THE BOLD SEA ROGUE, JOHN QUELCH
The Isles of Shoals, lying within sight of Portsmouth Harbor on the New
Hampshire coast, are rich in buried treasure legends and rocky
Appledore is distinguished by the ghost of a pirate, "a pale and very
dreadful specter," whose neck bears the livid mark of the hangman's
noose. This is a ghost in whose case familiarity has bred contempt
among the matter-of-fact islanders, for they call him "Old Bab" and
employ him to frighten naughty children. Drake's "Nooks and Corners of
the New England Coast" narrates in the proper melodramatic manner the
best of these traditions.
"Among others to whom it is said these islands were known was the
celebrated Captain Teach, or Blackbeard, as he was often called. He is
supposed to have buried immense treasure here, some of which has been
dug up and appropriated by the islanders. On one of his cruises, while
lying off the Scottish coast waiting for a rich trader, he was boarded
by a stranger who came off in a small boat from the shore. The visitor
demanded to be led before the pirate chief in whose cabin he remained
closeted for some time. At length Blackbeard appeared on deck with the
stranger whom he introduced as a comrade. The vessel they were
expecting soon came in sight, and, after a bloody conflict, became the
prize of Blackbeard. The newcomer had shown such bravery that he was
given command of the captured merchantman.
"The stranger soon proved himself a pirate leader of great skill and
bravery and went cruising off to the southward and the coasts of the
Spanish Main. At last after his appetite for wealth had been satiated
he sailed back to his native land of Scotland, made a landing, and
returned on board with the insensible body of a beautiful young woman
in his arms.
"The pirate ship then made sail, crossed the Atlantic, and anchored in
the roadstead of the Isles of Shoals. Here the crew passed the time in
secreting their riches and in carousing. The commander's portion was
buried on an island apart from the rest. He roamed over the isles with
his beautiful companion, forgetful, it would seem, of his fearful
trade, until one day a sail was seen standing in for the islands. All
was now activity on board the pirate; but before getting under way the
outlaw carried the maiden to the island where he had buried his
treasure, and made her take a fearful oath to guard the spot from
mortals until his return, were it not 'til doomsday.
"The strange sail proved to be a warlike vessel in search of the
freebooter. A long and desperate battle ensued, in which the cruiser
at last silenced her adversary's guns. The vessels were grappled for a
last struggle when a terrible explosion strewed the sea with the
fragments of both. Stung to madness by defeat, knowing that if taken
alive a gibbet awaited him, the rover had fired the magazine, involving
friend and foe in a common fate.
"A few mangled wretches succeeded in reaching the islands, only to
perish miserably one by one, from hunger and cold. The pirate's
mistress remained true to her oath to the last, or until she had
succumbed to want and exposure. By report, she has been seen more than
once on White Island--a tall shapely figure, wrapped in a long sea
cloak, her head and neck uncovered, except by a profusion of golden
hair. Her face is described as exquisitely rounded, but pale and still
as marble. She takes her stand on the verge of a low, projecting
point, gazing fixedly out upon the ocean in an attitude of intense
expectation. A forager race of fishermen avouched that her ghost was
doomed to haunt those rocks until the last trump shall sound, and that
the ancient graves to be found on the islands were tenanted by
Blackbeard's men."
It is more probable that whatever treasure may be hidden among the
Isles of Shoals was hidden there by the shipmates of a great scamp of a
pirate named John Quelch who fills an interesting page in the early
history of the Massachusetts Colony. In proof of this assertion is the
entry in one of the old records of Salem, written in the year 1704:
"Major Stephen Sewall, Captain John Turner, and 40 volunteers embark in
a shallop and Fort Pinnace after Sunset to go in search of some Pirates
who sailed from Gloucester in the morning. Major Sewall brought into
Salem a Galley, Captain Thomas Lowrimore, on board of which he had
captured some Pirates, and some of their Gold at the Isle of Shoals.
Major Sewall carries the Pirates to Boston under a strong guard.
Captain Quelch and five of his crew are hung. About 13 of the ship's
Company remain under sentence of death and several more are cleared."
By no means all of the bloodstained gold of Quelch was recovered by
this expedition which went to the Isles of Shoals and it is more likely
to be hidden there to this day than anywhere else. Quelch was a bold
figure of a pirate worthy to be named in the company of the most
dashing of his profession in the era of Kidd, Bradish, Bellamy, and
Low. His story is worth the telling because it is, in a way, a sequel
of the tragedy of Captain Kidd.
In 1703, the brigantine _Charles_, of about eighty tons, owned by
leading citizens and merchants of Boston, was fitted out as a privateer
to go cruising against the French off the coasts of Arcadia and
Newfoundland. On July 13th of that year, her commander, Captain David
Plowman, received his commission from Governor Dudley of the province
to sail in pursuit of the Queen's enemies and pirates, with other
customary instructions. There was some delay in shipping a crew, and
on the first of August the _Charles_ was riding off Marblehead when
Captain Plowman was taken ill. He sent a letter to his owners, stating
that he was unable to take the vessel to sea, and suggesting that they
come on board next day and "take some speedy care in saving what we
can."
The owners went to Marblehead, but the captain was too ill to confer
with them. He was able, however, to write again, this time urging them
to have the vessel carried to Boston, and the arms and stores landed in
order to "prevent embezzlement," and advising against sending the
_Charles_ on her cruise under a new commander, adding the warning that
"it will not do with these people," meaning the crew then on board.
Before the owners could take any measures to safeguard their property,
the brigantine had made sail and was standing out to sea, stolen by her
crew. The helpless captain was locked in his cabin, and the new
Commander on the quarter-deck was John Quelch who had planned and led
the mutiny. Instead of turning to the northward, the bow of the
_Charles_ was pointed for the South Atlantic and the track of the
Spanish trade where there was rich pirating. Somewhere in the Gulf
Stream, poor Captain Plowman was dragged on deck and tossed overboard
by order of Quelch.
A flag was then hoisted, called "Old Roger," described as having "in
the middle of it an Anatomy (skeleton) with an Hourglass in one hand,
and a dart in the Heart with 3 drops of Blood proceeding from it in the
other." When the coast of Brazil was reached, Quelch and his men drove
a thriving trade. Between November 15, 1703, and February 17, 1704,
they boarded and took nine vessels, of which five were brigantines, and
one a large ship carrying twelve guns. All these craft flew the
Portugese flag, and Portugal was an ally of England by virtue of a
treaty which had been signed at Lisbon on May 16, 1703. What became of
the crews of these hapless vessels was not revealed, but the plunder
included salt, sugar, rum, beer, rice, flour, cloth, silk, one hundred
weight of gold dust, gold and silver coin to the value of a thousand
pounds, two negro boys, great guns, small arms, ammunition, sails, and
cordage. One of the largest of the brigantines was kept to serve as a
tender.
Two weeks after the _Charles_ had taken French leave from Marblehead,
her owners, surmising that she had been headed toward the West Indies,
persuaded Governor Dudley to take action, and letters were sent to
officials in various islands instructing them to be on the look-out for
the runaway privateer and to seize her crew as pirates. Quelch was a
wily rogue, however, and kept clear of all pursuit, nor was anything
more heard of the _Charles_ until with extraordinary audacity he came
sailing back to New England in the following May and dropped anchor off
Marblehead. His men quickly scattered alongshore, and gave out the
story which he had cooked up for them, that Captain Plowman had died of
his illness while at sea, that Quelch had been obliged to take command,
and that they had recovered a great deal of treasure from the wreck of
a Spanish galleon.
The yarn was fishy, the men talked too much in their cups, and the
owners of the _Charles_ were not satisfied with Quelch's glib
explanation. They laid information against him in writing, and the
vessel was searched, the plunder indicating that the lawless crew had
been lifting the goods of subjects of the King of Portugal. The first
mention of the affair in the _Boston News-Letter_ was in the issue for
the week of May 15, 1704:
"Arrived at Marblehead, Captain Quelch in the Brigantine that Captain
Plowman went out in. Is said to come from New Spain and have made a
good Voyage."
Quelch was a good deal more of a man than Captain Kidd who skulked
homeward, hiding his treasure, parleying with Governor Bellomont at
long range, afraid to come to close quarters. A strutting, swaggering,
villain was John Quelch, daring to beard the lion in his den, trusting
to his ability to deceive with the authorities. To have run away with
a privateer, thrown the captain overboard, filled the hold with loot,
and then sailed back to Marblehead was no ordinary achievement.
However, this truly artistic piracy was so coldly welcomed that a week
after his arrival had been chronicled, he was in jail and the following
proclamation issued:
"By the Honourable THOMAS POVEY, Esq., Lieut. Governour and Commander
in Chief, for the time being, of Her Majesties Province of the
Massachusetts Bay in New England.
A PROCLAMATION
Whereas, John Quelch, late Commander of the Brigantine _Charles_ and
Company to her belonging, Viz, John Lambert, John Miller, John
Clifford, John Dorothy, James Parrot, Charles James, William Whiting,
John Pitman, John Templeton, Benjamin Perkins, William Wiles, Richard
Lawrance, Erasmus Peterson, John King, Charles King, Isaac Johnson,
Nicholas Lawson, Daniel Chevalle, John Way, Thomas Farrington, Matthew
Primer, Anthony Holding, William Raynor, John Quittance, John Harwood,
William Jones, Denis Carter, Nicholas Richardson, James Austin, James
Pattison, Joseph Hutnot, George Pierse, George Norton, Gabriel Davis,
John Breck, John Carter, Paul Giddens, Nicholas Dunbar, Richard
Thurbar, Daniel Chuly, and others; Have lately imported a considerable
quantity of Gold dust, and some Bar and Coin'd Gold, which they are
Violently suspected to have gotten and obtained by Felony and Piracy
from some of Her Majesties Friends and Allies, and have Imported and
Shared the same among themselves without any Adjudication or
Condemnation thereof to be lawful Prizes; The said Commander and some
others being apprehended and in Custody, the rest are absconded and
fled from Justice.
"I have therefore thought fit, by and with the advice of Her Majesties
Council, strictly to Command and Require all Officers Civil and
Military, and others Her Majesties loving Subjects to Apprehend and
Seize the said Persons, or any of them, whom they may know or find, and
them secure and their Treasure, and bring them before one of the
Council, or next Justice of the Peace, in order to their being safely
conveyed to Boston, to be Examined and brought to Answer what shall be
Objected against them, on Her Majesties behalf.
"And all Her Majesties Subjects, and others, are hereby strictly
forbidden to entertain, harbour, or conceal any of the said Persons, or
their Treasure, or to convey away, or in any manner further the Escape
of any of them, on pain of being proceeded against with utmost Severity
of Law, as accessories and partakers with them in their Crime.
Given at the Council Chamber in Boston the 24th Day of May in the Third
Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lady ANNE, by the Grace of GOD of
England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, QUEEN, Defender of the Faith,
etc. Annoque Domi. 1704.
T. POVEY.
By Order of the Lieut.
Governor and Council,
Isaac Addington, Secr.
GOD Save The QUEEN."
The editor of _The Boston News-Letter_, commenting on the foregoing
fulmination, saw fit to qualify his previous mention of Quelch's
voyage, and announced under date of May 27:
"Our last gave an Account of Captain Quelch's being said to Arrive from
N. Spain, having made a good Voyage, but by the foregoing Proclamation
'tis uncertain whence they came, and too palpably evident they have
committed Piracies, either upon her Majesties Subjects or Allies....
William Whiting lyes sick, like to dye, not yet examined. There are
two more of them sick at Marble head, and another in Salem Gaol, and
James Austin imprisoned at Piscataqua."
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[Illustration: An ancient map of Jamaica showing the haunts of the
pirates and the track of the treasure galleons.]
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As soon as Governor Dudley returned to Boston, a few days later, he
issued a proclamation to reinforce that of the Lieutenant Governor, and
one paragraph indicated that the case of John Quelch was moving swiftly
toward the gallows.
"And it being now made Evident by the Confession of some of the said
Persons apprehended and Examined, that the Gold and Treasure by them
Imported was robb'd and taken from the Subject of the Crown of
Portugal, on which they have also acted divers Villainous Murders, I
have thought fit," etc.
It was believed that several of the crew had scampered off with a large
amount of the treasure, for Governor Dudley laid great stress on
overhauling sundry of them, mentioned by name, "with their Treasure
concealed." In his speech at the opening of the General Court on June
1, he stated:
"The last week has discovered a very notorious piracy, committed upon
her Majesties Allies, the Portugal, on the coast of Brazil, by Quelch
and company, in the _Charles Galley_; for the discovery of which all
possible methods have been used, and the severest process against those
vile men shall be speedily taken, that the Province be not thereby
disparaged, as they have been heretofore; and I hope every good man
will do his duty according to the several Proclamations to discover the
pirates and their treasure, agreable to the Acts of Parliament in that
case made and provided."
Dudley was as energetic in pursuit of the runaway pirates as Bellomont
had been, and the _News-Letter_ recorded his activities in this wise:
"Warrants are issued forth to seize and apprehend Captain Larimore in
the _Larimore Galley_, who is said to have Sailed from Cape Anne with 9
or 11 Pirates of Captain Quelch's Company."
"There is two more of the Pirates seized this week and in Custody viz.
Benjamin Perkins, and John Templeton."
"Rhode Island, June 9. The Honorable Samuel Cranston, Esq., Governour
of Her Majesties Colony of Rhode Island, etc., Having received a
Proclamation Emitted by His Excellency Joseph Dudley, Esq. General and
Gov. in Chief in and over Her Majesties Province of the Mass. Bay,
etc., for Seizing and Apprehending the late Company of Pirates
belonging to the Briganteen _Charles_, of whom John Quelch was
Commander, By and with the advice of the Deputy Governour and Council
Present, issued forth his further Proclamation to Seize and Apprehend
said Pirates, or any of their Treasure, and to bring them before one of
the Council, or next Justice of the Peace, in order to be conveyed to
the town of Newport, to be examined and proceeded with according to
Law. Commanding the Sheriff to Publish this and His Excellencies
Proclamation in the Town of New-port, and in other Towns of the Colony.
Strictly forbidding all Her Majesties Subjects and others to conceal
any of them or their treasure, or convey and further their escape, on
pain of being proceeded against with utmost severity of law."
"Marblehead, June 9. The Honorable Samuel Sewall, Nathanael Byfield,
and Paul Dudley, Esqrs. came to this place yesterday, in obedience to
His Excellency the Governour, his Order for the more effectual
discovering and Seizing the Pirates lately belonging to the Briganteen
_Charles_, John Quelch Commander, with their Treasure. They made Salem
in their way, where Samuel Wakefield the Water Baily informed them of a
rumour that two of Quelch's Company were lurking at Cape Anne, waiting
for a Passage off the Coast. The Commissioners made out a Warrant to
Wakefield to Search for them, and dispatched him away on Wednesday
night. And having gain'd intelligence this Morning that a certain
number of them well Armed, were at Cape Anne, designing to go off in
the _Larimore Galley_, then at Anchor in the Harbour, they immediately
sent Men from the several adjacent Towns by Land and Water to prevent
their escape, and went thither themselves, to give necessary orders
upon the place."
"Gloucester, upon Cape Anne, June 9. The Commissioners for Seizing the
Pirates and their Treasure arrived here this day, were advised that the
_Larimore Galley_ Sail'd in the Morning Eastward, and that a Boat was
seen to go off from the head of the Cape, near Snake Island, full of
men, supposed to be the Pirates. The Commissioners, seeing the
Government mock'd by Captain Larimore and his officers, resolved to
send after them. Major Stephen Sewall who attended with a Fishing
Shallop, and the Fort Pinnace, offered to go in pursuit of them, and
Captain John Turner, Mr. Robert Brisco, Capt. Knight, and several other
good men voluntarily accompanied him, to the Number of 42 men who rowed
out of the Harbour after Sun-sett, being little Wind."
"Salem, June 11. This afternoon Major Sewall brought into this Port
the _Larimore Galley_ and Seven Pirates, viz., Erasmus Peterson,
Charles James, John Carter, John Pitman, Francis King, Charles King,
John King, whom he with his Company Surprized and Seized at the Isles
of Sholes the 10th. Instant viz. four of them on Board the _Larimore
Galley_, and three on shoar on Starr Island, being assisted by John
Hinckes and Thomas Phipps, Esqrs., two of her Majesties Justices of New
Hampshire, who were happily there, together with the Justices and the
Captain of the Place. He also seized 45 Ounces and Seven Penny weight
of Gold of the said Pirates. Captain Thomas Larimore, Joseph Wells,
Lieutenant, and Daniel Wormall, Master, and the said Pirates are
Secured in our Gaol."
"Gloucester, June 12. Yesterday Major Sewall passed by this place with
the _Larimore Galley_ and Shallop _Trial_ standing for Salem, and
having little wind, set our men ashore on the Eastern Point, giving of
them notice that William Jones and Peter Roach, two of the Pirates had
mistook their way, and were still left at the Cape, with strict charge
to search for them, which our Towns People performed very
industriously. Being strangers and destitute of all Succours, they
surrendered themselves this Afternoon, and were sent to Salem Prison."
"Boston, June 17. On the 13th. Instant, Major Sewall attended with a
strong guard brought to Town the above mentioned Pirates and Gold he
had seized and gave His Excellency a full Account of his Procedure in
Seizing them. The Prisoners were committed to Gaol in order to a
Tryal, and the Gold delivered to the Treasurer and Committee appointed
to receive the same. The service of Major Sewall and Company was very
well Accepted and Rewarded by the Governour.
"His Excellency was pleased on the 13 Currant to open the High Court of
Admiralty for trying Capt. John Quelch, late Commander of the
Briganteen _Charles_, and Company for Piracy, who were brought to the
Barr, and the Articles exhibited against them read. They all pleaded
Not Guilty, excepting three, viz. Matthew Primer, John Clifford, and
James Parrot, who were reserved for Evidences and are in her Majesties
Mercy. The Prisoners moved for Council, and His Excellency assigned
them Mr. James Meinzes. The Court was adjourned to the 16th. When met
again Capt. Quelch preferr'd a Petition to His Excellency and Honorable
Court, craving longer time which was granted till Monday Morning at
Nine of the Clock, when said Court is to sit again in order to their
Tryal."
Newspaper reporting was primitive in the Year of Our Lord, 1704, and we
are denied further information of the merry chase after the fleeing
pirates and their treasure. One would like to know more of that
adventure at the Isles of Shoals and what the fugitives were doing "on
shoar" at Starr Island. The trial of Quelch and his companions was
recorded with much more detail because it had certain important and
memorable aspects. It will be recalled that Kidd and his men were sent
to England for trial by Bellomont for the reason that the colonial laws
made no provision for executing the death sentence in the case of a
convicted pirate. The difficulties and delays and the large expense
incident to the Kidd proceedings were among the considerations which
moved Parliament, by an act passed in the reign of William III, to
confer upon the Crown authority to issue commissions for the trial of
pirates by Courts of Admiralty out of the realm. Such a commission was
finally sent to Lord Bellomont for the trial of pirates in
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Another document of
the same kind, granting him this power for New York, arrived there
after his death.
These rights were confirmed by Queen Anne, and in her instructions to
Governor Dudley she expressed "her will and pleasure that in all
matters relating to the prosecution of pirates, he govern himself
according to the act and commission aforesaid." The trial of Quelch
was the first to be held by virtue of these authorizations, and
therefore the first capital proceedings against pirates in the New
England Colonies. A special court was convened, and an imposing
tribunal it was, comprising the Governors and Lieutenant Governors of
the Provinces of Massachusetts Bay, and New Hampshire, the Judge of
Vice Admiralty in each, the Chief Justices of the Superior Court of
Judicature, the Secretary of the Province, Members of the Council of
Massachusetts Bay, and the Collector of Customs for New England.
The sessions were held in the Star Tavern, on the present Hanover
Street of Boston, and Quelch was tried first, "being charged with nine
several articles of piracy and murder." He was very expeditiously found
guilty and sentenced to death, after which nineteen of his company, in
two batches, were dealt the same verdict. From this wholesale
punishment only two were excepted, William Whiting, "the witnesses
proving no matter of fact upon him, said Whiting being sick all the
voyage and not active," and John Templeton, "a servant about fourteen
years of age, and not charged with any action." These were acquitted.
There are preserved only two copies of a broadside published in Boston
in July of 1704 which quaintly portrays the strenuous efforts made to
save the souls of the condemned pirates who must have been men of
uncommonly stout endurance to stand up under the sermons with which
they were bombarded. This little pamphlet may serve as a warning to
venturesome boys of the twentieth century who yearn to go a-pirating
and to bury treasure.
An Account of the Behaviour and Last Dying SPEECHES
Of the Six Pirates that were Executed on Charles River, Boston side, On
Fryday, June 30th. 1704. Viz.
Captain John Quelch, John Lambert, Christopher Scudamore, John Miller,
Erasmus Peterson, and Peter Roach.
The Ministers of the Town had used more than ordinary Endeavours to
Instruct the Prisoners, and bring them to Repentance. There were
Sermons Preached in their hearing Every Day; And Prayers daily made
with them. And they were Catechised; and they had many occasional
Exhortations. And nothing was left that could be done for their Good.
On Fryday, the 30th of June, 1704, Pursuant to Orders in the Dead
Warrant, the aforesaid Pirates were guarded from the Prison in Boston
by Forty Musketeers, Constables of the Town, the Provost Marshal and
his Officers, etc, with two Ministers who took great pains to prepare
them for the last Article of their Lives. Being allowed to walk on
foot through the Town, to Scarlet's Wharf: where the Silver Oar being
carried before them, they went by Water to the Place of Execution being
crowded and thronged on all sides by Multitudes of Spectators. The
Ministers then spoke to the Malefactors to this Effect:
"We have told you often, yea, we have told you weeping, that you have
by Sin undone yourselves; That you were born Sinners; That you have
lived Sinners; That your Sins have been many and mighty; and that the
Sins for which you are now to Dy, are of no Common aggravation. We
have told you that there is a Saviour for Sinners, and we have shewn
you how to commit yourselves into his Saving and Healing Hands. We
have told you that if He Save you He will give you as hearty Repentance
for all your Sins, and we have shewn you how to Express that
Repentance. We have told you what Marks of Life must be desired for
your Souls, that you may Safely appear before the Judgment Seat of God.
Oh! That the means used for your Good may by the Grace of God be made
Effectual. We can do no more, but leave you in His Merciful Hands."
When they were gone upon the Stage, and Silence was Commanded, One of
the Ministers Prayed as followeth:
"Oh! Thou most Great and Glorious LORD! Thou art a Righteous and a
Terrible God. It is a righteous and an Holy Law that thus hast given
unto all, but what would soon have done the worst things in the World.
Oh! The Free-Grace! Oh! The Riches of that Grace, which has made all
the Difference! But now, we cry us. To break that Good Law, and Sin
against thy Infinite Majesty can be no little Evil. Thy Word is always
True, and very Particular, that Word of thine which has told us and
warned us, EVIL PURSUETH SINNERS. We have seen it, we have seen it.
We have before our Eyes a dreadful Demonstration of it. Oh! Sanctify
unto us, a Sight that has in it so much of the Terror of the Lord!
"Here is a Number of men that have been very great Sinners, and that
are to Dy before their Time, for their being wicked overmuch.
"... But now we cry mightily to Heaven, we Lift up our Cries to the God
of all Grace, for the Perishing Souls which are just now going to
Expire under the Stroke of Justice, before our Eyes. We Mourn, we
Mourn, that upon some of them at least, we do unto this minute see no
better Symptoms. But, Oh! is there not yet a Room for Sovereign Grace
to be display'd, in their Conversion and Salvation? They Perish if
they do not now Sincerely turn from Sin to God, and give themselves up
to the Lord JESUS CHRIST; They Righteously and Horribly Perish! And
yet, without Influences from above, they can do none of those things
which must be done if they do not perish. Oh! let us beg it of our God
that He would not be so Provoked at their Multiplied and Prodigious
Impieties, and at their obstinate Hardness under means of Good formerly
afforded them, as to withhold those Influences from them. We cry to
thee, O God of all Grace, That thou wouldst not Suffer them to continue
in the Gall of Bitterness and Bond of Iniquity, and in the Possession
of the Devil. Oh! Knock off the Chains of Death which are upon their
Souls; Oh! Snatch the prey out of the Hands of the Terrible.
"... Discover to them, the only Saviour of their Souls. Oh! Dispose
them, Oh! Assist them to give the Consent of their Souls unto His
Wonderful Proposals. Let them dy Renouncing all Dependence on any
Righteousness of their own. Alas, what can they have of their own to
Depend upon! As a Token and Effect of their having Accepted the
Righteousness of God, Let them heartily Repent of all their Sins
against thee, and Abhor and cast up every Morsel of their Iniquity.
Oh! Let them not go out of the World raging and raving against the
Justice of God and Man. And whatever part of the Satanick Image is yet
remaining on their Souls, Oh! Efface it! Let them now dy in such a
State and such a Frame as may render them fit to appear before God the
Judge of all. What shall plead for them?
"Great GOD grant that all the Spectators may get Good by the horrible
Spectacle that is now before them! Let all the People hear and fear,
and let no more any such Wickedness be done as has produced this woeful
Spectacle. And let all the People beware how they go on in the ways of
Sin, and in the paths of the Destroyer, after so Solemn Warnings.
"Oh! but shall our _Sea-faring Tribe_ on this Occasion be in a Singular
manner affected with the Warnings of God! Lord, May those our dear
Bretheren be Saved from the Temptations which do so threaten them! Oh!
Let them not Abandon Themselves to Profanity, to Swearing, to Cursing,
to Drinking, to Lewdness, to a cursed Forgetfulness of their Maker, and
of the End for which He made them! Oh! Let them not be abandoned of
God unto those Courses that will hasten them to a Damnation that
slumbers not! Oh! Let the men hear the Lord exceedingly, We Pray
thee! Let the Condition of the Six or Seven men whom they now see
Dying for their Wickedness upon the Sea be Sanctified unto them...."
They then severally Spoke, Viz.
--I--_Captain John Quelch_. The last Words he spoke to one of the
Ministers at his going up the Stage were, _I am not afraid of Death. I
am not afraid of the Gallows, but I am afraid of what follows; I am
afraid of a Great God, and a Judgment to Come_. But he afterwards
seem'd to brave it out too much against that fear; also when on the
Stage first he pulled off his Hat, and bowed to the Spectators, and not
concerned, nor behaving himself so much like a Dying man as some would
have done. The Ministers had in the Way to his Execution much desired
him to Glorify God at his Death, by bearing a due Testimony against the
Sins that had ruined him, and for the ways of Religion which he had
much neglected; yet now being called upon to speak what he had to say,
it was but this much. _What I have to say is this. I desire to be
informed for what I am here. I am Condemned only upon Circumstances.
I forgive all the World. So the Lord be Merciful to my Soul_. When
_Lambert_ was Warning the Spectators to beware of Bad Company, _Quelch_
joyning _They should also take care how they brought Money into New
England, to be Hanged for it!_
--II--_John Lambert_. He appeared much hardened, and pleaded much on
his Innocency; He desired all men to beware of Bad Company; he seem'd
in a great Agony near his Execution; he called much and frequently on
Christ for Pardon of Sin, that God Almighty would save his innocent
Soul; he desired to forgive all the World. His last words were, _Lord,
forgive my Soul! Oh, receive me into Eternity! Blessed Name of
Christ, receive my Soul_.
--III--_Christopher Scudamore_. He appeared very Penitent since his
Condemnation, was very diligent to improve his time going to, and at
the place of Execution.
--IV--_John Miller_. He seem'd much concerned, and complained of a
great Burden of Sins to answer for; expressing often _Lord, what shall
I do to be Saved_!
--V--_Erasmus Peterson_. He cryed of injustice done him, and said _It
is very hard for so many lives to be taken away for a little Gold_. He
often said his Peace was made with God, and his Soul would be with God,
yet extream hard to forgive those he said had wronged him. He told the
Executioner, _he was a strong man, and Prayed to be put out of misery
as soon as possible_.
--VI--_Peter Roach_. He seem'd little concerned, and said but little
or nothing at all. Francis King was also brought to the place of
Execution but Repriev'd.
Printed for and Sold by Nicholas Boone, at his Shop near the Old
Meeting-House in Boston. 1704.
ADVERTISEMENT.
There is now in the Press and will speedily be Published: The
Arraignment, Tryal and Condemnation of Captain John Quelch, and others
of his Company etc. for sundry Piracies, Robberies and Murder
committed upon the Subjects of the King of Portugal, Her Majesties
Allie, on the Coast of Brasil etc. Who upon full Evidence were found
guilty at the Court-House in Boston on the 13th of June 1704. With the
Arguments of the Queen's Council and Council for the Prisoners, upon
the Act for the more effectual Suppression of Piracy. With an account
of the Ages of the several Prisoners, and the Places where they were
Born.
The _News-Letter_ was less inclined to vouch for the pious inclinations
of these poor wretches, and gravely stated that "notwithstanding all
the great labour and pains taken by the Reverend Ministers of the Town
of Boston, ever since they were first Seized and brought to Town, both
before and since their Tryal and Condemnation, to instruct, admonish,
preach, and pray for them: yet as they had led a wicked and vicious
life, so to appearance they dyed very obdurately and impenitently,
hardened in their Sins."
Be that as it may, the figure of bold John Quelch on the gallows,
bowing to the spectators, hat in hand, was that of no whimpering
coward, and one admires him for that grimly sardonic touch of humor as
he warned the silent, curious multitude to take care "how they brought
money into New England, to be hanged for it." Among these devout and
somber Pilgrims and Puritans who Listened to that singularly moving
prayer, tremendous in its sincerity, were more than a few who were
bringing money into New England by means of trade in rum and negroes,
or very quietly buying and selling the merchandise fetched home by
pirates who were lucky enough to keep clear of the law. The
Massachusetts colonists dearly loved to make public parade of a rogue
caught in the act, and to see six pirates hanged at once was a rare
holiday indeed.
These only of the number convicted and condemned were hanged. All the
others were pardoned a year later by Queene Anne at the recommendation
of Governor Dudley, with the exhortation "that as they had now new
Lives given them, they should be new men, and be very faithful and
diligent in the Service of Her Majesty; who might as easily and justly
have ordered their Execution this day as sent their Pardon." As one
way of turning pirates to some useful account, these forgiven rogues
were promptly drafted into the royal navy as able seamen, and doubtless
made excellent food for powder.
Although a large part of that hundred weight of gold was successfully
concealed by Quelch and his comrades, either buried at the Isles of
Shoals, or otherwise spirited away, enough of it was recovered to
afford a division of the spoils among various officials in a manner so
suggestive of petty graft as to warrant the conclusion that piracy was
not entirely a maritime trade in Puritan Boston. Every man Jack of
them who had anything whatever to do with catching or keeping or
hanging Quelch and his fellows poked his fingers into the bag of gold.
It seems like very belated muck-raking to fish up the document that
tells in detail what became of so much of the Quelch treasure as fell
into the greedy hands of the authorities, but here are the tell-tale
figures:
"To Stephen North, who kept the Star Tavern in which the trial was
held, for entertainment of the Commissioners during the sitting of the
Court of Admiralty, and for Witnesses, Twenty-eight pounds, Eleven
shillings, and six pence.
"To Lieut. Gov. Usher, Expenses in securing and returning of James
Austin's Gold from the Province of New Hampshire, Three pounds, ten
shillings.
"To Richard Jesse, Sheriffe of New Hampshire and his Officers and under
keeper, for charge of keeping the said Austin, expenses in his
sickness, and charge of conveying him into this Province, Nine pounds,
five shillings.
"To Mr. James Menzies of Council for the Prisoners on their Tryal, as
signed by the Commissioners, Twenty Pounds.
"To Henry Franklyn, Marshal of the Admiralty for the Gibbet, Guards,
and execution, Twenty-nine pounds, nineteen shillings. Later forty
shillings added to Thomas Barnard for erecting the gibbet.
"To Samuel Wakefield, Deputy Marshal of the Admiralty, for charges in
apprehending several of the said Pirates, Four Pounds, five shillings
and six pence.
"To Mr. Apthorp and Mr. Jesse, two of the Constables of Boston for
their service about apprehending the said Pirates, forty shillings.
"To the Constables of the Several Towns betwixt Bristol and Boston for
apprehending and conveying of Christopher Scudamore, two pounds,
eighteen shillings.
"To Captain Edward Brattle, charges on a Negro boy imported by the said
Pirates, Twenty five shillings.
"To Andrew Belcher, Esq., charges for Clothing of the Witnesses sent to
England with Larrimore and Wells, charged as accessories, seven pounds,
eighteen shillings.
"To Paul Dudley, Esq., the Queen's Advocate for the prosecution of the
said Pirates, preparing the said Tryal for the press, supervising of
the same, and for his service relating to Captain Larrimore, in the
whole, Thirty-six pounds.
"To Thomas Newton, Esq. of Council for the Queen in the said Tryal, ten
pounds.
"To Mr. John Valentine, Register, for his service on the Tryal and for
transcribing them to be transmitted to her Majesty's High Court of
Admiralty in England, Thirteen pounds.
"To Mr. Sheriffe Dyer, for his service relating to the said Prisoners,
Five pounds.
"To Wm. Clarke of Boston, for Casks, shifting and landing the Sugar and
other things piratically and feloniously obtained by Captain Quelch and
Company, and for storage of them, Thirteen pounds.
"To Daniel Willard, Keeper of the Prison in Boston, toward the charge
of feeding and keeping of the said Pirates, Thirty pounds.
"To Andrew Belcher, the Commissary-General, an additional sum of five
pounds nine shillings and six pence for necessary clothing supplied to
some of the Pirates in prison.
"To Major James Sewall for his pursuit and apprehension of seven of the
Pirates, and for the gratification of himself, Captain Turner, and
other officers, one hundred and thirty-two pounds, five shillings."
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[Illustration: The town and bay of Tobermory, Island of Mull. The
treasure galleon is supposed to have gone down in the place indicated
by the cross at the right hand side of the photograph.]
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The commissioners, Sewall, Byfield and Paul Dudley, received for their
expenses and services, twenty-five pounds, seven shillings, and ten
pence.
Finally, there were given to the captains of the several companies of
militia in the town for Boston, "for their charges and expenses on
Guards and Watches on the Pirates during their Imprisonment,
Twenty-seven pounds, sixteen shillings, and three pence: to Captain
Tuthill, for his assistance to secure and bring about the Vessel and
goods from Marblehead, five pounds; to Mr. Jeremiah Allen, the
Treasurer's bookkeeper, for his care and service about the said Gold
and goods, five pounds; to Constable Apthorp and Jesse, for their
services, a further allowance of three pounds."
The amount of the "royal bounty" given the Governor as his share of the
pirates' booty, is not recorded. If the belief of those of their
contemporaries who best know the Dudleys may be relied on, the fees and
emoluments officially awarded them were by no means the extent of the
profits from their dealings with the pirates and their treasure. When
Cotton Mather quarreled with Governor Dudley a few years later he did
not hesitate to intimate this charge pretty broadly in the following
passage in his memorial on Dudley's administration:
"There have been odd _Collusions_ with the Pyrates of Quelch's Company,
of which one instance is, That there was extorted the sum of about
Thirty Pounds from some of the crew for liberty to walk at certain
times in the prison yard. And this liberty having been allowed for two
or three days unto them, they were again confined to their former
wretched circumstances."