This man was born in Wales, of very poor parents, who bred him up to the
plough and the following of sheep, the only things he had any notion of
till he went to sea. He was never esteemed among the pirates as a man of
good natural parts, perhaps on account of his ignorance of letters; for
as he had no education, he knew as little of the sailing a ship, set
aside the business of a foremast man, as he did of history, in which,
and natural philosophy, he was equally versed. He was of a morose, sour,
unsociable temper, very choleric, and easily resented as an affront,
what a brave and a more knowing man would not think worth notice; but he
was not cruel, neither did he turn pirate from a wicked or avaricious
inclination, but by necessity; and we may say, though he was no forced
man, he could not well avoid the life he fell into.
When he was grown a lusty lad he would see the world, and go seek his
fortune, as the term is among the country youths, who think fit to
withdraw themselves from the subjection of their parents. With this whim
in his head, he got to Chester, where he was received, and sailed on
board a coaster, till he had made himself acquainted with the rigging,
learned to knot, splice, and do the other parts of a common sailor’s
duty; then coming to London, he shipped himself on board the Mary
Indiaman, bound for Bengal and Madras, which voyage he performed
outward, and it was not his fault that he did not come home in the same
ship; for, in her return, falling short of water, they steered for the
island of Madagascar, and fell in with the east side, in lat. 20 deg. or
thereabouts. The captain manned and sent ashore the long-boat to seek
for water, but a large surf running, she came to an anchor, at some
little distance from shore, and David Williams, with another, being good
swimmers, stripped and swam off in search of water. While they were
ashore, the wind, which blew full upon the island, and freshening,
caused the surf to run too high for them to get off; and the long-boat,
after waiting some time, seeing no possibility of getting these men on
board, weighed and stood for the ship, which filled her sails and stood
for St. Augustin’s Bay, where she watered, and proceeded on her voyage.
Thus our poor Welchman and his companion were left destitute on an
island altogether unknown to them, without clothes or subsistence but
what the fruits of the trees offered. They rambled some little time
along the coast, and were met by the natives, and by them carried up
into the country, where they were humanely treated, and provided with
all the necessaries of life, though this was not sufficient to expel his
consort’s melancholy, who took his being left behind so much to heart,
that he sickened and died in a very little time.
Some time after, the prince of the country, who entertained Williams,
had a quarrel with a neighbouring king, which broke into a war. Williams
took the field with his patron, but the enemy being superior in number,
got the victory, and took a great many prisoners, among whom was the
unfortunate Welchman. The king whose prisoner he was, treated him very
kindly; and being master of an old musket, gave it him, saying _such
arms were better in the hands of a white man than those of any of his
subjects, who were not so much used to them; that he should be his
friend and companion, and should fare as well as himself if he would
assist him in his wars_.
It will not be amiss here to take notice, that this island, on the east
side is divided into a great number of principalities or kingdoms, which
are almost in continual war one with another; the grounds of which are
very trivial, for they will pick a quarrel with a neighbour, especially
if he has a number of cattle, (in which, and slaves, consist their
riches) on the slightest occasion, that they may have an opportunity of
plunder; and when a battle or two is lost, the conquered makes his
peace, by delivering up such a certain number of bullocks and slaves as
shall be demanded by the victorious prince. On the west side the island,
the principalities are mostly reduced under one prince, who resides near
Methelage, and who is, as we have said in the lives of other pirates, a
great friend to white men; for his father, who founded his empire by the
assistance of the Europeans, left it in charge with his son, to assist
them with what necessaries they should require, and do them all friendly
offices; but if he disobeyed this command, and should ever fall out with
the white men, or spill any of their blood, he threatened to come again,
turn him out of his kingdom, and give it to his younger brother. These
menaces had a very great effect on him, for he firmly believed his
father would, on his disobedience, put them in execution; for there is
not on earth, a race of men equally superstitious.
But to return to Williams, he lived with this prince in great
tranquility, and was very much esteemed by him, (for necessity taught
him complaisance.) After some time, his new patron was informed that his
vanquished enemy had formed a grand alliance, in order to make war upon
him; wherefore, he resolved to begin, and march into the countries of
the allies, and ravage the nearest before they could join forces. He
raised an army, and accordingly marched southward. At the news of his
approach, the inhabitants abandoned all the small towns, and sending
messengers to their friends, raised a considerable body to oppose him,
suffering him to over-run a great deal of ground without molestation. At
length being reinforced, they took their opportunity, and setting upon
him when his men were fatigued, and his army encumbered with booty, they
gained a signal victory. The king had the good luck to get off, but
Williams was a second time taken prisoner.
He was carried before the conqueror, who, (having been an eye witness of
his bravery, for Williams killed a number of his enemies with his shot,
and behaved very well, defending himself with the butt end of his musket
for some time, when he was surrounded) reached him his hand, and told
him, he made war with his enemies only, that he did not esteem the white
men much, but should be glad of their friendship. Here Williams was used
with more respect than he had been even by his last patron, and lived
with this prince some years; but a war breaking out, he was routed in a
set battle, in which Williams was his companion. In the pursuit, the
poor Welchman, finding he could not get off, clapped his musket at the
foot of a tree, and climbing up, he capitulated. He was now terribly
afraid of being cut to pieces, for he had shot and wounded a great
number of the enemy. They, however, promised him good quarter, and kept
their word.
The king of Maratan, who took him, used him as well as any of the former
had done, and carried him always with him to the wars, in which fortune
was more propitious, for the parties Williams commanded had constantly
the better of their enemies, and never returned without great booties of
cattle and slaves, for all the prisoners they take are so, until
redeemed; though these prisoners are, for the most part, women and
children, they seldom giving quarter to any other. The fame of his
bravery and success, spread itself round the country; and his name alone
was so terrible, that the giving out he was at the head of any party,
was giving the enemy an overthrow without a battle.
This reaching the ears of Dempaino, a mighty prince who lived 200 miles
from him, and who had several petty princes tributaries, he sent an
ambassador to demand the white man; but his patron, who had no mind to
part with him, denied that he had any white man with him; that he who
was called so was a native of the country. For the reader’s better
understanding this passage, I must inform him, that there is a race of
what they call white men, who have been settled on Madagascar, time out
of mind, and are descended from the Arabs; but mixing with the negroes,
have propagated a race of mulattoes, who differ in nothing from the
manner of living of the black natives.
To proceed, the ambassador desired to see this man, and Williams coming
to him, being extremely tanned, he had passed for what he was reported,
had he been before apprized of what had been said, to have answered
accordingly, for he spoke the language perfectly; or had the ambassador
not examined him; who, after he had some time viewed him, asked him of
what country he was, and whether it was true that he was one of
Madagascar? Williams answered, he was an Englishman, and was left in the
country, relating the particulars, as I have already set them down,
adding, he had been five years in the island.
The ambassador then told the king, that he must send the white man with
him, for such were the orders of his master, the great Dempaino, who was
lord over most of the kings on the side of the country where he resided;
and that it would be dangerous for him to disobey the commands of so
great a monarch.
The king answered, those who were subject to Dempaino ought to obey his
commands; but for him, he knew no man greater than himself, therefore
should receive laws from none; and with this answer dismissed the
ambassador; who, at his return, reported to his master the very words,
adding, they were delivered in a very haughty strain. Dempaino, who was
not used to have his commands disputed, ordered one of his generals to
march with 6000 men, and demand the white man, and in case of refusal,
to denounce war; that he should send him back an express of it, and he
would follow in person with an army to enforce a compliance.
These orders were put in execution with the greatest despatch and
secrecy; so that the town was invested, before any advice was given of
the approach of an enemy. The general told the king, it was in his
choice to have peace or war with his master, since it depended on the
delivery of the white man. The king, thus surprised, was obliged,
however contrary to his inclinations, to give Williams up to the
general, who returned with him to Dempaino, without committing any
hostilities; though he threatened to besiege the town, and put all but
the women and children to the sword, if the king of Maratan did not pay
the expense of sending for the white man, which he rated at 100 slaves,
and 500 head of cattle. The king objected to this as a hard condition,
and an unjust imposition, but was obliged to acquiesce in it.
He was received by Dempaino with a great many caresses, was handsomely
clothed according to the country manner, had slaves allotted to wait on
him, and every thing that was necessary and convenient; so that king
Dempaino was at the trouble of sending 6000 men, one would think, for no
other end than to show the great value and esteem he had for the
Europeans. He continued with this prince till the arrival of a ship,
which was some years after his leaving Maratan, when the Bedford galley,
a pirate, commanded by Achen Jones, a Welchman, came on the coast, on
board of which ship Williams was permitted to enter. They went to
Augustin, where, laying the ship on shore, they broke her back by
carelessness, and lost her. The crew lived here till the arrival of the
Pelican, another pirate, mentioned in North’s life; some of them went on
board this ship, and steered for the East-Indies. Williams shifted out
of this on board the Mocha frigate, a pirate, commanded by Capt.
Culliford, and made a voyage; then, returning to St. Mary’s they shared
the booty they had got in the Red Sea.
Some of the crew, being West-Indians, having an opportunity, returned
home; but Williams remained here till the arrival and taking of Captain
Fourgette, which has been already mentioned. He was one of those who
took the Speaker, went a voyage in her, and returned to Maratan. Here
the king seeing him, asked him, what present he intended to make him for
former kindness? Williams answered, he had been overpaid by the prince
whom he took him from, and by his services; which answer so irritated
his Maratanian Majesty, that he ordered him to quit his country; and he
could hardly alter that see him with patience.
From hence he went on board the Prosperous, Capt. Howard, commander, who
went to St. Mary’s, and thence to the main, as is said in that pirate’s
life, and was one of the men left behind when they had a design to carry
off Ort Van Tyle. This Dutchman kept him to hard labour, as planting
potatoes, &c. in revenge for the destruction and havoc made in his
plantations by the crew of the Prosperous. He was here in the condition
of a slave six months, at the expiration of which time, he had an
opportunity to run away, leaving his consort, Thomas Collins, behind
him, who had his arm broke when he was taken by the Dutchman.
Having made his escape from a rigid, revengeful master, he got to a
black prince, named Rebaiharang, with whom he lived half a year. He from
hence went and kept company with one John Pro, another Dutchman, who had
a small settlement on shore, till the arrival of the men of war,
commanded by Commodore Richards, who took both Pro and his guest
Williams, put them in irons on board the Severn, till they came to
Johanna, where the captain of the Severn undertook for $2000 to go
against the Mohilians, in which expedition several of the man of war’s
crew were killed, and the two pirates made their escape in a small canoe
to Mohila, where they sheltered themselves awhile in the woods, out of
which they got provisions, and made over for Johanna. Here they
recruited themselves and went away for Mayotta. The king of this island
built them a boat, and giving them provisions and what necessaries they
required, they made for and arrived at Madagascar, where, at Methelage,
in lat. 16 deg. 40 m. or thereabouts, they joined Captain White.
Here they lay about three months; then setting fire to their boat, they
went into White’s, and rounding the north end, came to Ambonavoula. Here
Williams remained till Capt. White bought the ship Hopewell, on board of
which he entered before the mast, and made a voyage to the Red Sea,
towards the end of which he was chosen quarter-master. At their return
they touched at Mascarenhas for provisions, where almost half the
company went ashore and took up their habitations.
From Mascarenhas they steered for Hopewell (by some called Hopeful)
Point, on Madagascar, where, dividing their plunder, they settled
themselves.
Twelve months after, the Charles brigantine Capt. Halsey, came in, as is
mentioned in his life. Williams went on board him and made a voyage. At
their return they came to Maratan, lived ashore, and assisted the king
in his war against his brother, which being ended in the destruction of
the latter, and a pirate lying at Ambonavoula, sending his long-boat to
Manangcaro, within ten leagues of Maratan, Williams and the rest went on
board, and in three months after he had been at Ambonavoula, he was
chosen captain of the Scotch ship, mentioned in Halsey’s life. This ship
he worked upon with great earnestness, and made the Scotch prisoners
labour hard at the fitting her up for a voyage; and she was nearly ready
for sea, when a hurricane forced her ashore, and she was wrecked.
Some time after this he set up and finished a sloop, in which he and ten
of his men designed for Mascarenhas; but missing the island, they went
round Madagascar, to Methelage, where he laid his vessel ashore and
tarried a year; but the king being tired with his morose temper, and he
disagreeing with every body, was ordered to be gone, and accordingly
fitting up his vessel, he put to sea, intending to go round the north
end of the island; but the wind being at E. S. E. and the current
setting to N. W. he put back to a port called the Boyn, within ten
leagues of Methelage, in the same king’s dominions whom he had left. The
governor of this place was descended from the Arabs, and it was here
that the Arabians traded.
When he came to an anchor, he and three of his men (he had but five with
him) went on shore, paddled by two negroes. David Eaton and William
Dawson, two of the men, required a guide, to show them the way to the
king’s town; the governor ordered them one, and at the same time laid an
ambush for them in the road, and caused them to be murdered. When they
had left the Boyn, Williams and Meyeurs, a Frenchman, who also came
ashore in the canoe, went to buy some samsams, which are agate beads. As
they were looking over these goods, a number of the governor’s men came
about them, seized them both, and immediately despatched Meyeurs.
Williams they bound, and tortured almost a whole day, by throwing hot
ashes on his head and in his face, and putting little boys to beat him
with sticks. He offered the governor 2000 dollars for his life, but he
answered, he would have that and the money too; and accordingly, when he
was near expiring, they made an end of him with their lances.
After this barbarous murder, the governor thought of seizing the sloop,
on board of which were no more than two white men, six negro boys, and
some women slaves of the same colour. However, he thought it best to
proceed by stratagem, and therefore putting a goat and some calabashes
of toke on board Williams’ canoe, with twelve negroes armed, and the
sloop negroes to paddle, he sent to surprise her. When the canoe came
pretty near the vessel, they hailed, and asked if they would let them
come on board? One of the men asked Williams’ negroes where the captain
was? He answered, drinking toke with the governor, and sent them
provision and toke. A negro wench advised the white man, whose name was
William Noakes, not to let them come on board, for as four white men
went ashore, and none of them appeared, she suspected some treachery.
However, on the answer made him from the canoe, he resolved to admit
them, and called them on board. No sooner were they come on deck, than
one of them, snatching Noakes’ pistol, shot him through the head, and
seizing the other white man, threw him overboard and drowned him; after
which, being masters of the vessel, they carried her in and rifled her.
The king was at this time hunting, as is his custom to hunt boars three
months in the year; but an account of these murders soon reached him.
However, he continued the accustomed time of his diversion; but when he
returned home, and the whites who were about him demanded justice, he
bade them be quiet, they might depend upon his doing it. He sent to the
governor of Boyn, and told him, he was glad that he had cut off Williams
and his crew, an example he was resolved to follow, and clear the
country of them all; that he had some affairs to communicate to him, and
desired he would come to court as soon as possible, but take care he was
not seen by any of the whites, for fear they should revenge the death of
their companions.
The governor, on these orders, came away immediately, and stopped at a
little town, two miles distant from the king’s, and sent word he there
waited his commands.
The king ordered him to be with him early next morning, before the white
men were out of their beds. He set forward accordingly the next day
betimes, but was seized on the road by negroes placed for that purpose,
and brought bound to the king, who, after having reproached him with the
barbarity of the action he had been guilty of, sent him to the white
men, bidding them put him to what death they pleased; but they sent word
back, he might dispose of the lives of his subjects as he thought fit,
but for their part, they would never draw a drop of blood of any who
belonged to him. Upon which answer the king’s uncle ordered him to be
speared, and he was accordingly thrust through the body with lances. The
king, after this execution, sent to Boyn, and had every thing brought
which had belonged to Williams and his men, and divided it among the
whites, saying, _he was sorry the villain had but one life, to make
atonement for the barbarity he had been guilty of_.