Chapter 5

_Robert Boyd_, late of _Bath_ Town in North _Carolina_, Mariner.

_Thomas Nicholas_, late of _London_, Mariner.

_Rowland Sharp_, late of _Bath_ Town, Mariner.

_Jonathan Clark_, late of _Charles_ Town, Mariner.

_Thomas Gerrard_, late of _Antegoa_, Mariner.

All of whom, except the four last, were found Guilty, and received Sentence of Death, upon two Indictments, for Robbing upon the High Sea the _Francis_, _Peter Manwaring_, Commander; and for seizing, in a Piratical Manner, the Sloop _Fortune_, _Thomas Read_, Commander: To which they all pleaded Not Guilty, except _James Wilson_ and _John Levit_, who pleaded Guilty to both Indictments, and _Daniel Piercy_ to one only. _Bonnet_ moved to go through both the Indictments at once; but the Court overruling it, he was found Guilty of one, and retracted his Plea to the other. They made but little Defence, pretending they were taken off a _Maroon_ Shore, and were shipped with Major _Bonnet_ to go to _St. Thomas's_, but wanting provisions they were obliged to do what they did; and the Major himself pretended it was _Necessity_ and not _Inclination_ that compelled them to do it. But that not appearing, they having all shared ten or eleven Pounds a man, except the four last, they were all found Guilty. After which the Judge set forth the enormity of their Crimes: And then pronounced Sentence of Death upon the persons aforesaid, except Major _Bonnet_, who not being brought back in time, was not tried till the 10th of _November_; and being then also found Guilty, he received Sentence in like manner as the others; before whom Judge _Trot_ made an excellent speech, saying afterwards.

_And now, having discharged my Duty as a Christian, I must do my Office as a Judge, which is_

_You the said _Stede Bonnet_ shall go from hence, to the Place from whence you came, and from thence to the Place of Execution, where you shall be hanged by the Neck till you are dead._

CAPTAIN WILLIAM KID

We are now going to give an account of one whose name is better known in _England_, than most of those whose histories we have already related; the person we mean is Captain _Kid_, whose public Trial and Execution here, rendered him the subject of all conversation.

In the beginning of King _William's_ War, Captain _Kid_ commanded a Privateer in the _West-Indies_, and by several adventurous actions acquired the reputation of a brave man, as well as an experienced seaman. About this time the Pirates were very troublesome in those parts, wherefore Captain _Kid_ was recommended by the Lord _Bellamont_, then Governor of _Barbadoes_, as well as by several other persons, to the Government here, as a person very fit to be entrusted with the command of a Government Ship, and to be employed in cruising upon the Pirates, as knowing those Seas perfectly well, and being acquainted with their lurking places; but what reasons governed the politics of those times, I cannot tell, but this proposal met with no encouragement here, though it is certain it would have been of great consequence to the subject, our merchants suffering incredible damages by those robbers.

Upon this neglect the Lord _Bellamont_, and some others who knew what great captures had been made by the Pirates, and what a prodigious wealth must be in their possession, were tempted to fit out a ship at their own private charge, and to give the command of it to Captain _Kid_; and to give the thing a greater reputation, as well as to keep their seamen under the better command, they procured the King's Commission for the said Captain _Kid_.

Captain _Kid_ had also another Commission, which was called a Commission of Reprisals; for it being then War time, this Commission was to justify him in the taking of _French_ Merchant Ships, in case he should meet with any. He sail'd out of _Plymouth_ in _May_ 1696, in the _Adventure_ Galley of thirty guns, and eighty men; the place he first design'd for was _New York_; in his Voyage thither he took a French _Banker_, but this was no Act of Piracy, he having a Commission for that purpose, as we have just observed.

When he arrived at _New York_ he put up Articles for engaging more Hands, it being necessary to his Ship's crew, since he proposed to deal with a desperate enemy: The terms he offered were, that every man should have a share of what was taken, reserving for himself and Owners forty shares. Upon this encouragement he soon increas'd his company to a hundred and fifty five men.

With this company he first sail'd for _Maderas_, where he took in wine and some other necessaries; from thence he proceeded to _Bonavist_, one of the _Cape de Verd Islands_, to furnish the ship with salt, and from thence went immediately to _St. Jago_, another of the _Cape de Verd Islands_, in order to stock himself with provisions. When all this was done, he bent his course to _Madagascar_, the known rendezvous of Pirates; in this way he fell in with Captain _Warren_, Commodore of three Men-of-War; he acquainted them with his design, kept them company two or three days, and then leaving them, made the best way for _Madagascar_, where he arrived in _February_ 1696, just nine months from his departure from _Plymouth_.

It does not appear all this while that he had the least design of turning Pirate; for near _Mahala_ and _Joanna_ both he met with several _Indian_ ships richly laden, to which he did not offer the least violence, tho' he was strong enough to have done what he pleas'd with them; and the first outrage or depredation I find he committed upon mankind, was after his repairing his ship, and leaving _Joanna_; he touch'd at a place call'd _Mabbee_, upon the _Red Sea_, where he took some _Guinea_ Corn from the natives, by force.

After this he sail'd to _Bab's Key_, a Place upon a little Island at the entrance of the _Red Sea_; here it was that he first began to open himself to his ship's company, and let them understand that he intended to change his measures; for, happening to talk of the _Moca_ Fleet, which was to sail that way, he said _We have been unsuccessful hitherto, but courage, my Boys, we'll make our fortunes out of this Fleet_: And finding that none of them appear'd averse to it, he order'd a boat out, well mann'd, to go upon the coast to make discoveries, commanding them to take a prisoner and bring to him, or get intelligence any way they could. The boat return'd in a few days, bringing him word, that they saw fourteen or fifteen ships ready to sail, some with _English_, some with _Dutch_, and some with _Moorish_ Colours. He therefore order'd a man continually to watch at the mast-head, least this Fleet should go by them; and about four days after, towards evening, it appear'd in sight, being convoy'd by one _English_ and one _Dutch_ Man-of-War. _Kid_ soon fell in with them, and getting into the midst of them, fir'd at a _Moorish_ ship which was next him; but the Men-of-War taking the Alarm, bore down upon _Kid_, and firing upon him, obliged him to sheer off, he not being strong enough to contend with them. Now he had begun hostilities, he resolv'd to go on, and therefore he went and cruis'd along the coast of _Malabar_; the first Prize he met was a small vessel belonging to _Aden_, the vessel was _Moorish_, and the Owners were _Moorish_ Merchants, but the Master was an _Englishman_, his name was _Parker_. _Kid_ forc'd him and a _Portugueze_ that was call'd _Don Antonio_, which were all the _Europeans_ on Board, to take on with them; the first he design'd as a pilot, and the last as an interpreter. He also used the men very cruelly, causing them to be hoisted up by the arms, and drubb'd with a naked cutlass, to force them to discover whether they had money on board, and where it lay; but as they had neither gold nor silver on board, he got nothing by his cruelty; however, he took from them a bale of pepper, and a bale of coffee, and so let them go.

Soon after this he came up with a _Moorish_ Ship, the Master whereof was a _Dutchman_, call'd _Schipper Mitchel_, and chased her under _French_ Colours, which they observing, hoisted _French_ Colours too: When he came up with her, he hail'd her in _French_, and they having a _Frenchman_ on board, answer'd him in the same language; upon which he order'd them to send their boat on board; they were oblig'd to do so, and having examin'd who they were, and from whence they came; he ask'd the _Frenchman_, who was a passenger, if he had a _French_ pass for himself? The _Frenchman_ gave him to understand that he had. Then he told the _Frenchman_ he must pass for Captain, _and by God_, says he, _you are the Captain_: The _Frenchman_ durst not refuse doing as he would have him: The meaning of this was, that he would seize the Ship as fair Prize, and as if she belonged to _French_ Subjects, according to a commission he had for that purpose; tho', one would think, after what he had already done, that he need not have recourse to a quibble to give his actions a colour.

In short, he took the cargoe and sold it some time after, yet still he seem'd to have some fears upon him least these proceedings should have a bad end; for, coming up with a _Dutch_ Ship some time, when his men thought of nothing but attacking her, _Kid_ oppos'd it; upon which a mutiny arose, and the majority being for taking the said ship, and arming themselves to man the boat to go and seize her, he told them, such as did, never should come on Board him again; which put an end to the design, so that he kept company with the said ship some time, without offering her any violence: However, this dispute was the occasion of an accident, upon which an indictment was afterwards grounded against _Kid_; for _Moor_, the Gunner, being one day upon deck, and talking with _Kid_ about the said _Dutch_ Ship, some words arose betwixt them, and _Moor_ told _Kid_, that he had ruin'd them all; upon which, _Kid_, calling him _Dog_, took up a bucket and struck him with it, which breaking his skull, he died the next day.

But _Kid's_ penitential fit did not last long, for coasting along _Malabar_, he met with a great number of boats, all which he plunder'd. Upon the same Coast he also lit upon a _Portugueze_ Ship, which he kept possession of a week, and then having taking out of her some chests of _Indian_ goods, thirty jars of butter, and some wax, iron, and a hundred bags of rice, he let her go.

The _Adventure_ Galley was now so old and leaky, that they were forced to keep two pumps continually going, wherefore _Kid_ shifted all the guns and tackle out of her into the _Queda_ Merchant, intending her for his Man-of-War; and as he had divided the Money before, he now made a division of the remainder of the cargo: Soon after which, the greatest part of the company left him, some going on board Captain _Culliford_, and others absconding in the Country, so that he had not above forty men left.

He put to sea and happened to touch at _Amboyna_, one of the _Dutch_ Spice Islands, where he was told, that the news of his Actions had reach'd _England_, and that he was there declared a Pirate.

The truth on't is, his Piracies so alarmed our Merchants, that some motions were made in Parliament, to enquire into the commission that was given him, and the persons who fitted him out: These proceedings seem'd to lean a little hard upon the Lord _Bellamont_, who thought himself so much touch'd thereby, that he published a Justification of himself in a pamphlet after _Kid's_ execution. In the mean time, it was thought advisable, to publish a Proclamation, offering the King's free Pardon to all such Pirates as should voluntarily surrender themselves, whatever Piracies they had been guilty of at any time, before the last day of _April_, 1699--That is to say, for all Piracies committed Eastward of the _Cape of Good_ Hope, to the Longitude and Meridian of _Socatora_, and _Cape Camorin_. In which Proclamation, _Avery_ and _Kid_ were excepted by Name.

When _Kid_ left _Amboyna_ he knew nothing of this Proclamation, for certainly had he had notice of his being excepted in it, he would not have been so infatuated, to run himself into the very jaws of danger; but relying upon his interest with the Lord _Bellamont_, and fancying, that a _French_ Pass or two he found on board some of the ships he took, would serve to countenance the matter, and that part of the booty he got would gain him new friends--I say, all these things made him flatter himself that all would be hushed, and that justice would but wink at him. Wherefor he sail'd directly for _New York_, where he was no sooner arrived, but by the Lord _Bellamont's_ orders, he was secured with all his papers and effects. Many of his fellow-adventurers who had forsook him at _Madagascar_, came over from thence passengers, some to _New England_ and some to _Jersey_; where hearing of the King's Proclamation for pardoning of Pirates, they surrendered themselves to the Governor of those places: At first they were admitted to bail, but soon after were laid in strict confinement, where they were kept for some time, till an opportunity happened of sending them with their Captain over to _England_ to be tried.

Accordingly a Sessions of Admiralty being held at the _Old Baily_, in _May_, 1701, _Captain Kid_, _Nicholas Churchill_, _James How_, _Robert Lumley_, _William Jenkins_, _Gabriel Loff_, _Hugh Parrot_, _Richard Barlicorn_, _Abel Owens_, and _Darby Mullins_, were arraingn'd for Piracy and Robbery on the High Seas, and all found guilty, except three; these were _Robert Lumley_, _William Jenkins_, and _Richard Barlicorn_, who proving themselves to be apprentices to some of the officers of the ship, and producing their Indentures in Court, were acquitted.

_Kid_ was tried upon an indictment of Murder also, _viz._ for killing _Moor_ the Gunner, and found guilty of the same. _Nicholas Churchill_ and _James How_ pleaded the King's Pardon, as having surrendered themselves within the time limited in the Proclamation, and Colonel _Bass_, Governor of _West Jersey_, to whom they surrendered, being in Court, and called upon, proved the same; however, this plea was over-ruled by the Court, because there being four Commissioners named in the Proclamation, it was adjudged no other person was qualified to receive their surrender, and that they could not be intitled to the benefit.

As to Captain _Kid's_ Defence, he insisted much upon his own innocence, and the villany of his men; he said he went out in a laudable employment and had no occasion, being then in good circumstances, to go a-Pirating; that the men often mutinied against him, and did as they pleas'd; that he was threatened to be shot in his cabin, and that ninety five left him at one time, and set fire to his boat, so that he was disabled from bringing his ship home, or the Prizes he took, to have them regularly condemn'd, which he said were taken by virtue of a commission under the broad seal, they having _French_ Passes--The Captain called one Col. _Hewson_ to his Reputation, who gave him an extraordinary character, and declared to the Court, that he had served under his command, and been in two engagements with him against the _French_, in which he fought as well as any man he ever saw; that there were only _Kid's_ Ship and his own against Monsieur _du Cass_, who commanded a squadron of six sail, and they got the better of him, but this being several years before the facts mentioned in the Indictment were committed, prov'd of no manner of service to the Prisoner on his Trial.

As to the friendship shown to _Culliford_, a notorious Pirate, _Kid_ denied, and said, he intended to have taken him, but his men being a parcel of rogues and villains refused to stand by him, and several of them ran away from his ship to the said Pirate.--But the evidence being full and particular against him, he was found Guilty as before mentioned.

When _Kid_ was asked what he had to say why Sentence should not pass against him, he answered, That _he had nothing to say, but that he had been sworn against by perjured wicked People_. And when Sentence was pronounced, he said, _My Lord it is a very hard Sentence. For my part I am the innocentest Person of them all, only I have been sworn against by perjured Persons_.

Wherefore about a week after, Capt. _Kid_, _Nicholas Churchill_, _James How_, _Gabriel Loff_, _Hugh Parrot_, _Abel Owen_, and _Darby Mullins_, were executed at _Execution Dock_, and afterwards hung up in Chains, at some distance from each other, down the river, where their Bodies hung exposed for many years.

CAPTAIN EDWARD ENGLAND, AND HIS CREW

_Edward England_ went Mate of a Sloop that sailed out of _Jamaica_, and was taken by _Winter_, a Pirate, from whom he had the Command of a Sloop just before their Settlement at _Providence_. The man was brave and good natured, and far from being cruel, as most of them are; and would not have committed such barbarous actions as he did, had not his comrades compelled him to it.

He sailed to the Coast of _Africa_, after the Island of _Providence_ was inhabited by the _English_. In his Passage he took several Ships, particularly the _Cadogan_ Snow belonging to _Bristol_, one _Skinner_ Master, who was murdered by those very men who had formerly served under him, upon a quarrel that happened between _Skinner_ and them, about their wages: He shipped them on board a Man-of-War, from whence they deserted, and went on board a ship in the _West-Indies_, where they were taken by a pirate, and brought to _Providence_, and then they sailed with Captain _England_ a-Pirating.

As soon as _Skinner_ came on board, he saw his old Boatswain, who said, _Ah! Captain Skinner is it you, I am much in your Debt, and now I shall pay you in your own Coin_. These words put the Captain in a panic Fear: And indeed he had Reason enough to be afraid, for they immediately seized him, bound him to the Windlass, pelted him with Glass Bottles, afterwards whipt him about the Deck, and then said, because he had been a good Master, he should have an easy Death, and so shot him through the Head; the vessel and her Cargoe being given to _Howel Davis_.

After this _England_ went into an _Harbour_ to clean his Ship, and also fitted up the _Peterborough_, which he called the _Victory_. Then putting out to sea, they sailed for the _East-Indies_, and took _Madagascar_, by the Way. From thence, after taking in water and provisions, they went for _Malabar_, in the Empire of the _Mogul_. Here they took several _Indian_ Vessels, and one _European_, a _Dutch_ Ship, which they exchanged for one of their own, and then came back to _Madagascar_, where they sent several Hands on shore to kill venison, and then resolved to seek out for the remains of _Avery's_ Crew; but returning without success, they being settled on the other side, they stay'd no longer than till they had cleaned their ships, and then sailed to _Juanna_.

In the Year 1720, the _Bombay_ Fleet, consisting of four _Grabs_, the _London Chandois_, and some other ships, carried 1000 Men to bombard and batter _Gapra_, a fort belonging to _Angria_, on the _Malabar_ Coast; which they not being able to do, fell in with the Pirates, in their return to _Bombay_: But Captain _Upton_ the Commodore, having no orders, would not engage them; which so provoked the Governor, for missing so favourable an opportunity of cutting the Pirates all off, that he gave the command to Captain _Mackra_, with orders to fight them wherever he met with them.

But the Pirates proceeded to the southward, and took a small ship out of _Orincro_ Road, with a _Dutch_ and two _Portugueze_ Men on board, one of which they sent to the Captain, to inform him, that if he would supply them with provisions and water he should have his ship again. But the Master would not agree to it; thereupon they sent other persons ashore, and swore he should be the last man they would give quarter to, and so put directly for _Laccadeva_ Island, and arrived there in three days. But being informed by a _Menchew_, there was no anchor-ground there, they went to the next Island, called _Melincha_, whence they were driven by a storm, leaving behind them a hundred people, and all their water-casks: But in a week's time, they regained the island, took their people on board, and filled the water-casks. Provisions being scarce, they resolved to visit the _Dutch_ at _Cochin_, and after three days sail, arrived off of _Tellechery_, where they took a small Vessel belonging to Governor _Adams_; who giving an account of Captain _Mackra's_ fitting out against them, put them into a grievous passion.

Afterward they arrived at _Mauritius_, where they refitted the _Victory_, and then sailed the 5th of April for _Madagascar_, but called first at the Island _Mascarine_, at which they found a _Portugueze_ ship of seventy guns at anchor, disabled by a violent storm, so that they easily became a Prize to the Pirates. She had on board the _Conde Ereceira_ Vice-Roy of _Goa_, also they found on board her, in diamonds only, to the value of four millions of Dollars. They made the Vice-Roy a prisoner; but in consideration of his losses, accepted of a ransom of 2000 dollars and then set him and his followers ashore. Learning that an _Ostender_ was on the leeward of that Island, they sailed and took her, and sent her to _Madagascar_ with news of their success, where they followed themselves soon after, with two hundred _Mozambique_ Negroes in the _Portugueze_ Ship.

When _Taylor_ came with the _Portugueze_ Prize to _Madagascar_, they found that the _Ostender_ had made his men drunk, and seized his ship, which they carried to the _Mozambique_; from thence the Governor ordered her to _Goa_. But the Pirates staid and clean'd the _Cassandra_, and divided very great plunder. Some, who thought they had got enough, staid at _Madagascar_, and the rest, having no occasion for two ships, burnt the _Victory_, she being leaky, and went on board the _Cassandra_, under the Command of Captain _Taylor_, designing to go for _Cochin_ to dispose of his diamonds, amongst his old Friends the _Dutch_, and also to avoid the dangers of the Men-of-War that were in pursuit of them. But as he was preparing to sail, and heard of four Men-of-War coming after him; therefore he altered his mind, and sailed for the Main of _Africa_, and put in at _Delagoa_: But the Pirates were surprized in the evening with some shot from the shore. They took it for a desert shore, but it proved otherwise; for a few months before, the _Dutch East India Company_ had settled one hundred men upon it, who, not being supplied with necessaries, were reduced to about sixteen; whom _Taylor_, upon their humble petition took aboard, and they all became Pirates with him.