxes. Then +he brought the Sloop a Long-side, put every Thing on board the Ship, and +sunk the Sloop. + +_Le Barre_ and the rest begg'd to be taken on board; however, though he +denied 'em, he suffered _le Barre_ and some few to come, with whom he +and his Men drank plentifully. The Negroes on board _Lewis_ told him, +the _French_ had a Plot against him. He answer'd, he could not withstand +his Destiny; for the Devil told him in the great Cabin, he should be +murdered that Night. + +In the dead of Night came the rest of the _French_ on board in Canoes, +got into the Cabbin and killed _Lewis_; they fell on the Crew, but, +after an Hour and Half's Dispute, the _French_ were beat off, and the +Quarter-Master, _John Cornelius_, an _Irish_ Man, succeeded _Lewis_. + + + OF + Captain _Cornelius_, + And his CREW. + +Having now the Command of the _Morning Star_, _Cornelius_ kept on the +Coast, and made several Prizes both _English_ and _Portuguese_; the +former he always discharged, after he had taken what he thought fitting, +but the latter he commonly burnt. + +While he was thus ravaging the Coast, two _English_ Ships which had +slaved at _Whydah_, one of 36 Guns, and the other of 12, which fought +close, were ready to sail; and having Notice of a Pyrate, who had done +great Mischief, resolved to keep Company together for their Defence. The +Captain of the small Ship lay sick in his Cabbin, and she was left to +the Care of the Mates. When they had got under Sail, 200 Negroes jump'd +over board from the larger Ships, which obliged her to bring to and get +out her Boats; the Mate of the other went into the Cabbin, told the +Accident, and advised lying by, and sending their Boats to assist their +Consort; but the Captain being ill, and willing to get off the Coast, +bid him keep on his Way, for it would be dangerous, having 400 Slaves on +board, and being but weakly mann'd, when the Boats were gone they might +rise upon him. The Mate urged the Danger of the Pyrates, should they +leave their Consort. The Captain answered, the Seas were wide, and he +would not bring to; accordingly they kept on their Way with a fresh +Gale. + +Two Days after, the Mate about Eight in the Morning, ordered a Man to +the Mast-head, who spied a Sail, which made them prepare for an +Engagement. There was on board one _Joseph Williams_, who had served the +_African_ Company three Years on the _Guiney_ Coast, who spoke the +Negroe Tongue very well; he told the Slaves he had pick'd out to the +Number of 50, that the Ship in Sight he believed would fight them, and +if they got the better, would certainly, as they were Cannibals, kill +and eat them all, and therefore it behoved them to fight for their +Lives; they had Lances and small Arms given them. + +About Ten _Cornelius_ came up with them, and being haled, answered, he +was a Man of War, in Search of Pyrates, and bid them send their Boat on +board; but they refusing to trust him, tho' he had _English_ Colours and +Pendent aboard, the Pyrate fired a Broadside, and they began a running +Fight of about 10 Hours, in which Time the Negroes discharged their Arms +so smartly, that _Cornelius_ never durst attempt to board. About 8 at +Night the Ship blew up abaft, they immediately cut the Lashings of the +Long-Boat, but the Ship going down they had not Time to get her out, and +barely enough to launch the Yawl, which lay on the Forecastle. The Ship +went down on one Side, and _Joseph Williams_ running on the other was +hook'd by the Mizzen-Truss, and was carried down with her; but having +his Knife in his Hand, and a great Presence of Mind, he cut the +Wast-band of his Trowzers where he was catch'd, got clear, and swam +after the Boat, into which about 16 had gotten, and either knock'd those +on the Head, or cut off their Hands, who laid hold on it; however, with +much Entreaty, he was permitted to lay one Hand on to ease him: They +made to the Pyrate, who refused to receive them, without they would +enter with him, which, to save their Lives, they all agreed to, and was +then civilly received, and dry Cloaths given them; these and one Negroe +were all the Souls saved. + +In a little Time after this he took two _Portuguese_ Ships, which he +plundered and kept with him; and one foggy Morning hearing the firing of +Guns, which, by the distance of Time, he judg'd to be Minute Guns, as +they really were, for the Death of an _English_ Commander; he called his +Men on board from the Prizes, sent them about their Business, and +directed his Course by the Report of the Canon he had heard. + +In about two Hours he spied the Ship that had fired, came up with her +very soon, and took her without Resistance. The Officers of the Ship +which blew up, finding this Prize _English_, and that the Pyrate did not +intend to detain it, begg'd to be discharged, as they had all large +Families, which must perish without their Support. + +_Cornelius_ taking them into Consideration, discharged Mr. _Powis_ of +_Limehouse_, who has since been a Commander, and raised a Fortune; the +then chief Mate, Mr. _George Forelong_, the Boatswain, Carpenter, and +other married Men, set them on board the Prize, and was very generous to +them out of the Plunder of the _Portuguese_ Ships, because they had made +a broken Voyage; but _Joseph Williams_ and the Batchelors he detained, +and forced some out of the Prize, which he let go. + +After this he took three _Portuguese_ Ships at an Anchor, which he +plundered and burnt, after he had hove down by one of them; he continued +some Time longer on the Coast, did a great Deal of Mischief to the +Trade, and forced a great many Men: These he put to do all the Slavery +of the Ship, and they were beat about the Decks, without daring to +strike again. I shall take Notice of an Instance of this Kind, to shew +how far Revenge will carry a Man. One _Robert Bland_ was at Helm, and +called _Joseph Williams_ to take the Whipstaff, till he went to play, +_Williams_ refused it; upon which _Bland_ drubb'd him with the Lanyard +of the Whipstaff very severely, _Williams_ that he might revenge +himself, and have Liberty to fight _Bland_, went that Instant and +entered himself a Voluntier in the Ships Books, and ask'd Leave to fight +_Bland_, which was allowed him, but with no other Weapons than his +Fists; he, however, challenged his Antagonist, who was too hard for him; +so that he turned Pyrate to be heartily thresh'd. + +_Cornelius_ thinking they had been long enough on the _Guiney_ Coast, +doubled the Cape, off which he spied the _Lizard_ and two more Men of +War, under the Command of Commadore _Littleton_; _Cornelius_ was for +giving Chase, but finding his Men unwilling, there being, as they gave +for Reason, 70 forc'd Men on board, and these Ships being, as they +suspected, Men of War, he made the best of his Way for _Madagascar_, +went up the River _Methelage_, on the West Side, and anchored against +_Pombotoque_, a small Village of Blacks. + +The Quarter-Master went ashore, and the black Governor examined him, for +several of these Blacks speak _English_; he told the Governor they were +come for Provision and to trade: Upon which he sent a Couple of Oxen on +board, and then ordered some of the Inhabitants to go up with the +Quarter-Master to the King. The Boat's Crew seeing a Number of Blacks +come upon the Strand without the Quarter-Master, apprehended some +Mischief had befallen him; but were eas'd of their Fears, when they saw +two Oxen given them, and were told, the white Man, who was gone to the +King, would be back next Day, it not being above 20 Miles from the +Shore. + +When the Quarter-Master, who carried up a Blunderbuss, a fine Gun, and a +Pair of Pistols, for a Present to the King, told him they wanted +Provisions, he asked where they were bound? To which he answered, to +seek their Fortunes, for, at present, they were very poor. Look ye, +replied the King, I require nothing of you, all white Men I look upon as +my Children; they help'd me to conquer this Country, and all the Cattle +in it is at their Service. I will send you down Provisions enough, and +when that is spent you shall have more; he accordingly sent 1000 Head of +Cattle, out of which he bid them chuse what they would, and they salted +up a 100 fat Oxen. + +It may be an Amusement to the Reader to have a short History of this +King, who was called _Andian Chimenatto_, that is, King _Chimenatto_: He +was 2d Son of _Andian Lifouchy_, whose Country lay between _Methelage_ +and St. _Augustine_, his elder Brother was _Timanangarivo_. + +At the Death of _Andian Lyfouchy_, _Chimenatto_, assisted by a younger +Brother, and a great Number of the People, endeavour'd to wrest the +Kingdom from his elder Brother _Timanangarivo_; but he was defeated, and +with his Party obliged to retire, however, he still made War upon his +Brother, till he was, by repeated Losses, very much weaken'd, and +apprehensive of being attack'd by him; he retir'd farther Northward, +where he made War on _Andian Methelage_, but without great Success, so +that he settled on a Point of Land by the Sea-Coast, where the +_Tyloutes_, that is, Inhabitants of the Sea, who are descended from the +_Arabs_, and the _Vaujimbos_, who are esteem'd the meanest Cast on the +whole Island, were very vexatious and troublesome to him, and kept him +in continual Alarms. + +In the mean while a couple of Ships arrived at _Yungowl_ (the Country of +_Timanangarivo_) belonging to _Frederick Phillips_, of _New York_, to +slave; but hearing the old King was dead, who had a great Respect for +the Whites, and that _Timanangarivo_ had cut off the Crew of a +Brigantine, on Pretence that they had poison'd his Father _Andian +Lyfouchy_, for he drunk on board her so much Brandy that he died of it; +they would not stay here, but went farther on the Coast to look for +Trade. + +_Andian Chimenatto_ spying them, caused a Smoak to be made, which +brought one of their Boats on Shoar; _Chimenatto_ received the Crew very +civilly, and invited the Ships in, promising Trade. + +The Commanders ask'd if he had Slaves? He said he had but few; however, +if they would allow some of their Men to go with him to War, he would +slave both Ships: They answered, that _Timanangarivo_ his Brother, had +murder'd some of their Countrymen, and they could put no Confidence in +him; upon which he gave them the History of his Wars, said his Brother +was a wicked Man for what he had done; but if they would send some Men +with him, he would give his Wives and nearest Relations for Hostages, to +be kept on board. + +This was agreed to, and _Chimenatto_ furnished them with as much fresh +Provision as they could dispose of; twenty Whites went with him to War, +and they took a Town and a great Number of Slaves, out of whom he +ordered the Captain to pick and cull what they pleas'd; they asked the +Price, he said, he required nothing, if they would let their Men go out +once more. They went on a second Expedition, took several Towns, and +brought down some thousand Slaves, beside great Droves of Cattle. + +The two Ships took their Choice of about 6000 Slaves, which with fresh +Provision, and Provision for their Voyage, cost them only 2 or 3 Barrels +of Powder, and a few Arms. + +The King told them, if they would leave those Men and come again, he +would again slave them for nothing; the Men being willing to stay, the +Ships sail'd, came again the next Season, were slaved according to +Promise, and relieved those whites, such of them as would return, and +left others, who were willing, in their Steads. With this Assistance +_Chimenatto_ soon conquered the _Antylouts_ and _Vaujimbos_, and +afterwards made himself Master of the whole Country of _Methelage_, of +such Reputation are the _Europeans_ among these People, for they who +have a white Man on their Side go on as to certain Victory; and the +Sight of a white Man against them is such a Damp to their Spirits, that +despairing of Success, they are preparing for Flight before they engage. + +But to return, besides the Present of Oxen, the King sent 100 Blacks +laden with Rice. _Cornelius_ sent him a Present of 2 Barrels of Powder, +and would have given him more, with small Arms in Return, but he sent +them Word he would have no more, nor any of their Arms, not being in +Want of either; on the contrary, if they wanted he would send them ten +Barrels of Powder, as they were his Children; bid them proceed on their +Voyage, and if they were richer when they came back, and would send him +any Present, he would accept it, but not now that they were poor. + +Here _Cornelius_ lost 70 Men by their Excesses, having been long without +fresh Provision, the eating immoderately, drinking Toke (a Liquor made +of Honey) to Excess, and being too free with the Women, they fell into +violent Fevers, which carried them off. + +The Blacks having given _Cornelius_ an Account of the _Speaker_'s being +sail'd from _Methelage_ about three Months before for the _East-Indies_, +he, having taken in his Provisions, steer'd the same Course, in Hopes to +join in Consort with her; but the _Speaker_ lying off the _Red Sea_, and +the _Morning Star_ going into the Gulf of _Persia_ they never met: They +run up a pretty Way in the Gulf, and lay under _Antelope_ Island, where +they kept a Look-out, and whence they made their Excursions, and took a +Number of Prizes. + +Here they designed to heave down and clean, and they had got a good Part +of their Goods and Water Casks ashore, when the Look-out discovered two +tall Ships, one of them wearing a Flag at the Foretop-Mast Head; this +put them into a great Confusion, they got what Casks and Necessaries +they could on board, and lay till the Ships came a-breast of them; then +they got under Sail at once, their Sails being furl'd with Rope Yarns, +and came close along-side the larger Ship, which was a _Portuguese_ of +70 Guns, as the other was of 26; they exchanged a Broadside with her, +and the smaller Ship engaged her so close, that they threw Hand Grenades +into each other; but _Cornelius_'s Business was to run, and the great +Ship put a Stays twice to follow him, but missing, was obliged to Ware, +which gave the Pyrate a great Advantage; the small Ship in staying, +tail'd aground, she, however, gave Chase till she had run a good Way +a-head of her Consort, which the Pyrate seeing, brought to, and stay'd +for her, as did the _Portuguese_ for her Consort, not caring to engage +him singly. When it was quite dark _Cornelius_ ran up the other Shore, +pass'd the _Portuguese_ Ships (which kept down the Gulf) and came again +to Anchor at his old Station, where he found his Enemies had been ashore +in their Boats and staved his Casks; he here cleaned, and finding no +Money to be got out of any Prizes made, and Bale Goods being of little +Value to them, they from hence went away to the Island of _Johanna_, +where it was designed to moroon the Blacks, who were the greater Number, +and all bred among the _English_; _Joseph Williams_, fearing they would +next moroon the _English_, who were not above a third of the whites, +gave the Negroes Notice of the Design, who secured all the Arms of the +Ship, and gave _Williams_ the Command till they should get to +_Madagascar_, keeping a good Guard on the _French_ and _Dutch_. When +they came to _Methelage_ they gave the Ship to the King, her Bottom +being eaten so much with the Worms, that she was no longer fit for +Service; and they all went and lived with the new King _Chimave_, Son to +_Andian Chimenatto_, who died before their Return: About five Months +after they broke up, _Cornelius_ died, and was buried with the usual +Ceremony. + + + OF + Capt. _David Williams_, + And his CREW. + +This Man was born in _Wales_, of very poor Parents, who bred him up to +the Plough and the following of Sheep, the only Things he had any Notion +of till he went to Sea. He was never esteem'd among the Pyrates as a Man +of good natural Parts, perhaps, on account of his Ignorance of Letters, +for, as he had no Education, he knew as little of the sailing a Ship, +set aside the Business of a foremast Man, as he did of History, in +which, and natural Philosophy, he was equally vers'd: He was of a +morose, sour, unsociable Temper, very cholerick, and easily resented as +an Affront what as brave and a more knowing Man would not think worth +Notice; but he was not cruel, neither did he turn Pyrate from a wicked +or avaritious Inclination, but by Necessity, and we may say, tho' he was +no forced Man, he could not well avoid that Life he fell into. + +When he was grown a lusty Lad he would see the World, and go seek his +Fortune, as the Term is among the Country Youths, who think fit to +withdraw themselves from the Subjection of their Parents; with this Whim +in his Head he got to _Chester_, where he was received, and sailed on +board a Coaster, till he had made himself acquainted with the Rigging, +learned to knot, splice, and do the other Parts of a common Sailor's +Duty; then coming to _London_, he shipp'd himself on board the _Mary +India_ Man, bound for _Bengal_ and _Maderas_, which Voyage he performed +outward, and it was not his Fault that he did not come home in the same +Ship; for, in her Return, falling short of Water, they steer'd for the +Island of _Madagascar_, and fell in with the East Side, in the Lat. of +20, or thereabouts. The Captain mann'd and sent ashore the Long-Boat to +seek for Water, but a large Surf running, she came to an Anchor, at some +little Distance from Shore, and _David Williams_ with another, being +both good Swimmers, stripp'd and swam off in Search of Water: While they +were ashore, the Wind which blew full upon the Island and freshning, the +Surf ran too high for them to get off; and the Long-Boat, after waiting +some time, seeing no Possibility of getting these Men on board, weigh'd +and stood for the Ship, which filled her Sails and stood for St. +_Augustine_'s Bay, where she watered and proceeded on her Voyage. + +Thus our poor _Welshman_ and his Companion were left destitute on an +Island altogether unknown to them, without Cloaths or Subsistance, but +what the Fruits of the Trees offer'd. They rambled some little Time +along the Coast, and were met with by the Natives, and by them carried +up into the Country, where they were humanly treated, and provided with +all the Necessaries of Life, tho' this was not sufficient to expel his +Consort's Melancholy, who took his being left behind so much to Heart, +that he sicken'd and died in a very little Time. + +Some time after, the Prince of the Country, who entertained _Williams_, +had a Quarrel with a neighbouring King, which broke into a War. +_Williams_ took the Field with his Patron, but the Enemy being superior +in Number, got the Victory, and took a great many Prisoners, among whom +was the unfortunate _Welshman_: The King, whose Prisoner he was, treated +him very kindly; and being Master of an old Musket, gave it him, saying, +'such Arms were better in the Hands of a white Man than in those of any +of his Subjects, who were not so much used to them; that he should be +his Friend and Companion, and should fare as well as himself, if he +would assist him in his Wars.' + +It will not be amiss here to take Notice, that this Island, on the East +Side, is divided into a great Number of Principalities or Kingdoms, +which are almost in continual War one with another; the Grounds of which +are very trivial, for they will pick a Quarrel with a Neighbour, +especially, if he has a Number of Cattle (in which, and Slaves, consist +their Riches) on the slightest Occasion, that they may have an +Opportunity of Plunder; and when a Battle or two is lost, the conquer'd +makes his Peace, by delivering up such a certain Number of Bullocks and +Slaves as shall be demanded by the victorious Prince. On the West Side +of the Island, the Principalities are mostly reduced under one Prince, +who resides near _Methelage_, and who is, as we have said in the Lives +of other Pyrates, a great Friend to white Men; for his Father, who +founded his Empire by the Assistance of the _Europeans_, left it in +Charge with his Son, to assist them with what Necessaries they should +require, and do them all friendly Offices; but if he disobeyed this +Command, and should ever fall out with the white Men, or spill any of +their Blood, he threaten'd to come again, turn him out of his Kingdom, +and give it to his younger Brother. These Menaces had a very great +Effect upon him, for he firmly believed his Father would, on his +Disobedience, put them in Execution; for there is not on Earth, a Race +of Men equally superstitious. + +But to return to _Williams_, he lived with this Prince in great +Tranquility, and was very much esteem'd by him (for Necessity taught him +Complaisance) after some time, his new Patron was informed, that his +vanquish'd Enemy had form'd a grand Alliance, in order to make War upon +him; wherefore, he resolved to begin, and march into the Countries of +the Allies, and ravage the nearest before they could join their Forces. +He rais'd an Army, and accordingly march'd Southward; at the News of his +Approach, the Inhabitants abandoned all the small Towns, and sending +Messengers to their Friends, rais'd a considerable Body to oppose him, +suffering him to over-run a great Deal of Ground without Molestation. At +length being reinforced, they took their Opportunity, and setting upon +him when his Men were fatigued, and his Army incumber'd with Booty, they +gained a signal Victory; the King had the good Luck to get off, but +_Williams_ was a second Time taken Prisoner. + +He was carried before the Conqueror, who, (having been an Eye-witness of +his Bravery, for _Williams_ kill'd a Number of his Enemies with his +Shot, and behav'd very well, defending himself with the Butt End of his +Musket for some Time, when he was surrounded) reach'd him his Hand, and +told him, he made War with his Enemies only, that he did not esteem the +White Men such, but should be glad of their Friendship. + +Here _Williams_ was used with more Respect than he had been even by his +last Patron, and lived with this Prince some Years; but a War breaking +out, he was routed in a set Battle, in which _Williams_ was his +Companion; in the Pursuit the poor _Welshman_ finding he could not get +off, clapp'd his Musket at the Foot of a Tree, and climbing up, he +capitulated: He was now terribly afraid of being cut to Pieces, for he +had shot and wounded a great Number of the Enemy; they, however, +promis'd him good Quarter, and kept their Word. + +The King of _Maratan_, who took him, used him as well as any of the +former had done; and carried him always with him to the Wars, in which +Fortune was more propitious, for the Parties _Williams_ commanded had +constantly the better of their Enemies, and never returned but with +great Booties of Cattle and Slaves, for all the Prisoners they take are +so, till redeem'd; tho' these Prisoners are, for the most part, Women +and Children, they seldom giving Quarter to any other. + +The Fame of his Bravery and Success, spread it self round the Country; +and his Name alone was so terrible, that the giving out he was at the +Head of any Party, was giving the Enemies an Overthrow without a Battle. + +This reaching the Ears of _Dempaino_, a mighty Prince who lived 200 +Miles from him, and who had several Petty Princes Tributaries, he sent +an Embassador to demand the White Man; but his Patron, who had no Mind +to part with him, denied that he had any White Man with him, that he who +was called so was a Native of the Country. For the Readers better +understanding this Passage, I must inform him, that there is a Race of +what they call White Men, who have been settled on _Madagascar_, Time +out of Mind, and are descended from the _Arabs_; but mixing with the +Negroes, have propagated a Race of Molattoes, who differ in nothing from +the Manner of living of the Black Natives. + +To proceed, the Embassador desired to see this Man, and _Williams_ +coming to him, being extremely tann'd, he had pass'd for what he was +reported, had he been before apprized of what had been said, to have +answered accordingly, for he spoke the Language perfectly; or had the +Embassador not examined him; who, after he had some Time viewed him, +ask'd of what Country he was, and whether it was true that he was one of +_Madagascar_? _Williams_ answered, he was an _Englishman_, and was left +in the Country, relating the Particulars, as I have already set them +down, adding, he had been five Years in the Island. + +The Embassador then told the King, that he must send the White Man with +him, for such were the Orders of his Master the great _Dempaino_, who +was Lord over most of the Kings on the Side the Country where he +resided; and that it would be dangerous for him to disobey the Commands +of so great a Monarch. + +The King answered, those who were subject to _Dempaino_ ought to obey +his Commands, but for him, he knew no Man greater than himself, +therefore should receive Laws from none; and with this Answer dismiss'd +the Ambassador; who, at his Return, reported to his Master the very +Words, adding, they were delivered in a haughty Strain. _Dempaino_, who +was not used to have his Commands disputed, order'd one of his Generals +to march with 6000 Men, and demand the White Man, and in Case of +Refusal, to denounce War, that he should send him back an Express of it, +and he would follow in Person with an Army to enforce a Compliance. + +These Orders were put in Execution with the greatest Dispatch and +Secrecy; so that the Town was invested, before any Advice was given of +the Approach of an Enemy. The General told the King, it was in his +Choice to have Peace or War with his Master, since it depended on the +Delivery of the White Man. + +The King thus surpriz'd, was obliged, however contrary to his +Inclinations, to give _Williams_ up to the General, who return'd with +him to _Dempaino_, without committing any Hostilities; tho' he threatned +to besiege the Town, and put all but the Women and Children to the +Sword, if the King of _Maratan_ did not pay the Expence of his Master's +sending for the White Man, which he rated at 100 Slaves, and 500 Head of +Cattle, the King objected to this as a hard Condition and an unjust +Imposition, but was obliged to acquiesce in it. + +One Thing, remarkable enough, had like to have slipp'd me; which is, the +King of _Maratan_ sent _Williams_ to the General without any Attendance, +which made him ask, if the White Man was a Slave? The King answered, he +had not used him like one. I may very well, said the General, be of a +contrary Opinion, since you have sent no Body to wait upon him: Upon +which Reprimand, the King sent _Williams_ a Present of a Slave. + +He was received by _Dempaino_ with a great many Caresses, was handsomely +cloathed according to the Country Manner, had Slaves allotted to wait on +him, and every Thing that was necessary and convenient; so that King +_Dempaino_ was at the Trouble of sending 6000 Men, one would think, for +no other End than to shew the great Value and Esteem he had for the +_Europeans_. He continued with this Prince till the Arrival of a Ship, +which was some Years after his leaving _Maratan_; when the _Bedford_ +Galley, a Pyrate, commanded by _Achen Jones_, a _Welshman_, came on the +Coast, on board of which Ship _Williams_ was permitted to enter; they +went to _Augustine_, where, laying the Ship on Shore, by Carelessness +they broke her Back, and lost her. The Crew lived here till the Arrival +of the _Pelican_, another Pyrate, mentioned in _North_'s Life; some of +them went on board this Ship, and steer'd for the _East-Indies_. +_Williams_ shifted out of this on board the _Mocha_ Frigate, a Pyrate, +commanded by Captain _Culliford_, and made a Voyage; then, returning to +St. _Mary_'s, they shared the Booty they had got in the Red Seas. I +shall not here mention the Particulars of this last Expedition, +designing to write Captain _Culliford_'s Life, which it more properly +belongs to. + +Some of the Crew, being _West Indians_, having an Opportunity, returned +home; but _Williams_ remain'd here till the Arrival and taking of Capt. +_Forgette_, which has been already mentioned: He was one of those who +took the _Speaker_, (the Manner has been told before, in another Life) +went a Voyage in her, and returned to _Maratan_, as is said in _North_'s +Life. Here the King seeing him, ask'd what Present he intended to make +him for former Kindness? _Williams_ answered, he had been over paid by +the Prince whom he took him from and by his Services, which Answer so +irritated his _Maratanian_ Majesty, that he ordered him to quit his +Country; and he could hardly after that see him with Patience. + +From hence he went on board the _Prosperous_, Captain _Howard_, +Commander, who went to St. _Mary_'s, and thence to the Main, as is said +in that Pyrate's Life, and was one of the Men left behind when they had +a Design to carry off _Ort Van Tyle_. This _Dutchman_ kept him to hard +Labour, as planting Potatoes, _&c._ in revenge for the Destruction and +Havock made in his Plantations by the Crew of the _Prosperous_; he was +here in the Condition of a Slave six Months, at the Expiration of which +Time, he had an Opportunity (and embraced it) to run away, leaving his +Consort, _Tho. Collins_, behind him, who had his Arm broke when he was +taken by the _Dutchman_. + +Having made his Escape from a rigid, revengeful Master, he got to a +Black Prince, named _Rebaiharang_, with whom he lived half a Year; he +from hence went and kept Company with one _John Pro_, another +_Dutchman_, who had a small Settlement on Shore, till the Arrival of the +Men of War, commanded by Commodore _Richards_, who took both _Pro_ and +his Guest _Williams_, put them in Irons (on board the _Severn_) till +they came to _Johanna_, where the Captain of the _Severn_ undertook for +2000 Dollars to go against the _Mohilians_, in which Expedition several +of the Man of War's Crew were killed, and the two Pyrates made their +Escape in a small Canoe to _Mohila_, where they shelter'd themselves a +while in the Woods, out of which they got Provisions, and made over for +_Johanna_; here they recruited themselves and went away for _Mayotta_, +an Island 18 Leagues in Length. The King of this Island built them a +Boat, and giving them Provisions and what Necessaries they required, +they made for and arrived at _Madagascar_; where, at _Methelage_, in the +Lat. of 16, 40, or thereabouts, they join'd, as has been said, Captain +_White_. + +Here they lay about 3 Months, then setting Fire to their Boat, they went +into _White_'s, and rounding the North End came to _Ambonavoula_; here +_Williams_ staid till Captain _White_ brought the Ship _Hopewell_, on +board of which he entered before the Mast, made a Voyage to the Red +Seas, towards the End of which he was chosen Quarter-Master. At their +Return they touch'd at _Mascarenas_ for Provisions, where almost half +the Company went ashore and took up their Habitations. + +From _Mascarenas_ they steer'd for _Hopewell_ (by some call'd +_Hopefull_) Point, on _Madagascar_, where dividing their Plunder, they +settled themselves. + +Twelve Months after, the _Charles_ Brigantine, Captain _Halsey_, came +in, as is mentioned in his Life. _Williams_ went on board him and made a +Voyage; at their Return they came to _Maratan_, lived ashore, and +assisted the King in his War against his Brother, which being ended in +the Destruction of the latter, and a Pyrate lying at _Ambonavoula_, +sending his Long-Boat to _Manangcaro_, within ten Leagues of _Maratan_, +_Williams_ and the rest went on board, and in three Months after he had +been at _Ambonavoula_ he was chosen Captain of the _Scotch_ Ship, +mentioned in _Halsey_'s Life. + +This Ship he work'd upon with great Earnestness, and made the _Scots_ +Prisoners labour hard at the fitting her up for a Voyage; and she was +near ready for the Seas when a Hurricane forced her ashore, and she was +wreck'd. + +Some Time after this he set up and finished a Sloop, in which he and ten +of his Men, design'd for _Mascarenas_, but missing the Island they went +round _Madagascar_, to a Place called _Methelage_, where he laid his +Vessel ashore and staid a Year; but the King being tired with his morose +Temper, and he disagreeing with every Body, he was order'd to be gone, +and accordingly fitting up his Vessel he put to Sea, intending to go +round the North End of the Island; but the Wind being at E. S. E. and +the Current setting to N. W. he put back to a Port, called the _Boyne_, +within 10 Leagues of _Methelage_, in the same King's Dominions whom he +had left. The Governor of this Place was descended from the _Arabs_, and +it was here that the _Arabians_ traded. + +When he came to an Anchor, he and three of his Men (he had but 5 with +him) went on Shore, paddled by two Negroes. _David Eaton_ and _William +Dawson_, two of the Men, required a Guide, to shew them the Way to the +King's Town; the Governor order'd them one, and, at the same time, laid +an Ambush for them in the Road, and caused them to be murdered. When +they had left the _Boyn_, _Williams_ and _Meyeurs_, a _Frenchman_, who +also came ashore in the Canoe, went to buy some _Samsams_, which are +agate Beads; as they were looking over these Goods, a Number of the +Governor's Men came about them, seiz'd them both, and immediately +dispatch'd _Meyeurs_, _Williams_ they bound, and tortur'd almost a whole +Day, by throwing hot Ashes on his Head and in his Face, and putting +little Boys to beat him with Sticks; he offer'd the Governor 2000 +Dollars for his Life, but he answer'd, he'd have both that and the Money +too; and accordingly when he was near expiring, they made an End of him +with their Lances. + +After this barbarous Murder, the Governor thought of seizing the Sloop, +on board of which were no more than two White Men, six Negroe Boys, and +some Women Slaves of the same Colour; however, he thought it best to +proceed by Stratagem, and therefore putting a Goat and some Calabashes +of Toke on board _William_'s Canoe, with twelve Negroes arm'd, and the +Sloop Negroes to paddle, he sent to surprize her. When the Canoe came +pretty near the Vessel, they hal'd, and ask'd if they would let them +come aboard? One of the Men ask'd _William_'s Negroes where the Captain +was? He answered, drinking Toke with the Governor, and sent them +Provision and Toke. A Negroe Wench advised the White Man, whose Name was +_William Noakes_, not to let them come on board, for as four White Men +went ashore, and none of them appear'd, she suspected some Treachery; +however, on the Answer made him from the Canoe, he resolved to admit +them, and giving the Wench a Kick, cryed, _D--m ye, must we have no +fresh Provisions for your Whimsies_; he called them on board, and no +sooner were they on Deck but one of them snatching _Noakes_ his Pistol, +shot him thro' the Head, and seizing the other White Man, threw him +over-board and drown'd him; after which, being Masters of the Vessel, +they carried her in and rifled her. + +The King was at this Time a hunting, as is his Custom to hunt Boars +three Months in the Year; but the Account of these Murders soon reach'd +him, however, he staid the accustom'd Time of his Diversion; but when he +returned home, and the Whites, who were about him, demanded Justice, he +bid them be quiet, they might depend upon his doing it: He sent to the +Governor of _Boyn_, and told him, he was glad that he had cut off +_Williams_ and his Crew, an Example he was resolved to follow and clear +the Country of them all. That he had some Affairs to communicate to him, +and desired he would come to Court as soon as possible, but take Care he +was not seen by any of the Whites, for fear by his, they shou'd revenge +the Death of their Companions. + +The Governor on these Orders came away immediately, and stopp'd two +Miles short, at a little Town two Miles distant from the King's, and +sent Word he there waited for his Commands. + +The King ordered him to be with him early next Morning, before the White +Men were out of their Beds; he set forward accordingly the next Day +betimes, but was seiz'd on the Road by Negroes placed for that Purpose, +and brought bound to the King, who, after having reproach'd him with the +Barbarity of his Action, sent him to the White Men, bidding them put him +to what Death they pleased; but they sent Word back, he might dispose of +his Subjects Lives as he thought fit, but for their Part they would +never draw a Drop of Blood of any who belonged to him. Upon which Answer +the King's Uncle ordered him to be speared, and he was accordingly +thrust thro' the Body with Lances. The King, after this Execution, sent +to _Boyn_, and had every Thing brought which had belonged to _Williams_ +and his Men, and divided it among the Whites, saying, _He was sorry the +Villain had but one Life to make Attonement for the Barbarity he had +been guilty of_. + + + OF + Capt. _Samuel Burgess_, + And his CREW. + +Capt. _Samuel Burgess_ was born in _New-York_, and had a good Education; +he was what they call a well-set Man, and bandy legg'd; he sail'd some +Time as a Privateer in the _West-Indies_, and very often, the Gang, he +was with, when the Time of their cruizing was expir'd, would make no +Ceremony of prolonging the Commission by their own Authority. + +By his Privateering he got together some little Money, and returned +home, where the Government having no Notice, or, at least, taking none, +of his pyratical Practice, in staying beyond the Date of his Commission: +He went out Mate of a Ship, in the Service of _Frederick Phillips_, +bound to the Island of _Madagascar_, to trade with the Pyrates, where +they had the Misfortune to lose their Ship, and lived eighteen Months at +_Augustine_, when an _English_ Pyrate coming in, the King of the Country +obliged him to go on board her, tho' much against his Inclination, for +he was tired of a roving Life; but their Choice was to go or starve, for +the King would keep them no longer. + +He went with this free Booter to the _East Indies_, where they made +several rich Prizes; returned to St. _Mary_'s, where they took in +Provisions, Wood, and Water. Several of their Gang knock'd off here; but +the Captain, _Burgess_, and the Remainder, went away for the _West +Indies_, disposed of their Plunder on the _Spanish_ Coast, and then +returning to _New York_, purposely knocked the Ship on the Head at +_Sandy Hook_, after they had secur'd their Money ashore. + +The Government not being inform'd of their Pyracy, they lived here +without Molestation, and, in a short Time, _Burgess_ married a Relation +of Mr. _Phillips_', who built a Ship, called the _Pembroke_, and sent +him a second Time to _Madagascar_. In his Way to this Island, he went +into the River of _Dilagou_ on the _African_ Coast, where he took in a +Quantity of Elephants Teeth; and thence to _Augustine_, where he met +with several of his old Ship Mates, with whom he traded for Money and +Slaves. Leaving this Place he went to _Methelage_, where he also took +some Money and Negroes; and from thence he shaped his Course for St. +_Mary_'s, on the East Side, where he also drove a considerable Trade +with his old Comrades, took several of them Passengers, who paid very +generously for their Passage; and taking with him an Account of what was +proper to bring in another Trip, he return'd to _New York_, without any +sinister Accident: This Voyage clear'd 5,000 l. Ship and Charges paid. + +His Owner encouraged by this Success, bid him chuse what Cargoe he +pleas'd, and set out again; accordingly he laded with Wine, Beer, _&c._ +and returning to _Madagascar_ arrived at _Maratan_ on the East Side, +where he disposed of a great Part of his Cargoe at his own Rates. At +_Methelage_ he disposed of the rest, and return'd, clearing for himself +and Owner 10,000 l. besides 300 Slaves he brought to _New York_. + +After a short Stay at home, he set out again on the old Voyage, fell in +first with _Methelage_, where he victualled and traded; from thence he +went round the South End, touch'd and sold Part of his Cargoe at a large +Profit, to his old Acquaintance. He made a trading Voyage round the +Island, and at St. _Mary_'s met another Ship belonging to his Owner, +which had Order to follow his Directions; he stay'd at this Port till he +had disposed of the Cargoe of both Ships; he then shaped his Course +homewards, with about 20 Pyrates Passengers, who had accepted the Pardon +brought by Commadore _Littleton_. + +In his Way he touch'd at the _Cape_ of _Good Hope_, for Wood, Water, and +fresh Provision: While he was here, the _Loyal Cook_, an _East India_ +Man came in, who made Prize of _Burgess_, and carried him to the _East +Indies_; he there would have delivered _Burgess_'s Ship to the Governor +of _Maderass_, but the Governor would have no Hand in the Affair, and +told the Captain, he must answer to the _East-India_ Company and +_Burgess_'s Owner for what he had done. + +Most of the Pyrate's Passengers thought themselves clear'd by the Act of +Grace; but some of them, not willing to trust to it, got off with what +Gold they could, in a _Dutch_ Boat; they who trusted to the Pardon were +clapp'd in Goal, and died in their Irons. I cannot omit the Simplicity +of one of them, who had, however, the Wit to get off: When he designed +to go away, he look'd for his Comrade for the Key of his Chest, to take +his Gold with him, which amounted to Seventeen hundred Pounds; but this +Comrade being ashore, he would not break open Chest, for it was Pity, he +said, to spoil a good new Lock, so left his Money for the Captain of the +_East-India_ Man. + +The News of this Capture came to the Owner before the Ship return'd, and +he sued the Company; but, at their Request, staid for the Arrival of the +_Loyal Cook_, which brought _Burgess_ Prisoner to _England_ soon after. +The Captain finding himself in an Error, and that what he had done could +not be justified, absconded; the Company made good the Ship and Cargo to +the Owner. _Burgess_ was set at Liberty, continued some Time in +_London_, was impeach'd, and Pyracy sworn against him by _Culliford_ +(mentioned in _Williams_'s Life) who notwithstanding, he came home on +the Act of Grace, was clapp'd into _Newgate_, tried and acquitted, tho' +he was beggar'd. + +_Burgess_'s Owner stickled very hard for him, and expended great Sums of +Money to save him; however, tho' he pleaded the Necessity of his going +on board the Pyrate, (as his Life shews it) he was tried and condemn'd; +but by the Intercession of the Bishops of _London_ and _Canterbury_, was +pardon'd by the Queen. + +After this, he made a broken Voyage to the _South Sea_, Lieutenant to a +Privateer, and returning to _London_, was out of Business a whole Year. + +He then shipp'd himself Mate on board the _Hannah_, afterwards called +the _Neptune_, and went to _Scotland_ to take in her Cargo, the Owner +being of that Nation; but before she got thither he the Owner broke, and +the Ship was stopp'd, and lay 18 Months before she was dispos'd of: But +being set to Sale, and six _Scotch_ Gentlemen buying her, the old +Officers were continued, and she proceeded on her first designed Voyage +to _Madagascar_, in which the Captain and _Burgess_ quarrelling, was the +Loss of the Ship; for the latter, who was acquainted with the Pyrates, +when they arrived at _Madagascar_, spirited them up to surprize her: The +Manner how, being already set down in _Halsey_'s Life, I need not +repeat. + +I shall only take Notice, that Captain _Miller_ being decoy'd ashore, +under Pretence of being shew'd some Trees, fit for Masting, _Halsey_ +invited him to a Surloin of Beef, and a Bowl of Arrack Punch; he +accepted the Invitation, with about 20 of the Pyrates. One _Emmy_, who +had been a Waterman on the _Thames_, did not come to Table, but sat by, +muffled up in a great Coat, pretending he was attack'd by the Ague, tho' +he had put it on to conceal his Pistols only. After Dinner, when +_Halsey_ went out, as for something to entertain his Guests, (_Miller_ +and his Supercargo,) _Emmy_ clapp'd a Pistol to the Captain's Breast, +and told him, he was his Prisoner; at the same Instant, two other +Pyrates enter'd the Room, with each a Blunderbuss in his Hand, and told +the Captain and his Supercargoe, that no Harm should come to either, if +they did not bring it upon themselves by an useless Resistance. While +this past within Doors, the Wood being lined with Pyrates, all +_Miller_'s Men, whom he had brought ashore to fell Timber, were secur'd, +but none hurt, and all civilly treated. When they had afterwards got +Possession of the Ship, in the Manner mention'd before, they set all +their Prisoners at Liberty. + +_Miller_, with eleven of his Men, was sent off, as is said in _Halsey_'s +Life: The Company chose _Burgess_ Quarter-Master, and shar'd the Booty +they had made out of the _Scotch_ Ship, and the _Greyhound_. + +Soon after happen'd _Halsey_'s Death, who left _Burgess_ Executor in +Trust for his Widow and Children, with a considerable Legacy for +himself, and the other Pyrates grumbling at a new Comer's being +preferr'd to all of them, took from _Burgess_ 3,000 l. of _Halsey_'s +Money, and 1200 l. of his own, which was his Share of the two Prizes. +Tho' he had been treated in this Manner, they were idle enough to give +him the Command of the _Scots_ Ship, and order'd him to fit her out with +all Expedition, and to take on board some Men and Goods left in the +Brigantine: He set to work on the Ship, with full Design to run away +with her; but some Pyrates, who were in another Part of the Island, +being informed of these Proceedings, thought it not prudent to trust +him, so he left the Ship, and getting among his old Comrades, by their +Interposition, had all his Money return'd. + +After this he lived five Months on the Island of St. _Mary_'s, where his +House was, by Accident, burnt down, out of which he saved nothing but +his Money; he then went on board _David Williams_, when he miss'd the +Island of _Mascarenas_, and returned to _Methelage_, where he staid with +the King, and was one of the Men among whom he divided _William_'s +Effects. + +From _Methelage_ he went with a Parcel of Samsams to _Augustine_, with +which he bought fifty Slaves, whom he sold to the _Arabians_. In his +Return to _Methelage_, he met Captain _North_ in a Sloop, with thirty of +_Miller_'s Men on board; these Men propos'd the taking _Burgess_, who +had, they said, betrayed, ruined, and banished them their Country, by +forcing them to turn Pyrates; but _North_ would not consent: Upon which, +they confined him, took _North_ and stripp'd him of all the Money, and +then releasing their Captain, gave him 300 l. as his Share, which he +returned to _Burgess_ on his Arrival at _Methelage_. + +_Burgess_ lived here two or three Years, till he was carried off by some +_Dutchmen_; they belonged to an _East-India_ Man, and were taken by two +_French_ Ships, which being bound for _Mocha_, and scarce of Provisions, +came into _Methelage_ to victual, where they set 80 of their Prisoners +ashore. When they parted from this Port they sail'd for _Johanna_, where +they left the _Dutch_ Officers, who built a Ship, and came back for +their Men. _Burgess_ being of great Use to them, they took him on board, +and steer'd for a Port, where some _Dutch_, taken in another Ship, were +maroon'd; but they were wreck'd at _Youngoul_, where _Burgess_ continued +eighteen Months. After this Time was expir'd, he was desirous of leaving +the Place, and addressing himself to the King, who was Uncle to the King +of _Methelage_, he requested his black Majesty to send him back to that +Port, which he readily complied with, where _Burgess_ continued almost +five Years, afflicted with Sickness, in which he lost one Eye. While he +was here, the _Drake_ Pink, of _London_, came in for Slaves, he took +_Burgess_, with Design to carry him home; but Captain _Harvey_ in the +_Henry_, which belong'd to the same Owners, arriving, and being a +Stranger to the Trade, at the Request of Captain _Maggot_, Commander of +the _Drake_, and on Promise of a Ship when in the _West Indies_, he +enter'd as third Mate, and continued with him. Captain _Harvey_ carrying +it pretty high, and disagreeing with the King, lay here 9 Months before +he could slave. _Burgess_ was sent up to tell the King he had not +fulfill'd his Agreement with Captain _Harvey_; the King resented the +being reproach'd by a Man whom he had entertained so many Years, and +reviled him; he was, however, carried to Dinner with some of the +principal Blacks, and drank very plentifully with them of Honey Toke, in +which it is supposed he was poison'd, for he fell ill and died soon +after, leaving what he had to the Care of the chief Mate, for the Use of +his Wife and Children. + + + + + APPENDIX + TO THE + First VOLUME. + + +We have already touched upon the History of some of the Pyrates, which +we shall have Occasion to name here over again; but since the printing +our first Volume, the following Relations are fallen into our Hands, +which being much more curious and particular than any Thing hitherto +made publick upon these Affairs, we are satisfied our Readers will find +their Entertainment in the Perusal of it. + +About the 20th of _July_ 1718, Mr. _Woods Rogers_, Governor and +Vice-Admiral of the _Bahama_ Islands, being sent from _England_ with the +King's Proclamation, and Pardon for all Pyrates who had surrendered by a +Time specified in the said Proclamation, arrived at _Providence_. It was +Evening when the Fleet came off the Town of _Nassau_ in the said Island, +when _Richard Turnley_, the Pilot, who was on board the _Delicia_, did +not judge it safe to venture over the Bar that Night, wherefore it was +resolved to lie bye till Morning. + +In the mean Time there came some Men on board the Fleet from off a +little Island, called _Harbour Island_, adjacent to _Providence_. The +Advice they brought was, that there were near a thousand Pyrates on +Shore upon the Island of _Providence_, waiting for the King's Pardon, +which had been long expected. The principal of their Commanders were +_Benj. Horneygold_, _Arthur Davis_, _Jos. Burgess_, _Tho. Carter_, and +they were all in or about the Town of _Nassau_; that the Fort was +extremely out of Repair, there being only one Gun mounted, a nine +Pounder, and no Accommodation for Men, but one little Hut or House, +which was inhabited by an old Fellow, whom the Pyrates, in Derision, +called Governor _Sawney_. + +The Fleet was seen from the Harbour, as well as the Town, so that +Captain _Charles Vane_, who had no Design of surrendring; but, on the +contrary, had fitted out his Ship with a Resolution of attempting new +Adventures, took the Advantage of the Night to contrive his Escape; and +though the Harbour was blocked up, and his Ship drew too much Water to +get out by t'other East Passage, he shifted his Hands, and Things of +most Value, into a lighter Vessel, and charging all the Guns of the Ship +he quitted with Double-Round and Partridge, he set it on Fire, +imagining, that some of the Ships, or their Boats, might be sent near +him, and he might do some Mischief when it should burn down to them. + +Those in the Fleet saw the Light, and heard the Guns, and fancied the +Pyrates on Shore were making Bonfires, and firing Guns for Joy that the +King's free Pardon was arrived; and Captain _Whitney_, Commander of the +_Rose_ Man of War, sent his Boat with his Lieutenant on Shore, which was +intercepted by _Vane_, who carried the Crew on Board, and stripped them +of some Stores they had in the Boat, he kept them till he got under +Sail, which was till Day-break, when there was Light enough for him to +see how to steer his Way through the East Passage; which was no sooner +done but he hoisted a black Flag, and fired a Gun, and then let the +Lieutenant and Boat's Crew depart and join the Fleet. + +The Fleet got safe into the Harbour, and as soon as the Lieutenant +arrived on Board, and related what had passed, the _Buck_ Sloop was +ordered to chace _Vane_; she made what Sail she could through the East +Passage after him, having a Recruit of Men well armed sent to her from +the other Ships; but being heavily laden with rich Goods, _Vane_ had the +Heels of her, which the Commadore observing, made a Signal for her to +leave off the Chace, and return, which she did accordingly. + +They immediately fell to mooring and securing their Ships, which took up +the Time till Night: Next Morning the Governor went on Shore, being +received at his Landing by the principal People in the Government of the +Place, as _Thomas Walker_, Esq; Chief Justice, and _Thomas Taylor_, Esq; +President of the Council; the Pyrate Captains, _Hornygold_, _Davis_, +_Carter_, _Burghess_, _Currant_, _Clark_, with some others, drew up +their Crews in two Lines, reaching from the Water-Side to the Fort, the +Governor and other Officers marching between them; in the mean Time, +they being under Arms, made a running Fire over his Head. + +Being arrived at the Fort, his Commission was opened and read, and he +was sworn in Governor of the Island, according to Form. + +The next Day the Governor made out a Commission to _Richard Turnley_, +the chief Pilot, to Mr. _Salter_, a Factor, and some others, to go on +Board and examine all suspected Ships and Vessels in the Harbour, to +take an Inventory of their several Ladings, and to secure both Ship and +Cargo for the Use of the King and Company, till such Time as a Court of +Admiralty could be called, that they might be lawfully cleared or +condemned by proving which belonged to Pyrates, and which to fair +Traders. + +The Day following a Court-Martial was held, in which a military +Discipline was settled, in order to prevent Surprizes, both from +_Spaniards_ and Pyrates, till such Time as the Fort could be repaired, +and put into a Condition of Defence; for this Purpose the Governor was +obliged to make Use of some of the pardoned Pyrates, such as +_Hornygold_, _Davis_ and _Burghess_, to whom he gave some Commands; and +_George Fetherston_, _James Bonney_, and _Dennis Macartey_, with some +other Pyrates of a lower Rank, acted under them as inferior Officers. + +Soon after the civil Government was also setled, some of the principal +Officers being appointed Justices of the Peace, others of inferior +Degree, Constables and Overseers of the Ways and Roads, which were +overgrown with Bushes and Underwood, all about the Town of _Nassau_; so +that if any Enemy had landed in the Night, they might lie in Ambuscade +in those Covers, and surprize the Town; wherefore several of the common +Pyrates were employed in clearing away the said Bushes and Underwood. + +The Governor, with some Soldiers, guarded the Fort, and the Inhabitants, +who were form'd into Train'd-Bands, took Care of the Town; but as there +was no Sort of Accommodation to lodge such a Number of People, they were +forced to unbend the Sails, and bring them on Shore, in order to make +Tents, till they had Time to build Houses, which was done with all +possible Expedition, by a Kind of Architecture altogether new. + +Those that were built in the Fort were done by making six little Holes +in the Rock, at convenient Distances, in each of which was stuck a +forked Pole; on these, from one to t'other, were placed cross Poles or +Rafters, which being lathed at Top, and on the Sides, with small Sticks, +were afterwards covered with _Palmata_ Leaves, and then the House was +finished; for they did not much trouble themselves about the Ornaments +of Doors and Windows. + +In the mean Time the repairing the Fort was carried on, and the Streets +were ordered to be kept clean, both for Health and Conveniency, so that +it began to have the Appearance of a civilized Place. + +A Proclamation was published for the Encouragement of all such Persons +should be willing to settle upon the Island of _Providence_, by which +every Person was to have a Lot of Ground of a hundred and twenty Foot +square, any where in or about the Town of _Nassau_, that was not before +in the Possession of others, provided they should clear the said Ground, +and build a House tenantable, by a certain Time therein limited, which +might be easily done as they might have Timber for nothing. This had the +Effect proposed, and a great many immediately fell to work to comply +with the Conditions, in order to settle themselves there. + +Many of the Pyrates were employed in the Woods in cutting down Sticks to +make Pallisadoes; and all the People belonging to the Ships (Officers +excepted) were obliged to work four Days in the Week upon the +Fortifications, so that in a short Time a strong Entrenchment was cast +round the Fort, and being well pallisadoed, it rendered the Fort +tolerably strong. + +But it did not much suit the Inclinations of the Pyrates to be set to +work; and though they had Provision sufficient, and had also a good +Allowance of Wine and Brandy to each Man, yet they began to have such a +hankering after their old Trade, that many of them took Opportunities of +seizing Perriaguas, and other Boats, in the Night, and making their +Escapes, so that in a few Months there was not many of them left. + +However, when the _Spanish_ War was proclaim'd, several of them return'd +back again of their own Accords, being tempted with the Hopes of being +employed upon the privateering Account, (which is something like +pyrating;) for that Place lying near the Coast of _Spanish America_, and +also not far from the Gulph of _Florida_, seemed to be a good Station +for intercepting the _Spanish_ Vessels going to old _Spain_. + +They were not mistaken in this Supposition, for the Governor, according +to the Power vested in him, did grant Commissions for privateering, and +made Choice of some of the principal Pyrates who had continued upon the +Island, in Obedience to the Pardon, for Commanders, as being Persons +well qualified for such Employments, who made up their Crews chiefly of +their scattered Companions, who were newly returned upon the Hopes of +Preferment. + +About this Time a Fishing Vessel belonging to the Island of _Providence_ +brought in the Master of a Ship and a few Sailors, whom she had picked +up at Sea in a Canoe; the said Master was called Captain _King_, who +sailed in a Ship called the _Neptune_, belonging to _South-Carolina_, +loaden with Rice, Pitch, Tar, and other Merchandizes, bound for +_London_. + +The Account he gave of himself was, that he was met with by _Charles +Vane_ the Pyrate, who carried him into _Green Turtle_ Bay, one of the +_Bahama_ Islands, by whom he was plundered of a great Part of his +Cargoe, which consisting chiefly of Stores, was of great Use to them; +that afterwards they cut away Part of one of the Masts of the Ship, and +fired a Gun down her Hold, with Design of sinking her; that they took +some of his Men into their Service, and when they were sailing off gave +him and the rest a Canoe to save themselves; that with this Canoe they +made shift to sail from one little Island to another, till they had the +good Luck to meet the Fishing Boat which took them up; and that he +believed _Charles Vane_ might still be cruising thereabouts. + +Upon this Intelligence the Governor fitted out a Ship which was named +the _Willing Mind_, mann'd with fifty stout Hands, well armed, and also +a Sloop with thirty Hands, which he sent to cruise amongst those +Islands, in search of _Vane_ the Pyrate, giving them Orders also to +endeavour to recover the Ship _Neptune_, which Captain _King_ told them +had still Goods of a considerable Value left in her. + +They went out accordingly, but never saw _Vane_; however, they found the +_Neptune_, which was not sunk as the Pyrates intended; for the Ball they +fired into her stuck in the Ballast, without passing through, by Reason +the Gun had not been sufficiently charged, and so they returned with her +about the 10th of _November_; but an unlucky Accident happened to the +Ship _Willing Mind_, occasioned either by the ignorance or Carelessness +of the Pilot, which was bulged in going over the Bar. + +In the mean Time _Vane_ made towards the Coast of _Hispaniola_, living +riotously on Board, having store of Liquor, and plenty of fresh +Provisions, such as Hogs, Goats, Sheep, Fowl, which he got upon easy +Terms, for touching at a Place called _Isleatherer_, he plundered the +Inhabitants of as much of their Provision as they could carry away: Here +they cruised to about _February_, when, near the Windward Passage of +Cape _Mase_, they met with a large rich Ship of _London_, called the +_Kingston_, loaden with Bale Goods, and other rich Merchandize, and +having several Passengers on Board, some _English_, and some _Jews_, +besides two Women. + +Towards the North-End of _Jamaica_ they also met with a Turtle Sloop, +bound in for that Island, on Board of which (after having first +plundered her) they put the Captain of the _Kingston_, and some of his +Men, and all the Passengers, except the two Women, whom they kept for +their own Entertainment, contrary to the usual Practice of Pyrates, who +generally sent them away, least they should occasion Contention. + +The Ship _Kingston_ they kept for their own Use; for now their Company +being strengthened by a great many Recruits, some Voluntiers, and some +forced Men out of the _Neptune_ and _Kingston_, they thought they had +Hands enough for two Ships; accordingly they shifted several of their +Hands on Board the _Kingston_, and _John Rackham_, alias _Callico Jack_, +(so called, because his Jackets and Drawers were always made of Callico) +Quarter-Master to _Vane_, was unanimously chosen Captain of the +_Kingston_. + +The Empire of these Pyrates had not been long thus divided before they +had like to have fallen into a civil War amongst themselves, which must +have ended in the Destruction of one of them. The fatal Occasion of the +Difference betwixt these two Brother Adventurers, was this;--It happened +that _Vane_'s Liquor was all out, who sending to his Brother Captain for +a Supply, _Rackham_ accordingly spared him what he thought fit; but it +falling short of _Vane_'s Expectation, as to Quantity, he went on Board +of _Rackham_'s Ship to expostulate the Matter with him, so that Words +arising, _Rackham_ threaten'd to shoot him thro' the Head, if he did not +immediately return to his own Ship; and told him likewise, that if he +did not sheer off, and part Company, he would sink him. + +_Vane_ thought it best to take his Advice, for he thought the other was +bold enough to be as good as his Word, for he had it in his Power to be +so, his Ship being the largest and strongest of the two. + +Accordingly they parted, and _Rackham_ made for the Island of _Princes_, +and having great Quantities of rich Goods on Board, taken in the late +Prizes, they were divided into Lots, and he and his Crew shared them by +throwing Dice, the highest Cast being to choose first: When they had +done, they packed up their Goods in Casks, and buried them on Shore in +the Island of _Princes_, that they might have Room for fresh Booty. In +the mean Time it happened that a Turtle Sloop belonging to _Jamaica_ +came in there, _Rackham_ sent his Boat, and brought the Master on Board +of him, and asking him several Questions, the Master informed him, that +War with _Spain_ had been proclaimed in _Jamaica_; and that the Time +appointed by the general Pardon for Pyrates to surrender, in order to +receive the Benefit thereof, was not expired. + +Upon this Intelligence _Rackham_ and his Crew suddenly changed their +Minds, and were resolved to take the Benefit of the Pardon by a speedy +Surrender; wherefore, instead of using the Master ill, as the poor Man +expected, they made him several Presents, desiring him to sail back to +_Jamaica_, and acquaint the Governor they were willing to surrender, +provided he would give his Word and Honour they should have the Benefit +of the Pardon; which, as extensive as it was, they apprehended they were +not intitled to, because they had run away in Defiance of it at +_Providence_. They desired the Master also to return with the Governor's +Answer, assuring him he should be no Loser by the Voyage. + +The Master very willingly undertook the Commission, and arriving at +_Jamaica_, delivered his Message to the Governor, according to his +Instructions; but it happened that the Master of the _Kingston_, with +his Passengers, being come to _Jamaica_, had acquainted the Governor +with the Pyracies of _Vane_ and _Rackam_, before the Turtler got +thither, who was actually fitting out two Sloops, which were now just +ready, in pursuit of them, so that the Governor was very glad to +discover, by the Turtler's Message, where _Rackam_ was to be found. + +The two Sloops, well mann'd, accordingly sailed out, and found _Rackam_ +in the Station where the Turtler had described him, but altogether in +Disorder, and quite unprepared, either for Sailing or for Fight, most of +his Sails being on Shore erected into Tents, and his Decks lumber'd with +Goods; he happen'd to be on Board himself, tho' most of his Men were +ashore, and seeing the two Sloops at a Distance, bearing towards him, he +observed them with his Glass, and fancied he saw on Board something like +Preparations for fighting. This was what he did not expect, for he +look'd for no Enemy, and while he was in Doubt and Suspence about them, +they came so near that they began to fire. + +He had neither Time nor Means to prepare for Defence, so that there was +nothing to be done but to run into his Boat, and escape to the Shore, +which he did accordingly with the few Hands he had with him, leaving the +two Women on Board to be taken by the Enemy. + +The Sloops seized the Ship _Kingston_, mann'd her, and brought her into +_Jamaica_, having still a great part of her Cargoe left; when she +arrived, the Master of her fell to examining what part of the Cargoe was +lost, and what left; he searched also for his Bills of Lading and +Cockets, but they were all destroyed by _Rackam_; so that the Ship being +freighted by several Owners, the Master could not tell whose Property +was saved, and whose lost, till he had fresh Bills of Parcels of each +Owner from _England_. There was one remarkable Piece of good Luck which +happened in this Affair; there were, amongst other Goods, sixty Gold +Watches on Board, and thirty of Silver; the Pyrates divided the Silver +Watches, but the Gold being packed up amongst some Bale Goods, were +never discovered by them, and the Master, in searching, found them all +safe. + +In the mean Time _Rackam_ and his Crew lived in the Woods, in very great +Suspence what to do with themselves; they had with them Ammunition and +small Arms, and also some of the Goods, such as Bales of Silk Stockings, +and laced Hats, with which, it is supposed, they intended to make +themselves fine; they had also two Boats and a Canoe. + +Being divided in their Resolutions, _Rackam_ with six more determined to +take one of the Boats, and make the best of their Way for the Island of +_Providence_, and there claim the Benefit of the King's Pardon, which +they fancied they might be intitled to, by representing, that they were +carried away by _Vane_, against their Wills. Accordingly they put some +Arms, Ammunition and Provision, into the best Boat, and also some of the +Goods, and so set Sail. They first made the Island of _Pines_, from +thence got over to the North-Side of _Cuba_, where they destroyed +several _Spanish_ Boats and Launces; one they took, which being a stout +Sea Boat, they shifted themselves and their Cargoe into her, and sunk +their own, and then stretched over to the Island of _Providence_, where +they landed safely about the Middle of _May_ 1719, where demanding the +King's Pardon, the Governor thought fit to allow it them, and +Certificates were granted to them accordingly. + +Here they sold their Goods, and spent the Money merrily; when all was +gone, some ingaged themselves in Privateers, and others in trading +Vessels. + +But _Rackam_, as Captain, having a much larger Share than any of the +rest, his Money held out a little longer; but happening about this Time +to come acquainted with _Anne Bonny_, that made him very extravagant. +_Anne Bonny_, as has been taken Notice of in the first Volume, was +married to _James Bonny_, one of the pardoned Pyrates, a likely young +Fellow, and of a sober Life, considering he had been a Pyrate; but +_Anne_, who was very young, soon turned a Libertine upon his Hands, so +that he once surpriz'd her lying in a Hammock with another Man. _Rackam_ +made his Addresses to her till his Money was all spent; but as he found +there was no carrying on an Amour with empty Pockets, he ingaged himself +with Captain _Burghess_, lately a Pyrate, but pardoned, who had received +a Commission to privateer upon the _Spaniards_. This Cruize proved +successful; they took several Prizes, amongst the rest, two of +considerable Value, one loaded with Cocoa Nut, and another with Sugar. +They brought them into _Providence_, and found Purchasers amongst the +Factors, who came from other Places for that Purpose. The Dividend was +considerable, and as soon as possible disposed of: _Burghess_ sailed out +in Quest of new Purchase; but _Rackam_, who had nothing but _Anne Bonny_ +in his Head, staid behind to spend his Money, and enjoy his Mistress. + +_Rackam_ lived in all Manner of Luxury, spending his Money liberally +upon _Anne Bonny_, who was so taken with his Generosity, that she had +the Assurance to propose to her Husband to quit him, in order to cohabit +with _John Rackam_; and that _Rackam_ should give him a Sum of Money, in +Consideration he should resign her to the said _Rackam_ by a Writing in +Form, and she even spoke to some Persons to witness the said Writing. + +The Story made some Noise, so that the Governor hearing of it, sent for +her and one _Anne Fulworth_, who came with her from _Carolina_, and +pass'd for her Mother, and was privy to all her loose Behaviour, and +examining them both upon it, and finding they could not deny it, he +threaten'd if they proceeded further in it, to commit them both to +Prison, and order them to be whipp'd, and that _Rackam_, himself, should +be their Executioner. + +These Menaces made her promise to be very good, to live with her +Husband, and to keep loose Company no more; but all this was +Dissimulation, for _Rackam_ and she consulting together, and finding +they could not by fair Means enjoy each other's Company with Freedom, +resolved to run away together, and enjoy it in Spight of all the World. + +To this Purpose they plotted together to seize a Sloop which then lay in +the Harbour, and _Rackam_ drew some brisk young Fellows into the +Conspiracy; they were of the Number of the Pyrates lately pardoned, and +who, he knew, were weary of working on Shore, and long'd to be again at +their old Trade. + +The Sloop they made choice of was betwixt thirty and forty Tun, and one +of the swiftest Sailors that ever was built of that Kind; she belong'd +to one _John Haman_, who lived upon a little Island not far from +_Providence_, which was inhabited by no humane Creature except himself +and his Family, (for he had a Wife and Children) his Livelihood and +constant Employment was to plunder and pillage the _Spaniards_, whose +Sloops and Launces he had often surprized about _Cuba_ and _Hispaniola_, +and sometimes brought off a considerable Booty, always escaping by a +good Pair of Heels, insomuch that it become a Bye-Word to say, _There +goes_ John Haman, _catch him if you can_. His Business to _Providence_ +now was to bring his Family there, in order to live and settle, being +weary, perhaps, of living in that Solitude, or else apprehensive if any +of the _Spaniards_ should discover his Habitation, they might land, and +be revenged of him for all his Pranks. + +_Anne Bonny_ was observed to go several times on Board this Sloop; she +pretended to have some Business with _John Haman_, therefore she always +went when he was on Shore, for her true Errand was to discover how many +Hands were aboard, and what kind of Watch they kept, and to know the +Passages and Ways of the Vessel. + +She discovered as much as was necessary; she found there were but two +Hands on Board; that _John Haman_ lay on Shore every Night: She inquired +of them, Whether they watch'd? Where they lay? And ask'd many other +Questions; to all which they readily answered her, as thinking she had +no Design but common Curiosity. + +She acquainted _Rackam_ with every Particular, who resolved to lose no +Time, and therefore, acquainting his Associates, who were eight in +Number, they appointed an Hour for meeting at Night, which was at twelve +o'Clock. They were all true to the Roguery, and _Anne Bonny_ was as +punctual as the most resolute, and being all well armed, they took a +Boat and rowed to the Sloop, which was very near the Shore. + +The Night seemed to favour the Attempt, for it was both dark and rainy. +As soon as they got on Board, _Anne Bonny_, having a drawn Sword in one +Hand and a Pistol in the other, attended by one of the Men, went strait +to the Cabin where the two Fellows lay who belonged to the Sloop; the +Noise waked them, which she observing, swore, that if they pretended to +resist, or make a Noise, she would blow out their Brains, (that was the +Term she used.) + +In the mean Time _Rackam_ and the rest were busy heaving in the Cables, +one of which they soon got up, and, for Expedition sake, they slipped +the other, and so drove down the Harbour: They passed pretty near the +Fort, which hailed them, as did also the Guardship, asking them where +they were going; they answered, their Cable had parted, and that they +had nothing but a Grappling on Board, which would not hold them. +Immediately after which they put out a small Sail, just to give them +steerage Way. When they came to the Harbour's Mouth, and thought they +could not be seen by any of the Ships, because of the Darkness of the +Night, they hoisted all the Sail they had, and stood to Sea; then +calling up the two Men, they asked them if they would be of their Party; +but finding them not inclined, they gave them a Boat to row themselves +ashore, ordering them to give their Service to _Haman_, and to tell him, +they would send him his Sloop again when they had done with it. + +_Rackam_ and _Anne Bonny_, both bore a great Spleen to one _Richard +Turnley_, whom _Anne_ had ask'd to be a Witness to the Writing, which +_James Bonny_, her Husband, was to give to _Rackam_, by which she was to +be resigned to him; _Turnley_ refused his Hand upon that Occasion, and +was the Person who acquainted the Governor with the Story, for which +they vowed Revenge against him. He was gone from _Providence_ a turtling +before they made their Escape, and they knowing what Island he was upon, +made to the Place. They saw the Sloop about a League from the Shore a +fishing, and went aboard with six Hands; but _Turnley_, with his Boy, by +good Luck, happened to be ashore salting some wild Hogs they killed the +Day before; they inquired for him, and hearing where he was, rowed +ashore in Search of him. + +_Turnley_ from the Land saw the Sloop boarded, and observed the Men +afterwards making for the Shore, and being apprehensive of Pyrates, +which are very common in those Parts, he, with his Boy, fled into a +neighbouring Wood. The Surf was very great, so that they could not bring +the Boat to Shore; they waded up to the Arm-Pits, and _Turnley_, peeping +through the Trees, saw them bring Arms on Shore: Upon the whole, not +liking their Appearance, he, with his Boy, lay snug in the Bushes. + +When they had looked about and could not see him, they hollow'd, and +call'd him by his Name; but he not appearing, they thought it Time lost +to look for him in such a Wilderness, and therefore they returned to +their Boat, but rowed again back to the Sloop, and took away the Sails, +and several other Things. They also carried away with them three of the +Hands, _viz._ _Richard Connor_ the Mate, _John Davis_, and _John Howel_, +but rejected _David Soward_ the fourth Hand, tho' he had been an old +experienced Pyrate, because he was lame, and disabled by a Wound he had +formerly received. + +When they had done thus much, they cut down the Main-Mast, and towing +the Vessel into deep Water, sunk her, having first put _David Soward_ +into a Boat to shift for himself; he made Shift to get ashore, and after +some Time, having found out _Turnley_, he told him, that _Rackam_ and +_Mary Stead_ were determined, if they could have found him, to have +whipp'd him to Death, as he heard them vow with many bitter Oaths and +Imprecations; for whipping was the Punishment the Governor had +threatened her with by his Information. + +From thence they stretch'd over to the _Bury Islands_, plundering all +the Sloops they met, and strengthening their Company with several +additional Hands, and so went on till they were taken and executed at +_Port Royal_, as has been told in the first Volume. + +About this Time, the Governor, in Conjunction with some Factors then +residing at _Providence_, thought fit to freight some Vessels for a +trading Voyage; accordingly the _Batchelor_'s _Adventure_, a Schooner, +Captain _Henry White_, Commander; the _Lancaster Sloop_, Captain +_William Greenway_, Commander; the _May Sloop_, Captain _John Augur_, +Commander, of which last _David Soward_ was Owner, (it having been given +him by some Pyrates his former Associates) in which he also sail'd this +Voyage, were fitted out with a Cargo of Goods and Merchandizes, bound +for _Port Prince_ on the Island of _Cuba_. + +The Governor thought it adviseable, for the Benefit of the Inhabitants +of _Providence_, to settle a Correspondence with some Merchants at _Port +Prince_, first, in order to procure fresh Provisions, there being scarce +any upon the Island at the Governor's first Arrival; and there being at +_Port Prince_ great Plenty of Cows and Hogs, he proposed to get a +sufficient Number of each, to stock the Island for Breed, that the +People for the future might have fresh Provision of their own. + +They set Sail on _Sunday_ the fifth of _October_, 1718; the next Day +they arrived at an Island known by the Name of _Green Key_, lying South, +South-East from _Providence_, in the Degree of 23 and 40 North Latitude, +being distance about twenty five Leagues; they cast Anchor, in order to +wait for Morning to carry them thro' some Rocks and Shoals which lay in +their Way, and some went ashore to try to kill something for Supper, +before it should be dark; they expected to meet some wild Hogs, for, +some Time before, one _Joseph Bay_ and one _Sims_, put two Sows and a +Boar into the said Island; for they living at that Time at _Providence_, +and being continually visited by Pyrates, were always plundered of all +their fresh Provisions; wherefore, they thought of settling a Breed upon +_Green Key_, that they might have Recourse to in Time of Necessity. + +This Island is about nine Miles in Circumference, and about three Miles +broad in the widest Place; it is overgrown with wild Cabbage and Palmuta +Trees, and great Variety of other Herbs and Fruits, so that there is +Plenty of Food for the Nourishment of such Animals; but the Trees lying +so close together, makes it but bad Hunting, so that they kill'd but one +Hog, which, however was of a monstrous Size. + +The Hunters returned on Board their Ships again before Seven, having +first divided the Hog, and sent part on Board each Vessel for Supper +that Night. After Supper, Captain _Greenway_ and Captain _White_ came on +Board of Captain _Augur_'s Sloop, in order to consult together, what +Time to sail, and being all of Opinion, that if they weigh'd Anchor +betwixt the Hours of ten and eleven, it would be Day before they would +come up with the Shoals; they agreed upon that Hour for setting Sail, +and so return'd to their own Vessels. + +Soon after, _Phineas Bunch_, and _Dennis Macarty_, with a great many +others, came from _White_'s Sloop on Board of _Augur_'s; their Pretence +was, that they came to see _Richard Turnley_ and Mr. _James Carr_, who +had formerly been a Midshipman in the _Rose_ Man of War under Captain +_Whitney_, and being a great Favourite of Governor _Rogers_, he had +appointed him Supercargo this Voyage. They desired to be treated with a +Bottle of Beer, for they knew Mr. _Car_ had some that was very good in +his Care, which had been put on Board, in order to make Presents of, and +to treat the _Spanish_ Merchants with. + +As it was not suspected they had any Thing else in View, Mr. _Carr_ +readily went down, and brought up a Couple of Bottles of Beer: They sat +upon the Poop with Captain _Augur_ in their Company, and were drinking +their Beer; before the second Bottle was out, _Bunch_ and _Macarty_ +began to rattle, and talk with great Pleasure, and much boasting of +their former Exploits when they had been Pyrates, crying up a Pyrate's +Life to be the only Life for a Man of any Spirit. While they were +running on in this Manner, _Bunch_ on a sudden started up, and swore +damn him, he would be Captain of that Vessel; _Augur_ answered him the +Vessel did not want a Captain, for he was able to command her himself, +which seem'd to put an End to the Discourse for that Time. + +Soon after, _Bunch_ began to tell what bright Arms they had on Board +their Sloop; upon which, one of _Augur_'s Men handed up some of their +Cutlashes which had been clean'd that Day; among them was Mr. _Carr_'s +Silver-hilted Sword; _Bunch_ seem'd to admire the Sword, and ask'd whose +it was; Mr. _Carr_ made Answer it belong'd to him; _Bunch_ replied it +was a very handsome one, and drawing it out, march'd about the Poop, +flourishing it over his Head, and telling Mr. _Carr_ he would return it +to him as soon as he had done with it: At the same Time he began to +vapour again, and to brag of his former Pyracies, and coming near Mr. +_Carr_, struck him with the Sword; _Turnley_ bid him take Care of what +he did, for that Mr. _Carr_ would not take such Usage. + +As they were disputing upon this Matter, _Dennis Macarty_ stole off, and +with some of his Associates seiz'd upon the great Cabin where all the +Arms lay: At the same Time several of the Men, began to sing a Song, +with these Words, _Did not you promise me, that you would marry me_ +(which it seems was the Signal agreed upon among the Conspirators for +seizing the Ship) _Bunch_ no sooner heard them, but he cried out aloud +by G--d that will I, for I am Parson, and struck Mr. _Carr_ again +several Blows with his own Sword; Mr. _Carr_ and _Turnley_ both seiz'd +him, and they began to struggle, when _Dennis Macarty_, with several +others, return'd from the Cabin with each a Cutlash in one Hand, and a +loaded Pistol in the other, and running up to them said, _What do the +Governor's Dogs offer to resist?_ And beating _Turnley_ and _Carr_ with +their Cutlashes, threaten'd to shoot them: At the same Time firing their +Pistols close to their Cheeks, upon which _Turnley_ and _Carr_ begg'd +their Lives. + +When they were thus in Possession of the Vessel, they haled Captain +_Greenway_, and desired him to come on Board about earnest Business: He, +knowing nothing of what had pass'd, takes his Boat, and only with two +Hands rows on Board of them; as soon as he was come, _Dennis Macarty_ +leads him into the Cabin, and, as soon as he was there, lays hold of +him, telling him he was now a Prisoner, and must submit: He offered to +make some Resistance; upon which, they told him all Resistance would be +vain, for his own Men were in the Plot; and, indeed, he saw the two +Hands which row'd him aboard now armed, and joining with the +Conspirators; wherefore he thought it was Time to submit. + +As soon as this was done, they sent some Hands on Board to seize his +Sloop, or rather to acquaint his Men with what had been done, for they +expected to meet with no Resistance, many of them being in the Plot, and +the rest, they supposed, not very averse to it: After which, they +decoy'd Captain _White_ on Board, by the same Stratagem they used to +_Greenway_, and likewise sent on Board his Sloop, and found his Men, one +and all, well disposed for the Design; and what was most remarkable was, +that Captain _Augur_ seeing how Things were going, joined with them, +shewing himself as well inclined for pyrating as the worst of them. + +Thus they made themselves Masters of the three Vessels with very little +Trouble. The next Thing to be done was to resolve how to dispose of +those who were not of their Party; some were for killing _John Turnley_, +but the Majority carried it for marrooning, that he might be starved, +and die like a Dog, as they called it; their great Spleen to him was, +because he was the Person who had piloted the Governor into +_Providence_. + +Accordingly _Turnley_, with _John Carr_, _Thomas Rich_, and some others, +were stripp'd naked, and tumbled over the Vessel's Side into a Boat +which lay alongside; the Oars were all taken out, and they left them +nothing to work themselves ashore with but an old Paddle, which, at +other Times serv'd to steer the Boat, and so they commanded them to be +gone.--However, they made shift to get safe ashore to the Island, which, +as we observed before, was quite uninhabited. + +The next Morning _Dennis Macarty_, with several others, went on Shore, +and told them they must come on Board again, and they would give them +some Clothes to put on. They fancied the Pyrates began to repent of the +hard Usage they had given them, and were willing to return upon such an +Errand; but when they got on Board again, they found their Opinion of +the Pyrates good Nature was very ill grounded, for they began with +beating them, and did it as if it were in Sport, one having a +Boatswain's Pipe, the rest beating them till he piped _Belay_. + +The true Design of bringing them on Board again was to make them +discover where some Things lay, which they could not readily find, as +particularly Mr. _Carr_'s Watch and Silver Snuff-Box; but he was soon +obliged to inform them in what Corner of the Cabin they lay, and there +they were found, with some Journals and other Books, which they knew how +to make no other Use of, but by turning into Cartridges.--Then they +began to question _Thomas Rich_ about a Gold Watch which had once been +seen in his Possession on Shore at _Providence_; but he protested that +it belonged to Captain _Gale_, who was Commander of the Guard-Ship +called the _Delicia_, to which he then belonged; but his Protestations +would have availed him little, had it not been that some on Board who +belonged also to the _Delicia_ knew it to be true, which put an End to +his Beating; and so they were all discharged from their Punishment for +the present. + +Some Time after, fancying the Pyrates to be in better Humour, they +begg'd for something to eat, for they had none of them had any +Nourishment that Day or the Night before; but all the Answer they +received was, that such Dogs should not ask such Questions: In the mean +Time, some of the Pyrates were very busy endeavouring to persuade +Captain _Greenway_ to engage with them, for they knew him to be an +excellent Artist, but he was obstinate and would not; then it was +proposed what should be done with him, and the Word went for marrooning, +which was opposed by some, because he was a _Bermudian_, meaning, that +he might perhaps swim away, or swim on board his Vessel again, for the +_Bermudians_ are all excellent Swimmers; but as he represented, that he +could not hurt them by his Swimming, he obtain'd the Favour for himself +and the other Officers, to be set ashore with _Turnley_, _Carr_, and +_Rich_. Accordingly they were put into the same Boat without Oars, to +the Number of eight, and were ordered to make the best of their Way on +Shore. + +The Pyrates, the next Day, having examined all their Vessels, and +finding that _Greenway_'s Sloop was not fit for their Purpose, shifted +every Thing out of it; those that were sent on Shore could see from +thence what they were doing, and when they saw them row off, _Greenway_ +swam on Board the Sloop, it is likely, to see whether they had left any +Thing behind them. They perceiv'd him, and fancied, he repented his +refusing to join with them, and was come to do it now; wherefore some of +them return'd back to the Sloop, to speak to him, but they found him of +the same Opinion he was in before; however he wheedled them into so much +good Humour, that they told him he might have his Sloop again, in which, +indeed, they had left nothing except an old Main-Sail, and old +Fore-Sail, four small Pieces of _Irish_ Beef, in an old Beef Barrel, and +about twenty Biscuits, with a broken Bucket which was used to draw Water +in, telling him that he and the rest must not go on Board till they were +sail'd. + +_Greenway_ swam ashore again to give Notice to his Brothers in Distress, +of what had pass'd; the same Afternoon _Bunch_ with several others went +on Shore, carrying with them six Bottles of Wine and some Biscuits. +Whether this was done to tempt _Greenway_ again, or no, is hard to say; +for tho' they talk'd to him a great Deal, they drank all the Wine +themselves to the last Bottle, and then they gave each of the poor +Creatures a Glass a-piece, with a Bit of Biscuit, and immediately after +fell a beating them, and so went on Board. + +While they were on Shore, there came in a Turtle which belong'd to one +_Thomas Bennet_ of _Providence_, whereof one _Benjamin Hutchins_ was +Master; they soon laid hold of her, for she went excellently well; +_Hutchins_ was reputed an extraordinary good Pilot among those Islands, +wherefore they tempted him to engage with them; at first he refused, but +rather than be maroon'd, he afterwards consented. + +It was now the ninth of _October_, and they were just preparing to sail, +when they sent on Shore, ordering the _condemn'd Malefactors_ to come on +Board of the _Lancaster_, that was _Greenway_'s Sloop; they did so in +the little Boat they went on Shore in, by the Help of the same Paddle; +they found several of the Pyrates there, who told them that they gave +them that Sloop to return to _Providence_, tho' they let them have no +more Stores, than what were named before; they bad them take the +Fore-Sail, and bend it for a Gib, and furl it close down to the +Boltsprit, and to furl the Main-Sail close up upon the Boom: They did as +they were order'd, for they knew there was no disputing whether it was +right or wrong. + +Soon after, another Detachment came on Board, among which were _Bunch_ +and _Dennis Macarty_, who being either mad or drunk, fell upon them, +beating them, and cutting the Rigging and Sails to Pieces with their +Cutlashes and commanding them not to sail, till they should hear from +them again, cursing and damning, if they did, they would put them all to +Death, if ever they met them again; and so they went off, carrying with +them the Boat, which they sent them first ashore in, and sail'd away. + +They left them in this miserable Condition without Tackle to go their +Voyage, and without a Boat to get on Shore, and having Nothing in View +but to perish for Want; but as Self-Preservation put them upon exerting +themselves, in Order to get out of this deplorable State, they began to +rummage and search the Vessel thro' every Hole and Corner, to see if +nothing was left which might be of use to them; and it happen'd by +Chance that they found an old Hatchet, with which they cut some Sticks +sharp to serve for Marlenspikes; they also cut out several other Things, +to serve instead of such Tools as are absolutely necessary on Board a +Ship. + +When they had proceeded thus far, every Man began to work as hard as he +could; they cut a Piece of Cable, which they strung into Rope Yarns, and +fell to mend their Sails with all possible Expedition; they also made a +Kind of Fishing-Lines of the said Rope-Yarns, and bent some Nails +crooked to serve for Hooks; but as they were destitute of a Boat, as +well for the Use of Fishing as for going on Shore, they resolved to make +a Bark Log, that is, to lay two or three Logs together, and tie them +close, upon which two or three Men may sit very safely in smooth Water. + +As soon as this was done, some Hands went on Shore, upon one of the said +Logs (for they made two of them) who employ'd themselves in cutting wild +Cabbage, gathering Berries, and a Fruit which the Seamen call Pricklie +Pears, for Food, while some others went a Fishing upon another.--Those +who went ashore also carried the old Bucket with them, so that whilst +some were busy in gathering Things to serve for Provision, one Hand was +constantly employ'd, in bringing fresh Water aboard in the said Bucket, +which was tedious Work, considering how little could be brought at a +Time, and that the Sloop lay near a Mile from the Shore. + +When they had employ'd themselves thus, for about four or five Days, +they brought their Sails and Tackle into such Order, having also a +little Water, Cabbage, and other Things on Board, that they thought it +was Time to venture to sail; accordingly they weigh'd their Anchor, and +putting out all the Sail they had, got out to the Harbour's Mouth, when +to their great Terror and Surprize, they saw the Pyrates coming in +again. + +They were much frighten'd at the Pyrates unexpected Return, because of +the Threatnings they had used to them at parting, not to sail without +further Orders; wherefore they tack'd about, and ran as close into the +Shore as they could, then throwing out their Bark Logs, they all put +themselves upon them, and made to Land, as fast as they could work; but +before they quite reach'd it, the Pyrates got so near that they fired at +them, but were too far to do Execution; however, they pursued them +ashore; the poor Fugitives immediately took to the Woods, and for +greater Security climb'd up some Trees, whose Branches were very thick, +and by that Means concealed themselves. The Pyrates not finding them, +soon return'd to their Boat, and row'd on board the deserted Sloop, +whose Mast and Boltsprit they cut away, and towing her into deep Water, +sunk her; after which, they made again for the Shore, thinking that the +Fugitives would have been come out of their lurking Holes, and that they +should surprize them; but they continued still on the Tops of their +Trees and saw all that pass'd, and therefore thought it safest to keep +their Posts. + +The Pyrates not finding them, return'd to their Vessels, and weighing +their Anchors, set sail, steering Eastward: In the mean time, the poor +Fugitives were in Despair, for seeing their Vessel sunk, they had scarce +any Hopes left of escaping the Danger of perishing upon that uninhabited +Island; there they lived eight Days, feeding upon Berries, and +Shell-Fish, such as Cockles and Perriwinckles, sometimes catching a +Stingrey, a Fish resembling Mead or Thornback, which coming into Shoal +Water, they could wade near them, and by the Help of a Stick sharpen'd +at the End, which they did by rubbing it against the Rock, (for they had +not a Knife left amongst them) they stuck them as if it had been with a +Spear. + +It must be observed, that they had no Means of striking a Fire, and +therefore their Way of dressing this Fish was, by dipping it often in +Salt Water, then laying it in the Sun, till it became both hard and dry, +and then they eat it. + +After passing eight Days in this Manner, the Pyrates return'd, and saw +the poor Fugitives ashore, who according to Custom made to the Woods; +but their Hearts began to relent towards them, and sending ashore, they +ordered a Man to go into the Woods single, to call out to them, and +promise them upon their Honour, if they would appear, that they would +give them Victuals and Drink, and not use them ill any more. + +These Promises, and the Hunger which pinch'd them, tempted them to come +forth, and accordingly they went on Board with them, and they were as +good as their Words, for they gave them as much Beef and Biscuit as they +could eat, during two or three Days they were on Board, but would not +give them a Bit to carry on Shore; they also gave them three or four +Blankets amongst them, to cover their Nakedness (for as we observed, +they were quite naked) and let them have some Needles and Thread, to +make them into some Form. + +There was on Board one _George Redding_, an Inhabitant of _Providence_, +who was taken out of the _Turtle Sloop_, and who was a forced Man, being +an Acquaintance of _Richard Turnley_, and knowing, that he was resolved +to go ashore again, rather than engage with the Pyrates, and hearing him +say, that they could find Food to keep them alive, if they had but Fire +to dress it, privately gave him a Tinder-Box, with Materials in it for +striking Fire, which, in his Circumstances, was a greater Present than +Gold or Jewels. + +Soon after, the Pyrates put the Question to them, whether they would +engage, or be put ashore? And they all agreed upon the latter: Upon +which a Debate arose amongst the Pyrates, whether they should comply +with their Request or no? And at length it was agreed, that _Greenway_ +and the other two Masters should be kept whether they would or no: And +the rest, being five in Number, should be as the Pyrates express'd it, +have a second Refreshment of the Varieties of the Island. + +Accordingly _Richard Turnley_, _James Carr_, _Thomas Rich_, _John Cox_, +and _John Taylor_, were a second Time marooned, and the Pyrates as soon +as they landed them, sail'd off, steering Eastward, till they came to an +Island call'd _Pudden Point_, near _Long-Island_ in the Latitude of 24, +where they cleaned their Vessels. + +In the mean Time _Turnley_ and his Companions made a much better Shift +than they had done before, his Friend _George Redding_'s Present being +of infinite Use to them, for they constantly kept a good Fire, with +which they broil'd their Fish; there were Plenty of Land Crabs and +Snakes in the Island, which they could eat when they were dress'd, and +thus they pass'd fourteen Days: At the End of which, the Pyrates made +them another Visit, and they according to Custom made for the Woods, +thinking that the Reason of their Return must be, in order to force them +to serve amongst them. + +But here they were mistaken, for the Anger of these Fellows being over, +they began to pity them, and came now with a Design to succour them; but +going ashore, and not finding them, they knew they were hid for Fear: +Nevertheless, they left upon the Shore, where they knew they would come, +some Stores which they intended in this Fit of good Humour to present +them with. + +The poor Islanders were got to their Retreat, the Tops of the Trees, and +saw the Pyrates go off; upon which they ventured down, and going to the +Water-side, were agreeably surprized to find a small Cask of Flower, of +betwixt twenty and thirty Pounds, about a Bushel of Salt, two Bottles of +Gunpowder, several Bullets, besides a Quantity of small Shot, with a +Couple of Musquets, a very good Axe, and also a Pot and a Pan, and three +Dogs, which they took in the _Turtle Sloop_; which Dogs are bred to +Hunting, and generally the Sloops which go Turtling, carry some of them, +as they are very useful in tracing out the wild Hogs; besides all these, +there were a dozen Horn-handled Knives, of that Sort which are usually +carried to _Guiney_. + +They carried all these Things into the Wood, to that Part where they had +their fresh Water, and where they usually kept, and immediately went to +work with their Axe; some cutting down Bows, and making Poles, so that +four of them were employ'd in building a Hut, while _Richard Turnley_ +taking the Dogs and a Gun, went a hunting, he understanding that Sport +very well. He had not been gone long before he kill'd a large Boar, +which he brought home to his Companions, who fell to cutting it up, and +some they dress'd for their Dinner, and the rest they salted, for +another Time. + +Thus they lived, as they thought, very happy, in respect to their former +Condition; but after four Days, the Pyrates made them another Visit, for +they wanted to fill some Casks with Water: It happen'd when they came +in, that _Turnley_ was gone a Hunting, and the rest all busy at some +Work, so that they did not see them, till they just came into the Wood +upon them; seeing the Hut, one of them in Wantonness set it on Fire, and +it was burnt to the Ground; and they appear'd inclined to do Mischief, +when _Richard Turnley_ knowing nothing of the Matter, happened to return +from Hunting, with a fine Hog upon his Back, as much as he could carry; +he was immediately surrounded by the Pyrates, who seized upon the fresh +Meat, and which seemed to put them into better Humour, they made +_Richard Cox_ carry it down to their Boat, and when he had done, they +gave him a Bottle of Rum to carry back to his Companions to drink their +Healths, telling him, that they might get home if they could, or if they +staid there, they never would trouble them any more. + +They were, indeed, as good as their Words, for sailing away immediately, +they made for _Long Island_, and coming up toward the Salt Ponds there, +they saw at a Distance in the Harbour, three Vessels at an Anchor, and +supposing them to be either _Bermudas_ or _New-York_ Sloops lying there +to take in Salt, they bore down upon them with all the Sail they could +make, expecting a good Booty. The _Turtle Sloop_ taken from _Benjamin +Hutchins_, was by much the best Sailor; however, it was almost dark +before she came up with them, and then coming close alongside of one of +them, she gave a Broadside, with a Design to board the next Minute, but +received such a Volley of small Shot in return, as killed and wounded a +great many of the Pyrates, and the rest, in great Surprize and Fright, +jumped overboard, to save themselves by swimming ashore. + +The Truth on't is, these Sloops proved to be _Spanish_ Privateers, who +observing the Pyrates to bear down upon them, prepared themselves for +Action: The Commander in Chief of these three Privateers was one who was +called by the Name of _Turn Joe_, because he had once privateer'd on the +_English_ Side; he had also been a Pyrate, and now acted by Vertue of a +Commission from a _Spanish_ Governor. He was by Birth an _Irishman_, a +bold enterprising Fellow, and was afterwards killed in an Engagement +with one _John Bonnavee_, Captain of Privateer belonging to _Jamaica_. + +But to return to our Story: The Sloop was taken, and on board her was +found, desperately wounded _Phineas Bunch_, who was the Captain.--By and +by a second of the Pyrate Sloops came up; she heard the Volley, and +supposed it to be fired by _Bunch_, when he boarded one of the Sloops; +she came also alongside of one of the _Spaniards_, and received the +Welcome that was given to _Bunch_, and submitted as soon. A little +after, came up the third, which was taken with the same Ease, and in the +same Manner, as many of the Pyrates as could swim, jumping over board to +save themselves on Shore, there not being a Man lost on the Side of the +_Spaniards_. + +The next Day _Turn Joe_ asked them many Questions, and finding out that +several amongst them had been forc'd Men, he, with the Consent of the +other _Spanish_ Officers, ordered all the Goods to be taken out of a +_Spanish_ Launce, and putting some of the wounded Pyrates into the said +Launce, with some Provision, Water, and other Liquors, gave it to the +forced Men, to carry them to _Providence_. + +Accordingly _George Redding_, _Thomas Betty_, _Matthew Betty_, _Benjamin +Hutchins_, with some others, set Sail, and in eight and forty Hours +arrived in the Harbour of _Providence_. + +They went on Shore immediately, and acquainted the Governor with every +Thing that had pass'd, from the Time of their setting out, acquainting +him, that _Phineas Bunch_, who was one of the chief Authors of all the +Mischief, was on board the _Launce_; the Governor, with some others, +went and examined him, and he confessed all, wherefore there was no +Occasion for a Trial; and as he had been pardoned before, and it was +necessary to make some speedy Example, it was resolved that he should be +executed the next Day, but it was prevented by his dying that Night of +his Wounds. + +They also informed the Governor of the Condition of _Turnley_, _Car_, +and the rest, who were marooned by the Pyrates upon _Green Key_ Island; +upon which the Governor sent for one _John Sims_, a Molotto Man, who had +a two Mast Boat in the Harbour of _Providence_, very fit for sailing; +and laying some Provisions into the said Boat, ordered him to get five +or six Hands, and to sail for _Green Key_, in order to bring off the +five Men there marooned. + +_Sims_ accordingly made the best of his Way, and sailing out in the +Morning, arrived at _Green Key_ the next Day towards Evening. The poor +People on Shore saw them, and supposing them to be some of the Pyrates +returned, thought it best to take to the Wood and hide, not knowing what +Humour they might be in now. + +_Sims_ and his Ship-Mates carried some Provision on Shore, not knowing +but they might want, and searched about, and calling out to them by +their Names. After wandering about some Time, they came to the Place +where the Fire was constantly kept; at perceiving which, they fancied +they must be thereabouts, and that it would be best to wait for them +there, and accordingly they sat them down, laying the Provisions near +them. _Turnley_, who was climbed to the Top of a Tree just by, saw them, +and observed their Motions, and fancied they were no Enemies who were +bringing them Provisions, and, looking more earnestly, he knew _Sims_ +the Molotto, whom he was very well acquainted with at _Providence_; upon +which he called him, who desired him to come down, telling him the +comfortable News, that he was come to the Relief of him and his +Companions. + +_Turnley_ made what Haste he could to the Bottom, and as soon as he was +down, summoned his Companions, who were climbed to the Top of some +neighbouring Trees, being in Haste to communicate the glad Tidings to +them; being all together, the Molotto related to them the History of +what had happened to the Pyrates. + +That Night they supped comfortably together upon the Provision brought +ashore; but so strange an Effect has Joy, that scarce one of them slept +a Wink that Night, as they declared. The next Day they agreed to go a +Hunting, in order to get something fresh to carry off with them, and +were so successful, that they killed three fine Hogs. When they +return'd, they made the best of their Way on Board, carrying with them +all their Utensils, and set Sail for _Providence_, whither they arrived +in three Days; it being now just seven Weeks from the Time of their +being first set on Shore by the Pyrates. + +The Governor, in the mean Time, was fitting out a Sloop to send for +_Long Island_, in order to take those Pyrates who had saved themselves +near the Salt Ponds there, which Sloop was now ready to sail, and put +under the Command of _Benjamin Horneygold_; _Turnley_ and his Companions +embarked on Board of her, and Care was taken to get as many Men as they +could, who were entire Strangers to the Pyrates. + +When they arrived at the said Island, they run in pretty near the Shore, +keeping but few Hands on Deck, that it might look like a trading Vessel, +and those Men that were quite unknown to the Pyrates. + +The Pyrates seeing them, came only two or three of them near the Shore, +the rest lying in Ambush, not without Hopes of finding an Opportunity to +seize the Sloop. The Sloop sent her Boat out towards the Shore, with +Orders to lie off at a little Distance, as if she was afraid: Those in +Ambush seeing the Boat so near, had not Patience to stay any longer, but +flocked to the Water Side, calling out to them to come on Shore, and +help them, for they were poor Ship-wreck'd Men, almost perish'd for +Want. Upon which the Boat row'd back again to the Sloop. + +Upon second Thoughts they sent her off again with two Bottles of Wine, a +Bottle of Rum, and some Biscuits, and sent another Man, who was a +Stranger to those ashore, with Orders to pass for Master of the Vessel. +As soon as they approach'd them, the Pyrates call'd to them as before, +begging them, for God's sake to come on Shore; they did so, and gave +them the Biscuit, Wine and Rum, which he said he brought ashore on +purpose to comfort them, because his Men told him they were cast away. +They were very inquisitive to know where he was bound; he told them, to +_New-York_, and that he came in there to take in Salt: They earnestly +intreated him to take them on Board, and carry them as Passengers to +_New-York_; they being about sixteen in Number, he answered, he was +afraid he had not Provision sufficient for so great a Number; but that +he would go on Board and over-hall his Provision, and, if they pleased, +some of them might go with him, and see how his Stock stood, that at +least he would carry some of them, and leave some Refreshment for the +rest, till they could be succoured another Way, but that he hoped they +would make him some Recompence when they should arrive at _New York_. + +They seemed wonderfully pleased with his Proposal, and promised to make +him ample Satisfaction for all the Charges he should be at, pretending +to have good Friends and considerable Effects in several Parts of +_America_. Accordingly he took several of them with him in the Boat, and +as soon as they got on Board, he invited them into the Cabin, where, to +their Surprize, they saw _Benjamin Horneygold_, formerly a Brother +Pyrate; but what astonished them more, was to see _Richard Turnley_, +whom they had lately marooned upon _Green Key_; they were immediately +surrounded by several with Pistols in their Hands, and clapped in Irons. + +As soon as this was over, the Boat went on Shore again, and those in the +Boat told the Pyrates, that the Captain would venture to carry them with +what Provision he had; at which they appeared much rejoyced, and so the +rest were brought on Board, and without much Trouble clapped in Irons, +as well as their Companions. + +The Sloop had nothing more to do, and therefore set Sail, and reaching +_Providence_, delivered the Pyrates all Prisoners into the Fort: A Court +of Admiralty was immediately called, and they were all tried, and ten +received Sentence of Death; the other six were acquitted, it appearing +that they were forced. The following nine were executed in the Manner +described in the first Volume, _John Augur_, _William Cunningham_, +_Dennis Macarty_, _William Lewis_, _Thomas Morris_, _George Bendal_, +_William Morris_, _George Bendal_, _William Ling_, and _George Rogers_. +_George Rounsavil_ was reprieved after he had been tied up, and just +going to be cast off, and was brought down to see the Execution of the +rest. + +But we cannot quit this Story without taking Notice of the Fate of this +_George Rounsavil_. He work'd for some Time ashore for his living, but +afterwards ingaged himself with Captain _Burghess_, a pardoned Pyrate, +who had received a Commission to go a privateering. It happened they +were driven upon the Rocks to the Southward of _Green Key_ Island, and +there they were beat to pieces; this _Rounsavil_, with five others, upon +the first Shock, stept into the Canoe, and were going off, when +_Burghess_ standing upon the Poop of his Vessel, call'd out to him, +saying, _Will you go away and leave me to perish in this Manner_. +_Rounsavil_ begg'd his Companions to put back, and take him in; but they +answered, that the rest would be as willing to save themselves as he, +and of Consequence, so many would crowd into the Canoe as would sink it, +wherefore they would not venture it; upon which he jump'd into the +Water, and swam to the Vessel, and there perished with his Friend since +he could not save him. + + + _Of Captain_ TEACH. + +We shall add here a few Particulars (not mentioned in our first Volume) +of the famous _Blackbeard_, relating to his taking the South _Carolina_ +Ships, and insulting that Colony. This was at the Time that the Pyrates +had obtained such an Acquisition of Strength, that they were in no +Concern about preserving themselves from the Justice of Laws, but of +advancing their Power, and maintaining their Sovereignty, not over the +Seas only, but to stretch their Dominions to the Plantations themselves, +and the Governors thereof, insomuch that when their Prisoners came +aboard their Captors Ships, the Pyrates freely own'd their Acquaintance +with them, and never endeavour'd to conceal their Names, or Habitations, +as if they had been Inhabitants of a legal Commonwealth, and were +resolved to treat with all the World on the Foot of a free State; and +all judicial Acts went in the Name of _Teach_, under the Title of +Commodore. + +All the _Carolina_ Prisoners were lodg'd aboard the Commodore's Ship, +after being strictly examin'd concerning the Lading of their Vessels, +and the Number and Condition of other Traders in the Harbour; when they +thought they would sail, and whither bound: And the Enquiry was so +solemnly carried on, that the Pyrates swore, that it should be Death for +that Man that told a Lye, or otherwise shifted or evaded in his Answers. +At the same Time all their Papers were perused with the same Diligence +as though it had been at the Secretary's Office here in _England_. When +this Business was gone through, Word was given, that all the Prisoners +should be immediately turn'd aboard their own Ship, out of which they +had already taken their Provisions and Stores. This was done with that +Hurry and Precipitation, that it struck a great Terror in the +unfortunate People, verily believing they were then going to their +Destruction; and what seem'd to confirm them in this Notion was, that no +Regard was had to the Qualities of the Prisoners, but Merchants, +Gentlemen of Rank, and even a Child of Mr. _Wragg_'s, were thrust aboard +in a tumultuous and confus'd Manner, and lock'd all under the Hatches, +where not so much as one Pyrate stay'd amongst them. + +In this melancholly Situation were these innocent People left, bewailing +their Condition for several Hours, expecting every Moment that pass'd +either that a Match would be laid to a Train to blow them up, or that +the Ship was to be set on Fire, or sunk; no Body could tell which, but +every one supposed they were, one Way or other, destin'd for a Sacrifice +to their brutal Humours. + +But, at length, a Gleam of Light shot in upon them, that recover'd their +drooping Souls; the Hatches were unlaid, and they were immediately +order'd back on board the Commodore: They began then to think the +Pyrates had changed their savage Resolution; and that God had inspired +them with Sentiments less shocking to Nature and Humanity, and they went +aboard, as it were, with new Life. The Chief of them were brought before +_Blackbeard_, the Pyrates General, who acquainted them with the Occasion +of that extraordinary Procedure; and that they were only put out of the +Way while a general Council was held, at which Time they suffer'd no +Prisoner to be present. He told them, the Company was in want of +Medicines, and must be supply'd from the Province; that their first +Surgeon had drawn up a Catalogue, which he would send to the Governor +and Council, by two of his own Officers, for whose safe Return, as well +as for the Chest it self, they had come to a Resolution of keeping all +the Prisoners as Hostages, who would all be put to Death, if such their +Demands were not comply'd with punctually. + +Mr. _Wragg_ answer'd, that, perhaps, it might not be in their Power to +comply with every Part of it; and, he fear'd, that some certain Drugs in +the Surgeon's List, were not to be had in the Province; and, if it +should prove so, he hop'd they would be contented to have that Want made +up by substituting something else in the Place. He likewise proposed, +that one of them might go with the two Gentlemen that were to be sent on +the Embassy, who might truly represent the Danger they were in, and +induce them more readily to submit, in order to save the Lives of so +many of the King's Subjects; and further, to prevent any Insult from the +common People, (for whose Conduct, on such an Occasion, they could not +answer) on the Persons of his Envoys. + +His Excellency _Blackbeard_ thought this Advice reasonable, and +therefore call'd another Council, who likewise approv'd of the +Amendment; thereupon Mr. _Wragg_, who was the first in Authority, and +known to be a Man of good Understanding among the _Carolinians_, was +offer'd, and the Gentleman, himself, was willing to leave a young Son in +the Hands of the Pyrates, till he should return, which he promis'd to +do, though the Government should refuse the Terms of their Releasement: +But _Blackbeard_ positively deny'd this Request, saying, he knew too +well of what consequence he was in the _Provence_, and he would be +equally so to them, and therefore he should be the last Man they would +part with. + +After some Debate, Mr. _Marks_ was agreed upon to accompany the +Ambassadors, and accordingly they went off from the Fleet in a Canoe, +and two Days were appointed for their Return; in the mean while the +Commadore lay too at five or six Leagues Distance from the Land, +expecting the Conditions of Peace; but the Time expiring, and nothing +appearing from the Harbour, Mr. _Wragg_ was sent for up before _Teach_, +who putting on a terrible Countenance, told him, they were not to be +trifled with, that he imagined some foul Treachery was play'd them, and +that nothing but immediate Death to them all should be the Consequence +of it. Mr. _Wragg_ begg'd to respite the dreadful Execution one Day +longer, for, that he was sure, the Province regarded their Lives so +much, that they would be sollicitous to the last Degree to redeem them; +that, perhaps, some Misfortune might have befallen the Canoe in going +in, or it might be their own Men that occasioned the Delay, for either +of which it would be hard for them to suffer. + +_Teach_ was pacified for the present, and allow'd a Day more for their +coming back; but at the End of that Time, how was he enraged to find +himself disappointed, calling them Villains a thousand Times, and +swearing, they should not live two Hours. Mr. _Wragg_, humour'd him all +he could, and desired a good Look-out should be kept. Matters seem'd now +to be coming to Extremities, and no Body thought their Lives worth a +Day's Purchase; the innocent People were under great Agonies of Mind, +expecting that nothing but a Miracle could preserve them from being +crush'd by the Weight of the Enemy's Power, when Word was given from the +Forecastle, that a small Boat appear'd in Sight. This raised their +drooping Spirits, and reviv'd their Hopes; _Blackbeard_ went forward +himself with his Spying-Glass, and declared he could perceive his own +Scarlet Cloak he lent Mr. _Marks_ to go ashore in; this was thought to +be a sure Reprieve, till the Boat came aboard, and then their Fears +returned, seeing neither the Pyrates, Mr. _Marks_, nor the Chest of +Medicines in the Boat. + +This Boat, it seems, was sent off by Mr. _Marks_ very discreetly, lest a +Misconstruction should be put upon the Stay, that an unfortunate +Accident had occasioned, and which the Men that belong'd to her +acquainted the Commodore of, _viz._ That the Boat they had sent ashore +was cast away, being overset by a sudden Squall of Wind, and the Men +with great Trouble had got ashore at the uninhabited Island of ...... +three or four Leagues from the Main, that having staid there some time +till reduced to Extremity, there being no Provision of any Kind, and +fearing what Disaster might befal the Prisoners aboard; the Persons +belonging to their Company, set Mr. _Marks_ upon a Hatch, and floated it +upon the Sea, after which, they stripp'd and flung themselves in, and +swiming after it, and thrust the Float forward, endeavouring, by that +means, to get to Town. This prov'd a very tedious Voiture, and in all +Likelihood they had perished, had not this Fishing Boat sail'd by in the +Morning, and perceiving something in the Water, made to it, and took +them in, when they were near spent with their Labour. + +When they were thus providentially preserv'd, Mr. _Marks_ went into +...... and there hired a Boat which carried them to _Charles Town_; in +the mean time he had sent this Boat to give them an Account of the +Accident. Mr. _Teach_ was pacified with this Relation, and consented to +stay two Days longer, since there appeared no Fault of theirs in causing +this Delay. At the End of two Days, they lost all Patience, and the +Commodore could not be prevail'd on to give them any longer Time than +the next Morning to live, if the Boat did not return by that Time. Still +expecting and still disappointed, the Gentlemen knew not what to say, +nor how to excuse their Friends at Land; some of them told the Pyrates, +that they had equal Reason with them to blame their Conduct; that they +doubted not, by what had already happen'd, of Mr. _Mark_'s doing his +Duty faithfully; and since they had received Notice of the Boat's going +safe into _Charles Town_, they could not conceive what should hinder the +Execution of the Business, unless they put a greater Value on the Chest +of Medicines, than on the Lives of fourscore Men now on the Verge of +Destruction. _Teach_, for his Part, believed they had imprisoned his +Men, and refused the Condition of the Prisoner's Enlargement, and swore +a thousand Times, that they should not only die, but every _Carolina_ +Man that hereafter should fall into his Hands. The Prisoners, at last, +petitioned to have this one Favour granted, _viz._ That the Fleet should +weigh and stand off the Harbour, and if they should not then see the +Boat coming out, that they the Prisoners would pilot them in before the +Town, which, if they pleased to batter down, they would stand by them to +the last Man. + +This Proposal of taking Revenge for the supposed Treachery (as the +Commodore was pleased to term it) suited well enough the Savage Temper +of the General and his Brutes, and he acquiesc'd at once. The Project +was likewise approv'd on by the Myrmidons, and accordingly they weigh'd +Anchor, being in all eight Sail of Ships, which were the Prizes they had +in Custody, and rang'd along the Town; the Inhabitants then had their +Share of the Fright, expecting nothing less than a general Attack; the +Men were brought all under Arms, but not in so regular a manner as might +have been done, had the Surprize been less; but the Women and Children +ran about the Street like mad Things. However, before Matters came to +Extremities, the Boat was seen coming out, which brought Redemption to +the poor Captives, and Peace to all. + +The Chest was brought aboard, and accepted of, and it further appear'd, +that Mr. _Marks_ had done his Duty, and the Blame of the Delay was +deservedly thrown on the two Pyrates that were sent on the Embassy; for +while the Gentlemen attended the Governor and Council upon the Business, +the other fine Gentlemen were visiting and drinking with their _quondam_ +Friends and Acquaintance, and going from House to House, so that they +were not to be found when the Medicines were ready to go aboard; and Mr. +_Marks_ knew it were Death to them all to go without them, for the +Commodore would not easily have believ'd, had they not returned, that +there had been no foul Play acted by them. But now none but smiling +Countenances were seen aboard; the Storm that threatned the Prisoners so +heavily, blew over, and a Day of Sun-shine succeeded; in short, +_Blackbeard_ released them as he had promised, and sent them away in the +Ships after he had done with them, and then sail'd off the Coast, as has +been mentioned in _Vol._ I. _page 73_. + + * * * * * + +What follows, contains Reflections on a Gentleman now deceas'd, who was +Governor of _North Carolina_, namely, _Charles Eden_, Esq; which, we +apprehend, by Accounts since receiv'd, to be without just Grounds, +therefore, it will be necessary to say something in this Place, to take +off the Calumny thrown on his Character, by Persons who have misjudged +of his Conduct by the Height Things appeared in at that time. + +Upon a Review of this Part of _Blackbeard_'s Story, it does not seem, by +any Matters of Fact candidly considered, that the said Governour held +any private or criminal Correspondence with this Pyrate; and I have been +inform'd since, by very good Hands, that Mr. _Eden_ always behaved, as +far as he had Power, in a manner suitable to his Post, and bore the +Character of a good Governor, and an honest Man. + +But his Misfortune was, the Weakness of the Colony he commanded, wanting +Strength to punish the Disorders of _Teach_, who lorded it at Pleasure, +not only in the Plantation, but in the Governor's own Habitation, +threatening to destroy the Town with Fire and Sword, if any Injury was +offer'd to him or his Companions, insomuch, that he sometimes drew up +his Vessel against the Town, and once, when he suspected that there was +a Design of seizing him, he went ashore to the Governor well armed, and +left Orders with his Men on board, that in Case he should not return in +an Hour's Time (as he determined, if at Liberty) to batter down the +House about their Ears, without any more to do, notwithstanding he +himself were to be in it. Such were the outragious Insolencies of this +Villain, who was so big with Mischief, that he resolved to be revenged +upon his Enemies at all Events, even tho' he should give up his own +Life, as a Sacrifice, to obtain those wicked Ends. + +It is to be observed, that _Blackbeard_, nevertheless, as to his +Pyracies, had comply'd with the Proclamation, and thereby satisfied the +Law, and having a Certificate thereof from under the Hand of his +Excellency, he could not be prosecuted for any of those Crimes committed +heretofore, because they were wiped off by the said Proclamation of +Pardon: And as to condemning the _French Martinico_ Man that +_Blackbeard_ brought in to _North Carolina_ afterwards, the Governor +proceeded judicially upon her. He called a Court of Vice Admiralty, by +virtue of his Commission; at which four of the Crew swore they found the +Ship at Sea with no Person on board her, so the Court condemn'd her, as +any other Court must have done, and the Cargo was disposed of according +to Law. + +As to the secret Expedition from _Virginia_, undertaken by the Governor +and the two Captains of Men of War, they had their secret Views in it: +The Men of War had lain up these ten Months whilst the Pyrates infested +the Coast, and did great Mischief, for which, 'tis likely, they might +have been called to an Account; but the Success of the Enterprize +against _Teach_, alias _Blackbeard_, perhaps prevented such Enquiry, +tho' I am at a Loss to know what Acts of Pyracy he had committed after +this Surrender to the Proclamation; the _French_ Ship was lawfully +condemned, as has been said before, and if he had committed any +Depredations amongst the Planters, as they seem'd to complain of, they +were not upon the high Sea, but either in the River, or on Shore, and +could not come within the Jurisdiction of the Admiralty, nor under any +Laws of Pyracy. The Governor of _Virginia_ found his Interest in the +Affair; for he sent, at the same time, a Force by Land, and seiz'd +considerable Effects of _Blackbeard_'s in _Eden_'s Province, which was +certainly a new Thing for the Governor of one Province, whose Commission +was limited to that Jurisdiction, to exercise Authority in another +Government, and the Governour himself upon the Spot. Thus was poor Mr. +_Eden_ insulted and abused on all Sides, without having the Power of +doing himself Justice, and asserting his lawful Rights. + +In fine, to do Justice to Governor _Eden_'s Character, who is since +dead, there did not appear from any Writings or Letters found in +_Blackbeard_'s Sloop, or from any other Evidence whatsoever, that the +said Governor was concerned at all in any Male Practice; but on the +contrary, that during his Continuance in that Post, he was honour'd and +beloved by his Colony, for his Uprightness, Probity, and prudent Conduct +in his Administration; what Affairs were carried on privately by his +then Secretary I know not; he died a few Days after _Blackbeard_'s +Destruction, and no Enquiry was made; perhaps there might be no Occasion +for it. + + + _Of Major_ BONNET. + +I have but few Words to add to Major _Bonnet_'s Life and Actions; when +his Dissolution drew nigh, all his Resolution fail'd him, and his Fears +and Agonies so wrought upon him, that he was scarce sensible when he +came to the Place of Execution. His piteous Behaviour under Sentence, +very much affected the People of the Province, particularly the Women, +and great Application was made to the Governor for saving his Life, but +in vain; not that his Excellency Colonel _Johnson_ pleased himself in +Acts of severe Justice, but he knew his Duty too well to be misled by +the Tears and Prayers of weak and inconsiderate People, when the publick +Good, as well as his own Honour, stood in Question. Had not _Bonnet_ +escap'd out of his Keeper's Hand, after he was taken, and occasioned the +Death of his Fellow-Prisoner _Harriot_, by resisting the Governor's +Authority, and therein given a new Specimen of his disloyal Intentions, +something might have been done in his Favour; but he was become too +notorious, and too dangerous a Criminal, to give Life to. However, the +Governor who conducted himself in his Post as well as in his private +Capacity, with great Probity, Honour, and Candour, hearkened to a +Proposal of _Bonnet_'s Friends, which was to send him Prisoner to +_England_, that his Case might be referr'd to his Majesty. Col. _Rhet_ +offer'd to go with him, and sufficient Security was to be given for +yielding him up there, to be dealt with according to his Majesty's +Pleasure; but the Major's Friends considered, at last, that it would be +a great Expence and Trouble to no manner of purpose, except the +lengthening out a wretched Life some small Time longer; for they +conceived as little Hope of obtaining a Pardon in _England_ as in _South +Carolina_; so they even submitted to the Execution of that Sentence upon +the Major, that had with so much Justice pass'd upon him. I shall +subjoin here a Copy of a Letter, writ to the Governor from the Prisoner +sometime before he died. + +_Honoured Sir_, + +'I Have presumed, on the Confidence of your eminent Goodness, to throw +my self, after this manner, at your Feet, to implore you'll graciously +be pleased to look upon me with tender Bowels of Pity and Compassion; +and believe me to be the most miserable Man this Day breathing: That the +Tears proceeding from my most sorrowful Soul may soften your Heart, and +incline you to consider my dismal State, wholly, I must confess, +unprepared to receive so soon the dreadful Execution you have been +pleas'd to appoint me; and therefore beseech you to think me an Object +of your Mercy. + +'For God Sake, good Sir, let the Oaths of three Christian Men weigh +something with you, who are ready to depose, when you please to allow +them the Liberty, the Compulsions I lay under in committing those Acts, +for which I am doom'd to die. + +'I intreat you not to let me fall a Sacrifice to the Envy and ungodly +Rage of some few Men, who, not being yet satisfied with Blood, feign to +believe, that if I had the Happiness of a longer Life in this World, I +should still employ it in a wicked Manner; which, to remove that and all +other Doubts with your Honour, I heartily beseech you'll permit me to +live, and I'll voluntarily put it ever out of my Power, by separating +all my Limbs from my Body, only reserving the Use of my Tongue, to call +continually on, and pray to the Lord, my God, and mourn all my Days in +Sack-cloth and Ashes to work out confident Hopes of my Salvation, at +that great and dreadful Day, when all righteous Souls shall receive +their just Rewards: And to render your Honour a further Assurance of +being incapable to prejudice any of my Fellow-Christians, if I was so +wickedly bent; I humbly beg you will (as a Punishment of my Sins for my +poor Soul's Sake) indent me a menial Servant to your Honour and this +Government, during my Life, and send me up to the farthest Inland +Garrison or Settlement in the Country, or any otherways you'll be +pleased to dispose of me; and likewise that you'll receive the +Willingness of my Friends to be bound for my good Behaviour, and +constant Attendance to your Commands. + +'I once more beg for the Lord's Sake, dear Sir, that as you are a +Christian, you will be so charitable to have Mercy and Compassion on my +miserable Soul, but too newly awaked from an Habit of Sin, to entertain +so confident Hopes and Assurance of its being received into the Arms of +my blessed Jesus, as is necessary to reconcile me to so speedy a Death; +wherefore, as my Life, Blood, Reputation of my Family, and future happy +State lies entirely at your Disposal; I implore you to consider me with +a christian and charitable Heart, and determine mercifully of me, that I +may ever acknowledge and esteem you next to God my Saviour; and oblige +me ever to pray, that our heavenly Father will also forgive your +Trespasses. + +'Now the God of Peace, that brought again from the Dead our Lord Jesus, +that great Shepherd of the Sheep, thro' the Blood of the everlasting +Covenant, make you perfect in every good Work to do his Will, working in +you that which is well pleasing in his Sight, through Jesus Christ, to +whom be Glory for ever and ever, is the hearty Prayer of + + _Your Honour's + Most miserable, and + Afflicted Servant_, + STEDE BONNET.' + + + _Of Captain_ WORLEY. + +The History of the Pyrates being an Undertaking of great Length and +Variety, the Author readily owns, that in some Parts, he may not be so +exact, as they who have been occasionally upon the Spot when these +particular Incidents have happen'd. But in any Circumstances he has +omitted or misrepresented, he applies to such Persons for better +Information; which Correction or Addition (as several others have been) +shall be inserted as a Supplement to the whole. + +And he hereby acknowledges himself much obliged to the worthy Gentleman +who sent the following Letter, for his kind Assistance, in promoting his +chief Design, which is to render as compleat as possible, a Work of so +difficult a Nature. + + _To Mr._ Johnson, _Author of the Lives of the Pyrates_. + +SIR, + +In perusing your Book, Entitled, _A General History of the Robberies and +Murders of the most notorious Pyrates_, &c. I find there an Account of +the taking Captain _Worley_ and his Crew, in many Particulars of which +you have been very much misinformed, and consequently the Publick is so; +that Pyrate having been taken off the Bar of _Charles Town_ in _South +Carolina_ by Col. _Robert Johnson_, the then Governor, in Person; to +whom to do Justice, I have sent you the following Account of the taking +him; for, as to his Beginning and Rise, I cannot say but your Account +may be right, as you have set it forth in your aforesaid Book. + +In _October_, 1718, Governor _Johnson_ was informed, that there was a +Pyrate Ship off the Bar of _Charles Town_, commanded by one _Moody_, +carrying 50 Guns, and near 200 Men, that he had taken two Ships bound to +that Port from _New England_, and was come to an Anchor with them to the +Southward of the Bar; whereupon, he called his Council and the principal +Gentlemen of the Place, and proposed to them, to fit out a proper Force +to go out and attack him, fearing he might lie there some Time, as +_Thatch_ and _Vane_ had done before, and annoy the Trade; which they +unanimously agreeing, and there being, at that Time, 14 or 15 Ships in +the Harbour, he impress'd the _Mediterranean_ Gally, _Arthur Loan_, and +the King _William_, _John Watkinson_, Commanders; and two Sloops, one of +which was the _Revenge_, taken from _Stede Bonnet_, the Pyrate, and +another from _Philadelphia_; the former, Captain _John Masters_ +commanded, and the latter, Captain _Fayrer Hall_; which two Captains had +lately commanded the same Sloops that took _Bonnet_ at _Cape Fear_, +about a Month before. On board the _Mediterranean_ was put 24 Guns, and +30 on Board the King _William_; the _Revenge_ Sloop had 8, and the other +Sloop 6 Guns; and being thus equipp'd, the Governor issued a +Proclamation, to encourage Voluntiers to go on Board, promising 'em all +the Booty to be shar'd among them, and that he himself would go in +Person with 'em; but the Ships and Sloops before-mentioned being +impress'd, it was natural for the Commanders to desire some Assurance of +Satisfaction to be made the Owners, in Case of a Misfortune; so that the +Governor found it necessary to call the General Assembly of the +Province, without whom it was impossible for him to give them the +Satisfaction they desired, and who, without any Hesitation, pass'd a +Vote, that they would pay for the said Vessels, in Case they were lost, +according to an Appraisement then made of them, and what other Expences +accrued to carry on this necessary Expedition. This Way of Proceeding +took up a Week's Time, during which, the Governor ordered Scout Boats to +ply up and down the River, as well to guard the Port from any Attempts +the Pyrates might make to Land, as to hinder them from having Advice of +what was doing, and also laid an Embargo on the Shipping. + +About three Days before the Governor sail'd, there appear'd off the Barr +a Ship, and a Sloop, who came to an Anchor, and made a Signal for a +Pilot; but they being suppos'd to be _Moody_, and a Sloop that had +join'd him (as it was said he expected) no Pilot was permitted to go +near them, and thus they rid for four Days, once or twice attempting to +send their Boat on Shore, to an Island, call'd, _Suilivants_ Island (as +they afterwards confess'd) to fetch Water, of which they were in great +Want; but they were prevented by the Scout Boats before-mentioned: And, +for Want of which, they were obliged to continue in the same Station, in +hopes some Ship would be coming in or going out, to relieve their +Necessities, they being very short also of Provisions. + +And now all Things being ready, and about Three hundred Men on Board the +four Vessels, the Governor thought himself a Match for _Moody_ in his 50 +Gun Ship, although he should be, as they thought he was, join'd by a +Sloop: And therefore, he sail'd with his Fleet below _Johnson_'s Fort +over Night, and the next Morning by Break of Day, weigh'd Anchor, and by +Eight in the Morning, they were over the Bar. + +The Pyrate Sloop immediately slipt her Cable, hoisted a black Flag, and +stood to get between the Bar and the Governor's Ships, to prevent their +going in again, as they expected they would have done; and in a small +Time after, the Pyrate Ship also hoisted a black Flag, and made Sail +after the Sloop; during all this Time, the Men on Board the Governor's +Vessels did not appear, nor was there any Shew of Guns, until they came +within half Gun-shot; when the Governor hoisted a Flag at the +Main-top-mast Head of the _Mediterranean_, they all flung out their +Guns, and giving them their Broad-sides, the Pyrates immediately run, +whereupon, the Governor ordered the two Sloops after the Pyrate Sloop, +who stood in towards the Shore, while himself and the King _William_ +followed the Ship who stood the contrary Way to Sea. She seemed to have +many Ports, and very full of Men, tho' she had fir'd but from two Guns, +which occasion'd no small Wonder on Board the Governor, why she had not +flung open her Ports, and made Use of more Guns, she being imagined all +this while to be _Moody_. + +The Sloop, which proved to be _Worley_, was attacked by the two Sloops +so warmly, that the Men run into the Hold, all except _Worley_ himself +and some few others, who were killed on the Deck; and being boarded, +they took her within Sight of _Charles Town_: The People seeing the +Action from the Tops of their Houses, and the Masts of the Ships in the +Harbour, where they had placed themselves for that Purpose; but it was +Three in the Afternoon before the Governor and the King _William_ came +up with the Ship, who, during the Chase, had taken down her Flagg, and +wrapping the small Arms in it, had thrown them over-board; and also +flung over her Boat and what other Things they thought would lighten +her, but all would not do: The King _William_ came first up with her, +and firing his Chase Guns, killed several of the People on board, and +they immediately struck; when, to the no small Surprize of the Governor +and his Company, there appeared near as many Women on board as Men, who +were not a few neither. The Ship proving to be the _Eagle_, bound from +_London_ to _Virginia_, with Convicts; but had been taken by _Worley_ +off the _Cape_ of _Virginia_, and had upwards of 100 Men and 30 Women on +board. Many of the Men had taken on with the Pyrates, and as such, found +in _Carolina_ the Fate they had deserved at home, being hang'd at +_Charles Town_; the virtuous Ladies were designed to have been landed on +one of the uninhabited _Bahama_ Islands, where there was a proper Port +for these Rovers to put in, at any Time, to refresh themselves, after +the Fatigue of the Sea. And thus a most hopeful Colony would have +commenced, if they had had but Provisions and Water sufficient to have +carried them to Sea; but their Fate kept them so long before the Port of +_Charles Town_, until they were destroyed, and an End put to their +wicked Lives, in the Manner before-mentioned. + +Notwithstanding all the Governor's Care, that no Advice should be given +_Moody_ of the Preparations making for him, some People from the Shore +were so wicked, as to go off in the Night and give him a particular +Account of the Ships, Sloops, and Men, that were preparing to go out +against him; whereupon, he having taken (about three Days before the +Governor went) the _Minerva_, Captain _Smyter_, from the _Maderas_, +laden with Wine, he immediately weighed Anchor and took his Prize with +him, and stood out above one hundred Leagues to Sea, where he plundered +her, and named to the Master not only the Vessels, but some of the very +Persons were coming out to attack him, by which Advice he escaped, and +_Worley_ coming just as the other was gone, met the Fate designed for +_Moody_; who having taken out most of the Wine from on board the +_Minerva_, and plundered her, he discharged, and sail'd for +_Providence_, and soon after took the Benefit of his Majesty's Royal +Proclamation. + +The Governor kept the Ships and Vessels in sailing Order some Time, in +Hopes _Moody_ might have come off the Bar again; but being informed by +the _Minerva_ he was sailed for _Providence_, he discharged them, giving +the small Booty taken to the Men who were the Captors, as he had +promised them. + +Your Account of the taking of _Bonnet_ is pretty just, which was done by +Governor _Johnson_'s Direction and Commission also. + + + Of Captain _Martel_. + + _To Captain_ Johnson. + +SIR, + +Though I can contribute nothing to your Second Volume of Pyrates you +have (as I hear) in Hand, yet, by your Character of Veracity, I perswade +my self I shall oblige you, in rectifying a Mistake you made in your +first. In the Life of Captain _Martel_ you say, the _Greyhound_ Galley +of _London_, which I then commanded, fell into the Hands of that Pyrate, +who plunder'd her of some Gold Dust, Elephants Teeth, and 40 Slaves. The +latter Part of this is just, except the Elephants Teeth, of which I +lost, I think, none; but you are misled in the former, for _Martel_'s +Company had deposed him, on Account, as they themselves told me, of his +Cruelty; had given him, and those who were willing to follow his +Fortunes, a Sloop, and, sending him away, chose a more righteous in his +Place, whose Name was _Kennedy_, by Descent an _Irishman_, by Birth a +_Spaniard_ of _Cuba_, and a Hunter. On my coming on Board the Pyrate, +Captain _Saunders_ of the _Weymouth_, who was taken the Day before, was +the first Man who spoke to me, telling me, he was sorry for my +Misfortune. I took him for the Commander of the Pyrate; but I soon found +my Mistake, by his carrying me aft to the Captain, who bid me welcome, +and drank to me in a Can of Wine; and some of the Crew told me, that it +was happy for me I did not fall into the Hands of their late Captain; +for a Ship with _Madera_ Wine thought fit to give them the Trouble to +lose some Time, and fire a couple of Chase-Guns before she shorten'd +Sail, which Captain _Martel_ took for so great an Affront, that all the +Company was cut off. But I shall now give you the Particulars of my +being taken. As I have said, I commanded the _Greyhound_ Galley, on +board of which I had 250 Slaves, bound from the Coast of _Guiney_ to +_Jamaica_, and consign'd to Messieurs _Feak_ and _Aldcroft_, on Account +of Mr. _Bignell_ and others. On the 16th of _October_ 1716, about 10 +Leagues S. S. W. from the Island of _Monna_, in the grey of the Morning, +my second Mate came down and acquainted me, that a Ship was almost on +board us. We then steer'd about W. half South, and the Pyrate stood to +the S. E. His coming very near us made us edge away from him, and call +out to desire he would keep his Luff, or he would be on board us. No +Answer was given, and not a Soul appear'd on his Decks, but the Man at +the Helm, and about two more; however the _Greyhound_ got clear, and +crowded, as usual, for a Market. As soon as the Pyrate got into our +Wake, she wore, and made all the Sail she could, by which Means she soon +came up with us (for she was clean, and we foul) and clewing up her +Sprit-Sail, fir'd a Gun with Shot, and at the same Time let fly her +Jack, Ensign and Pendant, in which was the Figure of a Man, with a Sword +in his Hand, and an Hour-Glass before him, with a Death's Head and +Bones. In the Jack and Pendant were only the Head and Cross Bones. I did +not think fit to shorten Sail, which occasioned a second Shot from the +Pyrate, which went through our Main Top-Sail. Upon this I consulted my +Officers, and they advised the shortning Sail, as we were no Way in a +Capacity to make any Defence. I followed their Advice, and was order'd +on board the Pyrate, who ask'd me, pretty civily, the usual Questions, +Whence I came? Whether bound? _&c._ My second Mate, and some of my Men, +were soon shifted into the Pyrate, with 40 of the best Men Slaves; the +Women Slaves they diverted themselves with, and took off the Irons from +all the Negroes I had on board. The Captain asked me if I had no Gold? I +assured him I had not; and, indeed, I had no more than 100 Ounces, +which, before I went on board the Pyrate, my Carpenter had let into the +Ceiling of the great Cabbin. He answer'd only, it was very strange that +I should take no Gold on the Coast. I answer'd, I had taken a +considerable Quantity, but as I took it in one Place, I parted with it +in another; which, if he would inspect my Books, he would find exactly +as I said. We had no more Discourse then on the Subject, but a while +after, I and my Mate were sent for into the great Cabbin, where the +Council sat. Immediately cock'd Pistols were clapp'd to our Breasts, and +we were threaten'd with Death, in Case we did not confess what Gold we +had on board, and where it was hid. I deny'd that we had any, and +desir'd he would satisfy himself of the Truth, by examining my Books. +The Mate answer'd, he knew nothing of my Dealings on the Coasts, and +therefore could give no Answer. He knew, indeed, I had received Gold on +the Coast, as he had seen it brought on board; but he had seen a +considerable Quantity carry'd out of the Ship. Upon this, we were +order'd to withdraw, and nothing more was said; but I hearing their +Design was to torture me with lighted Matches between my Fingers, I +thought the Loss of the Use of my Hands would be but poorly compensated +with the saving 100 Ounces of Gold, and therefore desired to speak to +the Captain himself; to him I discover'd what I had, and where it was +concealed. He immediately sent his Boat on board the _Greyhound_, with +my Carpenter and half a dozen of his own Crew, who were so impatient to +be at the Gold, they made a meer Pincushion of the Fellow's Breech, +continually pricking his Backside with their Swords, to hasten him. My +Lodging was in the Hold, where one _Taffier_, the Gunner, came down to +me, and snapp'd a Pistol at my Breast, which he fired afterwards upon +Deck; and the same Man one Day, as I was on the Quarter-Deck, struck me, +in the Presence of his Captain, with his Cutlass, after having +reproach'd me with my private Confession, and asking, if every Man there +had not as good and just Pretension to the Gold as the Captain. Whether +it was by Accident or Design that he struck with the Flat of his +Cutlass, I know not, but the Blow knock'd me down, and depriv'd me of my +Senses for some Time. + +Captain _Kennedy_, who seem'd to have more Humanity than is commonly +found in Men of his Profession, resented this Treatment of me so far, +that he got into his Yawl, and put off from the Ship, swearing he would +not sail with Men who so barbarously abused their Prisoners. He, +however, returned on board at their Perswasions, and on their Promise, +that nothing like it should happen for the future. The Night of the Day +in which we were taken, the Pyrate came to an Anchor under the Island of +_Savona_, where he kept us till the 20th, and then let us go in Company +with Captain _Saunders_, of the Ship _Weymouth_, from _Boston_, laden +with Fish and Lumber for _Jamaica_, at which Island we arrived and +anchor'd at _Port Royal_ the 25th in the Morning. + +The Pyrate, a little before I was taken, had met with two interloping +_Dutch_ Men, supposed to be bound for the Main, who gave him a rough +Entertainment, and made him glad to sheer off. + +The _Weymouth_ had two Women Passengers on board; how they pass'd their +Time I need not say; though, I fancy, as they had formerly made a Trip +or two to the Bay, there was no Rape committed. + +Notwithstanding the melancholy Situation I was in, I could not refrain +laughing when I saw the Fellows who went on board the _Greyhound_, +return to their own Ship; for they had, in rummaging my Cabbin, met with +a Leather Powder Bag and Puff, with which they had powder'd themselves +from Head to Foot, walk'd the Decks with their Hats under their Arms, +minced their Oaths, and affected all the Airs of a Beau, with an +Aukwardness would have forced a Smile from a Cynick. + +When I was permitted to return on board the _Greyhound_, and prosecute +my Voyage, I found all my Papers torn, and every Thing turn'd +topsy-turvy; but this was nothing to their leaving all my Negroes out of +Irons, of whom I was more in fear than I had been of the Pyrates; for, +among them, the Captain's Humanity protected us; but we could expect no +Quarter from the Negroes should they rebel; and, in such Case, we had no +Prospect of quelling them, for the Pyrates had taken away all our Arms, +and by opening a Cask of Knives, which they had scatter'd about the +Ship, they had armed the Negroes, one of whom had the Insolence to +collar and shake one of my Men. I therefore called my People aft, and +told them, our Security depended altogether on our Resolution; wherefore +arming selves with Handspikes, we drove the Negroes into the Hold, and +afterwards calling them up one by one, we put on their Irons, which the +Pyrates had not taken with them, took away their Knives, and, by these +Means, arrived safely at our Port. If this Detail is of any Service to +you, I have my Ends. I hope, if you intend a third Volume, it may induce +others who have had the same Misfortune of falling into the Hands of +Pyrates, to assist you with their Minutes. + + I am, + SIR, + Your very humble Servant, + _J. EVANS_. + + _Feb._ 2. + 1727-8. + +_P.S._ Four of my Men took on with the Pyrates, though I remember the +Names of two only, _Bryant Ryley_, _John Hammond_. + + + _The TRIAL of the_ PYRATES + _at_ Providence. + + _To Captain_ Johnson. + +SIR, + +As I am credibly informed you intend to oblige the Publick with a Second +Volume of _The Lives and Actions of the Pyrates_, and are now actually +collecting Matter; I was of Opinion, that the sending you some Minutes I +have by me, which are authentick, would be no unacceptable Office; and I +hope, the Gentleman who was then Governor of the _Bahama Islands_, will +not take the Publication of the following Tryals in ill Part, for I am +informed he is in Town. Before I would send them to you, I examined very +thoroughly whether he could have any Ground to be offended; but, as I +find them Marks of his Prudence and Resolution, and that in the +Condemnation and Execution of the Pyrates, he had a just Regard to the +publick Good, and was not to be deterr'd from vigorously pursuing it, in +Circumstances which would have intimidated many brave Men: I think the +Publication will do him both Honour and Justice, and therefore shall +make no Apology, but come to the Point. + + + Trial and Condemnation of the Pyrates, who were executed at + _Providence_, His Excellency _Woodes Rogers_, Esq; being then + Captain General, Governor, and Vice-Admiral of the _Bahama + Islands_. + +At a private Consultation, held on _Friday_ the 28th of _November_, +1718, at the _Secretary_'s Office in the City of _Nassau_. + +New Providence _ss._ + +The Governor acquainting us, That Captain _Cockrem_ and Captain +_Hornigold_ have, by Virtue of a Commission, issued and directed to them +for the apprehending of certain Pyrates, had the Success to bring ten of +them Prisoners to this Part, who were now confined by an especial +_Mittimus_ on board the Ship _Delicia_; therefore, desired we might +agree to join in one Opinion concerning the said Prisoners ...... which +being maturely debated and considered, and that as the necessary Guards +set on the Prisoners for Want of a Goal, very much fatigued both the +Soldiers and Seamen, who equally guarded the Fort and Ship; and as many +as could be spar'd, daily work'd on the Fortifications, and did the Duty +of Centinels at Night, thereby harrassing our small Numbers of Men, and +hindering the publick Work. And there being suspected Persons still +remaining in these Islands, who may give frequent Intelligence of our +Condition; should any Fear be shewn on our Part, it might animate +several now here, to invite the Pyrates without, to attempt the Rescue +of these in Custody: Therefore, we do believe it most for the publick +Good, when the Fort is in a better State of Defence, and Captain +_Beauchamps_ and _Burgis_, with about 60 Soldiers and Seamen, at this +time gone to prevent the Designs of _Vane_ the Pyrate, are returned to +strengthen us: The Governor ought then as soon as possible +(notwithstanding he has made known to us, that he has no direct +Commission for Trial of Pyrates; yet according to the Intent and Meaning +of the sixth Article of the Governor's Instructions, which, in this +Case, refers to the fourth Article in those given to the Governor of +_Jamaica_, a Copy of whose Instructions he has for his Directions to +govern himself by, as near as the Circumstances of the Place will admit. +This corroborated with the Power in the Governor's Commission of +Governor, Captain General, and Vice-Admiral of the _Bahama Islands_, +shew the Intention of his Majesty, for such Authority here; and having +an Account that the Proprietory Government of _Carolina_ had executed 22 +Pyrates, lately carried in there, which together with the provoking ill +Example and Behaviour of these Prisoners, who have all accepted his +Majesty's Act of Grace, and afterwards turned Pyrates again, and +considering it would be a great Risque and Trouble to send so many to +_Great Britain_, and much greater to keep them Prisoners here; we are +entirely of Opinion, his Majesty will approve of the Necessity for the +Governor's judicial Proceeding with these Pyrates, by a Trial in the +best Manner we can according to Law; and do verily believe the speediest +Execution for those who shall be found guilty, will conduce most to the +Welfare of this Government. + +_N. B._ Thus this stands in the Council-Book, the Governor's Secretary +is answerable for Want of Connexion, or the Secretary of the Islands; +for I cannot find what these Words can refer to, _the Governor ought +then as soon as possible_, what ought he? But may be, it is an Error in +my Friend, who himself brought over this Copy, written in his own Hand, +which with the following, I found among his Papers after his Decease. + + + His Excellency _Woodes Rogers_, Esq; Captain-General, Governor, + and Vice-Admiral of the _Bahama Islands_. + + To _William Fairfax_, Esq; Captain _Robert Beauchamps_, _Tho. + Walker_, Esq; Capt. _Wingate Gale_, _Nathaniel Taylor_, Esq; + Capt. _Josias Burgiss_, and Capt. _Peter Courant_. + +_Providence_, ss. + +'By Virtue of a Commission from his most sacred Majesty King _George_, +King of _Great-Britain_, _&c._ to be Governor, _&c._ of these Islands, +thereby empowering me to authorize, commissionate, and constitute all +Judges, Justices and Magistrates in these Islands, _&c._ as also by +Virtue of my Commission, to be Vice-Admiral of these Islands, have Power +and Authority to authorize and empower, constitute and commissionate, +proper Judges and Commissioners, for the trying, determining, adjudging, +and condemning, of all or any Pyrate or Pyrates taken, apprehended, and +brought into this Government; and in Confidence of the Loyalty, +Prudence, and Integrity of you the aforesaid _William Fairfax_, Esq; +Captain _Robert Beauchamps_, _Thomas Walker_, Esq; Captain _Wingate +Gale_, _Nathaniel Taylor_, Esq; Captain _Josias Burgiss_, and Captain +_Peter Courant_, I do by Virtue of these Presents, authorize, +commissionate, and appoint you Deputy, Judges, and Commissioners of the +said Especial Court, by these Presents erected and appointed to be, and +set in the City of _Nassau_, on _Tuesday_ the 9th of this Instant, to +examine, hear, try, judge, determine, and condemn, all such Pyrate or +Pyrates who are now in Custody, and to be brought before the said Court, +to be tryed for the Offences of Pyracy by them lately committed in and +about these Islands, and to proceed as my Assistants, and as +Commissioners aforesaid, according to the Laws of _England_, and Rules +of the said Court in such Cases; and for your so doing, this shall be +your sufficient Commission and Authority. + +Given under my Hand and Seal at _Nassau_, this fifth Day of _December_, +_Anno Regni quinto_ Georgii _Regis_ Magnæ Britanniæ, _&c._ _Annoq_; +_Domini_, 1718. + + _WOODES ROGERS._' + +_New Providence_, ss. Chief of the _Bahama Islands_. + +At an especial Admiralty Sessions, held in his Majesty's Guard-Room in +the City of _Nassau_, on _Tuesday_ the 9th, and _Wednesday_ the 10th of +_December_, 1718. + +Before his Excellency _Woodes Rogers_, Esq; Governor, and Vice-Admiral, +_&c._ + + _Will. Fairfax_, Esq; Judge of the _Admiralty_. + _Robert Beauchamp_, Esq; + _Thomas Walker_, Esq; + Captain _Wingate Gale_. + _Nathaniel Taylor_, Esq; + Captain _Josias Burgiss_. + Captain _Peter Courant_. + +Proclamation being made as usual, the Register opened and read the +Governor's especial Commission, for erecting this Court according to the +Intent and Meaning of a late Act of Parliament, Entitled, _An Act for +the more effectual Suppression of Pyracy_, by Virtue of which said +Commission, the seven afore-named Commissioners are appointed Assistant +Judges, for the hearing, trying, judging, and condemning the several +Persons now in Custody, who stand committed for Mutiny, Felony, and +Pyracy. + +Proclamation being again made, that all Persons concern'd or summon'd, +and required to appear at this Court, do give their due Attendance. + +Ordered, That the Prisoners be brought to the Bar, which being done, +they were called by their respective Names, viz. _John Augur_, _Will. +Cunningham_, _John Hipps_, _Dennis Mackarthy_, _George Rounsivel_, +_Will. Dowling_, _Will. Lewis_, _Thomas Morris_, _George Bendall_, and +_Will. Ling_. + +Ordered, That the afore-named Prisoners, now at the Bar, do all hold up +their Hands. + +Ordered, That the Accusation against the Prisoners be read, which was as +follows. + +_New Providence_, ss. + +The Articles and Accusations against _John Augur_, late Master of the +Sloop _Mary_, of _Providence_; _William Cunningham_, Gunner and Mariner, +on board the Schooner, called the _Batchelors Adventure_; _Henry White_, +Master, _John Hipps_, Boatswain and Mariner, on board the Sloop +_Lancaster_; _William Greenaway_, Master, _Dennis Mackarthy_, Mariner, +on board the _Scooner_, _William Dowling_, Mariner, on board the said +_Scooner_; _William Lewis_, Mariner, on board the Sloop _Mary_; _Tho. +Morris_, Mariner, on board the said _Scooner_; _George Bendall_, +Mariner, on board the said Sloop _Lancaster_, and _William Ling_, +Mariner, on board the said _Scooner_. + +You the said _John Augur_, _Will. Cunningham_, _John Hipps_, _Dennis +Mackarthy_, _George Rounsivel_, _William Dowling_, _William Lewis_, +_Thomas Morris_, _George Bendall_, and _William Ling_, having all of you +lately received the Benefit of his Majesty's most gracious Pardon, for +your former Offences and Acts of Robbery and Pyracy, and having since +taken the Oaths of Allegiance to his most sacred Majesty King _George_, +and thereupon Trust has been reposed in you the said _John Augur_, and +in the others of you, lawful Employments been bestow'd to divert you all +from your former and unlawful Courses of Life, and to enable and support +you all in just and lawful Ways of Living; and you not having the Fear +of God before your Eyes, nor any Regard to your Oaths of Allegiance +taken to your Sovereign, nor to the Performance of Loyalty, Truth, and +Justice: But, being instigated and deluded by the Devil, to return to +your former unlawful evil Courses, of Robbery and Pyracy, and that you +_John Augur_, _Will. Cunningham_, _John Hipps_, _Dennis Mackarthy_, +_George Rounsivel_, _Will. Dowling_, _Will. Lewis_, _Tho. Morris_, _Geo. +Bendall_, and _Will. Ling_, late Master and Mariners aforesaid, did on +the 6th Day of _October_ last, about Seven in that Evening, in the 5th +Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord _George_, by the Grace of God, +King of _Great Britain_, &c. plot and combine together, at a desolate +Island, called _Green Key_, within the Jurisdiction of this +Vice-Admiralty, to mutiny and feloniously and pyratically steal, take, +and carry away, from the Commanders and Owners of the afore-named +Vessels, the said Sloops and Cargoes, Tackle, Apparel, and Furniture, to +the Value of above 900 l. current Money of these Islands, and by Force +cause to be put ashore on the said desolate Island, one Mr. _James +Kerr_, Merchant, and sundry others with him; and the said _John Augur_, +as then Commander of one of the said Sloops, did proceed as Commander of +the said Pyrates from the said Island of _Green Key_ to _Exuma_, +whereby, by Virtue of a Commission, directed to Captain _John Cockrem_ +and Captain _Benjamin Hornigold_, you the said _John Augur_, and the +rest of your pyratical Company, were there taken and apprehended as +Pyrates, and thereupon brought into this Port, to be proceeded against +according to Law. + +The Prisoners holding up their Hands, and the Accusation being read, all +the said Prisoners were asked by the Register, Whether Guilty, or, Not +Guilty; and they pleaded Not Guilty. + +Ordered, That the Evidence for the King be severally sworn and examined. + + + James Kerr. + +The Examination of _James Kerr_, Gent. upon Oath saith, That he being +Supercargo in Trust, and outward bound from _Providence_, a trading +Voyage in the Sloop _Mary_, and in about two Days Sail from the said +Island, did arrive at _Green Key_ with two other Vessels in Company, +bound also on the said trading Account, where, on the 6th of _October_ +last, one _Phineas Bunce_, one of the said Vessel's Company, and the +head Mutineer of the Pyrates now at the Bar, but since deceas'd, did +then and there come on board the said Sloop _Mary_, and very vilely +treat this Deponent, and in the Evening did turn the Deponent ashore +upon the said _Green Key_, a desolate Island; and this Deponent farther +saith, that _Dennis Mackarthy_, one of the Prisoners now at the Bar, was +the only Person of all the said Pyrates and Mutineers who shew'd this +Deponent any civil Treatment, and that the said _Mackarthy_ did not +reflect on the King and Government as others of them now at the Bar did, +in this Deponent's Hearing. + + + Wm. Greenaway. + +The Examination of Captain _William Greenaway_ upon Oath saith, That on +the 6th of _October_ last _John Hipps_, one of the Prisoners now at the +Bar, with some others of them, came on board the Vessel under this +Deponent's Command, and then riding at _Green Key_, with Pretensions of +getting Tobacco, and told this Deponent, that Mr. _Kerr_ had a Mind to +sail that Night; and this Deponent having order'd his Boat to go on +board the Scooner, then belonging to the said Company, to give them +Notice of the said _Kerr_'s Design; in which Interim came on board _John +Augur_ and _George Rounsivel_, both Prisoners now at the Bar, _James +Matthews_ and _John Johnson_, who wanted this Deponent to go on board +the Scooner, which he did, where _Phineas Bunce_, since dead, met this +Deponent at the Side; upon which, this Deponent demanded of the said +_Bunce_, the Reason he did not prepare for sailing, as the rest did. +Whereupon _Bunce_, the head Mutineer, asked this Deponent to walk down +into the Cabbin, and, when there, _Bunce_ asked him to sit down by him; +whereupon the said _Bunce_ told this Deponent, he was his Prisoner; upon +which, _Dennis Macarthey_, now Prisoner at the Bar, presented a Pistol +at this Deponent's Breast, and told him, if he spoke a Word, he, this +Deponent, was a dead Man; and the said _Phineas Bunce_ told this +Deponent, he had best be easy, for that the better Part of the People +belonging to the Sloop _Mary_ was on his Side, as were some of the +People he had with him. And then the said _Phineas Bunce_, with others, +the Mutineers, went on board the Sloop _Mary_, and took her. But this +Deponent cannot particularize the Names of the Men who were with +_Bunce_, being Night-time. Afterwards the said _Bunce_, and the +Prisoners now at the Bar, except _John Hipps_, put Mr. _James Kerr_, +_Richard Turnly_, _Thomas Rich_, _John Taylor_, and _John Cox_, all +ashore at _Green Key_, a desolate Island, and had the Boat ready +prepared to carry this Deponent ashore also; but _Bunce_ hereupon +declared, that this Deponent, being a _Bermudian_, would swim aboard +again, and therefore confin'd this Deponent a Prisoner, and plundered +his Vessel, leaving him not wherewithal to proceed any where, but a +small Quantity of Flower and Beef, obliging this Deponent not to sail +from _Green Key_ in 24 Hours after his Departure; but this Deponent did +sail the next Morning for _Providence_, and, in his Way, fell in Sight +of the said Mutineers and Pyrates, of whom the Prisoners at the Bar were +some, who gave Chase. Whereupon this Deponent went back to _Green Key_, +and took to the Shore, where he saw the Pyrates and said Mutineers cut +away the Mast of this Deponent's Vessel, and then were coming on Shore, +as this Deponent apprehended, to take his Person. Whereupon this +Deponent made his Escape to hide himself from them upon the said _Key_. +Then the People who were left on board this Deponent's Vessel, coming +ashore, told this Deponent, that the Pyrates had scuttled her, turn'd +the Yawl adrift, and from _Green Key_ the said Pyrates proceeded to +_Stocking_ Island, where meeting the _Spaniards_, the Pyrates were +themselves taken, and put ashore. + + + John Taylor. + +The Examination of _John Taylor_ upon Oath saith, That all the Prisoners +at the Bar, except _John Hipps_, did join with _Bunce_, the Mutineer; +and that _Bunce_ and two more, whom the Deponent knew not, being Night, +took the Vessel he belong'd to; and further saith, That _John Hipps_ was +at first confined with the said _Greenaway_ by _Bunce_. + + + Richard Turnly. + +The Examination of _Richard Turnly_ upon Oath saith, That on the 6th of +_October_ last, _Bunce_ the head Mutineer and two others, naming +_William Dowling_ and _Thomas Morris_, Prisoners at the Bar, did come on +board the Sloop _Mary_ at _Green Key_, and ask'd Mr. _Kerr_ and this +Deponent for a Bottle of Beer, which was given them, and afterwards a +Second, and they commanded a third; and then with the Men, belonging to +the said Sloop _Mary_, took up Arms, and took Mr. _Kerr_, _Thomas Cox_, +and this Deponent Prisoners, and forced them to go on Shore at _Green +Key_, a desolate Island, about 25 Leagues distant from _Providence_. + + + John Cox. + +The Examination of _John Cox_ upon Oath saith, That he being on board +the Sloop _Mary_, of which _John Augur_ went out of _Providence_ Master: +The said _John Augur_ came on board his said Sloop in the Evening of the +6th Day of _October_ last, and lay down as if he designed to sleep. Soon +after, Capt. _Greenaway_, Master of the Sloop _Lancaster_, came on +board, and ask'd the said _Augur_, if he intended to set Sail? He +answer'd, he could not tell; thereupon Captain _Greenaway_ went on board +the Scooner, call'd the _Batchelor's Adventure_, _Henry White_, Master, +and in about half an Hour afterwards, came on board another Boat with +_John Hipps_, _Greenaway_'s Boatswain, to enquire for Captain +_Greenaway_; and in a little Time after, _Phineas Bunce_ came on board +the Sloop _Mary_ from the _Scooner_ with 2 or 3 Men more. _Bunce_ ask'd +for Captain _Augur_, and whether they had any Thing to drink, and coming +to Mr. _Kerr_, ask'd him for a Bottle of Beer, which Mr. _Kerr_ gave +him; then the said _Bunce_ went into the Cabbin, and brought up a +Cutlash, and stood at the Cabbin-Door to drink, and swore that he was +Captain of that Vessel, and would be so, which made Captain _Augur_ ask +him his Meaning; but presently the said _Bunce_ and _Augur_ seem'd to be +good Friends, and _Bunce_ ask'd for another Bottle of Beer, then struck +Mr. _Kerr_ with a Cutlash on his Back, and turn'd him and others ashore; +and this Deponent well knew all the several Prisoners at the Bar, except +_Hipps_ the Boatswain, and that all the rest were Aiders, Assistants, +and Abettors to the Mutiny, Felony, and Pyracy, committed upon the +Vessels and Cargoes at _Green Key_. + + + Thomas Rich. + +The Examination of _Thomas Rich_ upon Oath saith, That he knows the +several Prisoners at the Bar; and that they all, except _Hipps_, were +the Actors of the Mutiny and Pyracy, committed upon the Vessels and +Cargoes at _Green Key_; and this Deponent was taken by them in the +_Mary_ Sloop, and put ashore with Mr. _Kerr_ and the other Evidences for +the King. + + + Thomas Petty. + +The Examination of _Thomas Petty_ upon Oath saith, That he saw _Hipps_ +beat by _Bunce_, and believes he was forced to go with him; and that +_Bunce_ would have forc'd this Deponent also; but _Dennis Mackarthy_, +Prisoner at the Bar, said if _Bunce_ forc'd the Deponent, he the said +Prisoner would leave _Bunce_ and his Company. + +And then the Court adjourn'd till 3 a-Clock in the Afternoon. + +The Court being met according to Adjournment, and all the Evidences for +the King being called and examined, then the Prisoners at the Bar were +severally called, to know what Defence each had to make, _viz._ + + + John Augur. + +_John Augur_ being first called to make Defence for himself, saith no +other than that he was in Liquor, and knew not of _Phineas Bunce_ his +Design, when the said _Bunce_ enter'd on board the Sloop _Mary_, whereof +the Prisoner was Master; but could call no Evidence to prove himself not +guilty. + + + Wm. Cunningham. + +_William Cunningham_ being next called and examined said, That he was +asleep when _Bunce_ went on board the _Scooner_ (to which the Prisoner +belong'd) at _Green Key_, and that _Bunce_ brought the said Prisoner +Punch, and told him, that he the Prisoner must either join him the said +_Bunce_, or be put upon a _Moroon Key_, _alias_ a desolate Key. + + + John Hipps. + +_John Hipps_, Prisoner, said in his Defence, that he did not in any wise +enter with _Bunce_ and his Company; but went on board the aforesaid +_Scooner_, to enquire for _William Greenaway_ his Captain, where he was +immediately confined by _Bunce_, together with _Greenaway_, and +afterwards put on Shore with Mr. _Kerr_ and others, where _Bunce_ beat +the said Prisoner, and compell'd him at length to join _Bunce_, but +nevertheless declared his Intention to leave the said _Bunce_ and +Company on the first Opportunity, and desired Mr. _Kerr_, Captain +_Greenaway_, _Richard Turnly_, _Thomas Terrell_, _Benjamin Hutchins_, +_John Taylor_, _John Janson_, _Thomas Petty_ and _David Meredith_, might +be examin'd for him. + +Mr. _James Kerr_ being sworn as Evidence for the Prisoner declared, That +_Bunce_ used much threatning Language against _John Hipps_, Prisoner, +that if he did not join him the said _Bunce_ and pyratical Company, and +go with them into a Boat, provided on Purpose to carry the Pyrates to +their Rendezvous, _Hipps_ should repent the Refusal; and farther says, +that he saw or knew of no Blows given to compel the Prisoner to assist +or join the said Pyrates, but that the Prisoner afterwards accepted the +Office and Command of Boatswain to the said pyratical Company. + +Captain _Greenaway_ being sworn for the Prisoner says, that the Prisoner +went with him on board the _Scooner_, and was in the Cabbin with him, +and made Prisoner with him on board the said _Scooner_, where the +Prisoner made Proposal to the Deponent to surprize _Dennis Mackarthy_, +Prisoner at the Bar, then a Centinel upon Deck, and throw the said +_Mackarthy_ over-board; but the Deponent seeing no Probability of +escaping the Rest, advised the Prisoner to keep his Mind to himself, +till he could have a better Opportunity; and farther saith, that the +Prisoner was put ashore with Mr. _Kerr_, &c. + +_Richard Turnly_ being sworn for the Prisoner deposed, That to the best +of his Knowledge and Remembrance, the Prisoner was forc'd to accept of +any Duty the said _Bunce_ and Company put upon him, if the Command of +Words be allowed by the Court sufficient to excuse him; but he never saw +_Bunce_, or any of the rest of the Pyrates, use Blows to force him to +join them. + +_Thomas Terrell_, Inhabitant, being sworn, gave the Prisoner the +Character of being an honest Man, who was recommended to him by _Thomas +Bowling_, Master of the Sloop _Sarah_, belonging to the said _Thomas +Terrell_, that during a late Voyage perform'd to _Cuba_, about two +Months ago, there was a Mutiny suspected by _Thomas Bowling_, of which +the said _Bowling_ declared, that _John Hipps_ Prisoner, was not only +innocent, but believed a Suppressor of the said Mutiny; and farther +declares, that _Thomas Bowling_ had acknowledged the Safety of the +Vessel to be much owing to _John Hipps_, Prisoner at the Bar. + +_Benjamin Hutchins_ being sworn for the Prisoner, and examined, +declared, that the Prisoner after having been matriculated and seduced +by _Bunce_ and his Accomplices, often complain'd to him the Deponent, +that he would desert them the first Opportunity, and shew'd his +Intentions by many Tears shed, as Tokens of Sorrow for his late +Misfortune. + +_John Taylor_ being examined upon Oath declared, that the Prisoner was +confined as a Person not trusted by _Bunce_ and his pyratical Company. + +_John Jansen_ being examined upon Oath, had nothing to declare for or +against the Prisoner worth Notice. + +_Thomas Petty_ being sworn for the Prisoner declared, that _Bunce_ +threatned the Prisoner, that if he would not consent to be of his +pyratical Company, he should be frequently beat; and also be put on the +first _Moroon Key_, where he might not find Provision, Water, or any +other Sustenance, which the Deponent thinks compell'd the Prisoner to +proceed with _Bunce_ for his Safety. + +_David Meredith_ being also examined upon Oath declared, That when +_Phineas Bunce_ first made Seizure of the Vessel, he particularly spoke +to _Hipps_ the Prisoner, that if he would not take on in their Way, he +the said _Bunce_ would moroon him, upon some desolate Key or Island; and +the more to compel him, gave him several Blows with his Cutlash, and +thinks the Prisoner was forced to join with _Bunce_, &c. + + + Dennis Mackarthy. + +_Dennis Mackarthy_ Prisoner being next called, and desiring that Mr. +_Kerr_, Captain _Greenaway_, _John Taylor_, _Thomas Rich_, and _Thomas +Petty_, might be admitted to give Evidence for him. + +Mr. _Kerr_ being examined upon Oath declared, That _Mackarthy_, +Prisoner, was as active as any other of the Prisoners in their pyratical +Designs, and has nothing more to speak in his Favour, than that the +Prisoner treated him and all others that were of the Deponent's Company, +with more Civility than any others of the pyratical Crew did. + +Captain _Greenaway_ being sworn for the Prisoner declared, That when +_Bunce_ beat the said Deponent, the Prisoner said, that he would see who +ought to be Strikers amongst them for the future. + +_John Taylor_ being examined upon Oath declares, that the Prisoner +should say, that he would leave _Bunce_ and his Accomplices. + +_Thomas Rich_ being sworn declares, that he heard the Prisoner say, that +since he had begun, he thought himself obliged to go on with them, +meaning _Bunce_ and his pyratical Company. + +_Thomas Petty_ being also sworn declares, That after _Mackarthy_ had +been an Accomplice of _Bunce_'s Pyracy, he heard the Prisoner say, he +was sorry for his Unadvisedness, which might bring great Troubles on his +poor Wife, having a small Child. + + + George Rounsivel. + +_George Rounsivel_, Prisoner, being next called, desired _Turnly_ to be +Evidence for him; who being sworn, declared, That _Geo. Rounsivel_, +after having consented to be of _Bunce_'s pyratical Company, shew'd some +Token of Sorrow, but withal said, that as he had begun, could not +without Danger of Life, desert the Pyrates he had combined with. + + + Wm. Dowling. + +_William Dowling_, Prisoner, being next called, and desiring _Thomas +Petty_ to be Evidence for him, he was sworn, and said, that he had very +little to say for him, because he had seen the Prisoner as consenting to +their pyratical Designs as any of the said Prisoners. + + + William Lewis. + +_William Lewis_, Prisoner, being next called, had very little to say for +himself, otherwise than that one _David Meredith_ had heard him say, he +wished to be at _John Cullemore_'s House to drink a Bottle of Beer, +which _David Meredith_, being sworn as Evidence for the Prisoner, only +confirmed. + + + Thomas Morris. + +_Thomas Morris_, Prisoner, being next called, had very little else to +say, than that he had the Fever and Ague when he was first commanded by +_Bunce_ to join them, and desiring _Thomas Rich_ as Evidence, he was +sworn, and declared, that the Prisoner, as much as he took Notice of +him, appeared as active as the most capable, and could not say, that the +Prisoner ever relented. + + + George Bendall. + +_George Bendall_, Prisoner, being next called, and desiring _Richard +Turnly_ for Evidence, he was sworn, and declared, that the Prisoner was +desired to make his Escape, but was resolved to continue with the +Pyrates. + + + William Ling. + +_William Ling_, Prisoner, being next called, who having nothing to say +farther, than a Request that _Richard Turnly_ might give in Evidence for +him; he was sworn, and declared, that the Prisoner bore Arms, and was as +resolved as any of the Pyrates. + +Then the Court adjourned till Ten a-Clock next Morning, being the 10th +Instant. + + _December_ 10, 1718. + +The Court having met according to the Adjournment, and Proclamation +made, the Prisoners were again brought to the Bar, and severally ask'd, +if they had considered of any farther Evidence or Defence they could +propose. + +First, _John Augur_ had no more to offer, in his Justification than +before. + +The second, _William Cunningham_, the same as before. + +The Third, _John Hipps_ having the same Question put, answer'd, that if +_John Raddon_ and _Henry White_ had not been absent, they could have +declared many Things in his Favour. + +Then the Court proposed to every Person, who was an Auditor of the +Trial, that any might have Leave to declare upon Oath, any Thing they +had heard _John Raddon_ or _Henry White_ say in Behalf of _John Hipps_, +Prisoner: Upon which, _Samuel Lawford_, Constable, appear'd, and being +sworn, declared, That he heard _George Raddon_ say, that he should have +been glad to have done the old Boatswain any Service, meaning _Hipps_, +the Prisoner at the Bar; for the said _Raddon_ had seen him cry for his +having consented, tho' by Force, to join _Bunce_, &c. the Prisoner +having also declared to _Raddon_, that he would fight each of the +Pyrates singly, if he could by that Means get clear of them. This +Deponent farther said, that _Raddon_ told him, he firmly believed the +Prisoner at the Bar would have escaped from the other Pyrates, as soon +as he could have got an Opportunity. + +The Fourth, _Dennis Mackarthy_, Prisoner, made some faint Excuse, and at +length desired Captain _Benjamin Hornigold_, as farther Evidence for +him; who being sworn, declared, That when he the said _Hornigold_ went +to apprehend the Prisoners, who were on one of the _Exuma_ Keys, he the +said Prisoner was one of the first taken, and seem'd to the said +_Hornigold_ to throw himself, and to have Dependance, on the Mercy of +the Governor. + +The Fifth, _George Rounsivel_, Prisoner, had no farther Plea to make. + +The Sixth, _William Dowling_, Prisoner, only desired _Thomas Petty_ to +be again call'd, who being sworn, only declared, That he the Prisoner +had Offers made by the _Spaniards_ to go in their Service, but the +Prisoner refused them. + +The Seventh, _William Lewis_ desired _Richard Turnley_ might be again +called, who being sworn, declared, That he the Deponent did not see the +said Prisoner when the Sloop _Mary_ was first taken, but the Day after +he saw the Prisoner under Arms, as active as any one of the Pyrates. + +The Eighth, _Thomas Morris_, Prisoner, had little more to say than +pretending that several Persons who were absent, would say something in +his Justification; but no one present declared any Thing in his Favour. + +The Ninth, _George Bendall_, Prisoner, had nothing to plead for himself; +but desiring Mr. _Kerr_ for Evidence, he was sworn, and declared, That +he heard the Prisoner say, that he wish'd he had begun the Life sooner, +for he thought it a pleasant One, meaning that of a Pyrate; and farther +deposed, that the Prisoner reported, that he had once a strong +Inclination to have smother'd _John Graves_, Esq; his Majesty's +Collector for the Islands, as he lay feeble in his Bed, whose Servant +the Prisoner was, but a short Time before he shipp'd himself for the +intended Voyage, when he join'd the other Prisoners at the Bar in their +Mutiny and Pyracy. + +_David Meredith_ being also sworn, declared, That _Bunce_ did once beat +the Prisoner, who told him, that if _Bunce_, &c. beat him once more, he +would desert them the first Opportunity. + +The Tenth, _William Ling_ had nothing farther to say for himself. + +Then the Prisoners were remanded to the Fort; after which, all Manner of +Persons were commanded by Proclamation to withdraw. + +Then the Court summ'd up the Evidences for the King and the Prisoners, +which being debated and considered, all the Prisoners, except _John +Hipps_, were unanimously voted guilty of their Indictment, and the +Register was ordered to draw up their Sentence. It was thought +convenient to respite the Judgment on _John Hipps_, Prisoner, till +_Monday_ next; and the Court adjourn'd till Four this Afternoon, at +which Time being met according to Adjournment, and Proclamation made, +the Prisoners were brought to the Bar. Then _John Hipps_ was remanded to +the Guardship in Irons, and all the rest asked, if they knew any Cause +why Sentence of Death should not be pronounced against them? They had +nothing more to say, but to desire some Length of Time for Repentance. + + + Then the Sentence was read, as follows: + +The Court having duly considered of the Evidence which hath been given +both for and against you the said _John Augur_, _William Cunningham_, +_Dennis Mackarthy_, _Geo. Rounsivel_, _Wm Dowling_, _Wm Lewis_, _Tho. +Morris_, _Geo. Bendall_ and _Wm Ling_; and having also debated the +several Circumstances of the Cases, it is adjudged, that you the said +_John Augur_, _Wm Cunningham_, _Dennis Mackarthy_, _Geo. Rounsivel_, _Wm +Dowling_, _Wm Lewis_, _Tho. Morris_, _Geo. Bendall_ and _Wm Ling_, are +guilty of the Mutiny, Felony, and Pyracy, wherewith you and every of you +stand accused. And the Court doth accordingly pass Sentence, that you +the said _John Augur_, _Wm. Cunningham_, _Dennis Mackarthy_, _Geo. +Rounsivel_, _Wm. Dowling_, _Wm. Lewis_, _Tho. Morris_, _Geo. Bendall_ +and _Wm. Ling_, be carried to Prison from whence you came, and from +thence to the Place of Execution, where you are to be hanged by the Neck +till you shall be dead, dead, dead; and God have Mercy on your Souls. +Given under our Hands this 10th Day of _October, Annoq; Dom._ 1718, +sign'd + + _Woodes Rogers_, + _Wm Fairfax_, + _Robert Beauchamp_, + _Thomas Walker_, + _Wingate Gale_, + _Nathaniel Taylor_, + _Josias Burgiss_, + _Peter Courant_. + +After Sentence of Death pass'd upon the Prisoners, the Governor, as +President of the Court, appointed their Execution to be at Ten a-Clock +on _Friday_ next in the Morning being the 12th Instant. + +Whereupon the Prisoners pray'd for longer Time to repent and prepare for +Death; but the Governor told them, that from the Time of their being +apprehended, which was on the 15th of _November_, they ought to have +accounted themselves as condemn'd by the Laws of all Nations, which was +only sealed now; and that the securing them hitherto, and the Favour +that the Court had allowed them in making as long a Defence as they +could, wholly took up that Time, which the Affairs of the Settlement +required in working at the Fortifications; besides the Fatigue thereby +occasion'd to the whole Garrison in the necessary Guards, set over them +by the Want of a Goal, and the Garrison having been very much lessened +by Death and Sickness since his Arrival; also that he was obliged to +employ all his People to assist in mounting the great Guns, and in +finishing the present Works, with all possible Dispatch, because of the +expected War with _Spain_; and there being many more Pyrates amongst +these Islands, and this Place left destitute of all Relief from any Man +of War or Station Ship, much wanted, join'd to other Reasons he had, too +long to enumerate in Court, he thought himself indispensably obliged, +for the Welfare of the Settlement, to give them no longer Time. + +Then the Prisoners were ordered to the Place of their Imprisonment in +the Fort, where Leave was given them to send for any Persons to read and +pray with them. + +On _Friday_ Morning each of the Prisoners were call'd in private, to +know if they had any Load upon their Spirits, for Actions committed as +yet unknown to the World, the declaring of which was absolutely +required, to prepare themselves for a fit Repentance; but they each +refused to declare any Thing, as well as making known to the Governor, +if they knew of any Conspiracy against the Government. + +Wherefore, about Ten a-Clock, the Prisoners were releas'd of their +Irons, and committed to the Charge and Care of _Thomas Robinson_, Esq; +commissioned Provost Marshal for the Day, who, according to custom in +such Cases, pinion'd them, _&c._ and order'd the Guards appointed to +assist him, to lead them to the Top of the Rampart, fronting the Sea, +which was well guarded by the Governor's Soldiers and People, to the +Number of about 100. At the Prisoners Request, several select Prayers +and Psalms were read, in which all present join'd; when the Service was +ended, Orders was given to the Marshal, and he conducted the Prisoners +down a Ladder, provided on Purpose, to the Foot of the Wall, where was a +Gallows erected, and a black Flag hoisted thereon, and under it a Stage, +supported by three Butts, on which they ascended by another Ladder, +where the Hangman fasten'd the Cords. They had three Quarters of an Hour +allowed under the Gallows, which was spent by them in singing of Psalms, +and some Exhortations to their old Consorts, and the other Spectators, +who got as near to the Foot of the Gallows as the Marshal's Guard would +suffer them. When the Governor ordered the Marshal to make ready, and +all the Prisoners expecting the Launch, the Governor thought fit to +order _George Rounsivel_ to be untied, and when brought off the Stage, +the Buts having Ropes about them, were hawl'd away; upon which, the +Stage fell, and the Prisoners were suspended. + + + A short Account of the Prisoners executed. + +First, _John Augur_, being about 40 Years of Age, had been a noted +Master of Vessels at _Jamaica_, and since among the Pyrates; but on his +accepting of his Majesty's Act of Grace, and Recommendations to the +Governor, he was, notwithstanding, entrusted with a good Vessel and +Cargo, in which betraying his Trust, and knowing himself guilty of the +Indictment, he all along appeared very penitent, and neither wash'd, +shav'd, or shifted his old Cloaths, when carried to be executed; and +when he had a small Glass of Wine given him on the Rampart, drank it +with Wishes for the good Success of the _Bahama_ Islands and the +Governor. + +The Second, _William Cunningham_, aged 45, had been Gunner with _Thatch_ +the Pyrate, who being also conscious of his own Guilt, was seemingly +penitent, and behaved himself as such. + +The Third, _Dennis Mackarthy_, aged 28, who had also been formerly a +Pyrate, but accepted of the King's Act of Grace; and the Governor had +made him an Ensign of the Militia, being recommended as a sober +civiliz'd Person, which Commission he had at the Time of his joining the +Pyrates, which very much aggravated his other Crimes. During his +Imprisonment, he behaved himself tolerably well; but when he thought he +was to die, and the Morning came, without his expected Reprieve, he +shifted his Cloaths, and wore long blue Ribbons at his Neck, Wrists, +Knees, and Cap; and when on the Rampart, look'd cheerfully round him, +saying, _He knew the Time when there were many brave Fellows on the +Island, who would not have suffered him to die like a Dog_; and at the +same Time pull'd off his Shooes, kicking them over the Parapet of the +Fort, saying, _He had promis'd not to die with his Shooes on_; so +descended the Fort Wall, and ascended the Stage, with as much Agility +and in a Dress of a Prize-Fighter; when mounted, he exhorted the People, +who were at the Foot of the Walls, to have Compassion on him, but, +however willing, they saw too much Power over their Heads to attempt any +Thing in his Favour. + +The Fourth, _William Dowling_, of about 24 Years of Age, had been a +considerable Time amongst the Pyrates, of a wicked Life, which his +Majesty's Act of Grace did not reform; his Behaviour was very loose on +the Stage, and after his Death, some of his Acquaintance declared, he +had confess'd to them, that he had murder'd his Mother before he left +_Ireland_. + +The Fifth, _William Lewis_, aged about 34 Years, as he had been a hardy +Pyrate and Prize Fighter, affected an Unconcern at Death; but heartily +desired Liquors to drink with his Sufferers on the Stage, and with the +Standers by. + +The Sixth, _Thomas Morris_, aged about 22, had been a very incorrigible +Youth and Pyrate, and seem'd to have very little Anxiety of Mind by his +frequent Smiles when at the Bar, being dress'd with red Ribbons as +_Mackarthy_ was with blue, he said, going over the Ramparts, _We have a +new Governor, but a harsh One_; and a little before he was turn'd off, +said aloud, _that he might have been a greater Plague to these Islands, +and now wish'd he had been so_. + +The Sixth, _George Bendall_, aged about 18, tho' he said, _he had never +been a Pyrate before, yet he had all the villainous Inclinations that +the most profligate Youth could be infected with_; his Behaviour was +sullen. + +The Eighth, _William Ling_, aged about 30, not taken Notice of before +the last Attempt, behaved himself as becoming a true Penitent, and was +not heard to say any other than by Reply to _Lewis_, when he demanded +Wine to drink, _that Water was more suitable to them at that Time_. + +It was observed that there were but few (beside the Governor's +Adherents) among the Spectators, who had not deserved the same Fate, but +pardon'd by his Majesty's Act of Grace. + + + _Of Captain_ VANE. + +We have given what Account came to our Hands of _Charles Vane_ in the +first Volume, beginning at the Time he left _Providence_ on the +Governor's Arrival; but we have since had some Particulars sent us, +which relate to Pyracies, both before and after that Date. + +In the latter End of _March_ 1718, he, with about 12 more lewd Fellows, +who had squander'd all their Money got by former Villanies, took a +Canoe, and went out on the old Account. Soon after their setting out +they made Prize of a Sloop belonging to _Jamaica_, brought her into +_Potters Key_, where they came to an Anchor, and put all the Hands on +Shore, except the Master, to whom they promis'd to return his Sloop as +soon as they met with another more fit for their Purpose; which soon +after happen'd, for cruizing off _Harbour Island_ in the beginning of +_April_, they took the _Lark_ Sloop, which had been taken from the +Pyrates by Captain _Pierce_, in the _Phoenix_ Man of War, who fitted her +out with a Cargo to trade at St. _Augustin_'s. He brought his Prize into +_Providence_ Harbour, with his black Ensign hoisted, in Defiance of the +above named Man of War, which he loudly threaten'd to burn. _Vane_, at +_Providence_, augmented his Number of Men to 75, sailed in search of +Booty, and on the 4th of _July_ return'd with a _French_ Ship of 20 +Guns, a _French_ Brigantine laden with Sugar, Indigo, Brandy, Claret, +White Wine, and other Merchandize; the _Drake_ Sloop, _John Draper_, +Master, which he took in his Passage from _Providence_ to _Harbour_ +Island, and plunder'd of a considerable Sum of Money, shifting into her +some Sugars out of the _French_ Brigantine; the _Ulster_ Sloop, _John +Fredd_, Master, laden with Timber from _Andros_ Island, into this Vessel +he put 70 Casks of Sugar; and the _Eagle_ Sloop, _Robert Brown_, Master, +bound to _South-Carolina_, which he took with a two-masted Boat, +commanded by _Edward England_, his Quarter Master; he put on board this +last 20 Terses of Sugar, 6 of Bread, and some other Things. In the +Harbour he seized on the _Lancaster_ Sloop, _Neal Walker_, Master, and +the _Dove_ Sloop, _William Harris_, Master, designed for _Jamaica_, +which he plunder'd of what he thought proper, and shifted 22 Hogsheads +of Sugar, some _Spanish_ Hides and old Rigging. + +He had the Impudence to come ashore with his Sword in Hand, threaten to +burn the principal Houses of the Town, and to make Examples of many of +the People; and though he committed no Murders, his Behaviour was +extreamly insolent to all who were not as great Villains as himself. He +reign'd here as Governor 20 Days, stopp'd all Vessels which came in, and +would suffer none to go out, being inform'd of a Governor being sent +from _England_, he swore, while he was in the Harbour, he would suffer +no other Governor than himself. He clean'd and fitted the _French_ Ship, +with Intent to visit the Coast of _Brazil_, and design'd to sail in 3 or +4 Days; but the Governor appearing on the 24th, made him change his +Resolution, and think of accepting a Pardon, if it might be granted on +his own Terms, as will appear by the Letter which he sent off by a Boat +to the Governor, and of which the following is an exact Copy. + + _July_ the 24th, 1718. + +'Your Excellency may please to understand that we are willing to accept +his Majesty's most gracious Pardon on the following Terms, _viz._ + +'That you will suffer us to dispose of all our Goods now in our +Possession. Likewise, to act as we think fit with every Thing belonging +to us, as his Majesty's Act of Grace specifies. + +'If your Excellency shall please to comply with this, we shall, with all +Readiness, accept of his Majesty's Act of Grace. If not, we are obliged +to stand on our Defence. So conclude + + Your humble Servants, + _Charles Vane_, and Company.' + +The Susperscription was-- + + To his Excellency the Governor of _New Providence_. + +And at the Bottom of it.--We wait a speedy Answer. + + * * * * * + +The Governor could not get in that Night, but was forced to keep at Sea, +so that Mr. _Vane_ could not so speedily have an Answer as his +Excellency design'd, which he intended to carry himself. About Four that +Afternoon the _Rose_ Man of War and _Shark_ Sloop got in, and were +saluted with four Shot from _Vane_, which, however, did no other Damage +than the cutting the _Rose_'s Rigging. In the Evening Captain _Whitney_ +sent his Lieutenant on Board _Vane_, who was higher up the Harbour in +the _French_ Ship. They detained this Gentleman two Hours, and the Crew, +most of which was drunk, treated him, some with Threats, shewing the +black Flag, and some with Contempt and Ridicule, and order'd him back to +tell his Captain their Resolution was to fight it out to the last. + +When Captain _Whitney_ fired the eight a-Clock Gun, _Vane_ did the like +with Shot, directed at the _Rose_. At Ten he pointed all the Guns of the +_French_ Ship (double loaded) at the Man of War, and, after setting Fire +to her, went with 40 Hands into a Sloop belonging to one _Yates_. As the +_French_ Man burnt, the Guns fired, and cut some more of the _Rose_'s +Rigging. Captain _Whitney_ apprehending Danger from the fir'd Ship, +together with the _Shark_ Sloop, cut and put out to Sea, which gave +_Vane_ an Opportunity he laid hold on, to take what he thought fit off +Shore, and to force the best Carpenter and Pilot in the Island on Board +him. When he had done, he went to, and lay at _Potters Key_ all Night, +and the next Morning got under Sail. + +His Excellency dispatch'd after him the _Buck_ Sloop and another small +one, both well mann'd and fitted, which gain'd while he was upon a Wind, +and came, before he clear'd the East End of the Island, within Gun-Shot; +but he easing out his Main-Sheet, and setting his Flying-Jibb, left them +soon after; wherefore, Night coming on, and their Pursuit being +fruitless, they return'd. + +Soon after _Vane_ sent the Governor of _Providence_ Word, he would make +him a Visit, and burn his Guardship, for sending two Sloops to chase him +instead of answering his Letter. + +The 30th of _August_ he took the _Neptune_ of 400 Tuns, and the +_Emperor_ of 200 Tuns, the Particulars of which are in the subjoin'd +Protest. + +The 9th of _September_ he arrived at _Allens Key_ in a _Spanish_ +Brigantine; he had before taken a _Spanish_ Ship of the _Havanna_; here +he forced on Board a Pilot, took a Sloop and went to _Green Turtle Key_. + +I have only to add: This Pyrate, whose Death is set down in the first +Volume, betray'd the Coward when at the Gallows, and died in Agonies +equal to his Villainies, which he gave no Ground to believe proceeded +from the Apprehensions of a future State, but the Fear of Death. He +shew'd not the least Remorse for the Crimes of his past Life, which was +taken Notice of by the Spectators of his deserved Punishment, and told +me by a worthy Gentleman who saw Justice done on him at _Gallows Point_ +on _Port Royal_. + + + The Protest of Captain _King_, Commander of the _Neptune_ + Hagboat. + +'By this publick Instrument of Protest be it made known and manifest, +that on the 30th Day of _August_ 1718, _John King_, lately Commander of +the _Neptune_ Hagboat of _London_, but now in the Island of +_Providence_, one of his Majesty's _Bahama_ Islands, came before me +_Woodes Rogers_, Esq; Governor, _&c._ and declared to me, that on the +Day and Date above-written, he sailed with the said Ship _Neptune_ +Hagboat over the Bar of _Carolina_, in Company with three more Ships +bound for _London_, _viz._ the _Emperor_, Captain _Arnold Powers_, +Commander, and the Pink _Antamasia_, Captain _Dumford_, Commander, and +the Pink ......, Captain _Evers_, Commander, and about two Hours after +he was over the Bar of _South-Carolina_, he saw four Sail of Vessels +standing some one Way, some another; but one of them being a Brigantine, +gave Chase, and, in about two Hours time, came up with his Ship with a +black Flag flying, and after having fir'd several Guns, demanded him to +strike, and to come on Board the Brigantine, commanded by one _Charles +Vane_, a Pyrate, who detained him and four of his Men on board the said +Brigantine, and sent several of his Men on board the _Neptune_; and when +they came on board they commanded him to make Sail, and began to rob and +rifle as they thought fit, _&c._ taking only the _Neptune_ and _Emperor_ +with them; for by the Information of the Captain of the _Neptune_ and +_Emperor_, the other two were loaded with Pitch and Tar, which was not +for their Turn, so they would not give Chace to them; but in a small +Time after they had held a Consultation together, they concluded to +carry the Ship _Neptune_ and _Emperor_, with their Crew, to _Green +Turtle Key_, on _Abbaco_, so steered their Course accordingly for the +said Place. About four Days after _John King_, Commander of the +_Neptune_ declares, he fell sick of a violent Fever on board the said +_Vane_'s Brigantine, and _Vane_ asked him, if he would go on board his +own Ship? he readily answered, Yes, if he pleased; so hoisted out his +Boat, and sent him on board. And about four Days afterwards the Pyrates +held a Consultation on board their own Vessel. The Captain, and most of +the Officers, were for taking what they wanted out of the Ship _Neptune_ +and _Emperor_, and so let them go about their Business; but the rest of +the Company was not willing for it, because, they said, What should they +clean their Vessel by? And what Defence should they have whilst they +were cleaning? So concluded to proceed on to _Green Turtle Key_, which +they did, and arrived there on or about the 12th of _September_ 1718, +and began to make Preparations for careening their Vessels, which held +about three Weeks, and at the latter End of this Time they had taken +from both Ships such Things as they wanted, and then took their Leaves +of the said Ships and Captains, wishing them a good Voyage home, so set +Sail; but in a little Time after made a Sloop coming into the Harbour of +_Green Turtle Key_, perceiving her to come towards them without any +Fear, came to an Anchor again, and sent away the two Mast Boat after +them with about twelve Men in her, expecting it was a Sloop from +_Providence_ with fifty Men, according to Promise, when they left +_Providence_, but in three Hours, or thereabouts, they spoke with her, +which gave them Account that they came from _Providence_; and also +laying down the State and Condition of that Island, it being the +expected Sloop aforesaid, out of which some of the Men entered with +_Vane_, but know not how many. And likewise the said _King_ farther +declares, that he heard some of the Pyrates say, that Sloop had brought +Ammunition and Provisions, _&c._ and the Commander's Name was one +_Nicholas Woodall_. The said _King_ asked what was the best News at +_Providence_? They replied, None good: But bid him ask not many +Questions, but fit up his Ship, in order to go for _England_ or +_Providence_; if the latter, they would take Care to see us to +_Providence_, and did believe they should go in and surrender themselves +up to the King's Pardon. The next Morning, being very much disturb'd +with the News that the Sloop brought from _Providence_ by the said +_Woodall_, they voted to Maroon Captain _Walker_, but that did not take +Place, so put it to Vote again to maroon and destroy the _Neptune_, +which they did with cutting away the Masts, Rigging, Sails, Beams, and +firing a Gun, double loaded with Shot down her Hold, and totally +disabled her from ever proceeding her Voyage home to _England_. And the +said _King_ does verily believe, that the said _Woodall_'s Sloop coming +there, was the Occasion of all the aforesaid Mischief, believing what +was done was to pay him for his great Favour done them. And farther, the +said Captain _King_ says, that some of the Pyrates, who were his +Friends, told him, that if that Sloop had not come, this Damage would +not have been; and that they were very sorry for it; so by the said +_Vane_'s Order they went to work to load this _Woodall_'s Sloop with +Rice, Pitch, Tar, Deer Skins, Sails, Rigging, _&c._ After she was +loaded, being the next Day, they all sailed together as Pyrates, taking +with them one of Captain _Walker_'s Sons, with his Sloop, to tend on +them, and as Pilot; but before they got out of the Channel, arrived to +the Ships _Neptune_ and _Emperor_, a Sloop from _Providence_, sent by +the Governor to hear what was the best News there, hearing that _Vane_ +was there. The Captains of the said Sloop, _Hornigold_ and _Cockram_ +told the Captains _Powers_ and _King_, that they were come by the +Governor's Order to assist them in what they could, who accordingly did, +with making Dispatch to _Providence_, to acquaint his Excellency the +Governor what sad Condition they were in by the Pyrates hard Usage, +leaving them without Provisions, _&c._ So the said Captains _Hornigold_ +and _Cockram_ set Sail that Night, and in three or four Days after took +the Sloop _Woolfe_, _Nicholas Woodall_, Master, that had traded with +_Charles Vane_, the Pyrate, and carried him to his Excellency the +Governor of _Providence_, who seized his Vessel, and confined him +Prisoner. By that Time _Vane_ came in a second time to _Green Turtle +Key_, and began a second Plunder, taking from the Ships Rice, Rigging, +Masts, Sails, _&c._ from both Ships, and told the said _King_, that if +he offered to touch his Prize he would burn her, and him in her, if ever +he catched him again; so sailed away the second time: And about three +Weeks after arrived the said Captains _Hornigold_ and _Cockram_, with +five Sloops from _Providence_, sent down by the Governor, to save what +Goods they could out of the _Neptune_, that was in so much Danger. The +next Day they began to load the Sloops, and got them loaded in two Days, +so sailed away. The said _King_ came to _Providence_ to consult and +agree with the Governor what to do in such a Case. After some Time spent +it was concluded to fit out the _Willing Mind_ with Guns and Men, enough +to stand an Engagement with _Vane_, and sell the _Neptune_; and, in a +few Days after, did accordingly put her up publick to Sale, and it was +thus sold to one Mr. _George Hooper_, for seventy one Pounds current +Money of _Jamaica_, he being the Person that bid the most Money for her. +The _Willing Mind_ being fitted, sailed from _Providence_ the 15th of +_November_ 1718, and arrived at _Green Turtle Key_ the 19th, and took +the Goods out of the _Neptune_, being in a very bad Condition; and after +they had taken out all her Cargo, finding the _Neptune_ to be better +than they did expect; and, having a fair Wind, brought both Ships up to +_Providence_, the _Neptune_ got in safe, but the _Willing Mind_ struck +on the Bar, and sprung a Leak, insomuch that she was forced to unload +and careen, and, when down, found her to be very bad, a Piece of her +main Keel being gone, so was forced to hawl her ashore; and when the +Carpenters had done what could be done to her, she could not be got up +again by all the Strength that could be made, and tried for several +Days, breaking and tearing all to pieces, but all to no Purpose; so the +Governor order'd a Warrant of Survey on her, and was found by the +Surveyors not sufficient to proceed any further, being very much damaged +in her Wood-Work and Iron-Work, _&c._ Whereupon the said _King_ desired +a second Survey of his Ship and Goods, they lying in a very bad +Condition. Now in the Harbour of _Providence_ there being no Vessels to +carry them to _England_, he therefore is now going to _Carolina_ to +consult with Mr. _Richard Splat_, who shipp'd the Goods on board, and to +know of him what further may be done with the said Goods, and that he +may rightly apprize all they concern'd, of the present Condition of the +Ship and Goods; he has further taken the Opinion of Captain _Thomas +Walker_, Captain _Richard Thompson_, and Captain _Edward Holmes_, +Persons who are well acquainted what sad Condition the Ship and Goods +are now in; whereupon the said _King_, and one of the Mariners belonging +to the Ship _Neptune_, did, and doth hereby protest against the said +_Charles Vane_, and the rest of the Mariners, Pyrates and Robbers, +belonging to the Brigantine aforesaid, and for the feloniously and +pyratically taking, boarding, entering and plundering, and for sinking +and disabling within the Harbour of _Green Turtle Key_, the said Ship +_Neptune_, and for all Damages and Losses accruing thereby to the +Owners, Freighters, or any other Persons concern'd therein. In Testimony +whereof we have hereunto set our Hand and Seals this 5th Day of +_February_, _Anno Dom._ 1718-9. + + _Jurat Coram me hoc + die Decem. Februaris_, + Woodes Rogers. + + John King, + × _The Mark of_ + John Morrison.' + + + _Of Captain_ BOWEN. + +Could the Reader conceive the Pains we have been at, to collect Matters +for the composing a genuine History of the Lives of the Pyrates, and the +great Care we have taken to deliver nothing but the Truth, he would +readily forgive, nay, would be apt to commend our placing those +Particulars in the Appendix of the same Book, which we could not +possibly obtain (notwithstanding our diligent Enquiries) before the +Lives were printed, and the Book in a manner ready for Publication. + +What we have said in the foregoing Part of this Volume, of Captain +_Bowen_, may be depended on as Truth; but as we had not that Certainty +of his Original we now have, we rather chose to be silent than impose on +our Readers with Fables of our own Invention: We have since learn'd (and +it is with Reason we can depend on our Account, having it from one who +personally knew, and often convers'd with him) that he was born of +creditable Parents, in the Island of _Bermudas_, who took Care to give +him a good Education answerable to the Vocation he was design'd for, +which was the Sea. + +The first Voyage he made was to _Carolina_, where some Merchants finding +him every Way capable, and that he was a sober intelligent Man, gave him +the Command of a Ship, and sent him to the _West-Indies_. He continued +in this Employ for several Years, but one Voyage, in his Return, he had +the Misfortune to fall in with, and be taken, by a _French_ Pyrate, who +having no Artist on board, detain'd Captain _Bowen_ to navigate their +Vessel; and after cruizing some Time in the _West-Indies_, shap'd their +Course for the _Guiney_ Coast, where they made several Prizes, and took +several good Artists; but having Experience of Captain _Bowen_, he could +by no Means prevail on them for a Discharge; tho' notwithstanding the +Service he was to them, they treated him as roughly as they did their +other Prisoners, of which I have already taken Notice in Captain +_White_'s Life. + +They (the Pyrates) doubled the _Cape_ of _Good Hope_, steer'd for, +refresh'd at _Johanna_, and having made their Voyage to the +_East-Indies_, lost their Ship, as is already shewn in the above Life, +(and need not be here repeated) on _Madagascar_: The other +Particularities which are not set down in _Bowen_'s own Life, will be +found in those of his Companions; as his going with Captain _Read_; the +taking the _Grabb_; the coming to _Mayotta_, and from thence in the +_Grabb_ to _Madagascar_; the joining of that Vessel and _Fourgette_'s; +the taking the _Speaker_; his succeeding _Booth_ in the Command, and his +Death at _Mascarenas_. + + + OF + Capt. _Nathaniel North_, + And his CREW. + +We have placed this Life in the Appendix, which will not perhaps be +thought a proper Place; but we could not gather the Particulars, which +were collected out of several different Journals, Time enough to insert +it in the Body of the Book, and therefore, thought of reserving this +Life for Part of another Volume; but when we had compiled it, and found +it was a Sort of Recapitulation of the Adventures of the _Madagascar_ +Pyrates which went before, we judged it more proper to give it in the +Appendix than to separate this Gentleman from his Companions; and we +were the rather induc'd to this, as the Reader will here find an Account +of _Bowen_'s Death, which we had not learn'd at the Time we wrote his +Life; the Papers which we got after a long Search, and which has +furnish'd us with some other Particulars of that Rover's Life, not being +at that Time to be found. + + * * * * * + +Captain _North_ was born at _Bermudas_, and was the Son of a Sawyer, +which Business he himself was bred up to, but took, at last, to the +Seas, at the Age of 17 or 18, shipping himself Cook on board a Sloop, +built at _Bermudas_, for some Gentlemen of _Barbadoes_, with Design to +fit her out for a Privateer. She was bound to her Owners, but the Master +took _Santa Vdas_ in the Way, and loaded with Salt. When they came to +_Barbadoes_ all the Crew was press'd, and _North_ with his Companions +were put on board the _Reserve_. + +The Master applied himself to the Governor, and got all his Men clear'd, +_North_ excepted, who, as he was a Lad, was neglected, and left on board +the Man of War, which soon after sail'd for _Jamaica_; some Time before +the _Reserve_ was relieved from this Station, he laid Hold of an +Opportunity to run away, and shipp'd himself on board a Sugar Drover, in +which Way of Life he continued about two Years, and being an able +Sailor, tho' no Artist, he was offer'd to go Master of one of these +Coasters, which he refus'd, and went on board a Privateer. + +The first Voyage he made, as a Privateer, they took a couple of good +Prizes, which made every Man's Share very considerable; but _North_, as +he had got his Money lightly, so he spent it, making the Companions of +his Dangers the Companions of his Diversions, or rather joining himself +with them, and following their Example; which all (who are acquainted +with the Way of Life of a successful _Jamaica_ Privateer) know is not an +Example of the greatest Sobriety and Oeconomy. + +His Money being all spent, he took the same Method for a Recruit, that +is, he went a second Time a Privateering, and met with such Success, +that he engag'd very heartily in this Course of Life, and made several +lucky Cruizes. + +Some Time after he grew tir'd, thought of trading, and shipp'd himself +on board a Brigantine, bound for the _Spanish_ Coast, commanded by one +Captain _Reesby_: This Vessel went both on the Trading and Privateer +Account, so that the Men shipp'd for half Wages, and equal Shares of +what Prizes they should make, in the same Manner, as to the Shares, as +on board a Privateer; their trading answer'd very poorly, and their +privateering Business still worse, for they return'd without making any +Prize. + +They were forced to leave the _Spanish_ Coast, on Account of a _Spanish +Guarda la Costa_, of 40 Guns and Three hundred and fifty _Frenchmen_, +commanded by a Captain of the same Nation. When they made the Island of +_Jamaica_, they fell in with _Bluefields_, off which Place two _French_ +Privateer Sloops were cruizing, one of which was formerly a Privateer of +_Jamaica_, called the _Paradox_; they immediately clapp'd Capt. _Reesby_ +on board, taking him for a Trader, come from the _Spanish_ Coast, and +weakly mann'd; however, they were soon made sensible of the Mistake, for +they came to fetch Wool, and one of them went away shorn; I mean +_Reesby_ took one of them, and the other was obliged to a good Pair of +Heels for his Safety. _Reesby_ lost ten Men, killed outright in the +Engagement, and had seven wounded; the latter, tho' he had made but a +broken Voyage, he put ashore at _Bluefields_, and ordered great Care to +be taken of them, at the Owners Expence: Here he took in fresh +Provision, and then beat up to _Port Royal_, where _Reesby_ paid them +very honourably, gave them a handsome Entertainment, and begg'd they +would not leave him, as he had a very great Value for them all; but for +_North_ particularly, who was a good Swimmer, manag'd a Canoe, with +great Dexterity, and fear'd nothing. + +Upon this Desire of the Captain's, _North_ and the greater Part staid +ashore till Captain _Reesby_ was refitted, and went a second Voyage with +him to the Coast, at seventeen Dollars a Month, and no Share; they +carried 300 Negroes, beside Bale Goods; they staid four Months on the +Coast, and dispos'd of all the Slaves and Goods to great Advantage. Upon +their Return to _Jamaica_, after some Stay on the Island, Captain +_Reesby_ not going out again, _North_ went once more a Privateering, and +made a considerable Booty. While _North_ was ashore after a Cruize, he +was press'd on board the _Mary_ Man of War: He made a Cruize in her to +the _Spanish_ Coast, and return'd to _Jamaica_; but hearing the _Mary_ +was soon to go to _England_, he, and three more, resolv'd to swim ashore +from the Keys, where the Men of War lie, but he was taken as he was +going off the Head, and whipp'd; he, however, found Means to make his +Escape, before the Ship left the Island, and went on board the _Neptune_ +Sloop, a Privateer, commanded by Captain _Lycence_, then Lieutenant of +the _Reserve_, who, while the Ship was in the Carpenter's Hands, got a +Commission of the Governor to take a Cruize. Captain _Moses_, who +commanded the _Reserve_, went on board their Sloop, under the Command of +his Lieutenant, for Diversion only: They cruized off _Hispaniola_, where +they met with a _French_ Letter of Mart Merchant Man, of 18 Guns, and +118 Men, who had the Day before engaged the _Swan_ Man of War, and shook +her off. + +The _Neptune_ attack'd her, and Captain _Moses_ was wounded one of the +first, and carried down; _Lycense_ order'd to board, but the +Quarter-Master, who steer'd, mistook the Helm, the Sloop fell off, and +the _French_ pouring in a Volley of small Shot, Captain _Lycence_ was +kill'd, which being told to _Moses_, as the Surgeon dress'd him, he +order'd _North_ to the Helm, bid them not be discouraged, and he would +be upon Deck immediately. Accordingly he came up as soon as dress'd, +laid the Ship on board, where they made a very obstinate Resistance; but +the _French_ Captain being kill'd, who received eleven Shot before he +dropp'd, they, at length, became Masters. + +The Privateer lost ten Men, and twenty were wounded: The _French_ had +fifty Men killed and wounded, among whom was the Captain, who had +received two Shot, as he was going down to the Surgeon to get his Blood +staunch'd, and came upon Deck just as he was boarded, where, encouraging +his Men, he was distinguished and aimed at. + +When they had brought the Prize into _Jamaica_, as she was an _English_ +Bottom, built at _Bristol_, and called the _Crown_, the former Owners +sued to have half the Ship and Cargo, and recovered one third. + +_North_ went again a Privateering, Captain _Moses_ his Ship being not +fitted, he would take a second Cruize, and _North_ with him. Some Time +after their Return, Captain _Moses_ being a cruizing in the _Reserve_, +_North_, who was ashore, was press'd on board the _Assistance_ Man of +War; and on the _Reserve_'s coming, being recommended by Captain _Moses_ +to his own Captain, he was handsomely treated, and made one of the +Barge's Crew: He was very easy till the _Assistance_ was order'd to +_England_, and then, as he was apprehensive of going into a cold +Climate, he took his Leave of the Man of War, and said nothing. He then +went on board a Privateer again, and made several Prizes, two of which +were _English_ Bottoms, and sued for by former Owners; _North_ thinking +it hard to venture his Life, and have Part of his Prize Money taken +away, and the Press being hot in _Jamaica_, he resolved to sail no more +with the _English_; but went to _Curasoe_ into the _Dutch_ Service, and +sail'd with a _Spanish_ Trader to the Coast of _New Spain_ several +Voyages. In the last he made, they were chased ashore by a couple of +_French_ Sloops, one of which was commanded by a _Dutchman_, named +_Lawrence_, who, with his Comrade, took Possession of their Vessel, and +rifled her; the Crew of the Prize called to them, and asked, if they +would give them good Quarters? which they promis'd; took them all on +board, and used 'em very handsomely. + +The _French_ gave the Prisoners a small Sloop they took a while after, +and they returned to _Curaso_. + +He having now forgot his Resentment, he return'd to _Jamaica_, and went +on board and cruiz'd in a _Spanish Barca Longa_, of 10 Guns, commanded +by Captain _Lovering_, born at _Jamaica_; they cruiz'd three Months in +the _West Indies_, and making but a small Hand of it, they put for +_Newfoundland_, to try their Fortune on the Banks: Here they met a Man +of War, who renew'd their Commission for six Months longer. The first +Prize they made was a _French_ Ketch, with a _Spanish_ Pass, and would +have pass'd for a _Spaniard_, but by strict Search, and threatning of +the Men, they discovered her to be what she really was, tho' she had, as +a _Spaniard_, slipp'd thro' the Fingers of a Man of War before. + +They carried their Prize into Harbour, went again upon the Cruize, met +with a _French_ Letter of Mart Merchant Man, a _Bristol_ built Ship, +called the _Pelican_, of 18 Guns, and Seventy five Men, half laden with +Fish: This Ship stood them a long Argument; they clapp'd her on board, +and two of their Men enter'd, but missing lashing, the _Barca Longa_ +fell a-stern, and the two Men were made Prisoners; however, they came up +with her again, clapp'd her on board a second Time, and carried her into +the same Port where they had left the Ketch. + +They after this put to Sea again, and being discovered by the _French_ +Settlement ashore, they went into St. _Mary_'s Bay, where they fell in +with a large _French_ Fly-Boat, of 800 Tons, eighty Men, and 18 Guns, +and laden with Fish: They chased and came up with her, under _French_ +Colours; when they were pretty near the _Frenchman_ they haled, and +ask'd, whence they came? a _Guernsey_ Man, at the Bowsprit End, +answer'd, from _Petit Guavers_; that they had been cruizing on the +Banks, and were going into the Bay for Refreshment. The _Frenchman_ bid +them come no nearer, but send their Boat on board; they keeping on the +Chase he fired at them, they did not mind this, but run up a long Side +and boarded him; the _French_ ran to their close Quarters, and disputed +the Ship three Quarters of an Hour, when they all call'd for Quarters +except one Man, who wou'd take none, but ran like a Madman into the +Thick of the _English_, and wounded several, tho' he was soon dispatch'd +by their Pistols. + +They carried this Prize to join the others, and turning all the +Prisoners ashore, except what were necessary to condemn their Prizes; +they stood, with a Fleet of four Sail, for _Rhode Island_. + +Here they condemn'd the Fly-Boat and Ketch, but found a great Difficulty +in getting the _Pelican_ condemn'd, the _English_ Owners putting in +their Claim; but, at length, a _Scotch_ Lawyer did their Business, upon +leaving 300 l. in his Hands to bear the Charge of any future Suit. +Captain _Lovering_ dying here, the Ship's Company bought the _Pelican_, +broke up the _Barca Longa_, sent her Owners their Shares, and got a +Commission for the Master to cruize Southward as far as the Line, and to +be valid for eighteen Months certain, two Years allowing for Accidents. + +They fitted this Ship for a long Voyage, out of the Joint Stock of the +Company; but Iron Hoops being scarce in _New England_, they were obliged +to take Casks hoop'd with Wood, which I mention, because it proved the +Ruin of their Voyage to the _East Indies_ for a whole Year. + +They being fitted for the Sea, they set Sail and steer'd for the _Cape_ +of _Good Hope_, which they doubled in the Month of _June_, made the best +of their Way to _Madagascar_, and went into _Augustine_ Bay, where they +victualled and watered, but before this was done it was _August_, which +was too late to go to the _East-Indies_; which they propos'd to do with +Design, to cruize on the _Moors_, not intending to Pyrate among the +_Europeans_, but honestly and quietly to rob what _Moors_ fell in their +Way, and return home with clean Consciences, and clean, but full Hands, +within the limited Time of their Commission. + +From _Augustine_ they went to _Johanna_, and the Provisions they had +salted up at _Madagascar_ not being well done, it began to spoil; this +and their Cloaths wanting Repair, made them desperately resolve to take +the King of _Johanna_ and make him ransome himself, but the Master wou'd +not take Charge of the Ship, being unacquainted with the Coast: They +cruiz'd among the Islands, landed at _Comaro_, and took the Town, but +found no Booty, excepting some Silver Chains, and check'd Linnen. From +hence they went to _Mayotta_, where they took in a _Frenchman_ who had +been morooned there, and maintain'd by the King; they consulted with him +about the surprizing and taking his Town. The _Frenchman_ was averse to +it, as he owed him the Obligation of being preserved; however, he was in +their Hands, and must do as they would have him: They surrounded the +King's House after they had been three Days in his Town, and took him +and all the Inhabitants; but the King's Son made his Way thro' the +thickest of them with his Cutlash, tho' he was shot afterward. The +Pretence they made use of for this inhospitable Manner, was, that the +King had poison'd the Crew of a Ship, which was their Consort; he denied +it, as well he might, for they themselves never heard of a Ship of the +Name they gave this fictitious one. The King they carried on board, the +other Prisoners they put into a Sort of a Temple, with a Guard over them +of 36 Men. + +The Alarm being given in the Country, the Natives came down in a Body of +some Thousands, and attack'd the Guard; but the Ship hearing the Fire, +and seeing the Hills covered with Blacks, discharged several great Guns, +loaded with Patridge, which making a very great Slaughter, obliged them +to retire. + +The King ransom'd himself for some Silver Chains to the Value of a +thousand Dollars, and for what Provision they demanded; and at the +setting him ashore, swore Allegiance to them as Masters of the Country, +and took an Oath besides, never to poison any more white Men. + +After this notable Expedition, they staid here a Fortnight, tho' always +on their Guard, and then went back for _Augustine_ with about 20 Slaves, +they carried away with them for Servants. + +Here a Sickness coming among them, they built Huts ashore; they lost, +notwithstanding all their Care and Precaution, their Captain and thirty +Men, by the Distemper which they contracted; but it abating, they +thought of going to Sea again, but on examining their Water Casks, they +found the Hoops all worm eaten and rotten, so that there was no +Proceeding, but this Defect was repaired by their Cooper, who was an +ingenious Fellow; he went into the Woods with the _Mayotta_ Slaves, and +with Withies and other Stuff he gathered, fitted them up, and made them +tight, in acknowledging of which Service, they chose him Captain, and +_North_ was made Quarter-Master. + +At _Augustine_ they pick'd up some Straglers, among whom was _David +Williams_, and on a Muster, they found they had a hundred and five Men. +They then made their Vessel a free Ship, that is, they agreed every Man +should have an equal Share in all Prizes; and proceeded for the Mouth of +the _Red Seas_. + +In the Night, after they had reach'd their Station, they made two Ships, +one was the _Mocha_ Frigate, of 40 Guns, commanded by _Culliford_: she +had been an _East India_ Man, and under the Command of one Captain +_Stout_; the other Ship was called the _Soldada_, a Ship of 16 Guns, the +Captain's Name _Shivers_; they haled one another, and on both Sides gave +the same Answers, _from the Seas_, and upon Agreement, they all lay by +that Night: In the Morning they consorted, and agreed to make an equal +Division of all Prizes, which any of the three should take from that +Time for two Months to come. + +The _Pelican_ spared Wood, Water, and some of her Hands to Captain +_Culliford_, and here _Williams_ shifted on board him. About ten Days +after, these three had join'd Company a large _Moor_'s Ship, on which +they afterwards mounted 70 Guns, hove in Sight. + +They all gave Chase, but the small Ship came first up with the _Moor_, +who exchang'd several Shot with the _Soldada_ and _Pelican_; but the +_Soldada_ clapp'd her on board, and before the _Pelican_ could enter a +Man, the _Moors_ call'd for Quarters: In boarding the _Moor_, she fired +a Broadside upon the _Soldada_, but only two Shot hull'd her, and kill'd +two Men, which was the only Loss they had in taking a thousand +Prisoners, Passengers, and Sailors. + +All the Money was carried on board the _Mocha_ Frigate, and divided +between her Crew and the _Soldada_, excluding without other Reason than +_sic volumus_, the _Pelican_ from any Share. + +The Crew of the _Pelican_ expostulated with them, and bid them remember +they had spared both Wood and Water, or the _Mocha_ could not have kept +the Station; instead of any Answer, they receiv'd a Command to be gone, +or they would sink them; they answering, they could not go by +themselves, wanting the Water and Wood they had spared. The two Consorts +gave them a thousand Dollars, and some Water out of the _Moor_, bidding +them buy Wood, where they could purchase it, and so left the _Pelican_ +to her self, going away for the Coast of _Malabar_, where they put the +Prisoners and Horses they had taken ashore, sunk the _Soldada_, and +thence went to the Isle of _St. Mary_'s on _Madagascar_, where the +_Moor_'s Ship now lies sunk. They shared out of this Prize a thousand +Pounds a Man in Silver and Gold besides other Goods; and the two Pyrates +amounted to the Number of 350 Men. + +The _Pelican_ kept the same Station for some Days, when a large _Moor_ +Ship hove in Sight, they gave Chase, and the _Moor_, not suspecting her +for an Enemy, did not endeavour to get away; when the _Pelican_ came up, +she fired for the _Moor_ to bring to, which made him set his small +Sails, tho' with the Loss of several Men; for the _Pelican_ being close +up, brought them down with the small Arms. When the _Moor_ had, at +length, hove out his small Sails, the _Pelican_ could not gain upon him +enough to board, tho' she was not a Pistol Shot a-stern; whenever she +came upon his Lee Quarter, the _Moor_ being a tall Ship, took away the +Wind from the _Pelican_, and she could never get to Windward of him. She +ply'd her fore Chase all this while, and drove the _Moors_ from their +stern Chase, but could not, as they endeavour'd to do, strike the +_Moors_ Rudder, or any other Way disable him. At length, by the Fear and +bad Steerage of the _Moor_, the _Pelican_ ran up along Side of them, but +as she miss'd lashing, she was obliged to shoot a head; in the mean +while the _Moor_ Wore round, the _Pelican_ put to Stays after him but +not Staying, and they being all in Confusion, they Wore also; but in +this Time the _Moor_ had got the Start, and setting all the Canvas he +could pack on his Ship's Back, wrong'd the _Pelican_, and got off. + +The Loss of this Ship made the Crew almost distracted, and made, for +some Time, a great Division among them, some cursing the Ship for a +heavy Sailor, and proposing to return home, others cursing themselves, +and the ill Management by which they miss'd lashing, and propos'd going +to _Madagascar_, and the breaking her up, since as she was a single +Bottom, she must be worm-eaten; but Time, which mollifies the greatest +Rage, abated these Contentions, and put an End to the Animosities which +sprung from their Disappointment. + +They being cool, resolved for the _Malabar_ Coast, on which they took +three _Moor_ Ships in a little Time; the first they discharged, after +taking out 6000 Dollars; the second they took for their own Use, mounted +her with 26 Guns, and called her the _Dolphin_; the third they sold on +the same Coast for 18000 Dollars. Their own Ship they set adrift. From +this Coast they made for _Madagascar_, and near the Island _Mascarenas_ +lost all their Masts in a Hurricane. They put up Jury-Masts, came to St. +_Mary_'s and new masted. Here they found Captain _Culliford_, Captain +_Shivers_, and their Prize, with three Merchant Men from _America_, +which were come to trade with them, one of which was the _Pembrook_, +commanded by _Samuel Burges_, belonging to _Frederick Phillips_, +Merchant at _New-York_. The Captain of the _Dolphin_, and some of the +Men being weary of this Life, went home in these Merchant Ships, and the +Crew chose one _Samuel Inless_, who lived on the Island, for their +Captain; they fitted out for the _Streights_ of _Malacca_, where they +made several Prizes of _Moor_ Ships, but of little value to them. + +_North_ on board one of the Prizes, was separated from the rest by bad +Weather, and drove to great Straights for Water. The _Moor_ Merchant, +who was on board with him, and whom he had treated very humanely, shewed +him a Draught, by which he came to a small Island not far from the +_Dutch_ Settlement, and watered. The _Moor_ told him, that he ran the +Risque of his Life should it be known that he had given him a Sight of +this Draught. In return for this Service, when he met with his +Companions, he got the _Moor_'s Ship discharged. + +They, after this, made for _Nicobar_, near _Achen_, and, in the Way, met +a large _Dane_ Ship, which they plunder'd, and hove down by, clean'd, +and return'd to _Madagascar_, where they shar'd their Booty, which was, +besides Goods, between 3 and 400 l. a Man. A Month after their Arrival +three _English_ Men of War appear'd in Sight, the _Anglesea_, Captain +_Littleton_, the _Hastings_, Captain _White_, and the _Lizard_, Captain +_Rumsey_. These Ships occasioned their hawling up the _Dolphin_, which, +as they could not get her as high as they design'd, they set Fire to. + +Commadore _Littleton_ brought a Pardon for such of the Pyrates as would +accept it, and many of them, among whom were _Culliford_ and _Shivers_ +did, and went home with Merchant Men. _North_ accepted it also, but +would not trust to it, finding the Time fixed for their Surrender was +elapsed before the Men of War arrived. + +Most of the Pyrates having left the Isle of St. _Mary_'s, where the +King's Ships lay, _North_ thought it not safe for him to stay, and +therefore putting all he had into the _Dolphin_'s Boat, he design'd to +join his Comrades on the Main of _Madagascar_; but being overset by a +Squawl, all the People were lost except himself, who swam four Leagues, +and a Negroe Woman, whom he put on the Bottom of the Boat. + +Being now on the Main, and quite naked, he frighted the Negroes he met +with, as he got out of the Water, for they took him for a Sea-Devil; but +one Woman, who had been used to sell Fowls at the white Mens Houses, had +the Courage not to run away, and, when he came near, knew him; she gave +him half her Petticoat to cover his Nakedness, and calling a Negroe Man +who carried her Things, and was run into the Woods; they help'd him to +perform his Journey to the Dwelling of some white Men, which was sixteen +Miles from the Place where he come on Shore; a great Journey for a Man +so feeble with swimming. He was kindly received and cloathed by his +Comrades, whom he staid with, till he had recovered his Strength, and +then he went to a black Prince of his Acquaintance, with whom he staid +till the Arrival of Captain _Fourgette_, which was a full Year. + +In this Vessel (which I have already said in _White_'s Life was taken) +he went round the North-End to the West-Side, and came into _Methelage_, +where they surprized the _Speaker_; the Manner of which Surprize is also +mentioned in the same Life; and, after the Death of Captain _Booth_, was +chosen Captain's Quarter-Master, by _Bowen_, who succeeded in the +Voyage, and the Consequences of it are already set down, for he was in +the _Speaker_ till she was lost. + +The next Voyage he made was in the _Speedy Return_ (taken from Captain +_Drummond_,) in the Capacity of Company's Quarter-Master, with Design to +cruise in the _Red Seas_; but touching at the Island of _Mayotta_, they +consorted with Captain _Howard_, whom they met with at the Island, as is +already said. From thence they went and victualled at _Augustine_, +having promised Captain _Bowen_ to meet him in two Months; accordingly +returning thither, and missing him, they went to _Mayotta_ to enquire +after him; but hearing there that he was gone a Voyage, and as the Place +of Rendezvous was off the Highlands of St. _John_'s, they steered their +Course thither, to join him, and lie for the _Moor_'s Fleet from +_Mocoa_. + +In their Passage they met with a violent Storm, in which they were near +foundering, it beat in their Stern, and obliged them to throw over all +their Guns (two excepted, which lay in the Hold) and forced them into +the Gulf of _Persia_, where they took several small Vessels, which they +ripp'd up to mend their Ship. + +Being very much in want of Water, having staved all their Casks, to save +themselves in the Storm, and meeting with little in the Vessels taken, +they hoisted out the Canoe to chase a Fishing Vessel, that they might be +inform'd where they should find Water. This Boat made from them with all +their Force, but the Ship firing, the People all leap'd into the Water, +some of whom were drowned, and the rest got ashoar, except one Man, whom +they came up with; but as soon as they thought to lay hold on him, he +dived, and kept them in play near an Hour and a half: They would not +shoot him, because it did not answer their Ends; but, at length, +_North_, who was in the Boat, took the Sprit, and struck at him as he +rose, hoping to disable him, but he broke his Jaw. They took him by this +Means, brought him on board, sent him to the Surgeon, and when they +despair'd of his being able to speak, he asked for a Pipe of Tobacco, +which he smoak'd, and drunk a Dram; after which he seem'd very hearty. +As the Pyrates had on board several black Slaves, who spoke the +_East-India_ Tongue, one of them was ordered to enquire of him where +they might find Water, promising him his Liberty if he would direct +them. On this Promise he carried them to a convenient landing Place, +where he shewed a Well full of Dirt, out of which, after a great deal of +Trouble to come at it, they drew but three Buckets of Water, which +sufficed those only who went on Shoar, to the Number of 30. Enraged with +this Disappointment after so much Labour, they threaten'd their Prisoner +with Death, who told them, if they would have Patience till the Sun was +set, they would have Plenty, for the Spring would rise, and flow all +Night; which they found to be Fact, and filled twenty Tun of Water, and +return'd on board, carrying the Man with them, for whom they made a +gathering of some Goods, and about thirty Dollars; these they gave him, +and exacted a Promise, that whenever he saw any Ship on that Coast, +which made the same Signals they had made, he would go on board and +render them what Service he could, assuring him he would always meet +with civil Treatment, and be well rewarded. + +After this they cruised on the Gulf of _Persia_ some Days, in hopes of +meeting their Consort, not doubting but she had some Share in the Storm. + +The Time of their Consortship being now over, and she not appearing, +they steered for the Highlands of St. _John_ near _Surat_, the Place of +Rendezvous. When they made the Land they spied a tall Ship, and +immediately making all clear for an Engagement, they gave chase. The +other Ship doing the like, they soon met, and, to the great Joy of both +Parties, she proved their Consort. Upon Enquiry they found the +_Prosperous_ had been ten Days on this Station, and had not met with the +Storm which had so roughly handled the _Speedy Return_, on giving an +Account of their Misfortune, _viz._ their being obliged to throw over +their Guns, and a Quantity of Provisions, Captain _Howard_ spared them +some fresh Provisions, and expressing great Concern for the Accident, +renewed his Consortship for two Months longer; that is, they agreed +whatever Prizes were taken should be equally divided between the Crews +of both Ships. After they had cruised here fourteen Days, they spied +seven Sail of tall Ships, which proved to be the _Moors_ from _Mocoa_; +they both gave Chace, but the _Speedy Return_ being the better Sailor +first came up with one of them, laid her on board, and carried her in a +very little Time, with little more Damage than the Loss of her Bowsprit. +The _Prosperous_ kept on the Chace, and having Captain _Whaley_ on board +as a Pilot, took another at an Anchor, as is said (so need not be +repeated) in Captain _Howard_'s Life. + +The _Speedy Return_ steered with her Prize for the Coast of _Malabar_, +where, by Agreement, she was to wait ten Days for her Consort. In six +Days the _Prosperous_ joined them, but without any Prize, having rifled +her, as is before said in another Life. + +Here they made an equal Dividend of their Prizes, burnt the _Speedy +Return_, sunk the _Prosperous_, went all on board the _Moor_'s Ship, put +to Sea, and cruised on this Coast, where they made several Prizes. When +they came over against _Cachine_, some black Merchants, Goldsmiths, and +several _Dutch_ Men, came on board to trade with them, bringing a great +many Sequins, and other Gold Coin, to change for _Spanish_ Dollars; as +many of the Pyrates designed to knock off and return home, they gave 500 +Dollars for 200 Sequins, for the Conveniency of close Stowage about +them. The Goldsmiths set up their Forges on board the Ship, and were +fully employed in making them Buttons, Buckles, and what else they +fancied, so that they had a fair Opportunity of putting what Alloy they +thought proper. They here also furnished themselves with a good Quantity +of Arrack, Provisions, and Stores, and then leaving the Coast, shaped +their Course for _Madagascar_, but, in the Way, fell in with the Island +of _Mauritius_, and put into a Port called the _North-West Harbour_. +Here they wooded and watered. This Port affords great abundance of a +poisonous Fish called the _Red-Snapper_, the Nature of which was well +known to Captain _Bowen_, who perswaded his Men not to eat of them, but +they were in Port, and then are all Commanders, so that this wholesome +Advice was thrown away upon them. The Captain seeing their Obstinacy, +and that they could not be disswaded, eat with them, chusing rather to +share the same Fate than be left alone to the Mercy of the _Dutch_, as +he was conscious of what he merited. + +They supp'd plentifully on the Fish, and drank very heartily after it. +Soon after they began to swell in a frightful Manner. The next Morning +some Planters came on board with Fowls, Goats, _&c._ and seeing the +Pyrates in a miserable Condition, and some of these Fish lying on the +Decks, asked if they had not eat of them? Being answer'd they had, +advised their drinking plentifully of strong Liquors, which was the only +way to expel the Poyson, which had dispatch'd them all in less Time, had +they not done it after their unfortunate Meal. They readily followed +this Advice, as the Prescription was agreeable, and by this Means, with +the Care of the Surgeons, of whom they had several expert in their +Business, and stock'd with good Medicines, they all recovered, four +excepted, who paid their Obstinacy with their Lives. + +They here heel'd their Ship, scrubb'd, tallow'd, and took in what they +wanted. When they had staid three Months in this Port, the Governor sent +and desired them to put to Sea, for he expected the Arrival of the +_Dutch East-India_ Men; they accordingly got every Thing ready, and went +out, but left several of their Men behind them, as we have said in +_Bowen_'s Life. + +From hence they steered for _Madagascar_, and in their Passage stopped +at _Don Mascarenas_, where they took in a Quantity of Hogs, Goat, Sheep, +Fowls of all Sorts, and Green Turtle. Captain _Bowen_ here went ashoar +with 40 of his Men, having obtained the Governor's Protection by the +Force of Presents. These Men design'd to give over their Pyracy, and +return home the first Opportunities offer'd them. In six Months after +they had staid here, Captain _Bowen_ was taken ill of the dry Belly Ach, +a Distemper as rife here as in the _West-India_ Islands, and was buried +in the Highway, for the Priests would not allow him holy Ground, as he +was a Heretick. + +But to return; when _Bowen_ went ashoar _North_ was chosen Captain. The +Ceremony of this Installation is, the Crew having made choice of him to +Command, either by an unanimous Consent, or by a Majority of Suffrages, +they carry him a Sword in a very solemn Manner, make him some +Complements, and desire he will take upon him the Command, as he is the +most capable among them. That he will take Possession of the great +Cabin; and, on his accepting the Office, he is led into the Cabin in +State, and placed at a Table, where only one Chair is set at the upper +End, and one at the lower End of the Table for the Company's +Quarter-Master. The Captain and he being placed, the latter succinctly +tells him, that the Company having Experience of his Conduct and +Courage, do him the Honour to elect him for their Head, not doubting his +behaving himself with his usual Bravery, and doing every Thing which may +conduce to the publick Good; in Confidence of which, he, in the Name of +the Company, promised to obey all his lawful Commands, and declared him +Captain. Then the Quarter-Master takes up the Sword, which he had before +presented him, and he had returned, puts it into his Hand, and says, +_This is the Commission under which you are to act, may you prove +fortunate to your self and us_. The Guns are then fired round, Shot and +all; he is saluted with three Chears; the Ceremony is ended with an +Invitation from the Captain to such as he thinks fit to have dine with +him, and a large Bowl of Punch is ordered to every Mess. + +Captain _North_ leaving this Island steered for _Madagascar_, and came +to Cape _Dolphin_ at the South End, as is said in _White_'s Life, where +he came to an Anchor, and took on board some Refreshments, but it +blowing hard, he was obliged to put to Sea, and leave his Boat with 30 +Men behind him. He ran along the East-Side of the Island, and came to a +Place called _Ambonavoula_, in the Latitude of 17, 38. where they put on +Shore some of their Goods, and settled themselves among the Negroes, +several living in a House; here they lived as Sovereign Princes among +the Inhabitants. + +The _Moor_ Prisoners they kept on board, and allowed them sufficient +fresh Provisions. _North_ privately bid the Boatswain of the _Moors_ +take the Advantage of the Land Breeze in the Night Time, and go off with +the Ship, and what Goods were left on board; or the Pyrates would soon +hawl up the Ship, take every Thing on Shore, and they (marooned there) +would never see their own Country again. + +Accordingly the Boatswain following this Advice, laid hold of the +Opportunity of a dark Night, and communicating his Design to the other +_Moors_, whom he did not acquaint with this Advice, as _North_ charg'd +him not, till he was on the Point of executing his Design, they weigh'd +with great Silence and stood to Sea. + +The next Morning some of the Pyrates propos'd to go on Board and fetch +off some Iron and other Things to trade with in the Country; but they +were strangely surpriz'd when they miss'd the Ship; they alarm'd the +rest of their Comrades, and went in a Body to Captain _North_ to tell +him what had happen'd. He answer'd, if the _Moors_ were gone off with +the Ship, it was their own Fault; they ought to have left a sufficient +Number of Hands on Board to have secur'd her; that there was now no +Remedy but Patience, for they had no Vessel to pursue with, except they +thought the Canoe proper. + +Some of the Pyrates thought as she lay in foul Ground the Cable might be +cut by some Rock, and the Ship blown off to Sea by that Accident; on +starting this, some of them ran up to an Eminence, and from thence spy'd +the Ship as far as they could well see, with all Sails set, which was a +cruel and convincing Proof that their Loss was irreparable. + +They endeavoured to make themselves easy, since there was no Help; and +transporting their Goods to different Abodes, at small Distances, they +settled themselves, buying Cattle and Slaves, and lived in a neighbourly +Manner one among another five Years; clear'd a great deal of Ground, and +planted Provisions as Yamms, Potatoes, _&c._ The Natives among whom they +fix'd, had frequent Broils and Wars among themselves, but the Pyrates +interposed, and endeavoured to reconcile all differences; _North_ +deciding their Disputes not seldom, with that Impartiality and strict +Regard to distributive Justice (for he was allowed, by all, a Man of +admirable good natural Parts) that he ever sent away, even the Party who +was cast, satisfied with the Reason, and content with the Equity of his +Decisions. + +These Inclinations which the Pyrates shewed to Peace, and the Example +they set of an amicable Way of Life; for they carefully avoided all +Jars, and agreed to refer all Cause of Complaint among themselves which +might arise, to a cool Hearing before _North_, and twelve of their +Companions, gave them a great Character among the Natives, who were +before very much prejudiced against the White Men. Nay, in this Point of +keeping up a Harmony among themselves, they were so exact, that whosever +spoke but in an angry or peevish Tone, was rebuked by all the Company, +especially if before any of the Country, tho' even but a Slave, of their +own; for they thought, and very justly, that Unity and Concord were the +only Means to warrant their Safety; for the People being ready to make +War on one another upon the slightest Occasion, they did not doubt but +they would take the Advantage of any Division which they might observe +among the Whites, and cut them off whenever a fair Opportunity offered. + +_North_ often set this before them, and as often made them remark the +Effects of their Unanimity, which were, the being treated with great +Respect and Deference, and having a Homage paid them as to sovereign +Princes. Nature, we see, teaches the most Illiterate the necessary +Prudence for their Preservation, and Fear works Changes which Religion +has lost the Power of doing, since it has been looked upon as a Trade, +and debased by the scandalous Lives of those who think it their Business +to teach it only, and, satisfied with the Theory, leave the practical +Part to the Laity: For these Men whom we term, and not without Reason, +the Scandal of humane Nature, who were abandoned to all Vice, and lived +by Rapine; when they judged it for their Interest, not only (politickly) +were strictly just, both among themselves, and in composing the +Differences of the neighbouring Natives, but grew continent and sober, +as no doubt they esteemed their Security to depend on shewing the Blacks +they could govern those Passions to which they themselves were Slaves. +Its true, they were all Polygamists, but that was no Scandal among a +People who thought the cohabiting with a pregnant Woman a Sin against +Nature in acting contrary to her Design, which is by Generation to +propagate the animal Race; and who should be guilty of this Crime among +them, they esteemed worse than Beasts, which following Nature, obey her +Orders exactly, and set Men a Lesson of Prudence. When then, I say, they +were continent, I mean they never invaded the Rights either of their +Companions, or of the Natives. + +The Reader may, perhaps, be well enough pleased to hear how on the +smallest Difference they proceeded to a Reconciliation; for, as I have +said, it was a Maxim with them, that the least Discord among a few +Particulars would be the Ruin of a whole Body; as from a small neglected +Spark, a general Conflagration may arise and lay the noblest City waste. + +On any Mistake from which a Dispute arose, or on any ill-manner'd +Expression let fall in Company, they all broke up, and one of the +Company poured what Liquor was before them on the Ground, saying, no +Contention could creep in among them without Loss; and therefore he +sacrificed that Liquor to the evil Fiend, to prevent a greater Damage. +Then both the contending Parties, on Pain of being banished the Society, +and sent to another Part of the Island, were summon'd to appear at +Captain _North_'s, the next Morning, and, in the mean while, they were +commanded to keep their respective Houses. + +The next Morning both the Parties being met, and all the Whites summon'd +to attend, the Captain set the Plaintiff and Defendant on one Side, and +told them, that till the Aggressor had consented to do Justice, and till +the Person injured had forgot his Resentment, they must esteem them both +Enemies to the Publick, and not look upon them as their Friends and +Companions. He then wrote down the Names of all the Assembly, roll'd +them up, and put them into a Hat, out of which, each Party shaking the +Hat, chose six Tickets; and these twelve Rowls or Tickets contained the +Names of the assistant Judges, who, with the Captain, heard and +determined in the Cause, calling and examining the Witnesses. When the +Matter was fully debated, the Court was adjourned to the next Day, and +the Litigators commanded to appear again, and, in the Interim, not to +stir out their Houses, to which they were respectively conducted by two +or three each, lest the Slaves, or the neighbouring Blacks, should, by a +greater Number, have any Suspicion of their Disagreement. + +The second Day the Examination began afresh, and the Witnesses were +sifted, as if they had not before been examined, and this to try if they +were consistent with their former Evidence, which was noted down. Then +the Court was again adjourned, and the disagreeing Parties remanded home +till next Morning, when Judgment was given, which was a Fine in +Proportion to the Affront. + +The Reason of confining those who had Dissension was to deter them, by +this small Punishment, from all future Quarrels, and to prevent any ill +Accident which might happen by their being at full Liberty. + +The Example they set, and the Care they took to accommodate Differences +among their Neighbours, had calmed all the Country round them. After +they had staid here near three Years, Captain _North_, and some of his +Companions, had a Mind to visit the Country Southward, and trade for +more Slaves and Cattle; to which End taking a considerable Quantity of +Powder and Arms, beside what they might use, with 50 Whites and 300 +Natives, he set forward on his Journey. When they had travelled about +fourscore Miles Southward, they came to a Nation rich in Slaves and +Cattle, who inhabited the Banks of the largest River on the East-Side +the Island, called _Mangora_. With these People he trafficked for a +great Number of Slaves and Cattle, which he purchased for Guns and +Powder: They being at War when Captain _North_ came among them, with a +neighbouring Prince, he was intreated to give his Assistance, for which +they, the _Mangorians_, promised him a hundred Slaves with 500 Head of +Cattle, and all the Prisoners they should take. On these Conditions he +joined them, and marched to a very large Town of the Enemy's, which was +naturally very strong, and esteemed by the Natives impregnable, being +situated on a high and craggy Rock, which could be ascended by the Way +only leading to the Gate, where was kept a strong Guard. The Blacks in +_North_'s Army were for leaving this Town unattempted, and marching +farther into the Country, in search of Booty; but _North_ told 'em it +was not safe to leave a Garrison of Enemies at their Backs, which would +continually infest them, by falling on their Rear, and which would be an +Obstacle to their carrying off what Plunder they might get together; +beside, it would be an Azyle for all the Country, which would fly +thither till they had gather'd a Body considerable enough to come down +and face them in the Field, which the Enemy might do with reasonable +Hopes of Success, as their Men would be all fresh, while those of his +Party would be fatigued with Marches, may be encumbered by Plunder, and +worn down with the Inconveniencies of lying exposed in the Fields. + +The chief of his Allies allowed his Reasons good, were an Attempt on the +Town practicable, which Experience told him was not; for, tho' several +times besieged, it never could be taken, it would be the Loss of a great +deal of Time, and many Mens Lives to offer at it. + +_North_ desired he would leave the Management of this Siege to him. + +The Chief answered, he should do as he pleased, but it was against his +Judgment to attack a Town which Nature her self had fortified, which God +Almighty would never suffer to be taken, and which had, to no Purpose, +cost the Lives of a Number scarce to be told, of his Countrymen, in the +several Attempts they had made to be Masters of it. + +_North_ disposed his Army, and invested the Rock on every Side, then +sent Word to the Town, if they did not surrender he would give no +Quarter to either Sex or Age. The Inhabitants laugh'd at his Message, +told him, they did not believe he had learnt the Art of flying, and till +he had, they thought themselves very secure from his putting such +Menaces in Execution. + +Out of the White Men, _North_ chose 30, whom he set at the Head of 3 +Companies, consisting of 100 Blacks each; and as he had some +Grenade-Shells with 'em, soon dispersed the Guard at the Foot of the +Rock, and made a Lodgment; tho' the Blacks were acquainted with +Fire-Arms, the Shells were entirely new to them, and as they saw their +terrible Effect, threw down their Arms, and gained the Middle of the +Rock, where they had another _Corps de Guarde_, tho' not without some +Loss. Those who were at the Bottom of the Rock being put to flight, +_North_ sent 10 Whites and 500 Blacks to take that Post, and Orders to +the other Whites to mount the Rock, and having beat that Guard, if +possible, to enter the Town with them. They accordingly ascended in this +Order, as the Road was so narrow, only three could pass on a-breast, and +the Enemy, when within Cast of a Dart, threw down a Shower upon them, +three unarmed Blacks with their Shields march'd before three small Shot +Men, and shelter'd them from the Enemies Weapons; these were followed by +others, with the same Precaution, the White Men being mix'd with those +who thus went up, that is to say, one White Musketeer to two Blacks. + +The Enemy seem'd resolute to defend the Pass, but when they had, to no +Purpose, spent a Number of Darts, and had lost some Men by the Shot, +they swiftly took to the Top of the Rock, where, joined with fresh Men +from the Town, they made a Stand and Shew of Resistance; _North_'s Men +followed, and pouring in a Volley, put them into Confusion, which gave +the Assailants an Opportunity to come near enough to throw in their +Shells, half a dozen of which bursting with considerable Damage, and the +Slaughter of several Men, they thought to shelter themselves in the +Town, but the Inhabitants fearing the Enemy's entering with them, shut +the Gates against both, so that the Blacks of _North_'s Army, +notwithstanding all the Whites could do to the contrary, made a great +Slaughter; however, they saved some, whom they sent Prisoners to the +Camp, desiring, at the same Time, a Supply of Powder to make a Petarde. + +In the mean while the Enemy from the Town threw a prodigious Quantity of +Darts, which the Besiegers received upon their Shields, at least, the +greater Part. + +The Town was again summon'd, but they refus'd to surrender, wherefore, +they were obliged to shelter themselves as well as they could, and +expect the Powder from the Camp; tho' in the mean while, the small Shot +from without being warmly plied, made the throwing Darts from the Town +less frequent, for none could shew his Head but with the greatest +Danger. + +When the Powder came, they cut down and hollowed a Tree, which they +filled with Powder, and plugg'd up very tight, and under the Protection +of their Shields and Muskets got it to the Gate, under which they dug a +Hole large enough to receive it, then setting Fire to the Fuze, it burst +with a terrible Crack, tore their Gate to Shatters, and left an open +Passage, which the Besiegers, who had been join'd with 500 more Blacks, +who came up with the Powder, enter'd, and began a very great Slaughter; +the Whites protected all they could who submitted, but notwithstanding +their Diligence, the Town was strew'd with dead and dying Men. At length +what with being tir'd, and what with Persuasion, the Slaughter ceas'd, +the Town was reduced to Ashes, and the Conquerors return'd to the Camp +with 3000 Prisoners, whom his Allies led to their own Quarters, where +calling out, the old Women, Children, and useless Slaves, they sent them +to _North_, as if by these, they thought themselves releas'd from the +Promise made to induce his Assistance. + +When _North_ saw the Dishonesty of these People, he sent for their +Prince, and told him, 'According to Agreement all the Slaves belong'd to +him; nay, according to Justice he alone had a Right to them, since he +despair'd of taking the Town, so far as to dissuade his besieging it; +and that he not only owed to him their Success, but even the Safety of +his Army, and all the Plunder they should make in the Prosecution of the +War, for Reasons already given, and by himself allow'd to be good. That +he thought he had allied himself with a People of Integrity, but he was +sorry to say, he found himself quite mistaken in his Opinion, since they +were so far from making good their Treaty; that they sent him out of the +Slaves taken, instead of all, those only whom they knew not what to do +with; that they must not imagine him so blind as not to perceive how +disingenuously he was dealt with; or that he wanted either Strength or +Resolution to resent the Usage.' + +He then ask'd what was become of a Number of young and handsome Women he +had seen among the Captives? + +The Prince answer'd, 'That those he enquired after were his and his +Countrymens Relations, and as such they could not consent to, nor could +he require their being made Slaves.' + +This Answer made, the Chief left him; as it was delivered in a pretty +haughty Tone, it did not a little nettle both _North_ and his Comrades; +the latter were for immediately doing themselves Justice, but the former +begg'd they would have Patience and rely on him; they followed his +Advice, and he sent an Interpreter, who privately enquired among the +Women what Relation they had to the People of the River; the Prisoners +answered, that some of their Forefathers had inter-married with that +Nation. + +I must here take Notice, that notwithstanding the Inhabitants of +_Madagascar_ have but one Language which is common to the whole Island, +the Difference of the Dialect in different Nations makes it very +difficult for any but the Natives, or those who have been a great many +Years (more than _North_ and his Companions had been) among them to +understand them perfectly, which is the Reason he made use of an +Interpreter, as well between him and the Chief, as between the Slaves +and him. + +When he had received this Answer from the Prisoners, he went to the +Prince, and told him, 'It was very odd he should make War on his +Relations, however, he should keep them since he declared them such, +till he could prove his Right better than the Prince could his Nearness +of Blood; that as he had once taken them, he would try if he could not +support the Justice of his Claim, and bid him therefore be upon his +Guard, for he openly declared, he was no longer the Ally, but the +profess'd Enemy of faithless People.' + +Saying this, he and his Blacks separated themselves from the +_Mangorians_, and _North_ divided them into Companies, with his White +Men at the Head of each, and order'd them to fire Ball over the Heads of +their late Allies; the first Volley was a prodigious Astonishment to the +_Mangorians_, several of whom ran away, but _North_ firing two more +immediately, and marching up to them, brought the Prince and the Head +Officers of his Army to him, crawling on all four; they (as the Custom +of shewing the greatest Submission is among them) kiss'd the Feet of the +Whites, and begg'd they would continue their Friendship, and dispose of +every Thing as they thought proper. + +_North_ told him, 'Deceit was the Sign of a mean and coward Soul; that +had he, the Prince, thought too considerable, what, however, was justly +his Due, because not only promised to, but taken by him, he ought to +have expostulated with him, _North_, and have told him his Sentiments, +which might have, it was possible, made no Division, for neither he nor +his Men were greedy or unreasonable; but as the Prince had not the +Courage publickly to claim the Slaves, he would have basely stolen them +by false Pretences of Kindred, it was a Sign he did not think such Claim +justifiable, as certainly it was not, for all his Captains could witness +their Prince had agreed the Prisoners taken should be given to the +Whites, and his Companions, a sufficient Title, to mention no other. +That he had resolved to shew them, by a severe Chastisement, the +Abhorrence those of his Colour have to Ingratitude and Deceit, and what +Difference there was in fighting on the Ground of Justice, and the +supporting Wrong and Injury; but as they acknowledg'd their Error, he +should not only forgive but forget what was past, provided no new +Treachery, in his Return, which he resolved upon, refresh'd his Memory.' +He then order'd them to bring all the Slaves, and they punctually +complied without Reply. + +_North_ chose out the finest and ablest among them, and dividing the +whole Number of Prisoners into two equal Bands, he kept that in which he +had placed the chosen Slaves, and sent the other to the Prince, telling +him, 'tho' neither Fraud nor Compulsion could wring a Slave from him, +yet Justice, as some of his Troops had shared the Danger, and a generous +Temper, had sent him that Present, which was half the Spoil; tho' he +could not think of going any farther on with the War, that he ought to +content himself with the taking a Town they thought impregnable, and +blame his own Conduct, if he should continue in the Field, and hereafter +find the Want of his Assistance.' + +The Prince and his People admired the Penetration, Bravery, and +Generosity of the Whites, and sent them Word, 'He was more obliged to +them for the Lesson they had taught him by their Practice, than for the +Slaves they had presented him, tho' he esteem'd the Present as he ought. +That for the future he should have an Abhorrence from every mean Action, +since he had learned from them the Beauty of a candid open Procedure. At +the same Time he thank'd him for the Present, and the not suffering his +Resentment to go farther than the frightning him into his Duty; for he +was sensible his Balls were not fir'd over their Heads, but by Orders +proceeding from the Humanity of the Whites, who, he observed, tender +over the Lives of their Enemies, contrary to the Custom of his +Countrymen, who give Quarter to none, the Females and Infants excepted, +that there may hereafter be none to take Revenge; he begg'd, that he +would suffer their Submission to get the better of his Design to +depart.' This could not prevail, the Whites and their Friends, who came +with them, turn'd their Faces towards home, taking their Slaves and +Cattle with them; tho' the _Mangorians_ were sensibly touch'd at the +Obstinacy of _North_'s Resolution, yet they parted very amicably. + +As the Whites were returning home with their Company, they fell in with +another Nation, the _Timouses_, whose Prince join'd _North_, with 500 +Men, and swore a strict Amity with him and his Crew. + +The Ceremony used among the Natives, as it is uncommon, so an Account of +it may, perhaps, be agreeable to my Readers. The Parties, who swear to +each other, interweave their Toes and Fingers, so that they must +necessarily sit very close to each other. When they have thus knit their +Hands and Feet, they reciprocally swear to do each other all friendly +Offices, to be a Friend or Enemy to the Friend or Enemy of the Party to +whom they swear; and if they falsify the Oath they make, they imprecate +several Curses on themselves, as may they fall by the Lance, be devoured +by the Alligator, or struck dead by the Hand of God; then an Assistant +scarifies each of the contracting Parties on the Chest, and wiping up +the Blood with a Piece of Bread, gives this bloody Bread to each of them +to eat, that is, each eats the Blood of the other; and this Oath whether +it be with equal Parties, or with a Prince and his Subject, where the +one promises Protection, and the other Obedience (which was the Nature +of that taken between _North_ and this Prince) is look'd upon +inviolable, and they have few Examples of its being broken; but where +any has been wicked enough to violate this solemn Oath, they say, they +have been ever punish'd according to their Imprecations. + +As this Prince had War with powerful Neighbours, he left his Country, +taking with him all his great Men, Wives, and Relations, and with a +Company of about 500 fighting Men, followed _North_, and settled by him, +where he staid two Years, the Time _North_ staid; during this Space, +being supplied with Arms, Powder, and several Natives by Captain +_North_, he made several Inroads into his Enemies Countries, and made +all he conquer'd, swear Allegiance to Capt. _North_. + +At the Expiration of two Years, Captain _Halsey_ came in with a +Brigantine, as is said in the Life of Captain _White_. + +This Crew having made a broken Voyage were discontented with their +Captain, and desired _North_ to take the Command upon him; but he +declined it, saying, _Halsey_ was every Way as capable, and that they +ought not to depose a Man, whom they could not tax with either Want of +Courage or Conduct; and for his Part, he would never take the Command +from any who did not justly merit to be turn'd out, which was not +_Halsey_'s Case. + +The Crew were not, however, satisfied, and they made the same Offer to +_White_, but by _North_'s Industry, they were, at last, prevail'd on to +continue their old Commander; and as _North_ and his Companions had +expended their Money in the settling their Plantations, and wanted +Cloaths, the former, therefore, accepted of the Quarter-Master's Post +under _Halsey_, and the others went in the Capacity of private Gentlemen +Adventurers, I mean plain foremast Men, as may be gathered in the Life +of that Pyrate, to which I refer for an Account of the Expedition they +made in the _Red Seas_, beginning at Page 113. Captain _Halsey_ on board +a Prize left _North_ to command the Brigantine they set out in. + +The two Commanders were separated by a Storm, but both made for +_Madagascar_; _Halsey_ got to _Ambonavoula_, but _North_ fell in with +_Maratan_, where, finding the Brigantine was very much worm eaten, and +made a great Deal of Water, with one Consent they took ashore all their +Goods, and laid up their Vessel. + +They were all very well received; the King being then at War with his +Brother, _North_ prevail'd on his Majesty's Sister to pass her solitary +Hours with him; at the King's Return, having defeated his Brother, he +was very much incens'd against _North_, for being so free with the Royal +Family, and resolved to fine him 200 Sequins for the Affront done to his +illustrious House; but _North_ having some Inkling of his Design, +pacified him, by making a Present of one hundred. + +The Pyrates continued here a whole Year, when being desirous to go to +_Ambonavoula_, they ask'd the King's Assistance to build a Boat, and he +for 1000 Dollars, set Negroes to work, under the Directions of Captain +_North_, and a Vessel of 15 Tons was set up and launch'd with great +Dispatch. + +In this Boat they went to a River, called _Manangaro_, thirty Leagues to +the Northward of _Maratan_: Here some of their Comrades came to them in +a Boat belonging to the _Scotch_ Ship _Neptune_, and help'd to transport +their Goods to _Ambonavoula_, where he had before settled, and had a +Woman and three Children. + +He had not been long return'd before his neighbouring Natives reported, +that the _Timouses_, who had followed him from the Southward, had a +Design to rebel against, and murder him and the other Whites, which +giving too easy Credit to, he made War upon, and drove these poor People +out of the Country. + +Some Time after he built a Sloop, and went to _Antonguil_, where he +purchas'd 90 Slaves, and took in the _Scots_ Supercargo, Mr. _George +Crookshank_, with a Design to carry him to _Mascarenas_; but all his +Comrades were against it, saying, when he got to _Europe_ he would prove +their Destruction. _North_ answered, nothing could be more cruel, after +they had taken the greater Part of what the poor Gentleman had, than to +keep him from his Country, Family, and Friends; for his Part were he his +Prisoner, he should not ask their Consents in doing an Act of Humanity, +and the only one they were able towards making him some Reparation, +since they could not return his Goods, which were parcel'd out into so +many Shares. + +On _North_'s saying thus much, they put the Affair in Question to the +Vote, and there being many who had Obligations to _North_, and whom he +influenced in Favour of the Supercargo, 48 out of 54 voted for the +discharging him. _North_ having gained this Point, the Pyrates ask'd if +he also designed to take with him one _J. B._ a great Favourite of his, +who had been Midship Man on board the _Neptune_ (a young _Scotch_ Man, +who was a good Artist, a thorough Seaman, and very capable of taking on +him the Command in any Voyage) he answered there was a Necessity of +taking him, since he should want his Assistance in the Voyage; as he +depended on his Knowledge, his Companions said _J. B._ would certainly +give him the Slip, which would be a Loss to them all, as he was an +Artist, and a clean hail young Fellow, and therefore his being detained +was necessary to their common Good. To this _North_ answered, his own +Security would oblige his taking Care that he should not get from him, +since no other on board was capable to find the Way back to +_Ambonavoula_. + +He went to _Mascarenas_, where the Supercargo and his Negroe were put on +Shore with all the Money he had, which was about 1600 Dollars; for when +the Pyrates made Prize of the _Neptune_, in the Manner already said, +they took none of the Money, they themselves had before paid for +Liquors, _&c._ either from the Captain, Supercargo, or any other on +board; for that, they look'd upon it a base, as well as dishonest +Action, but for the Ship and remaining Part of the Cargo, they had a +fair Title to, _viz._ they wanted both. It is true, they made the +Merchants of the _Greyhound_ refund what Money they had taken; but +before the Reader taxes them with Injustice, and acting against the +above Maxim, let him consider Circumstances, and call to Mind the whole +Story. + +They did not take that Ship, on the contrary, they sent her away well +victualled, and provided with Necessaries for her Voyage; and, I hope, +it will be allow'd, they had a lawful Claim to her, as she belong'd to +an Enemy, and came into a Port of theirs, without a Pass: Again, they +did not rob these Merchants of the Money they had before laid out with +them, but took it in Payment for the Liquors they had put on board the +_Greyhound_, out of the _Neptune_, which the Merchants themselves, if +they had any Honesty, could not expect for nothing: But let us suppose +they had taken this Money by Force, and not traded for it on the fair +Foot, as its evident they did; yet, was it no more than an Act of +Justice, such as might reasonably be expected from the Probity of these +Gentlemen, who never suffer an ill Action to go unpunished: And no Body +can justify the Proceedings of those Merchants who advised the seizing +the _Scots_ Ship. But to return. + +_North_ would not suffer _J. B._ to go ashore; however, to make him +amends for his Confinement, he gave him four Negroes, whom he sold for +300 Dollars, and took Care that he should live plentifully and well on +board. _North_'s Business, at this Island, was to get Leave to carry his +Children there to be educated in the Christian Faith, which after some +rich Presents made the Governor, he obtained, and return'd to +_Madagascar_. In the Voyage, as _J. B._ was very greatly in his Favour, +and his Confident, he told him, his Design was to leave his Children at +_Mascarenas_, and place Fortunes for them in the Hands of some honest +Priest, who would give them a Christian Education (for he thought it +better to have them Papists, than not Christians) and would then go back +to _Maratan_, and endeavour, by his Penitence, to make Attonement for +his former Life, and never more go off the Island on any Account; that +he would give his Sloop to _J. B._ with two hundred Dollars, that he +might find some Means to return home, since he very wisely refus'd to +join with the Pyrates. + +When he came on the _Madagascar_ Coast, he heard a _French_ Ship had +touch'd there, and left some Men behind her; upon which Account, _North_ +ran to the Southward 100 Leagues out of his Way, to enquire after and +assist these People: A Piece of Humanity which ought not to be pass'd by +in Silence, for it may shame not a few among us who carry a Face of +Religion, and act with greater Barbarity than those whom we hunt and +destroy as a Nusance to the World, and a Scandal to the Name of Man. If +any thinks this Reflection severe, let him examine into the Number of +Thousands who are perishing in Goals, by the Cruelty of Creditors, +sensible of their Inability to pay: Let him take a View of the Miseries +which reign in those Tombs of the Living, let him enquire into the +Number of those who are yearly starved to Death, to gratify an +implacable Spirit, and then, if he can, clear the _English_ Laws, which +allow a Creditor to punish an unfortunate Man, for his being so, with +the most cruel of all invented Deaths, that of Famine; let him, I say, +clear them from the Imputation of Barbarity. I beg Pardon for this +Digression, which my Concern for the _English_ Character, for this only +Reason sunk among Foreigners forced me into. + +_North_ found but one Man, whom he took home with him, cloathed and +maintained him. When he came back to _Ambonavoula_, he found the Country +all in an Uproar, and the Rest of his Companions preparing for a War +with the Natives, but his Arrival restor'd their former Quiet. After +four Months Stay at home, he fitted his Sloop to go out and purchase +Slaves at _Antonguil_; but finding few there to his Mind, for in two +Months he bought but forty, he return'd to his Settlement. He design'd +now to carry his Children to _Mascarenas_, but dissuaded on Account of +the Season, by _J. B._ he went to _Methelage_ on the West Side of the +Island, to trade for Samsams. + +Having purchas'd a considerable Quantity of Samsams he went to +_Johanna_, and thence to _Mayotta_, return'd again to _Madagascar_, but +not being able to get round the North End, on Account of the Current, he +put for _Mayotta_ again; on the West Side of this Island put into a +Port, called _Sorez_, where, some Time before, came a Ship from +_England_ to trade, commanded by one _Price_, who going ashore with his +Doctor was detained (as was also his Boat's Crew) till he redeem'd +himself and Surgeon, with 200 Barrels of Powder and 1000 Small Arms; but +was forced to leave his Boat's Crew, not having wherewithal to ransom +them, tho' the Demand was only two Small Arms for each Man. These poor +Creatures were afterwards sold to the _Arabians_; in Revenge _North_ and +his Crew landed, burnt a large Town, and did all the Damage they could. +From _Mayotta_ he went again to _Madagascar_, where a King of his +Acquaintance told him, the Whites and Natives were at War at +_Ambonavoula_; he bought thirty Slaves, refreshed his Crew, and went +home. On the News of his Arrival the Natives sent to conclude a Peace, +but he would not listen to them; on the contrary, rais'd an Army, burnt +a Number of Towns, and took a great many Prisoners. + +This Success brought the Natives to sue in a very humble Manner for a +Cessation of Arms, that a general Peace might follow: This he agreed to +about four Months after his Arrival. + +His Enemies, having now the Opportunity, corrupted some of his +neighbouring Natives, and in the Night surprized and murder'd him in his +Bed. His Comrades, however, being alarmed, took to their Arms, drove the +treacherous Multitude before them with great Slaughter; and to revenge +_North_'s Death continued the War seven Years, in which Time they became +Masters of all the Country round, and drove out all who did not swear +Allegiance to them. + +_North_ had his Will lying by him, which directed _J. B._ to carry his +Children to _Mascarenas_, in his Sloop which he left to the said _J. B._ +who was at the Charge to fit her up, and laid out the greater Part of +the Money _North_ bequeathed him; but the Pyrates would not suffer him +to stir while the Wars lasted, fearing he would not return, having never +join'd them in any Pyracies; and therefore, by one Consent, setting Fire +to the Sloop, they detained him several Years, if he is not still there. + + + FINIS. + + + + + BOOKS printed for _Tho. Woodward_, + at the Half-moon over against St. _Dunstan_'s + Church, _Fleet-street_. + + + The Fourth Edition of the First Volume of _The History of the + Pyrates_, &c. + + The _Roman_ History; with Notes Historical, Geographical and + Critical. Illustrated with Maps, Copper Plates, and a great + Number of authentick Medals. Done into _English_ from the + Original _French_ of the Reverend Fathers _Catrou_ and + _Rouille_, and corrected with their Approbation. To which + is prefixed, A new and connected Summary of the Work. + + The History of _Japan_; giving an Account of the ancient and + present State and Government of that Empire; of its Temples, + Palaces, Castles, and other Buildings; of its Metals, + Minerals, Trees, Plants and Fishes; of the Chronology and + Succession of the Emperors, Ecclesiastical and Secular; of the + original Descent, Religion, Customs, and Manufactures of the + Natives; and of their Trade and Commerce with the _Dutch_ + and _Chinese_. Together with a Description of the Kingdom of + _Siam_. Written in _High Dutch_, by _Egelbertus Kempfer_, M. + D. Physician to the _Dutch_ Embassy to the Emperor's Court; + and translated from his Original Manuscript, by _J. G. + Scheuchzer_, F. R. S. and a Member of the College of + Physicians, London; with the Life of the Author, and an + Introduction. To which is added, A Journal of a Voyage to + _Japan_, made by the _English_, in the Year 1673. Illustrated + with many Copper Plates in 2 Vols. Folio. + + The History of the Conquest of _Mexico_ by the _Spaniards_; + adorned with Cuts, engraved by the best Hands. The Head of + _Cortez_ (done from a Painting of _Titian_) by Mr. _Vertue_. + Translated from the Original _Spanish_ of _Don Antonio de + Solis_, Secretary and Historiographer to his Catholick + Majesty. + + A Collection of several Tracts of the Right Honourable + _Edward_ Earl of _Clarendon_, Author of the History of the + Rebellion and Civil Wars of _England_, viz. I. A Discourse by + Way of Vindication of himself, from the Charge of High + Treason brought against him by the House of Commons. II. + Reflections upon several Christian Duties, divine and moral, + by Way of Essays. 1. Humane Nature. 2. Of Life. 3. Reflections + upon the Happiness which we enjoy in and from our selves. 4. + Of impudent Delight in Wickedness. 5. Of Drunkenness. 6. Of + Envy. 7. Of Pride. 8. Of Anger. 9. Of Patience in Adversity. + 10. Of Contempt of Death, and the best providing for it. 11. + Of Friendship. 12. Of Counsel and Conversation. 13. Of + Promises. 14. Of Liberty. 15. Of Industry. 16. Of Sickness. + 17. Of Repentance. 18. Of Conscience. 19. Of an active, and of + a contemplative Life, and when and why the one ought to be + preferr'd to the other. 20. Of War. 21. Of Peace. 22. Of + Sacrilege. 23. A Discourse of the Reverence due to Antiquity. + 24. A Discourse against multiplying Controversies by insisting + upon Particulars not necessary to the Point in Debate. 25. A + Dialogue concerning the Want of Respect due to Age. 26. A + Dialogue concerning Education, _&c._ 27. Contemplations and + Reflections upon the Psalms of _David_, with Devotions + applicable to the Trouble of the Times. + + _N. B._ None of these Pieces were ever printed before, and the + Original Manuscript in his Lordship's Hand-writing may be seen + at _T. Woodward_'s. + + A New System of Agriculture: Being a Compleat Body of + Husbandry and Gardening, in all the Parts of them, _viz._ + Husbandry in the Field, and its Improvements. Of Forrest and + Timber Trees, great and small, with Ever Greens and + Flowering Shrubs, _&c._ Of the Fruit Garden. Of the Kitchen + Garden. Of the Flower Garden. In Five Books. Containing all + the best and latest, as well as many new Improvements; + useful to the Husbandman, Grasier, Planter, Gardiner and + Florist. Wherein are interspersed many curious Observations on + Vegetation, on the Diseases of Trees, and the general + Annoyances to Vegetables, and their probable Cures. As also, A + Particular Account of the famous Silphium of the Ancients. By + _John Lawrence_, M. A. Rector of _Bishops Weremouth_ in the + Bishoprick of _Durham_, and Prebendary of the Church of + _Sarum_. + + The Life and surprizing Adventures of _Robinson Crusoe_, of + _York_, Mariner, who lived 28 Years all alone in an + uninhabited Island, on the Coast of _America_, near the Mouth + of the River _Oroonoque_, having been cast on Shore by + Shipwreck, wherein all the Men perished but Himself. With + an Account how he was, at last, as strangely delivered by + Pyrates. Written by Himself. The Seventh Edition, adorn'd with + Cuts, in 2 Vols. + + The wise and ingenious Companion, _French_ and _English_; + being a Collection of the Wit of the illustrious Persons, both + ancient and modern: Containing their wise Sayings, noble + Sentiments, witty Repartees, Jests and pleasant Adventures. + The 4th Edition, with Corrections and great Improvements, for + the Use of Schools. By Mr. _Boyer_, Author of the Royal + Dictionary. + + + + + Transcriber's Notes + + +The original text had in four places white spaces of the size of +approximately one word, left out for unknown reasons. These have been +marked by "......". + +On page 289, the name of Mary Stead appears instead of Anne Bonny. This +has been preserved as in the original. + +On page 308, George Bendal is erroneously listed twice in a list of nine +men, making it ten names in total. This has remained uncorrected. + +On page 337, an opening bracket is never closed. + +The original spelling was mostly preserved. A few obvious typographical +errors were silently corrected. Further careful corrections are listed +here (before/after): + + [p. viii]: + ... to St. Mary's; Captain Mosson and his Crew cut off; the two ... + ... to St. Mary's; Captain Misson and his Crew cut off; the two ... + + [p. 122]: + ... They staid here all the Mousson Time, which ... + ... They staid here all the Monsoon Time, which ... + + [p. 124]: + ... they sail'd to St. Mary's, where Captain Mosson's ... + ... they sail'd to St. Mary's, where Captain Misson's ... + + [p. 140]: + ... he wanting a Boom, took out the Mainmost of ... + ... he wanting a Boom, took out the Mainmast of ... + + [p. 140]: + ... Company, to go to the Coast of Angela for ... + ... Company, to go to the Coast of Angola for ... + + [p. 231]: + ... In the taking this Ship, the Captain and his chief ... + ... In the taking of this Ship, the Captain and his chief ... + + [p. 240]: + ... Man saw they would take away his Ship, he told ... + ... Man saw they would take away his Ship, he sold ... + + [p. 254]: + ... Side the Island, the Principalities are mostly reduced ... + ... Side of the Island, the Principalities are mostly reduced ... + + [p. 395]: + ... either of their Compations, or of the Natives. ... + ... either of their Companions, or of the Natives. ... + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The History of the Pyrates. Vol. II., by +Daniel Defoe + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 57005 *** |