Part 2

CHAP. V. Of Capt. EDW. ENGLAND, and his CREW.

H_IS Beginning and Character_, 113, 114. _A most barbarous Action of his Crew_, 114, 115. _The Names of Prizes taken by him_, 115, 116. _The Misfortunes of his Confederates_, 116, 117. England'_s Progress half round the Globe_, 117, 118. _A short Description of the Coast of_ Malabar, ib. _What they did at_ Madagascar, 118. _Takes an_ East-India _Man_, ib. _The Particulars of the Action in Captain_ Mackra'_s Letter_, 119 _to_ 122. _Captain_ Mackra _ventures on Board the Pyrate_, 122. _Is in Danger of being murder'd_; 123. _Preserv'd by a pleasant Incident_, ib. _The Pyrates Generosity to him_, ib. _Captain_ England _deposed, and why_, 124. _Maroon'd on the Island_ Mauritius, ib. _Some Account of that Island_, ib. _The Adventures of the Company continued_, 124 _to_ 126. Angria, _an_ Indian _Pyrate_, 127. _his Strength by Land and Sea_, ib. _The_ East-India _Company's Wars with him_, 127, 128. _The Pyrates go to the Island of_ Melinda, 129. _Their barbarous Behaviour there_, ib. _Hear of Captain_ Mackra'_s Designs against them_, ib. _Their Reflections thereupon_, 130. _Sail for_ Cochin, _a_ Dutch _Settlement_, ib. _The Pyrates and the_ Dutch _very good Friends_, 131. _Mutual Presents made betwixt the Pyrates and the Governor_, ib. _The Pyrates in a Fright_, 133. _Almost starv'd_, ib. _Take a Prize of an immense Value_, 134. _Take an_ Ostend East-India _Man_, ib. _A short Description of_ Madagascar, 135, 136. _A prodigious Dividend made by the Pyrates_, 136. _A Fellow's Way of increasing his Diamonds_, ib. _Some of the Pyrates quit, and join the Remains of_ Avery, ib. _The Proceedings of the Men of War in those Parts_, 137, 138. _Some_ Dutch _Men petition to be among the Pyrates_, 138. _The Pyrates divided in their Measures_, 139. _Break up_, ib. _What became of them_, 139, 140.

CHAP. VI. Of Capt. CHARLES VANE, and his CREW.

VANE'_s Behaviour at_ Providence, 141. _The Names of Prizes taken by him_, 141, 142. _Is deserted by his Consort_ Yates, 143. Yates _surrenders at_ Charles-Town, ib. _A Stratagem of_ Vane'_s_, 144. Black-beard _and_ Vane _meet_, 145. _They salute after the Pyrates Manner_, ib. Vane _deposed from his Command, and why_, 146. 15 _Hands degraded, and turned out with him_, ib. _A Sloop given them_, 147. _They sail in Quest of Adventures, and take Prizes_, ib. Vane _cast away upon an uninhabited Island_, ib. _Meets with an old Acquaintance_, 148. Vane _seiz'd with a Qualm of Honour_, ib. _Ships himself on Board a Vessel, passing for another Man_, ib. _Is discover'd, with the Manner how_, 149. _Carried to_ Jamaica, _and hang'd_, ib.

CHAP. VII. Of Capt. RACKAM, and his CREW.

RACKAM'_s beginning as a Pyrate_, 150, 151. _An Account of Prizes taken by him_, 151. _Is attack'd by a_ Spanish _Guard Ship_, ib. _His Stratagem to escape_, 152. _More Prizes taken by him_, 153. _Is taken, and how_, 154. _Tried, condemned, and executed at_ Jamaica, ib. _The Names of his Crew condemn'd with him_, 154. _An extraordinary Case of nine taken with him_, ib. _Some Account of the Proceedings against them_, 154, 155.

The LIFE of MARY READ.

MARY Read_'s Birth_, 157. _Reasons for dressing her in Breeches_, 158. _Waits upon a Lady; goes into the Army_, 159. _Her Behaviour in several Engagements_, ib. _She falls in Love with her Comrade_, ib. _Her Sex discovered; the two Troopers married_, 160. _Settles at_ Breda, ib. _Her Husband dies, she reassumes the Breeches_, ib. _Goes to_ Holland. _To the_ West-Indies, 161. _Turns Pyrate_. Anne Bonny, _another Pyrate, falls in Love with her_, 162. _Her Adventures to_ 165.

The LIFE of ANNE BONNY.

ANNE Bonny _born a Bastard_, 166. _Her Mother's Intrigues strangely discover'd_, 167. _Her Father lies with his own Wife, by mistake_, 169. _She proves with Child; the Husband jealous_, 170. _He separates from his Wife; lives with_ Anne Bonny_'s Mother_, 171. Anne Bonny _put into Breeches for a Disguise, how discovered_, ib. _The Father becomes poor. Goes to_ Carolina, 172. _Improves his Fortune_. Anne Bonny _marries against his Consent. Her fierce Temper_, ib. _Goes to_ Providence _with her Husband_, ib. _Enticed to Sea in Men's Cloaths, by_ Rackam _the Pyrate_, 173. _Reproaches_ Rackam _with Cowardice at his Execution_, ib.

CHAP. VIII. Of Capt. HOWEL DAVIS, and his Crew.

T_HE Original of_ Davis, 174. _Is taken by the Pyrate_ England, ib. England_'s Generosity to him_, 175. _Is cast into Prison at_ Barbadoes, _and why_, ib. _Goes to_ Providence, ib. _Employ'd in a trading Vessel, seizes the Ship_, 176. _An Instance of his great Courage and good Conduct_, 177, 178. _Goes to_ Cape de Verd Islands, ib. _Take several Prizes_, ib. _Take the Fort of St._ Jago _by Storm_, 180. _A Council call'd_, ib. _Sail for_ Gambia, 181. _Takes_ Gambia _Castle by Stratagem_, 181 _to_ 184. _Meets_ La Bouche, _a_ French _Pyrate_, 184. _His Adventures with_ Cocklyn _the Pyrate, at_ Sierraleone, 185. _The Fort attack'd and taken, by three Confederate Pyrates_, 186. _The Pyrates quarrel and part_, ib. _The laconick Speech of_ Davis _to them_, ib. _His fierce Engagement with a large_ Dutch _Ship_, 187. _An Account of several Prizes taken by him_, ib. _A Description of the Island of St._ Thome, Del Principe, _and_ Annobono, _from_ 188 _to_ 204. _The_ Dutch _Governor of_ Acra _taken by_ Davis, 205. Davis _well received by the Governor of_ Princes, ib. _His Stratagem to come at the Wealth of the Island_, 206. _Is counterplotted and kill'd, by an Ambuscade_, 207.

CHAP. IX. Of Capt. BAR. ROBERTS, and his CREW.

H_IS Beginning_, 208. _Elected Captain in the Room of_ Davis, 209. _The Speech of Lord_ Dennis _at the Election_, ib. _Lord_ Sympson _objects against a Papist_, ib. _The Death of_ Davis _reveng'd_, 210. Roberts _sails Southward, in Quest of Adventures_, 211. _The Names of the Prizes taken by them_, ib. Brasil _describ'd, from_ 211 _to_ 221. Roberts _falls into a Fleet of_ Portuguese, 221. _Boards and takes the richest Ship amongst them_, 222. _Make the_ Devil_'s Islands_, 223. _An unfortunate Adventure of_ Roberts, 224. Kennedy_'s Treachery_, 225. Irishmen _excluded by_ Roberts _and his Crew_, 230. _Articles sworn to by them_, ib. _A Copy of them from_, 230 _to_ 233. _Some Account of the Laws and Customs of the Pyrates_, 233, 234. _An Instance of_ Roberts _his Cunning_, 234. _He proceeds again upon Business, and takes Prizes_, 235. _Narrowly escapes being taken_, 236. _Sails for the Island_ Dominico, ib. _Another Escape_, 237. _Sails for_ Newfoundland, ib. _Plunders, sinks and burns_ 22 _Sail in the Harbour of_ Trepassi, ib. _Plunders ten Sail of_ French _Men_, 238. _The mad Behaviour of the Crew_, 238, 239. _A Correspondence hinted at_, 240. _The Pyrates caress'd at the Island of St._ Bartholomew, ib. _In extream Distress_, 241, 242. _Sail for_ Martinico, 243. _A Stratagem of_ Roberts, ib. _The insolent Device in his Colours_, 244. _And odd Compliment paid to_ Roberts, ib. _Three Men desert the Pyrates, and are taken by them_, 245. _Their Tryal_, 245, 246. _Two executed, and one saved_, 247. _The Brigantine deserts them_, 248. _Great Divisions in the Company_, 248, 249. _A Description of_ Sierraleone _River_, 250. _The Names of_ English _settled there, and Way of Life_, 251, 252, 253. _The_ Onslow, _belonging to the_ African _Company taken_, 254. _The Pyrates Contempt of Soldiers_, ib. _They are for entertaining a Chaplain_, ib. _Their Skirmish with the_ Calabar _Negroes_, 256. _The_ King Solomon, _belonging to the_ African _Company, taken_, 258. _The Frolicks of the Pyrates_, ib. _Take eleven Sail in_ Whydah _Road_, 259. _A comical Receipt given by the Pyrates_, 260. _A cruel Action of_ Roberts, 261. _Sails for_ Anna Bona, 262. _The Progress of the_ Swallow _Man of War, in Pursuit of_ Roberts, _from_ 262 _to_ 267. Roberts _his Consort taken_, 267. _The Bravery of_ Skyrme, _a_ Welch _Pyrate_, 268. _The surly Humour of some of the Prisoners_, 268, 269. _The_ Swallow _comes up with_ Roberts, 270. Roberts _his Dress described_, 271. _Is kill'd_, 272. _His Character_, ib. _His Ship taken_, 273. _The Behaviour of the Pyrates, when Prisoners_, 275. _A Conspiracy of theirs discovered_, 276, 277. _Reflections on the Manner of trying them_, 278, 279, 280. _The Form of the Commission for trying the Pyrates_, 281. _The Oath taken by the Commissioners_, 282. _The Names of those arraign'd taken in the Ship_ Ranger, 282, 283, 284. _The Form of the Indictment_, 284, 285. _The Sum of the Evidence against them_, 285, 286. _Their Defence_, 287, 288. _The Names of the Prisoners of the_ Royal Fortune, 288, 289, 290. _Proceedings against them_, 291 _to_ 304. Harry Glasby _acquitted_, 304. _The particular Tryal of Captain_ James Skyrme, 304, 305. _Of_ John Walden, 305 _to_ 308. _Of_ Peter Scudamore, 308 _to_ 311. _Of_ Robert Johnson, 311, 312. _Of_ George Wilson, 312 _to_ 317. _Of_ Benjamin Jeffries, 317, 318. _Of_ John Mansfield, 318, 319. _Of_ William Davis, 319 _to_ 321. _The Names of those executed at_ Cape Corso, 321, 322. _The Petition of some condemn'd_, 323. _The Courts Resolution_, ibid. _The Form of an Indenture of a pardon'd Pyrate_, 324. _The Names of those pardon'd upon Indenture to serve seven Years_, 325. _The Pyrates how disposed of_, 326. _The dying Behaviour of those executed_, 326 _to_ 329.

CHAP. X. Of Capt. ANSTIS, and his CREW.

H_IS Beginning as a Pyrate_, 330. _A most brutish Action supposed to be committed by his Crew_, 331. _Civil Discords amongst them_, 332. _The Pyrates Term of_ Round Robin _explain'd_, ib. _They land on an uninhabited Island_, ib. _A Petition for Pardon agreed on_, ib. _The Form of that Petition_, 333. _Their Diversions, and Manner of living on the Island_, 334, 335. _Their mock Tryal of one another_, 336 _to_ 338. _They put to Sea again_, 338. _Their Petition not answer'd_, ib. _The_ Morning Star _Wreck'd_, ib. Anstis _narrowly escapes being taken_, 339. _A Plot discover'd_, ib. _The Crew gathers Strength again_, 340. _Surprised by the_ Winchelsea _Man of War at_ Tobago, ib. _Fire one of their Ships_, ib. Anstis _escapes_, ib. _Is killed by a Conspiracy of his own Men_, 341. _The Ship surrender'd at_ Curaco, ib. _Several hang'd there_, ib. Fen _hanged at_ Antegoa, ib. _The good Luck of those who fled to the Woods_, ib.

CHAP. XI. Of Capt. WORLEY, and his CREW.

H_IS mad Beginning_, 342. _His Success_, 343, 344. _Bind themselves by Oath to take no Quarters_, 344. _A false Alarm at_ James-Town, 345. Worley _catches a_ Tartar, ib. _The desperate Resolution of the Pyrates_, 346. Worley _hanged_, ib.

CHAP. XII. Of Capt. GEO. LOWTHER, and his CREW.

H_IS Beginning_, 347. _Plots with_ Massey, 349. Massey'_s Conduct_, 350, 351. Lowther'_s Proposal_, 351. _A Copy of Articles drawn up, and sworn to_, 352. _The Pyrates going by the Ears_, 354. _How Rogues are made Friends_, ib. Lowther _and_ Massey _part_, 355. _A Digression concerning_ Massey'_s mad Conduct_, 355 _to_ 357. Lowther _and_ Low _meet_, 358. _An Alliance betwixt them_, ib. _A List of Prizes taken by them_, 359. _An unlucky Adventure at_ Cape Mayo, 359, 360. Lowther _and_ Low _break the Alliance, and part_, 361. _The Bravery of Captain_ Gwatkins, ib. _The Pyrates much reduced_, 362. _Winter in_ North-Carolina, ib. _Put to Sea again_, ib. _Make for the Island of_ Blanco, 363. _The Island described_, ib. _Are surprised and taken_, 364. Lowther _escapes_, ib. _The Names of the Prisoners, and Fate_, ib. Lowther'_s Death_, 365.

CHAP. XIII. Of Capt. LOW and his CREW.

LOW'_s Original_, 366, 367. _The Virtues of his Family, ib. His bold Beginnings_, 368. _Declares War against the whole World_, ib. _His Success_, 369, 370. _Like to perish by a Storm_, 371, 372. _Sail for the Western Island_, 373. _Treats with the Governor of St._ Michael _for Water_, ib. _Several Instances of their wanton Cruelty_, 374. Low'_s Consort taken, and how_, 376. _A horrid Massacre committed by_ Low. 376, 377. _Takes a Multitude of Prizes_, 377. _Another barbarous Massacre_, 379. _More Cruelties_, 379, 380. Low _and his Consort attack'd by the_ Greyhound _Man of War_, 380, 381. Low _deserts his Consort_, 381. _The Consort taken_, ib. _Carried to_ Rhode Island, 382. _The Names, Age, and Places of Birth, of the Prisoners_, 382, 383. _A Compliment paid to Captain_ Solgard, _by the Corporation of_ New-York, 384. _The Resolution of the Mayor and Common-Council_, ib. _The Preamble of the Captain's Freedom_, 385. _More Instances of_ Low'_s Cruelty_, 388, 389. _His Adventures continued to_ 390.

CHAP. XIV. Of Capt. JOHN EVANS and his CREW.

B_EGINS with House-breaking_, 391. _Seizes a Sloop_, 392. _Robs a House the same Night_, ib. _Put to Sea, and take valuable Prizes_, 393. Evans _shot dead by his Boatswain_, 394, _His Death reveng'd_, ib. _The Company breaks up_, 395.

CHAP. XV. Of Capt. JOHN PHILLIPS, and his CREW.

PHILLIPS _his Original_, 396. _How he became a Pyrate_, ib. _His Return to_ England _accounted for_, ib. _Ships again for_ Newfoundland, ib. _Deserts his Ship in_ Peter _Harbour_, 397. _He and four others seize a Vessel_, ib. _Sail out a pyrating_, ib. _Articles sworn to upon a Hatchet_, ib. _A Copy of the Articles_, 397, 398. _Ill Blood amongst them, and why_, 399. _Are almost starved_, ib, _Take Prizes_, ib. Phillips _proposes to clean at_ Tobago, _and why_, ib. _Meets an old Acquaintance_, 400. _Frighten'd from the Island_, ib. _A Conspiracy to run away with the Prize_, ib. _A Skirmish_, ib. _The Carpenter's Dexterity in cutting off Legs_, ib. Fern _kill'd by_ Phillips, _and why_, 401. _The Danger of attempting an Escape among the Pyrates_, ib. _Captain_ Mortimer'_s Bravery, and hard Fate_, 401, 402. _Captain_ Mortimer'_s Brother escapes, and how_, 402. Cheeseman'_s Steps for overthrowing the Pyrates Government_, 403. _A Digression concerning_ Newfoundland, _and its Trade_, 403, 404. _The Pyrates recruited with Men from thence_, 405. Phillips _his Conscience pricks him_, ib. Dependence Ellery, _a Saint, oblig'd to dance by the Pyrates_, 406. _A brave Action perform'd by_ Cheesemen, 407. _Carries the Pyrate Ship into_ Boston, 408. _The dying Declarations of_ John Rose Archer, _and_ William White, 408, 409.

CHAP. XVI. Of Captain SPRIGGS, and his CREW.

SPRIGGS _his Beginning_, 411. _How he set up for himself_, ib. _Sweats his Prisoners for Diversion_, 412. _The Pyrates mistake in drinking Healths_, 413. _Take_ Hawkins _a second time_, 414. _Burn his Ship, and why_, ib. _An odd Entertainment given him by the Pyrates_, ib. _Captain_ Hawkins _how disposed of_, 414, 415. Spriggs _barbarous Usage of his Prisoners_, 415, 416. _Takes a Ship loaden with Horses_, 416. _An odd Frolick of the Pyrates_, ib. _Two particular Relations of Pyracy, from_ 417 _to_ 424.

THE HISTORY OF THE PYRATES.

INTRODUCTION.

AS the Pyrates in the _West-Indies_ have been so formidable and numerous, that they have interrupted the Trade of _Europe_ into those Parts; and our _English_ Merchants, in particular, have suffered more by their Depredations, than by the united Force of _France_ and _Spain_, in the late War: We do not doubt but the World will be curious to know the Original and Progress of these Desperadoes, who were the Terror of the trading Part of the World.

But before we enter upon their particular History, it will not be amiss, by way of Introduction, to shew, by some Examples drawn from History, the great Mischief and Danger which threaten Kingdoms and Commonwealths, from the Increase of these sort of Robbers; when either by the Troubles of particular Times, or the Neglect of Governments, they are not crush'd before they gather Strength.

It has been the Case heretofore, that when a single Pyrate has been suffered to range the Seas, as not being worth the Notice of a Government, he has by Degrees grown so powerful, as to put them to the Expence of a great deal of Blood and Treasure, before he was suppress'd. We shall not examine how it came to pass, that our Pyrates in the _West-Indies_ have continually increased till of late; this is an Enquiry which belongs to the Legislature, or Representatives of the People in Parliament, and to them we shall leave it.

Our Business shall be briefly to shew, what from Beginnings, as inconsiderable as these, other Nations have suffered.

In the Times of _Marius_ and _Sylla_, _Rome_ was in her greatest Strength, yet she was so torn in Pieces by the Factions of those two great Men, that every Thing which concerned the publick Good was altogether neglected, when certain Pyrates broke out from _Cicilia_, a Country of _Asia Minor_, situate on the Coast of the _Mediterranean_, betwixt _Syria_ on the East, from whence it is divided by Mount _Tauris_, and _Armenia Minor_ on the West. This Beginning was mean and inconsiderable, having but two or three Ships, and a few Men, with which they cruised about the _Greek_ Islands, taking such Ships as were very ill arm'd or weakly defended; however, by the taking of many Prizes, they soon increased in Wealth and Power: The first Action of their's which made a Noise, was the taking of _Julius Cæsar_, who was as yet a Youth, and who being obliged to fly from the Cruelties of _Sylla_, who sought his Life, went into _Bithinia_, and sojourned a while with _Nicomedes_, King of that Country; in his Return back by Sea, he was met with, and taken, by some of these Pyrates, near the Island of _Pharmacusa_: These Pyrates had a barbarous Custom of tying their Prisoners Back to Back and throwing them into the Sea; but, supposing _Cæsar_ to be some Person of a high Rank, because of his purple Robes, and the Number of his Attendants, they thought it would be more for their Profit to preserve him, in hopes of receiving a great Sum for his Ransom; therefore they told him he should have his Liberty, provided he would pay them twenty Talents, which they judg'd to be a very high Demand, in our Money, about three thousand six hundred Pounds Sterling; he smiled, and of his own Accord promised them fifty Talents; they were both pleased, and surpriz'd at his Answer, and consented that several of his Attendants should go by his Direction and raise the Money; and he was left among these Ruffians with no more than 3 Attendants. He pass'd eight and thirty Days, and seemed so little concerned or afraid, that often when he went to sleep, he used to charge them not to make a Noise, threatening, if they disturbed him, to hang them all; he also play'd at Dice with them, and sometimes wrote Verses and Dialogues, which he used to repeat, and also cause them to repeat, and if they did not praise and admire them, he would call them Beasts and Barbarians, telling them he would crucify them. They took all these as the Sallies of a juvenile Humour, and were rather diverted, than displeased at them.

At length his Attendants return'd with his Ransom, which he paid, and was discharged; he sail'd for the Port of _Miletum_, where, as soon as he was arriv'd, he used all his Art and Industry in fitting out a Squadron of Ships, which he equipp'd and arm'd at his own Charges; and sailing in Quest of the Pyrates, he surpriz'd them as they lay at Anchor among the Islands, and took those who had taken him before, with some others; the Money he found upon them he made Prize of, to reimburse his Charges, and he carry'd the Men to _Pergamus_ or _Troy_, and there secured them in Prison: In the mean Time, he apply'd himself to _Junius_, then Governor of _Asia_, to whom it belonged to judge and determine of the Punishment of these Men; but _Junius_ finding there was no Money to be had, answered _Cæsar_, that he would think at his Leisure, what was to be done with those Prisoners; _Cæsar_ took his Leave of him, returned back to _Pergamus_, and commanded that the Prisoners should be brought out and executed, according to Law in that Case provided; which is taken Notice of, in a Chapter at the End of this Book, concerning the Laws in Cases of Pyracy: And thus he gave them that Punishment in Earnest, which he had often threatned them with in Jest.

_Cæsar_ went strait to Rome, where, being engaged in the Designs of his own private Ambition, as were almost all the leading Men in Rome, the Pyrates who were left, had Time to increase to a prodigious Strength; for while the civil Wars lasted, the Seas were left unguarded, so that _Plutarch_ tells us, that they erected diverse Arsenals full of all manner of warlike Stores, made commodious Harbours, set up Watch-Towers and Beacons all along the Coasts of _Cilicia_; that they had a mighty Fleet, well equipp'd and furnish'd, with Galliots of Oars, mann'd, not only with Men of desperate Courage, but also with expert Pilots and Mariners; they had their Ships of Force, and light Pinnaces for cruising and making Discoveries, in all no less than a thousand Sail; so gloriously set out, that they were as much to be envied for their gallant Shew, as fear'd for their Force; having the Stern and Quarters all gilded with Gold and their Oars plated with Silver, as well as purple Sails; as if their greatest Delight had been to glory in their Iniquity. Nor were they content with committing Pyracies and Insolencies by Sea, they committed as great Depredations by Land, or rather made Conquests; for they took and sack'd no less than four hundred Cities, laid several others under Contributions, plundered the Temples of the Gods, and inriched themselves with the Offerings deposited in them; they often landed Bodies of Men, who not only plundered the Villages along the Sea Coast, but ransacked the fine Houses of the Noblemen along the Tiber. A Body of them once took _Sextillius_ and _Bellinus_, two _Roman_ Prætors, in their purple Robes, going from Rome to their Governments, and carried them away with all their Sergeants, Officers and Vergers; they also took the Daughter of _Antonius_ a consular Person, and one who had obtained the Honour of a Triumph, as she was going to the Country House of her Father.

But what was most barbarous, was a Custom they had when they took any Ship, of enquiring of the Person on Board, concerning their Names and Country; if any of them said he was a _Roman_, they fell down upon their Knees, as if in a Fright at the Greatness of that Name, and begg'd Pardon for what they had done, and imploring his Mercy, they used to perform the Offices of Servants about his Person, and when they found they had deceived him into a Belief of their being sincere, they hung out the Ladder of the Ship, and coming with a shew of Courtesy, told him, he had his Liberty, desiring him to walk out of the Ship, and this in the Middle of the Sea, and when they observed him in Surprize, as was natural, they used to throw him overboard with mighty shouts of Laughter; so wanton they were in their Cruelty.