Part 17
As we cannot, with any Certainty, deduce this Man from his Origin, we shall begin where we find him first a declared Enemy to Mankind. Capt. _Bellamy_ and _Paul Williams_, in two Sloops, had been upon a _Spanish_ Wreck, and not finding their Expectation answered, as has been mentioned in former Parts of this History, they resolved not to lose their Labour, and agreed to go upon the Account, a Term among the Pyrates, which speaks their Profession. The first, who had the Misfortune to fall in their Way, was Captain _Prince_, bound from _Jamaica_ to _London_, in a Galley built at that Port, whose Cargo consisted of Elephants Teeth, Gold Dust, and other rich Merchandize. This Prize not only enrich'd, but strengthened them; they immediately mounted this Galley with 28 Guns, and put aboard 150 Hands of different Nations; _Bellamy_ was declared Captain, and the Vessel had her old Name continued, which was _Whidaw_: This happen'd about the latter End of _February_, 1717. They, now thus fitted for the continuing of their desperate Resolution, shaped their Course for _Virginia_, which Coast they very much infested, taking several Vessels: They were upon shifting this Station, when they were very near, as the Psalmist expresses it, _going quick down into Hell_, for the Heaven's beginning to lowre, prognosticated a Storm; at the first Appearance of the Sky being likely to be overcast, _Bellamy_ took in all his small Sails, and _Williams_ double reefed his main Sail, which was hardly done when a Thunder Shower overtook them with such Violence, that the _Whidaw_ was very near over-setting; they immediately put before the Wind, for they had no other Way of working, having only the Goose Wings of the Fore-Sail to scud with; happy for them the Wind was at _West_ and by _North_, for had it been Easterly, they must have infallibly perish'd upon the Coast. The Storm encreased towards Night, and not only put them by all Sail, but obliged the _Whidaw_ to bring her Yards aportland, and all they could do with Tackles to the Goose Neck of the Tiller, four Men in the Gun Room, and two at the Wheel, was to keep her Head to the Sea, for had she once broach'd to, they must infallibly have founder'd. The Heavens, in the mean while, were cover'd with Sheets of Lightning, which the Sea by the Agitation of the saline Particles seem'd to imitate; the Darkness of the Night was such, as the Scripture says, as might be felt; the terrible hollow roaring of the Winds, cou'd be only equalled by the repeated, I may say, incessant Claps of Thunder, sufficient to strike a Dread of the supream Being, who commands the Sea and the Winds, one would imagine in every Heart; but among these Wretches, the Effect was different, for they endeavoured by their Blasphemies, Oaths, and horrid Imprecations, to drown the Uproar of jarring Elements. _Bellamy_ swore he was sorry he could not run out his Guns to return the Salute, meaning the Thunder, that he fancied the Gods had got drunk over their Tipple, and were gone together by the Ears: They continued scudding all that Night under their bare Poles, the next Morning the Main-Mast being sprung in the Step, they were forced to cut it away, and, at the same time, the Mizzen came by the Board. These Misfortunes made the Ship ring with Blasphemy, which was encreased, when, by trying the Pumps, they found the Ship made a great Deal of Water; tho' by continually plying them, it kept it from gaining upon them: The Sloop as well as the Ship, was left to the Mercy of the Winds, tho' the former, not having a Tant-Mast, did not lose it. The Wind shifting round the Compass, made so outrageous and short a Sea, that they had little Hopes of Safety; it broke upon the Poop, drove in the Taveril, and wash'd the two Men away from the Wheel, who were saved in the Netting. The Wind after four Days and three Nights abated of its Fury, and fixed in the North, North East Point, hourly decreasing, and the Weather clearing up, so that they spoke to the Sloop, and resolv'd for the Coast of _Carolina_; they continued this Course but a Day and a Night, when the Wind coming about to the Southward, they changed their Resolution to that of going to _Rhode Island_. All this while the _Whidaw_'s Leak continued, and it was as much as the Lee-Pump could do to keep the Water from gaining, tho' it was kept continually going. Jury-Masts were set up, and the Carpenter finding the Leak to be in the Bows, occasioned by the Oakam spewing out of a Seam, the Crew became very jovial again; the Sloop received no other Damage than the Loss of the Main-Sail, which the first Flurry tore away from the Boom. In their Cruise off _Rhode Island_, the Beginning of _April_, they took a Sloop commanded by Capt. _Beer_, belonging to _Boston_, in the Lat. of _South Carolina_, 40 Leagues from Land; they put the said Captain on Board the _Whidaw_ Commodore, while they rifled and plundered his Vessel, which _Williams_ and _Bellamy_ proposed returning to him, but the Crews being averse to it, they sunk her, and put the Captain ashore upon _Block Island_.
I can't pass by in Silence, Capt. _Bellamy_'s Speech to Capt. _Beer_. D--n my Bl--d_, says he, _I am sorry they won't let you have your Sloop again, for I scorn to do any one a Mischief, when it is not for my Advantage; damn the Sloop, we must sink her, and she might be of Use to you. Tho', damn ye, you are a sneaking Puppy, and so are all those who will submit to be governed by Laws which rich Men have made for their own Security, for the cowardly Whelps have not the Courage otherwise to defend what they get by their Knavery; but damn ye altogether: Damn them for a Pack of crafty Rascals, and you, who serve them, for a Parcel of hen-hearted Numskuls. They villify us, the Scoundrels do, when there is only this Difference, they rob the Poor under the Cover of Law, forsooth, and we plunder the Rich under the Protection of our own Courage; had you not better make One of us, than sneak after the A--s of these Villains for Employment? Capt. _Beer_ told him, that his Conscience would not allow him to break thro' the Laws of God and Man. You are a devilish Conscience Rascal, d--n ye, replied _Bellamy_, I am a free Prince, and I have as much Authority to make War on the whole World, as he who has a hundred Sail of Ships at Sea, and an Army of 100,000 Men in the Field; and this my Conscience tells me; but there is no arguing with such sniveling Puppies, who allow Superiors to kick them about Deck at Pleasure; and pin their Faith upon a Pimp of a Parson; a Squab, who neither practices nor believes what he puts upon the chuckle-headed Fools he preaches to.--The Pyrates wanting neither Provision nor Water, and the _Whidaw_'s Damage being repaired, they past their Time very jovially. One of the Crew had been a Stroler, a Fellow who had pass'd thro' a great many real as well as fictitious Scenes of Life, the stroling Business not answering the Greatness of his Soul (as he expressed it) he thought it more profitable, and less fatiguing, to turn Collector. Accordingly in _Yorkshire_ he borrowed an excellent Gelding, (I make Use of his own Terms) with a hunting Saddle and Bridle, and with a Case of Pocket Pistols, which he before had, he set out to seek Adventures, without taking Leave of his Company; he met, he said, with several Knights Errant, whom as they declined the Combat, he spoiled and sent to offer themselves at the Feet of his _Dulcinea_, but being under the Influence of some malicious Enchanter, who envied his glorious Feats of Arms, and fear'd they would eclipse by the Brightness of their Lustre, those of some favourite Knight whom he protected; or otherwise, knowing by his Skill, that he should one Day succumb under the Weight of his irresistable Arm, by his magical Power, threw him into a loathsome Dungeon loaded with Irons, whence the wise Man, who had Care of his Affairs, and was destined to write the History of his heroick Deeds delivered, and putting him on board a Ship, transported him to the famous Island of _Jamaica_; and after various Turns of Fortune, link'd him in Society with these Marine Heroes, the Scourge of Tyrants and Avarice, and the brave Asserters of Liberty.
This whimsical Fellow made a Play whilst he was on Board, which he called the _Royal Pyrate_; and this (which to see once would make a Cynick laugh) was acted on the Quarter-Deck with great Applause, both of the Actors and Poet; but an Accident which turn'd the Farce into Tragedy, occasioned an Order of Council to forbid its being play'd a second Time. The Case was thus; _Alexander_ the Great, environ'd by his Guards, was examining a Pyrate who was brought before him: The Gunner, who was drunk, took this to be in earnest, and that his Mess-Mate was in Danger, and hearing _Alexander_ say,
_Know'st thou that Death attends thy mighty Crimes,_ _And thou shall'st hang to Morrow Morn betimes._
Swore by G--d he'd try that, and running into the Gun Room where he left three Companions over a Bowl of Rum Punch as drunk as himself, told them, they were going to hang honest _Jack Spinckes_; and if they suffered it, they should be all hang'd one after another, but by G--d, they should not hang him, for he'd clear the Decks; and taking a Grenade with a lighted Match, followed by his Comrades with their Cutlash, he set Fire to the Fuze and threw it among the Actors. The Audience was on the Gang Ways and Poop, and falling in with their Cutlash, poor _Alexander_ had his left Arm cut off, and _Jack Spinckes_ his Leg broke with the bursting of the Shell: The Ship was immediately in an Uproar, and the Aggressors seiz'd, who else would have made Havock with the Guards, or have been cut to Pieces by them, for they had all Cutlashes. _Alexander_ the Great revenged the Loss of his Arm by the Death of him who deprived him of his Limb. The Gunner and two surviving Comrades were that Night clapp'd into Irons, and the next Day at a Court-Marshal, not only acquitted but applauded for their Zeal. _Alexander_ and his Enemies were reconciled, and the Play forbad any more to be acted.
A Fortnight after the setting Capt. _Beer_ ashore, _Williams_ boarded and took a Vessel off _Cape Cod_, laden with Wine; the Crew of which encreased the Number of their Prisoners: They put seven Men on Board the Prize, with Orders to keep Company with the Ship and Sloop, commanded by _Bellamy_ and _Williams_, and left aboard her the Master.
As the Ship and Sloop had been long off the _Carreen_, they stretch'd away to the Northward, and made the best of their Way to _Penobscott_ River, which lies between _Nova Scotia_ and the Province of _Main_, where they designed to heave down. This Tract of Land is along the Coast about 190 Miles from West to East, reckoning from the Province of _Main_ to St. _Croix_; and about 200 Miles over from North to South, counting from the River _Quebeck_ to the Sea. King _Charles_ the Second made a Grant of it in 1663, to his Royal Highness _James_ Duke of _York_, who made a Settlement at _Pemaquid_; it abounds in all Sorts of Timber, and would bear excellent Hemp and Flax, and all Sorts of Naval Stores; is rich in Copper, Lead, and Iron Ore; and the Seas are stock'd with Whales, Cod, Sturgeon, Herrings, Mackrel, Salmon, Oysters, Cockles, _&c._ the Soil produces all Sort of _European_ Grain and Fruits; and the Woods shelter a great Number of Deer, as Elks, Red and Fallow Deer, _&c._ and this Country, if settled, would certainly be of great Advantage to _England_. I hope the Reader will pardon this small Digression which the Interest I take in every Thing, which may tend to the enriching or extending the Dominions of our glorious _Britain_, my dearly loved Country, forced me into: But to return, when they were at the Mouth of this River, it was thought more eligible to careen in the River _Mechisses_; they entered it as agreed, and run up about two Miles and a half, when they came to an Anchor, with their Prizes. The next Morning all the Prisoners were set ashore with Drivers, and Orders to assist in the building Huts; the Guns were also set ashore, and a Breast Work raised, with Embrazures, for the Canon on each Side the River, this took up four Days: A Magazine was dug deep in the Earth, and a Roof rais'd over it by the poor Slaves the Prisoners, whom they treated after the same Manner as the Negroes are used by the _West-India_ Planters. The Powder being secured, and every Thing out, they hove down the Sloop, cleaned her, and when she had all in again, they careened the _Whidaw_, by the largest Prize. Here the Stroler told the two Commanders, that they might lay the Foundation of a new Kingdom, which, in time, might subject the World, and extend its Conquests beyond those of the _Roman_ Empire. I am, it is true, said he, by Birth, the Son of a Miller, but I have Ambition, Avarice, and Learning enough, to be a Secretary of State, for I was a Servitor at _Oxford_ before I turn'd Stroler; and if you think fit to erect this Tract of Land into an Empire, and your joint Imperial Majesties will employ my Abilities, don't question but I will prove a true Patriot; that is, by the Figure I will make, I will be a Credit to your Court, and by the squeezing your Subjects (whom under the specious Pretence of Liberty, I will keep in abject Slavery) drain such Sums as shall ever keep them poor, and your and my Treasury full. _Rome_, the Mistress of the World, was founded by a couple of Sheep-Stealers, and peopled by run-away Slaves and insolvent Debtors; how much more advantageously might you two undertake the erecting of a new Monarchy, whose Subjects are no Strangers to the Art of War, who are not environ'd as they were with invidious Neighbours, and who may encrease your Power, and propagate the Species, by taking into your Protection the _Indians_ of these Parts, and the discontented and desperate People of the neighbouring _English_ and _French_ Colonies? To strengthen your selves, raise every useful Man to some Dignity in the State, and share the Prisoners (I mean such as won't swear Allegiance) as so many Slaves unworthy of Liberty among your great Men; build more Vessels, keep them constantly on the Cruize, and force all the Prisoners either by fair or foul to acknowledge your Sovereignty; it was thus the greatest Empires of the World were founded; superior Force was always acknowledged a just Title; and the Ancients ever esteem'd the Prisoners they made, whose Lives were in their Power by the Law of Arms, lawful Slaves; and the employing their Lives in the Service of the Conqueror, but a grateful Retribution for preserving of them. I leave it to the mature Deliberation of your great Wisdom, whether it is not more eligible to found here an Empire, and make War by a lawful Authority derived from your Royal selves, than lie under the opprobrious Appellations of Robbers, Thieves, profligate Rogues and Pyrates; for begging Pardon of your Majesties, for that Freedom of Speech, which my Zeal for your Royal Service, and the publick Good oblige me to; the World treats you and your loyal Subjects with no softer Terms. But, when you have once declared your selves lawful Monarchs, and that you have Strength enough to defend your Title, all the Universities in the World will declare you have a Right _Jure Divino_; and the Kings and Princes of the Earth, will send their Ambassadors to court your Alliance.
_Bellamy_ and _Williams_ told him, They would consider on his Proposal, and they would let him know what they should in their great Wisdom conclude upon. In the mean while, they thank'd him for his Advice, promis'd when they began to found their Monarchy, (should they find it expedient,) to make him Prime Minister, or Quarter-Master ashore; and when he had enriched himself and Family, by the fleecing their Subjects, they assured him they would pass an Act of Indemnity for his Security; and concluded with ordering a Bowl of Punch for every Mess.
The _Whidaw_ being clean'd, they thought of cruizing again, and accordingly steer'd for _Fortunes Bay_ in _Newfoundland_; they made some Prizes on the Banks, forced all the Men, and sunk the Vessels.
They had not been long on this Coast before they were separated by a Storm, which held some Days. Off the Island of St. _Paul_ the _Whidaw_ spied a Sail, which she immediately gave Chase to; the Ship brought to and lay by for her, she prov'd a _French_ Man of 36 Guns, carrying Soldiers to _Quebeck_. The _Whidaw_ engag'd with great Resolution, and the _French_ did not shew less, for he boarded the _Whidaw_, and was twice put off, with the Loss of Men on both Sides. _Bellamy_ after two Hours Engagement thought the _Frenchman_ too hard a Match, and was for shaking him off; but his Enemy was not as willing to part with him, for he gave Chase, and as he sail'd altogether as well as _Bellamy_, the latter had certainly been taken and had received the due Punishment of his Crimes, had not the Night coming on favour'd his Escape: He lost in this Engagement 36 Hands, beside several wounded, the poor Minister of State, our before-mentioned Stroller, was in the Number of the slain.
The _Whidaw_ returned to the Coast of _Newfoundland_, and off _Placentia_ Bay met with his Consort and the Prize.
They resolved to visit again the Coast of _New England_, the _Whidaw_ being much shatter'd in the late Engagement, having receiv'd a great many Shot in her Hull; they ran down this Coast, and between St. _George_'s Banks and _Nantuket_'s Shoals, took the _Mary Anne_.
The Master of the Vessel, taken formerly off _Cape Cod_, was left on board her, and as he was very well acquainted with the Coast, they order'd him to carry the Light and go a-head; and the Pyrates commonly kept him at Helm: He upon a Night of publick Rejoicing, seeing all the Pyrates drunk, laid hold on the Opportunity, and run his Vessel ashore about Midnight, near the Land of _Eastham_, out of which he alone escap'd with Life. The _Whidaw_ steering after the Light, met with the same Fate; the small Vessel ran into a sandy Bay, and the Men got ashore without Difficulty.
When the _Whidaw_ struck, the Pyrates murder'd all their Prisoners, that is, all their forced Men; as it is concluded, from the mangled Carcasses which were wash'd ashore; but not a Soul escaped out of her or _William_'s, who was also lost.
The Pyrates, to the Number of seven who escaped, were seiz'd by the Inhabitants, and on the Information of the Master who escap'd, and on their own Confession, were imprison'd, condemn'd, and executed. They were all Foreigners, very ignorant and obstinate; but by the indefatigable Pains of a pious and learned Divine, who constantly attended them, they were, at length, by the special Grace of God, made sensible of, and truly penitent, for the enormous Crimes they had been guilty of. As the Trial of these Pyrates, and their Behaviour while under Sentence, and at the Place of Execution, was printed at _Boston_, and is to be had in Town, I shall refer the curious Reader to that small Tract.
OF Captain _William Fly_, And his CREW.
As to the Birth of this Pyrate, we can discover nothing by the Enquiries we have hitherto made; and, indeed, had we succeeded in our Search, could it have been of any great Consequence? For, its certain, by the Behaviour of the Man, he must have been of very obscure Parents; and, by his Education, (as he was no Artist) very unfit, in all Respects, except that of Cruelty, for the villainous Business he was in. We have been inform'd, that he had been a Pyrate in a private Capacity, and having escaped Justice, had an Opportunity of repenting his former Crimes, and, as a foremast Man, or petty Officer, of getting his Bread in a warrantable Way: But no; ignorant as he was of Letters, he was ambitious of Power, and capable of the most barbarous Actions to acquire it.
Captain _Green_ of _Bristol_, in _April_ 1726, shipp'd this _Fly_ as Boatswain, at _Jamaica_, being bound, in the _Elizabeth_ Snow of _Bristol_, for the Coast of _Guinea_. _Fly_, who had insinuated himself with some of the Men, whom he found ripe for any Villainy, resolved to seize the said Snow, and murder the Captain and Mate, and, taking the Command on himself, turn Pyrate. He proposed this his Design to his Brothers in Iniquity, who approving it, he, having the Watch at one o' Clock in the Morning, on the 27th Day of _May_, went up to one _Morrice Cundon_, then at the Helm, accompanied by _Alexander Mitchel_, _Henry Hill_, _Samuel Cole_, _Thomas Winthrop_, and other Conspirators, and swore damn him, if he spoke one Word, or stirr'd either Hand or Foot, he would blow his Brains out; and, tucking up his Shirt above his Elbow, with a Cutlass in his Hand, he, with _Mitchel_, went into the Captain's Cabbin, and told him, he must turn out. The Captain asking what was the Matter, was answered, by _Mitchel_, they had no Time to answer impertinent Questions; that if he would turn out, and go upon Deck quietly, it would save 'em the Trouble of scraping the Cabbin; if he would not, a few Buckets of Water and a Scraper would take his Blood out of the Decks. That they had chosen Captain _Fly_ for Commander, and damn his Blood, they would allow of no other, and would not waste their Provisions to feed useless Men.
The Captain reply'd, that since they had so resolved he should make no Resistance; but begged they would not murder him, since his living could be no Obstacle to their Designs; that he had never been harsh to either of them, and therefore they could not kill him out of revenge; and if it was only for their Security, he desired, if they would not take his Word to do nothing to obstruct the Measures they had resolved on, they would secure him in Irons till he might be put somewhere on Shore. Ay, G--d d--mn ye, says _Fly_, to live and hang us, if we are ever taken: No, no, walk up and be damn'd, that Bite won't take, it has hanged many an honest Fellow already. _Mitchel_ and _Fly_ then laying hold of him, pulled him out of his Bed. The poor Captain intreating to spare his Life, for his Soul's sake, told 'em he would bind himself down by the most solemn Oaths, never to appear against them; that he was unfit to appear before the Judgment Seat of a just and pure God; that he was loaded with Sins, and to take him off before he had washed those Stains which sullied his Soul by the Tears of Repentance, would be a Cruelty beyond Comparison greater than that of depriving him of Life, were he prepared for Death, since it would be, without any Offence committed against them, dooming him to eternal Misery; however, if they would not be perswaded that his Life was consistent with their Safety, he begg'd they would allow him some Time to prepare himself for the great Change. That he begg'd no other Mercy than what the Justice and Compassion of the Laws would allow them, should they hereafter be taken. _D--n your Blood_, said Mitchel, _no Preaching. Be damn'd an you will, what's that to us? Let him look out who has the Watch. Upon Deck, you Dog, for we shall lose no more Time about you._
They hawl'd him into the Steerage, and forc'd him upon Deck, where one of the Hell-Hounds asked if he had rather take a Leap like a brave Fellow, or be to toss'd over like a sneaking Rascal. The Captain, addressing himself to _Fly_, said, _Boatswain, for God's sake don't throw me overboard, if you do, I am for ever lost; Hell's the Portion of my Crimes_.--Damn him answer'd _Fly_, since he's so devilish godly, we'll give him Time to say his Prayers, and I'll be Parson. Say after me. _Lord, have Mercy on me._ Short Prayers are best, so no more Words, and over with him, my Lads.