Chapter V: Introduction (3)

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 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 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 courteously enough, and made them Presents of Rum and Sugar, in Recompence of what he took from them; but, as for Liberties (which 'tis 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 betwixt them, but it seemed only to be done, to shew 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 if they could not be relieved from some other Quarter, _Black-beard_ would be like to reign with Impunity, therefore, 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 Pyrate.

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. _Robert 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 mann'd 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 Proclamation, offering certain Rewards to any Person or Persons, who, within a Year after that Time, should take or destroy any Pyrate: 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 PROCLAMATION,

Publishing the Rewards given for apprehending, or killing, Pyrates.

W_Hereas, by an Act of Assembly, made at a Session of Assembly, begun at the Capital in _Williamsburgh_, the eleventh Day of _November_, in the fifth Year of his Majesty's Reign, entituled, _An Act to encourage the apprehending and destroying of Pyrates_: 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 Pyrate, or Pyrates, on the Sea or Land, or in Case of Resistance, shall kill any such Pyrate, or Pyrates, 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 Pyrate, and Pyrates, before the Governor and Council, shall be entitled to have, and receive out of the publick Money, in the Hands of the Treasurer of this Colony, the several Rewards following; that is to say, for _Edward Teach_, commonly call'd Captain _Teach_, or _Black-Beard_, one hundred Pounds, for every other Commander of a Pyrate Ship, Sloop, or Vessel, forty Pounds; for every Lieutenant, Master, or Quarter-Master, Boatswain, or Carpenter, twenty Pounds; for every other inferior Officer, sixteen Pounds, and for every private Man taken on Board such Ship, Sloop, or Vessel, ten Pounds; and, that for every Pyrate, which shall be taken by any Ship, Sloop or Vessel, belonging to this Colony, or _North-Carolina_, within the Time aforesaid, in any Place whatsoever, the like Rewards shall be paid according to the Quality and Condition of such Pyrates. Wherefore, for the Encouragement 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 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 County-Houses, and by all Ministers and Readers, in the several Churches and Chappels, 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 sail'd from _Kicquetan_, in _James_ River in _Virginia_, and, the 21st in the Evening, came to the Mouth of _Okerecock_ Inlet, where he got Sight of the Pyrate. This Expedition was made with all imaginable Secrecy, and the Officer manag'd with all the Prudence that was necessary, stopping all Boats and Vessels he met with, in the River, from going up, and thereby preventing any Intelligence from reaching _Black-Beard_, and receiving at the same time an Account from them all, of the Place where the Pyrate was lurking; but notwithstanding 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 his 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 20 Leagues.

_Black-beard_ had heard several Reports, which happened not to be true, and so gave the less Credit to this, nor was he convinced till he saw the Sloops: Whereupon he put his Vessel in a Posture of Defence; he had no more than twenty five Men on Board, tho' he gave out to all the Vessels he spoke with, that he had 40. When he had prepared for Battle, he set down and spent the Night in drinking with the Master of a trading Sloop, who, 'twas 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 a-head of the Sloops to sound; and coming within Gun-Shot of the Pyrate, 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 made. _Black-beard_ cut his Cable, and endeavoured to make a running Fight, keeping a continual 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 a-ground, and Mr. _Maynard_'s drawing more Water than that of the Pyrate, 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 over-board, and all the Water to be staved, and then weigh'd and stood for him; upon which _Black-beard_ hail'd 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 Pyrates._ _Black-beard_ bid him send his Boat on Board, that he might see who he was; but Mr. _Maynard_ reply'd 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 Quarters, or take any from you._ In Answer to which, Mr. _Maynard_ told him, _That he expected no Quarters from him, nor should he give him any._

By this time _Black-beard_'s Sloop fleeted, as Mr. _Maynard_'s Sloops were rowing towards him, which being not above a Foot high in the Waste, and consequently the Men all exposed, as they came near together, (there being hitherto little or no Execution done, on either Side,) the Pyrate 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 help'd, for there being no Wind, they were oblig'd to keep to their Oars, otherwise the Pyrate would have got away from him, which, it seems, the Lieutenant was resolute to prevent.

After this unlucky Blow, _Black-beard_'s Sloop fell Broadside to the Shore; Mr. _Maynard_'s other Sloop, which was called the _Ranger_, fell a-stern, 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 Expedition. Mr. _Maynard_ was the only Person that kept the Deck, except the Man at the Helm, whom he directed to lye 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 Hatch-Way for the more Expedition. When the Lieutenant's Sloop boarded the other, Captain _Teach_'s Men threw in several new fashioned sort of Grenadoes, _viz._ Case Bottles fill'd 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, and _Black-beard_ seeing few or no Hands aboard, told his Men, _That they were all knock'd on the Head, except three or four; and therefore, says he, let's jump on Board, and cut them to Pieces._

Whereupon, under the Smoak 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 till the Air cleared; however, he just then gave a Signal to his Men, who all rose in an Instant, and attack'd the Pyrates with as much Bravery as ever was done upon such an Occasion: _Black-beard_ and the Lieutenant fired the first Pistol at each other, by which the Pyrate 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 Cutlash, 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 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 tinctur'd with Blood round the Vessel; _Black-beard_ received a Shot into his Body from the Pistol that Lieutenant _Maynard_ discharg'd, 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 more out of the fourteen dropp'd, and all the rest, much wounded, jump'd over-board, and call'd out for Quarters, which was granted, tho' it was only prolonging their Lives for a few Days. The Sloop _Ranger_ came up, and attack'd the Men that remain'd in _Black-beard_'s Sloop, with equal Bravery, till they likewise cry'd for Quarters.

Here was an End of that couragious Brute, who might have pass'd in the World for a Heroe, had he been employ'd 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 destroy'd 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 Places he lurk'd 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, besides other Discouragements, enough to have turn'd back any Gentleman without Dishonour, who was 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 Negroe 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 destroy'd his Conquerors: and when the Negro found how it went with _Black-beard_, he could hardly be perswaded 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 a pyrating themselves, and one of them was taken along with _Roberts_; 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 Bolt-sprit End, then he sailed to _Bath-Town_, to get Relief for his wounded Men.

It must be observed, that in rummaging the Pyrate's Sloop, they found several Letters and written Papers, which discovered the Correspondence betwixt 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 Store-House, 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 long survive this shameful Discovery, for being apprehensive that he might be called to an Account for these Trifles, fell sick with the Fright, and died in a few Days.

After the wounded Men were pretty well recover'd, the Lieutenant sailed back to the Men of War in _James River_, in _Virginia_, with _Black-beard_'s Head still hanging at the Bolt-sprit End, and fiveteen Prisoners, thirteen of whom were hanged. It appearing upon Tryal, 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, there appearing no less than 70 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 thro' the Knee, and lam'd 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 try'd and condemned, but just as he was about to be executed, a Ship arrives at _Virginia_ with a Proclamation for prolonging the Time of his Majesty's Pardon, to such of the Pyrates as should surrender by a limited Time therein expressed: Notwithstanding the Sentence, _Hands_ pleaded the Pardon, and was allowed the Benefit of it, and is alive at this Time 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 his Name so terrible in those Parts.

_Plutarch_, and other grave Historians have taken Notice, that several great Men amongst the _Romans_, took their Sir-Names from certain odd Marks in their Countenances; as _Cicero_, from a Mark or Vetch on his Nose; so our Heroe, 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 Ramilies Wiggs, 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 Extravagancies, 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 it's Passions are not checked.

In the Commonwealth of Pyrates, 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 Frolicks of Wickedness, were so extravagant, as if he aimed at making his Men believe he was a Devil incarnate; 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 set up and drank till the Morning, with some of his own Men, and the Master of a Merchant-Man, 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 any thing should happen to him in the Engagement with the Sloops, whether his Wife knew where he had buried his Money? He answered, _That no Body 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 Cruize, 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 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, encouraged 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, there were several Memorandums of the following Nature, sound writ with his own Hand.-- _Such a Day, Rum all out:--Our Company somewhat sober:--A damn'd Confusion amongst us!--Rogues a plotting;--great Talk of Separation.--So I look'd 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 Pyrates killed in the Engagement, are as follow.

_Edward Teach_, Commander.

_Phillip Morton_, Gunner.

_Garrat Gibbens_, Boatswain.

_Owen Roberts_, Carpenter.

_Thomas Miller_, Quarter-Master.

_John Husk_,

_Joseph Curtice_,

_Joseph Brooks_, (1)

_Nath. Jackson_.

All the rest, except the two last, were wounded and afterwards hanged in _Virginia_.

_John Carnes, Joseph Philips,_

_Joseph Brooks, _(2)_ James Robbins,_

_James Blake, John Martin,_

_John Gills, Edward Salter,_

_Thomas Gates, Stephen Daniel,_

_James White, Richard Greensail._

_Richard Stiles, Israel Hands, _pardoned.

_Cæsar, Samuel Odel_, acquited.

* * *

There were in the Pyrate Sloops, and ashore in a Tent, near where the Sloops lay, 25 Hogsheads of Sugar, 11 Teirces, and 145 Bags of Cocoa, a Barrel of Indigo, and a Bale of Cotton; which, with what was taken from the Governor and Secretary, and the Sale of the Sloop, came to 2500 _l._ 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_ River; the brave Fellows that took them coming in for no more than their Dividend amongst the rest, and was paid it within these three Months.

CHAP. IV. OF Major _Stede Bonnet_, And his CREW.

THE Major was a Gentleman of good Reputation in the Island of _Barbadoes_, was Master of a plentiful Fortune, and had the Advantage of a liberal Education. He had the least Temptation of any Man to follow such a Course of Life, from the Condition of his Circumstances. It was very surprizing to every one, to hear of the Major's Enterprize, in the Island were he liv'd; and as he was generally esteem'd and honoured, before he broke out into open Acts of Pyracy, so he was afterwards rather pitty'd than condemned, by those that were acquainted with him, believing that this Humour of going a pyrating, proceeded from a Disorder in his Mind, which had been but too visible in him, some Time before this wicked Undertaking; and which is said to have been occasioned by some Discomforts he found in a married State; be that as it will, the Major was but ill qualify'd for the Business, as not understanding maritime Affairs.

However, he fitted out a Sloop with ten Guns and 70 Men, entirely at his own Expence, and in the Night-Time sailed from _Barbadoes_. He called his Sloop the _Revenge_; his first Cruize was off the Capes of _Virginia_, where he took several Ships, and plundered them of their Provisions, Cloaths, Money, Ammunition, _&c._ in particular the _Anne_, Captain _Montgomery_, from _Glascow_; the _Turbet_ from _Barbadoes_, which for Country sake, after they had taken out the principal Part of the Lading, the Pyrate Crew set her on Fire; the _Endeavour_, Captain _Scot_, from _Bristol_, and the _Young_ from _Leith_. From hence they went to _New-York_, and off the East End of _Long-Island_, took a Sloop bound for the _West-Indies_, after which they stood in and landed some Men at _Gardner_'s _Island_, but in a peaceable Manner, and bought Provisions for the Company's Use, which they paid for, and so went off again without Molestation.

Some Time after, which was in _August_ 1717, _Bonnet_ came off the Bar of _South-Carolina_, and took a Sloop and a Brigantine bound in; the Sloop belonged to _Barbadoes, Joseph Palmer_ Master, laden with Rum, Sugar and Negroes; and the Brigantine came from _New-England, Thomas Porter_ Master, whom they plundered, and then dismiss'd; but they sailed away with the Sloop, and at an Inlet in _North-Carolina_ careened by her, and then set her on Fire.

After the Sloop had cleaned, they put to Sea, but came to no Resolution what Course to take; the Crew were divided in their Opinions, some being for one Thing, and some another, so that nothing but Confusion seem'd to attend all their Schemes.

The Major was no Sailor as was said before, and therefore had been obliged to yield to many Things that were imposed on him, during their Undertaking, for want of a competent Knowledge in maritime Affairs; at length happening to fall in Company with another Pyrate, one _Edward Teach_, (who for his remarkable black ugly Beard, was more commonly called _Black-Beard_:) This Fellow was a good Sailor, but a most cruel hardened Villain, bold and daring to the last Degree, and would not stick at the perpetrating the most abominable Wickedness imaginable; for which he was made Chief of that execrable Gang, that it might be said that his Post was not unduly filled, _Black-beard_ being truly the Superior in Roguery, of all the Company, as has been already related.

To him _Bonnet_'s Crew joined in Consortship, and _Bonnet_ himself was laid aside, notwithstanding the Sloop was his own; he went aboard _Black-beard_'s Ship, not concerning himself with any of their Affairs, where he continued till she was lost in _Topsail_ Inlet, and one _Richards_ was appointed Captain in his Room. The Major now saw his Folly, but could not help himself, which made him Melancholy; he reflected upon his past Course of Life, and was confounded with Shame, when he thought upon what he had done: His Behaviour was taken Notice of by the other Pyrates, who liked him never the better for it; and he often declared to some of them, that he would gladly leave off that Way of Living, being fully tired of it; but he should be ashamed to see the Face of any _English_ Man again; therefore if he could get to _Spain_ or _Portugal_, where he might be undiscovered, he would spend the Remainder of his Days in either of those Countries, otherwise he must continue with them as long as he lived.

When _Black-beard_ lost his Ship at _Topsail_ Inlet, and surrendered to the King's Proclamation, _Bonnet_ reassumed the Command of his own Sloop, _Revenge_, goes directly away to _Bath-Town_ in _North-Carolina_, surrenders likewise to the King's Pardon, and receives a Certificate. The War was now broke out between the _Tripple_ Allies and _Spain_; so Major _Bonnet_ gets a Clearence for his Sloop at _North-Carlina_, to go to the Island of St. _Thomas_, with a Design (at least it was pretended so) to get the Emperor's Commission, to go a Privateering upon the _Spaniards_. When _Bonnet_ came back to _Topsail_ Inlet, he found that _Teach_ and his Gang were gone, and that they had taken all the Money, small Arms and Effects of Value out of the great Ship, and set ashore on a small sandy Island above a League from the Main, seventeen Men, no doubt with a Design they should perish, there being no Inhabitant, or Provisions to subsist withal, nor any Boat or Materials to build or make any kind of Launch or Vessel, to escape from that desolate Place: They remained there two Nights and one Day, without Subsistance, or the least Prospect of any, expecting nothing else but a lingering Death; when to their inexpressable Comfort, they saw Redemption at Hand; for Major _Bonnet_ happening to get Intelligence of their being there, by two of the Pyrates who had escaped _Teach_'s Cruelty, and had got to a poor little Village at the upper End of the Harbour, sent his Boat to make Discovery of the Truth of the Matter, which the poor Wretches seeing, made a signal to them, and they were all brought on Board _Bonnet_'s Sloop.

Major _Bonnet_ told all his Company, that he would take a Commission to go against the _Spaniards_, and to that End, was going to St. _Thomas_'s therefore if they would go with him, they should be welcome; whereupon they all consented, but as the Sloop was preparing to sail, a Bom-Boat, that brought Apples and Sider to sell to the Sloop's Men, informed them, that Captain _Teach_ lay at _Ocricock_ Inlet, with only 18 or 20 Hands. _Bonnet_, who bore him a mortal Hatred for some Insults offered him, went immediately in pursuit of _Black-beard_, but it happened too late, for he missed of him there, and after four Days Cruize, hearing no farther News of him, they steered their Course towards _Virginia_.

In the Month of _July_, these Adventurers came off the Capes, and meeting with a Pink with a Stock of Provisions on Board, which they happened to be in Want of, they took out of her ten or twelve Barrels of Pork, and about 400 Weight of Bread; but because they would not have this set down to the Account of Pyracy, they gave them eight or ten Casks of Rice, and an old Cable, in lieu thereof.

Two Days afterwards they chased a Sloop of sixty Ton, and took her two Leagues off of Cape _Henry_; they were so happy here as to get a Supply of Liquor to their Victuals, for they brought from her two Hogsheads of Rum, and as many of Molosses, which, it seems, they had need of, tho' they had not ready Money to purchase them: What Security they intended to give, I can't tell, but _Bonnet_ sent eight Men to take Care of the Prize Sloop, who, perhaps, not caring to make Use of those accustom'd Freedoms, took the first Opportunity to go off with her, and _Bonnet_ (who was pleased to have himself called Captain _Thomas_,) saw them no more.

After this, the Major threw off all Restraint, and though he had just before received his Majesty's Mercy, in the Name of _Stede Bonnet_, he relaps'd in good Earnest into his old Vocation, by the Name of Captain _Thomas_, and recommenced a down-right Pyrate, by taking and plundering all the Vessels he met with: He took off Cape _Henry_, two Ships from _Virginia_, bound to _Glascow_, out of which they had very little besides an hundred Weight of Tobacco. The next Day they took a small Sloop bound from _Virginia_ to _Bermudas_, which supply'd them with twenty Barrels of Pork, some Bacon, and they gave her in return, two Barrels of Rice, and a Hogshead of Molossus; out of this Sloop two Men enter'd voluntarily. The next they took was another _Virginia_ Man, bound to _Glascow_, out of which they had nothing of Value, save only a few Combs, Pins and Needles, and gave her instead thereof, a Barrel of Pork, and two Barrels of Bread.

From _Virginia_ they sailed to _Philadelphia_, and in the Latitude of 38 North, they took a Scooner, coming from _North-Carolina_, bound to _Boston_, they had out of her only two Dozen of Calf-Skins, to make Covers for Guns, and two of their Hands, and detained her some Days. All this was but small Game, and seem'd as if they design'd only to make Provision for their Sloop against they arrived at St. _Thomas_'s; for they hitherto had dealt favourably with all that were so unhappy as so fall into their Hands; but those that came after, fared not so well, for in the Latitude of 32, off of _Delaware_ River, near _Philadelphia_, they took two Snows bound to _Bristol_, out of whom they got some Money, besides Goods, perhaps to the Value of 150 Pounds; at the same Time they took a Sloop of sixty Tons bound from _Philadelphia_ to _Barbadoes_, which after taking some Goods out, they dismissed along with the Snows.

The 29th Day of _July_, Captain _Thomas_ took a Sloop of 50 Tons, six or seven Leagues off _Delaware_ Bay, bound from _Philadelphia_ to _Barbadoes, Thomas Read_ Master, loaden with Provisions, which they kept, and put four or five of their Hands on Board her. The last Day of _July_, they took another Sloop of 60 Tons, commanded by _Peter Manwaring_, bound from _Antegoa_ to _Philadelphia_, which they likewise kept with all the Cargo, consisting chiefly of Rum, Molosses, Sugar, Cotton, Indigo, and about 25 Pound in Money, valued in all to 500 Pound.

The last Day of _July_, our Rovers with the Vessels last taken, left _Delaware_ Bay, and sailed to Cape _Fear_ River, where they staid too long for their Safety, for the Pyrate Sloop which they now new named the _Royal James_, proved very leaky, so that they were obliged to remain here almost two Months, to refit and repair their Vessel: They took in this River a small Shallop, which they ripped up to mend the Sloop, and retarded the further Prosecution of their Voyage, as before mentioned, till the News came to _Carolina_, of a Pyrate Sloop's being there to carreen with her Prizes.

Upon this Information, the Council of _South-Carolina_ was alarmed, and apprehended they should receive another Visit from them speedily; to prevent which, Colonel _William Rhet_, of the same Province, waited on the Governor, and generously offered himself to go with two Sloops to attack this Pyrate; which the Governor readily accepted, and accordingly gave the Colonel a Commission and full Power, to fit such Vessels as he thought proper for the Design.

In a few Days two Sloops were equipped and manned: The _Henry_ with 8 Guns and 70 Men, commanded by Captain _John Masters_, and the _Sea Nymph_, with 8 Guns and 60 Men, commanded by Captain _Fayrer Hall_, both under the entire Direction and Command of the aforesaid Colonel _Rhet_, who, on the 14th of _September_, went on Board the _Henry_, and, with the other Sloop, sailed from _Charles-Town_ to _Swillivants_ Island, to put themselves in order for the Cruize. Just then arrived a small Ship from _Antigoa_, one _Cock_ Master, with an Account, that in Sight of the Bar he was taken and plundered by one _Charles Vane_, a Pyrate, in a Brigantine of 12 Guns and 90 Men; and who had also taken two other Vessels bound in there, one a small Sloop, Captain _Dill_ Master, from _Barbadoes_; the other a Brigantine, Captain _Thompson_ Master, from _Guiney_, with ninety odd Negroes, which they took out of the Vessel, and put on Board another Sloop then under the Command of one _Yeats_, his Consort, with 25 Men. This prov'd fortunate to the Owners of the _Guiney_ Man, for _Yeats_ having often attempted to quit this Course of Life, took an Opportunity in the Night, to leave _Vane_ and to run into _North-Edisto_ River, to the Southward of _Charles-Town_, and surrendered to his Majesty's Pardon. The Owners got their Negroes, and _Yeats_ and his Men had Certificates given them from the Government.

_Vane_ cruised some Time off the Bar, in hopes to catch _Yeats_, and unfortunately for them, took two Ships coming out, bound to _London_, and while the Prisoners were aboard, some of the Pyrates gave out, that they designed to go into one of the Rivers to the Southward. Colonel _Rhet_, upon hearing this, sailed over the Bar the 15th of _September_, with the two Sloops before mentioned; and having the Wind Northerly, went after the Pyrate _Vane_, and scoured the Rivers and Inlets to the Southward; but not meeting with him, tacked and stood for Cape _Fear_ River, in Prosecution of his first Design. On the 26th following, in the Evening, the Colonel with his small Squadron, entered the River, and saw, over a Point of Land, three Sloops at an Anchor, which were Major _Bonnet_ and his Prizes; but it happened that in going up the River, the Pilot run the Colonel's Sloops aground, and it was dark before they were on Float, which hindered their getting up that Night. The Pyrates soon discovered the Sloops, but not knowing who they were, or upon what Design they came into that River, they manned three Canoes, and sent them down to take them, but they quickly found their Mistake, and returned to the Sloop, with the unwelcome News. Major _Bonnet_ made Preparations that Night for engaging, and took all the Men out of the Prizes. He shewed Captain _Manwaring_, one of his Prisoners, a Letter, he had just wrote, which he declared he would send to the Governor of _Carolina_; the Letter was to this Effect, _viz. That if the Sloops, which then appeared, were sent out against him, by the said Governor, and he should get clear off, that he would burn and destroy all Ships or Vessels going in or coming out of_ South-Carolina. The next Morning they got under Sail, and came down the River, designing only a running Fight. Colonel _Rhet_'s Sloops got likewise under Sail, and stood for him, getting upon each Quarter of the Pyrate, with Intent to board him; which he perceiving, edged in towards the Shore, and being warmly engaged, their Sloop ran a-ground: The _Carolina_ Sloops being in the same shoal Water, were in the same Circumstances; the _Henry_, in which Colonel _Rhet_ was, grounded within Pistol shot of the Pyrate, and on his Bow; the other Sloop grounded right a-head of him, and almost out of Gun-Shot, which made her of little Service to the Colonel, while they lay a-ground.

At this Time the Pyrate had a considerable Advantage; for their Sloop, after she was a-ground, listed from Colonel _Rhet_'s, by which Means they were all covered, and the Colonel's Sloop listing the same Way, his Men were much exposed; notwithstanding which, they kept a brisk Fire the whole Time they lay thus a-ground, which was near five Hours. The Pyrates made a Wiff in their bloody Flag, and beckoned several Times with their Hats in Derision to the Colonel's Men, to come on Board, which they answered with chearful Huzza's, and said, _that they would speak with them by and by_; which accordingly happened, for the Colonel's Sloop being first a float, he got into deeper Water, and after mending the Sloop's Rigging, which was much shattered in the Engagement, they stood for the Pyrate, to give the finishing Stroke, and designed to go directly on Board him; which he prevented, by sending a Flag of Truce, and after some Time capitulating, they surrendered themselves Prisoners. The Colonel took Possession of the Sloop, and was extreamly pleased to find that Captain _Thomas_, who commanded her, was the individual Person of Major _Stede Bonnet_, who had done them the Honour several Times to visit their own Coast of _Carolina_.

There were killed in this Action, on Board the _Henry_, ten Men, and fourteen wounded; on Board the _Sea Nymph_, two killed and four wounded. The Officers and Sailors in both Sloops behaved themselves with the greatest Bravery; and had not the Sloops so unluckily run a-ground, they had taken the Pyrate with much less loss of Men; but as he designed to get by them, and so make a running Fight, the _Carolina_ Sloops were obliged to keep near him, to prevent his getting away. Of the Pyrates there were seven killed and five wounded, two of which died soon after of their Wounds. Colonel _Rhet_ weigh'd the 30th of _September_, from Cape _Fear_ River, and arrived at _Charles-Town_ the 3d of _October_, to the great Joy of the whole Province of _Carolina_.

_Bonnet_ and his Crew, two Days after, were put ashore, and there not being a publick Prison, the Pyrates were kept at the Watch-House, under a Guard of Militia; but Major _Bonnet_ was committed into the Custody of the Marshal, at his House; and in a few Days after, _David Hariot_ the Master, and _Ignatius Pell_ the Boatswain, who were designed for Evidences against the other Pyrates, were removed from the rest of the Crew, to the said Marshal's House, and every Night two Centinals set about the said House; but whether thro' any Corruption, or want of Care in guarding the Prisoners, I can't say; but on the 24th of _October_, the Major and _Hariot_ made their Escape, the Boatswain refusing to go along with them. This made a great Noise in the Province, and People were open in their Resentments, often reflecting on the Governor, and others in the Magistracy, as tho' they had been brib'd, for conniving at their Escape. These Invectives arose from their Fears, that _Bonnet_ would be capable of raising another Company, and prosecute his Revenge against this Country, for what he had lately, tho' justly, suffered: But they were in a short Time made easy in those Respects; for as soon as the Governor had the Account of _Bonnet_'s Escape, he immediately issued out a Proclamation, and promised a Reward of 700 Pounds to any that would take him, and sent several Boats with armed Men, both to the Northward and Southward, in pursuit of him.

_Bonnet_ stood to the Northward, in a small Vessel, but wanting Necessaries, and the Weather being bad, he was forced back, and so return'd with his Canoe, to _Swillivants_ Island, near _Charles-Town_, to fetch Supplies; but there being some Information sent to the Governor, he sent for Colonel _Rhet_, and desired him to go in pursuit of _Bonnet_; and accordingly gave him a Commission for that Purpose: Wherefore the Colonel, with proper Craft, and some Men, went away that Night for _Swillivant_'s Island, and, after a very diligent Search, discovered _Bonnet_ and _Hariot_ together; the Colonel's Men fired upon them, and killed _Hariot_ upon the Spot, and wounded one Negro and an _Indian. Bonnet_ submitted, and surrender'd himself; and the next Morning, being _November_ the 6th, was brought by Colonel _Rhet_ to _Charles-Town_, and, by the Governor's Warrant, was committed into safe Custody, in order for his being brought to his Tryal.

On the 28th of _October_, 1718, a Court of Vice-Admiralty was held at _Charles-Town_, in _South-Carolina_, and, by several Adjournments, continued to _Wednesday_, the 12th of _November_ following, for the Tryal of the Pyrates taken in a Sloop formerly called _the Revenge_, but afterwards _the Royal James_, before _Nicholas Trot_, Esq; Judge of the Vice-Admiralty, and Chief Justice of the said Province of _South-Carolina_, and other Assistant Judges.

The King's Commission to Judge _Trot_ was read, and a Grand Jury sworn, for the finding of the several Bills, and a learned Charge given them by the said Judge, wherein he 1st shewed, _That the Sea was given by God, for the Use of Men, and is Subject to Dominion and Property, as well as the Land_.

2dly, He particularly remark'd to them, _the Sovereignty of the King of_ England _over the_ British _Seas_.

3dly, He observed, _that as Commerce and Navigation could not be carried on without Laws; so there have been always particular Laws, for the better ordering and regulating marine Affairs_; with an historical Account or those Laws, and Origine.

4thly, He proceeded to shew, _that there have been particular Courts and Judges appointed; to whose Jurisdiction maritime Causes do belong, and that in Matters both Civil and Criminal_.

And then 5thly, He particularly shewed them, _the Constitution and Jurisdiction of that Court of Admiralty Sessions_.

And lastly, _the Crimes cognizable therein_; and particularly enlarged _upon the Crime of Pyracy_, which was then brought before them.

The Indictments being found, a petit Jury was sworn, and the following Persons arraigned and tried.

* * *

_Stede Bonnet_, alias _Edwards_, alias _Thomas_, late of _Barbadoes_, Mariner.

_Robert Tucker_, late of the Island of _Jamaica_, Mariner.

_Edward Robinson_, late of _New-Castle_ upon _Tine_, Mariner.

_Neal Paterson_, late of _Aberdeen_, Mariner.

_William Scot_, late of _Aberdeen_, Mariner.

_William Eddy_, alias _Neddy_, late of _Aberdeen_, Mariner.

_Alexander Annand_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner.

_George Rose_, late of _Glascow_, Mariner.

_George Dunkin_, late of _Glascow_, Mariner.

*_Thomas Nicholas_, late of _London_, Mariner.

_John Ridge_, late of _London_, Mariner.

_Matthew King_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner.

_Daniel Perry_, late of _Guernsey_, Mariner.

_Henry Virgin_, late of _Bristol_, Mariner.

_James Robbins_, alias _Rattle_, late of _London_, Mariner.

_James Mullet_, alias _Millet_, late of _London_, Mariner.

_Thomas Price_, late of _Bristol_, Mariner.

_James Wilson_, late of _Dublin_, Mariner.

_John Lopez_, late of _Oporto_, Mariner.

_Zachariah Long_, late of the Province of _Holland_, Mariner.

_Job Bayly_, late of _London_, Mariner.

_John-William Smith_, late of _Charles-Town, Carolina_, Mariner.

_Thomas Carman_, late of _Maidstone_ in _Kent_, Mariner.

_John Thomas_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner.

_William Morrison_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner.

_Samuel Booth_, late of _Charles-Town_, Mariner.

_William Hewet_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner.

_John Levit_, late of _North-Carolina_, Mariner.

_William Livers_, alias _Evis_.

_John Brierly_, alias _Timberhead_, late of _Bath-Town_ in _North Carolina_, Mariner.

_Robert Boyd_, late of _Bath-Town_ aforesaid, Mariner.

*_Rowland Sharp_, of _Bath-Town_, Mariner.

*_Jonathan Clarke_, late of _Charles-Town, South Carolina_, Mariner.

*_Thomas Gerrard_, late of _Antegoa_, Mariner.

* * *

And all, except the three last, and _Thomas Nicholas_, were found Guilty, and received Sentence of Death.

They were most of them try'd upon two Indictments, as follows.

* * *

T_HE Jurors for our Sovereign Lord the King, do upon their Oath present, that_ Stede Bonnet, _late of_ Barbadoes, _Mariner_, Robert Tucker, &c. &c. _The_ 2_d Day of_ August, _in the fifth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord_ George, &c. _By Force of Arms upon the High-Sea, in a certain Place called Cape_ James, &c. _did pyratically, and felloniously set upon, break,_ _board, and enter, a certain Merchant Sloop, called the_ Frances, Peter Manwaring _Commander, by Force_, &c. _upon the High-Sea, in a certain Place, called Cape_ James, alias _Cape_ Inlopen, _about two Miles distant from the Shore, in the Lattitude of_ 39, _or thereabouts; and within the Jurisdiction of the Court of Vice-Admiralty, of_ South-Carolina, _being a Sloop of certain Persons_, (_to the Jurors, unknown_) _and then, and there, pyratically, and felloniously did make an Assault, in, and upon the said_ Peter Manwaring, _and others his Mariners_, (_whose Names to the Jurors aforesaid, are unknown,) in the same Sloop, against the Peace of God, and of our said now Sovereign Lord the King, then, and there being, pyratically and felloniously, did put the aforesaid_ Peter Manwaring, _and others, his Mariners, of the same Sloop, in the Sloop aforesaid, then being, in corporal Fear of their Lives, then and there, in the Sloop aforesaid, upon the_ High-Sea, _in the Place aforesaid, called Cape_ James, alias _Cape_ Inlopen, _about two Miles from the Shore, in the Lattitude of_ 39, _or thereabouts, as aforesaid, and within the Jurisdiction aforesaid; pyratically, and felloniously, did steal, take, and carry away the said Merchant Sloop, called the_ Frances, _and also twenty six Hogsheads_, &c. &c. &c. _being found in the aforesaid Sloop, in the Custody and Possession of the said_ Peter Manwaring, _and others, his Mariners of the said Sloop, and from their Custody and Possession, then and there, upon the High-Sea aforesaid, called Cape_ James, alias _Cape_ Inlopen, _as aforesaid, and within the Jurisdiction aforesaid, against the Peace of our now Sovereign Lord the King, his Crown and Dignity_.

This was the Form of the Indictments they were arraigned upon, and tho' they might have proved several more Facts upon the major Part of the Crew, the Court thought fit to prosecute but two; the other was for seizing in a pyratical and felonious Manner, the Sloop _Fortune, Thomas Read_ Commander; which Indictment running in the same Form with the above-mentioned, it will be unnecessary to say more of it.

All the Prisoners arraigned, pleaded Not Guilty, and put themselves upon their Tryals, except _James Wilson_, and _John Levit_, who pleaded Guilty to both Indictments, and _Daniel Perry_, to one only. The Major would have gone through both the Indictments at once, which the Court not admitting, he pleaded Not Guilty to both Indictments, but being convicted of one, he retracted his former Plea to the second Indictment, and pleaded Guilty to it.

The Prisoners made little or no Defence, every one pretending only that they were taken off a Maroon Shore, and were shipped with Major _Bonnet_ to go to St. _Thomas_'s; but being out at Sea, and wanting Provisions, they were obliged to do what they did by others; and so did Major _Bonnet_ himself, pretend that 'twas Force, not Inclination, that occasioned what had happened. However, the Facts being plainly proved, and that they had all shared ten or eleven Pounds a Man, excepting the three last, and _Thomas Nichols_, they were all but they, found Guilty. The Judge made a very grave Speech to them, setting forth _the Enormity of their Crimes, the Condition they were now in, and the Nature and Necessity of an unfeigned Repentance_; and then recommended them to the Ministers of the Province, for more ample Directions, to fit them for Eternity, _for_ (concluded he) _the Priest's Lips shall keep Knowledge, and you shall seek the Law at their Mouths; for they are the Messengers of the Lord_. Mat. II. 57. _And the Ambassadors of Christ, and unto them is committed the Word_ [or Doctrine] _of Reconciliation_, 2 Cor. V. 19. 20. And then pronounced Sentence of Death upon them.

On _Saturday November_ the 8th, 1711. _Robert Tucker, Edward Robinson, Neal Paterson, William Scot, Job Bayley, John-William Smith, John Thomas, William Morrison, Samuel Booth, William Hewit, William Eddy_, alias _Neddy, Alexander Annand, George Ross, George Dunkin, Matthew King, Daniel Perry, Henry Virgin, James Robbins, James Mullet_, alias _Millet, Thomas Price, John Lopez_, and _Zachariah Long_, were executed at the _White-Point_ near _Charles-Town_, pursuant to their Sentence.

As for the Captain, his Escape protracted his Fate, and spun out his Life a few Days longer, for he was try'd the 10th, and being found Guilty, received Sentence in like Manner as the former; before which Judge _Trot_, made a most excellent Speech to him, rather somewhat too long to be taken into our History, yet I could not tell how to pass by so good and useful a Piece of Instruction, not knowing whose Hands this Book may happen to fall into.

_The Lord Chief Justices's_ SPEECH, _upon his pronouncing Sentence on Major_ STEDE BONNET.

MAjor _Stede Bonnet_, you stand here convicted upon two Indictments of Pyracy; one by the Verdict of the Jury, and the other by your own Confession.