Chapter 3

Afterwards _Lowe_ went to the Coast of _Guinea_, but nothing happened till he came to _Sierra Leon_, in _Africa_, when he met with the _Delight_, which he took, mounting her with 16 Guns, and 60 men, appointing _Spriggs_ Captain, and from whom two days after he separated.

In _January_ after, he took a Ship called _Squirrel_, but what came of him afterwards we cannot tell.

CAPTAIN GEORGE LOWTHER, AND HIS CREW

_George Lowther_ went second Mate on board the _Gambia Castle_, belonging to the _Royal African_ Company, on board which was Captain _Massey_, with soldiers that he was to command under Colonel _Whitney_, whom were landed on _James_ Island; but the Fort and Garrison not agreeing the Company soon after lost a Galley worth 10000_l._ by it.

_Massey_ finding he must be over-ruled by the merchants, soon began to complain of their ill-treatment of his men in their allowance, saying he did not come to be a _Guinea_ Slave; and that if they did not use him and his men better, he should take other measures.

At the same time, there happened a dispute between the Captain of the ship and _Lowther_, which very much contributing to Lowther's design: For _Lowther_ finding himself neglected by the Captain, found means to ingratiate himself into the favour of the sailors, who, upon the Captain's going to punish him, swore, They would knock down the first man that should offer to lay hands on him; which _Lowther_ improved to a general disaffection of the ship's Crew. _Massey_ in the meantime, having contracted an intimacy with _Lowther_, they agreed to curb their enemies, and provide for themselves some other way; which the Captain perceiving, he goes on shore to the Governor and Factor, to consult what methods to take. But _Lowther_ apprehending it was against him, he sent a letter in the same boat to _Massey_, advising him to repair on board, to put their project in execution.

Upon which _Massey_ harangued the Soldiers, saying, _You that have a Mind to return to England_, may now do it; which they all agreed to. Then he went to the Governor's appartment, and took his bed, baggage, plate and furniture, believing the Governor would go with him, which he refused; however _Massey_ came aboard with the Governor's son. After demolishing all the guns of the Fort, they weighed anchor, and fell down, but soon ran the ship aground; upon which _Massey_ returns to the Fort, remounts the guns, and keeps garrison till the ship got clear. In the meantime Captain _Russell_ got off but was not suffered to come on board, although he offered _Lowther_ what terms he pleased. Next tide they got the ship afloat, having first nailed up and dismounted all the cannon. Then putting the Governor's son ashore, they put out to sea, when _Lowther_ called upon the men, and told them, _It was Madness to think of returning to _England_; for what they had done, would be judged a Capital Offence_; and therefore, since they had a good ship under them, he proposed that they should seek their fortunes upon the Seas, as others had done before them, which they all agreed to, calling the ship _The Delivery_, and swore to stand by one another.

_Lowther_ left the Fort the 13th of _June_, and on the 20th, near _Barbadoes_, he came up with a Brigantine, belonging to _Boston_, which he plundered, and then let go. After this he proceeded to _Hispaniola_, where he met with a _French_ Sloop loaden with wine and brandy, on board whom Captain _Massey_ went, pretending at first to be a merchant; but finding her to be a Ship of value, he told Monsieur, He must have it all without money. On board her, there was 30 casks of brandy, 5 hogsheads of wine, several pieces of chintz, and 70_l._ in money, all of which they took, only _Lowther_ return'd the French Master five pounds again.

But this good harmony did not last long amongst them, _Massey_ was uneasy, and resolved to leave them; which _Lowther_ agreed to, giving him a Sloop he had just before taken, to go where he thought fit. Accordingly _Massey_ goes aboard, with ten men, and comes in directly for _Jamaica_, where, putting a bold face on the matter, he informs Sir _Nicholas Laws_, the then Governor, how he had left _Lowther_ the pirate, and of all that had been transacted before, adding, That he assisted him at the River _Gambia_ only to save so many of His Majesty's subjects, and return to _England_.

_Massey_ was well received, and, at his own report, he was sent on board the _Happy Sloop_, to cruise off _Hispaniola_ for _Lowther_; but not meeting with him, he returned to _Jamaica_, and getting a Certificate, he came home to _England_, where, when he arrived, he writes to the _African_ Company, relating the whole transaction of his voyage, but excuses it as an inadvertency, by his being ill-used; for which, if they would not forgive him, he begged to die like a soldier, and not be hanged like a dog. This not producing so favourable an answer as he expected, he went the next day to the Lord Chief Justice Chambers, and enquired, If there had been ever a Warrant granted and against one Captain _Massey_ for Piracy. But being told, There was not, he said, He was the Man, and that the _African_ Company would soon apply to my Lord for one, which if they did, he lodged in _Aldersgate street_, where the Officer might at any time find him. This the Clerk took down in writing, and a Warrant being soon granted, the Tipstaff went accordingly, and took him without any trouble.

But still there was no person to charge him, neither could they prove the letter to be his own hand-writing, till the Justice interrogated him, _Whether he did write the letter or not_; which he readily confessed, as also gave an ample account of the whole voyage, thereupon he was committed to _Newgate_, though soon after he was admitted out upon bail.

_July_ the 5th, 1723, he was tried at the _Old-Baily_ by a Court of Admiralty, when Captain _Russell_ and others appeared against him: But he would have saved them all that trouble, for he confessed more than they knew, fixing the facts so firm upon himself, that he was found Guilty, received Sentence of Death, and was executed three weeks after at _Execution Dock_.

But to return to _Lowther_, whom _Massey_ left cruising off of _Hispaniola_, who plying to the Windward near _Porto Rico_, took two sail, one was a small _Bristol_ Ship, the other a _Spanish_ Pirate, who had taken the _Bristol_ Ship; which so provoked _Lowther_, that he threatened to put all the _Spaniards_ to Death, for daring to intermeddle in his Affairs: But at last he contented himself with burning both their ships; and the _Spaniards_ getting away in their launch, they thought they were well off.

Afterwards he took a small Sloop from _St. Christophers_, which he manned; and carried with him to an island where they cleaned, and then going aboard, they sailed towards the Bay of _Honduras_, where they met with a small vessel with 13 Hands, of the same employment, under Captain _Lowe_, whom _Lowther_ received as friends, inviting them, as they were few in number, to join their strength together; which being accepted of, _Lowther_ continued Captain, and _Lowe_ was made Lieutenant, burning his own ship. Then coming into the Bay, they fell upon a ship of two hundred tons, called the _Greyhound_; against whom _Lowther_ firing his guns, hoisted the piratical Colours, which Captain _Edward_ bravely returned; but at length finding the Pirate too strong for him he yielded, and the Pirate came on Board, and not only rifling the ship, but beat and cut the men in a cruel manner. In crusing about the Bay, they took several other vessels without any resistance, particularly a Sloop of 100 Tons, which they mounted with 8 carriages and 10 swivel guns. With this fleet, _Lowther_ in the _Happy Delivery_, _Lowe_ in the _Rhode Island_ Sloop, _Harris_ in _Hamilton's_ Sloop, left the Bay, and came to _Port Mayo_, where they made preparations to careen, carrying ashore all their sails, to lay their plunder and stores in; but when they were busy at work, a body of the natives came down and attacked the Pirates unprepared, who were glad to fly to their Sloops, and leave them masters of the field, leaving the _Happy Delivery_ behind them, contenting themselves with the _Ranger_, which had only 20 guns, and 8 swivels, taking all the men on board her, wherein they presently began to quarrel, laying the blame upon one another. Being very much in want of provisions, they got to the _West Indies_, _May_ 1722, and near the Island of _Descada_ took a Brigantine stored with provisions and necessaries, which put them in better temper. Then they watered and stood to the Northward, intending to visit the North Coast of _America_, and in Latitude 38, they took the _Rebecca_ of _Boston_, at which Time the Crews divided, _Lowe_ with 44 Hands went on board the Brigantine, and _Lowther_ with the same number, staid in the Sloop, separating that very night, being the 28th of May 1722.

_Lowther_ cruised a pretty while among the Islands to no purpose, till at length he fell in with a _Martinico_ Man, which proved a seasonable relief, he being reduced to great want of provisions, and after that a _Guinea_ Man. After which they thought it time to clean, in order to prepare for new adventures; for which purpose they sailed to the Island of _Blanco_, which is a low Island 30 leagues from the main of _Spanish America_, where he unrigged his Sloop, sending his guns, rigging, and sails ashore, and putting his vessel upon the careen. But the _Eagle_ Sloop of _Barbadoes_, coming near this Island, and seeing her, supposing her to be a Pirate, took the advantage of attacking her when unprepared, who immediately hoisted the _St. George's_ Flag at her top-mast head to bid them defiance: But when they found the _Eagle_ resolved to board them in good earnest, the Pirates cut their cable, and hawled the stern on shore, which obliged the _Eagle_ to come to an anchor athwart the hawse, where they engaged them till they cried out for Quarters. At which time _Lowther_ and 12 men made their escape, but they took the rest, and brought them to _Camena_, where the _Spanish_ Governor condemned the Sloop to the captors, and sent 23 Hands to scour the Bushes of _Blanco_ for the Pirates, when they took 40; but could not find _Lowther_, three men and a little Boy. _John Churchill_, _Edward Mackonald_, _Nicholas Lewis_, _Rich. West_, _Sam Lavercot_, _Rob. White_, _John Shaw_, _And. Hunter_, _Jonathan Delve_, _Matthew Freeborn_, and _Henry Watson_, were hanged, _Roger Granger_, _Ralph Candem_, and _Robert Willis_, were acquitted. And Captain _Lowther_, it is said, afterwards shot himself, being found dead, and a pistol burst by his side.

CAPTAIN ANSTIS, AND HIS CREW

_Thomas Anstis_ shipped himself at _Providence_, in the Year 1718, aboard the _Buck_ Sloop, and was one of the six that conspired together to get off with the vessel, along with _Howel Davis_, _Dennis Topping_, and _Walter Kennedy_, etc. I shall only observe, that this combination was the beginning of Captain _Roberts's_ company, which afterwards proved so formidable, from whom _Anstis_ separated the 18th of _April_, 1721, leaving his Commodore to pursue his adventures upon the Coasts of _Guinea_, whilst he returned to the _West Indies_, upon the same design.

About the middle of _June_, he met with one Captain _Maiston_, between _Hispaniola_ and _Jamaica_, bound to _New-York_, from which he took all the wearing apparel, liquors and provisions, and six men. Afterwards he met with the _Irwin_, Captain _Ross_ from _Cork_, on the Coast of _Martinico_, which ship had Colonel _Doyly_ of _Montserrat_ on board, and his Family, and 600 barrels of beef.

Afterwards they went into one of the Islands to clean, and thence proceeding towards _Bermudas_, they met with a stout ship called the _Morning Star_, bound from _Guinea_ to _Carolina_, which they kept for their own use. Just after, they took a ship from _Barbadoes_ bound to _New England_, from whence taking her guns, they mounted the _Morning Star_ with 32 pieces of cannon, and 100 men, appointing _John Fenn_ Captain: For _Anstis_ was so in love with his own vessel, she being a good sailor, he made it his choice to stay in her, and let _Fenn_ have the other ship. Though they were not sufficiently strong, yet being most new men, they could not agree, but resolving to break up company, sent a Petition to His Majesty by a Merchant Ship, expecting her Return at _Cuba_.

Here they staid about nine months; but not having provisions for above two, they were obliged to take what the Island afforded; which is many sorts of fish, particularly turtle; though they eat not a bit of bread, nor flesh meat, during their being on the Island.

They passed their time here in dancing, and other diversions, agreeable to these sort of folks. Among the rest, they appointed a mock Court of Judicature, to try one another for Piracy, and he that was a Criminal one day, was made a Judge another. I shall never forget one of their Trials, which for the curiosity of it, I shall relate. The Judge got up into a tree, having a dirty tarpaulin over his shoulders for a robe, and a Thrum Cap upon his head, with a large pair of spectacles upon his nose, and a monkey bearing up his train, with abundance of Officers attending him, with crows and hand-spikes instead of wands and tip-staves in their hands. Before whom the Criminals were brought out, making 1000 wry Faces; when the Attorney-General moved the Court, and said, An't please your Lordship, and you Gentlemen of the Jury, this fellow before you is a sad dog, a sad, a sad dog, and I hope your Lordship will order him to be hanged out of the way; he has committed Piracy upon the High Seas; nay, my Lord, that's not all; this fellow, this sad dog before you, has out-rid a hundred storms, and you know, my Lord, _He that's born to be hanged, will never be drowned_. Nor is this all, he has been guilty of worse villany than this, and that is of drinking of small beer; and your Lordship knows, there was never a sober fellow but what was a rogue--My Lord, I should have said more, but your Lordship knows our rum is out, and how should a Man speak that has drunk a dram to-day.

_Judge._ Harkee me, Sirrah--you ill-looked dog. What have you to say why you may not be tucked up, and set a-sun-drying like a scare-crow?--Are you Guilty, or not?

_Prisoner._ Not Guilty, an't please your Worship.

_Judge._ Not Guilty! say so again, and I will have you hanged without any Trial.

_Prisoner._ An't please your Worship's Honour, my Lord, I am as honest a fellow as ever went between stem and stern of a ship, and can hand, reef, steer, and clap two ends of a rope together, as well as e'er a He that ever crossed Salt-water; but I was taken by one _George Bradley_ (the name of the Judge) a notorious Pirate, and a sad rogue as ever was hanged, and he forced me, an't please your Honour.

_Judge._ Answer me, Sirrah--how will you be tried?

_Prisoner._ By God and my country.

_Judge._ The Devil you will.... Then, Gentlemen of the Jury, we have nothing to do but to proceed to Judgment.

_Attorney-Gen._ Right, my Lord; for if the fellow should be suffered to speak, he might clear himself; and that, you know, is an affront to the Court.

_Prisoner._ Pray, my Lord, I hope your Lordship will consider.

_Judge._ Consider!--How dare you talk of considering!--Sirrah, Sirrah, I have never considered in all my life.--I'll make it Treason to consider.

_Pris._ But I hope your Lordship will hear reason.

_Judge._ What have we to do with Reason?--I would have you to know, Sirrah, we do not sit here to hear Reason--we go according to Law.--Is our dinner ready?

_Attorney-General._ Yes, my Lord.

_Judge._ Then harkee you rascal at the Bar, hear me, Sirrah, hear me.--You must be hanged for three reasons: _First_, because it is not fit that I should sit as Judge, and no-body to be hang'd: _Secondly_, You must be hang'd because you have a damn'd hanging Look: _Thirdly_, You must be hanged, because I am hungry. There's Law for you, ye dog; take him away, Gaoler.

By this we may see how these fellows can jest upon things, the thoughts of which should make them tremble.

_August_ 1722, they made ready the Brigantine, and came out to sea, where meeting their correspondent returning, and finding nothing done, they all agreed to ply their old trade. So they sailed with the ship and Brigantine to the Southward, where they ran the _Morning Star_ upon the _Grand Carmanes_, and wrecked her; the next Day _Anstis_ went ashore to fetch the men off, who were all safe. _Anstis_ had just time to get Captain _Fenn_, and a few others on board, before the _Hector_ and _Adventure_ came down upon him; but he got to sea, and one of the Men-of-War after him, keeping within gun-shot several hours, when the wind dying away, the Pirates got to their oars, and rowed for their lives.

The _Hector_ landed her men, and took 40 of the _Morning Star's_ Crew, without any resistance, they pretending they were glad of this opportunity; the rest hid themselves in the woods.

The Brigantine after her escape, sailed to an Island, near the Bay of _Honduras_, to clean, and in her way took a Sloop, Captain _Durfey_ Commander, which they destroyed, but brought the men on board. While she was cleaning, _Durfey_ conspired with some of the prisoners, to carry off the Brigantine; but it being discovered, he and four or five more got ashore, with arms and ammunition; and when the Pirates' Canoe came in for Water, seized the boat and men; upon which, _Anstis_ sent another boat with 30 hand ashore; but _Durfey_ gave them such a warm reception that they were glad to return back again.

In _December_ 1722, _Anstis_ left this place, taking in his cruise a good ship. He mounted her with 24 Guns and made _Fenn_ Commander. From hence they went to the _Bahama_ Islands, taking what they wanted.

As they were cleaning their ship the _Winchelsea_ came down upon them, when most of them escaped to the woods; but _Anstis_ having a light pair of heels, escaped in the Brigantine. Afterwards, some of the Company, being tired of this trade, shot _Anstis_ in his Hammock, and put the rest in irons, and then carried the Brigantine to _Curacco_, a _Dutch_ Settlement, where they were hanged, and those that delivered up the vessel acquitted. _Fenn_ was soon after taken by the Man-of-War's Men, straggling in the woods, with a few more, and carried to _Antegoa_ and hanged. But some escaped among the negroes, and were never heard of since.

CAPTAIN JOHN PHILLIPS, AND HIS CREW

_John Phillips_ was bred a carpenter, but sailing in a West Country ship to _Newfoundland_, was taken by _Anstis_, who soon persuaded him to join with him, making him Carpenter of the Vessel, in which station he continued till they broke up at _Tobago_, when he came Home in a Sloop that was sunk in _Bristol_ Channel. But he did not stay long in _England_; for hearing of some of his companions being taken in _Bristol_ Gaol, he moved off to _Topsham_, and there shipped himself with one Captain _Wadham_ for _Newfoundland_, where when the ship came he ran away, and hired himself a splitter in the Fishery for the season: but he soon combined with others in the Fishery, to go off with one of the vessels that lay in the Harbour, and turn Pirate, and accordingly fixed upon the 29th of _August_, 1713, at Night; but of 16 Men that promised five only were as good as their Word. Notwithstanding, _Phillips_ was for pushing on, assuring them that they should soon increase their company. Hereupon they seized a vessel, and went out to sea, when they soon began to settle their Officers to prevent dispute, appointing, _John Phillips_, Captain; _John Nutt_, Navigator of the Vessel; _James Sparks_, Gunner; _Thomas Fern_, Carpenter; and _William White_ was only a private man among them.

Before they left the Banks, they took several small fishing vessels, out of which they took some more Hands, and then sailed to the _West-Indies_: Among those that were taken, was one _John Rose Archer_ who having been a pirate under _Blackbeard_ was made Quarter-Master to the company: They came off _Barbadoes_ in _October_, and cruised about the Islands about three Months, without meeting with a vessel, so that they were almost starved for want of provisions, when at length they fell in with a _Martinico_ Man of 12 guns and 35 hands, upon which they hoisted the Black Flag and ran up along side of the Sloop, with piratical Colours flying, swearing, If they did not strike immediately, they must expect no quarters; which so frightened the _Frenchman_, that he never fired a gun. Having got this supply, they took her provisions, and four of her men.

Having occasion to clean their vessel, _Phillips_ proposed _Tobago_; and just as they had done, a Man-of-War's boat came into the Harbour, the ship cruising to the Leeward of the Island; which was no sooner gone, but they warped out, and plied to the Windward for safety.

In a few days they took a Snow with a few Hands in it, on board of which they sent _Fern_ the Carpenter, _William Smith_, _Philips Wood_, and _Taylor_; but _Fern_ being dissatisfied at _Archer's_ being preferred before him to be Quarter-Master, persuaded the rest to go off with the prize; but _Phillips_ gave them Chase, and coming up with them, shot _Wood_, and wounded _Taylor_ in the leg; upon which the other two surrendered.

From _Tobago_ they stood away to the Northward, and took a _Portugueze_ bound for _Brazil_, and two or three Sloops for _Jamaica_, in one of which _Fern_ endeavouring to go off, was killed by _Phillips_, as was also another man for the like attempt, which made all the others more fearful of discovering their Minds, dreading the villany of a few hardened wretches, who feared neither God nor Devil, as _Phillips_ was often used blasphemously to say.

On the 25th of March, they took two ships from _Virginia_, the Master's name of one was _John Phillips_, the Pirate's Name-sake; of the other, _Robert Mortimer_, a stout young man. _Phillips_ staid on board _Mortimer's_ Ship, while they transported the crew to the Sloop, when _Mortimer_ took up a hand-spike and struck _Phillips_ over the Head; but not knocking him down, he recovered and wounded _Mortimer_ with his sword; and the other two Pirates who were on board, coming to _Phillip's_ assistance they cut _Mortimer_ to pieces, while his own two men stood and looked on. Out of the other _Virginia_ Man, they took _Edward Cheesman_, a carpenter, to supply the Place of _Fern_, who being averse to that way of life, proposed to _J. Philamore_, who was ordered to row _Cheesman_ on board _Mortimer's_ ship, to overthrow their Piratical government; which from time to time, as occasion offered, they consulted how to do. The Pirates, in the mean time, robbed and plundered several ships and vessels, bending their course towards _Newfoundland_, where they designed to raise more men, and do all the mischief they could on the Banks, and in the harbours. Towards which country, _Phillips_ making his way, took one _Salter_ in a Sloop on the Isle of _Sables_, which he kept, and gave _Mortimer's_ Ship to the Mate and crew; also a Schooner, one _Chadwell_ Master, which they scuttled in order to sink: But _Phillips_ understanding that she belonged to Mr. _Menors_ of _Newfoundland_, with whose Vessel they first went off a-Pirating, said, _We have done him injury enough already_, and so ordering his Vessel to be repaired, returned her to the Master.