Part 21
One Thing, remarkable enough, had like to have slipp'd me; which is, the King of _Maratan_ sent _Williams_ to the General without any Attendance, which made him ask, if the White Man was a Slave? The King answered, he had not used him like one. I may very well, said the General, be of a contrary Opinion, since you have sent no Body to wait upon him: Upon which Reprimand, the King sent _Williams_ a Present of a Slave.
He was received by _Dempaino_ with a great many Caresses, was handsomely cloathed according to the Country Manner, had Slaves allotted to wait on him, and every Thing that was necessary and convenient; so that King _Dempaino_ was at the Trouble of sending 6000 Men, one would think, for no other End than to shew the great Value and Esteem he had for the _Europeans_. He continued with this Prince till the Arrival of a Ship, which was some Years after his leaving _Maratan_; when the _Bedford_ Galley, a Pyrate, commanded by _Achen Jones_, a _Welshman_, came on the Coast, on board of which Ship _Williams_ was permitted to enter; they went to _Augustine_, where, laying the Ship on Shore, by Carelessness they broke her Back, and lost her. The Crew lived here till the Arrival of the _Pelican_, another Pyrate, mentioned in _North_'s Life; some of them went on board this Ship, and steer'd for the _East-Indies_. _Williams_ shifted out of this on board the _Mocha_ Frigate, a Pyrate, commanded by Captain _Culliford_, and made a Voyage; then, returning to St. _Mary_'s, they shared the Booty they had got in the Red Seas. I shall not here mention the Particulars of this last Expedition, designing to write Captain _Culliford_'s Life, which it more properly belongs to.
Some of the Crew, being _West Indians_, having an Opportunity, returned home; but _Williams_ remain'd here till the Arrival and taking of Capt. _Forgette_, which has been already mentioned: He was one of those who took the _Speaker_, (the Manner has been told before, in another Life) went a Voyage in her, and returned to _Maratan_, as is said in _North_'s Life. Here the King seeing him, ask'd what Present he intended to make him for former Kindness? _Williams_ answered, he had been over paid by the Prince whom he took him from and by his Services, which Answer so irritated his _Maratanian_ Majesty, that he ordered him to quit his Country; and he could hardly after that see him with Patience.
From hence he went on board the _Prosperous_, Captain _Howard_, Commander, who went to St. _Mary_'s, and thence to the Main, as is said in that Pyrate's Life, and was one of the Men left behind when they had a Design to carry off _Ort Van Tyle_. This _Dutchman_ kept him to hard Labour, as planting Potatoes, _&c._ in revenge for the Destruction and Havock made in his Plantations by the Crew of the _Prosperous_; he was here in the Condition of a Slave six Months, at the Expiration of which Time, he had an Opportunity (and embraced it) to run away, leaving his Consort, _Tho. Collins_, behind him, who had his Arm broke when he was taken by the _Dutchman_.
Having made his Escape from a rigid, revengeful Master, he got to a Black Prince, named _Rebaiharang_, with whom he lived half a Year; he from hence went and kept Company with one _John Pro_, another _Dutchman_, who had a small Settlement on Shore, till the Arrival of the Men of War, commanded by Commodore _Richards_, who took both _Pro_ and his Guest _Williams_, put them in Irons (on board the _Severn_) till they came to _Johanna_, where the Captain of the _Severn_ undertook for 2000 Dollars to go against the _Mohilians_, in which Expedition several of the Man of War's Crew were killed, and the two Pyrates made their Escape in a small Canoe to _Mohila_, where they shelter'd themselves a while in the Woods, out of which they got Provisions, and made over for _Johanna_; here they recruited themselves and went away for _Mayotta_, an Island 18 Leagues in Length. The King of this Island built them a Boat, and giving them Provisions and what Necessaries they required, they made for and arrived at _Madagascar_; where, at _Methelage_, in the Lat. of 16, 40, or thereabouts, they join'd, as has been said, Captain _White_.
Here they lay about 3 Months, then setting Fire to their Boat, they went into _White_'s, and rounding the North End came to _Ambonavoula_; here _Williams_ staid till Captain _White_ brought the Ship _Hopewell_, on board of which he entered before the Mast, made a Voyage to the Red Seas, towards the End of which he was chosen Quarter-Master. At their Return they touch'd at _Mascarenas_ for Provisions, where almost half the Company went ashore and took up their Habitations.
From _Mascarenas_ they steer'd for _Hopewell_ (by some call'd _Hopefull_) Point, on _Madagascar_, where dividing their Plunder, they settled themselves.
Twelve Months after, the _Charles_ Brigantine, Captain _Halsey_, came in, as is mentioned in his Life. _Williams_ went on board him and made a Voyage; at their Return they came to _Maratan_, lived ashore, and assisted the King in his War against his Brother, which being ended in the Destruction of the latter, and a Pyrate lying at _Ambonavoula_, sending his Long-Boat to _Manangcaro_, within ten Leagues of _Maratan_, _Williams_ and the rest went on board, and in three Months after he had been at _Ambonavoula_ he was chosen Captain of the _Scotch_ Ship, mentioned in _Halsey_'s Life.
This Ship he work'd upon with great Earnestness, and made the _Scots_ Prisoners labour hard at the fitting her up for a Voyage; and she was near ready for the Seas when a Hurricane forced her ashore, and she was wreck'd.
Some Time after this he set up and finished a Sloop, in which he and ten of his Men, design'd for _Mascarenas_, but missing the Island they went round _Madagascar_, to a Place called _Methelage_, where he laid his Vessel ashore and staid a Year; but the King being tired with his morose Temper, and he disagreeing with every Body, he was order'd to be gone, and accordingly fitting up his Vessel he put to Sea, intending to go round the North End of the Island; but the Wind being at E. S. E. and the Current setting to N. W. he put back to a Port, called the _Boyne_, within 10 Leagues of _Methelage_, in the same King's Dominions whom he had left. The Governor of this Place was descended from the _Arabs_, and it was here that the _Arabians_ traded.
When he came to an Anchor, he and three of his Men (he had but 5 with him) went on Shore, paddled by two Negroes. _David Eaton_ and _William Dawson_, two of the Men, required a Guide, to shew them the Way to the King's Town; the Governor order'd them one, and, at the same time, laid an Ambush for them in the Road, and caused them to be murdered. When they had left the _Boyn_, _Williams_ and _Meyeurs_, a _Frenchman_, who also came ashore in the Canoe, went to buy some _Samsams_, which are agate Beads; as they were looking over these Goods, a Number of the Governor's Men came about them, seiz'd them both, and immediately dispatch'd _Meyeurs_, _Williams_ they bound, and tortur'd almost a whole Day, by throwing hot Ashes on his Head and in his Face, and putting little Boys to beat him with Sticks; he offer'd the Governor 2000 Dollars for his Life, but he answer'd, he'd have both that and the Money too; and accordingly when he was near expiring, they made an End of him with their Lances.
After this barbarous Murder, the Governor thought of seizing the Sloop, on board of which were no more than two White Men, six Negroe Boys, and some Women Slaves of the same Colour; however, he thought it best to proceed by Stratagem, and therefore putting a Goat and some Calabashes of Toke on board _William_'s Canoe, with twelve Negroes arm'd, and the Sloop Negroes to paddle, he sent to surprize her. When the Canoe came pretty near the Vessel, they hal'd, and ask'd if they would let them come aboard? One of the Men ask'd _William_'s Negroes where the Captain was? He answered, drinking Toke with the Governor, and sent them Provision and Toke. A Negroe Wench advised the White Man, whose Name was _William Noakes_, not to let them come on board, for as four White Men went ashore, and none of them appear'd, she suspected some Treachery; however, on the Answer made him from the Canoe, he resolved to admit them, and giving the Wench a Kick, cryed, _D--m ye, must we have no fresh Provisions for your Whimsies_; he called them on board, and no sooner were they on Deck but one of them snatching _Noakes_ his Pistol, shot him thro' the Head, and seizing the other White Man, threw him over-board and drown'd him; after which, being Masters of the Vessel, they carried her in and rifled her.
The King was at this Time a hunting, as is his Custom to hunt Boars three Months in the Year; but the Account of these Murders soon reach'd him, however, he staid the accustom'd Time of his Diversion; but when he returned home, and the Whites, who were about him, demanded Justice, he bid them be quiet, they might depend upon his doing it: He sent to the Governor of _Boyn_, and told him, he was glad that he had cut off _Williams_ and his Crew, an Example he was resolved to follow and clear the Country of them all. That he had some Affairs to communicate to him, and desired he would come to Court as soon as possible, but take Care he was not seen by any of the Whites, for fear by his, they shou'd revenge the Death of their Companions.
The Governor on these Orders came away immediately, and stopp'd two Miles short, at a little Town two Miles distant from the King's, and sent Word he there waited for his Commands.
The King ordered him to be with him early next Morning, before the White Men were out of their Beds; he set forward accordingly the next Day betimes, but was seiz'd on the Road by Negroes placed for that Purpose, and brought bound to the King, who, after having reproach'd him with the Barbarity of his Action, sent him to the White Men, bidding them put him to what Death they pleased; but they sent Word back, he might dispose of his Subjects Lives as he thought fit, but for their Part they would never draw a Drop of Blood of any who belonged to him. Upon which Answer the King's Uncle ordered him to be speared, and he was accordingly thrust thro' the Body with Lances. The King, after this Execution, sent to _Boyn_, and had every Thing brought which had belonged to _Williams_ and his Men, and divided it among the Whites, saying, _He was sorry the Villain had but one Life to make Attonement for the Barbarity he had been guilty of_.
OF Capt. _Samuel Burgess_, And his CREW.
Capt. _Samuel Burgess_ was born in _New-York_, and had a good Education; he was what they call a well-set Man, and bandy legg'd; he sail'd some Time as a Privateer in the _West-Indies_, and very often, the Gang, he was with, when the Time of their cruizing was expir'd, would make no Ceremony of prolonging the Commission by their own Authority.
By his Privateering he got together some little Money, and returned home, where the Government having no Notice, or, at least, taking none, of his pyratical Practice, in staying beyond the Date of his Commission: He went out Mate of a Ship, in the Service of _Frederick Phillips_, bound to the Island of _Madagascar_, to trade with the Pyrates, where they had the Misfortune to lose their Ship, and lived eighteen Months at _Augustine_, when an _English_ Pyrate coming in, the King of the Country obliged him to go on board her, tho' much against his Inclination, for he was tired of a roving Life; but their Choice was to go or starve, for the King would keep them no longer.
He went with this free Booter to the _East Indies_, where they made several rich Prizes; returned to St. _Mary_'s, where they took in Provisions, Wood, and Water. Several of their Gang knock'd off here; but the Captain, _Burgess_, and the Remainder, went away for the _West Indies_, disposed of their Plunder on the _Spanish_ Coast, and then returning to _New York_, purposely knocked the Ship on the Head at _Sandy Hook_, after they had secur'd their Money ashore.
The Government not being inform'd of their Pyracy, they lived here without Molestation, and, in a short Time, _Burgess_ married a Relation of Mr. _Phillips_', who built a Ship, called the _Pembroke_, and sent him a second Time to _Madagascar_. In his Way to this Island, he went into the River of _Dilagou_ on the _African_ Coast, where he took in a Quantity of Elephants Teeth; and thence to _Augustine_, where he met with several of his old Ship Mates, with whom he traded for Money and Slaves. Leaving this Place he went to _Methelage_, where he also took some Money and Negroes; and from thence he shaped his Course for St. _Mary_'s, on the East Side, where he also drove a considerable Trade with his old Comrades, took several of them Passengers, who paid very generously for their Passage; and taking with him an Account of what was proper to bring in another Trip, he return'd to _New York_, without any sinister Accident: This Voyage clear'd 5,000 l. Ship and Charges paid.
His Owner encouraged by this Success, bid him chuse what Cargoe he pleas'd, and set out again; accordingly he laded with Wine, Beer, _&c._ and returning to _Madagascar_ arrived at _Maratan_ on the East Side, where he disposed of a great Part of his Cargoe at his own Rates. At _Methelage_ he disposed of the rest, and return'd, clearing for himself and Owner 10,000 l. besides 300 Slaves he brought to _New York_.
After a short Stay at home, he set out again on the old Voyage, fell in first with _Methelage_, where he victualled and traded; from thence he went round the South End, touch'd and sold Part of his Cargoe at a large Profit, to his old Acquaintance. He made a trading Voyage round the Island, and at St. _Mary_'s met another Ship belonging to his Owner, which had Order to follow his Directions; he stay'd at this Port till he had disposed of the Cargoe of both Ships; he then shaped his Course homewards, with about 20 Pyrates Passengers, who had accepted the Pardon brought by Commadore _Littleton_.
In his Way he touch'd at the _Cape_ of _Good Hope_, for Wood, Water, and fresh Provision: While he was here, the _Loyal Cook_, an _East India_ Man came in, who made Prize of _Burgess_, and carried him to the _East Indies_; he there would have delivered _Burgess_'s Ship to the Governor of _Maderass_, but the Governor would have no Hand in the Affair, and told the Captain, he must answer to the _East-India_ Company and _Burgess_'s Owner for what he had done.
Most of the Pyrate's Passengers thought themselves clear'd by the Act of Grace; but some of them, not willing to trust to it, got off with what Gold they could, in a _Dutch_ Boat; they who trusted to the Pardon were clapp'd in Goal, and died in their Irons. I cannot omit the Simplicity of one of them, who had, however, the Wit to get off: When he designed to go away, he look'd for his Comrade for the Key of his Chest, to take his Gold with him, which amounted to Seventeen hundred Pounds; but this Comrade being ashore, he would not break open Chest, for it was Pity, he said, to spoil a good new Lock, so left his Money for the Captain of the _East-India_ Man.
The News of this Capture came to the Owner before the Ship return'd, and he sued the Company; but, at their Request, staid for the Arrival of the _Loyal Cook_, which brought _Burgess_ Prisoner to _England_ soon after. The Captain finding himself in an Error, and that what he had done could not be justified, absconded; the Company made good the Ship and Cargo to the Owner. _Burgess_ was set at Liberty, continued some Time in _London_, was impeach'd, and Pyracy sworn against him by _Culliford_ (mentioned in _Williams_'s Life) who notwithstanding, he came home on the Act of Grace, was clapp'd into _Newgate_, tried and acquitted, tho' he was beggar'd.
_Burgess_'s Owner stickled very hard for him, and expended great Sums of Money to save him; however, tho' he pleaded the Necessity of his going on board the Pyrate, (as his Life shews it) he was tried and condemn'd; but by the Intercession of the Bishops of _London_ and _Canterbury_, was pardon'd by the Queen.
After this, he made a broken Voyage to the _South Sea_, Lieutenant to a Privateer, and returning to _London_, was out of Business a whole Year.
He then shipp'd himself Mate on board the _Hannah_, afterwards called the _Neptune_, and went to _Scotland_ to take in her Cargo, the Owner being of that Nation; but before she got thither he the Owner broke, and the Ship was stopp'd, and lay 18 Months before she was dispos'd of: But being set to Sale, and six _Scotch_ Gentlemen buying her, the old Officers were continued, and she proceeded on her first designed Voyage to _Madagascar_, in which the Captain and _Burgess_ quarrelling, was the Loss of the Ship; for the latter, who was acquainted with the Pyrates, when they arrived at _Madagascar_, spirited them up to surprize her: The Manner how, being already set down in _Halsey_'s Life, I need not repeat.
I shall only take Notice, that Captain _Miller_ being decoy'd ashore, under Pretence of being shew'd some Trees, fit for Masting, _Halsey_ invited him to a Surloin of Beef, and a Bowl of Arrack Punch; he accepted the Invitation, with about 20 of the Pyrates. One _Emmy_, who had been a Waterman on the _Thames_, did not come to Table, but sat by, muffled up in a great Coat, pretending he was attack'd by the Ague, tho' he had put it on to conceal his Pistols only. After Dinner, when _Halsey_ went out, as for something to entertain his Guests, (_Miller_ and his Supercargo,) _Emmy_ clapp'd a Pistol to the Captain's Breast, and told him, he was his Prisoner; at the same Instant, two other Pyrates enter'd the Room, with each a Blunderbuss in his Hand, and told the Captain and his Supercargoe, that no Harm should come to either, if they did not bring it upon themselves by an useless Resistance. While this past within Doors, the Wood being lined with Pyrates, all _Miller_'s Men, whom he had brought ashore to fell Timber, were secur'd, but none hurt, and all civilly treated. When they had afterwards got Possession of the Ship, in the Manner mention'd before, they set all their Prisoners at Liberty.
_Miller_, with eleven of his Men, was sent off, as is said in _Halsey_'s Life: The Company chose _Burgess_ Quarter-Master, and shar'd the Booty they had made out of the _Scotch_ Ship, and the _Greyhound_.
Soon after happen'd _Halsey_'s Death, who left _Burgess_ Executor in Trust for his Widow and Children, with a considerable Legacy for himself, and the other Pyrates grumbling at a new Comer's being preferr'd to all of them, took from _Burgess_ 3,000 l. of _Halsey_'s Money, and 1200 l. of his own, which was his Share of the two Prizes. Tho' he had been treated in this Manner, they were idle enough to give him the Command of the _Scots_ Ship, and order'd him to fit her out with all Expedition, and to take on board some Men and Goods left in the Brigantine: He set to work on the Ship, with full Design to run away with her; but some Pyrates, who were in another Part of the Island, being informed of these Proceedings, thought it not prudent to trust him, so he left the Ship, and getting among his old Comrades, by their Interposition, had all his Money return'd.
After this he lived five Months on the Island of St. _Mary_'s, where his House was, by Accident, burnt down, out of which he saved nothing but his Money; he then went on board _David Williams_, when he miss'd the Island of _Mascarenas_, and returned to _Methelage_, where he staid with the King, and was one of the Men among whom he divided _William_'s Effects.
From _Methelage_ he went with a Parcel of Samsams to _Augustine_, with which he bought fifty Slaves, whom he sold to the _Arabians_. In his Return to _Methelage_, he met Captain _North_ in a Sloop, with thirty of _Miller_'s Men on board; these Men propos'd the taking _Burgess_, who had, they said, betrayed, ruined, and banished them their Country, by forcing them to turn Pyrates; but _North_ would not consent: Upon which, they confined him, took _North_ and stripp'd him of all the Money, and then releasing their Captain, gave him 300 l. as his Share, which he returned to _Burgess_ on his Arrival at _Methelage_.
_Burgess_ lived here two or three Years, till he was carried off by some _Dutchmen_; they belonged to an _East-India_ Man, and were taken by two _French_ Ships, which being bound for _Mocha_, and scarce of Provisions, came into _Methelage_ to victual, where they set 80 of their Prisoners ashore. When they parted from this Port they sail'd for _Johanna_, where they left the _Dutch_ Officers, who built a Ship, and came back for their Men. _Burgess_ being of great Use to them, they took him on board, and steer'd for a Port, where some _Dutch_, taken in another Ship, were maroon'd; but they were wreck'd at _Youngoul_, where _Burgess_ continued eighteen Months. After this Time was expir'd, he was desirous of leaving the Place, and addressing himself to the King, who was Uncle to the King of _Methelage_, he requested his black Majesty to send him back to that Port, which he readily complied with, where _Burgess_ continued almost five Years, afflicted with Sickness, in which he lost one Eye. While he was here, the _Drake_ Pink, of _London_, came in for Slaves, he took _Burgess_, with Design to carry him home; but Captain _Harvey_ in the _Henry_, which belong'd to the same Owners, arriving, and being a Stranger to the Trade, at the Request of Captain _Maggot_, Commander of the _Drake_, and on Promise of a Ship when in the _West Indies_, he enter'd as third Mate, and continued with him. Captain _Harvey_ carrying it pretty high, and disagreeing with the King, lay here 9 Months before he could slave. _Burgess_ was sent up to tell the King he had not fulfill'd his Agreement with Captain _Harvey_; the King resented the being reproach'd by a Man whom he had entertained so many Years, and reviled him; he was, however, carried to Dinner with some of the principal Blacks, and drank very plentifully with them of Honey Toke, in which it is supposed he was poison'd, for he fell ill and died soon after, leaving what he had to the Care of the chief Mate, for the Use of his Wife and Children.
APPENDIX TO THE First VOLUME.
We have already touched upon the History of some of the Pyrates, which we shall have Occasion to name here over again; but since the printing our first Volume, the following Relations are fallen into our Hands, which being much more curious and particular than any Thing hitherto made publick upon these Affairs, we are satisfied our Readers will find their Entertainment in the Perusal of it.
About the 20th of _July_ 1718, Mr. _Woods Rogers_, Governor and Vice-Admiral of the _Bahama_ Islands, being sent from _England_ with the King's Proclamation, and Pardon for all Pyrates who had surrendered by a Time specified in the said Proclamation, arrived at _Providence_. It was Evening when the Fleet came off the Town of _Nassau_ in the said Island, when _Richard Turnley_, the Pilot, who was on board the _Delicia_, did not judge it safe to venture over the Bar that Night, wherefore it was resolved to lie bye till Morning.