W_Hereas we have received Information, that several Persons, Subjects
of _Great Britain_, have since the _24_th Day of _June_, in the Year of our
Lord _1715_, committed divers Pyracies and Robberies upon the High-Seas, in
the _West-Indies_, or adjoyning to our Plantations, which hath and may
Occasion great Damage to the Merchants of _Great Britain_, and others
trading into those Parts; and tho' we have appointed such a Force as we
judge sufficient for suppressing the said Pyrates, yet the more effectually
to put an End to the same, we have thought fit, by and with the Advice of
our Privy Council, to Issue this our Royal Proclamation; and we do hereby
promise, and declare, that in Case any of the said Pyrates, shall on or
before the _5_th of _September_, in the Year of our Lord _1718_, surrender
him or themselves, to one of our Principal Secretaries of State in _Great
Britain_ or _Ireland_, or to any Governor or Deputy Governor of any of our
Plantations beyond the Seas; every such Pyrate and Pyrates so surrendering
him, or themselves, as aforesaid, shall have our gracious Pardon, of and
for such, his or their Pyracy, or Pyracies, by him or them committed before
the fifth of _January_ next ensuing. And we do hereby strictly charge and
command all our Admirals, Captains, and other Officers at Sea, and all our
Governors and Commanders of any Forts, Castles, or other Places in our
Plantations, and all other our Officers Civil and Military, to seize and
take such of the Pyrates, who shall refuse or neglect to surrender
themselves accordingly. And we do hereby further declare, that in Case any
Person or Persons, on, or after, the _6_th Day of _September 1718_, shall
discover or seize, or cause or procure to be discovered or seized, any one
or more of the said Pyrates, so refusing or neglecting to surrender
themselves as aforesaid, so as they may be brought to Justice, and
convicted of the said Offence, such Person or Persons, so making such
Discovery or Seizure, or causing or procuring such Discovery or Seizure to
be made, shall have and receive as a Reward for the same, _viz._ for every
Commander of any private Ship or Vessel, the Sum of _100_ l. for every
Lieutenant, Master, Boatswain, Carpenter, and Gunner, the Sum of _40_ l;
for every inferior Officer, the Sum of _30_ l. and for every private Man,
the Sum of _20_ l. And if any Person or Persons, belonging to and being
Part of the Crew of any such Pyrate Ship or Vessel, shall on or after the
said sixth Day of _September 1718_, seize and deliver, or cause to be
seized or delivered, any Commander or Commanders, of such Pyrate Ship or
Vessel, so as that he or they be brought to Justice, and convicted of the
said Offence, such Person or Persons, as a Reward for the same, shall
receive for every such Commander, the Sum of _200_ l. which said Sums, the
Lord Treasurer, or the Commissioners of our Treasury for the Time being,
are hereby required, and desired to pay accordingly._
Given at our Court, at _Hampton-Court_, the fifth Day of
_September_, 1717, in the fourth Year of our Regin.
God save the KING.
Before Governor _Rogers_ went over, the Proclamation was sent to them,
which they took as _Teague_ took the Covenant, that is, they made Prize of
the Ship and Proclamation too; however, they sent for those who were out a
Cruising, and called a general Council, but there was so much Noise and
Glamour, that nothing could be agreed on; some were for fortifying the
Island, to stand upon their own Terms, and Treating with the Government
upon the Foot of a Commonwealth; others were also for strengthening the
Island for their own Security, but were not strenuous for these
Punctillios, so that they might have a general Pardon, without being
obliged to make any Restitution, and to retire, with all their Effects, to
the neighbouring _British_ Plantations.
But Captain _Jennings_, who was their Commadore, and who always bore a
great Sway among them, being a Man of good Understanding, and good Estate,
before this Whim took him of going a Pyrating, resolved upon surrendering,
without more ado, to the Terms of the Proclamation, which so disconcerted
all their Measures, that the _Congress_ broke up very abruptly without
doing any Thing; and presently _Jennings_, and by his Example, about 150
more, came in to the Governor of _Bermudas_, and had their Certificates,
tho' the greatest Part of them returned again, like the Dog to the Vomit.
The Commanders who were then in the Island, besides Captain _Jennings_
abovementioned, I think were these, _Benjamin Hornigold, Edward Teach, John
Martel, James Fife, Christopher Winter, Nicholas Brown, Paul Williams,
Charles Bellamy, Oliver la Bouche, _Major_ Penner, Ed. England, T. Burgess,
Tho. Cocklyn, R. Sample, Charles Vane_, and two or three others:
_Hornigold, Williams, Burgess _and_ la Bouche_ were afterwards cast away;
_Teach_ and _Penner_ killed, and their Crews taken; _James Fife_ killed by
his own Men; _Martel_'s Crew destroyed, and he forced on an uninhabited
Island; _Cocklyn, Sample_ and _Vane_ hanged; _Winter_ and _Brown_
surrendered to the _Spaniards_ at _Cuba_, and _England_ lives now at
_Madagascar_.
In the Month of _May_ or _June_ 1718, Captain _Rogers_ arrived at his
Government, with two of his Majesty's Ships, and found several of the
abovesaid Pyrates there, who upon the coming of the Men of War, all
surrendered to the Pardon, except _Charles Vane_ and his Crew, which
happened after this Manner.
I have before described the Harbour to have two Inlets, by Means of a small
Island lying at the Mouth of it; at one of which, both the Men of War
entered, and left the other open, so that _Vane_ slip'd his Cable, set Fire
to a large Prize they had there, and resolutely put out, firing at the Man
of War as he went off.
As soon as Captain _Rogers_ had settled himself in his Government, he built
a Fort for his Defence, and garrisoned it with the People he found upon the
Island; the _quondam_ Pyrates, to the Number of 400, he formed into
Companies, appointed Officers of those whom he most confided in, and then
set about to settle a Trade with the _Spaniards_, in the Gulf of _Mexico_;
in one of which Voyages, Captain _Burgess_ abovementioned, died, and
Captain _Hornigold_, another of the famous Pyrates, was cast away upon
Rocks, a great Way from Land, and perished, but five of his Men got into a
Canoe and were saved.
Captain _Rogers_ sent out a Sloop to get Provisions, and gave the Command
to one _John Augur_, one of the Pyrates, who had accepted of the Act of
Grace; in their Voyage they met with two Sloops, and _John_ and his
Comrades not yet forgetting their former Business, made Use of their old
Freedom, and took out of them in Money and Goods, to the Value of about 500
_l._ after this they steered away for _Hispaniola_, not being satisfy'd
whether the Governor would admit them to carry on two Trades at once, and
so thought to have bidden Farewel to the _Bahama_ Islands; but as ill Luck
would have it, they met with a violent Turnado, wherein they lost their
Mast, and were drove back to one of the uninhabited _Bahama_'s, and lost
their Sloop; the Men got all ashore, and lived up and down in the Wood, for
a little Time, till Governor _Rogers_ happening to hear of their
Expedition, and where they had got to, sent out an armed Sloop to the
aforesaid Island; the Master of which, with good Words and fair Promises,
got them on Board, and brought them all to _Providence_, being a eleven
Persons, ten of which were try'd at a Court of Admiralty, convicted, and
hanged by the other's Evidence, in the Sight of all their former Companions
and fellow Thieves. The Criminals would fain have spirited up the pardoned
Pyrates, to rescue them out of the Hands of the Officers of Justice,
telling them from the Gallows, that, _They never thought to have seen the
Time, when ten such Men as they should be ty'd up and hanged like Dogs, and
four hundered of their sworn Friends and Companions quietly standing by to
behold the Spectacle._ One _Hamphrey Morrice_ urged the Matter further than
the rest, taxing them with Pusilanimity and Cowardice, as if it were a
Breach of Honour in them not to rise and save them from the ignominious
Death they were going to suffer. But 'twas all in vain, they were now told,
it was their Business to turn their Minds to another World, and sincerely
to repent of what Wickedness they had done in this. _Yes_, answered one of
them, _I do heartily repent; I repent I had not done more Mischief, and
that we did not cut the Throats of them that took us, and I am extremely
sorry that you an't all hang'd as well as we. So do I_, says another: _And
I_, says a third; and then they were all turned off, without making any
other dying Speeches, except one _Dennis Macarty_, who told the People,
_That some Friends of his had often said he should die in his Shoes, but
that he would make them Lyars_, and so kicked them off. And thus ended the
Lives, with their Adventures, of those miserable Wretches, who may serve as
sad Examples of the little Effect Mercy has upon Men once abandoned to an
evil Course of Life.
Least I be thought severe in my Animadversions upon the _Spanish_
Proceedings in the _West-Indies_, in respect to their Dealings with us; I
shall mention an Instance or two, wherein I'll be as concise as possible,
and then transcribe some original Letters from the Governor of _Jamaica_,
and an Officer of a Man of War, to the _Alcaldees_ of _Trinidado_, on the
Island of _Cuba_, with their Answers, translated into _English_, and then
proceed to the particular Histories of the Pyrates and their Crews, that
have made most Noise in the World in _our own Times_.
About _March_ 1722, one of our Men of War trading upon the Coast, _viz._
the _Greyhound_ Galley, Captain _Walron_, the said Captain invited some of
the Merchants to Dinner, who with their Attendants and Friends came on
Board to the Number of 16 or 18 in all; and having concerted Measures,
about six or eight dined in the Cabin, and the rest were waiting on the
Deck. While the Captain and his Guests were at Dinner, the Boatswain Pipes
for the Ship's Company to dine; accordingly the Men take their Platters,
receive their Provisions, and down they go between Decks, leaving only 4 or
5 Hands besides the _Spaniards_, above, who were immediately dispatched by
them, and the Hatches laid on the rest; those in the Cabin were as ready as
their Companions, for they pulled out their Pistols and shot the Captain,
Surgeon and another dead, and grievously wounded the Lieutenant; but he
getting out of the Window upon a Side-Ladder, thereby saved his Life, and
so they made themselves Masters of the Ship in an Instant: But by
accidental good Fortune, she was recovered before she was carry'd off; for
Captain _Walron_ having mann'd a Sloop with 30 Hands out of his Ship's
Company, had sent her to Windward some Days before, also for Trade, which
the _Spaniards_ knew very well; and just as the Action was over they saw
this Sloop coming down, before the Wind, towards their Ship; upon which the
_Spaniards_ took about 10000 _l._ in Specie, as I am informed, quitted the
Ship, and went off in their Launch unmolested.
About the same Time, a _Guard le Coast_, of _Porto Rico_, commanded by one
_Matthew Luke_, an Italian, took four _English_ Vessels, and murthered all
the Crews: He was taken by the _Lanceston_ Man of War, in _May_ 1722, and
brought to _Jamaica_, were they were all but seven deservedly hanged. It is
likely the Man of War might not have meddled with her, but that she blindly
laid the _Lanceston_ on Board, thinking she had been a Merchant Ship, who
thereupon catched a Tartar. Afterwards in rummaging there was found a
Cartridge of Powder made up with a Piece of an _English_ Journal,
belonging, I believe, to the _Crean_ Snow; and upon Examination, at last,
it was discovered that they had taken this Vessel and murthered the Crew;
and one of the _Spaniards_, when he came to die, confessed that he had
killed twenty _English_ Men with his own Hands.
S. Jago de la Vega, Febr. 20. _A Letter from his Excellency Sir
_Nicolas Laws_, our Governor, to the Alcaldes of _Trinidado_ on _Cuba_,
dated the _26_th of _Jan. 1721-2.
Gentlemen,
`THE frequent Depredations, Robberies, and
other Acts of Hostility, which have been
committed on the King my Royal Master's Subjects,
by a Parcel of Banditti, who pretend to
have Commissions from you, and in Reality are
sheltered under your Government, is the Occasion
of my sending the Bearer Captain _Chamberlain_,
Commander of his Majesty's Snow _Happy_,
to demand Satisfaction of you for so many notorious
Robberies which your People have lately
committed on the King's Subjects of this Island;
particularly by those Traytors, _Nicolas Brown_
and _Christopher Winter_, to whom you have given
Protection. Such Proceedings as these are not
only a Breach of the Law of Nations, but must
appear to the World of a very extraordinary
Nature, when considered that the Subjects of a
Prince in Amity and Friendship with another,
should give Countenance and encourage such vile
Practices. I confess I have had long Patience, and
declined using any violent Measures to obtain
Satisfaction, hoping the Cessation of Arms, so
happily concluded upon between our respective
Sovereigns, would have put an effectual Stop to
those Disorders; but on the contrary, I now find
the Port of _Trinidado_ a Receptacle to Villains
of all Nations. I do therefore think fit to acquaint
you, and assure you in the King my Master's
Name, that if I do meet with any of your
Rogues for the future upon the Coast of this
Island, I will order them to be hanged directly
without Mercy; and I expect and demand of
you to make ample Restitution to Captain _Chamberlain_
or all the Negroes which the said _Brown_
and Winter have lately taken off from the North-Side
of this Island, and also of such Sloops and
other Effects as they have been taken and robbed
of, since the Cessation of Arms, and that you
will deliver up to the Bearer such _English_ Men
as are now detained, or otherwise remain at _Trinidado_;
and also expect you will hereafter forbear
granting any Commissions, or suffer any such
notorious Villains to be equipp'd and fitted out
from your Port: otherwise you may depend upon
it, those that I can meet with, shall be esteemed
Pyrates, and treated as such; of which I thought
proper to give you Notice, and am, _&c._
_A Letter from Mr. _Joseph Laws_, Lieutenant of his Majesty's Ship,
_Happy_ Snow, to the Alcaldes of _Trinidado_._
Genlemen,
`I Am sent by Commadore _Vernon_, Commander
in Chief of all his Majesty's Ships in the
_West-Indies_ to demand in the King our Master's
Name, all the Vessels, with theirs Effects, _&c._
and also the Negroes taken from _Jamaica_ since the
Cessation of Arms; likewise all _Englishmen_ now
detained, or otherwise remaining in your Port of
_Trinidado_, particularly _Nicholas Brown_ and _Christopher
Winter_, both of them being Traytors, Pyrates
and common Enemies to all Nations: And
the said Commadore hath ordered me to acquaint
you, that he is surprized that the Subjects of a
Prince in Amity and Friendship with another,
should give Countenance to such notorious Villains.
In Expectation of your immediate Compliance,
I am, Gentlemen,
Off the River _Trinidado_, _Feb._ 8. 1720.
Your humble Servant, _Joseph Laws_.
_The Answer of the Alcaldes of _Trinidado_, to Mr. _Laws_'s Letter._
Capt. Laws,
`IN Answer to yours, this serves to acquaint
you, that neither in this City, nor Port, are
there any Negroes or Vessels which have been taken
at your Island of _Jamaica_, nor on that Coast,
since the Cessation of Arms; and what Vessels
have been taken since that Time, have been for
trading in an unlawful Commerce on this Coast;
and as for those English Fugitives you mention,
they are here as other Subjects of our Lord the
King, being brought voluntarily to our holy Catholick
Faith, and have received the Water of
Baptism; but if they should prove Rogues, and
should not comply with their Duty, in which
they are bound at present, then they shall be
chastized according to the Ordinances of our
King, whom God preserve. And we beg you will
weigh Anchor as soon as possible, and leave this
Port and its Coasts, because upon no Account you
shall be suffered to trade, or any Thing else; for
we are resolved not to admit thereof. God preserve
you. We kiss your Hand.
_Trinidado_, _Feb._ 8, 1722.
Signed, _Hieronimo de Fuentes, Benette Alfonso del Manzano_.
_Mr. _Laws_'s Reply to the Alcaldes Letter._
Gentlemen,
`YOUR refusing to deliver up the Subjects of
the King my Master, is somewhat surprizing,
it being in a Time of Peace, and the detaining
them consequently against the Law of Nations.
Notwithstanding your trifling Pretence
(for which you have no Foundation but to forge an
Excuse) to prevent my making any Enquiry into
the Truth of the Facts I have alledged in my
former, I must tell you my Resolutions are, to
stay on the Coast till I have made Reprizals; and
should I meet any Vessels belonging to your Port,
I shall not treat them as the Subjects of the Crown
of Spain, but as Pyrates, finding it a Part of your
Religion in this Place to protect such Villains.
Off the River _Trinidado_, _Feb._ 8. 1720.
Your humble Servant, _Joseph Laws_.
_The Answer of one of the Alcaldes to Mr. _Laws_'s Reply_.
Captain Laws,
`YOU may assure your self, I will never be
wanting in the Duty of my Post. The
Prisoners that are here are not in Prison, but
only kept here to be sent to the Governor of the
_Havana_: If you (as you say) command at Sea, I
command on Shoar: If you treat the _Spaniards_,
you should happen to take, as Pyrates, I will do
the same by every one of your People I can
take up: I will not be wanting to good Manners,
if you will do the same. I can likewise act the
Soldier, if any Occasion should offer that way,
for I have very good People here for that purpose.
If you pretend any Thing else, you may execute
it on this Coast. God preserve you. I kiss your
Hand.
_Trinidado_, _Feb._ 20. 1720.
Signed, _Bennette Alfonso del Menzano_.
The last Advices we have received from our Plantations in _America_, dated
_June_ 9th, 1724, gives us the following Account, _viz._ That Captain
_Jones_ in the Ship _John_ and _Mary_, on the 5th of the said Month, met
with, near the Capes of _Virginia_, a _Spanish Guard del Coast_, commanded
by one _Don Benito_, said to be commissioned by the Governor of _Cuba_: She
was manned with 60 _Spaniards_, 18 _French_ Men and 18 _English_, and had
an _English_ Captain as well as _Spanish_, one _Richard Holland_, who
formerly belonged to the _Suffolk_ Man of War, which he deserted at
_Naples_, and took Shelter in a Convent. He served on Board the _Spanish_
Fleet under Admiral _Cammock_, in the War in the _Mediterranean_; and after
the Cessation of Arms with Spain, settled with several of his Countrymen
(_Irish_) in the _Spanish_ _West-Indies_. This _Guard del Coast_ made Prize
of Captain _Jones_'s Ship, and kept Possession of her from 5th to the 8th,
during which Time she took also the _Prudent Hannah_ of _Boston_, _Thomas
Mousell_ Master, and the _Dolphin_ of _Topsham_, _Theodore Bare_ Master,
both laden and bound for _Virginia_: The former they sent away together
with three Men and the Mate, under the Command of a _Spanish_ Officer and
Crew, the same Day she was taken; the latter they carried off with them,
putting the Master and all the Crew aboard Captain _Jones_'s Ship. They
plundered Captain _Jones_ of thirty six Men Slaves, some Gold-Dust, all his
Cloaths, four great Guns and small Arms, and about four hundred Gallons of
Rum, besides his Provisions and Stores, computed in all to 1500 _l._
Sterling.
CHAP. I. OF Captain _AVERY_, And his CREW.
NONE of these bold Adventurers were ever so much talked of, for a
while, as _Avery_; he made as great a Noise in the World as _Meriveis_ does
now, and was looked upon to be a Person of as great Consequence; he was
represented in _Europe_, as one that had raised himself to the Dignity of a
King, and was likely to be the Founder of a new Monarchy; having, as it was
said, taken immense Riches, and married the Great _Mogul_'s Daughter, who
was taken in an _Indian_ Ship, which fell into his Hands; and that he had
by her many Children, living in great Royalty and State; that he had built
Forts, erected Magazines, and was Master of a stout Squadron of Ships,
mann'd with able and desperate Fellows of all Nations; that he gave
Commissions out in his own Name to the Captains of his Ships, and to the
Commanders of his Forts, and was acknowledged by them as their Prince. A
Play was writ upon him, called, the _Successful Pyrate_; and, these
Accounts obtained such Belief, that several Schemes were offered to the
Council for fitting out a Squadron to take him; while others were for
offering him and his Companions an Act of Grace, and inviting them to
_England_, with all their Treasure, least his growing Greatness might
hinder the Trade of _Europe_ to the _East-Indies_.
Yet all these were no more than false Rumours, improved by the Credulity of
some, and the Humour of others who love to tell strange Things; for, while
it was said, he was aspiring at a Crown, he wanted a Shilling; and at the
same Time it was given out he was in Possession of such prodigious Wealth
in _Madagascar_, he was starving in _England_.
No doubt, but the Reader will have a Curiosity of knowing what became of
this Man, and what were the true Grounds of so many false Reports
concerning him; there fore, I shall, in as brief a Manner as I can, give
his History.
He was born in the West of _England_ near _Plymouth_ in _Devonshire_, being
bred to the Sea, he served as a Mate of a Merchant-Man, in several trading
Voyages: It happened before the Peace of _Ryfwick_, when there was an
Alliance betwixt _Spain_, _England_, _Holland_, _&c._ against _France_,
that the _French_ in _Martinico_, carried on a smugling Trade with the
_Spaniards_ on the Continent of _Peru_, which by the Laws of _Spain_, is
not allowed to Friends in Time of Peace, for none but native _Spaniards_
are permitted to Traffick in those Parts, or set their Feet on Shore,
unless at any Time they are brought as Prisoners; wherefore they constantly
keep certain Ships cruising along the Coast, whom they call _Guarda del
Costa_, who have the Orders to make Prizes of all ships they can light of
within five Leagues of Land. Now the _French_ growing very bold in Trade,
and the _Spaniards_ being poorly provided with Ships, and those they had
being of no Force, it often fell out, that when they light of the _French_
Smuglers, they were not strong enough to attack them, therefore it was
resolv'd in _Spain_, to hire two or three stout foreign Ships for their
Service, which being known at _Bristol_, some Merchants of that City,
fitted out two Ships of thirty odd Guns, and 120 Hands each, well furnished
with Provision and Ammunition, and all other Stores; and the Hire being
agreed for, by some Agents for _Spain_, they were commanded to sail for
_Corunna_ or the _Groine_, there to receive their Orders, and to take on
Board some _Spanish_ Gentlemen, who were to go Passengers to _New-Spain_.
Of one of these Ships, which I take to be call'd the _Duke_, Capt. _Gibson_
Commander, _Avery_ was first Mate, and being a Fellow of more Cunning than
Courage, he insinuated himself into the good Will of several of the boldest
Fellows on Board the other Ship, as well as that which he was on Board of;
having sounded their Inclinations before he opened himself, and finding
them ripe for his Design, he, at length, proposed to them, to run away with
the Ship, telling them what great Wealth was to be had upon the Coasts of
_India_. It was no sooner said than agreed to, and they resolved to execute
their Plot at Ten a Clock the Night following.
It must be observ'd, the Captain was one of those who are mightily addicted
to Punch, so that he passed most of his Time on Shore, in some little
drinking Ordinary; but this Day he did not go on Shore as usual; however,
this did not spoil the Design, for he took his usual Dose on Board, and so
got to Bed before the Hour appointed for the Business: The Men also who
were not privy to the Design, turn'd into their Hammocks, leaving none upon
Deck but the Conspirators, who, indeed, were the greatest Part of the
Ship's Crew. At the Time agreed on, the _Dutchess_'s Long-Boat appear'd,
which _Avery_ hailing in the usual Manner, was answered by the Men in her,
_Is your drunken Boatswain on Board?_ Which was the Watch-Word agreed
between them, and _Avery_ replying in the Affirmative, the Boat came aboard
with sixteen stout Fellows, and joined the Company.
When our Gentry saw that all was clear, they secured the Hatches, so went
to work; they did not slip the Anchor, but weigh'd it leisurely, and so put
to Sea without any Disorder or Confusion, tho' there were several Ships
then lying in the Bay, and among them a _Dutch_ Frigate of forty Guns, the
Captain of which was offered a great Reward to go out after her; but
_Mynheer_, who perhaps would not have been willing to have been served so
himself could not be prevail'd upon to give such Usage to another, and so
let Mr. _Avery_ pursue his Voyage, whither he had a Mind to.
The Captain, who by this Time, was awaked, either by the Motion of the
Ship, or the Noise of working the Tackles, rung the Bell; _Avery_ and two
others went into the Cabin; the Captain, half asleep, and in a kind of
Fright, ask'd, _What was the Matter?_ _Avery_ answered cooly, _Nothing_;
the Captain replied, _something's the Matter with the Ship, Does she drive?
What Weather is it?_ Thinking nothing less then that it had been a Storm,
and that the Ship was driven from her Anchors: _No, no_, answered _Avery_,
_we're at Sea, with a fair Wind and good Weather. At Sea! _says the
Captain, _How can that be? Come_, says _Avery, don't be in a Fright, but
put on your Cloaths, and I'll let you into a Secret: -- You muse know, that
I am Captain of this Ship now, and this is my Cabin, therefore you must
walk out; I am bound to _Madagascar_, with a Design of making my own
Fortune, and that of all the brave Fellows joined with me._
The Captain having a little recovered his Senses, began to apprehend the
meaning; however, his Fright was as great as before, which _Avery_
perceiving, bad him fear nothing, for, says he, if you have a Mind to make
one of us, we will receive you, and if you'll turn sober, and mind your
Business, perhaps in Time I may make you one of my Lieutenants, if not,
here's a Boat a-long-side, and you shall be set ashore.
The Captain was glad to hear this, and therefore accepted of his Offer, and
the whole Crew being called up, to know who was willing to go on Shore with
the Captain, and who to seek their Fortunes with the rest; there were not
above five or six who were willing to quit this Enterprize; wherefore they
were put into the Boat with the Captain that Minute, and made their Way to
the Shore as well as they could.
They proceeded on their Voyage to _Madagascar_, but I do not find they took
any Ships in their Way; when they arrived at the N. E. Part of that Island,
they found two Sloops at Anchor, who, upon seeing them, slip'd their Cables
and run themselves ashore, the Men all landing, and running into the Woods;
these were two Sloops which the Men had run away with from the
_West-Indies_, and seeing _Avery_, they supposed him to be some Frigate
sent to take them, and therefore not being of Force to engage him, they did
what they could to save themselves.
He guessed where they were, and sent some of his Men on Shore to let them
know they were Friends, and to offer they might join together for their
common Safety; the Sloops Men were well arm'd, and had posted themselves in
a Wood, with Centinels just on the out-side, to observe whether the Ship
landed her Men to pursue them, and they observing only two or three Men to
come towards them without Arms, did not oppose them, but having challenged
them, and they answering they were Friends, they lead them to their Body,
where they delivered their Message; at first, they apprehended it was a
Stratagem to decoy them on Board, but when the Ambassadors offered that the
Captain himself, and as many of the Crew as they should name, would meet
them on Shore without Arms, they believed them to be in Earnest, and they
soon entered into a Confidence with one another; those on Board going on
Shore, and some of those on Shore going on Board.
The Sloops Men were rejoiced at the new Ally, for their Vessels were so
small, that they could not attack a Ship of any Force, so that hitherto
they had not taken any considerable Prize, but now they hop'd to fly at
high Game; and _Avery_ was as well pleased at this Reinforcement, to
strengthen them, for any brave Enterprize, and tho' the Booty must be
lessened to each, by being divided into so many Shares, yet he found out an
Expedient not to suffer by it himself as shall be shewn in its Place.
Having consulted what was to be done, they resolved to sail out together
upon a Cruize, the Galley and two Sloops; they therefore fell to work to
get the Sloops off, which they soon effected, and steered towards the
_Arabian_ Coast; near the River _Indus_, the Man at the Mast-Head spied a
Sail, upon which they gave Chace, and as they came nearer to her, they
perceived her to be a tall Ship, and fancied she might be a _Dutch
East-India_ Man homeward bound; but she proved a better Prize; when they
fired at her to bring too, she hoisted _Mogul_'s Colours, and seemed to
stand upon her Defence; _Avery_ only canonaded at a Distance, and some of
his Men began to suspect that he was not the Hero they took him for:
However, the Sloops made Use of their Time, and coming one on the Bow, and
the other on the Quarter, of the Ship, clapt her on Board, and enter'd her,
upon which she immediately struck her Colours and yielded; she was one of
the _Great Mogul_'s own Ships, and there were in her several of the
greatest Persons of his Court, among whom it was said was one of his
Daughters, who were going on a Pilgrimage to _Mecca_, the _Mahometans_
thinking themselves obliged once in their Lives to visit that Place, and
they were carrying with them rich Offerings to present at the Shrine of
_Mahomet_. It is known that the Eastern People travel with the utmost
Magnificence, so that they had with them all their Slaves and Attendants,
their rich Habits and Jewels, with Vessels of Gold and Silver, and great
Sums of Money to defray the Charges of their Journey by Land; wherefore the
Plunder got by this Prize, is not easily computed.
Having taken all the Treasure on Board their own Ships, and plundered their
Prize of every Thing else they either wanted or liked, they let her go; she
not being able to continue her Voyage, returned back: As soon as the News
came to the _Mogul_, and he knew that they were _English_ who had robbed
them, he threatened loud, and talked of sending a mighty Army with Fire and
Sword, to extirpate the _English_ from all their Settlements on the
_Indian_ Coast. The _East-India_ Company in _England_, were very much
alarmed at it; however, by Degrees, they found Means to pacify him, by
promising to do their Endeavours to take the Robbers, and deliver them into
his Hands; however, the great Noise this Thing made in Europe, as well as
_India_, was the Occasion of all these romantick Stories which were formed
of _Avery_'s Greatness.
In the mean Time our successful Plunderers agreed to make the best of their
Way back to _Madagascar_, intending to make that Place their Magazine or
Repository for all their Treasure, and to build a small Fortification
there, and leave a few Hands always ashore to look after it, and defend it
from any Attempts of the Natives; but _Avery_ put an End to this Project,
and made it altogether unnecessary.
As they were Steering their Course, as has been said, he sends a Boat on
Board of each of the Sloops, desiring the Chief of them to come on Board of
him, in order to hold a Council; they did so, and he told them he had
something to propose to them for the common Good, which was to provide
against Accidents; he bad them consider the Treasure they were possess'd
of, would be sufficient for them all if they could secure it in some Place
on Shore; therefore all they had to fear, was some Misfortune in the
Voyage; he bad them consider the Consequences of being separated by bad
Weather, in which Case, the Sloops, if either of them should fall in with
any Ships of Force, must be either taken or sunk, and the Treasure on Board
her lost to the rest, besides the common Accidents of the Sea; as for his
Part he was so strong, he was able to make his Party good with any Ship
they were like to meet in those Seas; that if he met with any Ship of such
Strength, that he could not take her, he was safe from being taken, being
so well mann'd; besides his Ship was a quick Sailor, and could carry Sail,
when the Sloops could not, wherefore, he proposed to them, to put the
Treasure on Board his Ship, to seal up each Chest with 3 Seals, whereof
each was to keep one, and to appoint a Rendezvous, in Case of Separation.
Upon considering this Proposal, it appeared so seasonable to them, that
they readily came into it, for they argued to themselves, that an Accident
might happen to one of the Sloops and the other escape, wherefore it was
for the common Good. The Thing was done as agreed to, the Treasure put on
Board of _Avery_, and the Chests seal'd; they kept Company that Day and the
next, the Weather being fair, in which Time _Avery_ tampered with his Men,
telling them they now had sufficient, to make them all easy, and what
should hinder them from going to some Country, where they were not known,
and living on Shore all the rest of their Days in Plenty; they understood
what he meant: And in short, they all agreed to bilk their new Allies, the
Sloop's Men, nor do I find that any of them felt any Qualms of Honour
rising in his Stomach, to hinder them from consenting to this Piece of
Treachery. In fine, they took Advantage of the Darkness that Night, steer'd
another Course, and, by Morning, lost Sight of them.
I leave the Reader to judge, what Swearing and Confusion there was among
the Sloop's Men, in the Morning, when they saw that _Avery_ had given them
the Slip; for they knew by the Fairness of the Weather, and the Course they
had agreed to steer, that it must have been done on purpose: But we leave
them at present to follow Mr. _Avery_.
_Avery_, and his Men, having consulted what to do with themselves, came to
a Resolution, to make the best of their Way towards _America_; and none of
them being known in those Parts, they intended to divide the Treasure, to
change their Names, to go ashore, some in one Place, some in other, to
purchase some Settlements, and live at Ease. The first Land they made, was
the Island of _Providence_, then newly settled; here they staid some Time,
and having considered that when they should go to _New-England_, the
Greatness of their Ship, would cause much Enquiry about them; and possibly
some People from _England_, who had heard the Story of a Ship's being run
away with from the _Groine_, might suspect them to be the People; they
therefore took a Resolution of disposing of their Ship at _Providence_:
Upon which, _Avery_ pretending that the Ship being fitted out upon the
privateering Account, and having had no Success, he had received Orders
from the Owners, to dispose of her to the best Advantage, he soon met with
a Purchaser, and immediately bought a sloop.
In this Sloop, he and his Companions embarq'd, they touch'd at several
Parts of _America_, where no Person suspected them; and some of them went
on Shore, and dispersed themselves about the Country, having received such
Dividends as _Avery_ would give them; for he concealed the greatest Part of
the Diamonds from them, which in the first Hurry of plundering the Ship,
they did not much regard, as not knowing their Value.
At length he came to _Boston_, in _New-England_, and seem'd to have a
Desire of settling in those Parts, and some of his Companions went on Shore
there also, but he changed his Resolution, and proposed to the few of his
Companions who were left, to sail for _Ireland_, which they consented to:
He found out that _New-England_ was not a proper Place for him, because a
great deal of his Wealth lay in Diamonds; and should he have produced them
there, he would have certainly been seiz'd on Suspicion of Pyracy.
In their Voyage to Ireland, they avoided St. _George_'s Channel, and
sailing North about, they put into one of the Northern Ports of that
Kingdom; there they disposed of their Sloop, and coming on Shore they
separated themselves, some going to _Cork_, and some to _Dublin_, 18 of
whom obtain'd their Pardons afterwards of K. _William_. When _Avery_ had
remain'd some Time in this Kingdom, he was afraid to offer his Diamonds to
sale, least an Enquiry into his Manner of coming by them should occasion a
Discovery; therefore considering with himself what was best to be done, he
fancied there were some Persons at _Bristol_, whom he might venture to
trust; upon which, he resolved to pass over into _England_; he did so, and
going into _Devonshire_, he sent to one of these Friends to meet him at a
Town called _Biddiford_; when he had communicated himself to his Friends,
and consulted with him about the Means of his Effects, they agreed, that
the safest Method would be, to put them in the Hands of some Merchants, who
being Men of Wealth and Credit in the World, no Enquiry would be made how
they came by them; this Friend telling him he was very intimate with some
who were very fit for the Purpose, and if he would but allow them a good
Commission would do the Business very faithfully. _Avery_ liked the
Proposal, for he found no other Way of managing his Affairs, since he could
not appear in them himself; therefore his Friend going back to _Bristol_,
and opening the Matter to the Merchants, they made _Avery_ a Visit at
_Biddiford_, where, after some Protestations of Honour and Integrity, he
delivered them his Effects, consisting of Diamonds and some Vessels of
Gold; they gave him a little Money for his present Subsistance, and so they
parted.
He changed his Name and lived at _Biddiford_, without making any Figure,
and therefore there was no great Notice taken of him; yet let one or two of
his Relations know where he was, who came to see him. In some Time his
little Money was spent, yet he heard nothing from his Merchants; he writ to
them often, and after much Importunity they sent him a small Supply, but
scarce sufficient to pay his Debts: In fine, the Supplies they sent him
from Time to Time, were so small, that they were not sufficient to give him
Bread, nor could he get that little, without a great deal of Trouble and
Importunity, wherefore being weary of his Life, he went privately to
_Bristol_, to speak to the Merchants himself, where instead of Money he met
a most shocking Repulse, for when he desired them to come to an Account
with him, they silenced him by threatening to discover him, so that our
Merchants were as good Pyrates at Land as he was at Sea.
Whether he was frightened by these Menaces, or had seen some Body else he
thought knew him, is not known; but he went immediately over to _Ireland_,
and from thence sollicited his Merchants very hard for a Supply, but to no
Purpose, for he was even reduced to beggary: In this Extremity he was
resolved to return and cast himself upon them, let the Consequence be what
it would. He put himself on Board a trading Vessel, and work'd his Passage
over to _Plymouth_, from whence he travelled on Foot to _Biddiford_, where
he had been but a few Days before he fell sick and died; not being worth as
much as would buy him a Coffin.
Thus have I given all that could be collected of any Certainty concerning
this Man; rejecting the idle Stories which were made of his fantastick
Greatness, by which it appears, that his Actions were more inconsiderable
than those of other Pyrates, since him, though he made more Noise in the
World.
Now we shall turn back and give our Readers some Account of what became of
the two Sloops.
We took Notice of the Rage and Confusion, which must have seized them, upon
their missing of _Avery_; however, they continued their Course, some of
them still flattering themselves that he had only out sailed them in the
Night, and that they should find him at the Place of Rendezvous: But when
they came there, and could hear no Tydings of him, there was an End of
Hope. It was Time to consider what they should do with themselves, their
Stock of Sea Provision was almost spent, and tho' there was Rice and Fish,
and Fowl to be had ashore, yet these would not keep for Sea, without being
properly cured with Salt, which they had no Conveniency of doing;
therefore, since they could not go a Cruizing any more, it was Time to
think of establishing themselves at Land; to which Purpose they took all
Things out of the Sloops, made Tents of the Sails, and encamped themselves,
having a large Quantity of Ammunition, and abundance of small Arms.
Here they met with several of their Countrymen, the Crew of a Privateer
Sloop which was commanded by Captain _Thomas Tew_; and since it will be but
a short Digression, we will give an Account how they came here.
Captain _George Dew_ and Captain _Thomas Tew_, having received Commissions
from the then Governor of _Bermudas_, to sail directly for the River
_Gambia_ in _Africa_; there, with the Advice and Assistance of the Agents
of the Royal _African_ Company, to attempt the taking the _French_ Factory
at _Goorie_, lying upon that Coast. In a few Days after they sailed out,
_Dew_ in a violent Storm, not only sprung his Mast, but lost Sight of his
Consort; _Dew_ therefore returned back to refit, and _Tew_ instead of
proceeding on his Voyage, made for the _Cape of Good Hope_, and doubling
the said Cape, shaped his Course for the Straits of _Babel Mandel_, being
the Entrance into the _Red Sea_. Here he came up with a large Ship, richly
laden, bound from the _Indies_ to _Arabia_, with three hundred Soldiers on
Board, besides Seamen; yet _Tew_ had the Hardiness to board her, and soon
carried her; and, 'tis said, by this Prize, his Men shared near three
thousand Pounds a Piece: They had Intelligence from the Prisoners, of five
other rich Ships to pass that Way, which _Tew_ would have attacked, tho'
they were very strong, if he had not been over-ruled by the Quarter-Master
and others.--This differing in Opinion created some ill Blood amongst them,
so that they resolved to break up pyrating, and no Place was so fit to
receive them as _Madagascar_; hither they steered, resolving to live on
Shore and enjoy what they got.
As for _Tew_ himself, he with a few others in a short Time went off to
_Rhode Island_, from whence he made his Peace.
Thus have we accounted for the Company our Pyrates met with here.
It must be observed that the Natives of _Madagascar_ are a kind of Negroes,
they differ from those of _Guiney_ in their Hair, which is long, and their
Complexion is not so good a Jet; they have innumerable little Princes among
them, who are continually making War upon one another; their Prisoners are
their Slaves, and they either sell them, or put them to death, as they
please: When our Pyrates first settled amongst them, their Alliance was
much courted by these Princes, so they sometimes joined one, sometimes
another, but wheresoever they sided, they were sure to be Victorious; for
the Negroes here had no Fire-Arms, nor did they understand their Use; so
that at length these Pyrates became so terrible to the Negroes, that if two
or or three of them were only seen on one Side, when they were going to
engage, the opposite Side would fly without striking a Blow.
By these Means they not only became feared, but powerful; all the Prisoners
of War, they took to be their Slaves; they married the most beautiful of
the Negroe Women; not one or two, but as many as they liked; so that every
one of them had as great a Seraglio as the Grand Seignior at
_Constantinople_: Their Slaves they employed in planting Rice, in Fishing,
Hunting, _&c._ besides which, they had abundance of others, who lived, as
it were, under their Protection, and to be secure from the Disturbances or
Attacks of their powerful Neighbours; these seemed to pay them a willing
Homage. Now they began to divide from one another, each living with his own
Wives, Slaves and Dependants, like a separate Prince; and as Power and
Plenty naturally beget Contention, they sometimes quarrelled with one
another, and attacked each other at the Head of their several Armies; and
in these civil Wars, many of them were killed; but an Accident happened,
which obliged them to unite again for their common Safety.
It must be observed that these sudden great Men, had used their Power like
Tyrants, for they grew wanton in Cruelty, and nothing was more common, than
upon the slightest Displeasure, to cause one of their Dependants to be tied
to a Tree and shot thro' the Heart, let the Crime be what it would, whether
little or great, this was always the Punishment; wherefore the Negroes
conspired together, to rid themselves of these Destroyers, all in one
Night; and as they now lived separate, the Thing might easily have been
done, had not a Woman, who had been Wife or Concubine to one of them, run
near twenty Miles in three Hours, to discover the Matter to them:
Immediately upon the Alarm they ran together as fast as they could, so that
when the Negroes approached them, they found them all up in Arms; wherefore
they retired without making any Attempt.
This Escape made them very cautious from that Time, and it will be worth
while to describe the Policy of these brutish Fellows, and to shew what
Measures they took to secure themselves.
They found that the Fear of their Power could not secure them against a
Surprize, and the bravest Man may be kill'd when he is asleep, by one much
his inferior in Courage and Strength, therefore, as their first Security,
they did all they could to foment War betwixt the neighbouring Negroes,
remaining Neuter themselves, by which Means, those who were overcome
constantly lied to them for Protection, otherwise they must be either
killed or made Slaves. They strengthened their Party, and tied some to them
by interest; when there was no War, they contrived to spirit up private
Quarrels among them, and upon every little Dispute or Misunderstanding,
push on one Side or other to Revenge; instruct them how to attack or
surprize their Adversaries, and lend them loaded Pistols or Firelocks to
dispatch them with; the Consequence of which was, that the Murderer was
forced to fly to them for the safety of his Life, with his Wives, Children
and Kindred.
Such as these were fast Friends, as their Lives depended upon the safety of
his Protectors; for as we observed before, our Pyrates were grown so
terrible, that none of their Neighbours had Resolution enough to attack
them in an open War.
By such Arts as these, in the Space of a few Years, their Body was greatly
increased, they then began to separate themselves, and remove at a greater
Distance from one another, for the Convenience of more Ground, and were
divided like Jews, into Tribes, each carrying with him his Wives and
Children, (of which, by this Time they had a large Family,) as also their
Quota of Dependants and Followers; and if Power and Command be the Thing
which distinguish a Prince, these Ruffians had all the Marks of Royalty
about them, nay more, they had the very Fears which commonly disturb
Tyrants, as may be seen by the extream Caution they took in fortifying the
Places where they dwelt.
In this Plan of Fortification they imitated one another, their Dwellings
were rather Citadels than Houses; they made Choice of a Place overgrown
with Wood, and scituate near a Water; they raised a Rampart or high Ditch
round it, so strait and high, that it was impossible to climb it, and
especially by those who had not the Use of scaling Ladders: Over this Ditch
there was one Passage into the Wood; the Dwelling, which was a Hut, was
built in that Part of the Wood which the Prince, who inhabited it, thought
fit, but so covered that it could not be seen till you came at it; but the
greatest Cunning lay in the Passage which lead to the Hut, which was so
narrow, that no more than one Person could go a Breast, and contrived in so
intricate a Manner, that it was a perfect Maze or Labyrinth, it being round
and round, with several little cross Ways, so that a Person that was not
well acquainted with the Way, might walk several Hours round and cross
these Ways without being able to find the Hut; moreover all along the Sides
of these narrow Paths, certain large Thorns which grew upon a Tree in that
Country, were struck into the Ground with their Points uppermost, and the
Path it self being made crooked and serpentine, if a Man should attempt to
come near the Hut at Night, he would certainly have struck upon these
Thorns, tho' he had been provided with that Clue which _Ariadne_ gave to
_Theseus_ when he entered the Cave of the _Minataur_.
Thus Tyrant like they lived, fearing and feared by all; and in this
Scituation they were found by Captain _Woods Rogers_, when he went to
_Madagascar_, in the _Delicia_, a Ship of forty Guns, with a Design of
buying Slaves in order to sell to the _Dutch_ at _Batavia_ or
_New-Holland_: He happened to touch upon a Part of the Island, where no
Ship had been seen for seven or eight Years before, where he met with some
of the Pyrates, at which Time, they had been upon the Island above 25
Years, having a large motly Generation of Children and Grand-Children
descended from them, there being about that Time, eleven of them remaining
alive.
Upon their first seeing a Ship of this Force and Burthen, they supposed it
to be a Man of War sent to take them; they therefore lurked within their
Fastnesses, but when some from the Ship came on Shore, without any shew of
Hostility, and offering to trade with the Negroes, they ventured to come
out of their Holes, attended like Princes; and since they actually are
Kings _De Facto_, which is a kind of a Right, we ought to speak of them as
such.
Having been so many Years upon this Island, it may be imagined, their
Cloaths had long been worn out, so that their Majesties were extreamly out
at the Elbows; I cannot say they were ragged, since they had no Cloaths,
they had nothing to cover them but the Skins of Beasts without any tanning,
but with all the Hair on, nor a Shoe nor Stocking, so they looked like the
Pictures of _Hercules_ in the Lion's Skin; and being overgrown with Beard,
and Hair upon their Bodies, they appeared the most savage Figures that a
Man's Imagination can frame.
However, they soon got rigg'd, for they sold great Numbers of those poor
People under them, for Cloaths, Knives, Saws, Powder and Ball, and many
other Things, and became so familiar that they went aboard the _Delicia_,
and were observed to be very curious, examining the inside of the Ship, and
very familiar with the Men, inviting them ashore. Their Design in doing
this, as they afterwards confessed, was to try if it was not practicable to
surprize the Ship in the Night, which they judged very easy, in case there
was but a slender Watch kept on Board, they having Boats and Men enough at
Command, but it seems the Captain was aware of them, and kept so strong a
Watch upon Deck, that they found it was in vain to make any Attempt;
wherefore, when some of the Men went ashore, they were for inveigling them,
and drawing them into a Plot, for seizing the Captain and securing the rest
of the Men under Hatches, when they should have the Night-Watch, promising
a Signal to come on Board to join them; proposing, if they succeeded, to go
a Pyrating together, not doubting but with that Ship they should be able to
take any Thing they met on the Sea: But the Captain observing an intimacy
growing betwixt them and some of his Men, thought it could be for no good,
he therefore broke it off in Time, not suffering them so much as to talk
together; and when he sent a Boat on Shore with an Officer to treat with
them about the Sale of Slaves, the Crew remained on Board the Boat, and no
Man was suffered to talk with them, but the Person deputed by him for that
Purpose.
Before he sailed away, and they found that nothing was to be done, they
confessed all the Designs they had formed against him. Thus he left them as
he found them, in a great deal of dirty State and Royalty, but with fewer
Subjects than they had, having, as we observed, sold many of them; and if
Ambition be the darling Passion of Men, no doubt they were happy. One of
these great Princes had formerly been a Waterman upon the _Thames_, where
having committed a Murder, he fled to the _West-Indies_, and was of the
Number of those who run away with the Sloops; the rest had been all
foremast Men, nor was there a Man amongst them, who could either read or
write, and yet their Secretaries of State had no more Learning than
themselves. This is all the Account we can give of these Kings of
_Madagascar_, some of whom it is probable are reigning to this Day.
CHAP. II. OF Captain _MARTEL_, And his CREW.
I Come now to the Pyrates that have rose since the Peace of
_Utrecht_; in War Time there is no room for any, because all those of a
roving advent'rous Disposition find Employment in Privateers, so there is
no Opportunity for Pyrates; like our Mobs in London, when they come to any
Height, our Superiors order out the Train Bands, and when once they are
raised, the others are suppressed of Course; I take the Reason of it to be,
that the Mob go into the tame Army, and immediately from notorious Breakers
of the Peace, become, by being put into order, solemn Preservers of it. And
should our Legislators put some of the Pyrates into Authority, it would not
only lessen their Number, but, I imagine, set them upon the rest, and they
would be the likeliest People to find them out, according to the Proverb,
_set a Thief to catch a Thief._
To bring this about, there needs no other Encouragement, but to give all
the Effects taken aboard a Pyrate Vessel to the Captors; for in Case of
Plunder and Gain, they like it as well from Friends, as Enemies, but are
not fond, as Things are carry'd, _of ruining poor Fellowes_, say the
_Creoleans, with no Advantage to themselves._
The Multitude of Men and Vessels, employ'd this Way, in Time of War, in the
_West-Indies_, is another Reason, for the Number of Pyrates in a Time of
Peace: This cannot be supposed to be a Reflection on any of our _American_
Governments, much less on the King himself, by whose Authority such
Commissions are granted, because of the Reasonableness, and absolute
Necessity, there is for the doing of it; yet the Observation is just, for
so many idle People employing themselves in Privateers, for the sake of
Plunder and Riches, which they always spend as fast as they get, that when
the War is over, and they can have no farther Business in the Way of Life
they have been used to, they too readily engage in Acts of Pyracy, which
being but the same Practice without a Commission, they make very little
Distinction betwixt the Lawfulness of one, and the Unlawfulness of the
other.
I have not enquired so far back, as to know the Original of this Rover, but
I believe he and his Gang, were some Privateer's Men belonging to the
Island of _Jamaica_, in the preceeding War; his Story is but short, for his
Reign was so; an End having been put to his Adventures in good Time, when
he was growing strong and formidable. We find him Commander of a Pyrate
Sloop of eight Guns, and 80 Men, in the Month of _September_, 1716,
cruising off _Jamaica_, _Cuba_, _&c._ about which Time he took the
_Berkley_ Galley, Captain _Saunders_, and plundered him of 1000 _l._ in
Money, and afterwards met with a Sloop call'd the _King Solomon_, from whom
he took some Money, and Provisions, besides Goods, to a good Value.
They proceeded after this to the Port of _Cavena_, at the Island of _Cuba_,
and in their Way took two Sloops, which they plundered, and let go; and off
the Port fell in with a fine Galley, with 20 Guns, call'd the _John_ and
_Martha_, Captain _Wilson_, which they attacked under the pyratical
Black-Flag, and made themselves Masters of her. They put some of the Men
ashore, and others they detain'd, as they had done several Times, to
encrease their Company; but Captain _Martel_, charged Captain _Wilson_, to
advise his Owners, that their Ship would answer his Purpose exactly, by
taking one Deck down, and as for the Cargo, which consisted chiefly of
Logwood and Sugar, he would take Care it should be carry'd to a good
Market.
Having fitted up the aforesaid Ship, as they design'd, they mounted her
with 22 Guns, 100 Men, and left 25 Hands in the Sloop, and so proceeded to
Cruize off the _Leeward_ Islands, where they met with but too much Success.
After the taking of a Sloop and a Brigantine, they gave Chase to a stout
Ship, which they came up with, and, at Sight of the Pyrate's Flag, she
struck to the Robbers, being a Ship of 20 Guns, call'd the _Dolphin_, bound
for _Newfoundland_. Captain _Martel_ made the Men Prisoners, and carry'd
the Ship with him.
The middle of _December_ the Pyrates took another Galley in her Voyage home
from _Jamaica_, call'd the _Kent_, Captain _Lawton_, and shifted her
Provisions aboard their own Ship, and let her go, which obliged her to Sail
back to _Jamaica_ for a Supply for her Voyage. After this they met with a
small Ship and a Sloop, belonging to _Barbadoes_, out of both they took
Provisions, and then parted with them, having first taken out some of their
Hands, who were willing to be forced to go along with them. The _Greyhound_
Galley of _London_, Captain _Evans_, from _Guiney_ to _Jamaica_, was the
next that had the Misfortune to fall in their Way, which they did not
detain long, for as soon as they could get out all her Gold Dust,
Elephant's Teeth, and 40 Slaves, they sent her onwards upon her Voyage.
. . . . .
They concluded now, that 'twas high Time to get into Harbour and refit, as
well as to get Refreshments themselves, and wait an Opportunity to dispose
of their Cargo; therefore 'twas resolved to make the best of their Way to
_Santa Crux_, a small Island in the Lattitude of 18, 30, N. ten Mile long,
and two broad, lying South-East of _Porto Rico_, belonging to the _French_
Settlements. Here they thought they might lye privately enough for some
Time, and fit themselves for further Mischief. They met with a Sloop by the
Way, which they took along with them, and in the Beginning of the Year
1716-17, they arrived at their Port, having a Ship of 20 Guns, a Sloop of
eight, and three Prizes, _viz._ another Ship of 20 Guns, a Sloop of four
Guns, and another Sloop last taken; with this little Fleet, they got into a
small Harbour, or Road, the N. W. Part of the Island, and warp'd up two
Creeks, which were made by a little Island lying within the Bay; (I am the
more particular now, because I shall take Leave of the Gentlemen, at this
Place.) They had here bare 16 Foot Water, at the deepest, and but 13 or 14,
at the shallowest, and nothing but Rocks and Sands without, which secured
them from Wind and Sea, and likewise from any considerable Force coming
against them.
When they had all got in, the first Thing they had to do, was to Guard
themselves in the best Manner they could; they made a Battery of four Guns
upon the Island, and another Battery of two Guns on the North Point of the
Road, and warp'd in one of the Sloops with eight Guns, at the Mouth of the
Channel, to hinder any Vessels from coming in; when this was done they went
to Work on their Ship, unrigging, and unloading, in order to Clean, where I
shall leave them a while, till I bring other Company to 'em.
In the Month of _November_, 1716, General _Hamilton_, Commander in chief of
all the _Leeward Carribee Islands_, sent a Sloop Express to Captain _Hume_,
at _Barbadoes_, Commander of his Majesty's Ship, _Scarborough_, of 30 Guns,
and 140 Men, to acquaint him, that two Pyrate Sloops of 12 Guns each,
molested the Colonies, having plundered several Vessels. The _Scarborough_
had bury'd twenty Men, and had near forty Sick, and therefore was but in
ill State to go to Sea: However, Captain _Hume_ left his sick Men behind,
and sailed to the other Islands, for a supply of Men, taking 20 Soldiers
from _Antegoa_; at _Nevis_, he took 10, and 10 at St. _Christophers_, and
then sailed to the Island of _Anguilla_, where he learned, that some Time
before, 2 such Sloops had been at _Spanish-Town_, otherwise called, one of
the _Virgin_ Islands: Accordingly, the next Day, the _Scarborough_ came to
_Spanish-Town_, but could hear no News of the Sloops, only, that they had
been there about _Christmas_, (it being then the 15th of _January_.)
Captain _Hume_, finding no Account could be had of these Pyrates, designed
to go back, the next Day, to _Barbadoes_; but, it happened, that Night,
that a Boat anchor'd there from _Santa Crux_, and informed him, that he saw
a Pyrate Ship of 22 or 24 Guns, with other Vessels, going in to the North
West Part of the Island aforesaid. The _Scarborough_ weigh'd immediately,
and the next Morning came in Sight of the Rovers, and their Prizes, and
stood to them, but the Pilot refused to venture in with the Ship; all the
while the Pyrates fir'd red hot Bullets from the Shore. At length, the Ship
came to an Anchor, along Side the Reef, near the Channel, and cannonaded
for several Hours, both the Vessels and Batteries: About four in the
Afternoon, the Sloop that guarded the Channel, was sunk by the Shot of the
Man of War; then she cannonaded the Pyrate Ship of 22 Guns, that lay behind
the Island. The next Night, _viz._ the 18th, it falling Calm, Captain
_Hume_ weigh'd, fearing he might fall on the Reef, and so stood off and on
for a Day or two, to block them up. On the 20th, in the Evening, they
observed the Man of War to stand off to Sea, and took the Opportunity to
warp out, in order to slip away from the Island; but at Twelve o'Clock they
run a-ground, and then seeing the _Scarborough_ about, standing in again,
as their Case was desperate, so they were put into the utmost Confusion;
they quitted their Ship, and set her on Fire, with 20 Negroes in her, who
were all burnt; 19 of the Pyrates made their Escape in a small Sloop, but
the Captain and the rest, with 20 Negroes, betook to the Woods, where 'twas
probable they might starve, for we never heard what became of 'em
afterwards: Captain _Hume_ released the Prisoners, with the Ship and Sloop
that remained, and then went after the two Pyrate Sloops first mentioned.
CHAP. III. OF Captain _TEACH_ alias BLACK-BEARD.
E_Dward Teach_ was a _Bristol_ Man born, but had sailed some Time out
of _Jamaica_ in Privateers, in the late _French_ War; yet tho' he had often
distinguished himself for his uncommon Boldness and personal Courage, he
was never raised to any Command, till he went a-pyrating, which I think was
at the latter End of the Year 1716, when Captain _Benjamin Hornigold_ put
him into a Sloop that he had made Prize of, and with whom he continued in
Consortship till a little while before _Hornigold_ surrendered.
In the Spring of the Year 1717, _Teach_ and _Hornigold_ sailed from
_Providence_, for the Main of _America_, and took in their Way a Billop
from the _Havana_, with 120 Barrels of Flower, as also a Sloop from
_Bermuda_, _Thurbar_ Master, from whom they took only some Gallons of Wine,
and then let him go; and a Ship from _Madera_ to _South-Carolina_, out of
which they got Plunder to a considerable Value.
After cleaning on the Coast of _Virginia_, they returned to the
_West-Indies_, and in the Latitude of 24, made Prize of a large _French
Guiney_ Man, bound to _Martinico_, which by _Hornigold_'s Consent, _Teach_
went aboard of as Captain, and took a Cruize in her; _Hornigold_ returned
with his Sloop to _Providence_, where, at the Arrival of Captain _Rogers_,
the Governor, he surrendered to Mercy, pursuant to the King's Proclamation.
Aboard of this _Guiney_ Man _Teach_ mounted no Guns, and named her the
_Queen Ann's Revenge_; and cruising near the Island of St. _Vincent_, took
a large Ship, called the _Great Allen_, _Christopher Taylor_ Commander; the
Pyrates plundered her of what they though fit, put all the Men ashore upon
the Island above mentioned, and then set Fire to the Ship.
A few Days after, _Teach_ fell in with the _Scarborogh_ Man of War, of 30
Guns, who engaged him for some Hours; but she finding the Pyrate well
mann'd, and having tried her strength, gave over the Engagement, and
returned to _Barbadoes_, the Place of her Station; and _Teach_ sailed
towards the _Spanish America_.
In his Way he met with a Pyrate Sloop of ten Guns, commanded by one Major
_Bonnet_, lately a Gentleman of good Reputation and Estate in the Island of
_Barbadoes_, whom he joyned; but in a few Days after, _Teach_, finding that
_Bonnet_ knew nothing of a maritime Life, with the Consent of his own Men,
put in another Captain, one _Richards_, to Command _Bonnet_'s Sloop, and
took the Major on aboard his own Ship, telling him, that _as he had not
been used to the Fatigues and Care of such a Post, it would be better for
him to decline it, and live easy and at his Pleasure, in such a Ship as
his, where he should not be obliged to perform Duty, but follow his own
Inclinations._
At _Turniff_ ten Leagues short of the Bay of _Honduras_, the Pyrates took
in fresh Water; and while they were at an Anchor there, they saw a Sloop
coming in, whereupon, _Richards_ in the Sloop called the _Revenge_, slipped
his Cable, and run out to meet her; who upon seeing the black Flag hoisted,
struck his Sail and came to, under the Stern of _Teach_ the Commadore. She
was called the _Adventure_, from _Jamaica_, _David Harriot_ Master. They
took him and his Men aboard the great Ship, and sent a Number of other
Hands with _Israel Hands_, Master of _Teach_'s Ship, to Man the Sloop for
the pyratical Account.
The 9th of April, they weighed from _Turniff_, having lain there about a
Week, and sailed to the Bay, where they found a Ship and four Sloops, three
of the latter belonged to _Jonathan Bernard_, of _Jamaica_, and the other
to Captain _James_; the Ship was of _Boston_, called the _Protestant
Cæsar_, Captain _Wyar_ Commander. _Teach_ hoisted his Black Colours, and
fired a Gun, upon which Captain _Wyar_ and all his Men, left their Ship,
and got ashore in their Boat. _Teach_'s Quarter-Master, and eight of his
Crew, took Possession of _Wyar_'s Ship, and _Richards_ secured all the
Sloops, one of which they burnt out of spight to the Owner; the _Protestant
Cæsar_ they also burnt, after they had plundered her, because she belonged
to _Boston_, where some Men had been hanged for Pyracy; and the three
Sloops belonging to _Bernard_ they let go.
From hence the Rovers sailed to _Turkill_, and then to the _Grand
Caimanes_, a small Island about thirty Leagues to the Westward of
_Jamaica_, where they took a small Turtler, and so to the _Havana_, and
from thence to the _Bahama_ Wrecks, and from the _Bahama_ Wrecks, they
sailed to _Carolina_, taking a Brigantine and two Sloops in their Way,
where they lay off the Bar of _Charles-Town_ for five or six Days. They
took here a Ship as she was coming out, bound for London, commanded by
_Robert Clark_, with some Passengers on Board for _England_; the next Day
they took another Vessel coming out of _Charles-Town_, and also two Pinks
coming into _Charles-Town_; likewise a Brigantine with 14 Negroes aboard;
all which being done in the Face of the Town, struck a great Terror to the
whole Province of _Carolina_, having just before been visited by _Vane_,
another notorious Pyrate, that they abandoned themselves to Dispair, being
in no Condition to resist their Force. They were eight Sail in the Harbour,
ready for the Sea, but none dared to venture out, it being almost
impossible to escape their Hands. The inward bound Vessels were under the
same unhappy Dilemma, so that the Trade of this Place was totally
interrupted: What made these Misfortunes heavier to them, was a long
expensive War, the Colony had had with the Natives, which was but just
ended when these Robbers infested them.
_Teach_ detained all the Ships and Prisoners, and, being in want of
Medicines, resolves to demand a Chest from the Government of the Province;
accordingly _Richards_, the Captain of the _Revenge_ Sloop, with two or
three more Pyrates, were sent up along with Mr. _Marks_, one of the
Prisoners, whom they had taken in _Clark_'s Ship, and very insolently made
their Demands, threatning, that if they did not send immediately the Chest
of Medicines, and let the Pyrate-Ambassadors return, without offering any
Violence to their Persons, they would murder all their Prisoners, send up
their Heads to the Governor, and set the Ships they had taken on Fire.
Whilst Mr. _Marks_ was making Application to the Council, _Richards_, and
the rest of the Pyrates, walk'd the Streets publickly, in the Sight of all
People, who were fired with the utmost Indignation, looking upon them as
Robbers and Murtherers, and particularly the Authors of their Wrongs and
Oppressions, but durst not so much as think of executing their Revenge, for
fear of bringing more Calamities upon themselves, and so they were forced
to let the Villains pass with Impunity. The Government were not long in
deliberating upon the Message, tho' 'twas the greatest Affront that could
have been put upon them; yet for the saving so many Mens Lives, (among
them, Mr. _Samuel Wragg_, one of the Council;) they comply'd with the
Necessity, and sent aboard a Chest, valued at between 3 and 400 _l._ and
the Pyrates went back safe to their Ships.
_Blackbeard_, (for so _Teach_ was generally called, as we shall hereafter
shew) as soon as he had received the Medicines and his Brother Rogues, let
go the Ships and the Prisoners; having first taken out of them in Gold and
Silver, about 1500 _l._ Sterling, besides Provisions and other Matters.
From the Bar of _Charles-Town_, they sailed to _North-Carolina_; Captain
_Teach_ in the Ship, which they called the Man of War, Captain _Richards_
and Captain _Hands_ in the Sloops, which they termed Privateers, and
another Sloop serving them as a Tender. _Teach_ began now to think of
breaking up the Company, and securing the Money and the best of the Effects
for himself, and some others of his Companions he had most Friendship for,
and to cheat the rest: Accordingly, on Pretence of running into _Topsail_
Inlet to clean, he grounded his Ship, and then, as if it had been done
undesignedly, and by Accident; he orders _Hands_'s Sloop to come to his
Assistance, and get him off again, which he endeavouring to do, ran the
Sloop on Shore near the other, and so were both lost. This done, _Teach_
goes into the Tender Sloop, with forty Hands, and leaves the _Revenge_
there; then takes seventeen others and Marroons them upon a small sandy
Island, about a League from the Main, where there was neither Bird, Beast
or Herb for their Subsistance, and where they must have perished if Major
_Bonnet_ had not two Days after taken them off.
_Teach_ goes up to the Governor of _North-Carolina_, with about twenty of
his Men, surrender to his Majesty's Proclamation, and receive Certificates
thereof, from his Excellency; but it did not appear that their submitting
to this Pardon was from any Reformation of Manners, but only to wait a more
favourable Opportunity to play the same Game over again; which he soon
after effected, with greater Security to himself, and with much better
Prospect of Success, having in this Time cultivated a very good
understanding with _Charles Eden_, Esq; the Governor above mentioned.
The first Piece of Service this kind Governor did to _Black-Beard_, was, to
give him a Right to the Vessel which he had taken, when he was a pyrating
in the great Ship called the _Queen Ann's Revenge_; for which purpose, a
Court of Vice-Admiralty was held at _Bath-Town_; and, tho' _Teach_ had
never any Commission in his Life, and the Sloop belonging to the _English_
Merchants, and taken in Time of Peace; yet was she condemned as a Prize
taken from the _Spaniards_, by the said _Teach_. These Proceedings shew
that Governors are but Men.
Before he sailed upon his Adventures, he marry'd a young Creature of about
sixteen Years of Age, the Governor performing the Ceremony. As it is a
Custom to marry here by a Priest, so it is there by a Magistrate; and this,
I have been informed, made _Teach_'s fourteenth Wife, whereof, about a
dozen might be still living. His Behaviour in this State, was something
extraordinary; for, while his Sloop lay in _Okerecock_ Inlet, and he ashore
at a Plantation, where his Wife lived, with whom after he had lain all
Night, it was his Custom to invite five or six of his brutal Companions to
come ashore, and he would force her to prostitute her self to them all, one
after another, before his Face.
In _June_ 1718, he went to Sea, upon another Expedition, and steered his
Course towards _Bermudas_; he met with two or three _English_ Vessels in
his Way, but robbed them only of Provisions, Stores and other Necessaries,
for his present Expence; but near the Island aforementioned, he fell in
with two _French_ Ships, one of them was loaden with Sugar and Cocoa, and
the other light, both bound to _Martinico_; the Ship that had no Lading he
let go, and putting all the Men of the loaded Ship aboard her, he brought
home the other with her Cargo to _North-Carolina_, where the Governor and
the Pyrates shared the Plunder.
When _Teach_ and his Prize arrived, he and four of his Crew went to his
Excellency, and made Affidavit, that they found the _French_ Ship at Sea,
without a Soul on Board her; and then a Court was called, and the Ship
condemned: The Governor had sixty Hogsheads of Sugar for his Dividend, and
one Mr. _Knight_, who was his Secretary, and Collector for the Province,
twenty, and the rest was shared among the other Pyrates.
The Business was not yet done, the Ship remained, and it was possible one
or other might come into the River, that might be acquainted with her, and
so discover the Roguery; but _Teach_ thought of a Contrivance to prevent
this, for, upon a Pretence that she was leaky, and that she might sink, and
so stop up the Mouth of the Inlet or Cove where she lay, he obtained an
Order from the Governor, to bring her out into the River, and set her on
Fire, which was accordingly executed, and she was burnt down to the Water's
Edge, her Bottom sunk, and with it, their Fears of her ever rising in
Judgment against them.
Captain _Teach_, alias _Black-beard_, passed three or four Months in the
River, sometimes lying at Anchor in the Coves, at other Times sailing from
one Inlet to another, trading with such Sloops as he met, for the Plunder
he had taken, and would often give them Presents for Stores and Provisions
took from them; that is, when he happened to be in a giving Humour; at
other Times he made bold with them, and took what he liked, without saying,
_by your Leave_, knowing well, they dared not send him a Bill for the
Payment. He often diverted himself with going ashore among the Planters,
where he revelled Night and Day: By these he was well received, but whether
out of Love or Fear, I cannot say; sometimes he used them courteously
enough, and made them Presents of Rum and Sugar, in Recompence of what he
took from them; but, as for Liberties (which 'tis said) he and his
Companions often took with the Wives and Daughters of the Planters, I
cannot take upon me to say, whether he paid them _ad Valorem_, or no. At
other Times he carried it in a lordly Manner towards them, and would lay
some of them under Contribution; nay, he often proceeded to bully the
Governor, not, that I can discover the least Cause of Quarrel betwixt them,
but it seemed only to be done, to shew he dared do it.
The Sloops trading up and down this River, being so frequently pillaged by
_Black-beard_, consulted with the Traders, and some of the best of the
Planters, what Course to take; they, saw plainly it would be in vain to
make any Application to the Governor of _North-Carolina_, to whom it
properly belonged to find some Redress; so that if they could not be
relieved from some other Quarter, _Black-beard_ would be like to reign with
Impunity, therefore, with as much Secrecy as possible, they sent a
Deputation to _Virginia_, to lay the Affair before the Governor of that
Colony, and to solicit an armed Force from the Men of War lying there, to
take or destroy this Pyrate.
This Governor consulted with the Captains of the two Men of War, _viz._ the
_Pearl_ and _Lime_, who had lain in St. _James_'s River, about ten Months.
It was agreed that the Governor should hire a couple of small Sloops, and
the Men of War, should Man them; this was accordingly done, and the Command
of them given to Mr. _Robert Maynard_, first Lieutenant of the _Pearl_, an
experienced Officer, and a Gentleman of great Bravery and Resolution, as
will appear by his gallant Behaviour in this Expedition. The Sloops were
well mann'd and furnished with Ammunition and small Arms, but had no Guns
mounted.
About the Time of their going out, the Governor called an Assembly, in
which it was resolved to publish a Proclamation, offering certain Rewards
to any Person or Persons, who, within a Year after that Time, should take
or destroy any Pyrate: The original Proclamation being in our Hands, is as
follows.
By his Majesty's Lieutenant Governor, and, Commander in Chief, of
the Colony and Dominion of _Virginia_,