Captain North was born at Bermuda, and was the son of a sawyer, which
business he himself was bred up to, but took at last to the seas, at the
age of 17 or 18, shipping himself cook on board a sloop, built at
Bermuda, for some gentlemen of Barbadoes, with design to fit her out for
a privateer. She was bound to her owners, but the master took Santa Udas
in the way, and loaded with salt. When they came to Barbadoes, all the
crew was pressed, and North with his companions were put on board the
Reserve.
The master applied himself to the governor, and got all his men cleared,
North excepted, who, as he was a lad, was neglected, and left on board
the man of war, which soon after sailed for Jamaica. Some time before
the Reserve was relieved from this station, he laid hold of an
opportunity to run away, and shipped himself on board a sugar drover, in
which way of life he continued about two years, and being an able
sailor, though no artist, he was offered to go master of one of these
coasters, which he refused, and went on board a privateer.
The first cruise he made, they took a couple of good prizes, which made
every man’s share very considerable; but North, as he got his money
lightly, so he spent it, making the companions of his dangers the
companions of his diversions, or rather joining himself with them, and
following their example; which all (who are acquainted with the way of
life of a successful Jamaica privateer) know is not an example of the
greatest sobriety and economy. His money being all spent, he took the
same method for a recruit, that is, he went a second time privateering,
and met with such success, that he engaged very heartily in this course
of life, and made several lucky cruises. Some time after, he grew tired,
thought of trading, and shipped himself on board a brigantine, bound for
the Spanish coast, commanded by one Capt. Reesby. This vessel went both
on the trading and privateering account, so that the men shipped for
half wages, and equal shares of what prizes they should make, in the
same manner as to the shares, as on board a privateer. Their trading
answered very poorly, and their privateering business still worse, for
they returned without making any prize. They were forced to leave the
Spanish coast on account of a Spanish guarda-la-costa, of 40 guns and
350 Frenchmen, commanded by a captain of the same nation. When they made
the island of Jamaica, they fell in with Bluefields, off which place two
French privateer sloops were cruising, one of which was formerly a
privateer of Jamaica, called the Paradox. They immediately clapped
Captain Reesby on board, taking him for a trader from the Spanish coast,
and weakly manned. However, they were soon sensible of the mistake, for
Reesby took one of them, and the other was obliged to a good pair of
heels for his safety. Reesby lost 10 men killed outright in the
engagement, and had 7 wounded. The latter, though he had made but a
broken voyage, he put ashore at Bluefields, and ordered great care to be
taken of them, at the owners’ expense. Here he took in fresh provision,
and then beat up to Port Royal, where Reesby paid his men very
honourably, gave them a handsome entertainment, and begged they would
not leave him, as he had a very great value for them all; but for North
particularly, who was a good swimmer, managed a canoe with great
dexterity, and feared nothing.
Upon this desire of the captain’s, North and the greater part tarried
ashore till Capt. Reesby was refitted, and went a second voyage with him
to the coast, at seventeen dollars a month, and no share. They carried
300 negroes, besides bale goods, and disposed of all the slaves and
goods to great advantage. Upon their return to Jamaica, after some stay
on the island, Capt. Reesby not going out again, North went once more a
privateering, and made considerable booty. While North was ashore after
a cruise, he was pressed on board the Mary man of war, made a cruise in
her to the Spanish coast, and returned to Jamaica; but hearing the Mary
was soon to go to England, he, and three more, resolved to swim ashore
from the keys, where the men of war lay, but he was taken as he was
going off the head, and whipped. He, however, found means to make his
escape, before the ship left the island, and went on board the Neptune
sloop, a privateer, commanded by Capt. Lycence, then lieutenant of the
Reserve, who, while the ship was in the carpenter’s hands, got a
commission of the governor to take a cruise. Capt. Moses, who commanded
the Reserve, went on board their sloop, under the command of his
lieutenant, for diversion only. They cruised off Hispaniola, where they
met with a French letter-of-marque, of 18 guns, and 118 men, who had the
day before engaged the Swan man of war, and shook her off. The Neptune
attacked her, and Capt. Moses was one of the first wounded, and carried
down. Lycence ordered to board, but the quarter-master, who steered,
mistook the helm, the sloop fell off, and the French pouring in a volley
of small shot, Capt. Lycence was killed, which being told to Moses, as
the surgeon dressed him, he ordered North to the helm, bid them not to
be discouraged, and he would be upon deck immediately. Accordingly, he
came up as soon as dressed, laid the ship on board, where they made a
very obstinate resistance; but the French captain being killed, who
received eleven shot before he dropped, they, at length, became masters.
The privateer lost 10 men, and 20 were wounded. The French had 50 killed
and wounded, among whom was the captain, who had received two shot, as
he was going down to the surgeon to get his blood stanched, and came
upon deck just as he was boarded, where, encouraging his men, he was
distinguished and aimed at. When they had brought the prize into
Jamaica, as she was an English bottom, built at Bristol, and called the
Crown, the former owners sued to have half the ship and cargo, and
recovered one third.
Capt. Moses’ ship not being fitted, he would take a second cruise in a
privateer, and North went with him. Some time after their return, Capt.
Moses being cruising in the Reserve, North, who was ashore, was pressed
on board the Assistance man of war; and on the Reserve’s coming in,
being recommended by Capt. Moses to his own captain, he was handsomely
treated, and made one of the barge’s crew. He was very easy till the
Assistance was ordered to England, and then, as he was apprehensive of
going into a cold climate, he took his leave and said nothing. He then
went on board a privateer again, and made several prizes, two of which
were English bottoms, and sued for by former owners. North thinking it
hard to venture his life, and have part of his prize money taken away,
and the press being hot in Jamaica, he resolved to sail no more with the
English; but went to Curacoa into the Dutch service, and sailed with a
Spanish trader to the coast of New Spain several voyages. In the last he
made, they were chased ashore by a couple of French sloops, one of which
was commanded by a Dutchman, named Lawrence, who, with his comrade, took
possession of their vessel and rifled her. The crew of the prize called
to them, and asked if they would give them good quarters? which they
promised; took them all on board, and used them very handsomely.
The French gave the prisoners a small sloop they took a while after, and
they returned to Curacoa.
He having now forgot his resentment, returned to Jamaica, and went on
board and cruised in a Spanish barcalonga, of 10 guns, commanded by
Capt. Lovering, born at Jamaica. They cruised three months in the
West-Indies, and making but a small hand of it, they steered for
Newfoundland, to try their fortune on the banks. Here they met a man of
war, who renewed their commission for six months longer. The first prize
they made was a French ketch, with a Spanish pass, and would have passed
for a Spaniard, but by strict search, and threatening the men, they
discovered her to be what she really was, though she had, as a Spaniard,
slipped through the fingers of a man of war before.
They carried their prize into harbour, went again upon a cruise, met
with a French letter-of-marque, a Bristol built ship, called the
Pelican, of 18 guns, and 75 men, half laden with fish. This ship stood
them a long argument; they clapped her on board, and two of their men
entered, but missing lashing, the barcalonga fell astern, and the two
men were made prisoners. However, they came up with her again, clapped
her on board a second time, and carried her into the same port where
they had left the ketch.
They after this put to sea again, and being discovered by the French
settlement ashore, they went into St. Mary’s Bay, where they fell in
with a large French fly-boat, of 800 tons, 80 men, and 18 guns, laden
with fish. They chased and came up with her, under French colours. When
they were pretty near, the Frenchman hailed, and asked whence they came?
A Guernsey-man, at the bowsprit end, answered, _from Petit Guave_, that
they had been cruising on the Banks, and were going into the bay for
refreshment. The Frenchman bade them come no nearer, but send their boat
on board. They keeping on the chase, he fired at them. They did not mind
this, but run up along side and boarded him. The French ran to their
close quarters, and disputed the ship three quarters of an hour, when
they all called for quarters except one man, who would take none, but
ran like a madman into the midst of the English, and wounded several,
though he was soon despatched by their pistols. They carried this prize
to join the others, and turning all the prisoners ashore, except what
were necessary to condemn their prizes, they stood, with a fleet of four
sail, for Rhode-Island.
Here they condemned the fly-boat and ketch, but found great difficulty
in getting the Pelican condemned, the English owners putting in their
claim; but, at length, a Scotch lawyer did their business, upon leaving
£300 in his hands to bear the charge of any future suit. Capt. Lovering
dying here, the ship’s company bought the Pelican, broke up the
barcalonga, sent her owners their shares, and got a commission for the
master to cruise southward as far as the line, and to be valid for 18
months certain, two years allowing for accidents.
They fitted this ship for a long voyage, out of the joint stock of the
company; but iron hoops being scarce in New-England, they were obliged
to take casks hooped with wood, which I mention, because it proved the
ruin of their voyage to the East-Indies for a whole year.
Being fitted for sea, they set sail and steered for the Cape of Good
Hope, which they doubled in the month of June, made the best of their
way to Madagascar, and went into Augustin Bay, where they victualled and
watered; but before this was done it was August, which was too late to
go to the East-Indies; which they proposed to do with design to cruise
on the Moors, not intending to pirate among the Europeans, but honestly
and quietly to rob what Moors fell in their way, and return home with
clean consciences, and clean, but full hands, within the limited time of
their commission.
From Augustin they went to Johanna, and the provision they had salted at
Madagascar not being well done, it began to spoil. This, and their
clothes wanting repair, made them desperately resolve to take the king
of Johanna and make him ransom himself; but the master would not take
charge of the ship, being unacquainted with the coast. They cruised
among the islands, landed at Comaro, and took the town, but found no
booty, excepting some silver chains, and checked linen. From hence they
went to Mayotta, where they took in a Frenchman who had been marooned
there, and maintained by the king. They consulted with him about
surprising and taking the town; but he was averse to it, as he owed him
the obligation of being preserved. However, he was in their hands, and
must do as they would have him. They surrounded the king’s house after
they had been three days in his town, and took him and all the
inhabitants; but the king’s son made his way through the thickest of
them with his cutlass, though he was shot afterwards. The pretence they
made use of for this unjustifiable violence, was, that the king had
poisoned the crew of a ship, which was their consort. He denied it, as
well he might, for they themselves never heard of a ship of the name
they gave this fictitious one. The king they carried on board, the other
prisoners they put into a sort of temple, with a guard over them of 36
men.
The alarm being given in the country, the natives came down in a body,
of some thousands, and attacked the guard; but the ship hearing the
fire, and seeing the hills covered with blacks, discharged several great
guns, loaded with partridge, which made a very great slaughter, and
obliged them to retire.
The king ransomed himself for some silver chains to the value of a
thousand dollars, and for what provision they demanded; and at setting
him ashore, swore allegiance to them as masters of the country, and took
an oath besides, never to poison any more white men.
After this notable expedition, they stayed here a fortnight, though
always on their guard, and then went back for Augustin with about twenty
slaves, which they carried away with them for servants. Here a sickness
coming among them, they built huts ashore. They lost, notwithstanding
all their care and precaution, their captain and thirty men, by the
distemper which they contracted; but it abating, they thought of going
to sea again, but on examining their water casks, they found the hoops
all worm eaten and rotten, so that there was no proceeding; but this
defect was repaired by their cooper, who was an ingenious fellow. He
went into the woods with the Mayotta slaves, and with withes and other
stuff he gathered, fitted them up, and made them tight; in
acknowledgment of which service they chose him captain, and North was
made quarter-master.
At Augustin they picked up some stragglers, among whom was David
Williams, and on a muster, they found they had 105 men. They then made
their vessel a free ship; that is, they agreed every man should have an
equal share in all prizes; and proceeded for the mouth of the Red Sea.
In the night, after they had reached their station, they made two ships;
one was the Mocha frigate, of 40 guns, commanded by Culliford: she had
been an East-Indiaman, under the command of one Capt. Stout; the other
ship was called the Soldada, of 16 guns, the captain’s name Shivers;
they hailed one another, and on both sides gave the same answers, _from
the seas_, and upon agreement, they all lay by that night. In the
morning they consorted, and agreed to make an equal division of all
prizes, which any of the three should take from that time for two months
to come.
The Pelican spared wood, water, and some of her hands to Capt.
Culliford, and here Williams shifted on board him. About ten days after
these three had joined company, a large Moor’s ship, on which they
afterwards mounted 70 guns, hove in sight.
They all gave chase, but the small ship came first up with the Moor, who
exchanged several shot with the Soldada and Pelican; but the Soldada
clapped her on board, and before the Pelican could enter a man, the
Moors called for quarters. In boarding the Moor, she fired a broadside
upon the Soldada, but only two shot hulled her, and killed two men,
which was the only loss they had in taking a thousand prisoners,
passengers and sailors.
All the money was carried on board the Mocha frigate, and divided
between her crew and the Soldada, excluding without other reason than
_sic volumus_, the Pelican from any share. The crew of the Pelican
expostulated with them, and bid them remember they had spared both wood
and water, or the Mocha could not have kept the station. Instead of any
answer, they received a command to be gone, or they would sink them.
They answered, they could not go by themselves, wanting the water and
wood they had spared. The two consorts gave them a thousand dollars, and
some water out of the Moor, telling them to buy wood, where they could
purchase it, and so left the Pelican to herself, going away for the
coast of Malabar, where they put the prisoners and horses they had taken
ashore, sunk the Soldada, and thence went to the Isle of St. Mary’s on
Madagascar. They shared out of this prize a thousand pounds a man in
silver and gold, besides other goods; and the two pirates amounted to
the number of 350 men.
The Pelican kept the same station for some days, when a large Moor ship
hove in sight. They gave chase, and the Moor not suspecting her for an
enemy, did not endeavour to get away. When the Pelican came up, she
fired for the Moor to bring to, which made him set his small sails,
though with the loss of several men; for the Pelican being close up,
brought them down with small arms. When the Moor had, at length, hove
out his small sails, the Pelican could not gain upon him enough to
board, though she was not a pistol shot astern. Whenever she came upon
his lee quarter, the Moor being a tall ship, took away the wind from the
Pelican, and she could never get to windward of him. She plied her fore
chase all this while, and drove the Moor’s from their stern chase, but
could not, as they endeavoured to do, strike the Moor’s rudder, or any
other way disable him. At length by the fear and bad steerage of the
Moor, the Pelican run up alongside of them, but as she missed lashing,
she was obliged to shoot ahead. In the mean while the Moor wore round,
the Pelican put in stays after him, but not staying, and being all in
confusion, wore also; but in this time the Moor had got the start, and
setting all the canvass he could pack on his ship’s back, wronged the
Pelican and got off.
The loss of this ship made the crew almost distracted, and caused for
some time, a great division among them; some cursing the ship for a
heavy sailer, and proposing to return home; others cursing themselves,
and the ill-management by which they missed lashing, and proposed going
to Madagascar, and breaking her up, since as she was a single bottom,
she must be worm eaten; but time, which mollifies the greatest rage,
abated these contentions, and put an end to the animosities which sprung
from their disappointment.
They now resolved for the Malabar coast, on which they took three Moor
ships in a little time. The first they discharged, after taking out 6000
dollars; the second they took for their own use, mounted her with 26
guns, and called her the Dolphin: the third they sold on the same coast
for 18,000 dollars. Their own ship they set adrift. From this coast they
made for Madagascar, and near the island of Mascarenhas lost all their
masts in a hurricane. They put up jury masts, came to St. Mary’s and new
masted. Here they found Captain Culliford, Capt. Shivers, and their
prize, with three merchantmen from America, which had come to trade with
them, one of which was the Pembroke, commanded by Samuel Burgess, and
belonging to Frederick Phillips, merchant, at New-York. The captain of
the Dolphin, and some of the men being weary of this life, went home in
these merchants ships, and the crew chose one Samuel Inless, who lived
on the island, for their captain. They fitted out for the Straits of
Malacca, where they made several prizes of Moor ships, but of little
value to them. North, on board one of the prizes, was separated from the
rest by bad weather, and drove to great distress for water. The Moor
merchant, who was on board with him, and whom he had treated very
humanely, showed him a draught, by which he came to a small island not
far from the Dutch settlement, and watered. The Moor told him, that he
ran the risk of his life should it be known that he had given him a
sight of this draught. In return for this service, when he met with his
companions, he got the Moor’s ship discharged. After this they steered
for Nicobar, near Achen, and, in the way, met a large Danish ship, which
they plundered, and hove down by, cleaned, and returned to Madagascar,
where they shared their booty, which was, besides goods, between 3 and
£400 a man. A month after their arrival, Commodore Littleton’s squadron
appeared in sight, which occasioned their hauling up the Dolphin; and,
as they could not get her so high as they designed, they set fire to
her.
Commodore Littleton brought a pardon for such of the pirates as would
accept it, and many of them did, among whom were Culliford and Shivers,
who went home with merchantmen. North accepted it also, but would not
trust to it, finding the time fixed for their surrender had elapsed
before the men of war arrived.
Most of the pirates having left the island of St. Mary’s, where the
king’s ship lay, North thought it not safe for him to stay, and
therefore putting all he had into the Dolphin’s boat, he designed to
join his comrades on the main of Madagascar; but being overset by a
squall, all the people were lost except himself, who swam ashore, and a
negro woman whom he put on the bottom of the boat.
Being now on the main, and quite naked, he frightened the negroes he met
with, as he got out of the water, for they took him for a sea-devil; but
one women, who had been used to sell fowls at the white men’s houses,
had the courage not to run away, and, when he came near, knew him. She
gave him some of her own clothing, and calling a negro man who carried
her things, and had run into the woods, they helped him to perform his
journey to the dwelling of some white men, which was sixteen miles from
the place where he came on shore. Being quite exhausted, he was kindly
received and clothed by his comrades, whom he remained with till he had
recovered his strength, and then went to a black prince of his
acquaintance, with whom he tarried till the arrival of Capt. Fourgette,
which was full a year.
In this vessel, which I have already said in White’s life was taken, he
went round the north end to the west side, and came into Methelage,
where they surprised the Speaker; the manner of which is also mentioned
in the same life; and, after the death of Capt. Booth, was chosen
captain’s quarter-master, by Bowen, who succeeded in the voyage, and the
consequence of it are already set down, for he was in the Speaker till
she was lost.
The next voyage he made was in the Speedy Return (taken from Capt.
Drummond) in the capacity of company’s quarter-master, with design to
cruise in the Red Sea; but touching at the island of Mayotta, they
consorted with Capt. Howard, whom they met with at the island, as is
already said. From thence they went and victualled at Augustin, having
promised Capt. Bowen to meet him in two months; accordingly returning
thither, and missing him, they went to Mayotta to inquire after him; but
hearing that he was gone a voyage, and as the place of rendezvous was
off the highlands of St. John’s, they steered their course thither, to
join him, and lie for the Moor fleet for Mocha.
In their passage they met with a violent storm, in which they were near
foundering. It beat in their stern, and obliged them to throw over all
their guns (two excepted, which lay in the hold) and forced them into
the gulf of Persia, where they took several small vessels, which they
ripped up to repair their ship. Being very much in want of water, having
staved all their casks, to save themselves in the storm, and meeting
with little in the vessels taken, they hoisted out the canoe to chase a
fishing vessel, that they might be informed where they should find
water. This boat made from them with all their force, but the ship
firing, the people all leaped into the water, some of whom were drowned,
and the rest got ashore, except one man, whom they came up with; but as
soon as they thought to lay hold of him, he dived, and kept them in play
near an hour and a half. They would not shoot him, because it did not
answer their ends; but at length North, who was in the boat, took the
sprit, and struck him as he rose, and broke his jaw. They took him by
these means, brought him on board, sent him to the surgeon, and when
they despaired of his being able to speak, he asked for a pipe of
tobacco, which he smoked, and drank a dram; after which he seemed very
hearty. As the pirates had on board several black slaves, who spoke the
East-India tongue, one of them was ordered to inquire of him where they
might find water, promising him his liberty if he would direct them. On
this promise he carried them to a convenient landing place, where he
showed a well, full of dirt, out of which, after a great deal of trouble
to come at it, they drew but three buckets of water, which sufficed
those only who went on shore, to the number of thirty. Enraged with this
disappointment after so much labour, they threatened their prisoner with
death, who told them, if they would have patience till the sun was set,
they would have plenty, for the spring would rise, and flow all night;
which they found to be the fact, and filled twenty tons of water, and
returned on board, carrying the man with them, for whom they made a
gathering of some goods, and about 30 dollars. These they gave him, and
exacted a promise, that whenever he saw any ship on that coast, which
made the same signals they had made, he would go on board and render
them what service he could, assuring him he would always meet with civil
treatment, and be well rewarded.
After this they cruised in the gulf of Persia some days, in hopes of
meeting their consort, not doubting but she had some share in the storm;
but the time of their partnership having at length expired, and she not
appearing, they steered for the highlands of St. John, near Surat, the
place of rendezvous. When they made the land they spied a ship, and
immediately making all clear for an engagement, they gave chase. The
other ship doing the like, they soon met, and to the great joy of both
parties, she proved their consort. Upon inquiry they found the
Prosperous had been ten days on this station, and had not met with the
storm which had so roughly handled the Speedy Return. On giving an
account of their misfortune, viz. their being obliged to throw over
their guns, and a quantity of provisions, Capt. Howard spared them some
fresh provisions, and expressing great concern for the accident, renewed
his consortship for two months longer; that is, they agreed whatever
prizes were taken should be equally divided between the crews of both
ships. After they had cruised here fourteen days, they spied seven sail
of lofty ships, which proved to be the Moors from Mocha. They both gave
chase, but the Speedy Return being the better sailor, first came up with
one of them, laid her on board and carried her in very little time, with
little more damage them the loss of her bowsprit. The Prosperous
continued the chase, and having Capt. Whaley on board as a pilot, took
another at an anchor, as is related in Capt. Howard’s life.
The Speedy Return steered with her prize for the coast of Malabar,
where, by agreement, she was to wait ten days for her consort. In six
days the Prosperous joined them, but without any prize, having rifled
and dismissed her.
Here they made an equal dividend of their prizes, burnt the Speedy
Return, sunk the Prosperous, went all on board the Moor’s ship, put to
sea, and cruised on this coast, where they made several prizes. When
they came over against Cachine, some black merchants, goldsmiths, and
several Dutchmen, came on board to trade with them, bringing a great
many sequins, and other gold coin, to change for Spanish dollars. As
many of the pirates designed to knock off and return home, they gave 500
dollars for 200 sequins, for the conveniency of close stowage about
them. The goldsmiths set up their forges on board the ship, and were
fully employed in making them buttons, buckles, and what else they
fancied, so that they had a fair opportunity of putting in what alloy
they thought proper. They here also furnished themselves with a good
quantity of arrack, provisions and stores, and then leaving the coast,
shaped their course for Madagascar, but, in the way, fell in with the
island of Mauritius, and put into a port called the North West Harbour.
Here they wooded and watered. This port affords great abundance of a
poisonous fish called the Red-Snapper, the nature of which was well
known to Capt. Bowen, who persuaded his men not to eat of them, but they
were in port, and then are all commanders, so that this wholesome advice
was thrown away upon them. The captain seeing their obstinacy, and that
they could not be dissuaded, eat with them, choosing rather to share the
same fate, than be left alone to the mercy of the Dutch, as he was
conscious of what he merited. They supped plentifully on the fish, and
drank very heartily after it. Soon after they began to swell in a
frightful manner. The next morning some planters came on board with
fowls, goats, &c. and seeing the pirates in a miserable condition, and
some of these fish lying on the decks, asked if they had not eaten of
them? Being answered in the affirmative, they advised their drinking
plentifully of strong liquors, which was the only way to expel the
poison, which had dispatched them all in less time, had they not done it
after their unfortunate meal. They readily followed this advice, as the
prescription was agreeable, and by this means, with the care of the
surgeons, of whom they had several expert in their business, and stocked
with good medicines, they all recovered, four excepted, who paid their
obstinacy with their lives.
They here heeled their ship, scrubbed, tallowed, and took in what they
wanted. When they had been three months in this port, the governor sent
and desired them to put to sea, for he expected the arrival of the Dutch
East-Indiamen. They accordingly got every thing ready, and went out, but
left several of their men behind them, as we have related in Bowen’s
life.
From hence they steered to Madagascar, and in their passage stopped at
Don Mascarenhas, where they took in a quantity of hogs, goats, sheep,
fowls of all sorts, and green turtle. Captain Bowen here went ashore
with 40 of his men, having obtained the governor’s protection by the
force of presents. These men designed to give over their piracy, and
return home the first opportunities offered them. In six months after
they landed here, Capt. Bowen was taken ill of the dry belly-ache, a
distemper as common here as in the West-India Islands, died, and was
buried in the highway, for the priests would not allow him holy ground,
as he was a heretic.
But to return. When Bowen went ashore, North was chosen captain. The
ceremony of this installation is as follows:—The crew having made choice
of a person to command, either by an unanimous consent, or by a majority
of suffrages, they carry him a sword in a very solemn manner, make him
some compliments, and desire he will take upon him the command, as he is
the most capable among them; that he will take possession of the great
cabin: and, on his accepting the office, he is led into the cabin in
state, and placed at a table, where only one chair is set at the upper
end, and one at the lower end of the table for the company’s
quarter-master. The captain and he being placed, the latter succinctly
tells him, that the company having experience of his conduct and
courage, do him the honor to elect him for their head, not doubting his
behaving himself with his usual bravery, and doing every thing which may
conduce to the public good; in confidence of which, he, in the name of
the company, promises to obey all his lawful commands, and declares him
captain. Then the quarter-master takes up the sword, which he had before
presented him, and he had returned, puts it into his hand, and says,
_This is the commission under you are to act; may you prove fortunate to
yourself and us_. The guns are then fired round shot and all; he is
saluted with three cheers; and the ceremony ends with an invitation from
the captain to such as he thinks fit to have dine with him, and a large
bowl of punch is ordered to every mess.
Capt. North, leaving this island, steered for Madagascar, and came to
Cape Dolphin at the south end, where he anchored, and took on board some
refreshments, but it blowing hard, he was obliged to put to sea, and
leave his boat with 30 men behind him. He ran along the east side of the
island, and came to Ambonavoula, in lat. 17 deg. 38 m. where they put on
shore some of their goods, and settled themselves among the negroes,
several living in a house. Here they lived as sovereign princes among
the inhabitants.
The Moor prisoners they kept on board, and allowed them sufficient fresh
provisions. North privately told the boatswain of the Moors to take
advantage of the land breeze in the night time, and go off with the
ship, and what goods were left on board, or the pirates would soon haul
her up, take every thing on shore, and they never see their own country
again. Accordingly the boatswain, following this advice, laid hold of
the opportunity of a dark night, and communicating his design to the
other Moors, whom he did not acquaint with this advice, as North charged
him not, till he was on the point of executing his design, they weighed
with great silence and stood to sea.
The next morning some of the pirates proposed to go on board and bring
off some iron and other things to trade with in the country; but they
were strangely surprised when they missed the ship. They alarmed the
rest of their comrades, and went in a body to Capt. North, to tell him
what had happened. He answered, if the Moors were gone off with the
ship, it was their own fault; they ought to have left a sufficient
number of hands on board to have secured her; and there was now no
remedy but patience, for they had no vessel to pursue with, except they
thought the canoe proper.
Some of the pirates thought, as she lay in foul ground, the cable might
be cut by some rock, and the ship blown off to sea by that accident. On
starting this, some of them ran up to an eminence, and from thence spied
the ship as far as they could well see, with all sail set, which was a
cruel and convincing proof that their loss was irreparable.
[Illustration: The Moors going to Sea with the Pirates’ Ship, and
leaving them on an Island. Page 202.]
They endeavoured to make themselves easy, since there was no help; and
transporting their goods to different abodes, at small distances, they
settled themselves, buying cattle and slaves, and lived in a neighbourly
manner, one among another, five years, cleared a great deal of ground,
and planted provisions, such as yams, potatoes, &c. The natives among
whom they fixed, had frequent broils and wars among themselves, but the
pirates interposed, and endeavoured to reconcile all differences, North
deciding their disputes with that impartiality and strict regard to
distributive justice, (for he was allowed, by all, a man of admirable
good natural parts) that he ever sent away, even the party who was cast,
satisfied with the reason, and content with the equity of his decisions.
These inclinations which the pirates showed to peace, and the example
they set of an amicable way of life, (for they carefully avoided all
jars, and agreed to refer all cause of complaint among themselves which
might arise, to a cool hearing before North, and twelve of their
companions,) gave them a great character among the natives, who were
before very much prejudiced against the white men. Nay, in this point of
keeping up a harmony among themselves, they were so exact, that
whosoever spoke but in an angry or peevish tone, was rebuked by all the
company, especially if before any of the country people, though even but
a slave of their own; for they thought, and very justly, that unity and
concord were the only means to warrant their safety; for the people
being ready to make war on one another upon the slightest occasion, they
did not doubt but they would take the advantage of any division which
they might observe among the whites, and cut them off whenever a fair
opportunity offered.
The example they set, and the care they took to accommodate differences
among their neighbours, had calmed all the country round them. After
they had lived here near three years, Capt. North, and some of his
companions, had a mind to visit the country southward, and trade for
more slaves and cattle; to which end, taking a considerable quantity of
powder and arms, beside what they might use, with 50 whites and 300
natives, he set forward on his journey. When they had traveled about 80
miles southward, they came to a nation rich in slaves and cattle, who
inhabited the banks of the largest river on the east side of the island,
called Mangora. With these people he trafficked for a great number of
slaves and cattle, which he purchased for guns and powder. They being at
war when Capt. North came among them, with a neighbouring prince, he was
entreated to give his assistance, for which they, the Mangorians,
promised him 100 slaves with 500 head of cattle, and all the prisoners
they should take. On these conditions he joined them, and marched to a
very large town of the enemy’s, which was naturally very strong, and
esteemed by the natives impregnable, being situated on a high and craggy
rock, which could be ascended by the way only leading to the gate, where
was kept a strong guard. The blacks in North’s army were for leaving
this town unattempted, and marching farther into the country, in search
of booty; but North told them it was not safe to leave a garrison of
enemies at their backs, which would continually infest them by falling
on their rear, and which would be an obstacle to their carrying off what
plunder they might get together; beside, it would be an asylum for all
the country, which would fly thither till they had gathered a body
considerable enough to come down and face them in the open field, which
the enemy might do with reasonable hopes of success, as their men would
be all fresh, while those of his party would be fatigued with marches,
perhaps encumbered by plunder, and worn down with the inconveniences of
lying exposed in the fields.
The chief of his allies allowed his reasons good, were an attempt on the
town practicable, which experience told him was not; for, though several
times besieged, it never could be taken, and it would be the loss of a
great deal of time, and many men’s lives to attempt it. North desired he
would leave the management of this siege to him. The chief answered, he
should do as he pleased, but it was against his judgment to attack a
town which nature herself had fortified, which God Almighty would never
suffer to be taken, and which had, to no purpose, cost the lives of a
number scarce to be told, of his countrymen, in the several attempts
they had made to be masters of it.
North disposed his army, and invested the rock on every side; then sent
word to the town, if they did not surrender, he would give no quarter to
either sex or age. The inhabitants laughed at his message, and told him,
that they did not believe he had learnt the art of flying, and till he
had, they thought themselves very secure from his putting such menaces
in execution.
Out of the white men, North chose 30, whom he set at the head of three
companies, consisting of 100 blacks each; and as they had some
grenade-shells with them, soon dispersed the guard at the foot of the
rock, and made a lodgement. Though the blacks were acquainted with
fire-arms, the shells were entirely new to them, and as they saw their
terrible effect, threw down their arms, and gained the middle of the
rock, where they had another _corps de garde_, though not without some
loss. Those who were at the bottom of the rock being put to flight,
North sent 10 whites and 500 blacks to take that post, and orders to the
other whites to mount the rock, and having beat that guard, if possible,
to enter the town with them. They accordingly ascended in this order, as
the road was so narrow, only three could pass abreast; and as the enemy,
when within cast of a dart, threw down a shower upon them, three unarmed
blacks with their shields marched before three small shot men, and
sheltered them from the enemy’s weapons. These were followed by others,
with the same precaution, the white men being mixed with those who thus
went up, that is to say, one white musketeer to two blacks.
The enemy seemed resolute to defend the pass, but when they had, to no
purpose, spent a number of darts, and had lost some men by the shot,
they swiftly took to the top of the rock, where, joined with fresh men
from the town, they made a stand and show of resistance. North’s men
followed, and pouring in a volley, put them into confusion, which gave
the assailants an opportunity to come near enough to throw in their
shells, half a dozen of which bursting with considerable damage, and the
slaughter of several men, they thought to shelter themselves in the
town, but the inhabitants, fearing the enemy’s entering with them, shut
the gates against both, so that the blacks of North’s army,
notwithstanding all the whites could do to the contrary, made a great
slaughter; however, they saved some, whom they sent prisoners to the
camp, desiring at the same time, a supply of powder to make a petard.
In the mean while the enemy from the town threw a prodigious quantity of
darts, which the besiegers received upon their shields, at least, the
greater part.
The town was again summoned, but they refused to surrender; wherefore
they were obliged to shelter themselves as well as they could, and
expect the powder from the camp; though in the mean while the small shot
from without being warmly plied, the throwing of darts from the town
became less frequent, for no one could show his head but with the
greatest danger.
When the powder came, they cut down and hollowed a tree, which they
filled with powder, and plugged up very tight, and under the protection
of their shields and muskets, got into the gate, under which they dug a
hole large enough to receive it, then setting fire to the fuse, it burst
with a terrible crack, tore their gate to atoms, and left an open
passage, which the besiegers, who had been joined with 500 more blacks,
who came up with the powder entered, and began a very great slaughter.
The whites protected all they could who submitted, but notwithstanding
their diligence, the town was strewed with dead and dying men. At
length, what with being tired, and what with persuasion, the slaughter
ceased, the town was reduced to ashes, and the conquerors returned to
camp with 3000 prisoners, whom his allies led to their own quarters,
where culling out the old women, children, and useless slaves, they sent
them to North, as if by these they thought themselves released from the
promise made to induce his assistance.
When North saw the dishonesty of these people, he sent for their prince,
and told him, “According to agreement all the slaves belonged to him;
nay, according to justice, he alone had a right to them, since he
despaired of taking the town, so far as to dissuade his besieging it;
and that he not only owed to him their success, but even the safety of
his army, and all the plunder they should make in the prosecution of the
war, for reasons already given, and by himself allowed to be good. That
he thought he had allied himself to a people of integrity, but he was
sorry to say, he found himself quite mistaken in his opinion, since they
were so far from making good their treaty, that they sent him out of the
slaves taken, instead of all, those only whom they knew not what to do
with; that they must not imagine him so blind as not to perceive how
disingenuously he was dealt with; or that he wanted either strength or
resolution to resent the usage.”
He then asked what was become of a number of young and handsome women he
had seen among the captives? The prince answered, “that those he
inquired after, were his and his countrymen’s relations, and as such,
they could not consent to, nor could he require, their being made
slaves.”
This answer made, the chief left him. As it was delivered in a pretty
haughty tone, it did not a little nettle both North and his comrades.
The latter were for immediately doing themselves justice; but the former
begged they would have patience, and rely on him. They followed his
advice, and he sent an interpreter, who inquired privately among the
women what relation they bore to the people of the river? The prisoners
answered, that some of their forefathers had intermarried with that
nation.
I must here take notice, that notwithstanding the inhabitants of
Madagascar have but one language, which is common to the whole island,
the difference of the dialect, in different nations, makes it very
difficult for any but the natives, or those who have been a great many
years (more than North and his companions had been) among them, to
understand them perfectly, which is the reason he made use of an
interpreter, as well between him and the chief, as between the slaves
and him.
When he had received this answer from the prisoners, he went to the
prince, and told him, “It was very odd he should make war on his
relations; however, he should keep them, since he declared them such,
till he could prove his right better than the prince could his nearness
of blood; that as he had once taken them, he would try if he could not
support the justice of his claim, and told him therefore to be upon his
guard, for he openly declared, he was no longer the ally, but the
professed enemy of faithless people.”
Saying this, he and his blacks separated themselves from the Mangorians,
and North divided them into companies, with his white men at the head of
each, and ordered them to fire ball over the heads of their late allies.
The first volley was a prodigious astonishment to the Mangorians,
several of whom ran away, but North firing two more immediately, and
marching up to them, brought the prince and the head officers of his
army to him, crawling on all fours. They (as the custom of showing the
greatest submission is among them) kissed the feet of the whites and
begged they would continue their friendship and dispose of every thing
as they thought proper.
North told him, “Deceit was the sign of a mean and coward soul; that had
he, the prince, thought too considerable, what, however, was justly his
due, because not only promised to, but taken by him, he ought to have
expostulated with him, North, and told him his sentiments, which might
have, it was possible, made no division, for neither he nor his men were
unreasonable; but as the prince had not the courage publicly to claim
the slaves, he would have basely stolen them by false pretences of
kindred, it was a sign he did not think such claim justifiable, as
certainly it was not, for all his captains could witness their prince
had agreed the prisoners taken should be given to the whites, and his
companions, a sufficient title, to mention no other. That he had
resolved to show them, by a severe chastisement, the abhorrence those of
his colour have to ingratitude and deceit, and what difference there was
in fighting on the ground of justice, and the supporting wrong and
injury; but as they acknowledged their error, he should not only forgive
but forget what was past, provided no new treachery, in his return,
which he resolved upon, refreshed his memory.” He then ordered them to
bring all the slaves, and they punctually complied without reply.
North chose out the finest and ablest among them, and dividing the whole
number of prisoners into two equal bands, he kept that in which he had
placed the chosen slaves, and sent the other to the prince, telling him,
“though neither fraud nor compulsion could wring a slave from him, yet
justice, as some of his troops had shared the danger, and a generous
temper, had sent him that present, which was half the spoil, though he
could not think of going any farther on with the war; that he ought to
content himself with the taking a town hitherto thought impregnable, and
blame his own conduct, if he should continue in the field, and hereafter
find the want of his assistance.”
The prince and his people admired the penetration, bravery, and
generosity of the whites, and sent them word, “he was more obliged to
them for the lesson they had taught him by their practice, than for the
slaves they had presented him, though he esteemed the present as he
ought. That for the future he should have an abhorrence for every mean
action, since he had learned from them the beauty of a candid, open,
sincere procedure. At the same time, he thanked him for the present, and
not suffering his resentment to go farther than the frightening him into
his duty; for he was sensible his balls were not fired over their heads,
but by orders proceeding from the humanity of the whites, who, he
observed, were tender over the lives of their enemies, contrary to the
custom of his countrymen, who give quarter to none, the females and
infants excepted, that there may hereafter be none to take revenge; and
therefore begged he would suffer their submission to get the better of
his design to depart.” This could not prevail. The whites and their
friends, who came with them, turned their faces towards home, taking
their slaves and cattle with them; and though the Mangorians were
sensibly touched at the obstinacy of North’s resolution, yet they parted
very amicably.
As the whites were returning home with their company, they fell in with
another nation, the Timouses, whose prince joined North, with 500 men,
and swore a strict amity with him and his crew.
The ceremony used among the natives, as it is uncommon, so an account of
it may, perhaps, be agreeable. The parties who swear to each other,
interweave their toes and fingers, so that they must necessarily sit
very close to each other. When they have thus knit their hands and feet,
they reciprocally swear to do each other all friendly offices, to be a
friend or enemy to the friend or enemy of the party to whom they swear;
and if they falsify the oath they make, they imprecate several curses on
themselves, as may they fall by the lance, be devoured by the alligator,
or struck dead by the hand of God. Then an assistant scarifies each of
the contracting parties on the chest, and wiping up the blood with a
piece of bread, gives this bloody bread to each of them to eat, that is,
each eats the blood of the other; and this oath, whether it be with
equal parties, or with a prince and his subject, where the one promises
protection and the other obedience, (which was the nature of that taken
between North and this prince) is looked upon inviolable, and they have
few examples of its being broken; but where any has been wicked enough
to violate this solemn oath, they say, they have been ever punished
according to their imprecations.
As this prince had war with powerful neighbours, he left his country,
taking with him all his great men, wives, and relations, with a company
of about 500 fighting men, followed North, and settled by him, where he
remained two years. During this space, being supplied with arms and
powder by Capt. North, he made several inroads into the countries of his
enemies, and made all he conquered swear allegiance to Capt. North.
At the expiration of two years, Captain Halsey came in with a
brigantine, as is related in the life of Capt. White. This crew, having
made a broken voyage, where discontented with their captain, and desired
North to take the command upon him; but he declined it, saying, Halsey
was every way as capable, and that they ought not to depose a man, whom
they could not tax with either want of courage or conduct; and for his
part, he would never take the command from any one who did not justly
merit dismission, which was not Halsey’s case.
The crew were not, however, satisfied, and they made the same offer to
White, but by North’s industry, they were, at last, prevailed on to
continue their old commander; and as North and his companions had
expended their money in settling their plantations, and wanted clothes,
the former, therefore, accepted the quarter-master’s post under Halsey,
and the others went in the capacity of private gentlemen adventurers, I
mean plain foremast men, as may be gathered in the life of that pirate,
to which I refer for an account of the expedition they made in the Red
Sea. Capt. Halsey on board a prize, left North to command the brigantine
they set out in. The two commanders were separated by a storm, but both
made for Madagascar Halsey got to Ambonavoula, but North fell in with
Maratan, where finding the brigantine was very much worm eaten, and made
a great deal of water, with one consent, they took ashore all their
goods, and laid up their vessel.
The pirates continued here a whole year, when being desirous of going to
Ambonavoula, they asked the king’s assistance to build a boat, and he,
for 1000 dollars, set negroes to work, under the directions of Capt.
North, and a vessel of 15 tons was set up and launched with great
dispatch. In this boat they went to a river, called Manangaro, thirty
leagues to the northward of Maratan. Here some of their comrades came to
them in a boat belonging to the Scotch ship Neptune, and helped to
transport their goods to Ambonavoula, where he had before settled, and
had a woman and three children.
He had not been long returned before his neighbouring natives reported,
that the Timouses, who had followed him from the southward, had a design
to rebel against, and murder him and the other whites, which giving too
easy credit to, he made war upon, and drove these poor people out of the
country.
Some time after he built a sloop, and went to Antonguil, where he
purchased 90 slaves, and took in the Scotch supercargo, Mr. George
Cruikeshank, with a design to carry him to Mascarenhas; but all his
comrades were against it, saying, when he got to Europe, he would prove
their destruction. North answered, that nothing could be more cruel,
after they had taken the greater part of what the poor gentleman had,
than to keep him from his country, family, and friends. For his part,
were he his prisoner he should not ask their consent in doing an act of
humanity, and the only one they were able, towards making him some
reparation, since they could not return his goods, which were parcelled
out into so many shares.
On North’s saying thus much, they put the affair in question to vote,
and there being many who were under obligations to North, and whom he
influenced in favour of the supercargo, 48 out of 54 voted for
discharging him. North having gained this point, the pirates asked if he
also designed to take with him one John Barnard, a young Scotchman, a
great favourite of his, who had been midshipman on board the Neptune, a
thorough seaman, and very capable of taking the command in any voyage.
He answered, there was a necessity for taking him, since he should want
his assistance, as he depended on his knowledge. His companions said
Barnard would certainly give him the slip, which would be a loss to them
all, as he was an excellent navigator, and therefore his detention was
necessary to the common good. To this North answered, that his own
security would oblige his taking care that he should not get from him,
since no other on board was capable of finding the way back to
Ambonavoula.
He went to Mascarenhas, where the supercargo and his negro were put on
shore with all the money he had, which amounted to about 1600 dollars;
for when the pirates made prize of the Neptune, in the manner already
stated, they took none of the money they themselves had before paid for
liquors, &c. either from the captain, supercargo, or any other on board;
for that they looked upon a base, as well as dishonest action; but to
the ship and remaining part of the cargo, they had a fair title, viz.
they wanted both.
North would not suffer Barnard to go ashore. However, to make him amends
for his confinement, he gave him four negroes, whom he sold for 300
dollars, and took care that he should live plentifully and well on
board. North’s business at this island, was to get leave to carry his
children there to be educated in the christian faith, which, after some
rich presents made the governor, he obtained, and returned to
Madagascar. In the voyage, as Barnard was very greatly in his favour,
and his confidant, he told him, his design was to leave his children at
Mascarenhas, and place fortunes for them in the hands of some honest
priest, who would give them a christian education (for he thought it
better to have them papists, than not christians) and would then go back
to Maratan, and endeavour, by his penitence, to make atonement for his
former life and never more go off the island on any account; that he
would give his sloop to Barnard, with 200 dollars, that he might find
some means to return home, since he very wisely refused to join with the
pirates.
When he came on the Madagascar coast, he heard a French ship had touched
there, and left some men behind; upon which account North ran to the
southward 100 leagues out of his way, to inquire after and assist these
people.
He found but one man, whom he took home with him, clothed and maintained
him. When he came back to Ambonavoula, he found the country all in an
uproar, and the rest of his companions preparing for a war with the
natives; but his arrival restored their former quiet. After four months
stay at home, he fitted his sloop to go out and purchase slaves at
Antonguil; but finding few there to his mind, for in two months he
bought but 40, he returned to his settlement. He designed now to carry
his children to Mascarenhas, but being dissuaded by Barnard on account
of the season, he went to Methelage on the west side of the island to
trade for samsams. Having purchased a considerable quantity of them, he
went to Johanna, thence to Mayotta, and returned again to Madagascar;
but not being able to get round the north end, on account of the
current, he put for Mayotta again. On the west side of this island he
put into a port, called Sorez, where some time before, came a ship from
England to trade, commanded by one Price, who going ashore with his
doctor was detained (as was also his boat’s crew) till he redeemed
himself and surgeon, with 200 barrels of powder and 1000 small arms; but
was forced to leave his boat’s crew, not having wherewithal to ransom
them, though the demand was only two small arms for each man. These poor
creatures were afterwards sold to the Arabians. In revenge, North and
his crew landed, burnt a large town, and did all the damage they could.
From Mayotta he went again to Madagascar, where a king of his
acquaintance told him the whites and natives were at war at Ambonavoula.
He bought 30 slaves, refreshed his crew, and went home. On the news of
his arrival, the natives sent to conclude a peace, but he would not
listen to them; on the contrary, raised an army, burnt a number of
towns, and took a great many prisoners.
This success brought the natives to sue in a very humble manner for a
cessation of arms, that a general peace might follow. This he agreed to
about four months after his arrival.
His enemies, having now the opportunity, corrupted some of the
neighbouring natives, and in the night surprised and murdered him in his
bed. His comrades, however, being alarmed, took to their arms, drove the
treacherous multitude before them with great slaughter, and to revenge
North’s death, continued the war seven years, in which time they became
masters of all the country round, and drove out all who did not swear
allegiance to them.
North had his will lying by him, which directed Barnard to carry his
children to Mascarenhas, in his sloop, which he left to him. He was at
the charge of fitting her up, and laid out the greater part of the money
North bequeathed him; but the pirates would not suffer him to stir while
the wars lasted, fearing he would not return, having never joined them
in any piracies; and therefore, by one consent, setting fire to the
sloop, they detained him several years.