(In this they were extravagantly nice, endeavoring to outdo one another
in the beauty and richness of their arms, giving sometimes at an
auction--at the mast--L30 or L40 a pair for pistols. These were slung in
time of service, with different colored ribbons, over their shoulders,
in a way peculiar to these fellows, in which they took great delight.)
VI
No boy or woman to be allowed amongst them. If any man were found
seducing any of the latter sex, and carried her to sea disguised, he was
to suffer death. (So that when any fell into their hands, as it chanced
in the _Onslow_, they put a sentinel immediately over her to prevent ill
consequences from so dangerous an instrument of division and quarrel;
but then here lies the roguery--they contend who shall be sentinel,
which happens generally to one of the greatest bullies.)
VII
To desert the ship or their quarters in battle, was punished with death
or marooning.
VIII
No striking one another on board, but every man's quarrel to be ended on
shore, at sword and pistol. Thus the quartermaster of the ship, when the
parties will not come to any reconciliation, accompanies them on shore
with what assistance he thinks proper, and turns the disputants back to
back at so many paces distance. At the word of command they turn and
fire immediately, or else the piece is knocked out of their hands. If
both miss, they come to their cutlasses, and then he is declared victor
who draws the first blood.
IX
No man to talk of breaking up their way of living till each had shared
L1,000. If, in order to this, any man should lose a limb, or become a
cripple in their service, he was to have 800 dollars out of the public
stock, and for lesser hurts proportionably.
X
The captain and quartermaster to receive two shares of a prize; the
master, boatswain, and gunner, one share and a half, the other officers
one and a quarter.
XI
The musicians to have rest on the Sabbath-day, but the other six days
and nights none without special favor.
* * * * *
These, we are assured, were some of Roberts's articles, but as they had
taken care to throw overboard the original they had signed and sworn to,
there is a great deal of room to suspect the remainder contained
something too horrid to be disclosed to any, except such as were willing
to be sharers in the iniquity of them. Let them be what they will, they
were together the test of all newcomers, who were initiated by an oath
taken on a Bible, reserved for that purpose only, and were subscribed to
in presence of the worshipful Mr. Roberts. And in case any doubt should
arise concerning the construction of these laws, and it should remain a
dispute whether the party had infringed them or no, a jury was appointed
to explain them, and bring in a verdict upon the case in doubt.
Since we are now speaking of the laws of this company, I shall go on,
and, in as brief a manner as I can, relate the principal customs and
government of this roguish commonwealth, which are pretty near the same
with all pirates.
For the punishment of small offences which are not provided for by the
articles, and which are not of consequence enough to be left to a jury,
there is a principal officer among the pirates, called the
quartermaster, of the men's own choosing, who claims all authority this
way, excepting in time of battle. If they disobey his command, are
quarrelsome and mutinous with one another, misuse prisoners, plunder
beyond his order, and in particular, if they be negligent of their arms,
which he musters at discretion, he punishes at his own arbitrament, with
drubbing or whipping, which no one else dare do without incurring the
lash from all the ship's company. In short, this officer is trustee for
the whole, is the first on board any prize, separating for the company's
use what he pleases, and returning what he thinks fit to the owners,
excepting gold and silver, which they have voted not returnable.
After a description of the quartermaster and his duty, who acts as a
sort of civil magistrate on board a pirate ship, I shall consider their
military officer, the captain; what privileges he exerts in such anarchy
and unruliness of the members. Why, truly very little--they only permit
him to be captain, on condition that they may be captain over him; they
separate to his use the great cabin, and sometimes vote him small
parcels of plate and china (for it may be noted that Roberts drank his
tea constantly), but then every man, as the humor takes him, will use
the plate and china, intrude into his apartment, swear at him, seize a
part of his victuals and drink, if they like it, without his offering to
find fault or contest it. Yet Roberts, by a better management than
usual, became the chief director in everything of moment; and it
happened thus:--The rank of captain being obtained by the suffrage of
the majority, it falls on one superior for knowledge and
boldness--pistol proof, as they call it--who can make those fear who do
not love him. Roberts is said to have exceeded his fellows in these
respects, and when advanced, enlarged the respect that followed it by
making a sort of privy council of half a dozen of the greatest bullies,
such as were his competitors, and had interest enough to make his
government easy; yet even those, in the latter part of his reign, he had
run counter to in every project that opposed his own opinion; for which,
and because he grew reserved and would not drink and roar at their rate,
a cabal was formed to take away his captainship, which death did more
effectually.
The captain's power is uncontrollable in chase or in battle, drubbing,
cutting, or even shooting any one who dares deny his command. The same
privilege he takes over prisoners, who receive good or ill usage mostly
as he approves of their behavior, for though the meanest would take upon
them to misuse a master of a ship, yet he would control herein when he
sees it, and merrily over a bottle give his prisoners this double reason
for it: first, that it preserved his precedence; and secondly, that it
took the punishment out of the hands of a much more rash and mad set of
fellows than himself. When he found that rigor was not expected from his
people (for he often practiced it to appease them), then he would give
strangers to understand that it was pure inclination that induced him to
a good treatment of them, and not any love or partiality to their
persons; for, says he, "there is none of you but will hang me, I know,
whenever you can clinch me within your power."
* * * * *
And now, seeing the disadvantages they were under for pursuing their
plans, viz., a small vessel ill repaired, and without provisions or
stores, they resolved, one and all, with the little supplies they could
get, to proceed for the West Indies, not doubting to find a remedy for
all these evils and to retrieve their loss.
In the latitude of Deseada, one of the islands, they took two sloops,
which supplied them with provisions and other necessaries, and a few
days afterwards took a brigantine belonging to Rhode Island, and then
proceeded to Barbadoes, off of which island they fell in with a Bristol
ship of ten guns, in her voyage out, from whom they took abundance of
clothes, some money, twenty-five bales of goods, five barrels of
powder, a cable, hawser, ten casks of oatmeal, six casks of beef, and
several other goods, besides five of their men; and after they had
detained her three days let her go, who, being bound for the aforesaid
island, she acquainted the governor with what had happened as soon as
she arrived.
Whereupon a Bristol galley that lay in the harbor was ordered to be
fitted out with all imaginable expedition, of 20 guns and 80 men, there
being then no man-of-war upon that station, and also a sloop with 10
guns and 40 men. The galley was commanded by one Captain Rogers, of
Bristol, and the sloop by Captain Graves, of that island, and Captain
Rogers, by a commission from the governor, was appointed commodore.
The second day after Rogers sailed out of the harbor he was discovered
by Roberts, who, knowing nothing of their design, gave them chase. The
Barbadoes ships kept an easy sail till the pirates came up with them,
and then Roberts gave them a gun, expecting they would have immediately
struck to his piratical flag; but instead thereof, he was forced to
receive the fire of a broadside, with three huzzas at the same time, so
that an engagement ensued; but Roberts, being hardly put to it, was
obliged to crowd all the sail the sloop would bear to get off. The
galley, sailing pretty well, kept company for a long while, keeping a
constant fire, which galled the pirate; however, at length, by throwing
over their guns and other heavy goods, and thereby lightening the
vessel, they, with much ado, got clear; but Roberts could never endure a
Barbadoes man afterwards, and when any ships belonging to that island
fell in his way, he was more particularly severe to them than others.
Captain Roberts sailed in the sloop to the island of Dominico, where he
watered and got provisions of the inhabitants, to whom he gave goods in
exchange. At this place he met with thirteen Englishmen, who had been
set ashore by a French Guard de la Coste, belonging to Martinico, taken
out of two New England ships that had been seized as prizes by the said
French sloop. The men willingly entered with the pirates, and it proved
a seasonable recruiting.
They stayed not long here, though they had immediate occasion for
cleaning their sloop, but did not think this a proper place; and herein
they judged right, for the touching at this island had like to have been
their destruction, because they, having resolved to go away to the
Granada Islands for the aforesaid purpose, by some accident it came to
be known to the French colony, who, sending word to the governor of
Martinico, he equipped and manned two sloops to go in quest of them. The
pirates sailed directly for the Granadilloes, and hall'd into a lagoon
at Corvocoo, where they cleaned with unusual dispatch, staying but a
little above a week, by which expedition they missed of the Martinico
sloops only a few hours, Roberts sailing overnight and the French
arriving the next morning. This was a fortunate escape, especially
considering that it was not from any fears of their being discovered
that they made so much haste from the island, but, as they had the
impudence themselves to own, for the want of wine and women.
Thus narrowly escaped, they sailed for Newfoundland, and arrived upon
the banks the latter end of June, 1720. They entered the harbor of
Trepassi with their black colors flying, drums beating, and trumpets
sounding. There were two-and-twenty vessels in the harbor, which the men
all quitted upon the sight of the pirate, and fled ashore. It is
impossible particularly to recount the destruction and havoc they made
here, burning and sinking all the shipping except a Bristol galley, and
destroying the fisheries and stages of the poor planters without remorse
or compunction; for nothing is so deplorable as power in mean and
ignorant hands--it makes men wanton and giddy, unconcerned at the
misfortunes they are imposing on their fellow-creatures, and keeps them
smiling at the mischiefs that bring themselves no advantage. They are
like madmen that cast fire-brands, arrows, and death, and say, Are not
we in sport?
FOOTNOTES:
[11] A contemporary narrative. From _The Buccaneers of America_.
[12] Avery was called "The King of the Pirates." See "The Daughter of
the Great Mogul."
NARRATIVE OF THE CAPTURE OF THE SHIP _DERBY_, 1735
CAPTAIN ANSELM
I fell in with the Land of _Madagascar_, the Latitude of about 24
Degrees, 13 Minutes North: And some time before I had made it, I met
with nothing but light Airs of Winds, and Calms, and continued so long.
My People dropping down with the Scurvy, I took a small Still that I
had, and distill'd Salt Water into Fresh. I allow'd them as much Pease
and Flower as they could eat, that they might not eat any Salt
Provision, tho' I boil'd it in fresh Water. I had been very liberal with
my fresh Provision in my Passage, to my People, and the Passage so long,
that I had hardly any left, and that only a few Fowls; and myself and
Officers too had been much out of Order. At last, being got to the
Northward of _Augustin_ Bay, seeing my poor People fall down so very
fast, it gave me very great Concern for them, but still was willing, in
Hopes of Change of Wind, for _Johanna_. But the small Airs trifled with
me, and what there were Northerly, a Current setting to the Southward,
that what to do I could not well tell. To go into _Augustin_ Bay I was
very unwilling: I had two Boats came off to me, the People talking
tolerable good _English_. At last, my Doctor, _Sharp_, told me there
were above Thirty People down with the Scurvy, and all the rest, even
some of the Petty Officers, were touch'd with the same. If I did not
soon put into Port, I plainly found I should have been in a bad
Condition, for Men; I consulted with my Officers, to go into _Augustin_
Bay, and we agreed, and bore away for it. Soon after, the Wind came
Southerly, and I bore away for _Johanna_. A fine Passage I had, and
anchor'd the next Day about Four in the Afternoon, being _Sept._ 13. I
thank God I brought all my People in alive, and that is as much I can
say of a good many of them. I had a Tent made ashore for them, and
supplied them all that ever I could, and the Doctors assisting with
every thing in their Way for their speedy Recovery. After I had been
here a Fortnight, the Winds in the Day-time set in very fresh from the
N. N. W. to the N. N. E. Finding the People recover so very slowly, what
to do I could not tell. To go out with my People as bad as when they
came in, I was not willing, but resolv'd to have Patience one Week more.
I consulted with Mr. _Rogers_, my Chief-Mate, and told him that we must
consider the Condition of the People, and how we met the Winds and
Currents before we came in. The People of the Island told me, that this
was about the time of Year for the Northerly Winds and Southerly
Currents, and I told him I thought it better to trim all our Casks, and
fill what Water we could, fearing of a long Passage, if our Stay was a
little longer. Mr. _Rogers_ was of my Opinion. This I must say, I found
the Cask not so well used in the Hold, as they ought to have been, which
caus'd the Coopers more Work; neither did I make a little Noise about
it, because I had more Words with my Chief and Second Mate, about my
Third and Fourth Mate, than any thing else.
Having all my Water aboard, about 80 Tun, 25 Head of Oxen, _&c._, I
sail'd the 13th of _October_, with several of my Men not recover'd; some
I buried at _Johanna_, and some after, to the Number of Ten, or
thereabouts. Having a fine Gale, I made all the Sail I could, except
Studding-sails, which I thought needless. The Wind veer'd to the
Northward, and I was resolved to make the _Mallabar_ Course as soon as
possible, for the Advantage of the Land and Sea Winds. I had one
Passenger aboard, a sad troublesome wicked Fellow, whose Behaviour was
so bad, that I could hardly forbear using him ill. I forbid my Officers
keeping Company with him; but Mr. _B----s_ would do it at all Events. I
turn'd him once off the Quarter-Deck for being with him there, yet that
did not avail. I came out one Night about half an Hour past Ten, my
second Mate's Watch, and this _B----s's_ Turn to sleep; and seeing a
Light in his Cabin, I sent Mr. _Cuddon_, the second Mate, to him, to
know how he would be able to sit up one Watch, and keep his own. Upon
this _B----s_ came up half way the Steerage-Ladder, with his Pipe in his
Hand, and talk'd to me very pertly; and that was not the first time.
This put me into a Passion, to be so talk'd to by a Boy, that I did
dismiss him for two or three Days, and then re-stated him, which was
more than he deserv'd, for keeping Company with him for whom the worst
of Names is good enough, and those who recommended him to his
Commission. _B----s_ was told of this by Mr. _Rogers_, by my Orders, and
I told him of it on the Quarter-Deck, and told him at the same time I
was resolv'd to tell the Gentlemen at Home of ----; and ask'd him what
he imagin'd they would think of him for keeping such swearing drunken
Company. This was before I dismiss'd him.
Before I came in with the Land, hearing much talk of _Angria_,[13] by
Capt. _Scarlet_, and Mr. _Rogers_, and of his great Force (for I had
very little Notion of him before) I took care to put the Ship in a
proper Posture of Defence: Powder-Chests on the Quarter-Deck, Poop, and
Forecastle, a Puncheon fill'd with Water in the Main-top, a Hogshead in
the Fore-top, and a Barrel in the Mizen-top, all fill'd with Water:
Chests with good Coverings in the Tops for Grenado-Shells; all the small
Arms, with 50 new ones in Readiness. My Ship being too deep to get the
Gun-room Ports open, as the Gunner inform'd me, the Ship _sending_, and
the Sea washing above the Tops of the Ports; I got those Guns into the
Great Cabin; Quarter-Bills over the Guns; the Rewards and
Close-quarters, _&c._ at the Mizen-mast, Shot-lockers and Shot in their
proper Station; Pluggs for Shot-holes; and every thing that I could
think of: and gave particular Orders to my Gunner, Carpenter, and
Boatswain, to have every thing in their way, in Readiness, the two lower
Yards flung with the Top-chains. Not being easy in my Mind about these
Gun-room Stern-Ports, I sent Mr. _Rogers_, it being smooth Water, to
open one of the Gun-room Stern-Ports, to see, if we could, on Occasion,
get Guns out there, but he brought me Word it could not be done with
Safety, the Ship being so deep. A few Days before I made the Land, the
Winds used to vere and haul, that Offing in an Hour I could hardly up
from E. N. E. to S. E. but the Winds chiefly kept to the Northward. I
was very desirous to make the Land, not knowing how far the Southwest
Currents might set me to the Westward. At noon, being _Dec._ 12, I made
the Land of _Goa_, in the Latitude of 15 Degrees North. My Chief Mate
wanted me to go into _Goa_, but I was resolved not, but to make the best
of my Way for _Bombay_. The next Morning, having a fine Six-Knot-Gale,
about Nine o' Clock Mr. _Rogers_ told me, he saw _Gereah_, and desired
me to haul further off Shore, and said, if _Angria_ and his Grabbs
should see us in his River, he would send them out after us. I asked
him, if his Grabbs came out of Sight of Land. He told me they were
afraid to do that, fearing the _Bombay_ Vessels should get between them
and the Shore, and keep them out of their Ports. To prevent running into
Danger, I kept out of Sight of Land: I thought it better to do so, since
it would make but a few Days Difference in getting at _Bombay_; making
no Doubt I should get there the last of the Month, as doubtless we
should, if we had not met with our sad Misfortune.
When it was too late, I was acquainted by those taken in the _Severn_,
that Mr. _Rogers_ inform'd me wrong; for _Angria_ sometimes keeps the
Shore aboard, and sometimes goes directly out to Sea 60 Leagues off. It
was too late to reflect; neither could I blame myself, knowing I had
done every thing to the best of my Judgment: But had I been better
inform'd, it is my Opinion we might have escaped those cursed Dogs, by
keeping in Shore, and taken the Advantage of the Land and Sea Winds.
I have since repented that we did not go into _Goa_; but God knows
whether a Man goes too fast or too slow; for I had certainly a very
suitable Cargo for that Place; But my earnest Desire was to get to
_Bombay_, the Season of the Year being far advanc'd.
_December_ 26, being my second Mate's Morning Watch, about Five o' Clock
he came to me, and told me he saw Nine Sail of Gallivats. I got up, and
found them to be Five Top-mast Vessels, and Four Gallivats, not above
two Miles from us. I order'd all Hands to be call'd, and down with the
Cabins in the Steerage, which was done in an Instant, and every body to
their respective Quarters. They came up with us apace, having but light
Airs of Winds, and found them to be _Angria's_ Fleet. I had the Transome
in the great Cabin, and the Balcony in the Round-house cut away, for
traversing the Stern-Chase Guns. They came up with me very boldly within
Pistol-shot. Before Six, they began firing upon us, throwing their Shot
in at our Stern, raking us afore and aft. I order'd everything to be got
ready for going about, to give them my Broad-side, when my Chief-Mate
Mr. _Rogers_, and my Third Mate Mr. _Burroughs_ came to me, and begg'd
that I would not put about, for if I did, they would certainly board us.
As to my Part, being a Stranger to this Coast and _Angria_, knowing my
Chief Mate had been often this Way, and my Third Mate had sail'd in the
Gallies, I was over prevail'd upon not to tack about. As the Enemy kept
under my Stern, playing their Shot in very hot upon us, and destroying
my Rigging so fast, I soon after endeavour'd to wear the Ship upon the
Enemy; but the Wind dying away to a Calm, she would not regard her Helm,
but lay like a Log in the Water. By Eight o' Clock most of my Rigging
was destroy'd, and the Long-boat taking Fire a-stern, was forc'd to cut
her away. The Yaul being stove by their shot, we launch'd her overboard.
By Nine, the Top-chain that flung the Main-yard, was shot away, with
Geer and Geer-Blocks. The Main-yard came next down, with the Sails
almost torn to Pieces with the Shot. As fast as our People knotted and
spliced the Rigging, it was shot away in their Hands. The Water-Tubs in
the Tops were shot to pieces, and the Boatswain's Mate's Leg shot off in
the Main-top. One of the Foremast-Men's Leg was shot off in the
Fore-top, and one wounded. By Ten, the Mizen-mast was shot by the Board.
Wanting People to cut the Mast-Rigging, _&c._ from her Side, found them
appear very thin upon Deck, and desired my younger Mates to drive them
out of their Holes. Word was then brought me, that my Chief Mate's Leg
was shot off, but that he was in good Heart. All this time it was a
Calm, and our Guns of the Broad-side of no Service, not being able,
during the Engagement, to bring one Gun to bear upon them. They kept
throwing their shot so thick in at our Stern, with a continual Fire, and
we return'd it as fast as we could load and fire. About One, my
Main-mast was shot by the Board, and the Fall of that stove the Pinnace
on the Booms. The Loss of my Main-mast gave me a very great Concern, and
seeing the Condition of the Fore-mast, the Fore-yard half way down, and
the Top-sail Yard-arm sprung in several Places, the Head of the
Top-gallant-Mast shot away, render'd that Mast quite useless. I could
not see which way it was in the Power of Men to save us from these Dogs.
However, I made myself as easy as could be expected, and kept my
Thoughts to myself. Tho' the Shot were like Hail about my Ears, I thank
God I escaped them, neither did they give me much Uneasiness as to my
Person. The Grabbs perceiving their great Advantage by the Fall of our
Main-mast, _&c._ tho' all the time before within Musket-Shot, come up
boldly within Call, throwing in at our Stern Double-round and Partridge
as fast as they could load and fire; we doing the same with Bolts, _&c._
We saw a great many Holes in their Sails. Soon after this, they lodg'd
two Double-head-Shot, and a large Stone in the Fore-mast, the Shrowds of
which were mostly gone. I often sent Capt. _Scarlet_ to Mr. _Cudden_, to
encourage the People, and to take care to cool his Guns, and not fire in
Haste, but take good Aim. We received two Double-headed-Shot in the
Bread-room, which were soon plugg'd up, and one Shot under the Larboard
Chesstree, but so low in the Water, that could not get at it, and the
Ship prov'd leaky. I had a Pack of sad cowardly, ignorant Dogs as ever
came into a Ship. As to my common Sailors, who were not above Twelve
Seamen, with the Officers, they stood by me. It was all owing to my
Misfortune on the _Mouse_, that I was so poorly Mann'd. As to my Third
Mate, _B----s_, he did not seem to stomach what he was about; he was
sometimes on the Quarter-Deck (not being able to use any Guns but the
Stern-Chase) and every Shot the Enemy fir'd, he cowardly trembled, with
his Head almost down to the Deck. This Captain _Scarlet_ has often
declared to the Gentlemen at _Bombay_, and before those that are now
coming Home. I had six Men kill'd, and six their Legs shot off, with
several others wounded by their Partridge-Shot, _&c._ Had our People
kept the Deck like Men, there must have been several more kill'd and
wounded. About Three, I heard a great Call for Shot, and desired Capt.
_Scarlet_ to go to Mr. _Cuddon_, and tell him not to fire in Waste.