Chapter I: Part 1

THE LIVES AND ADVENTURES
OF SUNDRY
NOTORIOUS PIRATES

PIRATES

_With a _Foreword_ and sundry _Decorations_ by_

C. Lovat Fraser

_NEW YORK:_
ROBERT M. McBRIDE AND COMPANY
1922

_First American Edition_

_Printed in the United States of America_

_Printed in Great Britain by Billing and Sons, Ltd., Guildford and Esher._

CONTENTS

PAGE
Foreword vii

The Life of Captain Avery 1

Captain John Rackham, and his Crew 17

Captain Spriggs, and his Crew 29

Captain Edward Lowe, and his Crew 37

Captain George Lowther, and his Crew 51

Captain Anstis, and his Crew 65

Captain John Phillips, and his Crew 77

Captain Teach, _alias_ Blackbeard 87

Major Stede Bonnet and his Crew 101

Captain William Kid 117

Captain Edward England, and his Crew 135

Captain John Gow, _alias_ Smith, and his Crew 145

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Captain Avery _frontispiece_

Captain John Rackham _facing page_ 19

Captain Edward Lowe " 39

Captain Teach " 89

Major Stede Bonnet " 103

Captain William Kid " 119

Captain Edward England " 137

Captain John Gow " 147

FOREWORD

Time, though a good Collector, is not always a reliable Historian. That is to say, that although nothing of interest or importance is lost, yet an affair may be occasionally invested with a glamour that is not wholly its own. I venture to think that Piracy has fortuned in this particular. We are apt to base our ideas of Piracy on the somewhat vague ambitions of our childhood; and I suppose, were such a thing possible, the consensus of opinion in our nurseries as to a future profession in life would place Piracy but little below the glittering heights of the police force and engine-driving. Incapable of forgetting this in more mature years, are we not inclined to deck Her (the "H" capital, for I speak of an ideal), if not in purple and fine linen, at least with a lavish display of tinsel and gilt? Nursery lore remains with us, whether we would or not, for all our lives; and generations of ourselves, as schoolboys and pre-schoolboys, have tricked out Piracy in so resplendent a dress that she has fairly ousted in our affections, not only her sister profession of "High Toby and the Road," but every other splendid and villainous vocation. Yet Teach, Kid, and Avery were as terrible or grim as Duval, Turpin, and Sheppard were courtly or whimsical. And the terrible is a more vital affair than the whimsical. Is it, then, unnatural that, after a lapse of nigh on two centuries, we should shake our wise heads and allow that which is still nursery within us to deplore the loss of those days when we ran--before a favouring "Trade"--the very good chance of being robbed, maimed, or murdered by Captain Howel Davis or Captain Neil Gow? It is as well to remember that the "Captains" in this book were seamen whose sole qualifications to the title were ready wit, a clear head, and, maybe, that certain indefinable "power of the eye" that is the birth-right of all true leaders. The piratical hero of our childhood is traceable in a great extent to the "thrillers," toy plays, and penny theatres of our grandfathers. Here our Pirate was, as often as not, a noble, dignified, if gloomy gentleman, with a leaning to Byronic soliloquy. Though stern in exterior, his heart could (and would) melt at the distresses of the heroine. Elvira's eyes were certain to awaken in his mind the recollection of "other eyes as innocent as thine, child." In short, he was that most touching of all beings, the Hero-cum-Villain. And it was with a sigh of relief that we saw him at the eleventh hour, having successfully twitted the "Government Men" and the Excise (should he have an additional penchant for smuggling), safely restored to the arms of the long-suffering possessor of the other eyes.

Alas! this little book mentions no Poll of Portsmouth, nor does it favour us with a "Yeo, heave, oh!" nor is there so very much "cut and thrust" about it. It was written in that uninspiring day when Pirates were a very real nuisance to such law-abiding folk as you and I; but it has the merit of being written, if not by a Pirate, at least by one who came into actual contact with them. I am not at all sure that "merit" is the right word to use in this instance, for to be a Pirate does not necessarily ensure you making a good author. Indeed, it might almost be considered as a ban to the fine literary technique of an Addison or a Temple. It has, however, the virtue of being in close touch with some of the happenings chronicled. Not that our author saw above a tithe of what he records--had he done so he would have been "set a-sun-drying" at Execution Dock long before he had had the opportunity of putting pen to paper; but, as far as posterity was concerned, he was lucky in his friend William Ingram--evidently a fellow of good memory and a ready tongue--"who," as our author states in his Preface, "was a Pirate under Anstis, Roberts, and many others," and who eventually was hanged in good piratical company on the 11th of June, 1714.

The actual history of the little book, the major part of which is here reprinted, is as follows:

Its full title is "The History and Lives of all the most Notorious Pirates and their Crews," and the fifth edition, from which our text is taken, was printed in 1735. A reproduction of the original title-page is given overleaf.

As a matter of fact, the title is misleading. How could a book that makes no mention of Morgan or Lollonois be a history of _all_ the most notorious Pirates? It deals with the last few years of the seventeenth century and the first quarter of the eighteenth, a period that might with justice be called "The Decline and Fall of Piracy," for after 1730 Piracy became but a mean broken-backed affair that bordered perilously on mere sea-pilfering.

HISTORY _and_ LIVES

Of all the most Notorious

PIRATES,

AND THEIR

CREWS;

From Capt. AVERY, who first settled at _Madagascar_, to Captain _John Gow_, and _James Williams_, his Lieutenant, _&c._ who were hang'd at _Execution Dock_, _June_ 11, 1725, for Piracy and Murther; and afterwards hang'd in Chains between _Blackwall_ and _Deptford_. And in this Edition continued down to the present Year 1735.

Giving a more full and true Account than any yet Publish'd, of all their Murthers, Piracies, Maroonings, Places of Refuge, and Ways of Living.

The Fifth Edition.

Adorned with Twenty Beautiful CUTS, being the Representation of each Pirate.

To which is prefixed, _An Abstract of the Laws against Piracy_.

LONDON: Printed for _A. Bettesworth_ and _C. Hitch_, at the _Red Lyon_ in _Pater-noster-Row_; _R. Ware_, at the _Sun_ and _Bible_ in _Amen-Corner_; and _J. Hodges_, at the _Looking-glass_ on _London-bridge_. 1735.]

A little research into the book's history shows us that it is consistent throughout, and that it is a "piracy," in the publisher's sense of the word, of a much larger and more pretentious work by Captain Charles Johnson, entitled, "A General History of the Pyrates from their first Rise and Settlement in the Island of Providence to the Present Time; With the Remarkable Actions and Adventures of the two Female Pyrates Mary Read and Anne Bonny."

This was published in London, in 8vo., by Charles Rivington in 1724. A second edition, considerably augmented, was issued later in the same year, a third edition in the year following, and a fourth edition--in two volumes, as considerable additions in the form of extra "Lives," and an appendix necessitated a further volume--in 1725.

This two-volume edition contained the history of the following Pirates: Avery, Martel, Teach, Bonnet, England, Vane, Rackham, Davis, Roberts, Anstis, Morley, Lowther, Low, Evans, Phillips, Spriggs, Smith, Misson, Bowen, Kid, Tew, Halsey, White, Condent, Bellamy, Fly, Howard, Lewis, Cornelius, Williams, Burgess, and North, together with a short abstract on the Statute and Civil Law in relation to "Pyracy," and an appendix, completing the Lives in the first volume, and correcting some mistakes.

The work evidently enjoyed a great vogue, for it was translated into Dutch by Robert Hannebo, of Amsterdam, in 1727, and issued there, with several "new illustrations," in 12mo. A German version by Joachim Meyer was printed at Gosslar in the following year, while in France it saw the light as an appendix to an edition of Esquemeling's "Histoire des Avanturiers," 1726.

But little is known of the author, Captain Charles Johnson, excepting that he flourished from 1724 to 1736, and it is more than probable that the name by which we know him is an assumed one. It is possible that his knowledge of Pirates and Piracy was of such a nature to have justified awkward investigations on the part of His Majesty's Government.

There is one thing that we do know for certain about him, and that is that the worthy Captain's spelling, according to the pirated version of his book, was indefinite even for his own day. He was one of those inspired folk who would be quite capable of spelling "schooner" with three variations in as many lines. In this edition the spelling has been more or less modernized.

Lastly, it is to be remembered that the ships of this period, according to our modern ideas, would be the veriest cockle-shells, and so that we should know what manner of vessel he refers to in these pages, I had recourse to a friend of mine whose knowledge of things nautical is extensive enough to have gained for him the coveted "Extra Master's Certificate," and who was kind enough to supply me with the following definitions:

A vessel rigged as a cutter, but with one head-sail only set on a very short bowsprit.]

Two-masted vessels, fore and aft rigged, sometimes having square topsails on the fore-mast.]

A two-masted vessel, square rigged on fore-mast.]

GALLEY.

A large vessel rowed by oars and sometimes having auxiliary sail of various rigs.

PINK.

Probably a small, fast vessel used as a tender and despatch boat for river work.

A two-masted vessel with a stay, known as a "Horse," from the main-mast to the poop on which the trysail was set. Sometimes a spar was fitted instead of a stay. The rig was most likely of a brig (_i.e._, a two-masted ship, square sails on both masts), and the triangular trysail set on the stay in bad weather or when hove to.]

C. L. F.

THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN AVERY

He was the son of _John Avery_, a victualler near _Plymouth_, in _Devonshire_, who in a few years was grown as opulent in his purse as in his body, by scoring two for one; and when he had so done, drinking the most of the liquor himself. By which means, and having a handsome wife, who knew her business as well as if she had been brought up to it from a child (which, indeed, she mostly was, her mother keeping the House before she married _Mr. Avery_), they soon became very rich and very able to give credit to a whole ship's crew upon their tickets, which in those days were sold for less than half their value.

Having but one child (afterwards the Captain), they at first resolved to bring him up a scholar, that he might advance the dignity of the family. But instead of learning his book, he was taught by such companions that he could soon swear to every point of his compass, which was a very diverting scene for the Boatswain and his crew, who were then drinking in the kitchen, having just received ten pounds apiece short allowance money on board the _Revenge_, every farthing of which they spent before leaving the house.

But as soon as their money was spent, they were all like to have been imprisoned by their Landlady for a riot, as she called it, so they were soon glad to sheer off, and he thought himself happiest that could get first aboard. Indeed, it would have been happy for them if they had, for the ship was unmoored and gone to sea; which put the Boatswain and his crew swearing in earnest, and not knowing what to do, they resolved to return to their Landlady, _Mrs. Avery_, at "the Sign of the _Defiance_." But she shut them out of doors, calling them a parcel of beggarly rascals, and swearing that if they would not go from the door she would send for the Constable; and notwithstanding all the entreaties and tears of her only son, who was then about six years of age, she could not be prevailed upon to let them in, so they were obliged to stroll about the street all night. In the morning, spying the ship at anchor, being driven back by contrary winds, they resolved to make the best of their way aboard; but on the way, whom should they meet but young _Avery_, who had no sooner seen them, but he cried after them. "Zounds," says the Boatswain, "let's take the young dog aboard, and his mother shall soon be glad to adjust the reckoning more to our satisfaction before she shall have her son."

This was agreed upon by all hands, and the boy was as willing as any of them. So, stepping into the boat, in about an hour's time they reached the ship, which they had no sooner boarded but they were brought before the Captain, who, being in want of hands, contented himself with bidding them all go to their business; for the wind turned about, and there was occasion for all hands to be at work to carry out the ship.

All this while young _Avery_ was at the heels of the Boatswain, and was observed to swear two oaths to one of the Boatswain's; which being soon observed by the Captain, he inquired who brought that young rascal aboard.

To which the Boatswain replied that he did, that the boy's mother was his Landlady on shore, and he had taken him up in jest, but was afraid that they would now have to keep him in earnest.

When the hurry was a little over, the Captain commanded the boy to be brought to him in his cabin. He had not talked long to him before he took a fancy to him, telling him that if he would be a good boy, he should live with him.

He, being a mighty lover of children, would often divert himself by talking to the boy, till at length he took such a fancy to him, that he ordered him a little hammock in his own cabin, and none were so great as the Captain and his boy _Avery_, which had like to have proved very fatal to him; for Avery one night, observing the Captain to be very drunk with some passengers that were on board, got a lighted match and had like to have blown up the ship, had not the Gunner happened accidentally to follow him into the store-room. This made the Captain ever after very shy of his new Acquaintance, and _Avery_, after he had been well whipped, was ordered down into the hold, where he remained until they arrived at _Carolina_, which happened four or five days after.

The boy was given to a merchant, who, taking a fancy to him, put him to school; but he made so little progress in learning, and committed so many unlucky tricks, that the merchant, in about three years, shipped him off to his friends at _Plymouth_ on board the _Nonesuch_, where he was no sooner arrived but his mother was overjoyed with the sight of her son, his father being dead about a month before his arrival.

And, indeed, it was thought the loss of their son broke his heart, for it was observed the father never held up his head after, the neighbours often reflecting upon him for his ill-usage of the seamen, who had spent so much money at his house; saying he could never expect that all his ill-gotten riches could prosper him, which so happened, as you shall hear presently. For his mother, dying soon after, the boy was left under the guardianship of one Mr. _Lightfoot_, a merchant, who, having great losses at sea, became a bankrupt, and so young _Avery_ was left to look out after himself; there he continued for many years in pilfering and stealing till the country was too hot for him, when he betook him to sea again, where in time he became as famous for robbing as _Cromwell_ for rebellion.

He entered himself on board the _Duke_, Captain _Gibson_ Commander, being one of the two ships of twenty-four guns and one hundred men which were fitted out by the merchants of _Bristol_ for the service of _Spain_, which they had no sooner done, but they were ordered by their agents at _Bristol_ to sail for the _Groyne_ to receive their orders.

On board one of which ships _Avery_, being at this time above twenty years old, entered himself, where he had not been long before he observed the Captain was much addicted to drunkenness.

He endeavoured to spirit up not only his own ship's crew, but having also given the word to part of the other ship's crew, the conspirators gave the signal.

At which the _Duchess_, as the other ship was named, put off her longboat; which the conspirators hailing were answered by the men in the boat, "Is your drunken Boatswain on board?" This being the word agreed upon, Avery answered, "All is safe;" upon which twenty lusty fellows came aboard and joined them, which they had no sooner done but they secured the hatches and went to work, putting to sea without any disorder, although there were several ships in the bay, amongst whom was a frigate of forty-four guns.

The Captain, by this time being awaked by the noise of the conspirators working the ship, rung the bell, inquiring what was the matter, to whom _Avery_ and some of the crew replied, "Nothing. Are you mutinous in your cups? Can't you lie down, sleep, and be quiet?"

"No," saith the Captain. "I am sure something's the matter with the ship. Does she drive? What weather is it? Is it a storm?"

Saith _Avery_: "Cannot you lie quiet while you are quiet? I tell you all's well; we are at sea in a fair wind and good weather."

"At sea," saith the Captain; "that can't be."

"Be not frightened," saith Avery, "and I'll tell you. You must note, I am now the Captain of the ship; nay, you must turn out, for this is my cabin, and I am bound for _Madagascar_, to make my own fortune as well as my companions."

The Captain, being more terrified than ever, did not know what to say, which _Avery_ perceiving, bid him take heart. "For," saith he, "if you will join me and these brave fellows, my companions, in time you may get some post under me. If not, step into the longboat and get about your business."

This the Captain was glad to hear, but yet began to expostulate with them upon the injustice of such doings. Saith _Avery_: "What do I care? Every man for himself. Come, come, Captain, if you will go, get you gone; the longboat waits for you, and if there be any more cowards in the ship, you may all go together." Which words so affrighted the whole crew, that there was not above nine or ten of them that durst venture, who made the best of their way to the shore as fast as they could, and thought they were well off.

The Captain was no sooner gone, but they called a Council, which agreed to own _Avery_ as their Captain; which he accepted of with all humility imaginable, seeming to excuse himself on account of his inexperience at sea. But he did it so artfully that it more confirmed them in the good opinion of their choice. "Gentlemen," said he, "what we have done we must live or die by; let us all be hearty and of one mind, and I don't question but we shall make our fortune in a little time. I propose that we sail first to _Madagascar_, where we may settle a correspondence, in order to secure our retreats, whenever we think fit to lie by."

To which they all agreed, "Nemine contradicente."

"But hold," saith _Avery_; "it is necessary that we make some order among us, for the better governing of the ship's crew." Which were in a few days drawn up by the clerk of the ship.

And _Avery_ promising them vast things, they all came into them at last, although some things went very much against the grain of many of them.

It took up all their spare time till they arrived at _Madagascar_, where they saw a Ship lying at the N.E. part of the Island, with which the men had run away from _New England_; and seeing _Avery_, they supposed that he had been sent after them to take them, but _Avery_ soon undeceived them, and promised them protection; therefore they resolved to sail together. In the whole company, there was not above ten that pretended to any skill in navigation; for _Avery_ himself could neither write nor read very well, he being chosen Captain of the _Duke_ purely for his courage and contrivance.

In the latitude of _Descada_, one of the Islands, they took two other sloops, which supplied them with provisions, and then they agreed to proceed to the _West Indies_; and coming to _Barbadoes_, they fell in with a ship for _London_ with twelve guns, from which they took some clothes and money, ten barrels of powder, ten casks of beef, and several other goods, and five of her men, and then let her go. From thence he went to the Island of _Dominico_, and watered; there he met with six _Englishmen_, who willingly entered with _Avery_. They stayed not long before they sailed for the _Granada_ Island to clean their ships; which being known to the _French_ Colony, the Governor of _Martenico_ sent four sloops well manned after them. But they stayed there not long, but made the best of their way for _Newfoundland_, entering the harbour of _Trepasse_ with black colours, drums beating, and trumpets sounding.

It is impossible to relate the havoc they made there, burning all before them. When they left _Newfoundland_ they sailed for the _West Indies_, and from thence to the Island _Descada_, it being judged the most convenient place, at that time of the year, to meet with a rich booty.

From hence they steered towards the _Arabian_ Coast, near the River _Indus_, where, spying a sail, they gave chase. At their near approach she hoisted _Mogul_ colours and seemed as if she would stand upon her defence, whilst _Avery_ contented himself by cannonading her at a distance, which made many of his men begin to mutiny, thinking him a coward.

But _Avery_ knew better, and commanding his sloops to attack her, one in the Bow, and the rest on the Quarter, clapt her on board, upon which she struck her colours and yielded. Aboard her was one of the _Mogul's_ own daughters, with several persons of distinction, who were carrying rich offerings of jewels and other valuable presents to _Mecca_; which booty was the more considerable, because these people always travel with great magnificence, having all their slaves and attendants always with them, besides jewels and great sums of money to defray the charges. But _Avery_, not content with this, seized the young Princess, and taking her with him into his own ship, made the best of his way to _Madagascar_, where she soon broke her heart and died. Also her father, the _Great Mogul_, did no sooner hear of it but he threatened all _Europe_ with revenge. And when he knew they were _Englishmen_ who had captured his daughter and robbed him, he threatened to send a mighty army, with fire and sword, to extirpate all the _English_ from their settlements on the _Indian_ Coasts, which gave no small uneasiness to the _Indian Company_ at _London_, when they heard of it.

CAPTAIN JOHN RACKHAM, AND HIS CREW

John Rackham was Quarter-Master to _Vane's_ Company, till _Vane_ was turned out for not fighting the French Man-of-War, and _Rackham_ put in Captain in his place, which happened about the 24th day of _November_, 1718. His first cruise was among the _Caribbe_ Islands, where he took and plundered several vessels. Afterwards, to the windward of _Jamaica_, he fell in with a _Madeira_ Man, which he detained till he had made his market out of her, and then restored her to her Master, suffering _Hosea Tisdel_, a tavern-keeper at _Jamaica_, whom he had taken among his Prizes, to go aboard her, she being bound for that Island.

Afterwards he sailed towards the Island _Bermuda_, where he took a Ship bound to _England_ from _Carolina_, and a small Ship from _New England_, both which he carried to the _Bahama Islands_, and there clean'd. But staying too long in that Neighbourhood, Captain _Rogers_ sent out a Sloop well mann'd, which retook both the Prizes, the Pirate making his Escape.

From hence they proceeded to the Back of _Cuba_, where _Rackham_ staid a long Time with his Delilahs, till their Provision was consumed, when he concluded it Time to look out for more. As he was putting to Sea, a _Garda del Costa_ came in with a small _English_ Sloop, which he had taken as an interloper on that coast. The _Spaniards_ seeing the Pirate, attacked her; but finding he could not come to her that night, because she lay close behind a little island, he warps into the channel, to make sure of her in the morning. Upon this _Rackham_ took his Crew into the Boat, with their pistols and cutlasses, and falls aboard the _Spaniards_ in the night, without being discovered, telling them, if they spoke a word they were dead men: And so shipping their cables, drove out to sea, commanding them to take the Boat, and go aboard their Sloop immediately, or else they were all dead men. Afterwards they waking the Captain and his men in the Hammocks, who rose full of their expectation of the Prizes, they sent them aboard their empty Sloop.

In the Beginning of _September_, they went off of the French part of _Hispaniola_, where they took two or three _Frenchmen_ on board, that were looking after some cattle grazing near the waterside. Then plundered two Sloops, they returned to _Jamaica_, where they took a Schooner.

_Rackham_ continuing about this Island longer than a Man of his business ought to have done, gave time to a Canoe, which he had surprised in _Ocho_ Bay, to inform the Governor of _Jamaica_ of his civilities to all he met with going or coming from the Island. Thereupon a Sloop was sent out in quest of him, well mann'd and arm'd, under Captain _Barnet_, to repay him for all his good-natured Actions, and, if possible, to bring him into the Island. In the mean Time _Rackham_ met, near the _Negril_ Point, a small Pettiauger, which, upon sight of him, ran ashore, and landed her Men; but _Rackham_ hailing them, desired the Pettiauger's men to come aboard him, and drink a bowel of punch; swearing, _They were all Friends and would do no Harm_. Hereupon they agreed to his Request, and went aboard him, though it proved fatal to every one of them, they being nine in all. For, they were no sooner got aboard, and had laid down their muskets and cutlasses, in order to take up their pipes, and make themselves merry with their new acquaintance over a can of Flip, but Captain _Barnet's_ Sloop was in sight, which soon put a damp to all their merriment: Finding she stood directly towards them, they immediately weighed their anchor and stood off. _Barnet_ gave them chase, and having the advantage of the wind, soon came up with her, gave her a broadside or two, and, after a very small dispute, took her and his nine new guests, and brought them all together into _Port-Royal_ in _Jamaica_, in about a fortnight's time.

_November_ the 10th, 1720, a Court of Admiralty was held at _St. Jago de la Vega_, where the following Persons were tried and convicted of Piracy, and accordingly Sentence of Death was passed upon them by the Governor, viz.: _John Rackham_, Captain; _George Fetherstone_, Master; _Richard Corner_, Quarter-Master; _John Davis_, _John Howel_, _Patrick Carty_, _Thomas Earle_, _James Dobbin_, and _Noah Harwood_; Five of whom was hang'd the next day at _Gallows-point_, and the rest the day after. The three first were taken and hanged in Chains; _Rackham_ at _Plumb-point_, _Fetherstone_ at _Bush-key_, and _Corner_ at _Gun-key_.

But what was yet more strange was the conviction of the nine guests, that knew nothing of the matter, or at least they pretended so; but the People would not believe them, because it was proved that they came on board with pistols and cutlasses: However, they were so much favoured as to have the Court adjourned to the 24th of January following, to give a better Account of themselves than at the time appeared to the Court: Beside, the Jury also then wanted sufficient evidence to prove the piratical intention of going aboard the said Sloops. The two _Frenchmen_ taken by _Rackham_ from the Island of _Hispaniola_, deposed, That _John Eaton_, _Edward Warner_, _Thomas Baker_, _Thomas Quick_, _John Cole_, _Benjamin Palmer_, _Walter Rouse_, _John Hanson_, and _John Howard_, came on board the Pirate's Sloop at _Negril Point_ in _Jamaica_. Indeed they owned, That at first Sight of them, they run away from _Rackham's_ Sloop, but that he hailing them, they returned, and _Rackham_ sent his canoe ashore to fetch them aboard him, when they saw them all armed with guns and cutlasses, which they brought with them; and that when they were chased by Captain _Barnet_, they were frank and free, some drinking and walking about the deck not at all dispirited; during which time there was a great gun, and small arms, fired by the Pirate Sloop at Captain _Barnet's_ Sloop; but that they could not say that the Prisoners were any way concerned in it: However, they were certain that when Captain _Barnet's_ Sloop fired at _Rackham's_, the Prisoners at the Bar went under Deck, for cowardice, as they supposed; not so much as once peeping up during the time of the whole action: But when Captain _Barnet_ drew nigh to them to board them, all of them came up, and helped to row the sloop, in order to escape from him: And that _Rackham's_ Men and they seemed to agree very well together, and that they did verily believe they were all of a Party, having heard them say, when they came on board, _They liked them never the worse for being Pirates, since they were all honest Boys, and loved their Bottles_.

To which the Prisoners answered, in their own Defence; That they were a great way off from friends and acquaintance, and, therefore it was impossible to have any one to give an account of them. That they were very honest pains-taking men, and came out to go a-turtling to provide for their families; accordingly going ashore at _Negril_ Point they saw a Sloop, with a white pendant, making towards them, whereupon they took up their arms, which were no other but what all people carry upon such occasions, and ran into the woods, to hide themselves among the bushes, not knowing what she might be. But when they hailed them and told them they were _Englishmen_, they ventured out, and came aboard them, as they desired, to drink a bowl of punch, they being poor men, who get their livelihood very hardily, and such a thing was very acceptable to them. But when they came on board the Sloop, to their very great surprise, they found they were Pirates; upon which they begged to be released; but _Rackham_ swore, That if they did not stay and assist them against that Sloop that was coming down against them, he would cut all their throats. So being compelled thereunto by _Rackham_ and his men, to save their Lives, they did assist him, and with no other design but to prevent their being cut in pieces, but as soon as Captain _Barnet_ came up with them, they all very readily and willingly submitted.

This being all they had to say in their own Defence, the Prisoners were ordered from the Bar: The Court were divided in their Judgments; but the majority were of opinion, that they were all guilty of the Piracy and Felony they were charged with; thereupon they all received Sentence of Death, as usual in such cases, the Judge making a very pathetic Speech to them, exhorting them to bear their Sufferings patiently, assuring them, that if they were innocent, which he very much doubted, then their reward would be greater in the Other World: But everybody must own their case was very hard in this.

February the 17th, _John Eaton_, _Thomas Quick_, and _Thomas Baker_, were accordingly executed at _Gallows-Point_; and the next Day, _John Cole_, _John Howard_, and _Benjamin Palmer_, underwent the same fate at _Kingston_. The other three got a Reprieve, they being against going aboard the Pirate's Sloop, and are now living.

CAPTAIN SPRIGGS, AND HIS CREW

_Spriggs_ sailed at first with _Lowe_, and came away with him from _Lowther_. Afterwards _Lowe_ took a ship of twelve guns on the Coast of _Guinea_, called the _Delight_, which _Spriggs_ went off on board with twenty men, and leaving _Lowe_ in the night, came to the _West Indies_. In their passage they made a Black Ensign, which they called the _Jolly Roger_, with a skeleton in the middle holding a dart in one hand, striking a bleeding heart; and in the other an hour-glass; and being hoisted, they fired all their guns to salute _Spriggs_, whom they chose Captain, and then went to look out for prey.

In their voyage they took a _Portugueze_ barque, wherein they had rich plunder. Near _St. Lucia_, they took a Sloop belonging to _Barbadoes_, which they first plundered, and then burnt, forcing some of the men into their Service, and beating, in a barbarous manner, those that refused to join with them, and afterwards sent them away in the Boat, half dead with their wounds, the rest got to _Barbadoes_, with much ado, though some of them died soon after of their cuts and slashes. After this they took a _Martinico_ Man, which they used in like manner, save that they did not burn the ship. Then running down to the Leeward, they took one Captain _Hawkins_ coming from _Jamaica_, laden with Logwood; out of which, they took her stores, arms, and ammunition, and what they did not want they threw over-board; they cut the cables to pieces, knocked down the cabins, broke the windows, and did what mischief they could, taking _Burridge_ and _Stephens_, the two Mates, and some other Hands, by force; and then after keeping her a week, they let her go. On the 27th they took a _Rhode_ Island Sloop, compelling the Captain, and all his men, to go on board the Pirate: One of them not being willing to stay with them, they told him he should have a discharge presently, which was to receive ten lashes from every man on board.

The next day _Burridge_ signed their Articles; which pleased them so much, that they fired all the Guns, and made him Master, spending that day in rejoicings and drinking healths.

The First of _April_ they spied a sail, and gave her chase all night, believing she had been a _Spaniard_; but when they came up to her, and gave her a broadside, she cried out for Quarters, which made them cease firing, and ordered the Captain to come aboard, which proved to be Captain _Hawkins_, whom they had dismissed three days before, not worth a groat. Two Days after, they anchored at _Ratran_, not far from _Honduras_, and put ashore Captain _Hawkins_, and several others, giving them powder and ball, and a musquet, and then left them to shift as well as they could. Here they staid three weeks, when two men came in a canoe, that had been left in another Maroon Island near _Benecca_, and carried them thither. A fortnight after they espied a Sloop at sea, which had lately escaped from the _Spaniards_ at the Bay of _Honduras_, which, upon a signal stood in and took them all off.

At an Island to the westward, the Pirates cleaned their ship, and then sailed towards _St. Christophers_ to meet Captain _Moor_.

_Spriggs_ next stood towards _Bermudas_, where he took a Schooner belonging to _Boston_, from which he took all the Men, and sunk the Vessel.

Instead of going to _Newfoundland_, they came back to the Islands, and on the 8th of _June_, to windward of _St. Christophers_, they took a Sloop, _Nicholas Trot_, Master, belonging to _St. Eustatia_, whose men they hoisted as high as the main fore-tops, and so let them fall down again; then whipping them about the deck, they gave _Trot_ his Sloop, and let him go, keeping only two of his men, besides the plunder. Two or three days after, they took a ship coming from _Rhode Island_ to _St. Christophers_, laden with provisions and some horses, and burnt ship, men, and horses: Since when _Spriggs_ has not been heard of: though it is supposed he went to _Madagascar_, to spend, in rioting and wantonness, his ill gotten plunder; till by a letter from _Jamaica_, of the 2nd of _March_ last, we understood, That he had been again at the Bay of _Honduras_, and taken sixteen Sail.

CAPTAIN EDWARD LOWE, AND HIS CREW

_Edward Lowe_, born at _Westminster_, very early began the Trade of Plundering; for if any Child refused him what he had, he must fight him. When he grew bigger, he took to Gaming among Blackshoe Boys upon the _Parade_, with whom he used to play the _Whole Game_, as they call it; that is, cheat every Body, and if they refused, they had to fight him.

_Ned_ went to Sea with his eldest Brother, and leaving him in _New-England_, he worked in a Rigging House, at Boston, for some Time, when not liking that, he returned to _England_ to see his Mother, with whom he did not stay long before he took his Leave of her, for the last Time, as he said, and returned to _Boston_, where he shipped himself in a Sloop that was bound to the Bay of _Honduras_; and when he arrived there, he was made Patron of the Boat, to bring the logwood on board to lade the ship; where he differing with the Captain about the hurry of taking the logwood on board, _Lowe_ takes up a loaden Musquet, and fired at him; then putting off the Boat, he, with twelve of his companions, goes to sea. Next day they met a small vessel, which they took, made a Black Flag, and declared War against all the world. From hence they proceed to the Island of the _Grand Caimanes_, where they met with _George Lowther_, who took him under his protection as an ally, without any formal Treaty; which _Lowe_ readily agreed to. But parting with _Lowther_ on the 28th of _May_, as we have already given in an Account in _Lowther's_ Life, _Lowe_ took a Vessel belonging to _Amboy_, which he plundered, and then stood away to the South East, by which he avoided two Sloops which the Governor had sent to take him from _Rhode_ Island.

_July_ the 12th, he sailed into the Harbour of Port _Rosemary_, where he found 13 small vessels at anchor, whom he told they would have no quarters if they resisted; which so frightened the Masters of the vessels, that they all yielded. Out of them he took whatever he wanted, keeping for his own Use a Schooner of 80 Tons, on board of which he put 10 Carriage Guns, and 50 men, and named her the _Fancy_ making himself Captain, and appointing _Charles Harris_ Captain of the Brigantine. Making up a complement of 80 men out of the vessels, some by force, and others by their own inclinations, he sailed away from _Mablehead_, and soon after he met two Sloops bound for _Boston_, with provisions for the garrison; but there being an officer and soldiers on board, he thought it the safest way, after some small resistance, to let them go on about their business.

They then steered for the _Leeward_ Islands; but in their voyage met with such a hurricane, as had not been known in the memory of man. After the storm was over, they got safe to one of the small Islands of the _Carribees_, and there refitted their vessels as well as they could. As soon as the Brigantine was ready, they took a short cruise, leaving the Schooner in the harbour till their return; which had not been many days at sea, before she met a ship that had lost all her masts, on board of which they went, and took, in money and goods, to the value of 1000_l._ Upon this success, the Brigantine returned to the Schooner, which being then ready to sail, they agreed to go to the _Azores_, or Western Islands, where _Lowe_ took a _French_ Ship of 32 Guns, and in _St. Michael's_ Road, he took several sail that were lying there, without firing a gun. Being in great want of water, he sent to the Governor of _St. Michael's_ for a Supply, promising upon that Condition, to release the Ships he had taken, otherwise to burn them all; which the Governor, for the sake of the Ships, agreed to. Thereupon he released six, keeping only the _Rose_ Pink, of which he took the Command.

The Pirates took several of the Guns out of the ships, and mounted them on board the _Rose_. _Lowe_ ordered the Schooner to lie in the Fare between _St. Michael's_ and _St. Mary's_, where he met with Captain _Carter_ in the _Wright_ Galley; who, defending himself, they cut and mangled him and his Men in a barbarous manner; after which, they were for burning the ship, but contented themselves with cutting her cable, rigging, and sails to pieces, and so left her to the mercy of the seas. From hence they sailed to the Island of _Maderas_, where they took a fishing boat, with two old men and a boy in her, one of whom they sent ashore, demanding a boat of water, otherwise they would kill the old man, which being complied with, the old man was discharged. From hence they sailed to the _Canaries_, and thence continued their course for the _Cape de Verde_ Islands, where they took a ship called the _Liverpool Merchant_, from which they took 300 gallons of brandy, two guns and carriages, besides six of the men, and then obliged them to go to the Isle of _May_. They also took two _Portugueze_ ships bound to _Brazil_, and three Sloops from _St. Thomas's_ bound to _Curaso_: All of which they plundered, and let them go, except one Sloop, by which they heard that two Gallies were expected at the Western Islands. Her they manned, and sent in Quest of these Ships whilst they careened the _Rose_ at _Cape de Verde_; but the Sloop missing the prey, was reduced to great want of water and provisions, so that they ventured to go ashore _St. Michael's_, and pass for Traders; where, being suspected by the Governor, they were conducted into the Castle, and provided for as long as they lived.

_Lowe's_ ship was overset a-careening, so that he was reduced to his old Schooner, aboard of which there went about an hundred as bold rogues as ever was hanged, and sailed to the _West-Indies_, where they took a rich _Portugueze_ ship bound Home from _Bahia_, putting to the torture several of the men, who confest the Captain flung into the sea a bag of 11000 Moidores. This made _Lowe_ swear a thousand oaths; and after cutting off his lips, he murdered him and all his Crew, being 36 men.

After this, they cruised to the Northward, and took several Vessels and then steered for the Bay of _Honduras_, where they took Five _English_ Sloops, and a Pink, and a _Spaniard_ of 6 Guns and 70 men, whom they killed every man; which being done they rummaged the _Spanish_ Ship, bringing all the booty on board their own vessel.

In the next cruise, between the _Leeward Islands_ and the Main, they took two Snows from Jamaica to Liverpool, and just after a Ship called the _Amsterdam Merchant_, the Captain thereof he slit his Nose, cut his Ears off, and then plundered the ship and let her go. Afterwards he took a Sloop bound to _Amboy_, of whose Men he tied lighted matches between the fingers, which burnt the flesh off the bones, and afterwards set them ashore in an uninhabited part of the country, as also other ships which fell a prey to those villains.

One of His Majesty's Men-of-War called the _Greyhound_, of 20 guns and 120 men, hearing of their barbarous actions, went in search of them and, seeing the Pirates, allowed _Lowe_ to chase them at first, till they were in readiness to engage him, and when he was within gunshot, tacked about and stood towards him. The Pirates edged away under the Man-of-War's stern, making a running fight for about two hours. But little wind happening, the Pirates gained from her; thereupon the _Greyhound_ left off firing, and turned all her hands to her oars, and came up with them, when the fight was renewed with a brisk fire on both sides, till the _Ranger's_ main-yard was shot down; upon which, the _Greyhound_ pressing close, _Lowe_ bore away and left his consort, who seeing the cowardice of his Commadore, and that there was no possibility of escaping, called out for quarters.

_Lowe's_ conduct in this engagement shewed him to be a cowardly villain; for had he fought half as briskly as _Harris_, the Man-of-War could never have taken either of them. The _Greyhound_ carried her Prize to _Rhode-Island_, which was looked upon to be of such signal Service to the Colony, that in Council they resolved to compliment _Peter Sulgard_ Captain, with the Freedom of their Corporation. They secured the prisoners under a strong guard in Jail, till a Court of Vice-Admiralty could be held for their Trials, which was on the 10th of _July_ at _Newport_, lasting three Days. The Judges were _William Dummer_, Esq; Lieutenant Governor of the _Massachusets_, President; _Nathaniel Payne_, Esq; _John Lechmore_, Esq; Surveyor General; _John Valentine_, Esq; Advocate General; _Samuel Cranston_, Governor of _Rhode Island_; _John Menzies_, Esq; Judge of the Admiralty; _Richard Ward_, Esq; Registrar; and Mr. _Jahleet Brinton_, Provost Marshal. _Robert Auchmuta_, Esq, was appointed by the Court, Counsel for the prisoners here under mentioned.

_Charles Harris_, Captain, _William Blads_, _Daniel Hyde_, _Thomas Powel_, jun., _Stephen Munden_, _Thomas Hugget_, _William Read_, _Peter Kneeves_, _James Brinkley_, _Joseph Sound_, _William Shutfield_, _Edward Eaton_, _John Brown_, _Edward Lawson_, _Owen Rice_, _John Tomkins_, _John Fitzgerald_, _Abraham Lacy_, _Thomas Linester_, _Francis Leyton_, _John Walters_, Quarter-master, _William Jones_, _Charles Church_, _Thomas Hazel_, and _John Bright_, who were all executed the 19th of _July_, 1723, near _Newport_ in _Rhode Island_; but _John Brown_ and _Patrick Cunningham_ were recommended to Mercy.

The eight following were found Not Guilty; _John Wilson_, _Henry Barnes_, _Thomas Jones_, _Joseph Switzer_, _Thomas Mumper_, Indian, _John Hencher_, Doctor, _John Fletcher_, and _Thomas Child_.

Instead of working repentance in _Lowe_, this deliverance made him ten times worse, vowing revenge upon all they should meet with for the future, which they executed upon _Nathan Skiff_, Master of a _Whale-fishing_ Sloop, whom they whipt naked about the deck, and then cut off his ears, making his torture their sport. At length being weary thereof, they shot him through the head, and sunk his vessel. Some days after, he took a fishing boat off of _Black_ Island, and only cut off the master's head; but next day taking two Whale Boats near _Rhode_ Island, he brutally killed one of the masters and cut off the ears of the other. From hence he went to _Newfoundland_, where he took 23 _French_ Vessels, and mann'd one of them of 22 Guns with pirates; after which, they took and plundered 18 ships, some of which they destroyed.

The latter end of _July_, _Lowe_ took a large ship called the _Merry Christmas_, and mounted her with 34 Guns, on which he goes aboard, taking the title of Admiral, and sails to the Western Islands, where he took a Brigantine manned with _English_ and _Portugueze_, the Latter of whom he hanged.

Afterwards _Lowe_ went to the Coast of _Guinea_, but nothing happened till he came to _Sierra Leon_, in _Africa_, when he met with the _Delight_, which he took, mounting her with 16 Guns, and 60 men, appointing _Spriggs_ Captain, and from whom two days after he separated.

In _January_ after, he took a Ship called _Squirrel_, but what came of him afterwards we cannot tell.

CAPTAIN GEORGE LOWTHER, AND HIS CREW

_George Lowther_ went second Mate on board the _Gambia Castle_, belonging to the _Royal African_ Company, on board which was Captain _Massey_, with soldiers that he was to command under Colonel _Whitney_, whom were landed on _James_ Island; but the Fort and Garrison not agreeing the Company soon after lost a Galley worth 10000_l._ by it.

_Massey_ finding he must be over-ruled by the merchants, soon began to complain of their ill-treatment of his men in their allowance, saying he did not come to be a _Guinea_ Slave; and that if they did not use him and his men better, he should take other measures.

At the same time, there happened a dispute between the Captain of the ship and _Lowther_, which very much contributing to Lowther's design: For _Lowther_ finding himself neglected by the Captain, found means to ingratiate himself into the favour of the sailors, who, upon the Captain's going to punish him, swore, They would knock down the first man that should offer to lay hands on him; which _Lowther_ improved to a general disaffection of the ship's Crew. _Massey_ in the meantime, having contracted an intimacy with _Lowther_, they agreed to curb their enemies, and provide for themselves some other way; which the Captain perceiving, he goes on shore to the Governor and Factor, to consult what methods to take. But _Lowther_ apprehending it was against him, he sent a letter in the same boat to _Massey_, advising him to repair on board, to put their project in execution.

Upon which _Massey_ harangued the Soldiers, saying, _You that have a Mind to return to England_, may now do it; which they all agreed to. Then he went to the Governor's appartment, and took his bed, baggage, plate and furniture, believing the Governor would go with him, which he refused; however _Massey_ came aboard with the Governor's son. After demolishing all the guns of the Fort, they weighed anchor, and fell down, but soon ran the ship aground; upon which _Massey_ returns to the Fort, remounts the guns, and keeps garrison till the ship got clear. In the meantime Captain _Russell_ got off but was not suffered to come on board, although he offered _Lowther_ what terms he pleased. Next tide they got the ship afloat, having first nailed up and dismounted all the cannon. Then putting the Governor's son ashore, they put out to sea, when _Lowther_ called upon the men, and told them, _It was Madness to think of returning to _England_; for what they had done, would be judged a Capital Offence_; and therefore, since they had a good ship under them, he proposed that they should seek their fortunes upon the Seas, as others had done before them, which they all agreed to, calling the ship _The Delivery_, and swore to stand by one another.

_Lowther_ left the Fort the 13th of _June_, and on the 20th, near _Barbadoes_, he came up with a Brigantine, belonging to _Boston_, which he plundered, and then let go. After this he proceeded to _Hispaniola_, where he met with a _French_ Sloop loaden with wine and brandy, on board whom Captain _Massey_ went, pretending at first to be a merchant; but finding her to be a Ship of value, he told Monsieur, He must have it all without money. On board her, there was 30 casks of brandy, 5 hogsheads of wine, several pieces of chintz, and 70_l._ in money, all of which they took, only _Lowther_ return'd the French Master five pounds again.

But this good harmony did not last long amongst them, _Massey_ was uneasy, and resolved to leave them; which _Lowther_ agreed to, giving him a Sloop he had just before taken, to go where he thought fit. Accordingly _Massey_ goes aboard, with ten men, and comes in directly for _Jamaica_, where, putting a bold face on the matter, he informs Sir _Nicholas Laws_, the then Governor, how he had left _Lowther_ the pirate, and of all that had been transacted before, adding, That he assisted him at the River _Gambia_ only to save so many of His Majesty's subjects, and return to _England_.