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 pirate. 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, Captain 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.
III
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS AND HIS CREW
Bartholomew Roberts sailed in an honest employ from London, aboard of
the _Princess_, Captain Plumb, commander, of which ship he was second
mate. He left England November, 1719, and arrived at Guinea about
February following and being at Anamaboe, taking in slaves for the West
Indies, was taken in the said ship by Captain Howel Davis. In the
beginning he was very averse to this sort of life, and would certainly
have escaped from them had a fair opportunity presented itself; yet
afterwards he changed his principles, as many besides him have done upon
another element, and perhaps for the same reason too, viz., preferment;
and what he did not like as a private man he could reconcile to his
conscience as a commander.
Davis having been killed in the Island of Princes whilst planning to
capture it with all its inhabitants, the company found themselves under
the necessity of filling up his post, for which there appeared two or
three candidates among the select part of them that were distinguished
by the title of Lords--such were Sympson, Ashplant, Anstis, &c.--and on
canvassing this matter, how shattered and weak a condition their
government must be without a head, since Davis had been removed in the
manner before mentioned, my Lord Dennis proposed, it is said, over a
bowl, to this purpose:
"That it was not of any great signification who was dignified with
title, for really and in good truth all good governments had, like
theirs, the supreme power lodged with the community, who might doubtless
depute and revoke as suited interest or humor. We are the original of
this claim," says he, "and should a captain be so saucy as to exceed
prescription at any time, why, down with him! It will be a caution after
he is dead to his successors of what fatal consequence any sort of
assuming may be. However, it is my advice that while we are sober we
pitch upon a man of courage and skilled in navigation, one who by his
council and bravery seems best able to defend this commonwealth, and
ward us from the dangers and tempests of an unstable element, and the
fatal consequences of anarchy; and such a one I take Roberts to be--a
fellow, I think, in all respects worthy your esteem and favor."
This speech was loudly applauded by all but Lord Sympson, who had secret
expectations himself, but on this disappointment grew sullen and left
them, swearing "he did not care who they chose captain so it was not a
papist, for against them he had conceived an irreconcilable hatred, for
that his father had been a sufferer in Monmouth's rebellion."
Roberts was accordingly elected, though he had not been above six weeks
among them. The choice was confirmed both by the Lords and Commoners,
and he accepted of the honor, saying that, since he had dipped his hands
in muddy water and must be a pirate, it was better being a commander
than a common man.
As soon as the government was settled, by promoting other officers in
the room of those that were killed by the Portuguese, the company
resolved to avenge Captain Davis's death, he being more than ordinarily
respected by the crew for his affability and good nature, as well as his
conduct and bravery upon all occasions; and, pursuant to this
resolution, about thirty men were landed, in order to make an attack
upon the fort, which must be ascended to by a steep hill against the
mouth of the cannon. These men were headed by one Kennedy, a bold,
daring fellow, but very wicked and profligate; they marched directly up
under the fire of their ship guns, and as soon as they were discovered,
the Portuguese quitted their post and fled to the town, and the pirates
marched in without opposition, set fire to the fort, and threw all the
guns off the hill into the sea, which after they had done they retreated
quietly to their ship.
But this was not looked upon as a sufficient satisfaction for the injury
they received, therefore most of the company were for burning the town,
which Roberts said he would yield to if any means could be proposed of
doing it without their own destruction, for the town had a securer
situation than the fort, a thick wood coming almost close to it,
affording cover to the defendants, who, under such an advantage, he told
them, it was to be feared, would fire and stand better to their arms;
beside, that bare houses would be but a slender reward for their trouble
and loss. This prudent advice prevailed; however, they mounted the
French ship they seized at this place with twelve guns, and lightened
her, in order to come up to the town, the water being shoal, and
battered down several houses; after which they all returned on board,
gave back the French ship to those that had most right to her, and
sailed out of the harbor by the light of two Portuguese ships, which
they were pleased to set on fire there.
Roberts stood away to the southward, and met with a Dutch Guineaman,
which he made prize of, but, after having plundered her, the skipper had
his ship again. Two days after he took an English ship, called the
_Experiment_, Captain Cornet, at Cape Lopez; the men went all into the
pirate service, and having no occasion for the ship they burnt her and
then steered for St. Thome, but meeting with nothing in their way, they
sailed for Annabona, and there watered, took in provisions, and put it
to a vote of the company whether their next voyage should be to the East
Indies or to Brazil. The latter being resolved on, they sailed
accordingly, and in twenty-eight days arrived at Ferdinando, an
uninhabited island on that coast. Here they watered, boot-topped their
ship, and made ready for the designed cruise.
Upon this coast our rovers cruised for about nine weeks, keeping
generally out of sight of land, but without seeing a sail, which
discouraged them so that they determined to leave the station and steer
for the West Indies; and, in order thereto, stood in to make the land
for the taking of their departure; and thereby they fell in unexpectedly
with a fleet of forty-two sail of Portuguese ships off the bay of Los
Todos Santos, with all their lading in, for Lisbon, several of them of
good force, who lay-to waiting for two men-of-war of seventy guns each,
their convoy. However, Roberts thought it should go hard with him, but
he would make up his market among them, and thereupon mixed with the
fleet, and kept his men hid till proper resolutions could be formed.
That done, they came close up to one of the deepest, and ordered her to
send the master on board quietly, threatening to give them no quarter
if any resistance or signal of distress was made. The Portuguese, being
surprised at these threats, and the sudden flourish of cutlasses from
the pirates, submitted without a word, and the captain came on board.
Roberts saluted him after a friendly manner telling him that they were
gentlemen of fortune, but that their business with him was only to be
informed which was the richest ship in that fleet; and if he directed
them right he should be restored to his ship without molestation,
otherwise he must expect immediate death.
Whereupon this Portuguese master pointed to one of forty guns and a
hundred and fifty men, a ship of greater force than the _Rover_; but
this no ways dismayed them; they were Portuguese, they said, and so
immediately steered away for him. When they came within hail, the master
whom they had prisoner was ordered to ask "how Seignior Captain did?"
and to invite him on board, "for that he had a matter of consequence to
impart to him;" which being done, he returned for answer that "he would
wait upon him presently," but by the bustle that immediately followed,
the pirates perceived that they were discovered, and that this was only
a deceitful answer to gain time to put their ship in a posture of
defense; so without further delay they poured in a broadside, boarded,
and grappled her. The dispute was short and warm, wherein many of the
Portuguese fell, and two only of the pirates. By this time the fleet was
alarmed: signals of top-gallant sheets flying and guns fired to give
notice to the men-of-war, who rid still at an anchor, and made but
scurvy haste out to their assistance; and if what the pirates themselves
related to be true, the commanders of those ships were blameable to the
highest degree, and unworthy the title, or so much as the name, of men.
For Roberts, finding the prize to sail heavy, and yet resolving not to
lose her, lay by for the headmost of them, which much outsailed the
other, and prepared for battle, which was ignominiously declined, though
of such superior force; for, not daring to venture on the pirate alone,
he tarried so long for his consort as gave them both time leisurely to
make off.
They found this ship exceedingly rich, being laden chiefly with sugar,
skins, and tobacco, and in gold forty thousand moidores, besides chains
and trinkets of considerable value; particularly a cross set with
diamonds designed for the king of Portugal, which they afterwards
presented to the governor of Caiana, by whom they were obliged.
Elated with this booty, they had nothing now to think of but some safe
retreat where they might give themselves up to all the pleasures that
luxury and wantonness could bestow; and for the present pitched upon a
place called the Devil's Islands in the river of Surinam, on the coast
of Caiana, where they arrived, and found the civilest reception
imaginable, not only from the governor and factory, but their wives,
who exchanged wares, and drove a considerable trade with them.
They seized in this river a sloop, and by her gained intelligence that a
brigantine had also sailed in company with her from Rhode Island, laden
with provisions for the coast--a welcome cargo! They growing short in
the sea store, and, as Sancho says, "No adventures to be made without
belly-timber." One evening, as they were rummaging their mine of
treasure, the Portuguese prize, this expected vessel was descried at the
masthead, and Roberts, imagining nobody could do the business so well as
himself, takes forty men in the sloop, and goes in pursuit of her; but a
fatal accident followed this rash, though inconsiderable adventure, for
Roberts, thinking of nothing less than bringing in the brigantine that
afternoon, never troubled his head about the sloop's provision, nor
inquired what there was on board to subsist such a number of men; but
out he sails after his expected prize, which he not only lost further
sight of, but after eight days' contending with contrary winds and
currents, found themselves thirty leagues to leeward. The current still
opposing their endeavors, and perceiving no hopes of beating up to their
ship, they came to an anchor, and inconsiderately sent away the boat to
give the rest of the company notice of their condition, and to order the
ship to them; but too soon--even the next day--their wants made them
sensible of their infatuation, for their water was all expended, and
they had taken no thought how they should be supplied till either the
ship came or the boat returned, which was not likely to be under five or
six days. Here, like Tantalus, they almost famished in sight of the
fresh streams and lakes, being drove to such extremity at last that they
were forced to tear up the floor of the cabin and patch up a sort of tub
or tray with rope-yarns to paddle ashore and fetch off immediate
supplies of water to preserve life.
After some days the long-wished-for boat came back, but with the most
unwelcome news in the world; for Kennedy, who was lieutenant, and left,
in absence of Roberts, to command the privateer and prize, was gone off
with both. This was mortification with a vengeance, and you may imagine
they did not depart without some hard speeches from those that were left
and had suffered by their treachery. And that there need be no further
mention of this Kennedy, I shall leave Captain Roberts to vent his wrath
in a few oaths and execrations, and follow the other, whom we may reckon
from that time as steering his course towards Execution Dock.
Kennedy was now chosen captain of the revolted crew, but could not bring
his company to any determined resolution. Some of them were for pursuing
the old game, but the greater part of them seemed to have inclinations
to turn from those evil courses, and get home privately, for there was
no act of pardon in force; therefore they agreed to break up, and every
man to shift for himself, as he should see occasion. The first thing
they did was to part with the great Portuguese prize, and having the
master of the sloop (whose name, I think, was Cane) aboard, who, they
said, was a very honest fellow--for he had humored them upon every
occasion--told them of the brigantine that Roberts went after; and when
the pirates first took him he complimented them at any odd rate, telling
them they were welcome to his sloop and cargo, and wished that the
vessel had been larger and the loading richer for their sakes. To this
good-natured man they gave the Portuguese ship, which was then above
half loaded, three or four negroes, and all his own men, who returned
thanks to his kind benefactors, and departed.
Captain Kennedy, in the _Rover_, sailed to Barbadoes, near which island
they took a very peaceable ship belonging to Virginia. The commander was
a Quaker, whose name was Knot; he had neither pistol, sword, nor cutlass
on board; and Mr. Knot appearing so very passive to all they said to
him, some of them thought this a good opportunity to go off; and
accordingly eight of the pirates went aboard, and he carried them safe
to Virginia. They made the Quaker a present of ten chests of sugar, ten
rolls of Brazil tobacco, thirty moidores, and some gold dust, in all to
the value of about L250. They also made presents to the sailors, some
more, some less, and lived a jovial life all the while they were upon
their voyage, Captain Knot giving them their way; nor, indeed, could he
help himself, unless he had taken an opportunity to surprise them when
they were either drunk or asleep, for awake they wore arms aboard the
ship and put him in a continual terror, it not being his principle (or
the sect's) to fight, unless with art and collusion. He managed these
weapons well till he arrived at the Capes; and afterwards four of the
pirates went off in a boat, which they had taken with them for the more
easily making their escapes, and made up the bay towards Maryland, but
were forced back by a storm into an obscure place of the country, where,
meeting with good entertainment among the planters, they continued
several days without being discovered to be pirates. In the meantime
Captain Knot, leaving four others on board his ship who intended to go
to North Carolina, made what haste he could to discover to Mr.
Spotswood, the governor, what sort of passengers he had been forced to
bring with him, who, by good fortune, got them seized; and search being
made after the others, who were revelling about the country, they were
also taken, and all tried, convicted, and hanged; two Portuguese Jews,
who were taken on the coast of Brazil and whom they brought with them to
Virginia, being the principal evidences. The latter had found means to
lodge part of their wealth with the planters, who never brought it to
account. But Captain Knot surrendered up everything that belonged to
them that were taken aboard, even what they presented to him, in lieu
of such things as they had plundered him of in their passage, and
obliged his men to do the like.
Some days after the taking of the Virginiaman last mentioned, in
cruising in the latitude of Jamaica, Kennedy took a sloop bound thither
from Boston, loaded with bread and flour; aboard of this sloop went all
the hands who were for breaking the gang, and left those behind that had
a mind to pursue further adventures. Among the former was Kennedy, their
captain, of whose honor they had such a despicable notion that they were
about to throw him overboard when they found him in the sloop, as
fearing he might betray them all at their return to England; he having
in his childhood been bred a pick-pocket, and before he became a pirate
a house-breaker; both professions that these gentlemen have a very mean
opinion of. However, Captain Kennedy, by taking solemn oaths of fidelity
to his companions, was suffered to proceed with them.
In this company there was but one that pretended to any skill in
navigation (for Kennedy could neither write nor read, he being preferred
to the command merely for his courage, which indeed he had often
signalized, particularly in taking the Portuguese ship), and he proved
to be a pretender only; for, shaping their course to Ireland, where they
agreed to land, they ran away to the north-west coast of Scotland, and
there were tossed about by hard storms of wind for several days without
knowing where they were, and in great danger of perishing. At length
they pushed the vessel into a little creek and went all ashore, leaving
the sloop at an anchor for the next comers.
The whole company refreshed themselves at a little village about five
miles from the place where they left the sloop, and passed there for
shipwrecked sailors, and no doubt might have travelled on without
suspicion, but the mad and riotous manner of their living on the road
occasioned their journey to be cut short, as we shall observe presently.
Kennedy and another left them here, and, travelling to one of the
seaports, shipped themselves for Ireland, and arrived there in safety.
Six or seven wisely withdrew from the rest, travelled at their leisure,
and got to their much-desired port of London without being disturbed or
suspected, but the main gang alarmed the country wherever they came,
drinking and roaring at such a rate that the people shut themselves up
in their houses, in some places not daring to venture out among so many
mad fellows. In other villages they treated the whole town, squandering
their money away as if, like AEsop, they wanted to lighten their
burthens. This expensive manner of living procured two of their drunken
stragglers to be knocked on the head, they being found murdered in the
road and their money taken from them. All the rest, to the number of
seventeen, as they drew nigh to Edinburgh, were arrested and thrown
into gaol upon suspicion of they knew not what; however, the magistrates
were not long at a loss for proper accusations, for two of the gang
offering themselves for evidences were accepted of, and the others were
brought to a speedy trial, whereof nine were convicted and executed.
Kennedy having spent all his money, came over from Ireland and kept a
public-house on Deptford Road, and now and then it was thought, made an
excursion abroad in the way of his former profession, till one of his
household gave information against him for a robbery, for which he was
committed to Bridewell; but because she would not do the business by
halves she found out a mate of a ship that Kennedy had committed piracy
upon, as he foolishly confessed to her. This mate, whose name was Grant,
paid Kennedy a visit in Bridewell, and knowing him to be the man,
procured a warrant, and had him committed to the Marshalsea prison.
The game that Kennedy had now to play was to turn evidence himself;
accordingly he gave a list of eight or ten of his comrades, but, not
being acquainted with their habitations, one only was taken, who, though
condemned, appeared to be a man of a fair character, was forced into
their service, and took the first opportunity to get from them, and
therefore received a pardon; but Walter Kennedy, being a notorious
offender, was executed July 19, 1721, at Execution Dock.
The rest of the pirates who were left in the ship _Rover_ stayed not
long behind, for they went ashore to one of the West India islands. What
became of them afterwards I cannot tell, but the ship was found at sea
by a sloop belonging to _St. Christophers_, and carried into that island
with only nine negroes aboard.
Thus we see what a disastrous fate ever attends the wicked, and how
rarely they escape the punishment due to their crimes, who, abandoned to
such a profligate life, rob, spoil, and prey upon mankind, contrary to
the light and law of nature, as well as the law of God. It might have
been hoped that the examples of these deaths would have been as marks to
the remainder of this gang, how to shun the rocks their companions had
split on; that they would have surrendered to mercy, or divided
themselves for ever from such pursuits, as in the end they might be sure
would subject them to the same law and punishment, which they must be
conscious they now equally deserved; impending law, which never let them
sleep well unless when drunk. But all the use that was made of it here,
was to commend the justice of the court that condemned Kennedy, for he
was a sad dog, they said, and deserved the fate he met with.
But to go back to Roberts, whom we left on the coast of Caiana, in a
grievous passion at what Kennedy and the crew had done, and who was now
projecting new adventures with his small company in the sloop; but
finding hitherto they had been but as a rope of sand, they formed a set
of articles to be signed and sworn to for the better conservation of
their society, and doing justice to one another, excluding all Irishmen
from the benefit of it, to whom they had an implacable aversion upon the
account of Kennedy. How, indeed, Roberts could think that an oath would
be obligatory where defiance had been given to the laws of God and man,
I cannot tell, but he thought their greatest security lay in this--"that
it was every one's interest to observe them, if they minded to keep up
so abominable a combination."
* * * * *
The following is the substance of articles as taken from the pirates'
own informations:--
I
Every man has a vote in affairs of moment, has equal title to the fresh
provisions or strong liquors at any time seized, and may use them at
pleasure, unless a scarcity (no uncommon thing among them) make it
necessary for the good of all to vote a retrenchment.
II
Every man to be called fairly in turn by list, on board of prizes,
because, over and above their proper share, they were on these occasions
allowed a shift of clothes. But if they defrauded the company to the
value of a dollar, in plate, jewels, or money, marooning was their
punishment. (This was a barbarous custom of putting the offender on
shore, on some desolate or uninhabited cape or island, with a gun, a few
shot, a bottle of water, a bottle of powder, to subsist with or starve.)
If the robbery was only between one another, they contented themselves
with slitting the ears and nose of him that was guilty, and set him on
shore, not in an uninhabited place, but somewhere where he was sure to
encounter hardships.
III
No person to game at cards or dice for money.
IV
The lights and candles to be put out at eight o'clock at night. If any
of the crew after that hour still remained inclined for drinking, they
were to do it on the open deck. (Which Roberts believed would give a
check to their debauches, for he was a sober man himself, but found at
length that all his endeavors to put an end to this debauch proved
ineffectual.)
V