Chapter IV: Part 4

He therefore order'd a Man continually to watch at the Mast Head, least this Fleet should go by them; and about four Days after, towards Evening, it appear'd in Sight, being convoy'd by one _English_ and one _Dutch_ Man of War. _Kid_ soon fell in with them, and getting into the midst of them, fir'd at a _Moorish_ Ship which was next him; but the Men of War taking the Alarm, bore down upon _Kid_, and firing upon him, obliged him to sheer off, he not being strong enough to contend with them. Now he had begun Hostilities, he resolv'd to go on, and therefore he went and cruis'd along the Coast of _Malabar_; the first Prize he met was a small Vessel belonging to _Aden_, the Vessel was _Moorish_, and the Owners were _Moorish_ Merchants, but the Master was an _English_ Man, his Name was _Parker_. _Kid_ forc'd him and a _Portugueze_ that was call'd _Don Antonio_, which were all the _Europeans_ on Board, to take on with them; the first he design'd as a Pilot, and the last as an Interpreter. He also used the Men very cruelly, causing them to be hoisted up by the Arms, and drubb'd with a naked Cutlash, to force them to discover whether they had Money on Board, and where it lay; but as they had neither Gold nor Silver on Board, he got nothing by his Cruelty; however, he took from them a Bale of Pepper, and a Bale of Coffee, and so let them go.

A little Time after he touch'd at _Carawar_, a Place upon the same Coast, where, before he arrived, the News of what he had done to the _Moorish_ Ship had reach'd them; for some of the _English_ Merchants there had received an Account of it from the Owners, who corresponded with them; wherefore, as soon as _Kid_ came in, he was suspected to be the Person who committed this Pyracy; and one Mr. _Harvey_ and Mr. _Mason_, two of the _English_ Factory, came on Board and ask'd for _Parker_, and _Antonio_ the _Portuguese_; but _Kid_ deny'd that he knew any such Persons, having secur'd them both in a private Place in the Hold, where they were kept for seven or eight Days, that is, till _Kid_ sail'd from thence.

However, the Coast was alarm'd, and a _Portuguese_ Man of War was sent out to cruize: _Kid_ met with her, and fought her about six Hours, gallantly enough; but finding her too strong to be taken, he quitted her; for he was able to run away from her when he would: Then he went to a Place call'd _Porco_, where he water'd the Ship, and bought a Number of Hogs of the Natives to victual his Company.

Soon after this, he came up with a _Moorish_ Ship, the Master whereof was a _Dutch_ Man, call'd _Schipper Mitchel_, and chased her under _French_ Colours, which they observing, hoisted _French_ Colours too: When he came up with her, he hail'd her in _French_, and they having a _French_ Man on Board, answer'd him in the same Language; upon which he order'd them to send their Boat on Board; they were oblig'd to do so, and having examin'd who they were, and from whence they came; he ask'd the _French_ Man, who was a Passenger, if he had a _French_ Pass for himself? The _French_ Man gave him to understand that he had. Then he told the _French_ Man he must pass for Captain, and by G-d, says he, you are the Captain: The _French_ Man durst not refuse doing as he would have him: The Meaning of this was, that he would seize the Ship as fair Prize, and as if she had belong'd to _French_ Subjects, according to a Commission he had for that Purpose; tho', one would think, after what he had already done, that he need not have Recourse to a Quibble to give his Actions a Colour.

In short, he took the 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 light upon a _Portuguese_ Ship, which he kept Possession of a Week, and then having taken out of her some Chests of _India_ Goods, thirty Jars of Butter, with some Wax, Iron, and a hundred Bags of Rice, he let her go.

Much about the same Time he went to one of the _Malabar_ Islands for Wood and Water, and his Cooper being ashore, was murder'd by the Natives; upon which _Kid_ himself landed, and burnt and pillaged several of their Houses, the People running away; but having taken one, he caused him to be tied to a Tree, and commanded one of his Men to shoot him; then putting to Sea again he took the greatest Prize, which fell into his Hands, while he followed this Trade; this was a _Moorish_ Ship of 400 Tons richly laden, named the _Queda_ Merchant, the Master whereof was an _English_ Man, he was call'd _Wright_, for the _Indians_ often make Use of _English_ or _Dutch_ Men to command their Ships, their own Mariners not being so good Artists in Navigation.--_Kid_ chased her under _French_ Colours, and having come up with her, he ordered her to hoist out her Boat, and to send on Board of him, which being done, he told _Wright_ he was his Prisoner; and informing himself concerning the said Ship, he understood there were no _Europeans_ on Board, except two _Dutch_, and one _Frenchman_, all the Rest being _Indians_ or _Armenians_, and that the _Armenians_ were Part Owners of the Cargoe. _Kid_ gave the _Armenians_ to understand, that if they would offer any Thing that was worth his taking for their Ransome, he would hearken to it: Upon which, they proposed to pay him twenty thousand Rupees, not quite three thousand Pounds Sterling; but _Kid_ judged this would be making a bad Bargain, wherefore he rejected it, and setting the Crew on Shore, at different Places on the Coast, he soon sold as much of the Cargoe as came to near ten thousand Pounds. With Part of it he also trafficked, receiving in Exchange Provisions, or such other Goods as he wanted; by Degrees he disposed of the whole Cargoe, and when the Division was made, it came to about two hundred Pounds a Man, and having reserved forty Shares to himself, his Dividend amounted to about eight thousand Pounds Sterling.

The _Indians_ along the Coast came on Board and traffick'd with all Freedom, and he punctually performed his Bargains, till about the Time he was ready to sail; and then thinking he should have no further Occasion for them, he made no Scruple of taking their Goods, and setting them on Shore without any Payment in Money or Goods, which they little expected; for as they had been used to deal with Pyrates, they always found them Men of Honour in the Way of Trade: A People, Enemies to Deceit, and that scorn'd to rob but in their own Way.

_Kid_ put some of his Men on Board the _Queda_ Merchant, and with this Ship and his own sail'd for _Madagascar_; as soon as he was arrived and had cast Anchor, there came on Board of him a Canoe, in which were several _Englishmen_, who had formerly been well acquainted with _Kid_; as soon as they saw him they saluted him, and told him, they were informed he was come to take them, and hang them, which would be a little unkind in such an old Acquaintance; _Kid_ soon dissipated their Doubts, by swearing he had no such Design, and that he was now in every Respect their Brother, and just as bad as they; and calling for a Cup of Bomboo, drank their Captain's Health.

These Men belong'd to a Pyrate Ship, call'd the _Resolution_, formerly the _Mocco_ Merchant, whereof one Captain _Culliford_ was Commander, and which lay at an Anchor not far from them; _Kid_ went on Board with them, promising them his Friendship and Assistance, and _Culliford_ in his Turn came on Board of _Kid_; and _Kid_ to testify his Sincerity in Iniquity, finding _Culliford_ in want of some Necessaries, made him a Present of an Anchor and some Guns, to fit him out for the Sea again.

The _Adventure_ Galley was now so old and leaky, that they were forced to keep two Pumps continually going, wherefore _Kid_ shifted all the Guns and Tackle out of her into the _Queda_ Merchant, intending her for his Man of War; and as he had divided the Money before, he now made a Division of the Remainder of the Cargo: Soon after which, the greatest Part of the Company left him, some going on Board Captain _Culliford_, and others 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 Pyrate.

The Truth on't is, his Pyracies 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 adviseable, in order to stop the Course of these Pyracies, to publish a Proclamation, offering the King's free Pardon to all such Pyrates as should voluntarily surrender themselves, whatever Pyracies they had been guilty of at any Time, before the last Day of _April_, 1699.--That is to say, for all Pyracies 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.--Wherefore 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 Pyrates, 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 arraign'd for Pyracy and Robbery on the High Seas, and all found guilty, except three; these were _Robert Lumley_, _William Jenkins_, and _Richard Barlicorne_, who proving themselves to be Apprentices to some of the Officers of the Ship, and producing their Indentures in Court, were acquitted.

The three above-mentioned, tho' they were proved to be concern'd in taking and sharing the Ship and Goods mentioned in the Indictment, yet, as the Gentlemen of the long Robe rightly distinguished, there was a great Difference between their Circumstances and the rest; for there must go an Intention of the Mind and a Freedom of the Will to the committing an Act of Felony or Pyracy. A Pyrate is not to be understood to be under Constraint, but a free Agent; for in this Case, the bare Act will not make a Man guilty, unless the Will make it so.

Now a Servant, it is true, if he go voluntarily and have his Proportion, he must be accounted a Pyrate, for then he acts upon his own Account, and not by Compulsion; and these Persons, according to the Evidence, received their Part, but whether they accounted to their Masters for their Shares afterwards, is the Matter in Question, and what distinguishes them as free Agents or Men, that did go under the Compulsion of their Masters, which being left to the Consideration of the Jury, they found them Not Guilty.

_Kid_ was tryed 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, _viz._ Captain _Thomas Warren_, _Israel Hayes_, _Peter Delannoye_, and _Christopher Pollard_, Esqrs; who were appointed Commissioners, and sent over on Purpose to receive the Submissions of such Pyrates as should surrender, it was adjudged no other Person was qualified to receive their Surrender, and that they could not be intitled to the Benefit of the said Proclamation, because they had not in all Circumstances complied with the Conditions of it.

_Darby Mullins_ urg'd in his Defence, that he serv'd under the King's Commission, and therefore could not disobey his Commander without incurring great Punishments; that whenever a Ship or Ships went out upon any Expedition under the King's Commissioners, the Men were never allowed to call their Officers to an Account, why they did this, or, why they did that, because such a Liberty would destroy all Discipline; that if any Thing was done which was unlawful, the Officers were to answer it, for the Men did no more than their Duty in obeying Orders. He was told by the Court, that acting under the Commission justified in what was lawful, but not in what was unlawful; he answered, he stood in Need of nothing to justify him in what was lawful, but that the Case of Seamen must be very hard, if they must be brought into such Danger for obeying the Commands of their Officers, and punished for not obeying them; and if they were allowed to dispute the Orders, there could be no such Thing as Command kept up at Sea.

This seem'd to be the best Defence the Thing could bear; but his taking a Share of the Plunder, the Seamens mutinying on Board several Times, and taking upon them to controul the Captain, shewed there was no Obedience paid to the Commission; and that they acted in all Things according to the Custom of Pyrates and Free-booters, which weighing with the Jury, they brought him in guilty with the rest.

As to Capt. _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 Pyrating; 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 Tryal.

As to the Friendship shewn to _Culliford_, a notorious Pyrate, _Kid_ deny'd, 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 Pyrate.--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.

OF
Captain _TEW_,
And his CREW.

Before I enter on the Adventures of this Pyrate, I must take Notice to the Reader of the Reasons which made me not continue the Life of _Misson_.

In reading the Notes, which I have by me, relating to Captain _Tew_, I found him join'd with _Misson_; and that I must either be guilty of Repetition, or give an Account of _Tew_ in _Misson_'s Life, which is contrary to the Method I propos'd, that of giving a distinct Relation of every Pyrate who has made any Figure: And surely _Tew_, in Point of Gallantry, was inferior to none, and may justly claim a particular Account of his Actions.

However, before I enter on the Life of this Pyrate, I shall continue that of _Misson_ to the Time that these two Commanders met.

* * * * *

The Blacks seeing them so much upon their Guard, brought out boiled Rice and Fowls, and after they had satisfied their Hunger, the Chief made Signs that they were the same who had carried a Negroe to their Ships, and sent for the Ax and Piece of Baze they had given him: While this pass'd, the very Negroe came from hunting, who seem'd overjoy'd to see them. The Chief made Signs that they might return, and ten Negroes coming to them laden with Fowls and Kids; he gave them to understand, they should accompany them to their Ships with these Presents.

They parted very amicably, and in hopes of settling a good Correspondence with these Natives; all the Houses were neatly framed and jointed, not built from any Foundation, but so made, that half a dozen Men could lift and transport them from Place to Place; and sometimes a whole Village shall be in Motion, which would be an odd Sight in _Europe_, and surprizing to see Houses moving. The Hunters returning to their Ships, with these Presents and Negroes, were joyfully received; and the Negroes not only caressed, but laden with Baze, Iron Kettles, and Rum, besides the Present of a Cutlash for the Chief.

While the Negroes stay'd, which was the Space of three Days, they examined and admired the Forts and growing Town, in which all Hands were busied, and not even the Prisoners excused.

As Monsieur _Misson_ apprehended no Danger from the Land, his Fort (tho' of Wood) being, he thought, a sufficient Defence to his infant Colony; he took a hundred and sixty Hands, and went a second Time on the Coast of _Zanguebor_, and off _Quiloa_ he gave Chase to a large Ship, which lay by for him: She prov'd an over-match for the _Victoire_, which engag'd her, with great Loss of Men, near eight Glasses; but finding he was more likely to be took, than to make a Prize, by the Advice of his Officers and Men, endeavour'd to leave the _Portuguese_, which was a 50 Gun Ship, and had 300 Men on Board; but he found this Attempt vain, for the _Portuguese_ went as well as the _Victoire_, and the Commander was a resolute and brave Man, who, seeing him endeavour to shake him off, clapp'd him on Board, but lost most of the Men he enter'd. _Misson_'s Crew not used to be attack'd, and expecting no Quarter, fought so desperately, that they not thoroly clear'd their Decks, but some of them follow'd the _Portuguese_, who leap'd into their own Ship; which _Misson_ seeing, hop'd to make an Advantage of their Despair, and crying out, _Elle est a nous, a l'abordage_. She's our own, board, board her, so many of his Men followed the few, that hardly were there enough left to work the Ship; _Misson_ observing this Resolution in his Men, grappled the _Portuguese_ Ship, and leap'd himself on Board, crying out, _la Mort, ou la Victoire_, Death or Victory. The _Portuguese_, who thought themselves in a manner Conquerors, seeing the Enemy not only drive off those who enter'd them, but board with that Resolution, began to quit the Decks in Spight of their Officers: The Captain and _Misson_ met, as he was endeavouring to hinder the Flight of his Men; they engaged with equal Bravery with their Cutlashes; but _Misson_ striking him on the Neck, he fell down the main Hatch, which put an End to the Fight, for the _Portuguese_ seeing their Captain fall, threw down their Arms, and call'd for Quarters, which was granted; and all the Prisoners without Distinction being order'd between Decks, and the Powder-Room secured, he put 35 Men on Board the Prize, and made the best of his Way for _Libertatia_. This was the dearest Prize he ever made, for he lost fifty six Men: She was vastly rich in Gold, having near 200,000 l. Sterling on Board, being her own and the Cargo of her Companion, which was lost upon the Coast, of whose Crew she had saved 100 Men out of 120, the rest being lost, by endeavouring to swim ashore; whereas had their Fear suffer'd them to have staid, there had not been a Soul lost, the Tide of Ebb leaving their Ship dry: This was the Reason that the Prize was so well mann'd, and proved so considerable.

Being within Sight of _Madagascar_, they spied a Sloop which stood for them, and when in Gun-Shot, threw out black Colours, and fired a Gun to Windward; _Misson_ brought to, fired another to Leeward, and hoisted out his Boat, which the Sloop perceiving, lay by for. _Misson_'s Lieutenant went on Board, and was received very civilly by Captain _Tew_, who was the Commander, to whom the Lieutenant gave a short Account of their Adventures and new Settlement, inviting him very kindly on Board Captain _Misson_. _Tew_ told him, he could not consent to go with him till he had the Opinion of his Men; in the mean while _Misson_, coming along-side, hal'd the Sloop, and invited the Captain on Board, desiring his Lieutenant would stay as an Hostage, if they were in the least jealous of him; which they had no Reason to be, since he was of Force so much superior, that he need not employ Stratagem. This determined the Company on Board the Sloop, who advised their Captain to go with the Lieutenant, whom they would not suffer to stay behind, to shew the greater Confidence in their new Friends.

My Reader may be surprized that a single Sloop should venture to give Chase to two Ships of such Countenance as were the _Victoire_ and her Prize: But this Wonder will cease, when he is acquainted with the Sequel.

Captain _Tew_ after being handsomely regal'd on Board the _Victoire_, and thoroughly satisfied, returned on Board his Sloop, gave an Account of what he had learned, and his Men consenting, he gave Orders to steer the same Course with _Misson_, whose Settlement it was agreed to visit.

I shall here leave them to give an Account of Captain _Tew_.

Mr. _Richier_, Governor of _Bermudas_, fitted out two Sloops on the Privateer Account, commanded by Captain _George Drew_, and Captain _Thomas Tew_, with Instructions to make the best of their Way to the River _Gambia_ in _Africa_, and there, with the Advice and Assistance of the Agent for the Royal _African_ Company, to attempt the taking the _French_ Factory of _Goorie_ on that Coast.

The above Commanders having their Commissions and Instructions from the Governor, took their Departure from _Bermudas_, and kept Company some Time; but _Drew_ springing his Mast, and a violent Storm coming upon them, they lost each other.

_Tew_ being separated from his Consort, thought of providing for his future case, by making one bold Push; and accordingly, calling all Hands on Deck, he spoke to them to this Purpose.

'That they were not ignorant of the Design with which the Governor fitted them out; the taking and destroying the _French_ Factory; that he, indeed, readily agreed to take a Commission to this end, tho' contrary to his Judgment, because it was being employ'd; but that he thought it a very injudicious Expedition, which did they succeed in, would be of no Use to the Publick, and only advantage a private Company of Men, from whom they could expect no Reward of their Bravery; that he could see nothing but Danger in the Undertaking, without the least Prospect of a Booty; that he could not suppose any Man fond of fighting, for fighting-sake; and few ventured their Lives, but with some View either of particular Interest or publick Good; but here was not the least Appearance of either. Wherefore, he was of Opinion, that they should turn their Thoughts on what might better their Circumstances; and if they were so inclined, he would undertake to shape a Course which should lead them to Ease and Plenty, in which they might pass the rest of their Days. That one bold Push would do their Business, and they might return home, not only without Danger, but even with Reputation.' The Crew finding he expected their Resolution, cry'd out, one and all, _A gold Chain, or a wooden Leg_, we'll stand by you.

Hearing this, he desired they would chuse a Quarter Master, who might consult with him for the Common Good; which was accordingly done.

I must acquaint the Reader, that on Board the _West-India_ Privateers and Free-booters, the Quarter Master's Opinion is like the Mufti's among the _Turk_'s; the Captain can undertake nothing which the Quarter Master does not approve. We may say, the Quarter Master is an humble Imitation of the _Roman_ Tribune of the People; he speaks for, and looks after the Interest of the Crew.

_Tew_ now, instead of his proceeding on his Voyage to _Gambia_, shaped his Course for the Cape of _Good Hope_, which doubling, he steered for the Streights of _Babel Mandel_, entring into the _Red Sea_, where they came up with a tall Ship bound from the _Indies_ to _Arabia_; she was richly laden, and as she was to clear the Coasts of Rovers, five more, extreamly rich (one especially in Gold) being to follow her, she had 300 Soldiers on Board, beside her Seamen.

_Tew_, on making this Ship, told his Men she carried their Fortunes, which they would find no Difficulty to take Possession of; for though he was satisfied she was full of Men, and was mounted with a great Number of Guns, they wanted the two Things necessary, Skill and Courage; and, indeed, so it proved, for he boarded and carried her without Loss, every one taking more Care to run from the Danger, than to exert himself in the Defence of his Goods.

In rummaging this Prize, the Pyrates threw over a great many rich Bales, to search for Gold, Silver, and Jewels; and, having taken what they thought proper, together with the Powder, part of which (as being more than they could handsomely stow) they threw into the Sea; they left her, sharing 3000 l. Sterling a Man.

Encouraged by this Success, Captain _Tew_ proprosed the going in quest of the other five Ships, of which he had Intelligence from the Prize; but the Quarter-Master opposing him, he was obliged to drop the Design, and steer for _Madagascar_.

Here the Quarter Master finding this Island productive of all the Necessaries of Life; that the Air was wholesome, the Soil fruitful, and the Sea abounding with Fish, proposed settling; but only three and twenty of the Crew came into the Proposal: The rest staid with Captain _Tew_, who having given the new Settlers their Share of Plunder, designed to return to _America_, as they afterwards did; but spying the _Victoire_ and her Prize, he thought he might, by their Means, return somewhat richer, and resolved to speak with them, as I have already said.

_Tew_ and his Company having taken the above Resolution of visiting Mons. _Misson_'s Colony, arrived with him, and was not a little surprized to see his Fortifications.

When they came under the first Fort, they saluted it with nine Guns, and they were answered with an equal Number; all the Prisoners, at their coming to an Anchor, were suffer'd to come up, a Privilege they had never before granted them, on account of the few Hands left them, except two or three at a time.

The Joy those ashore expressed at the Sight of so considerable a Prize as they judged her at first Sight, was vastly allay'd, when they heard how dear a Purchase she had prov'd to them; however, the Reinforcement of the Sloop made some amends; Captain _Tew_ was received by _Caraccioli_ and the rest, with great Civility and Respect, who did not a little admire his Courage, both in attacking the Prize he made, and afterwards in giving Chase to _Misson_; he was called to the Council of Officers, which was immediately held, to consider what Methods should be taken with the Prisoners, who were, by 190 brought in by this new Prize, near as numerous as those of his own Party, though _Tew_ join them with 70 Men; it was therefore resolved to keep them separate from the _Portuguese_ and _English_, who were before taken, to make them believe they were in Amity with a Prince of the Natives, who was very powerful, and to propose to them, at their Choice, the assisting the new Colony in their Works, or the being sent Prisoners up the Country, if they rejected the entering with them. Seventy three took on, and the rest desired they might be any way employ'd, rather than be sent up the Country; 117 then were set to Work upon a Dock, which was laid out about half a Mile above the Mouth of the Harbour, and the other Prisoners were forbid to pass such Bounds as were prescribed them on Pain of Death; lest they, knowing their own Strength, should revolt; for I must acquaint the Reader, that on the Arrival of the _Victoire_, both their Loss and the Number of _Portuguese_ they brought in, was known to none but themselves, and the Number of those who came over, magnified; besides, the _Johanna_ Men were all arm'd and disciplin'd, and the _Bijoux_ laid a Guardship, where the last Prisoners were set to Work; but while they provided for their Security, both within and without, they did not neglect providing also for their Support, for they dug and sow'd a large Plat of Ground with _Indian_ and _European_ Corn, and other Seeds which they had found on Board their Prizes. In the mean while _Caraccioli_, who had the Art of Perswasion, wrought on many of the _Portuguese_, who saw no Hopes of returning home, to join them. _Misson_, who could not be easy in an inactive Life, would have taken another Cruize; but fearing the Revolt of the Prisoners, durst not weaken his Colony by the Hands he must necessarily take with him: Wherefore, he propos'd giving the last Prize to, and sending away the Prisoners. _Carracioli_ and Captain _Tew_ were against it, saying, that it would discover their Retreat, and cause their being attacked by the _Europeans_, who had Settlements along the Continent, before they were able to defend themselves. _Misson_ reply'd, he could not bear to be always diffident of those about him; that it was better die once, than live in continual Apprehensions of Death. That the Time was come for the sending away the _Johanna_ Men, and that they could not go without a Ship, neither durst he trust a Ship out, not well mann'd, nor man her while so many Prisoners were with him. Wherefore there was a Necessity of sending them off, or of putting them all to the Sword. A Barbarity by which he would not purchase his Security. A Council was called, and what Captain _Misson_ had proposed, agreed to. The Prisoners were then summon'd and he told them, in few Words, that he knew the Consequence of giving them Liberty; that he expected to be attacked as soon as the Place of his Retreat was known, and had it in his Hands, by putting them to Death to avoid the doubtful Fate of War; but his Humanity would not suffer him to entertain a Thought so cruel, and his Alliances with the Natives, he hoped, would enable him to repel his Assailants; but he required an Oath of every one, that he should not serve against him: He then enquired into the Circumstances of every particular Man, and what they had lost, all which he return'd, telling the Company it should be reckoned as Part of his Share, and the Prisoners, that he did not make War with the Oppressed, but the Oppressors. The Prisoners were charm'd with this Mark of Generosity and Humanity, and wished he might never meet a Treatment unworthy of that he gave them. The Ship being victualled for a Voyage to the Coast of _Zanguebar_, all her Guns and Ammunitions taken out, with the spare Sails, and spare Rigging, all were ordered to be gone, and 137 departed, highly applauding the Behaviour of their Enemies. All this while they had heard nothing from the Natives, nor had the hunting Parties met with any of them, which made _Misson_ suspect they were afraid of his being their Neighbour, and had shifted their Quarters; but as the _Johanna_ Men were upon going away, there came about 50 Negroes to them, driving about 100 Head of black Cattle, 20 Negroe Men bound, and 25 Women, for which Cattle and Prisoners they barter'd Rum, Hatchets, Baze and Beads; some Hogsheads of which last Commodity they had taken on the Coast of _Angola_. Here the Negroes belonging to _Misson_ were provided with Wives: The Natives were caress'd, and to the Slaves Signs made that their Liberty was given them, they were immediately cloathed and put under the Care of as many Whites, who, by all possible Demonstrations, endeavoured to make them understand that they were Enemies to Slavery. The Natives staid ten Days, which retarded the Departure of the _Johanna_ Men; but, upon their retiring, the _Bijoux_ sailed with 100 of them on Board, under the command of _Caraccioli_'s Lieutenant, who excused the keeping them a Month longer than was promised, and not bringing them at once, having no more than two Ships. The _Portuguese_ Ship, which was unrigg'd, being made a Hulk, the ten Men of _Misson_'s Company who had settled at _Johanna_, being desirous to return, were brought to _Libertatia_ with their Wives (of which they had two and three a piece) and their Children, the _Bijoux_, at two more Voyages, carried over the rest of the _Johannians_.

_Misson_ hove down the _Bijoux_, and resolving on a Cruise on the Coast of _Guiney_, to strengthen his Colony by the Capture of some slaving Ship, he gave the Command of her to Captain _Tew_, and he and _Caraccioli_ press'd the Work of the Dock; he gave him also 200 Hands, of which 40 were _Portuguese_, 37 Negroes, 17 of them expert Sailors, 30 _English_, and the rest _French_. _Tew_ met with nothing in his Way till he came to the Northward of the Cape of _Good Hope_, when he fell in with a _Dutch East-India_ Galley of 18 Guns, which he took after a small Resistance, and with the Loss of one Man only; on the Coast of _Angola_ he took an _English_ Man with 240 Slaves, Men, Women, and Boys. The Negroes, who had before been taken on this Coast, found among these a great many of their Acquaintance, and several of their Relations, to whom they reported their happy and unexpected change of Fortune, the great Captain (for so they now called _Misson_) humanly having knocked off their Chains, and of Slaves made them free Men, and Sharers in his Fortunes. That the same good Fortune had attended them in their falling into his Hands, for he abhorr'd even the Name of Slavery. _Tew_ following the Orders, and acquainted with the Policy of _Misson_, order'd their Fetters and Handcuffs to be taken off, upon his Negroe Sailors, assuring him they would not revolt, and were sensible of their Happiness in falling into his Hands. Content with these Prizes, he made the best of his Way home to _Libertatia_, where he arrived without any sinister Accident; but I forgot to tell my Reader, that he set his _Dutch_ Prisoners (nine excepted, who took on with him) ashore, about 30 Miles to the Northward of the Cape, in _Soldinia_ Bay, where had been buried, by Captain _Misson_, the _English_ Commander; he found a great Quantity of _English_ Crowns on Board his _Dutch_ Prize, which were carried into the common Treasury, Money being of no Use where every Thing was in common, and no Hedge bounded any particular Man's Property. The Slaves he had released in this last Cruize were employ'd in the perfecting the Dock, and treated on the Foot of free People. They were not ignorant of the Change of their Condition, and were therefore extreamly diligent and faithful. A White Man, or one of the old standing Negroes, wrought with every four, and made them understand the _French_ Words (by often Repetition, and the Help of their Country Mens interpreting) used in their Works. _Misson_ ordered a couple of Sloops to be built in a Creek, of 80 Tun each, which he mounted with 8 Guns a piece, out of the _Dutch_ Prize. These were perfected in a little Time, and proved not only shapely Vessels, but excellent Sailors. The Officers of these Sloops were chosen by ballotting, and as their first Design was only to discover and lay down a Chart of the Coast, Sands, Shoals, and Depths of Water round the Island of _Madagascar_; The School Master being sent for that Reason with the Command of one, _Tew_ desired, and had the other. They were mann'd, each Sloop with 50 Whites and 50 black Men. Which Voyage round the Island was of vast Advantage in giving the new released _Angola_ Negroes a Notion of the working a Vessel; and they were very industrious both in endeavouring to learn the _French_ Language, and to be useful. These Sloops, the one of which was called the _Childhood_, and the other the _Liberty_, were near four Months on this Expedition; in the mean while a few of the Natives had come often to the Settlement, and they began to speak a little broken _French_, mix'd with the other _European_ Languages, which they heard among _Misson_'s People, and six of the native Families fixed among them, which was of vast Use to the Planters of this new Colony; for they made a very advantageous Report to their Country Men of the Regularity and Harmony they observed in them. The Sloops being return'd, and an exact Chart taken of the Coast, _Carraccioli_ had a mind for a Cruize; he proposed the visiting all the neighbouring Islands, accordingly he went out to _Mascarenas_, and the other Islands near it, taking one half of his Crew of Negroes, and return'd with a _Dutch_ Prize, which he took off the abovementioned Island, where they were about fixing a Colony. This Prize, as it had on Board all Sorts of _European_ Goods, and Necessaries for settling, was more valuable than if it had been vastly richer. The Negroes growing useful Hands, _Misson_ resolved on a Cruize to the Northward, encouraged by _Tew_'s Success; and, with all the Blacks, which he divided between the two Ships, one of which Captain _Tew_ commanded, set out with 500 Men: Off the Coast of _Arabia Foelix_, they fell in with a Ship belonging to the _Great Mogul_, bound for _Zidon_, with Pilgrims to _Mecca_, who, with _Moor_ Mariners, made up the Number of 1600 Souls. This Ship carried 110 Guns, but made a very poor Defence, being encumber'd with the Goods and Number of Passengers they carried. The two Adventurers did not think it their Business to cannonade, they therefore boarded as soon as they came up with her, and the _Moors_ no sooner saw them enter'd, but they discharged one Volley of small Arms at Random, we may suppose, because no Execution was done, and fled the Decks. Being Masters of this Ship, which did not cost them a single Man, they consulted what they should do with her, and the Prisoners, and it was resolved to set them ashore between _Ain_ and _Aden_; but as they wanted Women, to keep all the unmarried, and to navigate the Ship to _Libertatia_; as the Guns might be of Use to them; and, by letting her go, or sinking, they might lose, perhaps, a considerable Booty, which the _Moors_, might have hid in her Cielings or Ballast.

This Resolution was put in Execution, and they brought off 100 Girls, from 12 to 18 Years old, who designed to make the Pilgrimage with their Parents. The Lamentations this Separation caused among the Prisoners, had such Effect on _Misson_, that he was for letting them go, but every one of his Men were against him. They now made the best of their Way for _Madagascar_, putting 200 Hands on board the Prize, which proved a very heavy Sailer, and retarded them very much. Off the Cape _Guarde Fin_ they were overtaken with a cruel Storm, which was very near wrecking them on the Island called _Irmanos_; but the Wind coming about due North, they had the good Luck to escape this Danger. Though the Fury of the Wind abated, yet it blew so hard for 12 Days together, that they could only carry their Courses reef'd. They spy'd a Sail in their Passage, but the Weather would not permit their endeavouring to speak with her. In a Word, they return'd to _Libertatia_ with their Prize, without any other Accident, but the Captors could make no Estimate of her Value, she having on Board a vast Quantity of Diamonds, besides rich Silks, raw Silks, Spices, Carpets, and wrought and bar Gold. The Prize was taken to pieces, as she was of no Use; her Cordage and knee Timber preserv'd, with all the Bolts, Eyes, Chains, and other Iron Work, and her Guns planted on two Points of the Harbour, where they raised Batteries, so that they were now so strongly fortified they apprehended no Danger from any Number of Shipping which could be brought into those Seas to attack them. They had, by this Time, clear'd, sown, and enclosed a good Parcel of Ground, and taken in a Quantity of Pasturage, where they had above 300 Head of black Cattle, bought of the Natives. The Dock was now finish'd, and the _Victoire_ growing old and unfit for a long Voyage, and the last Storm having shook and loosened her very much, she was pull'd to pieces and rebuilt, keeping the same Name. She was rigg'd, victuall'd, and fit to go to Sea, and was to sail to the Coast of _Guinea_ for more Negroes, when one of the Sloops came in, which had been sent out rather to exercise the Negroes, than with any View of making a Prize, and brought Word five tall Ships chac'd her into the Bay, and stood for their Harbour; that she judg'd them to be _Portuguese_ by their Built, and 50 Gun Ships, full of Men. This prov'd the real Truth. The Alarm was given, the Forts and Batteries mann'd, and every Man stood to his Arms. _Misson_ took upon him the Command of 100 Negroes, who were well disciplin'd, (for every Morning they had been used to perform their Exercise, which was taught them by a _French_ Serjeant, one of their Company, who belong'd to the _Victoire_) to be ready where his Assistance should be requir'd. _Tew_ commanded all the _English_. They had hardly order'd their Affairs when these Ships hove in Sight, and stood directly for the Harbour with _Portuguese_ Colours. They were warmly received by the two Forts, which did not stop them, though it brought one of them on the Careen; they enter'd the Harbour, and thought they had done their Business, but were saluted so warmly from the Forts and Batteries, Sloops and Ships, that two of them sunk downright, and a great many Men were drowned, though some got on Board the other Ships. The _Portuguese_, who did not imagine they had been so well fortified, and thought in passing the two Forts they should, without Difficulty, land their Men, and easily root out this Nest of Pyrates, found now their Mistake, for they durst not venture to hoist out a Boat. They had wisely, however, contriv'd to enter just before the Turn of the Tide. Finding the Attempt vain, and that they lost a great many Men, they clapp'd upon a Wind, and with the Help of the Tide of Ebb, made more Haste out than they did to get in, leaving two of their Ships sunk in the Harbour; but they did not get off so cheaply, for no sooner were they clear of the Forts, but _Misson_ manning, with the utmost Expedition, both the Ships and the Sloops, he gave them Chase, and engag'd them at the Mouth of the Bay. The _Portuguese_ defended themselves with a great deal of Gallantry, and one of them put off the _Libertatians_ twice, who boarded them from the two Sloops; two of them, finding themselves hard press'd, made a running Fight, and got off, and left the third to shift as well as he could. The _Bijoux_ and _Victoire_ finding the _Portuguese_ endeavour'd to clear themselves, and knowing there was little to be got by the Captures, gave over the Chase, and fell upon the third, who defended himself till his Decks swam with Blood, and the greater Number of his Men killed; but finding all Resistance vain, and that he was left to an unequal Fight by his Companions, he called for Quarter, and good Quarter was given, both to himself and Men. This Prize yielded them a great Quantity of Powder and Shot, and, indeed, they expected nothing of Value out of her. None of the Prisoners were stripp'd, and the Officers, _Misson_, _Caraccioli_ and _Tew_, invited to their Tables, treating them very civilly, and extolling the Courage they had shewn in their Defence. Unhappily two Prisoners were found on Board, who had been released, and had sworn never to serve against them; these were clapp'd in Irons, and publickly tried for their Perjury. The _Portuguese_ Officers being present, the Witnesses proved them the very discharged Men, and they were condemned to be hanged at the Point of each Fort; which Execution was performed the next Morning after their Condemnation, with the Assistance of the _Portuguese_ Chaplain, who attended, confess'd and absolv'd them. This was the Engagement with the Pyrates, which made so much Noise in the _Lisbon_ Gazette, and these the Men whom the _English_ ignorantly took for _Avery_; who, we had a Notion here in _London_, had 32 Sail of Men of War, and had taken upon him the State and Title of King, a Mistake we have already spoken to in the first Volume.

This Execution seeming to impugn the Maxims of the Chiefs, _Caraccioli_ made an Harangue, in which he told them, that there was no Rule could be laid down which did not allow Exceptions: That they were all sensible how tender the Commadore, Monsieur _Misson_, was in shedding of Blood; and that it was a Tenet of his Faith, that none had Power over the Life of another, but God alone, who gave it; but notwithstanding, Self-Preservation sometimes made it absolutely necessary to take away the Life of another, especially an avow'd and an obliged Enemy, even in cool Blood. As to the Blood shed in a lawful War, in Defence of that Liberty they had generously asserted, it was needless to say any Thing, but thought it proper to lay before them Reasons for the Execution of the Criminals, and the Heinousness of their Crimes. They had not only received their Lives from the Bounty of the _Libertatians_, but their Liberty, and had every Thing restored them which they laid claim to, consequently their Ingratitude rose in Proportion to the generous Treatment they had met with. That, indeed, both he and Captain _Misson_ would have passed by the Perjury and Ingratitude they had been guilty of, with a corporal Punishment, which had not extended to the Deprivation of Life, but their gallant Friend and Companion the _English_ Commander, Captain _Tew_, used such cogent Reasons for an exemplary Punishment, to deter others from the like Crimes, that they must have been Enemies to their own Preservation in not following his Advice. That the Lives of their whole Body ought to be preferr'd to those of declared and perjured Enemies, who would not cease to endeavour their Ruin; and, as they were well acquainted with their Settlement, might be fatal Instruments of it, if they were again restored to that Liberty which they had already abused. That he was obliged to do Captain _Tew_ the Justice, to acknowledge he was inclined to the Side of Mercy, till he was thoroughly informed of the Blackness of their Ingratitude, and then he thought it would be Cruelty to themselves to let those Miscreants experience a second Time their Clemency; thus an absolute Necessity had obliged them to act contrary to their declar'd Principles; tho', to state the Case rightly, these Men, not the _Libertatians_, were the Authors of their own Deaths: Here the Assembly crying out, _their Blood is on their own Heads, they sought their Deaths, and hanging was too good for them_; _Caraccioli_ gave over, and every one returned satisfied to his private or the publick Affairs.

Some Differences arising between _Misson_'s and _Tew_'s Men, on a national Quarrel, which the latter began; Captain _Tew_ proposed their deciding the Quarrel by the Sword, but _Caraccioli_ was entirely against it, alledging, that such a Decision must necessarily be a Damage to the Publick, since the brave Men who fell, would be a weakening of their Colony; he therefore desired Captain _Tew_ to interpose the Authority he had over his Crew, as he and _Misson_ would endeavour to bring their Men to an amicable Agreement; and for the future, as this Accident proved the Necessity, wholesome Laws should be made, and a Form of Government entered upon, both Parties were call'd, and _Caraccioli_ shew'd them the Necessity of their living in Unity among themselves, who had the whole World for Enemies; and as he had a perswasive and insinuating Way of Argument, with the Assistance of Captain _Tew_, this Affair was ended to the Satisfaction of both Parties.