GOD SAVE THE KING.

_A. SPOTSWOOD_.

The 17th of _November_, 1718, the Lieutenant sail'd from _Kicquetan_, in

_James_ River in _Virginia_, and, the 21st in the Evening, came to the

Mouth of _Okerecock_ Inlet, where he got Sight of the Pyrate. This

Expedition was made with all imaginable Secrecy, and the Officer manag'd

with all the Prudence that was necessary, stopping all Boats and Vessels he

met with, in the River, from going up, and thereby preventing any

Intelligence from reaching _Black-Beard_, and receiving at the same time an

Account from them all, of the Place where the Pyrate was lurking; but

notwithstanding this Caution, _Black-beard_ had Information of the Design,

from his Excellency of the Province; and his Secretary, Mr. _Knight_, wrote

him a Letter, particularly concerning it, intimating, _That he had sent him

four of his Men, which were all he could meet with, in or about Town, and

so bid him be upon his Guard._ These Men belonged to _Black-beard_, and

were sent from _Bath-Town_ to _Okerecock_ Inlet, where the Sloop lay, which

is about 20 Leagues.

_Black-beard_ had heard several Reports, which happened not to be true, and

so gave the less Credit to this, nor was he convinced till he saw the

Sloops: Whereupon he put his Vessel in a Posture of Defence; he had no more

than twenty five Men on Board, tho' he gave out to all the Vessels he spoke

with, that he had 40. When he had prepared for Battle, he set down and

spent the Night in drinking with the Master of a trading Sloop, who, 'twas

thought, had more Business with _Teach_, than he should have had.

Lieutenant _Maynard_ came to an Anchor, for the Place being shoal, and the

Channel intricate, there was no getting in, where _Teach_ lay, that Night;

but in the Morning he weighed, and sent his Boat a-head of the Sloops to

sound; and coming within Gun-Shot of the Pyrate, received his Fire;

whereupon _Maynard_ hoisted the King's Colours, and stood directly towards

him, with the best Way that his Sails and Oars could made. _Black-beard_

cut his Cable, and endeavoured to make a running Fight, keeping a continual

Fire at his Enemies, with his Guns; Mr. _Maynard_ not having any, kept a

constant Fire with small Arms, while some of his Men laboured at their

Oars. In a little Time _Teach_'s Sloop ran a-ground, and Mr. _Maynard_'s

drawing more Water than that of the Pyrate, he could not come near him; so

he anchored within half Gun-Shot of the Enemy, and, in order to lighten his

Vessel, that he might run him aboard, the Lieutenant ordered all his

Ballast to be thrown over-board, and all the Water to be staved, and then

weigh'd and stood for him; upon which _Black-beard_ hail'd him in this rude

Manner: _Damn you for Villains, who are you? And, from whence came you?_

The Lieutenant made him Answer, _You may see by our Colours we are no

Pyrates._ _Black-beard_ bid him send his Boat on Board, that he might see

who he was; but Mr. _Maynard_ reply'd thus; _I cannot spare my Boat, but I

will come aboard of you as soon as I can, with my Sloop._ Upon this,

_Black-beard_ took a Glass of Liquor, and drank to him with these Words:

_Damnation seize my Soul if I give you Quarters, or take any from you._ In

Answer to which, Mr. _Maynard_ told him, _That he expected no Quarters from

him, nor should he give him any._

By this time _Black-beard_'s Sloop fleeted, as Mr. _Maynard_'s Sloops were

rowing towards him, which being not above a Foot high in the Waste, and

consequently the Men all exposed, as they came near together, (there being

hitherto little or no Execution done, on either Side,) the Pyrate fired a

Broadside, charged with all Manner of small Shot. ----A fatal Stroke to

them! The Sloop the Lieutenant was in, having twenty Men killed and

wounded, and the other Sloop nine. This could not be help'd, for there

being no Wind, they were oblig'd to keep to their Oars, otherwise the

Pyrate would have got away from him, which, it seems, the Lieutenant was

resolute to prevent.

After this unlucky Blow, _Black-beard_'s Sloop fell Broadside to the Shore;

Mr. _Maynard_'s other Sloop, which was called the _Ranger_, fell a-stern,

being, for the present, disabled; so the Lieutenant finding his own Sloop

had Way, and would soon be on Board of _Teach_, he ordered all his Men

down, for fear of another Broadside, which must have been their

Destruction, and the loss of their Expedition. Mr. _Maynard_ was the only

Person that kept the Deck, except the Man at the Helm, whom he directed to

lye down snug, and the Men in the Hold were ordered to get their Pistols

and their Swords ready for close fighting, and to come up at his Command;

in order to which, two Ladders were placed in the Hatch-Way for the more

Expedition. When the Lieutenant's Sloop boarded the other, Captain

_Teach_'s Men threw in several new fashioned sort of Grenadoes, _viz._ Case

Bottles fill'd with Powder, and small Shot, Slugs, and Pieces of Lead or

Iron, with a quick Match in the Mouth of it, which being lighted without

Side, presently runs into the Bottle to the Powder, and as it is instantly

thrown on Board, generally does great Execution, besides putting all the

Crew into a Confusion; but by good Providence, they had not that Effect

here; the Men being in the Hold, and _Black-beard_ seeing few or no Hands

aboard, told his Men, _That they were all knock'd on the Head, except three

or four; and therefore, says he, let's jump on Board, and cut them to

Pieces._

Whereupon, under the Smoak of one of the Bottles just mentioned,

_Black-beard_ enters with fourteen Men, over the Bows of _Maynard_'s Sloop,

and were not seen by him till the Air cleared; however, he just then gave a

Signal to his Men, who all rose in an Instant, and attack'd the Pyrates

with as much Bravery as ever was done upon such an Occasion: _Black-beard_

and the Lieutenant fired the first Pistol at each other, by which the

Pyrate received a Wound, and then engaged with Swords, till the

Lieutenant's unluckily broke, and stepping back to cock a Pistol,

_Black-beard_, with his Cutlash, was striking at that Instant, that one of

_Maynard_'s Men gave him a terrible Wound in the Neck and Throat, by which

the Lieutenant came off with a small Cut over his Fingers.

They were now closely and warmly engaged, the Lieutenant and twelve Men,

against _Black-beard_ and fourteen, till the Sea was tinctur'd with Blood

round the Vessel; _Black-beard_ received a Shot into his Body from the

Pistol that Lieutenant _Maynard_ discharg'd, yet he stood his Ground, and

fought with great Fury, till he received five and twenty Wounds, and five

of them by Shot. At length, as he was cocking another Pistol, having fired

several before, he fell down dead; by which Time eight more out of the

fourteen dropp'd, and all the rest, much wounded, jump'd over-board, and

call'd out for Quarters, which was granted, tho' it was only prolonging

their Lives for a few Days. The Sloop _Ranger_ came up, and attack'd the

Men that remain'd in _Black-beard_'s Sloop, with equal Bravery, till they

likewise cry'd for Quarters.

Here was an End of that couragious Brute, who might have pass'd in the

World for a Heroe, had he been employ'd in a good Cause; his Destruction,

which was of such Consequence to the Plantations, was entirely owing to the

Conduct and Bravery of Lieutenant _Maynard_ and his Men, who might have

destroy'd him with much less Loss, had they had a Vessel with great Guns;

but they were obliged to use small Vessels, because the Holes and Places he

lurk'd in, would not admit of others of greater Draught; and it was no

small Difficulty for this Gentleman to get to him, having grounded his

Vessel, at least, a hundred times, in getting up the River, besides other

Discouragements, enough to have turn'd back any Gentleman without

Dishonour, who was less resolute and bold than this Lieutenant. The

Broadside that did so much Mischief before they boarded, in all Probability

saved the rest from Destruction; for before that _Teach_ had little or no

Hopes of escaping, and therefore had posted a resolute Fellow, a Negroe

whom he had bred up, with a lighted Match, in the Powder-Room, with

Commands to blow up when he should give him Orders, which was as soon as

the Lieutenant and his Men could have entered, that so he might have

destroy'd his Conquerors: and when the Negro found how it went with

_Black-beard_, he could hardly be perswaded from the rash Action, by two

Prisoners that were then in the Hold of the Sloop.

What seems a little odd, is, that some of these Men, who behaved so bravely

against _Black-beard_, went afterwards a pyrating themselves, and one of

them was taken along with _Roberts_; but I do not find that any of them

were provided for, except one that was hanged; but this is a Digression.

The Lieutenant caused _Black-beard_'s Head to be severed from his Body, and

hung up at the Bolt-sprit End, then he sailed to _Bath-Town_, to get Relief

for his wounded Men.

It must be observed, that in rummaging the Pyrate's Sloop, they found

several Letters and written Papers, which discovered the Correspondence

betwixt Governor _Eden_, the Secretary and Collector, and also some Traders

at _New-York_, and _Black-beard_. It is likely he had Regard enough for his

Friends, to have destroyed these Papers before the Action, in order to

hinder them from falling into such Hands, where the Discovery would be of

no Use, either to the Interest or Reputation of these fine Gentlemen, if it

had not been his fixed Resolution to have blown up together, when he found

no possibility of escaping.

When the Lieutenant came to _Bath-Town_, he made bold to seize in the

Governor's Store-House, the sixty Hogsheads of Sugar, and from honest Mr.

_Knight_, twenty; which it seems was their Dividend of the Plunder taken in

the _French_ Ship; the latter did not long survive this shameful Discovery,

for being apprehensive that he might be called to an Account for these

Trifles, fell sick with the Fright, and died in a few Days.

After the wounded Men were pretty well recover'd, the Lieutenant sailed

back to the Men of War in _James River_, in _Virginia_, with

_Black-beard_'s Head still hanging at the Bolt-sprit End, and fiveteen

Prisoners, thirteen of whom were hanged. It appearing upon Tryal, that one

of them, _viz._ _Samuel Odell_, was taken out of the trading Sloop, but the

Night before the Engagement. This poor Fellow was a little unlucky at his

first entering upon his new Trade, there appearing no less than 70 Wounds

upon him after the Action, notwithstanding which, he lived, and was cured

of them all. The other Person that escaped the Gallows, was one _Israel

Hands_, the Master of _Black-beard_'s Sloop, and formerly Captain of the

same, before the _Queen Ann's Revenge_ was lost in _Topsail_ Inlet.

The aforesaid _Hands_ happened not to be in the Fight, but was taken

afterwards ashore at _Bath-Town_, having been sometime before disabled by

_Black-beard_, in one of his savage Humours, after the following

Manner.--One Night drinking in his Cabin with _Hands_, the Pilot, and

another Man; _Black-beard_ without any Provocation privately draws out a

small Pair of Pistols, and cocks them under the Table, which being

perceived by the Man, he withdrew and went upon Deck, leaving _Hands_, the

Pilot, and the Captain together. When the Pistols were ready, he blew out

the Candle, and crossing his Hands, discharged them at his Company;

_Hands_, the Master, was shot thro' the Knee, and lam'd for Life; the other

Pistol did no Execution. --Being asked the meaning of this, he only

answered, by damning them, that _if he did not now and then kill one of

them, they would forget who he was._

_Hands_ being taken, was try'd and condemned, but just as he was about to

be executed, a Ship arrives at _Virginia_ with a Proclamation for

prolonging the Time of his Majesty's Pardon, to such of the Pyrates as

should surrender by a limited Time therein expressed: Notwithstanding the

Sentence, _Hands_ pleaded the Pardon, and was allowed the Benefit of it,

and is alive at this Time in London, begging his Bread.

Now that we have given some Account of _Teach_'s Life and Actions, it will

not be amiss, that we speak of his Beard, since it did not a little

contribute towards making his Name so terrible in those Parts.

_Plutarch_, and other grave Historians have taken Notice, that several

great Men amongst the _Romans_, took their Sir-Names from certain odd Marks

in their Countenances; as _Cicero_, from a Mark or Vetch on his Nose; so

our Heroe, Captain _Teach_, assumed the Cognomen of _Black-beard_, from

that large Quantity of Hair, which, like a frightful Meteor, covered his

whole Face, and frightened _America_ more than any Comet that has appeared

there a long Time.

This Beard was black, which he suffered to grow of an extravagant Length;

as to Breadth, it came up to his Eyes; he was accustomed to twist it with

Ribbons, in small Tails, after the Manner of our Ramilies Wiggs, and turn

them about his Ears: In Time of Action, he wore a Sling over his Shoulders,

with three brace of Pistols, hanging in Holsters like Bandaliers; and stuck

lighted Matches under his Hat, which appearing on each Side of his Face,

his Eyes naturally looking fierce and wild, made him altogether such a

Figure, that Imagination cannot form an Idea of a Fury, from Hell, to look

more frightful.

If he had the look of a Fury, his Humours and Passions were suitable to it;

we shall relate two or three more of his Extravagancies, which we omitted

in the Body of his History, by which it will appear, to what a Pitch of

Wickedness, human Nature may arrive, if it's Passions are not checked.

In the Commonwealth of Pyrates, he who goes the greatest Length of

Wickedness, is looked upon with a kind of Envy amongst them, as a Person of

a more extraordinary Gallantry, and is thereby entitled to be distinguished

by some Post, and if such a one has but Courage, he must certainly be a

great Man. The Hero of whom we are writing, was thoroughly accomplished

this Way, and some of his Frolicks of Wickedness, were so extravagant, as

if he aimed at making his Men believe he was a Devil incarnate; for being

one Day at Sea, and a little flushed with drink:--_Come_, says he, _let us

make a Hell of our own, and try how long we can bear it_; accordingly he,

with two or three others, went down into the Hold, and closing up all the

Hatches, filled several Pots full of Brimstone, and other combustible

Matter, and set it on Fire, and so continued till they were almost

suffocated, when some of the Men cried out for Air; at length he opened the

Hatches, not a little pleased that he held out the longest.

The Night before he was killed, he set up and drank till the Morning, with

some of his own Men, and the Master of a Merchant-Man, and having had

Intelligence of the two Sloops coming to attack him, as has been before

observed; one of his Men asked him, in Case any thing should happen to him

in the Engagement with the Sloops, whether his Wife knew where he had

buried his Money? He answered, _That no Body but himself and the Devil,

knew where it was, and the longest Liver should take all._

Those of his Crew who were taken alive, told a Story which may appear a

little incredible; however, we think it will not be fair to omit it, since

we had it from their own Mouths. That once upon a Cruize, they found out

that they had a Man on Board more than their Crew; such a one was seen

several Days amongst them, sometimes below, and sometimes upon Deck, yet no

Man in the Ship could give an Account who he was, or from whence he came;

but that he disappeared little before they were cast away in their great

Ship, but, it seems, they verily believed it was the Devil.

One would think these Things should induce them to reform their Lives, but

so many Reprobates together, encouraged and spirited one another up in

their Wickedness, to which a continual Course of drinking did not a little

contribute; for in _Black-beard_'s Journal, which was taken, there were

several Memorandums of the following Nature, sound writ with his own

Hand.-- _Such a Day, Rum all out:--Our Company somewhat sober:--A damn'd

Confusion amongst us!--Rogues a plotting;--great Talk of Separation.--So I

look'd sharp for a Prize;--such a Day took one, with a great deal of Liquor

on Board, so kept the Company hot, damned hot, then all Things went well

again._

Thus it was these Wretches passed their Lives, with very little Pleasure or

Satisfaction, in the Possession of what they violently take away from

others, and sure to pay for it at last, by an ignominious Death.

The Names of the Pyrates killed in the Engagement, are as follow.

_Edward Teach_, Commander.

_Phillip Morton_, Gunner.

_Garrat Gibbens_, Boatswain.

_Owen Roberts_, Carpenter.

_Thomas Miller_, Quarter-Master.

_John Husk_,

_Joseph Curtice_,

_Joseph Brooks_, (1)

_Nath. Jackson_.

All the rest, except the two last, were wounded and afterwards

hanged in _Virginia_.

_John Carnes, Joseph Philips,_

_Joseph Brooks, _(2)_ James Robbins,_

_James Blake, John Martin,_

_John Gills, Edward Salter,_

_Thomas Gates, Stephen Daniel,_

_James White, Richard Greensail._

_Richard Stiles, Israel Hands, _pardoned.

_Cæsar, Samuel Odel_, acquited.

* * *

There were in the Pyrate Sloops, and ashore in a Tent, near where the

Sloops lay, 25 Hogsheads of Sugar, 11 Teirces, and 145 Bags of Cocoa, a

Barrel of Indigo, and a Bale of Cotton; which, with what was taken from the

Governor and Secretary, and the Sale of the Sloop, came to 2500 _l._

besides the Rewards paid by the Governor of _Virginia_, pursuant to his

Proclamation; all which was divided among the Companies of the two Ships,

_Lime_ and _Pearl_, that lay in _James_ River; the brave Fellows that took

them coming in for no more than their Dividend amongst the rest, and was

paid it within these three Months.

CHAP. IV. OF Major _Stede Bonnet_, And his CREW.

THE Major was a Gentleman of good Reputation in the Island of

_Barbadoes_, was Master of a plentiful Fortune, and had the Advantage of a

liberal Education. He had the least Temptation of any Man to follow such a

Course of Life, from the Condition of his Circumstances. It was very

surprizing to every one, to hear of the Major's Enterprize, in the Island

were he liv'd; and as he was generally esteem'd and honoured, before he

broke out into open Acts of Pyracy, so he was afterwards rather pitty'd

than condemned, by those that were acquainted with him, believing that this

Humour of going a pyrating, proceeded from a Disorder in his Mind, which

had been but too visible in him, some Time before this wicked Undertaking;

and which is said to have been occasioned by some Discomforts he found in a

married State; be that as it will, the Major was but ill qualify'd for the

Business, as not understanding maritime Affairs.

However, he fitted out a Sloop with ten Guns and 70 Men, entirely at his

own Expence, and in the Night-Time sailed from _Barbadoes_. He called his

Sloop the _Revenge_; his first Cruize was off the Capes of _Virginia_,

where he took several Ships, and plundered them of their Provisions,

Cloaths, Money, Ammunition, _&c._ in particular the _Anne_, Captain

_Montgomery_, from _Glascow_; the _Turbet_ from _Barbadoes_, which for

Country sake, after they had taken out the principal Part of the Lading,

the Pyrate Crew set her on Fire; the _Endeavour_, Captain _Scot_, from

_Bristol_, and the _Young_ from _Leith_. From hence they went to

_New-York_, and off the East End of _Long-Island_, took a Sloop bound for

the _West-Indies_, after which they stood in and landed some Men at

_Gardner_'s _Island_, but in a peaceable Manner, and bought Provisions for

the Company's Use, which they paid for, and so went off again without

Molestation.

Some Time after, which was in _August_ 1717, _Bonnet_ came off the Bar of

_South-Carolina_, and took a Sloop and a Brigantine bound in; the Sloop

belonged to _Barbadoes, Joseph Palmer_ Master, laden with Rum, Sugar and

Negroes; and the Brigantine came from _New-England, Thomas Porter_ Master,

whom they plundered, and then dismiss'd; but they sailed away with the

Sloop, and at an Inlet in _North-Carolina_ careened by her, and then set

her on Fire.

After the Sloop had cleaned, they put to Sea, but came to no Resolution

what Course to take; the Crew were divided in their Opinions, some being

for one Thing, and some another, so that nothing but Confusion seem'd to

attend all their Schemes.

The Major was no Sailor as was said before, and therefore had been obliged

to yield to many Things that were imposed on him, during their Undertaking,

for want of a competent Knowledge in maritime Affairs; at length happening

to fall in Company with another Pyrate, one _Edward Teach_, (who for his

remarkable black ugly Beard, was more commonly called _Black-Beard_:) This

Fellow was a good Sailor, but a most cruel hardened Villain, bold and

daring to the last Degree, and would not stick at the perpetrating the most

abominable Wickedness imaginable; for which he was made Chief of that

execrable Gang, that it might be said that his Post was not unduly filled,

_Black-beard_ being truly the Superior in Roguery, of all the Company, as

has been already related.

To him _Bonnet_'s Crew joined in Consortship, and _Bonnet_ himself was laid

aside, notwithstanding the Sloop was his own; he went aboard

_Black-beard_'s Ship, not concerning himself with any of their Affairs,

where he continued till she was lost in _Topsail_ Inlet, and one _Richards_

was appointed Captain in his Room. The Major now saw his Folly, but could

not help himself, which made him Melancholy; he reflected upon his past

Course of Life, and was confounded with Shame, when he thought upon what he

had done: His Behaviour was taken Notice of by the other Pyrates, who liked

him never the better for it; and he often declared to some of them, that he

would gladly leave off that Way of Living, being fully tired of it; but he

should be ashamed to see the Face of any _English_ Man again; therefore if

he could get to _Spain_ or _Portugal_, where he might be undiscovered, he

would spend the Remainder of his Days in either of those Countries,

otherwise he must continue with them as long as he lived.

When _Black-beard_ lost his Ship at _Topsail_ Inlet, and surrendered to the

King's Proclamation, _Bonnet_ reassumed the Command of his own Sloop,

_Revenge_, goes directly away to _Bath-Town_ in _North-Carolina_,

surrenders likewise to the King's Pardon, and receives a Certificate. The

War was now broke out between the _Tripple_ Allies and _Spain_; so Major

_Bonnet_ gets a Clearence for his Sloop at _North-Carlina_, to go to the

Island of St. _Thomas_, with a Design (at least it was pretended so) to get

the Emperor's Commission, to go a Privateering upon the _Spaniards_. When

_Bonnet_ came back to _Topsail_ Inlet, he found that _Teach_ and his Gang

were gone, and that they had taken all the Money, small Arms and Effects of

Value out of the great Ship, and set ashore on a small sandy Island above a

League from the Main, seventeen Men, no doubt with a Design they should

perish, there being no Inhabitant, or Provisions to subsist withal, nor any

Boat or Materials to build or make any kind of Launch or Vessel, to escape

from that desolate Place: They remained there two Nights and one Day,

without Subsistance, or the least Prospect of any, expecting nothing else

but a lingering Death; when to their inexpressable Comfort, they saw

Redemption at Hand; for Major _Bonnet_ happening to get Intelligence of

their being there, by two of the Pyrates who had escaped _Teach_'s Cruelty,

and had got to a poor little Village at the upper End of the Harbour, sent

his Boat to make Discovery of the Truth of the Matter, which the poor

Wretches seeing, made a signal to them, and they were all brought on Board

_Bonnet_'s Sloop.

Major _Bonnet_ told all his Company, that he would take a Commission to go

against the _Spaniards_, and to that End, was going to St. _Thomas_'s

therefore if they would go with him, they should be welcome; whereupon they

all consented, but as the Sloop was preparing to sail, a Bom-Boat, that

brought Apples and Sider to sell to the Sloop's Men, informed them, that

Captain _Teach_ lay at _Ocricock_ Inlet, with only 18 or 20 Hands.

_Bonnet_, who bore him a mortal Hatred for some Insults offered him, went

immediately in pursuit of _Black-beard_, but it happened too late, for he

missed of him there, and after four Days Cruize, hearing no farther News of

him, they steered their Course towards _Virginia_.

In the Month of _July_, these Adventurers came off the Capes, and meeting

with a Pink with a Stock of Provisions on Board, which they happened to be

in Want of, they took out of her ten or twelve Barrels of Pork, and about

400 Weight of Bread; but because they would not have this set down to the

Account of Pyracy, they gave them eight or ten Casks of Rice, and an old

Cable, in lieu thereof.

Two Days afterwards they chased a Sloop of sixty Ton, and took her two

Leagues off of Cape _Henry_; they were so happy here as to get a Supply of

Liquor to their Victuals, for they brought from her two Hogsheads of Rum,

and as many of Molosses, which, it seems, they had need of, tho' they had

not ready Money to purchase them: What Security they intended to give, I

can't tell, but _Bonnet_ sent eight Men to take Care of the Prize Sloop,

who, perhaps, not caring to make Use of those accustom'd Freedoms, took the

first Opportunity to go off with her, and _Bonnet_ (who was pleased to have

himself called Captain _Thomas_,) saw them no more.

After this, the Major threw off all Restraint, and though he had just

before received his Majesty's Mercy, in the Name of _Stede Bonnet_, he

relaps'd in good Earnest into his old Vocation, by the Name of Captain

_Thomas_, and recommenced a down-right Pyrate, by taking and plundering all

the Vessels he met with: He took off Cape _Henry_, two Ships from

_Virginia_, bound to _Glascow_, out of which they had very little besides

an hundred Weight of Tobacco. The next Day they took a small Sloop bound

from _Virginia_ to _Bermudas_, which supply'd them with twenty Barrels of

Pork, some Bacon, and they gave her in return, two Barrels of Rice, and a

Hogshead of Molossus; out of this Sloop two Men enter'd voluntarily. The

next they took was another _Virginia_ Man, bound to _Glascow_, out of which

they had nothing of Value, save only a few Combs, Pins and Needles, and

gave her instead thereof, a Barrel of Pork, and two Barrels of Bread.

From _Virginia_ they sailed to _Philadelphia_, and in the Latitude of 38

North, they took a Scooner, coming from _North-Carolina_, bound to

_Boston_, they had out of her only two Dozen of Calf-Skins, to make Covers

for Guns, and two of their Hands, and detained her some Days. All this was

but small Game, and seem'd as if they design'd only to make Provision for

their Sloop against they arrived at St. _Thomas_'s; for they hitherto had

dealt favourably with all that were so unhappy as so fall into their Hands;

but those that came after, fared not so well, for in the Latitude of 32,

off of _Delaware_ River, near _Philadelphia_, they took two Snows bound to

_Bristol_, out of whom they got some Money, besides Goods, perhaps to the

Value of 150 Pounds; at the same Time they took a Sloop of sixty Tons bound

from _Philadelphia_ to _Barbadoes_, which after taking some Goods out, they

dismissed along with the Snows.

The 29th Day of _July_, Captain _Thomas_ took a Sloop of 50 Tons, six or

seven Leagues off _Delaware_ Bay, bound from _Philadelphia_ to _Barbadoes,

Thomas Read_ Master, loaden with Provisions, which they kept, and put four

or five of their Hands on Board her. The last Day of _July_, they took

another Sloop of 60 Tons, commanded by _Peter Manwaring_, bound from

_Antegoa_ to _Philadelphia_, which they likewise kept with all the Cargo,

consisting chiefly of Rum, Molosses, Sugar, Cotton, Indigo, and about 25

Pound in Money, valued in all to 500 Pound.

The last Day of _July_, our Rovers with the Vessels last taken, left

_Delaware_ Bay, and sailed to Cape _Fear_ River, where they staid too long

for their Safety, for the Pyrate Sloop which they now new named the _Royal

James_, proved very leaky, so that they were obliged to remain here almost

two Months, to refit and repair their Vessel: They took in this River a

small Shallop, which they ripped up to mend the Sloop, and retarded the

further Prosecution of their Voyage, as before mentioned, till the News

came to _Carolina_, of a Pyrate Sloop's being there to carreen with her

Prizes.

Upon this Information, the Council of _South-Carolina_ was alarmed, and

apprehended they should receive another Visit from them speedily; to

prevent which, Colonel _William Rhet_, of the same Province, waited on the

Governor, and generously offered himself to go with two Sloops to attack

this Pyrate; which the Governor readily accepted, and accordingly gave the

Colonel a Commission and full Power, to fit such Vessels as he thought

proper for the Design.

In a few Days two Sloops were equipped and manned: The _Henry_ with 8 Guns

and 70 Men, commanded by Captain _John Masters_, and the _Sea Nymph_, with

8 Guns and 60 Men, commanded by Captain _Fayrer Hall_, both under the

entire Direction and Command of the aforesaid Colonel _Rhet_, who, on the

14th of _September_, went on Board the _Henry_, and, with the other Sloop,

sailed from _Charles-Town_ to _Swillivants_ Island, to put themselves in

order for the Cruize. Just then arrived a small Ship from _Antigoa_, one

_Cock_ Master, with an Account, that in Sight of the Bar he was taken and

plundered by one _Charles Vane_, a Pyrate, in a Brigantine of 12 Guns and

90 Men; and who had also taken two other Vessels bound in there, one a

small Sloop, Captain _Dill_ Master, from _Barbadoes_; the other a

Brigantine, Captain _Thompson_ Master, from _Guiney_, with ninety odd

Negroes, which they took out of the Vessel, and put on Board another Sloop

then under the Command of one _Yeats_, his Consort, with 25 Men. This

prov'd fortunate to the Owners of the _Guiney_ Man, for _Yeats_ having

often attempted to quit this Course of Life, took an Opportunity in the

Night, to leave _Vane_ and to run into _North-Edisto_ River, to the

Southward of _Charles-Town_, and surrendered to his Majesty's Pardon. The

Owners got their Negroes, and _Yeats_ and his Men had Certificates given

them from the Government.

_Vane_ cruised some Time off the Bar, in hopes to catch _Yeats_, and

unfortunately for them, took two Ships coming out, bound to _London_, and

while the Prisoners were aboard, some of the Pyrates gave out, that they

designed to go into one of the Rivers to the Southward. Colonel _Rhet_,

upon hearing this, sailed over the Bar the 15th of _September_, with the

two Sloops before mentioned; and having the Wind Northerly, went after the

Pyrate _Vane_, and scoured the Rivers and Inlets to the Southward; but not

meeting with him, tacked and stood for Cape _Fear_ River, in Prosecution of

his first Design. On the 26th following, in the Evening, the Colonel with

his small Squadron, entered the River, and saw, over a Point of Land, three

Sloops at an Anchor, which were Major _Bonnet_ and his Prizes; but it

happened that in going up the River, the Pilot run the Colonel's Sloops

aground, and it was dark before they were on Float, which hindered their

getting up that Night. The Pyrates soon discovered the Sloops, but not

knowing who they were, or upon what Design they came into that River, they

manned three Canoes, and sent them down to take them, but they quickly

found their Mistake, and returned to the Sloop, with the unwelcome News.

Major _Bonnet_ made Preparations that Night for engaging, and took all the

Men out of the Prizes. He shewed Captain _Manwaring_, one of his Prisoners,

a Letter, he had just wrote, which he declared he would send to the

Governor of _Carolina_; the Letter was to this Effect, _viz. That if the

Sloops, which then appeared, were sent out against him, by the said

Governor, and he should get clear off, that he would burn and destroy all

Ships or Vessels going in or coming out of_ South-Carolina. The next

Morning they got under Sail, and came down the River, designing only a

running Fight. Colonel _Rhet_'s Sloops got likewise under Sail, and stood

for him, getting upon each Quarter of the Pyrate, with Intent to board him;

which he perceiving, edged in towards the Shore, and being warmly engaged,

their Sloop ran a-ground: The _Carolina_ Sloops being in the same shoal

Water, were in the same Circumstances; the _Henry_, in which Colonel _Rhet_

was, grounded within Pistol shot of the Pyrate, and on his Bow; the other

Sloop grounded right a-head of him, and almost out of Gun-Shot, which made

her of little Service to the Colonel, while they lay a-ground.

At this Time the Pyrate had a considerable Advantage; for their Sloop,

after she was a-ground, listed from Colonel _Rhet_'s, by which Means they

were all covered, and the Colonel's Sloop listing the same Way, his Men

were much exposed; notwithstanding which, they kept a brisk Fire the whole

Time they lay thus a-ground, which was near five Hours. The Pyrates made a

Wiff in their bloody Flag, and beckoned several Times with their Hats in

Derision to the Colonel's Men, to come on Board, which they answered with

chearful Huzza's, and said, _that they would speak with them by and by_;

which accordingly happened, for the Colonel's Sloop being first a float, he

got into deeper Water, and after mending the Sloop's Rigging, which was

much shattered in the Engagement, they stood for the Pyrate, to give the

finishing Stroke, and designed to go directly on Board him; which he

prevented, by sending a Flag of Truce, and after some Time capitulating,

they surrendered themselves Prisoners. The Colonel took Possession of the

Sloop, and was extreamly pleased to find that Captain _Thomas_, who

commanded her, was the individual Person of Major _Stede Bonnet_, who had

done them the Honour several Times to visit their own Coast of _Carolina_.

There were killed in this Action, on Board the _Henry_, ten Men, and

fourteen wounded; on Board the _Sea Nymph_, two killed and four wounded.

The Officers and Sailors in both Sloops behaved themselves with the

greatest Bravery; and had not the Sloops so unluckily run a-ground, they

had taken the Pyrate with much less loss of Men; but as he designed to get

by them, and so make a running Fight, the _Carolina_ Sloops were obliged to

keep near him, to prevent his getting away. Of the Pyrates there were seven

killed and five wounded, two of which died soon after of their Wounds.

Colonel _Rhet_ weigh'd the 30th of _September_, from Cape _Fear_ River, and

arrived at _Charles-Town_ the 3d of _October_, to the great Joy of the

whole Province of _Carolina_.

_Bonnet_ and his Crew, two Days after, were put ashore, and there not being

a publick Prison, the Pyrates were kept at the Watch-House, under a Guard

of Militia; but Major _Bonnet_ was committed into the Custody of the

Marshal, at his House; and in a few Days after, _David Hariot_ the Master,

and _Ignatius Pell_ the Boatswain, who were designed for Evidences against

the other Pyrates, were removed from the rest of the Crew, to the said

Marshal's House, and every Night two Centinals set about the said House;

but whether thro' any Corruption, or want of Care in guarding the

Prisoners, I can't say; but on the 24th of _October_, the Major and

_Hariot_ made their Escape, the Boatswain refusing to go along with them.

This made a great Noise in the Province, and People were open in their

Resentments, often reflecting on the Governor, and others in the

Magistracy, as tho' they had been brib'd, for conniving at their Escape.

These Invectives arose from their Fears, that _Bonnet_ would be capable of

raising another Company, and prosecute his Revenge against this Country,

for what he had lately, tho' justly, suffered: But they were in a short

Time made easy in those Respects; for as soon as the Governor had the

Account of _Bonnet_'s Escape, he immediately issued out a Proclamation, and

promised a Reward of 700 Pounds to any that would take him, and sent

several Boats with armed Men, both to the Northward and Southward, in

pursuit of him.

_Bonnet_ stood to the Northward, in a small Vessel, but wanting

Necessaries, and the Weather being bad, he was forced back, and so return'd

with his Canoe, to _Swillivants_ Island, near _Charles-Town_, to fetch

Supplies; but there being some Information sent to the Governor, he sent

for Colonel _Rhet_, and desired him to go in pursuit of _Bonnet_; and

accordingly gave him a Commission for that Purpose: Wherefore the Colonel,

with proper Craft, and some Men, went away that Night for _Swillivant_'s

Island, and, after a very diligent Search, discovered _Bonnet_ and _Hariot_

together; the Colonel's Men fired upon them, and killed _Hariot_ upon the

Spot, and wounded one Negro and an _Indian. Bonnet_ submitted, and

surrender'd himself; and the next Morning, being _November_ the 6th, was

brought by Colonel _Rhet_ to _Charles-Town_, and, by the Governor's

Warrant, was committed into safe Custody, in order for his being brought to

his Tryal.

On the 28th of _October_, 1718, a Court of Vice-Admiralty was held at

_Charles-Town_, in _South-Carolina_, and, by several Adjournments,

continued to _Wednesday_, the 12th of _November_ following, for the Tryal

of the Pyrates taken in a Sloop formerly called _the Revenge_, but

afterwards _the Royal James_, before _Nicholas Trot_, Esq; Judge of the

Vice-Admiralty, and Chief Justice of the said Province of _South-Carolina_,

and other Assistant Judges.

The King's Commission to Judge _Trot_ was read, and a Grand Jury sworn, for

the finding of the several Bills, and a learned Charge given them by the

said Judge, wherein he 1st shewed, _That the Sea was given by God, for the

Use of Men, and is Subject to Dominion and Property, as well as the Land_.

2dly, He particularly remark'd to them, _the Sovereignty of the King of_

England _over the_ British _Seas_.

3dly, He observed, _that as Commerce and Navigation could not be carried on

without Laws; so there have been always particular Laws, for the better

ordering and regulating marine Affairs_; with an historical Account or

those Laws, and Origine.

4thly, He proceeded to shew, _that there have been particular Courts and

Judges appointed; to whose Jurisdiction maritime Causes do belong, and that

in Matters both Civil and Criminal_.

And then 5thly, He particularly shewed them, _the Constitution and

Jurisdiction of that Court of Admiralty Sessions_.

And lastly, _the Crimes cognizable therein_; and particularly enlarged

_upon the Crime of Pyracy_, which was then brought before them.

The Indictments being found, a petit Jury was sworn, and the following

Persons arraigned and tried.

* * *

_Stede Bonnet_, alias _Edwards_, alias _Thomas_, late of _Barbadoes_,

Mariner.

_Robert Tucker_, late of the Island of _Jamaica_, Mariner.

_Edward Robinson_, late of _New-Castle_ upon _Tine_, Mariner.

_Neal Paterson_, late of _Aberdeen_, Mariner.

_William Scot_, late of _Aberdeen_, Mariner.

_William Eddy_, alias _Neddy_, late of _Aberdeen_, Mariner.

_Alexander Annand_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner.

_George Rose_, late of _Glascow_, Mariner.

_George Dunkin_, late of _Glascow_, Mariner.

*_Thomas Nicholas_, late of _London_, Mariner.

_John Ridge_, late of _London_, Mariner.

_Matthew King_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner.

_Daniel Perry_, late of _Guernsey_, Mariner.

_Henry Virgin_, late of _Bristol_, Mariner.

_James Robbins_, alias _Rattle_, late of _London_, Mariner.

_James Mullet_, alias _Millet_, late of _London_, Mariner.

_Thomas Price_, late of _Bristol_, Mariner.

_James Wilson_, late of _Dublin_, Mariner.

_John Lopez_, late of _Oporto_, Mariner.

_Zachariah Long_, late of the Province of _Holland_, Mariner.

_Job Bayly_, late of _London_, Mariner.

_John-William Smith_, late of _Charles-Town, Carolina_, Mariner.

_Thomas Carman_, late of _Maidstone_ in _Kent_, Mariner.

_John Thomas_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner.

_William Morrison_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner.

_Samuel Booth_, late of _Charles-Town_, Mariner.

_William Hewet_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner.

_John Levit_, late of _North-Carolina_, Mariner.

_William Livers_, alias _Evis_.

_John Brierly_, alias _Timberhead_, late of _Bath-Town_ in _North

Carolina_, Mariner.

_Robert Boyd_, late of _Bath-Town_ aforesaid, Mariner.

*_Rowland Sharp_, of _Bath-Town_, Mariner.

*_Jonathan Clarke_, late of _Charles-Town, South Carolina_, Mariner.

*_Thomas Gerrard_, late of _Antegoa_, Mariner.

* * *

And all, except the three last, and _Thomas Nicholas_, were found Guilty,

and received Sentence of Death.

They were most of them try'd upon two Indictments, as follows.

* * *

T_HE Jurors for our Sovereign Lord the King, do upon their Oath

present, that_ Stede Bonnet, _late of_ Barbadoes, _Mariner_, Robert Tucker,

&c. &c. _The_ 2_d Day of_ August, _in the fifth Year of the Reign of our

Sovereign Lord_ George, &c. _By Force of Arms upon the High-Sea, in a

certain Place called Cape_ James, &c. _did pyratically, and felloniously

set upon, break,_ _board, and enter, a certain Merchant Sloop, called the_

Frances, Peter Manwaring _Commander, by Force_, &c. _upon the High-Sea, in

a certain Place, called Cape_ James, alias _Cape_ Inlopen, _about two Miles

distant from the Shore, in the Lattitude of_ 39, _or thereabouts; and

within the Jurisdiction of the Court of Vice-Admiralty, of_ South-Carolina,

_being a Sloop of certain Persons_, (_to the Jurors, unknown_) _and then,

and there, pyratically, and felloniously did make an Assault, in, and upon

the said_ Peter Manwaring, _and others his Mariners_, (_whose Names to the

Jurors aforesaid, are unknown,) in the same Sloop, against the Peace of

God, and of our said now Sovereign Lord the King, then, and there being,

pyratically and felloniously, did put the aforesaid_ Peter Manwaring, _and

others, his Mariners, of the same Sloop, in the Sloop aforesaid, then

being, in corporal Fear of their Lives, then and there, in the Sloop

aforesaid, upon the_ High-Sea, _in the Place aforesaid, called Cape_ James,

alias _Cape_ Inlopen, _about two Miles from the Shore, in the Lattitude of_

39, _or thereabouts, as aforesaid, and within the Jurisdiction aforesaid;

pyratically, and felloniously, did steal, take, and carry away the said

Merchant Sloop, called the_ Frances, _and also twenty six Hogsheads_, &c.

&c. &c. _being found in the aforesaid Sloop, in the Custody and Possession

of the said_ Peter Manwaring, _and others, his Mariners of the said Sloop,

and from their Custody and Possession, then and there, upon the High-Sea

aforesaid, called Cape_ James, alias _Cape_ Inlopen, _as aforesaid, and

within the Jurisdiction aforesaid, against the Peace of our now Sovereign

Lord the King, his Crown and Dignity_.

This was the Form of the Indictments they were arraigned upon, and tho'

they might have proved several more Facts upon the major Part of the Crew,

the Court thought fit to prosecute but two; the other was for seizing in a

pyratical and felonious Manner, the Sloop _Fortune, Thomas Read_ Commander;

which Indictment running in the same Form with the above-mentioned, it will

be unnecessary to say more of it.

All the Prisoners arraigned, pleaded Not Guilty, and put themselves upon

their Tryals, except _James Wilson_, and _John Levit_, who pleaded Guilty

to both Indictments, and _Daniel Perry_, to one only. The Major would have

gone through both the Indictments at once, which the Court not admitting,

he pleaded Not Guilty to both Indictments, but being convicted of one, he

retracted his former Plea to the second Indictment, and pleaded Guilty to

it.

The Prisoners made little or no Defence, every one pretending only that

they were taken off a Maroon Shore, and were shipped with Major _Bonnet_ to

go to St. _Thomas_'s; but being out at Sea, and wanting Provisions, they

were obliged to do what they did by others; and so did Major _Bonnet_

himself, pretend that 'twas Force, not Inclination, that occasioned what

had happened. However, the Facts being plainly proved, and that they had

all shared ten or eleven Pounds a Man, excepting the three last, and

_Thomas Nichols_, they were all but they, found Guilty. The Judge made a

very grave Speech to them, setting forth _the Enormity of their Crimes, the

Condition they were now in, and the Nature and Necessity of an unfeigned

Repentance_; and then recommended them to the Ministers of the Province,

for more ample Directions, to fit them for Eternity, _for_ (concluded he)

_the Priest's Lips shall keep Knowledge, and you shall seek the Law at

their Mouths; for they are the Messengers of the Lord_. Mat. II. 57. _And

the Ambassadors of Christ, and unto them is committed the Word_ [or

Doctrine] _of Reconciliation_, 2 Cor. V. 19. 20. And then pronounced

Sentence of Death upon them.

On _Saturday November_ the 8th, 1711. _Robert Tucker, Edward Robinson, Neal

Paterson, William Scot, Job Bayley, John-William Smith, John Thomas,

William Morrison, Samuel Booth, William Hewit, William Eddy_, alias _Neddy,

Alexander Annand, George Ross, George Dunkin, Matthew King, Daniel Perry,

Henry Virgin, James Robbins, James Mullet_, alias _Millet, Thomas Price,

John Lopez_, and _Zachariah Long_, were executed at the _White-Point_ near

_Charles-Town_, pursuant to their Sentence.

As for the Captain, his Escape protracted his Fate, and spun out his Life a

few Days longer, for he was try'd the 10th, and being found Guilty,

received Sentence in like Manner as the former; before which Judge _Trot_,

made a most excellent Speech to him, rather somewhat too long to be taken

into our History, yet I could not tell how to pass by so good and useful a

Piece of Instruction, not knowing whose Hands this Book may happen to fall

into.

_The Lord Chief Justices's_ SPEECH, _upon his pronouncing Sentence on

Major_ STEDE BONNET.

MAjor _Stede Bonnet_, you stand here convicted upon two Indictments

of Pyracy; one by the Verdict of the Jury, and the other by your own

Confession.

Altho' you were indicted but for _two_ Facts, yet you know that at your

Tryal it was fully proved even by an unwilling Witness, that you

_pyratically_ took and rifled no less than _thirteen_ Vessels, since you

sail'd from _North-Carolina_.

So that you might have been indicted, and convicted of _eleven_ more Acts

of _Pyracy_, since you took the Benefit of the King's _Act of Grace_, and

pretended to leave that wicked Course of Life.

Not to mention the many _Acts_ of _Pyracy_ you committed before; for which

if your Pardon from _Man_ was never so authentick, yet you must expect to

answer for them before God.

You know that the Crimes you have committed are _evil_ in themselves, and

contrary to the _Light_ and _Law_ of _Nature_, as well as the _Law_ of God,

by which you are commanded that _you shall not steal_, Exod. 20. 15. And

the Apostle St. _Paul_ expresly affirms, That _Thieves shall not inherit

the Kingdom of God_, 1 Cor. 6. 10.

But to _Theft_ you have added a greater Sin, which is _Murder_. How many

you may have _killed_ of those that resisted you in the committing your

former _Pyracies_, I know not: But this we all know, That besides the

Wounded, you kill'd no less than _eighteen_ Persons out of those that were

sent by lawful Authority to suppress you, and put a Stop to those Rapines

that you daily acted.

And however you may fancy that that was killing Men fairly in open _Fight_,

yet this know, that the Power of the _Sword_ not being committed into your

Hands by any lawful Authority, you were not impowered to use any _Force_,

or _fight_ any one; and therefore those Persons that fell in that Action,

in doing their Duty to their King and Country, were _murdered_, and their

_Blood_ now cries out for _Vengeance_ and _Justice_ against you: For it is

the _Voice of Nature_, confirmed by the _Law_ of God, That _whosoever

sheddeth Man's Blood, by Man shall his Blood be shed_. Gen. 9. 6.

And consider that Death is not the only Punishment due to _Murderers_; for

they are threatened to have _their Part in the Lake which burneth with Fire

and Brimstone, which is the second Death_, Rev. 21. 8. See _Chap._ 22. 15.

Words which carry that Terror with them, that considering your

Circumstances and your Guilt, surely the Sound of them must make you

tremble; _For who can dwell with everlasting Burnings?_ Chap. 33. 14.

As the _Testimony_ of your _Conscience_ must convince you of the great and

many Evils you have committed, by which you have highly offended God, and

provoked most justly his Wrath and Indignation against you, so I suppose I

need not tell you that the only Way of obtaining Pardon and Remission of

your Sins from God, is by a true and unfeigned _Repentance_ and _Faith_ in

Christ, by whose meritorious Death and Passion, you can only hope for

Salvation.

You being a Gentleman that have had the Advantage of a _liberal Education_,

and being generally esteemed a Man of _Letters_, I believe it will be

needless for me to explain to you the Nature of _Repentance_ and _Faith_ in

Christ, they being so fully and so often mentioned in the Scriptures, that

you cannot but know them. And therefore, perhaps, for that Reason it might

be thought by some improper for me to have said so much to you, as I have

already upon this Occasion; neither should I have done it, but that

considering the Course of your Life and Actions, I have just Reason to

fear, that the Principles of Religion that had been instilled into you by

your _Education_, have been at least corrupted, if not entirely defaced, by

the _Scepticism_ and _Infidelity_ of this wicked Age; and that what Time

you allowed for Study, was rather applied to the _Polite Literature_, and

the vain _Philosophy_ of the Times, than a serious Search after the _Law_

and _Will_ of God, as revealed unto us in the Holy _Scriptures_: For _had

your Delight been in the Law of the Lord, and that you had meditated

therein Day and Night_, Psal. 1. 2. you would then have found that God's

_Word was a Lamp unto your Feet, and a Light to your Path_, Psal. 119. 105.

and that you would account all other Knowledge but _Loss_, in Comparison of

_the Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ Jesus_, Phil. 3. 8. _who to them

that are called is the Power of God, and the Wisdom of God_, 1 Cor. 1. 24.

_even the hidden Wisdom which God ordained before the World_, Chap. 2. 7.

You would then have esteemed the _Scriptures_ as the _Great Charter_ of

Heaven, and which delivered to us not only the most perfect _Laws_ and

_Rules_ of Life, but also discovered to us the Acts of _Pardon_ from God,

wherein they have offended those righteous Laws: For in them only is to be

found the great _Mystery_ of fallen Man's _Redemption, which the Angels

desire to look into_, 1 Pet. 1. 12.

And they would have taught you that _Sin_ is the debasing of _Human

Nature_, as being a _Derivation_ from that _Purity, Rectitude_, and

_Holiness_, in which God created us, and that _Virtue_ and _Religion_, and

walking by the Laws of God, were altogether preferable to the Ways of _Sin_

and _Satan_; for that the _Ways_ of Virtue are _Ways of Pleasantness, and

all their Paths are Peace_, Prov. 3. 17.

But what you could not learn from God's Word, by reason of your

_carelesly_, or but _superficially_ considering the same, I hope the Course

of his _Providence_, and the present _Afflictions_ that he hath laid upon

you, hath now convinced you of the same: For however in your seeming

Prosperity you might make a _Mock at your Sins_ Prov. 3. 17. yet now that

you see that God's Hand hath reached you, and brought you to publick

Justice, I hope your present unhappy Circumstances hath made you seriously

reflect upon your past Actions and Course of Life; and that you are now

sensible of the Greatness of your Sins, and that you find the Burden of

them is intolerable.

And that therefore being thus _labouring, and heavy laden with Sin_, Mat.

11. 28. you will esteem that as the most valuable _Knowledge_, that can

shew you how you can be reconciled to that Supreme God that you have so

highly offended; and that can reveal to you Him who is not only the

powerful _Advocate with the Father for you_, 1 John 2. 1. but also who hath

paid that Debt that is due for your Sins by his own Death upon the Cross

for you; and thereby made full Satisfaction for the Justice of God. And

this is to be found no where but in God's Word, which discovers to us that

_Lamb of God which takes away the Sins of the World_, John 1. 29. which is

_Christ_ the Son of God: For this know, and be assured, _that there is none

other Name under Heaven given among Men, whereby we must be saved_, Acts 4.

12. but only by the Name of the Lord _Jesus_.

But then consider how he invites all Sinners to come unto him, and, _that

he will give them rest_, Matt. 11. 28. for he assures us, _that he came to

seek and to save that which was lost_, Luke 19. 10, Mat. 18. 11. and hath

promised, _that he that cometh unto him, he will in no wise cast out_, John

6. 37.

So that if now you will sincerely turn to him, tho' late, even at the

_eleventh Hour_, Mat. 20. 6, 9. he will receive you.

But surely I need not tell you, that the _Terms_ of his _Mercy_ is _Faith_

and _Repentance_.

And do not mistake the _Nature_ of Repentance to be only a bare Sorrow for

your Sins, arising from the Consideration of the _Evil_ and _Punishment_

they have now brought upon you; but your Sorrow must arise from the

Consideration of your having offended a gracious and merciful God.

But I shall not pretend to give you any particular Directions as to the

Nature of Repentance: I consider that I speak to a Person, whose Offences

have proceeded not so much from his not _knowing_, as his _slighting_ and

_neglecting_ his _Duty_: Neither is it proper for me to give Advice out of

the Way of my own Profession.

You may have that better delivered to you by those who have made Divinity

their particular Study; and who, by their Knowledge, as well as their

Office, as being the _Ambassadors of Christ_, 2 Cor. 5. 20. are best

qualified to give you Instructions therein.

I only heartily wish, that what, in Compassion to your Soul, I have now

said to you upon this sad and solemn Occasion, by exhorting you in general

to _Faith_ and _Repentance_, may have that due Effect upon you, that

thereby you may become a true _Penitent_.

And therefore having now discharged my Duty to you as a _Christian_, by

giving you the best Counsel I can, with respect to the Salvation of your

Soul, I must now do my Office as a _Judge_.

The _Sentence_ that the Law hath appointed to pass upon you for your

Offences, and which this Court doth therefore award, is,

* * *

_That you, the said_ Stede Bonnet, _shall go from hence to the Place from

whence you came, and from thence to the Place of Execution, where you shall

be hanged by the Neck till you are dead_.

_And the God of infinite Mercy be merciful to your Soul_.

CHAP. V. OF Capt. _Edward England_, And his CREW.

E_Dward England_ went Mate of a Sloop that sail'd out of _Jamaica_,

and was taken by Captain _Winter_, a Pyrate, just before their Settlement

at _Providence_; from whence _England_ had the Command of a Sloop in the

same laudable Employment: It is surprizing that Men of good Understanding

should engage in a Course of Life, that so much debases humane Nature, and

sets them upon a Level with the wild Beasts of the Forest, who live and

prey upon their weaker Fellow Creatures: A Crime so enormous! That it

includes almost all others, as Murder, Rapine, Theft, Ingratitude, _&c._

and tho' they make these Vices familiar to them by their daily Practice,

yet these Men are so inconsistent with themselves, that a Reflection made

upon their Honour, their Justice, or their Courage, is look'd upon as an

Offence that ought to be punished with the Life of him that commits it:

_England_ was one of these Men, who seem'd to have such a Share of Reason,

as should have taught him better Things. He had a great deal of good

Nature, and did not want for Courage; he was not avaritious, and always

averse to the ill Usage Prisoners received: He would have been contented

with moderate Plunder, and less mischievous Pranks, could his Companions

have been brought to the same Temper, but he was generally over-rul'd, and

as he was engaged in that abominable Society, he was obliged to be a

Partner in all their vile Actions.

Captain _England_ sail'd to the Coast of _Africa_, after the Island of

_Providence_ was settled by the _English_ Government, and the Pyrates

surrendered to his Majesty's Proclamation; and took several Ships and

Vessels, particularly the _Cadogan_ Snow belonging to _Bristol_, at

_Sierraleone_, one _Skinner_ Master, who was inhumanly murthered by some of

the Crew, that had lately been his own Men, and served in the said Vessel.

It seems some Quarrel had happened between them, so that _Skinner_ thought

fit to remove these Fellows on Board of a Man of War, and at the same Time

refused them their Wages; not long after they found Means to desert that

Service, and shipping themselves aboard a Sloop in the _West-Indies_, was

taken by a Pyrate, and brought to _Providence_, and sailed upon the same

Account along with Captain _England_.

Assoon as _Skinner_ had struck to the Pyrate, he was ordered to come on

Board in his Boat, which he did, and the Person that he first cast his Eye

upon, proved to be his old Boatswain, who star'd him in the Face like his

evil Genius, and accosted him in this Manner.-- _Ah, Captain_ Skinner! _Is

it you? The only Man I wished to see; I am much in your Debt, and now I

shall pay you all in your own Coin_.

The poor Man trembled every Joint, when he found into what Company he had

fallen, and dreaded the Event, as he had Reason enough so to do; for the

Boatswain immediately called to his Consorts, laid hold of the Captain, and

made him fast to the Windless, and there pelted him with Glass Bottles,

which cut him in a sad Manner; after which they whipp'd him about the Deck,

till they were weary, being deaf to all his Prayers and Intreaties, and at

last, because he had been a good Master to his Men, they said, he should

have an easy Death, and so shot him thro' the Head. They took some few

Things out of the Snow, but gave the Vessel and all her Cargo to _Howel

Davis_ the Mate; and the rest of the Crew, as will be hereafter mentioned

in the Chapter of Captain _Davis_.

Captain _England_ took a Ship called the _Pearl_, Captain _Tyzard_

Commander, for which he exchanged his own Sloop, fitted her up for the

pyratical Account, and new christen'd her, the _Royal James_, with which he

took several Ships and Vessels of different Nations at the _Azores_ and

_Cape de Verd Islands_.

In the Spring, 1719, the Rovers returned to _Africa_, and beginning at the

River _Gambia_, sailed all down the Coast; and between that and _Cape

Corso_, took the following Ships and Vessels.

The _Eagle_ Pink, Captain _Rickets_ Commander belonging to _Cork_, taken

the 25th of _March_, having 6 Guns and 17 Men on Board, seven of which

turned Pyrates.

The _Charlotte_, Captain _Oldson_, of _London_, taken _May_ the 26th,

having 8 Guns and 18 Men on Board, 13 of which turned Pyrates.

The _Sarah_, Captain _Stunt_, of _London_, taken the 27th of _May_, having

4 Guns and 18 Men on Board, 3 of which turned Pyrates.

The _Bentworth_, Captain _Gardener_, of _Bristol_, taken the 27th of _May_,

having 12 Guns and 30 Men on Board, 12 of which turned Pyrates.

The _Buck_ Sloop, Captain _Sylvester_, of _Gambia_, taken the 27th of

_May_, having 2 Guns and 2 Men on Board, and both turned Pyrates.

The _Carteret_, Captain _Snow_, of _London_, taken the 28th of _May_,

having 4 Guns and 18 Men on Board, 5 of which turned Pyrates.

The _Mercury_, Captain _Maggott_, of _London_, taken the 29th of _May_,

having 4 Guns and 18 Men on Board, 5 of which turned Pyrates.

The _Coward_ Galley, Captain _Creed_, of _London_, taken the 17th of

_June_, having 2 Guns and 13 Men on Board, 4 of which turned Pyrates.

The _Elizabeth_ and _Katherine_, Captain _Bridge_ of _Barbadoes_, taken

_June_ the 27th, having 6 Guns and 14 Men on Board, 4 of which turned

Pyrates.

The _Eagle_ Pink being bound to _Jamaica_, the _Sarah_ to _Virginia_, and

the _Buck_ to _Maryland_, they let them go, but the _Charlotte_, the

_Bentworth_, the _Carteret_, and the _Coward_ Galley, they burnt; and the

_Mercury_, and the _Elizabeth_ and _Katherine_ were fitted up for Pyrate

Ships, the former was new nam'd _Queen Ann_'s _Revenge_, and commanded by

one _Lane_, and the other was call'd the _Flying King_, of which _Robert

Sample_ was appointed Captain. These two left _England_ upon the Coast,

sail'd to the _West-Indies_, where they took some Prizes, clean'd, and

sail'd to _Brasil_ in _November_; they took several _Portuguese_ Ships

there, and did a great deal of Mischief, but in the height of their

Undertakings, a _Portuguese_ Man of War, which was an excellent Sailor,

came a very unwelcome Guest to them, and gave them Chace; the Queen _Ann's

Revenge_ got off, but was lost a little while after upon that Coast; and

the _Flying King_, giving herself over for lost, ran ashore: There were

then 70 Men on Board, 12 of which were kill'd, and the rest taken

Prisoners, of whom the _Portuguese_ hang'd 38, of which 32 were _English_,

three _Dutch_, two _French_, and one of their own Nation.

_England_, in going down the Coast, took the _Peterborough_ Galley of

_Bristol_, Captain _Owen_; and the _Victory_, Captain _Ridout_; the former

they detained, but plundered the latter, and let her go. In _Cape Corso_

Road, they saw two Sail at Anchor, but before they could reach them, they

slipp'd their Cables and got close under _Cape Corso Castle_, these were

the _Whydah_, Captain _Prince_, and the _John_, Captain _Rider_: The

Pyrates upon this made a fire Ship of a Vessel they had lately taken, and

attempted to burn them, as tho' they had been a common Enemy, which if

effected, they could not have been one Farthing the better for it; but the

Castle firing warmly upon them, they withdrew, and sail'd down to _Whydah_

Road, where they found another Pyrate, one Captain _la Bouche_, who getting

thither before _England_ arrived, had forestall'd the Market, and greatly

disappointed their Brethren.

Captain _England_, after this Baulk, went into a Harbour, clean'd his own

Ship, and fitted up the _Peterborough_, which he call'd the _Victory_; they

liv'd there very wantonly for several Weeks, making free with the Negroe

Women, and committing such outragious Acts, that they came to an open

Rupture with the Natives, several of whom they kill'd, and one of their

Towns they set on Fire.

When the Pyrates came out to Sea, they put it to a Vote what Voyage to

take, and the Majority carrying it for the _East-Indies_, they shap'd their

Course accordingly, and arrived at _Madagascar_, the Beginning of the Year

1720. They staid not long there, but after taking in Water and Provisions,

sail'd for the Coast of _Malabar_, which is a fine fruitful Country in the

_East-Indies_, in the Empire of the _Mogul_, but immediately subject to its

own Princes: It reaches from the Coast of _Canara_ to _Cape Camorin_, which

is between 7° 30, and 12° North Lattitude, and in about 75° East Longitude,

counting from the Meridian of _London_. The old Natives are Pagans, but

there are a great Number of _Mahometans_ inhabiting among them, who are

Merchants, and generally rich. On the same Coast, but in a Province to the

Northward lies _Goa, Surat, Bombay_, where the _English, Dutch_, and

_Portuguese_ have Settlements.

Hither our Pyrates came, having made a Tour of half the Globe, as the

Psalmist says of the Devils, _Going about like roaring Lions, seeking whom

they might devour_. They took several Country Ships, that is, _Indian_

Vessels, and one European, a _Dutch_ Ship, which they exchanged for one of

their own, and then came back to _Madagascar_.

They sent several of their Hands on Shore with Tents, Powder, and Shot, to

kill Hogs, Venison, and such other fresh Provision as the Island afforded,

and a Whim came into their Heads to seek out for the Remains of _Avery_'s

Crew, whom they knew to be settled somewhere in the Island.--Accordingly

some of them travell'd several Days Journey, without hearing any

Intelligence of them, and so were forc'd to return with the Loss of their

Labour, for these Men were settled on the other Side of the Island, as has

been taken Notice of under the Chapter of _Avery_.

They stay'd not long here, after they had clean'd their Ships, but sailing

to _Juanna_; they met two _English_, and one _Ostend India_ Men, coming out

of that Harbour, one of which, after a desperate Resistance, they took; the

Particulars of which Action is at length related in the following Letter,

wrote by the Captain from _Bombay_.

A LETTER from Captain _Mackra_, dated at _Bombay, Nov._ 16, 1720.

W_E arrived the_ 25_th of_ July _last, in Company of the_ Greenwich,

_at_ Juanna, (_an Island not far from_ Madagascar) _putting in there to

refresh our Men, we found fourteen Pyrates that came in their Canoes from

the_ Mayotta, _where the Pyrate Ship to which they belong'd_, viz. _the_

Indian Queen, _two hundred and fifty Tons, twenty eight Guns, and ninety

Men, commanded by Capt._ Oliver de la Bouche, _bound from the_ Guinea

_Coast to the_ East-Indies, _had been bulged and lost. They said they left

the Captain and_ 40 _of their Men building a new Vessel to proceed on their

wicked Design. Capt._ Kirby _and I concluding it might be of great Service

to the_ East-India _Company to destroy such a Nest of Rogues, were ready to

sail for that Purpose the_ 17_th of_ August, _about Eight o'Clock in the

Morning, when we discovered two Pyrate Ships standing into the Bay of_

Juanna, _one of thirty four, and the other of thirty Guns. I immediately

went on Board the_ Greenwich, _where they seem'd very diligent in

Preparations for an Engagement, and I left Capt._ Kirby _with mutual

Promises of standing by each other. I then unmoor'd, got under Sail, and

brought two Boats a-head to row me close to the_ Greenwich; _but he being

open to a Valley and a Breeze, made the best of his Way from me; which an_

Ostender _in our Company, of_ 22 _Guns, seeing, did the same, though the

Captain had promised heartily to engage with us, and I believe would have

been as good as his Word, if Capt._ Kirby _had kept his. About half an Hour

after Twelve, I called several times to the_ Greenwich _to bear down to our

Assistance, and fir'd Shot at him, but to no Purpose. For tho' we did not

doubt but he would join us, because when he got about a League from us, he

brought his Ship to, and look'd on, yet both he and the_ Ostender _basely

deserted us, and left us engaged with barbarous and inhuman Enemies, with

their black and bloody Flags hanging over us, without the least Appearance

of escaping being cut to Pieces. But God, in his good Providence,

determin'd otherwise; for notwithstanding their Superiority, we engaged 'em

both about three Hours, during which, the biggest received some Shot

betwixt Wind and Water, which made her keep off a little to stop her Leaks.

The other endeavoured all she could to board us, by rowing with her Oars,

being within half a Ship's Length of us above an Hour; but by good Fortune

we shot all her Oars to Pieces, which prevented them, and by consequence

saved our Lives_.

_About Four o'Clock, most of the Officers and Men posted on the

Quarter-Deck being killed and wounded, the largest Ship making up to us

with all Diligence, being still within a Cable's Length of us, often giving

us a Broadside, and no hopes of Capt._ Kirby_'s coming to our Assistance,

we endeavoured to run ashoar; and tho' we drew four Foot Water more than

the Pyrate, it pleased God that he stuck fast on a higher Ground than we

happily fell in with; so was disappointed a second time from boarding us.

Here we had a more violent Engagement than before. All my Officers, and

most of my Men, behaved with unexpected Courage; and as we had a

considerable Advantage by having a Broadside to his Bow, we did him great

Damage, so that had Capt._ Kirby _come in then, I believe we should have

taken both, for we had one of them sure; but the other Pyrate_ (_who was

still firing at us_) _seeing the_ Greenwich _did not offer to assist us, he

supplied his Consort with three Boats full of fresh Men. About Five in the

Evening the_ Greenwich _stood clear away to Sea, leaving us struggling hard

for Life in the very Jaws of Death; which the other Pyrate, that was

afloat, seeing, got a-warp out, and was hauling under our Stern; by which

time many of my Men being killed and wounded, and no Hopes left us from

being all murdered by enraged barbarous Conquerors, I order'd all that

could, to get into the Long-Boat under the Cover of the Smoak of our Guns;

so that with what some did in Boats, and others by swimming, most of us

that were able got ashoar by Seven o' Clock. When the Pyrates came aboard,

they cut three of our wounded Men to Pieces. I, with a few of my People,

made what haste I could to the_ King's-Town, _twenty five Miles from us,

where I arrived next Day, almost dead with Fatigue and Loss of Blood,

having been sorely wounded in the Head by a Musket Ball_.

_At this Town I heard that the Pyrates had offered ten thousand Dollars to

the Country People to bring me in, which many of them would have accepted,

only they knew the King and all his chief People were in my Interest. Mean

time, I caused a Report to be spread, that I was dead of my Wounds, which

much abated their Fury. About ten Days after, being pretty well recovered,

and hoping the Malice of our Enemies was nigh over, I began to consider the

dismal Condition we were reduced to, being in a Place where we had no Hopes

of getting a Passage home, all of us in a manner naked, not having had Time

to get another Shirt, or a Pair of Shoes_.

_Having obtained Leave to go on Board the Pyrates, and a Promise of Safety,

several of the Chief of them knew me, and some of them had sailed with me,

which I found of great Advantage; because, notwithstanding their Promise,

some of them would have cut me, and all that would not enter with them, to

Pieces, had it not been for the chief Captain_, Edward England, _and some

others I knew. They talked of burning one of their Ships, which we had so

entirely disabled, as to be no farther useful to them, and to fit the_

Cassandra _in her room; but in the End I managed my Tack so well, that they

made me a Present of the said shattered Ship, which was_ Dutch _built,

called the_ Fancy, _about three hundred Tons, and also a hundred and twenty

nine Bales of the Company's Cloth, tho' they would not give me a Rag of my

Cloathes_.

_They sailed the_ 3_d of_ September; _and with Jury-Masts, and such old

Sails as they left me, I made shift to do the like on the_ 8_th, together

with forty three of my Ship's Crew, including two Passengers and twelve

Soldiers, having but five Tons of Water aboard; and after a Passage of

forty eight Days, I arrived here_ October 26, _almost naked and starv'd,

having been reduced to a Pint of Water a Day, and almost in despair of ever

seeing Land, by Reason of the Calms we met with between the Coast of_

Arabia _and_ Malabar.--_We had in all thirteen Men killed and twenty four

wounded; and we were told, that we had destroyed about ninety or a hundred

of the Pyrates. When they left us, they were about three hundred Whites and

eighty Blacks in both Ships. I am persuaded, had our Consort the_ Greenwich

_done his Duty, we had destroyed both of them, and got two hundred thousand

Pounds for our Owners and selves; whereas to his deserting us, the Loss of

the_ Cassandra _may justly be imputed. I have delivered all the Bales that

were given me into the Company's Warehouse, for which the Governor and

Council have ordered me a Reward. Our Governor, Mr._ Boon, _who is extreme

kind and civil to me, has ordered me home with this Pacquet; but Captain_

Harvey, _who had a prior Promise, being come in with the Fleet, goes in my

room. The Governor hath promis'd me a Country Voyage, to help make me up my

Losses, and would have me stay to go home with him next Year_.

* * *

Captain _Mackra_ certainly run a great Hazard, in going aboard the Pyrate,

and began quickly to repent his Credulity; for though they had promised,

that no Injury should be done to his Person, he found their Words were not

to be trusted; and it may be supposed, that nothing but the desperate

Circumstances Captain _Mackra_ imagined himself to be in, could have

prevailed upon him to fling himself and Company into their Hands, perhaps

not knowing how firmly the Natives of that Island were attach'd to the

_English_ Nation; for about 20 Years ago, Captain _Cornwall_, Commadore of

an _English_ Squadron, assisted them against another Island called

_Mohilla_, for which they have ever since communicated all the grateful

Offices in their Power, insomuch that it became a Proverb, _That an_

Englishman, _and a_ Juanna _Man were all one_.

_England_ was inclined to favour Captain _Mackra_; but he was so free to

let him know, that his Interest was declining amongst them; and that the

Pyrates were so provoked at the Resistance he made against them, that he

was afraid he should hardly be able to protect him; he therefore advised

him to sooth up and manage the Temper of Captain _Taylor_, a Fellow of a

most barbarous Nature, who was become a great Favourite amongst them for no

other Reason than because he was a greater Brute than the rest. _Mackra_

did what he could to soften this Beast, and ply'd him with warm Punch;

notwithstanding which, they were in a Tumult whether they should make an

End of him, or no, when an Accident happen'd which turn'd to the Favour of

the poor Captain; a Fellow with a terrible pair of Whiskers, and a wooden

Leg, being stuck round with Pistols, like the Man in the Almanack with

Darts, comes swearing and vapouring upon the Quarter-Deck, and asks, in a

damning Manner, which was Captain _Mackra_: The Captain expected no less

than that this Fellow would be his Executioner;--but when he came near him,

he took him by the Hand, swearing, _Damn him he was glad to see him; and

shew me the Man_, says he, _that offers to hurt Captain_ Mackra, _for I'll

stand by him_; and so with many Oaths told him, _he was an honest Fellow,

and that he had formerly sail'd with him_.

This put an End to the Dispute, and Captain _Taylor_ was so mellow'd with

the Punch, that he consented that the old Pyrate Ship, and so many Bales of

Cloth should be given to Captain _Mackra_, and so he fell asleep. _England_

advised Captain _Mackra_ to get off with all Expedition, least when the

Beast should awake, he might repent his Generosity: Which Advice was

followed by the Captain.

Captain _England_ having sided so much to Captain _Mackra_'s Interest, was

a Means of making him many Enemies among the Crew; they thinking such good

Usage inconsistent with their Polity, because it looked like procuring

Favour at the Aggravation of their Crimes; therefore upon Imagination or

Report, that Captain _Mackra_ was fitting out against them, with the

Company's Force, he was soon _abdicated_ or pulled out of his Government,

and marooned with three more on the Island of _Mauritius_: An Island

indeed, not to be complained of, had they accumulated any Wealth by their

Villanies that would have afforded some future comfortable Prospect, for it

abounds with Fish, Deer, Hogs and other Flesh. Sir _Thomas Herbert_, says,

the Shores with Coral and Ambergrease; but I believe the _Dutch_ had not

deserted it, had there been much of these Commodities to have been found.

It was in 1722, resettled by the _French_, who have a Fort at another

neighbouring Island, called _Don Mascarine_, and are touched at for Water,

Wood, and Refreshments, by _French_ Ships bound to, or for _India_; as St.

_Helena_ and _Cape Bon Esperance_, are by us and the _Dutch_. From this

Place, Captain _England_ and his Companions having made a little Boat of

Staves and old Pieces of Deal left there, went over to _Madagascar_, where

they subsist at present on the Charity of some of their Brethren, who had

made better Provision for themselves, than they had done.

The Pyrates detained some Officers and Men belonging to Captain _Mackra_,

and having repaired the Damages received in their Rigging, they sailed for

_India_. The Day before they made Land, saw two Ships to the Eastward, who

at first Sight, they took to be _English_, and ordered one of the

Prisoners, who had been an Officer with Captain _Mackra_, to tell them the

private Signals between the Company's Ships, the Captain swearing he would

cut him in pound Pieces, if he did not do it immediately; but unable, was

forced to bear their Scurility, till they came up with them, and found they

were two _Moor_ Ships from _Muscat_, with Horses; they brought the Captain

of them, and Merchants, on Board, torturing them, and rifling the Ships, in

order to discover Riches, as believing they came from _Mocha_; but being

baulked in their Expectation, and next Morning seeing Land, and at the same

Time a Fleet in Shore plying to Windward, they were puzzled how to dispose

of them; to let them go, was to discover and ruin the Voyage, and it was

cruel to sink the Men and Horses with the Ships, (as many of them were

inclined to,) therefore, as a Medium, they brought them to an Anchor, threw

all their Sails over-board, and cut one of the Ships Masts half through.

While they lay at an Anchor, and were all the next Day employed in taking

out Water, one of the aforementioned Fleet bore towards them with _English_

Colours, answered with a red Ensign from the Pyrates, but did not speak

with one another. At Night they left the _Muscatt_ Ships, weighed with the

Sea Wind, and stood to the Northward after this Fleet: About four next

Morning, just as they were getting under sail, with the Land Wind, the

Pyrates came amongst them, made no stop, but fired their great and small

Guns very briskly, till they got through; and as Day-Light cleared, were in

a great Consternation in their Minds, having all along taken them for

_Angria_'s Fleet; what to do was the Point, whether run or pursue? They

were sensible of their Inferiority of Strength, having no more than 300 Men

in both Ships, and 40 of them Negroes; besides, the _Victory_ had then four

Pumps at Work, and must inevitably been lost before, had it not been for

some Hand-Pumps, and several pair of Standards brought out of the

_Cassandra_, to relieve and strengthen her; but observing the Indifferency

of the Fleet, chose rather to chase than run; and thought the best Way to

save themselves, was to play at Bullbeggar with the Enemy: So they came up

with the Sea Wind, about Gun-Shot to Leeward, the great Ships of the Fleet

a-head, and some others a-stern; which latter they took for Fire-Vessels:

And these a-head gaining from them by cutting away their Boats, they could

do nothing more than continue their Course all Night, which they did, and

found them next Morning out of Sight, excepting a Ketch and some few

Gallivats, (_small sort of Vessels something like the Feluccas of the_

Mediterranean, _and hoists, like them, triangular Sails_.) They bore down,

which the Ketch perceiving, transported her People on Board a Gallivat, and

set fire to her; the other proved too nimble and made off. The same Day

they chased another Gallivat and took her, being come from _Gogo_, bound

for _Callicut_ with Cotton. Of these Men they enquired concerning the

Fleet, supposing they must have been in it; and altho' they protested they

had not seen a Ship or Boat since they left _Gogo_, and pleaded very

earnestly for Favour; yet they threw all their Cargo over-board, and

squezed their Joints in a Vice, to extort Confession: But they entirely

ignorant of who or what this Fleet should be, were obliged not only to

sustain this Torment, but next Day a fresh easterly Wind having split the

Gallivats Sails, they put her Company into the Boat, with nothing but a

Trysail, no Provisions, and only four Gallons of Water, (half of it Salt,)

and then out of Sight of Land, to shift for themselves.

For the better elucidating of this Story, it may be convenient to inform

the Reader, who _Angria_ is, and what the Fleet were, that had so scurvily

behaved themselves.

_Angria_ is a famous _Indian_ Pyrate, of considerable Strength and

Territories, that gives continual Disturbance to the _European_ (and

especially the _English_) Trade: His chief Hold is _Callaba_, not many

Leagues from _Bombay_, and has one Island in Sight of that Port, whereby he

gains frequent Opportunities of annoying the Company. It would not be so

insuperable a Difficulty to suppress him, if the Shallowness of the Water

did not prevent Ships of War coming nigh: And a better Art he has, of

bribing the _Mogul_'s Ministers for Protection, when he finds an Enemy too

powerful.

In the Year 1720, the _Bombay_ Fleet consisting of four _Grabbs, (Ships

built in_ India _by the Company, and have three Masts, a Prow like a

Row-Galley, instead of a Boltsprit, about_ 150 _Tons; are officered and

armed like a Man of War, for Defence and Protection of the Trade,)_ the

_London, Chandois_, and two other Ships with Gallivats, who besides their

proper Compliments, carried down 1000 Men to bombard and batter _Gayra_, a

Fort belonging to _Angria_, on the _Malabar_ Coast, which they having

performed ineffectually, were returning to _Bombay_, and, to make amends,

fell in with the Pyrates, to the Purpose has been already related. Captain

_Upton_, Commadore of that Fleet, prudently objecting to Mr. _Brown_, (who

went General,) That the Ships were not to be hazarded, since they sailed

without their Governor _Boon_'s Orders to engage; and besides, that they

did not come out with such a Design. This favourable Opportunity of

destroying the Pyrates, angered the Governor, and he transferred the

Command of the Fleet to Captain _Mackra_, who had Orders immediately to

pursue and engage, where ever he met them.

The Vice-Roy of _Goa_, assisted by the _English_ Company's Fleet from

_Bombay_, did attempt the Reduction of _Callaba_, his principal Place,

landed 8 or 10000 Men the next Year, the _English_ Squadron of Men of War

being then in those Seas; but having viewed the Fortification well, and

expended some of their Army by Sickness and the Fatigues of a Camp,

carefully withdrew again.