Part 6
It happened that about the beginning of the Year 1702, a Ship called the _Speedy Return_, belonging to the _Scotch-African_ and _East-India_ Company, Captain _Drummond_ Commander, came into the Port of _Maritan_ in _Madagascar_, with a Brigantine that belonged to her; they had before taken in Negroes at St. _Mary_'s, a little Island adjoining to the main Island of _Madagascar_, and carried them to Don _Mascarenhas_, from whence they sailed to this Port on the same Trade.
On the Ship's Arrival, Captain _Drummond_, with _Andrew Wilky_, his Surgeon, and several others of the Crew, went on Shore; in the mean while _John Bowen_, with four others of his Consorts, goes off in a little Boat, on Pretence of buying some of their Merchandize brought from _Europe_, and finding a fair Opportunity, the chief Mate, Boatswain, and a Hand or two more only upon the Deck, and the rest at Work in the Hold, they threw off their Mask; each drew out a Pistol and Hanger, and told them, they were all dead Men if they did not retire that Moment to the Cabin. The Surprize was sudden, and they thought it necessary to obey; one of the Pyrates placed himself Centry at the Door, with his Arms in his Hands, and the rest immediately laid the Hatches, and then made a Signal to their Fellows on Shore, as agreed on; upon which, about forty or fifty came on Board, and took quiet Possession of the Ship, and afterwards the Brigantine, without Bloodshed, or striking a Stroke.
_Bowen_ was made, or rather made himself, of Course, Captain; he detained the old Crew, or the greatest Part thereof, burnt the Brigantine as being of no Use to them, cleaned and fitted the Ship, took Water, Provisions, and what Necessaries were wanting, and made ready for new Adventures.
I shall leave them a while, to relate an unfortunate Story of a worthy honest Gentleman, who suffered through the Rashness and Folly of a headstrong People, for pyratically taking and murdering the Captain and Crew of this very Ship _Bowen_ and his Gang now seized.
An _English-India_ Man, commanded by Captain _Thomas Green_, called the _Worcester_, in her Voyage home to _England_, was drove by southerly Winds into _Scotland_, in the Month of _July_ 1704, and anchored in _Leith_ Road; the Captain, and several of the Ship's Company, going ashore for Refreshments, the People of the Town, who had Acquaintance and Friends in Captain _Drummond_'s Ship, understanding the _Worcester_ came from the _East-Indies_, were very importunate in their Enquiries after this Ship, and being told that they had heard of no such Ship in _India_, the Enquirers pretended to be very much surprized; so that, in short, it grew into a Suspicion that the _Worcester_ had not dealt fairly by the _Scotch_ Ship, which they had not heard of themselves since her Departure. In short, the Magistrates were inform'd that some of the Crew had dropt Words that plainly indicated the supposed Robbery and Murders of their Countrymen. Upon this several Men were privately examined; sometimes they were threaten'd to be hanged, and then again large Promises were made to encourage 'em to discover the pretended Fact; till at length an _Indian_ Boy was prevailed on to confess the whole Matter upon Oath, as they might think. Then the Captain, chief Mate and Crew, were seized and sent to Prison, the Ship was unloaded, and almost ripp'd to Pieces, to search for Goods, Writings, _&c._ to confirm the _Indian_'s Deposition, but nothing could be found; therefore they were obliged to try them, and try them they did, upon this Evidence, and some small Circumstances sworn to by _Charles May_, the Surgeon, which carried great Improbabilities along with it. The Depositions were as follow; the _Indian_, whose Name was _Antonio Ferdinando_ swore, 'That on the Coast of _Mallabar_ he came aboard the Sloop that attended the _Worcester_, and thereafter saw an Engagement between the said Sloop, the _Worcester_ and another Ship, sailed by White Men, speaking _English_, and bearing _English_ Colours. That they did engage the said Ship for three Days, and on the third Day the said Ship was boarded by those in the Sloop, who took up the Crew of the said Ship from under Deck, killed them with Hatchets, and threw them overboard.'
_Charles May_ only deposed, 'That being ashore at _Callequillon_ he heard Guns firing at Sea, and asking some Body he met at the Landing Place, what meant this shooting? He was answered, the _Worcester_ was gone out, and was fighting at Sea with another Ship. That the next Morning he saw the _Worcester_ riding at her Birth, where she had rid the Day before, and another Ship riding at her Stern. That the _Worcester_'s Long-Boat coming ashore, and he asking the Men what brought them ashore? They answered, they were sent for Water, they having spilt and staved all their Water; and that they had been busking all Night. That _this Evidence_ going aboard five or six Days after, saw the Ship lumber'd with Goods, and that he was inform'd that the Ship that was riding at the _Worcester_'s Stern, was sold to _Cogo Comodo_, Merchant at _Quilon_. That _Antonio Ferdinando_ was wounded, and some others; and when he ask'd the Patients how they came by their Wounds, they were forbid to answer by Mr. _Madder_, the chief Mate. That all this fell out between the Months of _January_ and _February_ 1703.'
As to _Antonio_'s Deposition, it appear'd to be all Invention, and nothing true in it; and _Charles May_'s a Heap of sly Insinuations, drawn from a known Fact, which was this; the _Worcester_ departing from _Callequillon_ to _Carnipole_, was drove by Stress of Weather from near the Road of _Quillon_ to _Anjango_, where coming near the _Aureng Zeb_, _India_ Man, she saluted her with five Guns, which were the Guns the Surgeon heard; and the _Aureng Zeb_ came in along with the _Worcester_, and anchor'd at her Stern, which was the Ship taken Notice of by him. By busking all Night is meant only beating to Windward, which she did in order to fetch _Quillon_, the Wind being contrary. The _Worcester_ spar'd her Water to the _Aureng Zeb_, which occasioned their sending for more, and the wounded Men, which were proved to be no more than three in the Voyage; one was from a Fall in the Hold, another by fighting with Knives, between two _Dutch_ Men, and the other by cutting of Wood.
'Tis observable likewise, that _May_'s Evidence, which is brought to support _Antonio_'s, contradicted it in several Parts; for _Antonio_ swore the Fact to be done between _Callicut_ and _Tallecherry_, (where, by the Way, the Ship never was, as was own'd by the Surgeon, and prov'd by the Captain's and other Journals) and _May_ heard the Guns at _Callequillon_, which could not be less then 140 Miles asunder. _Antonio_ makes the supposed Engagement hold three Days; according to _May_, the _Worcester_ was busking only one Night; all the rest of his Evidence is, _As he was inform'd_, _As he was told_, &c. And what's remarkable of this _May_, is, he was eighteen Months after this in the said Ship, and own'd on the Trial, that he never heard in all that Time one Word spoken of a Fight with any other Ship, or a Prize taken, or any Thing relating to such an Action, which must be very strange, if the Matter had been true.
In short, Captain _Green_ and the rest of the Crew were convicted, and received Sentence for the supposed Crimes, as follows, _Green_, _Madder_, _Sympson_, _Keigle_ and _Haines_ to be hanged on _Wednesday, April_ 4th. _Taylor_, _Glenn_, _Kitchen_ and _Robertson_, on _Wednesday, April_ 11th, and _Brown_, _Bruckley_, _Wilcocks_, _Ballantyne_ and _Linsey_, on _Wednesday, April_ 18th.
I cannot but here take Notice (though with much Concern) that upon the Condemnation of these unhappy Men, there seemed a universal Joy in and about the City; it was the only Discourse for some Days, and every Man thought himself nearly concerned in it; and some could not forbear in Words openly to express their brutal Joy: Now, said they, we'll _Darien_ 'em: By this they shall see we'll do our selves Justice, _&c_.
After Sentence, the Prisoners desired not to be disturb'd in their dying Moments, that they might improve 'em to the best Advantage; but now they were not only insulted with the most opprobrious Language, by such as could get to 'em, but continually worried by the religious Kirk Teachers. The most dismal Threatnings were denounc'd against 'em, and nothing but God's Wrath and eternal Torments in all its Horrors, were to be their Portion, if they died obdurate (as they call'd it) that is, without owning themselves guilty; and all this delivered with that Passion peculiar to that bitter Sett of Men. Nay, so restless were they, that even now, after Condemnation, they singled out some they found more terrified by their Cant, and assur'd 'em of Life if they would ingenuously acknowledge the Crimes they were condemned for; and, at last, worked so far upon _Haines_ and _Linsey_, that they brought them to own almost what they pleased. The former of these, upon their Pardons being granted, gave a frightful Account of the whole Pyracy and Murther upon _Drummond_'s Ship, and took Care, as near as he could, to keep close with _Ferdinando_'s Evidence, only here and there he was out in very material Points, as Men always are that don't relate Matters of Fact. There was a great many bloody Circumstances added to colour the whole, as their Manner of Swearing when they commenced Pyrates (much like the ridiculous Ceremonies at making of Witches) which, he said, was thus; Every one of 'em was let Blood, which they mixed together, and after every Man had drank part, they all swore to Secrecy, _&c._ with abundance of such Stuff. _Linsey_, a Man of better Sense, contented himself with saying as little as possible, which was excusable, he being on shoar in the pretended Engagement, so that most of what he said, consisted in Hearsays of the _Indians_, _&c._ Thus these poor Wretches screen'd themselves from this fatal Blow, at the Expence of Faith and a good Conscience, and to enjoy a troublesome Life, perhaps a few Years.
As soon as their Confessions were made publick, the Gentry, as well as the Mob, was transported with Rage, and the poor Wretches were blackened and reviled in a shameful Manner; and so violent was the Torrent of their Fury, that it reached even their Council for their Tryals, and they were obliged, for their own Safety, to withdraw into the Country.
In the midst of this Confusion two Men, who were known to be of _Drummond_'s Crew, came home in the _Raper_ Galley, and made Affidavits of the Loss of the said Ship to the Pyrates, as has been mentioned; upon which her Majesty and Council first reprieved them for eight Days, and afterwards desired Execution might be farther respited till they heard from above.
The common People, who for some Time past, with raised Expectations, had waited for the Execution, began to grow very impatient, bitterly inveighing against the Reprieve; and the Council met on the 11th of _April_ in the Morning, to consider what was to be done; which the Mob perceiving, imagined 'twas in order to a further Reprieve or Pardon; immediately all Shops were shut up, and the Streets filled with incredible Numbers of Men, Women and Children, calling for Justice upon those _English_ Murtherers. The Lord Chancellour _Seafield_'s Coach happening to pass by, they stopp'd it, broke the Sashes, haul'd him out, and oblig'd him to promise Execution should speedily be done before he could get from 'em.
According to the Chancellor's Promise, soon after, on the same Day, being _Wednesday_, Captain _Green_, _Madder_, and _Sympson_ were brought out, and convey'd to Execution, which was at _Leith Road_ upon the Sands, and all the Way were huzza'd in triumph as it were, and insulted with the sharpest and most bitter Invectives.
Thus fell these unhappy Men a well-pleasing Sacrifice to the Malice of wicked Men.
As for Captain _Green_'s Speech; after he had taken Notice of the Crimes he was to dye for, and appealed to all present to charge him, or the Crew, with any Injustice, since he had lived there; he goes on in giving an Account of his Faith, his living and dying in the Church of _England_, of their Manner of Life abroad, their Observance of religious Duties, and the Sense he had of the Impossibility of Salvation, if he dy'd with a Falshood in his Mouth. Then follows,--'Pursuant to which, I in the Presence of Almighty God, declare to you his People, that I am innocent in Design or Deed, and free from the Crimes for which I am condemned. That to my Knowledge, I never all my Life-time wrong'd Man in his Person or Goods, or had Accession thereto. What the Custom of Pyrates is, I thank God I know not: But I understand my Accusers and Persecuters will have you to believe, that I think it unnecessary to confess before Men. Take what I say as good Christians ought to do; if you have no Charity, you wrong your selves, and cannot hurt me.'
'I am told some of my Crew have confess'd the Crimes, and load us with Guilt; this is done since Sentence, and in hopes of saving themselves, which I wish they may do by lawful Means, and not have Accession to the shedding innocent Blood. I am a dying, these are still in hopes to live, chuse you which of us to believe, _&c._'
To return to Captain _Bowen_, who pyratically possessed himself of Captain _Drummond_'s Ship and Brigantine, as aforesaid, he, being inform'd by the Crew, that when they left Don _Mascarenhas_, a Ship called the _Rook_ Galley, Captain _Honeycomb_ Commander, was lying in that Bay, resolved, with the other Pyrates, to sail thither, but it taking up seven or eight Days in watering their Vessels, and settling their private Affairs, they arrived not at the Island till after the Departure of the said Galley, who thereby happily escaped the villainous Snare of their unprovok'd Enemies.
The Night after the Pyrates left _Maritan_, the Brigantine ran on a Ledge of Rocks off the West Side of the Island _Madagascar_, which not being perceived by the Ship, _Bowen_ came into _Mascarenhas_ without her, not knowing what was become of his Consort.
Here Captain _Bowen_ staid eight or ten Days, in which Time he supplied the Ship with Provisions, and judging, that the _Rook_ Galley was gone to some other Island, the Ship sail'd to _Mauritius_, in search of her; but the Pyrates seeing four or five Ships in the N. W. Harbour, they thought themselves too weak to attempt any thing there, so they stood immediately for _Madagascar_ again, and arrived safe, first to _Port Dauphin_, and then to _Augustin Bay_. In a few Days the _Content_ Brigantine, which they supposed either to have been lost, or revolted that honourable Service, came into the same Bay, and informed their Brethren of the Misfortune that happened to them: The Rogues were glad, no doubt, of seeing one another again, and calling a Council together, they found the Brigantine in no Condition for Business, being then very leaky, therefore she was condemned, and forthwith halled ashore and burnt, and the Crew united, and all went aboard the _Speedy Return_.
At this Place the Pyrates were made acquainted, by the Negroes, of the Adventures of another Gang that had settled for some Time near that Harbour, and had one _Howard_ for their Captain. It was the Misfortune of an _India_ Ship called the _Prosperous_, to come into the Bay at a Time that these Rogues were looking out for Employment; who, under the Pretence of trading (almost in the same Manner that _Bowen_ and his Gang had seized the _Speedy Return_) made themselves Masters of her, and sailed with her to _New Mathelage_. _Bowen_ and his Gang consulting together on this Intelligence, concluded 'twas more for their Interest to join in Alliance with this new Company, than to act single, they being too weak of themselves to undertake any considerable Enterprize, remembring how they were obliged to bear away from the Island of _Mauritius_, when they were in search of the _Rook_ Gally, which they might have taken, with several others, had they had at that Time a Consort of equal Force to their own Ship.
They accordingly set sail from the Bay, and came into _New Mathelage_, but found no Ship there, tho' upon Enquiry they understood that the Pyrate they look'd for, had been at the Place, but was gone; so after some Stay they proceeded to _Johanna_, but the _Prosperous_ not being there neither, they sailed to _Mayotta_, where they found her lying at Anchor; this was about _Christmas_ 1702.
Here these two Powers struck up an Alliance, _Howard_ liking the Proposals, came readily into it, and the Treaty was ratified by both Companies. They staid above two Months at this Island, thinking it, perhaps, as likely a Place to meet with Prey as cruising out for it, and so indeed it happened; for about the beginning of _March_, the Ship _Pembroke_ belonging to our _East-India_ Company, coming in for Water, was boarded by their Boats, and taken, with the Loss of the chief Mate and another Man that were killed in the Skirmish.
The two Pyrate Ships weighed, and went out to Sea along with their Prize, and that Day and the next plundered her of the best Part of her Cargo, Provisions and Stores, and then taking the Captain and Carpenter away, they let the _Pembroke_ go where the Remainder of her Crew pleased, and came with their Ships into _New Methelage_. Here the two Captains consulted, and laid a Plan for a Cruize to _India_, for which Purpose they detained Captain _Woolley_ of the _Pembroke_ lately taken, in order to be their Pilot in those Seas; but a very hot Dispute arose between the two Companies, which Ship he should go aboard of, insomuch that they had gone together by the Ears, if an Expedient had not been found to satisfy each Party, that one might not have the Advantage of the other by the Captain's Skill and Knowledge of the _Indian_ Coast, and this was to knock the poor Man on the Head; and murder him; but at last, by the Authority of _Bowen_, Captain _Woolley_ escaped the threaten'd Danger, by bringing his Company to consent to his remaining on board the _Prosperous_, where he then was.
The _Speedy Return_ being foul, and wanting a little Repair, it was judged proper for her to go back to _Augustin_ Bay to clean; in the mean while the _Prosperous_ was to have a Pair of Boot-Tops where she lay, and likewise to take in Water and Provision, and then to join their Consort again at _Mayotta_, the Island appointed for the Rendezvous.
The _Prosperous_ put into _Mayotta_ as agreed on, and waiting there some Time for _Bowen_'s Ship, without seeing or hearing any News of her, went to _Johanna_, but not meeting with her there, they apprehended some Accident had befel her, and therefore left the Place, and sailed on the Expedition themselves. As to the _Speedy Return_, she arrived safe at St. _Augustin_'s Bay at _Madagascar_, and there cleaned and victualled; but tarrying there somewhat too long, the Winds hung contrary, and they could not for their Lives beat up to _Mayotta_, and therefore went to _Johanna_, where, hearing that their Friends had lately left that Island, they steered for the _Red Sea_, but the Wind not proving fair for their Design, they bore away for the High Land of St. _John_'s, near _Surrat_, where they once more fell in Company with their Brethren of the _Prosperous_.
They cruiz'd together, as was first agreed on, and after some Time they had Sight of four Ships, to whom they gave Chace; but these separating, two standing to Northward, and two to the Southward, the Pyrates separated likewise, _Bowen_ standing after those that steered Southerly, and _Howard_ crowded after the others. _Bowen_ came up with the heaviest of the two, which proved to be a _Moorish_ Ship of 700 Tun, bound from the Gulph of _Mocha_ to _Surat_. The Pyrates brought the Prize into _Rajapora_, on the Coast of _India_, where they plundered her; the Merchandize they sold to the Natives, but a small Sum of current Gold they found aboard, amounting to 22,000 _l._ _English_ Money, they put into their Pockets. Two Days after the _Prosperous_ came in, but without any Prize; however, they soon made their Friends acquainted that they had not succeeded worse than themselves, for at _Surat_ River's Mouth, where all the four Ships were bound, they came up with their Chace; and with a Broadside, one of them struck, but the other got into the Bay. They stood down the Coast with the Prize till they had plundered her of the best of her Cargoe, the most valuable of which was 84,000 _Chequins_, a Piece of about ten Shillings each, and then they left her adrift, without either Anchor or Cable, off _Daman_.
While they were lying at _Rajapora_ they past a Survey on their Shipping, and judging their own to be less serviceable than their Prize, they voted them to the Flames, and straightway fitted up the _Surat_ Ship; they transported both Companies aboard of her, and then set Fire to the _Prosperous_ and _Speedy Return_. They mustered at this Place 164 fighting Men, 43 only were _English_, the greater Number _French_, the rest _Danes_, _Swedes_ and _Dutch_; they took aboard 70 _Indians_ to do the Drudgery of the Ship, and mounted 56 Guns, calling her the _Defiance_, and sailed from _Rajapora_ the latter End of _October_, in the Year 1703, to cruize on the Coast of _Mallabar_:
But not meeting with Prey in this first Cruise, they came to an Anchor about three Leagues to the Northward of _Cochen_, expecting some Boats to come off with Supplies of Refreshments, for which Purpose they fired several Guns, by way of Signal, but none appearing, the Quarter-Master was sent in the Pinnace to confer with the People, which he did with some Caution, keeping the Boat upon their Oars at the Shore-Side: In short, they agreed very well, the Pyrates were promised whatever Necessaries they wanted, and the Boat returned aboard.
The next Day a Boat came off from the Town with Hogs, Goats, Wine, _&c._ with a private Intimation from _Malpa_, the _Dutch_ Broker, an old Friend of the Pyrates, that a Ship of that Country called the _Rimæ_, lay then in _Mudbay_, not many Leagues off, and if they would go out and take her, he would purchase the Cargo of them, and likewise promised that they should be further supplied with Pitch, Tar, and all other Necessaries, which was made good to them; for People from the Factory flocked aboard every Hour, and dealt with them as in open Market, for all Sorts of Merchandize, Refreshments, Jewels and Plate, returning with Coffers of Money, _&c._ to a great Value.
The Advice of the Ship was taken very kindly, but the Pyrates judging their own Ship too large to go close into the Bay, consulted their Friend upon Means for taking the said Ship, who readily treated with them for the Sale of one of less Burthen that lay then in the Harbour; but _Malpa_ speaking to one _Punt_ of the Factory to carry her out, he not only refused to be concerned in such a Piece of Villainy, but reproved _Malpa_ for corresponding with the Pyrates, and told him, if he should be guilty of so base an Action, he must never see the Face of any of his Countrymen more; which made the honest Broker change both his Countenance and his Purpose.
At this Place Captain _Woolley_, whom they had taken for their Pilot on the _India_ Coast, being in a very sick and weak Condition, was, at his earnest Intreaty, discharged from his severe Confinement among them, and set ashore, and the next Day the Pyrates sailed, and ranged along the _Mallabar_ Coast, in quest of more Booty. In their Way they met a second time with the _Pembroke_, and plundered her of some Sugar, and other small Things, and let her go again. From the Coast they sail'd back for the Island of _Mauritius_, where they lay some Time, and lived after their usual extravagant Manner.