Chapter III: Part 3

In short, he took the cargoe and sold it some time after, yet still he seem'd to have some fears upon him least these proceedings should have a bad end; for, coming up with a _Dutch_ Ship some time, when his men thought of nothing but attacking her, _Kid_ oppos'd it; upon which a mutiny arose, and the majority being for taking the said ship, and arming themselves to man the boat to go and seize her, he told them, such as did, never should come on Board him again; which put an end to the design, so that he kept company with the said ship some time, without offering her any violence: However, this dispute was the occasion of an accident, upon which an indictment was afterwards grounded against _Kid_; for _Moor_, the Gunner, being one day upon deck, and talking with _Kid_ about the said _Dutch_ Ship, some words arose betwixt them, and _Moor_ told _Kid_, that he had ruin'd them all; upon which, _Kid_, calling him _Dog_, took up a bucket and struck him with it, which breaking his skull, he died the next day.

But _Kid's_ penitential fit did not last long, for coasting along _Malabar_, he met with a great number of boats, all which he plunder'd. Upon the same Coast he also lit upon a _Portugueze_ Ship, which he kept possession of a week, and then having taking out of her some chests of _Indian_ goods, thirty jars of butter, and some wax, iron, and a hundred bags of rice, he let her go.

The _Adventure_ Galley was now so old and leaky, that they were forced to keep two pumps continually going, wherefore _Kid_ shifted all the guns and tackle out of her into the _Queda_ Merchant, intending her for his Man-of-War; and as he had divided the Money before, he now made a division of the remainder of the cargo: Soon after which, the greatest part of the company left him, some going on board Captain _Culliford_, and others absconding in the Country, so that he had not above forty men left.

He put to sea and happened to touch at _Amboyna_, one of the _Dutch_ Spice Islands, where he was told, that the news of his Actions had reach'd _England_, and that he was there declared a Pirate.

The truth on't is, his Piracies so alarmed our Merchants, that some motions were made in Parliament, to enquire into the commission that was given him, and the persons who fitted him out: These proceedings seem'd to lean a little hard upon the Lord _Bellamont_, who thought himself so much touch'd thereby, that he published a Justification of himself in a pamphlet after _Kid's_ execution. In the mean time, it was thought advisable, to publish a Proclamation, offering the King's free Pardon to all such Pirates as should voluntarily surrender themselves, whatever Piracies they had been guilty of at any time, before the last day of _April_, 1699--That is to say, for all Piracies committed Eastward of the _Cape of Good_ Hope, to the Longitude and Meridian of _Socatora_, and _Cape Camorin_. In which Proclamation, _Avery_ and _Kid_ were excepted by Name.

When _Kid_ left _Amboyna_ he knew nothing of this Proclamation, for certainly had he had notice of his being excepted in it, he would not have been so infatuated, to run himself into the very jaws of danger; but relying upon his interest with the Lord _Bellamont_, and fancying, that a _French_ Pass or two he found on board some of the ships he took, would serve to countenance the matter, and that part of the booty he got would gain him new friends--I say, all these things made him flatter himself that all would be hushed, and that justice would but wink at him. Wherefor he sail'd directly for _New York_, where he was no sooner arrived, but by the Lord _Bellamont's_ orders, he was secured with all his papers and effects. Many of his fellow-adventurers who had forsook him at _Madagascar_, came over from thence passengers, some to _New England_ and some to _Jersey_; where hearing of the King's Proclamation for pardoning of Pirates, they surrendered themselves to the Governor of those places: At first they were admitted to bail, but soon after were laid in strict confinement, where they were kept for some time, till an opportunity happened of sending them with their Captain over to _England_ to be tried.

Accordingly a Sessions of Admiralty being held at the _Old Baily_, in _May_, 1701, _Captain Kid_, _Nicholas Churchill_, _James How_, _Robert Lumley_, _William Jenkins_, _Gabriel Loff_, _Hugh Parrot_, _Richard Barlicorn_, _Abel Owens_, and _Darby Mullins_, were arraingn'd for Piracy and Robbery on the High Seas, and all found guilty, except three; these were _Robert Lumley_, _William Jenkins_, and _Richard Barlicorn_, who proving themselves to be apprentices to some of the officers of the ship, and producing their Indentures in Court, were acquitted.

_Kid_ was tried upon an indictment of Murder also, _viz._ for killing _Moor_ the Gunner, and found guilty of the same. _Nicholas Churchill_ and _James How_ pleaded the King's Pardon, as having surrendered themselves within the time limited in the Proclamation, and Colonel _Bass_, Governor of _West Jersey_, to whom they surrendered, being in Court, and called upon, proved the same; however, this plea was over-ruled by the Court, because there being four Commissioners named in the Proclamation, it was adjudged no other person was qualified to receive their surrender, and that they could not be intitled to the benefit.

As to Captain _Kid's_ Defence, he insisted much upon his own innocence, and the villany of his men; he said he went out in a laudable employment and had no occasion, being then in good circumstances, to go a-Pirating; that the men often mutinied against him, and did as they pleas'd; that he was threatened to be shot in his cabin, and that ninety five left him at one time, and set fire to his boat, so that he was disabled from bringing his ship home, or the Prizes he took, to have them regularly condemn'd, which he said were taken by virtue of a commission under the broad seal, they having _French_ Passes--The Captain called one Col. _Hewson_ to his Reputation, who gave him an extraordinary character, and declared to the Court, that he had served under his command, and been in two engagements with him against the _French_, in which he fought as well as any man he ever saw; that there were only _Kid's_ Ship and his own against Monsieur _du Cass_, who commanded a squadron of six sail, and they got the better of him, but this being several years before the facts mentioned in the Indictment were committed, prov'd of no manner of service to the Prisoner on his Trial.

As to the friendship shown to _Culliford_, a notorious Pirate, _Kid_ denied, and said, he intended to have taken him, but his men being a parcel of rogues and villains refused to stand by him, and several of them ran away from his ship to the said Pirate.--But the evidence being full and particular against him, he was found Guilty as before mentioned.

When _Kid_ was asked what he had to say why Sentence should not pass against him, he answered, That _he had nothing to say, but that he had been sworn against by perjured wicked People_. And when Sentence was pronounced, he said, _My Lord it is a very hard Sentence. For my part I am the innocentest Person of them all, only I have been sworn against by perjured Persons_.

Wherefore about a week after, Capt. _Kid_, _Nicholas Churchill_, _James How_, _Gabriel Loff_, _Hugh Parrot_, _Abel Owen_, and _Darby Mullins_, were executed at _Execution Dock_, and afterwards hung up in Chains, at some distance from each other, down the river, where their Bodies hung exposed for many years.

CAPTAIN EDWARD ENGLAND, AND HIS CREW

_Edward England_ went Mate of a Sloop that sailed out of _Jamaica_, and was taken by _Winter_, a Pirate, from whom he had the Command of a Sloop just before their Settlement at _Providence_. The man was brave and good natured, and far from being cruel, as most of them are; and would not have committed such barbarous actions as he did, had not his comrades compelled him to it.

He sailed to the Coast of _Africa_, after the Island of _Providence_ was inhabited by the _English_. In his Passage he took several Ships, particularly the _Cadogan_ Snow belonging to _Bristol_, one _Skinner_ Master, who was murdered by those very men who had formerly served under him, upon a quarrel that happened between _Skinner_ and them, about their wages: He shipped them on board a Man-of-War, from whence they deserted, and went on board a ship in the _West-Indies_, where they were taken by a pirate, and brought to _Providence_, and then they sailed with Captain _England_ a-Pirating.

As soon as _Skinner_ came on board, he saw his old Boatswain, who said, _Ah! Captain Skinner is it you, I am much in your Debt, and now I shall pay you in your own Coin_. These words put the Captain in a panic Fear: And indeed he had Reason enough to be afraid, for they immediately seized him, bound him to the Windlass, pelted him with Glass Bottles, afterwards whipt him about the Deck, and then said, because he had been a good Master, he should have an easy Death, and so shot him through the Head; the vessel and her Cargoe being given to _Howel Davis_.

After this _England_ went into an _Harbour_ to clean his Ship, and also fitted up the _Peterborough_, which he called the _Victory_. Then putting out to sea, they sailed for the _East-Indies_, and took _Madagascar_, by the Way. From thence, after taking in water and provisions, they went for _Malabar_, in the Empire of the _Mogul_. Here they took several _Indian_ Vessels, and one _European_, a _Dutch_ Ship, which they exchanged for one of their own, and then came back to _Madagascar_, where they sent several Hands on shore to kill venison, and then resolved to seek out for the remains of _Avery's_ Crew; but returning without success, they being settled on the other side, they stay'd no longer than till they had cleaned their ships, and then sailed to _Juanna_.

In the Year 1720, the _Bombay_ Fleet, consisting of four _Grabs_, the _London Chandois_, and some other ships, carried 1000 Men to bombard and batter _Gapra_, a fort belonging to _Angria_, on the _Malabar_ Coast; which they not being able to do, fell in with the Pirates, in their return to _Bombay_: But Captain _Upton_ the Commodore, having no orders, would not engage them; which so provoked the Governor, for missing so favourable an opportunity of cutting the Pirates all off, that he gave the command to Captain _Mackra_, with orders to fight them wherever he met with them.

But the Pirates proceeded to the southward, and took a small ship out of _Orincro_ Road, with a _Dutch_ and two _Portugueze_ Men on board, one of which they sent to the Captain, to inform him, that if he would supply them with provisions and water he should have his ship again. But the Master would not agree to it; thereupon they sent other persons ashore, and swore he should be the last man they would give quarter to, and so put directly for _Laccadeva_ Island, and arrived there in three days. But being informed by a _Menchew_, there was no anchor-ground there, they went to the next Island, called _Melincha_, whence they were driven by a storm, leaving behind them a hundred people, and all their water-casks: But in a week's time, they regained the island, took their people on board, and filled the water-casks. Provisions being scarce, they resolved to visit the _Dutch_ at _Cochin_, and after three days sail, arrived off of _Tellechery_, where they took a small Vessel belonging to Governor _Adams_; who giving an account of Captain _Mackra's_ fitting out against them, put them into a grievous passion.

Afterward they arrived at _Mauritius_, where they refitted the _Victory_, and then sailed the 5th of April for _Madagascar_, but called first at the Island _Mascarine_, at which they found a _Portugueze_ ship of seventy guns at anchor, disabled by a violent storm, so that they easily became a Prize to the Pirates. She had on board the _Conde Ereceira_ Vice-Roy of _Goa_, also they found on board her, in diamonds only, to the value of four millions of Dollars. They made the Vice-Roy a prisoner; but in consideration of his losses, accepted of a ransom of 2000 dollars and then set him and his followers ashore. Learning that an _Ostender_ was on the leeward of that Island, they sailed and took her, and sent her to _Madagascar_ with news of their success, where they followed themselves soon after, with two hundred _Mozambique_ Negroes in the _Portugueze_ Ship.

When _Taylor_ came with the _Portugueze_ Prize to _Madagascar_, they found that the _Ostender_ had made his men drunk, and seized his ship, which they carried to the _Mozambique_; from thence the Governor ordered her to _Goa_. But the Pirates staid and clean'd the _Cassandra_, and divided very great plunder. Some, who thought they had got enough, staid at _Madagascar_, and the rest, having no occasion for two ships, burnt the _Victory_, she being leaky, and went on board the _Cassandra_, under the Command of Captain _Taylor_, designing to go for _Cochin_ to dispose of his diamonds, amongst his old Friends the _Dutch_, and also to avoid the dangers of the Men-of-War that were in pursuit of them. But as he was preparing to sail, and heard of four Men-of-War coming after him; therefore he altered his mind, and sailed for the Main of _Africa_, and put in at _Delagoa_: But the Pirates were surprized in the evening with some shot from the shore. They took it for a desert shore, but it proved otherwise; for a few months before, the _Dutch East India Company_ had settled one hundred men upon it, who, not being supplied with necessaries, were reduced to about sixteen; whom _Taylor_, upon their humble petition took aboard, and they all became Pirates with him.

Here they stayed about four months, careened their ships, and left _Delagoa_ the latter end of _December_: But not agreeing among themselves, they parted those who were weary of that sort of life, went on board the _Portugueze_ Prize, and sailed for _Madagascar_; the others went on board the _Cassandra_, and sailed for the _Spanish West Indies_. The _Mermaid_ Man-of-War, which was a convoy to some Merchant-men, about 30 leagues distance, would have gone to attack them, had not the Merchants, whom he had the care of, declar'd their protection was of more service than destroying the Pirates; and so he was oblig'd to be content with only dispatching the news of it to _Jamaica_. This brought down the _Lanceston_, though it was a day or two too late, for they had just before surrendered, with all their riches, to the Governor of _Porto-Bello_, where they now live upon their Spoils, saying, others would have done as much, had they had the same opportunity; swearing, _That whatever Robberies they had committed they are not the only Rogues in the World; for that the South-Sea[A] did more Mischief in one Year, than they were able to do in their whole Lives_.

FOOTNOTE:

[A] The South-Sea Bubble.

CAPTAIN JOHN GOW, _ALIAS_ SMITH, AND HIS CREW

_John Gow_, alias _Smith_, was born at a place called _Caristoun_, in the _Orkney_ Islands, and was brought up a sailor from his youth, having served on board several Men-of-War, and last of all on board the _Suffolk_, along with _T. Swan_, who was engaged with him in the conspiracy to murder Captain _Ferneau_, and seize the ship and cargoe, as they went off the _Texel_, but they were prevented by _James Belvin_, who was led into the secret and discovered it. Captain _Ferneau_ taking little notice of it, contented himself with turning off _Swan_, and preferred _Gow_ to be second Mate and Gunner.

They sailed on board the _George_ Galley, August the 1st, 1724, from the _Texel_ to _Santa Cruz_, having 15000_l._ on board, when Gow designed to have seized the Ship as they went out, but could not get a party strong enough to join with him, till he worked up a misunderstanding between the Captain and part of the crew, concerning the provisions of the ship, particularly _Winter_, _Peterson_, _and Mc.Cawley_, who came upon the Quarter-Deck, in presence of the Owners, just before they sailed, and made a long complaint against the Captain; who assured them that if there was any wrong done them, it was not by his consent; and that he would enquire into it as soon as they had unmoored the ship.

About eight a clock at night, Captain _Ferneau_, as usual, called them up to prayers in the great Cabin, and then set the watch, and went to sleep, little thinking his end was so near, when _Winter_, _Rawlisson_, and _Melvin_, begun the scene of blood, _Gow_ lying snug in his hammock, as if he knew nothing of the matter, till he saw whether the villany would succeed, or not. _Winter_ cut the Doctor's throat as he was asleep in his hammock, and then went up to _Melvin_ and _Rawlisson_, who in the mean time had seized the Captain and cut his throat also, but not touching the windpipe, _Gow_ stept up and shot him with a brace of bullets, and then threw him over-board. _Mc.Cawley_ cut _Stephen Algiers_ the Clerk's throat, as he lay in the hammock, and _Williams_ shot him dead afterwards. _Peterson_ cut the throat of _Bonaventure Jelphs_, the Chief Mate; and _Michael Moor_, at the Command of _Williams_, shot him.

After this _Williams_ came upon the Quarter-Deck, and saluted _Gow_ with Captain _Ferneau's_ sword, first striking it upon one of the guns, and saying, _Welcome Captain_ Gow, _welcome to your new Command_. After which, _Gow_ told the men, That if any of them durst murmur or cabal together, they must expect to meet with the same Fate; and then calling a Council, they agreed to go, _Upon the Account_, as they called it.

They called the ship the _Revenge_, and mounted six more of her guns, she being able to carry four and twenty in all. But instead of going to _Genoa_ as intended, they sailed for the coasts of _Spain_ and _Portugal_, in hopes of getting a ship laden with wine, to keep up their spirits; but all was alike they met with; and instead of wine, they contented themselves with fish, which they took out of a ship called the _Delight_ of _Poole_, _Thomas Wise_, Master, bound from _New-England_ to _Cadiz_, out of which they took the men, and what they wanted, and then sunk the Ship, to prevent their being discovered to the _English_ Men-of-War who lay in the _Straights_.

On the 18th of _December_, they took the _Snow-Galley_, out of which Crew they kept _Rob_, and discharged the Captain and the rest of the men, after having plundered the Ship of the arms, ammunition, cloth, provisions, sails, anchors, cables, and then let her go.

By this time, they were got a great way to the southward; and being in want of water as well as wind, they agreed to go to _Maderas_, which Island they made in two days, cruising about it near a week, expecting some vessel to come in or come out; but the Country discovering what they were, they were disappointed in their attempts. Then they stood away for _Porto Santa_, where they put up _British_ Colours, and sent their Boat ashore with a compliment to the Governor, desiring leave to Water, and buy some refreshments; which he readily agreed to, and went with them to pay the _English_ Captain a Visit, who received him in a very grand Manner. But the refreshments not coming as expected, he at length told him he was his Prisoner, and must remain so till the provisions were come on board, which was not till next day, when _Gow_ discharged him, giving him three Cerons of Bees-wax, and three Guns at his going away.

Having now got provisions, they agreed to return to the Coasts of _Spain_ and _Portugal_; where they had not been above two days, before they met with the _Batchelor_, _Benjamin Cross_ Master, from _New-England_ bound to _Cadiz_; out of which they took _Cross_ and his Men, and gave the Ship to Captain _Wise_, as also 24 Cerons of Bees-wax to him and his mate, and to his four men 8 Cerons. After this they took a _French_ Ship from _Cadiz_, loaded with wine, oil, and fruit, which was what they wanted, and manned her with their own men, taking on board the _Revenge_ the _French_ Master, and his 12 Men, and most Part of the cargoe, with five guns and their carriages, ammunition, small arms, and sails, and gave the ship to _Somerville_, Captain of the _Snow Galley_; and to Captain _Cross_ the _New-English_ Man, to who they gave half the ship and cargoe and _Somerville_ had all his Men, but _Alexander Rob_, whom they detained, and who was executed in 1725, for engaging along with them.

Soon after they saw a large ship to the windward bearing down upon them, which at first they thought to have been a _Portugueze_ Man-of-War; but they found afterwards, it was a _French_ Merchant Ship coming home from the _West-Indies_, which not fearing them, came on to the windward. _Gow_ perceiving she was a Ship of great strength, called all his men together, telling them they had a great many prisoners on board, and that he could not trust many of his own men; besides, six of his best Hands were on Board the other Ship, therefore he advised them not to meddle with her, she being far superior in Force. This so exasperated _Williams_, that he demanded of _Gow_ to give his orders for fighting; but he, by the advice of the whole crew, declined it; whereupon _Williams_ snapt his pistol at his Face; which not going off, made him still madder. _Winter_ and _Peterson_ standing by him fired each a Pistol at _Williams_, one shooting him through the arm, and the other in the belly; at which he fell, and they believing he was killed, were going to throw him overboard, when he leapt up, and ran into the Powder-Room, with his pistol cocked in his hand, swearing he would blow them all up; which he had certainly done, had they not prevented him that very moment, he having opened the scuttle to do it.

They immediately put him in irons, and hand-cuffed him, and then put him between decks, in a place prepared for prisoners.

Two days after this, they took the _Triumvirate_, a _Bristol_ Sloop, _Joel Davis_ Master, bound from _Newfoundland_ to _Oporto_, with fish; from whence they took all her provisions, arms, sails, and two of her men, and then let her go with the rest, and all her cargoe. Not knowing what to do with _Williams_, they resolved to put him on board them, and send him away, for fear of further danger, ordering the Master to put him on board the first _English_ man of War he should meet with, to hang him for Piracy; which when _Williams_ found they were resolved to do, he made all the submission he was able to Captain _Gow_, begging for pardon, knowing if he was carried to _Lisbon_ he should meet with his deserts. But all his entreaties would not do, he was brought up double fettered, when he begged they would throw him into the sea, and drown him, rather than give him up to be hanged in chains, which he knew he deserved from the _Portugueze_ as well as _English_. This made many of them begin to relent and pity him; but considering his savage disposition, they knew there was no safety to keep him on board, and so resolved to let him go, and give him a hearty curse at parting, wishing him a safe voyage to the gallows, not dreaming that they themselves should accompany him.

The _Bristol_ Captain obeyed their orders, and as soon as he came to _Lisbon_ put him on board the _Argyle_ man of War, Captain _Bowler_ Commander, who brought him home not above three days before Gow and his Crew came to keep him company.

In the middle of last _January_, they arrived at _Caristoun_ in the Isles of _Orkney_, when _Gow_ gave them instructions, what account they should give of themselves to the people of the country, to avoid suspicion. But now began their misfortunes, for several of their men began to think of making their escape, the first was one _Read_, who took an opportunity to get away when the boat went ashore, who went to a farm-house which lay under a hill where he hired a horse and rode to _Kirkwall_, a market town about twelve miles off, where he informed them what they were; whereupon they raised the Country to defend themselves. The Pirates soon hearing what was done, ten more of them went away with the longboat, making the best of their way for _Scotland_, who were some time after taken in the _Frith_ of _Edinburgh_, and made Prisoners.

This so provoked _Gow_, that he resolved to plunder the Country, be the consequence what it would, and in order thereto, he sent _Belvin_ his Boatswain, with _Rob_ and Four more, to Mr. _Honnyman's_ house, the Sheriff, who not being at home, his Servants let them in, not suspecting their design. They immediately fell to work, but Mr. _Honnyman's_ Daughter had the presence of mind to hide the money in a tub of feathers, till she found an opportunity to carry it away, by the contrivance of _Alexander Rob_, who was placed centinel at the door. But when the Boatswain found the treasure was gone, Gow having before told them where it lay, he swore he would burn the house, and all that was in it, which the young Lady hearing, she runs to the Charter-room where the Treasure lay, and threw it out of the Window, jumping herself after. However, they plundered the house of about fifty pounds, and some plate, and then forced a servant who played on the bag-pipes, to pipe before them to the ship, whom they also detained, and was brought along with them to the _Marshalsea_, where he was sick till his release.

The next day they weighed anchor, and came to _Calf-Sound_, where the boatswain went ashore again with four armed Men, meeting with no Plunder. From thence they went to the Island of _Eda_, to plunder the house of Mr. _Fea_, whom _Gow_ had formerly been School-fellow with, and knowing him to be a Man of Courage, believed that the Alarm at _Caristoun_ had drawn him thither: But Mr. _Fea's_ wife at that Time being very sick in Bed, kept him at home, and having notice of them he sent a letter to _Gow_ by _James Laing_, to desire him to withdraw, assuring him that most of the inhabitants were fled to the mountains on the report of his being a Pirate, desiring him to send the messenger safe back, at whose return the affrights of the people would be over. _Gow_ sent him word back, that he would write to nobody, but if Mr. _Fea_ would send his men with a Boat, he would reward them handsomely, which Mr. _Fea_ hearing, he ordered his great Boat to be staved, and sunk, and the sails to be carried out of sight. In the mean time, perceiving _Gow's_ boat come on shore, with five men in it, well armed, he met them, and said if they would go to a Publick House in the neighbourhood, and take a cup of ale with him, he would see what he could do to serve them, which they agreed to, seeing Mr. _Fea_ was all alone, not suspecting any danger. Mr. _Fea_ had before given orders for half a dozen men, well armed, to lie in ambush to surprize them, which being done, Mr. _Fea_ sent to Mr. _Gow_ to let him know, that the country was alarmed, and that it would be his best way peaceable to surrender, which _Gow_ did in a day or two, thinking thereby to make himself an evidence; but it would not do, although he complied so far as to delude all his men ashore one after another, who would certainly have cut his throat, had they known of any ways afterwards to have escaped.

They were put on board the _Greyhound_, which delivered them into the _Marshalsea_, _March_ 30, 1714, where they continued till _June_ following, when eight of them were hanged at _Execution Dock_, viz. _John Gow_, _James Williams_, _James Belvin_, _John Winter_, _Peter Rawlisson_, _Daniel Mc.Cawley_, _William Ingram_, for another Piracy under _Anstis_, and a month afterwards _Alexander Rob_ was hanged for Piracy under _Gow_.

Transcriber's Note

Fraser notes in his foreword to this book that the original author's spelling was "indefinite even for his own day", and adds that it has "has been more or less modernized" in this edition; however, there are still many inconsistencies in spelling, use of hyphenation and italics, and capitalisation of words. These inconsistencies, along with archaic spelling, have been retained throughout.

Minor typographic errors in punctuation have been corrected without note. The word 'with' was printed as 'htiw' (page 138), and has been corrected. The word 'were' has been amended to 'where' (page 139, "... where they sent several Hands ..."), for the sentence to make sense. Two instances of transposed letters have also been corrected--sieze changed to seize, and Goaler changed to Gaoler. The original title page illustration also contained an error, Jnae, which referred to a month. This was cross-checked with the rest of the text, and has been amended to read June in the transcription of the text.

The frontispiece illustration has been moved to follow the front matter.