Chapter XI (5)

Notwithstanding what had passed, Captain _Massey_ puts a bold Face upon the Matter, and goes to Sir _Nicholas Laws_, the Governor, informs him of his leaving _Lowther_ the Pyrate, owns, _That he assisted in going off with the Ship, at the River_ Gambia; but said, _'twas to save so many of his Majesty's Subjects from perishing, and that his Design was to return to_ England; _but_ Lowther _conspiring with the greater Part of the Company, went a pyrating with the Ship; and that he had taken this Opportunity to leave him, and surrender himself and Vessel to his Excellency._

_Massey_ was very well received by the Governor, and had his Liberty given him, with a Promise of his Favour, and so forth; and, at his own Request, he was sent on Board the _Happy_ Sloop, Captain _Laws_, to cruise off _Hispaniola_, for _Lowther_; but not being so fortunate as to meet with him, Captain _Massey_ returned back to _Jamaica_ in the Sloop, and getting a Certificate, and a Supply of Money, from the Governor, he came home Passenger to _England._

When _Massey_ came to Town, he writes a long Letter to the Deputy Governor and Directors of the _African_ Company, wherein he imprudently relates the whole Transactions of his Voyage, the going off with the Ship, and the Acts of Pyracy he had committed with _Lowther_; but excuses it as Rashness and Inadvertency in himself, occasioned by his being ill used, contrary to the Promises that had been made him, and the Expectations he had entertained; but own'd, that he deserved to dye for what he had done; yet, if they had Generosity enough to forgive him, as he was still capable to do them Service, as a Soldier, so he should be very ready to do it; but if they resolved to prosecute him, he begg'd only this Favour, that he might not be hang'd like a Dog, but to die like a Soldier, as he had been bred from his Childhood, that is, that he might be shot.

This was the Substance of the Letter, which, however, did not produce so favourable an Answer as he hoped for, Word being brought back to him, _That he should be fairly hang'd._ Whereupon, _Massey_ resolved not to be out of the Way, when he found what important Occasion there was likely to be for him, but takes a Lodging in _Aldersgate-Street_, the next Day went to the Lord Chief Justice's Chambers, and enquired, if my Lord had granted a Warrant against Captain _John Massey_, for Pyracy: But being told by the Clerks, that they knew of no such Thing; he informed them, he was the Man, that my Lord would soon be apply'd to for that Purpose, and the Officer might come to him at such a Place, where he lodg'd: They took the Directions in Writing, and, in a few Days, a Warrant being issued, the Tipstaff went directly, by his own Information, and apprehended him, without any other Trouble, than walking to his Lodging.

There was then no Person in Town to charge him with any Fact, upon which he could be committed; nor could the Letter be proved to be of his Hand-Writing, so that they had been obliged to let him go again, if he had not helped his Accusers out at Pinch: The Magistrate was reduced to the putting of this Question to him, _Did you write this Letter?_ He answered, _He did_: And not only that, but confessed all the Contents of it; upon which, he was committed to _Newgate_, but was afterwards admitted to a hundred Pounds Bail, or thereabouts.

On the 5th of _July_ 1723, he was brought to his Tryal, at a Court of Admiralty held at the _Old-Baily_, when Captain _Russel_, Governor _Whitney_'s Son, and others, appeared as Evidences, by whom the Indictment was plainly proved against him; which, if it had not been done, the Captain was of such an heroick Spirit, that he would have deny'd nothing; for instead of making a Defence, he only entertained the Court with a long Narrative of his Expedition, from the first setting out, to his Return to _England_, mentioning two Acts of Pyracy committed by him, which he was not charged with, often challenging the Evidences to contradict him, if in any Thing he related the least Syllable of an Untruth; and instead of denying the Crimes set forth in the Indictment, he charged himself with various Circumstances, which fixed the Facts more home upon him. Upon the whole, the Captain was found Guilty, received Sentence of Death, and was executed three Weeks after, at _Execution-Dock._

We return now to _Lowther_, whom we left cruising off _Hispaniola_, from whence he plyed to Windward, and, near _Porto Rico_, chased two Sail, and spoke with them; they proving to be a small _Bristol_ Ship, commanded by Captain _Smith_, and a _Spanish_ Pyrate, who had made Prize of the said Ship. _Lowther_ examined into the _Spaniard_'s Authority for taking an _English_ Vessel, and threat'ned to put every Man of them to death, for so doing; so that the _Spaniards_ fancied themselves to be in a very pittiful Condition, till Matters cleared up, and they found their Masters as great Rogues as themselves, from whom some Mercy might be expected, in regard to the near Relation they stood with them, as to their Profession; in short, _Lowther_ first rifled, and then burnt both the Ships, sending the _Spaniards_ away in their Launch, and turning all the _English_ Sailors into Pyrates.

After a few Days Cruise, _Lowther_ took a small Sloop belonging to St. _Christophers_, which they mann'd and carried along with them to a small Island, where they cleaned, and stay'd some Time to take their Diversions, which consisted in unheard of Debaucheries, with drinking, swearing and rioting, in which there seemed to be a kind of Emulation among them, resembling rather Devils than Men, striving who should out do one another in new invented Oaths and Execrations.

They all got aboard about _Christmas_, observing neither Times nor Seasons, for perpetrating their villainous Actions, and sailed towards the Bay of _Honduras_; but stopping at the _Grand Caimanes_ for Water, they met with a small Vessel with 13 Hands, in the same honourable Employment with themselves; the Captain of this Gang was one _Edward Lowe_, whom we shall particularly discourse of in a Chapter by it self: _Lowther_ received them as Friends, and treated them with all imaginable Respect, inviting them, as they were few in Number, and in no Condition to pursue the Account, (as they called it) to join their Strength together, which on the Consideration aforesaid, was accepted of, _Lowther_ still continuing Commander, and _Lowe_ was made Lieutenant: The Vessel the new Pyrates came out of, they sunk, and the Confederates proceed on the Voyage as _Lowther_ before intended.

The 10th of _January_, the Pyrates came into the Bay, and fell upon a Ship of 200 Tun, called the _Greyhound, Benjamin Edwards_ Commander, belonging to _Boston. Lowther_ hoisted his pyratical Colours, and fired a Gun for the _Greyhound_ to bring to, which she refusing, the _Happy Delivery_ (the Name of the Pyrate) edg'd down, and gave her a Broadside, which was returned by Captain _Edwards_ very bravely, and the Engagement held for an Hour; but Captain _Edwards_, finding the Pyrate too strong for him, and fearing the Consequence of too obstinate a Resistance against those lawless Fellows, ordered his Ensign to be struck. The Pyrates Boat came aboard, and not only rifled the Ship, but whipp'd, beat, and cut the Men in a cruel Manner, turned them aboard their own Ship, and then set Fire to their's.

In cruising about the Bay, they met and took several other Vessels without any Resistance, _viz._ two Brigantines of _Boston_ in _New-England_, one of which they burnt, and sunk the other; a Sloop belonging to _Connecticut_, Captain _Airs_, which they also burnt; a Sloop of _Jamaica_, Captain _Hamilton_, they took for their own Use; a Sloop of _Virginia_ they unladed, and was so generous as to give her back to the Master that own'd her. They took a Sloop of 100 Ton, belonging to _Rhode Island_, which they were pleased to keep, and mount with eight Carriage, and ten Swivel Guns.

With this little Fleet, _viz._ Admiral _Lowther_, in the _Happy Delivery_; Captain _Low_, in the _Rhode Island_ Sloop; Captain _Harris_, (who was second Mate in the _Greyhound_ when taken,) in _Hamilton_'s Sloop, and the little Sloop formerly mentioned, serving as a Tender; I say, with this Fleet the Pyrates left the Bay, and came to _Port Mayo_ in the Gulph of _Matique_, and there made Preparations to careen; they carried ashore all their Sails, and made Tents by the Water-Side, wherein they laid their Plunder, Stores, _&c._ and fell to work; and at the Time that the Ships were upon the Heel, and the good Folks employ'd in heaving down, scrubing, tallowing, and so forth; of a sudden came down a considerable Body of the Natives, and attack'd the Pyrates unprepared. As they were in no Condition to defend themselves, they fled to their Sloops, leaving them Masters of the Field and the Spoil thereof, which was of great Value, and set Fire to the _Happy Delivery_, their capital Ship.

_Lowther_ made the best Provision he could in the largest Sloop, which he called the _Ranger_, having ten Guns and eight Swivels, and she sailing best, the Company went all aboard of her, and left the other at Sea. Provisions was now very short, which, with the late Loss, put them in a confounded ill Humour, insomuch that they were every now and then going together by the Ears, laying the Blame of their ill Conduct sometimes upon one, then upon another.

The Beginning of _May_ 1722, they got to the _West-Indies_, and near the Island of _Diseada_, took a Brigantine, one _Payne_ Master, that afforded them what they stood in need of, which put them in better Temper, and Business seemed to go on well again. After they had pretty well plundered the Brigantine, they sent her to the Bottom. They went into the Island and watered, and then stood to the Northward, intending to visit the Main-Coast of _America._

In the Latitude of 38, they took a Brigantine called the _Rebecca_ of _Boston_, Captain _Smith_, bound thither from St. _Christophers._ At the taking of this Vessel, the Crews divided; for _Low_, whom _Lowther_ joined at the _Grand Caimanes_, proving always a very unruly Member of the Commonwealth, always aspiring, and never satisfy'd with the Proceedings of the Commander; he thought it the safest Way to get rid of him, upon any Terms; and according to the Vote of the Company, they parted the Bear Skin between them: _Low_ with 44 Hands went aboard the Brigantine, and _Lowther_ with the same Number stay'd in the Sloop, and separated that very Night, being the 28th of _May_ 1722.

_Lowther_ proceeding on his Way to the Main-Coast, took three or four fishing Vessels off _New-York_, which was no great Booty to the Captors. The 3d of _June_, they met with a small _New-England_ Ship, bound home from _Barbadoes_, which stood an Attack a small Time, but finding it to no Purpose, yielded herself a Prey to the Booters: The Pyrates took out of her fourteen Hogsheads of Rum, six Barrels of Sugar, a large Box of _English_ Goods, several Casks of Loaf Sugar, a considerable Quantity of Pepper, six Negroes, besides a Sum of Money and Plate, and then let her go on her Voyage.

The next Adventure was not so fortunate for them, for coming pretty near the Coast of _South-Carolina_, they met with a Ship just come out, on her Voyage to _England; Lowther_ gave her a Gun, and hoisted his pyratical Colours; but this Ship, which was called the _Amy_, happening to have a brave gallant Man to command her, who was not any ways daunted with that terrible Ensign, the black Flag, he instead of striking immediately, as 'twas expected, let fly a Broadside at the Pyrate. _Lowther_ (not at all pleased with the Compliment, tho' he put up with it for the present) was for taking Leave; but the _Amy_ getting the Pyrate between her and the Shore, stood after him to clap him aboard; to prevent which, _Lowther_ run the Sloop a-ground, and landed all the Men with their Arms. Captain _Gwatkins_, the Captain of the _Amy_, was obliged to stand off, for fear of running his own Ship ashore; but at the same Time thought fit for the publick Good, to destroy the Enemy; and thereupon went into the Boat, and rowed towards the Sloop, in order to set her on Fire; but before he reached the Vessel, a fatal Shot from _Lowther_'s Company ashore, put an End to their Design and Captain _Gwatkin_'s Life. After this unfortunate Blow, the Mate returned aboard with the Boat, and not being enclined to pursue them any farther, took Charge of the Ship.

_Lowther_ got off the Sloop after the Departure of the _Amy_, and brought all his Men aboard again, but was in a poor shattered Condition, having suffered much in the Engagement, and had a great many Men kill'd and wounded: He made Shift to get into an Inlet somewhere in _North-Carolina_, where he staid a long while before he was able to put to Sea again.

He and his Crew laid up all the Winter, and shifted as well as they could among the Woods, divided themselves into small Parties, and hunted generally in the Day Times, killing of black Cattle, Hogs, _&c._ for their Subsistance, and in the Night retired to their Tents and Huts, which they made for Lodging; and sometimes when the Weather grew very cold, they would stay aboard of their Sloop.

In the Spring of the Year 1723, they made Shift to get to Sea, and steered their Course for _Newfoundland_, and upon the Banks took a Scooner, call'd the _Swift, John Hood_ Master; they found a good Quantity of Provisions aboard her, which they very much wanted at that Time, and after taking three of their Hands, and plundering her of what they thought fit, they let her depart. They took several other Vessels upon the Banks, and in the Harbour, but none of any great Account; and then steering for a warmer Climate, in _August_ arrived at the _West-Indies._ In their Passage thither, they met with a Brigantine, called the _John_ and _Elizabeth, Richard Stanny_ Master, bound for _Boston_, which they plundered, took two of her Men, and discharged her.

_Lowther_ cruised a pretty while among the Islands without any extraordinary Success, and was reduced to a very small Allowance of Provisions, till they had the luck to fall in with a _Martinico_ Man, which proved a seasonable Relief to them; and after that, a _Guiney_ Man had the ill Fortune to become a Prey to the _Rovers_; she was called the _Princess_, Captain _Wicksted_ Commander.

It was now thought necessary to look out for a Place to clean their Sloop in, and prepare for new Adventures: Accordingly the Island of _Blanco_ was pitched upon for that Purpose, which lies in the Latitude of 11° 50 m. N. about 30 Leagues from the Main of the _Spanish America_, between the Islands of _Margarita_ and _Rocas_, and not far from _Tortuga._ It is a low even Island, but healthy and dry, uninhabited, and about two Leagues in Circumference, with Plenty of Lignum Vitæ Trees thereon, growing in Spots, with shrubby Bushes of other Wood about them. There are, besides Turtle, great Numbers of Guanoes, which is an amphibious Creature like a Lizard, but much larger, the Body of it being as big as a Man's Leg; they are very good to eat, and are much used by the Pyrates that come here: They are of divers Colours, but such as live upon dry Ground, as here at _Blanco_, are commonly yellow. On the N. W. End of this Island, there is a small Cove or sandy Bay, all round the rest of the Island is deep Water, and steep close to the Island. Here _Lowther_ resorted to, the Beginning of _October_ last, unrigged his Sloop, sent his Guns, Sails, Rigging, _&c._ ashore, and put his Vessel upon the Careen. The _Eagle_ Sloop of _Barbadoes_, belonging to the _South-Sea_ Company, with 35 Hands, commanded by _Walter Moore_, coming near this Island, in her Voyage to _Comena_, on the _Spanish_ Continent, saw the said Sloop just careen'd, with her Guns out, and Sails unbent, which she supposed to be a Pyrate, because it was a Place where Traders did not commonly use, so took the Advantage of attacking her, as she was then unprepared; the _Eagle_ having fired a Gun to oblige her to shew her Colours, the Pyrate hoisted the St. _George_'s Flag at their Topmast-Head, as it were to bid Defiance to her; but when they found _Moore_ and his Crew resolved to board them in good earnest, the Pyrates cut their Cable and hawled their Stern on Shore, which obliged the _Eagle_ to come to an Anchor a-thwart their Hawse, where she engaged them till they called for Quarter and struck; at which Time _Lowther_ and twelve of the Crew made their Escape out of the Cabin Window. The Master of the _Eagle_ got the Pyrate Sloop off, secured her, and went ashore with 25 Hands, in Pursuit of _Lowther_ and his Gang; but after five Day's search, they could find but five of them, which they brought aboard, and then proceeded with the Sloop and Pyrates to _Comena_ aforesaid, where they soon arrived.

The _Spanish_ Governor being informed of this brave Action, condemned the Sloop to the Captors, and sent a small Sloop with 23 Hands to scower the Bushes and other Places of the Island of _Blanco_, for the Pyrates that remained there, and took four more, with seven small Arms, leaving behind them Captain _Lowther_, three Men, and a little Boy, which they could not take; the above four the _Spaniards_ try'd and condemned to Slavery for Life; three to the Gallies, and the other to the Castle of _Arraria._

The _Eagle_ Sloop brought all their Prisoners afterwards to St. _Christopher_'s, where the following were try'd by a Court of Vice Admiralty, there held _March_ the 11th, 1722, _viz. John Churchill, Edward Mackdonald, Nicholas Lewis, Richard West, Sam. Levercott, Robert White, John Shaw, Andrew Hunter, Jonathan Delve, Matthew Freebarn, Henry Watson, Roger Grange, Ralph Candor_, and _Robert Willis_; the three last were acquitted, the other thirteen were found Guilty, two of which were recommended to Mercy by the Court, and accordingly pardoned; and the rest executed at that Island, on the 20th of the same Month.

As for Captain _Lowther_, it is said that he afterwards shot himself upon that fatal Island, where his Pyracies ended, being found, by some Sloop's Men, dead, and a Pistol burst by his Side.

CHAP. XIII. OF Captain _Edward Low_, And his CREW.

E_dward Low_ was born in _Westminster_, and had his Education there, such as it was, for he could neither write or read. Nature seem'd to have designed him for a Pyrate from his Childhood, for very early he began the Trade of plundering, and was wont to raise Contributions among all the Boys of _Westminster_; and if any were bold enough to refuse it, a Battle was the Consequence; but _Low_ was so hardy, as well as bold, there was no getting the better of him, so that he robbed the Youths of their Farthings, with Impunity; when he grew bigger he took to Gaming in a low Way, for it was commonly among the Footmen in the _Lobby_ of the House of Commons, where he used to play the whole Game, (as they term it,) that is, cheat all he could, and those who pretended to dispute it with him, must fight him.

The Virtues of some of his Family were equal to his; one of his Brothers was a Youth of Genius, when he was but seven Years old, he used to be carried in a Basket, upon a Porter's Back, into a Crowd, and snatch Hats and Wigs: According to the exact Chronology of _Newgate_, he was the first who practised this ingenious Trick. After this, he applied himself to picking of Pockets; when he increased in Strength, he attempted greater Things, such as House-breaking, _&c._ But after he had run a short Race, he had the Misfortune of ending his Days at _Tyburn_, in Company with _Stephen Bunce_, and the celebrated _Jack Hall_ the Chimney-Sweeper.

But to return to _Ned_, when he came to Man's Estate, at his eldest Brother's Desire, he went to Sea with him, and so continued for three or four Years, and then parted; and _Ned_ work'd in a Rigging-House in _Boston_ in _New-England_, for a while. About six Years ago, he took a Trip home to _England_, to see his Mother, who is yet Living. His Stay was not long here; but taking Leave of his Friends and Acquaintance, for the last Time he should see them; for so he was pleased to say; he returned to _Boston_, and work'd a Year or two longer at the Rigging Business. But being too apt to disagree with his Masters, he left them, and shipp'd himself in a Sloop that was bound to the Bay of _Honduras._

When the Sloop arrived in the Bay, _Ned Low_ was appointed Patron of the Boat, which was employ'd in cutting of Logwood, and bringing it aboard to lade the Ship; for that is the Commodity they make the Voyage for: In the Boat were twelve Men besides _Low_, who all go arm'd, because of the _Spaniards_, from whom this Logwood is but little better than stole. It happened that the Boat one Day came aboard just before Dinner was ready, and _Low_ desired that they might stay and Dine; but the Captain, being in a Hurry for his Lading, ordered them a Bottle of Rum, and to take t'other Trip, because no Time should be lost: This provoked the Boat's Crew, but particularly _Low_, who takes up a loaded Musquet and fires at the Captain, but missing him, shot another poor Fellow thro' the Head, then put off the Boat, and with his twelve Companions goes to Sea: The next Day they took a small Vessel, and go in her, make a black Flag, and declare War against all the World.

They then proceeded to the Island of the _Grand Caimanes_, intending to have fitted up their small Vessel, and prepare themselves as well as their Circumstances would permit, for their honourable Employment; but falling in Company with _George Lowther_, another Pyrate there, who paying his Compliments to _Low_, as great Folks do to one another when they meet, and offering himself as an Ally; _Low_ accepted of the Terms, and so the Treaty was presently sign'd without Plenipo's or any other Formalities.

We have already given an Account of their joynt Pyracies, under _Lowther_ as chief Commander, till the 28th of _May_, 1722, when they took a Brigantine of _Boston_, bound thither from St. _Christophers_, at which Time they parted, and _Edward Low_ went into the Brigantine, with forty four others, who chose him their Captain: They took with them two Guns, four Swivels, six Quarter-Casks of Powder, Provisions and some Stores, and so left _Lowther_ to prosecute his Adventures, with the Men he had left.

Their first Adventure in the Brigantine, was on _Sunday_ the 3d Day of _June_, when they took a Vessel belonging to _Amboy, John Hance_ Master, whom he rifled of his Provisions, and let go; the same Day he met with a Sloop, _James Calquhoon_ Master, off of _Rhode Island_, bound into that Port, whom he first plundered, and then cut away his Boltsprit, and all his Rigging, also his Sails from the Yards, and wounded the Master, to prevent his getting in to give Intelligence, and then stood away to the South-Eastward, with all the Sail he could make, there being then but little Wind.

_Low_ judged right in making sail from the Coast, for a longer stay had proved fatal to him, for notwithstanding the disabled Condition he had rendered the Sloop in, she made shift to get into _Block Island_, at 12 o'Clock that Night, and immediately dispatched a Whale-Boat to _Rhode Island_, which got thither by seven the next Morning, with an Account of the Pyrate, his Force, and what had happened to him: As soon as the Governor had received this Information, he ordered a Drum to beat up for Volunteers, and two of the best Sloops then in the Harbour, to be fitted out: He gave Commissions to one Captain _John Headland_, and Captain _John Brown_, jun. for ten Days; the former had eight Guns and two Swivels, and the latter six Guns, well fitted with small Arms, and in both Sloops 140 stout Fellows; all this was performed with so much Expedition, that before Sun-set, they were under Sail, turning out of the Harbour, at the same Time the Pyrate was seen from _Block Island_, which gave great Hopes that the Sloops would be Masters of her the next Day, which however did not happen, for the Sloops returned into Harbour some Days afterwards, without so much as seeing their Enemy.

After this Escape, Captain _Low_, went into Port, upon the Coast, for he had not fresh Water enough to run to the Islands, where he staid a few Days, getting Provisions and what Necessaries the Crew wanted, and then sailed for Purchase, (as they call it) steering their Course towards _Marblehead._

About the 12th of _July_, the Brigantine sailed into the Harbour of Port _Rosemary_, and there found thirteen Ships and Vessels, but none of Force, at Anchor, they spread their black Flag, and ran in among them; _Low_ telling them from the Brigantine, they should have no Quarters if they resisted; in the mean Time they mann'd and arm'd their Boat, and took Possession of every one of them, plundered them of what they thought fit, and converted one to their own Use, _viz._ a Scooner of 80 Tuns, aboard of which they put 10 Carriage Guns, and 50 Men, and _Low_ himself went Captain, and nam'd her the _Fancy_, making one _Charles Harris_, (who was at first forced into their Service out of the _Greyhound_ of _Boston_, by _Lowther_, of which Ship _Harris_ was second Mate) Captain of the Brigantine: Out of these Vessels they took several Hands, and encreased the Company to 80 Men, who all signed the Articles, some willingly, and a few perhaps by Force, and so sailed away from _Marblehead._

Some Time after this, they met with two Sloops bound for _Boston_, with Provisions for the Garrison, and the Scooner coming up first, attacked them, but there happening to be an Officer and some Soldiers on Board, who gave them a warm Reception, _Low_ chose to stay till he should be joyned by the Brigantine; in the mean while the Sloops made the best of their Way, and the Pyrates gave them Chace two Days, and at last lost sight of them in a Fog.

They now steered for the Leeward Islands, but in their Voyage met with such a Hurricane of Wind, that the like had not been known; the Sea ran Mountains high, and seemed to threaten them every Moment with Destruction; it was no Time now to look out for Plunder, but to save themselves, if possible, from perishing. All Hands were continually employed Night, and Day, on Board the Brigantine, and all little enough, for the Waves went over her, so that they were forced to keep the pump constantly going, besides baling with Buckets; but finding themselves not able to keep her free, and seeing the utmost Danger before their Eyes, they turn'd to the Takle, and hoisted out their Provisions, and other heavy Goods, and threw them over-board, with six of their Guns, so that by lightening the Vessel, she might rise to the Top of the Sea with the Waves: They were also going to cut away their Mast; but considering how dangerous it would be, to be left in such a Condition, they resolved to delay it to the last, which was Prudence in them to do; for a Ship without Masts or Sails, lies like a Log upon the Water, and if attack'd, must fight with Disadvantage, the working of her being the most artful Part of the Engagement, because she may sometimes bring all her great Guns on one Side, to bear upon her Enemy, when the disabled Ship can do little or nothing.

But to proceed; by their throwing over-board the heavy Goods, the Vessel made considerable less Water, and they could keep it under with the Pump only, which gave them Hopes and new Life; so that instead of cutting all away, they took necessary Measures to secure the Mast, by making Preventor-Shrowds, _&c._ and then wore and lay too upon the other Tack, till the Storm was over. The Scooner made somewhat better Weather of it, of the two, but was pretty roughly handled notwithstanding, having split her Main-sail, sprung her Boltsprit, and cut her Anchors from her Bows. The Brigantine by running away to Leeward, when she wore upon the Larboard Tack, had lost Sight of the Scooner; but not knowing whether she might be safe or not, as soon as the Wind abated, she set her Main-Sail and Top-Sail, and made short Trips to Windward; and the next Day had the good Fortune to come in Sight of their Consort, who, upon a Signal, which the other knew, bore down to her, and the Crew were overjoy'd to meet again, after such ill Treatment from the Winds and Seas.

After the Storm, _Low_ got safe to a small Island, one of the Weathermost of the _Caribbees_, and there fitted their Vessels, as well as the Place could afford; they got Provisions of the Natives, in exchange for Goods of their own; and as soon as the Brigantine was ready, 'twas judg'd necessary to take a short Cruize, and leave the Scooner in the Harbour till her Return. The Brigantine sail'd out accordingly, and had not been out many Days before they met a Ship at Sea, that had lost all her Masts; on Board of whom they went, and took from her in Money and Goods, to the Value of 1000 _l._ and so left her in the Condition they found her: This Ship was bound home from _Barbadoes_, but losing her Masts in the late Storm, was making for _Antegoa_, to refit, where she afterwards arriv'd.

The Storm just spoken of, was found to have done incredible Damage in those Parts of the World; but however, it appear'd to have been more violent at _Jamaica_, both to the Island and Shipping, there was such a prodigious Swell of the Sea, that several hundred Tuns of Stones and Rocks, were thrown over the Wall of the Town of _Port Royal_, and the Town it self was overflowed, and above half destroy'd, there being the next Morning five Foot Water from one End to the other; the Cannon of Fort _Charles_ were dismounted, and some washed into the Sea, and four hundred People lost their Lives; a more melancholly Sight was scarce ever seen when the Water ebb'd away, all the Streets being covered with Ruins of Houses, Wrecks of Vessels, and a great Number of dead Bodies, for forty Sail of Ships, in the Harbour, were cast away.

The Brigantine return'd to the Island, where she had left the Scooner, who being ready to sail, it was put to the Vote of the Company, what Voyage to take next; and herein they follow'd the Advice of the Captain, who thought it not adviseable to go any farther to Leeward, because of the Men of War who were cruising in their several Stations, which they were not at all fond of meeting, and therefore it was agreed to go to the _Azores_, or Western Islands.

The latter End of _July, Low_ took a _French_ Ship of 34 Guns, and carried her along with him to the _Azores._ He came into St. _Michael_'s Road the 3d of _August_, and took seven Sail that were lying there, _viz._ the _Nostre Dame, Mere de Dieu_, Captain _Roach_ Commander; the _Dove_, Capt. _Cox_; the _Rose_ Pink, formerly a Man of War, Capt. _Thompson_; another _English_ Ship, Capt. _Chandler_; and three other Vessels. He threatened all with present Death who resisted, which struck such a Terror to them, that they yielded themselves up a Prey to the Villains, without firing a Gun.

The Pyrates being in great Want of Water and fresh Provisions, _Low_ sent to the Governor of St. _Michael_'s for a Supply, and promised upon that Condition to release the Ships he had taken, but otherwise to burn them all; which Demand the Governor thought it not prudent to refuse, but sent the Provision he required, upon which he released six of the Ships, (after he had plundered them of what he thought fit,) and the other, _viz._ the _Rose_ Pink, was made a Pyrate Ship, which _Low_ himself took the Command of.

The Pyrates took several of the Guns out of the _French_ Ship, and mounted them aboard the _Rose_, which proved very fit for their Turn, and condemned the former to the Flames. They took all the Crew out of her, but the Cook, who, they said, being a greazy Fellow would fry well in the Fire; so the poor Man was bound to the Main-Mast, and burnt in the Ship, to the no small Diversion of _Low_ and his _Mirmidons._

_Low_ ordered the Scooner to lye in the Fare between St. _Michael_'s and St. _Mary_'s, where, about the 20th of _August_, Captain _Carter_ in the _Wright_ Galley, had the ill Fortune to come in her Way; and because at first they shewed Inclinations to defend themselves, and what they had, the Pyrates cut and mangled them in a barbarous Manner; particularly some _Portuguese_ Passengers, two of which being Friers, they triced up at each Arm of the Fore-Yard, but let them down again before they were quite dead, and this they repeated several Times out of Sport.

Another _Portuguese_, who was also Captain _Carter_'s Passenger, putting on a sorrowful Countenance at what he saw acted, one of this vile Crew attacked him upon the Deck, saying, _he did not like his Looks_, and thereupon gave him one Blow a-cross his Belly with his Cutlash, that cut out his Bowels, and he fell down dead without speaking a Word. At the same Time another of these Rogues cutting at a Prisoner, missed his Mark, and Captain _Low_ standing in his Way, very opportunely received the Stroke upon his under Jaw, which laid the Teeth bare; upon this the Surgeon was called, who immediately stitched up the Wound, but _Low_ finding fault with the Operation, the Surgeon being tollerably drunk, as it was customary for every Body to be, struck _Low_ such a Blow with his Fist, that broke out all the Stitches, and then bid him sew up his Chops himself and be damned, so that _Low_ made a very pitiful Figure for some Time after.

When they had plundered Captain _Carter_'s Ship, several of them were for burning her, as they had done the _French_ Man, but it was otherwise resolved at last; for after they had cut her Cables, Rigging and Sails to Pieces, they left her to the Mercy of the Sea.

After these Depredations, they steered for the Island of _Madera_, where missing other Booty, they took up with a Fishing-Boat, with two old Men and a Boy in her, one of which they detained on Board, but sent the other ashore with a Flag of Truce, demanding a Boat of Water of the Governor, on Pain of taking away the old Man's Life, whom they threatened to hang at the Yard-Arm, upon their refusal; but the Thing being complied with, the old Man was honourably (as the Pyrates say) discharged, and all the three much handsomer cloathed than when they took them. From this Island they sailed to the _Canaries_, but meeting with no Prey there, they continued their Course for the _Cape de Verd_ Islands, and at _Bonavista_, took a Ship called the _Liverpool Merchant_, Captain _Goulding_, from whom they stole a great Quantity of Provisions and dry Goods, 300 Gallons of Brandy, two Guns and Carriages, a Mast, Yard and Hawsers, besides six of his Men, and then would not let them Trade there, nor at St. _Nicholas_, but obliged Captain _Goulding_ to go with his Ship, to the Isle of _May._

The Pyrate also took among these Islands, a Ship belonging to _Liverpool, Scot_ Commander; two _Portuguese_ Sloops bound for _Brasil_; a small _English_ Sloop trading there, _James Pease_ Master, bound to _Sancta Crux_, and three Sloops from St. _Thomas_ bound to _Curaso_, the Masters Names were _Lilly, Staples_ and _Simpkins_, all which they plundered, and then let go about their Business, except one Sloop which they fitted up for the following Purpose.

_Low_ had heard by one of the above mentioned Ships, that two small Gallies were expected every Day at the _Western Islands, viz._ the _Greyhound_, Captain _Glass_, and the _Joliff_, Captain _Aram_; the former of which was designed to be fitted for the pyratical Trade to _Brasil_, if Things had happened to their Minds. They mann'd the Sloop, and sent her in Quest of one or both of these Ships to the _Western Islands_ aforesaid, whilst they carreen'd their Ship _Rose_, at one of the _Cape de Verds_: But now Fortune that had hitherto been so propitious to them, left her Minions, and baffled for the present all their Hopes, for the Sloop missing of their Prey, was reduced to great Necessities for want of Provisions and Water, so that they ventured to go ashore at St. _Michael_'s for a Supply, and pass for a Trader; but they play'd their Parts so aukwardly, that they were suspected by the Governor to be what they really were, and he was soon put out of doubt by a Visit some _Portuguese_ made them, who happened unluckily to be Passengers in Captain _Carter_'s Ship, when _Low_ took her, and knew the Gentlemen's Faces very well; upon which the whole Crew was conducted into the Castle, where they were provided for as long as they liv'd.

_Low_, in the mean Time, did not fare quite so ill, but had his intended Voyage to _Brasil_ spoil'd, by the oversetting of his Ship, when she was upon the Careen, whereby she was lost, so that he was reduc'd to his old Scooner, which he called the _Fancy_, aboard of which they all went, to the Number of 100, as vile Rogues as ever ended their Lives at _Tyburn._ They proceeded now to the _West-Indies_, but before they had gotten far on their Voyage, they attack'd a rich _Portuguese_ Ship, call'd the _Nostre Signiora de Victoria_, bound home from _Bahia_, and after some Resistance, took her. _Low_ tortur'd several of the Men, to make them declare where the Money, (which he suppos'd they had on Board) lay, and extorted by that Means, a Confession that the Captain had, during the Chace, hung out of the Cabin Window, a Bag with 11,000 Moidores, which, assoon as he was taken, he cut the Rope off, and let it drop into the Sea.

_Low_, upon hearing what a Prize had escap'd him, rav'd like a Fury, swore a thousand Oaths, and ordered the Captain's Lips to be cut off, which he broil'd before his Face, and afterwards murthered him and all the Crew, being thirty two Persons.

After this bloody Action, they continued their Course, till they came to the Northward of all the Islands, and there cruiz'd for about a Month, in which Time they made Prizes of the following Vessels, _viz._ a Snow from _New-York_ to _Curacoa, Robert Leonard_ Master; a Sloop from the Bay, bound to _New-York, Craig_ Master; a Snow from _London_ and _Jamaica_, bound to _New-York_; and the _Stanhope_ Pink, _Andrew Delbridge_ Master, from _Jamaica_ to _Boston_; which last they burnt, because of _Low_'s irreconcileable Aversion to _New-England_ Men.

After this Cruize, they went into one of the Islands and clean'd, and then steered for the Bay of _Honduras_, where they arrived about the Middle of _March_ 1722-3, and met a Sloop turning out of the said Bay. The Pyrates had hoisted up _Spanish_ Colours, and continued them till they drew near the Sloop, then they hall'd them down, hoisted their black Flag, fired a Broadside, and boarded her. This Sloop was a _Spaniard_ of six Guns, and 70 Men, that came into the Bay that Morning, and meeting there with five _English_ Sloops, and a Pink, made Prizes of them all, plundered them, and brought the Masters of the Vessels away Prisoners, for the ransom of the Logwood; their Names were _Tuthill, Norton, Newbury, Sprafort, Clark_ and _Parrot._ The _Spaniards_ made no Resistance, so that the _English_ Pyrates soon became their Masters and fell to rifling; but finding the above-mentioned People in the Hold, and several _English_ Goods, they consulted _Low_ the Captain thereupon, and without examining any further, the Resolution pass'd to kill all the Company; and the Pyrates, without any Ceremony, fell Pell-Mell to Execution with their Swords, Cutlashes, Poll-Axes and Pistols, cutting, slashing and shooting the poor _Spaniards_ at a sad Rate. Some of the miserable Creatures jump'd down into the Hold, but could not avoid the Massacre; they met Death every where, for if they escaped it from one Hand, they were sure to perish by another; the only Prospect they had of Life, was to fly from the Rage of those merciless Men, and to trust to the more merciful Sea; and accordingly a great many leap'd over-board, and swam for the Shore; but _Low_ perceiving it, ordered the Canoa to be mann'd, and sent in pursuit of them, by which Means several of the poor unhappy Men were knock'd in the Head in the Water, as they were endeavouring to get to Land; however, about 12 of them did reach the Shore, but in a miserable Condition, being very much wounded, and what became of them afterwards was not known, except one, who while the Pyrates were at their Sports and Pastimes ashore, finding himself very weak and fainting with his Wounds, and not knowing where to go for Help and Relief, in this Extremity, he came back to them, and begg'd for God sake, in the most earnest Manner possible, that they would give him Quarters; upon which, one of the Villains took hold of him, and said, _G-- d--n him, he would give him good Quarters presently_, and made the poor _Spaniard_ kneel down on his Knees, then taking his Fusil, put the Muzzle of it into his Mouth, and fired down his Throat. 'Twas thought the rest did not long survive their miserable Condition, and could only prolong their Lives, to add to the Misery of them.

When the murdering Work was over, they rumaged the _Spanish_ Pyrate, and brought all the Booty aboard their own Vessels: The six Masters aforementioned, found in the Hold, they restored to their respective Vessels: They forced away the Carpenter from the Pink, and then set Fire to the _Spanish_ Sloop, and burnt her; which last Scene concluded the Destruction of their Enemy, Ship and Crew.

_Low_ set the Masters of the Vessels free, but would not suffer them to steer for _Jamaica_, where they were then bound, for fear the Men of War should get Intelligence of them, but forced them all to go to _New-York_, threat'ning them with Death, when they met them again, if they refused to comply with their Demands.

In the next Cruize, which was between the Leeward Islands and the Main, they took two Snows, bound from _Jamaica_ to _Liverpool_, and a Snow from _Jamaica_ to _London, Bridds_ Master; as also a Ship from _Biddford_ to _Jamaica, John Pinkham_ Commander; and two Sloops from _Jamaica_ to _Virginia._

On the 27th of _May, Low_ and his Consort _Harris_, came off _South-Carolina_, and met with three good Ships, _viz._ the _Crown_, Captain _Lovereigne_, the _King William_, the _Carteret_, and a Brigantine, who all came out of _Carolina_ together two Days before. The Pyrates were at the Trouble of chacing them, and Captain _Lovereigne_ being the sternmost, she fell first a Prey into their Hands; and they spent all the Day in coming up with the rest.

Within a few Days they took a Ship called the _Amsterdam Merchant_, Captain _Willard_, from _Jamaica_, but belonging to _New-England_; as _Low_ let none of that Country depart without some Marks of his Rage, he cut off this Gentleman's Ears, slit up his Nose, and cut him in several Places of his Body, and, after plundering his Ship, let him pursue his Voyage.

After this he took a Sloop bound to _Amboy, William Frazier_, Master, with whom Mr. _Low_ happening to be displeased, he ordered lighted Matches to be ty'd between the Mens Fingers, which burnt all the Flesh off the Bones; then cut them in several Parts of their Bodies with Knives and Cutlashes; afterwards took all their Provisions away, and set some of them ashore in an uninhabited Part of the Country.

The _Kingston_, Captain _Estwick_, another Ship, one _Burrington_ Master, two Brigantines from _Carolina_ to _London_; a Sloop from _Virginia_ to _Bermudas_; a Ship from _Glasgow_ to _Virginia_; a Scooner from _New-York_ to _South-Carolina_; a Pink from _Virginia_ to _Dartmouth_, and a Sloop from _Philadelphia_ to _Surinam_, fell a Prey to these Villains, upon this Cruize, besides those above-mentioned.

It happened that at this Time one of his Majesty's Ships was upon a Cruize, on this Station, and got Intelligence of some of the mischievous Actions of this Miscreant, by one of the Vessels that had been plundered by him, who steering as directed, came in Sight of the Pyrates by break of Day, on the 10th of _June_, of all Days in the Year. The Rovers looking out for Prey, soon saw, and gave Chace to the Man of War, which was called the _Greyhound_, a Ship of 20 Guns, and 120 Men, rather inferiour in Force to the two Pyrate Vessels: The _Greyhound_ finding them so eager, was in no doubt what they should be, and therefore tack'd and stood from them, giving the Pyrates an Opportunity to chace her for two Hours, till all Things were in Readiness for an Engagement, and the Pyrates about Gun-shot off; then the _Greyhound_ tack'd again, and stood towards the two Sloops, one of them called the _Fancy_, commanded by _Low_ himself, and the other the _Ranger_, commanded by _Harris_, both which hoisted their pyratical Colours, and fired each a Gun. When the _Greyhound_ came within Musquet-shot, she halled up her Main-sail, and clapp'd close upon a Wind, to keep the Pyrates from running to Leeward, and then engaged: But when the Rogues found who they had to deal with, they edg'd away under the Man of War's Stern, and the _Greyhound_ standing after them, they made a running Fight for about two Hours; but little Wind happening, the Sloops gained from her, by the help of their Oars; upon which the _Greyhound_ left off firing, and turned all Hands to her own Oars, and at three in the Afternoon came up with them. The Pyrates haul'd upon a Wind to receive the Man of War, and the Fight was immediately renewed, with a brisk Fire on both Sides, till the _Ranger_'s Main-Yard was shot down, and the _Greyhound_ pressing close upon the disabled Sloop, _Low_, in the other, thought fit to bear away and leave his Consort a Sacrifice to his Enemy, who (seing the Cowardice and Treachery of his Commadore and Leader, having ten or twelve Men killed and wounded, and that there was no possibility of escaping,) called out for Quarters, and surrendered themselves to Justice, which proved severe enough to them a-while afterwards.

The Conduct of _Low_ was surprizing in this Adventure, because his reputed Courage and Boldness, had, hitherto, so possess'd the Minds of all People, that he became a Terror, even to his own Men; but his Behaviour throughout this whole Action, shewed him to be a base cowardly Villain, for had _Low_'s Sloop fought half so briskly as _Harris_'s had done, (as they were under a solemn Oath to do,) the Man of War, in my Opinion, could never have hurted them.

The _Greyhound_ carried in their Prize to _Rhode Island_, to the great Joy of the whole Province, tho' it had been more compleat, if the great _LOW_ himself had grac'd the Triumph. The Prisoners were strongly secured in a Goal, till a Court of Vice-Admiralty could be held for their Tryals, which begun on the 10th of _July_, at _Newport_, and continued three Days. The Court was made up of the following Gentlemen.

_William Dummer_, Esq; Lieutenant Governor of the _Massachusets_, President. _Nathaniel Paine_, Esq; _Addington Davonport_, Esq; _Thomas Fitch_, Esq; _Spencer Phipps_, Esq; _John Lechmere_, Esq; Surveyor-General. _John Valentine_, Esq; Advocate-General. _Samuel Cranston_, Governor of _Rhode-Island._ _John Menzies_, Esq; Judge of the Admiralty, _Richard Ward_, Esq; Register. Mr. _Jahleel Brinton_, Provost-Marshal.

_Robert Auchmuta_, Esq; was assigned, by the Court, Council for the Prisoners here under mention'd.

Prisoners Names. Ages. Places of Birth. Charles Harris, Captain 25 London. William Blads 28 Rhode-Island. Daniel Hide 23 Virginia. Thomas Powel, jun. 21 Connecticut N. E. Stephen Mundon 20 London. Thomas Huggit 30 London. William Read 35 Londonderry, Ireland. Peter Kneeves 32 Exeter in Devon. James Brinkly 28 Suffolk in England. Joseph Sound 28 City of Westminster. William Shutfield 40 Lancafter in England. Edward Eaton 38 Wrexham in Wales. John Brown 29 County of Durham. Edward Lawson 20 Isle of Man. Owen Rice 27 South-Wales. John Tomkins 23 Gloucestershire. John Fitzgerrald 21 Limerick in Ireland. Abraham Lacy 21 Devonshire. Thomas Linister 21 Lancashire. Francis Leyton 39 New-York. John Waters, Quart.-Mr. 35 County of Devon. William Jones 28 London. Charles Church 21 St. Margaret's, Westm. Thomas Hazel 50 -- -- -- John Bright 25 -- -- -- --

These 25 were found guilty, and executed the 19th of _July_, 1723, near _Newport_ in _Rhode-Island._

John Brown 17 Liverpoole. Patrick Cunningham 25 -- -- --

These two were found guilty, but respited for one Year, and recommended to the King's Favour.

John Wilson 23 New-London County Henry Barnes 22 Barbadoes. Thomas Jones 17 Flur in Wales. Joseph Switzer 24 Boston in New-England. Thomas Mumper Indian. Mather's Vineyard N. E. John Hincher, Doctor 22 Near Edinburgh, Scot. John Fletcher 17 -- -- -- Thomas Child 15 -- -- --

These eight were found Not Guilty.

The destroying this Pyrate was look'd upon by the Province, to be of such a signal Service to the Publick, and particular Advantage to the Colony of _New-York_, that it was thought necessary to make some handsome Acknowledgement to Captain _Peter Solgard_ for it; and therefore it was resolved, in an Assembly of the Common-Council, to compliment him with the Freedom of their Corporation. The Resolution, together with the Preamble of the Captain's Freedom, being curious in their Kind, I subjoin them for the Satisfaction of the Reader.

Resolution of the Mayor and Common-Council of the City of _New-York_, at a Common-Council held at the City Hall of the said City, on _Thursday_ the 25th of _July, Anno. Dom._ 1723.

Present _Robert Walter_, Esq; Mayor.

_City of_ New-York, _ss._

T_HIS Court having taken into their Consideration the great Service lately done to this Province in particular, as well as to all other his Majesty's good Subjects in general, by Captain_ Peter Solgard, _Commander of his Majesty's Ship the_ Greyhound, _the Station Ship of the Province, who lately in a Cruize upon this Coast, in due Execution and Discharge of his Duty, upon Intelligence given him, sought for, pursued and engaged two Pyrate Sloops, commanded by one_ Low, _(a notorious and inhumane Pyrate,) one of which Sloops he took, after a resolute Resistance, and very much shattered the other, who by the Favour of the Night escaped. Twenty six of which Pyrates so taken, being lately executed at_ Rhode Island, _not only eased this City and Province of a very great Trouble, but of a very considerable Expence_, &c. _It is therefore resolved (_Nemine Contradicente_) that this Corporation do present the said Captain_ Solgard _with the Freedom of this Corporation, as a Mark of the great Esteem they have for his Person, as well as for the aforesaid great and good Services; and that the Seal of the said Freedom be enclosed in a Gold Box; that Mr._ Recorder _and Mr._ Bickley _do draw the Draught of the said Freedom, signifying therein, the grateful Sense of this Corporation, for so signal a Service to the Publick, and Benefit and Advantage of Mankind. That Alderman_ Kip, _and Alderman_ Cruger, _do prepare the said Box; that the Arms of the Corporation be engraved on one Side thereof, and a Representation of the Engagement on the other, with this Motto_, (viz.) [Quesitos Humani Generos Hostes Debellare superbum, 10 Junii, 1723.] _That the Town-Clerk cause the same Freedom to be handsomly engrossed on Parchment, and that the whole Corporation do wait upon him, to present the same._

_By Order of the Common-Council._ William Sharpas, _Clerk._

The Preamble of Captain _Peter Solgard_'s Copy of his Freedom.