to
of tip
of aronta
the estate of
the late
William Edward Kelley
" Adventures are to the adventurous?
BEACONSFIEI/D.
THE
ADVENTURl
SERIES.
THE ADVENTURE SERIES.
Illustrated. Crown 8vo, 5s.
Adventures of a Younger Son. By E. J.
TKELAWNY. With cin Introduction by Edward
Garnett. Second Edition.
Robert Drury's Journal in Madagascar.
Edited, with an Introduction and Notes, by
Captain S. P. Oliver.
3-
Memoirs of the Extraordinary Military
Career of John Shipp. With an Introduction
by H. Manners Chichcster.
4-
The Adventures of Thomas Fellow, of
Penryn, Mariner. Written by himself, and
Edited ivit/i an Introduction and Notes by Dr.
Robert Brma/i.
5-
The Buccaneers and Marooners of America.
Being an Aecount of the Famous Adventures,
and Daring Deeds of certain Notorious Free-
booters of the Spanish Main. Edited by Howard
(OTHERS IN THE PRESS.}
II'
THE BUCCANEERS
AND MAROONERS OF
AMERICA
BEING AN ACCOUNT OF THE
FAMOUS ADVENTURES AND
DARING DEEDS OF CERTAIN
NOTORIOUS FREEBOOTERS
OF THE SPANISH MAIN
A NEW ILLUSTRATED EDITION
EDITED BY HOWARD PYLE
DATE
LONDON: T. FISHER UNWIN,
PATERNOSTER SQUARE. MDCCCXCI.
BY
F
LIBRARY
731330
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
CONTENTS.
PAGE
(1) EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION 15
(2) THE TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION . . 43
PART I.
THE BUCCANEEKS OF AMERICA.
CHAPTER I.
The Introduction The Author sets forth for the Western Islands,
in the service of the West India Company of France They
meet with an English frigate, and arrive at the Island of
Tortuga .49
CHAPTER II.
A description of Tortuga The fruits and plants there How the
French first settled ther e e, at two several times, and forced
out the Spaniards The Author twice sold in the said island . 54
CHAPTER III.
A description of Hispaniola A relation of the French Buccaneers 64
CHAPTER IV.
Original of the most famous pirates of the coasts of America
Famous exploit of Pierre le Grand , .... 76
CONTENTS.
PAGE
CHAPTER V.
How the pirates arm their vessels, and regulate tbeir voyages . 80
CHAPTEE VI.
Of the origin of Francis Lolonois, and the hegirming of his
robberies . . .95
CHAPTEE VII.
Lolonois equips a fleet to land upon the Spanish islands of
America, with intent to rob, sack, and burn whatsoever he
met with . ......... 100
CHAPTEE VIII.
Lolonois makes new preparations to take the city of St. James de
Leon ; as also that of Nicaragua ; where he miserably
perishes ..... 115
CHAPTEE IX.
The origin and descent of Captain Henry Morgan his exploits,
and the most remarkable actions of his life . . . .131
CHAPTEE X.
Of the Island of Cuba Captain Morgan attempts to preserve the
Isle of St. Catherine as a refuge to the nest of pirates ; but
fails of his design He arrives at, and takes, the village of
El Puerto del Principe 140
' CHAPTEE XI.
Captain Morgan resolving to attack and plunder the City of
Puerto Bello, equips a fleet, and with little expense and
small forces takes it 149
CHAPTEE XII.
Captain Morgan takes the City of Maracaibo, on the coast of
Neuva Venezuela Piracies committed in those seas Ruin
of three Spanish sliips set forth to hinder the robberies of the
pirates . . . . . . . . . . . 158
CONTENTS. 7
PAGE
CHAPTER XIII.
Captain Morgan goes to Hispaniola to equip a new fleet, with
intent to pillage again on the coast of the West Indies . . 187
CHAPTER XIV.
What happened in the river De la Hacha 190
CHAPTER XV.
Captain Morgan leaves Hispauiola, and goes to St. Catherine's,
which he takes 195
CHAPTER XVI.
Captain Morgan takes the Castle of Chagre, with four hundred
men sent to this purpose from St. Catherine's . . . 202
CHAPTER XVII.
Captain Morgan departs from Chagre, at the head of twelve
hundred men, to take the city of Panama .... 209
CHAPTER XVIII.
Captain Morgan sends canoes and hoats to the South Sea He
fires the city of Panama Rohheries and cruelties com-
mitted there by the pirates, till their return to the Castle of
Chagre . 223
PART II.
A TRUE ACCOUNT OF FOUR NOTORIOUS PIRATES.
CHAPTER I. OF CAPTAIN TEACH alias BLACK- BEARD.
His beginning His confederacy with Hornygold The confede-
racy broken Takes a large Guinea man Engages the
Scarborough* man-of-war His alliance with Major Stede
Bonnet Deposes his new ally His advice to the
Major His progress and success Takes prizes in sight
of Charles Town Sends ambassadors to the Governor
of Carolina upon an impudent demand Runs his ship
aground designedly His cruelty to some of his own com-*
8 CONTENTS.
PAGE
panions Surrenders to the King's Proclamation The Gover-
nor of North Carolina's exceeding generosity to him He
marries The number of his wives then living Makes a
second excursion in the way of pirating Some State legerde-
main betwixt him and the Governor His frolics on shore The
merchants apply for a force against him, and where A pro-
clamation with a reward for taking or killing of pirates
Lieutenant Maynard sent in pursuit of him Black-beard's
good intelligence The lieutenant engages Black-beard A
most execrable health drank by Black-beard The fight
bloody ; the particulars of it Black-beard killed His sloop
taken The lieutenant's conduct A reflection on the humours
of seamen Black-beard's correspondents discovered by his
papers Black-beard's desperate resolution before the fight
The lieutenant and Governor no very good friends The
prisoners hanged Samuel Odell saved, and why The good
luck of Israel Hands Black-beard's mischievous frolics His
beard described Several instances of his wickedness Some
memoranda taken from his journal The names of the
pirates ^killed in the engagement Of those executed The
value of the prize 239
CHAPTER II. OF CAPTAIN WILLIAM KID.
Commanded a privateer in the West Indies Eecommended to
the Government by Lord Bellamont, &c. Not encouraged
He is sent out in a private man-of-war with the King's com-
mission He sail for New York In his way takes a French
banker Arrived there Shipa more hands Sails to Madeira,
Bonavista, Cape de Verde Islands, and Madagascar Meets
three English men-of-war Meets with nothing at Mada-
gascar Goes to the Malabar coast Cruises about Mohila
and Johanna Borrows money and repairs his ship At
Mabbee he takes some corn From thence steers for Bab's
Key He sends a boat along the coast, and gains intelligence
He falls in with a fleet, but is obliged to sheer off Goes to
the Malabar coast Takes a Moorish vessel Treats the men
cruelly, and dischargs the vessel Touches at Carawar, and
is suspected of piracy Engages a Portuguese man-of-war
sent after him and gets off Takes a Moor ship under pre-
tence of her being French Keeps company with a Dutch
ship Quarrels with and kills his gunner Plunders a Portu-
guese ship on the Malabar coast and lets her go His cooper
is murdered in one of the Malabar Islands He burns and
pillages several houses Commands a native to be shot He
takes the Queda, and shares .200 a man amongst his crew -
CONTENTS. 9
PAGE
He cheats the Indians Goes to Madagascar Meets there
Culliford the pirate Shifts into the Queda, and shares the
rest of her cargo His men desert from him to forty Goes
to Amboyna hears he is declared a pirate in England Lord
BeUamont prints his justification A pardon granted to
pirates Avery and Kid excepted Kid goes to, and is secured
at, New York Some of his crew depending on the pardon,
are confined Sent to England and condemned Three ex-
cepted A distinction of the lawyers Kid found guilty of the
murder of his gunner Some plead the king's pardon to no
purpose Mullins's plea Kid's plea useless He and his men
indicted Executed 257
CHAPTER III. OF CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS AND
HIS CREW.
His beginning Elected captain in the room of Davis The speech
of Lord Dennis at the election Lord Sympton objects
against a papist The death of Davis revenged Eoberts sails
southward in quest of adventures The names of the prizes
taken by them Brazil described Eoberts falls into a fleet
of Portuguese Boards and takes the richest ship amongst
them Make the Devil's Islands An unfortunate adventure
of Roberts Kennedy's treachery Irishmen excluded by
Roberts and his crew Articles sworn to by them A copy of
them Some account of the laws and customs of the pirates
An instance of Roberts's cunning He proceeds again
upon business, and takes prizes Narrowly escapes being
taken Sails for the Islanjl Dominico Another escape Sails
for Newfoundland Plunders, sinks, and burns twenty-twq
sail in the harbour of Trepassi Plunders ten sail of French-
men The mad .behaviour of the crew A correspondence
hinted at The pirates caressed at the island of St. Bartholo-
mew In extreme distress Sail for Martinico A stratagem
of Roberts The insolent device in his colours Odd com-
pliment paid to Roberts Three men desert the pirates, and
are taken by them Their trial Two executed and one
saved The brigantine deserts them rGreat divisions in the
company A description of Serra Leone River The names of
English settled there, and way of life The Onslow belonging
to the African Company taken The pirates' contempt of
soldiers They are for entertaining a chaplain Their skir-
mish with the Calabar negroes The King Solomon, belong-
ing to the African Company taken The frolics of the pirates
Take eleven sail in Whydah Road A comical receipt
given by the pirates A cruel action of Roberts Sails for
10 CONTENTS.
PAGE
Anna Bona The progress of the Swallow man-of-war, in
pursiiit of Koberts Roberta's consort taken The bravery
of Skyrme, a Welsh pirate The surly humour of some of the
prisoners The Swalloiv comes up with Eoberts Eoberts's
dress described Is killed His character His ship taken
The behaviour of the pirates when prisoners A conspiracy of
theirs discovered Reflections on the manner of trying them
The form of the commission for trying the pirates The
oath taken by the commissioners The names of those
arraigned taken in the ship Banger The form of the indict-
ment The sum of the evidence against them Their defence
The names of the prisoners of the Royal Fortune Pro-
ceedings against them Harry Glasby acquitted The par-
ticular trial of Captain James Skyrme Of John Walden Of
Peter Scudamore Of Robert Johnson Of George Wilson
Of Benjamin Jeffries Of John Mansfield Of William Davis
The names of those executed at Cape Corso The petition
of some condemned The court's resolution The form of an
indenture of a pardoned pirate The names of those par-
doned upon indenture to serve seven years The pirates how
disposed of The dying behaviour of those executed . . 275
CHAPTER IV. OF CAPTAIN AVERY AND HIS CREW.
Romantic reports of his greatness His birth Is mate of a Bristol
man For what voyage designed Tampers with the seamen
Forms a plot for carrying. off the ship Executes it, and
how The pirates take a rich ship belonging to the Great
Mogul The Great Mogul threatens the English settlements
The pirates steer their course back for Madagascar Call a
council Put all the treasure of board of Avery's ship Avery
and his crew treacherously leave his confederates Go to
the Isle of Providence in the West Indies Sell the ship
Go to North America in a sloop They disperse Avery goes
to New England From thence to Ireland Avery afraid
to expose his diamonds to sale Goes over to England Puts
his wealth into merchant's hands of Bristol Changes his
name Lives at Bideford The merchants send him 110
supplies Importunes them Goes privately to Bristol They
threaten to discover him Goes over to Ireland Solicits
them from thence Is very poor Works his passage over to
Plymouth Walks to Bideford Dies a beggar An account
of Avery's confederates Their settlement at Madagascar
They meet other pirates An account of them The pirates
deposed, and why Marooned on the Island Mauritius
Some account of that island- The adventures of the company
CONTENTS. 11
PAGE
continued Angria, an Indian pirate His strength by land
and sea The East India Company's wars with him The
pirates go to the island of Melinda Their barbarous be-
haviour there Hear of Captain Mackra's designs against
them Their reflections thereupon Sail for Cochin, a Dutch
settlement The pirates and the Dutch very good friends
Mutual presents made between the pirates and the Governor
The pirates in a fright Almost starved Take a prize of
an immense value Take an Ostend East Indiaman A short
description of Madagascar A prodigious dividend made by
the pirates A fellow's way of increasing his diamonds
Some of the pirates quit, and join the remains of Avery The
proceedings of the men-of-war in those parts Some Dutch-
men petition to be among the pirates The pirates divided in
their measures Break up What became of them . . 384
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
(1) MOEGAN EECRUITING FOB THE ATTACK ON PORTO
BELLO (from a drawing by Howard Pyle) Frontispiece
(2) BARTHOLOMEW PORTUGUES (from the portrait in " De
Americaensche Zee Eoovers ") ... To face p. 85
(3) LOLONOIS (from the portrait in " De Americaensche
Zee Eoovers") .... ... ... Tofacep.96
(4) CAPTAIN HENRY MORGAN (from the portrait in "De
Americaensche Zee Eoovers") ... To face p. 178
(5) CAPTAIN TEACH (from the engraving in the second
edition of Johnson's " General History of the
Pyrates") To face ^.239
{6) CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW EGBERTS (from the engraving
in the second edition of Johnson's " General History
of the Pyrates ") To face p. 300
INTRODUCTION.
I.
HY is it that a little spice of deviltry
lends not an unpleasantly titillating
twang to the great mass of respect-
able flour that goes to make up the
pudding of our modern civilization ?
And pertinent to this question another Why is it
that the pirate has, and always has had, a certain
lurid glamour of the heroical enveloping him round
ahout ? Is there, deep under the accumulated
debris of culture, a hidden ground-work of
the old-time savage ? Is there even in these
well-regulated times an unsubdued nature in
the respectable mental household of every one
of us that still kicks against the pricks of
law and order ? To make my meaning more
clear, would not every boy, for instance
that is every boy of any account rather be a
pirate captain than a Member of Parliament ?
And we ourselves ; would we not rather read such
a story as that of Captain Avery's capture of the
East Indian treasure-ship, with its beaiitiful prin-
16 INTRODUCTION.
cess and load of jewels (which gems he sold by the
handful, history sayeth, to a Bristol merchant),
than say one of Bishop Atterhury's sermons or
the goodly Master Kobert Boyle's religious ro-
mance of " Theodora and Didymus " ? It is to be
apprehended that to the unregenerate nature of
most of us, there can be but one answer to such a
query.
In the pleasurable warmth the heart feels in
answer to tales of derring-do, Nelson's battles are
all mightily interesting, but even in spite of their
romance of splendid courage, I fancy that the
majority of us would rather tarn back over the leaves
of history to read how Drake captured the Spanish
treasure-ship in the South Sea, and of how he
divided such a quantity of booty in the Island of
Plate (so named because of the tremendous divi-
dend there declared) that it had to be measured in
quart bowls, being -too considerable to be counted.
Courage and daring, no matter how mad and
ungodly, have always a redundancy of vim and life
to recommend them to the nether man that lies
within us, and no doubt his desperate courage, his
battle against the tremendous odds of all the civi-
lized world of law and order have had much to do
in making a popular hero of our friend of the black
flag. But it is not altogether courage and daring
that endears him to our hearts. There is another
and perhaps a greater kinship in that lust for
wealth that makes one's fancy revel more pleas-
antly in the story of the division of treasure in
INTRODUCTION. 17
the pirate's island retreat, the hiding of his godless
gains somewhere in the sandy stretch of tropic
heach, there to remain hidden until the time '
should come to rake the dubloons up again and to
spend them like a lord in polite society, than in
the most thrilling tales of his wonderful escapes
from commissioned cruisers through tortuous
channels between the coral-reefs.
And what a life of adventure is his to be sure !
A life of constant alertness, constant danger, con-
stant escape ! An ocean Ishmaelite, he wanders
for ever aimlessly, homelessly ; now unheard of
for months, now careening his boat on some lonely
uninhabited shore, now appearing suddenly to
swoop down on some merchant-vessel with rattle
of musketry, shouting, yells, and a hell of un-
bridled, passions let loose to rend and tear.
What a Carlislean hero ! What a setting of
blood and lust and flame and rapine for such a
hero !
II.
Piracy such as was practised in the flower of its
days that is, during the early eighteenth century
was no sudden growth. It was an evolution,
from the semi-lawful buccaneering of the sixteenth
century, just as buccaneering was upon its part,
in a certain sense, an evolution from the unor-
ganized, unauthorized warfare 01 the Tudor period.
For there was a deal of piratical smack in the
anti- Spanish ventures of Elizabethan days. Many
2
18 INTRODUCTION.
of the adventurers of the Sir Francis Drake
school, .for instance actually overstepped again
and again the hounds of international law, entering
into the realms of de facto piracy. Nevertheless,
while their doings were ,not recognized officially by
the Government, the perpetrators were neither
punished nor reprimanded for their excursions
against Spanish commerce at home or in the West
Indies ; rather were they commended, and it was
considered not altogether a discreditable thing for
men to get rich upon the spoils taken from Spanish
galleons in times of nominal peace. Many of the
most reputable citizens and merchants of London,
when they felt that the Queen failed in her duty of
pushing the fight against the great Catholic Power,
fitted out fleets upon their own account and sent
them to levy good Protestant war of a private
nature upon the Pope's anointed.
Some of the treasures captured in such ventures
were immense, stupendous, unbelievable. For an
example, one can hardly credit the truth of the
" purchase " gained by Drake in the famous cap-
ture of the plate-ship in the South Sea.
One of the old buccaneer writers of a century
later says : " The Spaniards affirm to this day that
he took at that time twelve-score tons of plate and
sixteen bowls of coined money a man (his number
being then forty-five men in all), insomuch that
they were forced to heave much of it overboard,
because his ship could not carry it all."
Maybe this was a very greatly exaggerated state-
INTRODUCTION. 19
ment put by the author and his Spanish authorities,
nevertheless there was enough truth in it to prove
very conclusively to the bold minds of the age that
tremendous profits "purchases" they called them
were to be made from piracy. The Western
World is filled with the names of daring mariners
of those old days, who came flitting across the
great trackless ocean in their little tub-like boats
of a few hundred tons burden, partly to explore
unknown seas, partly largely, perhaps in pursuit
of Spanish treasure : Frobisher, Davis, Drake, and
a score of others.
In this left-handed war against Catholic Spain
many of the adventurers were, no doubt, stirred
and incited by a grim, Calvinistic, Puritanical zeal
for Protestantism. But equally beyond doubt the
gold and silver and plate of the " Scarlet Woman "
had much to do with the persistent energy with
which these hardy mariners braved the mysterious
unknown terrors of the great unknown ocean that
stretched away .to the sunset, there in far away
waters to attack the huge, unwieldy treasure-
ladened galleons that sailed up and down the
Caribbean Sea and through the Bahama Channel.
III.
Of all ghastly and terrible things old-time reli-
gious war was the most ghastly and terrible. One
can hardly credit nowadays the cold, callous cruelty
of those times. Generally death was the least
20 IN TEOD UC TION.
penalty that capture entailed. When the Spaniards
made prisoners of the English, the Inquisition
took them in hand, and what that meant all the
world knows. When the English captured a
Spanish vessel the prisoners were tortured, either
for the sake of revenge or to compel them to dis-
close where treasure lay hidden. Cruelty begat
cruelty, and it would be hard to say whether the
Anglo-Saxon or the Latin showed himself to be
most proficient in torturing his victim.
When Cobharn, for instance, captured the
Spanish ship in the Bay of Biscay, after all resis-
tance was over and the heat -of the battle had
cooled, he ordered his crew to bind the captain
and all of the crew and every Spaniard aboard
whether in arms or not to sew them up in the
mainsail and to fling them overboard. There were
some twenty dead bodies in the sail when a few
days later it was washed up on the shore.
Of course such acts were not likely to go un-
avenged, and .many an innocent life was sacrificed
to pay the debt of Cobham's cruelty.
Nothing could 'be more piratical than all this,
nevertheless, as was said, it was winked at, con-
doned, if not sanctioned, by the law ; and it was
not beneath people of family and respectability to
take part in it. But by and by Protestantism and
Catholicism began to be at somewhat less deadly
enmity with one another, religious wars were still
far enough from being ended, but the scabbard of
the sword was no longer flung away when the
INTRODUCTION. 21
blade was drawn. And so followed a time of
nominal peace, and a generation arose with whom
it was no longer respectable and worthy one
might say a matter of duty to fight a country
with which one's own land was not at war. Never-
theless, the seed had been sown ; it had been
demonstrated that it was feasible to practice piracy
against Spain and not to suffer therefor. Blood
had been shed and cruelty practised, and once
indulged no lust seems stronger than that of shed-
ding blood and practising cruelty.
Though Spain might be ever so well grounded
in peace at home, in the West Indies she was
always at war with the whole world English,
French, Dutch. It was almost a matter of life or
death with her to keep her hold upon the New
World. At home she was bankrupt and, upon the
earthquake of the Reformation, her power was
already beginning to totter and to crumble to
pieces. America was her treasure-house, and from
it alone could she hope to keep her leaking purse
full of gold and silver. So it was that she strove
strenuously, desperately to keep out the world
from her American possessions a bootless task,
for the old order upon which her pow T er rested was %
broken and crumbled ' for ever. But still she
strove, fighting against fate, and so it was that in
the tropical America it was one continual war
between her and all the world. Thus it came that
long after piracy ceased to be allowed at home, it
continued in those far away seas with unabated
'22 INTRODUCTION.
vigour, recruiting to its service all that lawless
malign element which gathers together in every
newly-opened country where the only law is law-
lessness, where might is right and where a living
is to be gained with no more trouble than cutting
a throat.
IV.
Such were the conditions of life that gave rise
to that peculiar class of outlaws and semi-outlaws
known as the buccaneers those pirates, hunters,
and freebooters, whose very name has become a
synonym of all that is lawless, desperate, godless.
Little or nothing is known of the lives and
habits of these nomadic hunter-pirates beyond
what is to be found in a short concise history of
some of their greater exploits, written by one of
their number John Esquemeling by name who
lived with them, and was with Captain Morgan
during his most deservedly famous attack upon
the City of Panama.
The temptation is always great to an editor to
interlope his own ideas of character and his own
views of the results to the world of the world's
happenings ; but in the case .of the Esquemeling
history though more serious historians are prone
to say that the statements therein given are not to
be depended upon it should be decidedly hands off.
One touch of the modern brush would destroy the
whole tone of dim local colours of the past made
misty by the lapse of time. It needs the quaint
INTRODUCTION. 28
old archaic language of the seventeenth century to
tell of those deeds of blood and rapine and cruelty,
and the stiff, formal style of the author-translator
seems in some way to remove those deeds out of
the realms of actuality into the hazy light of
romance. So told the adventures of those old
buccaneers still remain a part of humbler history,
but they do not sound so cruel, so revolting as
they would be told in our nineteenth-century
vernacular.
And as for the lives of the buccaneers them-
selves the account of how they wrenched Tortuga
from Spain, of how they peopled Western Hispa-
niola with cattle-killing hunters and desperadoes,
of how they roamed through the tropical rankness
of the forests, with their half-wild dogs and their
huge, unwieldy firelock guns, now hunted by the
Spaniards like wild beasts, and now like wild
beasts turning at bay to rend and tear with savage
quickness it would be, if anything, still more a
pity to mar the telling as he tells it with his pithy
conciseness. And then, after all, it is such old
histories alone that can bring one in full touch
with the empty shell of a life that is past and
gone, and such a history is doubly, trebly full of
interest when told by an actor who actually lived
it in the scenes of which he writes. And so we
leave honest John Esquemeling to tell his own
history in his own way.
However, of the differentiation of the buccaneer
pirate from the buccaneer proper something may,
24 INTRODUCTION.
perhaps, be added to aid the reader in a clearer
understanding of the manner in which they came
to graduate from cattle-stealing to throat-cutting.
V.
The buccaneers took their name from a peculiar
method of curing beef by drying it in the sun,
which was termed buchanning. The beef so cured
was, itself wild or half- wild cattle, stolen from the
neighbouring Spaniards of the great Island of
Hispaniola the San Domingo of our day. The
chief rendezvous of these nomadic hunters and
curers of meat was upon a little hunch of an island
^nown as Tortuga de Mar, so called from its sup-
posed resemblance to the sea-turtle. Of the
manner in which the French settled upon this
island of the sea-turtle, of their bloody fights with
the Spaniards, of the conquest of the island by the
one, of its recapture by the other, of its recapture
again by the French, the author tells at length.
Suffice it to be said here that, in spite of all the
power of Spain, the buccaneers finally made con--
quest of Tortuga, and that a French governor was
sent to rule over them.
No better situation could have been found for
the trade in which they were busied. Tortuga,
lying as it does off the north-west shore of Hispa-
niola and at the outlet of the Old Bahama Channel
(a broad stretch of navigable water extending
between the Island of Cuba and the great Bahama
INTRODUCTION. 25
Banks), was almost in the very centre of the main
route of travel between the Western World and
Europe, along which the commerce of the West
Indies came and went, ebbed arid flowed. It
afforded, perhaps, one of the most convenient
ports of the whole Western World in which home-
returning vessels might provision and take in
water. The captains and owners of the trading
vessels . asked no questions as to the means
whereby cattle were procured. It sufficed them
that the meat was well dried and well cured, and,
having been stolen, was cheaper than that to be
had at Porto Bello, Santa Catharina, and other
Spanish ports. So buccaneering (in its proper
sense) was quite a profitable business,- and pros-
pered accordingly ; the step from stealing cattle .
to piracy was not so very great.
Among the buccaneers were to be found the off-
scourings of all the French and English West
Indies a mad, savage, unkempt phase of humanity,
wilder than the wildest Western cow-boys fierce,
savage, lawless, ungoverned, ungovernable. The
Spaniards were merely the means whereby money
was to be gained money to spend in the wild
debaucheries, for which the world has afforded few
better opportunites than were to be found in the
Spanish West Indies. The old days of legalized
piracy had never been forgotten, and by and by
it began to be felt by the wild cattle-hunters
that beef-curing was too slow and laborious a
means of earning duploons. It needed only the
'26 INTRODUCTION.
leadership of such a one as Pierre le Grand to
awaken dormant piracy to a renewed vigour of life.
Our author only gives us meagre details concern-
ing the result of that first hold expedition of the
buccaneers under Pierre le Grande into the
Carribhean Sea. He tells us. but little of the
capture of the great galleon by the pirate crew of
the long-boat, and as to the gains made by the
buccaneers upon the occasion he tells us only that
" he (Pierre) set sail for France, carrying with him
all the riches he found in that huge vessel, and
that there he continued without ever returning to
the parts of America again." But though our
author does not tell just what was the plunder
taken upon this memorable occasion, it must have
been very considerable indeed, and one can
imagine how the success of the venture set agog
all the buccaneers of Tortuga and Hispaniola.
One can fancy what a ferment the rumour of
the great capture occasioned ; what a hurrying
hither and thither; what a crowding of crews of
desperadoes into long-boats and hoys ! It was
so infinitely much easier, so vastly quicker and so
much more congenial a, means of getting rich upon
ill-gotten gains than the dangerous and monotonous
business of hunting and stealing cattle in an
enemy's country. So, in a little while a few
years the West Indian seas were alive with
pirates English, French, Dutch, and Portuguese.
Nearly always, though our author does not ex-
plicitly say so, the buccaneers appear to have
INTRODUCTION. 27
sailed tinder some semi-official letters of marque,
granted by the colonial governors. It was under
such that the famous Captain Morgan sailed in
his expedition against Porto Bello, Santa Catharina,
and Panama. But such unauthorized letters of
marque only made piracy all the more strenuous,
unrelaxing, merciless giving as they did some
sanction to the cruel and bloody warfare. French
and English West Indian towns - - such, for
instance, as Port Royal, in Jamaica grew
fabulously rich with an unbelievable quickness.
In ten or twelve years Spain had lost millions
upon millions of dollars, which vast treasure was
poured in a golden flood into those hot fever-holes
of towns, where Jews and merchants and prosti-
tutes battened on the burning lusts of the wild
hunters whose blood was already sefaflame with
plunder and rapine. At last the risks of Spanish
West Indian commerce became so great that no
vessel dared venture out of port, excepting
under escort of men-of-war. Even then they
were not secure always of ' protection, for there are
recprds that tell of the capture of rich prizes from
the very midst of the surrounding plate fleet.
Cargoes of value from the Western provinces of
Central and South America, instead of being sent
to Spain across the Isthmus from Panama as
heretofore, were carried more often by way of the
Strait of Magellan, there being less danger in that
long and toilsome voyage than in the pirate-infested
Carribbeau Sea in spite of its trade-winds and
28 INTRODUCTION.
steady ocean currents. So it came. that by and
by the trade of freebooting no longer returned the
great profits that had been one time realized by
those who embarked in it. It seemed for awhile,
as though the business were likely to find its death
in the very thing that had given it birth the
weakness of Spanish power, decaying to ruin.
It was in this time of its threatened decadence
that Francis Lolonois gave a new impulse to the
free trade as it was sometimes called of the
times.
In the temporary paralysis of commerce vast
wealth had gathered and accumulated in the great
treasure-houses of the walled and fortified towns of
the West Indies Cartagena, Porto Bello, Mara-
eaibo, Havana, and numerous other centres of
Spanish power. It was Lolonois who conceived
the scheme of descending .upon these storehouses
of treasure, there to gather in one swoop a prize
such as a score of ventures in times past could not
return.
It was upon Maracaibo that the first attack was
made, and in the matter-of-fact way with which
our author describes the sacking of that city and
of the town of Gibraltar a picture of a phase of
the times is given, so grim, so terrible, that were
it not for the further bearing out of the impeach-
able records, we of these days of light might well
doubt that such things could really be in lands
calling' themselves Christian. The result of the
expedition was all more than all that Lolonois'
INTRODUCTION. 29
most sanguine hopes could have anticipated ; and
when he returned in triumph to Tortuga, almost a
howl of exultation went up from all the West
Indies not under Spanish rule, for there were many
other and richer towns than Maracaibo.
VI.
It was upon the lines marked out by Lolonois
that the greatest of all the buccaneers reaped fame
and wealth Sir Henry Morgan, the hero of the
author's book, the Alexander of his history. Of
the birth, parentage, and family of Morgan but
little is known, that little being quite apocryphal
in'lts nature. Our author tells us that he was a
Welshman, as was to be supposed from his name ;
that he was of good strain, as was also to be sup-
posed ; and that his father was a rich yeoman.
The history further tells us that Captain Morgan
was, upon his first coming to the Americas, sold
for his passage, such being the customary manner
of dealing with the steerage passengers of the day.
Having served his time he went to Jamaica, where
he entered into the service of one Mansvelt, a
buccaneer of not a little note, and presently his
name becomes famous in the nether history of the
period.
Another history, not so picturesque as that
written by Esquemeling, but perhaps more ac-
curate, tell us of the great buccaneer's having been
commissioned by Sir Thomas Modyford, then
30 INTRODUCTION.
Governor of Jamaica, to levy war upon Spain and
other nationalites upon behalf of the King of
England.
As was said before, the governors of the non-
Spanish West India Islands were accustomed to
issue such warrants to the buccaneer privateersmen,
but during Sir Thomas Modyford's time .some
effort was beginning to be made by the home
governments to put a stop to this semi-legal
piracy. Sir Thomas, who, it was said, shared in
the gains of the freebooters, was carried as prisoner
to England to answer for the assumption of his
authority in having declared war against a nation
with whom the country was then at peace. Never-
theless the latent sympathy of the Government
was still on the side of the buccaneers, and it was
on account of his attack upon Panama that Captain
Morgan was created Sir Henry Morgan by his
Majesty King Charles II.
In the historical records of Jamaica his name
appears twice as Lieutenant-Governor : once during
the time that Sir Thomas Modyford, who had
granted him commission, was a State prisoner in
the Tower once, succeeding Charles Earl, of
Carlisle, in 1680.
It was perhaps a part of the paradoxical manage-
ment of State affairs that he was finally recalled
to England in 1683 by order of the Secretary of
State, for breaking the peace with the Spaniards,
contrary to his Majesty's express orders, and it
seems a very fitting epilogue to the comedy of fate
INTRODUCTION. 31
that he should have died in the Tower of London
y
for the very deeds for wliich he was knighted.
Such are the bald and meagre details of his life.
Of his renown the world has heard more or less
blatant blasts upon the trumpet of Fame for two
hundred years and more, the notes whereof are not
a little attuned to the history of his deeds written
by honest John Esquemeling, the first English
edition of which is here edited.
VII.
If, as some assert, the popularity of a book is to
be estimated according to the number of editions
through which it passes, the history of Captain
Sir Henry Morgan has, at least in past few genera-
tions, been very dear to English-speaking people.
At least this is true of the Esquemeling history ;
the first English edition was printed under date of
1684 -about the time that the hero of it was a State
prisoner standing his trial for levying war against
Spain, contrary to his Majesty's express orders,
and for the doiDg of those deeds of conquest for
which he had once been honoured. Upon the title-
page of the quaint old volume is given briefly and
concisely the bibliography of the history to its then
condition. That it was originally written in
Dutch, thence translated into Spanish by Alonso
de Bonne-Maison, and now faithfully rendered into
English for the first time.
More particularly, the Dutch history from which
82 INTRODUCTION.
the Spanish translation was taken is a work pub-
lished at Amsterdam in 1678, entitled, " De
Americaensche Zee Eoovers." A number of other
translations beside the Spanish and English
accounts were made cotemporarily with other
European languages, the best known of which is,
perhaps, the French " Histoire des Aventuriers
qui se sont signaley dans les Indies," published
originally in 1686. Another French edition, con-
siderably enlarged and appearing in four volumes,
was published in 1775.
In each new translation and each new edition
the original narrative was expanded by additional
matter. A year or two after the appearance of the
earliest English edition that of 1684 a second
appeared in the same general form with the first,
but with a supplement treating of the adventures
of Captain Sharp, Sawkins, Coxon, and others on
the coasts of the South Sea from the journal kept
by Mr. Basil Eingrose. Both of these two editions
are now of considerable rarity, and, being rather
better printed than cotemporary volumes of the
kind, and being, besides, well and interestingly
illustrated by portraits of the more prominent free-
booters, curious maps and quaint plates, they are
in considerable esteem with collectors of old books.
Of the two the second edition is the more valued
because of the additional matter and maps, but for
ordinary literary purposes the first edition is, per-
haps, more preferable. The whole value of the
history culminates and centres with Captain Mor-
INTRODUCTION. 3$
gan, and that part treating of the adventures of
Captain Sparks and the others is not only dull,,
protracted, and prosy, but excessively tedious..
Accordingly for the present purposes it has been
deemed better to adhere to the scheme of the first
edition, which is in reality a history of Captain
Morgan's expeditions, rather than to unnecessarily
extend the volume upon the lines more usually
followed.
From these two earlier editions has sprung a
host of successors. The second that containing
the adventures of Captain Sharp, Sawkins, Coxon r
and others with some further additions was re-
printed in Walker's " British Classics" (12mo,
1810), besides which the history has appeared in
a score of cheaper forms adapted to more popular
reading and far too obscure and too numerous to-
trace and follow.
In the edition here presented some few changes-
have been made, some of the long and tedious
bits of description have been omitted, but as a
whole the history of Captain Morgan and his fellow-
buccaneers stands almost exactly as originally told
by the English translation of the Spanish transla-
tion of the Dutch Buccaneer Pirate Story.
VIII.
It was about 1680-5 that the English Govern-
ment, as was shown in the case of Sir Henry
Morgan and others, seriously took in hand the
3
34 INTRODUCTION.
suppression of freebooting. Morgan was only one
of many punished for having at one time or
another levied private war upon Spain. Then
came the Peace of Eyswick between France and
Spain, which gave the finishing blow to buc-
caneering as a semi-legal venture ; henceforth
nothing remained but open piracy to those bold
spirits, too active in the ferment of their passions
to be contained by the bottle of law. Both France
and England joined in stamping out freebooting,
and for a little while it seemed as if they had
succeeded but it was only for a little while.
Filibustering and semi-piracy had become too
much a part of the life of the West Indies, and
was too thoroughly congenial to those who sought
escape from the restraints of civilization to be thus
-easily put an end to. It was only the stem of
buccaneering that had been lopped away by the
.sword of the law; from the roots sprung anew
and more vigorous offshoot the flower of Piracy
itself. Under the new order it was no longer Spain
alone that suffered, but the lawful commerce of all
nations that became the prey of these ocean
wolves. During the early eighteenth century the
Spanish main and adjacent waters swarmed with
pirate crafts, and the fame of their deeds forms a
chapter of popular history that may almost take
rank with that which tells of Eobin Hood, Friar
Bush, Schinderhannes, and other worthies of the
like kidney of a more or less apocryphal nature.
Who has not heard tell of Black-beard ? Who
INTRODUCTION. 35
does not know of the name of the renowned Cap-
tain Kid ? Who has not heard the famous ballad
which tells of his deeds of wickedness? a rythmical
chant such as has from the beginning of time been
most taking to the popular ear :
" Oh ! my name is Captain Kid,
As I sailed,
As I sailed,
Oh ! my name is Captain Kid,
As I sailed,
Oh ! my name is Captain Kid,
And God's laws I did forbid,
And right wickedly I did
As I sailed."
So far as the knowledge of the editor of this
work extends no such ballad has been written con-
cerning the doings of that other famous knight of
the black flag whose name is no less renewed in
the history of his kind Captain Edward Teach,
better known as Black-beard. But, though so far
as ballad fame is concerned he is at a disadvantage
with the other, Captain Teach stands par excellent
in an unique personality of his own. Perhaps
there are few figures so picturesque as that
suggested in the description of his get-up
upon the occasions of public appearances the
plaited beard, the face smeared 'black with
gunpowder, the lighted matches thrust under
his hat brim, the burning sparks thereof
hanging down about his face. The fiendish
grirnness of that figure has made fully as much
36 INTRODUCTION.
impression upon the clay of the past as even that
of Captain Kid, in spite of the celebrated song
that emphasizes his fame. But the two together
stand head and shoulders above all others of their
kidney as the best-known pirates of the early
eighteenth century. Even to this day it is safe to
say that nowhere along the Atlantic coast of the
whole United States, from Maine to Florida, are
their names unknown, and that in all that stretch
of sea-board there is hardly a lonesome sandy
beach but is reputed to have held treasure hidden
by the one or the other of them. Each is the
hero of half a hundred legends and fantastically
exaggerated tales, and it was Captain Kid who
buried the treasure that Poe discovered in the
delightful romance of " The Gold Bug."
But, nevertheless, though the fame of these two-
worthies is so pre-eminent, there are others only
second to them in renown others whose names
and deeds have also been chronicled by Captain
Johnson, the famous historian of scoundreldom.
Captain Bartholomew Eoberts, for instance, if he
may not have had the fortune to be so famous as
the two above-mentioned worthies, yet, in hi&
marvellous escapes and deeds of daring, he well
deserves to stand upon the same pedestal of
renown. And Captain Avery, though his history
is, perhaps, more apochryphal in its nature, never-
theless there is sumcint stamina of trust in the
account of his exploits to grant him also place with
his more famous brothers, for the four together
INTRODUCTION. 37
Black-beard, Kid, Roberts, and Avery form a
galaxy the like of which is indeed hard to match
in its own peculiar brilliancy.
IX.
Through circumstances the hunter name of
buccaneers was given to the seventeenth-century
pirates and freebooters; the term "marooners" was
bestowed upon those who followed the same trade
in the century succeeding. The name has in
itself a terrible significance. The dictionary tells
us that to maroon is to put ashore as upon a
desert island, and it was from this that the title
was derived.
These later pirates the marooners 1 not being
under the protection of the West Indian governors,
and having no such harbour for retreat as that,
for instance, of Port Eoyal, were compelled to
adopt some means for the disposal of prisoners
captured with their prizes other than taking them
into a friendly port.
Occasionally such unhappy captives were set
adrift in the ship's boats with or without pro-
visions, as the case might be. A method of
disposing of them maybe more convenient, cer-
tainly more often used, was to set them ashore
upon some desert coast or uninhabited island,
with a supply of water perhaps, and perhaps a
gun, a pinch of powder, and a few bullets there
to meet their fate, either in the slim chance of a
passing ve'ssel or more probably in death.
38 INTRODUCTION.
Nor was marooning the fate alone of the
wretched captives of their piracy ; sometimes it
was resorted to as a punishment among them-
selves. Many a mutinous pirate sailor and not a,
few pirate captains have been left to the horrors
of such a fate, either to die under the shrivelling
. glare of the tropical sun upon some naked sand-
spit or to consume in the burning of a tropical
fever amid the rank wilderness of mangroves upon
some desert coast.
Hence the name marooners.
X.
As the marooners followed, the buccaneers in
actual fact, so should they follow them in the
history that treats of West Indian freebopters.
Nor is it merely a matter of correctness of form
to add the more unusual histories the four famous
pirates here incorporated. There is another, a,
deeper, a more humanitarian reason for such a
sequel. For is not the history of the savage
outlawry of the marooners a verisemblance of
the degeneration, the quick disintegration of
humanity the moment that the law T s of God
and man are lifted? The Tudor sea-captains-
were little else than legalized pirates, and in
them we may see that first small step that
leads so quickly into the smooth downward
path. The buccaneers, in their semi-legalized
piracy, succeeded them as effect follows cause.
INTBODUCTION. 89
Then as the ultimate result followed the marooners
fierce, bloody, rapacious, human wild beasts
lusting for blood and plunder, godless, lawless,
the enemy of all men but their own wicked kind.
Is there not a profitable lesson tb be learned in
the history of such a human extreme of evil all
the more wicked from being the rebound from
civilization ?
Thus, in the present volume, it has been deemed
best to add as a sequel to the redoubtable nar-
rative of the honest Dutchman Esquemeling, the
history, first of Captain Kid who stood upon a,
sort of middle ground between the buccaneers and
the marooners proper and then the story of the
lives of Black-beard, Eoberts, and Avery : roaring,
ranting, raving pirates per se.
As a rule it is generally difficult to find any
actual data, any tangible history of the popular
villain-hero. Now and then the curious collector
of such ephemeral trifles gathers together a few
chap-book histories of such, but as a rule any
positive material passes quickly away and is lost
in the oblivion of past things. Their deeds and
actions are usually of small moment in the policy
of nations, and it is only in popular romance and
fiction that their name and fame is embalmed and
preserved. But in the case of Kid and of Black-
beard, however, and the more famous pirates and
notorious rogues of their generation both land-
thieves and water-thieves, land-rats and water-
rats a Pliny has arisen, who has handed down
40 INTRODUCTION.
their names and the history of their deeds to
the present time Captain Charles Johnson,
who, in the earlier half of the eighteenth century
collected and edited numberless chap-book his-
tories of famous pirates and highwaymen.
As in the case of "The History of the Buccaneers,"
Johnson's works have gone through numberless
editions, so that if by the quantity of books we
measure the popular regard, Black-beard and Kid
and Avery with their land-types Duval, Shepherd,
and Jonathan Wild have a very dear place in the
hearts of the people.
The first of these collected histories appeared
under place and date, London, 1724, 8vo. It was
entitled, " General History of the Pyrates of the
New Providence," &c., and appeared again in a
second edition of two volumes in 1727. In this
history, most quaint and rare, appear the lives
both of Black-beard and Kid, and it is now num-
bered among the more interesting and curious of
Americana.
In 1734 was published in folio form " The
History of Highwaymen and Pirates," &c. ; but
although the history of Black-beard appears in this
edition, that of Captain Kid is, for some reason,
omitted. In 1742 followed a second edition of
this same history, printed from the original plates.
Both this and the first edition (some of the copies
of which bear the date 1736) are now grown quite
rare and curious, being not often met with outside
the libraries of the book-collector. From them so
INTRODUCTION. 41
numerous a progeny had sprung that, as in the
case of " The History of the Buccaneers," it is
almost an impossible task to follow and particu-
larize them. One of the more notable reprints
appeared in 1839, another with additions by C.
Whitehead in 1840, and again in 1853. These are
but a few of a numerous tribe of the grand family
in which these popular heroes act their life under
the gaze of our far-away time.
To them the reader must turn if he would seek
further in the dark passages of such lives as are
here presented in the most notorious examples,
perhaps, of all.
HOWAKD PYLE.
WILMINGTON, DELAWABE,
November, 1890.
THE TRANSLATOR
TO THE
READER (OF 1684).
present Volume, both for its Curiosity and Ingenuity, I dare
recommend unto the perusal of our English Nation, whose
glorious actions it containeth. What relateth unto the curiosity
hereof, this Piece, both of Natural and Humane History, was no
sooner published in the Dutch Original, than it was snatch 1 1 up for
the most curious Library's of Holland ; it was Translated into-
Spanish (two impressions thereof being sent into Spain in one year] ',
it was taken notice of by the learned Academy of Paris ; and finally
recommended as worthy our esteem, by the ingenious Author of the
Weekly Memorials for the Ingenious, printed here at London about
tivo years ago. Neither all this undeservedly, seeing it enlargeth
our acquaintance of Natural History, so much prized and enquired
for, by the Learned of this present Age, ivith several observations not
easily to be found in other accounts already received from America :
and besides, it informeth us (with huge novelty] of as great and bold
attempts, in point of Military conduct and valour, as ever were
performed by mankind; without excepting, here, either Alexander
the Great, or Julius Cassar, or the rest of the Nine Worthy's of Fame.
Of all which actions, as we cannot confess ourselves to have been
ignorant hitherto (the very name of Bucaniers being, as yet, knoivn-
but unto few of the Ingenious ; as their Lives, Laivs, and Conver-
sation, are in a manner unto none) so can they not choose but be
admired, out of this ingenuous Author, by whosoever is curious to-
learn the various revolutions of humane affairs. But, more es-
44 TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE.
pecially by our English Nation ; as unto whom these things more
narrowly do appertain. We having here more than half the Book
filled with the unparalleled, if not inimitable, adventures and
Heroick exploits of our own Country-men, and Relations j whose
undaunted, and exemplary courage, when called upon by our King
and Country, ive ought to emulate.
From whence it hath proceeded, that nothing of this Tcind was
ever, as yet, published in England, J cannot easily determine;
except, as some will say, from some secret Kagion di Stato. Let the
reason be as fivill ; this is certain, so much the more we are obliged
unto this present Author, who though a stranger unto our Nation,
yet ivith that Candour and Fidelity hath recorded our Actions, as to
render the Metal of our true English Valour to be the more believed
^,nd feared abroad, than if these things had been divulged by our
selves at home. From hence peradventure will other Nations learn,
that the- English people are of their Genius more inclinable to act
' tlian to write ; seeing as well they as ^ve have lived unacquainted
with these, actions of our Nation, until such time as a Foreign Author
to our Country came to tell them.
Besides the merits of this Piece for its curiosity, another point of
no less esteem, is the truth and sincerity ivherewith everything
seemeth to be penned. No greater ornament or dignity can be added
unto History, either humane or natural, than truth. All other
embellishments, if this be failing, are of little or no esteem ; if this
be delivered, are either needless or superfluous. What concerneth
this requisite in our A^lthor, his lines do every-where declare the
faithfulness and sincerity of his mind. He writeth not by hearsay,
but ivas an eye witness, as he someivhere telleth you, unto all and
every one of the bold and hazardous attempts which he relateth.
And these he deliver-cth with such candour of stile, such ingenuity of
mind, such plainness of luords, siich conciseness of periods, so much
divested of Rhetorical Hyberboles, or the least flourishes of Eloquence,
so hugely void of Passion or national Reflections, as that he
strongly persivadeth ail-along to the credit of ivhat he saith ; yea,
raiseth the mind of the Reader to believe these things far greater
than what he hath said; and having read him, leaveth onely this
scruple or concern behind, that you can read him no longer. In a
word, such are his deserts, that some persons peradventure would
not stickle to compare him to the Father of Historians, Philip de
Courines ; at least thus much maybe said, with all truth imaginable,
TBANSLATOB'S PEE FACE. 45-
that lie resembleth that great Author in many of his excellent
qualities.
I know some persons have objected against the greatness of these
prodigious Adventures, intimating that the resistance our Bucaniers
found in America, was every-where but small. For the Spaniards,
say they, in the West Indies, are become of late years nothing less,,
but rather much more degenerate than in Europe. The continual
Peace they have enjoyed in those parts, the defect of Military
Discipline, and European Souldiers for their Commanders, much
contributing hereunto. But more especially, and above all other
reasons, the very luxury of the Soil and Riches, the extreme heat of
those Countries, and influence of the Stars being such, as totally
inclineth their bodies unto an infinite effeminacy and cowardize of
minds.
Unto these Beasons I shall only answer in brief. This History
will convince them to be manifestly false. For as to the continual
Peace here alleadged, we know that no Peace could ever be established
beyond the Line, since the first possession of the West-Indies by the'
Spaniards, till the burning of Panama. At that time, or few months
before, Sir William Godolphin by his prudent negotiation in quality
of Embassadour for our most Gracious Monarch, did conclude at
Madrid a peace to be observed even beyond the Line, and through the
whole extent of the Spanish Dominions in the West-Indies. This
transaction gave the Spaniards new causes of complaints against our
proceedings, that no sooner a Peace had been established for those
parts of America, but our forces had taken and burnt both Chagre,
St. Catherine, and Panama. But our reply was convincing, That
whereas eight or ten months of time had been allowed by Articles for
the publishing of the said Peace through all the Dominions of both
Monarchies in America, those Hostilities had been committed, not onely
without orders from his Majesty of England, but also ivithin the space
of the said eight or ten months of time. Until that time the Spanish
Inhabitants of America being, as it were, in a perpetual War with
Europe, certain it is that no Coasts nor Kingdoms in the World
have been more frequently infested nor alarm'd with the invasions of
several Nations than theirs. Thus from the very beginning of their'
Conquests in America, both English, French, Dutch, Portuguese,
Swedes, Danes, Curlanders, and all other nations that navigate the
Ocean, have frequented the West-Indies, and filled them with their
Bobberies and Assaults. From these occasions have they been in
46 TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE.
continual watch and, ward,, and kept their Militia inconstant exercise,
as also their Garrisons pretty well provided and paid ; as fearing
every sail they discovered at Sea, to be Pirats of one Nation or
another. But much more especially, since that Curasao, Tortuga,
and Jamaica have been inhabited by English, French, and Dutch,
and bred up that race of Hunts-men, than ivhich, no other ever was
more desperate, nor more mortal enemies to the Spaniards, called
Bucaniers. Now shall we say, that these People, through too long
continuation of Peace, have utterly abolished the exercises of War,
having been ail-along incessantly vexed with the Tumults and
Alarms thereof '?
In like manner is it false, to accuse their defect of Military
Discipline for ivant of European Commanders. For who knoweth
not that all places, both Military and Civil, through those vast
dominions of the West-Indies, are provided out of Spain ? And
those of the Militia most commonly given unto expert Commanders,
.trained up from their infancy in the Wars of Europe, either in
Africa, Milan, Sicily, Naples, or Flanders, fighting against either
.English, French, Dutch, Portuguese, or Moors ? Yea, their very
Garrisons, if you search them in those parts, will peradventure be
found to be stock'd three parts to four with Souldiers both born and
bred in the Kingdom of Spain.
From these Considerations it may be inferred, what little difference
-ought to be allowed betwixt the Spanish Souldiers, Inhabitants of
-the West-Indies, and those of Europe. And how little the Soil or
Climate hath influenced or caused their Courage to degenerate towards
.cowardize or baseness of mind. As if the very same Argument,
^deduced from the nature of that Climate, did not equally militate
against the valour of our famous Bucaniers, and represent this to be
of as degenerate Metal as theirs.
But nothing can be more clearly evinced, than is the Valour of the
American Spaniards, either Souldiers or Officers, by the sequel of this
History. What men ever fought more desperately than the Garrison
.of Chagre? Their number being 314, and of all these, only thirty
remaining j of which number scarce ten were unwounded ; and
among them, not one officer found alive ? Were not COO killed upon
the spot at Panama, 500 at Gibraltar, almost as many more at Puerto
del Principe, all dying with their Arms in their hands, and facing
bravely the Enemy for the defence of their Country and private
Concerns ? Did not those of the Town of San Pedro both fortifie
TRANSLATOR'S PEEFACE. 47
themselves, lay several Ambuscades, and lastly sell their lives as dear
as any European Souldier could do ; Lolonois being forced to gain
step by step his advance unto the Town, with huge loss both of bloud
and men ? Many other instances might be produced out of this
compendious Volume, of the generous resistance the Spaniards made
in several places, though Fortune favoured not their Arms.
Next, as to the personal Valour of many of their Commanders,
What man ever behaved himself more brisTcly than the Governour of
Gibraltar, than the Governour of Puerto del Principe, both dying for
the defence of their Towns ; than Don Alonso del Campo, and others ?
Or what examples can easily parallel the desperate courage of the
Governour of Chagre ? who, though the Palizada's were fired, the
Terraplens were sunk into the Ditch, the Breaches were entred, the
Houses all burnt above him, the whole Castle taken, his men all
killed ; yet would not admit of any quarter, but chose rather to die
under his Arms, being shot into the brain, than surrender himself as
a Prisoner unto the Bucaniers. What Lion ever fought to the last
gasp more obstinately than the Governour of Puerto Velo ? who,
seeing the Town entered by surprizal in the night, one chief Castle
blown up into the Air, all the other Forts and Castles taken, his own
assaulted several ways, both Religious, men and women placed at the
front of the Enemy to fix the Ladders against the Walls ; yet spared
not to kill as many of the said Religious persons as he could. And
at last, the walls being scaled, the Castle enter'd and taken, all his
own men overcome by fire and smord, who had cast down their Arms,
and begged mercy from the Enemy ; yet would admit of none for his
own life. Yea, with his own hands hilled several of his Souldiers, to
force them to stand to their Arms, though all were lost. Yea,
though his own Wife and Daughter begged of him upon their knees
that he would save his life by craving quarter, though the Enemy
desired of him the same thing ; yet would hearken to no cries nor
perswasions, but they were forced to kill him, combating with his
Arms in his hands, being not otherwise able to take him Prisoner, as
they were desirous to do. Shall these men be said to be influenced
with Cowardize, who thus acted to the very last Scene of their own
Tragedies ? Or shall we rather say that they wanted not Courage,
but Fortune f It being certainly true, that he who is killed in a
Battel, may be equally couragious with him that killeth. And that
whosoever derogateth from the Valour of the Spaniards in the West-
dies, diminisheth in like manner the Courage of the Bucaniers,
48 TBANSLATOB'S PBEFACE.
his own Country-men, who have seemed to act beyond mortal men in
America.
Now, to say something concerning John Esquemeling, the first
Author of this History. I take him to be a Dutch-man, or at least
born in Flanders, notwithstanding that the Spanish Translation
representeth him to be Native of the Kingdom of France. His
printing this History originally in Dutch, which doubtless must be
his native Tongue, who otherwise was but an illiterate man, together
with the very sound of his name, convincing me thereunto. True it
is, he set sail from France, and was some years at Tortuga ; but
neither of these two Arguments, drawn from the History, are
prevalent. For ivere he to be a French-man born, how came he to
learn the Dutch language so perfectly as to prefer it to his oivn ?
Especially that not being spoken at Tortuga nor Jamaica, where he
resided all the ivhile.
I hope I have made this English Translation something more
plain and correct than the Spanish. Some few notorious faults
either of the Printer or the Interpreter, I am sure I have redressed.
But the Spanish Translator complaining much of the intricacy of
Stile in the Original (as flowing from a person ^vho, as hath been
said, was no Scholar) as he was pardonable, being in great haste, for
not rendring his own Version so distinct and elaborate as he could
desire ; so must I be excused from the one, that is to say, Elegancy,
if I have cautiously declined the other, I mean Confusion.
THE HI8TOEY
OF THE
BUCCANEEBS OF AMEKICA.
CHAPTEE I.
The introduction The author sets forth for the Western Islands, in
the service of the West-India Company of France They meet
with an English frigate, and arrive at the Island of Tortuga.
set sail from Havre-de-Grace in France,
from whence we set sail in the ship
called St. John, May 2, 1666. Our
vessel was equipped with twenty -eight
guns, twenty mariners, and two hundred
and twenty passengers, including those
whom the company sent as free passengers. Soon after
we came to an anchor raider the Cape of Barfleur,
there to join seven other ships of the same West-
India company, which were to come from Diep, under
convoy of a man-of-war, mounted with thirty-seven guns,
and two hundred and fifty men. Of these ships two were
bound for Senegal, five for the Caribbee islands, and ours
for Tortuga. Here gathered to us about twenty sail of
other ships, bound for Newfoundland, with some Dutch
vessels going for Nantz, Eochel, and St. Martin's, so that
4
50 THE BUCCANEERS
in all we made thirty sail. Here we put ourselves in a
posture of defence, having noticed that four English frigates,
of sixty guns each, waited for us near Aldernay. Our
admiral, the Chevalier Sourdis, having given necessary
orders, we sailed thence with a favourable gale, and some
mists arising, totally impeded the English frigates from
discovering our fleet. We steered our course as near as
we could to the coast of France, for fear of the enemy. As
we sailed along, we met a vessel of Ostend, who com-
plained to our admiral, that a French privateer had robbed
him that very morning ; whereupon we endeavoured to
pursue the said pirate ; but our labour was in vain, not
being able to overtake him.
Our fleet, as we sailed, caused no small fears and alarms
to the inhabitants of the coasts of France, these judging
us to be English, and that we sought some convenient
place for landing. To allay their fright, we hung out our
colours ; but they would not trust us. After this we came
to an anchor in the bay of Conquet in Brittany, near
Ushant, there to take in water. Having stored ourselves
with fresh provisions here, we prosecuted our voyage,
designing to pass by the Kas of Fontenau, and not expose
ourselves to the Sorlingues, fearing the English that were
cruising thereabouts. The river Bas is of a current very
strong and rapid, which, rolling over many rocks, disgorges
itself into the sea, on the coast of France, in 48 deg. 10
min. latitude ; so that this passage is very dangerous, all
the rocks, as yet, being not thoroughly known.
Here I shall mention the ceremony, which, at this
passage, and some other places, is used by the mariners,
and by them called baptism, though it may seem little to
our purpose. The master's mate clothed himself with a
ridiculous sort of garment, that reached to his feet, and
on his head he put a suitable cap, made very burlesque ;
OF AMERICA. gl
in his right hand he had a naked wooden sword, and in his
left a pot full of ink : his face was horribly blacked with
soot, and his neck adorned with a collar of many little
pieces of wood. Thus apparelled, he commanded every
one to be called who had never passed through that
dangerous place before ; and then, causing them to kneel
down, he made the sign of the cross on their foreheads,
with ink, and gave every one a stroke on the shoulders
with his wooden sword. Meanwhile, the standers-by cast
a bucket of water upon each man's head ; and so ended the
ceremony. But that done, each of the baptized must give
a bottle of brandy, placing it nigh the main-mast, without
speaking a word ; even those who have no such liquor not
being excused. If the vessel never passed that way before,
the captain is obliged to distribute some wine among the
mariners and passengers ; but as for other gifts, which
the newly -baptized frequently offer, they are divided among
the old seamen, and of them they make a banquet among
themselves.
The Hollanders likewise, not only at this passage, but
also at the rocks called Berlingues, nigh the coast of
Portugal, in 39 deg. 40 min. (being a passage very danger-
ous, especially by night, when, in the dark, the rocks are
not distinguishable, the land being very high) they use
some such ceremony : but their manner of baptizing is
very different from that of the French ; for he that is to
be baptized is fastened, and hoisted up thrice, at the main-
yard's end, as if he were a criminal. If he be hoisted the
fourth time, in the name of the Prince of Orange, or of the
captain of the vessel, his honour is more than ordinary.
Thus every one is dipped several times in the main ocean ;
but he that is dipped first has the honour of being saluted
with a gun. Such as are not willing to fall, must pay
twelve pence for ransom ; if he be an officer, two shillings ;
52 THE BUCCANEEBS
and if a passenger, at their own pleasure. If the ship never
passed that way before, the captain is to give a small
rundlet of wine, which, if he denies, the mariners may cut
off the stem of the vessel. All the profit accruing by this
ceremony is kept by the master's mate, who, after reaching
their port, usually lays it out in wine, which is drank
amongst the ancient seamen. Some say this ceremony
was instituted by the Emperor Charles V. though it is not
amongst his laws. But here I leave these sea customs,
and return to our voyage.
Having passed the Kas, we had very good weather, till
we came to Cape Finis Terree : here a sudden tempest sur-
prised us, and separated our ship from the rest that were
in our company. This storm continued eight days ; in
which time it would move compassion to see how miserably
the passengers were tumbled to and fro, on all sides of the
ship ; insomuch, that the mariners, in the performance of
their duty, were compelled to tread upon them. This
boisterous weather being over, we had very favourable
gales again, till we came to the tropic of Cancer. This
tropic is an imaginary circle, which astronomers have
invented in the heavens, limiting the progress of the sun
towards the north pole. It is placed in the latitude of 23
deg. 30 min. Here we were baptized a second time, as
before- The French always perform this ceremony at the
tropic of Cancer, as also under the tropic of Capricorn. In
this part of the world we had very favourable weather, at
which we were very glad, because of our great want of
water; for that element was so scarce with us, that we were
stinted to two half pints a man every day.
About the latitude of Barbadoes, we met an English
frigate, or privateer, who first began to give us chase ; but
finding herself not to exceed us in force, presently got
away : hereupon, we pursued her, firing several guns,
OF AMERICA. 53
eight-pounders, at her ; but at length she escaped, and we
returned to our course. Soon after, we came within sight
of Martinico. We were bent to the coast of the isle of St.
Peter, but were frustrated by a storm, which took us here-
abouts. Hence we resolved to steer to Gaudaloupe, yet we
could not reach this island , by reason of the said storm ;
so that we directed our course to the isle of Tortuga, being
the very same land we were bound to. We passed along
the coast of Punta Eica, which is extremely agreeable and
delightful to the sight, being adorned with beautiful woods,
even to the tops of the mountains. Then we discovered
Hispaniola (of which I shall give a description), and we
coasted about it till we came to Tortuga, our desired port.
Here we anchored, July 7, in the same year, not having
lost one man in the voyage. We landed the goods that
belonged to the West-India company, and, soon after, the
hip was sent to Cal de Sac with some passengers.
CHAPTEE II.
A description of Tortuga The fruits and plants there How the
French first settled there, at two several times, and forced out the
Spaniards The author twice sold in the said island.
THE island of Tortuga is situate on the north side
of Hispaniola, in 20 deg. 80 min. latitude ; its just
extent is threescore leagues about. The Spaniards, who
gave name to this island, called it so from the shape of the
land, in some manner resembling a great sea-tortoise,
called by them Tortuga-de-mar. The country is very
mountainous, and full of rocks, and yet thick of lofty trees,
that grow upon the hardest of those rocks, without par-
taking of a softer soil. Hence it comes that their roots,
for the greatest part, are seen naked, entangled among the
rocks like the branching of ivy against our walls. That
part of this island which stretches to the north is totally
uninhabited : the reason is, first, because it is incom-
modious, and unhealthy : and, secondly, for the ruggedness
of the coast, that gives no access to the shore, unless among
rocks almost inaccessible : for this cause it is peopled only
on the south part, which hath only one port indifferently
good : yet this harbour has two entries, or channels, which
afford passage to ships of seventy guns ; the port itself
being without danger, and capable of receiving a great
number of vessels. The inhabited parts, of which the first
is called the Low-Lands, or Low-Country : this is the
THE BUCCANEEBS OF AMERICA. 55
chief among the rest, because it contains the port afore-
said. The town is called Cayona, and here live the
chiefest and richest planters of the island. The second
part is called the Middle Plantation : its soil is yet almost
new, being only known to be good for tobacco. The third
is named Eingot, and is situate towards the west part of
the island. The fourth and last is called the Mountain,
in which place were made the first plantations upon this
island.
As to the wood that grows here, we have already said
that the trees are exceeding tall, and pleasing to the sight ;
whence no man will doubt, but they may be applied to
several uses. Such is the yellow saunder, which by the
inhabitants is called bois de chandel, or, in English,
candle-wood, because it burns like a candle, and serves
them with light while they fish by night. Here grows,
also, lignum sanctum, or guiacum : its virtues are very
well known, more especially to those who observe not the
Seventh Commandment, and are given to impure copula-
tions ! physicians drawing hence, in several compositions,
the greatest antidote for venereal diseases ; as also for
cold and viscous humours. The trees, likewise, which
afford gnmmi elemi, grow here in great abundance ; as
doth radix Chinae, or China root : yet this is not so good
as that of other parts of the western world. It is very
white and soft, and serves for pleasant food to the wild
boars, when they can find nothing else. This island, also,
is not deficient in aloes, nor an infinite number of the
other medicinal herbs, which may please the curiosity of
such as are given to their contemplation : moreover, for
building of ships, or any other sort of architecture, here are
found several sorts of timber. The fruits, likewise, which
grow here abundantly, are nothing inferior, in quantity or
quality, to what other islands produce. I shall name only
56 TEE BUCCANEEHS
some of the most ordinary and common : such are magniot,
potatoes, Abajou apples, yannas, bacones, paquays, caro-
soles, rnamayns, annananes, and divers other sorts, which
I omit to specify. Here grow likewise, in great numbers,
those trees called palmitoes, or palmites, whence is drawn
a certain juice which serves the inhabitants instead of wine,
and whose leaves cover their houses instead of tiles.
In this island aboundeth, also, the wild boar. The
governor hath prohibited the hunting of them with dogs,
fearing lest, the island being but small, the whole race of
them, in a short time, should be destroyed. The reason
why he thought convenient to preserve these wild beasts
was, that, in case of any invasion, the inhabitants might
sustain themselves with their food, especially were they
once constrained to retire to the woods and mountains.
Yet this sort of game is almost impeded by itself, by reason
of the many rocks and precipices, which, for the greatest
part, are covered with little shrubs, very green . and thick ;
whence the huntsmen have oftentimes fallen, and left us
the sad remembrance of many a memorable disaster.
At a certain time of the year there resort to Tortuga
large flocks of wild pigeons, and then the inhabitants
feed on them very plentifully, having more than they can
consume, and leaving totally to their repose all other sorts
of fowl, both wild and tame ; that so, in the absence of
the pigeons, these may supply their place. But as nothing
in the universe, though never so pleasant, can be found,
but what hath something of bitterness with it ; the very
symbol of this truth we see in the aforesaid pigeons : for
these, the season being past, can scarce be touched with
the tongue, they become so extremely lean, and bitter even
to admiration. The reason of this bitterness is attributed
to a certain seed which they eat about that time, even
as bitter as gall. About the sea-shores, everywhere, are
OF AMEBICA. 57
found great multitudes of crabs, both of land and sea, and
both sorts very big. These are good to feed servants and
slaves, whose palates they please, but are very hurtful to
the sight : besides, being eaten too often, they cause great
giddiness in the head, with much weakness of the brain ;
so that, very frequently, they are deprived of sight for a
quarter of an hour.
The French having settled in the isle of St. Christopher,
planted there a sort of trees, of which, at present, there
possibly may be greater quantities; with the timber whereof
they made long-boats, and hoys, which they sent thence
westward, well manned and victualled, to discover other
islands. These setting sail from St. Christopher, came
within sight of Hispaniola, where they arrived with
abundance of joy. Having landed, they marched into the
country, where they found large quantities of cattle ; such
as cows, bulls, horses, and wild boars : but finding no great
profit in these animals, unless they could enclose them,
and knowing, likewise, the island to be pretty well peopled
by the Spaniards, they thought it convenient to enter upon
and seize the island of Tortuga. This they performed
without any difficulty, there being upon the island no more
than ten or twelve Spaniards to guard it. These few men
let the French come in peaceably, and possess the island
for six months, without any trouble ; meanwhile they
passed and repassed, with their canoes, to Hispaniola,
from whence they transported many people, and at last
began to plant the whole island of Tortuga. The few
Spaniards remaining there, perceiving the French to
increase their number daily, began, at last, to repine at
their prosperity, and grudge them the possession : hence
they gave notice to others of their nation, their neighbours,
who sent several boats, well armed and manned, to dis-
possess the French. This expedition succeeded according
58 THE BUCCANEEES
to their desires ; for the new possessors, seeing the great
number of Spaniards, fled with all they had to the woods,
and hence, by night, they wafted over with canoes to the
island of Hispaniola : this they the more easily performed,
having no women or children with them, nor any great
substance to carry away. Here they also retired into the
woods, both to seek for food, and from thence, with secrecy,
to give intelligence to others of their own faction ; judging
for certain, that within a little while they should be in a
capacity to hinder the Spaniards from fortifying in
Tortuga.
Meanwhile, the Spaniards of the great island ceased
not to seek after their new guests, the French, with intent
to root them out of the woods if possible, or cause them
to perish with hunger ; but this design soon failed, having
found that the French were masters both of good guns,
powder, and bullets. Here therefore the fugitives waited
for a certain opportunity, wherein they knew the Spaniards
were to come from Tortuga with arms, and a great number
of men, to join with those of the greater island for their
destruction. When this occasion offered, they in the mean-
while deserting the woods where they were, returned to
Tortuga, and dispossessed the small number of Spaniards
that remained at home. Having so done, they fortified
themselves the best they could, thereby to prevent the
return of the Spaniards in case they should attempt it.
Moreover, they sent immediately to the governor of St.
Christopher's, craving his aid and relief, and demanding of
him a governor, the better to be united among themselves,
and strengthened on all occasions. The governor of St.
Christopher's received their petition with much satis-
faction, and, without delay, sent Monsieur le Passeur to
them in quality of a governor, together with a ship full
of men, and all necessaries for their establishment and
OF AMERICA. 59
defence. No sooner had they received this recruit, but the
governor commanded a fortress to be built upon the top of
a high rock, from whence he could hinder the entrance of
any ships or other vessels to the port. To this fort no
other access could be had, than by almost climbing through
a very narrow passage- that was capable only of receiving
two persons at once, and those not without difficulty. In
the middle of this rock was a great cavity, which now
serves for a storehouse : besides, here was great con-
venience for raising a battery. The fort being finished,
the governor commanded two guns to be mounted, which
could not be done without great toil and labour ; as also a
house to be built within the fort, and afterwards the narrow
way, that led to the said fort, to be broken and demolished,
leaving no other ascent thereto than by a ladder. Within
the fort gushes out a plentiful fountain of pure fresh
water, sufficient to refresh a garrison of a thousand men.
Being possessed of these conveniences, and the security
these things might promise, the French began to people
the island, and each of them to seek their living ; some by
hunting, others by planting tobacco, and others by cruizing
and robbing upon the coasts of the Spanish islands, which
trade is continued by them to this day.
The Spaniards, notwithstanding, could not behold, but
with jealous eyes, the daily increase of the French in
Tortuga, fearing lest, in time, they might by them be dis-
possessed also of Hispaniola. Thus taking an opportunity
(when many of the French were abroad at sea, and others
employed in hunting), with eight hundred men, in several
canoes, they landed again in Tortuga, almost without
being perceived by the French ; but finding that the
governor had cut down many trees for the better discovery
of any enemy in case of an assault, as also that nothing
of consequence could be done without great guns, they
60 THE BUCCANEERS
consulted about the fittest place for raising a battery.
This place was soon concluded to be the top of a mountain
which was in sight, seeing that from thence alone they
could level their guns at the fort, which now lay open to
them since the cutting down of the trees by the new
possessors. Hence they resolved to open a way for the
carriage of some pieces of ordnance to the top. This
mountain is somewhat high, and the upper part thereof
plain, from whence the whole island may be viewed : the
sides thereof are very rugged, by reason a great number of
inaccessible rocks do surround it ; so that the ascent was
very difficult, and would always have been the same, had
not the Spaniards undergone the immense labour and toil
of making the way before mentioned, as I shall now
relate.
The Spaniards had with them many slaves and Indians,
labouring men, whom they call matades, or, in English,
half-yellow men ; these they ordered with iron tools to dig
a way through the rocks. This they performed with the
greatest speed imaginable ; and through this way, by the
help of many ropes and pulleys, they at last made shift to
get up two pieces of ordnance, wherewith they made a
battery next day, to play on the fort. Meanwhile, the
French knowing these designs, prepared for a defence
(while the Spaniards were busy about the battery) sending
notice everywhere to their companions for help. Thus the
hunters of the island all joined together, and with them
/ all the pirates who were not already too far from home.
These landed by night at Tortuga, lest they should be seen
by the Spaniards ; and, under the same obscurity of the
night, they all together, by a back way, climbed the
mountain where the Spaniards were posted, which they did
the more easily being acquainted with these rocks. They
came up at the very instant that the Spaniards, who were
OF AMERICA. 61
above, were preparing to shoot at the fort, not knowing in
the least of their coming. Here they set upon them at
their backs with such fury as forced the greatest part to
precipitate themselves from the top to the bottom, and
dash their bodies in pieces : few or none escaped ; for if
any remained alive, they were put to the sword. Some
Spaniards did still keep the bottom of the mountain ; but
these, hearing the shrieks and cries of them that were
killed, and believing some tragical revolution to be above,
fled immediately towards the sea, despairing ever to regain
the island of Tortuga.
The governors of this island behaved themselves as
proprietors and absolute lords thereof till 1664, when the
West-India company of France took possession thereof, and
sent thither, for their governor, Monsieur Ogeron. These
planted the colony for themselves by their factors and
servants, thinking to drive some considerable trade from
thence with the Spaniards, even as the Hollanders do from
Curacao : but this design did not answer ; for with other
nations they could drive no trade, by reason they could not
establish any secure commerce from the beginning with
their own ; forasmuch as at the first institution of this
company in France they agreed with the pirates, hunters,
and planters, first possessors of Tortuga, that these should
buy all their necessaries from the said company upon trust.
And though this agreement was put in execution, yet the
factors of the company soon after found that they could
not recover either monies or returns from those people,
that .they were constrained to bring some armed men into
the island, in behalf of the company, to get in some of
their payments. But neither this endeavour, nor any
other, could prevail towards the settling a second trade
with those of the island. Hereupon, the company recalled
thoir factors, giving them orders to sell all that was their
62 THE BUCCANEERS
own in the said plantation, both the servants belonging to
the company (which were sold, some for twenty, and others
for thirty pieces of eight), as also all other merchandizes
and proprieties. And thus all their designs fell to the
ground.
On this occasion I was also sold, being a servant under
the said company in whose service I left France : but my
fortune was very bad, for I fell into the hands of the most
cruel and perfidious man that ever was born, who was
then governor, or rather lieutenant-general, of that island.
This man treated me with all the hard usage imaginable,
yea, with that of hunger, with which I thought I should
have perished inevitably. Withal, he was willing to let me
buy my freedom and liberty, but not under the rate of
three hundred pieces of eight, I not being master of one
at a time in the world. At last, through the manifold
miseries I endured, as also affliction of mind, I was thrown
into a dangerous sickness. This misfortune, added to the
rest, was the cause of my happiness : for my wicked
master, seeing my condition, began to fear lest he should
lose his monies with my life. Hereupon he sold me a
second time to a surgeon, for seventy pieces of eight.
Being with this second master, I began soon to recover my
health through the good usage I received, he being much
more humane and civil than my first patron. He gave me
both clothes and very good food ; and after I had served
him but one year, he offered me my liberty, with only this
condition, that I should pay him one hundred pieces of
eight when I was in a capacity so to do ; which kind pro-
posal of his I could not but accept with infinite joy and
gratitude.
Being now at liberty, though like Adam when he was
first created that is, naked and destitute of all
human necessaries not knowing how to get my living,
OF AMERICA. 63
I determined to enter into the order of the pirates or
robbers at sea. Into this society I was received with
common consent, both of the super-ior and vulgar sort,
where I continued till 1672. Having assisted them in all
their designs and attempts, and served them in many
notable exploits (of which hereafter I shall give -the reader
a true account), I returned to my own native country.
But before I begin my relation, I shall say something of
the island Hispaniola, which lies towards the western part
of America ; as also give my reader a brief description
thereof, according to my slender ability and experience.
CHAPTER III.
A Description of Hispaniola. A Kelation of the French Buccaneers.
THE large and rich island called Hispaniola is situate
from 17 degrees to 19 degrees latitude; the cir-
cumference is 300 leagues ; the extent from east to west
120 ; its breadth almost 50, being broader or narrower
at certain places. This island was first discovered by
Christopher Columbus, A.D. 1492 ; he being sent for this
purpose by Ferdinand, king of Spain ; from which time to
this present the Spaniards have been continually pos-
sessors thereof. There are upon this island very good
and strong cities, towns, and hamlets, as well as a great
number of pleasant country houses and plantations, the
effects of the care and industry of the Spaniards its
inhabitants.
The chief city and metropolis hereof is Santo Domingo ;
being dedicated to St. Dominic, from whom it derives its
name. It is situate towards the south, and affords a most
excellent prospect; the country round about being em-
bellished with innumerable rich plantations, as also
verdant meadows and fruitful gardens ; all which produce
plenty and variety of excellent pleasant fruits, according to
the nature of those countries. The governor of the island
resides in this city, which is, as it were, the storehouse of
all the cities, towns, and villages, which hence export and
provide themselves with all necessaries for human life ;
THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 65
and yet hath it this particularity above many other cities,
that it entertains no commerce with any nation but its
own, the Spaniards. The greatest part of the inhabitants
are rich and substantial merchants or shopkeepers.
Another city of this island is San Jago, or St. James,
being consecrated to that apostle. This is an open place,
without walls or castle, situate in 19 deg. latitude. The
inhabitants are generally hunters and planters, the
adjacent territory and soil being very proper for the said
exercises : the city is surrounded with large and delicious
fields, as much pleasing to the view as those of Santo
Domingo ; and these abound with beasts both wild and
tame, yielding vast numbers of skins and hides, very
profitable to the owners.
In the south part of this island is another city, called
Nuestra Sennora de Alta Gracia. This territory produces
great quantities of cacao, whereof the inhabitants make
great store of the richest chocolate. Here grows also
ginger and tobacco, and much tallow is made of the beasts
which are hereabouts hunted.
The inhabitants of this beautiful island of Hispaniola
often resort in their canoes to the isle of Savona, not far
distant, where is their chief fishery, especially of tortoises.
Hither those fish constantly resort in great multitudes, at
certain seasons, there to lay their eggs, burying them in
the sands of the shoal, where, by the heat of the sun,
which in those parts is very ardent, they are hatched.
This island of Savona has little or nothing that is worthy
consideration, being so very barren by reason of its sandy
soil. True it is, that here grows some small quantity of
lignum sanctum, or guaiacum, of whose use we say some-
thing in another place.
Westward of Santo Domingo is another great village
called El Pueblo de Aso, or the town of Aso : the
5
66 THE BUCCANEERS
inhabitants thereof drive great traffic with those of
another village, in the very middle of the island, and is
called San Juan de Goave, or St. John of Goave. This is
environed with a magnificent prospect of gardens, woods,
and meadows. Its territory extends above twenty leagues
in length, and grazes a great number of wild bulls and
cows. In this village scarce dwell any others than hunters
and butchers, who flay the beasts that are killed. These
are for the most part a mongrel sort of people ; some of
which are born of white European people and negroes, and
called mulattoes : others of Indians and white people, and
termed mesticos : but others come of negroes and Indians,
and are called alcatraces. Besides which sorts of people
there are several other species and races, both here and in
other places of the West Indies, of whom this account may
be given That the Spaniards love better the negro women
in those western parts, or the tawny Indian females, than
their own white European race ; when as, peradventure,
the negroes and Indians have greater inclinations to the
white women, or those that come near them, the tawny,
than their own. From the said village are exported
yearly vast quantities of tallow and hides, they exercising
no other traffic : for as to the lands in this place, they are
not cultivated, by reason of the excessive dryness of the
soil. These are the chiefest places that the Spaniards
possess in this island, from the Cape of Lobos towards St.
John de Goave, unto the Cape of Samana nigh the sea, on
the north side, and from the eastern part towards the sea,
called Punta de Espada. All the rest of the island is
possessed by the French, who are also planters and
hunters.
This island hath very good ports for ships, from the
Cape of Lobos to the Cape of Tiburon, on the west side
thereof. In this space there are no less than four ports,
OF AMERICA. 67
exceeding in goodness, largeness, and security, even the
very best of England. Besides these, from the Cape of
Tiburon to the Cape of Donna Maria, there are two very
excellent ports ; and from this cape to the Cape of St.
Nicholas, there are no less than twelve others. Every one
of these ports hath also the con fluence of two or three good
rivers, in which are great plenty of several sorts of fish
very pleasing to the palate. The country hereabouts is
well watered with large and deep rivers and brooks, so
that this part of the land may easily be cultivated without
any great fear of droughts, because of these excellent
streams. The sea-coasts and shores are also very plea-
Bant, to which the tortoises resort in large numbers to lay
their eggs.
This island was formerly very well peopled, on the north
side, with many towns and villages ; but these, being
ruined by the Hollanders, were at last, for the greatest
part, deserted by the Spaniards.
The spacious fields of this island commonly are five or
six leagues in length, the beauty whereof is so pleasing to
the eye, that, together with the great variety of their
natural productions, they captivate the senses of the
beholder. For here at once they not only with diversity
of objects recreate the sight, but with many of the same do
also please the smell, and with most contribute delights
to the taste ; also they flatter and excite the appetite,
especially with the multitudes of oranges and lemons here
growing, both sweet and sour, and those that participate
of both tastes, and are only pleasantly tartish. Besides
here abundantly grow several sorts of fruit, such are citrons,
toronjas, and limas ; in English not improperly called
crab lemons.
Beside the fruits which this island produces, whose
plenty, as is said, surpasses all the islands of America ; it
68 THE BUCCANEERS
abounds also with all sorts of quadrupeds, as horses, bulls,
cows, wild boars, and others, very useful to mankind, not
only for food, but for cultivating the ground, and the
management of commerce .
Here are vast numbers of wild dogs : these destroy yearly
many cattle ; for no sooner hath a cow calved, or a mare
foaled, but these wild mastiffs devour the young, if they
find not resistance from keepers and domestic dogs. They
run up and down the woods and fields, commonly fifty,
threescore, or more, together ; being withal so fierce, that
they will often assault an entire herd of wild boars, not
ceasing to worry them till they have fetched down two or
three. One day a French buccaneer showed me a strange
action of this kind : being in the fields a- hunting together,
we heard a great noise of dogs which had surrounded a
wild boar : having tame dogs with us, we left them to
the custody of our servants, being desirous to see the sport.
Hence my companion and I climbed up two several trees,
both for security and prospect. The wild boar, all alone,
stood against a tree, defending himself with his tusks from
a great number of dogs that enclosed him ; killed with his
teeth, and wounded several of them. This bloody fight
continued about an hour ; the wild boar, meanwhile,
attempting many times to escape. At last flying, one dog,
leaping upon his back, fastened on his testicles, which at
one pull he tore in pieces. The rest of the dogs, perceiving
the courage of their companion, fastened likewise on the
boar, and presently killed him. This done, all of them,
the first only excepted, laid themselves down upon the
ground about the prey, and there peaceably continued, till
he, the first and most courageous of the troop, had ate as
much as he could : when this dog had left off, all the rest
fell in to take their share, till nothing was left. What ought
we to infer from this notable action, performed by wild
OF AMERICA. 69
animals, but this : that even beasts themselves are not
destitute of knowledge, and that they give us documents
how to honour such as have deserved well; even since
these irrational animals did reverence and respect him
that exposed his life to the greatest danger against the
common enemy ?
The governor of Tortuga, Monsieur Ogeron, finding that
the wild dogs killed so many of the wild boars, that the
hunters of that island had much ado to find any ; fearing
lest that common sustenance of the island should fail, sent
for a great quantity of poison from France to destroy the
wild mastiffs: this was done, A.D. 1668, by commanding
horses to be killed, and empoisoned, and laid open at
certain places where the wild dogs used to resort. This
being continued for six months, there were killed an
incredible number ; and yet all this could not exterminate
and destroy the race, or scarce diminish them ; their
number appearing almost as large as before. These wild
dogs are easily tamed among men, even as tame as
ordinary house dogs. The hunters of those parts, when-
ever they find a wild bitch with whelps, commonly take
away the puppies, and bring them home ; which being
grown up, they hunt much better than other dogs.
But here the curious reader may perhaps inquire how
so many wild dogs came here. The occasion was, the
Spaniards having possessed these isles, found them peopled
with Indians, a barbarous people, sensual and brutish,
hating all labour, and only inclined to killing, and making
war against their neighbours ; not out of ambition, but
only because they agreed not with themselves in some
common terms of language ; and perceiving the dominion
of the Spaniards laid great restrictions upon their lazy
and brutish customs, they conceived an irreconcilable
hatred against them ; but especially because they saw
70 THE BUCCANEEBS
them take possession of their kingdoms and dominions.
Hereupon, they made against them all the resistance they
could, opposing everywhere their designs to the utmost :
and the Spaniards finding themselves cruelly hated by
the Indians, and nowhere secure from their treacheries,
resolved to extirpate and ruin them, since they could
neither tame them fay civility, nor conquer them with
the sword. But the Indians, it being their custom to
make the woods their chief places of defence, at present
made these their refuge, whenever they fled from the
Spaniards. HereupDn, those first conquerors of the New
World made use of dogs to range and search the intricatest
thickets of woods and forests for those their implacable and
unconquerable enemies : thus they forced them to leave
their old refuge, and submit to the sword, seeing no milder
usage would do it ; hereupon they killed some of them,
and quartering their bodies, placed them in the highways,
that others might take warning from such a punishment ;
but this severity proved of ill consequence, for instead of
frighting them and reducing them to civility, they con-
ceived such horror of the Spaniards, that they resolved to
detest and fly their sight for ever ; hence the greatest part
died in caves and subterraneous places of the woods and
mountains, in which places I myself have often seen great
numbers of human bones. The Spaniards finding no more
Indians to appear about the woods, turned away a great
number of dogs they had in their houses, and they finding
no masters to keep them, betook themselves to the woods
and fields to hunt for food to preserve their lives ; thus by
degrees they became unacquainted with houses, and grew
wild. This is the truest account I can give of the multi-
tudes of wild dogs in these parts.
But besides these wild mastiffs, here are also great
numbers of wild horses everywhere all over the island :
OF AMERICA. 71
they are but low of stature, short bodied, with great
heads, long necks, and big or thick legs : in a word, they
have nothing handsome in their shape. They run up
and down commonly in troops of two or three hundred
together, one going always before to lead the' multitude :
when they meet any person travelling through the woods
or fields, they stand still, suffering him to approach till
he can almost touch them : and then suddenly starting,
they betake themselves to flight, running away as fast as
they can. The hunters catch them only for their skins,
though sometimes they preserve their flesh likewise, which
they harden with smoke, using it for provisions when they
go to sea.
Here would be also wild bulls and cows in great number,
if by continual hunting they were not much diminished ;
yet considerable profit is made to this day by such as
make it their business to kill them. The wild bulls are of
a vast bigness of body, and yet they hurt not any one
except they be exasperated. Their hides are from eleven
to thirteen feet long.
. It is now time to speak of the French who inhabit great
part of this island. We have already told how they came
first into these parts : we shall now only describe their
manner of living, customs, and ordinary employments.
The callings or professions they follow are generally but
three, either to hunt or plant, or else to rove the seas as
pirates. ' It is a constant custom among them all, to seek
out a comrade or companion, whom we may call partner
in their fortunes, with whom they join the whole stock of
what they possess towards a common gain. This is done
by articles agreed to, and reciprocally signed. Some con-
stitute their surviving companion absolute heir to what is
left by the death of the first : others, if they be married,
leave their estates to their wives and children ; others, to
72
other relations. This done, every one applies himself to
his calling, which is always one of the three afore-men-
tioned.
The hunters are again subdivided into two sorts; for
some of these only hunt wild bulls and cows, others only
wild boars. The first of these are called bucaniers, and
not long ago were about six hundred on this island, but
now they are reckoned about three hundred. The cause
has been the great decrease of wild cattle, which has been
such, that, far from getting, they now are but poor in
their trade. When the bucaniers go into the woods to
hunt for wild bulls and cows, they commonly remain there
a twelvemonth or two years, without returning home.
After the hunt is over, and the spoil divided, they
commonly sail to Tortuga, to provide themselves with
guns, powder, and shot, and other necessaries for another
expedition ; the rest of their gains they spend prodigally,
giving themselves to all manner of vices and debauchery,
particularly to drunkenness, which they practise mostly
with brandy : this iihey drink as liberally as the Spaniards
do water. Sometimes they buy together a pipe of wine ;
this they stave at one end, and never, cease drinking till it
is out. Thus sottishly they live till thej have BO money
left, and as freely gratify their lusts ; for which they ( fmd
more women than they can use ; for all the tavern-keepers
and strumpets wait for these lewd bucaniers just as they
do at Amsterdam for the arrival of the East India fleet.
The said bucaniers are very cruel and tyrannical to their
servants, so that commonly they had rather be galley-
slaves, or saw Brazil wood in the rasphouses of Holland,
than serve such barbarous masters.
The second sort hunt nothing but wild boars ; the flesh
of these they salt, and sell it so to the planters. These
hunters have the same vicious customs, and are as much
OF AMEEICA. 73
addicted to debauchery as the former ; but their manner
of hunting is different from that in Europe ; for these
bucaniers have certain places designed for hunting, where
they live for three or four months, and sometimes a whole
year. Such places are called deza boulan ; and in these,
with only the company of five or six friends, they continue
all the said time in mutual friendship. The first bucaniers
many times agree with planters to furnish them with meat
all the year at a certain price : the payment hereof is often
made with two or three hundredweight of tobacco in the
leaf; but the planters commonly into the bargain furnish
them with a servant, whom they send to help. To the
servant they afford sufficient necessaries for the purpose,
especially of powder and shot to hunt withal.
The planters here have but very few slaves ; for want of
which, themselves and their servants are constrained to
do all the drudgery. These servants commonly bind
themselves to their masters for three years ; but their
masters, having no consciences, often traffic with their
bodies, as with horses at a fair, selling them to other
masters as they sell negroes. Yea, to advance this trade,
some persons go purposely into France (and likewise to
England, and other countries) to pick up young men or
boys, whom they inveigle and transport ; and having once
got them into these islands, they work them like horses,
the toil imposed on them being much harder than what
they enjoin the negroes, their slaves; for these they
endeavour to preserve, being their perpetual bondmen :
but for their white servants, they care not whether they
live or die, seeing they are to serve them no longer than
three years. These miserable kidnapped people are fre-
quently subject to a disease, which in these parts is called
coma, being a total privation of their senses. This dis-
temper is judged to proceed from their hard usage, and
74 THE BUCCANEERS
the change of their native climate ; and there being often
among these some of good quality, tender education, and
soft constitutions, they are more easily seized with this
disease, and others of those countries, than those of harder
bodies, and laborious lives. Beside the hard usage in
their diet, apparel, and rest, many times they beat them
so cruelly, that they fall down dead under the hands of
their cruel masters. This I have often seen with great
grief. Of the many instances, I shall only give you the
following history, it being remarkable in its circumstances.
A certain planter of these countries exercised such
cruelty towards one of his servants, as caused him to run
away. Having absconded, for some days, in the woods,
at last he was taken, and brought back to the wicked
Pharaoh. No sooner had he got him, but he commanded
him to be tied to a tree ; here he gave him so many
lashes on his naked back, as made his body run with an
entire stream of blood ; then, to make the smart of his
wounds the greater, he anointed him with lemon-juice,
mixed with salt and pepper. In this miserable posture he
left him tied to the tree for twenty-four hours, which being
past, he began his punishment again, lashing him, as
before, so cruelly, that the miserable wretch gave up the
ghost, with these dying words : " I beseech the Almighty
God, creator of heaven and earth, that he permit the
wicked spirit to make thee feel as many torments before
thy death, as thou hast caused me to feel before mine."
A strange thing, and worthy of astonishment and admira-
tion ! Scarce three or four days were past, after this
horrible fact, when the Almighty Judge, who had heard
the cries of the tormented wretch, suffered the evil one
suddenly to possess this barbarous and inhuman homicide,
so that those cruel hands which had punished to death
his innocent servant, were the tormentors of his own body :
OF AMEEICA. 75
for he beat himself, and tore his flesh, after a miserable
manner, till he lost the very shape of a man ; not ceasing
to howl and cry, without any rest by day or night. Thus
he continued raving mad, till he died. Many other
examples of this kind I could rehearse; but these not
belonging to our present discourse, I omit them.
The planters of the Carribbee islands are rather worse,
and more cruel to their servants, than the former. In the
isle of St, Christopher dwells one named Bettesa, well
known to the Dutch merchants, who has killed above a
hundred of his servants with blows and stripes. The
English do the same with their servants ; and the mildest
cruelty they exercise towards them is, that when they
have served six years of their time (they being bound
among the English for seven) they use them so cruelly,
as to force them to beg of their masters to sell them to
others, though it be to begin another servitude of seven
years, or at least three or four. And I have known many,
who have thus served fifteen or twenty years, before they
could obtain their freedom. Another law, very rigorous
in that nation, is, if any man owes another above twenty-
five shillings English, if he cannot pay it, he is liable to
be sold for six or eight months. Not to trouble the reader
any longer with relations of this kind, I shall now describe
the famous actions and exploits of the greatest pirates of
my time, during my residence in those parts : these I shall
relate without the least passion or partiality, and assure
my reader that I shall give him no stories upon trust, or
hearsay, but only those enterprises to which I was myself
an eye-witness.
CHAPTER IV.
Original of the most famous pirates of the coasts of America Famous
.exploit of Pierre le Grand.
I HAVE told you in the preceding chapters how I was
compelled to adventure my life among the pirates of
America ; which sort of men I name so, because they are
not authorized by any" sovereign prince : for the kings of
Spain having on several occasions sent their ambassadors
to the kings of England and France, to complain of the
molestations and troubles those pirates often caused on
the coasts of America, even in the calm of peace ; it hath
always been answered, " that such men did not commit
those acts of hostility and piracy as subjects to their
majesties ; and therefore his Catholic Majesty might
proceed against them as he should think fit." The king
of France added, " that he had no fortress nor castle upon
Hispanic] a, neither did he receive a farthing of tribute
from thence." And the king of England adjoined, "that
he had never given any commissions to those of Jamaica,
to commit hostilities against ^the subjects of his Catholic
Majesty." Nor did he only give this bare answer, but out
of his royal desire to pleasure the court of Spain, recalled
the governor of Jamaica, placing another in his room ;
all which could not prevent these pirates from acting as
heretofore. But before I relate their bold actions, I shall
say something of their rise and exercises ; as also of the
THE BUCCANEERS OF AMEEIGA. 77
chiefest of them, and their manner of arming themselves
before they put to sea.
The first pirate that was known upon Tortuga was
Pierre le Grand, or Peter the Great.; He was born at
Dieppe in Normandy. That action which rendered him
famous was his taking the vice-admiral of the Spanish
flota, near the Cape of Tiburon, on the west side of
Hispaniola ; this he performed with only one boat, and
twenty-eight men. Now till that time the Spaniards had
passed and repassed with all security, through the channel
of Bahama ; so that Pierre le Grand setting out to sea by
the Caycos, he took this great ship with all the ease
imaginable. The Spaniards they found aboard they set
ashore, and sent the vessel to France. The manner how
this undaunted spirit attempted and took this large ship
I shall give you, out of the journal of the author, in his
own words. "The boat," says he, "wherein Pierre le
Grand was with his companions, had been at sea a long
time without finding any prize worth his taking ; and
their provisions beginning to fail, they were in danger of
starving. Being almost reduced to despair, they spied a
great ship of the Spanish flota, separated from the rest ;
this vessel they resolved to take, or die in the attempt.
Hereupon, they sailed towards her, to view her strength.
And though they judged the vessel to be superior to theirs,
yet their covetousness, and the extremity they were
reduced to, made them venture. Being come so near
that they could not possibly escape, they made an oath to
their captain, Pierre le Grand, to stand by him to the last.
'Tis true, the pirates did believe they should find the ship
unprovided to fight, and thereby the sooner master her.
It was in the dusk of the evening they began to attack ;
but before they engaged, they ordered the surgeon of the
boat to bore a hole in the sides of it, that their own vessel
78 THE BUCCANEERS
sinking under them, they might be compelled to attack
more vigorously, and endeavour more hastily to board the
ship. This was done accordingly, and without any other
arms than a pistol in one hand and a sword in the other,
they immediately climbed up the sides of the ship, and
ran altogether into the great cabin, where they found the
captain, with several of his companions, playing at cards.
Here they set a pistol to his breast, commanding him to
deliver up the ship. The Spaniards, surprised to see the
pirates on board their ship, cried ' Jesus bless us ! are
these devils, or'what are they?' Meanwhile some of them
took possession of the gun-room, and seized the arms,
killing as many as made any opposition ; whereupon the
Spaniards presently surrendered. That very day the
captain of the ship had been told by some of the seamen
that the boat which was in view, cruising, was a boat of
pirates ; whom the captain slightly answered, ' What then,
must I be afraid of such a pitiful thing as that is ? No,
though she were a ship as big and as strong as mine is.'
As soon as Pierre le Grand had taken this rich prize, he
detained in his service as many of the common seamen as
he had need of, setting the rest ashore, and then set sail
for France, where he continued, without ever returning to
America again."
The planters and hunters of Tortuga had no sooner
heard of the rich prize those pirates had taken, but they
resolved to follow their example. Hereupon, many of
them left their employments, and endeavoured to get some
small boats, wherein to exercise piracy ; but not being
able to purchase, or build them at Tortuga, they resolved
to set forth in their canoes, and seek them elsewhere.
With these they cruised at first upon Cape de Alvarez,
where the Spariards used to trade from one city to another
in small vessels, in which they carry hides, tobacco, and
OF AMERICA. 79
other commodities, to the Havannah, and to which the
Spaniards from Europe do frequently resort.
Here it was that those pirates at first took a great many
boats laden with the aforesaid commodities; these they
used to carry to Tortuga, and sell the whole purchase to
the ships that waited for their return, or accidentally
happened to be there. With the gains of these prizes
they provided themselves with necessaries, wherewith to
undertake other voyages, some of which were made to
Campechy, and others toward New Spain ; in both which
the Spaniards then drove a great trade. Upon those
coasts they found great numbers of trading vessels, and
often ships of great burden. Two of the biggest of these
vessels, and two great ships which the Spaniards had
laden with plate in the port of Campechy, to go to the
Caraccas, they took in less than a month's time, and
carried to Tortuga ; where the people of the whole island,
encouraged by their success, especially seeing in two years
the riches of the country so much increased, they aug-
mented the number of pirates so fast, that in a little
time there were, in that small island and port, above
twenty ships of this sort of people. Hereupon the
Spaniards, not able to bear their .robberies any longer,
equipped two large men-of-war, both for the defence of
their own coasts, and to cruise upon the enemies.
CHAPTEE V.
How the pirates arm their vessels, and regulate their voyages.
BEFOEE the pirates go to sea, they give notice to all
concerned, of the day on which they are to embark ;
obliging each man to bring so many pounds of powder and
ball as they think necessary. Being all come aboard, they
consider where to get provisions, especially flesh, seeing
they scarce eat anything else ; and of this the most
common sort is pork; the next food is tortoises, which
they salt a little : sometimes they rob such or such hog-
yards, where the Spaniards often have a thousand head of
swine together. They come to these places in the night,
and having beset the keeper's lodge, they force him to rise,
and give them as many heads as they desire, threatening
to' kill him if he refuses, or makes any noise ; and these
menaces are oftentimes executed on the miserable swine-
keepers, or any other person that endeavours to hinder
their robberies.
Having got flesh sufficient for their voyage, they return
to their ship : here they allow, twice a day, every one as
much as he can eat, without weight or measure ; nor does
the steward of the vessel give any more flesh, or anything
else, to the captain, than to the meanest mariner. The
ship being well victualled, they deliberate whither they
shall go to seek their desperate fortunes, and likewise
agree upon certain articles, which are put in writing, which
THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 81
every one is bound to observe ; and all of them, or the
chiefest part, do set their hands to it. Here they set down
distinctly what sums of money each particular person ought
to have for that voyage, the fund of all the payments being
what is gotten by the whole expedition ; for otherwise it
is the same law among these people as with other pirates,.
Q^*s.
[o prey, no pay) First, therefore, they mention how
much the captain is to have for his ship ; next, the salary
of the carpenter, or shipwright, who careened, mended,
and rigged the vessel : this commonly amounts to one
hundred or one hundred and fifty pieces of eight, according
to the agreement. Afterwards, for provisions and victual-
ling, they draw out of the same common stock about two
hundred pieces of eight ; also a salary for the surgeon, and
his chest of medicaments, which usually is rated at two
hundred or two hundred and fifty pieces of eight. Lastly,
they agree what rate each one ought to have that is either
wounded or maimed in his body, suffering the loss of any
limb ; as, for the loss of a right arm, six hundred pieces of
eight, or six slaves ; for the left arm, five hundred pieces
of eight, or five slaves ; for a right leg, five hundred pieces
of eight, or five slaves ; for the left leg, four hundred
pieces of eight, or four slaves ; for an eye, one hundred
pieces of eight, or one slave ; for a finger, the same as for
an eye. All which sums are taken out of the common
stock of what is gotten by their piracy, and a very exact and
equal dividend is made of the remainder. They have also
regard to qualities and places : thus the captain, or chief,
is allotted five or six portions, to what the ordinary seamen
have : the master's mate only two, and other officers pro-
portionably to their employ : after which, they draw equal
parts from the highest to the lowest mariner, the boys
not being omitted, who draw half a share ; because when
they take a better vessel than their own, it is in the boys'
6
82 THE BUCCANEEBS
duty to fire their former vessel, and then retire to the
prize.
They observe among themselves very good orders ; for
in the prizes which they take, it is severely prohibited,
to every one, to take anything to themselves : hence all
they take is equally divided, as hath been said before : yea,
they take a solemn oath to each other, not to conceal the
least thing they find among the prizes ; and if any one is
found false to the said oath, he is immediately turned out
of the society. They are very civil and charitable to each
other; so that if any one wants what another has, with
great willingness they give it one to another. As soon
as these pirates have taken a prize, they immediately set
ashore the prisoners, detaining only some few, for their
own help and service : whom, also, they release, after two
or three years. They refresh themselves at one island or
another, but especially at those on the south of Cuba ;
here they careen their vessels, while some hunt, and
others cruise in canoes for prizes.
The inhabitants of New Spain and Campechy lade their
best merchandize in ships of great bulk : the vessels from
Campechy sail in the winter to Caraccas, Trinity isles, and
that of Margarita, and return back again in the summer.
The pirates knowing these seasons (being very diligent in
their inquiries) always cruise between the places above-
mentioned ; but in case they light on no considerable booty,
they commonly undertake some more hazardous enter-
prises : one remarkable instance of which I shall here give
you.
A certain pirate called Pierre Francois, or Peter
Francis, waiting a long time at sea with his boat and
twenty-six men, for the ships that were to return from
Maracaibo to Camphecy, and not being able to find any
prey, at last he resolved to direct his course to Kancheiras,
OF AMERICA. 83
near the Eiver de la Plata, in 12 deg. and a half north
latitude. Here lies a rich bank of pearl, to the fishery
whereof they yearly sent from Carthagena twelve vessels
with a man-of-war for their defence. Every vessel has at
least two negroes in it, who are very dextrous in diving to
the depth of six fathoms, where they find good store of
pearls. On this fleet, called the pearl-fleet, Pierre Francois
resolved to venture, rather than go home empty; they
then rid at anchor at the mouth of the Eiver de la Hacha,
the man-of-war scarce half a league distant from the small
ships, and the wind very calm. Having spied them in
this posture, he presently pulled down his sails, and rowed
along the coast feigning to be a Spanish vessel coming
from Maracaibo ; but no sooner was he come to the pearl-
bank, when suddenly he assaulted the vice-admiral of
eight guns and sixty men, commanding them to surrender.
The Spaniards made a good defence for some time, but at
last were forced to submit.
Having thus taken the vice-admiral, he resolved to
attempt the man-of-war, with which addition he hoped to
master the rest of the fleet : to this end he presently sunk
his own boat, putting forth the Spanish colours, and weighed
anchor with a little wind which then began to stir, having
with threats and promises compelled most of the Spaniards
to assist him : but so soon as the man-of-war perceived
one of his fleet to sail, he did so too, fearing lest the
mariners designed to run away with the riches they had
on board. The pirate on this immediately gave over the
enterprise, thinking themselves unable to encounter force
to force : hereupon they endeavoured to get out of the river
and gain the open seas, by making as much sail as they
could ; which the man-of-war perceiving, he presently gave
them chase, but the pirates having laid on too much
sail, and a gust of wind suddenly rising, their main-
84 THE BUCCANEERS
mast was brought by the board, which disabled them from
escaping.
This unhappy event much encouraged those in the man-
of-war, they gaining upon the pirates every moment, and
at last overtook them ; but they finding they had twenty-
two sound men, the rest being either killed or wounded,
resolved to defend themselves as long as possible ; this
they performed very courageously for some time, till they
were forced by the man-of-war, on condition that they
should not be used as slaves to carry stones, or be em- .
ployed in other labours for three or four years, as they
served their negroes, but that they should be set safe
ashore on free land. On these articles they yielded with
all they had taken, which was worth, in pearls alone,
above 100,000 pieces of eight, besides the vessel, provisions,
goods, &c. All which would have made this a greater
prize than he could desire, which he had certainly carried
off, if his main-mast had not been lost, as we said before.
Another bold attempt like this, no less remarkable, I
shall also give you. A certain pirate of Portugal, thence
called Bartholomew Portugues, was cruising in a boat of
thir 4 -' men and four small guns from Jamaica, upon the
Cape de Corriente in Cuba, where he met a great ship from
Maracaibo and Carthagena, bound for the Havannah, well
provided with twenty great guns and seventy men, pas-
sengers and mariners ; this ship he presently assaulted,
which they on board as resolutely defended. The pirate
escaping the first encounter, resolved to attack her more
vigorously than before, seeing he had yet suffered no great
damage : this he performed with so much resolution, that at
last, after a long and dangerous fight, he became master of
it. The Portuguese lost only ten men, and had four
wounded ; so that he had still remaining twenty fighting
men, whereas the Spaniards had double the number.
BARTHOLOMEW PORTUGES.
(Frotit the Portrait in " De A mcricaeuschc Roovers")
OF AMERICA. 85
Having possessed themselves of the ship, the wind being
contrary to return to Jamaica, they resolved to steer to
Cape St. Anthony (which lies west of Cuba), there to repair
and take in fresh water, of which they were then in great
want.
Being very near the cape abovesaid, they unexpectedly
met with three great ships coming from New Spain, and
bound for the Havannah ; by these not being able to escape,
they were easily retaken, both ship and pirates, and all
made prisoners, and stripped of all the riches they had taken
but just before. The cargo consisted in 120,000 weight of
cocoa-nuts, the chief ingredient of chocolate, and 70,000
pieces of eight. Two days after this misfortune, there
arose a great storm, which separated the ships from one
another. The great vessel, where the pirates were, arrived
at Campechy, where many considerable merchants came
and saluted the captain ; these presently knew the Portu-
guese pirate, being infamous for the many insolencies,
robberies and murders he had committed on their coasts,
which they kept fresh in their memory.
The next day after their arrival, the magistrates of the
city sent to demand the prisoners from on board the ship,
in order to punish them according to their desserts ; but
fearing the captain of the pirates should make his escape
(as he had formerly done, being their prisoner once before)
they judged it safer to leave him guarded on ship-board
for the present, while they erected a gibbet to hang him on
the next day, without any other process than to lead him
from the ship to his punishment ; the rumour of which
was presently brought to Bartholomew Portugues, whereby
he sought all possible means to escape that night : with
this design he took two earthen jars, wherein the Spaniards
carry wine from Spain to the West Indies, and stopped
them very well, intending to use them for swimming, as
86 THE BUCCANEERS
those unskilled in that art do corks or empty bladders ;
having made this necessary preparation, he waited when
all should be asleep ; but not being able to escape his
sentinel's vigilance, he stabbed him with a knife he had
secretly purchased, and then threw himself into the sea
with the earthen jars before-mentioned, by the help of
which, though he never learned to swim, he reached the
shore, and immediately took to the woods, where he hid
himself for three days, not daring to appear, eating no
other food than wild herbs.
Those of the city next day made diligent search for him
in the woods, where they concluded him to be. This strict
inquiry Portugues saw from the hollow of a tree, wherein
he lay hid ; and upon their return he made the best of his
way to del Golpho Triste, forty leagues from Campechy,
where he arrived within a fortnight after his escape :
during which time, as also afterwards, he endured extreme
hunger and thirst, having no other provision with him than
a small calabaca with a little water : besides the fears of
falling again into the hands of the Spaniards. He eat
nothing but a few shell-fish, which he found among the
rocks near the seashore ; and being obliged to pass some
rivers, not knowing well how to swim, he found at last an
old board which the waves had driven ashore, wherein were
a Tew great nails ; these he took, and with no small labour
whetted on a stone, till he had made them like knives,
though not so well ; with these, and nothing else, he cut
down some branches of trees, which with twigs and osiers
he joined together, and made as well as he could a boat to
waft him over the rivers : thus arriving at the Cape of
Golpho Triste, as was said, he found a vessel of pirates,
comrades of his own, lately come from Jamaica.
To these he related all his adversities and misfortunes, and
withal desired they would fit him with a boat and twenty
OF AMERICA. 87
men, with which company alone he promised to return to
Campechy, and assault the ship that was in the river, by
which he had been taken fourteen days before. -They pre-
sently granted his request, and equipped him a boat accord-
ingly. With this small company he set out to execute
his design, which he bravely performed eight days after he
left Golpho Triste ; for being arrived at Campechy, with an
undaunted courage, and without any noise, he assaulted the
said ship : those on board thought it was a boat from land
that came to bring contraband goods, and so were in no
posture of defence ; which opportunity the pirates laying
hold of, assaulted them so resolutely, that in a little time
they compelled the Spaniards to surrender.
Being masters of the ship, they immediately weighed
anchor and set sail from the port, lest they should be pur-
sued by other vessels. This they did with the utmost joy,
seeing themselves possessors of so brave a ship ; especially
Portugues, who by a second turn of fortune was become
rich and powerful again, who was so lately in that same
vessel a prisoner, condemned to be hanged. With this
purchase he designed greater things, which he might have
done, since there remained in the vessel so great a quantity
of rich merchandise, though the plate had been sent to the
city : but while he was making his voyage to Jamaica, near
the isle of Pinos, on the south of Cuba, a terrible storm
arose, which drove against the Jardines rocks, where she
was lost ; but Portugues, with his companions, escaped in
a canoe, in which he arrived at Jamaica, where it was not
long ere he went on new adventures, but was never fortunate
after.
Nor less considerable are the actions of another pirate
who now lives at Jamaica, who on several occasions has
performed very surprising things. He was born at Gron-
inghen in the United Provinces. His own name not being
88 THE BUCCANEEES
known, his companions gave him that of Koche Brasiliano,
by reason of his long residence in Brasil : hence he was
forced to fly, when the Portuguese retook those countries
from the Dutch, several nations then inhabiting at Brasil
(as English, French, Dutch, and others), being constrained
to seek new fortunes.
This person fled to Jamaica, where, being at a stand how
to get his living, he entered himself into the society of
pirates, where he served as a private mariner for some
time, and behaved himself so well, that he was beloved and
respected by all. One day some of the mariners quarrelled
with their captain to that degree, that they left the boat.
Brasiliano following them, was chosen their leader, who
having fitted out a small vessel, they made him captain.
Within a few days after, he took a great ship coming
from New Spain, which had a great quantity of plate on
board, and carried it to Jamaica. This action got him a
great reputation at home ; and though in his private affairs
he governed himself very well, he would oftentimes appear
brutish and foolish when in drink, running up and down
the streets, beating and wounding those he met, no person
daring to make any resistance.
To the Spaniards he was always very barbarous and
cruel, out of an inveterate hatred against that nation. Of
these he commanded several to be roasted alive on wooden
spits, for not showing him hog-yards where he might steal
swine. After many of these cruelties, as he was cruising on
the coasts of Campechy, a dismal tempest surprised him
so violently, that his ship was wrecked upon the coasts, the
mariners only escaping with their muskets and some few
bullets and powder, which were the only things they could
save. The ship was lost between Campechy and the Golpho
Triste : here they got ashore in a canoe, and, marching
along the coast with all the speed they could, they directed
OF AMEEICA. 89
their course towards Golpho Triste, the common refuge of
the pirates. Being upon his journey, and all very hungry
and thirsty, as is usual in desert places, they were pursued
by a troop of an hundred Spaniards. Brasiliano, perceiving
their imminent danger, encouraged his companions, telling
them they were better soldiers, and ought rather to die
under their arms fighting, as it became men of courage,
than surrender to the Spaniards, who would take away
their lives with the utmost torments. The pirates were
but thirty ; yet, seeing their brave commander oppose the
enemy with such courage, resolved to do the like : hereupon
they faced the troop of Spaniards, and discharged their
muskets on them so dextrously, that they killed one horse-
man almost with every shot. The fight continued for an
hour, till at last the Spaniards were put to flight. They
stripped the dead, and took from them what was most for
their use ; such as were also not quite dead they dispatched
with the ends of their muskets.
Having vanquished the enemy, they mounted on horses
they found in the field, and continued their journey ; Bra-
siliano having lost but two of his companions in this bloody
fight, and had two wounded. Prosecuting their way, before
they came to the port they spied a boat at anchor from
Campechy, well manned, protecting a few canoes that were
lading wood : hereupon they sent six of their men to watch
them, who next morning, by a wile, possessed themselves
of the canoes. Having given notice to their companions,
they boarded them, and also took the little man-of-war,
their convoy. Being thus masters of this fleet, they wanted
only provisions, of which they found little aboard those
vessels : but this defect was supplied by the horses, which
they killed, and salted with salt, which by good fortune the
wood-cutters had brought with them, with which they sup-
ported themselves till they could get better.
90 THE BUCCANEERS
They took also another ship going from New Spain to
Maracaibo, laden with divers sorts of merchandise and
pieces of eight, designed to buy cocoa-nuts for their lading
home : all these they carried to Jamaica, where they safely
arrived, and, according to custom, wasted all in a few
days in taverns and stews, giving themselves to all manner
of debauchery. Such of these pirates will spend two or
three thousand pieces of eight in a night, not leaving them-
selves a good shirt to wear in the morning. I saw one of
them give a common strumpet five hundred pieces of eight
to see her naked. My own master would buy sometimes a
pipe of wine, and, placing it in the street, would force those
that passed by to drink with him, threatening also to pistol
them if they would not. He would do the like with barrels
of beer or ale ; and very often he would throw these liquors
about the streets, and wet peoples' clothes without regard-
ing whether he spoiled their apparel.
Among themselves these pirates are very liberal : if any
one has lost all, which often happens in their manner of
life, they freely give him of what they have. In taverns
and alehouses they have great credit ; but at Jamaica they
ought not to run very deep in debt, seeing the inhabitants
there easily sell one another for debt. This happened to
my patron, to be sold for a debt of a tavern wherein he had
spent the greatest part of his money. This man had,
within three months before, three thousand pieces of eight
in ready cash, all which he wasted in that little time, and
became poor as I have told you.
But to return : Brasiliano, after having spent all, was
forced to go to sea again to seek his fortune. He set forth
towards the coast of Campechy, his common rendezvous :
fifteen days after his arrival, he put himself into a canoe to
espy the port of that city, and see if he could rob any
Spanish vessel ; but his fortune was so bad, that both he
OF AMERICA. 91
and all his men were taken and carried before the governor,
who immediately cast them into a dungeon, intending to
hang them every one ; and doubtless he had done so,
but for a stratagem of Brasiliano, which saved their lives.
He wrote a letter to the governor, in the names of other
pirates that were abroad at sea, telling him he should
have a care how he used those persons he had in custody ;
for if he hurt them in the least, they swore they would
never give quarter to any Spaniard that should fall into
their hands.
These pirates having been often at Campechy, and other
places of the West Indies in the Spanish dominions, the
governor feared what mischief their companions abroad
might do, if he should punish them. Hereupon he released
them, exacting only an oath on them that they would leave
their exercise of piracy for ever ; and withal he sent them
as common mariners, in the galleons, to Spain. They got
in this voyage, all together, five hundred pieces of eight ;
so that they tarried not long there after their arrival.
Providing themselves with necessaries, they returned to
Jamaica, from whence they set forth again to sea, commit-
ting greater robberies and cruelties than before ; but
especially abusing the poor Spaniards, who fell into their
hands, with all sorts of cruelty.
The Spaniards, finding they could gain nothing on these
people, nor diminish their number, daily resolved to lessen
the number of their trading ships. But neither was this of
any service ; for the pirates, finding few ships at sea, began
to gather into companies, and to land on their dominions,
ruining cities, towns, and villages ; pillaging, burning, and
carrying away as much as they could.
The first pirate who began these invasions by land was
Lewis Scot, who sacked the city of Campechy, which he
almost ruined, robbing and destroying all he could ; and
92 THE BUCCANEEES
after he had put it to an excessive ransom, he left it. After
Scot came another named Mansvelt, who invaded Granada,
and penetrated even to the South Sea ; till at last, for
want of provision, he was forced to go back. He as-
saulted the isle of St. Catherine, which he took, with a few
prisoners. These directed him to Carthagena, a principal
city in Nueva Granada, But the bold attempts and actions
of John Davis, born at Jamaica, ought not to be forgotten,
being some of the most remarkable ; especially his rare
prudence and valour showed in the fore-mentioned kingdom
of Granada. This pirate, having long cruised in the Gulf
of Pocatauro, on the ships expected to Carthagena, bound
for Nicaragua, and not meeting any of them, resolved at
last to land in Nicaragua, leaving his ship hid on the
coast.
This design he soon executed ; for taking eighty men out
of ninety, which he had in all and the rest he left to keep
the ship he divided them equally into three canoes. His-
intent was to rob the churches, and rifle the houses of the
chief citizens of Nicaragua. Thus in the dark night they
entered the river leading to that city, rowing in their
canoes; by day they hid themselves and boats under the
branches of trees, on the banks, which grow very thick
along the river-sides in those countries, and along the sea-
coast. Being arrived at the city the third night, the sen-
tinel, who kept the post of the river, thought them to be
fishermen that had been fishing in the lake : and most of
the pirates understanding Spanish, he doubted not, as soon
as he heard them speak. They had in their company an
Indian who had run away from his master, who would
have enslaved him unjustly. He went first ashore, and
instantly killed the sentinel : this done, they entered the
city, and went directly to three or four houses of the chief
citizens, where they knocked softly. These, believing them
OF AMERICA. 93
to be friends, opened the doors ; and the pirates, suddenly
possessing themselves of the houses, stole all the money
and plate they could find. Nor did they spare the churches
and most sacred things ; all which were pillaged and pro-
faned, without any respect or veneration.
Meanwhile, great cries and lamentations were heard of
some who had escaped them ; so that the whole city was
in an uproar, and all the citizens rallied in order to a
defence ; which the pirates preceiving, they instantly fled,
carrying away their booty, and some prisoners : these they
led away, that if any of them should be taken by the
Spaniards, they might use them for ransom. Thus they
got to their ship, and with all speed put to sea, forcing the
prisoners, before they let them go, to procure them as much
flesh as was necessary for their voyage to Jamaica. But
no sooner had they weighed anchor, when they saw a troop
of about five hundred Spaniards, all well armed, at the sea-
side : against these they let fly several guns, wherewith
they forced them to quit the sands, and retire, with no
small regret to see these pirates carry away so much plate
of their churches and houses, though distant at least forty
leagues from the sea.
These pirates got, on this occasion, above four thousand
pieces of eight in money, besides much plate, and many
jewels ; in all, to the value of fifty thousand pieces of eight,
or more : with all this they arrived at Jamaica soon after.
But this sort of people being never long masters of their
money, they were soon constrained to seek more by the
same means ; and Captain John Davis, presently after his
return, was chosen admiral of seven or eight vessels, he
being now esteemed an able conductor for such enterprises.
He began his new command by directing his fleet to the
north of Cuba, there to wait for the fleet from New Spain ;
but missing his design, they determined for Florida.
94 THE BUCGANEEES OF AMEEICA.
Being arrived there, they landed their men, and sacked a
small city named St. Augustine of Florida. The castle
had a garrison of two hundred men, but could not prevent
the pillage of the city, they effecting it without the least
damage from the soldiers or townsmen.
CHAPTER VI.
Of the origin of Francis Lolonois, and the beginning of his robberies.
FRANCIS LOLONOIS was a native of that territory in
France which is called Les Sables d'Olone, or The
Sands of Olone. In his youth he was transported to the
Caribbee islands, in quality of servant, or slave, according
to custom ; of which we have already spoken. Being
out of his time, he came to Hispaniola ; here he joined
for some time with the hunters, before he began his
robberies upon the Spaniards, which I shall now relate,
till his unfortunate death.
At first he made two or three voyages as a common
mariner, wherein he behaved himself so courageously as
to gain the favour of the governor of Tortuga, Monsieur
de la Place ; insomuch that he gave him a ship, in which
he might seek his fortune, which was very favourable to
him at first ; for in a short time he got great riches. But
his cruelties against the Spaniards were such, that the
fame of them made him so well known through the Indies,
that the Spaniards, in his time, would choose rather to die,
or sink fighting, than surrender, knowing they should
have no mercy at his hands. But Fortune, being seldom
constant, after some time turned her back ; for in a huge
storm he lost his ship on the coast of Campechy. The
men were all saved, but coming upon dry land, the
Spaniards pursued them, and killed the greatest part,
96 THE BUCCANEEBS
wounding also Lolonois. Not knowing how to escape,
he saved his life by a stratagem ; mingling sand with
the blood of his wounds, with which besmearing his face,
and other parts of his body, and hiding himself dextrously
among the dead, he continued there till the Spaniards
quitted the field.
They being gone, he retired to the woods, and bound
up his wounds as well as he could. These being pretty
.well healed, he took his way to Campechy, having dis-
guised himself in a Spanish habit ; here he enticed certain
slaves, to whom he promised liberty if they would obey
him and trust to his conduct. They accepted his promises,
and stealing a canoe, they went to sea with him. Now
the Spaniards, having made several of his companions
prisoners, kept them close in a dungeon, while Lolonois
went about the town and saw what passed. These were
often asked, "What is become of your captain?" To
whom they constantly answered, " He is dead : " which
rejoiced the Spaniards, who made bonfires, and, knowing
nothing to the contrary, gave thanks to God for their
deliverance from such a cruel pirate. Lolonois, having
seen these rejoicings for his death, made haste to escape,
with the slaves above-mentioned, and came safe to
Tortuga, the common refuge of all sorts of wickedness,
and the seminary, as it were, of pirates and thieves.
Though now his fortune was low, yet he got another ship
with craft and subtlety, and in it twenty-one men. Being
well provided with arms and necessaries, he set forth for
Cuba, on the south whereof is a small village, called De
los Cayos. The inhabitants drive a great trade in tobacco,
sugar, and hides, and all in boats, not being able to use
ships, by reason of the little depth of that sea.
Lolonois was persuaded he should get here some con-
siderable prey ; but by the good fortune of some fisher-
FRANCOIS IXXLOISTOIS,
OLonn,e in
GentrvtaJ. v&n df T^r^ifte Jiocryer-s
LOLONOIS.
(From the Portrait in " De Americaensche Rovrers.''
OF AMEEIGA. 97
men who saw him, and the mercy of God, they escaped
him : for the inhabitants of the town dispatched imme-
diately a vessel overland to the Havannah, complaining
that Lolonois was come to destroy them with two canoes.
The governor could very hardly believe this, having re-
ceived letters from Campechy that he was dead : but, at
their importunity, he sent a ship to their relief, with ten
guns, and ninety men, well armed ; giving them this
express command, " that they should not return into
his presence without having totally destroyed those
pirates." To this effect he gave them a negro to serve
for a hangman, and orders, "that they should immediately
hang every one of the pirates, excepting Lolonois, their
captain, whom they should bring alive to the Havannah."
This ship arrived at Cayos, of whose coming the pirates
were advertised beforehand, and instead of flying, went
to seek it in the river Estera, where she rode at anchor.
The pirates seized some fishermen, and forced them by
night to show them the entry of the port, hoping soon to
obtain a greater vessel than their two canoes, and thereby
to mend their fortune. They arrived, after two in the
morning, very nigh the ship; and the watch on board
the ship asking them, whence they came, and if they had
seen any pirates abroad? They caused one of the
prisoners to answer, they had seen no pirates, nor any-
thing else. Which answer made them believe that they
were fled upon hearing of their coming.
But they soon found the contrary, for about break of day
the pirates assaulted the vessel on both sides, with their two
canoes, with such vigour, that though the Spaniards behaved
themselves as they ought, and made as good defence as they
could, making some use of their great guns, yet they were
forced to surrender, being beaten by the pirates, with
sword in hand, down under the hatches. From hence
7
98 THE BUCCANEEES
Lolonois commanded them to be brought up, one by one,
and in this order caused their heads to be struck off :
among the rest came up the negro, designed to be the
pirates' executioner ; this fellow implored mercy at his
hands very dolefully, telling Lolonois he was constituted
hangman of that ship, and if he would spare him, he
would tell him faithfully all that he should desire.
Lolonois, making him confess \\hat he thought fit, com-
manded him to be murdered with the rest. Thus he
cruelly and barbarously put them all to death, reserving
only one alive, whom he sent back to the governor of the
Havannah, with this message in writing : " I shall never
henceforward give quarter to any Spaniard whatsoever ;
and I have great hopes I shall execute on your own person
the very same punishment I have done upon them you
sent against me. Thus I have retaliated the kindness
you designed to me and my companions." The governor,
much troubled at this sad news, swore, in the presence of
many, that he would never grant quarter to any pirate
that should fall into his hands. But the citizens of the
Havannah desired him not to persist in the execution of
that rash and rigorous oath, seeing the pirates would
certainly take occasion from thence to do the same, and
they had an hundred times more opportunity of revenge
than he ; that being necessitated to get their livelihood
by fishery, they should hereafter always be in danger of
their lives. By these reasons he was persuaded to bridle
his anger, and remit the severity of his oath.
Now Lolonois had got a good ship, but very few pro-
visions and people in it; to purchase both which, he
resolved to cruise from one port to another. Doing thus,
for some time, without success, he determined to go to
the port of Maracaibo. Here he surprised a ship laden
plate, and other merchandises, outward bound, to
OF AMEBICA. 99
buy cocoa-nuts. With this prize he returned to Tortuga,
where he was received with joy by the inhabitants ; they
congratulating his happy success, and their own private
interest. He stayed not long there, but designed to equip
a fleet sufficient to transport five hundred men, and
necessaries. Thus provided, he resolved to pillage both
cities, towns, and villages, and finally, to take Maracaibo
itself. For this purpose he knew the island of Tortuga
would afford him many resolute and courageous men, fit
for such enterprises : besides, he had in his service several
prisoners well acquainted with the ways and places
designed upon.
CHAPTER VII.
Lolonois equips a fleet to land. upon the Spanish islands of America,
with intent to rob, sack, and burn whatsoever he met with.
OF this design Lolonois giving notice to all the pirates,
whether at home or abroad, he got together, in a
little while, above four hundred men ; beside which, there
was then in Tortuga another pirate, named Michael de
Basco, who, by his piracy, had got riches sufficient to
live at ease, and go no more abroad ; having, withal, the
office of major of the island. But seeing the great
preparations that Lolonois made for this expedition, he
joined him, and offered him, that if he would make him
his chief captain by land (seeing he knew the country very
well, and all its avenues) he would share in his fortunes,
and go with him. They agreed upon articles to the
great joy of Lolonois, knowing that Basco had done great
actions in Europe, and had the repute of a good soldier.
Thus they all embarked in eight vessels, that of Lolonois
being the greatest, having ten guns of indifferent carriage.
All things being ready, and the whole company on
board, they set sail together about the end of April, being,
in all, six hundred and sixty persons. They steered for
that part called Bayala, north of Hispaniola : here they
took into their company some French hunters, who
voluntarily offered themselves, and here they provided
themselves with victuals and necessaries for their voyage.
THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 101
From hence they sailed again the last of July, and
steered directly to the eastern cape of the isle called
Punta d'Espada. Hereabouts espying a ship from Puerto
Kico, bound for New Spain, laden with cocoa-nuts,
Lolonois commanded the rest of the fleet to wait for him
near Savona, on the east of Cape Punta d'Espada, he
alone intending to take the said vessel. The Spaniards,
though they had been in sight full two hours, and knew
them to be pirates, yet would not flee, but prepared to
fight, being well armed, and provided. The combat lasted
three hours, and then they surrendered. This ship had
sixteen guns, and fifty fighting men aboard : they found
in her 120,000 weight of cocoa, 40,000 pieces of eight,
and the value of 10,000 more in jewels. Lolonois sent
the vessel presently to Tortuga to be unladed, with orders
to return as soon as possible to Savona, where he would
wait for them : meanwhile, the rest of the fleet being
arrived at Savona, met another Spanish vessel coming
from Coman, with military provisions to Hispaniola, and
money to pay the garrisons there. This vessel they also
took, without any resistance, though mounted with eight
guns. In it were 7,000 weight of powder, a great number
of muskets, and like things, with 12,000 pieces of eight.
These successes encouraged the pirates, they seeming
very lucky beginnings, especially finding their fleet pretty
well recruited in a little time : for the first ship arriving
at Tortuga, the governor ordered it to be instantly
unladen, and soon after sent back, with fresh provisions,
and other necessaries, to Lolonois. This ship he chose
for himself, and gave that which he commanded to his
comrade, Anthony du Puis. Being thus recruited with
men in lieu of them he had lost in taking the prizes, and
by sickness, he found himself in a good condition to set
sail for Maracaibo, in the province of Neuva Venezuela,
102 THE BUCCANEEBS
in the latitude of 12 deg. 10 rain, north. This island is
twenty leagues long, and twelve broad. To this port also
belong the islands of Onega and Monges. The east side
thereof is called Cape St. Eoman, and the western side
Cape of Caquibacoa : the gulf is called, by some, the
Gulf of Venezuela, but the pirates usually call it the Bay
of Maracaibo.
At the entrance of this gulf are two islands extending
from east to west ; that towards the east is called Isla de
las Vigilias, or the Watch Isle ; because in the middle is
a high hill, on which stands a watch-house. The other
is called Isla de la Palomas, or the Isle of Pigeons.
Between these two islands runs a little sea, or rather
lake of fresh water, sixty leagues long, and thirty broad ;
which disgorging itself into the ocean, dilates itself about
the said two islands. Between them is the best passage
for ships, the channel being no broader than the flight
of a great gun, of about eight pounds. On the Isle of
Pigeons standeth a castle, to impede the entry of vessels,
all being necessitated to come very nigh the castle, by
reason of two banks of sand on the other side, with only
fourteen feet water. Many other banks of sand there are
in this lake ; as that called El Tablazo, or the Great
Table, no deeper than ten feet, forty leagues within the
lake ; others there are, that have no more than six,
seven, or eight feet in depth : all are very dangerous,
especially to mariners unacquainted with them. West
hereof is the city of Maracaibo, very pleasant to the
view, its houses being built along the shore, having
delightful prospects all round : the city may contain
three or four thousand persons, slaves included, all which
make a town of a reasonable bigness. There are judged
to be about eight hundred persons able to bear arms, all
Spaniards. Here are one parish church, well built and
OF AMERICA. 103
adorned, four monasteries, and one hospital. The city is
governed by a deputy governor, substituted by the governor
of the Caraccas. The trade here exercised is mostly in
hides and tobacco. The inhabitants possess great numbers
of cattle, and many plantations, which extend thirty
leagues in the country especially towards the great town
of Gibraltar, where are gathered great quantities of cocoa-
nuts, and all other garden fruits, which serve for the
regale and sustenance of the inhabitants of Maracaibo,
whose territories are much drier than those of Gibraltar.
Hither those of Maracaibo send great quantities of flesh,
they making returns in oranges, lemons, and other fruits ;
for the inhabitants of Gibraltar want flesh, their fields
not being capable of feeding cows or sheep.
Before Maracaibo is a very spacious and secure port,
wherein may be built all sorts of vessels, having great
convenience of timber, which may be transported thither at
little charge. Nigh the town lies also a small island called
Borrica, where they feed great numbers of goats, which
cattle the inhabitants use more for their skins than their
flesh or milk ; they slighting these two, unless while they
are tender and young kids. In the fields are fed some
sheep, but of a very small size. In some islands of the
lake, and in other places hereabouts, are many savage
Indians, called by the Spaniards bravoes, or wild : these
could never be reduced by the Spaniards, being brutish,
and untameable. They dwell mostly towards the west
side of the lake, in little huts built on trees growing in
the water; so to keep themselves from the innumerable
mosquitoes, or gnats, which infest and torment them
night and day. To the east of the said lake are whole
towns of fishermen, who likewise live in huts built on
trees, as the former. Another reason of this dwelling,
is the frequent inundations; for after great rains, the
104 THE BUCCANEERS
land is often overflown for two or three leagues, there
being no less than twenty-five great rivers that feed this
lake. The town of Gibraltar is also frequently drowned
by these, so that the inhabitants are constrained to retire
to their plantations.
Gibraltar, situate at the side of the lake about forty
leagues within it, receives its provisions of flesh, as has
been said, from Maracaibo. The town is inhabited by
about 1,500 persons, whereof four hundred may bear
arms ; the greatest part of them keep shops, wherein they
exercise one trade or other. In the adjacent fields are
numerous plantations of sugar and cocoa, in which are
many tall and beautiful trees, of whose timber houses may
be built, and ships. Among these are many handsome
and proportionable cedars, seven or eight feet about, of
which they build boats and ships, so as to bear only one
great sail ; such vessels being called piraguas. The whole
country is well furnished with rivers and brooks, very
useful in droughts, being then cut into many little
channels to water their fields and plantations. They
plant also much tobacco, well esteemed in Europe, and
for its goodness is called there tobacco de sacerdotes, or
priest's tobacco. They enjoy nigh twenty leagues of
jurisdiction, which is bounded by very high mountains
perpetually covered with snow. On the other side of
these mountains is situate a great city called Merida, to
which the town of Gibraltar is subject. All merchandise
is carried hence to the aforesaid city on mules, and that
but at one season of the year, by reason of the excessive
cold in those high mountains. On the said mules returns
are made in flour of meal, which comes from towards Peru,
by the way of Estaffe.
Thus far I thought good to make a short description of
the lake of Maracaibo, that my reader might the better
OF AMEEICA. 105
comprehend what I shall say concerning the actions of
pirates in this place, as follows.
Lolonois arriving at the gulf of Venezuela, cast anchor
with his whole fleet out of sight of the Vigilia or Watch
Isle ; next day very early he set sail thence with all his
ships for the lake of Maracaibo, where they cast anchor
again ; then they landed their men, with design to attack
first the fortress that commanded the bar, therefore called
de la barra. This fort consists only of several great
baskets of earth placed on a rising ground, planted with
sixteen great guns, with several other heaps of earth
round about for covering their men : the pirates having
landed a league off this fort, advanced by degrees towards
it ; but the governor having espied their landing, had
placed an ambuscade to cut them off behind, while he
should attack them in front. This the pirates discovered,
and getting before, they defeated it so entirely, that not a
man could retreat to the castle : this done, Lolonois, with
his companions, advanced immediately to the fort, and
after a fight of almost three hours, with the usual des-
peration of this sort of people, they became masters
thereof, without any other arms than swords and pistols :
while they were fighting, those who were the routed
ambuscade, not being able to get into the castle, retired
into Maracaibo in great confusion and disorder, crying
" The pirates will presently be here with two thousand
men and more." The city having formerly been taken by
this kind of people, and sacked to the uttermost, had
still an idea of that misery; so that upon, these dismal
news they endeavoured to escape towards Gibraltar in
their boats and canoes, carrying with them all the goods
and money they could. Being come to Gibraltar, they told
how the fortress was taken, and nothing had been saved,
nor any persons escaped.
106 THE BUCCANEEES
The castle thus taken by the pirates, they presently
signified to the ships their victory, that they should come
farther in without fear of danger : the rest of that day
was spent in ruining and demolishing the said castle.
They nailed the guns, and burnt as much as they could
not carry away, burying the dead, and sending on board
the fleet the wounded. Next day, very early, they weighed
anchor, and steered altogether towards Maracaibo, about
six leagues distant from the fort ; but the wind failing
that day, they could advance little, being forced to expect
the tide. Next morning they came in sight of the town,
and prepared for landing under the protection of their
own guns, fearing the Spaniards might have laid an ambus-
cade in the woods : they put their men into canoes,
brought for that purpose, and landed where they thought
most convenient, shooting still furiously with their great
guns : of those in the canoes, half only went ashore, the
other half remained aboard ; they fired from the ships as
fast as possible, towards the woody part of the shore, but
could discover nobody ; then they entered the town, whose
inhabitants, as I told you, were retired to the woods, and
Gibraltar, with their wives, children, and families. Their
houses they left well provided with victuals, as flour, bread,
pork, brandy, wines, and poultry, with these the pirates
fell to making good cheer, for in four weeks before they
had no opportunity of filling their stotaachs with such
plenty.
They instantly possessed themselves of the best houses
in the town, and placed sentinels wherever they thought
convenient ; the great church served them for their main
guard. Next day they sent out an hundred and sixty men
to find out some of the inhabitants in the woods there-
abouts ; these returned the same night, bringing with
them 20,000 pieces of eight, several mules laden with
OF AMERICA. 107
household goods and merchandise, and twenty prisoners,
men, women, and children. Some of these were put to
the rack, to make them confess where they had hid the
rest of the goods ; but they could extort very little from
them. Lolonois, who valued not murdering, though in
cold blood, ten or twelve Spaniards, drew his cutlass, and
hacked one to pieces before the rest, saying, " If you do
not confess and declare where you have hid the rest of
your goods, I will do the like to all your companions."
At last, amongst these horrible cruelties and inhuman
threats, one promised to show the place where the rest of
the Spaniards were hid ; but those that were fled, having
intelligence of it, changed place, and buried the remnant
of their riches underground, so that the pirates could
not find them out, unless some of their own party should
reveal them ; besides, the Spaniards flying from one place
to another every day, and often changing woods, were
jealous even of each other, so as the father durst scarce
trust his own son.
After the pirates had been fifteen days in Maracaibo,
they resolved for Gibraltar; but the inhabitants having
received intelligence thereof, and that they intended
afterwards to go to Merida, gave notice of it to the
governor there, who was a valiant soldier, and had been
an officer in Flanders. His answer was, " he would have
them take no care, for he hoped in a little while to ex-
terminate the said pirates." Whereupon he came to
Gibraltar with four hundred men well armed, ordering
at the same time the inhabitants to put themselves in
arms, so that in all he made eight hundred fighting men.
With the same speed he raised a battery towards the sea,
mounted with twenty guns, covered with great baskets of
earth : another battery he placed in another place,
mounted with eight guns. This done, he barricaded a
108 THE BUCCANEEBS
narrow passage to the town through which the pirates
must pass, opening at the same time another through
much dirt and mud into the wood totally unknown to
the pirates.
The pirates, ignorant of these preparations, having
embarked all their prisoners and booty, took their way
towards Gibraltar. Being come in sight of the place,
they saw the royal standard hanging forth, and that
those of the town designed to defend their houses.
Lolonois seeing this, called a council of war what they
ought to do, telling his officers and mariners, " That the
difficulty of the enterprise was very great, seeing the
Spaniards had had so much time to put themselves in a
posture of defence, and had got a good body of men
together, with much ammunition; but notwithstanding,"
said he, " have a good courage ; we must either defend
ourselves like good soldiers, or lose our lives with all the
riches we have got. Do as I shall do who am your captain :
at other times we have fought with fewer men than we
have in our company at present, and yet we have over-
come greater numbers than there possibly can be in this
town : the more they are, the more glory and the greater
riches we shall gain." The pirates supposed that all the
riches of the inhabitants of Maracaibo were transported
to Gibraltar, or at least the greatest part. After this
speech, they all promised to follow, and obey him.
Lolonois made answer, " 'Tis well ; but know ye, withal,
that the first man who shall show any fear, or the least
apprehension thereof, I will pistol him with my own
hands."
With this resolution they cast anchor nigh the shore,
near three-quarters of a league from the town : next day
before sun-rising, they landed three hundred and eighty
men well provided, and armed every one with a cutlass,
OF AMERICA. 109
and one or two pistols, and sufficient powder and bullet
for thirty charges. Here they all shook hands in testi-
mony of good courage, and began their march, Lolonois
speaking thus, " Come, my brethren, follow me, and have
good courage." They followed their guide, who, believing
he led them well, brought them to the way which the
governor had barricaded. Not being able to pass that
way, they went to the other newly made in the wood
among the mire, which the Spaniards could shoot into at
pleasure ; but the pirates, full of courage, cut down the
branches of trees and threw them on the way, that they
might not stick in the dirt. Meanwhile, those of Gibraltar
fired with their great guns so furiously, they could scarce
hear nor see for the noise and smoke. Being passed the
wood, they came on firm ground, where they met with a
battery of six guns, which immediately the Spaniards
discharged upon them, all loaded with small bullets and
pieces of iron ; and the Spaniards sallying forth, set
upon them with such fury, as caused the pirates to give
way, few of them caring to advance towards the fort,
many of them being already killed and wounded. This
made them go back to seek another way; but the
Spaniards having cut down many trees to hinder the
passage, they could find none, but were forced to return
to that they had left. Here the Spaniards continued to
fire as before, nor would they sally out of their batteries
to attack them any more. Lolonois and his companions
not being able to grimp up the baskets of earth, were
compelled to use an old stratagem, wherewith at last they
deceived and overcame the Spaniards.
Lolonois retired suddenly with all his men, making
show as if he fled ; hereupon the Spaniards crying out
" They flee, they flee, let us follow them," sallied forth
with great disorder to the pursuit. Being drawn to
110 THE BUCCANEEES
some distance from the batteries, which -was the pirates
only design, they turned upon them unexpectedly with
sword in hand, and killed above two hundred men ; and
thus fighting their way through those who remained, they
possessed themselves of the batteries. The Spaniards
that remained abroad, giving themselves over for lost, fled
to the woods : those in the battery of eight guns sur-
rendered themselves, obtaining quarter for their lives.
The pirates being now become masters of the town, pulled
down the Spanish colours and set up their own, taking
prisoners as many as they could find. These they carried
to the great church, where they raised a battery of several
great guns, fearing lest the Spaniards that were fled
should rally, and come upon them again; but next day,
being all fortified, their fear's were over. They gathered
the dead to bury them, being above five hundred Spaniards,
besides the wounded in the town, and those that died of
their wounds in the woods. The pirates had also above
one hundred and fifty prisoners, and nigh five hundred
slaves, many women and children.
Of their own companions only forty were killed, and
almost eighty wounded, whereof the greatest part died
through the bad air, which brought fevers and other
illness. They put the slain Spaniards into two great
boats, and carrying them a quarter of a league to sea,
they sunk the boats ; this done, they gathered all the
plate, household stuff, and merchandise they could, or
thought convenient to carry away. The Spaniards who
had anything left had hid it carefully : but the unsatisfied
pirates, not contented with the riches they had got, sought
for more goods and merchandise, not sparing those who
lived in the fields, such as hunters and planters. They had
scarce been eighteen days on the place, when the greatest
part of the prisoners died for hunger. For in the town
OF AMEEICA. Ill
were few provisions, especially of flesh, though they had
some, but no sufficient quantity of flour of meal, and this
the pirates had taken for themselves, as they also took
the swine, cows, sheep, and poultry, without allowing any
share to the .poor prisoners ; for these they only provided
some small quantity of mules' and asses' flesh ; and many
who could not eat of that loathsome provision died for
hunger, their stomachs not being accustomed to such
sustenance ; only some women were allowed better cheer,
because they served their sensual delights, to which those
robbers are much given. Among these, some had been
forced, others were volunteers, though almost all rather
submitted through poverty and hunger than any other
cause. Of the prisoners many also died under the torment
they sustained to make them discover their money or
jewels ; and of these, some had none, nor knew of none,
and others denying what they knew, endured such horrible
deaths.
Finally, after having been in possession of the town four
entire weeks, they sent four of the prisoners to the
Spaniards that were fled to the woods, demanding of them
a ransom for not burning the town. The sum demanded
was 10,000 pieces of eight, which if not sent, they
threatened to reduce it to ashes. For bringing in this
money, they allowed them only two days ; but the
Spaniards not having been able to gather so punctually
such a sum, the pirates fired many parts of the town;
whereupon the inhabitants begged them to help quench
the fire, and the ransom should be readily paid. The
pirates condescended, helping as much as they could to
stop the fire; but, notwithstanding all their best endea-
vours, one part of the town was ruined, especially the
church belonging to the monastery was burnt down.
After they had received the said sum, they carried aboard
112 THE BUCCANEERS
all the riches they had got, with a great number of slaves
which had not paid the ransom ; for all the prisoners had
sums of money set upon them, and the slaves were also
commanded to be redeemed. Hence they returned to
Maracaibo, where being arrived, they found a general
consternation in the whole city, to which they sent three
or four prisoners to tell the governor and inhabitants,
" they should bring them 30,000 pieces of eight aboard
their ships, for a ransom of their houses, otherwise they
should be sacked anew and burnt."
Among these debates a party of pirates came on shore,
and carried away the images, pictures, and bells of the
great church, aboard the fleet. The Spaniards who were
sent to demand the sum aforesaid returned, with orders
to make some agreement ; who concluded with the pirates
to give for their ransom and liberty 20,000 pieces of eight,
and five hundred cows, provided that they should commit
no farther hostilities, but depart thence presently after
payment of money and cattle. The one and the other
being delivered, the whole fleet set sail, causing great joy
to the inhabitants of Maracaibo, to see themselves quit of
them : but three days after they renewed their fears with
admiration, seeing the pirates appear again, and re-enter
the port with all their ships : but these apprehensions
vanished, upon hearing one of the pirate's errand, who
came ashore from Lolonois, "to demand a skilful pilot
to conduct one of the greatest ships over the dangerous
bank that lieth at the very entry of the lake." Which
petition, or rather command, was instantly granted.
They had now been full two months in those towns,
wherein they committed those cruel and insolent actions we
have related. Departing thence, they took their course to
Hispaniola, and arrived there in eight days, casting anchor
in a port called Isla de la Vacca, or Cow Island. This
OF AMERICA. 113
island is inhabited by French bucaniers, who mostly sell
the flesh they hunt to pirates and others, who now and
then put in there to victual, or trade. Here they unladed
their whole cargazon of riches, the usual storehouse of the
pirates being commonly under the shelter of the bucaniers.
Here they made a dividend of all their prizes and gains,
according to the order and degree of every one, as has
been mentioned before. Having made an exact calculation
of all their plunder, they found in ready money 260,000
pieces of eight : this being divided, every one received for
his share in money, as also in silk, linen, and other com-
modities, to the value of above 100 pieces of eight. Those
who had been wounded received their first part, after the
rate mentioned before, for the loss of their limbs : then
they weighed all the plate uncoined, reckoning ten pieces
of eight to a pound ; the jewels were prized indifferently,
either too high or too low, by reason of their ignorance :
this done, every one was put to his oath again, that he
had not smuggled anything from the common stock.
Hence they proceeded to the dividend of the shares of such
as were dead in battle, or otherwise : these shares were
given to their friends, to be kept entire for them, and to be
delivered in due time to their nearest relations, or their
apparent lawful heirs.
The whole dividend being finished, they set sail for
Tortuga : here they arrived a month after, to the great joy
of most of the island; for as to the common pirates, in
three weeks they had scarce any money left, having spent
it all in things of little value, or lost it at play. Here had
arrived, not long before them, two French ships, with wine
and brandy, and suchlike commodities ; whereby these
liquors, at the arrival of the pirates, were indifferent
cheap. But this lasted nofl long, for soon after they were
enhanced extremely, a gallon of brandy being sold for four
8
114 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
pieces of eight. The governor of the island bought of the
pirates the whole cargo of the ship laden with cocoa, giving
for that rich commodity scarce the twentieth part of its
worth. Thus they made shift to lose and spend the riches
they had got, in much less time than they were purchased:
the taverns and stews, according to the custom of pirates,
got the greatest part ; so that, soon after, they were forced
to seek more by the same unlawful means they had got the
former.
CHAPTEE VIII.
Lolonois makes new preparations to take the city of St. James de
Leon ; as also that of Nicaragua ; where he miserably perishes.
LOLONOIS had got great repute at Tortuga by this last
voyage, because he brought home such considerable
profit ; and now he need take no great care to gather men
to serve under him, more coming in voluntarily than he
could employ ; every one reposing such confidence in his
conduct that they judged it very safe to expose themselves,
in his company, to the greatest dangers. He resolved
therefore a second voyage to the parts of Nicaragua, to
pillage there as many towns as he could.
Having published his new preparations, he had all his
men together at the time, being about seven hundred. Of
these he put three hundred aboard the ship he took at
Maracaibo, and the rest in five other vessels of lesser
burthen ; so that they were in all six ships. The first port
they went to was Bayaha in Hispaniola, to victual the
fleet, and take in provisions ; which done, they steered
their course to a port called Matamana, on ihe south side
of Cuba, intending to take here all the canoes they could ;
these coasts being frequented by the fishers of tortoises,
who carry them hence to the Havannah. They took as
many of them, to the great grief of those miserable people,
as they thought necessary; for they had great use for these
small bottoms, by reason the port they designed for had
116 TEE BUCCANEEES
not depth enough for ships of any burthen. Hence they
took their course towards the cape Gracias a Dios on the
continent, in latitude 15 deg. north, one hundred leagues
from the Island de los Pinos. Being at sea, they were
taken with a sad and tedious calm, and, by the agitation of
the waves alone, were thrown into the gulf of Honduras :
here they laboured hard in vain to regain what they had
lost, both the waters and the winds being contrary; besides,
the ship wherein Lolonois was embarked could not follow
the rest ; and what was worse, they wanted provisions.
Hereupon, they were forced to put into the first port they
could reach, to revictual : so they entered with their canoes
into the river Xagua, inhabited by Indians, whom they
totally destroyed, finding great quantities of millet, and
many hogs and hens : not contented with which, they
determined to remain there till the bad weather was over,
and to pillage all the towns and villages along the coast of
the gulf. Thus they passed from one place to another,
seeking still more provisions, with which they were not
sufficiently supplied. Having searched and rifled many
villages, where they found no great matter, they came at
last to Puerto Cavallo : here the Spaniards have two store-
houses to keep the merchandises that are brought from
the inner parts of the country, till the arrival of the ships.
There was then in the port a Spanish ship of twenty-four
guns, and sixteen pedreros or mortar-pieces : this ship was
immediately seized by the pirates, and then drawing nigh
the shore, they landed, and burnt the two storehouses, with
all the rest of the houses there. Many inhabitants like-
wise they took prisoners, and committed upon them the
most inhuman cruelties that ever heathens invented ;
putting them to the cruellest tortures they could devise. It
was the custom of Lolonois, that having tormented persons
not confessing, he would instantly cut them in pieces with
OF AMERICA. 117
his hanger, and pull out their tongues, desiring to do so, if
possible, to every Spaniard in the world. It often happened
that some of these miserable prisoners, being forced by
the rack, would promise to discover the places where the
fugitive Spaniards lay hid, which not being able afterwards
to perform, they were put to more cruel deaths than they
who were dead before.
The prisoners being all dead but two (whom they reserved
to show them what they desired), they marched hence to
the town of San Pedro, or St. Peter, ten or twelve leagues
from Puerto Cavallo, being three hundred men, whom
Lolonois led, leaving behind him Moses van Vin his lieu-
tenant, to govern the rest in his absence. Being come three
leagues on their way, they met with a troop of Spaniards,
how lay in ambuscade for their coming : these they set
upon, with all the courage imaginable, and at last totally
defeated. Howbeit, they behaved themselves very man-
fully at first ; but not being able to resist the fury of the
pirates, they were forced to give way, and save themselves
by flight, leaving many pirates dead in the place, some
wounded, and some of their own party maimed, by the
way. These Lolonois put to death without mercy, having
asked them what questions he thought fit for his purpose.
There were still remaining some few prisoners not
wounded ; these were asked by Lolonois, if any more
Spaniards did lie farther on in ambuscade ? They
answered, there were. Then being brought before him,
one by one, he asked if there was no other way to the town
but that. This he did to avoid if possible those am-
buscades. But they all constantly answered him they
knew none. Having asked them all, and finding they
could show him no other way, Lolonois grew outrageously
passionate ; so that he drew his cutlass, and with it cut
open the breast of one of those poor Spaniards, and
118 THE BUCCANEEES
pulling out his heart began to bite and gnaw it with his
teeth, like a ravenous wolf, saying to the rest, " I will
serve you all alike, if you show me not another way."
Hereupon, those miserable wretches promised to show
him another way, but withal, they told him, it was
extremely difficult, and laborious. Thus to satisfy that
cruel tyrant, they began to lead him and his army ; but
finding it not for his purpose as they had told him, he was
forced to return to the former way, swearing with great
choler and indignation, " Mort Dieu, les Espagnols me le
payeront. By God's death, the Spaniards shall pay me for
this."
Next day he fell into another ambuscade, which he as-
saulted with such horrible fury, that in less than an hour's
time he routed the Spaniards, and killed the greatest part
of them. The Spaniards thought by these ambuscades
better to destroy the pirates, assaulting them by degrees,
and for this reason had posted themselves in several places.
At last he met with a third ambuscade, where was placed
a party stronger, and more advantageously, than the former :
yet notwithstanding, the pirates, by continually throwing
little fire-balls in great numbers, for some time, forced
this party, as well as the former, to flee, and this with so
great loss of men, that before they could reach the town,
the greatest part of the Spaniards were either killed or
wounded. There was but one path which led to the town,
very well barricaded with good defences ; and the rest of
the town round was planted with shrubs called raqueltes,
full of thorns very sharp pointed. This sort of fortification
seemed stronger than the triangles used in Europe, when
an army is of necessity to pass by the place of an enemy ;
it being almost impossible for the pirates to traverse those
shrubs. The Spaniards posted behind the said defences,
seeing the pirates come, began to ply them with their great
OF AMERICA. 119
guns ; but these perceiving them ready to fire, used to
stoop down, and when the shot was made, to fall upon the
defendants with fire-balls and naked swords, killing many
of the town : yet notwithstanding, not being able to advance
any farther, they retired, for the present : then they
renewed the attack with fewer men than before, and ob-
serving not to shoot, till they were very nigh, they gave the
Spaniards a charge so dextrously, that with every shot
they killed an enemy.
The attack continuing thus eager on both sides till night,
the Spaniards were compelled to hang forth a white flag,
and desired to come to a parley : the only conditions they
required were, " that the pirates should give the inhabi-
tants quarter for two hours." This little time they deman-
ded with intent to carry away and hide as much of their
goods and riches as they could, and to fly to some other
neighbouring town. Granting this article, they entered
the town, and continued there the two hours, without
committing the least hostility on the inhabitants ; but no
sooner was that time past, than Lolonois ordered that the
inhabitants should be followed, and robbed of all they had
carried away ; and not only their goods, but their persons
likewise to be made prisoners ; though the greatest part of
their merchandise and goods were so hid, as the pirates
could not find them, except a few leathern sacks, filled with
anil, or indigo.
Having stayed here a few days, and, according to their
custom, committed most horrid insolences, they at last
quitted the place, carrying away all they possibly could,
and reducing the town to ashes. Being come to the sea-
side, where they left a party of their own, they found these
had been cruising upon the fishermen thereabouts, or who
came that way from the river of Guatemala : in this river
was also expected a ship from Spain. Finally, they
120 THE BUCCANEERS
resolved to go toward the islands on the other side of the
gulf, there to cleanse and careen their vessels ; but they
left two canoes before the coast, or rather the mouth of the
river of Guatemala, in order to take the ship, which, as I
said, was expected from Spain.
But their chief intent in going hither was to seek pro-
visions, knowing the tortoises of those places are excellent
food. Being arrived, they divided themselves, each party
choosing a fit post for that fishery. They undertook to
knit nets with the rinds of certain trees called macoa,
whereof they make also ropes and cables ; so that no vessel
can be in need of such things, if they can but find the said
trees. There are also many places where they find pitch
in so great abundance, that running down the sea-coasts,
being melted by the sun, it congeals in the water in great
heaps, like small islands. This pitch is not like that of
Europe, but resembles, both in colour and shape, that
froth of the sea called bitumen ; but, in my judgment, this
matter is nothing but wax mixed with sand, which stormy
weather, and the rolling waves of great rivers hath cast
into the sea ; for in those parts are great quantities of bees
who make their honey in trees, to the bodies of which the
honeycomb being fixed, when tempests arise, they are torn
away, and by the fury of the winds carried into the sea, as
is said. Some naturalists say, that the honey and the
wax are separated by the salt water ; whence proceeds the
good amber. This opinion seems the more probable,
because the said amber tastes as wax doth.
But to return to my discourse. The pirates made in
those islands all the haste they possibly could to equip
their vessels, hearing that the Spanish ship was come
which they expected. They spent some time cruising on
the coasts of Jucatan, where inhabit many Indians, who
seek for the said amber in those seas. And I shall here,
OF AMERICA. 121
by the by, make some short remarks on the manner of
living of the Indians, and their religion.
They have now been above a hundred years under the
Spaniards, to whom they performed all manner of services ;
for whensoever any of them needed a slave or servant,
they sent for these to serve them as long as they pleased.
By the Spaniards they were initiated in the principles of
the Christian faith and religion, and they sent them every
Sunday and holiday a priest to perform divine service
among them ; afterwards, for reasons not known, but
certainly through temptations of the father of idolatry, the
devil, they suddenly cast off the Christian religion, abusing
the priest that was sent them : this provoked the Spaniards
to punish them, by casting many of the chief into prison.
Every one of those barbarians had, and hath still, a god to
himself, whom he serves and worships. It is a matter of
admiration, how they use a child newly born : as soon as
it comes into the world, they carry it to the temple ; here
they make a hole, which they fill with ashes only, on
which they place the child naked, leaving it there a whole
night alone, not without great danger, nobody daring to
come near it ; meanwhile the temple is open on all sides,
that all sorts of beasts may freely come in and out. Next
day, the father, and relations of the infant, return to see if
the track or step of any animal appears in the ashes : not
finding any, they leave the child there till some beast has
approached the infant, and left behind him the marks of
his feet : to this animal, whatsoever it be, they consecrate
the creature newly born, as to its god, which he is bound
to worship all his life, esteeming the said beast his patron
and protector. They offer to their gods sacrifices of fire,
wherein they burn a certain gum called by them copal,
whose smoke smells very deliciously. When the infant is
grown up, the parents thereof tell him who he ought to
122 THE BUCCANEERS
worship, serve, and honour as his own proper god. Then
he goes to the temple, where he makes offerings to the
said beast. Afterwards, if in the course of his life, any
one injure him, or any evil happen to him, he complains
to that beast, and sacrifices to it for revenge. Hence it
often comes, that those who have done the injury of which
he complains are bitten, killed, or otherwise hurt by such
animals.
After this superstitious and idolatrous manner live those
miserable and ignorant Indians that inhabit the islands of
the gulf of Honduras ; as also many of them on the con-
tinent of Jucatan, in the territories whereof are most
excellent ports, where those Indians most commonly build
their houses. These people are not very faithful to one
another, and use strange ceremonies at their marriages.
Whensoever any one pretends to marry a young damsel,
he first applies himself to her father or nearest relation :
he examines him nicely about the manner of cultivating
their plantations, and other things at his pleasure. Having
satisfied the questions of his father-in-law, he gives the
young man a bow and arrow, with which he repairs to the
young maid, and presents her with a garland of green
leaves and sweet-smelling flowers ; this she is obliged to
put on her head, and lay aside that which she wore before,
it being the custom for virgins to go perpetually crowned
with flowers. This garland being received, and put on her
head, every one of the relations and friends go to advise
with others, whether that marriage will be like to be happy
or not ; then they meet at the house of the damsel's father,
where they drink of a liquor made of maize, or Indian
wheat ; and here, before the whole company, the father
gives his daughter in marriage to the bridegroom. Next
day the bride comes to her mother, and in her presence
pulls off the garland, and tears it in pieces, with great
OF AMERICA. 123
cries and lamentations. Many other things I could relate
of the manner of living and customs of those Indians, but
I shall follow my discourse.
Our pirates therefore had many canoes of the Indians in
the isle of Sambale, five leagues from the coasts of Jucatan.
Here is great quantity of amber, but especially when any
storm arises from towards the east ; whence the waves
bring many things, and very different. Through this sea
no vessels can pass, unless very small, it being too shallow.
In the lands that are surrounded by this sea, is found
much Campechy wood, and other things that serve for
dyeing, much esteemed in Europe, and would be more, if
we had the skill of the Indians, who make a dye or tincture
that never fades.
The pirates having been in that gulf three months, and
receiving advice that the Spanish ship was come, hastened
to the port where the ship lay at anchor unlading her
merchandise, with design to assault her as soon as
possible ; but first they thought convenient to send away
some of their boats to seek for a small vessel also expected
very richly laden with plate, indigo, and cochineal. Mean-
while, the ship's crew having notice that the pirates
designed upon them, prepared all things for a good defence,
being mounted with forty-two guns, well furnished with
arms and other necessaries, and one hundred and thirty
fighting men. To Lolonois all this seemed but little, for
he assaulted her with great courage, his own ship carrying
but twenty-two guns, and having no more than a small
saety or fly-boat for help : but the Spaniards defended
themselves so well, as they forced the pirates to retire ;
but the smoke of the powder continuing thick, as a dark
fog or mist, with four canoes well manned, they boarded
the ship with great agility, and forced the Spaniards to
surrender,
124 THE BUCCANEERS
The ship being taken, they found not in her what they
thought, being already almost unladen. All they got was
only fifty bars of iron, a small parcel of paper, some
earthen jars of wine, and other things of small importance.
Then Lolonois called a council of war, and told them,
he intended for Guatemala : hereupon they divided into
several sentiments, some liking the proposal, and others-
disliking it, especially a party of them who were but raw-
in those exercises, and who imagined at their setting forth
from Tortuga that pieces of eight were gathered as easy
as pears from a tree ; but finding most things contrary to-
their expectation, they quitted the fleet, and returned ;
others affirmed they had rather starve than return home
without a great deal of money.
But the major part judging the propounded voyage little
to their purpose, separated from Lolonois and the rest : of
these one Moses Vanclein was ringleader, captain of the
ship taken at Puerto Cavallo : this fellow steered for Tor-
tuga, to cruise to and fro in these seas. With him joined
another comrade of his, by name Pierre le Picard, who
seeing the rest leave Lolonois, thought fit to do the same.
These runaways having thus parted company, steered
homewards, coasting along the continent till they came to
Costa Eica ; here they landed a strong party nigh the
river Veraguas, and marched in good order to the town of
the same name : this they took and totally pillaged, though
the Spaniards made a strong resistance. They brought
away some of the inhabitants as prisoners, with all they
had, which was of no great importance, by reason of the
poverty of the place, which exerciseth no other trade than
working in the mines, where some of the inhabitants
constantly attend, while none seek for gold, but only slaves.
These they compel to dig and wash the earth in the neigh-
bouring rivers, where often they find pieces of gold as big
OF AMERICA. 1'25
as peas. The pirates gaining in this adventure but seven
or eight pounds weight of gold, they returned, giving over
'the design to go to the town of Nata, situate on the coasts
of the South Sea, whose inhabitants are rich merchants,
and their slaves work in the mines of Veraguas ; being
deterred by the multitudes of Spaniards gathered on all
sides to fall upon them, whereof they had timely advice.
Lolonois, thus left by his companions, remained alone
in the gulf of Honduras. His ship being too great to get
out at the reflux of those seas, there he sustained great
want of provisions, so as they were constrained to go
ashore every day to seek sustenance, and not finding any-
thing else, they were forced to kill and eat monkeys, and
other animals, such as they could find.
At last in the altitude of the cape of Gracias a Dios,
near a certain little island called De las Pertas, his ship
struck on a bank of sand, where it stuck so fast, as no art
could get her off again, though they unladed all the guns,
iron, and other weighty things as much as they could.
Hereupon they were forced to break the ship in pieces, and
with planks and nails build themselves a boat to get away ;
and while they are busy about it, I shall describe the said
isles and their inhabitants.
The islands De las Pertas are inhabited by savage
Indians, not having known or conversed with civil people :
they are tall and very nimble, running almost as fast as
horses ; at diving also they are very dextrous and hardy.
From the bottom of the sea I saw them take up an anchor
of six hundredweight, tying a cable to it with great dex-
terity, and pulling it from a rock. Their arms are made
of wood, without any iron point ; but some instead thereof
use a crocodile's tooth. They have no bows nor arrows, as
the other Indians have, but their common weapon is a sort
of lance a fathom and a half long. Here are many
126 THE BUCCANEERS
plantations surrounded with woods, whence they gather
abundance of fruits, as potatoes, bananas, racoven, ananas,
and many others. They have no houses to dwell in, as at
other places in the Indies. Some say they eat human
flesh, which is confirmed by what happened when Lolonois
was there. Two of his companions, one a Frenchman and
the other a Spaniard, went into the woods, where having
straggled awhile, a troop of Indians pursued them. They
defended themselves as well as they could with their swords,
but at last were forced to flee. The nimble Frenchman
escaped ; but the Spaniard being not so swift, was taken
arid heard of no more. Some days after, twelve pirates
set forth well armed to seek their companion, among whom
was the Frenchman, who conducted them, and showed
them the place where he left him ; here they found that
the Indians had kindled a fire, and at a small distance they
found a man's bones well roasted, with some pieces of
flesh ill scraped off the bones, and one hand, which had
only two fingers remaining, whence they concluded they
had roasted the poor Spaniard.
They marched on, seeking for Indians, and found a
great number together, who endeavoured to escape, but
they overtook some of them, and brought aboard their
ships five men and four women ; with these they took much
pains to make themselves be understood, and to gain their
affections, giving them trifles, as knives, beads, and the
like ; they gave them also victuals and drink, but nothing
would they taste. It was also observable, that while they
were prisoners, they spoke not one word to each other ; so
that seeing these poor Indians were much afraid, they
presented them again with some small things, and let them
go. When they parted, they made signs they would come
again, but they soon forgot their benefactors, and were
never heard of more ; neither could any notice afterwards
OF AMERICA. 127
be had of these Indians, nor any others in the -whole
island, which made the pirates suspect that both those
that were taken, and all the rest of the islanders, swam
away by night to some little neighbouring islands, espe-
cially considering they could never set eyes on any Indian
more, nor any boat or other vessel. Meanwhile the
pirates were very desirous to see their long-boat finished
out of the timber that struck on the sands ; yet considering
their work would be long, they began to cultivate some
pieces of ground ; here they sowed French beans, which
ripened in six weeks, and many other fruits. They had
good provision of Spanish wheat, bananas, racoven, and
other things ; with the wheat they made bread, and baked
it in portable ovens,. brought with them. Thus they feared
not hunger in those desert places, employing themselves
thus for five or six months ; which past, and the long-boat
finished, they resolved for the river of Nicaragua, to see if
they could take some canoes, and return to the said islands
for their. companions that remained behind, by reason the
boat could not hold so many men together ; hereupon, to
avoid disputes, they cast lots, determining who should go
or stay.
The lot fell on one half of the people of the lost vessel,
who embarked in the long-boat, and on the skiff which they
had before, the other half remaining ashore. Lolonois
having set sail, arrived in a few days at the river of
Nicaragua : here that ill-fortune assailed him which of long
time had been reserved for him, as a punishment due to the
multitude of horrible crimes committed in his licentious
and wicked life. Here he met with both Spaniards and
Indians, who jointly setting upon him and his companions,
the greatest part of the pirates were killed on the place.
Lolonois, with those that remained alive, had much ado to
escape aboard their boats : yet notwithstanding this great
128 THE BUCCANEERS
loss, he resolved not to return to those he had left at the
isle of Pertas, without taking some boats, such as he looked
for. To this effect he determined to go on to the coasts of
Carthagena; but God Almighty, the time of His Divine
justice being now come, had appointed the Indians of
Darien to be the instruments and executioners thereof.
These Indians of Darien are esteemed as bravoes, or wild
savage Indians, by the neighbouring Spaniards, who never
could civilize them. Hither Lolonois came (brought by
his evil conscience that cried for punishment), thinking to
act his cruelties ; but the Indians within a few days after
his arrival took him prisoner, and tore him in pieces alive,
throwing his body limb by limb into the fire, and his ashes
into the air, that no trace or memory might remain of such
an infamous, inhuman creature. One of his companions
gave me an exact account of this tragedy, affirming that
himself had escaped the same punishment with the greatest
difficulty ; he believed also that many of his comrades, who
were taken in that encounter by those Indians, were, as
their cruel captain, torn in pieces and burnt alive. Thus
ends the history, the life, and miserable death of that
infernal wretch Lolonois, who full of horrid, execrable, and
enormous deeds, and debtor to so much innocent blood,
died by cruel and butcherly hands, such as his own were
in the course of his life.
Those that remained in the island De las Pertas, waiting
for the return of them who got away only to their great
misfortune, hearing no news of their captain nor com-
panions, at last embarked on the ship of a certain pirate,
who happened to pass that way. This fellow came from
Jamaica, with intent to land at Gracias a Dios, and from
thence to enter the river with his canoes, and take the city
of Carthagena. These two crews of pirates being now
joined, were infinitely glad at the presence and society of
OF AMEEICA. 129
one another. Those, because they found themselves de-
livered from their miseries, poverty, and necessities,
wherein they had lived ten entire months. These, because
they were now considerably strengthened, to effect with
greater satisfaction their designs. Hereupon, as soon as
they were arrived at Gracias a Dios, they all put themselves
into canoes, and entered the river, being five hundred men,
leaving only five or six persons in each ship to keep them.
They took no provisions, being persuaded they should find
everywhere sufficient ; but these their hopes were found
totally vain, not being grounded on Almighty God ; for He
ordained it so, that the Indians, aware of their coming, all
fled, not leaving in their houses or plantations, which for
the most part border on the sides of rivers, any necessary
provisions or victuals : hereby, in a few days after they
had quitted their ships, they were reduced to most extreme
necessity and hunger ; but their hopes of making their
fortunes very soon, animating them for the present, they
contented themselves with a few green herbs, such as they
could gather on the banks of the river.
Yet all this courage and vigour lasted but a fortnight,
when their hearts, as well as bodies, began to fail for
hunger ; insomuch as they were forced to quit the river,
and betake themselves to the woods, seeking out some
villages where they might find relief, but all in vain ; for
having ranged up and down the woods for some days,
without finding the least comfort, they were forced to
return to the river, where being come, they thought con-
venient to descend to the sea-coast where they had left their
ships, not having been able to find what they sought for.
In this laborious journey they were reduced to such ex-
tremity, that many of them devoured their own shoes, the
sheaths of their swords, knives, and other such things,
being almost ravenous, and eager to meet some Indians,
9
130 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
intending to sacrifice them to their teeth. At last they
arrived at the sea-coast, where they found some comfort
and relief to their former miseries, and also means to seek
more : yet the greatest part perished through faintness
and other diseases contracted by hunger, which also
caused the remaining part to disperse, till at last, by
degrees, many or most of them fell into the same pit that
Lolonois did ; of whom, and of whose companions, having
given a compendious narrative, I shall continue with the
actions and exploits of Captain Henry Morgan, who may
deservedly be called the second Lolonois, not being unlike
or inferior to him, either in achievements against the
Spaniards, or in robberies of many innocent people.
CHAPTEE IX.
The origin and descent of Captain Henry Morgan His exploits, and
the most remarkable actions of his life.
CAPTAIN HENRY MORGAN was born in Great
Britain, in the principality of Wales; his father was
a rich yeoman, or farmer, of good quality, even as most
who bear that name in Wales are known to be. Morgan,
when young, had no inclination to the calling of his father,
and therefore left his country, and came towards the sea-
coasts to seek some other employment more suitable to his
aspiring humour ; where he found several ships at anchor,
bound for Barbadoes. With these he resolved to go in the
service of one, who, according to the practice of those parts,
sold him as soon as he came ashore. He served his time
at Barbadoes, and obtaining his liberty, betook himself to
Jamaica, there to seek new fortunes : here he found two
vessels of pirates ready to go to sea ; and being destitute
of employment, he went with them, with intent to follow
the exercises of that sort of people : he soon learned their
manner of living, so exactly, that having performed three
or four voyages with profit and success, he agreed with
some of his comrades, who had got by the same voyages a
little money, to join stocks, and buy a ship. The vessel
being bought, they unanimously chose him captain and
commander.
With this ship he set forth from Jamaica to cruise on
132 THE BUCCANEERS
the coasts of Campechy, in which voyage he took several
ships, with which he returned triumphant. Here he found
an old pirate, named Mansvelt (whom we have already
mentioned), busied in equipping a considerable fleet, with
design to land on the continent, and pillage whatever he
could. Mansvelt seeing Captain Morgan return with so
many prizes, judged him to be a man of courage, and chose
him for his vice-admiral in that expedition : thus having
fitted out fifteen ships, great and small, they sailed from
Jamaica with five hundred men, Walloons and French.
This fleet arrived, not long after, at the isle of St.
Catherine, near the continent of Costa Eica, latitude
12 deg. 30 min. and distant thirty-five leagues from the
river Chagre. Here they made their first descent, landing
most of their men, who soon forced the garrison that kept
the island to surrender all the forts and castles thereof ;
which they instantly demolished, except one, wherein they
placed a hundred men of their own party, and all the
slaves they had taken from the Spaniards : with the rest of
their men they marched to another small island, so near
St. Catherine's, that with a bridge they made in a few
days, they passed thither, taking with them all the
ordnance they had taken on the great island. Having
ruined with fire and sword both the islands, leaving neces-
sary orders at the said castle, they put to sea again, with
their Spanish prisoners ; yet these they set ashore not
long after, on the firm land, near Puerto Velo : then they
cruised on Costa Eica, till they came to the river Colla,
designing to pillage all the towns in those parts, thence to
pass to the village of Nata, to do the same.
The governor of Panama, on advice of their arrival, and
of the hostilities they committed, thought it his duty to
meet them with a body of men. His coming caused the
pirates to retire suddenly, seeing the whole country was
OF AMERICA. 133
alarmed, and that their designs were known, and conse-
quently defeated at that time. Hereupon, they returned
to St. Catherine's, to visit the hundred men they left in
garrison there. The governor of these men was a French-
man, named Le Sieur Simon, who behaved himself very
well in that charge, while Mansvelt was absent, having put
the great island in a very good posture of defence, and the
little one he had caused to be cultivated with many fertile
plantations, sufficient to revictual the whole fleet, not only
for the present, but also for a new voyage. Mansvelt was
very much bent to keep the two islands in perpetual pos-
session, being very commodiously situated for the pirates ;
being so near the Spanish dominions, and easily defended.
Hereupon, Mansvelt determined to return to Jamaica, to
send recruits to St. Catherine's, that in case of an invasion
the pirates might be provided for a defence. As soon as
he arrived, he propounded his intentions to the governor
there, who rejected his propositions, fearing to displease
his master, the king of England ; besides, that giving him
the men he desired, and necessaries, he must of necessity
diminish the forces of that island, whereof he was governor.
Hereupon, Mansvelt, knowing that of himself he could not
compass his designs, he went to Tortuga ; but there, before
he could put in execution what was intended, death sur-
prised him, and put a period to his wicked life, leaving all
things in suspense till the occasion I shall hereafter relate.
Le Sieur Simon, governor of St. Catherine's, receiving
no news from Mansvelt, his admiral, was impatiently
desirous to know the cause thereof : meanwhile, Don John
Perez de Guzman, being newly come to the government of
Costa Kica, thought it not convenient for the interest of
Spain for that island to be in the hands of the pirates :
hereupon, he equipped a considerable fleet, which he sent
to retake it ; but before he used violence, he writ a letter
134 THE BUCCANEEES
to Le Sieur Simon, telling him, that if he would surrender
the island to his Catholic Majesty, he should be very well
rewarded ; but, in case of refusal, severely punished, when
he had forced him to do it. Le Sieur Simon, seeing no
probability of being able to defend it alone, nor any emolu-
ment that by so doing could accrue either to him, or his
people, after some small resistance delivered it up to its
true lord and master, under the same articles they had
obtained it from the Spaniards ; a few days after which
surrender, there arrived from Jamaica an English ship,
which the governor there had sent underhand, with a good
supply of people, both men and women : the Spaniards
from the castle having espied the ship, put forth English
colours, and persuaded Le Sieur Simon to go aboard, and
conduct the ship into a port they assigned him. This he
performed and they were all made prisoners. A certain
Spanish engineer has published in print an exact relation
of the retaking of this isle by the Spaniards, which I have
thought fit to insert here :
A true relation, and particular account of the, victory obtained
by the arms of his Catholic Majesty against the English
pirates, ~by the direction and valour of Don John Perez
de Guzman, knight of the order of St. James, governor
and captain-general of Terra Firma, and the Province
of Veraguas.
THE kingdom of Terra Firma, which of itself is sufficiently
strong to repel and destroy great fleets, especially the
pirates of Jamaica, had several ways notice imparted to
the governor thereof, that fourteen English vessels cruised
on the coasts belonging to his Catholic Majesty. July 14,
1665. news came to Panama, that they were arrived at
Puerto de Naos, and had forced the Spanish garrison of the
OF AMERICA. 135
isle of St. Catherine, whose governor was Don Estevan del
Campo, and possessed themselves of the said island, taking
prisoners the inhabitants, and destroying all that they met.
About the same time, Don John Perez de Guzman received
particular information of these robberies from some
Spaniards who escaped out of the island (and whom he
ordered to be conveyed to Puerto Velo), that the said
pirates came into the island May 2, by night, without
being perceived ; and that the next day, after some
skirmishes, they took the fortresses, and made prisoners
all the inhabitants and soldiers that could not escape.
Upon this, Don John called a council of war, wherein he
declared the great progress the said pirates had made in
the dominions of his Catholic Majesty ; and propounded
" that it was absolutely necessary to send some forces to
the isle of St. Catherine, sufficient to retake it from the
pirates, the honour and interest of his Majesty of Spain
being very narrowly concerned herein ; otherwise the
pirates by such conquests might easily, in course of time,
possess themselves of all the countries thereabouts." To
this some made answer, "that the pirates, not being able
to subsist in the said island, would of necessity consume
and waste themselves, and be forced to quit it, without any
necessity of retaking it : that consequently it was not worth
the while to engage in so many expenses and troubles as
this would cost." Notwithstanding which, Don John being
an expert and valiant soldier, ordered that provisions
should be conveyed to Puerto Velo for the use of the
militia, and transported himself thither, with no small
danger of his life. Here he arrived July 2, with most
things necessary to the expedition in hand, where he found
in the port a good ship, and well mounted, called the St.
Vincent, that belonged to the company of the negroes,
which he manned and victualled very well, and sent to the
136 THE BUCCANEERS
isle of St. Catherine, constituting Captain Joseph Sanchez
Ximenez, major of Puerto Velo, commander thereof. He
carried with him two hundred and seventy soldiers, and
thirty-seven prisoners of the same island, besides thirty-
four Spaniards of the garrison of Puerto Velo, twenty-nine
mulattoes of Panama, twelve Indians, very dextrous at
shooting with bows and arrows, seven expert and able
gunners, two lieutenants, two pilots, one surgeon, and one
religious, of the order of St. Francis, for their chaplain.
Don John soon after gave orders to all the officers how
to behave themselves, telling them that the governor of
Carthagena would supply them with more men, boats, and
all things else, necessary for that enterprise ; to which
effect he had already written to the said governor. July
24, Don John setting sail with a fair wind, he called
before him all his people, and made them a speech,
encouraging them to fight against the enemies of their
country and religion, and especially against those inhuman
pirates, who had committed so many horrid cruelties upon
the subjects of his Catholic Majesty ; withal, promising
every one most liberal rewards, especially to such as
should behave themselves well in the service of their king
and country. Thus Don John bid them farewell, and the
ship set sail under a favourable gale. The 22nd they
arrived at Carthagena, and presented a letter to the
governor thereof, from the noble and valiant Don John,
who received it with testimonies of great affection to the
person of Don John, and his Majesty's service : and seeing
their resolution to be conformable to his desires, he promised
them his assistance, with one frigate, one galleon, one
boat, and one hundred and twenty-six men ; one half out
of his own garrison, and the other half mulattoes. Thus
being well provided with necessaries, they left the port of
Carthagena, August 2, and the 10th they arrived in sight
OF AMEEICA. 137
of St. Catherine's towards the western point thereof ; and
though the wind was contrary, yet they reached the port,
and anchored within it, having lost one of their boats by
foul weather, at the rock called Quita Signos.
The pirates, seeing our ships come to an anchor, gave them
presently three guns with bullets, which were soon answered
in the same coin. Hereupon, Major Joseph Sanchez Xi-
menez sent ashore to the pirates one of his officers to
require them, in the name of the Catholic King his master,
to surrender the island, seeing they had taken it in the
midst of peace between the two crowns of Spain and
England ; and that if they would be obstinate, he would
certainly put them all to the sword. The pirates made
answer, that the island had once before belonged unto the
government and dominions of the king of England, and
that instead of surrendering it, they preferred to lose their
lives.
On Friday the 13th, three negroes, from the enemy,
came swimming aboard our admiral ; these brought
intelligence, that all the pirates upon the island were
only seventy-two in number, and that they were under a
great consternation, seeing such considerable forces come
against them. With this intelligence, the Spaniards
resolved to land, and advance towards the fortresses,
which ceased not to fire as many great guns against them
as they possibly could ; which were answered in the same
manner on our side, till dark night. On Sunday, the 15th,
the day of the Assumption of our Lady, the weather being
very calm and clear, the Spaniards began to advance thus :
The ship St. Vincent, riding admiral, discharged two whole
broadsides on the battery called the Conception ; the ship
St. Peter, that was vice-admiral, discharged likewise her
guns against the other battery named St. James : mean-
while, our people landed in small boats, directing their
138 THE BUCCANEERS
course towards the point of the battery last mentioned, and
thence they marched towards the gate called Cortadura.
Lieutenant Francis de Cazeres, being desirous to view
the strength of the enemy, with only fifteen men, was
compelled to retreat in haste, by reason of the great guns,
which played so furiously on the place where he stood ;
they shooting, not only pieces of iron, and small bullets,
but also the organs of the church, discharging in every
shot threescore pipes at a time.
Notwithstanding this heat of the enemy, Captain Don
Joseph Eamirez de Leyva, with sixty men, made a strong
attack, wherein they fought on both sides very desperately,
till at last he overcame, and forced the pirates to surrender
the fort.
On the other side, Captain John Galeno, with ninety
men, passed over the hills, to advance that way towards
the castle of St. Teresa. Meanwhile Major Don Joseph
Sanchez Ximenes, as commander-in- chief, with the rest of
his men, set forth from the battery of St. James, passing
the port with four boats, and landing, in despite of the
enemy. About this same time, Captain John Galeno
began to advance with the men he led to the foremen-
tioned fortress ; so that our men made three attacks on
three several sides, at one and the same time, with great
courage ; till the pirates seeing many of their men already
killed, and that they could in no manner subsist any
longer, retreated towards Cortadura, where they sur-
rendered, themselves and the whole island, into our hands.
Our people possessed themselves of all, and -set up the
Spanish colours, as soon as they had rendered thanks to
God Almighty for the victory obtained on such a signal-
ized day. The number of dead were six men of the
enemies, with many wounded, and seventy prisoners : on
our side was only one man killed, and four wounded.
OF AMERICA. 139
There were found on the island eight hundred pounds of
powder, two hundred and fifty pounds of small bullets, with
many other military provisions. Among the prisoners
were taken also, two Spaniards, who had bore arms under
the English against his Catholic Majesty : these were shot
to death the next day, by order of the major. The 10th
day of September arrived at the isle an English vessel,
which being seen at a great distance by the major, he
ordered Le Sieur Simon, who was a Frenchman, to go and
visit the said ship, and tell them that were on board, that
the island belonged still to the English. He performed
the command, and found in the said ship only fourteen
men, one woman and her daughter, who were all instantly
made prisoners.
The English pirates were all transported to Puerto Velo,
excepting three, who by order of the governor were carried
to Panama, there to work in the castle of St. Jerom. This
fortification is an excellent piece of workmanship, and very
strong, being raised in the middle of the port of a quadran-
gular form, and of very hard stone : its height is eighty-
eight geometrical feet, the wall being fourteen, and the
curtains seventy-five feet diameter. It was built at the
expense of several private persons, the governor of the city
furnishing the greatest part of the money ; so that it cost
his Majesty nothing.
CHAPTEB X.
Of the Island of Cuba Captain Morgan attempts to preserve the Isle
of St. Catherine as a refuge to the nest of pirates, but fails of his
design He arrives at and takes the village of El Puerto del
Principe.
CAPTAIN MOKGAN seeing his predecessor and admiral
Mansvelt were dead, used all the means that were
possible, to keep in possession the isle of St. Catherine,
seated near Cuba. His chief intent was to make it a
refuge and sanctuary to the pirates of those parts, putting
it in a condition of being a convenient receptacle of their
preys and robberies. To this effect he left no stone un-
moved, writing to several merchants in Virginia and
New England, persuading them to send him provisions
and necessaries, towards putting the said island in such a
posture of defence, as to fear no danger of invasion from
any side. But all this proved ineffectual, by the -Spaniards
retaking the said island : yet Captain Morgan retained his
courage, which put him on new designs. First, he equipped
a ship, in order to gather a fleet as great, and as strong as
he could. By degrees he effected it, and gave orders to
every member of his fleet to meet at a certain port of
Cuba, there determining to call a council, and deliberate
what was best to be done, and what place first to fall upon.
Leaving these preparations in this condition, I shall give
my reader some small account of the said isle of Cuba, in
THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 141
whose port this expedition was hatched, seeing I omitted
to do it in its proper place.
Cuba lies from east to west, in north latitude, from 20
to 23 deg. in length one hundred and fifty German leagues,
and about forty in breadth. Its fertility is equal to that of
Hispaniola ; besides which, it affords many things proper
for trading and commerce ; such as hides of several beasts,
particularly those that in Europe are called hides of Ha-
vanna. On all sides it is surrounded with many small
islands, called the Cayos : these little islands the pirates
use as ports of refuge. Here they have their meetings,
and hold their councils, how best to assault the Spaniards.
It is watered on all sides with plentiful and pleasant rivers,
whose entries form both secure and spacious ports ; beside
many other harbours for ships, which along the calm shores
and coasts adorn this rich and beautiful island ; all which
contribute much to its happiness, by facilitating trade,
whereto they invited both natives and aliens. The chief
of these ports are San Jago, Byame, Santa Maria, Espiritu
Santo, Trinidad, Zagoa, Cabo de Corientes, and others, on
the south side of the island : on the north side are, La
Havanna, Puerto Mariano, Santa Cruz, Mata Eicos, and
Barracoa.
This island hath two chief cities, to which all the towns
and villages thereof give obedience. The first is Santa
Jago, or St. James, seated on the south side, and having
under its jurisdiction one half of the island. The chief
magistrates hereof are a bishop and a governor, who
command the villages and towns of the said half. The
chief of these are, on the south side, Espiritu Santo, Puerto
del Principe, and Bayame. On the north it has Barracoa,
and De los Cayos. The greatest part of the commerce
driven here comes from the Canaries, whither they trans-
port much tobacco, sugar, and hides, which sort of
142 THE BUCCANEERS
merchandise are drawn to the head city from the subor-
dinate towns and villages. Formerly the city of Santa
Jago was miserably sacked by the pirates of Jamaica and
Tortuga, though it is defended by a considerable castle.
The city and port De la Havanna lies between the north
and west side of the island : this is one of the strongest
places of the West Indies ; its jurisdiction extends over the
other half of the island ; the chief places under it being
Santa Cruz on the north side, and La Trinidad on the south.
Hence is transported huge quantities of tobacco, which is
sent to New Spain and Costa Eica, even as far as the South
Sea, besides many ships laden with this commodity, that
are consigned to Spain and other parts of Europe, not only
in the leaf, but in rolls. This city is defended by three
castles, very great and strong, two of which lie towards the
port, and the other is seated on a hill that commands the
town. It is . esteemed to contain about ten thousand
families. The merchants of this place trade in New
Spain, Campechy, Honduras, and Florida. All ships that
come from the parts before mentioned, as also from
Caraccas, Carthagena and Costa Eica, are necessitated to
take their provisions in at Havanna to make their voyage
for Spain ; this being the necessary and straight course
they must steer for the south of Europe, and other parts.
The plate-fleet of Spain, which the Spaniards call Flota,
being homeward bound, touches here yearly to complete
their cargo with hides, tobacco, and Campechy wood.
Captain Morgan had been but two months in these ports
of the south of Cuba, when he had got together a fleet of
twelve sail, between ships and great boats, with seven
hundred fighting men, part English and part French.
They called a council, and some advised to assault the
city of Havanna in the night, which they said might easily
be done, if they could but take any few of the ecclesiastics;
OF AMEEICA. 143
yea, that the city might be sacked before the castles could
put themselves in a posture of defence. Others propounded,
according to their several opinions, other attempts ; but
the former proposal was rejected, because many of the
pirates, who had been prisoners at other times in the said
city, affirmed nothing of consequence could be done with
less than one thousand five hundred men. Moreover, that
with all these people, they ought first to go to the island
De los Pinos, and land them in small boats about Matamona,
fourteen leagues from the said city, whereby to accomplish
their designs.
Finally, they saw no possibility of gathering so great a
fleet, and hereupon, with what they had, they concluded to
attempt some other place. Among the rest, one propounded
they should assault the town of El Puerto del Principe.
This proposition he persuaded to, by saying he knew that
place very well, and that being at a distance from sea, it
never was sacked by any pirates, whereby the inhabitants
were rich, exercising their trade by ready money, with
those of Havanna who kept here an established commerce,
chiefly in hides. This proposal was presently admitted by
Captain Morgan, and the chief of his companions. Here-
upon they ordered every captain to weigh anchor and set
sail, steering towards that coast nearest to El Puerto del
Principe. Here is a bay named by the Spaniards El
Puerto de Santa Maria : being arrived at this bay, a
Spaniard, who was prisoner aboard the fleet, swam ashore
by night to the town of el Puerto del Principe, giving an
account to the inhabitants of the design of the pirates,
which he overheard in their discourse, while they thought
he did not understand English. The Spaniards upon this
advice began to hide their riches, and carry away their
movables ; the governor immediately raised all the people
of the town, freemen and slaves, and with part of them
144 TEE BUCCANEERS
took a post by which of necessity the pirates must pass,
and commanded many trees to be cut down and laid
cross the ways to hinder their passage, placing several
ambuscades strengthened with some pieces of cannon to
play upon them on their march. He gathered in all about
eight hundred men, of which detaching part into the said
ambuscades, with the rest he begirt the town, drawing
them up in a spacious field, whence they could see the
coming of the pirates at length. .
Captain Morgan, with his men, now on the march,
found the avenues to the town unpassable ; hereupon they
took their way through the wood, traversing it with great
difficulty, whereby they escaped divers ambuscades ; at
last they came to the plain, from its figure called by the
Spaniards La Savanna, or the Sheet. The governor seeing
them come, detached a troop of horse to charge them in
the front, thinking to disperse them, and to pursue them
with his main body : but this design succeeded not, for the
pirates marched in very good order, at the sound of their
drums, and with flying colours ; coming near the horse
they drew into a semicircle, and so advanced towards the
Spaniards, who charged them valiantly for a while ; but
the pirates being very dextrous at their arms, and their
governor, with many of their companions, being killed,
they retreated towards the wood, to save themselves with
more advantage ; but before they could reach it, most
of them were unfortunately killed by the pirates. Thus
they left the victory to these new-come enemies, who had
no considerable loss of men in the battle, and but very
few wounded. The skirmish lasted four hours : they
entered the town not without great resistance of such as
were within, who defended themselves as long as possible,
and many seeing the enemy iu the town, shut themselves
up in their own houses, and thence made several shots upon
OF AMERICA. 145
the pirates ; who thereupon threatened them, saying, " If
you surrender not voluntarily, you shall soon see the town
in a flame, and your wives and children torn in pieces
before your faces." Upon these menaces the Spaniards
submitted to the discretion of the pirates, believing they
could not continue there long.
As soon as the pirates had possessed themselves of the
town, they enclosed all the Spaniards, men, women, chil-
dren, and slaves, in several churches, and pillaged all the
goods they could find ; then they searched the country
round about, bringing in daily many goods and prisoners,
with much provision. "With this they fell to making great
cheer, after their old custom, without remembering the
poor prisoners, whom they let starve in the churches,
though they tormented them daily and inhumanly to make
them confess where they had hid their goods, money, &c.,
though little or nothing was left them, not sparing the
women and little children, giving them nothing to eat,
whereby the greatest part perished.
Pillage and provisions growing scarce, they thought
convenient to depart and seek new fortunes in other
places ; they told the prisoners, "they should find money
to ransom themselves, else they should be all transported
to Jamaica ; and beside, if they did not pay a second
ransom for the town, they would turn every house into
ashes." The Spaniards hereupon nominated among
themselves four fellow-prisoners to go and seek for the
above-mentioned contributions ; but the pirates, to the
intent that they should return speedily with those
ransoms, tormented several cruelly in their presence,
before they departed. After a few days, the Spaniards
returned, telling Captain Morgan, " We have ran up and
down, and searched all the neighbouring woods and places
we most suspected, and yet have not been able to find any
10
146 THE BUCCANEERS
of our own party, nor consequently any fruit of our
embassy ; but if you are pleased to have a little longer
patience with us, we shall certainly cause all that you
demand to be paid within fifteen days ; " which Captain
Morgan granted. But not long after, there came into the
town seven or eight pirates who had been ranging in the
woods and fields, and got considerable booty. These
brought amongst other prisoners a negro, whom they had
taken with letters. Captain Morgan having perused them,
found that they were from the governor of Santa Jago,
being written to some of the prisoners, wherein he told
them, " they should not make too much haste to pay any
ransom for their town or persons, or any other pretext ;
but on the contrary, they should put off the pirates as
well as they could with excuses and delays, expecting to
be relieved by him in a short time, when he would cer-
tainly come to their aid." Upon this intelligence Captain
Morgan immediately ordered all their plunder to be carried
aboard ; and withal, he told the Spaniards, that the very
next day they should pay their ransoms, for he would not
wait a moment longer, but reduce the whole town to ashes,
if they failed of the sum he demanded.
With this intimation, Captain Morgan made no mention
to the Spaniards of the letters he had intercepted. They
answered, " that it was impossible for them to give such a
sum of money in so short a space of time, seeing their
fellow-townsmen were not to be found in all the country
thereabouts." Captain Morgan knew full well their inten-
tions, but thought it not convenient to stay there any
longer, demanding of them only five hundred oxen or
cows, with sufficient salt to powder them, with this condi-
tion, that they should carry them on board his ships.
Thus he departed with all his men, taking with him only
six of the principal prisoners as pledges. Next day the
OF AMERICA. 147
Spaniards brought the cattle and salt to the ships, and
required the prisoners ; but Captain Morgan refused to
deliver them, till they had helped his men to kill and salt
the beeves : this was performed in great haste, he not
caring to stay there any longer, lest he should be surprised
by the forces that were gathering against him ; and having
received all on board his vessels, he set at liberty the
hostages. Meanwhile there happened some dissensions
between the English and the French : the occasion was as
follows : A Frenchman being employed in killing and salt-
ing the beeves, an English pirate took away the marrow-
bones hje had taken out of the ox, which these people
esteem much ; hereupon they challenged one another :
being come to the place of duel, the Englishman stabbed
the Frenchman in the back, whereby he fell down dead.
The other Frenchmen, desirous of revenge, made an
insurrection against the English ; but Captain Morgan
soon appeased them, by putting the criminal in chains to
be carried to Jamaica, promising he would see justice done
upon him ; for though he might challenge his adversary,
yet it was not lawful to kill him treacherously, as he did.
All things being ready, and on board, and the prisoners
set at liberty, they sailed thence to a certain island, where
Captain Morgan intended to make a dividend of \\hat they
had purchased in that -voyage ; where being arrived, they
found nigh the value of fifty thousand pieces of eight in
money and goods ; the sum being known, it caused a
general grief to see such a small purchase, not sufficient
to pay their debts at Jamaica. Hereupon Captain Morgan
proposed they should think on some other enterprise and
pillage before they returned. But the French not being able
to agree with the English, left Captain Morgan with those
of his own nation, notwithstanding all the persuasions he
used to reduce them to continue in his company. Thus
148 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
they parted with all external signs of friendship, Captain
Morgan reiterating his promises to them that he would see
justice done on that criminal. This he performed ; for
being arrived at Jamaica, he caused him to be hanged,
which was all the satisfaction the French pirates could
expect.
CHAPTEK XI.
Captain Morgan resolving to attack and plunder the city of Puerto
Bello, equips a fleet, and with little expense and small forces
takes it.
SOME may think that the French having deserted
Captain Morgan, the English alone could not have
sufficient courage to attempt such great actions as before.
But Captain Morgan, who always communicated vigour
with his words, infused such spirit into his men, as put
them instantly upon new designs ; they being all per-
suaded that the sole execution of his orders would be a
certain means of obtaining great riches, which so influenced
their minds, that with inimitable courage they all resolved
to follow him, as did also a certain pirate of Campechy,
who on this occasion joined with Captain Morgan, to seek
new fortunes under his conduct. Thus Captain Morgan
in a few days gathered a fleet of nine sail, either ships or
great boats, wherein he had four hundred and sixty
military men.
All things being ready, they put forth to sea, Captain
Morgan imparting his design to nobody at present ; he
only told them on several occasions, that he doubted not
to make a good fortune by that voyage, if strange occur-
rences happened not. They steered towards the continent,
where they arrived in a few days near Costa Eica, all their
fleet safe. No sooner had they discovered land but Cap-
tain Morgan declared his intentions to the captains, and
150 THE BUCCANEEES
presently after to the company. He told them he intended
to plunder Puerto Bello by night, being resolved to put the
whole city to the sack: and to encourage them he added,
this enterprise could not fail, seeing he had kept it secret,
without revealing it to anybody, whereby they could not
have notice of his coming. To this proposition some
answered, " they had not a sufficient number of men to
assault so strong and great a city. But Captain Morgan
replied, "If our number is small, our hearts are great;
and the fewer persons we are, the more union and better
shares we shall have in the spoil." Hereupon, being
stimulated with the hope of those vast riches they pro-
mised themselves from their success, they unanimously
agreed to that design. Now, that my reader may better
comprehend the boldness of this exploit, it may be
necessary to say something beforehand of the city of
Puerto Bello.
This city is in the province of Costa Eica, 10 deg. north
latitude, fourteen leagues from the gulf of Darien, and
eight westwards from the port called Nombre de Dios. It
is judged the strongest place the king of Spain possesses
in all the West Indies, except Havanna and Carthagena.
Here are two castles almost impregnable, that defend the
city, situate at the entry of the port, so that no ship or
boat can pass without permission. The garrison consists
of three hundred soldiers, and the town is inhabited by
about four hundred families. The merchants dwell not
here, but only reside awhile, when the galleons come from
or go for Spain, by reason of the unhealthiness of the air,
occasioned by vapours from the mountains ; so that though
their chief warehouses are at Puerto Bello, their habita-
tions are at Panama, whence they bring the plate upon
mules, when the fair begins, and when the ships belonging
to the company of negroes arrive to sell slaves.
OF AMERICA. 151
Captain Morgan, who knew very well all the avenues of
this city and the neighbouring coasts, arrived in the dusk
of the evening at Puerto de Naos, ten leagues to the west
of Puerto Bello. Being come hither, they sailed up the-
river to another harbour called Puerto Pontin, where they
anchored : here they put themselves into boats and canoes,
leaving -in the ships only a few men to bring them next
day to the port. About midnight they came to a place
called Estera longa Lemos, where they all went on shore,
and marched by land to the first posts of the city : they
had in their company an Englishman, formerly a prisoner
in those parts, who now served them for a guide : to him
and three or four more they gave commission to take the
sentinel, if possible, or kill him on the place : but they
seized him so cunningly, as he had no time to give warn-
ing with his musket, or make any noise, and brought him,
with his hands bound, to Captain Morgan, who asked him
how things went in the city, and what forces they had ;
with other circumstances he desired to know. After every
question they made him a thousand menaces to kill
him, if he declared not the truth. Then they advanced
to the city, carrying the said sentinel bound before them :
having marched about a quarter of a league, they came to
the castle near the city, which presently they closely sur-
rounded, so that no person could get either in or out.
Being posted under the walls of the castle, Captain
Morgan commanded the sentinel, whom they had taken
prisoner, to speak to those within, charging them to sur-
render to his discretion ; otherwise they should all be cut
in pieces, without quarter. But they regarding none of
these threats, began instantly to fire, which alarmed the
city ; yet notwithstanding, though the governor and soldiers
of the said castle made as great resistance as could be,
they were forced to surrender, llaving taken the castle,
152 THE BUCCANEERS
they resolved to be as good as their words, putting the
Spaniards to the sword, thereby to strike a terror into the
rest of the city. Whereupon, having shut up all the
soldiers and officers as prisoners into one room, they set
fire to the powder (whereof they found great quantity) and
blew up the castle into the air, with all the Spaniards that
were within. This done, they pursued the course of their
victory, falling upon the city, which, as yet, was not ready
to receive them. Many of the inhabitants cast their
precious jewels and money into wells and cisterns, or hid
them in places underground, to avoid, as much as possible,
being totally robbed. One party of the pirates, assigned
to this purpose, ran immediately to the cloisters, and took
as many religious men and women as they could find.
The governor of the city, not being able to rally the
citizens, through their great confusion, retired to one of
the castles remaining, and thence fired incessantly at the
pirates : but these were not in the least negligent either to
assault him, or defend themselves, so that amidst the
horror of the assault, they made very few shots in vain ;
for aiming with great dexterity at the mouths of the guns,
the Spaniards were certain to lose one or two men every
time they charged each gun anew.
This continued very furious from break of day till noon ;
yea, about this time of the day the case was very dubious
which party should conquer, or be conquered. At last, the
pirates perceiving they had lost many men, and yet
advanced but little towards gaining either this, or the other
castles, made use of fire-balls, which they threw with their
hands, designing to burn the doors of the castles ; but the
Spaniards from the walls let fall great quantities of stones,
and earthen pots full of powder, and 'other combustible
matter, which forced them to desist. Captain Morgan
seeing this generous defence made by the Spaniards,
OF AMERICA. 153
began to despair of success. Hereupon, many faint and
calm meditations came into his mind ; neither could he
determine which way to turn himself in that strait. Being
thus puzzled, he was suddenly animated to continue the
assault, by seeing English colours put forth at one of the
lesser castles, then entered by his men ; of whom he pre-
sently after spied a troop coming to meet him, proclaiming
victory with loud shouts of joy. This instantly put him
on new resolutions of taking the rest of the castles,
especially seeing the chiefest citizens were fled to them,
and had conveyed thither great part of their riches, with
all the plate belonging to the churches and divine service.
To this effect, he ordered ten or twelve ladders to be
made in all haste, so broad, that three or four men at once
might ascend them : these being finished, he commanded
all the religious men and women, whom he had taken
prisoners, to fix them against the walls of the castle. This
he had before threatened the governor to do, if he delivered
not the castle : but his answer was, " he would never
surrender himself alive." Captain Morgan was persuaded
the governor would not employ his utmost force, seeing the
religious women, and ecclesiastical persons, exposed in
the front of the soldiers to the greatest danger. Thus the
ladders, as I have said, were put into the hands of religious
persons of both sexes, and these were forced, at the head
of the companies, to raise and apply them to the walls :
but Captain Morgan was fully deceived in his judgment of
this design; for the governor, who acted like a brave
soldier in performance of his duty, used his utmost endea-
vour to destroy whosoever came near the walls. The
religious men and women ceased not to cry to him, and
beg of him, by all the saints of heaven, to deliver the
castle, and spare both his and their own lives ; but nothing
could prevail with his obstinacy and fierceness. Thus
154 THE BUCCANEERS
many of the religious men and nuns were killed before they
could fix the ladders ; which at last being done, though
with great loss of the said religious people, the pirates
mounted them in great numbers, and with not less valour,
having fire-balls in their hands, and earthen pots full of
powder; all which things, being now at the top of the
walls, they kindled and cast in among the Spaniards.
This effort of the pirates was very great, insomuch that
the Spaniards could no longer resist nor defend the castle,
which was now entered. Hereupon they all threw down
their arms, and craved quarter for their lives ; only the
governor of the city would crave no mercy, 'but killed many
of the pirates with his own hands, and not a few of his own
soldiers ; because they did not stand to their arms. And
though the pirates asked him if he would have quarter ;
yet he constantly answered, " By no means, I had rather
die as a valiant soldier, than be hanged as a coward."
They endeavoured as much as they could to take him
prisoner, but he defended himself so obstinately, that they
were forced to kill him, notwithstanding all the cries and
tears of his own wife and daughter, who begged him, on
their knees, to demand quarter, and save his life. When
the pirates had possessed themselves of the castle, which
was about night, they enclosed therein all the prisoners,
placing the women and men by themselves, with some
guards : the wounded were put in an apartment by itself,
that their own complaints might be the cure of their
diseases ; for no other was afforded them.
This done, they fell to eating and drinking, as usual ;
that is, committing in both all manner of debauchery and
excess : these two vices were immediately followed by many
insolent actions of rape and adultery, committed on many
very honest women, as well married as virgins ; who being
threatened with the sword, were constrained to submit
OF AMERICA . 155
their bodies to the violence of those lewd and wicked men.
Thus they gave themselves up to all sorts of debauchery,
that fifty courageous men might easily have retaken the
city, and killed all the pirates. Next day, having plundered
all they could find, they examined some of the prisoners
(who had been persuaded by their companions to say they
were the richest of the town), charging them severely to
discover where they had hid their riches and goods. Not
being able to extort anything from them, they not being
the right persons, it was resolved to torture them : this
they did so cruelly, that many of them died on the rack, or
presently after. Now the president of Panama being ad-
vertised of the pillage and ruin of Puerto Bello, he employed
all his care and industry to raise forces to pursue and cast
out the pirates thence ; but these cared little for his pre-
parations, having their ships at hand, and determining to
fire the city, and retreat. They had now been at Puerto
Bello fifteen days, in which time they had lost many of
their men, both by the unhealthiness of the country, and
their extravagant debaucheries.
Hereupon, they prepared to depart, carrying on board
all the pillage they had got, having first provided the fleet
with sufficient victuals for the voyage. While these things
were doing, Captain Morgan demanded of the prisoners a
ransom for the city, or else he would burn it down, and
blow up all the castles ; withal, he commanded them
to send speedily two persons, to procure the sum, which
was 100,000 pieces of eight. To this effect two men were
sent to the president of Panama, who gave him an account
of all. The president, having now a body of men ready,
set forth towards Puerto Bello, to encounter the pirates
before their retreat ; but they, hearing of his coming,
instead of flying away, went out to meet him at a narrow
passage, which he must pass : here they placed a hundred
156 THE BUCCANEERS
men, very well armed, which at the first encounter put to
flight a good party of those of Panama, This obliged the
president to retire for that time, not being yet in a posture
of strength to proceed farther. Presently after, he sent a .
message to Captain Morgan, to tell him, "that if he de-
parted not suddenly with all his forces from Puerto Bello,
he ought to expect no quarter for himself, nor his com-
panions, when he should take them, as he hoped soon to
do." Captain Morgan, who feared not his threats, knowing
he had a secure retreat in his ships, which were at hand,
answered, "he would not deliver the castles, before he had
received the contribution money he had demanded ; which
if it were not paid down, he would certainly burn the whole
city, and then leave it, demolishing beforehand the castles,
and killing the prisoners."
The governor of Panama perceived by this answer that
no means would serve to mollify the hearts of the pirates,
nor reduce them to reason : hereupon, he determined to
leave them, as also those of the city whom he came to
relieve, involved in the difficulties of making the best
agreement they could. Thus in a few days more the
miserable citizens gathered the contributions required, and
brought 100,000 pieces of eight to the pirates for a ransom
of their cruel captivity : but the president of Panama was
much amazed to consider that four hundred men could
take such a great city, with so many strong castles,
especially having no ordnance, wherewith to raise batteries,
and, what was more, knowing the citizens of Puerto Bello
had always great repute of being good soldiers themselves,
and who never wanted courage in their own defence. This
astonishment was so great, as made him send to Captain
Morgan, desiring some small pattern of those arms where-
with he had taken with such vigour so great a city. Cap-
tain Morgan received this messenger very kindly, and with
OF AMEEICA. 157
great civility ; and gave him a pistol, and a . few small
bullets, to carry back to the president his master ; telling
him, withal, "he desired him to accept that slender pattern
of the arms wherewith he had taken Puerto Bello, and
keep them for a twelvemonth ; after which time he pro-
mised to come to Panama, and fetch them away." The
governor returned the present very soon to Captain Mor-
gan, giving him thanks for the favour of lending him such
weapons as he needed not ; and, withal, sent him a ring
of gold, with this message, " that he desired him not to
give himself the labour of coming to Panama, as he had
done to Puerto Bello : for he did assure him, he should not
speed so well here, as he had done there."
After this, Captain Morgan (having provided his fleet
with all necessaries, and taken with him the best guns of
the castles, nailing up the rest) set sail from Puerto Bello
with all his ships, and arriving in a few days at Cuba, he
sought out a place whereia he might quickly make the
dividend of their spoil. They found in ready money
250,000 pieces of eight, besides other merchandises ; as
cloth, linen, silks, &c. With this rich purchase they sailed
thence to their common place of rendezvous, Jamaica.
Being arrived, they passed here some time in all sorts of
vices and debaucheries, according to their custom ; spend-
ing very prodigally what others had gained with no small
labour and toil.
CHAPTER XII.
Captain Morgan takes the city of Maracaibo on the coast of Neuva
Venezuela Piracies committed in those seas Euin of three
Spanish ships, set forth to hinder the robberies of the pirates.
NOT long after their arrival at Jamaica, being that
short time they needed to lavish away all the riches
above mentioned, they concluded on another enterprise to
seek new fortunes : to this effect Captain Morgan ordered
all the commanders of his ships to meet at De la Vacca, or
the Cow Isle, south of Hispaniola, as is said. Hither
flocked to them great numbers of other pirates, French and
English ; the name of Captain Morgan being now famous
in all the neighbouring countries for his great enterprises.
There was then at Jamaica an English ship newly come
from New England, well mounted with thirty-six guns :
this vessel, by order of the governor of Jamaica, joined
Captain Morgan to strengthen his fleet, and give him
greater courage to attempt mighty things. With this
supply Captain Morgan judged himself sufficiently strong ;
but there being in the same place another great vessel of
twenty-four iron guns, and twelve brass ones, belonging to
the French, Captain Morgan endeavoured also to join this
ship to his own ; but the French not daring to trust the
E^sH 1 ., denied absolutely to consent.
The French pirates belonging to this great ship had met
at sea an English vessel ; and being under great want of
THE BUCCANEEES OF AMEEICA. 159
victuals, they had taken some provisions out of the English
ship, without paying for them, having, perhaps, no ready
money aboard : only they gave them bills of exchange for
Jamaica and Tortuga, to receive money there. Captain
Morgan having notice of this, and perceiving he could not
prevail with the French captain to follow him, resolved to
lay hold on this occasion, to rain the French, and seek his
revenge. Hereupon he invited, with dissimulation, the
French commander, and several of his men, to dine with
him on board the great ship that was come to Jamaica, as
is said. Being come, he made them all prisoners, pretend-
ing the injury aforesaid done to the English vessel.
This unjust action of Captain Morgan was soon followed
by Divine punishment, as we may conceive : the manner I
shall instantly relate. Captain Morgan, presently after he
had taken these French prisoners, called a council to
deliberate what place they should first pitch upon in this
new expedition. Here it was determined to go to the isle
of Savona, to wait for the flota then expected from Spain,
and take any of the Spanish vessels straggling from the
rest. This resolution being taken, they began aboard the
great ship to feast one another for joy of their new vpyage,
and happy council, as they hoped : they drank many
healths, and discharged many guns, the common sign of
mirth among seamen. Most of the men being drunk, by
what accident is not known, the ship suddenly was blown
up, with three hundred and fifty Englishmen, besides the
French prisoners in the hold ; of all which there escaped
but thirty men, who were in the great cabin, at some dis-
tance from the main force of the powder. Many more, it
is thought, might have escaped, had they not been so much
overtaken with wine.
This loss brought much consternation of mind upon the
English ; they knew not whom to blame, but at last the
160 THE BUCCANEERS
accusation was laid on the French prisoners, whom they
suspected to have fired the powder of the ship out of
revenge, though with the loss of their own lives : hereupon
they added new accusations to their former, whereby to
seize the ship and all that was in it, by saying the French
designed to commit piracy on the English. The grounds
of this accusation were given by a commission from the
governor of Barracoa, found aboard the French vessel,
wherein were these words, " that the said governor did
permit the French to trade in all Spanish ports," &c.
" As also to cruise on the English pirates in what place
soever they could find them, because of the multitudes of
hostilities which they had committed against the subjects
of his Catholic Majesty in time of peace betwixt the two
crowns." This commission for trade was interpreted as an
express order to exercise piracy and war against them,
though it was only a bare licence for coming into the
Spanish ports ; the cloak of which permission were those
words, "that they should cruise upon the English." And
though the French did sufficiently expound the true sense
of it, yet they could not clear themselves to Captain Morgan
nor his council : but in lieu thereof, the ship and men were
seized and sent to Jamaica. Here they also endeavoured
to obtain justice, and the restitution of their ship, but all
in vain ; for instead of justice, they were long detained in
prison, and threatened with hanging.
Eight days after the loss of the said ship, Captain Mor-
gan commanded the bodies of the miserable wretches who
were blown up to be searched for, as they floated on the
sea ; not to afford them Christian burial, but for their
clothes and attire : and if any had gold rings on their
fingers, these were cut off, leaving them exposed to the
voracity of the monsters of the sea. At last they set sail
for Savona, the place of their assignation. There were in
OF AMERICA. 161
all fifteen vessels, Captain Morgan commanding the biggest,
of only fourteen small guns ; his number of men was -nine
hundred and sixty. Few days after, they arrived at the
Cabo de Lobos, south of Hispaniola, between Cape Tiburon
and Cape Punta de Espada : hence they could not pass by
reason of contrary winds for three weeks, notwithstanding
all the utmost endeavours Captain Morgan used to get
forth ; then they doubled the cape, and spied an English
vessel at a distance. Having spoken with her, they found
she came from England, and bought of her, for ready
money, some provisions they wanted.
Captain Morgan proceeded on his voyage till he came to
the port of Ocoa ; here he landed some men, sending
them into the woods to seek water and provisions, the
better to spare such as he had already on board. They
killed many beasts, and among others some horses. But
the Spaniards, not well satisfied at their hunting, laid a
stratagem for them, ordering three or four hundred men
to come from Santo Domingo not far distant, and desiring
them to hunt in all the parts thereabout near the sea,
that so, if the pirates should return, they might find no
subsistence. Within few days the same pirates returned
to hunt, but finding nothing to kill, a party of about fifty
straggled farther on into the woods. The Spaniards, who
watched all their motions, gathered a great herd of cows,
and set two or three men to keep them. The pirates
having spied them, killed a sufficient number ; and though
the Spaniards could see them at a distance, yet they could
not hinder them at present ; but as soon as they attempted
to carry them away, they set upon them furiously, crying,
"Mata, mata," i.e., "Kill, kill." Thus the pirates were
compelled to quit the prey, and retreat to their ships ;
but they did it in good order, retiring by degrees, and
when they had opportunity, discharging full volleys on
11
162 THE BUCCANEERS
the Spaniards, killing many of their enemies, though with
some loss.
The Spaniards seeing their damage, endeavoured to
save themselves by flight, and carry off their dead and
wounded companions. The pirates perceiving them flee,
would not content themselves with what hurt they had
already done, but pursued them speedily into the woods,
and killed the greatest part of those that remained. Next
day Captain Morgan, extremely offended at what had
passed, went himself with two hundred men into the
woods to seek for the rest of the Spaniards, but finding
nobody, he revenged his wrath on the houses of the poor
and miserable rustics that inhabit those scattering fields
and woods, of which he burnt a great number : with this
he returned to his ships, somewhat more satisfied in his
mind for having done some considerable damage to the
enemy, which was always his most ardent desire.
The impatience wherewith Captain Morgan had waited
a long while for some of his ships not yet arrived, made
him resolve to sail away without them, and steer for
Savona, the place he always designed. Being arrived,
and not finding any of his ships come, he was more
impatient and concerned than before, fearing their loss,
or that he must proceed without them ; but he waiting
for their arrival a few days longer, and having no great
plenty of provisions, he sent a crew of one hundred and
fifty men to Hispaniola to pillage some towns near Santo
Domingo; but the Spaniards, upon intelligence of their
coming, were so vigilant, and in such good posture of
defence, that the pirates thought not convenient to assault
them, choosing rather to return empty-handed to Captain
Morgan, than to perish in that desperate enterprise.
At last Captain Morgan, seeing the other ships did not
come, made a review of his people, and found only about
OF AMERICA. 163
five hundred men ; the ships wanting were seven, he
having only eight in his company, of which the greatest
part were very small. Having hitherto resolved to cruise
on the coasts of Caraccas, and to plunder the towns and
villages there, finding himself at present with such small
forces, he changed his resolution by advice of a French
captain in his fleet. This Frenchman having served
Lolonois in the like enterprises, and at the taking of
Maracaibo, knew all the entries, passages, forces, and
means, how to put in execution the same again in
company of Captain Morgan ; to whom having made a
full relation of all, he concluded to sack it the second
time, being himself persuaded, with all his men, of the
facility the Frenchman propounded. Hereupon they
weighed anchor, and steered towards Curasao. Being
come within sight of it, they landed at another island
near it, called Euba, about twelve leagues from Curasao
to the west. This island, defended by a slender garrison,
is inhabited by Indians subject to Spain, and speak
Spanish, by reason of the Eoman Catholic religion, here
cultivated by a few priests sent from the neighbouring
continent.
The inhabitants exercise commerce or trade with the
pirates that go or come this way : they buy of the
islanders sheep, lambs, and kids, which they exchange
for linen, thread, and like things. The country is very
dry and barren, the whole substance thereof consisting in
those three things, and in a little indifferent wheat. This
isle produces many venemous insects, as vipers, spiders,
and others. These last are so pernicious, that a man
bitten by them dies mad ; and the manner of recovering
such is to tie them very fast both hands and feet, and
so to leave them twenty-four hours, without eating or
drinking anything. Captain Morgan, as was said, having
164 THE BUCCANEERS
cast anchor before this island, bought of the inhabitants
sheep, lambs, and wood, for all his fleet. After two days,
he sailed again in the night, to the intent they might not
see what course he steered.
Next day they arrived at the sea of Maracaibo, taking
great care not to be seen from Vigilia, for which reason
they anchored out of sight of it. Night being come, they
set sail again towards the land, and next morning, by
break of day, were got directly over against the bar of the
said lake. The Spaniards had built another fort since
the action of Lolonois, whence they now fired continually
against the pirates, while they put their men into boats
to land. The dispute continued very hot, being managed
with great courage from morning till dark night. This
being come, Captain Morgan, in the obscurity thereof,
drew nigh the fort, which having examined, he found
nobody in it, the Spaniards having deserted it not long
before. They left behind them a match lighted near a
train of powder, to have blown up the pirates and the
whole fortress as soon as they were in it. This design
had taken effect, had not the pirates discovered it in a
quarter of an hour ; but Captain Morgan snatching away
the match, saved both his own and his companions' lives.
They found here much powder, whereof he provided his
fleet, and then demolished part of the walls, nailing sixteen
pieces of ordnance, from twelve to twenty-four pounders.
Here they also found many muskets and other military
provisions.
Next day they commanded the ships to enter the bar,
among which they divided the powder, muskets, and other
things found in the fort : then they embarked again to
continue their course towards Maracaibo ; but the waters
being very low, they could not pass a certain bank at the
entry of the lake : hereupon they were compelled to go
OF AMERICA. 165
into canoes and small boats, with which they arrived
next day before Maracaibo, having no other defence than
some small pieces which they could carry in the said
boats. Being landed, they ran immediately to the fort
De la Barra, which they found as the precedent, without
any person in it, for all were fled into the woods, leaving
also the town without any people, unless a few miserable
folks, who had nothing to lose.
As soon as they had entered the town, the pirates
searched every corner, to see if the^ could find any people
that were hid, who might offend them unawares ; not
finding anybody, every party, as they came out of their
several ships, chose what houses they pleased. The
church was deputed for the common corps du guard,
where they lived after their military manner, very inso-
lently. Next day after they sent a troop of a hundred
men to seek for the inhabitants and their goods; these
returned next day, bringing with them thirty persons,
men, women, and children, and fifty mules laden with
good merchandise. All these miserable people were put
to the rack, to make them confess where the rest of the
inhabitants were, and their goods. Among other tortures,
one was to stretch their limbs with cords, and then to
beat them with sticks and other instruments. Others
had burning matches placed betwixt their fingers, which
were thus burnt alive. Others had slender cords or
matches twisted about their heads, till their eyes burst
out. Thus all inhuman cruelties were executed on those
innocent people. Those who would not confess, or who
had nothing to declare, died under the hands of those
villains. These tortures and racks continued for three
whole weeks, in which time they sent out daily parties to
seek for more people to torment and rob, they never
returning without booty and new riches.
166 THE BUCCANEERS
Captain Morgan having now gotten into his hands about
a hundred of the chief families, with all their goods, at
last resolved for Gibraltar, as Lolonois had done before:
with this design he equipped his fleet, providing it suffi-
ciently with all necessaries. He put likewise on board all
the prisoners, and weighing anchor, set sail with resolution
to hazard a battle. They had sent before some prisoners
to Gibraltar, to require the inhabitants to surrender, other-
wise Captain Morgan would certainly put them all to the
sword, without any quarter. Arriving before Gibraltar,
the inhabitants received him with continual shooting of
great cannon bullets ; but the pirates, instead of fainting
hereat, ceased not to encourage one another, saying, " We
must make one meal upon bitter things, before we come
to taste the sweetness of the sugar this place affords."
Next day very early they landed all their men, and
being guided by the Frenchman abovesaid, they marched
towards the town, not by the common way, but crossing
through woods, which way the Spaniards scarce thought
they would have come; for at the beginning of their
march they made as if they intended to come the next
and open way to the town, hereby to deceive the
Spaniards : but these remembering full well what Lolonois
had done but two years before, thought it not safe to
expect a second brunt, and hereupon all fled out of the
town as fast as they could, carrying all their goods and
riches, as also all the powder ; and having nailed all the
great guns, so as the pirates found not one person in the
whole city, but one poor innocent man who was born a
fool. This man they asked whither the inhabitants were
fled, and where they had hid their goods. To all which
questions and the like, he constantly answered, " I know
nothing, I know nothing : " but they presently put him
to the rack, and tortured him with cords ; which torments
OF AMERICA. 167
forced him to cry out, " Do not torture me any more,
but come with me, and I will show you my goods and my
riches." They were persuaded, it seems, he was some
rich person disguised under those clothes so poor, and
that innocent tongue ; so they went along with him, and
he conducted them to a poor miserable cottage, wherein
he had a few earthen dishes and other things of no value,
and three pieces of eight, concealed with some other
trumpery underground. Then they asked him his name,
and he readily answered, " My name is Don Sebastian
Sanchez, and I am brother unto the governor of Mara-
caibo." This foolish answer, it must be conceived, these
inhuman wretches took for truth : for no sooner had they
heard it, but they put him again upon the rack, lifting
him up on high with cords, and tying huge weights to
his feet and neck. Besides which, they burnt him alive,
applying palm-leaves burning to his face.
The same day they sent out a party to seek for the
inhabitants, on whom they might exercise their cruelties
These brought back an honest peasant with two daughters
of his, whom they intended to torture as they used others,
if they showed not the places where the inhabitants were
hid. The peasant knew some of those places, and seeing
himself threatened with the rack, went with the pirates to
show them ; but the Spaniards perceiving their enemies
to range everywhere up and down the woods, were already
fled thence farther off into the thickest of the woods, where
they built themselves huts, to preserve from the weather
those few goods they had. The pirates judged themselves
deceived by the peasant, and hereupon, to revenge them-
selves, notwithstanding all his excuses and supplication,
they hanged him on a tree.
Then they divided into parties to search the plantations ;
for they knew the Spaniards that were absconded could
168 THE BUCCANEERS
not live on what the woods afforded, without coming now
and then for provisions to their country houses. Here
they found a slave, to whom they promised mountains of
gold and his liberty, by transporting him to Jamaica, if
he would show them where the inhabitants of Gibraltar
lay hid. This fellow conducted them to a party of
Spaniards, whom they instantly made prisoners, com-
manding this slave to kill some before the eyes of the
rest ; that by this perpetrated crime, he might never be
able to leave their wicked company. The negro, according
to their orders, committed many murders and insolencies
upon the Spaniards, and followed the unfortunate traces
of the pirates ; who eight days after returned to Gibraltar
with many prisoners, and some mules laden with riches.
They examined every prisoner by himself (who were in
all about two hundred and fifty persons), where they had
hid the rest of their goods, and if they knew of their
fellow-townsmen. Such as would not confess were tor-
mented after a most inhuman manner. Among the rest,
there happened to be a Portuguese, who by a negro was
reported, though falsely, to be very rich ; this man was
commanded to produce his riches. His answer was, he
had no more than one hundred pieces of eight in the
world, and these had been stolen from him two days
before by his servant ; which words, though he sealed
with many oaths and protestations, yet they would not
believe him, but dragging him to the rack, without any
regard to his age of sixty years, they stretched him with
cords, breaking both his arms behind his shoulders.
This cruelty went not alone; for he not being able or
willing to make any other declaration, they put him to
another sort of torment more barbarous ; they tied him
with small cords by his two thumbs and great toes to four
stakes fixed in the ground, at a convenient distance, the
,OF AMERICA. 169
whole weight of his body hanging on those cords. Not
satisfied yet with this cruel torture, they took a stone of
above two hundred pounds, and laid it upon his belly, as
if they intended to press him to death ; they also kindled
palm leaves, and applied the flame to the face of this
unfortunate Portuguese, burning with them the whole
skin, beard, and hair. At last, seeing that neither with
these tortures, nor others, they could get anything out of
him, they untied the cords, and carried him half dead to
the church, where was their corps du guard ; here they
tied him anew to one of the pillars thereof, leaving him
in that condition, without giving him either to eat or
drink, unless very sparingly, and so little that would
scarce sustain life for some days; four or five being
past, he desired one of the prisoners might come to
him, by whose means he promised he would endeavour
to raise some money to satisfy their demands. The
prisoner whom he required was brought to him, and he
ordered him to promise the pirates five hundred pieces of
eight for his ransom ; but they were deaf and obstinate at
such a small sum, and instead of accepting it, beat him
cruelly with cudgels, saying, " Old fellow, instead of five
hundred, you must say five hundred thousand pieces of
eight ; otherwise you shall here end your life." Finally,
after a thousand protestations that he was but a miserable
man, and kept a poor tavern for his living, he agreed with
them for one thousand pieces of eight. These he raised,
and having paid them, got his liberty ; though so horribly
maimed, that it is scarce to be believed he could survive
many weeks.
Other tortures, besides these, were exercised upon
others, which this Portuguese endured not : some were
hanged up by the testicles, or privy-members, and left
till they fell to the ground, those parts being torn from
170 THE BUCCANEEBS
their bodies : if with this they minded to show mercy to
those wretches, thus lacerated in the most tender parts,
their mercy was, to run them through with their swords ;
otherwise they used to lie four or five days under the
agonies of death, before they died. Others were crucified
by these tyrants, and with kindled matches burnt between
the joints of their fingers and toes : others had their feet
put into the fire, and thus were left to be roasted alive.
Having used these and other cruelties with the white men,
they began to practise the same with the negroes, their
slaves, who were treated with no less inhumanity than
their masters.
Among these slaves was one who promised Captain
Morgan to conduct him to a river of the lake, where he
should find a ship and four boats, richly laden with goods
of the inhabitants of Maracaibo : the same discovered
likewise where the governor of Gibraltar lay hid, with the
greatest part of the women of the town ; but all this he
revealed, upon great menaces to hang him, if he told not
what he knew. Captain Morgan sent away presently two
hundred men in two settees, or great boats, to this river,
to seek for what the slave had discovered ; but he him-
self, with two hundred and fifty more, undertook to go and
take the governor. This gentleman was retired to a small
island in the middle of the river, where he had built a
little fort, as well as he could, for his defence ; but hearing
that Captain Morgan came in person with great forces to
seek him, he retired to the top of a mountain not far off,
to which there was no ascent but by a very narrow
passage, so straight, that whosoever did attempt to gain
the ^ascent, must march his men one by one. Captain
Morgan spent two days before he arrived at this little
island, whence he designed to proceed to the mountain
where the governor was posted, had he not been told of
OF AMERICA. 171
the impossibility of ascent, not only for the narrowness
of the way, but because the governor was well provided
with all sorts of ammunition : beside, there was fallen a
huge rain, whereby all the pirates' baggage and powder
was wet. By this rain, also, they lost many men at the
passage over a river that was overflown : here perished,
likewise, some women and children, and many mules
laden with plate and goods, which they had taken from
the fugitive inhabitants ; so that things were in a very
bad condition with Captain Morgan, and his men much
harassed, as may be inferred from this relation : whereby,
if the Spaniards, in that juncture, had had but fifty men
well armed, they might have entirely destroyed the pirates.
But the fears the Spaniards had at first conceived were
so great, that the leaves stirring on the trees they often
fancied to be pirates. Finally, Captain Morgan and his
people, having upon this march sometimes waded up to
their middles in water for half, or whole miles together,
they at last escaped, for the greatest part ; but the women
and children for the major part died.
Thus twelve days after they set forth to seek the
governor they returned to Gibraltar, with many prisoners :
two days after arrived also the two settees that went to
the river, bringing with them four boats, and some
prisoners ; but the greatest part of the merchandise in the
said boats they found not, the Spaniards having unladed
and secured it, having intelligence of their coming ; who
designed also, when the merchandise was taken out, to
burn the boats : yet the Spaniards made not so much
haste to unlade these vessels, but that they left in the
ship and boats great parcels of goods, which the pirates
seized, and brought a considerable booty to Gibraltar.
Thus, after they had been in possession of the place five
entire weeks, and committed an infinite number of
172 THE BUCCANEERS
murders, robberies, rapes, and such-like insolencies,
they concluded to depart; but first they ordered some
prisoners to go forth into the woods and fields, and collect
a ransom for the town, otherwise they would certainly
burn it down to the ground. These poor afflicted men
went as they were sent, and having searched the adjoining
fields and woods; returned to Captain Morgan, telling him
they had scarce been able to find anybody, but that to
such as they had found they had proposed his demands ;
to which they had answered, that the governor had pro-
hibited them to give any ransom for the town, but they
beseeched him to have a little patience, and among them-'
selves they would collect five thousand pieces of eight;
and for the rest, they would give some of their own towns-
men as hostages, whom he might carry to Maracaibo, till
he had received full satisfaction.
Captain Morgan having now been long absent from
Maracaibo, and knowing the Spaniards had had sufficient
time to fortify themselves, and hinder his departure out
of the lake, granted their proposition, and made as much
haste as he could for his departure : he gave liberty to all
the prisoners, first putting every one to a ransom ; yet he
detained the slaves. They delivered him four persons
agreed on for hostages of what money more he was to
receive, and they desired to have the slave mentioned
above, intending to punish him according to his deserts ;
but Captain Morgan would not deliver him, lest they
should burn him alive. At last, they weighed anchor, and
set sail in all haste for Maracaibo : here they arrived in
four days, and found all things as they had left them ;
yet here they received news from a poor distressed old
man, whom alone they found sick in the town, that three
Spanish men-of-war were arrived at the entry of the lake,
waiting the return of the pirates : moreover, that the
OF AMERICA. 173
castle at the entry thereof was again put into a good
posture of defence, well provided with guns and men, and
all sorts of ammunition.
This relation could not choose but disturb the mind
of Captain Morgan, who now was careful how to get away
through the narrow entry of the lake : hereupon he sent
his swiftest boat to view the entry, and see if things were
as they had been related. Next day the boat came back,
confirming what was said ; assuring him, they had viewed
the ships so nigh, that they had been in great danger of
their shot : hereunto they added, that the biggest ship
was mounted with forty guns, the second with thirty, and
the smallest with twenty-four. These forces being much
beyond those of Captain Morgan, caused a general con-
sternation in the pirates, whose biggest vessel had not
above fourteen small guns. Every one judged Captain
Morgan to despond, and to be hopeless, considering the
difficulty of passing safe with his little fleet amidst those
great ships and the fort, or he must perish. How to
escape any other way, by sea or land, they saw no way.
Under these necessities, Captain Morgan resumed new
courage, and resolving to show himself still undaunted, he
boldly sent a Spaniard to the admiral of those three ships,
demanding of him a considerable ransom for not putting
the city of Maracaibo to the flames. This man (who was
received by the Spaniards with great admiration of the bold-
ness of those pirates) returned two days after, bringing to
Captain Morgan a letter from the said admiral, as follows:
The Letter of Don Alonso del Campo y Espinosa, Admiral of
the Spanish Fleet, to Captain Morgan, Commander of
the Pirates.
" Having understood by all our friends and neighbours,
the unexpected news that you have dared to attempt and
174 THE BUCCANEERS
commit hostilities in the countries, cities, towns, and
villages belonging to the dominions of his Catholic Majesty,
my sovereign lord and master ; I let you understand by
these lines, that I am come to this place, according to my
obligation, near that castle which you took out of the
hands of a parcel of cowards ; where I have put things
into a very good posture of defence, and mounted again
the artillery which you had nailed and dismounted. My
intent is, to dispute with you your passage out of the lake,
and follow and pursue you everywhere, to the end you
may see the performance of my duty. Notwithstanding,
if you be contented to surrender with humility all that you
have taken, together with the slaves and all other
prisoners, I will let you freely pass, without trouble or
molestation ; on condition that you retire home presently
to your own country. But if you make any resistance
or opposition to what I offer you, I assure you I will
command boats to come from Caraccas, wherein I will
put my troops, and coming to Maracaibo, will put you
every man to the sword. This is my last and absolute
resolution. Be prudent, therefore, and do not abuse my
bounty with ingratitude. I have with me very good
soldiers, who desire nothing more ardently than to revenge
on you, and your people, all the cruelties, and base
infamous actions, you have committed upon the Spanish
nation in America. Dated on board the royal ship named
the Magdalen, lying at anchor at the entry of the lake of
Maracaibo, this 24th of April, 1669.
" DON ALONSO DEL CAMPO Y ESPINOSA."
As soon as Captain Morgan received this letter, he
called all his men together in the market-place of
Maracaibo, and after reading the contents thereof, both
in French and English, asked their advice and resolution
OF AMEEICA. 175
on the whole matter, and whether they had rather sur-
render all they had got to obtain their liberty, than fight
for it.
They answered all, unanimously, they had rather fight
to the last drop of blood, than surrender so easily the
booty they had got with so much danger of their lives.
Among the rest, one said to Captain Morgan, " Take you
care for the rest, and I will undertake to destroy the
biggest of those ships with only twelve men : the manner
shall be, .by making a brulot, or fire-ship, of that vessel
we took in the river of Gibraltar ; which, to the intent she
may not be known for a fireship, we will fill her decks
with logs of wood, standing with hats and montera caps,
to deceive their sight with the representation of men.
The same we will do at the port-holes that serve for the
guns, which shall be filled with counterfeit cannon. At
the stern we will hang out English colours, and persuade
the enemy she is one of our best men-of-war going to fight
them." This proposition was admitted and approved by
every one ; howbeit, their fears were not quite dis-
persed.
For, notwithstanding what had been concluded there,
they endeavoured the next day to come to an accommo-
dation with Don Alonso. To this effect, Captain Morgan
sent to him two persons, with these propositions : First,
that he would quit Maracaibo, without doing any
damage to the town, or exacting any ransom for the firing
thereof. Secondly, that he would set at liberty one half
of the slaves, and all the prisoners, without ransom.
Thirdly, that he would send home freely the four chief
inhabitants of Gibraltar, which he had in his custody as
hostages for the contributions those people had promised
to pay. These propositions were instantly rejected by
Don Alonso, as dishonourable : neither would he hear of
176 THE BUCCANEERS
any other accommodation, but sent back this message :
" That if they surrendered not themselves voluntarily into
his hands, within two days, under the conditions which
he had offered them by his letter, he would immediately
come, and force them to do it."
No sooner had Captain Morgan received this message
from Don Alonso, than he put all things in order to fight,
resolving to get out of the lake by main force, without
surrendering anything. First, he commanded all the
slaves and prisoners to be tied, and guarded very well,
and gathered all the pitch, tar, and brimstone, they could
find in the whole town, for the fire-ship above-mentioned :
then they made several inventions of powder and brim-
stone with palm leaves, well annointed with tar. They
covered very well their counterfeit cannon, laying under
every piece many pounds of powder; besides, they cut
down many outworks of the ship, that the powder might
exert its strength the better ; breaking open, also, new
port-holes, where, instead of guns, they placed little drums
used by the negroes. Finally, the decks were handsomely
beset with many pieces of wood, dressed up like men with
hats, or monteras, and armed with swords, muskets, and
bandeleers.
The fire-ship being thus fitted, they prepared to go to
the entry of the port. All the prisoners were put into
one great boat, and in another of the biggest they placed
all the women, plate, jewels, and other rich things : into
others they put the bales of goods and merchandise, and
other things of bulk : each of these boats had twelve
men aboard, very well armed ; the brulot had orders
to go before the rest of the vessels, and presently to
fall foul with the great ship. All things being ready,
Captain Morgan exacted an oath of all his comrades,
protesting to defend themselves to the last drop of
OF AMERICA. 177
blood, without demanding quarter; promising -withal,
that whosoever behaved himself thus, should be very
well rewarded.
With this courageous resolution they set sail to seek
the Spaniards. On April 30, 1669, they found the
Spanish fleet riding at anchor in the middle of the entry
of the lake. Captain Morgan, it being now late and almost
dark, commanded all his vessels to an anchor, designing
to fight even all night if they forced him to it. He ordered
a careful watch to be kept aboard every vessel till morning,
they being almost within shot, as well as within sight
of the enemy. The day dawning, they weighed anchor,
and sailed again, steering directly towards the Spaniards ;
who seeing them move, did instantly the same. The
fire-ship sailing before the rest fell presently upon the
great ship, and grappled her ; which the Spaniards (too
late) perceiving to be a fire-ship, they attempted to put her
off, but in vain : for the flame seizing her timber and
tackling, soon consumed all the stern, the fore part
sinking into the sea, where she perished. The second
Spanish ship perceiving the admiral to burn, not by
accident, but by industry of the enemy, escaped towards
the castle, where the Spaniards themselves sunk her,
choosing to lose their ship rather than to fall into the
hands of those pirates. The third, having no opportunity
to escape, was taken by the pirates. The seamen that
sunk the second ship near the castle, perceiving the
pirates come towards them to take what remains they
could find of their shipwreck (for some part was yet above
water), set fire also to this vessel, that the pirates might
enjoy nothing of that spoil. The first ship being set on
fire, some of the persons in her swam towards the shore ;
these the pirates would have taken up in their boats, but
they would not ask or take quarter, choosing rather to
12
178 THE BUCCANEERS
lose their lives than receive them from their hands, for
reasons which I shall relate.
The pirates being extremely glad at this signal victory
so soon obtained, and with so great an inequality of forces,
conceived greater pride than they had before, and all pre-
sently ran ashore, intending to take the castle. This they
found well provided with men, cannon, and ammunition,
they having no other arms than muskets, and a few hand
granadoes : their own artillery they thought incapable, for
its sniallness, of making any considerable breach in the
walls. Thus they spent the rest of the day, firing at the
garrison with their muskets, till the dusk of the evening,
when they attempted to advance nearer the walls, to throw
in their fire-balls : but the Spaniards resolving to sell their
lives as dear as they could, fired so furiously at them, that
they having experimented the obstinacy of the enemy, and
seeing thirty of their men dead, and as many more
wounded, they retired to their ships.
The Spaniards believing the pirates would next day
renew the attack with their own cannon, laboured hard all
night to put things in order for their coming ; particularly,
they dug down, and made plain, some little hills and
eminences, when possibly the castle might be offended.
But Captain Morgan intended not to come again, busying
himself next day in taking prisoners some of the men who
still swam alive, hoping to get part of the riches lost in the
two ships that perished. Among the rest, he took a pilot,
who was a stranger, and who belonged to the lesser ship of
the two, of whom he inquired several things ; as, What
number of people those three ships had in them? Whether
they expected any more ships to come ? From what port
they set forth last, when they came to seek them out ?
He answered, in Spanish, " Noble sir, be pleased to pardon
and spare me, that no evil be done to me, being a stranger
HENRY MORGAN.
From the Portrait in " De Amcricaensche Roovtrs.")
OF AMERICA. 179
to this nation I have served, and I shall sincerely inform
you of all that passed till our arrival at this lake. "We
were sent by orders from the Supreme Council of State in
Spain, being six men-of-war well equipped, into these seas,
with instructions to cruise upon the English pirates, and
root them out from these parts by destroying as many of
them as we could.
" These orders were given, upon the news brought to
the court of Spain of the joss and ruin of Puerto Bello, and
other places ; of all which d amages and hostilities com- '
mitted here by the English, dismal lamentations have
often been made to the catholic king and council, to whom
belongs the care and preservation of this new world. And
though the Spanish court hath many times by their am-
bassadors complained hereof to the king of England ; yet
it hath been the constant answer of his Majesty of Great
Britain, that he never gave any letters patent, "n or com-
missions, for acting any hostility against the subjects of
the king of Spain. Hereupon the catholic king resolved to
revenge his subjects, and punish these proceedings : com-
manded six men-of-war to be equipped, which he sent
under the command of Don Augustine de Bustos, admiral
of the said fleet. He commanded the-biggost ship, named
N. S. de la Soleda, of forty-eight great guns, and eight
small ones. The vice-admiral was Don Alonsb del Campo
y Espinosa, who commanded the second ship called La
Conception, of forty-four great guns, and eight small ones ;
beside four vessels more, whereof the first was named the
Magdalen, of thirty-six great guns, and twelve small ones,
with two hundred and fifty men. The second was called
St. Lewis, with twenty-six great guns, twelve small ones,
and two hundred men. The third was called La Marquesa,
of sixteen great guns, eight small ones, and one hundred
and fifty men. The fourth and last, N. S. del Carmen,
180 THE BUCCANEERS
with eighteen great guns, eight small ones, and one hun-
dred and fifty men.
"Being arrived at Carthagena, the two greatest ships
received orders to return to Spain, being judged too big for
cruising on these coasts. With the four ships remaining,
Don Alonso del Campo y Espinosa departed towards Cam-
pechy to seek the English : we arrived at the port there,
where, being surprised by a huge storm from the north,
we lost one of our ships, being that which I named last.
Hence we sailed for Hispaniola, in sight of which we came
in a few days, and steered for Santo Domingo : here we
heard that there had passed that way a fleet from Jamaica,
and that some men thereof had landed at Alta Gracia ; the
inhabitants had taken one prisoner, who confessed their
design was to go and pillage the city of Caraccas. On this
news, Don Alonso instantly weighed anchor, and, crossing
over to the continent, we came in sight of the Caraccas :
here we found them not, but met with a boat, which certi-
fied us they were in the lake of Maracaibo, and that the
fleet consisted of seven small ships, and one boat.
" Upon this we came here, and arriving at the entry of
the lake, we shot off a gun for a pilot from the shore.
Those on land perceiving we were Spaniards, came willingly
to us with a pilot, and told us the English had taken
Maracaibo, and that they were now at the pillage of
Gibraltar. Don Alonso, on this news, made a handsome
speech to his soldiers and mariners, encouraging them to
their duty, and promising to divide among them all they
should take from the English : he ordered the guns we had
taken out of the ship that was lost to be put into the castle,
and mounted for its defence, with two eighteen-pounders
more, out of his own ship. The pilots conducted us into
the port, and Don Alonso commanded the people on shore
to come before him, whom he ordered to repossess the
OF AMERICA 181
castle, and reinforce it with one hundred men more than it
had before its being taken. Soon after, we heard of your
return from Gibraltar to Maracaibo, whither Don Alonso
wrote you a letter, giving you an account of his arrival and
design, and exhorting you to restore what you had taken.
This you refusing, he renewed his promises to his soldiers
and seamen, and having given a very good supper to all
his people, he ordered them not to take or give any quarter,
which was the occasion of so many being drowned, who
dared not to crave quarter, knowing themselves must give
none. Two days before you came against us, a negro came
aboard Don Alonso's ship, telling him, ' Sir, be pleased to
have great care of yourself ; for the English have prepared
a fire-ship, with design to burn your fleet.' But Don
Alonso not believing this, answered, 'How can that be?
Have they, peradventure, wit enough to build a fire-ship ?
Or what instruments have they to do it withal ? ' "
This pilot having related so distinctly these things to
Captain Morgan, was very well used by him, and, after
some kind proffers made to him, remained in his service.
He told Captain Morgan, that, in the ship which was sunk,
there was a great quantity of plate, to the value of forty
thousand pieces of eight ; which occasioned the Spaniards
to be often seen in boats about it. Hereupon, Captain
Morgan ordered one of his ships to remain there, to find
ways of getting out of it what plate they could; mean-
while, himself, with all his fleet, returned to Maracaibo,
where he refitted the great ship he had taken, and chose
it for himself, giving his own bottom to one of his
captains.
Then he sent again a messenger to the admiral, who was
escaped ashore, and got into the castle, demanding of him
a ransom of fire for Maracaibo ; which being denied, he
threatened entirely to consume and destroy it. The
182 THE BUCCANEERS
Spaniards considering the ill-luck they had all along
with those pirates, and not knowing how to get rid of
them, concluded to pay the said ransom, though Don
Alonso would not consent.
Hereupon, they sent to Captain Morgan, to know what
sum he demanded. He answered, that on payment of
30,000 pieces of eight, and five hundred beeves, he would
release the prisoners and do no damage to the town. At
last they agreed on 20,000 pieces of eight, and five hundred
beeves to victual his fleet. The cattle were brought the
next day, with one part of the money ; and, while the
pirates were busied in salting the flesh, they made up the
whole 20,000 pieces of eight, as was agreed.
But Captain Morgan would not presently deliver the
prisoners, as he had promised, fearing the shot of the
castle at his going forth out of the lake. Hereupon he
told them he intended not to deliver them till he was out
of that danger, hoping thus to obtain a free passage. Then
he set sail with his fleet in quest of the ship he had left, to
seek for the plate of the vessel that was burnt. He found
her on the place, with 15,000 pieces of eight got out of the
work, beside many pieces of plate, as hilts of swords, and
the like ; also a great quantity of pieces of eight melted
and run together, by the force of the fire.
Captain Morgan scarce thought himself secure, nor
could he contrive how to avoid the shot of the castle :
hereupon he wished the prisoners to agree with the
governor to permit a safe passage to his fleet, which, if he
should not allow, he would certainly hang them all up in
his ships. Upon this the prisoners met, and appointed
some of their fellow-messengers to go to the said governor,
Don Alonso : these went to him, beseeching and supplica-
ting him to have compassion on those afflicted prisoners,
who were, with their wives and children, in the hands of
OF AMERICA. 183
Captain Morgan ; and that to this effect he would be
pleased to give his word to let the fleet of pirates freely
pass, this being the only way to save both the lives of
them that came with this petition, as also of those who
remained in captivity ; all being equally menaced with the
sword and gallows, if he granted them not this humble
request. But Don Alonso gave them for answer a sharp
reprehension of their cowardice, telling them, " If you had
been as loyal to your king in hindering the entry of these
pirates, as I shall do their going out, you had never caused
these troubles neither to yourselves nor to our whole
nation, which hath suffered so much through your pusil-
lanimity. In a word, I shall never grant your request, but
shall endeavour to maintain that respect which is due to
my king, according to my duty."
Thus the Spaniards returned with much consternation,
and no hopes of obtaining their request, telling Captain
Morgan what answer they had received : his reply was,
" If Don Alonso will not let me pass, I will find means
how to do it without him." Hereupon he presently made
a dividend of all they had taken, fearing he might not have
an opportunity to do it in another place, if any tempest
should rise and separate the ships, as also being jealous
that any of the commanders might run away with the best
part of the spoil, which then lay much more in one vessel
than another. Thus they all brought in according to their
laws, and declared what they had, first making oath not
to conceal* the least thing. The accounts being cast up,
they found to the value of 25,000 x pieces of eight, in money
and jewels, beside the huge quantity of merchandise and
slaves, all which purchase was divided to every ship or
boat, according to their share.
The dividend being made, the question still remained
how they should pass the castle, and get out of the lake.
184 THE BUCCANEERS
To this effect they made use of a stratagem, as follows :
the day before the night wherein they determined to get
forth, they embarked many of their men in canoes, and
rowed towards the shore, as if they designed to land : here
they hid themselves under branches of trees that hang
over the coast awhile, laying themselves down in the boats;
then the canoes returned to the ships, with the appearance
of only two or three men rowing them back, the rest being
unseen at the bottom of the canoes : thus much only could
be perceived from the castle, and this false landing of men,
for so we may call it, was repeated that day several times :
this made the Spaniards think the pirates intended at night
to force the castle by scaling it. This fear caused them to
place most of their great guns on the land side, together
with their main force, leaving the side towards the sea
almost destitute of defence.
Night being come, they weighed anchor, and by moon-
light, without setting sail, committed themselves to the
ebbing tide, which gently brought them down the river,
till they were near the castle ; being almost over against
it, they spread their sails with all possible haste. The
Spaniards perceiving this, transported with all speed their
guns from the other side, and began to fire very furiously
at them ; but these having a very favourable wind, were
almost past danger before those of the castle could hurt
them ; so that they lost few of their men, and received no
considerable damage in their ships. Being out of the
reach of the guns, Captain Morgan sent a canoe to the
castle with some of the prisoners, and the governor thereof
gave them a boat to return to their own homes ; but he
detained the hostages from Gibraltar, because the rest of
the ransom for not firing the place was yet unpaid. Just
as he departed, Captain Morgan ordered seven great guns
with bullets to be fired against the castle, as it were to
OF AMEEICA. 185
take his leave of them, but they answered not so much as
with a musket shot.
Next day after, they were surprised with a great tempest,
which forced them to cast anchor in five or six fathom
water : but the storm increasing, compelled them to weigh
again, and put to sea, where they were in great danger of
being lost ; for if they should have been cast on shore,
either into the hands of the Spaniards or Indians, they
would certainly have obtained no mercy : at last, the
tempest being spent, the wind ceased, to the great joy
of the whole fleet.
While Captain Morgan made his fortune by these
pillagings, his companions, who were separated from his
fleet at the Cape de Lobos, to take the ship spoken of
before, endured much misery, and were unfortunate in all
their attempts. Being arrived at Savona, they found not
Captain Morgan there, nor any of their companions, nor
had they the fortune to find a letter which Captain Morgan
at his departure left behind him in a place where in all
probability they would meet with it. Thus, not knowing
what course to steer, they concluded to pillage some town
or other. They were in all about four hundred men,
divided into four ships and one boat : being ready to set
forth, they constituted an admiral among themselves, being
one who had behaved himself very courageously at the
taking of Puerto Bello, named Captain Hansel, This com-
mander attempted the taking of the town of Commana, on
the continent of Caraccas, nigh sixty leagues to the west of
the Isle de la Trinidad. Being arrived there, they landed
their men, and killed some few Indians near the coast; but
approaching the town, the Spaniards having in their com-
pany many Indians, disputed the entry so briskly, that,
with great loss and confusion, they were forced to retire to
the ships. At last they arrived at Jamaica, where the rest
186 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
of their companions, who came with Captain Morgan,
mocked and jeered them for their ill success at Commana,
often telling them, " Let us see what money you brought
from Commana, and if it be as good silver as that which
we bring from Maracaibo."
CHAPTER XIII.
Captain Morgan goes to Hispaniola to equip a new fleet, with intent
to pillage again on the coast of the West Indies.
CAPTAIN MORGAN perceived now that Fortune
favoured him, by giving success to all his enterprises)
which occasioned him, as is usual in human affairs, to
aspire to greater things, trusting she would always be con-
stant to him.
Such was the burning of Panama, wherein Fortune
failed not to assist him, as she had done before, though
she had led him thereto through a thousand difficul-
ties. The history hereof I shall now relate, being so
remarkable in all its circumstances, ' as peradventure
nothing more deserving memory will be read by future
Captain Morgan arriving at Jamaica, found many
of his officers and soldiers reduced to their former in-
digency, by their vices and debaucheries. Hence
they perpetually importuned him for new exploits,
thereby to get something to expend still in wine and
strumpets, as they had already done what they got
before.
Captain Morgan, willing to follow Fortune's call,
stopped the mouths of many inhabitants of Jamaica,
188 TEE BUCCANEEBS
who were creditors to his men for large sums, with
the hopes and promises of greater achievements than
ever, by a new expedition. This done, he could easily
levy men for any enterprise, his name being so famous
through all those islands as that alone would readily
bring him in more men than he could well employ. He
undertook therefore to equip a new fleet, for which he
assigned the south side of Tortuga as a place of rendez-
vous, writing letters to all the expert pirates there in-
habiting, as also to the governor, and to the planters
and hunters of Hispaniola, informing them of his inten-
tions, and desiring their appearance, if they intended
to go with him. These people upon this notice nocked
to the place assigned, in huge numbers, with ships,
canoes, and boats, being desirous to follow him. Many,
who had not the convenience of coming by sea, tra-
versed the woods of Hispaniola, and with no small diffi-
culties .arrived there by land. Thus all were present
at the place assigned, and ready against October 24,
1670.
Captain Morgan was not wanting to be there punctually,
coming in his ship to Port Couillon, over against the island
De la Vaca, the place assigned. Having gathered the
greatest part of his fleet, he called a council to deliberate
about finding provisions for so many people. Here they
concluded to send four ships and one boat, with four
hundred men, to the continent, in order to rifle some
country towns and villages for all the corn or maize they
could gather. They set sail for the continent towards
the river De la Hacha, designing to assault the village
called La Kancheria, usually best stored with maize
of all the parts thereabouts. Meanwhile Captain
Morgan sent another party to hunt in the woods, who
killed a huge number of beasts, and salted them : the
OF AMERICA. 189
rest remained in the ships, to clean, fit, and rig. them,
that, at the return of their fellows, all things might
be in a readiness to weigh anchor and follow their
designs.
CHAPTER XIV.
What happened in the river De la Hacha.
THESE four ships setting sail from Hispaniola, steered
for the river De la Hacha, where they were suddenly
overtaken with a tedious calm. Being within sight of land
becalmed for some days, the Spaniards inhabiting along
the coasts, who had perceived them to be enemies, had
sufficient time to prepare themselves, at least to hide the
best of their goods, that, without any care of preserving
them, they might be ready to retire, if they proved unable
to resist the pirates, by whose frequent attempts on those
coasts they had already learned what to do in such cases.
There was then in the river a good ship, come from
Carthagena to lade with maize, and now almost ready to
depart. The men of this ship endeavoured to escape ;
but, not being able to do it, both they and the vessel fell
into their hands. This was a fit purchase for them, being
good part of what they came for. Next morning, about
break of day, they came with their ships ashore, and
landed their men, though the Spaniards made good re-
sistance from a battery they had raised on that side,
where, of necessity, they were to land ; but they were
forced to retire to a village, whither the pirates followed
them. Here the Spaniards rallying, fell upon them with
great fury, and maintained a strong combat, which lasted
till night ; but then, perc.eiving they had lost a great
THE BUCCANEEES OF AMEEICA. 191
number of men, which was no less on ^ the pirates' side,
they retired to secret places in the woods.
Next day the pirates seeing them all fled, and the town
left empty of people, they pursued them as far as they
could, and overtook a party of Spaniards, whom they made
prisoners, and exercised with most cruel torments, to dis-
cover their goods. Some were forced, by intolerable
tortures, to confess ; but others, who would not, were used
more barbarously. Thus, in fifteen days that they re-
mained there, they took many prisoners, much plate and
movables, with which booty they resolved to return to
Hispaniola : yet, not content with what they had got, they
dispatched some prisoners into the woods to seek for the
rest of the inhabitants, and to demand a ransom for not
burning the town. They answered, they had no money
nor plate ; but if they would be satisfied with a quantity
of maize, they would give as much as they could. The
pirates accepted this, it being then more useful to them
than ready money, and agreed they should pay four
thousand hanegs, or bushels of maize. These were
brought in three days after, the Spaniards being desirous
to rid themselves of that inhuman sort of people. Having
laded them on board with the rest of their purchase, they
returned to Hispaniola, to give account to their leader,
Captain Morgan, of all they had performed.
They had now been absent five weeks on this com-
mission, which long delay occasioned Captain Morgan
almost to despair of their return, fearing lest they were
fallen into the hands of the Spaniards ; especially con-
sidering the place whereto they went could easily be
relieved from Carthagena and Santa Maria, if the in-
habitants were careful to alarm the country. On the
other side, he feared lest they should have made some
great fortune in that voyage, and with it have escaped to
192 THE BUCCANEEES
some other place. But seeing his ships return in greater
numbers than they departed, he resumed new courage,
this sight causing hoth in him and his companions infinite
joy, especially when they found them full laden with
maize, which they much wanted for the maintenance of so
many people, from whom they expected great matters
under such a commander.
Captain Morgan having divided the said maize, as also
the flesh which the hunters brought, among his ships, ac-
cording to the number of men, he concluded to depart ;
having viewed beforehand every ship, and observed their
being well equipped and clean. Thus he set sail, and
stood for Cape Tiburon, where he determined to resolve
what enterprise he should take in hand. No sooner were
they arrived, but they met some other ships newly come
to join them from Jamaica ; so that now their fleet con-
sisted of thirty-seven ships, wherein were two thousand
fighting men, beside mariners and boys. The admiral
hereof was mounted with twenty-two great guns, and six
small ones of brass ; the rest carried some twenty, some
sixteen, some eighteen, and the smallest vessel at least
four ; besides which, they had great quantities of
ammunition and fire-balls, with other inventions of
powder.
Captain Morgan having such a number of ships, divided
the whole fleet into two squadrons, constituting a vice-
admiral, and other officers of the second squadron, distinct
from the former. To these he gave letters patent, or com-
missions to act all manner of hostilities against the
Spanish nation, and take of them what ships they could,
either abroad at sea, or in the harbours, as if they were
open and declared enemies (as he termed it) of the king of
England, his pretended master. This done, he called all
his captains and other officers together, and caused them
OF AMERICA. 193
to sign some articles of agreement betwixt them,- and in
the name of all. Herein it was stipulated, that he should
have the hundredth part of all that was gotten to himself :
that every captain should draw the shares of eight men for
the expenses of his ship, besides his own. To the surgeon,
beside his pay, two hundred pieces of eight for his chest of
medicaments. To every carpenter, above his salary, one
hundred pieces of eight. The rewards were settled in this
voyage much higher than before : as, for the loss of both
legs, fifteen hundred pieces of eight, or fifteen slaves, the
choice left to the party : for the loss of both hands,
eighteen hundred pieces of eight, or eighteen slaves : for
one leg, whether right or left, six hundred pieces of eight,
or six slaves : for a hand, as much as for a leg ; and for
the loss of an eye, one hundred pieces of eight, or one
slave. Lastly, to him that in any battle should signalize
himself, either by entering first any castle, or taking down
the Spanish colours, and setting up the English, they
allotted fifty pieces of eight for a reward. All which ex-
traordinary salaries and rewards to be paid out of the first
spoil they should take, as every one should occur to be
either rewarded or paid.
This contract being signed, Captain Morgan commanded
his vice-admirals and captains to put all things in order,
to attempt one of these three places ; either Carthagena,
Panama, or Vera Cruz. But the lot fell on Panama, as
the richest of all three ; though this city being situate at
such a distance from the North Sea as they knew not well
the approaches to it, they judged it necessary to go before-
hand to the isle of St. Catherine, there to find some
persons for guides in this enterprise ; for in the garrison
there are commonly many banditti and outlaws belonging
to Panama and the neighbouring places, who are very
expert in the knowledge of that country. But before they
13
194 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
proceeded, they published an act through the whole fleet,
promising, if they met with any Spanish vessel, the first
captain who should take it should have for his reward the
tenth part of what should be found in her.
CHAPTEE XV.
Captain Morgan leaves Hispaniola, and goes to St. Catherine's, which
he takes.
CAPTAIN MOEGAN and his companions weighed
anchor from the Cape of Tiburon, December 16,
1670. Four days after they arrived in sight of St.
Catherine's, now in possession of the Spaniards again, as
was said before, to which they commonly banish the male-
factors of the Spanish dominions in the West Indies.
Here are huge quantities of pigeons at certain seasons.
It is watered by four rivulets, whereof two are always dry
in summer. Here is no trade or commerce exercised by
the inhabitants ; neither do they plant more fruits than
what are necessary for human life, though the country
would make very good plantations of tobacco of con-
siderable profit, were it cultivated.
As soon as Captain Morgan came near the island with
his fleet, he sent one of his best sailing vessels to view the
entry of the river, and see if any other ships were there,
who might hinder him from landing ; as also fearing lest
they should give intelligence of his arrival to the in-
habitants, and prevent his designs.
Next day, before sunrise, all the fleet anchored near the
island, in a bay called Aguade Grande. On this bay the
Spaniards had built a battery, mounted with four pieces of
cannon. Captain Morgan landed about one thousand men
196 THE BUCCANEEES
in divers squadrons, marching through the woods, though
they had no other guides than a few of his own men, who
had been there before, under Mansvelt. The same day
they came to a place where the governor sometimes
resided : here they found a battery called the Platform, but
nobody in it, the Spaniards having retired to the lesser
island, which, as was said before, is so near the great one,
that a short bridge only may conjoin them.
This lesser island was so well fortified with forts and
batteries round it, as might seem impregnable. Hereupon,
as soon as the Spaniards perceived the pirates approach,
they fired on them so furiously, that they could advance
nothing that day, but were content to retreat, and take up
their rest in the open fields, which was not strange to
these people, being sufficiently used to such kind of repose.
What most afflicted them was hunger, having not eat
anything that whole day. About midnight it rained so
hard, that they had much ado to bear it, the greatest part
of them having no other clothes than a pair of seaman's
trousers or breeches, and a shirt, without shoes or
stockings. In this great extremity they pulled down a few
thatched houses to make fires withal ; in a word, they were
in such a condition, that one hundred men, indifferently
well armed, might easily that night have torn them all in
pieces. Next morning, about break of day, the rain
ceased, and they dried their arms and marched on : but
soon after it rained afresh, rather harder than before, as if
the skies were melted into waters ; which kept them from
advancing towards the forts, whence the Spaniards con-
tinually fired at them.
The pirates were now reduced to great affliction and
danger, through the hardness of the weather, their own
nakedness, and great hunger ; for a small relief hereof,
they found in the fields an old horse, lean, and full of
OF AMERICA. f 197
scabs and blotches, with galled back and sides : this they
instantly killed and flayed, and divided in small pieces
among themselves, as far as it would reach (for many
could not get a morsel) which they roasted and devoured
without salt or bread, more like ravenous wolves than men.
The rain not ceasing, Captain Morgan perceived their
minds to relent, hearing many of them say they would
return on board. Among these fatigues of mind and body,
he thought convenient to use some sudden remedy : to
this effect, he commanded a canoe to be rigged in haste,
and colours of truce to be hanged out. This canoe he sent
to the Spanish governor, with this message: "That if
within a few hours he delivered not himself and all his
men into his hands, he did by that messenger swear to
him, and all those that were in his company, he would
most certainly put them to the sword, without granting
quarter to any."
In the afternoon the canoe returned with this answer :
" That the governor desired two hours' time to deliberate
with his officers about it, which being past, he would give
his positive answer." The time being elapsed, the gover-
nor sent two canoes with white colours, and two persons
to treat with Captain Morgan ; but, before they landed,
they demanded of the pirates two persons as hostages.
These were readily granted by Captain Morgan, who
delivered them two of his captains for a pledge of the
security required. With this the Spaniards propounded
to Captain Morgan, that the governor, in a full assembly,
had resolved to deliver up the island, not being provided
with sufficient forces to defend it against such an armada.
But withal, he desired Captain Morgan would be pleased
to use a certain stratagem of war, for the better saving
of his own credit, and the reputation of his officers both
abroad and at home, which should be as follows : That
198 THE BUCCANEERS
Captain Morgan would come with his troops by night
to the bridge that joined the lesser island to the great one,
and there attack the fort of St. Jerome : that at the same
time all his fleet would draw near the castle of Santa
Teresa, and attack it by land, landing, in the meanwhile,
more troops near the battery of St. Matthew : that these
troops being newly landed, should by this means intercept
the governor as he endeavoured to pass to St. Jerome's fort,
and then take him prisoner ; using the formality, as if they
forced him to deliver the castle ; and that he would lead
the English into it, under colour of being his own troops.
That on both sides there should be continual firing, but
without bullets, or at least into the air, so that no side
might be hurt. That thus having obtained two such con-
siderable forts, the chiefest of the isle, he need not take
care for the rest, which must fall of course into his hands.
These propositions were granted by Captain Morgan, on
condition they should see them faithfully observed ; other-
wise they should be used with the utmost rigour : this
they promised to do, and took their leave, to give account
of their negotiation to the governor. Presently after,
Captain Morgan commanded the whole fleet to enter the
port, and his men to be ready to assault, that night, the
castle of St. Jerome. Thus the false battle began, with in-
cessant firing from both the castles, against the ships, but
without bullets, as was agreed. Then the pirates landed,
and assaulted by night the lesser island, which they took,
as also both the fortresses ; forcing the Spaniards, in
appearance, to fly to the church. Before this assault,
Captain Morgan sent word to the governor, that he should
keep all his men together in a body ; otherwise, if the
pirates met any straggling Spaniards in the streets, they
should certainly shoot them.
This island being taken by this unusual stratagem, and
OF AMEEICA. , 199
all things put in order, the pirates made a new war against
the poultry, cattle, and all sorts of victuals they could find,
for some days; scarce thinking of anything else than to
kill, roast, and eat, and make \\hat good cheer they could.
If wood was wanting, they pulled down the houses, and
made fires with the timber, as had been done before in the
field. Next day they numbered all the prisoners they had
taken upon the island, which were found to be in all four
hun dred and fifty -nine persons, men, women, and children ;
viz., one hundred and ninety soldiers of the garrison ;
forty in habitants, who were married : forty-three children,
thirty- four slaves, belonging to the king ; with eight
children, eight banditti, thirty-nine negroes belonging to
private persons ; with twenty-seven female blacks, and
thirt y-four children. The pirates disarmed all the
Spani ards, and sent them out immediately to the planta-
tions to seek for provisions, leaving the women in the
church to exercise their devotions.
Soon after they reviewed the whole island, and all the
fortresses thereof, which they found to be nine in all, viz.,
the fort of St. Jerome, next the^ridge, had eight great guns,
of twelve, six, and eight pounds carriage ; with six pipes of
muskets, every pipe containing ten muskets. Here they
found still sixty muskets, with sufficient powder and other
ammunition. The second fortress, called St. Matthew,
had three guns, of eight pounds each. The third, and
chiefest, named Santa Teresa, had twenty great guns, of
eighteen, twelve, eight, and six pounds ; with ten pipes of
muskets, like those before, and ninety muskets remaining,
besides other ammunition. This castle was built with
stone and mortar, with very thick walls, and a large ditch
round it, twenty feet deep, which, though it was dry, yet
was very hard to get over. Here was no entry, but through
one door, to the middle of the castle. Within it was a
200 THE BUCCANEERS
mount, almost inaccessible, with four pieces of cannon at
the top ; whence they could shoot directly into the port.
On the sea side it was impregnable, by reason of the rocks
round it, and the sea beating furiously upon them. To
the land it was so commodiously seated on a mountain, as
there was no access to it but by a path three or four feet
broad. The fourth fortress was named St. Augustine,
having three guns of eight and six pounds. The fifth,
named La Plattafprma de la Conception, had only two
guns, of eight pounds. The sixth, by name San Salvador,
had likewise no more than two guns. The seventh, called
Plattaforma de los Artilleros, had also two guns. The
eighth, called Santa Cruz, had three guns. The ninth,
called St. Joseph's Fort, had six guns, of twelve and eight
pounds, besides two pipes of muskets, and sufficient
ammunition.
In the storehouses were above thirty thousand pounds
of powder, with all other ammunition, which was carried by
the pirates on board. All the guns were stopped and nailed,
and the fortresses demolished, except that of St. Jerome,
where the pirates kept guard and resistance. Captain
Morgan inquired for any banditti from Panama or Puerto
Bello, and three were brought him, who pretended to be
very expert in the avenues of those parts. He asked them
to be his guides, and show him the securest ways to
Panama, which, if they performed, he promised them
equal shares in the plunder of that expedition, and their
liberty when they arrived in Jamaica. These propositions
the banditti readily accepted, promising to serve him very
faithfully, especially one of the three, who was the greatest
rogue, thief, and assassin among them, who had deserved
rather to be broken alive on the wheel, than punished
with serving in a garrison. This wicked fellow had a
great ascendant over the other two, and domineered over
OF AMEBICA. . 201
them as he pleased, they not daring to disobey his
orders.
Captain Morgan commanded four ships and one boat to
be equipped, and provided with necessaries, to go and take
the castle of Chagre, on the river of that name ; neither
would he go himself with his whole fleet, lest the Spaniards
should be jealous of his farther design on Panama. In
these vessels he embarked four hundred men, to put in
execution these his orders. Meanwhile, himself remained
in St. Catherine's with the rest of the fleet, expecting to
hear of their success.
CHAPTEE XVI.
Captain Morgan takes the Castle of Chagre, with four hundred men
sent to this purpose from St Catherine's.
CAPTAIN MOEGAN sending this little fleet to Chagre,
chose for vice-admiral thereof one Captain Brodely,
who had been long in those quarters, and committed many
robberies on the Spaniards, when Mansvelt took the isle of
St. Catherine, as was before related; and therefore was
thought a fit person for this exploit, his actions likewise
having rendered him famous among the pirates, and their
enemies the Spaniards. Captain Brodely being made
commander, in three days after his departure arrived in
sight of the said castle of Chagre, by the Spaniards called
St. Lawrence. This castle is built on a high mountain, at
the entry of the river, surrounded by strong palisades, or
wooden walls, filled with earth, which secures them as well
as the best wall of stone or brick. The top of this moun-
tain is, in a manner, divided into two parts, between which
is a ditch thirty feet deep. The castle hath but one entry,
and that by a drawbridge over this ditch. To the land it
has four bastions, and to the sea two more. The south
part is totally inaccessible, through the cragginess of the
mountain. The north is surrounded by the river, which
here is very broad. At the foot of the castle, or rather
mountain, is a strong fort, with eight great guns, com-
manding the entry of the river. Not much lower are two
THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 203
other batteries, each of six pieces, to defend likewise the
mouth of the river. At one side of the castle are two great
storehouses of all sorts of warlike ammunition and mer-
chandise, brought thither from the island country. Near
these houses is a high pair of stairs hewn out of the rock,
to mount to the top of the castle. On the west is a small
port, not above seven or eight fathoms deep, fit for small
vessels, and of very good anchorage ; besides, before the
castle, at the entry of the river, is a great rock, scarce to
be descried but at low tides.
No sooner had the Spaniards perceived the pirates, but
they fired incessantly at them with the biggest of their
guns. They came to an anchor in a small port, about a
league from the castle. Next morning, very early, they
went ashore, and marched through the woods, to attack
the castle on that side. This march lasted till two of the
clock in the afternoon, before they could reach the castle,
by reason of the difficulties of the way, and its mire and
dirt ; and though their guides served them very exactly,
yet they came so nigh the castle at first, that they lost
many of their men by its shot, they being in an open
place without covert. This much perplexed the pirates,
not knowing what course to take ; for on that side, of
necessity, they must make the assault : and being un-
covered from head to foot, they could not advance one step
without danger : besides that, the castle, both for its
situation and strength, made them much doubt of success.
But to give it over they d&red not, lest they should be re-
proached by their companions.
At last, after many doubts and disputes, resolving to
hazard the assault and their lives desperately, they ad-
vanced towards the castle with their swords in one hand,
and fireballs in the other. The Spaniards defended them-
selves very briskly, ceasing not to fire at them continually ;
204 THE BUCCANEEBS
crying withal, " Come on, ye English dogs ! enemies to>
God and our king; and let your other companions that
are behind come on too, ye shall not go to Panama this
bout." The pirates making some trial to climb the walls,
were forced to retreat, resting themselves till night. This
being come, they retured to the assault, to try, by the help
of their fire-balls, to destroy the pales before the wall ; and
while they were about it, there happened a very remarkable
accident, which occasioned their victory. One of the
pirates being wounded with an arrow in his back, which
pierced his body through, he pulled it out boldly at the
side of his breast, and winding a little cotton about it, he
put it into his musket, and shot it back to the castle ; but
the cotton being kindled by the powder, fired two or three
houses in the castle, being thatched with palm-leaves,
which the Spaniards perceived not so soon as was neces-
sary : for this fire meeting with a parcel of powder, blew
it up, thereby causing great ruin, and no less consternation
to the Spaniards, who were not able to put a stop to it,
not having seen it time enough.
The pirates perceiving the effect of the arrow, and the
misfortunes of the Spaniards, were infinitely glad ; and
while they were busied in quenching the fire, which caused
a great confusion for want of water, the pirates took this
opportunity, setting fire likewise to the palisades. The
fire thus seen at once in several parts about the castle,
gave them great advantage against the Spaniards, many
breaches being made by the fire among the pales, great
heaps of earth falling into the ditch. Then the pirates
climbing up, got over into the castle, though those
Spaniards, who were not busy about the fire, cast down
many flaming pots full of combustible matter, and odious
smells, which destroyed many of the English.
The Spaniards, with all their resistance, could not
OF AMEBICA. 205
hinder -the palisades from being burnt down before mid-
night. Meanwhile the pirates continued in their intention
of taking the castle ; and though the fire was very great,
they would creep on the ground, as near as they could, and
shoot amidst the flames against the Spaniards on the other
side, and thus killed many from the walls. When day was
come, they observed all the movable earth, that lay be-
twixt the pales, to be fallen into the ditch ; so that now
those within the castle lay equally exposed to them without,
as had been on the contrary before ; whereupon the pirates
continued shooting very furiously, and killed many
Spaniards ; for the governor had charged them to make
good those posts, answering to the heaps of earth fallen
into the ditch, and caused the artillery to be transported
to the breaches.
The fire within the castle still continuing, the pirates
from abroad did what they could to hinder its progress, by
shooting incessantly against it ; one party of them was
employed only for this, while another watched all the
motions of the Spaniards. About noon the English gained
a breach, which the governor himself defended with twenty-
five soldiers. Here was made a very courageous resis-
tance by the Spaniards, with muskets, pikes, stones, and
swords ; but through all these the pirates fought their way,
till they gained the castle. The Spaniards, who remained
alive, cast themselves down from the castle into the sea,
choosing rather to die thus (few or none surviving the fall)
than to ask quarter for their lives. The governor himself
retreated to the corps du gard, before which were placed
two pieces of cannon : here he still defended himself, not
demanding any quarter, till he was killed with a musket-
shot in the head.
The governor being dead, and the corps du gard sur-
rendering, they found remaining in it alive thirty men,
206 TEE BUCCANEERS
whereof scarce ten were not wounded : these informed the
pirates that eight or nine of their soldiers had deserted,
and were gone to Panama, to carry news of their arrival
and invasion. These thirty men alone remained of three
hundred and fourteen wherewith the castle was garrisoned,
among which not one officer was found alive. These were
all made prisoners, and compelled to tell whatever they
knew of their designs and enterprises. Among other
things, that the governor of Panama had notice sent him
three weeks ago from Carthagena, that the English were
equipping a fleet at Hispaniola, with a design to take
Panama ; and, beside, that this had been discovered by
a deserter from the pirates at the river De la Hacha, where
they had victualled. That upon this, the governor had
sent one hundred and sixty-four men to strengthen the
garrison of that castle, with much provision and ammuni-
tion ; the ordinary garrison whereof was only one hundred
and fifty men, but these made up two hundred and four-
teen men, very well armed. Besides this, they declared
that the governor of Panama had placed several ambus-
cades along the river of Chagre ; and that he waited for
them in the open fields of Panama with three thousand six
hundred men.
The taking of this castle cost the pirates excessively
dear, in comparison to what they were wont to lose, and
their toil and labour was greater than at the conquest of
the isle of St. Catherine ; for, numbering their men, they
had lost above a hundred, beside seventy w r ounded. They
commanded the Spanish prisoners to cast the dead bodies
of their own men from the top of the mountain to the sea-
side, and to bury them. The wounded were carried to the
church, of which they made an hospital, and where also
they shut up the women. Thus it was likewise turned into
a place of prostitution, the pirates ceasing not to defile the
OF AMERICA. , 207
bodies of those afflicted widows with all manner of insolent
actions and threats.
Captain Morgan remained not long behind at St.
Catherine's, after taking the castle of Chagre, of which he
had notice presently ; but before he departed, he embarked
all the provisions that could be found, with much maize, or
Indian wheat, and cazave, whereof also is made bread in
those parts. He transported great store of provisions to
the garrison of Chagre, whencesoever they could be got.
At a certain place they cast into the sea all the guns
belonging thereto, designing to return, and leave that
island well garrisoned, to the perpetual possession of the
pirates ; but he ordered all the houses and forts to be
fired, except the castle of St. Teresa, which he judged to be
the strongest and securest wherein to fortify himself at his
return from Panama.
Having completed his arrangements, he took with him
all the prisoners of the island, and then sailed for Chagre,
where he arrived in eight days. Here the joy of the whole
fleet was so great, when they spied the English colours on
the castle, that they minded not their way into the river,
so that they lost four ships at the entry thereof, Captain
Morgan's being one ; yet they saved all the men and goods.
The ships, too, had been preserved, if a strong northerly
wind had not risen, which cast them on the rock at the
entry of the river.
Captain Morgan was brought into the castle with great
acclamations of all the pirates, both of those within, and
those newly come. Having heard the manner of the
conquest, he commanded all the prisoners to work, and re-
pair what was necessary, especially to set up new palisades
round the forts of the castle. There were still in the river
some Spanish vessels, called chatten, serving for trans-
portation of merchandise up and down the river, and to
208 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
go to Puerto Bello and Nicaragua. These commonly carry
two great guns of iron, and four small ones of brass.
These vessels they seized, with four little ships they found
there, and all the canoes. In the castle they left a garrison
of five hundred men, and in the ships in the river one
hundred and fifty more. This done, Captain Morgan
departed for Panama at the head of twelve hundred men.
He carried little provisions with him, hoping to provide
himself sufficiently among the Spaniards, whom he knew to
lie in ambuscade by the way.
CHAPTEK XVII.
Captain Morgan departs from Chagre, at the head of twelve hundred
men, to take the city of Panama.
CAPTAIN MOEGAN set forth from the castle of Chagre,
towards Panama, August 18, 1670. He had with
him twelve hundred men, five boats laden with artillery,
and thirty-two canoes. The first day they sailed only six
leagues, and came to a place called De los Bracos. Here
a party of his men went ashore, only to sleep and stretch
their limbs, being almost crippled with lying too much
crowded in the boats. Having rested awhile, they went
abroad to seek victuals in the neighbouring plantations ;
but they could find none, the Spaniards being fled, and
carrying with them all they had. This day, being the first
of their journey, they had such scarcity of victuals, as the
greatest part were forced to pass with only a pipe of
tobacco, without any other refreshment.
Next day, about evening, they came to a place called
Cruz de Juan Gallego. Here they were compelled to leave
their boats and canoes, the river being very dry for want of
rain, and many trees having fallen into it.
The guides told them, that, about two leagues farther,
the country would be very good to continue the journey by
land. Hereupon they left one hundred and sixty men on
board the boats, to defend them, that they might serve for
a refuge in necessity.
U
210 THE BUCCANEERS
Next morning, being the third day, they all went ashore,
except those who were to keep the boats. To these
Captain Morgan gave order, under great penalties, that no
man, on any pretext whatever, should dare to leave the
boats, and go ashore ; fearing lest they should be surprised
by an ambuscade of Spaniards in the neighbouring woods,
which appeared so thick as to seem almost impenetrable.
This morning beginning their march, the ways proved so
bad, that Captain Morgan thought it more convenient to
transport some of the men in canoes (though with great
labour) to a place farther up the river, called Cedro Bueno.
Thus they re-embarked, and the canoes returned for the
rest ; so that about night they got altogether at the said
place. The pirates much desired to meet some Spaniards
or Indians, hoping to fill their bellies with their provisions,
being reduced to extremity and hunger.
The fourth day the greatest part of the pirates marched
by land, being led by one of the guides ; the rest went by
water farther up, being conducted by another guide, who
always went before them, to discover, on both sides the
river, the ambuscades. These had also spies, who were
very dextrous to give notice of all accidents, or of the
arrival of the pirates, six hours, at least, before they came.
This day, about noon, they came near a post called Torna
Cavallos : here the guide of the canoes cried out, that he
perceived an ambuscade. His voice caused infinite joy to
all the pirates, hoping to find some provisions to satiate
their extreme hunger. Being come to the place, they
found nobody in it, the Spaniards being fled, and leaving
nothing behind but a few leathern bags, all empty, and
a few crumbs of bread scattered on the ground where they
had eaten. Being angry at this, they pulled down a few
little huts which the Spaniards had made, and fell to eating
the leathern bags, to allay the ferment of their stomachs,
OF AMERICA. 211
which was now so sharp as to gnaw their very bowels.
Thus they made a huge banquet upon these bags of leather,
divers quarrels arising concerning the greatest shares.
By the bigness of the place, they conjectured about five
hundred Spaniards had been there, whom, finding no
victuals, they were now infinitely desirous to meet, intend-
ing to devour some of them rather than perish.
Having feasted themselves with those pieces of leather,
they marched on, till they came about night to another
post, called Torna Munni. Here they found another
ambuscade, but as barren as the former. They searched
the neighbouring woods, but could not find anything to
eat, the Spaniards having been so provident, as not to leave
anywhere the least crumb of sustenance, whereby the
pirates were now brought to this extremity. Here again
he was happy that had reserved since noon any bit of
leather to make his supper of, drinking after it a good
draught of water for his comfort. Some, who never were
out of their mothers' kitchens, may ask, how these pirates
could eat and digest those pieces of leather, so hard and
dry ? Whom I answer, that, could they once experiment
what hunger, or rather famine, is, they would find the way
as the pirates did. For these first sliced it in pieces, then' 1
they beat it between two stones, and rubbed it, often
dipping it in water, to make it supple and tender. Lastly,
they scraped off the hair, and broiled it. Being thus
cooked, they cut it into small morsels, and ate it, helping it
down with frequent gulps of water, which, by good fortune,
they had at hand. jf
The fifth day, about noon, they came to a place called
Barbacoa. Here they found traces of another ambuscade,
but the place totally as unprovided as the former. At
a small distance were several plantations, which they
searched very narrowly, but could not find any person
212 THE BUCCANEEBS
animal, or other thing, to relieve their extreme hunger.
Finally, having ranged about, and searched a long time,
they found a grot, which seemed to be but lately hewn out
of a rock, where were two sacks of meal, wheat, and like
things, with two great jars of wine, and certain fruits called
platanoes. Captain Morgan, knowing some of his men were
now almost dead with hunger, and fearing the same of the
rest, caused what was found to be distributed among them
who were in greatest necessity. Having refreshed them-
selves with these victuals, they marched anew with greater
courage than ever. Such as were weak were put into the
canoes, and those commanded to land that were in them
before. Thus they prosecuted their journey till late at
night ; when coming to a plantation, 'they took up their
rest, but without eating anything ; for the Spaniards, as
before, had swept away all manner of provisions.
The sixth day they continued their march, part by land
and part by water. Howbeit, they were constrained to
rest very frequently, both for the ruggedness of the way,
and their extreme weakness, which they endeavoured to
relieve by eating leaves of trees and green herbs, or grass ;
such was their miserable condition. This day at noon they
arrived at a plantation, where was a barn full of maize.
Immediately they beat down the doors and ate it dry, as
much as they could devour ; then they distributed a great
quantity, giving every man a good allowance. Thus pro-
vided, and prosecuting their journey for about an hour,
they came to another ambuscade. This they no sooner
discovered, but they threw away their maize, with the
sudden hopes of finding all things in abundance. But
they were much deceived, meeting neither Indians nor
victuals, nor anything else : but they saw, on the other side
of the river, about a hundred Indians, who, all fleeing,
escaped. Some few pirates leaped into the river to cross
OF AMERICA. \ 218
it, and try to take any of the Indians, but in vain : for,
being much more nimble than the pirates, they not only
baffled them, but killed two or three with their arrows ;
hooting at them, and crying, " Ha, perrros ! a la savana,
a la savana." " Ha, ye dogs ! go to the plain, go to the
plain."
This day they could advance no farther, being necessi-
tated to pass the river, to continue their march on the
other side. Hereupon they reposed for that night, though
their sleep was not profound ; for great murmurings were
made at Captain Morgan, and his conduct; some being
desirous to return home, while others would rather die
there than go back a step from their undertaking : others,
who had greater courage, laughed and joked at their dis-
courses. Meanwhile, they had a guide who much
comforted them, saying, " It would not now be long before
they met with people from whom they should reap some
considerable advantage."
The seventh day, in the morning, they made clean their
arms, and every one discharged his pistol, or musket,
without bullet, to try their firelocks. This done, they
crossed the river, leaving the post where they had rested,
called Santa Cruz, and at noon they arrived at a village
called Cruz. Being yet far from the place, they perceived
much smoke from the chimneys : the sight hereof gave
them great joy, and hopes of finding people and plenty of
good cheer. Thus they went on as fast as they could,
encouraging one another, saying, " There is smoke comes
out of every house : they are making good fires, to roast
and boil what we are to eat ; " and the like.
At length they arrived there, all sweating and panting,
but found no person in the town, nor anything eatable to
refresh themselves, except good fires, which they wanted
not ; for the Spaniards, before their departure, had every
214 THE BUCCANEEBS
one set fire to his own house, except the king's storehouses
and stables.
They had not left behind them any beast, alive or dead,
which much troubled their minds, not finding anything but
a few cats and dogs, which they immediately killed and
devoured. At last, in the king's stables, they found, by
good fortune, fifteen or sixteen jars of Peru wine, and a
leathern sack full of bread. No sooner had they drank of
this wine, when they fell sick, almost every man : this
made them think the wine was poisoned, which caused
a new consternation in the whole camp, judging themselves
now to be irrecoverably lost. But the true reason was,
their want of sustenance, and the manifold sorts of trash
they had eaten. Their sickness was so great, as caused
them to remain there till the next morning, without being
able to prosecute their journey in the afternoon. This
village is seated in 9 deg. 2 min. north latitude, distant
from the river Chagre twenty-six Spanish leagues, and
eight from Panama. This is the last place to which boats
or canoes can come ; for which reason they built here
storehouses for all sorts of merchandise, which to and from
Panama are transported on the backs of mules.
Here Captain Morgan was forced to leave his canoes, and
land all his men, though never so weak ; but lest the
canoes should be surprised, or take up too many men for
their defence, he sent them all back to the place where the
boats were, except one, which he hid, that it might serve
to carry intelligence. Many of the Spaniards and Indians
of this village having fled to the near plantations, Captain
Morgan ordered that none should go out of the village,
except companies of one hundred together, fearing lest the
enemy should take an advantage upon his men. Notwith-
standing, one party contravened these orders, being tempted
with the desire of victuals : but they were soon glad to fly
OF AMERICA. 215
into the town again, being assaulted with great fury by
some Spaniards and Indians, who carried one. of them
away prisoner. Thus the vigilancy and care of Captain
Morgan was not sufficient to prevent every accident.
The eighth day in the morning Captain Morgan sent two
hundred men before the body of his army, to discover the
way to Panama, and any ambuscades therein : the path
being so narrow, that only ten or twelve persons could
march abreast, and often not so many. After ten hours'
march they came to a place called Quebrada Obscura : here,
all on a sudden, three or four thousand arrows were shot
at them, they not perceiving whence they came, or who
shot them : though they presumed it was from a high
rocky mountain, from one side to the other, whereon was
a grot, capable of but one horse or other beast laded.
This multitude of arrows much alarmed the pirates, es-
pecially because they could not discover whence they were
discharged. At last, seeing no more arrows, they marched
a little farther, and entered a wood : here they perceived
some Indians to fly as fast as they could, to take the
advantage of another post, thence to observe their march ;
yet there remained one troop of Indians on the place,
resolved to fight and defend themselves, which they did
with great courage till their captain fell down wounded ;
who, though he despaired of life, yet his valour being
greater than his strength, would ask no quarter, but,
endeavouring to raise himself, with undaunted mind laid
hold of his azagayo, or javelin, and struck at one of the
pirates ; but before he could second the blow, he was shot
to death. This was also the fate of many of his com-
panions, who, like good soldiers, lost their lives with their
captain, for the defence of their country.
The pirates endeavoured to take some of the Indians
prisoners, but they being swifter than the pirates, every
216 [THE BUCCANEEBS
one escaped, leaving eight pirates dead, and ten wounddd :
yea, had the Indians been more dextrous in military
affairs, 'they might have defended that passage, and not
let one man pass. A little while after they came to a large
champaign, open, and full of fine meadows ; hence they
could perceive at a distance before them some Indians, on
the top of a mountain, near the way by which they were to
pass : they sent fifty men, the nimblest they had, to try to
catch any of them, and force them to discover their com-
panions : but all in vain ; for they escaped by their nimble-
ness, and presently showed themselves in another place,
hallooing to the English, and crying, " A la savana, a la
savana, cornudos, perros Ingleses ! " that is, " To the
plain, to the plain, ye cuckolds, ye English dogs ! " Mean-
while the ten pirates that were wounded were dressed, and
plastered up.
Here was a wood, and on each side a mountain. The
Indians possessed themselves of one, and the pirates of the
other. Captain Morgan was persuaded the Spaniards had
placed an ambuscade there, it lying so conveniently : here-
upon, he sent two hundred men to search it. The
Spaniards and Indians perceiving the pirates descend the
mountain, did so too, as if they designed to attack them ;
but being got into the wood, out of sight of the pirates,
they were seen no more, leaving the passage open.
About night fell a great rain, which caused the pirates to
march the faster, and seek for houses to preserve their
arms from being wet ; but the Indians had set fire to every
one, and driven away all their cattle, that the pirates,
finding neither houses nor victuals, might be constrained to
return : but, after diligent search, they found a few shep-
herds' huts, but in them nothing to eat. These not holding
many men, they placed in them, out of every company, a
small number, who kept the arms of the rest : those who
OF AMEBICA. , 217
remained in the open field endured much hardship that
night, the rain not ceasing till morning.
Next morning, about break of day, being the ninth of
that .tedious journey, Captain Morgan marched on while
the fresh air of the morning lasted ; for the clouds hanging
yet over their heads, were much more favourable than the
scorching rays of the sun, the way being now more difficult
than before. After two hours' march, they discovered
about twenty Spaniards, who observed their motions : they
endeavoured to catch some of them, but could not, they
suddenly disappearing, and absconding themselves in caves
among the rocks, unknown to the pirates. At last, ascend-
ing a high mountain, they discovered the South Sea.
This happy sight, as if it were the end of their labours,
caused infinite joy among them : hence they could descry
also one ship, and six boats, which were set forth from
Panama, and sailed towards the islands of Tavoga and
Tavogilla : then they came to a vale where they found
much cattle, whereof they killed good store : here, while
some killed and flayed cows, horses, bulls, and chiefly
asses, of which there were most ; others kindled fires, and
got wood to roast them : then cutting the flesh into con-
venient pieces, or gobbets, they threw them into the fire,
and, half carbonaded or roasted, they devoured them, with
incredible haste and appetite ; such was their hunger, as
they more resembled cannibals than Europeans ; the blood
many times running down from their beards to their
waists.
Having satisfied their hunger, Captain Morgan ordered
them to continue the march. Here, again, he sent before
the main body fifty men to take some prisoners, if they
could ; for he was much concerned, that in nine days he
could not meet one person to inform him of the condition
and forces of the Spaniards. About evening they dis-
218 THE BUCCANEERS
covered about two hundred Spaniards, who hallooed to the
pirates, but they understood not what they said. A little
while after they came in sight of the highest steeple of
Panama : this they no sooner discovered but they showed
signs of extreme joy, casting up their hats into the air,
leaping and shouting, just as if they had already obtained
the victory, and accomplished their designs. All their
trumpets sounded, and drums beat, in token of this alacrity
of their minds : thus they pitched their camp for that
night, with general content of the whole army, waiting with
impatience for the morning, when they intended to attack
the city. This evening appeared fifty horse, who came out
of the city, on the noise of the drums and trumpets, to
observe, as it was thought, their motions : they came
almost within musket-shot of the army, with a trumpet
that sounded marvellously well. Those on horseback
hallooed aloud to the pirates, and threatened them, saying,
" Perros ! nos veremos," that is, " Ye dogs ! we shall meet
ye." Having made this menace, they returned to the city,
except only seven or eight horsemen, who hovered there-
abouts to watch their motions. Immediately after the city
fired, and ceased not to play their biggest guns all night
long against the camp, but with little or no harm to the
pirates, whom they could not easily reach. Now also the
two hundred Spaniards, whom the pirates had seen in the
afternoon, appeared again, making a show of blocking up
the passages, that no pirates might escape their hands :
but the pirates, though in a manner besieged, instead of
fearing their blockades, as soon as they had placed sen-
tinels about their camp, opened their satchels, and, without
any napkins or plates, fell to eating, very heartily, the
pieces of bulls' and horses' flesh which they had reserved
since noon. This done, they laid themselves down to
sleep on the grass, with great repose and satisfaction,
OF AMERICA. 219
expecting only, with impatience, the dawning of the next
day.
The tenth day, betimes in the morning, they put all their
men in order, and, with drums and trumpets sounding,
marched directly towards the city ; but one of the guides
desired Captain Morgan not to take the common highway,
lest they should find in it many ambuscades. He took his
advice, and chose another way through the wood, though
very irksome and difficult. The Spaniards perceiving the
pirates had taken another way they scarce had thought on,
were compelled to leave their stops and batteries, and come
out to meet them. The governor of Panama put his forces
in order, consisting of two squadrons, four regiments of
foot, and a huge number of wild bulls, which were driven
by a great number of Indians, with some negroes, and
others, to help them.
The pirates, now upon their march, came to the top of a
little hill, whence they had a large prospect of the city and
champaign country underneath. Here they discovered the
forces of the people of Panama, in battle array, to be so
numerous, that they were surprised with fear, much
doubting the fortune of the day : yea, few or none there
were but wished themselves at home, or at least free from
the obligation of that engagement, it so nearly concerning
their lives. Having been some time wavering in their
minds, they at last reflected on the straits they had brought
themselves into, and that now they must either fight
resolutely, or die ; for no quarter could be expected from an
enemy on whom they had committed so many cruelties.
Hereupon they encouraged one another, resolving to con-
quer, or spend the last drop of blood. Then they divided
themselves into three battalions, sending before two hun-
dred bucaniers, who were very dextrous at their guns.
Then descending the hill, they marched directly towards
220 THE BUCCANEERS
the Spaniards, who in a spacious field waited for their
coming. As soon as they drew nigh, the Spaniards began
to shout and cry, "Viva el rey ! " " God save the king ! "
and immediately their horse moved against the pirates :
but the fields being full of quags, and soft underfoot, they
could not wheel about as they desired. The two hundred
bucaniers, who went before, each putting one knee to the
ground, began the battle briskly, with a full volley of shot :
the Spaniards defended themselves courageously, doing all
they could to disorder the pirates. Their foot endeavoured
to second the horse, but were constrained by the pirates to
leave them. Finding themselves baffled, they attempted
to drive the bulls against them behind, to put them into
disorder ; but the wild cattle ran away, frighted with the
noise of the battle ; only some few broke through the
English companies, and only tore the colours in pieces,
while the bucaniers shot every one of them dead.
The battle having continued two hours, the greatest part
of the Spanish horse was ruined, and almost all killed :
the rest fled, which the foot seeing, and that they could not
possibly prevail, they discharged the shot they had in their
muskets, and throwing them down, fled away, every one as
he could. The pirates could not follow them, being too
much harassed and wearied with their long journey.
Many, not being able to fly whither they desired, hid
themselves, for that present, among the shrubs of the sea-
side, but very unfortunately ; for most of them being found
by the pirates, were instantly killed, without any quarter.
Some religious men were brought prisoners before Captain
Morgan ; but he, being deaf to their cries, commanded
them all to be pistolled, which was done. Soon after they
brought a captain to him, whom he examined very strictly ;
particularly, wherein consisted the forces of those of
Panama ? He answered, their whole strength consisted in
OF AMERICA. J 221
four hundred horse, twenty-four companies of foot,. each of
one hundred men complete ; sixty Indians, and some
negroes, who were to drive two thousand wild bulls upon
the English, and thus, by breaking their files, put them
into a total disorder : beside, that in the city they had
made trenches, and raised batteries in several places, in all
which they had placed many guns ; and that at the entry
of the highway, leading to the city, they had built a fort
mounted with eight great brass guns, defended by fifty
men.
Captain Morgan having heard this, gave orders instantly
to march another way ; but first he made a review of his
men, whereof he found both killed and wounded a con-
siderable number, and much greater than had been believed.
Of the Spaniards were found six hundred dead on the
place, besides the wounded and prisoners. The pirates,
nothing discouraged, seeing their number so diminished,
but rather filled with greater pride, perceiving what huge
advantage they had obtained against their enemies, having
rested some time, prepared to march courageously towards
the city, plighting their oaths to one another, that they
would fight till not a man was left alive. With this
courage they recommenced their march, either to conquer
or be conquered ; carrying with them all the prisoners.
They found much difficulty in their approach to the city,
for within the town the Spaniards had placed many great
guns, at several quarters, some charged with small pieces
of iron, and others with musket bullets ; with all these
they saluted the pirates at their approaching, and gave
them full and frequent broadsides, firing at them inces-
santly ; so that unavoidably they lost at every step great
numbers of men. But these manifest dangers of their
lives, nor the sight of so many as dropped continually at
their sides, could deter them from advancing, and gaining
222 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
ground every moment on the enemy ; and though the
Spaniards never ceased to fire, and act the best they could
for their defence, yet they were forced to yield, after three
hours' combat. And the pirates having possessed them-
selves, killed and destroyed all that attempted in the least
to oppose them. The inhabitants had transported the best
of their goods to more remote and occult places ; howbeit,
they found in the city several warehouses well stocked with
merchandise, as well silks and cloths, as linen and other
things of value. As soon as the first fury of their entrance
was over, Captain Morgan assembled his men, and com-
manded them, under great penalties, not to drink or taste
any wine ; and the reason he gave for it was, because he
had intelligence that it was all poisoned by the Spaniards.
Howbeit, it was thought he gave these prudent orders to
prevent the debauchery of his people, which he foresaw
would be very great at the first, after so much hunger sus-
tained by the way; fearing, withal, lest the Spaniards,
seeing them in wine, should rally, and, falling on the city,
use them as inhumanly as they had used the inhabitants
before.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Captain Morgan sends canoes and boats to the South Sea He fires
the city of Panama Bobberies and cruelties committed there
by the pirates, till their return to the Castle of Chagre.
CAPTAIN MOEGAN, as soon as he had placed neces-
sary guards at several quarters within and without
the city, commanded twenty-five men to seize a great boat,
which had stuck in the mud of the port, for want of water,
at a low tide. The same day about noon, he caused fire
privately to be set to several great edifices of the city,
nobody knowing who were the authors thereof, much less
on what motives Captain Morgan did it, which are unknown
to this day : the fire increased so, that before night the
greatest part of the city was in a flame. Captain Morgan
pretended the Spaniards has done it, perceiving that his
own people reflected on him for that action. Many of the
Spaniards, and some of the pirates, did what they could,
either to quench the flame, or, by blowing up houses
with gunpowder, and pulling down others, to stop it, but in
vain : for in less than half an hour it consumed a whole
street. All the houses of the city were built with cedar,
very curious and magnificent, and richly adorned, especi-
ally with hangings and paintings, whereof part were before
removed, and another great part were consumed by fire.
There were in this city (which is the see of a bishop)
eight monasteries, seven for men, and one for women ; two
224 THE BUCCANEEBS
stately churches, and one hospital. The churches and
monasteries were all richly adorned with altar-pieces and
paintings, much gold and silver, and other precious things,
all which the ecclesiastics had hidden. Besides which,
here were two thousand houses of magnificent building, the
greatest part inhabited by merchants vastly rich. For the
rest of less quality, and tradesmen, this city contained five
thousand more. Here were also many stables for the
horses and mules that carry the plate of the king of Spain,
as well as private men, towards the North Sea. The neigh-
bouring fields are full of fertile plantations and pleasant
gardens, affording delicious prospects to the inhabitants all
the year.
The Genoese had in this city a stately house for their
trade of negroes. This likewise was by Captain Morgan
burnt to the very ground. Besides which building, there
were consumed two hundred warehouses, and many slaves,
who had hid themselves therein, with innumerable sacks
of meal ; the fire of which continued four weeks after it had
begun. The greatest part of the pirates still encamped
without the city, fearing and expecting the Spaniards would
come and fight them anew, it being known they much out-
numbered the pirates. This made them keep the field, to
preserve their forces united, now much diminished by their
loses. Their wounded, which were many, they put into one
church, which remained standing, the rest being consumed
by the fire. Besides these decreases of their men, Captain
Morgan had sent a convoy of one hundred and fifty men to
the castle of Chagre, to carry the news of his victory at
Panama.
They saw often whole troops of Spaniards run to and
fro in the fields, which made them suspect their rallying,
which they never had the courage to do. In the afternoon
Captain Morgan re-entered the city with his troops, that
OF AMERICA. j 225
every one might take up their lodgings, which now they
could hardly find, few houses having escaped the fire.
Then they sought very carefully among the ruins and
ashes, for utensils of plate or gold, that were not quite
wasted by the flames : and of such they found no small
number, especially in wells and cisterns, where the
Spaniards had hid them.
Next day Captain Morgan dispatched away two troops,
of one hundred and fifty men each, stout and well armed, to
seek for the inhabitants who were escaped. These having
made several excursions up and down the fields, woods,
and mountains adjacent, returned after two days, bringing
above two hundred prisoners, men, women, and slaves.
The same day returned also the boat which Captain Morgan
had sent to the South Sea, bringing three other boats which
they had taken. But all these prizes they could willingly
have given, and greater labour into the bargain, for one
galleon, which miraculously escaped, richly laden with all
the king's plate, jewels, and other precious goods of the
best and richest merchants of Panama : on board which
were also the religious women of the nunnery, who had
embarked with them all the ornaments of their church,
consisting in much gold, plate, and other things of great
value.
The strength of this galleon was inconsiderable, having
only seven guns, and ten or twelve muskets, and very ill
provided with victuals, necessaries, and fresh water, having
no more sails than the uppermost of the mainmast. This
account the pirates received from some who had spoken
with seven mariners belonging to the galleon, who came
ashore in the cockboat for fresh water. Hence they con-
cluded they might easily have taken it, had they given her
chase, as they should have done ; but they were impeded
from following this vastly rich prize, by their lascivious
15
226 THE BUCCANEERS
exercises with women, which they had carried and forced
on board their boat. To this vice were also joined those
of gluttony and drunkenness, having plentifully debauched
themselves with several rich wines they found ready, choos-
ing rather to satiate their lusts and appetites than to lay
hold on such huge advantage ; since this only prize would
have been of far greater value than all they got at Panama,
and the places thereabout. Next day, repenting of their
negligence, being weary of their vices and debaucheries,
they set forth another boat, well armed, to pursue with all
speed the said galleon ; but in vain, the Spaniards who
were on board having had intelligence of their own danger
one or two days before, while the pirates were cruis ing so
near them ; whereupon they fled to places more remote and
unknown.
The pirates found, in the ports of the island of Tav oga
and Tavogilla, several boats laden with very good merchan-
dise ; all which they took, and brought to Panama, where
they made an exact relation of all that had passed to
Captain Morgan. The prisoners confirmed what the
pirates said, adding, that they undoubtedly knew where the
galleon might then be, but that it was very probable they
had been relieved before now from other places. This
stirred up Captain Morgan anew, to send forth all the boats
in the port of Panama to seek the said galleon till they
could find her. These boats, being in all four, after eight
days' cruising to and fro, and searching several ports and
creeks, lost all hopes of finding her : hereupon they returned
to Tavoga and Tavogilla ; here they found a reasonable
good ship newly come from Payta, laden with cloth, soap,
sugar, and biscuit, with 20,000 pieces of eight ; this they
instantly seized, without the least resistance ; as also a
boat which was not far off, on which they laded great part
of the merchandises from the ship, with some slaves. With
OF AMEEICA. 227
. i
this purchase they returned to Panama, somewhat better
satisfied : yet, withal, much discontented that they could
not meet with the galleon.
The convoy which Captain Morgan had sent to the castle
of Chagre returned much about the same time, bringing
with them very good news ; for while Captain Morgan was
on his journey to Panama, those he had left in the castle
of Chagre had sent forth two boats to cruise. These met
with a Spanish ship, which they chased within sight of the
castle. This being perceived by the pirates in the castle,
they put forth Spanish colours, to deceive the ship that
fled before the boats ; and the poor Spaniards, thinking to
take refuge under the castle, were caught in a snare, and
made prisoners. The cargo on board the said vessel con-
sisted in victuals and provisions, than which nothing could
be more opportune for the castle, where they began already
to want things of this kind.
This good luck of those of Chagre caused Captain
Morgan to stay longer at Panama, ordering several new
excursions into the country round about ; and while the
pirates at Panama were upon these expeditions, those at
Chagre was busy in piracies on the North Sea. Captain
Morgan sent forth, daily, parties of two hundred men, to
make inroads into all the country round about ; and when
one party came back, another went forth, who soon
gathered much riches, and many prisoners. These being
brought into the city, were put to the most exquisite
tortures, to make them confess both other people's goods
and their own. Here it happened that one poor wretch
was found in the house of a person of quality, who had
put on, amidst the confusion, a pair of taffety breeches of
his master's, with a little silver key hanging out; perceiving
which, they asked him for the cabinet of the said key.
His answer was, he knew not what was become of it, but
228 THE BUCCANEEES
that finding those breeches in his master's house, he had
made bold to wear them. Not being able to get any other
answer, they put him on the rack, and inhumanly dis-
jointed his arms ; then they twisted a cord about his fore-
head, which they wrung so hard that his eyes appeared as
big as eggs, and were ready to fall out. But with these
torments not obtaining any positive answer, they hung him
up by the testicles, giving him many blows and stripes
under that intolerable pain and posture of body. After-
wards they cut off his nose and ears, and singed his face
with burning straw, till he could not speak, nor lament his
misery any longer : then, losing all hopes of any confes-
sion, they bade a negro run him through, which put an end
to his life, and to their inhuman tortures. Thus did many
others of those miserable prisoners finish their days, the
common sport and recreation of these pirates being such
tragedies.
They spared in these their cruelties no sex nor condition :
for as to religious persons, and priests, they granted them
less quarter than others, unless they could produce a con-
siderable sum, sufficient for a ransom. Women were no
better used, except they submitted to their filthy lusts ; for
such as would not consent were treated with all the rigour
imaginable. Captain Morgan gave them no good example
in this point : for when any beautiful woman was brought
prisoner to his presence, he used all means, both of rigour
and mildness, to bend them to his lascivious pleasure. For
confirmation of which, I shall give a short history of a
lady, whose virtue and constancy ought to be transmitted to
posterity.
Among the prisoners brought by the pirates from Tavoga
and Tavogilla was a gentlewoman of good quality, and no
less virtue and chastity, wife to one of the richest merchants
there. She was young, and so beautiful, as perhaps few in
OF AMERICA. , 229
all Europe surpassed her, either in comeliness or honesty.
Her husband then was from home, being gone as far as
Peru, about his commerce and trade. This virtuous lady,
hearing of the pirates' coming, had fled, with other friends
and relations, to preserve her life from the cruelties and
tyrannies of those hard-hearted enemies : but no sooner
did she appear before Captain Morgan, but she was
designed for his pleasure. Hereupon, he lodged her in an
apartment by_ herself, giving her a negro, or black woman,
to wait on her, and treated her with all the respect due to her
quality. The poor afflicted lady begged, with many sobs
and tears, to lodge among the other prisoners ; her rela-
tions fearing that unexpected kindness of the commander
might be a design on her chastity. But Captain Morgan
would by no means hearken to her ; but commanded she
should be treated with more particular care than before,
and have her victuals from his 'own table.
This lady had formerly heard very strange reports con-
cerning the pirates, as if they were not men, but, as they
said, heretics, who did neither invoke the blessed Trinity,
nor believe in Jesus Christ. But now she began to have
better thoughts of them, upon these civilities of Captain
Morgan ; especially hearing him many times swear by God,
and Jesus Christ, in whom, she thought, they did not
believe. Nor did she think them to be so bad, or to have
the shapes of beasts, as had been related. As to the name
of robbers, or thieves, commonly given them, she wondered
not much at it, seeing, among all nations of the universe,
there were wicked men, covetous to possess the goods of
others. Like this was the opinion of another woman of
weak understanding at Panama, who used to say, before
the pirates came thither, she had a great curiosity to see a
pirate, her husband having often told her that they were
not like other men, but rather irrational beasts. This silly
230 THE BUCCANEERS
woman happening to see the first of them, cried out aloud,
" Jesus bless me ! these thieves are like us Spaniards."
This false civility of Captain Morgan towards this lady,
as is usual to such as pretend, and cannot obtain, was soon
changed into barbarous cruelty ; for after three or four days
he came to see her, and entertained her with lascivious dis-
courses, desiring the accomplishment of his lust. The vir-
tuous lady constantly denied him, with much civility, and
many humble and modest expressions ; but Captain Morgan
still persisted in his base request, presenting to her much
pearl, gold, and whatever he had that was precious and
valuable : but the lady, not willing to consent, or accept
his presents, showing herself like Susannah for constancy,
he presently changed his note, and addressed her in another
tone, threatening a thousand cruelties and hard usages.
To all which she gave only this resolute and positive
answer : " Sir, my life is in your hands : but as to my body,
in relation to that which you would persuade me to, my
soul shall sooner be separated from it, through the violence
of your arms, than I shall condescend to your request."
Captain Morgan understanding this her heroic resolution,
commanded her to be stripped of the best of her apparel,
and imprisoned in a darksome stinking cellar ; here she
was allowed a small quantity of meat and drink, wherewith
she had much ado to sustain her life.
Under this hardship the virtuous lady prayed daily to
God Almighty for constancy and patience ; but Captain
Morgan, now thoroughly convinced of her chaste resolu-
tions, as also desirous to conceal the cause of her hard
usage since many of his companions compassionated her
condition pretended she held intelligence with the
Spaniards, and corresponded with them, abusing his lenity
and kindness. I myself was an eye-witness thereof, and
could never have judged such constancy and chastity to be
OF AMERICA. 231
* ^-
found in the world, if my own eyes and ears had not
assured me thereof. But of this incomparable lady I
shall say something more hereafter.
Captain Morgan having now been at Panama full three
weeks, commanded all things to be prepared for his depar-
ture. He ordered every company of men to seek so many
beasts of carriage as might convey the spoil to the river
where his canoes lay. About this time there was a great
rumour, that a considerable number of pirates intended to
to leave Captain Morgan ; and that, taking a ship then in
the port, they determined to go and rob on the South Sea, till
they had got as much as they thought fit, and then return
homewards, by way of the East Indies. For which pur-
pose they had gathered much provisions, which they had
hid in private places, with sufficient powder, bullets, and
all other ammunition : likewise some great guns belonging
to the town, muskets, and other things, wherewith they
designed not only to equip their vessel, but to fortify them-
selves, in some island which might serve them for a place of
refuge.
This design had certainly taken effect, had not Captain
Morgan had timely advice of it from one of their com-
rades : hereupon he commanded the mainmast of the
said ship to be cut down and burnt, with all the other
boats in the port : hereby the intentions of all or most
of his companions were totally frustrated. Then Captain
Morgan sent many of the Spaniards into the adjoining
fields and country to seek for money, to ransom not only
themselves, but the rest of the prisoners, as likewise the
ecclesiastics. Moreover, he commanded all the artillery
of the town to be nailed and stopped up. At the same
time he sent out a strong company of men to seek for the
governor of Panama, of whom intelligence was brought,
that he had laid several ambuscades in the way by which
232 THE BUCCANEERS
he ought to return : but they returned soon after, saying
they had not found any sign of any such ambuscades. For
confirmation whereof, they brought some prisoners, who
declared that the said governor had had an intention of
making some opposition by the way, but that the men
designed to effect it were unwilling to undertake it : so
that for want of means he could not put his design in
execution.
February 24, 1671, Captain Morgan departed from
Panama, or rather from the place where the city of
Panama stood ; of the spoils whereof he carried with
him one hundred and seventy-five beasts of carriage,
laden with silver, gold, and other precious things, beside
about six hundred prisoners, men, women, children and
slaves. That day they came to a river that passes
through a delicious plain, a league from Panama : here
Captain Morgan put all his forces into good order, so as
that the prisoners were in the middle, surrounded on all
sides with pirates, where nothing else was to be heard but
lamentations, cries, shrieks, and doleful sighs of so many
women and children, who feared Captain Morgan designed
to transport them all into his own country for slaves.
Besides, all those miserable prisoners endured extreme
hunger and thirst at that time, which misery Captain
Morgan designedly caused them to sustain, to excite them
V to seek for money to ransom themselves, according to the
tax he had set upon every one. -Many of the women
begged Captain Morgan, on their knees , with infinite sighs
and tears, to let them return to Panama, there to live
with their dear husbands and children in little huts of
straw, which they would erect, seeing they had no houses
till the rebuilding of the city. But his answer was, " He
came not thither to hear lamentations and cries, but to
seek money : therefore they ought first to seek out that,
OF AMERICA. 233
wherever it was to be had, and bring it to him ; otherwise
he would assuredly transport them all to such places
whither they cared not to go."
Next day, when the march began, those lamentable
cries and shrieks were renewed, so as it would have
caused compassion in the hardest heart : but Captain
Morgan, as a man little given to mercy, was not moved
in the least. They marched in the same order as before,
one party of the pirates in the van, the prisoners in the
middle, and the rest of the pirates in the rear ; by whom
the miserable Spaniards were at every step punched and
thrust in their backs and sides, with the blunt ends of
their arms, to make them march faster.
That beautiful and virtuous lady, mentioned before for
her unparalleled constancy and chastity, was led prisoner
by herself, between two pirates. Her lamentations now
pierced the skies, seeing herself carried away into captivity
often crying to the pirates, and telling them, " That she
had given orders to two religious persons, in whom she
had relied, to go to a certain place, and fetch so much
money as her ransom did amount to; that they had
promised faithfully to do it, but having obtained the
money, instead of bringing it to her, they had employed
it another way, to ransom some of their own, and par-
ticular friends." This ill action of theirs was discovered
by a slave, who brought a letter to the said lady. Her
complaints, and the cause thereof, being brought to
Captain Morgan, he thought fit to inquire thereinto.
Having found it to be true especially hearing it confirmed
by the confession of the said religious men, though under
some frivolous excuses of having diverted the money but
for a day or two, in which time they expected more sums
to repay it he gave liberty to the said lady, whom other-
wise he designed to transport to Jamaica. But he
234 THE BUCCANEEES
detained the said religious men as prisoners in her
place, using them according to their deserts.
Captain Morgan arriving at the town called Cruz, on
the banks of the river Chagre, he published an order
among the prisoners, that within three days every one
should bring in their ransom, under the penalty of being
transported to Jamaica. Meanwhile he gave orders for
so much rice and maize to be collected thereabouts, as
was necessary for victualling his ships. Here some of the
prisoners were ransomed, but many others could not bring
in their money. Hereupon he continued his voyage,
leaving the village on the 5th of March following, carrying
with him all the spoil he could. Hence he likewise led
away some new prisoners, inhabitants there, with those
of Panama, who had not paid their ransoms. But the
two religious men, who had diverted the lady's money,
were ransomed three days after by other persons, who
had more compassion for them than they had showed for
her.
About the middle of the way to Chagre, Captain
Morgan commanded them to be mustered, and caused
every one to be sworn, that they had concealed nothing,
even not to the value of sixpence. This done, Captain
Morgan knowing those lewd fellows would not stick to
swear falsely for interest, he commanded every one to be
searched very strictly, both in their clothes and satchels,
and elsewhere. Yea, that this order might not be ill
taken by his companions, he permitted himself to be
searched, even to his very shoes. To this effect, by
common consent, one was assigned out of every company
to be searchers of the rest. The French pirates that
assisted on this expedition disliked this new practice of
searching ; but, being outnumbered by the English, they
were forced to submit as well as the rest. The search
OF AMEEICA. 285
1
being over, they re- embarked, and arrived at the castle
of Chagre on the 9th of March. Here they found all
things in good order, excepting the wounded men whom
they had left at their departure ; for of these the greatest
number were dead of their wounds.
From Chagre, Captain Morgan sent, presently after his
arrival, a great boat to Puerto Bello, with all the prisoners
taken at the isle of St. Catherine, demanding of them a
considerable ransom for the castle of Chagre, where he
then was ; threatening otherwise to ruin it. To this those
of Puerto Bello answered, they would not give one farthing
towards the ransom of the said castle, and the English
might do with it as they pleased. Hereupon the dividend
was made of all the spoil made in that voyage ; every
company, and every particular person therein, receiving
their proportion, or rather what part thereof Captain
Morgan pleased to give them. For the rest of his com-
panions, even of his own nation, murmured at his
proceedings, and told him to his face that he had reserved
the best jewels to himself: for they judged it impossible
that no greater share should belong to them than two
hundred pieces of eight, per capita, of so many valuable
plunders they had made ; which small sum they thought
too little for so much labour, and such dangers, as they
had been exposed to. But Captain Morgan was deaf to
all this, and many other like complaints, having designed
to cheat them of what he could.
At last, finding himself obnoxious to many censures of
his people, and fearing the consequence, he thought it
unsafe to stay any longer at Chagre, but ordered the
ordnance of the castle to be carried on board his ship ;
then he caused most of the walls to be demolished, the
edifices to be burnt, and as many other things ruined
as could be done in a short time. This done, he went
236 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
secretly on board his own ship, without giving any notice
to his companions, and put out to sea, being only followed
by three or four vessels of the whole fleet. These were
such (as the French pirates believed) as went shares with
Captain Morgan in the best part of the spoil, which had
been concealed from them in the dividend. The French-
men could willingly have revenged themselves on Captain
Morgan and his followers, had they been able to encounter
him at sea; but they were destitute of necessaries, and
had much ado to find sufficient provisions for their voyage
to Jamaica, he having left them unprovided for all things.
END OF THE BUCCANEERS.
A GENUINE ACCOUNT OF FOUR NOTORIOUS
PIRATES.
I.
CAPTAIN TEACH alias BLACK-BEABD.
His beginning His confederacy with Hornygold The confederacy
broken Takes a large Guineaman Engages the Scarborough
man-of-war His alliance with Major Stede Bonnet Deposes his
new ally His advice to the Major His progress and success
Takes prizes in sight of Charles Town Sends ambassadors to the
Governor of Carolina upon an impudent demand Runs his ship
aground designedly His cruelty to some of his own companions
Surrenders to the King's Proclamation The Governor of
North Carolina's exceeding generosity to him He marries
The number of his wives then living Makes a second
excursion in the way of pirating Some State legerdemain
betwixt him and the Governor His frolics on shore The
merchants apply for a force against him, and where A pro-
clamation with a reward for taking or killing of pirates
Lieutenant Maynard sent in pursuit of him Black-beard's good
intelligence The lieutenant engages Black-beard A most ex-
ecrable health drunk by Black-beard The fight bloody ; the
particulars of it Black-beard killed His sloop taken The
lieutenant's conduct A reflection on the humours of seamen
Black-beard's correspondents discovered by his papers Black-
beard's desperate resolution before the fight The lieutenant and
Governor no very good friends The prisoners hanged Samuel
Odell saved, and why The good luck of Israel Hands Black-
beard's mischievous frolics His beard described Several in-
stances of his wickedness Some memoranda taken from his
journal The names of the pirates killed in the engagement
Of those executed The value of the prize.
EDWARD TEACH was a Bristol man born, but had sailed
some time out of Jamaica, in privateers, in the late
French war ; yet though he had often distinguished him-
self for his uncommon boldness and personal courage, he
240 TEE LIFE OF
was never raised to any command, till he went a-pirating,
which, I think, was at the latter end of the year 1716,
when Captain Benjamin Horny gold put him into a sloop
that he had made prize of, and with whom he continued in
consortship till a little while before Hornygold surrendered.
In the spring of the year 1717 Teach and Hornygold
sailed from Providence, for the main of America, and took
in their way a billop from the Havana, with 120 barrels of
flour, as also a sloop from Bermuda, Thurbar master, from
whom they took only some gallons of wine, and then let
him go ; and a ship from Madeira to South Carolina, out
of which they got plunder to a considerable value.
After cleaning on the coast of Virginia, they returned to
the West Indies, and in the latitude of 24, made prize of
a large French Guineaman, bound to Martinico, which, by
Hornygold's consent, Teach went aboard of as captain,
and took a cruise in her. Hornygold returned with his
sloop to Providence, where, at the arrival of Captain
Eogers, the governor, he surrendered to mercy, pursuant
to the king's proclamation.
Aboard of this Guineaman Teach mounted forty guns,
and named her the Queen Ann's Revenge ; and cruising
near the island of St. Vincent, took a large ship, -called
the Great Allen, Christopher Taylor, commander; the
pirates plundered her of what they thought fit, put all the
men ashore upon the island above mentioned, and set fire
to the ship.
A few days after Teach fell in with the Scarborough,
man-of-war, of thirty guns, who engaged him for some
hours ; but she, finding the pirate well-manned, and having
tried her strength, gave over the engagement and returned
to Barbadoes, the place of her station, and Teach sailed
towards the Spanish America.
In bis way he met with a pirate sloop of ten guns,
CAPTAIN TEACH. ' 241
commanded by one Major Bonnet, lately a gentleman of
good reputation and estate in the island of Barbadoes,
whom he joined ; but in a few days after, Teach, finding
that Bonnet knew nothing of a maritime life, with the
consent of his own men, put in another captain, one
Eichards, to command Bonnet's sloop, and took the Major
on board his own ship, telling him, that as he had not
been used to the fatigues and care of such a post, it
would be better for him to decline it and live easy, at his
pleasure, in such a ship as his, where he would not be
obliged to perform the necessary duties of a sea-voyage.
At Turniff, ten leagues short of the Bay of Honduras,
the pirates took in fresh water, and while they were at
anchor there, they saw a sloop coming in, whereupon
Richards, in the sloop called the Revenge, slipped his cable
and run out to meet her ; who, upon seeing the black flag
hoisted, struck his sail and came to under the stern of
Teach, the commodore. She was called the Adventure,
from Jamaica, David Harriot, master. They took him and
his men aboard the great ship, and sent a number of other
hands with Israel Hands, master of Teach's ship, to man
the sloop for the piratical account.
The 9th of April they weighed from Turniff, having lain
there about a week, and sailed to the bay, where they
found a ship and four sloops ; three of the latter belonged
to Jonathan Bernard, of Jamaica, and the other to
Captain James. The ship was of Boston, called the
Protestant Caesar, Captain Wyar, commander. Teach
hoisted his black colours and fired a gun, upon which
Captain Wyar and all his men left their ship and got
ashore in their boat. Teach's quartermaster and eight
of his crew took possession of Wyar's ship, and Eichards
secured all the sloops, one of which they burnt out of
spite to the owner. The Protestant Caesar they also burnt,
16
242 THE LIFE OF
after they had plundered her, because she belonged to
Boston, where some men had been hanged for piracy ; and
the three sloops belonging to Bernard they let go.
From hence the rovers sailed to Turkill, and then to the
Grand Caimanes, a small island about thirty leagues to
the westward of Jamaica, where they took a small turtler,
and so to the Havana, and from thence to the Bahama
Wrecks ; and from the Bahama Wrecks they sailed
to Carolina, taking a brigantine and two sloops in their
way, where they lay off the bar of Charles Town for
five or six days. They took here a ship as she was
coming out, bound for London, commanded by Eobert
Clark, with some passengers on board for England. The
next day they took another vessel coming out of Charles
Town, and also two pinks coming into Charles Town;
likewise a brigantine with fourteen negroes aboard;
all of which, being done in the face of the town, struck
a great terror to the whole province of Carolina, having
just before been visited by Vane, another notorious pirate,
that they abandoned themselves to despair, being in no
condition to resist their force. There were eight sail in
the harbour, ready for the sea, but none dared to venture
out, it being almost impossible to escape their hands. The
inward bound vessels were under the same unhappy
dilemma, so that the trade of this place was totally
interrupted. What made these misfortunes heavier to
them was a long, expensive war the colony had had with
the natives, which was but just ended when these robbers
infested them.
Teach detained all the ships and prisoners, and, being
in want of medicines, resolved to demand a chest from the
government of the province. Accordingly, Eichards, the
captain of the Revenge sloop, with two or three more
pirates, were sent up along with Mr. Marks, one of the
CAPTAIN TEACH. - 243
prisoners whom they had taken in Clark's ship, and very
insolently made their demands, threatening that if they
did not send immediately the chest of medicines and let
the pirate ambassadors return, without offering any
violence to their persons, they would murder all their
prisoners, send up their heads to the governor, and set
the ships they had taken on fire.
Whilst Mr. Marks was making application to the
council, Eichards and the rest of the pirates walked the
streets publicly in the sight of all people, who were fired
with the utmost indignation, looking upon them as robbers
and murderers, and particularly the authors of their
wrongs and oppressions, but durst not so much as think
of executing their revenge for fear of bringing more
calamities upon themselves, and so they were forced to
let the villains pass with impunity. The government
were not long in deliberating upon the message, though
it was the greatest affront that could have been put upon
them, yet, for the saving so many men's lives (among
them Mr. Samuel Wragg, one of the council), they com-
plied with the necessity and sent aboard a chest, valued
at between three and four hundred pounds, and the pirates
went back safe to their ships.
Black-beard (for so Teach was generally called, as we
shall hereafter show), as soon as he had received the
medicines and his brother rogues, let go the ships and the
prisoners, having first taken out of them in gold and
silver about 1,500 sterling, besides provisions and other
matters.
From the bar of Charles Town they sailed to North
Carolina, Captain Teach in the ship, which they called
the man-of-war, Captain Richards and Captain Hands in
the sloops, which they termed privateers, and another
sloop serving them as a tender. Teach began now to
244 THE LIFE OF
think of breaking up the company and securing the money
and the best of the effects for himself and some others
of his companions he had most friendship for, and to
cheat the rest. Accordingly, on pretence of running into
Topsail inlet to clean, he grounded his ship/ and then, as
if it had been done undesignedly and by accident, he
orders Hands' sloop to come to his assistance and get him
off again, which he, endeavouring to do, ran the sloop on
shore near the other, and so were both lost. This done,
Teach goes into the tender sloop, with forty hands, and
leaves the Revenge there, then takes seventeen others and
maroons them upon a small sandy island, about a league
from the main, where there was neither bird, beast, or
herb for their subsistence, and where they must have
perished if Major Bonnet had not, two days after, taken
them off.
Teach goes up to the governor of North Carolina, with
about twenty of his men, and they surrender to his
Majesty's proclamation, and receive certificates thereof
from his Excellency; but it did not appear that their
submitting to this pardon was from any reformation of
manners, but only to await a more favourable opportunity
to play the same game over again ; which he soon after
effected, with greater security to himself, and with much
better prospect of success, having in this time cultivated
a very good understanding with Charles Eden, Esq., the
governor above mentioned.
The first piece of service this kind governor did to
Black-beard was to give him a right to the vessel which
he had taken when he was a-pirating in the great ship
called the Queen Ann's Revenge, for which purpose a court
of vice-admiralty was held at Bath Town, and, though
Teach had never any commission in his life, and the sloop
belonging to the English merchants, and taken in time
CAPTAIN TEACH. - 245
of peace, yet was she condemned as a prize taken from
the Spaniards by the said Teach. These proceedings
show that governors are but men.
Before he sailed upon his adventures, he married a
young creature of about sixteen years of age, the governor
performing the ceremony. As it is a custom to marry
here by a priest, so it is there by a magistrate ; and this,
I have been informed, made Teach's fourteenth wife
whereof about a dozen might be still living.
In June, 1718, he went to sea upon another expedition,
ami steered his course towards Bermudas. He met with
two or three English vessels in his way, but robbed them
only of provisions, stores, and other necessaries, for his
present expense ; but near the island before mentioned,
he fell in with two French ships, one of them was laden
with sugar and cocoa, and the other light, both bound to
Martinico. The ship that had no lading he let go, and
putting all the men of the loaded ship aboard her, he
brought home the other with her cargo to North Carolina,
where the governor and the pirates shared the plunder.
When Teach and his prize arrived he and four of his
crew went to his Excellency and made affidavit that they
found the French ship at sea without a soul on board her;
and then a court was called, and the ship condemned.
The governor had sixty hogsheads of sugar for his
dividend, and one Mr. Knight, who was his secretary and
collector for the province, twenty, and the rest was shared
among the other pirates.
The business was not yet done ; the ship remained, and
it was possible one or other might come into the river that
might be acquainted with her, and so discover the roguery.
But Teach thought of a contrivance to prevent this, for,
upon a pretence that she was leaky, and that she might
sink, and so stop up the mouth of the inlet or cove where
246 THE LIFE OF
she lay, he obtained an order from the governor to bring
her out into the river and set her on fire, which was
accordingly executed, and she was burnt down to the
water's edge, her bottom sunk, and with it their fears of
her ever rising in judgment against them.
Captain Teach, alias Black-beard, passed three or four
months in the river, sometimes lying at anchor in the
coves, at other times sailing from one inlet to another,
trading with such sloops as he met for the plunder he had
taken, and would often give them presents for stores and
provisions he took from them ; that is, when he happened
to be in a giving humour ; at other times he made bold
with them, and took what he liked, without saying "By
your leave," knowing well they dared not send him a bill
for the payment. ' He often diverted himself with going
ashore among the planters, where he revelled night and
day. By these he was well received, but whether out of
love or fear I cannot say. Sometimes he used them cour-
teously enough, and made them presents of rum and sugar
in recompense of what he took from them; but, as for
liberties, which it is said he and his companions often took
with the wives and daughters of the planters, I cannot take
upon me to say whether he paid them ad valorem or no.
At other times he carried it in a lordly manner towards
them, and would lay some of them under contribution;
nay, he often proceeded to bully the governor, not that I
can discover the least cause of quarrel between them, but
it seemed only to be done to show he dared do it.
The sloops trading up and down this river being so
frequently pillaged by Black-beard, consulted with the
traders and some of the best of the planters what course
to take. They saw plainly it would be in vain to make
any application to the governor of North Carolina, to
whom it properly belonged to find some redress ; so that
CAPTAIN TEACH. _ 247
if they could not be relieved from some other quarter,
Black-beard would be like to reign with impunity ; there-
fore, with as much secrecy as possible, they sent a
deputation to Virginia, to lay the affair before the
governor of that colony, and to solicit an armed force
from the men-of-war lying there to take or destroy this
pirate.
This governor consulted with the captains of the two
men-of-war, viz., the Pearl and Lime, who had lain in
St. James's river about ten months. It was agreed that
the governor should hire a couple of small sloops, and the
men-of-war should man them. This was accordingly done,
and the command of them given to Mr. Kobert Maynard,
first lieutenant of the Pearl, an experienced officer, and a
gentleman of great bravery and. resolution, as will appear
by his gallant behaviour in this expedition. The sloops
were well manned, and furnished with ammunition and
small arms, but had no guns mounted.
About the time of their going out the governor called an
assembly, in which it was resolved to publish a proclama-
tion, offering certain rewards to any person or persons
who, within a year after that time, should take or destroy
any pirate. The original proclamation, being in our hands,
is as follows :
By his Majesty's Lieutenant-Governor and Commander-in-
Chief of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia.
A PEOCLAMATION,
Publishing the Kewards given for apprehending or killing
Pirates.
WHEREAS, by an Act of Assembly, made at a Session
of Assembly, begun at the capital in Williamsburg,
248 THE LIFE OF
the eleventh day of November, in the fifth year of his
Majesty's reign, entitled, An Act to Encourage the
Apprehending and Destroying of Pirates: It is, amongst
other things, enacted, that all and every person, or
persons, who, from and after the fourteenth day of
November, in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven
hundred and eighteen, and before 'the fourteenth day of
November, which shall be in the Year of our Lord one
thousand seven hundred and nineteen, shall take any
pirate, or pirates, on the sea or land, or, in case of
resistance, shall kill any such pirate, or pirates, between
the degrees of thirty-four and thirty-nine of northern
latitude, and within one hundred leagues of the continent
of Virginia, or within the provinces of Virginia, or North
Carolina, upon the conviction, or making due proof of the
killing of all and every such pirate, and pirates, before the
Governor and Council, shall be entitled to have, and
receive out of the public money, in the hands of the
Treasurer of this Colony, the several rewards following :
that is to say, for Edward Teach, commonly called Captain
Teach, or Black-beard, one hundred pounds; for every
other commander of a pirate ship, sloop, or vessel, forty
pounds ; for every lieutenant, master, or quartermaster,
boatswain, or carpenter, twenty pounds ; for every other
inferior officer, fifteen pounds ; and for every private man
taken on board such ship, sloop, or vessel, ten pounds ;
and that for every pirate which shall be taken by any ship,
sloop, or vessel, belonging to this colony, or North Caro-
lina, within the time aforesaid, in any place whatsoever,
the like rewards shall be paid according to the quality and
condition of such pirates. Wherefore, for the encourage-
ment of all such persons as shall be willing to serve his
Majesty, and their country, in so just and honourable an
undertaking as the suppressing a sort of people who may
CAPTAIN TEACH. _ 249
be truly called enemies to mankind : I have thought fit,
with the advice and consent of his Majesty's Council, to
issue this Proclamation, hereby declaring the said rewards
shall be punctually and justly paid, in current money of
Virginia, according to the directions of the said Act. And
I do order and appoint this proclamation to be published
by the sheriffs at their respective country houses, and by
all ministers and readers in the several churches and
chapels throughout this colony.
Given at our Council- Chamber at Williamsburgh, this
24th day of November, 1718, in the fifth year of
his Majesty's reign.
GOD SAVE THE KING.
A. SPOTSWOOD.*
The 17th of November, 1718, the lieutenant sailed from
Kicquetan, in James river in Virginia, and the 31st, in the
evening, came to the mouth of Okerecock inlet, where he
got sight of the pirate. This expedition was made with all
imaginable secrecy, and the officer managed with all the
prudence that was necessary, stopping all boats and vessels
he met with in the river from going up, and thereby pre-
venting any intelligence from reaching Black- beard, and
receiving at the same time an account from them all of
the place where the pirate was lurking. But notwith-
standing this caution, Black-beard had information of the
design from his Excellency of the province ; and his
secretary, Mr. Knight, wrote him a letter particularly
concerning it, intimating "that he had sent him four of
Ms men, which were all he could meet with in or about
town, and so bid him be upon his guard." These men
belonged to Black-beard, and were sent from Bath Town
to Okerecock inlet, where the sloop lay, which is about
twenty leagues.
* Spottswood.
250 THE LIFE OF
Black-beard had heard several reports, which happened
not to be true, and so gave the less credit to this advice ;
nor was he convinced till he saw the sloops. Then it was
time to put his vessel in a posture of defence. He had no
more than twenty-five men on board, though he gave out
to all the vessels he spoke with that he had forty. When
he had prepared for battle he sat down and spent the night
in drinking with the master of a trading sloop, who, it was
thought, had more business with Teach than he should
have had.
Lieutenant Maynard came to an anchor, for the place
being shoal, and the channel intricate, there was no getting
in where Teach lay that night ; but in the morning he
weighed, and sent his boat ahead of the sloops to sound,
and coming within gun-shot of the pirate, received his
fire ; whereupon Maynard hoisted the king's colours, and
stood directly towards him with the best way that his sails,
and oars could make. Black-beard cut his cable, and
endeavoured to make a running fight, keeping a con-
tinual fire at his enemies with his guns. Mr. Maynard,
not having any, kept a constant fire with small arms,
while some of his men laboured at their oars. In a little
time Teach's sloop ran aground, and Mr. Maynard's,
drawing more water than that of the pirate, he could not
come near him ; so he anchored within half gun-shot of
the enemy, and, in order to lighten his vessel, that he
might run him aboard, the lieutenant ordered all his
ballast to be thrown overboard, and all the water to be
staved, and then weighed and stood for him ; upon which
Black-beard hailed him in this rude manner: "Damn you
for villains, who are you ; and from whence came you ? "
The lieutenant made him answer, " You may see by our
colours we are no pirates." Black-beard bid him send his
boat on board that he might see who he was ; but Mr.
CAPTAIN TEACH. _ 251
Maynard replied thus : " I cannot spare my boat, but I
will come aboard of you as soon as I can with my sloop."
Upon this Black-beard took a glass of liquor, and drank to
him with these words : " Damnation seize my soul if I
give you quarter, or take any from you." In answer to
which Mr. Maynard told him " that he expected no quarter
from him, nor should he give him any." .
By this time Black-beard's sloop fleeted as Mr. May-
nard' s sloops were rowing towards him, which being not
above a foot high in the waist, and consequently the men
all exposed, as they came near together (there being
hitherto little or no execution done on either side), the
pirate fired a broadside charged with all manner of small
shot. A fatal stroke to them ! the sloop the lieutenant
was in having twenty men killed and wounded, and the
other sloop nine. This could not be helped, for there
being no wind, they were obliged to keep to their oars,
otherwise the pirate would have got away from him,
which, it seems, the lieutenant was resolute to prevent.
After this unlucky blow Black-beard's sloop fell broad-
side to the shore ; Mr. Maynard's other sloop, which was
called the Banger, fell astern, being for the present
disabled. So the lieutenant, finding his own sloop had
way and would soon be on board of Teach, he ordered all
his men down, for fear of another broadside, which must
have been their destruction and the loss of their expedi-
tion. Mr. Maynard was the only person that kept the
deck, except the man at the helm,. whom he directed to
lie down snug, and the men in the hold were ordered to
get their pistols and. their swords ready for close fighting,
and to come up at his command ; in order to which two
ladders were placed in the hatchway for the more expe-
dition. When the lieutenant's sloop boarded the other
Captain Teach's men threw in several new-fashioned sort
252 THE LIFE OF
of grenades, viz., case-bottles filled with powder and small
shot, slugs, and pieces of lead or iron, with a quick-match
in the mouth of it, which, being lighted without side,
presently runs into the bottle to the powder, and, as it is
instantly thrown on board, generally does great execution,
besides putting all the crew into a confusion. But, by
good Providence, they had not that effect here, the men
being in the hold. Black-beard, seeing few or no hands
aboard, told his men " that they were all knocked to head,
except three or four ; and therefore," says he, " let's jump
on board and cut them to pieces."
Whereupon, under the smoke of one of the bottles just
mentioned, Black-beard enters with fourteen men over the
bows of Maynard's sloop, and were not seen by him until
the air cleared. However, he just then gave a signal to
his men, who all rose in an instant, and attacked the
pirates with as much bravery as ever was done upon such
an occasion. Black-beard and the lieutenant fired the first
shots at each other, by which the pirate received a wound,
and then engaged with swords, till the lieutenant's unluckily
broke, and stepping back to cock a pistol, Black-beard,
with his cutlass, was striking at that instant -that one of
Maynard's men gave him a terrible wound in the neck and
throat, by which the lieutenant came off with only a small
cut over his fingers.
They were now closely and warmly engaged, the
lieutenant and twelve men against Black-beard and
fourteen, till the sea was tinctured with blood round
the vessel. Black-beard received a shot into his body
from the pistol that Lieutenant Maynard discharged, yet
he stood his ground, and fought with great fury till he
received five-and-twenty wounds, and five of them by shot.
At length, as he was cocking another pistol, having fired
several before, he fell down dead ; by which time eight
CAPTAIN TEACH. __ 253
more out of the fourteen dropped, and all the rest, much
wounded, jumped overboard and called out for quarter,
which was granted, though it was only prolonging their
lives a few days. The sloop Ranger came up and attacked
the men that remained in Black-beard's sloop with equal
bravery, till they likewise cried for quarter.
Here was an end of that courageous brute, who might
have passed in the world for a hero had he been employed
in a good cause. His destruction, which was of such
consequence to the plantations, was entirely owing to the
conduct and bravery of Lieutenant Maynard and his men,
who might have destroyed him with much less loss had
they had a vessel with great guns ; but they were obliged to
use small vessels, because the holes and place she lurked in
would not admit of others of greater draught. And it was
no small difficulty for this gentleman to get to him, having
grounded his vessel at least a hundred times in getting up
the river, beside other discouragements, enough to have
turned back any gentleman without dishonour had he
been less resolute and bold than this lieutenant. The
broadside that did so much mischief before they boarded
in all probability saved the rest from destruction ; for,
before that, Teach had little or no hopes of escaping, and
therefore had posted a resolute fellow, a negro, whom he
had bred up, with a lighted match in the powder-room,
with commands to blow up when he should give him
orders, which was as soon as the lieutenant and his men
could have entered, that so he might have destroyed his
conquerors with himself. And when the negro found how
it went with Black-beard, he could hardly be persuaded
from the rash action by two prisoners that were then in
the hold of the sloop.
What seems a little odd is that some of these men, who
behaved so bravely against Black-beard, went afterwards
254 THE LIFE OF
a-pirating themselves, and one of them was taken along
with Eoberts ; but I do not find that any of them were
provided for, except one that was hanged. But this is a
digression.
The lieutenant caused Black-beard's head to be severed
from his body, and hung up at the boltsprit end ; then he
sailed to Bath Town, to get relief for his wounded men.
It must be observed that, in rummaging the pirate's
sloop, they found several letters and written papers, which
discovered the correspondence between Governor Eden, the
secretary and collector, and also some traders at New
York, and Black-beard. It is likely he had regard enough
for his friends to have destroyed these papers before the
action, in order to hinder them from falling into such
hands, where the discovery would be of no use either to
the interest or reputation of these fine gentlemen, if it had
not been his fixed resolution to have blown up together,
when he found no possibility of escaping.
When the lieutenant came to Bath Town, he made bold
to seize in the governor's storehouse the sixty hogsheads
of sugar, and from honest Mr. Knight, twenty ; which it
seems was their dividend of the plunder taken in the
French ship. The latter did not survive this shameful
discovery, for, being apprehensive that he might be called
to an account for these trifles, fell sick, it is thought, with
the fright, and died in a few days.
After the wounded men were pretty well recovered, the
lieutenant 'sailed back to the men-of-war in James Eiver,
in Virginia, with Black-beard's head still hanging at the
boltsprit end, and fifteen prisoners, thirteen of whom were
hanged, it appearing, upon trial, that one of them, viz.,
Samuel Odell, was taken out of the trading sloop but the
night before the engagement. This poor fellow was a
little unlucky at his first entering upon his new trade,
CAPTAIN TEACH. 255
there appearing no less than seventy wounds upon him
after the action ; notwithstanding which he lived and
was cured of them all. The other person that escaped
the gallows was one Israel Hands, the master of Black-
beard's sloop, and formerly captain of the same, before
the Queen Ann's Revenge was lost in Topsail inlet.
The aforesaid Hands happened not to be in the fight,
but was taken afterwards ashore at Bath Town, having been
sometime before disabled by Black-beard, in one of his
savage humours, after the following manner : One night,
drinking in his cabin with Hands, the pilot, and another
man, Black beard, without any provocation, privately
draws out a small pair of pistols, and cocks them under
the table, which being perceived by the man, he withdrew
and went upon deck, leaving Hands, the pilot, and the
captain together. When the pistols were ready he blew
out the candle, and, crossing his hands, discharged them
at his company ; Hands, the master, was shot through
the knee and lamed for life, the other pistol did no
execution. Being asked the meaning of this, he only
answered by damning them, that " if he did not now and
then kill one of them, they would forget who he was."
Hands being taken, was tried and condemned, but just
as he was about to be executed a ship arrived at Virginia
with a proclamation for prolonging the time of his
Majesty's pardon to such of the pirates as should sur-
render by a limited time therein expressed. Notwith-
standing the sentence, Hands pleaded the pardon, and
was allowed the benefit of it, and was alive some time ago
in London, begging his bread.
Now that we have given some account of Teach's life
and actions, it will not be amiss that we speak of his
beard, since it did not a little contribute towards making
Ms name so terrible in those parts.
250 THE LIFE OF
Plutarch and other grave historians have taken notice
that several great men amongst the Eomans took their sur-
names from certain odd marks in their countenances
as Cicero, from a mark, or vetch, on his nose so our
hero, Captain Teach, assumed the cognomen of Black-
beard, from that large quantity of hair which, like a
frightful meteor, covered his whole face, and frightened
America more than any comet that has appeared there
a long time.
This beard was black, which he suffered to grow of an
extravagant length ; as to breadth, it came up to his eyes.
He was accustomed to twist it with ribbons, in small tails,
after the manner of our Kamilie wigs, and turn them
about his ears. In time of action he wore a sling over his
shoulders, with three brace of pistols hanging in holsters
like bandaliers, and stuck lighted matches under his hat,
which, appearing on each side of his face, his eyes naturally
looking fierce and wild, made him altogether such a figure
that imagination cannot form an idea of a fury from hell
to look more frightful.
If he had the look of a fury, his humours and passions
were suitable to it. We shall relate two or three more of his
extravagances which we omitted in the body of his history,
by which it will appear to what a pitch of wickedness human
nature may arrive if its passions are not checked.
In the commonwealth of pirates, he who goes the greatest
length of wickedness is looked upon with a kind of envy
amongst them as a person of a more extraordinary
gallantry, and is thereby entitled to be distinguished by
some post, and if such a one has but courage, he must
certainly be a great man. The hero of whom we are
writing was thoroughly accomplished this way, and some
of his frolics of wickedness were so extravagant, as if he
aimed at making his men believe he was a devil incarnate ;
CAPTAIN TEACH. ^ 257
for being one day at sea, and a little flushed with drink,
" Come," says he, " let us make a hell of our own, and
try how long we can bear it." Accordingly he, with two
or three others, went down into the hold, and closing up all
the hatches, filled several pots full of brimstone and other
combustible matter, and set it on fire, and so continued
till they were almost suffocated, when some of the men
cried out for air. At length he opened the hatches, not
a little pleased that he held out the longest.
The night before he was killed he sat up and drank till
the morning with some of his own men and the master
of a merchantman ; and having had intelligence of the two
sloops coming to attack him, as has been before observed,
one of his men asked him, in case anything should happen
to him in the engagement with the sloops, whether his wife
knew where he had buried his money? He answered,
" That nobody but himself and the devil knew where it
was, and the longest liver should take all.
Those of his crew who were taken alive told a story
which may appear a little incredible ; however, we think
it will not be fair to omit it since we had it from their own
mouths. That once upon a cruise they found out that
they had a man on board more than their crew ; such a
one was seen several days amongst them, sometimes below
and sometimes upon deck, yet no man in the ship could give
an account who he was, or from whence he came, but that
he disappeared a little before they were cast away in their
great ship ; but it seems they verily believed it was the
devil.
One would think these things should induce them to
reform their lives, but so many reprobates together, en-
couraged and spirited one another up in their wickedness,
to which a continual course of drinking did not a little
contribute, for in Black-beard's journal, which was taken,
17
258 THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN TEACH.
there were "several memorandums of the following nature
found writ with his own hand : Such a day rum all out ;
our company somewhat sober ; a damned confusion
amongst us ; rogues a-plotting ; great talk of separation ;
so I looked sharp for a prize ; such a day took one with
a great deal of liquor on board, so kept the company hot,
damned hot, then all things went well again.
Thus it was these wretches passed their lives, with very
little pleasure or satisfaction in the possession of what they
violently take away from others, and sure to pay for it at
last by an ignominious death.
The names of the pirates killed in the engagement, are
as follows :
Edward Teach, commander ; Philip Morton, gunner ;
Garret Gibbens, boatswain ; Owen Eoberts. carpenter ;
Thomas Miller, quartermaster ; John Husk, Joseph Cur-
tice, Joseph Brooks (1), Nath. Jackson. All the rest,
except the two last, were wounded, and afterwards hanged
in Virginia : John Games, Joseph Brooks (2), James
Blake, John Gills, Thomas Gates, James White, Eichard
Stiles, Csesar, Joseph Philips, James Bobbins, John
Martin, Edward Salter, Stephen Daniel, Eichard Green-
sail, Israel Hands, pardoned, Samuel Odel, acquitted.
There were in the pirate sloops, and ashore in a tent
near where the sloops lay, twenty- five hogsheads of sugar,
eleven teirces, and one hundred and forty-five bags of cocoa,
a barrel o'f indigo, and a bale of cotton ; which, with what
was taken from the governor and secretary, and the sale
of the sloop, came to i'2,500, besides the rewards paid by
the governor of Virginia, pursuant to his proclamation ;
all which was divided among the companies of the two
ships, Lime and Pearl, that lay in James Eiver ; the brave
fellows that took them coming in for no more than their
dividend amongst the rest, and were paid it not till four
years afterwards.
II.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM KID.
Commanded a privateer in the West Indies Recommended to the
Government by Lord Bellamont, &c. Not encouraged He is
sent out. in a private man-of-war with the king's commission
He sails for New York In his way takes a French banker
Arrived there Ships more hands' Sails to Madeira, Bonayista,
Cape de Verde Islands, and Madagascar Meets three English
men-of-war Meets with nothing at Madagascar Goes to the
Malabar coast Cruises about Mohila and Johanna Borrows
money and repairs his ship Afc Mabbee he takes some corn--
From thence steers for Bab's Key He sends a boat along the
coast, and gains intelligence He falls in with a fleet, but is
obliged to sheer off Goes to the Malabar coast Takes a Moorish
vessel Treats the men cruelly, and discharges the vessel Touches
at Carawar, and is suspected of piracy Engages a Portuguese
man-of-war sent after him and gets off Takes a Moor ship under
pretence of her being French Keeps company with a Dutch ship
Quarrels with and kills his gunner Plunders a Portuguese ship
on the Malabar coast and lets her go His cooper is murdered in
one of the Malabar Islands He burns and pillages several houses
Commands a native to be shot He takes the Queda, and shares
.200 a man amongst his crew He cheats the Indians Goes to
Madagascar Meets there Culliford the pirate Shifts into the
Queda, and shares the rest of her cargo His men desert from
him to forty Goes to Amboyna hears he is declared a pirate in
England Lord Bellamont prints his justification A pardon
granted to pirates Avery and Kid excepted Kid goes to, and is
secured at, New York Some of his crew depending on the pardon,
are confined Sent to England and condemned Three excepted
A distinction of the lawyers Kid found guilty of the murder
of his gunner Some plead the king's pardon to no purpose
Mullius's plea Kid's plea useless He and his men indicted
Executed
WE are now going to give an account of one whose
name is better known in England than most of
260 THE LIFE OF
those whose histories we have already related ; the person
we mean is Captain Kid, whose public trial and execution
here rendered him the subject of all conversation, so
that his actions have been chanted about in ballads ;
however, it is now a considerable time since these things
passed, and though the people knew in general that
Captain Kid was hanged, and that his crime was piracy,
yet there were scarce any, even at that time, who were
acquainted with his life or actions, or could account for
his turning pirate.
In the beginning of King William's war, Captain Kid
commanded a privateer in the West Indies, and by several
adventurous actions acquired the reputation of a brave
man,>as well as an experienced seaman. About this time
the pirates were very troublesome in those parts, where-
fore Captain Kid was recommended by the Lord Bellamont,
then governor of Barbadoes, as well as by several other
persons, to the Government here, as a person very fit
to be entrusted with the command of a Government ship,
and to be employed in cruising upon the pirates, as
knowing those seas perfectly well, and being acquainted
with all their lurking places ; but what reasons governed
the politics of those times I cannot tell, but this proposal
met with no encouragement here, though it is certain it
would have been of great consequence to the subject,
our merchants suffering incredible damages by those
robbers.
Upon this neglect the Lord Bellamont and some others,
who knew what great captures had been made by the
pirates, and what a prodigious wealth must be in their
possession, were tempted to fit out a ship at their own
private charge, and to give the command of it to Cap-
tain Kid ; and to give the thing a greater reputation,
as well as to keep their seamen under the better com-
CAPTAIN WILLIAM KID 261
maud, they procured the King's Commission for the
said Captain Kid, of which the following is an exact
copy :
"WILLIAM EEX, William the Third, by the grace of
God, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland,
Defender of the Faith, &c. To our trusty and well-
beloved Captain William Kid, Commander of the ship,
the Adventure galley, or to any other the commander of
the same for the time being, greeting ; Whereas we are
informed, that Captain Thomas Too, John Ireland, Captain
Thomas Wake, and Captain William Maze, or Mace, and
other subjects, natives or inhabitants of New York, and
elsewhere, in our plantations in America, have associated
themselves, with divers others, wicked and ill-disposed
persons, and do, against the law of nations, commit many
and great piracies, robberies, and depredations on the seas
upon the parts of America, and in other parts, to the
great hindrance and discouragement of trade and naviga-
tion, and to the great danger and hurt of our loving
subjects, our allies, and all others, navigating the seas
upon their lawful occasions. Now know ye, that we being
desirous to prevent the aforesaid mischiefs, and, as much
as in us lies, to bring the said pirates, freebooters and
sea-rovers to justice, have thought fit, and do hereby
give .and grant to the said William Kid (to whom our
Commissioners for exercising the office of Lord High
Admiral of England, have granted a commission as a-
private man-of-war, bearing date December 11, 1695),
and unto the commander of the said ship for the time
being, and unto the officers, mariners, and others, which
shall be under your command, full power and authority
to apprehend, seize, and take into your custody as well
the said Captain Thomas Too, John Ireland, Captain
262 THE LIFE OF
Thomas Wake, and Captain William Maze, or Mace, as
all such pirates, freebooters and sea-rovers, being either
our subjects, or of other nations associated with them,
which you shall meet with upon the seas or coasts
of America, or upon any other seas or coasts, with all
their ships and vessels; and all such merchandises,
money, goods, and wares as shall be found on board, or
with them, in case they shall willingly yield themselves ;
but if they will not yield without fighting, then you are
by force to compel them to yield. And we do also require
you to bring, or cause to be brought, such pirates, free-
booters, or sea-rovers, as you shall seize, to a legal trial,
to the end they may be proceeded against according to
the law in such cases. And we do hereby command
all our officers, ministers, and other our loving subjects
whatsoever, to be aiding and assisting to you in the
premisses. And we do hereby enjoin you to keep an
exact journal of your proceedings in the execution of the
premisses, and set down the names of such pirates, and
of their officers and company, and the names of such
ships and vessels as you shall by virtue of these presents
take and seize, and the quantities of arms, ammunition,
provision, and lading of such ships, and the true value
of the same, as near as you judge. And we do hereby
strictly charge and command you as you will answer
the contrary at your peril, that you do not, in any
manner, offend or molest our friends or allies, their ships,
or subjects, by colour' or pretence of these presents, or
the authority thereby granted. In witness whereof we
have caused our Great Seal of England to be affixed to
these presents. Given at our Court of Kensington, the
26th day of January, 1695, in the seventh year of our
reign."
Captain Kid had also another commission, which was
CAPTAIN WILLIAM KID. 263
called a Commission of Reprisals ; for It being then war
time, this commission was to justify him in the 'taking
of French merchant ships, in case he should meet with
any; but as this commission is nothing to our present
purpose, we shall not burthen the readers with it.
With these two commissions he sailed out of Plymouth
in May, 1696, in the Adventure galley of thirty guns and
eighty men. The place he first designed for was New
York; in his voyage thither he took a French banker,
but this was no act of piracy, he having a commission
for that purpose, as we have just observed.
When he arrived at New York he put up articles for
engaging more hands, it being necessary to his ship's
crew, since he proposed to deal with a desperate enemy.
The terms he offered were that every man should have
a share of what was taken, reserving for himself and
owners forty shares. Upon which encouragement he
soon increased his company to a hundred and fifty-five
men.
With this company he sailed first for Madeira, where
he took in wine and some other necessaries ; from thence
he proceeded to Bonavist, one of the Cape de Verde islands,
to furnish the ship with salt, and from thence went
immediately to St. Jago, another of the Cape de Verde
islands, in order to stock himself with provisions. When
all this was done he bent his course to Madagascar, the
known rendezvous of pirates. In his way he fell in with
Captain Warren, commodore of three men-of-war ; he
acquainted them with his design, kept them company
two or three days, and then leaving them made the best
way for Madagascar, where he arrived in February, 1696,
just nine months from his departure from Plymouth.
It happened that at this time the pirate ships were
most of them out in search of prey, so that, according
264 THE LIFE OF
to the best intelligence Captain Kid could get, there was
not one of them at that time about the island, wherefore,
having spent some time in watering his ship and taking
in more provisions, he thought of trying his fortune on
the coast of Malabar, where he arrived in the month
of June following, four months from his reaching Mada-
gascar. Hereabouts he made an unsuccessful cruise,
touching sometimes at the island of Mahala, sometimes
at that of Joanna, between Malabar and Madagascar. His
provisions were every day wasting, and his ship began
to want repair; wherefore, when he was at Joanna, he
found means of borrowing a sum of money from some
Frenchmen who had lost their ship, but saved their
effects, and with this he purchased materials for putting
his ship in good repair.
It does not appear all this while that he had the
least design of turning pirate, for near Mahala and
Joanna both he met with several Indian ships richly
laden, to which he did not offer the least violence, though
he was strong enough to have done what he pleased with
them; and the first outrage or depredation I find he
committed upon mankind was after his repairing his ship
and leaving Joanna. He touched at a place called Mabbee,
upon the Bed Sea, where he took some Guinea corn from
the natives, by force.
After this he sailed to Bab's Key, a place upon a little
island at the entrance of the Bed Sea. Here it was that
he first began to open himself to his ship's company,
and let them understand that he intended to change his
measures ; for, happening to talk of the Moca fleet which
was to sail that way, he said, " We have been unsuccessful
hitherto ; but courage, my boys, we'll make our fortunes
out of this fleet." And finding that none of them appeared
averse to it he ordered a boat out, well manned, to go
CAPTAIN WILLIAM KID. 265
upon the coast to make discoveries, commanding them
to take a prisoner and bring to him, or get intelligence
any way they could. The boat returned in a few days,
bringing him word that they saw fourteen or fifteen
ships ready to sail, some with English, some with Dutch,
and some with Moorish colours.
We cannot account for this sudden change in his
conduct, otherwise than by supposing that he first meant
well, while he had hopes of making his fortune by taking
of pirates; but now, weary of ill-success, and fearing
lest his owners, out of humour at their great expenses,
should dismiss him, and he should want employment,
and be marked out for an unlucky man rather, I say,
than run the hazard of poverty, he resolved to do his
business one way, since he could not do it another.
He therefore ordered a man continually to watch at
the mast-head, lest this fleet should go by them; and
about four days after, towards evening, it appeared in
sight, being convoyed by one English and one Dutch
man-of-war. Kid soon fell in with them, and, getting into
the midst of them, fired at a Moorish ship which was
next him ; but the men-of-war, taking the alarm, bore
down upon Kid, and, firing upon him, obliged him to
sheer off, he not being strong enough to contend with
them. Now he had begun hostilities he resolved to go
on, and therefore he went and cruised along the coast
of Malabar. The first prize he met was a small vessel
belonging to Aden; the vessel was Moorish, and the
owners were Moorish merchants, but the master was an
Englishman ; his name was Parker. Kid forced him and
a Portuguese that was called Don Antonio, which were
all the Europeans on board, to take on with them ; the
first he designed as a pilot, and the last as an interpreter.
He also used the men very cruelly, causing them to be
266 THE LIFE OF
hoisted up by the arms, and druhbed with a naked cutlass,
to force them to discover whether they had money on
board, and where it lay; but as they had neither gold
nor silver on board he got nothing by his cruelty ; how-
ever, he took from them a bale of pepper, and a bale
of coffee, and so let them go.
A little time after he touched at Carawar, a place upon
the same coast, where, before he arrived, the news of
what he had done to the Moorish ship had reached them ;
for some of the English merchants there had received
an account of it from the owners, who corresponded
with them ; wherefore, as soon as Kid came in, he was
suspected to be the person who committed this piracy,
and one Mr. Harvey and Mr. Mason, two of the English
factory, came on board and asked for Parker and Antonio,
the Portuguese, but Kid denied that he knew any such
persons, having secured them both in a private place
in the hold, where they were kept for seven or eight
days, that is till Kid sailed from thence.
However, the coast was alarmed, and a Portuguese
man-of-war was sent out to cruise. Kid met with her,
and fought her about six hours, gallantly enough ; but
finding her too strong to be taken, he quitted her, for
he was able to run away from her when he would. Then
he went to a place called Porco, where he watered the
ship, and bought a number of hogs of the natives to
victual his company.
Soon after this he came up with a Moorish ship, the
master whereof was a Dutchman, called Schipper Mitchel,
and chased her under French colours, which, they ob-
serving, hoisted French colours too. When he came up
with her he hailed her in French, and they, having a
Frenchman on board, answered him in the same language ;
upon which he ordered them to send their boat on board.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM KID. 267
They were obliged to do so, and having examined who
they were, and from whence they came, he asked the
Frenchman, who was a passenger, if he had a French
pass for himself? The Frenchman gave him to under-
stand that he had. Then he told the Frenchman he
must pass for captain, and " by G d," says he, " you are
the captain." The Frenchman durst not refuse doing as
he would have him. The meaning of this was, that he
would seize the ship as fair prize, and as if she had
belonged to French subjects, according to a commission
he had for that purpose ; though, one would think, after
what he had already done, that he need not have recourse
to a quibble to give his actions a colour.
In short, he took the cargo and sold it some time after ;
yet still he seemed to have some fears upon him lest
these proceedings should have a bad end, for, coming up
with a Dutch ship some time, when his men thought of
nothing but attacking her, Kid opposed it ; upon which
a mutiny arose, and the majority being for taking the said
ship, and arming themselves to man the boat to go and
seize her, he told them, such as did, never should come
on board him again, which put an end to the design, so
that he kept company with the said ship some time,
without offering her any violence. However, this dispute
was the occasion of an accident, upon which an indictment
was afterwards grounded against Kid ; for Moor, the
gunner, being one day upon deck, and talking with Kid
about the said Dutch ship, some words arose between
them, and Moor told Kid that he had ruined them all ;
upon which Kid, calling him dog, took up a bucket and
struck him with it, which, breaking his skull, he died the
next day.-
But Kid's penitential fit did not last long, for, coasting
along Malabar, he met with a great number of boats, all
268 THE LIFE OF
which he plundered. Upon the same coast he also lighted
upon a Portuguese ship, which he kept possession of a.
week, and then, having taken out of her some chests of
Indian goods, thirty jars of butter, with some wax, iron^
and a hundred bags of rice, he let her go.
Much about the same time he went to one of the
Malabar islands for wood and water, and his cooper, being;
ashore, was murdered by the natives ; upon which Kid
himself landed, and burnt and pillaged several of their
houses, the people running away ; but having taken one,
he caused him to be tied to a tree, and commanded one
of his men to shoot him ; then putting to sea again he
took the greatest prize which fell into his hands while-
he followed this trade. This was a Moorish ship of four
hundred tons, richly laden, named the Queda, merchant,
the master whereof was an Englishman he was called
Wright, for the Indians often make use of English or
Dutch men to command their ships, their own mariners-
not being so good artists in navigation. Kid chased her
under French colours, and, having come up with her, he
ordered her to hoist out her boat and to send on board of
him, which, being done, he told Wright he was his prisoner ;
and informing himself concerning the said ship, he under-
stood there were no Europeans on board except two-
Dutch, and one Frenchman, all the rest being Indians or
Armenians, and that the Armenians were part owners of
the cargo. Kid gave the Armenians to understand that
if they would offer anything that was worth his taking
for their ransom, he would hearken to it; upon which
they proposed to pay him twenty thousand rupees, not-
quite three thousand pounds sterling; but Kid judged
this would be making a bad bargain, wherefore he
rejected it, and setting the crew on shore at different
places on the coast, he soon sold as much of the cargo as
CAPTAIN WILLIAM KID. 269
came to near ten thousand pounds. With part of it he
also trafficked, receiving in exchange provisions or such
other goods as he wanted. By degrees he disposed of the
the whole cargo, and when the division was made it
came to about two hundred pounds a man, and, having
reserved forty shares to himself, his dividend amounted to
about eight thousand pounds sterling.
The Indians along the coast came on board and
trafficked with all freedom, and he punctually performed
his bargains, till about the time he was ready to sail;
and then, thinking he should have no further occasion for
them, he made no scruple of taking their goods and
setting them on shore without any payment in money or
goods, which they little expected ; for as they had been
used to deal with pirates, they always found them men of
honour in the way of trade a people, enemies to deceit,
and that scorned to rob but in their own way.
Kid put some of his men on board the Queda, merchant,
and with this ship and his own sailed for Madagascar.
As soon as he was arrived and had cast anchor there
came on board of him a canoe, in which were several
Englishmen who had formerly been well acquainted with
Kid. As soon as they saw him they saluted him and told
him they were informed he was come to take them, and
hang them, which would be a little unkind in such an
old acquaintance. Kid soon dissipated their doubts by
swearing he had no such design, and that he was now in
every respect their brother, and just as bad as they, and,
calling for a cup of bomboo, drank their captain's health.
These men belonged to a pirate ship, called the Resolu-
tion, formerly the Mocco, merchant, whereof one Captain
Culliford was commander, and which lay at an anchor not
far from them. Kid went on board with them, promising
them his friendship and assistance, and Culliford in his
270 THE LIFE OF
turn came on board of Kid ; and Kid, to testify his
sincerity in iniquity, finding Culliford in want of some
necessaries, made him a present of an anchor and some
guns, to fit him out for the sea again.
The Adventure galley was now so old and leaky that
they were forced to keep two pumps continually going,
wherefore Kid shifted all the guns and tackle out of her
into the Queda, merchant, intending her for his man-of-
war ; and as he had divided the money before, he now
made a division of the remainder of the cargo. Soon
after which the greatest part of the company left him,
some going on board Captain Culliford, and others ab-
sconding in the country, so that he had not above forty
men left.
He put to sea and happened to touch at Amboyna, one
of the Dutch spice islands, where he was told that the news
of his actions had reached England, and that he was there
declared a pirate.
The truth of it is, his piracies so alarmed our mer-
chants that some motions were made in Parliament, to
inquire into the commission that was given him, and the
persons who fitted him out. These proceedings seemed to
lean a little hard upon the Lord Bellamont, who thought
himself so much touched thereby that he published a
justification of himself in a pamphlet after Kid's execution.
In the meantime it was thought advisable, in order to stop
the course of these piracies, to publish a proclamation,
offering the king's free pardon to all such pirates as should
voluntarily surrender themselves, whatever piracies they
had been guilty of at any time, before the last day of April,
1699. That is to say, for all piracies committed eastward
of the Cape of Good Hope, to the longitude and meridian
of Socatora and Cape Camorin. In which proclamation
Avery and Kid ^ere excepted by name.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM KID. 271
When Kid left Amboyna he knew nothing of this procla-
mation, for certainly had he had notice of his being
excepted in it he would not have been so infatuated to
run himself into the very jaws of danger ; but relying upon
his interest with the Lord Bellamont, and fancying that
a French pass or two he found on board some of the ships
he took would serve to countenance the matter, and that
part of the booty he got would gain him new friends I
say, all these things made him flatter himself that all
would be hushed, and that justice would but wink at him.
Wherefore he sailed directly for New York, where he was
no sooner arrived but by the Lord Bellamont's orders he
was secured with all his papers and effects. Many of his
fellow-adventurers who had forsook him at Madagascar,
came over from thence passengers, some to New England,
and some to Jersey, where, hearing of the king's proclama-
tion for pardoning of pirates, they surrendered themselves
to the governor of those places. At first they were ad-
mitted to bail, but soon after were laid in strict con-
finement, where they were kept for some time, till an
opportunity happened of sending them with their captain
over to England to be tried.
Accordingly, a Sessions of Admiralty being held at the
Old Bailey, in May, 1701, Captain Kid, Nicholas Churchill,
James How, Kobert Lumley, William Jenkins, Gabriel
Loff, Hugh Parrot, Eichard Barlicorn, Abel Owens, and
Darby Mullins, were arraigned for piracy and robbery on
the high seas, and all found guilty except three : these
were Eobert Lumley, William Jenkins, and Eichard
Barlicorn, who, proving themselves to be apprentices to
some of the officers of the ship, and producing their in-
dentures in court, were acquitted.
The three above mentioned, though they were proved
to be concerned in taking and sharing the ship and goods
272 T.HE LIFE OF
mentioned in the indictment, yet, as the gentlemen of
the long robe rightly distinguished, there was a great
difference between their circumstances and the rest ; for
there must go an intention of the mind and a freedom of
the will to the committing an act of felony or piracy. A
pirate is not to be understood to be under constraint, but a
free agent ; for, in this case, the bare act will not make a
man guilty, unless the will make it so.
Now a servant, it is true, if he go .voluntarily and have
his proportion, he must be accounted a pirate, for then he
acts upon his own account, and not by compulsion. And
these persons, according to the evidence, received their
part, but whether they accounted to their masters for their
shares afterwards is the matter in question, and what
distinguishes them as free agents or men, that did go
under the compulsion of their masters, which being left to
the consideration of the jury, they found them " Not Guilty."
Kid was tried upon an indictment of murder also viz.,
for killing Moor, the gunner and found guilty of the same.
Nicholas Churchill and James How pleaded the king's
pardon, as having surrendered themselves within the time
limited in the proclamation, and Colonel Bass, governor
of West Jersey, to whom they surrendered, being in court,
and called upon, proved the same ; however, this plea
was overruled by the court, because there being four
commissioners named in the proclamation, viz., Captain
Thomas Warren, Israel Hayes, Peter Delannoye, and
Christopher Pollard, Esqs., who were appointed com-
missioners, and sent over on purpose to receive the
submissions of such pirates as should surrender, it was
adjudged no other person was qualified to receive their
surrender, and that they could not be entitled to the
benefit of the said proclamation because they had not
in all circumstances complied with the conditions of it.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM KID. 273
Darby Mullins urged in his defence that he served under
the king's commission, and therefore could not disobey
his commander without incurring great punishments ;. that
whenever a ship or ships went out upon any expedition
under the king's commissioners, the men were never
allowed to call their officers to an account, why they did
this, or why they did that, because such a liberty would
destroy all discipline ; that if anything was done which
was unlawful, the officers were to answer it, for the men
did no more than their duty in obeying orders. He was
told by the court that acting under the commission
justified in what was lawful but not in what was unlawful.
He answered, he stood in need of nothing to justify him in
what was lawful, but that the case of seamen must be very
hard, if they must be brought into such danger for obeying
the commands of their officers, and punished for not
obeying them ; and if they were allowed to dispute the
orders, there could be no such thing as command kept up
at sea.
This seemed to be the best defence the thing could
bear. But his taking a share of the plunder, the seamen
mutinying on board several times, and taking upon them
to control the captain, showed there was no obedience paid
to the commission,- and that they acted in all things
according to the custom of pirates and freebooters, which
weighing with the jury they brought him in guilty with
the rest.
As to Captain Kid's defence, he insisted much upon his
own innocence, and the villainy of his men. He said he
went out in a laudable employment, and had no occasion,
being then in good circumstances, to go a-pirating ; that
the men often mutinied against him, and did as they
pleased ; that he was threatened to be shot in his cabin,
and that ninety^five left him at one time, and set fire to
18
274 THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN WILLIAM KID.
his boat, so that he was disabled from bringing his ship
home, or the prizes he took, to have them regularly
condemned, which he said were taken by virtue of a com-
mission under the broad seal, they having French passes.
The captain called one Colonel Hewson to his reputation,
who gave him an extraordinary character, and declared
to the court that he had served under his command, and
been in two engagements with him against the French, in
which he fought as well as any man he ever saw ; that
there were only Kid's ship and his own against Monsieur
du Cass, who commanded a squadron of six sail, and they
got the better of him. But this being several years before
the facts mentioned in the indictment were committed,
proved of no manner of service to the prisoner on his trial.
As to the friendship shown to Culliford, a notorious
pirate, Kid denied, and said he intended to have taken
him, but his men, being a parcel of rogues and villains,
refused to stand by him, and several of them ran away
from his ship to the said pirate. But the evidence being
full and particular against him, he was found guilty as
before mentioned.
When Kid was asked what he had to say why sentence
should not pass against him, he answered that " he had
nothing to say, but that he had been sworn against by
perjured, wicked people." And when sentence was pro-
nounced, he said, " My lord, it is a very hard sentence.
For my part I am the innocentest person of them all, only
I have been sworn against by perjured persons."
Wherefore, about a week after, Captain Kid, Nicholas
Churchill, James How, Gabriel Loff, Hugh Parrot, Abel
Owen, and Darby Mullins, were executed at Execution
Dock, and afterwards hung up in chains, at some distance
from each other down the river, where their bodies hung
exposed for many years.
III.
CAPTAIN BAETHOLOMEW EOBEETS
AND HIS CEEW.
His beginning Elected captain in the room of Davis The speech of
Lord Dennis at the election Lord Sympson objects against a
papist The death of Davis revenged Roberts sails southward
in quest of adventures The names of the prizes taken by them
Brazil described Roberts falls into a fleet of Portuguese
Boards and takes the richest ship amongst them Make the
Devil's Islands An unfortunate adventure of Roberts Kennedy's
treachery Irishmen excluded by Roberts and his crew Articles
sworn to by them A copy of them Some account of the laws
and customs of the pirates An instance of Roberts's cunning
He proceeds again upon business, and takes prizes Narrowly
escapes being taken Sails for the Island Dominico Another
escape Sails for Newfoundland Plunders, sinks, and burns
twenty-two sail in the harbour of Trepassi Plunders ten sail of
Frenchmen The mad behaviour of the crew A correspondence
hinted at The pirates caressed at the island of St. Bartholomew
In extreme distress Sail for Martinico A stratagem of
Roberts The insolent device in his colours Odd compliment
paid to Roberts Three men desert the pirates, and are taken by
them Their trial Two executed and one saved the brigantine
deserts them Great divisions in the company A description of
Sierra Leone River The names of English settled there, and
way of life The Onsloiv belonging to the African Company taken
The pirates' contempt of soldiers They are for entertaining a
chaplain Their skirmish with the Calabar negroes The King
Solomon, belonging to the African Company taken The frolics
of the pirates Take eleven sail in Whydah Road A comical
receipt given by the pirates A cruel action of Roberts Sails for
Anna Bona The progress of the Swallow man-of-war, in pursuit
of Roberts Roberts's consort taken The bravery of Skyrme, a
276 THE LIFE OF
Welsh pirate The surly humour of some of the prisoners The
Swalloiv comes up with Roberts Eoberts's dress described Is
killed His character His ship taken The behaviour of the
pirates when prisoners A conspiracy of theirs discovered Re-
flections on the manner of trying them The form of the com-
mission for trying the pirates The oath taken by the com-
missioners The names of those arraigned taken in the ship
Banger The form of the indictment The sum of the evidence
against them Their defence The names of the prisoners of the
Royal Fortune Proceedings against them Harry Glasby ac-
quittedThe particular trial of Captain James Skyrme Of John
Walden Of Peter Scudamore Of Robert Johnson Of George
Wilson Of Benjamin Jeffries Of John Mansfield Of William
p av i s The names of those executed at Cape Corso The petition
of some condemned The court's resolution The form of an in-
denture of a pardoned pirate The names of those pardoned upon
indenture to serve seven years The pirates how disposed of The
dying behaviour of those executed.
BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS sailed in an honest
employ from London, aboard of the Princess, Captain
Plumb, commander, of which ship he was second mate.
He left England November, 1719, and arrived at Guinea
about February following, and being at Anamaboe, taking
in slaves for the West Indies, was taken in the said ship
by Captain Howel Davis. In the beginning he was very
averse to this sort of life, and would certainly have escaped
from them had a fair opportunity presented itself ; yet after-
wards he changed his principles, as many besides him have
done upon another element, and perhaps for the same reason
too, viz., preferment; and what he did not like as a private
man he could reconcile to his conscience as a commander.
Davis having been killed in the Island of Princes whilst
planning to capture it with all its inhabitants, the
company found themselves under the necessity of filling
up his post, for which there appeared two or three candi-
dates among the select part of them that were dis-
tinguished by the title of Lords such were Sympson,
Ashplant, Anstis, &c. and on canvassing this matter,
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 277
how shattered and weak a condition their government
must be without a head, since Davis had been removed
in the manner before mentioned, my Lord Dennis pro-
posed, it is said, over a bowl, to this purpose :
" That it was not of any great signification who was
dignified with title, for really and in good truth all good
governments had, like theirs, the supreme power lodged
with the community, who might doubtless depute and
revoke as suited interest or humour. We are the original
of this claim," says he, " and should a captain be so
saucy as to exceed prescription at any time, why, down
with him ! It will be a caution after he is dead to his
successors of what fatal consequence any sort of assuming
may be. However, it is my advice that while we are sober
we pitch upon a man of courage and skilled in navigation,
one who by his council and bravery seems best able to
defend this commonwealth, and ward us from the dangers
and tempests of an unstable element, and the fatal conse-
quences of anarchy ; and such a one I take Eoberts to be
a fellow, I think, in all respects worthy your esteem and
favour."
This speech was loudly applauded by all but Lord
Syrnpson, who had secret expectations himself, but on this
disappointment grew sullen and left them, swearing "he did
not care who they chose captain so it was not a papist, for
against them he had conceived an irreconcilable hatred,
for that his father had been a sufferer in Monmouth's
rebellion."
Koberts was accordingly elected, though he had not been
above six weeks among them. The choice was confirmed
both by the Lords and Commoners, and he accepted of the
honour, saying that, since he had dipped his hands in
muddy water and must be a pirate, it was better being a
commander than a common man.
278 TEE LIFE OF
As soon as the government was settled, by promoting
other officers in the room of those that were killed by the
Portuguese, the company resolved to avenge Captain
Davis's death, he being more than ordinarily respected by
the crew for his affability and good nature, as well as his
conduct and bravery upon all occasions ; and, pursuant to
this resolution, about thirty men were landed, in order to
make an attack upon the fort, which must be ascended to
by a steep hill against the mouth of the cannon. These
men were headed by one Kennedy, a bold, daring fellow, but
very wicked and profligate ; they marched directly up
under the fire of their ship guns, and as soon as they
were discovered, the Portuguese quitted their post and fled
to the town, and the pirates marched in without opposi-
tion, set fire to the fort, and threw all the guns off the hill
into the sea, which after they had done they retreated
quietly to their ship.
But this was not looked upon as a sufficient satis-
faction for the injury they received, therefore most of the
company were for burning the town, which Roberts said
he would yield to if any means could be proposed of doing
it without their own destruction, for the town had a
securer situation than the fort, a thick wood coming almost
close to it, affording cover to the defendants, who, under
such an advantage, he told them, it was to be feared,
would fire and stand better to their arms ; besides, that
bare houses would be but a slender reward for their
trouble and loss. This prudent advice prevailed; however,
they mounted the. French ship they seized at this place
with twelve guns, and lightened her, in order to come up
to the town, the water being shoal, and battered down
several houses ; after which they all returned on board,
gave back the French ship to those that had most right to
her, and sailed out of the harbour by the light of two
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 279
Portuguese ships, which they were pleased to set on fire
there.
Eoberts stood away to the southward, and met with a
Dutch Guineaman, which he made prize of, but, after
having plundered her, the skipper had his ship again.
Two days after he took an English ship, called the Ex-
periment, Captain Cornet, at Cape Lopez ; the men went all
into the pirate service, and having no occasion for the
ship they burnt her and then steered for St. Thome, but
meeting with nothing in their way, they sailed for Anna-
bona, and there watered, took in provisions, and put it to
a vote of the company whether their next voyage should
be to the East Indies or to Brazil. The latter being
resolved on, they sailed accordingly, and in twenty-eight
days arrived at Ferdinando, an uninhabited island on that
coast. Here they watered, boot-topped their ship, and
made ready for the designed cruise.
Upon this coast our rovers cruised for about nine weeks,
keeping generally out of sight of land, but without seeing
a sail, which discouraged them so that they determined to
leave the station and steer for the West Indies ; and, in
order thereto, stood in to make the land for the taking of
their departure; and thereby they fell in unexpectedly with
a fleet of forty-two sail of Portuguese ships off the bay of
Los ' Todos Santos, with all their lading in, for Lisbon,
several of them of good force, who lay-to waiting for two
men-of-war of seventy guns each, their convoy. However,
Eoberts thought it should go hard with him, but he would
make up his market among them, and thereupon mixed
with the fleet, and kept his men hid till proper resolutions
could be formed. That done, they came close up to one of
the deepest, and ordered her to send the master on board
quietly, threatening to give them no quarter if any re-
sistance or signal of distress was made. The Portuguese,
280 THE LIFE OF
being surprised at these threats, and the sudden flourish
of cutlasses from the pirates, submitted without a word,
and the captain came on board. Eoberts saluted him after
a friendly manner, telling him that they were gentlemen of
fortune, but that their business with him was only to be
informed which was the richest ship in that fleet ; and if
he directed them right he should be restored to his ship
without molestation, otherwise he must expect immediate
death.
Whereupon this Portuguese master pointed to one of
forty guns and a hundred and fifty men, a ship of greater
force than the Rover ; but this no ways dismayed them ;
they were Portuguese, they said, and so immediately
steered away for him. When they came within hail, the
master whom they had prisoner was ordered to ask " how
Seignior Captain did?" and to invite him on board, "for that
he had a matter of consequence to impart to him ; " which
being done, he returned for answer that "he would wait
upon him presently," but by the bustle that immediately
followed, the pirates perceived that they were discovered,
and that this was only a deceitful answer to gain time
to put their ship in a posture of defence; so without further
delay they poured in a broadside, boarded, and grappled
her. The dispute was short and warm, wherein many of
the Portuguese fell, and two only of the pirates. By this
time the fleet was alarmed : signals of top-gallant sheets
flying and guns fired to give notice to the men-of-war, who
rid still at an anchor, and made but scurvy haste out
to their assistance ; and if what the pirates themselves
related be true, the commanders of those ships were
blameable to the highest degree, and unworthy the title, or
so much as the name, of men. For Eoberts, finding the
prize to sail heavy, and yet resolving not to lose her, lay
by for the headmost of them, which much outsailed the
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 281
other, and prepared for battle, which was ignominiously
declined, though of such superior force ; for, not daring to
venture on the pirate alone, he tarried so long for his
consort as gave them both time leisurely to make off.
They found this ship exceeding rich, being laden chiefly
with sugar, skins, and tobacco, and in gold forty thousand
moidores, besides chains and trinkets of considerable
value ; particularly a cross set with diamonds designed for
the king of Portugal, which they afterwards presented to
the governor of Caiana, by whom they were obliged.
Elated with this booty, they had nothing now to think
of but some safe retreat where they might give themselves
up to all the pleasures that luxury and wantonness could
bestow ; and for the present pitched upon a place called
the Devil's Islands in the river of Surinam, on the coast
of Caiana, where they arrived, and found the ci vilest re-
ception imaginable, not only from the governor and factory,
but their wives, who exchanged wares, and drove a con-
siderable trade with them.
They seized in this river a sloop, and by her gained in-
telligence that a brigantine had also sailed in company
with her from Ehode Island, laden with provisions for the
coast a welcome cargo ! They growing short in the sea
store, and, as Sancho says, " No adventures to be made
without belly- timber." One evening, as they were rum-
maging their mine of treasure, the Portuguese prize, this
expected vessel was descried at the masthead, and Eoberts,
imagining nobody could do the business so well as himself,
takes forty men in the sloop, and goes in pursuit of her ;
but a fatal accident followed this rash, though incon-
siderable adventure, for Roberts, thinking of nothing less
than bringing in the brigantine that afternoon, never
troubled his head about the sloop's provision, nor inquired
what there was on board to subsist such a number of men;
282 THE LIFE OF
but out he sails after bis expected prize, wbicb he not only
lost further sight of, but after eight days' contending with
contrary winds and currents, found themselves thirty
leagues to leeward. The current still opposing their
endeavours, and perceiving no hopes of beating up to
their ship, they came to an anchor, and inconsiderately
sent away the boat to give the rest of the company notice
of their condition, and to order the ship to them ; but too
soon even the next day their wants made them sensible
of their infatuation, for their water was all expended, and
they had taken no thought how they should be supplied
till either the ship came or the boat returned, which was
not likely to be under five or six days. Here, like
Tantalus, they almost famished in sight of the fresh
streams and lakes, being drove to such extremity at last
that they were forced to tear up the floor of the cabin and
patch up a sort of tub or tray with ropeyarns to paddle
ashore and fetch off immediate supplies of water to
preserve life.
After some days the long-wished-for boat came back,
but with the most unwelcome news in the world ; for
Kennedy, who was lieutenant, and left, in absence of
Egberts, to command the privateer and prize, was gone
off with both. This was mortification with a vengeance,
and you may imagine they did not depart without some
hard speeches from those that were left and had suffered
by their treachery. And that there need be no further
mention of this Kennedy, I shall leave Captain Eoberts for
a page or two with the remains of his crew, to vent their
wrath in a few oaths and execrations, and follow the other,
whom we may reckon from that time as steering his course
towards Execution Deck.
Kennedy was now chosen captain of the revolted crew,
but could not bring his company to any determined re-
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 283
solution. Some of them were for pursuing the old game,
but the greater part of them seemed to have inclinations
to turn from those evil courses, and get home privately,
for there was no act of pardon in force; therefore they
agreed to break up, and every man to shift for himself, as
he should see occasion. The first thing they did was to
part with the great Portuguese prize, and having the
master of the sloop (whose name, I think, was Cane)
aboard, who, they said, was a very honest fellow for he
had humoured them upon every occasion told them of the
brigantine that Eoberts went after ; and when the pirates
first took him he complimented them at an odd rate,
telling them they were welcome to his sloop and cargo,
and wished that the vessel had been larger and the
loading richer for their sakes. To this good-natured man
they gave the Portuguese ship, which was then above
half loaded, three or four negroes, and all his own men,
who returned thanks to his kind benefactors, and departed.
Captain Kennedy, in the Rover, sailed to Barbadoes, near
which island they took a very peaceable ship belonging to
Virginia. The commander was a Quaker, whose name was
Knot ; he had neither pistol, eword, nor cutlass on board ;
and Mr. Knot appearing so very passive to all they said to
him, some of them thought this a good opportunity to go
off ; and accordingly eight of the pirates went aboard, and
he carried them safe to Virginia. They made the Quaker
a present of ten chests of sugar, ten rolls of Brazil tobacco,
thirty moidores, and some gold dust, in all to the value of
about 250. They also made presents to the sailors, some
more, some less, and lived a jovial life all the while they
were upon their voyage, Captain Knot giving them their
way ; nor, indeed, could he help himself, unless he had
taken an opportunity to surprise them when they were
either drunk or asleep, for awake they wore arms aboard
284 THE LIFE OF
the ship and put him in a continual terror, it not being
his principle (or the sect's) to fight, unless with art and
collusion. He managed these weapons well till he arrived
at the Capes ; and afterwards four of the pirates went off
in a boat, which they had taken with them for the more
easily making their escapes, and made up the bay towards
Maryland, but were forced back by a storm into an obscure
place of the country, where, meeting with good entertain-
ment among the planters, they continued several days
without being discovered to be pirates. In the meantime
Captain Knot, leaving four others on board his ship who
intended to go to North Carolina, made what haste he
could to discover to Mr. Spotswood, the governor, what
sort of passengers he had been forced to bring with him,
who, by good fortune, got them seized ; and search being
made after the others, who were revelling about the
country, they were also taken, and all tried, convicted, and
hanged, two Portuguese Jews, who were taken on the coast
of Brazil and whom they brought with them to Virginia,
being the principal evidences. The latter had found
means to lodge part of their wealth with the planters,
who never brought it to account. But Captain Knot
surrendered up everything that belonged to them that
were taken aboard, even what they presented to him, in
lieu of such things as they had plundered him of. in their
passage, and obliged his men to do the like.
Some days after the taking of the Virginiaman last men-
tioned, in cruising in the latitude of Jamaica, Kennedy took
a sloop bound thither from Boston, loaded with bread and
flour ; aboard of this sloop went all the hands who were
for breaking the gang, and left those behind that had a
mind to pursue further adventures. Among the former
was Kennedy, their captain, of whose honour they had
such a despicable notion that they were about to throw
CAP TAIN BAB THOL OME W EOBEE TS. 285
him overboard when they found him in the sloop, as
fearing he might betray them all at their return to
England ; he having in his childhood been bred a pick-
pocket, and before he became a pirate a house-breaker;
both professions that these gentlemen have a very mean
opinion of. However, Captain Kennedy, by taking solemn
oaths of fidelity to his companions, was suffered to proceed
with them.
In this company there was but one that pretended to
any skill in navigation (for Kennedy could neither write
nor read, he being preferred to the command merely for
his courage, which indeed he had often signalized, par-
ticularly in taking the Portuguese ship), and he proved to
be a pretender only : for, shaping their course to Ireland,
where they agreed to land, they ran away to the north-
west coast of Scotland, and there were tossed about by
hard storms of wind for several days without knowing
where they were, and in great danger of perishing. At
length they pushed the vessel into a little creek and went
all ashore, leaving the sloop at an anchor for the next
comers.
The whole company refreshed themselves at a little
village about five miles from the place where they left the
sloop, and passed there for shipwrecked sailors, and no
doubt might have travelled on without suspicion, but the
m^d and riotous manner of their living on the road
occasioned their journey to be cut short, as we shall
observe presently.
Kennedy and another left them here, and, travelling to
one of the seaports, shipped themselves for Ireland, and
arrived there in safety. Six or seven wisely withdrew from
the rest, travelled at their leisure, and got to their much-
desired port of London without being disturbed or sus-
pected, but the train gang alarmed the country wherever
286 THE LIFE OF
they came, drinking and roaring at such a rate that the
people shut themselves up in their houses, in some places
not daring to venture out among so many mad fellows. In
other villages they treated the whole town, squandering
their money away as if, like ,53 sop, they wanted to lighten
their burthens. This expensive manner of living procured
two of their drunken stragglers to be knocked on the head,
they being found murdered in the road and their money
taken from them. All the rest, to the number of seventeen,
as they drew nigh to Edinburgh, were arrested and thrown
into gaol upon suspicion of they knew not what ; however,
the magistrates were not long at a loss for proper accusa-
tions, for two of the gang offering themselves for evidences
were accepted of, and the others were brought to a speedy
trial, whereof nine were convicted and executed.
Kennedy having spent all his money, came over from
Ireland and kept a common B y-house on Deptford-
Eoad, and now and then it was thought, made an excursion
abroad in the way of his former profession, till one of his
household w s gave information against him for a
robbery, for which he was committed to Bridewell ; but
because she would not do the business by halves she
found out a mate of a ship that Kennedy had committed
piracy upon, as he foolishly confessed to her. This mate,
whose name was Grant, paid Kennedy a visit in Bridewell,
and knowing him to be the man, pro'cured a warrant, and
had him committed to the Marshalsea prison.
The game that Kennedy had now to play was to turn
evidence himself; accordingly he gave a list of eight or
ten of his comrades, but, not being acquainted with their
habitations, one only was taken, who, though condemned,
appeared to be a man of a fair character, was forced into
their service, and took the first opportunity to get from them,
and therefore received a pardon ; but Walter Kennedy,
CAPTAIN BAETHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 287
being a notorious offender, was executed July 19, 1721,
at Execution Dock.
The rest of the pirates who were left in the ship Rover
stayed not long behind, for they went ashore to one of the
"West India islands. What became of them afterwards I
cannot tell, but the ship was found at sea by a sloop be-
longing to St. Christophers, and carried into that island
with only nine negroes aboard.
Thus we see what a disastrous fate ever attends the
wicked, and how rarely they escape the punishment due to
their crimes, who, abandoned to such a profligate life, rob,
spoil, and prey upon mankind, contrary to the light and
law of nature, as well as the law of God. It might have
been hoped that the examples of these deaths would have
been as marks to the remainder of this gang, how to shun
the rocks their companions had split on ; that they would
have surrendered to mercy, or divided themselves for ever
from such pursuits, as in the end they might be sure
would subject them to the same law and punishment,
which they must be conscious they now equally deserved ;
impending law, which never let them sleep well unless
-when drunk. But all the use that was made of it here,
was to commend the justice of the court that condemned
Kennedy, for he was a sad dog, they said, and deserved
the fate he met with.
But to go back to Eoberts, whom we left on the coast of
Caiana, in a grievous passion at what Kennedy and the
crew had done, and who was now projecting new adven-
tures with his small company in the sloop ; but finding
hitherto they had been but as a rope of sand, they formed
a set of articles to be signed and sworn to for the better
conservation of their society, and doing justice to one
another, excluding all Irishmen from the benefit of it,
to whom they had an implacable aversion upon the
288 THE LIFE OF
account of Kennedy. How, indeed, Koberts could think
that an oath would be obligatory where defiance had
been given to the laws of God and man, I cannot tell, but
he thought their greatest security lay in this " that it was
every one's interest to observe them, if they minded to
keep up so abominable a combination."
The following is the substance of articles as taken from
the pirates own informations :
I.
Every man has a vote in affairs of moment, has equal
title to the fresh provisions or strong liquors at any time
seized, and may use them at pleasure, unless a scarcity
(no uncommon thing among them) make it necessary for
the good of all to vote a retrenchment.
II.
Every man to be called fairly in turn by list, on board
of prizes, because, over and above their proper share, they
were on these occasions allowed a shift of clothes. But if
they defrauded the company to the value of a dollar, in
plate, jewels, or money, marooning was their punishment.
(This was a barbarous custom of putting the offender on
shore, on some desolate or uninhabited cape or island, with
a gun, a few shot, a bottle of water, a bottle of powder, to
subsist with or starve.) If the robbery was only between
one another, they contented themselves with slitting the
ears and nose of him that was guilty, and set him on
shore, not in an uninhabited place, but somewhere where
he was sure to encounter hardships.
III.
No person to game at cards or dice for money.
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 289
IV.
The lights and candles to be put out at eight o'clock at
night. If any of the crew after that hour still remained
inclined for drinking, they were to do it on the open deck.
(Which Eoberts believed would give a check to their
debauches, for he was a sober man himself, but found at
length that all his endeavours to put an end to this
debauch proved ineffectual.)
V.
To keep their piece, pistols, and cutlass clean, and fit
for service. (In this they were extravagantly nice, en-
deavouring to outdo one another in the beauty and rich-
ness of their arms, giving sometimes at an auction at the
the mast <30 or 40 a pair for pistols. These were slung
in time of service, with different coloured ribbons, over
their shoulders, in a way peculiar to these fellows, in
which they took great delight.)
VI.
No boy or woman to be allowed amongst them. If any
man were found seducing any of the latter sex-, and carried
her to sea disguised, he was to suffer death. (So that when
any fell into their hands, as it chanced in the Onslow,
they put a sentinel immediately over her to prevent ill
consequences from so dangerous an instrument of division
and quarrel ; but then here lies the roguery -they contend
who shall be sentinel, which happens generally to one
of the greatest bullies, who, to secure the lady's virtue,
will let none lie with her but himself.)
VII.
To desert the ship or their quarters in battle, was
punished with death or marooning.
19
290 THE LIFE OF
VIII.
No striking one another on board, but every man's
quarrels to be ended on shore, at sword and pistol. Thus
the quartermaster of the ship, when the parties will not
come to any reconciliation, accompanies them on shore
with what assistance he thinks proper, and turns the dis-
putants back to back at so many paces distance. At the
word of command they turn and fire immediately, or else
the piece is knocked out of their hands. If both miss,
they come to their cutlasses, and then he is declared
victor who draws the first blood.
IX.
No man to talk of breaking up their way of living till
each had shared ^61,000. If, in order to this, any man
should lose a limb, or become a cripple in their service,
he was to have 800 dollars out of the public stock, and
for lesser hurts proportionably.
X.
The captain and quartermaster to receive two shares of
a prize ; the master, boatswain, and gunner, one share
and a half, and other officers one and a quarter.
XL
The musicians to have rest on the Sabbath-day, but the
other six days and nights none without special favour.
These, we are assured, were some of Eoberts's articles,
but as they had taken care to throw overboard the original
they had signed and sworn to, there is a great deal of
room to suspect the remainder contained something too
horrid to be disclosed, to any, except such as were willing
to be sharers in the iniquity of them. Let them be what
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW EGBERTS. 291
they will, they were together the test of all new-comers,
who were initiated by an oath taken on a Bible, reserved
for that purpose only, and were subscribed to in presence
of the worshipful Mr. Eoberts. And in case any doubt
should arise concerning the construction of these laws,
and it should remain a dispute whether the party had
infringed them or no, a jury was appointed to explain
them, and bring in a verdict upon the case in doubt.
Since we are now speaking of the laws of this company,
I shall go on, and, in as brief a manner as I can, relate
the principal customs and government of this roguish
commonwealth, which are pretty near the same with all
pirates.
For the punishment of small offences which are not
provided for by the articles, and which are not of conse-
quence enough to be left to a jury, there is a principal
officer among the pirates, called the quartermaster, of
the men's own choosing, who claims all authority this way,
excepting in time of battle. If they disobey his command,
are quarrelsome and mutinous with one another, misuse
prisoners, plunder beyond his order, and in particular,
"ft they be negligent of their arms, which he musters at
discretion, he punishes at his own arbitrement, with
drubbing or whipping, which no one else dare do without <
incurring the lash from all the ship's company. In short,
this officer is trustee for the whole, is the first on board
any prize, separating for the company's use what he
pleases, and returning what he thinks fit to the owners,
excepting gold and silver, which they have voted not re-
turnable.
After a description of the quartermaster and his duty,
who acts as a sort of a civil magistrate on board a pirate
ship, I shall consider their military officer, the captain ;
what privileges he exerts in such anarchy and unruli-
292 THE LIFE OF
ness of the members. Why, truly very little they
only permit him to be captain, on condition that they
may be captain over him ; they separate to his use the
great cabin, and sometimes vote him small parcels of
plate and china (for it may be noted that Eoberts drank
his tea constantly), but then every man, as the humour
takes him, "will use the plate and china, intrude into his
apartment, swear at him, seize a part of his victuals and
drink, if they like it, without his offering to find fault or
contest it. Yet Eoberts, by a better management than
usual, became the chief director in everything of moment ;
and it happened thus : The rank of captain being ob-
tained by the suffrage of the majority, it falls on one
superior for knowledge and boldness pistol proof, as
they call it and can make those fear who do not love
him. Eoberts is said to have exceeded his fellows in
these respects, and when advanced, enlarged the respect
that followed it by making a sort of privy council of half
a dozen of the greatest bullies, such as were his com-
petitors, and had interest enough to make his government
easy ; yet even those, in the latter part of his reign, he
had run counter to in every project that opposed his own*
opinion ; for which, and because he grew reserved and
would not drink and roar at their rate, a cabal was formed
to take away his captainship, which death did more
effectually.
The captain's power is uncontrollable in chase or in
battle, drubbing, cutting, or even shooting any one who
dares deny his command. The same privilege he takes
over prisoners, who receive good or ill usage mostly as
he approves of their behaviour, for though the meanest
would take upon them to misuse a master of a ship, yet
he would control herein when he sees it, and merrily over
a bottle give his prisoners this double reason for it : first,
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 293
that it preserved his precedence ; and secondly, that it
took the punishment out of the hands of a much more
rash and mad set of fellows that himself. When he found
that rigour was not expected from his people (for he often
practised it to appease them), then he would give strangers
to understand that it was pure inclination that induced
him to a good treatment of them, and not any love or
partiality to their persons ; for, says he, " there is none of
you but will hang me, I know, whenever you can clinch
me within your power."
And now, seeing the disadvantages they were under for
pursuing the account, viz., a small vessel ill repaired, and
without provisions or stores, they resolved, one and all,
with the little supplies they could get, to proceed for the
West Indies, not doubting to find a remedy for all these
evils and to retrieve their loss.
In the latitude of Deseada, one of the islands, they
took two sloops, which supplied them with provisions and
other necessaries, and a few days afterwards took a
brigantine belonging to Ehode Island, and then proceeded
to Barbadoes, off of which island they fell in with a,
Bristol ship of ten guns, in her voyage out, from whom
they took abundance of clothes, some money, twenty-five
bales of goods, five barrels of powder, a cable, hawser,
ten casks of oatmeal, six casks of beef, and several other
goods, besides five of their men ; and after they had
detained her three days let her go, who, being bound
for the abovesaid island, she acquainted the governor with
what had happened as soon as she arrived.
Whereupon a Bristol galley that lay in the harbour was
ordered to be fitted out with all imaginable expedition of
20 guns and 80 men, there being then no man-of-war upon
that station, and also a sloop with 10 guns and 40 men.
294 THE LIFE OF
The galley was commanded by one Captain Eogers, of
Bristol, and the sloop by Captain Graves, of that island,
and Captain Eogers, by a commission from the governor,
was appointed commodore.
The second day after Eogers sailed out of the harbour
he was discovered by Eoberts, who, knowing nothing of
their design, gave them chase. The Barbadoes ships
kept an easy sail till the pirates came up with them, and
then Eoberts gave them a gun, expecting they would have
immediately struck to his piratical flag; but instead
thereof, he was forced to receive the fire of a broadside,
with three huzzas at the same time, so that an engage-
ment ensued ; but Eoberts, being hardly put to it, was
obliged to crowd all the sail the sloop would bear to get
off. The galley, sailing pretty well, kept company for a
long while, keeping a constant fire, which galled the
pirate ; however, at length, by throwing over their guns
and other heavy goods, and thereby lightening the vessel,
they, with much ado, got clear ; but Eoberts could never
endure a Barbadoes man afterwards, and when any ships
belonging to that island fell in his way, he was more
particularly severe to them than others.
Captain Eoberts sailed in the sloop to the island of
Dominico, where he watered and got provisions of the
inhabitants, to whom he gave goods in exchange. At this
place he met with thirteen Englishmen, who had. been
set ashore by a French Guard de la Coste, belonging to
Martinico, taken out of two New England ships that had
been seized as prizes by the said French sloop. The men
willingly entered with the pirates, and it proved a season-
able recruit.
They stayed not long here, though they had immediate
occasion for cleaning their sloop, but did not think this
a proper place; and herein they judged right, for the
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 295
touching at this island had like to have been their destruc-
tion, because they, having resolved to go away .to the
Granada Islands for the aforesaid purpose, by some
accident it came to be known to the French colony, who,
sending word to the governor of Martinico, he equipped
and manned two sloops to go in quest of them. The
pirates sailed directly for the Granadilloes, and hall'd
into a lagoon at Corvocoo, where they cleaned with un-
usual dispatch, staying but a little above a week, by which
expedition they missed of the Martinico sloops only a few
hours, Koberts sailing overnight that the French arrived
the next morning. This was a fortunate escape, especially
considering that it was not from any fears of their being
discovered that they made so much haste from the island,
but, as they had the impudence themselves to own, for the
want of wine and women.
Thus narrowly escaped, they sailed for Newfoundland,
and arrived upon the banks the latter end of June, 1720.
They entered the harbour of Trepassi with their black
colours flying, drums beating, and trumpets sounding.
There were two-and- twenty vessels in the harbour, which
the men all quitted upon the sight of the pirate, and fled
ashore. It is impossible particularly to recount the
destruction and havoc they made here, burning and sink-
ing all the shipping except a Bristol galley, and destroying
the fisheries and stages of the poor planters without
remorse or compunction ; for nothing is so deplorable
as powef in mean and ignorant hands it makes men
wanton and giddy, unconcerned at the misfortunes they
are imposing on their fellow-creatures, and keeps them
smiling at the mischiefs that bring themselves no advan-
tage. They are like madmen that cast fire-brands, arrows,
and death, and say, Are not we in sport ?
Koberts mann'ed the Bristol galley he took in the
296 THE LIFE OF
harbour, and mounted 16 guns on board her, and cruising
out upon the banks, he met with nine or ten sail of French
ships, all which he destroyed except one of 26 guns,
which they seized and carried off for their own use. This
ship they christened the Fortune, and leaving the Bristol
galley to the Frenchmen, they sailed away in company
with the sloop on another cruise, and took several prizes,
viz., the Richard, of Biddiford, Jonathan Whitfield,
master ; the Willing Mind, of Pool ; the Expectation, of
Topsham ; and the Samuel, Captain Gary, of London ;
out of these ships they increased their company by
entering all the men they could well spare in their own
service. The Samuel was a rich ship, and had several
passengers on board, who were used very roughly in order
to make them discover their money, threatening them
every moment with death if they did not resign every-
thing up to them. They tore up the hatches and entered
the hold like a parcel of furies, and with axes and cut-
lasses cut and broke open all the bales, cases, and boxes
they could lay their hands on ; and when any goods came
upon deck that they did not like to carry abroad, instead
of tossing them into the hold again, threw them over-
board into the sea. All this was done with incessant
cursing and swearing, more like fiends than men. They
carried with them sails, guns, powder, cordage, and
8,000 or 9,000 worth of the choicest goods, and told
Captain Gary " that they should accept of no Act of Grace,
that the K and P 1 might be damned with their
Acts of G for them ; neither would they go to Hope
Point to be hanged up a-sundrying, as Kid's and
Braddish's company were ; but that if they should ever
be overpowered, they would set fire to the powder with
a pistol, and go all merrily to hell together."
After they had brought all the booty aboard a consulta-
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW EOBEETS. 297
tion was held whether they should sink or burn the ship,
but whilst they were debating the matter they spied, a sail,
and so left the Samuel, to give her chase ; at midnight they
came up with the same, which proved to be a snow from
Bristol, bound for Boston, Captain Bowles, master. They
used him barbarously, because of his countryman, Captain
Kogers, who attacked them off Barbadoes, was of the city
of Bristol.
July 16th, which was two days afterwards, they took a
Virginiaman called the Little York, James Philips, master,
and the Love, of Liverpool, which they plundered and let
go. The next day a snow from Bristol, called the Phcenix,
John Eichards, master, met with the same fate from them,
as also a brigantine, Captain Thomas, and a sloop called
the Sadbury ; they took all the men out of the brigantine
and sunk the vessel.
When they left the banks of Newfoundland they sailed
for the West Indies, and the provisions growing short, they
went for the latitude of the island Deseada, to cruise, it
being esteemed the likeliest place to meet with such ships
as (they used in their mirth to say) were consigned to
them, with supplies. And it has been very much suspected
that ships have loaded with provisions at the English
colonies, on pretence of trading on the coast of Africa,
when they have in reality been consigned to them, and
though a show of violence is offered to them when they
meet, yet they are pretty sure of bringing their cargo to a
good market.
However, at this time they missed their usual luck, and
provisions and necessaries becoming more scarce every day,
they retired towards St. Christophers, where, being denied
all succour or assistance from the Government, they fired
in revenge on the town, and burnt two ships in the road,
one of them commanded by Captain Cox, of Bristol ; and
298 TEE LIFE OF
then retreated farther to the island of St. Bartholomew,
where they met with much handsomer treatment, the
governor not only supplying them with refreshments, hut
he and the chiefs caressing them in the most friendly
manner ; and the women, from so good an example,
endeavoured to outvie each other in dress and behaviour
to attract the good graces of such generous lovers, that
paid well for their favours.
Sated at length with these pleasures, and having taken
on board a good supply of fresh provisions, they voted
unanimously for the coast of Guinea, and in the latitude of
22 N. in their voyage thither, met with a French ship from
Martinico, richly laden, and, which was unlucky for the
master, had a property of being fitter for their purpose
than the banker. "Exchange was no robbery," they said,
and so after a little mock complaisance to monsieur for the
favour he had done them, they shifted their men and took
leave. This was their first royal fortune.
In this ship Eoberts proceeded on his designed voyage ;
but before they reached Guinea, he proposed to touch at
Brava, the southernmost of Cape Verde Islands, and clean.
But here again, by an intolerable stupidity and want of
judgment, they got so far to leeward of their port, that,
despairing to regain it, or any of the windward parts of
Africa, they were obliged to go back again with the trade-
wind, for the West Indies, which had very near been the
destruction of them all. Surinam was the place now
designed for, which was at no less than 700 leagues dis-
tance, and they had but one hogshead of water left to
supply 124 souls for that passage a sad circumstance that
eminently exposes the folly and madness among pirates,
and he must be an inconsiderate wretch indeed, who,
if he could separate the wickedness and punishment
from the fact, would yet hazard his life amidst such
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 299
dangers as their want of skill and forecast made them
liable to. .- '
Their sins, we may presume, were never so troublesome to
their memories as now that inevitable destruction seemed
to threaten them, without the least glimpse of comfort or
alleviation to their misery; for, with what face could
wretches who had ravaged and made so many necessitous,
look up for relief ; they had to that moment lived in defi-
ance of the Power that now alone they must trust for their
preservation, and indeed without the miraculous interven-
tion of Providence there appeared only this miserable
choice, viz., a present death by their own hands, or a
lingering one by famine.
They continued their course, and came to an allowance
of one single mouthful of water for twenty-four hours ;
many of them drank t their urine, or sea -water, which,
instead of allaying, gave them an inextinguishable thirst,
that killed them. Others pined and wasted a little more
time in fluxes and apyrexies, so that they dropped away
daily. Those that sustained the misery best were such
as almost starved themselves, forbearing all sorts of food,
unless a mouthful or two of bread the whole day, so that
those who survived were as weak as was possible for men
to be and alive.
But if the dismal prospect they set out with gave them
anxiety, trouble, or pain, what must their fears and appre-
hensions be when they had not one drop of water left, or
any other liquor to moisten or animate? This was their
case, when (by the working of Divine Providence, no doubt)
they were brought into soundings, and at night anchored
in seven fathom water. This was an inexpressible joy to
them, and, as it were, fed the expiring lamp of life with
fresh spirits ; but this could not hold long. When the
morning came they saw land from the mast-head, but it
300 THE LIFE OF
was at so great distance that it afforded but an indifferent
prospect to men who had drank nothing for the last two-
days ; however,- they dispatched their boat away, and late
the same night it returned, to their no small comfort, with
a load of water, informing them that they had got off the
mouth of Meriwinga River on the coast of Surinam.
One would have thought so miraculous an escape should
have wrought some reformation, but, alas ! they had on
sooner quenched their thirst, but they had forgot the-
miracle, till scarcity of provisions awakened their senses
and bid them guard against starving. Their allowance was-
very small, and yet they would profanely say, " that Provi-
dence which gave them drink, would, no doubt, bring them
meat also, if they would use but an honest endeavour."
In pursuance of these honest endeavours, they were
steering for the latitude of Barbadoes, with what little they
had left, to look out for more, or starve : and, in their way r
met a ship that answered their necessities, and after that
a brigantine ; the former was called the Greyhound,
belonging to St. Christophers, and bound to Philadelphia,
the mate of which signed the pirates' articles, and was-
afterwards captain of the Ranger, consort to the Royal
Fortune.
Out of the ship and brigantine the pirates got a good
supply of provisions and liquor, so that they gave over
the designed cruise, and watered at Tobago, and hearing of
the two sloops that had been fitted and sent after them at
Corvocoo, they sailed to the island of Martinico, to make
tho governor some sort of an equivalent, for the care and
expedition he had shown in that affair.
It is the custom at Martinico for the Dutch interlopers
that have a mind to trade with the people of the island to
hoist their jacks when they came before the town. Roberta
knew the signal, and being an utter enemy to them, he
I
p-al For tune #w^/ Ranger^
CAPTAIN BABTHOLOMEW BOBEBTS. 301
bent bis thoughts on mischief; and accordingly came in
with his jack flying, which, as he expected, they mistook
for a good market, and thought themselves happiest that
could soonest dispatch off their sloops and vessels for
trade. When Roberts had got them within bis power, one
after another, he told them he would not have it said that
they came off for nothing, and therefore ordered them to
leave their money behind, for that they were a parcel of
rogues, and hoped they would always meet with such a
Dutch trade as this was ; he reserved one vessel to set the
passengers on shore again, and fired the rest, to the number
of twenty.
Eoberts was so enraged at the attempts that had been
made for taking of him by the governors of Barbadoes and
Martinico that he ordered a new jack to be made, which
they ever after hoisted, with his own figure portrayed,
standing upon two skulls, and under them the letters
A. B. H. and A. M. H., signifying a Barbadian's and a
Martinican's head, as may be seen in the plate of Captain
Roberts.
At Dominico, the next island they touched at, they took
a Dutch interloper of twenty-two guns and seventy-five
men, and a brigantine belonging to Rhode Island, one
Norton, master. The former made some defence, till some
of his men being killed, the rest were discouraged and
struck their colours. With these two prizes they went
down to Guadalupe, and brought out a sloop and a French
fly -boat laden with sugar ; the sloop they burnt, and went
on to Moonay, another island, thinking to clean, but finding
the sea ran too high there to undertake it with safety, they
bent their course for the north part of Hispaniola, where,
at Bonnet's Key, in the Gulf of Samiuah, they cleaned
both the ship and the brigantine. For though Hispaniola
be settled by the Spaniards and French, and is the resi-
302 THE LIFE OF
dence of a President from Spain, who receives, and finally
determines appeals from all the other Spanish West India
Islands, yet are its people by no means proportioned to its
magnitude, so that there are many harbours in it to which
pirates may securely resort without fear of discovery from
the inhabitants.
Whilst they were here two sloops came in, as they pre-
tended, to pay Roberts a visit. The masters, whose names
were Porter and Tuckerman, addressed the pirate, as the
Queen of Sheba did Solomon, to wit, "that having heard of
his fame and achievements," they had put in there to learn
his art and wisdom in the business of pirating, being vessels
on the same honourable design with himself ; and hoped
with the communication of his knowledge they should also
receive his charity, being in want of necessaries for such
adventures. Eoberts was won upon by the peculiarity
and bluntness of these two men, and gave them powder,
arms, and whatever else they had occasion for, spent two
or three merry nights with them, and at parting, said, "he
hoped the L would prosper their handy works."
They passed some time here, after they had got their
vessel ready, in their usual debaucheries. They had
taken a considerable quantity of rum and sugar, so that
liquor was as plenty as water, and few there were who
denied themselves the immoderate use of it ; nay, sobriety
brought a man under a suspicion of being in a plot
against the commonwealth, and in their sense he was
looked upon to be a villain that would not be drunk.
This was evident in the affair of Harry Glasby, chosen
master of the Royal Fortune, who, with two others, laid
hold of the opportunity at the last island they were at
to move off without bidding farewell to his friends. Glasby
was a reserved, sober man, and therefore gave occasion to
be suspected, so that he was soon missed after he went
CAPTAIN BAETHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 303
away, and a detachment being sent in quest of the
deserters, they were all three brought back again next day.
This was a capital offence, and for which they were
ordered to be brought to an immediate trial.
Here was the form of justice kept up, which is as much
as can be said of several other courts that have more
lawful commissions for what they do. Here was no feeing
of council, and bribing of witnesses was a custom not
known among them, no packing of juries, no torturing and
wresting the sense of the law, for bye ends and purposes,
no puzzling or perplexing the cause with unintelligible
canting terms and useless distinctions, nor was their
sessions burthened with numberless officers, the ministers
of rapine and extortion, with ill-boding aspects enough to
fright Astrea from the court.
The place appointed for their trials was the steerage of
the ship, in order to which a large bowl of rum punch was
made and placed upon the table, the pipes and tobacco
being ready, the judicial proceedings began. The prisoners
were brought forth, and articles of indictment against
them read. They were arraigned upon a statute of their
own making, and the letter of the law being strong against
them, and the fact plainly proved, they were about to
pronounce sentence, when one of the judges moved that
they should first smoke the other pipe, which was accord-
ingly done.
All the prisoners pleaded for arrest of judgment very
movingly, but the court had such an abhorrence of their
crime that they could not be prevailed upon to show
mercy, till one of the judges, whose name was Valentine
Ashplant, stood up, and taking his pipe out of his mouth,
said he had something to offer to the court in behalf of
one of the prisoners, and spoke to this effect : "By G ,
Glasby shall not die, d n me if he shall." After this
304 THE LIFE OF
learned speech he sat down in his place and resumed his
pipe. This motion was loudly opposed by all the rest of
the judges in equivalent terms, but Ashplant, who was
resolute in his opinion, made another pathetical speech in
the following manner : " G - d n ye gentlemen, I
am as good a man as the best of you ; d n my s 1
if ever I turned my back to any man in my life, or ever
will, by G . Glasby is an honest fellow, notwithstand-
ing this misfortune, and I love him, d 1 d n me if
I don't. I hope he'll live and repent of what he has done,
but d n me if he must die, I will die along with him."
And thereupon he pulled out a pair of pistols and pre-
sented them to some of the learned judges upon the
bench, who, perceiving his argument so well supported,
thought it reasonable that Glasby should be acquitted ;
and so they all came over to his opinion, and allowed it to
be law.
But all the mitigation that could be obtained for the
other prisoners was that they should have the liberty of
choosing any four of the whole company to be their
executioners. The poor wretches were tied immediately to
the mast, and there shot dead, pursuant to their villainous
sentence.
When they put to sea again, the prizes which had been
detained only for fear of spreading any rumour concerning
them, which had like to have been so fatal at Corvocoo,
were thus disposed of: they burnt their own sloop and
manned Norton's brigantine, sending the master away in
the Dutch interloper, not dissatisfied.
With the Royal Fortune and the brigantine, which they
christened the Good Fortune, they pushed towards the
latitude of Deseada, to look out for provisions, being very
short again, and, just to their wish, Captain Hingstone's
ill fortune brought him in their way, richly laden for
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 305
Jamaica ; him they carried to Bermudas and plundered,
and stretching back again to the West Indies, they con-
tinually met with some consignment or other (chiefly
French) which stored them with plenty of provisions and
recruited their starving condition, so that, stocked with
this sort of ammunition, they began to think of something
worthier their aim, for these robberies that only supplied
what was in constant expenditure by no means answered
their intentions, and accordingly they proceeded again for
the coast of Guinea, where they thought to buy gold dust
very cheap. In their passage thither they took numbers
of ships of all nations, some of which they burnt or sunk,
as the carriage or characters of the masters displeased
them.
Notwithstanding the successful adventures of this crew,
yet it was with great difficulty they could be kept together
under any kind of regulation, for, being almost always
mad or drunk, their behaviour produced infinite disorders,
every man being in his own imagination a captain, a
prince, or a king. When Koberts saw there was no
managing of such a company of wild, ungovernable brutes
by gentle means, nor to keep them from drinking to excess,
the cause of all their disturbances, he put on a rougher
deportment and a more magisterial carriage towards
them, correcting whom he thought fit, and if any seemed
to resent his usage he told them " they might go ashore
and take satisfaction of him, it they thought fit, at sword
and pistol, for he neither valued or feared any of them."
About four hundred leagues from the coast of Africa,
the brigantine, who had hitherto lived with them in all
amicable correspondence, thought fit to take the oppor-
tunity of a dark night and leave the commodore, which
leads me back to the relation of an accident that happened
at one of the islands of the West Indies, where they
20
306 THE LIFE OF
watered before they undertook this voyage, which had like
to have thrown their government (such as it was) off the
hinges, and was partly the occasion of the separation.
The story is as follows :
Captain Eoberts having been insulted by one of the
drunken crew (whose name I have forgot), he, in the heat
of his passion, killed the fellow on the spot, which was
resented by a great many others, but particularly one
Jones, a brisk, active young man, who died lately in the
Marshalsea, and was his messmate. This Jones was at
that time ashore a-watering the ship, but as soon as he
came on board was told that Captain Roberts had killed
his comrade, upon which he cursed Eoberts, and said he
ought to be served so himself. Roberts hearing Jones's
invective, ran to him with a sword, and ran him into the
body, who, notwithstanding his wound, seized the captain,
threw him over a gun, and beat him handsomely. This
adventure put the whole company in an uproar, and some
taking part with the captain and others against him, there
had like to have ensued .a general battle with one another,
like my Lord Thomont's cocks. However, the tumult was
at length appeased by the mediation of the quartermaster,
and as the majority of the company were of opinion that
the dignity of the captain ought to be supported on board,
that it was a post of honour, and therefore the person
whom they thought fit to confer it on, should not be
violated by any single member ; wherefore they sentenced
Jones to undergo two lashes from every one of the company
for his misdemeanour, which was executed upon him as
soon as he was well of his wound.
This severe punishment did not at all convince Jones
that he was in the wrong, but rather animated him to
some sort of a revenge, but not being able to do it upon
Boberts's person on board the ship, he and several of his
CAPTAIN BABTHOLOMEW BOBEBTS. 307
comrades correspond with Anstis, captain of the brigantine,
and conspire with him and some of the principal pirates
on board that vessel to go off from the company. What
made Anstis a malecontent was the inferiority he stood
in with respect to Eoberts, who carried himself with a
haughty and magisterial air to him and his crew, he
regarding the brigantine only as a tender, and, as such, left
them no more than the refuse of their plunder. In short,
Jones and his consort go on board of Captain Anstis on
pretence of a visit, and there, consulting with their brethren,
they find a majority for leaving of Koberts, and so came
to a resolution to bid a soft farewell, as they call it, that
night, and to throw overboard whosoever should stick out ;
but they proved to be unanimous, and effected their design
as above mentioned.
I shall have no more to say of Captain Anstis till the
story of Eoberts is concluded, therefore I return to him
in the pursuit of his voyage to Guinea. The loss of the
brigantine was a sensible shock to the crew, she being an
excellent sailor and had seventy hands aboard ; however,
Koberts, who was the occasion of it, put on a face of
unconcern at this his ill conduct and mismanagement, and
resolved not to alter his purposes upon that account.
Eoberts fell in to windward nigh the Senegal, a river of
great trade for gum on this part of the coast, monopolized
by the French, who constantly keep cruisers to hinder the
interloping trade. At this time they had two small ships
on that service, one of 10 guns and 65 men, and the other
of 16 guns and 75 men, who having got a sight of Mr.
Eoberts, and supposing him to be one of these prohibited
traders, chased with all the sail they could make to come
up with him; but their hopes which had brought them
very nigh, too late deceived them, for on the hoisting of
Jolly Eoger (the name they give their black flag) their
308 THE LIFE OF
French hearts failed, and they both surrendered without
any, or at least very little, resistance. With these prizes
they went into Sierra Leone, and made one of them their
consort by the name of the Ranger, and the other a store-
ship, to clean by.
Sierra Leone river disgorges with a large mouth, the
starboard side of which draughts into little bays, safe and
convenient for cleaning and watering ; what still made it
preferable to the pirates is that the traders settled here
are naturally their friends. There are about thirty English-
men in all, men who in some part of their lives have been
either privateering, buccaneering, or pirating, and still
retain and love the riots and humours common to that
sort of life. They live very friendly with the natives, and
have many of them of both sexes to be their gromettas,
or servants. The men are "faithful and the women so
obedient that they are very ready to prostitute themselves
to whomsoever their masters shall command them. The
Royal African Company has a fort on a small island called
Bence Island, but it is of little use, besides keeping their
slaves, the distance making it incapable of giving any
molestation to their starboard shore. Here lives at this
place an old fellow who goes- by the name of Crackers,
who was formerly a noted buccaneer, and while he followed
the calling robbed and plundered many a man ; he keeps
the best house in the place, has two or three guns before
his door, with which he salutes his friends, the pirates,
when they put in, and lives a jovial life with them all the
while they are there.
Here follows a list of the rest of those lawless merchants
and their servants who carry on a private trade with the
interlopers, to .the great prejudice of the Koyal African
Company, who, with extraordinary industry and expense,
have made and maintain settlements without any con*
CAPTAIN. BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 809
sideration from those who, without such settlements and
forts, would soon be under an incapacity of pursuing any
such private trade. Wherefore it is to be hoped proper
means will be taken to root out a pernicious set of people
who have all their lives supported themselves by the
labours of other men.
Two of these fellows entered with Roberta's crew, and
continued with them till the destruction of the company.
A LIST OF THE WHITE MEN NOW LIVING ON THE HIGH LAND OF
SIEEEA LEONE, AND THE CRAFT THEY OCCUPY :
John Leadstone, three boats and a periagoe ; his man,
Tom; his man, John Brown. Alexander Middleton, one
long-boat ; his man, Charles Hawkins. John Pierce,
William Mead, partners, one long-boat ; their man, John
Vernon. David Chatmers, one long-boat. John Chatmers,
one long-boat. Richard Richardson, one long-boat. Nor-
ton, Richard Warren, Robert Glynn, partners, two long-
boats and two small boats ; his man, John Franks.
William Waits, and one young man. John Bonnerman.
John England, one long-boat. Robert Samples, one long-
boat. William Presgrove, Harry Presgrove, Davis Pres-
grove, Mitchel Presgrove, Richard Lamb, one sloop, two
long-boats, a small boat, and periagoe. With Roquis
Rodrigus, a Portuguese. George Bishop. Peter Brown.
John Jones, one long-boat ; his Irish young man. At Rio
Pungo, Benjamin Gun. At Kidham, George Yeats. At
Gallyneas, Richard Lemmons.
The harbour is so convenient for wooding and watering
that it occasions many of our trading ships, especially
those of Bristol, to call in there with large cargoes of beer,
cider, and strong liquors, which they exchange with these
private traders for slaves and teeth, purchased by them at
810 THE LIFE OF
the Rio Nune's and other places to the northward, so that
here was what they call good living.
Hither Roberts came the end of June, 1721, and had
intelligence that the Sivallow and Weymouth, two men-of-
war, of fifty guns each, had left that river about a month
before and designed to return about Christmas ; so that
the pirates could indulge themselves with all the satisfac-
tion in the world, in that they knew they were not only
secure whilst there, but that in going down the coast after
the men-of-war they should always be able to get such
intelligence of their rendezvous as would serve to make
their expedition safe. So after six weeks' stay, the ships
being cleaned and fitted, and the men weary of whoring
and drinking, they bethought themselves of business, and
went to sea the beginning of August, taking their progress
down the whole coast as low as Jaquin, plundering every,
ship they met of what was valuable in her, and sometimes
to be more mischievously wicked, would throw what they
did not want overboard, accumulating cruelty to theft.
In this range they exchanged their old French ship for
a fine frigate-built ship called the Onsloiv, belonging to the
Royal African Company, Captain Gee, commander, which
happened to lie at Sestos, to get water and necessaries for
the company. A great many of Captain Gee's men were
ashore when Roberta's bore down, and so the ship con-
sequently surprised into his hands, though had they been
all on board it was not likely the case would have been
otherwise, the sailors, most of them, voluntarily joining
the pirates, and encouraging the same disposition in the
soldiers (who were going passengers with them to Cape
Corso Castle), whose ears being constantly tickled with the
feats and gallantry of those fellows, made them fancy that
to go was only being bound on a voyage of knight errantry
(to relieve the distressed and gather up fame) and so they
CAPTAIN BABTHOLOMEW EGBERTS. 311
likewise offered themselves. But here the pirates were at
a stand; they entertained so contemptible a notion of
landmen that they put them off with refusals for some
time, till at length, being wearied with solicitations and
pitying a parcel of stout fellows, which they said were
going to starve upon a little canky and plantane, they
accepted of them, and allowed them a quarter share, as it
was then termed, out of charity.
There was a clergyman on board the Onslow, sent from
England to be chaplain of Cape Corso Castle. Some of the
pirates were for keeping him, alleging merrily that their
ship wanted a chaplain. Accordingly they offered him a
share to take on with them, promising he should do
nothing for his money but make punch and say prayers ;
yet, however brutish they might be in other things, they
bore so great a respect to his order that they resolved not
to force him 'against his inclinations; and the parson,
having no relish for this sort of life, excused himself from
accepting the honour they designed him ; they were
satisfied, and generous enough to deliver him back every-
thing he owned to be his. The parson laid hold of this
favourable disposition of the pirates, and laid claim to
several things belonging to others, which were also given
up, to his great satisfaction ; in fine, they kept nothing
which belonged to the Church except three Prayer-books
and a bottle-screw.
The pirates kept the Onslow for their own use, and gave
Captain Gee the French ship, and then fell to making such
alterations as might fit her for a sea-rover, pulling down
her bulkheads and making her flush, so that she became,
in all respects, as complete a ship for their purpose as any
they could have found ; they continued to her the name of
the Royal Fortune and mounted her with forty guns.
She and the Ranger proceeded (as I said before) to
312 THE LIFE OF
Jaquin, and from thence to Old Calabar, where they
arrived about October, in order to clean their ships a
place the most suitable along the whole coast, for there is
a bar with not above fifteen foot water upon it, and the
channel intricate, so that had the men-of-war been sure
of their being harboured here, they might still have bid
defiance to their strength, for the depth of water at
the bar, as well as the want of a pilot, was a sufficient
security to the rovers and invincible impediments to them.
Here, therefore, they sat easy and divided the fruits of
their dishonest industry, and drank and drove care away.
The pilot who brought them into this harbour was Captain
L e, who for this and other services was extremely
well paid, according to the journal of their own accounts,
which do not run in the ordinary and common way of
debtor contra creditor, but much more concise, lumping it
to their friends, and so carrying the debt in their heads
against the next honest trader they meet.
They took at Calabar, Captain Loane and two or three
Bristol ships, the particulars of which would be an un-
necessary prolixity, therefore I come now to give an
account of the usage they received from the natives of
this place. The Calabar negroes did not prove so civil as
they expected, for they refused to have any commerce or
trade with them when they understood they were pirates.
An indication that these poor creatures, in the narrow
circumstances they were in, and without the light of the
Gospel or the advantage of an education, have, notwith-
standing, such a moral innate honesty as would upbraid
and shame the most knowing Christian. But this did but
exasperate these lawless fellows, and so a party of forty
men were detached to force a correspondence or drive the
negroes to extremities, and they accordingly landed under
the fire of their own cannon, The negroes drew up in a
CAPTAIN BAETHOLOMEW EOBEETS. 313
body of two thousand men, as if they intended to dispute
the matter with them, and stayed till the pirates advanced
within pistol-shot ; but finding the loss of two or three
made no impression on the rest, the negroes thought fit to
retreat, which they did with some loss. The pirates set
fire to the town and then returned to their ships. This
terrified the natives and put an entire stop to all the
intercourse between them, so that they could get no
supplies, which obliged them, as soon as they had finished
the cleaning and trimming of their ships, to lose no time,
but went for Cape Lopez and watered, and at Anna Bona
took aboard a stock of fresh provisions, and then sailed
for the coast again.
This was their last and fatal expedition, which we shall
be more particular in, because it cannot be imagined that
they could have had assurance to have undertaken it, but
upon a presumption that the men-of-war (whom they knew
were upon the coast) were unable to attack them, or else
pursuant to the rumour that had indiscretionally obtained
at Sierra Leone, were gone thither again.
It is impossible at this time to think they could know of
the weak and sickly condition they were in, and therefore
founded the success of this second attempt upon the coast
on the latter presumption, and this seems to be confirmed
by their falling in with the coast as low as Cape Lahou
(and even that was higher than they designed), in the
beginning of January, and took the ship called the King
Solomon, with twenty men in their boat, and a trading
vessel, both belonging to the Company. The pirate ship
happened to fall about a league to leeward of the King
Solomon, at Cape Appollonia, and the current and wind
opposing their working up with the ship, they agreed to
send the long-boat with sufficient men to take her. The
pirates are all volunteers on these occasions, the word
814 THE LIFE OF
being always given, Who will go ? And presently the
staunch and firm men offer themselves, because, by such
readiness, they recommend their courage, and have an
allowance also of a shift of clothes, from head to foot, out
of the prize.
They rowed towards the King Solomon with a great deal
of alacrity, and being hailed by the commander of her,
answered defiance. Captain Trahern, before this, ob-
serving a great number of men in the boat, began not
to like his visitors, and prepared to receive them, firing a
musket as they come under his stern, which they returned
with a volley, and made greater speed to get on board.
Upon this he applied to his men, and asked them whether
they would stand by him to defend the ship, it being a
shame they should be taken by half their number without
any repulse ? But his boatswain, Philips, took upon him
to be the mouth of the people, and put an end to the
dispute ; he said plainly, he would not, laid down his
his arms in the King's name, as he was pleased to term it,
and called out to the boat for quarters, so that the rest, by
his example, were misled to the losing of the ship.
When they came on board, they brought her under sail
by an expeditious method of cutting the cable; Walden,
one of the pirates, telling the master this hope of
heaving up the anchor was a needless trouble when they
designed to burn the ship. They brought her under
Commodore Eoberts's stern, and not only rifled her of
what sails, cordage, &c., they wanted for themselves, but
wantonly threw the goods of the Company overboard, like
spendthrifts, that neither expected or designed any ac-
count.
On the same day also they took the Flushing, a Dutch
ship, robbed her of her masts, yards, and stores, and then
cut down her foremast ; but what sat as heavily as any-
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 815
thing with the skipper was, their taking some fine sausages
he had on board, of his wife's making, and stringing them
in a ludicrous manner round their necks, till they had
sufficiently showed their contempt of them, and then threw
them into the sea. Others chopped the heads of his fowls
off, to be dressed for their supper, and courteously invited
the landlord, provided he would find liquor. It was a
melancholy request to the man, but it must be complied
with, and he was obliged, as they grew drunk, to sit
quietly and hear them sing French and Spanish songs
out of his Dutch prayer-books, with other profaneness,
that he, though a Dutchman, stood amazed at.
In chasing too near in they alarmed the coast, and
expresses were sent to the English and Dutch factories,
giving an account of it. They were sensible of this error
immediately, and, because they would make the best of a
bad market, resolved to keep out of sight of land, and lose
the prizes they might expect between that and Why d ah, to
make the more sure of that port, where commonly is the
best booty, all nations trading thither, especially Portu-
guese, who purchase chiefly with gold, the idol their hearts
were bent upon. And notwithstanding this unlikely
course, they met and took several ships between Axim and
that place ; the circumstantial stories of which, and the
panic terrors they struck into his Majesty's subjects,
being tedious and unnecessary to relate, I shall pass by,
and come to their arrival in that road.
They came to Whydah with a St. George's ensign, a
black silk flag flying at their mizzen-peak, and a jack and
pendant of the same. The flag had a death's-head on it,
with an hour-glass in one hand and cross-bones in the
other, a dart by it, and underneath a heart dropping three
drops of blood. The jack had a man portrayed on it
with a flaming sword in his hand, and standing on two
316 THE LIFE OF
skulls, subscribed A. B. H. and A. M. H. i.e., a Barbadian's
and a Martinican's head, as has been before taken notice
of. Here they found eleven sail in the road, English,
French, and Portuguese ; the French were three stout
ships of thirty guns, and upwards of one hundred men
each, yet, when Eoberts came to fire, they, with the other
ships, immediately struck their colours and surrendered to
his mercy. One reason, it must be confessed, of his early
victory, was, the commanders and a good part of the men
being ashore, according to the custom of the place, to
receive the cargoes, and return the slaves, they being
obliged to watch the seasons for it, which otherwise, in so
dangerous a sea as here, would be impracticable. These
all, except the Porcupine, ransomed with him for eight
pounds of gold dust, a ship, not without the trouble of
some letters passing and repassing from the shore before
they could settle it ; and, notwithstanding the agreement
and payment, they took away one of the French ships,
though with a promise to return her if they found she did
not sail well, taking with them several of her men for
that end.
Some of the foreigners, who never had dealing this way
before, desired, for satisfaction to their owners, that they
might have receipts for their money, which were accord-
ingly given, a copy of one of them I have here subjoined,
viz. :
" This is to certify whom it may or doth concern, that
we GENTLEMEN OF FORTUNE have received eight pounds of
gold-dust for the ransom of the Hardy, Captain Dittwitt
Commander, so that we discharge the said ship.
" Witness our hands, Jan. 13, 1721-2,
" BATT. EGBERTS.
"HARRY GLASSY."
317
Others were given to the Portuguese captains which
were in the same form, but being signed by two waggish
fellows, viz., Sutton and Simpson, they subscribed by the
names of
AARON WHIFFLINGPIN.
SIM. TUGMUTTON.
But there was something so singularly cruel and bar-
barous done here to the Porcupine, Captain Fletcher, as
must not be passed over without special remark.
This ship lay in the road, almost slaved, when the pirates
came in, and the commander, being on shore settling his
accounts, was sent to for the ransom, but he excused it, as
having no orders from the owners ; though the true
reason might be that he thought it dishonourable to treat
with robbers, and that the ship, separate from the slaves,
towards whom he could mistrust no cruelty, was not worth
the sum demanded ; hereupon Eoberts sends the boat to
transport the negroes, in order to set her on fire, but,
being in haste, and finding that unshackling them cost
much time and labour, they actually set her on fire, with
eighty of those poor wretches on board chained two and
two together, under the miserable choice of perishing by
fire or water. Those who jumped overboard from the
flames were seized by sharks, a voracious fish, in plenty in
this road, and, in their sight, tore limb from limb alive :
a cruelty unparalleled, and for which had every individual
been hanged, few, I imagine, would think that Justice had
been rigorous.
The pirates, indeed, were obliged to dispatch their
business here in haste, because they had intercepted a
letter from General Phips to Mr. Baldwin, the Koyal
African Company's agents at Whydah, giving an account
that Roberts had been seen to windward of Cape Three
318 THE LIFE OF
Points, that he might the better guard against the
damages to the Company's ships, if he should arrive
at that road before the Swallow, man-of-war, which he
assured him, at the time of that letter, was pursuing them
to that place. Eoberts called up his company, and desired
they would hear Phips's speech, for so he was pleased to
call the letter, and, notwithstanding their vapouring, per-
suaded them of the necessity of moving ; for, says he,
" such brave fellows cannot be supposed to be frightened
at this news, yet that it were better to avoid dry blows,
which is the best that can be expected if overtaken.
This advice weighed with them and they got under sail,
having stayed only from Thursday to Saturday night ; and
at sea voted for the island of Anna Bona, but the wind
hanging out of the way, crossed their purpose, and brought
them to Cape Lopez, where I shall leave them for their
approaching fate, and relate some further particulars of his
Majesty's ship the Swallow, viz., where it was she had
spent her time during the mischief that was done, and by
what means unable to prevent it ; what also was the in-
telligence she received, and the measures thereon formed,
that at last brought two such strangers as Mr. Roberts
and Captain Ogle to meet in so remote a corner of the
world.
The Sivallow and Weymouth left Sierra Leone, May 28,
where, I have already taken notice, Eoberts arrived a month
after, and doubtless learned the intent of their voyage, and
cleaning on the coast, which made him set down with more
security to his diversion, and furnish him with such
intimations as made his first range down the coast in
August following more prosperous; the Swallow and
Weymouth being then at the port of Princes a- cleaning.
Their stay at Princes was from July 28 to September 20,
1721 where, by a fatality, common to the irregularities of
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 319
seamen, who cannot in such cases be kept under due
restraint, they buried one hundred men in three weeks'
time, and reduced the remainder of the ships' companies
into so sickly a state, that it was with difficulty they
brought them to sail ; and this misfortune was probably
the ruin of Eoberts, for it prevented the men-of-war's going
back to Sierra Leone as it was intended, there being a
necessity of leaving his Majesty's ship Weymoutli in much
the worse condition of the two under the guns of Cape
Corso, to impress men, being unable at this time, either to
hand the sails or weigh her anchor ; and Eoberts, being
ignorant of the occasion or alteration of the first design,
fell into the mouth of danger when he thought himself the
farthest from it ; for the men-of-war, not endeavouring
to attain further to windward, when they came from
Princes, then to secure Cape Corso road under their lee,
they luckily hovered in the track he had took.
The Swallow and Weymouth fell in with the continent
at Cape Appollonia, October 20th, and there received the
ungrateful news from one Captain Bird a notice that
awakened and put them on their guard ; but they were far
from expecting any temerity should ever bring him a
second time on the coast while they were there. Therefore
the Swallow having seen the Weymouth into Cape Corso
road, November 10th, she plied to windward as far as
Bassam, rather as an airing to recover a sickly ship's
company and show herself to the trade, which was found
everywhere undisturbed, and were, for that reason, re-
turning to her consort, when accidentally meeting a
Portuguese ship, she told her that the day before she saw
two ships chase into Junk an English vessel, which she
believed must have fallen into their hands. On this story
the Swallow clung her wind and endeavoured to gain that
place, but receiving soon after (October 14th) a con-
320 TEE LIFE OF
trary report from Captain JPlummer, an intelligent man,
in the Jason, of Bristol, who had come further to windward
and neither saw or heard anything of this, she turned
her head down the second time, anchored at Cape Ap-
pollonia the 23rd, at Cape Tres Puntas the 27th, and in
Corso road, January 7, 1721-2.
They learned that their consort, the Weymoutli, was, by
the assistance of some soldiers from the castle, gone to
windward to demand restitution of some goods or men
belonging to the African Company that were illegally
detained by the Dutch at Des Minas ; and while they were
regretting so long a separation, an express came to General
Phips from Axim, the 9th, and followed by another from
Dixcove (an English factory) with information that three
ships had chased and taken a galley nigh Axim Castle,
and a trading boat belonging to the Company. No doubt
was made concerning what they were, it being taken for
granted they were pirates, and supposed to be the same
that had the August before infested the coast. The
natural result, therefore, from these two advices, was to
hasten for Whydah, for it was concluded the prizes they
had taken had informed them how nigh the Sivallow was,
and withal how much better in health than she had been
for some months past ; so that unless -they were very mad
indeed they would, after being discovered, make the best
of their way for Whydah and secure the booty there,
without which their time and industry had been entirely
lost ; most of the gold lying in that corner.
The Swallow weighed from Cape Corso, January
10th, but was retarded by waiting some hours on the
Margaret, a Company's ship, at Accra, again on the
Portugal, and a whole day at Apong on a person they
used to style Miss Betty : a conduct that Mr. Phips
blamed when he heard the pirates were missed at Whydah,
CAPTAIN BABTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 321
although he had given it as his opinion they could not be
passed by, and intimated that to stay a few hours would
prove no prejudice.
This, however, hindered the Swalloiv's catching them at
Whydah, for the pirates came into that road with a fresh
gale of wind the same day the Sivallow was at Apong, and
sailed the 13th of January from thence, that she arrived
the 17th.' She gained notice of them by a French shallop
from Grand IPapa, the 14th, at night, and from Little
Papa next morning by a Dutch ship ; so that the man-of-
war was on all sides, as she thought, sure of her purchase,
particularly when she made the ships, and discovered three
of them to get under sail immediately at sight of her,
making signals to one another as though they designed a
defence ; but they were found to be three French ships,
and those at anchor Portuguese and English, all honest
traders, who had been ransacked and ransomed.
This disappointment chagrined the ship's company,
who were very intent upon their market, which was
reported to be an arm-chest full of gold, and kept with
three keys ; though in all likelihood, had they met with
them in that open road, one or both would have made
their escapes, or if they had thought fit to have fought, an
emulation in their defence would probably have made it
desperate.
While they were contemplating on the matter, a letter
was received from Mr. Baldwin (governor here for the
Company) signifying that the pirates were at Jaquin, seven
leagues lower. The Swallow weighed at two next morning,
January 16th, and got to Jaquin by daylight, but to
no other end than frightening the crews of two Portuguese
ships on shore, who took her for the pirate that had struck
such terror at Whydah. She returned therefore that
night, and having been strengthened with thirty volun-
21
322 THE LIFE OF
teers, English and French, the discarded crews of the
Porcupine and the French ship they had carried from
hence, she put to sea again January 19th, conjectur-
ing that either Calabar, Princes, the river Gabone, Cape
Lopez, or Anna Bona, must be touched at for water and
refreshment, though they should resolve to leave the
coast. As to the former of those places, I have before
observed it was hazardous to think of, or rather im-
practicable ; Princes had been a sour grape to them, but,
being the first in the way, she came before the harbour
the 29th, where, ^learning no news, without losing time,
steered for the river Gabone, and anchored at the mouth
of it February 1st.
This river is navigable by two channels, and has an
island about five leagues up, called Popaguays, or Parrots,
where the Dutch cruisers for this coast generally clean,
and where sometimes pirates come in to look for prey, or
to refit, it being very convenient by reason of a soft mud
about it that admits a ship's lying on shore with all her
guns and stores in without damage. Hither Captain Ogle
sent his boat and a lieutenant, who spoke with a Dutch
ship above the island, from whom he had this account,
viz. : That he had been four days from Cape Lopez and
had left no ship there. However, they beat up for the
Cape, without regard to this story, and on the 5th, at
dawning, was surprised with the noise of a gun, which,
as the day brightened, they found was from Cape Lopez
Bay, where they discovered three ships at anchor, the
largest with the king's colours and pendant flying, which
was soon after concluded to be Mr. Eoberts and his
consorts ; but the Swallow being to windward and un-
expectedly deep in the bay, was obliged to steer off for
avoiding a sand called the Frenchman's Bank, which the
pirates observed for some time, and rashly interpreting it
CAPTAIN BABTHOLOMEW EGBERTS. 323
to be fear in her, righted the French Ranger, which was
then on the heel, and ordered her to chase out in all haste,
bending several of their sails in the pursuit. The man-of-
war, finding they had foolishly mistaken her design,
humoured the deceit and kept off to sea, as if she had
been really afraid, and managed her steerage so, under
the direction of -Lieutenant Sun, an experienced officer, as
to let the Ranger come up with her when they thought
they had got so far as not to have their guns heard by
her consort at the Cape. The pirates had such an opinion
of their own courage that they could never dream anybody
would use a stratagem to speak with them, and so was the
more easily drawn into the snare.
The pirates now drew nigh enough to fire their chase
guns; they hoisted the black flag that was worn in
Whydah road, and got their spritsail yard alongships with
intent to board, no one having ever asked all this while
what country ship they took the chase to be ; they would
have her to be a Portuguese (sugar being then a com-
modity wanting among them), and were swearing every
minute at the wind or sail to expedite so sweet a chase ;
but, alas ! all turned sour in an instant. It was with the
utmost consternation they saw her suddenly bring-to and
haul up her lower ports, now within pistol-shot, and struck
their black flag upon it directly. After the first surprise
was over they kept firing at a distance, hoisted it again,
and vapoured with their cutlasses on the poop, though
wisely endeavouring at the same time to get away. Being
now at their wits' end, boarding was proposed by the heads
of them, and so to make one desperate push ; but the
motion not being well seconded, and their maintop-mast
coming down by a shot, after two hours' firing, it was
declined. They grew sick, struck their colours, and called
out for quarter, having had 10 men killed outright, and
324 THE LIFE OF
20 wounded, without the loss or hurt of one of the king's
men. She had 32 guns, manned with 16 Frenchmen, 20
negroes, and 77 English. The colours were thrown over-
board that they might not rise in judgment nor be
displayed in triumph over them.
While the Swallow was sending their boat to fetch the
prisoners, a blast and smoke was seen to pour out of the
great cabin, and they thought they were blowing up ; but
upon inquiry afterwards found that half a dozen of the
most desperate, when they saw all hopes fled, had drawn
themselves round what powder they had left in the
steerage and fired a pistol into it, but it was too small
a quantity to effect anything more than burning them in
a frightful manner.
The ship was commanded by one Skyrme, a Welshman,
who, though he had lost his leg in the action, would not
suffer himself to be dressed or carried off the deck, but,
like Widrington, fought upon his stump. The rest ap-
peared gay and brisk, most of them with white shirts,
watches, and a deal of silk vests, but the gold-dust
belonging to them was most of it left in the Little Ranger
in the bay (this company's proper ship) with the Royal
Fortune.
I cannot but take notice of two among the crowd of
those disfigured from the blast of powder just before
mentioned, viz., William Main and Eoger Ball. An officer
of the ship seeing a silver call hang at the waist of the
former, said to him, " I presume you are boatswain of this
ship." " Then you presume wrong," answered he, " for I
am boatswain of the Royal Fortune, Captain Eoberts,
commander." " Then, Mr. Boatswain, you will be hanged,
I believe," replies the officer. " That is as your honour
pleases," answered he again, and was for turning away ;
but the officer desired to know of him how the powder
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 325
which had made them in that condition came to take fire.
" By G ," says he, " they are all mad and bewitched,
for I have lost a good hat by it " the tiat and he being
both blown out of the cabin gallery into the sea. " But
what signifies a hat, friend ? " says the officer. " Not
much," answered he ; the men being busy in stripping him
of his shoes and stockings. The officer then inquired of
him whether Eoberts's company were as likely fellows as
these. " There are 120 of them," answered he, " as
clever fellows as ever trod shoe-leather. Would I were
with them!" "No doubt of it," says the officer. "By
G , it is naked truth," answered he, looking down and
seeing himself by this time quite stripped.
The officer then approached Eoger Ball, who was seated in
a private corner, with a look as sullen as winter, and asked
him, how he came blown up in that frightful manner.
" Why," says he, " John Morris fired a pistol into the powder,
and if he had not done it I would " (bearing his pain without
the least complaint). The officer gave him to understand
he was surgeon, and if he desired it, he would dress him ;
but he swore it should not be done, and that if anything
was applied to him he would tear it off. Nevertheless the
surgeon had good nature enough to dress him, though with
much trouble. At night he was in a kind of delirium, and
raved on the bravery of Eoberts, saying he should shortly
be released, as soon as they should meet him, which pro-
cured him a lashing down upon the forecastle, which he
resisting with all his force, caused him to be used with the
more violence, so that he was tied down with so much
severity that, his flesh being sore and tender with the blow-
ing up, he died next day of a mortification.
They secured the prisoners with pinions and shackles,
but the ship was so much disabled in the engagement that
they had once thoughts to set her on fire ; but this would
326 THE LIFE OF
have given them the trouble of taking the pirate's wounded
men on board themselves, and that they were certain the
Royal Fortune would wait for their consort's return, they
lay by her two days, repairing her rigging and other
damages, and sent her into Princes with the Frenchmen
and four of their own hands.
On the 9th, in the evening, the Swallow gained the Cape
again, and saw the Royal Fortune standing into the bay
with the Neptune, Captain Hill, of London a good pre-
sage of the next day's success, for they did not doubt but
the temptation of liquor and plunder they might find in
this their new prize would make the pirates very confused ;
and so it happened.
On the 10th, in the morning, the man-of-war bore away
to round the Cape. Eoberts's crew discerning their masts
over the land, went down into the cabin to acquaint him of
it, he being then at breakfast with his new guest, Cap-
tain Hill, on a savoury dish of solomongundy, and some of
his own beer. He took no notice of it, and his men almost
as little, some saying she was a Portuguese ship, others a
French slave ship, but the major part swore it was the
French Ranger returning, and were merrily debating for
some time on the manner of reception, whether they should
salute or not ; but as the Swalloiv approached nigher
things appeared plainer, and though they were stigmatized
with the name of cowards who showed any apprehension
of danger, yet some of them, now undeceived, declared it
to Koberts, especially one Armstrong, who had deserted
from that ship and knew her -well. Those Eoberts swore
at as cowards, who meant to dishearten the men, asking
them if it were so, whether they were afraid to fight, or no ?
and hardly restrained from blows. What his own appre-
hensions were till she hauled up her ports and hoisted
their proper colours is uncertain ; but then being perfectly
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 827
convinced, he slipped his cable, got under sail, and ordered
his men to arms without any show of timidity, dropping a
first-rate oath, "that it was a bite," but at the same time
resolved, like a gallant rogue, to get clear or die.
There was one Armstrong, as I just mentioned, a deserter
from the Swallow, whom they inquired of concerning the
trim and sailing of that ship ; he told them she sailed best
upon a wind, and therefore, if they designed to leave her,
they should go before it.
The danger was imminent, and time very short to con-
sult of means to extricate himself. His resolution in this
strait was as follows : To pass close to the Swallow, with all
their sails and, receive her broadside, before they returned
a shot ; if disabled by this, or that they could not depend
on sailing, then to run on shore at the point (which is
steep to) and every one to shift for himself among the
negroes ; or failing in these, to board, and blow up
together, for he saw that the greatest part of his men were
drunk, passively courageous, unfit for service.
Eoberts himself made a gallant figure at the time of
the engagement, being dressed in a rich crimson damask
waistcoat and breeches, a red feather in his hat, a gold
chain round his neck, with a diamond cross hanging to it, a
sword in his hand, and two pair of pistols hanging at the end
of a silk sling, flung over his shoulders (according to the
fashion of the pirates), and is said to have given his orders
with boldness and spirit ; coming, according to what he
had purposed, close to the man-of-war, received her fire,
and then hoisted his black flag, and returned it, shooting
away from her with all the sail he could pack ; and had he
took Armstrong's advice, to have gone before the wind, he
had probably escaped ; but keeping his tacks down, either
by the winds shifting, or ill steerage, or both, he was taken
a-back with his sails, and the Swallow came a second time
328 THE LlfE 0$
very nigh to him. He had now perhaps finished the fight
very desperately, if Death, who took a swift passage in a
grape-shot, had not interposed, and struck him directly on
the throat. He settled himself on the tackles of a gun,
which one Stephenson, from the helm, observing, ran to
his assistance, and not perceiving him wounded, swore at
him and bid him stand up and fight like a man ; but
when he found his mistake, and that his captain was cer-
tainly dead, he gushed into tears and wished the next shot
might be his lot. They presently threw him overboard,
with his arms and ornaments on, according to the repeated
requests he made in his lifetime.
Eoberts was a tall black man, near forty years of age,
born at Newey-bagh, nigh Haverford-West, in Pembroke-
shire, of good natural parts and personal bravery, though
he applied them to such wicked purposes as to make them
of no commendation, frequently drinking " D n to him
who ever lived to wear a halter." He was forced himself
at first among this company out of the Prince, Captain
Plumb, at Anamaboe, about three years before, where he
served as second mate, and shed, as he used to tell the
fresh men, as many crocodile tears then as they did now,
but time and good company had wore it off. He could not
plead want of employment, nor incapacity of getting his
bread in an honest way, to favour so vile a change, nor was
he so much a coward as to pretend it, but frankly owned
it was to get rid of the disagreeable superiority of some
masters he was acquainted with, and the love of novelty
and change maritime peregrinations had accustomed him
to. " In an honest service," says he, " there is thin com-
mons, low wages, and hard labour ; in this, plenty and
satiety, pleasure and ease, liberty and power; and who
would not balance creditor on this side when all the hazard
that is run for it, at worst, is only a fore-look or two at
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 329
choking. No, ' a merry life and a short one ' shall be my
motto." Thus he preached himself into an approbation of
what he at first abhorred, and being daily regaled with
music, drinking, and the gaiety and diversions of his com-
panions, these depraved propensities were quickly edged
and strengthened, to the extinguishing of fear and con-
science. Yet among all the vile and ignominious acts he
had perpetrated he is'said to'have had an aversion towards
forcing men into that service, and had procured some their
discharge, notwithstanding so many had made force their
plea.
When Eoberts was gone, as though he had been the life
and soul of the gang, their spirits sunk ; many deserted
their quarters, and all stupidly neglected any means for
defence or escape ; and their main-mast soon after being
shot by the board, they had no way left but to sur-
render and call for quarter. The Swallow kept aloof,
while her boat passed and repassed for the prisoners,
because they understood they were under an oath to blow
up ; and some of the desperadoes showed a willingness
that way, matches being lighted, and scuffles happening
between those who would and those who opposed it. But
I cannot easily account for this humour, which can be
termed no more than a false courage, since any of them
had power to destroy his own life, either by pistol or
drowning, without involving others in the same fate who
are in no temper of mind for it. And at best, it had been
only dying for fear of death.
She had 40 guns, and 157 men, 45 whereof were
negroes ; three only were killed in the action, without any
loss to the Swallow. There was found upwards of 2,000
in gold-dust in her. The flag could not be got easily from
under the fallen mast, and was therefore recovered by the
Swallow ; it had the figure of a skeleton in it, and a man
330 THE LIVE OF
portrayed with a flaming sword in his hand, intimating a
defiance of death itself.
The Swallow returned back into Cape Lopez Bay, and
found the little Ranger, whom the pirates had deserted in
haste, for the better defence of the ship. She had been
plundered, according to what I could learn, of 2,000 in
gold-dust (the shares of those pirates who belonged to her),
and Captain Hill, in the Neptune, not unjustly suspected,
for he would not wait the man-of-war's returning into the bay
again, but sailed away immediately, making no scruple
afterwards to own the seizure of other goods out of her,
and surrendered, as a confirmation of all, fifty ounces -at
Barbadoes, for which, see the article at the end of this
book : " All persons who after the 29th of September,
1690," &c.
To sum up the whole, if it be considered, first, that the
sickly state of the men-of-war when they sailed from
Princes was the misfortune that hindered their being as
far as Sierra^Leone, and consequently out of the track the
pirates then took ; that those pirates, directly contrary to
their design, in the second expedition, should get above
Cape Corso, and that nigh Axim a chase should offer that
inevitably must discover them and be soon communicated
to the men-of-war ; that the satiating their evil and
malicious tempers at Whydah in burning the Porcupine
and running off with the French ship had strengthened
the Swallow with thirty men ; that the Swallow should
miss them in that road, where probably she had not, or at
least so effectually, obtained her end ; that they should be
so far infatuated at Cape Lopez as to divide their strength
which, when collected, might have been so formidable;
and lastly, that the conquest should be without bloodshed
I say, considering all these circumstances, it shows that
the hand of Providence was concerned in their destruction.
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 331
As to their behaviour after they were taken, it was found
that they had great inclinations to rebel if they could have
laid hold of any opportunity, for they were very uneasy
under restraint, having been lately all commanders them-
selves, nor could they brook their diet or quarters without
cursing and swearing and upbraiding each other with the
folly that had brought them to it.
So that, to secure themselves against any mad, desperate
undertaking of theirs, the Swalloiv strongly barricaded the
gun-room, and made another prison before it, an officer
with pistols and cutlasses doing duty night and day, and
the prisoners within manacled and shackled.
They would yet in these circumstances be impudently
merry, saying, when they viewed their nakedness, "That
they had not left them a halfpenny, to give old Charon, to
ferry them over Styx ; " and at their thin commons they
would observe that they fell away so fast that they should
not have weight left to hang them. Sutton used to be very
profane, he happening to be in the same irons with another
prisoner who was more serious than ordinary and read
and prayed often, as became his condition ; this man
Sutton used to swear at and ask him, " what he proposed
by so much noise and devotion?" " Heaven," says the other,
" I hope." "Heaven, you fool," says Sutton, " did you ever
hear of any pirates going thither? Give me h 11, it's a
merrier place ; I'll give Eoberts a salute of thirteen guns
at entrance." And when he found such ludicrous expres-
sions had no effect on him he made a formal complaint,
and requested that the officer would either remove this
man or take his Prayer Book away, as a common disturber.
A combination and conspiracy was formed betwixt Moody,
Ashplant, Magnes, Mare, and others, to rise and kill the
officers and run away with the ship. This they had carried
on by means of a mulatto boy, who was allowed to attend
332 THE LIFE OF
them, and proved very trusty in his messages between the
principals, but the evening of that night they were to
have made the struggle, two of the prisoners that sat next
Ashplant heard the boy whisper them upon the project and
naming to him the hour they should be ready, presently
gave notice of it to the captain, which put the ship in an
alarm for a little time ; and on examination several of
them had made shift to break off or lose their shackles, no
doubt for such purpose ; but it tended only to procure to
themselves worse usage and confinement.
In the same passage to Cape Corso, the prize, Royal
Fortune, was in the same danger. She was left at the Island
of St. Thomas's in the possession of an officer and a few
men to take in some fresh provisions (which were scarce
at Cape Corso), with orders to follow the ship. There were
only some of the pirate's negroes, three or four wounded
prisoners, and Scudamore, their surgeon, from whom they
seemed to be under no apprehension especially from the
last, who might have hoped for favour on account of his
employ, and had stood so much indebted for his liberty,
eating and drinking constantly with the officers ; yet this
fellow, regardless of the favour, and lost to all sense of re-
formation, endeavoured to bring over the negroes to his
design of murdering the people and running away with
the ship. He easily prevailed with the negroes to come
into the design, but when he came to communicate it to
his fellow-prisoners, and would have drawn them into the
same measures, by telling them he understood navigation,
that the negroes were stout fellows, and by a smattering he
had in the Angolan language he had found willing to un-
dertake such an enterprise, and that it was better venturing
to do this, run down the coast and raise a new company,
than to proceed to Cape Corso and be hanged like dogs and
sun-dried. One of them abhorring the cruelty, or fearing
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 333
the success, discovered it to the officer, who made him im-
mediately a prisoner and brought the ship safe.
When they came to be lodged in Cape Corso Castle, their
hopes of this kind all cut off, and that they were assured
they must there soon receive a final sentence, the note was
changed among most of them, and from vain insolent
jesting they became serious and devout, begging for good
books ; and joining in public prayers, and singing of psalms,
twice at least every day.
As to their trials, if we should give them at length it
may appear tedious to the reader, for which reason I have,
for the avoiding tautology and repetition, put as many of them
together as were tried for the same fact, reserving the cir-
cumstances which are most material, with observations on
the dying behaviour of such of them as came to my know-
ledge.
And first, it may be observed from the list that a great
part of these pirate ships' crews were men entered on the
coast of Africa not many months before they were taken ;
from whence, it may be concluded, that the pretended con-
straint of Eoberts on them was very often a complotment
between parties equally willing. And this Eoberts several
times openly declared, particularly to the Onslow's people,
whom he called aft, and asked of them " who was willing
to go, for he would force nobody ? " As was deposed of some
of his best hands, after acquittal ; nor is it reasonable to
think he should reject Irish volunteers, only from a pique
against Kennedy, and force others, that might hazard, and,
in time destroy, his government. But their behaviour soon
put him out of this fear and convinced him that the plea
of force was only the best artifice they had to shelter them-
selves under in case they should be taken, and that they were
less rogues than others only in point of time.
It may likewise be taken notice of that the country
834 THE LIFE OF
wherein they happened to be tried is, among other hap-
pinesses, exempted from lawyers and law-books, so that the
office of registrar of necessity fell on one not versed in those
affairs, which might justify the court in want of form, more
essentially supplied with integrity and impartiality.
But perhaps if there was less law there might be more
justice than in some other courts ; for if the civil law be a
law of universal reason, judging of the rectitude, or obli-
quity of men's actions, every man of common sense is
endued with a portion of it, at least sufficient to make him
distinguish right from wrong, or what the civilians call
malum in se.
Therefore, here, if two persons were equally guilty of the
same fact, there was no convicting one and bringing the
other off by any quirk or turn of law ; for they formed
their judgments upon the constraint, or willingness, the
aim and intention of the parties, and all other circum-
stances, which make a material difference. Besides, in
crimes of this nature men bred up to the sea must be
more knowing and much abler than others more learned
in the law ; for before a man can have a right idea of a thing
he must know the terms standing for that thing. The sea-
terms being a language by itself, which no lawyer can be
supposed to understand, he must of consequence want that
discriminating faculty which should direct him to judge
right of the facts meant by those terms.
The court well knew it was not possible to get the evi-
dence of every sufferer by this crew, and therefore first of
all considered how that deficiency should be supplied ;
whether or no they could pardon one Jo. Dennis, who had
early offered himself as King's evidence, and was the best
read in their lives and conversations ; here indeed they
were at a loss for law, and concluded in the negative
because it looked like compounding with a man to swear
CAPTAItf BARTHOLOMEW EGBERTS. 335
falsely, losing' by it those great helps he could have
afforded.
Another great difficulty in their proceedings was how to
understand those words in the Act of Parliament of " par-
ticularly specifying in the charge the circumstances of
time, place," &c., i.e., so to understand them as to be able
to hold a court ; for if they had been indicted on particular
robberies the evidence had happened mostly from the Eoyal
African Company's ships, on which these gentlemen of Cape
Corso Castle were not qualified to sit, their oath running
" That they have no interest, directly or indirectly, in the
ship or goods, for *the robbery of which the party stands
accused." And this they thought they had, commissions
being paid them on such goods ; and on the other side, if
they were incapacitated, no court could be formed, the
commission absolutely required three of them by name.
To reconcile all things, therefore, the court resolved to
bottom the whole of their proceedings on the Swalloiv's
depositions, which were clear and plain and had the cir-
cumstances of time when, place where, manner how, and
the like, particularly specified according to the statute in
that case made and provided. But this admitted only a
general intimation of robbery in the indictment ; therefore,
" to approve their clemency," it looking arbitrary on the
lives of men to lump them to the gallows in such a
summary way as must have been done had they solely
adhered to the Swalloiv's charge, they resolved to come to
particular trials.
Secondly, "that the prisoners might not be ignorant
whereon to answer," and so have all fair advantages to
excuse and defend themselves, the court farther agreed
with justice and equanimity to hear any evidence that
could be brought to weaken or corroborate the three cir-
cumstances that complete a pirate : first, being a volunteer
336 THE LIFE OF
amongst them at the beginning; secondly, being a volunteer
at the taking or robbing of any ship ; or, lastly, voluntarily
accepting a share in the booty of those that did ; for by a
parity of reason where these actions were of their own dis-
posing, and yet committed by them, it must be believed
their hearts and hands joined together in what they acted
against his Majesty's ship the Sivallow.
THE TEIALS OF THE PIRATES.
Taken by his Majesty's ship the Swallow, begun at Cape
Corso Castle, on the coast of Africa, March 28/i, 1722.
The Commission empowered any three named therein to
call to their assistance such a number of qualified persons
as might make the court always consist of seven ; and ac-
cordingly summonses were signed to Lieut. Jo. Barnsley,
Lieut. Ch. Fanshaw, Capt. Samuel Hartsease, and Capt.
William Menzies viz. :
" By virtue of a Power and Authority, to us given, by a
Commission from the King under the Seal of Admiralty, you
are hereby required to attend and make one of the Court
for the trying and adjudging of the Pirates lately taken on
this coast by his Majesty's ship the Sivallow.
" Given under our hands this 28th of March, 1722, at
Cape Corso Castle.
" MUNGO HEAEDMAN,
JAMES PHIPS,
HENRY DODSON,
FRANCIS BOY,
EDWARD HIDE.
The commissioners being met in the hall of the castle,
the Commission was first read ; after which the president,
and then the other members, took the oath prescribed in
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW EGBERTS.
837
the Act of Parliament, and having directed the form of that
for witnesses, as follows, the court was opened :
I, A. B., solemnly promise and swear on the Holy Evan-
gelists to bear true and faithful witness between the King
and prisoner, or prisoners, in relation to the fact or facts
of piracy and robbery, he or they do now stand accused of.
So help me God."
The court consisted of Captain Mungo Heardman, Presi-
dent; James Phipps, Esq., General of the Coast; Mr. H.
Dodson, Mr. F. Boye, Merchants ; Mr. Edward Hyde,
Secretary to the Company ; Lieut. John Barnsley ; Lieut.
Ch. Fanshaw. The following prisoners, out of the pirate
ship Banger, having been commanded before them, the
charge, or indictment, was exhibited :
PRISONERS TAKEN IN THE " EANGER."
MEN'S NAMES. SHIPS FKOM. TIME WHEN.
*James Skyrm
*Eich. Hardy
*Wm. Main
*Henry Dennis
*Val. Asbplant
*Eob. Birdson
*Rich. Harris
*D. Littlejohn
*Thomas How
tHer. Hunkins
*Hugh Harris
*W. Mackintosh
Thomas Willis
t John Wilden
*Ja. Greenham
*John Jaynson
tChri. Lang
*John Mitchel
T. Withstandenot j
Greyhound sloop Oct., 1720
Pirate with Davis 1718
Brigantine, Capt. Peet June, 1720
| 1718
^Pirates with Capt. Davis 1719
J 1719
) Phoenix of Bristol, Capt.)
j Richards [june, 1720
at Newfoundland
Success sloop
Willing Mind
Richard of Bideford
Mary and Martha
Little York, Phillips, Mr.
Love of Lancaster
Thomas brigantine
[Norman galley
July, 1720
Sept., 1720
Oct., 1720
22
LIFE OP
MEN'S NAMES.
Peter la Fever
*Wm. Shurin
*Wm. Wats
*Wm. Davis
t James Barrow
*Joshua Lee
Bob. Hartley (1)
t James Crane
George Smithson
Eoger Pye
tEob. Fletcher
*Eo. Hartley (2;
t Andrew Eance
*Cuthbert Goss
*Tho. Giles
*Israel Hynde
William Church
Philip Haak
William Smith
Adam Comry
William Graves
*Peter de Vine
John Johnson
John Stodgill
Henry Dawson
William Glass
Josiah Eobinson
John Arnaught
John Davis
t Henry Graves
Tho. Howard
tJohn Eimer
Thomas Clephen
Wm. Guineys
t James Cosins
SHIPS FROM.
[ Jeremiah and Anne
of Mr. Glin of)
TIME WHEN.
Ap., 1720
july, 1721
Martha snow, Capt. Lady
| Robinson of Liverpool, Aug., 1721
j Capt. Kanning
\Stanwich galley, Captain
Tarlton
A Dutch ship
>Aug., 1721
Mercy galley of Bristol,
at Callibar Oci '
Gertruycht of Holland \
Flushingham of ditto
Elizabeth, Capt. Sharp
King Solomon, Capt. Tre-
hern, off Cape Appollonia
1721
Whydah sloop, at Jaquix
Tarton, Capt. Tho. Tarlton
Porcupine, Capt. Fletcher
Jan., 1721-2
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW EGBERTS.
339
MEN'S NAMES.
Tho. Stretton
*William Petty
Mic. Lemmon
*Wm. Wood
*Ed. Watts
*John Horn
Pierre Eavon
John Dugan
James Ardeon
Etrion Gilliot
Ken. Marraud
John Gittin
Jo. Eichardeau
John Lavogue
John Duplaissey
SHIPS FROM.
Onslow, Capt. Gee, at
Cestos
Peter Grossey
Hence Frogier
Lewis Arnaus
Rence Thoby
Meth Eoulac
John Gumar
John Paquete
Allan Pig an
Pierce Shillot
TIME WHEN.
Jan., 1721-2
From the
French ship
)4n Whydah
road, Feb.,
1721-2.
"You, James Skyrm, Michael Lemmon, Eobert Hartley,
&c.
" Ye, and every one of you, are, in the name and by the
authority of our dread sovereign lord, George, King of
Great Britain, indicted as follows :
" Forasmuch as, in an open contempt of the laws of your
country, ye have all of you been wickedly united and
articled together for the annoyance and disturbance of his
Majesty's trading subjects at sea ; and have, in conformity
to the most evil and mischievous intentions, been twice
down the coast of Africa with two ships once in the
beginning of August, and a second time in January last
sinking, burning, or robbing such ships and vessels as then
happened in your way.
" Particularly ye stand charged at the instance and in-
formation of Captain Chaloner Ogle, as traitors and pirates,
for the unlawful opposition ye made to his Majesty's ship,
the Swallow, under his command,
340 THE LIFE OF
"For that on the 5th of February last past, upon sight
of the aforesaid King's ship, ye did immediately weigh
anchor from under Cape Lopez, on the southern coast of
Africa, in a French-built ship of thirty-two guns called the
Ranger, and did pursue and chase the aforesaid King's ship
with such dispatch and precipitancy as declared ye common
robbers and pirates.
" That about ten o'clock of the same morning, drawing
within gunshot of his Majesty's aforesaid ship, the Swallow,
ye hoisted a piratical black flag, and fired several chase-
guns, to deter, as much as you were able, his Majesty's
servants from their duty.
" That an hour after this, being very nigh to the afore-
said King's ship, you did audaciously continue in a hostile
defence and assault for about two hours more, in open
violation of the laws and in defiance to the King's colours
and Commission.
" And lastly, that in the acting and compassing of all
this, you were all, and every one of you, in a wicked com-
bination, voluntarily to exert, and actually did, in your
several stations, use your utmost endeavours to distress the
said King's ship, and murder his Majesty's good subjects."
To which they severally pleaded " Not Guilty."
Then the court called for the officers of the Swallow, Mr.
Isaac Sun, lieutenant, Ealph Baldrick, boatswain, Daniel
Maclaughlin, mate, desiring them to view the prisoners,
whether they knew them, and to give an account in what
manner they had attacked and fought the King's ship ; and
they agreed as follows :
That they had viewed all the prisoners as they stood now
before the court, and were assured they were the same taken
out of one or other of the pirate ships, Royal Fortune or
Ranger ; but verily believe them to be taken out of the
Ranger.
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 341
That they did, in the King's ship, at break of day, on
Monday, the 5th of February, 1721-2, discover three ships
at anchor, under Cape Lopez, on the southern coast of
Africa, the Cape bearing then W.S.W. about three leagues,
and perceiving one of them to have a pendant flying, and
having heard their morning-gun before, they immediately
suspected them to be Eoberts the pirate, his consort, and a
French ship they knew had been lately carried out of
Whydah road.
The King's ship was obliged to haul off N.W. and W.N.W.
to avoid a sand called the French Man's Bank, the wind
then at S.S.E. and found, in half an hour's time, one of the
three had got under sail from the careen, and was bending
her sails in a chase towards them. To encourage this
rashness and precipitancy, they kept away before the wind,
as though afraid, but with their tacks on board, their
main-yard braced, and making, at the same time, very bad
steerage.
About half an hour after ten in the morning, the pirate
ship came within gunshot, and fired four chase-guns,
hoisted a black flag at the mizen-peak and got their sprit-
sail yard under their bowsprit for boarding. In half an
hour more, approaching still nigher, they starboarded their
helm and gave her a broadside, the pirate bringing-to and
returning the same.
After this, the deponents say, their fire grew slack for
some time, because the pirate was shot so far ahead on the
weather-bow, that few of their guns could point to her ; yet
in this interval their black flag was either shot away or
hauled down a little space and hoisted again.
At length, by their ill-steerage and favour of the wind,
they came near a second time ; and about two in the after-
noon shot away their maintopmast.
The colours they fought under, besides a black flag, were
342 THE LIFE OF
a red English ensign, a King's jack, and a Dutch pendant,
which they struck at, or about, three in the afternoon, and
called for quarter ; it proving to be a French-built ship of
32 guns, called the Ranger.
ISAAC SUN.
EALPH BALDBICK.
DANIEL MACLAUGLIN.
When the evidence had been heard the prisoners were
called upon to answer how they came on board this pirate
ship, and their reason for so audacious a resistance as had
been made against the King's ship.
To this each, in his reply, owned himself to be one of
those taken out of the Ranger ; that he had signed their
piratical articles, and shared in their plunder, some few
only excepted who had been there too short a time, but
that neither in this signing or sharing, nor in the resist-
ance that had been made against his Majesty's ship, had
they been volunteers, but had acted in these several parts
from a terror of death, which, by a law amongst them, was
to be the portion of those who refused. The court then
asked, Who made those laws ? How those guns came to be
fired ? Or why they had not deserted their stations and
mutinied when so fair a prospect of redemption offered ?
They replied still with the same answers, and could ex-
tenuate their crimes with no other plea than being forced
men. Wherefore the court were of opinion that the indict-
ment, as it charged them with unlawful attack and resist-
ance of the King's ship, was sufficiently proved ; but then
it being undeniably evident that many of these prisoners
had been forced, and some of them of very short standing,
they did, on mature deliberation, come to this merciful
resolution :
That they would hear further evidence for or against
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS.
343
eaoh person singly, in relation to those parts of the indict-
ment which declared them volunteers or charged them
with aiding and assisting at the burning, sinking, or
robbing of other ships ; for if they acted, or assisted, in
any robberies or devastations it would be a conviction
they were volunteers ; here such evidence, though it might
want the form, still carried the reason of the law with it.
The charge was exhibited also against the following
pirates taken out of the Royal Fortune :
MEN'S NAMES.
*Mich. Mare
*Chris. Moody
*Mar. Johnson
*James Philips
*David Symson
*Tho. Sutton
*Hag. Jacobson
*W. Williams (1)
*Wm. Fernon
*W. Williams (2)
*Roger Scot
*Tho. Owen
*Wm. Taylor
* Joseph Nositer
*John Parker
*Robert Crow
*George Smith
*Ja. Clements
*John Walden
*Jo. Mansfield
t James Harris
SHIPS FROM.
TIME WHEN.
in the Rover 5 years ago
under Davis
a Dutch ship
the Revenge, pirate sloop
[Pirates with Davis
a Dutch ship
1718
1718
1717
1719
Sudbury, Captain Thomas, )
Newfoundland j june ' 172
[ York of Bristol
Expedition of Topsham
Willing Mind of Pool
Happy Return sloop
Mary and Martha
Success sloop
Blessing of Lymington
from Martinico
Richard Pink
'May, 1720
^.July, 1720
344
THE LIFE OF
MEN'S NAMES.
*John Philips
Harry Glasby
Hugh Menzies
*Wm. Magnus
* Joseph Moor
t John du Frock
Wm. Champnies
George Danson
flsaac Russel
Rohert Lilbourn
*Robert Johnson
Wm. Darling
tWm. Mead
Thomas Diggles
*Ben. Jeffreys
John Francia
*D. Harding
*John Coleman
*Charles Bunce
*R. Armstrong
*Abra. Harper
*Peter Lesly
*John Jessup (1)
Tho. Watkins
*Philip Bill
*Jo. Stephenson
*James Cromby
Thomas Garrat
t George Ogle
Roger Gorsuch
John Watson
William Child
*John Griffin
*Pet. Scudamore
SHIPS FROM.
a fishing boat
\Samuel, Capt. Gary
May Flower sloop
TIME WHEN.
.
July, 1720
Feb/, 1720
Lloyd galley, Captain)
Hyngston JMay, 1721
Jeremiah and Ann, Capt.)
Turner J A P rfl - 1721
Christopher snow
Norman galley
a sloop at St. Nicholas
a Dutch ship j- April, 1721
Adventure sloop
a Dutch galley
ditto run from the Swallow
OwsZ0zt>,Capt.GeeatSestos May, 1721
(Martha snow
Aug., 1721
h Mero/'galley at Callabar Q C ^ 1721
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW EOBEETS. 345
MEN'S NAMES. SHIPS FROM. TIME WHEN.
Christ. Granger
Nicho. Brattle
James White
Tho. Davis
Tho. Sever
*Kob. Bevins
*T. Oughterlaney
*David Eice
*Kob. Haws
Hugh Kiddle
Stephen Thomas
*John Lane
*Sam. Fletcher
*Wm. Philips
Jacob Johnson
*John King
Benjamin Par
William .May
Ed. Thornden
*George Wilson
Edward Tarlton
*Eobert Hays
Thomas Eoberts
John Eichards
John Cane
Eichard Wood
Eichard Scot
Wm. Davison
Sam. Morwell
Edward Evans
*John Jessup (2)
Cornwall galley at
labar
1721
Joceline, Capt. Loane ditto
Diligence boat Jan., 1721
-King Solomon
ditto.
Robinson, Capt. Kanning ditto.
\Elizabeth, Capt. Sharp
I Tarlton of Liverpool at)
Cape La Hou
-Charlton, Capt. Allwright Feb., 1721
Porcupine, Capt. Fletcher]
Whydahroad ) Feb -> 1721
surrendered up at Princes
" You, Harry Glasby William Davison, William Champnies.
Samuel Morwell ? &c,
846 TEE LIFE OF
" Ye, and every one of you, are, in the name and by the
authority of our most dread sovereign lord, George, King of
Great Britain, indicted as follows :
" Forasmuch as, in open contempt and violation of the
laws of your country, to which ye ought to have been sub-
ject, ye have all of you been wickedly united and articled
together for the annoyance and destruction of his Majesty's
trading subjects by sea ; and, in conformity to so wicked an
agreement and association, ye have been twice lately down
this coast of Africa once in August, and a second time in
January last spoiling and destroying many goods and
vessels of his Majesty's subjects, and other trading
nations.
" Particularly ye stand indicted at the information and
instance of Captain Chaloner Ogle, as traitors, robbers,
pirates, and common enemies to mankind.
"For that on the 10th of February last, in a ship ye
were possessed of, called the Royal Fortune, of forty guns,
ye did maintain a hostile defence and resistance for some
hours against his Majesty's ship the Sivallow, nigh Cape
Lopez Bay, on the southern coast of Africa.
" That this fight and insolent resistance against the
King's ship was made not only without any pretence
of authority, more than that of your own private
depraved will, but was done also under a black flag,
flagrantly by that denoting yourselves common
robbers and traitors, opposers and violators of the
laws.
" And lastly, that in this resistance, ye were all of you
volunteers, and did, as such, contribute your utmost efforts,
and disabling and distressing the aforesaid King's ship,
and deterring his Majesty's servants therein from their
duty."
To which they severally pleaded, Not Guilty.
CAPTAIN BAETHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 847
Whereupon the officers of his Majesty's ship the Swallow,
were called again and testified as follows :
That they had seen all the prisoners now before the court,
and knew them to be the same which were taken out of one or
other of the pirate ships, Royal Fortune or Ranger, and
verily believe them to be those taken out of the Royal
Fortune.
That the prisoners were possessed of a ship of forty
guns, called the Royal Fortune, and were at anchor under
Cape Lopez, on the coast of Africa, with two others, when
his Majesty's ship the Swallow (to which the deponents be-
longed, and were officers), stood in for the place on Saturday,
the 10th of February, 1721-2. The largest had a jack
ensign and pendant flying (being this Royal Fortune), who,
on sight of them, had their boats passing and repassing
from the other two, which they supposed to be with men.
The wind not favouring the aforesaid King's ship she was
obliged to make two trips to gain nigh enough the wind to
fetch in with the pirates ; and being at length little more
than cannon-shot from them, they found she slipped her
cable and got under sail.
At eleven, the pirate was within pistol-shot, abreast of
them, with a black flag and pendant hoisted at their main-
topmast head. The deponents say they then struck the
French ensign that had continued hoisted at their staff all
the morning till then, and displayed the King's colours,
giving her at the same time their broadside, which was im-
mediately returned.
The pirate's mizen-topmast fell and some of her rigging
was torn, yet she still outsailed the man-of-war, and slid
half gun-shot from them, while they continued to fire with-
out intermission, and the other to return such guns as could
be brought to bear, till, by favour of the winds, they were
advanced very nigh again ; and after exchanging a few more
348 THE LIFE OF
shot, about half an hour past one, his main-mast came down,
having received a shot below the parrel.
At two, she struck her colours, and called for quarter,
proving to be a ship, formerly called the Onfloiv, but by them
the Royal Fortune ; and the prisoners from her assured
them, that the smallest ship of the two, then remaining in
the road, belonged to them, by the name of the Little Ranger,
which they had deserted on this occasion.
ISAAC SUN,
EALPH BALDBICE,
DANIEL MACLAUGHLIN.
The prisoners were asked by the court, to the same purpose
the others had been in the morning What exception they
had to make against what had been sworn, and what they
had to say in their defence ? And their replies were much
the same with the other prisoners : that they were forced
men, had not fired a gun in this resistance against the
Swallow, and that what little assistance they did give on
this occasion was to the sails and rigging, to comply with
the arbitrary commands of Roberts, who had threatened,
and, they were persuaded would, have shot them on
refusal.
The court, to dispense equal justice, mercifully resolved
for these, as they had done for the other pirate crew that
further evidence should be heard against each man singly, to
the two points, of being a volunteer at first, and to their par-
ticular acts of piracy and robbery since ; that so men, who
had been lately received amongst them, and as yet had not
been at the taking or plundering of any ship, might have
the opportunity and benefit of clearing their innocence and
not fall promiscuously with the guilty.
By order of the court,
JOHN ATKINS, Registrar.
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 349
Wm. Magnes, Tho. Oughterlauney, Wm. Main, Wm. Mackin-
tosh, VaL Ashplant, John Walden, Israel Hind, Marcus
Johnson, Wm. Petty, Wm. Fernon, Abraham Harvey,
Wm. Wood, Tho. How, John Stephenson, Ch. Bunce,
and John Griffin.
Against these it was deposed by Captain Joseph Trahern,
and George Fenn, his mate, that they were all of them, either
at the attacking and taking of the ship King Solomon, or
afterwards at the robbing and plundering of her, and in
this manner :
That on the 6th of January last, their ship riding at
anchor near Cape Appollonia, in Africa, discovered a boat
rowing towards them, against wind and stream, from a ship
that lay about three miles to leeward. They judged from
the number of men in her, as she nearer advanced, to be
a pirate, and made some preparation for receiving her, be-
lieving, on a nigher view, they would think f|t to withdraw
from an attack that must be on their side with great dis-
advantage in an open boat, and against double the number
of men ; yet by the rashness and pusillanimity of his own
people, who laid down their arms and immediately called
for quarter, the ship was taken, and afterwards robbed by
them.
President : Can you charge your memory with any par-
ticulars in the seizure and robbery ?
Evidence : We know that Magnes, quartermaster of the
pirate ship, commanded the men in this boat that took us,
and assumed the authority of ordering her provisions and
stores out, which, being of different kinds, we soon found
were seized and sent away under more particular directions ;
for Main, as boatswain of the pirate ship, carried away two
cables and several coils of rope, as what belonged to his
province, beating some of our own men for not being brisk
enough at working in the robbery. Petty, as sail maker,
350 THE LIFE OF
saw to the sails and canvas ; Harper, as cooper, to the cask
and tools ; Griffin, to the carpenter's stores, and Oughter-
launey, as pilot, having shifted himself with a suit of my
clothes, a new tye wig, and called for a bottle of wine,
ordered the ship, very arrogantly, to be steered under
Commodore Eoberts's stern (I suppose to know what orders
there were concerning her). So far particularly. In the
general, sir, they were very outrageous and emulous in mis-
chief.
President : Mr. Castel, acquaint the court of what you
know in relation to this robbery of the King Solomon;
after what manner the pirate boat was dispatched for
this attempt.
Tho. Castel : I was a prisoner, sir, with the pirates
when their boat was ordered upon that service, and found,
upon a resolution of going, word was passed through
the company, Who would go ? And I saw all that did,
did it voluntarily; no compulsion, but rather pressing
who should be foremost. The prisoners yielded to what
had been sworn about the attack and robbery, but denied
the latter evidence, saying Eoberts hectored and up-
braided them of cowardice on this very occasion, and told
some they were very ready to step on board of a prize
when within command of the ship, but now there seemed
to be a trial of their valour, backward and fearful.
President : So that Eoberts forced ye upon this attack.
Prisoners : Eoberts commanded us into the boat, and
the quartermaster to rob the ship, neither of whose
commands we dared to have refused.
President : And granting it so, those are still your
own acts, since done by orders from officers of your own
election. Why would men, honestly disposed, give their
votes for such a captain and such a quartermaster as
were every day commanding them on distasteful services ?
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW EGBERTS. 351
Here succeeded a silence among the prisoners, but at
length Fernon very honestly owned that he did not give
his vote to Magnes, but to David Sympson (the old
quartermaster), " for in truth," says he, " I took Magnes
for too honest a man, and unfit for the business."
The evidence was plain and home, and the court,
without any hesitation, brought them in " Guilty."
William Church, Phil. Haak, James White, Nich. Brattle,
Hugh Riddle, William Thomas, Tho. Roberta, Jo.
Richards, Jo. Cane, R. Wood, R. Scot, Wm. Davison,
Sam. Morwell, Edivard Evans, Wm. Guineys, and
eighteen Frenchmen.
The four first of these prisoners, it was evident to the
court, served as music on board the pirate, were forced
lately from the several merchant ships they belonged to ;
and that they had, during this confinement, an uneasy
life of it, having sometimes their fiddles, and often their
heads broke, only for excusing themselves, or saying they
were tired when any fellow took it in his head to demand
a tune.
The other English had been a very few days on board
the pirate, only from Whydah to Cape Lopez, and no
capture or robbery done by them in that time. And
the Frenchmen were brought with a design to reconduct
their own ship (or the Little Ranger in exchange) to
Whydah road again, and were used like prisoners ;
neither quartered nor suffered to carry arms. So that
the court immediately acquiesced in acquitting them.
Tho. Sutton, David Simpson, Christopher Moody, Phil.
Bill, R. Hardy, Hen. Dennis, David Rice, Wm.
Williams, R. Harris, George Smith, Ed. Watts, Jo.
Mitchell, and James Barroio.
The evidence against these prisoners were Grata de
352 THE LIFE OF
Haen, master of the Flushingham, taken nigh Axim, the
beginning of January last.
Benj. Kreft, master, and James Groet, mate of the
Gertruycht, taken nigh Gabone in December last, and
Mr. Castel, Wingfield, and others that had been prisoners
with the pirates.
The former deposed that all these prisoners (excepting
Hardy) were on board at the robbery and plunder of
their ships, behaving in a vile, outrageous manner, putting
them in bodily fears, sometimes for the ship, and some-
times for themselves ; and in particular Kreft charged
it on Sutton that he had ordered all their gunner's stores
out; on which that prisoner presently interrupted and said
he was perjured " That he had not taken half." A reply,
I believe, not designed as any saucy way of jesting, but
to give their behaviour an appearance of more humanity
than the Dutch would allow.
From Mr. Castel, Wingfield, and others, they were
proved to be distinguished men men who were consulted
as chiefs in all enterprizes ; belonged most of them to
the House of Lords (as they called it), and could carry an
authority over others. The former said, particularly of
Hardy (quartermaster of the Ranger), that when the
Diligence sloop was taken (whereto he belonged) none
was busier in the plunder, and was the very man who
scuttled and sunk that vessel.
From some of the prisoners acquitted it was farther
demanded whether the acceptance or refusal of any
office was not in their own option ? And it was declared
that every officer was chosen by a majority of votes, and
might refuse, if he pleased, since others gladly embraced
what brought with it an additional share of prize. Guilty.
The court on the 31st of March remanded the following
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTA. 353
six before them for sentence, viz., Dav. Simpson, Wm.
Magnes, E. Hardy, Thomas Sutton, Christopher Moody,
and Valentine Ashplant.
To whom the President spoke to the following purpose :
" The crime of piracy, of which all of ye have been
justly convicted, is of all other robberies the most ag-
gravating and inhumane, in that being removed from
the fears of surprise in remote and distant parts,
ye do in wantonness of power often add cruelty to
theft.
" PirateS) unmoved at distress or poverty, not only spoil
and rob, but do it from men needy, and who are purchas-
ing their livelihoods through hazards and difficulties,
which ought rather to move compassion ; and what is
still worse, do often, by persuasion or force, engage the
inconsiderate part of them, to their own and families'
ruin, removing them from their wives and children, and
by that, from the means that should support them from
misery and want.
" To a trading nation nothing can be so destructive as
piracy, or call for more exemplary punishment; besides
the national reflection it infers, it cuts off the returns
of industry, and those plentiful importations that alone
can make an island flourishing ; and it is your aggrava-
tion, that ye have been the chiefs and rulers in these
licentious and lawless practices.
" However, contrary to the measures ye have dealt, ye
have been heard with patience, and though little has, or
possibly could, have been said in excuse or extenuation
of your crimes, yet charity make us hope that a true and
sincere repentance (which we heartily recommend) may
entitle ye to mercy and forgiveness after the sentence
of the law has taken place, which now remains upon me
to pronounce :
23
354 THE LIFE OF
" You, Dav. Simpson, William Magnes, R. Hardy, Tho.
Sutton, Christopher Moody, and Val. Ashplant.
" Ye, and each of you, are adjudged and sentenced to be
carried back to the place from whence ye came, from
thence to the place of execution, without the gates of this
castle, and there, within the flood-marks, to be hanged
by the neck till ye are dead.
" After this ye, and each of you, shall be taken down,
and your bodies hanged in chains."
WARRANT FOR EXECUTION.
" Pursuant to the sentence given on Saturday by the
Court of Admiralty at Cape Corso Castle, against Dav.
Simpson, Wm. Magnes, E. Hardy, Tho. Sutton,
Christopher Moody, and Valentine Ashplant.
" You are hereby directed to carry the aforesaid male-
factors to the place of execution, without the gates of this
castle, to-morrow morning at nine of the clock, and there,
within the flood-marks, cause them to be hanged by the
neck till they are dead, for which this shall be your
warrant. Given under my hand, this 2nd day of April,
1722. MUNQO HBARDMAN.
" To Joseph Gordyn, provost-marshal.
" The bodies remove in chains to the gibbets already
erected on the adjacent hillocks. M. H."
William Phillips.
It appeared by the evidence of Captain Jo. Trahern and
George Fenn, mate of the King Solomon, that this prisoner
was boatswain of the same ship, when she was attacked
and taken off Cape Appollonia, the 6th of January last,
by the pirate's boat.
When the boat drew nigh (they say) it was judged from
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 355
the number of men in her that they were pirates, and
being hailed, answered, " Defiance " ; at which the com-
mander snatched a musket from one of his men and fired,
asking them at the same time whether they would stand
by him to defend the ship ? But the pirates returning
a volley, and crying out they would give no quarter if
any resistance was made, this prisoner took upon him to
call out for quarter without the master's consent, and
mislead the rest to the laying down their arms, and giving
up the ship to half the number of men, and in an open
boat. It was further evident he became after this a
volunteer amongst them. First, because he was presently
very forward and brisk in robbing the ship King Solomon
of her provisions and stores ; secondly, because he
endeavoured to have his captain ill-used ; and lastly,
because he had confessed to Fenn that he had been
obliged to sign their Articles that night (a pistol being
laid on the table to signify he must do it or be shot),
when the whole appeared to be an untruth from other
evidence, who also asserted his being armed in the action
against the Swallow.
In answer to this he first observed upon the unhappiness
of being friendless in this part of the world, which, else-
where, by witnessing to the honesty of his former life,
would, he believed, in a great measure have invalidated
the wrong evidence had been given of his being a volunteer
with the pirates. He owns, indeed, he made no applica-
tion to his captain to intercede for a discharge, but excuses
it with saying he had a dislike to him, and therefore was
sure that such application would have availed him nothing.
The court observed the pretences of this and other of
the pirates, of a pistol and their Articles being served up
in a dish together, or of their being misused and forced
from an honest service, was often a complotment of the
356 THE LIFE OF
parties to render them less suspected of those they came
from, and was to answer the end of being put in a news-
paper or affidavit. And the pirates were so generous ap
not to refuse a compliment to a brother that cost them
nothing, and at the same time secured them the best
hands ; the best I call them, because such a dependence
made them act more boldly. Guilty.
Harry Glasby, master.
There appearing several persons in court, who had been
taken by Eoberts's ship, whereof the prisoner was master,
their evidence was accepted as follows :
Jo. Trahern, commander of the King Solomon, deposed,
the prisoner, indeed, to act as master of the pirate ship
(while he was under restraint there), but was observed like
no master, every one obeying at discretion, of which he had
taken notice, and complained to him how hard a condition
it was to be a chief among brutes ; and that he was weary
of his life, and such other expressions (now out of his
memory), as showed in him a great disinclination to that
course of living.
Jo. Wingfield, a prisoner with them at Calabar, says the
same as to the quality he acted in, but that he was civil
beyond any of them, and verily believes that when the
brigantine he served on board of, as a factor for the
African Company, was voted to be burnt, this man was
the instrument of preventing it, expressing himself with
a great deal of sorrow for this and the like malicious
rogueries of the company he was in, that to him showed
he had acted with reluctancy, as one who could not avoid
what he did. He adds further, that when one Hamilton,
a surgeon, was taken by them, and the Articles about to
be imposed on him, he opposed and prevented it ; and that
Hunter, another surgeon among them, was cleared at the
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 357
prisoner's instance and persuasion, from which last this
deponent had it assured to him that Glasby had once been
under sentence of death on board of them, with two more,
for endeavouring an escape in the West Indies, and that
the other two were really shot for it.
Elizabeth Trengrove, who was taken a passenger in the
African Company's ship Onslow, strengthened the evidence
of the last witness ; for having heard a good character of
this Glasby, she inquired of the quartermaster, who was
then on board a-robbing, whether or no she could see
him ? and he told her " No " ; they never ventured him
from the ship, for he had once endeavoured his escape,
and they had ever since continued jealous of him.
Edward Crisp, Captain Trengrove, and Captain Sharp,
who had all been taken in their turns, acknowledge for
themselves and others, who had unluckily fallen into those
pirates' hands, that the good usage they had met with
was chiefly through the prisoner's means, who often inter-
posed for leaving sufficient stores and instruments on
board the ships they had robbed, alleging they were
superfluous and unnecessary there.
James White, whose business was music, and was on the
poop of the pirate ship in time of action with the Sivalloiv,
deposed that during the engagement and defence she made
he never saw the prisoner busied about the guns, or giving
orders, either to the loading or firing of them ; but that he
wholly attended to the setting, or trimming, of the sails as
Eoberts commanded ; and that in the conclusion he verily
believed him to be the man who prevented the ship's being
blown up by setting trusty sentinels below and opposing
himself against such hot-headed fellows as had procured
lighted matches and were going down for that purpose.
Isaac Sun, lieutenant of the man-of-war, deposed, that
when he came to take possession of the prize in the King's
358 THE LIFE OF
boat he found the pirates in a very distracted and divided
condition, some being for blowing up, and others (who
perhaps supposed themselves least culpable) opposing it.
That in this confusion he inquired for the prisoner, of
whom he had before heard a good character, and thinks
he rendered all the service in his power for preventing it ;
in particular, he understood by all hands that he had
seized and taken from one James Philips a lighted match,
at the instant he was going down to the magazine, swearing
that he should send them all to h 1 together. He had
heard also that after Eoberts was killed the prisoner
ordered the colours to be struck, and had since shown how
opposite his practice and principles had been, by dis-
covering who were the greatest rogues among them.
The prisoner in his own defence says when he had the
misfortune of falling into the pirates' hands he was chief
mate of the Samuel, of London, Captain Gary ; and when
he had hid Himself to prevent the design of carrying him
away, they found him and beat and threw him overboard.
Seven days afterwards, upon his objecting against, and
refusing to sign, their Articles, he was cut and abused
again; that though after this he ingratiated himself by
a more humble carriage it was only to make life easy ;
the shares they had given him having been from time to
time returned again to such prisoners as fell in his way,
till of late, indeed, he had made a small reservation, and
had desired Captain Loan to take two or three moidores
from him to carry to his wife. He was once taken, he
says, at making his escape in the West Indies, and, with
two more, sentenced to be shot for it by a drunken jury ;
the latter actually suffered, and he was preserved only by
one of the chief pirates taking a sudden liking to him and
bullying the others. A second time he ran away at
Hispauiola, carrying a pocket compass for conducting him
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 369
through the woods ; but that being a most desolate and
wild part of the island he fell upon, and he ignorant how
to direct his course, was obliged, after two or three days'
wandering, to return towards the ship again, denying with
egregious oaths the design he was charged with for fear
they should shoot him. From this time he hopes it will
be some extenuation of his fault, that most of the acquitted
prisoners can witness, they entertained jealousies of him,
and Eoberts would not admit him into his secrets ; and
withal that Captain Gary (and four other passengers with
him) had made affidavit of his having been forced from his
employ, which though he could not produce, yet hs
humbly hoped the court would think highly probable from
the circumstances offered.
On the whole the court was of opinion artists had the
best pretension to the plea of force, from the necessity
pirates are sometimes under of engaging such, and that
many parts of his own defence had been confirmed by the
evidence, who had asserted he acted with reluctance, and
had expressed a concern and trouble for the little hopes
remained to him of extricating himself. That he had used
all prisoners (as they were called) well, at the hazard of ill
usage to himself; that he had not in any military
capacity assisted their robberies ; that he had twice
endeavoured his escape with the utmost danger.
Acquitted him.
Captain James Skyrm.
It appeared from the evidence of several prisoners
acquitted that this Skyrm commanded the Ranger in
that defence she made against the King's ship ; that he
ordered the men to their quarters, and the guns to be
loaded and fired, having a sword in his hand to enforce
those commands, and beat such to their duty whom he
360 THE LIFE OF
espied any way negligent or backward. That although he
had lost a leg in the action his temper was so warm as to
refuse going off the deck till he found all was lost.
In his defence he says he was forced from a mate's
employ on board a sloop called the Greyhound, of St.
Christopher's, October, 1720. The pirate having drubbed
him and broke his head only for offering to go away when
that sloop was dismissed. Custom and success had since
indeed blunted, and in some measure worn out, the sense
of shame, but that he had really for several months passed
been sick and disqualified for any duty; and though
Eoberts had forced him on this expedition, much against
his will, yet the evidence must be sensible the title of
captain gave him no pre-eminence, for he could not be
obeyed, though. he had often called to them to leave off
their fire when he perceived it to be the King's ship.
The sickness, he alleged, but more especially the cir-
cumstance of losing his leg, were aggravations of his fault,
showing him more alert on such occasions than he was
now willing to be thought. As to the name of captain, if
it were allowed to give him no precedence out of battle,
yet here it was proved a title of authority, such an
authority as could direct an engagement against the
King's colours, and therefore he was in the highest degree
guilty.
John Walden.
Captain John Trahern and George Fenn deposed the
prisoner to be one of the number who, in an open boat,
piratically assailed and took their ship, and was re-
markably busy at mischief, having a pole-axe in his
hand, which served him instead of a key to all the
locked doors and boxes he came nigh. Also in particular
he cut the cable of our ship, when the other pirates were
willing and busied at heaving up the anchor, saying,
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW EOBEETS. 361
" Captain, what signifies this trouble of hope and strain-
ing in hot weather ; there are more anchors at London,
^nd besides, your ship is to be burnt."
William Smith (a prisoner acquitted), says Walden was
known amongst the pirates mostly by the nick-name of
Miss Nanny (ironically it is presumed from the haridness
of his temper). That he was one of the twenty who
voluntarily came on board the Ranger in the chase she
made out after the Swallow, and by a shot from that ship
lost his leg, his behaviour in the fight till then being bold
and daring.
The President called for Harry Glasby, and bid him
relate a character of the prisoner, and what custom was
among them in relation to these voluntary expeditions out
of their proper ship, and this of going on board the Ranger
in particular.
And he gave in for evidence that the prisoner was looked
on as a brisk hand (i.e., as he farther explained it, a stanch
pirate, . a great rogue) ; that when the Swallow first
appeared in sight every one was willing to believe her
a Portuguese, because sugar was very much in demand,
and had made some jarring and dissention between the
two companies (the Fortune's people drinking punch when
the Ranger's could not) ; that Eoberts, on sight of the
Sivallow, hailed the new Ranger and bid him right-ship
and get under sail. " There is," says he, " sugar in the
offing, bring it in that we may have no more mumbling ; "
ordering, at the same time, the word to be passed among
the crew, Who would go to their assistance ? and
immediately the boat was full of men, to transport
themselves.
President : Then every one that goes on board of any
prize does it voluntarily ? Or were there here any other
reasons for it ?
362 THE LIFE OF
H. Glasby : Every man is commonly called by list, and
insists on his turn to go on board of a prize, because they
then are allowed a shift of clothes (the best they can find)*
over and above the dividend from the robbery; and this
they are so far from being compelled to that it often
becomes the occasion of contest and quarrel amongst
them. But in the present or such like cases, where there
appears a prospect of trouble, the lazy and the timorous
are often willing to decline this turn and yield to their
betters, who thereby establish a greater reputation. The
prisoner, and those men who went from the Fortune on
board the Ranger to assist in this expedition were volun-
teers, and the trustiest men among us.
President : Were there no jealousies of the Ranger's
leaving you in this chase, or at any other time, in order
to surrender ?
H. Glasby : Most of the Ranger's crew were fresh
men, men who had been entered only since their being on
the coast of Guinea, and therefore had not so liberal
a share in fresh provisions or wine as the Fortune's people,
who thought they had borne the burthen and heat of
the day, which had given occasion indeed to some
grumblings and whispers, as though they would take an
opportunity to leave us, but we never supposed, if they
did, it would be with any other design then setting up for
themselves, they having, many of them, behaved with
greater severity than the old standers.
The prisoner appeared undaunted, and rather solicitous
about resting his stump than giving any answer to the
court, or making any defence for himself till called upon ;
then he related in a careless, or rather hopeless, manner,
the circumstances of his first entrance, being forced, he
said, out of the Blessing, of Lemmington, at Newfoundland,
about twelve months, past ; this, he is sure, most of the
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW EGBERTS. 863
old pirates knew, and that he was for some time as sick of
the change as any man, but custom and ill company had
altered him, owning very frankly that he was at the
attack and taking of the King Solomon, that he did cut her
cable, and that none were forced on those occasions.
As to the last expedition in the Ranger, he confesses he
went on board of her, but that it was by Koberts's order,
and in the chase loaded one gun to bring her to, but when
he saw it was a bite he declared to his comrades that it
was not worth while to resist, forebore firing, and assisted
to reeve the braces in order, if they could, to get away, in
which sort of service he was busied when a shot from
the man-of-war took off his leg. And being asked that
supposing the chase had proved a Portuguese ? " Why
then," says he, " I don't know what I might have done,"
intimating withal that everybody then would have been
ready enough at plundering. Guilty.
Peter Scudamore.
Harry Glasby, Jo. Wingfield, and Nicholas Brattle,
depose thus much as to his being a volunteer with the
pirates from Captain Eolls at Calabar. First, that he
quarrelled with Moody (one of the heads of the gang), and
fought with him because he opposed his going, asking
Eolls in a leering manner whether he would not be so kind
as to put him into the Gazette when he came home. And,
at another time, when he was going from the pirate ship
in his boat a tornado arose. "I wish," says he, "the
rascal may be drowned, for he is a great rogue, and has
endeavoured to do me all the ill offices he could among
these gentlemen " (i.e., pirates).
And secondly, that he had signed the pirates' Articles
with a great deal of alacrity, and gloried in having been
the first surgeon that had done so (for before this it was
364 THE LIFE OF
their custom to change their surgeons when they desired
it, after having served a time, and never obliged them to
sign, but he was resolved to break through this for tha
good of those who were to follow), swearing immediately
upon it, he was now, he hoped, as great a rogue as any of
them.
Captain Jo. Trahern and George Fenn, his mate,
deposed the prisoner to have taken out of the King
Solomon their surgeon's capital instruments, some
medicines, and a backgammon table, which latter
became the means of a quarrel between one Wincon,
and he, whose property they should be, and were yielded
to the prisoner.
Jo. Sharp, master of the Elizabeth, heard the prisoner
ask Eoberts' leave to force Comry, his surgeon, from him,
which was accordingly done, and with him carried also
some of the ship's medicines ; but what gave a fuller proof
of the dishonesty of his principles was the treacherous
design he had formed of running away with the prize in
her passage to Cape Corso, though he had been treated
with all humanity and very unlike a prisoner on account
of his employ and better education, which had rendered
him less to be suspected.
Mr. Child (acquitted) deposed that in their passage from
the Island of St. Thomas in the Fortune prize, this
prisoner was several times tempting him into measures of
rising with the negroes, and killing the Sivallow's people,
showing him how easily the white men might be
demolished, and a new company raised at Angola, and
that part of the coast. "For," says he, "I understand
how to navigate a ship, and can soon teach you to steer;
and is it not better to do this than to go back to Cape
Corso and be hanged and sun-dried?" To which the
deponent replying he was not afraid of being hanged,
CAPTAIN BABTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 365
Scudamore bid him be still, and no harm should com'e to
him ; but before the next day evening, which was the
designed time of executing this project, this deponent
discovered it to the officer, and assured him Scudamore
had been talking all the preceding night to the negroes
in Angolan language.
Isaac Burnet heard the prisoner ask James Harris,
a pirate (left with the wounded in the prize), whether
he was willing to come into the project of running away
with the ship, and endeavour the raising of a new
company, but turned the discourse to horse-racing as the
deponent crept nigher; he acquainted the officer with
what he had heard, who kept the people under arms all
night, their apprehensions of the negroes not being
groundless ; for many of them having lived a long time
in this piratical way, were, by the thin commons they
were now reduced to, as ripe for mischief as any.
The prisoner in his defence said he was a forced man
from Captain Rolls in October last, and if he had not
shown such a concern as became him at the alteration he
must remark the occasion to be the disagreement and
enmity between them; but that both Eoberts and Val.
Ashplant threatened him into signing their Articles, and
that he did it in terror.
The King Solomon and Elizabeth medicine-chests he
owns he plundered by order of Hunter, the then chief
surgeon, who, by the pirates' laws, always directs in this
province, and Mr. Child (though acquitted) had, by the
same orders, taken out a whole French medicine-chest,
which he must be sensible for me as well as for himself
we neither of us dared to have denied ; it was their being
the proper judges made so ungrateful an office imposed.
If after this he was elected chief surgeon himself both
Comry and Wilson were set up also, and it might have
366 THE LIFE OF
been their chance to have carried it, and as much out of
their power to have refused.
As to the attempt of rising and running away with the
prize, he denies it altogether as untrue ; a few foolish
words, but only by way of supposition, that if the negroes
should take it in their heads (considering the weakness
and ill look-out that was kept), it would have been an easy
matter in his opinion for them to have done it ; but that he
encouraged such a thing was false ; his talking to them in
the Angolan language was only a way of spending his
time, and trying his skill to tell twenty, he being incapable
of further talk. As to his understanding navigation, he
had frequently acknowledged it to the deponent Child,
and wonders he should now so circumstantiate this skill
against him. Guilty.
Robert Johnson.
It appeared to the court that the prisoner was one of the
twenty men in that boat of the pirates which afterwards
robbed the King Solomon at an anchor near Cape
Appollonia. That all pirates on this and the like
service were volunteers, and he, in particular, had con-
tested his going on board a second time, though out of
his turn.
The prisoner in his defence called for Harry Glasby,
who witnessed to his being so very drunk when he first
came among their crew that they were forced to hoist him
out of one ship into the other with a tackle, and, therefore,
without his consent, but had since been a trusty man, and
was placed to the helm in that running battle they made
with the Swallow.
He insisted for himself likewise, on Captain Turner's
affidavit of his being forced, on which others (his ship-
mates) had been cleared.
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 367
The court considering the partiality that might be
objected in acquitting one and condemning another of
the same standing, thought fit to remark it as a clear
testimony of their integrity, that their care and indulgence
to each man in allowing his particular defence, was to
exempt from the rigour of the law such who, it must be
allowed, would have stood too promiscuously condemned
if they had not been heard upon any other fact than that
of the Sivalloiv, and herein what could better direct them
than a character and behaviour from their own associates ;
for though a voluntary entry with the pirates may be
doubtful, yet his consequent actions are not, and it is not so
material how a man comes among pirates as how he acts
when he is there. Guilty.
George Wilson.
John Sharp, master of the Elizabeth, in which ship the
prisoner was passenger, and fell a second timejnto the
pirates' hands, deposes that he took the said Wilson off
from Sestos, on this coast, paying to the negroes for his
ransom the value of three pound five shillings in goods,
for which he had taken a note, that he thought he had
done a charitable act in this, till, meeting with one Captain
Canning, he was asked why he would release such a rogue
as Wilson was ? for that he had been a volunteer with
the pirates out of John Tarlton. And when the deponent
came to be a prisoner himself he found Thomas, the
brother of this John Tarlton, a prisoner with the pirates
also, who was immediately, on Wilson's instigation, in
a most sad manner misused and beat, and had been shot,
through the fury and rage of some of those fellows, if the
town-side (i.e., Liverpool) men had not^hid him in a stay-
sail under the bowsprit, for Moody and Harper with their
pistols cocked searched every corner of the ship to find him,
368 THE LIFE OF
and came to the deponent's hammock, whom they had like
fatally to have mistaken for Tarlton, but on his calling out
they found their error, and left him with this comfortable
anodyne, that " he was the honest fellow who brought the
doctor." At coming away the prisoner asked about his
note, whether the pirates had it or no ? Who not being
able readily'to tell, he replied, " It's no matter, Mr. Sharp,
I believe I shall hardly ever come to England to pay it."
Adam Comry, surgeon of the Elizabeth, says, that
although the prisoner had, on account of his indisposition
and want, received many civilities from him before
meeting with the pirates, he yet understood it was through
his and Scudamore's means that he had been compelled
among them. The prisoner was very alert and cheerful,
he says, at meeting with Roberts, hailed him, told him he
was glad to see him, and would come on board presently,
borrowing of the deponent a clean shirt and drawers, for
his better appearance and reception ; he signed their
Articles willingly, and used arguments with him to do the
same, saying, they should make their voyage in eight
months to Brazil, share six or seven hundred pounds a man,
and then break up. Again, when the crew came to an
election of a chief surgeon, and this deponent was set up
with the others, Wilson told him he hoped he would carry
it from Scudamore, for that a quarter share (which they
had more than others) would be worth looking after ; but
the deponent missed the preferment, by the good will of
the Ranger's people, who, in general, voted for Scudamore,
to get rid of him, the chief surgeon being always to
remain with the commodore.
It appeared likewise by the evidence of Captain Jo.
Trahern, Tho. Castel, and others, who had been taken by
the pirates, and thence had opportunities of observing the
prisoner's conduct, that he seemed thoroughly satisfied
CAPTAIN BAETHOLOMEW EGBERTS. 369
with that way of life, and was particularly intimate with
Eoberts ; they often scoffing at the mention of a man-
of-war, and saying, if they should meet with any of the
turnip-man's ships, they would blow up and go to h 1
all together. Yet setting aside these silly freaks to re-
commend himself, his laziness had got him many enemies ;
even Eoberts told him, on the complaint of a wounded
man, whom he had refused to dress, that he was a double
rogue to be there a second time, and threatened to cut
his ears off.
The evidence further assured the court, from Captain
Thomas Tarlton, that the prisoner was taken out of his
brother's ship, some months before, a first time, and being
forward to oblige his new company, had presently asked
for the pirates' boat to fetch the medicine-chest away,
when the wind and current proving too hard to contend
with, he was drove on shore at Cape Montzerado.
The prisoner called for William Darling and Samuel
Morwel (acquitted), and Nicholas Butler.
William Darling deposed, the first time the prisoner fell
into their hands Eoberts mistook him for Jo. Tarlton, the
master, and being informed it was the surgeon who came
to represent him (then indisposed) he presently swore he
should be his messmate, to which Wilson replied, he hoped
not, he had a wife and child, which the other laughed at ;
and that he had been two days on board before he went
in that boat, which was drove on shore at Cape Mont-
zerado. And at his second coming, in the Elizabeth, he
heard Eoberts order he should be brought on board in the
first boat.
Samuel Morwel says that he has heard him bewail his
condition while on board the pirate, and desired one
Thomas to use his interest with Eoberts for a discharge,
saying, his employ and the little fortune he had left at
24
370 THE LIFE OF
home would, he hoped, exempt him the further trouble of
seeking his bread at sea.
Nicholas Butler, who had remained with the pirates
about forty-eight hours, when they took the French ships
at Whydah, deposes that in this space the prisoner
addressed him in the French language several times,
deploring the wretchedness and ill-fortune of being con-
fined in such company.
The prisoner, desiring liberty of two or three questions,
asked whether or no he had not expostulated with Koberts,
for a reason of his obliging surgeons to sign their Articles,
when heretofore they did not ; whether he had not ex-
pressed himself glad of having formerly escaped from
them ; whether he had not said, at taking the ships
in Whydah road, that he could like the sport, were it
lawful; and whether if he had not told him, should the
Company discharge any surgeon, that he would insist on
it as his turn ? The deponent answered yes to every
question separately ; and farther, that he believes
Scudamore had not seen Wilson when he first came
and found him out of the Elizabeth.
He added in his own defence, that, being surgeon with
one John Tarlton, of Liverpool, he was met a first time
on this coast of Guinea by Eoberts the pirate, who, after
a day or two, told him, to his sorrow, that he was to stay
there, and ordered him to fetch his chest (not medicines,
as asserted), which opportunity he took to make his
escape ; for the boat's crew happening to consist of five
French and one Englishman, all as willing as himself,
they agreed to push the boat on shore and trust them-
selves with the negroes of Cape Montzerado. Hazardous,
not only in respect of the dangerous seas that run there,
but the inhumanity of the natives, who sometimes take a
liking to human carcases. Here he remained five months,
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 371
till Thomas Tarlton, brother to his captain, chanced to
put into the road for trade, to whom he represented his
hardships and starving condition ; but was, in an un-
christian manner, both refused a release of this captivity,
or so much as a small supply of biscuit and salt meat,
because, as he said, he had been among the pirates. A
little time after this the master of a French ship paid a
ransom for him and took him off; but, by reason of a
nasty leprous indisposition- he had contracted by hard and
bad living, was, to his great misfortune, set ashore at
Sestos again, when Captain Sharp met him and gene-
rously procured his release in the manner himself has
related, and for which he stands infinitely obliged. That
ill-luck threw him a second time into the pirates' hands,
in this ship Elizabeth, where he met Thomas Tarlton, and
thoughtlessly used some reproaches of him for his severe
treatment at Montzerado ; but protests without design his
words should have had so bad a consequence ; for Koberts
took upon him, as a dispenser of justice, the correction of
Mr. Tarlton, beating him unmercifully ; and, he hopes it
will be believed, contrary to any intention of his it should
so happen, because, as a stranger, he might be supposed
to have no influence, and believes there were some other
motives for it. He cannot remember he expressed himself
glad to see Eoberts this second time, or that he dropped
those expressions about Comry, as are sworn; but if
immaturity of judgment had occasioned him to slip rash
and inadvertent words, or that he had paid any undue
compliments to Eoberts, it was to ingratiate himself, as
every prisoner did, for a more civil treatment, and in
particular to procure his discharge, which he had been
promised, and was afraid would have been revoked, if
such a person as Comry did not remain there to supply
his room; and of this, he said, all the gentlemen
(meaning the pirates) could witness for him.
B72 THE LIFE OF
He urged also his youth in excuse for his rashness.
The first time he had been with them (only a month in
all), and that in no military employ ; but in particular the
service he had done in discovering the design the pirates
had to rise in their passage on board the Swallow.
Guilty.
But execution respited till the King's pleasure be known,
because the commander of the Siuallow had declared the
first notice he received of this design of the pirates to
rise was from him.
Benjamin Jeffreys.
By the depositions of Glasby and Lillburn (acquitted)
against this prisoner, it appeared that his drunkenness
was what at first detained him from going away in his
proper ship, the Norman galley ; and next morning, for
having been abusive in his drink, saying to the pirates
there was not a man amongst them, he received for a
welcome six lashes from every person in the ship, which
disordered him for some weeks, but on recovery was made
boatswain's mate ; the serving of which, or any office on
board a pirate, is at their own option (though elected),
because others are glad to accept what brings an additional
share in prize.
The deponents further say that at Sierra Leone every
man had more especially the means of escaping, and that
this prisoner, in particular, neglected it, and came off from
that place after the ship was under sail and going out of
the river.
The prisoner, in his defence, protests he was at first
forced, and that the office of boatswain's mate was im-
posed on him, and what he would have been glad to
relinquished. That the barbarous whipping he had re-
ceived from the pirates at first was for telling them that
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 373
none who could get their bread in an honest way would go
on such an account. And he had certainly taken the oppor-
tunity which presented at Sierra Leone of ridding himself
from so distasteful a life, if there had not been three or
four of the old pirates on shore at the same time who, he
imagined, must know of him, and would doubtless have
served him the same, if not worse, than they since had
done William Williams, who, for such a design, being
delivered up by the treacherous natives, had received two
lashes through the whole ship's company.
The Court observed the excuses of these pirates about
want of means to escape, was oftentimes as poor and
evasive as their pleas of being forced at first ; for here, at
Sierra Leone, every man had his liberty on shore, and, it
was evident, might have kept it, if he, or they, had so
pleased. And such are further culpable, who having been
introduced into the society by such uncivil methods as
whipping, or beating, neglect less likely means of re-
gaining liberty ; it shows strong inclinations to dishonesty,
and they stand inexcusably. Guilty.
Jo. Mansfield.
It was proved against this prisoner, by Captain Trahern
and George Fenn, that he was one of those volunteers who
was at the attack and robbery of the Company's ship
called the King Solomon. That he bullied well among
them who dared not make any reply, but was very easy
with his friends, who knew him ; for Moody on this
occasion took a large glass from him, and threatened to
blow his brains out (a favourite phrase with these pirates)
if he muttered at it.
From others acquitted it likewise appeared that he was
at first a volunteer among them, from an island called
874 TEE LIFE OF
Dominico, in the West Indies, and had, to recommend
himself, told them he was a deserter from the Rose man-of-
war, and, before that, had been on the highway ; he was
always drunk, they said, and so bad at the time they met
with the Swallow, that he knew nothing of the action, but
came up vapouring with his cutlass, after the Fortune had
struck her colours, to know who would go on board the
prize ; and it was some time before they could persuade
him into the truth of their condition.
He could say little in defence of himself, acknowledged
this latter part of drunkenness ; a vice, he says, that had
too great a share in ensnaring him into this course of
life, and had been a greater motive with him than gold.
Guilty.
William Davis.
William Allen deposed he knew this prisoner at Sierra
Leone, belonging to the Ann galley ; that he had a quarrel
with, and beat, the mate of that ship, for which, as he
said, being afraid to return to his duty, he consorted to
the idle customs and ways of living among the negroes,
from whom he received a wife, and ungratefully sold her
one evening for some punch to quench his thirst. After
this, having put himself under the protection of Mr.
Plunket, governor there for the Royal African Company,
the relations and friends of the woman applied to him for
redress, who immediately surrendered the prisoner, and
told them he did not care if they took his head off ; but
the negroes wisely judging it would not fetch so good a
price, they sold him in his turn again to Seignior Jessee, a
Christain black, and native of that place, who expected and
agreed for two years' service from him, on consideration of
what he had disbursed for the redemption of the woman.
But Jong before the expiration of this time Eoberts came
CAPTAIN BABTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 375
into Sierra Leone river, where the prisoner, as Seignior
Jessee assured the deponent, entered a volunteer with them.
The deponent further corroborates this part of the
evidence, in that he being obliged to call at Cape Mount,
in his passage down hither, met there with two deserters
from Eoberts's ship, who assured him of the same, and
that the pirates did design to turn Davis away the next
opportunity as an idle, good-for-nothing fellow.
From Glasby and Lillburn it was evident, that every
pirate, while they stayed at Sierra Leone, went on shore at
discretion. That Eoberts had often assured Mr. Glyn and
other traders at that place, that he would force nobody ;
and, in short, there was no occasion for it ; in particular,
the prisoner's row-mate went away, and thinks he might
have done the same if he had pleased.
The prisoner alleged his having been detained against
his will, and says that, returning with elephants' teeth for
Sierra Leone, the pirates' boat pursued and brought him
on board, where he was kept on account of his under-
standing the pilotage and navigation of that river.
It was obvious to the court, not only how frivolous
excuses of constraint and force were among these people,
at their first commencing pirates, but also it was plain to
them, from these two deserters, met at Cape Mount, and
the discretional manner they lived in at Sierra Leone,
through how little difficulty several of them did, and
others might have escaped afterwards, if they could but
have obtained their own consents for it. Guilty.
This is the substance of the trials of Eoberts's crew,
which may suffice for others that occur in this book. The
foregoing lists show, by a * before the names, who were
condemned ; those names with a t were referred for trial
to the Marshalsea, and all the rest were acquitted.
376 THE LIFE OF
The following pirates were executed, according to their
sentence, without the gates of Cape Corso Castle, within
the flood-marks, viz. : William Magnes, 35, Minehead ;
Eichard Hardy, 25, Wales ; David Simpson, 36, North
Berwick ; Christopher Moody, 28 ; Thomas Button, 23,
Berwick ; Valentine Ashplant, 32, Minories ; Peter de Vine,
42, Stepney; William Philips, 29, Lower Shadwell;
Philip Bill, 27, St. Thomas's ; William Main, 28 ; William
Mackintosh, 21, Canterbury ; William Williams, 40, near
Plymouth ; Eobert Haws, 31, Yarmouth ; William Petty,
30, Deptford ; John Jaynson, 22, near Lancaster ; Marcus
Johnson, 21, Smyrna ; Eobert Crow, 44, Isle of Man ;
Michael Maer, 41, Ghent ; Daniel Harding, 26, Grooms-
bury in Somersetshire ; William Fernon, 22, Somersetshire ;
Jo. More, 19, Meer, in Wiltshire ; Abraham Harper, 23,
Bristol ; Jo. Parker, 22, Winfred, in Dorsetshire ; Jo.
Philips, 28, Jersey ; James Clement, 20, Bristol ; Peter
Scudamore, 35, Wales ; James Skyrm, 44, Somersetshire ;
John Walden, 24, Whitby ; Jo. Stephenson, 40, Orkneys ;
Jo. Mansfield, 30, Bristol ; Israel Hynde, 30, Aberdeen ;
Peter Lesley, 21, Exeter; Charles Bunce, 26, Other St.
Mary's, Devonshire ; Eobert Birtson, 30, Cornwall;
Eichard Harris, 45, Sadbury, in Devonshire; Joseph
Nositer, 26 (speechless at execution) ; William Williams, 30,
Holland ; Agge Jacobson, 30, Bristol ; Benjamin Jeffreys,
21, Topsham ; Cuthbert Goss, 21, Plymouth ; John Jessup,
20, Plymouth; Edward Watts, 22, Dunmore ; Thomas
Giles, 26, Minehead ; William Wood, 27, York ; Thomas
Armstrong, 34, London (executed on board the Weymoutli) ;
Eobert Johnson, 32, at Whydah ; George Smith, 25, Wales ;
William Watts, 23, Ireland ; James Philips, 35, Antegoa ;
John Coleman, 24, Wales ; Eobert Hays, 20, Liverpool ;
William Davis, 23, Wales.
The remainder of the pirates, whose names are under-
CAPTAIN BAETHOLOMEW EGBERTS. 377
mentioned, upon their humble petition to the court, had
the*ir sentence changed from death to seven years' servitude,
conformable to our sentence of transportation. The petition
is as follows :
" To the Honourable the President and Judges of the Court of
Admiralty, for trying of pirates, sitting at Cape Corso
Castle, the ZQth day of April, 1722.
" The humble petition of Thomas How, Samuel Fletcher,
&c.
" Humbly showeth
" That your petitioners being unhappily, and unwarily
drawn into that wretched and detestable crime of piracy,
for which they now stand justly condemned, they most
humbly pray the clemency of the court, in the mitigation
of their sentence, that they may be permitted to serve the
Eoyal African Company of England, in this country for
seven years, in such a manner as the court shall think
proper ; that by their just punishment, being made sen-
sible of the error of their former ways, they will for the
future become faithful subjects, good servants, and useful
in their stations, if it please the Almighty to prolong their
lives.
"And your petitioners, as in duty, &c."
The resolution of the court was
"That the petitioners have leave by this Court of Ad-
miralty, to interchange indentures with the Captain-General
of the Gold Coast, for the Koyal African Company, for seven
years' servitude, at any of the Eoyal African Company's
settlements in Africa, in such manner as he, the said
Captain-General, shall think proper.
" On Thursday, the 26th day of April, the indentures
being all drawn out, according to the grant made to the
petitioners, by the court held on Friday the 20th of this
378 THE LIFE OF
instant, each prisoner was sent for up, signed, sealed and
exchanged them in the presence of
Captain MUNGO HEARDMAN, President,
JAMES PHIPPS, Esq.,
Mr. EDWARD HYDE,
Mr. CHARLES FANSHAW, and
Mr. JOHN ATKINS, Kegistrar."
A Copy of the Indenture.
The Indenture of a person condemned to serve abroad, for
piracy, which, upon the humble petition of the pirates
therein mentioned, was most mercifully granted by
his Imperial Majesty's Commissioners and Judges
appointed to hold a Court of Admiralty, for the trial
of pirates, at Cape Corso Castle, in Africa, upon con-
dition of serving seven years, and other conditions,
are as follows, viz. :
" This Indenture, made the twenty-sixth day of April,
Anno Eegni Eegis Georgii magnae Britannise, &c. Septimo,
Domini Millessimo, Sepcentessimo viginti duo, between
Roger Scot, late of the City of Bristol, mariner, of the one
part, and the Eoyal African Company of England, their
Captain-General and Commander-in-chief, for the time
being, on the other part, witnesseth, That the said Roger
Scot doth hereby covenant, and agree, to, and with, the
said Royal African Company, their Captain-General, and
Commander-in-chief for the time being, to serve him, or
his lawful successors, in any of the Royal African Com-
pany's settlements on the coast of Africa, from the day of
the date of these presents, to the full term of seven years,
from hence next ensuing, fully to be complete and ended ;
there to serve in such employment as the said Captain-
General or his successors shall employ him, according to
the custom of the country in like kind.
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW EGBERTS. 379
" In consideration whereof, the said Captain-General, and
Commander-in-chief, doth covenant and agree to, and with,
the said Eoger Scot, to find and allow him meat, drink,
apparel, and lodging, according to the custom of the
country.
" In witness whereof, the parties aforesaid, to these
presents, have interchangeably put their hands and seals,
the day and year first above written.
" Signed, sealed, and delivered, in the presence of us, at
Cape Corso Castle, in Africa, where no stamped paper was
to be had.
MUNGO HEARDMAN, President,
, Witnesses.
JOHN ATKINS, Eegistrar,
In like manner was drawn out and exchanged the inden-
tures of Thomas How, of Barnstaple, in the county of
Devon ; Samuel Fletcher, of East Smithfield, London ;
John Lane, of Lombard Street, London ; David Littlejohn,
of Bristol ; John King, of Shadwell parish, London ; Henry
Dennis, of Bideford ; Hugh Harris, of Corf Castle, Devon-
shire ; William Taylor, of Bristol ; Thomas Owen, of
Bristol ; John Mitchel, of Shadwell parish, London ;
Joshua Lee, of Liverpool; William Shuren, of Wapping
parish, London ; Eobert Hartley, of Liverpool ; John
Griffin, of Blackwall, Middlesex ; James Cromby, of Lon-
don, Wapping ; James Greenham, of Marshfield, Glouces-
tershire ; John Horn, of St. James's parish, London ; John
Jessup, of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire ; David Eice, of Bristol.
But two or three of whom, I hear, are now living ; two
others, viz., George Wilson and Thomas Oughterlaney,
were respited from execution till his Majesty's pleasure
should be known ; the former died abroad, and the latter
came home, and received his Majesty's pardon ; the
account of the whole stands thus : Acquitted, 74 ; exe-
cuted, 32 ; respited, 2 ; to servitude, 20 ; to the Marshal-
880 THE LIFE OF
sea, 17 ; killed in the Ranger, 10 ; killed in the Fortune, 8 ;
died in the passage to Cape Corso, 13 ; died afterwards in
the Castle, 4 ; negroes in both ships, 70 : total, 276.
I am not ignorant how acceptable a relation of the
behaviour and dying words of malefactors are to the
generality of our countrymen, and therefore shall deliver
what occurred worthy of notice in the deportment of these
criminals.
The first six that were called to execution were Magnes,
Moody, Simpson, Button, Ashplant, and Hardy ; all of
them old standers and notorious offenders. When they
were brought out of the hold, on the parade, in order to
break off their fetters, and fit the halters, none of them,
it was observed, appeared the least dejected, unless Sutton,
who spoke faint, but it was rather imputed to a flux that
had seized him two or three days before than fear. A
gentleman, who was surgeon of the ship, was so charitable
at this time, to offer himself in the room of an ordinary, and
represented to them, as well as he was able, the heinousness
of their sin, and necessity which lay on them of repentance ;
one particular part of which ought to be acknowledging
the justice they had met with. They seemed heedless for
the present, some calling for water to drink, and others
applying to the soldiers for caps ; but when this gentleman
pressed them for an answer, they all exclaimed against the
severity of the court, and were so hardened as to curse,
and wish the same justice might overtake all the members
of it as had been dealt to them. " They were poor
rogues," they said, " and so must be hanged, while others,
no less guilty in another way, escaped."
When he endeavoured to compose their minds, exhorting
them to die in charity with all the world, and would have
diverted them from such vain discourse by asking them
their country, age, and the like, some of them answered,
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 381
" What was that to him ? They suffered the law, and should
give no account but to God." They walked to the gallows
without a tear in token of sorrow for their past offences,
or showing as much concern as a man would express at
travelling a bad road ; nay, Simpson, at seeing a woman
that he knew, said, " He had lain with that b h three
times, and now she was come to see him hanged." And
Hardy, when his hands were tied behind him (which
happened from their not being acquainted with the way
of bringing malefactors to execution), observed, " That he
had seen many a man hanged, but this way of the hands
being tied behind them he was a stranger to and never
saw before in his life." I mention these two little instances
to show how stupid and thoughtless they were of their end,
and that the same abandoned and reprobate temper that
had carried them through their rogueries, abided with
them to the last.
Samuel Fletcher, another of the pirates ordered for
execution, but reprieved, seemed to have a quicker sense
of his condition ; for when he saw those he was allotted
with go to execution, he sent a message by the Provost-
Marshal to the court, to be " informed of the meaning of
it, and humbly desired to know whether they designed him
mercy or not ? If they did, he stood infinitely obliged to
them, and thought the whole service of his life an incom-
petent return for so great a favour ; but that if he was to
suffer, the sooner the better, he said, that he might be out
of his pain."
There were others of these pirates the reverse of this,
and though destitute of ministers or fit persons to repre-
sent their sins and assist them with spiritual advice, were
yet always employing their time to good purposes, and
behaved with a great deal of seeming devotion and peni-
tence ; among these may be reckoned Scudamore, Williams,
882 THE LIFE OF
Philips, Stephenson, Jeffreys, Lesly, Harper, Armstrong,
Bunce, and others.
Scudamore too lately discerned the folly and wicked-
ness of the enterprise, that had chiefly brought him under
sentence of death, from which, seeing there was no hopes
of escaping, he petitioned for two or three days' reprieve,
which was granted; and for that time applied himself
incessantly to prayer and reading the Scriptures. He
seemed to have a deep sense of his sins, of this in par-
ticular, and desired, at the gallows, they would have
patience with him, to sing the first part of the thirty-first
Psalm ; which he did by himself throughout.
Armstrong, having been a deserter from his Majesty's
service, was executed on board the Weymouth (and the only
one that was) ; there was nobody to press him to an
acknowledgment of the crime he died for, nor of sorrowing
in particular for it, which would have been exemplary, and
made suitable impressions on seamen; so that his last
hour was spent in lamenting and bewailing his sins in
general, exhorting the spectators to an honest and good
life, in which alone they could find satisfaction. In the
end he desired they would join with him in singing two
or three latter verses of the 140th Psalm ; and that being
concluded, he was, at the firing of a gun, triced up at the
fore -yard-arm.
Bunce was a young man, not above twenty-six years old,
but made the most pathetic speech of any at the gallows.
He first declaimed against the gilded baits of Power,
Liberty, and Wealth, that had ensnared him among the
pirates, his inexperienced years not being able to with-
stand the temptation ; but that the briskness he had
shown, which so fatally had procured him favour amongst
them, was not so much a fault in principle as the liveliness
and vivacity of his nature. He was now extremely afflicted
CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS. 383
for the injuries he had done to all men, and begged their's
and God's forgiveness, very earnestly exhorting the specta-
tors to remember their Creator in their youth, and guard
betimes, that their minds took not a wrong bias, concluding
with this apt similitude, " That he stood there as a beacon
upon a rock" (the gallows standing on one) "to warn erring
mariners of danger."
IV.
CAPTAIN AVEEY AND HIS CEEW.
Eomantic reports of his greatness His birth Is mate of a Bristol
man For what voyage designed Tampers with the seamen
Forms a plot for carrying off the ship Executes it, and how
The pirates take a rich ship belonging to the Great Mogul The
Great Mogul threatens the English settlements The pirates steer
their course back for Madagascar Call a council Put all the
treasure on board of Avery's ship Avery and his crew treacher-
ously leave his confederates Go to the Isle of Providence in the
West Indies Sell the ship Go to North America in a sloop
They disperse Avery goes to New England From thence to
Ireland Avery afraid to expose his diamonds for sale Goes over
to England Puts his wealth into merchant's hands of Bristol
Changes his name Lives at Bideford The merchants send him
no supplies Importunes them Goes privately to Bristol They
threaten to discover him Goes over to Ireland Solicits them
from thence Is very poor Works his passage over to Plymouth
Walks to Bideford Dies a beggar An account of Avery's con-
federates Their settlement at Madagascar They meet other
pirates An account of them The pirates deposed, and why
Marooned on the Island Mauritius Some account of that island
The adventures of the company continued Angria, an Indian
pirate His strength by land and sea The East India Company's
wars with him The pirates go the island of Melinda Their
barbarous behaviour there Hear of Captain Mackra's designs
against them Their reflections thereupon Sail for Cochin, a
Dutch settlement The pirates and the Dutch very good friends
Mutual presents made between the pirates and the Governor
The pirates in a fright Almost starved Take a prize of an
immense value Take an Ostend East Indianaan A short
description of Madagascar A prodigious dividend made by the
pirates A fellow's way of increasing his diamonds Some of the
THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN AVERT. 385
pirates quit, and join the remains of Avery The proceedings of
the men-of-war in those parts Some Dutchmen petition to be
among the pirates The pirates divided in their measures
Break up What became of them.
NONE of these bold adventurers were ever so much
talked of for a while as Avery : he made as great a
noise in the world as Meriveis does now, and was looked
upon to be a person of as great consequence ; he was repre-
sented in Europe as one that had raised himself to the
dignity of a king, and was likely to be the founder of a new
monarchy, having, as it was said, taken immense riches
and married the Great Mogul's daughter, who was taken
in an Indian ship which fell into his hands ; and that he
had by her many children, living in great royalty and
state ; that he built forts, erected magazines, and was
master of a stout squadron of ships, manned with able
and desperate fellows of all nations ; that he gave com-
missions out in his own name to the captains of his
ships and to the commanders of his forts, and
was acknowledged by them as their prince. A play
was written upon him, called "The Successful Pirate";
and these accounts obtained such belief that several
schemes were offered to the Council for fitting out a
squadron to take him, while others were for offering him
and his companions an Act of Grace and inviting them to
England, with all their treasure, lest his growing greatness
might hinder the trade of Europe to the East Indies.
Yet all these were no more than false rumours, improved
by the credulity of some and the humour of others who
love to tell strange things ; for while, it is said, he was
aspiring at a crown he wanted a shilling, and at the same
time it was given out he was in possession of such pro-
digious wealth in Madagascar he was starving in England.
No doubt but the reader will have a curiosity of knowing
25
386 THE LIFE OF
what became of this man, and what were the true grounds
of so many false reports concerning him ; therefore I shall,
in as brief a manner as I can, give his history.
He was born in the West of England near Plymouth, in
Devonshire ; being bred to the sea, he served as a mate of
a merchantman in several trading voyages. It happened
before the Peace of Eyswick, when there was an alliance
between Spain, England, Holland, &c. against France,
that the French in Martinico carried on a smuggling trade
with the Spaniards on the continent of Peru, which by the
law of Spain is not allowed to friends in time of peace, for
none but native Spaniards are permitted to traffic in those
parts or set their feet on shore, unless at any time they
are brought as prisoners ; wherefore they constantly keep
certain ships cruising along the coast, whom they call
Guarda del Costa, who have the orders to make prizes of
all ships they can light of within five leagues of land.
Now the French, growing very bold in trade, and the
Spaniards being poorly provided with ships, and those
they had being of no force, it often fell out that when they
light of the French smugglers they were not strong enough
to attack them, therefore it was resolved in Spain to hire
two or three stout foreign ships for their service, which
being known at Bristol, some merchants of that city fitted
out two ships of thirty odd guns, and one hundred and
twenty hands each, well furnished with provision and
ammunition, and all other stores ; and the hire being
agreed for by some agents for Spain, they were commanded
to sail for Corunna the Groine there to receive their
orders, and to take on board some Spanish gentlemen
who were to go passengers to New Spain.
Of one of these ships, which I take to be called the
Duke, Captain Gibson, commander, Avery was first mate, and
being a fellow of more cunning than courage, he insinuated
CAPTAIN AVERY. 387
himself into the good will of several of the boldest fellows
on board the other ship as well as that which he was on
board of. Having sounded their inclinations before he
opened himself, and finding them ripe for his design, he at
length proposed to them to run away with the ship, telling
them what great wealth was to be had upon the coast of
India. It was no sooner said than agreed to, and they
resolved to execute their plot at ten o'clock the night
following.
It must be observed the captain was one of those who
are mightily addicted to punch, so that he passed most of
his time on shore in some little drinking ordinary ; but
this day he did not go on shore as usual ; however, this
did not spoil the design, for he took his usual dose on
board, and so got to bed before the hour appointed for the
business. The men also who were not privy to the design
turned into their hammocks, leaving none upon deck but the
conspirators, who, indeed, were the greatest part of the
ship's crew. At the time agreed on the Duchess's long-
boat appeared, which, Avery hailing in the usual manner,
was answered by the men in her, " Is your drunken boat-
swain on board ? " which was the watchword agreed between
them, and Avery replying in the affirmative the boat came
aboard with sixteen stout fellows and joined the company.
When our gentry saw that all was clear they secured the
hatches, so went to work ; they did not slip the anchor, but
weighed it leisurely, and so put to sea without any disorder
or confusion, though there were several ships then lying in
the bay, and among them a Dutch frigate of forty guns,
the captain of which was offered a great reward to go out
after her ; but Mynheer, who perhaps would not have been
willing to have been served so himself, could not be pre-
vailed upon to give such usage to another, and so let Mr.
Avery pursue his voyage whither he had a mind to.
388 THE LIFE OF
The captain, who by this time was awakened, either by
the motion of the ship or the noise of working the tackles,
rung the bell. Avery and two others went into the cabin.
The captain, half asleep, and in a kind of fright, asked,
" What was the matter ? " Avery answered coolly,
"Nothing." The captain replied, " Something's the matter
with the ship. Does she drive? What weather is it?" think-
ing nothing less than that it had been a storm and that
the ship was driven from her anchors. " No, no," answered
Avery, " we're at sea, with a fair wind and good weather."
"At sea!" says the captain; "how can that be?"
" Come," says Avery, " don't be in a fright, but put on
your clothes, and I'll let you into a secret. You must
know that I am captain of this ship now, and this is my
cabin, therefore you must walk out. I am bound to
Madagascar, with a design of making my own fortune, and
that of all the brave fellows joined with me."
The captain having a little recovered his senses began to
apprehend the meaning. However, his fright was as great
as before, which Avery perceiving, bade him fear nothing ;
" for," says he, " if you have a mind to make one of us
we will receive you, and if you'll turn sober and mind your
business, perhaps in time I may make you one of my lieu-
tenants ; if not, here's a boat alongside, and you shall be
set ashore."
The captain was glad to hear this, and therefore accepted
of his offer ; and the whole crew being called up, to know
who was willing to go on shore with the captain and who
to seek their fortunes with the rest, there were not above
five or six who were willing to quit this enterprise. Where-
fore they were put into the boat with the captain that
minute and made their way to the shore as well as they
could.
They proceeded on their voyage to Madagascar ; but I
CAPTAIN AVEEY. 889
do not find they took any ships in their way. When they
arrived at the north-east part of that island they found two
sloops at anchor, who, upon seeing them, slipped their
cables and run themselves ashore, the men all landing and
running into the woods. These were two sloops which the
men had run away with from the West Indies, and seeing
Avery, they supposed him to be some frigate sent to take
them, and therefore not being of force to engage him they
did what they could to save themselves.
He guessed where they were, and sent some of his men
on shore to let them know they were friends, and to offer
they might join together for their common safety. The
sloops' men were well armed, and had posted themselves in
a wood, with sentinels just on the outside to observe whether
the ship landed her men to pursue them, and they ob-
serving only two or three men to come towards them
without arms, did not oppose them ; but having chal-
lenged them, and they answering that they were friends,
they led them to their body, where they delivered
their message. At first they apprehended it was a
stratagem to decoy them on board, but when the ambas-
sadors offered that the captain himself and as many of
the crew as they should name would meet them on shore
without arms, they believed them to be in earnest, and
they soon entered into a confidence with one another, those
on board going on shore and some of those on shore going
on board.
The sloops' men were rejoiced at the new ally, for their
vessels were so small that they could not attack a ship
of any force, so that hitherto they had not taken any con-
siderable prize ; but now they hoped to fly at high game.
And Avery was as well pleased at this reinforcement to
strengthen them for any brave enterprise, and though the
booty must be lessened to each by being divided into so
390 THE LIFE OF
many shares, yet lie found out an expedient not to suffer
by it himself, as shall be shown in its place.
Having consulted what was to be done, they resolved to
sail out together upon a cruise the galley and two sloops.
They therefore fell to work to get the sloops off, which
they soon effected, and steered towards the Arabian coast.
Near the Eiver Indus the man at the masthead spied a sail,
upon which they gave chase, and as they came nearer to
her they perceived her to be a tall ship, and fancied she
might be a Dutch East Indiaman homeward bound ; but
she proved a better prize. When they fired at her to bring
to she hoisted Mogul's colours, and seemed to stand upon
her defence. Avery only cannonaded at a distance, and
some of his men began to suspect that he was not the hero
they took him for. However, the sloops made use of their
time, and coming one on the bow and the other on the
quarter of the ship, clapped her on board and entered her,
upon which she immediately struck her colours and yielded.
She was one of the Great Mogul's own ships, and there
were in her several of the greatest persons of his Court,
among whom it was said was one of his daughters, who
were going on a pilgrimage to Mecca, the Mahometans
thinking themselves obliged once in their lives to visit
that place ; and they were carrying with them rich offerings
to present at the shrine of Mahomet. It is known that
the Eastern people travel with the utmost magnificence, so
that they had with them all their slaves and attendants,
their rich habits and jewels, with vessels of gold and silver,
and great sums of money to defray the charges of their
journey by land ; wherefore the plunder got by this prize
is not easily computed.
Having taken all the treasure on board their own ships,
and plundered their prize of everything else they either
wanted or liked, they let her go ; she not being able to
CAPTAIN AVERT. 391
continue her voyage, returned back. As soon as the news
came to the Mogul, and he knew that they were English
who had robbed them, he threatened loud, and talked
of sending a mighty army with fire and sword to
extirpate the English from all their settlements on the
Indian coast. The East India Company in England were
very much alarmed at it ; however, by degrees they found
means to pacify him, by promising to do their endeavours
to take the robbers and deliver them into his hands ;
however, the great noise this thing made in Europe as
well as in India, was the occasion of all these romantic
stories which were formed of Avery's greatness.
In the meantime our successful plunderers agreed to
make the best of their way back to Madagascar, intending
to make that place their magazine or repository for all
their treasure, and to build a small fortification there,
and leave a few hands always ashore to look after it
and defend it from any attempts of the natives ; but Avery
put an end to this project, and made it altogether un-
necessary.
As they were steering their course as has been said,
he sends a boat on board of each of the sloops desiring
the chief of them to come on board of him in order to
hold a council; they did so, and he told them he had
something to propose to them for the common good,
which was to provide against accidents ; he bade them
consider the treasure they were possessed of would be
sufficient for them all if they could secure it in some place
on shore, therefore all they had to fear was some mis-
fortune in the voyage ; he bade them consider the con-
sequences of being separated by bad weather, in which
case the sloops, if either of them should fall in with any
ships of force, must be either taken or sunk, and the
treasure on board her lost to the rest, besides the common
302 THE LIFE OF
accidents of the sea ; as for his part he was so strong
he was able to make his party good with any ship they
were likely to meet in those seas; that if he met with
any fchip of such strength, and could not take her, he was
safe from being taken, being so well-manned, besides, his
ship was a quick sailor, and could carry sail when their
sloops could not, wherefore he proposed to them to put
the treasure on board his ship, to seal up each chest with
three seals, whereof each was to keep one, and to appoint
a rendezvous in case of separation.
Upon considering this proposal it appeared so reason-
able to them that they readily came into it, for they
argued to themselves that an accident might happen to
one of the sloops and the other escape, wherefore it was
for the common good. The thing was done as agreed to,
the treasure put on board of Avery, and the chests sealed ;
they kept company that day and the next, the weather
being fair, in which time Avery tampered with his men,
telling them they now had sufficient to make them all easy,
and what should hinder them from going to some country
where they were not known and living on shore all the
rest of their days in plenty. They understood what he
meant, and, in short, they all agreed to bilk their new
allies, the sloops' men ; nor do I find that any of them
felt any qualms of honour rising in his stomach to hinder
them from consenting to this piece of treachery. In fine,
they took advantage of the darkness that night, steered
another course, and by morning lost sight of them.
I leave the reader to judge what swearing and confusion
there was among the sloops' men in the morning when
they saw that Avery had given them the slip, for they
knew by the fairness of the weather and the course they
had agreed to steer, that it must have been done on pur-
pose. But we leave them at present to follow Mr. Avery.
CAPTAIN AVERY. 393
Avery and his men, having consulted what to do with
themselves, came to a resolution to make the best of their
way towards America, and, none of them being known
in those parts, they intended to divide the treasure, to
change their names, to go ashore, some in one place some
in another, to purchase some settlements and live at ease.
The first land they made was the island of Providence, then
newly settled ; here they stayed some time, and having con-
sidered that when they should go to New England the
greatness of their ship would cause much inquiry about
them, and possibly some people from England who had
heard the story of a ship's being run away with from the
Groine might suspect them to be the people, they therefore
took a resolution of disposing of their ship at Providence.
Upon which Avery, pretending that the ship being fitted
out upon the privateering account and having had no
success, he had received orders from the owners to dispose
of her to the best advantage, He soon met with a pur-
chaser,, and immediately bought a sloop.
In this sloop he and his companions embarked. They
touched at several parts of America, where no person
suspected them, and some of them went on shore, and
dispersed themselves about the country, having received
such dividends as Avery would give them, for he con-
cealed the greatest part of the diamonds from them, which
in the first hurry of plundering the ship they did not
much regard, as not knowing their value.
At length he came to Boston, in New England, and
seemed to have a desire of settling in those parts, and
some of his companions went on shore there also, but he
changed his resolution, and proposed to the few of his
companions who were left to sail for Ireland, which they
consented to. He found out that New England was not
a proper place for him, because a great deal of his wealth
394 TEE LIFE OF
lay in diamonds, and should he have produced them there
he would have certainly been seized on suspicion of piracy.
In their voyage to Ireland they avoided St. George's
Channel, and sailing north about, they put into one of the
northern ports of that kingdom; there they disposed of
their sloop, and coming on shore they separated them-
selves, some going to Cork, and some to Dublin, eighteen
of whom obtained their pardons afterwards of King
William. When Avery had remained some time in this
kingdom he was afraid to offer his diamonds for sale,
lest an inquiry into his manner of coming by them
should occasion a discovery ; therefore, considering with
himself what was best to be done, he fancied there were
some persons at Bristol whom he might venture to trust ;
upon which he resolved to pass over into England ; he did
so, and, going into Devonshire, he sent one of these
friends to meet him at a town called Bideford. When
he had communicated himself to his friends, and con-
sulted with them about the means of his effects, they
agreed that the safest method would be to put them in
the hands of some merchants, who, being men of wealth
and credit in the world, no inquiry would be made how
they came by them. This friend telling him he was very
intimate with some who were very fit for the purpose,
and if he would but allow them a good commission would
do the business very faithfully. Avery liked the proposal,
for he found no other way of managing his affairs,
since he could not appear in them himself ; therefore his
friend going back to Bristol and opening the matter to
the merchants they made Avery a visit at Bideford,
where, after some protestations of honour and integrity,
he delivered them his effects, consisting of diamonds and
some vessels of gold ; they gave him a little money for his
present subsistence, and so they parted.
CAP TAIN A VEBY. 395
He changed his name and lived at Bideford without
making any figure, and therefore there was no great
notice taken of him ; yet let one or two of his relations
know where he was, who came to see him. In some time
his little money was spent, yet he heard nothing from his
merchants. He wrote to them often, and after much
importunity they sent him a small supply, but scarce
sufficient to pay his debts ; in fine, the supplies they
sent him from time were so small that they were not
sufficient to give him bread, nor could he get that little
without a great deal of trouble and importunity ; where-
fore, being weary of his life, he went privately to Bristol
to speak to the merchants himself, where, instead of
money he met a most shocking repulse, for when he desired
them to come to an account with him they silenced him
by threatening to discover him, so that our merchants
were as good pirates on land as he was on sea.
Whether he was frightened by these menaces, or had
seen somebody else he thought knew him, is not known ;
but he went immediately over to Ireland, and from then.ce
solicited his merchants very hard for a supply, but to
no purpose, for he was even reduced to beggary. In this
extremity he was resolved to return and cast himself upon
them, let the consequences be what it would. He put
himself on board a trading vessel, and worked his passage
over to Plymouth, from whence he travelled on foot to
Bideford, where he had been but a few days before he fell sick
and died, not being worth as much as would buy him a coffin.
Thus have I given all that could be collected of any
certainty concerning this man, rejecting the idle stories
which were made of his fantastic greatness, by which it
appears . that his actions were more inconsiderable than
those of other pirates since him, though he made more
noise in the world.
896 TEE LIFE OF
Now we shall turn back and give our readers some
account of what became of the two sloops.
We took notice of the rage and confusion which must
have seized them upon their missing of Avery. However,
they continued their course, some of them still flattering
themselves that he had only outsailed them in the night,
and that they should find him at the place of rendezvous.
But when they came there, and could hear no tidings
of him there was end of hope. It was time to consider
what they should do with themselves ; their stock of sea
provision was almost spent, and though there was rice and
fish, and fowl to be had ashore, yet these would not keep
for sea without being properly cured with salt, which they
had no conveniences of doing ; therefore, since they could
not go a-cruising any more, it was time to think of
establishing themselves on land; to which purpose they
took all things out of the sloops, made tents of the sails,
and encamped themselves, having a large quantity of
ammunition and abundance of small arms.
Here they met with several of their countrymen, the
crew of a privateer sloop which was commanded by
Captain Thomas Tew; and, since it will be but a short
digression, we will give an account how they came here.
Captain George Dew and Captain Thomas Tew having
received commissions from the then Governor of Bermudas
to sail directly for the river Gambia in Africa, there, with
the advice and assistance of the agents of the Koyal
African Company, to attempt the taking the French
factory at Goorie, lying upon that coast. In a few days
after they sailed out, Dew, in a violent storm, not only
sprung his mast, but lost sight of his consort ; Dew there-
fore returned back to refit, and Tew, instead of proceeding
on his voyage, made for the Cape of Good Hope, and
doubling the said Cape, shaped his course for the Straits of
CAPTAIN AVEBY. 397
Babel Mandel, being the entrance into the Eed Sea. Here
he came up with a large ship, richly laden, bound from
the Indies to Arabia, with three hundred soldiers on board,
besides seamen ; yet Tew had the hardiness to board her,
and soon carried her ; and it is said by this prize his men
shared near three thousand pounds a-piece. They had
intelligence from the prisoners of five other rich ships to
pass that way, which Tew would have attacked, though
they were very strong, if he had not been overruled by
the quartermaster and others. This differing in opinion
created some ill blood amongst them, so that they resolved
to break up pirating, and no place was so fit to receive
them as Madagascar ; hither they steered, resolving to live
on shore and enjoy what they got.
As for Tew himself, he, with a few others, in a short
time went off to Ehode Island, from whence he made his
peace.
Thus have we accounted for the company our pirates
met with here.
It must be observed that the natives of Madagascar
are a kind of negroes ; they differ from those of Guinea in
their hair, which is long, and their complexion is not so
good a jet ; they have innumerable little princes among
them, who are continually making war upon one another ;
their prisoners are their slaves, and they either sell them or
put them to death as they please. When our pirates first
settled amongst them their alliance was much courted by
these princes, so they sometimes joined one, sometimes
another, but wheresoever they sided they were sure to be
victorious, for the negroes here had no firearms, nor did
they understand their use ; so that at length these pirates
became so terrible to the negroes that if two or three of
them were only seen on one side when they were going to
engage, the opposite side would fly without striking a blow.
398 THE LIFE OF
By these means they not only became feared, but
powerful ; all the prisoners of war they took to be their
slaves ; they married the most beautiful of the negro
women, not one or two, but as many as they liked ; so that
every one of them had as great a seraglio as the Grand
Seignior at Constantinople. Their slaves they employed in
planting rice, in fishing, hunting, &c., besides which they
had abundance of others who lived, as it were, under their
protection, and to be secure from their disturbances or
attacks of their powerful neighbours, these seemed to pay
them a willing homage. Now they began to divide from
one another, each living with his own wives, slaves, and
dependents, like a separate prince ; and as power and plenty
naturally beget contention, they sometimes quarrelled
with one another, and attacked each other at the head of
their several armies ; and in these civil wars many of them
were killed ; but an ancident happened which obliged them
to unite again for their common safety.
It must be observed that these sudden great 'men had
used their power like tyrants, for they grew wanton in
cruelty, and nothing was more common than, upon the
slightest displeasure, to cause one of their dependents to
be tied to a tree and shot through the heart let the crime
be what it would, whether little or great, this was always
the punishment ; wherefore the negroes conspired together
to rid themselves of these destroyers all in one night ; and
as they now lived separate the thing might easily have
been done had not a woman, who had been wife or
concubine to one of them, run near twenty miles in three
hours to discover the matter to them. Immediately upon
the. alarm they ran together as fast as they could, so
that when the negroes approached them they found them
all up in arms ; wherefore they retired without making any
. attempt.
CAPTAIN AVERT. 399
This escape made them very cautious from that time,
and it will be worth while to describe the policy of these
brutish fellows, and to show what measures they took to
secure themselves.
They found that the fear of their power could not secure
them against a surprise, and the bravest man may be
killed when he is asleep by one much his inferior in
courage and strength ; therefore, as their first security,
they did all they could to foment war between the
neighbouring negroes, remaining neuter themselves, by
which means those who were overcome constantly fled to
them for protection, otherwise they must be either killed
or made slaves. They strengthened their party, and tied
some to them by interest ; [when there was no war they
contrived to spirit up private quarrels among them, and
upon every little dispute or misunderstanding push on one
side or other to revenge, instruct them how to attack or
surprise their adversaries, and lend them loaded pistols or
firelocks to dispatch them with, the consequence of which
was that the murderer was forced to fly to them for the
safety of his life with his wives, children, and kindred.
Such as these were fast friends, as their lives depended
upon the safety of the protectors ; for, as we observed
before, oar pirates were grown so terrible that none of
their neighbours had resolution enough to attack them
in an open war.
By such arts as these, in the space of a few years their
body was greatly increased ; they then began to separate
themselves and remove at a greater distance from one
another for the convenience of more ground, and were
divided, like Jews, into tribes, each carrying with him his
wives and children (of which by this time they had a large
family), as also their quota of dependents and followers.
And if power and command be the thing which distinguish
400 THE LIFE OF
a prince, these ruffians had all the marks of royalty about
them ; nay more, they had the very fears which commonly
disturb tyrants, as may .be seen by the extreme caution
they took in fortifying the places where they dwelt.
In this plan of fortification they imitated one another.
Their dwellings were rather citadels than houses ; they
made choice of a place overgrown with a wood, and
situate near a water ; they raised a rampart or high
ditch round it, so straight and high that it was impossible
to climb it, and especially by those who had not the use of
scaling ladders ; over this ditch there was one passage into
the wood ; the dwelling, which was a hut, was built in that
part of the wood which the prince who inhabited it
thought fit, but so covered that it could not be seen till
you came to it ; but the greatest cunning lay in the passage
which led to the hut, which was so narrow that no more
than one person could go abreast, and contrived in so
intricate a manner that it was a perfect maze or
labyrinth, it being round and round, with several little
cross-ways, so that a person that was not well acquainted
with the way might walk several hours round and cross
these ways without being able to find the hut ; moreover, all
along the sides of these narrow paths certain large thorns
which grew upon a tree in that country were struck into
the ground with their points uppermost, and the path it-
self, being made crooked and serpentine, if a man should
attempt to come near the hut at night he would certainly
have stuck upon these thorns, though he had been pro-
vided with that clue which Ariadne gave to Theseus when
be entered the cave of the Minataur.
Thus tyrant-like they lived, fearing and feared by all ;
and in this situation they were found by Captain Woods'
Eogers when he went to Madagascar in the Delicia, a ship
of forty guns, with a design of buying slaves, in order to
CAPTAIN AVERY. 401
sell to the Dutch at Batavia or New England. He
happened to touch upon a part of the island where no
ship had been seen for seven or eight years before, where
he met with some of the pirates, at which time they had
been upon the island above twenty-five years, having
a large motley generation of children and grandchildren
descended from them, there being about that time eleven
of them remaining alive.
Upon their first seeing a ship of this force and burthen
they supposed it to be a man-of-war sent to take them ;
they therefore lurked within their fastnesses; but when
some from the ship came on shore without any show of
hostility, and offering to trade with the negroes, they
ventured to come out of their holes, attended like
princes; and since they actually are kings de facto,
whichis a kind of a right, we ought to speak of them as
such.
Having been so many years upon this island it may be
imagined their clothes had long been worn out, so that
their majesties were extremely out at the elbows ; I cannot
say they were ragged, since they had no clothes they had
nothing to cover them but the skins of beasts without any
tanning, but with all their hair on, nor a shoe nor stocking,
so they looked like the pictures of Hercules in the lion's
skin ; and being overgrown with beard, and hair upon their
bodies, they appeared the most savage figures that a man's
imagination can frame.
However, they soon got rigged, for they sold great
numbers of those poor people under them for clothes,
knives, saws P powder and ball, and many other things, and
became so familiar that they went aboard the Delicia,
and were observed to be very curious, examining the
inside of the ship, and very familiar with the men, inviting
them ashore. Their design in doing this, as they after-
26
402 THE LIFE OF
wards confessed, was to try if it was not practicable to-
surprise the ship in the night, which they judged very easy
in case there was but a slender watch kept on board, they
having boats and men enough at command ; but it seems
the captain was aware of them, and kept so strong a watch
upon deck that they found it was in vain to make any
attempt ; wherefore, when some of the men went ashore
they were for inveigling them and drawing them into-
a plot for seizing the captain, and securing the rest of the
men under hatches when they should have the night-
watch, promising a signal to come on board and join
them, proposing, if they succeeded, to go a-pirating together,
not doubting but with that ship they should be able to
take anything they met on the sea.- But the captain,
observing an intimacy growing between them and some
of his men, thought it could be for no good ; he therefore
broke it off in time, not suffering them so much as to talk
together ; and when he sent a boat on shore with an officer
to treat with them about the sale of slaves, the crew re-
mained on board the boat, and no man was suffered to-
talk with them but the person deputed by him for that
purpose.
Before he sailed away, and they found that nothing was
to be done, they confessed all the designs they had formed
against him. Thus he left them as he found them, in a
great deal of dirty state and royalty, but with fewer
subjects than they had, having, as we observed, sold many
of them ; and if ambition be the darling passion of men,
no doubt they were happy. One of these great princes had
formerly been a waterman upon the Thames, where, having
committed a murder, he fled to the West Indies, and was of
the number of those who ran away with the sloops, the rest
had been all foremast men, nor was there a man amongst
them who could either read or write, and yet their
CAPTAIN AVERY. 403
Secretaries of State had no more learning than them-
selves. This is all the account we can give of these
kingdoms of Madagascar, some of whom it is probable
are reigning to this day.
THE END.
CNWIN BROTHERS, THE GRESHAM PRESS, CHILWOKTH AND LONDON.
Mr. T. FISHER UNWIN
*
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THE desire ot the English people for genuine accounts of the adventures 01
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22
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23
A Fai T- Folk Story-Book. By the
Hon M ARGARET COLLIER (Madame
Galletti di Cadilhac), Author of " Our Home by the
Adriatic." Illustrated by the Hon. JOHN COLLIER. Sq.
imp. i6mo., cloth, 55.
Delightful in style and fancy." Scotsman.
A volume of charming stories. 1 ' Saturday Review.
KT^ci-
rsest,
and other Sermons for Children of all
Ages By the Rev SAMUEL Co x, D.D.,
Author of " Expositions," &c. Cheap and Popular Edition.
Imp. i6mo., cloth, 33. 6d.
" These beautiful discourses were addressed to children of all ages, and must
have found an echo in the hearts of many youthful listeners." St. James's Gazette.
\rminiiiQ Vamhrv His Life and Adventures -
Armmms vamoery, written by Himself, with
Introductory Chapter dedicated to the Boys of England.
Portrait and Seventeen Illustrations. Crown 8vo., 53.
" We welcome it as one of the best books of travel that our boys could have
possibly placed in their hands." Schoolmaster.
Own Stories B ? AscOTT R - HopE ' Author of
^Wll OLUllCb. stories of Young Adventurers,"
" Stories out of School Time," &c. Eight Illustrations.
Crown 8vo., cloth, 55.
1 ' This is a really admirable selection of genuine narrative and history, treated
with discretion and skill by the author. Mr. Hope has not gathered his stores
from the highway, but has explored far afield in less-beaten tracts, as may be seen in
his ' Adventures of a Ship-boy' and 'A Smith among Savages.' " Saturday Review.
The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe.
Newly Edited after the Original Editions. Nineteen Illus-
trations. Large crown 8vo., cloth extra, 55.
Two Little Confederates. *? TH M S * EL f s N
PAGE. With eight full-
page illustrations by E. W. KEMBLE and A. C. REDWOOD.
Square 8vo., cloth, 6s.
1 ' A charming story. " American Traveller.
THE CAtMEO SERIES.
Half-bound, paper boards, price 35. 6d. each. Fine Edition, bound in parchment.
printed on Japan paper, numbered and signed, 30 copies only printed,
25 being for sale; terms on application from Booksellers or the Publisher.
T The T,2flv frnm tV\e> ^ea % HENKIK IBSEN. Translated
i . me j_,aay iron me sea. b ^ ELEAXOR MARX-AVELING.
'A powerful study." Notes and Queries.
2. A London PlanC-Tree, and Other Poems. By AMY LEVY.
" True and tender poetry." Saturday Review.
3. Wordsworth's Grave, wl-rs?^ Poems ' By WlLLIAM
"True, choicely-worded, well-turned quatrains, which succeed each other like the strong
unbroken waves of a full tide." Mr. COSMO MONKHOUSE in The Academy.
A T r\ \\ \ ere* n i a ir> O/^l r V i With some Translations from the Greek,
f ipmgcilld. Ill l^Clpm, by R , CHARD GARNETT, LL.D. Illus-
trated.
" A veiy charming volume. . . . Dr. Garnett has achieved a very interesting and scholarly
piece of work." Manchester Guardian.
C Mireifi A Provencal Poem By FREDERIC MISTRAL.
5. iviircio . n. rroveiicdi rocin. Tranilated by H w .
PRESTON. Frontispiece by JOSEPH PENNELL.
6 T vrirs Delected from the Warks of A. MARY F. ROBINSON (Mdme.
U. L(VliL.t). j as Darmesteter). Frontispiece. [Nearly Ready.
~! PnemQ nf RnKprt SnrteeQ Introduction by EDWARD PEA-
7. rOemS Or IVOOCIt OliriCCb. COCK {In Preparation.
A few cobles of the Edition de Luxe of the earlier Volumes in the Series may still
be had. Prices on application .
THE cpSEU^DOUVYoM LI^RoARY.
UNDER this title will be published a collection of entirely New Novels and
Romances, neatly printed and tastefully bound. They will be specially
suited by their brightness and originality for holiday reading.
2%mo. , cloth, price is. 6d. each.
1. Mademoiselle Ixe. ^ LANOE FALCON EK [A ^,
2. The Story of Eleanor Lambert. B ^ MAC [ ^ I ^S"
3. The Mystery of the Campagna ; and, a Shadow
on a Wave. By VON DEGEN. [/ Preparation.
OTHER VOLUMES ARE IN ACTIVE PREPARATION.
LONDON: T. FISHER UN WIN, PATERNOSTER SQUARE, B.C.
(f
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PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE
CARDS OR SLIPS FROM THIS POCKET
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY
Exquemelin, Alexandra Olivier
T ^ e Bu can eers and liarooners
of America.
1891
