Part 3

Thus, while _Rome_ was Mistress oft he World, she suffered Insults and Affronts, almost at her Gates, from these powerful Robbers; but what for a while made Faction cease, and roused the Genius of that People, never used to suffer Wrongs from a fair Enemy, was an excessive Scarcity of Provisions in _Rome_, occasioned by all the Ships loaden with Corn and Provisions from _Sicily_, _Corsica_, and other Places, being intercepted and taken by these Pyrates, insomuch that they were almost reduced to a Famine: Upon this, _Pompey_ the _Great_ was immediately appointed General to manage this War; five hundered Ships were immediately fitted out, he had fourteen Senators, Men of Experience in the War, for his Vice-Admirals; and so considerable an Enemy, were these Ruffians become, that no less than an Army of a hundred thousand Foot, and five thousand Horse was appointed to invade them by Land; but it happened very luckily for _Rome_, that _Pompey_ sail'd out before the Pyrate had Intelligence of a Design against them, so that their Ships were scattered all over the _Mediterranean_, like Bees gone out from a Hive, some one Way, some another, to bring Home their Lading; _Pompey_ divided his Fleet into thirteen Squadrons, to whom he appointed their several Stations, so that great Numbers of the Pyrates fell into their Hands, Ship by Ship, without any Loss; forty Days he passed in scouring the _Mediterranean_, some of the Fleet cruizing along the Coast of _Africk_, some about the Islands, and some upon the Italian Coasts, so that often those Pyrates who were flying from one Squadron, fell in with another; however, some of them escaped, and these making directly to _Cilicia_, and acquainting their Confederates on Shore with what had happened, they appointed a Rendezvous of all the Ships that had escaped at the Port of _Coracesium_, in the same Country. _Pompey_ finding the _Mediterranean_ quite clear, appointed a Meeting of all his Fleet at the Haven of _Brundusium_, and from thence sailing round into the _Adriatick_, he went directly to attack these Pyrates in their Hives; as soon as he came near the _Coracesium_ in _Cilicia_, where the Remainder of the Pyrates now lay, they had the Hardiness to come and give him Battle, but the Genius of old _Rome_ prevailed, and the Pyrates received an entire Overthrow, being all either taken or destroyed; but as they made many strong Fortresses upon the Sea Coast, and built Castles and strong Holds up the Country, about the Foot of Mount _Taurus_, he was obliged to besiege them with his Army; some Places he took by Storm, others surrendered to his Mercy, to whom he gave their Lives, and at length he made an entire Conquest.

But it is probable, that had these Pyrates receiv'd sufficient Notice of the _Roman_ Preparation against them, so as they might have had Time to draw their scattered Strength into a Body, to have met _Pompey_ by Sea, the Advantage appeared greatly on their Side, in Numbers of Shipping, and of Men; nor did they want Courage, as may be seen by their coming out of the Port of _Coracesium_, to give the _Romans_ Battle, with a Force much inferior to their's; I say, had they overthrown _Pompey_, it is likely they would have made greater Attempts, and _Rome_, which had conquer'd the whole World, might have been subdued by a Parcel of Pyrates.

This is a Proof how dangerous it is to Governments to be negligent, and not take an early Care in suppressing these Sea Banditti, before they gather Strength.

The Truth of this Maxim may be better exemplified in the History of _Barbarouse_, a Native in the City of _Mitylene_, in the Island of _Lesbos_, in the _Egean_ Sea; a Fellow of ordinary Birth, who being bred to the Sea, first set out from thence upon the pyrating Account with only one small Vessel, but by the Prizes he took, he gain'd immense Riches, so that getting a great Number of large Ships, all the bold and dissolute Fellows of those Islands flock'd to him, and listed in his Service, for the Hopes of Booty; so that his Strength was increased to a formidable Fleet: With these he perform'd such bold and adventurous Actions, that he became the Terror of the Seas. About this Time it happened that _Selim Eutemi_, King of _Algiers_, having refused to pay the accustomed Tribute to the _Spaniards_, was apprehensive of an Invasion from thence; wherefore he treated with _Barbarouse_, upon the Foot of an Ally, to come and assist him, and deliver him from paying this Tribute; _Barbarouse_ readily came into it, and sailing to _Algiers_ with a great Fleet, he put part of his Men on Shore, and having laid a Plot to surprize the City, he effected it with great Success, and murder'd _Selim_ in a Bath; soon after which, he was himself crowned King of _Algiers_; after this he made War upon _Abdilabde_, King of _Tunis_, and overthrew him in Battle; he extended his Conquests on all Sides; and thus from a Thief became a mighty King: and tho' he was at last kill'd in Battle, yet he had so well established himself upon that Throne, that, dying without Issue, he left the Inheritance of the Kingdom to his Brother, another Pyrate.

* * *

I come now to speak of the Pyrates infesting the _West-Indies_, where they are more numerous than in any other Parts of the World, on several Reasons:

_First_, Because there are so many uninhabited little Islands and Keys, with Harbours convenient and secure for cleaning their Vessels, and abounding with what they often want, Provision; I mean Water, Sea-Fowl, Turtle, Shell, and other Fish; where, if they carry in but strong Liquor, they indulge a Time, and become ready for new Expeditions before any Intelligence can reach to hurt them.

It may here perhaps be no unnecessary Digression, to explain upon what they call Keys in the _West-Indies_: These are small sandy Islands, appearing a little above the Surf of the Water, with only a few Bushes or Weeds upon them, but abound (those most at any Distance from the Main) with Turtle, amphibious Animals, that always chuse the quietest and most unfrequented Place, for laying their Eggs, which are to a vast Number in the Seasons, and would seldom be seen, but for this, (except by Pyrates:) Then Vessels from _Jamaica_ and the other Governments make Voyages, called Turtling, for supplying the People, a common and approved Food with them. I am apt to think these _Keys_, especially those nigh Islands, to have been once contiguous with them, and separated by Earthquakes (frequently there) or Inundations, because some of them that have been within continual View, as those nigh _Jamaica_, are observed within our Time, to be entirely wasted away and lost, and others daily wasting. There are not only of the Use above taken Notice of to Pyrates; but it is commonly believed were always in buccaneering pyratical Times, the hiding Places for their Riches, and often Times a Shelter for themselves, till their Friends on the Main, had found Means to obtain Indemnity for their Crimes; for you must understand, when Acts of Grace were more frequent, and the Laws less severe, these Men continually found Favours and Incouragers at _Jamaica_, and perhaps they are not all dead yet; I have been told many of them them still living have been of the same Trade, and left it off only because they can live as well honestly, and gain now at the hazard of others Necks.

Secondly, another Reason why these Seas are chose by Pyrates, is the great Commerce thither by _French_, _Spaniards_, _Dutch_, and especially _English_ Ships: They are sure in the Latitude of these trading Islands, to meet with Prizes, Booties of Provision, Cloathing, and Naval-Stores, and sometimes Money; there being great Sums remitted this Way to _England_; (the Returns of the Affiento, and private Slave-Trade, to the _Spanish West-Indies_:) And in short, by some one or other, all the Riches of _Potosi_.

A third Reason, is the Inconveniency and Difficulty of being pursued by the Men of War, the many small Inlets, Lagoons and Harbours, on these solitary Islands and Keys, is a natural Security.

'Tis generally here that the Pyrates begin their Enterprizes, setting out at first with a very small Force; and by infesting these Seas, and those of the Continent of _North-America_, in a Year's Time, if they have good luck on their Sides, they accumulate such Strength, as enables them to make foreign Expeditions: The first, is usually to _Guiney_, taking the _Azores_ and _Cape de Verd_ Islands in their Way, and then to _Brazil_ and the _East-Indies_, where if they meet with prosperous Voyages, they set down at _Madagascar_, or the neighbouring Islands, and enjoy their ill gotten Wealth, among their elder Brethren, with Impunity. But that I may not give too much Encouragement to the Profession, I must inform my maritime Readers, that the far greater Part of these Rovers are cut short in the Pursuit, by a sudden Precipitation into the other World.

The Rise of these Rovers, since the Peace of _Utrecht_, or at least, the great Encrease of them, may justly be computed to the _Spanish_ Settlements in the _West Indies_; the Governors of which, being often some hungry Courtiers, sent thither to repair or make a Fortune, generally Countenance all Proceedings that bring in Profit: They grant Commissions to great Numbers of Vessels of War, on Pretence of preventing an interloping Trade, with Orders to seize all Ships or Vessels whatsoever, within five Leagues of their Coasts, which our _English_ Ships cannot well avoid coming, in their Voyage to _Jamaica_. But if the _Spanish_ Captains chance to exceed this Commission, and rob and plunder at Discretion, the Sufferers are allowed to complain, and exhibit a Process in their Court, and after great Expence of Suit, Delay of Time, and other Inconveniencies, obtain a Decree in their Favour, but then when the Ship and Cargo comes to be claim'd, with Costs of Suit, they find, to their Sorrow, that it has been previously condemn'd, and the Plunder divided among the Crew; the Commander that made the Capture, who alone is responsible, is found to be a poor raskally Fellow, not worth a Groat, and, no doubt, is plac'd in that Station for the like Purposes.

The frequent Losses sustain'd by our Merchants abroad, by these Pyrates, was Provocation enough to attempt something by way of Reprisal; and a fair Opportunity offering it self in the Year 1716, the Traders of the _West-Indies_, took Care not to slip it over, but made the best Use of it their Circumstances would permit.

It was about two Years before, that the _Spanish_ Galleons, or Plate Fleet, had been cast away in the Gulf or _Florida_; and several Vessels from the _Havana_, were at work, with diving Engines, to fish up the Silver that was on board the Galleons.

The _Spaniards_ had recovered some Millions of Pieces of Eight, and had carried it all to the _Havana_; but they had at present about 350000 Pieces of Eight in Silver, then upon the Spot, and were daily taking up more. In the mean time, two Ships, and three Sloops, fitted out from _Jamaica_, _Barbadoes_, _&c._ under Captain _Henry Jennings_, sail'd to the Gulf, and found the _Spaniards_ there upon the Wreck; the Money before spoken of, was left on Shore, deposited in a Store-House, under the Government of two Commissaries, and a Guard of about 60 Soldiers.

The Rovers came directly upon the Place, bringing their little Fleet to an Anchor, and, in a Word, landing 300 Men, they attack'd the Guard, who immediately ran away; and thus they seized the Treasure, which they carried off, making the best of their Way to _Jamaica_.

In their Way they unhappily met with a _Spanish_ Ship, bound from _Porto Bello_ to the _Havana_, with a great many rich Goods, _viz._ Bales of Cochineal, Casks of Indico, and 60000 Pieces of Eight more, which their Hands being in, they took, and having rifled the Vessel, let her go.

They went away to _Jamaica_ with their Booty, and were followed in View of the Port, by the _Spaniards_, who having seen them thither, went back to the Governor of the _Havana_, with the Account of it, who immediately sent a Vessel to the Governor of _Jamaica_ to complain of this Robbery, and to reclaim the Goods.

As it was in full Peace, and contrary to all Justice and Right, that this Fact was committed, they were soon made sensible that the Government at _Jamaica_ would not suffer them to go unpunished, much less protect them. Therefore they saw a Necessity of shifting for themselves; so, to make bad worse, they went to Sea again, tho' not without disposing of their Cargo to good Advantage, and furnishing themselves with Ammunition, Provisions, _&c._ and being thus made desperate, they turn'd Pyrates, robbing not the _Spaniards_ only, but their own Countrymen, and any Nation they could lay their Hands on.

It happened about this Time, that the _Spaniards_, with three or four small Men of War, fell upon our Logwood Cutters, in the Bay of _Campeachy_, and Bay or _Honduras_; and after they had made Prizes of the following Ships and Vessels, they gave the Men belonging to them, three Sloops to carry them home, but these Men being made desperate by their Misfortunes, and meeting with the Pyrates, they took on with them, and so encreas'd their Number.

_The LIST of Ships and Vessels taken by the_ Spanish _Men of War in the Year_ 1716.

The _Stafford_, Captain _Knocks_, from _New-England_, bound for _London_. _Anne_, ------ _Gernish_, for ditto. _Dove_, ------ _Grimstone_, for _New-England_. A Sloop, ------ _Alden_, for ditto. A Brigantine, ------ _Mosson_, for ditto. A Brigantine, ------ _Turfield_, for ditto. A Brigantine, ------ _Tennis_, for ditto. A Ship, ------ ------ _Porter_, for ditto. _Indian Emperor_, _Wentworth_, for _New-England_. A Ship, ------ _Rich_, Master. Ditto, ------ _Bay_. Ditto, ------ _Smith_. Ditto, ------ _Stockum_. Ditto, ------ _Satlely_. A Sloop, ------ ------ _Richards_, belonging to _New-England_. Two Sloops, ------ ------ belonging to _Jamaica_. One Sloop ------ ------ of _Barbadoes_. Two Ships ------ ------ from _Scotland_. Two Ships ------ ------ from _Holland_.

The Rovers being now pretty strong, they consulted together about getting some Place of Retreat, where they might lodge their Wealth, clean and repair their Ships, and make themselves a kind of Abode. They were not long in resolving, but fixed upon the Island of _Providence_, the most considerable of the _Bahama_ Islands, lying in the Latitude of about 24 Degrees North, and to the Eastward of the _Spanish Florida_.

This Island is about 28 Miles long, and eleven where broadest, and has a Harbour big enough to hold 500 Sail of Ships; before which lies a small Island, which makes two Inlets to the Harbour; at either Way there is a Bar, over which no Ship of 500 Tun can pass. The _Bahama_ Islands were possess'd by the _English_ till the Year 1700, when the _French_ and _Spaniards_ from _Petit Guavus_, invaded them, took the Fort and Governor in the Island of _Providence_, plunder'd and destroy'd the Settlements, _&c._ carried off half the Blacks, and the rest of the People, who fled to the Woods, retired afterwards to _Carolina_.

In March 1705-6, the House of Lords did in an Address to her late Majesty, set forth,

`That the _French_ and _Spaniards_ had twice, during the Time of the War, over run and plundered the _Bahama_ Islands, that there was no Form of Government there: That the Harbour of the Isle of _Providence_, might be easily put in a Posture of Defence, and that it would be of dangerous Consequence, should those Islands fall into the Hands of the Enemy; wherefore the Lords humbly besought her Majesty to use such Methods as she should think proper for taking the said Island into her Hands, in order to secure the same to the Crown of this Kingdom, and to the Security and Advantage of the Trade thereof.

But, however it happened, no Means were used in compliance to that Address, for securing the _Bahama_ Islands, till the _English_ Pyrates had made _Providence_ their Retreat and general Receptacle; then 'twas found absolutely necessary, in order to dislodge that troublesome Colony; and Information being made by the Merchants to the Government, of the Mischief they did, and were likely to do, his Majesty was pleased to grant the following Order.

_Whitehall September_ 15, 1716.

`COmplaint having been made to his Majesty, by great Number of Merchants, Masters of Ships and others, as well as by several Governors of his Majesty's Islands and Plantations in the _West-Indies_; that the Pyrates are grown so numerous, that they infest not only the Seas near _Jamaica_, but even those of the Northern Continent of _America_; and that, unless some effectual Means be used, the whole Trade from _Great Britain_ to those Parts, will not be only obstructed, but in imminent Danger of being lost: His Majesty has, upon mature Deliberation in Council, been pleased, in the first Place, to order a proper Force to be employ'd for the suppressing the said Pyrates, which Force so to be employed, is as follows.

`A List of his Majesty's Ships and Vessels employed, and to be employed, at the British Governments and Plantations in the _West-Indies_.

Place where. Rates, Ships, Guns.

{ 5 Adventure, 40 Now there. { Diamond, 40 { Sail'd from hence thither { { 5th of last Month. { Ludlow Castle, 40 To carry the Governor. Jamaica, { Swift Sloop, Now there. { { Surveying the Coast of { { the West-Indies, and { { then to return Home; { { but, during her being { 6 Winchelsea, 20 { at Jamaica, is to join { { the others, for Security { { of the Trade, and { { intercepting Pyrates. Barbadoes, 5 Scarborough, 30 } Leeward Islands, 6 Seaford, } Now there. Tryal Sloop, 6 } { 6 Lime, 20 } Virginia, { 5 Shoreham, 30 Order'd Home. { { Sailed thither from { { Home the 7th of last { Pearl, 40 { Month, and is to cruise { { about the Capes. New-York, 6 Phoenix, 30 Now there. { Squirrel, 20 New-England, { Rose, 20 Order'd Home.

`Those at _Jamaica_, _Barbadoes_ and the Leeward Islands, are to join upon Occasion, for annoying the Pyrates, and the Security of the Trade: And those at _New-England_, _Virginia_ and _New-York_, are to do the like.

Besides these Frigots, two Men of War were ordered to attend Captain _Rogers_, late Commander of the two _Bristol_ Ships, called the _Duke_ and _Dutchess_, that took the rich _Acapulca_ Ship, and made a Tour round the Globe. This Gentleman received a Commission from his Majesty, to be Governor of the Island of _Providence_, and was vested with Power to make Use of all possible Methods for reducing the Pyrates; and that nothing might be wanting, he carried with him, the King's Proclamation of Pardon, to those who should return to their Duty by a certain Time; the Proclamation is as follows;

By the KING,

A PROCLAMATION, for suppressing of PYRATES.

GEORGE R.

W_Hereas we have received Information, that several Persons, Subjects of _Great Britain_, have since the _24_th Day of _June_, in the Year of our Lord _1715_, committed divers Pyracies and Robberies upon the High-Seas, in the _West-Indies_, or adjoyning to our Plantations, which hath and may Occasion great Damage to the Merchants of _Great Britain_, and others trading into those Parts; and tho' we have appointed such a Force as we judge sufficient for suppressing the said Pyrates, yet the more effectually to put an End to the same, we have thought fit, by and with the Advice of our Privy Council, to Issue this our Royal Proclamation; and we do hereby promise, and declare, that in Case any of the said Pyrates, shall on or before the _5_th of _September_, in the Year of our Lord _1718_, surrender him or themselves, to one of our Principal Secretaries of State in _Great Britain_ or _Ireland_, or to any Governor or Deputy Governor of any of our Plantations beyond the Seas; every such Pyrate and Pyrates so surrendering him, or themselves, as aforesaid, shall have our gracious Pardon, of and for such, his or their Pyracy, or Pyracies, by him or them committed before the fifth of _January_ next ensuing. And we do hereby strictly charge and command all our Admirals, Captains, and other Officers at Sea, and all our Governors and Commanders of any Forts, Castles, or other Places in our Plantations, and all other our Officers Civil and Military, to seize and take such of the Pyrates, who shall refuse or neglect to surrender themselves accordingly. And we do hereby further declare, that in Case any Person or Persons, on, or after, the _6_th Day of _September 1718_, shall discover or seize, or cause or procure to be discovered or seized, any one or more of the said Pyrates, so refusing or neglecting to surrender themselves as aforesaid, so as they may be brought to Justice, and convicted of the said Offence, such Person or Persons, so making such Discovery or Seizure, or causing or procuring such Discovery or Seizure to be made, shall have and receive as a Reward for the same, _viz._ for every Commander of any private Ship or Vessel, the Sum of _100_ l. for every Lieutenant, Master, Boatswain, Carpenter, and Gunner, the Sum of _40_ l; for every inferior Officer, the Sum of _30_ l. and for every private Man, the Sum of _20_ l. And if any Person or Persons, belonging to and being Part of the Crew of any such Pyrate Ship or Vessel, shall on or after the said sixth Day of _September 1718_, seize and deliver, or cause to be seized or delivered, any Commander or Commanders, of such Pyrate Ship or Vessel, so as that he or they be brought to Justice, and convicted of the said Offence, such Person or Persons, as a Reward for the same, shall receive for every such Commander, the Sum of _200_ l. which said Sums, the Lord Treasurer, or the Commissioners of our Treasury for the Time being, are hereby required, and desired to pay accordingly._

Given at our Court, at _Hampton-Court_, the fifth Day of _September_, 1717, in the fourth Year of our Regin.

God save the KING.

Before Governor _Rogers_ went over, the Proclamation was sent to them, which they took as _Teague_ took the Covenant, that is, they made Prize of the Ship and Proclamation too; however, they sent for those who were out a Cruising, and called a general Council, but there was so much Noise and Glamour, that nothing could be agreed on; some were for fortifying the Island, to stand upon their own Terms, and Treating with the Government upon the Foot of a Commonwealth; others were also for strengthening the Island for their own Security, but were not strenuous for these Punctillios, so that they might have a general Pardon, without being obliged to make any Restitution, and to retire, with all their Effects, to the neighbouring _British_ Plantations.