Part 10
A Windmill in _Barbadoes_ will cost 100 l. all Materials and Labour being very dear; but here Wood and Stone may be had for Labour only; so that with Artificers, and the needful Iron and Copper Work brought from _Europe_, a Sugar Work may be set up for very little Money.
Negroes in _Barbadoes_ are at 30, 40, 50 l. _per_ Head; and I dare answer 10 s. in _European_ Goods, will purchase a Negroe Slave at _Madagascar_, since we have purchas'd for an old Coat, a lusty Fellow.
Food is very dear at _Barbadoes_, and here you may feed a Slave, as well as your self without Expence; consequently he will do more Work than a _Barbadoes_ Slave, who is, by the Dearness of Provision, half-starved.
Tho' a Cattle Mill is of less Expence in _Barbadoes_, yet the feeding of Horses and Oxen at _Barbadoes_ is very dear.
But, to proceed to other Advantages, all Sorts of medicinal and dying Woods may be carried from hence to _Europe_; and your Woods for fine Works, as Iron, Wood, Cedar, Mahogony, _&c._ are here in great Abundance.
If a Colony, with a lawful Power, were settled here, no doubt, but many of the Commodities which we fetch from the _Indies_ might be made here, as Silk, Cotton, _&c._ the Soil being proper for their Production.
The Natives are, or seem to be, very human; and they have such Plenty of black Cattle, that we have bought an Ox of 800 lb. Weight, for a Pair of Breeches.
Besides, a Settlement here would be a Curb on Pyrates, and a Protection, as well as a great Conveniency to our _East India_ Ships, who might here be stored with fresh or salt Provisions, and consequently not be obliged to carry with them so great a Quantity as they now do, and save a great Deal of Money to the Company in their Victualling.
Captain _Tew_ went on Shore again in the Evening, the Wind not serving to weigh, it blowing due _West_; he asked the Governor, how he got acquainted with the Natives? and he answered, by meeting them a Hunting, and using them well; that he wheedled one of them down to their Huts, the Fellow being alone, and they three in Company, he suppos'd, thought it best to go with seeming Willingness. After him several came, and they liv'd very friendly with them: The Captain had brought ashore with him some Rum and Brandy, and they were drinking a Bowl of Punch, when, on a sudden, a violent Storm arose; Captain _Tew_ ran to the Shore, and made a Signal for his Boat to carry him off, but the Sea ran too high to venture out of the Ship: The Storm all the while increas'd, and the _Victoire_, in less than two Hours, parted her Cables, was drove ashore where it was steep to, and perished, with all her Men, in Captain _Tew_'s Sight.
The Captain staid with his old Companions, without knowing which Way to return to his Friends he had left with _Misson_, not one of whom was (luckily for them,) on board the Ship. At the End of three Months, as far as they could discover a Hutt, they saw a large Ship, which _Tew_ believed was the _Bijoux_; but she took no Notice of the Fires they made: As he expected she would return after a short Cruize, he, and his Companions, made large Fires every Night on the Shore, and visited the Coast very often. About a Month after this, as they came early to the Sea-Side, they were surpriz'd at the Sight of two Sloops which lay at an Anchor, about a Canon Shot from the Shore; they had not been long looking upon them, when a Canoe was hoisted out of One, and made to them, with six Men who row'd, and one Sitter.
_Tew_ soon knew him to be Captain _Misson_; he came ashore, and embracing the former, told him, all their propos'd Happiness was vanished; for without the least Provocation given, in the Dead of the Night, the Natives came down upon them in two great Bodies, and made a great Slaughter, without Distinction of Age or Sex, before they could put themselves in a Posture of Defence; that _Caraccioli_ (who died in the Action) and he got what Men together they could, to make a Stand; but finding all Resistance vain against such Numbers, he made a Shift to secure a considerable Quantity of rough Diamonds and Bar Gold, and to get on board the two Sloops with 45 Men: That the _Bijoux_ being gone to cruize, and the Number of Men he had carried with him in the _Victoire_, weaken'd the Colony, and given the Natives the Boldness to attack them as they did, but for what Reason he could not imagine.
_Tew_ gave him an Account of the Disaster which had happen'd; and after having mutually condol'd their Misfortunes, _Tew_ propos'd their going to _America_, where _Misson_ might, with the Riches he had, pass his Life unknown, and in a comfortable Manner.
_Misson_ answer'd he could not yet take any Resolution, tho' he had Thoughts of returning to _Europe_, and privately visiting his Family, if any where alive, and then to retire from the World.
They dined with the Quarter-Master, who press'd their Return to _America_, to procure a Commission for the settling a Colony.
_Misson_ told _Tew_, he should have one of the Sloops, and what Volunteers would keep him Company, for his Misfortunes had erased all Thoughts of future Settlements; that what Riches they had saved, he would distribute equally, nay, he would be content, if he had only a bare Support left him.
On this Answer, four of the Quarter-Master's Company offer'd to join Captain _Tew_.
In the Afternoon they visited both Sloops, and _Misson_ putting the Question to the Men, thirty went on board of one Sloop, tho' they parted with great Reluctance from their old Commander; and fifteen staid with _Misson_. The four Men who join'd _Tew_ made the Number of his Crew 34; they staid about a Week, in hopes of the _Bijoux_'s Return upon the Coast; but she not appearing, they set sail, Captain _Misson_ having first shared the Treasure, with _Tew_ and his other Friends and Companions, hoping to meet the _Bijoux_ on the _Guiney_ Coast, for which they shaped their Course.
Off Cape _Infantes_, they were over-taken with a Storm, in which the unhappy _Misson_'s Sloop went down, within a Musket Shot of Captain _Tew_, who could give him no Assistance.
_Tew_ continued his Course for _America_, and arrived at _Rhode Island_ without any Accident; his Men dispersed themselves, as they thought fit, and _Tew_ sent to _Bermudas_ for his Owners Account fourteen Times the Value of their Sloop, and not being questioned by any, liv'd in great Tranquillity; the _French_ belonging to _Misson_, took different Routs, one of whom dying at _Rochelle_, the _French_ Manuscript of _Misson_'s Life was found among his Papers, and transmitted to me by a Friend and Correspondent.
Captain _Tew_ lived unquestion'd, _&c._ he had an easy Fortune, and designed to live quietly at home; but those of his Men, who lived near him, having squandered their Shares, were continually solliciting him to take another Trip: He withstood their Request a considerable Time; but they having got together (by the Report they made of the vast Riches to be acquired) a Number of resolute Fellows, they, in a Body, begg'd him to head them but for one Voyage. They were so earnest in their Desire, that he could not refuse complying. They prepared a small Sloop, and made the best of their Way to the _Streights_, entering the _Red Sea_, where they met with, and attack'd a Ship belonging to the Great _Mogul_; in the Engagement, a Shot carried away the Rim of _Tew_'s Belly, who held his Bowels with his Hands some small Space; when he dropp'd, it struck such a Terror in his Men, that they suffered themselves to be taken, without making Resistance.
OF Capt. _HALSEY_, And his CREW.
_John Halsey_ was a _Boston_ Man, of _New England_, commanded the _Charles_ Brigantine, and went out with a Commission from the Governor, to cruize on the Banks of _Newfoundland_, where he took a _French_ Banker, which he appointed to meet him at _Fyal_; but missing his Prize here, he went among the _Canary_ Islands, where he took a _Spanish Barcalonga_, which he plundered and sunk; from thence he went to the Island of _Bravo_, one of the _Cape de Verd_, where he wooded and watered, turn'd ashore his Lieutenant, and several of his Men here running away from him, the Governor sent them on board again, his Commission being as yet in Force; from hence he stood away then to the Southward, and doubling the _Cape_ of _Good Hope_, made for _Madagascar_ and the Bay of _Augustine_, where he took in Wood and Water, with some straggling Seamen, who were cast away in the _Degrave India_ Man, Capt. _Young_, Commander. After this, he shap'd his Course for the _Red Sea_, and met with a _Dutchman_ of 60 Guns, coming from _Mocha_, whom he kept Company with a Week. Tho' he was resolved upon turning Pyrate, he intended to rob only the _Moor_ Ships, which occasioned a Dispute between him and his Men; they insisting on the Ship's being a _Moor_, he as strenuously asserting she was _Dutch_, was positive in his Resolve of meddling with no _European_ Ships. The Men were for boarding, but his Obstinacy not being to be conquered, they broke _Halsey_ and his Gunner, confining both, and were ready to board the _Dutchman_, when one of the Crew perceiving he was about to run out his lower Tire, knock'd down the Quarter-Master (whose Business it is to be at the Helm in Time of Chase or Engagement, according to the Rules of Pyrates) clapp'd the Helm hard a Weather, and wore the _Brigantine_: The _Dutchman_ staid, and fired a Shot, which taking a Swivel Gun carried it aft, narrowly miss'd the Man at Helm, and shatter'd the Tafrel; the Men perceiving they had catch'd a _Tartar_, made the best of their Way to shake her off, and some were running down between Decks, whom the Surgeon prick'd up again with his Sword, tho' he no Way was consenting to their design'd Pyracy. The Captain and a Gunner were again reinstated after they had seen their Mistake, and then they steer'd for the _Nicobar_ Islands, where they met with a Country Ship, called the _Buffalo_, commanded by Captain _Buckley_, an _Englishman_, coming from _Bengal_, which they took after a short Engagement, there being only three _Europeans_ aboard, the Captain and two Mates, the rest were _Moors_. This Ship fell seasonably in their Way, she being bound for _Achen_, with Butter, Rice, and Cloath, and the Pyrates, at that Time, being in great Streights both for Provision and Cloathing. They took the two Mates to Sea with them, but left the Captain and the _Moors_ at _Cara Nicobar_, at an Anchor, and then took a Cruize. Captain _Buckley_, who was sick, died before their Return; in the Cruize they met with Captain _Collins_ in a Country Sloop, bound also to _Achen_: He had also two _English_ Mates with him, but the rest of his Company consisted of _Moors_; him they carried to the same Harbour where they left the _Buffalo_.
Here a Dispute arose among the Pyrates, some were for returning to the _West Indies_, others were against it, for they had got no Money, and that was what engaged their Search; they parted upon this; one Part went on board the _Buffalo_, made one _Rowe_ Captain, and _Myers_, a _Frenchman_, Master, whom they had pick'd up at _Madagascar_. The Sloop's Deck they ripp'd up, and mended with it the Bottom of the _Brigantine_, which _Halsey_ still commanded; the Ship shaped her Course for _Madagascar_, and the _Brigantine_ made for the Streights of _Malacca_, to lie in the Tract of the _Manila_ Ships. I must observe, that Capt. _Buckley_'s two Mates, whom they intended to force with them, were by Strength of Intreaty, permitted to go away with a Canoe. In these Streights, they met an _Europe_ built Ship, of 26 Guns, which they had not the Courage to attack, being sour'd by the _Dutchman_. They afterwards stood in Shore, and came to an Anchor; few Days after they made a Vessel, which they supposed a _China_ Jonque, and gave Chase, but when they came pretty nigh, notwithstanding the Pilot assured them, she was what they supposed, they swore it was a _Dutchman_, and would not venture upon him; so leaving off their Chase stood in Shore, and came again to an Anchor under the _Peninsula_; they lay here some Days, and then spied a tall Vessel, which they chased, and proved the _Albemarle East India_ Man, Captain _Bews_, Commander, come from _China_; they came up with him, but thinking it too warm a Ship, after exchanging a few Shot, the _Brigantine_ made off, and the _Albemarle_ chased in her Turn: They however got clear, having a better Share of Heels, and came again to an Anchor, having not above 40 Hands, their Water growing scarce, and not daring to venture ashore for Fear of the _Dutch_, a Council was called, and it was resolved to make the best of their Way to _Madagascar_, to pick up more Hands, refresh, and set out on new Adventures; pursuant to this Resolution, they steer'd for that Island, but fell in their Way on _Mascarenas_ where, making a small Present to the Governor, they were supplied with what they wanted; from hence they went to a Place on _Madagascar_, call'd by the Pyrates _Hopeful Point_; by the Natives, _Harangby_, near the Island of St. _Mary_'s, on the Lat. of 17. 40 S. where they met with the _Buffalo_, and the _Dorothy_, a Prize, made by Captain _Thomas White_ and his Company, being about 90 or 100 Men, settled near the same Place, in petty Governments of their own, having some of them 500 or 600, some 1000 Negroe Subjects, who acknowledged their Sovereignty. Here they again repaired their Brigantine, took in Provisions and all Necessaries, augmented their Company to about 100 Men, and set out for the _Red Sea_; they touch'd at _Johanna_, and there took in a Quantity of Goats and Cocoa Nuts for fresh Provisions, and thence in eleven Days reach'd the Streights of _Babel Mandel_: They had not cruised here many Days, when they spied the _Moors_ Fleet from _Mocha_ and _Jufa_, consisting of 25 Sail, which they fell in with, and had been taken, if their Oars had not help'd them off, it falling a dead Calm. They had not apprehended the Danger so great, if they had not judged these Ships convoy'd by some _Portuguese_ Men of War: Some Days after this, they met a one Mast Vessel, called a Grab, coming from _Mocha_, which they spied within Gun-Shot, in a thick Fog; they fired a Shot which out her Halliards, and then they took Possession of her with their Boats; she was laden with Drugs, but they took only some Necessaries and 2000 Dollars, and having learned that 4 _English_ Vessels lay at _Mocoa_, of which one was from _Jufa_, they let her go.
Three Days after they spied the 4 Ships, which they at first took for the Trees of _Babel Mandel_; at Night they fell in with, and kept them Company till Morning, the Trumpets sounding on both Sides all the Time, for the Pyrate had two on board as well as the _English_. When it was clear Day the four Ships drew into a Line, for they had haled the Pyrate, who made no Ceremony of owning who he was, by answering according to their Manner _From the Seas_. The _Brigantine_ bore up till she had slung her Garf. One of the Ships perceiving this, advised Captain _Jago_, who led the Van, in a Ship of 24 Guns and 70 Men, to give Chace, for the Pyrate was on the Run; but a Mate, who was acquainted with the Way of working among Pyrates, answered he would find his Mistake, and said he had seen many a warm Day, but feared this would be the hottest. The _Brigantine_ turn'd up again, and coming a Stern, clapp'd the _Rising Eagle_ aboard, a Ship of 16 Guns and the Sternmost; tho' they entered their Men, the _Rising Eagle_ held them a warm Dispute for 3 Quarters of an Hour, in which Captain _Chamberlain_'s chief Mate and several others were killed, the Purser was wounded, jumped over-board, and drowned: In the mean while the other Ships call'd to Captain _Jago_ to board the Pyrate; who bearing away, to clap him aboard, the Pyrate gave him a Shot, which raked him fore and aft, and determined Captain _Jago_ to get out of Danger; for he run away with all the Sail he could pack, tho' he was fitted out to protect the Coast against Pyrates. His Example was followed by the rest, every one steering a different Course: Thus they became Masters of the _Rising Eagle_. I can't but take Notice, that the second Mate of the _Rising Eagle_, after Quarters were called for, fired from out of the Forecastle, and killed two of the Pyrates, one of whom was the Gunner's Consort, who would have revenged his Death by shooting the Mate, but several _Irish_ and _Scots_, together with one Captain _Thomas White_, once a Commander among the Pyrates, but then a private Man, interposed and saved him, in regard that he was an _Irishman_. They examined the Prisoners to know which was the Ship came from _Juffa_, for that had Money on board; and having learn'd it was the _Essex_, they gave Chace, came up with her, hoisted the bloody Flag at the Mainmast-head, fired one single Gun, and she struck; tho' the _Essex_ was fitted for close Quarters, there were not on board the _Brigantine_ above 20 Hands, and the Prize was a Stern so far, that her Top-mast scarce appeared out of the Water; in chacing this Ship, they pass'd the other two, who held the Fly of their Ensigns in their Hands ready to strike. When the Ship had struck, the Captain of her asked who commanded that _Brigantine_, he was answered, Captain _Halsey_; asking again who was Quarter-Master? He was told, _Nathaniel North_, to whom he called, as he knew him very well. _North_ learning his Name was _Punt_, said Captain _Thomas Punt, I am sorry you are fallen into our Hands_; he was civilly treated, and nothing belonging to himself or the _English_ Gentlemen, who were Passengers, touch'd, tho' they made bold to lay Hands on 40000 l. in Money belonging to the Ship. They had about 10000 l. in Money out of the _Rising Eagle_. They discharged the _Essex_, and with the other Prize and the Brigantine, steer'd for _Madagascar_, where they arrived and shared their Booty. Some of the Passengers, who had been so well treated, came afterwards with a small Ship from _India_ (with License from the Governor of _Maderas_) called the _Greyhound_, laden with Necessaries, in Hopes to barter with the Pyrates for the dry Goods they had taken, and recover them at an easy Rate: They were received very kindly, an Invoice of their Goods was asked, the Goods agreed for, shared and paid in Money and Bale Goods. In the mean while came in a Ship from _Scotland_, called the _Neptune_, 26 Guns, 54 Men, commanded by Captain _James Miller_, with a Design to slave, and to go thence to _Batavia_ to dispose of her Negroes (having a Supercargo on board, brought up among the _Dutch_) and thence to _Malacco_, to take on board the Cargo of a Ship, call'd the _Speedwell_, lost on her Return from _China_; but finding here another Ship trading with the Pyrates, and having many Necessaries, _French_ Brandy, _Madera_ Wine, and _English_ Stout on board, Captain _Miller_ thought it better to trade for Money than Slaves. The Merchants of the _Greyhound_ nettled to see any but themselves take Money, for the Pyrates never haggled about a Price, told 'em, They could not do the Governor of _Maderas_ a more grateful Piece of Service, than to make Prize of the _Neptune_, which was a Ship fit for their Purpose. To which some of the _Scotch_ and _Irish_ answered, they had not best put such a Design on Foot, for if the Company once got it into their Heads to take one, they'd go nigh to take both Ships. In a short Time after came on a Hurricane, which obliged the _Neptune_ to cut away all her Masts, and lost the three Ships belonging to the Pyrates, which was their whole Fleet. They having now no Ship, and several of them no Money, having been stripp'd at Play, their Thoughts were bent on the _Neptune_. The Chief Mate of her _Daniel Burgis_, who had a Spleen to the Captain, joining privately with the Pyrates (among whom he died) got all the small Masts and Yards ashore; and the Pyrates being requested to find him proper Trees for Masting, told Captain _Miller_, they had found such as would serve his Turn, desiring he would take a Number of Hands ashore to get them down to the Water, which he (suspecting no harm) accordingly did, and he and his Men were seized, and the Long Boat detained ashore. The Captain was forced to send for the second Mate, and afterwards for the Gunner; the Mate, who was the Captain's Brother, went, but the Gunner suspecting foul Play refused: In the Evening _Burgess_ came on board, and advised the Surrender of the Ship, which, tho' but sixteen were left on board, they scrupled, and proposed going under the Cover of their own Guns to fetch their Top-masts and Yards, and with them to put to Sea; but the Chief Mate _Burgess_, whose Villany was not then known, persuaded them to give up a Ship they could neither defend nor sail; which was no small Satisfaction to the Merchants in the _Greyhound_, little thinking how soon they would meet with the same Treatment; for two Days after the Pyrates mann'd the _Neptune_'s Pinnace, seized the _Greyhound_, took away all the Money they had paid, and shifting out of the _Neptune_ ten Pipes of _Madera_, with two Hogsheads of Brandy, into the _Greyhound_, and putting on board the Captain, second Mate, Boatswain and Gunner of the _Neptune_, and about 14 of her Hands, ordered her to Sea; the rest of the _Neptune_'s Company being young Men fit for their Purpose, they detained, most of which, by hard drinking, fell into Distempers and died. As to Captain _Halsey_, while the _Scotch_ Ship was fitting, he fell ill of a Fever, died and was buried with great Solemnity and Ceremony; the Prayers of the Church of _England_ were read over him, Colours were flying, and his Sword and Pistol laid on his Coffin, which was covered with a Ship's Jack; as many Minute Guns fired as he was Years old, _viz._ 46, and three _English_ Vollies, and one _French_ Volley of small Arms. He was brave in his Person, courteous to all his Prisoners, lived beloved, and died regretted by his own People. His Grave was made in a Garden of Water Melons, and fenced in with Pallisades to prevent his being rooted up by wild Hogs, of which there are Plenty in those Parts.
* * * * *
_P. S._ The _Neptune_ seized as above, was the Year after Captain _Halsey_'s Death, ready to go to Sea; but a Hurricane happening she was lost, and prov'd the last Ship that Gang of Pyrates ever got Possession of.
OF Captain _Thomas White_, And his CREW.
He was born at _Plymouth_, where his Mother kept a Publick House; she took great Care of his Education and when he was grown up, as he had an Inclination to the Sea, procur'd him the King's Letter. After he had served some Years on board a Man of War, he went to _Barbadoes_, where he married, got into the Merchants Service, and designed to settle in the Island: He had the Command of the _Marygold Brigantine_ given him, in which he made two successful Voyages to _Guiney_ and back to _Barbadoes_; in his third, he had the Misfortune to be taken by a _French_ Pyrate, as were several other _English_ Ships, the Masters and inferior Officers of which they detained, being in Want of good Artists.
The Brigantine belonging to _White_ they kept for their own Use, and sunk the Vessel they before sailed in; but meeting with a Ship on the _Guiney_ Coast more fit for their Purpose, they went on board her, and burnt the Brigantine.
It is not my Business here to give an Acount of this _French_ Pyrate, any farther than Captain _White_'s Story obliges me, tho' I beg Leave to take Notice of their Barbarity to the _English_ Prisoners, for they would set them up as a Butt or Mark to shoot at; several of whom were thus murdered in cool Blood, by Way of Diversion.